No more after this- I promise! This is #10 that has been zoomed in. I am guessing this is the money shot!
Archive for August, 2008
One More Picture By Popular Request
Friday, August 29th, 2008Can You Help Me Choose The Best Photo?
Friday, August 29th, 2008I went and had my picture done (courtesy of Walmart) and I just wanted to get your opinions on which one you like the best. The fabulous Cathy Dietz shot all of these and I am having trouble picking because she did such a great job! Can you guys help me pick? Which one is your favorite?
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Getting Crafty With Your Kids & Big News
Friday, August 29th, 2008
This week on WSBT, I shared my crafty ideas for things you can make with your kids from common items out of your pantry. I had tons of props prepared after doing the Michiana Family Expo (sponsored by Michiana Family Magazine). We spent twelve hours at the mall showing parents some fun crafts to do with their kids and I reused these same props for this segment. For those of you who weren’t able to make it out to see us, I hope this will provide a great substitution.
To go along with this fun discussion, please visit our latest article, “Being a Crafty Parent… When You Just Aren’t.” As a parent who struggles with being crafty and fun, I hope that I can help provide inspiration for you to get crafting with your children. This article contains a few easy recipes that will help get you started on a fun crafting adventure with your kids. Be sure to check our resource list for our top recommendations for craft books and hit your local library.
I have two new articles up on the Kenmore website that I think you guys will really love. The first article is, “Help Kids Earn & Learn.” This article focuses on teaching your children how to start a small business or helping them earn money by simply helping you around the house. I worked really hard on it so I hope you enjoy it!
The second article is, “Plan the Perfect Summer Getaway.” I meant to highlight this sooner, but had forgotten to. I hope you can bookmark it for planning your next vacation and we share some of our favorite family trips & trips for organized and thrifty traveling.
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Next week is going to be a fun week on our blog because I am going to be be doing an entire Play It Again, Momma week! I am going to highlight some of my favorite entries on here for the week so please join me! I will still be running a giveaway on Tuesday and our Freebie Friday, but everything else will be taking a week off so I can spend some time with my family. If you decide to do a Notebook Experiment, just hold it tight for a week or give yourself two weeks to complete it.
I have never taken a vacation from my blog so this will be a new one for me. I need some time to rejuvenate and refresh so I can bring some new ideas to the table. In the meantime, you can read all of the stuff that I am most proud of so I hope it will be a good compromise!
I will also be busy working on helping with the Eleven Moms gig and have added a new role to my list- Editor of Blissfully Domestic. I have taken over the Family Channel and I have twenty-five amazing writers that I will be working with. Basically, I am not sleeping and that is why I need a week to sleep.
We have two amazing giveaways this week that you can enter- but do not leave your comments here. Head to the provided contest links to leave your entry!
We are giving away a $50 Visa gift card to a lucky MomAdvice reader to relax, recharge, and rejuvente however you choose, be it a spa trip, yoga classes, or some retail therapy. To enter, simply leave your favorite household tip by September 2nd (Tuesday) at 8PM EST. Sorry- only US residents are eligible for this contest. Contest Details
Cetaphil is offering one lucky winner one of every single product from their product line! That is a huge box of loot, people! To enter, let us know one way you save money on your beauty care needs. We love frugal tips so I can wait to see what you come up with! Comments must be left by September 2nd (Tuesday) at 8 PM (EST). Contest Details
Amy’s Notebook 08.28.08
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
Another bread recipe that I would like to try (@ Polliwog’s Cakewalk)
I am going to have to make some word search greeting cards (@ DIY Maven)
This Tuscan Garlic Chicken recipe sounds delicious (@ Genesis of a Cook)
This Sloppy Joe recipe sounds so good too! (@ Simply Recipes)
I didn’t know that you could recycle your carpet– what a great idea (@ Daily Danny)
I want to try this recipe for lemon meringue pie (@ zakka life)
We need to do a family night at the park before the weather turns cold (@ my happy little life)
I love this cuddly cotton blanket– it would make a great baby gift (@ The Purl Bee)
This rolling pin printing is such a cool idea (@ whip up)
Another fun play dough recipe (@ Skip to My Lou)
I love these peanut butter & fruit sushi rolls (@ The Kitchn)
This list of baby shower ideas is great (@ Tip Junkie)
I am going to have to try making my own hot pockets (Everyday Food Storage)
A gentle reminder for the five things I have not been cleaning (@ Home Ec 101)
Notebook Experiments: Can I Make Wall Art?
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
Experiment: Can I Make Wall Art?
Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 08.21.08
Materials Needed: Please see Simple Mom for the full instructions on this task (originally taken from Mt. Hope Chronicles). I had two places in my house that was in need of some art so I thought I would attempt this craft. I hit a local scrapbook shop and picked out some scrapbook paper for my project. I then headed over to Michael’s and picked up Mod Podge and the canvases to do the work on. I also splurged and purchased a circle punch so that I would have nice and even circles. I am lousy at cutting and this made the work go so much faster. I will use it to make our gift tags for Christmas gifts this year and banners for birthdays. See how I can justify any purchase as an “investment opportunity?”
Results: My husband & I put together our design and then I glued them onto the canvas. After gluing them and letting them dry, I used a sponge brush and brushed the entire canvas with the Mod Podge to create a smooth surface. I did two layers of the Mod Podge on top and this created a nice sheen to the pictures and made the project look more finished
I had a window that I wanted surrounded by art and these turned out great. The ones for our family room incorporated the reds in them, and had a little tribute to our favorite date nights together. Can you find it?
The one I created for my husband’s office. He loves anything to do with fonts and is a proud collector of them (can you tell I married a web guy?) so I made this one as a tribute to his font fascination.
Conclusion: I absolutely loved this craft and am thinking of all the other art work I could create for our walls. I often feel limited by my crafting abilities so this easy project was right up my alley. Thank you Simple Mom for the great suggestion!
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I am so excited to open our Notebook Experiments up to everyone and I hope that you will be able to participate this week or in weeks to come! I will be posting this each Thursday so please mark your calendars if you plan to participate. You can post your entries at any time throughout the week and then leave your entry in the links below.
We have this handy banner that you are more than welcome to use, but it is not a requirement! It is just something you can add to add a little sparkle to your entry.
Rules for Participation:
1. Choose anything from any of our notebook entries (past or present) to do with your family. We have hundreds of bookmarked links of crafts, ways to save money, and organizing ideas.
2. Complete an experiment from the notebook and share about it on your blog or website. We would love to see pictures of what you accomplished or a detailed description of how your projects turned out. Please include a link to this entry, a link to the original posting of the entry (at the original crafster’s blog), and (to help us relocate the project) the date or link of the notebook entry where you found it. You can use the same formatting as our entries or you can just include that information in your post in your own unique way!
3. Post a link below. Please include your name or blog name & a fast description of your project. Example- MomAdvice (WHO bread)
I can’t wait to see what you create and what you find inspiring!
Redbox Code 08.27.08
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
Today’s free code for a Redbox movie is DB96TH. This code is good for one free movie and you can use it until midnight tonight. Enjoy a free family movie together!
Side Notes:
– If you want to rent more than one movie for free, bring more than one credit/debit card. You can use the same promotional code, you just will need different cards to charge it to. The charge will be zero as long as you return your movie on time for the next day.
– When entering in your free movie code, you need to enter it FIRST before picking the movie. On the very first screen, click the, “Rent with Promo.” Enter in the above code and then make your selection- the amount should then total zero.
Here is an updated list of new releases from Redbox:
What Happens In Vegas
Forget how the saying goes – it doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz play young opposites who start a night in Sin City as total strangers and wake up as newlyweds. After Ashton hits big on the slots, a judge (Dennis Miller) orders them to honor their wedding vows for six months.
The Art of War II: Betrayal
Neil Shaw – played by Wesley Snipes and last seen in 2000 – comes out of retirement only to find things are every bit as corrupt and chaotic as he remembered. After following the trail of an assassination plot to dispose of several senators, Shaw finds that he’s been set up to take the fall.
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour
Advice to parents: Do NOT let your kids know this came out last week and you haven’t rented it yet. Here, you’ll get full access to the recent Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert, which included all of her hit songs, as well as guest appearances by the Jonas Brothers and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Prom Night
Like many a high school kid, Donna thought her prom night was going to be something special. Oh, it was a night to remember, alright – a sadistic killer chooses her prom to return from her past and exact a little bit of revenge on her. Brittany Snow stars.
Street Kings
Keanu Reeves, Forrest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie make up a killer cast in this story of a veteran cop (Reeves) who’s got plenty on his plate. Just as he’s recovering from the death of his wife, he’s charged unjustly with the death of another officer. Watch how far he’ll go to clear his name.
Smart People
Dennis Quaid is a stuck-in-his-ways professor who has to make room for the utterly unexpected once his wife dies. This includes new love (with the lovely Sarah Jessica Parker) the return of his adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church) and…an all star cast (Christine Lahti and Juno’s Ellen Page).
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We have a few new reviews up on The Mother Loot! Make sure to check back tomorrow for an exciting new giveaway!
MLB Power Pros for Nintendo Wii
Cetaphil Skin Care Products
Buzzillions.com Review
Reader’s Notebook Experiment: Burp Cloths
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
Hi Amy,
Here’s my experimental submission for The Notebook Experiments. I have a little guy who has been a “spitter” since birth and have been longing for some cuter burp cloths. Came across the burp cloths in your notebook from Make and Take.
I used some scrap fabric instead of the cloth diapers. I cut rectangles and backed with flannel. I then used ric rac, like the site, to give a little cute flair.
This was fast and fun, and I think my baby will love these as much as I do!
Thanks for all the great info and inspiration.
What a fun contest!
Haley
Three Amazing Giveaways- Don’t Miss Entering!
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008I have two more giveaways running that I think you will be really excited about! Please click on the “Contest Details” links to be directed to the contest and where to leave your information. Comments left here cannot be entered!
Today is the last day for entering in a Notebook Experiment to be entered for a Flip Video Camera! You have until 8PM tonight!
We are giving away a $50 Visa gift card to a lucky MomAdvice reader to relax, recharge, and rejuvente however you choose, be it a spa trip, yoga classes, or some retail therapy. To enter, simply leave your favorite household tip by September 2nd (Tuesday) at 8PM EST. Sorry- only US residents are eligible for this contest. Contest Details
Cetaphil is offering one lucky winner one of every single product from their product line! That is a huge box of loot, people! To enter, let us know one way you save money on your beauty care needs. We love frugal tips so I can wait to see what you come up with! Comments must be left by September 2nd (Tuesday) at 8 PM (EST). Contest Details
Ten Useful Tools for Twitter Users
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
My What in the World is Twitter? post has been making its rounds on tons of blogs and seemed to encourage many people to explore using Twitter as a networking tool for their business so I thought it would be fun to do a follow-up article on using Twitter.
There are many applications and tools that you can use to help bump up your Twitter experience. Here is a gathering of great tools to make your tweet time a little more effective.
Reminder & Organizational Tools:
Twitter Timer: Add this guy to your list of friends and send him a direct message (DM) when you need to remember to go to the dentist or a friendly reminder that next week is your best friend’s birthday.
Remember the Milk: We highlighted Remember the Milk in our family planning tools, but Remember the Milk can also be used through Twitter as well. Add Remember the Milk to your list of friends and send DM’s to remind yourself to pick up milk…or your kids. You know, those important things in life!
Commuter Feed: Wouldn’t your morning commute be smoother if you knew where traffic was backed up or where accidents have occurred? Commuter Feed is a free service that lets you see reports on traffic incidents in your local area using Twitter. It works for any city that has an IATA airport code worldwide. Even if you don’t input the information yourself, you can look up your city and see what was recently posted to keep up-to-date on what is happening in your neck of the woods.
Fuel Frog: This great site works with Twitter and help you easily track the gas mileage on your vehicle. This can be a great way to track the fluctuating gas prices, see how you are doing on your gas mileage, and keep track of mileage for your job.
Twitter Efficiency Tools:
Twitter Snooze: Is someone being a tad too chatty and you are feeling overwhelmed with their tweets? Is someone live-blogging at an event and you just want to tune their tweets out for a bit? You can visit Twitter Snooze and put their posts to sleep until the event is over, without blocking your friend or ruining that great relationship.
Twitter Search: This is great if you are off of Twitter for a long time and want to double-check to make sure you didn’t miss any posts about yourself. Just search for your username (in my case, momadvice) and it will pop up all of the conversations you have had or any tweets that were intended for you. You can also use the search to keep up with something/someone you are interested in. You can read what everyone is talking about in the current events, politics, fashion and find out what people are sharing on your favorite topics.
Twitter Feed: This service works with your blog’s feed and automatically sends out a message to let everyone know when your feed (blog) has been updated. This is a great way to automate the process to let your readers know when you have new and amazing stuff on your blog.
TweetDeck: This is great for people who like to micro-manage their micro-blogging tools. TweetDeck enables users to split their main feed (All Tweets) into topic or group specific columns allowing a broader overview of tweets. You can group people into groups (locals, PF Bloggers, Must Read Mommas) so you never miss an important tweet again. Once created these additional columns will automatically update allowing the user to keep track of a twitter threads far easier. Basically, it makes it so you can see exactly what you want to see and you are able to view up to 48 hours worth of the tweets that you have deemed the most important, without having to hunt.
Lifestyle Improvement Tools:
Tweet What You Eat: If you are working on improving your eating habits, then this tool should help you in tracking your caloric intact for the day. Tweetwhatyoueat (TWYE for short) is a Twitter-based food diary. Use Twitter to track what you eat, and now your weight, by ‘tweeting’ food items to your personal food diary on Tweetwhatyoueat.com from your mobile phone, IM or through Twitter.
Qwitter: This tool can help you if you trying to quit smoking. As with most of these tools, you can add Qwitter as your friend and then let them know when you have had a cigarette and journal how you are feeling as you taper off the cigarettes. This tool was brought to you by the state of Florida and I just love anything that can help people make a positive lifestyle change!
This list only encompasses ten great tools, but if you are looking for even more great ways to use Twitter, check out this list of 140 great Twitter Tools from Mashable!
Sound Off: Do you use an tools for twittering? Let us know what tools you find most helpful!
Redbox Code 08.25.08
Monday, August 25th, 2008Today’s free code for a Redbox movie is X4N19P. This code is good for one free movie and you can use it until midnight tonight. Enjoy a free family movie together!
Side Notes:
– If you want to rent more than one movie for free, bring more than one credit/debit card. You can use the same promotional code, you just will need different cards to charge it to. The charge will be zero as long as you return your movie on time for the next day.
– When entering in your free movie code, you need to enter it FIRST before picking the movie. On the very first screen, click the, “Rent with Promo.” Enter in the above code and then make your selection- the amount should then total zero.
Here is an updated list of new releases from Redbox:
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour
Missed the Hannah/Miley tour when it came to your town? Let redbox put you in front row – for far less than the price of a ticket. This film follows the sensational young singer on tour, and also features stars like the Jonas Brothers and her achy breaky dad, Billy Ray.
Prom Night
Between borrowing a car and stocking up on breath mints, high school kids had enough to worry about on prom night… BEFORE a sadistic killer crashed the party. Brittany Snow plays Donna, a senior whose night is pretty much ruined by the return of a murderous sociopath from her long lost past.
Street Kings
Keanu Reeves stars as a veteran cop who’s dealing with both the death of his wife and with being charged in the death of another officer. Getting rough – and questioning his loyalties – is the only way to clear his name. Forrest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie round out an all-star cast.
The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior
In this prequel to The Scorpion King, fans get to learn just how (and why) the boy became the great warrior. Young Mathayus sees his father killed by an evil military commander, then plots his revenge and starts his training. Randy Couture, Jeremy Crutchley, and Andreas Wisniewski star.
Smart People
Returning from last week, this one stars Dennis Quaid as a cynical professor and recent widower. But there’s no time for sadness once he finds a new lady friend (Sarah Jessica Parker) and his adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church) re-enters the picture.
Nim’s Island
It’s an island as big as Nim’s imagination. Abigail Breslin plays a precocious young adventurer who lives on the island with her scientist father (Gerard Butler) and who, through a crazy twist of fate, befriends the reclusive author (Jodie Foster) of her favorite books.
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We have a few new reviews up on The Mother Loot! Make sure to check back tomorrow for an exciting new giveaway!
MLB Power Pros for Nintendo Wii
Cetaphil Skin Care Products
Buzzillions.com Review