A Smile A Day...

Seeing all of the ways that smiling benefits us makes it all the more disheartening that there are still children who suffer from a deformity that could be easily repaired in a 45 minute surgery. Operation Smile agrees and has devoted itself to providing life changing and even life saving surgeries to those born with cleft lips and cleft palates.

From their website:

"Our free, life-changing surgeries take as little as 45 minutes, and can give a boy or girl with a facial deformity a lifetime of smiles. Plus, every child we heal creates a ripple effect on the child's family, community and country. Our medical volunteers span six continents — surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, intensivists, nurses, speech therapists, nutritionists, dentists, child life specialists and so many more. They do far more than provide free surgery for these children; they provide comprehensive care to treat the whole child. Imagine an older child whose cleft palate is fixed, but is still unable to speak — or a child who has never before seen a pediatrician or dentist before they encounter Operation Smile. Many of our patients are severely malnourished because their parents don’t know how to breastfeed a child with a cleft. Our medical teams give our patients specialized care so they can live healthy and productive lives."

Not sure how you can help? Glad you asked! There are several ways that you can help bring a smile to a child's face.

1. A surgery can cost as little as $240. Consider donating in honor of your child's birthday, to celebrate a special milestone or accomplishment, or as an alternative to office gift swaps why not have everyone pitch in and make a donation? Right now corporate partners have donated essential medical equipment and supplies for upcoming medical missions in 5 countries. Your gift multiplies 14X in impact to help ship them to waiting children. Every penny counts.

2. Buy something that you already need and watch a portion of the proceeds go to Operation Smile. Did you know that CampusBookRentals donates to Operation Smile with every textbook rented? I remember scouring the college bookstore for that last copy of a book needed, such a pain. With CampusBookRentals.com you just click and they will ship the book to you for free and then allow you to ship it back for free when you are finished - makes way more sense than buying books that you will get next to nothing for when you take it back to the bookstore!!

What always guarantees a big smile from you? Quick, go visit Operation Smile and share that joy with someone else!

Influenster VoxBox: Frosty

I received my 3rd box of free goodies from Influenster and wanted to share it with you!

What is Influenster? Straight from their website:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

"An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards."

"Basically, Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences. Active members of Influenster get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and swag from brands that thrive off the input (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- they just want to know what's up)."
 

Included in my Frosty box were Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner, NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum, Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea, Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme, Fruit Vines Bites Cherry, and an EcoTools Styler & Smoother brush.

 

I'm really excited to try some of the beauty items since taking better care of myself and stepping up my beauty routine is on my list for this year. My brush is years old and is super sad, so a replacement is definitely in order there! And in really sad news, my new medication makes my beloved diet soda taste flat (its one of the side effects), so I'm on the hunt for new low or no calorie drinks, so a trip down candy cane lane is in order. I'll let you know how I feel about everything once I have a chance to try the products out!

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.*
 

 

Smarter, Not Harder

Have I ever told you how much I love school supplies? New pens, a blank planner, and cutesy desk accessories all make my little heart go pitter patter. The school year is like the unofficial do over time of the year. Didn't keep your resolutions in January? Start fresh when school starts. I love the newness of it all.

And if one of those resolutions was to save money and work smarter, not harder, I have help for you! You're not still buying your college textbooks at the campus bookstore, are you? Um, why? Don't you know that CampusBookRentals has major perks when you rent your books from them? Perks like saving 40-90% off of bookstore prices, free shipping both ways, the ability to highlight in the textbooks, flexible renting periods and a donation to Operation Smile with each textbook rented. Check out this video to see how it works:



Now, if you are one of those people who starts the semester looking forward to the end of the semester, you might be more interested in how you can use RentBack to get the most out of those books destined to gather dust. Check out this video to see how it works:



OK, now before you scamper off to rent all of this semester's books at ridiculously low prices at CampusBookRentals, tell me, are you a fellow school supply junkie?

Influenster VoxBox: T.L.C.

I received my 2nd box of free goodies from Influenster and wanted to share it with you!

What is Influenster? Straight from their website:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

"An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards."

"Basically, Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences. Active members of Influenster get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and swag from brands that thrive off the input (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- they just want to know what's up)."

Included in my T.L.C box were a bar of Ivory Soap, a travel size package of Puffs tissues, a Shell Fuel Rewards card, Avon Anew Reversalist Complete Renewal Express Wrinkle Smoother, Neopsporin Neo to Go!, and a coupon for a free Breyers Gelato Indulgence.

The box this time is targeted for Moms and two of the Mom things, the tissues and the Neo to Go excite me most! I have Elise's diaper bag sorted with pouches - 1 for extra clothes, 1 for small toys and coloring tools (a must for dinners out!) and 1 for 1st aid/hygiene items. We already use the Puffs travel packs in that pouch and I have band aids, but I've been needing to get some Neosporin, and I love that this comes in a non-messy application.

That bar of Ivory might be the jump start that I need to make my own laundry detergent. Gas is my biggest gripe lately, so a card like the Shell Fuel Rewards card that can save me 3 cents a gallon is a winner. A long week at VBS is going to be capped off perfectly by some Gelato, I'm thinking maybe the Triple Chocolate variety. Since I'm still adjusting to being 40 and I've just mentioned that I am struggling to survive VBS week, I won't even address the wrinkle smoother....

Say Cheese!

One of my favorite things about Elise is her beautiful smile, it can brighten any day. See?

You smiled didn't you? Couldn't help yourself!

I can't imagine the pain that a parent must feel if there child is unable to smile, or worse if there child is shunned because they suffer from a deformity that could be easily repaired in a 45 minute surgery. Operation Smile agrees and has devoted itself to providing life changing and even life saving surgeries to those born with cleft lips and cleft palates.

From their website:

"Our free, life-changing surgeries take as little as 45 minutes, and can give a boy or girl with a facial deformity a lifetime of smiles. Plus, every child we heal creates a ripple effect on the child's family, community and country. Our medical volunteers span six continents — surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, intensivists, nurses, speech therapists, nutritionists, dentists, child life specialists and so many more. They do far more than provide free surgery for these children; they provide comprehensive care to treat the whole child. Imagine an older child whose cleft palate is fixed, but is still unable to speak — or a child who has never before seen a pediatrician or dentist before they encounter Operation Smile. Many of our patients are severely malnourished because their parents don’t know how to breastfeed a child with a cleft. Our medical teams give our patients specialized care so they can live healthy and productive lives."

Not sure how you can help? Glad you asked! There are several ways that you can help bring a smile to a child's face.

1. A surgery can cost as little as $240. Consider donating in honor of your child's birthday, to celebrate a special milestone or accomplishment, or as an alternative to office gift swaps why not have everyone pitch in and make a donation? Every penny counts.

2. Buy something that you already need and watch a portion of the proceeds go to Operation Smile. Did you know that CampusBookRentals.com donates to Operation Smile with every textbook rented? I remember scouring the college bookstore for that last copy of a book needed, such a pain. With CampusBookRentals.com you just click and they will ship the book to you for free and then allow you to ship it back for free when you are finished - makes way more sense than buying books that you will get next to nothing for when you take it back to the bookstore!!

3. Maybe you don't need to rent any books, but you have some collecting dust (ahem, Rev, ahem) and you'd like to make some money of off those. RentBack.com will let you rent your books out to other students and make 2-4 times as much as you would if you sold the book outright! And RentBack.com is also a supporter of Operation Smile!

Now, take a second, stop what you are doing and practice your biggest, cheesiest grin...don't you just feel better? Quick, go visit Operation Smile and share that joy with someone else!

How We Could Have Saved Money & My Plan To Get The Rev To Clean His Office...

A day late and a dollar short...that is always me. Of course, we just finished putting the Rev through the completion of his Bachelor's degree and 2 Master's degrees in a 4 year period and now I find out how much money we could have saved by renting his textbooks...I had no idea that such even existed.

CampusBookRentals lets you rent textbooks, for a period of time that you choose, at a fraction of the cost of buying books, I'm talking like a savings of 40-90% off of bookstore prices, with free shipping both ways. And you can highlight in the books just like you would your own (is it wrong that I would totally be hoping a smarty had the book before me and did all of the highlighting for me?). I can't tell you how many books we scoured websites for just trying to find an affordable copy, this would have been awesome.

But, I am still in luck because they have launched a new sister site, RentBack.com, that allows you to rent your books to other students and make money. I know that ya'll hear the wheels turning...and I know that the Rev knows what is about to happen to all of the piles of books that he doesn't need any longer that are cluttering up the office...that's right, I'm about to purge and make some cash! Here is how it works:

If the thought of saving money AND earning money doesn't bring a smile to your face, maybe this will...a portion of every textbook rental fee goes to Operation Smile, an international charity that provides life-changing cleft surgeries to those who can't afford it, bringing smiles to millions.

So, let's review, rent textbooks you need and save money...rent your textbooks when you are finished with them and make money...and make others smile!

**This post has been sponsored by CampusBookRentals.com**

Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to review the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker. What is the Brights Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Rocker? So glad you asked!

Here is a description from Bright Starts:
The Bright Starts™ 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker™ is the perfect seat to grow with baby! The seat rocks back and forth and features soothing vibrations with full body recline to help soothe baby. The removable toy bar allows easy access to baby and includes 2 interactive toys for entertaining. As your little one grows from baby to big kid, the seat can be used as a rocker or stationary seat – the rear kickstand can be locked into place to stabilize the seat and is conveniently located out of baby’s way. The seat also features an easy to clean seat pad with a fun, zoo animal print that is sure to make your little one smile!

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at first since Elise has already passed the age to use the baby seat function....but I underestimated her and the product. I sat her down in the chair and she started rocking it herself! It's a perfect size for her and will be for the next good while. She loves to sit in it and look at her books. And I love that she can rock in it or I can adjust the kickstand and she can sit in it stationary. We don't yet have any other kid sized furniture, so this is a great piece. I'm kind of kicking myself for not noticing this product sooner. If your house is like ours and space is at a premium, this would save you the expense and storage of a bouncing baby seat and a toddler chair, since it is all of those in one. The colorful and engaging toy bar and vibrating/reclining functions would be perfect for your little baby and the I-can-do-it-myself rocking function is great for fostering independence as they get a little older. Super happy that we have this now (and so is she!)!

*I received a Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker in exchange for a review of the product. All opinions are 100% mine.*

Want one for yourself? Bright Starts has graciously offered to give one to one of my lucky readers! Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Got Carded...

When Lauren at Cardstore contacted me and asked if I would be willing to use their site to create a card of my choice and review the process for you, I jumped! I had used them previously with great success and was excited to get the opportunity again. I decided to make a photo card from Elise to commemorate the Rev's 1st Father's Day.

The process really could not be easier, pick your card, then follow the step by step instructions to personalize with your photo and/or text. You can even scan your real signature in if you want! And the best part? They will mail it for you, now or at a later date of your choice. No going to sort through the greeting cards with mismatched envelopes at the drug store, no going to buy that one stamp that you need to mail a card, it really could not be easier. Your card will arrive to your recipient with a professional envelope, gold seal included! Here is the Father's Day card that I selected:

I first used Cardstore last Christmas. I received a really cool Christmas postcard (no envelopes to stuff!) from a friend and tracked her down on Facebook to find out where she had them made. She sent me to Cardstore. We designed our own postcard for Christmas and I was so happy with the results. Best thing about that process? You can upload your entire list of addresses into their system and they will do all of the work. I had ours sent directly to me without addresses though, since we pass the bulk of our cards out at the church. Prices are very reasonable, most cards range anywhere from $1.29 to $3.49 (and they give bulk discounts, perfect for save the dates, shower/party invitations, classmate Valentine's or Christmas), much less than you would pay in stores, and they are always offering different discount codes. I ordered 100 Christmas cards and only paid $30 after my discount. Here is our Christmas postcard:

They really do have a card for every occasion - up next for me will be cards for Grandparent's Day in September! Give them a try and let me know what you think!

*I received a code for a complimentary card in exchange for a review of Cardstore and their card making process. All opinions are 100% mine.*

Influenster VoxBox: Palmolive Soft Touch

Free stuff? Um, yes please! I received my first Voxbox from Influenster recently and I want to tell you all about it!

What is Influenster? Straight from their website:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

"An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards."

"Basically, Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences. Active members of Influenster get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and swag from brands that thrive off the input (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- they just want to know what's up)."

They sent me Palmolive Soft Touch Dishwashing Detergent - a bottle for me and a bottle for a friend. A year ago, I would not have needed a bottle of hand washing detergent, since we only used the dishwasher, but now we have this setup...

...and we hand wash bottles and baby food containers/spoons every day. I had been using Palmolive Toy & Bottle detergent (and love it, as well!), but decided to give this a try since, well, honestly, it was FREE!

It is so silky feeling on your hands and I do notice that my cuticles are in much better shape since switching, not nearly as rough and jagged. And the Coconut Butter version smells amazing! And so as not to seem totally superficial, I can tell you that it cleans Elise's bottles very well, leaving no formula or food parts behind. And a little goes a long way since it suds up in a major way!

I'm giving the bottle of the pink Vitamin E version to the bestie, since she lives in a house of boys that I know can dirty some dishes...and since she might appreciate having a touch of pink around!

* Mini Giveaway!*

As you can see, my bottle is half gone, but luckily also included in my box were coupons good for $1 off my next purchase...and since I am nice, your purchase, too!! First 3 comments that want one will also receive a coupon good for $1 off of Palmolive Soft Touch in either Coconut Butter, Aloe, or Vitamin E. Since they shared with me, I'll share with you! And if you think that you might like to get free products and have your opinion heard, let me know and I will send you an invite to Influenster!

*I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster, but opinions are 100% mine!*