Tuesday, July 30, 2013

ZZ Performance Keeps It On the Road in Style and in Budget

When your car means more to you than just about anything else in life, you want to make sure it has the best parts behind it. Quality parts equal quality performance, which is of course, important to any committed car owner. Keeping your vehicle running smoothly, while getting the most out of it takes time and money, but you can save a lot of both if you know what you are doing.

It doesn't make much difference if you are starting from scratch, or just repairing something here and there, you always want to know where to turn when the situation arises. Rather than waste time searching from place to place, or spending much more than you need to, the next time you find yourself in this situation,visit http://shop.zzperformance.com/.  

As the world's largest supplier of aftermarket performance parts for the late mode 3800 and Ecotech platforms, ZZPerformance has a variety of items to suit your needs. From turbo parts and kits to electronics, exhaust, fueling, intercooling and more,simply search the easy to use site by word or by category to find exactly the part you want. Plus they offer same day shipping on all orders placed before 5PM!

One of the items that caught my eye was the ZZP Performance Crate Engine. An engine is not something you will buy every day, but since I had the experience of replacing one not to long ago, I happen to know just exactly what that entails. After a lot of time, searching and effort, I ended up spending more for a simple engine that needed to be souped up, than I would have for this performance style crate engine. Go figure. Next time I will know to shop here first!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Helping Your Child Choose the Right College Major for Themselves and Their Future




As a parent, preparing your teenager for college has likely been a long and somewhat nerve wrecking process that has been building throughout their high school career. One of the first major choices that they will have to make is to choose the right college major that captures their interest and can keep them motivated for two or four years.  But, as a parent, you not only want to be sure that they are happy with their career path, but that their degree can provide them with a sound future that will allow them to progress in life.
So, how can you help your child with this process, while still allowing them to make the ultimate decision? Take a look at some of the ways you can help them further their education and choose the life path that’s right for them.

·         Help him/her to identify what their true interests are – Encourage your son or daughter to pick a major or program that they like to pursue. Remind them that they like or are particularly good at certain subjects, such as math, languages, etc., and suggest that they pursue those areas of education. According to U.S. News, one of the five ways to help your child pick the right school is through identifying what their passion is as well. Remember that you don’t want to force a major or career on them, it is a decision they have to make for themselves.

·         Encourage them to speak to a career counselor – Encouraging your child to schedule meetings with their high school counselor and even a college career counselor can help them to gather information and gain insight into fields they might be interested in.

·         Encourage them to speak to someone who is already in their desired career field – Finding your child a professional mentor can also be of great assistance in their decision making. Even if they are choosing a field you have no insight into, you can help to pair them with a friend, acquaintance or reach out to mentoring programs that can pair them with a professional in the field they are interested in.
·         Provide them with helpful information – Some teens become overwhelmed by making this decision alone, so help them to gather information about different careers, programs and schools they might be interested in. Let them sort through the information at their own pace and remind them that they have plenty of options and don’t necessarily have to choose a major immediately upon entering college.
One important factor to remember when helping your child to choose the right South University Savannah programs, or programs from any school for that matter, is to let them be in charge of making the decision. It is ultimately their future and their choice to pick the program and major that they want to pursue. As a parent however, you can help to make their decision easier and to support them along the way, which is the best way to help them during this time.


Image Source: http://blog.ivywise.com/blog-0/bid/138489/Choosing-a-Major-in-College 

Juppy Baby Walker Giveaway!


We have all had that moment, your baby is just learning to walk and you want to encourage them as much as possible, but you just can't stand to walked stooped over for another second. You want to help your little one walk as much as possible, but leaning over and trying to walk while holding their hands can be too much. Not to mention if baby slips, you are pulling on their little arms. Everyone goes through this stage with their babies but until now their wasn't a simple answer.




The Juppy Momentum is a great solution to that problem. Using this adjustable walker can help ease the strain on your back while allowing baby to gain confidence by walking without having to hold your hands. The adjustable straps allow you to position it for maximum comfort and the soft hand grips allow you to hold on in comfort.

Using the Juppy Momentum is as simple as sliding baby inside, zipping up the color matched zipper and strapping the two velcro straps. I love that it both sips and snaps, allowing you to feel more at ease while walking baby. You have control at all times too, so no worries about knocking things over, falling or grabbing objects which can be an issue if baby is in a wheeled walker.

My favorite part about this is that it can be taken anywhere. No collapsing, packing and setting up those bulky walkers. It can slip easily into the diaper bag, suitcase, or even your purse and be ready to use in seconds. This is perfect for the park, trips to the zoo, while visiting, on vacation or just every day use. The Juppy can be used for babies up to 35 pounds, and because it is 100% cotton, it is machine washable too!.


Giveaway: One winner, US Only
Prize is a Blue Juppy Baby Walker Momentum



a Rafflecopter giveaway




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.

All opinions are my own.


Princess Reagan is 7

My darling daughter turned 7 last week and for her celebration she chose a Monster High theme. We ordered her some super cute decorations, plates, napkins and more and of course she had to have a matching cake too.


Reagan was thrilled with everything and couldn't wait to show her friends before they headed outside to play in the bounce house and sprinkler.


After creating chaos in my yard they headed back inside to watch the princess open her gifts and have some cake and root beer or creamsicle floats.


Reagan received a ton of clothes, nail polish and lip gloss, toys, a fairy garden stone, movies, a new beach towel and wash cloth and a bunch of other items...not to mention almost $100 in cash for her to spend on whatever she wanted.


All in all I would say she had a very good day. I love to see her experience new things, but I hate watching my baby grow up!


Giving the Gift of Music


Some people are naturally talented when it comes to music, while others not so much.

If you find yourself in the former category, have you offered those talents to others as a music teacher?

For some, it is one of their dreams in life to pass along the gift of music. While they may not have the complete music package to be a singer or play an instrument for many to enjoy, they have the ability to nurture and teach others the love of music.

One of the ways to do this is as a music teacher. Just because you may not teach music in a school setting does not mean you can’t pass along your talents to those looking to learn.

In the event you are looking to pass along your musical skills to others, there are a number of different opportunities out there.


Teachers Offer Musical Education

Some decide to offer assistance such as Takelessons teachers to students both in-studio and at their residences. For those looking to take lessons, working with such teachers can provide a whirlwind of music education.

The first thing that is likely to come to mind of a prospective student is how qualified are such teachers.

On the upside, such teachers must pass a criminal background check, meaning the safety of each and every student is a top priority.

Teachers must also demonstrate their musical qualifications, including background and teaching style. The last thing a student wants is someone who is not only not qualified to teach them, but has an abrasive style or lack of enthusiasm for music.



Matching Teachers and Students

For those individuals searching for music teachers, make sure you look for the following traits:

* A teacher who is willing to spend extra time with you in improving your musical talents, not just be on the clock with you;
* An instructor that will be patient in the learning process, meaning they will not become upset if you do not catch on immediately;
* An individual whose music education background is well versed. You may start out with an interest in one musical instrument, but find you want to go in another direction;
* Someone who brings out the best in you. The last thing you want your musical lessons to turn into is the feeling of going to work one or more days a week. You want an instructor that will not only teach you musically, but make it fun in the process. If their personality is seriously lacking, there is a good chance that you will not get the most out of your lessons;
* Finally, you want a teacher that comes recommended by others. They should not be afraid to have other students (current or past) recommend them. In doing so, they are essentially telling you that they have assisted many others in learning the gift of music.

For both the teacher and the student, coming together can be a great way of tying those who have an appreciation of the world of music.


Photo credit: lessonrating.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Brand New Coupons- July24th

Food
Personal Care
In the Home

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Gem Mining is a Blast!

My husband and I have been trying to take the kids on day trips to do random things for fun. A couple of weeks ago we decided to go to the KOA Campground to do a little gem mining.


I know that for some, this would not be their idea of gem mining, but honestly I think it is a great way to go. No need to go digging through a mine and getting hot and filthy, all you have to do is select which size bucket of dirt you want, purchase it and take it out to the sluice. You shovel some of the mix into your sieve and slide it through the running water to remove the dirt and uncover your treasures.


We went for the medium sized bucket, which was $32 I believe. This was plenty for us to give it a try and see what we could find.


They offered several sizes of buckets, and the larger you purchase, the more quality gems, geodes and arrowheads you can find. Next time we may try a larger size to see if we can find some of the cut stones, but for what we paid, I was quite happy with our haul.


This is my oldest sons collection he found...


My first find...so pretty!


A beautiful arrowhead I found...


                         All in all it was a blast to go gem mining and I hope to do it again soon!


Hair Chalking Fun

My daughter wanted to be able to color her hair, but I didn't want to put chemicals on her at such a young age. When we saw advertisements for hair chalk, I thought that was the perfect solution. I ordered her a package of 24 colors for her birthday and as soon as she opened them she just had to try a small bit.



Since she had lots of people there for her big day,we just did a sample to see how it worked. Later when we had more time, we did a bunch of color before we went shoe shopping for her upcoming trip to Virginia.


I love how easy it is to apply the hair chalk and that it washes out in a snap. All I had to do was spray her hair with water and color away. If you are looking for a cute way to add flair to your hair, I suggest trying these yourself!


Saturday, July 13, 2013

Enjoy Your Summer at Big Splash Adventure


Big Splash Adventure is a 40,000 square foot indoor water park-complete with a rare retractable roof-located in French Lick Indiana, and adventure unlike any other!  Big Splash has many thrilling, twisting, and exciting water slides and a whirling turbo bowl! The interactive Buccaneer Bay thrills and excites children of all ages—especially the 1000 gallon dumping bucket! The Splish Splash pool is perfect for the youngest of adventurers, and the activity center—complete with water basketball and other fun activities—is great for older kids. For adults, there is the adults only Palm Cove hot tub, and don’t forget the Lost River! The river flows lazily throughout the park.


 Big Splash Coupon offer #1: $4 off day pass admission.  Coupon would be good for 4 people, total of $8 value.  This would be good for day pass admission ONLY. http://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=11154&dealid=1227®ionid=75
Big Splash Coupon offer #2: $20 off overnight stay.  Coupon would be good for a $20 value off an overnight stay only. http://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=11154&dealid=1227®ionid=75
Shotz Coupon offer: $1 off Lazer Tag or Miniature Golf.  Coupon valid for 4 people, total of $4 value.  Only 1 coupon per family.      
French Lick Ziplines Coupon offer: $10 off Zipline purchase.  Coupon would be good for 4 people, total of $40 value.  This would be good for zipline purchase ONLY.  http://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=11155&dealid=1228®ionid=75
All coupons would expire March 16, 2014.  Black out dates may apply.


This would make a great family trip this summer. You can do it for a day or turn it into a weekend adventure. With options for everyone, and enough fun to keep you busy all day, water parks are always a hit in our family!






Kidecals Labels Keep Track for You

My nephew is turning 4 this summer and, with a new baby on the way, I am betting he will be going back to preschool this fall. I know from experience how hard it is to keep track of so many kids items when they are trotting back and forth to school every day, so when I had the chance to try these new labels from Kidecals, I thought of him right away. 
I was able to select from a number of designs and finally decided on the dinosaurs because he has a new fascination with them. They offer a nice variety of styles including flowers, rainbows, sports, robots, skulls and many more. You can add lettering to different areas, depending on the design you choose, and can personalize them to fit just what you need. 


The design process is really simple and within minutes, I had created the perfect labels for my little guy. Processing and shipping took only a few days and the next thing I knew, I had the package on my doorstep. They even stick a sample label on the underside of the shipping envelope, so when you open it, you can see right away what your labels look like attached. 

These would be perfect for school, daycare, camp, sleepovers and much more, and with so many in a package, you will have plenty to label whatever you need. Did I mention shipping is always free at Kidecals too! 

My Readers Receive 15% Off all orders with promo code: bestlabels at  www.kidecals.com , so hurry over and use this code to save on your order!

** I received a sample of the labels for review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 


Thursday, July 11, 2013

JustFab Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale! - 2 Pairs Of Shoes For $39.95



At JustFabulous, we believe that every woman deserves to wear the same fashion-forward designs as the rich and famous regardless of her social status. Not to mention the fact that establishing an on-trend wardrobe filled with today's latest styles should not render you penniless. Our philosophy is that the overall fabulousness of an outfit is based on the compilation of many stylish elements each of which should be high on style, but low on price. Plus, every woman deserves to have her own fashion aficionado at her fingertips. 

JustFab's VIP members have that luxury. This monthly VIP program grants you access to style experts and the most up-to-the-minute shoes and handbags. Every month, our fashion gurus will email you a customized collection of shoes and/or handbags that were selected just for you. 

We've combined the extravagance of a personal shopper with the flair and sophistication of a stylist whose passion lies in the pursuit of finding you the perfect accessory. As a member, our style experts (advised by the founders of WhoWhatWear.com) will review your personal fashion sense before combing through the shelves of style in our coveted closet. Then they'll recommend items based on your existing style. So you're getting the personalized, star treatment you deserve, without the high-end price tag. 

Walt Disney Studios Presents-Saving Mr. Banks



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SAVING MR. BANKS
DISNEY
Website and Mobile site:
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneypictures

Genre:                                      Drama 
Rating:                                      PG-13  
Release Date:                           December 13, 2013, limited; December 20, 2013, wide
Running Time:                           TBD     

Cast:                                        Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker
Director:                                   John Lee Hancock                    
Producers:                                Alison Owen, Ian Collie, Philip Steuer
Executive Producers:                Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Troy Lum, Christine Langan
Written by:                                Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith
 

·       “Saving Mr. Banks” is the first film to depict the iconic entrepreneur Walt Disney.
·       Richard and Robert Sherman’s original score and song (“Chim Chim-Cher-ee”) would go on to win Oscars® at the 1965 ceremonies.
·       “Mary Poppins” won five awards of its 13 Academy Award® nominations: Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Effects, Best Film Editing, Original Score and Original Song. Among the nominations were Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
·       Disney began his quest to get the rights to “Mary Poppins” in the 1940s as a promise to his two daughters.
·       P.L. Travers’ father was a banker and is the basis for the “Mary Poppins” story’s patriarch, Mr. Banks—the character in the book whom the famous fictional nanny comes to aid.

OFFICIAL BOILERPLATE

Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge.  He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

Disney presents “Saving Mr. Banks,” directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer, and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Troy Lum and Christine Langan. The film will release in U.S. theaters on December 13, 2013, limited, and open wide on December 20, 2013.

Friday, July 5, 2013

2013 Preparedness Checklist and Tips

I wanted to share some tips with you for staying prepared throughout the year. These are from the list I received as part of my Children's Claritin party pack a few weeks ago.

Automobile Safety- Regular maintenance of your car is important for efficiency and safety. Visit www.safercar.gov, to learn more about car maintenance such as oil changes, tire pressure and a lot more.

CPR- Visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org for in person or online classes.

Family Doctor Visits- Be sure to schedule family doctor visits, as well as well-woman visits. Some areas to focus on would be : Immunizations blood pressure, cholesterol and eye exams.

Flu Season- Visit www.flu.gov to learn more about protecting you and your family during flu season.

Home Safety- Fire extinguishers, fire alarms and  carbon monoxide detectors should be checked and changed regularly. Visit www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/prevention_education/campaigns

Medicine Safety- Dispose of expired medicines in a responsible manner. Visit www.fda.gov for tips.

Natural Disasters- For natural disaster preparedness, visit: www.ready.gov/natural-disasters, www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters

Sports Safety- Educating yourself on sports safety will help you and your family make sound decisions when it comes to sports activities. Information can be provided by visiting online websites or speaking with sports organizers in your area.

Spring Cleaning and Allergy Removal-Visit the Kids and Allergies section of the Claritin site at www.Claritin.com to review some best practices.

Yard Safety- Be sure to trim trees and remove debris. During serious storms these items are dangerous if they become airborne. After rainstorms, clear free standing water to avoid mosquitoes. Also, consider removing trees/plants that may trigger allergies.



Wednesday, July 3, 2013

New Coupons July 3rd