March For Charity Update

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has gotten on board with March For Charity.  It means a lot to know that you all have my back and are as passionate about giving back to our communities as me.  I am looking forward to making this a successful event with your help.  For those who you who are just joining  YUMMommy and don't know what March For Charity is please click here.

What's New

Well, we have a total of 8 charitable organizations that were submitted in the link up and three that was submitted to me via Twitter.  That gives us a grand total of 11 so far.  I know that 9 is a couple of leaps away from 31 (I will be highlighting one charity each day).  However, I understand that this is my first time hosting this event and it will take some time for it to take off.  Hopefully, if you are reading this and didn't submit a link to your favorite charity during the link up, you will leave one in the comments to be added to our list. Either way by tomorrow night, there will be 31 charities on the list.

I am also, still looking forward for brands, companies, and bloggers to still help donate products, services, and/or gift certificates to be raffled at the March For Charity Twitter Party on Friday, April 1 at 10 PM.  Please remember that in order to take part of the raffle is that you must first donate $1 minimum in our ChipIn widget (left sidebar).  The more you donate the more names your name will be entered in the raffle.  For example, if you donate $5 then you will have 5 entries.  Our goal is to help raise $2000, but if we get at least $500 I will be happy.

Also, I am looking for hosts to help host the Twitter party.  I do have a few charity experts that I will be inviting to serve on the panel.  So, please feel free to submit any questions that you may have.  I am also hoping to get someone from a few of the organizations highlighted will also be there to participate too.

Last but not least please support by picking up our button (right sidebar).  I'm not exactly a graphic design guru yet, but I did my best to create a button that is stylish and eye catching.  So, grab that and wear it proudly on your blog for all of your readers to see.  Remember that this event will only be successful with your help.

One more piece of news totally on a different note.  I would like to give a huge shout out to

for making YUMMommy her Featured Blog Saturday feature!!!  Yay, I am tickled pink at all the awesome and wonderful things she had to say about me and my blog.  If you aren't following her this military wife, mother, pet owner, etc. then you are missing out.  Check her blog out immediately!!

Follow Friday

Welcome to YUMMommy's first Follow Friday blog hop!!  I am super excited because I always wanted to host one of these and when I started blogging I barely knew how to post. LOL.  Finally, after a year of blogging, I have taken the time to dabble in a little html and graphic designing.  Now here I am hosting my very first blog hop!!!

I put this blog hop together because I found a lot of the blogs that I subscribe to through blog hops.  And I am so ever thankful that I participated in them because some of you have become my closest friends, confidants and support system!  I hope that this blog hop opens you up to finding some amazing reads and even more amazing people.

Starting next Friday, I will be including a Follow Friday Featured Blogger.  Want to know how to get in the running?  It's simple just grab my Follow Friday button below (it will post as a 125x125) and post it somewhere on your blog.  Then leave me a comment letting me know where you posted it.  On Saturday, I will create a poll post in which readers can vote for who they would like to see featured.  You can tweet, post, and Facebook to let your friends know that you are in the running to become YUMMommy's Follow Friday Featured Blogger!!  The winner will be notified on Sunday.

Grab My Button

<div align="center"><a href="http://yummommy.blogspot.com/search/label/FollowFriday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/yummommy/FollowFridayButton.jpg" border="0" height="125" width="125" /></a></div>

To Participate

~Follow YUMMommy publicly via Google Friend Connect.  After all you wouldn't want to miss out on all this awesomeness!!

~Link up your blog's MAIN page.

~Follow as many of the other linked up blogs as you want.  Don't forget to comment on one of their posts so they will know to follow you back.

~Optional:  Grab my Follow Friday button.  No worries it will post as a 125x125 on your blog.  Include in a blog hop spot or just add it to your sidebar.  While this is not required for those just seeking to link up, it is required for those bloggers wishing to be considered for becoming our Follow Friday Featured Blogger next week!

Rules

~No direct links to specific posts.  Give readers a chance to choose what posts they want to read and comment on.

~No Facebook, Twitter or nonblog links.  This hop is for blogs ONLY!

~Last but not least, have FUN and make some new friends!

Ultimate Vacation Getaway!!

I am well overdue for a vacation.  I can't even remember the last time I went on a vacation.  And when I say vacation, I'm not talking about some place in state that almost everybody has been to.  I'm talking about a real vacation.  Some place new, wonderful, exotic, warm...  I could go on and on.

Can you believe to my husband and I have been together six years officially and we have NEVER been on a vacation together?!!  It's sad I know, but work schedules and other issues always seemed to get in the way.  And this summer I'll be grounded until Baby JJ arrives.  After my delivery I still won't be in vacation ready state because there's that dreaded recovery time physically.  Plus, I've been getting a lot of crap from my family about me wanting to take a newborn out of the country.

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is.  I've been a mommy before and I know how rough it can be.  However, that's exactly why a cruise would be perfect.  I could have some luxurious escape time.  Anyways, by this time next year Baby JJ will be almost one and Moo will be 3.  I'm determined that nothing is going to stop me from taking my ultimate vacation to the Cove Atlantis!!  Check out that view below:

I think that the hubby and I will have more than earned this vacation and with God willing we are going to take it.  This place has everything from spas, to adult only pool areas, shopping, breath-taking sights and more!!  I know that this means we are going to have to do some serious savings because I want to do some serious shopping.  However, when it comes to booking, I'm leaving this in the hands of the trusty people from Orbitz to help us find the right package deal.  Yes, you can save hundreds on vacation spots outside the US by using travel sites like Orbitz.  The more money you save on the travel, the more money you can spend on shopping and eating!!

When was the last time you and your family went on vacation?

Fashion Find: Rocawear Luvs the Kids!

With it still being Black History Month, I thought it would be a good idea to mention Jay-Z's Rocawear line has a line of ALL African American  dolls with Mattel.  The doll collection is called So In Style and each doll is wearing a signature Rocawear outfit.  Check them out below and grab a couple for the kids.

Chandra

Grace

Trichelle

Chandra

Darren

Kara

Trichelle

Grace

Kara

Fashion Find: Seeing Red with Dereon

During my freshman year of college, I took a History of Fashion class.  One day we talked about power colors and our assignment for the next week was to wear an outfit to class in our power color.  Of course, most of the girls thought that pink and red were their power color.  So, our professor gave us a quick survey of sorts that helped to determine our true power colors.  Guess what mine was?

Yep, you guessed it right!  My power color was RED!!  So, I've decided to grab a few more things in red to help unleash my power.  Look at the hauteness I spotted over at Dereon today.

Dance-Now $34.97

Crush-$32.97

Stage Door Satchel-Now $69.99

Square Wayferer Sunglasses-$42.00

Satin Luv Top-Now $24.97

What is your power color?

Take $15 off all orders over $100 at Dereon! Offer Ends 2.24.

Take $30 off all orders over $125 at Dereon! Offer Ends 2.24.

Take $50 off all orders over $175 at Dereon! Offer Ends 2.24.

Fashion Find: Adding Style to Your Man's Wardrobe

Let me just say that while some of the greatest fashion houses in world were started by men, when it comes to styling themselves so men can be down right clueless.  I mean they can tell you what does or doesn't look good on your body, but they can't even coordinate a suit, tie and shirt for themself.  Crazy but true.  So, once again we have the save day and make a few tweaks so that can look as fresh and clean as Denzel Washington and not like a target on What Not to Wear.

Anyways, having seen some of the pictures of celebs from Fashion Week got me to looking at my hubby and his wardrobe.  Seriously, if I'm going to be walking the red carpet and attending all sorts of lovely fashion events in the near future, I can't have him looking anything other than his best.  Right now the most stylish and dressy outfit he owns is a pair of black slacks and a blue button down with a matching blue tie.  So, not cutting it.  Well, who do you turn to when you want to add a little style to your man's wardrobe?  Why P. Diddy of course!

I mean have you seen how fresh and clean he always looks?  And guess what 99% of the things he's seen in are from his own Sean John line.  It's sort of couture affordable fashions for men.  Anyways, here are my fave picks that I would love to add to revamp the hubby's wardrobe with.

Basket Weave Sweater-Now $57.59

Seersucker Pants-Now $33.97

Purple Fancy Pinstripe Button Down- Now $28.99

Charcoal Twill Suit-Now $196.96

Textured Plague Belt- Now $18.99

Front Pocket Wallet- Now $17.99

Check out Sean John and see what cool styles they have that you would like to see in your man's closet.  Also, take advantage of the great sale they have going on by clicking on the link below:

Take 40% off all cold weather styles at Sean John! Offer Ends 2.24.

Baby Got Rash?

This post brought to you by Boudreaux's Butt Paste.  All opinions are 100% mine.



Today we're going to talk abut butts.  Boudreaux's Butt Paste that is.  Like many parents, one of the things I dreaded most about diaper changing besides those 'nuclear explosions' was seeing a patch of red irritated diaper rash on Moo's bottom.  The first time it happened was shortly after she'd turned a month old and we had to switch her diapers because her current size were starting to fit a little too snug for comfort.



We had decided to stick with the same brand, but had to opt for a different style because the current style she wore wasn't available in her size.  My dear child was a fast grower.  Anyways, we finally settled on a style and went home to try them out on her.  By the second morning of her wearing them I noticed that she was a little more fussier than usual and wiggling her bottom in bouncer seat a lot.  Thinking she just needed to be changed, I proceeded to freshen my little princess up.  That's when I spotted those nasty little red bumps glaring back at me.



I felt awful. I had barely been changing diapers a month and already my baby had her first diaper rash!  It was my first mom fail or so I thought it was at the time. It turned out that she allergic to the different style of diaper as we would later find out.  Not all brands use the same materials for every style of diaper. They add things to make certain ones more absorbent or whatever.



Of course, I'm not a diaper specialist so I didn't know that at the time.  Anyways, I call my husband at work almost in tears over the fact that I thought I had given our daughter diaper rash.  He said that he'd pick up some ointment and that I should calm down in the meanwhile. He asked what brand to get and honestly I didn't have clue.  This was my first baby and I told him as much.  So, he mentioned that he had seen an ad in a magazine for this brand with a baby on the packaging.  I didn't argue because after all I had just given our baby diaper rash.



When he came home and presented me with a yellow labeled white tube of ointment, I flipped it over and it was Boudreaux's Butt Paste complete with their signature baby logo on the front.  And let me tell you that after about two days of using it with every diaper change I noticed an improvement in Moo's rash.  She wasn't as fussy or wiggling around in her bouncer.  I kid you not.  That stuff is fast acting.

What else would you expect from a diaper ointment that "was specifically formatted by a pharmacist with the direction from a respected pediatrician to provide effective diaper rash care?"  And guess what else?  Boudreaux's Butt Paste isn't messy like some other brands.  It goes on smooth and comes off just as easily.  It also comes in convenient sizes like 1 oz, 2 oz, 3 oz and 4 oz flip top tubes that are perfect traveling and carrying in the diaper bag.  They also offer a 16 oz jar that is great for leaving at home on the changing table.  Also, if you've tried other brands you've probably noticed that some of them smell overly medicated or like muscle rubs.  Well, not this one. Boudreaux's has a nice pleasant smell that won't overwhelm your senses.



Not only does it treat the diaper rash, but soothes the irritated skin on your baby's bottom with it's 16% zinc oxide and Peruvian balsom.  Did I mention this product has been featured on the Oprah show, TLC's While You Were Out and in People Magazine to name a few.  This is the real deal.  If you haven't tried Boudreaux's Butt Paste, I encourage you to head over to their website and request your free sample today. You won't be disappointed!

Fashion Find: Vera Bradley

As many of you already know, I'm a fashionista on a budget.  I'm not going to lie and say that I don't like nice things or have expensive tastes.  However, as a fashion merchandising major I know that I don't have pay outrageous prices to get nice designer stuff.  And no I'm not talking about buying knockoffs either.  Like I've mentioned before online shopping can be your best friend if you're constantly keeping your eyes peeled.

So, this week I thought I'd share a few great pieces from Vera Bradley that I'm thinking about adding to my fashion stash.  And believe it or not none of the pieces I'm about to show you are over $25!!  Hard to believe right because Vera Bradley is hella expensive at the mall!  But like I've been trying to tell you all online shopping is where it's at when shopping for designer or big name chain store pieces.

Boysenberry Slim Case-$18.00

Boysenberry Zip ID Case-$12.00

Boysenberry Checkbook Cover-$19.00

Boysenberry Card Holder-$8.00

In case, you didn't notice the Boysenberry print is my favorite!!  Anyways, I hope that you will stop on by Vera Bradley and see what else they have to offer.  And while you're there enjoy their 10% off all their sale items and FREE shipping on all orders $100 or more!!  Happy shopping everybody!