Kmart Family and Friends Sale Event This Saturday & Sunday

Do you feel that holiday season is starting sooner every year? Now that November is her, it's not too early to start thinking about your holiday shopping list and to be on the lookout for holiday bargains and deals!

Known for their everyday low prices on all the essentials you need on a daily basis, Kmart wants to help you save even more with their Family and Friends event this Sunday, November 4 (Saturday in select states). During the event everyone will receive 10% off all regular and clearance priced merchandise. Plus, SHOP YOUR WAY Bonus members will get 5% in points on qualifying purchases if they use their Sears card at Kmart. Download your exclusive coupons here to get the most out of the big sale!

Kmart has such a huge selection of household items both online and offline that you can get anything from holiday decor to seasonal clothing and to home entertainment. The coupons are valid for grocery too! The  Family and Friends event is also the perfect opportunity to save on those hot toys that your kids are coveting on this year's Kmart Fab 15 list! While you are here, don't forget to enter for your chance to win the fabulous Disney Princess Vanity--Cinderella Enchanted Carriage Vanity (A $100 value)! Enter the giveaway here before it's too late!

Disclosure: I was compensated for my time for writing this post through a Mom Bloggers Club member program. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Get All Your Avengers Gear at Walmart!

The Avengers, the highly anticipated movie featuring America's favorite superheroes, is coming to the theaters on May 4th, 2012. Is your kiddo a big fan of Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, or the Hulk? Do you know that you can now get all the Avengers gear at your local Walmart store, well before the movie hits the big screen?

Besides Avengers themed toys, clothing, books and DVDs, you can also download free Avengers wallpaper for your desktop, exclusively at Walmart.com. A new wallpaper is available each month! You may dress up your kid as his favorite Avengers character by downloading any of the four exclusive printable masks at Walmart.com and letting him color them any way he likes!

As always, you can expect the lowest everyday prices for products sold at Walmart. For instance, Avengers graphic tees start at $8 each, with 15 different designs to choose from. Don't miss these amazing deals and get something special for your little superhero.

Disclosure: I was compensated for writing this post through the Mom Bloggers Club blogging program.

Walmart BabySteps: Find Solutions for All Your Baby's Needs

New moms are very likely to be overwhelmed with baby care challenges, many of which are unexpected and unprepared for. Instead of desperately searching for solutions all over the place, now you can visit Walmart BabySteps and get all your baby feeding and changing concerns addressed by watching short, entertaining and informative videos. You will also be provided with relevant product recommendations and convenient online purchase options.




The Walmart BabySteps website is easy to navigate and intuitive to use. Simply start by choosing your topic between "Changing" and "Feeding, then specify your baby's age and weight (It even includes an option for expecting moms!), and you will receive a customized list of videos that cover commonly discussed topics like diaper essentials, potty training, good nutrition and formula feeding. You can learn all baby stuff from tips on how to change a squirmy baby, to how best to introduce solid foods.

You may easily see all Walmart BabySteps has to offer by taking a test drive of the site. If you like it, please recommend it to any expecting and new moms you know and help them adapt to the many changes brought by motherhood.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of my participation in a Mom Bloggers Club program. I was compensated for my time. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Kimberly-Clark Cars 2 Products Review & Free Gift Offer

In celebration of the upcoming release of Disney's new movie Cars 2, Kimberly-Clark has launched a line of specially packaged Cars 2 branded products, along with a free rewards program to provide incentives for moms to stock up on Kimberly-Clark essentials and keep her kids happy all summer.

Between now and July, the Cars 2 promotional sticker can be found on a good number of trusted Kimberly-Clark brands, including Kleenex facial tissue, Pull-Ups training pants, Viva paper towels, Scott paper towels, Cottonelle bath tissue and Huggies diapers and wipes. Each participating product contains a special code that can be redeemed for premium Cars 2 gifts. The more you buy, the higher the rewards you will be eligible for.

After you purchase any Kimberly-Clark Cars 2 product, sign up for the free Cars 2 rewards program at www.KIMBERLY-CLARK.com/CARS2 and enter the code found in the black box on the label. You will receive a free gift voucher delivered by mail for cool rewards like die-cast Cars 2 vehicles, Visa prepaid cards and Cars 2 movie tickets. You don't have to buy all products in a single transaction, but please remember to enter your code by September 30, 2011 and redeem your points for gifts by October 31, 2011.

I recently received an assortment of Cars 2 products for review. Not surprisingly, they are of the same quality as the Kimberly-Clark brands that have been used in our family. But they are now more fun to use thanks to the colorful packing, and come with nice extras. Besides the special code that can be redeemed for free gifts, the Kleenex box also includes a pair of 3D glasses, a code good for a free 1-month trial membership to Disney Digital Books, and online access to a 3D story.

I believe many of you are already using products from Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, Viva, Huggies and Pull-Up. Why not buy their Cars 2 equivalents and earn free rewards for the Cars 2 fans in your family?

Disclosure: I received free products for review as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club. No monetary exchange took place. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Barely There No Slip Fit Bras Review

It's really embarrassing to have bra straps sneaking out of your sleeves. It's an art to tuck them back in without drawing unwanted attention. It can be very frustrating when your hands are fully occupied and you have to pretend that the problem never exists. Barely There Bras, created by Hanes brands, now offer a smart solution to this most discussed bra problem with their latest innovation--No Slip Fit bras.

The No Slip Fit line is designed for all-day comfort with a unique Lycra® lining on the back band and straps that have a delicate silicone design to help them stay in place, eliminating unexpected slips or slides. In addition, the bras have invisible seams that eliminate the dig-in effect of uncomfortable elastics. They are made with a soft, silky, beautiful outer fabric and ultra-light foam cups for added softness against the skin and are tag-free for added comfort. The No Slip Fit bras are available in both underwire and wirefree styles and are offered in white, black, soft taupe as well as an array of colors and prints.

Hanes kindly sent me two No Slip Fit bras to try out, one underwire in soft taupe and the other wirefree in white. Both bras provide a perfect, comfortable fit. The uniquely designed straps cling to my shoulders tightly and never go out of place! That's amazing! The bras are lightweight too, making me feel that they are "Barely There". My new bras are also embellished with some cute shiny accents in the front. I truly appreciate the comfort and confidence that the worry-free No Slip Fit bras have provided.

Barely There No Slip Fit bras retail for $32 and can be found in leading department stores like Kohl's, JC Penny, and Macy's. I strongly recommend them to any woman who wants to wave farewell to ill-fitting bras.

Disclosure: I received free products for review as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club. No monetary exchange took place. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Dreyer’s/Edy’s Slow Churned Shakes and Fruit Smoothies Review

The latest frozen novelties, Dreyer’s/Edy’s Slow Churned® Shakes and Fruit Smoothies, are hitting the freezer aisle across the country this summer, sure to shake up the snack routine of ice cream and smoothie lovers. Enjoy homemade milkshakes and smoothies with no mess, no blender, no scooping, no clean-up!

It's super easy to create creamy parlor-style shakes with Dreyer’s/Edy’s Slow Churned Shakes. Each single serve shake cup (10 oz) is filled with Dreyer’s/Edy’s Slow Churned frozen shake mix. Simply remove the lid, add milk, stir, and a milkshake will be ready to serve in 30 seconds. Better yet, the Slow Churned shakes contain only half the fat and one-third fewer calories than regular shakes. Dreyer’s/Edy’s Slow Churned® Shakes are available in four popular flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Cookies 'n Cream.

Made with real fruit, fruit juice and frozen yogurt, the new Dreyer’s/Edy’s Fruit Smoothies are a good source of calcium and Vitamin D, an excellent source of Vitamin C and contain live and active cultures. They are fat-free when made with fat-free milk. Follow the same simple steps: remove lid, add milk, and stir, and you will have a delicious fruit drink to start the day or pick you up between meals. Dreyer’s/Edy’s Fruit Smoothies come in four yummy flavors: Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, Tropical (Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit), and Sunrise Blend (Peach, Orange, Banana).

I was provided with several free coupons to try out the Dreyer’s Slow Churned® Shakes and Fruit Smoothies. We found the new products in the Kroger store we frequent for grocery shopping. My son and I picked the Chocolate and Cookies 'n Cream  flavored Shakes and Strawberry Banana and Mixed Berry flavored Fruit Smoothies. The Cookies 'n Cream Slow Churned Shake is our favorite. It's so rich, creamy, and tasty! I love how fast and easy it is to prepare a sweet treat that cools us down, providing a heavenly escape from the heat outside. You can customize the thickness of your drink to your liking by changing the amount of milk to add in. I can feel good about serving the Dreyer's shakes and smoothies to my child because they are low in fat and nutritious. The single serve cups are great for portion control. I did find the cups for shakes a bit too small compared to the mix inside. It was hard to thoroughly stirring up the contents without any spills. This was not an issue for the smoothies though.

Dreyer’s Slow Churned® Shakes and Fruit Smoothies are the first single-serve, drinkable snack treat offered by Dreyer’s/Edy’s. They are available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $1.79 (Our Kroger has them at $5 for 3). For additional product information and to find out where you can buy them, please visit www.icecream.com.

Disclosure: I received free products for review as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club. No monetary exchange took place. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Method Mickey + Minnie Mouse Hand Wash Review

I was very excited when I made my first encounter with Method's Mickey Mouse hand wash not only because I love to collect anything Mickey related, but also because it's from one of my favorite brands specializing in eco-friendly cleaning products!

Packaged in adorable bottles iconic of the most loved Disney couple, Mickey and Minnie Hand Wash features:
• naturally derived formulas that leave hands feeling clean and soft
• premium, specialty-inspired fragrances that kids and adults will love
• biodegradable formulas that contain no dirty ingredients including parabens, phthalates, triclosan, EDTA or animal-by products
• recyclable packaging that is made with 25% recycled plastic
• never tested on mice (or other animals)

The Mickey Mouse Foaming Hand Wash I received for review has a refreshing lemonade fragrance (while the Minnie version has a sweet strawberry fragrance). With the Disney logo on Mickey's ear, the uniquely shaped bottle has the perfect size for kids. The hand wash is easy to dispense, creates rich foams, and rinses off easily. Our hands feel clean and comfortable after use...and they smell so good! The cute packaging has noticeably encouraged my son to wash his hands more frequently. I enjoy the peace of mind that he's using a safe, non-toxic hand wash with high quality.

The Mickey + Minnie Mouse Hand Wash retails for only $4.49, available in the United States and Canada at national retailers including Target, Shoppers Drug Mart, Babies”R”Us, Soap.com, Amazon.com and methodhome.com. Get one for your family and you'll love it!

Disclosure: I received free product from Mom Bloggers Club to facilitate my honest review. No monetary exchange took place. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Have Healthcare in Your Hand with iTriage--Available on Blackberry Soon!

Having seen a growing need for patients to have more actionable healthcare information in their hands, two emergency room physicians, Drs. Peter Hudson and Wayne Guerra created iTriage, a FREE smartphone application that allows the user to search and browse hundreds of symptoms, diseases, and procedures. It provides useful descriptions of the conditions, treatments, and medical tests, and offers support links to your insurer’s advice line. iTriage is currently available on iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, and Palm and will soon become available on Blackberry!

iTriage can empower you with access to a wealth of medical information, including

• Information on more than 300 symptoms, 1000 diseases and 350 medical procedure
• A nationwide directory of hospitals, urgent cares, retail clinics, pharmacies and physicians
• Detailed quality reports from HealthGrades on hospitals and physicians
• Nurse advice lines
• Help negotiating medical bills through an iTriage partnership with one of the most respected claims adjudication organizations
• Turn-by-turn facility directions from GPS, IP address or zip code locations (using iPhone's GPS)
• Emergency Room Wait Times for hospitals in select states.

I'm really impressed with these amazing features of iTriage, particularly HealthGrades reports and help with negotiating medical bills. If you already own one of the eligible mobile devices, please consider downloading this free app. It won't cost you a dime but will sure save you a time and money when you need to seek healthcare information.

Have a happy and healthy new year!




Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for my time by Mom Blogger Club.

Happy Me Skin Care Review

An important part of my daily routine is to take good care of my skin. I strongly agree with Helena Rubinstein that there are no ugly women, only lazy ones. Having beautiful skin will make me happy and more confident. I am therefore open to trying new skin care products with the latest technology or unique benefits.

Happy Me Skin Care is a newly launched brand, which combines spa quality ingredients with natural aromatherapies and time-tested skincare remedies in its products. Thanks to Mom Bloggers Club, I was given the opportunity to try out three products from its anti-aging line before they hit the store shelf! How cool is that?

The products I received for review include Pore & Fine Line Perfector and Primer, Hand Repair SPF 30, and Neck & Chest Repair SPF 30. All of them are natural, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and animal-cruelty free, offering healthy solution to aging skin. I've been using each product for about a week. While it's a bit too early to prove their anti-aging effects, I do love how they feel on my skin.

My favorite from the trio is the Hand Repair SPF 30. My hands are usually dry and miserable during cold weather. The Happy Me hand cream helps moisturize my hands and leaves a pleasant fruity scent. I also enjoy the added sun protection.

Using a combination of Sweet Almond Extract, Rosewood Oil and Apple Fruit Extract, the Neck & Chest Repair SPF 30 is designed to smooth wrinkles, lift lines, stimulate new cell growth, as well as providing all day sun protection. It leaves my skin feeling soft, gentle, and rejuvenated.

The Pore & Fine Line Perfector and Primer is matte finishing liquid powder intended to create foundation for makeup. I don't really wear makeup on a daily basis, but I tried the product anyway, without applying makeup afterwards. I like that it's not irritating and tightens my skin without overdrying it.

Happy Me Skin Care products will be available soon in the new year at drug stores and mass retailers. If you "like" Happy Me Skin Care on Facebook, you could win a year's supply of their products by entering their sweepstakes. Good luck!

Disclosure: As a Mom Blogger Club reviewer, I received free products to facilitate my honest review. No monetary compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Mamas & Papas Lightweight Strollers Make Holiday Travel Easier

Mamas & Papas, Great Britain's No 1 baby brand, has made its U.S. market debut with a nice collection of lightweight strollers that are perfect for babies looking to explore the world outside home. Designed to be light, compact and maneuverable, Mamas & Papas lightweight strollers are easy to fold and carry on public transport, and able to squeeze into the smallest car trunk. They even provide an over-the-shoulder carrying strap for when the stroller is folded and in transit.

In consideration of parents with different budgets and style preferences, Mamas & Papas lightweight strollers come in a variety of chic designs and a price range from $129.99 to $329.99. Here's a brief overview of the features of each lightweight stroller.

Trip: This stroller offers vented side panels and is the must-have getaway product.

Trek: Featuring a simple seat recline system, little ones have the option to nap while on the move.

Tour: Increased seat padding and a deeper recline will ensure comfort during longer journeys

Cruise: Perfect for everyday use, this stroller features a five-position recline, adjustable foot rest, easypeek canopy window and additional storage pockets.

Voyage: Features an integrated sun visor and sun canopy, quilted seat and removable toddler pillow and chest pads for extra comfort, this stroller is the highlight of the new Mamas & Papas lightweight stroller range.

Mamas & Papas Lightweight Strollers, along with other baby products from the brand, are available for purchase online at Babies R Us. You are welcome to connect with Mamas & Papas on Facebook and Twitter and join the conversation there!

Disclosure: By writing this post, I am entered to win one of five Mama & Papas strollers via Mom Bloggers Club. No monetary exchange took place.

Gilt Children’s Toy Sales This Weekend!

Gilt Children’s toys are on sale from December 3, 2010 – December 6, 2010.

Toys for Tots and Gilt Groupe have partnered this season to bring the joy of the holidays to children in need. Shop Gilt’s toys sales with brands like HABA, Cate & Levi and Rockabye toys from December 3-6 and 5% of proceeds will go to Toys for Tots. Join Gilt today to help with the great mission!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for my time by Mom Bloggers Club.

Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Review and Giveaway

~~The giveaway is now CLOSED~~

I'm not a coffee addict, but I drink coffee when I need a quick energy boost, a change of pace in life, or simply something flavorful to sip on. When I'm not pressed by time, I prefer to brew my own coffee at home, which is not only economical but also entertaining. You don't really need a fancy coffee-maker or expensive coffee beans to make great coffee.

As a Mom Bloggers Club reviewer, I recently received three bags of Dunkin' Donuts Coffee for review, each in a different flavor: Cinnamon Spice, Hazelnut, and French Vanilla.

From my experience, Dunkin' Donuts Ground Coffee is marked by convenience, quality, and variety. The coffee is very easy to brew and store. It's widely available at major grocery stores like, Kroger, Safeway, Target and Walmart. The freshly brewed coffee has a smooth texture and rich taste. Dunkin' Donuts offers a nice variety of coffee blends. Besides the original and flavored coffee, you may also choose the Decaf, Seasonal Flavors, or other specialty blends.

Among the flavors I tried, my favorite is Hazelnut, followed by Cinnamon Spice. Currently all the flavors are artificial. I wish Dunkin' Donuts would consider producing naturally flavored coffee as well. That'll sure attract more health-conscious coffee lovers.

The Giveaway

To give you the chance to try out their Flavored Coffee for free,  Dunkin' Donuts has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers One Free Bag of Dunkin' Donuts Flavored Coffee!

Required Entry: Visit Dunkin' Donuts Coffee and leave a comment telling me which product you're most interested in trying. (Please leave a valid email address in your comment or make sure one is visible in your blogger profile).

Extra Entries (optional): please make sure you do the required entry first! Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, i.e. 1 comment=1 entry.

• Sign up for Juno Baby Newsletter and put icefairy as the referrer (1 extra entry)
• Join the Parents Insight Network and put icefairy as the referrer (1 extra entry) 
• Enter this iPad giveaway and put my name as the referrer (1 extra entry)
• Vote for me on PF & TMB daily (1 extra entry per day)
• Follow my blog
  
  publicly (1 extra entry)
• Subscribe to my feed via email and leave your email address (1 extra entry)
• Follow Me on Twitter AND tweet the following message (1 extra entry per day) Yes! You may tweet once daily to increase your chances:

RT @luckytoddler #Coffee #giveaway! Win #free flavored coffee from Dunkin' Donuts! http://bit.ly/ddflcf #fbz 
Please leave the link to your tweet in your comment.

• Join Crowtap via this link and leave your registered name (1 extra entry)
• "Like" me on Facebook and leave your name (1 extra entry)
• Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave your name (1 extra entry)
• Add me as your friend on Facebook and leave your name (1 extra entry)
• Grab my button and tell me where to find it (1 extra entry)
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post. Then leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry for mentioning this giveaway on your blog; 3 extra entries for a separate blog post).

Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm Central Time on 11/07/10

Open to US Residents Only

Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Disclosure: I received free products via Mom Bloggers Club to facilitate my honest review. No monetary compensation was provided. Thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Tommee Tippee Explora Toddler Feeding Set Review

Do you know that Tommee Tippee, U.K's number one baby feeding brand has made it debut in the United States? Infant and toddler feeding products from its signature lines Close to Nature and Explora are now available exclusively in all Toys”R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores and online at Babiesrus.com/tommeetippee. It is estimated that Tommee Tippee sells one product every three seconds in the UK and that most households with a child under two own up to 15 Tommee Tippee products. Amazing, isn't it? What has made this brand so popular, you might ask. Try one of these cleverly designed products and you'll find out the answer.

I was one of the lucky moms who have been selected by Tommee Tippee and Mom Bloggers Club to review an Explora toddler feeding set, which includes a Truly Spill-Proof Water Bottle, an Easi-Mat and two Weaning Bowls and Lid w/ Spoon. All these products are BPA-and Phthalate-free and dishwasher safe. Besides its colorful and appealing look, each product has its own unique features that make toddler feeding a lot easier. Let me introduce them to you one by one.

Truly Spill-Proof Water Bottle: Each Explora cup is progressively designed with a specific grip and soft flexible spouts to meet the needs of every age and support natural oral development. Ours is a stage 4 intended for children aged 18 months and up. It features patented advance-flo™ technology for easy drinking and unique dura-spout™ for kids on the go. Designed by a physicist, its innovative advance-flo™ Active Sensor valve provides effortless liquid flows on demand while preventing spills and leaks. My son loves the cute airplanes painted on the bottle. It's lightweight and easy to grip for his little hands. I offer my son different bottles as an incentive for him to drink more water. The Explora bottle is definitely a great addition to his collection.

Easi-Mat: This is our favorite from the feeding set! My son enjoys feeding himself, but he often finds it difficult to keep his bowl from moving around on the table. He forgot to hold the bowl still with one hand as he was so focused on getting food into his mouth with the other. As a result, I had to deal with food spills all over his high chair as well as on the floor. Easi-Mat offers a smart solution to this problem. It sticks to the table surface and holds bowls and plates securely in place with a uniquely designed suction device in the middle.While it requires no effort from the child to keep the bowl still, it's easy for the parent to remove the bowl with the release tab at the back of the suction device. It makes both my son and I happy because he now feels more in control of his own feeding process and I have less mess to clear. Yay!!!

Weaning Bowls and Lid w/ Spoon: There are a number of features I love about these Explora tableware. First, it's microwave- and freezer-safe, which means easier food storage and reheat. Second, its ergonomic shape encourages my child to grip the bowl while eating, which is an important skill to grasp for independent feeding. Third, the spoon can be securely locked into the lid, which helps keep everything in one place. The bowls also have the right size for a toddler.

Overall I'm deeply impressed with the quality and ease of use of the Tommee Tippee feeding set I received for review. The products are clearly designed with mom and child's special needs in mind and they effectively reduce mealtime mess and stress. In my opinion, that's the company's key to success.

The complete range of Explora products includes sippy cups, straw cups, water bottles, drinking cups, independent meal sets, weaning bowls, food pots and utensils for children aged 6 months and beyond. They are available at Toys”R”Us and Babies“R”Us in a variety of bright colors. Now through July 23, when you buy any Explora item (cups and toddler feeding) at BabiesRUs.com, you can get the second at half price. Remember to check the website often for special offers and discounts. If you like Tommee Tippee products, please follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: As a proud reviewer for the Mom Bloggers Club, I received products free from Tommee Tippee to facilitate my honest review. No monetary compensation was provided. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the post are my own.

Our Favorite Way to Make S'mores

I'm a big fan of S'mores. My family’s favorite time to enjoy S’mores is during a backyard campout. We put marshmallows over our bonfire until they change color, place chocolate under the hot marshmallow and sandwich them between crackers. Some delicious S'mores are born!

You could make your own S'mores with Hershey®’s Milk Chocolate bars, Honey Maid® Graham Crackers and Kraft Jet-Puffed® Marshmallows. Enter the UPC of any products pictured above on www.SmoresSmiles.com and you could instantly win one of $1,000 prizes. Sweet, isn't?

Disclosure: By writing this post. I'm entered a contest for a S’mores prize pack as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club.