MBE partnered with Swappa for this post If you are an Apple consumer enthusiast to the core like me, you are in like-minded company. You and I both know that unfettered excitement we feel whenever acquiring next-generation beautifully-designed devices. However, as the owner of multiple iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks over recent years, I've learned by experience that it can get prohibitively expensive to keep buying every new Apple product that comes out. What to do?
First, go grab a cup of coffee and make yourself comfortable. Then allow me to share my latest frugal living discovery for those of you who have the same affinity for Apple design and technology as I do. Meet Swappa.com, where you can often save 50 percent and more on previously loved late model Apple smartphones, tablets and laptops.
What is Swappa?
Swappa is a secure peer-to-peer marketplace for buying and selling the most popular newish consumer tech manufactured by popular brands such as Apple, as well as Samsung and others. To qualify as newish, all gently used products sold on Swappa must be fully-functional, almost new condition, and each transaction is held to a higher standard than other marketplaces. Unlike those other buy and sell online communities, the Swappa tech-savvy staff manually reviews each sale's listing to ensure that you receive what you order in the condition you expect.
By purchasing a lightly used recent Apple iPhone, iPad or MacBook directly from another user you can often save half off and more when compared with buying the product new. As a Swappa user, you'll be the new owner of an Apple product with cutting edge design, getting the same quality and performance but without the sticker shock to go along with.
With prices that low, it's icing on the cake knowing that all purchases are completed through PayPal. So, you receive extensive PayPal protection to ensure you get what you pay for or will be able to easily get a refund if requested. When you find a great deal on Swappa, it is good to know that you don't have to pay the full amount up front, either. As the buyer, you also have the option of smaller, predictable payments if you use PayPal Credit for your Swappa purchase -- and if the full amount is paid back within 6 months -- you can take advantage of not paying any interest on your purchase.
Stay Up to Date on the Latest Tech
Yes, you can keep up with the latest exquisite tech trends without breaking the bank. The Swappa marketplace is your source for a variety of brands of popular phones, tablets, home tech products, and gaming devices. For more details on buying a MacBook through Swappa, check out the Essential Guide to Buying a Used MacBook or check out their full selection of newish MacBooks available. Learn more about Swappa and why your family will love buying used MacBooks. You can also stay in the loop about everything the brand is up to by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert was compensated for this post. However, opinions 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 individual post on this blog, including this one.
MBE partnered with Focus Features for this post Motherhood is the most challenging job a woman can have. Sometimes, actually, it's so tough it pushes many of us unexpectedly to our limits or even beyond. As the mom of four kids born in a year -- first a singleton, followed by triplets -- I have learned by experience how overwhelming and exhausting being a mommy can be. For sure, there are times when moms like you or I need to look within ourselves to find our own unique way to cope and succeed with the challenges before us. In the simplest of terms, that's the premise of the indie movie Tully from Focus Features, opening in theaters nationwide May 4th.
Charlize Theron stars as Marlo in Jason Reitman's TULLY, a Focus Features
release. Credit: Kimberly French / Focus Features
As the film unfolds, Marlo, played by Charlize Theron, is the wife of a not particularly involved workaholic, video-game loving daddy (Ron Livingston). Just a few days from delivering the couple's third child, Marlo is already at the point beyond exhaustion which real life mothers and mothers-to-be will relate to. When her new baby Mia is born, she feels even more alone and exhausted not only by the daily drudgery of nursing and diapering her newborn, but in also meeting the needs of her other kids: a daughter wiser than her years and a quirky son who has sensory issues.
With this kind of mom juggling act, it's easy to see why Marlo is soon wishing for a simple, less complicated life, before marriage and children, a way to escape the current demands of motherhood. Sensing a cry for help, her thoughtful brother Craig (Mark Duplass) makes her an offer: to gift her a night nurse so she can recover from sleep deprivation and reclaim her overall happiness as a wife and mother. What happens next, and how Marlo ultimately copes with her feelings of being an overworked mom, is what the movie is really all about.
Mackenzie Davis stars as Tully in Jason Reitman's TULLY, a Focus Features
release. Credit: Kimberly French / Focus Features
Directed by Jason Reitman, the film's fantastic cinematography (including a scene reminiscent of Shape of Water), along with the on-screen chemistry between Theron and Mackenzie Davis (Tully, the young night nanny), artistically captures the good, bad and ugly human emotions we feel as mothers. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if these performances of Theron and/or Davis were rewarded with Oscar nominations. Trying to be supermoms against all odds, we are not unlike Marlo. We push ourselves to be forever present for our kids, to do everything we can for them, to the point of exhaustion and beyond. To always try to be there when our children need us, no matter how tired we are. The big question is what to do when we've given all we can give. What then?
About Tully With Jason Reitman (Juno, Young Adult) at the helm as director, Tully debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The script, written by Producer Diablo Cody, is inspired by her own first-hand struggles and experiences as the mom of three. The comedy/drama stars Charlize Theron as Marlo the haggard mommy of two young kids plus a newborn. Rounding out the headliners in the cast are Mackenzie Davis as Tully, the young night nanny; Mark Duplass as Craig (Marlo's brother); and Ron Livingston as Drew, Marlo's husband. Rated R, 1 hour 36 minutes, from Focus Features. FTC Disclosure: Focus Features hosted Mommy Blog Expert for a special event and advance screening, as well as press conference, prior to the movie's release to facilitate this review. No payment was received in connection with this post and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
MBE partnered with Gimbal's Fine Candies for this post Win a Case of Jelly Beans, Details Below To celebrate National Jelly Bean Day on Sunday, April 22nd, Mommy Blog Expert is sharing some fun things I've dreamed up to make with jelly beans not only today but any day year-round. Plus: Be sure not to miss details about the super sweet giveaway at the bottom of this post which also launched today. Thanks to Gimbal's Fine Candies, one lucky MBE follower will win a whole case of Gimbal's Jelly Beans in our latest exclusive sweepstakes giveaway!
One thing these recipes and crafts have in common: they're all made with Gimbal's Fine Candies classic 41 Flavors of Jelly Beans candy, made with real fruit juice and no high fructose corn syrup. These candies are also certified kosher OU, gluten-free, peanut free, tree nut free, dairy free, soy free and egg free -- perfect for both adults and kids with special dietary restrictions. Joining the 41 Flavors variety is the brand's newest sweet confection: Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans, also great for crafting because the colors are so bright and vibrant.
Rainbow Jelly Bean Craft
This pretty edible craft not only is creative, it also teaches kids about counting, colors and sorting. After they're done playing and learning, your child can literally taste his or her masterpiece. MBE Jelly Bean Rainbow Activity
French Toast Jelly Bean Recipe
Speaking of eating jelly beans, why not brighten up a lazy Sunday morning family breakfast and surprise the kids with this idea? It's super easy to make and even more delicious. MBE Jelly Bean French Toast Recipe
About Gimbal's Fine Candies Gimbal's Fine Candies was founded in 1898 in downtown San Francisco. Four generations, everyone at Gimbal's is still dedicated to creating delicious confections. From old-time favorites to innovative new candies, Gimbal's products are made in the USA. For additional information call 800-344-6225, visit the brand's site and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. FTC Disclosure: I received product and/or compensation to facilitate this post and the associated giveaway MBE is hosting. Gimbal's is providing the giveaway prize and is responsible for shipping to the winner. Opinions 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 individual post on this blog, including this one.
