Sweet holiday cards from Minted

Anyone thinking of Christmas cards yet? While I don't love to push the holidays on us any faster, I do love the concept of sending cards to friends and family each year at Christmas. And the earlier I start working on them, the less stress it is! Although our biggest challenge is getting a photo of a family of 6 all looking at the camera and smiling, for sure the second hurdle is finding the perfect card. I have heard many friends rave about the quality & selection from Minted and I am excited to try them for our family's Christmas card this year! Minted is a design marketplace that uses a community of independent artists and designers who are located in 48 states and 43 countries. Because of this, they have a beautiful, creative and diverse product selection.

Here are some of my favorite designs for this year.....

Love these adorable holiday ornament cards!

Postcards are also a great option, a little lower in cost for cards and postage as well!

Getting them addressed for free? Love that!

Minted also contains beautiful choices of Art, gorgeous fabrics,  and a cool selection of children's art! Be sure to check out the current coupon codes they have running on their website as well.

Cheers to stress-free card sending. :)

This post sponsored by Minted.com. All opinions remain my own.

Guest Post: Covey App for connecting moms

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to sit in on a meeting with some of the Covey moms and I am very excited about what this app is going to do! Created by moms and for moms, here is one of the co-founders to share more about the Covey App.

Finding My Flock
By Sarah Aerni of coveymom.com

I fell in love all over again when I had my third son, Ben, this September, but part of me also felt like I was starting over again.  I’m not talking about learning to be a parent which was so difficult as a first-time mother, but rather a challenge I’ve faced with the birth of each of my children:  how do I find mom friends who are in the same boat as me?

Based on my own experience as a new mother (and continuing even now), I find that my day improves when I’m able to spend some time with another mom.  We just get each other right away on a level where we usually are.  Need to laugh about the amount of poop you dealt with last night?  She’s there.  Dying to share the latest anecdote in your toddler’s language development?  She’s got a laugh and another story to match it.  Looking for someone to help with something big or small?  My mom friends are my preferred source for help these days and I don’t foresee that changing anytime soon.

I've lucked out twice finding mom friends. During my first pregnancy, a neighbor introduced me to another mom-to-be and during my second, I reconnected with one of my former ultimate frisbee teammates who was also expecting. But it is too important to the mental well-being of a mom to leave this important step up to chance.  

Some of my Pittsburgh mom-friends and I have teamed up to make it easier for moms and caregivers of small children to connect. We want to facilitate new friendships, as well as make it easier to get in touch with people you already know.  We want to increase the strength of the  Community of Mothers in Pittsburgh. Kelly’s Momtourage has already been doing this through the playdates, but we want to help you meet up again easily with someone from one of those playdates or with someone else you find in the course of daily life.
My friends and I have created a free mobile app called Covey that helps you connect with nearby moms both online and in the real world.  We just released the Android version a month ago and the community is growing fast!  Please join us by downloading the app and spread the word. After you join, come find me (Sarah A.) and my fellow Covey team members: Vanessa, Jess, Julie, Julika and Sarah G. on Covey! We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Covey, go to www.coveymom.com or download the app at the Google Play Store .

Thanks, Sarah, for taking the time to share with us. We hope to continue to see great connections made through the mothers of Pittsburgh!

Spa Giveaway with #Esspa!

I was recently invited to be a part of a #pamperedpress event at Esspa Kozmetika. EsspaKozmetika is a Hungarian Day Spa, with the only certified organic skin care in Pittsburgh. I had not been to Esspa before, but it is on one the cutest streets in Pittsburgh - Brilliant Avenue in Aspinwall - on which there are tucked so many fantastic shops. It was fun to take my daughter for her first spa experience. She is as girly as they come and she loved it. :)

 

Love the charm and elegance of this spa!

 

Esspa  Kozmetika has 7 full-time Certified Massage Therapists on staff! So whether you're looking for Hot Stone, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Maternity, Hungarian Honey + more, they have what you need to feel your best!

 

 

Owner Eva, a Hungarian Skin Care Expert, is widely known for her incredible facials! Skin analysis, cleansing, toning, rejuvenating steam, exfoliation, extractions, amazingly effective face, hand, arm, foot and leg massage, a series of firming / detoxifying / rejuvenating masks, luxurious moisturizers, serums and special attention to the orbital (eye), brow and lip area are included.

I was grateful to have the chance to have one of these beautiful facials and it is an awesome and relaxing experience. My skin felt & looked incredible afterward - I highly recommend!

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Do you like coffee and want to lost weight? Eva lost 30 lbs. in 2 months with her new all-natural, great-tasting, weight-loss coffee. She is holding an event on Nov. 3rd to share about it AND she will give you a $30 gift card for sharing your opinion with her. Go here to find out more details.

 

 

ESSpa Kozmetika is the very first spa in Pennsylvania to offer the MicroSilk Oxygen Hydrotherapy Bath Treatment. MicroSilk® hydrotherapy oxygenates bath water up to 70% more than regular tap water with microbubbles approximately 50 microns in diameter. At such a small size, these microbubbles are able to enter the skin’s pores, removing impurities, carrying oxygen for improved metabolism, lightly caressing skin for exfoliation, and improving hydration for dry skin.

Our first mommy & me mani / pedi!

 



As we were finishing a group of young girls came in for a birthday party, what a fun idea! Head over to Esspa Kozmetica and check out their full range of spa offerings.

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And to get you started, we have a giveaway for a $30 gift card! Go here to enter:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

We left as some happy girls!

 

$100 giveaway for the AIRMALL® at PIT

I was recently invited to be a part of the unveiling of the $10 million newly renovated AIRMALL® at PIT in the Pittsburgh International Airport.  It was so fun to take off my "mom hat" for a few hours and enjoy hanging out & shopping with some awesome fellow Pittsburgh gal bloggers. #stylemavens

Photo credit: Kristi Jan Hoover

Anyone that has spent any time waiting in airports, knows how wonderful it is to have great places to browse & shop through as you wait. Shops at Pittsburgh's AIRMALL include (stores in orange are brand new):

Armani Jeans

Best Buy Express

Bottega dei Sapori

Brighton Collectibles

Brooks Brothers

Brookstone

Collezioni-The Beauty Gallery

Creative Kidstuff

Crocs

Desigual

Erwin Pearl

Furla

GNC

Hudson Booksellers

Hudson News

Hudson News CNN

Hugo Boss

InMotion Entertainment

Johnston & Murphy

Lacoste

Lids Kids/Lids

L’Occitane en Provence

Metalsmiths Sterling

Nine West

Paradise CNBC

Paradise Travel Mart

PGA Tour Shop

Pinko

Radio Road

Rite Aid

Spirit of the Red Horse

Sportzburgh

Sue Venir

Sunglass Hut

Tech Interaction

Tumi 

Three Rivers Harley-Davidson

Zozo

These lovely Candy Bags from Furla certainly caught my attention. What mom doesn't need a bag that easily wipes clean, but looks amazing in the process? :)

 

We loved getting to meet and chat with Carmindy (TLC) who flew in just for this exciting event. She demonstrated to us the 5 minute face, perfect for busy moms who barely have time to shower, let alone put on make-up! Her latest book, Bloom, is all about helping girls know that they are growing up gorgeous. It's not about using expensive products or fulfilling a certain image. Carmindy shares both make-up tips as well as inspiring advice for dealing with a wide range of self-esteem and image issues: from zits and glasses to bullying and peer pressure. It might be a great gift for the teen or tween in your life!

With my pal, Nicole, (Champagne to Crayons) who also got the awesome chance to have a makeover with Carmindy!

 

 

A gorgeous fashion show gave us ideas for all the fall outfits you can put together from the AIRMALL® at PIT stores.

 

 

Creative Kidstuff was one of my favorite stops of the day as I crossed quite a few Christmas gifts off my list!  *   *

An award winning "Hands-on-do-touch" toy store

Toys for wonderful, whimsical, wildly imaginative fun

Fun games and activities for families

Unique art, science & building toys to inspire creativity

Travel games and activities to take on the plane

Definitely a place to occupy your kiddos next time you're waiting it out!

 

 

My favorite Fall finds were aviator sunglasses and Ferocity Lace-Up Booties from Nine West. #9WWeDoShoe

 

Photo-bombed by my 3yo and photographed by my 5yo...it's a group effort!

 

 

Maybe your hubby will be the one passing through the airport....Armani Jeans, Brooks Brothers, Hugo Boss, Johnston & Murphy, PGA Tour Shop + more, give him plenty of shopping options as well.

 

 

 

Thank you to the AIRMALL® at PIT for a wonderful event and your generous gifts to us.

I am also thrilled that they are extending their gift and I have $100 in gift cards to give away to one lucky winner! Gift cards expire September 17, 2015. To enter, please be sure that you intend to fly through the PIT airport in the next year. (The Airmall is only open to those who have been cleared to fly.)

 

 

Go here to enter:

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Good luck!

 

Photo credit: Kristi Jan Hoover
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This post sponsored by AIRMALL® at PIT. All opinions remain by own.

Help us raise free funds for our t-shirts!

The Pgh Momtourage was originally formed as a playdate venue to connect moms, kids, & families together. We believe strongly in the power of community and want to connect with others around our city. And we have the awesome opportunity to explore a ton of kid-friendly venues in the process!
I was recently contacted about the concept of Pear which creates a sponsorship opportunity for the Momtourage. And what a fantastic program! I created a Pear to raise money for new Pgh Momtourage t-shirts. T-shirts allow our group to easily recognize each other when we are out at playdates in more public & busy venues.

It's SO easy to help us raise money! All you have to do is go here to our Pear sponsorship page and it will give you a choice of actions to complete which gives us free money! Some are as easy as answering the question, "What do you like to eat alongside your Johnsonville sausage?" No one has to contribute money of any kind! 

 

Do you have a group that you would like to raise money for? Family reunion, school group, baseball team, church event, missions trip, scout group....you can create your own Pear for your event or group!  Share your Pear in the comments to get support from other readers. 

 

 

 

More about the Johnsonville Apparel Sponsorship Program

Moms, aunts and girlfriends whose friends are like family. If you are in the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Baltimore areas, your social network can help raise $1,000 or more toward custom apparel! How? By getting sponsored by Johnsonville on Pear! Not a part of a group but your child is? You still qualify! To get started, create a sponsorship page on Pear & invite friends to join in. The more people who join, the more money your group can earn toward apparel and merchandise!

 

So please join us in this easy raising of funds - we only have 8 days left! Go here to support our group. And THANK YOU for your help!

 

 

 

#JohnsonvilleSponsors

This post sponsored & compensated by Global Influence.

Halloween Candy Buy Back

Do you love for your kids to enjoy the fun and tradition of trick-or-treating, but hate the mounds of candy that takes up residence in your house? It's literally begging you to eat it, right? This is why I love the Halloween Candy Buy Back program! I'm already prepping my kids for the excitement of exchanging their candy. :)

Kids can trade in their candy to participating dentists for CA$H & PRIZES and it will be shipped it to our military troops serving overseas. This organization has partnered with Operation Gratitude by shipping all the candy donated, along with toothbrushes, so troops abroad can receive goodies in their Operation Gratitude care packages.
Since the program began in 2005, they have shipped more than 130 tons of candy and last year they celebrated with Operation Gratitude sending out their 1,000,000th care package!

Here are some of the participating locations around Pittsburgh:

My Best Smile
518 Myoma Rd. Ste 200, Mars, PA 16046
Mars, PA, 16046
Phone: 724-779-7645
Email: generalinfo@mybestsmilenorth.com
mybestsmilenorth.comb

My Best Smile
1624 State St. West
Baden, PA, 15005
Phone: 724-869-0446
Email: mybestsmilepc@yahoo.com
mybestsmilenorth.com

Henry J. Windle, DMD
5060 Tuscarawas Road
Beaver, PA, 15009
Phone: 724-495-3350
Email: drwindle@hotmail.com
www.drhenrywindle.com

Moon Family and Cosmetic Dental
960 Beaver Grade Road, Lower level
Moon Township, PA, 15108
Phone: 412-262-3190
Email: mollylukedds@gmail.com

Verona Dental Care
625 Allegheny River Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA, 15147
Phone: (412) 828-1920
Email: veronadentalcare@gmail.com
veronadentalcare.com

Hayner Dental
411 Seventh Ave, Suite 1207
Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
Phone: 412-281-3955
Email: dentistpgh@gmail.com
www.haynerdental.com

Polished Dental
355 Fifth Ave, Suite 1500
Pittsburgh, Pa, 15222
Phone: 412-281-3546
Email: polisheddental@gmail.com
www.mypittsburghdental.com

Moon Family and Cosmetic Dental
960 Beaver Grade Road
Moon, PA, 15108
Phone: 412-262-3190
Email: mollylukedds@gmail.com
www.mooncosmeticdentist.com

Go here to put in your zip code for the location closest to you. 

Each dental office will be holding it's own Buy Back Day, so be sure to contact them for specific details. 

For questions regarding this year's Halloween Candy Buyback, please email hcbb13@gmail.com or post your question to the Halloween Candy Buyback's Facebook page. For questions involving operation gratitude and their organization, please email info@operationgratitude.com.

Skippyjon Jones comes to Pittsburgh

Skippyjon Jones will be playing at 6 different venues in Pittsburgh - October 19-26. Get ready for a fun and exciting musical production that will keep parents and children entertained!

Skippyjon Jones is a little kitten with big ears and even bigger dreams! Sometimes he pretends to be a bird, sometimes he pretends to be a llama, and sometimes he pretends to be a whale – anything BUT a cat! Based on the book by Judy Schachner and from the creators of Theatreworks USA’s Junie B. Jones, Skippyjon Jones is an enchanting musical about unleashing your powerful imagination and following your dreams. 

I recently had a chance to chat with Josh Adam Ramos, who plays Jilly Boo/Don Diego, and he shared some more details about this fun production.

Can you expand on the storyline of the show?
JAR: Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with a crazy imagination who is convinced that he is a Chihuahua.  So he goes to Mexico where he meets up with a pack of Chihuahuas who are convinced that he was meant to be their savior from the evil bumblebee!

Who is your character?
JAR: My main character is Don Diego, who is the leader of the pack of Chihuahuas. But there are also only 5 cast mates, so everyone plays several characters throughout the show.   

What will kids enjoy most about the show?
JAR: Kids love the physicality of the show! There is a lot of action (Skippyjon IS known for literally bouncing off the walls), and kids love the adventures of the characters. There are also 6-8 songs throughout the performance and they are all catchy and fun, kids enjoy singing along.

What will parents enjoy about the show?
JAR: We know the parents are there for their kids. But we don't want it to be a painful hour for them, as we know some kids shows can be. So there is quite a bit of clever and witty humor sprinkled throughout the show that will keep parents engaged as well.

How does this production help build a child's education?
JAR: TheatreWorksUSA is the leading producer of youth productions that use children's literature to create theatre & musicals. These shows are also an excellent intro for more sophisticated musical theatre.

Thank you, Josh, for taking the time to share about the show. We can't wait to see it!

SHOW SCHEDULE

• Sunday, October 19 2pm | Byham Theater
• Wednesday, October 22 7pm | Penn Hills High School
• Thursday, October 23 5:30pm & 7:30pm | Marshall Middle School
• Friday, October 24 7pm | Moon High School
• Saturday, October 25 11am & 2pm | Upper St. Clair High School
• Sunday, October 26 2pm | Seneca Valley Intermediate High School

SINGLE TICKETS ONLY $9.50 IN ADVANCE!

Tickets are on sale now! Purchase Tickets:

• Online at TrustArts.org
• Call 412-456-6666
• Box Office at Theater Square
• Groups 10+ Call 412-471-6930

theatreworksusa.org
Recommended for ages 4-10
60 minutes