Talk Back to the TV! Watch The View!

The girls at The View are off enjoying some R&R this week so we are living in re-run city, but I thought I would share today’s show details as it was a good one, and still fairly recent.

The women started out by discussing what lengths Moms should go to in order to protect their kids from the day-to-day stuff that might happen to hurt them…..everything from smashing their fingers in a non-baby-proofed cabinet to getting kicked by a playground bully.  This is a constant part of my life.  As an elementary school teacher (with children the same age) I constantly walk that fine line between intervening when things get out of hand as opposed to letting kids fight their own battles so they can learn to fend for themselves.  It’s a very, very, tough call sometimes.  Most of the time, whatever decision I make, I always re-think later and wonder if I should have done it differently.  What’s your solution?  Do y’all step in, or stay out of it?

karateKarate Kid stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan visited the show to talk about their hit movie.  This is a movie we haven’t made it to yet, but want to.  I didn’t realize the new Karate Kid dealt with the topic of bullying and I am glad to hear that.  I think more movies and TV shows that appeal to kids should address bullying as much as possible to continually get the message out to children about the way they should treat others.   Jackie and Jaden really seemed to have a great rapport on the set and it sounds like the new Karate Kid movie will become as well loved as the original with Ralph Macchio.  (What happened to him, by the way?)  Jaden Smith (son of superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith) is one confident and funny kid for being so young.  I am sure his career will last a long time!

Kirsten Kemp Becker from TLC’s Property Ladder stopped by to talk about the ongoing property slump.  This is something that has hit my hometown pretty hard.  It’s a buyer’s market right now for sure with houses for sale everywhere!  The problem is, if you have to sell your house in order to buy another, you’re out of luck!  Very frustrating!  Kirsten showed houses in Tacoma, WA, Boulder, CO, and Pittsburg, PA, that provide a lot of bang for the buck.  Other areas where you can scoop up a lot of house for the money include several areas of Florida, Wilmington, NC, and Texas.  Also, if you have never seen Property Ladder, you need to check it out.  I love that show!alison

Style Expert Alison Deyette stopped by to talk about how to find designer labels for less by checking out your local T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s.  I will say I have found some ridiculously good buys at both places every time I go, I just have to psych myself up to go dig through it all!  All the outfits the models had one were cute!  In fact, I just went shopping yesterday and came home frustrated because I found nothing.  Might have to hit T.J. Maxx this weekend!  In the meantime, keep watching The View!

Disclosure: As a “View Ambassador,” I was given financial compensation by ABC Daytime to write my opinions of the recent View episodes.  However, all opinions remain 100% my own.

Find a Gift for Anyone on your List at TJ Maxx and Marshalls!

TJ Maxx and Marshalls wanted to show you that you can find a gift for anyone on your holiday list for a great price, so they came up with one of the most creative blog campaigns I have been a part of thus far. Sshhhhh……I’m a Secret Santa! One hundred blogs were selected as the “Secret Santa 100″, were given 2 $25 gift cards and were challenged to shop not only for themselves, but for their Secret Santa for under $25!

tjmaxxI have never met my Secret Santa partner, so I took the time to look around her blog and see if I could get any hints as to what she might like. It was harder than I thought, but I did get a few clues and set off to my local TJ Maxx store. Because my partner (who shall remain nameless for now) lives in a colder climate, I thought she might like a cozy and incredibly soft blanket ($12.99). As a Southern girl, I would never survive in cold temperatures, so I wanted to make sure my partner was warm! I found a cute insulated coffee mug and some Moose Munch to complete the package, too!  My total? $25.82!

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I think the gift will make a wonderful presentation and I really hope she likes it! Do you still have some shopping left to do? You really can find something for everyone here! Marshalls and T.J. Maxx have a selection of all the hottest toys including Transformers, Barbies, My Little Pony and Cars as well as MP3 accessories, electric razors and golf accessories, too!

TJ Maxx and Marshalls would also love to help someone win a $5,000 holiday shopping spree! On YouTube’s specially created “Caroling Channel“, you can select from one of three carols, create your own “Carol-oke” video and upload it in order to enter the contest. You can sing alone, with your family or convince your kids to do it for you…just SING! And just for entering the contest, a donation to Toys for Tots will be made for each entry received.

There’s not too much time left to finish your shopping list!  Head to your local TJ Maxx and Marshall’s and find something for everyone!

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to TJ Maxx and Marshall’s who provided the $25 gift card for me and a $25 gift card for my Secret Santa. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

TJ Maxx and Marshalls: Review

Can you believe Summer is almost over?  My family and I had a fun filled summer of sitting out by the pool, cooking out, family gatherings and just generally relaxing.  But, school is about to begin which means my husband (who is a teacher) will be returning to work.

Back to school, for most parents, means buying their kids new outfits, shoes, supplies and backpacks.  But for our family, it means shopping for Dad!  My husband is required to wear dress pants, dress shirts and ties to work each and every day, so his attire wears out quickly.  Not to mention he teaches teenage girls, so he has to look somewhat “hip” or face ridicule by the masses!

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So when I was approached to review the TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores by having my own shopping experience, I was thrilled.  My first instinct was, “Yippee!  New purses!”  But, I generously gave up my gift cards so hubby could get the clothes he needs for school (he is so lucky to have me! LOL!).

Fortunately, there is a TJ Maxx located close to my home, so we packed up the girls and went shopping today.  Honestly, I don’t shop at TJ Maxx very often…ok, never, so this was a new experience for me.  I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised!  We headed to the men’s department where hubby quickly found shirts, ties, belts and socks at AMAZING prices!  He got a dress shirt for $7.99!

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While he was trying to coordinate his outfits, I took the girls to the toddler section and was thrilled at the prices on these clothes!  We did have to dig a little to find the correct sizes, but the search was totally worth it.  As I looked around I was shocked at all of the different departments at TJ Maxx.  Top brands of kitchen items, bedding, clothes, shoes, accessories, grilling items, backyard decor and towels were found ALL at low prices! The best part is that my hubby walked away with 3 brand name dress shirts, one leather belt and two packs of socks for $50!

We had a fabulous experience today at TJ Maxx.  I would definitely shop there again for great prices on things I need for my hubby, my children, my home or even for ME!  Next time, I won’t be handing over those gift cards so easily!

Thank you, TJ Maxx and Marshalls!

Come party on Twitter with TJ Maxx and Marshalls!

Now that BlogHer is over, it’s full steam ahead to the next project!  The Not-So-Blog will be hosting a Back to School giveaway (is it that time already?!?) starting August 3rd!  Myself, along with 7 other fabulous blogs including:

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Momstart

Blessings Abound Mommy

Experimental Mommy

As They Grow Up

The Shopping Mama

What Mommies Need

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

will be hosting several incredible prize packages for every age including Preschool, Grade School, High School, College and we won’t be leaving out the parents!  You will be able to enter to win the prize packages on ALL EIGHT BLOGS in order to increase your chances to win!!  YAY!

In order to kick off this giveaway series, TJ Maxx and Marshalls are sponsoring a twitter party in honor of our Get Cool For School Blog Party. The Party will be held from 7 PM Eastern to 9 PM Eastern on Sunday, August 2nd. Come party with us on Twitter for the chance to win some great prizes!  Simply use the hashtag:

#MaxxMarshallsB2S

Sign up with your twitter tag in the linky below so we can follow you!!

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The Twitter Party will be offering:

1- 25.00 Gift Card to Marshalls

1- 25.00 Gift Card to TJ Maxx

1- 250.00 Gift Card to Marshalls