Living out in the country surrounded by trees and ponds, we get our fair share of those pesky little flying insects.  It seems like the hot humid weather along with all the trees and bushes and adding in the ponds is perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.  I was recently sent a ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Lantern and I was super excited to give it a try.

Setting up the lantern does involve a few steps and I’d highly suggest you read the directions.  The lantern does require 4AA batteries that are NOT included.  The first step is to remove the battery cover on the bottom of the lantern and insert your batteries.  The batteries should provide light for 200 hours on the low setting and 150 hours on the high setting.  The second step is to place one ThermaCELL mat on the grill on the top of the lantern.  One mat will  last a maximum of 4 hours and you can tell when the repellent has been exhausted when the mat turns a pale blue.  Make sure the ON/OFF button is in the OFF position before you put the mat on because the grill will get hot very quickly.

After you have your mat in place, you will need to remove the top of the lantern from the base by squeezing the latch tabs on the bottom and gently pulling up. Take the butane cartridge and remove the top. You will then need to screw the cartridge into the center of the lantern clockwise until it stops and then replace the lantern back onto the base. One butane cartridge will last a maximum of 12 hours.

The ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Lantern can be used as a mosquito repellent as well as just a lantern.  You can use the lantern on a low light setting and a high light setting just by flipping a switch on the base of the lantern.  To activate the mosquito repellent you will need to turn the switch to the “ON” position and wait approximately 5 to 10 seconds before pressing the button 3 to 5 times pretty quickly.  You can then verify the mosquito repellent is working by looking in the circular hole in the top of the lantern.  If you see an orange light, then your lantern is working properly.

I know it looks like there are many steps, but setting up the lantern is actually pretty easy.  It only took me a few minutes and it was up and running in no time.  I’ve used many mosquito repelling products including spray, bracelets, candles, etc. and the thing that I absolutely hate is the scent they put off.  The ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Lantern doesn’t really smell at all and it still works!  The only precaution is that if you have small children, keep this out of their reach.  The grill gets extremely hot, I know because I touched it just to see, and it will burn.  This product is to be used outdoors and one lantern will cover a 15′ x 15′ area.

All in all I highly recommend this product.  It doesn’t make any noise, it’s portable so if you move it can go with you and it works!  If you love to be outdoors but are bound indoors by mosquitoes, I’d definitely give this a try.

Buy:

The ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Lantern is available to purchase for $31.99.

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 a free product in order to facilitate a honest review.

What most people don’t know about me is that I’m very self-conscious about my skin.  Growing up and even now I suffer from acne and my face has always been what’s held me back so to speak.  Over the last couple of years I’ve noticed that my face needed a deep down cleansing or spa treatment because of dead skin cells but that isn’t something that I’m willing to spends hundreds of dollars on.  I was recently contacted by SkinCareRx to see if I wanted to review the Personal Microderm System and I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when it arrived at my doorstep.  I was like a little girl at Christmas as I opened the box and pictured what I hoped the system would do for my face.

The Personal Microderm System includes:

• 1 Personal Microderm
• 6 exfoliating discs (2 green and 4 blue)
• 1 electric cord (Standard U.S. Outlet)
• 1 facial cap
• 1 body cap
• 1 reusable filter
• Instructional DVD
• Pamphlet

Since receiving the SkinCareRX Personal Microderm System, I’ve been able to use it twice. I would have liked to use it more, but the instructions say that once a week usage is ideal and I’ve only had it for two weeks. To be honest, I was quite nervous about using it but after watching the DVD that comes with the system, I felt confident enough to give it a try.

The Personal Microderm System is practically a personal microdermabrasion treatment without the cost of a professional treatment and the hand-held device uses the same aluminum oxide crystals that the professionals use. There is a learning curve in using the Personal Microderm System but watching the instructional DVD gives you all you need to use it correctly.  I did a short little video using the system so you could see just how easy it is.

I’ve never really been one to use product on my face, besides a cleanser, because I’ve always had problems with acne.  I think because of that my skin was desperate for some tender-loving care.  After just one use of the Personal Microderm System, my face was noticeably smoother to the touch.  My skin even looked a bit healthier.  I’ve never had any professional treatments done and after using this system, I don’t think I’ll have to. My acne has seemed to improve in just the short 2 weeks I’ve been using the system.  I’m looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring while using the system.

The system comes with two different size discs, one for the face and one for the body.  I’ve only used the system on my face so I’ve only used the smaller discs.  Even with the small disc, I find it hard to get around and on my nose. The system can’t get a good suction so therefore it doesn’t really work correctly in that area.  Another thing to point out is the discs are only good for 2-3 uses.

I’m loving the SkinCareRX Personal Microderm System and I’m totally amazed at what it has done for my skin so far.  If you’re looking for home microdermabrasion kits, I’d definitely recommend this one!

Buy:

You can purchase the SkinCareRX Personal Microderm System for only $179 and additional discs are available for $14.99!

Giveaway:

One (1) winner will receive a free SkinCareRX Personal Microderm System valued at $179!

How to Enter:

Simply visit SkinCareRX and then leave a comment below. Because this is a pretty awesome prize, you must leave a comment below that starts with “I should win the Personal Microderm because…”!

Extra Entries Available:

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry unless noted otherwise.

• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Simply Being Mommy (www.simplybeingmommy.com). Leave the URL to your blog post in the comment. {5 extra entries}
• Subscribe to Simply Being Mommy by reader or email.
• Leave me a new comment on a non-giveaway post and then let me know where you commented. {up to 10 extra entries; 1 entry per comment}
• “Like” Simply Being Mommy on Facebook.
• “Like” SkinCareRX on Facebook.
• Follow Simply Being Mommy and SkinCareRX on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You must have at least 50 followers for this extra entry. You can tweet ” Enter to a SkinCareRX Personal Microderm System from @simplybeingmom and @skincarerx1 http://bit.ly/bhUGhO #giveaway “
• Add Simply Being Mommy to your Technorati Favorites. (Look for the green Technorati button on the left sidebar or at the end of this post.)
• Stumble this post (not the site) and leave me your StumbleUpon Name in your comment.
• Add the Simply Being Mommy button to your sidebar. (Let me know where I can find it in your comment.)

This giveaway will end on August 12th at 10:00 PM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to US entries. The winner must contact me in 48 hours to claim their prize. Good luck to everyone!

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 no compensation for this post.

I’d probably be the happiest woman in the world right now if someone were to offer me a free mommy makeover.  Since having babies my body is just not the same as it used to be.  My once slender body is frumpy and saggy and I don’t like it at all.  My husband and I have talked about plastic surgery and if money were no option, I’d probably be pretty plastic right now but since it is I’ll just dream about it.

If I could have a free mommy makeover I would have breast augmentation, liposuction and electrolysis.  Why?  Well, I’ve had three babies, nursed three babies and I’d like not to have to shave anymore.  I just want to be happy in my own skin and feel confident in who I am.  Lacking self-confidence because of the way you look totally bites and I think having these procedures would help me feel better about me.

So, since I laid it all out there my question to you is…what would you have done if you could have a free mommy makeover?

We enjoyed a nice soup and appetizer and the entree followed shortly after.  I ordered Spicy Garlic Chicken and while it wasn’t to spicy, it was very tasty.  We proceeded to get dessert but I’m not really a fan of fried bananas, so I passed.  One of my favorite parts of eating at a Chinese restaurant happens to be the fortune cookie.  When opening the fortune cookie, my husband gave me a really weird look and asked if I had read mine.  To my surprise, this is what was inside.

To say I was surprised was an understatement.  After looking back I should have been able to put everything together, but My Blog Spark had invited me to an appreciation dinner so why would I think differently.  The camera crew, signing release forms, waiter having a hard time with entrees…it should have been very clear that something was up.

I was quite pleased with my Wanchai Ferry Spicy Garlic Chicken.  Like I mentioned earlier, there wasn’t enough spice to call it spicy, but the meal was really quite tasty.  The water chestnuts were really crunchy and tasty and not mushy like some other frozen entrees I’ve tried.  I actually ate my entire plate which was actually supposed to be for 2 people.  That should pretty much tell you just how  much I enjoyed it.

I got punked, but Ashton didn’t show up….bummer!

My Blog Spark provided me with a free dinner and a gift card for my time but that in no way influences my opinions.

Share and Enjoy:

]]> http://simplybeingmommy.com/2010/07/28/i-got-punked-wanchai-ferry-style/feed/ 4 http://simplybeingmommy.com/2010/07/28/opensky-shop-coming-soon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opensky-shop-coming-soon http://simplybeingmommy.com/2010/07/28/opensky-shop-coming-soon/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:26:21 +0000 Crystal http://simplybeingmommy.com/?p=23225

I’ve got some super exciting news to share with you.  I’m not sure if you’ve noticed the little badge over there on the right sidebar, but something exciting is coming very soon.

I know some of you come here looking for what products are worth spending your hard earned money on.  I try to only feature items that are worth the cost and work as they should.  With you in mind, I will be opening an OpenSky shop which gives a new meaning to shopping online.   I’ll have total control over which products will be in the shop and you can feel comfortable buying them knowing that I recommend them and have personally tried them.

If you’d like to learn more about OpenSky or are interested in opening your own shop, please visit their website.

The Snap, Share & Win! Rayovac Summer Photo Contest will begin August 2, 2010 and will conclude on August 29, 2010. Each week will feature a different photo theme. Eligible contestants will be able to complete the entry form on Rayovac’s website, upload a photo and specify the theme. Contestants may upload 1 photo each week for a maximum of 3 photos. Once photos are posted, viewers can vote for 1 photo a day and add an unlimited number of comments. Contestants and viewers can share the contest with their friends (eighteen years old or older) utilizing the “Invite Friends” button or by sending an email. The photos receiving the most votes for each theme will win prizes. Rayovac Powers Fun, have fun and be creative with your photo entries! All levels of photography welcome! 

Prizes:
For each of the three themes there will be:

• Grand Prize- a Digital Camera Package, complete with a Photo Printer and Rayovac Rechargeables and a Digital Photo Frame for three of the Grand Prize Winner’s friends.
• Second Place Prize- Photo Printer
• Runner Up Prize- Digital Photo Frame Keychain.

How to Enter:

Phase One: Submit photo entry August 2, 2010- August 22, 2010.
(Week 1: Fun with Water Photo. Week 2: Fun Pet Photo. Week 3: Summer Fun Photo)
Phase Two: Public Vote August 2, 2010- August 29, 2010.
Phase Three: Winners Announced September 8, 2010. 

Make sure you “like” Rayovac on Facebook, share the widget and submit your photos enter to win some awesome prizes!

The first 50 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Summer Photo Contest won a prize from Rayovac.

Over the past few years I’ve been a fan of Coca-Cola’s reward program, My Coke Rewards.  Through the years I’ve redeemed my points for free sodas, movie tickets and even got a free Nintendo Wii and DS!  Coca-Cola has implemented a campaign this summer that includes both fun in the sun, saving money and helping our earth. Over the next few months, Coca-Cola is leveraging My Coke Rewards to help raise awareness for and preserve our nation’s parks. Several years ago, My Coke Rewards announced its partnership supporting The National Parks Foundation and this summer Coca-Cola is going all out in creating a call to action for Americans to ‘get out and play’ in our national parks. They have also created a unique opportunity for us to ‘give back to the land we love’.

Coca-Cola is holding a summer sweepstakes offering daily prizes as well as one grand prize all centered on our country’s most beautiful national parks. Here are some details on the prizes available:

• Daily Prize: Family Adventure to one Park (10 different parks) or Summer Gear Prize Pack (Theme: Camping, Beach or Backyard fun)
• Grand Prize: Win your family a ‘VIP National Park Adventure’ to one of our country’s’ most beautiful parks; Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Grand Canyon, Zion; accompanied by Super-Ranger Guides

To help raise awareness and get people donating, I have a ‘Day in the Park Prize Pack’ courtesy of My Coke Rewards to giveaway!

Giveaway:

The prize pack is valued at $100 and consists of a Coke Summer T-shirt made from 100% recycled PET plastic, an oversized beach towel (which can naturally be used for lounging in the park) and 25 My Coke Rewards points which can be spent on rewards, of course, donated to The National Parks Foundation (or another worthy cause of choice).  In addition, five other winners will each receive 25 My Coke Reward points.

How to Enter:

Simply visit My Coke Rewards and leave me a comment below letting me know how you would spend your reward points!

Extra Entries Available:

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry unless noted otherwise.

• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Simply Being Mommy (www.simplybeingmommy.com). Leave the URL to your blog post in the comment. {5 extra entries}
• Subscribe to Simply Being Mommy by reader or email.
• Leave me a new comment on a non-giveaway post and then let me know where you commented. {up to 10 extra entries; 1 entry per comment}
• “Like” Simply Being Mommy on Facebook.
• Follow Simply Being Mommy on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You must have at least 50 followers for this extra entry. You can tweet ” Enter to win a Coca-Cola Prize Pack valued at $100 from @simplybeingmom and @CocaCola http://bit.ly/9TyJjo #giveaway #mycokerewards “
• Add Simply Being Mommy to your Technorati Favorites. (Look for the green Technorati button on the left sidebar or at the end of this post.)
• Stumble this post (not the site) and leave me your StumbleUpon Name in your comment.
• Add the Simply Being Mommy button to your sidebar. (Let me know where I can find it in your comment.)

This giveaway will end on August 10th at 10:00 PM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to US entries. The winner must contact me in 48 hours to claim their prize. The prize was provided by Coca-Cola, but Coca-Cola is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of Coca-Cola. Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US or Canada only. Good luck to everyone!

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 no compensation for this post.

I can’t tell you how many cutesy little toys I’ve bought for my children over the years, but I can tell you none of them have been eco-friendly or made with organic material.  When my oldest was born, organic and eco-friendly wasn’t really that big of a deal and I didn’t quite understand it all and then my son came along and he just played with the toys my daughter already had minus a few that family members  bought when he was born.  By the time we made it to the third child, we had so many hand-me-downs that I don’t think we really bought anything new for him.  I know what you’re thinking, but I promise you, the boy has an endless supply of toys.

Now that I understand more about why eco-friendly and organic materials are better, I was excited to get my youngest son a couple Zubels eco-friendly hand knit toys.  His little face lit up when I showed him his two new toys. He was full of hugs and kisses and made his new toys feel right at home.

Zubels has recently launched their new line of sea inspired 100% organic cotton hand knit characters. The vibrantly colored sea creatures are hand knit with 100% super soft organic cotton yarns colored with eco-friendly dyes. If you’re really not into sea creatures, Zubels also has seasonal characters as well as cute little safari animals, sport stars, and more! All Zubels toys are safety tested and are safe for ages from birth and up. One thing that really stood out to me and is a huge plus is that although Zubels are heirloom quality toys, the 100% super soft organic cotton knit characters also wash beautifully and are budget friendly.

I’m incredibly happy with the quality and construction of Zubels Eco-Friendly Hand Knit Toys.  With many designs to choose from, there is something for everyone.  The rattles are super adorable and I’ll be getting a couple for my nephew that should be here in November.  The frog, “Zu-per” Freddy,  you see pictured above with  my son is part of the Long Arms line and the arms measure 13″ across making it easy to tie onto strollers, cribs and car seats. The head jingles and the arms crinkle making it a perfect distraction for a bored baby.  The lion, Leonard “My Mane Man”, is adorable as can be and his head rattles.

About Zubels:

Family owned Renzo Company Inc., has committed themselves to creating eco-friendly toys to be cherished and loved by children of all ages. Renzo Company, which has been in business for over 30 years, offers traditional, eco-friendly, hand knit toys, quality gifts, accessories and apparel which are available at various boutiques and online retailers.

Buy:

Prices start at just $15.  Click here to find a store near you.

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 was given a free product in order to facilitate a honest review.

Here are a few new Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards Codes to add to your account. If you don’t have one, get one now!
5 point codes:

• BHSQJQKKMLFTPGB
• BHJXFWSCMRQSPGB
• BFZJXQLFCXQLPGB

Check out all my other Huggies posts for more codes!

If you have other codes that are still valid, please list them in the comments below.

Thanks, STL Mommy!