I love all things beauty related. Ever since I started wearing makeup in sixth grade, I've been a cosmetics addict. I write a lot about beauty here at Everyday Baby Steps. I've written beauty articles for other sites around the web. And one of my best gigs is blogging for a local salon where I receive salon services in exchange for my writing and social media management. Great trade, right?

I've often thought about going to beauty school. When I was younger, though, it wouldn't have been seen as a wise decision by my family. Not to mention the fact that I just don't think I'd be very gifted with a pair of shears. What I didn't know back then is there are so many different options in the cosmetology industry.

Nail artistry is a big one that really catches my interest. I love the creativity involved in choosing length, shape, colors and styles. The possibilities are endless. An option I was actually considering recently is becoming an esthetician. These beauty professionals do things like skin care, hair removal and massage. What an amazing job it would be to make people feel good for a living!

One day, when my kids are older and I have fewer responsibilities, I think my next career move may be in the field of beauty. Someday, I may even look into escuelas de cosmetologia en Miami. Did you know I was a Spanish major in college? I'd love to live in the warm, vibrant culture of Miami. Have you ever considered a career like cosmetology? What's your dream job, and where would you live?

Digital Folio is a new comparison shopping app that's compatible with Firefox and Internet Explorer. It can be used on both Macs and PCs. This app is FREE, and it not only finds price savings for you, it also tracks those savings and helps you to compare. The app shows you prices in real time as you shop across the web. What a helpful tool, especially for this time of year!

More About Digital Folio

Digital Folio makes finding what you're looking for by breaking items down into categories. These categories include everything from camcorders, blu-ray players and computers to household appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers. There are always new categories in the works, as well. Digital Folio is even with you in the store and on your phone. It's always within reach. Adding products to your shopping list is just a drag and drop process. The top five online retailers are covered - Amazon, BestBuy, Sears, Target and Walmart. You can even make it social by sharing your list with friends and viewing the lists of others. Digital Folio makes it quick and easy to get the right price on whatever item you're looking for.

Digital Folio Twitter Party

To celebrate and share their service with the online community, Digital Folio will be having a Twitter Party tonight, Tuesday November 8th, from 8:00 - 9:00pm EST. You'll want to follow party host @ResourcefulMom and @DigitalFolio and participate in the party conversation in order to be eligible to win some fabulous prizes. The one grand prize is a $100 Target gift card. Who could't use that for the holidays? Another 6 $25 gift cards will also be given away.

What People Are Saying

There's a lot going around the news and online about Digital Folio. Check out these resources to learn more:

Wall Street Journal Digits

Fox Business News: Editor's Picks

Denver Business Journal

So be sure to check out the reviews and download the app for yourself. I'd love to hear what you think about it after giving it a whirl - leave me a comment! Also, Digital Folio will be giving away a $200 Target Gift Card to one registered user a week after the party, Wednesday, November 15th. Well, what are you waiting for? Go check out Digital Folio and get registered!

* I will receive compensation for spreading the word about Digital Folio, but I'm always open to learning about great ways to save money. So far, I can definitely say this app seems to be very useful.

Do you have tweens? If so, you're probably quite familiar with some of their oddities and intricacies. My oldest two are Noah, age 12, and Norah, age 10. I thought I was ready for these years, as I've worked with kids a lot professionally in the past. Oh no, these years are just tricky, I've come to realize. I've been faced with the just plain weirdness of 12-year old boys. I've had to just nod my head at what he says because I SO cannot relate, and I've had to deal with my daughter's moodiness and crazy friend drama. I TOTALLY can relate to that! But the whole issue of hygiene is a touchy one. Thankfully, my kids' father first broached the subject of body odor with our son, so it wasn't quite so tough when my daughter wanted to delve into the realm of deodorant. There are just so many touchy subjects you don't consider until they're right upon you.

That's why I'm so excited to take part in a Tween Academy class with The Motherhood and Unilever, the maker of Degree, Dove and Suave deodorants, tomorrow at noon. We'll be joined by Rosalind Wiseman, author of the best-selling book, Queen Bees and Wannabes. The movie Mean Girls was based on this book. I'm so happy I have the book as a guide for helping my daughter to navigate the world of not always nice girls. You'll want to join us in the talk because, along with our expert and myself, there will be five other bloggers sharing their own experiences. We can all learn so much from each other! We'll be discussing the changes our tweens are going through physically and how to help them adjust to those changes and to take care of themselves.

And you know what else there will be? Um, yeah, there will definitely be prizes! One lucky winner will receive a Vera Bradyley tote filled with items from momAgenda, full size deodorant samples and two books by Rosalind Wiseman. So don't miss it. The Tween Academy class on hygiene will be tomorrow, September 28th at noon EST Just click on the link and join in the conversation.

Also, you can find lots of good information on Unilever's Don't Fret the Sweat Facebook page and follow the hashtag #DontFretTheSweat on Twitter. Follow along for updates. I truly hope to see you there!

* I will receive compensation for my participation in and promotion of the Tween Academy class. I'm thrilled to be a part of it, and all opinions are my own.

Have you ever purchased prescription glasses online? It may seem a little strange to some. You may wonder how you'd ever manage to choose a pair that flatters your face without trying them on. You'd be surprised at what great frames you can get online and how well they can work for you. I've purchased glasses for myself and my children online several times, and I've never been less than satisfied. You can get prescription glasses with lenses included for less than $100 at many sites online. Let me tell you a little about my experience.

The Process

The first thing you'll need is your most recent prescription. If it's been awhile, head to the eye doctor and get an exam. Just ask them to write down the prescription for you. I got an eye exam at my local Walmart for $50. Not bad considering I don't have insurance. Be sure you get what's called the PD included in your written prescription. This is important for getting the correct size frames.

Next, do a little shopping online to find the site that has the best selection and deals. It's a good idea to look for testimonials on the website or for written reviews online. If you have a friend or relative who's bought glasses online, be sure to ask about their experience. I've actually purchased glasses from several different companies and have had good results. I once bought a pair of prescription sunglasses, including lenses, for just over $50. I love those glasses and don't know how I ever got along wtihout them.

This picture shows me in one of my favorite pair of glasses bought online.

Choosing Frames

It really isn't that hard to choose frames that work for you. You know yourself and are familiar with your facial shape. If you've worn glasses for awhile, you have an idea of what looks good on you. I always have a tough time when looking for glasses because I want to try on every single pair. Then I forget which ones I liked best and have to go back to my pile of keepers to try them on again. It's actually quite a pain. I've found it to be easier to buy glasses online. I look for styles that are similar to ones that have worked for me in the past. For example, I usually just check out the half frame glasses, which makes things a little more manageable. Then I look for colors that I like and I know will work with my red hair. Then I narrow it down. Usually, one pair will stand out from the rest, and that's my choice. This same process has worked for my kids' frames. My daughter is very small and has a petite face. I knew we had to look for delicate frames. She wanted pink. So we eneded up going with a little pink pair that she absolutely adores.

Give It a Try

You really don't have anything to lose, except outrageous eyeglass cost and the frustration of trying on endless pairs of glasses. Some sites even allow you to upload a picture to virtually "try on" different styles. It's pretty cool. And many sites offer free shipping and returns if you're not pleased. How can you go wrong? I say go with your gut and choose a frame that you think will work for you. If you're not happy with the process or don't like your frame, just send the glasses back.

Have you ever bought glasses online? What did you think? I'd love to hear about your experience!

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I'm so super excited to be participating in Gilt's Summer Spectacular as a #GiltyMom. Are you familiar with Gilt? If you're not, you are so missing out! Gilt is a fantastic deal site that has everything you could want at incredible prices. I've been a Gilt member for some time now, and I've drooled over the high fashion items they offer from major brands. But Gilt Children is where I've made my purchases.

My Gilt Children Experience

The first thing I ever bought there was a set of Plan Toys wooden blocks for my little guy. Brady absolutely adores his "castle" blocks. That's what he calls them. They were only $28 plus a very reasonable shipping cost. These blocks will last forever and really encourage my son's creativity. He loves to build castles and roads, bringing his other toys and action figures into the "town" to play. It's so much fun. I love finding things on Gilt Children that I wouldn't find in the stores around here.

My most recent purchase from Gilt Children were two sets of Green Lullaby cardboard storage boxes. These suckers are great! I really needed something to corral all of Brady's toys that have accumulated in the living room. I'd like the space to at least appear somewhat organized and grown up - not the children's playroom it actually has become! So I chose these:

They go great with our eggplant colored furniture. The storage cubes came in sets of three. These three work really well as stools around the coffee table. Brady can sit to draw or eat a snack, and he just opens the lid to find his toys now. So convenient!

Here are the other three. They're lined up against the couch. They look nice and neat. It's great that Brady can now easily find his toys. He actually plays with them more, and he seems much more content to entertain himself. He even plays with the boxes themselves, lining them up like a train. Each set was $35. The cubes are strong and were a cinch to put together. I did it all by myself! They're so strong that even his big sister can sit on them to play train with him. They hold up to 110 lbs. And look, aren't they cute?

Get $10 off a $50 Gilt Children Purchase and a Chance to Win $100 Credit

Gilt has very generously offered members of the #GiltyMom Summer Spectacular a unique gift code to share that entitles the users to $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. So just follow this link, and you're on your way to saving money and getting something very cool. This offer is good until July 18th. I have been very happy with my Gilt shopping experiences and am happy to recommend the site for awesome prices and a unique shopping experience.

Gilt is also offering all of the #GiltyMom participants a $100 credit to give away on our blogs! Wanna win? Just head over to Gilt Children and take a look around. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me what item you'd love to have. It's that easy! For extra entries:

Follow Everyday Baby Steps in the sidebar and leave a comment letting me you know did so or that you're already a follower.

Like Gilt Children on Facebook and leave a comment here saying you did.

Join in the conversation at the Gilt Children Facebook page. We're talking about all things parenting and summer. Then come back here and let me know about it in the comments.

Good luck!  A winner will be chosen at random at noon EST on Friday, July 22nd and notified through email. In the event that the winner doesn't respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

I am part of the Gilt Summer Spectacular and have been compensated for my participation in this campaign.

Hershey's has just launched a fabulous new contest on their Facebook page that is bound to be a lot of fun. I'm thrilled to share with you that I get to be a part of Say S'mores campaign and will have some super S'mores surprises for you later in the summer, including a giveaway right here at Everyday Baby Steps. But right now, I'll tell you all about the contest that's going on over at Hershey's Facebook page.

Hershey's wants everyone to share their own S'mores memories this summer, and to encourage you, they're offering some amazing prizes. Simply by submitting a photo of your family enjoying a S'mores moment, you'll be eligible to win some really cool stuff. The grand prize is a Canon Rebel camera, slate marble outdoor firebowl, $250 Snapfish gift card, roasting skewers set and everything you need to make S'mores - Hershey's bars included.

What I like about these prizes is that there's something for everyone. Dads will surely dig that firebowl and skewers, the kids will be thrilled with the S'mores, and I, oops, I mean moms will LOVE the camera and Snapfish gift card. Okay, everyone will love the S'mores. Don't you want to win? Then all you have to do is visit the Hershey's Facebook page to download the Say S'mores application and participate in monthly photo contests. Plus, you'll get a $1 coupon good toward the purchase of 2 Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar 6-packs.

So get snapping and enter this contest. Will you invite my family over for S'mores if you win? Thanks!

Just had to add this. It's my little guy eating his very first S'more! Cute, isn't he?

*This post is part of my participation in the Hershey’s “Say S’mores” Promotion. All opinions expressed are mine.

I have been consumed with ways to save money lately, from buying at consignment sales and thrift stores for my kids' clothes to grocery shopping at warehouse stores. Everything's getting to be so expensive these days. Families absolutely have to find ways to save a few bucks whenever possible. Because I spend so much time on the computer, I must admit that I'm sometimes tempted to do a bit of extra shopping online that I probably don't necessarily need to do. So I was pleased to learn recently about a site called MyCoupons.com, a coupon site where you can find discounts on merchandise at thousands of online merchants.

MyCoupons.com is America's oldest online coupon site and was established back in 1995. The site offers an extensive directory of coupon codes and printable coupons for some of the biggest and most well-known brands. I was pleased to see that some of my favorite retailers participate in the site. I was able to find WalMart coupons, Overstock coupons and Nordstrom coupons I often look for discount codes before making online purchases, so I have some experience with sites like this. What I found to be impressive about MyCoupons.com is that the coupons I found were all recent and seemed to be valid for use, unlike some sites whose coupon codes are frequently expired or invalid.

There are also so many features available to users that can help to find coupons easily. That's something that is important to me. As a busy mom, I certainly don't have time to be hunting down the best coupons. Ahem, especially when I'm supposed to be doing other things online! You can search for coupons by category in the sidebar. Another popular option is the couponSTATS feature that allow you to see the coupons that are currently the most popular. I love that - especially when there are over 50,000 coupons in their database! Finally, you can actually talk to the site's CouponPros, read their blog or follow them on Facebook. Talk about individual service! Each pro is an expert at finding the best deals in individual categories and can answer questions for you about coupons pertaining to these subjects. This is an example of social media at its best. Pure genius!

So check out MyCoupons.com the next time you're looking to score a great deal online. Chances are you'll save plenty.

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Wow, I spent this weekend going through bags and bins full of clothes that were in our storage unit. I have SO many old clothes and shoes that I haven't worn in years. The good news? Many of the clothes now fit since I lost 25lbs! And I was excited to find some very cute long-lost shoes for summer that I hadn't seen in ages. I'm set for summer. But my three kids? Not really.

We hit a consignment sale and picked up a bunch of clothing a couple weeks ago, but I wasn't able to find any shoes for them. Buying summer clothes and shoes for kids is kind of tough for me. They grow out of things so fast and are so darn hard on their stuff during the summer months when they're outside playing, that I really hate to spend a lot of money.

My daughter is kind of like her mommy, a bit of a shoe fiend. She has lots of cute flips flops, sneakers and sandals. They're easy to find, too. I pick them up on sale racks and even at yard sales. My poor boys, though, are totally lacking in the shoe department. My 12 year old has only one pair of sneakers. He's the hardest of all to buy for. I don't remember being this darn picky at 12. The worst part about buying for him is that I have to take him with me to be sure the shoes fit and that he's going to like them. I just haven't had the time to do that recently. So he's wearing sneakers and complaining about sweaty feet!

My little guy has a pair of cheap-o plastic Spiderman sandals that are getting him by for now. His feet grow fastest of all my kids. I know I'll need to get him something else before the end of the summer. I'm thinking these baby flip flops are adorable, and they're at a price I can afford. I'm just hoping we only have to buy one more pair before summer's over. The boy just never seems to stop growing!

How about you? What are your tips for purchasing summer shoes for multiple kids without going broke? I'd love to hear them!

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Tiny Prints is gearing up for Mother's Day, and they threw out a few topics for bloggers to consider. One of the topics really caught my attention. The question was, "Wnat do your kids think makes you awesome?", and it really made me think. Do my kids think I'm awesome? Every mother hopes so. But my big kids are tweens now, and they probably just think I'm lame and embarrassing. And my toddler, who used to be my shadow now only wants his daddy. So, with a mix of emotions, I decided to ask my big kids their thoughts.

Both of them had very similar answers. Apparently, I'm awesome because I take them places. They say I take them to the mall, to fun waterparks, out to eat and to the movies. That's great. I'm glad they acknowledge that I take them out for special experiences when I can afford to do so. I had to press them for a bit more though, as they weren't gushing and overflowing with examples of my greatness.

They grudgingly elaborated and talked about the fun things we do at home. They both talked fondly of our movie nights when we make popcorn or have snacks and candy while we stay up late and watch movies all night long. We all sleep in the living room, and it's really fun. I was so happy to know that these movie nights have made an impression on them and hope that they will look back on these times and remember them years from now.

I'm glad to know that my kids do think I'm awesome in some ways. This experience has taught me that the time when they'll readily admit that to liking me is quickly fleeting. It's taught me that I need to take every opportunity to make time with my kids meaningful and not take a moment for granted while they still enjoy doing things with me. Because the only other thing they mentioned about my awesomeness is that the whole part about me being Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy is really awesome.

If you'd like to show your mom or any other mother in your life how awesome they are, check out the mother's day cards at Tiny Prints. I've written about my love for Tiny Prints on numerous occasions. I love my business cards from Tiny Prints, and my friends and family always rave about the Tiny Prints personalized greeting cards I send them. Here's a bit more about the kinds of products Tiny Prints has to offer:

Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Father’s Day Cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations or photo birth announcements. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch! They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo books and calendars to commemorate the event.

I will receive free Tiny Prints product in exchange for writing this post. I've always had good experiences with Tiny Prints and am happy to recommend them.

To celebrate their 100th anniversary, Since1910.com will be holding a contest in which they give away 100 pieces of Tacori jewelry. Tacori jewelry, people! The grand prize will be a 1 carat Tacori engagement ring valued at $7500. There will be 4 second prize winners of a 18k925 necklace worth $1500, and 95 winners will receive the 3rd place prize of Tacori jelly bean earrings, worth $125.

Since1910.com has been family owned since, yes, 1910. Five generations have run this New York based coutoure jewelry business, and they are celebrating their 100th anniversary in a big way! You have until May 1st to enter, and all you have to do is head over to Since1910.com's Facebook page and like them, leaving a comment explaining why you should be a winner. It's that simple.

One winner will be announced each day from May 1st, 2011 until August 1, 2011. The grand prize winner of the 1 carat Tacori engagement ring will be chosen on August 1st. So head on over to their Facebook page and get yourself entered. You can find more information about Since1910.com and official rules of the contest at their website. Be sure to let me know if you're a winner!

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