Young At Heart Mommy

Managing Motherhood Through Love & Laughter

Taco Tuesday + A Wholly Guacamole GIVEAWAY! #TacoTues


HOLY GUACAMOLE, it has been one busy week! It was full of delicious food, holiday decorating, shopping, and baking.  Thanksgiving came and went quicker than expected. After enjoying leftover turkey sandwiches and heaps of stuffing everyday, we all agreed that we could use an alternate meal with a kick. Thank goodness a big package of tasty Wholly Guacamole and Cabot Cheese arrived at my doorstep just in time. Wholly Guacamole was kind enough to provide me with a cooler full of a variety of guacamole, salsas, and Cabot cheese. They also sent a cutting board, cheese cutter, and other cute accessories representing their brand. After making a few phones calls to close family friends, a “Taco Tuesday” night was in the works. Do you enjoy taco nights with your family? You may want to stick around to the end because you could win a prize pack just like the one I received!

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Spreading The Holiday Cheer At Sears + $15 GC GIVEAWAY

It‘s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Well, almost. If you’re like me then it is never too soon to get into the holiday spirit. In a few days it will time to chow down on turkey, stuffing, and the full Thanksgiving works. While I am looking forward to a delicious dinner with my family, I am even more excited to get all of our holiday decorations out. For years we have continued the tradition of putting up our Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving. Even if we are exhausted and half asleep from Black Friday shopping, it is something we never neglect to get done. With a good 5 to 6 bins stuffed full cheer, the sooner I start the better. December is only 31 days and that is just not long enough for me to enjoy my seasonal decor! Plus, we need time to decorate cookies for Santa, make a gingerbread house, wrap presents, and much much more! The list can go on. This month is a busy one. I’m not opposed to extending December by an extra week or two…

As a member of the Smiley360 Blogger Circle, I was given the opportunity to expand my own holiday collection at Sears.  For those of you searching for something new or maybe a little inspiration this year, stop by the Sears Cheers Headquarters. Here you will find everything you need to fill your home with holiday cheer from the inside out. There are lights, trimmings, trees, wreaths, and tons of sparkle to turn your space into a winter wonderland. This also includes four unique themes by the stylish designer Ty Pennigton, who many of us know from Extreme Home Makeover. The collections are affordable and no matter what you may be looking for, Sears has a variety to choose from at low prices.

Check out these colorful additions I picked up for our tree this year! For $34.99 the package included 100  beautiful shatterproof ornaments. I LOVE the bright colors and sparkle. I also won’t have to worry about these falling, breaking, or hurting my family.

On top of their affordable selection, Sears offers their Shop Your Way Rewards Program to customers so you can save while you shop. For every $1 you spend in stores or online, you earn 10 points in your account. For every 1,000 points you earn you will get $1 in credits. You can use these credits by giving the sales associate your member number, phone number, or email address at checkout. I have been a member of this program for a few years now and the points really do rack up during the holidays. It always feels good to earn money while you are spending it! Who doesn’t like to get a little bit back? Using your points online is just as easy. By entering your member number you can actually decide how many points you would like to use on your translation at the time.
Anxious to get started on shopping for your holiday decorations? Enter through the rafflecopter form below and you could win a $15 Sears Gift Card! 

Disclosure: I received the products above for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this post. As always, opinion are my own!  The giveaway and prize will be fulfilled by the sponsor.

Holiday Shopping At Walmart + GIVEAWAY #WalmartGifts

Halloween is over and for me this means it is time to get down to serious holiday shopping business! From this point on I am focused on the best deals for everyone on my Christmas list this year. With my daughter being on the top of that list, toys are my main focus. Luckily, with Walmart’s prices and selection I can start now and save a ton of money.

 Walmart has recently released their Toyland Wish List Book for 2012. It’s filled with 48 pages of the coolest games, toys, and electronics for children. Beginning on November 4th, you can take advantage of the savings within until November 22nd. You will find many well known brands like Monster High, Bratz, Disney, and My Little Pony. While you are browsing, there is also the option to vote for this year’s hottest Christmas toy.

Toyland Wish List Book at Walmart 
A new feature that is now offered on the Walmart website is “Toyland Tuesday.” If you have a little person to shop for this year, you NEED to check it out! Every Tuesday through Christmas, Walmart and Walmart.com are actively rolling back prices on select popular toys. Many of these are must-have toys and are sure to be on most wish lists this year. Below are an assortment of toys that were displayed on this week’s Toyland Tuesday homepage. There are so many things that I know Toodie would love to see under the tree. The Vtech MobiGo 2 Touch Learning System is just one toy that we have both had our eye on. With low prices and huge savings, shopping at Walmart always justifies me starting my shopping early. Don’t forget to browse the new deals and savings every Tuesday!

This year Walmart has brought back their layaway program with a few slight changes to benefit holiday shoppers. The layaway process is easy and begins with a down payment of $10 or 10% of your purchase depending on which is greater. The total must be at least $50 with each item priced at $15 or more. Compared to 2011, Walmart has made a significant positive change to their policy. This year you have 90 days to pay for your items and there is absolutely NO cancellation fee. To open your layaway you have to pay $15 and once it is fully paid for and completed, you will receive the money back on a Walmart gift card.

There have also been new categories added to eligible layaway purchases. These include small home appliances and sporting goods on top of jewelry, toys, and electronics. Whether you are shopping for a new Apple Ipad or Hasbro® Furby, there are several popular items to choose from. Walmart’s layaway program is a helpful way to ensure your family has a wonderful Christmas without any stress. It will allow you to comfortably scratch off the must have items on everyone’s list one by one. With 30 extra days this year you have plenty of time to organize your path to shopping.

To help get your layaway started and ease the cost of holiday shopping, I will be giving away a $25 Walmart GC to one reader. Enter below through the rafflecopter form and good luck! All entries will be verified.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Walmart via GolinHarris. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Walmart. Now you can fulfill your child’s entire wish list through low prices and additional savings. Visit http://www.walmart.com for more information on holiday shopping this season.

Crafted Candles + $100 GC Giveaway

When Fall arrives there are several things I look forward to. On top of the slight weather change and homemade pumpkin pie, Fall Candles are a must have. I don’t think a day goes by that I forget to burn a candle in at least one of the rooms in my home. I love the designs and sweet spicy scents that you often find in Fall themed candles this time of year. They make my home feel more cozy and welcoming for guests in addition to my own family. As a die hard candle fanatic, I am always interested in exploring what a company has to offer. This is why it is my pleasure to introduce Crafted Candles, an online retailer of high quality candles.

Crafted Candles offers a wide variety including tapered, pillar, floating, and decorative candles. Some are scented while others are not. Whichever you may prefer, they have a full selection of different sizes and colors to choose from. There are many choices accommodating holidays and celebrations from Easter all the way to Christmas. The Fall section caught my interest immediately because of the bright colors and fun shapes. Thanksgiving is next month and that means a huge family dinner is in the works. These candles are ideal for holiday meals and get togethers. They are all made of food grade wax making them safe to use around food and on the table. You can decorate individual place settings with the Pumpkin Patch Floating Candles or dress a seasonal centerpiece to pull your table together. There are endless options and with so many to choose from, creativity is key!

They also have quite the selection of Christmas Candles available. When the end of the year rolls around, there is one thing that is always on my mind and that is Christmas gifts. Each year there are several people I have to purchase for and I have found that each of them have one thing in common. They all love candles, just like me! Not only do they make wonderful gifts but they can also be used as festive decoration. The Marshmallow Snowman Candle is one of my favorite choices because they’re individually packaged and hand painted. These would be adorable sitting next to Santa’s milk and cookies. In their Holiday & Seasonal section you will find Winter Candles, toppers, and accessories. They have everything you need to get into the spirit while giving your home that warm and comfy feel.

Would you like the chance to shop Crafted Candle’s huge assortment of candles? Enter through the rafflecopter form below and you could win an $100 gift certificate to expand your own collection!
 

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Crafted Candles and powered by Couponista Queen. I am being financially compensated for this post but as always, all opinions are my own.

Scare Away Stains With Purex Plus Oxi + GIVEAWAY

Just when I thought that I had to accept the everyday stubborn stains from having a toddler, I was introduced to a powerful new laundry detergent. Purex Plus Oxi is the most efficient Purex detergent available and has the capability of removing over 101 different stains. That’s A LOT of stains if you ask me! I’m sure I have encountered at least half of those in my time. This special detergant has been formulated to work in both high efficiency and traditional washing machines. The hypoallergenic formula has a fresh light scent that is perfect for everyday laundry on top of heavily soiled loads. It is different from the rest because it combines the performance of Purex with the stain fighting capabilities of Oxi.

Every parent needs a detergent to get out grass, crayon, milk, juice, ketchup, and the endless list of stains our kids come home with. As a Purex Insider I was fortunate to try this laundry detergent first hand. Not only was I able to get out the most difficult stains, I also got the utmost results by pre-treating them. Pouring a small amount of liquid on to the stain and allowing it to sit for a few minutes made a huge difference. This maximized the results and left the laundry smelling fresh, feeling soft, and free of stains. I really like this detergent so far and I never turn down a product that has two in one capabilities!

Purex Plus Oxi has launched a new sweepstakes to scare away those stains. There are a ton of cash and prizes to give away! One Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000 and 200 other lucky 2nd place winners will receive $25. This contest is running through the end of November so don’t miss your chance to enter here!
Purex has generously provided me with (3) FREE product coupons for the new Purex Plus Oxi. Enter below to be one of three winners!

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Disclosure: I received the product above  from Purex Insiders for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

Cooking Light: Parmesan-Panko Chicken Tenders + GIVEAWAY

Home cooked meals are few and far between these days. With all of the fast food chains, TV dinners, and restaurants, we tend to forget how nice it is to sit down and have a meal at home with our family. It has crossed my mind, that at some point we just think dinner is  too darn hard and too time consuming to take care of each night. Recipes can be over complicated, long, and boring. These are some of the reasons author Amanda Haas joined forces with Cooking Light to create the “Real Family Food” cookbook. This unique cookbook contains 150 recipes to inspire families to return to the kitchen table!
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Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows Blu-Ray Combo Pack GIVEAWAY #DarkShadows

For years I have enjoyed watching Tim Burton’s quirky, strange, and just unusual films. Some of my favorites include Alice In Wonderland, Corpse Bride, and the classic Beetlejuice. His movies are far from mainstream and he has a way of mastering darkness. With quite a list of accomplished movies under his belt, Warner Bros. Pictures has recently announced the DVD & Blu-Ray release of his newest film, Dark Shadows. On October 2, 2012 you will be able to pick up this film and also the Dark Shadows Blog App. If you didn’t get a chance to see Dark Shadows in theaters let me get you up to speed with a brief description of this ghostly and silly family friendly movie. 
From the incredible mind of Tim Burton comes the hit film Dark Shadows, based on the classic television series!  Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) has been trapped for two centuries by an evil witch who just happens to be an ex lover.  Barnabas now has to struggle with the ever changing 1970s and help to save the family business. His dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection and fast.With an all star cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller and more, Dark Shadows will be sure to whet your appetite for fun. This movie is full of laughs and a tiny bit of terror!


 
 

The Dark Shadow App allows you to explore the ever-so spooky Barnabas Collins and his family. Take the Creepy Quiz, challenge yourself with Barnabas’ Terrorific Trivia,  check your Horror-Scope, and browse the funny Memes from scenes in the movie. You can also view the Dark Shadows trailer and share with friends so they can get in on the fun too! 
 

If you are looking forward to the Dark Shadows release or just love Johnny Depp as much as I do, then this is your chance to SPOOK your movie collection! One of my lucky readers will win a Dark Shadows Blu-Ray Combo Pack. Enter below and good luck. All entries will be verified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am working with Warner Bros and they are providing me with the materials for this post and giveaway.  I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this post. As always, opinion are my own!

 

Julep Maven Review + GIVEAWAY

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but for some of us nail polish is the equivalent! As a girly girl who loves makeup, clothing, and getting glam- I can’t be without a good nail polish. I know I am not the only one out there so that is why I am introducing you to Julep! There are many reasons Julep stands out from the rest. All of the Julep nail colors are “4-free” which means they do not contain the carcinogens, formaldehyde resin, toluene, or DBP. Through numerous amount of testing in their own Julep Nail Parlors, they have been able to create a chip resistant and long lasting formula. Their polish goes on smooth and dries quickly, leaving your nails sleek and refined. In participation with the Julep VIP program, I had the opportunity to try one of their introductory boxes and share my experience with you. There is also a special surprise for my readers at the end!

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Living In Luxury: Cariloha Review + GIVEAWAY

For most of us, bamboo is just a plant or decoration for our home. It may not be something we see often but when you do, I guarantee that you haven’t thought about sleeping on it! At least I didn’t until I was introduced to the luxury brand retailer, Cariloha. Cariloha is like a hidden treasure that I never knew existed. Their products are made from bamboo which makes their merchandise ultra soft and comfortable. This includes bath, bedding, clothing, and numerous accessories. Cariloha was generous enough to provide me with a set of their bath towels and bedding to review. I have never worn, used, or slept on anything made from bamboo so I was very anxious for my package to arrive!
At my house, bath towels do not last very long. I am not sure if it’s because of my water pressure or just the quality of the towels I am buying. They are always stiff and not very pleasant to dry off with after a shower. After using the bamboo bath towels, I can’t believe I have been drying off this long with something the equivalent to sandpaper! Soft isn’t even the word. These are so cozy that they feel like a blanket. They are also highly absorbent and made from  rayon, cotton, and renewable bamboo. This blend ensures they are durable, fluffy, and thick. Available in Blue, Chocolate, Green, Taupe, and White these towels can accommodate any bathroom.

Just like the bath towels, the sheet sets and pillow cases are made with Cariloha’s special bamboo fiber blends making them softer than 1,000 count Egyptian cotton!  Their exclusive collections are soft to the touch and also created from a renewable eco-friendly resource- bamboo. These luxurious sheets will take your night’s sleep above and beyond. They are available for Queen, King, California King, Twin, and Full sized beds. While there are several colors available to choose from I decided to go with the Sage, which is a muted green with a hint of grey.  The sheets and pillow cases are also available in Blue, Ivory, Tan, & White.  Each sheet set consists of 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, and 2 pillow cases with the exception of the twin set which only includes 1 pillow case.  With bamboo being twice as soft as cotton, I could not wait to get my set in the wash before bedtime. 

The Sage color was exactly what I expected and with my furniture being such a dark wood, it complimented it nicely. But enough about how their appearance, can I rave about how incredibly soft they were?  I have never owned bedding that felt this silky smooth! The bamboo fabric truly does make a difference. Bamboo is actually 3 degrees cooler than cotton and keeps moisture away from the body. I normally get hot very easily in the middle of the night, but this didn’t happen at all with this bedding They kept my body the perfect temperature and prevented them from sticking in the middle of the night when the AC was off. There are several stores that I visit when shopping for linens. The one thing they ALL have in common is the higher the thread count, the steeper the price. This is probably why I have never treated myself to a thread count over 500! These Cariloha Bamboo Sheets retail for $139 and are well worth every penny. I guarantee you could not find anything even close to 1,000 thread count for this price. It’s incredible and I don’t think I ever want to go back to cotton. Yes, this experience has left me feeling a tad bit spoiled! Even my dog took a siesta on these new sheets, and their were no complaints on her end either. 

 While I could go on and on about how much I loved the bamboo towels and bedding, I should probably remind you that Cariloha has other great merchandise available. They offer a full selection of clothing for men, woman, and children that are all fabricated from their unique bamboo blend. You can also find accessories and even phone covers on their site! 


 

Want to jump on board with the bamboo craze? Here is your chance. One of my lucky readers will win a bamboo Cariloha Bath Towel Set valued at $69. Enter below to win and good luck!
Disclosure: I received the products above from Cariloha  for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

HBL Hair Care Review + GIVEAWAY

I consider myself to be a hair junkie. While I do have a short list of favorite hair care products, I am always open to trying something new and innovative. When a box of HBL products arrived on my doorstep, I was ready to give them a test drive. HBL hair care was developed by Patrick Dockry who was determined to create a new experience encompassed in 13 premium products. They are free of any harsh sulfates or parabens that often strip your hair of its protective layer. All of the HBL products are pH balanced and formulated with high quality ingredients to keep the hair healthy. These hair care products offer gentle, color-safe cleansing, conditioning and styling solutions for EVERY hair type. The taller sleek packaging makes the products easy to store and tuck away in your shower or cabinet.  Here are a few of the products I was sent and their description.

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