saving $: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Baby week giveaway

Whether he’s a stay-at-home dad or a businessman back to the office right after his new baby is born, new dads deserve some love this Father’s Day:

Help a new dad look cool while he’s lugging around those diapers and wipes with a camouflage messenger style Diaper Dude bags.

If dad spends most of his day in the office, he’s sure to miss his little one. Set him up with a digital photo frame to keep on his desk.
Let’s face it, new dads need time for themselves too. Let him catch up on all of the past TV series he’s missed with a complete DVD series of his favorite shows or movies – or this Jawbone Jambox so he can hear his favorite tunes.
Likewise, if enjoying the outdoors and being fit is how dad likes to spend his spare time, set him up with a cool bike (and attachment for when baby has grown up) or digital health gadgets, like a Fitbit or Nike SportsWatch.

All of these are great Father's Day gifts for a new dad but my top pick is Beats Solo HD headphones. Dad can jam to his favorite tunes as he bounces his fussy baby around the house to soothe it during those late night crying sessions. Or he can listen to a good audio book or sports radio while completing his honey-do list while mom rests. Either way, he'll love these stylish and super durable headphones with high definition sound.

All of these items can be purchased at Rakuten.com where you'll find thousands of other items Dad might like for Father's Day. Thank him and all the hard work he does for the family all year long with something special!

If your new dad wants to stay in the loop on all things pregnancy and baby, tell him to check MobileMom.com for a collection of mobile apps for moms & moms-to be.

Feeling lucky? Enter to win $200 in Rakuten Super Points by filling out the form below. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. Saving $ With Jen is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Saving $ With Jen receives free products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate (marketing) links. All opinions expressed are solely from Saving $With Jen and were/are not influenced by any form of compensation. I only recommend products that I believe will benefit my readers. Please see the DisclosurePolicy for complete details.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Baby Giveaway Day 4

The Evenflo Triumph 65 LX Car Seat combines top-rated safety and longevity with affordability. With advanced innovative design features, it boasts increased weight ratings for both rear-facing and forward-facing configurations, and an easy and secure harness adjustment system that lets you transport your child in comfort and style. Accommodating children 5 - 65 pounds, this seat is a winning solution to the challenges and expense of multiple car seats. The Evenflo Triumph 65 LX is a top-notch extended-use option at an affordable price.

More information:

Infinite Slide Harness simply slides for an accurate fit. No rethreading necessary!
TensionRight knobs tighten harness easily from the side
Side Impact Tested - meets or exceeds all applicable Federal Safety Standards and Evenflo’s side impact standards
Equipped for LATCH and tether systems
ReclineRight provides multi-position upfront recline
2 crotch strap positions accommodate growing child
EPP Energy Absorbing foam liner provides added safety
Removable, machine-washable seat pad, body pillow and infant head pillow
Fold-down cup holder for easy access to drinks and folds out of the way when not in use
Converts from rear facing for children 5-40lbs to forward facing for children 22-65lbs

The Evenflo Triumph is available at Target, Babies R Us and Walmart for $139-$149. For more information about Evenflo and their products, visit www.evenflo.com.

Are you a new or expecting mom? Be sure to check out MobileMom.com for a collection of free & useful apps designed for moms and moms-to-be!

Feeling lucky? Enter to win an Evenflo Triumph Convertible Carseat by filling out the form below. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. Saving $ With Jen is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Baby Week Giveaway Day 3

A good baby carrier is a must-have for moms. It allows you to have your hands free while still keeping your baby safe and close. Perfect for on-the-go or around the house, the Moby Go Originals Baby Carrier is an amazingly comfortable soft-structured baby carrier with wide shoulder straps for comfort and support. Easy to reach side buckles and a unique dual foam waist belt that adjusts from 26" to 54" inches makes it easy to put on and get a great fit every time. The Moby Go Baby Carrier features a pocket with an adjustable/removable hood. The Moby Go is designed for babies weighing 15-45 lbs and comes in black or grey. For more information on this carrier as well as other Moby baby carriers, visit www.mobywrap.com.

Another must-have for moms? A good diaper bag! The Lassig Casual Messenger Bag is great for stylish moms on-the-go. A wide shoulder strap makes it easy to carry either cross-body or over the shoulder. It has all the features a good diaper bag should:

Changing mat
Insulated bottle holder
Zip pouch
Antibacterial wet pocket
Removable compartment
Adjustable shoulder strap
Hooks for stroller
Water repellent material

The bag pictured here is the Field Grey color. This particular style is available in 10 different colors/patterns. For more style options, visit www.ivystreetdistributing.com.

Are you a new or expecting mom? Be sure to check out MobileMom.com for a collection of free & useful apps designed for moms and moms-to-be!

Feeling lucky? Enter to win a Moby Go Originals Baby Carrier & a Lassig Messenger Bag by filling out the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. Saving $ With Jen is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Make your own laundry soap and save money

Save you and your family a lot of money by making your own laundry soap. It is much better on not only your pocket book, but on the environment as well. I decided to try using Oxi Clean this time around, and I think that I like it. It doesn't take much, and it has made a huge difference on the cleanliness of my families clothing.
Items that you will need for this project.

1 Fels-Naptha laundry soap bar or Zote

1 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax

1/2 cup of Oxi Clean (optional)

Pan large enough to hold 4 cups of water & a Fels- Naptha bar

4 cups of water

5 gallon bucket

Step one: Select a pan large enough to hold 4 cups
of water and a bar of Fels-naptha bar soap

The pan that I use is one that I always use to make my laundry soap, and don't use it for anything else. I don't prefer using pans with Teflon or any non stick material. They are porous and I would be afraid couldn't be used for anything else.

Step two: Pour 4 cups of hot tap water into the pan

Step three: Grate the whole bar of Fels-Naptha into
the pan (this is incredibly tedious and if
you have another idea that would have
the same results, I would love to hear it.

Step four: Heat up the water and bar of Fels-Naptha
until it is completely melted. Be sure to stir.

Step five: While you are melting the Fels-Naptha, fill
the 5 gallon bucket half full with hot tap
water.

Step six: Measure out 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda and add it to the water in the 5 gallon bucket

Step seven: Measure out 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax and add it to the water in the 5 gallon bucket.

Step eight: After adding the Super Washing Soda and the Borax, stir them in the bucket. *

Step nine: By now the Fels-Naptha should be melted. Pour it into the 5 gallon bucket and stir.

Step ten: Add hot tap water to the 5 gallon bucket, filling it to the top. (Leave room for moving it so it
doesn't spill)

Step eleven: After stirring the mixture, put a lid on the bucket, and let it stand over night to thicken.

Step twelve: Once you have waited for the mixture to thicken over night, and it has thickened, stir it up again to loosen it up. Now you can enjoy using it!

To use: Be sure to dilute half (1 part) soap & half (1 part) water. I use an old fabric softener bottle and dilute it.

*You can add the Oxi Clean to your mixture. To do so, you would add a 1/2 cup when you add the Super Washing Soda and the Borax.

For my family of 6, this 5 gallon bucket of laundry soap (which turns out to 10 gallons once you have diluted it) lasts us 8 months. I do at least 22 loads of laundry a week, so this is astounding!

This will make 10 gallons of laundry soap. Each time you fill your bottle, you will dilute it again equal parts laundry soap to equal parts water!

For top loading machines use -5/8 cup per load (180 loads)

For front loading machines use -1/4 cup per load (640 loads)

Saving $ With Jen receives free products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate (marketing) links. Affiliate (marketing) links are FREE to you to click on, however will earn me money to help keep my little blog afloat. My husband, myself, our four children and our 2 furbabies thank you! All opinions expressed are solely from Saving $With Jen and were/are not influenced by any form of compensation. I only recommend products that I believe will benefit my readers. Please see the DisclosurePolicy for complete details.

Baby Week Giveaway Day 2

Setting up the nursery is one of the most anticipated tasks during pregnancy after finding out baby's gender. Picking out the perfect bedding set for your little bundle of joy can be so much fun, especially when shopping at Artistic Sensations. They have some of the most beautiful bedding sets around!

How gorgeous is this Finley Zebra Rose Crib Bedding Set? Roses, Dots, and Zebra prints in a pretty color combination create a sweet girly look with a funky twist. Mix and match the fabrics to get the exact design you're looking for.

Having a boy? Clean & serene, this Sprout Baby crib bedding exemplifies tranquility in any nursery and offers a fresh and welcoming space for the new baby.

These bedding sets are customizable to suit your preferences. Many of them have add-on options such as curtains, changing pad covers, even memo boards! Artistic Sensations is the one-stop-shop to create your dream nursery with unique and customized high quality products. The store offers hundreds of unique specialty items from dozens of top designers around the country. All of their products are personally chosen by experienced parents and tested for safety and durability.

The site is easy to shop — you can add favorites to your wish list or even create a registry! Have a look around. You'll be in awe of the styles and selections! Visit www.artisticsensations.com.

Are you a new or expecting mom? Be sure to check out MobileMom.com for a collection of free & useful apps designed for moms and moms-to-be!

Feeling lucky? Enter to win a $300 Artistic Sensations Gift Card by filling out the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. Saving $ With Jen is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Kiss the Cook Blogger Event

Kiss the Cook Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

Prize: Rachael Ray Cookware Prize Package

Event dates: 6/3 - 6/24

SIGN-UP HERE!

Baby Week Giveaway

New babies love to be held but sometimes mom needs a little break. The Bright Starts Soothing Safari Mobile is designed to help babies fall asleep on their own by captivating their attention with the brightly colored animal characters and soothing them with 6 soothing melodies and 15 minutes of classical lullabies. The mobile can be attached securely to any size crib or rail with the perfect fit crib attachment. The detachable base can be used alone as a musical crib toy. The Bright Starts Soothing Safari Mobile is available at Toys R Us, Babies R Us, and Walmart. It retails for around $30.

Being a new mom is tough. Wading into the uncharted waters of nursing can be a difficult experience at first. Having a nursing pillow can really help since nursing can be a bit awkward while you are trying to figure out the best position and what works best for you and baby. The Mombo nursing pillow provides essential support for moms and their nursing babies and a soft place to rest or play. Unlike any other nursing pillow, Mombo features a two-sided design called Firm2Soft with one side offering firms support for nursing baby and one soft and cozy side for tummy time or lounging. Mombo is also the only nursing pillow with a removable vibration feature to calm and soothe baby. There are an assortment of pillow styles (Standard, Deluxe or Nude $29.99-39.99) and brand new slipcover fashions to match any personal style ($12.99). Available at Babies R Us.

Are you a new or expecting mom? Be sure to check out MobileMom.com for a collection of free & useful apps designed for moms and moms-to-be!

Feeling lucky? Enter to win a Mombo Pillow and Bright Starts Mobile by filling out the form below.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. Saving $ With Jen is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Enter on the Rafflecopter form below a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 23, 2013

I am getting ready to make another batch of homemade laundry soap!

I am getting ready to make another batch of homemade laundry soap!

For this I will be using:

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda $9.99
Borax 20 mule laundry booster $10.64
Fels-Naptha heavy duty laundry bar soap $1.99
OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover $7.05

HERE is the link to how to make your own homemade laundry soap

Prices, quantity and availability change quickly on Amazon, I apologize if the price I have quoted is not longer accurate.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Makeup review, #Covergirl #L'Oreal & #MaryKay

Here is the rare glimpse at my makeup free face. This is the face only my closest friends and family have seen. While I do not typically wear a lot of makeup, on occasion I will get creative, after all I do love playing with makeup.

Before I ever apply any kind of makeup, I always put on face lotion or serum of some kind. I have tried many different kinds, and I have all but fallen in love with L'Oreal Youth Code Serum. Looking from the product free photo to this one, you can tell that my face looks brighter and more even toned. I have found that my fine lines that have started showing up are significantly lighter. I have been using L'Oreal Youth Code Serum for about a month.

I applied Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 foundation with SPF 20. I love this stuff, one thing that I do recommend is to be sure to apply a lotion or serum prior to putting it on. I have found that without a lotion or serum before hand, that the foundation can be clumpy if you have even semi dry skin.

I have read about a lot of tips and tricks about applying makeup. One that I personally do not like is to use a brush, I can never get it right and the brush strokes always show. One that I have found, that I actually did not use while applying my makeup this time, but actually love; is to apply foundation using a lemon or a lime. I find that it covers up pores and makes skin looks fresh. All you would do to make this technique work is apply the foundation onto your face, and dab it on your face. Be sure to work it in so that you don't leave clumps of makeup anywhere. You will find that using the lemon or lime will make your face look more natural.

Here is the finished look. Now remember, I do not like to go overboard with my makeup. I try to keep it minimal. For the finished look, I used L'Oreal Sun Kissed Bronzer lightly on my cheeks, a swipe on my nose and a dash on my chin. On my eyes, just on my lash line, I applied L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in black. For my mascara I used Mary Kay lash love in black, I swipe it towards the outside of my eyes. On my lips I used Covergirl Outlast Double Shine in Sheerly Nude.

Here is a detailed list of all of the products I used:

L'Oreal Youth Code Serum $17.99

COVERGIRL outlast stay fabulous 3 in 1 foundation $9.35

L'Oreal Sun Kissed Bronzer $4.29

L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyleliner $5.91

Mary Kay lash love $7.69 Covergirl Outlast Double Shine $4.28

I love each and everyone of these products. I was given each of them to review, my opinions are my own.I would only recommend products to my readers that I personally believe would also be a product that my readers would enjoy as well.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Air Walker Bounce Castle Giveaway

Hosted By: So Sew Mama

Co-Hosted by: Embracing Homemaking, I Heart Giveaways, Embracing Beauty, Embracing Frugality, Xtreme Qpon