Here's an easy-to-make Valentine craft activity you can make with or for your child, from FamilyFun.com.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
Cardboard tubes
Stapler
Black elastic
Tacky glue
Animal-print felt
Ribbon
Card stock
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
STEPS:
1. Cut cardboard tubes into 2-inch lengths. Snip each so that it opens into a cuff shape.
2. Using a stapler, attach the ends of a 3 1/2-inch piece of 1/4-inch-wide black elastic as shown; make sure the staple points are facing outward.
3. Apply tacky glue to the outside of the cuff and cover the cuff and the elastic ends with a 2- by 6-inch strip of animal-print felt.
4. Let the glue dry, then trim the felt as needed.
5. Use a ribbon to tie on a note cut from card stock.
Suggested Messages: "I'm wild about you." "Hi there, wild thing!" "Let's band together." "You're so fierce!"
** ~~~~~~ CURRENT REVIEWS, DEALS, FREEBIES AND GIVEAWAYS ~~~~~~ **
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Valentine Craft Idea: Animal Print Wristbands
Friday, January 30, 2009
Safe and Secure Online Shopping Cart for your Business
If you are an online business owner, one of the most important factors to consider in making your business succeed is to have a safe, secure, and fully-featured shopping cart on your website that your customers can rely on when making their purchases.
Interspire offers shopping cart software that is easy to use and will help you increase your online sales. From complete SEO optimization to single page checkout, trackable coupon codes and business intelligence reports, Interspire Shopping Cart guarantees increased online sales for your web business or your money back!
Here are a few of the great shopping cart features they offer:
*Completely browser-based
*Drag and drop layout customization
*Fully SEO optimized by experts
*Sell physical and digital products
*Easy-to-use store control panel
*Multiple logins with permissions
*Refunds & store credits
*Groups & wholesale pricing
..and many more!
To learn more, log on to: http://www.interspire.com/shoppingcart/.
Easy-to-make Valentine Cookies
This Valentine's Day, make it even sweeter for your kids with this easy Valentine cookie recipe from NickJr Recipes.
Servings: Yields 48 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Red sugar sprinkles
Red Hot candies
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, kids can help stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
Step 2
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until it is smooth. (Parents may want to start this step and let kids finish.) Beat in the egg and vanilla. Have kids gradually add in the dry ingredients while you are mixing.
Step 3
Show kids how to roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Let the cookies stand two minutes before removing them from the cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
Step 4
When the cookies have cooled, it's time to start decorating! Brush on red and white Valentine Cookie Icing using craft brushes, added red-hot candies, and sprinkled on red sugar sprinkles.
Step 5
Help kids cut out small folded paper hearts to use as decorating templates. Gently press the heart templates onto the cookies after icing, and then sprinkle on the red sugar sprinkles. Shake off excess sugar before removing the templates. (Parents may need to help remove the heart templates.) Kids can experiment and come up with their own designs to turn their cookies into edible works of art.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
“Sharpen the Mind, Shape the Body” at GameStop
January is the month of the year when most of us tend to think seriously about getting healthy and losing those extra pounds- thanks to New Year's resolutions! But as busy moms, finding the time to get out for a run or go to the gym can be a real challenge.
Well, I recently learned that fun places like GameStop can offer- even busy moms like you and me- new ways to get in shape. If you haven't checked out this fun-filled gaming store yet, you'll be surprised to know that there are lots of activities you can do to get in shape. Playing popular videogames like Wii Fit, My Fitness Coach or Dance, and Dance Revolution make exercise fun, while games like Brain Age or Crosswords DS give your brain a workout. GameStop stores offer these titles and more and have associates on hand to help you and your family find the titles that are right for you.
Want to burn calories, alleviate stress and enjoy quality family time? Then stop by GameStop today. This January, they are offering a “Sharpen the Mind, Shape the Body” initiative for the whole month that includes a special incentive to discover active gaming. So you can stop by a local store and demo a range of titles that match your interests and skill level.
As a special incentive, all shoppers who spend $35 or more on designated products will receive a free 12-month trial subscription to their choice of Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Redbook, Good Housekeeping or Esquire.
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Share My Inauguration Story: The DC24 Kids
Most of us have witnessed President Elect Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday. We've heard or read about stories of people from different parts of the nation and how they travelled to Washington DC just to witness this once-in-lifetime event.
The story of the DC 24 Kids is especially touching. This group of 24 Chicago inner-city fifth and six graders traveled to DC to witness the inauguration, sponsored by the McCormick Foundation.
For the first time in eight years, the DC24 Kids will experience a governmental transition. For many this has proved to be a historical event on par with JFK's election or the first man walking on the moon.
Over one million people watched President Elect Obama take the Oath of Office on Tuesday, and the DC 24 kids were in the crowd.
The DC 24 kids attend Frazier Preparatory Academy in downtown Chicago and this trip to Washington D.C. is the first time many of them have traveled outside their neighborhood. The children have been blogging and v-logging about their experiences and sharing their poignant impressions:
"I dreamed about it last night. I'm so excited to see our first African American president."
-- Nia, 5th grade
"I can't believe we are in Washington D.C. This is like a dream and I don't want the day to end. The hotel is like something from a movie. All I could say was, 'Man, we have stepped up!'"
-- Davion, 6th grade
"I have seen so many people representing Obama so that tells me that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has finally come true."
-- Tehavis, 6th grade
Don't you just feel the enthusiasm and sheer excitement bubbling through these children?
To learn more about the DC Kids story or to see photos, read their blogs, and watch their videos, please visit: www.sharemyinauguration.com
Monday, January 26, 2009
Spa Time Baby CozyCare Cape- Review and Giveaway
Giving your baby a bath is a great time to have a relaxing, nurturing, and pampering experience with your baby. But staying dry while bathing and drying your baby can sometimes be tough that you may find yourself dreading the baby bath tub. Well, not anymore!
Thanks to CozyCare Cape by Spa Time Baby™- a super comfortable, functional and fashionable towel for the baby that comes with an exclusive waterproof panel for the parent to wear. 
The CozyCare Cape simply slips over your neck and has wide arms (just like a robe you might wear at a real spa!) to prevent those little and big splashes from soaking through. When baby's bath is done, simply gather your little one in your arms against the cape and gently wrap her in the absorbent terry cloth. Drying your baby off is so easy and you don't have to get soaked yourself!
Made of 100% cotton terry cloth, the CozyCare Cape by Spa Time Baby is no ordinary baby towel. It's a revolutionary product invented by a mom that every mom, parent, or caregiver will love having at baby's bath time! Comes beautifully packaged in sheer organza pouch and can be monogrammed with your order.
You can get your own CozyCare Cape for $38.95 (add $10 for monogramming) at www.spatimebaby.com.
*Win it! Win a CozyCare Cape with your choice of color/design (Ducky Bubbles, Chic Baby, Far Out Floral, Camo Critter, or Fizzy Citrus) from Spa Time Baby, valued at $39! Leave a comment on this post with your choice of color/design and tell us why you like the CozyCare Cape by Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 12MN, EST and be entered to win! US and Canada residents only. One comment per entrant please. One lucky winner will be picked using Random.org. Goodluck!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Oh-So-Delightful Monogrammed Gifts by Savannah Jack's
I always have a penchant for cute, monogrammed clothes and gift items. While I was pregnant with my first-born, I started collecting a few monogrammed keepsakes such as little hats, shirts, and jewelry for my baby and myself.
Speaking of monogrammed items, my newest find is by Savannah Jack's- home of the most delightful monogrammed and personalized gifts. From their adorable children's line of embroidered linen and soft cotton clothing to fabulous monogrammed bags and accessories for moms and kids, Savannah Jack's has the most unique personalized gifts you can find online.
Since I've been looking for an appropriate casual beach bag to take with me to my upcoming vacation in the Bahamas, I picked the Monogrammed Lime Striped Bag from Savannah Jack's. This monogrammed bag is fashionably colorful and very pretty. I love the summery lime and pink color combination and it came monogrammed with my own initials in purple. I just love it!
Savannah Jack's is owned by Southern mom Kristen McAdams. Her line of quality, classic, and beautiful monogrammed and personalized gifts was inspired by her son Jack and her beautiful town of Savannah, Georgia. Kristen hopes to share to her customers a piece of her joy and pride in the Southern tradition of making everyone feel special and unique by giving them a gift that has been monogrammed especially for them.
So visit Savannah Jack's today for unique, personalized special Valentine's Day gifts and other occasions. You'll never know what you'll find!
Savannah Jack's has also added a new category specifically to meet all of your St. Patrick's Day needs. They got St. Patrick's Day belts, jewelry, bags, children's clothes, shoes, hats, and more!
*Win it! Win a Monogrammed Striped Bag with your choice of color (Aqua Striped, Lime Striped, or Pink Striped), valued at $40 from Savannah Jack's! Leave a comment on this post with your favorite monogrammed striped bag color and tell us your most favorite item from the store. Contest ends Wednesday, January 28th at 12MN, EST. Goodluck!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Healthy Ideas from Stop & Shop
To help consumers make healthier choices when choosing food items to buy at the grocery store, Stop & Shop Supermarket is launching Healthy Ideas-- a new on-shelf symbol that helps customers easily identify foods that fit into a healthy lifestyle.
To take the guesswork out of making healthy food choices, Stop & Shop has placed the Healthy Ideas symbol on more than 3,000 items and shelf tags throughout its stores. The symbol highlights foods that have less fat, saturated fat and sodium. It also helps to ensure that the foods we select include a healthful amount of at least one nutrient, such as fiber, whole grains, calcium and minerals.
The power of Healthy Ideas lies in the strength of its criteria which was developed by a team of registered dietitians and reviewed by an advisory panel of physicians and nutrition experts, including Dr. George Blackburn, associate director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School. Research played a critical role in the development of the symbol, which uses the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA Food Pyramid (Mypyramid.gov) and the USDA/FDA's definition of healthy as a basis for its foundation.
To learn more about Stop & Shop’s Healthy Ideas program, please visit: http://stopandshop.com/living_well/healthy_living.htm
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Ways To Celebrate Martin Luther King Day
Looking for ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2009? Look no further. Below is a list of ideas for parents or teachers to do with kids in honor of Dr. King's birthday.
*Listen to music from King’s time.
This is a wonderful way to connect with the voices and sentiments of the civil rights movement. Try these CDs:
We Shall Overcome, The Seeger Sessions, Bruce Springsteen
We Shall Overcome: History of the Civil Rights Movement as It Happened (book with two audio CDs), by Herb Boyd, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Black American Freedom Songs 1960-1966
*Go online.
There are a number of websites that bring King’s achievements alive through slideshows, video and recordings of his speeches. Check out:
The Seattle Times: MP3s of his most famous speeches, quizzes, a civil rights movement photo tour
Time.com: Photo-essay of well-known photographs of King during the heyday of the civil rights movement in the 50s and 60s
Western Michigan University: A timeline of the civil rights movement that includes many photographs and is terrific for young children
*Take in a parade.
Many cities (including New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas) as well as smaller towns across the country hold parades on Martin Luther King Jr Day. They offer an opportunity to talk to kids about the groups marching in the parade and what the marchers are commemorating.
*Volunteer.
King encouraged everyone to participate in civic life as much as possible, so a wonderful way to honor him is to use the day to give back to the community. To find family-friendly volunteer opportunities in your area, check with your local religious group, community center, or YMCA, or search online at Volunteermatch.org and USAfreedomcorps.gov (enter your zip code and area of interest for each).
*Visit King’s home.
If you’re in the Atlanta area, you can tour King’s birth home, family church, and a museum dedicated to his life and teachings. Admission is free; for more information go to Thekingcenter.org.
Source: Kaboose.com
Saturday, January 17, 2009
BabySling.com
Have you ever been to an online store that sells nothing but baby slings and carriers? Introducing BabySling.com.
BabySling.com is the web's premier baby sling shop where you can find
baby slings and baby carriers of all kinds! If you're looking for stylish, high-quality baby carriers, slings, and wraps, BabySling.com is the place to be!
The BabySling.com store is very user-friendly. Soon as you start shopping online, you'll find that it's so easy to look for specific items. The products are categorized by baby age, brand name, style, and price. And they carry all the popular brands of baby slings and wraps such as Baby K'Tan, Didymos, Ellaroo, Hotslings, Maya and many others. They even have this one Moby Wrap stretchy wrap I used to own. It was given to me as a baby shower gift for my now three year old, Gabriel. I remember wearing my baby Gabriel on this very luxurious wrap while nursing him, putting him to sleep, or when we take our quick morning walks. I love it! The fabric on this wrap is very soft and stretchy and I didn't have to be hassled with rings or straps to use it.
Ready to shop for the perfect sling, wrap, or carrier for that sweet, precious baby in your life? Check out Babysling.com today and find what you're looking for!
What To Do With Your Kids' Art
If you've been trying to figure out what to do with all of your kids' art, here are some tried-and-true classic strategies and ideas from FamilyFun.com
*Put your child's favorites in a 3-ring binder or top-loading scrapbook. You can also take same-size sheets of paper to an office supply store and have them turn the stack into a spiral-bound book.
*Use a clean pizza box to safely store items flat.
*Hang the art in a way that makes it easy to switch the old for the new:
1. Tack a clothesline to the wall, and use clothespins to hang artwork on the line.
2. Mount a curtain rod to the wall and use curtain clips to hold the art.
3. Attach a piece of metal sheeting to the wall to make a "fridge door" that's dedicated solely to artwork.
*Slip the artwork under the top of a glass-topped table.
*Scan art into the computer and use the images as your screen saver -- or use them as an ongoing slideshow in a digital photo frame.
*Reuse art you're ready to get rid of. Wrap gifts and make cards with it. Or create packing material and confetti by running colorful pieces through a shredder.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Better Way To Manage Your Family's Medications Online
As caring mothers, staying informed about our families' medications is very important. But as busy as we all are with our day-to-day tasks, keeping up with new drug safety information coming out nearly every day can be a challenge.
Drugs.com, the largest and most comprehensive online drug information resource, wants to offer us Moms an easy place to keep track of all our family's medications in one place. Their recently released, award winning tool, MedNotes, provides a free online personalized medication management program that can be used to track the whole family's medication profiles. 
Here's why MedNotes is a valuable free online tool that we all can use:
*On each personal family member profile you create, you can enter the names of all the medications being taken and then register to receive drug safety or interaction alerts to ultimately help reduce dangerous side effects and avoid unwanted drug interactions.
*You will receive new drug and specific condition news released by the FDA or drug makers related to the medications your family members take.
*You can access easy to read consumer information, news, drug images and user ratings.
*Be able to print your own online reports for discussion with your doctor or pharmacist.
Now, who doesn't like being fully informed and updated on all of their family's medication needs?
To register for free access to MedNotes, just log on to: Drugs.com/Mednotes
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Dance Away Those Extra Pounds with Core Rhythms Dance Exercise Program
There's a whole new reason to get excited about exercising again.
Introducing Core Rhythms Dance Exercise Program- a breakthrough exercise concept based on world-class Latin ballroom dance techniques that strengthen the core and abdominals, while sculpting legs, arms, buttocks and thighs.
If you like fun, active exercise moves, then you should definitely look into the Core Rhythms Dance Exercise Program. Designed by world champion Latin ballroom dancers Jaana Kunitz and Julia Powers, this innovative and success-filled DVD fitness concept has been proven to deliver results and boost self-esteem in a short amount of time.
“Having taught dancing for so many years, I would often see people come in for a lesson in a bad mood and leave with a smile after releasing all their stress and worries. They were happy because it was the only time during the day they were doing something for themselves and were staying in the moment. Your heart rate goes up, the adrenaline and endorphins are flowing, the music is exciting, you are having fun and doing something good for your body. Core Rhythms gives you all that without ever leaving your house,” says Core Rhythms co-creator Julia Powers.
The Core Rhythms Starter Pack Dance Exercise Program is a set of four DVDs designed to speed-shrink the waistline, burn away fat, and tone the abs without doing floor crunches or purchasing expensive equipment. Through interactive instruction, Core Rhythms teaches three core movements essential to Latin dancing, and then expands them with step-by-step invigorating dance instruction in the Salsa, Samba and Merengue. The starter pack includes A Full Workout; Quick Workout; Latin Dance Made Easy; and Kick Start DVDs, as well as a free seven-day Diet Guide with menu plans to help you slim down while you are toning up.
The Core Rhythms DVDs are now available at Target, Kohl’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, on QVC and by visiting www.shopcorerhythms.com.
Suggested retail price: $39.95.
*Win it! Leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, January 21st at 12MN, ESt and enter to win the Core Rhythms Starter Pack Dance Exercise Program, valued at $39.95! Contest is open to US and Canada residents only. One comment per entrant, please. I will pick one winner using Random.org. Goodluck!
*For other CURRENT CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS on Hip Mama's Place, click HERE. Please note the contest rules and deadline for each contest before making your entries.
Truvia™ Natural Sweetener
To start the New Year off right, why not try and make changes in your eating choices for better health? How about changing your regular sweeteners to a natural, zero-calorie alternative?
Introducing Truvia™ natural sweetener- a sweet little something that satisfies your cravings without adding calories. Truvia™ is a stevia-based, zero-calorie sweetener made with the best tasting part of the stevia plant. 
Stevia is a shrub in the chrysanthemum family that is native to northeastern Paraguay. First discovered by the country's natives, the plant has been grown, harvested and used in South America to sweeten foods and beverages for more than 200 years. Truvia™ rebiana, the main ingredient in Truvia™ natural sweetner, comes from the best-tasting part of the stevia leaf and is a high-purity sweetener that is consistent in quality and taste. Cargill has spent the past five years developing the product to its specifications and working to produce the ingredient on a commercial scale and the FDA recently approved its safety.
I have tried using Truvia™ in my coffee and it does have a wonderfully sweet taste to it. And of course, I like the fact that it has zero calories, zero fat, and zero sodium!
Truvia™ comes in convenient boxes of 40, 80, and 140 count single-serve packets and are now available at your local Whole Foods Market and other grocery stores nationwide!
Toddler Picky Eaters Are Normal
Do you have a toddler who is a picky eater?
According to Sal Severe, PhD, author of How to Behave So Your Preschooler Will Too! (Viking, 2002), it's quite normal for toddlers to go through a finicky-eating phase for emotional, development, and physical reasons. Not surprisingly, 95 percent of picky eaters are between the ages of 2 and 4. Here are some of the reasons children often become picky eaters at this stage:
1. Little children thrive on routine and are sometimes fearful of new people or experiences. All those new tastes, textures, and smells can be overwhelming to a toddler, so he's less likely to try an unfamiliar food.
2. Refusing food is a toddler's way of declaring her independence. As your child becomes mobile and reaches more developmental milestones, she gains a sense of her own capabilities and starts to have more opinions about what she wants to do and where she wants to go. It's a common struggle between children and their parents -- kids at this age are testing the world around them, and the dinner table is no exception, notes Loraine Stern, MD, an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles.
3. Food fights allow a toddler to observe cause and effect. There's nothing more satisfying to a toddler than seeing what his parents will do when he asserts his will.
4. Some kids don't need much food. Your little one isn't a baby anymore. Babies grow at a tremendous pace, says Dr. Stern, but 1- to 3-year-olds grow more slowly. In fact, there are weeks when they don't grow at all. A toddler's appetite will vary according to that particular growth period -- sometimes she'll be hungrier and need more food than at other times. And since a toddler's stomach is small, she doesn't need much food to feel satisfied.
*Source: WholesomeToddlerFood.com
Grandfather Clocks
I have always been in awe about antique grandfather clocks. My family home used to own one when I was little so whenever I see them anywhere now (which is rare!), I always remember my childhood and our own grandfather clock. You know how sometimes you see something that triggers happy memories of your own childhood? That's how grandfather clocks do for me.
Grandfather clocks have long been valued for their craftsmanship and beauty. From handcrafted hardwood cases to ornate designs that depict geographical and cultural influences, grandfather clocks are truly unique. They instantly add elegance and beauty to your home.
If I could pick a grandfather clock for my own home, I'd want this very impressive Howard Miller Grandfather Clock. This elegant floor clock, designed by Chris Bergelin features sixteen different species of hardwoods and veneers. These are Cherry, Crotch Figured Mahogany, Russian Walnut Burl, Movingue, Maple, Ebony, Padauk, Silver Gum, Black Cherry, Magnolia, Beech, Avodire, Anegre, Pearwood, English Sycamore, and Boxwood. Some of these species are very rare.
Clock Features:
*The beautiful swan neck pediment is crowned with three carved finials, two carved rosettes, and a carved finial shell at the center. Also on the pediment are bookmatched Russian Walnut Burl with floral inlays framed with a Movingue border with Ebony and Maple accent lines. The floral inlays include the species listed above.
*The ornate polished brass, Roman numeral dial features custom cast corners, center, and moon arch ornaments unique to this clock. The cast center disk is numbered and features a removable engraving plate for personal inscriptions. "Limited Edition" is inscribed across the hemispheres. The dial also includes a special brass finished moon phase.
*The decorative polished brass lyre pendulum features a cast center disk with a spun silver background. Complementing polished brass finished weight shells are embellished with decorative bands with a silver-tone background.
*The grand bombe style base features carved moldings with a decorative cut-out framed with carved floral motifs. Bookmatched Russian Walnut Burl with floral inlays framed with a Movingue border with Ebony and Maple accent lines on the front and sides. The floral inlays include the rare wood species listed above.
*Beveled glass on all front and side glass. Top side doors allow access to the movement and storage of the hand crank and key.
*The impressive upper and lower columns feature large reeds with carved acanthus accent moldings between and intricately carved acanthus top and bottom column caps.
*A delicate carved molding graces the panel between the upper and lower doors. The upper and lower doors feature crotch figured mahogany with complementing marquetry of Maple, Ebony, Padauk, and Pearwood.
*Finished in Windsor Cherry on select hardwoods and veneers.
*Adjustable levelers under each corner provide stability on uneven and carpeted floors.
Wow, what more could you want from a grandfather clock?
Make Physical Activity A Regular Part Of Your Day
Our food and physical activity choices each day affect our health— how we feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.
MyPyramid.gov offers these tips for increasing physical activity whether you are at home, at work, or at play.
Choose activities that you enjoy and can do regularly. Fitting activity into a daily routine can be easy—such as taking a brisk 10 minute walk to and from the parking lot, bus stop, or subway station. Or, join an exercise class. Keep it interesting by trying something different on alternate days. What’s important is to be active most days of the week and make it part of daily routine. For example, to reach a 30-minute goal for the day, walk the dog for 10 minutes before and after work, and add a 10 minute walk at lunchtime. Or, swim 3 times a week and take a yoga class on the other days. Make sure to do at least 10 minutes of the activity at a time, shorter bursts of activity will not have the same health benefits. To be ready anytime, keep some comfortable clothes and a pair of walking or running shoes in the car and at the office.
For more helpful resources and tips, visit: www.MyPyramid.gov.
Custom Creations By Leslie
Whether you are having a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, or any holiday party celebration, Custom Creations by Leslie has the perfect personalized party invitations for you!
Featuring the latest styles and trends of announcements, invitations and personalized party favors, Custom Creations by Leslie can help you with every celebration in your life. They offer fabulous, fun, elegant and sophisticated custom made invites to fit any occasion. You can personalize any and all of their gorgeous invitations with a wide assortment of different themes and styles to reflect your unique personality and taste.
Looking for the best and most unique holiday invitations? Look no further. Custom Creations by Leslie has it all! 
This Valentine’s Day, if you are looking for party invitations that reflect love, friendship and romance, Custom Creations by Leslie has a wide array of styles to choose from. Their staff will professionally lay out the wording of your choice so you can have Valentine’s Day party invitations that create a warm, heart-felt message.
At Custom Creations by Leslie, you can be assured you are dealing with only the best and successful online retailer of custom-made party and holiday invitations since 1999. They have a commitment to provide personal attention, exceptional service and quality product that has brought them five star awards and a faithful clientele.
Not Getting Enough Sleep? You Might Get A Cold
I have been deficient when it comes to getting enough shut-eye lately. I know. Sleep keeps you more focused during the day and does wonders for your heart and skin. I can tell that my sleep deprivation is why I'm fighting off a lingering cold.
Individuals who get less than seven hours of sleep per night appear about three times as likely to develop respiratory illness following exposure to a cold virus as those who sleep eight hours or more, according to a report in the January 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. The study suggests that people should aim for about eight hours of shut-eye per night.
I notice that when I get less than six hours of sleep a few nights in a row, my body definitely feels heavier and my headache lingers no matter how much coffee I drink throughout the day.
How about you? How do you feel when you're short on sleep? What's the least amount of sleep you can function on?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Stylish Shoes for Little Adventurers
This winter, my little boys both got their stylish brown suede boots from Eleven- a trendy store that offers fabulous shoes for little adventurers!
My three year old Gabriel got the Dublin and little one year old Jaden got the James. 
I love these little boots! The modern styling, classic, clean look, and the comfortable fit of these boots makes me think they were really made exclusively for my precious ones' little feet.. just perfect!
We've always been big fans of Eleven shoes so we were so excited to get our boys new pairs of boots for the cold winter season.
If you haven't been to the ElevenCollection.com yet or hasn't checked out the store in a while, go visit it today to find the latest styles in shoes for your little boys and girls. Eleven Collection prides itself in creating wonderful shoes for little travelers who make each step an adventure. Based in the Northwest, Eleven combines quality footwear with independent style and modern accents. Made with attention and care for the journey that happens every day, Eleven Collection shoes don’t have a break-in period. All of their shoes feature artisan craftsmanship and city-chic style, making them perfect and functional for every occasion.
*Win a pair of Eleven shoes for your little boy or girl! Leave a comment on this post with your choice of Eleven shoe style and size and enter to win. Contest is open to US and Canada residents and ends on Monday, January 19th, 2008 at 12MN, EST. I will pick a winner using Random.org. Goodluck!
*For other CURRENT CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS on Hip Mama's Place, click HERE. Please note the contest rules and deadline for each contest before making your entries.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Twisted Silver Duo Earrings Giveaway
Happy weekend, hip mamas!
It was great to find an email in my mailbox from Tina Gregory at Twisted Silver --home of the fabulous, funky, and affordable 'converted jewelry', offering Hip Mama's Place a pair of Duo Earrings to give away to one of our lucky readers! :D
Twisted Silver's Duo Earrings feature two staggered length pearl drops on light copper chain- very dramatic and will add instant casual elegance to your look! Isn't it great to be a girl?
To enter this fabulous contest, just visit: www.twisted-silver.com, browse around, and when you're done, come back to this post. In your comment, answer the question: "What jewelry piece will be your reward for sticking to your new year's resolution?"
This contest is open to US and Canada residents only and ends next Saturday, January 17th, 12MN, EST. One comment only per entrant please. I will pick one lucky winner using Random.org. Goodluck!
*For other CURRENT CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS on Hip Mama's Place, click HERE. Please note the contest rules and deadline for each contest before making your entries.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Cozi: Making Family Life Easier
Are you finding it more and more difficult to keep track of your family's important household details such as appointments, play dates, birthday parties, sports and other family activities? The challenges of coordinating home and work schedules can sometimes become overwhelming and make life very hectic. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by Cozi, 40% of the 4,169 households surveyed admitted to using sticky notes to manage their family activities!
Introducing Cozi, a FREE web service that helps busy families manage crazy schedules, track shopping and to do lists, organize household chores and stay in communication, all in one easy-to-use solution. Cozi not only provides a shared family calendar, but also includes customized shopping lists, quick messaging tools, mobile phone access and a family journal. With Cozi, busy moms can get shopping lists and schedules on any mobile and everyone one in the family has access to the same information. Cozi even syncs with Outlook.
In addition to the ways that moms can get their shopping lists and calendars already on any mobile phone via text message and using a toll free number, Cozi now has a mobile version especially for the iPhone and Windows Mobile phones. Families can now sign-in and access their Cozi account using their mobile web browsers. They can add and edit shopping lists and view and edit their family calendar using the mobile version of Cozi right from their iPhone. This is a new feature on Cozi. You can learn more about it here: http://www.cozi.com/Promo-Cozi-Mobile.htm
Mom Central has partnered up with Cozi to help families keep their resolutions to get and stay organized in the New Year. From December 31st, 2008 through February 4th, 2009, everyone who signs up and tries Cozi will also be entered to win a two-day home organization makeover with professional organizer, and incoming NAPO President (National Association of Professional Organizers), Laura Leist. In Laura's two-day visit, she will makeover either the kitchen or home office in one lucky winners' home; a service with a retail value of $5,000.
So what are you waiting on? Sign up free with Cozi today! Just log on to: www.cozi.com.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
SmartShopper™ Electronic Grocery List Organizer- Review and Giveaway
Hello hip mamas,
Happy New Year to you all! I hope you all had a great holiday. 
This year, if one of your New Year's resolutions is to get organized around your household, look into this cool device that can really be indispensible to us moms when it comes to being more organized-- the SmartShopper™ Electronic Grocery List Organizer.
The SmartShopper™ Electronic Grocery List Organizer is an automated grocery/errand organizer that allows you to add items to your shopping list by simply speaking into the device. Using the easy-to-read LED display, you can edit and customize your SmartShopper and it will automatically sort your items alphabetically. Once you're done and ready to go to the store, the SmartShopper prints your list, organized by categories such as “Fresh Produce”, “Dairy” or “Errands”.
This handy gadget makes my grocery shopping so much easier and faster. I no longer have to sit and write down my grocery list. I just add my grocery items audibly into the gadget and when I'm ready to go do my shopping, my list is printed for me to take to the grocery store. It's really been helpful too as far as buying only the things I need-- the ones that are on my printed list!
The SmartShopper™ Electronic Grocery List Organizer is so awesome that it was also featured on the Rachel Ray Show.
But don't take my word for it.. try it out for yourself! Right now, for the price of $99, you can get it with free ground shipping. Just go to: http://www.smartshopperusa.com/ for more details and to buy one.
*Win it! Enter to win the SmartShopper™ Electronic Grocery List Organizer, valued at $99! Leave a comment on this post and tell us why you like this gadget. This contest is open to US and Canada residents only and ends on Saturday, January 10th at 12MN, EST. I will pick one lucky winner using Random.org. Goodluck!
