Embracing a Healthy Family

Great Labor Day Sales & More




* will be listing more ... time for a fun filled day to the zoo!


Youthful Tips

Families of Deployed US Military Soldiers: Free Portrait


PMDA has been in the photo imaging business since they were founded in 1939.  They're a network of photographers who have agreed to donate time during the month of September to provide a free portrait for loved ones serving overseas this holiday season.

The photos will be uploaded to a website so families can send to their soldier for free. 

This is all you have to do:

Photographers will begin taking photographs on September 2nd.


Here's all you have to do to have your 5"x7" portrait sent:

1.Click below to find a listing of participating photographers in your area.

2.Call or e-mail the photographer (or military base) to set up an appointment. (You will need to present a valid military ID in order to participate in this program - please follow the specific instructions for military base sign-ups)

3.Have your portrait taken (starting September 2nd) - the photographer will then upload this portrait to their SeeHere.com web album.

4.The photographer will give you a card that will provide instructions on how to locate and order the image you want to send to your soldier.

5.You will also get a coupon to receive a duplicate print for yourself for free (compliments of Fujifilm).

Find a participating studio here.





Youthful Tips

Cash for Clunkers *Tricycle Version



What a cute promotion! DiscountSchoolSupply.com is offering $25 Cash for Clunkers Tricycle Version sale.

Use Code CASH25 to get your discount which ends 9/21/09.






Youthful Tips

Two Years of Cookie Magazine Plus Free Bag for Price of One Year


Sign up for Cookie magazine and get two years for the price of one and a free, very cute bag!

20 issues for $15!

Cookie is the magazine that celebrates the joys of parenthood — full of fun and inspiration for you and your children!

Every month COOKIE brings you:


• Healthy, delicious, easy-to-prepare meals
• Affordable vacation destinations within100 miles
• Unique storage solutions
• Go-to outfits for all occasions



Youthful Tips

I'm the Early Bird: I Bought My Kid's Halloween Costumes

I admit, I'm an early shopper and can't contain my excitement for Halloween because I know how much my six year old loves it! I also learned last year that you don't wait until the last minute to go to your local costume shop as I had no idea how many people actually do dress up. My husband decided we should dress up and we got our costumes but again, I learned you don't wait to the last minute to shop.


My girl, who loves boy's toys, first wanted to be Boba Fett. She was Darth Vader one year and a Clone Trooper another year but when I found the Transformer's Bumblebee costume, she HAD to have it!


This morning, I did a search on all the popular costume shops and found the best deal at Costume Express.




Then I had to get the gloves and the new type of trick or treat bags that helps the kids get treats without having to try to open the bag.



Once I had her set, it was time to find the perfect costume for the two year old.  I searched and searched and couldn't find anything that I really loved so I went with the ladybug costume:



At least that's one task out of the way! 



Now, time to shop for candy to give away.  How do other parents deal with handing out the candy when both want to participate in the trick or treating experience?

I'm just glad Halloween is on a Saturday so we have time to rest in between.  Last year, my little one came down with a cold that landed her two hours away in a children's hospital for two weeks.



Youthful Tips

Scholastic Labor Day Book Sale



Scholastic Books is having an up to 75% summer clearance sale. 100's of items are on sale.



They have the following on sale:

  1. 10 items for ages birth - 2
  2. 50 items for ages 3-5
  3. 72 items for ages 6-8
  4. 69 items for ages 9 and over
Get 15% off and free shipping on orders of $39 or more with code: BTS2009

Offer ends 09/14/09


Youthful Tips

Experiencing New Blog Make Over Moments

Please be patient as the blog undergoes it's great transformation by Lara!

Thanks!

Youthful Tips

Calling Entrepreneur Mom's for Advice

My sister makes the best cole slaw EVER! Her cole slaw is a hit everywhere we go and to be honest, I'd take it every year as my birthday present from her. Not joking!

Can anyone give me advice on how one starts selling and marketing something from home to sell at restaurants and other businesses?

Thanks!

Youthful Tips

Planning for Halloween 2009


How to Make Your Own Halloween Decorations

This year's costume pick: TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE & LADYBUG

As I stated in my other blogs, everything I do relative to gifts is spent with a lot of thought and care.  This goes the same for parties and special holidays.  Granted Halloween isn't really a "special" holiday for me but it is for my kids and I have great memories and more to come!



In preparation this year, I started looking for everything to have in order to hold an incredible, fun kid's party.



I will have the kids make some creepy creature sucker molds. They are inexpensive at $1.99 for two of the same molds. My daughters loved making these in the past and they are so easy to do.




Cupcakes are another fool proof way of making your party a hit with the kids if you have the patience for cleaning up the mess.  You can choose from spooky rings or monster hand picks and then choose sprinkles that look like bones.




Either use traditional cupcake liners or try something new like a laser cut or wrap around paper to add a little more character to the cupcakes.

All of the above supplies can be found at ShopBakersNook.com.

Halloween Express has so many wonderfully spooky decorations that you have to at least take a look!

Special Halloween Express offer to my readers:

Coupon Code 1: TAKE5 (All capital letters with the number 5 at the end). Take $5 off purchases of $50 or more exclusive of shipping and handling.


Coupon Code 2: TAKE10 (All capital letters with the number 10 at the end). Take $10 off purchases of $100 or more exclusive of shipping and handling.

Note that all coupon codes exclude the Tom Arma costume line, gift cards, special orders, closeouts, contact lenses and personalized items. One use per customer. Not valid on prior purchases. Coupons subject to our coupon policy which can be found here: http://www.halloweenexpress.com/coupon-policy.php




If you have big money to spend, they have a new giant spider that would probably make me cry if I saw it and didn't know it wasn't real.  It's 3' long with adjustable legs and light up eyes.

They have tons of costumes and many new one's for 2009.  I think I just found my little girl's costume.  Yes, little girl who has boy tendencies about her.  She will love to be the Transformers Bumblebee.


Who could ever resist this one?


I used to make my oldest costume's from her very first costume until she became old enough to know that I was embarrassing her with what I made.  I'll have to post some of those photos!



Don't forget to check out what adorablebabyclothing.com has for costumes!  They are running a special right now of $20 off of $100 purchase until 09/20/09.










This is the start of planning for Halloween so watch for more to come!


I admit, I'm an early shopper and can't contain my excitement for Halloween because I know how much my six year old loves it! I also learned last year that you don't wait until the last minute to go to your local costume shop as I had no idea how many people actually do dress up. My husband decided we should dress up and we got our costumes but again, I learned you don't wait to the last minute to shop.

My girl, who loves boy's toys, first wanted to be Boba Fett. She was Darth Vader one year and a Clone Trooper another year but when I found the Transformer's Bumblebee costume, she HAD to have it!

This morning, I did a search on all the popular costume shops and found the best deal at Costume Express.



Then I had to get the gloves and the new type of trick or treat bags that helps the kids get treats without having to try to open the bag.



Once I had her set, it was time to find the perfect costume for the two year old.  I searched and searched and couldn't find anything that I really loved so I went with the ladybug costume:



At least that's one task out of the way! 


Now, time to shop for candy to give away.  How do other parents deal with handing out the candy when both want to participate in the trick or treating experience?


The free shipping coupon is:


Free Shipping on Orders of $75 or More!

Coupon Code: REK-993

Expires: 12/31/09

Invitation ideas are here.






Costumes from Costume Express



Star Wars Costumes w Free Shipping

Girls Costumes w Free Shipping

Boys Costumes Free Shipping Promotion


Wolverine Costumes


Youthful Tips

Botox Special for Charlotte, North Carolina & California and Info on Botox Competitor Dysport

Ageless Remedies Medical Skincare and Apothocary out of Charlotte, NC is having a September Botox special.

Botox will be 10.99 per unit (minumum of 20 units must be bought) for the entire month of September. Average costs of treatment is around $300-$400.

Botox works but leaves me doubtful of long term effects. I've had it done twice and after it wore off the second time, my eye had a permanent droop. It eventually subsided but I still feel that the upper areas were a little more saggy than they should have been.

The treatment is quick and relatively painfree, at least it is if you ever had a baby or a root canal! They will usually apply a cold press to the area and then the injections begin. It does take a week or more to see visible results and can last anywhere from three to six months. I was always ripped off as it barely lasted three months for me.

If you live in Orange County, California, there are more specials at the Dermatology and Laser Center.

Gold River, California has specials at the Accent Esthetics.

Don't forget to sign up at Allergan for their frequent wrinkle club discounts and specials! 

There is a new alternative available called Dysport from loveleyskin.com.  Dysport was initially known as Reloxin during it's run of years of clinical trials. 

Dysport was found to affect an entire area with only a few injections, requires only three days to show improvement and lasts at a month longer (i.e. four months versus three minimally).  It's also suppose to be cheaper than Botox.

I would love to hear from anyone who has tried Dysport.

Youthful Tips

Lysol, Scrubbing Bubbles, Borders, Dell, Ugg & Country Bob's Coupons/Free




Lysol has $10 worth of coupons by clicking here.

Register for a Scrubbing Bubbles Fall Pack here.

Free Country Bob's Sauce here.

Borders 30% off of any one item using code BRT6505Y.  Excludes electronics, periodicals and gift cards.

Wii remote for $27.00 at Dell - perfect for my Wii fit game giveaway!

Ugg Australia Ultimate Tas Short Boot for $112.90 at Nordstrom.

Dairy Queen has $1 off Blizzards for the month of September once you join the Blizzard Fan Club.

Youthful Tips

Military Families: Operation Purple

Military families can apply now for one of four Operation Purple® Family Retreats held this fall! Families come together in a national park setting at an Operation Purple Family Retreat, a free, four day getaway created to help families reconnect after deployment. With an emphasis on environmental education, military families will participate in fun, family-focused activities that will allow them to strengthen and renew relationships while exploring their natural surroundings. This fall’s Family Retreats are being held at national parks in Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, and Hawaii.

Tell a military family about this opportunity today, or visit www.militaryfamily.org/retreats for eligibility and to apply.

Dates and Locations:

October 9-11, 2009 Olympic Park Institute, Port Angeles, Washington (Deployment return dates: July 2008 - July 2009)

October 23-26, 2009 Poconos Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry, PA (Deployment return dates: July 2008 - July 2009)

November 6-9, 2009 Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks, Silver Bay, NY (Deployment return dates: August 2008 - August 2009)

December 18-21, 2009 YMCA of Honolulu Camp H. R. Erdman, Honolulu, HI (Deployment return dates: September 2008 - September 2009)

Hmmm.....my husband just returned from Iraq but I'm not sure New York is fair comparred to Hawaii!


Youthful Tips