College-goers can Save on Textbooks and Help Donate to Operation Smile

Recently I had the opportunity to review CampusBookRentals.com and to share the good news about how college students can get great savings on their textbooks and also help support OperationSmile.org.

Here are few of the perks for college-goers on renting textbooks: 

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices 
-free shipping both ways
-can highlight in the textbooks 
-flexible renting periods
-they donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented
-you can find more perks on their website CampusBookRentals.com




Their Making a Difference program is an important part of what they do.  They're keeping their partnership with Operation Smile and have committed to donate a minimum of 80 additional surgeries between June 2013 and June 2014.  

What is Operation Smile? Operation Smile is an incredible organization that forever changes children's lives through reconstructive cleft lip surgeries.  The long-term improvement in quality of life for the children that receive these surgeries is almost incomprehensible.  What a great honor Campus Book Rentals has in supporting the children of Operation Smile. Find our more information about Operation Smile at: http://www.operationsmile.org/about_us/who-we-are/    

What if college students have textbooks they own?  RentBack (www.RentBack.com) is a new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own - to other students.  This is awesome because it makes them 2-4x more money compared to what they'd make through buyback options! (selling their books back at the end of the semester)  I love the feature on the website where you can check how valuable your textbook is.  I wish I had this option back when I was going to college!  I remember the days when I spent so much money on my books and kept them in perfect condition so that my school would give me a few dollars at the end of the semester. What a perfect way for college students to help support themselves during the school year by making a little extra money!



I'm glad to know about this company and hope that once my kids begins college in the coming years they will be smart and resource them!  For those that have kids starting college soon or have kids in college make sure and do your own review and check out their site for more information!

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I love Cookie Monster

I watched the recent Spreecast with Cookie Monster from Sesame Street with my daughter Elizabeth. She is seven and during the show she was asking me if Cookie Monster was real! I asked her what she thought, she said he is very funny and she loves his rolling eyes.

This year is the new Season 44 of Award-Winning Preschool series Sesame Street on PBS Kids with a hilarious new segment "Cookie's Crumby Pictures." I grew up watching Sesame Street, and always loved the fun cast members and the many celebrity appearances.

Did you know that Cookie Monster is teaching our kids a message? During the program new self-regulation curriculum teaches children to learn critical skills directly linked to school readiness and future academic success. In each five-minute segment of "Cookie's Crumby Pictures" children will learn many strategies and activities that promote self-regulation.

What is self-regulation? They are critical skills, such as being able to follow directions, stay on task with focused attention and regulate emotions using concrete strategies.

There will be seven upcoming hilarious spoofs, including "Life of Whoopie Pie," "The Spy Who Loved Cookies," "Les Mousserables" and "The Hungry Games," we'll see Cookie Monster attempt to master executive function skills - a key component of self-regulation. He'll display self-control (try not to eat the cookie), delayed gratification (eat the cookie later), flexible thinking (think about something else so you don't eat the cookie), working memory (remember a strategy that worked before to keep from eating the cookie) and task persistence (being motivated to not give up while waiting to eat the cookie).

After we watched the Spreecast, I talked to Lizzie about her day. During our ride home she wanted a drink of water so bad, she was a bit like Cookie Monster. We talked about tolerance and self-control and how Cookie Monster waited to eat his cookie. It was fun being able to use him as a learning example. Even though Sesame Street is to help get Preschoolers ready for school, I believe we can all learn something from the sweet and funny characters on the program.

Now, I'm off to eat a cookie!

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Heartbeat Magazine May 2013 Cover and Giveaway

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." – St. Francis of Assisi Heartbeat Connection Magazine May 2013 Edition, a lifestyle mag all about the art of living with heart. Click Here to View our Latest Issue!  Buy a Print Copy. In this issue we’re sharing stories about the Recipe Corner, Art that Inspires, Happy Spring, How do I Get Fit & Healthy, Heart of Fashion and so much more. Also enter this month's Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway Your Plan for a Balanced Life, by James M. Rippie M.D. and 51 Tips for New Parents, by Lynn Gordon. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ www.TheHeartbeatMagazine.com Get more Tips, Savings, & Heartfelt News : Subscribe to Heartbeat Magazine News

Original Customized Card Giveaway

I have always loved custom cards and created them for friends and family.  With my busy kids and life I no longer take the time but I still love getting them.  My daughter had a recent birthday and was given a card that you could tell was custom made.  So adorable!  I make new business friends all the time on Facebook and I met Kim Oliver from K.O Creations.  She has the most amazing customized cards.  This month she is my featured Artist of the Month!  

Here are the questions I wanted to know about her...

1. How did you get into creating customized cards?

I became enamoured with card making from doing scrapbooking projects and not being able to find a personal card with true meaning in the retail stationary outlets. Bespoke Cards became a passion for me when I realized that I wasn't the only person unsatisfied with what was on offer. 

2. What do you love about your work?

The true essence of card making for me is the end product & hearing about the way it was received and appreciated. Listening to my clients and getting snippets of lives & loves during the making process.

3. Do you have a favorite design or style?

Personally I love a number of styles...Vintage, shabby chic & steampunk all go hand in hand and tend to blend well for me.  I am open to other ideas & styles, because I do make Bespoke Cards designed for others to give to their loved ones.

4. Tell me about the steps involved in creating a customized card for someone.

The steps involved are simple, but very very important to getting a great card made just for you. The major key for me is listening...Really listening with your heart as well as your ears and reading between the lines. Secondly, finding out how long you have to design the card, sometimes I have been asked to have a card done in under a day (it's possible but definitely not desired for a great card) For best results I need to have around two weeks + if postage is required to get to the client. Then finally asking for any desired themes and ideas that they may have in mind themselves, then asking whether I have any creative licence with their ideas.  I check in with messages and pictures of the card during the design process, where possible, which enables the client to feel more involved and you end up with a card that is adored by the giver and the receiver.

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Vase Giveaway from The Clay Place

We have a new Giveaway, The Clay Place provided this beautiful vase for this month to help bring awareness to Project Outreach and those people in need.

Jim Rice, is a local potter from Naples, Florida.  You can visit his site for more artistic, unique, and usable pottery at www.naplesclayplace.com

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Nicole

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3 Ways To Be a Princess, entry for WW.

I just completed the magazine for October and I fell in love with the Fairy Princess on the cover.  Thanks to Missy K Photography for the great photo!

Here are 3 ways to be a Princess...

1.  Dress up clothes.  Go online or visit a boutique in town to find your perfect princess dress.  You'll start to feel like a princess.

2.  Learn about our modern-day princesses and what causes they support.

3.  Put a crown on, watch a few movies, and act out some scenes.

Quote of the week...

“No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.”

Henry Ward Beecher If you'd like to subscribe to our newsletter and receive special offers and updates please click here.  You can also enter our latest giveaway.

Have an awesome week.

xoxo,

Nicole

Florida Marina Clubs Giveaway

It was a pleasure meeting with Kimberly Constantine, Business Development Manager of Florida Marina Clubs.  Florida Marina Clubs is a unique member of Yacht Clubs of America which offers access anywhere in the US.

There are so many amenities offered in Naples, Tampa, and Key West Clubs with different types of memberships available. We found extraordinary value in the memberships.

A Corporate Membership is $299 a year. It caters to small businesses, their families, and employees. Many of the services and amenities are: Clubhouse, fitness center, sauna/shower room, on-site security, heated pool, hot tub and Tiki Bar.  Also, they have reciprocal privileges at Clubs at other locations, vacation Rentals in Key West, and Exclusive Member events. Other services include facilities for seminars, and corporate meetings, and weddings.  The Marina offers unlimited launches, dockside catering, full boat wash and detail, engine flush, and a fueling station. 

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There is a Social Membership available for $199 a year which offers fine dining and fun family time. It includes use of the clubhouse, fitness center, sauna/shower room, heated outside pool, hot tub, and dining at the Tiki Bar. Casual dining at Jack's River Bar and formal dining at Gordon's on the River. 

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In Naples - Naples Harbour Yacht Club is nestled along the Historic Gordon River, close to the Gulf of Mexico, and only 5 minutes from downtown Naples. They provide dry slip rentals as well as hurricane and seasonal storage for your boats. Boats are stored in a large secure boat barn. There is a boat launch onto the Gordon River and a ship store with all the essentials for an enjoyable boating experience.

Upscale dining is offered at Gordon's on the River at Naples Harbour, reviving the era of the classic supper club. A spectacular wine list is directed by Wine Sommelier, Ian Ponsord, and world renowned Pastry Chef, Roberta Olphant. Make sure to visit on your Birthday for a special cupcake.  Casual dining is on the first floor at Jack's River Bar and outdoors around the pool area and tiki bar. 

Tampa offers boat storage barn rentals with an array of services available. Florida Marina Clubs have partnered with other well established companies that prove mutually beneficial relationships for their guests.

Key West Harbour is located off the pristine shoreline of the Atlantic, far enough from the mainland for a relaxing island escape. Vacation rentals are available in 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Bahamian inspired luxury condos. 

Kimberly Constantine was excited to be featured in the June issue of Heartbeat magazine and generously offered one Corporate Membership and one Social Membership as a giveaway that will be posted on our blog using rafflecopter.

She gave us a tour of the facilities and we were her guests for a delicious lunch at Jack's River Bar.

She also gave us a two week Social Membership which we look forward to using.

View the article in our Heartbeat Magazine June Edition Online

Enjoy Your Summer!
Nicole Flothe

Exciting Giveaway from Naples Sea Life Lights

Our friend and Artist, Kaye Gardner is going to be the featured artist this month for Heartbeat Magazine.  She recently launched her new website www.naplessealifelights.com and also is new to Facebook.  Look for her interview in our next issue.  We are happy to share that she has offered a Sea Life Lights Giveaway.  You can win one of these beautiful Sea Life Lights just by doing a few tasks with Rafflecopter.  It's fun and simple to use.

How do you think you will use her artistic nautical light?  I know I'd be happy to see it in my bathroom or  kitchen counter to add some ambiance to the room.  All you have to do is plug them in and they shine.

Below is the information to enter, good luck!

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New Giveaway BabySpa USA Bathful Baby Value Pack

Finding Heartfelt companies is one of our passions and we have been lucky enough to meet a sweet company called BabySpa®.   The owner at BabySpaUSA has offered us an awesome giveaway.  We appreciate their heartfelt gift.  Enter for a chance to win!  We also have featured them as one of our Heartfelt companies in our March issue of Heartbeat Magazine, starting on page 4.

  BabySpa® was inspired by therapeutic spa cultures, ancient healing traditions and luxurious body care rituals. 

At BabySpa®, they believe natural skin protection and nourishment is especially important as babies grow and are exposed to different surroundings. They also believe in pampering our children with happy feel-good aromas and vitamin rich ingredients that provide truly therapeutic spa experiences, ones that we would even love to use on ourselves! 

BabySpa® offers the world’s first stepwise approach to baby skin care with a “stages” system that targets the changing skin care needs of infants and toddlers as they grow and experience different environmental elements.

Stage One Products are formulated for the extra-sensitive skin in newborns through crawlers when baby skin is particularly vulnerable to the environment. This stage is meant to protect and heal irritations caused by sensitivities and to strengthen a baby’s delicate skin balance.

Stage Two Products are formulated for walkers through preschoolers, providing proper moisture, long lasting hydration and natural protection from UV rays and changing climatic conditions that affect the skin. The uplifting citrus scent in Stage Two products is age appropriate and perfect for those exploring toddlers on the run.

To find more about BabySpa® :  
Their website: www.babyspausa.com,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BabySpaUSA ,
and Twitter: @BabySpaUSA .



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Note:  This is an excerpt from a Q & A review about the Baby Spa Company.  If you'd like to see the full article please visit our website for a full summary.

Discover a Delicious slice of Pie

In our October Heartbeat magazine we featured The Country Bounty Restaurant as our recent heartfelt company.  We found them via our Facebook friends site and were excited to share them with others. Have you ever wanted a good old fashioned home cooked meal while on vacation or to know that your restaurant of choice is going to have delicious food? How about a signature piece of pie?  Yummy! The Country Bounty has your answer!
Ryan and Rebecca Stowell and the entire Country Bounty staff welcome you!
"When our family opened this restaurant in 1981, we wanted to provide our guests with the best in country fare, hospitality and great service.  Being the second generation of Stowells, as proprietors we strive to provide the same great values and to convey our constantly growing vision of great tasting foods." - Rebecca Stowell
There address is 413 W. Hwy 50, Salida CO 81201 
They are a short 25 minute drive from Monarch Ski area
Located Across from the Hot Springs Swimming Pool
You can view the article with pictures in our magazine.  We've also included the page here in this blog post...

Top 7 reasons we Love Hearts For Hearts Girls™

1.  The song
While watching a commercial recently there was a catchy tune, "Hearts for Hearts Girls."  I was intrigued to find out more about the company and researched them online.  I was pleasantly surprised to find much more than a great song but a wonderful doll company.

2.  The dolls
They have several dolls in their collection.  Each with their own unique story.  Right now, there are six Hearts For Hearts Girls dolls: Lilian (Belarus), Rahel (Ethiopia), Nahji (India), Tipi (Laos), Consuelo (Mexico), and Dell (United States). The girls tell a story about life in their country, inspired by real girls who are strong, smart, courageous, and determined to rise above challenging circumstances. On Amazon I viewed all the different dolls and saw what I'll be adding to my Christmas shopping list.

3.  Their mission
Their mission is Changing The World one Heart at at Time.  When you buy a doll, Hearts For Hearts Girls donates part of the purchase price through their charitable partner, World Vision, to programs that support children, families, and communities in that country. Whether it’s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in Eastern Europe and the US, these programs help children and families thrive and succeed.  What an amazing way to give back to the World! 

4.  The accessories
They have accessories for the dolls, giving girls more entertainment and enjoyment.  The material is soft, good and durable.  As a mother it's always nice to see a company that cares about the fine details right down to the feel of the fabric.  Each girl has a unique clothing line featuring the customs of where they are in the world.  Najhi came with a Dance Costume, Headpiece, Tea Tray with Teapot, and Tea Cups.

5.  The website
A pretty pink heart logo is what grabbed me first when I visited the site.  I browsed the different pages and loved the interactive sections.  One of my favorite fun features was to swing the H4H Girls back and forth in their frames before you choose to learn about them. With the doll and accessories you are given a special code to join the website. We used the code and registered to enjoy the games.  There were several games that included interactive play.  We ended up spending the most time on Marketplace.  We spent hours collecting money to complete missions.  This will be something that brings us back time and time again.  I say us because even I enjoyed playing some of the games with my daughter and my son joined in too.  He enjoyed the fishing game the most.

6.  The videos
They have several videos on the website to watch.  One is the commercial that my daughter can play over and over again and sing with the girls.  The other is behind the scenes making of the video. 

7.  The joy it brings to girls around the world
Not only are the dolls beautiful and the packaging amazing, but the joy that my daughter experienced when dressing Najhi and learning about her life in India is priceless.  We have never had an Indian doll or really learned about how someone many miles away from us lives their lives.  On the website they have true stories about real girls who inspire us, the reason that Hearts For Hearts Girls exists. We enjoyed reading about them.  If you happen to know a girl who inspires you, then tell them about it! Her story might end up on their website.    www.hearts4heartsgirls.com