LunchSkins - Eco-Friendly Design for Lunch Time!

I don't even want to KNOW how many plastic sandwich baggies I've used over the years packing lunches for myself and now, my two kids.  What a waste.

But there's a solution  - and they're so freaking cute:  LunchSkins. 

Three local green moms, co-founders Kirsten Quigley and Cristina (Cris) Bourelly and creative director Jennie Stoller Barakat, developed these reusuable lunch bags for sandwiches, snacks and more.  These eco-mamas were inspired by the fact that every day, more than 20 million sandwich bags from school lunches go into landfills in the US. And their products are making an important environmental impact - in just this first year since they launched, LunchSkins customers have saved more than 12 million plastic baggies from landfills.

If you'd like to help this mission - as well as save in the long run on the purchase of those blasted sandwich bags - you can shop for snack, sandwich and sub bags here.

Kirsten and Cristina sent my kids and I two sandwich bags and a snack bags to test out, and they're durable, easy to clean and very well made.  And they're so cute, there's no way my kids will be throwing them out.  My son Charlie says that his shark-patterned sandwich bag is the hit of the kindergarten lunch table.  Not only eco-savvy, LunchSkins also have the bento-box-effect, in that my kids are more likely to eat healthy things when cutely packaged. I have since shopped for a few more and we're total LunchSkin converts.

Highly recommend!  You can pick up some for your kids in their favorite colors and patterns here.

I was sent 3 LunchSkins for my children to use...and then I promptly bought 3 more! 

New Stuff I Love

Not only am I vehicle for companies to give free products away to you guys, I'm also sometimes a giveaway winner on other websites myself.  (Wait, that sounded suspiciously like those old Hair Club for Men commercials.) Here are some reviews for stuff I've won or received for free.


Hana Mini Flat Iron
Sometime after my 30th birthday I started getting hangovers after more than two adult bevvies, realized that having a professional waxer on speed dial was essential and learned that it was no longer possible to simply roll out of bed and have my hair look acceptable.  (Aging...I so love it!)

But who has time to painstakingly blowout or flat iron their hair every freaking day?  I received the answer to the look-cute-in-no-time quandry when I received the fabulous Hana Mini Flat Iron for review.  This professional ceramic straightening iron is only 5 inches long when collapsed for storage or travel - but it extends to 8 inches - the length of a standard hair straightener. Its 5/8 barrel  is perfect for smoothing out sections of hair for a fast, polished look.  No time for a shower?  Already blowdried your 'do yesterday but slept weird on one side? Here's your quick fix.  And if you travel a lot, you'll love the heat proof travel case and compact, collapsable size.



Hana Shine Shield Serum
The generous Hana peeps also sent me the Hana Shine Shield serum to protect my hair when heat styling.  But I'm using a drop of this lightweight smoother even on days I air dry.  It's the perfect consistency for making flyaways and split ends obey, or tucking stray pieces into a bun or pony.  And though I have fine, light hair that can easily look greasy, this stuff is super lightweight.  And it really makes my straightened hair look Pantene commercial shiny.  I've used other clear serums from Redken, Rusk, etc. over the years, but sincerely, this Hana Shine Serum is my fave so far.  Although the $18.99 price tag looks high, the bottle's a whopping 2 oz. so it will last for-eva. My bottle's still full to the top and I started using daily in July. 


 

Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse
This summer on a fabulous Tech Savvy Mama giveaway, I was the proud winner of this fabulous mouse...in the color of my choice.  I chose green, and my husband was so green with envy of this wireless mouse's super sensitivity to the slightest movements that he bought one for himself too.   As a longtime desktop PC user with large hands for a girl, I really need a full size mouse, even when using a laptop.  All I have to do is plug in the USB port to whatever computer I'm using and the mouse immediately works - there's no software to install.  At only $20-22 on Amazon (dependent on what color you choose), I'll be picking up lots of these for siblings and teenage nieces and nephews this Christmas.




Mabel's Labels
Thanks again to Tech Savvy Mama's naming me as the buddy she wishes had attended BlogHer with her (awww, sniff sniff) in the Mabel's Labels Wish You Were Here contest (check out her adorable video entry), Mabel's Labels sent my kids a fabulous School Pack of personalized labels.  And seriously, they are GENIUS.  These special labels stick to fabric inside clothing, on the outside of Sippies and water bottles, and after dozens of washings since September, the labels have not disintegrated one iota.  The text is so much clearer than even the neatest printing with a permanent marker.

I especially love the Tag-Mates that have guaranteed that Charlie and Eve don't come home with other kids' sweatshirts from school or lose their jackets to the anonymous lost and found pile. Although I was so fortunate to receive these for free courtesy of Tech Savvy Mama and Mabel's Labels, as soon as they're gone I will be purchasing another order for a School Pack and am now a total groupie.  (I'm also going to suggest our school implement a Mabel's Labels Fundraiser, so that we earn cash for every order the parents place.)

As stated above, I either won these items in an online giveaway or received free review product. I did not receive any additional compensation.

Giveaway - BusyBodyBook aka Lifesaver of Luddite Moms Everywhere

Congrats to randomly-drawn winners Kristin, Sue and Meredith!

Ya, ya, I'm a blogger. I spend way too much time plucking at a keyboard while staring at a screen. But I don't own a smart phone. I rarely text. When I do, I have to go through two letters to get to the one I want and I usually miss it and curse and just call the person.

And I manage my household and professional calendars using a hardcopy planner made of paper. That I write on with a pen.

And this system totally works.

As I reviewed on APISS Reviews last year, my BusyBodyBook totally saved me from a life of forgotten appointments and ruined friendships.

Now I have one system, and it's a good one. The BusyBodyBook has a column for each family member with one week per page and space for each day of that week.

It is now a breeze to organize and track all four of our schedules and activities, coordinating everyone side by side. It's easy to see overlapping schedules and doublebooking. I can also easily see those evenings, afternoons and weekends that we actually do not have a commitment and so we can, wonder of all wonders, INITIATE plans with other families!

There's also a front pocket for hard copy invitations, months at a glance, key contact info for important people and numbers, shopping lists and plans for world peace inside.

I love my BusyBodyBook so much that I just purchased my second one. It has changed my life and I credit it with keeping my family and friendships organized and intact. Cost: $17.95

For families with kids that can actually read or parents that want the family week at a glance at eye level 24-7, there's a 7-column wall calendar version for $14.95 and a 7-column fridge grid pad for $11.95

In honor of Rosh Hashanah and the start of a new school year too, the wonderful publisher of the Busy Body Book, Joan Goldner, is giving away THREE brand new copies to three lucky APISS readers. Leave a comment for a chance to win - winners will be randomly drawn in one week!

GIVEAWAY & COUPON CODE: KidCards

Abigail is the Randomly-drawn winner!

Sometimes I think I should just directly deposit the entire contents of my checking account into Hallmark's coffers each month. Between holidays, birthday parties, showers, weddings, keeping in touch with our massive list of siblings, nieces and nephews, we buy A LOT of cards in the APISS household.

Now ideally I'd have both my kids make all the family cards, turning our playroom craft table into a mini-sweatshop. But somehow my demands for homemade greetings on a deadline make the kids less than thrilled and sometimes take the fun out of coloring and crafting. I've actually finished my children's abandoned cardmaking myself in order to make the mail carrier, dishonestly slapping on a few princess stickers from "Eve" and forging Charlie's name by writing with my left, non-dominant hand.

Not my proudest parenting moments, I must confess.

So I was totally intrigued when asked to review KidCards®, these new activity books for kids that streamline the making of homemade cards. The books are filled with sturdy cardstock pages that kids tear out and fold into a greeting card and envelopes are included. We've been using these for the last few birthday parties and holidays, and my kids have been way into designing them.

I love that at $14.99 for 20 cards, they cost less than $1 each but still have the mark of handmade love. Family members have been touched by the kids' personal flair and artistry, and the card-creation process was greatly streamlined. Fellow mom friends have been asking where we got them, so I think that not only are they good for birthday cards to playmates, the card books also make cool birthday presents themselves.

Volume 1 are coloring cards for a variety of occasions like birthdays, thank you, congratulations, that kids simply color and sign - great for young children. Volume 2 contains cards that allow older kids to add their own design and write messages, while still providing a themed frame to help get them started on the sometime daunting "Let's make Grandma a birthday card" process. Both sets retail for $14.99 and contain 20 cards and envelopes.

Want one of your own? Leave a comment below with your favorite product on the KidCards website. I'll randomly draw one winner who will get to choose his/her own KidCards book. ($14.99 value) Deadline for comments is midnight Sunday May 31.

Penny Promotion code: When you go to www.kidcards.org and purchase 2 or more books online, enter the penny promotion code "Blogger Bonus" in the box and you'll receive both a crayon set AND the watercolor paint set for 1 penny.

Happy card making!

GIVEAWAY: Free Nanny Service From Mommy Relief!

The Randomly-drawn winners are Jamie and Vanessa.

Mommy Relief is a local business that provides assistance to families adjusting to life with a new baby. Standard baby nurse/night nurse services are available, but Mommy Relief is unique in that care givers also provide help with the older children in the family. All Mommy Relievers are experienced in providing expert care to newborns and children of all ages. The registered nurses have strong backgrounds in NICU, and the thoroughly screened assistants have hands-on experience with infants. The Mommy Relievers can do it all, from baby care to helping with older kids' homework to light housekeeping and meals. They provide a customized program of help in the topsy-turvy time of welcoming a newborn to the family.

Mommy Relief was started by sisters Kristin Emery and Jennifer Smith, both moms as part of Stonehouse Medical Staffing, Inc., a home health care agency licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. They began the program when they saw so many moms carting in the “bucket” car seat infant carriers with an older child in tow on the way to the pediatrician. Kristin says,

Jen and I shared a nanny after our second children were born within two months of each other. We realized that we had an amazing situation and all moms should benefit. What we also realized is that moms are reluctant to get help. Some think, 'I am on maternity leave for that exact reason - so I CAN care for my kids, I shouldn’t need help.' Others think, 'It is just one baby, how hard can it be?' Still more think, 'Yes I am tired but I am fine, I can handle it.'

Mommy Relief can make a big difference in those first six weeks. Not only do you get the relief on the day you scheduled but you have a more positive outlook each day leading up to the relief. We hope we can reach lots of families and ease one of the most joyous but exhausting times in their lives. We like to say, “You don’t need a trip to Paris, you just want a shower!!”

Have you recently given birth or adopted, or are you expecting in 2009? Do you have a good friend or relative who could use a hand now or soon? The generous folks at Mommy Relief have provided two separate APISS readers with gift certificates of four hours of Mommy Relief services! These certificates are transferable, do not expire, and are good for families living in the DC Metro region. Two weeks advance notice is required for redeeming the Mommy Relief.

Want to be one of the two lucky winners? Leave a comment below as to why you or a friend could use some Mommy Relief. I'll randomly draw the winners in one week!

Note: I have not personally tried Mommy Relief, will not be receiving any services in exchange for this post and have not been compensated in any way.

Sylvania PalPODzzz: Coolest Nightlight Ever

Night light love

Thanks to my partnership with Parent Bloggers, my kids received a SYLVANIA PalPODzzz portable nightlight for their shared room. It was a tough decision for Charlie and Eve between the lady bug and rocket ship designs, but due to a heavy celestial design influence (read: star stickers and planet sheets) the rocket ship won out in the end.

The kids adore how the PalPODzzz rocket functions both as a nightlight and a rechargeable flashlight. The battery-less aspect is a godsend, as we go through more batteries in the APISS house than a prolific family of Energizer bunnies. And I don't know who gets more annoyed - my kids that I don't have the batteries they need to revive their toys or me that I'm constantly spending good money on those blasted little cylinders. With this nightlight/flashlight, everyone's happy. The charger base is stylish and looks like a launch pad for the rocket and is a welcome addition to the room décor.

When the rocket is lit you can see this cute little astronaut guy inside...that's my daughter Eve's favorite part. My son likes that he can stay up a little later than his sister reading with this nifty little flashlight. My husband and I like that the happy glow of the PalPODzzz has nullified the bedtime debates over hall lights/bathroom lights/open door widths, thus both speeding up The Sandman's arrival and saving energy.

The Sylvania PalPODzzz portable nightlight & flashlight is a great gift and gizmo, and retails for just $19.99. Nighty night!

GIVEAWAY: Sock Ons - Never lose baby socks again

UPDATE: Erika is the winner!

Once babies find their feet, keeping socks on those adorable toes is nearly impossible. Sock Ons are these genius little stirrup things that keep those precious booties on. Invented by a British mom of five little boys who always lost their socks, Sock Ons are the consummate "why didn't I think of that?" innovation. And they look super cute and styley too!

Clever Mom is one of the few U.S. online shops that carries this clever design, and owner Ilana, the Clever Mom herself has offered a pair for giveaway to a lucky APISS reader. Perfect to thwart your own little Houdini's sock removal, or for gifting the next baby shower. My sis in law Katie makes beautiful diaper cakes, and Sock Ons would be a darling addition to her crafty creations.

To be entered to win, just go to the Clever Mom website and come back here and comment with your favorite other clever baby gear item featured on the site. I'll randomly draw the winner in one week.

While you're there, use discount code APISS for 15% off any Clever Mom purchases!

A five year old schools his mama

My five year old son taught me about helping others last week.

Early in the week, his pre-k class made chocolate chip cookies as part of a meal the school and church were making for a homeless shelter. My son Charlie was so proud that the cookies he made would brighten the day and nourish the bodies of others.

The next day, he pointedly asked me about the big bins of baby and children's clothing I have carefully labeled and stacked in one of our closets.

"What are we doing with all those tons of clothes? Eve [his sister] and I aren't wearing them!"

I patiently explained that maybe a new baby brother or sister would join our family someday, and so we would need those clothes for him or her. To this he replied,

"Would the baby really wear all of them? What about the kids at the shelter that need clothes now?"

And he was totally right. I thought about the warm corduroy pants and fuzzy footed sleepers and woolen hats and little hooded parkas in those bins, and the freezing East Coast winter outside, and my selfishness made me ashamed. Charlie and I went through the boxes and picked out the warmest, nicest items we could find, for boys and girls in a variety of sizes, filled some bags and added them to the donations collected at the school.

It took my child's pure heart and practicality to jolt me out of my complacency and privileged bubble.

One organization that is working to feed the hungry is The Quaker Oats Company and its new campaign, Start with Substance. Start with Substance is striving to donate up to one million bowls of oatmeal to those in need.

Here's how you can help: From January 12 through February 28, for every UPC code from a Quaker Oatmeal hot cereal product you enter at www.startwithsubstance.com, Quaker will donate one bowl of oatmeal to Share Our Strength, a childhood hunger organization. (You'll need to be a Facebook member to participate.)

I don't know about you, but this time of year my family is going through a frightening number of instant oatmeal packets for quick hot breakfasts, making this campaign one of the easiest ways to help the hungry that I've found. One guess as to what five year old is helping me remember to enter the UPC codes and pick up oatmeal at the market.

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company.

The BusyBodyBook - Personal & Family Organizer

So I have my Google calendar of activities that I'm sure you all are sick of me linking to. And I have a pretty wall calendar of vintage Italian travel posters that is good for daydreaming of the Amalfi Coast and is usually turned to the previous month.

For family engagements and personal events, I would write the item down on the free calendar my church gives out at the beginning of the year. As I'm Catholic, the calendar does not list other religions' holidays and so I am clueless about the exact date of important celebrations and observances when setting up events with friends. (Hey gals, Let's do book club on Yom Kippur! How about a big pasta lunch during Ramadan? Oh, only two of you can make it due to momentous religious holidays? Oops, I'm an ass. Shalom!) Sometimes I'd enter an event I received over email from a friend or my husband into my personal Google calendar. Sometimes I'd mean to and stick the email in a folder to enter later, but then I'd forget.

In short, I was a mess. And right out of college I was a scheduler for an elected official. This was not good.

In the last year I have even BLATANTLY FORGOT the following activities:

Dinner at my friend's house with her family and one other family. I was supposed to bring wine for six adults, my friend expected my family of four to show up for a meal. Unforgivable.

Book club when my friend was hosting at her home. Total no show. Totally bad.

Going to see Harold and the Purple Crayon at the Adventure Theatre. The tickets were waiting at the box office and everything.

The first day of soccer for my firstborn son. Debbie Phelps I am not.

Bringing something that started with the letter "A" for my son's preschool class. He tried to compensate with saying he brought himself, since his name has an "A" in it but does not start with A. Survey says? Fail.

A luncheon for the upcoming birth of my friend's daughter. Yup, I said I'd be there on the Evite response. Nope, I didn't come.

Are you cringing? I told you I was a mess. I was in desperate need of help. I was writing some of my commitments on an inadequate calendar, typing some into an online calendar I failed to check and about one event per month was falling through the cracks. I was spending more time apologizing to friends and co-volunteers and fellow parents than actually spending time with them. But I didn't have the time or knowledge to implement a better system. Oh, and when you quit your job? No one hires you an assistant. Hate that.

Thank goodness for the BusyBodyBook. Now I have one system, and it's a good one. The BusyBodyBook has a column for each family member with one week per page and space for each day of that week. It is now a breeze to organize and track all four of our schedules and activities, coordinating everyone side by side. It's easy to see overlapping schedules and doublebooking. I can also easily see those evenings, afternoons and weekends that we actually do not have a commitment and so we can, wonder of all wonders, INITIATE plans with other families! There's also a front pocket for hard copy invitations, months at a glance, key contact info for important people and numbers, shopping lists and plans for world peace inside.

I love my BusyBodyBook. It has changed my life and I credit it with keeping the few friendships I still have. Thank you!

Cost: $17.95
For families with kids that can actually read or parents that want the family week at a glance at eye level 24-7, there's a 7-column wall calendar version for $14.95 and a 7-column fridge grid pad for $11.95

Jooners: Free Website for Busy Parents, Room Moms, Life

You know how Evite makes it so easy to plan a bbq, potluck or other informal party? Now there's a website that makes organizing our children's packed schedules and coordinating with other parents just as easy: Jooners.

Jooners is especially for parents that have to coordinate class parties, car pools, snack duty, preschool co-oping, meals for new parents, events, lists, sports schedules, etc. with other parents. I have found that managing all of the obligations and expectations of service in my kids' preschool, church, sports and clubs can be a full time job (like I need another one.) Jooners was developed specifically to make it all easier and the online planners are a godsend.

And it's TOTALLY FREE.

Rather than send a trillion confusing e-mails and reply-alls that no one understands, simply have your fellow parents log-on to the shared file. Now immediately everyone knows that Jane is doing snacks on Tuesday, that Saturday soccer is in the west field, that Mark has signed up to chaperone the pumpkin patch trip, that the Johnsons have already received 10 lasagnas since the new baby arrived.

You can also load your school or organization's calendar to Jooners and make it accessible to your list, saving you the annoyance of having to develop a website and online calendar for the club from scratch.

Just sign up, send the link to your fellow parents and relax. Here's a quick one pager on the software's function, a short video tour to help you learn the site and here are some links to get you started:

• Create email groups for your contacts, e.g. soccer team, classroom parents, neighborhood
• Get volunteers signed up for your sport or club snack schedule
• Set up a calendar for each of your family members
• Organize the class Halloween party
  

See? Being room mom doesn't have to be that bad!