Kidtoons Stila Makeup Giveaway - Ends 9/1/11 - Because Being a Mom Isn't All Work

Giveaway
Convertible Color in Rose

Every month Mommy Blog Expert hosts a Kidtoons multi-prize package giveaway for kids, including the current one running in association with Kidtoon's Babar and the Adventures of Badou movie now in theaters. 

But moms need to have treats now and then, too.  So, for the first time, I'm pleased to announce the launch of another Kidtoons giveaway, that's especially for deserving moms featuring Stila cosmetics!

Kidtoons Stila
Wake Up Your Makeup 
Mom Giveaway
ENDS 9/1/11
Image provided by Kidtoon Films.com

WINNER Receives:

Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Cream
In Rose, Retails for $25

    HOW TO ENTER

    Leave one or more comments below this post. Contest ends September 1, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only.

    For the Required (Mandatory) Entry
    Simply leave a comment below this blogpost with your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info so we may contact the winner. In the event that you are the lucky one, MommyBlogExpert will contact you for your shipping address.

    For Additional Chances to Win
    Get extra entries for following MommyBlogExpert and/or Kidtoons on Twitter and/or Facebook and for subscribing to this blog. Remember: Be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each individual action you do to confirm them so we can record all your extra chances to win.

    EXTRA Chances to WIN Include

    Following MommyBlogExpert (1 or 2 extra entries)
    On Facebook

    AND

    Following Kidtoon Films (1 or 2 more extra entries)
    On Facebook 

    AND 
    Following Stila Cosmetics (1 or 2 more extra entries)
    On Twitter
    On Facebook 

    AND

    Subscribing to MommyBlogExpert's blog (1 extra entry) - Go to right column to sign up 

    AND

    In ADDITION to doing any or all of the extra entries above, you can earn one extra entry each time you Tweet the message exactly in the paragraph immediately below (limit 3 separate tweets for 3 extra entries per day). 

    Stila @Kidtoonfilms Mom Wake Up Your Makeup GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/3vmykgs #giveaway #mom @stilacosmetics RT 2 #WIN


    Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

    About Kidtoon Films
    Kidtoons mission is to showcase fun and affordable family-centric movies at participating theaters. Every month a different entertaining child's film is screened at well over 100 neighborhood theaters across the U.S. So, be sure to check theater locations near you because more big screens where you can take your child to see this have been added recently .

    Stila Cosmetics Discount Code & An Additional Contest
    Stila is also offering Kidtoon moms 20% off and free shipping on product ordered through 
    the Stila site using the special STILAMOM coupon code.  While you're visiting Stila's site, you can also enter for a chance to win $500 gift basket of their products.   *** Don't forget to write in MommyBlogExpert in the referral box on that contest entry page!



    LOTS More 
    Great Family-Friendly Giveaways!
    Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert
    ENTER Them All HERE

    FTC Disclosure: Kidtoon Films has provided the prizes for this giveaway.  However, 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.
    29 comments:

    Grab Special Addtl Savings Code for Little Tikes Garden Cart

    Saving Money


    Little Tikes Summer ToddlerToy

    This post contains affiliate links, allowing me to earn a small commission if you purchase this at no extra cost to you.

    Readers know that I love Little Tikes, both when my own children were little and also recently when I reviewed the really cute Little Tikes 2-in-1 Flower Cart & Wheel Barrow you see pictured.

    Here's an update to my last post about the great Christmas in July savings Little Tikes has been offering during July.  For this weekend only, they've given me access to an exclusive code that gives all MommyBlogExpert readers an extra 5% off your entire order*

    Just use the code: SANTASALE at checkout and get an extra 5% off your entire order. Remember this code is good only this weekend.

    *The Fine print: Discount applies to product total only, excluding shipping and taxes.  But don't forget, MANY of their items always come with Free Shipping.  This offer is not valid on previous purchases and discount may not exceed $200.


    Image provided by Little Tikes


    Also, I just received word that they've currently got a super special price this month with their Cozy Cruiser jogging stroller which can easily convert into a two-seat bike trailer without ANY tools.  For July only they've taken an extra $60 off the regular price plus free shipping is included.



    FTC Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase I'm able to earn a small commission without any extra cost to you. 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.
    No comments:

    Parties Galore at BlogHer 11 - What's the Hottest Ticket This Year?



    BlogHer 11  Tips
    Ocean Sunset
    iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

    The invitations are out and many of the BlogHer parties have been completely booked for weeks and months.  In fact, most are only accepting people for their wait lists.  Had this not been my first BlogHer I've ever attended, I would have been all the wiser to RSVP a lot sooner.  I had no idea how competitive getting party invitations could be, but have now learned my lesson for next year.

    At last count, I'd say there are more than 20 unofficial and official scheduled parties outside of the conference during a little over two days from Thursday nite - Saturday nite, August 4-6.  Those events, BTW,  are only the ones that I've heard about on Twitter and Facebook that I've been sharing with my followers and by looking at the BlogHer site and checking Mom Spark's BlogHer party list which is constantly being updated.

    Most events, due to space limitations, have a maximum capacity.  Some parties are by invitation only.  Others are first-come first-served via EventBrite ticketing, while still others, like for the Dove Ice Cream Yacht Party, BlogHer attendees are asked to submit their information directly to the brand's representative and then await confirmation of an invitation.

    My own humble schedule is just beginning to shape up.  First and foremost I look forward to the conference itself both as a first-time mommy blogger attendee and as a speaker and panel moderator on Saturday for the session Minding Your Own Business - Your Blog Can Make You a Local Hero.

    Party-wise, I know I'll be attending several of the no-RSVP-required official events such as Evening at the Expo Hall on Thurs night and a variety of other official BlogHer after hours get togethers.

    I also feel very fortunate to be confirmed to attend the Life Well Lived event hosted by Procter & Gamble all day on Thursday.  In addition, I plan on going to several other parties over the weekend, but details haven't been finalized yet.  I may even be volunteering at one party that's very popular this year, too.  Then there's all the events that I'm on the wait list for that I'm hoping I'll get to go to.

    How about you? How many parties are you confirmed to attend as of now? Which ones? How many others are you wait listed on that you really want to be at? Which events do you think are the hottest tickets this year?  And the biggest question of all, is anyone planning on going to all or almost all of these soirees.

    FTC Disclosure:  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.
    No comments:

    5 Great Back to School Ideas for Parents & Kids to Survive Another Year - PLUS Daily Sweepstakes



    Education

    My kids on the first day of school some years ago
    Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

    Surviving with kids and school is my specialty.  Having triplets plus one more all born within a year that are now all teens certainly has qualified me for learning from the trenches.  I've written plenty of posts about how to manage through another school year.  These stories have included everything from  how I home school 4 kids to ideas I've tried and tested myself for dealing with kid cabin fever.

    Here are my top 5 Strategies for School Survival that will keep both kids and mom happy!

    1. Shop for school supplies as far ahead of the start of school as possible.  Go shopping early and you'll not only have a wider selection to choose from, but everyone will feel less stressed than trying to find everything that you need at the last minute. Whatever you do, if you are shopping for multiple kids, don't pick out lunch boxes or back packs ahead of time.  Bring the kids to the store and avoid sibling rivalry.

    2. Don't overschedule extra activities for your kids.  If they are older and already planning their own extra curriculars, then try to be available to help them decide how much they should take on so they don't find themselves overloaded later.

    3. Be your child's best friend by being there for him or her to tell you about their day, every day when they come home from school.  Our family has mandatory sit down dinners during the week as frequently as possible so that we can all keep up on each others' experiences. 

    4. Find out at the start of the school year what all the days off will be for you and your child.  Then, so everyone is on the same page, mark these dates right away on a centrally located calendar in the kitchen.  Many schools provide the entire school year calendar up front, so definitely take advantage of that information.

    5. Lastly, but probably most important, be as involved with your child's school and extra outside activities as you possibly can.  Get to know the teachers that will be teaching your family at the beginning of the year, and don't wait for any surprises when it's time for those parent-teacher conferences in late fall.

    The common theme here is that you can actually support your child and his schooling quite actively all the way through high school.  Kids do want to know they have an adult that they can always rely on to help them when they need it -- with all the paperwork that school involves from doing homework to college applications, and even dealing with sticky social situations with friends -- they'll be plenty of opportunities for you to provide support. 

    Master Lock Humor on You Tube


    As long as you stay tuned in to when your child wants you at arm's length and when they need a hug or kind words of encouragement, both parents and kids are likely to have the best school year ever! 
    Image provided by Master Lock

    Master Lock Daily Sweepstakes
    Parents and students are invited to submit their own questions for the Master Mind and participate in daily sweepstakes for a chance to win back-to-school must-haves, including popular Master Lock school and campus security products.  More information about the back-to-school video series and sweepstakes, as well as the newest and coolest Master Lock back-to-school accessories, can be found at http://mwne.ws/pELmnK.  You can also find Master Lock on Facebook.

    FTC Disclosure:  As a participant in its MomBloggersClub campaign, I will receive a gift card and product from Master Lock in exchange for writing this story to spread the word about the brand's back to school security products and sweepstakes promotion.   I did not receive any 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. 
    No comments:

    Staples Back to School Modern Family Event

    Community

    As a mom who blogs I often write about topics such as education and community service.  Readers might recall some of my more popular posts related to school, like how to stay sane while home schooling and solutions to fighting kid cabin fever with preschoolers and elementary age kids, among others.




    MBE partnered with Staples for this story

    I also am big on teaching kids how to give back to the community.  So, when Staples gave me the opportunity to blend back to school and community service into a single post, I couldn't say no to the invitation.

    It's inevitable, once we've hit the halfway mark of summer.  Parents like you and me have no choice.  It's time to start thinking about the coming school year and all the shopping it entails to get our kids ready for fall.

       


    Staples, the office and school supply superstore, in some ways is like most of the other big brands, having just launched their back to school sales promotion over the weekend.  But Staples it turns out isn't just offering great deals on school supplies to those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to afford to buy everything our children need.   

    To kick off the back to school shopping season Staples has done something truly extraordinary, that is worthy of mention.  Today, they gave away back packs filled with many of the things required for a successful school year to 75 needy kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Burbank and the Greater East Valley.




    This community event was staged, appropriately enough, at the Staples store in Burbank in the shadow of the big studios that dot this part of Southern California.   On hand to charm the audience, debut his new commercials, and gift backpacks to these deserving young people was Rico Rodriquez, the star of Staples new back to school TV campaign.  

    The 12 year-old, a Young Artist Award Winner, is quite a seasoned young actor.  For the past two seasons he's been adored by fans playing Manny Delgado on the ABC TV Emmy Award-winning Prime Time series Modern Family.   This is a show that I bet many of the kids attending watch regularly.  Rico told us today that he returns from hiatus on August 1 to begin work on Season 3.  I'm sure the show's entire following can't wait to see what Manny's character will be up to next!




    Rico, BTW, was totally in his element as Staples official spokeskid.  He is amazingly upbeat, mature beyond his years, overflowing with warmth and confidence.  Ask anyone in that small crowd today, this young man was definitely the life of the party and he had us hanging on his every word.

    For sure, many of the boys and girls were noticeably tickled to see a real live tween TV star in person up close for the first time as well as on the TV monitors on each side of the stage.  From my vantage point as a mommy blogger covering the event -- along with two of my 14 year-old triplets -- everyone seemed to be taking it all in, having a wonderful time, and especially appreciated the backpacks, too.   

    Among the Staples brand products stuffed into the Extreme Access Bag n' Packs the kids received were
    • 1 inch, 3-ring binder
    • Spiral notebook
    • Bound notebook
    • Clear report presentation folder
    • A 120 page ream of lined filler paper
    • A box of 12 retractable mechanical pencils
    • A pack of 4 ballpoint pens
    • A fun calculator with maze game on reverse



    As mommy of triplets plus one more all born within a year, I've had more than my share of experience with kids wanting the same thing, so I did notice one tiny glitch at the event.  Staples did have more than enough school bags for all the well-behaved Boys & Girls Club kids as well as the children of the mommy bloggers who attended and there were four different, really cool backpack styles to choose from.
    Several of the choices were more popular than others, though, so not all the kids were able to get exactly what they wanted.  Some of the youngsters who had their eye on the Hot Pink Hawaiian pattern, for example, had to choose another style.  It's a minor point and just me speaking as a mom who's been around the block a few times, but it might be a good idea for a future event like this to either have enough of all the options available for the kids to choose from or even just have the same giveaway for everyone.

      


    This brings me to an important point for all parents shopping at Staples and other stores this fall, though, that I think you'll find helpful.  When you shop for your school backpacks (and other major items) instead of buying 4 of a kind for your 4 kids and bringing them home, definitely take the kids along to the store.  That way you can avoid sibling rivalry by letting everyone pick their own.  Take this advice and chances are that you and your children will all end up a whole lot happier!

    In summary, this Staples event is an exemplary show of caring and it should be lauded. Other brands have a lot to learn from community outreach affairs such as this -- because the reality is that there are too many kids who won't be able to afford all the school supplies they need this fall. 

    About Staples
    Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Boston, Staples today is the world's largest office products company along with providing a variety of related services.  The company has annual sales of $25 billion and ranks second in the world in eCommerce sales.  Staples -- which prides itself on corporate responsibility and community involvement -- has a presence online and/or in-store throughout the world in more than 26 countries.

    My kids want laptops. What is the number thing that your own children want for back to school this year?  I remember covering my school books with paper bags in the 1960s. What memories do you have of back to school as a child yourself?


    FTC Disclosure:  I attended the Back to School launch event Staples hosted to cover this story.  Also, two of my children attended with me and each received a backpack at the affair.  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. 
    Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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