What's "Good For The Kids" is good for the parents at this online store

I only wish there was a shop like this when the Twofer were little. But way back then (6 years ago) there wasn't as much information out there about the plastic that was used in baby bottles or the lead paint often found in toys we import.

Safe and Affordable for Babies and Big Kids

GoodForTheKids.com is one place where you know the things you buy are safe. They have everything from BPA-free bottles to Melissa & Doug brand toys. The prices are very competitive (most of my items were $5.99 or lower). And many come with a lifetime guarantee.

The site is easy to navigate and you simply pick a category: Play - Feed - Nurture - Engage or Shop By Brand. Here you'll find unique products that will satisfy even the most (and I can say this because I'm one of them) neurotic mother, while providing exactly what the child either wants (in my case) or needs.


Thanks to Momfluence and GoodForTheKids.com I have the opportunity to test a number of Melissa & Doug craft products like:

Origami Paper

Take-Along Water Color Set and

Jumbo Triangular Sidewalk Chalk.

These have really come in handy as I put my Summer Survival Guide to the test!

And the Tooth Fairy Box would have been helpful yesterday when that silly fairy, ahem, FORGOT to come.

Be sure to check out GoodForTheKids.com and send the link to those new (and neurotic) moms. They will forever thank you!

Janine

Product provided by:
Momfluence
GoodForTheKids.com

Carefree Fresh Start Fund giving $10,000 for a fresh start!

Did you ever wish you could make a fresh start in your life?
Your job?
A relationship?
Starting a business?
Maybe a new look?

My fresh start would be hiring a professional organizer to come to my home and help me find a place for everything so all I have to do it put it where it belongs!

Carefree has a wonderful website that not only gives tips for little ways to start fresh every day (including the Carefree Ultra Protection products) but they are also helping to fund your dreams of a fresh start!

Check out the Carefree Fresh Start fund contest:

"Tell us why you want to make a fresh start and how we can help for the chance to receive $10,000 in funding, a consultation from change expert Ariane de Bonvoisin of First30Days.com, and a trip to New York City to receive your funding and be honored at the CAREFREE® Fresh Start event held in partnership with Step Up Women’s Network."

Plus be sure to try the new Carefree Ultra Protection panty liners. You can get a free sample here, and start every day right. These panty liners are 10 times more absorbent than other products - perfect for travel, and long work days.

Tell me - what fresh start do you want to make?

Janine

Product supplied by
Mom Central

Enter to win an iPhone by tweeting #HouseofGems! (Or, don't...better for me!)

So over vacation my brother bought the newest iPhone. I started playing with his old one and am really getting envious. The good thing is that I just found out that a tweet on Twitter could win me an iPhone 3GS!

I've already told you about the jewelry supplies you can win from House of Gems and Momfluence.

Anyone on Twitter who tweets with the hashtag #HouseofGems between 12:00 noon eastern Monday, June 22nd and noon eastern Saturday, June 27th will be entered to win an iPhone 3GS! U.S. residents 18 years and older are eligible.

The winner will be announced during the #houseofgems SiteWarming party
Saturday
June 27th
9 p.m. Eastern

I'm tweeting - are you? Wait, don't tweet - the better chance I'll have of winning :).

With iPhone envy,
Janine

Sponsored by Momfluence
and House of Gems.

Get "Bejeweled" and enter to win $250 in Jewelry Making product!

Most of my friends have dabbled in jewelry making. A number of us bought thetools and wires, and most of us have bought beads at one time or another.

When you add it all up it's a small fortune. And - we have never tried to sell our wares, but this opportunity from Momfluence has renewed our interest!

From my personal collection

Meet House of Gems, Inc. - they have been selling quality beads, pearls, findings, pendants, chains and other jewelry making accessories at wholesale prices, directly to the consumer since 1992.

House of Gems has their own factories, craft shops and import directly, so they have the best prices on quality products. Now, with the power of e-commerce they have eliminated the 'middle men', bringing their quality products at low wholesale jewelry prices, directly to your doorstep.

Now you can win a bracelet making kit plus $75 in product - a $100 value - by entering the "Bejeweled Giveaway" contest. Ten readers across the Momfluence network blogs will be chosen to win!

Those ten winners will be able to submit a picture of their completed bracelet to the House of Gems, and one will be chosen to receive a $250 gift certificate, enough product to really jump start a business!

To Enter:

Option 1 - Subscribe to one or more of the House of Gems feeds found at http://www.houseofgems.com/feeds.aspx - each feed subscription counts as a new entry! Once you've subscribed fill out this entry form: http://cli.gs/ND4NMe

Option 2 - Blog about the "Bejeweled Giveaway" contest on your own site then fill out this entry from: http://cli.gs/ND4NMe

Then:
Join me and Momfluence on Twitter Saturday, June 27th at 9:00 p.m. eastern for a #houseofgems SiteWarming party where the 10 winners will be announced!

Good Luck!
Janine

Prizes supplied by Momfluence

Just call me Julia George Foreman Child - delish dinner in 10 minutes

I love my George Foreman Grill.

I have the original. It's smaller than the new ones.
It's white (not very practical with grilling).
But it cooks chicken in 5 minutes.
No. Kidding.
So, I did a video to show you just how quickly it cooks.
And, there's some dancing in there too...



Here's what you need:
Purdue frozen chicken breasts from Costco (they are thin and require no cutting... just thaw, season and cook!)
Montreal Chicken Seasoning or Cavender's Greek Seasoning
George Foreman Grill

Sides:
Frozen veggies
Mrs. T's Piergoies

So pull out that George Foreman and let me know what you think.
Also - try making grilled cheese in it. 3 minutes flat!

Janine

This post sponsored
by me and my kitchen.

Micro G-Bike: A very cool kick-bike for little ones. Where's the adult model??

Um - this is freakin AWESOME! So much so that I wish I was two again!


I know, I know you want one too.
Maybe we can all get together and demand an adult size version?
Can't you just see people cruising along the boardwalk on one of these?
Or on a bike path?
Or commuting to work...a short, very flat commute?
I wonder if older folks would use these to get around the retirement community?

You can see more products (none for adults that are this cool but still) at KickboardUSA.

The Micro G-Bike is pricey ($139.00) but I bet kids don't want to get off of it. And if you add up the prices for all the plastic ride-on cars, scooters, and roller skates my girls had a 3 they probably come close. Plus, I'm sure they would have gotten lots more use out of this G-Bike.

Waiting for the Adult model,
Janine

Cancer? You Look Mahvelous- Look Good, Feel Better turns 20!

I've done it, have you?
I have dressed up on a day when I either felt bad, or sad, or mad, and guess what? It made me feel better.

The founders of Look Good...Feel Better (www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org) had this in mind when they started the non-medical, brand neutral program to help cancer patients increase their self esteem as they battle their disease.

Look Good...Feel Better Celebrates 20 Year with a Makeover contest!

Submit your story of how the Look Good...Feel Better program helped you cope with cancer and be featured on the Women of Hope is Beautiful blog to help educate others who are still fighting their fight. In August, Look Good…Feel Better will choose five women with the most-compelling stories to receive a trip to New York City for a makeover an a trip to the DreamBall, a black-tie gala and the program's largest annual fundraiser, held each year in New York City!

Encourage your family and friends to visit the site, view the entries, and leave comments of support. And, know you are sharing your story with others who really need to hear it most.

Is a woman you know going through cancer treatment?

Take them to the Look Good...Feel Better site where there are lots of great make-up tips and even ways to cope with hair loss. Then check out the Before and After photos. They make ME feel good just seeing how they feel better!

There is so much information on the site including program locator. A wonderful resource for something that seem so simple, and yet can make all the difference. Giving someone the gift of feeling better about themselves really can affect what is going on inside.

Janine

Sponsored by:
Mom Central

Kajeet: Perfect Phone for Tweens/Teens...and their Parents (coupon code)

Award winning Kajeet is the perfect cell phone service for kids, teens, and especially their parents.

Here's why:

Kajeet has No Contracts

Kajeet can be used as a pay-as-you-go phone or you can choose from one of the money-saving monthly plans that work month-to-month. No contract. Stop any time and go back to paying per minutes

Kajeet has the best Security Features

Easy to navigate and set up, Kajeet's parental controls are all handled online. Parents can determine who their child is talking to and texting (allow or block numbers), and when the phone can be used (exceptions can be made for certain numbers like Mom & Dad). Parents can set an allowance and the option for 2 wallets (parent and child) means parents can decide who pays for the calls to Grandma! Lastly, GPS can help find the phone that was left at practice, school, or at the friend's house.

Kids love Kajeet

Kajeet has the most popular phones including the LG Rumor, the Sanyo Katana II, and the Samsung M300. All phones offer talk, text, and pix capabilities. Kids can download games and ringtones too...as long as they have enough money in their wallet.

Kajeet COUPON CODE!

Twofer readers can save 15% - just go to Kajeet.com and use code: TWOFER

Enjoy the savings and enjoy the summer knowing your kids will work hard to earn their Kajeet dollars!

Janine

Sponsored by
Kajeet

Twofer Thumbs Up for Musician Diane Birch and Discover & Donate

What a great idea!
Discover and Donate has created a way for people to discover new artists, and donate $1.00 to one of 6 charities. Not only that, they have created a fun way for you to spread the love of Diane Birch and your favorite charity whether you blog, Facebook, or partake in some other social networking site.

I'm choosing to support SOS Children's Villages and you can click on the widget below to purchase and donate.


Or, grab your own widget and start placing it wherever you spend time!

Diane Birch has an incredibly soulful sound. Part Joss Stone, with a little bit of Carol King, and, possibly, a dash of Joni Mitchell. I have no idea what Diane Birch would think of that comparison but that's what I'm going with.

Maybe I'll ask her at the next #GNO! Yes, @DianeBirch is on Twitter so give her a shout out and let her know what you think of her sound!

Janine
This Post to Benefit
SOS Children's Villages

5 Things I Love about Crocs

My NEW Cabana Crocs

1. Crocs Don't Smell when my Feet Sweat

Maybe this is TMI but my feet sweat, a lot sometimes. Whatever, I'm sure you're are no roses. Anyway, Crocs don't smell even after the longest walk on a 90 degree day. And actually, my feet don't sweat at all in my new Cabana Crocs!

2. Crocs has Affordable Comfort and Style

The average cost of a pair of Crocs is what, $30? Maybe $40? I think my Cabanas were about $50. My original pair of Crocs have lasted over 3 years...and they are still going. I have never had a $30 pair of shoes last that long. I'm getting my money's worth for sure. And comfort is something that simply cannot be debated.

3. Crocs has @GeorgeGSmithJr

George is a Crocs blogger, he represents Crocs on Twitter, and is an all-around nice guy. Just ask any one of his 2500 followers. He is a perfect example of how a big company can reach out to consumers and make them love them even more. Since "meeting" George I have really gained a sense of loyalty to Crocs which has resulted in me buying 3 more pairs of Crocs - one for me and one for each of the girls.

4. Crocs has Great customer service

When the rivet broke off of my daughter's Mary Jane Crocs my friend George sent me the link to where I can order more. And by order, I mean fill in your name and address and they send you a package of them for FREE! You can also get replacement straps!

5. Crocs is Spreading the Love

Most recently I had ordered a pair of Crocs with a gift certificate I received at the Blissdom conference. It was taking an unusually long time but I was patient as paying customers surely take precedence over my freebies. I tweeted with George a few times and he had me email him my information again. A week later I received my Cabanas. A week after that I received a second pair!
When I told George I think I had been a little too squeaky of a wheel he said, "Keep the extra and spread the love!"


And so, that 's what I'm going to do. The size 8 Cabanas are going to be donated to a local women's shelter and I'm spreading my love for Crocs here with you.

Janine