Category: Sponsored

Fall into a Good Routine with ProNamel® for Kids

The ProNamel® brand has compensated me in connection with statements made in this post.

It’s time for back to school and making sure your kiddos are in tip-top shape this year! Bring on the back to school shopping, the school supplies, and yearly physicals.   I’ve talked with you all before how important taking care of your child’s teeth is.  In my opinion it’s just as important as a well check-up.  A healthy mouth can help your child’s overall immune system and prevent infections in the future.

I was at Connor’s class visiting one day and I was astonished as I sat there and saw so many kids with fingers in their MOUTHS!  Ugh…

I know we can’t be there to remind them 24/7 not to stick their hands in their mouth & tell them how nasty it is, but we can instill good dental hygiene to help prevent germs and bacteria from growing.

ProNamel® 6-12 Years Toothpaste for Kids is the toothpaste we use and it works great to keep Connor’s teeth healthy!  Tooth enamel is precious and needs to be protected, starting at an early age. Acid Erosion compromises the strength of enamel. This is where ProNamel® 6-12 Years Toothpaste for Kids comes in. ProNamel® for Kids actively strengthens enamel and protects against everyday acids and cavities. I work for a Dental office and our Doctor also recommends ProNamel® to our patients.

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It’s never too early or too LATE to start good oral hygiene habits in your kids.

We try to make brushing our teeth fun and we also tell Connor how important it is to keep his teeth healthy.  Now that he’s getting his permanent teeth in he knows he’ll only get one set of those.  It’s important to take care of your smile, because it’s the only one you’re going to get 🙂

We have another tooth on the loose!  Ha ha!

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Here are some tips to make brushing fun for your kids:

  • Let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste, they have an opinion too!  Toothbrushes come in so many fun styles these days- some have lights and even music!
  • Show them how to brush their teeth in a routine way.  Side to side, back to front.
  • Try rhyming or music to make brushing teeth fun.
  • Tell them how sparkly and pretty their teeth look when they are done.  It helps build self esteem.

As you get ready for back to school, send your child out there with confidence.  A bright smile can go a long way.  Education is key and having the right tools and great products help make this Mom’s life a lot easier.

 

COUPONS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.

Follow along for all the latest on ProNamel® for Kids on Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/13 – 9/30

Be sure to visit the ProNamel® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by ProNamel® or GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

What’s Your Wrinkle Rating? #RoCWrinkleRanking

This post is sponsored by RoC® Skincare as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

Aging…it happens to the best of us.  It happens to EVERYONE!  No one is immune to the effects the environment has on our skin.  Skin is the human body’s largest organ, that’s crazy right?

I want to do everything I can to protect my skin, because I only have one set of skin.  When I was younger I used to tan in tanning beds and lay out in the sun religiously.  You know what they say “I should have listened to my parents” or “I should have started taking care of my skin at a younger age”.

I turned 35 in May and I certainly don’t feel like a spring chicken anymore, but I know my skin still has a fighting chance.  Thanks to a great skincare regimen including RoC® RETINOL CORREXION products.   RoC® has been a leading French skincare brand for more than 50 years, devoted to developing anti-aging products that guarantee visible and lasting results for healthier skin.

Here is a look at the 2016 RoC® Wrinkle Ranking.  Fort Worth-Arlington is my area and we come in at #34 on the list.  Not too shabby.  Where do you see your city on the list?  Is your wrinkle radar correct?

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So, I’ve been using the RoC® RETINOL CORREXION products for a couple of weeks now and I have noticed my skin is smoother and softer.

I know that getting older is a gift and a blessing, but like I always say…nobody wants to see that blessing all over your face honey 🙂

My areas of concern (Raw and honest here- and makeup free!) :

In between my eyes…don’t think to hard or frown too much!  Ha!

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The corners of my eyes aka “crows feet”

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The smile zone.  I love to smile, but I don’t want a permanent crease where my smile belongs.  Don’t forget about your neck either, so many people forget about their neck & it ages too!

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The RoC® RETINOL CORREXION line utilizes retinol, that is pretty much the best ingredient for anti-aging.  Retinol reduces the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles while improving skin tone and firmness. Because RoC®Skincare understands that retinol is only truly effective in its purest and most stable form, all the RoC® Brand retinol products are packaged in a special aluminum tube that protects retinol from light and air to keep it stable.

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The RoC® Retinol Correction Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System has two steps.   DSC_4525

Anti-Wrinkle Treatment + Resurfacing Serum = happy, wrinkle free skin.DSC_5466

On a day to day basis keep your skin looking healthy with the RoC® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer.  I love this and use it before applying my makeup every morning along with the eye cream.

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I know we can’t always control the elements around us and where we live, but we can do our best to fight against them.  I’ll leave my skin in the hands of RoC® Skincare, with over 50 years of experience, I think they know what they are doing.

Follow RoC® Skincare on Facebook to learn more about anti-aging and what you can do to help your skin!

RoC® Skincare products can be found at CVS & Target.

 

It’s Pizza Night!

School began this week and that relaxed spell we were in all summer just went *poof*!

I feel like this week has been nothing but go, go, go!  The last thing on my mind when I get home from work is a “What’s for dinner Mom?”  Needless to say that usually falls on me anyway, and I am always looking for yummy, and easy meals to make.

One of our favorite things to make is a homemade pizza.  It’s so easy, and usually takes less than 30 minutes to prep and cook.  Connor usually helps me pick toppings and it’s something we can do together after school on a weeknight.

Here’s our favorite pizza:

We use Mezzetta Authentic Pizza Sauce.  The sauce is light and fresh, and is a great base for our pizza. When it comes to Mezzetta’s Marinara, they know the best tomatoes are grown in the sun-drenched soils of the San Marzano region of Italy – so that is where they source every single tomato for their ultra-premium Marinaras.

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This fall, Mezzetta is celebrating their food sourcing adventures: They’ll tell you the stories of their sauces – how they source ingredients from California to Europe, how they create the sauces (hint: incredible ingredients from truffles to chilies!), and all the ways anyone can experiment with the sauces in the kitchen.

Add the Mezzetta pizza sauce:

 

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Add your toppings and enjoy!

Mezzetta wants you to Discover Italy and is giving away their biggest prize yet!

An all-expenses paid trip: Insight Vacation’s Country Roads Puglia & Neapolitan Riviera Tour – a 10 day tour PLUS a bonus day for touring a tomato farm in San Marzano. This Italian adventure includes round-trip coach air transportation for 2, hotel accommodations, a cooking class, and the farm tour.

ENTER HERE

About the Mezzetta’s Explore Italy Sweepstakes: One (1) Grand Prize Winning Entry will be selected. The Grand Prize consists of a trip for Winner and one (1) Guest to attend culinary experiences (cooking class and farm tour) in the San Marzano region of Italy and explore other cities of Italy. The Grand Prize trip consists of the round trip coach air transportation between the major commercial airport nearest winner’s residence and Rome, Italy, the culinary experience and tour of Italy.

 

Back To School with Pearle Vision

School is TWO weeks away!  Can you believe it?  A few weeks ago I shared about our trip to Pearle Vision.  Make sure you check your kiddo’s eyes out before school starts.  Nothing is worse than feeling self conscious and unsure because you can’t see.  It affects how a child learns and so much more!

We loved our visit to Pearle Vision, both Connor and I both got our eyes checked and we are good to go!

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Connor didn’t need glasses this visit, although he sure did have fun trying on some different styles.  I, however, did get a brand new pair.  One of my favorite things to do is read books.  I knew I was due for a new pair and everyone was so helpful.  I chose a trendy tortoise shell style.

Here are my new rims from Pearle Vision, I love them so much:

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I know glasses are probably in Connor’s future, but it’s nice to know he’s good for now and ready to start first grade.  If you are searching for an Eye Doctor I encourage you to check out Pearle Vision.  They were super nice and answered all our questions….we’ll definitely be back.

Pearle Vision has close to 600 eye care centers located throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Pearle Vision is built around a doctor-centered business model with a primary focus on delivering genuine eye care to patients. It has become a trusted source for all my eye health needs.

Don’t forget to enter the contest to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Follow Pearle Vision on Facebook & YouTube for the latest news.

Also, I shared with you all on Facebook LIVE today a countdown calendar for school.  I’ll leave the free printable here.  Remember, you can pick and choose what you want to do on your countdown calendar….and getting an eye exam would be a great item to put on your countdown list 🙂

BucketList-Back To school

Would you get your kids eyes checked?

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1    Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2    Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#Sweeps” and “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3    Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4     For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. 

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/17/2016 – 8/28/2016

Be sure to visit Pearle Vision’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Back to School in Style with Mini Boden + Enter to WIN a $500 Boden Shopping Spree!

This post was sponsored by Boden as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

School starts in a few weeks and my baby is going to be a FIRST GRADER!  Somebody stop time for me okay?  I mean seriously how cute is my lil’ guy?

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When I was a little girl my Mom would take my sister and I back to school shopping and it was the best thing ever!  My Mom always made it a fun event shopping for school supplies, backpacks, shoes, and clothing.

I want Connor to look forward to going back to school too.  A few weeks before school starts I start getting Connor excited about getting a new backpack or lunch box…and CLOTHES!  I know how I felt on the first day of school walking into class with a new outfit on.  There is just something about wearing a new outfit that makes you feel a little bit more confident.

This year Connor and I picked out clothes from Mini Boden.  I’ve always loved the prints and British styles that Mini Boden offers.  The clothes I’ve bought from Mini Boden have lasted & lasted throughout the years.  It’s one of my tried and true children’s clothing brands.  The styles that Mini Boden offers are so adorable!  And don’t worry about buying from across the pond, Mini Boden provides worry-free shipping (free shipping & returns over $49).

Here are some of our favorite outfits we got for back to school from Mini Boden:

I just adore these jeans, dress shirt, and shoes:

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These Super Soft T-Shirts are a fall staple:

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Connor is really into dinosaurs right now so of course we got this adorable Jurassic Stripe T-shirt!

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No outfit is complete without a pair of shoes 🙂  We chose these Suede Desert Boots that can go with just about anything- dress up or down with a pair of jeans for khakis.

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Connor is going to join Cub Scouts this fall, so he’s going go camping!  Nothing is better than a nice cozy pair of jammies when camping.  Mini Boden has the cutest styles and prints when it comes to pajamas!

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I’m super excited about first grade and I know Connor is too 🙂  Thank you Mini Boden for sending us back to school in style!

Influence Central is hosting a contest for the new Mini Boden Back to School line at Boden through which your readers can enter to win one of three $500 shopping vouchers to Boden/Mini Boden

Contest opens on August 1, 2016 and closes August 22, 2016

I-C will randomly select 3 winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

#BacktoSchoolwithBoden Giveaway

Get 25% off your purchase at Mini Boden today HERE!

Follow Boden on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest styles.

My Trip to Pearle Vision + Enter to Win!

 This post is sponsored by Pearle Vision and SheKnows Media 
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The summer has just flown by y’all! Connor is about to start first grade in a month and I just can’t believe it. Somebody hold me! We took Connor in for his 6-year-old check up a few months ago and one of the things his doctor recommended was to get an eye exam. Did you know that 80% of what children learn is through their eyes?
I knew it was coming….
I’ve had terrible eyesight the majority of my life. So have my parents and my sister, not to mention my husband also wears glasses. So it’s probably inevitable that someday Connor will need glasses. Last week Connor and I headed to Pearle Vision in Southlake for an eye exam. We had the best time looking around and trying on glasses. Connor actually WANTS glasses because he thinks they are “cool”. Ha!
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He’s precious, glasses or not!
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Everyone at Pearle Vision Southlake was amazing to us! They were super friendly and let us try on all kinds of glasses. They were quick to answer our questions and put Connor at ease.
Everyone knows kids have a ton of questions, and our doctor was so nice in answering all the questions in Connor’s little mind! 20160712_161353 20160712_161448 20160712_161400
We loved Dr. Hannaman. She has children of her own, so she rocked at helping Connor feel at ease and comfortable.
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As a kid, Connor had the option to take his eye exam with numbers or pictures. He chose pictures. This helped so much for him to relate what he was seeing.
Thankfully, this year Connor did not require glasses. We were told he probably would need them sometime in the near future. Dr. Hannaman talked with us about blue light and how it affects Connor’s eyesight. He spends a lot of time on the iPad and watching TV…more than I would like.
Blue light is the harmful light given off my electronic devices and now Pearle Vision actually makes blue light lenses your child can wear to help prevent blue light from affecting their eyesight. Even if your child doesn’t wear glasses, they can still use blue lenses while watching TV or the iPad. Blue light
Pearle Vision did an awesome job providing comprehensive eye exams for both Connor and me! Pearle Vision will make sure to get the prescription right. Comprehensive eye exams are essential starting at the age of 3 or if your child shows signs of visual impairment.
Right now is the perfect time to take your child into Pearle Vision before school starts! Pearle Vision has a limited time offer for free lenses for kids 18 and under. Can I get a Woohoo for FREE people???
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Thank you Dr. Hannaman we will see you next year! xo – The Branch Family  
Follow Pearle Vision on Facebook & YouTube for the latest news.
Pearle Vision has close to 600 eye care centers located throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Pearle Vision is built around a doctor-centered business model with a primary focus on delivering genuine eye care to patients. It has become a trusted source for all my eye health needs.

Tell me about your child’s vision needs. You could win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1    Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2    Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#Sweeps” and “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3    Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4     For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 7/25/2016-8/25/2016

Be sure to visit the brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

 

 

Pear Havarti Sandwich + A Chance to Win $25K!!!

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Oroweat® Bread so that I could try the product and share information about the “2016 America’s Better Sandwich” Contest and my thoughts and information about Oroweat®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Oroweat® Bread.”

Oroweat® Bread is excited to launch their 2016 America’s Better Sandwich” Contest! The sandwich architect whose filling matches the goodness of Oroweat® Bread will win a grand prize of $25,000!!!  Oh my gosh y’all…that would be awesome right?

Do you have a yummy sandwich that you love to share with friends and family?  Why not share it with the rest of us & also have opportunity to win $25,000 dollars…UHM….okay!

I’d love to share with you a healthy option I enjoy.  It’s a sandwich with pear, havarti cheese, and peppery arugula.

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I’m using Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat Bread.  This sandwich is so yummy and good for you too!  Just slice up some pears (thinly), grab some cheese, arugula leaves, butter your bread, and pop it in the toaster to melt.

Why I choose Oroweat® products:

Oroweat® Whole Grains Sliced Breads and Oroweat® Sandwich Thins® Rolls contain/are:

  • 2 to 5 grams of fiber per slice or thin
  • Zero grams of Trans Fat
  • No High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • A cholesterol free food
  • The Oroweat® Healthfull® bread varieties contain/are:
  • Made with 100% whole grains
  • Good source of fiber
  • 80 calories per serving
  • No High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Heart healthy*
  • Zero grams of Trans Fat

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I have a delicious and healthy…and EASY lunch!  DSC_2261

Would you like a chance to win the 2016 America’s Better Sandwich Contest?

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Before entering an original better sandwich, make sure your recipes include any of the Oroweat® Sliced Breads, including any of the Oroweat® Sandwich Thins® Rolls varieties.

This year’s contest includes five (5) exciting sandwich categories including:

 

  1. “Open-Faced Artistry” (sandwiches are works of art for the world to see, and these snacks and meals should announce their nutritious ingredients—like bright beets or tasty tuna— sans second slice);
  2. “Breakfast in Bread” (these sandwiches, featuring nutrient rich breakfast favorites like eggs and yogurt, invoke images of cozy mornings in bed or boisterous brunches with friends);
  3. “Creative Classics” (nutritious spins on sandwich creations that have stood the test of time, such as grandma’s club sandwich, BLT or other old-time favorites);
  4. “Fueling Good”  (these sandwiches should incorporate ingredients that help boost your energy such as healthful fats, protein, fiber and iron)
  5. “State Favorites” (whether it’s a well-known sandwich in the state you reside, or a must-have local dish that can transition into a sandwich, celebrate your state pride by re-creating these state favorites with better-for-you ingredients)

The recipe in each sandwich category with the highest score will receive a $5,000 category prize.

Entries will be accepted June 15th – August 21st, online consumer voting will take place September 26th – October 23rd, and the winners will be announced on National Sandwich Day- November 3rd.
Oroweat®  bread will donate one (1) loaf of bread (up to 100,000 loaves) to Feeding America for each valid entry submission during the entry period and vote received during the online voting phase of the “2016 America’s Better Sandwich” Contest
More information on the “2016 America’s Better Sandwich” Contest Official Rules and Donation Program terms and conditions can be found at http://www.americasbettersandwich.com .

 

Follow Oroweat® on Facebook  for the latest news!