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Make a Delicious Change with Crystal Light: Review and Giveaway

December 8, 2009 By 200 Comments

Moms have a million things to remember….what to send in for the school party, who has a book report that  needs to be finished, dentist’s appointments…the list goes on and on.  What often gets shoved aside?  Taking care of ourselves!  How many of you feel like you come last in the family food chain?  Unfortunately, running myself ragged led to a health scare for me this summer (thankfully everything was ok) but one of the things my doctor noted is that I am not hydrated enough.  This is a problem because I am not a fan of plain water.  I never finish a glass or bottle, and that’s bad considering the CDC recommends adults have at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day.  I made a pledge to start drinking more water, and thank goodness for Crystal Light!

crystal light

Crystal Light is trying to make a Delicous Change in people’s lives and have made some changes themselves.  Crystal Light has recently reduced its packaging and now uses 250 tons less!  This is a great change for the planet.  In addition, Crystal Light now comes in over 30 sugar-free flavors including their new Skin Essentials drink mixes which help nourish skin with lutein and zeaxanthin from a natural plant extract  in addition to vitamins A, C and E.  The Delicious Change website has tons of info, including a Water Wisdom Assessment to see if you are getting enough water into your daily routine.   There are also tips for getting more water into your day if you don’t already.  Since making a habit of buying Crystal Light (my favorite is the green tea), I am drinking a lot more water and seeing the benefits.  I feel better drinking water instead of diet soft drinks and have now found I can’t finish one, which is the opposite of before.  Crystal Light has transformed my taste buds!

Crystal Light has kindly offered to send one of our readers a Variety Pack so you can transform your taste buds too!   With so many options you’ll definitely find something to help you make a Delicious Change!

jensig


How to enter:

1. Visit Crystal Light and tell me which variety is your favorite!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 22nd. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to Crystal Light who provided the product for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

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Pillow Pets: Review and Giveaway

December 7, 2009 By 377 Comments

hypothesis The Snuggly Puppy Pillow Pet will be a great bedtime pal for my Aubrie, my 20 month old daughter, and will also make a great travel companion on the ride to and from daycare.

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One Snuggly Puppy Pillow Pet, and one toddler is can’t wait to find a bedtime buddy to snuggle and love!  About Pillow Pets:

pillowpet“Pillow Pets are a pillow and a stuffed animal, snapped up into one. Made of ultra-soft, machine washable chenille, Pillow Pets transform from a standard size pillow into a friendly, warm and snuggly pet with one strap. Pillow Pets are available in 20 adorable animal varieties that live in the jungle, on the farm and in the sea. They make ideal naptime buddies, travel pals and all-around fun, furry friends.  Winner of a 2009 iParenting Media Excellent Product Award and the 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Product Award, Pillow Pets are much more than a stuffed animal!”


results My daughter, Aubrie, will be turning two soon and has entered the stage where she has become attached to several “security” items around the house.  A blanket, a teddy bear, and her paci are only a few items that she MUST have!  So when I was approached to review the Pillow Pet, I knew that Aubrie was the perfect candidate for this review.

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When the Snuggly Puppy Pillow Pet arrived, Aubrie immediately tackled the puppy and wouldn’t let it go.  She pet the puppy for quite some time, and after feeling the puppy for myself, I really couldn’t blame her!  It is incredibly soft!  After a few minutes, I released the Velcro and showed her that the puppy was also a pillow.  She watched in amazement and instantly dove onto her new pillow and said, “Night Night!”  Snuggly Puppy was a hit with Aubrie and she has yet to sleep without her new friend.

hypothesis The Snuggly Puppy Pillow Pet is Aubrie’s new best friend!  She loves to carry it around as a puppy and lay on it as a pillow.  I love that it is super soft and machine washable.  With 20 different designs, you are sure to find a pet that your child will adore!  And if you love the pillows, check out the backpacks and blankets!

Sold at very reasonable prices, the pillows, blankets and backpacks would make excellent holiday gifts or birthday presents!

Unfortunately, the Pillow Pets are unavailable right now due to high demand, but you can win one right here on The Not-So-Blog!

How to enter:

1. Visit Pillow Pets and tell me which blanket or backpack is your favorite!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 20th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to Pillow Pets who provided the product for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.
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Mattel’s Hottest Toys for 2009!

December 7, 2009 By 2 Comments

I have been asking Lily, my 4 year old daughter, what she would like Santa to bring her for Christmas.  Her response?

EVERYTHING!  And Barbies!

When I was a little girl (many moons ago), I absolutely loved playing Barbies with my friends.  We had a blast changing their clothes, making them go on “dates” and even cutting their hair (much to my mother’s dismay).  So, I am thrilled to be able to pass on these memories to my own daughters and have them create their own with a whole new generation of Barbie and accessories!

Looking for a great gift for your Barbie enthusiast this Season?  Check out the new Barbie Glamour Camper!  From Mattel:

mattellogo“Pamper your little camper with this ultra-stylish playset! She’ll love all the glam details, including a pink pop-out tent with gorgeous chandelier, luxurious bathroom, and fabulous full-size kitchen. Enjoy the great outdoors with a campfire for “roasting” marshmallows, plus a bed and sleeping bag for dreamy nights under the stars!” ARV $79.99

This Camper, which includes 30 pieces, rolls on 4 wheels, features a pink pop up tent with chandelier, sound effects including a radio, flushing toilet and sizzling bacon and a spare tire that turns into a campfire is recommended for ages 3 and over!  Want to see the Barbie Galmour Camper in action?  Check out the commercial by Mattel!

barbiecamper

Right now, you can purchase the Barbie Glamour Camper directly from Mattel for 20% off and FREE Ground Shipping on orders over $50!  Looking for toys your boys will love?  Check out the Hot Wheels Color Shifters which I recently reviewed on The Not-So-Blog!  Mattel also offers a great line of Preschool toys as well including the popular new release, UNO Moo!  Having trouble finding this new game?  I’m giving one away right here!

Don’t forget to check out all of the great new toys from Mattel before making your holiday shopping list this year!  You can’t go wrong with these classic toys redone with a modern twist!

Happy Shopping!

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PLANETjill: Review and Coupon Code

December 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

You know those people that have everything?  The ones on your Holiday shopping list that are impossible to buy for?  Well, you may need to look no further than Planet Jill if one of those people on your list is a mom, aunt, or grandmother….or even if she’s not.  Planet Jill offers one-of-a-kind gifts using photos of the ones you love.

From the website:  “Planetjill was created somewhat unintentionally. Founder, Jill Schiff, had been designing jewelry and at the beginning of a career in photography when it occurred to her that she could create an elegant necklace with a tiny photograph. She made herself a necklace and was immediately inundated with compliments. She then made gifts for friends and family and before she knew it, the phones were ringing off the hook with orders.” In fact, PLANETjill has become popular with many celebrities, including Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Garner, Oprah, and more!

I absolutely love this bracelet!

I absolutely love this bracelet!

I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review PLANETjill’s classic sparkle ball chain with rustic square photo charm. It was very easy to submit my photo, and within just a few days I had my necklace, which came beautifully gift boxed.  The photo was clear and perfect for the charm being so delicate, and I loved the ball chain, which was a little shorter than I normally wear,  so be aware of that when you are looking.  I have worn it three times so far and each time have been asked at least twice where I got it.  With me, the items I have that people notice and ask about are the ones I keep going back to wear.

Here is my necklace. I love it!

Here is my necklace. I love it!

PLANETjill offers numerous choices for photo jewelry (my favorite are the incredible bracelets), as well as other items with photos, such as accessories for the home or office, and even stuff for the guys! PLANETjill even has jewelry selections with monograms instead of photographs that are classically beautiful.  Even if you are finished with your holiday shopping, think of the gift giving possibilities at PLANETjill:  Mother’s Day, Graduations, Weddings and New Babies….and of course PLANETjill offers gift certificates too!

COUPON CODE

PLANETjill has generously offered the Not So Blog readers a coupon code for our readers to get 20% off an order!  Readers can use the code PJGET20 on any order placed before December 12th, which is still in plenty enough time for holiday delivery.   Go ahead!  Be the best gift-giver on the planet!  Thanks, PLANETjill!

jensig

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Survive the Winter Travel Season with DisneyFamily.com!

December 6, 2009 By 348 Comments

Two birthday parties, one baby shower, two dinners with friends, one Christmas performance and one family gathering later and I am back at Monday again.  December weekends are always packed with fun events and while I enjoy every second of them, it can be hard time find time to relax and rest.

disneytravelDisney Family.com recognizes the importance of taking time for yourself during the busy holiday season and attempts to make life easier for busy moms year-round with their website.  Parents and caregivers can visit DisneyFamily.com/Travel for expert reviews, other parent travel recommendations, and age-appropriate points of interest for family-friendly destinations on any budget.

disneytravelkit

In order to help you relax this Season, they have put together a wonderful assortment of  luxurious treats to help moms get through the hustle and bustle of this time of year.  They have generously offered one lucky Not-So-Blog reader with a “Survive the Winter Travel Season with DisneyFamily.com” kit!  The kit includes a BUILT bottle tote, Godiva Holiday Truffle box, adult GAP mittens, a scented candle from Restoration Hardware, and a set of 4 holiday Mini Merry nail polishes from OPI (a total value of $82).

Make yourself a priority this holiday season and enter this giveaway sponsored by DisneyFamily.com Travel!

How to enter:

1. Tell me your travel plans this holiday season?  Or are you a lucky one that gets to spend the holidays at home?

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway with the hashtag #DisneyFamily.comTravel. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Visit DisneyFamily.com Travel and check out their destination suggestions!  Where you would choose to go?

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 20th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

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“Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas” CD: Review and Giveaway

December 5, 2009 By 36 Comments

hypothesis“Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas” CD will be a great way to get into the holiday spirit and we decorate our home and spend some quality time with family.

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One “Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas” CD, hot chocolate, and two little girls ready to decorate the tree.  About Yancy:

yancy2“Whether onstage or tucked away behind a studio microphone, Yancy’s soaring, confident vocals are unquestionably unique.  Known for her bright and upbeat pop style, Yancy’s music has already endeared her to children and preteen audiences around the country.  With the national release of Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas (Pure Blue/Word Distribution), she brings her signature style to listeners of every age.

Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas was produced by Stephen Leiweke (Chris Sligh, Cindy Morgan) and features Yancy’s cheerful arrangements of classic and original Christmas selections.  “The Greatest Gift” is the album’s debut single, while additional highlights of the project include such favorites as “Wonderful Christmastime,” “The First Noel,” and “Joy To The World,” as well as the Yancy-penned “Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas” and  “Christmastime.””

hypothesis Ok, I admit it.  I am one of those people who will turn on the radio and search for a station playing Christmas carols right after Halloween.  There’s just something about those songs that warms the heart and really gets me into the spirit of the Season.  So, when I was asked to review the new release by Yancy entitled, “Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas,”  I was more than excited!

yancy

The CD features 10 songs which are a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and contemporary favorites, but all performed in a very fun and modern way.  Two tracks are original songs, as well.  I was concerned that the CD wouldn’t be a good one to play as we decorated the house (a family tradition), but my preschooler recognized several songs and sang along!  She particulary enjoyed the Medley which includes a hyped up version of Jingle Bells and Feliz Navidad.  As an adult, I loved the fact that the CD contains some of my favorite Christmas carols (The First Noel), but the artist puts her own creativity into the songs making them have a more modern feel….this isn’t your Mom’s Christmas album!  Many songs encouraged an impromptu dance party in my living room!

hypothesis “Have a Fancy Nancy Christmas” was the perfect CD for our annual tradition of decorating the house for the Holidays!  The kids and I danced around the living room to both traditional songs we could sing along with and the original songs Yancy penned for this album.   We really had a great time and this CD will definitely be one we listen to a LOT this Season!

I wanted to learn more about this artist (we have the same birthday!) and realized she has some other interesting albums as well.  I would love to check out the “Little Praise Party” CD for my preschooler!
Do you need a dose of Christmas Spirit at your home?  Yancy was nice enough to generously offer one Not-So-Blog reader their own “Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas” album!

How to enter:

1. Visit Yancy Not Nancy and tell me what is your favorite Christmas Carol

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and (@yancynotnancy) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Yancy Not Nancy on Facebook.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 12th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to Yancy who provided the product for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.
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$25 AMEX gift card GIVEAWAY from Hellmann’s!

December 4, 2009 By 570 Comments

As the holiday season swings into full speed, my social calendar has been filled with parties, dinners, family engagements and girls’ nights oust.  While they all sound incredibly fun, each party requires me to bring “my specialty.”  If you knew me, you would laugh at that statement.  Since most hostesses provide ice and paper products, that about kills my repertoire.

hellmann'sFortunately, Hellmann’s has designed a wonderful campaign, Real Holiday Helpings, to help people like me find amazing dishes to bring to parties using simple ingredients, such as Hellmann’s mayonnaise.  After checking out some of the recipes devised by celebrity chef, Bobby Flay, I think I will try out the Celebration Cheese Spread.  Requiring only 15 minutes to prepare and ingredients I normally have in my home, this dish would be ideal!

Bobby Flay

Hosting Christmas dinner?  No problem!  Check out some of the delicious entrees, appetizers and side dishes!  You can also follow along with Bobby Flay in a series of videos to see exactly how to make these dishes and get an idea of what the final product should look like.  And if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, print the coupon for $1 off any 2 Hellmann’s products!

Need a little more help for the holidays?  Hellmann’s has generously offered one lucky Not-So-Bog reader a $25 American Express gift card!


How to enter:

1. Visit the Hellmann’s Holiday Helpings website and tell me which recipe you would love to try!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Hellmann’s on Facebook.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 17th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This giveaway is provided by Mom Select and is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Thank you to Hellmann’s who provided a $25 AMEX gift card.
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WINNERS!

December 4, 2009 By 16 Comments

I aboslutely love pulling winners for my contests because I actually get to play Santa Claus!  Congrats to all the winners of these recent giveaways!

Wow Wow Wubbzy Christmas: Kelly Ann T.

Progresso:  Cheryl W.

Balloon Time:  Dana

Build a Bear Frosty:  LT

Felt Tales:  Erica G.

Leapfrog Tag Reader:  Fancygrlnancy

Ice Age 3:  Heather McD, Jason, Danielle E., Whitney, Monique R.

Maukilo $50 gift card:  Reggieman

Wen Haircare:  Carolsue

Kikkoman:  Cori W.

Oh So Spoiled:  A. Kruse

Pipperoos:  Susan

Aquafresh:  Patti B., Crystal A., CherylS22, Gianna, Jessie C., Andrea V.

Dean’s Dip:  Ashley

Young Scientist Club:  Amy H.

Get Buttoned Up:  Karen M.

Fancy Friendship Bracelets:  Jennifer B.

Congrats!  You will all be emailed shortly and have 72 hours to repond to claim your prize!  Happy Holidays!

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How Wheat Works

December 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Wheat Food Council. All opinions are 100% mine.

If there is one thing I am a fan of, it’s definitely eating!  But, have you ever thought of HOW the food you are eating actually made it from the field to the fork?  Because it is so easy to drive to my local market and buy a loaf of wheat bread, I never take the time to think about what goes into making the food that I love.

wheat

If you have the same questions, check out the new interactive, online multimedia program called How Wheat Works.  This website delivers a farm-to-fork education on wheat, enabling a better understanding of its nutritional value.  After signing up for an account, you become a virtual farmer!  After learning about the differences in classes of wheats, you will choose which type of wheat you want to grown on your farm.  The first phase is planting where you will plant your crop and watch it begin to grow (I chose hard winter wheat which I can use to make bagels and pizza crust! YUM!).  After 24 hours, you will receive an email prompting you to return to the website to participate in the next step, harvest. Activity suggestions at the end of each phase allow participants to extend their learning experience through preparing wheat-based recipes, exploring wheat grown in their area through our state wheat commission member sites and viewing harvest videos from “America’s Heartland.”

And if you need more incentive to participate in the program, theWheat Foods Council will donate two pounds of flour, up to 90,000 pounds, to Operation Homefront, a non-profit that provides assistance to needy U.S. troops and their families.

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This program is also being extended to youth by providing a kid-friendly website containing games, quizzes, and recipes (how good does Almond Chicken Bagel Sandwiches sound!?!)  By arming citizens with information, the Wheat Council hopes to teach people how a whole or enriched grain food comes to be can shed new light on wheat nutrition, resulting in informed food choices.

So, break out your overalls, feed the chickens and start planting!


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Zhu Zhu Pet Giveaway: Win Jilly or Winkie!!

December 3, 2009 By 678 Comments

Bridgette and I are still in a state of shock over the traffic and attention our recent post about How to score a Zhu Zhu Pet generated.  Our article was featured in a post by the LA Times which brought thousands of new visitors to The Not-So-Blog!  Best of all, our readers gave tips on how to really accomplish the nearly impossible feat of scoring your very own Num Nums or one of his cuddly buddies.  Zhu Zhu fans came together on our post for one common goal and many have found the coveted hamsters due to the generosity of strangers.  Thanks, faithful readers!

Lo and behold as word of Zhu Zhu mania traveled, Bridgette and I were giddy with Zhu Zhu delight.  Katie Couric even had a feature about Zhu Zhu Pets on the CBS evening news!   I was grateful to Katie for validating the Zhu Zhu craziness as many people thought I was clinically insane for waiting in line at the Wal Mart for hours to get one.  Katie helped prove that I did not need to be carried off by the men in the white coats.   Thanks, Katie!

Luckily, both Bridgette and I have acquired the coveted hamsters and some accessories for our girls for Christmas.  The best part is that we were able to get them without swallowing any acorns or formally changing our names to Mr. Squiggles and Num Nums.   A few days ago, my phone starts chirping like crazy with multiple text messages.   It was Bridgette, asking if I am sitting down, because she has REALLY.  BIG.  NEWS.  I thought for sure it must be Oprah, wanting us to come to her show and talk about the infamous Zhu Zhu.

"You get a Zhu Zhu! And you get a Zhu Zhu! Everybody gets a Zhu Zhu!"

"You get a Zhu Zhu! And you get a Zhu Zhu! Everybody gets a Zhu Zhu!"

It wasn’t Oprah.  What could be better than Oprah?  Well, it was Cepia, LLC, who are the brainiacs behind  Zhu Zhu Pets.    They loved our Top Ten list so much they sent us two Zhu Zhu Pets that are NOT YET AVAILABLE IN STORES!!  Move over Pipsqueak, because the Not So Blog is the ONLY place you can get the brand new additions to the Zhu Zhu Pet family, Jilly (the pink one) or Winkie (the black and white one) BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS!  You heard us right, one lucky reader will be able to choose either Jilly or Winkie, the all new Zhu Zhu Pets for 2010!  Can you imagine your child’s face when he or she wakes up on Christmas Day to a Zhu Zhu Pet that no one else can even get their hands on yet?  Oprah might be calling you instead!
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We are so excited to offer this giveaway!  Thank you so much, Cepia, LLC for being so generous!  As I pondered over how exactly I wanted to handle this giveaway, I thought it would be fun to have you video yourselves acting like hamsters, or have people ACTUALLY do one of our Top Ten ways to score a Zhu Zhu and provide video evidence, but in the interest of time (and because we are so darn nice), we will just ask the following:

How to enter:

1. Visit the Zhu Zhu Pet homepage and tell me which hamster your child has been asking for! Would you choose Jilly or Winkie if you won this contest?

Additional entries

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5.  Sign up for Zhu Zhu Pets Newsletter.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 11th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

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