Living away from both of our families, I tend to send a lot of Christmas cards out.  Addressing the envelopes is not my favorite part ☺.  

I have fairly large handwriting and trying to get the return address to look nice in the left hand corner is a chore.  I know, I know I could use the abundance of free labels I get from all of the charities that solicit donations from me, but generally I don't like the pictures on those.  I could make my own I suppose, but I'm too lazy.

I have always wanted a self inking stamp for my return address, and recently got one from Overnight Prints.  This has to be the handiest way to get your return address on multiple pieces of mail quickly.
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When preparing homeschool lessons, I often use index cards. We use them for study helps, research, recipes, how-to's, just to name a few ways.

So when I was approached to review Tunza Cards re-usable index cards, I was curious to learn about them.


I received some Tunza Cards to sample. They come 25 cards to a pack and are white with a glossy finish.

Oh yes I said they're re-usable. With permanent markers. Like Sharpies.

Let me tell you. They are fantastic!


I tried them out using 2 different colored Sharpies. A navy blue one and a silver one . I made a simple math flash card out of it. After writing my "5 x 5 = ?" on the card (which was smooth and perfect to write on), I waited the 20 seconds suggested and rubbed it with my fingers. It didn't smudge, not a bit. No smears at all!


And as I love all things re-usable (because I'm thrifty like that) I proceeded to get my rubbing alcohol to wipe it off. DOH! Wouldn't you know I have no rubbing alcohol in my home. Since I am as impatient as I am thrifty, I could not wait to go out to get some to finish this review, I needed to see if these cards really came clean. NOW. I figured if I experimented with one card and failed I could at least tell you what NOT to use on them.


I proceeded to search on the internet on how to get Sharpie stains removed and besides rubbing alcohol, acetone was mentioned. Oh yeah. I had some nail polish remover in my bathroom (which in itself is quite funny because I don't wear nail polish!). In any case a quick pump on a couple of sheets of toilet paper, a swipe across my Tunza Card and voila, as good as new, clean to write something else on it. Tunza Cards instructions do suggest rubbing alcohol but in a pinch...

Tunza Cards were created by a mother of three, is family owned and operated and they are made in the USA. They are very durable and you will be able to get lots of uses from them and for $5.99 for a package of 25, they're a deal too.

I highly recommend these index cards to anyone who uses them on a regular basis, as well as for families that need to make flash cards or how to's for their kids.

For more information about Tunza Cards check InventHelpStore.com out.

You have a chance to win a pack of 25 Tunza Cards. How neat is that?

To enter visit InventHelpStore and comment with how you would use your Tunza Cards if you won.

For extra entries you can: (the item above must be done first before extra entries can be submitted, please leave a separate comment for each you are eligible for)

1. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveway (this can be once per day, please leave the direct link to your tweet in the comments).
2. Follow my blog publicly.
3. Subscribe to my feed via e-mail or reader.
4. Blog about this giveaway linking back to my blog.
5. Add my button to your blog.

This giveaway will end on September 13, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst and open to U.S. & Canadian Residents ages 18+. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you are stating that you have read my **About Reviews statement at the bottom of this page and my Privacy/Rules declaration and agree to them. Read the full story

We all like to try and save money where we can and back to school shopping can get dreadfully expensive if we let it. Running around from one store to another to get the best deals can be exhausting.

There's one place that you can go though, to get all you need, at reasonable prices and in the styles your kids want. Office Max.

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Office Max Back To School Webcast yesterday, starring Peter Walsh, blogging mom Anna, teacher Heather along with a couple of students, live from a school in Chicago. I'm sure if you were on Twitter yesterday afternoon, you were made aware of it!

I know a lot of you wouldn't go to an office supply store for school supplies because of a number of perceptions:

1. I can't find everything at an office supply store that is on the back to school list.

* Well, I honestly can't tell you that you'll find the athletic shoes there, but I'm pretty sure that the other 99% of the items you can. From pencils to backpacks, Office Max is sure to have what you need.

2. Office supply stores don't have reasonable prices.

* I so want you to check out the weekly circulars in your paper this weekend. Have you seen the fabulous 1¢ sales Office Max has? You can literally get supplies you need for pennies!

3. Office supply stores only carry boring, bland, basic supplies. My kids want the latest styles.

* Office Max's Schoolio Von Hoolio line has some of the hippest, trendiest supplies out there this year. Hibiscus flowers in pink, yellow and orange tones. Cupcakes and owls on composition books and memo pads. According to my 13 year old, cupcakes are awesome sauce. You heard it here folks! Check out this poly expanding file folder and clipboard from the line.


Your kids may have trouble picking out what they want, and you may want to grab a file folder or two for yourself! (That owl is just too cute isn't he?)

One of the most important things to do when planning for Back to School though is starting routines right away. Whether your children are in Kindergarten or are Seniors, homeschooled or attend public/private school, make sure they have designated spots for where school work and supplies belong at home. And that they are organized. Peter Walsh, who has so had to literally dig through people's clutter, shared in the webcast that when clutter becomes overwhelming then it's hard to get out from under it. This brings about stress and of course then your children's education starts to suffer too.

If you are a homeschool parent or teacher make sure you stop in at Office Max on August 9th, as they are offering educators a 15% discount that day.

If you would like to view a recorded version of the webcast with Peter Walsh and get ideas to get organized for Back to School, visit http://www.officemaxsolutions.com/btsblogcast/. (You will need to have or download Silverlight to view it.) I'm almost certain you will come out at least with one idea to get your Back to School plans rolling ☺.

I received samples of the Schoolio Von Hoolio line courtesy of Office Max, prior to writing this blog post.


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It is always great to support a shop that believes in eco-friendly products that are made in fair environments.

Stubby Pencil Studio is one of those shops. I can't help but talk about this shop frequently on my blog.

A number of months ago I entered a contest on a blog, (and like now) shared the link in order to get myself a few extra entries. The owner of Stubby Pencil Studios in return sent me a great package of pencils to try out and a few cards.

We loved them. Genius has already gone through a Monkey Pencil and has made a stubby pencil out of a Watermelon Smencil. (I loved sharpening it for her, when I was done I smell my fingers...so good!) She is currently trying to decide which pencil/smencil she would like to use next.

Sage & Savvy stumbled upon The Stubby Pencil Studio as well, and Kate the owner graciously offered to provide goodies for yet another giveaway. It is a great shop to go and visit, so check out the blog to try and win some goodies, and visit Stubby Pencil Studio, I guarantee you will find something you like there! Read the full story

It is always great to support a shop that believes in eco-friendly products that are made in fair environments.

Stubby Pencil Studio is one of those shops. I can't help but talk about this shop frequently on my blog.

A number of months ago I entered a contest on a blog, (and like now) shared the link in order to get myself a few extra entries. The owner of Stubby Pencil Studios in return sent me a great package of pencils to try out and a few cards.

We loved them. Genius has already gone through a Monkey Pencil and is working her way through a Watermelon Smencil right now. (I love sharpening it for her, when I'm done I smell my fingers...so good!)

The Write Gal stumbled upon The Stubby Pencil Studio as well, and Kate the owner graciously offered to provide goodies for yet another giveaway. It is a great shop to go and visit, so check out the blog to try and win some goodies, and visit Stubby Pencil Studio, I guarantee you will find something you like there!
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I have a review up for The Old Schoolhouse Planner at The Homeschool Classroom. This is the blog where I contribute weekly to. My posts usually go up on Tuesdays - however I wrote a special post, to review this product -- there will be another one going up this week where I am reviewing The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Digital Edition. Read the full story

We've just finished up Medieval times in our social studies curriculum, and have proceeded on to the Renaissance. Genius loves art. Anything to do with it in fact. Drawing is her favorite. She likes to write also. In order to make her writing and drawing more fun, I am always looking to find unique stationary products to encourage her imagination. Enter in Stubby Pencil Studio. Kate has great products that are eco-friendly and lots of fun. If you check out my posts here, here and here, (I've blogged about her a lot!) -- you can see how happy we are with the things she sent us. I actually can't wait until we need more so supplies so we can order our favorite things. Livin' With Me blog is teaming up with Kate for a fun giveaway. Head on over to her blog, maybe you will be the winner!
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The homeschooling is going pretty well so far (we're just three days in mind you!). We had a little hiccup today, but considering we're new to all this, that's to be expected. I think I have higher expectations of Genius than what was expected of her in public school, so there is a learning curve for her there, in the quality of work that Mom the Teacher will accept!

However the first thing I asked Genius the other day when we started was "What kind of pencil do you want to use?" Her reply? "A funky one". Everything needs to be "funky" these days. (We went to the eye doctor on Wednesday and she got new glasses. "Funky" ones of course). Well a funky pencil she received. I gave her one of the pencils that Kate from the Stubby Pencil Studio sent to me, a couple of months ago, for blogging about her shop. Genius is now using a Monkey Pencil that Kate sent to us, along with a bunch of other goodies! She has already used the cute elephant cards shown here, to send a thank you to friends for a birthday gift, and plans to use another for a birthday present that will be given out this weekend.

I encourage you to check out the Stubby Pencil Studio, who is sponsoring a giveaway at Green & Clean Mom. Both sites are worth visiting and supporting for the future of our children both their imaginations and for their eco-system.
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Generally I tell Genius to be unique. But on this one I'm telling all of you to join the crowd. Get over to the Stubby Pencil Studio, I guarantee it will make you smile. As you look around, you will find so many things that you will want to buy for your children. The variety is wonderful. While we are past the stage of birthday parties in this house, I can't help but think so many things on this site, would be great for party favors to round out those loot bags. Stubby Pencil Studio is so pleasing to the eye -- that it has become bookmarked in my browser -- just so I can live out my inner child and decide in advance what to order when I need something. The owner Kate will go up and beyond as you can read here...where I have previously blogged about Stubby Pencil. After you check out her shop, head over to Props and Pans to enter a giveaway that is sponsored by them, trust me you won't be disappointed if you happen to win. Read the full story