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It’s Graduation Time! {Pro Digital Photos Review}

We are nearing the end of the school year and that means Graduation! If you have a Senior in your home, and you haven’t ordered invites for their Graduation…listen up!

Pro Digital Photos is your one stop shop for everything photo! From announcements to metal prints, they have you covered.

I recently had the opportunity to try them out first hand as my sister in law is getting ready to graduate.  Their website and ordering system is seamless and very easy to navigate, and anyone can use it. They offer hundreds of ready made card designs and all you have to do it add your favorite pictures and wording.  While I didn’t go with a pre-made design (I decided to design my own for her in photoshop) there system was simple.  I simply uploaded the jpeg’s that I had created and selected my size which was accordian 3.5x 4 along with the quantities and my choice of paper styles, then clicked order.  Easy Peasy! They shipped within two days and arrived at my mailbox 2 days later. How’s that for FAST service. I have to say they turned out gorgeous. The paper is very high quality and the pearl finish made them gorgeous in hand!  Definitely cards my sister in law will be proud to hand out just in time for Graduation.  I also ordered her Rep Cards from Pro Digital Photos.  They are simple and small at 1 1/2 x 3 inches.  Perfect for passing along while signing your yearbooks! I only wish they had them back when I graduated as they are too cute!  If you have a Senior graduating show them these cards…they are so much fun!

Check out these favorites of mine:

Ready to order yours?

There is still time to get your graduation announcements and rep cards. Hurry over to Pro Digital Photos today!

Hollie May 9, 2012 PRODUCT REVIEWS , , ,

Let it Grow {Miracle-Gro Kids Kit Review}

I love the idea of a garden.  I don’t love all of the time and work that goes into it…I am secretly grateful for that pesky gopher that has been living in my backyard (preventing our garden planting) for the last two years.  So when the opportunity came to have a tiny little garden in my kitchen, we went for it!  Miracle-Gro sent a Disney Mickey Mouse Greenhouse for us to try out our green thumbs on.

“The Disney Mickey Mouse Greenhouse from Miracle-Gro® Kids boasts the iconic shape of the most famous mouse in the world!  Kids will enjoy the fun of growing a bountiful vegetable garden with the Miracle-Gro® Gro-Pod™ system.”

I talked my kids into waiting a day or two after delivery to start the growing…that way Josh could do all of the work and I could take pictures.  The instructions were very easy to follow and before long the kids had Mickey all put together and they were ready to plant the seeds.  The kit came with 3 different kids of seeds, soil, and a planting sticks.  Josh helped dig the holes while the kids very carefully dropped the seeds in the holes.  Mia got to put the labeling sticks in the cups, so we would remember what had been planted in each cup.  She was very impressed with the Mickey and Goofy ones.  With one last drink of water, the lid was placed over the top and the greenhouse was placed in the kitchen window.

About 3 weeks later, we have some baby tomato plants and cucumber plants growing in our cute little terrarium.  We only had to water them once or twice because the moisture collected on the top and would keep the plants moist.  Every morning the kids all take a good peek at their plants and have shown them off to their friends.  They can’t wait to finally have veggies on their plants…we better plan on replanting them before them.

Gardening isn’t just for Grandpa…kids can do it, too.  They were thrilled as Josh taught them about how the green house worked and how the plants were going to grow.  What a wonderful way to teach kids about gardening.  Miracle-Gro also has all kids of other fun kids gardening kits. Real Mom Approved!!

Erin April 27, 2012 PRODUCT REVIEWS , , , , , , , ,

Real Moms DIY Series: First Signs of Spring

Daffodils are blooming!  Bring them inside to enjoy the first signs of spring.

Here are some tips when harvesting and designing with Daffodils:

  • when harvesting from your garden, try to break them off from the base of the stem instead of cutting them, allowing for better water absorption.
  • once cut, daffodils exude a toxic sap from their hollow stems that can make other flowers their arranged with die more quickly.  To prevent this from happening you can place your cut daffodils in a vase with cool water by themselves for 12+ hours to “cure” before using in a mixed flower arrangement, or you can try the DIY below.
  • Daffodils like shallow water, so no need to fill your containers to the top.  Just refill with some fresh water and floral food every couple days.

Want to cut your daffodils and use them right away with other flowers?  Try this:

Use two vases.  Place one inside of the other, and then fill both with water.  (I also use this concept when I want candy or other decorations to be seen through the vase in a design).  The water acted as a suction to keep my vases in place, but a bit of floral clay can also be used to secure the vases together.

Next, place greenery and coordinating flowers in the outer part of the vase.  I used berzelia foliage, trachelium and whimsical orange ranunculus.


Finally, group your daffodils and add them to the inner vase.

 Fresh from the garden……Enjoy!

REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES and Save!

Christina March 1, 2012 REAL MOMS DIY SERIES , , ,

Create Your Own WHATEVER!! {Happy Toy Machine Review and Giveaway}

We have been to Build a Bear.  We have Wuggles.  We even have an American Girl doll that looks like my daughter.  If you ask me, my kids (and all kids for that matter) like to create something that is theirs.  They love to personalize with colors, clothes, and accessories.  That is what makes a doll or toy special…when it is just theirs and no one has one like it.  Happy Toy Machine has taken this concept one step further….create and personalize the entire toy!!!

What is Happy Toy Machine?

Happy Toy Machine lets you create your own cool, cute, and crazy custom plush (stuffed) toys. 
Design as many toys as you want for free, share them with your friends, and only buy one when you’re ready.
When you order we’ll make your one-of-a-kind custom toy and ship it straight to you.
Think it sounds amazing?!  Wait until you have tried it!!  My kids had so much fun creating their animal.  She went from cute, to weird, back to cute again.  Once they figured out how to change her hands, her feet, her face and even the shape of her head; they were in heaven!  My kids played on the website for about an hour making the perfect animal to have created.  They made her eyes big then small.  They swapped noses over and over.  The image on the tummy was the most difficult for them to agree on.  Once they had her created, named and ordered, the week long wait began.  They checked the mailbox daily looking for their new friend.  After about a week, she arrived and looked IDENTICAL to the masterpiece they had create!  They couldn’t have been happier with how she turned out.  Everything was perfect.  You can tell by the pictures how close she really is.  The picture on the left is the image that my kids created using the Create a Toy feature.  The image on the right is the item that we received.  The colors, shapes and proportions are identical to the image that they created.  I was amazed at how close it really is!!  As a mom, I was really impressed with the quality and detail of the creation!  Also, the detail that is put into creating the creation!  You can change the color of everything!!  If you want green eyes, have green eyes!  Need a black tail, spin your animal around and give it a black tail!  Want a sweet little kitty??  You can create the purrfect little kitty.  How about a freaky alien?  Add three eyes and pincher hands.  This is super fun!!  Go and create a frend of your own!  Remember Happy Toy Machine for your favorite niece, nephew, grand-kid or your kid!  Who ever it is for will not only love receiving it, but will love creating it too!
Want to win one??! 

Mandatory 1st entry:

1) Check out Happy Toy Machine! Take minute to check out the different options when creating and tell us what your kiddo would like best.

Once the mandatory entry is completed you can gain additional entries from the following:

2 entries: “Like” Happy Toy Machine on Facebook.

1 entry: Follow Happy Toy Machine on Twitter.

1 entry per day-Tweet the following and leave us your tweet url link.

Happy Toy Machine is Real Mom (and her creative kids) Recommended!!

You have until March 7th @ 11:59 PM EDT to enter the giveaway. All giveaways are open to USA only.

Erin February 22, 2012 PRODUCT REVIEWS WITH GIVEAWAYS , , , , , , , , ,

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Valentine Printables!

Ready for Valentines Day? Need an idea for the kiddos school treats?

Here’s some fun printables just in time for V-Day from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax!
Simply click the picture below and you can download them all.
Happy Valentining!!!

DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX WILL BE IN THEATERS MARCH 2, 2012.

Hollie February 11, 2012 REAL MOMS DIY SERIES ,

Real Moms DIY Series: Send a Little Love on Valentine’s Day

All you need is love….la..la..la, la la.  Lyrics aside :) , we all need love to make us feel appreciated, confident, and happy.

Send a little love to the special people in your life this Valentine’s day by giving these sweet mailbox flower arrangements!

Simple enough to create that even the kiddos can help out………makes a special delivery for their teacher too!

Supplies you’ll need:

  • a small mailbox (I found these for $1 at Target….BARGAIN!!, however, I’ve seen them at various craft stores)
  • floral foam
  • flowers
  • Stickers or notions
  • clippers to cut your flowers
  • baggie or small cup

First, decorate your mailbox with stickers and notions to give it some personality.  I chose to use letter stickers, felt heart stickers, and puffy heart stickers.

Next, cut a small piece of floral foam to fit inside the mailbox or on the flap that hinges open (the one I purchased didn’t have a hinged flap so I put my foam inside…in this case I also taped the lid to the mailbox so it could remain as one piece).  Soak the foam in water by letting it rest on the waters surface and letting it sink on its own.  To make your flowers last longer, add floral food (the packet that comes with your flowers) to the water.

Now place the wet foam inside the mailbox.  It’s a good idea to set the foam in a baggie or paper cup to avoid the possibility of water rusting the metal or leaking out.

Time to add the flowers!  Start with greenery to hide the foam, then add in your focal flowers, and finish with filler.  Cut stems around 1-2″ long and press into the foam.

It took a single rose, 2-3 stems of filler and a stem of greenery to complete this project…….only costing me $5!!!


Try standing the mailbox up and creating a round design.
Wishing y’all lots of love this Valentine’s Day!

REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES and Save!

 

Christina January 19, 2012 REAL MOMS DIY SERIES , , , , ,

Real Moms DIY: Making Cake Pops & Lovin’ My Tamron Lens!

Yes, I got ambitious and decided to go ALL OUT for my little one’s birthday.  You know they only turn 1 and 3 once! Hehe!  So I enlisted the help of my sisters and we went to work in the kitchen.

My yummy cake pops! Impressed???

They were easy to make and made such a fun colorful statement on the counter with our party theme!  Basically you use a box cake mix, bake, let cool, crumble and add in a can of frosting, then roll and chill in the fridge. Then the fun part-decorating.  Dip in chocolate and sprinkle with fun candies and coatings!  You must try them at your next party!

Here’s a step by step cake pops recipe if you want to try them yourself.

Another thing that I have been having fun with is my Tamron Lens.  I have loved having the opportunity to shoot with it.  I was able to take some fun pictures of the party and I have really loved getting to know the lens.  My hubby loves it too!  Especially when we are outdoors as he can zoom in on nature and our kids.  We get such great shots with every take.  I highly recommend you check out Tamron if you are in the market for a new lens. You won’t be disappointed. :)

Check out this lens:

Tamron 18-270mm all-in-one zoom lens, the world’s lightest, smallest 15x zoom optimized for use on APS-C- DSLRs, continues the pursuit of the ideal all-in one zoom lens. Combining prior award-winning achievements with new engineering breakthroughs yielded the remarkable 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Piezo Drive). Special piezoelectric technology now delivers faster, quieter precision autofocusing. Tamron’s exclusive tri-axial VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, featuring three pairs of driving coils and low-function ball bearings placed around the VC optical group, combats camera shake-related image blur. It’s Tamron VC that allows handheld shooting at as many as four shutter speeds slower than otherwise possible with a dramatically stable viewfinder experience. Compactness and light weight are preserved, thanks in part to the VC mechanism’s newly-developed moving coil mechanism.

Defining compositional freedom the 18-270mm Di-II VC’s incredible 15x zoom range provides a 35mm picture angle equivalency of 28mm to 419mm, with image fidelity assured by advanced optical design featuring LD glass and aspherical optics, working in concert to render crisp, colorful and faithful images.

A 24% reduction in length and 18% reduction in weight

24% smaller

Hollie January 9, 2012 REAL MOMS DIY SERIES , , , , ,

Real Moms DIY: Make Up Magnetic Board

Looking for a fun NEW YEAR NEW YOU project?

I most certainly am, and I LOVE this Make Up Magnet Board tutorial.

Go check it out!

…remember Real Moms Can Do It Themselves and SAVE some serious MOOLAH!

Hollie December 27, 2011 REAL MOMS DIY SERIES , , , ,

Real Moms DIY: Holiday Hair Dos For You!

Looking for a fun new hair do for your upcoming work and holiday parties?

Check out these great do ideas:

Triple Max Tons

Braided Crown

Twist Braid

DIY this Holiday Season and look S-M-A-S-H-I-N-G-L-Y Cute at all your parties!

Hollie December 12, 2011 REAL MOMS DIY SERIES , , , ,

Real Moms DIY: Glitter Ornaments

I just love Holiday do-it-yourself projects! They are always so much fun. Grab a friend and make it a DIY project night.
How about making your own glittery ornaments for your tree.

You can make them in any color and really spice up your family room!

I was thinking of doing red and gold ones for my Christmas tree!

Silver Glitter Ornaments tutorial

What color would you make?

Hollie December 12, 2011 Holiday 2011, REAL MOMS DIY SERIES , , , ,

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