Recyclebank - Got a solution for me?

Let me take a second to tell you guys about "Recyclebank". They get the award for being the best all around program I have ever seen to help out with this non-recycling people epidemic! As you all probably know, this blog focuses a lot on doing our part to make the earth more green. As well as talks about sustainability, organics and upcycling. I'm not perfect by any means, nor do I expect you to be. But I do know that I have even tried to talk my neighbors (ahem* and my town more importantly) into it, with little success. What sucks (excuse my language, but no other word will suffice) about being here is when we lived in Groton, Connecticut I actually got introduced to Recyclebank. 

It's a neat idea.. more like coolest thing since sliced bread! It makes recycling easy for the resident. You get a blue large trash can, to place beside your regular trash can. There's no seprating required and it's even picked up on the same day as your regular trash pickup. You just put anything that they tell you can be recycled into that can. That's right! No separating glass, plastics, and bottles. Even more incentive besides having a healthy earth for our children's kids? They pay you to do it in forms of printable coupons, online coupons, and mailed coupons as well as gift cards. 

Once I remember gathering up phone books in navy housing people threw out or were placed on doorsteps of navy houses that were empty.. I put them all in my bin. Ooohhh weee! I got so many points for that. See, they weigh your can as they pick it up and points are deposited into your online account, which you then login and spend accordingly. Even better? Even though I no longer live there- I still get points for participating in their learn and earn activities. 

I have tried to call my city and talk to them about recycling. They do not even offer any curbside.. much less Recyclebank. But to no avail. They said the town hall meeting voted against it. Maybe I should go to one and present an argument. But I am not really the best debater. Maybe I should leave that to my mega intelligent friend Beth Wood. I bet she could convince a rock it was a fossil. In any case. I have lived here for two years and am highly disppointed in this community for not stepping up to the plate. If anyone has any suggestions on how to help this situation out, I am open to them.
Thanks!~
Casey Colette

PS! If just 25% of homes used a hybrid water heater, that would be like taking 360,000 cars off the road, as they cut your homes energy useage by 62%! WOW! Also, bet you didn't know that a hot water heater is the 2nd biggest energy monster in your home. (Only second to the HVAC!) It would also save you upwards of 320$ a year! You would also get a federal tax credit if installed by the end of the year! Something to chew on! PLUS.. G.E. is offering a 200$ mail in rebate from now until the end of Nov 2011. Jump on it! (The mail in rebate is printable on Recyclebank available from Sears and Lowes!)


https://twitter.com/#!/Recyclebank
https://www.facebook.com/RecycleBank

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There are people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Casey Byrd!

Smilebooks design services! Giveaway! 11/12

Try the award-winning SmileBooks photo book desktop software and professional  design service.

  It´s easy to get started and create your own SmileBook photo books.
  http://www.smilebooks.com/create-a-photo-book.php

Get your very own SmileBook! They are offering right now, on their site a free photo book! $26.95 value!

Why is Smilebooks better?


Well, I am glad you asked. They use thicker paper than the other guys do. The book is sturdier and of higher quality. Most importantly, the book is hand reviewed before it is sent out. I was lucky enough to get to try their Design Services. I usually will not review a photo book. It is so much work keeping up with myself, the kids, the blog. We can't all look pretty, and something usually has to be sacrificed. It is usually the blog, sometimes the house  or sometimes me. (Never the kids.) Needless to say, I don't have any more hours in my day to sit down and design a photo book. I wish I did have the time. 


Smilebooks is unique because you upload your photos that you like and that's it. No I mean it! That's it! They pick and choose the layout and use the theme you chose, there are quite a few of those, actually. I even uploaded about 100 pictures, and just trusted them to choose which ones fit together best. It was cool because they took the photos from the beach, and put them all in one area, with a beach background on those pages. Even better there were little nice touches, like starfish and sand dollars. Then, the pictures that were taken at the hotel of us in the same outfits all ended up on one page as well. Well, they really spanned 2 pages. It was really neat and really easy for me. 


I gotta say- I am impressed and I love the new book. Devonny is so funny though; because she sits down and flips through it, pointing at pictures of Giana, going, "Gigi! Gigi!" On every picture of her beloved big sister! It's so sweet!




 Photo books can be completely time consuming. Especially if you want it to look just right. There is the uploading, placing pictures, arranging, cropping, I know for a fact it can take 2-3 hours normally. 
Nope. Took me the 10 minutes to choose the 100 photos, and another 10 to upload. Finally, when they get it just right in a few days they will email you for approval or changes. I got the 8X11 hardcover book. $114.00 value! I saw no need for any changes, I thought it was perfect! Everyone I have showed it to really likes it as well! The picture quality is awesome because the pages are really glossy and the images are extremely crisp and clear.


Why don't I just show you a few pictures of it? ( I didn't include all of the pictures, just some)

They also gave me a coupon code exclusively for THIS blog! My readers get 30% off if they use code CASEYCSB30

PLUS - thats not all! They are generously offering one reader of Locomotion of Expressions a  11x8 Classic incl. Design Services and S&H! $114.00 value!


And it's as easy as 1, 2, 3!


1 - You just need to "like" both of these pages for one entry: 
https://www.facebook.com/LocomotionOfExpressions &  https://www.facebook.com/smilebooks.fans


2 - OR you may "Follow" both of these pages for one entry! @1caseycolette & @SmileBooks.

(you can "like" and "follow" for extra entry, do both!)




3 - Then tell me which product you most like, for another final entry.


The fine print-
Winner must be a public follow of Locomotion of Expressions via Google Friend Connect, and must either A) leave your email address in one of your comment entries on this giveaway or B) have your email address publicly listed on your public blogger profile.

This giveaway will end on 11/12 at noon eastern!

*Disclaimer* - No monetary compensation was provided to me for blogging this post. Just free product for review purposes.


Thanks Smile Books for making me smile!

Amen! My girls!

My beautiful Girls!

Seventh Generation for baby + 10 baby tips

About Seventh Generation for baby.

Hey guys, and good afternoon! As I sit here at my computer and listen to thunder, I can't help but think of being a mom and what it means to me. It means protecting your baby at all costs and always doing what is right for our families and our planet. If you are pregnant and expecting then you know how you worry about every minute detail. I want to share with you some helpful tips and facts. To help you get ready for baby!

 Did you know that diapers can be harmful to our earth and our babies? That's right! They contain chemicals in them that have been known to cause problems in our children's health and our landfills and environmental impact! In fact, I have written about it  before. Seventh Generation's products are really looking out for our children's safety and well being.

Are you an expectant mom preparing for the arrival of a new baby? Chances are you’re focused on finding safe and natural products to use in your home and for your baby.

You will be relieved to find out that Seventh Generations cleaning products are baby-safe, and they even make diapers and wipes too! Their diapers and wipes are called "Free & Clear". They make baby-care products that include diapers, wipes and baby liquid laundry detergent. Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers are free of chlorine, latex, fragrances and petroleum-based lotions and come in a range of sizes from newborn to stage 6. I have reviewed the diapers before, and they never caused a rash/irritation. They didn't use all those inks/dyes/chemicals or fancy unnecessary decorations. They didn't leak, and they certainly held a lot. Seventh Generation’s soft, cloth-like Free & Clear Baby Wipes are free of alcohol, synthetic dyes and fragrances and whitened without chemicals containing chlorine, as are their diapers. So they have a slightly off white/tan color. The diapers and the wipes do actually! But that is just a reminder that we are doing our part. The ingredient that is in other diapers and wipes that makes them white, also makes them questionable! I still remember the first time I saw Seventh Generations product was at my local health food store. The first product I tried by them was a kitchen counter spray! But they have been around for a while now, actually since 1988! But I "discovered" them in 2005. So long after, really. They are so mainstream now even Wal*Mart carries them!

Seventh Generation wants to help make your home and our planet a better place for you and your baby.


Today I also want to share with you ten tips for preparing your home for your new baby’s arrival!
1. First of all, you definitely need to get the dust out of your house. A baby's small lungs can't deal with that!

2. That would also mean: cleaning the carpet, but I recommend replacing it.

3. Stop using fragrances, candles and air fresheners.

4. Get your car ready- check to make sure your car seat is not too old. Most people do not know that car seats have an expiration date on one of the manufacturer labels that can be found on the sides or bottom of the car.

5. Start by taking all tiny toys away (for a few years actually) from the older kids.. so they don't forget and accidentally leave them lying around. This means Littlest Pet Shop and Squinkies, toy cars with tiny wheels, Barbie shoes, Bratz feet and all that fun stuff and all those fads too! 

6. Make sure you stock up on healthy cleaning products. Start by checking them out and seeing which ones are within your budget and that you like. Try a few. Definitely check out Seventh Generations line of products for the home!

She's smiling!

 7.  Even though your baby will not be walking or crawling for a while, you will be overwhelmed with taking care of her or him. Best to go ahead and baby-proof the house now. Talk to friends and family to get them to come help clean and cook before and after baby arrives. Don't overwhelm yourself. 

8. Have you switched to cleaning products made with natural ingredients? Again, seventh generation is the best! 

9. Make sure the crib is ready for baby. It has been proven that SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is linked to stuffed toys, blankets and crib bumpers and sleep positioners. But even still, it is not common knowledge. It's best to not have anything in the crib except a sheet and the baby until the baby is at least 9 months old. I'd recommend older than 1 year. It's tempting and pretty, and you might even think, "No blanket for the baby!" *gasps!* But as long as they are dressed warmly in a sleeper, they should be fine!

10. Get batteries for the nursery and extra batteries. Most crib mobiles use D batteries. They are very expensive and get ran through pretty fast. Either stock up now.. or find interactive crib toys that don't take batteries. (Believe it or not, they do still make them!)

Speaking of batteries.. when you have your baby shower, be smart. If you are already stocked like I was, have a diaper shower. I did this with both of my children (half because I didn't want to have a ton of returns and half because I was so well stocked already!) I told everyone do not bring me clothes and toys. I need diapers and wipes! With both of my children I ended up with numerous boxes of diapers (in all sizes) and didn't have to buy them for either until they were 8 months old. I'm serious. Your guests like it because it's easy and cheap. Best part is, if they are the wrong size; you can take them back to Wal-Mart when you go for your regular shopping trip. (So long as they carry that brand) They will even take them if they are torn or 1 is gone. Just tell them they are the wrong size and you need to exchange them!

Speaking of the diaper/wipe party.. I wish I had thought to change it to a diaper/wipe/battery party! Almost all kids and babies toys take batteries and replacing them is super expensive. You could ask for those for your nursery too!

I hope this helps some of you new moms!

Looking forward to our new addition as well!

About Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation is the nation’s leading brand of household and personal care products that help protect human health and the environment.  Established in 1988, the Burlington, Vermont based company remains an independent, privately-held company distributing products to natural food stores, supermarkets, mass merchants, and online retailers across the United States and Canada.

* Disclosure* I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://seventhgeneration.socialmoms.com/about)

More info on Seventh Generation: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

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