Monthly Archives: December 2013

Your Next App Addiction: ShopYourWay Mobile

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If your child calls your iPhone your 3rd hand or if your smartphone is glued to your body 18+ hours a day, you likely have a favorite app or two.  My favorite apps include Pandora, Hootsuite, Reminders, and now the new Shop Your Way app.   These are 4 apps that can be slightly addictive.   I won’t even mention games.  We all know a few game apps that are VERY addictive, right?

Prepare yourself, because there’s a new app in town that is destined to be your next obsession (and it does more than just crush candies).

The Shop Your Way mobile app is a member’s dream. The app stores up to 20% in coupons or points on a regular basis that you can redeem directly from your smart phone. Say goodbye to carrying around that coupon pouch! The fun doesn’t end at saving money. You can use the app to go behind the scenes of our celebrity brands like Adam Levine, Nicki Minaj and much more.

Shop Your Way app“Download the SYW App” for the following features:

  • Shop’in to access daily in-store deals! Download the Shop Your app today”
  • Shop’in to get exclusive sales and load coupons! Download the Shop Your Way app today
  • Clip coupons right to your mobile phone! Download the Shop Your Way app today
  • Get coupons right on your phone to use in store for purchases! Download the Shop Your Way app today
  • Download to get Behind the scenes, styling tips, shopping, etc… from Nicki and Adam

Download the Shop Your Way app today! and start saving money today!

Pivot Power Genius Makes Life Easier

2013 Holiday Gift Guide, Gadgets, Technology,

Pivot Power GeniusThe Pivot Power Genius is a smart power strip outlet. Anything that’s plugged into two of the four outlets can be controlled through an app on your mobile device called Wink.  If you forgot to turn off the light in the bedroom, it can be done remotely from anywhere. You can even schedule when the light comes back on.

The Pivot Power Genius is a flexible device. Unlike the average power strip, the outlets on the Pivot are adjustable. Each outlet can be bent and pivoted, meaning it can be fit into pretty much any space without concern. You can also adjust, bend or curve each outlet to make room for those huge AC adapters that normally won’t fit alongside any other plug in a strip.

I use my Pivot Power Genius to turn our humidifier on and off in our bedroom each morning and night.  Before having the Pivot Power Genius I struggled to get out of bed because the humidifier provided such a relaxing sound, it was difficult to get out of bed.  Now, I open the Wink app on my iPhone and turn off the humidifier right from bed!

Pivot Power Genius

With the Wink app on your mobile device, you will have the capability to control two of the Pivot outlets remotely. You can make your television or lamp a smart device when it’s plugged into the Pivot Power Genius. You can save energy and worry knowing you can shut items off even if you’re out to dinner with friends. Or turn the lights on in the front room before you get out of the car.

  • The Pivot Power Genius has four adjustable AC outlets.
  • Utilizing the mobile app, it can control two devices plugged into the Power Genius.
  • You can program when those devices should shut off or on, either manually or by schedule.
  • The Pivot Power Genius will connect instantly to your phone over a Wi-Fi network.

The Pivot Power Genius is a product of Quirky, a company that designs products based on ideas submitted by their community of inventors. It’s a novel approach to innovation. The Pivot Power Genius was the brainchild of Jake Zien of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His idea for what would become the Power Genius had been gestating since high school. When he learned about Quirky, he submitted his proposal and the company accepted the idea, manufactured it and it has gone on to become the company’s best seller.

A great idea for a holiday gift, the Pivot Power Genius will change how families go about powering their lives!

Frasier Fir – A Fresh, Clean, Winter Scent for your Home

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Imagine walking into a home and immediately noticing the unmistakable, invigorating, uniquely Christmasy smell of Frasier fir. But then you may realize that Christmas has come and gone or there’s nothing like a beautiful and majestic Frasier fir in the house. What’s happened is you’ve just entered a home where Thymes’ Frasier Fir candles are merrily alight or the hostess could have added a spritz of Thymes’ home fragrance into the air just before you arrived.

Thymes.com Frasier Fir

There’s more than one type of Frasier Fir candle on offer from Thymes, so a homemaker can group one type together or mix them for variety. The three wick candle has a lovely, deep pine green wax and is far more than just a Yuletide holiday tradition. At 17 ounces, it fills a space with delectable notes of Siberian fir, cedarwood sandalwood and musk and costs $50.00 per candle. The one wick candle has those same fragrance notes but sells for $28.00. There’s also a set of two candles. These are 3.75 ounce, white wax candles which sell for $34.00 a set.

Along with these candles is the Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle, which is one candle that comes in a clear glass holde rwith a pattern of evocative pine needles. It’s 6.5 ounces, sells for $28.00 and lasts up to 50 hours. Other candles are the Frasier Fir Pine Cone Candle. This candle actually comes in a holder fashioned into a ceramic pine cone. Take the top off and light the wick for that irresistible smell. This candle sells for $30.00 and can come in a gift-wrapped box topped by a grosgrain bow. The Frasier Fir Votive Candles come in a set of three for $18.00. Another 6.5 ounce candle comes in its own reusable tin for $18.50.

Along with candles, Thymes.com also offers Frasier Fir Home Fragrance mist. This three ounce bottle has the look of brushed copper and gives a room the same unforgettable fragrance as the candles. It sells for $18.00.

For Christmas or those other winter holidays, Thymes Frasier Fir candles and mist are a must have!

Personalized Holiday Gifts For Everyone On Your List

2013 Holiday Gift Guide, Gifts, Personalized, ,

Personal Creations

We put our Christmas tree up over the weekend and despite the rocky start because we couldn’t get the lights to work and a couple of ornaments had broken during transit from the attic, the experience ended up being the best Christmas tree decorating time I’ve ever had.  There were a few things at play that made that the case.  The first was the Christmas music in the background.  When Jingle Bells started playing on Pandora, we all sang along.  Then there were the sausage balls I made.  We finally had to bring them into the living room to munch on or I wasn’t going to see my husband or kids while I decorated the tree alone.  Then the kids started going through the ornaments and found their favorites and ones that are special to them.  My daughter lined her ornaments up on the couch and asked my husband and I where each ornament came from, how old she was when we got it, and why we got it for her.  It was really nice to see her face light up as we talked about each ornament and the story behind it and remember those special times surrounding each ornament.

Once the tree was decorated, I headed to the den to finalize Christmas gift shopping.   I love getting my kids and husband personalized items.

One thing I’ve learned since having kids is that kids LOVE to see their name on things.   They like feeling like something was made for them.. it exists because of them.  I remember the first time my son saw his name on a billboard for a store. It was a coincidence, yes, but he acted like that was his store which brought a huge smile to his face! He was 6 years old at the time. Now he’s 14. He still loves to see his name on things which is why I love getting him personalized gifts.

This year, I chose a few items that are very fitting to his personality, to personalize. He’s getting older and keeps change and trinkets in his pockets. What happens to those things when he gets home from school? They end up strewn all over his desk. Personal Creations has a really nice large wooden catchall that will be monogrammed with his initials which I hope he will keep his loose change and trinkets.

Large Wood Catchall-Monogram

My daughter recently started playing soccer and gymnastics and will be thrilled to see a new ornament on the Christmas tree that looks just like her, playing soccer and my son will have a Lacrosse playing ornament.  Maybe there is hope that they will play together after-all, even if it is just the ornament versions of themselves.  🙂

I am excited about the Sock Monkey ornaments the kids will be getting for the tree soon.  Both of my kids love monkeys.  I’m not sure why but when I saw these adorable sock monkey ornaments at Personal Creations, I knew they’d be a perfect fit on our Christmas tree.

sock monkey personalized ornament

My daughter is really into playing with makeup now and what better way to get her to not use my makeup brushes than for her to have her own?  I am going to give her mine when I get this new set personalized with my name on it.  🙂  The makeup roll includes a 6 piece brush set with 2 large, full-coverage cheek and face brushes, 2 eye blending and smudge brushes, 1 angled liner brush, and 1 eyebrow groomer brush.

personalized makeup brush set

Ready to personalize your own Christmas creations?
Personal Creations is offering my readers 20% off of all of your purchases through the end of December.
Click here to start shopping and the 20% will be applied in your shopping cart.

If you need inspiration on coming up with great personalized gift ideas, this Pinterest board is a great place to start!


5 Pre-Holiday Cleaning Tips + A Review of Swiffer SteamBoost Steam Mop

Cleaning & Cleaners,

This holiday cleaning tips post is brought to you by Swiffer® as part of a Type-A Parent Community Sponsored Post.

Are you anxiously cleaning your home to get ready for your holiday visitors?  I am.  It’s ridiculous really.   It never fails..each year, around the 2nd week of December, I get a cleaning bug and even though I know that within three days, the house will be a mess again, I go at it anyway.   That’s why I came up with a set of 5 pre-holiday cleaning tips that even I follow.

My Top 5 Tips On Cleaning For The Holidays:

  • Be realistic, give your self and your kids small cleaning projects throughout the course of a week before the holidays.  Don’t expect to cram all of your cleaning into one weekend. 
  • Turn on cheerful music that everyone will enjoy listening to while they’re cleaning.
  • Don’t try to vacuum, steam, sweep, or mop around small furniture, move it out of the way.  
  • Wear comfortable clothes while you’re cleaning.
  • Drink lots of water and even stop for a snack while you’re cleaning.  Eating and drinking will help keep your energy up and spirits high. Goodness knows you’re probably not thrilled about cleaning!

I received a Swiffer SteamBoost to review and while I am not required to write about things I receive to review, I write about things I love and this is one of them.   The Swiffer SteamBoost is lightweight, easy to use, and holds enough water to clean for a quite a while.   Also, it is very quiet and I LOVE the lavender scent of the pads.   After I used the SteamBoost as my house, I took it to my mom’s house to use on her tile floors.   The SteamBoost is easy to set up.  My 7-year-old set it up except for putting the pad on.   I wanted to put the pad on since there are chemicals in them.  The pad snaps into the little grooves and removes easily with a tug.  Once you put the pad on, simply plug the SteamBoost in and wait 30 seconds, then you’re ready to clean!

The electric Swiffer SteamBoost emits steam as an agent to activate the cleaning solution in the refill pads.  The SteamBoost is meant to be used on hard floor surfaces only.   Cleaning around furniture, corners, and toilets is easy because the handle swivels.

Swiffer SteamBoost steam mop

Swiffer Steamboost

Why Use a Steam Mop?

Steam moms are great for getting grimy dirt and sticky stuff off floors.   Our middle floor is almost all hardwood and it’s the first thing the kid walk on after school and when they’ve been in the front yard.  A steam mop makes getting that tracked in dirt on the floor, a breeze to lift.   Steam mops are also great for cleaning up sticky messes.

Swiffer Bissell SteamBoost Dimensions and Specs

  • Height: Approx 45 inches
  • Width: 10.25 inches
  • Depth: Approx 6 inches
  • Weight: 3 pounds
  • Power cord: 20 feet

I would like to see an on/off button on future models and perhaps a small pad to set the SteamBoost on while it’s warming up, included in the starter kit.

SwifferLogo-10-2-12

This sponsored post was brought to you by Swiffer®. For a limited time, get a $15 prepaid card when you purchase a SteamBoost Steam Mop Starter Kit between 11/24/13 and 12/31/13. Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost™ combines a dirt-dissolving cleaning solution with the power of steam for a deep clean that gets messes mops can leave behind. Also be sure to like Swiffer on Facebook and follow @swiffer on Twitter.