Back To School With Pentel & WIN!

Pentel has some great new products out just in time for the back to school season.
Most kids are already back to school or will be starting very soon. Mine will be starting the day after Labor day and they have been stocking up on all of their supplies and been getting excited about going back.

Some of the new supplies Pentel has to offer are :

JOLT – Automatic Pencil - These are very impressive (I actually LOVE these and it was hard to part with them and give them to my sons for school). You know those clicky pencils where your kid annoys you by clicking all the time when they are trying to do homework ? Well, click no more with JOLT Automatic pencils. All your kids will have to do to get the lead out is shake the pencil 2 times and it is all ready to hit the paper!

The pack with the pencil, also comes with a refill tube of lead, so they won’t run out on an important test.
This pencil has a soft latex-free grip on it and it comes in 4 awesome colors (blue, light green, orange, and pink).

I just love the new technology in this pencil.

The 2nd offering from Pentel is the OH! Gel Retractable Gel Pens. These pens are acid free (did you hear that my scrapbooking friends?). They have smooth flowing gel ink to make writing easy. Also has a latex-free grip. And they are refillable (my “green” friends). So not a lot of waste.

These come in 3 colors – black, red, and blue.

And Finally – The Ultra Slim Handy LineS.
These are highlighters. They are retractable and refillable. They are made with 54% post consumer recycled plastic! They are ultra compact and take up less space then a usual highlighter. You can’t loose the cap, because there isn’t one! It is retractable, so it won’t dry out from losing a cap. It has a rapid flow of ink to deliver bright and clear highlights. And they are easy to refill.

They come in yellow, pink, purple, blue, green, and orange.

These pentel products are wonderful back to school supplies that your children will really enjoy. I know mine do, and I , being a pen-a -holic that I am, love them as well.

You can learn more by visiting www.pentelblog.com , Follow Pentel on Twitter – they are @PentelofAmerica , and Pentel is also on Facebook – Pentel of America.

You can also visit the Pentel website by going to : www.pentel.com

Now, 3 of my readers of this blog Will have a chance at winning a Pentel prize pack !!!!

Here is how you can WIN :

Follow Me on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) comment and tell me you do= 1 entry

Follow this blog, comment and tell me you do = 1 entry

Follow the Pentel Blog at www.pentelblog.com , comment and tell me you are = 1 entry

Follow me over on Twitter (@plussizemommy) = 1 entry

Follow Pentel on Twitter (@PentelofAmerica) = 1 entry

“Like” me over on Facebook (I am under Plus Size Mommy) = 1 entry

Go over to Pentels Facebook page (Pentel Of America) “Like” them and also comment and tell them The Plus Size Mommy sent you = 1 entry

Tweet the following on Twitter : “Win a Pentel Prize Pack from @PentelofAmerica Here : http://bit.ly/czHrsJ ” – tweet up to 3 times per day (separate comments please) = up to 3 entries/day.
This giveaway is open to USA residents ONLY. This giveaway starts NOW and will end on Sept. 8, 2010 at 9PM EST.
Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Winner will NOT be emailed, winner will be posted on this site in another post.
Thank you for entering and good luck!

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I was sent Pentel products to review on my blog. All opinions are my own.

Get Hydrated With Crystal Light Pure Fitness (spon)

Crystal Light has launched an exciting and tasty new way for women to enjoy the water their bodies need.  In fact, women who drink Crystal Light actually drink 20 percent more water.

Crystal Light Pure Fitness is the first nationally-available, low-calorie fitness beverage mix with no artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners and colored with natural ingredients. With only 15 calories per serving, it’s sweetened with evaporated cane juice and Truvia^TM, an all-natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant, and it’s colored and flavored with natural ingredients.

Pure Fitness also contains electrolytes to aid hydration during light physical activity, making it a great fitness partner.  Each packet will transform a 16.9-ounce bottle or cup of water into a light, refreshing beverage in any one of three flavors – Lemon Lime, Strawberry Kiwi or Grape. Learn more at www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight, and follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/CrystalLight.

From Me:

I was sent some samples of the Crystal Light Pure Fitness drink mixes and I love them. I use them all of the time. They make plain water taste so good and when I get bored with plain water, this mix makes it taste so good. My favorite is the strawberry kiwi, but they also come in flavors lemon lime and grape which are really good as well. They only have 15 calories per serving so I can drink them guilt free while staying on my diet.

Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure – I received a sample of Crystal Light Pure Fitness from Kraft Foods.

“How To Choose The Best Preschool For Your Child” Book Review & WIN

I was recently sent a copy of the book, ” How To Choose The Best Preschool For Your Child” by Jenifer Wana.  It is a guide that helps parents learn how to get info., find, and prepare themselves and their children for preschool/nursery school.

I have a long history of working in child care myself, so this is a topic I consider myself very knowledgeable on and Jenifer hits the nail on the head with this book. This is a wonderful resource for parents to help them start on this journey and process with their child.

It gives key criteria, lets your know what resources may be available to help you financially, how to prepare your child, the differences between what kinds of programs are out there and are offered, and how to find the quality of preschools in your area that your child (and you) deserve.

One thing that impressed me while  reading through this book was where she (Jenifer Wana) talks to and discusses things, topics, with real parents on this subject and to see what they have been or are going through with different schools. What strategies worked for them and valuable tips that she passes on to the readers.

She also gives a wealth of information from online sites to other resource books you can look into on specific related topics.

I was very impressed by this guidebook and I think it is a great starting point for any parent(s) looking to start their child into school.

You can learn more about this book here : http://www.preschoolprimer.com/

Win!!!

Now 2 of my lucky readers will have a chance to win a copy of “How To Choose The Best Preschool For Your Child” right here on my blog.

Here is how to win :

1. Follow me on twitter, comment and let me know you are , I am @plussizemommy = 1 entry

2. Follow “The Plus Size Mommy” on Networked Blogs on Facebook = 1 entry

3. “Like”  ”The Plus Size Mommy” on Facebook = 1 entry

4. Follow this blog – comment and let me know you are = 1 entry

This giveaway begins NOW and will end on Aug. 9th at 10PM EST.

This giveaway is for USA residents only. Winners will NOT be emailed. Winners will be posted on this blog by Aug. 10th. Please check back to see if you are the winner if you enter.

2 Winners will be selected via random.org. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize by emailing me.

Thank you and Good Luck to All who enter!!

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure- I was sent a copy of this book to review, and giveaway copy. All opinions are my own and may not be the same as someone else’s.

Weekly Weigh In Week 4 – #NSDiet15 #transformationinprogress (spon)

Well, last week I wasn’t too happy at all with my 4 pound gain at weigh in. This however is a new week, and I am excited to say, not only did I lose back the 4 pounds, but I lost another 2 pounds with it, giving me a 6 pound loss for the week!!! YIPPEE!!! I was so pleased today when I stepped onto the scale. It made me feel a whole lot better and also gave me more emotional strength to keep on keepin on!

I got my new shipment of food today too. Which I was allowed to choose from. And It all looks so wonderful! I really enjoy being on this diet and eating great food. So far the only items I wasn’t too thrilled with were spicy or like bean soup kinds, but I don’t usually eat those so that is just from my palate of taste. I am sure people who love spicy foods would really like these selections.

I am more of a fruit, granola, and peanut butter kind of babe. The Blueberry muffins and peanut and cranberry granola bars are to die for! I also have loved being able to eat the pasta meals. I truthfully was scared to try the turkey hot dog at first, but once I tried it, it is REALLY good. I actually couldn’t tell any difference in that or the regular hot dogs I had normally eaten.

It really helps a person on a diet to be able to eat great foods and normal foods. It is easy being on the Nutrisystem diet. There are so many options and so many meals that I can throw in my purse and can take with me. It has really been a breeze. I also have been reading my meal planner guide and getting tips and idea’s so when I am no longer on the diet, I can still continue losing weight.

For example, a great tip I learned, and now implement is how 1 Table Spoon Of mustard instead of 1 table spoon of mayo. can save you 40 calories !  That is so easy of a change.

They also provide a dining out guide and terminology that is easy to learn. It tells what is a better choice over like say, a plain hamburger or chicken nuggets.

I am really enjoying the ease of being on this diet and losing the weight! I still continue my exercise and drinking tons of water and it has really been not  bad at all!

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure-

Sustainability FAQ’s For Kleenex Hand Towels

A few months ago I had posted about the New Kleenex Hand Towels. Since then a lot of questions have come up regarding their sustainability. So they sent me over a FAQ sheet to share with all of you

Help Me Help Elmer’s To Raise $10K For Adopt-A-Classroom #BagItForward

As you all may have read, or can read if you scroll further down in my blog. I have been asked to be an Ambassador of a very special project. One that is near and dear to my heart. I am an Elmer’s Ambassador. Elmer’s is helping me with my #BagItForward Pittsburgh Project. This project hits so close to home for me because when I was growing up there were times when money was very tight and it was very hard for my parents to buy me and my sister anything for back to school.

There are many MANY children whose parent’s just don’t have the money. Especially with so many people out of work.

Well, as part of my Ambassadorship, I am helping spread the word to others that Elmer’s is helping with Adopt-A-Classroom as well as the Elmer’s Bag It Forward program, that I am also part of (with my #BagItForward Pittsburgh project I am working on).

Here is how you can help us with the project as well.

1. Write a post on your blog about this charity and Elmer’s raising the money, to help spread the word.

2. Send a virtual bag of school supplies to another blogger and challenge them to join the #bagitforward movement.

3. Link your post to www.bagitforward.org

4. DONE! For doing the above 3 steps, Elmer’s will donate $10 for each post to Adopt-A-Classroom !!!

So Please join in and help me help Elmer’s to donate to Adopt-A-Classroom!

The Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward is charity blog meme, bloggers are able to raise $10 per blog post for Adopt-A-Classroom by writing a blog post and donating a virtual bag of school supplies . Elmer’s will donate $10 per each post written to Adopt-A-Classroom, up to $10,000.

HOW CAN YOU JOIN? It’s easy.

• Participate in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward and by giving away a virtual bag of school supplies and creating a blog post with specific rules described below.
• Elmer’s will donate up to $10,000 to Adopt-A-Classroom.
• You can give as many virtual bags as you want.
• The Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward will officially begin at 12 AM EST on July 22, 2010 and end at 12 PM EST on August 12, 2010. Blog posts submitted to us before or after that time period will not be counted.
• The blog post link has to be submitted in the comment section below for your participation to be counted.
• In addition copy and paste the following text into your blog post:

ELMER’S VIRTUAL BAG IT FORWARD RULES

• Copy and paste these rules into your blog post.
• Create a blog post giving a “virtual bag of school supplies” to other bloggers or write about your Back to School shopping trip at Walmart.
• Link back to the person who gave you a bag of school supplies.
• Let each person you are giving a virtual bag of school supplies know you have given them a bag.
• Leave your link in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward comment section. You can also find the official rules of this virtual #bagitforward program there.
• Elmer’s is donating $10 for each blog participating in the Virtual Bag It Forward Donation to Adopt-A-Classroom (up to total of $10,000 for blog posts written by August 12, 2010).
• Please note that only one blog post per blog url will count towards the donation.

****I’m sending my Virtual Bag to Adrienne of Adrienne’s House and challenging her to #bagitforward with Elmer’s****

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I am being compensated for this shop. Part of the Money I will be donating back for supplies for the children I am helping in this project.

Announcing Child’s Play House Partypalooza

House Partypalooza is Child’s Play Communications’ own house party program. Child’s Play works with a select number of moms across the country to host exclusive house parties for a broad range of companies.

As a host, you will invite other moms in your community – and on occasion their kids – to participate in a fun-filled party! Child’s Play will create a detailed party package that includes information on the line, specific party ideas, product samples and ideally coupons.

So, If you are interested in hosting exclusive house parties in your community the House Partypalooza is for you!

You can learn more and also fill out an application to be considered to be a host HERE :  “Partypalooza”

Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure- I wrote this post as a Team member of Team Mom and Child’s Play PR.

“Nickelodeon Your Stay” Giveaway From Marriott & Mom Central

As summer vacations kick off across the country, we look not only for a fun, family-friendly destination, but a place to stay that suits everyone, no matter the age. In addition to making our planning less stressful, we also want the actual trip to go smoothly.  From the moment we arrive at the hotel through the downtime we spend with our family to the changes the kids see from their routine at mealtimes and bedtimes, they enjoy the excitement of staying away from home. However, hearing your kids say “I’m bored!” when on vacation, causes many Moms to pack every book or toy from the house in an effort to keep everyone entertained.

Recently, Marriott and Nickelodeon came up with a great new promotion to keep kids happy and busy throughout their stay. You can arrange to “Nickelodeon Your Stay” at nearly 2,000 hotels with the Marriott brands. All kids get free activities including a Nickelodeon bracelet with a code to access free online games at Nick.com, and an activity book with challenging puzzles and mazes.  Kids who eat at the hotels’ restaurants also receive a placemat featuring favorite Nickelodeon characters, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.

To further the experience, Marriott and Nickelodeon also offer an upgrade package at several of Marriott’s brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites  locations for $10 that includes all the free items plus a SpongeBob activity bag and splash ball, Nickelodeon sunglasses, and a 3-D build-your-own SpongeBob craft. The package costs $20 at Marriott and JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts and kids get all the above items and a special SpongeBob SquarePants or Dora the Explorer pillowcase and storybook. At great price points, Marriott and Nickelodeon make the stay easier and more engaging for us as parents and for the kids. Visitwww.nickelodeonyourstay.com for more information on the promotion and to start booking.  This site also has free, downloadable, Nickelodeon themed travel games under the free goodies section, including a travel journal, travel bingo and coloring sheets.

Giveaway
We are giving away 40 Marriott/Nickelodeon prize packs including a Spongebob activity bag, bracelet, and a Dora the Explorer activity book. Click here to enter.

Twitter Party
To celebrate the premiere of this offering, Mom Central is holding a Marriott “Nickelodeon Your Stay” Twitter Party this Thursday, July 29th from 3:00 to 4:00 PM EST. We will be giving away $50 gift cards and Nickelodeon gift packs including a SpongeBob splash ball, sunglasses, and a 3-D build-your own SpongeBob craft in addition to a bracelet with the code for free online games at Nick.com and SpongeBob pillowcase and book. Join us using the hashtag #NickYourStay to chat about summer vacations, traveling with kids, and Nickelodeon! Click here for more information about the Twitter Party.

I am Sharing this information on behalf of Mom Central. This is NOT written by me. It is just shared Info.

The Plus Size Mommy

Fashion To Figure ~Dress Review

Fashion to Figure is a womans full figure clothing company. They carry very trendy and fashionable clothes for plus size women at great fashion prices.  They recently sent me  THIS DRESS to review for them. I love the dress. It is made with 100% polyester. It is sparkly (the picture doesn’t do it justice) and I was extremely excited about the dress. But when I went to try it on, it didn’t fit

I was really upset because it is a beautiful dress. I contemplated sending it back to the company but I love it so much, and since I am on the Nutrisystem Diet, I decided to make it my “goal dress”.  I think if I can lose another 10 pounds, it will fit. It is mostly tight around my chest. (darn boobs!)

This dress is a great steal right now too, cause it is on sale for only $9.99 !!!! But even without the sale it was only $25 to begin with which is still a great price, no an EXCELLENT price, especially for a Plus Size Dress !!!

To see some more beautiful dresses they carry  and all the other clothing just visit : www.fashiontofigure.com

and I promise when this dress does fit, I will post a picture of me in it, so you can know I reached my goal to fit it

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I was sent a dress from fashion to figure to review. All of the thoughts & opinions on the dress are my own.

Week 3 Weigh In Disappointment #NSDiet15 #TransformationInProgress

Well, this is week 3 of my Nutrisystem diet and I have to admit, this was a bad week for me. I was on vacation and everything fell to the wayside pretty much. I did try to watch what I was eating but I didn’t take all of my meals with me. I did take breakfasts and desserts, but we were away from the hotel for lunch and dinners so I didn’t keep to the NutriSystem foods. I did continue to drink much water and got tons of exercise because we walked and walked and walked soooooooo much. It was very hot so I was dripping in sweat every day too. But as far as my weigh in, which I had to do Sunday because I didn’t have a scale at the hotel, was very disappointing to say the least.

The morning after we got home and I stepped onto the scale, I had a gain of 4 pounds   So this week, now that I am home, I am sticking STRICTLY to the Nutrisystem diet. I am so disappointed in myself for such a huge #Fail.

I just ordered my 2nd month of food and I was very happy because I was allowed to choose meals I know I will like. I am not really into much of the hispanic or spicier foods and also I am not a huge fan of chocolate. Don’t get me wrong, I eat chocolate, but I am more of a chip (salt) eater.

My new found love has recently been granola. It is so good and filling. I love granola with cranberry bars or any kind of granola with fruit. I also have recently become a big fan of oatmeal. I have always liked Oatmeal, but have started eating it much more recently.

So, I will let you know on Friday how well I do this week. Stay Tuned!!!

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure –

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