Thursday, May 31, 2012

June is Great Outdoors Month NWF Invites Families & Kids to Great American Family Backyard Campout

Nature 



WIN a Trip to NY or L.A., Details below post

In May, MBE reviewed the children's animated feature Sid the Science Kid Backyard Campout from PBS.  Now family friendly backyard campouts are front and center again because June is Great Outdoors Month by Presidential proclamation. So what better time than now to actually show our kids by example why it’s called the Great Outdoors. Throughout the coming days there will be all kinds of opportunities that reintroduce children across the U.S. to getting outside for some fresh air, old-fashioned fun and quality family time.

2 of my Triplets frolic in a Highland Tepee Tent in our Yard
An ideal place to start is by getting your family to participate in the 8th Annual Great American Backyard Campout on June 23. Fundraising is optional but National Wildlife Federation is encouraging backyard campers everywhere to help raise funds to support programs that make it possible for America’s kids to switch screen time with green time.

Now that school is out for much of the nation, kids are already spending too much time sitting indoors with their  electronic devices. The program's main focal point is to change all that by helping parents to foster a healthy outdoor lifestyle that young and old can enjoy together.
 
Image from NWF
Free registration on NWF Campout Website gives access to
  • Campfire Recipes
  • Nocturnal Wildlife Guides
  • Campfire Songs
  • Camping Games
  • Nature Activities
  • Lots More Fun

    Image from NWF
NWF’s report The Dirt on Dirt: How Getting Dirty Outdoors Benefits Kids seems to indicate that outdoor time can reduce childhood obesity while also increasing overall health quality in our kids. Fresh air also is known to enhance creativity and attention spans, decrease aggression, and boost classroom performance.  

Best of all, a night outside will give kids the chance to experience first-hand why it’s called the GREAT outdoors.
Image from NWF
Giveaway
Campers who register on NWF’s web site will be entered in the sweepstakes for a chance to go behind-the-scenes with celebrity naturalist David Mizejewski and some of his amazing wildlife friends. One lucky camper and a guest wins a trip to an upcoming NWF TV appearance in New York or Los Angeles.  Prize includes round trip airfare for two (2) from the contiguous United States or the District of Columbia, one (1) night hotel accommodation, one (1) meal for winner and guest with David and ground transportation to and from the airport. The potential winner will be selected through a random drawing on Monday, June 25, 2012, from all eligible entries received by Sponsor.

National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future. Campout, which is made possible by national sponsors REI and the Coleman Company, is a signature event of NWF’s Be Out There movement whose goal is to engage 10 million new kids in outdoor play over the next three years. The Great American Backyard Campout lets kids explore a whole other world right in their own backyard at a local camp ground, or at a larger community camping event. 

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Twitter Party Calendar This Week May 28 - June 3

Twitter Parties



Updated 6/1/12

The week of May 28 - June 3 is off and running with lots more Twitter parties on the schedule with prizes to win.  Keep checking back as new events are added to the lineup -- because this list is updated continuously all week, often several times daily with new and even cooler prize-winning opportunities. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up in the weeks ahead. Be the first to know when next week's Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog.


THIS WEEK

Monday, May 28

Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 29

Twitter Party celebrating 529 Day hosted by @Saving4college at 2 pm EST. Prizes: Signed soft-cover copy Family Guide to College Savings written by @529Guru Joseph Hurley (5 winners) and grand prize $52.90 gift to your 529 plan (1 winner). RSVP

Best of PAM (Pregnancy Awareness Month) Twitter Party at 10 pm EST. Use hashtag #MayPAM and check out all the baby prizes from Plum Organics, Aveeno and others that are too numerous to list. Details


Wednesday, May 30

@GlossyBox_us Twitter Party at 3 pm EST w/ co-host @TheTinyTieRant talking about summer beauty. Use #Glossychat hashtag to join the fun

@Influenster invites you to the #BeautyVoxBox Twitter Party at 4 pm EST. Prizes TBA. RSVP

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm EST.  Prize: XY Board Tablet. This week they're discussing Verizon's initiative called HopeLine in support of victims of domestic violence. Must RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #HopeLine to be eligible to win.

You're invited to the @CAbiClothing Fashion Twitter Party at 9 pm EST hosted by @momtrends and @savvysassymoms. Use hashtag #CAbiStyle; prizes includeTHREE (3) $200 Cabi Gift Certificates. RSVP


Thursday, May 31

Don't miss the #cbias #GELighting  Twitter Party hosted by @lomargie at 1 pm EST. Talking about sustainability, saving money and more. Walmart gift card prizes: TWO (2) $25, ONE (1) $50 and ONE (1) $100. RSVP

You'll love the @VerizonWireless Twitter Chat that @MomsLA is hosting at 9 pm EST talking about Smartphones and 4G. Featuring Verizon's Regional Data Manager/Southern California, Pepsi LaMar @gopepsi1. Prize: a Motorola XY Board Tablet. #MomsLAChat RSVP

Come to the @Fandango Snow White and the Huntsman #FandangoSnowWhite Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Lots of prizes: Fandango Bucks, DVDs, branded cell phone mirror, nail polish, lip gloss, sling bag and lots more to win. Details


Friday, June 1

Join the #theonlinemom #VZWBuzz @VerizonInsider for the weekly Twitter Party hosted by @theOnlineMom at 3 pm EST. Prizes: Win a Galaxy Nexus by Samsung or a Verizon Insider Swag Bag. To be eligible for prizes participate in the party and RSVP


Next Week

Monday, June 4

It's all about mountain ski vacations with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando and @DebMomof3 at the #TMom party at 9 pm EST. Prize TBA, RSVP

Join @_Kaboodle for the Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Prizes: Fun party supplies and $25, $50 and $75 gift certificates! #PKandK RSVP


Tuesday, June 5

Join the @Cravebox Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Prizes include five products from the May Cravebox as well as some Craveboxes will be given away. RSVP

The @FortyliciousCA and @RandomHouseCA Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Prizes: 10 copies of new book Shelter Details

Don't miss the @DairyUTNV #gno Twitter Party at 9 pm EST to talk about dairy basics. Hosted by @MomitForward. Prize: A KitchenAid 5 Quart Artisan Stand Mixer (ARV $350) RSVP

@GirlsLunchOut invites you to the #GraduateToGo Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Sponsor @TacoBell is donating $5 per tweet w/ the hashtag to the cause, plus they'll be giving away a bunch of giftcards. RSVP

Come to the Nakano Splash of Sabor Twitter Party from 9-10:30 pm EST - be sure to follow @LatinaMomBlogs and @NakanoSplash. Prizes: Kindle Fire, TWO (2) $75 Walmart Gift Cards, and THREE (3) Nakano branded gift baskets.   RSVP


Wednesday, June 6

@MomSpark invites everyone to the @Cablemover Twitter Party at 8 pm EST. 10 Prizes: ONE (1) $100 Visa Giftcard, ONE (1) $25 Home Depot GC, ONE (1) $25 IKEA GC, $25 Visa GC and FIVE (5) Cablemover Swag Bags. #MovingSeason RSVP 


Thursday, June 7

Be sure to join @SocialMoms #TogetherCounts Twitter Party at 7 pm EST
Prizes: RT for a chance to win one of TEN (10) $20 Amazon gift cards before the party plus during the event you might win one of an additional TEN (10) $20 Amazon GCs
RSVP  


Coming Soon 

Tuesday, June 19

Come to the #SummerFluff Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Hosted by @theEcoChic. Loads of prizes. RSVP


About this Weekly Twitter Party List Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com
Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on some. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Heirloom Quality Handmade Eco Friendly Jewelry That Gives Back to the Artisan That Made It


Accessories


For this post, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.


Two hearts beating as one. Literally. That's what this heart hand crafted pendant and labor of love represents -- both to those women who wear it here in the U.S. and to the talented artists Haiti who make each unique piece by hand. This partnership, in a very beautiful way,  is helping to rebuild lives ravaged by Hurricane Tomas. What's more is it's green and environmentally responsible piece because it incorporates recycled material that might otherwise go into a landfill.


What could be more special than this one-of-a-kind jewelry?  It truly is a three-way legacy from Haitian artisan, to you the giver, to the recipient of this accessory that really does have heart in a big way. Strung on a soft faux leather thong, each Heart of Haiti piece is hand cut and hammered using recycled steel. The product is part of Macy's FairwindsTrading program that connects cultures through business, art and understanding.

This is definitely not a gift you need an occasion to give -- though it would make a lovely and thoughtful present for everything from birthdays and anniversaries to Mother's Day.  

As a matter of fact, I can think of so many ways this heart pendant can be gifted. Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking about why it might be a good idea to buy not one, but two of these.
  • Celebrating best friends, one for you and one for them
  • A mother-daughter or daughter-mother just because gesture
  • A way to connect with  a special sister, sister-in-law, aunt, or  grandma
  • To show a woman with cancer that you care
  • For your daughter and for your favorite teacher
I'm so glad that I received two of these since two of my triplets are girls and I've already given them each one because I don't want to wait for their birthday.  

This is a gift that not only is something my daughters can accessorize with. It also teaches them about that hard-working ethic that has been lost to so many of America's youth. It's also a meaningful lesson about people in a seemingly hopeless situation, who have instead risen to the occasion, to turn a negative life experience into a positive one. 


Something that gives from every perspective, and most definitely from the heart. That's what Heart of Haiti is all about.

FTC Disclosure: As stated at the top of this post I worked with Clever Girls Collective on this project. I received product to facilitate this review but Mommy Blog Expert did not receive any other payment or compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.