May 17, 2012

Cards Direct Giveaway {CLOSED}

**Congratulations Angela Holt!! You are the winner!** This contest is now closed.

I don’t mean to scare you, but Christmas is only 3 ½ months away and Jewish holidays start today.

Ok. I’ll give you a minute to pick yourself off the ground before I start again.

Are you ready?

Good.

One of my favorite things to do each year is send out holiday cards. I may not always have the money to be able to afford buying gifts for everyone in our family, but I always try to send a card to our friends and family to let them know we’re thinking of them and wish them a happy holiday. Each year I scour the internet for my favorite Christmas card or just the right Holiday Card (for my friends who don’t celebrate Christmas) and each year I get frustrated by the lack of originality. But this year, thanks to Global Influence, I found CardsDirect.

CardsDirect offers a variety of Christmas Cards, Holiday Cards, and Photo Cards to fit your needs. My personal favorite are the Christmas Photo Cards since I can add my favorite family photo and have a fantastic personalized card to send to our closest family and friends.

About Cards Direct

CardsDirect offers the very best in personalized greeting cards for business or personal use. Over 2,000 card designs are available in categories that include holiday cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, photo cards, baby shower invitations, birth announcements and many more! With free personalization and custom imprinted verse, CardsDirect offers an easy online ordering process and top quality cards with the best selection, customer service and pricing found anywhere.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite cards offered at CardsDirect.

Christmas Cards

Hanukkah Card

Christmas Photo Card

Still freaking out just a little bit about the Holiday’s fast approaching? Well, calm down! Thanks to Global Influence and Cards Direct, I can offer you the opportunity to win a $50 gift code to be redeemed for up to 25 cards!

Giveaway only open to US addresses due to shipping policies with the company.

Here’s what you need to do to win:

Head over to CardsDirect‘s website and look around. Come back here and comment on this post what your favorite card design is.

This contest will close and the winner will be randomly chosen on September 30, 2010 at midnight. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I was offered the opportunity to do giveaway with Cards Direct through Global Influence and in return was given a $50 gift code to use at Cards Direct.

Review of Verizon’s HTC Droid Incredible & Motorola’s New Droid X

Recently I was given the unique opportunity to test and review both the HTC Droid Incredible and the brand new Motorola Droid X from Verizon.  While I was excited  by the prospect of trying the new phones that I have drooled over since their release (or in the X’s case the mention of the release), I must be honest…Jon was way more excited. I was given each phone for approximately two weeks so as to have ample amount of time to form my opinions of each.  You know me readers, and you know I give the truth. All of it. So here it is: The specs, features, and all that jazz…tempered with MY opinion…the good, the bad and the truth.  So take a look and tell me which one you want and why.

HTC Droid Incredible

Taken w/Droid Incredible

Pros: HTC’s Droid Incredible is sleek, small and fits neatly into your hand. The Incredible is…well…incredibly fast thanks to Verizon’s 3G network.  The camera is great; it takes fantastic, clear photos with ultra-fast speed.  The toggle button allows me to scroll through text I have already entered so that when I make a mistake I am able to scroll back and fix it without having to delete everything and rewrite it.

Cons: The HTC Incredible has touch sensitive buttons that can make it more difficult to use and makes mistakes more prevalent. The touch-screen keyboard is difficult to use, but I’m used to using an actual keyboard so it’s really just a matter of acclimation.

Motorola Droid X

Taken w/Droid X

Pros: The camera takes amazing pictures with crystal clear imagery and location stamping.  The 3G Mobile HotSpot made it possible for me to access the internet while traveling down the road and at rest areas along the way to the coast.  Where it not for the fantastic Navigation lady my darling (but location-challenged) husband & I would have been lost countless times on our way to the coast & while we were there.  The Droid X has physical buttons whereas the Incredible as touch sensitive buttons that can be hard to manage.  The Droid X will record 720p HD Video and can be played out to a HDTV via the mini HDMI plug ($30 cable not included) but will only play the video back in 480p standard Def. on the phone itself {which is both a pro & a con}.

Cons: The large screen that most find quite agreeable uses 80% +/- the power even on the dimmest setting.  Though the operating system is the Android 2.1 I found it became increasingly ‘glitchy’ and hard to use as apps & widgets were added.

Note: Verizon is currently pushing updated Android OS 2.2 which gives many new features: Exchange support being one update that 2.2 provides, which is huge for businesses.

Final Thoughts

Verizon has finally stepped into the “hawt” phone arena and they’ve stepped into it in a huge way.  I’ve been a Verizon user for years and have recently been lamenting the lack of awesomeness when it comes to phones {ie. the lack of iPhones} but I can honestly say with the addition of the Droid Incredible and X Verizon redeems themselves and guarantees my loyalty for many years to come.  Both the Incredible and the X offer great features with the ability to add hundreds of apps and widgets.

Taken w/Droid Incredible

We added about 10 games for the girls to play on both phones and the Incredible held up better against the strain of the extra apps.  But I must say it’s pretty awesome to be able to add all those games in the blink of an eye and keeping my girls entertained for hours without much effort.  If it hadn’t been for the Droid X’s navigation, my trip to the coast would not have been as much fun…what with the getting lost that would have accompanied us.

Disclosure: Verizon Wireless allowed me to test drive each phone for about 2 weeks. They were then returned and I received no compensation aside from the ability to not get lost while on the coast.

Tyson’s Grilled and Ready Chicken & Dressing Casserole Helps Show Teachers a Little Appreciation

Due to testing the “official” week of Teacher Appreciation, our school postponed observance until this week.  In honor of the hard work our teachers put forth the PTSO provides a catered, homemade, and/or hot meal each day for the teachers.  My designated day was Wednesday and I was charged with providing one hot casserole of my choice by the mid-morning.  One of my family’s favorite casserole is our chicken & dressing casserole.  My grandmother made this for me growing up and it was one of the first meals I prepared in our new home.  I make this meal every Christmas Eve for our small family gathering while allowing my family to provide the sides.  It’s easy to make and can also be put in the CrockPot and allowed to cook while you went about your day.

Instead of using shredded baked chicken pieces I switched out and used Tyson’s Grilled and Ready Frozen Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Strips.

Chicken & Dressing Casserole

Ingredients

  • 3/4 package of Tyson’s Grilled and Ready Frozen Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Strips
  • 2 14 oz. cans of Swanson’s Chicken Broth
  • 2 pkg. Stouffer’s Stuffing
  • 1 TBS butter, cut up
  • 1 12 oz jar Heinz Classic Chicken Gravy
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix stuffing and broth as directed on stuffing box, allow to moisten.  Spread chicken into 13×9 inch pan, cover with stuffing, add pieces of cut-up butter to top, now spread the gravy on top of the stuffing and sprinkle the cheese on top of that. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until hot.  Serve with hot rolls.

Now this isn’t the most healthy meal, but for a special occasion or to say “Thank You” I think we can overlook health issues. Try it and see if you don’t find something to appreciate!

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: Collective Bias & Tyson provided me with a $50 gift card and 10 free product coupons for this campaign. This compensation in no  ways hinders my ability to provide unbiased facts and reviews. If you have any questions about my disclosure policy please see my disclosure policy.

Tyson’s Grilled And Ready Chicken Noodle Soup

Recently I had the opportunity to try Tyson’s new Grilled & Ready Chicken in some of my family’s favorite recipes.  Now we eat a lot of chicken in our house and participate in tons of extracurricular activities so I’m always on the look out for great nutritional “shortcuts” to making my family a healthy delicious evening meal.  Being short on time can make it difficult to eat healthy if you don’t plan ahead, thankfully Tyson now offers fully-cooked, grilled, and preservative free alternative to boiled/baked/or fried chicken.  I took two of my family’s favorite meals (Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and Chicken & Dressing Casserole) and substituted a 1.37-pound bag of Tyson’s Grilled and Ready Frozen Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Strips ($6.98@Walmart) for the 3 pounds of baked chicken ($6.68@Walmart) I would have baked before starting these meals.

When you consider that I normally bake all of my chicken at one time for the week (usually 3 pounds) and this takes approximately an hour (I bake from frozen, because I always forget to thaw first), by using the Tyson chicken I have already saved myself 30 minutes per meal.  That’s not a small number for my family.  We have a lot of extracurricular activities that take place Mon-Wed each week (Tuesdays being the worst time-wise) and I firmly believe in the power of a Family Dinner in the lives of children, so I struggle to find ways to provide a nutritious, tasty, and timely dinner each night.  I admit there are times when I fail, but I do the best I can, if I can save 30 minutes prep-cooking time…well, that frees up some more family time.

Anyway…I digress, here’s a look at my recipes:

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients

Directions

Bring water and broth to a boil, then add the noodles and chicken. Boil until are almost done, add frozen veggies and carrots (along with any extra seasonings you might wish to add.)

Serve with a salad. Quick and easy…not to mention delicious and nutritious.

The Verdict

My only real complaint about the chicken is that there are a few pieces that are a little grisly and fatty, but if you don’t mind trimming it off before you cook with it that’s really no problem.  The chicken tastes as good as the chicken I would make in my own oven (though I can’t really tell if there is a “grilled” taste) and it does save me time. While I would have to pay a premium (almost twice what I would pay for uncooked chicken), the Tyson chicken will make a great notch to my arsenal of providing delicious healthy meals for my family. I won’t stop baking my own chicken completely, because while there aren’t any preservatives used, Tyson does contain 330mg of Sodium per serving. All in all though, I am thankful to have found a welcome “helper” for my kitchen and I’ll be using Tyson’s chicken in the future.

Stay tuned tomorrow, I’ll be giving you the Chicken & Dressing Casserole recipe and showing you how this casserole helped me show my appreciation to some very deserving teachers.  I’ll also give you the details on a delicious giveaway.

Disclosure: Collective Bias & Tyson provided me with a $50 gift card and 10 free product coupons for this campaign. This compensation in no  ways hinders my ability to provide unbiased facts and reviews. If you have any questions about my disclosure policy please see my disclosure policy.

Things Remembered Global Influence Holiday Gift Guide Review

I’m a sucker for jewelry.  It’s a fact, just as well know as the fact that I love chocolate.  So when the group formally known as Momfluence (now Global Influence) gave me the opportunity to review a bracelet from Things Remembered for their Holiday Gift Guide, I jumped at the chance.  I have been a fan of Things Remembered for many years, I purchased a personalized pocket watch for Jon from there for our first Valentines Day and have purchased subsequent personalized ornaments from the store nearly every Christmas for 10 years. This year will be no different.

Global Influence Things Remembered Holiday Gift GuideI was able to design my own personalized pearl bracelet with charm and locket(retail: around $60) in minutes (it took a bit longer since I have a hard time deciding on anything).  I chose a pearl bracelet with a heart locket (which sometimes falls open) engraved with KH (my girl’s initials), and a K with pearl attached.  I decided to make it as much neutral, not favoring either girl more and decided to use only their similar initials.  I want both of my daughters know that I love them equally.

It took a relatively short amount of time for the bracelet to be shipped and arrive at my home.  The quality of the bracelet is very good, however as I mentioned above the locket occasionally comes open, and it thrills me to no end that I finally has something in dedication to my little ladies.

Custom Couture Jewelry Collection – A new custom accessory! Gift givers first choose a bracelet or necklace in one of five designs, including a pearl or beaded chain. Then they add one of three engravable pendants and finish the accessory with a miniature, sparkling birthstone pendant, initial pendant with pearl accent, and/or one of six miniature charms, including a star, angel, cross, heart, butterfly or key.

I love the idea of this as a present you can build for someone else. I mean how often to we get the same old thing from our husbands (or have to buy it ourselves)?  This would be a fantastic alternative.  How nice would it be to get a gift of jewelry that your spouse and children designed especially for you? Oh my gosh! I would melt! And what a great chance for your husband to spend some quality time with the kids teaching them how to show their mother some appreciation!

Global Influence Things Remembered Holiday Gift GuideThe Custom Jewelry would also make a great gift for your mother!  Imagine your mom’s face when she opens the box to find a personalized gift you created just for her.  I actually love this as a gift for any special lady in your life!  Right now you can get a free Keepsake box with your purchase of select items!

Full Disclosure: Things Remembered generously allowed me to create and personalize my own bracelet for this review.  I was given the chance to do this review by Global Influence (formally Momfluence).

HP’s New Web Printer Saved My Life

Ok…maybe not literally, but for sure it has saved my sanity.  My old, newer printer…we’ll call it E…hasn’t worked right since a few months after purchase.  As many of you already know I am the secretary of our school’s PTSO.  I am also the family photographer at all holidays & get-togethers, the resident coupon printer for the entire family, and our little family is generally in charge of all direction printing when traveling comes around (even when we’re not goin).  So one would assume I have or at the very least need an excellent printer. Alas, I did not.

Trusty  ol’E had been replaced once by the company and the new one was in need of retirement.  You see E has convinced it’s self it lives in a zoo (sometimes I feel the same way:) )…it started turning all of my flyers, directions, recipes and coupons into zebras and all of my pictures into angry zebras (everything has a red tone.)  I had done all I could do…I’ve replaced the cartridges (all of them), cleaned the head and whatever else Jon thought might help.

I had begun to think it was all in my head…maybe I was finally losing it.

Thankfully I have been saved!  HP recently sent me their brand new, very HP's Web Printer Saved My Lifeawesome HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web AiO to test drive. (Insert collective sigh as we think about it’s awesomeness) No longer does it appear I am testing our PTSO member’s vision with the meeting minutes or attempting to turn all of my loved ones red.

Photo quality

In fact, I have family members who think it prints too clearly..there are a few would would prefer the pixelated, red versions of themselves as it take the focus away from wrinkles and blemishes captured perfectly by my camera and printer with crystal clear quality on the printer.

There are so many reasons to love the new web printer from the lab quality photos complete with vibrant cohesive color to the ability to print from right here in my bed while KJ naps beside me.  The HP web printer goes a long way to making my life a little smoother and a lot easier.

Favorite feature

HP's Web Printer Saved My LifeMy favorite feature above all else is the touchscreen technology with “web direct printing”!  My kids color a lot, in fact, KJ is sitting beside me right now coloring a picture of Dora I was able to access and direct print straight from the printer. There was no need for me to boot up the PC, surf over to Nick Jr., choose Dora, and print from the website…all I had to do was touch the Nickelodeon icon on the printer and choose the picture to color, the quantity, and-poof-it was printed.

I can also direct print picture I have already uploaded to Snapfish (ps. if you don’t have an account sign up now for 20 free 4×6 prints) .  Not to mention how awesome it is to search for and print recipes and coupons straight from the printer right before I head out to the grocery.

The amount of sanity saved here is easy to calculate. You take two screaming kids + one desperate mommy – the time it would normally take to search for and print a coloring page = silence and split second for Mommy to take a break. Thanks for that HP.

HP Apps

There’s also HP Games and Crafts, which my daughters love for their airplanes. I love it too…it has them convinced I know how to make a paper airplane(psst: it prints with instructions).

And that’s just using just a couple of the awesome Apps available in the HP App Studio.  There’s also Google Maps for when you’re traveling, Fandango for when you’re headed to the movies to catch the latest DreamWorks movie, Web Soduko to keep your brain sharp, USA Today to keep up on the news, and so many more.

Great All-in-One Printer

Lest you be afraid I am sacrificing any of the mundane tasks we have come to expect from a great all-in-one printer, the web printer still copies, prints, scans, and faxes faster and clearer than anything I’ve ever used.

I’ve tried every function and every feature available for use on this printer, HP's Web Printer Saved My Lifewe have given it rigorous printing tests and we are still on our first round of ink cartridges, though we are running low on regular black ink.  I know this because thanks to their handy software , I get reminders on all of my computers.

As a Energy-Star rated printer, the web printer uses 10% less energy than my old printer…which meets my eco-friendly needs too.

All in all, the new HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web AiO has become a valuable member of our family blending my love of the convenience of the internet and my love for my family.  My children have welcomed the addition with open arms and look forward to quiet time with “Webby” (the web printer).

The silence used to create this review and post is brought to you by HP.

Full Disclosure: HP has provided me the HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web AiO and Original HP supplies for a real-world test-drive by me and my family.  Although HP provided the product to me, the opinions and impressions are all my own.

Review: Little Spirit Christmas in New York DVD

Review: Little SpiritI know it’s a little early, but Genius Products sent me the cutest Christmas movie, Little Spirit: Christmas in New York . Not only is it sweet and encouraging..it brought tears to my eyes..to quote my dear 6 year old…”This is the best Christmas movie ever! I love this Mommy!” It really is a great movie for the holidays and anytime..though it did my kids thinking about Christmas a little too soon for my tastes :)
So here’s the low down on Little Spirit: Christmas in New York:

When a friendly cabbie (Danny DeVito) tells two young sisters the story of a boy named Leo who moved to Manhattan with his family, a magical adventure begins. While adjusting to the big city and enjoying the days leading up to Christmas, Leo accidentally loses his dog Ramona in Central Park. Leo is devastated by his loss until a magical creature named Little Spirit appears. Leo and Little Spirit venture out on the journey of a lifetime, taking in the festive surroundings of the city and meeting people from all walks of life.

If you enjoy sweet, heartwarming Christmas movies that will bring tears to your eyes, Little Spirit: Christmas in New York is perfect for you..or a small person you know!

Review and Giveaway: Elmo’s Animal Adventures (CLOSED)

Review_Animal_AdventuresJoin Elmo on three animal packed adventures in Elmo’s Animal Adventures! First up help Elmo and Telly as they follow clues in their search for Little Bo Peep’s lost cow.  Then, you and your little one can use animal facts to help Elmo and your favorite fairy-in-training Abby Cadabby win the “The Find the Amphibian” game show.  Finally go camping with Elmo in the wilderness and help him learn how animals and little monsters are different.

As I expected, KJ loved this movie and surprisingly KG sat and enjoyed the whole thing too!  This movie gave me 46 minutes of quiet to get the dishes done and the laundry folded! It was great! To help KJ understand the concept and provide a little extra learning we took a trip to the local library and checked out some books on animals and their habitats.  After we read them we discussed how each animal was different and that although we are all different we all still need water, food, and a safe place to sleep.

I love knowing that when I sit KJ (and KG) in front of a Sesame Street movie I can be confident the content is appropriate and not “brain dribble”.  I’m thankful for these moments when I get some peace to pick up the house…or just drink a cup of coffee and I don’t have to feel guilty..much :)   Released on October 6, Elmo’s Animal Adventures would make a great Christmas gift for a small person in your life, it’s Elmo…it’s sure to please!

To help you get a jump start on the perfect Elmo DVD for your little one, Genius Products will be giving away 3 copies of Elmo’s Animal Adventures to my lucky readers! Are you ready to win? Here’s all you have to do!

Entry: 10/10-10/24

Winner will be chosen at random by Random.org at midnight 10/24.

* Comment on this post and tell me what is your favorite animal and why.

*Subscribe to High Impact Mom’s RSS feed.

Bonus Entries:

*Tweet this contest. Just be sure to include @HighImpactMom and http://tinyurl.com/yfvlwxc in your tweet.

*Blog about this contest and link back to this review.

That’s it! Good Luck and Happy Winning!

Disclosure: Genius Products sent my family a copy of Elmo’s Animal Adventures DVD to review. I will be keeping the DVD as their way of saying thank you. I received no other reimbursement. My opinion was not swayed or colored by this fact.  Please feel free to view my disclosure policy.

Review: PaperSpring

About two weeks ago I got another package of stationery to review, this time from PaperSpring.  Now as you all know I love stationery!  While yes, I am a blogger and totally into the whole digital age, I still find something utterly romantic about sending handwritten notes to loved ones.  There’s nothing like receiving a hand written letter from a far-flung relative to make you feel loved.  That being said it only serves to follow that I want to send the best possible stationery to the people I take the time to send letters/notes to.

Paperspring, is a new social stationery website that allows personalization of Review: PaperSpringphoto birth announcements, birthday and shower invitations, thank you cards and more. They have been in the printing industry for 40 years but just launched a new website.

PaperSpring offers a wide variety of stationery to suit your needs, including photo baby announcements, holiday cards, invitations, and digital name art.  One of their newest and coolest products is Sticky Stock Photos, Sticky Stock “sticks like a post-it and leaves no sticky residue…It will stick to refrigerators, cupboards, walls, windows, anything flat and dry!” *One note about Sticky Stock Photos: They should be high-quality photos to avoid pixilazation.

Photo Courtesy of PaperSpring

I was given a code to purchase $60 worth of products and was able to get a very nice set of personalized stationery postcards to send out to my loved ones.  “Personalized stationery by Paperspring enables you to send a quick note to a business associate, friend or family member, with just the right touch of formality. PaperSpring personalized stationery is light and modern and can be customized to say whatever you want.”

One of my favorite products PaperSpring offers is their Digital Name ArtReview: PaperSpring Digital Name Art offers both holiday cards and “business boosters” that are sure to impress the recipients. Digital Name Art uses technology that “enables you to spell words using images.”

Another great reason to work with PaperSpring is their commitment to eco-friendly business practices.

Paperspring has been officially certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as a chain-of-custody provider of recycled paper made from environmentally sustainable forests. All of our matte cards are printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled thick cardstock. Furthermore, we utilize chemistry-free and waterless printing processes in our operation, in order to provide our customers with the greenest forms of printing.

The products I received were high-quality, beautiful and got to me super-quick.  The customer service department was friendly and eager to assist. All in all, the experience was quite positive.

Right now save 10% on your next purchase with the coupon code FALLSALE10.

Disclosure: PaperSpring provided me with a code worth $60 in product. I used this code to purchase a set of personalized stationery and was sent samples of their other products at no additional charge. This review was made unbiased and given my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions are noone else’s.

The Studio: Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Recently I was offered the opportunity to create and review a gorgeous custom made sign from The Studio which I personalized myself on their easy to navigate website.  Since we’ve only lived in our home a year and the walls are a bit lacking when it comes to decoration I jumped at the chance!

I immediately headed over to The Studio and started designing my custom sign.  After deciding the size and shape of the sign I wanted, I had to decide what I wanted it to say.  For me this was the most difficult part, there were so many great suggested verses and quotes, but we finally came up with Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord & has made the Lord his hope and confidence.”  After that it was just approve, submit, and ship!  I received my sign in record time!

The Studio Review and GiveawayHere it is hanging above the doorway leading into the Living Room!

The Studio has a variety of custom signs and frames to choose from and personalize at a great price!  All the work and supplies come straight from the USA!  One-tenth of pre-tax operational profit goes to investing in mostly non-profits that benefit their community of Trinidad, Colorado (way to make an impact on your community!).

I urge to to learn more about The Studio and Danielson Designs!!

The Studio has offered my readers a $10 discount for a limited time, just use the promo code HIGHIMPACT when checking out!

But that’s not all! 1 lucky reader will win their very own personalized custom sign from The Studio!

Enter Now!

Head over to The Studio, check out all their great signs and frames, then head over here and comment on what was your favorite!

Extra Entries:

(You MUST comment separately to say each method)

  • *One bonus entry per day: Tweet “Win a Custom Personalized Sign or Frame for Your Home! http://tinyurl.com/nqhpft” Retweets don’t count.
  • *One bonus entry: Adding High Impact Mom to your blogroll.
  • *One bonus entry: Subscribing to High Impact Mom
  • *One bonus entry: Friend High Impact Mom on Facebook
  • *One bonus entry: Add High Impact Mom’s Button to your blog/website

Rules:

  • *Contest is open to all U.S. residents where legal under local statutes.
  • *Void where prohibited.
  • *No purchase necessary.
  • *Valid email address required. Entries with email addresses visible to the public will be deleted and are not valid.
  • *Valid entries will be received beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2009 thru 11:59pm Friday, September 18, 2009.
  • *Winner will be selected at random based on the list of valid comments using random.org.
  • *Winner will be notified via their email address and have 3 days to respond to the email from amanda(at)highimpactmom(dot)com

Good Luck! Happy Winning!

Don’t forget to enter one of our great giveaways we have going on this week!

Disclosure: My family received a personalized customized sign for our home in exchange for the review and giveaway.