March 21st, 2012

Punchbowl Electronic Invitations

When I knew I was going to have a gender reveal party, Punchbowl invitations were a must.

I thought about paper invitations initially (they can be really pretty and snazzy), but since it was going to be more than just your average party, I knew that static paper wouldn’t cut it with the changing guest list and time adjustments. Paper invitations can stretch the party budget since you have to pay for the invitations and stamps. Let alone all the work addressing envelopes. Plus, who doesn’t like to go green and save some trees?

So, Punchbowl was my party-invite savor, but they also rock in other ways.

First, Punchbowl is a local Massachusetts-based company, so I love that there is that connection. I have used them before for other invitations and have always loved the designs and the easy-peasy full-functionality of the site.

Second, when planning my Gender Reveal Party, I couldn’t find a Gender Reveal Party theme. Lot’s a great baby shower themes, but those didn’t cut it. (I’m kinda past the ducky stage.) So one day, I wrote to them and suggested Gender Reveal designs be added to their repertoire. Anyone can do so, and they welcome feedback all the time. (What company do you know that does that?) Within a week, they had some fabulous Gender Reveal Party Designs. I was ecstatic: fabulous company, cool designs, save some trees, the ability to change things as the party planning progressed, and a great section for party details.

This is the design I chose: Simple. Modern.

Since you can customize the text, I took out “Baby Shower” and put in “Party”. Then I linked directions, provided a diatribe of party details, let folks comment on the party to create buzz and connect with each other.

You can also share details on registries, let people add friends, organize invitees by groups (husband and wife for example), or plan a potluck.  Needless to say, everything is covered and your dashboard is like party central where you can manage guests, add more guests (and, err, delete some guests), remind them to respond, send private messages, thank them for coming or send emails asking about food allergies. You name it, it is there. (And if it is not – tell them – they listen!)

You can even pick your own “stamp”, change the font and saying on the envelope, which opens to reveal your invitation. (It is really funky – you have got to see it in action.) Here is what my envelope looked like. (Notice the stamp? How perfect is that!)

A lot of the Punchbowl designs are free, but you can purchase membership to get access to other designs and functionality, like advertisement-free invitations. The cost is reasonable, especially since it covers thank you cards, birthday cards, just because cards, personal, business, etc. Seriously, the next time you have to plan a kid’s birthday party, want to send a card to a best friend, plan a work event or a summer BBQ, Punchbowl is it. So go bookmark them. Like, now. I’ll wait.

Awesome! Now join me at my Gender Reveal Twitter Party and maybe you’ll win the $100 Premium Punchbowl membership! You can plan your baby shower, share your registry, send thank you notes, announce the arrival of the baby, announce the baby’s name, plan your baby’s first birthday party…. (See, I told you they rock!)

 

 

 

 

 

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March 18th, 2012

Lorax Giveaway

We hear about it all the time; “Go Green!” On St. Patrick’s Day, “going green” means to wear a green shirt and shrink green beer. But the other 364 days, it has another meaning.

Yet, what if I didn’t take time to teach that meaning to my children? What would the future environment be like for my toddler?

I saw a preview of Dr. Seuss Lorax movie a month ago. It caught my attention (frankly, unlike many other animated kid movies out there) because it made me realize what the world could be like for my child’s child: not knowing what is a dolphin? Not knowing what is a polar bear. Or, as the Lorax movie discusses, what is a tree?

Yes, what could happen to thee?

As a parent, it’s often something as simple as making ‘green efforts’ as part of our lifestyle. Our children often emulate what we do, so if they grow up in a household that recycles, it will be a natural behavior for them. If we consistently turn off the water when brushing our teeth, they will know the benefit of conserving water. If we turn off the lights when we leave a room, they will understand saving energy.

Even what we eat can provide discussion how it is grown, who makes it and how it impacts the environment through toxins, pollutions and packaging. For example, Stonyfield is brand that many of us parents have given to our babies (YoBaby), toddlers (YoToddler) and kids (YoKids), and now they even have the only greek yogurt for kids. Of course, like their other products, it’s made without pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, genetically engineered ingredients or artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. Thus, it makes sense that Stonyfield, as well as other companies like Seventh Generation (of which we use the diapers), have collaborated with the The Lorax. The very Mission Statement of Stonyfield is “We’re committed to healthy food, healthy people, a healthy planet (emphasis added) and healthy business.”

So what we buy for food or products, what we do, and how we act are simple steps, but they make a big impact; collectively, to our planet, but simply to our children. So if you haven’t already, take them to see the Lorax. Then take time on the way home to have a conversation about it, and listen to their ideas on how they can make an positive change on our planet.

So go green on this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and everyday going forward. And yes, the luck o’the Irish is upon us nonetheless because I’m giving away a 2 pack of tickets to one lucky person to see the Lorax. Enter via the form below and leave a comment about what you do (or will do) as a family to be more green! (See, it is pretty easy after all!)

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. Not enough people entered the giveaway per contest rules, so there is no winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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March 14th, 2012

What is a Gender Reveal Party

Gender Reveal Party

With over 60% of pregnant women finding out the gender of their baby during the course of their pregnancies, Gender Reveal Parties and Gender Reveal Baby Showers are growing in popularity. It is especially popular for second time pregnant Moms looking for a unique way to celebrate the birth of other children. Since many second time Moms don’t get a baby shower for subsequent children (for obvious reasons), having a Gender Reveal party is way unique way to celebrate the joy of a new life.

Despite waiting to find out the gender of our first child, we wanted to know earlier with this baby and decided to have a Gender Reveal Party. Between space planning and other factors, including a health scare, we thought that it would be fun to find out in advance of the birth of this child. Yet, I wasn’t too excited with finding out in a doctor’s office, so this was a fun option I discovered.

The concept is that you have an ultrasound (usually standard procedure during the course of pre-natal care) and during that appointment the technician doing the procedure usually can tell the sex of the baby. However, instead of telling you, they write it on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. You bring the envelope to a bakery who then bakes a cake (cupcakes or even cake pops) with either pink or blue cake/frosting on the inside. You have a party, cut the cake and voila – you find out what you are having! Another idea is to give the envelope to a friend who buys either pink or blue helium-filled balloons and places them in a large box. Then you open the box and see what floats out!

We also thought it may be good opportunity to support a local charity. In lieu of gifts, we are encouraging our guests to bring a pack of diapers to donate to charity. Anyone who brings a pack, will enter to win a fabulous prize. We also suggested folks bring something pink or blue depending on what is their guess for the gender of this baby; if we find out the gender is a boy, we are going to donate all the pink items to charity or vice versa.

In reality though, as a Blogger, I live my life online. I talk about my pregnancy, my family and my dogs on this blog, on Facebook and on Twitter, to name a few social media spaces! So it seemed to be a natural flow to share this experience with my online family too. (That’s you!) So on the night of our own Gender Reveal Party, I’m also going to be sharing the festivities on Twitter, Facebook and this blog. The really cool thing is that anyone who follows the fun will be the ones to get all the presents! So click here if you would like to learn more! Trust me, you are not going to want to miss this!

For all of you who are pregnant – whether you are team green, blue or pink – may you all have happy, and healthy pregnancies!

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Image from Vintage Confections. Perfect place to order unique lollipops like those shown above for your gender reveal party!

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post.

 

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March 14th, 2012

Gender Reveal Twitter Party

After making the decision to have a Gender Reveal Party to find out the gender of this baby with which I am currently pregnant, it was a natural progression as a Blogger to make it a fun online event too. If you don’t know much about Gender Reveal Parties, you should definitely read my post here. However, I was so excited when Magic Beans wanted to partner with me on this online baby reveal event.

magic beansMagic Beans is sponsoring my online Gender Reveal Twitter Party! If you don’t know who they are, they are a baby gear and toy store with five locations in Massachusetts. If you don’t live local, they have an amazing online store too. Baby registries, birthday party registries, the best gear, the hottest toys; they have them. Which is why they are named in the Best of Boston Guide and on Boston.com’s A-list, to name just a few amazing accolades. Follow them on Twitter as they always have tons of magic happening at @MBeans. They are giving away some amazing prizes during the Twitter party too, such as this awesome set from Sage Spoonfuls and a goody bag with tons of items that will blow your baby-socks off.

Plus, I am so excited that the Best Baby Gear Guru Jamie (otherwise known as the @TheBabyGuyNYC on Twitter) is wrangling the Twitter party. Even though he appears on the likes of the Today Show, I am super honored that he will be here. His awesomeness will make the Twitter Party a blast! Trust me on that one.

punchbowlAlso, Punchbowl is giving away a $100 premium membership that we will give one lucky person during the Twitter Party. They have some fabulous online invitations specifically for Gender Reveal Parties and Showers (and other parties and events too!) Check out my post on the invitation I used and how the Punchbowl website has really helped with party planning. I am so excited that they are participating because they are a local company too. They are on Twitter at @Punchbowl.

Tiny Love – the amazing baby gear line – has donated a fabulous Twitter giveaway! Woot! Do you want to know what it is? Well, you’ll just have to read my post. But let’s just say it will get your groove on. (Hint, Hint.) Follow Tiny Love on Twitter at @TinyLoveAnn.

The spal-licious people from Spa Week are also sharing a $50 Gift Card with a Twitter Party participant because all pregnant Moms need some pampering too. Don’t want to wait? Then check out their listing of $50 spa treatments at participating spas across the country for Spring Spa Week (April 16-20)! Follow them on Twitter at @SpaWeek and @SpaWeekGiftCard

Another fabulous giveaway is from Sage Spoonfuls. I’m so excited about this one! This is an amazing company and product that you have got to check out. The Giveaway is their “Let’s Get Started Package” – a 19 piece ‘Made in the USA’ system with everything you need to make and store your own fresh, natural homemade baby food with ease!  It comes with the Sage Spoonfuls Book—Simple Recipes*Healthy Meals*Happy Babies, an Immersion Blender with a Food Processor, 12 BPA-free 4 oz Storage Jars, 1 Pack of 60 Labels, 2 stackable Storage Trays and a Pocket Guide. Totally BPA, Lead, Phthalate and PVC free! Follow them on Twitter at @SageSpoonfuls!

Happy Baby is joining in on the fun with their yummy baby and toddler products! They are giving away a yummy bag filed with Happy Baby goodies. Everything from their munchies, puffs, and squeezable purees (that are great for Moms too). If you can’t make your baby food, their products are great for on-the-go! You can check out my review here and follow them on Twitter at @HAPPYsuperfoods.

goldenview
There are other fabulous companies have been a part of the process- like Goldenview Ultrasound! They have locations in Boston, MA , Chicago, IL , New York, NY and San Antonio, TX  and offer prenatal 3D Ultrasounds and 4D ultrasounds. They are the ones that identified the goods of this baby, if you know what I mean, and you can read my experience here. They are giving away a free 3D/4D ultrasound to one lucky Mama-to-be during the Twitter Party! Check them out on Twitter at @Goldenview.

No baby party (online or in person) is complete without a lovable GUND. GUND is giving away a Nurserytime Lena Lamb to one lucky winner! This cuddly lamb’s head, body and mouth move as she recites 5 nursery rhymes to the little lamb in her arms. Lena comes with 3 replaceable AA batteries and features an on/off switch on her hand, and retails for $40. In addition, GUND will offer other great giveaway during the Twitter party such as a Lolly Giraffe, Comfy Cozy and Huggy Buddy (ladybug or bumble bee). Each retails for $25-$35. No matter what you win, GUND, a division of Enesco, LLC, is known worldwide for its top quality, soft and huggable plush designs and gift products. Award-winning GUND products appeal to all ages, from infants up, and are perfect for both play and collecting. For products, to purchase an item or to find your nearest retailer, visit www.gund.com or follow them on Twitter at @GottaGettaGund!

Every Mom has heard of MAM. (My son loved the pacifiers in particular!) So it is super sweet that one lucky Mom to be will be gifted with a fabulous basket of MAM goodies, like these:

Follow them on Twitter at @MAMBaby.

Whether you are a Mom now, or soon-to-be Mom, you will really appreciate not having to go to the grocery store the first week you bring baby home. But everyone needs to be fed, right? Which is why Peapod is the best baby gift. Order online while the baby is sleeping, and they deliver your order and put it away. How baby-licious is that? How about winning a Peapod $50 gift card. One person will win this fabulous new parent prize! Follow them on Twitter @PeapodDelivers!

Ooh, ooh (excuse me while I jump up and down), I just found out Treat Cupcake Bar in Needham is donating the cupcakes for my in-person party. They will be the ones to make the cupcake with either the blue or pink buttercream on the inside! Not only am I excited to see which it will be, and share the cupcake reveal with you during the Twitter Party, but I’m also excited to polish off one of those bad-boys! I wrote a review about them when they first opened and have been a big fan since. Follow them on Twitter at @TreatCupcake.

The details: the Twitter party will be on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 8-9pm ET. Follow the hashtag #pinkorblue to win prizes, talk babies, gender reveal, registries and more. Follow me @CharChronicles, @MBeans and @TheBabyGuyNYC in order to be eligible for the giveaways! Of course, I’ll be posting lots of pre-gender reveal party blog posts where there will be even more opportunities to win goodies and get excited for the awesomeness so like my page on Facebook to stay on top of all the action! Including an opportunity to win a $100 prize by making gender guess on my post here!

So mark your calendars, set the alarm, stay connected and let friends (especially pregnant friends) know of the fun by tweeting using this link!

You don’t want to miss this!

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March 12th, 2012

Hallmark at Blissdom

Hallmark was a suite sponsor at the 2012 Blissdom Conference. They shared an amazing array of cards from Birthdays to Just Because. Neat new designs (think a slide out pocket) and new sound cards that are a huge hit in our family. Each Blogger could pick a card to send to another Blogger at the conference or send to someone back home. I chose to send one to my 2 year old who has fallen in love with Hallmark sound cards. So any time you need to send an encouraging word or a push of inspiration, head to Hallmark! They have a lot from which to choose and it is so much fun to see the smile you can put on someone’s face.

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March 7th, 2012

Blogging on the iPad

Blogsy AppThe biggest complaint I have always had about the iPad is that it is hard to blog. It is fabulous to watch movies, read a book (unless you are outside), tweet, surf, or play games. But blog….no. The issue with blogging is that you often need to insert a video, upload code, attach a photo, or add emphasis to your chosen word.

Unless you have a 3G enabled iPad, you are at the mercy of WiFi access (especially free access) to directly log into your blogging platform, like WordPress. Only if you have such access, can you log directly into your blogging platform via a browser. Even then, it is clunky since it’s not set up for use or viewing on portable electronic devices. So if you have internet access on your iPad, you can write, but you cannot blog. If you have access, you can blog, but with headaches and a lot of extra steps.

Thus, I kept lugging my ancient (and heavy) laptop to various events and conferences. Even without internet access, I love using MarsEdit on my Macbook. Yet, when faced with a recent trip to Blissdom, I really did not want to bring the laptop. Being pregnant, I just wasn’t up for lugging it around a massive hotel and conference center.

I had heard about various apps and gizmos that you could purchase for the iPad that would enable you to blog (like I am now) without access to the Internet. After researching two popular apps, Blog Press and Blogsy, I decided to purchase Blogsy ($4.99) in the iTunes store. In the early days, the reviews were mixed, but they had just made major changes to the Blogsy platform addressing the concerns, so I thought this was the time to give it a go.

The features are pretty robust considering it covers Blogger and WordPress (including self-hosted) remote publishing. You can edit in HTML, change font, add tags, and format text even without an Internet connection. You can also have multiple blog drafts that you can easily access and switch to and from. Once you have Internet connection, you can drag in a photo or insert a video and can immediately publish to your blog or send as a draft. There is even an email functionality, which I haven’t tried out yet, but everyone is excited about.

After using Blogsy for the past four days, I can say that is is worth the app price and saves time in having to cut and past from notes while still having to format later on. However, I do wish there was a way to insert pictures or video stored in iPhoto or iMovie on your iPad, even without an Internet connection, like you would be able to do on a laptop. Plus, other iPad designed apps for Hootsuite or Facebook don’t have the same robustness as a computer-based version, making the whole iPad social media experience slightly frustrating.

Thus, for a conference, I’d say it is still better to bring a laptop, but for a day trip or a quick overnight, I am definitely more willing to leave my laptop at home now that I have the Blogsy app. It is also great for those blogging post ‘ah-ha” moments when you want to start writing a quick post in the middle of the night. (It does happen!) So if you blog a lot on the go, the Blogsy app is worth the purchase price of $4.99. If you blog occasionally or have a lightweight laptop, I’d say wait for it to go on sale, then snatch it up. All in all, it is a good solution that many have not attempted to tackle – so three iPad cheers for that.

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Note: You need to enable remote publishing to use the Blogsy (and BlogPress app.) If you are a WordPress user, go to your control panel, then Setting -> Writing -> Remote Publish -> and enable XML-RPC. There are also built-in ‘How To’ videos in the Blogsy app, which makes for quicker learning of the platform.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post.

 

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February 17th, 2012

Quinn Popcorn

When I was grocery shopping last weekend at Whole Foods, I saw this in a display section.

Quinn Popcorn Box

I don’t know what drew me to it. The box design? The fact that it was microwave popcorn? Well, whatever the reason, the ploy worked. The really cool popcorn flavors sweetened the pot. Parmesan & Rosemary? Lemon & Sea Salt? Vermont Maple & Sea Salt?

Yes, please.

Then I saw that is was all natural popcorn, with no hydrogenated oils, no preservatives, GMO free, rBGH free, with a pure bag that is just paper. That sealed the deal. I squirreled it away in my shopping cart.

Just like ordinary microwave popcorn, you put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Then you get to be a bit of a culinary wonder.

Quinn Popcorn Spices

You add the separate packet of GMO free canola oil into the bag. Give it a shake. Then you add the packet of natural spices. Shimmy shake again. Then dig in or put into a bowl for sharing. Though, really, you may not want to share.

But I had to fork over the goods, because my toddler got a whiff. Actually, I think the popping noise in the microwave gave me away. (Microwave traitor!) I think he ate more than his fair share, so if you wonder if it passes the kid test, I would say a strong yes.

I love how the product, and the packaging, is pure as can be. I love how it is a Massachusetts-based company. (I’m a bit biased.) I also love their website and super cute instructions on the packaging. Oh, and this is just the first round. More posh popcorn is coming down the pike. And they are totally open to feedback.

Quinn Popcorn Pack

So for a fancy popcorn and wine party (great idea, eh?) or a Saturday afternoon movie fest, pop a bag, know it is free of yucky stuff and still yummy too.

Happy noshing. (You can thank me later.)

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Image Credit: ©CharleneChronicles

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I just loved the popcorn and thought I would share to popcorn goodness. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For ingredients and calorie information, visit their website directly.

 

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February 14th, 2012

Hint Water Review

Hint Water

As a runner, I know the importance of water when I train and run races. As a human being, I know water is essential everyday. Being pregnant, I need it even more. Regardless of the day or the stage in my life, I need to drink water.

But I hate it.

Water is boring and bland. If I add juice to my water, however, to make it taste better, I am adding calories. Which kind of defeats the purpose of working out. Being pregnant, I really don’t need to be any more huge than I already am.

My other alternative is sparkling water. Generally, it is my drink of choice, but has not been sitting well with me during my pregnancy (hello digestive issues) and I don’t need to burp through a 5 mile race. Not cool.

Thank goodness I stumbled across Hint Water at a blogging conference last year. It became my workout wonder and now my pregnancy partner. It hydrates like water, as it is water, but it has a touch of natural flavoring (no fake stuff!) to make drinking it a pleasure and not a chore. No additional calories, no artificial anything. (Woot.)

And it is a perfect alternative to watered down juice for kids and toddlers.

So if you need to drink more water and need your family to drink it too, here is a hint. Go get some.

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Image Credit: © CharleneChronicles

 

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February 10th, 2012

Happy Baby Food Review

Happy Baby Foods is a great brand that has been a part of our house since my first child was introduced to solid foods, and in about a year, I’ll be introducing baby number two to the same foods. Needless to say, we are huge fans. Not to say that we don’t have other products in our house, but, see for yourself….

Our Fridge

Happy Tot Squeeze Fruit

 

Happy Baby Food Pouches

Our Freezer

Happy Baby Frozen Food

Our Cabinet

Happy Baby Munchies and Melts

Then we have a stock pile in the basement where we store our supplies.

Why do we love it? Because it is what I would make for my baby or toddler if I had the time to do it. It is an organic brand of foods without artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. The containers don’t contain phthalates, PBB’s, PBDE’s or bisphenol-A (BPA) either. Just real food with great mixtures like orange and pumpkin or peas and pears.

My first foray into the brand was the Happy Squeezer. I used to squeeze the tot pouches into a spoon and it feed to my baby. It made it easy to take in the diaper bag and was one less container to clean! When my son was teething, I even put the packet in the freezer (1-2hrs) to get it to a slushy consistency to help soothe his gums, although now it is just a fun summer snack. Now I just give him the packet directly and he squeezes it himself, directly into his mouth. I have been known to eat them myself when I am on the run and need real food, real fast….and this is just one product in a huge line of what they have.

Honestly, I can’t say enough about how comfortable I am giving any Happy product to my child when I just don’t have the time to make it, and he has loved the food since he was a baby. I don’t want this blog post to turn into an advertisement though, so here is a link to the FAQ section of Happy Baby so you can learn more about it directly.

If you haven’t tried it (or if you have and love it as we do), leave a comment and enter to win 2 free HappyMelts, 2 free HappyBaby Puffs, and 2 free Happy Munchies. Yum! Congrats to Mary R. for winning!

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Disclosure: I received additional HappyBaby products, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Image Credit: © CharleneChronicles

 

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February 9th, 2012

Blissdom Speaks Videos

I had the great opportunity to submit a video each week to Blissdom Speaks: part of the Blissdom pre-conference preparations, with various Bloggers coming together to get excited for one amazing conference. Many of us shared our thoughts, our goals, our dreams and our love for Blissdom.

I made an effort to submit something each week. Why? Because I wanted to give something back to what Blissdom gave to me. Here are all of the finished videos. Enjoy! And if you never have been to Blissdom, I hope this will inspire you to find your Bliss next year.

and How Would you Describe Blissdom to Someone Who has Never Been?



And here is an inspiring video for woman in social media.




What Does Hope Mean to You?


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