Book Description
Despite her name, Keats Sedlak is the sanest person in her large, nutty family of brilliant eccentrics. Her parents, both brainy academics, are barely capable of looking after themselves, let alone anyone else, and her two uber-intelligent siblings live on their own planets.

At least she can count on one person in her life, her devoted boyfriend Tom. Down-to-earth and loving, he's the one thing that's kept Keats grounded for the last decade. But when Keats's mother makes a surprise announcement, the entire family is sent into a tailspin. For the first time, Keats can't pick up the pieces by herself. Now she must reevaluate everything she's ever assumed about herself and her family - and make the biggest decision of her life.

My Review
Many people discover at some point - teenage years, anyone? - that we can choose our friends but not our relatives. If learning to accept that is a sign of maturity, then 25-year old Keats Sedlak has a long way to go at the beginning of this book. Of course, she has it harder than most. In addition to being named after an English romantic poet - his LAST name, on top of that - she comes from a family of socially maladjusted genius. Keats is beautiful, smart and kind but in her family, she feels inferior and out of place. Her personal act of rebellion against the brains and expectations of that family is working a job that's far beneath her abilities and living with a boyfriend she met when she was 15.

Keats has always been the problem-solver in her family. She feels she is being served more than her usual share of challenges when her mother files for divorce, her father becomes sick, and her brother refuses to leave the house their mother has decided to sell. Keats is trying to find a way to help everyone survive the crisis but she quickly realizes she must add herself to the list.

Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts is a charming novel that I could not put down. Keats is a likable character who is not perfect but she is certainly a fast learner. Her journey to adulthood and to accepting her family is long and uneven, in equal parts emotionally charged and funny. The book is a tribute to family and friendship as much as a coming-of-age story of choices and consequences, and I loved every word.

Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts is new this week from 5 Spot, a division of Hachette Book Group. Author Claire LaZebnik's previous books include The Smart One and the Pretty One, Knitting Under the Influence and If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now - all three now on my to-read list.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts!

To enter, please comment below if you've read anything by Claire LaZebnik, or tell us if you ever felt different from everyone else in your family.

From preschool to graduate school, you need a bag for your books, snacks, laptop, water bottle... For my kids,  it's adorable little backpacks for preschool, larger but still very cute bookbags for elementary school, and surely more backpacks down the road. My husband and I went through several backpacks in college. He loved to stuff them to the brim and it took us a while to find a backpack that fit everything and lasted more than a couple of months.

Teton Sports backpacks are built to survive the use and abuse of school and college. I got to try the TETON Sports Tech The Executive Backpack (Black/Grey). This backpack is not just stylish but very well made, with quality materials and attention to every detail. The black and grey colors make it appropriate for men and women, for the office and for school. In the main compartment, there is a well-padded laptop pocket that fits most 17" laptops. Another roomy compartment has an audio pocket and a media port on top. Whoever designed the TETON Sports backpacks has clearly thought of everything you'd need to have all your stuff perfectly organized. There is a cell phone pocket on one strap and an eyeglass holder on the other. Besides my wallet and keys, these are the top two things I need easy access to when I am on the go. Speaking of keys - the Executive Backpack features a sturdy carabiner on the front. No more rummaging around your backpack for the car keys!

I love the organizer pocket - it has space for cards or IDs, pens, a cell phone - if it's raining or you just prefer to keep it inside - and more. There are two smaller pockets on each side plus mesh pockets for  a water bottle or another drink. The suspension strap system and quality padding makes the Executive Backpack very comfortable to carry, and the airflow system on the back prevents it from sticking to your back. The zippers slide easily and the handle is reinforced with a metal wire covered with soft flexible plastic.

The TETON Sports Tech The Executive Backpack is an awesome combination of coolness, style, quality, comfort and function. It holds 2400 cubic inches (40 liters) and weighs just 3 lbs - lighter than comparable backpacks from other brands I've tried. It's perfect for work or school. If you need less capacity, check out The Professional or TETON Sports Session Tech Backpack.

Last but not least, for younger kids who do not carry a laptop around and just need a bookbag for school, I recommend the TETON Sports Bookbag Backpack. It comes in four colors:  pink, blue, red and black in a combination with black and light gray. With a 30 liter capacity, it will hold everything your child needs for school, and will be easy to carry - the backpack weighs just 1.5 lbs.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win the TETON Sports Tech The Executive Backpack (ARV $120)!

To enter, please check out TETON Sports and comment below with your favorite product, or share something you've learned.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #431 DonnaP!

A new version of the classic Cinderella story is coming out on DVD! A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song starring Lucy Hale and Freddie Stroma will be released on September 6.

I am excited to share the Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song Clickcast widget. The widget provides some fun content for kids and adults alike.

• Write Your Own Cinderella Story: take the interactive quiz and make your own musical fairy tale come true
• Lip Sync Music Video Contest: film a short YouTube video to the sounds of Lucy Hale’s song “Run This Town.” Dress up! Be creative!
• Achieve Your Dreams PDF: download “Top 10 Ways to Stand Bright” and write your own goals!
• A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song: sneak a peek of the Cinderella Story Three trailer.

Hidden behind the veil of the fun content is a message to kids that anything is possible if they follow their dreams. To help deliver this message through fun and enriching content, PartnersHub has teamed up with the Confidence Coalition, a national movement geared towards promoting self-esteem and confidence among girls and women.



Disclosure / Disclaimer: No compensation was provided for this post.

Everyone needs a good night's sleep. For me, that starts with a dark, quiet room that's not too cold and not too warm, and a comfortable bed. Last year, I found my perfect pillow at Protect-A-Bed. Now they are helping school-bound kids - and their parents - sleep better with the Student Bedding Protection Kit.

Did you know that last year, more than 2.2 million high-school grads headed to college? The Student Bedding Protection Kit from Protect-A-Bed makes sure students get a more hygienic sleep environment, whether they are moving into dorms or renting apartments. Many mattresses there have been slept on previously and may be filled with dust mites and other allergens. Mattress protection creates a layer between students and whatever is lurking in their mattresses. 

The Protect-A-Bed Student Bedding Protection Kit includes three products: a twin XL AllerZip® mattress encasement, a mattress protector, and a pillow protector. The mattress encasement covers the entire mattress and closes securely with a sturdy three-sided zipper. It is very well made, with double-stitched seams and completely waterproof. I love the quality fabric and the soft, silky feel. The encasement fits mattresses 7-12" deep and can be used on box springs, too.

Just as the mattress encasement, the Protect-A-Bed's Basic Mattress Protector provides a barrier to allergens and dust mites. It looks like a fitted sheet with a smooth polyester surface. The protector is absorbent and waterproof. It helps keep a mattress sanitary and protected from spills or accidents. It can be easily removed for washing.

The Premium Pillow Protector has a soft cotton terry surface that makes it very comfy for sleeping. Everything the mattress encasement and protector do for the mattress, the pillow protector does for the pillow. It protects against allergens, dust mites and bacteria. The pillow protector is waterproof yet it keeps my pillow cool.

The Student Bedding Protection Kit is not just for students. If your younger child is using a twin-size bed but still has the occasional accident at night, the kit is a great option. My daughter likes to have a glass of water on her nightstand, and the kit helps make sure the water does not end up soaking her mattress or pillow in case of a spill.

Besides the Student Bedding Protection Kit, Protect-A-Bed offers a complete line of protective bedding products. The company has been around for 30 years and does business in 30 countries. I love the Protect-A-Bed products we've tried, and the Student Bedding Protection Kit is a must-have for back to school.

The Giveaway

My kids and I are big fans of Sylvan Dell Publishing children's books. For a limited time, they are offering a free ebook on their website to help parents and educators teach children about hurricanes. Ready, Set…WAIT! deals with what coastal animals do before a storm hits. I read it today and I will be sharing it with my family over the weekend. The book is beautifully illustrated and - as all Sylvan Dell Publishing books I've read - it has an educational section in the back and tons of teaching activities, quizzes, and related websites on book’s homepage.

Book Description
Hurricane . . . just the word brings to mind the power of these natural disasters. Humans watch the news and know of impending arrival. We board up windows and gather supplies. We might huddle in our homes or go inland. Then we wait for the storm to arrive. But what do wild animals do? Do they know when a storm is coming? If so, how do they prepare? This book explains how nine animals sense, react, and prepare for a hurricane. Based on research or observations, the brief portraits are explained in simple, poetic language for children of all ages.

Written by Patti R. Zelch
Illustrated by Connie McLennan
32 pg, 11 x 8.5, ages 4-9, Lexile: AD 710
Hardcover ISBN: 9781607180722, $16.95
Paperback ISBN: 9781607180838, $8.95

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and everyone else - enjoy browsing!


Contigo 9/5
Chocolate-Covered Fruit Basket 9/6

Ever tried to bleach out sweat stains or ring around the collar? I have. Did it work? Not for me, either. It turns out bleach is NOT the way to go with these kinds of stains. It permanently sets them and ruins clothes beyond repair.

The Raise Armpit Stain Remover could have saved some of my family's clothes from the rags pile. Formerly known as Pitstop armpit stain remover, Raise claims to be the first ever stain remover to effectively eliminate underarm stains and ring around the collar. I did not try it on armpit stains because I could not tell which rags had not been bleached. I did find a couple of shirts that needed some serious work in the collar area. I am happy to report that said shirts look like new now.

I used Raise to pre-treat the stains, rubbing with an old toothbrush. I had some difficulty getting the spray from the tiny bottle on the stain and not all over my gloves. Then I let it sit for about 20 minutes, as recommended, before dropping the shirts in the wash. I am quite happy with the results, and feel bad for all those times I soaked sweat-stained t-shirts in bleach. On the other hand, I do have a very handy pile of rags.

Raise Armpit Stain Remover has been featured in magazines such as Shape, SELF, Ladies Home Journal, InStyle, and in the Wall Street Journal. Raise was also Good Housekeeping's cleaning product of the month. A 12 oz bottle of Raise can be purchased on their site for $12.50.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

We go through a lot of sunscreen at our house. This summer, we spent many hours outdoors - at the pool, at the park, at the beach, at the playground - and sunscreen was the first thing I brought along. Of course, sunscreen is not just for summer. Now that my kids are going back to school, I make sure to apply sunscreen every morning. Recently, we've been using a new one - the All Terrain "Phineas &a Ferb" SPF 30 Natural KidSport Spray Sunscreen.

All Terrain's sunscreen comes in a 3 oz spray container. It's oxybenzone-free, sprays on easily and absorbs quickly. There is no greasy residue and their formula is water and sweat resistant. The sunscreen offers SPF30 UVA and UVB protection. It retains its SPF even after 80 minutes of activity in water! Now that's one beach-friendly sunscreen. Last but not least, the bottle has a cute Phineas & Ferb label that my kids like.

All Terrain products have been recognized as cruelty-free. Connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter (@AllTerrainCo).

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Description
Have you ever woken up in a cold sweat thinking you’re stuck in a life you don’t want? Did you ever consider disappearing — leaving family, friends, even a spouse — ditching everything you’ve ever known and starting over again? Maybe, just maybe, even returning to an old lover?

Emily Aulenbach is thirty-two, a lawyer married to a lawyer, working in Manhattan. An idealist, she had once dreamed of representing victims of corporate abuse, but she spends her days in a cubicle talking on the phone with vic­tims of tainted bottled water — and she is on the bottler’s side.

And it isn’t only work. It’s her sister, her friends, even her husband, Tim, with whom she doesn’t connect the way she used to. She doesn’t connect to much in her life, period, with the exception of three things—her computer, her BlackBerry, and her watch.

Acting on impulse, Emily leaves work early one day, goes home, packs her bag, and takes off. Groping toward the future, uncharacteristically following her gut rather than her mind, she heads north toward a New Hampshire town tucked between mountains. She knows this town. During her college years, she spent a watershed summer here. Painful as it is to return, she knows that if she is to right her life, she has to start here.

My Review
Barbara Delinsky, a best-selling author with over 30 million copies of her books in print, writes about the emotional crises people face in life. Her latest novel, published in July by Doubleday, is no exception. Escape is as thought-provoking as it is engaging. Emily is a lawyer who one day realizes just how much substance is lacking from her life. She is brave enough to do something about it. Emily skips town and retraces her past, hoping to find out just where she's lost the dreams and feelings that she once considered vital to her existence. Her journey is emotional and difficult. As it often happens in life, she stumbles upon the things she is looking for in places she least expects.

Last but not least - kudos for the absolutely gorgeous cover. The picture is not just beautiful but it aptly represents the dilemmas Emily is facing in the story.

Whether or not you are a Barbara Delinsky fan, I highly recommend Escape. Personally, I could not put it down and thought about it long after I finished it. And that's five stars in my book.

The Giveaway

It's no secret that college education is expensive. Tuition, fees, living expenses, transportation, technology - everything costs money. And let's not forget the books. I still remember having to shell out hundreds of dollars each semester. Sure, I sold some of them when I was through with classes but that did not recoup much of the expense.

I wish CampusBookRentals.com existed back then. They've been in business since 2007 (yep, college for me was a bit earlier than that). Renting books is way cheaper than buying them - and also better for the environment. I looked up some textbooks I would have bought if I were a student, and I was amazed how much money I could have saved. And guess what - flexibility, large selection, free shipping both ways, and no lining up at the bookstore. I'd much rather shop online anyway, especially for books. Wouldn't you?

The Giveaway
I have a sweet giveaway for you - in more ways than one. CampusBookRentals.com are generously giving away an Edible Arrangements chocolate-covered fruit gift basket from to one lucky U.S. reader of this blog!

Or, if you'd rather buy your own chocolate but want to save even more on textbooks, you could win a 50% coupon code at CampusBookRentals.com instead. Use it for yourself or for a student in your life. Sweet, I know!

To enter, please comment below who would be saving on their textbooks - or enjoying the chocolate-covered fruit gift basket - if you won.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #239 Jenn Spencer!

It's important to me that my kids stay hydrated - especially in the hot weather we've been having. At home, I make sure they get enough fluids. On the go or for school or work, we have reusable water bottles for every member of the family. My daughter's favorite bottle this summer has been the AUTOSEAL® Kids Trekker Cup from Contigo.

Contigo offers travel mugs, water bottles, kids cups, and coffee mugs that are stylish and eco-friendly. Recently, the company developed mugs, bottles and kids cups featuring patented AUTOSEAL® technology. That means their products stay sealed between sips - no spilling, no mess. If you are prone to spilling your coffee (I am) or have young children (I do), you'd probably agree with me - that's one genius idea.

The kids cups are beyond adorable. Each cup holds 14 oz and has excellent insulation. I love the sleek design and cute colors. There are four color combinations -  two for boys and two for girls. My daughter got the one in teal and ever since, she has not left the house without it. Besides being 100% leak- and spill-proof, the cups are BPA FREE and made with polypropylene (PP) #5. They are also Phthalate- and PVC-free. The cup consists of two parts only - container and lid. The top has no small parts that can break off or get lost in the dishwasher. There is a button that kids press to drink, and the opening seals automatically when they let go. My daughter mastered the new concept quickly and had no difficulty using the cup. Last but not least, the cup has an easy-grip shape making it easy to hold.

The Kids Trekker Cups from Contigo are recommended for 4-12 year olds. They are perfect for school or play. There is an equally stylish version for grown ups that I have my eyes on - the Contigo AUTOSEAL® Swish Water Bottle. It comes in red, blue and pink, and I want one in every color. Don't you?! And don't even get me started on the travel mugs... I am officially obsessed with Contigo.

Deal Alert
Now through September 5th, shop at www.GoContigo.com and receive 20% off all water bottles, travel mugs, and kids mugs (while supplies last). No coupon required!

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win an AUTOSEAL® Kids Trekker Cup from Contigo!

To enter, please check out Contigo and comment below with your favorite product.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #119 katklaw777!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary item to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Prize fulfillment by sponsor. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

My family eats a lot of fresh fruit and veggies. Many of them come from Del Monte: bananas, potatoes, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapefruit... It's important to me that my kids eat healthy not just at home but at school, too.

This fall, Del Monte is helping encourage healthy eating in the classroom via its second annual online contest, “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms.” The program awards cash and fresh fruit to kindergarten through 12th grade school teachers to make it easier to include the healthy living message in classroom activities. Sixty teachers will win a total of $1,000 in cash to purchase school supplies and fresh fruit for their students. Top winners will also get a Del Monte Fresh Field Day event for their school where all students enjoy a day of Del Monte fresh fruit and fun activities. Salad bars for schools will also be given away through promotions at supermarkets. Find out more at www.fruits.com.

The Giveaway
Three of my U.S. readers will win $25 in Del Monte gift certificates and one will win a backpack full of school supplies!

To enter, please comment below what Del Monte products you enjoy eating - or tell us something about your favorite teacher.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter @aitmama and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Enter 2 #win $25 in @DelMonteFresh gift certificates and backpack of school supplies! #Giveaway ends 9/4 @aitmama #food http://tiny.cc/lqnp5";
• follow @DelMonteFresh on twitter;
• if you like Del Monte on Facebook, comment below for another entry;
• spread the word about the Del Monte contest via Twitter or Facebook - feel free to copy and paste: "Join Del Monte Fresh’s effort to support teachers. Check out the Teacher Monday Cash for Classrooms Contest http://urlin.it/1fbf6";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winners: #131 GoldenOrchard, #148 Lynda Del., #339 Anonymous, #390 DonnaP!
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a Del Monte gift certificate for participating in the campaign. No compensation was provided for this post. Prize fulfillment by sponsor. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and everyone else - enjoy browsing!

Book Description
Sing along to this light-hearted romp while learning about different food chains within a single ecosystem. Which animals come out on top, and which animals end up as snacks? Hey Diddle Diddle teaches children about the food web, the circle of life, and the part that each living creature plays within an ecosystem. This book is so much fun, kids will have a hard time believing they’re actually learning. You’ll be singing Hey Diddle Diddle long after you close the book.

My Review
Hey Diddle Diddle - appropriately subtitled A Food Chain Tale - is a beautifully illustrated book that teaches children how animals are connected in their habitat. The book introduces the beetle, snake, hawk, frog, bass, lizard, caterpillar, and bobcat - some fall prey while others are predators. Lighthearted rhymes tell the story of how some of these animals feed or become food to others. While these facts of life may be uncomfortable for young children, Hey Diddle Diddle will neither scare nor lie to your kids. The book includes additional four pages of learning activities that can be a good stepping stone for a discussion of food chains and food web - a habitat of food chains linked together. The book is recommended for kids aged 3-8.

Hey Diddle Diddle: A Food Chain Tale, written by Pam Kapchinske and illustrated by Sherry Rogers, is a new book from Sylvan Dell Publishing.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and book info courtesy of the publisher. 

Everyone at my house loves tuna salad. While I prefer to make it at home, ready-made salads are an easy and convenient option. StarKist offers tuna salad pouches that passed my kids' taste test with flying colors. My daughter even said their salad was as good as mine... The Starkist tuna salad pouches contain 3 oz of sandwich-ready salad. They do not need to be refrigerated so I do not have to worry whether the ice pack in my daughter's lunch bag will last until mealtime. While one pouch is enough for a good-sized tuna salad sandwich, it's too much for my kids. When we use it at home - after school snacks, anyone? - I split up the contents and make two kid-sized sandwiches. Those Arnold Sandwich Thins rolls are the perfect size, and add about 5 grams of fiber (we usually buy the multi-grain variety). The tuna salad is good with crackers, wraps, or pita chips, too.

Another great lunch idea are the StarKist Lunch To-Go kits. In addition to a 3 oz pouch of tuna salad, they include six crackers, a plastic spoon, a paper napkin, and even a mint. I'd love to see whole grain crackers in there. In a pinch, all you need to do is throw one of these kits in your bag or your child's backpack, and voila - lunch is served!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

I love lip balm. There, I've said it. I have lip balms in my purses, backpacks, car, kitchen, desk, nightstand - you get the idea. Of course, I've used Carmex in the past but never knew that the popular lip balm has been around for over 70 years. And it all started on a family stovetop! For 20 years, Alfred Woelbing and his wife made Carmex by hand and poured it into the now familiar yellow-capped jars.

Today, Carmex still has the classic jar but the company has added new lip balm flavors, a lip balm line for women, and a line of skin care products. The ubiquitous jar has gone green - there is 20% less plastic in it thanks to a more concave bottom. The Carmex lip balm has also come out of the jar - there are tubes, sticks, twist sticks, and tints. Speaking of sticks - I got to try their two newest items: ultra moisturizing Carmex Lime Twist and Carmex Vanilla click sticks.

I've always liked vanilla, so the Carmex Vanilla click stick was an instant hit. I was somewhat surprised that I loved the fresh lime twist flavor just as much. Both lip balms are ultra moisturizing and offer sun protection with SPF 15. In my book, that makes them perfect for summer, winter and the seasons in between.

The main ingredients in the Carmex Lime Twist and Carmex Vanilla click sticks are beeswax and camphor. Just as the other Carmex lip balms I've tried, these two soothe and protect my lips from the elements. The lime twist and the vanilla are the yin and yang of flavors - one fun and fresh, the other soft and subtle. Last but not least - these lip balms are tested on family members, not on animals.

I also got to try the Carmex Moisture Plus® lip balm in clear satin gloss finish. This balm is similarly ultra moisturizing and has a SPF 15. It contains Vitamin E and aloe, pampering my lips and giving them a subtle shine.

Last but not least, I received the cutest picnic blanket - soft and cuddly on top, water resistant on the bottom. My kids immediately put together an indoors picnic - it's still too hot outside but we are looking forward to having a real picnic in a few weeks. The Carmex picnic blanket folds up nicely into a "purse" shape with a handle and a zippered pocket. Hooray for fresh air fun!

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a Carmex Prize Pack, including all four products I reviewed!

Here's what's going to be in the prize pack:
1 Carmex Lime Twist click stick
1 Carmex Vanilla click stick
1 Awesome Picnic blanket
1 Carmex Moisture Plus® clear satin gloss finish

To enter, please comment below which product you'd be most excited to win -  or tell us something about your lip balm(s).

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #25 Trung Nguyen!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary prize pack to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Prize fulfillment by sponsor. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Coconut oil is a staple in my kitchen. I've been using the Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for over two years now and I never get bored with the flavor. Coconut oil has many uses besides cooking and baking. I love it in creams, soaps, and lip balm. This summer, I've been giving my hair some TLC with the Organic Hair Oils from Tropical Traditions.

Coconut oil has been used as hair treatment for thousands of years. Tropical Traditions' Organic Hair Oils are made from their Gold Label coconut oil. This natural hair treatment contains only organic ingredients and no silicones, sulfates or alcohols. It comes in three flavors: lavender, rosemary and unscented. Since I love the natural aroma of coconut oil, I was torn between the unscented and the others. Finally, I chose the lavender - mmmm! My hair smells amazing every time I use the hair oil.

I like to check out the ingredients before using any new product. Here is what's in the hair oils: organic jojoba, organic Gold Label Standard Virgin Coconut Oil, organic macadamia nut oil, organic rosehip oil, organic shea butter, and organic carrot seed oil. In addition, the scented varieties contain organic rosemary essential oil and organic lavender essential oil. No mystery stuff here. The hair oils can be used as a treatment, shine serum and conditioner. It works great and takes no time at all to apply, no matter which method you choose:

• For dry scalp: Rub into hair and scalp at least 30 minutes before showering, or before bed at night. Wear a shower cap or towel to protect bedding.
• As a conditioner: As a deep conditioner, work through scalp and hair before washing. Leave in for 15 minutes to overnight. For a leave-in conditioner, work a small amount through wet hair before styling and drying.
• Shine Serum: Rub a small amount in the palms of your hands and gently run over dry hair. Scrunch for curly hair or rake for straight hair.

My favorite way of using the Organic Hair Oils is as a leave-in treatment. I am glad I tried them because my hair desperately needed deep conditioning this summer - sun, pool, humidity, need I say more? My scalp tends to dry out and these oils are the perfect remedy.

Deal Alert
Right now, the Tropical Traditions Organic Hair Oils are on sale! An 8 oz bottle costs $18.99 for the unscented and $19.50 for the lavender or rosemary. If you decide to buy the oils or anything else from Tropical Traditions, as a first-time customer you can get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase. Find out all about coconut oil and its uses! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge. You get a free book, and I get a coupon for referring you.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win an 8 oz bottle of Tropical Traditions Organic Hair Oils!

To enter, please take a look at the Tropical Traditions products and tell me what else you'd like to try.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #51 Clarke & Lewis!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The opinions are my own.

Last year, my daughter misplaced her sweater at school so I had to pay a visit to the Lost and Found pile. Two things surprised me, as I stood before it: first, the huge number of items, and second - none of them were labeled. Imagine trying to identify your child's belongings in a mountain of uniforms where everything looks the same! Well all I had to look for were the labels. Because I label everything that can potentially walk away from my kid at school.

Mabel's Labels make labels that are an art form - a very useful one. Created by moms, these fun labels come in eye-catching colors and beautiful designs. I've been a fan for almost two years and have never gone back to using a permanent marker as a labeling tool. I can tell you that their labels don't just look pretty - they stay put and survive the daily use and abuse of my kids' stuff.

This year, I am using the Mabel's Labels Ultimate Back-to-School Combo to make sure my daughter's things stay away from the dreaded lost and (never) found bins. The combo includes 50 Tag Mates, 40 Skinny-Minis,  16 shoe labels and 2 Teeny Tags. The tag mates are small labels that fit perfectly on the tags of my daughter's clothes. They handle laundry very well - just as the Skinny-Minis handle the dishwasher and microwave. The shoe labels make sure my little dancer's ballet shoes make it to her bag. And on the bag, we use a Teeny Tag - a small metal tag with, of course, her name on it. We are still debating whether the second Teeny Tag looks better on a backpack or a lunch bag.

The labels in the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo are available in several color schemes. Our fave is the Colourful Look where the background is different in a very clever way, depending on what icon is picked for the design. I suggest experimenting with the designs and backgrounds until you find the prefect fit for your child's likes and personality. We chose the butterfly icon and the labels look wonderful.

The Ultimate Back-to-School Combo from Mabel's Labels is only available until September 30. For $42, you get over 100 labels. To me, that's the cost of one school jacket or a pair of shoes that could be lost for good had I not labeled them. The peace of mind that I would not have to console a child who lost her favorite polka-dot lunch bag? Priceless.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win an Ultimate Back-to-School Combo from Mabel's Labels!

To enter, please check out Mabel's Labels and comment below with your favorite product - or tell us how you label the stuff kids lose.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to #29 RisingSouth!

Just Another New Blog and Busy Working Mama are going back to school! Well our kids are, and to celebrate it, we are hosting a month-long Back to School event. We have found some very cool products for back to school, and we'll be posting reviews and of course giveaways. Check out some of our sponsors:

Mabel's Labels
UMI Shoes
Dei Fratelli
Terracycle
Protect-A-Bed
Teton Sports
Contigo
Zutano
Original Sprout
Frecklebox

... and more!

The Back to School event starts tomorrow, August 15, and will run until September 15. See that cute button? Grab it now and post it on your site. Then leave a comment below telling us where to find it, and we'll give you extra entries in the Back to School giveaways. Help us spread the word by blogging, tweeting, emailing, shouting from the rooftops (well maybe not that last one) and whichever other way you do social networking - you'll get extra giveaway entries for all of that, too.

Make sure to come back next week to join us for Back to School 2011!

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Executive Gift Shoppe has been in the gift business for over 12 years. It started as a small personalized gift store and over the years, added thousands of products - some personalized, others not. The company is the exclusive manufacturer of many of the items so they are often fairly unique.

Today, Executive Gift Shoppe offers a variety of gifts - from barware, briefcases and bags to men's jewelry, sports gifts and travel accessories. I chose the Leather Checkpoint Travel Documents & Passport Holder as a gift for my husband. He got a new brown leather wallet for Christmas, so I picked the passport holder in coco to match. The Leather Checkpoint Travel Documents & Passport Holder came packaged nicely in an elegant git box, so I did not even need a gift wrap when I gave it to my husband for our anniversary. He was thrilled to have a wallet to keep all his travel documents in one place.

The passport holder is made of good quality leather and can be personalized with up to three initials at no charge. It measures 8 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 1/4 inches - roomy enough to hold your passport, credit cards, ID, airline tickets and extra currency. In addition to coco - a nice shade of brown - it is available in black and burgundy.

The Leather Checkpoint Travel Documents & Passport Holder from Executive Gift Shoppe makes a nice gift for any occasion. It's appropriate for personal or business gift giving for men and women and perfect for anyone who travels internationally.

Last but not least - Executive Gift Shoppe offers a satisfaction guarantee and free ground shipping on orders over $75.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a $25 gift certificate to the Executive Gift Shoppe!

To enter, please check out their gift selection and comment below with your favorite item.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #68 GoldenOrchard!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary item to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Prize fulfillment by sponsor. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and everyone else - enjoy browsing!

Book Description
Sometimes the shortest distance between two people is the length of a kitchen table...

Far too young to be a widow, Angelina D’Angelo suddenly finds herself facing a life without her beloved husband, Frank. Late one night shortly after the funeral, she makes her way down to the kitchen and pours all of her grief and anger into the only outlet she has left — her passion for cooking. In a frenzy of concentration and swift precision, she builds layer upon layer of thick, rich lasagna, braids loaves of yeasty bread, roasts plump herb-rubbed chicken; she makes so much food that she winds up delivering the spoils to the neighbors in her tight-knit Italian community in South Philadelphia.

Retiree Basil Cupertino, who has just moved in with his kindly sister across the street, is positively smitten with Angelina’s food. In a stroke of good fortune, Basil offers Angelina (not only husbandless but unemployed) a job cooking for him — two meals a day, six days a week, in exchange for a handsome salary. Soon, word of her irresistible culinary prowess spreads and she finds herself cooking for seven bachelors — and in the process discovers the magical power of food to heal, to bring people together . . . and maybe even to provide a second chance at love.

Filled to the brim with homemade warmth, Angelina’s Bachelors is a sweet tale of overcoming grief, redefining family, and following your heart — through food.

My Review
Angelina's Bachelors is a heartwarming book about a woman who suddenly loses her husband but finds comfort and friendship through her cooking. Angelina's love of good food helps her deal with her grief and find the strength to appreciate life once again. In addition to a good story and likeable characters, Angelina's Bachelors includes two dozen mouthwatering recipes that are a natural part of the book. From Lasagna Provencal to Flan with Sauternes Caramel, the readers of this novel are sure to find these dishes irresistible, just as Angelina's bachelors did.

Angelina's Bachelors: A Novel with Food is new this week from Gallery Books, a division of Simon and Schuster.

The Giveaway

Book Description
Vivid, mysterious and unforgettable, The Butterfly Cabinet is Bernie McGill's engrossing portrayal of the dark history that intertwines two lives. Inspired by a true story of the death of the daughter of an aristocratic Irish family at the end of the nineteenth century, McGill powerfully tells this tale of two women whose lives will become upended by a newly told secret.

The events begin when Maddie McGlade, a former nanny now in her nineties, receives a letter from the last of her charges and realizes that the time has come to unburden herself of a secret she has kept for over seventy years: what really happened on the last day in the life of Charlotte Ormond, the four-year-old only daughter of the big house where Maddie was employed as a young woman. It is to Charlotte's would-be niece, Anna — pregnant with her first — that Maddie will tell her story as she nears the end of her life in a lonely nursing home in Northern Ireland.

The book unfolds in chapters that alternate between Maddie's story and the prison diaries of Charlotte's mother, Harriet, who had been held responsible for her daughter's death. As Maddie confesses the truth to Anna, she unravels the Ormonds' complex family history, and also details her own life, marked by poverty, fear, sacrifice and lies. In stark contrast to Maddie is the misunderstood, haughty and yet surprisingly lyrical voice of Harriet's prison diaries, which Maddie has kept hidden for decades. Motherhood came no more easily to Harriet than did her role as mistress of a far-flung Irish estate. Proud and uncompromising, she is passionate about riding horses and collecting butterflies to store in her prized cabinet. When her only daughter, Charlotte, dies, allegedly as the result of Harriet's punitive actions, the community is quick to condemn her and send her to prison for the killing. Unwilling to stoop to defend herself and too absorbed in her own world of strict rules and repressed desires, she accepts the cruel destiny that is beyond her control even as, paradoxically, it sets her free.

The result of this unusual duet is a haunting novel full of frightening silences and sorrowful absences that build toward the unexpected, chilling truth.

My Review
The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill is a beautifully written book that stays in my thoughts long after I've read it. Based on a true story about the death of a 4-year girl, it's a novel about parenting, passions, guilt, love, loss, truth and punishment. I will not retell the story because the book description does a wonderful job on that.

The story spans over eight decades and is told in two voices: that of the elderly Maddie, former servant to the family, and of Harriet, the dead girl's mother, who writes a diary while in prison. Maddie shares her memories with the daughter of the child Harriet gives birth to while in prison. The events in the book take place against the background of a changing Ireland, with its complex political, religious and class divisions. The narrative is multi-layered, gradually revealing characters and events. Maddie, a keeper of secrets for decades, uncovers them in fragments. What at first seems to be an indisputable truth - a child dies as a consequence of her mother's disciplinary methods - becomes more nuanced as the story continues.

The Butterfly Cabinet was published in July by Free Press, a division of Simon and Schuster.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the author, publisher or PR firm.

Book Description
TURN MOMENTS OF PANIC INTO MOMENTS OF ACTION!

One of the most important ways you can show your children love is by knowing how to care for them in an emergency. Baby MEDBASICS® will show you -- in clear, simple language and easy-to-understand illustrations -- how to handle the most common infant emergencies. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or babysitter, look no further than Baby MEDBASICS® to provide you with the knowledge, confidence, and security you need. YOU can do it, we'll show you how.

My Review
I own several excellent parenting books, including some written by doctors and pediatricians. Among other useful information, a few of them contain detailed advice on what to do in case of emergency. Baby Medbasics approaches emergencies a little differently. In a concise format, it covers emergency situations that parents may encounter during baby's first year. This little book gives to-the-point tips on what to do when time is really of the essence and we don't have time to read a whole chapter.

Baby Medbasics is set up like a tiny folder with color-coded tabs separated into sections: allergies, bites and stings, bleeding, burns, choking, CPR, and so on. The small size makes it portable and convenient to take along in your purse. I suggest reading Baby Medbasics in its entirety for information purposes, paying special attention to the prevention tips. Then keep one copy of the book in the kitchen or nursery and get an extra copy for the diaper bag. That way, you'd be prepared for an emergency - at least as well as a book can help you deal with one.

Baby Medbasics: Lifesaving Action Steps at Your Fingertips: Birth to One Year is written by a husband and wife team - Luke Hermann, M.D., and Tara Summers Hermann, R.N., B.S.N. - and published by Running Press in April 2011.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the author, publisher or PR firm.

It's been hot, hot, hot around here - and humid to boot. I love summer but can't wait for the temps to ease up a bit. If summer's giving your hair frizz, too - check out the cool John Frieda Frizz-Ease products.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Strength Serum
Instantly and dramatically transforms dry, frizzy, or chemically-treated hair into incredibly smooth, glossy hair. An exceptional blend of silicones immediately smooths texture while delivering a layer of crystal-clear gloss for perfectly polished, frizz-resistant styles. Repels humidity to help prevent weather-related frizz. Contains a UV filter.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Repairing Shampoo
With its Frizz-Mending Complex, shampoo weightlessly replenishes essential oils, the hairs natural defense against frizz. Restoring this proper balance of moisture helps prevent frizz and blocks out humidity.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Repairing Conditioner
Smooths and repairs strands by helping to seal split ends and restore hairs natural defense against frizz. Reinforces distressed tresses and leaves them smooth, soft and highly manageable. Contains Frizz-Mending Complex + special silk protein.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a set of all three John Frieda Frizz-Ease products (ARV $23)!

To enter, please comment below what's your favorite hair care product.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #292 Deb!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No compensation was provided for this post. Prize fulfillment by sponsor. Product descriptions and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Do you have a little one who loves to dance? Mine certainly do! Today, I am thrilled to share a cool contest for preschoolers with some awesome prizes.

The Duckle Dance Sweepstakes are hosted by Wisharoo Park and Capezio. To enter, parents simply video their preschool kids doing the Duckle Dance. Then upload the video to their Facebook or YouTube accounts and submit the link for a chance to win one of twenty Capezio and Wisharoo Prize packages or one of five $500 Dance Scholarships. Official Rules for the sweepstakes are posted at www.wisharoopark.com/duckledance. The sweeps are open now through September 1st, 2011.

What is the Duckle Dance, you may ask? It's a mix of ballet, tap, and whatever else tickles your feet. No step is wrong here. Check out the fun video below for some inspiration!



Once familiar with the dance, have your kids follow the steps or come up with their very own version of the Duckle Dance - either to the ballet or tap music provided at the entry site - and capture their performance on video.

My kids take dance classes, and of course I am very excited about the dance scholarship prizes. But that's not all - your child's video can also win a fantastic Duckle Dance prize package, valued at $100! Check out the goodies:

• Capezio Daisy ballet Shoes (ARV $18)
• Capezio Jr. Tyette Tap Shoes (ARV $25)
• Capezio Logo Drawstring Backpack (ARV $8.50)
• Limited Edition Do the Duckle Commemorative T-Shirt  (ARV $12.99)
• Wisharoo Park 2-Disc 13 Episode DVD Set (ARV  $19.99)
• Six Wisharoo Park Wish Star finger puppets (ARV 19.98)

The Giveaway
One of my lucky U.S. readers will win a Duckle Dance Prize Package (ARV $100)! The winner will have to provide gender and size preferences for the shoes.

To enter, please comment below if you know a child who can do a great Duckle Dance. 


This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, #114 Erica!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was obtained for this post but I will receive a Duckle Dance package for spreading the word. Prize, photos and information courtesy of the sponsor or PR firm.