Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

dENiZEN Brand of Jeans Launched by Levis at Target

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Tim just got a new pair of jeans, and he is feeling oh-so-trendy right now. The line is called dENiZEN, and it is the first brand launched outside of the United States by Levi Strauss & Co.  It has had great success throughout Asia and is now being brought back to the birthplace of denim. You can only find it at Target stores and Target.com.

The collection is filled to the brim with fashion-forward styles and washes. And the price point is going to put a smile on your face, as the range is from $17.99 – $29.99. You read that correctly, my friend!

According to the dENiZen SVP/GM for the United States, “We’ve created unique styles specifically for consumers who are looking for exceptional style and fit at great value.” Um yes, that would be me! And I think they’ve hit the nail on the head.

Tim has the Slim Straight jeans, and they look smashing on him! He’s a lean fellow, and while he reports that the more fitted jeans aren’t as comfortable as the baggy stuff he’s been wearing for, oh I don’t know, 15 years, even he admits that he does look rather fetching in his new threads. 🙂 I think he looks very updated. I love the fit and I love the wash of the jeans. A+, dENiZEN!

I’m so impressed, in fact, that now I’m planning a trip out to Target to check out the women’s line for myself. I can’t have Tim outshining me on the catwalk (and by catwalk, I mean the long hallway in our house…)! The Totally Shaping at Waist jean is calling my name: hello tummy control! I may just have to try on every style to see what I like best.

During your next trip to Target, be sure to swing by the clothes section and check out these new fabulous and fabulously-priced jeans. Also, be sure to fan dENiZEN on Facebook: they have a special thank  you for new fans that is not-to-miss!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

The Greatest Wardrobe Problem-Solver: Cleava Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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I am madly in love with the product I’m featuring today. MADLY!!!! And I have to have a sense of humor about the whole thing, because when you see the product on a model by itself, you can’t help but think, “Is this a tank top version of a dickie?” 

I hear you. And yes, I suppose it is. But if a tank top dickie is wrong, then I DON’T WANT TO BE RIGHT!!!

Let me tell you all the reasons why my tank tops have been shoved into the back of my dresser, and my Cleava is getting worn constantly:

1. It legitimately covers me up. Not every tank top seems to get the memo that I don’t want to show the world my cleavage.

2. There are no straps to deal with.

3. It is opening up new possibilities for clothing that I can wear, now. So many tops are completely impossible to wear without a tank top, and yet, some of those tops also look really dumb with a tank top under it. In most cases, it’s because the top is so fitted that adding another layer of clothing under it simply isn’t flattering. Problem solved with Cleava!

4. In the summer months, you just don’t want to put on another layer of clothes, even if it doesn’t look bad under your top. Again, problem solved with Cleava!

5. It looks great. I have stared myself down in the mirror with the Cleava on, and I promise you, you cannot tell that I’m not wearing a tank top (other than the fact that I don’t have extra straps showing).

In addition to the reasons I listed above for why the Cleava rocks my world, I also want to point out that this thing would be AWESOME for anyone who is breastfeeding. Look at the image above…it basically can turn any criss-cross top into a nursing top for you! You don’t have to remove the Cleave to nurse, either. Just scoot it over!

The Cleava is made to fit most, and it uses snaps to connect and come off. Putting it on takes just a few seconds.

Seriously, you guys, I’m so in love with this product. I’m going to put it on my Christmas wish list to get a few more! And boy do they have a lot of options from which to choose (I counted 38!). Cleava can be ordered onlinefor $19.95. BUT…now you can score $5 off by using the coupon code SPN5OFF at checkout! Yes!!!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Cleava! Woo hoo! The contest will run until August 15th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me which Cleava you would pick (and choose wisely, as the winner will get her selection! Notice that they have 4 pages of options!).

Additional entries:

1. Sponsor love: Like Cleava on Facebook

2. Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need on Google Friend Connect (found on the sidebar of the page)

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my site.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Rock ‘N Learn Review and GIVEAWAY!!

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 Rock ‘N Learn is a company that began in 1986, and has worked since that time to help young children learn how to read in a really fun and entertaining way. This company now has over 50 titles and covers a wide span of topics, including preschool, math, reading, science, social studies, languages and test preparation.

Not everyone is in love with the idea of using videos to help teach concepts to their kids. I totally get that, and it should definitely not serve as a replacement for face time, and for parents engaging and teaching their children. With that said, I have personally seen the success that has come from using those infant/toddler reading DVDs. Darah has a major jump start on reading and can identify over 40 words. She’s also making a lot of progress on being able to identify certain blends and the sounds they make. So I personally see a place for carefully chosen DVDs to be part of her preparation for school.

Rock ‘N Learn sent us Letter Sounds, which is intended for kids ages 4-7. Darah can’t sit through the whole thing (it is 55 minutes long). But she’ll do 10 minute stretches, and she seems to be enjoying it. The video does a great job of repeating the concept it is teaching a lot, and also teaching great songs to help with learning. Based on what I have seen with this video, I think Rock ‘N Learn products are quality and I would definitely consider buying another one in 6 months, or so.

We also tried out the Rock ‘N Learn apps for young readers. I think these are really great ways to try out Rock ‘N Learn while making a minimum financial commitment. If your child seems to respond to the apps, then s/he is most likely also going to really like the DVDs.

Buy it!: Rock ‘N Learn products are available online. The DVD we reviewed is $19.99. The apps we reviewed start at .99. Right now you can save 25% off your purchase in the Rock ‘N Learn store by using code JQ7711. What a great way to get ready for heading off to school!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the DVD of your choice from Rock ‘N Learn! The contest will run until August 14th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me the title you want to own (and choose wisely, as the winner will get his/her selection!

Additional entries:

1. Sponsor love: Like Rock ‘N Learn on Facebook

2. Blogger love:  Subscribe to Stuff Parents Need by RSS or email (found on my sidebar).

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

use code  for 25% off their entire purchase.

Win it: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win your choice of one DVD or CD!

Mandatory entry: Pick out the DVD you want if you win. Choose wisely, as the winner will get what is written down for this entry!

 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Caspar Babypants Sing Along CD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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I think it’s safe to say that Darah has an exceptional collection of children’s music. We have an itunes playlist that just won’t quit, and it plays track after track of absolutely delightful music.

That makes it hard to pick a favorite artist. Very hard. Just short of impossible, I’d say. But somehow, even in the face of so much awesome music, Darah has a top pick.

It’s Caspar Babypants. I reviewed This is Fun! last year (click here to check out the review if you missed it). Caspar Babypants is led by Chris Ballew, who you may better know as the lead singer for The Presidents of the United States of America.

On August 16th, Chris and company will be releasing their fourth children’s album called Sing Along! We’ve been singing and dancing along with this album for a few weeks now, and it is just fantastic! The songs are unique but memorable and the topics are so much fun. I love the great take on the classics Ring Around the Rosie and Ba Ba Black Sheep, as well as the original songs like Helicopter and Bad Blue Jay.

Part of Darah’s love for Caspar Babypants stems from their wonderful collection of music videos on Youtube. I asked Chris if videos were in the works for some of the new material, and he said yes! Now that’s music to this mama’s ears!

Included with my review copy of Sing Along! was a letter from Chris explaining some of the inspiration behind this new album. I thought I’d share a bit of what he had to say with you:

“I began the process of making this fourth album by listening to a bunch of call and response tunes based on old African folk melodies and work songs from early American history. I love how the next line in the song was like an invitation to the listener to sing along and get right into the fabric of the song. I found it to be a super satisfying form to write in and it will most certainly appear on future albums as well.”

“I make this music to help families sing together and relax and opn up and endure stressful times with humor and grace. I feel like I succeeded in that purpose with this record and I look forward to achieving that feeling again and again.”

I can tell you with certainty that he really did succeed in those areas. This is Darah’s favorite album from her favorite band. Way to go, Caspar Babypants, on rising to the top amongst a slew of other really and truly great artists and albums.

Buy it!: Sing Along! will be available on Amazon , iTunes and babypantsmusic.com on August 16th. Be sure to check it out! You can even pre-order (I think!).

Edit: this giveaway is now closed.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win your own copy of Sing Along! The contest will run until August 13th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forefeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Check out the Caspar Babypants Youtube channel and tell me which video you like best. You’ll be so glad to have so much fun new stuff to show your kids! 🙂

Additional entries:

1. Sponsor love: Follow Caspar Babypants on Twitter

2. Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of the site.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links. 

The Chuck E. Cheese Experience: Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Until recently, the last time I had been to Chuck E. Cheese’s was sometime in middle school. Come to think of it, it may have even been elementary school. I think it’s a safe bet to say it’s been 20 years since I have been inside of one. What I remember of it is that it was really noisy, really fun, the life-sized animatronics were cool and the pizza was pretty bad.

But again, that was 20 years ago. Probably time to see what has changed!

We took Darah to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time recently, and I’m excited to tell you about our experience.

We arrived at Chuck E. Cheese about 10 minutes after they opened on a Saturday. To our surprise, we were the only folks there. In fact, we were the only guests for almost the first hour! This was AWESOME!!! We were all able to run around freely and explore, and Darah had the opportunity to get used to the sights and sounds before other kids got added to the mix. So my #1 tip for going to Chuck E. Cheese if you want to avoid the crowd is to be willing and ready to play at 9am when they open!

One thing I observed that I loved, as well, is that Chuck E. Cheese puts an invisible stamp on the arms of everyone in the same party. It’s a unique number for each group of people. The reason they do this is so that when you leave, they can make sure that the right adults leave with the right children. That is a very cool feature, and I’m delighted to see it. It can give parents an added feeling of security knowing that every adult and child will be checked at the door.

Darah had an absolute blast at Chuck E. Cheese. It took her a few minutes to get really into all the games, as you can see by the serious look on her face while riding Clifford, her very first ride. 🙂

But she quickly found her groove and spent a great deal of time running from machine to machine. We had 30 tokens to spend, and in the 2 1/2 hours we were there, that was plenty for Darah! I LOVED that every single game in the entire place only cost 1 token to play. I was just certain that some of the games would take 2 or even 3 tokens, but they didn’t! It’s nice to know that however many tokens you buy, that’s how many games you’ll get to play. Tokens are 25 cents each, or you get a price break if you spend $10 on tokens, as you will get 50 instead of 40 (which is a good deal, I think!).

Even Tim got in on the fun. There are many games at Chuck E. Cheese that are great for older kids and even for adults. Here you will see Tim taking on one seriously mean gorilla. Tim fought a good fight, all the way to the end of the game, and was subsequently rewarded with 4 tickets for his efforts. Way to take one for the team, Tim. 

 

 

I will say that I was disappointed in the updated “live” show. I think the old school Chuck E. Cheese band was one of my favorite things about the place as a kid. Now there’s just one large moving animal up on stage, and the rest is television screens that play really cheesy music videos and some flashy lighting. I found that to be not nearly as cool as what I grew up with, but maybe it speaks more to today’s kids, who likely aren’t as easily impressed with robots that only move in a few different directions. 

When we arrived at Chuck E. Cheese, we placed the order for our pizzaand requested that it be ready at 11. Sure enough, it was on our table at 11am sharp! The pizza has recently been completely overhauled. They’ve got new dough and new cheeses that they use. We dug in, and here’s my opinion on the pizza: it’s good. It’s not great. But it’s not bad like I remember. It is quite tasty. I actually think the amount of sauce and toppings is pretty much perfect for kids, but adults may find themselves craving a bit more. Tim and I ate 2/3 of the pizza by ourselves (with Darah nibbling on our pieces here and there), and we probably could have eaten more but we decided to show some restraint. The pizza, in terms of its weightiness, reminds me much more of something from Ci Ci’s than something from Papa John’s. So the price tag (I think $15 for a large is the standard price) is a bit steep.

HOWEVER, keep in mind that places like Papa John’s aren’t also providing you with a unique entertainment experience. Yes, the food is a bit expensive for the overall quality, but if you buy one of their combo packages that includes your pizza and your tokens, I actually think you are getting a killer deal for a morning or afternoon of fun with your family. I would absolutely take Darah again to Chuck E. Cheese, and I’d buy the pizza again, too!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Chuck E. Cheese guest pass which includes 30 tokens, 4 soft drinks and a large pizza. Woo hoo! The contest will run until August 13th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: This is a really fun one. Go to the Chuck E. Cheese website, and click on the “play skee ball” button on the bottom of the page. Tell me what your score is for your mandatory entry, and don’t forget to print the tickets you win online, as you can redeem them at Chuck E. Cheese! Everyone wins by playing! Yay!

Additional entries:

1. Sponsor love: Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook (you’ll heard about great discount offers that way!)

2. Blogger love:  Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook 

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary guest pass to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zac Omega Bars Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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I never skip breakfast.

NEVER.

In fact, when I was younger, if I didn’t eat breakfast in the first 15 minutes after waking up, I would actually be physically sick. Thankfully I outgrew that quirk, but I can’t really go more than an hour without needing to fuel up.

And I’m a busy lady in the morning. It’s when I get the majority of my blog post writing done, and it’s also when I grade papers for the college class I teach. There’s not much time for putting together anything fancy (and by fancy, all I really mean is hot, or not from a box).

Isn’t in unfortunate, therefore, that I don’t like breakfast bars? You guys, I have tried them so many times. If it is on the shelf at the supermarket, the odds are good that I have purchased it at least once in the hopes that I might like that particular brand or flavor.

I never have. Mostly because I find them to be much too dry.

But today I’m featuring Zac Omega bars. I’m not going to tell you that they are the best food on earth and that I’m trading in my beloved cereal for them. But I am here to tell you that of all the breakfast bars I’ve ever tried, they are my favorites. That’s the truth!

Zac Omega bars have all natural ingredients, and cut out the high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives (but that means you should refrigerate them and not hold on to them forever!). What you’ll find in their ingredient lists are things you recognize…you might even have them in your own kitchen!

These bars make the very top of the list for me because they taste fresh and moist. I’d still prefer something even more moist, but I’m starting to realize that if it is much more moist than these, then it should probably be called cake, and that’s not exactly breakfast.

Zac Omega bars also have something unique that makes them ideal for children who are exercising their minds at school: each bar has 1400 mg of ALA Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which are essential for brain development!

Zac Omega bars come in a great variety of flavors (Marionberry Cobbler being my personal favorite). Each bar is 2.5 oz. They also carry Zac Attack bars, which are 1.5 oz, making them a perfect snack for kids! They can be purchased online in various quantities for right around $1.75 each.  Larger boxes do offer significant price breaks, so consider going in with a friend and getting excellent breakfast or school lunch snacks for a great price!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a case of 30 Zac Omega bars. Yum! The contest will run until August 12th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry:

Tell me which flavorZac Omega bar would be eaten first in your house!

Additional entries:

1. Sponsor love: Like Zac Bars on Facebook

2. Blogger love: Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my blog.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Back to School: Back to Germs! Let Zarbee’s Help Naturally (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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If you’ve left the house at all in the last few weeks, then you’ve seen the signs everywhere: it’s “Back to School” time. Depending on where you live in the country, school might be starting as early as next week, or you might still have a month to go before it’s time to head back.

For Darah, “school” is her part-time day care program, and it doesn’t start back until mid-September. That feels like a million years from now, but I know it will be here before I know it!

I’m going to be shopping at some consignment sales in the next few weeks to get her some “new” clothes, and her Grammie-O is also coming in September with tons of those awesome hand-me-downs that my sister-in-law so generously shares with us. So we’ll be all set with clothes. I’m also taking advantage of the various school supply sales happening in the drug stores every week so that I can help stock the room with crayons and such.

But there’s another thing that I’ve stocked up on, as well, and it may be something that you aren’t thinking of: remedies for when the wave of germs hit. That’s right, back-t0-school means back-to-germs! If your child has ever been in a classroom full of other kids, toddlers or babies before, then you know that getting a cold (or worse) in August or September has just as much of a chance of happening as getting one in November.

You need to do an inventory of the medicine that you have on hand that is safe for children, and then add what you need to your list.

I happen to have a recommendation for you: Zarbee’s. This is a brand of cough syrups that are designed for children. They have a really cute bee on the packaging, but that’s not why I’m suggesting that you get them. From their site: “Zarbee’s Cough Syrup contains a blend of special dark honeys, vitamins and immune-boosting ingredients. The ingredients in Zarbee’s are all-natural, side-effect-free and proven in clinical trials to be effective at calming coughs and sore throats in children and young adults.”

You see, most cough syrups on the market have not been proven to be effective at all (a nurse taught me this last year and I will never forget it). In fact, in studies, honey has been shown to have more of an impact than the majority of cough medicines available over the counter. That’s why I love that Zarbee’s makes use of the ingredient that actually works, and adds to it immunity boosters.

And you can imagine that if the key ingredient is honey, that this is actually something your kids will be willing to take without a fight! Hooray!

Buy it!: Zarbee’s is available at retailers nationwide, including Walgreens. For a complete list, click here.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a variety of Zarbee’s products to get you ready for all those germs headed your way once school is back in session (ARV $24). The contest will run until August 12th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Check out the resource page at Zarbee’s and tell me something you learned!

Additional entries:

1. Sponsor love: Like Zarbee’s on Facebook

2. Blogger love:  Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter 

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of the page.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

 

Welcome To Stuffparentsneed.com! Let’s Give Away $1,000! (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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If you are reading this in your email or your RSS feed, do me a quick favor and click on over to check out my new digs.

Welcome to http://stuffparentsneed.com! We aren’t through unpacking all the boxes, so it is still messy around here. But we are officially moved in! And I have a very exciting way for us all to celebrate together!

I’m a part of the Boost Your Buzz $1,000 Giveaway! One lucky person is going to $1000 USD paid via Paypal.

You can gain entries in this giveaway by following Stuff Parents Need any of the following ways:

The giveaway starts August 1st 12 am EST  and will run until August 15th 11:59 pm EST and is open worldwide. 

$1,000 CASH prize will be delivered via Paypal after the winner has confirmed. The winner has 48 hours to confirm their winning notification.  If the winner does not respond within 48 hours of receipt of the winning email a new winner will them be drawn and so on and so forth.

Boost Your Buzz $1,000 Summer Giveaway can be entered on Survey Junkie,  Simply Stacie or Little Yaya’s (you only have to enter on one of the sites as the forms will be the same on each). Be sure to fill out the form over there! It’s the only way to have your entries counted! 

 

Good luck! 🙂