Family * Travel * Food

Holiday Gift Guide- SOL REPUBLIC RELAYS Headphones are a must-have! #ad #giveaway

**CLOSED**  Winner is Loremil J-- Congratulations! 
Can you believe that 2014 is slowly coming to an end? This means that the holiday gift-giving season is right around the corner. It's never too early to start planning and making purchases to save time. It also helps to stagger spending as well. If you are looking for a gift for the active person in your life, I have the perfect item: SOL REPUBLIC RELAYS In-ear 3-Button Headphones.

These are the absolute best headphones especially for runners or gym-addicts. Not only are they comfortable to wear during physical activity, they also stay put. I have had episodes of running on the treadmill and having one side of my ear buds fall out mid-tunes. They are very light-weight and have a low profile design. These RELAYS don't disappoint. Let's talk about the sound quality-- I am amazed at how crisp and clear my music is. You would be surprised how good the sound is from these tiny little headphones. The bass is superb! They come with 4 different sizes of ear tips to ensure a perfect fit. I also love the sleek little storage case as well for days I want to throw my headphones in my bag. They are really good when you are in the car and need to take a call since they are equipped with an in-line microphone. The person you are talking to over the phone will have no idea you have headphones on. It's just that clear! These are even great for homemakers like me since I move ALL day long. I love listening to music while I'm cooking or cleaning. The only bad thing is that my other family members try to snag them when I leave them out. Additionally, I would like to apologize when you become a headphones snob like I am :)

I think anyone would be excited to receive these as a gift. They come in a variety of colors including: Black, Black White, Horizon Blue, Fluoro Red and Lemon Lime and retail for $79.99. I have a pair in Lemon Lime that I got over a year ago and they are still going strong as if I just took them out of the box. It makes me think of all the years I have purchased headphones repeatedly, only to have them give out on my after a short while. These RELAYS are well worth the money! The work with most Apple and Android devices.

You can purchase these fine headphones on the SOL REPUBLIC site as well as Radio Shack stores. Be sure to follow SOL REPUBLIC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

One very lucky Mom Files reader will win a pair of SOL REPUBLIC RELAYS. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to *Canada and US Residents only and will end on November 11, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!*If you have won a SOL REPUBLIC giveaway in the last 6 months from Mom Files, you will not be eligible to enter.

I received a pair of RELAYS for review purposes. All opinions are my own as always.
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7 Fun things you can do with your kids

Spending quality time with your kids is so important, it can’t be stressed enough. They grow like nobody’s business, so if you don’t spend quality time with them now, you’ll soon regret it. These 7 things are all lots of fun, and you’ll enjoy doing most of them with your kids. Take a look and see what you think:


Go Walking

Taking walks with the kids will not only make you a fit family, you’ll enjoy lots of beautiful scenery too. You have many opportunities when out walking. You could stop for a picnic, take some beautiful pictures, and even play treasure hunts where you need to tick certain items off a list once you’ve found them. Make sure the walks are suitable for their age before embarking on one that’s too long or hard. 

Collect Things

Whether you want to collect dolls, stamps, or fairground models, this is something that you can both enjoy. Building a collection is extremely satisfying, and it may just peak your child’s interest in something special. Perhaps a particular era in time, for example. 

Swim

Taking your kids swimming at least once a week is a fabulous way to keep them healthy and teach them a valuable life skill. Many kids do these in school, but having extra swimming lessons can only be beneficial to them. The younger you take them, the better! Most kids love the water too, and become very strong swimmers. Learning about water safety will be very helpful to them. 

Cook

Whenever you cook, consider letting your kids help you. This will teach them all about the best way to handle food, food safety, and how to use kitchen appliances safely. They love cooking cakes and cookies best, as they get to eat the sweet treats afterwards. To ensure they aren’t eating too many bad ingredients, look up healthier recipes online. They won’t know the difference! 

Make Things

Making things, such as dolls, furniture, or pretty pictures could be a great hobby for them. They could make absolutely anything that tickles their fancy, and it’ll be a lot of fun with you helping them. Maybe you could both make a pretty picture to display in the living room? You’ll need to be brave, but try not to control them too much. They might surprise you! 

Play Games

Playing games is a great way to laugh and have fun without exerting too much energy. By choosing a game they can understand, they’ll benefit a lot more than having their face glued to the television. 

Read Stories

Reading books with each other is so much fun, and will educate them in all kinds of ways. Not only will they improve their listening and speaking skills, they’ll develop more of an imagination too! You can be confident in your parenting skills if you take the time to read to your child. 

These 7 things will ensure you and your kids are having the most fun ever. Spend quality time with your little ones now, before you blink and miss your chance!

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Haribo Pink Ribbon Bags for Breast Cancer Awareness Month #PinkBears

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Haribo and helps to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I was compensated for this post, but chose to donate a portion of my compensation to the NBCF to provide hope and inspiration to those affected by breast cancer through early detection. Find out how you can help raise awareness at the bottom of this post! 

As everyone should know by now, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. You can see pink ribbons everywhere you go and even on your favorite athletes. I believe that almost every person has some sort of connection with a breast cancer patient, survivor and those who lost the fight against the vicious disease. Now that I’m 40, my doctor told me it is very important that I start getting an annual mammogram. Although breast cancer does not run in my family, I can’t take any chances. I have it on my calendar to call my local radiology center to get one set up. My husband has a coworker who won the fight against breast cancer and her check-ups have been excellent. We continue to pull for her and pray the cancer never comes back.

Haribo is the world’s largest gummi, licorice and marshmallow candy manufacturer, and the maker of the original Gold-Bear gummi bears you find sold in the gold bags. They have proudly partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and you can find their a pink ribbon emblazoned on the gold bags of the Original Haribo gummi bears. My family can't resist the classic taste and chew of a Haribo gummi bear.

NBCF provides hope and inspiration to those affected by breast cancer  through early detection, education and support services; and will receive  a portion of Haribo pink-ribbon bag sales during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

NBCF provides free mammograms to women in all 50 states through our network of hospitals, and is one of the most recognized and respected breast cancer charities in the world. Since 2003, NBCF has received the highest 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. For more information on NBCF, please visit nbcf.org

Haribo Gold-Bears pink ribbon bags will be sold in select Target, Kroger and retailers across the nation at a suggested retail price of $1.09 - $1.69.
For more information on Haribo, please visit www.facebook.com/HariboUSA

I was provided with 2 bags of yummy Haribo gummi bears to give away to one sweet reader. Enter below:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 31, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.
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VTech Smartwatch Sweepstakes


Does your child have dreams of becoming the next Mozart? Next President? Or a secret spy? Do they leave you in stitches or keep you constantly on your toes? I know my little one does! I find myself always thinking, "I should have recorded that moment".

Kids love to show off their playful personalities and so do their parents! That’s why VTech® wants parents and caregivers to share their “that’s my kid” moments on social media. Using the hashtag #smartwatchsweeps, parents and caregivers can share and submit images of their children showing off one-of-kind kid moments, for a chance to win a VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch of their very own!


How to Enter:

Take a pic/video of your kids showing off their silly antics for a chance to win a VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch! You can upload your photo to http://www.vtechkids.com/smartwatchsweeps to submit your entry or tag your photo with the hashtag #smartwatchsweeps when posting it to Twitter and/or Instagram.

At the end of every week, five entries will be selected at random to receive a Smartwatch and will be highlighted as one of VTech’s “Smartwatch Kids of the Week” on their social media channels. You can find all details and official rules to the VTech Smartwatch Sweepstakes here.

Be sure to check out my Smartwatch review here.

The information and gift card have been provided to me by VTech
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How LISTERINE has helped make oral care easier for my family #MC #sponsored

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”
You might recall a post I did last week about my family's struggles when it comes to oral care and how LISTERINE products can help. I wanted to follow-up with some thoughts since using the products for a couple weeks now. First of all, I am most impressed with my six year old son. Ever since he tried the SMART RINSE, he has become more interested in taking care of his teeth and mouth. He gives no trouble in the morning and night to brush and rinse. As a matter of fact, he reminds me that he needs to rinse. I think the fact that it is so easy and to dispense, makes it an enjoyable experience for him. He feels like such a big boy pouring his rinse into a cup and being able to swish and spit without swallowing. He also makes it a point to smile and show off his pearly whites. This makes me so happy since he doesn't always brush properly to remove all of the extras that might be lingering in his mouth. The LISTERINE SMART RINSE gives added peace of mind. And I just love fresh kisses at bedtime. If you have a little one, I really do recommend this product.
I am really loving the LISTERINE® HEALTHYWHITE GENTLE Sodium Fluoride Anticavity Mouthrinse and the Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss. I like that I can enjoy the benefits of having a clean and fresh mouth, with added whitening, but without the burn of some mouth rinses. I have noticed the whitening more with using it twice a day. I will have to check my local wholesale club to see if I can buy it in a bulk size. I'm also really pleased with the Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss since it is really super gentle on my aging gums.

We plan to continue using LISTERINE oral care products to help keep our mouths healthy. Be sure to check out the LISTERINE website to find retailers of where to buy products. Check out their YouTube page as well.

Does your family sometimes struggle with keeping up good oral care habits? Do you have a favorite LISTERINE oral care product? Feel free to leave any tips or advice in the comments.
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Epson LabelWorks Iron-on Kit can help your kids find their stuff with ease #ad

School and the Fall sports season is in full swing all over the country. One issue that I think every parent can relate to is missing jackets, shirts and sometimes even sport's jerseys. It happens. Kids often times put their belongings down for a moment and their busy mind forgets about it. I have visited the lost and found pile numerous times over the last 14 years and I can't stand it! I finally have something to help ease getting items back with no hassle. Epson LabelWorks Iron-on Label Kit is here to save my sanity.

 This kit conveniently holds everything you need.
The actual label-making unit is small and lightweight, and can be used anywhere. As a matter of fact, it's so portable that I have taken it in the after school car pick-up line to use it. It is very user-friendly and requires no major skills to learn.

Key Features:

  • Everything you need to create personalized iron-on labels — includeds a LabelWorks LW-300 printer, 2 iron-on tape cartridges and an application guide.
  • Amazing variety — 14 fonts, 10 styles, 300+ built-in symbols, over 75 frames and more
  • Less waste — smaller lead margin compared to other brands, for up to 60% less lead margin waste
  • Large built-in memory — store up to 30 self-created label designs
  • Prints up to two lines of text — more space for you to add specialty frames or symbols to enhance your design
  • Easy to apply — automatically printed with a split back for easy and fast peeling
  • Whisper quiet — prints labels without distracting those around you
  • Iron-on labels — durable, machine-washable iron-on labels can be applied to almost any fabric in just seconds
  • Carrying case included — stores the LW-300 printer, two cartridges, six AAA-sized batteries (not included) and optional AC Adapter (not included)
My thoughts about the Epson LabelWorks Iron-on Label Kit: 
  • It is SO easy to use! As long as you know how to press buttons, you can use this. 
  • I like the selection of fonts and icons to make personalization better. This is great if your kid is involved in sports or different activities/clubs. 
  • It is super quiet and I love the cutting feature. You have minimal waste which means more labels. 
  • I think this would be great for sports' teams since their jerseys or tees are all the same. You can even include an email address if the item has been found, so it can be returned. That's the beauty of being able to personalize 100%.  




  •  Ironing the label on is so simple and it really holds up to washing. 


  • If you have multiple children who sometimes have the same color garments, this is a great way for them to find which one belongs to them. It also lessons any stress or arguments :) 
Overall, I really recommend this nifty little machine. It's very useful and practical. It's great for parents, business owners or teachers. The unit retails for $69.99 and can be purchased online at the Epson store. I think it's a great gift idea for the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to connect with Epson on Facebook and Twitter for product updates and promotions. 

I received a unit for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own as always. 

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LISTERINE Healthy Oral Care for the entire family #sponsored #MC

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

We are so busy these days with school, sports, activities, work—the list goes on! One thing I have to make the extra effort with is making sure my family takes good care of their teeth and gums. It is especially hard with a very busy six year old boy. I think he is the biggest challenge of all. It’s hard enough to get him to brush properly, so when you factor in flossing and rinsing, I am almost ready to give up. My son has been using a fun new toothbrush that has a light-up timer to ensure that he brushes for a full two minutes. It has really helped and I feel like I don’t have to monitor the time anymore. He still has quite a bit of spacing between his teeth, so the only place he really needs flossing is in the back. Oh my, it’s so hard to get him to cooperate with that! Luckily, I received some oral care samples from LISTERINE® to help us out.

Did you know that they make dental floss for sensitive gums? LISTERINE® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss offers gentle cleaning for sensitive gums and is perfect for my son since I have to assist with flossing. I don’t have to be afraid that I will tear into his gums. The floss has a cushioned feel to it.

Another area we have trouble with is having a mouth wash that he can handle. I really love the LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® featuring the Avengers on the bottle. Since my son is on a Superhero kick, this was perfect! It’s very easy to dispense and he likes the taste of it. It’s not too strong for his sensitive little mouth and he says his mouth feels fresh. He still has to swish the rinse twice since he can’t handle the entire amount at one time. His mouth is still pretty small. I’m really pleased to have products that work well for him. I hope he will continue his healthy oral care habits and eventually be a lot more independent.

Another product that my husband and I absolutely love is the LISTERINE® HEALTHYWHITE GENTLE Sodium Fluoride Anticavity Mouthrinse. I am not a big fan of overly strong, mediciney tasting mouth rinse. Not only is this rinse mild, it also freshens with a lasting effect. Being coffee drinkers, the whitening formula is perfect for us. After just a few uses, we have both seen a difference in our smile. We plan to continue using LISTERINE oral care products to help keep our mouths healthy. Be sure to check out the LISTERINE website to find retailers of where to buy products. Check out their YouTube page as well.

Does your family sometimes struggle with keeping up good oral care habits? Do you have a favorite LISTERINE oral care product? Feel free to leave any tips or advice in the comments.
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Unique Naan Pizzas from Tandoor Chef- Review

October is National Pizza Month and pizza lovers everywhere should celebrate! Pizza seems to be the one food that is a go-to favorite. My family loves pizza and likes trying different varieties. Tandoor Chef has come out with a line of Naan Pizzas in some very unique varieties:  Cilantro-pesto, Roasted Eggplant, Margherita, Spinach & Paneer Cheese and Jalapeño. The minute I saw eggplant, I knew I had to try it.
They hand-stretch their naan and all of the ingredients are natural and contain no GMO's. This variety is also vegetarian which is a plus. But, what about the taste? I really thought this came from one of those swanky pizza places that makes specialty varieties with a big price tag attached. It was truly restaurant quality in every way. The flavors were very bold and they did not skimp on the eggplant. I reserved a piece for my husband to try and he never thought the day would come that he would like any food with eggplant on it. We were both impressed!
Tandoor Chef Naan Pizzas are great option if you are looking for a different take on ordinary pizza. I found them at my local Whole Foods market and will be requesting that my regular grocery stores consider carrying them. You can look up your city in the store locator. I don't think I will have to order out anymore with these fabulous pizzas! If you are able to find them, I very highly recommend you give it a try. Don't be mad at me when you become hooked though :-)

You can learn more about Tandoor Chef naan pizzas and other entrees on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

I received product vouchers for complimentary items for review purposes. All opinions are my own as always. 
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FIREFLY Light-Up Timer Toothbrush- A great "treat" for Halloween

Now that we are in October, it is officially Halloween month and kids are getting geared up for some ghoulish fun. The stores are lined with sweets and treats. Parents are probably making dental appointments right now (haha). I have always been the type to give my kids both sweet and non-edible treats for Halloween. I think you would be surprised how well a non-edible treat can go over with little ones. Take for example this Firefly Ready Go Brush Light Up Timer toothbrush-- Just from the looks of it, kids will be intrigued. 
These cute little toothbrushes have a nifty light-up timer that goes for one minute increments. It starts as a green light, then yellow and ends with red. Once the light goes off, this is the perfect time for your child to rinse and then restart the toothbrush for the second minute. Which kid wouldn't want to see a flashing light while brushing their teeth? My little guys loves it so much that he volunteers to brush his teeth without being told. I say that it is a big win! Firefly toothbrushes are super affordable (way less that other brands) and come in a variety of colors and themes.
They are a great idea as a different Halloween treat for any child! Anything to get my kid to brush for the amount of time he needs is a great thing. Hmm, I think the adults in my house would love one too :)

Be sure to like Firefly on Facebook and follow on Twitter for product updates and promotions.

I received product samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 
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Perfect for Fall: The @PinkMonogram Rain Jacket (Review & Giveaway) #ad

**CLOSED**
Winner is Saira H. Congratulations! 

I don't know what the deal is, but we have been experiencing such a range of odd weather since Fall started. I think we have seen more clouds than sunshine in recent weeks. Last weekend we went away to Myrtle Beach for a much needed getaway. Unfortunately, rain was in the forecast. We all had to make sure we packed accordingly. Lucky for me, I had just received the cutest rain jacket (Pack N Go Lightweight Pullover) from The Pink Monogram for review. The timing couldn't have been better! I was able to choose from 10 jacket colors and couple dozen thread colors for my custom monogram. I am very traditional for the most part so I went with my go-to favorite, basic black with the light pink thread for a girlie touch.
There were so many options as far as if you wanted a single-letter monogram, 3 letter monogram, text or words, and also graphic images. I think the hardest part is deciding what you like best. For an additional charge, you can also have the hood monogrammed.
The jackets are unisex size so they tend to run a bit larger. The offer XS-5XL. I went with a small and I think it was perfect for me. 
The jacket itself is really lightweight and portable. This is a great thing for keeping in the car. I hate umbrella's so a rain jacket is a better option for me. I like that it has a front pocket as well as a zippered front pouch. It was really convenient to wear it during our walk on the beach and pier. I have gotten so many compliments and think this is the perfect addition to my outerwear wardrobe. I think I already know what it going under the tree for my daughters for Christmas! My husband would even like to have one. 
I think anyone would love this rain jacket and I highly recommend it! Lucky for you, the generous folks at The Pink Monogram have offered to give a rain jacket away to one lucky Mom Files reader. You know you want one! Go enter below.
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 15, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.

I received a rain jacket for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own as always. 
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Celebrate Halloween with Books! (Giveaway)

It's October and this means all things candy corn, pumpkins and little ghosts and goblins. Halloween has always been a fun and memorable time for my kids. We have done various craft projects, baking and decorating over the years. One thing every little kid loves is a good Halloween story. I have seen my kids at story time and they give their full attention to the pictures and stories.

I received 3 super cute picture books right in time to get my little guy excited for all the Halloween festivities. My husband plans on making a surprise visit to our son's class to read Pumpkin Time! since they are studying a unit on pumpkins in his first grade class.
Pumpkin Time! by Erzsi Deák

The day the cows strolled down Main Street in fancy hats...Evy didn't notice.
What was Evy doing? Evy is so focused on watching her garden grow that she misses all the silliness going on around her―pigs DANCING, donkeys FLYING, and sheep HAVING A PICNIC. But after Evy's spent all year taking care of her garden, everyone's invited to pumpkin time!
Happy Halloween! By Lillian Jaine 

It’s Halloween night, and Count von Count is dozing off in front of his fireplace. Suddenly, he hears someone knocking at his castle door, but when he opens the door, nobody’s there! Could it be a spooky Halloween spirit playing a trick on him, or is it something less sinister? Join Count, Elmo, and all of the Sesame friends as they celebrate Halloween!
A Halloween Scare by Eric James

It’s Halloween night, and creatures and critters from near and far are starting to gather outside the front door. And now here comes a whole army of monsters, on broomsticks, buses, and bikes, all clamoring in the darkness. What is it they want? Are they coming for you?This humorous, creative story is the perfect Halloween adventure for children and parents to share.

All three books have very nice illustrations that fall in line perfectly with each story. My son adores them all! These books would be perfect to surprise your little ghoul or goblin with for Halloween. Enter below to win a copy of all three titles.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US and Canada Residents only and will end on October 11, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.

Books were provided to me, as well as giveaway prize from Sourcebooks. All opinions are 100% my own as always. 
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