With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I am sharing my video of this amorous duo.
*For mature audiences 
Have a Great Valentine’s Day!!!
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Wordless Wednesday Valentine’s Edition
February 10, 2010 By
Free WordPress Themes (that aren’t quite so free)
February 9, 2010 By
I am a bit of a WordPress theme addict. Even when my blog uses a theme for a length of time, I am probably trying on others behind the scenes. Many of my Blogger friends are switching to WordPress, or thinking about it. The switch leaves them shopping around for a new theme. Most are not accustomed to paying for hosting and paid premium themes often leave them with sticker shock. These noobie WordPress users start seeing some rather attractive free themes around, and wonder why all their friends aren’t using them already.
The problem with many top quality “free” WordPress themes, comes in the fine print. These themes are often funded by the designer selling their own links in the footer. I am not talking about the common links most designers leave to their own business. These are sold by the designer to third parties. Unless you feel comfortable with 
the possibility of your sweet little mommy blog, having links to casinos, international dating sites, and mesothelioma lawyers sitting at the bottom of the page, proceed with caution. BTW there will also be notation that comes with the theme stating you are not allowed to remove these links.
There are some great themes out there that do not contain these PR draining, and sometimes questionable links. If you are concerned about increasing your PR, I do suggest you take a look at the footer code of free themes, prior to using them. On several occasions, I have discovered “invisible” links. The designer added these links in the same color as the background color. This takes out the issue of your readers seeing links that you would not approve of, but they are still there. Sneaky, very sneaky.
If you are looking for a theme to start off with while finding your perfect match, there are many wonderful options: Thematic, Arras Theme, TypographyWP 1.1 and Atahualpa are all good choices. All can be installed directly through your WordPress dashboard, and are relatively easy to customize, as well.
10 Tips for Stress-Free Car Trips with Kids
February 9, 2010 By 1 Comment
Whether using your own car or are renting one for your trip, most parents find keeping children occupied during long rides challenging. While these tips won’t guarantee your child won’t get cranky, following them should keep them happy longer.
- Pack a variety of snacks. Kids will already be fighting boredom, don’t let them be bored with their snacks, as well.
- If you don’t already have them, or are renting, install sunshades on windows. Glaring sun can not only, interfere with a child getting some rest, but can be quite annoying for them.
- Bring some small toys and books. I also suggest picking up something new beforehand and surprising them with it during the trip. The novelty will buy you some time on their patience meter.
- Road trip games are a great way to occupy kids. Try and come up with some topics to cover before you leave.
- Make rest stops more frequently than you feel you need. Kids are more restless than adults and will need them more often than we do.
- During rest stops, make an effort to occupy your kids for a few minutes in a fun activity. Throw a ball around, let them try out the vending machines, investigate the tourist info. booth or any statues etc. present. They will feel like it was a mini-destination. It is easier for children to anticipate the next rest stop, than the final destination.
- When possible one adult can sit in the back with the kids for portions of the trip. It is easier to occupy someone you are face-to-face with.
- Supply kids with their own map, to chart progress. Print one off the web in black and white, so their colored markings will show up clearly.
- If you are renting a vehicle, get something with ample room for everyone. The money saved in getting a tiny econo-car, won’t seem like a bargain when cramped kids are having meltdowns.
- Bring spare sports bottles/sippy cups. Kids are bound to not finish a drink from a restaurant or fast food place, and you will want a secure spill proof container for travel.
Swanky Aprons Review & Giveaway (Closed)
February 6, 2010 By 461 Comments
Review
Swanky Aprons is an online boutique specializing in vintage style aprons. The owner Jamie started the site in 2009, and has managed to keep down the prices on the great designer aprons she sells, by maintaining low overhead costs. Swanky Aprons currently carries two well known lines of designer vintage style aprons, Flirty Aprons and Jessie Steele Aprons.
I received the Original Women’s Pink and Chocolate Apron, from Flirty Aprons. It came nicely boxed and was shipped amazingly fast. The apron was well made. It had strong stitching and washed well. Double layered cotton fabric helps the apron maintain it’s shape and durability, without adding bulkiness. I found it to be very comfortable, unlike some aprons I own. One of the great features of this apron is the ample length of the ties. This apron could readily be worn by women of any size. I am a plus size woman and had no trouble wearing this apron the way intended, but ladies who are very tiny, or on the larger end of the plus size spectrum, could always tie the apron in the back. When they say this apron would fit anyone, it really would.
The Jessie Steele Aprons have a chic retro look to them. This designer is especially known for hostess aprons. These are just the thing, when you need an apron appropriate for hosting dinner parties. The styles from Jessie Steele range from vintage kitschy to the refined, and Swanky Aprons has an ample selection of both available.
If you are an an apron fan like myself, take advantage of Jamie’s current deal. Purchase 3 aprons and get a 4th free!!
The Verdict: I was very pleased with the service from Swanky Aprons. The selection and pricing is excellent. I would certainly buy from them in the future
Disclaimer: I received the apron reviewed here, as a prize from another giveaway. I was familiar with the excellent reputation of the apron brands carried by Swanky Aprons, and Jamie was kind enough to agree to a giveaway for my readers. This review is my own honest opinion, no monetary compensation was given.
Giveaway!
Swanky Aprons has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for my readers. The winner of this giveaway will receive their choice of any in stock apron.
How to enter: A separate comment must be left for each entry.
For the mandatory first entry: Go to Swanky Aprons and tell me which apron you would choose.
For additional entries:
- Follow this blog via email or RSS
- Follow me through Google Friend Connect
- Follow @Swanky_Aprons on Twitter
- Follow @TwiMommi on Twitter
- Tweet about this giveaway up to one time per day.
- For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment. (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
- For 2 entries! Become a fan of Swanky Aprons on Face Book. (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
- For 2 entries! Become a fan of Blommi on Face Book . (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
The winner will be selected from all valid entries, using random.org, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Contest ends Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Open to US residents , age 18+.
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POM Wonderful Review
February 5, 2010 By 3 Comments
I was thrilled when POM Wonderful offered to send me a sample case. I was already a fan of this thick rich juice, but rarely buy it, in anything resembling bulk. I knew that this would enable me to experiment with this pure pomegranate juice, in some recipes. Regretfully, I only managed to develop one recipe, since the rest of the juice ended out in spritzers (of course the spritzers were good though).
POM Wonderful is pure 100% pomegranate juice. There are no sugars, preservatives or commonly used filler juices. POM only uses USA grown pomegranates, so you don’t have to worry about the dangers of fruit imported from countries with less stringent safety measures.
The health benefits of pure pomegranate juice are numerous, and POM Wonderful has put a good deal of money into the research of it’s benefits for humans. They have funded 45 clinical research studies to date. All of the studies examined the effects of 8 oz. per day of the juice, for each patient, not some unrealistic quantity. Results showed (information supplied by POM):
- A significant improved blood flow to the heart in coronary patients, versus a placebo control group.
- A decrease in arterial plaque, in a group of elderly atherosclerosis patients.
- The lowering of an important marker denoting risk of cancer recurrence, in a group of men battling prostate cancer.
- Half of men, in one study, experienced improvement in erectile function.
Many tests from across the scientific community, have shown pomegranate juice to have superior antioxidant properties, over other sources. The second most concentrated source is red wine. While I love a nice glass of red wine, it isn’t a good choice for everyone.
If you haven’t tried POM Wonderful yet, I suggest you do so. It is a dense juice, and has a good feel in the mouth. The flavours in this juice are highly concentrated, and are reminiscent of both cranberries and raspberries. For those who prefer a lighter beverage, the juice blends well with tea or seltzer.
*Disclosure: While I did receive free samples from POM, this review is my own honest opinion, and no monetary compensation was given.
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Wordless Wednesday 2/3
February 3, 2010 By 26 Comments
Newly Born. Here is my daughter while we were still in the hospital. She was 3 or 4 days old, and was born with very good neck muscle control, and was already turning her head toward people in her vicinity. I said my 9 months of morning sickness must have given her a workout in there.
I can’t believe she will be three soon. Time really flies.
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Mommy Worries
February 2, 2010 By 9 Comments
As moms, we are always going to have concern for the well being of our children,but some things tend to haunt us. These worries can take on a life of their own, and become a background theme in our lives. For me three things in particular are ongoing worries.
My biggest daily concern, since my daughter was about 18 months, has been her speech delay. She is a beautiful, healthy, charming little girl, but is very behind in her speech. I have made sure she gets therapy, and she’s made progress, but I worry for her. I am always thinking : Will she ever speak fluently? Will she catch up with the other kids her age? Will she always have to struggle in life, because of this?
My daughter is not even three yet, and I worry about the years to come, when she will want to do things away from my watchful eye. In this day and age, I think most parents worry about child predators. My concerns are a bit more pronounced in this area, fueled by the loss of my daughter’s cousin to one of these monsters. She was only eight, and was killed about a year before I became pregnant with our daughter. I know I am going to struggle with being over protective of her.
The third concern of mine, that keeps rearing it’s ugly head, relates to the ages of my husband and myself. I was 40 when our daughter was born, and my husband is a year older. I think we both have the common concern of older parents, that we don’t want to be a burden on our daughter, especially at a young age. We want to be there to help her out in young adulthood.
These worries of mine have a lingering background effect. They don’t keep me up at night, but are never far from my mind. What are your biggest worries concerning your children, and how do they effect the way you raise them?
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