Latina on a Mission

Just reading the title, “Bedbugs Invaded My Home” makes me want to run screaming in an itchy frenzy, especially because its true! 

I recently discovered that my apartment had bedbugs. The boys and I are currently staying at a hotel while my apartment is fumigated. It was a last minute arrangement. I just packed my family up and left at around 1 in the morning sometime last week because we could not sleep. Trust me a sleepless Ms. Latina is not a pretty sight!

I was able to get a good deal on a hotel room within the vicinity. It wouldn’t have been my first choice but it was within my budget, especially since it is going on two weeks now. The only problem is that I do not have WiFi! Yes people, I can NOT believe I selected a hotel without in-room WiFi! I finally broke down and purchased the Verizon Wireless’ Prepaid Mobile Broadband (like I needed another gasto/expense right?!) so here I am… happy to be blogging again!

That’s about the only thing that is actually making me happy because I had to throw out my furniture, including some custom designed pieces. We no longer have beds, dressers, sofas, etc.  I also threw out lots of toys, linen and clothes. It broke my heart when my youngest saw me throwing out his rocking horse. He’s had it since he was one and kept pleading to keep it but I didn’t want to take a chance. Sighhhhhh

I’m hoping this ordeal is over soon so that we can return home. Its definitely hard staying with a teen and an 8 year old in a single room. The mood swings, arguments over the television and radio, battles over the bathroom and whining about sharing a bed could drive a person crazy and those are just the things I do! 

 But seriously I have to laugh about it all or pull my hairs out!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of AccuWeather. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve recently become more interested in the weather. Perhaps its because of the incredible amount of snow we have been receiving in our area this year or the recent disasters in Haiti and Chile that have sparked my interest or even a combination of all three. In the end, I’m not sure why but I have realized that knowing the forecast can only help my family.

Thankfully, I discovered AccuWeather. The site has been available for some time, but has recently been revamped to make it more user friendly by displaying relevant information grouped conveniently together at the top of the site. It also displays users’ forecasts with their radar and their local video on the home page. They’ve also added four new lifestyle areas: Weather and Health, Weather and Travel, Weather and Home and Garden, Weather and Outdoor Activity. These new sections include a variety of five-day forecasts for key weather-for-your-life parameters that allow users to plan business, recreation, travel, exercise, medication, and more.

The four lifestyle areas are my favorite. They make is so much easier for me to plan outings with my boys, family or friends. They not only give me the weather at the park, they also provide me with allergy information like pollen count and dust and dander information, as well as the probability of any migraines, arthritis, asthma, and sinus problems! This information helps me prepare our outings, thereby avoiding a disaster.

Weather completely dominates our everyday lives, knowing what to watch out for just makes me feel like I can overcome any obstacle I may face. I may not control the weather but the information provided on the new AccuWeather site definitely makes me feel as if I do! Its all the weather information I need at my fingertips to make my outings fun!

The UPrinting Custom Sticker or Labels giveaway has ended. The lucky winner will be able to select their option of 250 stickers or labels, which can be used to promote their business, blog, etsy shop or for weddings, birthdays, family events, and a slew of other occasions!  

As always, I selected the giveaway winner using random.org. The lucky winner is …

Congrats Mommy Kennedy you are No. 8! You have won the UPrinting Custom Stickers or Labels! Please send your contact information to MsLatina (AT) Latinaonamission.com by Friday, March 7, 2010, 11:59 PM, EST, so that I can forward the same to my sponsor!

As noted in a previous post, I was able to admire the new Hallmark Kids Collection at Blissdom at the Hallmark booth. Hallmark writer Sarah Mueller who helped develop their new line was on hand to show me several of the cards.

In the video below, we discussed the importance of encouraging children and how I have used cards to encourage mine over the years.

Want to share one with a child in your life?  Click HERE to find out how to get a FREE Hallmark Kids Collection card! 

Enjoy!

Note: I have to thank Corvida of SheGeeks.net for taking my sons to lunch while I was at the event.  Corvida’s passion for social media and all that it entails is inspiring to see!  Click HERE to go to her site.

While ordering my large cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee,  I figured I would get you one too (virtually of course)!

So go ahead, order your virtual café/coffee and let us know what’s your favorite drink in a comment! You’ll need the energy as you check out the other Wordless or Word Filled links below!

Happy WW!

* Excuse the poor quality picture, I took the shot with my Blackberry!

I’ve heard so much about “green” products from friends and the media over the past few years and never gave it much thought until my youngest son’s issues with sensitive skin became known. Since his skin is extremely sensitive, I do try to use green products to clean his clothes, bedsheets, toys and room.

I don’t always succeed in making the right decisions. In fact, in these tough economic times, I must admit the price of a product can and does trump its green qualities. However, with ecostore USA’s green products I don’t have to choose. I can have a green product that doesn’t break the bank.

I first heard of ecostore over Twitter. At that point, I was given the opportunity to select two products that my family could use. I was able to select from their Baby Care, Bath & Body, Hair, Household, and Pet Care products. I chose the  Pure Oxygen Whitener and the Laundry Liquid. 

The Pure Oxygen Whitener is made with oil of citrus, coconut and other plant-based ingredients. Its an alternative to traditional bleach, which can be very strong and abrasive to people with sensitive skin. It does not have the harsh smell found on the bleach I normally purchase, yet brightens clothes just as well. I have also used it to clean my son’s toys.

The second product I received was the Laundry Liquid,  a concentrated laundry liquid, made from “100% Certified Organic Eucalyptus oil and plant-based ingredients”. The Laundry Liquid is gentle enough for people with sensitive skin, like my son. I also selected the liquid form, versus the powder form, because I find its easier to use in the laundromat.

The prices for the products I received, Pure Oxygen Whitener and Laundry Liquid, were very reasonable at $12 and $11, respectively.  They also lasted for quite some time because they were concentrated, doing more with less.  The prices on their other products are just as reasonable as the two I received which means price is not the determining  factor anymore.

Ready to try them out? I’m delighted to say that ecostore USA is giving one lucky Latinalicious reader a $25 ecostore Gift Certificate. Just  leave a comment as directed below in the “Mandatory Entry”! Want more chances? Check out the “Extra Entries”!  

¡Suerte! / Good Luck!

MANDATORY ENTRY- YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE ANY EXTRA ENTRIES:

Tell me which product or products you would choose if you won. Click to go to ecostore USA

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Subscribe, follow my blog, follow me on Twitter and/or fan my Facebook page for 1 entry EACH. If you’re already do, let me know! NOTE: Unvalidated e-mails will be disqualified.

2. Tweet about the giveaway, stating the below. Provide me with the tweet url in a comment. One tweet per day till the giveaway ends, so go ahead tweet away! 

Enter 2 win a $25 ecostore Gift certificate http://tiny.cc/GW18 (Ends 3/12 ) #GIVEAWAY #MsLatina #green #natural

3.  Follow ecostore USA on Twitter and/or Fan ecostore USA on Facebook for 1 entry EACH . Let me know you did in a comment below, making sure to leave your Twitter and/or FB name.

4. Blog about the giveaway, linking back to this post, and provide me with the URL for 5 extra entries.

5. Leave a comment on any non-giveaway related post for 5 extra entries. Note the post in your comment and don’t forget to enter each in a separate comment! Wouldn’t want you to miss an entry!

6. Share this post and/or another post you enjoyed using any ”Share and Enjoy” submission  (Example: Digg, Facebook, Technorati, MySpace, Stumble Upon, etc.).  Each post shared gives you 5 extra entries. Just let me know which post you shared and your username, if applicable!

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GIVEAWAY ENDS March 12, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. EST

Open to US  Residents

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As always, I will use random.org to select the winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Also, don’t forget, in order for random.org to count all of your entries a separate comment must be entered for each item that is completed. Random.org will not count it otherwise!

Disclosure: In order to provide an honest review, I received a Pure Oxygen Whitener and a Laundry Liquid. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are mine.

Due to a family emergency, I wasn’t able to blog or post the winners for the three giveaways noted below.

1. Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure DS Game-Ends 2/10
2. Caress’ Evenly Gorgeous Beauty Bars Giveaway- Ends 2/14
3. Win an Ad Placement on Latina On a Mission- Ends 2/14

Without further ado, the winners are:

Congrats Michelle you are No. 11! You have won the Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure DS Game! Please send your contact information to MsLatina (AT) Latinaonamission.com by Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, 11:59 PM, EST.

Congrats Tami you are No. 37! You have won the Caress’ Evenly Gorgeous Beauty Bars! Please send your contact information to MsLatina (AT) Latinaonamission.com by Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, 11:59 PM, EST.

The last giveaway for an Ad Placement on Latina On a Mission has TWO Winners!

The first winner is Denisse, who is lucky #23!

 The second winner is  Mommy Kennedy, who is lucky #17!

Please email your 125×125 button codes to to MsLatina (AT) Latinaonamission.com by Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, 11:59 PM, EST.

NOTE: Ad placements timeframes have also changed because of the late posting.

• 1st ad will run from  Feb. 28- March 14, 2010.
• 2nd ad will run from  March 14 - March 28, 2010.

Congrats everyone! I have several other great giveaways coming up including a Yoga exercise DVD, clothing, laundry detergent and MORE!