6/18/2013 08:04:00 AM
Onica MommyFactor
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Always on the lookout for ways to share their educational creations with kids in need, DANO is launching the One Equals Two program. With every purchase of the AppCrayon at a qualifying retailer like Target, Staples, RadioShack, and more, DANO will be donating a copy of their product and app to a school in need.
When it comes to kid-friendly content on the iPad or iPhone it seems like video games reign supreme while education takes a back seat. At DANO it's their goal to break the mold by providing parents with iOS apps that focus on fostering creativity and a love of learning in the next generations.
Named editor's choice by PC magazine and endorsed by teachers, pediatricians, and schools around the world, the AppCrayon is the modern take on how to teach kids about writing and the alphabet. This fun tool features a stylus shaped like a crayon with a triangular training grip and soft tip that is used in tandem with an app on Apple devices.
The AppCrayon has three levels of difficulty to help build them up to writing quickly and confidently in both uppercase and lowercase letters. In addition to learning how to write, the app also has special sound features that teaches the pronunciation and use of each letter with the tap of a button.
6/18/2013 06:00:00 AM
Onica MommyFactor
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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
When was the last time your family tried a new bathroom tissue? White Cloud recently introduced their new Luxuriously Soft Bath Tissue and I received a pack for review.
The new White Cloud Luxuriously Soft Bath Tissue did well against my regular bathroom tissues. It was super soft but strong and stood up to usage from both an adult and a little boy. Check out my below video where I share more about White Cloud's Luxuriously Soft Bath Tissue in a video review.
Since this was my first time using White Cloud Luxuriously Soft Bath Tissue, I learned a few things including:
White Cloud makes premium quality paper products without the premium price.
White Cloud Luxuriously Soft Bath Tissue is made using an innovative manufacturing technology called “TAD.” or “Through Air Dried,” which is a super-premium technology in the bath tissue world. It uses a special machine to blow air through single-ply sheets, creating a two-ply product with amazing thickness, softness, strength and absorption.
White Cloud is sold exclusively at Walmart and if you visit the White Cloud Facebook page, there's a $1.00 off coupon
6/15/2013 10:42:00 AM
Onica MommyFactor
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I was invited as media to this event. No other compensation was received. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.
This week I was invited to a special lunch and tour at Samsung House, a custom-designed home environment here in NYC SoHo.
The Samsung House was decorated by Hilary Farr, international home designer and host of HGTV’s “Love It or List It,”. From the living room and kitchen to the 2nd floor, the space features fully operational new products from Samsung Home Appliances for the home and kitchen.
Last year when I attended the Samsung Home Appliances event, I first learned how these products work with our lifestyles to make everyday tasks easier.
During that event I spoke on video (I'm at the 2:55 mark) about my excitement to learn about Samsung's range of products from the washing machines that use apps to a refrigerator with touch screen panels that acted like an information hub.
Since last year, Samsung Home Appliances have kept in stride with consumer needs and added new features and functions to their home appliances including
A slide-in electric range that instantly upgrades the look of any kitchen.
A French door refrigerator with an automatic sparkling water dispenser powered by SodaStream, a first-of-its-kind four door refrigerator that redefines the category with a completely new look.
A top-load washer with the industry’s largest capacity that lets you wash more in one load than ever before.
And these were just a few of the home appliances I saw and learned about. Would you like to see some of these home appliances up close and personal? Then this weekend visit to the Samsung House!
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., has opened the doors to Samsung House for one week only, where visitors can be inspired by a two-floor space that showcase the beauty of Samsung’s innovative new products while offering a hands-on experience in elevating the function and style of their home and kitchen.
“The kitchen is the hub of the home, and homeowners today want a space they don’t just live in, but really love. Samsung has found that perfect balance and, in the process, is redefining and setting new trends in home design,” said Hilary Farr. “I am wowed by the level of thought and intelligence that goes into even the smallest details on its home appliances – from real metal handles that fit your hands, to controls that are easily reached, to flexible shelves and dividers in the refrigerators – really comes through. Samsung’s stylish design elements fit in seamlessly with any home.”
The Samsung House will be open to the public on June 15-16 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
6/14/2013 06:32:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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I was invited as media to this event. No other compensation was received. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.
There's nothing like the perfect cup of tea to relax you and help start the day. Usually you have to stop at your local tea shop to get a cup but not anymore. Now you can enjoy a cup at home thanks to the new GE Cafe French door refrigerator.
Recently GE Appliances invited me to enjoy a cup of tea made using their new GE Cafe French door refrigerator.
The French door refrigerators also feature TwinChillT evaporators, which separate airflow and climates in the fresh food and freezer sections to help maintain temperature and humidity levels to keep foods fresh. The separation of the air limits the amount of humidity in the freezer, reducing freezer burn while keeping freezer odors from mixing with refrigerator odors.
Some GE French door refrigerator models will also feature GE's BrillionT connected home technology. On this product, Brillion technology, when coupled with a GE Nucleus, enables a consumer to receive maintenance and service alerts, monitor energy consumption, and adjust some appliance settings remotely.
Additionally, showcase LED lighting produces lighter, crisper illumination throughout the refrigerator's interior. And the line includes many extra storage features, such as a drop-down egg tray, three freezer baskets, a second icemaker in the freezer and a space-saving icemaker in the door.
Did you know that June 12th is National Time Out Day? A day to remind us the importance of taking a “time out in our hectic days to just take a break and relax. I don't know who invented this day but they deserve a BIG thank you, don't you think? I'm sure many of my readers can use a time out day (and night) to just relax.
So how can you celebrate National Time Out Day? By doing whatever you want to relax. For me that's no cooking! Lately my son has been going through a growth spurt so he's ALWAYS hungry and I'm ALWAYS in the kitchen cooking. But now thanks to my friends at McDonald's who sent me coupons, I can turn the cooking over to them! Hello Premium McWrap Sweet Chili Chicken!
Would you like a night off from cooking also? Why not take a McDonald’s time out to celebrate and enjoy a favorite lunch or dinner extra value meal at McDonald’s? While I'm not a big burger person, I heard for some the Big Mac is iconic.
There is only one Big Mac. This classic burger is made with a double layer of sear-sizzled 100% pure beef, special sauce on a sesame seed bun and topped with melty American cheese, crisp lettuce, minced onions and tangy pickles. The Big Mac paired with our World Famous Fries and your choice of an icy soft drink is the perfect way to take a time out, the McDonald’s way.
With more than 600 McDonald’s restaurants, owned by over 100 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area, there's a location close to you. So why not take advantage of them and take a time out moment to relax and spend time with your family?
To help you, my friends at McDonald's have also provided Lunch/Dinner Extra Value coupons for a giveaway. No cooking for you either!
ENTER TO WIN THIS GIVEAWAY!
(4) McDonald's Lunch/Dinner Extra Value coupons
WAYS TO ENTER:
For this giveaway I'm using the Rafflecopter form which is super easy! Go on and enter to win! Entries must be made on or before 11:59 p.m. June 21, 2013.
6/12/2013 06:50:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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Summer time, the time of fun, sun, wonderful family vacations...and headaches. Lost tickets, bored children, waiting in line after line.
To avoid all of that, Smart Destinations, North America's travel and ticketing technology company, provides the only multi-attraction passes that maximize the fun, savings and convenience of sightseeing with flexible purchase options for every type of traveler.
And now, Smart Destinations recently introduced the Virtual Go-Card! The Virtual Go-Card is the worlds’ first mobile attraction pass. You use one QR code to get into all the attractions you want and get special perks like:
The ability to skip the line at select attractions
Comprehensive city guides that offer insider tips and bonus discounts on shopping and dining
Up to 55% savings compared to purchasing individual tickets
Can be purchased online and at walk-up retail outlets
For more information, please visit www.SmartDestinations.com
6/12/2013 01:08:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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I was invited as media to this event. No other compensation was received. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.
Recently Nickelodeon announced the launch of its 'Nick Shop' in Toys"R"Us Times Square.
The Nick Shop's orange walls and columns are covered with cutting edge decor stencils of characters from Nickelodeon's animated series, with several interactive, touchscreen LED screens placed throughout. When guests walk near the space, they can interact with and explore the content using their hands to swipe and tap the screens.
Located on Level One in Toys"R"Us Times Square, the 1,000 square foot Nick Shop features exclusive New York-branded products such as kids and adult apparel, accessories, plush toys, drinkware, home goods and more, featuring Nickelodeon characters including Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Winx Club, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Items on the level one Nick Shop retail between $5.99 and $49.99. Customers can also find more Nickelodeon products on Level Two of Toys"R"Us Times Square.
The Nick Shop is now open to the public during regular business hours: Sunday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
6/12/2013 12:42:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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Paul Frank and the Parigi Group have designed a new children wear collection!
The new Paul Frank Children’s collections comes in an assortment of styles with classic Paul Frank designs. The collection will range from infant and toddler up through tween for both girls and boys.
The collections will be available at specialty and department stores nationwide. To see what’s new andexciting at Paul Frank, visit www.paulfrank.com
6/12/2013 11:43:00 AM
Onica MommyFactor
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A crib mattress, along with a car seat and good nutrition, is one of the most important things for the growth and development of a baby. Parents also need to ensure the mattress stays dry to prevent mold from growing, making a good mattress pad an essential part of the nursery bedding ensemble.
Colgate’s Wee-A-Way Crib Mattress Pad Cover is a great option. It’s ultra soft and waterproof, so it’ll help keep the baby comfortable while protecting the crib mattress from accidents or leaky diapers. It’s also GREENGUARD certified and non-toxic.
To learn more, visit - http://www.colgatekids.com
Would you like to own a Wee-A-Way Mattress Pad Cover? Then enter this giveaway for one
ENTER TO WIN THIS GIVEAWAY!
(1) Colgate’s Wee-A-Way Crib Mattress Pad Cover
WAYS TO ENTER:
For this giveaway I'm using the Rafflecopter form which is super easy! Go on and enter to win! Entries must be made on or before 11:59 p.m. June 27, 2013.
6/11/2013 05:02:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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I was invited as media and received tickets for review purposes. No other compensation was received. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.
We recently saw a Making Books Sing production of Wanda's Monster the musical, book by Barbara Zinn Krieger that was based on the children’s book, Wanda's Monster written by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Nancy Hayashi with music and lyrics by the one and only Laurie Berkner.
The story and musical is all about a little girl, Wanda, who has a grand imagination which keeps her pretty busy. The audience is taken on a musical journey of how Wanda acquired a monster in her closet and more importantly, how they became friends.
The performance was engaging, interactive and held the attention of even the youngest audience members for the full 45 minutes. “T” really enjoyed the musical had the opportunity to meet and greet the cast members as well as his favorite musician, Laurie Berkner.
He even requested that we purchase the book and ask the cast to sign it as a souvenir. I really appreciate the Making Books Sing interactive program because it allows children to “watch” their favorite books and characters come to life right before their eyes.
Written by guest blogger, Scherrie Donaldson, who blogs on Thirty Mommy a resource for women and parents who want to balance family life with their busy lives in the city.
6/11/2013 03:34:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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Blik, an innovative maker of self-adhesive surface graphics, is giving an age-old game a fun new twist: Stick the "blank" on the "blank". Blik's new product line is aimed at kids parties and general merriment and is launching four different themes to kick-off the new line: Stick the Bear on the Circus Train, Stick the Fish on the Fishbowl, Stick the Wheel on the Fire Truck and Stick the Egg on the Nest.
Riffed off of the endearing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, each set comes with the full game, a mask and a mini version of the game for the winner. While designed for kids, any fun-loving adult can play along. Just no peeking!
Stick the "blank" on the "blank" products:
Stick the Bear on the Circus Train: The circus is in town! Fill up the train cars with bears with this fun party game.
Stick the Fish on the Fishbowl: It might not be like shooting fish in a barrel, but it's easier than finding Nemo!
Stick the Wheel on the Fire Truck: The wheels on the fire truck go round and round, you just have to stick them on first!
Stick the Egg on the Nest: Which came first, the hen or the egg? Place the Henrietta the hen on the wall and help her lay her eggs.
Stick the "blank" on the "blank" is designed to be interactive and fun for kids of all ages.
Blik’s looking for fan feedback for the next design in the line. Fans can visit Blik’s blog and leave their idea for the next Stick the "blank" on the "blank". One winner will have their design concept to the collection, plus get credit for their ideas and a $250 Blik gift certificate.
The full Blik product line is available online and at retailers worldwide. For more information, visit www.whatisblik.com
6/09/2013 04:51:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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Experts agree – breakfast is the best way to start the day no matter the season. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who eat breakfast are generally in better health overall.
And according to a new National got milk? Milk Mustache "June Dairy Month" survey, nearly half of all parents (48%) surveyed said a good start to the morning is when their child has a breakfast with milk. Serving fat free or lowfat milk at breakfast is one of the best ways to ensure your family has energy and nutrients it needs to perform, run, swim and play throughout the longest days of the year.
Simple Solutions for Smart Summer Starts
To help alleviate the stress of the morning routine this summer, Michelle Dudash, registered dietitian, mom and author of Clean Eating for Busy Families, has simple solutions to help keep families on track and avoid breakfast time blunders:
Start every summer morning with a healthy breakfast: Establishing a summer routine will get your family off to a good start, and fat free or lowfat milk delivers nutrition other breakfast beverages cannot for your dollar. More than half of kids surveyed said they like to drink their milk at breakfast, and skipping milk in the AM would put them in a bad mood – especially if they had to eat cereal without milk!
Get the kids involved and plan ahead: Ask your kids to help plan the week's breakfast menu, or start a breakfast-themed Pinterest board with their favorite morning meals. Pick recipes you can make ahead of time, like smoothie pops and overnight oatmeal, as a fun night-time activity that will get them excited to eat the next morning.
Keep it simple: If you're wishing for more time out in the sun and less time in the kitchen, don't be afraid to keep it simple. Survey results showed cereal is kids' favorite summer breakfast, which is good news for parents looking for a quick, easy breakfast option with nutrients they need, including high-quality protein in milk, to power through their mornings. Whether in a bowl or a glass, fat free milk complements any morning.
Celebrate Milk during National Dairy Month
June is National Dairy Month, and the perfect time to remind families of the importance of beginning every day with nutrient-rich dairy foods, like lowfat or fat free milk. An 8 oz. glass of milk contains 9 essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality protein. And, at just about 25 cents per glass, milk offers more nutritional value than just about any other beverage you can buy.
"No matter the month, milk is one of America's, and my family's, favorite beverages," said Michelle Dudash. "Whether lowfat or fat free, milk is one of the most naturally nutritious drinks you can pour – especially in the morning. With calcium, high-quality protein and other important nutrients like vitamin D and potassium, milk can plus up any breakfast."
It's no secret - Americans love their milk. Almost all US households have dairy milk in their refrigerators, and kids are some of the biggest fans. Nine out of 10 kids (92%) age 8-12 said they love to drink milk at breakfast, because it's good for them (64%), it will help them grow (58%), and they love the taste (56%).
The National got milk? Milk Mustache campaign June Dairy Month survey was conducted between April 26 and May 6, 2013, among 519 parents of 8-12 year olds and 519 8-12 year olds.
6/09/2013 03:21:00 PM
Onica MommyFactor
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With the summer break almost here, parents are looking for ways to combat the upcoming summer brain drain. According to research from the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, students typically lose one to two months of reading and math skills during the summer break. But there are many things parents can do to help keep children's minds active during the summer months and avoid these setbacks.
To help parents, VTech, makers of age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children, has these smart tips to help promote summer learning fun.
"Children's brains develop at a remarkable pace and don't take a break just because school is out," said Dr. Lise Eliot, parenting author and expert in child and brain development. "To help their children continue to thrive over the summer months, parents should offer fun experiences that encourage learning and exploration, and, allow them to expand their knowledge."
Here are 6 smart tips to help combat Summer Brain Drain and promote summer learning fun:
Utilize learning toys – Learning toys are a great way to help children stay mentally sharp during vacations, while also allowing them to explore and have fun. Look for toys like VTech's InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet, one of the first children's learning based tablets with Wi-Fi. This tablet features a secure wireless connection to VTech's comprehensive app store, the Learning Lodge™, where children can easily browse a variety of the highest-quality educational content to help prevent Summer Brain Drain, create a wish list and send the list right to their parents' e-mail.
If parents choose to approve the wish list, the purchases are sent wirelessly, directly to the InnoTab 2S. The entire InnoTab range of products opens up a world of age-appropriate educational content across the widest variety of curriculums, from downloads to software cartridges, combining innovative technology with a developmental learning tool that grows with a child and makes learning fun.
Read, read, read! – The benefits of reading to children are enormous, including helping language and speech development, expanding their vocabulary and building a lifetime love of reading. Children who read more perform better in school, so parents should absolutely continue reading to their children during the summer months. Visit the local library often and let children choose books that interest them or consider using e-books on InnoTab 2S as a fun alternative.
The highlighted words help children intuitively follow along. By the end of the year, the Learning Lodge will have over 90 e-books and deluxe e-books, split into age-appropriate levels. Starting at $2.99, the e-books include popular titles such as "The Princess and The Pea" (ages 5-8), "Jack and the Beanstalk" (ages 4-7) and "The Ugly Duckling" (ages 3-6). Available for $14.99, the range of deluxe e-books, with added features such as reading games, animated characters and interactive scenes, includes children's favorite characters such as "Disney Fairies Tinkerbell" (ages 5-8), "Cars 2" (4-7) and "Winnie the Pooh" (ages 3-6).
Look for teachable moments – Our daily lives are filled with opportunities to teach our children. Following a new recipe for dinner? Let your child help read and measure the ingredients. Balancing your checkbook? Let your child put their math skills to use. Going on a road trip? Let your child look for specific signs along the way and follow along on a map. Then extend the fun at home by downloading new apps that teach similar skills, such as "Globe", "Treasure Hunt" and "Key to the Map," onto the InnoTab 2S via the Learning Lodge.
Plan educational outings – You don't have to plan an extravagant vacation to teach a child about culture and customs. Museums and local historical societies can teach children about history, dinosaurs and art. A local zoo or aquarium can teach children about new animals, and educational apps can reinforce what they've learned, such as those featuring Dora the Explorer, who is often on an adventure learning about and rescuing animals with her cousin Diego. You can often find free summer concerts that can expose your child to new styles of music and dance as well. Continue the musical education on InnoTab 2S with the MP3 player and KidiJamz music albums full of fun, preschool songs, found on the Learning Lodge.
Consider a summer program – There are camps and summer programs for nearly every interest. If your child enjoys acting, look for a Shakespeare Theater camp. If your child likes homemade experiments, look for a science camp. For a child who needs more help in school, look for a summer learning program, which has been proven to raise school performances. Local libraries also often have free summer programs that appeal to a variety of interests. Once home, download relevant content from the Learning Lodge, including science titles such as "World of Science," "Bugsby's Space Adventure" and "Sesame Street's Fairy Tale Science Fair."
Encourage savings – Saving money is a great way to put children's math skills to use. Let children count the coins in their piggy bank. Show them how much they will need for something they are saving for and if they're old enough, teach them how to create a budget to reach their goal. Let them clip coupons with you and put the money saved into their piggy bank. Playing "store" with your child and using coins or pretend money is another great way to utilize math skills.
There are 32 dedicated math learning games on VTech's Learning Lodge, including "Cab Tab" and "Checkout Stand" which specifically teach kids about counting money. There are also math games for those as young as age 3, including the ever-popular "Hide N Beak" and "Ant Harvest." Kids can even improve their math skills while playing with games with their favorite characters through VTech's exclusive range of software cartridges such as "Team Umizoomi", "Disney/Pixar Brave" and "Disney Minnie."
The Learning Lodge currently features more than 350 educational games, e-books, music and videos developed specifically for each child's unique stage of development, as well as with their age and interests, with content expanding to offer a robust library of more than 600 titles by the end of the year.
The broad library of subjects includes reading, math, social studies, science, creativity, problem solving and so much more! The Learning Lodge also includes videos from children's favorite characters, such as Mike the Knight, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer, Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina, Sesame Street and more. Children can explore this content, pick their favorites, create a wish list and even send the list right to their parents' e-mail.
Parents can also track their child's progress through the online progress log, offer encouragement and share in their pride when kids reach new learning milestones.
For more information about the complete VTech product range, visit www.vtechkids.com
Hello, my name is Onica. I'm mom to a biracial boy, lover of social media, techie stuff & cookies. On this blog I share a mom's opinion on parenting, pr/media events, tech product reviews, giveaways and more.
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6/19/2013 07:38:00 AM
Onica MommyFactor
