Fashion Project – Great Deals, Great Cause

This is a sponsored post written in partnership with Fashion Project and a campaign with Sverve. Regardless, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Fashion Project

I love to shop, don’t you?  It’s okay if you do, most people do.  Whether you enjoy shopping online, searching through clearance racks, hurdling small children on black friday {kidding!}, or just browsing a flea market most people like to shop.

I think shopping is a great activity by itself but finding a good deal makes the experience even better.  Would you like to shop where the prices are 80-90% off of retail prices….all the time?  I used to love shopping the clearance racks on the sale days with a coupon in hand.  Now that I have kids in tow I just want to find something that fits and get out of there.  Even though I’m not near as skillful at finding clothing bargains now as I once was I still don’t want to pay a fortune!

FashionProject.com is a unique shopping experience.  Their mission is to raise as much money as possible for a charity while creating a community for shoppers so that they can shop for causes that they care about.  People can donate designer clothes, shoes, and accessories and get a tax deduction.  Fashion Project then cleans and features them for sale on their website.  55% of the net proceeds from every sale is donated to a charity.

J.Crew Flats

J.Crew Flats
$39.00 ($200.00 81% off)
Your purchase of this item will donate $17.05 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater LA.

 Banana Republic Scarf
Banana Republic Scarf
$19.00 ($78.00 76% off)
Your purchase of this item will donate $1.00 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation.

If you love shopping half as much as I do you’ll want to check out FashionProject.com.  Great deals, great cause.

Donate a Photo with J&J and Coupons!

Healthy Essentials logo

Donate A Photo is a service that helps give to the people who need it most.  Do you like to take pictures and share them with friends and family?  I know I sure do!  We all do, right?  I share pictures on a daily basis…if not on Facebook or Instagram I at least mail pictures to show my husband or family.  Did you know that you can take pictures and help people who really need help?  I just found out about it and I’m pretty excited!

Photo Donation

Share a photo and Johnson & Johnson will make a $1 donation to a charity of your choice.  This money will help go toward fixing up a public park, getting medicine for an infant, or helping kids play sports safely.  There are a lot of options.  You simply choose the cause you want to help and Johnson & Johnson makes it happen.  There’s absolutely zero cost to you and it’s easy enough that you can do it directly from your phone.  Give it a try and check out the pictures I’ve shared!  You can donate one photo per day!

How Does Your Photo Make a Difference?

 

1. Your photo raises money.

Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and for every photo you share through Donate a Photo, Johnson & Johnson gives $1 to the cause you want to help. That $1 does things like fix up a public park, get medicine for an infant, or help kids play sports safely. Each cause will receive a minimum donation and will appear in the app until its donation period ends or its goal is reached.

2. Your photo raises awareness.

When you share your photo, you spread the word about causes that need help, and you and your friends can help those causes meet their goals.

3. Your photos add up.

You can donate one photo every day. Those days turn into weeks, months, and years. And you can see all the causes your photos have helped, and how

4. Your photo can inspire others.

If you’re cleaning out your bathroom cabinets for spring cleaning don’t forget to check out all the great coupons, tips, tools and more that Healthy Essentials has to offer.  You can save over $55 in printable coupons by visiting the Healthy Essentials site this month!

Check out a few of these deals:

 

• Save $1.00 on any JOHNSON’S® Baby Intense Moisture Cream

• Save $1.00 on any LUBRIDERM® product (6oz or larger)

• Save $1.00 on any (1) CLEAN & CLEAR® product (excludes trial and travel sizes)

• Save $1.00 on any (1) NEUTROGENA® Sun product (exclude trial size)

• Save $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE® SMART RINSE Anti-cavity Mouthwash, 500 ml

• Save $1.00 on any (1) REACH® Total Care Floss, or REACH® Gentle Gum Care Floss, or REACH® Dentotape® or REACH® Access® Flosser

• Save $2.00 on any (3) NEOSPORIN®, BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive bandages or JOHNSON and JOHNSON RED CROSS® Brand products (excludes all trial and travel sizes, First Aid Kits, 10 ct Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages, and On-the-Go First Aid Kits. Must buy (2) different brand products to qualify for this offer along with a third product)

Go here to get these great money saving coupons!

Breast Cancer Awareness Beauty Products – Shop for the Cure!

Breast Cancer Awareness Beauty Products

Each October I have mixed feelings when I see the color pink flooding the stores.  On one hand, I think it’s great that Breast Cancer Awareness is raising money and reminding people to get their regular check-ups.  On the other hand, I am sickened by all of the companies that promote a pink item in October and donate 0% of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Awareness.  Because I like to be an informed shopper and I like beauty products I’ve created a round up of beauty products that donate a portion of the proceeds {or a set $ amount} to breast cancer awareness or research foundations.  I do have my affiliate links included in this post because it took me hours to research and put together.  Trust me though, it won’t cost you a penny more if you buy anything after clicking the links on my site.

I have a few dozen more to add but I’ll get started with the beauty products that donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Check back on this post tomorrow for even more beauty products that “pay it forward.”

Breast Cancer Research Foundation:

Bobbi Brown Breast Cancer AwarenessThis year Bobbi Brown is donating $10 for every French Pink Set ($45) they sell.  You’ll get a lovely pink shade that can blend with many different skin tones and it comes with a brush too. The $10 of the purchase will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Estee Lauder Breast Cancer AwarenessEsteé Lauder is donating 100% of the profits from the Dream Perfume Compact ($50) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The embossed compact is filled with the popular Pleasures fragrance.

Clinique Breast Cancer AwarenessClinique’s Dramatically Different Lotion ($38) recently got a formula makeover to give even more powerful hydration.  This new moisturizer comes with a pink ribbon key chain and with each purchase $10 will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

själ skincare
The Själ skincare’s Rose Aura Cleansing Set ($140) will donate 10% of each purchase to The National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Sole Goddess Breast Cancer Awareness30% of each purchase from the Sole Goddess Limited-Edition Blister Protection Balm ($10-$19) will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation this month.
Breast Cancer Awareness Brushes
With each sale of Sonia Kashuk’s Proudly Pink 5-piece Purse Brush Set ($16) 15% of the purchase price goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Coach Breast Cancer AwarenessCoach’s Signature Scent ($68) is going with a colorful design for the cure. 20% of the proceeds are going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation this month.
La Mer Breast Cancer AwarenessWith every purchase of the limited-edition La Mer Hand Treatment ($40) $10 will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Smashbox Breast Cancer Awareness
The very popular Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36) is donating $5 of each purchase to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Sephora Brush Set Breast Cancer Awareness
Sephora has released a limited-edition five-piece brush set in a beautiful pink snakeskin travel bag ($36).  $1 of the sale of each set goes toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
AHAVA Breast Cancer Awareness
Ahava has a limited edition hand cream which is on sale from $31.50 for only $21 during the month of October.  Plus, 10% of the proceeds are being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation:
Matrix Breast Cancer Awareness
MATRIX is offering a selection of hairsprays for women with any and every hair type ($11-$16). MATRIX is providing 10% of sales to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Tweezerman Breast Cancer Awareness
My absolute favorite tweezer brand, Tweezerman has produced a limited edition “Precision in Pink” set ($22) and $1 of every sale will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation as well as to the CEW Cancer and Careers organizations.  
Crane & Canopy Breast Cancer Awareness
Crane & Canopy Hot Pink Eye Pillow ($12) will donate 50% of proceeds this month to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
Leila Lou
Leila Lou by Rosie Jane Body Lotion ($29), candle, and two separate fragrances is giving 20% of it’s proceeds to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

The Gift of Sleep from Pampers & a Giveaway! Ends 10/26

I can remember it like it was yesterday.  My husband and I simultaneously jumping out of bed in the middle of the night to care for our fussy newborn.  First we’d check to make sure she was dry, wasn’t hungry, and that everything was right with her sleeping conditions (no hairs wrapped around her toes, etc.).  Then one of us rocked her while the other one searched the internet (seriously, what did parents do without it?!) for a sleeping solution.  After we gave her tummy drops it was time to hold her in just the right position till she felt comfy again.  This is the point where the one who wasn’t holding the baby would sprawl out on the nursery floor for a few minutes of shut eye.

Fast forward two years and now both parents wake up early in the morning to a crying child (or a singing child usually, our girl is happy), dragging ourselves out of bed to change a toddler who has peed through her diaper.  One tosses the pjs and sheets into the wash and heads for a shower while the other one starts breakfast for the family.

We’ve tried limiting her drinks in the evening, going up a size or two in diapers, trying the expensive overnight diapers, and well, sadly the truth is we’ve just made peace with waking up early 3 or 4 nights out of the week.  Hey, at least a load of laundry is done before we would regularly get up!

Pampers had a better solution in mind.  They’ve came out with TWO new diapers and I’m excited about both of them.

{Quick disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.  This post contains affiliate links.}

Pampers New Diapers

The first new type of diaper is a new absorbent Pampers Cruisers.  These are supposed to hold 12 hours of wetness.  Our family is more than a little excited about these!!

The second new diaper isn’t exactly new, but they’re extending the sizes that the Pampers Swaddlers comes in.  Now they’re available all the way to size 5.  Isn’t that nice?  I’ve always loved the comfort and softness of the Swaddlers and couldn’t understand why they couldn’t keep that softness an option as the child grows.  I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought that.  Thank you, Pampers for hearing the desires of moms and dads and doing something about it!

Pampers sent me on a mission.  They provided me with a $100 gift card to buy the supplies to make a gift basket and give the “Gift of Sleep” to a family I know.

My mind raced as I thought through the numerous pregnant women I know and then I remembered one friend who just gave birth to a sweet baby boy.  He wasn’t even a week old yet!  With my $100 in hand I went in search of supplies for my basket.

I realize I could have given her a blanket, slippers, and candles but chances are she already owns those and already has her favorite brands of each.  I thought about cozy baby clothes, swaddlers, or a sound machine but since this is her second son I knew she already had those.  What I decided on was beauty products for a time-rushed, sleep-deprived mama who just wants to feel pretty.

Care Package Idea

There’s no denying that having a newborn will turn your life upside down and you’ll have learn to temporarily manage without a full night’s sleep.  I still believe that those tired mamas want to look their best for themselves, for their husbands, and for those who come to visit…at least, I know I did.

Senna Lipgloss

I chose a Senna lip gloss which contains two shimmery shades I thought would look great on her.  She can toss this in her diaper bag so it’s always an arms reach away.

The blue tube (pictured above) is Naturopathica’s Aloe Replenishing Gel.  This is a miracle product that reduces redness and inflammation while restoring collagen.  Ideal for those mornings when you’re not sure if it’s 8am or 8pm.

The orange box (also pictured above) is a wonderful product from Ole Henriksen.  It’s their Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster.  Here’s a description from the Sephora website, “Formulated…to support natural collagen production, brighten, and minimize fine lines, this must-have serum defends from environmental aggressors and free radical damage, leaving skin healthy and protected. ”  A quick solution to brighten your skin and a refreshing orange scent to boost your mood.

Julep Evie Nail Polish

Last but not least in this beauty bag from Vera Bradley, is a Julep nail polish that I got to name!  This color, Evie, looks great on fingers or toes for the perfect shimmery combination of red and pink.

Pampers Sensitive Wipes

Along with two packs of Pampers’ new diapers, I threw in a box of my favorite baby wipes, Pampers Sensitive wipes.  They’re actually the only wipes I’ll use.  They’re thin, easy to maneuver, soft, and have a pleasant scent.

New Mom Care Package

I added all the goodies into this reusable canvas bag that would be great to house baby blankets or other items in the new baby’s room.

Pampers Care Package Contents

I added a little fun crinkle cut paper to the gift bag and we we’re off to deliver our care package to the new mom.

Delivering Care Package

As I should have assumed, the new mom, Sara, didn’t want her picture taken but her husband and son didn’t mind being included in this photo I took.  Their son, our daughter, and my husband were playing dominoes in the floor while I was able to catch up with the new mom and her darling little baby Austin.

***Quick update about Sara and her family.  Without going into much detail I just want to say that it looks like Sara’s father will probably go home to meet his Heavenly Father soon.  Please keep her family in your prayers.  Thank you!***

Enter to win!  Pampers wants to give Embracing Beauty’s readers a chance to win a prize pack of their own.  Below you can enter via Rafflecopter to win a Sleep Sheep Sound Machine (which I am a big fan of!), cozy blankets for Mom/Baby and a $50 gift card.

This giveaway is open to those 18 years and older with a US mailing address.  We will pick one lucky winner when this giveaway ends on Saturday, Oct. 26th at 1pm EST.  Good luck!

Update: This giveaway is now over and congratulations to Jennie S!

Connect with Pampers:
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A Lifesaving Transplant and Hope

I want to introduce you to a friend of mine who is going through a trial no mom should have to face.  I’ll let her tell you her story in her own words.  My desire is that this post will help you cling to God for the struggles in your life, that you’ll pray for this family and sweet little Ephraim, and lastly, that some of you might consider donating to help this family through this dark valley.  I’ve known Rebecca since college and I absolutely love her.  I’ll turn this post over to her now…

I have grown quite accustomed to living out of a suitcase. I wish I could say it’s because I’m a jet-setter and a world traveling adventurer but it’s nothing quite that glorious. In fact, many would consider it the exact opposite. My son was born with failing kidneys-Posterior Urethral valves, Vesicoureteral Reflux, and Renal Hypodysplasia, or so “they” call it. It’s just a whole bunch of hullabaloo words to say “Your son is dying”. At least, that’s what I would have said had you asked me what it all meant back when he was first diagnosed. As you can imagine, raising a child with a whole host of life threatening diagnoses’ inevitably means a lot of hospital stays, hence my intimate familiarity with living out of a suitcase. If you ever need tips on packing for a hospital stay— I’m your gal. I even have a few tricks up my sleeve on how to sleep comfortably on those sorry excuses for a pull out couch most hospital rooms have. Regardless of how comfortable I‘ve become spending my nights in a cold and sterile hospital room, I still have not grown accustomed to the sounds that often surround me-especially at night.  I’m a sensitive soul, and just like recalling a joyous memory at the smell of a familiar aroma, noise, be it harmonious or horrifying, stirs my emotions easily. I can’t help but hear the whirring of my son’s feeding tube machine, his multiple IV drips and med pump machines, the random alarming of a pulse ox or his blood pressure being taken, the alarms of a heart rate too high or too low, the quickening of a nurses steps coming down the hall to rescue a child in distress, the cries of the tiny baby next-door who is barely visible underneath all the wires and the restless sleep of my precious firstborn struggling against the pain and discomfort his ailing body feels. I close my eyes as if to block out the noise, willing my raw emotions to stay at bay. My eyes flutter open to another all too familiar sound and I watch as the Children’s Helicopter prepares to land just outside our window, life-flighting one more child to this hospital with one more life threatening diagnoses. I’m heart sick and this time the tears fall unbidden. “I’ll never get used to this.” I whisper.

Toddler in Need of a Transplant - How you can help!

Oh, how I yearn to cuddle that baby next-door, to rescue these particular children from the effects of renal and multi organ failure, I long to pray over the child being life-flighted in, eradicate the need for life support machines of all kinds, I want to cure cancer, see every child in this hospital relieved of their pain and save the world. But even more than all of that, I want nothing more than to save the life of my own son. Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. Alas, I cannot save him. I cannot take his place. I cannot heal him, fashion him a new kidney or promise him a brighter tomorrow…only my Savior can do those things,…and I know He sometimes chooses not to.

The Harding Family

I do not understand His ways, nor His thoughts, they’re so much higher than mine! The view from where I’m standing could not possibly reveal the picture of the whole horizon. I am so often at a crossroads left with only a choice. Faithful trust or foolish worry. Today, I choose to trust, praying for more miracles that only God can take the glory for. Tomorrow, I choose to trust, knowing His will is far better than my own. He is sovereign even if those miracles I pray for never come to fruition. Forever, I will choose to trust because there is no other Hero who is more qualified to rescue the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve than Jesus Christ, my Lord!!! I cling to Him as my soul groans with all of creation in longing for His final return. I long to see Jesus make all things new, to set all things right in this world once more. We weren’t meant to die, you know. Children weren’t meant to die,…and yet, I often find myself sitting in a hospital room watching my son do exactly what he was never meant to do. Die. I’m reminded of it almost daily.

Harding Kids

It seems almost surreal. Over dramatic, really. I mean, he isn’t really dying,…right? He can’t be. He’s only 4 and this stuff only happens in the movies…Wrong. He is dying. His organs have failed and short of a miracle, my son would no longer be able to survive without the life-saving need for hemo dialysis. Dialysis. A nightmarish word, really. My husband and I have spent over 4 years working, praying, and believing Ephraim was meant to journey on apart from the need for dialysis. We held on to the hope of a pre-emptive kidney transplant because staying away from dialysis meant we could bypass the reality that our son was really dying. His kidneys failed too fast for that and dialysis was our only hope to survive through the next week. Now, for the past 6 months my son has lived for that machine. We spend the better part of his week attached to it, a giant blood cleaning machine doing the work his kidneys failed to do. My family and I are habitually tired, chronically exhausted from juggling a 1 year old, a 2 year old and a 4 year old on dialysis, we struggle with disappointment, battle the feelings of being completely overwhelmed and yet we are so very grateful. Hopeful, even. God IS good. He will lead us through the valley of the shadow, He will provide wisdom along the way, He will pour out His peace upon us and bring us comfort when we haven’t any. We have seen His hand at work in the life of our son from the day we found out his diagnoses. I was 15 weeks pregnant and time after time, day after day doctors gave us no hope he would ever survive the challenges that came his way. Miracles happened, doctors watched in awe and our son grew to the old age of 4 going on 40. Every day is a celebration of another moment to enjoy him-and each other. Every day is a reminder that there is One who makes ALL things new, every morning, with every breath. Even living out of a suitcase, bogged down with burdens, or stumbling around in the darkness I have hope that sets me free. I’ve experienced what rejoicing in our sufferings produces; endurance, the strength of character and hope…and believe me, God’s Word says it perfectly, “Hope does not disappoint.” Romans 5:1-5

Playing Doctor

I want to encourage you as you read this; Whatever you’re going through, whatever you’re facing, I entreat each of you to cling to hope. While our expectations may disappoint us, hope, hope IN Christ-never will!

On October 24th, I will once again hand over my baby boy to be taken in to surgery for the umpteenth time (I’ve lost track,…) but this time my son’s life will be made like-new again. He’ll have the chance to live life apart from machines, to feel free to be more like a normal 4 year old, to act like a normal 4 year old. He gets a second chance at life as God has provided a living donor willing to sacrifice one of her kidneys in order to save my son. There are no words to describe such a beautiful gift. No one can explain it, it’s just grace. It’s beautiful. Please join with us and pray for Ephraim’s Kidney Transplant!

Want to read more about Ephraim’s Story and receive updates? Visit COTAforEphraimH.com and watch the video, read the updates, “Like” us on Facebook at “Ephraim’s Encouragers” and donate to help save his life. Praying for world transformation through Christ!

Come, Lord Jesus!

-Rebecca R. Harding

Life…Supplemented WannaBeWell App Review

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am forgetful, very forgetful!  I stay busy but honestly, even if I didn’t have much on my plate I would still be forgetful.  I have an amazing planner that helps keep my organized but I don’t have a daily reminder to exercise, call my mom, or take my vitamins.  There is a new app from Life…Supplemented for iPhones and iPads that can help take the worry out of forgetting to take your pills.  You will have to find another reminder to call your mom though.

LifeSupplemented

The first thing I noticed about this app is that it’s free!!  You can get the WannaBeWell app from the iTunes store absolutely free.  The app has  ton of neat features!  I’ve already mentioned my favorite though – the reminder to take (or restock) on supplements. You can also create your own personalized Wellness Coach by choosing from a selection of customizable characters who will deliver daily motivational and educational messages.  I think these little guys are cute and it’s a fun way to be reminded to live a healthier lifestyle.  Did I mention you’ll receive “Healthy Mission” tasks given by the Wellness Coach and you have the opportunity to collect trophies for successfully completing missions?  How fun!

 

On top of the entertaining ways to be reminded and encouraged about living healthy this app is packed full with supplement resources.  If you download the app, be sure and take a few moments to browse the Suplement Resource Center which gives information about vitamins and other daily supplements in a simple format and an easy to understand language.  I haven’t looked at them all but I’ve heard that it has thousands of articles and insights designed to help make users as informed as possible about their dietary decisions.

 

LifeSupplemented.org also offers several tools to help keep us readers at our ultimate health.  They have a quiz called “My Wellness Scorecard” which gives an initial wellness assessment and free tips for improving your health!  Through this test you can find out if you are a AlphaWELL, WannaBeWELL, or an OhWELL.  Which do you think you are?  I got WannaBeWELL!  I’m on the road to wellness.

 

LifeSupplemented.org also has a blog that provides a forum around  topics such as a healthy diet, supplements, and exercise.  This forum is ran by an expert panel of bloggers.  This is an interesting way to keep up to date on the latest trends and it often helps give a fresh look at old topics.  The website also houses the information wealthy Supplement Resource Center that the app has.

 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this app!  I have reminders to take my vitamins, a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips, and my own personal trainer.  What more could I want?

 

On top of all the benefits this app has for you, with each app download, they’ll donate $1 (up to $13,500) to Vitamin Angels. Vitamin Angels is an organization that gives children under five years old the vital nutrient, like vitamin A, that they need.  Did you know that just one vitamin A capsule taken every six months can prevent blindness and reduce the mortality rate of children under five by 23 percent?  It’s true!

"Life Supplemented WannaBeWell app review"

So what are you waiting for?  Go download the WannaBeWell app now!

 

If you’ve already downloaded the Life Supplemented WannaBeWell app what did you think?  What did you get on your scorecard?

 

“I wrote this blog post while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Life…supplemented. As a thank you for participating, I received a $25 promotional item, and a $25 donation was made on my behalf to Vitamin Angels.”

Boys and Girls Club – Tools for Back to School

Back to school season is here, whether we like it or not!  I’m sure I’m not the only one who has mixed emotions about school starting but it’s happening. What are some of the things you do to prepare your kids to go back to school?  A big shopping trip, one last weekend of vacation fun, or maybe a quick refresh of last year’s studies?

 

BGCA

 

Boys and Girls Club of America and Disney have partnered to launch the Tools for Back to School initiative.  This initiative features a pop-quiz style game, where supplies are donated to BGCA for correct answers. It’s fun, easy, and it only takes a few minutes!  Plus, it will help prepare several kids with the supplies they need to start school.

 

tips

 

Boys and Girls Club of America also has a few tips to help your kids have a great start to their new school year.  There are tip sheets and educational content for parents to take advantage of. Go to BGCA.org to check them out.  Simply visit their site, click “Get Ready” on the sidebar to begin browsing the free info.
BGCA has also partnered with JCPenney – and in August you can join JCP Cares and round up your purchase at the register to benefit BGCA.  Visit JCPenny.com to find out how to ‘round up’ if you visit JCP during August!

 

Do you know if you have a BGCA in your area?  If you do, what have they done locally in your community?

 

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Boys and Girls Club. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Help a Mother of Children with Autism

Autism Key Chain

 

My friend has two autistic children {possibly three} and she is trying to sell 60  puzzle piece necklaces in order to get a free iPad for her kids. They are only $20 a piece and the proceeds go to Autistic research foundations.  I had no idea of the profound impact an iPad can have on an autistic child until I watched the Apps for Autism” segment on 60 Minutes which aired at the end of October.  I know you are a generous bunch so I thought I would share this with you in case you are interested in helping another mother out.  Here’s her story:Charvia Freebies4Real

 

Hi, My name is Char.  I’m a work from home blogger, friend, wife, and a mother to three adorable boys.  Two of my boys have been diagnosed with Autism and my youngest will be tested at the end of the year.

 

I started blogging in May of this year at Freebies4Real.  The original purpose of my blog was to have a way of sharing legitimate freebies, but it soon morphed into something much larger.  It’s now a medium for the exciting and beautiful chaos that makes up my life.  It’s also a place for giveaways, deals, and work from home opportunities.  When my husband had an accident a few months back it needed to become a new means of income.  With the help of blogging friends I’ve learned how I can share awesome freebies and deals while also making a little money as well!

 

My personal relationship with God didn’t start until later in life, and it has grown stronger every day! My faith in the Lord has sustained us though every bump in the road. I am thankful to Him every day for the many blessings with which I’ve been gifted.  As a mother of special needs children I FIRMLY believe that I rely on God for my strength and encouragement to raise these children. I know that without him it would not be possible. I feel blessed to be their mother and feel that them being born to me is truly a blessing. My relationship with God has enabled me to look at their special needs through a different perspective and to encourage others dealing with the same trials to not give up hope, but to instead hold on to faith. :)And that’s the HONEST truth. :)Seriously if I didn’t have faith I think I would have gone crazy by now. Everyday is unpredictable. Like right now, on top of taking my husband to therapy I have to take one son to the doctor.  My 3 year old has had nosebleeds for 3 days.

Freebies4Real Freebies4Real

Riah who is7 and Septi who is 5.

 

A few months ago I found an organization called The Puzzle Piece that helps raise awareness and money for Austism research.  They have a promotion now where I can receive an iPad for my children if 60 people purchase a necklace and enter my name at check out.  If 60 people buy a puzzle piece they will not only send me an iPad for free but the proceeds of the necklaces will go to help fund Autism research {Autism Speaks, Sandra C. Slomin Foundation, Surfers For Autism and Family Center For Autism}!  At first I was hesitant to post about this but I decided to give it a try anyway.  My motto has always been, “It’s better to try than not to and never know if you would have succeeded!”

 

Follow these steps to help Char get an iPad for her children:

1. Go to The Puzzle Piece and choose your favorite necklace or key chain.

2. In the space provided for Challengers Name type or paste the name Char Watkis and then add to cart.

3.  It will then take you to PayPal to checkout.

4.  If you don’t have a PayPal account,  follow the same steps and on the next page you will be given an option to purchase as a PayPal guest.

 

If you have any questions please email me {Char} and I will answer as quickly as possible. Thank you for your consideration and support.

 

We never stop fighting. We never stop praying. We never stop hoping.


Isn’t she sweet?  I just love her!  She has been a blessing and encouragement to me since I first met her!

 

Autism Key Chain

I just purchased a key chain to help her get one step closer to her iPad.  She needs 42 more people (as of Dec. 8th) to help out and make a $20 purchase.  $20 isn’t a lot of money for most of us to donate, the proceeds go to a good cause, you get a necklace or key chain to keep, and most of all you are helping a mother.  She’s a mom, just like every other mother, who wants what’s best for her children.  She would buy an iPad on her own if she could but she simply can’t afford it.

 

Char is so sweet; she wants me to make sure I don’t pressure anyone into buying one.  Please don’t feel pressured to buy one but please, buy one if you have the money, and feel led to!  You can also feel free to leave messages of encouragement in the comments for her to read. 🙂

 

 

30-Day Giving Challenge

Help o.b. Share-It-Forward!

Share It Forward

Through December 5th, you can help raise money for Huru International for free with o.b.’s Share-It-Forward program!  The o.b. Brand will donate $1 {up to $25,000} for everyone who goes to the o.b. Outreach tab on the mighty. small.™ movement Facebook page and “Shares” a message about Huru International’s mission.

About Huru International:

As a woman living in the United States, we take for granted many day-to-day conveniences. However, for millions of girls in developing countries, sanitary protection is a luxury item and the lack of them can have devastating and lifelong consequences.  There are many girls who resort to dangerous alternatives or even avoid school for the duration of their periods!  This leaves the girls behind in their school work and often can lead to them abandoning school altogether.  This lack of sanitary resources also increases their vulnerability to poverty and disease, including HIV.

Recognizing this often overlooked crisis, the o.b. Brand has created the Share-It-Forward Facebook campaign to raise money and awareness for Huru International, a non-profit organization that provides at-risk young girls in developing countries with the resources and knowledge they need to complete their education and safeguard their health.

What you can do:

Step 1: Like the mighty.small.movement. Facebook Page & go to the o.b. Outreach Tab.
Step 2: Select your state from the drop down box (under the green box)
Step 3: Put a check mark next to the box that says you’ve read the Terms & Conditions
Step 4: Click the pink “Click to Share” button to post the message on your Wall
Step 5: Spread the word!

Each “share” will donate $1 so go ahead and donate to this great cause for free!

Inviting Bloggers to Click 4 Hope: Sell All You Magazine & Raise Money for Disaster Relief

Click 4 Hope

Bloggers are invited to join me in Click 4 Hope, a fundraiser helping to raise money for Tornado Relief Efforts by selling All You magazine. Click 4 Hope is a great affiliate program for bloggers to join! It allows you to raise  money for non-profit organizations working on Tornado Relief Efforts, your readers benefit by getting an All You magazine subscription at a low-cost (83 cents per issue!), and you’ll receive a small commission for every magazine they sell.  I’m inviting blogs of all sizes and across all topics to join me in Click 4 Hope.  I feel that this is a fundraiser many readers will positively respond to, regardless of the type of blog.  Feel free to contact me with any questions you have or for more details. If you’re ready to join me in raising money for disaster victims, simply fill out this form to get started.