Friday Favorites- RuMe

categories: Friday Favorites, Organizing, Uncategorized

Friday Favorites (2)

Have you heard of RuMe products yet? Maybe you see their ads all over Facebook and wonder if they are worth the purchase? Well, I have two of their products and I am in love! RuMe stands for Reuse Me. These gorgeous Eco-friendly products exemplify sustainability with a focus on self expression. RuMe offers a wide selection of colorful patterns and customization.

Here are the products I am using in my mom bag:

The Baggie All

This little baggie has 3 zippered pockets and replaces TWO of the bags I used to keep my items separated. I can carry my make-up, coupons, medicines and pen and paper all in one bag. This saves me from rummaging through stuff in my giant mom bag. I just pull out the Baggie All and open the one pocket I need to access!

The Medium Tote

I carry the medium every day tote with me as a back up bag and reusable shopping bag. It is super easy to carry because it is light weight, it rolls up and is secured by a Velcro strap. It doesn’t take up much room at all! I use it in place of the plastic store bags and it saves me on our trips to the library, or when my kids spill something on their clothes and I need an extra bag to carry those wet things home.

Here are some other items you might like:

The Baby Travel Play

This adorable play mat is machine washable, has a quilted bottom and comes in two adorable prints.! It’s perfect for play dates in any location. It’s light weight and folds to fit in it’s own small tote.

Personalized Mini Totes

These are perfect for your little one to carry their own books home from the library, toys for a play date, swim gear, or gymnastics/dance outfits, or carry their own snacks. The square sides make this bag extra roomy and it holds up to 50 lbs. It is machine washable and water resistant too! You can customize the color and personalize with your child’s name.

I highly recommend RuMe bags for the quality, durability and ease of use. All RuMe products are machine washable, water resistant, affordable, functional and beautiful! These are the most efficient and easy to care for reusable bags I have! RuMe offers so much more than just totes and baggies! Check out MyRuMe.com for personalized gifts like glass coasters, cutting boards, wine charms, home and office items and more!

The Whatever Mom received no financial compensation for this review. RuMe products were provided for free with cost of shipping. The opinions expressed in this post belong solely to The Whatever Mom.

The Whatever Mom is a full-time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

22
Jan
2016

Friday Favorites-IntelliDent Toothbrush Shield – FLASH Giveaway

categories: Friday Favorites, Giveaway, Uncategorized

January is the perfect time to re-organize things around the home. I like to start my “spring cleaning” now so that once Spring arrives I can be outside. One of the first rooms I tackle is our main bathroom. Scrubbing and cleaning the tile is essential, but I also like to clean out our storage closet and medicine cabinet. I toss out old or expired medicines and update my beauty supplies. One thing in my bathroom that I am not crazy about is the plastic covers I use on each of our tooth brushes.

I try to replace the covers each time I change out our tooth brushes (every 2-3 months), but once those caps are used I can’t just toss them into the recycling bin. So they end up in our landfill. I also worry about germs and viruses gathering on our toothbrushes. Keeping them covered and in the medicine cabinet creates a nice dark, damp place for little bugs to breed. If you’re like me, you don’t have time for stomach bugs and viruses!

So, when Lisa Smith, Executive Vice President of IntelliDent Products contacted me for a review I was excited to try these out! Lucky for you Dear Readers, she was generous and sent extras to GIVEAWAY!

Here is what I love about the IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields:

These covers are breathable, dry quickly and perform like a surgical mask for your tooth brush! The plastic covers keep the toothbrushes damp and collect tooth paste teaming with bacteria. Yuck!

Each cover blocks against 99.9% of airborne and surface bacteria. (Did you know your toilet can contaminate your bathroom surfaces within a six foot radius in you bathroom?).

The antimicrobial preventive protection of these covers lasts up to 7 days, then you can toss into the trash. It takes up less room in the can and degrades much faster than plastic.

Covers are individually sealed to ensure a fresh product every time.

The covers are so easy to slide over a tooth brush my five year olds don’t need any help. (However, they are disappointed they can not select their favorite colors and decided to add a sticker to their covers). My family started using these covers over a month ago. Now that I know the benefits and can see the difference, I won’t be using those plastic covers any more!

IntelliDent products are made in the USA by a women owned company. They also make a Mouth Guard Shield. The covers are not available in stores, but are available online at Walmart.com, Drugstore.com, Walgreens.com .

Orrrrr, you can just enter here for your very own 10 pack to try! TWO lucky readers will win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget there is always a chance for bonus entries!

The Whatever Mom was provided with free samples of IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this post belong solely to The Whatever Mom.

The Whatever Mom is a full-time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

08
Jan
2016

Friday Favorites – Alyssa Milano

categories: Friday Favorites, Healthy Moms, Meal times, Mom War, Mommy Wars, Parent

Good morning!! I hope you will watch this clip of a very honest discussion about breast feeding. I like that it shows opposing views and each party is respectful in their exchange.

Breast feeding is one of the most divisive and controversial topics in parenting today. Growing up I don’t remember it being such an issue. I remember being curious about it as a kid and my mother explaining to me that’s how some moms feed their babies. Notice she didn’t say all moms. She left room for other moms, like herself, who formula fed. She was a working mom and if she had wanted to breast feed she would have. But, no one questioned her or shamed her for her choice.

I have steered clear of this topic until now because it can be so alienating to some moms. Myself included. I wasn’t able to breast feed my babies and most people think it is because I have twins. I know several twin moms who breast feed successfully and for over a year! Unfortunately, I couldn’t feed my babies because my milk supply never came in. I was ready and prepared to breast feed them. I felt a truly deep despair when it couldn’t happen. I felt like a failure before I even left the hospital five days after giving birth. So, for the first year I had to feed my babies formula.

It took me nearly three years to get over that feeling of guilt. I felt like it was my biggest failure as a mom. Not only was that because of the pressure I put on myself, but also because of the pressure of “breast is best.” Since I couldn’t give my kids the “best” I had failed. I stood quietly in the middle of the mommy war hearing judgments from both camps. I’ve met the finger wagers who spout statistics about health benefits of breast milk. I’ve met the moms who are too ashamed to feed their babies in public so they let them cry out, or hide themselves away. I’ve met the moms who participate in breast feed-ins and feed their babies openly in defiance. I’ve also met moms who have said breast feeding is not for me and boldly choose formula.

Here’s the thing… moms just want to feed their kids. Why is this deserving of media coverage, argument and a division? Why are we (moms included) relegating motherhood to the peripheral? Not only are breast feeding moms expected to remove themselves from view, but so are moms who have kids melting down in public, or moms who have “too many kids.” Why is motherhood so marginalized and minimized? Doesn’t it take a village to raise a child? So, why is my village sending me away and shaming me for my choices? Every family is different so why are we trying to put each other into a box that makes other people’s parenting a more acceptable and palatable experience for ourselves?

Here’s to the moms who choose to put their baby’s nutritional needs first- whether you choose formula, or breast milk you are making the right choice for your child. No one can ask for more than that! 😉

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

17
Dec
2015

FRIDAY FAVORITES INGLOT REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY FROM FACE BEAUTY STUDIO!

categories: Friday Favorites, Giveaway

I am excited to return with my Friday Favorites! This week I have a big review AND a big giveaway for my local readers. If it weren’t for the support from my local “Momrads” (thank you Molly!), I wouldn’t be blogging today! I can’t wait for one of them to win this awesome prize! Contest details are at the end of this post so stick with me!

INGLOT Cosmetics are hitting fashion runways, the Broadway stage and Hollywood with their toxin free makeup! All of their cosmetics are free from parabens and additives that take away from your skins nourishment. INGLOT is also causing a stir with its revolutionary O2M Breathable Nail Enamel! This formula allows oxygen and water vapor through the pores of your nails. It was created specifically to keep your nails healthy making it not only fashionable, but good-looking!

o2m — INGLOT has nearly 400 nail colors!

I admit my curiosity was piqued when I saw the Freedom System! You can see in the video above how easy it is to customize your palette. It is stack-able and travels with you! The color units come in magnetic square trays that insert into a palette. Simply pop out one square to replace with another and toss the empty metal into the recycling bin! Eye colors start at $7.00 each which is very affordable for a quality, non-toxic product.

INGLOT shadow colors — INGLOT offers 600 ways to enhance your eyes!

When Cathy, the local owner of Face Beauty Studio in Kingston, contacted me about a review and giveaway I nearly jumped out of my seat! I got to test drive her Eye Express service where she treated me to a custom color look and a sampling of Mario Badescu botanical skin care. With over 15 years of experience in the cosmetic industry and working alongside makeup artists for print ads, runway shows and fashion Cathy found her passion is making people look and feel good about themselves. I have to admit, it’s nice to see my old self back again. You know…before life with kids and the toll of sleepless nights!

Cathy used some new colors I had never tried before.

This is what I look like walking into Face Beauty Studio:

Untouched photo. Those baggy eyes are legit!

This is what I look like leaving Face Beauty Studio:

My INGLOT Colors — Me leaving Face Beauty with my INGLOT colors.

I asked for tips for tired, busy moms like me: Cathy stresses taking care of your skin (or canvas as she calls it) will best amplify your color and look! She can customize skin care products right in her store! The Milk and Tonic wipes are great even when I’m not removing make up. This will quickly clean off any debris and environmental residue I encounter through the day and it is safe enough to use on a child’s messy hands! Next, she recommends I use eyeliner on the wet line of my top eye lid to dramatically lift the look of the eye. If there is time add mascara. If not, go for the lips! A lipstick, a lip gloss or a lip balm will help keep lips hydrated and plump and help battle the aging process.

A fun way to try before you buy in store.

This is the first time I met Cathy, but I feel like I have known her a long time! She is wonderfully easy to talk with and doesn’t stop working while she’s applying her artistry! The Eye Express Service is only $25.00 and perfect for a night out! Can’t get out? Cathy and her crew can come to you for a fun night in with friends!! They will make sure you all look fresh and fabulous!

So….. Are you ready for the giveaway local friends?

**How about a ONE HOUR private makeup lesson?!**

You get step by step, hands on tutorial with Cathy to learn how to create a flawless look matching your lifestyle! You will get the tips and tricks of the professionals and leave the studio knowing the best colors for your skin tone, how to enhance your face shape AND the confidence to be your beautiful self! This is an $85 value and one lucky winner will win it for FREE! Just click on the Raffle Copter link below for YOUR CHANCES TO WIN! Share, share, share and comment below! YOU HAVE 24 HOURS! Winner announced on The Whatever Mom Facebook page!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e032398110/?
The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

12
Dec
2015

On The Twelfth Day of Service Give a Merry Makeover

categories: Family Fun, Friday Favorites, Organizing, Parenting

It’s the twelfth and final day of my service series! I hope you have enjoyed all the fun ways my kids and I give back during the holidays. Now there is nothing saying you have to do all twelve service projects or any projects at all. You can pick one that is the easiest and most affordable for you! Or, you can schedule it for another part of the year that is more manageable for you.

Being a stay at home mom for five years now means we’ve had to survive on one income. There were a couple of tight years when my husband had to work two jobs. He delivered newspapers in the early, dark mornings on his way to his regular 9-5 job. He never had a morning off and he worked every holiday. It did not matter that there was a drop of 26 inches of snow overnight people STILL demanded their $1.00 newspaper be delivered directly to their door. I don’t know how my husband kept that job for two years. But, when providing for a family you do whatever it takes.

This gave me a much deeper perspective and appreciation for people in service positions. From the person who delivers the newspaper, the mail carrier to the people who take away your garbage- we NEED them! Their jobs are valuable because they make our lives convenient and comfortable. For this I think they deserve some recognition and some gratitude. So, today we decorated our mail box!

Without fail through sleet, through snow and rain our mail arrives! I would not want to walk miles in the rain to deliver a flyer, or worse bills that brings stress to many families. HOWEVER, they do get to bring me some cheer at Christmas! They fill my box each day in December with cards from family and friends. So to that I say THANK YOU!! During Christmas week we will leave a small gift outside for our mail man- a pair of gloves, a lotto ticket and a gift card for coffee. All fun things he can put in his pocket and take along with him.

Your kids will love decorating the mail box with pretty bows and wrapping paper. Help them make a thank you card, or sign to attach to the box. Have them help you wrap each small gift and let them leave it in the mailbox for your carrier to find! This is a great way to teach kids that no job is insignificant.

Thank you for sharing the last 12 days with me! I appreciate ALL OF YOU reading along and taking the time to share your comments. You have brightened my days and I enjoy sharing the Christmas spirit with you!! I’ll see you all again next week when I return to my regularly scheduled Wednesday post and Friday Favorites!

On The Sixth Day of Service Rise Together

categories: Family Fun, Friday Favorites, Holiday Fun, Organizing, Parenting, Party

As we are counting down the days until we wake up on Christmas morning surrounded by our families, there are thousands of children in our foster care system just hoping for a family for Christmas. Currently there are around a half of a million children in foster homes in America; many of them waiting to be adopted by a forever family to call their own.

This statistic is pretty heart breaking. But, to hear that foster kids are handed two trash bags upon entering foster care tugs pretty hard at my heart strings too. They move from home to home with their belongings in plastic bags meant to carry garbage.

Kids in foster care get two trash bags to carry their belongings.

My friend Rachel adopted her beautiful little girl from foster care. At her celebration party Rachel and her family collected comfort items to donate to our local foster kids. They decorated canvas bags and filled them with teddy bears, toys and hygiene items. They donated the bags to the local foster care division at the Department of Social Services.

How can you help? Contact your local Department of Social Services to ask for a list of needed items and arrange for a drop off date. Ask your friends and family for bags and the needed items. Host a get together to decorate the bags and fill them. Kids of any age can help stuff items into a bag and help bring comfort to these vulnerable kids.

The GIVEBACK BOX can assist 10 children in your local community with Care Packages this holiday season.

Not sure you have the time to get out and gather up the items yourself? Together We Rise makes it even easier! Make one online donation of $50 to sponsor a sweet case and you’re done! Sweet cases are duffle bags filled with comfort items and hygiene items and it gives children in foster care a more dignified way to move to a new home. You can sponsor one case, or call upon your friends and family to split the cost of a Give Back Box!

For a $250 donation ($25 per person times 10 contributors) you can purchase a kit filled with all the items you need to stuff 10 sweet cases. Host a get together in your home, or round up co-workers at the office to decorate and stuff the bags. Then, deliver to your local foster care agency. Shipping is FREE on the first 20 bags. LAST SHIPPING DATE IS DECEMBER 14TH via FEDEX.

Whichever way you choose to give back it will have a great impact on a child going through a difficult transition. This is a great way to help instill compassion in your young children, and it gives them greater perspective that some kids just need a family.

Watch this clip to learn more about sweet cases:

On The Fourth Day of Service Send Some Cheer

categories: Family Fun, Friday Favorites, Holiday Fun, Organizing, Parent

I am loving the positive feedback about this series! I am so grateful my experiences with making holiday giving simple and easy is inspiring others to do the same. My kids have honestly enjoyed helping in these projects. I hope yours will too!

Today I am sharing how I started my own small charity. I don’t have a board and I don’t have an operating budget, but that is the beauty of using social media to ask for help. Four years ago, I started a small card writing charity called Operation Christmas Cheer. It began when my friend Gloria asked me to send just one Christmas card to two kids in our town who were battling cancer. I sent my two cards, but it just didn’t feel like enough.

I’ve shared before that my niece Ashley was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) when she was just 3-years old. Watching what she and my family endured month after month of chemotherapy, surgeries and hospital stays had a significant impact on me. Having been in the hospital room with other cancer kids (including tiny babies) I know firsthand the grief and anxiety families feel. What these kids really need is a cure. I don’t know how to make that happen, but I do know how to make a kid smile.

I made an event page on Facebook and asked my friends and family to make a card to send to each child. Then I found a few more kids who could use some cheer too. I had a total of ten kids on my list and over 65 volunteers, several class rooms and scout troops mailing cards to the kids on my list. I thought that would be the end of it. But, everyone started asking the following Christmas if I was going to do it again. My kids and I have continued this tradition every year since. Now I have several hundred volunteers sending cards.

How can you get involved? This operation is found solely on Facebook. You can like the page and get names of the children who need your cheer. Or, if you know of any children in your own home town that needs love and cheer this Christmas, start your own group on Facebook. Send an invite to all your friends and family to ask them to send out cards. Keep them updated with posts and photos of your kids making cards and encourage them to do the same. You can also contact a local children’s hospital and ask if you can deliver cards to kids staying in the hospital at Christmas.

This has been a great way to get my little kids involved with giving back. It isn’t expensive and I don’t have to leave the house (except once to gather stamps and cards). You can send store bought cards, or make them. No matter which kind of card you choose to send you will help bring some cheer to a family in need!

One The First Day of Service Host a Food Drive

On The Second Day of Service Host a Coat Drive

On The Third Day of Servic Make a Special Delivery

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

27
Nov
2015

Black Friday Favorites- Barefoot Books! Exclusive Discount

categories: Friday Favorites, Giveaway, Parenting

If you have never had the pleasure of reading a book from Barefoot books, allow me to introduce you! My friend Gloria first shared these books with me when our kids were just babies. I was immediately drawn to the rich illustrations and the wonderful positive messages of each story.

Barefoot books began in the early 1990’s as a way to honor children’s stories from all over the world. The diversity offered through Barefoot books is a great introduction to other cultures, different abilities and empowered child characters. There are books for children of all ages and stages. Your kids will immediately love the colors, the beautiful illustrations and become captivated by the stories!

Here are some of our favorites:

The Girl With A Brave Heart – a story about Shiraz, a kindhearted young girl growing up in Tehran. She is miserable living with her stepmother and stepsister because they treat her like a servant. A powerful story about patience, perseverance and empathy.

Photo credit: www.barefootbooks.com — Image credit: www.barefootbooks.com

Lin Yi’s Lantern– a heartwarming story shows the rewards of putting others first, and includes educational notes at the end about the Chinese moon festival.

Photo found on www.barefootbooks.com — Image credit: http://www.barefootbooks.com

Grandpa’s Garden – kids are drawn in by the poetic language and warm illustrations. It creates the excitement of watching things grow!

Image credit: www.barefootbooks.com — Image credit: http://www.barefootbooks.com

I Took the Moon for a Walk – follow a young boy and the moon as they overcome the fear of the dark and discover the world at night. The end of the book includes notes about the moon and plants and animals that thrive in the wee hours of the night.

Barefoot Books are my favorite books to buy for my kids! I try to include a handful of new ones each year in our book a night Christmas countdown! The books are durable and illustrated with unique artwork. To purchase Barefoot Books you typically host a party (at home or online) where you earn free books and a discount. But, just for being my reader you don’t need to host anything!

My very generous friend Heather is offering a 30% discount on any book orders placed on Black Friday THROUGH Cyber Monday (by 8 p.m.)!!! For every order over $50 Heather will donate one book to a sick child through my charity Operation Christmas Cheer! You can tick off Christmas gifts AND do something good in less than 10 minutes!! No standing in line at 5:00 a.m.! How convenient is that?!?

To receive your 30% discount you must SHOP Heather’s Barefoot Ambassador website and then email your order to: [email protected]. Write “Whatever30” in the subject line to get your EXCLUSIVE discount!

Go ahead do-gooder, shop and save away! Put a smile on your kids faces and bring some cheer to kids in and out of the hospital during Christmas!

(Tip: The website allows you to take a peek inside of each book! Just click the “Step Inside” circle on the corner of the book cover!).

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

18
Nov
2015

FLASH GIVEAWAY Get Your Home Holiday Ready Faster With Norwex!

categories: Friday Favorites, Giveaway

I had never heard of Norwex when my friend Rebecca invited me to a Facebook online party. I thought I’ll just look around and order something small so I can help her out. I honestly never, ever thought this stuff was going to work. I scoured the Internet for any red flags and negative posts about the company and the products. All I found were some very happy customers!

The first products I fell in love with were the spirinets and the kitchen cloth. Brace yourselves, because what I am about to show you is truly horrifying! The inside of my microwave. (You may want to remove the kids from the room).

Normally, I’d spend 20 minutes scrubbing one small area at a time with soap and water. With this microfiber Kithcen cloth I finished cleaning the entire microwave in less than five minutes using just water! What impressed me most is this cloth cleaned up more stuck on food in one swipe than my regular kitchen sponge.

Three parties later and I am hooked on these products! Now I’m in love with the Enviro Cloth! Lucky for you because you might be the winner of this weeks FLASH GIVEAWAY!! ONE reader will win TWO FREE Enviro Cloths!

The Enviro Cloth cleans just about everything in your house using ONLY WATER! No need for chemical cleaners! You can dust with it, clean counters and table tops, or heavier stuff like spills on carpets and couches. One Enviro Cloth reduces chemical and water use by 90%!! It lasts for 500 washes or 10 years! The BacLock (TM) technology has silver antibacterial fiber melted into each cloth. The silver inhibits bacterial odor, mold, and/or mildew growth within the cloth AND it removes 99% of bacteria with just water! Check out Rebecca’s blog for details on how BacLock technology works, and check out videos of Rebecca using the cloths in her own home!

I am so excited to use my Norwex cloths to clean before the holidays!! The micro fibers pick up so much more dust and debris than other cloths, so it’s a quicker more efficient way to clean! Just one cloth can clean my entire bathroom, or kitchen without any chemicals! No need to carry a bunch of cleaners from room to room. I simply rinse with water between uses and hang it up to dry. Once it is completely dry the silver is again ready to kill bacteria!!

Curious to know how YOU can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the holidays? My friend Rebecca is working on something special exclusively for The Whatever Mom readers! Click here to join her Norwex Customer Club on Facebook and send her a message that The Whatever Mom sent you! Then, Join us for a LIVE Facebook chat on Friday November 20th at 9:00 p.m.! Rebecca will send you the link to our private event when you join her Norwex Customer Club. I do not like a hard sell! So, I love that Rebecca truly enjoys sharing her honest experiences with Norwex. She is not pushy with sales, and is happy to answer any and all questions you have!

ONE lucky winner will get TWO Enviro Cloths for FREE!! Plus a FREE sample of the UPP detergent!! You have 17 Hours to enter before the winner is announced on The Whatever Mom Facebook page!

**** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS JULIANA W!******
The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

06
Nov
2015

Friday Favorites – Start a Friendsgiving Tradition!

categories: Family Fun, Friday Favorites, Holiday Fun, Meal times

It’s the start of the thankful season. Everyone is posting their daily gratitude on social media to express what they are thankful for. Here is what I am thankful for- food. I am really thankful my kids have enough to eat (and even throw away). I’m also thankful for organizations like Share Our Strength which helps feed hungry families every where. No Kid Hungry.org helps connect thousands of kids around the country to food resources. They educate struggling families how to to prepare low cost, healthy meals.

Anytime this November you can host a pot luck, or gathering in your own home with friends and ask everyone to give a financial donation (or, they can donate online at any time). What a great way to connect with friends and family before the busy holiday season starts! Plus, you can help bring Thanksgiving to other families who cannot afford a meal on their own. Spending time with your friends AND giving to a good cause makes “Friendsgiving” a win-win!

To host your own FriendsGiving event visit the No Kids Hungry website and start a fund raising page. Register your event, send out invites and check out the resource center for tips on how to host a successful event! Super easy!!

There are also incentives for raising the most funds! Check out the No Kid Hungry blog for details. Why not make this an annual event and start a new tradition with your friends and family? Or, get your school involved and encourage your kids to help give!

Remember sharing is caring! Please feel free to share this blog post on Twitter or Facebook with the hash tags: #FRIENDSGIVINGNKH #FRIENDSGIVING

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here, Find her two party Body Beautiful project here and here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

Category: Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites- RuMe

Friday Favorites-IntelliDent Toothbrush Shield – FLASH Giveaway

Orrrrr, you can just enter here for your very own 10 pack to try! TWO lucky readers will win!

Friday Favorites – Alyssa Milano

FRIDAY FAVORITES INGLOT REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY FROM FACE BEAUTY STUDIO!

So….. Are you ready for the giveaway local friends?

**How about a ONE HOUR private makeup lesson?!**

On The Twelfth Day of Service Give a Merry Makeover

On The Sixth Day of Service Rise Together

On The Fourth Day of Service Send Some Cheer

Black Friday Favorites- Barefoot Books! Exclusive Discount

Go ahead do-gooder, shop and save away! Put a smile on your kids faces and bring some cheer to kids in and out of the hospital during Christmas!

FLASH GIVEAWAY Get Your Home Holiday Ready Faster With Norwex!

ONE lucky winner will get TWO Enviro Cloths for FREE!! Plus a FREE sample of the UPP detergent!! You have 17 Hours to enter before the winner is announced on The Whatever Mom Facebook page!

Building a community one click at a time.