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dENiZEN Jeans from Levis

July 30, 2011 CanCan, Children's fashion, Mom stuff, Reviews, Videos 2 comments

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The dENiZEN™ brand (from Levis) has a new line of jeans available exclusively at Target® stores and on Target.com.

I was sent a pair through Team Mom and I did a vlog including a Jeans Cam where you can see a butt shot, side butt, and check how dENiZEN measures up in the Ninja Kick Test and Deep Squat Test.

At “Live in dENiZEN™jeans” at www.facebook.com/denizenamerica, you can share stories about where you go in your favorite jeans.

dENiZEN™ fans who ‘like’ the Facebook page will receive a special thank you in the form of rebates, gift cards and even free pairs of dENiZEN™ jeans. Woohoo!

dENiZEN has Women’s sizes are available from 2-18 in different cuts including Mid-Rise Boot Cut, Mid-Rise Straight.

I got the Totally Shaping Mid-Rise Boot Cut with high stretch denim and a built in tummy control panel for a body slimming and shaping effect.

Prices for dENiZEN™ jeans range from $17.99 to $29.99.

Learn more at www.denizen.com, and Target.com/denizen

I was provided a pair of jeans by dENiZEN through Team Mom.

What I Wore Wednesday: Felt Flower Flair

July 26, 2011 CanCan, Mom stuff, Reviews, Videos 4 comments

Photo on 2011 07 24 at 11 01 3

This is what I wore to go somewhere a little fancy pants. There is a felt flower clip I put on my headband from a shop called Coco Penny online. I have been wearing it with all kinds of combos, in my hair and as a brooch too! I’m crazy!

They said you can have 15% off with coupon code COCOBLOGS.

The headband is sparkly. It came from…the lost and found at the elementary school where I teach. BaZinga!

Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane, Sweater: Old Navy, Dress: Victoria’s Secret like 12 years ago, Belt: Banana Republic but I don’t think it looks that good on me, what is your vote? Photo on 2011 07 24 at 11 01 2 Photo on 2011 07 24 at 11 00 2

Shoes by Frye. I think they are called the Maya pumps. Photo on 2011 07 24 at 11 00

This is me playing dress-up in Express. They were having 40% off clearance. I bought this stripey tank and saggy bewb sweater.

I felt like maybe I was doing it wrong. I like it though. Summer sweaters are kind of intriguing.

Hair flower is from Children’s Place. Little tip, fancy headbands for girls will probably fit your big fat grown up head, too!

For more What I Wore Wednesday, you can usually visit The Pleated Poppy blog, but today I find it not updated. She might be on vaycay.

Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock

May 27, 2011 Health, Mom stuff, Reviews, Safety, Travel with children, Videos No comments

Neutrogena You know how you are supposed to reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are out swimming?

The Skin Cancer Foundation states “reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place” and advises to “reapply the same amount every two hours.”

I have very infrequently abided by this recommendation. One of my main reasons is that sunscreen and wet skin don’t mix.

Until now.

Oh yes. I have NEWS for you.

Neutrogena has DONE it.

Yes, Neutrogena, the #1 dermatologist recommended suncare brand, has created new Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Sprays for adults and kids, specifically designed for wet skin.

They are SPRAYS and they are available in SPF 30, SPF 50, SPF 85, and a special kids version that is SPF 70.

The whole family can be protected from damaging UVA/UVB rays.

I love the entire concept. I was a slow adapter of spray sunscreen, but for Wet Skin Sunblock, I like it.

I also love that this is a Neutrogena product, because Neutrogena is one of the only sunscreen brands I can use on my face without having a breakout or swollen lips.

I am developing some zany skin sensitivities in my old age, I tells you.

Buy online you will save $2 on all sunscreen products! Click here to check out all their sunscreen products and to take advantage of the savings.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Neutrogena and received sunscreen and other Neutrogena products as a thank you for my participation.”

#SalsaCraving Salsa Sensations BlogHer 2011 Delegate Bonus Footage

May 25, 2011 CanCan, Videos One comment

Just in case my application for the Salsa Sensations Delegate for BlogHer ’11 didn’t deliver enough salsa-themed inspiration for you…

The never before seen BONUS FOOTAGE.

This was found both in the vault and on the cutting room floor.

Super exclusive.

Also? I eat salsa on stir fries and salads. I am just that into it.

Sometimes, there aren’t enough chips for all of that goodness.

Salsa Sensations is sending one person to BlogHer 11, and they invite you to submit a video telling the world why Salsa Sensations should pick YOU to be the 2011 Salsa Sensations BlogHer Delegate.

The lucky Salsa Sensations delegate gets a sponsorship package worth about $2,000, including airfare, hotel, conference pass, incidentals, and of course SALSA!

Entries are due by June 10th and the winner will be announced on June 15th. WOOHOO!

Visit the Salsa Sensations website for the details.

Salsa Sensations BlogHer 11 Sponsorship Contest #SalsaCraving

May 22, 2011 CanCan, Videos One comment

Will Blog For Salsa

Salsa Sensations is sending one person to BlogHer 11, and they invite you to submit a video telling the world why Salsa Sensations should pick YOU to be the 2011 Salsa Sensations BlogHer Delegate.

The lucky Salsa Sensations delegate gets a sponsorship package worth about $2,000, including airfare, hotel, conference pass, incidentals, and of course SALSA!

Entries are due by June 10th and the winner will be announced on June 15th. WOOHOO!

Visit the Salsa Sensations website for the details.

Check out my entry video!

Half Cultured: Lao and American Culture Short Film

May 18, 2011 CanCan, Laos, Links, Teaching kids different cultures, Videos 5 comments

Last weekend was the second ever Vientianale Film Festival, an event in Vientiane, Laos that showcases local film makers.

I created the short film Half Cultured, which is a relatively objective contrast of Lao culture vs. American culture.

Like all of the aspiring film makers that entered a short film to Vientianale, I hoped to win a cash prize to replace the cameras that were stolen from my home when it was burglarized on three separate occasions in 2010.

While I didn’t take any honors, and my film is extremely amateurish, it was shared today on the facebook page of a local Vientiane magazine called Pai Sai. Then it was shared on Facebook 150 times in 20 hours.

I am gratified that the Lao, American, and expat community are so enthusiastic about Half Cultured. I kind of figured that it would have a limited appeal to a very narrow group of people, but perhaps it is more universal than I thought.

Jojo, my 6-year-old, submitted a one minute short that he wrote and directed (I filmed). The name of his film is Rocket to the Future. He actually won the Rising Star Award basically for being the only submission by someone under 16 years old.

Film makers that we are, Jojo and I even got asked to pose for a photo at the film festival when a girl came up and introduced herself as my Fan. To my knowledge she is the first and only.

This is a milestone for my baby book.

Lao Experiences Cooking School, Vientiane, Laos

May 14, 2011 Eating, Jojo, Laos, Teaching kids different cultures, Travel with children, Videos 3 comments

Laos is a fantastic place to visit. Places like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam have their charms but are undeniably saturated with western influence.

Even after 9 years in Laos, I can still say that it is relatively “off the map”. In Luang Prabang, in Pakse, and yes, even in Vientiane, you can still experience true Laos.

Lao people are the true treasure of Laos, but when I am hosting guests, I still want to show them sights and get out and do stuff.

In Vientiane, sightseeing takes only about 3 days and you are pretty much finished.

So I was THRILLED to see that a new Lao Cooking School had opened offering one day classes (in English) to tourists.

The Lao Experiences cooking class is $35 a person, and it includes transportation to and from the school, originating in the downtown area, and of course you get to eat the food you make, and take home a little mini recipe book.

We made steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves, Lao tomato salsa, Lao egglant dip, sticky rice, grilled veggie kabobs, and mango with sticky rice dessert. We saw demonstrations on making Lao green papaya salad, grilled chicken, and grilled fish.

Jojo and I went together and I let him help me when it was safe and appropriate.

Lao Papaya Salad

Quickly grilling the banana leaf. I forget why. Maybe to make it more pliable? It got shinier.

Watching sticky rice cook in the steam basket. That is my boss holding him. I think they bonded!

Carefully filling palm leaves with fish for steaming.

He loves cooking!

Mango and sticky rice with coconut milk

Look Mama, a mango on a tree!

Eating the “fruits” of our labor.

A butterfly landed on his head and stayed there for ages!

For more fabulous photos, go look at my friend Sharon’s blog about her Lao Experiences cooking experience.

Jojo and I had a really good time together at Lao Experiences. It was fun to do something that we were both interested in, and I really am confident that I can make this stuff at home now!

The food was good and the instructors were sweet and patient. Class size is really small so you feel free to ask for help and as a bonus, you get to conversate with the Lao instructors.

Visit www.Lao-Experiences.com for more info about taking the class.

“Leave to See” Music Video

March 20, 2011 Jojo, Videos No comments

Jojo decided that he wants to be an actor (he DID want to be president, but then he found out actors make more money. And with money, you can buy ANY FOOD YOU WANT.)

Today we made a music video for Nashville-based recording artist Trent Dabbs.

Jojo has a great capacity for silliness but he sure does deadpan well. I think it runs in the genes.

Fair Shake Media

January 11, 2011 Links, Videos No comments

I started a new project making low budget, thoughtful, SEO-rich videos for small companies at my site FairShakeMedia.com

Did you know 80% of internet transactions begin with a Google search?

DId you know that you are 50 times more likely to be in the top Google results with a smartly tagged SEO rich video than with regular text? That’s why you need a sweet video!

I am excited to unveil my first Fair Shake Media video, created for Taraluna.com

Read the accompanying article here: http://www.fairshakemedia.com/organic-products-for-a-natural-family/

Follow @FairShakeMedia on twitter!

Pop the Pig and Tomb of Doom

January 4, 2011 Games, Jojo, Reviews, Toys, Videos One comment

Tomb of Doom game We got two games by Goliath Games with fun names. Wow, rhyming sentence!

Pop the Pig is a game in which you feed a pig plastic burgers. With each burger you push down on the top of his head a number of times, which makes his stomach inflate.

When the stomach reaches capacity, his belt pops open and his arms flip up. If you are the one who made him "pop", you lose. Haha! YOU LOSE!

You have to pump the head pretty firmly, and the stomach does inflate noticeably. It’s not like "WhoA is THiS room GettIng sMalleR??", but you can perceive it.

Both of my kids, ages 3 and 6, really like Pop the Pig

Here is Jojo’s review: