Hanes Comfort Crew 2011 - Walt Disney World Retreat


Here's the Hanes Comfort Crew 2011 at the Downtown Disney Design A Tee Store:




My emotions are full! I am so happy, delighted, loved, comfortable and magically excited about the Hanes Comfort Crew 2011!

It is going to be a fantastic year! Hanes is doing so many things globally not the least of which they are making our planet green as quickly and efficiently as they can. Hanes was granted the prestigious Energy Star Award 2011! See Hanes Green! :)

As a Comfort Crew member, I look forward to sharing many good things with you about Hanes and all it is to our communities starting right here in lovely North Carolina - Hanes' home base!

Our last day together, we started the day with Breakfast at the Design A Tee Store in Downtown Disney! :) Hanes' very own and awesome Adam captured this great shot and I cherish the memory and look forward to many more with this great group.

Hanes makes you comfortable! :)

Warmly,Carolina Mama

On The Way To Paris For Lunch

Loving Disney with the Hanes Comfort Crew! We are off to Paris at Epcot for lunch! Expect more soon! Dream it!

Disney with Hanes Comfort Crew

We are having an amazing time in Disney World with the Hanes Comfort Crew! Here is our group at Hollywood Studios with Hanes' Rock n' Roller Coaster! The best ride. We went twice in a row! Here we are with the Comfort Crew's Jyl of Mom It Forward and her family!

BabyCenter Releases Survey: 64% of Moms Began Smartphone Use in Last Two Years

We love BabyCenter!  I love writing as a BabyCenter Network Blogger and their resources are endless.  They also get the scoop on trends Moms have - like Smartphone use! :)  Check this out: In the past two years, Moms have upped their SmartPhone use 64%.  I'm in that number!  Are you?

SMARTPHONE ADOPTION AMONG MOMS HAS RISEN 64% IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS, SAYS
BABYCENTER’S “21ST CENTURY MOBILE MOM® REPORT”
Nearly half (46%) of moms have taken action after seeing an ad on their smartphone
(San Francisco) – March 29, 2011 – BabyCenter®, the #1 pregnancy and parenting destination worldwide, today released its “21st Century Mobile Mom® Report,” which revealed that mobile phones – and smartphones in particular – have become indispensible to moms, who are 18% more likely than average to have a smartphone. Overall adoption of smartphones among moms has risen 64% over the past two years, and 51% of moms say they are “addicted” to their smartphone. The study captures the opinions and behaviors of more than 5,000 U.S. moms and members of the general population and gives detailed information on how, where, and when moms use their smartphone and the best ways for marketers to reach them.
“The smartphone screen is more intimate than any other medium out there today. The majority of moms sleep with their cell phone next to their bed and more than half check their phone first thing in the morning and last thing before they go to sleep. You can’t say that about any other medium,” said Tina Sharkey, Chairman and Global President of BabyCenter. “Mobile isn’t just a media channel, it’s her constant companion that makes juggling easier. It makes her feel like a better mom.”
Motherhood is a trigger for mobile adoption
More than half (53%) of the women surveyed said they purchased a smartphone as a direct result of becoming a mom. During this transition to motherhood, the most important features of her phone changed from her address book and text messaging to her camera, up 78% to #1, and video camera, which increased by 167% to #2. Apps, which weren’t even on her top ten list of important mobile features before she became a mom, increased 67% to #3 on the list. More than half (52%) of the moms surveyed have ten or more apps downloaded, with nearly 25% of the apps being for her kids.
Moms are mobile power users
She may never have mastered programming the VCR, but today’s mom knows her way around the smartphone. The majority (68%) know how to use most of the features of their smartphone, and 75% troubleshoot their own phone. The ultimate multitasker, Mom now uses her smartphone to manage more than just the family schedule. One-third(33%) of moms have used their smartphone for health and wellness in the past month, making a mom 50% more likely to do so than average. Their health and wellness activities include tracking their family’s health (60%) as well as researching health conditions (90%). Moms are also 40% more likely than average to use their smartphone for social networking. Her top three social activities include reading social newsfeeds (56%), updating her status (54%), and reading answers to posted questions (48%).
Mobile forever alters the path to the register
As the primary purchaser in the family, today’s mom seamlessly weaves mobile into her shopping experience by using tools to research, decide, and buy right in the store. The report found that 68% of moms use their smartphone while shopping – meaning a mom is 15% more likely to do so than average. In fact, nearly half (46%) claim the most convenient time to receive information about a product is when they are in the store. Also, 62% of moms use shopping apps to research or compare prices.
Mobile addiction changes media consumption
Mom’s media consumption has evolved along with her smartphone adoption. On average, she spends 37% of her daily media time with her smartphone, which is double that spent on TV, and more time than with other media, including radio, magazines, and newspapers. With her schedule maxed out, mom is turning to e-mail and text messaging to simplify her life. The inbox has become the new portal, with 78% of moms saying they use e-mail on their smartphone to filter incoming communications on a daily basis. Moms are also 284% more likely than the average adult to text their friends rather than call them.
Moms tap on mobile ads
When it comes to mobile ads, moms love utility, with coupons, nearby local deals, and bar code scanning rounding out the top three most appealing features of mobile ads. Nearly half (46%) of moms have taken action after seeing an ad on their smartphone.
“The fact that mobile is mainstream for moms, and is always on, creates infinite possibilities for today’s marketers. The mobile media inflection point is now. Marketers need to understand this to build deeper and more meaningful connections with Mom,” said Michael Fogarty, Global Publisher of BabyCenter.
The study captured the opinions and behaviors of more than 5,000 moms and members of the general population as well as an ethnography study of 23 moms that included over 1,000 text logs, 200 video entries, and 32 hours of in-home interviews.
In addition to having mobile optimized sites in all 22 of its markets worldwide, BabyCenter offers a suite of mobile products to assist moms, including the BabyCenter® My Pregnancy Today application for iPhone, iTouch, and Android, and the BabyCenter Birth Class for iPad. The company’s other innovative mobile applications include Booty Caller™, the first service to help women conceive by alerting them via text message when they’re most likely to be fertile, and PhonyPhone™, an app that turns a cell phone into a pretend phone so kids can dial away without making a real call. Additionally, in an effort to reach underserved women and empower them to take control over their health, BabyCenter launched a daily text-to-voice mobile program in India and is participating in a number of maternal health projects around the globe including Text4baby in the United States and the Grameen Foundation’s Mobile Midwife project which helps moms in rural Ghana.


###
About BabyCenter® LLC
BabyCenter® is the voice of the 21st Century Mom® and modern motherhood. It’s the #1 pregnancy and parenting destination worldwide, reaching more than 10 million moms monthly in the U.S. and more than 25 million moms monthly in 22 markets from Australia to India to China. In the United States, 7 in 10 babies born last year were BabyCenter babies. BabyCenter is the world’s partner in parenting, providing moms everywhere with trusted advice from hundreds of experts around the globe, friendship with other moms like them, and support that’s remarkably right at every stage of their child’s development. BabyCenter also works with some of the world’s most prominent brands and institutions to provide life-stage marketing solutions and a direct line to highly engaged moms. BabyCenter is a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.

 


Warmly, Carolina Mama

Hanes, Gaylord Palms and Happy Easter!

Easter was fantastic! We are enjoying sunny Florida! And heading to the Hanes Comfort Retreat with the Comfort Crew!


We are excited to be here and are looking forward to meeting the whole Hanes Comfort Crew! 

Do you have questions for Hanes?  Have a favorite item or garment you'd like to see Hanes offer? 
Hanes to me is family, comfort, everyday essentials!  What is Hanes to you? Let us know.  
Remember to follow Hanes on Facebook!

Look at this beautiful Easter morn here in Florida.  Sunrise! 


We loved our stay at the elegant and all inclusive destination Gaylord Palms, Florida!   Everything here is first class and impressive.  It is totally family-friendly and relaxing.  



Of course, we are in love with Palm trees here at Gaylord Palms! 


 The Tigers played "Rock, Paper, Scissors!"


Brilliant entrance to the Resort.  We saw live Alligators too!



Flashbacks to my summer abroad, I love the European feel to the property.  Grandiose!




Warmly, Carolina Mama

Happy Easter! He Is Risen, Indeed!

Happy Easter! He Is Risen, Indeed!



"Father, If it be thine will, take this cup from me." Luke 22:42

And He died for you and me! Amen! Do you know Him? You can!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

He Is Not Here, He Is Risen




"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Luke 22:42 


Happy Easter!  He is Risen, Indeed! 

Momformation: 7 Things You Should Never Ask A Twin Mom


Twins Moms hear it all!

Imagine the time of parenting infancy life doubly and having to answer the qooky questions mere strangers ask! The many twins moms out there well know the drill. Someone wants the scoop and now....



My article "7 Things You Should Never Ask Twin Moms!" posted today at Momformation. Go check it out! Have you asked these questions of strangers?

Warmly, Carolina Mama

7 Things You Should Know About British Royal Weddings

Princesses love Weddings!  And the I love this article and video about the British Royal Weddings which are the quintessential romantic weddings of all time.

In 1981, when Prince Charles and Lady Diana married, we were at Youth Camp. :)  Our Daddy was a digital dad even in 1981, he recorded it on this new device, the VHS! :)  We had our own copy.

Check out these 7 Things You Should Know About British Royal Weddings from Yahoo.com.


1) Traditions!  Even inter-marriage.
2) Venue - West Minster Abby.
3) Dresses!  Typically, the Royal Weddings Brides are conservative and chose "not to show a lot of skin on their wedding day!"
4)  Flowers.  They feature the Herb of Love - the Myrtle.
5) Rings!  The Welsh Gold Wedding Bands are all the rage. Pinkish colored gold.
6) Vows.  They are traditional and include "to obey." Except for Princess Diana.
7) Costs.  British taxpayers pay when their Monarchy get married.

Not sure why this Yahoo Video says talks about Prince William and Kate Middleton's Wedding in past tense.  They will marry on Friday, April 29, 2011.

Check out where they will Honeymoon! :) 

Warmly,   Carolina Mama

Hilton Hotel Research Triangle Park North Carolina

In March, I attended an awesome MomHeart Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina is lovely enough but the Hilton Hotel RTP was amazing!


Beauty and excellence in customer service was everywhere here....


We loved our stay. The conference was excellent, the meals were awesome and the locale was key!






The food was fabulous and healthy too!



More on the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle Park Hilton Hotel here on Traveling Mamas!








Warmly, Carolina Mama

North Carolina EF-3 Tornado Confirmed Tracks

The magnitude of the storms is pretty intense in this chart from Chief Meteorologist at News Channel 36 WCNC-NBC TV Charlotte.  If you are on Twitter you can follow Brad Panovich at @wxbrad.  He is very accurate with weather and he is very informative.  We all love to follow him.  

Also, Brad and some of the others on Twitter were great with the information for those of us not able to get it quickly during the storm.  

Do you realize the tornadoes were 63 and 65 miles long!  Craziness. 

Here is the map of the currently confirmed tornado tracks, two EF-3 tornadoes 63 & 65 miles



You can follow Brad and get more Carolina weather information here at WCNC.

What's your weather doing?!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Raleigh Tornado Video Devastation Saturday North Carolina

It started out with rain and then moved into an erry darkness with lots of trees brushing this way and that.  And then you could hear it...



I made phone calls to our relatives over in the Triad.  When I rang the phone, all I heard was, "It's bad... we'll call back."  That was the longest time when I didn't hear them call back.  Then I began getting texts that a tornado ripped through Sanford, NC and to look out.  Our power was flickering.

Isn't it something when in a devastating natural disaster, texting is a lifeline.  I was texting various parts of the states and friends in the mountains had more news than we did.

This reminded me in a weird twist of Katrina 2005.  We didn't text back then or it could have been so helpful, or not.  Some things are best unsaid.  Right.  I remember those phone calls my sister got through to us were so golden.  We could call her - on occasion - and she could call back - on occasion.  So you can imagine the chaos.

Today, the Raleigh Tornado as reported by the News and Observer  devastated parts of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.  It looks awful and it was.



This time last week we were at dear friends perfect Wedding Downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street.  We are all so thankful the wedding was last weekend and we had good weather.

We are praying for all of those effected in any way by the tornadoes today.

How did your area of North Carolina fare?  Anywhere else with inclement weather?  Blessings all.

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Mother's Day Gift 2011: Win A Year of Maid Service from Rayovac

Mother's Day is almost here! Looking for the power gift for Mom? Look no further, Rayovac just launched "Maid Service for a Year!" A Giveaway for Mom! Or, hey, a Giveaway for you! You decide who to enter for the Maid Service prize!



Talk about the best Mother's Day Giveaway. Check out the Rayovac FB Page for Details to Win! Give or Get the greatest gift ever for Mother's Day! Rayovac launched the coveted "Enter to Win a Year of Maid Service" sweepstakes! Yes, Mom, you could win a year of cleaning services from Rayovac! Enter to Win! the Best Mother's Day Gift Ever!


See why I love Rayovac - they make life simple in oh, so many ways for us all!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

*Disclosure: Happy to say, I'm a Rayovac Power Blogger who loves to give my own opinions of how I love this brand.

Circle of Life... Down on the Farm

Charming! 


Beautiful!


Fantabulous! :) 


The Circle of Life ... Down on the Farm


We had the best time in the country today! Our sweet friend, Beth, over at Green Acres Farms - the incredible and amazing and gorgeous, Green Acres Farms gave us the royal treatment! Princess was even there! :)

Look how close they took us to the Mama Calf and her Baby.



 We even got closer....




And closer...!  


Sweet Princess said to the Tigers, "You're going to Dream about My Farm Tonight!" 

{shhhh, I think she's right!}

We bought some beautiful, farm fresh eggs!  

Remember, this is the farm, Green Acres, where you can come to the World's Best
Corn Maze right here in North Carolina! 

And you can get your huge, orange pumpkins here... and you can 
buy your farm grown Christmas Trees here!  

Just come see this amazing sweet lady!  


Thank you again Beth for your hospitality!  Your amazing farm should be on 
Southern Living for the most southern and well kept gorgeous and 
versatile farm now a days!  :)  I think I'll tweet Erin Street Shaw about you all! 

Do you have a blogging friend who has blessed you?  
Tell me about them? 


North Carolina Planet Earth Celebration



April 16th, 2011 

Raleigh, North Carolina 

It's FREE; Rain or Shine 

Join us for the 4th Annual Planet Earth Celebration, 
downtown Raleigh’s premier sustainability festival
 showcasing all the ways to love the Earth! 

It is time to honor Earth Day, celebrate sustainability, and meet the many good people, businesses and organizations in our community who are really making it happen.
Sponsored by the Museum of Natural Sciences, Burt’s Bees - one of our favorite local brands!  What Mama doesn't love Burt's Bees earth friendly natural personal care products for the Greater Good! 

In 2008, the Museum and Burt's Bees, the City of Raleigh and a sustainable world of dedicated champions worked together for the first time to present an event in celebration of the meaningful efforts and many resources for sustainable living available to all of us right here in the Triangle community. We found wonderful partners offering goods and services, education and motivation, as well as some 15,000 festival-goers who came together to help make for a fun-filled festival that respects, educates and entertains.
We hope you’ll join us this year, 2011, as we present the fourth Planet Earth Celebration.
It’s a green festival. In 2010, the festival diverted 87% of our waste from the landfill through recycling and composting and the collaborative goodwill and caring spirit of our exhibitors, volunteers and visitors. This year, we’re aiming to make it a zero-waste-to-landfill event.
The exhibitors you’ll visit have signed a ‘green pledge’, a commitment to do all they can to minimize their impact on the environment, from offsetting energy use to minimizing waste.
It’s often said that it takes a village to raise a child – for us, that child is our Environment. Individually, we’re working to do our part; as a community team, we can grow our efforts... and our successes... by leaps and bounds. Join us!


Warmly,  Carolina Mama

The Food Effect Launches Internet Campaign in North Carolina


"1 in 4 Children 5 years old and under go hungry in North Carolina." 

"North Carolina ties with Louisiana as the State with the most Hungry Children."  :(

Today was the launch of The Food Effect NC! 

"The Food Effect is an online network designed to educate, involve and unite people in the fight against childhood hunger and the detrimental effect it can have on physical, cognitive and behavioral development. It was launched and sponsored by the North Carolina Pork Council to benefit hungry children in our state through the efforts of the Feeding America food banks in North Carolina."


The North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks and the North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) have joined to launch an Internet-based campaign to combat childhood hunger in the state.


"The Food Effect campaign is in reaction to the fact that North Carolina continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment and is among the nation’s worst states in the number of citizens in need of food.  This holds true even more for North Carolina’s children. According to a Feeding America study, North Carolina is tied with Louisiana for the highest percentage of hungry children – one in four – under age five."


As a Mom raising young children, this is a topic close to all of our hearts.  No child 
should go hungry.  I got to bring the boys to learn that this is a real problem and 
we can help.  We can raise awareness and give back through 
our own time, talents, and money. You can too! 

The North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) is the launch partner for The Food Effect, providing crucial seed money. One of the NCPC’s core values is to “contribute to a better quality of life in our communities,” and this initiative is a concrete action toward that end.


"Alan Briggs, executive director of the N.C. Association of Feeding America Food Banks, said, "We have been fortunate to be generously supported in North Carolina.  However, the hunger problem is growing exponentially in a time when resources are under great strain." 

Jill Staton Bullard, the co-founder and executive director of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, commented, "All of us here at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle are excited about this statewide partnership and look forward to a sustained fundraising success that will help support our innovative solutions to create a hunger-free community." 


Speaker of the House Thom Tillis greeted the boys and even talked to one of my Tigers about knitting.  He was very friendly and welcoming to our children.  He let us get a picture with him before the press conference! 




After the Press Conference, we got to see him on the Legislature Floor presiding.  The Tigers found the Legislature very fascinating.  I did too.  And one of the Tigers said, "That's what I want to do when I grow up!"  I can see that.  And I'd love for them to do something great for our world.



The other Tigers said, at bedtime tonight, "Mom, when I'm President, 
I'm going to make a lot of 
changes...."


We all enjoyed listening in to the Bills on the Floor today.  They were discussing Virtual Charter Schools.


Loved having my friend and fellow MomBlogger, One Moms World there -
we love when we get to work together. 


General Assembly!  We were on the front row!  They treated us so well and warmly.  We were excited!


Other members of the press, government and the Pork Council who sponsored the campaign.





It was a very enlightening day.  We learned about Child Hunger, NC Hunger, The Food Effect and our Government all in one day! 

After all of that Press Conference and Legislature time well spent, we ended our day ...  touring


and learning more about North Carolina...



like any well-respected Raleigh family would do ...



we ended on a North Carolina institution: Krispy Kreme! 




We can all help The Food Effect in several ways.  Check out the website: here and join their 
Facebook here.  As one of the speakers said today, "The Government can't do it all, and we don't want them to do it all."  What can you do to help? 


Warmly,  Carolina Mama

Greening Up The Mountains Festival, North Carolina April 23, 2011



Celebrate Spring with Greening Up the Mountains Festival on April 23

SYLVA, N.C. - The 14th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival takes place Saturday, April 23, in downtown Sylva.

This free festival celebrates the arrival of spring in the mountains, when the greening leaves work their way up the Great Smokies. It also celebrates the greening of the environment, with information about sustainable living and presentations by environmental groups.

Festival attendees enjoy a full day of activities, including: a parade, live music on two stages, 5K road race, displays from local artisans, a variety of food vendors, plus a children's area with face-painting, giant inflatable slide and other activities.

New this year is a "market square" providing open-air space for farms, CSAs, nurseries, beekeepers and others to showcase traditional agricultural practices.

The music lineup features a trio of headliners: The Freight Hoppers, Vertigo Jazz Project and Big House Radio, along with local favorites: Marshall Ballew, Dan River
Drifters, John-Luke Carter, Total War and the Buchanan Boys.

The popular youth talent show returns, and there will be performances by the Cullowhee Valley Cloggers and students from Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy.

The fun begins with a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more info, visit www.downtownsylva.org or call the Downtown Sylva Association at (828) 586-1577. Lodging information is available by calling (800) 962-1911. Follow @VisitNC on Twitter!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Southern Women's Show Raleigh, NC Ticket GIVEAWAY

Come Welcome Spring with the Southern Living Show in Raleigh! 



We've got Tickets here for you! ! :) 

We're giving away (10) Tickets and you can Bring a Friend!



Lifetime's The Balance Your Life Tour as a part of the Southern Women’s Show in Raleigh, North Carolina April 8-10, 2011. 




Your Baby Can, a sponsor of the tour, is an early childhood development system that includes Your Baby Can Read!, Your Baby Can Learn! and Your Baby Can Speak!  The Balance Your Life Tour, created by the producers of The Balancing Act of Lifetime Television will feature a variety of speakers including Karen Farmer from Your Baby Can.  The day will be filled with expert advice on food, fashion, health, beauty, and lifestyle.

Karen will be presenting at the times below: 
  • April 8, 2011 at 12:30pm
  • April 9, 2011 at 12:30pm
  • April 10, 2011 at 1:00pm
Location:
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607
                Booth 1301H

Show Hours:
  • April 8, 2011 10:00am - 8:00pm
  • April 9, 2011 10:00am - 7:00pm
  • April 10, 2011 11:00am - 5:00pm

Enter to Win:

1) Leave a comment of who you want to join  you;
2) Leave another for How to you Balance Your Life;
3) "Like" Southern Women Show on FB; 
4) "Like" CarolinaMama on FB for More News and Giveaways! :)

Contest open until April 7th @ 8pm; tickets are not to be sold;  please make sure you can attend or share with someone who will in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area.  Winners will be chosen  by Random.org.

Lifetime's Balancing Your Life sponsored this post.  I am a born and bred Southern Girl excited to share this news and tickets with you all!

Warmly, Carolina Mama