I was talking to some fellow parents last week and they were saying how they purchased URL’s in their children’s name. It was like an immediate slap in the forehead and one of those, “why didn’t I think of that” moments. Why hadn’t I had that brilliant idea that would make sure my children had their own personalized URL when they were ready?

That evening, I spent more than I care to talk about purchasing domains on Go Daddy for my children.

Those that know me, know that I don’t spend frivolously and I’m pretty tight with our money. But that evening, I didn’t care. I had to make sure my children had that when they were older and didn’t care how much it cost me.

My daughter is almost nine and already talking about starting her own website. I want to be able to give her the flexibility of having her own site and love that Go Daddy offers that for her. With WebSite Tonight®, a Go Daddy site builder, you have access to a template library containing over 2,000 design and color combinations and 120 pre-built websites. With that many options, there is bound to be something suitable for everyone.

I haven’t told the children yet, but I’m thinking about telling them on my daughter’s ninth birthday. Although my sons are a little to young to appreciate it, I think my daughter will.

There’s a lot that I did not know about Go Daddy! I use them to purchase all my domains and didn’t realize they have so many tools for bloggers! If you are a blogger, or just want to start a family website, check out www.godaddy.com to learn more!

And don’t forget to join in the conversation for your chance to win 3 year Unlimited 4GH Hosting from Go Daddy!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Go Daddy. The opinions and text are all mine.

In the last few months, we’ve sold a home and purchased a new home.  I’m so glad the whole process is behind us (the stress was just too much) but during those stressful months I learned a LOT about myself and a LOT about what you don’t need to do and what you need to do to sell a home.

Photo Source: TruGreen

We’ve been in our new home for about two months and while we haven’t done too terribly much to our yard (don’t judge, we still have boxes to unpack), my husband does make sure that our yard looks nice at all times.  The curb appeal of your home is the first thing that people are going to see and you want it to be a good reflection of you.

Tips for Creating Curb Appeal

Install Outdoor Lighting. Low-voltage or solar landscape lighting can make a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal while also providing safety and security. They can be used to add accent lighting to trees, a flag, the house or simply illuminate a walking path. We have landscape lighting around the three trees in our yard, in addition to outlining the flower beds.

Don’t over-landscape. While there are times that adding elements to your landscaping can improve curb appeal, there are other times when removing something is even more effective. Be selective on the plants and shrubbery you put in your yard and make sure it compliments your home rather than take away from it’s appeal.

Think like a buyer.  Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home anytime soon, curb appeal is not something you create in a couple of weeks but rather something you create and nurture over time.  Take a step back and look at your house through the eyes of a buyer.  What are the best features of your home and where is there room for improvement?  Work on the areas that need improving and draw attention to those features of your home you think are special and set your home apart.

Keep it neat.  Keep your yard in tip-top shape with regular mowings and edging.  Properly maintain flower beds and areas around shrubs by making sure they are free of weeds.  Make sure garbage cans and children’s toys are kept out of sight preferably in a dedicated spot in the garage or backyard.

Lawn Care Tips

Water.  Your lawn can not survive without being properly watered.  The experts say that it’s best to water once per week, but make sure you water deep.  When you give your lawn a weekly soaking like that, it will help the roots extend deeper into the soil.

Weed and Feed.  There’s no doubt that weeds can kill a lawn.  It’s recommended that you fertilize your yard at least twice per year; once in the spring and once in the fall. It’s best to test your soil’s pH first so you know exactly what your soil is lacking and can treat it properly.

Mow.  Just like you hair needs a trim every once in a while, you lawn does too (only more often).  Not only does it help the curb appeal of your home by having a nicely mowed yard, when you mow properly (will be different for each grass type) it helps aid in better root development.

While these tips seem obvious and elementary, it’s important that you actually understand what you’re doing.  Just watering, feeding and mowing isn’t going to win you “Yard of the Month.”  You need to figure out what type of grass you have, get your soil tested and then you can create a plan of action to get your lawn in immaculate shape.

TruGreen has recently launched an educational web series starring TV Host Jason Cameron. During these webisodes, he provides simple tips for enhancing your home’s outer charm. According to the National Association of Realtors, “Curb appeal sells 49 percent of all homes.” But whether you’re selling or not, these seasonal webisodes will show you how healthy lawns and landscapes can help homeowners boost first impressions of their home.

And if you haven’t already, make sure you like TruGreen on Facebook to keep up-to-date with everything lawn related.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and TruGreen blogging program, and was compensated for my time. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more on this topic, click here.

Having a baby should be an incredibly exciting time in your life, right? You are bringing this precious little miracle into existence but if you were like me, all you could think about was getting the nursery just right.  The right colors, the right products, the right decor…everything just had to be right!

Please don’t tell me I was the only one…

I was a panicky, blubbery mess trying to make sure everything was perfect for baby’s arrival.  Everything had to be perfect, it just had to be.  Everything had its place, the colors had to match the bedding exactly and we couldn’t forget all the little knick-knacks that rounded out the room.  It was a gruesome, tiresome and trying time because, it had to be perfect and I felt like I was having to make all these decorating decisions all on my own (and when you know nothing about decor, that can be frightening).

But, don’t fret.  Discover the nursery color that you and your baby will love with Baby Room Colors from Glidden Paint, as seen in What to Expect When You’re Expecting (only in theaters).  You can also find tips from Colortopia team members for decorating a girl’s nursery and decorating a boy’s nursery.

My Colortopia is a website that provides tools, advice, information and encouragement to help you get decorating results that you will love and cherish.  I took the quiz and base on my personality, style and preferences it came up with results that fit me and my lifestyle.  The widget contains multiple choice questions and upon completion, it will provide you with color schemes that best fit you and your baby’s personality and lifestyle.

Glidden is currently running a giveaway on Circle of Moms for a chance to win a $2,500 Walmart gift card to use towards furnishing and setting up your dream nursery.  Entering the giveaway is super simple.  All you have to do is go to the giveaway on Circle of Moms, looks through the mood boards and comment on your favorite one.  Easy peasy, right?  The giveaway will run from May 17, 2012 through June 7, 2012 and the winner will be announced during the week of June 18, 2012 on MyColortopia.com.  Please visit the blog post on MyColortopia.com for more details regarding the giveaway.

I wish I would have had MyColortopia.com almost nine years ago when I was stressing over my daughter’s nursery.  These mood boards have given me inspiration for many new projects in our new home.  Although I don’t have “babies” anymore, each of my children have new rooms that need to be decorated.  According to these mood boards, I see a bunch of prints in our future.

I have been sponsored by Glidden brand paint to write this post but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

During baby’s first year, there are some baby products that make that difficult first year, a little bit easier. Fisher-Price recently did a poll of hundreds of BabyCenter Moms, and they’ve came up with a list of ten products that are Mom’s First Year Favorites and my favorites are on the list (no surprise there).

I will be co-hosting the Fisher-Price #FPBabyGear Twitter Party, along with Erika @ErikaB, Jennifer @Mami2Mommy, Colleen @classymommy, Dee @twoofakind, on Tuesday, May 22nd from 7-8pm EST. During the hour we will be giving away ten (10) $50 AMEX cards.

Fisher-Price will be re-purposing some of the tweets from the Twitter Party to place on the BabyGear site. They are requesting that when you RSVP in the comments below, that you include a disclosure with your comment. Guests who do not RSVP are more than welcome to participate, but Fisher-Price will not be using their Tweets on the BabyGear site. To RSVP for and join this Twitter party, post “RSVP” in the comments section below. If you would potentially like to see your Tweets and other materials that you contribute to the Twitter party appear in future Fisher-Price advertising, in addition to posting “RSVP” in the comments section below, also cut and paste the following agreement to the release at http://www.fisher-price.com/twitterrelease/, followed by Twitter handle:

“I agree to the release at http://www.fisher-price.com/twitterrelease/, including Fisher-Price’s advertising and other use of my content and identity [Insert Your Twitter handle].”

Please be aware that the release includes a broad license for Fisher-Price to use your Twitter party content and your Twitter handle for any other purpose including Fisher-Price’s advertising. See http://www.fisher-price.com/twitterrelease/ for full terms and conditions.

I look forward to connecting with you on during the #FPBabyGear Twitter Party!

Compensation was provided by Fisher-Price, but Fisher-Price is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this post. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of Fisher-Price.

Join me this Thursday, May 17th from 7-8pm EST as I co-host the #ChopInspiration Twitter Party with the National Pork Board and The Motherhood.  I hope you’ll join us to get recipe inspiration, test your “pork chop personality,” and win some pretty great prizes!

Five prize packs will be given away throughout the hour, based on responses to trivia questions. They will include $20 in pork coupons, a new Weber grill and other items to help unleash the power of the pork chop.  To RSVP for the party, click this link and press the orange button at the top right that says “Count me in!”

Other Co-Hosts

Divina, for Mom Confessionals
Ellen, Confessions of an Overworked Mom
Heather, The Fabulous Finds
Jackie, Free is My Life
Jennifer, Mom Spotted
Louise, Mom Start
Nichol, KiddiesCorner Deals
Stacey, Tree, Root and Twig
Victoria, Veep Veep

I hope to see you at the #ChopInspiration Twitter Party on Thursday evening!

I am a compensated co-host for this Twitter Party.  All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Over the last few months during my time working with the folks over at LifeLock, I’ve learned way more than I bargained more and I’m incredibly disappointed in the human race.  I’m disappointed that someone would think it’s okay to assume someone else’s identity, spend their money and pretty much destroy their financial credibility.

Clever crooks defraud millions of people around the globe every single year.

Sometimes they use sophisticated technology, sometimes they use age-old tricks and sometimes they use a combination of the two to get people to send money or give out personal information.  They are known for putting on the pressure and pushing you to make important decisions on the spot.

Please, don’t fall for these tactics.

Study the tips below from LifeLock and use them to help avoid common scams.

What To Do

Know who you’re dealing with.

Try to find a seller’s physical address (not just a P.O. Box) and phone number. With internet phone services and other web-based technologies, it’s tough to tell where someone is calling from. Do an internet search for the company name and website, and look for negative reviews. If you find them, you’ll have to decide if the offer is worth the risk. After all, it’s only a good deal if you actually get a product that works.

Understand that wiring money is like sending cash.

Con artists often insist that people wire money, especially overseas, because it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money. Don’t wire money to strangers, to sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment, or to anyone who claims to be a relative or family friend in an emergency who wants to keep the request a secret.

Read your monthly statements.

Scammers steal account information and then run up charges or commit crimes in your name. Dishonest merchants bill you for monthly “membership fees” and other goods or services without your authorization. If you see charges you don’t recognize or didn’t okay, contact your bank, card issuer, or other creditor immediately.

Give only to established charities after a disaster.

In the aftermath of a disaster, give to established charities, rather than one that has sprung up overnight. Pop-up charities probably don’t have the infrastructure to get help to the affected areas or people, and they could be collecting the money to finance illegal activity. For more donating tips, check out ftc.gov/charityfraud.

Talk to your doctor before you buy health products or treatments.

Ask about research that supports a product’s claims — and possible risks or side effects. Buy prescription drugs only from licensed U.S. pharmacies. Otherwise, you could end up with products that are fake, expired, or mislabeled — in short, products that could be dangerous to your health. Learn more about buying health products online.

When investing, remember there’s no sure thing.

If someone contacts you with low-risk, high-return investment opportunities, stay away. When you hear pitches that insist you act now, that guarantee big profits, that promise little or no financial risk, or that demand that you send cash immediately, report them at ftc.gov.

What Not To Do

Don’t send money to someone you don’t know.

Not an online seller you’ve never heard of — nor an online love interest who asks for money. It’s best to do business with sites you know and trust. If you buy items through an online auction, consider using an option that provides protection, like a credit card.  If you think you’ve found a good deal, but you aren’t familiar with the company, do some research. Type the company or product name into your favorite search engine with terms like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” See what comes up – on the first page of results as well as on the later pages.  Never pay fees now for the promise of a big pay-off later — whether it’s for a loan, a job, or a so-called prize.

Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back.

No matter how convincing the story. By law, banks have to make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. You’re responsible for the checks you deposit: If a check turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for paying back the bank.

Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information.

That goes whether the message comes as an email, a phone call, a text message, or an ad. Don’t click on links or call phone numbers included in the message, either. It’s called phishing. The crooks behind these messages are trying to trick you into revealing sensitive information. If you got a message like this and you are concerned about your account status, call the number on your credit or debit card — or your statement — and check on it.

Don’t play a foreign lottery.

It’s illegal to play a foreign lottery. And yet messages that tout your chances of winning a foreign lottery, or messages that claim you’ve already won can be so tempting. Inevitably, you’re asked to pay “taxes,” “fees,” or “customs duties” to collect your prize. If you send money to collect, you haven’t won anything. Indeed, you’ve lost whatever money you sent. You won’t get any money back, either, regardless of the promises.

Where to Learn More

• U.S. Federal Trade Commission
• How to File a Complaint
• The Internet Crime Complaint Center
• U.S. Department of State

If you get unsolicited email offers or spam, send the messages to spam@uce.gov.

I’m a LifeLock Ambassador and compensated for this post. However all opinions are my own.

As a mommy of three young children, I’ve had my fair share of battles in the stain department.  I’m always amazed at what my children’s clothes look like when they come home from school.  From markers to ketchup to grass stains, it’s a constant struggle in the laundry room.

Resolve All-Stains is a dual-action stain remover that helps rid clothes of stubborn stains by using a unique formula that has two chambers – one that has a formula specifically for oxygen stains (dressings, sauces, condiments, coffee, juice, etc), and one for enzyme stains (greasy foods, grass, dirt and chocolate).

Resolve is currently running the “Are You a Stain Gambler” Promotion where you could win a BRAND NEW washer & dryer PLUS a year’s supply of Resolve All-Stains.  I was feeling lucky, so I went ahead and entered to win.  Did you?

Don’t forget to “like” Resolve on Facebook so you can stay up-to-date with new products, special promotions and coupons.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received media samples in order to facilitate this post.

One of my favorite restaurants, Olive Garden, is celebrating Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day on Thursday, April 26th,  with a free kids meal for each adult entree purchased.  Not only is this a great way to spend more time with your children, by taking them to work, you can discuss future career options and get the conversation started on what they would like to be when they get older.

I take my youngest son to work with me Tuesday through Friday, so we will be celebrating Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day, with the whole family during dinner at our local Olive Garden.  If you’d like to celebrate also, visit the Olive Garden Facebook page to get your printable coupon.  On the Facebook page, click on “Get Offer” and the printable coupon will be sent to the email address associated with your Facebook account.  Once you receive the offer in your inbox, just print and then enjoy a lunch or dinner with your children.

I received a gift card as a thanks for sharing this offer.

Depending on your current situation, tax time is either something really exciting as you wait for your big refund or it’s something you despise because the IRS is waiting on their big check from you.

“Tax season is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for identity thieves,” said Todd Davis, Chairman and CEO of the industry-leading identity theft protection firm LifeLock. “Unfortunately, the current system is not built to protect consumers from tax fraud but rather is built on a first come-first served basis. Consumers need to understand the existing dangers and take immediate action to claim their rightful return before an identity thief can strike.”

Just the other day, I received a check in the mail, to my address, but with someone else’s name. I’m glad I looked at the name prior to opening it, but isn’t it ironic that this months topic is about taxes and identity theft and here I get someone else’s refund in MY mailbox.

If I wanted to and had the know how, I could easily assume this person’s identity and cash this check.  While I don’t have any idea how much it is, I’m sure identity thieves could care less the amount of the check.

Obviously, there is no way to completely stop all identity theft.  However, our friends over at LifeLock have these following tax filing tips to offer to consumers when preparing their income taxes in 2012:

FILE FAST: Your procrastination can turn into profit for an identity thief. The sooner you file, the less time an identity thief has to compromise your information and cash in on a fraudulent return.

SECURE YOURSELF: When using online tax preparation software, be certain that the Web site is secure and that you see an https:// in the URL. The “s” in the URL indicates that the server is secure and personal information is encrypted and can be transmitted safely from your computer to the end point.

SKIP THE PHISHING TRIP: Remember this: the IRS never initiates communications with taxpayers through email. Identity thieves can send fraudulently emails, posing as an employee of the IRS in an attempt to collect personally identifiable information to use in compromising your identity. This type of scam is commonly referred to as phishing. Do not respond if you should receive an email from the IRS, instead forward it to phishing@irs.gov.

For additional information on how to protect your personal information and secure your identity, LifeLock offers a series of educational guidelines online.

I’m a LifeLock Ambassador and compensated for this post. However all opinions are my own.

Well, spring is officially here. By a show of hands, who is excited? {I’m definitely raising my hand!}

To help celebrate the beginning of spring, International Delight is making a splash with their Spring Into Free Flavor Sweepstakes. All you have to do is “Like” International Delight on Facebook and you’ll be entered to win creamer for a whole year! (That is seriously the easiest sweepstakes I’ve ever entered.)

And because that might not have been exciting enough for you, the first 50,000 entrants will receive a coupon for either free creamer or International Delight’s new Iced Coffee– just in time for those warm spring days ahead!

Spring Into Free Flavor Sweepstakes Prizes include:

Grand Prize– A one-year supply of free International Delight Creamer

First Prize– (12 winners) One-month supply of free International Delight Creamer

Free Coupon Offer:

International Delight is giving away 50,000 free coupons! The first 50,000 participants will receive a coupon for their choice of a free quart of International Delight creamer or half gallon of International Delight Iced Coffee (in participating states due to dairy regulations).

*To enter, user must ‘Like’ International Delight on Facebook; Winners will be randomly selected; One entry per household.

With all these chances to win, I want to know — what’s your favorite International Delight flavor? Mine is the York Peppermint Pattie — yum-o!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine. Spring Into Free Flavor Sweepstakes Rules.