This Full House Reviews

Oprah's No Phone Zone PledgePull Over, Rover!

It's no secret, I love sharing information on multi-functional gadgets that perhaps help make life for families (like mine) a little easier.

Here, in Jersey, it's illegal to drive while talking on your cell phone. 

Still, if I had a dollar for each time I saw someone driving, while holding a cell phone to their ear, well, I'd FINALLY be able to take my kids to Disney...maybe.

I get it.  Maybe you're on hold with the doctor's office, your kid missed the bus, or you've won the HGTV Green Home (DANGIT!) like, my pledge with Mom Sends the Msg says:

"Put...the...cell...phone...down...or, just pull over!"

Today is National No Phone Zone Day and I am very proud to partner with the Oprah Winfrey Show in helping to spread the word about the No Phone Zone campaign:

Frigidaire Test Drive: The FINAL Countdown - Is Your Refrigerator Running?

I am very excited (okay, so, this is where my kids would interrupt and suggest, "SHOCKED," as a more accurate description of my reaction) to have partnered with Mom Central as one of their Fridgidaire Test Drive Moms - Team Everything!

Why?

Well, as I mentioned in my inaugural post, 'cawse nobody breaks stuff, like I do! 

Here's a quick recap (you're welcome!)

• We survived THE BIG INSTALL
• My attempts at burning down the house
• Not to mention, nearly snapping the wheels off the dishwasher
• Using the over-the-range-microwave as a, well, on-the-counter-for-now-microwave
• Playing a game of Fridge or Dare
• Then, about six weeks in at this point, really began working out the kinks

We're in the final countdown of the program:

• Dishwasher still working? [check]
• Gotten over my fear of the convection oven? [check]

Aaaand, if you're still reading along, with me, well, you might as well consider yourself family, at this point, which means you are also very surprised I haven't broken anything yet, and here's why...

NWF Mom Update: The Local Impact of Climate Change - Now, With More Itch and A Prettiful Field Bag Too!

You know Emily McKhann, right?  Well, you should, because she and Cooper Monroe founded TheMotherhood.com and, yes, they ARE very, very smart. 

How do I know?

Well, personally, I've been working very closely with The Motherhood Creative for a long time, now (in Gemini years, anyway) and, quite frankly, I feel way smarter, already.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Aaaaanyway, Emily attended a lunch for DC bloggers (Amie Adams, Gayle Weiswasser, Diane MacEaachern), hosted by Jaime Matyas and her great team at the National Wildlife Federation to help them learn a little more about a few NWF programs.   

You can find the rest of the post on my personal blog: (http://bit.ly/bRQOV7)

WARNING:  It's most likely gonna make you itch!

I wanted to cross-post it here on my shopping blog and let you know that you can donate to the National Wildlife Federation today and get a FREE gift, too!

Wanna see?

Linky Love Bytes: BlogHer Community Update - 4/27/10

Have you heard of BlogHer?  I've been a member for...um...what year is it, anyway?  All kidding aside (mostly) BlogHer is a great community of women (like me) who happen to enjoy sharing stuff on the internet and, more often than not, make it a habit of supporting each other...both online and IRL.

Today, it's my turn -- here's a sampling of what's being said, this week:

Aurorae Yoga Mat Review & Giveaway

[CONGRATULATIONS:  LYNN MATTHEWS (COMMENT #29) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Raising 4 kids, while managing a fitness center for women (I know, stop laughing) and being perhaps the most uncoordinated and clumsy person on the planet (seriously, I trip on air...and break things...all the time) I've pretty much given up on "finding balance."

My life, like most families I know, is a constant juggling act and I have to try (real hard) to remind myself to, you know, RELAX!

So, when the good folks at AuroraeYoga.com contacted me about helping them share information about their new line of yoga mats and accessories, I was all, like, Namaste!

Wanna see?

Open House Blog Tour - 53rd Showing

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on in there? 

Welcome to the 53rd Showing of our Open House Blog Tour, where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to shout out, go for it!

WHAT, IS YOUR LINK TOO LONG?  NO PROBLEM:  Shorten your links with http://bit.ly/ (it's easy AND free!) or, if you need to edit a link -- just let me know -- I can do that, too.

Okay, I'll start:

Leave a link, or comment, if you'd like -- trust me, I know how busy you are -- and, don't worry if you forget, it'll be here, linked permanently on our Open House Page (24/7) so, if you happen to stop by, whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I'm easy.

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing and don't hesitate to come back, next week -- we'll leave the porch light on for ya!

[Please, clean off a chair, stay a while AND feel free to visit my personal blog and I'll love you forever!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lovers Sunshine CutiesJersey Style

Don't be alarmed -- she's not nearly as scary as she looks -- my middle girl has been accepted into an AP high school next year, with visions of getting into Boston University (BU has an Anime Club!) while, working towards a career in communications, radio and television...in Japan!

Heather has ALWAYS had her own sense of style and the Harajuku (hara-joo-koo) teen culture is something my 14-year-old most closely identifies with.

Her 40-something-year-old-conservatively-dressed mother, not so much.

So, last year, when I wanted to get Heather a bottle of "grown-up" perfume, for her birthday, I asked the very stylish lady behind the counter for advice on what to get my manga-loving 13 year-old.

She showed me "Music," from a new line of perfume created by Gwen Stefani, called Harajuku Lovers and, well, she was right...my daughter loved it.

Recently, the good folks representing Harajuku contacted me about featuring the stylish new Sunshine Cuties and, well, I thought, it's about time I reconnected with my teenage daughter, again.

Why?

Frigidaire Test Drive: The FINAL Countdown - Got Convection?

I am very excited (okay, so, this is where my kids would interrupt and suggest, "SHOCKED," as a more accurate description of my reaction) to have partnered with Mom Central as one of their Fridgidaire Test Drive Moms - Team Everything!

Why?

Well, as I mentioned in my inaugural post, 'cawse nobody breaks stuff, like I do! 

Here's a quick recap (you're welcome!)

• We survived THE BIG INSTALL
• My attempts at burning down the house
• Not to mention, nearly snapping the wheels off the dishwasher
• Using the over-the-range-microwave as a, well, on-the-counter-for-now-microwave
• Playing a game of Fridge or Dare
• Then, about six weeks in at this point, really began working out the kinks

We're in the final countdown of the program:

• Dishwasher still working? [check]

Aaaand, if you're still reading along, with me, well, you might as well consider yourself family, at this point, because I'm just very surprised I haven't broken anything yet, and here's why...

Netflix Now Available on Nintendo Wii: Complimentary 3 Month Nextflix Membership

[CONGRATULATIONS:  LORI A. (COMMENT #21) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

It's no secret, we love our Wii and I personally have enjoyed working with Nintendo in bringing families (like mine) up to date on the latest and greatest stuff in video gaming.

Why?

In our house, Family Game and Movie Nights are one of the few times we get to spend, doing something we ALL like, together.

Have you heard about the cool new Netflix streaming feature available on the Nintendo Wii system?

Enjoy 20% OFF Courtesy of Saks 5th Avenue

Use code FRIEND4 at checkout at saks.com, or click here to print the above coupon valid from Thursday, April 22 to Sunday, April 25th.

Enjoy!!!

 

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENTS, PRODUCTS, OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, OTHER THAN A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE OURS) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

Celebrate Earth Day with Green Crafts & More from Disney FamilyFun

 

As a Founding Mother of the National Wildlife Federation's new Be Out There campaign, I've accepted the challenge of finding and sharing ways to help promote outdoor activities families (like mine) can do, together.

Gardening is one of my favorite ways to get my kids outside:  they really do enjoy helping me and my husband, Garth [not his real name] grow our own fruits and vegetables, in the summertime.

Earth Day is just around the corner (April 22, 2010) FamilyFun Magazine also has some terrific tips on creative ways to help celebrate, this month:

10 Ways to Make Gardening More Fun: By maximizing the magic and minimizing the chores, our readers bring out the green thumb in their kids.

Tips for Creating Your First Garden (with your kids!): Giving your child his or her own miniature flower garden provides the right balance of big dreams and little tasks. A small garden of annual flowers is easy to take care of, and she will learn many skills as she nurtures seedlings and cuts bouquets for the kitchen table.

Also featured are gardening ideas that bring both city and country kids outside to learn about the earth, and have some fun!

Linky Love Bytes: BlogHer Community Update - 4/15/10

Have you heard of BlogHer?  I've been a member for...um...what year is it, anyway?  All kidding aside, BlogHer is a great community of women (like me) who happen to enjoy sharing stuff on the internet and, more often than not, make it a habit of supporting each other...both online and IRL.

Today, it's my turn -- here's a sampling of what's being said, this week:

Review Bloggers Monthly - April 15, 2010 Edition

Welcome to the April 15, 2010 Issue of the Review Bloggers Monthly!

It's no secret.  I like getting stuff.  I like writing about the stuff that we like and perhaps make my family's life, a little easier. 

Especially, if it works!  Or, I haven't managed to break it...YET!

Clean off a chair and come on in - mi casa, y su casa - as we canvas the Internets and share together in the ultimate consumer experience....window shopping!

FEATURED REVIEW

Jennifer Miner presents Wii Family Party: 30 Great Games Winter Fun Review posted at The Vacation Gals - Family travel, girlfriend getaways, romantic getaways, destinations, things to do, travel tips, saying:

"My family got this Wii game, and my children love it so much - they keep inviting friends over so four players can "go" at the same time. It's great!"

I know that winter is over (YAY!) still, the 2010 Winter Olympics were amazing and, well, my kids and I would love to give this game a try, too!

You can read the rest of Jennifer's Wii Family Party by clicking on the link, above.  Now, onto the rest of the submissions for this month!!!

V8 V-Fusion in Single Serving Cans? Time for a Picnic at the Beach Giveaway!

[YAY! SHARING WITH MATT -- COMMENT #6 -- PLEASE SEE YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS]

Campbell's was one of the first companies to open their doors and reach out to moms (and dads) like me, in asking them about their families' nutritional and fundamental needs.

My favorite part of visiting with the folks at Campbells Soup Company -- besides, the food...I mean -- was learning about all the great stuff they make; a lot of which I happened to have, in my cupboard, right now. 

Wanna know what really goes into their Campbells Chicken Soup?

One of the challenges discussed at the event was how many families today are taking their meals on-the-go (be it baseball, soccer practice, dance, whatever) so, finding foods that are both travel-friendly AND nutritionally-better can be real tough.

So, when I found out that V8 V-Fusion (one of our favorite drinks, btw) is now available in single serving cans, well, you know I had to hold it, right?

We received a 6 pack of Pomegranite Blueberry and Strawberry Banana -- so, what's really in it and, like, do you want some?

Frigidaire Test Drive: The FINAL Countdown - Dishwasher

I am very excited (okay, so, this is where my kids would interrupt and suggest, "SHOCKED," as a more accurate description of my reaction) to have partnered with Mom Central as one of their Frigidaire Test Drive Moms - Team Everything!

Why?

Well, as I mentioned in my inaugural post, 'cawse nobody breaks stuff, like I do! 

Here's a quick recap (you're welcome!)

• We survived THE BIG INSTALL
• My attempts at burning down the house
• Not to mention, nearly snapping the wheels off the dishwasher
• Using the over-the-range-microwave as a, well, on-the-counter-for-now-microwave
• Playing a game of Fridge or Dare
• Then, about six weeks in at this point, really began working out the kinks

We're in the final countdown of the program (and, if you're still reading along, with me, well, you might as well consider yourself family, at this point) and I'm just very surprised I haven't broken anything yet, and here's why...