What is Organization? Find out with the Brother P-Touch Label Maker

Earlier this month, I lamented (read: complained) about the excess clutter and disorganization in our house. There's just something about piles of papers, loose cords falling everywhere, stacked up toys and taking 10+ extra minutes to find things that makes me feel suffocated.

Not to mention the disheartening feeling of actually taking the time to get things decently put away... only to look into the playroom or on the kitchen shelves a week later and see that it has somehow all returned back to the way it was before. Are there Disorder Elves that come out at night and make the mess reappear?

Fortunately, the perfect motivation for me (as well as my family) to simplify life and encourage all of us to keep our mess to a minimum came in the form of the Brother PT-H100 Labeler.

While I had originally assumed that the PT-H100 would be fairly easy to use, I hadn't anticipated it being quite this simple. It took all of a minute or two to pop in six AAA batteries (not included) and drop the cartridge right into place and then it was time to label!

Even though I was planning on making unadorned, plain labels, I appreciated that Brother made it possible to customize and add all sorts of creative, designer touches (e.g. icons, borders, Italic, Bold, etc) by pressing only a few buttons.

After a moment or two of quickly getting familiar with the various key locations, I dove right in and started tackling the kitchen shelves.

A few quick taps on the letters (right away I fell in love with how easy it is to change from uppercase to lowercase and back, as well as opting to change my label from all printing on one single line or breaking it into two) and I was printing them out one after another.

Thanks to this Brother P-Touch Labeler and a few small bins from The Container Store and Ikea, my kitchen shelves were quickly transformed from jumbled mess to clean and organized.

While the bins themselves (I placed more on the shelves below to really spread the organizational love around!) make the difference in not having to see everything sitting out, the PT-H100 is really what ensures that things will stay this way.

As well as the cords, headphones, batteries, chargers and more now having their own designated spots, finding what I'm looking for won't require digging through multiple piles. Instead, I can go straight to the bin, pull out what I need, use it, and return it easily back to its home. Perfection!

After my excitement over the kitchen, I waited until the following morning so that Big Sister E could help me tackle the craziness that encapsulated the playroom.

As well as ridding the room of toys and games that were outgrown, it was past time to get items into bins (labeled!) so that there would be no excuse for our wall of shelves to have things stuffed in this way and that.

Although I had to help her spell a few of the words, Big Sister E had no problem creating, printing and cutting off labels for bin after bin as we sorted through everything.

I have no doubt that had I tried to get her to help organize without the PT-H100 that she would have complained, but instead she was more than happy to put things away and keep on cleaning since she was having so much fun making labels!

Wow, this thing is magic! She would say, as the letters appeared on the label in seconds. Can't argue with that!

Once we finished clearing out the last of the outgrown toys and putting all of our newly-labeled bins onto the shelf, it felt pretty amazing to step back and see the final, organized results.

Wanna come play?

Similar to the kitchen, adding in more bins to the room was the first step in minimizing the cluttered feel. However, that being said, we have had bins for years and, as they have always been unlabeled, the toys end up just all getting thrown into any bin in an effort to get them off of the floor.

Considering that leads to more mess and a decreased chance of the toys actually getting played with, now that each bucket clearly states what goes inside, there is just no reason why the baby clothes and the potato heads can't stay separated.

I'm the first to admit that I have some OCD tendencies, but in this case, the Brother P-Touch Labeler has really provided me with a way to not go over the edge when it comes to clutter and the stress that comes with it. Every time that I find another folder, bucket, bin, drawer or box to label, it just makes me feel so much more relaxed knowing that I will be able to find its contents that much easier next time!

Not to mention that as well as giving us the boost in the initial management of our belongings, I have high hopes for the future based on the comments that I've heard from my family. When Big Sister E called out, Mama, now I don't have to worry about cleaning up in here. It's so easy! from the playroom recently, I knew that our organizational routine had been permanently improved.

Whether you look around your home or office and feel defeated by the disarray or you just want an easy way to simplify, identify and organize your life, the Brother P-Touch PT-H100 Label Maker is a convenient, nearly-foolproof tool to tackle projects both big and small. With an MSRP of $34.99, this indispensable gadget is available directly from Brother or on Amazon.

Don't just take my word for it though, swing by the Brother-P-Touch Facebook tab to find out why others agree that now is the right time to get organized and how they too are using high quality Brother P-Touch products in their quest!

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Brother P-Touch and received a product sample to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Unique and Fun Movie and Television T-Shirts from TVStoreOnline.com {Review & Giveaway - 3 winners!}

When you look in my closet, you'll find the full range of clothing styles. From the utmost in casual (my beloved yoga pants and sweatshirts) to everyday pieces (jeans and sweaters) to the more formal (slacks, skirts, and dresses), each one has a place for the various days and occasions of my life.

But as much as there are some items that don't leave the closet all too often, there are others that are easily the most go-to and versatile that I'm sure to always feel comfortable in.

Namely, t-shirts. There's just something about a great t-shirt that makes it incredibly casual when worn with sweats or chic and trendy when topping a pair of khakis. Add some cute sandals and accessories and you're ready for dinner... or add a pair of athletic shorts and tennis shoes and you're prepared to bring your kids to the park. You just can't go wrong with a t-shirt!

So what can make a t-shirt even better? When it is not only high quality but is also unique, fun and a great conversation piece. Which is exactly what can be found at TVStoreOnline.com.

Featuring a gigantic selection of popular movie and TV memorabilia for all ages and generations, browsing TVStoreOnline.com is filled with Ooh, I like that one! followed by No, wait! That one! and Hold on, that one HAS to be my favorite! accompanied with Or, hmm. On the other hand, that one...

Let's just say that no matter if you're a fan of the 80's, 90's, cult classics, comedies, geeks or much more, TVStoreOnline.com will have a t-shirt from the movies and television shows that you love.

Have a husband who grew up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers? Imagine his surprise when he unwraps one of these:

Or maybe your best friend can't get enough Saturday Night Live or Workaholics? Just think about how much she would laugh at her own "More Cowbell" or "Livin' in a Van Down by the River" shirt!

As for me, while I had originally thought that I would have a difficult time selecting my favorite shirt from TVStoreOnline.com, as soon as I spied the Saved by the Bell Costumes category, all doubts were erased from my mind.

You don't even need to see the entire decal to know this shirt, do you?

Yes my friends, that is the Saved by the Bell Bayside Tigers T-shirt Gray, featuring the same logo as was worn by AC Slater himself.

Officially licensed and perfect for people like me who have watched every single episode of Saved by the Bell over and over and over again, this shirt is soft, comfortable, long in length (something that I appreciate) and makes me smile every time I look at it.

Special thank you to my 4-year-old photographer for this picture!

I'm telling you, I'm ready to slack off with Zack, wrestle with Slater, cheer with Kelly, shop with Lisa, sing with Jessie, and... be a goofball sidekick with Screech?

Retailing for $16.95, this shirt is available in sizes Small up to XX-Large, so there's just no reason to not join in on the Saved by the Bell fun! When it comes to size, TVStoreOnline.com mentioned that this shirt is fitted, so I did order a size larger just to be on the safe side — when it first arrived I thought it looked much too big, but after one wash and dry, it shrunk to be a great fit.

Whether you don't miss an episode of 30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory or The Simpsons, can repeat every line of Wayne's World, The Breakfast Club or Caddyshack, or just want to show your appreciation for Captain America, David Hasselhoff or Bon Jovi, you'll want to head to TVStoreOnline.com today. The result is a shirt that doubles as nostalgic memorabilia!

Thanks to the generosity of TVStoreOnline.com, three people will soon be able to show off their favorite movie, show, music or comic as well, because...

Three lucky people will win their choice of t-shirt from TVStoreOnline.com!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to TVStoreOnline.com for providing a t-shirt for me to review as well as the t-shirt of choice for three lucky giveaway winners. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Bring Peppa Pig to Your Mobile Device with the Happy Mrs. Chicken App {Review}

In case our reviews on Peppa Pig DVDs, Peppa Pig toys and Peppa Pig plush pals haven't made it clear, around here Peppa Pig is quite the celebrity.

My kids have been excited about this charming series since the first time they were introduced to it and the excitement and giggling hasn't lessened. Designed for preschool-aged children and airing on Nick Jr, Peppa Pig stars Peppa, a loveable, energetic little piggy, along with her family – her little brother, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – as they play games, go to school, take family trips and, best of all, jump in muddy puddles.

So, considering how much my kids have enjoyed watching the show, playing with the playsets, reading the book, and more, I knew right away that they would be thrilled to know that Peppa has now leapt off of the television screen and into a new mobile world with the launch of the new Happy Mrs. Chicken app.

Filled with the show's familiar music, accents and sound effects, Happy Mrs. Chicken is an interactive app filled with fun and games that are designed to delight children everywhere by making them a part of the Peppa Pig action.

As soon as my girls saw Peppa's avatar on the iPad, they were beyond eager to begin exploring and playing. While I assumed that they wouldn't need too much help, I was pleased to realize that between the colorful, simple design, the straightforward instructions from the narrator and the intuitive, child-friendly style, my kids were able to play independently right from the start.

Including a variety of games and a bonus virtual sticker book (which gets filled with stickers as you complete more and more games), Happy Mrs. Chicken options are:

Happy Mrs. Chicken: Directly inspired by a game that Peppa plays on Mummy Pig's computer on the show, Happy Mrs. Chicken involves helping Mrs. Chicken lay eggs right on the screen. The eggs then hatch and users get to see the baby chicks scurry off either side of the screen.

Chicken Coop: This game includes various modes, allowing children to race against the clock or play in a more relaxed manner, as well as choosing between one color chicks or increasing the difficulty with two colors. The premise of the game involves sending the chicks into their coordinating color chicken coop before the time runs out or the chicks walk off of the screen.

Seed and Maze: This maze-style game has six levels of difficultly, in which the player drops a trail of seeds to guide the chicks home without getting lost.

Muddy Puddles: Giving kids the option of playing as Peppa or as her little brother George, Muddy Puddles is a head-to-head competition against an animal friend to see who can jump in the most muddy puddles!

Jigsaw Puzzles: Players choose between four jigsaw puzzle designs, as well as selecting if the puzzle will include six, nine, or 12 pieces.

Sticker Book: Using the virtual stickers collected from playing the games, users can choose between a variety of colorful backgrounds from Peppa's life to decorate with any number of characters and items.

We have had Happy Mrs. Chicken around our house for a few weeks now and both girls love it. They giggle at the sound effects, cheer when they've completed a puzzle or earned another sticker, and get excited over each and every chick making it to its coop or through a maze.

At the same time, I love knowing that their entertainment is also providing creative, critical and cognitive thinking, hand-eye coordination, practice in counting as well as colors and much more. I'm always a big fan of combining education with play, and having the ability to include my girls' beloved pig pals as well has made this a hit for everyone!

Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (iOS 3.0 or later), Happy Mrs. Chicken retails for $2.99 and can be downloaded in minutes from iTunes. Not an Apple user? No worries, there is also an Android version available on Amazon also for $2.99.

You can also find out more about this great show at PeppaPig.com and the variety of fun and games available to accompany it at PlayWithPeppa.com.

I was provided with a complimentary download of Happy Mrs. Chicken in order to facilitate this review as well as various gifts to thank me for my time. However, as usual, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Spring into Place with The Children's Place {Review}

We're at the point in winter where I'm ready for it to be over (never mind the fact that I was actually ready for it to be over before it began).

Yes, I love seeing my kids' excitement when they rush to the window to watch the snow fall, and yes, there is something a bit magical about seeing the world covered in the glisten and shimmer of each tiny flake.

But does that mean that I'm not yearning to pack away the boots and snowpants and pull out our sandals, shorts and tank tops? Not in the slightest, because I love spring!

The sun shines, the flowers bloom, and I get to throw open my girls' closets to see what adorable and affordable fashions are waiting for them — which is why I love seeing all of the stylish, colorful and fun options in the new Spring Collection at The Children's Place.

With all of the clothes, shoes, accessories and more for newborns through size 14, we've come to depend on The Children's Place for any number of things. It seems that no matter what I'm shopping for, I've been able to walk in the door or head to their website and find just the head-to-toe look (with a price tag that can't be beat) that makes us all happy.

When it comes to spring, I always love that The Children's Place makes it easy to think ahead to warmer weather and begin to stock up on the fresh trends. The chic and stylish options make preparing for the bright, sunny days ahead enjoyable and fun and their 2013 Spring Dressy collection, which has recently hit stores, is no exception.

Whether your spring plans include celebrations for Easter, Communion, a Christening, a wedding or simply just the warm weather, there is an adorably sweet item in The Children Place's collection that will showcase bold, bright color, crisp classics or fresh florals and will work for the occasion.

When a dress for Big Sister E as well as Little Sister B arrived, I'm not sure which one of us was more excited to see them!

Definitely putting us in the mood for spring, the Paillette Tiered Dress and Striped Denim Dress are both the perfect combination of colorful, casual, comfortable and adorably cute.

While Big Sister E has steered away from "girly" items in the past, the Paillette Tiered Dress has the appeal of a super soft t-shirt (100% cotton jersey) with just enough shine to make it fun. She had no problem pulling on this drop waist dress and admiring the way that the paillettes caught the light and the tiers of the skirt gave a little extra flair.

Retailing for $24.95, the Paillette Tiered Dress is also available in a violet/turquoise color option in sizes 4 - 14. I have no doubt that Big Sister E will continue to wear this in cooler weather with leggings and a sweater and all throughout the spring and summer on its own... not to mention that as soon as she outgrows it, it will go directly into the eagerly-awaiting arms of Little Sister B!

In the meantime, Little Sister B's Striped Denim Dress features a chic, trendy combination of nautical pink stripes and dark indigo denim for a casual, tiered look of its own. I was impressed right away with the elasticized taping at the waist and the way that the 3D rosette applique gives it a chic and designer look.

Regularly retailing for $24.95, the Striped Denim Dress is already on sale for only $18.71, a price that can hardly be beat for something so simple, sweet and very well-made!

As nothing in The Children's Place's Spring Collection is over $50, it truly is easy to fall in love with so many pieces that they offer. Each one always has delicate (but durable) styling, great details throughout and the perfect amount of femininity that is age-appropriate.

The only thing that can make these pieces even cuter? Adding just the right accessories, of course. The Children's Place has a large selection of shoes, hats, clips, bags, tights and more that can pull the whole look together with ease.

We received two pink sequined headbands (one thinner and one thicker) that add just enough sparkle and glitz to the girls' dresses (or paired with any number of other outfits as well) that we have been reaching for them daily!

Only seconds before hugging turned into smothering mayhem. Happens every time.

Whether your little fashionista is a fan of sequins, rhinestones, ribbons and rosettes or prefers her wardrobe with fewer adornments, The Children's Place is going to provide her with many spring days filled with twirling and happiness! If you have boys in your life, there are plenty of great boy options that he's sure to love as well!

Considering how hard it has been for me to get my girls to take these outfits off, it just might not be too difficult to make it through the upcoming long weeks of winter that we have left!

Spring will be here before we know it, so don't wait to have a few great items from The Children's Place in your child's closet today. Their clothes have always been high quality, stylish and items that parents and kids both love.

Visit their website to see their great collections and find the store nearest you. You can also connect with The Children's Place on Facebook and Twitter.

(Other than the two dresses and two headbands that I received from The Children's Place to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this company and their cute items.)

Something About Silver's Show Them Your Love Valentine's Day Photo Contest {On Now!}

Having children, the meaning of Valentine's Day is quite a bit different than it was in the past for me. Of course I love my husband and know that it would be nice to spend time with him and exchange the classic gifts... but there's just more than that now.

When I look at Big Sister E and Little Sister B, I know that Valentine's Day isn't just about flowers and chocolate (although those are nice) or any gift at all, really. It's truly the holiday made to celebrate the most important thing that we all have: love.

And the pure, sweet love from children is exactly what Something About Silver is celebrating this week in their fun and exciting Show Them Your Love Valentine's Day Photo Contest.

In honor of children everywhere and as a special reminder about one of the greatest days for loving others, Something About Silver is holding a contest for one lucky winner to bring home some cash and free jewelry. Pretty nice combination, right?

Taking part is easy! Here's how:

1. Like Something About Silver on Facebook.


2. Subscribe to the contest newsletter for contest-specific updates and information.


3. Email in a photo of your child/grandchild (10 years old or younger) showing someone their love and include a 3-sentence description. Be sure to send your photograph to contest@somethingaboutsilver.com by 8am EST on February 2nd, 2013.


4. A panel of judges will select the best 10 photos to be placed into a poll — at 5pm EST on Monday, February 4th all participants will receive a link to the poll where the 10 selected finalists can be viewed.


5. All finalists will then have seven days to collect as many votes as they possibly can (polls will close on Monday, February 11th at 5pm EST) and the one who collects the most votes will win!

The winner will be announced the very next day (February 12th) and will receive $250 cash and a $75 Gift Certificate to Something About Silver, who will overnight a money order to the winner before Valentine's Day.

The Show Them Your Love Valentine's Day Photo Contest is on now (and ends early Saturday morning!) so start looking through your photographs for the one that best represents the love that children so freely display.

Then be sure to visit the Something About Silver blog for all of the details and fine print and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter as well. Good luck!

I was compensated for my time in sharing this information, however, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Maintain a Radiant, Youthful Complexion with Brazilian Peel {Review & Giveaway}

In a conversation recently, a friend told me that she loved winter.

I'm not going to lie, I looked at her like she was crazy while you've GOT to be kidding ran through my head. What is there to love? It's freezing, it takes an extra 10 minutes to hunt down and pack up my kids' boots, snowpants, hats, mittens and more, and, no matter what I do, my hair, lips and skin feel dry.

Another layer of lip balm to keep my chapped lips at bay and another application of lotion to keep the cracks away from my knuckles, but my face? It just seems like it is peeling, dry and dull all over. Lovely.

Fortunately, there are products designed to make it easy to jump start our skin and maintain a radiant, youthful complexion all year long. Sounds pretty nice, right? That's why I was excited to be introduced to the patented, self-neutralizing Brazilian Peel and the way that it firms and tones skin, and reduces fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

From Advanced Home Actives, Brazilian Peel is the first professional-strength peel designed to deliver deeper, long-lasting results at home. Formulated with 30% glycolic acid, the nourishing antioxidant açaì, and the innovative Q-Mag Neutralizer, this product claims to help tighten skin and remove skin damage for women seeking affordable home skin care.

Considering I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy ways to bring new life to my skin, I was ready to give Brazilian Peel a chance to see the improvements it could provide for me.

Pulling the contents out of the box, I was glad to see that the entire process was uncomplicated and easy to follow.

As much as I would like to spend hours at a time on an at-home spa experience, I definitely appreciate being able to pull out a product that simply requires a few minutes and can be utilized easily during a mom's busy schedule.

It only took a minute to glance over the instructions before I was able to put the first application of the Brazilian Peel to use.

As each application is held in a double-chamber syringe container, once you've washed and dried your face and neck, you simply dispense the Brazilian Peel gel and white Q-Mag Mineral Neutralizer right into the palm of your hand.

After mixing the contents with two fingers until they are thoroughly combined, apply an even layer to your entire face, neck and décolleté and leave for 10 minutes.

While I felt an initial warm, light tingling sensation (the instructions mention to rinse immediately if you experience discomfort), I didn't have any problem leaving the Brazilian Peel on my skin for the allotted time before thoroughly washing it off.

I have to admit that I was slightly skeptical that I would remove the towel from my face and find my skin glowing like the Brazilian Peel models...

...but was pleasantly surprised to see that it had indeed revealed fresher, younger-looking skin without even a hint of redness or irritation. My face in general felt clearer and I was shocked when my husband (who is levels beyond me when it comes to being skeptical of products meeting their claims) even mentioned that he indeed thought my skin was a bit brighter.

When I went to apply makeup later in the day, I definitely noticed that the application was easier and that my skin did feel smoother than it has in a while. Even though I hadn't invested a great deal of time (and money) visiting a spa, I was really pleased that the results appeared as if I had!

As chemical peel treatments are one of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the U.S., being able to visibly and instantly brighten, smooth, firm, and tone skin right at home is a fantastic alternative.

I don't know about you, but the ease and convenience of being able to remove or improve the appearance of things like sun damage, tiny scarring, fine lines, age spots, skin discolorations and more right from the comfort of my own home is a huge plus. Why wouldn't I want to reveal the fresh, soft skin that is hiding below the dry, dull surface by simply using Brazilian Peel once a week?

Albeit much more inexpensive than going to a spa or doctor's office, Brazilian Peel does retail for $78 for four applications, so it isn't cheap. But if you're someone that is looking for a way to have a radiant complexion without any discomfort or hassle, this just might be the thing for you!

Find out more, read other reviews, or make a purchase of Brazilian Peel on the Advanced Home Actives website, as well as from Sephora or on Amazon.

And, thanks to the generosity of AHA, one person will soon be able to see smoothing, firming and brightening of their skin as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Brazilian Peel
by Advanced Home Actives (ARV $78)!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to Advanced Home Actives for providing a Brazilian Peel kit for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.