Madagascar 3 Party In Celebration of the Movie Premier June 8th

Madagascar 3 Party Coming to Theaters June 8th!!

Thanks to Children's Claritin and MomSelect,  I  recently got the opportunity to have a fun  Madagascar Movie Party.  We were sent a fantastic movie package that included both Madagascar 1 & 2 movies on DVD, adorable Popcorn containers, Madagascar tattoos and a ton of Children’s Claritin to share with guests.  It was a great opportunity for me to spend time with some of my mom friends and for the kids to relax, play some games and enjoy the movies.

This sure was a perfect time to discuss allergies as I had been working out in the garden the day of the party.  I had been sneezing and my throat was so itchy I had popped a Claritin before the party--thank goodness because it allowed me to really enjoy myself--24 hours allergy free with my Claritin too.   I love that I don't even get drowsy too!  The moms (and dads) chatted about their allergy experiences this season and everyone was excited to get the Claritin samples.  Several of the moms and dads are Claritin users themselves and their children as well.  I told them how my little one never seemed to mind taking Claritin when she had allergies either since it tasted so good!  They all agreed.

So, back to the party...it was great because we had both a bunch of Madagascar fans including my husband who watched with the kids!  Before the movie started we let the kids color and do crafts with the free Madagascar printables from the Facebook/Claritin website out in our backyard.   We have a few big colored beach balls which they incorporated into their circus antics after they decided they needed to do some circus activities in celebration of the movie.   You can also find some additional printable Madagascar movie printable activities on the movie website here by clicking on printables.

#ChildrensClaritinParty

Beautiful Brahmin Bag for Summer!

I was so thrilled to be chosen as a member of the Vogue Influencer Network.  It has been a wonderful experience working so closely with Vogue and getting the inside skinny on all the new styles and trends for each season.  I was especially excited recently when I received a notice that I was chosen, as a member of the Vogue Influencer Network, to receive a Brahmin purse.

I just received my Brahmin Arno Glossy Tote today and it is gorgeous.  Ever since I first set foot in Florence, Italy years ago, I fell in love with black as a staple of my wardrobe.  The longer I lived there and the better my fashion sense got.  I learned how perfect black is--day or day, casual or dressy.

So you can imagine my excitement when I opened the box and took the purse out of the protective bag and saw that it was a gorgeous black color.  I love it. The Brahmin Arno Glossy Tote is part of the Brahmin Spring/Summer Collection.  It has a zip top and sturdy shoulder straps. I love the outside profile pocket too.  The brass hardware is a perfect complement to the glossy black. The bottom has feet so the bag stays protected as well.

Take a peek at some of the other beautiful bags in the Brahmin Spring/Summer collection--I am sure you will find a gorgeous one just for you!

Free Bowling ALL SUMMER LONG! AMF's Summer Unplugged

It is always a challenge to keep the kids busy during the summer, you know what I mean?  There are only so many days you can go to the beach or just hang out in the yard.  Sometimes air conditioned bowling is just what everyone needs!  AMF Summer Unplugged & Summer Pass is one of the best freebies I have heard about yet for the summer.  Let me know what you think....

AMF's Summer Unplugged is this summer's best bowling deal for kids!  And adults get in on the fun too with Summer Pass.

Summer Unplugged: Zip, Zero, Zilch for Kids 15 and Under

At select AMF centers, two free games of bowling per day for kids 15 and under. (Shoe rental not included, but they’re worth paying for.)

• Time: Free bowling until 8:00PM, 7 days a week.
• Dates: Monday, May 14 through Monday, September 3 (Labor Day).
  
• Parents go to http://bit.ly/AMFfree to select a participating center (over 250 locations) and complete a simple registration form.
• Free game coupons emailed every week starting May 14 – it’s that simple!
• $3.29 Kids Meals

Summer Pass: Great Deal for Everyone 16 and Over

2 free games, per day for up to four people ages 16 and up (shoe rental not included).
One $29.95 Summer Pass is good for 2 games per day for up to four people all summer long - that's $7.50 per person! (Same dates and times as above.)
Available online at http://bit.ly/SummerPass.


I was provided with this information as a member of the One2One Network.  

Unjunk Your Junk Food Book Review

Are you trying to eat healthier but get frustrated with all those crazy ingredients on the food labels? You may be finding it a real challenge to figure out what is REALLY going to help you eat healthier. What about your family? Don't forget about your kiddos too. The most popular brands are not always the best for your family to eat!   So many of the brands you know and have been buying forever contain some really scary ingredients.

Unjunk Your Junk Food is a great little book and reference guide by the creators of NaturallySavvy.com that truly helps to educate you about food and drink choices in an easy to understand way. It has simple comparisons of your typical choices and a healthier sub. You can see below how they show you that PopTarts are a no-no but the yummy sub by Nature's Path (which I happen to have recently bought by coincidence) is a healthier version with no freaky ingredients. My little one thinks the Nature's Path toaster pastries taste way better too! How easy is that?

Unjunk Your Junk Food is small enough that you can stash it in your purse or tote bag to refer to on a regular basis--like when you are food shopping!  It really helps you begin to re-think your food choices before they sneak their way into your cupboards. Don't forget all the yummy subs for every item that they don't recommend eating so you don't feel deprived--you just feel healthier without all those funky chemicals and additives.

Many of the items they recommend I regularly see at the conventional supermarkets her in the mid-Atlantic region like ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Pathmark and A & P. I have also seen many of them at Whole Foods as well. Unjunk Your Junk Food is a wonderful little book to help you get started on the road to healthier eating. Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer explain the basics about healthy nutrition in the first few chapters.

The authors decipher some of those terms and names you have always wondered about like Pantothenic Acid and Ferrous Fumurate. How about GMOs? When you read the book you will find the answers! The main section of Unjunk Your Junk Food is a really fun and easy to understand format that shows you what to avoid and what to try in place of the offending food. They even give you additional options for healthy subs too on each page. They also explain why they are advising you not to eat something and why you SHOULD substitute something else.

I like their little Savvy Alert tips on each page as well. Tiny little tidbits or explanations that are "easy to digest." Just like the DIY tips. Easy little ideas to make for tasty snacks, drinks or even a body scrub! Everything is easy to absorb and not overwhelming. That is really important, right? We all like easy-peasy!

You can see below they show you a can of Coke Classic. What could be wrong with that? Even I used to keep it in the house for when a family member was ill. Yikes. It is full of high fructose corn syrup and caffeine. They show you the ingredients and nutrition information right there on the spot.

The nice part is they show you the substitute--Blue Sky Natural Soda. I bought Blue Sky Cola at Stop & Shop recently in their natural foods section. I have to say it tastes great and I feel better knowing that my family has a healthier option on the rare occasions when we drink soda.

 I was excited to participate in this book review opportunity through Naturally Savvy's blogger program. I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book Unjunk Your Junk Food Healthy Alternatives To Conventional Snacks by Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer. All written opinions are my own and I was not provided with payment of any kind. 

Unjunk Your Junk Food is a great book to buy to get you started with eating healthier. I love the size and easy to read format. It would be perfect to share with your children to help them understand why you might be making some changes. The large, colorful pictures would be a fun way to involve the family in helping your to find items on the store shelves too!

I would like to leave you with a quick reference of ‘The Scary Seven’ ingredients lurking in so many everyday foods. Andrea and Randy suggest you steer clear of these ingredients if at all possible:  

MSG: Monosodium Glutamate 
HFCS: High-Fructose Corn Syrup 
Trans-Fat: anything hydrogenated or hydrogenated 
Artificial colors 
Artificial flavors 
Artificial Sweeteners: (Aspartame, Splenda, ace-K (Sweet One), Saccharin (Sweet n Low) 
Preservatives: Polysorbate 80, TBHQ, Propionates, Sodium benzoate, BHA, BHT, Sulfur dioxide  

Unjunk Your Junk Food Healthy Alternatives To Conventional Snacks retails for US $17.99.  It is available online at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon and Books-A-Million and in stores. I see that Amazon currently has a great sale price of $12.23 (move fast...prices change quickly on Amazon!).

Get your child to drink more milk and WIN BIG with Big G cereals!

Did you know that simply drinking the leftover milk from cereal bowls may help kids work towards fulfilling their body´s daily dairy, calcium, and Vitamin D needs? And what better way to slurp down to the bottom of the bowl than with the new Curvy Straws, available in-pack of specially marked boxes of Big G cereal! With these collectable, connectable Curvy Straws, children of all ages can enjoy mixing and matching to build bigger, colorful straws all while helping them work towards stronger bones and muscles through increased calcium intake!

Be sure to collect all six different colorful straws featuring beloved Big G cereal characters Participating Big G cereals include Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms®(16 oz.), Reese’s® Puffs (18 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Trix®(14.8 oz)  and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz) Made with more whole grain than any other ingredient, Big G cereal, combined with a ½ cup of milk, can help provide a great start to your family’s day  Whether you use one or connect them all, the fun with Big G Curvy Straws doesn’t have to stop when you reach the end of the bowl. Simply grab another serving of ice cold milk, and slurp away! Need more cereal to go with your milk? You  can visit this link to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off of the purchase of (2) boxes of participating Big G cereal today! One lucky reader will win a great prize pack from Big G and MyBlogSpark.  Don't forget to enter each day to increase your chances for winning! a Rafflecopter giveaway

www.wholegrainnation.com

The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark."

Children's Claritin Mom Crew Member Pefect Timing

I was recently notified just in time for the spring flowers and allergy season that I am officially a member of the the Children's Claritin Mom Crew. What perfect timing! I was thrilled to be included in this Mom's Panel because so many of the Mom's I know are managing allergies this time of year---and some of them year around!

 I have been so itchy and sneezy myself. My little one has been sneezing as well but fortunately not too bad this year. I always keep the Children's Claritin in the house just in case. The little one doesn't mind at all when she has to take Children's Claritin--says the chewables taste great too.

The pediatrician recommended Children's Claritin by name recently and suggested that it would help when allergy issues crop up.  I recently found out that Children's Claritin is the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Non-Drowsy Allergy Brand too. Only Children's Claritin provides Non-Drowsy 24hr Allergy relief with one pill a day.  I love that I can count on Children's Claritin when I need it most! If you haven't tried Children's Claritin, I would recommend you give it a whirl. Don't forget to check with your pediatrician first.

Do you have a favorite allergy medicine that you have had success with using for your child? I would love to hear about what has worked well for your kids too.

 "As a member of the Children's Claritin Mom Crew, I may receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit.  No monetary compensation has taken place   "As a member of the Children's Claritin Mom Crew, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit.   No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my personal experience." 

Brahmin Spring Collection of gorgeous bags

I was thrilled that Vogue Influencers shared a sneak peek with me at the Brahmin spring bag collection. Brahmin is so up to date with some fun, fancy- free modern, colorful designs that fit any style or outfit. Here are some of the polka dots, floral and snake designs that I love!

Reef launches gorgeous new Spring Shoe styles

If you've always loved Reef sandals, get ready to fall in love all over again with the Reef Bella Costas. This new line of beach chic ballet flats, boat shoes and slip-on shoes are sure to become your go-to for spring and summer.  Each shoe features a quilted foam footbed (soft and comfortable!) with anatomical arch support while the exterior features vibrant textiles, espadrilles and special details. The Reef Tropic, the conversation piece in the line, is constructed with textiles that are hand woven from skilled artisans in Guatemala as part of the brand's 'We Heart Collection.'  Let me know what you think!

People StyleWatch StyleHunters

I was really excited about recently being selected to be part of a new style team from People Magazine called People StyleWatch StyleHunters. I love fashion and finding new styles and designers so this is a perfect fit for me. I look forward to bringing you some exciting new finds and ideas to keep you looking gorgeous in the seasons to come. Keep checking for some new ideas!

2012 Vogue Calendar: Iconic fashions of the 1920's

Take a peek at the iconic fashions of the 1920's with the gorgeous 2012 Vogue Calendar.  It is like taking a trip back to the past in the 1920s through gorgeous, iconic illustrations that epitomize the fashions and trends of the day. 

Progresso Souper You Finalists Vote to Win!

Progresso® is happy to announce its top ten finalists (out of more than 10,500) in the Souper You® Contest! From now until March 25, you can visit www.SouperYou.com daily to cast your vote and help your favorite contestants win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring.

Also for every vote you cast you will be entered for your own chance to win one of three prize packs for a one-year supply of Progresso Soup and other goodies!

Click here to watch the amazing video of the 2011 winner experience. To share with others, simply embed the code below within your post or include the following link, http://bit.ly/ProgressoSY11.

Even if you´re not a finalist, Progresso can help you to continue to stick to your weight management plan without sacrificing on variety or taste! With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including them in your meal choices.

This information was  provided to me by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

I love smooth legs so this was great to get:  the Gillette Venus & Olay Razor.  I was excited because my legs are always so dry no matter how much I moisturize.  I thought it was cool that this razor might help my legs stay more moisturized while I shaved.  Gillette noted in their product information, "Olay moisture bars help lock-in moisture to your skin, while Venus' five blades shave you close."   I have used it for almost two weeks now and it has been doing a great job getting my legs super-smooth too!  I notice that they are less dry and more comfortable after shaving as well.  I will continue to use this in the future for shaving since it is working well for me.  Below is a little more information about this innovative new product and where you can buy it:

Venus &Olay Razor

I love that Gillette Venus, a global leader in female shaving, and Olay, a global leader in skincare, joined together to deliver the utmost shaving experience in a new Gillette Venus &Olay razor.  It is amazing how Venus’ best shaving technology works so seamlessly with Olay Moisture Bars.  It truly gives us ladies the   best of both in shaving and skin expertise.  The Olay Moisture Bars help lock the moisture right into your skin for to keep it soft and smooth while Venus’ five blades shave you super close.

Here are some of the Product Details from their website:

• Venus’ five-bladed razors shave you close and adjust to women’s curves for a smooth and comfortable shave, even over tricky shaving areas like knees and ankles.
• Olay Moisture Bars contain skin-enhancing elements found in Olay products: Petrolatum helps lock in skin’s moisture for less dryness and Glycerin helps offer that goddess glow! Just wet the razor to release a light lather – no separate shave cream required.
• As with most Venus razors, new Venus & Olay also features a rounded, pivoting head designed for women’s curves, and a soft-grip ergonomic handle for confident control, even in wet and soapy environments.

A refillable Venus & Olay with one replacement cartridge sells for approximately $8.99-$10.99. Packages of three replacement cartridges are available for about $14.99 - $19.49.
Venus & Olay is now available at food, drug, convenience and mass merchandise stores throughout the United States. 


*I received this product complimentary to test through the Influenster Voxbox program.  The opinions and ideas published in this blog are my own as always.

Truvía® natural sweetener Product Review

I have been using Truvía® Natural Sweetener for a few weeks now.  I have tried it in my coffee, tea and on my grapefruit.  I have to say it really tastes great.  It doesn't taste exactly like sugar but the flavor is very close. I like the crystals which give it sugar-like texture too.  I am definitely going to keep using it since it tastes great and saves me a few calories.  Listen,  I really prefer natural sweeteners but I don't always love the calories in sugar or honey. They really add up, ya know what I mean?  I work out alot and eat really healthfully but every little bit counts.  I like to look good and who needs a few extra pounds anyway especially with summer on the way?  Truvía® helps me to bridge that gap and save some calories. The information that came with the product in my Influenster Love Box Voxbox said, "Truvía® natural sweetener is refreshingly uncomplicated, made from the best tasting part of the Stevia plant. Sprinkle this no-calorie sweetener on your grapefruit. Spoon it in your coffee. It won't end up on your conscience or your thighs!" I love that it is all natural and it makes me feel good that I can use it anytime or anywhere.  Hey, I can stash it in my purse too and I have!  Give it a try.

*I received this product complimentary to test through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Review: Elfishki and The Giant Cake iPad interactive app Book and activities for young and beginning readers

I recently downloaded a wonderful young children's app for my ipad called Elfishki and the Giant Cake.  My little one was fascinated by the story and the activities on the app.  Who wouldn't love a story about a gorgeous, giant cake?  It was fantastical!  I had a hard time wrestling it away from the little hands...promises about using it again tomorrow did the trick finally!  

The app consists of an educational fairy tale appropriate for young children and beginning readers. It has a useful lesson about teaching children to get along with others and how to understand differences. The interactive book shares the story of two very different chefs who live on Rainbow Island. Maggie is the chef at Gingerbread Nook while Elifizz is the owner of a really sad and gloomy restaurant named Chest of Ghosts. They both live on Rainbow Island. In the beginning they could not agree but managed to come together with both their ideas to make a wonderful birthday celebration for Mr. Thomas. 

Elfishki are little tiny fairy tale creatures who live on gorgeous Rainbow Island out in the Sparkling Sea.  Doesn't this sound dreamy already??  Elfishki are magical and can fly like butterflies or swim in the sea with the beautiful mermaids.  All of Rainbow Island is inhabited by fascinating creatures like speaking animals and silent trees that understand everything going on around them.   

Elfishki and the Giant Cake is one of the more educational and entertaining apps out there.  My little one really enjoyed playing with it.  It has alot of bright colors and pretty designs to attract the eyes. The animated pictures are great!  The music is entertaining and my little one loved all the silly sound effects. The story is sweet and gives you the option to be read aloud in Russian or English.  It even has comprehension questions to keep your child on his or her toes and help him or her really understand the story! The extra activities in the app are fun and silly like creating a beautiful cake and decorating it with fantastic combinations of frosting, ornaments and toppings depicted here:

You can even save your cake creation and "take a picture" of it.  My little one loved being able to go back and see the cake creation again!  Elfishki and the Giant Cake definitely helps to spark the imagination and encourage creativity in any child.

The Elfishki website has even more stories, videos and fun activities as well. You will love all of the Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends of Elfishki. I would definitely recommend this as a great educational app for a preschool or beginning reader.

Don't forget to find Elfishki on Twitter and Facebook too. Here is a sample of the app from itunes:

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Inside the Crayon Box Live Chat with Lisa Loeb & Crayola

Creativity matters. It´s a skill that all children can learn and when it´s practiced every day, kids become the critical thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders in the classroom, and they´re better prepared for professions of the 21st century.

Crayola wants every child to be creatively alive, so they´re inviting parents "Inside the Crayon Box," for a special live chat with celebrities and trusted parenting experts that will inspire and spark ideas to expand your child´s creative thinking. If you find yourself looking for new ways to inspire your children to express their ideas and build their creativity, you´ll want to join us to learn and share!

Here is the first "Inside the Crayon Box" recorded live chat from Wednesday, March 7 at 9 p.m. EST.  Join Crayola and musician, children´s author and mom, Lisa Loeb for a 45-minute live streaming video chat on the Crayola Facebook Page. Lisa, best-known for her number one hit "Stay (I Missed You)," will share as personal stories, practical advice and ways she brings a little creative play into every day for her daughter. We want to hear from you - participants can ask Lisa questions during the event, too! We hope you will share the information about the first Crayola "Inside the Crayon" live chat with your readers on or before Wednesday, March 7th so they may plan to attend as well.
Interested in the topics to be covered during the chat?

• Why Does Creativity Matter? Creativity is not about who´s the best artists or becoming an architect. It´s a way of thinking that encourages kids´ original ideas and develops their confidence.
• Growing Up Creative. Lisa will share stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged.
• Simple Tips. Easy Ideas. Like most moms, Lisa juggles a lot. She´ll share simple, easy ways she sparks her daughter´s creativity as part of their daily routine.  

Don't forget to enter the contest in the earlier post announcing the live chat!!!

Influenster Voxbox Goodies-& how you can join and get lots of great freebies too!

I know you have heard about Influenster and their exciting Voxbox giveaways.  How can you join too?  The most exciting thing about it is that it is totally free to join and get great goodies too!  It is easy to join and I actually have some invites available. Just leave me a comment with a way to contact you and I will be happy to share.  You begin by unlocking different badges which is super easy.  The more active you are the better your chances are to get Voxboxes.  VoxBoxes are released every two months or so.  If you qualify for a Voxbox it is always a fun surprise to see what you get inside-lots of full-sized products.  You need to share your experiences with the products and goodies inside the box via social media like Facebook and Twitter as well-but that is fun to do!  The more you share...the better your chances of getting yet another Voxbox in the future.   I already love sharing my great finds with friends and family so that is a natural for me and just plain fun.

The LoveBox is my second VoxBox I have received.  There were four great, full sized items and one deluxe sample plus a terriffic coupon to use or share with a friend.  

I was excited to see the Stash Tea Terbal Tea Sampler.  Stash Tea is one of my faves!  I do notice that I see Stash in many of the upscale, luxe hotels when I travel for work.  It is delicious tea.   In the LoveBox it noted, "This sampler features some of Stash Tea's most popular herbal teas. All are naturally caffeine free and made from 100% natural ingredients. Steep for 3-5 minutes at 190-209 degrees, and enjoy!"  I can't wait to start checking out all the great flavors.

The next item is Truvia Natural Sweetener.  I really prefer natural sweeteners but don't always love the calories in sugar or honey.  They really add up, ya know what I mean?  Truvia helps me to bridge that gap and save some calories.  The enclosed information tells me, "Truvia natural sweetener is refreshingly uncomplicated, made from the best tasting part of the Stevia plant. Sprinkle this no-calorie sweetener on your grapefruit. Spoon it in your coffee. It won't end up on your conscience or your thighs!"  I love that it is all natural.  I can't wait to try a bit in my coffee or on my grapefruit.

I then saw one of the most fun and crazy items in  there:  the Kiss Nails Dress-Fashion That Sticks for nails.  The card tells me a little more, " Introducing Kiss Nail Dress, the ultimate nail fashion for tips and toes!Just peel, apply, and shape for a manicure that lasts up to 10 days. Available in 18 different styles!" I saw these in RiteAid but I wasn't sure about them. I am excited to try them--I will let you know. They look adorable and fun!

I love smooth legs so this was great to get:  the Gillette Venus & Olay Razor.  The card says, "Gillette Venus & Olay are coming together to deliver a gold standard in shaving with the new Gillette Venus & Olay razor!  Olay moisture bars help lock-in moisture to your skin, while Venus' five blades shave you close."   I bet it will get my legs super-smooth too!

I truly saved the most exciting item for last-can you believe it?  What a super treat!! A Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion Bar.  The card reads, "The decadently rich and creamy 32% cacao milk chocolate in creamy devotion delivers an epicurean chocolate experience. Experience a moment of timeless pleasure with all natural Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Chocolate."  I will have to hide this from the other family members or it will be gone in a flash. I can keep it for myself and have a piece each night.  Yummy! 

What a great Influenster VoxBox.  I definitely suggest you join and check it out at their website Influenster.com!

*I received these items  for free from Influenster through their VoxBox Program.  All thoughts & opinions are my own and I was not provided with any financial incentive for this posting.

Have you ever done any surveys for cash?

I recently joined a few survey companies and found I make a nice little extra bit of change.  It is fun, mostly fast, and interesting.  I have completed surveys about all kinds of things and sometimes even get to try products for free!  MySurvey  is a good one  that you can try and see what you think.  I will see what others I can find!

GIVEAWAY! Crayola and Lisa Loeb Show You How to Get creative & Win

Creativity matters. It´s a skill that all children can learn and when it´s practiced every day, kids become the critical thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders in the classroom, and they´re better prepared for professions of the 21st century.

Crayola wants every child to be creatively alive, so they´re inviting parents "Inside the Crayon Box," for a special live chat with celebrities and trusted parenting experts that will inspire and spark ideas to expand your child´s creative thinking. If you find yourself looking for new ways to inspire your children to express their ideas and build their creativity, you´ll want to join us to learn and share!

The first "Inside the Crayon Box" live chat is Wednesday, March 7 at 9 p.m. EST. Join Crayola and musician, children´s author and mom, Lisa Loeb for a 45-minute live streaming video chat on the Crayola Facebook Page. Lisa, best-known for her number one hit "Stay (I Missed You)," will share as personal stories, practical advice and ways she brings a little creative play into every day for her daughter. We want to hear from you - participants can ask Lisa questions during the event, too! We hope you will share the information about the first Crayola "Inside the Crayon" live chat with your readers on or before Wednesday, March 7th so they may plan to attend as well.

Interested in the topics to be covered during the chat?

• Why Does Creativity Matter? Creativity is not about who´s the best artists or becoming an architect. It´s a way of thinking that encourages kids´ original ideas and develops their confidence.
• Growing Up Creative. Lisa will share stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged.
• Simple Tips. Easy Ideas. Like most moms, Lisa juggles a lot. She´ll share simple, easy ways she sparks her daughter´s creativity as part of their daily routine.

Check out some great Crayola videos here:

Creativity Matters

 Inspire

"Creativity Matters" Just in case you miss the Crayola "Inside the Crayon Box" event, you can also check out the Crayola YouTube Channel where the session will be posted.
To learn more about the tools from Crayola that make it easy for parents to help children develop their creativity www.Crayola.com and like Crayola on Facebook!

Also, be sure to check out Lisa´s book Lisa Loeb´s Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs (Sterling Children´s Books, 2011) available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Sing, laugh, and play with pop Lisa in this fabulous collection of ten of the silliest songs ever. Fun activities, games, and recipes accompany whimsical songs. Take Lisa's Silly Sing-Along with you wherever you go and get the high-spirited good times started. Includes a 10-song CD recorded by Lisa! 

                                                                **GIVEAWAY**


I am excited to be able to offer my readers a great giveaway too!   One lucky reader will win the whole shebang below so don't forgot to comment, tweet and Facebook about this great contest: 
 

One winner will receive a Crayola "Inside the Crayon Box" prize pack that contains:

• My First Crayola Washable Crayons, Markers & Stampers: just the right size and shape for little hands, toddlers can create bright and colorful designs with no caps to lose or no messy ink pads
• Crayola Mess Free Color Wonder Tiny Tube: with over 10 ft of coloring, perforated activity pages, a carry-along handle and the ability to store markers inside, kids can color at home or on the road; markers magically appear only on the special Color Wonder paper, not on skin
• Crayola Crystal Effect Window Markers: turn an ordinary window or mirror into a colorful crystal canvas and create amazing effects on an unexpected surface that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth
• Crayola Washable Kaleidoscope Chalk: experience sidewalk art in amazing new ways, by drawing designs, putting on the 3D Kaleidoscope glasses and watching as creations pop up off the ground
• Crayola Dry-Erase Bright Crayons: a dry-erase drawing and writing tool for kids that´s washable, smudge-proof, odorless, and will never dry out
• Crayola Dual-Sided Dry Erase Board: a two-sided board that makes it fun and colorful to share eye-popping messages or track soccer schedules

Healthy Greek Yogurt Parfait

It is that time of year when we start to think about the potential for fewer fleece jackets and more shorts and even short minis!  After my last business meeting I needed to come up with some new snacks to satisfy those before-gym, late afternoon and after-dinner sweets cravings.  I came up with a great, quick new recipe to curb those hunger pangs, tame the sweet tooth and provide enough protein and energy for a boot camp workout.  Here you go:

one  5-6 oz container of fat free plain Greek yogurt (brand of your preference)
1 small apple, pear, banana or kiwi (again, your preference...you could choose another fruit too!)
cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons of instant or quick cooking oats
1 tiny packet of Sun Crystals (optional)

Chop up the fruit with knife or use food processor or hand blender.  Mix in oatmeal.  Sprinkle cinnamon liberally to taste on chopped fruit/oatmeal and mix well. If desired add Sun Crystals.  In alternating layers place yogurt, and chopped fruit/oatmeal.  Top with fruit.  Freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour for more ice cream like consistency. I like to tote it with me when I am working in one of those freezer cups and it stays cool all morning till I am ready to eat it.  Enjoy!