Rhino Shield Impact Resistant Screen Protector

It's that time again - time to renew our cell phone contracts and upgrade our phones. We had debated waiting a bit, but decided to take advantage of current offers and upgrade from the iPhone 4s to the 5s. That meant it was time for a new round of phone cases and screen protectors too.

We've always had screen protectors and I certainly didn't want to pass on one for our latest investment especially with one young child in the house and another on the way. Kids can be crazy rough on electronics even if they don't mean to be. And, then, of course are the times like when my last phone fell out of my pocket and hit the ground. Not a good thing, but always a bigger sigh of relief when you know you have protected your screen.

I was grateful for the opportunity to try an impact resistant screen protector from Rhino Shield and received the small yellow envelope pictured above. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside is the protector along with everything you need for quick & easy installation.

And the Rhino Shield was so easy to install! I've installed (and sometimes paid & watched installation of) screen protectors in the past and this was by far the easiest. No sprays or wetting. Just clean the phone screen, peel the backing from the protector, stick and smooth out. No waiting. You can immediately use your phone and, in my case, I immediately put the case back on.

I've been using the Rhino Shield for about a month now. It has firmly stayed in place. There are no scratches that I can see. It has gotten a bit smudged up on occasion. I've had a similar issue with past screen protectors and fully blame my make-up (but I'd rather battle the smudges that go without that!). The Rhino Shield also feels more like the original iPhone screen to me than other protectors I've used. A nice smooth finish.

Overall, I'm very pleased with Rhino Shield and would recommend to any smart phone or tablet users who want a little extra protection for their device. To get your own, visit their website or check local stores such a Best Buy, Target, Etc. Rhino Shield retails for $24.99.

Note: I was provided with one Rhino Shield Impact Resistant Screen Protector free for review. No other payment or compensation was received. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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Snackeez review

Do your kids beg you for products they see in commercials? We've started to reach that point which is why I was happy to get the opportunity to review Snackeez for free.

Snackeez (if you've missed those commercials with the catchy jingle) is an all-in-one snack/drink cup. It holds a 16oz drink along with 4oz of a snack in a separate compartment that attaches to the top and features a lid. Sip your drink through the straw. Flip the lid to enjoy your snack. Easy for kids of all ages to use.

After removing our Snackeez from the packaging and washing the pieces (very easy - overall cup, snack cup plus straw and all are dishwasher top rack safe), Dylan was anxious to fill it and give it a try. His choice? Blackberries and water.

As a parent, I do like the all-in-one design. Often he's trying to juggle a cup plus a snack and will drop or spill something. With Snackeez, he simply has to hold the one container and can enjoy both easily. I also appreciate how easy it is to clean.

If you are interested in purchasing Snackeez for your family, visit their website or check your local stores. We've spotted them in Target and Walgreens. Snackeez retails for $9.99 and comes in 4 color combinations.

Note: I was provided with a free Snackeez cup for review. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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Blurb's My Favorite Person Contest

Mother's Day is under a month away. Need a gift idea? How about a Blurb book? What mom doesn't love photos and a printed book created by you is always special no matter the occasion. To sweeten the deal, Blurb is currently hosting a contest for a chance to win $2,500 - all you have to do is create a book about your favorite person (Hint: you're sure to be your mom's favorite person with a gift like this!).

Need an idea of what to write about? Take a look at this video and see what other people have to say about their favorite people:

 
Love your book(s) so much that you want to order a printed copy? Receive a 30% discount on My Favorite books by entering promo code MYFAVORITE at checkout. Entry in the contest is not required for the discount. You can also save 15% off any printed order. Both offers are good through April 30, 2014.

Find all the contest details HERE regarding categories and when entries are due.

FTC Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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How to Make a Cookbook

Have a few favorite recipes? How about family recipes? There are plenty of ways to save them from index cards in a box to jotted in a notebook. But what about a way to save them and share them? That's where Blurb comes in. With Blurb's help, you can create a cookbook in minutes and print as many copies as you want. Print one for yourself, one for your best friend, one for your mom (hint: Mother's day isn't that far off), one for your child as a new home or wedding gift. Really, the options are limitless.

Now, wondering how to do it? It's easy and requires no fancy design skills. Start with Blurb's free BookSmart software and, just like your recipes, put together your book one step at a time:

1. Organize:Gather your recipes and do a process of elimination. Once you’ve narrowed your favorites down, you can gather accompanying images—just make sure you’re giving the recipe and image files the same name to make it easier when it’s time to upload. Keep everything in one folder on your computer.

2. Flow it: Next, determine how you want your cookbook story to flow. Do you want to sort your recipes by age, popularity, or even something else? Once you’ve determined the order, you’ll have done the bulk of your creative decision-making.

3. Get the tool: Download our free book-making tool, BookSmart, choose your book size (Standard Portrait and Standard Landscape are the most popular for cookbooks) and input your title and author name. Then choose “Cookbook” as your starting point — this will give you the best layouts for the job. Then pick a source for your images — from iPhoto, your computer, even Flickr or Picasa. Lastly, choose a theme. Now you’re ready to put together your cookbook.

4. Lay it out: This is where the real book-making comes in. BookSmart will provide you with 20 pages in our standard recipe layout, but you’ll find plenty of alternate layouts in the “Choose page layout” panel on the upper left. You can also add additional pages ­­— including photo pages — by clicking “Add Pages” in the top toolbar.

5. Just add copy: Our layouts provide space for stories, introductions, and those all-important ingredients and directions. Paste in your copy and you’re golden. Then garnish with photos. Don't forget to run BookSmart’s spell check feature.

6. Preview and review: Click “Review book” and go through page by page. If you’re not a natural-born proofreader, ask a friend to take a second look.

7. Order: Make any last minute edits, click “Order,” and follow the prompts to checkout. Remember to order extra copies for friends and family—or sell it in the Bookstore. Order now and save 15% on all print book orders through April 30th with code TAKE15%.

That's it! Your cookbook is complete. Just sit back and wait for your package to arrive.

FTC Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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Mabel's Labels: 40% Spring Spectacular Sale

FTC Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

It may seem early to think about the new school year, but as Dylan will be in a year round school, his first day of class will be in July! And, in a larger class and overall school than preschool, I'm sure some of his items are bound to get lost which is why I was excited to see Mabel's Labels is currently having a Spring Spectacular Sale so I can order early, save a little money and have one more item checked off my to do list.

Through tomorrow (March 4th) you can save 40% off Sticky Labels, Skinny Minis, Tag Mates and the Big Kaboodle Combo. No coupon required.

Find my past review on Mabel's Labels Sticky Labels here.

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Mabel's Labels: Hockey Labels Sale

If you have kids, then you also have lost items. Especially when it comes to items they carry to school or sporting events. Mabel's Labels helps you get those items back with their large selection of fun labels for everything from bottles to clothing to gear and everything else you can think of.

As the Olympics wind down this week, Mabel's Labels is offering a 25% discount on their hockey Personalized Sticky Labels. Use code HOCKEY25 during checkout. This offer is only good until February 23rd.

Find my past review on Mabel's Labels here and here.

FTC Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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ModCloth Make The Cut Contest: 'Prints Charming'

Have you always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer? Well now that dream can come true! The ModCloth Make The Cut program is a recurring design contest that invites the ModCloth Community to design garments, graphics, or fabric prints. Its main purpose is to further their mission of democratizing fashion by producing clothing designed by community members. YOU can become a designer at ModCloth!


How does the contest work?
Entrants will design a new print for a private label dress silhouette that is already being produced! Contestants have two weeks to submit designs. After the submission period, the ModCloth Creative Team will narrow down the submissions to 20, which will be sent to the guest judge, Amanda Needham, Costume Designer for Portlandia. After Amanda has chosen the 10 finalists, they will be posted on the Be The Buyer page for voting. There will be a week for the Community to vote, then ModCloth will contact the winner and update the contest announcement with the big news!

• Contest is Live Now!
• End of Submission Period: Friday 02/14/14
• Launch voting on Be The Buyer: Monday 03/03/14
• End voting on Be The Buyer: Monday 03/10/14
• Winner announced on ModCloth Blog (winner will be contacted personally): Wednesday 3/12/14

Send your entry in now and good luck!

This post was sponsored by ModCloth. It contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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Little Passports Fundraising For Your School

Planning a fundraiser at your child's school? Little Passports is the perfect partner, with an award-winning educational product that kids and parents love.

Here's how it works: your community shops at Little Passports and we donate 15% back to your school. They even have a flyer to help you spread the word. Get more information here: www.littlepassports.com/schools

This post was sponsored by Little Passports. It contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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Instajunction Photo Gifts

Take a lot of Instagram photos? I do. Print a lot of your Instagram photos? Neither do I. Which is sad because I share a LOT and (may I toot my own horn here?) I think a lot are pretty awesome so I really should. Thus, I was excited when given the opportunity to try Instajunction - a new company in the UK dedicated to turning your Instagram photos into beautiful gifts.

A few of the products offered from Instajunction

Honestly, the hardest two decisions are choosing a product and which Instagram photos to use. The product options range from magnets to framed prints, from wall calendars to coasters, and more. Once you make your selection, link your Instagram account and begin picking which images you want to use.

One tip when selecting, if you think you might want a photo, click it. If you change your mind later, you can delete it easier than going back to get it. The right arrow will take you further back in your Instagram feed, but clicking the left will reset you to the most recent.

Also, photos will fall into place as you select them. You cannot change their order and they don't necessary match the shown order when printed. Ie, for the minibook, the photos were not in the order shown on the screenshot above. This was okay for me as I was creating the minibook for Dylan. He won't mind the order but will enjoy flipping through the pages looking at the photos. Thankfully, the paper is a nice thick card stock with a simple plastic cover so it should hold up pretty well with a 4 year old.

Small Instajunction Minibook

I may have to make one for myself next. It is a cute way to show off your photos and also comes in a larger approximately 4x4 size.

I also selected some Polaroid Style Card prints for the scrapbook I'm working on of our trip to England. They are printed on the same thick card stock as the minibooks and came packaged in a special envelope ensuring they held their smooth finish and sharp corners during shipment.

Packaged Polaroid Style Cards

 I was pleased with how the images turned out and think the white space will be perfect for journaling. Watch for a future post where I will share the scrapbook and how I used these.

Instajunction Polaroid Style Cards

I did notice that all of the prints had a bit of a grainy look. I think this has more to do with the saved images from Instagram than a printing issue as I've seen the same thing in prints from other companies. I'm mentioning it purely for a complete, open review. Overall, I'm very happy with the quality and price. I would order from Instajunction again.

Interested in ordering your own prints? Get 15% off your Instajunction order using code FR10BT6X. Expires December 31, 2013.

Note: A £25 gift code was provided to me to select product(s) for review. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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Gift Idea: Share a Unique Children's Book from Blurb

In our family, there isn't much better than a new book especially to a certain 4 year old. Every night it's a hurry to get ready for bed to be sure we have time to pick a special one (or two) and snuggle up to read. Looking for a new favorite to gift for the holidays? Take a look at the children's selection at Blurb. It includes an assortment of self-published children's book you won't find anywhere else this holiday season.

Title: The Great Bear Surprise
Author: Carolan Coughlin
www.blurb.com/b/4259737-the-great-bear-surprise
Join Carolan on her hike up Red Plume Mountain where she discovers much more than the view of the surrounding landscape. This is a sweet story of unexpected friendship.

Title: My Bug Journal
Author: Hannah Rollings
www.blurb.com/b/1925331-my-bug-journal
Bug-lover or other, this journal is sure to spark interest from anyone who takes a peek inside the covers. Enchanted illustrations, bug facts, room for records and much, much more.

Title: The Adventures of Dude, Squat and Mose
Author: Michael Hall
http://www.blurb.com/b/4720681-the-adventures-of-dude-squat-and-mose
With fabulous illustrations from Gerald Kelley and a fun-packed story from author Michael Hall, the adventures of this brave trio of adopted dogs if sure to become a favorite.

Title: Ollie + Loo
Author: Joni Cooper
www.blurb.com/b/4554150-ollie-+-loo
Joni Cooper brings incredibly original characters to life with brilliant illustrations in a book that will have parents and kids laughing along together.

Find all of the Blurb Children's Books here and don't forget there is a sale right now - save 20% on print books when you spend $40 or more through December 15, 2013.

This post was sponsored by Blurb. See my previous reviews of Blurb products: Custom Planner and Designer Collection Photo Book. Find more of my Gift Idea suggestions both purchased and handmade here.

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Give Something Personal This Holiday Season

If you have a digital camera-whether it's your smart phone or your DSLR-chances are you have a lot of wonderful photos of the people you love. And there's a pretty big chance that if you do, those photos haven't seen the light of day since you first took them, posted them to Facebook, or picked that new wallpaper for your smart phone or computer.

Now, imagine those photos in a book, given as a gift. Wouldn't you look like the best most thoughtful person ever? Yeah, you pretty much would. And with Blurb's easy, custom books, you can make a photo gift book that's both personal and extremely polished.

You can use your Facebook photos, Instagram photos, or photos on your computer. You can design your own book, or have it automagically created with the Blurb Designer Collection templates. All these tools are designed to run right in your web browser, letting you make a book in as little as ten minutes, and they start at just $12.99.

A real book. One you can hold, share, and pass on. Plus it's so easily customized that you can create different versions for different people. Just swap in a few new photos, change the text, and re-order. Looking to make something a little bigger, like a family history book? Yeah, Blurb has ways to do that too.

Of course, this is a custom gift, so you don't want to be last minute about it. Even though you can order up until December 19, ordering early is always better (and a bit cheaper too).

So, get started on making a beautiful gift book now Blurb.

This post was sponsored by Blurb. See my previous reviews of Blurb products: Custom Planner and Designer Collection Photo Book. Find more of my Gift Idea suggestions both purchased and handmade here.

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Gift Idea: Personalized Photo Books

When looking for a meaningful gift, a photo book is always a hit especially when it's made by you. If you don't consider yourself crafty, no worries - with Blurb, you don't need to be. Blurb's website and free tools make it easy. 

Struggling to decide what type of book to make? Take a look at the Blurb Gift Center for lots of ideas … perhaps a Family History Book for the family member that loves researching the family tree; a Baby Book to share all those firsts with grandparents; a Food Book to pass on family recipes to the newlyweds. There really is a book for everyone.

Ready to get an early start on your holiday gift list? Blurb has two great offers to save on any of their print books:

Save 20% when you spend $40 or more on print books at Blurb
When you use the coupon code: MORESAVINGS
**Offer valid through November 11, 2013 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid for printed books only. A 20% discount is applied toward your product total with a minimum order of $40. Maximum discount is USD $100 or CAD $100 off product total. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

Save $25 when you spend $100 or more on print books at Blurb
When you use the coupon code: EARLYSAVINGS
**Offer valid through November 11, 2013 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid for printed books only. A $25 discount is applied toward your product total with a minimum order of $100. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

This post was sponsored by Blurb. See my previous reviews of Blurb products: Custom Planner and Designer Collection Photo Book. Find more of my Gift Idea suggestions both purchased and handmade here.

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Holiday Gift Idea: Mabel's Labels

A few weeks ago, Dylan's preschool had a trike-a-thon. Parents were encouraged to bring their child's trike or bike and helmet. While they were organized by class, there were obviously still a lot of bikes and helmets. Looking for an easy way to label both, I turned to our handy Sticky Labels from Mabel's Labels.

I've shared in the past that I love these labels. They are cute, durable and have almost limitless uses. With the holidays quickly approaching, Mabel's Labels has a Stocking Stuffer Combo to allow you to easily get your kids' stuff labeled and knock another item off your shopping list.

The Stocking Stuffer Combo features 6 sets with 1 bag tag and 5 labels for $5 each. Don't forget to order your Holiday Return Address Labels too. Both items are only available through December 31, 2013.

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Blurb 2013 Holiday Gift Guide

It's never too soon to start planning for Christmas and Blurb makes it easy to give a gift anyone on your list will love - a high quality custom book.

See Blurb's 2013 Gift Guide for books available for purchase as well as for tips on making your own. With Blurb's tools, it's easy to make a brag book for the grandparents, a cookbook filled with favorite family recipes for the newlyweds, an ABC book for the little ones, a planner for the professional, etc. Truly, the options are limitless.

Get a head start on your holiday gifts by creating your own Blurb book. And, when you order today through Monday, October 7th, you can save 20% (up to $100 max) on your order with the code EARLYBIRD20.

*Discount fine print: Offer valid through October 7, 2013 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid for printed books only. A 20% discount is applied toward your product total with no minimum spend. Maximum discount is USD $100, GBP £65, EUR €75, CAD $100, or AUD $100 off product total. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

See my previous reviews of Blurb products here: Custom Planner and Designer Collection Photo Book

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Talk Like a Pirate Day - Arr!

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day! And to help you celebrate, Mabels Labels is offering 50% off Pirate Ship or Skull 'n' Crossbones Sticky Labels. The offer is good today 9/19 only.

That's not all, tomorrow (Friday 9/20) is the first ever "Talk Like a Pilot Day" created by Mabel's Labels and Plane Sticky Labels will be 50%.

Remember, both offers are one day only. 50% off on Pirate Ship or Skull 'n' Crossbones Sticky Labels on 9/19 and 50% off Plane Sticky Labels on 9/20. No codes required.

Happy shopping, Matey! Arr!

For more Pirate fun ... check out my previous post on how to make a Pirate Spyglass and my pirate day inspired digital scrapbooking template Argghh!

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Lunches Around the World with Little Passports

Kids around the world are preparing to go back to school—that means homework, new friends and … lunch? Yes, that’s right! Let’s visit different countries with Little Passports and see what yummy food the school kids eat every day!

France- French children enjoy a 3 or 4-course meal that is made from high-quality ingredients, and are mostly made from scratch. The children all sit in the same eating area, the cafeteria. An interesting fact is that there are no vending machines in schools, because they’re banned due to the high sugar and fat content of the treats they carry. Typical school lunches here can have a variety of dishes and ingredients, such as grilled fish, salad, red beans, seasonal vegetables, garlic sausage, fruit salads and chocolate flan (just to name a few). Another perk is that the food is served on plates and eaten with real silverware!



Japan- In Japan, the school lunch ingredients are locally sourced and almost never frozen; in addition, the schools employ nutrition experts that work with kids and teach them the importance of good eating habits. Like the children in France, Japanese kids also eat in a community-like setting with their peers, and even their teachers! The children also wear white hats and robes to serve their classmates, which teaches them teamwork and respect. You can expect to find lots of rice, vegetables, fish, soup, and meat on the plate. 



South Africa- South African school meals have natural ingredients such as corn, squash, sweet potatoes, and yams. There’s also rice, soft porridge, and meat that is sprinkled in with the vegetables. A special stew is made called potjiekos (named after a potjie, a three-legged pot), which originated from Dutch settlers. The cook puts vegetables, meat, potatoes, and spices into the pot, which is heated by small amounts of wood and twigs. After cooking, the result is a delectable stew!



Colombia- Colombian school lunch ingredients usually vary from region to region, but can contain rice, potatoes, fruit, beans, meatballs, and vegetables such as corn and avocados. There’s a special vegetarian menu also available, and children from 2 to 5 years old have their food cut and portioned into smaller sizes.



We hope you enjoyed our lunch trip around the world, and perhaps found inspiration to try new foods at your own dinner table!

To help your child learn more about the world around us, consider a subscription to Little Passports and each month a new adventure will arrive in your mailbox.

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Blurb Flash Sale

If you've been considering a photo book, a custom planner, a book of your blog, etc - now is a good time to mark it off the to do list. Blurb is having a flash sale today through Monday, February 25th which means you can save 25%.


Blurb Flash Sale| 2/22/13-2/25/13 | Discount Code: FLASH25OFF
I've been very happy with my Blurb custom planner. Now that I'm working again, it's filling up with events and appointments. I confess sometimes I'll simply thumb through during my work day as it's filled with family photos. Check out my review here. It was so easy to create too using Blurb's downloadable free software. Now I just need to make a decision on what my next book should be. So many options - blog, Instagram, notebook, family trip ...

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