We’re considering a move to the suburbs (I know!!) and one of the things that I don’t compromise on is a good dishwasher. I cook a lot. I serve a lot of food to my family and friends. I use a lot of dishes. I need a dishwasher that can keep up to my lifestyle, not one that I have to treat with kid gloves or compromise on features to use. As we start looking for places to live, I’ve started a list of things that I want for our new house. Most likely we are going for an older house to save some bucks, so we’re going to have to renovate a kitchen, meaning we’re going to need new appliances. I’m going to tell you how to pick the perfect dishwasher. TheBosch 500 Series Dishwasher AutoAir is on the top of my list for the perfect dishwasher.

I want something that can hold severals meals worth of dishes, have several wash cycles for different ways to cleans (like extra dry), a way to be able to fit different sizes of plates and dishes (big and small) — all this from a solid brand like Bosch.

Quiet operation (44 dBA)- incorporates 18 unique sound-reducing technologies such as multiple insulation layers, grindless food filtration, and a sound absorbing base.

•Large interior provides loading flexibility necessary to easily accommodate 16 place settings, and the Flexible 3rd rack adds space for cooking utensils and ramekins.

With PrecisionWash, intelligent sensors continually scan and check the progress of dishes throughout the cycle, and powerful spray arms target every item of every load, for the ultimate clean. 

AutoAir automatically opens the door at the end of the drying cycle to let moisture escape and fresh air circulate for better drying results.*

*Compared to Bosch Dishwashers with PureDry.

It has a sanitize option that reduces 99.9% of bacteria with a hot-wash rinse for sparkling clean and sanitized dishes.

Every Bosch dishwasher is ENERGY STAR qualified and meets or exceeds federal guidelines, for year-round energy saving

Features:

• 24” width  – There’s room for up to 16 place settings. Plus, 5 wash cycles including five-level wash, 5 options like Extra Dry, and a concealed heating element. 
• Flexible 3rd rack – Accommodate the odd one out. Adding the 3rd rack with its adjustable tines can create the right fit for deep, tall, or uniquely-shaped items. 
• EasyGlide rack – Load and unload smoothly. It’s easy to adjust and move the racks, even while they’re full of dishes.
•  RackMatic® – Fit it all, every time. With 3 different height levels and up to 9 possible rack positions, you can customize each load for your needs. 
•  24/7 Aquastop® – Protect your floors. This 4-part leak prevention system uses sensors to detect and stop leaks, and can even turn on by itself.
• 44-dBA noise level rating –Wash dishes in peace. Bosch dishwashers are so quiet, you have to check the exterior Infolight® to know they’re on.

Where to Buy

Buy the Bosch 500 Series Dishwasher AutoAir at Best Buy.

#FollowTheFridge, #BoschHome, #Fresh, #FreshbyDesign, #NewBoschRefrigerator, #MyNewBoschFridge

The post How to Pick The Perfect Dishwasher appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Seder Plates

The Seder plate is the most important item on your Passover table, as it contains food that symbolizes the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. 

Armenian Ceramic Seder Plate

This blue and green Armenian design with be perfect with a blue flower arrangement on the table. $27.48

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2u2KF7q

Silver Seder Plate

Classic and timeless, this seder plate will match pretty much any tablescape and ratchet up the glam. Retails for $33.24. 

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XOXNKO

Hexagon Shaped Porcelain Seder Plate

Add a pop of color with this elegant porcelain plate.Retails for $39.95.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XQX9wv

Matzah Plates

The Matzah plate, as its name suggests, holds the matzahs, kind of like a bread basket. 

Armenian Matzah Plate

Another stunning Armenian design with bright, vivid colors. Retails for $46.50. 

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2tZMSQV

Acrylic Matzah Box

This modern matzah holder can also go well with a more traditional tablescape, as it is neutral in color and has a clear cover. Retails for $34.59.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2tYxB2T

Fused Glass Matzah Plate

Another modern matzah plate, with blooming branches, handmade. Give them4-5 days to create it for you. Retails for $66.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XRV832

Matzah Plate Cover

It’s customary to cover the matzahs with a special cloth, which typically has a pocket for a part of the matzah. That part later gets hidden somewhere in the house for the children to find.

Satin Star of David Matzah Cover

This classic matzah cover will go with a traditional tablescape and match pretty much any look.Retails for $24.95.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SUmeD2

Embroidered Matzah Cover

This multi-colored matzah cover also comes in blue. Retails for $34.87.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Uvs0g9 

Satin Matzah Cover

This matzah cover is also in satin and features silver and gold embroidery. Retails for $19.95.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XRMzp2 

Tablecloths

You can opt for a plain white tablecloth and decorate the table with other items, or select something more colorful or with a design. 

Damask Jacquard Spillproof Waterproof Tablecloth

This modern pattern comes in five colors. Retails for $26.99.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XRNTbx

Satin Stripe Weave Tablecloth

This elegant, soil-resistant fabric comes in three colors and doesn’t require ironing. Retails for $15.99.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UxMNzs

Maison D’Hermine Equinoxe Beige Tablecloth

Passover is also called the Holiday of Spring so this tablecloth, which features birds and brightly-colored leaves is perfect. Also comes in gray. Retails for $32.99.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VLancm

Wine Goblet

This is a special goblet for Elijah the Prophet who, according to legend, visits each house and drinks wine from his goblet. 

Ceramic Passover Elijah Cup

A stunning Armenian-like design.Retails for $30.38.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ESzDXh

Porcelain Elijah Cup

This unique-looking cup features a drawing of Jerusalem.Retails for $29.99.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ESzDXh  

Wooden Elijah Cup and Saucer

Designed by Jerusalem artist Yair Emanuel, this cup also features Jerusalem and is hand-painted. Retails for $34.05.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2F4quML

Dish for Saltwater

Some families provide a dish with saltwater for each guest, while others pass around one larger dish for people to dip food into. I typically choose the latter, as it just makes things easier logistically, saves space, and takes much quicker to clean. Some people use a wine glass for dipping or a soup bowl, but I think gravy boats are perfect for saltwater.

Lenox Housewarming Gravy Boat

You can’t go wrong with the timeless elegance of Lenox. The ivory china is accented with 24-karat gold and is dishwasher-safe.Retails for $48.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HsxK6y

Godinger Brandon Gravy Boat

This exquisite glass gravy boat is hand-wash only. Retails for $17.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EUGLT6

Basketweave Gravy Boat

This classic porcelain gravy boat is dishwasher-safe. Retails for $23.99.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HsBFQX

Happy Passover!

I was not compensated for this post. This post contains affiliate links.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Elegant Passover Essentials for a Gorgeous Tablescape appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

For Your Command Center:

If you don’t have a designated area for organizing all of your family’s activities consider making one. I can be very simple – pick a small area (for me it’s a small corner on the kitchen counter) and that will be the place where all of the school notes and paperwork to go. It’s right next to my fridge so I have some magnets with important reminders up there. I also keep this rotary organizer there and when the kids come home it goes right on the kitchen table. It has pencils and erasers for homework, plus rulers, pens, and highlighters. There’s a small pair of scissors and glue stick for school projects and I also have crayons and markers if anyone wants to do artwork. This photo doesn’t show it but there’s also a tape dispenser so it really does have everything my kids need is there and cleanup is a breeze. When homework and artwork are done everything goes back in the organizer and it goes back in the little corner away from everything else.

Buy: https://amzn.to/2GhUPci

For Foyer:

This cute bench is used mostly for my kids’ shoes and their winter boots. I love that they can sit on the bench rather than floor to put on their shoes and when they come home the shoes go right underneath, so it’s super-convenient.

Buy: https://amzn.to/2GiNTfa

For Pantry:

I have a small pantry so I need to make the most of my storage space. I love these clear containers because they allow me to store items of various sizes and shapes. These are great for canned food but also larger items. They can also be used for the fridge and for other items like crafts and makeup.

Buy: https://amzn.to/2DmD9s5

For Bathroom:

I don’t have any counter space in the bathroom – just whatever is behind the medicine cabinet – so I need to make the most of a really tiny space. These organizers keep all the toothbrushes and toothpastes neat and organized. I also use similar type bins for medicine, flossers and other small items that tend to be all over the place.

Buy: https://amzn.to/2I2lgof

For Kids’ Bedroom/Playroom:

My kids love keeping a lot of stuff they really don’t need. (Marie Kondo would definitely not approve!) I found a compromise that makes everyone happy: organizing sentimental/useless items in these large bins and keeping the bins tucked away where no one sees them (for example, under the bed). I love that these bins are sturdy, they’re spacious and can fit a lot of stuff, plus they’re pretty affordable.

Buy: https://amzn.to/2Gh8e4j

For Parents’ Bedroom:

Rather than having my husband’s old sneakers and my dress shoes scattered all over the bedroom floor, I keep them organized in bins. These bins have a cover so they not only protect shoes from dust (especially dressy shoes which rarely get worn), they also keep away weird shoe odors. 

Buy: https://amzn.to/2GhgjpJ

For After-school Activities:

My kids have several after-school activities during the week and sometimes also on the weekends. I like to prepare bags with all their stuff and hang them on the banister. For example, their soccer bag includes cleats, shin guards and sunblock. Their swimming bag contains towels, swimsuits and goggles. Their piano bag has all of their piano books and sheet music. When I’m headed out the door I simply grab a bag and go – no need to scramble to find anything.

Buy: https://amzn.to/2GxUAZW

What’s your favorite organization tip?

I was not compensated for this post. This post contains affiliate links. 7 Ways to Organize Your Home that Would Spark Joy – Marie Kondo-Approved!

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post 7 Ways to Organize Your Home that Would Spark Joy – Marie Kondo-Approved! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The Library: School Years Edition by Savor is a time capsule of sorts. It’s essentially two file boxes that act as keepsake storage for everything your child is going to go through during his or her school years. It contains 16 vertical files in two different colors and 52 illustrated labels so that you can organize anything and everything to do with school and outside of school. Some of those labels are: the first day of school, photographs, report cards, summer camp, valentines, artwork, ceremonies, awards, music and much, much more. There are also some empty ones so you can make your own.

In addition, School Years also includes a birthday survey that lets you record your kid’s favorites (you can make extra copies so you have one for each year), as well as two envelopes for small keepsakes.

The two large file boxes are high-quality and durable, as they’re supposed to last you a lot more than 18 years. You can personalize the boxes with letter initials (included) or with your own small photographs of your child. One file has the word “whimsey” printed on it, the other has “work” printed so you can choose to put school-related items in one and out of school-related items, in the other.

The keepsake box that holds the two files is also very durable and fits on your bookshelf perfectly – simply pull it out when you want to add something to one of the files and then it goes back on the shelf – super easy!

You can purchase The Library: School Years Edition here. Price is $69.95. It comes in three colors: Slate, Plum and Ocean (pictured above). There’s also a Wedding Edition and Baby Years Edition.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post The Easiest Way to Create A Time Capsule for Your Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

• The ever-lovable Ocean’s 8 star Sandra Bullock topped the charts (24%), followed shortly after by the sexy screen stealer Jennifer Lawrence (18%),and then daytime TV phenom Kelly Ripa (16%).
• She may be the “newest Royal” but Americans aren’t so sure Meghan Markle has what it takes to still be a “savvy online shopper.” The Duchess of Sussex ranked 6^th from a list of female celebs, falling behind Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Lawrence, Kelly Ripa, Chrissy Teigen and Hoda Kotb.*

Want to dress like a celeb but stick to your budget?

zulily Thrill Week will bring a whole week of “wow!” with exclusive deals from boutique and beloved brands, all at unbelievable prices.

From July 23-27, they’ll unveil:

• A Daily Big Thrill – The Big Thrill is where you’ll find each day’s most extreme deal in the extremely limited quantity of one. 1st customer to follow the clues and find the deals gets to snag it. This could be something like a family vacation for the price of a beach umbrella or a new $2000 cabi wardrobe for the price of a scarf! 
• Numerous time-limited Dashes for the Deal (like designer sunglasses for only $29.99)

Photo courtesy of cabi

But don’t miss this — in the culmination of Thrill Week, on July 28, zulily will award a total of 100 shopping sprees to randomly selected winners. Every shopper who visits the zulily website or mobile app once every day (M-F) during Thrill Week will be automatically eligible to win a spree valued at $150. Sprees will be awarded in the form of zulily shopping credit, and winners will be notified via email and/or digital banner.

To learn more about zulily Thrill Week, visit zulily.com/thrill

Find zulily on social

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Don’t have a zulily account — If you aren’t a member of Zulily, use my referral link to sign up: http://www.zulily.com/invite/nhorn329/. (I’ll get a credit at no cost to you).

¹ Most available only in the 50 United States and District of Columbia.

² Big Thrill deals are subject to change.

Photo courtesy of cabi

Survey Info: zulily surveyed 1,044 respondents, users on websites in the Google Surveys Publisher Network, aged 18 years or older. The survey was conducted online through Google Surveys (complete methodology can be found here) from June 26-28, 2016. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.

I was compensated with zulily credit for this post. I shop at zulily regularly and can honestly recommend shopping at zulily. 

The post Big News: zulily Thrill Week is Coming! Get Major Deals for A Steal! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

b.box is a company that creates innovative products that make life easier for parents and kids alike. They have an award-winning diaper caddy that is absolutely perfect for all your diapering needs. Rather than going to one place for diapers and another for wipes (not to mention scrambling to find diaper cream in the back of the dresser drawer), the diaper caddy can store everything you could possibly need when it comes to diapers.

Here’s what you can store: diapers (disposable or cloth), wipes, lotions/creams, any other smaller objects, such as a thermometer. Also included is a small changing pad, as well as a removable divider that separates diapers from cream. The diaper caddy wipes clean and comes in 5 colors – blue (in photo), pink, green, brown and gray.

Here’s how it looks with the divider:

Another thing I love about the diaper caddy is that when my son will be done with diapers (which I hope is sooner rather than later) we’ll be able to use it as storage for arts and crafts supplies.

Click here to learn more and to purchase the b.box Diaper Caddy. Price is $40.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post New Parent Pick – b.box Diaper Caddy is the Diaper Organizer that Grows with Your Child appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Sorry groundhog, you were wrong! Spring is coming sooner than we think and I am so excited! I’m planning on lots of walks in the sunshine and picnics in the park with my family but until then, I need to start thinking about spring cleaning. It’s a lot of work but I’m hoping I can delegate some to my husband and kids and make this a family affair. Mom doesn’t always need to do everything and chores build character, right? Here are ten things to put on your to-do list to ensure your home is ready for spring:

Spring Cleaning 101: 10 Ways to Make Sure Your Home is Ready for Spring

1. Outdoor maintenance: check for any signs of damage from the winter weather. Pay close attention to gutters, shingles, and siding. Have a professional check if the shingles may cause a leak. For gutters, make sure they have no debris or leaves blocking the passages. Check for deteriorating mortar if your home is made of brick and hire a professional to help with repairs.
2. Indoor maintenance: Clean your ceiling fans and inspect your window screens for damage. Don’t forget to clean your garage (or have someone in your family do it) and get rid of unused items that are taking space.
3. Cut the clutter: Get rid of snow gear and winter sports equipment, boots, heavy coats, gloves and snow toys. Go through the closets and donate or toss old clothes. Have your kids go through their toys to see what can be donated or tossed. Make sure to keep the receipts for tax time if you do donate.
4. Deep cleaning: Now is the time to do a deep cleaning of your house. Clean your floors and wax them, deep clean the rugs and make sure your windows are cleaned both inside and out.
5. Get your spring and summer sports equipment ready: Make sure bike tires are in good shape and not damaged, have your kids try on skates and go through balls and other toys to see what can be donated and what can be kept. Make sure all balls and tires have air if they need it. If you have outdoor sports equipment like soccer nets or a basketball hoop, make sure they are in good condition.
6. Air conditioning: Make sure all of your window units are working and that the filters are clean. If you have central air, schedule a tune-up.
7. Batteries: Carbon Monoxide and smoke detectors require that batteries be changed every six months. Some people use the daylight savings time to change those, so springtime is a good opportunity for that. If you don’t change during daylight savings time, be sure to mark your calendar when you changed them last, as well as marking the next time they need to be changed.
8. Fridge, freezer, and pantry: Go through each one and toss out expired food. Wipe down each shelf and re-organize everything to make food easier to access. It’s helpful to write dates on food that’s stored in the freezer to help you remember when you stored it. You don’t need fancy labels, write on packages and plastic storage bags with a permanent marker.
9. Bedding and curtains: Now is a good time to drop off your comforter and curtains at the cleaners. A professional cleaning will help your bedding and curtains stay fresh and avoid mildew.
10. Garden: if you enjoy gardening, now is the time to start thinking about what you will plant (this is especially fun to do with the kids) and visit your local nursery for seeds, fertilizer, and supplies. Make sure you clearly mark where you are planting everything and get ready for fresh veggies to grow!

This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.

*Photo credit for photos 2-5 from https://pixabay.com

The post Spring Cleaning 101: 10 Ways to Make Sure Your Home is Ready for Spring appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I live in a house with some areas that get too warm and some too cold, regardless of the season. In the winter it’s especially frustrating because I end up wearing a sweatshirt in one area of the house and a T-shirt in another. Getting an energy audit through a contractor is not in our budget but luckily I recently came across a very simple way to find out if your house is energy-efficient: BlindSpotz. BlindSpotz: A Simple & Affordable Way to Find Out Your Home’s Cold Areas

BlindSpotz are removable stickers that are, in fact, sensors. You simply stick them on your wall and after 48 hours you’ll be able to tell the temperature in that area. Finding out the temperature will allow you to see if that specific area of the house needs to be more insulated, or if anything else can be done to prevent heat from escaping.

Here’s how they work:

Each BlindSpotz package contains 8 sensors. You simply peel them and stick them in certain areas of the house that feel colder to you than others. For example, near windows and door frames, the basement entrance, near closets, cabinets, the attic and the garage. Once you stick them, use your finger to rub the surface of the sticker until it is gray. This activates the sensor. Once it’s gray, leave it in place for 48 hours. (This needs to be done when the temperature outside is 32 degrees or below)

After 48 hours check the sensors to see what temperature they are indicating. Take a photo of the sensors that measure 50 or 55 degrees and email to fixthecold@blindspotz.com. You will receive various solutions to help keep that area warmer, as well as a coupon at participating retailers and/or contractors.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post BlindSpotz: A Simple & Affordable Way to Find Out Your Home’s Cold Areas appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I unboxed my package — check out my video. 

The package I got contained the 9.5 inch deep square pan, a shallower square fry pan, a glass lid, a steamer basket, and a fry basket. 

The Copper Chef pan works on all stove tops and can go into the oven. The bottom of the pan has a stainless steel induction plate and can cook on gas, electric, ceramic or induction stove tops. 

The Helper Handle allows you to easily lift heavier dishes to and from the oven.

This innovative, all-around square pan is designed with state-of-the-art Cerami-Tech Nonstick Technology and means nothing will stick to the pan. You can cook without oil or butter to be healthier — but if you add a high smoking oil or ghee, it will cook faster. It really does work. 

The Copper Chef pan lets you sauté, simmer, slow-cook, boil, fry & sear— all with just one amazing family-sized pan.

Features:

• Ceramic-tech non-stick coating allows for easy cleanup. Cook without butter and oil
• The Stainless Steel Induction Plate means no hot spots. Allowing for fast, even cooking
• 5 Piece Set includes Pan size- 9 1/2 inches-, Glass Lid, Fry Basket, Steam Rack, Square Fry Pan, Recipe Book.
• Heat Resistant Up To 800 Degree, Dishwasher Safe

Now, will this replace all your pans and kitchen appliances? Yes and no. I’ve been using the Copper Chef pan and the square fry pan constantly and I am really pleased how it cooks my food. However, I still use my Instant Pot and I will use my smaller frying pan sometimes. I take care of the Copper Chef pans – meaning I use the approved butters and oils (no olive oil, but ghee is okay), I take care not to scratch the pans, and I wash them carefully. 

So, should you buy the Copper Chef 5 piece set? Absolutely! It worked really well and was easy to use and maintain. 

Find your Copper Chef 5 Piece Set on Amazon.com. 

Product provided for review purposes. 

The post Copper Chef 5 Piece Review: Does the Copper Chef Pan Live Up To the Hype? appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Ants, moths, mice, spiders…I don’t think there’s a single household that doesn’t have some of these unwelcome visitors once in a while. If you have pests more than once in a while and find that they are literally becoming pests, there’s a safe way of keeping them out of your house: Stay Away by EarthKind is the natural way to get rid of pests that is not harmful to humans or pets.

“Stay Away” are pouches that contain plant fiber and essential oil. You simply place the pouch near the area where the pest is. For example, the “Stay Away Ants” pouch contains oils of lemongrass, peppermint and thyme – natural ant repellents. It actually smells pleasant to humans but it’s offensive to ants. The “Stay Away Rodent” contains balsam fir oil. There’s also a pouch for beetles, spiders, and moths. The pouches last for about 30 days – you can tell when you stop smelling them. I tried the Stay Away ants pouch in my kitchen and right away noticed that there were no ants in sight. And the scent is fantastic!

You can purchase the Stay Away pouches at local stores such like Walmart or Amazon.com. 

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples. There is an affiliate link in this post. 

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Stay Away Pouches from EarthKind: The Natural Way to Get Rid of Household Pests appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I ordered a canvas print from CanvasDiscount.com and uploaded a picture – it was very easy. You can choose from 4 types: square canvas, cinema-format canvas, landscape canvas and panoramic canvas. Since I chose a photo of scenic view in Val d’Orcia in Tuscany I selected landscape canvas. I uploaded my picture and was given a number of options for the best sizes. I chose the 20″ x 30″ which is a very large size but at $43 it’s very affordable! Next I selected an edge design (white, black, mirrored, stretched or folded – the website explains how the last three will look). There are also options to make the picture black & white or in color and to pick a thicker frame, for an additional fee. That’s all there is to it!

Here’s my original photo:

And here’s the canvas: (my camera made a glare on the right)

Another look of the canvas: (I picked a stretched edge, it looks like a continuation of the photo, not just lines like in this picture)

My picture came out absolutely amazing! I am so happy with the result and can’t wait to hang it on my wall! The quality of the canvas is apparent and the picture itself looks absolutely gorgeous with the vivid colors (if I may say so).

Visit CanvasDiscount.com to learn more and to purchase your own canvas print. It makes a perfect way to freshen up a room when you’re on a budget, plus it’s a great holiday gift!\

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post CanvasDiscount.com: The Affordable Way to Decorate Your Home appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I love monthly boxes and have tried a variety of them, from kids’ crafts to food and beyond. But I have yet to try a monthly box that includes essential oils that I can use to create my own concoctions. Simply Earth curates monthly boxes of 100% pure essential oils that make a fantastic gift to give away or to keep for your home.

Each monthly box from Simply Earth includes 5 essential oils and 6-7 natural recipes that you can use with these oils, plus labels and containers, as well as other fun extras. As mentioned, all of the oils are 100% pure and therapeutic grade, with no other additives.

I received November’s box for review. The essential oils were perfect for the season: pine, rosemary and frankincense. The recipes are easy with a step-by-step guide to making a variety of room fresheners. 

Each box is $39.95 if you want a delivery each month. If you want one box every three months it’s $45 per box. A one-time delivery for a box is $49. Since you just use a couple of drops of each oil, these boxes can last a really long time. Shipping is always FREE. Simply Earth donates 13% of the proceeds to help end human trafficking.

We have a special discount code for our readers. Use this code to get a FREE diffuser (worth $49) with your order: MAVENFREEDIF (note: you need to have both the diffuser and the essential oil recipe box i your shopping car to get the discount)

Follow Simply Earth on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest

This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are my own.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Get Creative with Simply Earth Essential Oils Monthly Box appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I received two sets of Brinware tempered glass plates for review. Each set includes 2 dishes, along with removable slip-resistant silicon sleeves for added protection. Tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass and with the silicon sleeve the dishes are completely safe. They can be used in the dishwasher and microwave, and are BPA, lead, PVS and phthalates free.

Each plate is clear and the color comes from the silicon sleeve, so you can switch them up and have each plate be the color you want. The whimsical artwork is cute and the glass gives the plates a more grown-up look. There are many different designs to choose from, such as pandas and butterflies, plus more colors, like purple and pink.

Buy Brinware on Amazon. Prices start from $7.49 per plate.
Eco-Friendly Safe Tableware for Kids from Brinware

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples. This post contains affiliate links. 

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Eco-Friendly Safe Tableware for Kids from Brinware appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. This post contains affiliate links.

I love listening to PANDORA on my cell phone when I’m in the kitchen – I turn up the volume and it’s been working well for me. What I never realized is that I don’t have to listen to music through my phone – I can easily connect it to a speaker with an amazing quality and enjoy the music even more! The Phorus PS5 speaker not only gives me incredible sound from my cell phone, it’s also compatible with practically every device I have!

The Phorus PS5 speaker has premium DTS sound, along with advanced dual-core DSP and Class-D digital class amplifiers so you get the most pristine sound, regardless of the size of the room you are in. In addition, the Phorus has a variety of apps compatible with iOS, Android and Windows. The apps give you access to dozens of music libraries and radios to stream music from.

This state-of-the-art speaker has built-in Dual-Bank Wi-fi connectivity so you can stream music using two different wireless bands, which can offer uninterrupted sound even you have a cluttered home network environment (such as cordless phone, microwave and radio controlled toys). Another cool feature is the Play-Fi technology, which is licensed to other premium audio companies so you can build a whole-home audio systems to fit your taste and budget.

I received the Phorus PS5 for review and loved the compact, sleek and elegant look. Set-up was quick and easy, even for someone technically-challenged as myself. The sound was way better than what I had before from my little phone and I’m excited to try out all of the other features this amazing speaker has to offer!

Purchase it on Amazon.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Stream Your Music with Phorus PS5 Speaker (+ 20% off ) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

There are two types of people in the world: those who sleep with one of their legs sticking outside the covers, and those who sleep with both legs under the covers. Up until recently I was in the first group and recently I’ve been spending my nights comfortable under a cover sheet and  a down blanket. How? Simple: I have been sleeping on Nanotex sheets!

If you’ve never heard of Nanotex, you are in for a treat: Nanotex is a technology created in 1998 that uses nanotechnology to transform the molecular structure of fibers. What it means is that it creates changes – or enhancements- to fabrics. What these sheets have that other don’t is heightened breathability – the fabric allows moisture evaporation to happen quickly, so when you sweat at night the sheets are not as hot and sticky and instead feel cool against your skin. This is why there’s no need to stick a leg out from under the covers, you can sleep peacefully through the night without getting overheated. As an added bonus – Nanotex sheets don’t wrinkle nearly as much as regular cotton sheets!

I received for review a Nanotex 300 count sheet set. The set comes in sizes twin, queen, king and full and includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet and two pillowcases (one for the twin set).

After using the sheets for a week I can say they really do make a difference. Somehow under the down blanket I don’t get overheated and my sleep has been with less disruptions. I would definitely buy the sheet set as a housewarming or bridal shower gift.

You can find Nanotex sheets in multiple colors at Amazon.

Follow Nanotex on Facebook & Twitter to see more products using this technology.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.This post contains affiliate links. This does not change your cost, it merely gives a tiny percentage of the sale.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Stay Cool & Comfortable All Night with Nanotex Sheets appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As a mom of three I’m always looking for deals and trying to get the most bang for my buck. We’ve been members of BJ’s Wholesale Club before we even had kids and always found it a reliable place, not just for diapers and organic produce, but also for gorgeous gifts for any occasion and with the best prices. During the holiday season the deals are unbelievable and the quality of the products is something I can stand behind. I recently checked out BJ’s new holiday gift offerings.

Berkley Jensen 5-Tier Buffet Server

Perfect for entertaining, this server can be used as a 3 or 5 tier server. It comes with 5 dishwasher and microwave-safe trays. $29.99

Berkley Jensen Ceramic Write & Wipe Menu Board with Place Cards

With family members who are vegetarian or meat-eaters, and some who have allergies, I always find myself having to describe certain dishes and mention the ingredients. With this set of six place cards and a menu board I can easily and elegantly fill everyone in on what’s on the menu. $11.99

Berkley Jensen Porcelain Platters

This set, which comes with 3 platters (large, medium and small) works for both elegant and casual meals. From appetizers to main courses to desserts, the platters make it easy to serve food due to the convenient handle on each one. $12.99

Berkley Jensen Swirl Chip & Dip Dish

From chips to crudites, this dish is large enough to fit it all, plus it has a built-in well for dips and other snacks, which makes it convenient. $11.99

13-Piece State and Wood Paddle Serving Board Set

I’m a big fan of serving a cheese platter for guests – it’s super-easy to put together and almost everyone loves it! This set makes it even easier to put together because it comes with slate markers and pencils, so you can write the types of cheese that you’re serving. It also comes with a tray, stainless steel cheese told and more. $14.99

Johdpuri Moscow Mules Mugs

If you plan on serving the famous Moscow Mule cocktail copper mugs are a must. This set of two stainless steel mugs is perfect for other types of drinks that need to stay chilled and makes a perfect gift for your alcohol-loving friend. $15.99

Berkley Jensen 100 Sq. Ft. Gift Wrap Ensemble

Looking for gifts wrap to wrap all of your gifts? This 5-roll set comes with gift tags and ribbons and in dazzling metallic colors. $11.99

Click here to find the nearest BJ’s Wholesale Club location.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift card.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Holiday Shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Gift shopping for multiple people with a variety of interests can be time-consuming and exhausting. I’ve put together a gift guide with luxe but affordable gifts especially for women. Whether the gift is for you, a family member or a friend, there’s something here for the woman who loves to take care of her skin, wears gorgeous jewelry, throws the coolest dinner parties or wears the hottest fashion.

For the Jewelry Lover:

Watches are almost always a welcome gift, particularly if you know the recipient’s style. For those who love a little bling on their watches Armitron has a huge selection of exquisite women’s watches that add a little sparkle and a lot of style. Whether the watches have diamonds, Swarovski crystals, silver, gold or a rose-tone, there’s bound to be a watch for the woman who wears a watch as a piece of jewelry. Prices start at $50.

For the Trendy Fashionista:

 

ERASA XEP-30 Extreme Line Lifting and Rejuvenating Concentrate

Botox in a bottle? Possibly. The 2015 winner of Allure Breakthrough Beauty Product of the Year, ERASA XEP-30 uses Cone Snail venom (yes, you read that right) as a muscle relaxant. With your facial muscles relaxed, fine lines and wrinkles begin to diminish. $160.

For the Ultimate Hostess:

Leaf Embroidered Cotton Tablecloth Rectangular Elegant Indoor/Outdoor Casual Table Cloth Cover for Daily Family Dinners Farmhouse Table Decor (53″ x 53″, Grey) – $17.99

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples. This post contains affiliate links.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: Four Amazing Gifts for HER appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As we’re enjoying the last few days of autumn and getting ready for Thanksgiving, many of us are starting to think about holiday shopping. One website that has surprisingly unique gifts for the special person in your life that’s “hard to shop for” is the New York Times store.

Here are some one-of-a-kind items featured at the New York Times store:

Nautical Chart Marble Coasters

Everyone has their favorite harbor. For me, it’s the New York Harbor with the iconic New York Skyline and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. These coasters are elegant and look great in a house with a rustic or beach decor. I received a sample of the coasters and loved how clear the print of the New York harbor looked on the marble. The yellow added a pop of color on my rustic wooden coffee table. $59.95.

Hometown Aerial Map Jigsaw Puzzle

This puzzle is a wonderful gift for any puzzle lover and makes for a great rainy day family activity. It features an aerial map of the city of your choice, whether your own hometown, or a city that holds a special place in your heart. The puzzle comes in 3 options: 300, 500 and 1,000 pieces. ($44.95 for 500 pieces).

Visit the New York Times store for more gift ideas.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Holiday Shopping: 5 Unique Gifts for Everyone in Your Family appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Every now and then I try to de-clutter my kids’ room and re-organize their toys and books in different ways that make the most out of their space. I recently came across some adorable and functional multi-bins toy organizers that I’m excited to share.

The Delta Children Multi-Bins Toy Organizers are not only super-cute with kids’ favorite characters, but are also very useful for maximizing storage in a small space. I received the Cars Deluxe Book & Toy Organizer for review and was surprised at how much I could fit in it!

Putting it together was fairly easy with straight-forward instructions. Once we put it together it was very lightweight and we could easily move it to any room we wanted to. The bins are made of cloth but they’re sturdy enough to contain heavy toys such as wooden blocks. There’s plenty of room for my kids’ favorite books and even my two-year-old can easily access everything he wants. I personally loved that the organizer was short so we could place it underneath the window – a space that wasn’t getting used. The colorful organizer adds a pop of color and brightness to the room. We love it!

Check out other organizers from Delta Kids:

Purchase organizers on Amazon.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for thirteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 5 and 2) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Have the Cleanest Playroom on the Block with Delta Children Storage Bins appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Last week I got a sneek peak of cool things that you’ll be able to find on zulily this fall.

Besides great clothes for kids, you can also get cribs, strollers, toys, and anything you need for baby on zulily.

They also offer a lot of great women’s clothes.

As well as men’s (this is recent!). I love their home section (we bought our bedroom and living room curtains off zulily). But you can also stock up for your holiday entertaining.

zulily just announced curated event with Instagram sensation, Mini Style Hacker (@ministylehacker), featuring stylish trends for tots this fall and winter.

Mini Style Hacker has gained a huge following for showcasing smart looks for less. The duo at Mini Style Hacker, Ryker Wixom and his mom, Collette Wixom, have teamed up with zulily to curate deals on the top trends this season. The event will start on zulily on October 16^th and run through Oct. 19^th.

zulily and Mini Style Hacker’s  top trends for fall and winter include:

·      Color, Color, and More Color: The leaves may be losing color, but color is definitely staying in kids’ clothing! A little bit of POC (pop of color) jazzes up any outfit as kids layer up this season. Depending on how bold you want the look, you can add a dash with colored socks or belts or make a more daring statement with colored chinos.

·      Slim Fits: The slim cuts from the runways are now available in kids’ sizes. You’ll find these flattering looks in slim fit button downs and skinny jeans. Stay warm with fitted outerwear including slim-fitting blazers, trench coats, and moto jackets.

·      “Fast Track” Trend:  For the especially styled child, try the “Fast Track” look, which blends the urban look with athletic inspiration. Pieces from this look range from varsity jackets layered over sweatshirts and sweatpants in dark colors. Experiment with jogger pants, which combine the best of both comfort and fashion.

·      Rocker Cool: Kids are channeling their inner Joe Strummer and Joan Jett with rocker cool clothing such as graphic band and instrument tees. Distressed military boots and high tops complete the look for your little rock ‘n roller.

·      Classic Comfort: You can’t go wrong with perennial favorites such as crew neck cable knit sweaters and comfy long sleeves. The traditional looks are both comfortable and chic. Half boot half oxford, chukka boots have emerged as a new classic shoe for any occasion.

·      Tribal Prints: The intricate and colorful patterns of tribal prints continue to be popular as the weather turns cold. Incorporate the print subtly through bracelets, patterned panel hats or a tribal print t-shirt.

Shop the sale here: http://zuli.ly/1p6lgi3. If you aren’t a member of Zulily, use my referral link to sign up: http://www.zulily.com/invite/nhorn329/.

Thank to zulily for inviting me to their preview. I received a gift bag. 

The post Shop zulily for Amazing Finds appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Some people are really hard to shop for. Not because they have no interests or hobbies, but because they seem to have everything already and it’s hard to come up with something unique that’ll put a smile on their face. With only a few weeks left until Christmas, here at The Mama Maven we’ve rounded up some unique gifts for those people in your life that seem to already have everything. Happy Shopping!

For the kid who has “everything” – Holiday-themed decals from Wall Candy Arts

Instead of having kids make a gingerbread house, why not save on the calories and sugar and have them design one on their wall? Wall Candy Arts has a selection of Christmas-themed decals that can make any kids’ room, play room or even the living room festive for the holiday season. All you have to do is peel, stick and smooth with your hand. Aside from the yummy-looking gingerbread house they’ve also got other decals bursting with colors, such as snowmen, candy canes, holiday lights and a Christmas tree complete with candy, holy leaves, ornaments and more. These decals also make a cute background for holiday pictures. Best of all, once the holiday season ends, just peel and store for next year! Prices range from $22-$38.

These unique cotton napkins are handmade and are printed with letters from famous people, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Rudyard Kipling to their children. They not only look elegant at the dinner table, but are also great conversation starters. Some of the advice in the letters is certainly timeless (“Don’t worry about growing up. Don’t worry about anybody getting ahead of you”) and some of the advice is, um, interesting (“avoid pickled salmon and rolling on the grass at parks”). Either way, these napkins can provide loads of fun at the dinner table.

For the girl/tween who has “everything” – Girls’ Twinkle Toes Shoes from Skechers

Many girls love shoes. And many girls also love sparkly things. The Twinkle Toes shoes from Skechers are super-sparkly and ultra-colorful shoes for almost any occasion. They’ve got a large collection which includes boots, running shoes and more. The burst of colors and the glitzy sparkles can jazz up any outfit and they are sure to be the talk of the classroom. As a bonus, the box the shoes come in is really pretty and has a top that’s attached – perfect for storing knick-knacks and other things girls love to keep. You can purchase shoes from the Twinkle Toes collection here. Prices are from $25-$58.

For the parents/grandparents who have “everything” – The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts DVD (Collector’s Edition)

It’s not always easy to shop for parents and grandparents; there’s only so many gardening decor, golf accessories and history books you can get. A really unique gift idea is a 6-disc Collector’s Edition of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. This is a DVD collection of twelve complete and unedited celebrity roasts roasts with comedians Jackie Gleason, George Burns, Milton Berle, Bob Newhart, Dom DeLuise and many, many more. Some of those being roasted are Sammy David Jr., Lucille Ball and Don Rickles. I watched the first two roasts in the collection: Bob Hope and Johnny Carson. They were hysterically funny, very well written and impeccably delivered, as expected of these comedic giants. This DVD set is packed with lots of bonus features and makes a great gift for all fans of comedy. You can buy the collection here for $41.35.For the dad/husband who has “everything” – Signature Neckties

A necktie is something most men will wear either often or occasionally so it always makes a great gift. These elegant silk ties make more than a statement. A celebration of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, these ties feature the signatures of the people who signed them, such as the Founding Fathers. The ties come in red (Constitution signatures) or blue (Declaration of Independence signatures).

I was not compensated for this post. I received some samples

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been l been living in New York City for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 6, 4 and a baby) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Holiday Shopping Roundup: Gifts for People who have “Everything” appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Confession: I’m not very organized at times. Especially when my darling children come home bearing art projects. I’ve been known to pile them up, tack them up on the fridge (on top of their other artwork), misplace them or throw them out (I know, bad mom). It’s just so much stuff comes home and I’m overwhelmed. And with back to school upon us, I am dreading the piles of papers and projects, however precious it may be, coming home to clutter, my already cluttered home.

Two of my artists, hard at work.

But Keepy can help. Keepy is an app that let’s you take a photo of your child’s artwork, schoolwork, anything your child is proud of — but get this, their app makes it look SOO much better than just taking a picture (advanced technology recognizes the borders of photographs, creating a perfect crop). Then you can put your child’s artwork in their own gallery in the Keepy app and then share it with their fans (ie. the relatives). While there are apps similar, this one has special features including the narrative function, which enables kids to record the story behind the picture and the keepy-cam, through which loved ones can leave video comments on each keepy – so Grandma Sheila will get notified and she can respond by making a video reply (so cool and creates a special memory).

You have the option to share it on facebook or twitter or keep it private (and share with anyone YOU choose). You can also use your child’s art to make a custom iPhone case, print it out in a book, etc…

We attended the Keepy Launch at the Children’s Museum of Art in NYC recently and had such a blast.

Nice to “Moustache” you!

We got to make glitter moustaches, silkscreen bags, paint, play with our shadow, play in the huge ball pit, and decorate cookies.. Basically, it made my little artists very happy. The space was great and we loved having the run of the place. The Children’s Art Museum is definitely a great place to visit with kids.

At the event, I quickly sat down with the co- creator, Offir Gutelzon, who is a dad. Gutelzon, a serial entrepreneur, sold his decade-old image recognition company PicScout to Getty Images in 2011 and moved to the United States. He saw a need for this when his son kept bringing home art projects and they were piling up (boy, do I know that feeling!) Gutelzon explains, “After moving to New York, I discovered that sharing my kids creativity with family around the world was a daunting task. Keepy is a new way for families to connect and preserve memories by simply snapping and sharing.” He continues, “The experience is a game changer as it takes the smartphone, a device used by three generations, and uses its technology to offer synergized voice, video and photo capabilities and merges them into one keepy, a new form of content.”

Details:

Keepy is free at the iTunes App Store now for the iPhone and iPhone Touch (you get 50 Keepies free) and then there is an option to increase storage with an in-app purchase. It will be available on Google Play in the fall 2013. The price is still pretty reasonable and you do get 50 Keepies free– so I think that Keepy is a good idea.

The platform provides the space and the storage on the Keepy cloud forever. Keepies can also be shared on Facebook, Twitter and the Keepy Gallery, a community photolage. You can also send your Keepies to your dropbox.

We think it’s a great solution to keeping folderfuls of art or bogging down your refrigerator. Call me a convert! And it just may make me a better mom.

What do you do with all the art your children bring home?

www.keepy.me

I was not compensated for this post.

The post Keepy: A Great Way to Digitally Store and Privately Share Your Child’s Artwork appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

If you’ve been following The Mama Maven blog in the past month or two you’ve probably read about my Disney Paint project in which I shopped at Walmart for Disney Paint by Glidden and painted a wall in my kids’ room. And now comes the big reveal of how the wall painting and redecorating turned out and also a re-cap of the princess party I threw for my daughter and her friends. (Read more after the jump)

First things first, here is what my daughter’s side of the bedroom that she shares with her brother looked like before: (as you can see it’s painted yellow and is full of stickers she got for brushing her teeth as a toddler)

After painting a coat of color (“Fairest of Them All”) and a finish of glitter (“All that Glitters”), both from Disney Paint by Glidden and available only at Walmart stores, here is the result: (note: it’s pink; the purple on the bottom is just a shadow)

Here’s a close-up of the glitter finish: (the entire wall sparkles when the sun shines on it)

The Princess play date was a huge success! We had lots of beautiful princesses. Here’s the tally:
1 Aurora
1 “just a regular” princess
1 Snow White
4 Belles

Everyone oohed and ahhed at the painted wall on my daughter’s side of the room. Some of the moms were asking if the painting was easy and whether the glitter came off. Others mentioned they had read about the Disney Paint online. The moms agreed that the color we picked for the paint went well with the yellow on the other walls in the room as it is a subtle pink shade. The girls thought the wall looked cool with the glitter.

Everyone enjoyed great food: pizza bagels, fruit skewers and candy from UNREAL (check out my review of them here).

The girls had a blast making crowns:

They burned off the candy with lots of dancing to Disney songs:

Mia’s mom won a Walmart gift card. All in all, everyone had a a great time!

Compensation and products for review were provided by Glidden via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Glidden.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 6, 4 and a baby) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Disney Paint’s Kids Room Project: Part III – the Party & the Big Reveal! #DisneyPaintMom appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

A couple of Saturdays ago my kids came rushing into my bed at around 6AM and started pulling my covers and yelling in excitement “we’re painting today! Come on!” My husband and I blinked a few times, then stared at each other and realized: ‘we have no choice. We have to paint this morning’. As I mentioned before in my previous post, we’re painting my daughter’s side of the room that she shares with my son since she’s going into first grade next year and needs her own little area that looks a little more mature and fitting for her age. We went to Walmart a few weeks ago and got Disney Paint and Finish. The Paint was “Fairest of Them All” in an eggshell base and the Finish was “All that Glitters”. We also got some tools and so on an early Saturday morning we set out to paint the wall. Here’s what happened: (Read more after the jump)

Just as we were about to start (and when I say “we” I mean my husband, who did 99% of the painting, prep and cleanup) we noticed two small holes in the wall that were made by dents from the door handle. We didn’t have spackling paste so we used toothpaste and it worked like a charm. Here’s how it looks before we filled in the holes:

The kids loved helping out:

Making sure all the nooks and crannies were covered:

For the “All that Glitters” finish we watched a video that demonstrates exactly how to do it: (It’s important to watch the video to see how to do it)

Applying the glitter finish:

Overall, it was a great experience. Painting was pretty easy. The paint itself didn’t have a bad smell but we opened the window just in case, to air out the room. At one point my 7-month-old somehow dipped his little hand in the paint tray so it was a relief to find out that the paint comes off easily with just water and soap. Also, it was helpful to have a special paint can opener (.45 cents at Walmart).

Now that the room is ready, we’re in party-prep mode. The invites have been sent out:

The RSVP’s have been coming in and we’re getting excited! Stay tuned for my next and final post which will be all about the party and, of course, the big reveal!

Special thanks to my husband for doing this project.

Compensation and products for review were provided by Glidden via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Glidden.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 6, 4 and a baby) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Disney Paint’s Kids’ Room Project – Part II – the Painting appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The Good Home Co.’s products are paraben free, sulfate free and phthalate free. These products are also free from animal testing, bio degradable, made in the usa and 100% vegan!

This is what we received:

Lavender Vacuum Beads $16– there are 12-14 uses. It’s a gentle and natural way to scent your home while you vacuum. This would be great for pets too (or really stinky kids). Put them in your vacuum bag or canister and it will release the scent as you vacuum. It won’t hurt your vacuum or leave a dust residue behind.

Line Dried Scented Clothespins  $12– 8 are included in the bottle. Place them in your drawers, gym bag, minivan, anywhere you want to add some scent (it may be great in your teen’s closet).

Pure Grass Laundry Fragrance $22– add 1/3 of a cup to scent your wash and soften your machine washables.

Pure Grass Laundry Detergent $22 — a gentle, sulfate-free detergent derived from natural ingredients. You can also use it to hand wash your clothes.

Beach Days Glass and Surface Cleaner $15.50 — This cleaner is 100% Sulfate-free and will gently clean most surfaces in your home. If you dilute it in water, you can clean your floors too. This was my favorite scent — imagine that, a cleaning product that’s safer to use and actually smells good!

Discount: Use code: spring30 for 30% off.

Thank you to The Good Home Co. for sending products for review purposes.

The post Review: The Good Home Co.: Better for Your Home (+ Discount) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

My son is going to pre-k next year and we’re trying to inspire him to be familiar with the letters of the alphabet as a preparation for beginning to read and write. I found gorgeous art at Art.com that is interactive and can encourage kids to learn the alphabet in a fun way and is great for older kids as well. (Read more after the jump)

I received the Wee Alphas Print for review from the Wee Society collection. It is a drawing of animals with all of the letters of the alphabet hidden in each one. This is a great way of getting your kids to recognize the letters. Each animal also has its own name, which makes it even more fun for kids. The Wee Society collection is exclusive to Art.com, which means you won’t be able to find it anywhere else. You can choose from various types of prints, as well as a variety of sizes that suit your particular needs. The Wee Society collection has three themes:

Wee Alphas: This collection includes a letter of the alphabet hidden in each furry, finned and feathered friend.
Wee You-Things: This quirky crew celebrates those little and big things that make you special.
Wee Know What’s Awesome: From helicopters to confetti to seahorses – here are a bunch of things that are awesome!

The genius about the Wee Society collection is that not only is the art beautiful and unique, it’s universal and can be appreciated across the board by people of all walks of life. It can be hung in a teen’s room, an office, a nursery, or a school-aged-kid’s room. The artwork is whimsical yet has a clean, modern look that appeals to adults.

You can purchase the Wee Alphas Print poster here. Price is from $19.99-$349.99.
Click here to see the entire Wee Society Collection.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 6, 3 and a baby) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Wee Society Collection from Art.com – Art that Grows with Your Child appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.