1.  While it’s very tempting to fill you child’s room with elaborate decor items, opt for a few simple, kid-friendly items that are fun and functional.  I’d much rather invest in books and safe, educational toys than dust collectors.

2.  Before painting your child’s room, think about the longevity of gender-specific colors such as pastel pinks and blues, typically reserved for babies. You may find that primary colors are more versatile, thereby saving you time and effort.

3. The decision to purchase a crib is a very personal one and varies depending on the parent’s philosophies regarding sleep.  You may find investing in a convertible crib is the most economical option.  This will get you through the preschool years, at the very least. Also remember that infant bedding will only be used for a short time and you may find a more versatile color scheme is optimal.

4. Once you’ve laid the foundation of the room with primary colors, you’re free to incorporate wall art, which can be updated more readily than paint. For example, Murals Your Way offers a variety of beautiful, intricate murals to transform you child’s space.

5. Be certain to keep safety at the forefront of your child’s room decor. Pay particular attention to items that can fall on top of a child, break, entangle a child or pose a choking hazard.

Over the weekend, my husband and I surprised our children with this gorgeous Dinosaur Train Wall Mural.  Murals Your Way recently introduced an entire line of Dinosaur Train-themed wall murals that transform a child’s room into one of 15 scenes from the hit PBS Kids show.

Once we selected the scene we wanted (we chose On Board for Adventure!) and input the dimensions for the wall we were covering, we were given the option to personalize the mural (at present, murals can be personalized for free), so we opted to have their names included on the train. The mural itself is printed on SmartStick Repositionable Wall Covering which features a lightly textured finish and adheres to most surfaces. The nice thing about working with this type of material is the fact that it’s reusable, wrinkle resistant, tear proof and simply requires peeling and sticking to install.  I like that the mural can be easily cleaned and reinstalled many times.

Installation took about an hour (via my husband) and while it was relatively easy, his recommendation is that two people install the mural.  The panels are large and overlap some, which is an important thing to remember during installation. Also important is the fact that once the panel is placed, it can be difficult (but not impossible) to move it around.   Be sure the wall is clean (and smooth, if possible) before installing and use a level to ensure the mural goes on straight.  Once the mural has been placed, you’ll need to cut around electrical outlets and light switches.

It took appropriately one month to receive the mural but it was well worth the wait. It’s absolutely stunning. The colors are vibrant, the characters authentic, and my children’s room looks like a scene right out of the Dinosaur Train.

Right now, select murals are 20% off.  Shipping and personalization are also free at the moment.  While this particular mural was a bit pricey (our wall measures 11’2” x 7’11″ making the cost of the mural about $780), it’s actually much more affordable and less time consuming than the alternative which is a hand-painted mural.  While we’re definitely not going to be removing it any time soon, it can be moved and reused without damaging the wall.

Dinosaur Train currently airs daily on PBS Kids. If you visit the website, families can join the Dinosaur Train Nature Tracker Club, an online community of families and educators committed to learning about nature and doing good things for the environment.  The site has a selection of free monthly activities that can be downloaded and completed with your children.  To join, just visit the Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Club.

No compensation was received for this post. We received a mural which helped facilitate this review.

Over the weekend, we pulled out a workbook given to us by Carson Dellosa.  I have to admit that a combination of unfortunate life events, my son’s Fall transition to full-time preschool, and a busy holiday season resulted in a period of time where we really didn’t do any home lessons. Rather, I maintained our nighttime reading routine and kept aspiring to restart those lessons when our lives slowed down a bit.  You can’t imagine my son’s excitement when we pulled out the workbook, which targets children in prekindergarten and kindergarten.

This 12-week activity book was actually designed to be used by children during the summer months when school is not in session.  The book is divided into three sections and emphasizes phonics, science, fitness, handwriting, shape and color recognition, early math and reading skills, and more. After each lesson is completed, the child is rewarded with a sticker and a certificate of completion once the entire 12 week series is completed. A set of flash cards can be removed and taken on the go.

The book is ideal for my son based on his age and developmental stage and compliments what he’s learning in school. The activities don’t take a long time and each section has a section that focuses on physical activity and character development (i.e. one of the sections encourages children to recycle). Most importantly, he enjoys doing them because they incorporate concepts that children are familiar with and he feels a sense of accomplishment after completing each lesson.

To accompany the workbook, Carson Dellosa also offers a set of activity cards with jokes, picture puzzles, math, fun facts, and more. These are great for taking on vacation or simply learning on-the-go.

Carson Dellosa provides an expansive selection of educational resources for parents and teachers including educational workbooks, flash cards, games, and more.  Resources are categorized by age/grade, subject, theme, product type, brand, and the awards they’ve received making it easy for parents and educators to find the ideal product for their child.  For more information, just visit their website.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples provided.

According to the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), the air inside one’s home can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. Since as a country, we tend to spend a majority of our time inside (particularly during these cold winter months), it makes sense to ensure that the air we’re breathing is free from irritating pollutants.  While I can minimize pollutants that come from synthetic chemicals, it’s more challenging to reduce and eliminate dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and mold.

Last year, I talked about our introduction to air purification systems. Air purifiers are effective at removing allergens like pollen, dust, mold, pet dander and smoke from the air that passes through the filter.  This particular air purifier by Holmes is 99.97% efficient at removing allergens and also fights odors in the home with it’s Arm & Hammer-enhanced filter.  It’s designed to work in medium to large rooms, however it’s compact enough to place in one corner without overwhelming the space. It can also be positioned vertically or horizontally depending on how it fits best which makes it convenient for situating.

Purifiers can be quite basic and be effective.  I like the convenience features offered on Homes purifier which includes four speed settings, an alert to notify you when it’s time to change the filter, and a digital display with timer which can be set to automatically run the purifier for up to 16 hours.  It’s very easy to set up as it already comes assembled. The only thing necessary is to install the filters (a set is provided with the air purifier).

Air purifiers work hand in hand with filters.  Something I learned recently was the fact that there are actually different filters for different needs.  aer1 offers four different types of filters including an allergen remover which I opted to use with the purifier.  The aer1 system uses the most effective filter technology available to trap allergens.  What’s unique about these filters is the fact that they offer custom clean air solutions and aren’t difficult to clean like others on the market.  When combining the aer1 allergen remover filter with the Holmes air purifier, the result is the removal of up to 99.97% of airborne allergens.  In fact, aer1 filters work best with Holmes and Bionaire purifiers.

In my experience, an air purifier is something that works best when used regularly as opposed to sporadically.  To select the system that is ideal for your home and family situation or to find out more information,  just visit aer1.  Right now, you can save $20 on your next purifier by visiting their website.

No compensation was received for this post. Product sample (air purifier and filters) provided.

If you’ve ever purchased an entire line of skincare, only to still have it take up permanent residence in your bathroom closet, you’ll appreciate bluum. Founded by parents, this monthly subscription service features the latest and the best in products for moms and babes, tucked neatly into an adorable little box.

Every month the products to be featured in the themed box are hand-selected and tested out to ensure uniqueness and quality.

Subscriptions begin at just $9. For more information visit bluuum.

No compensation was received for this post. A complimentary subscription was provided.

This post is sponsored by Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account!

Organizing a girl’s night out was so easy when I was single and much younger.  Between busy schedules, household duties, and children, it’s a bit more of challenge.  When I looked back at the very last time Katie, Liz, Aracely, and I had gotten together for a girl’s night out, we realized it was about a year. Since it’s the season of giving and “serving,” and I’m working with Clever Girls Collective and Serve to try their clever new service which makes sending and receiving money a breeze, I asked if I could take them out to dinner.  After a little re-arranging of schedules and babysitters, we finally managed to get together for an awesome evening of incredible food, laughter, conversation, and bonding.

In order to treat the girls to a meal, I simply asked that they sign up for a free account with Serve so that I could reimburse them after our meal.  The sign up process was relatively easy, and I like the fact that I didn’t have to input a credit card or bank account information (you will have to do this, however, if you want to send and receive money but it’s not required in the initial sign-up process). No credit check is required and the account is secure since a pin (that you’ve created) is required when you send money. I also feel confident using the service since it’s provided by American Express.  You can read all about how Serve protects you and your identity here.

Once each of us signed up for an account, we encountered a few hiccups.  Because the premise of the service is that it’s secure, verification is required.  At least two of us were locked out of our accounts while trying to verify our them, however a phone conversation with Customer Service assisted us in getting our accounts verified and unlocked.

With regards to sending and receiving funds…depending on where the source of those funds is coming from, it could take 1-5 business days from a checking account.  Funding from a linked debit or credit card occurs immediately.  This is something that should be taken into consideration, particularly if you need funds immediately.

So here is what I like about Serve:

1. It’s free…mostly! Next year (June 1st, 2012 to be exact), funding your account from a credit card and withdrawing cash from an ATM will require a fee. However, money transfers and funding your account from a checking account are free.

2.  It’s easy!  Once you’ve gotten past the verification process, you can simply go into your account and send or accept funds online.

3.  It’s super secure! Not only is the service backed by American Express (how’s that for credibility?), the service uses multiple layers of protection so that your identity and your account are secure.

4.  There’s an app for that!  Away from your computer? Download the free mobile app and you’ll have the ability to manage your account (send and receive money) while on-the-go.

5.  There’s a card for that!  Want to make purchases with the funds from your account?  Included with the services is a prepaid, reloadable card that can be used to make purchases anywhere (online and offline) American Express is accepted.  In fact, one of the gals I “served” is actually using her card to make purchases instead of transferring that money to her own bank account.  Brilliant!

Last year, I introduced a few of the gals to The Melting Pot, a fantastic fondue restaurant where guests can “cook” their own food.  We absolutely LOVE the restaurant, so we headed over once again for a girl’s night out.  If you’ve never dined at the restaurant, I highly recommend it, even if it is a bit pricey.  The food is diverse and incredibly flavorful, and the atmosphere is warm and relaxed.  In the busyness of the season, it’s a welcome change to be able to sit down for a good amount of time with friends to catch up on life.

Once we dipped the last of our desserts in our gourmet chocolate fondue, it was time to pay the bill.  Even if you’re with the closest of friends, isn’t this the most challenging part?  Figuring out who ordered what, calculating tax and tips… We actually used the app to figure out the tip and split the bill.  And that same night, I went home and reimbursed each of the gals for dinner.  Quick. Easy. Clever.  And as an added bonus, since each of the girls received a $10 credit for signing up, they actually made money off the dinner I treated them too. Awesome!

For more information or to sign up for an account, just visit Serve.

Remember to sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found by clicking here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

If you’re still looking for that last minute gift, here are some affordable suggestions, courtesy of RetailMeNot:

For Mom

Illuminate and fill her home with a deliciously fragrant scented candle from Slatkin & Co.

For Dad

Runner in the house? This Nike + iPod Sensor measures pace, distance, time, and calories burned.

For Your Sister

Every woman needs a place to store her jewelry. This silver-plated jewelry box can be personalized with her name.

For Your Brother

For those afternoons at home…A portable and compact tabletop tennis set.

For Your Best Friend

Preserve and share your favorite memories with this classy “friends” frame.

For the Child In Your Life

Give the gift of educational play!  This puzzle box set from Melissa & Doug features four wooden construction vehicle puzzles.

Each of the above gifts was found on RetailMeNot.  The online coupon site helps shoppers save on products from popular retailers like Bath & Body Works, Macy’s, Best Buy, Brookstone, and more.  Whenever I shop online, I always head to the site to see if I can find a discount code and more often than not, I’m successful in finding one.  The total amount that would have been saved if the above products were purchased through RetailMeNot is 14%. For online coupons, discount codes, free shipping codes, and printable coupons, visit the website.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples provided.

Many months ago, I attempted to shop in bulk, particularly for organic meats and sustainable fish since those are two very expensive foods.  However, our smallish family of four was not consuming all of these foods and shopping in bulk ended up costing more than we were saving.

I recently told you about the FoodSaver challenge I’ve been participating in.  The premise of the challenge is to shop for foods in bulk and use the FoodSaver System to vacuum seal them, thereby prolonging the amount of time the foods stay fresh. FoodSaver claims that by using the system, foods will stay fresh up to 5 times as long, thereby resulting in a savings of up to $2700 a year. Air is the enemy of freshness, so removing it via the FoodSaver, results in foods staying fresh longer.  Practically anything can be vacuum sealed including meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and more.  So, does it really work?

This is my very first experience using any type of vacuum sealing system, and using the machine was very easy.  With the system you can use pre-cut bags or cut them with the machine to the size desired.  I really like the option to cut the bags myself because I feel like I can be more judicious with them, thereby making them last longer.

Once you’ve selected (or cut) your bag, you simply place the food you’d like to vacuum seal inside and let the machine do the rest.  Be sure to label the bag with the date the food was sealed and the type of food sealed. From experience, it can become difficult to determine what has been sealed once the food is frozen.

One of the unexpected benefits of using the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System is the fact that I actually find my freezer much more organized than it was.  And the ability to get rid of all that extra packaging means I actually have more room in my freezer for storage.

Now that I have more room in my freezer and a system that will keep my foods fresh longer, I feel comfortable buying foods like meats and fish in bulk.  I can also prepare meals ahead of time then vacuum seal and freeze them for those times when I don’t want to cook.

The system retails for $142.93 at Walmart and additional bags vary in price.

For more information about the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System, just visit their website.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

In my 30+ years of life, I’ve eaten very few frozen meals, mostly due to the fact that they’re typically high in fat, calories, and sodium. On those occasions where I have chosen a frozen meal, it’s always been one of the “lighter” variety.

I recently opted to try Healthy Choice’s new Top Chef Inspired Meals, thanks to The Motherhood.  Because lunch is such a difficult meal for me, and one that I often find myself eating out for, I thought that perhaps I could see if these might be a healthy, affordable alternative.  I’ve purchased Healthy Choice meals in the past and actually like many of the items from the Healthy Choice line.

Cafe Steamers is a popular line from the brand, utilizing steaming technology to ensure that freshness and taste are maintained.  Unlike traditional frozen entrees, Cafe Steamers are made in such a way that the sauce is separated from the entree so the meal is steamed allowing for crisp vegetables, tender meats, and al dente pastas. Bravo’s Top Chef and Healthy Choice have teamed up to create the new line which integrates bold flavors like slow roasted garlic with fresh ingredients like asparagus and grilled eggplant.

The line includes a variety of chicken dishes, a steak dish, and a vegetarian dish.  Because the meals are so new, I was overnighted a chicken and a vegetarian dish to sample.  Unfortunately, I was only able to sample the Chicken Linguini with Red Pepper Alfredo because the vegetarian dish was not intact on arrival and I haven’t been able to get out to replace it with the coupon I was sent due to the busyness of the holiday.

As far as taste, I found that the veggies tasted fresh and the chicken was tender and moist.  The meal didn’t taste overly salted (although it does contain 21% of the recommended daily allowance for salt which is a bit high) and at 240 calories, I’m content with the nutrition aspect.

I’m actually very interested in trying the vegetarian dish since it’s common for me to skip protein altogether during lunch.  Their Grilled Vegetables Mediterranean with Rice combines grilled eggplant and vegetables with whole grain rice, barley and olive oil. It sounds like something I’d enjoy, particularly because it offers 30 grams of whole grain and 7 grams of fiber.

Healthy Choice’s Top Chef Cafe Steamers are currently available in the frozen section of your local grocery store and retail for $2.75 – $3.50.

This is a compensated post for Healthy Choice via The Motherhood.  Product samples were provided. All opinions expressed are solely that of the author.

In the less than 8 month span that I’ve owned my iPhone, I’ve already gone through 2 cords.  Combine that with the hassle of trying to keep the cords from entangling with others and the idea of wireless charging sounds increasingly appealing.

Qi technology is being deemed the future of charging.  Depending on what type of smartphone you have, you’ll need to purchase the correct sleeve. At present, you can charge the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS/3G, and the BlackBerry Curve 8900 with Energizer’s Inductive Charger although the Samsung DROID Charge, HTC Thunderbolt, and LG Revolution are equipped with Qi-compatible accessories.  When you’re ready to charge your smartphone, simply place it inside the sleeve and set it on the charger.  Don’t worry about lining it up exactly…as long as the indicator light goes on, you know your smartphone is being charged.

Energizer’s Inductive Charger works with Qi-enabled devices, regardless as to whether or not Qi is built into the device or contains a Qi accessory.  You can charge up to 3 phones (one via the USB charging port) on the Dual Zone Charger (a Single Zone charger is also available and would likely be handy when traveling).  Energizer is confident that the Inductive Charger will power smartphones in the future, regardless of changes that may evolve with technology.

Energizer’s Dual Zone Charger retails for $89 and the charging sleeves retail for $34.99.

For more information, visit Energizer.

No compensation was received for this post. Product sample for review was provided by Energizer.

Up until a few years ago, I didn’t know much about gluten intolerance and Celiac disease.  Now I can list 10 or more people I know personally who suffer from some degree of intolerance.  There was even a time where they suspected by son was intolerant of gluten.  Given the number of allergies he has, I’m so thankful that we have not had to cut all gluten from his diet.

If you can imagine how prevalent gluten is, you start to realize how difficult it is to remove from one’s diet.  And in the past, gluten-free foods were difficult to find and not always palatable.  These days, Whole Foods, Mother’s Market, Sprouts Farmers Market and even conventional grocery stores offer gluten-free foods.

I haven’t tried a ton of gluten-free foods, but By Hand Granola‘s Gluten-Free variety is delicious!  This hearty breakfast food includes gluten-free oats, coconut, cinnamon, macadamia nuts, cashews, and dried cranberries.  I’ve been enjoying it with my son’s Almond Milk in the mornings and my daughter has been enjoying a handful during snack time since my son is allergic to some of the ingredients.  The granola is natural and free from high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, or other artificial flavors/colors.

By Hand Granola also offers a version that is not gluten-free and equally tasty. The only difference is the inclusion of oats that are not gluten-free, wheat germ, and almonds in place of cashews.  Both varieties are currently sold online and at local stores in the LA area.  I’m hoping they’ll be able to expand to venues such as Whole Foods.

For more information about By Hand Granola, visit their website.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples provided.