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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Three Jars Review

"Three Jars will transform how your kids think about money!" Raising a financially responsible child is easier than you might think... It’s a matter of building responsible money habits into the fabric of your child’s daily routine. Like brushing teeth, the earlier you start the better.…and it has never been more important.

THE GOAL....

Financially responsible kids get ahead and lead happy, purposeful lives.
If you’re like me, and lots of other parents, you want to raise financially responsible kids. Partially it’s because we want them to eventually move out and stand on their own two feet. But mostly it’s because we want them to do well, to get ahead and lead happy, purposeful lives.
Our kids have wonderful dreams, and we want to see them achieve those dreams.

It Starts with You! 
Only parents can get their child on the right path. But Really, it’s Up to Them! Practice makes perfect.

Kids use their own money ~ not yours ~ to make financial decisions, developing healthy money habits that stick.

Kids instantly develop the savings habit, setting aside a portion of every dollar earned from day one. They learn savings fundamental: like set and stick to long-term goals, practice patience, and don't break financial commitments!

Kids learn the value of a dollar. Kids obtain cash from their Spend Account
 or gift cards from more than 30 of their favorite retailers, with parent approval. Three Jars makes young shoppers wiser and more willing to save for what they really want.

Three Jars gets kids involved, with helping people, animals, and the environment ~ and every child gets to share! By using points earned on the site, kids direct Three Jars monthly donation to causes they are passionate about. Kids can also donate from their own Share Account to causes on or off Three Jars.

Kids earn.... Allowance, one-time projects, even lemonade stands are great opportunities for kids to learn about money. Keeping track of chores and assigning odd-jobs has never been easier.
The whole family celebrates! Parents celebrate that Three Jars has solved perhaps their most vexing parenting challenge: How to raise a financially responsible and compassionate child. Who knew it could be this easy? And kids celebrate their new sense of empowerment. From charting their own financial future to making a genuine difference in the lives of others, ThreeJars kids make their mark!

★ I have had the opportunity to use Three Jars with 2 of my children for a few weeks now and I have to say that we all LOVE it! It was so easy to set up and took me only a matter of minutes. Each of them have their own password for their accounts, which makes them feel so grown up. Three Jars has actually helped make them more responsible. With chores, special projects, earning, saving money and most importantly how to share their own money. They have even told friends about this. My daughter is so PROUD of herself, she took this experience in to share with her classmates. Her teacher was very impressed. She shared all about how she is saving up for her very own art supplies. She loves to draw. Our family was so excited over all this, we decided to take the kids shopping for food for the local food bank. As we drove to the store we talked about how we can help. You would be amazed at how bright your kids are, how many questions they ask and how interested they truly are. Three Jars has allowed our family a great resource to help our kids learn how to save, spend and share. We have always casually talked to them about those things, but to have it all there for you was so amazing. You will love it! See Testimonials Here from real parents using Three Jars.

Things that I love....
  • So EASY to use..... When you set up your account, each child gets their own profile and password. (completely safe, Three Jars NEVER shares any of your information with outside parties) You set up your child's account with a starting allowance and place different % into each SAVE, SPEND, and SHAREaccount. Set up chores and projects, upload a photo, if you like, then you are ready to go! It's that easy. Gotta love that.
  • Your child learns to SAVE.... The parents get to choose how much of their child's allowance goes into savings. The kids even learn about interest because parents pay earned interest on all money saved.
  • Your child learns to SPEND.... Your child gets to make cash or gift card request to the parents. If parents approve, the request is made. It the parents do not approve, the request is declined. So parents you still have a chance to step in and make sure they are making a smart purchase. Great time to sit down and talk about how to spend their money.
  • Your child learns how to SHARE.... Three Jars has great opportunity's to share their money with some really great organizations. Whether it's helping to feed hungry children or saving the seals, your child will see and learn how great it is to share. (I also would take this time of sharing to talk about how you can share in your own community as well. ThreeJars loves to hear from you, so sharing how they inspired you and your child to share at home to, is a reward in itself.)
  • Membership.... This is one of the best parts, you can get a free trial at no cost to you for 15 days. Cancel at anytime with no hassle. Thereafter, only $30 per family per year. $30 for the whole family for 1 whole year, had to say it again, WOW! I have 4 kiddos and I think that is just a great price to teach my kids about how to save, spend and share.
So, Give your child the boost they need – it will be a gift for life. Money Wise, Caring Kids!
A gift for the whole family. Raising financially responsible kids isn’t just about the money.
It’s about raising the whole child: financially responsible and socially compassionate.
The funny thing is our kids want that too! They’re just not going to ask. They wouldn’t know how.


The featured product {s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.  Disclaimer/Terms of use.


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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Slanket Review



The Slanket ~ The Original Blanket with Sleeves!

It's time to get cozy.... Slanket style! The Slanket is a gigantic fleece blanket with sleeves. A very soft to the touch, lightweight, but warm fleece blanket with large, loose sleeves designed so you don't feel like you're wearing the blanket, simply wrapped up in its wonder. The Slanket is designed to keep your entire body covered and cozy while you still retain the use of your hands. Simplistic and practical, its innovativeness opens up possibilities, but still can replace any normal blanket. Size: 60"W x 95"L

I received the Slanket a few weeks ago and I can't believe I ever lived without one of these. This wearable blanket is so cozy and comfortable. I have to fight off the kids and my husband to use my Slanket. We are going to have to ask Santa for a few more of these. I wasn't too sure how the Slanket worked at first, but it is very simple. It is basically a blan
ket with sleeves. Silly me, I thought it was placed over your head and had sleeves. But you just drape it around you. I love it because I can be comfortable. And at the same time, I can jump up quickly if I have to take care of a kiddy spill. If you know what I mean. I have seen other versions of this blanket on the market, but nothing compares to the quality you will find in the Slanket. It is made with a thicker material than the others and is in my opinion much softer. With that kind of quality, I know my Slanketwill last after many washes. I think every person in the family should have one of these to cuddle with. 

Things that I love....
  • So soft and cuddly - you will love how comfortable you are with the Slanket wrapped around you.
  • Durable - quality made, your Slanket will be around for years and is machine washable.
  • Over-sized sleeves - 60" x 95" Great for many different heights.
  • 100% Polyester Microfibers - Big words for Super-Soft.
  • Stay warm - Keep your arms warm as you reach for the phone or remote with the Slankets comfortable sleeves.
  • 4 different Slankets to choose from - There is the original, Kids, Travel and Siamese Slanket. Siamese is fancy for 2 person Slanket. Great idea!
  • Many colors to choose from - you will definitely find your favorite!


The featured product {s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Disclaimer/Terms of use.


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Saturday, February 6, 2010

Personal Verse Feature

I have to share something fun before we get to the Feature!


Another cute Valentine Hairdo
from Yes I do Hair
Check it out. It is so, so cute!


Personalized poems and custom poetry are some of the best ways to communicate a story, idea or emotion; PersonalVerse.com brings these elements to life. From tips on writing poetry to ideas for personalized poems and much more, PersonalVerse.com offers a wealth of information about poetry and the art of writing.

Celebrate a moment in time
Immortalize your life in rhyme
Capture the essence of your soul
Congratulate the reaching of a goal
A greeting, a gift, or even a toast
A special thank you to a gracious host
A poem is created right before your eyes
With a truth that may become a surprise
It can be used to heal a troubling rift
Or to give a loved one a much needed lift
Remember your relations who have passed
Or make a vacation destined to last
Send a sentiment to a far off friend
The reasons for verse go on without end
Simply tell the poet your intention
And the certain things you wish to mention
And she will create a verse from the heart
She needs you as muse to give her a start
All rights are sold, no two poems the same…
To these words you can sign your own name!


For my birthday this year, my husband surprised me with a Personal Verse poem. Jayanne from Personal Verse took information that he filled out online. Things like.... Describing your relationship, anniversaries, kids, general details, how the person makes you feel and many other questions. I was so excited that he had this done because he took the time to write some very nice things about me that he doesn't always say. Once he got the finished poem, and after I stopped crying happy tears, he asked me to do my magic and put it on a photo of our family. So now, I just have to share it with all of you because you will want to forward this to your hubby's. Personal Verse is a great gift for any time of the year to let that someone special know how you feel about them. I am having mine blown up and put on the wall. Something that we will cherish always! Thanks to Jayanne at Personal Verse!

My Personal Verse from my Hubby!


Things I love...
  • Personalized - a way to share your thoughts and feelings to someone you love
  • Fast - when you order, your poem arrives quickly
  • Price is just right for anyone. A perfect gift for any time of year
  • Family History - look back, share and remember with a personalize poem
  • Once you get your poem you can add it to anything... photos, pillows, blankets, cards, ect.
“I invite you to co-create your very own personal verse with me. Together we can write most anything, as the poem below describes. It is my heart’s desire to help you express your self through poetic verse, and it is so easy to do! Just click on the order link above and share your sentiments with me. I will transform your thoughts and feelings into a poem.”

Your Personal Poet:
Jayanne Sindt

What some people are saying about Personal Verse:

“Thank you Jayanne for all your help and speedy service! Your poem brought tears to my and my fiance’s eyes. It’s exactly what we wanted!!!”
-Francine Leonardi, from Elizabeth, NJ

“Perfect! I love it. Thank you so much. You are SO fast.”
-Pia Steinbrugge, from Richmond, VA

“Thank you for a wonderful service. I was so happy when I received the poem
on the same day as when I ordered it! The quality is fantastic and really
captures how I feel about her. Thank you Jayanne!”
- Alex Leach, from Stevenage, United Kingdom

“My friends would not believe that I didn’t write the poem myself because it fit
the person (recipient) so well…”
-Rhoda Stauffer, from Park City, UT

I recommend this being the best personalized gift you can give this year!!!

While many reviews are created as a result of receiving a complimentary product, the following content was provided by Trendy Treehouse because it is a product that we believe in and purchase regularly. The item reviewed was purchased on our own and was not compensated in any way for a review. Disclaimer/Terms of use.

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Christmas Card Placemats


Yes, I did in fact look at my calendar today.
And yes, it does say, February 6th.
But I just finally got around to somewhat finishing these
and thought that maybe if you were like me
you've got your old Christmas cards and photos in a box
collecting dust, because you never know when you might
want to look at them again.


But let's get real people.
Do we really look at them again?
Okay, maybe once in a blue moon,
but not enough to warrant boxes of cards
stacked up with no where to go.


I've got an idea to get rid of some of the clutter
without losing the cards or precious images of family and friends.

What you'll need:
your cards,
a square punch,
some cardstock
and double sided tape or glue stick

and a scissors

Punch out your favorite part of the card.
Punch out faces from the photos
and I just kept some photos the way they were
and worked with them that way.
Line up 2 8.5x11 pieces of cardstock
and place a big strip of double sided tape down.
(I started in the lower right corner)
Then just place your cards and images on
however you choose.
I tried to keep photos away from each other
so that they would stand out more.
Then trim the edges
take it to Kinkos or Office Max and have it laminated.
(I haven't done that yet, I'll get there eventually)
Pack away the nice FLAT reminder of your family and friends
with your Christmas decorations and
each year pull out your placemats for Christmas dinner.
How much fun will these be in 10 years when you're eating
dinner and looking at faces of people who
"were so little" or are no longer with us.

I ended up with 5 from 2008 alone.
I'm still working on 2009.
Once I have both years done I'll get them laminated and packed away!

Oh and I'm planning on writing the year and the names of the people
in the photos on the back....
I have my mom's memory...horrible!


Jamie's Signature #2
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Friday, February 5, 2010

Delish-i-ous Garlic Bread


This is a quick little appetizer, side dish, however you serve it, its "Delish"

What you will need....
  • 1 package of Naan's Garlic Bread (any kind is good, I just like garlic)
  • Butter, Butter, Butter
  • Garlic Salt (Um yeah, can never get enough of it)
  • Powdered Parmesan Cheese
  • Garden Dill Dip for dipping of course
How to make this....
  1. Set your oven to Broil
  2. Get out your Naan's Bread and generously spread butter across top
  3. Sprinkle Garlic salt over the whole thing
  4. Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese
  5. Place in oven and broil for about 5-8 min. (Some broilers cook fast so basically just watch until it browns.
How to serve....
  • Slice into strips with a pizza cutter and serve with...
    • Dill Dip
    • Spinach Dip
    • Ranch Dip
    • Artichoke Dip
    • Any kind of favorite fresh dip is good. I don't recommend French Onion Dip. LOL

NoW doesn't that look GooD!



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Thursday, February 4, 2010

More Fun Valentine Features

Go See these...

Fun Valentine Projects



Valentine Cookie Pops from 
Trendy Mommy
Check out these yummy Treats

Nana's Valentine Suckers from
Roots & Wings
Aren't these just the cutest & I love that mug too!


Now this is a terrific idea! You have to go see this cute project

pillow-box-alligator-010.jpg

Pillow Box Alligator from
Skip to my Lou
Great Valentine for lil boys! Get instructions on how to make this!



Madlib Valentines by Design Mom
These are perfect for the older boys in your life!
I am going to use this great idea for my 10 yr. old.


If you were featured her today, don't forget to grab your Featured Button.



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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Another fun Valentine Idea!


These simple butterflies will Flutter right into your Heart!

Okay, that was corny. LOL I bought a bunch of smarties the other day for Valentines and needed to be creative with them. Anne had a great idea with Suckers & Flowers! Check those out too! I used hearts as well. But instead made them into Butterfly wings. My kids loved how they turned out.

What you will need....

  • Scrapbook Paper
  • Cutting Tools or Scissors
  • Tape
  • Smarties Candies
  • Pen



How to make them....

First, Take your cutting tools ( I used two different sized hearts and a oval shaped tool to make these ). You can find these tools at any craft store. Most of the time on sale. Or you can get creative with scissors if you don't want to use the tools.


Parents: Cut out 2 large hearts, 2 small hearts and 1 oval shape for your butterfly. Use different colors for your cutouts to give it some personality. 
Tip: Moms and Dads: to hurry things along, have all your pieces cut and ready to go for lil ones to put together.

Next, Place the small hearts on top of the large hearts and secure in place with tape. You will also want to tape the top and bottom so all the hearts stay in place.


Next, Tape your candy on top making the body of the butterfly. Just tape right on the front with clear tape. No need to tape on the back. It stays in place pretty good.


Let's finish up.... Take your final cutout ( the oval shape ) and have your child write the to and from. Tape to the back of your butterfly.


Make a bunch of these cuties for friends, family, teachers, neighbors, ect. You kids will love how simple they are to make. 





I am sharing here...


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