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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss – What’s Your Favorite Dr. Seuss?

March 1, 2012 By Whitney 1 Comment

Tomorrow, March 2nd, would have been Dr. Seuss’s 108th birthday and each year, educators and people around the world celebrate and remember the author by celebrating his life’s work.

What’s your favorite work from Dr. Seuss?

Of course one of his hot sellers this year is The Lorax, as the movie opens tomorrow (obviously timed well!). I ordered the book for my boys and they have enjoyed my reading it to them. You can get the Lorax hardcover children’s book for $8.97 on Amazon.

I love that the message that this book presented when it was first published in 1971 is still an important one to be read to our children (saving and respecting the earth’s environment!)

Another favorite of my boys’ is Ten Apples on Top. Not as well known as some of his other books, this cute little book is catchy (aren’t they all?) and uses over 75 vocabulary words. Get it for $8.99 in hardcover on Amazon.

And we had The Foot Book in a board book when Cole was a baby. He used to LOVE this story as a toddler and would ask my husband to read it every night for several months. Get the Foot Book by Dr. Seuss in hardcover for $8.99.

What about you? Which is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

How funny is Paper Mate’s new Pen Campaign?

February 29, 2012 By Whitney 4 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, I came home to a package from Paper Mate’s PR folks. Inside were their new InkJoy pens, and a funky lock box. Nate (8) immediately honed in on the lock box as it has a cool function – rather than opening by key, it uses fingerprint technology to open. He and my husband set the box to their thumbs and the box (and the cool new colorful InkJoy pens) have now been stolen and locked away from Mom’s hands forever more.

We’ve had several laughs about it since and I have to say, this new campaign by Paper Mate is definitely clever. They put this out on Facebook – 100% of Office Coworkers who were polled admitted to having stolen a pen from another coworker at one time or another. Oh, the shame of it!

And I’ll come clean. I’ve stolen pens. From doctor’s offices, my old office when I worked and friend’s houses. Although I will also say I always steal by accident. (But shocking, 23% of the co-workers polled admitted that they stole a pen on purpose!!)

Seriously, isn’t this whole thing kind of funny? But it does get you thinking about pens, right? How many have you stolen in your day?

Check out more about Paper Mate’s new InkJoy pens on PaperMate.com and visit their Facebook page to enter a fun sweepstakes to win!

Disclaimer: I was sent a collection of the new Ink Joy pens as well as a lock box. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Filed Under: For the Home, Misc, On The Go, Parents Tagged With: ink joy, papermate

Pop In, Stand Out with Tide Pods & Shazam at the Oscars

February 24, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

This weekend during the Oscars telecast, Tide will premiere the launch of its newest innovation, Tide Pods. Tide Pods are a multi-dimensional laundry detergent that looks different from any other liquid or unit dose detergent in the market today. This isn’t your typical new & improved laundry detergent!

Take note Shazam Users: The commercial premiering on Sunday not only looks and feels differently than a typical ad for laundry detergent, but also includes a “Shazam bug” that will allow viewers to leverage Shazam’s music recognition software to get content about Tide Pods delivered directly to their smart phones. How cool is that?

In addition to informational product videos, consumers will have access to a limited number of free product samples as well as a free download of the song from the commercial. (Score! All you have to do is listen, use Shazam and you’ll be able to receive a free sample and download!)

I love that these Tide Pods are so small for storage – and just easy, clean and ready to pop into your washer – ready to go! Each Pod has enough for one load of laundry and has detergent and stain remover in one. It works in all machines! Be sure to check out the commercial during the Oscars and to score your free sample of Tide Pods. You can take home some of those red carpet hot looks by using a Tide Pod and getting that same clean, crisp look at the celebs have! The commercial will be on between 10-10:30 pm ET.

Check out more on TidePods .com and Shazam.

Disclaimer: This has been a paid sponsored post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Filed Under: For the Home, Misc Tagged With: shazam, tide

50% off on VeraBradley.com Prints Make Me Blush & Loves Me, Thru Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

Loves Me Mini Laptop Case (I have one of these, I use it for my iPad!) - on sale for $24 (normally $48)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

There’s a few sales going on today including this awesome one from Vera Bradley: two prints, Make Me Blush and Loves Me are on sale 50% off through end of day Valentine’s Day.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, Coupon Codes & Sales, Coupons & Freebies, Diaper Bags & Totes, Mommy Time Tagged With: valentine's day, vera bradley, Vera Bradley sale

Laundry Room OverHaul; Arts & Craft Organization

February 13, 2012 By Whitney 7 Comments

I’m embarrassed to be sharing these before photos. The only reason I’m doing it is because I can post an after photo. Otherwise, I always thought that if anyone actually took a look at my laundry room they might apply on the sly for my family to appear on an episode of Hoarders.

Our laundry room is in the middle of our first floor and pretty much serves as the dumping ground for all sorts of nonsense. But mostly it has 3 functions: 1) laundry. 2) cat room (litter & food). and 3) arts & craft storage. And over the years, it has just piled up like crazy in there.

But I recently got inspired thanks to a post on Pinterest on how to use a door shoe hanger for arts & craft organization. Ingenious! I promptly ordered this Rubbermaid 20-Pocket Shoe Organizer ($19.98 with Free Shipping on Amazon) and decided to get serious about organizing my laundry room.

So this was yesterday’s project. Here’s the before. I know, I’m so mortified to post this:

And here’s the Rubbermaid shoe holder that is now on the back of the laundry room door. I hung it up and used my label maker to organize and label each pocket for various arts & crafts items that were laying around in those bags you see on the floor, and in the drawers in that organizing tower. I was surprised how much fit and how much we had: boxes of pastels, crayons, markers, scissors, glitter, paint, paint brushes and more.

Here’s the after of my laundry room – hard to tell but much improved, right?

Oh and I also got organized with the label maker and made specific drawers for my tower here.

What do you think? I just love the new shoe hanger on the back of the door – creative organization at it’s finest!

Filed Under: For the Home, Home Decor, Paper Products & More

Geek Girl Valentine’s Gift: Nintendo’s 3DS Pearl Pink Bundle w/Nintendogs Game

February 7, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

Maybe it’s my inner geek but I would have loved to receive Nintendo’s 3DS Pearl Pink Bundle with Nintendogs & Cats ($227.00, free shipping on Amazon) for a Valentine’s Day gift. You hear that all guys looking for a gift?

Love it. Get it with free shipping on Amazon for $227.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, Electronics, For the Home

Fabulous Educational iPad & iPhone App: Stack the States

January 30, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

Okay guys, this app is AWESOME. I saw Lindsay posting about this on Facebook and knew I had to download it. Called Stack the States, you have to answer various trivia questions with a multiple choice answer of 4 possibilities.

Kids learn about state capitols, state geography and so much more. (Which state houses which National Park and so forth.)

Nate (8) played this pretty much all day yesterday as he was in bed with a bad cold. You play to “earn” states and he’s earned 45 of his 50 states and I can’t tell you guys how much he’s learned in just one day. He can identify almost all of the states by shape alone, knows many of the capitals now and knows which states border one another.

Oh and you have to “stack” your states which can get pretty precarious! If your stack topples over you are starting over, so it’s not only educational but fun. (Because that’s the best type, right? The ones where my kids learn and they don’t even realize they are doing it…)

You can get a Lite (Free) version too but we only tried the paid version – get Stack the States for $.99 for the iPhone and $1.99 for the iPad on the iTunes store.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, Electronics, Entertainment, Family Travel, Misc, On The Go Tagged With: educational ipad apps, iPad apps, iphone apps, stack the states

Awesome Deal: 3-Pack iPad Stylus for $1.40 & Free Shipping (95% off!)

January 29, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

If I hadn’t just bought a $20 Stylus for my iPad, I’d be all over this one! Check out this deal for a 3-pack of Universal Touch Screen Stylus Pen (Red, Silver & Black) for $1.99 with free shipping. Not sure why it’s so cheap, they must be trying to clear out supplies but it’s too good to pass up if you don’t have a Stylus and are looking for one.

I noticed the reviews ae kind of mixed on these because of the rubber tip but I have the rubber tipped pen and it works great for me.

Get the 3-pack of Universal Touch Screen Stylus Pen (Red, Silver & Black) for $1.99 with free shipping on Amazon.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, Coupon Codes & Sales, Electronics, Misc

Giveaway & Coupon Code: Cheaper Meals & Better Food with E-Mealz.com

January 18, 2012 By Whitney 26 Comments

I had a long list of resolutions this year, one of which included meal planning and being better organized with my grocery shopping. I’ve known for a long time that I probably spend more money than I need to at the grocery store, especially when I ended up throwing much of it out because I buy something without a plan.

And for years I’ve watched as my friends Zareen and Julie do weekly meal plans. I always thought it was uber organized of them and something I’d probably never find the time to do.

But this year I was determined to try it out. With the help of E-Mealz.com, I am now three weeks into successfully meal planning! I’ve been making amazing meals, saving money on my grocery bill and impressing my family with a variety of dinners. Typing this, I feel like I sound like an infomercial but it’s genuine, people. Meals at the Wingerd house have been taken to a whole new level and I’m loving it.

See, E-Mealz.com makes it easy. As much as I like to say I’m creative, I’m not. Each week E-Mealz.com tells me what to make. I love it. They include the recipe and a grocery list, sectioned off by aisle in your grocery store. It could not be easier.

What’s nice too is that we never really need 7 full nights of meals in a week. We do leftovers some nights, others (like on weekends), we’re out. So you also can pick the best meals out of the weekly bunch. I’ve been averaging doing 4-5 of the E-Mealz.com on any given week.

Also awesome, you can pick the meal plan that works for you. Sample meal plans are available to help you make your decision. (At first I started with the “Portion Control Meal Plan” but recently switched to the “Low Fat” option. You are allowed to change your meal plan only once so be sure when you pick!)

E-Mealz.com has offered Mommies with Style readers a coupon code! Use coupon code MOMMIESSTYLE for 10% off your meal plan order through 2/29/12.

Giveaway: Lastly, E-Mealz.com is giving away a 3-month subscription to one lucky Mommies with Style reader! Interested? Comment below! One lucky winner will be chosen at random after January 25th.

Note – You can enter up to 4 times (the only required entry is the first one to leave a comment! All the others are additional entries):

1) Leave a comment on this post. (Note: Scroll to the bottom of this post and click “Post Comment”. You must be on my site – you can’t do this through a reader.)

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter & follow me on Twitter @WhitneyMWS:

Enter to win a 3-month meal plan with @emealz on Mommies with Style via @WhitneyMWS http://bit.ly/aatNRf

3) “Like” Mommies with Style and Peaceable Kingdom on Facebook (if you already do, promote this contest on your page)

4) Subscribe to my feed or email newsletter and stay on top of all of my daily posts! If you already subscribe, please leave a separate comment letting me know that you are currently a subscriber (thank you!).

Filed Under: Coupon Codes & Sales, Coupons & Freebies, Giveaways, Misc, Recipes Tagged With: e-mealz, meal plan

How to Safely Recycle Your Old Electronic Devices to Your Kids

January 12, 2012 By Whitney 1 Comment

Because I love new technology, my family has tons of new electronics coming into the house at any given time. Which is pretty cool but also means we’re generating a lot of “old” electronic devices. I’ve already handed a few devices down to my tech-savvy kids but I’m always careful to take a few precautions before doing so.

I received these great tips from PBS Kids in honor of CES this week – it’s a helpful tip sheet on what to do when you get a new device and want to give the old one to your kids. While the end of the tips include some links to some PBS KIDS apps, I can’t agree more with these points including the one about apps that are marked “free,” for kids.

I’m finding it’s definitely worth it to spend a few bucks on an app you know is from a trusted educational organization (like PBS KIDS) rather than an app that may be free and will end up asking for money any time you want to do anything in the app.

Via PBS Kids:
Many states are banning electronics from landfills, requiring people to recycle them properly or encouraging them to pass it down to a child.

But parents should take some precautions before handing down the gadget, parents should prepare devices with the following tips from PBS KIDS:

1.Sweep it: All devices should be cleaned of any content including personal files, credit card information, etc. before handing down to kids. Parents should swipe all their browser cookies and perform an application sweep.

2.Secure it: There are parental controls on most tech devices that can turn certain features on and off. Settings on the iPhone, for example, that can be restricted include explicit song titles, Internet browser, YouTube, iTunes and the camera.

3. Set limits: As with any new toy, parents should set expectations and limitations with their kids when the device is handed down, and should encourage other forms of learning and play beyond the screen.

4. Find the right apps for your child: A good app is the perfect combination of education and entertainment, and should be appropriate for your child’s age and stage of development.

5. Avoid apps that try to sell: Apps labeled lite or free often attempt to make money by trying to sell virtual items while a child is playing a game, or link to another related app that requires payment to download. Select apps from trusted, reliable sources, and make sure that they are not trying to market to your child.

Once the device is cleaned, parents will likely want to load it up with age-appropriate apps. With more than a thousand apps in the iTunes store, choosing these apps can be tricky, but PBS KIDS has a suite of educational apps that are perfect stocking stuffers. Here are some of PBS KIDS recent top apps for mobile devices which can be found on pbskids.org/mobile:

FETCH Lunch Rush for iPhone/iPod Touch, Free (PBS KIDS First augmented reality app)
SUPER WHY Alpha Boost for iPhone/iPod Touch, $2.99
SID Science Fair for iPhone/iPod Touch, $2.99
LITTLE PIMÂ French and Spanish for iPad, $2.99

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, For the Home Tagged With: children and technology

Giveaway & Review: Get Organized & Digital with all your Papers with the NeatDesk

January 9, 2012 By Whitney 203 Comments

We have two filing cabinets full of receipts, tax papers and other random papers we’ve felt the need to save over the years. It takes up so much space.

I really can’t stand it. But enter a solution: NeatDesk. It’s a scanner and software program. You scan and store any reciept, business card or document. How great is that? A couple seconds of your day and you’re done with all the headaches involved with random papers flying around.

It’s pricey – I won’t lie. NeatDesk costs $399.95 on Amazon but it’s well worth it to reduce the paper trail in your house. We’re talking about saving closets full of papers. Seems like a no brainer to me!

Extra notes: the removable input tray can scan both sides of up to 10 receipts, 10 business cards, and 10 documents at a time–or even a single, 50-page document.

Giveaway: We have one NeatDesk to giveaway to one lucky Mommies with Style winner!

Enter to win by commenting below. What’s the first thing you would scan if you won the NeatDesk?

Note – You can enter up to 4 times (the only required entry is the first one to leave a comment! All the others are additional entries):

1) Leave a comment on this post. (Note: Scroll to the bottom of this post and click “Post Comment”. You must be on my site – you can’t do this through a reader.)

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter & follow me on Twitter @WhitneyMWS:

Enter to win a NeatDesk from @NeatCompany on Mommies with Style via @WhitneyMWS http://bit.ly/aatNRf

3) “Like” Mommies with Style and the Neat Company on Facebook (if you already do, promote this contest on your page)

**This giveaway will end January 16th, 2012. One winner will be selected at random and notified after that time.**

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, For the Home, Giveaways, Misc

If He Got You A Vacuum, I Hope It Was This One

January 5, 2012 By kate Leave a Comment

Really. I know they mean well. But when someone you love gets you a vacuum as a gift, despite perhaps your need for a new one or your love of clean floors, it just doesn’t go over well. So if you were the recipient of a cleaning devices this holiday season, my apologies. There are, however, a few exceptions. Like if he got you one of these.

Neato Robotics Vacuum: It’s not science fiction anymore. There are robots among us and some of them like to vacuum. I fell in love with this product even before I opened the box. “Our goal is to free everyone from the drudgery of household cleaning. Why? Because we all have better things to do with our time.” Amen. With three boys and a dog, I could easily justify vacuuming my house every day, yet surprisingly, I don’t actually enjoy vacuuming this often. Neato does. I’ve used other robot vacuums in the past and Neato has them beat in a few areas:

(1) It’s simple to use. Simple to set up, simple to schedule, simple to empty.

(2) It’s quiet(ish). It is a vacuum, but earplugs are not required.

(3) It’s (almost) as good as I am. I’m not going to sell myself short here – I’m a pretty awesome vacuumer. Dust bunnies? No problem. Cheerios? I won’t break a sweat. But I have eyes that can actually see these things. Neato only has a sensor. But it’s a darn good one that surveys the room via laser and then navigates around your furniture to hit all the nooks and crannies.

(4) It’s effortless. Every morning at 9:15am, my bedroom floor gets vacuumed. I however, am likely enjoying a cup of coffee.

Dyson DC41 Animal: If you’re not familiar with the brand, Dyson is to vacuums what Tiffany’s is to diamonds. (Note: Guys – do not attempt to propose with a Dyson.) The DC41 Animal is one of the newest additions to the Dyson family and it is a beast. This Animal sucked things out of my carpet I didn’t even know existed. Looking at the canister is a little bit like a freak-show. You’re grossed out that all that was in your carpet and on your floors and yet you Can’t. Look. Away. Some of my favorite features of the DC41 Animal:

- Strongest suction at cleaner head: 235 constant Air Watts of suction if you want to get specific. One of my favorite games is to position the vacuum at the base of the couch and see what that powerful suction pulls out from underneath. So far, it’s been Legos, goldfish and dust bunnies. Keeping my fingers crossed it finds an iPad.

- Washable filters: Buying filters takes time, money and brain space to remember that you need them. With Dyson’s washable filters, I get a clean start (for free!) as often as I like.

- The Ball: The design of the Ball makes turning a breeze and keeps all the nuts and bolts confined to a small area, leaving the rest for dust-sucking capacity.

- 35 foot cord: I know this feature may not win over some, but at 35 feet, I can vacuum my whole living room, dining room and kitchen – without unplugging. Win!

- “No Touch” canister emptying: No touching the vacuumed-up gunk at least. One button releases the canister from the vacuum. Pressing the button again, opens the bottom to release the contents into the trash. House clean. Hands clean. Done.

Seeing a cleaning device under the tree would likely earn raised eyebrows instead of roaring applause. But if it was a Dyson or Neato? Well, you just might be in luck.

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Kate Bayless is a freelance writer and editor with bylines in Parents, American Baby, Parenting, Babble and Momtrends. She is slightly embarrassed to admit that her holiday wish list included this item, but still would have rolled her eyes had her husband purchased it for her. Visit her at www.katebayless.com

MWS was not paid for this review. Samples were provided.

Filed Under: For the Home, Housewares Tagged With: cleaning, Dyson, Neato, robotic vacuums, vacuums

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day 11: Pulse News

January 5, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

These days, it’s tough to keep up with every blog and every news site you want to. So many options! I do love my Pulse News app on my iPad – it consolidates all the blogs and sites I love to read into one program and one visual.

It’s free and as you can see in the pict on the right you can catch a small photo and snippet of each story before clicking over. Great for time management.

Get the Pulse News app for iPad on the iTunes store.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, Electronics, For the Home Tagged With: iPad, iPad apps, pulse app

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day 10: TripAdvisor

January 4, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

I’m kind of surprised at myself that I didn’t think to post this one sooner. I use TripAdvisor all the time. Pretty much anytime we’re on the road, TripAdvisor comes out.

As you can probably guess from the title (if you don’t already know the website), TripAdvisor is a helpful app for when you are traveling. It includes reviews and ratings from other users on hotels, restaurants, things to do and so much more. I use it regularly when we’re somewhere just to see what’s nearby. The best part about it is the “Near Me Now” feature which uses technology to locate where you are and then show you on map what’s within relative vicinity of where you are standing and holding your iPad. (or iPhone, as it’s also available on iPhone, iPods.)

And the review aspect is invaluable. There are over 50 million reviews from other TripAdvisor users! I used this app every night on my 10 year anniversary trip with hubby last fall. We went to restaurants solely based on TripAdvisor reviews and we were really happy with the end result.

Get TripAdvisor for the iPad and iPhone for free on iTunes.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, For the Home Tagged With: iPad, iPad apps, iphone, iphone apps

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day Nine: Tower Town

January 3, 2012 By Whitney 1 Comment

Did any of you guys play the Sim games when you were younger? I’ll admit, I totally loved SimCity, the Sims and SimTower at various points in college. (Doesn’t that date me?) But I especially remember one summer playing a lot of SimTower for whatever reason.

This iPad app, Tower Town, reminds me of SimTower, although it’s not just one Tower you’re building but many in your own city. Like so many other of the simulation games and apps, you have to wait to earn energy, money and supplies to build various parts of your towers. Another mindless but addicting one. (Are you sensing a theme here?) The kids and I have been chipping away at building our own mini Town.

It’s free to download the app on your iPad although this is one of those where you can get sucked into buying additional money and coins but it’s perfectly fun without any additional purchases.

Find TowerTown in the iTunes store.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, For the Home Tagged With: iPad, iPad apps

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day Eight: MealBoard Meal & Grocery Planner

January 2, 2012 By Whitney 1 Comment

One of the things I’m also looking to do in 2012 is get more organized with my meal planning. (In other words, start doing it since I basically do almost zero meal planning right now). With the kids in various activities, a hubby who is on the road often at night, I find I’m always disorganized and frustrated around that 5 pm hour when I’m staring at the fridge.

Here’s an app I’ve downloaded and plan on using to help me with meal planning and grocery shopping, MealBoard. It’s MealBoard $1.99 for the iPad app on the iTunes store. I read the reviews on a lot of meal planning apps and this one seems to have some of the better reviews. You can use it in conjunction with the website so you can sync up to your information there like downloading your recipes, organize your grocery list and more.

Filed Under: Computers & Tech, Cooking, Recipes Tagged With: iPad, iPad apps, iPod, mealboard