Introducing the Dyson DC35 Digital Slim!

I've owned quite a few vacuums in my day.  (You can actually tour our vacuum "graveyard" that we have in the garage.)  I've heard the hype about Dyson, and was actually pretty stoked to get the opportunity to review one here at Lille Punkin' -- especially when I learned that it was the new Dyson DC35 Digital Slim.  I had seen the commercials airing during my favorite late night southern crime drama (I guess I'm not the only housewife who watches the show), and was all giddy to think that one small, lightweight vacuum could have enough power to do all my dirty work on multiple surfaces.

Just in case you are unfamiliar with the product, here is a quick video with some neat info, made especially for the Walmart Moms and their readers (that's you!):



I'll be sharing more on the engineering of this product soon, along with my own experiences with the Dyson.  Be sure to check back!

Catch up with all the news on this unique product via Dyson's Twitter: @AskDysonUS and Facebook news... and, of course, you can find it at your local Walmart!

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Review of Dora the Explorer Play Sets from Mega Bloks

Before I get into this review, I should disclose that I was recently selected to be a Mega Bloks Mom.  The compensated position came up after I accepted this review, however, and will in no way influence my opinions.  

We love building things, and even though I have 4 boys in the home who are frequently spotted putting together blocks and playsets, I wasn't sure if any of them would like Dora.  (I kind of always thought of the show as a girls' show.)  Soon after my 4-year-old started watching her, however, I realized that it was silly to think that boys couldn't like the show, as well (and therefore, all the toys and books that surround the character.)

Giving my son the Dora the Explorer Bath Time play set from Mega Bloks made him very excited!  He assembled the small set over and over, made Dora talk and play, and then proceeded to incorporate a few of the bloks from his other play sets into the scene.  Imagination was key here... open-ended play is preferred at my house, so this toy fit into our values and provided for over an hour of play time before my son got interested in something else.

Just one of a few sets with the Dora theme, the bath time one was a hit for us.  I think that the sets are perfect to put in a backpack for Grandma's house or for keeping in a small toy storage container in the living room.  They are not large sets, and can be kept anywhere a kid may find himself needing something to do (like the Dr.'s office.)

Learn more about the Dora themed sets at the Mega Bloks site.  While you're there, check out the Mega Bloks Family Club, where you can get exclusive offers and news for people who love family -- and Mega Bloks!

Wanna Win?  We are giving away a set to a lucky reader!  To be entered to win, just comment on this post with why you would like to win.  It's easy!  You have until May10th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. One entry per person, please. Giveaway is open to U.S. 18+ only, and be sure to give us a way to contact you if you win! (Don't forget to enter our other giveaways while you're here!)

*I reviewed this as part of a Team Mom campaign.  Opinions are my own.

PetArmor for Big and Small Pets!

Our Rat Terrier "Gilbert" during his first week at home

UPDATE: Several commenters have alerted me to rumors of a recall of these products.  Please see the official response from Pet Armor on this topic here: http://www.petarmor.com/legal/media.php. 

To date, we have not had any problems using these products on all of our pets.

Living on a farm, there are all kinds of critters that can make my puppies uncomfortable. Our two dogs both hate to be bothered by bugs, even though they are separated by 100 pounds!  (We have a Rat Terrier and a Great Pyrenees/Bloodhound mix.)  While fleas can be a nuisance for both active puppies and the humans that they live with, they can also be dangerous. Fleas and ticks can carry diseases and seriously hurt your dog over time. Many families who find it difficult to afford products that prevent flea and tick problems may have a solution with PetArmor™ and PetArmor™ Plus at Walmart and Sam's Club for a fraction of the cost of similar products. Here is a snippet of information regarding these revolutionary new products:

PetArmor™ (distributed by FidoPharm™) is the first generic fipronil flea and tick product available nationwide for purchase on retail shelves. The product contains the same concentration of the #1 vet-recommended active ingredient (fipronil) as Frontline® – but is offered at a significant savings. PetArmor will be available at Walmart and Sam’s Club, and will be sold at additional retailers later this year, giving pet owners convenient access to effective flea and tick protection at affordable prices.

As part of the launch this product, we were able to speak with Dr. Karen Halligan, a well-known veterinarian, TV personality, and author. She educated us on the ins and outs of PetArmor™, how it worked, and why it would be safe for me to use with my pets - even with small children in the home. Knowing that the superior product fit well within my tight budget makes me feel good about taking care of my pets. Veterinarian visits aren't cheap, after all, and this one aspect of preventative care is now an affordable way to keep my veterinarian bills manageable for the life of my pet.

Priced at between $25 and $35 for a three-month supply of the product, PetArmor™ and PetArmor™ Plus contain the same active ingredient as Frontline products. We will be reporting back throughout the next few weeks to let you know how the product has worked for our pets. Stay tuned!

Learn more about PetArmor and sign up for news and valuable offers at their website.

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Our Favorite Truck

I bought this truck on clearance at Walmart, long before I became a Walmart Mom. 

My 4-year-old has no idea that this is not the customary way to play.  He thinks they were meant to ride on!

Did Walmart Bring Your Favorite Products Back?

One of the most common complaints I received as a Walmart Mom was that so many of the brands that my friends and family used to purchase had disappeared from store shelves in their communities.  I had my own faves that had been taken out when some of the updates were made, and I admit that I wasn't a happy camper.  Recently, however, we learned that Walmart listened to your voices and made sure to put back hundreds of those items that they had previously removed.

Here is a quick recap of some of those items, and how it has made me so happy to be able to buy them again:



What about you?  Did you have a fave that made a come back?  If you haven't been to Walmart lately, you may find store shelving signs letting you know just which items are back for a second chance.  We'd love to hear if any of yours are ready and waiting!  (And while you're here, get the latest on Walmart's Every Day Low Pricing and Coupon Policy!)

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Aloha to Simple Snacking with Old London Snacks

I always felt that melba toast had a bad reputation.  It was dry, bland, and not very satisfying (or so I thought.)  Like most healthy foods, however, I learned that it was actually tasty, once given a chance and incorporated into a more delicious recipe.

I learned of some great new varieties of Old London melba toast his past week, including the Melba Snacks in Sea Salt and Sesame.  I also found out that Old London makes the most amazing bagel chips (in a bold but not-too-salty Spicy Cheddar, as well as other flavors.)

My kids really enjoyed these snacks alongside their typical afternoon snack of fruit and cheese.  The plain Melba Snacks went over the best, and they enjoyed them with peanut butter and raisins on top!  I really liked the sea salt ones with some light dip.

There are so many recipes that can be made using the Old London products, and I can't wait to start trying to make some of the more exciting ones - like Cheesy Quesadilla Dippers and Tiramisu Melba.  You can find these and many more at the recipe site: http://www.toastforeverydayhealth.com/food/

Wanna Win?  Old London Foods is sending one lucky winner and a guest to wonderful Hawaii!  You can find out more about this incredible giveaway and the Old London Melba line at their Facebook page.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London and received product samples and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

What's in Baby's Basket?

Candy, toys, yada yada.. we know what you're likely to put in your kids' baskets this year.  But what about baby?  He or she doesn't really need candy or junky little toys that they can choke on, do they?  How about getting them something special that they can really enjoy?

I put together a sweet little Easter basket that I know my little man will love.  Similar to our Valentine's gifts for baby, we put together an assortment of items that revolve around his favorite passion -- swimming!  We have made it a tradition to buy all of our boys new swim trunks at Easter time, so we passed this same ritual down to our newest boy.  We found a gorgeous pair of orange swim trunks at Walmart, and partnered them with a can of Water Babies Foam Sunscreen and some Little Swimmers pants for the pool.  (While he doesn't really need the trunks, I always feel better with some article of clothing over the swim diapers.  It seems less obvious that my little guy isn't potty trained at 10 months of age.)  The entire basket cost less than $25 and is full of stuff we can use.

Here is our cute little basket.  Obviously, I won't be letting him play with the Easter grass.  He'll be happy to try out his new trunks on our next family vacation in 3 weeks!

What sort of sweet items do you plan on putting into an Easter basket for you baby this year?

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Easy, Last-Minute DIY Easter Activities

What? It's Easter, when?

If you've just now realized that the big day is coming up fast, you'll need some ideas for easy crafts and treats you can whip up in a jiffy with items you can get at your local Walmart, and for less than $10.  Here are two quick projects we did at our house today, and the talent required is minimal!

Easter Candy Necklaces

This no-brainer comes as a kit from Wilton.  Each box has the materials for 8 candy necklaces the kids can string themselves.  This was a fun way to pass the time today, as I rushed around getting other things ready for the big weekend.  Considering that candy necklaces cost about 50cent each, this was a great bargain at less than $2 a box.

Spring Sugar Cookies

No time to mix up a batch of cookie dough and let it chill for several hours?  Grab a roll or two of the Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough and cut into servings before placing on a try and baking them up.  We decorated with a tube of Wilton dual color frosting (tips are included) and topped with fancy Wilton pastel candy beads.  As you can see, I'm no cake diva, but they tasted delicious.  (If you work the dough just right, you can cut them into shapes.)

No skills and no time.  This pretty much describes all of my holiday craft and baking undertaking.  Thank goodness I can grab a few simple supplies from Walmart to help me along.

What quick DIY ideas do you like to throw together before the Easter holiday?

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Easter 2011 Candy Guide

It's that time of year! Bunnies, Easter services, and candy are three things that families look forward to.  We can't help you with the bunnies, and the church thing is a personal decision, but we can tell you about some of the most delicious and unique treats to stuff your baskets with this year.  Here are our picks for 2011:

Wonka Double Yummy Gummies

Who needs regular gummy treats when you can have DOUBLE gummies?  These come in delicious fruit flavors like orange, lemon, and strawberry, and have a “gummy” fruit top layer paired with a squishy white mallow bottom layer.  They are fun shapes, too, making them great for younger kids (or the truly young at heart.)  Light, and not too rich, they are a great alternative to more fattening candies.

Wonka Exceptionals Eggs

As you can tell from our review of Wonka Exceptionals, we are already fans here.  This is why it only seemed natural for Wonka to take their perfectly-crafted Scrumdiddlyumptious bars and size them into dainty little chocolate eggs.  Great for the adult who wants to stop at one treat, they are individually-wrapped, and an indulgent blend of some of the creamiest milk chocolate, crunchy toffee, crisp cookie, and flavorful peanuts.  They have everything!

Reece's Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Eggs

With more peanut butter per bite than at typical Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, these holiday treats are a true treasure.  Creamy, melt-in-your mouth PB flows perfectly with the smooth, perfectly poured chocolate coating.  No one can eat one, and because it's Easter, we believe you shouldn't!

Hershey's Chocolate Creme Egg

When bigger means better, reach for the yummy flavor of Hershey's chocolate in a jumbo Easter egg.  Spoiled kids will feel ever more spoiled, and parents can sneak bites of the egg when no on is looking.  This treat is meant to be eaten over a few days, or shared with friends!

Cadbury Eggs

What can I say about these classic candies? Chocolate on the outside, sweet crème on the inside that resembles egg white and yolk... they were a favorite growing up, and now my kids adore them, too!

Tell us:  what is YOUR favorite Easter Candy this year?

* Samples of some items have been received to try.  Opinions and the selection of the candy included in the guide are 100% my own opinion.  No compensation has been received for inclusion in the guide. 

Purex Complete Crystals Softener for a Fresh Load of Laundry

 

I didn't know what to think of these little crystals that act in place of your regular liquid fabric softener.  I had been using either liquid, dryer sheets, or both over the years, and grew accustomed to some of the problems that came with them, specifically the way my towels sometimes repelled water instead of absorbing it.  Some also caused my clothes to appear oil-stained, probably because most fabric softeners are actually oil-based.  I was curious to see if this would happen with the Purex Complete Crystals Softener.

While it will take many weeks of use to see if the crystals combat the oil and absorbency issues, there were some things I could tell right away.  First, the smell was amazing.  I really liked all three varieties, but my favorite was the Tropical Splash (in the yellow container.)  I could really smell the product when I took the clothes from the washer, but it was very mild upon taking them out of the dryer.  While not as strong as other products, the smell felt infused into the clothing, and it didn't wear off.  I took clothes out of the drawer 7 days later that still smelled fresh and citrusy!

The use of this product is unique in that you pour the product into the cap, and then directly into the wash.  If you have an HE machine, like me, you might want to put it into the wash before the clothes, or risk having the little crystals fall out of the machine.  It's easy to remember to put in, and once it's in and the load is started, you're done!  (I lost the lid almost immediately after getting the product sample, so I “borrowed” a lid from another bottle to get me by.  You can kind of eyeball how much you use after awhile, however.)

This product is 92% natural and the first major brand to be 100% safe to use on kids sleepwear, which can actually lose their flame-retardant qualities after being washed with softeners.  This softener also keeps your athletic clothing's wicking abilities intact – meaning no more sports socks or jerseys that don't dry like they are supposed to.

Overall, I love the long-lasting scent of the product, and it really does make my clothes soft.  I would possibly need a little more anti-static protection during the dry winter months, but for most months out of the year, this would easily replace my regular softener sheets!   

Learn more at Purex's website or check their Facebook for promotions and savings opportunities.

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Walgreen Refill By Scan (and a chance to win!)

Any smart phone users out there?  I LOVE my smartphone, and couldn't live without my iPhone as a parent.  Recently, I was filling a prescription at Walgreens, and noticed signage for their new Refill by Scan app.  Since this was a new med, not a refill, I couldn't try out all the features that it included, but I was pretty impressed, nonetheless.



Some things you can look forward to when you download this free app include the ability to scan the barcode on the side of your prescription to get your refill order in without a phone call!  No waiting for a pharmacist to pick up or to place an order from the line in the store!  You can also change the store location, if you happen to be out of town or conveniently located near another store.  The app works for both iPhone and Android models, and you can use the app for these other features, as well:

· Access to your prescription history (perfect for answering questions from a new or interim doctor)
 · Order photo prints direct from your phone
· Find the nearest Walgreens or Take Care Clinic  (vacationing families with medical needs can benefit!)
· Check out the Weekly Ad before you shop
· Browse products and check in-store availability (no more driving 30 miles for an out-of-stock product)
· Shop from your phone

Since Walgreens already has a customer-friendly system for refills (they will text your cell phone when your Rx is done, if requested), this is just another nice tool to have on hand.  When our family gets sick, we often have 6 or more prescriptions to refill.  Doesn't this just make it easier?  Learn more about the app at Walgreen's site!

Wanna Win?   We are giving away a “Wellness Travel Kit” to a few of our readers, to help put some essential first aid and health items from Walgreens at your fingertips!  To be entered to win, just let us know what health items you always bring when you travel. You have until April 29th 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. One entry per person, please. Giveaway is open to U.S. 18+ only, and be sure to give us a way to contact you if you win! (Don't forget to enter our other giveaways while you're here!)

*Wellness Travel Kit was received for this review/promotion. Opinions are 100% my own. 

Back from NOLA!!

If you're wondering why it's been quiet here at Lille Punkin', it's because we have been loud and having a blast down in New Orleans as attendees of Mom 2.0!  We love this annual conference, and we enjoyed the food, company, and hands-on sessions.  The sponsors and swag were tops, too!  You can read all about the highlights of this fantastic conference in our Mom 2.0 recap over at 1099 Mom.
 
Enjoy!

Lysol Live Allergy Chat and Chance to Win a $50 AmEx Gift Card!

 There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding indoor allergies, and so many people suffer from them!  Whether you deal with the common variety like dust, mold, or pet dander, there are also outdoor triggers that can be avoided, as well. No matter what your allergy triggers are, the best strategy for preventing symptoms is to try to avoid exposure to the allergens themselves. There are several general steps you can take at home to help reduce allergens overall – Lysol has created a free online community (Lysol.com) where you can get awesome tips and advice from other community members and health experts. In fact, on Thursday, April 21st at 3pm EST, Dr. Laura Jana (nationally acclaimed pediatrician and mother of 3) will be answering your Fighting Allergens at Home questions.

Here is the live video feed (to be active at the the time of the chat) that you can watch for more information.



If you can't make the video chat, you can still ask questions by going to the Facebook page (and app below) and leaving your questions in advance (and getting a chance to win a gift card) then tune in on your own time and watch Dr. Jana answer your questions or visit the Facebook page to share your own tips and learn what works for others!





Wanna Win? We have a $50 AmEx gift card to give away to one lucky winner! To be entered to win:

1. Go to the official Lysol Facebook page and “like” it.
 2. Submit a question for Dr. Jana on the chat topic of Fighting Allergies at Home in the box above.
 3. Be sure to leave the question you asked here in the comments so we can count your entry!

You have until the chat starts at Thursday, April 21st at 3pm EST to get your questions (and entry) in! And don't forget to stop back to hear all of your questions answered via the live chat. You do not need to be present for the chat to win our gift card giveaway.

One entry per person, please! Giveaway is open to U.S. 18+ only, and be sure to give us a way to contact you if you win! (Don't forget to enter all of our giveaways while you're here!)

*A gift card was received for participating in this promotion. 

How Walmart's Everyday Low Prices Help Me Save Money and Live Better

I shop for many things only at my Walmart store.  It used to be because it was the only place that sold some of the sizes of items I like most (the giant box of Finish Powerball Tabs, for example.)  People used to ask me how I knew that I was getting the best price, however.  I wasn't always sure what to tell them.

Walmart has launched a "re" communication, if you will, of their Everyday Low Price plan, designed to help you make sure that you are indeed getting the best price on the stuff you are buying at Walmart.  I couldn't be more thrilled to help explain it.  In a nutshell, Walmart promises the following (and guarantees that I always KNOW when I'm getting a great deal):

It’s our commitment to the customer to have the lowest price on everything in store. We believe in low prices, and not gimmicks. So when you do find a lower advertised price from a competitor, we’ll match it.

How do they do this?

In addition to Rollbacks (sale prices on items throughout the store that may or may not be in their weekly sale ad), they have a generous manufacturer's and store coupon policy and they will always ad match.  More details on their ad match follows:

• You don’t need to bring in the ad for Walmart to match the competitors lower price.
• Walmart Ad Matches right at the register!
• Walmart matches competitors promotions such as Buy One, Get One, when there is a price mentioned.  (Vague promotions like "All cosmetics 50% off,” then WM cannot match the promotional price since it’s not stated.)

Questions? Comments?  Let us know how Walmart's Everyday Low Prices help you save in the comments!


*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Review of Kim & Scott's Pretzels

I love those fat, warm pretzels you get at the mall, but to be honest.. they're a bit on the boring side. Sure you can jazz them up with unhealthy dipping sauces or ask for additional toppings, but wouldn't you rather avoid the mall altogether and bake up some delicious gourmet pretzels at home?

We tried several varieties of Kim & Scott's Pretzels this year, and to be honest, I had mixed results. The directions stated that you can microwave or bake them, but the first two I tried out of the micro were not good at all. After that, I took the extra few minutes to bake them in the oven, and I was blown away by how much better they tasted.

Here is what we thought of a few of the stuffed flavors that we tried (assume for each that we baked, not microwaved them.)

Grilled Cheese – This was my favorite pretzel. Yummy, gooey cheddar fills this mild-tasting pretzel, and its topped with even more real cheese. The kids split these in half and had them with tomato soup!

Pizza Pretzel – You can imagine that this is like a commercial pizza roll, but with more natural flavor. It has very robust pizza spices on the top.

Spinach Feta – Light on the feta, even those that don't like the usually strong cheese will adore this pretzel. It's loaded with the green stuff, and supplemented with a bit of flax (which I couldn't really taste.) One of the healthier tasting pretzels.

Chocolate Crumb – This dessert pretzel is all chocolate! Not heavy or too sweet (unlike a donut), I felt satisfied but not overwhelmed by the lighter sweetness. We fought over these!

We would recommend these pretzels as a treat to keep in the freezer for when you want a light, unique lunch, or a more filling afternoon snack. Handmade from scratch, these pretzels are made from premium ingredients, and you can taste it! 

Learn more about these preservative-free pretzels with no trans-fat or hydrogenated oils at www.kimandscotts.com

*Samples were received for this review.  Opinions are 100% mine.

Spring 2011 Cookbook Guide - Top Books for Food You'll Love

We review quite a few cookbooks each year, but not all of them make our site. We recently just did a careful selection of a handful of "not to miss" books, and had to share them with you! There is a cooking style for everyone in this "Best of" guide:

Are you going for better health with your meals?  You can indulge in some delicious eats, without loading up on fat and sodium.  The Best of Clean Eating features 200+ top picks from the magazine, with something for every food craving.  From the book:

 According to calorie-counter.net a Philadelphia Cheese Steak sandwich contains 900 calories. Save the calories and keep the flavor with the “Smothered Steak Sandwich” with only 330 calories in The Best of Clean Eating.   We favor fresh, seasonal produce, high-quality proteins and smart flavor boosters, designed to come together in a tasty dish in less time than it takes to order a pizza. 

Sounds awesome, right?  We adore how most of the recipes can cook up in 20 minutes or less, and contain just a handful of local, seasonal ingredients.  With this cookbook, you'll know at a glance what you're eating, and you'll feel great about your food choices.  There are many kid-friendly options in this book, too, including:  Turkey Black Bean Soft Tacos, Whole Wheat Pancakes, and Spinach and Chicken Sausage Pizza.

So I'm a little bit biased, because I've met Erin Chase, the author of our next book, in person, and she's a fabulous person.  She's also a blogger turned author, so I cheer for her recent success.  Her cookbook, The $5 Dinner Mom Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook, isn't just a best of her blog posts, however, it's an entire strategy for eating great with a small grocery budget. 

With a focus on family-dining, the book is chock-full of lunch and breakfast options, as well as snacks to keep the little ones satisfied.  Many of the recipes are homemade versions of favorite products you can buy in the store -- with an emphasis on keeping it below $5!  My faves? Overnight Honey Nut Granola and Lasagna Roll Ups.  Everything is tasty, relatively easy to prepare, and budget-friendly. (Perfect for Moms and Dads with an eye on their food bills.)

This next cookbooks is actually a single issue magazine from Hearst, so if you see it on a store shelf -- snag it!  It's amazing!  Featuring some of the most delicious and unique slow cooker and stew recipes I've tried, it's a comfort food extravaganza.  It's available for a limited time, however, so hurry!  105 recipes for casseroles, soups, and stews make it great for entertaining, too.

What recipe books or cookbook collections are you using this spring? Share your favorites in the comments!  (Do you have a cookbook that you'd like us to try?  Contact us for a review.)

A Chance to win from Propel Zero!

Looking for a yummy, calorie-free option to keep you hydrated this spring and summer? The new launch of Propel Zero may be the ticket to keeping cool and not going over your calories!  The same fruit flavor and vitamins (C, B, E, and antoxidants) are in each serving as before.

Here are some fun and exciting new announcements related to this new drink that I'm sure our readers will flip over:

Wanna Try?  Select Walmart stores across the country will be helping to distribute 3 million samples of the new Propel Zero from until April 24th!  Check with your local store to see if they are participating.

Wanna Win?   Propel Zero is holding a fun Facebook contest to get a year's worth of the product into one lucky entrant's hands.  One year!!  Entry is easy, simply:

•  Take a photo of yourself with your favorite Propel Zero flavor (either at a sampling event or anywhere you are with the product.)
• "Like" Propel Zero on Facebook
• Upload the photo to the wall and answer the question: "I stay active by..."  
• Tell them that we sent you (Lille Punkin' Reviews)

Check back after the promotion -- on April 29th -- where one winner will be announced on the Facebook page!  Learn more about the product at Propel Zero's website.

Still looking for more ways to win?  We are having our own giveaway here on the blog, with 10 lucky readers getting their own Propel Zero prize pack, including: two 20oz bottles of Propel Zero, a Propel Zero t-shirt, and 3 coupons for a free single-serve Propel Zero -- all packaged in a neat drawstring backpack!  To be entered to win, just let us know if you intend on entering the Propel Facebook promotion.  (You don't have to enter the FB promotion to enter here.. we just want to know!)  You have until April 29th 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. One entry per person, please. Giveaway is open to U.S. 18+ only, and be sure to give us a way to contact you if you win!   (Don't forget to enter our other giveaways while you're here!)

*Sample prize pack was received for this promotion.

Review of Seneca Farms Oatmeal and Fruit

The peach and vanilla after warming...

I don't much care for oatmeal.  It is mushy and a little bland.  I do love fruit, however, and my recent trial of the new Seneca Farms Oatmeal and Fruit was rather pleasant.  Here is what I dig about these little ready-to-eat containers of thick-cut oatmeal and real fruit:

• Because the oatmeal isn't overcooked and is thick-cut, it's not mushy, at all!  (Very firm, but easy for even my baby with no teeth to eat.)
• The fruit isn't teeny-tiny pieces that have been dehydrated and reconstituted like other oatmeals.  They are the same kinds of fruit you would find in a packaged fruit bowl: juicy, naturally-sweet, firm.
• The packages look like they have a metal rim, but they are actually microwave safe.  45 seconds is all you need to warm up a bowl, and you're ready to go!
• The serving sizes are generous.  I split one bowl 2 ways between the kids, and the one that I ate filled me up for hours!

If you need more fiber, are considering oatmeal for your heart health, or just like an easy breakfast beyond toaster pastries, you'll LOVE the Seneca Farms Oatmeal and Fruit.  I tried both the Apple Cinnamon and the Vanilla Peach.  (I preferred the peach slightly because I'm such a vanilla buff.)

Wanna Save?  You can learn more and even try this product yourself for a little less, thanks to a coupon offer on their Facebook page.

You can find out which stores carries this new product at http://www.sencasnacks.com/ 

*Samples were received for review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

Your "Like" = $1 for the March of Dimes

We get MANY requests for us to share charity news here on Lille Punkin', and it is often hard to decide which campaigns to list here.  This one, however, we couldn't pass up:

21st Century Insurance will give $1 to the March of Dimes for every Facebook "Like" they receive, up to $25,000.  This is SO simple, anyone can (and probably should) do it.

To participate, just head over to the 21st Century Facebook page.  Click "Like". Enjoy knowing that babies will be helped.

Wasn't that easy?

Welcome #MGCheerios Fans! (Chance to win a Biggest Loser Prize Pack!)

We had a blast at tonight's Twitter party with General Mills, MultiGrain Cheerios, Jen Jacobs, and The Biggest Loser Fans!  

If you didn't catch it, stop by next week.  Just follow the #MGCheerios hashtag on Twitter, and you'll hear great tips for living better, eating well, and enjoying life.  They will also be giving away prizes!  Be sure to join us at 7pm CST next Tuesday to catch all the fun!  Even if you didn't join tonight, you can still enter our giveaway below!

Wanna Win? We have a super-fun prize pack to give away to a lucky winner. It includes: a Biggest Loser Food Scale and two Biggest Loser Cookbooks – in addition to a box of MultiGrain Cheerios Cereal.  To be entered to win, just comment on this post with why you want to win. It's that simple! We'll give you until this Saturday at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. One entry per person, please. Giveaway is open to U.S. 18+ only, and be sure to give us a way to contact you if you win!   (Don't forget to enter our other giveaways while you're here!)


Learn more about the benefits of MultiGrain Cheerios at their website!

*I’m working with General Mills as a panelist for the MultiGrain Cheerios Twitter Parties. The prize pack has been provided by General Mills and MyBlogSpark.

Review of RoomMates

I'm insanely jealous of all my friends who have successful design blogs.  I drool over their makeovers, and wish I had any talent at all in the home decor department.  Thankfully, I was able to make over a tiny section of my home because of a creative and easy-to-use product from RoomMates.

Here is the wall above my piano before:

It had a cluttered feel with my large photo frame, and the lamp on the top of the piano.  There was also so much white space between the grouping of photos and the ceiling.  It felt unbalanced.

Here is the same space after I quickly applied a design from the RoomMates line:

I switched out the lamp to a floor lamp next to the piano, and placed my actual piano books in a small tray between two framed photos.  It feels much cleaner, and it took me about 15 minutes to do this. (It is also less than $15 for the decal.)

I recommend using a ruler to make sure that your design is straight (I didn't, but it would be easier to use one.)  Also, I stuck and restuck the the decals until I got just the right look.  They didn't get "less" sticky as I did this, however, unlike other brands that I have tried.  I didn't use the entire grouping of decals that came in one set.  There were a few other small designs to go with it, but I didn't want it to feel too busy in the small space.

I've gotten compliments on this use of design from a few relatives, mainly because this is something I'm not likely to do.  It was so easy, however, that I wouldn't hesitate to try it again.  The beautiful thing about RoomMates is that you can take them down when you get bored, want to paint, or just feel like doing something new!

They also have a wide selection of designs, including licensed TV show and character decals for kids.  They include Big Time Rush, Cars, Star Wars, Tron Tangled, Fancy Nancy, Spongebob, and so many more.

These decals are of high-quality, and don't rip easily like some we've tried.  They aren't permanent, but you could leave them on for a long time.  They are perfect for dorms or apartment living (since most owners won't let you make permanent changes to the decor.)  We've lived in several houses over the years, and wish we had something like this to help us make our temporary "house" more of a "home."

Wanna Win?  RoomMates has a daily giveaway to win your choice of decal!  Check it out! 

See the entire RoomMates line at their website!

*Samples were received for review.  Opinions are 100% mine.