Wordless Wednesday- Up Close

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Evo '10

I'm in unbelievably gorgeous Park City, Utah for Evo '10, a conference about The Evolution of Women in Social Media. A bit too busy to write much about it right now but you can search #evoconf on Whrrl (or The Canyons) or Twitter to get an idea of what's going on. It's a lot of awesome women, all in the same place at the same time. Pretty good stuff thus far.

I am sure to have more to tell you about when I get back home to the flatness that is Kansas. (p.s. mountains are pretty)

Wordless Wednesday- Hat Trick

My friend Tara Czepiel knitted these fabulous hats for the kids. Know what's even cooler? She had her husband deliver them, out of the blue! Thank you, Tara (& hubby)!!!



Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Help a Kitty

Most of my readers know that my oldest cat is Piewackett. She was my first pet, found in the parking garage of my apartment in Austin when she was about three months old. Now she's 17 and still just as surly as ever! Pie was named after Kim Novak's kitty in Bell, Book and Candle but apparently the name has a long history.

I came across photographer Lara Rossignol's blog by chance, stumbling upon a Piewacket button somewhere on the interwebz. Obviously, we both have fabulous taste in kitties and spelling, so I've kept it in my blog reader. Her cat is not named Piewacket(t) but he looks an awful lot like my grey girl, only more handsome since he's a boy. Atticus (also a fabulous fictional character name) has had some health issues, though, and was recently diagnosed with mast cell cancer. He will have to undergo chemotherapy, ergo The Atticus Project is now open to help raise funds for his treatment.



People who don't have pets may not understand spending money on them in situations like this but I absolutely do. Piewackett had a terrible health scare about eight years ago and we never did find out what caused it. I remember feeling so helpless as she kept losing weight and struggling. Exploratory surgery didn't turn up anything but it was costly and frightening to have to deal with.

I hope you'll take a minute to check out The Atticus Project and perhaps find something you like: a celebrity portrait by Lara, some vintage tchotkes, etc. I am going to buy this print she's made of a relative's vintage snapshot because it makes me happy:



Hug your kitties, everyone!

The Jazz Butcher - Love Kittens

Tarte Smooth Operator

One of my favorite cosmetic brands, Tarte, is offering an amazing array of sun safety products to keep you looking good while having fun in the sun this summer. Smooth Operator is an oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF20 that features Tarte's skinvigorating ingredients to naturally impart strength and vitality.



What's especially nice about Smooth Operator is that it comes in 12 sheer shades to match just about any skin color. Personally, I'm about a 14 in winter and a 16 in the summertime. I also like the fact that it is oil free and won't clog pores but it provides sheer, even coverage that doesn't look unnatural.

If you follow TarteCosmetics on Twitter, you'll get a chance to win another of their sun safety products this weekend. When their follower count hits 5650, they'll give three followers each a Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Facial Moisturizer. (Do it quickly- they're already at 5620!)

Disclosure: I received samples of Smooth Operator to facilitate this review.

Backyard Safari Outfitters

Backyard Safari Outfitters makes essential field gear for kids who are intrepid explorers. If your kids like the outdoors, they will most likely enjoy these implements of play. It seems wrong to refer to them as toys since they facilitate interaction with the environment.



We received a Bug Vacuum, Mega View Periscope and Cargo Vest from Backyard Safari Outfitters and both kids fought over them. Luckily, they are very sturdy! The Bug Vacuum was put to use on ants, cereal and dog food. The Periscope is probably the coolest in my estimation, because it telescopes four feet and can also be used to view underwater. In Jasper's hands it is more of a sister-focused battering ram. Roo filled the vest pockets up with rocks and yard detritus. Perfect. Here's the Backyard Safari ninja modeling the Bug Vacuum:



The Backyard Safari Outfitters Blow Darts, Mega-Magnifier and 6X Magnifying Field Scope are on our wish list for future adventures.

Follow Backyard Safari Outfitters on Twitter and Facebook.


Disclosure: We received the Bug Vacuum, Mega View Periscope and Cargo Vest courtesy of Backyard Safari Outfitters and Team Mom.

Kung Zhu Pets Giveaway

***WINNER PICKED 7/14 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, #21 Trixx (non-blogger)!!!***

her comment...
I dont watch much Kung Fu movies so I'll say "Kung Fu Panda" is my fave!


If you have kids, you are doubtless aware of Zhu Zhu Pets, the animatronic hamsters that were all the rage last holiday season. Because I am the meanest mom in the world, my children never did get one. Sure, they were cute but did I really need even more stuffed critters and their dress-up stuff all over the house? No. Because I am unbelievably mean and unreceptive to cuteness.



Okay, maybe I'm not entirely unreceptive to cuteness, but you put a ninja costume on anything and I am all about it. Case in point, Kung Zhu Pets. Yeah, they might look like their cuddly cousins but these hamsters are badasses! They're kind of a combination of Furby, Jackie Chan and Hot Wheels. Roo and Jasper both love them and argue about which armor is whose, blah blah blah. I just love that Kung Zhu Pets have weapons. Awesome. Look at all the cool gear you can accumulate:



Here's Roo's first video review, which her dad recorded totally with no prompting. Apparently she was very mindful when I told her not to put the Kung Zhus near her hair. Or anyone's hair, for that matter.



Find out more tomorrow at the Kung Zhu Twitter Party
Date: Friday, June 18th, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST
Location: #KungZhu
Host: @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect)
RSVP by filling out this form.


To enter and win Kung Zhu Pets military and ninja training sets and battle arena set (hamsters not included, sorry- Roo and Jasper claimed the four that were in the box), please comment on this post with your favorite Kung Fu move or movie.


Entries will be accepted through July 7th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.


For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fan me on Facebook, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.


Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!

Disclosure: We received a gigantic box full of Kung Zhu Pets and accessories for this review and to give away. Thanks, MomSelect!



***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Wordless Wednesday- Mud and Mosquitoes

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Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Pixi Beauty

I fell in love with Pixi Lip Blush not too long ago and was excited to try a couple of their other products. I'm kind of a makeup whore, although I don't actually wear that much on a day to day basis, it's another anachronistic part of my personality. I covet bright colors and shiny glosses but I'm fairly natural when all is said and done. In any case, I was really amped up to try Pixi Water Blush since my favorite similar stain (by Nars) was discontinued a while back. It's a little bottle of pigmented liquid that provides a long-lasting sheer pinky red color. I've been using it every day on my lips and cheeks. It gives a very natural flushed look, although you could probably layer it for a more dramatic look.



Illuminating Tint & Conceal is a tinted moisturizer with a matching concealer in the cap. I have a hard skin tone to match but this does a pretty decent job. I use the Nude shade but I think that Sun Glow might be a better shade for me in the summertime.



The third product I tried is the Smokey Eye Wand, which is kind of a combination of eyeliner and powder shadow formulated to create a no-fuss smolderingly sexy look. (Yes, I did indeed just write "smolderingly sexy." You're welcome.) It was easy but I think I could use some practice!



I like the usability of Pixi Beauty products. They seem very basic and easy to use but also pretty glamorous. Plus the pricing is reasonable, which is nice. I like that Pixi Beauty is available at Target stores as well as online. Here's a shot from my trial run with the three products I reviewed here:



Obviously, this was from before I went red. Other than that, what do you think? I'm not used to wearing foundation so the Illuminating Tint & Conceal is a little startling to me but it definitely gave me enough coverage with just a light application. I totally adore the Pixi Water Blush; it will definitely be my new everyday staple. The Smokey Eye Wand bears further investigation on dressier occasions than picking the kids up from school. I did feel a little *too* smolderingly sexy…

Disclosure: I received the three items for review purposes.

Passing the (Bailwater) Bucket

We had some riotous storms yesterday across the midcentral plains. It was awfully dramatic here in Wichita with ominous crashing thunder, lightning, and a ton of rain but our neighbors in Oklahoma got more of the flooding. My friend Melissa from Consumer Queen was caught at work while her family was being literally flooded out of their home. Thankfully everyone, pets included, was able to get out of the house safely but all of their belongings are ruined and they are not sure when they will be able to live in their house again. All of the carpeting and furniture will need to be replaced, everything cleaned and protected from mold, etc. I can't even imagine what they are going through, especially in light of the fact that their insurance company is probably not going to help since they do not have flood coverage. Unbelievable.

Monica from Mommy Brain Reports has set up a donation fund to help the Garcias through this. If you can, please consider helping out. I find it very inspiring to see how the blogosphere takes care of its own.

KinderCone, A First Grade Tradition

Growing up, my parents were not big on traditions or holidays. For the most part, special events were the same as every other day, just with more food and perhaps a new outfit. I never felt particularly denied but I'd like for my kids to have more magical memories of their youth. Now that I'm a parent, I find myself fumbling to find good ways to demarcate the big events of childhood.

Starting first grade is a big milestone for children everywhere but in Austria and Germany, it is celebrated with a traditional gift: the Schultüte, a large paper cone filled with school supplies and treats to make the transition to big kid a little bit easier. KinderCone was created to bring this tradition to the US:



I gave Roo her KinderCone after her last day of Kindergarten, for purposes of this review. She was thrilled! Her favorite thing inside was the Me, Myself and First Grade book/journal which she immediately started to fill out. I was smitten with the little plush knapsack-toting kitty, Karli, who is the KinderCone mascot. Roo even shared the pencils inside with Jasper. The both love the KinderCone itself, as you can see:



I think the KinderCone is a nice tradition to start with your children. You can also add your own small gifts and candies to personalize it more. There are also empty KinderCones if your child is not entering first grade but you'd still like to give them a gift that celebrates school and learning. Just add some school supplies, books, and treats and hang it from their doorknob (there is an integrated hanging loop) for a surprise they will surely remember. Roo has her KinderCone hanging from her bunkbed still. I also love the MiniCones for party favors- they come in packs of four, filled with pencils and tattoos. So much cooler than the cheapo plastic goody bags and accompanying detritus that seem to accumulate in every nook and cranny of our house. I am especially enamored of the Craft MiniCone Party Pack, which features five mini KinderCones made of blank white paper that your kids can decorate themselves. A craft activity and party favor in one- genius!

Do you have any family traditions to share?




Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCone and received KinderCone samples to facilitate my review. Mom Central is also providing me with a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. This does not affect my opinion of the product!

The Mean Reds

I've been wanting to do this again for a while but I've had horrific dye allergies since Roo was born, which has made me kind of reticent to do much with my hair. This is, of course, a tragedy. Those of you who know me in real life know that I've been doing all manner of crazy things to my hair since 8th grade or so. I miss it. Thankfully, my friend Erica is doing hair again and has had the exact same experience, so she is sensitive to my needs. You know, for a non-blistery scalp as well as a bit of funky.




If you are in the Wichita area and would like to know more about Erica's styling services (she does nails and waxing, too! she'll even make house calls!), drop me a line. I haven't taken a picture of the adorable fauxhawk she's given Bob but trust me, it's full of cuteness.

Skin Energizer

I received a massive box of skin care products a few months ago and I've been working on trying them out so I could give you some opinions. I wasn't familiar with their products but according to their site, SkinEnergizer manufactures and distributes high quality skin care products using natural-based, botanical ingredients that are targeted to specific problem areas. There are a lot of problem areas to work on, apparently! Here's the run-down from their website:

Extensive research has produced truly effective, high-performing products for anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, face & body firming, and treatments for sun damage, stretch marks and scars, cellulite, brown and age spots, psoriasis, acne, dark circles, and a broad range of best-selling lotions, creams, body scrubs, moisturizers, exfoliates, and spa and body luxury skin care. A natural-based, botanical solution is our mission.

• Natural-based, botanical active ingredients and essential oils
• Minimal and recyclable packaging
• Development and adoption of industry best-practices
• Continued process improvement for corporate efficiencies
• On-going ingredient research, development and sourcing
• Customer education on ingredients, solutions and skin care
• Solutions for Cleansing, Rejuvenation and Growth
• Results and Benefits Based product objectives!

Like I said, I received a lot of products to review and I was a bit overwhelmed. SkinEnergizer offers solutions for just about any skin type or condition. The products I've enjoyed the most have been:



Nourish Skin Tight Body Firming Lotion (Smooths and refines belly and thigh skin, plus the Orange Love Spell scent smells like a creamsicle!)



Nourish Dark Spots and Age Spots Fade Cream (Really amazing and seems to work quickly; extremely useful since I scar easily from bug bites)



Nourish Complexion Cream (Regulates my horrifically oily skin without drying it out)

Other cool things about SkinEnergizer are their commitment to reduce packaging waste and marketing expenses and they even have a gigantic advice section so consumers can educate themselves on the proper products for them. Nice.

Disclosure: I received a big box of SkinEnergizer products and was asked to post my honest opinions. No compensation was received.

Wordless Wednesday- I am not a Target Market

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Tyson Giveaway

***WINNERS PICKED 6/17 WITH RANDOM.ORG***
***CONGRATULATIONS!!!***

60 Kathryn
47 Lisa @thebeadgirl
68 independentmami
9 Krista
73 Nycole (non-blogger)
78 Julie (non-blogger)
58 TXsunlover (non-blogger)
23 windycindy (non-blogger)
3 Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}
26 Danielle (non-blogger)




If you're like me, your desire to cook wanes considerably during the balmy summer heat. I like to keep lots of quick and easy healthy foods on hand so I don't resort to feeding my family too much takeout or easy (but not necessarily healthy) food. New Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken is fully-cooked, 98% fat free, preservative-free chicken breast fillets or strips that can be added to just about any recipe, eliminating some time over the hot stove.

Here's what it looks like in the freezer case:



Since Bob is out of town and the kids were over at grandma's, I was especially reluctant to cook anything particularly time-consuming. I knew I wanted to eat something but wasn't super hungry. Cooking for one seemed like the perfect time to try out Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Strips. Here's what it looks like when you open the bag:



Like I said, I wasn't super hungry so I only defrosted a few pieces of chicken. You can take out just what you need or cook the whole bag. Very convenient!



Microwaved some cheese on a tortilla and plopped the microwave-defrosted chicken on top:



Covered that with some leftover tomatoes/carrots/celery that I had in the fridge:



Squirted a little ranch dressing on there:



Rolled up and ready to go, with baby carrots on the side. I know, my plating could be more attractive.



I would probably not serve something this simple to company but it sure did make for a satisfying lunch wrap. I suspect you could make it much prettier with a bit of effort, too. Did I mention it was delicious? I've also used the Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Strips as fajitas, defrosting them in a skillet with peppers and onions. Still easy but a more showy dish for sure!


To enter and win free coupons to try Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Breast Fillets or Strips yourself, please comment on this post with your serving ideas. I have ten coupons to give away!


Entries will be accepted through June 16th and I'll pick the winners using Random.org. US readers are eligible.


For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fan me on Facebook, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.


Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!

Disclosure: Collective Bias and Tyson provided me with a gift card to shop with and ten free product coupons to give away for this promotional campaign.



***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***