Little Tikes Coupe GIVEAWAY CONTEST

WIN this Classically Cool Coupe Car
from Little Tikes

Now through May 10, 2010

ENTERING this MommyBlogExpert Giveaway Contest IS EASIER THAN EVER 

To be eligible to win this Little Tikes prize, all you need to do is leave a single comment below this post mentioning what your child's favorite Little Tikes product is along with your email, Twitter and/or Facebook contact info so we may reach the winner.  Note: If you are also doing the optional extra entry(s) there is no need to leave a second comment.

For the Main Entry (required) just leave a comment as described above. Limit to one of this entry type

For Unlimited Extra Entries - Do Any or All of the Following

1. Follow MommyBlogExpert on Twitter 
2. Fan MommyBlogExpert on Facebook

3. RT this message exactly (to avoid errors) on Twitter and/or post to your Facebook  page:

WIN This Cool & Classic #LittleTikes Coupe w/ EASY 1-Step Entry #kids #toy #contest #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/y6gybvd RT

4. Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert's Blog
5. Follow @littletikes on Twitter and/or on Facebook 

Note:  Remember no need to leave a second comment for any of your extra entries, as contestants are limited to a total of one comment on this blogpost

Additional Contest Rules:  U.S. legal residents only are eligible to win.  One Little Tikes Coupe prize to be awarded, valued at approximately $50.  Limit of one main entry (required) however optional extra entries are unlimited.  In either case, each giveaway entrant is limited to one comment on this blogpost.  Contest runs now through May 10, 2010 at 11:59 pm PST.  The winner will be chosen at random and the winner's name will be posted here shortly after the giveaway has ended.
 

FTC Disclosure: Little Tikes is providing the prize for this MommyBlogExpert giveaway contest. MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post or giveaway contest.  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.  

Stylish Eco-Friendly Clothes & More for Kids - On Zulilly for a Limited Time Now

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert

Eco-Friendly Savings Special for MommyBlogExpert Readers

Save $10 on any Zulily purchase of $30 or more

Must Use COUPON CODE:  MOMEXPERT10
for this Offer

Since summer is coming up, as a columnist for Zulily's Blog I invite you to read my recent post Make Packing A Breeze for Your Next Family Vacation as well as share with you some more beautiful kids clothes currently on sale at Zulily.com
  

Don't miss Zulily's online marketplace of Eco-Friendly Kids Clothes, including these cute June Plum Boy & Girl pieces & more in a limited Jane Plum sale going on right now, ends April 19th

The Earth-friendly June Plum Girls sweet keyhole dress at left, in girls sizes 2 toddler to 5, is made of bamboo fibers and organic cotton.  The dress comes in several colors; other cute tops and skirts and ruffled pants are also on sale.  Also, there are some darling little one piece outfits for baby infants and girls in smaller sizes.

Another very cool & "green" style, even though it comes in yellow/gray as shown and other colors, is the June Plum Boys 100% organic cotton t-shirt (available several two-tone colors). Not only is it good for the environment, don't you just adore those cute elephants on the front on this little boy's shirt which comes in sizes 2 toddler to 6?  Other handsome pieces for boys and babies in this June Plum collection also are available.

Zulily runs special savings events constantly featuring a delectable assortment of comparable other brands, too, with each sale limited to 72 hours in duration.  The best part is that MommyBlogExpert readers get $10 off purchases of $30 or more whether you purchase June Plum or any other brand Zulily sells.  Remember whatever you decide to purchase for yourself or someone else, be certain to use coupon code MOMBLOGE10 (Offer expires 4/16/2010) at checkout to take advantage of this opportunity to save big.

What is Zulily, anyway?
Zulily.com is an online marketplace where you can buy top-quality apparel, gear and other goodies for moms, babies and kids (both boys and girls).  Members can save up to 70% off retail prices—not to mention discover all the exciting new brands showcasing their products here.  

Only members can shop their sales, but membership is free and sign up is fast and easy.  After you register, be sure to invite your friends to join, too, as well as to visit this MommyBlogExpert blogpost to access the savings code they'll need to get $10 off purchases of $30 or more.  As the Zulily shopping community grows, so will their ability to offer you even better prices and selection.

Based in Seattle, Washington, Zulily.com was formed by retail and e-commerce veterans.  They're dedicated to bringing their members great finds at great prices, as well as giving emerging brands a place to showcase their products.


* $10 off Zulily.com purchase of $30 or more when you use code MOMBLOGE10 at checkout. Note: this special MommyBlogExpert coupon code offer expires April 16, 2010

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert is a guest blogger for  Zulily's Blog.  However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any products, 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. 

Improve Your Family's Health With An Allergy-Free Home Environment With Some EASY Eco Friendly Changes

A Guest Post

By Shaylee Oleson, Eco Shaylee, LCC

For MommyBlogExpert

Did you know that if you or someone you love suffers from allergies, the culprit may be more than just the outside pollen count?  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that our indoor air is now five times more polluted than outside air.  Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, it just stands to reason that you should take a closer look at the inside environment you’re living in.

For example, are you

• Running the dryer with scented fabric softener sheets?
• Using plug-in air fresheners in bathrooms and elsewhere around the house?
• Hoarding lots of clutter, especially papers and books, or even a huge surplus of kid toys and stuffed animals like those shown in the picture below of MommyBlogExpert's kids' room? 

There are many factors that go into creating good indoor air quality, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. The problem started back in the 70s during the oil embargo.  As heating costs rose, we sealed our homes by adding more insulation, caulking, etcetera, which then reduced air leaks in our homes.  However, we forgot to make allowances for indoor air circulation and overall interior quality.   

More than 50 years ago, 1 in 50 people had allergies, today 1 in 4 do.  The  Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America confirms that allergy prevalence has been increasing since the early 80s.

Today's marketplace is responding by creating healthier home care products.  However, do your research before buying and using these items because "greenwashing" -- touting a brand as green when it only has some green properties -- is an increasingly common consumer marketing strategy to boost sales.  

Some immediate actions to reduce allergies and green up your house include:

• Choosing a furnace filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 13-16 for forced air furnaces
• Implementing a “no shoes” policy in your house.  Shoes carry allergy triggers such as pesticides and other allergens into your home.  Pesticides bond with fibers in synthetic carpets and can’t be vacuumed out
• Buying or making your own non-toxic cleaners for household cleaning
• Cleaning carpeted areas and upholstered furniture thoroughly once a week, ideally with an “S” type HEPA vacuum -- such as those made by Dyson and Miele -- since dust from many vacuums on the market today can remain in the air for up to two hours after vacuuming.
• Avoiding scented dryer sheets and plug-in air fresheners because they contain phthalates, a toxic chemical that is also found in baby teething rings and bath duckies, which are hormone mimickers and can alter one’s hormonal balance.
• Filtering out chlorine not only from drinking water, but also from showering or bathing water because toxins in chlorine can potentially trigger asthma -- you might be surprised to know that 50% percent of all chlorine intake each day is from showering
• Reducing your clutter because the “C-word” gives mold and other allergy triggers great places to land and multiply, and can make cleaning much more difficult and time consuming than necessary
• Adding plants to your environment and avoiding over watering of greenery that is another source of mold growth
• Washing sheets in 140+ degree water and using a mattress cover because bedding or even your favorite couch or stuffed chair can be a huge source of dust mite activity -- and in fact, these parasites actually feed off your dead skin cells and allergic reactions and are from the feces
• Wearing organic clothes and using organic sheets
• Keeping humidity at 35-50% to avoid mold growth

You’d be surprised how incremental changes such as these can make a big difference.  So do what you can today for a healthier home and healthier lives for you and every member of your family.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN
MommyBlogExpert blames those pesky stuffed animals and kids' toys as the possible cause of allergies in her family.  What is your family's worst DUST MAGNET?  And if by chance you've been successful eradicating household shmutz, what is your secret solution to getting rid of it? We look forward to you sharing your thoughts on this in the comment section below this post.
 

Professional Eco Specialist "Shaylee" Sharon Oleson of Eco Shaylee LLC, pictured at left, is dedicated to eco-friendly initiatives that help both individuals and the environment.  Since 2005, she has worked with chemically- and electrically-sensitive people to improve their health through the home environment by providing environmental inspections and eco-consultations on consumer goods and new construction or remodeling projects.

FTC Disclosure:   Eco Shaylee provided the above blogpost to MommyBlogExpert for publication on this blog.   MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation for publishing this post from any of the individuals, companies, or organizations mentioned.  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.