Tween Self Confidence

Self confidence is defined by Merriam-Webster online as "confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities". As we all remember, tweens and teens struggle with their self confidence. It can be one of the largest issues during those years as they deal with their growing bodies, acne, body odor, and other things.

Unilever used something they called a Tween Confidence Index that looked at tweens confidence (ages 8-12) and their parent's perceptions. They found that a majority of parents (77%) are worried about the well-being of their tweens. Also a majority of tweens (69%) find the talks they have with their parents to be "very helpful" in dealing with the pressures and challenges they face. Other research showed that self confidence begins to decline as tweens become teens(ages 13-17). Thus it is important to maintain good communication with them.

Unilever – the maker of Degree, Dove and Suave deodorants – assembled a panel of experts to develop the educational website and resource DontFretTheSweat.com. On the site is a pamphlet to help boost your tween's confidence. I found it had many good ideas. Also on the website you can find several high value coupons you can print. If you have a teen or tween, it is a good resource.

Mom Central and Unilever set me a sample of Unilever deodorant brands as well as a $20 gift card to thank me for my participation. The opinions are my own.

Yoursphere

We are continuing our test drive of Yoursphere, the new site for tweens and teens. Both of my tweens have joined and they love it. They have learned how to join spheres and make their own spheres. The instructions are easy to understand.

I like being able to check on them on the parent site. But I don't let them online unless I am sitting there with them.

The good news is that it is Free! If you (your child) joins please use my unique referral code that is YSMC-0055.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Sex and the City 2 Soundtract Review

Well I am sure you heard about the new movie Sex and the City 2 in theaters starting May 27th. I haven't been to see the movie yet. But Sex and the City 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on May 25th, and I was sent a copy to review. Look at all the talent on this soundtract!

The soundtrack features a brand-new duet "Love is Your Color" by Grammy and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, along with global superstar, multi-platinum recording artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee Leona Lewis.

12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys performs her own extraordinary new version of the Blondie classic “Rapture”.

Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony and Academy Award® winner Liza Minnelli covers Beyonce’s chart-topper “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”

The soundtrack also features the stars of Sex and the City 2, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, performing the Helen Reddy classic “I Am Woman.”

Soundtrack includes a new song by platinum-selling CeeLo and International superstar Dido also contributes an exclusive new track.

Full Listing of Tracts
1. Alicia Keys “Rapture”
2. Dido “Everything to Lose”
3. Cee Lo “Language of Love”
4. Erykah Badu “Window Seat”
5. Natacha Atlas “Kidda”
6. Michael McGregor “Euphrates Dream”
7. Liza Minnelli “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
8. Ricki-Lee "Can't Touch It"
9. Alicia Keys "Emire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"
10. Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis "Love Is Your Color"
11. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon “I Am Woman”
12. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “If Ever I Would Leave You”
13. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Sunrise, Sunset”
14. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Till There Was You”
15. Shayna Steele, Jordan Ballard, Kamilah Marshall “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”
16. Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”
17. Cyndi Lauper “True Colors”
18. Aaron Zigman “Divas and Dunes”

Check out their Facebook Page.

I am sure you will enjoy listening to this as much as I did. Click here to listen to samples or buy it.

I was sent the soundtrack to review by One2One Network. By reviewing it, I will be entered into a contest for gift card. I received no other compensation, and the opinions are my own.

Yoplait Greek Yogurt - Nourish Your Inner Goddess

To celebrate its new Greek yogurt and to encourage women to nourish their inner goddess, Yoplait has teamed up with actress Izabella Miko, who plays Greek Goddess Athena in the epic adventure new Warner Bros. Pictures´ and Legendary Pictures´ film "Clash of the Titans".



Yoplait has a new yogurt called "Greek yogurt". It contains 12 grams of protein which is twice that found in leading yogurts. It is available in four delicious flavors: Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain.

I was given 2 coupons to try it. I got the strawberry and blueberry. It was really good. The yogurt was thicker than regular yoplait, and had a custard type smooth texture. It had a hint of tartness that was balanced with the delicious, sweet berry flavor.



I was sent a very nice "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack that included:
- 1 spa towel wrap
- 1 bath loofah kit
- 1 pair of spa slippers
- 2 VIP coupons for a FREE cup of Yoplait Greek Yogurt

The great people at Yoplait have agreed to send my readers the same Yoplait Greek "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack I received. To enter leave a comment telling me what flavor you would like to try. This first entry is required. Please leave your email address, so can contact you if you win.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe by email
3. Post my button on your blog (Leave link)
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.) Leave me the link.
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link. You can do that daily.
Use your own tweet, or here is one you can use:

Win a Yoplait Greek "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack http://tinyurl.com/23n8yro

Open to US.

Expires 6/26 at 11:59 PM CST.

Yoplait provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSparkTM. The opinions are my own.

Yoursphere

I was chosen by mom central to try a new program called Yoursphere. It was designed to be a safe place for teens and tweens to be online and is only for children 18 and younger. It is a social networking type site with more things like music videos.

So far I registered on the parent portion, and one of my children registered. We are just getting to learn about the site. My daughter has already made some friends on the site. I will tell you more as I learn more about the features.

The good news is that it is Free! If you (your child) joins please use my unique referral code that is YSMC-0055.


I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Organic Gardening

Growing your own herbs, vegetables, greens and fruit can be both incredibly rewarding and delicious. However, many gardeners rely on pesticides, herbicides and fungicides not to mention chemical fertilizers to help their garden grow. That’s not only unnecessary, it’s also unhealthy. All those nutritious veggies pack a much healthier punch if they’re sans harmful chemicals.

Step #1 Prepare your soil. Because your soil is the foundation of your garden, it is important to make sure it’s full of the right nutrients to feed your garden. Mix in organic material like compost or humus and consider having your soil tested. The proper soil conditions can make the difference between a sparse crop and award winning vegetables.

Step #2 Choose your crop. The second step to build an organic garden is to choose your crop. What are you going to grow in your garden? Initially, in addition to what you’re going to grow, you’ll want to decide if you want to purchase plants or start your garden from seeds. If you start early enough you can use seeds. If not, you can purchase organic plants from your local nursery.

Regardless of what you choose, seeds or plants, make sure they’re grown without chemicals.

Step #3 Organize your garden. Did you know some plants naturally protect other plants from disease and pests? It’s true. Marigolds for example, drive bugs away and if you plant them around the perimeter of your garden, they’ll help protect your herbs, greens and veggies.

Before transferring your plants into your garden, mark where you’re going to plant them. Make sure there is plenty of room between plants so they have room to grow and thrive. A tiny tomato plant can grow several feet high and several feet wide. Leave room.

Step #4 Natural pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. It’s been said that home gardeners generally use more chemicals on their gardens than farmers do. That’s a lot of chemicals! Interestingly enough, mild detergent and water protect many plants from harmful pests. Hot pepper sprays also work to fend off pests. And natural predators like frogs and ladybugs can keep your garden healthy and full.

Step #5 Maintenance. Watering and weeding are all you have in store for you until it’s time to harvest. Take care to not over water. Soil should be moist but not soaking. Weed on a regular basis to make sure your plants have all the nutrients and room in the soil they need to grow.

Organic gardening isn’t difficult when you start with a healthy foundation. Before you dive in and start a garden large enough to feed an army, choose a few plants you know your family will eat. Grow those successfully and next year you can grow a bigger garden.

National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month. More than 463,000 children are currently in foster care and 123,000 children are waiting to be adopted.

Foster care is a temporary arrangement for a child who cannot live safely with her birth family.
Adoption is a legally binding transfer of all parenting rights and responsibilities to an adoptive parent forever. An adoptive parent's legal status is the same as if the child was born to him or her.

Do you have room in your heart for a child (or more than one?) You can learn about foster care and adoption here at adoptuskids.
Thrifty Jinxy wrote about it, and you can visit her link here:
Thrifty Jinxy: May is National Foster Care Month

Playtex Bra Makeover

Moms don't always have time to update their bras or even check to make sure they are wearing the correct size. Don't you hate it when your bra doesn't fit? Poor support, slipping straps, and riding up in the back can cause back and shoulder pain, bruising, and digging. Seven out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra. Well there is good news. You an apply for a Bra Makeover from Playtex!

Playtex recently launched http://www.playtexbramakeover.com/, a site where women can go to apply for a bra makeover or nominate a friend. The winner will be flown to New York to receive a Bra Makeover with style expert Alison Deyette. She has been on Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker and TLC's Ten Years Younger, and in Good Housekeeping, The Washington Post, and O Magazine.

The 10 winners selected for a Bra Makeover will also star in their very own webisode. The makeover candidate will receive a fitting with Deyette and get the perfect Playtex products. A new webisode will premier on http://www.playtexbramakeover.com/ every two weeks. Apply for your chance to win a Playtex Bra Makeover today. The last day to apply is Friday, May 21st, 2010.

By posting this information, I am entered into a contest to win a free bra from Playtex. I did not receive any compensation for this post and thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Blush Topless Undershirt Review and Giveaway

I am sure you have seen some people showing a belly that shouldn't be shown. :) Or the nasty view of someone's thong! There is good news; there is a cure.

The great people at Blush (Your Topless Undershirt) sent me one of their undershirts to review. They are like tube tops that you wear underneath your shirt that create a layered look. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. They even have some with lace.

They can be worn with everyday wear. Also they are helpful during pregnancy. You can still wear many of your regular shirts with a blush to cover your pregnant belly. Also, it can keep the belly covered when nursing.



I received a purple one. I loved the color. The quality was very good. It was more my daughter's size, and she loved it.

The great people have agreed at Blush have agreed to send one to Donna's World readers. To enter go to Blush and tell me what you would pick. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe by email.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.) Leave me the link.
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link. You can do that daily.
Here is one you can use:

Win a cute Blush undershirt at Donna's World http://tinyurl.com/28b8bny @donnak4


Open to US.

Expires 5/29 at 11:59 PM CST.