PRESS RELEASE: Intuitive Home Security System Now Available at Verizon

The Canary Camera and Home Security System distinguishes between normal household routines and potential suspicious activity sending alerts to a smartphone or tablet.

GREENVILLE, S.C.— The Canary Camera and Home Security System is now available online and at Verizon Wireless stores. The security system offers plug-and-play setup and integrates wireless connectivity to deliver HD video and audio monitoring directly to a smartphone or tablet. Canary is also intuitive as it learns normal household routines and adjusts accordingly to better detect suspicious activity. The system senses when home occupants come and go, and automatically arms and disarms, adding value over traditional security systems that require a disarm code be entered.

“The Canary Camera and Home Security System delivers convenience and peace of mind at an incredible value to customers,” said Jerry Fountain, president Verizon Wireless, Carolinas/Tennessee. “Verizon’s 4G LTE network provides seamless HD video and audio streaming directly to a smartphone or tablet so a person can keep an eye and an ear on their home from nearly anywhere, whether they’re a few miles down the road or enjoying a cross-country vacation.”

If Canary detects potentially suspicious activity, it will send a wireless alert to a homeowner’s smartphone or tablet. Through the Canary app, the security system streams a live video feed from inside the home – at night, it uses night vision video – so the user can distinguish between a false alarm and an emergency. If a threat exists, the customer can sound Canary’s siren and alert police with the touch of a button. All data streamed from Canary is encrypted to ensure a secure connection.

The Canary Camera and Home Security System, which also measures home air quality, temperature and humidity, costs $250 and requires no monthly fee or contract.

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Keep It Dry

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. All opinions are my own.

As most of you know, I'm not only a busy mom, but I'm also a paranormal investigator and bigfoot researcher. You may be wondering what this means to keeping it dry, but I assure you that it is of the utmost importance. You see, I have a TON of equipment! With the exception of my gopro, it all has to stay dry, but I don't like my gopro to get wet unless I'm underwater. We have been known to get caught in the rain, and have to trek through swampy water. My equipment must stay dry and I cannot leave it behind. Also, when doing a camping expedition, I do not like to leave my equipment exposed, but I don't want to have to go back to the vehicle either. I have finally found a solution.

This dry bag from Skorch (small 5L) is the perfect size for me. It has plenty of room for my equipment. In fact, I can even place my whole expedition pack in side of it. (I use a small backpack for my expedition pack). It is sturdy, you can wipe it off (great for being in the woods), and convenient. In fact, I keep it in my expedition pack folded, until I need it.

It would be great for camping or at the beach as well. Can you imagine a world that you no longer have to worry about getting your electronics wet? Well, you can live in that world with Skorch!

Easy and Healthy Snacking

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. All opinions are my own.

If you are like me, you are constantly looking for ways to make sure your kids eat healthy. This isn't always easy. I keep a stash of natural healthy snacks for running errands, but when we are home, it's a different story. We try to feed the kids fresh when we're home. It's not always easy to get fresh fruits and veggies in the kids, so I'm always looking for ways of making things different.

This Spiralizer (Spiral Vegetable Slicer) helps a lot. We can make colorful speghetti, pretty frenchfries, and even birdsnests with any vegetable we want. When food is pretty and different, our kids are much more likely to eat them. Well, Tbomb is and Kodabug follow suit.

In fact, I've even been considering getting a second for the diaper bag to use in restaurants and on vacation. If I can get them to eat fresh then, I'm doing good. A lot of the time when we're out in the summer, we'll stop by a farmer's market and get fruits and veggies and have a picnic- wouldn't that make things handy?!

PRESS RELEASE: FLORIDA TOMATO COMMITTEE LAUNCH ANIMATED WEB VIDEO CAMPAIGN

Series of animated web videos tell story of Florida tomatoes and why they are so red, ripe and delicious.

MAITLAND, FLA (March 2015) – The Florida Tomato Committee is launching a series of engaging animated web videos that tell the story of Florida tomatoes and what makes them so good, and good for you. The six videos in the series, produced by SenaReider, will launch in March may be viewed by consumers in a variety of ways including YouTube, Florida Tomato Committee social media channels, specialty blog sites and www.floridatomatoes.org/growers.

“For generations, Florida tomatoes have been grown, hand picked and cared for on family run farms,” says Samantha Daves, Director of Education and Promotion for the Florida Tomato Committee. “Our goal in this marketing campaign was to develop a set of videos that educate the public about how Florida tomatoes are grown and what makes them so nutritious, delicious and different from the rest. The video series and supporting digital content on the Florida tomatoes site and social media channels will demonstrate that the Florida family of tomato growers are committed to healthful and sustainable farming practices that result in the most red, ripe, nutritious and delicious tomatoes available.”

To learn more about this animated web video campaign and watch films, log onto https://www.facebook.com/FloridaTomatoCommittee. You can also view videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/FloridaTomatoes.

About the Florida Tomato Committee

The Florida Tomato Committee is a Federal Marketing Order that was established pursuant to Federal Marketing Agreement and Order No. 966 as amended regulating the handling of tomatoes and has authority over the tomatoes grown in Florida’s production area comprising the counties of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola, Brevard and all counties situated south. It affects tomatoes that are shipped outside the regulated area, which includes that portion of the state of Florida situated east of the Suwanee River and south of the Georgia border.

The Committee funds research and development projects and marketing promotions that focus on maximizing Florida tomato movement, including consumer and marketing research and customized marketing programs.

A Fantastic Headlamp

Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.

We have tried many headlamps out. It is something we have to have, so we have our favorites and a backup. Every chance we get, we try out a new headlamp. This one is my husband's favorite. He doesn't even want his backup light. It's quite adorable, actually.

The adjustable strap on this headlamp guarantees that anyone can wear it comfortably. In fact, even Tbomb has used this headlamp. It comes with the 3 AAA batteries needed, so there is no struggle to find the correct batteries, and they are simple to change.

The light itself has 4 functions- bright, light saver (a little dimmer), ultra-bright, and red. What I love is that the red that is steady. Sometimes we actually need a red light, not a flashing one. The lights last up to 20,000 hours, that is quite a lot of hours.

This is the perfect light for camping, walking, running, fishing, hunting, working, power outages, and so much more. This is a great light for everyone to have.

  

PRESS RELEASE: Your Game Day Pal is Waiting…Sweet 16 Reasons To Adopt A Pet During March Madness

Best Friends Animal Society Promotion

Offers Coast-to-Coast $16 Pet Adoptions March 28-29

KANAB, UT —March is upon us, and that can mean only one thing to college basketball fans… let the madness begin!

According to the NCAA, an estimated 181 million people tune in to March Madness. And a 2014 MSN survey indicated that as many as 50 million people participate in office pools. That adds up to a big investment in TV time, workplace wagering, snack snarfing and beer buying.

What if even a fraction of those folks decided to put a little of that money and energy into adopting a basketball buddy during the tournament? Best Friends Animal Society points out that thousands of lives would be saved, and a lot of furry fans would score new people with whom they’d share the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

“Pets can lower blood-pressure, reduce anxiety, and provide loyal companionship, so what better time to adopt a dog or cat than during a nerve-racking basketball tournament?” said Gregory Castle, chief executive officer for Best Friends Animal Society.

To help entice adoptions, Best Friends Animal Society is offering $16 pet adoptions during the “Sweet 16” promotion, March 28-29 at its adoption centers in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and at a pop-up adoption event in New York City.

Still not sure this is the best time to adopt a dog or cat? Best Friends offers Sweet 16 reasons that a new adopted pet is the perfect companion for March Madness. And there are a few fun photos to accompany them here.

1. A pet prefers the way your "lucky t-shirt" smells when you haven't washed it for a month.
2. A pet will never win the office pool.
3. A pet always thinks you're Division I, no matter what.
4. When you say "seeds," a pet knows you're talking tournament, not gardening.
5. A pet always goes for the under-dog.
6. A pet won't hog the remote or switch the channel to The Bachelor.
7. A pet won't take the last beer out of your fridge.
8. A pet won't order three large pizzas with everything and then tell you he forgot his wallet when they’re delivered.
9. A pet won't bore you with his "bracketology."
10. A pet thinks he looks best in your team's colors.
11. A pet thinks your rival school sucks too.
12. A pet doesn't mind if you "blame the dog."
13. A pet never shouts outdated catchphrases like,"Wassup!"
14. A pet is cool if you admire the cheerleaders.
15. A pet picks based on the mascot too.
16. A pet won't judge if you cry when your team is eliminated.

So don’t wait for the Elite Eight or the Final Four to find your new four-legged friend. Check out your local shelters and rescue groups to find the perfect pet, or go online to www.bestfriends.org/goadopt.

About Best Friends Animal Society®

Best Friends Animal Society is the only national animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. A leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in American shelters from 17 million per year to about 4 million. By continuing to build effective initiatives that reduce the number of animals entering shelters and increase the number who find homes, Best Friends and its nationwide network of members and partners are working to Save Them All®.

To like Best Friends Animal Society on Facebook go to: http://www.facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

Follow Best Friends on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bestfriends

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Book Review: The No More Excuses Diet

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own. 

I have written before about my weight loss struggles. This is still a struggle, but I have found a friend in the diet world. Maria King, author of The No More Excuses Diet, is just like the rest of us, and has struggled with her weight. Maria is a busy mom of three boys (props to her) and founder of The No Excuse Mom movement.

She struggled with her weight through her twenties, was a personal trainer in college, and an avid fad/ yo-yo dieter. Eventually she found out why she kept failing at keeping the weight off. She figured out that excuses rule us and she set out to change that. Maria shows us with the power of 3s how to rid ourselves of excuses and finally keep ourselves going until we reach our goal, and even after.

I think Maria has made an art of combining short term goals with healthy habit-forming behaviors, creating permanent lifestyle changes. She has designed a transformation calendar to help you set clear personal goals. She even outlines a diet plan and percentages for carbs, protein, fats, and even a flexible portion. This plan can be personalized according to your specific goals. There is even a completely customizable workout plan, complete with illustrations. These workouts are designed to build strength, flexibility, endurance, and shed fat. There are 7 weeks worth of these exercises that you can do at home, with no equipment.

Packed with meal plans, grocery lists, lots of encouragement and a clear plan of action,The No More Excuses Diet is a must-read book for anyone who is ready to bust through the excuses the hold them back and take their health and fitness to the next level.

The No More Excuses Diet is my new best friend. I am currently working on my plan and I'm so excited to move on with this and start the next chapter of my life.

Book Review: The Story for Kids, NIrV

I received a book to review. All opinions are my own. 


The Story For Kids is written for children between 8 and 12, although it can be read to younger children. This particular Bible is arranged in chronological order, highlighting characters, events, and teachings. There is even art within the Bible to engage young readers' imaginations. One o my favorite features is that there are transitional paragraphs (set apart by italics) that help guide your child through the stories. There are even discussion questions especially for a small group or Bible study. It includes Scripture portions from the easy-to-read text of the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV). It includes a forward by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. Available in hardback, paperback, and multimedia CD from Amazon.

I've mentioned before how much I love Bibles, this is no different with children's Bibles. It is very important to me that my children read the bible, understand it, and grow to love it as much as I do. When I find a children's bible, I have to check it out and learn more about it. I was very excited when I stumbled across The Story For Kids: Discover The Bible From Beginning To End. Tbomb isn't old enough to read it himself, but he had outgrown his toddler bible, so this was the next step. He loves listening to me read this bible because there are more details, so he is constantly learning something new about the stories he has always loved. He especially loved Noah. Before, he just new that basically God told Noah to build an arc, put 2 of every animal on it, and that it rained for forty days and nights. The few other details, like the rainbow, he picked up from me expanding on the story. Now, he wants me to read it to him all the times because all of his questions are answered.

Healthy Snack With CrunchPak #DisneySide

Disclaimer: I received the product in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

When I was selected as a host of the #DisneySide @ Home party, I was so excited. Even more excited that there were so many brands out there wanting to work with this party. I was especially excited about the healthy snack options that had a Disney theme.

We love getting the "foodles" for Tbomb and Kodabug. Tbomb also gets excited about the Marvel Snackers- he has to have the Spiderman. I love the dippers and the snackers. We often get CrunchPaks for drives and picnics. We grab the family bags of apples when we are going to be rushing a lot or away from home for a few days- it makes my life easier to have it all done for me. We'll just grab a few for the kids too for snacktime. They actually had them for lunch today!

Lunch fun with #Disney #crunchpak

A photo posted by cari (@cari_on) on Mar 23, 2015 at 9:24am PDT

 CrunchPak sent me some coupons to use at my party! I was so excited since my kids love these so much. I knew the kids at the party would as well. I used the "foodles" as a special treat for those kids that came early and stayed after, volunteering to help set up and clean. They enjoyed a special treat and their parents appreciated the healthy snack. A few of the parents mentioned to me that they had seen the "foodles" in the store, but had never thought about purchasing. Their mind was changed after this party. 

It amazes me how adding a character, or making the container shape fun, makes such a difference when trying to get kids to eat healthy. If they see a character they love on something, they automatically want to try it. Win!

Press Release: The White House Science Fair and SparkFun Electronics

SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion that helps anyone explore electronics, is proud to continue its relationship with the White House with the donation of hardware to support a new innovation challenge aimed at promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The new Making for Change Showcase, from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, was announced at the 5th White House Science Fair on Monday, March 23, 2015, and hopes to encourage hands-on STEM learning, facilitate entrepreneurship and expand advanced manufacturing capabilities here in the U.S.

The annual White House Science Fair celebrates the student winners of a broad range of STEM competitions across America. The President will announce new steps as part of his Educate to Innovate campaign to get more girls and boys inspired and prepared to excel in the critical STEM fields. Building on these announcements, this year’s White House Science Fair includes a focus on diversity and inclusion in STEM.

The Making for Change Showcase, which is part of a larger effort to engage students in traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM fields, will challenge student teams at more than ten Historically Black Colleges and Universities (http://www.hbcuinnovation.org/) to design prototypes aimed at solving local problems in their communities. The White House reached out to SparkFun for involvement in February 2015, and the company donated the kits and hardware to equip many of the student teams as they begin their prototypes.

"We are excited to continue our relationship with the White House's efforts in improving engagement of students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields through making," said SparkFun's Director of Education Lindsay Diamond. "The opportunity to help students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities explore making and tinkering as pathways to solve local problems in their community directly ties in with our goal to improve engagement with underrepresented students. We look forward to seeing how the student teams innovate new solutions to these community challenges."

Diamond's presence at the Science Fair reinforces SparkFun's ongoing commitment to improving access to and interest in STEM education initiatives nationwide. The White House will be running an ongoing live-stream of the event at www.whitehouse.gov/live from 10:00 am to 12:15 am ET.

Book Review: Zoology For Kids

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own. 

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a zoologist. It was my dream until I realized that not all animals could be saved. I changed my tune then. I still have a very deep love of animals and I try to instill that in my children. (I am in the cryptozoology field, ya know). I love seeing my children excited about science of any kind, especially if it involves animals. I was given the opportunity to review Zoology For Kids, by Josh and Bethanie Hestermann. I knew that Tbomb was a little young for the book but with his love for science, I figured there would be something for him and it would grow with him.

Zoology For Kids (Amazon) is now in a very handy spot on the bookcase, Tbomb loves it that much. I love that he loves it, and also that it teaches about animals and has fun activities throughout its pages. It helps too, that the forward is by The Kratt Brothers.

The photos are gorgeous and the "lessons" are educational and entertaining. Kids get to dive into the science of Zoology and learn about more than just what an animal looks like, eats, and survive. This book explores the animals' form, function, and behavior. I especially love the scientific vocabulary.

It also includes a history of zoos and aquariums. Through Zoology for Kids, they get to learn about the everyday lives of zoo-keepers, wildlife researchers, veterinarians, and even conservationists. I love that this book allows the kids to learn about all aspects o the Zoology world. I wish this book existed when I was a kid- I probably wouldn't have given up my dream of being a zoologist.

Even cooler than all of this are the hands-on activities outlined in the book. It helps kids learn and understand when they can do a physical activity with a lesson, as opposed to just listening to a lesson. Some of the activities include making a stethoscope, baking edible animal cells, molding a tiger's jawbone, and even design an exhibit. These activities encourage play as well.

Zoology For Kids can help children learn about the animal kingdom, the culture of zoos and the like, and to have a healthy respect for the animal kingdom. Who knows- your child might just decide to be a zoologist.

You can learn more about wildlife and the ways they are being protected by Global Wildlife. See Brian Sheth's role in this project on their website.

Device Love: MVB Disko

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. All opinions are my own. 

As many of you know, I am a complete tech junkie. I love trying out new things and have a whole arsenal of devices for all those crazy things I do. Part of this is because I'm a geek, while the other makes it necessary being that I'm a paranormal investigator and bigfoot researcher. It isn't very often I come across something that I have never heard of. When I got the opportunity to review the MVB Disko, I was ecstatic, because I'd never heard of this device.

This is an awesome little device. It features a digital voice recorder and mp3 player, it even comes with great earbuds. However, that is where the mundane starts. The features that make this device unique is what gets me excited. The MVB Disko (Amazon) allows you to copy and transfer files without a computer. This means that if you're on an investigation, you can copy a certain file to someone else without handing over your recorder. Cool, huh? It has 4GB of memory and has a micro SD slot. Even better- it doesn't take batteries. You charge it with a USB port. It is also compact and very light weight, but sturdy.

I like having this as a backup recorder to my usual one, but I love being able to transfer files without having to lug my laptop on every investigation. It is also a good way to get sound files to a whole team. Just copy them to the Disko and then onto eveyone's thumb drives. It is also great for backing up audio files.

Big City Animals: App Win

I received the product to review. All opinions are my own. 

Big City Animals has become one of my favorite resources for apps for Tbomb. He has his own tablet, which is a great resource for school, being on the go, and for when mommy needs to work and he wants to be entertained. However, when I get a new app for him, I always worry about it being appropriate and if he'll even be able to understand it. All those worries are gone with Big City Animals.

These apps involve the whole family, and include "conversation starters" to get the whole family in on the fun. The theme song is adorable, Tbomb will randomly sing it throughout the day. It really is just too cute.

Big City Animals™ creates interactive, educational learning apps for children. Our apps revolve around fun and entertaining city-centric stories. With our one-of-a-kind children’s stories, “City Ambassadors” will take your children on magical travel journeys, touring major cities around the world. Your children will learn vocabulary, geography and history – all in one app! We provide clean, quality, educational entertainment for your children, with no violent content or in-app purchases.

So far, the developer has released Boston Bernie Snaps The City. It is available for Amazon App Store (Android) and Itunes. Tbomb has told me so many things about Boston that its ridiculous. Now, I want to take him there- just because he gets so excited. I love that these apps teach  vocabulary, geography, and history. They are also very entertaining.

The other characters are just too cute. They each have their own personalities, interests, dislikes, and city. Learn more about Boston Bernie, Atlanta Annie, Manhattan Mikey, Chicago Christy, and the future characters on their website. We love them and are patiently waiting for new apps to come out!

I love that once the app is purchased, you're good to go. There are no in-app purchases, so no distraught Tbomb running to me asking me if we can "buy this story," which gets oh so frustrating. This is one developer that you can download apps from without the other worries from around the internet. Try out Big City Animals. You will not be disappointed. 

Super Software: Infix PDF Editor

Disclaimer: I received the software in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

About 3 years ago, I had the chance to review Infix PDF creator, on Cari On Designing (Now Cari On Media). I was beyond impressed with this software, but I was new to PDF editing and creating. I have since learned more about this art and make and edit PDFs quite often. I use several different programs when working with PDFs, depending on what I am working on. However, Iceni's Infix PDF Editor is the most rounded of the programs I use. I have really enjoyed learning to do new things with it too.

I want to share why I love Infix PDF editor so much.

Features

• Easily fix typos in PDFs
• Edit any PDF without the source file (huge plus)
• Easily fill in forms without printing
• Automatic reformatting when editing
• Color Picker
• Search and Replace
• Sticky Notes
• Linked Text Boxes
• Works Like A Word Processor 
• Edit just about anything within the PDF
• Copy text and graphics
• Create PDFs
• Create PDF from any document
• Allows you to create PDFs from printed documents
• Translation tools
• Compose using Drag and Drop
• More Features

Linked Text Boxes

Sticky Notes

Buy

Iceni's Infix PDF Editor is available in 3 varieties. Choose between Professional, Standard, and Form Filler (free). You can even download a free trial to try it out. More details and features on their website. 

My Thoughts

I have been extremely impressed with the Infix PDF editor. I used to have to switch between different editors to get everything done. This is extremely annoying when I'm trying to get a project done, working on a deadline, or corresponding with a client on a project. Now that I've started using Infix, I rarely have to open another program. In fact, the only time I do is for my drag and drop converter. It's really nice to have this freedom to do what I want without having to switch between software. If you ever deal with PDFs, you should definitely try it out- I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from having it on their computer. 

Healthy Snacks Meet Disney

Disclosure: I received products to use at my #DisneySide @ Home party. I have not been otherwise compensated and all opinions are my own.

Brother's All-Natural Fruit Crisps sent me cases of their Disney apple crisps to use with my #DisneySide party. These things are truly amazing. On first impression, the kids wanted them because they looked cool, which suited me. Then, when tasting, they really were impressed.

When it was time for the kids to have their snacks, they each grabbed a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. Then, I passed out the apple crisps. Almost all of the kids (and adults) grabbed a pack. A few of the kids asked for a second cookie, but I convinced them to take the apples. These kids ate them like nobody's business. Everyone was impressed with the taste.

After talking with some of the parents, I learned how impressed they were. They were shocked at the taste, the fact that they are 100% apples, and each pack actually contains 1 1/2 apples. I, along with the other parents, was ecstatic to learn that there was no junk in them. I try to avoid all the junk in food, and it's nice when something the kids love is this way.

I found out after the party that most of the parents would be on their search for these super snacks! I, of course, sent them to their website brothersallnatural.com.

I had a few packs left after the #DisneySide Cars party, which was perfect since we had some guests from Virginia the following weekend. Our friend's son, J, is a year older than Tbomb, so all the kids had a blast together. When snack time came, I handed over the Brother's All-Natural Fruit Crisps to the kids (Cars to the boys, and Princess to Kodabug of course). The kids LOVED them, so of course the grown-ups had to try them too. Everyone loved them and was quite impressed with them. 

Seriously, these super snacks are now staples in our home. I even keep a pack in each of the kids backpacks so they have them while we're out or if they are at Nanny's house. If you haven't tried them yet, you should. Kodabug is 18months and they are her favorite thing in the world- especially since she can't eat fresh apples yet. 

Staying Prepared for Last Minute Events

I love planning events, especially when I have a while to plan them. I am not always that lucky though. I've often had to plan events just a couple of weeks or a month out. I've even had to plan a last minute luncheon in less than a week. From this, I've learned to stay prepared. In addition to my event planner bag, I have a toolkit that I keep stocked for those last minute events.

First, there are certain people you should add to your network. Get to know these people and work with them often. They can be essential to pulling off a great last minute event. Some of these people include florists, bakeries, venues, musicians, djs, and even caterers, depending on the type of events you work on. Start now thinking outside the box for venues, refreshments, and decor. You never know what you can do on your own at the last minute.

There are obvious things to have when planning events, like a list of what needs to be done, an event planner bag, a timeline, and even business cards. That's for another post though. Today, I want to talk about the physical items to have on hand in case a last minute event comes your way. These things will help to alleviate the stress.

Here are the things I have kept on hand for last minute events. This is just a general list- add or remove items to fit your needs.

1. Table covers in a neutral color (unless your organization uses a specific color). You can choose between table skirts, table cloths, or table runners like this chalkboard one I like. You can opt to go for vinyl or fabric, depending on your purpose. We usually do meet and greets, so vinyl works.

2. It never hurts to have some serving dishes on hand- you really don't want to serve snacks in the packages they came in.

3. It is a good idea to have some promotional items on hand, if you are doing events specifically for one business, organization, or group.

4. A generic sign or banner for your organization should always be on hand.

5. Table decor. This could be candles, vases, or some time of 3D prop.

6. Photo frames with information about your organization. The frames make it look more professional and thought out.

7. Do you use a specific hashtag for events and such within your organization? Get some custom printed items to show it off, along with social media handles. It never hurts to push that aspect of what you are doing.

8. Chalkboards. I really cannot stress enough the usefulness of a chalkboard. Use them in your events to convey certain hashtags, information, directions, or anything else. If you see a chalkboard you like, grab it. You cannot have too many. My suggestion though, is that you use Chalkboard markers as they look clearer and more professional.

9. There are other "big ticket" items that it wouldn't hurt to have. Some of these include a couple of tables, karaoke/ audio equipment, lighting, and other useful event items.

This is the basics of my list. There are other event/ organization specific items on the list, but I didn't want to include those here.

There are no affiliate links in this post. I used links to Shindigz.com because I truly love their company!

Confessions Of A Prodigal Son: A Modern Retelling

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review, but all opinions are my own. 

The increase of Christian films being released lately is like a song to my heart. I have always loved them- from Veggie Tales, to the 1990s version of Left Behind. They speak to my heart and it is a good feeling that by putting it in film version, there might be people that hear the word that otherwise may not. 

Confessions Of A Prodigal Son is no different. I love the modern retelling of a classic Bible Story. It speaks volumes about The Bible, when the stories can still relate to what is going on in our lives today. Whether for a moment, or years, everyone has been in the position of the prodigal son, which is what makes it so relate-able. 

Starring big names, such as Kevin Sorbo and Michael Bolton, Confessions Of The Prodigal Son is a classic coming-of-age story. Sean decides he is going to take part of his college fund into his own hands and goes about learning about life and the world, all the while ignoring the rules and expectations he was taught growing up. He was taught these things by his father, who is also his pastor. After meeting a beautiful girl, Sean is forced to rethink the things he thinks he knows. All this goes on while he lives a life full of partying and promiscuity. Sean finally begins to figure out that the choices we make determine the kind of story our life is going to tell. 

Join Sean on his journey with drama, laughter, relationships, faith, and redemption. Find out if "broken stories can have a happy ending." This is a wonderful movie, and I hope that you each take the time to see the preview and watch the full movie once it is available. After you watch, I encourage you to pass it along to someone who needs to hear the word- let's start a movement. (Remember The Shack- let's get this going the same way!)

Confessions of a Prodigal Son will be for sale on their site and in stores starting March 24th. You can see the preview at ConfessionsOfAProdigalSon.com, right on the homepage. 

Attention College Students: Are You Ready For The Summer Semester?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. 

Whether you are a new college student, returning college student, nontraditional student, or you squeeze in school with everything else you do (I know you busy moms are out there), I have something exciting to share with you!

You know, when I was in college, we couldn't rent textbooks. We had to buy them, and if we were lucky enough (more often we weren't) we could sell them back to the campus bookstore. Those $300 textbooks took a great deal of summer saving! I'm so glad that times have changed and that I'm able to share with you about CampusBookRentals.com. They have been around since 2007 and have proven themselves time and time again that they are the rental service to use. 

When you choose to use CampusBookRentals.com, the benefits are astounding. The prices are 40-90% off bookstore prices, you get free shipping both ways, and they even offer flexible renting periods. The coolest feature to me is that you can highlight and mark in your rented textbooks, and still send them back! They even offer a RentBack program that allows you to continue making money on the textbooks you bought (it's okay if you didn't know you could rent them until now). 

Even better than all this is that CampusBookRentals.com donates to Operation Smile for every textbook rented. Operation Smile is an international children's medical charity. They perform safe and effective cleft lip and cleft pablatesurgery to help kids all over the world have more safe and hopeful lives. They also do research into the causes, prevention, treatment, and eradication of the cleft lip and cleft palate problem. Did you know that every three minutes, a child is born with one of these? 

There are so many reasons to rent from CampusBookRentals.com, but I'm sure you still have questions. Here's a video explaining the process.