Family * Travel * Food

Have a #SweetHalloween with Crest and Oral-B

This post was created in partnership with Crest & Oral-B as part of the #SweetHalloween Program.
It's that time of year again... Halloween! Many families have already been to parties, carnivals and trick-or-treat events. Of course the candy is overflowing and kids (parents, too) are indulging. We went to a trick-or trunk event at my daughter's school and we came home with tons of candy. Can you imagine Halloween without candy? Check out this super quick and cute video of how these kids react to the Halloween "treats" they are given. 



I know I would never deprive my children of candy at Halloween, within reason. With all of the sugary confections that they partake in, Crest Pro-Health has a great line of oral care products to keep our teeth clean and healthy. Check out the goodies I received from Crest and Oral-B.

You can click here for some great money saving coupons towards Crest products.


I wish you all a very safe and #SweetHalloween :) 
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Leonisa Shapewear Review

Do you have that one top or dress you love so much, but you hate the way it fits? Being a mom of three kids, I have a little extra "fluff" in my mid-section and it bothers me when it shows through my clothing. I tend to have to layer tops to mask my tummy. I was delighted to have to opportunity to review the Leonisa Celebrity Back Support Control Tank.
(Image from Leonisa.com)
I won't pretend and say I was not nervous or skeptical about trying the control tank. The idea of compression made me freak out just a tad. I tried it on and had a bit of a struggle to pull it over my breast area since I have a wide rib cage and shoulders. Once I got it all on the way on I was completely blown away by how flat my tummy appeared. Here is what it looked like on me: 
I can't believe how much the control tank minimized my overflow. I pulled my top over and was so pleased to see NO mini muffin top! No lie, I had to stare in the mirror for a while. It really works!! 
I can now confidently wear certain tops and dresses that I normally avoid. I will mention that I opted to not use the strap across the breast area. I wasn't crazy about how it made made my boobs look since I have wide shoulders. I am happy with the open feeling on top though. This Leonisa Celebrity Back Support Control Tank comes in beige (sizes S,M,L,XL and XXL) for $50. It is worth every penny in my opinion since it worked so well for me. 

The second item I reviewed was the BKS Fabulous Lace Hip Hugger Panty. This gorgeous panty comes in 7 colors. I picked the purple one. 
(Image from Leonisa.com)
They fit like they were made for me! I really love how nicely it smoothed out my lower tummy and accentuated my rear. They are very sexy and practical at the same time. They come in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL and are $20 each. I definitely want the pink and black ones! 

I am so pleased with my items from Leonisa and highly recommend them. They are a great addition to my intimate apparel collection. Check Leonisa out on the web, Facebook and Twitter

I received items at no cost in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% mine. No compensation was received.
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Tips on making your shower more inviting with Mira Showers

Whether it is how you start your day or end it, a shower is a very important part of the day. There is nothing like the peace and tranquility you get from a shower. It is also a great place to think and relax. Honestly, without my daily shower (or two) I might never get time to relax. It is my escape and probably the only real "me time" I get each day. Picking the right shower fixture is important. Showers from Mira Showers offers a great range of shower fixtures that are sure to suit your needs and price range. I have my eye on the Mira Adept BRD below.
It combines a stylish, integrated look with great performance to deliver a perfect showering experience from two showerheads -ideal for your bathroom. Did someone say two showerheads? I am totally into that idea! 

Additional features of this showerhead include:

- Thermostatic temperature stability keeps showering safe for all the family
- Separate temperature and flow controls to fine tune your perfect shower
- Magni-flo™ gives up to 3 times more flow than similar mixer showers even at low pressure
- Divert between the overhead and hand held shower or have both heads on at once, even at low pressure
- Single mode 90mm showerhead with a 200mm deluge head for an unbeatable showering experience – both with rub clean nozzles for easy limescale removal
- Compatible with patented Mira Adept plug-in accessories for ultimate flexibility – a world first!
- Works on all systems and pressures

I think this model from Mira Showers sounds like what I would want in my bathroom shower! The website has many great features to help with selecting the right fixture for your shower. I can't believe how many choices they have listed. I think the hardest part would be deciding on just one! My husband took a peek at the shower enclosures and is currently measuring our bathroom! Looks like a future bathroom makeover is in the works. 

I noticed they have Digital Showers. I honestly never knew there was such a thing! The shower control and the water mixer have digital intelligence built-in. Digital mixer showers take water from both the hot and cold water supplies. They mix the hot and cold water to accurately reach the desired temperature. You can choose a pumped or high pressure version. Digital showers are ideal for homes with a plentiful supply of hot water. 

Okay, that's it, I am ready for a new shower makeover! 
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A fun Halloween surprise for little Spider-man

We headed out yesterday to the annual Trick-or-Trunk event at Brie's high school for some Halloween fun. We didn't let William know that we were going until about a half hour before. He was so excited! He has been really into Superheros and chose to be Spider-man this year. We think he made a great choice!
 Check out those big muscles!
 Oh and that face!
The surprise element of his Halloween fun is that he was going to see a big Spider-man. Little did he know, big sister Brie was behind that Spidey mask. Brie was there already because she was helping out at one of the cars for the HOPE organization. They collect non-perishable food to donate to the community each year. She walked up to him when we got there and called out his name. William squealed when he saw Spider-man. He stood still when Spider-man knew his name and kept talking to him. After a while he said, "Brie Brie?!?" It was the cutest thing. She pulled up her mask and revealed herself. William was so excited! 
Brie wanted to take William for a stroll. Those two were so cute. William had a blast getting goodies and playing on the inflatables. This is always such a fun and safe way to participate in Halloween.
 William got quite an outstanding haul of candy!

I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween :)
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New Old El Paso Frozen Entrees for Two review & giveaway #myblogspark

Closed- Winner is Jessie Shaw
I am sure we all know about the Old El Paso brand of products. I have been using them for years. Did you know they came out with a line of frozen entrees for two? With eight different flavors of fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos, these entrees are sure to fulfill your dinner needs. They take only minutes to prepare and are full of flavor! 
We tried out the Chicken Quesadillas. Four of them came in a box. You can easily heat up the quesadillas in the microwave. I did that and then put them in a pan to crisp up the tortillas. Seriously, they were delicious! My husband and daughters all agreed that they were restaurant quality. They run about $7.99 a box and are a great value. Imagine coming home from work and digging into your favorite Mexican dish only to find delicious ingredients you can actually see including steak, chicken and rice. Talk about convenient—it’s the savory Mexican taste you love, without the hassle and ready in minutes!
Now through October 25th, find $1 off one (1) coupon in your store flyer on Old El Paso Frozen Entrees, available at Publix®. Be sure to check out Old El Paso on Facebook. 

Giveaway: One Mom Files reader will win a gift pack including a coupon for one FREE Old El Paso frozen entree, a Mexican tile chip and dip platter and a $10 Publix gift card. Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on November 9, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize.  Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.
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Keep your home clean with BISSELL

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of BISSELL Homecare, Inc. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are a pet owner or a parent, you know how hard it is to keep your home clean. As a stay-at-home mom, my work is endless. Every day I feel like I am walking over crumbs, hair balls and who knows what! I have been doing some research on new vacuums and I am totally liking what I see with the BISSELL PowerGlide  Vacuum with Lift-Off Technology. It has so many helpful features including:
  • Full-size vacuum with Lift-Off Technology features an easy-release portable vacuum for stairs and more
  • No loss of suction* for performance that lasts
  • Brush-roll on/off switch for scatter-free suction on hard floors
  • Multi-level filtration to help reduce allergens
  • On-board tools include Pet TurboEraser® Tool and crevice tool
  • Swivel steering for easy maneuvering around furniture
  • Collapsible handle for compact storage
  • Weighs only 16 lbs
*Tested per IEC 60312-1 with multiple dust loadings, results within accepted tolerance of 5%.

You can find many cleaning tips at the BISSELL site and you may enter to win a prize in the Celebrate Everyday Messes contest. I have to say, I am impressed with how much the BISSELL PowerGlide vacuums offer for the price. I just have to narrow it down to the exact one I want! What are your favorite features of any of the BISSELL vacuums?
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Are you moving? Here are some great tips from Unpakt

Moving can be expensive—from movers to insurance to down payments—the bill can add up quickly.

Fortunately, packing supplies do not need to be added to your list of expenses. Actually, you may already own some of the best packing materials around—you just didn’t realize it yet!  Unpakt, a price comparison site and online booking tool for consumers searching for a reputable moving company, put together a list of household items that can be used for packing:

Sandwich Bags – These can be used to hold hardware from disassembled furniture and appliances. They are also ideal for toiletries—if something leaks during the move, a sandwich bag will prevent other items from being damaged.
Towels, Socks, other Clothing Items – Towels can be used to wrap plates, serving platters, vases, or breakable décor. Make sure you keep one out to pack  n your overnight bag though!  Balls of socks can be used to fill open space in boxes of breakables. You want items secure, so they do not bounce around. Rather than using packaging peanuts or other costly products, use socks. Longer socks can also be used to wrap glasses and stemware. T-shirts, tanks, and sweaters can also be used to wrap breakables. A nice soft sweater or sweatshirt is ideal to line the bottom of the box. This will provide cushioning in case the box gets roughed up during the move.

Beer Boxes – There are three reasons to use beer boxes. First, they are heavy duty and can hold a lot of weight. Second, they have handles on the side, which makes them easy to carry. Third, you get to drink the beer to empty the box! If you’re not into drinking a case of beer, head to a liquor store and see if they will give them to you for free.

Drawers – With the exception of clothes you do not necessarily want movers peeking at, most clothes can stay in your dresser drawers. Simply cover them with Glad Press’n Seal. If you plan on doing this, make sure the moving company doesn’t have rules about handling unboxed items.

Twist Ties – Use these to stop cables and cords from getting tangled.
Other household items that can be used as packing supplies include trash pails (after a thorough clean!), suitcases, Rubbermaid containers, baskets, underbed storage, gym bags and backpacks, trash bags, and hampers.



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Join Yoplait's fight against breast cancer by Saving Lids to Save Lives (Giveaway)



October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Yoplait is doing their part to help in the fight. For the next couple months, you can save the pink lids from participating Yoplait yogurt.  you can redeem the codes on the Save Lids to Save Lives site and General Mills will give 10 cents per lid to Susan G. Komen. You can also mail them in if you choose. I always participate each year and it is amazing how quickly those little lids add up!
Right now you can find participating Yoplait products on sale at Publix:
$1 off any one Large Size, Light with Granola or GoGurt (coupon on select products) - Dates: October 2 - October 18
20 for $10 on Yoplait Core cup - Dates: October 3 - October 9
Light with Granola BOGO - Dates: October 5 - October 25
You can follow Publix on Facebook.

To help you stock up on some Yoplait yogurt, one Mom Files' reader will win a prize pack including a cute pink lunch bag, a pink ribbon brooch and a $10 Publix gift card. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 25 2013. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize.  Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.
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Support Truvia® brand’s “Sharing a Sweet Future” charitable initiative #SweetFuture

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Truvia® Natural Sweetener  for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you ever take a moment to think about what you do when you want a snack? In my home, we run to the kitchen and take a peek into the pantry or refrigerator. Once we make up our mind, we enjoy our snack and feel satisfied. Sadly, this is not a reality for everyone.

Did you know that every day, over 40% of Bolivian families struggle to support their children’s most basic food needs? Two-thirds of the Bolivian population is below the poverty line. The majority of the country’s children does not receive the minimum daily caloric intake and are suffering from nutritional deficiencies. The widespread use of primitive cook stoves resulting in harmful smoke exposure has led to a number of other health issues for families in the community.

Knowing of the hardships faced by these families, the Truvia® brand has committed to working with the World Food Program USA to help provide Bolivian kids and families with a sweeter future. Thanks to the Truvia® brand’s “Sharing a Sweet Future” charitable initiative, over 34,705 Bolivian school children have already received more nutritionally-balanced school meals, and Bolivian locals have received 68 fuel efficient stoves, allowing another 3,574 students to eat cooked meals in a safer environment.

The Truvia® team created a video series showcasing the everyday hardships experienced by Bolivian family members. $1 dollar feeds 4 kids. Now, they are asking consumers to view and share these videos on Facebook or Twitter using #SweetFuture to support our initiative.

Here is how you can help: Follow Truvia on TwitterShare the Truvia® brand’s video to support their Sharing a Sweet Future initiative. $1 feeds 4 kids.  You can also Share the Truvia® brand’s video on Facebook to support their Sharing a Sweet Future initiative. $1 feeds 4 kids. What do you have to lose? I will be doong my part to help other. Won't you join me? 

 Learn even more about the Truvia® brand’s initiative here and also help "Share a Sweet Future" through the Facebook app https://www.facebook.com/Truvia/app_633774663321139

 


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Cleaning up the sick germs with CleanWell

We are going on week 5 of sick germs circulating in our household. As soon as one person gets better, another gets sick. It has been an ongoing battle and I am sick of it! Thankfully, I received some cleaning products from CleanWell just in time to clean the sick germs up.
CleanWell products are made with botanical ingredients to help kill germs and disinfect surfaces safely. This is especially good when breathing problems, small children and pets are involved. I love that these products have no harsh fumes and will give me the same results of chemical cleaners. I love the wipes for quick clean-ups on counters, tables and even the dog kennel. I tried the all purpose cleaner for the first time and was quite pleased with the results. I really like it for sanitizing the toilets seats, bathroom and kitchen sinks. It has a nice scent without it being overpowering. I am always careful about what I use around my younger children since they are allergy sufferers. I really like the CleanWell line of products and highly recommend them. There are sold at many retailers nationwide and you can check out their store finder for a specific location.

Be sure to check out Cleanwell on the web, Facebook and Twitter for product updates.

I received products for review purposes and all thoughts/opinions are my own as always.
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Golden Blossom Honey - Perfect for the cold and flu season

Every person in my household has been sick over the course of the last 5 weeks. It seems like the cold germs keep on getting passed around and it has been hectic. Being a homemaker and mom of 3, I knew it was going to hit me. I can always tell by that uncomfortable tickle in my throat. I received a bottle of Golden Blossom Honey to review at the right time. I immediately made a cup of Earl Grey tea sweetened with the Golden Blossom honey and a few splashes of lemon juice. The honey had a wonderful, rich taste and was very soothing going down. One of the things that made me feel good about this honey is that it is a product of the U.S.A.. 
Thankfully I am feeling a lot better, but I will keep this recipe in mind for the future, just in case...

Ginger & Honey Citrus Sore Throat Home Treatment

Ingredients
4 tablespoons GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
Juice of 1 large lemon
3 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a small jar. Every hour, take 1 teaspoon in your mouth and gargle. Then swallow the remedy.

You can find Golden Blossom Honey online to learn more about their products and check out the awesome recipes they have posted. I am glad I can find it in my local Publix Supermarket, here in Columbia, SC!

I received a sample of Golden Blossom Honey for review. All opinions are my own as always. No other compensation was received. 
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Money-saving tip for buying butter in bulk #HouseWifeLife

I have a new love and he goes by the name of Sam, Sam's Club to be exact! I have become such a fan of buying in bulk. One thing that I have contemplated on buying for months was butter. It comes in 4 one-pound solid blocks. I spend a small fortune (about $3.50-$4) in the grocery store on butter in sticks, so getting 4 pounds for $8 is a bargain! 
I finally broke down and bought it this weekend and came up with a great solution. Why not make my own sticks? All I did was set out one block of butter on the counter for no more than 30 minutes. Next, I took a knife and sliced straight down the middle and then did the same with each half. I wrapped each quarter in wax paper. I put them in a zipper storage bag and placed the remaining 3 solid blocks in the freezer. The savings is worth the extra effort!
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Running Out? Run in Event is back at Publix {$25 Publix gift card giveaway} #myblogspark #spon

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

It happens to all of us... you open the pantry and realize you are out of everything! You're in luck since Publix has their Running Out? Run In. event going on from 10/09/13-10/25/13. If you purchase $30 in participating products, you can get a $10 Publix gift card from a mail-in rebate. There are so many items on sale and you can even find coupons at the registers for extra savings. 

I stocked up on Yoplait Go-GURT, Old El Paso dinner kits, Gain laundry detergent and Charmin Basic bathroom tissue. All of them were on sale and I was lucky to have coupons for most of the items. See below for the full list of participating products. 

This display was in the front entrance of my local Publix store. There were mail-in rebate forms attached and you can also download one online if needed. 
*PARTICIPATING PRODUCTS: Immaculate Baking® Honestly Delicious™; Yoplait® Go-GURT® (8ct, assorted varieties); Gain Laundry Detergent (100oz, assorted varieties); Old El Paso® Dinner Kits (assorted varieties); Totino's® Party Pizza® (assorted varieties); Dawn® Dish Detergent (20-24oz bottle, assorted varieties); Betty Crocker® Hamburger Helper® (assorted varieties); Suddenly Pasta Salad® (assorted varieties); Charmin® Basic Bathroom Tissue (12 double roll pkg, assorted varieties); Pampers® Diapers (Jumbo, assorted varieties); Green Giant® Canned Vegetables (4pk, assorted varieties); Crest® Toothpaste (8.2oz, assorted varieties); Herbal Essences® (6.0 -11.7oz, assorted varieties) and Vidal Sassoon® Shampoo/Conditioner (12oz, assorted varieties); Tide® Pods (18ct, assorted varieties)

Be sure to "like" Publix on Facebook
One Mom Files' reader will win a $25 Publix gift card to help stock-up from the RORI event. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway  
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 19, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize.  Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck! 


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