Norton Online Family Review and iPod Touch Giveaway
February 20, 2009
UPDATED CHANGE: I was notified by BlogHer that the date the contest ends is actually the 9th, not the 8th as I was originally told. Here is your official updated change. You may resume your regularly scheduled day.
I was asked by the powers that be at BlogHer to review a new product, Norton On-Line Family. Norton in an attempt at keeping our kids safe online has developed a product called Norton On-Line Family. Here is a quick video of a family (I am guessing the Cleavers or Jones’) showing how much better their life with their kids has become by using Norton On-Line Family. Go watch. I will wait.
Norton On-Line Family is software to help track where you kids are going on the internet, what they are doing, what instant messages they are sending. It even has a feature which allows you to limit them to so many hours per week or weekend. Now that is a feature that I did enjoy. Though, turning off the computer works, too. I know there are times I won’t be able to be there and limit their time, so this is a good feature to have available.
The software enables you to block certain types of sites, specific sites or to allow certain sites. You can warn the teenager they are getting ready to enter an prohibited site, block the site entirely or simply log the information about what site they went on. Of course, there is a pop up telling them that they are at a site that has been or should be off limits. This is tougher to enforce if you have tech savvy teenagers. It has a safe search feature so your child doesn’t search for web sites about something innocent for school and end up on a porn site or a site that is absolutely inappropriate for him. It has notification features which send e-mails to a specific address when certain things occur. I enjoyed that feature the most. I like that I can get an email telling me that my teen tried to visit a site that was off limits and if he tried to by-pass it, what his reason was for doing so.
In short, with Norton Online Family, you can:
- View the Web sites that each child has visited.
- Block a Web site that you think is inappropriate for your child.
- Monitor all the Internet searches that your child performs with most search engines.
- Monitor the time that each child spends on the Internet.
- View all the social networking sites that the child has visited.
- View all the instant messages that your child sends and receives.
- Block the personal information that the child attempts to send.
And because I love you, readers, I and because I tried out this new software and tried to make it work out for our family, the people at BlogHer and Norton are giving me an iPod Touch to give away to my readers. That’s right. You, the reader, get the prize this time for the review that I did for you! What do you have to lose? Now, I must note that my email on this site has been a bit strange so if you have a problem, leave a comment on my post at Mommy Needs Coffee here on this post.
Make sure your email address is valid!
Rules:
- IMPORTANT! The contest runs from Monday, Feb 23rd and will end Sunday, March 8th.
- No duplicate comments (see additional entry methods for more chances to win)
- This giveaway is open to U.S. residents
- Winners will be selected by random draw (Random Integer Generator) and will be notified by email.
- You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
See the official rules for details:
blogher and norton itouch giveaway rules
Good luck and let me know how that iPod touch works out for you! 
Posted by Jenn @
4:11 pm | |
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Introducing: Sauvenomics! And? Get Free Suave!(Bonus!)
January 14, 2009
Obama’s not the only one with a plan to boost the economy! Suave wants to remind America that it is completely possibly to live beautifully for less and get quality products without paying the price. They call it Suavenomics - living beautifully for less - and have asked me (and you!) to put it to the test!
Seriously, we have seen the ads that say Suave is as good (or better) than the more expensive leading brands? Is that true?
My new and wonderful friends at Weber Shandwick (Who happen to be one of my favorite PR Firms to work with AND they totally get it when it comes to marketing and working with bloggers. I highly recommend you jump on anything they have to offer!) sent me six Suave beauty products, alongside six more expensive brands, and challenged me to try them both for myself. My first thought? What if what they claim is not true? I cannot let them down. However, I was determined to find out for myself if these claims were indeed true.
It has been years since I have bought Suave. Not because I don’t like it. I just got in the habit of sticking with what I know. I have used both NEXXUS and Bath & Body Works so, I am more familiar with those. However, I was more than happy to put both products to the test–side by side. My hair can handle this little challenge.
How did I go about doing this?
Well, I the more expensive brands (Nexxus and Bath & Body Works) because I have to share with the kids and really? They are going to get the one that is less expensive first. They go through A LOT of shampoo! The first week I tried the more expensive brands. The following week I tried the Suave brands.
The results both surprised and delighted me.
THE TEST:
Suave Humectant vs. Nexxus: The bottle of Suave claims the Suave product “deeply moisturizes as well as Nexxus.” I was about to put that to the test. I have to admit I love the coconut smell of the Nexxus. (My husband was thrilled to go to work with coconut smelling hair. I didn’t dislike the Nexxus but it didn’t really do much for me. I did discover that with Nexxus I had to definitely use more especially if I had product in my hair. The first wash and rinse just didn’t clean my hair as well. (Remember, I live in Texas. We love product in our hair!)
Then, I switched over to Suave. Bonus! It had that same coconut smell I love (takes me to tropical places!) but I actually thought the Suave had a better (less harsh) coconut smell to it. My hair felt softer and seemed to tame my fly aways much better. Another huge plus for me? It only took one washing to completely clean my hair. (Less shampoo, less time fighting for hot water in a house of five.) Seriously, I absolutely could tell the difference.
Apparently, so could my teenagers. When I switched the Suave in their bathroom with the Nexxus, they continually came back to my bathroom to steal it back. They noticed the difference without even being told it was a comparison test. And? They are boys. Boys with curly hair who really want soft and managable and not the wild man hair style. I think of them as my unknowing test cases.
MY FINAL VERDICT: Suave washed, rinsed and smelled better than the Nexxus. The Suave also felt much lighter and didn’t tend to make my hair limp which was the effect of the Nexxus in the end. Also? I used less Suave with better results. Lower price. Using less product. Making teenagers happy. Win-win-win!
TEST NUMBER 2:
Suave Sweet Pea & Lavender Body Wash vs. Bath & Body Works : With this product, Suave claims their product has the “fragrance appeal of Bath & Body Works” signature collection. I have to agree. As a very loyal Bath & Body Works customer, I know my product there. Yet, I found that Suave’s claim was absolutely true. In fact, Suave smelled a bit better (though a bit stronger) and it lathered up so much better than the Bath & Body product. That one also went to the kids’ bathroom for my daughter. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt me.
MY FINAL VERDICT: I think the Suave’s body wash smelled even better than the leading brand and tended to last longer. Which is great when you have long days and don’t want to smell of perfume yet still want to smell fresh and clean. Score one more for Suave. (Have any coconut, Suave. I am all about those tropical scents, too!) Which will I buy when I need a refill? Definitely Suave. Lower price and for me a better quality.
Suave products have an average retail price around $2.00 to $2.50, it is great for families who have been hit hard with the economy. Haven’t we all?? And because Suave loves you, too, today, you can get a free bottle of Suave! That did say FREE, by the way.
Go to Suave.com (http://www.suave.com/nomics/index.html) to get a coupon for your free bottle of Suave. Right now. Today.
MY FINAL FINAL VERDICT: Why aren’t you using Suave? Go out and get yourself some. You can thank me later when you look fabulous and are eternally grateful that I told you about it!
Posted by Jenn @
10:26 am | |
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Simply Chic and Eye Candy– Get Organized with Style!
August 8, 2008
Just in time for my personal back to school organizing, I was able to try out the most incredible organizing products I have seen in a long time. The Simply Chic and Eye Candy collections are by far my favorites when it comes to getting myself organized. (And let’s face it, as a board member on two PTA boards, I need all the help I can get!)
If you know me, you know that I am not only not the most organized person you will meet, I am probably one of the most dis-organized people you will come across. I try! I really do. But I haven’t found anything that meets my need and is something that I would want to use. Oh, I have bought more than my share to get me there, but nothing has worked. With these products, I have found the secret to getting organized. I need to make it fun!
I had the best time getting my work papers organized, my PTA forms filed and my calendar filled in. I even used the sticky notes for things I need to remember at meetings and the flag stickies to make notes of what pages (and where) I need to sign when it comes to back to school papers.
You can believe that when I pulled out my super organized folders and calendar and the first PTA board meeting, those who knew me nearly fell on the floor in shock. (Totally worth it!) In fact, they were asking me where I got them. (Organized and a trend setter. Does it get better for back to school?)
Carolina Pad and Paper and Jacqueline Savage McFee have introduced two new lines of products to make getting organized fun, cool and chic with organizational tools that actually have personality and style. Now, I am definitely the technology mom who loves to have the latest gadgets for my computer and phone, but in my heart, I still love the simplicity of sticky notes, folders, binders and paper calendars that I can stuff in my bag or purse to keep the never ending flow of paperwork organized. I was thrilled to hear that Mom Central teamed up with Jackie and Carolina Pad and Paper to promote the two incredibly beautiful new lines of paper and organizational products to help moms like me get organized in style. (Did I mention chic and fun?)
When I was sent me a box of several new Simply Chic and Eye Candy products courtesy of Mom Central, I nearly passed out with glee over the contents– including a note pad, a datebook, magnets, a journal, and organizational folders (a regular folder and my all time favorite accordian style folder as well as a super chic mouse pad. Even their magnets are hip. The pens? I am totally not loaning out at meetings or to friends. They are now my favorite pens and I am going to be greedy with them. All of these come in fun and (yes, I will say it) sassy designs and stylishly chic colors. These totally fit my personality! (Sadly, they also seem to be just as much fun to my daughter who was sad that the box was not for her. Not this time! I get to be the one with the fun back to school folders.) However, these incredible products are available at Wal-Mart so I can actually be nice and share with my daughter. Rather, I can buy her her own set of stylish back to school products because this mom is going to get herself organized first!
Simply Chic is the more subdued of the two new designs. It’s black. It’s simple. And it is very chic. The Eye Candy designs are more fun and playful with bright colors and fun designs. Both are a perfect mix of class and sass.
In addition, the team is currently running a “Glam Your Office Makeover Contest.” To help women and teens get organized in style, submit your best organizational tip by visiting Carolina Pad and Paper. The 10 most original and creative entries will be featured on the Carolina Pad and Paper Web site’s “Get Organized” page, and the winners will receive:
Complete Eye Candy or Simply Chic office system
$100 gift card
1000 Best Quick and Easy Organizing Secrets by Jamie Novak
This is a win-win for you because I guarantee once you see these products, you will not only enter to win, but will probably immediately run out to purchase your own! (Because like I said before, I am not sharing mine!)
Posted by Jenn @
2:58 am | |
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Day Runner Family Matters Calendar System
December 3, 2007
Any time I am asked to try out any product that will help me to become better organized, I jumped at it. You should see the number of calendars, planners, containers, etc that I have. I have yet to find one that works for me and my family. You see, I can keep track of my appointments and activities online or with a PDA, but when it comes keeping the entire family of five all on the same page and everyone aware of upcoming events, therein lies the challenge. And let us not forget, I am one of the worst when it comes to organization. Yes, I actually do need someone to take me by the hand and show me the way.When Parent Bloggers asked me to test out the Family Matters product line by Day Runner, I knew that this might actually be the product that would benefit not only me, but my family. Day Runner has come out with a color-coded organizational line, that includes:
- an undated erasable wall planner
- a wire bound monthly/weekly appointment book
- erasable door reminders
- activity folders, and
- storage cases
I tried out each of the products with my kids. They could choose the color that would forever be The Color Of Their Life and what they wanted to keep in their storage cases. Beyond that, Mom was off and running to get this family’s life under organization control!
The thing I liked best about using the Family Matters system, is that the information was all in one obvious, clear, easy to access place. I hung the erasable wall planner with all of our monthly plans in a central location that the entire family could glance at and see what was happening on a certain day. No more “I didn’t know that I had to be home because you had an appointment and I needed to babysit!” We could see everyone’s schedule on a daily/weekly basis. It was also great for me to be able to plan ahead. An entire week ahead? Yeah, that was a no-can-do before Day Runner gave me an in your face reminder each week!
A really big hit with my daughter was the erasable door reminders. These are terrific! We hung one on each of the kids’ doors as well as one on the refrigerator. (Suction cups, baby.) The dry erase boards have a spot to hold a pen, which really comes in handy when you remember something for the store, to remind the kids of activities, post chore “requests” and on many days just a note to tell my kids I am proud of them. I would be remiss if I did not at least admit I think they are cute as well as convenient. Fun and functional? Who knew?!
I am very much looking forward to jumping into the wire bound appointment book. I have looked through it and already filled out the appointments I know I will have coming up, addresses I will need–including a spot for web addresses!- and have this bad boy ready to come come January. The size was perfect for me for my desk. Anything smaller would get lost. Anything larger would be in my way. This is the perfect size (traditional wire bound notebook that the office stores sell). Get this (because remember, I assigned my children color codes for life?), it was color-coded to coordinate with the rest of the set! Now my kids really do have to have this color for at least a year. (But I am going with a life time.)
The storage cases and folders are color coordinated to go with the set as well. They were easy to use, functional and not ugly, so I had no problem using them in places that would be visible to visitors. (I have had more people comment on how “clever I am to color code the kids’ paperwork. I totally take credit for the ingeniousness of it!) 
I have to admit, seeing as I am the most disorganized person to walk upright, I found the Family Matters line really useful for my family. Let’s face it, with a pre-teen, a teenager and a six year old, I need all the help I can get. This system has been wonderful. If you’re interested, check out the other reviews on Parent Bloggers to hear what everyone else thought.
Posted by Jenn @
7:12 am | |
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Little Black Book of (I have no) Style
September 7, 2007
I have no style. None. No. Wait. I do. My style is “I work from home so I can wear my pj’s and socks all day and no one cares” OR when I need to get dressed up I have “I am a PTA mom and can get away with jeans and t-shirts because kids make messes” style. So I have style. In fact, Nina Garcia (best known for her appearnace as the unerring, fromidable fashion judge on Project Runway), author of The Little Black Book of Style says I can have my own style. Though I know that is not what she had in mind when that message came across. Actually, I really did like the message that I can create my own style. One that makes me feel confident. (And I do mean beyond pj’s or jeans and t-shirts.) I love that there is such a strong emphasis on “being your own muse” and creating your own style. Without the freak.
As for how much I will actually get out of this book, probably not as much as someone else who is out and about in the “real world” more than I happen to be. I am not sure the book is the right fit for me, but it is nevertheless and incredible book. My favorite section? The Fashion Cliff Notes Decade by Decade. The illustrations are beautiful! Ruben Toledo is an illustrating master.
I do recommend this book for women who are looking for a bit of style guidance. It is a great, quick read with incredible advice from people who know fashion and style. I even learned a thing or two about ways to update my style. Just because I am a PTA/Soccer mom doesn’t mean I have to look like a slob. And just because I will never wear anything that is fresh off of a runway doesn’t mean I cannot have style.
Style is internal. And everyone can create their own. And good style? It will bring out your confidence. And any woman who has confidence is beautiful!
(more…)
Posted by Jenn @
7:52 am | |
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