This is not about Twitter - however, yes those are our Twitter "names." :) And we have fun with them so when I had a chance to check out Cafe Press and their fun apparel, I chose to make tee shirts for the Tigers and me that reflect my twitter name. Fun!
Here's another one, isn't it cute! The boys love theirs. They got the Carolina Blue and I have my Carolina Mama Pink! :)
Aren't they cute! There are all kinds of fun things to customize on Cafe Press! Like these cute Clocks!
Now for the real excitement - Cafe Press is hosting a Giveaway. Yes, one of you will receive your own custom designed tee shirt!
Check out this outfit? Want to guess how much? Dress and shoes? You'll be shocked!
Here are my tips to make your find lasting and worth the bargain:
1) Go for classic styles; not just trendy styles; 2) Go for classic colors; you can wear them more often 3) A white tee shirt goes a long way! And dresses up a simple sundress! 4) Check out Wal;-Mart Who knew! Really! * Word from my own Carolina Mama, Basics go a long ways!
How did you like the bargain video?! Any questions? Also, please share your fashion finds with me! See ya next week for Friday Fit Finds - talking favorite snacks that are healthy and fit living! Enjoy your weekend!
The Waterpik Easy Select Showerhead was a success with us from the minute we opened the box. The Tigers were so excited. They ran upstairs to begin installation asap! Now I am not a handy-girl. I've never even thought about installing a shower head. Enter the Waterpik and Mountain Man is at work = the Tigers take on the project!
Success! They basically read and installed it with my help for the fact that I am 5'7" and they needed my height. Otherwise, they were/are :) golden!
The Waterpik is really great for children. It is so great to just spray them down after playing sports all afternoon. Spray shower heads are wonderful for shampooing children's hair.
Since 1962, Water Pik has been committed to developing and manufacturing innovative personal and oral health care products. They are dedicated to creating products that will not only improve the health and well-being of their consumers, but provide a truly transforming experience.
Water Pik showerheads are designed using their patented OptiFLOW technology, to maximize water pressure by increasing water force by up to 30%! This provides you with an enjoyable shower, so you feel refreshed and invigorated.
Water Pik recently completed a survey that discovered "50 percent of moms say they use the shower as a time to escape".
We found all of this to be true! The boys wanted to take a shower as soon as we installed it. They actually decided who would go first and we were off. I handed them the hand held shower head and let them try out all of the settings. The dial is really easy and they enjoyed the Circular the best! Eco-Friendly Going Green The Waterpik® EcoFlow®, which helps reduce water consumption by up to 40%. Water-conserving shower heads are inexpensive, easy to install, and can save a family of four up to 17,000 gallons of water a year.
For fun - realize George Burns was a huge fan of Waterpik! :)
*Thank you MomSelect for providing me this opportunity to review the Waterpik. The opinions and enthusiasm are all my own.
Rayovac is keeping it fun this Summer with an awesome Summer Photo Contest! They also offer great prizes. Not only do they make our lives run smoothly - quite literally - they reward us along the way with great prizes listed below.
Enter to win by following the Contest Rules! And enjoy! Rayovac makes the world a better place!
Snap, Share & Win! Rayovac Summer Photo Contest:
The Snap, Share & Win! Rayovac Summer Photo Contest will begin August 2, 2010 and will conclude on August 29, 2010. Each week will feature a different photo theme. Eligible contestants will be able to complete the entry form on Rayovac’s website, upload a photo and specify the theme. Contestants may upload 1 photo each week for a maximum of 3 photos. Once photos are posted, viewers can vote for 1 photo a day and add an unlimited number of comments. Contestants and viewers can share the contest with their friends (eighteen years old or older) utilizing the “Invite Friends” button or by sending an email. The photos receiving the most votes for each theme will win prizes. Rayovac Powers Fun, have fun and be creative with your photo entries! All levels of photography welcome!
PRIZES For each of the three themes there will be:
Grand Prize- a Digital Camera Package, complete with a Photo Printer and Rayovac Rechargeables and a Digital Photo Frame for three of the Grand Prize Winner’s friends.
Second Place Prize- Photo Printer Runner Up Prize- Digital Photo Frame Keychain.
Phase One: Submit photo entry August 2, 2010- August 22, 2010. (Week 1: Fun with Water Photo. Week 2: Fun Pet Photo. Week 3: Summer Fun Photo) Phase Two: Public Vote August 2, 2010- August 29, 2010. Phase Three: Winners Announced September 8, 2010.
Winners will receive the prizes mentioned above and will be notified by August 2, 2010. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN (for the Blogger Promotion or the Photo Contest) . VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Must be a US or DC resident and 18 or older at the time of entry of the Promotion or the Contest.
*“The first 50 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Summer Photo Contest won a prize from Rayovac.”
Boulder Mountain Man - Architect turned Starbucks Coffee Master My Tigers A and B - our lively and life-changing Twin sons Carolina Mama - Journalist, SAHMom turned Social Media Specialist
- we love life - we are healthy living, active lifestyle, wellness wins, fashion is fabulous, love our environment and work to protect Mother Earth, work at home, homemade cooking is good, homeschool, sports are king, our faith is big, come watch us live out loud, love it!
All-American family! We wouldn't have it any other way.
Project mom Casting, we promise you this, as you watch us live out loud, wrangling the Tigers, it will not bore you and it won't be silent. :)
Thanks for the great fun and for reaching out to MomBloggers and our families! :)
Especially when I smile at the scale when the numbers reflect that I "Reach Right!" I've been "reaching right" for over a year when I gave up butter! My whole family loves I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray! It's good!
ICBINB asked me to participate in their Summer Grilling Giveaway and healthy grilling. You bet! That's what we do! It was wonderful to have my sweet friend, Jen here to enjoy the experience together.
We had a fun time making the ICBINB recipes. We used the recipe below with Shrimp! And we especially loved the Grilled Corn.. Summertime Grilling at its finest!
Jen @ One Mom's World and I got to have a Grill UP and Eat Up together! Check out our recipe!
Ingredients - 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed - 1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes - 2 medium red, green and/or yellow bell peppers, cut into 1-1/2-inch squares - 1 medium yellow squash, cubed - 30 sprays I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spray Original, divided - 1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary - 1 tsp. grated orange peel - 2 Tbsp. orange juice Instructions Spray chicken and vegetables with 15 sprays I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spray Original, then toss with with rosemary and orange peel. Alternately thread chicken and vegetables on skewers*. Grill or broil chicken and vegetables, turning once, 8 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and vegetables are just tender. Arrange chicken and vegetables on serving platter. Spray with remaining 15 Sprays, then drizzle with orange juice.
Here Jen helps prepare the meal. We had a wonderful time enjoying the kitchen together. She also loves healthy living and eating. So this was a real delight to make this meal together. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
Join the ICBINB Tweet Up! the Taste & Tweet will be a fun evening of eating, Tweeting and sharing grilling and entertaining tips with fellow participants and our grilling and entertaining co-hosts: @GrillCompanion (www.grillingcompanion.com) who will be sharing their grilling expertise and answering questions on all of your barbeque and grilling questions to help you grill like a pro, and entertaining expert, @HWTM_Jenn (www.hostesswiththemostess.com), who will be sharing her insider tips on how to throw the perfect outdoor party and back yard barbeque this summer. We’re also excited to have Chef Normajean Longfield from the Unilever Test Kitchen who will be Tweeting with @ICBINotButter to give you tips on all of the great ways to spray I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
Our hashtag for the event will be #ICBINotButterBBQ, so please be sure to include it in your tweets to follow along with the conversation. Your first tweet including the hashtag will automatically be entered in our sweepstakes to win one of two grand prizes each valued at $125! The prize features: · Weber Smokey Joe grill · I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! grill basket · Crate and Barrel four-piece tool set!
You can view our full sweepstakes rules by visiting, http://www.tasteyoulove.com/Taste-and-Tweet-Sweepstakes-Rules.html. Please use your first Tweet/contest entry to disclose that you are participating in the Taste & Tweet and received a package from I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. Something along the lines of: “I’ll be Tweeting tonight for @ICBINotButter’s Taste & Tweet and received a grilling kit from them. #samp #ICBINotButterBBQ”
GIVEAWAY! Enter to win by taking these steps - one comment/entry per step:
1) Comment how you would use ICBINB Spray? Food item? :) 2) Tweet this out this Giveaway link 3) Join Carolina Mama Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolina-Mama/288936420402?ref=ts
Good luck! This Giveaway is great - here's what it offers!
The gift set includes: · Two coupons for a FREE I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! product · I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Summer Newsletter with great grilling recipes · I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Grill Basket perfect for grilling veggies, fish or chicken · Set of Crate & Barrel Corn on the Cob Picks and Dishes · Crate & Barrel Melamine Serving Bowl · Crate & Barrel Grill Tongs and Turner · BBQ Mitt
*Thank you ICBINB for sponsoring Carolina Mama on ICBINBSpray! It is the best! Also, this is published at "Tasty Tuesday!" and at "Works For Me Wednesday!" for a chance to learn more amazing Tips, check them out!
Today's Friday Fashion is all about a Southern Tradition. We're adding a little history spin to Friday Fashion! Here The Tigers sport CHAPS by Ralph Lauren Seersucker from Kohl's - the Kohl's mega-sale $9.99. That's a Fashion Find! These double with their Navy Blazers for a wonderful Wedding look and Sunday Morning go to church.
In 1907 a New Orleans tailor made the first seersucker suit to make the summer wear more comfortable. He called the light weight, pale blue and white striped rumpled cotton fabric "seersucker" from the Persian words for "milk" and "sugar". The suits became widely popular because they retained their fashionably good looks even despite multiple washings that are necessary during the summer.
This tradition began with Mississippi US Senator Trent Lott
Seersucker keeps it cool, lightweight and stylish for the Southern Gentleman! And the ladies. I love my Seersucker dress. What are your traditions? And how do you beat the heat with style in the Summer?
It’s Magic. It’s a Blessing. It’s the Motherhood of the Traveling Shirt. 2010: The Year of the BornFit Mom!
We can all use a little inspiration and motivation in our lives – some Magic if you will! That is why BornFit is launching the Traveling Shirt! We are all BornFit. And, sometimes a little kick start (or pixie dust) is needed to remind us of that special Mom within.
So how does it work?
Each of the 3 Magical BornFit Shirts will be traveling to places near and far, worn by a total of 36 special mothers from all walks of life. Moms will wear the Traveling Shirt, get fit and feel inspired. Moms beware…wearing this shirt will change your life in magical ways. Every 2 weeks the Magic will reach a NEW mom. BornFit will always be the guide, but the joy of sharing it with someone else will also bring incredible rewards.
"Health is the thing that makes you say, 'Now is the best time of year!'"
We never take our health for granted. That is why we love healthy living! And an active lifestyle. So recently when I was asked to join the "Motherhood of the Traveling Shirt!" I was elated! Health is not something to be assumed. It is a gift!
My Daddy died unexpectedly at a young age- I was just graduated from High School. We were devastated. Life would never be the same again. He had asthma.
In the picture above, you see my young son - he looks like a healthy athletic child. He has exercise induced asthma. So we carry a little red inhaler in his gym bag, my purse, the car... in case he cannot breathe on his own. One day my Daddy couldn't.
Here my son and I take a quick picture after getting active playing ball in the back yard only to discover the peaches form our tree were ready for harvest. After some peach picking right here at home in North Carolina, we played a little ball. The Traveling Shirt was perfect for this day.
We cherish each day.
If BornFit were to choose my Charity, I would like it to be:
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America "AAFA" has been a partner in the Consortium on Children's Asthma Camps which helps children with asthma by bringing together people from all walks of life to share ideas on how to best manage this chronic disease.
Are you ready to mix it up a bit with your comfort foods?! Local market, Foster's Market, gets it all right! Check out their Mac n' Cheese for you lovers of this delightful dish. Sara Foster is a renowned Southern Chef. We are proud she calls Chapel Hill her home! If you're local, go get the dish straight from the Queen of Good Eats herself.
Now you know a secret to why the University of North Carolina students are so happy - they are well fed! :) I am excited that Sara Foster is a part of the "From Farm to Fork" project annually in this area. We love locally grown organics for healthy eats.
Enjoy! *This is published at "Tasty Tuesday!" Check out all of the great recipes and tips!
Welcome to Friday Fitness Finds! Today's "find" is a tip!
Thanks to my Daddy, I've always run! Have always loved it. Jogger, Runner. Really, I'm more of a jogger. I run at my own pace and enjoy. Today, I wanted to share a tip with those who have been asking me about running.
This is simple and will truly help you enjoy it! And get a great work out.
Also, when I trained for and ran my first Marathon - the Marine Corps Marathon Washington, DC - I used the Jeff Galloway Method. He is an Olympic Runner who Coaches and Trains runners. I used his schedule for the Marathon - Injury Free Running "Marathon!" And it worked!
You can find Jeff Galloway at running seminars, weekends across the country. It was so great to hear him speak the Spring before my Marathon. In fact, he was so inspirational, I signed up for my Marathon a month later and fulfilled a life-long dream of completing a Marathon.
My favorite tip: Go the Distance! I didn't say race the distance or go fast. I said Go. You can do this. Let me know what you think and what is your biggest challenge in running and/or exercise.
You know we love healthy living and going green - recycle daily, are energy efficient, etc. Now, look at this initiative that is truly making a difference in the lives of our children and their health. Love this! Healthy living involves a lot of things. Each little thing can be a big thing in regard to our environmental footprint.
We can make a difference every day. Make a choice. Each step and choice makes the world a better place.
"We are leading a movement that educates parents, supports protective policies, and engages communities to make responsible decisions, simple everyday choices, and well-informed lifestyle improvements to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish. Healthy Child Healthy World exists because tens of millions of American children now face chronic diseases and illnesses including cancer, autism, asthma, birth defects, ADD/ADHD, allergies, learning and developmental disabilities, as well as a host of lesser but disruptive ailments. "
"For the past two decades Healthy Child Healthy World has been the nation's leading organization of its kind. We help millions of parents, educators, health professionals, and the general public take action to create healthy environments and embrace green, non-toxic steps. Purpose and Goals Expand awareness and understanding of environmental hazards to children's health Help the public learn about healthier practices, solutions, and products in the marketplace Encourage daily action and informed lifestyle choices Create standards and policies for safer products, foods, materials, and chemicals used in the home – promoting safer options and new alternatives Advocate for and support corporate policies and governmental legislation that protect children from environmental risks Engage communities to make wise choices and responsible decisions so families can flourish."
In the South, we swim a lot. It's hot and there is nothing like a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. Or a competitive wave with the swim team.
Recently, it was a privilege to be invited to Underwriters Laboratories "Pool and Summer Safety at UL's RTP Laboratory!" here in North Carolina. I was honored to be trained to be "Safety Advocate!" by such experts.
Underwriters Laboratories helps families stay summer safe, not sorry.
"While summertime activities make for fond memories, they also send 2.7 million kids to the emergency room every year due to accidents in or around the home."
We were trained in three areas: Pool safety, Grilling safety and Play Set safety.
John Drengenberg, Director, Consumer Safety was here from Chicago. What a joy to meet a man with such a passion for safety and for UL where he has spent his career - 40 years. Remarkable. He is an excellent corporate spokesman for consumer safety. Plus we had a lot of fun along with Real Life Sarah and other media. Who knew safety could be fun!
Seriously, today we will cover Pool Safety.
The number one thing we discussed was about Pool Supervision. We all know we can never be careful enough. We have lifeguards at our pool and still... . Supervision is a must.
"Follow the 10/20 Rule" when you're at the pool. The 10/20 Rule states the supervising adult needs to be able to scan the pool within 10 seconds and reach the water within 20 seconds." Honestly, I had never heard that Rule. And what a world of help it can be.
Always have rescue devices such as UL-Listed life preservers. nearby. We got to see all of the testing that goes on behind the scenes at UL. So when you buy a product with the UL label - you know it is tested against the highest of standards. I'll share a few here.
Keep in mind sizes of Pool Flotation Devices - children grow each year; keep PFDs out of the sunshine. The sun can effect the materials and the effectiveness.
Giveaway: Enter to Win a UL sponsored $25 Target Gift Card! Two Winners will be chosen.
1) Visit link above and list one Safety help from the list; 2) Twitter this post 3) Join the new Carolina Mama Facebook page 4) List one UL logo item in your home, appliances, electronics, etc.
Good luck!
*This post was sponsored by UL - the opinions are all my own! This is published at "Works For Me Wednesday!"
My Sister - My Hero - Needs a Girl City Get Away NYC
Parkinson's? Alzeheimer's? A mother of five - a life changed forever. My mother.
A brain biopsy - life is never the same.
New Orleans, Summer 2005. Katrina moves in.
My mother accompanied by my sister who though engaged twice never married. She has given her all to see my mother through - when the rest of us could not. Distance, young children, jobs. She chose to carry the torch of my mother's well being.
Enter one of the five children - my sister. She has cared for my mother from the beginning. She has stood by her side. Did you see Katrina moved in - yes, they were hospitalized in New Orleans. They because yes my sister chose to stay with her - my mother could not be moved. My sister would not be.
The forth night after Katrina ravished our native land, my mother was one of the few - as fate would have it - at 3 am CST - my mother was air lifted off of the roof of the hospital that had protected them - though without electricity and with rising water and food limited. An oatmeal for dinner - they were thankful.
My sister left in that city with no family there. She got my mother a space on a chopper.
She is a survivor. Thankfully to the Doctor who included her in his fleet - she escaped NOLA with his crew and Army escort. They saw what Katrina did - they were speechless.
For five years, my sister has committed her life to my mother's in a self-sacrificing way to care for our Mother like no one can.
Okay y'all! We're talking Fashion! Friday Fashion Find! I know, can you believe after all that coaxing from sweet friends - I'm doing it! And I have to say ode to my fashion roots - Banana Republic, Kate Spade and Estee′ Lauder! It feels great to talk fashion again!
After all, stay-at-home-mom, Twins Mom talking Fashion - it's a good thing! So you have mentioned it and asked and yes you are right, I'm talking a lot about Fashion and Fitness. It's what we do! And I love that you do too and we're sharing that together.
So here is my inaugural "Friday Fashion Find!" Love it! And you?!
Let me know how you like the video and/or any other Fashion Questions you might have! I have a feeling I am going to love this! And I hope you will too! I'll alternate between "Friday Fashion Find!" and "Friday Fit Find!" Next week, you've got it - "Friday Fit Find!" Stay tuned!
Pictures will be shared. :) Share your photo on my Carolina Mama Facebook! :) and your are entered to win a $25 Target Gift Card ! from Underwriters Laboratories! Good luck! Isn't this fun! Free Chicken and Free Target Gift Card! :) You bet! * Winner chosen randomly by Random.org.
Love my glasses from GlassesUSA! They are amazing. I love these! And I love that Glasses USA is sponsoring me on this project! They have amazing frames like these Retro Frames!
Carolina Mama has worn glasses since that time in Sixth Grade! when I was with my Mom going to Court to see my Daddy practice law. My Mom pointed out a clever license plate to me, these were on the rise "back then" and were a big deal.
I couldn't read the license plate... on the car in front of us!
Then, when further investigated my Sixth Grade Home Room Teacher helped reveal that I in fact, could not read the board without squinting.
Glasses were in order! I was excited. I wanted the Octagon Silver Wire frame. Loved them. My friends did too, they used to ask to wear them!
Fashionable glasses were very important - still are! And mercy me, I just love all of the options!
So you can image why I just fell in love with Glasses USA's may brands and styles. They are awesome and available online !!
Oh, and look at these Classics! My sister and I used to have a version of these times two!
They carry progressive lenses, semi rimless, rimless and more! Enjoy!
We like to share tips and tricks to make life more simple! Well, I have the latest and greatest information and it is simple: ionator HOM™ It's quick, simple, safe and effective! What more could we ask for in a cleaning product!
Activeion.com won the prestigious Cleaning Award! The 2010 “Green Clean” award recognizing environmental sustainability through eco-design and innovation has been awarded to Activeion by the Italian Association of Manufacturers, Equipment, Machines, and Products.
Activeion™ The ionator HOM™ is for domestic use and the ionator EXP™ is for industrial use;
The ionization process klills 99.9% of harmful bacteria! It is peace of mind to use the ionator HOM to clean. When our boys help out, the ionator HOM is perfect for them. No chemicals. Just water. Another thing I love, there is no running out of product and having to rush to the market, the only thing used in the ionator HOM is water! That's right w.a.t.e.r. SImple.
If you are a boy mom like me the thrill of the No. 1 Toy of the Christmas Season 2009 was a bit mystifying... until this past week that is. Enter "Kung Zhu and Friends!
Kung Zhu almost made me long for a Summertime birthday for the Tigers. Instead we had an awesome Summer party with our friends. Mostly boys attended and the two girls who were there enjoyed the excitement too.
Here is a little movie of our party and the fun of Kung Zhu. You'll see how easily the boys caught on... in fact, you'll see the children helped assemble the tunnels and track in no time (almost).
Even the smallest tyke loved the fun.
What Moms Love About Kung Zhu:
1) Kung Zhu™ friends provide hours of interactive play! “The Summer of Kung Zhu” 2) Easy to assemble - a bit of time required - yet simple enough the children did most of the assembly 3) The battle armor and other additions allow for a lot of imagination and creative play - in fact, hours! 4) The pet can be a simple friend/pet to the child with or without the gear. 5) These "pets" are allergy free and low-maintenance! A high priority around here! *The children love them even when they are not in the heat of battle!
The Delta Forces tribe is made up of Rocko and Stonewall, who team up with Rangers Duke and Sergeant Serge. Also on the side of good are Kung Zhu Ninjas Drayko and Yama. While each of these hamsters have their own zany and determined personality, they join together with one goal in mind- to keep the no-good warriors from the Skull Tribe, Azer and Thorn, from wreaking havoc on the Zhu-niverse!
*We were sponsored to review Kung Zhu™ as part of our affiliation with MomSelect Moms. The opinions and information is all my own. We love Kung Zhu!
We have had a continual and blessed celebration already! We are thankful for family and friends! God Bless America, Let Freedom Ring!
You know I love the Chapman family - Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth are amazing believers- and I saw this video clip recently and just wanted to share it. As we celebrate our country, this great land, and freedom. I just wanted to share this amazing clip of the Chapmans sharing about the grief process after losing our daughter, 5 year old, Maria in a tragic accident.
This Sunday I love that it speaks of great hope and healing through Christ and that is what I wanted to share. So indulge me please - we have celebrated (already) the 4th of July to the hilt in the most of American ways including fireworks, hot dogs, ice cream, bbq, friends, swimming, sparklers, watermelon, children and laughter and more. Yet this video blesses me each time I see it. And you know walking through grief well is something that resonates with me. By well, I mean with the great hope in Christ alone.
How are you spending this lovely Holiday weekend!? God Bless!
Waterpik Easy Select Showerhead
Real Life Sarah and I @ UL
