What's in This Box? What is Jambu Any Way?

 
Wondering What's in this Box?
What is Jambu* Anyway? 

*I'll give you a hint.  Stay tuned to find out what new style I'm reviewing.  Meanwhile, check out the Jambu site to see the entire line of some of the coolest, most adventurous women's footwear, including shoes and boots, ever.  

Coming Soon:  Watch this blog MommyBlogExpert.com for another blogpost with the lid open so you can see what's inside!

FTC Disclosure:  For this post I received a pair of footwear from Jambu to facilitate the upcoming series of posts reviewing the product.  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular 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.      
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Creative Eco-Friendly Halloween DIY Craft Ideas for Kids & Families

If you're concerned about the environment, why not carry that theme through with every holiday you celebrate?  Just think of the great earth-responsible message you will be sending to your kids when you help them make some of the green creations featured in this Goblin Day post.
MommyBlogExpert's kids pose in the kid-friendly pumpkin patch
at classic roadstop Gilroy's Casa de Fruita in Northern California
Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas

For starters, how about this original MommyBlogExpert idea that uses the whole pumpkin when carving your Jack-o-lantern?

Here's how ensure your pumpkin is 100% earth-friendly:

1. Carve pumpkin as you normally would do.

2. Carefully remove the guts from inside, separating the stringy pulp from the pumpkin seeds.

3. Rinse off the seeds with tap water and leave out in single layer on paper towels to air dry completely.

4. After you've confirmed that your type of pumpkin has edible seeds you can easily roast these by laying them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet, then baking at 300 degree oven for about 40-50 mins. Watch them carefully to avoid burning & allow them to cool completely before eating. Note: You can toss them in a little melted margarine, butter, and/or salt if you like before baking. As a matter of fact you can even sprinkle them with a favorite spice such as chili powder if you want. 

5. Wait -- Don't throw that yucky pulp out! Instead toss it in your composter or if you don't have one of those, throw this biodegradable source of nutrients in the garden outside or indoors in your potted plants.

6. Last but not least, when you are done enjoying your artistic carved sculpture, compost the entire Jack-o-lantern or shred it with a vegetable grater and feed it to your plants inside or out.

Now for some more Green Halloween Ideas:

It's hard to believe that the FaveCrafts.com Halloween wreath pictured on their site was made with recycled brown paper grocery bags.  Get the easy and FREE downloadable directions and the patterns to cut out all the shapes and make this project on their site now.

Next is an idea that's not only frugal but also eco-friendly: creating a Trick-or-Treat Bag out of a large, empty cardboard oatmeal canister (or similar clean cardboard box).  Check out Celebrations.com for the simple directions to make this project here

Kiwi Magazine's October/November 2010 issue has an excellent not to be missed feature story showing kids how to make everything you need green for Halloween (hey the rhymes) -- from costumes, treats and crafts to decorations and more.   For example, one idea is to make a garland of pumpkins with shapes cut out of used cereal boxes that your child can then color or paint. Get full directions for this as well as some really clever DIY costumes -- the beekeeper and mad scientist get-ups look particularly cool I think -- on Kiwi's website here

You can also make Halloween crafts and decorations with a lot the things you normally would throw out: tin cans, jars, toilet paper rolls, etc.  Check out this idea and see how to make it plus get some inspiration for 7 more eco-friendly ideas at CraftingAGreenWorld.com

Enter an Eco-Friendly Halloween Contest, Too
Though this is a contest not a craft wanted to share it with you since it's so eco-responsible.  Swap.com is running a really green contest.  For this one, the Best Recycled Costume Wins!  Upload your photos to their Facebook page here

Don't miss these other Fun & Creative
MommyBlogExpert Halloween Posts!
FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular 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.     
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Fashionable Shopping Benefiting Breast Cancer

Doing Good

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness


Post Contains Affiliate Links

Whether we've just been diagnosed ourselves, or we've already been devastated at the loss of a friend to this invasive killer, or we fortunately have a survivor in our family -- we all share a common experience.  Yes, even the lucky ones who are not among the 1 in 8 women who will develop Breast Cancer during their lifetimes... virtually each and every one of us is affected.

This post is written in that spirit, in memory of those who fought valiantly but lost, as much as to honor and celebrate the lives of all those who have survived.  Ultimately, this story is composed with the hope that the cure we all seek is imminent.  Until then, I aim to do my small part to help build awareness about this disease as well as to share some of the many ways that you can easily contribute to the cause simply by Buying PINK -- especially during October which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Practical Just-Because Pink Gift Ideas for the Cause, To Give or Buy for Yourself - $50 or Less

Pink Nail Polish Benefits Breast Cancer























OPI
High fashion nail polish designer OPI included a bottle of this special 2010 Edition of Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer and the logo toe separators in the goody bag I received at the Cure in the Canyons benefit in Beverly Hills. Underscoring their commitment OPI is donating $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the U.S. and $5,000 to Canada's Rethink Breast Cancer. Products exclusively sold in salons.  You can help the cause too.  Find out where to buy on OPI.




Snazzy Lites Pink Hair Extensions
As you can see from the pictures immediately above my two teen triplet daughters (they also have a triplet brother) just love the Hair Extensions by Gorgeous Strandz in Playful Pink sent to us by Snazzy Lites.  These are so easy to clip into your hair and are really fun either for kid costumes this Halloween or even for you big girls who want your hair to be very hip-looking and on trend without having to dye it.  They come in so many different pretty colors, too, that you could get some to go with practically any outfit in your closet.  Just think of all the fashion possibilities.  Best of all, Snazzy Lites is donating $2 of every Playful Pink Hair Extension purchase to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure campaign.  Plus you get 20% off your entire order by using code Snazzy20 at checkout, now through Oct. 31st. $11.99 each


Harry & David
Currently available online is this lovely special edition Harry & David Pink Pears with Tote Gift Basket which you see pictured at left.  This features a dainty pink cotton shopping tote bag that's packed along with a box of 9 of H&D premium juicy and sweet Royal Riviera Pears, including two that are wrapped in pink foil as pictured.  Not only will the recipient receive a beautiful and healthy gift, but Harry & David is donating 25% of the proceeds from this through the company's Pink Pear program.  This effort supports the Noreen Fraser Foundation that promotes breast cancer research, awareness, and more.  Available for shipping from October 11 through February 15.  $36.95

The Breast Cancer Site
These Pink Ribbon Spirit Rain Boots, pictured at left, are Haute Couture at its most functional for us big girls! Available in women's sizes from TheBreastCancerSite.com, funding mammograms for women who are in need.  $49.95


Enchanted Acres Designs on Etsy
From the Enchanted Acres Designs shop on Etsy.com comes this Vintage Retro Black Fleece Cloche Hat with removable pink polka dot bow (pictured at left).  Buy it direct from this Etsy entrepreneur.  A portion of all proceeds from each of the Breast Cancer hats on Enchanted Acres's online store will be donated to the cause.  $35.95

 




Susan G. Komen for the Cure Shop
If you're an animal lover, don't forget man's (and woman's) best friend.  So what better time than now to get this stylish dog leash pictured here (a matching collar also is sold) on the the official Komen.org shopping site.  $12.00





FTC Disclosure:  As mentioned in this post, the OPI Nail Lacquer product was given to me at the Cure in the Canyons event; I also received the Playful Pink Hair Extensions from Snazzy Lites to faciliate 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.     
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

FREE Stuff: 2010's Best of Family Halloween Crafts, Party & Celebration Ideas

Bookmark this Page NOW -- as this post will be constantly updated through October 31, 2010 with the most creative Halloween  ideas to be found anywhere

Photo from
KatydidandKid

Historically Halloween in the U.S. has always been a favorite holiday that is celebrated by both kids and adults.  Despite the current state of the American economy -- Yes, I do think we are still in the midst of the Great Recession -- based on all the great FREE ideas for crafts, food, and parties I've discovered to share with you, I'm betting that this season will be just as fun.
 
For starters, Evite is overflowing with lots of choices for Halloween party invitations to suit everyone's tastes.  Available at the click of your mouse here

Perfect for creating the right front doorstep ambiance this Fright Night is this cluster of ideas from HomemadeSimple that will provide lots of visual, sensory, and audio thrills as party guests or trick-or-treaters arrive at your house. See the ideas here

Next, how about a clever Candy Corn popcorn holder idea from Celebrations.com?  This would be great as a party favor for Halloween parties at school, home, office, or anywhere else, as well as to give out to trick or treaters who stop by your house this season.  Could be used for popcorn, candy corn, dried fruit, nuts, or any other treat that fits inside.  Best of all, this is a craft that's easy enough for young kids to do.  Directions here

The Goth-est inspired Halloween Raven Wreath I've seen so far this year!  It's an easy and inexpensive craft to make either for your own door or as a gift for a friend.  This uses Glue Dots which are a real miracle craft material in my book.  Thanks to the fall post on Katydid and Kid's Blog, you can get directions to make this here

These kid-friendly Halloween Punch Tips for Kids' Parties from the Celebrations.com site are eerily wild.  One idea: put wiggly gummy worms in a blood-red glass of Kool Aid served in a clear glass and sit back and watch the party guests scream with fright.

Clever Salt Dough Halloween Shapes from AllFreeCrafts.com made from cookie cutters.  Directions for this kid craft and lots more for this holiday here

FREE Halloween Downloadables & Printables, Too
Family Fun has come through once again with an excellent selection of fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving-theme coloring page printables that are yours simply by downloading them here

Create and download your own customized coloring pages, too!  Also from Family Fun.  Access this great, free tool here

Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's
Know of additional FREE ideas for Halloween arts and crafts for kids?  If so, share yours here.  Please leave a comment including a brief description of the contest/giveaway with a link to it. Remember, this is a family-centric blog, so as always all posts must be G-rated.
 
FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular 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.    
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A Bumper Crop of Family-Friendly Halloween Contests & Giveaways During October

Bookmark this page now and keep checking back as MommyBlogExpert will add additional contests to the list as they are confirmed. Know about a Halloween contest that's not already listed here? Then feel free to leave a brief description and link (if you have one) in the comments below.

Handmade Teletubbies Costumes MommyBlogExpert Made for Her kids
Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

Who doesn't love to be a winner?

Here is a run down of just a handful of the many FREE Halloween-themed contests and giveaways that you and your family can enter this month.  The more contests you enter, the more likely you are to win something, right? So what are you waiting for? Follow the links to the giveaways that appeal to you right now.
  • MommyBlogExpert and Kidtoons Spookley the Square Pumpkin Giveaway enter here, Ends 10/25
  • PopChips Snack-o-lantern contest - Pop your pumpkin for chance to PopChips for your Halloween Party enter here , Ends 10/24
  • FamilyFun.com Family Costume Contest - WIN a $1,250 Disney Store Gift Card enter here, Ends 11/1
  • FamilyFun.com Terror-rific Kid's Costume Contest - WIN 4 movie tickets every month for a year enter here, Ends 11/1
  • Babyzone.com Boo-tiful Baby Costume Photo Contest - WIN a Bugaboo Bee or Clek Oobr Booster Seat, Pooh Bedding Set, and $250 Disney Store Gift Card enter here , Ends 11/1
  • Kaboose.com Bow-Meow-Ween Pet Costume Contest - WIN a Solvit Houndabout Pet Trailer or a King Kong Pet Toy & Gift Basket, enter here, Ends 11/1
  • Divine Chocolate Contest - Share your Halloween Dress for Success story enter here, Ends 10/23 
  • Michael's Spook-duck-ular Duck Tape Costume Contest - WIN a $500 Gift Card, see rules here and enter here, Ends 10/31 
  • Swap.com is running a really green contest.  For this one, the Best Recycled Costume Wins!  Upload your photos to their Facebook Wall page here 
  • Decorating with Glue Dots for Halloween Contest, enter here, Ends 11/5
Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's
Know of additional Halloween Family-Friendly Contests and Giveaways?  If so, please leave a comment including a brief description of the contest/giveaway with a link to it. Remember, this is a family-centric blog, so as always all posts must be G-rated.
FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular 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.     
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