Young At Heart Mommy

Managing Motherhood Through Love & Laughter

Frosty Peppermint Mocha Milkshake Featuring Torani Syrup #SheSpeaks #Torani

The holidays call for all things that bring us comfort. Family, friends, decadent sweets, hot chocolate, and seasonal drinks are a few that I most enjoy. When holiday shopping is finished and I am home wrapping gifts, I always like to treat myself to a festive drink to get into the spirit. By using Torani syrups I can create my own delicious recipes at home without having to make a trip to my nearby coffee shop. Torani syrups are made with the highest quality ingredients including pure cane sugar and coffee house inspired flavors. They offer a variety of over 100 different flavors that can be used to make sodas, cocktails, coffee drinks, desserts, and much more. There is no limit to what these syrups can be used in. They can be mixed together or enjoyed on their own to create a unique recipe. All of their syrups have been made in the good ol’ US of A and are popular in many coffee houses, restaurants, and dining facilities across 40 countries.

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Tackling Toy Shopping At Walmart + GIVEAWAY! #WalmartGifts

When Christmas shopping begins, the first thing most parents aim to tackle is TOYS! I think we can all agree that crossing off our children’s list before others takes a huge weight off our shoulders. For me it is very hard to focus on other family members and friends when all I am thinking about is, “I need to get that Doc Mcstuffin doll before it’s gone!” This season kids are definitely the top priority and going on the hunt for the perfect toy is even more important. Every child has at least one toy they are dying to have and it’s up to us to make sure we get our hands on them! According to the “Jolly Toys Survey” given to multi cultural families, 91% of Hispanic parents agree that it is more important to buy toys for kids versus gifts for the adults in the family. While it is important to give everyone in my family a wonderful Christmas, I do admit to focusing more on my little girl before anyone else.
   

The survey also showed that most Hispanic parents’ shopping lists are likely to include educational toys, electronic toys, dolls, actions figures, and arts & crafts. I feel like all I have bought this year are Disney Princess dolls and play sets. This is the price I pay for having my own little princess who demands all things girly! I really do enjoy doing my shopping at Walmart because they have exclusive bundles and many toys that are hard to find elsewhere. When Black Friday arrived, I was able to cross off over half of Toodie’s list because of the bargains and sales.
With Walmart continuously offering a wide variety of toys for all ages and genders, shopping has become much easier for moms like me. This time of year allows me to get not only my Christmas shopping done but also my daughter‘s upcoming birthday in the beginning of February. Each year I take advantage of the low prices and get everything I need at once. Before rationing out the holiday and birthday presents, I make sure to choose one special gift that Toodie is allowed to open on Christmas Eve. Half of parents normally wait until Christmas Day to open gifts, but in our family we stick to tradition. Since I was a little girl each person in our family is given one small gift to open the night before. We all sit around the tree, enjoy holiday treats, and spend time together. This is just our way of pumping up the excitement of Christmas morning and a huge delicious brunch made by grandma! Does your family have any fun traditions you have kept through the years or maybe started on your own? I would LOVE to read them!

 
Enter below if you would like to win a $25 Walmart GC to shop their everyday low prices and HUGE toy selection!

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.

 

Holiday Crafting With BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers + GIVEAWAY #BICMarkIt

I am still in awe that the month of November has come and gone. It seems like only yesterday I was taking my little girl to pick out her Halloween costume and now we are weeks away from Christmas! On top of all the fun decorations and yummy baked treats, this season wouldn’t be the same without a craft to get into the holiday spirit. Toodie and I have always enjoyed doing crafts together and this year we had a little help from BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers. As a Smiley 360 blogger I was sent a package containing everything needed to make a Lightbulb Snowman. Of course, the supplies featured the Bic Mark-It Permanent Marker pack containing an assortment of 36 vivid colors! These are also non toxic so there is no worrying about any smelly fumes that most permanent markers tend to have.
In addition to the huge pack of colorful markers there were other materials inside that helped to bring our snowman friend to life. These included a single white light bulb, several pieces of colored felt, and three glitter glue pens. The BIC Mark-It Markers were the perfect tool for this type of craft and I imagine many others in the future. With the tips being fine and precise, Toodie had more control over the designs she was drawing. I worried that her determination to use every single color within 5 minutes would cause a mess, smearing all over the lightbulb and her hands. But to my surprise and relief, there was no smudging. These markers dry immediately when applied which makes them even more appealing. This holiday craft was a no mess success!

The BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers sure do make crafting and projects much easier. Did I mention cleaner? No messy hands, table, or clothing. I can see these being a “permanent” part of our craft bin. These markers are also great for writing cards, lunchbox notes, scrap booking, and just plain DOODLING! With their soft grip and smooth packaging they can be comfortably used by little hands. These would make a nice gift for any teacher during the holiday season. I know my daughter’s classroom would have a blast with these. I can’t wait to see what we can do next with them!
For more information on BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers and other fun holiday themed projects, you can visit their website an become a fan on Facebook.

 

You can enter to win your own 36 pack of BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers by entering through the rafflecopter form below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Disclosure: As a Smiley 360 blogger, I received the products above for my consideration and to share my honest opinion of my 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! 

Turn Your Instagram Photos Into Magnets With StickyGram!

Unless you are a martian or living under a rock, you have probably heard of the ever so popular Instagram application. If you are the owner of an Apple or Android device then you may use the app frequently, observed a friend using it, or can’t live without it. I admit, I fall into the last category. The category that includes those that can’t go a day without uploading a photo or five! The day I found out that Apple decided to offer it in the Android marketplace, I eagerly waited until it was available for download. It was the one application that made me regret getting rid of my iPhone and purchasing an alternative. Now Instagram has spread its wings allowing non-Apple users to jump into the world of quick photo filtering and sharing. Instagram has become my primary social outlet to capture memories and moments. Even though it’s quick and easy, there is one thing I always find myself saying- “I WISH I could print these photos!” Well now it’s possible with a little assistance from a company known as StickyGram. Even better than photos, they allow you to turn your favorite Instagram snapshots into mini magnets. 
Using the StickyGram website to create your personalized magnets only takes a few short steps. All you need to begin is an active Instagram account full of fun photos, or at least 9 that you really love. Once your profile is connected you will have the option to select nine of them to be turned into magnents. You can create as many sheets with as many different shots as you would like. An individual sheet costs $14.99 with free shipping worldwide. Each StickyGram is 50mm x 50mm which is approximately the same size as they appear on your iPhone or Android mobile device. The photo quality will also be identical to the original photo taken. Since each sheet is inspected by a StickyGram member, you don’t have to worry about receiving any duds or poorly processed images.

My pack of StickyGram magnets only took a few days to arrive. When we returned from our Disney vacation they were on the table waiting for me! The sheet came in a durable white envelope with each photo side by side in the shape of a giant square. They were easy to separate but also connected well enough that you could keep them together if you desired a larger sized magnet. When pulled apart, each magnet was flexible but still sturdy. There was no peeling at the edges, cracks in the photo paper, or tearing.  The images were crisp and clear just like I imagined them to be. They looked exactly how they did on my phone! I am very pleased with my order and excited to have a new way to preserve my favorite digital images.


Counting down the days until Christmas, I am sure all of us are on the hunt for unique stocking stuffers this year. Stickygrams are adorable, miniature, and sure to put a smile on anyone’s face! Feeling creative? You can even use the magnets as gift tags on holiday presents. By printing out a sheet with photos of friends and family, you can give them a little something special to go with their gift.

To learn more about StickyGram magnets check out their website. For news and special offers you can also follow along on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

Disclosure: I received the product 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! 

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.

A Beautiful Day At The Pumpkin Patch!


I woke up this morning and couldn’t believe it- not that I woke up today- BUT that it was finally in the 80’s outside! Summer took longer than usual to depart and each day it almost seemed like it was getting hotter outside. There was no way I was letting this beautiful breezy day go to waste! With the weather being cooler we decided to make a trip the the local farmer’s market down the street.  Each year for the month of October they turn a section of their nursery into a pumpkin patch.  The land is covered with hundreds of pumpkins different shapes, sizes, and colors. The weekend before Halloween the nursery even offers hayrides and face painting which attracts a huge crowd. Last year we were number 150 in the face painting line. I was happy we missed the crowds by heading there early this month. With the patch to herself Toodie got to pick out her very own pumpkin and paint the outside to bring home. Our pumpkin patch visit has become a tradition each year and it is something we always look forward to.

Prepare For The Holidays With Kmart’s BIG Layaway Giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kmart. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Can you believe it’s ALREADY September? The holidays are just around the corner and if you are like me, you have already begun your shopping. Before the holiday rush I always head to my favorite retailers to get a glimpse and idea of what I will be purchasing this year. We all know that the earlier you get started shopping, the sooner you will finish. Many well known stores already have their holiday merchandise displayed including Target, Walmart, Kmart, and even Toys R Us. Among these stores is one of my favorite places to shop and stretch my dollar. Kmart not only offers a huge selection and variety for everyone on my shopping list, but they also have a layaway program that makes the experience stress free. 
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If you have never used a layaway program before, Kmart is the best place to give it a try.  As you can see in the chart above, there is no comparison between Kmart and many of the other well known retailers offering layaway programs. Kmart understands the current state of the economy and how the holidays can add extra stress on families that may not be able to afford all of their holiday gifts at once. They offer a full range of merchandise that can be found online and in store. There is no minimum and they have several types of contracts available to fit your financial needs. They are also now offering a free layaway on all new Kmart purchases made between 9/9 and 11/17/2012.  Now is the perfect time to grab those items you have had your eye on, and place them safely in layaway. By doing this you also have a chance to win some amazing prizes! 
Here are a few of the items I would put on layaway for the holidays. The furbie craze is coming back! I am sure these are going to ber very HOT when Christmas rolls around.
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Kmart’s Big Layaway Giveaway is running through November 17, 2012 and all you have to do is place your purchase on layaway to enter. By doing so, every week you have a chance to win your remaining balance paid off. Every week they will choose a new winner per Kmart location. No layaway is too big or too small! If you get started now you may be lucky enough to have the holidays taken care of for you. I don’t know about you, but I would love to have the extra money to spend on fun activities to do with my family next year. You can’t go wrong giveaway Kmart’s layaway program a try. It’s free, conveniant, and will make holiday shopping a breeze!

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