Share a Coke and Share a Smile #ShareItForward

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareItForward #CollectiveBias

FamilyCoke

Here’s a memory: Years ago my family took a road trip down Route 66 through Arizona. My husband is a car enthusiast and we wanted to experience a bit of Americana. Dusty roads, small towns, scenic views… it was fabulous. In one small town, we pulled up in over 100 degree temperatures and we were seriously dying for a drink. The little general store we went into had one of those vintage Coca Cola refrigerators with bottled Coke. There really was no second guessing… we all grabbed a bottle. If you’ve never been parched on a hot day and popped open an ice cold bottle of coke… you can’t possibly imagine the joy that comes over you. There really is nothing better than to share a Coke with your friends and family.

Since this summer has been one of the hottest I can remember, it’s brought back a lot of memories of those past hot, summer days when we would road trip with the kids. We still like to grab an ice cold Coke every now and then. Last weekend, on our stock-up trip to Walmart, we had a grand old time with the Coca Cola demo that was set up in the store. In case you haven’t seen it… Coke is doing a HUGE promotion for #ShareItForward - take a look the next time you are in Walmart.

CokeDemo

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Free Coke? Yes, please!

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Have you seen the new bottles with the names on them? OMG… LOVE! You can find them in special displays at the front of the store and in the coolers near the check-out. But why, oh why, didn’t they have a Carolyn? If anybody happens to find one, please get it and send it to me. I really, really want one.  We found David, Amanda and Lauren (not spelled like Lauryn spells her name, but it was close). We also found Rebecca (my niece) and a lot of our friend’s names.

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I might have gone a little overboard with the Coke buying. Who am I kidding? You can’t possibly go overboard with the Coke buying. 

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I’ve really been feeling bad this summer because it’s the first summer that I’m actually working full time. I’m fortunate that I can work from home, but it still doesn’t leave a ton of time to do the fun stuff with the kids. They’ve been feeling a little neglected and I thought I would take them for an afternoon at the pool and then home for a special treat. They deserve it. I deserve it. Hey… who doesn’t deserve a Coke?

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And who says that everyday things can’t be extra special? I surprised the girls when we got home with Coke floats. Because the only thing better than an ice cold Coke is one that has ice cream in it. 

The last time I was at Walmart I found these vintage reproduction Coke glasses. I always wanted these and they were actually on sale! Obviously, I couldn’t pass them up.

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Add some vanilla ice cream (because it really does have to be vanilla) and open a bottle of Coke and you’ve got a ready-made party.

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Old fashioned paper straws and a cute printable I made with my kids’ names on them rounded out our evening. The kids were so excited to have their floats and I think I made up for not spending as much time with them this summer as I wanted to. Tomorrow… the beach!

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 Keep up with the fun by following Coca-Cola on Twitter and Facebook.

Raise Those Arms Up with Tom’s of Maine


You’ve probably seen Tom’s of Maine products over the years and you might have even considered trying them… or you were like me and had a boatload of misconceptions. When I was a kid, my mother was a devoted Tom’s of Maine toothpaste fan. I avoided it… mostly because, who wants to use their Mom’s toothpaste? When I finally worked up the nerve to try it (much later in life) I actually really loved it. What I didn’t realize is that Tom’s of Maine has a whole line of all-natural, healthy products to help you take care of your body.

Do I really need to mention that it’s summer and with the heat and activity there is more of a… shall I say… odor in the air? Now, with my kids being really active all summer long (and getting older) they’ve gotten to the point where they absolutely NEED some help in the I-thought-only-boys-stunk-so-bad department. Even my 9 year old has put her foot down and demanded (yes, demanded) that I buy her her very own deodorant. 

I’m all for the kids having what they need, but when I really started to think about all the chemicals going into and onto their bodies, I got a little creeped out. I learned that Tom’s of Maine made deodorant (the all natural kind) and thought this would be SO much better for the kids (and the whole family) to use on a daily basis. I popped into our local Whole Foods because I know they would have all that great healthy, organic, chemical-free stuff. And who doesn’t love a mouth-watering trip to Whole Foods? Hint: Go sample all the cheeses. Yum!


We purchased the Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant because the longer lasting, the better. Now, all-natural products are fab and all, but the true test came when I had my daughter use it during her tennis practice. I knew that if it could stand up to her intense workouts, it would stand up to anything. (Did I mention girls work up just as much sweat as boys?) 

Playing tennis in 90+ degree heat is not on most people’s to-do list, but for Temera, it’s something she looks forward to every day. As her Mom, I’m usually the one out there practicing with her. To say that deodorant is super important is an understatement. I was pleasantly surprised that when we walked off the courts, we were smelling pretty fab. I didn’t have to roll down the windows in the car. If Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant can keep both of us fresh and dry… imagine what it can do for you!

#FreshNaturally #CollectiveBias

Justin Timberlake and the 20/20 Experience

Let’s get this straight right from the start. I’m a little old to be oohing and aahing over Justin Timberlake. I mean, honestly, I’m old enough to be his mo…. I mean… his big sister. I was almost married when N’Sync was formed and young girls were fawning all over them. The songs were catchy and I listened to them when they came on the radio… but I would never have gone to a concert or purchased an album.

So, I got married, had a few babies and never gave him a second thought. Until Saturday Night Live. I’ve been around long enough to know all the ups and downs of SNL. I also know that the show is really only as good as the guest star. From the first time JT performed on SNL, I sat up and took notice. This kid is TAL-ENT-ED!!! Wow… who knew?

All of a sudden Justin blossomed from being part of a “boy band” to being an uber-talented singer-actor-comedian. When “Sexy Back” was released… holy cow! This old mama took notice.

So then… I took my daughter, Temera, to the Grammy Red Carpet this past February and guess who we saw?

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE CAME OVER AND TALKED TO US!!!!!!

I’m sorry… did I scream that out loud? Because I might have… and because he was the NICEST GUY EVER!!!! And he was wearing a SUIT AND TIE!!! We were sitting at the end of the red carpet and he just walked right over to say Hi to everyone. He hung out for a while and chatted and answered questions. If you’ve ever seen JT in person, you just can’t help but loving him. I was hooked!

Photo Courtesy of www.3news.co.nz

AND OMG HE HAS THIS AWESOME NEW ALBUM OUT AND I NEED TO GO BUY IT!

Somebody stop me!

I was glued to the TV watching his perform on the Grammy’s.

I was glued to the TV watching him perform on Saturday Night Live.

I was pretty sure I’d be running out to buy his new CD ASAP! And then I hear this awesomeness….

WALMART IS SELLING THE JT 20/20 EXPERIENCE FOR ONLY $7.00!

I know… I’m shouting again. Sorry.

You can see my trip to Walmart to see Justin HERE and you can go ahead and purchase the album online HERE. But seriously… the best deal is to go to Walmart NOW up until March 24, 2013 so you can purchase the CD for the special $7.00 price!

So I put the CD on in the car and my daughters are looking at me funny. “What?” I say. And they roll their eyes again. Am I singing too loud? Am I dancing in my seat? Guilty.

There are 10 new songs on the album and I already have my favorites:

SUIT & TIE (OF COURSE)

Contagious. That’s the only way I can describe this song. I love that there is an old-Hollywood feel about it too. And damn if you can just picture JT without his suit and tie.

LET THE GROOVE GET IT (I DARE YOU NOT TO DANCE)

The first time I heard this in my car I found myself doing a little shoulder action. This is the song that will cause me to make a fool out of myself and embarrass my kids.

MIRRORS (PERFECT DRIVING MUSIC)

Honestly, close your eyes and you are transported back to the 40’s. From boy band to timeless crooner.

So, where are my JT fans? Are you following on Facebook? Are you following on Twitter? ‘Cause you all know I certainly am! I’m seriously thinking I need to go back and revisit the whole N’Sync craze. I might have missed the boat back in ’95, but I’m not missing the boat in ’13.

Follow Walmart on Facebook and Twitter to get the scoop on all the great deals they’ve got going on.

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and #JT2020 #cbias #SocialFabric” All opinions are my own.