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For more information on ROI as it relates to influencer marketing, please review the latest study with Silk Ⓡ and Nielsen Catalina Solutions which proved that influencer content—the same type of content that can be found on MySparklingLife.com—is 11X more valuable to brands than traditional advertising.

Wintertime is here, and you are probably in need of activities to keep you and your children from going crazy. Here are eight ways for you to keep your children entertained during the long winter months.
1. Library
Take your children to the library. The library has thousands of books that are filled with tons of adventures and stories to keep your children happy. Let them check out a few books to read at home so they can stay busy when it is too cold for them to go outside.
2. Outdoors
Dress your children warmly and send them outside to play. Children need plenty of fresh air and physical activity, especially in the winter. Playing outside in the snow provides the perfect opportunity for your children to be active and burn off some of their excess energy! If you are not too busy, bundle yourself up and go outside to make some snow angels and snow forts together for some family fun.
3. Camps
Many local organizations and daycare centers run camps during the winter time to provide children with fun places to go while their parents are at work. Many of these organizations have enrollment requirements and may charge a nominal fee.
4. Quality Time
If you work when your children are in school, chances are you and your children are often too busy to visit any close friends and relatives. Schedule some time off work during the winter and take your children to visit some of your close friends and family that live nearby.
5. Movie Time
Find out which movies are playing at the local theater that your children may want to see and go on a family movie date. If you can’t afford to go to the theater, schedule some movie time at home. Pick out your favorite movies, grab a few pillows and snacks, and press play.
6. Field Trips
If you live in or near a large city, take your children on field trips around town to visit different attractions such as museums, art exhibits, and activity centers. Give your children a taste of what their city has to offer and help them to gain a better appreciation for where they live.
7. Arts and Crafts
Get your children’s creative juices flowing with some arts and crafts. Pick a theme and come up with different ideas that you know will keep them busy and happy, such as making snowflakes, painting using watercolor paints, such as this set from Nova Natural, sculpting, or making homemade play dough and paper mache.
8. Experiments
Children are curious by nature and absorb information faster when learning is fun. Foster their hunger for knowledge by working on experiments. The snow and cold temperatures are great for winter time experiments. Popular winter-time experiments include frozen bubbles and melting snowmen.

Didn’t have the chance to attend the World Premiere of MCFARLAND, USA at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood this past week? I have some fun pictures of the premiere to share with you!
As a surprise, the event featured a special performance by Latin rock superstar Juanes!
Based on the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream
Meet the inspiration behind the movie (minus Jim White)!
Of course the dashing Kevin Costner
Also make sure you join the social relay race for a chance to win $2,500 and other prizes!
http://racetomcfarlandusa.com/
Follow McFARLAND, USA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandusa
Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/disneypictures
McFARLAND, USA is rated PG and opens in theaters everywhere on February 20th!

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
With my first pregnancy, i was like most women, wondering why I needed a WHOLE NEW WARDROBE … your only in the clothes for ruffly 6-7 months…I only bought like one or two pairs of pants, and wore my tee’s and shirts until they got to tight, then I wore Damon’s. With each pregnancy I got more and more into the “maternity” fashion…with Chis I couldn’t get enough…I loved getting a new wardrobe! It really does matter…the right clothes can make you feel sexy, instead of a large balloon! This time I’ve found a new online boutique…Sweet Pea Maternity –
About:
SweetPea Maternity is dedicated to bringing our customers today’s cute and trendy maternity clothes at low, low prices. While most maternity clothes out in the market are boxy, boring and expensive, we pride ourselves on having a wide selection of unique maternity styles at prices mostly under $20.
By selling exclusively on the Internet, SweetPea Maternity is able to maintain very low operating costs and we pass those savings on to our customers by offering prices 15%- 30% off many of our competitors. We also change our inventory often, so our customers always have access to today’s hottest fashions and trends.
Thoughts:
I was able to try out this fabulous maxi dress…so far I love It! I try to pick things that I can wear even long after pregnancy. Since it’s summer, and with hormones during pregnancy I picked a sun dress {well and the fact that we live at the beach}…I love the soft, breathable material..which is really important! I have when you have a thick clingy material…not fun even when your hormones aren’t crazy.
I love the whole like of clothes on this site! If you know me, you know I don’t typically wear dresses…but i just couldn’t help myself, and I love it!! The only thing I was paranoid of, is i’m already a D cup and keep fixing the cups on the dress…maybe I’m just paranoid..lol…
More fab fashions from Sweet Pea Maternity You can purchase any of the Sweet Pea Maternity Items on their site!
One Lucky winner will receive a $25 Gift Card to Sweet Pea Maternity. This giveaway is open Worldwide; 18+. Winner will have 48 hours to confirm before a forfeit is assumed. Giveaway will runs July 12, 2012 @ 12:01AM – July 26, 2012 @ 11:59PM (EST).
Disclosure: I received a product(s) for review purposes only, however I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Sweet Pea Maternity has not influenced the editorial nature of this post, and No other compensation was received. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

If you don’t want a ring but do want something you can wear, you might decide to exchange different kinds of jewelry. Bracelets or necklaces are a good option but you could go for earrings or any kind of jewelry you like. If you want to lean towards tradition, incorporating a diamond could be a good option or a celtic knot might appeal more. However, since this is your marriage and your symbol, you can choose any stone or design you like!
Keep Your Vows in Your Wallet
One lovely idea is to have your vows printed on a business-card size pocketbook. You can create a cover with your wedding picture and each sign your names in the book too. This is a nice reminder of what you have promised to each other as well as a significant way to carry your love. It might sound weird but having this pocketbook on you when you are feeling down or frustrated is a good way to remind you just how much good is in your life and how loved you are. This is a good option if you like to rock a few different styles and like looking effortlessly chic.
Get Matching Tattoos
Without wishing to dwell on the worst possible scenario, getting a wedding tattoo could be regarded as a bit of a risk. However, getting tattoos that fit together or show your connection is a beautiful and permanent way to show your bond. You don’t have to get perfectly matching tattoos and many couples go for tattoos that speak to each other instead, a bow and arrow or a lock and key, for example.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I’ve owned many products from TerraCycle®, I just love that they make it easy for you to take care of the environment by offering various recycling programs & upcycled products made from everyday wrappers. Entenmann’s Little Bites® has been a partner with the company for years now. With their recycling program, you can turn in used wrappers from Little Bites® packages and earn money for your school!
In celebration of Earth Day, from now through April 30, 2018, TerraCycle®, an international recycling company, and Entenmann’s Little Bites® are asking fans to make the pledge and recycle Entenmann’s Little Bites® pouches to be placed in the running to win a Classroom Party for a K-12 school. It’s easy to participate: make the pledge, send in the recyclables and earn more rewards.
Pledge: your pledge qualifies you for the contest
First Shipment: your first shipment earns 500 bonus points
Second Shipment: your second shipment earns 1,000 bonus points
TerraCycle Sweepstakes: K-12 schools-only have the chance to win a Classroom Party as long as they pledge. The classroom party will include five (5) cases of Entenmann’s® Little Bites® and 100 upcycled pencil cases. Please see more details and official rules here: http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/contests/little-bites-pledge
Each Entenmann’s® Little Bites® pouch is perfectly portioned and a good source of calcium and vitamin D, + they never contain high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat. They are delicious baked snacks, perfect for today’s on-the-go families. From year-round favorites like Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Muffin to seasonal varieties, Little Bites® are baked soft and moist, made with real ingredients.