Friday, January 31, 2014

Great Giveaway Ending SOON!!!

There are only 4 days left for your chance to WIN the Winix HEPA Air Purifier!!

ENDS MONDAY!!



Thursday, January 30, 2014

We Have a NEW Winner!!!

Thank you to all who entered.

The first winner did not respond to the winning email within the 48 hour time frame so to be fair to everyone else who entered, I was forced to randomly select another winner.

The NEW winner of the Steam Humidifier Giveaway is...
Congratulations Anita A.!
Please check your email and respond within 48 hours.
If you did not win this time, don't worry there are more giveaways to enter!  You can check them out below.

You can also check out my Giveaway Linky for some more great giveaways! 





Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Join us for the Bitrax LATCH Webinar!!

As moms, our children's safety is our top priority. That's why selecting the right child seat and making sure it's installed properly is of utmost importance. For expert advice on choosing and installing the right child seat, check out this blog post by Sarah Tilton, Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Advocate for BRITAX. Make sure to share it with other moms you know who are looking for a convertible car seat.
With much conversation surrounding LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) and the new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, BRITAX wants to make sure all parents and caregivers are educated and confident about the safe transportation of their children. That's why they are hosting an interactive webinar to answer questions and eliminate some of the confusion surrounding the LATCH requirements and new labeling.
Webinar : LATCH- Are You Confused?
Hosted by Sarah Tilton, Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Advocate for BRITAX
Thursday, February 6, 2014 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Click here to register for the LATCH Webinar. You will receive a confirmation via email once you register. If you do not receive one, please check to see if it got caught in your spam filter.


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

KidSwitch Light Switch Extender Giveaway!

Do Your Kids Have a Hard Time Reaching the Light Switch?

 
We’ve all heard it…those “dreaded” words, “Mom, can you please come turn on the light?" and always while in the middle of doing something that you can't just drop in an instant and go.  Then, because the children are unable to reach the light switch, when they leave the room the light stays on…we’ve all been there.  Well these problems have been solved thanks to a family owned business called Just Kids, LLC.  I love finding great products from nice family owned businesses; especially ones as useful as the KidSwich.
 
KidSwitch is a glow-in-the-dark light switch extender that can be easily installed on any toggle style light switch.  Just Kids even offers replacement screws as well as adapters for Decora switches
Each KidSwitch extends down 12" from the light switch and GLOWS IN THE DARK!!  How cool is that?!  Little Miss M was so excited when I installed it.  She immediately turned off the light and shut the door so she could see it glow.  I was really impressed with how little light it needed to “recharge” and glow.  And it sure does come in handy for those late night bathroom runs.
Ordering is super easy.  And with their reasonable prices it will not put a huge dent in your wallet.  When ordering you have the option to choose between the Original Moon design or the My Style design.  My Style includes 6 animal and 2 customizable decals, allowing you to personalize the KidSwitch to fit your child’s style and room décor.

The KidSwitch has also helped Little Miss M learn to always turn off the light when leaving the room, which has saved both energy and money!  And it gives her that sense of independence.  I wish I would have had one when M was first learning to use the potty, it would have reduced the amount of accidents due to her not being able to reach the light.
I tried to take picture in the dark, but its still hard to see it glow...
The KidSwitch is perfect for any room and can be extremely useful if you have a climber in the house.  I absolutely love how the KidSwitch fits perfectly over the switch plate; still allowing adults to turn the light on/off the normal way (without actually having to use the extension).  My sister has another brand at her house and forgetting that it is there, I am always jamming my finger because the extender sticks out so far.

I am definitely going to have to order a few more KidSwitch Light Extenders for our learning room and playroom!

Why KidSwitch?
KidSwitch…
  • teaches energy saving habits
  • helps toddlers SAFELY reach to turn lights ON/OFF
  • avoids injuries
  • builds self confidence
  • frees parents from performing repetitive tasks
  • conserves electricity
  • saves money
  • glows in the dark
  • is fun and easy to use
  • builds independence

 Pricing is very reasonable starting at only $8.95 for a single pack & $19.95 for a multi-pack (pack of 3) .  Order a three pack and receive FREE shipping!

KidSwitch is offering all party of three readers 10% off their order by using the code kidswitch10 at checkout. 

What to learn more?

You can follow KidSwitch on both Twitter and Facebook.  I would also recommend visiting their website.

 Want to try one??
Our wonderful sponsors have offered to give a KidSwitch to one lucky Party of Three reader!
Feel free to enter using the Giveaway Tools form below!
This giveaway is open Worldwide!! 
Entry-Form

PL

Monday, January 27, 2014

Best Giveaways Around ~Giveaway Linky~ {1/27}

Welcome to "Oh, I Want One Monday!" weekly giveaway Linky. 
Feel free to list your giveaways. 
Comments are always nice , but are not required.
**Don't forget to check out my current giveaways**

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Daddy & Company Review & Giveaway!

Valentines day is fast approaching and shopping for that special Daddy in your life has never been easier thanks to Daddy & Company!  Daddy & Company formally known as DaddyScrubs offers all kinds of Daddy swag.  If you have been a Party of Three follower for a while you are probably familiar with them.   They are pretty awesome.

 
I was recently selected to pick and review a product from Daddy & Company’s Lounge Wear section.  The products currently being offered in this section are pajama pants and boxers each with a few different pattern options.  Since my husband prefers boxer-briefs to regular boxers, this was a no-brainer for me.  Together Little Miss M and I chose the Love Daddy Pajama Pants.  All of the Daddy & Co. pajama pants are 95% cotton, 5% spandex and come complete with a drawstring and 3 pockets!  These pants are super soft and look super comfortable!  The seams are neatly stitched and seem very strong.  When ordering online I am always worried about the sizes, but with Daddy & Company the sizes are just as advertised.  M cannot wait to give them to her Daddy.



Since I have previously reviewed the Daddy Diaper Pack, Certified New Daddy Set, and a few other products with the Daddy & Co. label, I can assure you that you are receiving quality merchandise.

Daddy & Company also offers 3 really nice neckties.  All of their ties are made with 100% printed silk and come packaged in a nice little keepsake box with a special message inside.  The ties are reasonably priced at $29.95 making them a great gift for Valentines Day!


DaddyScrubs doesn't stop there.  They also offer "Daddy" scrubspicture frames, gift sets, tees, hoodies, and hats; all the swag you need to show off your new title. They also make perfect Daddy to be gifts.  They even have a daddy themed bookstore that has children's books featuring Daddies of all kinds.  So DaddyScrubs is basically a one stop shop for expectant father gifts.


So whether you are shopping for an expectant, new, or expert Daddy, Daddy & Company is the place to go!

You can find Daddy & Co on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, & Tumblr!

This Valentine Days, show that special Daddy in your life just how much you heart him and shop at Daddy & Company!


Hurry over and save 10% off your order by using the coupon code: BLOG14 at checkout!


Our wonderful sponsor over at Daddy & Co. have generously offered to giveaway a pair of Daddy Pajama Pants to one lucky Party of Three reader!  Winner’s choice!!  Enter using the form below.
Entry-Form
Disclaimer: I was given the above mention product for the purposes of review. 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

And the Winner is...

Thank you to all who entered.


Congratulations Molly A.!
Please check your email and respond within 48 hours.
If you did not win this time, don't worry there are more giveaways to enter!  You can check them out below.

You can also check out my Giveaway Linky for some more great giveaways! 
 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Last Chance to WIN a Steam Humidifier!!!

The Air O Swiss Steam Humidifier ends TONIGHT.  

You can enter using the form below!


Monday, January 20, 2014

Best Giveaway's Around ~Giveaway Linky~ {1/20}

Welcome to "Oh, I Want One Monday!" weekly giveaway Linky. 
Feel free to list your giveaways. 
Comments are always nice , but are not required.
**Don't forget to check out my current giveaways**


Plow & Hearth Hummingbird Feeder Review

Little Miss M and I love working in the garden.  So when Plow & Hearth offered to let us choose an item from their huge selection of products, we were super excited!  Plow & Hearth is the perfect place to visit when looking to redecorate or perk up your home or yard.  We immediately sat down together and browsed their site.  We loved almost everything in the garden section and had a very hard time choosing.  But after a few hours we made a decision.  Before I tell you what we selected, let me first tell you a little about the company!

Plow & Hearth offers unique, high-quality products for home, hearth, yard and garden.  You can browse their selection and order using their catalog, retail stores, or their website.  In my opinion they are a magnificent company.  Packed full of great products, their online store guarantees that you will find exactly what you are looking for to spruce up your home or garden. 

After looking through all of Plow & Hearth's great products we chose to review the Looking Glass Hummingbird Feeder; a perfect addition to our growing garden.  Little Miss M has been asking about a feeder since last spring.  I wanted something that was sturdy and elegant and I did not want one of those plastic red/yellow ones because, let’s be honest…they look cheap.  I have also heard that mold is a common problem with the plastic ones.  Obviously you still need to clean glass ones but not as often.

We absolutely love the Looking Glass Hummingbird Feeder!  With its beautiful vine-like design, durable tempered glass, 32-ounce nectar reservoir, and 4 bee-resistant flower-shaped feeding ports it is the perfect addition to any yard.  And when the sun shines through the glass, it illuminates beautifully.  The slight touch of red on the flower ports is just enough to catch the hummers’ attention without overpowering the design.  But if you do find that the hummingbirds are not interested try placing the feeder in a shadier place and tying a red ribbon around the base.  I love that the rim of the base is designed for the younger hummers.  With this feeder they have a place to perch and eat without having to hover.  It's glass reservoir makes it easy to monitor the nectar levels and unscrews easily from the base for trouble-free cleaning and filling.  This is definitely a high quality feeder that adds an artistic flair to our garden.  I had planned on setting it up outside as soon as it arrived but it has been bitterly cold and the ground is completely frozen.  We cannot wait for spring to come so we can enjoy all of the hummers!

Filling
Although the opening is small filling is a breeze.  It is suggested to buy pre-made nectar but it is cheaper to make your own and it works just the same.  The package insert says to use red food coloring when making your homemade nectar but I have heard that it can cause allergies and cancer in the birds.  I do not know if this is completely true but do want to be responsible for harming such beautiful creatures. So here is the recipe I use:

Home-Made Nectar Recipe
1 part sugar (plain white sugar)
4 parts water**

I combine the sugar and water and slowly heat it for about 2 minutes.  This will help dissolve the sugar and it also slows fermentation.  While it’s cooling down I quickly rinse the feeder with hot water and set it aside.  Make sure not to fill the reservoir until the nectar is completely cool!

**Sometimes I boil the water before adding the sugar and sometimes I do not.


Cleaning 
Contrary to other reviews that I have seen, cleaning is not that difficult.  I simply fill it with warm soapy water and it shake vigorously.  Every few weeks, I add a weak bleach solution, swish it around, and rinse it thoroughly with hot water.  I make sure it is completely dry before filling it and returning it to the shepherd’s hook.

The one strange thing that I noticed about this feeder it that it does not hang completely straight.  However, this was easily resolved by gently working the copper hook and the top until it hangs the way you want.  The hook it pretty flexible so as long as you are gentle, you do not need to worry about breaking it.

As mentioned before, Plow and Hearth does not just offer products for your garden.  They also carry things like window treatments, bedding, fireplaces, and apparel making this a great place to shop for yourself as well as others.  


Their webpage is very organized.  Whether you are looking for a gift under $50, something for your garden, or something for your home, you can quickly find it without even having to scroll down. 


Plow and Hearth is a tad on the pricey side but they seem to make up for it with their sales.  That is why I requested their catalog and signed up for their email updates (click the link and scroll to the bottom of the page, it will be on the left side), I wouldn’t want to miss out.

Feel free to follow Plow & Hearth via Facebook and Twitter.  You can also find out more by visiting their website here.

And don't forget to check out their Annual Winter Sale that is going on right now!



Sunday, January 19, 2014

ABCmouse.com 3 Month Progress Report!


If you have not heard of it, ABCmouse.com is an online early learning academy.  It uses a 6 Step Learning Path (7 if you include Toddler Time) that goes all the way through kindergarten.  I cannot stress how ABCmouse.com has changed our lives.  Little Miss M is advancing so fast, its unbelievable.  Within just one week she started to read/recognize numbers 1-5!   And as a homeschooling family we definitely appreciate the supplementary support.

I love that ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy allows Little Miss M to have control over her learning.  She chooses the activities she wants to do, making her more eager and willing to learn.  I have to pull her away when her computer time is up.  And its never a fight to get her learning!

She is about 50% through level one (for her age), which I am totally ok with.  She is learning at her own pace and we all know that is the best way too learn.  Some days she signs on with the intention of only going on to check on her fish tank and hamster but ends up playing so she can purchase supplies for them.  The rewards system is a huge part of why she wants to play.  

In only 3 short months, we have tackled numbers 1-5 and the letters A-I.  And by tackled, I mean recognition, writing, and sound!

Little Miss M absolutely loves that the program theme changes with the season.   With each season/Holiday the city on the map is “decorated” and new special activities are available.  I love this because it keeps everything new and exciting!
Here is the theme as of today! Needs a little more snow but its pretty accurate, lol!
Another great thing that we have found with ABCmouse is that they are constantly updating the program and adding material!  They recently added the Pet Park tab, allowing you to visit the park and choose from a selection of house pets to care for.  Like the other pets available in the game, these require attention.  Your child is “responsible” for feeding, playing with, bathing, and teaching their pets.  This house pet also accompanies your child’s avatar to multiple areas of the program.  Little Miss M wishes that she could have them all follow her around.     
Since she loves animals, she is constantly visiting both the Zoo and the Farm to play games and hear facts about each animal.  She also loves the Theater section located in the mall on the map.  The Theater is full of fun letter songs and videos; from A-Z they’ve got you covered.   
She does not like doing the custom lessons that I have set up for her using the Lesson builder because she does not get a prize at the end like she does with the pre-planned lessons.   It would be nice if I were able to award her tickets at will.  In order for parents to distribute tickets they need to send in a testimonial or update their account, but even then that is only a one-time thing.   It would also be nice to be able to change the amount of tickets awarded for certain activities.

Regardless of that slight drawback, ABCmouse.com is one of the best learning resources out there for tot to kindergarten.  It is still and will remain a part of our daily lessons until she has learned it all. 

What to learn more?  You can read my full review here!

Oh, and another great thing about this program is that you can register multiple children on one account at no extra cost! 

Would I recommend? Absolutely!  At only $7.95/mo or $79/yr, you wont find a better price for such an amazing program.  It is very reasonably priced and well worth the investment.

 **Now you can see for yourself...try ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy absolutely free for 30 days by clicking here.
**

We have made ABCmouse.com a part of our learning and now you can too.


Saturday, January 18, 2014

Homemade Red Lobster Biscuits!

If you have ever dined at Red Lobster then I'm sure you have tasted their signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits.  My family absolutely loves them but Red Lobster is an expensive place to eat, so we go maybe once a year if that.  So, for a while now I have been researching and testing different recipes to find the perfect copycat recipe.  And thanks to a few recipes online and my own experimenting, I found what works best for me.  They are pretty amazing!   Try for yourself!

 Cheddar Biscuits

Biscuit  
2 ½ C Jiffy Baking Mix
4 TBS nearly frozen butter*
1 ¾ cups sharp cheddar cheese
¾ C cold milk
¼ tsp garlic powder

Topping
4 TBS butter, melted
1 tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp dried parsley

Directions:
1.      Preheat oven to 400°F

2.      Grease cookie sheet

3.      Combine baking mix and cold butter.  DO NOT OVER MIX.  Make sure to leave small butter chunks.

4.      In a small bowl mix the cheese and garlic powder.  Then add this to the Jiffy/butter mix.

5.      Add the milk

6.      Mix. Again, making sure not to over mix.

7.      Use your hands to form whatever size biscuits you want.  With this batch I can easily get 8-10 normal sized biscuits.

8.      Bake for 15 to 18 minutes depending on your oven.  The tops should be light brown.**

9.      Melt the butter, then stir in garlic powder and parsley flakes

10.   Brush the biscuits with the garlic butter immediately after removing from the oven.


*Before I gather the ingredients and start measuring I pop a stick of butter in the freezer.    You do not want the butter to freeze but it needs to be super cold.

** Make sure to place them on the top or middle rack of the oven or the bottoms will cook too quickly.

Also, if your biscuits come out super crumbly, cook them for 1-2 extra minutes next time.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Purify Your Air with a Free Air Purifier!

Winix FresHome HEPA Air Purifier Review & Giveaway!

 
You don’t have to have allergies to want/need cleaner air.  Did you know that the air inside the typical home is generally dirtier than the air outside?  This is why an air purifier is something no house should be without.  An air purifier, if you select the right one, can serve multiple purposes.  It can remove irritants that trigger allergies and eliminate odors/chemicals that may adversely affect your general health.

Since everyone in our home suffers from allergies, the removal of airborne particles such as dust and pollen is a must.  Not to mention, our house is always pretty dusty, even when cleaned on a daily basis.  So when AllergyBuyersClub.com offered to send me one of their favorite air purifiers to review, it was a no-brainer.

I was sent the Winix FresHome P300 HEPA Air Purifier to review.  This purifier is designed to cover a bedroom or living room of up to 300 sq. ft.  Its PlasmaWave™ technology safely breaks up allergens and chemical vapors by instantly neutralizing then with positive and negative ions combined with natural water vapor.


So far I am extremely happy with the performance of this unit.  So much in fact that I am strongly considering purchasing one for our bedroom.  After only a few hours of use, the air quality was noticeably more fresh/clean and the dust level had decreased significantly.  It was slightly larger than I anticipated but that is not necessarily a bad thing.  It appears to be well made and has an attractive, modern style.  With its short and to the point instructions this unit is not only easy to set up but its super easy to use.  

Plus, it is so quiet on the lowest setting that when I first turned it on, I actually had to waved my hand over it to feel for air to make sure it was on.  Even its highest setting it isn’t any louder than our electric fireplace.  It did release a slight odor for the first few hours of use but has since dissipated and with it being fresh out of the box that is to be expected.    


While researching various purifiers, I found that Winix seems to balance features, quality and affordability in a way that is not done by many others in the industry.  My favorite features are the auto feature that allows increase air speed depending on air quality and the fact that it has a TRUE HEPA filter.  Another nice thing about this unit is that the lights on the display panel dim when you turn out the lights. The remote is also a nice and convenient way to control the unit.
Unlike air purifiers that rely on a two-part or even a single stage of filtering, the Winix P300 uses a three-stage Air Cleaning process that results in superior air purification.

In stage one the Carbon Pre-Filter traps chemical vapors, hair, lint, and other household odors thus extending the life of the HEPA filter.  In stage two the True-HEPA Filter traps 99.7% of particles you can’t even see including soot, micro-dust, mold spores, pet dander, and most airborne microbials.  Lastly, stage three uses PlasmaWave Technology by combining both positive and negative ions with natural water vapor to form a bacteria neutralizer called Hydroxyls.

Now on to the filter change... Changing these filters is super easy.  You just remove the front plastic piece and replace.  The Pre-carbon filters should be replaced every 3 months and the HEPA filter should last about 12 months.  The HEPA’s change filter indicator, which is based on actual usage, ensures that you get the most out of your filter.  The sensor is convenient but only works for the HEPA filter not the pre-carbon ones.  The necessary filters are sold together.  They are not cheap but not super expensive either; coming in around $79.   However, that does provide a full year of filtration.  Winix has you covered by including 3 extra pre-carbon filters with the initial purchase of the machine.  So they definitely get extra points in my book for including a full years worth of filters. 

The Winix air purifier works well and is a nicely designed device. Overall, it is of high quality and works precisely as advertised.  It removes odor and dust from the air, which has been a godsend for all of us in the house.  It operates quietly in idle and then automatically kicks into gear when needed.  We have absolutely noticed an obvious improvement in air "freshness" after implementing this device.  If you are looking for a high quality air purifier for your home, the Winix P300 should end that search.  Definitely a great value for the price, filtration efficiency and room coverage!  

 ****
This is another review/giveaway sponsored by AllergyBuyersClub.com.

As you all know, Allergy Buyers Club has been a trusted source for honest product reviews for quite some time.  They specialize in offering healthy allergy relief products and education on managing and preventing allergies, sinusitis and asthma. They test, review and rate all products offered and ensure that they meet the highest standards.

So feel free to the stop by Allergy Buyers Club to browse, purchase, or share your favorite product.  Or if you prefer you can request their catalog by clicking here.

If you want information on creating a healthier home, new products, or special offers, you should definitely sign up for their newsletter. They will not sell or rent your email information.
You can also follow Allergy Buyers Club on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention Allergy Buyers Club now offers financing!  Healthy home products have never been so affordable! Click here to learn more.
Now For the GIVEAWAY!

Our sponsors over at Allergy Buyers Club would like to give one lucky Party of Three reader the opportunity to win one!

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. 
I was given the above mentioned product for review purposes. All opinion are my own and may differ from yours.