UNREAL Candy is something new in the stores. I am sure you have seen it and wondered what it really was. It is interesting looking that is for sure. With the colorful packaging and all it really stands out among all the other every day candy you see on the shelves.

Have you ever wondered what was really in the candy that we eat? And not just what we eat, but what we give our children to eat? We all know that it has sugar in it but what about the hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that aren’t there to make it taste good.  They’re there to make it cheaper to produce.

One kid, Nicky set out to recreate America’s biggest selling candies, without the junk.

THE QUESTION BECAME A MISSION.  UNREAL^™WAS BORN

We’ve just unjunked America’s favorite candy and true to Nicky’s dream, we think it tastes better without the corn syrup, the artificial ingredients, and the partially hydrogenated oils.  Not to mention less sugar.  We even added more cacao, real caramel (not corn syrup dyed to look like caramel), more peanuts, protein, and fiber. All this is the product of the UNREAL™ culture.  We’re building an eclectic mix of people from different walks and experiences.  A Kashi guy.  One from Google.  An interior decorator.  A P&G’er.  A guitarist from Glaceau.  A guy from Mars.  An actual Oompa Loompa.  A dog named Lola.  You’d never find these people together in any other company in the world.  But it works.  Why?  Because we’re drawn together by a common mission.  To challenge what we’ve come to accept in our food and its effect on our health.  To change the way junk food is made here in America and around the world.  To unjunk the world™.

So, we decided to give UNREAL Candy a test against it’s counterparts. Yes, they are very similar to other candy that look the same. There was a noticeable difference of being a little sweeter. But the UNREAL Candy came out as a winner. For the nutritional difference our pick would be UNREAL Candy!

We were able to find the UNREAL Candy at CVS on sale for $0.69! Wow 🙂 You can’t beat that price.

NUTRITION FACTS: SERVING SIZE: 42G

Giveaway Closed!

How would you like to try UNREAL Candy?  All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me what you think about UNREAL Candy. I will select 4 random winners to receive a Buy One Get One FREE coupon each. USA only please.

Giveaway ends 9/19/12 at midnight. The coupons will expire 10/15/12

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I and a BzzAgent  and received complimentary coupons to facilitate this review . The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours. #imabzzagent #getunreal 

 We live in a busy world. I know it is hard for us to admit this, but some times we need a little help! I am a mother of 2 kids. I work from home with one full time job and I am a blogger. My husband works a 12-hour shift job and he also has his own side business. We try our best to keep up with our home but it is a losing battle! And I know we are not the only family that feels this way.

I was recently introduced to Redbeacon. Which came at a perfect time, I was about to go crazy. I take that back, I was beyond the point of crazy. I really needed help!

Redbeacon, Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of The Home Depot, is a free online and mobile resource for consumers seeking reliable home-service professionals.

Redbeacon service providers compete for your business, saving you the consumer time and money. Other home-service listing sites offer only reviews of professionals.

Redbeacon is a full-service tool that delivers free competitive quotes from trusted local professionals and allows customers to book services directly with the pro of the winning bid. 

I went on the Redbeacon website and search for some one to clean, and not just clean but scour the hoard filled rooms of 2 messy little girls!

It took me a matter of seconds to go to the website and enter what I was looking for. It is super simple. As soon as I entered what I needed done I received a quote from a company. I wanted out to see how many quotes I would get. Every business that works though Redbeacon has a Pro Score, Reviews, if they are insured and a background check!!

Once I selected the service pro, we set an appointment time and then they came to my house and preformed magic! They were clean, polite and quick. The whole process took only 2 hours.

The process was painless and exceeded my expectations! I will be using Redbecan again in the near future and recommending it to my family and friends as well.

Redbeacon provides a wide variety of home-service solutions, but specializes in connecting customers with the following professionals:

• Handymen
• Plumbers
• Gardeners
• Painters
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• House Cleaners

Redbeacon services are available in the following 13 metro areas: Atlanta; Austin; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; New York; San Francisco Bay Area; Seattle; Portland; and Washington, D.C.

Redbeacon Website
Redbeacon on Twitter
Redbeacon on Facebook 
Redbeacon on iPhone 

Redbeacon partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their services. As part of this promotion, I received a free service. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products. Redbeacon believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Redbeacon’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

What is Alexa and why am I talking about it? I know that most people who do not own a website have no idea what Alexa is. So I will start with that.

Alexa as per Wikipedia

 Alexa Internet, Inc. is a California-based subsidiary company of Amazon.com that is known for its toolbar and website. Once installed, the Alexa toolbar collects data on browsing behavior and transmits it to the website, where it is stored and analyzed, forming the basis for the company’s web traffic reporting. Alexa provides traffic data, global rankings and other information on thousands of websites, and claims that 6 million people visit its website monthly.

 So, what that means is Alexa tells people how much traffic a website gets. I am sure you are still wondering, “What does that have to do with me?”

A lot of business and PR company’s use, look at and trust the Alexa rating of websites. This means that if a company wants to work with me on a giveaway and or review (see, now I have your attention:-) they will some times look at my Alexa numbers.

While my numbers are not bad, there is always room for improvement. Did you know that you can help Central Texas Mom improve her Alexa numbers and in turn open up more opportunities for new giveaways? It is really simple. All you have to do is review Central Texas Mom on Alexa.  Click on the button below to review Central Texas Mom. I would be for ever grateful!

Niteo is is an online store, where Elegance meets Modern Fashion.”  Here, every style is at your fingertips, just one click away.  Niteo is the ultimate in convenience combined with unique dress fashions that you will not find anywhere else. They are bringing their growing collection to you through their website.  Theyspecialize in the unique and new styles for women—in junior, misses, and women’s sizes.  You can choose from Classic and Dramatic to Modern and Edgy looks, from business wear to evening wear, all in elegant designs and luxurious fabrics.

Catering to families, they also have an exciting line of dresses for girls, ages 2 through 7, sizes 2T through Girls 7.  Fun colors and styles that your daughter or granddaughter will adore.  Let her celebrate her birthday, graduation or other special day in the dress she chooses from our website.

As a mom of two daughters I am always looking for something new and different, fun and funky but still girly for my daughter. Clothes that fit her personalty. Se was so excited when her package from Niteo! They really fit her taste and style! She wore the pink floral dress with the pink shrug to a baby shower. She thought it was comfy and she twirl in it. Which is always a plus when you are 7 years old 🙂 You can find this dress on the Niteo website here.

This is an adorable cotton a-line dress, she found it so comfy!  She loved that the buttons are in the front so she does not have to ask for help putting it on. You can find this dress on the Niteo website here.

 This purple daisy dress with polka-dot ruffle hen is so much fun. Again with front buttons it is easy for her to put on.  And just as comfortable as the other 2 dresses made with 100% cotton. You can find this dress on the Niteo website here.

From Niteo

Coming soon!  Organic clothing for your infant.  Hypoallergenic, soft, natural fibers, made without pesticides or preservatives.  Niteo’s Organic Baby Clothes are beautifully designed, comfortable and breathable, absolutely 100% OCIA Certified for your baby’s health.  Guaranteed to make your baby the talk of the town.

Your Time is Precious

This is why we are online.  No need for you to waste time going to store after store just to find the dress you love.  Niteo’s comes to you with our easy-to-use website.  Browse and Shop, take as long as you like, we are open 24/7.

Great color photos of each of our dresses let you picture how each design will look on you.  With the descriptions and prices handy, you can make your selection and it will show up in your shopping cart. Select how you want your dress shipped and submit your payment preference with your credit or debit card.

We hope you’ll enjoy your shopping experience at Niteo Collection.  Let us know which dress is your favorite!  We’d love to hear from you!

Niteo Website
Niteo on Facebook
Niteo on Twitter

As an added bonus, Niteo is offering all Central Texas Mom readers a 10% off discount coupon code CT10OFF Use this code on the Niteo and get 10% your entire order!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire is coming to DVD December 4^th from Shout! Factory Kids in collaboration with Hasbro Studios! Adventures in the Crystal Empire includes 5 episodes from the beloved Friendship Is Magic series. Bonus features include a sing-along and coloring sheet.

In Adventures in the Crystal Empire, a magical empire has suddenly appeared in the arctic north of Equestria, and PRINCESS CELESTIA needs TWILIGHT SPARKLE and her friends to find a way to protect it. While her friends try to keep the Crystal Ponies occupied at the Crystal Faire, TWILIGHT SPARKLE searches for the hidden Crystal Heart that is the key to keeping their empire safe from harm!

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire is priced at $14.97 SRP and is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

We live in a busy world. I know it is hard for us to admit this, but some times we need a little help! I am a mother of 2 kids. I work from home with one full time job and I am a blogger. My husband works a 12-hour shift job and he also has his own side business. We try our best to keep up with our home but it is a losing battle! And I know we are not the only family that feels this way.

Do you have a bedroom that needs painting and you just have not had time? Do you need a new faucet put in and just do not know how to do it? Do you need the yard cut or landscaped and just can’t seem to get to it? 

If so, I think you will like Redbeacon! Redbeacon, Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of The Home Depot, is a free online and mobile resource for consumers seeking reliable home-service professionals.

Redbeacon service providers compete for your business, saving you the consumer time and money. Other home-service listing sites offer only reviews of professionals.

Redbeacon is a full-service tool that delivers free competitive quotes from trusted local professionals and allows customers to book services directly with the pro of the winning bid. 

Redbeacon also offers customers a Price Estimator, which gives homeowners a range for how much jobs of a similar size cost in their area.

Redbeacon provides a wide variety of home-service solutions, but specializes in connecting customers with the following professionals:

• Handymen
• Plumbers
• Gardeners
• Painters
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• House Cleaners

Redbeacon services are available in the following 13 metro areas: Atlanta; Austin; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; New York; San Francisco Bay Area; Seattle; Portland; and Washington, D.C.

I am going to give Redbeacon a try. I will update on my experience :-). The only problem will be, what service do I want a quote for the most. That is going to be hard lol. 

I think is is in our nature, or perhaps as sign of the times that we are always searching for ways to save money.

I have joined the Team Flo Progressive Snapshot Test Drive Program. I am test driving the Snapshot for 30 days free in my car and seeing if I can lower my auto insurance.

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Progressive.

Progressive’s Snapshot®

With Progressive’s Snapshot device — you simply plug it into your car. It will collect and send data to Progressive on the time of day the car is driven, hard brakes and total mileage. After 30 days, Progressive can offer you a discount of up to 30 percent.

Snapshot is now available to policyholders in 42 states and the District of Columbia. And having seen the predictive power of this data, Progressive has launched a major expansion of Snapshot. Drivers now don’t need to be a current Progressive customer to enroll in a 30-day free trial, during which they can learn whether their personal driving habits qualify them for additional savings of up to 30 percent off Progressive’s auto insurance rates. They can then compare that price to the rate they currently pay with their existing insurer. Drivers who test drive Snapshot can track their potential savings on a daily basis during their trial.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours. Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Progressive.

This looks amazing!!

Ballet Austin II Presents:

A magical show that is a visual treat for all ages. Ballet Austin II delights with a production that turns darkness into a place to laugh, sing, clap, dream, dance, and do everything imaginable – except be afraid.

Recommended for ages 2 and up. Run time: 1 hour.

Choreography by Stephen Mills
Concept & music by Joe Scruggs

Special Announcements!

Attending a 4:30pm show? Don’t miss an autograph session afterward with Joe and the dancers!

Coming another time? Joe welcomes the audience and appears on stage at every performance.

Paramount Theatre
Sep 15 – 16 | 2pm & 4:30pm

Get more information at the Ballet Austin website.

There are many reason we reach for gum. Need to freshen your breath? Want to keep hunger at bay? Need something sweet? Want to occupy the kids?

Want fresh breath confidence to go? The new Dentyne Split2Fit pack is designed for maximum portability. Simply split the pack into two sleeker, separate packs and drop one in your pocket, bag or wherever else you want. It fits almost anywhere, so you can take it everywhere.

Dentyne Split2Fit Gum is a great product for moms! Now you can carry your gum in your diaper bag and purse with out having to buy 2 packs! Are the kids always fighting over who gets to hold the gum? Now just buy one package and split the pack in to so each child get’s their own. How perfect!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I’m a BzzAgent and I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

It’s not often that I say I am in love, but I am in love! BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo is a new addition to our house and people are fighting to use it! It is amazing to watch my kids finally want to clean something! Even if it is just the floor. I am thrilled!

The BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo is simple to use and picks up almost any thing! And trust me, we have tested it on almost any thing you could imagine. The kids love trying to see what the limit is. They are happy as long as they do not have to pick up any thing with their hands.

Tip: When you buy the BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo, you can adjust the handle shorter for your little ones! And make it the perfect size for them, they will feel special. Trust me!

If you have kids in your house then at some point in time you have had LEGO’s. Check out this little video my youngest made, showing you how the BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo is great for picking up the small LEGO’s and helping with that LEGO dance we have all had to do at some point. Ouch!

BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo LEGO’s Central Texas Mom

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Owners of Austin based retailer Mockingbird Domestics, Jeff and Laura Daly, will be hosting a day of events to celebrate their bricks and mortar store front opening. The 2,500 square foot space, located on South Lamar in Austin, will be filled with a diverse collection of home furnishings, accessories and gift items made by regional artisans and craftsman. The handmade pieces collectively reflect their modern meets classic aesthetic and their support for local talent and eye for sustainability. 

On September 15^th at 12:00 pm, Mockingbird Domestics will be open to the public for a day of fun, food and furnishings. Activities will abound with local artisans performing live demos throughout the day while kids can show off their creativity making crafts. Guests can peruse the store and meet the owners and artisan members of the “Mockingbird Guild”.

To celebrate the store opening and farewell to summer, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm treats will be supplied by neighboring Lick Ice Creams and everyone will take home a special gift, courtesy of Mockingbird Domestics.  The schedule of artisan demos is listed below.

1:00 – 1:30 pm: Rug hooking with Chris and Pris

3:00 – 3:30 pm: Chalk painting with Annie Sloan Paint by Jamie Figari

4:00 – 4:30 pm: Watercolor painting with Kathleen MacElwaine

5:00 – 5:30 pm:  Pottery and clay throwing with Keith Kreeger

Mockingbird Domestics
2151 South Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
www.mockingbirddomestics.com

What if you could change the world just by buying a doll? You can, with Hearts For Hearts Girls™ dolls! Each doll is a girl that wants to make a difference in her life, community, and culture. When you buy a Hearts For Hearts Girls doll, a portion of the purchase price is donated to children’s causes in those countries.

It’s an undeniable fact that girls in many countries struggle against a lack of education, medical care, decent housing, and clean water and food. But when these basic needs are met, those girls achieve amazing things for themselves and their families. Sometimes, all they need is a little help.

The Hearts For Hearts Girls™ mission is to empower girls to become agents of change in their communities, their countries, and around the world. We want to change the world one heart at a time, and you can be a part of that dream!

It all starts with our dolls. Right now, there are six Hearts For Hearts Girls dolls: Lilian (Belarus), Rahel (Ethiopia), Nahji (India), Tipi (Laos), Consuelo (Mexico), and Dell (United States). Each of them has an important story to tell about life in her country, inspired by real girls who are strong, smart, courageous, and determined to rise above challenging circumstances.

When you buy a doll, Hearts For Hearts Girls donates part of the purchase price through our charitable partner, World Vision, to programs that support girls in that country. Whether it’s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in the US, these programs help girls to thrive and succeed.

Each Hearts For Hearts Doll also comes with a special product code. Once you enter that code and create a user name on thehearts4heartsgirls.com website, you can enjoy all of our online content and activities—for free! If you don’t own a doll or don’t want to register, you can still visit and enjoy parts of our website—but you will be missing out on some of the fun.

Hearts For Hearts Girls Party

We received a generous sized box with some amazing items for our party 🙂 

Passports for each girl to fill out where she is from and where she would like to go.

Hearts For Hearts Girls bracelets. When you buy a doll you will get a bracelet much like these!

Zelia 

Nahji