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The Gift of Creativity – Kiwi Crate

kiwi_crate_logo_2xThis week I had the opportunity to review one of the best products for both parents and kids on the market.  As a crazy busy work at home mom juggling two businesses, the idea of getting to do fun crafts with my kids always sounds good…. but the actual follow through to doing them is a bit of a different story.   First its finding something to do, usually with the help of Pinterest, then driving to the craft store, hunting all of the supplies down, bringing them home, laying them out.. and nine times out of ten get frustrated because our craft ends up a hot mess.   When I got an email asking me to review Kiwi Crate – a complete “crate” full of crafts and activities that is delivered straight to your door – I knew I had found a winner.

Kiwi Crate was built out of a passion for hands-on fun that encourages creativity and curiosity in children. I had a deep appreciation for these projects, but often found that my greatest intentions fell short. It was tough to find the time to come up with engaging hands-on activities, let alone get the materials. Kiwi Crate was created to fulfill that wish and to celebrate kids’ natural creativity and curiosity. We want to make it fun, easy, and delightful to spend time building, exploring and creating together. Since its inception, the Kiwi Crate team has grown. We’ve added creative parents who dream up the projects, valued experts who review them, and a community of kid testers who keeps us on our toes and ensures the projects are fun and engaging.

The Kiwi Crate arrived last week, and I kept it a secret until my friend Mary came over after lunch to just spend the afternoon hanging out, and the four of us girls spent the afternoon “crafting” at my dining room table.

kiwi crate

Now, I know these crafts are for kids – but Mary and I had just as much fun as the girls did.  We received the “Secret Agent Kit” which had a “disguise” kit and “periscope kit,” as well as Midge’s favorite part – the Secret Message Set.  Mary and The Teen got to work on the periscope while Midge and I put together our disguises.  The periscope was hysterical and there have been a few times since Saturday that I have seen it sneak around the corner to “spy” on me.

kiwi crate periscope

The Secret Message Set was the highlight of the Kiwi Crate though, and Midge and I have had so much fun writing each other “secret” messages that only she and I can see.  The Secret Message Set comes with a special “invisible ink” pen that has a special light on the end to make your secret messages show.

kiwi crate secret message set

I loved how everything was included in the Kiwi Crate – all the way down to the kid safe scissors and glue stick.  And I loved how even with as busy as I am, it was easy to just break out the box and have everything we needed to spend a couple hours just PLAYING.  Check out their Sample Crates to get a peek at some of their past crates.

You can check out Kiwi Crate and order a Single Crate for yourself, or even send as a gift.  I love the idea of “gifting” this as I am always looking for something fun and unique to give as gifts  – I hate when kids get duplicate stuff, don’t you?-   so I am going to start sending these for Birthdays and Holidays instead of just shopping the department stores.   It is a total win-win.

There is even an option to subscribe and get a Kiwi Crate shipped to your door every single month – full of fun stuff to play with!  Midge’s birthday is next week, and I haven’t told her yet… but I have signed her up for a year’s subscription already.    It’s a gift we are both going to get to enjoy.

lynseysig

PS - Also, check out the Kiwi Crate Facebook Page to enter to win a Dream Crafting Room, valued at $750!


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Discover Emagine-Nation.com – $100 Visa GC #Giveaway

emagine nationFTC Disclaimer: I didn’t receive a single thing for writing this post.  Nothing. Nada.  I just love Emagine-Nation, as do my girls, and wanted to share it!  

Growing up I remember having a TV in every room – and back then that was a BIG DEAL.  These days though our Computers far out number our TVs – 2 to 1 to be exact.  Mike has a desktop and laptop.  I have a desktop and laptop.  The Teen has a desktop and laptop, and Midge has her very own netbook.  And don’t even get me started on mobile devices.  Needless to say, we log a ridiculous amount of hours online.

As the girls have gotten older I have been getting more concerned about their safety online. I’ve pretty much been able to regulate what they watch on TV – but controlling what they see on the Internet is a whole ‘nother battle.   The Teen has had a Facebook Page for several years and Midge is pretty much addicted to the “funny cats” videos on YouTube.   Though Midge isn’t there for the “social networking” side yet, I am sure my little never-met-a-stranger social butterfly will be looking for that avenue soon.  The Teen lives on Facebook (hey, the apple doesn’t fall far…) to connect with her friends from her old school and her new school, as well as play umpteen hours of Candy Crush Saga.

I love that the girls are social butterflies and I want them to connect with their friends.  I even love that they are playing games and learning stuff online… I just wished there was a safer way to do it.

Well… now there is! 

Emagine-Nation.com Launching Free Registration

emagine nation

Finally! A virtual world, browser, and search engine that is truly safe for your kids! Register your kids today – for free – and find out what it’s all about! At Emagine-Nation.com, your kids can customize their avatar, lock in their avatar’s name (nothing more annoying than trying to remember a username that looks more like an algebra equation cause all the “good ones” are taken), and come back each day to play, learn, and earn Tribets – their online currency!

With classrooms, offices, bathroom, library, gym, cafeteria, Spirit Room, Club Room, Game Room and so much more, your kids will be able to learn and play in a visually stunning environment. Thousands of safe games & videos. And my favorite – Secure social networking for kids!  I WANT my girls to still connect with their friends online…. I just want to make sure it is actually their friends they are connecting to…. !!

Kids love to play games and watch videos. Problem is, once they go somewhere on a gaming site, they are now free to go anywhere, even to places that aren’t safe.  Good news! Emagine-Nation.com provides an inclusive environment that provides the kind of safety that parents want for their kids - without needing a doctorate to understand the software!!! 

You can read more about this entire project and see just a peek at how cool everything on the “inside” is by checking out their About Us page and clicking on each of the different pictures on their wall.   The whole site is full of awesome things to discover!

Register today for their May 4th launch and be entered into their contest with even more cool prizes. Go to the sign up page - www.Emagine-Nation.com. Click on “Let’s Get Started” Enter the Registration Code LV0413.  Click on the “I’m a Parent” button, enter the number of kids you have, enter their basic information, and then finish the registration with your child(ren) so they can customize their avatar right then.  You can also come back later by clicking on the link in your registration email.  Then the best part – your child(ren) can log back in each day between now and the launch on May 4th and earn MORE Tribets by playing the Game-of-the-Day, taking a Room-Tour-of-the-Day, and playing an Activity-of-the-Day.  They will also get a Quote-of-the-Day.  By the time of the launch, they will have earned enough Tribets to truly customize their avatar AND their custom room.  They can have fun while you all learn about the coming site and it’s rooms.

Remember, it’s free to register, play and learn in. Emagine-Nation.com – where kids play and get things done!

GIVEAWAY

I am so excited to offer one of my readers a One Year Free Membership for their child to Emagine-Nation.com PLUS a $100 Visa Giftcard.  REMEMBER TO PUT “LV0413” IN THE CODE BOX PROVIDED ON REGISTRATION.  EMAGINE-NATION.COM IS OFFERING ANOTHER SPECIAL CONTEST JUST FOR US AND THIS WILL TRACK OUR COMMUNITY.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Getting Re-Inspired By Getting Re-Imagined #MSNKnowNow

This post was created in partnership with MSN. Find out more about the all new MSN experience at allnew.msn.com or see it in action on Windows 8, Android, or on iOS at msn.com

windows 8 touchLately I have been in a bit of a funk.  Maybe it has to do with these still ridiculously cold days or that I have been so busy I have been burning the candle at both ends for too long.  Probably both.  

This week though I decided to break out of my funk, and one of the best ways I know how to get Re-Inspired is to start a new project or to “Re-Imagine” a current project to make it even better.  For what ever reason, the feeling of something “new” just re-energizes me.   I remember as a girl I would be so excited about getting a new Planner or ink pen… I told you, I have been an Office Supply Geek for a LONG time.

I recently purchased a new Windows 8 Touch Screen Laptop and have absolutely fallen in love both with Win8 and the touch screen.   I have loved seeing how the different apps work and though I have needed help a couple of times, I pretty much have figured out how to work everything simultaneously, and multitask by switching back and forth through the environments.  Plus its just cool to feel all tech-savvy swiping everything around on the screen with a touch of the finger. 

So now that I feel all set with my new geeky toy, I am ready to take on tackling a new project.   The first was to merge my business blog – ThePartyPlanCoach into my main site Party Plan Divas. This was a huge undertaking that I am still in the midst of, but an exciting one as I will be cutting my work in half, with double the results.  And that is always a positive thing.

The second project is a complete redesign of Top Mom Blogger, complete with taking that training in a new, easier to follow direction.  As it sits now you are able to join and find hundreds of articles about how to help you become a Top Mom Blogger…however we felt it was getting a bit overwhelming for people who were not really sure where to begin.  So we have reimagined a new “Top Mom Blogger Academy” which walks you through 90 days step by step with what to do each day – complete with training and of course some home work.

And I am not the only one doing some “Re-imagining.”  The new MSN has been redesigned and reimagined to bring you the topics you find most important – four times faster than other top sites.  The new MSN is available on Windows 8 devices, as well as  iOS, and Android.  As a Blogger and Business Owner, it is really important to me that I stay up to date on everything going on in the World – from news to entertainment, and of course technology.   And I love how well it works with my new Windows 8 touch screen! 

With my new redesigns and new reimagined ways of doing business, I have kicked my funk to the curb and had a super productive, inspired week.  There is just something about getting something “new” that gets me all excited about working again.

You can check out the new MSN and see how it works at http://allnew.msn.com/.

What have you “Redesigned” lately? 

lynseysig


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Staples and Keurig… That Was Easy

staples easy buttonIt is no secret that my “second home” is in an Office Supply Store.  I am pretty sure I am the FourSquare Mayor everywhere from Staples to UPS.   My love for all things Office Products began at an early age. My Dad still jokes that while all of the kids were drooling over the Toys R Us catalog, I was drooling over the Office Depot Big Book.  Now, as a long time business owner, my love for all things geeky is not only a passion, but my livelihood.  Between printing Blogging Planners, keeping a full stock of highlighters, and  keeping up to date with new techy toys, I spend a lot of time inside those doors.

Staples is one store I frequent often – both because of location  and also great prices.  I was so excited when we got a store here in Pensacola that I visited Opening Day to check everything out.  Hey, I warned you I was a bit of a geek.  I love how they have everything that you need to run a successful business – whether you are corporate or running a home based business like I do.  From office supplies to office furniture, computers and technology, cleaning supplies, and even stuff for the Break Room, Staples has it all.

One thing Staples offers is an entire line of  Coffee Makers – including Keurigs.  Now, if you are not familiar with Keurig, it is only the absolute best Single Cup Brewing System on the planet. (ok…. that’s my opinion…but still)  As someone who will only drink one cup of coffee in the mornings, I always hated having to throw away nearly a full  pot of perfectly good joe every morning.

keurig mini plus at staples

I had the opportunity to review the Keurig Mini Plus from Staples, and I have to say… I absolutely love it.  Even Mike who groaned about me bringing in yet another “small appliance” into the house talked about how much he liked the look of the Keurig on the counter.  ”Maybe it’s the the black and chrome look,”…. he’s such a guy.

The MINI Plus Brewing System brews a perfect cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa or iced beverage in under two minutes at the touch of a button. With the choice of three cup sizes, the MINI Plus brewer offers a removable drip tray to accommodate short travel mugs. To operate, you simply add fresh water into the single-use reservoir, choose your favorite K-Cup® pack, brew and enjoy.

The Keurig Mini Plus comes with a 12 pack assortment of different Keurig coffees – including Donut Shop and French Vanilla which I loved, but I think my absolute favorite is just the Breakfast Blend.  The girls want to know when I am getting them Hot Chocolate so they can use it too.   The other bonus to Keurig is their “My K-cup” – which allows you to brew any coffee in their specially designed little reusable cup!  It does not come with the Mini Plus Brewer, but it is a must have for coffee lovers!

keurig one cup brewer

I think my favorite part about the Keurig Mini Plus is that you only put water in one cup at a time.  Since I do not have coffee every single morning, my old one cup brewing system would have water just sitting in the reservoir for days… kinda gross.  With this one however, I simply fill the cup that I am going to use with as much water as I need, pour the water in to the top of the Keurig, and stick it  under to fill.   Voila!  Even if you spill, the drop tray slides right out of the bottom for easy cleaning.

I have really enjoyed having my new Keurig and trying all of the flavors from the variety pack of cups.   Though I may not drink coffee every single day, I do love having the ability to brew up a cup in less than 2 minutes any time the mood strikes.

Staples. Keurig.  Done. That was easy.

lynseysig

Disclosure:  Staples provided me with this Keurig Coffee Maker. The words, images, and opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. To see the full line of Keurig Coffee Makers visit Staples.com.


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Make Breakfast Easy with Tyson #DoItAllMom #CBias

tyson fully cooked sausage patties reviewAs we are wrapping up Spring Break here at the Moscato Household, we are excited about having only 9 weeks left before Summertime.  It is an important nine weeks though – as it is the last term of The Teens Middle School Career – complete with major exams and getting prepared for the Veterinary Academy in High School.  Midge is wrapping up First Grade with her own exams and I of course will be making the final push to get as much done as humanly possible so that I can spend a majority of the summer at the Beach. (There are perks to owning your own business.)

One of the things we are doing to prepare for the next nine weeks of craziness is making sure  our meals are planned – starting with breakfast.  I hate to admit it, but we seldom eat breakfast around here.  With only 30 minutes to get Midge ready and off to school in the morning, and me coming back home and jumping on the treadmill before getting to work – I seldom take the time to cook anything.  Midge normally eats at school at The Teen eats something like a piece of fruit or something left over from the night before.  But not anymore.

I was recently hired by Collective Bias to do a Social Shopper Insights Study on the new Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties available at Sam’s Club.  I have worked with Tyson before with their delicious little Bread Bowls, so I knew we were going to love the new sausage patties.   For some reason, even as squeamish as I am about processed meat, breakfast sausage is something that I love and cook often. The idea of getting a hot, tasty sausage on my plate in a matter of seconds to help me on my more-than-crazy mornings – count me in.

We headed off to our local Sam’s Club to get the breakfast essentials – including the new Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties.  You can see our entire shopping experience in this Google+ Album.  In addition to the Tyson Sausage Patties we picked up some quick and easy pancakes and a huge bag of Cuties.

tyson fully cooked sausage easy breakfast ideas

My favorite part about the Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties – besides the taste - is that even Midge can prepare them without my help.  The bag held two smaller bags that are easier for her to handle (and fit better in my freezer) and the only preparation is to take one out, put it on a microwave safe plate, cover it with a paper towel, and cook for 30 seconds – flip over – and cook for 30 more seconds.  Literally start to finish is about 2 minutes and we have breakfast.

tyson fully cooked sausage patties

Another recipe I absolutely love that involves sausage and makes my mornings super easy is my Low Carb Breakfast Muffins.  I was amazed at how I could heat up the Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties and crumble it into the mix – literally cutting my preparation time in half.  Or for even more flavor, pan fry your sausage patties and pour the whole thing – drippings and all – into the mix!

Low Carb Breakfast “Muffins” with Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties

tyson low carb breakfast muffin recipeIngredients:

  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 4-6 Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties
  • 1 block of medium cheddar cheese – hand grated
  • 1 cup cottage cheese

Begin by frying or microwaving your Tyson Fully Cooked Sausage Patties, breaking them into as many small pieces as you can.  Set aside to cool. Don’t drain it – I said Low Carb… not low fat. ;)  You want that little bit of grease in your muffins – it tastes better.

Hand grate the entire block of medium cheddar cheese.  It works much better to hand grate this than to use pre-shredded cheese for some reason.  Just trust me.  Plus when you hand grate it you get to eat the little leftover part that you cant grate without cutting yourself.

Crack all 12 eggs into a bowl.  Gently scramble the eggs together with a fork.   Then pour in your cooled sausage, grated cheese, and cottage cheese.  Using a large spoon mix together well.  Then spoon into muffin tins – I use my Pampered Chef Brownie Pan because I like them square.

Bake muffins at 350* for about 30 minutes or until cheese is browning and bubbly and egg is complete cooked through.

Serve with a side of fruit for the perfect healthy meal for breakfast!

tyson fully cooked sausage patties breakfast

Whether I need a quick breakfast on the fly, or take the time to prepare my Low Carb Breakfast “Muffins” – Tyson helps me feel like a #DoItAllMom every day!

What kinds of things do you feed your family for breakfast?

lynseysig

 I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Tyson #cbias #SocialFabric