MyMemories $10 off Suite v5

Oh hello . . . it has been a while but today I have some exciting news .  A friend of mine just sent me a message about MyMemories. Ever heard of it? Well, she says, "it is literally the best digital scrapbooking software (she) has ever used." This statement got my attention. I went, google searched it and as it turns out a lot of people are using and loving it! I played around with it for a bit and I have to say, I am really impressed. I may just have a new hobby on my hands! 

This is where you benefit...my followers will receive $10 off the purchase of MyMemories Suite using promo code: STMMMS18322. All you have to do is add MyMemories Suite v5 (digital download) to your cart and copy and paste this promo code at checkout: STMMMS18322. Yes, it is that simple! 

Thanks Kelly for sharing this site with me! 

Purex Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Review and Giveaway

If you are anything like me you are probably sitting at your computer thinking, "say what, Fels who?" I admit, until Purex posted this opportunity had never heard used Fels-Naptha. (I am still not 100% sure I am saying the name correctly.) So, I am going to take a quick second to tell you all about it. :) 

Purex Fels-Naptha is a powerful laundry bar that works overtime to remove greasy, oily stains, perspiration, and ring-around-the-collar. With over 100 years of removing America’s stains, you can rest assured that this laundry bar knows how to tackle your toughest stains.

Rub the stain with a wet bar of Purex Fels-Naptha and let it sit. Then wash your clothes as you normally would and say farewell to tough stains for good.

Frequently Asked Questions:

•      
  How do I use Purex Fels-Naptha as a pre-treater?
  For optimal use as a pre-treater, collars and stain areas should be wetted with water and then a Purex Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar can applied to the affected area.
•      
  Can I use Purex Fels-Naptha to treat severe soils?
  Yes. For severe soils use a soft brush to work Purex Fels-Naptha into the pre-wetted soiled area, prior to washing the garment in regular a washing machine.
•      
  Can Purex Fels-Naptha be used as a laundry booster?
  Yes, for a stain boost to a wash load, finely grate 1/2 of the bar (use less for smaller or less soiled loads) into the washer, fill washer with water, and agitate for several minutes before adding clothing.
•      
  Can Purex Fels-Naptha be used as a pre-treater?
  Yes, it is okay to use Purex Fels-Naptha as a pre-treater and then add to a wash load with chlorine bleach.

Turns out Fels-Naptha is extremely versatile! It can be used to remove soap scum in bathrooms, clean paintbrushes, sooth bug bites, treat poison ivy, oak, and sumac rashes, and rumor has it when used in combination with other natural ingredients, a Fels-Naptha-based tonic helps keep bugs and weeds at bay in gardens. (Wish I knew that earlier this year when I planted my first garden! I did not want to eat my vegetables anyway.)

  

After doing a little research I decided it was time for me to see what all the hype is about...but what to wash? I enlisted in my best friend to "loan" me some of his work pants (he works in fabrication and is ALWAYS dirty!) and then I ransacked my kiddos clothes. Thankfully, just last week someone washed some clothes with a pen so finding the "perfect" items was not that hard! 

The first item up was Joe's shirt. 

Dirty/oily shirt. Especially at the sleeve!

I admit I was shocked at how clean it got!

Next on the list was the pen stained shirts and a shirt one of my littles wore to school (months ago) and stained it with paint. 

My oldest daughter's fav shirt with pen stains. OOPS!

Not bad if you ask me. Still a few small marks but I am planning on letting it sit a little longer and trying it again. She is so happy to have her shirt back. 

Boo's lovely "ruined" tank top. 

Poof! Like magic the paint is gone! 

My other daughters favorite shirt attacked by the pen. 

Holy-smokes. This stuff really works.(I know you are thinking "but the stain is still there." 

 Here is the shirt:

Totally wearable!  :) Score 1 point Mom!

So far, I have to say I am very pleased with the outcome. Fels-Naptha is petite yet potent as proven in my photos above. It’s has proven effective on our particularly on stubborn, oily/greasy and set in stains.

My youngest loves this jacket. Sadly, at her Fall party she got chocolate on it. Afraid to bleach it, I have been wrestling with how to clean it. 

Chocolate stained arm.

The coat just looks dingy. 

After rubbing Fels-Naptha and letting it sit for about 5 minutes...

...it looks like a new jacket!

Dirty stained jeans?

Pre-treated with Fels-Naptha then washed as normal with Purex Mountain Breeze liquid detergent! 

Dirty, soiled work jeans?

Not too shabby if you ask me!

Overall, I must say I am highly impressed with the stain fighting power! Are you wondering where to find your own bar of Fels-Naptha? (Once there click on the “store locator” button.)

Now for the fun part: 

Have you tried Fels-Naptha before?  If not, here's your chance.  Thanks to the awesome folks at Purex three lucky readers will win a coupon to try a bar for free to make your own laundry detergent or have as a great pre-treater.

If you have used Fels-Naptha in the laundry room or for various tasks around the house, particularly in the laundry room, and garden I would love to hear your experiences.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Be sure to help me thank Purex for this awesome chance to win: 

"Like" them on Facebook

"Follow" on Twitter

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, I received no monetary compensation for this post. Purex did provide me a free sample of their Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email. Prizes are in coupon form and will be mailed. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes and in this case, I am not responsible for replacing coupons under any circumstances.

50% Off Admission U.S. Bank Wild Lights At The St. Louis Zoo

Looking for some Holiday fun in the St. Louis Area? Livingsocial has an awesome deal going. Right now you can get 50% off of your Admission and/or Refreshments at U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo.

Choose from:

• $8 ($16 value) for admission for two and $6 to spend on refreshments and snacks
• $5 ($10 value) for admission for two

WIN an iPad mini and a $500 ISOTONER Shopping Spree! {Purex Sweeepstakes}

You are reading this so that means you "heard" the awesome news...Purex has another awesome sweepstakes! This time Purex and ISOTONER have joined forces and are offering one grand prize winner an iPad mini and a $500 ISOTONER shopping spree. 

Never heard of ISOTONER? Let me fill you in. You know how using your touch screen devices in the winter is difficult with gloves? Often we do what? Take our gloves off?!?! So now our hands are clammy and cold. Not if you are wearing ISOTONER smarTouch gloves! They keep your hands warm when using your techie devices. Plus you can keep them bright with Purex detergent all winter. Sounds like a winning combination to me! 

Oops, I almost forgot to mention ten runners up will get a $25 gift card good towards any ISOTONER product! Seriously, these would make an awesome stocking stuffer.

Why are you still here? Go enter to win!

As always, good luck!

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, information was provided to me by Purex. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email.  I will be entered to win a Gift Card, but no other compensation was received.

FREE for Three Days Only! "Kiki Lowenstein and the Cupcake Caper" by Joanna Campbell Slan

FREE

   Saturday, Sunday & Monday

Nov. 9, 10 & 11

  

"At first, running her own business seemed like a piece of cake. But Kiki Lowenstein is quickly learning that there's more to owning "Time in a Bottle" than dealing with crafts and scrapbookers. When a mysterious bad mood descends on her co-worker Clancy, Kiki first brushes it off. That's just the way the cookie crumbles! Then others complain about walking on eggshells--and Kiki realizes she has to intervene before Clancy stirs up too much trouble."

In this long short story, Kiki gets mixed up in a different sort of mystery, one reveals the secrets of the human heart.

Includes a recipe for Caro's Good Dog Treats. Plus how to make Laurel's Paper Bowls!

Get it here:http://tinyurl.com/KLCupcake

No Kindle? No Nook? No problem!

You can easily read this short story on your Nook, tablet, Kobo e-reader, your smart phone, or your computer. First go to Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/KLCupcake) and "buy" the book for FREE on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday (November 9, 10, and 11, 2013).

1. To Read It On Your Computer: Download the free app at Amazon.com
2. To Read It On Your Smart Phone: Download the free Kindle app from your app store.
3. To Read It On Your E-Device: Go to www.calibre-ebook.com and download their FREE ebook conversion program. It will allow you to read anything from Amazon on your e-reader.

Calling All Moms: Moms, Win A Day Off from Purex!

"Mothers, we salute you. You deserve a much-needed day off, and we’d like to provide it! Enter to WIN a day off for yourself or nominate another deserving Mom."

You know you deserve a much-needed day off, and the Purex brand is trying to give you just that. I originally posted this a few days back but it is such an awesome opportunity I think I need to share it again! ! One Grand Prize winner will receive a maid service to handle house cleaning and laundry, dinner delivered, a babysitter, and a Mani-Pedi. Approximate Retail Value (ARV): $1,000.  Time is running out, the sweepstakes ends November 13th so stop reading this and go!

Special thanks to Purex for giving one Mama the opportunity to enjoy a very special day.Enter to WIN a day off for yourself or nominate another deserving Mom.

Sweepstakes beings: October 16, 2013 12:00

Sweepstakes ends: November 13, 2013 15:00 

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, information was provided to me by Purex. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email.  I will be entered to win a Gift Card, but no other compensation was received.

$45 FOR A SAM’S CLUB SAVINGS MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE (AN $85.14 TOTAL VALUE)

If you don’t currently have a Sam’s Membership NOW is the PERFECT time to get head on over to Groupon.  Snag this Sam’s Club -$45 for a One-Year Sam’s Club Membership, $20 Gift Card, and Fresh-Food Vouchers ($85.14 Value).

The Breakdown:

$45 for a Sam’s Club Savings Membership package (an $85.14 total value)

• One-year Sam’s Club Savings Membership (a $45 value), which includes a membership card for the primary cardholder and a complimentary membership card for a spouse or other household member
• $20 gift card valid for any in-club purchases
• Fresh-food vouchers, redeemable through Monday, February 10, 2014 (a $20.14 value) including  one free Artisan Fresh Rotisserie Chicken (about 3 lbs, a $4.88 value), one free Main St. Bistro Scalloped Potatoes (2.5lbs, a $8.98 value), and one free Artisan Fresh Pippin Apple Pie (10”, a $6.28 value).

Rumor has it that you may redeem you membership at your local Sam’s club starting on November 13th. And if you redeem your new membership by November 27th, you will also receive an Instant Savings Book with more than $4,100 in member-only savings offers that are valid through November 27th.

Expires Feb 10th, 2014. Limit 1 per person. In-club only. Valid for new Sam’s Club members only; not valid for those with a current membership. Not valid for renewals. Must be 18 or older. Not valid until 11/13/13. Membership must be activated within 90 days of purchase; membership expires one year from date the voucher is activated. 

Purex More Time For Mom Sweepstakes: Week 2 ends today!

Each week through November 19, 2013 Purex will be giving away prizes during its More Time for Mom Sweepstakes, today is the final day to enter to win for the second week. You could win:

$250 Home Décor Shopping Spree

Each weekly grand prize winner will also receive a FREE year’s supply of Purex liquid detergent. Second place winners each week will receive a Kindle eReader. Enter daily for a better chance of winning!

Hurry! 

Official Rules

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, information was provided to me by Purex. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email.  I will be entered to win a Gift Card, but no other compensation was received.

Calling All Moms-WIN a Day off!

"Mothers, we salute you. You deserve a much-needed day off, and we’d like to provide it! Enter to WIN a day off for yourself or nominate another deserving Mom."

We all deserve a much-needed day off, and the Purex brand would like to provide it!

How does having a maid service clean your house and do the laundry while you’re off getting a mani-pedi sounf? They will hire a baby sitter to watch the kids and even have dinner delivered so you don’t have to cook! Value of the prize is $1000!! You better believe I have entered daily and you can too!

Special thanks to Purex for giving one Mama the opportunity to enjoy a very special day.
Enter to WIN a day off for yourself or nominate another deserving Mom.

Sweepstakes beings: October 16, 2013 12:00

Sweepstakes ends: November 13, 2013 15:00 

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, information was provided to me by Purex. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email.  I will be entered to win a Gift Card, but no other compensation was received.

Gratitude Challenge 2013: Day 2

Today marks day two into my reflections of what I am thankful for.  Of course, topping this list are my family, close friends, and work that I am truly passionate about. Today, I am thankful for the Internet. (Writing it out it sounds kind of funny, but it’s true.)  Before you freak out and start leaving me snarky comments, just keep reading and you will have a better understanding. 

It the years since I first got a computer (I was about 15) the Internet has become a huge part of my life. Back in the day it would help me to complete a project or email a friend but now...it is so much more. Because of the internet my children are able to enjoy a variety of foods thanks to the endless supply of recipe sites, I am able to do some extreme couponing and not waste all of my day planning trips or hunting down coupons, I have had the opportunity to enjoy free movie screenings, attend free concerts and visit some pretty wicked places for next to nothing (thanks to the internet), family outings can be planned in a matter of minutes and are actually a lot of fun, arts and crafts are second nature thanks to all the great ideas that others have "pinned" already. But my love for the internet is more than just the reasons listed above. 

I am thankful for the internet because it allows me to learn almost anything; I can look questions up and find information. When the Doctor told me my child has Ehlers Danlos: Hypermobility Syndrome I simply nodded. Yeah, that is right, outspoken me sat there silently thinking, "she has what now? Hyper who?" I remember asking him to write it down and the second I was home I typed it into the search bar (google is my fav!) and WHA-LA there was all the information I could ever want or need. Any question I had, there was already an answer. Today, I believe, she is living a better life because of my understanding and knowledge about her disorder. I have been able to educate my friends, family and her school about Ehlers Danlos: Hypermobility Syndrome so that they too can look for the signs that she is in distress. 

In my family we use Google Images to look up everything. "Mom what is a puffin?" Better than a description is a picture and BAM one search and my kiddos can learn all about puffins. We have looked up strange bugs that were hanging around the front porch, printed off maps to places we had never heard of, viewed pictures of the human body, and I have used various other visual aids to confidently answer questions that the kids have.

I use it for blogging, streaming movies, watching videos, playing educational games with the kids, checking Facebook, email and my photography business is basically run via the internet. With all this, how could I not be thankful for the technology that connects me to a vast network of information?!?!

In parting, I am also thankful that you stopped by. :) What are you thankful for today?

Purex More Time For Mom Sweepstakes

With the kiddos back in school, that means more time for Mom to shop, scrapbook, read and more! Each week through November 19, 2013 Purex will be giving away prizes during its More Time for Mom Sweepstakes. You could win the following prizes:

Oct. 23–29:  $250 Scrapbooking Shopping Spree

Oct. 30–Nov. 5:  $250 Home Décor Shopping Spree

Nov. 6–12:  $500 New Wardrobe Shopping Spree

Nov. 13–19:  Kindle Fire

Each weekly grand prize winner will also receive a FREE year’s supply of Purex liquid detergent. Second place winners each week will receive a Kindle eReader. Enter daily for a better chance of winning!

I have already entered today, have you?

Official Rules

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, information was provided to me by Purex. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email.  I will be entered to win a Gift Card, but no other compensation was received.

Gratitude Challenge 2013: Day 1

Gratitude Challenge 2013!  With so much turmoil all around us, I believe it is a really good thing to take a moment and focus on our blessings. I admit, I am guilty - sometimes I get caught up in the "if only … “ or “I wish I could …” or “what if's … ” I am not really a negative person but sometimes life seems to kick me when I am down. While I have come to terms with the fact that this is my life, I try to remain as positive as I can. Sometimes, that is not very much. :) 

"The grass is always greener on the other side" I have a love hate relationship with this phrase. Why do people always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances? I am neither rich or poor but comfortably middle class. What if my other side would mean I have Section 8 housing? Or the opposite, what if it meant I would have to work 60+ hours a week at my corporate job and never see my family? No thank you! I will take my grass, even if it does tend to dry up and grow weeds. I am living a very hectic yet rewarding life. I am so thankful for my six awesome children (you will be "blessed" with the opportunity to read about them within the month of my "Gratitude Challenge 2013" posts, I promise.) I am thankful for my full time job and the opportunity I have been given to run my own company. There is just so much that I am thankful for and sometimes I tend to forget overlook it all, especially in hard times. 

But today, I am thankful for being born me. The good, the bad, the pretty and the ugly situations that I have experienced during the past 30 years of my life have shaped me into who I am today. While, at times, I may have thought, "My life is over..." in reality those events were simply ensuring I was being reborn into the person I am today! If you ask me, I am pretty freaking awesome so it was all worth it! 

If you don’t have a blog, feel free to leave a comment beneath this post for what you are thankful for today. We can all find something to be thankful for each day. I hope you will join me in counting the many blessings

.

So, what are you thankful for today?