Bringing Back Game Night - A Giveaway

I think that in these economic times, we are all looking for ways to save money were we can. I know that one thing we have done is that instead of meeting our friends out for a few drinks, we get together at someone's house. This saves us all money and we have found it's actually more enjoyable. We don't have to worry about a noisy bar where we can't talk or being in a crowded place. We like to play games. I will admit, the Wii is always popular, but sometimes it's actually more fun to get out some board games to play.

Playing games at home is another great way that families can save money and spend a fun evening together. The editor in chief of Time to Play, Jim Silver, has this great article about bringing back family game night. He talks about some of the favorite board games available. I have listed a few below.


Tripoley
This game is for the card lovers/card sharks who can multi-task or multi think. Essentially, you’re playing Michigan Rummy, Hearts, and Poker at the same time. All the cards are dealt, and then you play each game. My sister and I loved playing this game growing up.


Monopoly
This is an old favorite. I don't think I need to say anymore.






Apples to Apples
This game is all about comparisons of things, and you’ll often be amazed, shocked and amused on how people think. There is a different judge on every round. Everyone gets dealt cards with nouns on them, and then the judge draws a green card with an adjective for all to see. The other player then chooses their noun, which they think best describes the green card. The judge then chooses which they think is the most appropriate; which makes it a little bit like dealing with the judges of figure skating or gymnastics in competitions because you wonder at times what they’re seeing or thinking! This is one of our favorites to play with our friends. It's always good for a laugh.


One of my lucky readers will get to win their very own copy of the game Apples to Apples. Here's how:

1. Enter by visiting Jim's article and tell me what board game he has listed was/is your favorite.
   
2. The contest will run until Thursday, March 12th at 11:59 pm central. The winner will be selected through random.org and contacted by e-mail. Giveaway open to US winners only.
   
3. Please leave a valid e-mail address or other way to contact you! If the winner hasn’t responded within 3 days, an alternate winner will be chosen by random.org
4. If you’d like extra entries, you can:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.
• Either Twitter about, ‘Stumble’, ‘Digg’ or ‘Kirtsy’ this post – leave me a separate comment with your username at whichever site(s) you chose (one extra entry per method).

Good luck!!

"Soul" by Seal - A Giveaway

On Valentines' Day, Seal had a soundstage show on PBS. It has been airing the month of February and it's not too late to check it out. Make sure to check your local listings.

One of my lucky readers will win their very own SIGNED copy of Seal's Soul album. Here's how to win:

1. Enter by telling me in the comments below what your favorite Seal song is..
   
2. The contest will run until Sunday, February 29th at 11:59 pm central. The winner will be selected through random.org and contacted by e-mail. Giveaway open to US entries only.
3. Please leave a valid e-mail address or other way to contact you! If the winner hasn’t responded within 3 days, an alternate winner will be chosen by random.org
4. If you’d like extra entries, you can:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.
• Either Twitter about, ‘Stumble’, ‘Digg’ or ‘Kirtsy’ this post – leave me a separate comment with your username at whichever site(s) you chose (one extra entry per method).

Good luck!!

My Fruit Roll Ups - A Review & Giveaway

Thanks to the wonderful people at MyBlogSpark, I was able to try out My Fruit Rollups.

What are they?

At the My Fruit Rollups website, you basically get to design your own fruit roll ups. At the design center, you can chose your canvas. They have great ones to chose from such as birthday themes or even blank ones where you can add your own pictures. You can then add images from your computer or pick one from the ones they have available. You can also create your own message.

My Fruit Rollups come in a box of 30 and are a great idea for birthday parties, holiday parties, or just for fun. They should arrive within 15 days of ordering.


Here's What We Thought:

My girls love fruit snacks such as My Fruit Rollups. That's why I was so excited to try these. We didn't have a birthday or other holiday coming up, so I chose a princess theme for my design. I thought that the website was very user friendly and other than the time it took me to chose my design, the ordering process went very quickly.

I was pleasantly suprised when the My Fruit Rollups showed up in about a week. My girls are VERY into princesses so they were thrilled to have their very own Fruit Rollups with pictures of princesses. They loved them.

I will definitely keep My Fruit Roll ups in mind for my daughter's 4th birthday next month. I think that they make a great alternative party favor.

Would you like to design your own Fruit Roll ups? Here's how:

1. Enter by visiting the My Fruit Roll Up website and leaving a comment here to let me know how you design your Fruit Roll Up.
   
2. The contest will run until Sunday, February 29th at 11:59 pm central. The winner will be selected through random.org and contacted by e-mail. Giveaway open to US entries only.
3. Please leave a valid e-mail address or other way to contact you! If the winner hasn’t responded within 3 days, an alternate winner will be chosen by random.org
4. If you’d like extra entries, you can:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.
• Either Twitter about, ‘Stumble’, ‘Digg’ or ‘Kirtsy’ this post – leave me a separate comment with your username at whichever site(s) you chose (one extra entry per method).

Good Luck!!

Need Help! Calling all organizers!! (and a giveaway)

We had a great Christmas. I will share more about that later. For now, I need help. I am way overwhelmed with all this new stuff we got. I don't know how to find room for it - even if I do a purge of old stuff first. I need some good ideas on how to organize toys. Here are pics of places we keep them.

1. The living room. We want to have less toys in here though and find a better way to organize them. Excuse the small tree....I just was not in the spirit to put up the big tree this year.

2. The girls' room. We just have a small two bedroom house and the girls share a room. There is room for some toys, but I am looking for ideas on how to better organize them.

3. Lastly, our basement. It's partially finished, but we haven't really utilized it other than for storage and an office when we had the desktop. We want to put some toys down there as the girls got a Diego train set that needs some more room and a rose petal cottage. It gets pretty cold down there in the winter (we are going to get some sort of heater), so I don't want to move ALL toys down there - just want them to have a space to call their own. I also want to make the one corner my "office". Even though I have a laptop and can work from anywhere in the house, I need a space I can call my own with all the stuff I have going on.

ANY suggestions anyone that is good at organizing has would be much appreciated. Oh, and I don't want to spend a fortune running out and buying all kinds of organizing products, so if this could be done cheaply, that would be even better.

To make this more fun, I am going to have a giveaway for a $10 Starbucks giftcard. Leave me a comment with your ideas. I will take suggestions through Tuesday, December 30th. Then I will randomly chose a winner. Please, only US entries. Thanks!

Book Swim - A Giveaway

BookSwim (www.bookswim.com), the first and only national online service that rents paperback and hardcover books (Netflix-style) without the need to purchase, now offers digital gift cards for the holidays. BookSwim’s online book rental library service starts at $9.95 per month, where users can “check out” books ranging from new releases, bestsellers, or classics the way one would select DVDs from Netflix or a video store. As with Netflix, shipping is free both ways and customers can keep the books for as long as they want with no late fees. Customers also have the option to any buy books they rent.

This is the perfect gift for the reader in your life.

One of my lucky readers will win a 3 month membership to BookSwim. Here's how:

1. Visit the BookSwim web site. Browse the different plans and then come back to tell me in the comments which plan you would like.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Oral B Pulsonic - A Giveaway

Moms aren't always good at spending money on themselves. Why not get mom something that helps her take care of herself with the Oral B Pulsonic toothbrush. Moms especially, are always thinking about everyone else and can forget to treat themselves, so this is a great 'thank you at the holidays' to pamper mothers everywhere. The Pulsonic is Oral-B's slimmest, chicest sonic toothbrush to date, and whitens teeth in 2 weeks by removing 94% of surface stains, keeping your smile picture-ready at all of your holiday parties! The product is a favorite of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" designer Michael Moloney, Olympian Amanda Beard and The Kardashian sisters

Clean and Sensitive Modes: Features customized brushing modes

• “Clean” mode provides an effective cleaning of your teeth.
• “Sensitive” mode is designed for the gentle care of your tongue and other sensitive areas.

• Small Brush Head Design: The specially-designed Pulsonic brush head contours to the teeth to provide an effective clean. A second Precision Tip brush head is designed to help remove plaque and stains between teeth.

• Timer Features: Oral-B Pulsonic’s two-minute timer indicates when the dental expert recommended two-minute brushing time has been reached and an additional professional timer signals at 30-second intervals to encourage thorough brushing of the four quadrants of your mouth.

• Availability: Oral-B Pulsonic will be available at department, retail and specialty stores nationwide.

One of my lucky readers will win their very own Oral B Pulsonic toothbrush.

Here's how:

1. Visit Oral B's web site. Browse the features of the Oral B Pulsonic. Come back here and tell me what feature you like best in the comments below.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

The Miche Bag - A Review & Giveaway

I am a huge purse fan. I love them! When I received the email to review and giveaway a Miche Bag, I was super excited!

The Miche Bag is no ordinary bag - it's a fashion revolution. In a matter of seconds you can change and transform the material, color and entire look of your purse to match virtually any outfit! Forget spending your paycheck on a plethora of handbags to expand your wardrobe, only to throw them out next season when something else comes along. With the Miche Bag you only have to worry about one purse and when you are ready for a change, take off the interchangeable “shells” and viola, you have a brand new bag! With shells coming in a huge variety of colors, fabrics, and prints, everyone can finally afford to have a matching purse for every outfit! So take back control of your wardrobe…go Miche!

With new fabrics, styles and colors added to the collection every season, it’s practically impossible to get bored. The Miche allows anyone and everyone to stay fashionable and follow the current trends all the while saving money, closet space and your sanity! So whether you’re an animal print girl, classic chic, a patent leather girl or a polka dot fan, the Miche Bag will satisfy all your style cravings from early morning well into the wee hours of the night. In fact, with tons of new products and ideas being developed to compliment the bag everyday, the Miche Bag will be the last purse you will ever have to buy!

Now the fun part...One of my lucky reade

rs will get to win their very own Miche purse along with a few shells.

Here's how:

Here's how to win:

1. Visit the Miche Bag web site. Come back here and tell me in the comments what your favorite shell is.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Hallmark Card Studio Software - A Giveaway

Get the perfect gift for the creative Mom in your life. Hallmark Card Studio Deluxe 2009 is the ideal gift for moms that love to scrapbook and make personalized gifts. It allows families to create personalized cards as well as other great projects including photo cubes, frames and mini-albums, calendars, gift tags, invitations, scrapbook pages and more. It's easy to use and adds that personal touch to cards.

One of my lucky readers will get to win their very own copy of Hallmark Card Studio Deluxe 2009.

Here's how:

Here's how to win:

1. Visit the Hallmark web site. Check out the events & occasions page. Come back here and tell me which card on there you like the best in the comments below.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

She's Got Papers - A Giveaway

For the perfect gift for Mom (or any woman in your life really), check out She's Got Papers. Their catalogue is a combination of wit, hope, fun and boundless enthusiasm. They have Note cards and Correspondence cards filled with pretty pastel designs and smart, funny quotes that put the joy back into writing. From Body Image to Self Love to Living Life with Passion, She's Got Papers covers it all.

She's Got Paper's is offering a set of their cards for one of my lucky readers. You can chose from "No Inhibitions" or "Free to Flourish".

Here's how to win:

1. Visit the She's Got Papers web site and browse around. Come back here and tell me in the comments what your favorite product is.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Glow Mama - A Giveaway

Are you looking for a unique gift for the expectant or new mom in your life? Or just someone that is health conscious but still like to stylish and hip? Check out Glow Mama. It is a natural vitamin drink, made with real kiwis, that I developed with I was pregnant and thirsty. It is low in calories, high in fiber and pre-natal vitamins, and a great alternative for those of us not drinking alcohol, caffeine or sodas this holiday season.

Glow Mama has offered to give away a Two Week Taster to one of my lucky winners. Here's how to win:

1. Visit the Glow Mama's web site and check out their mocktails. Come back here and tell me which one you would like to try.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

A Place to Shop for Mom - T.J. Maxx

If you are shopping for a gift for Mom this year, check out T.J. Maxx. You can find the perfect gift for Mom, or anyone really. You can find clothing and accessories for Mom or just get her a gift card so that she can pick out something herself. Whether you have 5 people or 10 people to shop for this year, check out T.J. Maxx for something for everyone.

1

Sweet Muse - A Giveaway

Sweet Muse has the perfect gift for that person in your life with a sweet tooth. Sweet Muse celebrates the creative, playful spirit in all of us with handmade treats to indulge the senses and inspire. Specializing in rich, fudgy brownies, the company offers ten brownie and two blondie flavors, all individually wrapped with a quote inside (a brownie fortune cookie if you will). Brownies are packaged in gift tins and boxes perfect for corporate and individual gift-giving.

The Sweet Muse Brownie Gift Tin includes a dozen assorted individually wrapped gourmet fudge brownies (each with an inspirational quote inside).

These rich fudgy brownies are freshly baked from scratch and packaged in a classic white gift tin tied with grosgrain ribbon. Whether they are used to create a last-minute dessert (everyone loves brownie sundaes) or stashed for savoring as a private treat, Moms love receiving these delicious indulgences.

One of my lucky readers has the chance to receive a Brownie Buddy Gift Box. Here's how:

1. Visit the Sweet Muse web site. Come back and tell me in the comments what your favorite flavor of brownie would be.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 17th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Four Blooms Aromatherapy - A Giveaway

Mom deserves nothing but the best this Christmas. Why check out some products from Four Blooms? They have a line of over 100 aromatherapy items on their site. Here are just a few:

BODY CARE – LOTION – ENERGY BOOSTER (8oz) LINK

Once you try this body lotion, you will want to try each of the others available.

Be sure to treat your body to the body wash, a great prelude to this nourishing lotion.

Conveniently packaged in a large cobalt plastic jar, safe anywhere, including the gym. Large opening allows you to scoop out the lotion easily.

• An energizing blend of therapeutic grade essential oils, combining Lavender, Bergamot and other pure oils in lotion.
• Wakes up the skin and the body.
• 100% Pure Plant-Based Ingredients, Cruelty Free Never tested on animals.

HOW TO USE:

Use this wonderful lotion after you shower or bathe. It goes on smoothly with no greasy after-feel.

BODY CARE – WASH – ENERGY BOOSTER (8oz) LINK

Once you try this body wash, you will want to try each of the different blends because it is so light, refreshing and health-giving. That’s right; this body wash contains only Castile soap and therapeutic grade essential oils.

Be sure to treat your body to the lotion, a delightful companion to this wash.

Conveniently packaged in an easy to pour plastic bottle, safe anywhere, including shower and gym.

• An energizing blend of therapeutic grade essential oils, combining Lavender, Bergamot and other pure oils in a base of Castile soap.
• Wakes up the skin and the body.
• 100% Pure Plant-Based Ingredients, Cruelty Free Never tested on animals.

HOW TO USE:

Use this wonderful body wash each time you shower or bathe. It lathers up very nicely when used with a shower scrunchie.

One of my lucky readers has a chance to win a 4 oz bottle of Uplifting Massage Oil. This item is $25 and is just around for the holidays. Here's how to win:

1. Visit Four Bloom's web site. Come back here and tell me what you products you are interested in and what you think about their web site.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Groovy Paper - A Giveaway

Get Mom some of her own personalized stationary in 2009 from Groovy Paper. Groovy Paper is an online stationery boutique that makes distinctively hip and sophisticated stationery easily accessible to online shoppers. Groovy Paper seeks cutting-edge stationary designers that can satisfy the needs of their customers.

One great idea for Mom would Groovy Paper's Name Notes. Saying thank you is much groovier with these colorful and funky name notes that reflect today's cool, hip mom.

Another great idea for mom would be Groovy Paper's Mommy Cards. Coffee dates and play dates are a lot groovier with these new cards. Perfect for today's hip moms... and cool kids too!

Groovy Paper has offered to give away to one of my readers a set of 25 personalized mommy cards by Robyn Miller Design.

Here's how to win:

1. Visit the Groovy Paper's web site. Come back here and tell me in the comments what product you like best.

2. The contest will run through Thursday, December 18th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

"Sixtyfive Roses" - A Giveaway

Heather's sister Pam was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of four and given only a short time to live. Heather promised to die with her sister, but as Pam fought the limits of her prognosis, she instead taught Heather how to live. “Sixtyfive Roses” is the way Pam pronounced the disease that altered the lives of her siblings and parents, who in turn helped alter the community’s response to the disease by founding the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With the help of the Foundation, research, and new treatments, the fight to save Pam lasted for years, ending with her death at the age of 26. Heather had to learn to survive the tragedy of her sister's illness, and her loss.

Any Mom who has ever embarked on her own heroine’s journey or aspires to be a warrior on behalf of her own life will love the story told in "Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister's Memoir." A Book Club favorite, it's also especially appropriate for Moms of disabled children. What's more, it's the gift that gives back - 5% of sales goes to Cystic Fibrosis research. And in these times of economic crisis, it's a gift under $20 that brings with it priceless inspiration for those facing struggles and troubled times.

One lucky reader can win their own copy of "Sixyfive Roses: A Sister's Memoir". Here's how:

1. Visit the book's web site. Come back here and tell me what you read there that makes you want to win this book.

2. The contest will run through Wednesday, December 17th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Dirty Loves Clean Soaps - A Giveaway

It seems like everyone is trying to use products that are better for themselves and the environment. Why not help Mom out with soaps that are all these things?

Straight from a kitchen in Brooklyn comes Dirty Loves Clean, a handmade bath and beauty line that specializes in using natural and vegan approved ingredients that are good for you, our furry friends, and the environment!

One of my lucky readers will win one of these rich organic brown sugar and creamy shea butter soaps.

Here's how:

1. Visit the Dirty Loves Clean shop and browse their products. Come back here and tell me in the comments what you would like to try.

2. The contest will run through Wednesday, December 17th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.

Pamper Mom with Pedi-Relax: A Giveaway

Pamper mom this Christmas with the 3 piece set from Pedi-Relax. The set includes the Intense Hydrating Cream (for dry and damaged feet), Exfoliating Cream (to keep feet feeling smooth) and Protective Barrier cream (prevents blister). Pedi-Relax are a full line of foot care products that combines scientific research with natural essential oils. They are a great way to for busy and tired moms to pamper themselves at home.

TWO of my lucky readers will have a chance to win one of these 3-piece sets. Here's how:

1. Tell me in the comments below how you pamper yourself at home.

2. The contest will run through Wednesday, December 17th at 11:59 Central Time. The winner will be chosen by random.org. They will be contacted through email. Continental U.S. entries only please.

3. Please leave a valid email address or other way to contact you. If the winner hasn't responded within 3 days, another winner will be chosen at random.

4. If you’d like a couple extra entries you can either:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
• Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.