From July 14 to July 20, TCP will give away two Connected by TCP automated home lighting kits to customers who answer one simple question on the TCP Facebook page.

Five lucky winners (a total of 10 kits) will win two 11-Watt A-Lamp LED (2-pack system with gateway) systems — a $200 value. The official contest rules are here: http://bit.ly/1yhLG6e

The currently live contest is here: http://on.fb.me/1wmiDeQ
To enter: Visit TCP’s Facebook and answer “Which would you prefer to use when controlling your smart home lighting – a remote or smartphone app?”

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received and giveaway is not affiliated with SoCal City Kids. Credit: TCP.

Looking for the perfect on-the-go snack? Nature’s Bakery All natural Fig Bars are delicious! Flavors such as Strawberry, Mango, Lemon, Aplle Cinnamon, Blueberry, Whole Wheat Fig, Peach Apricot, Raspberry, Vanilla Fig and Vanilla Raspberry are just too good to pass up! We received samples of the Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry and Fig and there aren’t many left. My son’s favorite is the Whole Wheat Fig and my favorite is the Blueberry. They are just perfect for packing lunches for the beach and any other summer activities. They would be great for school lunches too! But, we won’t talk about that right now since we are enjoying summer! You can find them at a variety of stores such as Sprouts and Ralphs. Check  out their website for more locations and info.

We have teamed up for a Summer Giveaway! Two lucky winners will win four 6-packs (Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry and Original)!  To enter, leave a comment below telling us how you are enjoying the summer. Next, “like” their Facebook page. Deadline to enter is July 18th, 2014 at noon. Two winners will randomly be selected from all entries.

Self Disclosure: I received samples for free to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are truthful. Photo Credit: Nature’s Bakery.

TCBY™ “World of Fro-Yo” Embarks On Around-The-World Palette Experience!

In anticipation of summer vacations and the desire to experience other cultures through food, TCBY™ is proud to officially unveil the globally-inspired flavors for the TCBYWorld of Fro-Yo, which kicked off on May 22.  Created for culinary explorers and adventurous taste buds, the four featured flavors will roll out in TCBY stores across the United States and take America’s hearts and palettes on an international journey. Although this started in May, it is still happening! So, don’t miss out!

• Brazilian Guanabana (July 3 – July 16) As fun to eat as it is to say, the guanabana is fruit that blends all the best flavors of pineapple, banana and papaya. (Try not to get the Mahna Mahna song in your head while you enjoy.)

Loosely inspired by the global soccer tournament, TCBY World of Fro-Yo will end the campaign with a Brazilian flavor during the global soccer finals.

TCBY adventurers who want to experience World of Fro-Yo can receive a postcard in stores with instructions on how to enter the Travel the World of Fro-Yo Sweepstakes.  Each flavor will offer a unique microsite where consumers can upload a picture and create digital postcards of the featured country (Indonesia, Japan, Germany or Brazil).  Consumers can share their postcards for an extra chance to win via facebook or by using the hashtag #WorldFroYo.  Each new flavor presents another chance to win, as consumers visit their neighborhood TCBY stores to get the flavor’s postcard and unique website information.

One lucky winner will receive a trip for two to one of the four countries that inspired the World of Fro-Yo flavors, complete with round-trip airline tickets and deluxe accommodations. Beyond the campaign, TCBY’s World of Fro-Yo is a sign for more to come with the brand that is evolving its offerings to grow with the interests of its consumer base.

“Some of our best customers have been enjoying our frozen yogurt for more than 30 years,” said Kelly Miano, Director of Marketing at Famous Brands International. “We are evolving and innovating with our consumers’ needs and interests. Flavor interests are becoming more dynamic and culturally inspired as consumers’ palettes are more refined and ingredient savvy. World of Fro-Yo is a sign of more to come,” added Miano.

ABOUT TCBY™

Founded in 1981, TCBY™ was the first, and remains the largest, frozen yogurt brand. TCBY™ has been on the forefront of innovation including being the first brand to market Greek Frozen Yogurt, Silk® Frozen Yogurt, a plant-based, dairy-free frozen yogurt and “Super Fro-Yo.” TCBY™, which currently has over 500 franchise locations worldwide, is part of Famous Brands International and a sister company to Mrs. Fields™. To learn more, visit www.tcby.com, www.facebook.com/tcby or follow us @TCBY.

 Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. SoCal City Kids will be reviewing TCBY later this summer so stay tuned!

The summer travel season has finally arrived! But with almost half of consumers using only the simple precaution of locking their homes’ windows and doors while traveling, Master Lock is reminding travelers of other important to-dos to ensure a safe and enjoyable getaway. Safety is very important tour family and it really is so important when traveling. 

I love the following article by our friends at Master Lock!

Master Lock Unlocks Tips to Keep Travelers Safe and

Secure This Summer

We are celebrating the Summer Green Scene Mom Awards with a giveaway featuring the amazing winning brands! Many of these brands were created by mom or dad entrepreneurs who were problem solving for their own families.

		BabySpa Moisturizing Body Lotion BabySpa Moisturizing Body Lotion is formulated to provide an immediate soothing effect and long-lasting hydration. It’s infused with BabySpa’s signature baby fresh scent, is easily absorbed, and provides instant freshness and a relaxing sensory spa experience. Award Details
		Bert & Bratt Portable Sterilizer Bert & Bratt’s UV Sterilizer makes it easy to clean small items while on the go. It effectively kills germs on pacifiers and bottle tops and it’s super cute and fits in a diaper bag! Award Details
		Buttons Diapers Flannel Wipes Buttons Diapers reusable wipes help reduce the fistfulls of disposable wipes a baby can go through each diaper change. They are easy to wash with a load of cloth diapers, and they are soft on baby’s skin. Award Details
		Yummi Pouch Snack & Sandwich Bags Yummi Pouch snack bags reduce the need for plastic bags and other disposable packaging. They easily fit into a lunchbox, can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher or washing machine, and little fingers can easily open the zipper opening. Plus they’re just plain cute! Award Details
		Charlie Banana 2-in-1 Diapers Charlie Banana Diapers make it easy to diaper your baby from 6 to 36 pounds in a way that is eco-friendly and cost effective. These one-size diapers adjust to fit the numerous stages babies go through from infancy to toddlerhood. Plus they are available in lots of adorable designs to fit every style! Award Details
		Loopy Gear Loopys are a stylish and functional way to keep your baby’s rattles and toys clean and off the ground. With the Loopy, you simply attach the larger loop to your baby’s wrist and the smaller loop around their favorite rattle or toy. Loopys can also be used to attach toys to car seats, strollers, high chairs, baby carriers, and shopping carts. Award Details
		organicKidz Thermal Baby Bottles organicKidz thermal bottles keep liquids hot or cold for 6+ hours. The bottle lid also doubles as a measuring cup and snack cup. Each bottle features a silicone peristaltic fast flow nipple and includes a silicone leak proof sealing disk. organicKidz bottles can also convert to a suppy cup and a water bottle. Award Details
		Peek-a-boo Nursing & Maternity Peek-a-boo offers unique pregnancy and nursing wear that emphasizes comfort as well as discreet nursing with style. These garments are designed for wear starting from early pregnancy throughout nursing, offering moms a budget friendly, duel-purpose clothing solution. Award Details
		Yummi Pouch Funnel Pitcher The unique design and color of this pitcher makes it fun to use! This pitcher helps reduce messes that may result from pouring liquids. It’s also sturdy for long-lasting use and dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. Award Details
		BabySpa 3-in-1 Shampoo, Body Wash & Moisturizer BabySpa Stage One Tearless Shampooo, Body Wash and Moisturizer is a unique all-in-one formula with a snuggly fresh baby scent that will keep hair and skin feeling soft and naturally moisturized. This specially-formulated blend is infused with aloe, shea butter, olive and avocado oils to create a natural cleanser that deeply hydrates from head to toe. Award Details
		Buttons Diapers Wet Bags Buttons Diapers Wet Bags come in a variety of sizes and can hold from 1 to 6 diapers inside. The bags have a convenient hanging loop and are made with 2 layers of material for style and durability. The inner layer is made from waterproof PUL and the outside features an adorable cotton dot print. Award Details
		Girlie Glue Girlie Glue is a hair accessory glue, no hair necessary! Fancy possibilities are endless with a dab of girlie glue. Girlie Glue is made with Agave nectar and other all natural ingredients. It’s safe, 100% honey-free and washes away easily with water. Award Details
		So Rad Magic Kimono Onesie So Rad’s Magic Kimono Onesie is made from bamboo and organic cotton. The durable design features a triple stitch cover seam and bigger bum for cloth diapers, with a rear access entry door too! This onesie has no snaps, buttons, velcro or zippers. The kimono style front opens up so your baby can squeeze his little chubs into it. It’s also made in Canada. Award Details
		Preserve Food Storage Containers Preserve food storage containers are made in the USA from 100% BPA free, recycled #5 plastic. They are dishwasher safe and stand up to everyday use. Preserve food storage containers are an environmentally friendly addition to any refrigerator or lunchbox. These containers have sturdy lids which screw on or snap on tightly to keep food fresh and they nest for easy storage. Award Details
		BabySpa Ultra-Soft Baby Wipes BabySpa Ultra-Soft Baby Wipes are made with 100% natural ingredients and an organic blend that provides gentle and soothing care to the most delicate skin. They are perfectly moistened and smell fresh but are unscented for the most sensitive skin. Award Details
		Green Toys Train The Green Toys Train is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s complete with a brightly-colored steam engine and two additional cars that link together to form a long train. The company produces each toy in the USA using sustainable materials and features unique toy designs that encourage imaginative play. Award Details
		organicKidz Thermal Food Containers organicKidz thermal food containers are sleek, light weight and free of bulky plastic. They easily keep foods hot or cold for 6+ hours and are perfect for a child’s lunchbox or even Mom and Dad! The fun designs are modern and the tops close tightly with a leak proof silicone seal. Award Details
		Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ Thinkbaby sets itself apart by providing the most effective and safe sunscreen possible that can be universally used for babies and adults. Thinkbaby sunscreen offers the highest level of Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and highest level of water resistance. It comes in a 3oz tube made of environmentally friendly packaging that does not contain BPA, vinyl, or phthalates. Award Details

These amazing companies have contributes prizes to our Summer Awards Giveaway!

Enter to win this amazing gift set valued at $440!

• Peek-a-boo Nursing & Maternity Gift Card – $65
• BabySpa Baby Essentials Stage 1 – $35
  3 in 1 tearless shampoo, body wash & moisturizer, moisturizing body lotion, Shea Butter diaper cream, ultra soft baby wipes (72 ct.), travel size face cream
• Green Toys train – $28
• Bert&Bratt Pure-GO sterilizer – $45
• Buttons Diapers cloth diaper gift set – $39
  1 large wet bag, 1 package of flannel wipes, a one-size diaper cover, and a daytime diaper insert
• So Rad Magic Romper – $25
  Winner can choose from 6 colors and sizes 3 months to 18-24 months.
• Yummi Pouch cloth snack bags – $25
• Girlie Glue hair essentials – $15
  A tube of Girlie Glue and a package of 3 felt flowers and 3 vintage bows
• Preserve food storage set – $28
  2 large food storage, 2 small food storage, 2 square food storage, 5 mini food storage containers
• organicKidz stainless steel thermal food container – $25
• Charlie Banana one-size diaper pack of 3 Hot Dots and 6 inserts – $60
• Loopy 2-Pack Premium – $30
• Think Baby sunscreen – $16

Two runner-up winners will win these products!

• Girlie Glue hair essentials – $15.50
  A tube of Girlie Glue and a package of 3 felt flowers and 3 vintage bows
• Think Baby sunscreen – $16

One winner and two runner-ups will be chosen on July 5th. This giveaway is open to the US and Canada. Good luck and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received and giveaway is not affiliated with SoCal City Kids.

You can enter to win a year’s supply of Melitta Café de Europa premium coffee: ground, whole bean or single-serve cups. Three lucky winners will win, so enter now and taste the difference: http://woobox.com/9yxm5z!

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. Giveaway is not affiliated with SoCal City Kids. Credit: Melitta.

MAM knows life as a parent can get hectic.  With summer finally here, MAM is going to give you a much deserved chance to relax for a change.  Head to their Facebook page and share what your ideal staycation would be – date nights while a babysitter watches the kids?  Luxurious days at the spa and shopping sprees at the mall?  – and you could win a $2,000 Staycation package on MAM!  Enter here: http://bit.ly/MAMsummerstaycation

Deadline to enter 7/31/2014 

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post and giveaway is not affiliated with SoCal City Kids. Credit: MAM.