Back To School- MemorableGifts.com Review & Giveaway! {CLOSED}

Memorable Gifts was established in 1993 with one particular objective... to be the premium resource for distinctive gifting. Since its inception, it has simplified the gift giving experience, making it a pleasant and uncomplicated process through which its customers signify special moments and significant events with the finest in personalized gifting solutions.

So who DOESN'T have a wedding to buy for? We've had a pretty quiet summer for weddings this year-which disappoints me, makes me feel old, and relieved at the same time (we'd have to find a sitter willing to deal with all 3). On the other hand, that means slacking (I take that you have a year to buy a wedding gift to heart!) with wedding gift purchases hasn't been to painful. So far this year we have had three- and we found the perfect gift right away for the first two, but that last wedding had me stumped. The couple is a younger duo, relatives of my husband, and we don't really know them all that well. I really wasn't sure what to do.

Suddenly this opportunity came knocking. Lo and behold, as soon as I checked out the website of Memorablegifts.com, I found exactly what I was looking for. I picked out the Monogrammed Wooden Welcome Planter.

I was extremely satisfied with our choice! What new bride doesn't love showing off her new last name? I had it shipped here to my house so I could quickly unpack it, take a couple of photos and add our card...then, I had to say goodbye as it is meant to make a new bride very happy... not stay with me.

The quality is top notch, and it is tasteful as well as unique. The box is made of wood and the white is  tile- I love the indigo blue on the tile- it really sets off the design!

 The wide variety of items you can find at Memorablegifts.com is sure to help you find something for just about any occasion! I highly recommend you add them to your bookmarks to help you find that special something for a new baby, anniversary, birthday, etc! Be sure to check out their MG rewards program too- you get points for your purchase.

I also want to say that I had an exceptional customer service experience. Not only was the communication with me pretty fantastic before the order shipped, but I also received updates while my package was en route. I really appreciate a company that keeps the customer in the loop as to the status of their order.

***Bonus- I just saw on their site yesterday, they are offering a spend $50 get $50 promotion on your next order of $100 or more- AWESOME.  I suggest jumping on it quickly- as it ENDS SEPTEMBER 7th!

Connect: You can connect with Memorablegifts.com on Facebook, Twitter, and on their blog.

Buy It: The monogrammed planter is available for $79.99.

Win it! One lucky reader will win a $60 gift code to Memorablegifts.com! Mandatory entry: Go to Memorablegifts.com and tell me what item you would pick out! (leave link) This must be done first for extra entries to count, and please include your email address in this comment.

Extra Entries:

•  Follow Memorablegifts.com on Twitter
• "Like" Memorablegifts.com on Facebook.
• Follow Outnumbered 3 to 1 through Google Friend Connect , subscribe by email or through a reader {1 entry for each}
• Follow TheThreeUnder (my blog) through Google Friend Connect. Leave your name please!
• "Like" Outnumbered 3 to 1 on Facebook or follow through Networked Blogs on Facebook {1 entry for each}
• Post the Outnumbered 3 to 1 button on your blog sidebar and/or add us to your text blog roll, leaving a link {1 entry for each}
• Share this post using the "share" button below {Let me know where you shared it and your user name if applicable}
• Comment on any non-giveaway post {1 entry for each post commented on, max 2 extra entries}
• Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Make sure to leave a direct link {5 Entries, commenting 5 times}
• Follow @OutnumberedMama on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway using the following tweet and leave a direct link to your tweet {Can be done daily}

#Win $60 to Memorablegifts.com @memorablegifts @OutnumberedMama http://outnumbered3-1.com #Giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one. Your loss.
This giveaway is open to residents of the US until September 15th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

I received a sample for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

Wordless Wednesday - Fun at Kalahari

We visited Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells last week and my poor son wasn't feeling quite up to par. He spent the majority of his time there either sleeping or relaxing. This is one of the very few shots I was able to get of him while he was having fun!

Head over to Slice o' Heaven, Wordless Wednesday HQ and 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesday and make sure to let everyone know to link up here as well!

ChildUp! Help Your Child Succeed! Review & Giveaway! {CLOSED}

Since 2005, the ChildUp Team of early childhood development experts and dedicated parents is providing information and developing solutions and tools for parents who intend to raise successful, balanced, and happy children.

The ChildUp program is based on decades of practical positive parenting experience in real life situations and families, backed up by leading worldwide scientific research in early education from the past 10 years.

We've been teaching Judah numbers/counting, letters/words, colors, shapes, food groups, animals; anything you could think of through Flash Cards since just after his 1st birthday. He fell in love with flash cards one day when my husband brought a pack home with Sesame Street characters and one thing led to another and now we have over two dozen Flash Cards. When I had been offered the chance to review ChildUp, I was incredibly excited. I'm a huge advocate of early learning through Flash Cards! As a Mom that has witnessed what amazing things they can do when you have the right set of cards, I really wanted to share this company and their purpose with you.

ChildUp offers a series of efficient solutions and tools in matter of parenting, early childhood development, and early learning: the ChildUp Online Parenting Courses, the ChildUp Early Learning Game Cards, the ChildUp Early Learning Applications, and the ChildUp Early Learning Method.

 
ChildUp consists of two sections: Early Academic Learning (where you will find the Early Learning Game Cards) and Emotional & Social Development. Whether you are wanting assistance to further your child's successes in math and reading, need help with specific behavioral issues, multi-lingual development or just some personal parenting advice, ChildUp offers such a wide range of tools; all of which are very easy to implement and follow along.

The Early Learning Game Cards have two sets. Teach your Child to Count to 10 and Teach Your Child to Count to 20. Each set includes the following:

• Numbers 0-10
• Numbers as quantities and symbols
• The first steps of addition

These help the child to learn Math and logic skills, learning and cognitive skills, listening and memory skills and attention and concentration and language and social skills. So they're very adaptable for a wide age range.

Judah and I have been using the cards for a few weeks now. He absolutely loves them. They have vivid photographs of animals from the farm and the jungle. He had finally allowed me to take a video of him reading off the card numbers, however he is beginning to learn to count the animals. The only difference between these cards and his previous ones is that the animals change on the cards and are not the same animal. You can have 6 monkeys and 1 giraffe for 7 (as in the example photo above), but this is a great next step for him because he needs to learn how to count different objects in a group; you won't find other cards that are diverse like these and I think this is one of the best aspects (outside of the cards that give you instructional games that are included).





ChildUp is an amazing resource. I not only say that as a product reviewer, but as a mother and advocate of early learning. Children love to learn if given the tools and ability to have fun with it, which is the MOST important thing. Have fun! Laugh, enjoy the time together and be amazed at the small successes along the way.

Connect:

You can connect with ChildUp on Facebook, @ChildUp on Twitter and/or register to ChildUp and check it out for yourself!

Buy It!

You can buy the ChildUp Learning Learning Cards for $9.99.

The Giveaway: How would you like to win a set of ChildUp Early Learning Cards. Teach Your Child to Count to 10 & Teach Your Child to Count to 20!

To enter the giveaway head over to ChildUp and tell me something that you have learned from that page! This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

• Follow @ChildUp on Twitter
• "Like" ChildUp on Facebook
• Follow Outnumbered 3 to 1 through Google Friend Connect , subscribe by email or through a reader {1 entry for each}
• "Like" Outnumbered 3 to 1 on Facebook or follow through Networked Blogs on Facebook {1 entry for each}
• Post the Outnumbered 3 to 1 button on your blog sidebar and/or add us to your text blog roll, leaving a link {1 entry for each}
• Comment on any non giveaway post {1 entry for each post commented on, max 2 extra entries}
• Share this post using the "share" button below {Let me know where you shared it and your user name if applicable}
  
• Blog about this giveaway, linking to the giveaway post. Make sure to leave a direct link {5 Entries, commenting 5 times}
• Follow @OutnumberedMama on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway using the following tweet and leave a direct link to your tweet {Can be done daily}

#Win a set of Early Learning Cards from @ChildUp @OutnumberedMama http://outnumbered3-1.com #Giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one. Your loss.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US until September 13th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

The 5th Quarter DVD Review and Awareness for the Luke Abbate 5th Quarter Foundation and Organ Donation

FROM THE ASHES OF GREAT TRAGEDY
CAN COME GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

A Triumphant Story of Family, Faith and Football,
THE 5TH QUARTER Comes to Blu-ray and DVD August 30

Summary: When a close-knit family is nearly broken by tragedy, hope is restored by their eldest son who carries the weight of victory on his shoulders in THE 5TH QUARTER, coming to Blu-ray and DVD August 30 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  

A recent recipient of the Dove Foundation’s “Family-Approved” seal for all audiences over the age of twelve and in the spirit of The Blind Side, comes this inspiring true story of family, faith and football.  Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, A Shine of Rainbows) and Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day) deliver emotionally stirring performances as the mother and father of Jon Abbate, a rising football star at Wake Forest University.  Their lives are suddenly shattered when the family’s youngest son, Luke, is killed in a tragic accident. Inspired by Luke’s memory, Jon courageously leads the Wake Forest team to a series of last-minute victories - leading to a thrilling climax that will “make you stand up and cheer” (NYC Movie Guru).

The 5th Quarter came out today, and the funny thing is that this is the first day that I watched it even though I've had the movie for about a week! My busy schedule just hasn't allowed time for movie watching these days. But a few hours ago, I curled up on the couch and made some time!

Instantly, The 5th Quarter sucked me into the Abbate family because you could just feel the love between them, the love that every family should have. I watched in agony as Luke cried for his friend to stop the car, his parents searched the accident scene for him and the entire group of family and friends never left his side. The sad thing is I was also remembering sitting at my dad's beside in his final hours. I don't think that river of tears really stopped through the entire movie as I was either crying for him, or crying for them.

The saddest, but also most memorable fact about The 5th Quarter is that it is based from a true story, from a real family's tragedy, pain and finally victory over that pain. It was one of the most inspirational movies I've watched in a very long time and moved me in ways that no other movie ever has.

In memory of the "real" Luke Abbate, his family started the Luke Abbate 5th Quarter Foundation to help:

• Raise awareness among teenagers and parents about the life-and-death consequences of teenage driving.
• Raise awareness among teenagers and parents about the life-saving gift of organ donation.

Having recently started raising my teenage brothers, I worry about these kind of things every day. Soon they will both be driving and when I look back at some of the stupid and reckless things I used to do, it scares the life out of me. We live in a rural area with a ton of winding roads that can be pretty dangerous, especially in extreme weather conditions. I almost don't want to let them drive, ever. Since I know that isn't the solution and could potentially only make matters worse, I talk to them now {before they start driving} about being safe. Now I will have them sit down and watch The 5th Quarter too, because it really opened up my eyes and I hope it will do the same for them.

Another thing that I do want to raise awareness of is that little orange donor sticker you can put on your drivers license. You know, when I was 18 I refused to do it. For many, many years I continued to refuse because I didn't want to be "all cut up" when I died. Now that I'm older, wiser and perhaps just a little bit more compassionate, I rethought that big time. I'm not sure exactly when, but somewhere around 5 years ago, I added that sticker so that someday maybe I can make a difference and save a life! I hope you will choose to do the same.

Connect:

You can connect with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment @FoxHomeEnt on Twitter!

Buy It!

You can buy The 5th Quarter for $14.99 and 5th Quarter [Blu-ray] for $19.99 at Amazon.com.

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

Put Your Best Face Forward - GoodSkin Labs Z-Pore Review !

Each formula begins with highly innovative laboratory research and state-of-the-art, highly efficacious ingredients. Then, they’re put through a series of rigorous clinical testing on real people that offer the proof – not just promises – making sure each product delivers visible, measurable results so that consumers across the globe can be absolutely sure they’re getting the best. The result is powerful: highly effective, highly affordable products!

Z-Pore by GoodSkin Labs is a pore refiner that reduces the appearance of pores, controls oil and reduces shine. Or what I like to consider, my little pink miracle tube.

How it works is that Z-Pore combines special silicone polymers and optical diffusers to instantly reduce the look of pores, it smooths on extra soft and provides a matte finish to the skin. It's water, sweat, and humidity resistant! That is, for me, the most amazing thing about Z-Pore. In this mid-western late summer / early fall heat there is nothing more pleasing to hear than that my beauty products are sweat and humidity resistant!


You can use Z-Pore with or without make-up. I obviously wear it with make-up as I don't believe I am "wearing my face" until half of the make-up aisle is applied dutifully, but I will say that Z-Pore without make-up actually leaves a very smooth look on nude skin. However! It works like magic when applied under foundation! I have been using Z-Pore for a few weeks now and it has never failed to leave my face with a smooth all over look. When it's applied first it reduces the look of pores and then leaves my skin appearing less oily, and with it also reducing shine I don't wind up with my forehead appearing to glare out from the rest of my face. Once the foundation and powder is applied over it you wouldn't think I had any blemishes on my skin whatsoever! I love Z-Pore! I feel it is my little secret miracle bottle and hide it in the pockets of my make-up case; even though I am the only female in this house.

You should really pick up a tube, a little goes a long way! You can purchase a tube of Z-Pore at Kohls (item is not available currently online), usually they have discount days or online coupons and with an already incredible price; it's a great find. It was even featured in Oprah's Beauty Bag!

Connect:

You can connect with GoodSkin Labs on Facebook and/or @goodskinlabs on Twitter.

Buy It!

You can buy the Z-Pore Pore Refiner for $24.50 at Kohls!

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

I'm Excited to Announce that I'll be Attending the Time to Play Holiday Showcase Next Month in NYC!

I am so excited that I can finally share this really awesome news with all of you! You can't even imagine how hard this has been to keep inside and not just shout it to the world!

I'll be attending the Time to Play Holiday Showcase next month in New York City! This is where TimetoPlayMag.com announces the top 16 toys that will be topping holiday wish lists this year! I will be flying in on a Monday and leaving on Tuesday. I am so excited for a number of reasons {in no particular order}!

• I have never been to NYC before and I am really looking forward to seeing the big city!
• I am looking forward to seeing the hottest toys this holiday season!
• I am excited to travel again as I have only flown one other time!
• I can't wait to meet with some of the other bloggers, the Time to Play team and some of the people I've worked with from Litzky PR!

There are so many more reasons, but it would really take forever for me to list them all here. Of course I will be sharing my whole journey here with all of you once I get back and tweeting all along the way! So if you're not already, be sure to follow @OutnumberedMama on Twitter!

I'd like to extend a HUGE thanks to TimetoPlayMag.com and Litzky PR for this amazing opportunity!

Contest Tuesday Blog Giveaway Linky 8/30

Thanks for stopping by and linking up! Although it's not a requirement, it would be great if you could help spread the word about this contest linky by posting my button, tweeting, etc.

Don't forget to let me know if you have a contest linky too. Tell me the day you host it or if it's ongoing, as well as the url to your blog and I will post your button or link in this listing of places to list your contests. There's quite a list compiled already, you might want to check it out!

Please enter your contest like this on the linky:

Blog Name - Giveaway Title - End Date

Kalahari - A World of Wonder

There are many wonderful things about this great state of Wisconsin that I live in. We have beautiful rolling hills and scenic country views. We have countless lakes and rivers. One of my favorite things about this state though is Wisconsin Dells, a resort community that just continues to grow and flourish. In Wisconsin Dells, you can find mouth watering food, a ton of attractions and waterpark hotels.

Over the years, I have stayed at quite a few hotels in Wisconsin Dells, but nothing quite compares to the beauty of Kalahari. Upon arriving, you step into a spectacular and breathtaking lobby where you just might find some live tiger cubs to peak in on if you're lucky enough! The lobby also features a lovely sitting area that has a spectacular fireplace with safari animals carved into it. You will also find a fountain with animal statues inside and many other areas with sculptures. It definitely makes for a very memorable experience!

Throughout the hotel you will find tables like the one below with animals carved into the wood. I have never before seen anything quite like it! You'll also see some of the most beautiful pictures of safari animals throughout the entire hotel and be able to relax in countless sitting areas. One thing I found out is that the artwork and much of the interior design work is authentically African. Once every couple of years, the Kalahari team travels to Africa where they pick out authentic decor for their resorts. I found that rather interesting!

Kalahari offers a wide selection of rooms and suites to match any budget or family size. My family took a trip to Kalahari last week and we were able to stay in the spacious Royal African Queen Suite that features the following:

Two bedrooms: one with two queen beds, one with king bed. Living room group with queen sofa sleeper and fireplace. Three televisions, one and one half baths, whirlpool tub and large balcony/patio.

Admission to Wisconsin's largest indoor waterpark and the Zambezi outdoor waterpark (seasonal, weather permitting) is included for each registered hotel guest!

Room is priced for up to 6, you may add one or two guests by using the sofa sleeper at $20 per person, per night.

Room includes:

• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Coffee maker
• Free high speed Internet access available
• Hair dryer
• Telephone(s) with voice mail
• Table and chairs
• Ironing board and iron
• In-room safe
• 32" flat screen television(s) with pay-per-view movies
• Complimentary access to Fitness Center

Our room had plenty of room for all of us and made for a very relaxing stay. We had 2 bedrooms so The Man and I actually had our very own room which was really nice! Our room had it's own bathroom with a whirlpool tub and our own access to the balcony.

Upon walking into our bedroom with a comfortable king size bed, we saw this nice little touch sitting on the end of the bed! I just loved it! Kalahari is by far one of my favorite places to be! You might be happy to know that Wisconsin Dells isn't the only place you can find Kalahari. There is a Kalahari in Sandusky, OH as well!

Stay tuned for another post this week that will feature all of the fun that my family had in the waterparks at Kalahari!

I received a free night in exchange for my post. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

Sylvan Dell Publishing - 5 New Fall Titles! Review & Giveaway! {CLOSED}

Sylvan Dell is a young company on a serious mission to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular, and have educational value.

All of our books start with fun, warm stories, generally fiction with math, science, or nature themes and are brought to life by art. We have 74 wonderful authors and illustrators on our team. We then add a 3-6 page “For Creative Minds” section that includes fun facts, crafts, vocabulary and games to reinforce the educational value and to support National Science and Math Standards. Finally, each book is carefully vetted by experts in the field including scientists and educators from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo and various nature centers and aviaries.

Sylvan Dell Publishing has made education delightfully fun for children. Their large, beautifully illustrated books teach children about science, math, vocabulary and crafts through creative storytelling. I've had the pleasure to review their new Fall Titles, which include:

Compare and contrast different animals through predictable, rhyming analogies. Find the similarities between even the most incompatible animals . . . bat is to flit as eagle is to soar; dog is to bark as lion is to roar. Comparisons include sounds, physical adaptations, behaviors, and animals classes and are so fun, readers learn without even realizing it! Animals are to nature, as Animalogy is to fun!

“Hey Diddle Diddle” is a whimsical journey along a riparian food web through the songs and antics of eight interconnected species. From a shiny green beetle “tappin’ his feet and singin’ a song” to a smug bobcat that feels like the “queen” of the jungle, readers will observe several colorful characters moving through three food chains in a familiar North American habitat.

 
From pirate bugs to spittlebugs to lovely Luna moths, children will love learning about the world’s insects in Multiply on the Fly! Following in the footsteps of What’s New at the Zoo? and What’s the Difference, this rhythmic book teaches multiplication in a way that will make children “bug” you for more. Teeming with fun facts, readers will multiply a variety of insects, including daring dragonflies, hungry honeybees, and stealthy walking sticks. The “For Creative Minds” section in the back of the book keeps the fun rolling with facts about the insect life cycle, matching insect activities, and multiplication guides to make anyone a multiplication master. 


Cozy up for this great rainy day read! Prairie Storms gives you a front row seat to learn about a year of ever-changing prairie weather, and how the animals living in these grasslands adapt and survive in this harsh climate. Each month, read about a new animal, and learn about everything from how a prairie grouse can survive the January snows to how an earless lizards escapes the harsh, unrelenting drought of August. Told in lyrical prose, this story is a celebration of the great American prairies.

Two friends take off on a butterfly hunt, only to find themselves tangled in a mathematics net! Written in rhyme, award-winning author Barbara Mariconda takes you along as the narrator Rose and her friend Ed race to see who can catch the most butterflies on this addition adventure. “How many in all? Let’s add them again!” shout the butterfly hunters. Who will win? Ten for Me makes math fun, easy, and entertaining, while adding a touch of the natural world into cross-curricular education.

All of the books were wonderful, exquisitely illustrated and fun! My son's favorites were Ten For Me and "Hey Diddle Diddle", both of which have a very sing-song quality to them that get a little stuck in your head after reading it a few times over. I actually made a march from Ten For Me, where we stomp around the room reading the book. It turned out to be an incredible load of fun!  Out of all of them, however, Prairie Storms is the most beautiful. The artwork is so detailed with the animals that when reading the poetic words of the story, you can almost feel yourself there; standing in the storms with the animals in their habitats.

What we like to emphasize with parents and teachers using our books and eBooks is that we offer so much more than just a picturebook. We have developed a significant amount of value-added, teaching activities and interactive quizzes that are free on our website - if, folks want to use them. We view it as a sequenced process where trailers and eBooks are a fun tee-up for a much more in-depth, cross-curricular learning experience. Using Sylvan Dell books, or, the eBooks on your home computer is a great way to make learning fun. For parents and teachers wanting to work the science, math and other learning objectives, each book has a 3-5 page educational section in the back.

Sylvan Dell Publishing has many other resources on their website for teachers, home-schoolers, librarians and parents. There are crafts, calendars, ebook libraries, event planning, story-time events, literacy tips and interactive reading & math quizzes. There is no better way to creatively teach your children then through a good book and Sylvan Dell Publishing has given that abundantly. Check them out! Order one for yourself and see how amazing they are! My family loves these books and since they are filled with information on the back of each one, they will be useful long after my son outgrows marching and singing the song we made up for his favorites.

Connect: 

You can connect with Sylvan Dell Publishing via Facebook and/or @sylvandell on Twitter.

Buy It: 

You can purchase "Hey Diddle Diddle" , and most of the other books, for $16.95 in hardcover, $8.95 in paperback or 1-year ebook for $7.95. There is also a Personal eLibrary which is for single classroom or family use. It's the functional equivalent of a Site License for $49.95 a year.

The Giveaway: How would you like to win Animology & Ten For Me from Sylvan Dell Publishing? I have one pair to give away to one lucky contestant!

To enter the giveaway head over to Sylvan Dell Publishing.com and tell me another book you would choose! This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

•  Follow @sylvandell on Twitter
• "Like" Sylvan Dell Publishing on Facebook
• Follow Outnumbered 3 to 1 through Google Friend Connect , subscribe by email or through a reader {1 entry for each}
• Follow inRandom through Google Friend Connect , subscribe by email or through a reader {1 entry for each}
• "Like" Outnumbered 3 to 1 on Facebook or follow through Networked Blogs on Facebook {1 entry for each}
• "Like" inRandom on Facebook or follow through Networked Blogs on Facebook {1 entry for each}
• Post the Outnumbered 3 to 1 button on your blog sidebar and/or add us to your text blog roll, leaving a link {1 entry for each}
• Share this post using the "share" button below {Let me know where you shared it and your user name if applicable}
  
• Blog about this giveaway, linking to the giveaway post. Make sure to leave a direct link {5 Entries, commenting 5 times}
• Tweet this giveaway using the following tweet and leave a direct link to your tweet {Can be done daily}

#Win Animology & Ten For Me from @sylvandell Award Winning Books! @OutnumberedMama http://outnumbered3-1.com #Giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one. Your loss.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada until September 12th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

It Was a Fun Week; Fun Indeed

This past week was probably the funnest of the whole Summer. I tell you, it couldn't have come at a better time either!

Last Saturday we went to a Luau Pig Roast Party that The Man's sister and a friend hosted. It was pretty fun! Later that evening, we popped on through our old neighborhood and hung out with "the neighbors" {which are are very good friends} for awhile.

Monday morning we headed up north. We stopped by my grandparents' house, visited and had lunch, then took our happy little butts to Wisconsin Dells! We checked in to a sweet little apartment size room at Kalahari and had some fun in the waterpark! Poor Lil Man fell ill so we couldn't enjoy it as much as we'd have liked, but still fun nonetheless! I'll be sharing all about that trip this week, so stay tuned!

It was a little last minute, but we hosted a small birthday party gathering for my FIL yesterday. He'll be 63 on Monday and I thought he might enjoy a nice family gathering. Yesterday was such a good time. We haven't had many cook-out gatherings this year, so it was really nice to get a little of our "normal" back.

Today I've been chillin playing Facebook games half the day! I didn't play any games for months, so last week I started CityVille. It sure is fun and I highly recommend it!

So that's it for fun. How was your weekend?

Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

About Oransi
Nimble Cleaning

oransi (pronounced o-ron-see): Scandinavian word meaning orange.

what we do
Oransi, based in Austin, TX, develops green cleaning products such as air purifiers to clean the air so you and those around you can breathe easier, sleep better and feel rejuvenated. The number of children and adults who suffer from allergies and asthma has continued to increase and our air purifiers provide high performance without the features you really don’t need. We also sell highly efficient laundry cleaning products that are better for you, your wallet and the environment.  We are a leader in innovation with our products and business model where our sales and customer service reps are part-time "stay at home moms" similar to JetBlue. In addition, we believe in giving back to our community and donate 5% of our income to promote student interest in science, engineering and math so they can develop even better cleaning products for future generations.

Like any refrigerator, the air in mine is not the most wonderful smelling thing most days. I'm sure the fact that members of my household fish almost daily and store worms in my fridge don't help matters much though.

So of course, I was just a little bit excited to check out the Ionic Fridge Air Purifier. It cleans the air in refrigerators eliminating yucky odors.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I opened my refrigerator up the next time after putting the Ionic Fridge Air Purifier in it. The nasty smells were pretty much gone and my refrigerator smelled much nicer. The only thing required to power it is two AA batteries, so it doesn't take up any power. It's pretty small too, with it's dimensions of 4” x 2.8” x 2.5” so it doesn't really take up any extra space. I highly recommend this product if you have issues with a smelly fridge, even if it's not mostly because of fishing bait!

Buy It!

You can buy the Ionic Fridge Air Purifier on sale for $29.

The Giveaway: How would you like to win your own Ionic Fridge Air Purifier? I have one to give away to one lucky contestant!

To enter the giveaway head over to Oransi and tell me something else you'd like to try! This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

• Follow Outnumbered 3 to 1 through Google Friend Connect  
• Subscribe by email or through a reader {2 entries for each}
  
• "Like" Outnumbered 3 to 1 on Facebook or follow through Networked Blogs on Facebook {1 entry for each}
• Post the Outnumbered 3 to 1 button on your blog sidebar and/or add us to your text blog roll, leaving a link {1 entry for each}
• Comment on any non giveaway post {1 entry for each post commented on, just leave the link! Max 5 Posts}
• Enter another giveaway on our site {1 entry for each giveaway entered!}
• Share this post using the "share" button below {Let me know where you shared it and your user name if applicable}
  
• Blog about this giveaway, linking to the giveaway post. Make sure to leave a direct link {5 Entries, commenting 5 times}
• Follow @OutnumberedMama on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway using the following tweet and leave a direct link to your tweet {Can be done daily}

#Win an Ionic Fridge Air Purifier from Oransi @OutnumberedMama http://outnumbered3-1.com #Giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one. Your loss.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US until September 11th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

Summer Fun-The Veil Book Review

Summer has finally arrived and we couldn't be more excited! The weather's nice and lots of fun is to be had. That's why we're celebrating this fun season as well as Mel moving into a new house on a lake here at Outnumbered 3 to 1. Please join us all Summer long as we share great products for the home and season. Of course we'll have tons of great prizes for you to win too!

Seventeen-year-old Addison Russell is in for a shock when she discovers that she can see the invisible world of the Annorasi. Suddenly, nothing is as it appears to be -- the house she lives in, the woman who raised her, even the most beautiful boy in town all turn out to be more than what they seem. And when this strange new world forces Addy to answer for a crime that was committed long ago, by parents she has never known, she has no choice but to trust Luc, the mysterious Annorasi who has been sent to protect her. Or so he says . .

About the author:

 Cory Putman Oakes was born in Basel, Switzerland, but grew up in Novato, California and attended Marin Catholic High School. She then spent three years at the University of California at Los Angeles before graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in Psychology. In 2004, Cory graduated from Cornell Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree. Since then, she has been an associate at a law firm, taught business law to undergraduates at Texas State University and written several books for young people. Cory now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their daughter, Sophia. In addition to writing, Cory enjoys reading, cooking, running, and hanging out with her family and pets.

 I had a wonderful time reading this book. Let me say that I was able to read this book uninterrupted and at my own leisure while travelling- something that I do NOT get to do any more, so that might be influencing my opinion just a wee bit- haha! But seriously- this is a good read.

A young adult novel, it has a few Potter-esque and Twilight-isims that your teen might recognize. But that's not a bad thing, as the story does not rely upon similarities of the two. At about 285 pages, this story takes you to San Francisco on an adventure of a world within a world. You will meet Addy- the strong main character who has to juggle her friends, 'family', and who she really is.

One of the things I found most interesting in this book- probably because I don't read that many young adult novels these days since I am out of the classroom- but there is a 'coming out' of sorts with one of the characters. I like how this was merely a minor detail and was very realistically portrayed and reacted to by the characters. My, how the times have changed from when I was reading YA books in high school!

Overall- I absolutely recommend this book for you, or for a teen that you know who likes this sort of urban fantasy (urban/realistic setting) books.  Pick it up and check it out for yourself!

Being the first published novel from Ms. Putnam, I am looking forward to what else she has to offer her readers in the future.

The Veil, by Cory Putman Oakes, will be available in paperback and Kindle, Nook and iBooks e-book formats 11/1/11. It is a Young Adult Urban Fantasy, suitable for ages 13-up/Grades 7-up.

Connect: Connect with the author, Cory Oakes at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and on Goodreads.

I received a sample for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

Hey y'all!

Hey y'all! My name is Becki! I'm 26 and I'm a southern yankee girl! I've been with my husband for seven years and we're just about to celebrate our three year wedding anniversary! We have a beautiful son who is 21 months old.  I've been a sahm for two years but before that, I worked in the coffee industry! I bleed espresso! When I have a spare moment, I like to read and work on my novel! In the next month or so, we are about to embark on the journey to being first time home owners! I'm a little scared and very excited!
I'll be helping with reviews and Manda with the recipes! I'm looking forward to working with the other ladies here!  

CASTING FOR AMERICA'S SUPERNANNY

This information just popped into my inbox and I though it would be the perfect thing to share here. Maybe you know someone who would be interested or perhaps you're interested yourselves. Either way, it's a great opportunity to try to solve some problems and get on TV, so spread the word :)

The hit parenting series SUPERNANNY is currently casting.  This season we're looking for families (with children from toddler to teens) with ordinary and extraordinary circumstances; parents with mean girls or bullying boys, blended families where both sides are seeking help, and parents of multiples.  Producers want families from every type of background who are ready for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Interested moms and dads should email REBECCA at rgreenberg@shedmediaus.com with their name, contact info, city/state, reason why they need help, and a recent family photo. 

Discovery Channel's Alaska - The Edge of Life Review

Alaska is a land of extremes — the biggest, coldest, windiest, wildest. Its climate and land forms are shaped by two oceans, the moving earth and frozen polar air. Through it flows the Yukon River, perhaps the last untamed river on North America. In this film, Alaska’s story is told as never before. Beautiful photography of stunning landscapes are modified with computer images to show how populations and natural forces have changed the land. Intimate portraits show the spirit of the people, both native to Alaska and those who came to change the land were dominated by it.

The Discovery Channel's Alaska - The Edge of Life is a remarkable show. It is nine hours of nature at it's most beautiful, with an air of awe and danger. It takes you with it on a journey through the deadliest sea, the arctic; to visit the monsters and mysteries and how to survive in it's majestic wild.

The pure white vastness of this mysterious terrain holds both wisdom and unbridled nature, grizzly bears and graceful elk, thundering avalanches and the winding Yukon. It's a majesty that simply cannot be described -- it can only be experienced.

The Discovery Channel's Alaska - The Edge of Life is compromised of two Discs.

Disc One -

• Extreme Alaska
• Alaska: Most Extreme
• Untamed Alaska
• Deadliest Sea

 Disc Two - 

• Surviving Alaska
• Monsters and Mysteries in Alaska
• Arctic Roughnecks
• Sunrise Earth: Katmai Bears
• Sunrise Earth: Homer Takes Off

It is an incredibly beautiful DVD, I watched this with my family and was a bit awe struck. I have friends that had relocated from Alaska and I had no idea how fascinating the state actually was. Alaska to me just equaled Cold. Now I get it a little more and it is truly amazing.

Connect:

You can connect with The Discovery Channel on Facebook and/or @Discovery on Twitter.

Buy It!

You can pre-order Alaska - The Edge of Life for $19.95 on the Discovery Channel's Store.

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.

Want to Teach Your Children About Hurricanes?

Sylvan Dell Publishing will be offering Ready, Set…WAIT! e-book free on their website for the next few days to help parents and educators teach children about hurricanes. Ready, Set…WAIT! deals with what costal animals do before a storm hits. Of course, it has a free educational section in the back and tons of teaching activities, quizzes, and related websites on book’s homepage.

Carmex Newest Flavors Lime Twist Click Stick and Vanilla Click Stick Review & Prize Pack Giveaway {CLOSED}

"Carmex® lip balm was invented in 1937 by Alfred Woelbing, literally on the family stovetop. For the next 20 years, Alfred and his wife made Carmex by hand and poured it into the familiar yellow-capped jars.


Eventually production moved out of the Woelbing home and into a rented facility in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where it remained until the move in 1975 to its current site in Franklin, Wisconsin.


Carma Labs employs about 100 people and is still owned and operated by the family: Alfred's grandsons Eric and Paul Woelbing. The Woelbing stove is now used for cooking things the family can actually eat."

First of all, I had no idea that the Carmex factory was literally right outside my back door! That is pretty awesome to find out because that means I've been supporting my local economy for years without even knowing it!

As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I was sent a nice little kit containing a picnic blanket, Carmex Lime Twist Click Stick and Carmex Vanilla Click Stick. It arrived just like the image above, like a little gift. I love when companies ad that little personal touch!

I am a vanilla kind of girl, so the Carmex Vanilla Stick was my favorite! Here is some more information about it:

Carmex VANILLA Stick

This soft, subtle new flavor is unlike anything you've tried from Carmex before. Ultra moisturizing!

• Smooth new flavor
• Ultra moisturizing lip balm
• Non-addictive and not tested on animals
• Contains SPF 15 sunscreen
• Available in .15 oz. stick

I really like the Carmex Vanilla Stick. It has the taste of the regular Carmex, with a little hint of vanilla. It is extremely moisturizing and lasts for quite a long time. The packaging is more appealing because of the little flowers on it and the tube actually makes a "clicking" sound when you twist it. That's such a great feature because then you don't have to worry about over-clicking!

Connect:

You can connect with Carmex on Facebook and @CarmexLipBalm on Twitter!

The Giveaway: How would you like to win your a Carmex prize pack? Pack Includes:

• 1 Carmex Lime Twist click stick
• 1 Carmex Vanilla click stick
• 1 Certified Awesome Picnic blanket* (it's really cute)
• 1 Carmex Moisture Plus® clear satin gloss finish

I have one to give away to one lucky contestant!

To enter the giveaway head over to Carmex and tell me your favorite product or one you'd like to try! This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

•  Follow @CarmexLipBalm on Twitter
• "Like" Carmex on Facebook
• Follow Outnumbered 3 to 1 through Google Friend Connect  
• Subscribe by email or through a reader {2 entries for each}
  
• "Like" Outnumbered 3 to 1 on Facebook or follow through Networked Blogs on Facebook {1 entry for each}
• Post the Outnumbered 3 to 1 button on your blog sidebar and/or add us to your text blog roll, leaving a link {1 entry for each}
• Comment on any non giveaway post {1 entry for each post commented on, just leave the link! Max 5 Posts}
• Enter another giveaway on our site {1 entry for each giveaway entered!}
• Share this post using the "share" button below {Let me know where you shared it and your user name if applicable}
  
• Blog about this giveaway, linking to the giveaway post. Make sure to leave a direct link {5 Entries, commenting 5 times}
• Follow @OutnumberedMama on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway using the following tweet and leave a direct link to your tweet {Can be done daily}

#Win a @CarmexLipBalm Prize Pack @OutnumberedMama http://goo.gl/fb/KHl7q #Giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one. Your loss.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US until September 9th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.