4 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Tweens

Thank you to Mixbook for sponsoring this post about thoughtful gift ideas for tweens. All opinions expressed are my own.

We have not one, but two tweens in our house!  Our twins turn 10 this January, and are growing increasingly difficult to shop for when it comes to gifts.  It's such a tough age because they are no longer little kids, but they are not yet teens.  Here are some ideas for thoughtful gifts you may consider for your tween . . .

1.  Custom Poster - If it's time to take down the little kid posters from their room, a cool custom poster would make the perfect gift.  Choose a special photo of a person, place, or thing, and have it printed on a large poster that fits that empty wall space.  Regular posters work fine, but an acrylic or metal poster print would look super-cool on your child's wall, not to mention they would be more durable than the standard poster.  Some fun subjects for a poster would be your child and his or her BFF, your family pet, or a special place that holds wonderful memories for your child.

2.  6" Tablet - If your child is too young for a smartphone, but finds a full-size tablet to be too cumbersome to carry around, then a smaller 6" tablet might be the solution.  A tablet, like the Fire HD 6, is about the size of a large smartphone, making it super-portable.  With an Android OS, your child will have a plethora of apps to choose from without having access to a smartphone.  Be sure to include a tablet case with your gift.  Most are quite inexpensive, so it's a no-brainer to add that extra protection.

3.  Experience Gift Card - A gift card is always a safe gift for anybody on your list, but what about giving a gift card or gift certificate for something your child can experience?  How much fun would it be for your child (along with a friend or sibling) to create a painting, paint pottery, take a cooking class, experience Taekwondo classes, learn about archery, etc . . . ?  The possibilities are endless, and the memories made from experiencing something new will last forever.

4.  Photo Calendar - If you like our idea of a custom poster, but are having trouble narrowing down the subject matter to just one, a custom photo calendar is a smart solution.  A calendar is the perfect gift for your tween because he or she is starting to have 'plans' to keep track of.  Having a place to record play dates, study dates, team games and practices, dance recitals, and friends' birthdays will also help your tween to feel more organized.  When the year is over, you can frame each photo from your calendar to make a photo wall in your child's room.

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Have a fun and thoughtful gift idea for tweens?  Share it with us in a comment here.

Fun & Trendy RMLA Girls Fashions {plus 20% Off Sophia's Style Promo Code}

Thank you to Sophia's Style for providing a gift code for us to shop their site for girls summer fashions and for providing a 20% off promo code for my readers.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Have you and your daughter ever shopped on SophiasStyle.com? This online boutique offers everything from school uniforms to formal wear and everything in between for both boys and girls.  Be sure to set aside a chunk of time because your daughter will want to look at everything her favorite brands have to offer, such as KidCuteTure, Hello Kitty, Sophie Catalou, and more.  One brand our daughter owns quite a few dresses from is RMLA.  She loves them all because this brand adds a lot of special touches that make their clothes especially fun for girls to wear.

RMLA Colorful Kaleidoscope Knotted Top Hi-Low Sleeveless Dress

We spent quite a long time shopping on Sophia's Style.  Of the many things that were added and removed from our shopping bag, this RMLA Kaleidoscope Knotted Top Hi-Low Sleeveless Dress was the one item our daughter was not indecisive about.  It was love at first sight for her.

Our daughter wore this dress to a birthday party this summer.  It was a country-themed party with straw hats and mustaches.  This was really the perfect dress because the knotted denim top with the rhinestones on the faux flap chest pockets gives the dress a hint of country western style.  The high-low hemline and lightweight colorful printed fabric makes this dress ideal for summer.

RMLA Stripe Flower Lace Skirt Cardigan Top Outfit and Bixbee Pink Sparkalicious Girls Medium Duffle Bag

In addition to the RMLA dress, we ordered this super-cute and sporty RMLA Cobalt Blue Stripe Flower Lace Skirt Cardigan Top Outfit.  Lace overlay seems to be a huge trend this summer.  This outfit features a faux tie-front cardigan trimmed with lace at the sleeves and has built-in shorts underneath the skirt.  The floral applique on the striped top is also embellished with rhinestones.  This RMLA 2-piece set also comes in Pink, Purple, and Seafoam.  I was tempted to get one of each color because this is such a cute outfit and it's playground-friendly, making it perfect for back-to-school.

Oh, I can't forget to tell you about the Bixbee Pink Sparkalicious Medium Duffle Bag!  Can you guess what's inside?

Yes, this pink glittery duffle bag now houses our daughter's Taekwondo uniform for her to bring to and from class.  Just because she can break boards with her hands, elbows, and feet, doesn't mean she can't have a pretty Taekwondo bag, right?

Do you have a confident, colorful, girly-girl who would love RMLA fashions as much as my daughter?  Before you shop, grab SophiasStyle.com promo code: KARENSFRIENDS to save 20% off your entire purchase through 7/6/2015.

The Ultimate Gift Idea for Young Artists . . . Bring Children's Artwork to Life with #Budsies!

Thank you to Budsies for providing complimentary custom stuffed animals samples for us to base this review upon.  All opinions express are our own.

If you have a child who has a deep love of drawing, this gift idea will surely be a cherished one.  We have two such children in our house and they were over the moon about the idea of bringing their artwork to life in the form of a custom plush toy.  It didn't take them very long to decide what to draw, but what then?  That's where Budsies came in . . .

On Budsies.com, you can submit a scan or a digital photo of your child's artwork to have a Budsies designer create a 16" plush toy in the artwork's likeness.  Our two children, who submitted artwork, are 10 and 7 years old and were able to follow the tips I gave them quite well . . .

Tips for Designing Your Budsies Creation:

1.  Try your best to show the entire subject on the page without having parts cut off at the edges.

2.  Use solid blocks of color when coloring in your subject.

3.  Try to assign a color to every party of your drawing.

4.  Keep your background white or another solid color.

5.  Don't worry if any parts are a little abstract.

6.  Have fun with it!

Even if you just do one or two of the above or your artwork was drawn for another occasion, you will be amazed at what the designers at Budsies can do.  Visit Budsies on Instagram for some wonderful examples!  All the materials that go into making each one-of-a-kind creation are hypoallergenic, so they are safe even for the youngest artists.  If your child needs a little inspiration, he or she can take a look at the Budsies templates.

I have to say that the whole process of ordering from Budsies could not be more simple.  When you submit your image, you will have the opportunity to include some characteristics about the subject to help the designers really capture its spirit.  The hardest part was waiting for the custom plush to be crafted.  It takes approximately 5 weeks from the time you submit your child's artwork to the time your child's new plush friend gets delivered to you.  My children asked me at least once a week about when their cat and owl would be arriving.

When the cat and owl finally arrived, I was pretty darn impressed.  In fact, I shared a photo of the plush toys next to the drawings on Facebook and everyone was amazed.  My daughter was thrilled with how her cat came out and would not stop hugging it.  My son loved his owl, but wished it was a tiny bit pudgier.  Both the likeness and the workmanship looked incredible to me.

Need more reasons to be impressed?  Budsies gives back by partnering regularly with children's charities, such as Easter Seals and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to bring smiles to children who don't have many things to smile about.  Learn more about how to get involved or suggest your favorite children's charity to Budsies!

Thinking about ordering a new plush friend for your child from Budsies.com?  Now is the time!  Budsies is offering a special online price of $69 (Reg. $99) per plush, plus 3G2S readers can save an additional 10% off when you checkout using Budsies promo code: 3G2S10. Remember to plan ahead because it takes up to 5 weeks to have your custom plush made.

Clean Out Your Closets to Support Your School . . . Fundraising Made Easy with Schoola!

Thank you to Schoola for sending us a gift code to sample the experience of shopping on this unique fundraising website.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I am not one to purchase many things that have been previously owned.  In the past, I've purchased cars, wooden furniture, and fine china that were pre-owned and just recently starting buying used books.  I have never purchased used clothing for myself or my children.  That is why I was a bit skeptical when I was invited to checkout the new fundraising site, Schoola.com.  In fact, I only took the time to visit the site because I know tons of moms who buy previously owned clothing for their children.  This fundraising idea had merit.

The concept behind Schoola is a smart one.  Look for clothes to donate that are gently used or new with tags (Yes! Schoola also sells new clothing) in your own closets and attic, and send them to Schoola in a postage paid polybag.  Then when the item sells on the website, your school will receive 40% of the sale price.  You can do this individually or organize a school-wide clothing drive.

Would this type of fundraiser be successful?  Well, I was able to shop on Schoola to see if I, an avid online shopper, would choose to shop on this website.  After all, in order for the fundraiser to be successful, people need to purchase the clothing you donate.

I must say that I was impressed by the variety of name brands and retailers represented in both the selection of girls clothing and boys clothing, such as The North Face, Columbia, The Gap, Shaun White, and more.  You can shop by gender, age group, or simply type in a brand or keyword search.

I ended up purchasing this Bongo graphic tee and camo hat set for my daughter at half off the retail price on the tag.  Was this the best deal ever? . . . No, but it was a great price and I felt good knowing that $5.40 from my purchase went to support an elementary school in California.  Yes, the product page includes a note stating the amount of money that will donated to a particular school if you buy the item.

My daughter ended up loving the tee and hat set, and insisted on wearing it for the first day of school since the weather was unseasonably warm.  I had also picked up an Old Navy striped long-sleeved tee for her twin brother, but it was too warm to wear just yet.

I've introduced Schoola as a fundraising option for our school.  The fundraising chairs may test it out as a way to raise money for the 5th grade class to fund their field trips, yearbook, and so forth.  I hope they decide to move forward with it because this is an innovative idea that does not solely depend on your own school's community to spend money.

To learn more about fundraising with Schoola, visit www.schoola.com.  Want to shop?  Use Schoola promo code: bestreaders25 to save 25% off your purchase through September 30th, 2014.

Devising a Plan of Attack Against My Adult Acne with the Help of Silk’n Blue At-Home Acne Treatment! #SilknProducts

I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central for Silk'n Blue. I received a product sample to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Next month I'll be turning 41 years old.  I think I am experiencing more anxiety about this birthday than I did about my 40th.  I am suddenly aware of how many gray hairs I have, extra wrinkles, etc . . .   The only thing that made turning 40 slightly traumatic for me was suddenly noticing an increase in acne right around that time.  Now at almost 41, I am not only self-conscious about those gray hairs and fine lines, but I am painfully aware of how terrible my complexion looks.

So, here is a photo of me, with no makeup, no filter, and no air brushing.  Eeeeek!!!  I can actually live with the wrinkles, but the bumpy skin, enlarged pores, and scarring, I'd much rather do without.  That's why I agreed to try the at-home acne treatment, Silk'n Blue.  I've tried a variety of different over-the-counter acne treatments this past year, including various cleansers, toners, brushes, and more.  Nothing seemed to make a difference.  That's why the Silk'n Blue drug-free treatment appealed to me so much.  It was different than anything else I've tried in the past.

How the Silk'n Blue works is extremely simple.  Once charged, you remove the device from its cradle, turn it on, and place it on the problem areas  for 3 or 4 minutes.  The natural blue light heats the surface and destroys the acne-causing bacteria that's under your skin.  Although the blue-light area of the device becomes hot, it was never too hot for me to keep against my skin.  The spot that was being treated sometimes reddened, but the redness went away in about 10 seconds or so.

I experienced no adverse effects from using the Silk'n Blue acne treating device.  That being said, it did not work as well for me as I had hoped it would.  At times it seemed like I could notice a slightly smoother complexion and finer pores.  Then we would have 2 or 3 days of horribly humid weather and my skin seemed to go right back where I had started.  In addition to the sticky climate, there are a few other factors to consider . . . I only had about 4 to 5 weeks to test the product, I was not always able to complete the treatment twice in one day, and my stress level has been through the roof this summer.  That is why I have not given up on this acne treatment.

Like with many other types of treatments, sometimes one method is not as effective as combining two different methods.  My plan for overcoming my adult acne is to pair the Silk'n Blue with a type of complexion correction pads I had never tried before, one containing both Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid.  At the moment, I am testing out these pads alone.  When I'm certain there are no adverse effects from these pads, I will try using them in conjunction with the Silk'n Blue acne treatment.

Hopefully, my plan of attack will work as I envision, especially with the less humid fall weather approaching.  I'm not sure what I can do about my stress levels, but maybe those other few changes will be enough to give me a healthier looking complexion?  Cross your fingers for me!

Want to learn more about FDA-approved Silk'n Blue?  Visit www.Silkn.com, where you can save 20% off your purchase when you checkout using the Silk'n promo code EXTRATWENTY through 9/30/14.

5 Mother's Day Gift Ideas for the New Mom in Your Life

This Mother's Day gifts post has been written as part of a compensated campaign for Coupons.com.  All opinions expressed are my own.

This year, Mother's Day falls on May 11th, a date that is quickly sneaking up on us!  If you need to shop for a new mom this year, my advice is to give her a thoughtful gift that you picked out with solely her in mind.  Since the majority (if not all) of the the gifts that have come into her home for the past year or so has likely been for the new baby, she will greatly appreciate a gift that was truly picked out for her.

Having been a new mom more than once, here are a few suggestions for Mother's Day gifts for new moms that I came across on BabiesRUs.com that I would have loved to receive during those exhausting periods of my life . . .

1.  If you're considering gifting a glider and ottoman, the Stork Craft Custom Tuscany Glider and Ottoman ($229.99) might be a fine choice.  Not only does it come in 6 wood finishes and 4 different upholstery choices, it has been highly rated by other customers for comfort.  I cannot tell you how many times I had fallen asleep while nursing in the middle of the night and woke up wishing I had a more comfortable place to doze off while still securely cradling my baby.

2.  In addition to dealing with the logistics of nursing away from home, many moms have still not returned to their pre-baby clothing size.  Why not treat her to a few stylish nursing tops, such as this Thyme Maternity Sleeveless Nursing Top (on sale for $8.70).  It might make a huge difference in her outlook on days she needs to go out and about while feeling run-down and sleep-deprived.

3.  Like many new moms, I gave up carrying a handbag and just threw my keys, phone, and wallet in a diaper bag.  That is a huge deal for any woman who has a love of stylish handbags.  If this sounds like the new mom in your life, how about gifting her a stylish diaper bag disguised as a handbag like this JP Lizzy Satchel ($59.99)?  This bag looks like a fashion-forward handbag, but it comes with a changing pad and there are pockets inside for diapers, wipes, bottles, and more.

4.  Other than having other people coming in to help, there are not too many ways to reduce the amount of household chores that need to be done.  Having a new baby increases the number of chores, but reduces the amount of time and energy available to dedicate to these tasks.  A robotic vacuum, like the Neato XV Signature Vacuum ($449.99), would be a welcomed gift for any new mom.  Not only does this gift allow for hands-free vacuuming, it might also be handy for soothing babies that are partial to the hum of a vacuum.

5.  Although new moms don't have much free time, it is a treat to fit a little pampering in here and there.  The Susan Brown's Just for Mom Ultimate Gift Basket ($95.00) or any selection of Susan Brown's body products would make a wonderful gift for a new mom.  Some of the products include a Dead Sea Salt Foot Soak, Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, and Botanical Body & Massage Oil.

Before you shop for Mother's Day gifts at Babies R Us, be sure to check for Coupons.com Babies R Us coupon codes to maximize your budget.  This is great advice to follow for any online retailer.  As an avid online shopper, I never complete my order anywhere without checking for promo codes first.

What other ideas do you have for great gifts for new moms?


PLEASE NOTE:  This is a multi-blog giveaway.  Please read the entry requirements carefully, as they will differ than what you would normally see on 3G2S.
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Exclusive Items, Low Price Guarantee, and More Reasons to Shop at Best Buy for Holiday Gifts! @BestBuyWOLF #bbyHoliday13

This reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you've learned anything from reading my blog, it's that mine is a very tech-oriented family and that I just LOVE to shop!  Put those two things together and I would say I spend as much time shopping for tech items as I do for clothes for the five of us.  My husband and I have been shopping at Best Buy for at least 15 years and we continue to do so for many reasons, including excellent customer service, a vast selection of products (including Best Buy exclusives), their low price guarantee, great service plans, their many free shipping offers, and the ability to order online and pick-up in the store.

Although I am an avid online shopper, sometimes you just want to experience a tech item before you buy it.  For instance, I'm in the market for a Windows Intel tablet.  That is not something I would ever buy without trying it out for myself.  Best Buy is not just a store . . . it's a showroom.  There are also times when you may need advice about which of the hottest competing brands of tablets, phones, or gaming systems would suit your needs or the needs of someone on your Holiday shopping list.  A Blue Shirt is the perfect person to help with that.  I've found that Best Buy only hires people who are knowledgeable and passionate about their products and will give you their honest opinion because they do not work on commission.  Another reason why Best Buy is one of our top places to shop for tech items is because they do not wipe their hands of you after you've made your purchase.  If you have an issue with a product, you can bring it into the store for assistance from customer service or the Geek Squad.  Many other places require you to pay to ship your product back, even if it's under warranty, and I have not the time nor the interest in doing that.

So, what's on your shopping list this year for tech and gadgets?  How about the Digital Barbie Makeover Kit, the Jawbone UP, or some cordless headphones?  Well, Best Buy wants to help you save money on some of their most popular brands, such as Mattel, Fisher-Price, Logitech, and more with these two special offers that can be used in-store or online . . .

• Save 15% off Health & Fitness Products, Fisher-Price, and Mattel Toys from 12/1/13 to 1/18/14 when you checkout using Code: bloggers15off or print the coupon to shop at your local Best Buy store.
• Save 10% off Headphones and Portable Speakers (excluding Beats. Bose, and Sony products) from 12/1/13 to 1/18/14 when you checkout using Code: bloggers10off or print the coupon to shop in-store. 

For more great gift ideas in all price ranges, be sure to visit the Best Buy Holiday Gift Center!

6 Super Duper Gift Ideas for Children Who Love to Have Fun While Learning (plus a 15% off Promo Code!)

Thank you to Super Duper Publications for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Holidays are upon us, and Super Duper Publications wants to be your go-to place for holiday gifts. Their new, fun and educational items are perfect gifts for any age of child and you are sure to find something they will love.

Teaching children to tell time can be a daunting task, but the MagneTalk Telling Time Game makes learning this skill fun. Kids can learn to tell time both on the traditional clock and a digital clock, so they will have this skill mastered in no time. There are even “sentence makers” so you can have your new time-teller practicing their reading and story-telling skills. We’ve always had good experiences with the MagneTalk products and this one doesn’t disappoint either. Using this has really improved my 6 year old’s clock-reading abilities and it’s been done in a fun way. This product retails for $21.95.

We’ve used Super Duper’s Yogarilla products for a while, so when we saw the MagneTalk Yogarilla Exercises Game, we knew we would love it. In this game, kids copy the magnetic pictures posted on the board by Yogarilla Otis. This helps improve posture and balance, builds proprioceptive input, and more. We all love using our Yogarilla board every day. This product also retails for $21.95.

Word Joggers for Categories is a game that puts a spin on regular BINGO. Each card features items in one of the following categories: animals, food, clothing, home, school, and transportation. Players then take turns drawing from the corresponding decks to get clues as to which animal they should cover with their chips. This builds their vocabulary and causes them to think in another way. The game is fun and has variations for different levels of children. It contains 30 boards and 396 cards and retails for $64.95.

In the Go For the Dough Board Game, kids take turns finding answers to problems based on categories, synonyms, multiple meanings, opposites, rhyming words, and definitions. On their turn, kids read the word on their colorful dollar and then come up with a word that fits their category. If they give a correct answer, they put their dollar in the center and advance according to the dice. Once they deliver their pizzas, they collect the loot in the middle. This game can be played quickly or can be played for a long time. It is fun and fairly fast-paced and is both my children’s favorites of the lot. This one retails for $49.95.

The Hopping Frogs Language Game builds articulation by having children say certain words based on their sound. They use the most commonly mispronounced sounds, P, B, T, D, K, G, and F, and use them in the beginning, middle, and ends of words. Once the child produces their sound or word correctly, they can “hop” the corresponding number (according to their card) of frogs onto their lily pad. The player at the end with the most frogs on their pad wins. As with most of Super Duper’s games, this has variations for more advanced players. The pronunciation portion of this game is not my son’s favorite, but the frog hopping part more than makes up for it, according to him. He loves playing this game and I’m glad we have it. This game retails for $49.95.

Finally, if you’re in need of stocking stuffers, the Electronic Spinner might be a great one to consider. This spinner has a 3-inch diameter and features both numbers and colors (6 total) and lights with optional sound. It is sure to add a flair to any game night with family and friends. This one retails for $10.95.

Super Duper Publications. is one of my favorite sites on the web and these kinds of games are why. Their games are all fun, well made, creative, unique, and almost always have variations based on learning level, so they are great for any age or stage of child. Super Duper Publications has also been kind enough to offer 3G2S readers a 15% off coupon code through December 20th with the Super Duper promo code D39A3S7R. Shipping is also free on all orders of $20 or more for anywhere in the US and Canada.  To shop, visit www.SuperDuperInc.com.

The RUUM American Kid's Wear New Holiday Newsletter (Plus a 40% off Cyber Weekend Promo Code!)

I received a promotional item as a thank you for sharing about the new RUUM American Kid's Wear Holiday Newsletter.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you are a fan of the children's fashions at RUUM American Kid's Wear, then there are 3 things you should know this weekend!  First, you must checkout RUUM's Holiday Newsletter.  Not only does it include RUUM's Holiday Gift Guide, it also includes an interview with Brianne Manz of Stroller in the City and a tutorial for a DIY Winter Bird Feeders craft.

Second, if you plan to be shopping online this weekend at RUUM.com, then here is a coupon code for you.  Checkout using promo code 162 by Monday, December 2nd to receive 40% off your entire order.  Also, standard shipping is free for orders over $60!

The third thing you should know is that we are giving away a $25 RUUM gift card.  If you haven't entered our RUUM gift card giveaway, then take a few minutes to do so now.  This giveaway ends on December 9th, 2013.

A Dragon Warrior Ninja Costume for Our Ninja-Obsessed Son

Thank you to Halloween Adventure for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

While much of the nation is currently obsessed with zombies, our 9 year old son is obsessed with ninjas.  He even has several ninja-themed t-shirts to prove it.  In fact, he told me he wanted to dress up as ninja for this Halloween while he was taking off his Star Wars costume last Halloween.

When I started looking for a ninja costume for our son over the summer, I could not believe how many different varieties there were.  There were some that were all black, which I believe our son needed if he wanted to be truly stealthy and undetectable, and some that were brightly colored, which were very un-ninja-like if you ask me.  My son was partial to one ninja costume we saw that was trimmed in bright (almost neon) red.  Luckily, we found this Dragon Warrior Ninja Costume at Halloween Adventure that we both liked.

The gold accented "armor" on this costume was ornate enough to please my son and subtle enough to satisfy me.  It turned out to be extremely comfortable to wear.  He did not mind the plastic mask, which fits seamlessly over the hood of the jumpsuit and the foam armor was very lightweight.  I had ordered a Size Large and everything fit well, except the inseam was a bit long for my son.  I fixed this easily by pulling the jumpsuit up at the waist, securing it with paperclips, and hiding the extra fabric under the belt.  Our son also said that the opening of the hood that went around the top of his head and under his chin was very snug, but he insists that it is wearable since the fabric has some give to it.

Since none were included, we added our own ninja gloves and ninja sword to the costume.  When we went outside to take a few photos, several of the neighbor's children told our son how cool his costume was, which pleased our son immensely.  He cannot wait to wear this ninja costume trick-or-treating this year!

This Children's Dragon Warrior Ninja Costume sells for $24.99 on HalloweenAdventure.com, but you can currently save an additional 20% off all their costumes with the promo code SPOOKY20.

Weekend Wishlist: Betsey Johnson, Matching Mother-Daughter Rain Boots, Girl's Tutu with Doll Tutu plus a Zulily Promo Code!

 It's Friday!  That means I've been browsing the new sales on Zulily.  I love shopping on the weekends because I only pay shipping on my first order and get free shipping on everything else from Friday through midnight on Sunday.  This weekend, if you use the special Zulily coupon code SCRTSALE54, you can receive an additional 10% off your purchase of $60 or more! This offer is good through August 18th at 6am PST.

I have to admit that I am always tempted every time I see something that is a matching set for mother and daughter.  I think my daughter and I have 3 different sets of matching handbags that neither of us currently use (but we might someday).  I figured I might as well go for it now before my daughter gets older and is no longer happy to be seen wearing the same thing as me.  Not sure why, but I felt the need to explain the rain boots . . .

What's new on my Zulily wishlist today?

1.  Betsey Johnson Fuchsia Puffer Jacket - $59.99 (Originally $185)

2.  Random House Where’s My Teddy? 15'' x 18'' Paperback - $15.99 (Originally $25)

3.  Hot Pink Tutu & Doll Outfit - Toddler & Girls - $12.99 (Originally $30)

4.  Silver From the Heart 'Mothers & Daughters' Picture Frame - $12.99 (Originally $20)

5.  Waterproof Smartphone Case - $10.99 (Originally $18)

6.  Ranger Purple Hearts Storm Chief Rain Boot - Kids - $19.99 (Originally $39)

7.  Ranger Blue & Purple Hearts Puddletons Rain Boot - Women - $25.99 (Originally $42)

8.  Bronze Anywhere Shimmer Falls Light - $34.99 (Originally $58)


If you haven't already, be sure to checkout my post "6 Tips for Shopping on Zulily"!  What's on your weekend wishlist from Zulily or somewhere else?

The Tea Collection Semi-Annual Sale is On! (Plus a Promo Code to Save an Extra 25% off Sale Items)

The Tea Collection Semi-Annual Sale is already underway and, to make this highly anticipated sale even sweeter, there is a promo code you can use to take an additional 25% off all sale items for babies, boys, girls, and women!

I think my favorite find from this sale is the adorable Venda Shoulder-Tie Tunic (shown above).  It's priced at $12.50 for this sale, so it will be just $9.38 after using the promo code!  I like this top because, in addition to being super-cute, the straps are adjustable.  This means you can probably buy one size up so that this top can be worn for two (or possibly three) summers.  All our Tea Collection pieces have washed extremely well, so they there is no doubt that this top can be washed and worn with proper care for years without wearing out.

To get your extra 25% off all the sale items in your order, checkout using Promo Code 25SAVE at TeaCollection.com by 6/29.  As always, if you shop, come back and tell me what bought!

Get Your iPhone Summer-Ready with One of the 1700+ iPhone Cases Offered by Best Buy

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

The first day of summer will soon be upon us.  What does that mean for us parents?  It means more frequent trips to the park, to the beach, to the mall, and to play dates.  In turn, what does this mean for our mobile phones, who have spent the last 3 seasons snug as a bug in our handbags and jacket pockets?  They will have to become accustomed to being moved from diaper bags to beach bags to back pockets to sitting on a park bench.  Worst of all, they will be constantly fought over by children who will be asking 10 times daily if they can use them to play their favorite games.  What's a parent to do?

Instead of holding your breath each time your child has your phone in their possession this summer, why not checkout the vast assortment of phone cases at Best Buy?  For iPhone cases alone, Best Buy offers over 1700 styles, which include some cool ones like the mophie Juice Pack Air Charging Case for the iPhone 5, the LifeProof Belt Clip for iPhone 5, and the Rocketfish Mobile Arm Band with Molded iPhone Case.  In addition to those popular brands, you will also find cases from Belkin to OtterBox to Case-Mate and everything in between.

To help you get your iPhone summer-ready, through June 28th, you can save an extra 10% off selected mophie iPhone cases.  To take advantage of this BestBuy.com exclusive offer, add one of the participating mophie iPhone cases to your shopping cart and checkout using Promo Code: mophie10.

Which iPhone case is your favorite?

As a Man, Hair Loss is Important to Me, But . . .

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Viviscal. I received product samples and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

There was a time when I never worried about losing my hair. On my mother's side, hair was not an issue.  My grandfather in fact had a full head of hair into his nineties. Even though my dad had a bald spot on the top of his head in his thirties, I always assumed my mother's genes would prevail. Now that I am in my forties, I am starting to realize my mother's genes have only offered me partial protection. My hairline is slowly receding.

Still, I am not nuts over keeping my hair. Sure, I would love to have the thick mane I enjoyed as a younger man, but I would much prefer to gracefully go bald than to try all those crazy, and often silly looking, things men do to keep their hair. Heck, I would rather just shave my head! Of course, if I do that, I will need to start working out . . . but that's a completely different topic.

Having said all of that, I would always be up for some sort of topical or oral supplement, like Viviscal Man, that could actually strengthen my real hair and promote existing hair growth. I know there are many products on the market, but I am still skeptical about many of them. I also would not spend a ton of money on anything that is not real and clinically proven to work.

Hair loss is important to me, but it is not such a big deal that I would go to any extremes to address it. Now if could just control where my hair grew....

How do the men in your life face the prospect of hair loss?  Are they on the fence like I am or are they especially proactive about using preventative or restorative measures?

If you know of a man who would like to try Viviscal products, through July 31st, he can save 10% off on Viviscal Man and Viviscal Hair Filler Fibers at Walgreens.com by checking out with Promo Code: VIVISCALMAN.