Giveaways on Blogs

Enter to win one of two $500 Walmart Gift Cards

2011-05-02T21:42:00.000-04:00

Want to Win $500? Tell 5 Minutes for Mom YOUR Creepy or Funny Bug Story #RaidBugStory

Prize: $500 Walmart Gift Card (2 winners)

Where: 5 Minutes For Mom
When: Ends May 3rd
Enter here!

Giveaway at The Coupon Geek: Win a Wii Game Console

2011-04-27T16:19:00.000-04:00

Jaycie at The Coupon Geek is giving away a Wii Game Console! If your family is like ours and a step behind in the game situation, this is your chance to win one.

Prize: Wii Game Console
Where: The Coupon Geek

When: Ends April 29. 2011

Enter here!

Remembering Easter with Coca-Cola and Vintage Ham Recipe

2011-04-13T14:13:00.001-04:00

Do you have special memories that you associate with Coke? I always think of the polar bears that Coke used in their advertising for years. Remember those? They were so funny - and cute - and cool!

Another one of my special memories is associated with a Coca-Cola product that has been discontinued called, Tab. Do you remember Tab? I'm dating myself here, but I was in high school when Tab was popular and we would drink it for lunch. Just seeing the logo takes me back to my old high school cafeteria, sitting at lunch with my friends, drinking tab. I went to an all-girls high school and we had to wear hideous uniforms. Make-up was discouraged and hair styles were pretty low maintenance/non-existent. Still, there were good memories of the friendships formed by the adversity - we all had a common enemy in the nuns. Later in life, I became good friends with a nun, and she is truly one of the best people I have ever known. I'm still convinced that she is an oddity in her ranks, however, and probably the only nice one *only kidding* *sort of*. Enough of my scars *wink*, I do have a talent for over-dramatization.

Have you ever cooked with a Coca-Cola product? I tried this recipe, just to see if it was an urban legend. After extensive testing (oops, over dramatizing again!), I conclude that the carbonation and ingredients in Coke, really do improve the taste of ham. Would you like to try for yourself? Easter, the "ham holiday" is coming up! Perfect timing to experiment with lots of company coming over and your Martha-perfection, er reputation on the line. Hehehe. I promise this one won't be a disaster. Really, I promise!

Coca-Cola Ham

Ingredients

1 On-the-bone Fully Cooked Butt-Portion Ham
1 can of Coca-Cola
1 cup of brown sugar
1 can of Pineapple Rings
1 jar of Maraschino Cherries

Line a shallow baking pan with aluminum foil. Slice the ham into pieces about three inches by three inches (approximately) and layer them in the pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar, lay pineapple rings on top. Put one cherry inside each pineapple ring. Pour Coca-Cola over the top. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake at 450 degrees for three hours.

Serve with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and seven-layer salad for an Easter feast!

By doing things with an unusual twist, ie adding Coke to a recipe, you create a special memory that your family will remember for years (hopefully with a smile). This is how traditions are made!

About Coca-Cola®
Created in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water. Coca-Cola was introduced in 1886, patented in 1887, registered as a trademark in 1893 and by 1895 it was being sold in every state and territory in the United States. In 1899, The Coca-Cola Company began franchised bottling operations in the United States.

More info: www.cookingwithcoke.com

Join Coca-Cola® on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cocacola

Join Coca-Cola® on Twitter: http://twitter.com/cocacola

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Coca-Cola® blogging program. If I am one of the first 100 blogs received by SocialsMoms, I will receive a $25 gift card. For more information on the program, click here." http://familyclassics.socialmoms.com/about)

Sharing What Makes Me Feel Lucky

2011-03-09T20:56:00.001-05:00

The only thing better than $1 a night movies? Free movies! Lucky you, redbox is giving everyone the chance to score free movie credits now through St. Patrick’s Day during the redbox Lucky to Have Friends Like You promotion. Each fan receives a unique web address. Every time someone rents from your address through March 17, you get a free movie credit. Rental credits are valid for ten (10) days after they’ve been deposited into your account. Spread the word, and lucky you could be rolling in free movies this March. To learn more, click here http://www.redbox.com/luckysocial.

SocialMoms and Redbox offered me a gift to blog about what makes me feel lucky!

What makes you feel lucky? For me, there are the big serious things and those honestly make me feel more blessed than lucky. But then there are the little things that make me just feel lucky! It's a little bit silly and a lot bit fun but these are the things that make me feel lucky. I'll write about five little things and then five big things.

1. The number one thing is when I hit a string of green lights.

I warned you it was silly! But it does! When I hit a string of green lights in a row, I just feel good. I think, "wow, that was lucky!".

2. Winning...... anything!

Sometimes I can win the littlest thing - sometimes something I don't even particularly want - and it makes me feel lucky!

3. Avoiding disaster.

Sometimes you have a close-call, avoiding a traffic accident, or you start to knock over a large cup of hot coffee on some important papers and just in the nick of time - you brake, or you catch the cup. Whew, how lucky!

4. Finding something I thought was lost.

Sometimes I'll misplace an earring or a book, any little thing. Then just when I think it's gone forever, it turns up. I feel so lucky!

5. Being in the right place at the right time.

To win something, or have an opportunity to do something special, you need to just be in the right place at the right time. Once we were having dinner and a film crew came in and recorded a special about the restaurant. We were in quite a bit of the footage and later even strangers would come up to us and mention seeing us! It was fun and lucky.

Okay, now the big things!

1. My faith.

About eight years ago, a few things came together that led me to a personal relationship with God. Major change in my life and it's made my life richer and better in every possible way.

2. My daughter.

WOW, she is the joy and biggest blessing of my life. I am grateful everyday for the gift that this child is. I tell her she's a precious treasure and only wish there were more words to describe how lucky and blessed I feel to be her mom.

3. My parents.

I have the best, best, best mom in the world. She is there for me every time I need her and lots of times I don't know I need her, but I do!

4. My husband.

I would never be where I am today without my husband. We are often at opposite ends of the opinion scale, but we end up in the middle, exactly where we belong.

5. Nature.

There is so much beauty in this world and I love seeing all the different aspects of nature. So many different and amazing creations.

So what makes you feel lucky? Do you say lucky or blessed? Do you like the feeling of being lucky?

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and redbox blogging program, for a $25 Walmart gift card from redbox. For more information on how you can participate, click here. http://redboxluck.socialmoms.com/about)

Ten Tips for Getting Away with Great Family Travel Deals

2011-03-07T18:00:00.005-05:00

We love to travel and to maximize our travel dollar, we look for ways to still enjoy our trip but to do it as frugally as possible. These are our top ten tips for getting away - and getting a great travel deal!

1. Research, research, research

Whether you are looking for an airline ticket, hotel, or attraction ticket, research to find the best price. There are tons of travel deal sites to help you. Some of my favorites are:
Travelocity.com
Expedia.com
Kayak.com
2. Travel off-season
You can save huge dollars and avoid crowds when you travel off-season. We were able to go to Ireland and Paris, for the same amount just one peak-season trip would have cost. Yes, we did have to pack our rain gear - but it was worth it!
3. Use coupons
Travel coupons? You bet! There are online coupons, Entertainment Book coupons, discount codes and more available for travel. Before you go, do a google search and see what turns up. You might be surprised!
4. Take your own food
If it's at all possible, take your own breakfast. Eating out can be crazy-expensive and especially for breakfast, you can have great savings if you take your own. The other thing we like to take when we go on vacation is our own snacks and soft drinks. Those are other items that have inflated prices when you are "on-the-road". In addition to saving money, you will also save time if you don't have to wait in line for a snack. For a toddler, you may also be saving a meltdown when you can provide a fast, delicious snack.
5. Share meals
When you do eat out, share a meal. Portion sizes are often huge and you can't take home leftovers when you are traveling. Share a meal! You'll save money and waste.
6. Avoid buying souvenirs
How many times have you gotten home with a specialty item that you bought on vacation and said, "What was I thinking?" Often we get carried away with shopping on vacation and forget what it will look like in our home setting. Look for free souvenirs - if it's permitted, take home seashells, pine cones, etc.
7. Give the kids "coupons" for treats and gifts.
If you're children seem to want every item, in every store, in every town, give them "coupons" before you leave home. An example might be, "This coupon is good towards the purchase of one T-Shirt." Children still get to shop and choose their own purchases, but they will have limits. When the coupon's gone, so is the shopping.
8. Set expectations before you leave
Discuss the budget with all family members before you leave home and get carried away with vacation euphoria. Make sure everyone knows that while you want to have fun and enjoy what your vacation spot has to offer, that doesn't mean that you will or have to do everything. Hopefully you will be returning to this place and have another opportunity to try the offerings.
9. Look for free or reasonable activities at your vacation spot
Before you leave home, google your vacation area and search for opportunities for bargains. For example, the local children's museum or zoo might have a bargain or free day. You can schedule your trip to that attraction on that day and save a bunch!
10. Consider a driving vacation to a smaller town during a festival
While visiting a small town might not be appealing to your family, check to see if they have a local festival or event. Going during that time will offer opportunities for attractions and events that won't be there at other times and add the excitement that you need.

A big component to saving money while vacationing, in addition to awareness, is planning. It's important to plan your vacation well and early. You can save money on so many things if you take the time to research, make reservations early, and get creative. Enjoy!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” http://alamoinsiders.socialmoms.com/about2

About Alamo

Founded in 1974, Alamo Rent A Car is a value-oriented, internationally recognized brand serving the rental needs of airport leisure travelers. Alamo offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. In addition, Alamo customers in the U.S. are able to conveniently choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport.

The Alamo membership club, Alamo Insiders, offers its members numerous perks including exclusive, member-only deals, quick and simple reservations, and frequent traveler miles with each rental.

Become an Alamo Insider

Top Ten Things My Daughter Would Miss If I Were Abducted to Mars!

2011-02-28T17:08:00.001-05:00

In honor of the release of the movie, "Mars Needs Moms", Social Moms asked me to write about what my daughter would miss if I were abducted to Mars! Starring Seth Green as 9 year old Milo, the movie shows kids everywhere that they need their moms more than think they might *smile*.

The team behind "Disney's A Christmas Carol" and Maya's favorite - "Polar Express", produced this new movie, "Mars Needs Moms", in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.

So without further ado, here are the top ten things, I think my daughter, Maya, would miss if I suddenly disappeared and found myself on Mars. (which she tells me would never happen because people can't live on Mars, my little "know-it-all".)

#10 Dreaming

We talk about our dreams, her future, things we want to do and see all the time. I hope I am a catalyst, inspiring her dream and make wishes. If I were abducted to Mars, she wouldn't be as inspired to dream.

#9 Swimming

In the winter, I take my daughter to swimming class and she is a little "fish" - loves to swim. In the summer, I swim with her in our pool - it's something we love to do together. We play, we enjoy being outside, we get great exercise. Swimming and being out in the sunshine is a joy - for both of us.

#8 Cooking Together

We love to cook together, breakfast, baking - anything really. It's an activity that allows for talking as you do it, and we are both talkers *big smile*. Sometimes we make a pretty big mess, but it can be just as fun to clean up. Especially when she was younger, but still today, she loves to play in the water - washing dishes is a treat. And of course there is always, "licking the bowl!"

#7 Camping

We love to travel and camping is one of the ways we love to spend a vacation. My daughter would surely miss camping with me. Roasting marshmallows, making smores, learning trail signs, hiking, swimming.... fun!

#6 Shopping

We are great shoppers and love to go shopping for clothes for my daughter. She would definitely miss shopping with me. It's not what we buy that matters, it's the process. It's sharing our opinions of what is beauty. We will shop for anything and everything, mostly sharing time together.

#5 Girl's Adventure Days

We have Girl's Adventure Days, usually with my mom too, and go on adventures - sometimes out to lunch, shopping, visiting a children's museum or other attraction. Occasionally a movie. So fun! We usually end up learning something and always end up laughing - a lot!

#4 Reading books together

I love to read, and I hope to pass that down to my daughter. We love to read books together, sometimes, when we reach a part that she knows by heart, I just start the sentence and she finishes it. One of her favorites is Moo Ba La, La, La. It rhymes which makes it easier to remember - we've had that one memorized for a long time.

#3 Listening to Lullabies at Bed Time

Every night we listen to Carne Wilson's CD A Mother's Wish Lullaby CD and we both just love it. She would miss that.

#2 Hugs

A hug from my daughter is one of the things I treasure most in the world. I just told her this morning, that I should have a sticker on my bottom that says, "I stop for hugs." 'Cause I do, of course! I know she would miss my hugs.

#1 Giggling

Maya and I often find ourselves giggling together. Sometimes for no special reason, we just look at each other and the joy of life giggles up. It's one of my favorite things and I know it's the number one thing I would miss!

As much as I would love to try space travel, if I had to go without my family, I would definitely go kicking and screaming, because this list is also the top ten things I would miss most!!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here. http://marsneedsmoms.socialmoms.com/about)

Nicole's Nickels - Schwan's $25 GC

2011-02-06T23:34:00.000-05:00

Prize: Schwan's $25 GC
Where: Nicole's Nickels
When: February 7, 2011
Enter here!

Reviewer's Retreat Twitter Party

2011-02-06T23:16:00.001-05:00

What: Reviewer’s Retreat Twitter party
Why: Chatting about review blogging issues and giving away conference themed prizes and fun swag from their sponsors.
When: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 from 9:00-10:00 p.m. EST
Where: Twitter hashtag #RR11
How: Follow @coolbabykid, @BridgetteLA and @DoubleDutyDivas
Prizes: One Night Stay at Great Wolf Resort, Poconos-PA; About One One Year Subscription; $25 Carolina Pad Gift Card; Macy’s First Impression Gift Sets; Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies; At Last Naturals Wild Yam Cream; SoftLips Lip Balm and more!
Sponsors: @GreatWolfLodge, @Pampers, @AboutOne, Musslemans
Click here to RSVP and read more.

Our Ordinary Life - Alice in Wonderland

2011-02-06T22:19:00.000-05:00

Prize: Disney's Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD
Where: Our Ordinary Live
When: February 3, 2011
Enter here!

Win Alice in Wonderland

2011-02-02T00:52:00.000-05:00

Prize: Disney's Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD
Where: Cool Baby Kid
When: February 3, 2011
Enter here!

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

The Ideal U.S. Family Vacation - Camping

2011-01-26T15:16:00.004-05:00

We are such huge camping fans!

These are my top five favorite things about a camping vacation.

1. When you travel by car or rv, you see so much of the countryside. I love to see the ways that different parts of our great country live. There are subtle but fun differences in the way people design and maintain their homes. When we travel, we always talk about the similarities and differences in architecture, food, decorating, etc.

2. Enjoy the silence. Camping takes you away from the noise and business of home. Until you experience "unplugging", you don't realize how much buzz and noise there is from the things in your home. With your family, you'll find that the silence is cozy and presents opportunities for you and your children to talk - really talk.

3. Appreciate nature. The great outdoors is amazingly beautiful. Wherever you live, whether it's mountainous or flat; cold or hot; nature is beautiful. There is nothing like a starry sky, away from the lights of a city. I love the woods. Around us, the seasons change, and it is amazing to see what the woods look like in spring, summer, fall and winter. Hiking is a great exercise and gives you more chances to talk. For some reason, it's easier to approach big topics, like life goals, when you are faced with the greatness of nature. The "little things" tend to fall away and leave room for discussing the big, important things. And your patience increases when you are not watching a clock, timing this and that.

4. Hard work. Okay, are saying, "she's lost her mind". How is hard work a "favorite thing"?? Did you see the special with Oprah? She and Gayle didn't love their trip, but that's because they didn't go with us. Yes, camping is hard work - but it can be fun, because it's a challenge and it's something you are doing together. Hey, anybody can cook a meal in a gourmet kitchen somewhere. But when you are pretending to be pioneers, crossing the plains, cooking your meal over a fire - it's fun!

5. Cozy, cozy, and cozy. When you are out in the elements, you tend to draw together. If it rains, you'll find yourself inside a cozy tent, playing games and listening to the tapping of the drops on the canvas. Can you tell, I love that sound? If it's a chilly morning, cozy up around a fire with your first coffee of the morning.... Ah, it's so awesome! I want to go camping!

A bit of advice - listen to the Boy Scouts and "Be Prepared." Having too many gadgets (ie electric frying pan) can take the fun out of camping, but you do want to make sure you have the essentials. Know ahead of time that this is not an escape to a five star resort. Change and adjust your expectations to be real for a camping trip.

Our favorite places to go? We live in the Midwest and tend to go within a day or two drive. We love State Parks. The scenery is beautiful and the people are kind. The campsites are usually well-tended and the co-campers are family oriented. Public campsites are also great. Usually we find the best by word of mouth, asking other campers but there are also lots of great blogs out there, as well.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (http://alamoinsiders.socialmoms.com/about)

Prilosec Prize Pack

2011-01-12T23:40:00.000-05:00

Win: Prilosec Prize Pack with $100 Am Ex Card
Where: My Thoughts Ideas and Ramblings
When: January 26th at 11:59 pm CST
Enter here!

Win $500 Visa and MORE!

2010-12-31T20:45:00.001-05:00

Win: $500 Visa Gift Card and Prizes
Where: Bargain Mom
When: 11:55 pm CT December 31, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway on Prizey.net

Win a $50 Starbucks Gift Card

2010-12-31T20:27:00.000-05:00

Win: $50 Starbucks Gift Card
Where: Salad For Breakfast
When: 11:00 pm CT December 31, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

Enter to win $150 at Life in Chicago

2010-12-28T00:32:00.001-05:00

Win: $150 cash
Where: Life in Chicago
When: Contest ends 12/28/10
Enter here!

Win a Fed Ex Prize Pack at Daddy Forever

2010-12-27T23:42:00.002-05:00

(image from Daddy Forever)

Prize: Fed Ex Prize Pack
Where: Daddy Forever
When: The deadline to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, December 28th (Pacific time).
Enter here

Win a Midas Safety Kit from Daddy Forever!

2010-12-27T23:25:00.002-05:00

(image from Daddy Forever)
Prize: Midas Winter Safety Kit
Where: Daddy Forever
When: The deadline to enter the giveaway is Monday, December 27th (Pacific time).
Enter here: http://daddyforever.com/2010/12/13/winterizing/

$50 Bank of America Card at Found Not Lost

2010-12-27T22:51:00.002-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: Found Not Lost
When: December 27

Enter here!

$50 Bank of America Card at Mama's Money Savers

2010-12-27T22:28:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: Mama's Money Savers
When: December 27

Enter here!

$50 Bank of America Card at The Dirty Shirt

2010-12-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: The Dirty Shirt
When: midnight on December 27

Enter here!

$50 Bank of America Card at Life with Lisa

2010-12-26T21:32:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: Life with Lisa
When: 12/27, 7pm EST

Enter here!

$50 Bank of America Card at Katydid and Kid

2010-12-26T21:06:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: Katydid and Kid
When: Sunday December 26th at 11:59pm EST

Enter here!

$50 Bank of America Card at Experimental Mommy

2010-12-26T20:53:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: The Not So Blog's Experimental Mommy
When: 11:59pm CST on December 27th
Enter here!

$50 Bank of America Card at Mom Start

2010-12-26T20:45:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: Mom Start
When: December 27
Enter here!

Win a $50 Bank of America Card

2010-12-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Bank of America Card
Where: A Mom's Impression
When: midnight on December 27
Enter here!

Commit a Minute to Safety and Enter to Win!

2010-12-25T05:09:00.001-05:00

Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) is running an important safety campaign called, "Commit a Minute". They are asking families to take one minute out of their busy schedules and do something to keep their family safe. To learn more: click here http://safetyathome.com/commitaminute/

UL, Safety at Home (SafetyatHome.com), and Look What Mom and Dad Found have a giveaway to win a $250 Visa Gift Card!

Enter by: 11:55 pm CT December 25, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

Having "The Talk" With Your Children - Five Tips to Make the Holidays a Learning Experience

2010-12-23T23:03:00.000-05:00

No, not the birds and the bees talk...... but also very important. I'm referring to "The Talk" about financial responsibility. How can you instill in your children a reasonable respect for money and material things while encouraging a joy of giving? Here's a five tips that are especially good for this time of year:

1. Set a good example! When you are trying to teach your children a life skill, always the best advice is to set a good example. Children learn from you 24/7 and more from watching you than listening to you. Especially at a holiday season, let them see your joy of giving. Show them that you consider it important to give to others, make donations, and volunteer your time.

2. Encourage your child's natural joy of giving. All children love praise and recognition. When you see your child giving of their toys, time, or love, praise them for it. Let them know that you notice and appreciate their generosity.

3. Read books about giving. Have you ever told your child something only to be ignored? And then they read the same thing in a book and pay attention? Sometimes it helps to get outside corroboration. Here are some suggestions!

For Ages 4-8:

The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
Andrew's Wish

For Young Adult:

Catch the Spirit
Complete Idiot's Guide to Volunteering for Teens

4. Teach Asset Allocation (Spending, Saving, Donating, Investing). The holidays are a perfect time to teach your child about how to handle a gift of money. Talk to them about the choices of spending, saving, donating, and investing and how each one is important. Set percentages and encourage them to stick to their "income budget" when they receive a cash holiday gift.

5. Set a Holiday Budget. Sit down with your children and set a budget for their holiday giving to friends and family. Agree on a total and then (if age appropriate) let them set the amount for each person and adjust as they start making purchases.

iVillage has a campaign to encourage parents to have The Talk! "You work hard to provide for your kids, but will they be ready to provide for themselves when they are grown? Learn how to have 'the talk' with your teen about financial responsibility-- visit ivillage.com/thetalk, for tips & tools from iVillage and Pass from American Express.

Help us encourage other parents to have 'The Talk' with their teens--share the badge on Facebook.

For every shared badge on Facebook, iVillage will donate $1* to the Junior Achievement Scholarship Fund!*(up to $5,000)"

To share the badge, go here!

iVillage "The Talk" on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iVillage?v=app_157549064261486

Disclosure: This post has entered me in a contest to win a $100 American Express Gift Card.

Win a Wreath!

2010-12-23T21:46:00.000-05:00

Prize: Wreath from Balsam Hill
Where: The Cartoon Lovin' Momma
When: 11:59 pm CT December 23, 2010
Enter here!

Win a Polar Cuddle Cub - Hurry ends tonite!

2010-12-23T21:30:00.000-05:00

Prize: Polar Cuddle Cub from Cloud B
Where: The Cartoon Lovin' Momma
When: 11:59 pm CT December 23, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

Win a $50 Amazon.com Gift Code!

2010-12-23T20:33:00.000-05:00

Prize: $50 Amazon.com gift card
Where: Makobi Scribe Product Review
When: 9:00 pm CT December 23, 2010
Enter here!

(I found this contest at Prizey.net)

Aspirations and Plans for My Upcoming "New Life"

2010-12-16T16:28:00.003-05:00

Rosie is going to be going to kindergarten next year. Hold on a second while I cry. *tears rolling* *sniffle* Okay, I feel a little better and can go on. If we get her into the charter school that we are hoping to, she'll be in all day kindergarten. Uh, hear I go again.... *sniffle* Okay, back to the subject. I will be unoccupied for five days a week "all day". So I am going to have time for new possibilities in my life.

1. Stay Home
I've just started thinking about what I would like to do. I know, for sure, that for the first few months, I don't want to commit to anything but cleaning my house. And decorating. And organizing. That is going to take a bit of time, I know. I'm looking forward to it. Well, maybe not the doing but the finished product of a clean, pretty, organized home. Because. We. Don't. Have. That. Now. Nope, not even close.

2. Keep Blogging
I love blogging! I love doing it, the challenge. I love the benefits of it. Cyber-friendships, free stuff, knowing new things before most people. I definitely want to keep blogging. Blog more, in fact. I would like to write more interest articles and not just product reviews and suggested topics.

3. Volunteer
I found over the years that I enjoy serving other people. I like helping people. In school, my tests showed that I should be a social worker. My favorite job, was working at the front desk in a hotel. I think I would like to volunteer somewhere where I help people. I like the idea of more interaction with adults, instead of toddlers too.

4. Get Healthy
With Rosie in kindergarten, I'll have no excuse not to get to the fitness center. Hopefully, by then I will be at my goal weight (thank you, Nutrisystem!) and be healthier than I am today. I'm looking forward to spending the time, putting the focus, on getting and being healthy. After all, I have a little girl to take care of, I need to be around for a long time.

Whenever you have change coming in your life, you have opportunity! It's scary, but it's also exciting. It's a chance to do the things you've been putting on the "back burner". To try new things, to improve and make positive changes for yourself and those around you!

I've been watching Oprah for years. I've been lucky enough to be in the audience twice. The first time was just after September 11th. Oprah spoke about the effect that the tragedy had on her and how she wanted to change the crazy schedule and priorities in her life. I don't think she's really had the chance to do that.... until now. Her talk show is ending. But it's not an end - it's a beginning. A huge beginning for her. I'd imagine that she's nervous. Anyone would be. But excited. It's a blank page and Oprah can write anything she wants! So cool! Best wishes, Oprah! I can't wait to see what you do!

About OWN: The new OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is launching on January 1, 2011! OWN programming will include original series and specials, all focused on entertaining, informing and inspiring people to live their best lives. In honor of the new year, new year’s resolutions and living the best lives we can,

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network blogging program, for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate,click here http://own.twittermoms.com/about.

Blu-Ray Prize Pack at The Not So Blog

2010-12-15T00:46:00.000-05:00

I would love to win this one!!! Redbox and The Not So Blog's Experimental Mommy are giving away a Blu-ray player and a year of movies! How cool!

Thanks to Redbox, one lucky reader will win their very own Blu-ray Prize Pack including a Blu-ray player and a year’s worth of Redbox rentals (ARV $175)!!

Win: Blu-ray Prize Pack
Where: The Not So Blog
Deadline: Wednesday, December 15 at 9:00am CST
Enter here!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

2010-12-06T23:59:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Giveaways on Blogs
and the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!

There are some great prizes to win and
all entries for these prizes are on this post.

Win $50 in Fandango Bucks! (US and Canada)

Fandango, the ultimate movie ticketing destination, is your source for movie tickets and movie times. Know before you go to the theater, watch HD movie trailers and videos in the highest quality available. Find movie reviews, theater listings, and information about new and upcoming films.
Winner: Kari J.

Win a $25 Gift Certificate for Del Monte fresh fruits and vegetables. (US only)
(substituted Amazon.com)

Winner: Jessica J.

Win a $25 Restaurant.com Gift Card! (US only)

"Restaurant.com is about celebrating the dining experience more affordably. We provide certificates for literally thousands of great restaurants – many of them right in your neighborhood – that bring you the fun and pleasure of eating out while spending less."
Winner: Jessica L.

Win a $20 Cold Stone Creamery Gift Card! (US only)

Winner: Rebekah F.

Main Entry:

Follow Giveaways on Blogs publicly on Google Friend Connect (right sidebar).

Bonus Entries:

Follow me on Twitter.
Subscribe to Giveaways on Blogs by Email .
Tweet this giveaway (RT 1x per day). Sample tweet:

Gift Card Giveaway @GiveawaysonBlog! Fandango, Del Monte, Cold Stone Creamery, Restaurant.com! http://tinyurl.com/2axz7kq #giveaway

Leave one comment for each entry. Giveaway ends on December 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. There will be one winner chosen for each prize. The winners will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected for that prize. Good luck!

Disclosure: All prizes were provided by me or the sponsors, I received no compensation or gift cards other than prizes here or on Kelly's Lucky You.

Are you ready to hop to some other blog giveaways?! Here's the linky, have fun!

Twitter Party Alert! Operation Shower and Operation Give Thanks

2010-12-02T10:23:00.001-05:00

About the #OGT One Million for $1 Million party

One Million for $1 Million is a groundbreaking opportunity for you to support Operation Shower in their efforts to make life a little easier for our military families. As part of Operation Give Thanks, our goal is to host 1 million tweeps at our party and raise $1 million for Operation Shower!

Operation Shower is a non-profit organization that honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating unit-wide baby showers and “showers in a box” for expecting military families in a deployment or high stress situation. Moms and dads receive gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, toys, books, and much more. Operation Shower’s long-term goal is to reach every military base in the nation.

Operation Give Thanks is a nationwide fundraising campaign to help Operation Shower continue their mission to throw amazing baby showers for military families to ease the burden of deployment.

Party Details

What: Operation Give Thanks (#ogt) Twitter party
When: Thursday, December 2 from 9pm EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
Where: Online or on our custom Tweetgrid! (Read our blog post about using TweetGrid)
Topic: What are you thankful for?
Who: Follow hostesses @AboutOne, @OperationShower, @DoubleDutyDivas, @CoolBabyKid, and @BridgetteLA to participate in our online scavenger hunt.
Prizes: Over $3,000 in prizes including an Apple iPad, an Amazon Kindle and more

Disclosure: By posting about the party, I am entered to win a $100 Visa Card.

Five Helpful Tips for Holiday Tech Shopping

2010-11-30T17:22:00.004-05:00

Five Helpful Tips for Holiday Tech Shopping

Are you shopping this holiday season for a tech gift or a tech product for yourself? This is a great time of year to pick up the latest and best in technology. Most tech stores have great sales and we all love to find a fun, new gadget under the tree! Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else, there are things to remember when doing your holiday tech shopping. Here are my five favorite tips!

1. Consider the tech skills of the recipient and
any future monthly costs associated with the item.

If you are selecting a smart phone to put under the Christmas tree this year, you want to consider the recipient's level of familiarity with phones. For example, my teenage niece would love an iPhone, but my mother-in-law would be freaked out at the touch screen! Adjust the gift if the recipient prefers less complicated options. Also, if you are giving a gift that will have associated monthly costs after the purchase, make sure the recipient is willing to pay those.

2. Think about whether you need the biggest, fastest, best or

if a standard model will make you just as happy.
Do you need a specific brand?

It's always tempting to get the biggest screen tv, the fastest laptop, or the best camera but step back and think about whether you or the gift recipient need that much power. Consider how long you or the user will be keeping the item. For example, on computers, you may want to go to the high end of memory capability if the user will be keeping it for years. Software tends to increase in size and bigger and bigger computers are needed to run the applications we may want to use next year or the year after. Sometimes, a certain brand will have a "cool factor" that can't be beat!

3. Read customer reviews and ratings. Ask your friends.

There are many sites like Staples.com that have customer reviews for each product. It's great information to read the pros and cons from unbiased sources. Check the number of reviews, if there are only a few, the rating is not reliable. Ask friends and co-workers. It helps to hear the details of using a certain product and you can rely on information from people you know. Some website, like Staples.com, even have a Q and A for tech products. There is a tab on the product page called "Q and A" where you can read questions that other people have asked, or ask one yourself.

4. Check for the internet (ie hub pages and blogs) for product comparisons.

I was just considering buying a handheld game device for my daughter and got lost in trying to compare the models of different manufacturers. I googled comparison of video game devices and found some great articles that directly compared the top three choices. This is also true for cameras, laptops, and smart phones. There are great articles that do side-by-side comparisons.

5. After you buy, keep watching for sales - lots of companies have price guarantees.

Just because you've brought a tech item home, doesn't mean the comparison shopping is over. When you buy a product, pay attention to the price guarantee information. If they will match a competitor or their own sales price for a future period, remember to check for those sales.
For example, here is the price match policy from Staples.com and many companies have similar policies.

"Q: How does Staples’ price–match guarantee work?
A: If you find a lower price anywhere else on a new identical item, just show us the lower price when you buy the item at Staples and we will match the price, or within 14 days of your Staples purchase and we will give you the difference."

Conclusion: I hope this gives you some helpful information for holiday tech shopping. One last tip, in case you missed the mark when you chose that gift for someone else. Remember to save your receipts and check re-stocking policies, they may want to exchange it!

About Staples:
Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services. Our broad selection of office supplies, electronics, technology and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and copying and printing, helps our customers run their offices efficiently. With 2009 sales of $24 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia serving businesses of all sizes and consumers. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today ranks second worldwide in e-commerce sales. The company is headquartered outside Boston.

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://staplesholiday.twittermoms.com/about.

5 Minutes For Mom and Rayovac Rock Christmas!

2010-11-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

Rayovac wants to power your holidays with fun new contest. To enter, just visit the Mom Rocks the Holidays with Rayovac contest tab on Facebook, like them and tell them how you or your mom makes the holidays rock for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash! There will be 3 Grand Prize winners and 20 Runner Up winners will take home a Paper Jamz guitar, amp, drum kit, guitar strap, and two Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs of batteries.

Also, if you're a blogger, be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Mom's Do You ROCK Christmas? (Would an extra $250 or $1000 help you ROCK it more?) Giveaway
where you can win 1 of 5 Mom Rocks the Holiday prize packs that include a $250 Visa Gift Card, Paper Jamz guitar and Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 pack of batteries.

Disclosure – Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.

Win an iPad from The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness!

2010-11-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

Win: iPad !!! Yup, an iPad !!!
Where: The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness
Deadline: Wednesday, December 8 at 11:59 pm EST
Enter here!

Rayovac and Mommy Goggles - A Winning Combination!

2010-11-28T19:24:00.000-05:00

Rayovac wants to power your holidays with fun new contest. To enter, just visit the Mom Rocks the Holidays with Rayovac contest tab on Facebook, like them and tell them how you or your mom makes the holidays rock for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash! There will be 3 Grand Prize winners and 20 Runner Up winners will take home a Paper Jamz guitar, amp, drum kit, guitar strap, and two Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs of batteries.

Also, be sure to visit Mommy Goggles ‘Moms Rock the Holidays with Rayovac & Paper Jamz Giveaway! where you can win 1 of 5 Mom Rocks the Holiday prize packs that include a $50 Visa Gift Card, Paper Jamz guitar and Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 pack of batteries.

Disclosure – Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.

Win an Epson Artisan 710 Printer!

2010-11-27T19:56:00.001-05:00

I'd like to win this one because my mom needs a printer!
Win: Epson Artisan 710 Printer
Where: Familylicious Reviews
When: Nov 28th @11:59PM PST.
Enter here!

Win Candy Apples at Pink Dandy Chatter!

2010-11-27T19:40:00.000-05:00

Win: Two Candy Apples From LollipopSugarShoppe
Where: Pink Dandy Chatter
When: 10:52 am CT November 28, 2010
Enter here!

Win Bendaroos from Blissful Reviews!

2010-11-27T17:27:00.000-05:00

Win: Bendaroos Glow In the Dark Kit
Where: Blissful Reviews
When: 11:59 pm CT November 27, 2010
Enter here!

Win Todays Girl Doll and Doll Bed

2010-11-27T17:04:00.000-05:00

Win: Two Today's Girl Dolls & a Classic Brass Bed
Where: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
When: 11:59 pm CT November 27, 2010
Enter here!

Shutterfly Photo Cards

2010-11-27T13:07:00.005-05:00

Bold Floral Birthday Birthday 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly birthday cards and birthday party invitations.

View the entire collection of cards.

Disclosure: By sharing my photocard in this post, I qualified for a $25 Shutterfly Gift Certificate.

Win a Christmas Tree!

2010-11-26T20:46:00.002-05:00

Green Valley Christmas Trees offers a fresh assortment of the most popular Christmas trees to celebrate the holidays with - shipped straight to your door. Their Fraser Fir, Noble Fir and White Pine Christmas trees are of the highest quality and are farm grown in their native soils. Each Christmas tree species has its own unique beauty and special characteristics. To help you choose which tree is best for you, go to their website or call 888-48-TREES (888-488-7337.

Win: Green Valley Christmas Tree (a live tree!)
Where: MommyPR
When: 11:24 pm CT November 26, 2010
Enter here!

Freebie Fairy is giving away this Girls Coat!

2010-11-26T20:12:00.001-05:00

Enter to win this Silver Snowflake Girls Puffer Jacket from Rothschild Kids - Size 7/8
Where: The Freebie Fairy
When: 7:00 pm PST November 26, 2010
Enter here

Mom Rocks the Holidays with Rayovac

2010-11-25T22:33:00.000-05:00

Rayovac wants to power your holidays with fun new contest.

To enter, just visit the Mom Rocks the Holidays with Rayovac http://www.facebook.com/Rayovac#!/Rayovac?v=app_102844599787096 contest tab on Facebook, like them and tell them how you or your mom makes the holidays rock for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash!

There will be 3 Grand Prize winners and 20 Runner Up winners will take home a Paper Jamz guitar, amp, drum kit, guitar strap, and two Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs of batteries.

Also, be sure to visit 3 Kids and Us mom blog http://3kidsandus.com/2010/mom-rocks-the-holidays/ where you can win 1 of 5 Mom Rocks the Holiday prize packs that include a $50 Visa Gift Card, Pper Jamz guitar and Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 pack of batteries.

Disclosure – Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.

Win an Epson Printer

2010-11-25T21:03:00.000-05:00

Prize: Epson Printer

Where: Market Mommy

Ends: 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 26, 2010

Enter here

Ending Soon!

2010-11-25T00:09:00.000-05:00

Win an Amazon Kindle or $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Don't prevent wealth! Win an Amazon Kindle @wepreventwealth -ends 11/25 http://tinyurl.com/2ctgd4h #giveaway

5 Tips for Editing and Creating Beautiful Digital Photo Projects

2010-11-23T21:51:00.002-05:00

I love taking family photographs and creating art with them. I've used photographs to make everything from men's ties to canvas wall art. It's an emotional expression of love for my family to surround our "nest" with pictures of family. Of course, my daughter is my favorite subject, but I've worked with others as well.

Here are five of my favorite tips for editing and creating beautiful digital photo projects.

1. Play with color. Photo editing software gives you the tools to change the colors in a photograph. These are pictures of my little cousins. Here's an example of one in sepia, which creates an old-time feel to a photograph. The second photograph has the children in color, but the background in black and white, giving the photo an artistic feel and emphasizing the main focus.

Isn't this photo fun? It would have a completely different look if it was in natural color versus this sepia version.

These are the same children but in this photo the background has been changed to black and white. Notice how they stand out from the background - telling the viewer that they are the most important, vibrant part of the photograph. I know my child has added "color" to my life!

2. Change the texture of a photograph to an oil painting, a pencil sketch or a watercolor. Photo editing software allows you to change the texture of a photograph to create "brushstrokes". Of these three, the first is an original photo of my daughter, the second is a pencil sketch version and the third is an oil painting version.

The background in this photo was black and white, these are the actual colors in this photo.

This is the same photo in a pencil sketch-type of treatment. Isn't it a completely different piece? It looks much more like art in this photo. It looks as if an artist created it, not a camera.

Speaking of the creation of an artist, this photo editing trick creates an "oil painting" effect. Notice how the details are blurred and there are more blocks of color, as if created with paint and a brush.

3. Correct the effects of sunlight on the color. This is a photo I took a few years ago at a local park, and then the "corrected one". The second photo looks much more like what my eye saw when I took the photo. Especially with fall colors in nature, what my camera took was much more washed out than reality. With photo editing software, I was able to correct the effects of the sunlight and bring out the true, bright fall colors that I love!

4. Collage it! Can't choose just one picture? Put them all together for movement and fun. In the first picture, I put together pictures of my daughter with each of the Disney princesses. (Except we missed seeing Pocohontas) The separate pictures would be nice, but a collage tells a story that individual pictures can't do.

In this collage, I'm showing the "rock star" in my daughter. Individual pictures wouldn't tell you the movement and spirit that she showed. By making a collage of pictures, the viewer sees a sequence of movement.

5. Frame it! There are many advantages to putting a "frame" around your picture using photo editing software. It creates a finished, professional look to a photograph. This one is an example of a tinted "mirror frame". The frame is actually the photograph image with added color. I was able to choose the color to match the color of her raincoat. Doesn't it seem to "finish" off the photograph?

Photo editing software offers us unlimited choices of things to add to our photograph and improve the message we are trying to communicate to the viewer. It truly customizes the photograph for what we want to use it for - from a coffee cup to wall art. Experiment, but be prepared to spend hours! It's so fun, I often get "lost in time" when I play with my photographs and photo editing software.

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Adobe blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://photoshopelements.twittermoms.com/about

About Adobe Photoshop Elements:
Get a complete solution for photos. With Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, you can make your photos look extraordinary with easy-to-use editing options. Share your stories in beautiful, personalized print creations and Online Albums. And easily organize all your photos and video clips from one convenient place.

More info: http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/explore/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AdobeElements

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PhotoshopElements

My Favorite Road Trip

2010-11-23T18:58:00.000-05:00

Our family loves to travel, any kind of travel. We've gone many places around the world, but dear to our hearts is the all American "Road Trip". As campers, we enjoy exploring this beautiful country especially state parks.

My favorite road trip was when we loaded up our RV and headed from the Chicago area to DisneyWorld. We spent our first night at Spring Mill Indiana State park in Mitchell, Indiana. That's one of our favorite parks and we've been there many times. So it was familiar and my RV driver that I affectionately call "Crash", did a great job of getting us there and parking the RV (often a challenge). It was October and we had beautiful weather. If you've ever been to Southern Indiana in the fall, you know how beautiful the hillsides are, with changing leaves on the trees.

The next day we headed for Atlanta. Unfortunately, on our way, we hit the "closed-road-trap". Despite carefully planning our route, we hadn't anticipated a closed road. We were now forced to exit the highway and make our way in unknown territory. If you've made a road trip before, you are saying, "uh, oh", aren't you? We grabbed the map, but it wasn't long before we were lost and it was getting dark. We saw a sign for "Fort Mountain State Park" and decided to call it a day and pull in for the night. Alert! Alert! Learning Experience, alert! "Mountain" is not a good word when you are less-than-the-best-driver and looking for a place in the dark, hehehe. Also, if a sign doesn't say how far it is to an attraction? Be afraid, be very afraid, hehehe. Two hours later, in the dark, we are still driving.... and driving... We were on winding roads, going... up.... and up.... and up. Remember, "mountain"? Then, of course, it got foggy!

We kept seeing signs that said, "Fort Mountain State Park, Straight Ahead" We knew we were going the right way - we just didn't know how far we had to go and how far straight up! We found out the next day - in daylight - that it was a beautiful campground. But, whew, what it took us to get there! When we saw some of the drop-offs as we were going back down, we thought maybe it was a good thing that we couldn't see the night before!

We had a wonderful trip and still laugh to this day about our choice of a "Mountain" campsite.

Here's my three favorite tips when you're planning a road trip:

1. Pack your sense of humor and be flexible. Every road trip, no matter how carefully planned is going to hit some rough road. That's the nature of the road trip, it has the "unexpected". But if you face it all with a sense of humor and remember to enjoy the journey, you will create lasting happy memories.

2. Create a fun environment in your vehicle. You are going to be spending a lot of time in your vehicle, whether it's a car, mini-van or RV. Take with you the things you love - your favorite music, books, magazines. Even air freshener scent! Audio books are a great way to enjoy the time. A cooler and snack bag provide treats for the hungry or thirsty traveler and you don't have to stop every time.

3. Try new things and places. There are so many store and restaurant franchises now that it's tempting to stick with the familiar, but to get the most out of a road trip, be willing to branch out and try the small businesses in new places.

About Dicount Tire:
Discount Tire specializes in tires and wheels. Their professionals are expertly trained in the latest product offerings, vehicle fitments, installation techniques, and safety and quality issues. This ensures the most appropriate products and services are presented for your vehicle. The type of vehicle, driving conditions, weather, and other issues all impact their custom recommendations to you. Their goal is to provide the lowest prices, quality products & the best customer service in the industry. Additionally, Discount Tire carries the largest selection of wheels and tires out there, including tire brands like Goodyear, Michelin & Yokohama, as well as wheel brands such as Enkei, MB and Voxx.

Winter Safety Tips
Winter Tires are designed to deliver safety and control in snow, ice, and cold weather conditions. Many people think that all-season tires can deliver this same performance, but this is not true. The superior traction that winter tires deliver, as much as a 25 to 50 percent increase over all-season tires, can very well be the margin you need to stop in time or turn to avoid trouble.

More info: http://discounttire.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DiscountTire

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Discount Tire blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card and be entered for a chance to win a prize valued at $1,000. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://discounttire.twittermoms.com/about

10 Holiday Survival Tips

2010-11-19T22:40:00.001-05:00

As we see more and more style gurus of holiday decorating, cooking, and shopping, expectations of holiday activities get higher and higher. People like Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Nate Berkus, and Kathy Ireland set the bar where most of us can't reach. Then when we fall short, we feel badly, like we aren't doing everything we can for our families. If we don't have the latest-greatest gifts under the perfect tree, and the most delicious and beautiful Christmas Eve buffet, we stress out. Here are some tips to survive the upcoming holidays without ruining your health - physical or mental! (and all the images in this post are designs from Tiny Prints!)

1. Set reasonable goals for yourself. Go for simple! What do you remember about holidays when you were growing up? Is it the gifts? Is it the appetizers? No! It's the little simple "people" things, you remember. Sometimes, it's even the mistakes that create fun memories. Remember when Aunt Lucy knitted you that hideous Christmas sweater? It wasn't a name-brand designer, hot trendy outfit. But she made it for you and even though you didn't wear it (puh-leeze!), you remember it!

2. Start shopping early. There's no rules - the date police will not show up at your house if you start decorating and shopping before Thanksgiving. The more time you have, the less stressful shopping will be.

3. Combine tasks with fun - have a gift wrapping party! Instead of making it a lonely "job" to wrap gifts this year, call a couple girlfriends and make it fun! Or involve your children and make wrapping the gifts (not for them, of course) a craft project. The recipients will love knowing that the children wrapped their gifts.

4. Don't wait until Christmas Eve to start de-boxing and assembling toys. It's incredible the number of twist ties and tape that secure toys these days. And there's nothing that puts a damper on a child's unwrapping excitement more, than not being able to get the toy out of the packaging. It's going to take time to de-box and assemble any toys so, start early and do a little bit at a time. It will keep you from blowing your cool and destroying a gift.

5. Enjoy the journey. I have to remind myself constantly, that it's not all about achieving the goal. The journey is a goal in and of itself. Your children won't always care if you have the most beautiful chocolate mousse. What they do care about and will remember is how you made them feel - make them feel special.

6. Get plenty of rest. It's tempting to use the wee hours of the night to accomplish some of those hundreds of things on your to-do list. But the next day will be much more productive - all day - if you go to sleep on time and get your rest. Getting enough rest is also one of the things that will help ward off winter colds and flu.

7. Remember to laugh. Martha Stewart is not joining you this Christmas. The Oprah show crew is not showing up to memorialize your Christmas decorating style. Take time to watch your kids - watching Maya is guaranteed to make me laugh! Be silly - put on a Santa beard.

8. Remember the reason for the season. Find time for prayer and meditation. Christmas is so much more than decorations, gifts, and parties. Take a break to remember the first Christmas and what it meant. God sent us His Only Son.

9. Use professionals to help you. You don't have to make everything for scratch, cut down your own tree, grow your own corn. One amazing time saving service these days will address and mail your holiday cards! Check out a company like Tiny Prints. Make your holidays easier with Tiny Prints Christmas Cards. The quality of their product is exemplary and their imagination in finding ways to make your life easier has no bounds. Not only is their service impeccable, they have great designs. People will think you spent hours, not minutes in creating your holiday cards. One place where I always save time is pre-made mashed potatoes. Not the powdered kind but the actual potatoes.

10. Start a Christmas Club or Savings Account for next year. Our local bank still has Christmas Club Accounts. I love, love, love them! Divide your Christmas budget by 10 and start in January, putting one tenth into that account. Or, better yet, set it up to come automatically out of your paycheck. Next October, you'll have all the money you need. Isn't that a dream come true to help you survive the holidays?

Remember, it's not what you do with your kids that matter, it's how you make them feel. Make them feel special. That will create a warm and wonderful memory! Have fun and enjoy the season. You won't only survive, you will thrive and face the New Year with happiness and hope. God Bless!

About Tiny Prints:

Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique stationery from photo cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards and business cards. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side the Holidays will be a cinch! They offer adorable Thanksgiving Cards, Christmas Cards, Hanukkah Cards, and even New Years Cards. All fully customizable and personalizable.

Tiny Prints helps you get together, keep in touch and share your love—one little card at a time. Tiny Prints was started in 2003 by three friends and a dream. With a shared a love of babies and an affinity for beautiful paper, they set out to create a stationery company that would offer the experience of a local boutique with the ease of an online retailer. Specializing in the celebration of all of life's special occasions, we're thrilled to offer a fresh selection of exclusive designs, from birth announcements and baby shower invitations to personal stationery and more, delivered with the best customer service you can find online or in stores.

Stop by the Tiny Prints Blog, become a fan of Tiny Prints on Facebook and follow Tiny Prints on Twitter @TinyPrints to discover news, trends and creative inspiration for social stationery, family celebrations and so much more!

More info: http://www.tinyprints.com
Join Tiny Prints on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tinyprints
Follow Tiny Prints on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinyprints

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program, making me eligible to get a $75 Tiny Prints gift certificate! For more information on how you can participate, click here http://tinyprints.twittermoms.com/about2

10 Tips for Weaving the Hottest Runway Trends into Your Day-to-day Looks

2010-11-18T23:42:00.001-05:00

While most of the runway looks in Paris and Milan are a bit extreme for Northwest Indiana, there are many trends you can incorporate into your fashion closet. I've taken ten looks from the runway and distilled a trend that you can use every day. You'll look great and up-to-date whether your in New York or Iowa. The pictures are from Style.com.

1. This first runway look is from designer Dolce & Gabbana - their Milan show. While we won't be showing that much leg, look at the jacket. The double breasted fitted waist is a great look that will add feminine curves. Pair that with some slim jeans and you'll look chic this winter.

2. Calvin Klein's New York show, featured this look. While that much black might not work for you, you can wear a similar silhouette. Notice how the top hits mid-thigh and is paired with skinny pants and boots. Now that's a look we love!

3. Alexander McQueen's Paris show featured beautiful print fabric with a medieval quality. My favorite thing about this outfit was the combination of a rich, print fabric on top and a dark, solid below. For those of us who are pear-shaped and need to balance our top and bottom, this is an excellent technique. Where does your eye go in the photo above? Isn't it drawn to the color and pattern? Your eye skims over the hip area and goes right to the rich colors of the patterned fabric.

4. I love Armani and his clean, simple lines. This is from the Giorgio Armani Milan show. What I take from this runway style, is the combination of textures. The velvet is matte and thick-looking, the outside fabric is thinner and shinier. They are the same color but create depth and movement because of the difference in texture.

5. I just love Armani so much, I have to include another - also from the Milan show. This is a look that you can modify only slightly and go with it! The skirt obviously is going to have to be longer for mainstream America and the neckline higher. But otherwise, this combination of a tweedy, long jacket, a black skirt, and a silky shell? Perfect, perfect and perfect. Love, love, love this! Notice the collar of the jacket and the silhouette it creates at the neckline. Magnifique!

6. The thin belt showed up in several of the Prada designs at the Milan show and it is a hot trend for this winter. Whether you're tiny or not, a thin belt will create an illusion of great curves. Using a bright color on black, or black on a color will draw the eye to the waist. Go for it!

7. This Versace runway look is a modern twist on the oldest slimming look in the book. Wear black on the inner layers and a pop! of bright color on the outside. You create a vertical line and look slimmer. Who doesn't want that?

8. Chanel actually brought ice from a Scandinavian iceberg to Paris for their show. This outfit brought two fashion trends to mind for me. First is the fake fur. Real fur is completely passe. Do not hurt animals! But we don't have to give up the fun look of fur - go fake. The second tip I see in this outfit is a way to create a long-legged look. Wear the same color on your legs and skirt. While this fur is a little to out-there for most of us, you can create the same illusion by wearing black boots, black tights, and a black skirt. You're legs will look like they're a mile long.

9. Christian Dior's Paris show featured a predominant characteristic that I also saw in other designers work - neutral colors. It's something that gives an impression of wealth, calm, and beauty to mix shades of creams, whites, or pearl gray in your winter wardrobe. By wearing neutrals, you are creating a canvas to frame your face and draw attention to you, instead of your clothes.

10. For the last one, I choose two pictures, to show the contrast and result of using a light shirt under a dark jacket, versus a mono-chromatic look. These are from the Proenza Schouler show in New York. Notice how much broader and horizontal the second model looks compared to the first. It's because the outfit in the top photo has a dark jacket over a light shirt, creating a vertical line that your eye follows.

Conclusion: The above photos are runway looks that mid-stream Americans would never wear or look good in. But if we look at them as examples of trends and designs, we can take away advice to spruce up our wardrobe and correct any figure flaws.

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Twitter: @mysears

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Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Kenmore blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://SearsKenmore.twittermoms.com/about

What Brings Comfort and Joy To Your Life

2010-11-18T17:52:00.004-05:00

This is the season, with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, to reflect on people who have brought us comfort and joy during a time of need. When I hear those words, I think of the time when I was waiting for Maya to come home. As most of my readers know, we adopted Maya and it was a roller coaster of a process with so many ups and downs. I was fortunate to have many friends and family to help me through the tough times.

When I was waiting and feeling blue about the possibility that I might not have a child illuminating my life any time soon, it helped to dream and plan. I spent hours and hours planning her nursery. My friends were so patient with me. I'm sure it had to be tedious at times to listen to me go on and on about every little detail. But listen they did. And even more, they helped me with gifts of thought, time, and objects.

Maya's nursery was completed before she came home. I would spend hours and hours in there, dreaming of the day when she would be a physical party of our lives. When she could play and sleep in that room. Everything in the nursery was special for one reason or another.

Every time a friend or family member would give us a gift for the nursery, it was like a vote of confidence. They were telling me that they really believed she would be coming home to us. That one day, she would be there - in our home and in our hearts. My parents gave us the crib. My mom walked miles with me through baby stores and furniture stores, to find just the right crib. It sounds funny, but having a crib said to me that Maya would really be home soon - while she was still a baby. The crib is now converted to a headboard in our guest room and every time I see it, I remember the hours I spent shopping with my mom and the comfort and support that she gave me as we talked and searched for the perfect crib.

My friend Pat, gave me a hand-made quilt. She makes exquisite quilts and I treasure this one. The colors of the fabrics were so soft and cute! Because we knew we would be adopting a girl, she used the sweetest shades of pink and softest shades of purple. It's a beautiful and very special quilt, that warmed Maya and I on that very first morning she was home as we sat in the rocking chair and I gave her a bottle. Whenever I see or touch the softness of that quilt, I remember my good friend, and that first morning holding my baby girl.

My special niece, Lori, gave us an iHome clock radio. I had created iPod play lists of songs for Maya. I love music and wanted music to be a huge part of Maya's life. I spent hours on the train commuting to work, listening to lullabies, play songs, children's music, nursery rhymes. I chose special songs for the morning, when she would wake up - dreaming of the time when I would encourage my child to start the day happy and hopeful. Lullabies that would soothe her to sleep. I was thrilled to find a CD by Carnie Wilson, that was perfect for our bedtime routine. To this day, Maya knows that when she hears Wonderful World (the last song in the playlist) that it's time to go to bed. The gift gave me a way to put beautiful, fun, wonderful music into the nursery and into my daughter's life!

Please take time this holiday season to think about the people and things that have brought you comfort and joy. Think about the special moments in your life and who shared them with you. Appreciate the ones who have comforted you when you've been worried or sad. And "pay it forward" - think about who you can help, comfort and bring joy to for this holiday season and beyond.

About Kleenex®:
The world's first and America's best-selling facial tissue, the Kleenex® Brand is recognized by families in more than 150 countries. Invented in 1924, Kleenex® Brand facial tissues were initially marketed as a sanitary way to remove cold cream and makeup. Once advertising was shifted to emphasize the product's use as a disposable handkerchief, however, sales soared. Always the innovative leader, Kleenex® Brand facial tissue has met the unmet needs of consumers for more than 80 years with products that provide the essential and uplifting touch that makes life better.

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Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Kleenex blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here. http://sharekleenex.twittermoms.com/about

14 Ways To Have A Fresh And Festive Holiday

2010-11-18T17:27:00.003-05:00

One of the things I love about holidays are the sights and smells. Decorating the house has always been fun for me, but having a five year old daughter makes it even more special. Rosie loves to decorate with me. I go down to my "magic basement" and bring up tubs of decorations that we pore through, choosing our favorites. Then like little decorating fairies, we flit around the house, making it special for an upcoming holiday.

Here are 14 ways to have a fresh and festive holiday, creating special looks and smells for you and your family!

1. Baking is my favorite way to fill the house with delicious holiday smells. We love to make and exchange cookies with our friends at a cookie exchange. Everyone brings five dozen of their favorite cookie recipe and then we exchange. You go home with five dozen of everyone's favorites!

2. Cinnamon sticks and apple cider. A great treat on a cold day! We love to have apple cider with cinnamon sticks. Twirl and swirl the sticks and spice up warm apple cider. It's cozy and just makes the chill of a winter day disappear.

3. Hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows. Tonight we're planning on having a Polar Express party! We're going to watch the movie and for the hot chocolate scene? Well, our own hot chocolate, of course. And it's extra special with tiny marshmallows.

4. Centerpiece of winter fruits. We were just in the grocery store admiring some of the more unusual fruits like pomegranates. Isn't the centerpiece above gorgeous! It's also a beautiful centerpiece, to find a cut glass bowl and fill it with pomegranates, pears, and walnuts.

5. A craft project and a fun air freshener. Have you ever made the cloved orange? You stick cloves into the skin of an orange. Hang with a festive ribbon. It's a fun craft to do with the kids and creates a wonderful smell wherever you hang it.

6. Slice lemons and oranges in a pitcher of fresh ice water. I remember seeing this at a spa. Water tastes best to me when it's icy cold. Slicing in lemons and oranges makes it look as pretty as it tastes good!

7. Set the coffee pot to start automatically in the morning. Doesn't everyone love the smell of fresh coffee in the morning? Mmmm, I love waking up to coffee brewing. I remember my husband talking about his days as a boy scout and remembering that his Dad would always be the first one up and start a cup of coffee. Smells are part of our memories.

8. Are you having house guests for the holidays? I always put 2 cans of air freshener spray in my guest room. I like to leave the option of scent and how much to use up to the guests because it is such a personal preference. Sprays leave the amount of scent to add up to them. By having a choice of cans, they can use one they especially like.

9. A bowl of potpourri in the bathroom is not only pretty, but if you use holiday items, it can also be a festive decoration. The color of the potpourri can be coordinated to your decorating scheme and compliment the look. The scent can also be associated with the holiday. Cinnamon always reminds me of Christmas, and pumpkin always has me thinking of Thanksgiving.

10. A pine wreath at the front door. I love to greet guests with the smell of a Christmas tree. We do still have a real tree, but even if you've switched to artificial, hanging a wreath of real pine at the front door, evokes those same feelings. I recommend hanging it outside to keep it fresh. Then when the door swings in, you get the blast of scent.

11. Wash your towels with a scented fabric softener. I love drying my face and smelling something wonderful! If you use a scented fabric softener, your towels will come out looking, feeling and smelling fantastic. It's just a feeling of luxury and pampering, don't you think?

12. Hang an air freshener in your coat closet. Closets can be a sneaky place for odors to hide. You have shoes, boots, and winter coats - all items that can harbor unpleasant smells. It's the perfect place to hang an air freshener and improve the air quality of that dark place!

13. Cook bacon for a special breakfast. Isn't the smell of bacon wonderful? Even people who don't eat bacon, love the smell. Its not something that you make every day, so it reminds me of a brunch or a breakfast on a special day or occasion.

14. Leave a book in your guest room with information about special places in your area and special festivities for the holidays. Guests are often looking for ideas of ways to celebrate and see unique celebrations in your area. In makes for interesting browsing for a guest and gives them a sense of what's happening around them.

Memories are created by all our senses, but sight and smell are two of the most important for me. I remember my mother baking pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. I remember the turkey cooking in the oven. I remember cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. Create those same memories for your friends and family. You'll be glad you did!

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Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Snuggle blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://snuggle.twittermoms.com/about

Ten Tips for Stylish Layering Techniques for All Occasions

2010-11-17T09:12:00.003-05:00

What do you think of when you hear the word "layering"? Two things come to mind, for me. First, warmth in winter weather. Creating layers of clothing traps in the warm air generated around your body and helps to keep you toasty warm in the snow. It also gives you the option of removing layers in small steps, as you need to. Especially if you are engaging in winter sports, you will warm up as you work out and it's helpful to be able to take off a little at a time.

The second thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word "layering" is fashion layering. If it's done correctly, layering can give you a smart fashion look and hide figure flaws at the same time. But, a word of caution, if it's not done correctly, you might end up looking like the Michelin brand guy! Do you remember the little boy in the movie, A Christmas Story? His mom, layered him up so much that when he fell down, he couldn't get up again!

Here's five tips for warmth layering and five tips for fashion layering!

Warmth Layering

1. The layer closest to your skin is called a "base layer". For maximum comfort, your base layer should be a fabric with moisture wicking properties and comfortable stretch. It'll give you temperature-management, for warmth on cold days but not be too hot on warmer days. Brands like Cuddl Duds have revolutionary fabric that wicks away moisture and keeps you comfortable.

2. The second (or more) layer should be an "insulating layer". The insulating layer keeps the cold out and the warmth in. Wool or fleece are good options. You can have more than one insulating layer, but don't bulk up, as to restrict movement.

3. The outside layer is the "protective layer". The protective layer protects you from wind, rain, or blowing snow. Brrrrr. Look for wind-proof, water-resistant fabrics when you shop for an outside layer.

4. Effective layering lets you stay outdoors longer. Remember to watch for signs of frostbite in any unprotected areas and don't forget accessories like gloves, hats and chapstick!

5. Forget the label! When you're layering for warmth, you may have to buy the outer layer garments in a larger size to accommodate the layers underneath. Don't shop for your usual size, as much as what feels comfortable and allows for easy movement.

Fashion Layering

6. You're body will look thinner and better if it is in proportion. You can use fashion layers to create an illusion of proportion, even where it doesn't exist! Look at your silhouette in the mirror and determine if your shoulders are in proportion to your hips, if your calves are in proportion to your legs, if your arms are in proportion to your torso.

7. If you are pear-shaped, like most women, you want to add layers to your top half. Great layering pieces are camisoles, tanks, turtlenecks, and jackets. The thinner fabrics should be on the inside and the thicker fabrics on the outside. So put that adorable silk tank on the inside and the wool is best for a jacket on the outside. Add a scarf - it's a great layering piece! Same thing with colors - darker colors recede, so for a slimmer look, put the darker colors on the inside layers and the brighter colors on the outside.

8. If your shoulders are large in comparison to your hips, you want to add layers to your bottom half. It's such a great look to pair a short skirt with colorful leggings and chunky boots. Keep a slimmer, less-layered look on the top, maybe a thin weight tank and top.

9. If your calves and legs are thin, you want to layer your legs, with leggings and boots. If you're legs are heavy than do the opposite, keep the layers at a minimum. A dark, thin-weight tight is perfect for making legs look thinner.

10. Vertical versus horizontal. Remember patterns as you layer. Vertical patterns will make you look taller and thinner. So an open jacket with it's vertical lines will be create an illusion of tall and thin. A pullover sweater with horizontal stripes will make you look broader and more solid.

I hope these are some helpful warmth and fashion layering tips! Don't forget to have fun with fashion AND stay warm! By layering your clothes you can correct figure flaws and be cozy and comfy!

About Cuddl Duds:
Cuddl Duds designs and manufactures high quality intimate apparel. As the leading warm underwear maker in America, Cuddl Duds has become synonymous with comfort and “feeling good.” Cuddl Duds is a wholly owned subsidiary of Komar.

Komar, the 102-year-old privately held apparel, consumer products and distribution services company, designs, markets and manufactures women's and children’s sleepwear, loungewear and lingerie. Komar is a progressive company with a global sourcing network that includes factories in fourteen countries andstate-of-the-art distribution facilities. Founded by Charles Komar in 1908, who stated “you only have one reputation,” the third-generation Komars adhere to this guiding principle while running the company today

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Cuddl Duds blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://cuddlduds.twittermoms.com/about

Ten Smart Holiday Shopping Tips

2010-11-16T17:26:00.004-05:00

In my early married days, (that is to say, broke days, well, come to think of it I still have those days) I had a credit from a local store. That was my only "money" to buy Christmas gifts, so I had to shop for everyone at that one store. It turned out very well! I found gifts that everyone enjoyed receiving and I saved time because I didn't have to run from store to store. "Time" also translates to aggravation - I saved aggravation by staying in one store for all my shopping. It wasn't an Office Depot, but I wish it was! This year, I'm challenging myself to fill Santa's bag with what I can find at Office Depot. Did you know that Office Depot has something for everyone on your list and even carries wrapping supplies?

Here's a list for Santa from the toddlers to Grandpa and ten tips along the way!

1. If someone on your list has a Wii game system, games involving their favorite Disney movie is a winner! Did you know Toy Story 3 was the number one animated movie? Office Depot sells this Toy Story game for Wii. When you're shopping - combining two loves is a recipe for gifting success!

2. Parents will appreciate you buying supply-type items for their children. For example, art supplies are always a favorite for children and their parents, both. Office Depot carries Prang, Crayola and Sargent Art supplies like this Prang Washable Glitter Paint:

3. Choose a brand you trust, and you'll know that your gift will be loved! Crayola is one of my favorite brands. I don't think you could possible choose something from Crayola that wasn't loved by a child. Did you know you can search by brand at OfficeDepot.com? I found this tub of Model Magic! Add these fun Counting Bears that are only $7.99....hmm, maybe a stocking stuffer.

4. While I'm on the subject of children - I need a teacher gift! I think this is a perfect one, for the teacher who loves to snack or give treats for her students. Don't forget the teachers, mailman, hair stylist, or UPS man in your life!

5. This is a perfect gift for an Aunt on your list! Does she love to be organized and stylish? When you're choosing a gift, think of the first two adjectives that pop in your head for that person. For my sister-in-law, that's organized and busy. I love this tote and it's made by Day-Timer so you know it will be perfect for the organized woman on the go.

6. Is there a teenage girl on your list? It can be tough to shop for teenagers. If you can't afford to get the teenager on your list that cool new tech toy, how about an accessory for it? For example, if you know her parents are going to surprise her with the iPhone she's been wanting, how about buying her the cool new case for it. Just make sure you don't give your gift first and ruin the surprise!

7. I have a nephew who loves skateboarding. Even though I have no clue about that particular sport, and don't know enough to find him something technically designed for his sport, I can by an associated product that translates over. For example, this Skateboard Flash Drive! Perfect!

8. Looking for a gift for Dad? Does he have a home office like my husband? This office chair would fit his..... list, fit his list. What did you think I was going to say? Leather and comfy - perfect choice! When choosing a gift for a guy, think functional and comfortable.

9. Does Mom have a blog? Or love videos of the kids. Hint....hint.... Check out this Sony bloggie camera! Think about a persons hobbies, to come up with ideas for gifts. Think about the things they love, or love to do.

10. What do grandparents love? Well, there grandchildren of course! If your parents live far away and can't share the everyday lives of their grandchildren, a webcam is the perfect gift. You have one but they don't. Buy one and install it on their computer for them and they'll be able to talk to their grandchildren and can be seen as well.

I hope this gave you some ideas and plans for your own Christmas shopping! Surprisingly, you can find great gifts in unexpected places and reduce your stress at the same time. Have fun and remember to think about the recipient's daily activities to find something perfect, just for them!

About Office Depot:
Office Depot, Inc. is a global supplier of office products and services. The company was incorporated in 1986 with the opening of our first retail store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In fiscal year 2009, we sold $12.1 billion of products and services to consumers and businesses of all sizes through our three business segments: North American Retail Division, North American Business Solutions Division and International Division. Sales are processed through multiple channels, consisting of office supply stores, a contract sales force, an outbound telephone account management sales force, Internet sites, direct marketing catalogs and call centers, all supported by our network of supply chain facilities and delivery operations.

More info: www.top30smartgifts.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/officedepot

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficeDepot

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Office Depot blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 Office Depot gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://officedepotsmartgifts.twittermoms.com/about

Holiday Hop - All Cash or Gift Card Prizes!

2010-11-12T11:57:00.000-05:00

Coming soon! The Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop! All the prizes of participating blogs will be cash or gift cards! Yoweeee-zoweeee! Those prizes will "fit" anyone, won't they? And of course, Giveaways on Blogs will be participating!

I'll be posting the linky with a list of all the participating blogs and you can hop from one to the next entering to win. (I'll be doing the same thing). Don't worry, we won't have to call off work and sit in front of the computer for hours on end (well, some of us might anyway, hehehe). The hop lasts for five days - December 1st to the 5th - hopefully long enough to enter giveaways and still watch our children grow up *wink*.

PR/Sponsors-You will get HUGE exposure from this hop - contact me about doing a giveaway. It's a bargain as well - you don't have to give me anything to review. Email me, if you want to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to reach thousands, well hundreds, of readers! (janetandmaya at yahoo dot com)

Thanks so much to the wonderful bloggers who have organized this hop- Simply Stacie, Little Yayas, My Wee View, Review Retreat and Stockpiling Moms.

Gift Card Giveaways

2010-11-01T20:01:00.006-04:00

There are quite a few gift card giveaways around the blog-o-sphere! Here are a few that I read about at Prizey.net

Prize: Wanchai Ferry, Macaroni Grill and $25 Gift Card

Where: Shop With Me Mama

Ends: November 13th, 10PM, PST

Enter here

So cool that Outback Steakhouse has a Gluten Free Menu Check it out!

Prize: $45 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card

Where: Gluten Free Taste of Home

Ends: Friday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. PST

Enter here

Prize: $25 Gift Card from GiftCardRescue.com

Where: Life Is A SandCastle

Ends: 11:59pm Eastern November 13, 2010

Enter here

Prize: Entenmann's and Spa Finder

Where: Tales from TammyLyne

Ends: November 14, 2010

Enter here

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card

Where: Got Chocolate

Ends: Sunday, November 7th at 6PM PST

Enter here

Prize: $100 Am Ex Gift Card

Where: Woman Tribune

Ends: Thursday, November 4th at 11:59 p.m. EST

Enter here

How Do You Use Vaseline?

2010-10-28T18:38:00.052-04:00

Quick, where is your jar of Vasoline Petroleum Jelly? If you're like me, you always have a jar somewhere! Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is celebrating it's 140th Anniversary. Wow.

Do you know what Vaseline is made from?

Here's the official description from the Vaseline website:

Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly is a mixture of mineral oils, paraffin and microcrystalline waxes that, when blended together, create something remarkable - a smooth jelly that has a melting point just above body temperature. The result - it literally melts into skin, flowing into the spaces between cells and the gaps in our lipid barrier. Once there, it re-solidifies, locking itself in place.

I had no idea before I started writing this post that it worked that way! The well known "healing" power of Vaseline actually comes from it's function as a barrier. When you have a cut or scrape, if you put Vaseline on it, you keep out outside contaminants like germs and keep in healing substances like moisture.

What do you use Vaseline for? Here are some of my favorite uses:

1. Moisturize feet

Especially in the winter, my feet get dry and cracked. If I put Vaseline on them just before bed and then wear socks all night, I wake up with softer, smoother skin! White socks work best - tube socks are great. This helps keeps those tootsies soft - and warm while you sleep.

2. Soothe chapped lips

When your lips are dry and pealing, put a dab of Vaseline on. Not only does it help your lips to heal, it looks shiny - like lip gloss! One added tip, if you take a toothbrush and gently brush after applying the Vaseline, it will exfoliate your lips.

3. Loosen a stuck ring
Uh, oh! Ring stuck on your finger? A dab of Vaseline will help that ring slip and slide right off! This happened to me once when I was playing volleyball. I jammed my finger, I know, ouch!, and couldn't get a ring off. Luckily someone had a jar of Vaseline in their gym bag.

4. Shoe Shine
A bit of Vaseline applied to leather - shoes or purse - will help refresh the look of the leather and take off any scratches. If you are running out the door and don't have time to do a full leather treatment on your Coach bag, grab a paper towel and your jar of Vaseline. At the first stop light, put a quick coat on and see your bag looking like new.

5. Soften Cuticles
Have you ever done a manicure at home? One of the secrets of a good manicurist is to prepare the cuticles before trimming or pushing them back. Rub Vaseline onto your finger nails and cuticles to soften the cuticles before you push them back. It's also very relaxing and you can do it while you watch your favorite show on television.

6. Build Eyelashes
I don't know if this is true, but I've heard that putting Vaseline on your eyelashes will help them grow longer. Even if it's not, they look prettier! Just a touch, though, don't put so much that it gets into your eyes. It's also helps lengthen lashes if you put some on before your mascara.

7. Protect Metal
Vaseline, when coating metal, will help protect it from the elements. When we were little, we would put Vaseline on our ice skate blades! It's also great for model train tracks! When you're storing any metal objects, Vaseline will help prevent rust and corrosion.

8. Smooth the Way for Earrings
If you have pierced ears, you may have noticed that sometimes it is difficult to get an earring into your ear. If you dab some Vaseline on your ear and on the earring, it will slide right in! This is a great tip for someone who has recently had their ears pierced and may be a bit shy about wearing some of the more unusual twisted or hook earrings.

9. Light your Fire
Vaseline is flammable and you can use when you want to start a fire. I bet those Survivor contestants wish they had a jar! Coat a cotton ball in Vaseline and you have an excellent fire-starter for your marshmallow toasting campfire. Pass the s'mores!

10. Preserve your Pumpkin
This is the most timely tip! Put Vaseline on the cut edges of your Halloween Jack O-Lantern and it will slow down the drying process, keeping it fresh longer!

So tell me - where do you keep your jar of Vaseline and what do you use it for?

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Vaseline blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Win Pancake Pockets and Spa GC!

2010-10-28T11:20:00.000-04:00

Prize: Entenmann's Pancake Pockets and $50 Spa Finder GC

Where: Tethered Mommy

Ends: Thursday, 11/4/10 at 11:59pm EDT

Enter here

Congratulations, Stacy H! You Won $750!!!

2010-10-22T10:59:00.000-04:00

I know you all have been anxiously waiting for us to announce the winner of the $750 Fall Follower Giveaway Tour and we are not going to keep you waiting any longer! Out of almost 20,000 entries, the lucky winner is…
#10336 stacy h

CONGRATULATIONS, STACY!! We will be sending you an email to confirm your win. We have verified the winner to ensure all entry requirements were met.

If you didn't win, don't despair! Coming in December, is a huge gift card giveaway hop!

And we are planning an EVEN BIGGER CASH GIVEAWAY for January. You will not want to miss this one! The Winter Follower Giveaway Tour is scheduled for January 17 to 31st. The total of the prizes will be more than $750!! Many readers have requested one grand prize and more smaller prizes - more details will be released on it in the coming weeks!

Make sure to check your blog reader or better yet, subscribe by email, so you won’t miss the Gift Card Blog Hop and the next CASH giveaway!

A tremendous thanks to everyone who entered and followed our blogs!

$750 Fall Follower Giveaway Tour Winner Announcement Coming Soon!

2010-10-20T00:20:00.000-04:00

A huge thanks to everyone who entered the $750 Fall Follower Giveaway. Welcome to all new followers and friends!

The hosts are all busy checking entries, clearing our pending comments and checking our spam folders so we don’t miss any entries.

The winner will be announced on Thursday!

Watch your reader or emails - there are more big giveaways coming up! The Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop starting December 1st will be an amazing blog hop of gift-card-only giveaways!

Make sure to check your blog reader or better yet, subscribe by email, so you won’t miss these great giveaways!

Win "Fall in a Basket"

2010-10-18T00:55:00.000-04:00

Prize: Fall in a Basket

Where: Little Indiana

Ends: October 19, 2010 at 12 PM CST

Enter here

Giveaways at Shibley Smiles

2010-10-17T23:51:00.001-04:00

This would be such a perfect gift or great for yourself to commemorate a special occasion.

Prize: The Daily Portrait from Milson
Ends: 11:59 pm EST October 17, 2010
Enter here

Prize: $25 Gift Card to Amazon or Target for Energizer Charger
Ends: 11:59 pm EST October 18, 2010
Enter here

Prize: Zoobie Pet
Ends: 11:59 pm EST October 19, 2010
Enter here

Prize: Pillsbury Prize Pack with $15 Visa Card
Ends: 11:59 pm EST October 26, 2010
Enter here

Giveaways at My Four Monkeys

2010-10-17T22:48:00.001-04:00

These are my picks at My Four Monkeys

Prize: Knuffle Bunny Free book, plush Knuffle Bunny
Ends: 11:55 pm CT October 18, 2010
Enter here

Prize: David Archuleta CD
Ends: 11:55 pm CT October 18, 2010
Enter here

Enter to Win $750 Cash! Bonus Entry - Tweet! (Again!)

2010-10-17T19:56:00.000-04:00

Have you entered my giveaway for $750 Cash?

It’s an easy entry – just follow on Google Friend Connect and make a comment on the main giveaway post here.

Would you like an extra entry into the contest? Today and tomorrow (Oct. 17th and 18th), the bonus entry is earned by tweeting a link to the contest on Twitter.

Please use this link in your tweet http://tinyurl.com/2an89lw. If you would like, here's a suggested tweet to cut and paste:

"Win $750 Cash on the Fall Follower Giveaway Tour - Open Worldwide http://tinyurl.com/24my8fl - Pls retweet #giveaway"

Go to the main entry post here and leave a comment with a link to your tweet.

If you would like to get more bonus entries, please visit each of the other host's blogs and tweet out their giveaway post. You get one bonus entry per blog when you tweet and leave a comment on their blog.

Here's the list of the other participating blogs:

Enter to win $750 Cash - Bonus Entry Email!

2010-10-15T03:01:00.000-04:00

Have you entered my giveaway for $750 Cash?

It's an easy entry - just follow on Google Friend Connect and make a comment on the main giveaway post here.

Would you like an extra entry into the contest? Today & tomorrow (October 15th and 16th), the bonus entry is earned by subscribing by email to any or all of the participating blogs.

You get one bonus entry for subscribing to Giveaways On Blogs by email. After you've confirmed your subscription, go to the main entry post here and leave a comment saying, "I subscribe to GOB by email". Please leave your email address in your comment.

If you would like more bonus entries, please subscribe to each of the other hostesses. You get one bonus entry per blog. Visit the other hostesses giveaway blog post and leave a comment on each one saying that you subscribed.

To subscribe and leave a comment on the other blogs, follow these links:

Enter to Win $750 Cash! Bonus Entry - Tweet!

2010-10-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Have you entered my giveaway for $750 Cash?

It’s an easy entry – just follow on Google Friend Connect and make a comment on the main giveaway post here.

Would you like an extra entry into the contest? Today and tomorrow (Oct. 12th and 13th), the bonus entry is earned by tweeting a link to the contest on Twitter.

Please use this link in your tweet http://tinyurl.com/2an89lw. If you would like, here's a suggested tweet to cut and paste:

"Win $750 Cash on the Fall Follower Giveaway Tour - Open Worldwide http://tinyurl.com/2an89lw - Pls retweet #giveaway"

Go to the main entry post here and leave a comment with a link to your tweet.

Enter to Win $750 Cash! Bonus Entry - Facebook

2010-10-09T10:49:00.000-04:00

Have you entered my giveaway for $750 Cash? It's an easy entry - just follow on Google Friend Connect and make a comment on the main giveaway post herehttp://giveawaysonblogs.blogspot.com/2010/10/win-750-cash.html.

Would you like an extra entry into the contest? Today and tomorrow (October 9th and 10th), the bonus entry is earned by "liking" any or all of the blogs on Facebook.

You get one bonus entry for "liking" Giveaways on Blogs on Facebook. Go to the main entry post here and leave a comment saying, "I like GOB on Facebook". Please leave your facebook id.

If you would like to get all the bonus entries, please like each of the other hostesses on Facebook. You get one bonus entry per blog. Visit the other hostesses giveaway blog post and leave a comment on each one saying that you like their page on Facebook. Please note that Little Yayas DOES NOT have a Facebook page.

"Like" the other blogs' Facebook pages and comment on their main giveaway posts for more entries!

To record your entry for the other blogs, please leave a comment on their giveaway main post - links below. Good luck!

Win $750 Cash!

2010-10-04T16:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Fall Follower Giveaway Tour!

One lucky follower is going to win $750 USD paid via Paypal.
Fifteen blogs are participating in the tour and you are invited to enter on each blog for more entries into the grand prize draw!

How to Enter:

Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect (publicly) and leave a comment here on this post telling me you follow my blog.

To Get More Entries:

Visit each of the 14 other host blogs and follow them on Google Friend Connect and leave a comment on their giveaway post that you follow them. That's a total of 15 entries!

Open Worldwide.

The giveaway ends on October 18, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org from all the entries on each host blog. The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back with their Paypal email address before a new winner is selected. You must have a Paypal account for us to send you the money. If you don’t have one, they are free to set up. We are not responsible for Paypal fees.

Please leave your email address so we have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

We will be having bonus entry days where you can get extra entries into the giveaway so make sure you check back so you don't miss out!

In addition to Giveaways on Blogs, the Host Blogs are.....

Kelly's Lucky You

My Wee View

Review Retreat

Songberries

Luxury Reading

Fab Find Foodie

Ashley Petite

Shopper Gal

Still Blonde After All These Years

Acting Balanced

My Organized Chaos

Simply Stacie

Little Yaya's

Enter to Win $750 Cash! Bonus Entry - Twitter!

2010-10-04T00:41:00.000-04:00

Have you entered my giveaway for $750 Cash?

It's an easy entry - just follow on Google Friend Connect and make a comment on the main giveaway post here.

Would you like an extra entry into the contest? Today and tomorrow (Oct. 6th and 7th), the bonus entry is earned by following any or all of the 14 blogs on Twitter.

You can follow each of us individually (I'm @GiveawaysonBlog) or just click this link to TweepML and you can follow us all at the same time- fast and easy! Please do not leave your comment on this post. Go back to the main giveaway post and say, "I'm following KLY on twitter." Make sure you leave your twitter id.

If you would like to get up to 14 bonus entries, please comment on each of the host's giveaway posts that you follow us all on Twitter and leave your Twitter name. You get one bonus entry per blog.

The host blogs are...

Back to School Crush Kit Giveaway from Sears

2010-09-17T23:55:00.000-04:00

Prize: $175 Sears Gift Card and More!
Site: The Candid Reviewer
Deadline: September 30, 2010
Enter here!

Yoplait Prize Pack

2010-09-05T22:22:00.000-04:00

Prize: Yoplait Splitz Prize Pack
Site: Great Blog Giveaways
Deadline: September 14, 2010
Enter here!

Bruise MD Prizes at Being Alison

2010-09-05T22:03:00.000-04:00

Prize and Retail Value:

Four (4) $50 Amex Gift Cards + BruiseMD Gift Pack (Est. Value = $50) – Total value of prize package = $100
Two (2) BruiseMD Gift packs (Est. Value = $50)

Site: Being Alison
Deadline: September 13th, 2010, at 9:00PM EST.
Enter here

Win Crayola Green BTS Essentials

2010-09-04T21:43:00.001-04:00

Prize: Crayola is making crayons with solar power, markers from recycled bottle caps and colored pencils from reforested wood. One lucky winner will receive a Crayola "Green Back-to-School Essentials" prize pack that includes Crayola Green Markers, Crayola Green
Retail value: $20
Site: Your Fun Family
Deadline: 11:55 pm CT September 05, 2010
Enter here!

I found this contest at Prizey.net

August 2010 Giveaways

2010-08-31T06:50:00.000-04:00

(this is a sticky post and stays at the top)

Ends 8/7
Leslie Loves Veggies: Energizer Emergency Power Kit {Giveaway} http://bit.ly/akZoyY

Win a Creativity for Kids Beach Kit at Cake Mom! http://jamielz.blogspot.com/2010/07/birthday-gift-idea-creativity-for-kids.html

Win a $10 iTunes Gift Card! http://momsreview4you.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-tunes-10-gift-card-giveaway.html

Ends 8/12
Momma Told Me: Izola Shower Curtains Review and Giveaway http://goo.gl/b/da0S

Ends 8/13
Win a Walmart giftcard at Showcase Sisters! http://showcasesisters.blogspot.com/2010/08/giveaway-25-walmart-gift-card.html

Ends 8/15
#Win a $50 Visa Giftcard from @littlechoochoos http://goo.gl/b/LXrB #giveaway #contest #Sweepstakes #free

Win Alexa's Angels Bracelet!

2010-08-28T23:39:00.001-04:00

Prize: Alexa's Angels Friendship token bracelet
Retail value: $25
Site: Tammylyne's Reviews and Giveaways
Deadline: 7:03 am CT August 29, 2010
Enter here

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

Alexa's Angels "has three unique fashion-forward accessory lines offering something for everyone:

Alexas Angels is a inspirational jewelry line meant to inspire heartfelt emotion. The line offers many unique gift options including necklaces, bracelets, and angel pins for moms, grandmas, aunts, teachers, and loved ones.

posi+ivi+y is a meaningful collection of bracelets and t-shirts, embellished with plus signs, as a wearable reminder that attitude is a choice and positivity is contagious.

Emma Rose is our NEWEST line which will be launching in early 2010. Emma Rose consists of fashion-forward necklaces, bracelets, ring, hobo handbags, and satin sashes chosen for their unique combination of floral patterns and vivid use of color that can be layered together."

(from their website)

Win Disney on Ice Tickets

2010-08-28T22:33:00.000-04:00

Win 4 tickets to see Disney on Ice in Chicago at www.mummydeals.org from @mummydeals and Feld Entertainment.

Prize: 4 tickets to see Disney on Ice
Site: Mummy's Deals
Deadline: Contest closes on Weds September 1 at midnight CST
Enter here!

Who's your favorite princess?

Maya's is Princess Tiana! But as you can see, she likes 'em all.... We, somehow, missed Pocahontas. Guess we have to go back!

10 Tips for Planning a Unique Baby Shower

2010-08-26T18:00:00.000-04:00

1. Invitations

Invitations create the first impression. Have you seen Tiny Prints? This amazing company produces such high quality printed materials. Last Christmas, I got a few very special cards, flipped 'em over and sure enough - Tiny Prints! Baby shower invitations are one of their specialties. They even suggest wording for you!

2. Along with choosing your invitations, choose a theme

The theme you choose for the shower will carry over into every aspect, so make it easy on yourself and choose something with a wide-range and lots of choices. For example, if you choose something obscure, you won't be able to easily find or make decorations. A good place to start is Tiny Prints!

3. Favors

If you put nuts and mints into a cupcake paper cup, your friends will talk about you for years - and not in a good way!

How about these Marshmallow Pops from Bakerella that can be customized based on your theme? Now, that's what I'm talking about! Check out her website to see more options for marshmallow and cake pops.

4. Decorations

You don't have to spend a fortune, but don't neglect this area either. It can make or break your shower. I read a cute idea about putting up a clothesline and using brightly colored clips to hang adorable baby clothes! Wouldn't that be fun? And, you haven't wasted the money, because the mom-to-be can put them to good use!

5. Centerpieces

What catches your eye when you walk into a room where there's going to be a baby shower? The centerpieces of course. You can also turn this into a favor and a game (don't you love multi-purpose?) by putting a star under one chair at each table and the person with the star takes it home! Don't overlook the time-tested balloon centerpieces. They are fun and festive, especially if decorated with tons of curly, pretty ribbons.

6. Food

For a unique, fun party, coordinate the food to the theme. Serve foods that go with your colors, or tie into the story behind your theme.

7. Gifts

Make sure to have a large and visible gift table. Baby wrapping paper, bags, etc. are so adorable all on their own. This will end up being one of your large decorating elements.

8. Choose One Focal Point and Focus

To make your baby shower unique and memorable, choose one area and focus a substantial amount of time and budget on that category. What do you want people to remember most, the food? decorations? games? Then focus your planning center on that area and go crazy!

9. Remember the needs of the Mom-To-Be

Bring a pampering package for your guest of honor. A baby shower is an emotional and physical big deal. Be sure to watch that your special person isn't overwhelmed.

10. Have fun!!

Once it's time for the party, relax, and have fun! It's too late to stress and go with the flow! That's what people remember the most when all is said and done, did everyone have fun?

About Tiny Prints:

Specializing in the celebration of all of life's special occasions, we're thrilled to offer a fresh selection of exclusive designs, from birth announcements and baby shower invitations to personal stationery and more, delivered with the best customer service you can find online or in stores. Stop by our blog Tiny Talk and follow us on Twitter @TinyPrints to discover news, trends and creative inspiration for social stationery, family celebrations and so much more!

More info: http://www.tinyprints.com

Join Tiny Prints on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tinyprints

Follow Tiny Prints on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinyprints

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 Tiny Prints Gift Code plus 25 FREE Tiny Prints Greeting cards (valued at $149.75). For more information on how you can participate, click here. http://tinyprints.twittermoms.com/about

Five Simple Things You Can Do For Healthy Children's Smiles

2010-08-26T17:33:00.000-04:00

Five simple things you can do for your child to help keep their smiles healthy and bright."

Trident® has partnered with Smiles Across America® to help underprivileged children get the dental care they need.

It’s no surprise that education can play a large role in preventing cavities. Nine in 10 (92%) parents believe cavities in children are preventable, yet a majority of parents (86%) struggle to get a child to take care of their teeth[3]. So how can parents get involved and convince their children to take proper care of his or her teeth? It is no easy task, but there are simple tips and reminders to keep in mind. For instance, clinical studies have shown that chewing sugar free gum, like Trident®, after meals helps fight cavities[4].

1. Eat healthy, well balanced meals

Did you ever think about the role that nutrition plays in the health of your teeth and gums? This is true for you and your child. On the good side, it's important that children have enough calcium in their diets for strong bones and teeth. Excellent sources of calcium are dairy products, such as milk and yogurt. On the negative side, be careful about any sweet, sticky foods you eat. These can get sugar in-between your teeth and be harmful to those beautiful smiles!

2. Chew sugar-free gum after meals

I did not know until I read the background material for this post, that chewing Trident sugar free gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help fight cavities! The Xylitol, a sugar free sweetner in Trident, has been shown to loosen plaque. Maya loves to chew gum, although it took awhile to teach her not to swallow it when she laughed! Now, I can know that not only is it a treat for her, it's also good for her teeth. Sweet! Well, sugar-free sweet!

3. Set a good example by brushing at least twice a day and brush long enough

You know your child copies and mimics what you do. Every child wants to be like mommy or daddy. Let them know that you think brushing your teeth is an important habit. Talk about the importance of the health of your teeth and gums.

Try to make brushing fun - you can sing a silly song while your kids brush. Not too funny though, or you will have toothpaste everywhere, hehehe.

We found a tooth brush that lights up and stays on for two minutes. Sometimes a fun little thing like that can make all the difference.

Use a simple kitchen timer and set it for two minutes. It's amazing what kids will do when there's a time involved!

You can also take turns brushing each other's teeth!

4. Find a good pediatric dentist and visit regularly

Our local pediatric dentist is excellent! His office is set up specifically for children with child size chairs, fun decorations, and a prize drawer. I wish my doctor had a prize drawer.

Before I took Maya for the first time to her dentist, I took her to MY dentist. He was very nice and let her sit on my tummy and watch. I think it made a big difference when it was time to have her teeth cleaned for the first time. She knew everything that was going to happen and she knew Mommy liked it!

Maya's dental hygienist is not only very gentle but she's good at explaining every little step so Maya won't be afraid. Much of the fear associated with visiting the dentist, for children and adults, is the fear of the unknown.

I also try to talk Maya into being a good example for the other, smaller children. She loves being considered the "big kid" and the "brave kid".

5. Protect your child's teeth during sports

Prevention is the best thing when it comes to damaged teeth! There are many different styles and types of mouth guards. If your child plays sports, look into the best and most comfortable. It doesn't matter what kind of mouth guard you have, if your child won't wear it, so it needs to be comfortable.

For more information:

Visit Trident on Facebook and click our ‘Chew 4 Smiles’ tab

Visit the website

Check out the latest Trident commercials on YouTube

Get some Trident Gum Coupons!
Don't miss the fun, September 14th, a Trident Twitter Party! Tweet with hashtag #Trident SAA

About Trident® Sugar Free Gum

Trident gum has long been a pioneer in providing oral health benefits to consumers. Trident was the first gum brand of its kind to undergo testing in 1967 with studies showing that people who chewed Trident experienced significantly fewer cavities. Trident is available in 11 great-tasting flavors: Original Flavor, Bubble Gum, Spearmint, Tropical Twist, Watermelon Twist, Wild Blueberry Twist, Minty Sweet Twist, Passionberry Twist, Wintergreen, Strawberry Twist and Cinnamon. All flavors can be purchased in 18-piece packs and 54-piece multi-packs (three 18-piece packages).

About Smiles Across America® (SAA)

SAA is a signature program created by Oral Health America, a national non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives by connecting communities with resources to increase access to care, education and advocacy around oral health. SAA improves the health of elementary school students by supporting oral disease prevention services in school-based or school-linked settings, and demonstrating to communities that healthy mouths are integral to overall health. For more information, visit http://www.oralhealthamerica.org.

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here. http://trident.twittermoms.com/about

Flavorful Low-Sodium Family Meals - Fiesta Style

2010-08-26T17:04:00.002-04:00

There are so many health benefits to reducing the amount of salt in your diet. We eat quite a bit of processed food at our house and when we go out to dinner and that means a danger of consuming to much salt. So when we do cook at home, we try to reduce the amount of sodium we add to food as much as we possibly can.

There are alternate ways to spice up your food without adding salt. One of them is adding Mrs. Dash salt-free seasoning blends into your dishes for extra flavor, we want to hear how you make your family meals flavorful and appealing!

There are 15 different Mrs. Dash blends! For a summertime fiesta, try these!

Fiesta Chicken Drummettes Recipe

Ingredients:

4 tsp Mrs. Dash® Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend
1 lb Chicken Drummettes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly brush the chicken drummettes with olive oil.
Sprinkle Mrs. Dash® Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend on all sides.
Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Pico de Gallo Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp (2.5mL) Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend
1 tsp (5mL) Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend
2 medium-size tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup (60mL) red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup (120mL) lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, minced
1 Tbsp. (15mL) olive oil
2 Tbsp. (30mL) freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

Guacamole Recipe

It only takes four ingredients to get the party going. Make ahead and refrigerate, or impress your guests by preparing table-side. But be prepared to share your secret ingredient - Mrs. Dash® Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. (30mL) Mrs. Dash® Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend
2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted
1 Tbsp. (15mL). lime juice
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced

Directions:

Mash avocado in bowl with Mrs. Dash® Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend and lime juice.
Stir in diced tomatoes, and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

You can learn more about Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends and get great recipe ideas from their site to inspire your own creations! Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends are available in 15 different salt-free varieties that add flavor to foods - everything from seafood to salad and meat to mixed vegetables.

Here are the top ten tips from the Mrs. Dash site:

"Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends Cooking Tips

Use Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Original Blend as a substitute for salt in any recipe that instructs you to add salt to taste or to season with salt.
Mix a capful of Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Original Blend with flour or breadcrumbs for a flavorful coating for baked chicken or fish.
Instead of salt, add a capful of Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Original Blend for great flavor to any of your favorite soups.
A capful of Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy adds zip to scrambled eggs or your favorite omelette.
Sprinkling Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy livens up your pizza with a zesty, spicy chili taste.
Try mixing Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy with cream cheese for a quick and spicy spread on a tortilla wrap.
A capful of Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Lemon Pepper mixed with 2 Tablespoons of melted butter or margarine makes a great topping for grilled fish or chicken.
Add Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Lemon Pepper to steamed green vegetables for a real taste lift.
Mix a capful of Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Lemon Pepper with hot rice or noodles for a quick and easy side dish for fish or chicken.
For quick garlic bread with a difference, spray bread with olive oil spray, sprinkle generously with Salt-Free Mrs. Dash® Tomato Basil Garlic and heat under the grill until toasted."

Click here for more info on Mrs. Dash and more great recipe ideas!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mrs. Dash and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here http://mrsdash.twittermoms.com/about

Giveaway at Hope's Cafe!

2010-08-26T00:05:00.001-04:00

Prize: Guidecraft Modular Science Center
Retail value: $190
Site: Hope's Cafe
Deadline: 11:55 pm CT August 25, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

Kellogg's - $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

2010-08-23T16:58:00.001-04:00

Win An American Girl Doll!

2010-08-23T16:17:00.000-04:00

Prize: My American Girl doll
Retail value: $95
Site: thats IT mommy
Deadline: 11:00 pm CT August 23, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway at Prizey.net

Rizzoli and Isles Book

2010-08-23T15:46:00.000-04:00

Prize: Book, The Apprentice
Retail value: $8
Site: Obviously Marvelous
Deadline: 8:00 pm CT August 23, 2010
Enter here!

I found this contest at Prizey.net

Joe's Crab Shack

2010-08-22T17:40:00.001-04:00

Prize: $50 Joe's Crab Shack Gift Card (2 Winners)
Retail value: $50 each
Site: A Simple Kinda Life
Deadline: September 5, 2010
Enter here!

Dunkin Donuts

2010-08-22T15:31:00.000-04:00

Prize: $60 Dunkin Donuts Gift Card and more
Retail value: ??
Site: Dealicious Mom
Deadline: August 27, 2010
Enter here!

Lady Foot Locker Gift Card!

2010-08-22T13:17:00.000-04:00

Prize: $100 Lady Foot Locker Gift Card
Retail value: $100
Site: Kiddies Corner Deals
Deadline: September 1, 2010 at 11:59PM EST
Enter here!

September 2010 Giveaways

2010-08-22T10:38:00.002-04:00

Ends 9/5:

Subway’s Baseball DeSIGNS Tour *Giveaway* at Rockin Mama: http://bit.ly/aeluhF

2010-08-22T10:38:00.001-04:00

$25 Staples Gift Card from A Silly Mommy!

2010-08-21T23:31:00.001-04:00

Prize: $25 Staples Gift Card
Retail value: $25
Site: A Silly Mommy of 2 Silly Girls
Deadline: 8/23/10 at midnight PST
Enter here!

Keeping Cool in School Prize Pack

2010-08-21T23:20:00.001-04:00

Prize: "Keeping Cool in School" prize pack that includes an insulated lunch tote, mini water bottle, sandwich keeper, cool breeze pen fan, and school supplies, coupon for a sample of Go-Gurt
Retail value: $20
Site: Trying New Products
Deadline: 11:55 pm CT August 22, 2010
Enter here!

I found this contest at Prizey.Net

Win Yoplait Go-Gurt Prize Pack

2010-08-21T21:40:00.000-04:00

Prize: Yoplait Go-Gurt Prize Pack
Retail value: ??
Site: The Nurse Mommy
Deadline: September 10, 2010
Enter here!

Win a MomAgenda!

2010-08-21T11:35:00.000-04:00

Prize: MomAgenda
Retail value: $43
Site: Snugs Boutique
Deadline: September 1, 2010
Enter here!

Reader Appreciation

2010-08-20T23:46:00.000-04:00

Kisha, at In Through The Out Door, is having an amazing giveaway to thank her followers/readers. She asked bloggers to write a post about how they feel about their readers, how blogging has changed their life, and why do you appreciate your readers.

I'm going to start with how blogging has changed my life. Wow. It is a huge change. It's become my favorite hobby. I spend hours of enjoyable time on my computer. I started when a friend recommended it. She pushed me to start a personal blog. That was hmmm, a long time ago - 3 years maybe? As I starting looking at other people's blogs, I got more and more interested in different types of blogs. I entered my first blog giveaway in March, 2009. Wow. A whole new world. It has been an amazing ride. It has given my family so many things that we wouldn't otherwise spend the money on. Tons of luxury items (well, luxury for us anyway, we have simple tastes). Things like a designer coat for my daughter, a Kitchen Aid mixer, a Keurig, a Dyson.... and on. Then I realized I could host giveaways. Wow. Now I do that on another blog - the "entering" me and the "giving away" me are separate. Blogging led to tweeting, that's amazing too! Then I went BlogHer and Disney Social Media Moms. Wow. Blog travel ROCKS!
Blogging has opened so many doors that I would otherwise not have found.

Now for the best thing that blogging has done to change my life and why I love my readers. Blogging is a community. It's friendships - so strong that sometimes I think it really good replace IRL (in real life) friendships. It's amazing the friends I have made online. That is why I love and appreciate my readers because they are my community.

This post was inspired by The Follower Appreciation Extravaganza over at In Through The Out Door.

Kindermusik Giveaway

2010-08-20T23:17:00.000-04:00

Prize: a cd, book, and musical instrument
Retail value: $25
Site: Spilt Milk Moms
Deadline: 8:00 pm CT August 21, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway on Prizey.net

Win a Tea Party Package

2010-08-20T22:42:00.000-04:00

Prize: Tea Party Package
Retail value: $50
Site: Family Musings
Deadline: 8:30 am CT August 21, 2010

Enter here!

I found this giveaway on Prizey.net

Win Yoplait Go-Gurt

2010-08-20T22:32:00.000-04:00

Prize: Yoplait Go-Gurt "Keeping Cool in School" gift pack
Retail value: $25
Site: Go YAY!
Deadline: 12:00 am CT August 21, 2010
Enter here!

I found this giveaway on Prizey.net

Win Pillows

2010-08-20T21:59:00.000-04:00

Prize: 2 Organic Savvy Rest Pillows
Retail value: $140
Site: Go Green Street
Deadline: 11:59 pm CT August 20, 2010

Enter here!

I learned about this giveaway on Prizey.net

$150 Staples Gift Card From Bar S Foods

2010-08-17T23:10:00.000-04:00

Win a $150 Staples Gift Card from Bar S Foods

Beauty and Bedlam

Stretching a Buck

Passion for Savings
Saving Cents with Sense
Southern Savers
Bargain Briana
Common Sense With Money
Coupon Cravings
Mommin It Up
Moms Need to Know
Mommy Snacks