Back to School Advice & MasterLock

MasterLock is helping parents & students get ready for back to school with some advice (and a sweepstakes!) You can visit MasterLock's website for all the details.

If I was going to share back-to-school advice, I think I'd have to share two pieces of advice.

The first is: Get everything ready the night before!  We make sure the backpacks are packed, lunches are either prepared or planned, and the next day's schedule is discussed.  This makes mornings (and the entire day) go so much easier!!

The second is: Finish homework right away!  Last year, we had too many plans disrupted because of homework that was due (and that could have been completed days earlier)  This year I'm going to work  harder to insist that homework is completed the same day it comes home, whenever possible (realizing that sometimes sports and music gets in the way -- but all the more reason to do it as soon as a free moment arrives.)

I never got to write a post wrapping up last school year, and my boys are heading back in just a couple weeks.  We did make the decision to stick with public school again this year, and the boys are looking forward to the new school year.  What about you?

*Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a program by Mom Bloggers Club and MasterLock.  If chosen, I may win a prize pack from MasterLock.*

Review: Method Minne Mouse Foaming Hand Wash

I really like Method products.  I have used their laundry detergents, their cleaners, and their hand soap in the past. I like the fact that they are mostly plant-derived and gentle -- while still doing the job I need!

I think this new line of hand soap is absolutely adorable!  We had the chance to try out the Minnie Mouse Strawberry Fizz foaming hand wash and we declared it a hit!

The kids thought the Mickey ears were fun!  All the kids also liked the scent of the soap.  It wasn't overly sweet -- just a nice, gentle strawberry smell.  It also comes in a Mickey Mouse version that has lemonade-scented soap.

I have seen the soaps for sale at Target and the price is comparable to other Method products.  I hope they come out with refillable pouches for these scents, like they have for other soap products.  I like to refill soap bottles rather than buy more pumps!

*Disclosure: Thanks to Method and Mom Bloggers Club, we received a bottle of Minnie Mouse soap to try out in our home to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Tell Me Thursday - Minted.com

The picture yesterday was a proof from Minted.com, a photo processing / card website that I had heard about, but never used before. Thanks to Mom Bloggers Club, I had the opportunity to try them out and ordered a set of Christmas cards with one of my favorite photos from our recent trip to California.  (While the majority of our time was spent at Disneyland, my favorite time was the few hours we spent at the beach.)

The cards arrived yesterday and were absolutely gorgeous.  The picture is printed on heavy, thick, premium cardstock/linen-like paper and the picture looks awesome.   They are probably the priciest photo cards I have ever purchased ($64.00 for 25 cards without any extras) but they are also the most luxurious photo cards I have ever purchased.  They are works of art.

There are hundreds of designs to choose from, and I liked the simple, yet unique, corner graphic that I chose for our cards. They sent me a proof within 24 hours of creation, to give me the chance to verify that everything looked just as I expected.

When the cards arrived yesterday, they were wrapped in bubble wrap inside a solid box.  The cards were wrapped with a ribbon and topped with a hand-written note from the person who wrapped them. I felt like I was opening a present.

If you haven't yet created your holiday cards, check out the amazing designs at minted.com.  They currently have a free shipping offer available for orders greater than $75.00 and you have until December 17th to order and receive by Christmas Eve.  They also have great designs for cards appropriate for New Years and Thank You notes.

I had a great experience with this website. Everything was top-notch! 

*Disclosure: I received a code good for 25 cards through a program organized by Mom Bloggers Club for Minted.com.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Review: Libman Mop and Giveaway!

Have I mentioned our new floors?  Okay, I know that I have!  One of the things that I love about having only laminate and tile (just 2 more rooms to do!) is that we won't need a vacuum cleaner anymore.

Libman sent me one of their Freedom mops to try out, and the entire family loves it!  You can see Nate using it in our living room.  What you couldn't know unless I told you, is that he picked it up and started using it with absolutely no prompting!  He saw the mop, grabbed it and tried it out.  When I asked him what he thought, he said it worked pretty good.

What I like about the Libman Freedom Mop is that the microfiber cloths that attach to the bottom can be washed in the washing machine, which means I'm not creating more garbage.  I also received an extra pad, so when one is in the wash, the mop can still be used.  The other thing I liked is that the spray bottle can be filled with whatever cleaning solution I choose -- vinegar, water & a bit of essential oil gets the job done!

But, the real question is: How does it work?  I'm happy to report that it does a great job on both our tile and our laminate floors.  The spray nozzle spreads the cleaning solution in front of the mop and the microfiber pads do a great job of scrubbing the floor.  I'm also happy using it without the spray in areas like the living room and hallway just to get the dust off the floor.

It's also easy for kids to use!  It's lightweight and both boys have no problem using it when their chores include cleaning floors. 

These mops are made in the USA by a 4th generation, family-owned company.  As well as trying to be green whenever possible, we also try to buy USA-made whenever possible!

I have to mention again how it is eco-friendly since you don't have to purchase brand-specific items as refills, and the pads are fully washable (company information says at least 50 times).  I can see the Libman Freedom Mop lasting a long time!

Visit their website for a $5 rebate on the Freedom Mop, or visit their Facebook page to see what promotions they are currently running.  You'll find the mop in most major retailers for a MSRP of $19.99 - $24.99.

One of my readers can see for themselves!  Libman has generously offered to send a Libman Freedom Mop to one of my readers.  Take note of the mandatory information to fill out the Giveaway Form.  This giveaway will end on October 8, 2010.  (Look on my right sidebar for the link to my giveaway rules page.)

Giveaway Name:  Freedom Mop

Mandatory Question: Tell me what cleaning job you dread around your house!

Good Luck!!

*Disclosure: I received a Libman Freedom Mop and refill pad thanks to a blogger tour arranged by Mom Bloggers Club for Libman.  They also provided the product to giveaway.  No additional compensation was provided.*