Jolly Mom: Recipes | Crafts | Atlanta Mom Blogger | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews

As you guys know we just moved about a month ago and one of the big chores we're still working on is going through all of our things and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. Below is a very informative article written by Allconnect that has proven to be very helpful to me and I thought could help anyone else that may be going through a move or...just reorganizing their home and looking to sell their items.

Before you move, you’ll likely go through the process of clearing out possessions you no longer need. Selling them on craigslist and eBay are great ways to make a little money off these no-longer-needed items. But how do you know which website best suits your needs? Here are some things to consider:

• Free to use.
• Organized by city, so you will sell to people within driving distance. (No shipping costs. More practical for large items, like swing sets or washers and dryers.)
• Buyers can view items before purchasing them.
• Typically you name a price; however, you can list an item OBO (“or best offer”).

 The craigslist site offers tips on safety and avoiding scams.

• Auction format. (Could drive price up. Can set a minimum bid.)
• Requires a little more tech-savvy know-how to use the site (compared to craigslist).
• Limited personal contact between buyers and sellers, so there is less concern about safety.

The eBay site offers advice for sellers including Top 10 tips for sellers  and Ideas for what to sell.

Other ways to sell your stuff
Check for niche websites. For example, there are sites devoted to selling used cameras, used textbooks, antiques, and cell phones. You can also try the bricks-and-mortar consignment shops or old-school newspaper listings. If you have enough items, you might try a yard sale .
If you don’t really have to pare down your belongings but you’re just tired of them, you could also try swapping via sites like PaperBackSwap.com, SwapaDVD.com, SwapaCD.com, and SwapTree.com (to trade books, DVDs, CDs, and video games).
Resources for using craigslist and eBay:
Even though most transactions go smoothly on craigslist and eBay, the resources below offer sound advice for beginners doing business online:

ILookBothWays.com
Sell items online: 7 tips to help stay safe by Microsoft Online Safety
“How Craigslist Works” by HowStuffWorks
“How eBay Works” by HowStuffWorks


This post is written by Allconnect and republished here with their permission. Allconnect can assist with your move by offering free mover quotes, an online change of address form, and help transfer your essential home services. You can also compare services available at your new address to make sure you are getting the best deal.  See tips to help you during your move.

About Allconnect:
Allconnect is the leading provider for connecting consumers with household services including satellite TV, cable TV, Internet, phone, home security systems, and natural gas and electric utilities.  The company offers a convenient, simple, and objective one-stop source for comparing options and pricing, whether consumers are transferring or establishing household services during a move or simply wanting to ensure they are on the best plan for their budget.  This service is offered at no charge, online or by phone.  Founded in 1998, Allconnect has connected over 20 million people through its partnerships with more than 30 utility companies and hundreds of service providers across the U.S.  

As you guys know, my blog gives me the opportunity to test out a lot of products. Obviously over the years--I have purchased even more products than that. It is not often that a product comes around that is truly life changing. Today, though--I want to share with you guys a product that has done exactly that. The Personal Microderm System. If you follow my blog, you have probably read at some point about my struggles with problem skin. My skin has always been oily and as a teen, I did get acne--just like every teenager. However, when I was pregnant with Lucas I started to get very bad adult acne. It was so bad that my skin actually scarred in areas. I'm clearly not pregnant anymore, but the acne--unfortunately--never went away. Large congested pores, acne, scarring...equal not fun things to have to deal with! It wears on your self-confidence and how you feel about yourself. If you have problem skin--you know what I'm talking about. Let me tell you about the Personal Microderm now and how it has completely changed my skin!

The Personal Microderm System is basically a hand-held microdermabrasion device for the home. If you've never heard of microdermabrasion, it is basically a method of removing the uppermost layer of dead skin cells from the face, chest and hands. It really is like "sanding" your skin, but it's not painful at all and there's no downtime. In a spa or dermatologists office, you would pay $100-$200 per treatment and for best results--you would do a series of weekly treatments for a couple of months. The Personal Microderm System actually uses the same aluminum oxide crystals as the ten thousand dollar machines found at a dermatologist's office. This is important because the Personal Microderm costs $179.00! That is the price of ONE TREATMENT at a doctor's office. The Personal Microderm System includes 1 personal microderm, 5 exfoliating discs (2 green and 3 blue), 1 electric cord (Standard U.S. Outlet), 1 facial cap, 1 body cap, 1 reusable filter, Instructional CD and Pamphlet.

Using the Personal Microderm System is very easy, but you do need to watch the instructional DVD first to make sure that you take all the proper precautions--mainly that you don't hover the Personal Microderm too long on one area of the skin. Besides taking that precaution, using the Personal Microderm is really as easy as gliding it over your skin. And, you'll instantly know you're using it correctly when you feel it kind of suction to your skin. It comes with two disc sizes--one small for the face and one large for the body. You also get two different exfoliating strengths. I started out with the mildest one and will build up to the strongest in the coming weeks. Plus, the discs do need to replaced after 2-3 uses so I figured starting out with the mildest would also be the best choice financially.

Results? After the first treatment, my face felt smoother. Much, much smoother. It was glowing and looked a bit healthier. I figured that maybe after a couple of days the smoothness would go away, but I was wrong. My skin remained smooth until my next treatment one week later. After the second treatment, my pores look cleaner and a bit smaller. Incredibly, my face felt even smoother and so incredibly soft. This past week, I did the third treatment and OMG. My pores are shrinking! As in--I can barely see my pores anymore. It's actually unbelievable. Unfortunately, I do not have a camera that can accurately capture the minute detail of my pores so that you could see for yourself. However, I wrote Mike--my review contact at SkinCareRX an email this past week thanking him for sending me the Personal Microderm and even though this is not something I normally do--I thought that maybe sharing that email with you guys would help convey just how much the Personal Microderm has done for me. Here's a screenshot of that email:

The Personal Microderm is ideal for those with age spots, skin discolorations, and other imperfections who want smooth, even-toned skin. Microdermabrasion in general has many benefits such as:

* Leaves skin with a fresher, more glowing look.
* Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, and coarse textured skin.
* Allows skin care products to actually penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and help build collagen, which gives skin its youthful appearance.


I honestly cannot STOP RAVING about The Personal Microderm and I highly recommend it to anyone with problem skin. At $179 at SkinCareRx, it is also a steal considering what you would pay at a spa or doctor's office. It is an AMAZING products and I am BEYOND EXCITED to be able to offer you guys a chance to win one for yourselves!




The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Link up your giveaways!

Please make sure to link directly to the giveaway and list the name of the giveaway along with the expiration date. Don't forget to stop by Go Graham Go to link up over there as well!

One of our favorite family meals is Lemon And Herb Roasted Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Onions. It is such a warm and comforting meal and it is always out of this world delicious. It's the type of meal that justifies my heating up the kitchen even during the often intolerably hot Georgia summers. The chicken is juicy with crispy skin and the potatoes and onions caramelize and roast to perfection. Surprisingly, besides a little bit of rough chopping and prepping the chicken, this is also an easy meal to prepare and while the chicken does take a while to roast--it only require minimal hands-on work. This is also a wonderful meal to serve for a dinner party or anytime you have dinner guests--it's classic and elegant.

Ingredients
* 1 (4 to 5 pound) roasting chicken
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 or 2 lemons, halved
* 1 head garlic, halved
* 1/4 bunch each fresh thyme, and parsley
* 1 tsp dried thyme
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* butter {about 2 TBSP cut up into small pieces}
* 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
* 1 large onion {or 2 small}, roughly chopped into big pieces

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Rinse the chicken with cool water, inside and out, then pat it dry with paper towels. Season the cavity with salt and pepper, and then stuff the lemon, garlic, and herbs inside. Take the butter pieces and tuck them under the chicken's skin and rub the entire chicken down with butter. Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a roasting pan. Tie the legs of the chicken together with kitchen twine to help hold its shape. Toss the potatoes and onions around the chicken. Season the whole thing {chicken, potatoes, and onions} with a fair amount of salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. I also like to sprinkle the outside of the chicken with some dried Thyme {about a tsp}. Roast the chicken and potatoes for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Don't forget to baste the chicken with the drippings and rotate the pan every 20 minutes or so to insure a golden crispy skin. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer says 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (the legs of the chicken should wiggle easily from the sockets too.) Remove the chicken to a platter, cover with aluminum foil, and let stand for 10 minutes, so the juices settle back into the meat before carving. Serve with the roasted potatoes and onions on the side. A crisp green salad is also lovely paired with the chicken and potatoes.

If you're looking for a cute gift for a toddler, check out these new and adorable Pop On Pals playsets and toys by Spin Master! Pop On Pals are unique in that they come with interchangeable pop-on rings that allow kids to easily change their Pop On Pals' clothing. A fireman can become a musician, a princess becomes a baker, a puppy becomes a ballerina- Pop On Pals encourage imaginative play and help develop fine motor skills. Thanks to Team Mom, we got the chance to test out the Amusement Park Playset, which comes with one Pop On Pal, three interchangeable rings, a vehicle, and the amusement park playset.

The Amusement Park is loaded with features and various "activation points" where kids "pop on" their pal to play with a certain activity--like the strong man striker, milk toss game, ferris wheel, dragon swing, and there's even a roller coaster! Kids press their Pop On Pal onto the activation point and the magic starts. Kids will have fun taking their Pop On Pal on the ferris wheel and swing and playing the amusement park games. The most fun is of course the roller coaster! Lucas loves to place the car on the coaster and watch it speed down. There's music, lots of interactive playtime, and most of all...little imaginations soaring big time! The only complaint that I have is that I do wish the playset came with more than one Pop On Pal. Lucas loves playsets and he likes to play with several figures at once and have them interact with one another. With only one Pop On Pal--he couldn't do that. Also, it doesn't allow kids to play with their friends or siblings. It would definitely be nice to see Spin Master add a Pop On Pal to these sets in the future. Other than that, Pop On Pals have been a hit around here and I am confident that most toddlers would love them as well!

Pop On Pals are designed for 2-4 year olds, but I actually think that even younger kids like 18 month olds would also enjoy them. There are several Pop On Pals toys and playsets to choose from, including: the Amusement Park Playset, Pop On Pals Pet Pack, Pal Pack, Ring Deluxe Pack, Pals 2 n’ 1 Vehicle Set, Pop and Go Airplane, and the Pop and Go School Bus.

Buy Pop On Pals at various toy retailers across the country. For more info, please visit PopOnPals.com!



The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Summer time brings out the inner hostess in all of us. Whether your idea of the perfect summer party is a picnic in the park, backyard barbeque, poolside luau or cocktails on the patio, make a splash with family and friends with one of Paperspring's fresh new summer entertaining invitations. Paperspring’s summer invitation event is the perfect time to plan a summer soiree. Their designs are always stylish and eco friendly. Now for limited time they are also 20% off, plus shipping is free on every order!

Kmart:

2 pocket, 3-prong portfolio folder: $0.15
RoseArt 24-ct crayons: $0.25
4-oz. Elmer’s school glue: $0.25
Paper Mate pens (Limit 4): $0.50
Pencil boxes: $0.50
RoseArt colored pencils (12pk): $0.50
Filler paper 150-ct wide or college ruled (Limit 4): $0.50
Select Fashion PR Licensed folders: $0.50
300-ct index cards: $1
Fine or ultra fine Sharpie (2-ct black): $1
90-ct Post-It notes: $1
RoseArt 10-ct. bold markers: $1.50
RoseArt 10-ct. classic markers: $1.50
Westcott 10-piece math set: $1.50 (Limit 4)
Westcott blunt or pointed 5-in. scissors: $1.50 (Limit 4)

Staples:

Staples Bic Round Stic Ballpoint Pens, black (8-pk): $0.01
Staples Multi-Purpose Paper, 96 bright (500-sheet ream): $0.04 after Easy Rebate
(Both of the above deals are available Sunday through Wednesday with a $5 purchase.)
Buy any backpack, get the full amount back on a Staples gift card (Limit 1): FREE
Zebra Sarasa Retractable Gel Pens (5-pk): $0.26 after Easy Rebate (Limit 1)
Staples Hype Highlighters (6-pk): $0.25 (Limit 2)
Really Useful Box: $0.25 (Limit 2)
Scotch Shipping Tape w/Dispenser: $1 with in-ad coupon (Limit 2)
Scotch Magic Invisible Tape: $1 with in-ad coupon (Limit 2)
Ticonderoga #2 Pencils: $1 with in-ad coupon (Limit 2)
Staples Jumbo Glue Stick (2-pk): $2 with in-ad coupon (Limit 2)
Double Sided Dry-Erase Board and Calendar: $2 with in-ad coupon (Limit 2)

Walgreens:

2 Pocket Folder with Prongs: $.09 (Limit 5)
Penway Memo book 50 sheet: $.19 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Mini Composition Book 80 Sheets: $.19 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Flexible Ruler: $.39
Penway Protractor: $.39
Penway Poly Pencil Case: $.39
Penway Index Card Case: $.39
Penway 2 Pocket Poly Portfolio: $.39
Penway Crayons 24pk: $.39 with in-ad coupon
Crayola Posterboard: $.39 with in-ad coupon (Limit 6)
Scotch Mailer: $.39 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Filler paper Wide or College Rule, 130 sheets: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Elmer’s Glue: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Elmer’s Glue Sticks 2pk: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Carry-All Pouch: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Composition book, 80 sheets: $.69 with in-ad coupon
Paper Mate Profile Pens, 2pk: $.69 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Sharpie Markers, 2pk: $.69 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway 3 Subject Notebooks, College and Wide Rule, 120 sheets: $.99
Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils 30pk: $.99
Pilot Easytouch Retractable Fine Point pen, 2pk: $.99
Pilot Easytouch Pens Medium Point 3pk: $.99
One size fit all book cover: $.99
Liquid Highlighters 5pk: $.99
Penway #2 Pencils 24pk: $.99
Kids' Scissors: $.99
Construction paper: $.99
Crayola Colored Pencils, 12pk: $.99 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Corner Office Sheet Protectors, 50pk: $1.99 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)


Office Depot:

Office Depot Acrylic Rulers: $.05
Office Depot Eraser Caps: $.10
6-Pack Office Depot Spiral Notebooks:
HP Office Paper: $0.95
Mead 3-Pocket Binders: $4.99
Mead Expandable Binders: $4.99

Did you guys know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Yep. I knew that because in my house...ice cream is a food group. Ask anyone that really knows me. I'll give up any meal for a bowl of ice cream. Preferably chocolate ice cream with nuts or sometimes even cereal. People think the cereal thing is kind of strange, but I like the crunch. The thing about ice cream is that it has a lot of calories and fat. Unfortunately, I am always watching my calories so ice cream is not always the best choice for me. If you've tried low fat ice cream, you already know that it is almost always missing that creaminess and richness that only full fat ice cream has.



That's why I have to say that I am in love with the new Breyers Smooth & Dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches. Thanks to Mom Central, we got the chance to try a box of the Triple Chocolate Chip Bars and ever since then we've been hooked! They have become a staple in our home and a weekly addition to our grocery list. The great thing about the Breyers Smooth & Dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches is that they have 160 calories or less and 4-6 grams of fat per serving. Sorry--the absolute best thing about them is the TASTE. Somehow Breyers has managed to keep the ice cream creamy and decadent--just like it should be--without the guilt! These are available is six flavors, including Chocolate Caramel Brownie, Vanilla Caramel Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Vanilla Fudge Brownie, and Triple Chocolate Chip. We've tried three of the flavors--Vanilla Caramel Chip, Vanilla Fudge Brownie, and Triple Chocolate Chip. I can vouch for all three of those--YUM!!!! I especially like the Vanilla Caramel Chip and Triple Chocolate Chip because they also have a hint of a crunch that comes from the caramel and chocolate chips!

 


 I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the best deals at CVS this week! For the full list, please make sure you stop by Moms By Heart!


Pampers 48-96 ct $21.99
-$10 ECB
-$2 from 6/20 RP or 7/4 PG
Final Price: $9.99

Bounty Basic paper towels 8-pk $5.88
-$.25 from 6/6 or 7/4 PG
-$.50 Upromise Ecoupon
Final Price: $5.13

Tasters Choice stick pack $1
-$.75 printable HERE - when you register
Final Price: $.25

Frappucino single serve 2/$3
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $.50

Select Candy: Spend $10 get free M&M snack bowl
M&M Pretzel Chocolate Candies 9.9 oz 2/$5
-$1 from 7/25 RP
Final Price: $1.50

{Scenario}
(4) M&M Pretzel = $10
-$4 coupons
-FREE M&M snack bowl with $10 participating purchase
Final Price: 4 bags and bowl for $6

Ziploc bags 2/$5
-$1.25/2 from 7/25 SS
Final Price: 2/$3.75 or $1.88 each

-Paper Mate pens 10-pk 2/$1
-1 subject notebooks 3/$1
-$5 ECB wyb $15 in Five Star notebooks & binders

Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless ECB Deal: Spend $25, get $10 ECB
{Scenario}
(3) corrector, concealer or sculpting blush @ $11 each = $33
-$1 from 7/4 PG, use three = $3
-$10 ECB
-$10 rebate HERE
Final Price: 3/$10

ECB Deal: Spend $15 on select products, Get $5
Speed Stick 2/$5
-$1 from Reinventing Beauty magazine or $.75 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.50-$1.75

Softsoap Ensembles $5
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $4

Softsoap Body Wash $3
-$1 from Reinventing Beauty magazine or 7/25 SS
Final Price: $2

{Scenario}
(5) body wash $15
-$5 coupons
-$5 ECB
Final Price: $1 each

Aveeno ECB Deal: Spend $20 on select products get $10 ECB
Aveeno shampoo, conditioner or styler $6.49
-$1-$1.50 printable HERE
Final Price: $4.99-$5.49

Aveeno Body Wash or Lotion $5.99
-$2/2 from 6/20 SS - any Active Naturals product
Final Price: $4.99 each wyb two

Aveeno moisturizer, Anti-Itch, Bath Treatment, Cleanser, Scrub or Pads $6.99
-$2/2 from 6/20 SS - any Active Naturals product
Final Price: $5.99 each wyb two

Aveeno Ageless Vitality $39.99
-$20 rebate HERE
Final Price: $19.99

{Scenario}
Ageless Vitality $39.99
-$20 rebate
-$10 ECB
Final Price: $9.99

Neutrogena Suncare or Sunless Tanning from $9.99
-$10 ECB wyb two
-$1 from 6/13 SS, use two
Final Price: as low as 2/$7.98 or $3.99 each

L'Oreal Studio or Vive Pro 2/$5
-$1 from 7/25 RP
Final Price: $1.50

Clairol Nice & Easy Root Touch Up or Gray Solution $6.99
-$2 ECB
-$2 from 7/4 PG
Final Price: $2.99

Everpure or Everstrong $5.99 x 2 = $11.98
-$2 from 6/6 RP, use two
-$5 ECB on two
Final Price: 2/$2.98 or $1.49 each!

Biore cleanser, pore strips or towelettes $6.99
-$2 ECB
-$2 printable HERE - take the challenge and get coupon via email
Final Price: $2.99

Accu Chek Aviva blood glucose moniter $14.99
-$5 ECB
-$9.99 rebate in box
Final Price: FREE

Photo Book w/ten 6x8 pages $7.99
-$7.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE

SoBe Lifewater $.88
-B1G1 free printable HERE
Final Price: $.44 each wyb two

U by Kotex $4.99
-$4.99 ECB
-$1.50 from Reinventing Beauty magazine or $1 printable HERE
Final Price: FREE with $1-$1.50 profit

Arm & Hammer 2x Detergent 2/$7
-$2 ECB on two
-$1/2 from 7/18 SS or printable HERE
Final Price: 2/$4

With school starting soon, it is probably a good idea to begin to prepare the younger kids entering pre-school or kindergarten for the first time. Here are a few DVDs that can help you do just that!

Let kids prepare for the first day of school with Dora the Explorer and the rest of her Nickelodeon pals in the new DVD--"The First Day of School". In this adventure-filled DVD, Dora leads the way, but it also includes episodes from Go, Diego, Go!; Blue’s Clues; The Wonder Pets!; and Ni Hao, Kai-lan!

Nickelodeon: First Day of School Synopsis:

Dora the Explorer – First Day of School
Boots and Tico are really excited because it’s their first day of school and they’re going to learn in English and Spanish! Dora leads the way, teaching Boots Spanish and Tico English as they head out to school. At the river, their Guatemalan friend Camila shows them how to find turtles to ride across, then they go through the Forest where Swiper swipes Tico and Boots’ lunches and they have to find them.

Go, Diego, Go! –“ Linda the Librarian”
Alicia is opening a new library on the mountain top. Linda the Llama was supposed to bring the books for the library -- but she's late and it's almost time to open the library. Diego finds Linda the Llama and they set off for the library. But first they’ve got to go up and down the rocky mountains by saying "arriba/abajo," then a big wind blows away the library books and it's up to the viewer to find them.

Blue's Clues – “Blue Takes You To School”
It's Periwinkle's first day at preschool, and everyone needs to help Periwinkle make it through his first day. From finding his cubby and getting through circle time, to reading the job chart and understanding how to take turns and respect others, Periwinkle has a lot to learn.

The Wonder Pets! – “Off to School / Save the Pangaroo”
Off to School -- The Wonder Pets help our old friend the Baby Blowfish overcome her separation anxiety on her first day of Fish Preschool.
Save the Pangaroo -- The Wonder Pets help a kid-art Pangaroo, a fictional animal that is part kangaroo and part parrot, who has been thrown away in the trash.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan –“Lulu Day”
Today, Kai-lan is having a playdate with her best girl friend, Lulu the rhino. Kai-lan has all sorts of games to play with Lulu, but Lulu wants to play with different things than Kai-lan. Kai-lan and Lulu need the viewers’ help to figure out a way to compromise and play things that make them both happy.

Buy it at Amazon.com for $12.99.

"Music, Music Everywhere" from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment is a great addition to your child's DVD library. It is interactive and will have kids singing, laughing and dancing along with Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Kipper and Angelina Ballerina. This DVD is also a great buy since it also includes a Bonus Music CD!

DVD SYNOPSIS: Jump on stage for a musical adventure full of high notes and sing-along fun! Barney, Bob the Builder and Thomas strike up the band and discover that piano-playing is even better with friends. Join Rusty the diesel engine as he learns to toot his own horn, sing with Lofty and his bird friends and pirouette alongside Angelina as she teaches her pals that music is a beautiful language. Get ready for a harmonious ride that will have you singing and dancing for more!

Episodes Included:
· Barney – “Play Piano With Me”
· Bob the Builder – “Roley’s Important Job”
· Thomas & Friends – “Tuneful Toots”
· Kipper – “Arnold’s Drum”
· Angelina Ballerina – “Angelina’s Musical Day”

Buy it at Amazon.com for $13.49.

Another sweet DVD by Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment is Barney: Furry Friends. This is a collection of "tails" about how special our furry friends can be! Barney: Furry Friends is a great way to teach kids about different animals and teach them compassion and caring for them as well. Lucas is an animal lover so naturally this has become one of his favorite DVDs!

DVD SYNOPSIS: Join Barney, Baby Bop™, BJ™ and all their playground friends for some tail wagging adventures as they learn about dogs and cats. From helpful guide dogs to feline family members, you’re sure to have warm-hearted fun in this very special doggie treat. Find a lost cat, dress up and learn about tigers, meet neighborhood dogs Bingo and Pilgrim, join in for a rousing round of B-I-N-G-O and be a judge at a fun-spirited dog show!

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.99. Release date July 27th, 2010.

SpongeBob fans, like my niece will be thrilled to own Triton's Revenge!

DVD SYNOPSIS: Join SpongeBob and your favorite underwater friends as they try to make King Triton’s birthday extra special, only to have the arrival of a surprise guest backfire, leaving SpongeBob to save the day – and the party! The Clash of Triton features celebrity guest stars Victoria Beckham as Queen Amphitrite; John O’Hurley as her husband, King Neptune; and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) as their rebellious son, Triton. Catch this hilarious special, along with six other silly, quirky and outrageously funny episodes and never-before-seen special features.

Episodes Include:
The Clash of Triton
Sand Castles in the Sand
Shell Shocked
Chum Bucket Supreme
Single Cell Anniversary
Tentacle-vision
I Heart Dancing

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.49.

Lucas is also a huge Thomas the Train fan--I don't know of a little boy that isn't! As a parent, I also love Thomas because the episodes always reinforce good values and important life lessons such as timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation. If you have a Thomas fan in the house, you will want to own Thomas & Friends: Creaky Cranky. This DVD has FOUR ALL NEW EPISODES. These all-new, never-before-seen on TV episodes in full CG animation feature Thomas challenging Cranky the Crane to see who can lift the heaviest loads. Children will enjoy host Driver Perkins, who can ONLY be seen on DVD, and engages children with interactive dialogue and extra fun!

DVD SYNOPSIS: Thomas and his friends deliver cargo-loads of fun in this collection of uplifting episodes! Ride along as Thomas helps to deliver mail, mend engines, and prepare for the Spring Party on the Island of Sodor. Watch as Thomas learns that it pays to listen to advice, there’s more to a train than its undercoat, and that sometimes it takes a team of friends to reach your true destination.

Episodes include:
“Creaky Cranky”
“Tickled Pink”
“Steamy Sodor”
“Early Bird”

Bonus Feature: The “Sound Song” Karaoke Music Video

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.49.

One of my personal favorite preschool shows is The Backyardigans. The music is always catchy and never annoying. Plus, the characters are adorable and expose kids to different cultures. This is truly a great show so I was happy to hear about their new DVD, The Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop. This DVD features four new to DVD episodes and introduces kids to a variety of music genres like Alternative Rock, Forró, Bo Diddley-Style Rock and American Country Rock.

About the Show: In every episode of The Backyardigans, five high-spirited neighbors meet in their adjoining backyards and use their imaginations to transform themselves into different locations for epic adventures. Each half-hour episode of this Emmy Award-winning show features a unique music/dance genre with four original songs, along with real choreographed movements recreated in animation. The Backyardigans airs everyday on Nick Jr.

The Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop Episode Synopses:
Elephant on the Run: Park Ranger Tasha has a very important job for delivery agents Tyrone and Pablo -- to get an endangered Indian elephant safely to the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and to avoid the bad guys.

The Magic Skateboard: Tyrone really wants to be a great skateboarder. He may not know all the tricks yet, but he’s going to compete in the Show-Off Showdown. Once he finds the magic skateboard, even his top competition takes notice.

The Flipper!: Uniqua, Tasha and Pablo are the Meteor Watch Squad. But when meteor obsessed Pablo accidentally spills toxic space stuff all over himself, he becomes the super strong, super excitable Flipper!

Super Team Awesome!: Tyrone is a tour guide for the world’s only lava geyser, Old Gushie. When a loose boulder in the cavern threatens to cause a geothermal disaster, Tyrone calls for help. Not one, but three superheroes come to save the day!

Buy it at Amazon.com for $12.49.

Sesame Street fans young and old will love the 20th anniversary celebratory DVD, Sesame Street: 20 Years and Still Counting! Hosted by legendary comic Bill Cosby and featuring special appearances by Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog, Ray Charles and famed tenor Placido Domingo, the special includes classic Sesame Street scenes and interviews with those who were involved with the series’ early years and created a foundation for a show as relevant today as when it first debuted in 1969.

DVD SYNOPSIS:
Experience this captivating special that marked the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking children's series that taught us our ABCs, 123s, and so much more! Hosted by Bill Cosby, Sesame Street: 20 Years and Still Counting includes appearances by favorite Sesame Street residents like Big Bird, Grover, Bob and Maria. It also features timeless clips from past episodes; performances by Ray Charles and famed tenor Placido Domingo (with his operatic Muppet™ counterpart, Placido Flamingo); and in-depth interviews with the series’ creators. Sweep the clouds away and rediscover the carefree days of childhood with this delightful special! Sesame Street is produced by the non profit educational organization, Sesame Workshop.

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.99.

Tweens and young teens will get a kick out of Diary of a Wimpy Kid--a story about a boy who is entering middle school for the first time and his hilarious account of the trials and tribulations he faces. This is truly a movie the entire family can and will enjoy. Not only that, but everyone can empathize with Greg Heffley's middle school fears! Diary of a Wimpy Kid is actually based on the best-selling illustrated novel by Jeff Kinney. Selling over 30 million copies in print, Diary of a Wimpy Kid spent almost three years on The New York Times' children's best-seller list and has been translated into 33 languages!

DVD SYNOPSIS: The film chronicles the adventures of wisecracking pre-teen Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone's life... middle school. Convinced it's the "dumbest idea ever invented," Heffley considers junior high school a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment of the cafeteria floor and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties that he must overcome to become popular. His diary - or "journal" -chronicles his thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would be) schoolyard triumphs.

The Blu-ray/DVD CombPack and DVD will be available for purchase on August 3rd and both the Blu-ray and DVD include "Greg's Deleted Diary Pages", which bring the diary to life with all-new, never-before-seen hysterical moments not included in the feature film such as a rundown of the benefits of the Cheese Touch, more gross, silly Fregley fun, and Rowley's lost Zoo-Wee Mama cartoons.

Buy the DVD at Amazon.com for $17.99 or the Blu-ray for $30.99. Release date August 3rd, 2010.





The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Today is the first day of the Scholastic Children's Dictionary Back-To-School Blog Tour and I am thrilled to be STOP #1! You know what that means? It's time to start talking back-to-school again and if your kids are anything like I was as child--they want the perfect "first day of school" outfit! I remember one year--I was around 11 or 12 years old and the New Kids on the Block were all the rage. Yes, I was a fan. A real fan. The type of fan that plastered their walls with tear out posters of Jordan Knight {my favorite}. I owned and wore all of their t-shirts. I even owned an NKOTB watch. Please don't judge me LOL. OK, so my mom and I headed to the mall to build my back-to-school school wardrobe. Of course, being a "tween"--I didn't particularly like walking around the mall with my mom. So, she decided to give me one of her credit cards so that I could pick out an outfit for the first day of school all on my own {don't judge my mom--this was "old school" parenting LOL}. I was stoked! With credit card in hand and mom no longer cramping my style, I walked around the mall in search of the perfect outfit for the first day of school. So, what did I get? A $100++ NKOTB pleather jacket...which my mom promptly made me return. Good thing too because as cool as it was--a pleather NKOTB jacket did not exactly make an "outfit".

The moral of the story is never, ever give a tween a credit card! Seriously though, it is very important to be prepared before shopping for a back-to-school wardrobe and as much as they don't want to admit it--kids need guidance when it comes to shopping and preparing for the first day of school. What to buy, how much to spend, where to shop, what will fit them, what will they wear? With a bit of pre-planning, you can make back-to-school shopping something you and the kids will actually look forward to. That's why Scholastic has partnered with 15 bloggers--including myself--to celebrate the launch of their must-have 2010 Edition Children's Dictionary with 15 days of back-to-school tips and awesome giveaways for their Scholastic Children's Dictionary Back-To-School Blog Tour! I am honored and excited to be STOP #1 in the blog tour, but be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for a list of all the stops. Without further ado, here are some tips that will hopefully make your family's back-to-school clothes shopping experience a little bit easier this year!

1. Before you shop, inventory your child's closet and make note of what they need. Take any clothes that don't fit anymore to a consignment shop or donate to Goodwill.
2. Make a list of all the items your child will need in the upcoming year. Include clothes for gym classes and any other extracurricular activities they may be participating in (soccer, cheer leading, band, etc).
3. Make sure that you check to see if your child's school has a dress code before you shop!
4. Time to shop! Set a budget and inform your child of the budget so that you are both on the same page. This can even be a learning experience in money management skills!
5. Concentrate most of your efforts on buying only what your child needs. Stock up on basics like shoes, jeans, shirts, socks, and underwear. There's no need to buy an entire wardrobe now. Buy clothing throughout the year as you child needs them.
6. Since trends come and go in a flash, try to keep trendy clothing to a minimum. Buy only a few trendy pieces that your son or daughter "just has to have" and then wait until later to buy more.
7. The first day of school is very important to kids so let them feel confident and purchase one special outfit for that first impression. It's also a good idea to have the first day of school outfit planned out because it helps assuage children's anxiety and nerves about the big day.
8. Take advantage of the many back-to-school sales and don't forget about the end-of-summer clearance racks (it will still be hot in most parts of the country when school starts).
9. Shop stores like Old Navy, Target, and Walmart. They carry all the basics at unbeatable prices and they also do a great job of offering "trendier" clothes too.
10.  Above all, have fun shopping with your kids!

You can also find many helpful back-to-school shopping checklists online like this one from Scholastic. Also, make sure to add Scholastic's new 2010 Edition Children's Dictionary to your back-to-school shopping lists. It is truly a must-have for any child starting school this Fall!


ABOUT THE 2010 EDITION {from the website}:
With exciting features, accessible definitions and helpful illustrations and photographs throughout, the new Scholastic Children’s Dictionary is the essential resource that belongs in every home, classroom and library. The 2010 edition of the Scholastic Children’s Dictionary features more than 1,000 full-color photographs, simple sentences, illustrations, and diagrams as well as newly commissioned maps of the world, the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. There are hundreds of new and expanded entries written by a prominent lexicographer as well as thousands of additional sample sentences to illustrate word usage. The dictionary also includes guides on grammar, punctuation and idioms and simplified pronunciations created with real kids in mind! The new Scholastic Children’s Dictionary is an essential resource that belongs in every home, classroom, and library.




This is a compensated post and I was also provided with a complimentary copy of the 2010 Edition of Scholastic's Children's Dictionary. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

As you guys know, we moved about a month ago and it has been a whirlwind of a month or several months I should say. With all of the packing, moving, unpacking, decorating, and then even Lucas got very sick a couple of weeks ago...we've barely had a moment to catch our breath it seems. We are finally starting to feel settled in though and we are in love with our new home! This house is special too. It was actually my parents' home and when they decided to put it on the market--we just knew we had to buy it. The funny thing is that my parents purchased this home at pretty much exactly the same time we purchased our previous home. We both renovated our homes together and I helped my parents pick out a lot of the features in this home. I even talked my parents into letting me paint and antique the built in cabinets in the family room. Little did I know that they would one day be our cabinets in our home!

As busy as the last month has been, it has also been a lot of fun! If you follow Jolly Mom or know me in real life, you KNOW how much I love to decorate. It is honestly one of my passions and I love doing it on a budget! This house was definitely no exception. I would say that 75% of our furniture is actually second hand furniture purchased at yard sales or from Craigslist and then refurbished by me {a hobby of mine}. Even a lot of the artwork was purchased at garage sales and I scored big time several years ago at a going out of business sale at a local home decor store. Of course, most of the decor and furnishings we already had at our previous home so we really didn't have to buy much for this particular house, but it was fun coming up with new ways to use things that couldn't be used in the same way as before. In the last few weeks, I've had several readers email me asking when I would share pictures of our new home so today, I thought it would be fun to do exactly that!









And, just so you guys don't get the wrong impression of me and think that I've got it "all together" LOL.