Scentsy Product Review & Giveaway

A New Breed of Mom is proud to announce Scentsy Independent Consultant, Sandy Osterday, as our first official site sponsor! Working with Sandy to prepare this product review & giveaway, has been great fun! Scentsy offers a variety of great products you will be sure to love!

What is Scentsy? Scentsy is a direct sales business, meaning it is run buy independent consultants. Scentsy sells flameless candles and a variety of other fun products guaranteed to make your home, car, or office smell great! They offer a variety of warmers so you are sure to find a design that fits your own personal style!

Why I have fallen in love with Scentsy Products: From the minute I opened the box containing my Scentsy products, I was in heaven. The wonderful aroma filled up my kitchen, even before I used my warmer. The scents I have tried are Black Rasberry Vanilla, Sticky Cinnamon Bun, Berry Blush, and Cinnamon Bear. The Black Rasberry Vanilla is my favorite!

I've melted these scents in my Mid-Size Limestone Warmer from the Smooth Stone Collection, which looks great in my living room! The Sweet Pea & Vanilla scented Travel Tin, I tested, is ideal for your office. I also had the chance to test a Mountain Retreat scented Hanging Freshner for my car - LOVED it! In the future, I'd love to try the Room Sprays. Scentsy is definitely giving leading candle companies a run for their money!

In order to get all my readers acquainted with Scentsy, Sandy & I have cooked up an awesome giveaway! 

Here is what you can win! 

Grand Prize

Mid-size Enchanted Warmer and 2 Scentsy Bars (your choice of scents)

2nd Prize

Scentsy Buddy (your choice)

 3rd and 4th Prize 

Sandy's Mystery Scentsy Package - Contains a Variety of Scentsy Items for On-the-Go!

Contest Rules:

The contest is open to both U.S. and Canada residents. The Giveaway will run the entire month of September and winners will be announced on October 1st. To enter, you must follow A New Breed of Mom with Google Friend Connect, and enter a SEPARATE COMMENT for EACH entry. Winners will be determined by a random number generator. First number wins the Grand Prize, 2nd number wins the 2nd Prize, etc.

Mandatory Entry: Go to Sandy's Scentsy Site and tell me what your favorite products are, what scents you would choose if you won the Grand Prize, and/or what Scentsy Buddy you would choose.

Additional Entries:

Follow Sandy on Twitter @SDScentGal 

Follow Me on Facebook

Follow Me on Twitter @NewBreedMama

Tweet about this contest! "Enter to win great Scentsy Products from @SDScentGal & @NewBreedMama! http://bit.ly/cdSV7R" You can tweet up to 3 times a day for additional entries - please link to your tweet in your comment so I can verify it.

Remember to log a SEPARATE COMMENT for EACH entry!

Can't Wait to Buy Scentsy Products? Order here!

Interested in becoming a Scentsy Independent Consultant? Click here!

Charlie & Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure: Review and Giveaway

Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure is the first book in the Green Notebook Series and is a fun adventure book for children from ages four to eight. The main character is Charlie, an adventurous little monkey who's not so sure he believes in God. His partner in crime is Trike the triceratops, who's constantly keeping Charlie out of trouble while teaching him that God is real and to trust the Bible.

In Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure the twosome sets off with their tour guide, Captain Wes, who's a large, burly man with one eye. This intimates Charlie who is very skeptical of the captain and has convinced himself that the captain is stealing his food. It doesn't take long after Captain Wes helps Charlie out of a jam, for Charlie to realize who the real culprit is!

As Charlie and Trike tour the Grand Canyon, Trike explains to Charlie about Noah and the Great Worldwide Flood from the Bible. Trike is a smart triceratops who uses clues about fossils and rock patterns to teach Charlie about the Flood. While examining fossils in the Grand Canyon, Charlie takes notes in his special green notebook.

Since receiving our copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure, I've read it with my boys several times. They love hearing about the adventures of this curious little monkey and friendly triceratops. I love it that they are having fun learning about God! This book also has held there attention because it is full of flip-the-flap books, maps, green notebook entries, and clues!

Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure can be purchased on Amazon. Normally priced at $15.99, this book is now available for $12.47.

ENTER TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY
The folks from Masters Books have given me FOUR copies of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure to give away to four lucky readers! That means that there are FOUR different "Adventures" or ways that you can enter to win your very own copy of this book!

Contest runs from Monday August 30 through Thursday September 2nd and is open to people who live in the U.S. only. A random number generator will be used to pick the four winners. Winners will be announced on Friday September 3rd. Remember, you must enter a separate comment on this blog post for EACH separate entry!

Adventure #1: Creative Comments
This one's easy! All you have to do is follow A New Breed of Mom with Google Friend Connect and then comment on this post and tell me why you MUST have your own copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure to read to your kids. Be creative with your comments! You can continue to come back and add one comment per day for additional entries! Easy, right?!

Adventure #2: All Things Facebook
Like Masters Books on Facebook and comment on their page that you want to win your very own copy of  Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure from A New Breed of Mom! Then comment here to tell me you did!

You can gain another entry by Liking A New Breed of Mom on Facebook, commenting on my page to tell me you want to win, and then commenting here to tell me you did!

Adventure #3: All Things Twitter
Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this: "I want to win a #C&Trike book from A New Breed of Mom! You can win too! http://bit.ly/bdktla" You can tweet up to three times per day - just remember to come back and comment on this post for each entry!

Advetnure #4: Find Charlie and Trike
Each day the Charlie and Trike blog button will be displayed at a different spot on the home page of A New Breed of Mom with a different caption. Find the blog button and comment here listing what the caption says for that day.

Want to better your odds of winning? Click here to go to follow Charlie and Trike to other blogs holding similar contests!

Review: Cherry Valley Lodge and CocoKey Water Resort

Last weekend my family went on a little getaway to Cherry Valley Lodge and Coco Key Water Resort in Newark, Ohio. This fun-filled destination is a mere forty-five from Columbus, Ohio. It's a great place for families in Ohio to take a "state-vacation" or just to get away for a long weekend. My family had a fabulous time.

The boys loved Coco Key Resort, an indoor water park. When we arrived to the resort on Saturday it was raining, but no fear because we were inside! There are three different water slides, a lazy river, a lilly pad hop, a water basketball area, and two different kids play areas. The locker rooms were impressively stocked and clean considering the amount of families in the water park. There are lockers in the water park where you can easily stash your purse or clothing. Also towels are provided to the guests. There is a bar area within the water park where parents can sit and have a cocktail while still keeping an eye on their children. There is also a Pizza Hut Express right at the water park area for your convenience.

The arcade, which is right across the hall from the water park area, was a big hit with my boys! The rooms were lovely. We stayed in a Courtyard Suite. It had a main room with both a living and dining room area, a separate bedroom with a king size bed, a bathroom, and a balcony. The balcony overlooks the botanical gardens and it was a gorgeous view. Room service was available as well.

For a complete list of accommodations at Cherry Valley Lodge and Coco Key Water Resort click here.

The best part is that Cherry Valley Lodge and Coco Key Water Resort is offering a special discounted rate to my readers for this upcoming weekend of August 28th and 29th! For $99 you will receive an overnight stay, four 2-day water park tickets, 2 $10 arcade cards, and a pizza dinner for a family of four! This is a great deal so don't miss out - you can schedule online today!

Not Your Mothers Brand Professional Hair Products: Review and Giveaway

NYM Brand offers great hair products! A few weeks ago I entered a giveaway for the NYM Brand Hair Products on another blog. Unfortunately, I did not win. However, I was inspired to approach NYM Brand about teaming up with A New Breed of Mom for a product review and giveaway. I was thrilled when they accepted and asked me which of their (fabulous) products I would like to try.

Here are the products I tested...

All Eyes on Me Shape & Shine Hairspray

First of all, let it be known that I am a hairspray gal. I use hairspray every single day. Whether I curl my hair or use a straight iron, I always finish off my look with hairspray to keep my "do" in place. The All Eyes on Me Shape & Shine is not only good for an extra firm hold, but is also fast drying and leaves your hair looking glossy and shiny. It is infused with lemongrass & orange flower which adds to the shine, plus it smells great. This spray lasts all day! 

She's a Tease Volumizing Hairspray

This firm hold hairspray made with a humidity resistant formula helps create volume and lift. This product is infused with apple blossom and bamboo - the bamboo works to volumize and strengthen your hair. The She's a Tease Volumizing Hairspray is perfect for women who use a curling iron, have naturally thin hair, or just want to give their hair some added volume. 

Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream

Designed especially for the woman who wants to "tame that mane", this product helps to smooth out your hair, control that frizz, and reducing the amount of time it takes to style. To use, you simple apply to your wet or damp hair and then blow dry and style as you normally would. The Smooth Moves Frizz Control Cream works all day long and adds a brilliant shine. It is infused with coconut and silk extract to help strengthen and shine your hair.

My mother is a beautician. I have grown up using professional-grade hair products. I am very picky when it comes to my hair. My hair is naturally curly, but if you let it air dry it leads to a frizzy mess. The Smooth Moves Frizz Control Cream did wonders to relax my hair. I was very happy with both of the hair spray products. I will be using the She's a Tease Volumizing Hairspray when I curl my hair and the The All Eyes on Me Shape & Shine when I style with my straight iron. These products are both high-quality and affordable.

The Giveaway
Here is your chance to win a gift set including ALL 3 of the products I tested! That's right, if you win, you will receive the All Eyes on Me Shape & Shine, the She's a Tease Volumizing Hairspray, and the Smooth Moves Frizz Control Cream.

The giveaway will run from Tuesday 8/17 thru Thursday 8/19 and the winner will be announced on Friday. You must be following A New Breed of Mom with Google Friend Connect to be eligible to win. Please enter one comment on this post for EACH entry. Good Luck!

Mandatory Entry: Visit http://customnails.com/nym.html, check out the other great products by NYM Brand, and comment on this post to tell us what other NYM Brand hair products you would like to try.

Additional Entries:
Follow @NewBreedMama and @NYMBrands and Tweet this, "Enter to win a gift collection with 3 fabulous @NYMBrands hair products from @NewBreedMama http://bit.ly/bRsa1P" (You can tweet one entry per day)
Like Not Your Mother's Brand on Facebook

Like A New Breed of Mom on Facebook  

NYM Brand Professional Hair Products are available at college book stores, Wal-mart, and online at http://customnails.com/nym.html.

10 Reasons Why It Would Benefit You to Sponsor A Back to School Giveaway on A New Breed of Mom

It's that time of year! Summer is winding down and parents everywhere are gearing up for the back to school rush. It's time to buy new lunch boxes, school supplies, school clothes, and more! A New Breed of Mom is committed to providing support and encouragement to mothers and fathers as they prepare for the start of a new academic year. One way in which I would love to support parents who have school-age children, is by offering an array of promotional deals and giveaways in honor of Back to School. In order to do that, I need your help. Do you own, or work for, a company, website, or Etsy shop that would be willing to sponsor a Back to School Giveaway on A New Breed of Mom?

10 Reasons Your Business Will Benefit By Sponsoring A Back to School Giveaway on A New Breed of Mom:

1) I am addicted to Twitter. This means you will receive a TON of twitter publicity from me. I currently have over 900 Twitter followers and the number is growing every day.

2) I am very pleasant to work with. I aim to please!

3) I will only promote products that I either use myself, or would in a heartbeat. This means if your product is reviewed on my blog, it will be a positive review.

4) In addition to promoting you on my blog and on Twitter, I will promote you on Facebook as well - both the A New Breed of Mom fan page and my own personal account.

5) The traffic flow to my blog is steadily increasing each week.

6) I like to help out other mothers. Period. That means that even after our work together is done, I will be recommending your product to other mothers whenever it is appropriate.

7) I will direct traffic to your website and twitter account by a) having readers go to you site and tell me what they like about your product b) asking readers to tweet about the giveaway and your product.

8) Mothers who blog like to purchase products from businesses that support bloggers.

9) Helping parents and children prepare for Back to School is rewarding in and of itself.

10) My readers want you to! Readers, please comment on this post and tell everyone what type of Back to School Giveaways and Promotions you want to see on A New Breed of Mom!

** This post is my Day 2 List Post for the ProBlogger Challenge - 31 Days to Building a Better Blog

Do It All Mom Calendar and Do It All Mom Planner Product Review & Giveaway

Do It All Mom Calendar

Do It All Mom Planner

Product Review 
The easiest way for a busy mom, who is trying to do it all, to reduce her stress level is to be a good planner. When you are faced with the task of coordinating schedules for everyone in the family it can be overwhelming - especially if you have school-age children who are involved in a variety of sports and extra-curricular activities! As a mom who is trying to juggle my schedule, my husband's schedule, and the schedule of two active little boys; I was thrilled when Orange Circle Studio approached me about doing a product review for their Do It All Mom Calendar & Do It All Mom Planner.

When I received this product I was so excited. I, like many moms today, use the calendar on my phone to schedule my family's many activities, doctor appointments, and school schedules. However, with two young children and a husband always asking me when this game is scheduled, or what time does that activity start, I like to keep a physical calendar hung up in our kitchen for everyone to see. The Do It All Mom Calendar is not only a fabulous visual aid to my family's hectic schedule, but it is also a very practical and efficient way for my family to stay organized.

The Do It All Mom Calendar is a 17 month calendar (August 2010 - December 2011) - perfect for a mom, planning around her children's school year. In addition to the awesome graphics and design, this calendar is magnetized! It can be hung up on the refrigerator so there is no need to get out a hammer and nail to pound a hole into the wall - like you must do with other calendars. It comes with a pen, and a built-in pen holder(!), so when you need to write something down you won't have to search the junk draw for a writing utensil.

The calendar is designed with extra large grids for posting everyone's schedule. In addition there is a fold-out wing flap, where you can write down everyone's name. Each family member has their own grid-line on the calendar so there is no need to write initials or names next to each event. Also, there is a pocket so busy moms can stash those field trip permission slips, sports signed-up paperworks, or important school notifications - no more hunting and search for that piece of paper you know you stashed somewhere safe.

Finally, my favorite part of the Do It All Mom Calendar, is the 225 stickers that come with it to indicate holiday's, doctor appts, dentist appts, vet appts for the family pet, anniversaries, family outings/events/vacations, birthdays, parties, school-related activities, carpools, sports games/practices, and even blank stickers in case anything was overlooked!

The Do It All Mom Planner is just as awesome! The planner is also a 17 month planner from August 2010 through December 2011. It comes with 288 stickers to note the various events and activities listed above. In addition, it comes with 60 tear-off grocery/to-do lists.There is a handy-dandy storage pocket in front for the odd and end receipts, coupons, and other papers you need to store. An elastic band to securely closes the planner.

Promotional Deal
Orange Circle Studio is offering a 20% discount for any of their unique products if you "like" Orange Circle on Facebook. You will receive a promotional code after becoming a fan of the page.

Giveaway
There will be two winners. One winner for the Do It All Mom Calendar and one winner for the Do It All Mom Planner. You may enter to win both. Each comment left on this blog post (as described below) is counted as one entry for one of the two products. ie. If you are entering to win both the Calendar and the Planner, please comment separately for each items' entries. You will be able to enter up to 8 times using a combination of the below entry methods. Each comment = 1 entry.

The contest will run from Monday August 2nd through Sunday August 8th and the winners will be announced on August 9th. In addition, the winners will be notified via email so if there is any doubt that I may not have your email address, please leave it in one of your entry comments. Winners will be randomly drawn - I will have my boys draw a name out of a hat for each prize.

Mandatory Entry: Comment on this post and tell me why you like the Calendar or Planner and how it can help your family to organize and plan for your busy schedule.

Additional Entries: You will receive an additional entry for each of the following; 1) Follow A New Breed of Mom with Google Friend Connect. 2) Follow me on Twitter @NewBreedMama. 3) Like A New Breed of Mom on Facebook. 4) Grab my badge and post it on your blog. 5) Vote for A New Breed of Mom on Top Mommy Blogs. 6) Vote for A New Breed of Mom on Picket Fence Blogs.

Children’s Music Review: Beautiful Creatures – Children’s songs of Africa by Ed Jordan and Alan Glass

Beautiful Creatures is an awesome collection of upbeat, African, dance music for children. This CD also includes several slower songs, and even a lullaby, sure to lull you child to sweet dreams. Plus, the best part is that the music is all about animals! And if you’re a New Breed Mama, you certainly know how much children enjoy anything that has to do with animals!

As the title track explains, the songs are about all of the Beautiful Creatures that live in the African Plains. Young children, especially preschoolers, will love dancing around to these catchy, toe-tapping, tunes. Even my two seven year olds, couldn’t resist shaking their little booties when they heard these fun African songs!

Beautiful Creatures was formed in South Africa in November 2004 by Alan Glass, Ed Jordan and Paul Choritz who felt there was a need for ‘Parent Friendly’ children’s music. They take pride in their Beautiful Creatures albums for being uniquely South African with a positive global message.

There are seven different Beautiful Creatures albums, all which can be found at iTunes. Beautiful Creatures, More Beautiful Creatures, and Even More Beautiful Creatures feature fun, educational songs about African animals.

Beautiful Me, is an album that focuses on emotional development for children. It touches on issues such as sibling rivalry, anger management, self-confidence, and diversity.

Beautiful Bedtime, is a collection of songs that take your children through the routine of getting ready for bed. It is perfect for winding down, bath time, brushing their teeth, and putting their PJ’s on. Another great bedtime album is Beautiful Lullabies, which features ten slower tempo tunes to ease babies to sleep.

Finally, Beautiful Creatures of the Sea, contains many fun sea creature songs that discuss the topic of conservation.

The wonderful people at Beautiful Creatures, have made it possible for me to give away a Beautiful Creatures CD to three lucky winners! The winners will be provided with a link to download their free copy of the full CD in MP3 format!

Here are the rules for my first-ever Promotional Giveaway:

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post and tell me 1) Why you are a New Breed Mama, and 2) Why your child(ren) would love to dance and sing along to the fun African songs from Beautiful Creatures

One entry per person is permitted.

The promotion will run through Friday June 11, 2010.

For each entry, the name will be put in a hat, and three names will be drawn at random.

You must provide your email address in order for me to notify you if you have won. Non-winners will not be contacted. You can either include your email address in your post, or email me at NewBreedMama@yahoo.com with the subject Beautiful Creatures Promotion, and let me know who you are and that you posted your comment for entry.

The email addresses of the winners will be provided to Beautiful Creatures so that they can directly email the link for the winners to download their free copy of the full Beautiful Creatures CD in MP3 format.