Handbag Fashion Show and Giveaway

Handbag Fashion Show and Giveaway

When: Thursday, November 19

Where: Twitter (follow #sondraroberts) and ResourcefulMom's Stickham channel: http://www.stickam.com/resourcefulmom

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 pm EST

RSVP: Be sure to RSVP over HERE in the Mr. Linky

Giveaways: over $800 in handbags will be given away LIVE during the event! But you must RSVP and participate to win.

Video Games Sale

If you are like me and looking for good deals on video games for Christmas presents, Amazon.com is having a good sale. It says:

"Spend $80 on select titles and receive a $40 promotional claim code usable towards a future Wii, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 game purchase. To qualify for the credit, you must check out with two or more eligible items in your cart. Only purchases from Amazon.com as the seller and made between October 26, 2009 and October 31, 2009 will qualify for this promotion. Only one (1) promotional claim code will be sent per household. Promotional claim code will expire at 11:59pm PST on 12/31/2009."

Be sure it is an eligible title and that it says "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com

Mountain House Can Sale

If you are like me and concerned about the current and future economic crisis, you will be interested in this. Emergency Essentials have all Mountain House #10 cans for 25% off. They have free shipping on $199 or more this month. I like the Mountain House freeze dried foods, and I have ordered from Emergency Essentials several times. This is a great sale. But hurry because it ends 10/30.

Michael Bublé Crazy Love Review

I want to thank One2One Network who sent me Michael Bublé's new album "Crazy Love" to review. I am a new listener and a new fan. He has a great voice! And he has such a cute smile. :)

I would describe the album as a smooth jazz sound on most of the songs. Usually I am not much into jazz, but his voice makes it really good. My favorite song is "Haven't Met You Yet". It makes me smile and want to dance every time I hear it or watch the video.

Songs on "Crazy Love"
1. Cry Me A River
2. All Of Me
3. Georgia On My Mind
4. Crazy Love
5. Haven't Met You Yet
6. All I Do Is Dream Of You
7. Hold On
8. Heartache Tonight
9. You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
10. Baby (You've Got What It Takes)
11. At This Moment
12. Stardust
13. Whatever It Takes

Check out this cute video:
Michael Bublé - "Haven't Met You Yet"



You can learn more about Michael Buble at his Website: http://bit.ly/MBSite and on Facebook: http://bit.ly/MBFanPage.



Other than receiving the CD, I received no other compensation for this review.

Giveaways on Other Blogs

Go check out the Back 2 Blogging Bash on Jabbering Jessi she is giving away a Fountain Jet Soda lovers Startup Kit, with mixes from Soda Stream. Ends 10/9.

Go check out the Back 2 Blogging Bash on Jabbering Jessi she is giving away 3 Futura Laptop Desks w/MouzPad from LapWorks. Ends 10/9.

On Mom Start you can win both Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Nintendo DS games. Ends 10/26.

On Happily Domestic you can win a Dream Weaver Heavenly Down, Full Size Body Pillow (pillowcase included). Ends 10/21.

At I Never Grew Up you can win a $100 Gift Certificate to Oompa Toys. Ends 10/17.

On A Psych Mommy you can win a $150 gift card to the Campus Quilt Company. Ends 10/22.

At Leslie Loves Veggies you can win a $40 gift certificate to the The Homestead Company. Ends 10/22.

At Leslie Loves Veggies you can win a Mandarin Orange & Patchouli Color Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner set for Normal or Dull Hair. Rnds 10/23.

A Day Made Better

OfficeMax and and Mom It Forward have teamed up to create awareness about the issue of teacher-funded classrooms and to give you the opportunity to get involved and help a teacher in your community on behalf of the “A Day Made Better".

I would like to nominate Charles (Billy) Thompson at Evansville Christian School to win $100 in OfficeMax classroom supplies. According to my children he does many things to make his class interesting thus getting the kids interested in history. My daughter loves history now because he made it fun to learn and relevant.

He does everything in his power to deliver the best possible education for his students. He makes classes interactive. For example, when my daughter was studying the civil war, they reenacted a war scene using paper balls.

He is very innovative to find ways to make the history info relevant to the kids today. He uses humor to make learning history fun. You can tell he has a genuine passion for education and shares this enthusiasm in the classroom. Since he works at a Christian school, it is not supported by the government, and funds are tight. He could definitely use the OfficeMax Gift card for essential school supplies.

You can learn more about the campaign at http://adaymadebetter.com/ or @adaymadebetter.

Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters Review

New Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters are bite size clusters of nuts, granola and a touch of honey – a 100% natural, wholesome and delicious treat for any time of the day. If you are a lover of nuts, you’ll love what Nature Valley has done with this powerful little snack. It is the perfect combination of sweet & salty flavor and crunchy texture made from natural nut goodness that you can see and taste. And with a resealable bag it’s perfect for sharing either on the trails or in your living room.

Thanks to My Blog Spark I was sent all 4 combinations to try : Nut Lovers, Roasted Almond, Roasted Cashew and Honey Roasted Peanut. I loved all of them! They really are delicious. I like the combo of crunchy with sweet and salty. I would definately recommend them.

Giveaways on Other Blogs

On BabasfarmLife you can win ageless perfume. Click the here to enter. Ends 9/28.

Winners

I have more winners to announce. The winners have been emailed.

Sarah C. won the Shelf Reliance Cansolidator Giveaway.
Kngmckellar won the Sid the Science Kid Giveaway.
Mom Union won the Lauren Nicole Giveaway.

As you can see all 3 of the winners were from the bonus entries. It really is worth the time to do them. Even if you are not a blogger, you can easily set up a basic blog on blogger in 5 minutes. Then you can do things like follow and put the button on your blog. Actually that is how I got started blogging. If you have questions about how to do it, just email me or post it here. I would be happy to help.

Shelf Reliance Cansolidator
Here are your random numbers:
106 Timestamp: 2009-09-24 05:19:31 UTC
Sarah C said... Blog follower

Sid the Science KidHere are your random numbers:
55 Timestamp: 2009-09-24 05:25:19 UTC
kngmckellar said... http://kngmckellar-glorias.blogspot.com/2009/09/httpdonna444444blogspotcom200908sid.html#comments
blogged #1

Lauren Nicole Giveaway
Here are your random numbers:
97 Timestamp: 2009-09-24 05:34:35 UTC
MomUnion said... Techno faved: The Mom Union

Congratulations to the winners!

Horizon Little Blends Contest

TwitterMoms has partnered with Horizon Little Blends for a new blog contest. The first 100 moms who blog about how they sneak fruits and vegitables into their child’s diet will win a Thermos snack jar and a coupon off Horizon’s new Little Blends yogurt as well as a second prize pack to give away to one of their readers. It ends on on 10/3, but they will likely get 100 entries soon.

I try to have fresh fruit and veggies available for a quick snack. That helps get my children to eat more fruits and veggies. Click here to enter and for more info.

Text-a-Thon for a Cause

Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are raising money and awareness to support ovarian cancer. Together, they are launching another exciting campaign that utilizes a form of communication that many of us use every day - texting! During September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Electrolux and Kelly are holding a "Text-a-Thon for a Cause" to help raise support for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.

Throughout September, you can donate $5 to the cause by texting "KELLY" to 85944 from your mobile phones (standard text messaging rates apply) - or logging on to
http://www.kelly-confidential.com/. Also, every time you log on to the Web site, you'll be entered for a chance to win an amazing contribution to your home - a luxury front load washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color inspired by the teal ribbon of ovarian cancer awareness.

Also during September, visitors to Kelly Confidential can help spread awareness for this important cause by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend. For every virtual t-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. Fashion-forward Moms can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Ripa; 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.



I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Electrolux and will receive a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Crafting = Quality Family Time

Some parents are skilled crafters. Others are doing well to cut paper in a reasonably straight line. No matter which group you fall into, crafting with your kids can be beneficial for all involved.

Few things bring families together like crafting. Here are some of the good things that come out of crafting with your kids.

* Crafting builds creativity. Developing minds need a creative outlet, and crafting provides the opportunity for kids to use their imaginations. It helps them learn to solve problems, and it could lay the groundwork for a lifetime of interest in art. For parents, getting creative can help reduce stress and promote using the brain in ways that we don't have a reason to use it every day.

* Crafting teaches kids to follow directions. This seems like a very basic skill, but we all know adults who can't seem to follow directions. When kids craft, they learn the consequences of not following directions when their projects do not turn out as expected. This instils in them the importance of doing things the right way the first time.

* For young children, crafting is fabulous for learning basic skills. Almost any type of craft promotes hand-eye coordination. Kids can also learn to use scissors, measure and do lots of other things they will eventually do in everyday life.

* Parents and children have a chance to talk. In our busy lives, it seems that we know less about our kids than previous generations of parents did. Passive activities such as watching TV do little to encourage conversation. But when you're crafting together, talking comes naturally. You can seize the opportunity to discuss such things as your child's interests, his concerns, and how he's doing in school.

* Crafting is a great way to wind down. It's wonderful for kids to be active, but there are times when they need to calm down. If you find your child getting agitated or exhibiting an overabundance of energy near bedtime, try bringing out the craft supplies. Crafting engages kids' minds, giving them something to focus on and a good reason to sit still for a while.

* Creating things is a confidence booster. Parents who craft regularly know the feeling of accomplishment when a project is complete. Multiply this feeling by ten, and you have a pretty good idea of how your child feels when he makes something. For kids, crafting can help build positive self-esteem.

* Working on a project together is a great way to teach your kids teamwork. This will help them develop skills needed to resolve disputes peacefully and effectively. It will also help them discover their strengths and teach them that doing their best will make the entire project turn out better.

* Crafting creates treasured family memories. The finished product will serve as a reminder of the fun you had making it together.

Crafting as a family provides opportunities for us to interact with our children. It is also a valuable learning experience for them. Don't worry if you aren't the world's greatest crafter. Simply being willing to try anyway is a lesson to your kids in itself.

Walmart's Your Zone Giveaway

WalMart has a new Your Zone product line for teens. You can WIN a Your Zone room makeover of your own! WalMart has graciously offered a $500.00 gift card to a reader of Suzanne Calling. Click here to enter. Ends 9/10.

You can also win on Three Different Directions. Click here to enter. Ends 9/8.

You can also win at A Hippy Happy Mom. Click here to enter. Ends 9/10.

You can win at Organize with Sandy. Click here to enter. Ends 9/10.

Back to School Giveaway Blog Tour

Mom Central is having a Back to School Giveaway Blog Tour. They are giving away alot of great things which include:

1. "Lexmark Printer: Print out your student's book reports, history essays, and science labs with this top of the line Lexmark printer. Turn in those assignments in top form. Mom and Dad might also appreciate this giveaway as well!"

2. "Gymboree Gift Card: Keep your little one looking stylish this school year with a gift card to Gymboree. Gymboree carries adorable clothing from newborn sizes all the way up to age 12."

3."Shred Sled: A great way for your kids to enjoy the autumn weather, the Shred Sled combines the movements of skateboarding and snowboarding together for a unique, fun, and healthy activity for the young—and the young at heart! With four inline wheels and a concave foot deck, the rider also has much more control than a traditional skateboard."

Click on the link to enter the Back to School Giveaways.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift to thank me for taking the time to participate."

College Survival Guide

Is your son or daughter going away to college this year? Moving away from home can be very scary especially if the college is far away. Clorox has put together a wonderful guide to ease the transition. It lists several things to consider such as:

-A “heads up” on the popular regional trends in clothing and accessories as well as activities that come along with going to school in the Midwest, the Northeast, the South, and the West Coast

-Instructions for a “5-Minute Dorm Room Clean-Up”

-Seasonal influenza and novel H1N1 2009 flu virus prevention tips

-Dorm room “must-haves” for living away from home

-Lifestyle tips from experienced Moms

You can learn more and download your own copy by going here: Clorox College Survival Guide

You can get more information by searching “College Survival Guide 2009” on Facebook and becoming a fan. You can get region specific editions of the guide there also.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of The Clorox Company and will receive a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Simply faBOWlous Review and Giveaway

Simply faBOWlous® began with a mom's need for organization. In 2006 Co-Founder Cheri White started designing unique hair bow holders to turn her baby's hair bow collection into a chic work of art while putting an end to cluttered drawers and lost or damaged hair bows. She soon started taking request from friends and family... and Simply faBOWlous® was born.

In 2007 a full line of accessories for mini divas was added. This line includes infant, toddler & child headbands, crochet flower hats and Petal Poof Tutus.

In 2008 hair accessories for that ever evolving 'Tween-ager were added. This line includes several Ribbon Covered Arch Headband styles: Glitzy, Flowers & Dots.

In 2009 Simply faBOWlous® introduced Rock Wear Accessory which includes Tattoo Art Baby Hats.

Whether you prefer their Boutique Line for your Mini Diva or our Rock Wear Line for your Lil' Dude (or dudette) Simply faBOWlous® can outfit your little one with something for every age and every style.


The great people at simply faBOWlous sent me the Arch Glitzy Headband in Black and a Red Sequin Hair Clip to review.
My tween daughter loved the Arch Glitzy Headband. It was of good quality and felt sturdy. It did not hurt her head.
The Red Sequin Hair Clip was very cute, and appeared to be well made. But my daughter would not consider wearing it because she thought it was too "girly, girly". It would look very nice on a younger child.

Great news! You can win the Arch Glitzy Headband in Black and a Red Sequin Hair Clip just like I reviewed. To enter go to Simply faBOWlous and tell me what you would love to get. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe by email.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
6. Follow Simply faBOWlous on twitter here.
7. Fave me on technorati. Then leave a comment with your user name.

Open to US.
Expires 9/15 at 11:59 PM CST.

Elder care tips and Care4hire.com Giveaway

Alot of people are in the "sandwich generation" where they have to take care of their aging parents while caring for their young children. It can be very difficult to do it all by yourself. A good option is to hire some outside help.

Tips for hiring an elder/companion care provider:

1. It gives the parents the independence of living at home while being well cared for by a caregiver.

2. It also gives the baby boomers a well deserved break and a sense of security knowing their parents are well cared for when they cannot be there.

3. A elder/companion care provider can help with meal, laundry, housekeeping duties, transportation, etc.

4. A provider can also do activities with the elderly such as playing cards, provide conversations and keep them good company.

Do you ever need help child care, housekeeping, or someone to stay with an elderly relative?

Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous services.

The great people at Care4hire.com has agreed to give one winner a gift certificate for a free month of use to contact caregivers. ($29.99 retail value). To enter please go to Care4hire.com . Then leave a comment to tell me what type of caregiver you want to hire and leave your email address also. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe by email.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
6. Fave me on technorati. Then leave a comment with your user name.

Open to US. Expires 9/14 at 11:59 PM CST.

Winners

I have some winners to announce. Thanks for all the entries. The winners have been emailed.

Yoplait Giveaway
Kathy Pease and JoeyfromSC
Random Integer GeneratorHere are your random numbers:
140 59
Timestamp: 2009-08-28 13:26:33 UTC
#140 kathy pease said... http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/3443765901
#59 JoeyfromSC said... I follow your blog

Layers Giveaway
blueviolet
Here are your random numbers:
131
Timestamp: 2009-08-28 22:34:39 UTC
blueviolet said... I like the Erica top!

Bummas giveaway
Saebbe
Here are your random numbers:
16 Timestamp: 2009-08-28 22:43:04 UTC
Saebbe said... I love the Calm Ones, I want to try these so bad!! my baby girl is due any second!! LOL

Please Help our School

There is a contest that a school can win 25,000 My Rewards Points for school equipment. All you have to do is tweet this:

Please RT to Vote for Evansville Christian School get 25K MyCoke Rewards for SchoolsPoints. #spritebts http://bit.ly/4e5cXS

You don't have to vote anywhere. The tweet itself is the vote. Please, help our school. It ends 8/31. The tweeting is unlimited.

Healthy Home Guide

I know we are all looking for ways to make our homes more healthy. Clorox and the What to Expect Guide have brought you a free copy of their Healthy Home Growth Chart. The What to Expect Guide to a Healthy Home Growth Chart is available for free download here. It is nice with alot of good information to keep our families healthy. This is particularly timely info since the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic is expected to worsen this fall.

There is alot of helpful information such as

"Hands down, there is no better way to help stop the spread of viruses and other germs than hand washing…In fact, research shows that simple hand washing with soap and water can reduce the number of infections in children under the age of 5 by more than 50 percent."

"Water vapor (plus the toilet contents–yes…anything in there) erupts from the toilet like a mini bacteria volcano every time you flush, landing on whatever is nearby (including that toothbrush you left on the sink). Closing the lid before you flush will help prevent you—and your family—from brushing their teeth with toilet water."

Yikes!!!

"Your children aren't the only ones playing with the bath toys. [Bacteria and other germs] are having a party with them too, a party that keeps getting bigger and bigger as the guests multiply. To keep those bugs from breeding on tub toys let them dry in a net or basket after the bath. Toys that trap water (that rubber ducky comes to mind) need to be cleaned regularly with a diluted [disinfecting] bleach solution, [as directed], then rinsed well and left to dry."

It also gives tips for keeping your children healthy as they grow through the years. Check it out here.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and the What to Expect Guide and will receive a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

One Hour Parties

I am always looking for good opportunities for moms. I found one you might want to check out.

"One Hour Parties is seeking savvy, fun female entrepreneurs across the country who want to work from home and have their own One Hour Parties party planning business.

Do you love planning parties? Are you the party planner in your office, kid’s school or the resident party diva in your neighborhood? Isn’t it time you got paid for making people happy and doing what you love to do? With One Hour Parties, now you can! One Hour Parties is the most exciting and fun franchise concept on the market today. They provide easy, creative and affordable party planning solutions for corporate celebrations, kid’s parties, weddings and more. If you live in a major metropolitan area, let them train you on their unique form of party planning and how to capture your own piece of the $500 billion event planning industry worldwide. The company has just been named Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Hot New Franchise” and the founders were just named the “Top 25 Innovators and Entrepreneurs” by Seattle Business Magazine. Check them out online at http://www.onehourparties.com/ or link directly to their franchise page at http://onehourparties.com/index.php/franchise."

This sounds like an interesting opportunity, but I haven't tried it. I posted about it as part of a contest.

Lauren Nicole Personalized Jewelry Review and Giveaway

I recently found a store that has really cute gifts. It is called Lauren Nicole. They sell personalized jewelry and monogramed gifts. You can get a variety of jewelry including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. You can also get many other nice accessories including belts, key chains, wraps, and more. I found so many things I want!

They sent me a pair of Fine Silver wax seal heart earrings to review. The earrings arrived quickly after she hand made them in her studio. The earring disks measure 1/2" in diameter. Fine silver is a slightly higher grade than sterling silver. Sterling silver is .925 silver and fine silver is .999 silver. They are really pretty. I just love them!

The great people at Lauren Nicole have agreed to send one winner the same type of earrings as I reviewed! I am sure you will love them too.

To enter go to Lauren Nicole and tell me what you would love to get. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Follow my blog

2. Subscribe by email.

3. Post my button on your blog

4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)

5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.

6. Fave me on technorati. Then leave a comment with your user name.

7. Subscribe to the Lauren Nicole mailing list here.

Open to US.Expires 9/12 at 11:59 PM CST.

Back to School-Another Teaching Opportunity

We all know about the current problems with the economy. Most of us try to save money by buying less and using coupons. But have you thought about using your back to school shopping as a time to teach your children about saving money? It is a great time to teach them that "Money doesn't grow on trees."


5 Tips for Teaching While Saving on Back to School Shopping:

1. Have a back to school budget
A budget is a must. Set a reasonable amount to spend and stick to it. This teaches the kids about the importance of having a budget and planning ahead.

2. Create a back to school shopping list
Get a supply list for what your child needs for school supplies. Before you shop, check to see what you still have available at home. Many times you still have paper or notebooks or other things that can be used. Do the same thing for your child's school clothes. Of course they want some new clothes, but take inventory of what they currently have. For example if your child has plenty of jeans, focus on other clothing items to purchase. You child can be actively involved in this step.

3. Shop the back to school sales
You can shop the sales before leaving home by reviewing the sale ads. You can make it kind of like a scavenger hunt to find a certain item at the best price. For example have your child look at the various sale ads to see where crayons are on sale and what is the best price.

4. Compare prices
This goes together with the tip above. When you shop, purchase only the items that are on sale at that store, then go to the next store on your list. Show your child what the regular price of an item is, so he will see how much you saved. It would be fun to write the regular price along with the sale price on your shopping list. When you are done shopping you and your child will be amazed when you add up the savings.

5. Use coupons
Around back to school time you can find coupons for school supplies. Also don't forget about shopping online especially for school clothes. Frequently you can save alot of money by shopping online when you combine sales with online coupons and cash back offers.

Capital One and national consumer advocacy group Consumer Action sponsor the Moneywi$e eLearning tool, which includes a section all about talking to kids about money. Plus, check out @TeachingMoney on Twitter to get bite-sized family-focused financial tips.

We can make the most of these challenging financial times by using this as an opportunity to teach our children about saving money.

This article was written as part of a Parent Bloggers Network Blog Blast.



Free Signature Generator

Giveaways on other blogs

Fall in love at first “spray” with Kinesys Spray Sunscreen! The simple solution to sun protection for the whole family. Read about the experience mom blogger Kalisha at UV Skinz had with this fast, simple and effective sunscreen. Enter for your chance to win a Kinesys prize package at UV Skinz. Giveaway ends August 23. Open to U.S. only.

Sid the Science Kid -3 DVD Review & Giveaway

One of the top new shows for kids to premiere this past year is “Sid the Science Kid,” the hit, Emmy-nominated PBS series that is produced by The Jim Henson Company and KCET-LA. The first two “Sid the Science Kid” DVDs, titled “Change Happens” and “The Bug Club were available in stores on August 4.

There is another new DVD called “Dive Olly Dive,” the Emmy-nominated, 3D-animated underwater series that airs on PBS Sprout. Not only will preschoolers have fun under the sea with Olly and Beth, two young submarines-in-training – the DVD also teaches kids fascinating facts about ocean life and some important life lessons, too. The “Dive Olly Dive: Ship Shape Sub” DVD became available in stores on August 4.

These are cute DVD's for younger kids.

The great news is that one peson will win all 3 DVDs! To enter please tell me what who would love to get these DVD's. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Follow my blog

2. Subscribe by email.

3. Post my button on your blog

4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)

5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.

6. Fave me on technorati. Then leave a comment with your user name.

Open to US. Expires 9/11 at 11:59 PM CST.

Shelf Reliance Cansolidator Pantry Review and Giveaway

As you know I am very interested in emergency preparedness. There are alot of things that could happen given the current political and financial climate. Also we never know when there will be a natural disaster.

I found a great company called Shelf Reliance who specialize in emergency preparedness products. The have alot of items for food storage. They sent me a Cansolidator Pantry. It was easy to assemble. It is a front loading system that automatically rotates up to 40 cans. You just feed the cans in through the top and take them out from the bottom to use them. Your canned items are automatically rotated so you use the older items first. The Cansolidator Pantry holds both small and medium cans. I really like it.

* Rotates cans on a first in first out basis
* Holds up to 40 cans
* Holds over 100 pounds
* Stores small and medium cans (from tuna size all the way to medium 30 oz. cans)
* Adjustable width (20" at its widest)

I really want the The Harvest 72" which is on sale now. Click on the link to check it out. They also sell a large variety of Thrive brand food storage products that are reasonably priced. I haven't tried that brand yet, but I want to.

The great people at Shelf Reliance have agreed to send one winner The Cansolidator Pantry. To enter go to Shelf Reliance and tell me what you would love to get. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe by email.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
6. Subscribe to the Shelf Reliance Newsletter. Click here. It is on the top left.
7. Fave me on technorati. Then leave a comment with your user name.

Open to US.
Expires 9/10 at 11:59 PM CST.

Winners

I have some winners to announce.

Fancy Fortune Cookies Winner:
Gianna said...
I love Dark Chocolate with Pink & White Hearts :)

Here are your random numbers:
153 Timestamp: 2009-08-16 06:50:59 UTC


Tropical Traditions Winner:
LoisS said...
I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter ljshores

Here are your random numbers:
60 Timestamp: 2009-08-16 06:57:46 UTC

The winners have been emailed. Congrats!

Spotlight on PR

Feels Like Home and Adrienne’s House are doing a project about connecting with PR professionals. I am interested in doing reviews and hosting giveaways particularly for the following:

items for tweens (such as video games and other games/toys or clothing)
food
beauty and products
jewelry
other items for women

Those are a few things that I could list, but it is not all inclusive. Any PR professionals or business owners who are interested in me doing a product review and/or hosting a giveaway, please contact me at donna444444@yahoo.com

For my readers-What types of things would you like me to review or giveaway? If you leave me requests, I can look into it.

Sibu Beauty Site Warming Party

From Resourceful Mommy:

Join us this Friday night on Twitter as we SiteWarm the new nutrient rich beauty line, Sibu Beauty. Be prepared to be pampered with products made from the powerful Himalayan fruit, Seabuckthorn, the basis of all Sibu Beauty products.

When: Friday, August 14th from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. eastern time.
Where: Join us on Twitter, Tweetchat, or TweetGrid with the hashtag #sibubeauty

Click here to RSVP and enter for the grand prize.

The Complete Swagbucks Tutorial!

Check out this great info about swagbucks.
The Complete Swagbucks Tutorial!

What Does Purity Mean?

1.the condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc.
2.freedom from any admixture or modifying addition.
3.ceremonial or ritual cleanness.
4.freedom from guilt or evil; innocence.
5.physical chastity; virginity.
6.freedom from foreign or inappropriate elements; careful correctness: purity of expression.
7.cleanness or spotlessness, as of garments

Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend

As you know I am dieting and trying to get in better shape. Our family is trying to eat better overall. When you diet the foods can become boring. Sometimes you need to "spice them up". Mom Central sent me a sample of Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend to try.

Mrs. Dash seasonings are salt free and MSG free. I liked the flavor of the Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend. It tastes good as taco meat seasoning. There was a recipe on the bottle for Mango Salsa that I hope to try soon.

Now you can search hundreds of delicious, low-salt recipes on the Mrs. Dash site. I must admit I don't try new recipes frequently. But I do have an excuse because my children usually won't try anything new. Then I have to eat it all or throw it away. That doesn't help my diet. But I will try substituting Mrs. Dash instead of salt to season some foods. That way I can have flavor without the sodium.

Bummas Review and Giveaway

The nice people at Bummas sent me a set of Bummas in the Wild Ones color. They are very soft and absorbant. You can wash babys' bottom with one and use a second one to dry him off.

Eliminates the use of talcum powder.
• 100% Cotton - Woven Velour Terry Cloth.
• Variety of color combinations for nursery themes.
• Handy 5” x 7” size.
• Durable. Just throw them in the washing machine and use them again.
• Won’t pill, shrink, or fade.
• They will last until your little one is out of diapers and beyond!

They have agreed to send one of my readers a set of their choice. To enter go to Bummas and pick the set you would like to win. Then return here and comment with your choice and email.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Follow my blog

2. Subscribe by email.

3. Post my button on your blog

4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)

5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.

This is a global giveaway!

Expires 8/23 at 11:59 PM CST.

Layers Review and Giveaway

Have you heard about Layers Clothing? They have really cute clothes at reasonable prices.

According to company owner/designer Michelle Boley. "Originally, Layers was started to create pieces that could provide women with additional coverage and be layered underneath other articles of clothing. From there, it quickly evolved into a label which offers a much wider variety as I began designing dresses, swimwear, and other seasonal apparel. I wanted to bring women fashionable, affordable options that I wasn't finding in the stores."

I recently had the opportunity to review a swimsuit called Maisie. It is really cute, and the quality is nice. It was in my daughter's size, and she liked it. It was attractive yet not too revealing. I took some pictures, but unfortunately I can't get them to transfer to my computer. The picture above is one of their other great swimsuits called Katlyn.

The great people at Layers Clothing have agreed to send one winner a $25 E-gift certificate. To enter go to Layers and tell me what you would get if you won. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe by email.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.

Open to US and Canada.
Expires 8/22 at 11:59 PM CST.

Yoplait Giveaway

I was recently sent a gift basket from Yoplait and My Blog Spark. I got to try Yoplait Thick and Creamy yogurt. Mmm. It is really good. Yoplait Thick & Creamy offers such an extra-thick texture that you can actually write in it with a toothpick and it will hold the design!



Yoplait and my Blog Spark have agreed to send two readers the same gift basket that I received which includes chic stationary, stylish pen - and of course a free coupon for any flavor of Yoplait Thick & Creamy.

To enter leave a comment telling me your favorite flavor of yoplait thick and creamy. Click here to see the options. Please leave your email address.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Follow or subscribe to this blog (feed)

2. Post my button on your blog

3. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)

4. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.

5. Subscribe by email.

Ends 8/20 at 11:59 PM CST. (USA only)

Precious Girls Club Winner

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:27
Timestamp: 2009-08-04 16:54:10 UTC

Carol EL said... Blog follower.

She was emailed. thanks for all the entries.

Coca Cola Store

I have collected Coca Cola products for many years. I particularly like their Christmas theme products. The Santa looks so jolly. The Coca Cola Store has many cute products.

On My Coke Rewards there was a code for 20% off.
MCR20CCS

Enjoy!

Protect a Bed Review

Recently I was given the opportunity to try the Protect-A-Bed mattress protector. I really liked it. I suffer from dust mite allergies, so I have to use a mattress protector and pillow protectors all the time. If you cough alot while you are in bed, you might be allergic to them also. You can read more about dust mites here.

The protector fit fine, and appeared well made. I slept well on it, and it wasn't hot. It is waterproof and soft to the touch. I would recommend it.

Protect-A-Bed carries a variety of mattress protectors including crib mattress and pillow protectors.

You can locate a dealer here or you can purchase online here.

Giveaway on Other Blogs

Zuvo Water – Win of Five Water Purator Systems ($300 value) and One of Twenty-Five Canteens! on She blogs.

"The new Zuvo Water Purator. Winner of the Summer 2009, Parent Tested/Parent Approved Award, the Zuvo Water Purator is a new point-of-use water treatment system that is not only more cost effective than pitcher filters or bottled water, but also helps people reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of bottled water. This compact, chemical-free water system attaches to a standard kitchen faucet or connects in-line with plumbing under the sink. Using a patented 5-step puration process, the Zuvo Water Purator mimics nature’s water cleansing process by exposing tap water to UV light and ozone, creating a harmful environment for water-borne bacteria and microorganisms, while trapping particles and dissolved solids in a carbon filter. This process not only preserves the valuable mineral content in the water, but it reduces bad tastes, potentially unhealthy contaminants, and cuts down waste. You can learn more about the Zuvo Water system and how it works here www.zuvowater.com"

Nature's Gate Products Review

Recently I was sent 2 Nature's Gate bath and body products in their organics line to review. Both of the products had features that I like including:

No phthalates or parabens

No animal testing

No animal by-products

Made with certified organic botanicals

I tried the Nature's Gate Lavender and Aloe body wash. It made a nice lather, and my skin felt clean after using it. It was not drying to my skin. Overall I liked it. But the aloe smell was strong and the product smelled "green". I usually like more flowery scented.

I also tried the Nature's Gate Grapefruit and Wild Ginger body lotion. It was moisturizing, and my skin felt nice after using it. I liked the scent of this one better. It was a rather "energizing: scent. I would recommend it.

You can sign up for the Nature's Gate newsletter here to receive special money saving offers and product updates.

FuzziBunz Review

Do you cloth diaper? I was given 2 samples of FuzziBunz to try. They are very nice. The material is soft for baby's skin but feels durable. If you cloth diaper, you definitely need to try them.

The FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diapers adjust to fit sizes from newborn to toddler.

The absorbable insert is hidden inside a pocket. Snaps adjust for the perfect fit. The waterproof outer layer is very soft and comes in a variety of colors. The legs have adjustable elastic. The fleece layer keeps baby dry.

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diapers are similar but are sized.

Smalls from 0-6 months and Mediums from 6-36 months. Specialty sizes from XS, Petite and XL are also available for hard to fit or special needs children.

They are available at many retailers. You can click here to see a list.

The FuzziBunz site has alot of info about cloth diapering.

Thanks to the people at FuzziBunz for allowing me to review them.

Skin Free Giveaway Winner

The winner is pestkaj who has been emailed. Thanks to those who entered.

pestkaj said... I would buy the spa scrub pack.
pestkaj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:111
Timestamp: 2009-07-30 15:46:48 UTC

See Kai Run Winner

Sweeter the berry was the winner from Random.org. I will send her an email. Thanks everyone for entering.

Random Integer GeneratorHere are your random numbers:
139 Timestamp: 2009-07-25 21:24:30 UTC

Sweeter the berry said... I tweetedhttp://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/2795143154

Tropical Traditions Review and Giveaway

The nice people over at Tropical Traditions sent me a bottle of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and their book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives, and how it can change yours!! to review.

Brian Shilhavy, the founder, asked his wife, Marianita, if there was a more natural way to extract the oil from the coconuts since she grew up on a coconut plantation in the Philippines. She said there was a method the older generation used to extract the oil by grating the fresh coconut, extracting the coconut milk, and then letting the coconut milk stand in a covered container for about 24 hours. After about 24 hours, the oil naturally separates from the water producing a crystal clear oil that retains the full scent and taste of coconuts. They were the first ones to bring virgin coconut oil to the US. They use the original method to extract the oil. It is not mass produced using chemicals like most coconut oils you find in the stores.



They are having some great sales now. If you list me (5130187) as your referral your first-time purchase will also receive a FREE gift, their book "Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people's lives and how it can change yours!" This book is packed with testimonies and solid research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also included over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into your diet.

For your chance to win quart of free coconut oil go to Tropical Traditions and tell me something else you would like to try. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Subscribe to the Tropical Tradtions newsletter.
2. Follow or subscribe to this blog
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
5. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
6. Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter. Leave your twitter name.

Expires 8/7 at 11:59 PM CST.

Please Vote for Me

Please vote for me because I really need a vacation. It is very easy to vote. You can vote daily until 8/3. I will be happy if I can get in the top 10. This is the first time I have tried to win a contest by posting it and asking people to vote for me. Man, it is alot of work! But, of course, if I win, it will definately be worth it. Thank you all for your support.

Comfortable in My Skin - Round 1 Sponsored by Visit Cetaphil

Giveaways on other Blogs

On Things Mom Like you can win a
LEGOLAND California & Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort Family Trip Giveaway Ends 7/23.

Ageless Giveaway on Our Ordinary Life

Our Ordinary Life along with ageless is having a giveaway on 7/20. At noon PST they are having a Twitter party. She will have prizes to give out including iTunes cards. The sweeps will end at midnight 7/20. You must follow all rules to qualify.
The winner of the sweepstakes will receive $200 cash for your expenses for BlogHer 2009. 4 other runner ups will each receive a bottle of Ageless. Click here for further details.

For my entry I am supposed to say what makes me feel beautiful and fresh. I would say I feel my best when my hair looks nice and I am wearing a nice outfit.

Fancy Fortune Cookies Review and Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to try Fancy Fortune Cookies. They were really good. Of course, chocolate was my favorite. :) They have so many flavors! Just to mention some: Chocoholic's Delight™, The Original™Vanilla Fortune Cookie, Old Fashioned Bubblegum™, Cherry Bliss™, Horseshoe Blue™, Luscious Lemon™, "Oh, Wow!" Orange™, Passion Fruit Punch™, Double Chocolate™, and many more. They were fresh tasting.

Fancy Fortune Cookies would be great for a special event such as weddings, baby showers, or birthday parties.

You can order with and easy, 3 step process:

Step 1 - Choose Your Flavor/Color
Step 2 - Choose Your Packaging
Step 3 - Personalize Your Sayings

It is so cool that you can personalize the message inside the fortune cookies.

They also make a giant fortune cookie that is over 1 lb! Mmmm. It looks delicious.

You can also join the Fortune Cookie Friends list and sign up to get 25 FREE fortune cookies--they choose a name WEEKLY!

The great people at Fancy Fortune Cookies have agreed to send a winner a $50 gift certificate! To enter, go to Fancy fortune cookies and tell me what you would like if you won. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow or subscribe to this blog
2. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
Expires 8/6 at 11:59 PM CST.

Precious Girls Club Giveaway

My daughter loves the Precious Girls Club website, and so do I. Their products help promote good and wholesome values. They all come with an access code to play on the Precious Girls Club virtual site. The products are similar to Webkins and Club Penguin with a safe but fun online atmosphere. They are created by Precious Moments and reinforce such virtues as helpfulness, kindness, responsibility, loving and caring. I collect Precious Moments products, so I really like it.

You can get closer to your daughter as you can send her messages and congratulate her on good deeds through the Parent Page. You can also find tips and other ways to bond with your child. I like playing the games with her online.

The great people at the Precious Girls Club and Mom Select sent me a great prize pack for one of my readers. You will win a plush kitty, a hardcover book Operation Kindness, and online access codes.

To enter go to the Precious Girls Club site and tell me your favorite item in their online store. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Follow or subscribe to this blog

2. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.

3. Post my button on your blog.
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)

5. Fave me on technorati. Leave your username.

Expires 7/30 at 11:59 PM CST.

Skin Free Review and Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to try some great products from Skin Free. My son has eczema, so I have to be careful what I put on his skin. A pharmacist formulated the patented formulas for delicate, sensitive and very dry or damaged skin.

Skin Free products contain:
All Natural, Vegan Ingredients
No Perfumes
No Petroleum Products
No Harmful Chemicals
No Steroids
No Colorants
No Greasy feeling
No Animal Testing, Cruelty Free

They recommend their products for individuals with:
Extreme Dry Skin
Skin or Fragrance Allergies
Psoriasis
Dermatitis
Eczema
Pregnant Moms
Babies
The Elderly
Diabetics
Renal Patients
After Radiation or Chemotherapy

The extra moistruizing soap was very moisturizing. It doesn't leave a dried out feeling. Naturally moisturizing shea and cocoa butters are added to reduce the tight, dry feeling normally experienced when using typical commercial soaps.

Skin Free Firming Matrix Creme for Face felt very good. It contains two natural ingredients that work to form a matrix within the skin. This matrix acts to stop collagen depletion. It also begins to build new collagen and it reduces inflammation. Anyone over 40 concerned about wrinkles or aging should try this great product.



The Super Moisture Body Balm was very moisturizing. It was perfect for my son. It was a little too thick for me since my skin has a tendancy to get oily, but it was not intended for my type of skin.

Currently at Skin Free you can get free shipping on orders of $25.00 or more!

The great people at Skin Free have offered to give one lucky winner a $30 gift certificate.

For your chance to win go to Skin Free to see what you would buy if you won the gift certificate. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow or subscribe to this blog
2. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)

Expires 7/26 at 11:59 PM CST.

Giveaways on Other Blogs

MommyPR.com is having a grand opening giveaway.
One Winner gets 1000 Bonus Entries and a $50 Gift Card from Sophies Chic Boutique! Ends 7/17.

Bring out the UV Detective inside of you with the Steve Spangler UV Energy Beads! Steve Spangler science toys are an excellent way to introduce science in a fun way that kids understand. Read about the experience mom blogger Kalisha at UV Skinz had with these cool science toys and enter to WIN UV Energy Beads for your children! Giveaway ends July 12. Open to U.S. only.

Win a $25 gift care to TJ Maxx on the Divine Miss Mommy. Ends 7/15.

On Family Traditions you van win Aunt Kate's Roll Mix, 16 oz. package of SAF yeast from Lesaffre Yeast Corp., Mini Cherish Bound Recipe Story Starter, and $29 publishing credit to make your own 5x7 recipe book. Ends 7/22.

Win a Wii Fit

With childhood obesity reaching an all time high across the country, many parents struggle with how to help their children maintain a healthy weight with proper nutrition.

Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, the official doctor of Camp Shane and a board certified pediatrician, has created Dr. Dolgoff's Weigh, a traffic-light system that allows kids to learn which foods are healthiest without counting calories. To spread the word about her site and program, Dr. Weigh, is sponsoring a Wii Fit contest to help you get your family up and moving this summer!

To Enter:
To enter to win the #KidsWeigh Wii Fit contest, check out client testimonials and fabulous Dr. Weigh success stories then fill out this secure contest form telling us which story was your favorite!

Form: http://tinyurl.com/kidsweighcontest

Want a chance to speak with Dr. Dolgoff about your nutritional questions and win more prizes?

Join her Friday, July 10th at 9 p.m. ET on Twitter for her #KidsWeigh discussion. Door prizes will be awarded. To RSVP and for more information go to:
Resourceful Mommy.

One grand prize winner will receive a Wii Fit. Two runners-up will receive a free one month membership to Dr. Weigh. This contest ends Friday, July 24th at 11:59 a.m. ET. and is brought to you by Momfluence.

See Kai Run Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to review a nice pair of shoes from See Kai Run. I received the Becket style in the smaller line. They are so cute! They used sheepskin leather which makes them very soft. The adjustable velcro closures make them easy to put on and remove. I really liked them, and I think they would look great on any baby/toddler boy. The sizes range from 0-6 months to 12-18 months.


Currently they offer free ground shipping on orders $60 or more and several pairs are on sale. Check them out here.

For your chance to win go to See Kai Run and pick out your favorite style in the See Kai Run or smaller line. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Follow or subscribe to this blog
2. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
3. Post my button on your blog
4. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.)
5. Sign up for the See Kai Run newsletter here at the bottom of the page

Ends 7/24 at 11:59PM CST.

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 23 February 2012


This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Giveaways on other blogs

The Ohana Mama is having a giveaway of Kids Kiss My Face products. It ends 6/30.
Sweeps4bloggers is giving away a book How Successful People Think. Ends 6/29.
On Red Sox Mommy you can win 100 fortune cookies from Fancy Fortune Cookies. Ends 7/8.

Social Bookmarking Sites

It is a great idea to submit your site to Social Bookmarking Sites. You can get quality backlinks and get many more visitors to your site by sharing your blog post with others.

My favorite place to share is on Twitter. I have "met" alot of great people there, and I have learned alot. I highly recommend it. Another great site for a more intimate group of family and friends is Facebook.

Many Top Social Bookmarking Sites:
Digg
Delicious
Diigo
Technorati
Reddit
Fark
Bebo
Simpy
Newsvine
Shoutwire
Spurl
Faves
Blinklist
Netvouz
Trailfire
Backflip
LinkedIn

Many sites have stopped or changed their names. I checked all of these sites today to make sure they were all current. Enjoy!

Please vote for me

Please, vote for me so I can win a great trip. It only takes a few seconds. Thank you very much.

Comfortable in My Skin - Round 1 Sponsored by Visit Cetaphil