I don't know about everyone else, but when I have a chocolate craving, it's pretty much a diet killer. Most chocolates make me just want to keep eating them which makes my tummy very happy but my scale very angry.  It is really a love-hate relationship. 

I'll gladly spend some time at the gym if it means that I can enjoy the foods that I love.  Although I don't lose weight as fast, at least I'm establishing a consistent lifestyle.  I'm being honest with myself and not depriving myself.  Sure I can say "No chocolate, no chips, salads for lunch each day" but it's not a long term plan.  I cannot go through life without those simple pleasures.  I may lose weight and get to my ideal weight but then I'll reward myself or go 'off' the diet and I'll start gaining the weight back.  Hello yo-yo.

In mid January, I was asked by Mom Fuse to review Shake Your Bon Bons. How on earth could I refuse chocolate? Diet or no diet, new year’s resolution or not, chocolate is a must. Actually, awesome chocolates make it easier to only have a few. Savoring them instead of just chomping away.

I've noticed that while I love to chomp away at chocolate like there's no tomorrow, if it's a quality product then I don't need as much to make me happy.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm a cheapskate and like to stretch my dollars... maybe it's because quality chocolates are more satisfying.  I don't know.  Either way, if I find a high quality bon bon, truffle or chocolate bar, I make it last.

So I said yes. They arrived earlier this month and it took everything I had not to just hide them in the fridge. You know, like in the veggie drawer where nobody would find them except me. I didn't. Instead, I graciously offered them up to DH and both the girls.

We received three traditional flavors - "Double Chocolate" "Chocolate Vanilla" and "Cherry Vanilla" flavors.  DH loved the Double Chocolate, the girls loved "Chocolate Vanilla" and I loved all three - but by process of elimination claimed the Cherry Vanilla as mine. 


Shake Your Bon Bons has a huge selection of delicacies.  Whether you're looking for bon bons like what we received or ones that are ultra fancy or a little sassier, Shake Your Bon Bons has what you're looking for.   From bon bons to fudge, coffee to flavored syrups or just something more.  If the rest of the inventory from Shake Your Bon Bons is half as good as the bon bons we tested, then I'm safe in saying it's still fabulous!

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We are always telling the kids that being selfish is not a good trait and encourage them to share.  As a result, our family has spent the past month practicing our sharing skills.  But not the good kind of sharing.  As in Miss M had a cold and shared it with the rest of the family.  Same went for the flu followed by some type of sinus infection.  It's been ridiculous how long we've been under-the-weather.

Did anyone tell you it's cold and flu season?  Bah.  We had our flu shots so we wouldn't catch the flu this year.  Oh... wait.

Saddest part is that I sent Miss M to school on February 11th when she was still sniffling and coughing.  She could have been home resting but it was the day that I was scheduled to participate in the "Clean up the Classroom with Clorox" in her class.  It is a program put together by Clorox that teaches kids about germs.  They publicize it and provide kits to use during the peak of 'everyone-at-school-seems-to-be-getting-sick" season. I had coordinated the event with her teacher, Mr. KT, and he had an awesome lesson plan that I couldn't wait to see.

When I showed up, Mr. KT had already started talking to the class.  He was going over some basic information about germs followed by asking the kids about them.  I remember being more focused on listening to Miss M sniffle and cough than on what he was actually saying.  My ears perked up when I heard one of the boys in class say "Maybe (Miss M) is sick because she caught some germs!"  Perfect.  Thank you, Miss M, for being the poster child for our "Clean up the Classroom" event.

After his introduction came the really cool part - the part he told me about ahead of time.  He selected a few students and had them congregate in an area of the room where the other kids couldn't see them.  He proceeded to make a few of them 'sick' by applying oil and glitter to their hands.  (He used cooking oil, but said vitamin oil or baby oil also would work.)  Two students were now carrying germs.  While they approached the rest of the class with their hands hidden behind their backs, Mr. KT explained that for the next 30 seconds everyone was to walk around shaking hands and doing high-fives.

You can't see germs, but you can certainly see glitter germs and the results put it into visual perspective.  Forty seconds later, the entire class, including Mr. KT and myself, were infected.  Some only had small amounts of glitter germs on them while others had tons.  And that was only with kids touching hands - it didn't incorporate people touching objects, their clothes or their faces.  The experiment was a huge success.

After infecting the class, Mr. KT read the kids a book called "Germs! Germs! Germs!" that he had checked out from the school library.  Utilizing a poster of a sample classroom that was in the kit provided by Clorox, he had the kids affix stickers to the poster in areas of the classroom that they thought might contain germs. 

He proceeded to provide each child with a Clorox wipe to have them go around and get rid of the germs.  Just a note though, as part of the event, Clorox requested that adults be the ones to use the products.  In this case, Mr. KT incorporated wipes that they already had on hand in the classroom (which also happened to be Clorox), explained to the children that these were only to be used when an adult says 'okay' and that they needed to wash their hands when they were done.  The kids were very excited to head around the classroom and clean it all up.  Thanks to the discussion during the sticker project, they set out to clean everything including door knobs, tables, play areas and cabinets.

They returned to the poster board to adhere "I am a Germbuster" stickers over the top of the "Ick" "Yuck" and "Gross" ones that they had previously placed.

We walked away with the knowledge that kids better understood germs, how easily they transfer, places that they may be - along with good methods to get rid of them.

Best of all, they now have a very clean classroom and the information on how to prevent the spread of germs. 

If you're a teacher, be sure to stop by the Clean up the Classroom with Clorox website to request a kit or to get lesson plans, tips and information on cleaning their classrooms.  Parents can also log in and get a coupon for free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for their teacher when they purchase two Clorox products.

Special thanks to Clorox for this public service project as well as MomSelect (BSM Media) for allowing me the opportunity to participate in it!

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I have to believe that I'm not the only mom in the world that has a problem getting kids to agree to try new stuff.  Yes, they'll "take just one bite" because we tell them they have to but they have their mind made up way before any of the food hits their taste buds.

For example, in the past, I've had them try things like cashews, desserts, various fruits or vegetables or other foods.  Their canned response is always "I like it a little."  When I tell them, that something is mine and that's okay if they don't like it... wouldn't you know... they all of a sudden realize it's worth taking.  It totally has to be their idea.

Don't get me wrong, they do a great job of trying out new stuff and eventually realizing it's really good.  Both my kids have consumed non-kid foods like salmon since they were old enough to eat solid foods.  Hooey on the idea of making separate meals for the kids.  As a family, we had chef salads the other night.

But for some unknown reason, they are stuck in a cereal rut.  I've bought various cereals for them to try and they always react with total distance.  Nope.  Only like it a little.  Would rather have (anything else).  C'mon kids.  Dad and I like to eat Cookie Crisp and Golden Grahams.  We're buying it and you'll have to just deal with it.  Nah.  Miss K is perfectly happy with a granola bar, cottage cheese or a toaster pastry.  Miss M could live on chocolate Malt-o-Meal and Cheerios.

Breakfast is a perfect time to help your kids build strong bones, which is why General Mills Big G kid cereals are the only leading line of ready to eat cereals that provide 10% of the Daily Value of both calcium and vitamin D in each serving. Together with a ½ cup skim milk, this wholesome combo provides your kids with 25% of the Daily Value of both calcium and vitamin D before they even head out the door to start their days! Click here to get the skinny on breakfast and learn more about how a cereal breakfast can help your kids start the day off right.

"As a parent, you can easily help your child get more of these two nutrients by looking for calcium and vitamin D fortified cereals, milk and juice. All General Mills Big G kid cereals (including Kix, Lucky Charms, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and more) offer a good source of BOTH calcium and vitamin D in each serving."

I don't encourage my kids to eat foods that I don't feel are healthy alternatives, but I believe that having well rounded taste buds is important to their growth.  If they are educated at a young age, then I believe we won't have the childhood obesity problems that seem to be so prevalent in today's society.  Is it something you have considered?

I'm not going to get on a soapbox about that but I do want parents to know that companies like General Mills are taking nutritional issues to heart and trying to better their products as a result.

...Now excuse me while I go hide the Lucky Charms so I don't have to share them at breakfast tomorrow.

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My mom enrolled me in dance classes when I was very young.   I've never asked why she started me in classes.  Did I show an interest in music or did the class come first and it created the passion?  Actually, until now I have never thought of asking.  Doesn't matter, really, because the net result is that I love music and dancing and can't resist the urge to wiggle around in my seat or tap my toe whenever I hear a catchy tune.

As a kid, I remember watching West Side Story with my mom and being in total awe.  The charisma of the characters and how the music and dance combination told the story.  Of course, what kid of my generation didn't love Grease?  No offense to John Travolta, but Olivia Newton-John was the reason I loved to watch it back then. It created role models that some of us followed for years.

As I have said in tons of posts on my blogs, DH and I try to introduce the girls to as much culture as possible in the form of festivals, concerts, hobbies, science, conventions and more.  A few weeks ago, we decided that they are probably old enough to enjoy the music and dancing in Grease, although not necessarily all the story lines behind it. We were right... they loved it an asked when they get to watch it again.  Someday, dear... but there are tons of other movies to watch first.

These days, there's a new "Grease" in town.  It's the High School Musical franchise.  All that music and dancing!  After seeing the success of our family movie night watching Grease, DH decided the girls are definitely ready for the HSM films.  Our next movie night is already dedicated to the first High School Musical movie and we're certain the girls will enjoy it as much as they did Grease, Swan Lake and Fantasia before it.

In the meantime, I was presented with the opportunity to talk about High School Musical: The Ice Tour.  It was kind of funny because we had just discussed the fact that we missed Disney on Ice when they came through town last month.  Since we had previously discussed introducing the girls to the HSM franchise of movies, DH and I had also been talking about taking the girls to see High School Musical: The Ice Tour.  Interesting how things just fall into your lap sometimes, isn't it?

Let's go, Wildcats! It's time for Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour, featuring a cast of world class skaters in the one and only live celebration of the smash hit movies "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2!" Plus, rock the house at the exclusive High School Musical 3 Special Bonus Experience Pre-Show, with the coolest songs and hottest dance moves from the blockbuster movie, and so much more! It's a fabulous party on ice - High School Musical: The Ice Tour! Playing the i wireless Center March 16th and 17th. Tickets starting at $13. Buy tickets now at Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000. (Surcharges, handling and facility fees may apply.)

I'm very excited to say that I have a Family Four Pack of vouchers to the March 16-17 event at the iWireless Center in Moline, Illinois.  Yes, I'm bragging that the girls will definitely be seeing this event, but I'm also bragging that I have EXTRAS!  Feel like making the trek to Moline with three of your favorite High School Musical fans?  You guessed it, these extra vouchers are for one of my lucky readers!  What's the catch?   Well, the vouchers can't be sold so if you don't know someone in the Quad Cities or surrounding area that can make use of these then you probably don't want to enter.  The vouchers need to be redeemed at the iWireless Box Office for any available seat (excluding Front Row and VIP) for your choice of the March 16th or 17th event. 

If you're game to enter my giveaway, the details follow.  If you're unfamiliar with blogs and skeptical, you can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com!

...must reside within distance to iWireless Center, Moline, Illinois.

-- Earn an additional entry if you publish a blog post regarding this contest and link back to it. Come back here and leave a comment providing the link to your post.

-- Follow SAHM Reviews on Facebook  Of course, don't forget to leave a comment.
--Email all your friends to tell them to enter. Please cc me when you do and you'll qualify for one additional entry! Leave one comment that says you emailed your friends.

This is a very exciting giveaway for my local readers.  If you don't live in the area, you can enter on behalf of someone locally but please leave a note in the comment of who you're playing for... For example, "My sister lives in the Quad Cities and she would love to take her kids." 

Interested in doubling your chances to win?  Flip over to my personal blog, SAHM Ramblings, for a separate giveaway for another 4 pack!

Don't fret if you can't make it to the iWireless Center, High School Musical: The Ice Tour may be coming to your local arena! Check out Ticketmaster for their schedule!

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I'm excited to say that three contests recently closed and there are three new winners among us!

Winners - Keep an eye out for email notifications!

Be sure to stop over and enter the giveaway for a box of personalized My Fruit Roll-ups. I'll also be starting another giveaway for three Spa Break gift baskets that will include new snack bars, a bath pillow, chocolate scented soap, lotion and bath salts, and a coffee scented candle.

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Did I mention that I recently won a set of Hasbro games from MomLogic?  Oops. I haven't done that post yet, have I?  It was quite a nice package and included games Hasbro Family Game Night for the Wii along with several board games like Battleship, Boggle, Connect Four and Sorry.

At first, I wasn't sure the girls were ready for them because they require a certain amount of strategy. In the case of Sorry, there are so many different options that I figured it would be too in-depth for them.

I was wrong.  Not only did they quickly grasp the concept (of Sorry) but they managed to figure out that they could team up on me to increase their odds of winning.  That's right.  My 6 year old and my 4 year old collaborate in order to win.

Silly as it sounds, I'm kind of proud of it.  At least I was until I started hearing "I wwooonnn. I-I-I-I woonn."  I politely said "It's not nice to act that way when you win."  Whether it sunk in, I don't know. Probably not.

As I was working in the kitchen yesterday, the girls were watching Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!  Imagine my amazement when Wubbzy decided to cheat to win... then did a little winner's shuffle to rub it in.  Not only did he do it once, but he did it like three times.  In true Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! fashion, the characters made an example of it and showed Wubbzy the error of his ways.  I took advantage of the opportunity and asked the girls what they thought of Wubbzy's behavior. 

They didn't like it.  They said it wasn't nice.

Hmmm...

Yes, I pointed out similarities in Wubbzy's behavior and theirs.  Although they didn't cheat, they did have poor sportsmanship just like Wubbzy.  My comments might not have sunk in when I pointed it out politely the first time, but using Wubbzy as the example certainly drove the point home.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! has been one of the girls' favorites for quite a while.  They don't even care if they've already seen a particular episode.  They acknowledge that they've watched it and know what is going to happen but they don't care.  Wubbzy ranks high enough to watch over and over.  It's okay with me because the episodes always have a point that I can use to help explain a situation or attitude.

So it's perfect that Mom Central sent us a copy of the new DVD "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! A Little Help From My Friends" to review.  The DVD features 6 episodes (and 2 bonus episodes) that teach kids values, teamwork and cooperation among other things. If you watch it with your kids then you will be able to utilize the lessons like I did.  Sometimes what we say doesn't mean much but when it comes from a character that the child relates to it makes total sense.  Go figure.  Outranked by Wubbzy.

In addition to the DVD, Wubbzy and friends can be found online.  There are activities, games and videos.  Join the Wubb Club to receive special offers and activities.  You can even get free weekly podcasts for preschoolers from the Wubbcast. 

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is one of those shows that you can feel safe letting your kids watch.  I know that I do.  So pick up a copy of the "A Little Help From My Friends" for your kids... it may come in handy.

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"The picture inside is very neat,

So be sure to look at it before you eat!

I had this treat made especially for you!

Happy Valentine's Day!"

Technology sure is a cool thing, isn't it?  Honestly, this is such a neat idea and a total change-up from the usual birthday treat or sports snack.

A few helpful hints for anyone interested in creating a customized Fruit Roll-up.  First, if you're adding a picture, select one with a light background.  I've had two orders of these done and the one with the dark background didn't turn out as nice. Second, notice in the preview area that the Roll-up is actually a parallelogram and not a square.  If you select a design that has multiple areas, double check how it looks in the preview area because you may not like how the photo looks when cut at that angle.  Finally, pay attention to the box before throwing it away.  There's a wealth of Box Tops for Education points that you don't want to miss!

Interested in surprising someone with these?  Here's your chance to try them for free.

The Prize: Gift code for one box of My Fruit Roll-ups!

Participants -

...must provide an email in the first comment, email me directly with an email address or have email accessible from their profile. Winner has 72 hours from posting/notification to respond. If winner cannot be contacted, I will move on to the second random selection.

Sometime on March 3, 2009, a winner will be chosen at random (using random.org) from all comments left.

How to enter:

(1) Visit the "Design Your Own" section of the My Fruit Roll-ups website.

(2) Come back here and comment with the title of one of the designs.

-- Add my NEW button to your sidebar.  Not in a scrolling bar that requires a wait of more than a minute for it to show up.  Come back here and leave a comment stating that you did so.

-- Earn THREE additional entries if you publish a blog post regarding this contest and link back to it. Come back here and leave THREE comments providing the link to your post.

-- Share this post via one of the following: Digg, Stumble or Facebook. Leave a comment with which ONE you did and your ID for that service.

-- Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest with hashtag #SahmReviews. If you aren't familiar with hashtags, all you do is type #SahmReviews somewhere in your tweet. Comment with your Twitter ID or leave a link.

-- Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email... leave a comment.

-- Follow me using the Blogger feature (there's a button on the top of the page.)  Of course, don't forget to leave a comment.

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For the past few years, I've been exercising at the gym to try to physically get back into shape.  I'll be 40 next year and I'm not getting any younger.  In addition to my physical appearance, I'm starting to refocus on my health in general. 

My review schedule is tight right now (and backlogged thanks to the flu) but the Beautify Your Heart campaign that was presented to me by the Family Review Network was worth devoting some time to.  According to literature I received from WomenHeart, heart disease is the leading killer of women in America.  Heart attacks in women are a serious problem because there are often no prior symptoms - or worse, symptoms that are reported are misdiagnosed and/or mistreated.  As part of the "Beautify Your Heart" partnership between WomenHeart and Metamucil, they are encouraging women to pledge to get a cholesterol screening.  In support of the program, Metamucil is donating $100,000 to help fund heart disease education and patient advocacy programs.

Even without insurance, I maintain a schedule for my annual exams.  But the one thing I haven't done yet is get a baseline cholesterol exam.  I'm not experiencing issues that would push me toward it, but it doesn't hurt to get it checked.  Has your doctor recommended you get a cholesterol screening?  Not mine.  Like everything else in our lives, if we want it done right, we need to do it ourselves.  Seriously.  As I mentioned in October 2007, I've become very proactive about the health of my family.   Without insurance, I've asked a lot more questions about what tests are being performed and why.  Along the way, I realized that you don't need a doctor's permission to have tests run.  Companies like DirectLabs provide low-cost lab tests where you can request the labs on your own then either receive the results yourself or have them sent direct to your physician.  For most people, getting a cholesterol screening requires just putting in a request to your physician.  For those of us without insurance, it means calculating whether it's a necessary expense.  Since February is Heart Health Month, DirectLabs is running a special on their CardioPlus panel which includes all the things that WomenHeart recommends that you have tested - for $35.  That's less than dinner and a movie.

My cholesterol levels are something I hadn't really started to look at but "Beautify Your Heart" really got me thinking about it.  If you're interested in learning more about heart health, swing by Beautify Your Heart.  There are resources, information and tips.  As a bonus, there is even a sweepstakes.

Spend a few minutes working to "Beautify Your Heart."  You may be surprised what you learn.

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Some may call me a bad mom, but I think that there are advantages to letting kids spend time playing on the computer, playing video games and watching TV.  I don't just hand over the reigns and let the TV be the baby sitter.  (Okay, sometimes I do but this isn't about that.)  I don't let the kids play just any computer game or video game and I certainly don't let them watch just any TV show. 

Last March, I posted about how my girls have started watching the classic cartoons that DH and I used to watch - particularly Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry.  Yes, I feel old but at least I know that I turned out okay by watching the same thing.  But the focus of the post was more a rant about a show that I absolutely hate, Max and Ruby.  Fine, cute characters but ooh so much wrong with it.  I have been amazed during the time since I posted it how many hits my blog gets from phrases like "I hate Max and Ruby" "Max and Ruby horrible show"  and "Max and Ruby worst show ever". 


Almost a year later from when I posted that rant and rave, I was asked by the Family Review Network if I would be interested in blogging about the second season launch of - get this - WordWorld.  Hmmm. Let's see.  Would I be interested in talking about a show that I claimed a year ago was one of my favorites?  Sometimes I have such tough decisions to make...

For those of you who already know about the show, this is just a heads-up that the new season starts tomorrow, February 13th with a Valentine's special.  (Check your local listings for times.)  By the way, I would love to hear early-reader success stories from other first season veterans!

Everyone else who has NOT heard of it, listen up.  If you have a preschooler, a pre-reader or an emerging reader in your household, this is a must-see. WordWorld is a show that helps kids visualize how objects are actually words and vice versa.  How?  Well, Dog (one of the main characters) is made from the letters D-o-g.  Pig is made from the letters P-i-g.  Frog is made from the letters D-u-c-k.  LOL. Just kidding. Was wondering if you were paying attention.  Not just animals either. Buildings, instruments, food, toys.  The world is made of words.  What a novel concept.

I can type all kinds of information but the video tells the story muuucchhh better.  Check it out:

I'm excited to say that we're still making progress too. Miss K (age 4) has been interested in trying to read but isn't quite there yet.  Imagine my surprise when she told me the other day after watching "WordWorld Rocket to the Moon" that "They didn't have enough to share so they put an S on the end and then they could share them all!"  We had a nice little conversation about how adding an S to the end of the word means there are more.  Visualization made a huge impact there.

While some kids' shows can be annoying to watch (like purple dinosaurs or a family of colorful aliens), WordWorld is the polar opposite. It's cute, it's fun, it's inventive and parents don't run screaming from the room when kids say "Can we watch WordWorld?"

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I've always been a pretty strong-willed person.  Geez, I am one quarter Italian and was born a redhead so you could say it is in my blood.  I was never fearful of doing things on my own or standing my ground for the things I believed in.  Maybe it was because I always had a safety net.  My family all lived nearby and I worked for my parents' business.  If I ever got into trouble, I knew there were plenty of people who would be there for me.

When I dropped everything I had ever known to move from Iowa to Los Angeles with DH, I realized that I never really needed that safety net.  My confidence was mine and I owned it. 

DH and I knew that we were in charge of our own destiny and tapped each other's strengths and made up for the weaknesses.  We were successful enough to retire back to Iowa in our 30's after our children were born.  Our triumphs and failures are ours and we own them.

After a long and exhausting battle with infertility, I finally became a mom.  It was what I wanted and what I had worked several years to attain.  So when I was asked if I would return to work after the birth of my first child, I proudly proclaimed "I worked hard to have her.  I'm not going to have someone else raise her."  I became a stay-at-home-mom and I owned it.

But with the lack of outside stimulus, challenge and accomplishment that was earned through my job as an accountant, I began to falter.  My brain wasn't being tested and I was beginning to feel worthless - intellectually.

DH encouraged me to start a website, a forum for sharing deals and tips or a blog.  It took a few years of encouragement, but in July 2007, I published my first post on SAHM Ramblings.  I learned about code, blog conduct and community.  The confidence, revitalization and spirit were strong enough for me to decide to launch SAHM Reviews in May 2008.  I run both blogs with a quality over quantity approach and I'm very proud of it.

It's a long process but I'm making a name for myself with SAHM Reviews.  Public relations firms are seeking me out because they are interested in having me review their products.  Me.  Because they want my story.  Because they appreciate what I do.  It has reaffirmed that I have worth, professionalism and talent.  It is mine and I own it.

So imagine how excited I was when I saw the Mabel's Labels BlogHer '09 Contest asking "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogging community?" I was easily able to answer the question.  Self worth - That has been the biggest reward.  Yes, I can name a dozen other things I have gained such as friends, insight into my family and the chance to work with some great companies.  But those things wouldn't mean as much if I didn't feel renewed and empowered.

The winner of Mabel's Labels contest will not only receive reimbursement for BlogHer conference registration, flight and hotel but professionally will be featured as the event's chief correspondent on Mabel's Labels' blog.  How cool is that?

I want to win and you can bet that if I achieve it, I will own it.

Edit - I didn't even make the finals.  Guess I need to start pounding the pavement for sponsorships on my own.

3 comments

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We had company over the other day so we pulled out our new Pledge Fabric Sweeper to test out.  I started using it and found it very easy to maneuver.  Just back and forth - no pressure needed.  Miss K immediately wanted to try it out so I let her.  She did a great job until DH decided he wanted a turn.  It's extremely easy.  While I expected it to be full after one trip across the couch and love seat, I was amazed that it wasn't even close.  The pictures show the empty product and what it was like after one complete use.  My only complaint is that it's disposable so not very 'green'.

Sometime on February 20, 2009, a winner will be chosen at random (using random.org) from all comments left.
How to enter:
For the first entry -
(1) Watch the video at Pledge Fabric Sweeper.
(2) Leave a comment with one detail about the product along with what type of pet you have.
For additional entries -
-- Add my NEW button to your sidebar.  Not in a scrolling bar that requires a wait of more than a minute for it to show up.  Come back here and leave a comment stating that you did so.
<center><a href="http://www.sahmreviews.com" target="_blank"><img alt="SAHM Reviews" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/ia2ca/Sahm/SahmReviews125.jpg"/></a></center>

-- Share this post via one of the following: Digg, Stumble or Facebook. Leave a comment with which ONE you did and your ID for that service.
-- Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest with hashtag #SahmReviews. If you aren't familiar with hashtags, all you do is type #SahmReviews somewhere in your tweet. Comment with your Twitter ID or leave a link.
-- Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email... leave a comment.
-- Follow me using the Blogger feature (there's a button on the top of the page.)  Of course, don't forget to leave a comment.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program by SC Johnson, who also supplied the product for review and giveaway. 

On a side note, I also have the opportunity to participate in this with BzzAgent and am looking forward to whatever literature and coupons they send along!

52 comments

Welcome to SAHM Reviews, HP (and @HPCheer)!  If you are reading this, then you're here to find out why I think I deserve the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition.

Since it's your product, you already know what it looks like... but since my readers probably don't, I'm including a picture.  Oh yeah, and because it's one of the contest requirements.  (Hey SAHM Reviews readers - see that clutch purse the runway models are carrying?  It's actually a mini notebook!  Cute, isn't it?)

Why do I deserve it over the other tons of entries in the Valentine's contest?  Because I'm going to blog a review about it?  Nope.  Because people check out my blog for fashion or computer advice?  Not even.  Because I'm a blabber-mouth and everyone I know will see and hear all about my cute little HP notebook-in-disguise?  Absolutely.

You see, not only am I an early adopter (was on eBay back in 1997 when it was still in beta, 'Skippy' manually edited the pages and the servers were named after reptiles) but I totally get word-of-mouth marketing.  It's me and I live it.  BzzAgent was one of the first companies to harness WoM marketing - and I've been an agent since 2003, landing on the BzzAgent Top 100 list and working my way up to the #15 spot in 2008.  I have since started working with other companies like BuzzParadise, BuzzSponge, HouseParty, MyBlogSpark, One2One Network, Pssst, SheSpeaks and Vocalpoint.

My blog is simply an extension of my Word of Mouth marketing experience.  I love talking to people.  And unlike a blog, I'm interactive!  I'm friendly and approachable so when people see me walking around with my HP clutch, they aren't afraid to ask me about it.  They know I will stop and talk to them about it.  So when I'm waiting at soccer or swim practice.  Or working out at the gym.  Or if I'm on a playdate.  You can bet that I'll be talking about it.  Just like on my blog, I'm open and honest. 

Which brings me back to my blog - yes, I will talk about your products here.  I'll create a nice story around them just like I do with all my other reviews.  How about a comparison to my 11 year old HP 620LX?!  I'm proud of the number of followers and subscribers that I've built up, it's growing daily and I believe it's because of my style of writing.  I'm not a copy/paste kind of person... my reviews are stories and not sales pitches.  

So... to sum it up - I could talk about how sexy it is and how good it would make me look but that's just not my thing.  I am a mom.  I am real. I am approachable.  I get Word of Mouth marketing both on my blog and in real life.

... and I would look adorable carrying it around.

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Although I try to restrict SAHM Reviews to reviews and related giveaways, I need to veer from that a bit in the near future.  (Don't worry, I'll keep my regular family ramblings over at SAHM Ramblings.)

Wait!  Don't unsubscribe! Hear me out!

In case you hadn't noticed the banner at the top of my blog, I'm registered to attend BlogHer in Chicago this summer.  Can't tell you how extremely excited I am.  It's an opportunity for me to enhance my blogging skills.  Learn more about the different aspects of the blogosphere and the direction it is heading.  But for me, my main objective is to meet face to face with people I have been interacting with during my blogging lifetime.

I've already started notifying my public relations contacts that I'll be there and I've been making plans for meeting new ones. 

Stop yawning.  I'm getting to my point.  You're asking "What's in it for me, Nicole? Your loyal reader and follower?"  That's what I'm working on.  The more contacts I make, the more reviews I'll be able to select from and hopefully, land some great giveaways for awesome prizes!  At least, that's the plan.

Unfortunately, along with all my hopes and dreams (and the BlogHer conference) come a lot of expenses... In the coming days, weeks and probably months, you will randomly see off-course blog posts related to companies or products that I haven't actually reviewed.  Read them please because they are entries into some promotion or sponsorship program... and I'll be putting together my best stuff in order to win.  (Not that I don't put my best stuff into every review, mind you.)  I am sure that some of the contests will require me to nag you to go vote for me... but even if they don't, if it's for a company that you would want to see represented on my blog, then please click through to them.  It will help my exposure and therefore help me build a relationship that I might not otherwise have!

This is just an announcement to keep you from rolling your eyes and saying "Hey! That's not a review or a giveaway. What's with that?"  Well, only good things can come of all of it.  Better products to review, better giveaways... so please bear with me during all my pleas for sponsorship!  Thanks in advance!

Now I'm off to beg...err... write a nice post to try to win an adorable HP clutch notebook to take along to BlogHer with me since lugging my desktop computer to the conference might give me some back problems.

2 comments

I'm so excited about the fact that Miss M is finally reading.  She's soaking up everything she possibly can - signs at stores, papers at home, even the newspaper.  Anything with words, she tries to read and does a pretty good job of it.  For only being a Kindergartner, I think she's doing awesome.

It's an amazing difference just from the beginning of the year.  On her first day of Kindergarten, I put a note in her lunchbox that said "I love you. Have fun at school!"  She couldn't read it, but it was really more for me than for her.  When she brought her lunchbox home, I remember finding my note all crinkled and soggy from something being spilled on it.  It was routed directly to the garbage instead of the previously planned scrapbook.

The following month, I received some kids fun cards through a promotion with the Family Review Network.  In a nutshell, they are pre-printed postcards (in a variety of themes) that you insert into your child's lunchbox.  I did exactly that and put them in Miss M's lunchbox a few times when I received them.  Unfortunately, she just didn't 'get' them.  Since she wasn't able to read, she had to request assistance from one of the lunch staff to read it to her.  The timing just wasn't right.

I need to be honest about a few things... I should have done this review months ago.  The product is adorable and fun and the Family Review Network deadline has long since passed. To further complicate things, I went on a blog hiatus around that time.  Then in my struggle to regain my footings,  I put it on the back-burner.  My sincerest apologies to Kids Fun Cards for the lack of professionalism.  But seriously, I have to say I am so glad that I did NOT do the review until now!

Huh? In one breath I'm apologizing and in the next I'm saying I'm glad I was a slacker?  Exactly. Good things come to those who wait... or in my case, to those who drag their feet.  Miss M is able to read them now and is even asking if I'll be putting another one in her lunchbox each day!  Although a review back then would have been factual, it would not have been inspiring.  And anyone who reads my reviews knows that I prefer a good story to go along with my reviews.


If your child is able to read, then they are sure to appreciate at least one of these themes.  And if your child is one of those "MOM, Don't kiss me in front of my friends" kind of kids, they'll definitely prefer these to a hand-written note in their lunchbox.  You get the satisfaction of sneaking in a little love but they aren't embarrassed!

I regret that I didn't get this review done earlier, but I genuinely have a better grasp of how effective and fun these cards are now.  If you think your kids might like them, here's your chance to win a pack!

The Prize: Kids Lunch Box Cards - 5 Different Themes!
Participants -

...must provide a US mailing address.

...must provide an email in the first comment, email me directly with an email address or have email accessible from their profile. Winner has 72 hours from posting/notification to respond. If winner cannot be contacted, I will move on to the second random selection.
Sometime on February 18, 2009, a winner will be chosen at random (using random.org) from all comments left.

How to enter:

(1) Check out Kids Fun Cards.

(2) Leave a comment with which theme your child would enjoy most.

-- Add my NEW button to your sidebar.  Not in a scrolling bar that requires a wait of more than a minute for it to show up.  Come back here and leave a comment stating that you did so. 

-- Earn THREE additional entries if you publish a blog post regarding this contest and link back to it. Come back here and leave THREE comments providing the link to your post.
-- Link to Kids Fun Cards on your side bar then leave a comment letting me know.
-- Sharing this post via one of the following: Digg, Stumble or Facebook. Leave a comment with which ONE you did and your ID for that service.
-- Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest with hashtag #SahmReviews. Comment with your Twitter ID or leave a link.

-- Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email... leave a comment.

-- Follow me using the Blogger feature (there's a button on the top of the page.)  Of course, don't forget to leave a comment.

Many thanks to Family Review Network for originally coordinating this review and to Kids Fun Cards for their patience and providing the prize for the giveaway!

52 comments

I have to 'fess up and say that I've never been a fan of country music.  Although I seriously enjoyed seeing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with my uncle when I was in high school, country music stations have never earned a preset spot on my radio.  When I hopped in my parents car a few years ago and found it tuned to country instead of the previous AM talk radio, I thought I needed to send them to rehab.

A few times each year, I would get my fill of country music during our multi-hour drive to see my MIL... there are areas in Kentucky and Tennessee where there is nothing but country music.  So we would search the radio dial for the channel with the most hick versions of country music just so we can make fun of it.  If the lyrics don't reference losing a truck, a dog or a woman then it really isn't country, right?

Well sometimes people make mistakes.  This is my time to suck it up and just admit it.  When Shania hit the scene with her pop-crossover hits, I actually bought one of her CDs.  But over the past few years, I would be listening to the radio and enjoying a song only to cringe when I hear "That last hit was from 'country music superstar blah blah blah." 

It started happening more and more where the line between pop and country music was starting to blur. There were several songs that I enjoy that are the product of country music.  Then a few weeks one of my public relations contacts asked if I wanted to check out the latest Martina McBride greatest hits release "Playlist".  My PR rep offered two or three to give away to my readers.  Bribery, I tell you!

So I sucked it up and said "Sure. I'll do it for my readers."  But there's nothing that says I have to like it.  In the spirit of the event, I decided to just go ahead and taint my ears.

Dangit.

Stupid country music that sounds like pop.  Makes me have to admit that I kind of like it.

Dangit.

Now, to be honest and fair - some of it was a bit too country for me.  But some of it is very catchy.  Like Track #11 "This One's For the Girls" is a remix from the On Target album.  Track 9 "I Love You" is a pop remix from the Runaway Bride soundtrack.  Then there's #14 - "God Bless America" from the Patriotic Country album... which isn't pop, but it is God Bless America so who cares.

Here's your chance to grab some country music for yourself.  First, click the Soundcheck banner to download "I love you" for free from Walmart.  Just enter code "Suave".

When you're done with that, if you would like a chance to receive Playlist: Martina McBride, just enter my giveaway!  Oohh, the things I'm willing to do for my readers.
The Prize
Playlist: Martina McBride CD
Participants -
...must provide a US mailing address.
...must provide an email in the first comment, email me directly with an email address or have email accessible from their profile. Winner has 72 hours from posting/notification to respond.  If winner cannot be contacted, I will move on to the second random selection.

Sometime on February 16, 2009, a winner will be chosen at random (using random.org) from all comments left.

(1) Check out Walmart Soundcheck presented by Suave.

(2) Leave a comment with your best recommendation of any Martina McBride song that leans more toward pop (besides the few I already mentioned) for me to add to my own personal playlist. If you're not a devout Martina McBride fan, that may mean you'll need to listen to a few sample tracks.

(a) Earn an additional entry by adding my NEW button to your sidebar.  Not in a scrolling bar that requires a wait of more than a minute for it to show up.  Come back here and leave a comment stating that you did so. 

(b) Earn THREE additional entries if you publish a blog post regarding this contest and link back to it. Come back here and leave THREE comments providing the link to your post.

(c) Earn one additional entry for sharing this post via one of the following:  Digg, Stumble or Facebook. Leave a comment with which ONE you did and your ID for that service.
(d)  Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest with hashtag #SahmReviews. Comment with your Twitter ID.
(e) Leave an extra comment if you subscribe to my feed via RSS or email.

(f) Follow me using the Blogger feature (there's a button on the top of the page.)  Of course, don't forget to leave a comment.

As always, subscribe so you don't miss anything - there's more on the horizon! Pay close attention because along with my new template, I'm no longer adding "Giveaway" to the title of the post! 

36 comments

If you haven't already done so, be sure to enter my latest contest for a SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer!  It's one of those gadgets that you didn't realize you needed until you had one!

1 COMMENT