This Full House Reviews

2010 Sunscreen Safety Guide: EWG's Best & Worst

[7/7: Updated to Add - aaaand, yes, there is an iPhone app for that!]

SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 100, is it me, or does anyone else wonder which sunscreens really do work best and, you know, what's the right answer?

Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released their 2010 Sunscreen Guide, where you can find their top-rated sunscreens, how major brands rank and tips to stay safe in the sun.

FIND IT HERE:  http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/

Have a happy, healthy and skin-friendly summer, everyone!

© 2010 This Full House Gone Shopping - All Rights Reserved.

The Small Gray-ish Print:  No payment, or any other consideration, besides sharing stuff that  perhaps make life for families (like mine) a little easier, was received for this blog post.

Frigidaire Test Drive: Washer and Dryer - 'Cause, If You Don't Like It Then Maybe You Shoulda Put a Pedestal On It!

As a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom (yeah, I don't know how that happened...either) my family and I have tried, really, really hard to break test the awesomeness that is our new dishwasher, microwave, gas range and refrigerator!

Then, the washer and dryer came and, well, things turned a little, you know, ugly (not Frigidaire's fault, btw) but, it HAS been 2 weeks (okay, maybe even 3 weeks, June is a blur, I forget!)

Today, it's ALL coming out in the wash...er...I never thought I'd say it, out loud, but....

Despicable Me: Movie Review & Giveaway

SHARING WITH:  CDZIUBA (COMMENT #16) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!

Despicable Me is due to be released in theaters nationwide on July 9, 2010 (in 3D, too!) but, my kids and I had the pleasure of being invited to a special screening (i.e. we had reserved seats and everything) close to home, right here in Jersey (thank you, Dina!) on Saturday and, well, I had my doubts.

I hadn't heard much about it, besides that Steve Carell was in it (or, at least his voice) and the kids and I absolutely LOVE him! 

Did I mention, we had reserved seats and, well, I left early (i.e. before shore traffic) AND fully-armed with donut holes?

Thank You, Dawn Meehan: Author of Because, I Said So - 'Nuf Said!

I am very, very proud to partner with TheMotherhood.com, along with 9 other fabulous mom bloggers (like me) in participating in P&G's Thank You Mom Program, by sending a special shout out to 5 mom bloggers, every day, this week.

Why?

Because, nice matters AND the mom blogging community is NOT all about the blog bashing and the comment thrashing, or into the drama of virtual hair-pulling contests, either!

Moms who've received linky love bytes, already:

6/21:  Thank You, Mindy Roberts: The Mommy Blog

6/22:  Thank You, Donna Schwartz Mills:  Socal Mom

6/23:  Thank You, Mir Kamin:  Woulda Coulda Shoulda

6/24:  Thank You, Melisa (With one S) Wells:  Suburban Scrawl

Today, I'm thanking my bloggy-friend Dawn Meehan!

Thank You, Melisa (With one S) Wells: The Suburban Scrawl Meets Jersey Jargon - She's Like A Sistah, From Anuthuh Muthuh

I am very, very proud to partner with TheMotherhood.com, along with 9 other fabulous mom bloggers (like me) in participating in P&G's Thank You Mom Program, by sending a special shout out to 5 mom bloggers, every day, this week.

Why?

Because, nice matters AND the mom blogging community is NOT all about the blog bashing and the comment thrashing, or into the drama of virtual hair-pulling contests, either!

Moms who've received linky love bytes, already:

6/21:  Thank You, Mindy Roberts: The Mommy Blog

6/22:  Thank You, Donna Schwartz Mills:  Socal Mom

6/23:  Thank You, Mir Kamin:  Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Today, I'm thanking my bloggy-friend Melisa (not a typo, she really does have only one S in her name) Wells!

Thank You, Mir Kamin: Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda - Either Way, You ARE Brilliant

I am very, very proud to partner with TheMotherhood.com, along with 9 other fabulous mom bloggers (like me) in participating in P&G's Thank You Mom Program, by sending a special shout out to 5 mom bloggers, every day, this week.

Why?

Because, nice matters AND the mom blogging community is NOT all about the blog bashing and the comment thrashing, or into the drama of virtual hair-pulling contests, either!

Moms who've received linky love bytes, already:

6/21:  Thank You, Mindy Roberts: The Mommy Blog

6/22:  Thank You, Donna Schwartz Mills:  Socal Mom

Today, I'm thanking my bloggy-friend Mir Kamin!

Thank You, Donna Schwartz Mills: MOMocrat, Writer and My Friend, Socal Mom

I am very, very proud to partner with TheMotherhood.com, along with 9 other fabulous mom bloggers (like me) in participating in P&G's Thank You Mom Program, by sending a special shout out to 5 mom bloggers, every day, this week.

Why?

Because, nice matters AND the mom blogging community is NOT all about the blog bashing and the comment thrashing, or into the drama of virtual hair-pulling contests, either!

Moms who've received linky love bytes, already:

6/21:  Thank You, Mindy Roberts: The Mommy Blog

Today, I'm thanking my bloggy-friend, Donna Schwartz Mills!

Thank You, Mindy Roberts: Keeper of The Mommy Blog - Adventures from the Wonderbelly of Motherhood!

I am very, very proud to partner TheMotherhood.com, along with 9 other fabulous mom bloggers (like me) in participating in P&G's Thank You Mom Program, by sending a special shout out to 5 mom bloggers, every day, this week.

Why?

Because, nice matters AND the mom blogging community is NOT all about the blog bashing and the comment thrashing, or into the drama of virtual hair-pulling contests, either!

Today, I'm thanking my bloggy-friend, Mindy Roberts!!!

Dyson DC31 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner: But, Is It Strong Enough to Handle Killer Dust Bunnies?

It's no secret, I break stuff (a lot) most recently, my little red point and shoot camera, my beloved HP laptop is sick (battery is fubar) and it's also missing the backspace key.

My Dyson vacuum cleaner, however, is doing just fine.

[knocks on wood until knuckles bleed]

My parents bought it for us a couple of Augusts ago and, YES, vacuum cleaners really do make the best anniversary gifts!

Next to spa weekends, I mean (AHEM!)

So, when the good folks representing Dyson.com contacted me regarding a review of their DC31 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner and, seeing as I'm raising 4 kids, a cat, 1 Doofus-dawg and killer dust bunnies...it sounded like a good fit, to me!

Wanna see?

3rd Annual Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest: Energizer Giveaway - Ultimate Lithium Batteries

CONGRATULATIONS: LAURIE (comment #1) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!

I take photos.  Lots and lots of pictures.  Mostly of my kids, vacations, the dog and stuff, or, at least, I used to. 

Before I broke my camera, I mean.

[moment of silence]

If you like to take pictures (like me) then, you might be interested to know that the 3rd Annual Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest is happening now!

Especially, if you take really, really, really good pictures (unlike me) the winner will have their photo featured in the December issue of National Geographic magazine (in an ad for Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries) and a trip of a lifetime:  A National Geographic Expedition for two to the Greek Isles.

Here's a slideshow of finalists from last year's Energizer Ultimate Photography Contest:

[heavy sigh]

Now, if I only had a camera (yeah, I broke mine) oh...AND some batteries, too...want some?

Open House Blog Tour - 58th 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 58th Showing of our Open House Blog Tour!

Feel free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) about any 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 Gone Shopping

Free Shipping Today at Snapfish.com

I blogged about the really cool Father's Day gift ideas at Snapfish.com and, if you haven't had the time to get out and find a gift, yet (AHEM!) Snapfish is offering FREE shipping, today:

Use coupon code DADSAVINGS by June 9 before 11:59 PM PST.

Hurry...you only have 24 hours...ready...setty...GO!

 

© 2010 This Full House Gone Shopping

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

Eat & Beat Diabetes: Creole-Style Red Bean Soup with Shrimp

Diabetes runs in my family -- both my father and his youngest sister are diabetic and my paternal grandmother died at age 55 from complications due to Diabetes -- so, I try to be extra careful about my diet.

Especially, since recently celebrating another 40-something birthday (never mind, which one!) keeping my body fit isn't as easy as, like, 10-something birthdays ago.

Eat & Beat Diabetes is written by author Dr. Howard M. Shapiro and Chef Franklin Becker (via Abe & Arthur's Restaurant in NYC) and I recently received an excerpt for a summertime soup recipe with shrimp that I thought would be really yummy to share!

Seeing as, you know, I love the summertime, soup AND shrimp!

Frigidaire Test Drive: Congratulations - It's A Washer and a Little Dryer Drama!

As a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom (yeah, I don't know how that happened...either) my family and I have tried, really, really hard to break test the awesome that is our new dishwasher, microwave, gas range and refrigerator (spell-checked in honor of my friend, Belinda) and, besides working out a few kinks (they're mechanical, it happens) it's been a pretty good ride, so far!

Then, the washer and dryer came and, well, things turned a little, you know, ugly.

Oh, the washer and dryer are truly prettiful -- they match the curtains in my play/laundry room, beautifully -- turns out, I should have been more concerned with what lies underneath!!!

Dryer Drama! from Liz Thompson on Vimeo.

Morale of the story:  Make sure that the lint exhaust is installed AND vented properly!!!  Educate yourself about what you are bringing into your house and keep a close watch on the folks who will be installing it, too!

In the meantime, if anyone needs me, I'll be upstairs...asleep...wake me up when Ty Pennington calls!

 

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and will receive a Frigidaire Refrigerator, Range/Microwave, Washer/Dryer set, and a Dishwasher to facilitate my review.”

Open House Blog Tour - 57th 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 55th Showing of our Open House Blog Tour!

Feel free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) about any 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 Gone Shopping