When You Have a Love Affair with Sneakers and More

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

If you love sneakers, and you love a good deal, you have come to the right place. Visit a site like SneakerKing and you'll understand why the name of the company fits. It's all about offering you choices at prices that you can afford. When you have to keep that ever-growing collection of shoes in shape, you're sure to find a new addition that fits perfectly. From athletic footwear to the most popular brand names, this is right up your alley when you are looking for sneakers and shoes. Before you shop elsewhere, you need to browse this site and find out what is waiting for you.

Get Ready for the Elements
The cold and snow is on its way. That means you are going to need footwear that can stand up to the conditions. It's all about comfort and performance. You'll also find that there are many styles available, ensuring you will have an attractive pair of boots to see you through the winter months ahead. Take a look at all of your options to find the right boot for you.

Discover Bumblebean :: Specialty Brands for Modern Moms, Kids & Babies

Disclosure: I received compensation via gift card for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Discover Bumblebean

Bumblebean is an online boutique where you'll discover hand-selected, specialty brands and smart solutions for moms, kids and babies. 

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for a special occasion or an everyday item to make life with young kids a little bit easier, more educational, and more fun - Bumblebean is your destination. They've scoured the greatest boutiques and brands in the country and have put together an ever-evolving collection that values good design, high-quality craftsmanship, and eco-mindedness. Also browse the curated collections from mom experts on products and brands you can trust.

Need more reasons to fall in LOVE with Bumblebean?

• Invite a Friend - Give your friend a free $10 credit just by inviting them. When your friend makes a purchase, you'll get $10! (off purchases of $25 or more)
• Expert Collections - Our Experts create themed collections to make shopping for your little one's big and small events easy
• Wish Listing - Create a registry for a new baby or a wishlist for kids for holidays & birthdays. Connect with family and friends so they can be reminded of birthdays and stay up-to-date on wants/needs for your kids.
• Smart Solutions - Bumblebean brands make life easier with products that solve everyday problems. Check out the Smart Solutions below to find your favorite tips, tricks, and life-hacks.
• Weekly Buzz - weekly emails with the latest new brands on Bumblebean and new sales.
• Free Shipping - currently offering Free Shipping for purchases over $45

Ready to shop? What do you LOVE at Bumblebean? I spy a Sophie Giraffe, SwaddleDesigns, Finn + Emma and Ringley!

 

Celebrating Our Readers - $50 Amazon.com Giveaway!

Ummmm, who wouldn't want to win an Amazon gift card? They carry everything! Join me and an awesome group of bloggers as we celebrate YOU, our readers!

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

 

Win It!

One winner will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift card!

Preparing for Baby with MAM Pacifiers, Teethers & More {Giveaway - Ends 2/4}

I received complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Preparing for this little girl's arrival in March has been so much fun!! As a second time mom with a huge 6-year gap between the two though, you could say it's like starting all over with all the preparations necessary. However, some baby products are really intended for one kid anyway, so every mom-to-be can benefit from keeping up to date on the latest innovations out there. 

Today I'm sharing about some baby goodies from MAM, a global leader in the baby industry and makers of award-winning pacifiers, bottles, cups, teethers, oral care items and coordinating accessories. Here's a quick video overview of some of MAM's products:

MAM developed its first soother back in Vienna in 1976 and today MAM products are used by families in over 50 countries and on five continents! If you're not a first-time mom, perhaps you've used or at least seen MAM products before. MAM products set high standards for baby safety by being BPA-free, PVC-free, Lead-free and CPSIA Compliant.

MAM sent me a good selection of several pacifier and teether products to check out and use with our daughter when she arrives in March. Developed by leading pediatric dentists and developmental psychologists, MAM pacifiers provide maximum comfort and style for babies of all ages.

The 2-pack of MAM Start pacifiers for newborns (left) and a MAM Perfect pacifier for 0-6 months (right). Both styles are very lightweight and feature a soft silicone, orthodontic nipple and convenient sterilizing case.

The Perfect pacifier is unique in that it has a Dento-Flex nipple neck which is 60% thinner and 3 times softer than most pacifiers. Comparing it to the Start pacifiers, the Perfect has a noticeably smaller nipple. Although all MAM pacifiers are designed with an orthodontically correct nipple design, I definitely prefer the MAM Perfect as my baby girl gets older. The potential impact of using pacifiers long-term is a very important factor to consider. I feel really comfortable with the MAM Perfect design for her.

I don't even want to begin to think of all the yucky bacteria and crap that pacifiers encounter on a daily basis. The Pacifier Clip & Cover is an excellent solution for on-the-go parents that don't enjoy the thought of just throwing a pacifier in the diaper bag by itself, or for times it's just not needed. The cover is super light and easily clips over the pacifier nipple with ease. Decide you don't want the cover? It's removable if desired.
 
You know, I really have no clue if I'll need the pacifiers yet, and quite frankly, no parent will know in advance. This little girl could be like her newborn cousin who refuses any pacifiers at all! Or she could be like her brother and absolutely NEED a pacifier so mama can heal between feedings. We shall see. Either way, I like being prepared.

I love the Bite & Brush Teether! It's large, round handle is perfect for little hands, and assures that baby can't jam the whole thing into their mouth and gag herself. The bristles are very soft yet firm, and serve double duty as a gum-soother and gum-cleaner - proper baby oral care is super important, whether teeth have emerged or not.

The Bite & Relax + Clip is uniquely designed to provide teething relief to the front teeth and looks similar to a pacifier. The included clip is a smart idea for parents that don't have a pacifier-lover and clips handy already. When teething strikes, these will be excellent options to offer baby girl a bit of relief.

If you're bottle-feeding your babe, MAM has you covered there too. In fact, MAM's Anti-Colic Bottles just won a 2015 What To Expect.com “Moms Love-It” Award, which honors 40 of the best products for baby registries that were chosen by experienced moms from the What to Expect community. You can buy a 3-pack of MAM’s Anti-Colic bottles at Babies “R” Us for $17.99.

Follow MAM
Facebook: Facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA
Twitter: @MAMBABY
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/MAMUSA
YouTube: Subscribe to MAMbabyUSA 
Instagram: Instagram.com/Mam_usa

To view all MAM products and to use the store locator, visit www.MAMbaby.com.

Enter To Win:
TWO of my readers will win MAM Start pacifiers and a MAM Bite & Relax!

Your Honda Story Could Be In Honda NorCal’s Next Short Film!

This is a sponsored post brought to you by The Northern California Honda Dealers Advertising Association. Consideration was paid but all opinions are 100% my own.

The Northern California Honda Dealers Advertising Association is giving Honda owners an opportunity for their Honda “special moments” to be included in a short film produced and distributed online.

Your Honda “special moments” can include almost anything where a Honda vehicle has played a special role in your life, like:

• Driving you to the hospital for the birth of a child

• Your first vehicle owned as a married couple

• A memorable road trip taken in a Honda

• A Honda that’s been in the family for generations

• Any unique modifications done to a Honda that display your personality

• Why you chose Honda over another car brand

The key is to tell your story the best way you can. Be emotional, factual, exciting, entertaining…whatever works best for you.

It’s really easy to enter, just upload your entry to http://bit.ly/11t0nrv

 by Jan 31, 2015 at 11pm Pacific Standard Time. Your story must be 1,500 characters or less, and should include a photo showing you (or the owner) and the vehicle. Winning submissions will be featured in Honda’s #NorCalGetsIt campaign as short films.

If you’re selected as a winner your story will be re-imagined as a short film in Honda’s #NorCalGetsIt campaign. A little tip…be sure to read the rules before you enter to make sure you do everything possible to chosen. And, don’t forget to follow NorCal Honda Dealers on Facebook:
 facebook.com/norcalhondadealers

 

GREEN Your New Year With Reusable Snack Bags {Green Resolutions Giveaway - Ends 1/31}

Welcome to the Green Resolution Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering, Easy Green Mom and Brittleby’s Corner through the Green Moms Network! We want to help encourage you to make resolutions to live healthier and more eco-friendly lives this New Year!  After entering my giveaway, be sure to hop around and enter all of the other giveaways listed on the linky at the bottom of this post for your chance to win more giveaways that will help you go green and live a more healthful and eco-friendly lifestyle in 2015.

One of my absolute FAVORITE online go-to stores is Abe's Market. They have a fantastic selection of healthy, natural foods and snacks to help keep your New Year wellness goals on track. You'll also find thousands of carefully selected goodies for you and your home, pets and kiddos. They frequently offer coupon codes and free shipping deals, so be sure to follow them via email.

I recently snagged these fabulous reusable snack baggies from Lunchskins, and figured these would be quite appropriate to help you with your GREEN goals this year.

Lunchskins are dishwasher-safe, free of BPA, lead and phthalates, hand sewn in the USA, and each good for about 1,000 uses. The velcro closure ensures your healthy snacks will stay inside, no matter where you take them. Think about all the plastic baggies you'll be saving by using these! They're pretty darn adorable too.

Enter To Win:

One of my readers will receive these same 3 Aqua Dot Lunchskins as shown, a $29.99 RV!

Coinstar Exchange :: Get CASH for Your Unused Gift Cards

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Coinstar. All opinions are 100% my own.

By now you've heard of Coinstar and their grocery store kiosks that turn your spare change into cash or no-fee eCertificates. But what about those gift cards laying around that are simply of no use to you?

Did you get a gift card or two this holiday season that is for a retailer your don't shop at? Enter Coinstar Exchange, an easy solution that will take your unused or partially used gift cards (minimum value of $20), and give you a cash offer on the spot. These new, bright yellow Coinstar Exchange kiosks are now available in select markets and they accept gifts cards from over 150 stores and restaurants.

Boost Your Budget
With the new year upon us, get a fresh start with a little more cash in your budget with Coinstar Exchange. Stores are filled with products to help you organize your home and reach your health and fitness goals in the year ahead, so it's the perfect time to exchange those useless gift cards that will just clutter your wallet or junk drawer in the near future. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have some extra cash than a little card that's likely to get lost!

After scanning your gift card, the Coinstar Exchange kiosk will give you a cash offer. Payout rates do vary by retailer. Upon verifying your identity and taking your gift cards, the kiosk will print your cash voucher for you to redeem at customer service for cash. It was a very simple process and I was able to cash in two gift cards in the same transaction.

Stop Throwing Away Money

Coinstar's recent survey in October 2014 reveals that 58% of Americans have at least one gift card in their possession - perhaps lying around for quite some time before being used, or even lost! In fact, 48% of Americans say that when they receive gift cards they wait to use them, or never use them at all.

I'm sure many of you can relate to most other Americans that have a gift card or two hanging around in their wallet, especially with the holidays very recently behind us. Several weeks ago as I was organizing our new baby's catch-all closet, I came across an REI gift card at the bottom of a bunch of old paperwork. I almost tossed it but thought, why on earth would I have kept it if it were used? So, Hubby called the number on the card and we learned it had $23.xx on it. I remember receiving that gift card over three years ago! 

Hubby went out and spent it, but this is just a great example of where using a Coinstar Exchange kiosk (had they been around back then) would have been smart. I nearly threw away a gift card - that's just like throwing away cold hard cash! Instead of resorting to stashing unused gift cards, either make an effort to spend them right away, or take them to a Coinstar Exchange kiosk for cash.

Learn more at Coinstar.com/holiday and connect on Facebook and Twitter.