The Perfect Gift for the Sophisticated Man

Ladies, if the sophisticated man in your life has a birthday or anniversary coming up. Or, if you want to shop early for the holidays, this is the deal for you!!! Shnoop has this Wittnauer by Bulova Men's Beckett Stainless Steel Dress Watch as the deal of the day. The retail price of this sassy and stylish watch is $399. You may be wondering why I chose to highlight this as a deal. Well, just you wait to find out what the 24 hour price is. The "Deal a Day" price is....... $69.95! Yes, you read that right, this watch is marked down for 24 hours from $399 to $69.95 - an amazing savings of $329.05!!! So, sophisticatedly green moms, save some green while spoiling your man with a stylish and sophisticated watch!

Extra 20% off Philosophy Products Today

I LOVE Philosophy products and I know many sophisticatedly green moms who are also fans of their wonderful lotions, make-up, and bath & body products!  They make the perfect gift for the bride-to-be or for the expectant mother... or just a special pampering indulgence for a sophisticatedly green mom.  Today, Philosophy is offering an extra 20% off if you use the code: 2nj8249.  As a savings bonus, if you spend $50 you will get FREE shipping!!  So, sophisticatedly green moms, pamper yourself with a bubble bath of Unconditional Love, Grace, or Purity and enjoy the fact you saved an extra 20%!

Fleurville 33% Off Sale!

Many sophisticatedly green moms are fans of Fleurville diaper bags, yoga bags, lunch totes, bottle holders, highchairs, and more.  Fleurville is offering an extra 33% off until September 3rd, just use the code "33celebration" at checkout.  Fleurville focuses on integrating a modern, functional design with environmental qualities.  They are one of the first PVC-free companies and they use alot of recycled materials in their products.  Sophisticatedly green moms can look stylish, be organized, and feel good about supporting a green company when they carry a Fleurville bag or product.  Checkout their sale section for extra savings like this adorable, easy to carry Escape Pod.

This bag is great for a short trip out to the store or gym.  It fits a wipe case, a few diapers, and changing pad perfectly!  Plus, it comes with a mirror, changing cloth, zippered pocket, see-thru wipe case, and key clip!  The Escape Pod normally retails for the low price of $54, now it is on sale for $34 AND, with the code, you can get another 33% off!!!  Fleurville, also, offers Free shipping for orders of $99. Wow!  This is the perfect sale for the sophisticatedly green mom!!

It's Time, Again!!

It is time, again, for the Restaurant.com $25 gift certificate for $2 sale!  Just use the code " TASTE "  when checking out.  Stock up and take your husband out for a couple of dinners.... this will save you the clean up:)  Enjoy!!!

2 Exciting Announcements!!!

I am happy to anounce the winner of the Custom Two Tier Towel or Diaper cake!  The lucky sophisticatedly green mom is, Carla Licon!!!  Congratulations, Carla!  Thank you, Moms, for making this such a successful giveaway.  Stay tuned for the next SGM giveaway and if you or any mom-preneur you know would like to involve their company in a SGM giveaway, just email: sophisticatedlygreenmom@gmail.com.  We love to support and highlight Sophisticatedly Green Mom-preneurs!!

The second exciting announcement is that we have reached over 3,000 viewers in 4 short weeks!!!  Thank you, everyone, for your support and involvement.  I look forward to growing our Sophisticatedly Green Mom community!

Origins Recycling Program

Origins make-up is offering a new program that seems to be designed specifically for the sophisticatedly green mom!  They are the first in the make-up industry to offer such a green program and I am excited to support it.  The Recycling program encourages consumers to bring in all of their empty cosmetic jars, packages, tubes, etc. - regardless of their brand - to any Origins counter.  As a thank you, Origins will treat you to a FREE  sample of your choice.  The hope is that Origins will  reduce the amount of waste in landfills (cosmetic packaging takes up approximately 1/3 of all landfill waste!) by sending your empty containers to a central location where they will be recycled or used for energy recovery. 

Before you head over to your nearest Origins, call to make an appointment for a FREE mini-facial.  Origins offers mini-facials everyday with a call ahead appointment.  You can choose your perfect facial from their extensive menu.  Some of the options are: Age Preventing, Hydrating, Firming, Redness Reducing, or Brightening.  Origins supports and offers products and services perfect for the sophisticatedly green mom!  So, relax, recycle, and pamper yourself with a trip to your nearest Origins counter or store!   

The Perfect Sophisticatedly Green Bottle

Hurry, hurry, hurry, Moms!!!  This is a phenomenal deal for an expecting or new mom!  A pack of 3 Adiri Natural Nursers are the perfect bottle for the breastfeeding mom who needs to wean to a bottle or supplement with a bottle.  This bottle is as close to the mother's breast in feel and shape as possible.  PLUS, it has the "Fill, twist, and feed" system that makes it so easy for a mom to multi-task and fix a bottle easily with one hand... and it is dishwasher safe.  AND, to top it off, this bottle is phthalate-free and BPA-free!!!  Truly the perfect bottle for the sophisticatedly green mom!  Hurry, this sale ends tonight (sorry for the late post!)... go to http://www.shnoop.com/, and order your three bottles for the very "green-friendly" price of $9.99... these bottles usually retail for $37.50!!  That is a savings of $27.51!!!!  Hurry, hurry, hurry and buy, buy, buy, Moms!

BRU & TRU "Great Trade-in" Event

Sophisticatedly green moms, listen up!  Babies "Us" and Toys "R" Us are running the perfect "green" EVENT for expectant moms or for any mom who is done having kids and wants to save on baby shower gifts. 

From August 28th - September 20th, Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us are encouraging parents to bring in their used baby items (i.e. strollers, carseats, highchairs, cribs, travel systems, bassinets, pack n plays, etc...) in exchange for a 20% off coupon for each item.  The coupon can be used to purchase any new baby item of your choice.  So, if you are pregnant with your third child and some of your baby items are worn out or if you are just the mom who always wants the newest for their baby, this is the event for you!  Recycle with a reward of saving.... truly the perfect promotion for the sophisticatedly green mom!

Babies R Us Coupon

I am always looking for BRU coupons.  Whether it is for a baby shower gift or just a new necessity for my son, we are always going to BRU!  So, ladies, lookie here.... a $5 off of a $25 purchase COUPON, good through August 31st!  Happy saving!

Green Diaper Rash Cream??

I dread searching the aisle of diaper rash creams! It is filled with so many options, I really do not know which is safest, most effective, smells the best, etc... So, I found this site to help with the confusion - SafeMama . This site was started by a Sophisticatedly Green mom who was always researching safer options for her little boy. She decided to use her experience and expertise as an author to create a site dedicated to compiling reviews, recalls, and overall information for safer options for your little one. This site gives green moms a cheat sheet to use when buying bug repellent, sunscreen, wipes, bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, teethers and more!!! What a fabulous site to bookmark for the sophisticatedly green mom!

Freebie

We all enjoy freebies and this one is for the sophisticatedly green mom. Every mom deserves some pampering and Victoria's Secret is offering that. They are offing a free sample of their Pink lotion, just bring in this Coupon.

Earth's Best Coupons

My husband never believes me that there are organic coupons out there. Well, Earth'sBest has proven him wrong. They,now, have some great deals on their website. One of my very best friends always searched for organic formula coupons with no luck. Well, I am happy to say, that Earth's Best is now offering $5 off a canister of formula! And, the savings don't end there.... they are offering $1 off their soothing chlorine free wipes and a $1 off two Sesame Street snacks. So, enjoy the saving and save, save, save, Sophisticatedly Green Moms!

Huge Gap Sale!

Wow! This has been the week for sales and it is not over, yet! Gap is running a 4 day Fall Preview event this weekend. During the four days, you can save an additional 20% off of your purchase by using the code "FALL". This sale includes maternity clothing! So, expectant moms, stock up! I LOVED Gap's maternity clothing when I was pregnant! You can get this adorable tank for $5.99 + the additional 20% off, so why not buy it in every color?!

Or, these comfortable and sophisticated cuffed capris for $16.99 + the extra 20% off!

So, get shopping, sophisticatedly green moms, and save, save, save!

Speaking of Gymboree....

It's that time, again... Gymboree's Circle of Friends sale! Go to Gymboree's website and sign up for their email list to get the 30% off coupon to use in stores. Or, if you want to shop from home (it can be a lot easier with a little one!), use the code "GYMCLUB" when you checkout. Hurry, the sale ends this Sunday, August 23rd! What a great way to stock up on adorable clothes for your sophisticated little one and save at the same time!

FREE Udder Cover!!

Many sophisticatedly green moms choose to breastfeed their little one. Udder covers make breastfeeding a little more comfortable in public. And for a limited time, UdderCovers is offer FREE covers, you just pay the shipping! The promotion code is: "backorder1"


They have sent out an email stating: Go to www.uddercovers.com , click on "Shop Now" where it will then display all the nursing covers we offer as well as other products and sets. Select the product you would like and you will automatically be directed to the center of the page where you can enter in the promo code! This backorder promotion will give you a $32.00 discount off your total order no matter what you put in your cart! This promotion code is valid once per transaction so order as many times as you would like.

This is the perfect deal for the sophisticatedly green mom! Enjoy!

Savings at Crazy Eight!

I know so many sophisticated moms love shopping at Gymboree. What many sophisticatedly green moms know, is that they have a less expensive, sister store, Crazy8. Sooooo.... moms, I have a coupon to share with you! This Coupon is for 25% off your entire order from August 20th-23rd!!! Crazy8 offers classic and contemporary baby and children's clothing for prices under $20! And.... considering the time of year, they, also, offer Halloween costumes under $25! To save a little more (since we are sophisticatedly green moms!), sign up for their email list and save an extra $10! Get shopping for fall ladies and save, save, save!

Giveaway: Custom Two Tier Diaper or Towel Cake

Every new mom needs lots of towels, wash cloths, burp cloths, and diapers to keep their little bundle of joy clean and happy! A fellow sophisticated mom has started her own business, HappyTiers. She makes custom towel and diaper cakes for any occasion. They are the perfect gift for the expectant mother or for the bride-to-be. She, also, offers other creative products for the special event in a friend or family member's life.

HappyTiers is generously offering a 15% discount to all Sophisticatedly Green Moms (mention SGM in your order) AND a free two tier, custom towel or diaper cake to the winner of the Sophsticatedly Green Mom Giveaway! Thank you, Happy Tiers! To enter the giveaway, you have up to three chances.

First, leave a comment or email sophisticatedlygreenmom@gmail.com with your first and last name. For a second entry, visit HappyTiers and email sophisticatedlygreenmom@gmail with your first and last name AND the theme you would want for your cake if you win. This can be a theme already listed on HappyTiers or one that would best fit your event. You can really make your chance of winning great by entering a third time by joining the Facebook group, Sophisticatedly Green .

The contest will end on August 28th and the winner will be announced on August 29th. Good luck Sophisticatedly Green Moms and support a fellow mom in her new, creative business!

Saleday

I think we should call today "Saleday" rather than Tuesday because I keep coming across more and more great deals! On Hautelook, today, they are offering Dr. Perricone's face and body products for up to 75% off! That means, you can order the Anti-Aging Body Duo (a lotion that firms and tones and an anti-aging, non-chemical sunscreen) that normally retails for $100, for $30!!!

Or, the Nutrient Fortifier that prevents wrinkles while hydrating and nourishing the skin to help it look radiant and glowing. This normally retails for $95; but you can order it today for $25... 74% off! Finally, don't forget the favorite man in your life. You can get him the Men's Kit including After Shave, Shave Cream and Anti-Aging lotion for $37..... it is normally sold for $148!!

Dr. Perricone is considered the Father of the Inflammation Theory of Aging, he is the author of three #1 NY Times Best Sellers, and his theory and products are perfect for the sophisticatedly green mom because he takes a holistic approach to aging. If you want to learn more about Dr. Perricone, you can visit his site: Click. These prices are the perfect way to keep the green in your wallet, while taking a green approach to your skin care!

Another opportunity to save some green today is by visiting JCrew's website to shop their final sale. JCrew has all of their summer clothing and shoes deeply discounted. Some items to stock up on are their shorts, capris, shirts, and bathing suites - many marked down to $20!! And, who can resist the adorable styles at Crewcuts for your little one?! P.S. all Crewcut orders ship for FREE! If you really want to stock up for next summer, JCrew is offering 20% off and Free Shipping for all orders of $150 or more. Just use the code EXTRA20 at checkout.

Happy Shopping!

Time for Shopping!

It is that time of year, again. Time to start shopping for Fall clothes for your little one.... where did the summer go??? I have started noticing great sales for "back to school" clothing. One such sale is the Gymboree "Circle of Friends" 30% off sale starting this Thursday. 10% off - Wow!!! Just enter the code GYMFAMILY when you checkout online between August 20th-23rd. What a great deal for the sophisticatedly green family!! Enjoy and happy shopping!

The Catalogue Got Me Thinking....

Last week, I received the new 2009 Ikea catalogue in the mail. I have only shopped at Ikea a handful of times; but this year's catalogue caught my eye with their stylish products and very green friendly prices! So, it got me thinking.... This is the perfect store for the sophisticatedly green mom! Upon reading the catalogue, I learned that, "IKEA works to ensure that products and materials are adapted to minimise any negative impact on the environment, and are safe for customers from a health perspective. As part of our business idea, we insist on keeping costs low and always try to use resources wisely when designing our products." Wow! Who knew?? And, to top it off, if you or your little one feels that rumbly in the tumbly after a long day of shopping, Ikea consistently offers low priced, organic meals on their menu. How perfect is that?! So, for a very budget friendly and green option for your home and family, check out Ikea's furniture, cabinetry, toy, and decorative options!

Get Your Little Princess Beach Ready!

I love the site Hautelook.com! The sophicatedly green mom can usually find a great deal here and today is no exception. They are having a sale on Ola Lola bathing suits and beachwear for little girls. I have to say, their designs are beyond adorable! They make you think back to carefree days at the beach or by the pool when you were young. So, go on and check out this picture perfect beachwear designer and save some major green (up to 55%!).

A Delicious Mom Creation

Ok, sophisticated moms, how fun is play cooking with your little one?? I know my son loves "cooking" and "feeding" his lambie and our dog:) Well, here is a wonderful creation from a sophisticatedly green mom - felt food! It truly looks real.... and makes me hungry just looking at it! TimeToPlay is a creative, inexpensive option for some fun "food" to add to your little one's play kitchen. And, to add to the appeal, this fellow mom is offering sophisticatedly green moms a 10% discount! Just one look at her chocolate covered strawberries or yummy looking felt cookies will make you want to add them to your child's tea party! I know you will all love her talent and products as much as I do:)

Savings for the Champps

As you can probably tell, I LOVE food! So, when I saw this coupon for $10 off of $25 at Champps, I had to share it with you. This offer is good through August 30th, so hurry in and take advantage of this great savings.... it is perfect for the sophisticatedly green mom and her family! http://champpsamericana.fbmta.com/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=23622327170&storecode=7512

Free Barnes and Noble Gift Card

Attention all readers! Here is the perfect deal for the sophisticatedly green mom. For every $15 worth of Hain Celestial product receipts, you will receive a $5 Barnes and Noble gift card. If you purchase $25 worth of products, you will receive a $10 gift card. I took advantage of this promotion last year and I ended up with $15 worth of B&N gift cards. It was so easy to do and very rewarding! Just go to Hain Celestial's site for all of the details: http://www.takeahealthybite.com/.

Announcing the Winner!

Well, ladies, thank you for making the first Sophisticatedly Green Mom giveaway such a success! I am excited to announce the winner of the giveaway is............ Serena Hazlet!!!! She highly recommends the Mean Green All-Purpose cleaner - I cannot wait to try it! Thank you, again, ladies!

Pillowcase Dresses for Less

Ladies, I have to tell you about these adorable pillowcase dresses I came across. Check out Maddy Moo Designs for that perfect little dress for your perfect princess (MaddyMooDesigns). The unique designer and crafter of this dress is a fellow mom who found that pillowcase dresses really are adorable and practical for any little girl. Mention that you are a sophisticatedly green mom and receive 10% off your order!!! Take advantage of the savings and support a fellow mom today! Happy shopping!

Reminder: Giveaway

Sophisticated Green Moms, I wanted to remind you that there is only 2 hours left until the first SGM giveaway ends! Just email sophisticatedlygreenmom@gmail.com with your name and your favorite "green" product to enter. Good luck!!!

Go Bananas!

All of you Banana Republic fans, listen up! Today only, from 5-11:59pm, BR is offering an extra 25% off of all $100 purchases! Just use the code: FALLBR at checkout. So, go bananas and get yourself some sassy, new clothes - you deserve it!

Mmmmm..... Maggiano's!

Maggiano's is a treat anytime; but, boy oh boy, is it a real treat right now. They are running a delicious special right now, where if you order one of the Chef's Favorite Pasta or Baked specialties, Maggiano's will give you another of the pasta or baked specialties for you to take home for FREE. Yes, that does mean you can take TWO nights off from cooking and cleaning up dinner! Make your reservation now, sophisticated moms and enjoy someone else cooking for you!

Gift Cards for Less

Who doesn't love receiving a gift card to one of their favorite stores?? It is like being handed a fun shopping spree! Well, if you visit http://www.plasticjungle.com/, you can purchase gift cards to your favorite stores for less than their face value. For example, if you like shopping at Talbots, you can purchase a $70 gift card for $41!! Or, a $210 Janie and Jack gift card for $145... that is a 30% savings! If you receive a gift card that you will never use, you can go to Plastic Jungle to sell or trade your card for money or a card you will use. Talk about saving and recycling! Another good gift card website is: www.citydeals.com .This is the perfect site for the sophisticatedly green mom!

Giveaway Perfect for a Sophisticated Mom!

Ladies, I came across this great blog the other day and thought the giveaway would be beyond perfect for all of you sophisticated moms! It is a summer survival kit and it is easy to enter! Just visit this teacher and photographer's blog (perfect for any teacher to read daily!) and leave your name in the "Comments" section. Good luck! How fun would it be if a Sophisticatedly Green Mom wins?? Here is the link and Good luck! http://classroomconfessions.wordpress.com/giveaways/

More Savings

Here is a great sale ideal for sophisticatedly green moms. This week, Kiehls.com is offering FREE Shipping AND a FREE Lip Gloss for all orders of $30 or more. I don't know about you; but Kiehls' products are some of my all time favorites; especially the lip balm! So, if you are going to need new face wash, lotion, body wash, or any of the many great products Kiehl's offers, order it today to take advantage of this amazing sale!

Restaurant Savings

I have written about Restaurant.com, previously; but, moms, I HAD to update you on the special they are running right now! Through August 13th, Restaurant.com is offering $25 gift certificates to your favorite local restaurants for.....$2!! You cannot beat that! Just enter the code PORTION at checkout. Most participating restaurants require that your bill is a minimum of $35; but always check the small print before purchasing the gift certificate - it is still amazing savings! So, go on http://www.restaurant.com/ , now, purchase a $25 gift certificate for $2 to your husband's favorite restaurant and surprise him with an inexpensive date night this weekend!

Go Green while Eating Out

Ok, moms, I know it is not reasonable to think every time we go out to eat, it can be at a "green" restaurant. But, wouldn't it be nice to have the option of eating at a restaurant that offers organic?? I am always so excited when I go to a restaurant and I find out they use organic products! I try to remember the restaurant for future reference; but, sheesh, between remembering my son's favorite hiding spots for my keys or cell phone and remembering when we have a doctor or dentist appointment, there is not much room left for restaurant info in my overly cluttered mommy brain! So, when I found this website, I was so ecstatic and had to share! The website is Eat Well Guide (http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home). On this site, you can search for local organic farmer's markets, restaurants, groups, and more! What a fantastic resource for the sophisticatedly green mom!

Green Mom Giveaway!

I thought I would combine some green mom favorites in a fun giveaway! What green mom doesn't love her stylishly green reusable grocery bag?! So, Sophisticatedly Green Mom is doing a giveaway of a brand new, reusable and insulated grocery bag. Just email your name and your favorite organic product (ex. Jayne Shea: Amy's Frozen Margharita Pizza) to sophisticatedlygreenmom@gmail.com . The contest will be open until 8pm EST August 13th. On August 14th, check back for the winner to be announced! Good luck and I will compile a list of the all of the sophisticatedly green mom's favorite products, so we can all learn about them!

More on the WAH Job Search

Wow! The WAH job search seems to be a hot topic, so I thought I would do a follow-up. I know, I know, inquiring minds what to know! Where can you find a legitimate job opportunity? What type of pay can you expect? How do you know if the company is legitimate? These are all questions that frequent the wah job seeker's mind. Well, tonight, I am happy to say I have another option to share with you. Are you ready?? Ok, then!



Shhh... don't let this secret out, but, many (and I mean MANY) wah people write. Nothing fancy, nothing special, they just fulfill the requests of many inquiring internet searchers' minds. How do they do this? Here is a website that lists 50 places that hire freelance writers: http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/07/50-places-that-hire-freelance-writers/ .



So, ladies, get out your laptops and start writing! Good luck and share your successful wah stories with us by emailing: sophisticatedlygreenmom@gmail.com !

Product Rave

As a sophisticatedly green mom, I care about what chemicals and toxins my child is exposed to (maybe too much!). So, when it came to finding outside skincare for my son, I searched and searched. Finally, I ended up purchasing Dr. Mercola's Bug off and Dr. Mercola's Natural Sunscreen with Green Tea. the Bug Off is a natural bug spray that is safe for children and pets. It is chemical-free, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, so the green mom can feel good about supporting this product!


The sunscreen is also made for sophisticatedly green moms and their kids! It is SPF 30, water resistant, eco-friendly and biodegradable! Apparently, the recipe for this sunscreen is straight from the locals in Acapulco. The other bonus is that both products smell great! You can find them both on Dr. Mercola's site: http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/. Scroll all of the way to the bottom... there is a LOT of info on the rest of the page. And, no worries.... the price is green friendly, too!

Organic Comparison Shopping

I decided to comparison shop during my last food shopping outing. Luckily, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are directly across the street from one another in my area, so it didn't take much to shop both. I thought some of my findings would help others who want to get the most green for their green!

I did not find much in Trader's Joe's produce department. They don't seem to offer as wide of a selection as Whole Foods; but I did purchase a few items. Before shopping, I had perused Whole Foods online circular, so I knew watermelons were on sale for $3.99. When I arrived at Trader Joe's, I saw watermelons for $3.59. Hey, a savings of $.40 is better than nothing! The other item I compared was bananas. This is a hard thing to compare because Whole Food's offers bananas for $.59/lb and Trader Joe's sells them for $.29/each banana. So, I think you would find better savings buying the banana's for $.59/lb from Whole Foods.

I don't know about you; but I feel like I am constantly purchasing Olive Oil and it is not cheap! But, you can find a $2 savings on Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Trader Joe's. If you purchase the store brand at Whole Food's, it is $8.99; whereas at Trader Joe's the store brand is $5.99. Pretty good!

One place I did see significant savings at Trader Joe's was in the fish section. The difference is you are purchasing flash frozen fish as opposed to fish from the fish counter. However, the savings are wonderful! I was able to get a pound of Coho Salmon fillets for $7; as opposed to the $9.99 it is on sale for at Whole Foods. Wow! Almost $3 in savings! I, also, bought a pound of Alaskan Dover Sole for $4.50. Now, that is a reasonable price to pay to feed your sophisticatedly green family!

Overall, I would recommend going to Trader Joe's for fish, dips (hummus is $1.99 at TJ and $3.99 at WF) and sauces, canned, jarred, and packaged items. For the most part, they were less expensive than Whole Foods. If you are looking for fresh meat, produce, bread, or dairy items, Whole Foods is the place to go!

And, I recommend both stores for their customer service! Every time I walk into either store, I feel like I am walking into a small town, family owned market. It makes shopping such an enjoyable experience!

I hope this comparison helps you and your family live sophisticatedly green!

The Greatest Green Mom Marinade

Green moms, this a fact you must know for marinating. Food scientists have found that marinating meat in beer can reduce the formation of cancer-causing compounds during cooking by as much as 88%! Wow! That is huge! So, I tried out this fact tonight with an adapted recipe originating from O Magazine.

1 London Broil (or any meat)
Kosher salt and pepper
3T Olive oil
1 (12 oz) bottle or can of flat beer
1/4 cup of lime juice
1 Medium onion, finely chopped
4 Cloves of garlic, minced
2t. Red pepper flakes
1/4C Chopped fresh parsley

Season meat with salt and pepper on both sides generously. Place in a glass baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Turn meat to insure both sides are fully covered.

Combine beer, lime juice, onion, garlic, pepper flakes, and parsley. Mix and pour over meat as a marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2-6 hours.


Grill meat to desired taste. Enjoy!

Tutoring from Home

If you are looking to work from home part-time and have flexible hours, look into tutoring. Now is the time of year to establish yourself with a reputable online company. Two of the companies I mentioned previously are http://www.brainfuse.com/ and http://www.tutor.com/ . Both of these companies are legit and offer a variety of subjects, grade levels, standardized testing, and interview/resume assistance, so you are likely to find a few topics that fit your repertoire.

The first step to becoming an online tutor is simple - apply:) Once you have been accepted as a possible tutor, set aside time to take as many of the exams as you can. This will give you more options and more hours once you get started.

One of the keys to online tutoring is, not necessarily knowing the answers; but being able to find them quickly and easily. Being a good researcher is key! This will enable you to teach the students to find their own answers as you guide them through different articles. So, do not fret if you don't remember why World War I began - you are not expected to be Encyclopedia Britannica! But, if you can find an article on the reasons quickly, you are one step closer to being a good online tutor.

Becoming a popular online tutor (one requested by the students) takes time and good judgement. The time you spend watching your inbox to jump on open hours is consuming; but once you have a set schedule you are happy with, that time will pay off and you can focus solely on your permanent students. As far as good judgment, this can be a tricky line to walk. Students enjoy talking and getting a tutor's background or insight into personal issues. A good online tutor can quickly and smoothly re-direct the student back to the work at hand. Tutors are educators, not peers. But, be sure that you do not make the student feel embarrassed or put down for asking questions.

Lastly, realize that tutoring does follow a school schedule. Knowing this up front will allow you to anticipate slow times, closed days (holidays, spring and summer break), and fully maximize your hours during busy times (exams and beginning of the school year).

If you enjoy teaching and learning, then you will feel very rewarded after a night of tutoring. And, what a bonus.... the reward will be felt in your pocket, too! What a perfect job for the sophisticatedly green mom!

Milkscreen Anyone??

I just checked my email and saw this fantastic offer for the sophisticatedly green mom who breastfeeds (as many green moms do!). When I was breastfeeding my son, a friend of ours told me about a very handy product (by the way, this "friend" was a young guy who did not have children at the time! How he knew about this, I have no idea! But, boy was I thankful when we had 9 weddings that year!). What is this handy product.... Milkscreen. Milkscreen is a simple, two minute test to detect alcohol in breast milk. Since every mom's body is different, alcohol is metabolised differently for each mom; thus ending up with varying amounts in breast milk. With this test strip, a mom can enjoy a martini (or our everyday favorite, wine) without questioning if and when the alcohol is in her breast milk. Now, you can see why Milkscreen is a sophisticated mom favorite!

August 1 - 7 is World Breastfeeding Week. During this week, www.upspringbaby.com is offering an unbeatable special. If you buy one 3, 12, or 20 strip pack, you get a second pack for free! That is a savings of up to $20! So, hurry up and order your pack now! This, also, makes a great gift for the sophisticatedly green mom-to-be!

Another WAH Thought

With such a strong response to my previous findings on WAH opportunities, I thought I would try out a new opportunity I heard about on my local news. This prospect is something anyone can do as long as you are creative and you can write. I am talking about joining the eHow community and sharing your knowledge via writing. I have to admit, the first day I tried, I ran into technical problems with their site that left me wasting a good hour and half to two hours. Extremely frustrated; but not deterred, I went back to the site today and finally had success! I was able to publish two articles within an hour and a half. The secret... not including pictures in the instructions. For some reason, those pictures were leading to me losing all of my hard work. So, I recommend writing your articles in Word and copying them into the eHow format... it will save you a LOT of headache and time! So far, everyone who is part of the eHow community seems very nice and enthusiastic in helping me succeed. Have I received any payment, yet? Nope! But, I have heard real life success stories, so we shall see..... I will keep you all posted and I have added links to my articles in the right hand column of my blog. Good luck sophisticatedly green moms with this new prospect!

Challenges of a Green Home

After looking around my house this morning, I realized one of the biggest challenges a "green" mom has is keeping her home uncluttered. With one or two... or three or four little ones, pets, and (and who could forget the biggest challenge to a clean home) a husband, it is hard for a sophisticatedly green mom to keep her home clean and organized (the way she likes it!). And, that is only the first part of the challenge. Since we are "green" moms, we have the challenge of what to do with the extras that we no longer want or need in our home. So, I thought I would share some solutions I have used to "recycle" these items and avoid adding to the already full landfills.

One of the great solutions is to post your items on www.freecycle.com . This is a network I found through my very resourceful mother. Go to the site and find a group nearest your home, sign up for the group, and post your item as an "offer". Believe me, you will have more responses from people interested in your item than you even know what to do with! You will feel so good about recycling your items and it is a great way to show your kids the value of giving away as opposed to throwing away.

If you do not have a freecycle group near your home or if your item is still in excellent condition and you would rather sell your it, look to www.craigslist.org . There is a Craigslist for every location, so just choose the one that services your area, go to "For Sale", and post an advertisement for your item. If you do not know what your item is worth, search the ads, first, to see if similar items are for sale and price accordingly. This is another free and easy way to recycle your no longer used or wanted items.

Ebay is a fun site you can use to list any items you want to sell. This solution will market your item(s) to a national/international group rather than a local audience. I do recommend only using Ebay for smaller items, since you will have to pay for packaging and shipping. But, this is a great way to bring in some green while staying green! I have sold unused items on Ebay for as much as $400! Not bad for the 20 minutes it takes to snap some pictures of the item, upload them onto the computer, write the description, and hit "Start Selling". So, checkout www.ebay.com (it is also a great place to sell or purchase that adorable Halloween costume that your little one will only wear for 2 hours!).

My last easy solution for those clutter items is to bring them to a consignment shop. This is an excellent way to give new life to clothing. Check out local consignment shops in your area, choose one and bring in your never worn or gently worn items. These shops take clothing seasonally, so, for example, if you have a large grouping of summer clothes call the store around March to schedule a drop-off. Most consignment shops give your clothing 90 days to sell. At the end of the 90 days, you go back to pick up any unsold clothing and your check for your portion of the sales. It is so easy and it is a fun way to get some green to shop for your next wardrobe! Take all of the unsold clothing to a clothing drop box or to a thrift shop to insure your clothing reaches it full use!

These are just a few of the ways I have found to keep my home sophisticatedly green and uncluttered. So, unclutter your home and show your children the value of recycling and giving in a way only a sophisticatedly green mom can!

Looking for Some Family Photos in the Philly area??

After seeing the professional pictures my friend's family had taken, I had to look up the talented photographer. It turns out, she is a mom, like us, who is starting up her own photography business that focuses on family, maternity, newborn, children, and pet photos. And, (here is the bonus) because she is still building her portfolio, she is offering sessions in the Philly area at an extremely discounted rate ($40!); but you have to book by August 31st. So, get out your blackberry and call or email her for your session! Check out Kaptured by Kat's blog http://www.kapturedbykat.com/ and take advantage of Kat's amazing talent at a fantastic price!