Zact Affordable Kids Smartphone w/ Parental Controls Averages Just $22 month #MC

Parenting

 
This is a sponsored post made possible by Mom Central on behalf of Zact. However, thoughts here are my own.

Reality check. Am I really the only mean mom on the planet who has not given in to my high school teenagers' demands to own smartphones?

My 4 kids when they were Tweens, MommyBlogExpert.com

There are lots of things that have been holding me back but I think the biggest concerns of all are overusage, abuse (like using during class time and late at night), my childrens' safety and the high costs of associated smartphone service. Perhaps you've been navigating a similar struggle at your house.

That's why I want to share something I just discovered called Zact, a no contract national mobile service that offers parental controls for moms and dads to determine how much and when their kids are allowed to talk, text and access the Internet.  

Here's how it works



Zact, recently featured in USA Today, has received the seal of approval from The National Parenting Center. What's more is the carrier's service averages only about $22 per month-- a real plus if costs are an issue like they are with our family.

Zact is available at Zact.com and BestBuy. For more product information and news, you can connect with the brand via those outlets as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: This compensated #MC post campaign was made possible by Mom Central on behalf of Zact and I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. However, thoughts here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every post on this blog, including this one. 

Restaurant Card Creative Gift Basket DIY Packaging Ideas for the Holidays & #GetBundled Giveaway

Gift Giving

This is a sponsored post. I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. However, thoughts here are my own.

Enter to Win a Dining Gift Package

People of every age here in the U.S. enjoy dining out solo or with friends and family, at least occasionally. Besides, just about all of us have a hard-to-shop-for gal or guy that we'd like to present with a nice holiday gift. So, why not do something different this season by gifting some restaurant giftcards that you cleverly package yourself that recipients will really appreciate?

Good things come in small packages, MommyBlogExpert.com

Restaurant.com is here to help, inspiring you to create fanciful and memorable gift presentations. Whether you've got a movie lover or a workaholic to give to, there's lots of novel ways to turn a restaurant gift card into something more than just a ho-hum gift card. 

Click for full-size view 

Create a Gift Basket

For example, for a movie buff, how about gifting a gift card to go out to dinner and a pair of tickets to a film they've been hoping to see along with some big boxes of candy to bring to the theater? Or for that person who just can't stop burning the midnight oil at the office, why not give them a restaurant giftcard paired with some pretty bath salts and bubble bath soap? 

These and more are the kinds of fun and thoughtful out-of-the box gift giving ideas you'll find at Restaurant.com to turn a simple restaurant gift card into a really spectacular gift that your recipient will remember long after the holiday season ends.

It's time to get ready for the holidays and deck the halls as well as finishing all your Christmas shopping!

MommyBlogExpert.com

Download Restaurant.com's complete 

Holiday Gift Guide How-tos Free HERE

About the Brand
Restaurant.com is a trusted and useful source connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. The company offers savings at thousands of restaurants nationwide with more than 50,000 gift certificate options. To date the site's customers have saved more than $1 billion through the gift certificate program. You can also stay connected w/ Restaurant.com by reading the brand's blog The Dish and by following on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

• Get more shopping ideas at Restaurant.com
• Enter this Giveaway to Win a Dining Gift Package

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post. I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. However, thoughts here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every post on this blog, including this one.

MyCharge Freedom 2000 Powercase iPhone 5 Latest Tech Meets Fashion Accessory Review

Accessories

This is a sponsored post

Great Holiday Gift or Stocking Stuffer Idea for Connected Fashionistas

You don't have to sacrifice fashion for function in this wired world we live in today. As I discovered during LA Fashion Week Spring 2014, tech devices and the accessories to maximize their usefulness are an essential part of my fashion and tech conscious on-the-go, non-stop life as a mom of four and lifestyle blogger. 

Freedom 2000 Powercase in Fuchsia takes center stage, MommyBlogExpert.com

Now that I've been using the new MyCharge Freedom 2000 Powercase for iPhone 5 for several months, putting it through all the paces, I just can't imagine going anywhere without it.

I like my iPhone 5 and my go-to tech brand for mobile devices and desktop computers has been Apple for many years. I mean, really love the iPhone. I just hate that with each new version that's released, the battery seems to burn faster and faster. As a busy national blogger who often travels and takes lots of photos with my smartphone, I simply can't afford to be caught with a dead phone.

Fuchsia, 1 of 6 rich colors Freedom 2000 comes in, MommyBlogExpert.com

The problem is that the other power cases I've tried in the past to provide auxiliary power to my device were ugly and clunky -- not my idea of providing a hip wardrobe for my beloved iPhone that goes with me everywhere. The Freedom 2000 is the first one I've experienced that is loaded with must-have features, is light weight and comes in a rainbow of vibrant hues.

There are so many things things I like about this product. Let me just tell you about a few. For one, it has many protective features. Another asset: it closely mirrors the size of the iPhone 5 because the hard exterior shell is ultra sleek and thin.

Charging Freedom 2000 Powercase w/ my iPhone 5, MommyBlogExpert.com

That's not even to mention that this powercase delivers up to 110% extra battery energy, which is equivalent to about 9 hours of talk or 7 hours of browsing the Web -- something that's proven to be a real lifesaver in my deadline-oriented work environment where every minute counts. This is easy to snap onto your phone, too, and is super simple to charge with its concealed built-in Lightning Cable with or without a smartphone nestled inside.

MommyBlogExpert.com

The Freedom 2000 for iPhone 5 includes the USB charging cable and comes pre-charged, ready to use and features NAC Certified Extreme Drop-proof Protection. In addition to the Fuchsia reminiscent of spring flowers that I received from the brand, colors offered include a nice range of other options to suit individual tastes: Cherry Red, Emerald Green, Cobalt Blue, Violet Purple, Black and Silver.

MyCharge beauty in the hand of the beholder, MommyBlogExpert.com

Listed for $79.99, the Freedom 2000 Powercase may be purchased direct from MyCharge.com as well as from Amazon, Best Buy, T-Mobile and other online retailers and in-store.

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post as I received the product featured from MyCharge to facilitate this review. However, opinions and thoughts are my own. 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.