Blogging Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Small Things Are Big Things

June 17, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

GoodNites Make Happy Bunkbeds

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and GoodNites, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BetterNights http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

I told Cy we were going to the store to get potty training stuff. He was over the moon excited and asked if he could bring his train.
Well sure! Mommy is feeling gracious today.
The whole car ride he was talking about the “potty twain.” We got to Target, skimmed the dollar section, paroozed the clothes and ended up in the baby section, where I ooooed and awed over the tiny baby clothes. Am I the only one who can’t get over the smallness of newborns? Even though I’ve had four children, I still can’t believe how little they start out.
Anyway, we get to the diaper section and I pull up to the GoodNites Bed Mats (green package, top shelf at my Target). And I’m pretty excited about these things.

GoodNites disposable bed mats
See, my boys have a bunk bed.
Every time I change the sheets on their bunk bed I feel like I should get an award for not throwing out my back.
Tell me I’m not the only one??
Or at least share your sheet changing tips.
We are potty training, and Cy sleeps on the bottom bunk – a full sized bed. That’s a lot of laundry when your sweet little baby is wetting the bed every night.
So you take the disposable bed mat, peel the sticky back off and smack that thing on the bed.

It stays put, and if your little one goes potty then you don’t have to do laundry.
I’m thinking of using these for Cy at naptime because he sweats so much!
Seriously folks.
It’s gross.

Remember how I mentioned, Cy was super excited to go to Target to get potty training stuff? Well, it turns out, he thought I said “party train.”
How do I know this?
Because he had a crying fit as we were leaving the store because he wanted to take a ride on the party train.
Oh, dear sweet son, so do I, so do I.
How about we sit on the potty for an hour instead, then eat our weight in gummy bears?
OK!

If you are in the market for some GoodNites Bed Mats, click here for a $1.50 off coupon!
If you want to see how I potty train around here, check out this potty training post I wrote ages ago.

And because we know potty “training” is more like potty “waiting,” here is a little bit of our recent waiting…

June 10, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Ubooly an Educational Pal

We’ve added a little fella into our family.
He’s adorable, clever and tells the cutest jokes.
And his name is Ubooly!

But since he’s sleeping I’ll share a bit about the morning he came into our lives.
Early on a Saturday morning, Cora Jane came running up the stairs and said…

She summed Ubooly up pretty well – just by looking at the box!
He’s a little orange guy who responds to your voice, and whose face appears on your phone. The phone slides inside the toy and offers plenty of bounce protection if when your child drops him during playtime.
What she didn’t mention is Ubooly is a FREE educational app on your phone. One you can customize in the Ubooly Lab toward your child’s interests. Parents can log on to the Lab (also free!) and see what their child has been working on, or switch up the lessons as their child is ready to move to another topic. AND you can program more than one child into that one app. A cost effective toy for big families…holla!!
This was Eli’s Lab today:

It’s a no-joke app and takes some time to download. So you might want to download it before you’ve talked it up to your kids and they are brimming with excitement to play…ahem.

Slip Ubooly in. Zip the top closed. And play.

Ubooly is doesn’t just spit out educational facts, he’s very interactive. Eli loves the jokes (What do you call a bear without teeth? A Gummy Bear!), and adventures (pretend).

The actual Ubooly toy is $29.99, but the app is free and you can play with the app on a phone without the toy. On the phone you are playing in Ubooly’s house! You get to do the same fun activities and kids earn coins to “buy” Ubooly furniture and accessories. My kids really like playing this as well!

Happy Learning!

June 6, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Del Real Foods Makes for a Quick Dinner

It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of cooking.
(But I’m learning and I can’t wait to share)
With 4 kiddos sometimes it’s suddenly 5 pm and I’m struggling to think of something for dinner. Instead of reaching for the chicken nuggets and corn dogs during the dinnertime scramble, check out Del Real Foods. (Find them at the grocery store or buy directly from www.mexgrocers.com.)
Let me walk you through tonight’s dinner…
Step 1: I pulled the Chile Verde, Frijoles Refritos, Cheese and Bell Pepper Pupusas out of the fridge.

Step 2: Looked at the clock and calculated T-minus 9 minutes till dinner.

Step 3: Eat chips and yummy salsa.

Step 4: Read the instructions. (I’m a HUGE instruction follower… like obsessive)

Step 5: Microwave.
Side Note: I’m not a fan of the microwave. I never cook food in it, just sometimes heat things up.
But tonight I had 9 minutes!
All of the Del Real Food is already fully cooked AND there are alternate heating instructions too! If you do microwave the beans, then get your kids before you take them out because they will think this is really cool…

Step 6: Read the nutrition facts – 0 Trans fats, Milk and Gluten free! No preservatives, and locally made here in California.
And ignore the dirty dishes.

Step 7: Dish it up.

In just about 15 minutes I had dinner on the table.
I’m simple.

But if you are just a little less simple, check out this simple 1-minute video of a simple dinner you can make using the Del Real Foods… (and use the word simple a lot)

Del Real Foods would be great for your next party.
Why don’t you have a party?
My treat.
OK…ok… Del Real Foods’ treat…
Enter to win a Party in a Box!
You’ll get this giant box (sans adorable toddler) filled with loads of food and all you have to do is invite your friends over for dinner.

Frijoles Refritos, Cheese and Bell Pepper Pupusas, Chile Verde, Carnitas, Pollo Asado, Beef Tamales and salsa. Plus you’ll get a reusable shopping bag and a pretty sweet tee shirt.

Connect with Del Real Foods on…
Del Real Foods on Facebook
Del Real Foods on Twitter
Del Real Foods on Instagram
Del Real Foods on Pinterest
Del Real Foods on YouTube

Follow the instructions in the box below to get your own Del Real Foods Party in a Box.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure, yo: Del Real Foods gave me a giant box of food for free and will send one winner the giant box of food for free too. Aren’t they nice! But all my opinions are my own. What else can I disclose?… um… I never do a post about something I don’t like… ever. Oh and I cuss at my kids. Hope that covers all the bases. Blarg.

June 5, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Creative Friends Giveaway

Social media is a funny thing.
I started blogging for my business, and blogging really is the reason my biz has grown. I had hoped it would increase my “virtual thumbprint,” but I never thought blogging would end up bringing me friends.
It did.
And here are just a few who have wanted to be involved with the Small Things Week of Giveaways…

Emmy from Much Ado About You is giving away a one of her famous Day Planners AND a Desk Calendar…

One of the things I love most about Much Ado About you is Emmy’s heart. We had only met briefly at Café Rio (looking back, it was totally God) and she ended up coming to my house multiple times while my mom was dying, for encouragement and company. AND she let me come to her Choose Joy women’s conference with one day’s notice right after my mom died and had prepared everything like I had registered a month before.
Seriously folks, I’m crying as I type this, because it meant so much to me.
Small things are big things, friends!

Connect with Emmy aka Much Ado About You:
Shop – Much Ado About You
Much Ado About You on Facebook
Much Ado About You on Twitter
Much Ado About you on Instagram
Much Ado About You on Pinterest
You should really take some time to read Emmy’s Adoption Story here.

Andrea from The Train to Crazy is giving away a a $20 gift card to her shop, Go To Patterns. Don’t be sad if you don’t win. You can still get 20% off with the coupon code BIGTHINGS. (20% off a purchase of $10 or more. Expires 6/30)
Andrea was the first person I met with 4 kids who had it together. She may not agree, but I had just had Tess 3 weeks prior to meeting her at the So Cal Social and I was a mess! She was out and about without kids and it was a light at the end of the tunnel for me.
AND she made the most adorable treats for the nurses who were taking care of my mom. I remember feeling so alone when Andrea offered to make goodies. I picked them up from her house, and the care she put into each one brought me to tears.
Still does.
Read about it here and make some treats for nurses who have impacted your life.
Small things are big things, friends!

If you sew, you will love her shop Go To Patterns! I bought this Summer’s Sun & Surf Collection because I fell in love with the skirt pattern. I still haven’t made it. But I know I will. Someday. And I’ll blog about it!

Connect with Andrea aka The Train to Crazy:
Blog – The Train to Crazy
Shop – Go To Patterns
Go To Patterns on Twitter
Go To Patterns on Facebook
Go To Patterns on Pinterest
Need a rad press kit? Andrea makes those too!

Elizabeth from Sew Chatty is giving away one of her adorable handmade clutches.

I invited Elizabeth to a party at my house (after only knowing her on Instagram) and after all the guests left the party we talked together for 2 more hours! She’s talented and upbeat and I look forward to her positive attitude whenever we hang out!
Small things are big things!

Connect with Elizabeth aka Sew Chatty:
Blog – Sew Chatty
Shop – Sew Chatty
Sew Chatty on Twitter
Sew Chatty on Facebook
Sew Chatty on Pinterest
Sew Chatty on Instagram

So there will be 3 winners! First winner will get the first choice, second will get next pick, and third will get the 3rd awesome prize! Follow the directions in the box below and Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure, yo: These lovely ladies either gifted these items or gave them to me for an awesome discount so I could share them with you. What else can I disclose?… um… I never do a post about something I don’t like… ever. Oh and I cuss at my kids. Hope that covers all the bases. Blarg.

June 4, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Flower Girl World

Every little girl dreams of being a flower girl.
I was one (wish I had a picture to share!) and just two summers ago Cora Jane was one too.
A really cute one.
In my {totally biased} opinion…

Author, Lynelle Woolley, and illustrator, Karen Wolcott, have created a world that’s all about flower girls. Flower Girl World. A true celebration of ALL THINGS flower girl!

Lynelle has written a picture book, Camellia the Fabulous Flower Girl, and a chapter book, Rosie and the Wedding Day Rescue and each is designed to help brides create an incredible experience for their special little girl.

Lynelle, sent me a copy of each book for Cora Jane and Tess and they are a huge hit! The illustrations are vibrant and the girls loved the stories.
You can see Cora Jane’s first reaction to the books in the video below…

And it just so happened the bride who gave Cora Jane her ‘flower girl debut’ was visiting and read her the Flower Girl World books. Side Note: Eli loved them too!

The books make a great gift for any girl but if you happen to be planning a wedding, then you are in luck! Flower Girl World has an awesome celebration kit. Complete with both books, and activities to keep your flower girl happy, busy, and feeling special before, during, and after the wedding. This is a great flower girl gift!
FGW was also just highlighted in US Weekly last week!

I can already tell this book is becoming a fast favorite!

Don’t you want a kit for the little flower girl in your life?
Win one!
Follow the instructions in the box below to win one copy of the picture book, Camellia the Fabulous Flower Girl, AND one copy of the chapter book, Rosie and the Wedding Day Rescue!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flower Girl World on Facebook
Flower Girl World on Twitter
Flower Girl World Pinterest
Flower Girl World Jabbersmack

Disclosure, yo: Flower Girl World gave me the adorable books for free and will send one winner both books for free too. Aren’t they nice! But all my opinions are my own. And I made that sweet video myself and used my own supplies. What else can I disclose?… um… I never do a post about something I don’t like… ever. Oh and I cuss at my kids. Hope that covers all the bases. Blarg.

June 3, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Bona Mop Giveaway

Have you noticed I’m re-launching my blog with a new name?
Yes. (You’re thinking… I’m here aren’t I!?!????)
Touche.

Now that you know were we are AND have liked the new FB Page, the LEAST I can do, is offer a week of rad giveaways. Don’t you think?

Let’s start with cleaning.
I know, cleaning isn’t the most glamorous thing in the world. But it’s necessary. AND Small Things, like cleaning, can make a Big difference.

Let me tell you about a product I love…

In case you didn’t want to watch the 1 minute video this is what I talk about: I have a lot of wood floors and I like the Bona Cleaning System. You want to win it and if you don’t then you should buy it!

A few neat things about Bona (besides that it works really well):

It’s used in the Nike Worldwide Headquarters, Westminster Cathedral and countless museums all over the world.
Bona has been around since 1919… am I the only one who likes companies who have been around forever?
They have all sorts of products but I like the Laminate, Tile and Stone Cleaner because I can use it on all 2,400 square of my home – moving from laminate wood to tiled floors without switching cleaners.

So that being said, now you can win one of the NEW Bona Spray Mops of your own (a $50.00 value!!!). Follow the instructions in the box below…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Friends!

Disclosure, yo: Bona gave me a rad mop for free and will send one winner a mop for free. But all my opinions are my own. And I made that sweet video myself and used my own supplies. What else can I disclose?… um… I never do posts about something I don’t like… ever. Oh and I cuss at my kids. Hope that covers all my bases. Blarg.

April 16, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Click & Carry on Eli’s Lids

Spring has sprung and I’m so looking forward to the warm weather (though I am pretty spoiled with endless Spring/Summer in Southern California).

I’ve been purging my closet of my fat preggo clothes… and (unfortunately) my skinny pre-4-kiddos-in-5-years clothes… blarg. (Because if I ever do lose the last 15 lbs, I’ll be so effin’ stoked that I’ll buy all new stuff.)

Spring cleaning has added loads of our old items on Craig’s List and a few dollars in my pocket. And I’m prepping for our neighborhood garage sale in a couple of weeks.

I love simplifying in the Spring. I love our family sunset hikes. I love the Japanese Blooming Peach tree we planted in our front yard. We call it “Nannie’s Tree” and it will bloom bright pink flowers every February. And we will celebrate my mom’s too-short life. I love the 60 feet of soft outdoor lights threaded through the trees in our backyard just waiting to illuminate Spring Barbeques. God, I wish my mom could see the lights. I know we would have picnicked in the yard on a warm evening and she would look around and say everything felt “magical,” because that’s what she would say when I did anything she thought was particularly clever.

Spring means new beginnings. Good beginning, or bad beginnings you have to make livable good.

How about winning something fun this spring? Just to help you fill in all that newfound space in your freshly Spring cleaned home. How about winning something BIG! As in…

(Get it? Click & Carry. As in “click” with your new camera and “carry” your new camera in a cute bag. You have no idea how long it took for that to make sense in my head. Good Lord, sometimes I wonder how I get through the day keeping a biz going and 4 humans alive!)

$500 gift card to B&H Photo, Video & Pro Audio

$250 gift card to Kelly Moore Bags

Start Spring with a rad camera or get that lens you’ve had your eye on… then put your camera in a lovely bag!

(Two winners… the first one gets their choice and the second gets the other.)

The only thing I ask is for you to bake me cookies if you win. J/K… unless you want to… then totally not J/K…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Void where prohibited.

All entries are optional with the exception of providing an email address so that we may contact you if you were to win. We will never sell, distribute, or spam your email.

Two winners will be chosen by Rafflecopter (powered by Random.org). The first winner chosen will have the option of choosing between a $500 gift card to B&H Photo, Video & Pro Audio or a $250 gift card to Kelly Moore Bags. The second prize winner will be awarded the item that was not chosen by the first prize winner. Gift cards are not transferable and cannot be exchanged for a cash prize.

This is a non-sponsored post. Prizes were purchased by a group of participating bloggers. B&H Photo, Video & Pro Audio and Kelly Moore Bags are not affiliated with this giveaway.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to the owner of this Facebook page and not to Facebook.

This promotion is powered by Rafflecopter. Metric Feat LLC (“Rafflecopter”) does not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion.

Awesome graphic by the talented Lindsay Goldner at LLYDesigns.

For Boston. Seriously folks, does this make your heart hurt like it does mine? More on that another day.

February 28, 2013 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Craft Attitude’s Printable Jewelry Film {giveaway too!}

Last month I had the opportunity to visit the Craft and Hobby Association’s Winter Trade Show. It was like the Holy Land of crafts. Like, overwhelming. Somehow I was able to meet some pretty fun folks and discover some cool new products.

One was Craft Attitude Printable Jewelry Film. You print whatever you want on the paper (from an ink jet printer) then glue stick it on any kind of jewelry for a custom piece. Talk about an easy craft! I think it would be a great activity for a girls night or a girl scout/tween birthday craft or a Mom/Grandma/Aunt gift…

I got to get a personal how-to lesson from Candie Cooper. See the Craft Attitude Printable Jewelry Film in action below…

Now that you see how rad it is, wouldn’t you like a pack of your own?

OK!

One lucky reader will win an 8 sheet pack of Craft Attitude Printable Jewelry Film. Just leave a comment on this post with what you’ll make with the film… and/or who you will make it for! Follow the entry instructions in the box below for extra entries…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 22, 2012 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Need a free stuff back-to-school pick me up?

I’ve got your back.

We are slowly getting into the daily back to school routine and it hasn’t been easy. We are so happy with Eli’s teacher and I’ve been walking to school with all the littles so I’m logging 2.5 miles a day of exercise! (More on my new-need-to-share-exercise-routine soon!) All 4 kiddos pile into the stroller and I look like a fertility goddess. It’s quite comical. Anyway,to honor the first few successful weeks of school, I ‘m thinking I should do a giveaway from RoseArt andThe Board Dudes.

RoseArt is truly a company that thinks outside the page when it comes to all things art for lil kids and The Board Dudes are just plain coolio! It’s a HUGE prize pack that will put some fun into your back to school supply list! Here’s what’s included for the winner… From RoseArt: Color Blanks – in motion, 32 count white and colored chalk, 24 crayons, 5 paint brushes, 12 SuperTip classic washable markers, 10 tubs of fun dough. From The Board Dudes/The Write Dudes: 12 Infinity permanent markers in neon, scribble stuff – 8 owl pencils erasers and sharpener, 8 metallic ink gel pens, junk food puzzle erasers, 10 No 2 pencils, 8 2 in 1 dry erase markers

All you have to to do win is head on over to my post over at OC Family and leave a comment with a back to school tip for me. (one entry per person)

Here are two tips from me:
#1 On bath nights I dress my kiddos in their outfit for the next day and they are already ready in the morning. (Don’t judge! I have 4 kiddos 6 and under and work from home. This is a tip I never admit to anyone but you will thank me later!)
#2 Buy a few packages of the Scribble Stuff puzzle erasers (pictured below and only $1.99 for a pack of 6) and wrap each up individually as gifts for the class. Kids go ape over the lil’ things and it’s a practical cost effective class gift.