Mommy Has to Work

Caboo Paper Products Review

September 8, 2016 By Marijean

*This review was written by blog contributor Mariella Sajkowski

I’m always looking for safe products to use in my house and for my family. When it came to paper products, I never really knew what to buy so I just purchased what was on sale. I thought all toilet paper, napkins, tissues, and paper towels were the same. All these products are white, which means they’re free of dyes and have to be safe, right? All paper products perform the same, right? Well, I was wrong. I was recently asked to write a review for Caboo Paper Products and now all the confusion has passed.

I tested four products by Caboo: napkins, paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper. First let me begin by telling you a little about the company. Caboo makes sustainable paper products from bamboo and sugarcane. These plants grow quickly so there’s no need to uselessly destroy trees. Unlike trees, bamboo and sugarcane do not require replanting. All of Caboo’s products are 100% biodegradable. This also means their products are more eco-friendly than their recycled counterparts. Lastly, they are non-GMO verified, BPA and chlorine free which was what interested me the most about this company.

When you think bamboo, you think hard and stiff. Caboo was anything but these things. I was really impressed with these products. The napkins were soft yet strong! They weren’t stiff like many other brands of napkins. The paper towels were similar. They were absorbent with spills and held up to hand drying and house cleaning. The tissues have lasted through three children with colds and several nosebleeds. We’ve had no blow-outs or pesky lint floating around.

Finally, the toilet paper. Many of us are toilet paper snobs (at least in my house). We want thickness so it doesn’t tear but not too thick because it will leave behind fuzzies. One ply is too thin and rigid but anything more can be too thick. Again, I was impressed with Caboo’s 2-ply softness. It’s velvety without all dust and lint and has just the right amount of texture.

Caboo has a luxurious feel you wouldn’t expect from eco-friendly products. The company puts your mind at ease by keeping the Earth clean while keeping your families safe. I highly recommend their products for their performance and their safety. You can pick them up at Whole Foods, Wegman’s, and Bristol Farms just to name a few. You can also log onto their website at caboop aper.com to search a Caboo retailer nearest you.

**I received products in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Lularoe Clothing Review and Giveaway

September 6, 2016 By Anne

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I have an addiction…. Lularoe. It started out with a maxi skirt. Then another and another. I bought two azures but never wore them. Then a Randy. Then more maxis. A cassie came next. I finally wore my azures and fell in love. More azures were bought. My next purchase was the classic t-shirt. More classic t’s. Another cassie. Somewhere in the midst of all this was the lola and the Nicole. More lolas. Another Randy. I may be forgetting some….oh yeah…leggings. Only solid black except the black with small white flowers. Lindsay was next.

Not to mention the hours of searching for more clothes on Facebook!

Half my closet is Lularoe. I should really just become a consultant. But I’m afraid I’d keep it all and not sell it.

Lularoe clothes are the most comfortable clothes I’ve ever worn. They flatter my body. I’ve jumped out of my comfort zone and worn prints I never would have worn before. I’m wearing skirts again. ( It’s been a long time.) They wash well. There are so many different prints and patterns.

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I was asked to do a review for Channing Callahan. I picked out a light grey Lindsay. It’s super lightweight, almost see through. I love, love it. I wear it around the house as a jacket. I live in Florida and tanks tops are a necessity but sometimes that air conditioner comes on and it gets chilly. The Lindsay is prefect to put on.

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A little about Channing Callahan, Lularoe Rep

I want to share some of my biggest dreams with you and I want you to know what truly makes me happy!

I love Lularoe clothes and I love the… happiness this company brings me. But in this picture I’m wearing my favorite outfit…a simple pair of medical scrubs. I’ve been a nurse for almost 2 years and putting on this uniform brings me true happiness! I’ve had 6 different jobs in that short amount of time, but love the friends I have made through taking care of people while they are sick.

Along with being a full time Lularoe consultant, I hope that one day I will be able to work on the cancer unit at Primary Children’s hospital. Serving and being around little ones truly makes my day.

I hope that through my journey as a consultant I can share the friendship, compassion, and happiness other consultants have brought me. I have met and interacted with so many of you. I love that!! Thank you for your support. Lularoe is so much more to me than just selling clothes ❤️

My hubby, Dakota is my #1 fan. He encouraged me to do Lularoe and it cracks me up when he asks if he can help me photograph new inventory or put together new packages. He gets just as excited about all the unicorn prints as I do and I love that he supports me in anything I choose to do.

Thanks for reading my little “all about me” rant. I hope that I can be more personal in this group and really show you who I am and share my take on Lularoe. Stay tuned for some fun giveaways this week!

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Check out Channing Callahan’s Facebook group for all her styles and collections. Instagram account: @lularoe.channing and Periscope @Lularoe_Channing

Want to win a free pair of OS Mystery Leggings? Check out the giveaway below.

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Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular Brings Waves of Halloween Fun Weekends in October #ad

September 6, 2016 By Marijean

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular Brings Waves of Halloween Fun Weekends in October!

Halloween meets the sea every weekend in October during SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular. This family-friendly event immerses guests in an underwater “fantasea” with trick-or-treating, whimsical pumpkin fish, sea-themed arts and crafts, and up-close animal encounters.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place from 12 p.m. to park close every weekend, October 1-30. Like all special events at SeaWorld, Halloween Spooktacular is included with park admission.

Spooktacular Highlights Include:

Waves of Trick-or-Treat Fun – Costumed youngsters can trick-or-treat for ghoulish goodies. Each sea-themed, trick-or-treat station features an assortment of candy favorites including Tootsie Roll and SunRype Fruit To Go, just to name a few.

Penelope’s Garden Party – This dynamic “underwater” environment comes to life each weekend with a live DJ, animal interactions, a variety of craft opportunities, bubbles floating overhead and whimsical sea-themed characters.

Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween – Celebrate a Spooktacular Halloween at SeaWorld with The Count, Elmo, Abby, and the rest of everyone’s Sesame Street friends! The Count is feeling lonely this Halloween, and it’s up to you and the loveable monsters from Sesame Street to get him into the Halloween spirit. Batty bats and spooky skeletons join the fun in a song filled stage show that invites you and your family to dance, play and sing along.

Spooktacular Dance Party – Children join Princess Penelope and her under-the-sea friends for a Spooktacular Dance Party where they can participate in line-dancing favorites as clouds of bubbles fill the evening air. The party will kick off at the Village Square in the front of the park every event night one hour before park closing.

Spectacular Spooky Add-Ons available at SeaWorldOrlando.com:

Dine With Shamu Halloween Spooktacular Brunch – Guests can celebrate with an immersive and memorable brunch experience at Dine With Shamu. They will enjoy seasonal items and reserved tables that bring them up close to majestic killer whales. There also are some Halloween surprises including a family photo in a decorative frame and a free cookie decorating kit. Prices begin at $28 plus tax for adults and $16 plus tax for kids.Pass Members receive a 10% discount.

Meet and Greet with Cookie Monster at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular- Meet Cookie Monster from Sesame Street during SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular. For just $19 per person, guests can meet the character at SeaFire Grill and enjoy his favorite treat: a cookie! Plus, every guest receives a printed photo of their meet-and-greet to take home. Pass Members receive a 10% discount.

Reserved Seating: Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween- Enjoy a reserved seat at a showtime of your choice for Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween show at SeaWorld Orlando. Priced at $19 per person, guarantee a seat for a showtime of your choice.

Best Way to Play:

The best way for families to experience SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular is with a SeaWorld Annual Pass. Enjoy 12 months of unlimited admission with no blockout dates and free parking starting at $14 a month with EZpay, for details visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration:

Just around the corner, waves of holiday spirit splash over the park during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays November 25 through December 11 and daily December 16 through 31. Guests can make holiday memories by enjoying live shows, festive shopping and delicious food. Stay tuned for all-new holiday news and returning favorites soon.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest Halloween Spooktacular details and information.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Humble Bugs – Character Values Subscription Kits for Kids Review @thehumblebugs

September 6, 2016 By Marijean

I am always looking for new creative and fun ways to spend family nights with my family. Some examples of family nights in our home are: Movie night, Game night & Reading night (where we all will read books to each other). I was contacted by a subscription kit service called Humble Bugs to review this month’s kit.

CHARACTER VALUE SUBSCRIPTION KIT

Each Character Building Kit features a different character value that helps build stronger, happier kids and families. The Humble Bugs’ Character Building Kits include supplies, information, a classic movie, crafts, and lots more that the whole family can enjoy together. Subscribers receive a new Character Building Kit at their doorstep every other month!

My kids were very excited when our Humble Bugs Subscription Kit arrived. When we opened it we noticed the box was filled with so many activities. Receiving the box when we did was perfect timing, since a hurricane was passing through our neighborhood that day. We were very excited to unpack the box and check out everything!

The kit I reviewed included everything in the below picture:

This box is themed: Setting Goals, featuring Olympians. It includes 5 days worth of fun for families.

Day 1 for us was Building a fun medal craft for the kids. For the parents it was to read the review booklet BUILD TRUE and to fill out the Life Journal. My kids had a blast making their own medals. I even made one! You get 9 medals to create (3 gold 3 silver and 3 bronze), 2 tubes of glitter glue (gold and silver) and lots of sticker shapes. There was plenty for all of us.

Day 2 for us was Parents BUILD TRUE Discussion Guide and Object Lesson. Our object lesson was to help kids understand the importance of taking small steps to reach goals. We were provided with cotton balls. The goal was for each child to catch all 5 cotton balls at the same time, and ask questions. The kids had a blast with this activity and did learn that it takes time to reach goals and to have patience.

Day 3 for us was Kids BUILD UP Family Olympics and BUILD TRUE writing activity.Our object lesson was to make a suitcase to help carry our goals with us wherever we may go. The kids had a lot of fun with this craft!

Day 4 was a craft activity for the whole family. We made dream catchers! So much fun, my kids were so excited to make them.

Day 5 was Movie night and Character pin celebration. We watched a family movie that was included in our box called “Jumping For Joy.” My family really enjoyed this movie, and the kids learned about sacrifices and team effort. I then gave the kids their Character pins for achieving their goals!

The prices for subscription is as follows: $35 for a kit every other month (billed every other month) a 6 month subscription for $33 per kit (you save $6 and receive 3 kits) and an annual subscription for $30 per kit (receive 6 kits).

We absolutely loved this month’s character box. My kids are so excited and have asked to subscribe, so we are looking forward to the next box. Your family will surely love Humble Bugs! Click here to subscribe!

Connect with Humble Bugs: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram

*I received a complimentary kit from Humble Bugs in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

How Can You Make Your House a Reading House? Book Giveaway

September 6, 2016 By Marijean

**This is a guest post.

How Can You Make Your House A READING HOUSE?

I have formally taught and tutored many different types of readers over the years: new readers, struggling readers, uninspired readers, and those that I like to call classic readers (fast learners). Their instructional needs are very different but they all have one thing in common … parents who want to help them become stronger readers who do well in school. These parents approach me regularly asking for suggestions. They explain that they know they should be reading with their children at home, but want to know what else they can do.

Well, first, here’s the good news. If you are reading to your child on a daily basis, then you are already doing the single most important activity that will contribute to your child’s future academic success. Don’t worry that it feels too simple to be all that powerful. The advantages of frequently reading to – or with – your child cannot be overstated. It’s immediate on-the-job training! Reading together stimulates language and cognitive skills, enlarges the vocabulary base, builds prediction and memory skills, strengthens comprehension, and so much more.

The second bit of good news for those attentive parents is that – yes – there are many other fun ways to practice reading with your children at home. In response to their requests, I have developed a plethora of reading games and routines that can easily be woven into a family’s busy day. In my book, THE READING HOUSE, there are learning experiences for children from birth through fifth grade that touch upon language development, phonics, book selection, loving literature, reading strategies, vocabulary, comprehension, and story extensions. These reading activities are super simple and loads of fun, written expressly for parents who want to engage their children in meaningful learning opportunities.

The reading routines and games below are only a few of the 120+ activities in THE READING HOUSE book. Try some of them at home and let us know how it goes.

GIVEAWAY

One copy of THE READING HOUSE will be offered as a giveaway through Mommy Has To Work! Please comment below with what your reading routine with your child/children is. Giveaway ends 9/20, US Only.