Saturday, May 31, 2008

Shop Till the Card Doesn't Swipe #2

With Summer just around the corner, I thought I'd share some really great items for those who may be traveling this season.

Packing Cubes from eBags - This 3-bag set comes in small for toiletries, medium for pjs and underwear, and large for regular clothes. The theory is that you would pack these items in the specified bag which would then make it easier to unpack at the hotel. Small bag goes in the bathroom, medium bag goes in the drawer, large bag goes in the closet. Being an organization fanatic, I actually like this idea! The set sells for $25.

CARES Airplane Safety Restraints for Infants & Toddlers - I have yet to see anyone use this on my flights but it seems like a good idea. This restraint is for kids from 1-4 years old and takes the place of lugging around and using a car seat. I kind of like that! It's been approved by the FAA and is available at Amazon.com for $75.00.

Luggage Tags & Passport Covers from Kit2Fit - Ever since a passenger walked off the plane with my rollerboard, I've been trying to find a luggage tag that would make my generic black bag stand out from the crowd. I love the colorful and modern patterns Kit2Fit has! Tags are $9.99 and Passport Covers are $19.95.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Friday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Men

Just for Women

Just for Kids
Baby Essentials
Home & Kitchen

Books for GrownUps

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Thursday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Men
  • Mamanista - Bird Dog Bay Neckwear Tie (June 9th)

Just for Women

Just for Kids
Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Wednesday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Men

Just for Women
  • BlogHer - Tickets to BlogHer '08 in San Francisco (May 30th)
  • dkMommy Spot - Skin Care Trial Kits from Alchemilla (June 2nd)

Just for Kids
Baby Essentials
Home & Kitchen

Books & Movies for GrownUps

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tuesday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen Items

Books & Movies for GrownUps

Monday, May 26, 2008

Review: Maiden America Hair Accessories

If there's one thing I know about, it's hair accessories. This comes from having 2 little princesses in my home who insist on dressing up on a daily basis. So when I had the opportunity to review Maiden America, I was thrilled!

Maiden America specializes in no-slip barrettes as well as other hair accessories for girls. Like their name suggests, all products are made in America using high quality materials and excellent craftmanship.

For this review, I was able to actually order directly from their site to see first hand how easy it was to go through the purchasing process. The instructions were very user friendly and easy to follow along. There were so many cute pieces that I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to get. In the end, I chose the following designs:

Flat Crystal Daisies (pink): This one was for Baby Bug because she has a lot of flowery Spring dresses that would go perfectly with it. The clips held her hair comfortably and securely and she looked adorable in it!

A Velvet Crystal (pink): I really liked this one for Girlie Girl because it was simple enough to wear on a daily basis with the crystals adding a little touch of sparkle. What girl doesn't like to show-off a little bling?

All in all, we were very happy with our selections, the quality of the hair accessories, and the ordering process. We would highly recommend Maiden America for your little girl!

Thank you to the Parent Bloggers Network & Maiden America for this great review opportunity!

Monday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home Items

Books & Movies for GrownUps
  • Are We There Yet? - The Book of Mom by Taylor Wilshire (May 26th)
  • carp(e) libris - Improvise in the Amen Corner by Larnell Custis Butler (May 27th)
  • Womb Within - Simple Principles For a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy by Alex A. Lluch (May 31st)
  • Sassyfrazz - Skid by Rene Gutteridge (June 5th)

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Shop Till the Card Doesn't Swipe #1

Since I'm usually away on layovers during the weekend, I've been finding it a little difficult to post the daily contests & giveaways for Saturday & Sunday. After all, there's just too much shopping to do! So, what I've decided is to run the listing from Monday - Friday and use the weekends to spotlight some great (& unusual) shopping finds I come across during the week.

First of all, I've been looking for a non-boring laptop bag that shows a sense of style and came across Kolobags which specializes in all kinds of ways to carry around your precious laptop - briefcases, totes, messenger bags, backpack, wheeled, & sleeves.

My favorite is the mcklein (in pink of course). "Professional and sophisticated, this laptop tote is styled of Italian leather and is as organized as you. The top zip compartment provides quick access to main a section with separate file divider and a padded laptop section. A front organizer section will hold gadgets like a cell phone, business cards, and other miscellaneous items. No matter what your taste, there is a color to match: black, blue, green, red, orange, pink and white." $159.99

Next, I've been totally into polka dots lately and fell in love with this wall decor from Oras Designs. You can use them in the nursery, your child's room, or anywhere you'd like to add a little fashion statement. Personally, I would hang it in my room!

They come in lots of different colors and geometric shapes which move delicately and are always changing, casting beautiful shadows that transform with changing light. What a fresh, modern and playful take on traditional mobiles. $148.00

Finally, remember when your parents used to do the "airplane bit" when trying to feed you? Or do you still do that with your kids? How cool would it be to use an actual Airplane spoon? The Spoon Sisters have an extensive line of products for everyone in your family but their spoons are the cutest things around. The plastic plane slips off so it's easy to clean. The spoon is stainless steel and measures 5 1/2" x 5". $16.00

Well, that's it for now. Have a great weekend!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Friday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Men
  • Mom Gadget - Casio Waveceptor Wristwatch (May 29th)

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen

Books for GrownUps

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Thursday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Men
  • An Ordinary Life - Various prizes just in time for Father's Day including a Roomba (June 1st)

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen

Books & Movies for GrownUps

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Wednesday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen

Books & Movies for GrownUps

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Tuesday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen
  • petit elefant - Joey & Jane Underbed Zip Bag from Kangaroo Storage (May 22nd)
  • Green Mom Finds - 4-pack of Phyllis reusable produce bags (May 22nd)

Reading for GrownUps

Monday, May 19, 2008

Review: Were You Raised By Wolves?

From the site: "Perhaps, in your parents' eagerness to smooth life's bumpy road, they took such good care of you that you never learned how to be a self-sufficient human being. And now here you are, all grown up. What next?

You may think you don't really need to know how to make a proper cup of coffee. You've never given much thought to your listening skills, or how one goes about saving money, or stocking a bar. But knowing these things will really make you a much more well-rounded and all-around more charming and useful person, one who is more apt to be invited over for dinner. In fact, a lot of us might benefit from having a few gentle hints about housekeeping, habits, and behavior lobbed in our general direction. With advice and information ranging from How to Boil an Egg to How to Go a Whole Day Without Spending Money—in chapters as diverse as the Upside of Being Single and Lonely and the Hangover: Badge of Courage or Waste of a Day?—Were You Raised by Wolves? will help you come away more confident about important issues such as where the hell to put those flowers somebody brought over last night."

Were You Raised by Wolves by Christie Mellor turned out to be a very fun and entertaining read. It's aimed at young adults who are newly on their own in the world and may need some help adjusting with doing things for themselves. The books covers areas such as keeping your place clean, getting acquainted with your kitchen, dress ettiquite, hosting dinner/cocktail parties, dealing with holidays, personal relationships, handling your finances, and how to stop relying on your parents. It even gives you step-by-step instructions on how to sew on a button!

I would have definitely appreciated this book as a graduation gift. It would have given me a heads up on things to come and would have saved me a lot of headaches!

The book may be purchased through Amazon.com for $13.57. Thank you to the Parent Bloggers Network for this great review opportunity!


Saturday, May 17, 2008

Giveaway: Avatar The Last Airbender DVD

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The winner is Mannequin of Life and Times of a Geeky Mom!
Congratulations!

Okay, I have to admit that I've never heard of Avatar before. *gasp!* But in my defense, I have 2 little girls who prefer ballerinas and princesses. So I was shocked at the response from my sister's family when I mentioned I was giving away the brand new Avatar DVD. My niece and nephew started bombarding me with all kinds of facts about the show! Even my BIL was excited until I told him that my family was not eligible. :-(

From the site: "In this highly anticipated release, the eclipse has come but where is the Firelord? Aang searches frantically for him, but finds trouble instead. The kids are forced to flee the Fire Nation Palace with Azula and her war ships hot on their heels. At the Western Air Temple, a surprise mentor joins them and offers to be Aang's Firebending teacher. Together the new team must figure out a way to get Aang back in the fight."

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a 123-minute DVD which features audio commentaries by the series' creators and crew, an exclusive mini comic book, and five new episodes. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Avatar: The Last Airbender sells for $16.99.

You can win your copy here by mentioning in comments before May 23rd what your favorite thing is about the show Avatar. That's it! A random winner will be selected and notified on May 24th. The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, subscribe to my feed and/or mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here. Don't forget to let me know if you're doing/did the extra credit so I can make sure you're entered properly. Also, leave a way to contact you in case you win!

This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide. Good luck!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Review & Giveaway: Sleepytime Lullabies CD

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The winner is driven873!
Congratulations!

Anyone with a baby knows how important sleep is for everyone in the family.

The newly released Nickelodeon's Sleepytime Lullabies CD features classic and some not-so-classic bedtime songs arranged in a way that will ensure your little one will fall into a peaceful sleep.

From the site: "This collection of tender tunes was recorded with a full string ensemble and produced by award-winning composer Fred Mollin whose expertise in soothing music for children has yielded in previous lullaby productions selling close to 1 million units worldwide."

The 13 song disc includes songs that even new parents are familiar with such as You've Got a Friend, Moon River, You Are So Beautiful, and (They Long to Be) Close to You. You'll find yourself humming along as your baby drifts off to sleep. There's also a bonus track included - One Magic Kiss by Brandi Carlile.

How would you like to add this CD to your music library? To enter, just mention in comments what your favorite lullaby is before May 22nd.
That's it! A random winner will be selected and notified on May 23rd and the winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, subscribe to my feed and/or mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here. Don't forget to let me know if you're doing/did the extra credit so I can make sure you're entered properly. Also, leave a way to contact you in case you win!

This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide. Good luck!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Maui, Here I Come!

While I'm soaking up the sun on the Valley Island of Maui, I'll be taking a short break from posting daily listings of giveaways. I'll be back on Monday. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials

Home & Kitchen Items

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wednesday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials
  • Your Heart Out - Burp Cloth & Ribbon Binkie Clip from Baby Bintz (May 14th)
  • Musings of a Housewife - Boho Baby Sling (May 14th)
  • Tangled & True - Bib, Burp Cloth, Swaddle Blanket, & Skull Cap Set from ja*lu (May 15th)
  • Mommy Mandy - Apple Blossom Jingle Bell Cloth Ball (May 20th)
  • Chic Shopper Chick - Boon Snack Ball snack dispenser and Flo bathtub faucet cover (May 20th)
  • Momsational - Candy Dot Lime Frog or the Hot Pink Dot Elephant on a white short sleeved t-shirt from Ambajam.com (May 27th)

Home & Kitchen Items


Books & Movies for GrownUps

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Review & Giveaway: Backyardigans High Flying Adventures!

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation!
The winner is Chefdruck Musings.
Congratulations!

My girls are big Nickelodeon fans. Everything from The Wonderpets, Blue's Clues, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Dora, and of course, The Backyardigans.

The Backyardigans are back in a brand new DVD - High Flying Adventures - where the gang goes on 4 different escapades accompanied by various types of music. It even includes 2 special music video features.

From the site:
  • Fly Girl - Fifties music backs the cheery efforts of Pilot Uniqua to deliver singing telegrams to a grumpy pirate, a quiet-loving queen, and even the Abominable Snowman!
  • Who Goes There? - It's a madcap museum adventure set to Flamenco as rookie Security Guard Tyrone tries to chase down some runaway works of art before Curator Tasha returns.
  • What's Bugging You? - Rumba plays as Pest Controllers Tyrone and Uniqua try to rid Lady Tasha's mansion of Wormans so she can get ito Mr. Spiffy's Spiffy Club.
  • Chicken Itza Pizza - College fight songs rock the ancient Mexican jungle as Uniqua and Tasha embark on an adventure to deliver a pizza to fearsome King Tyrone!
This video is being released today for $16.99 and kicks off the Backyardigans Nationwide Live Tour which takes place coast-to-coast through Summer 2008.

You can win a copy of High Flying Adventures right here courtesy of Nick Jr. To enter, just mention in comment below what your favorite Nicklelodeon show is before May 20th. That's it! A random winner will be selected and notified on May 21st. The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, subscribe to my feed and/or mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here. Don't forget to let me know if you're doing/did the extra credit so I can make sure you're entered properly. Also, leave a way to contact you in case you win!

This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide. Good luck!

Tuesday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
  • Organizing LA - Internet Password Organizer (May 13th)
  • Notes From My Nest - Prizes from Serena & Lily, Hand Picked Pumpkin, Lucy Sykes, Mamma Made Designs, Starlooks Boutique, Duck Duck Goose, Tree Hollow Toys, and many more (May 16th)
  • Fitness for Mommies - Fuji Crosstown Bike, a $75 check for professional assembly, 5 coupons for Free 1.5 Liter Bottles of Lipton White Iced Tea (May 16th)
  • Lookit! I Spy . . . - Norton 360 Version 2 Software (May 18th)
  • My Apartment Map - $50 to Amazon.com (May 31st)

Just for Women

Just for Kids

Baby Essentials
  • Table for Five - A Pack of KN Karen Neuburger Infant Chenille Lounge Socks (May 16th)
  • Bloggy Giveaways - Cowgirl crib bedding set from Dwell Studio (May 16th)
Home Items
Books for GrownUps

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Sunday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone

Just for Women

Just of Kids

Baby Essentials


Home & Kitchen

Friday, May 9, 2008

Review: Sony Digital Reader PRS-505

I'm an avid book reader. I love books and take them with me to work so I'll always have something to keep me occupied while sitting in airport terminals, during my breaks on the plane, and to keep me company on layovers. The only problem is that I have to be selective on which book to bring since they make my rollerboard pretty heavy. Because of this, there were more than one occasion when I had wished I brought a different one with me.

Well, no more. The Sony Reader Digital Book PRS-505 is the answer to my prayers.

One of the most attractive features is it's size. At less than half an inch thick, it's thinner than most paperbacks, and the 9 ounce Reader easily fits into my bag without weighing me down. The large rectangular 6-inch LCD makes it easy to read the pages and it feels comfortable in my hands even during longer periods of time.

In order to download books, you must install and sign-up with the Sony Connect CD-ROM software included with your purchase. It was really easy to set-up and I was able to figure out how to use the program in a matter of minutes. It was pretty cool to be able to get my book instantly and it saved me a trip down to the bookstore. Keep in mind that it is not Mac compatible.

The size and font of words are easy to read and adjustable to accommodate your preference. The pages were viewable even at angles, dim or bright lights, and can also be changed from portrait to landscape mode.

However, like with anything else, there are a couple of downsides that I noticed. First, when I tried to view some downloaded family photos, they seem pixelated at first and took a few moments to sharpen. Also, the photos are displayed only in black & white which made it difficult to see some of the details.

Another downside is the lag time when pressing the menu buttons or turning pages. It's not a big deal but I guess I've gotten used to immediate responses with other electronic gadgets.

All in all, I really like the Sony Digital Reader Book and plan on making good use it. I can now bring tons of books, stored on memory cards, along for the ride. I don't think it will replace books all together but it does offer another option to consumers.

The Sony Digital Reader Book sells for $299.00.

Friday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone
Just for Women
Just for Kids
  • sassyfrazz - Educational Package from Brighter Minds Media (May 20th)
Home & Kitchen

Thursday, May 8, 2008

A Giveaway for All NASCAR Fans!

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation!
The winner is Mama Zen of The Zen of Motherhood. Congratulations!

Hey all you NASCAR fans, want a change to win a weekend trip to the final Chase for the Championship race in Miami, Florida the weekend of November 14, 2008?

Prilosec OTC is proud to bring you the Prilosec OTC Winner’s Circle Sweepstakes. In addition to the grand prize, 100 online instant winners will win other great prizes such as an authentic NASCAR firesuit with driver's autograph, race tickets, gift cards to the NASCAR SuperStore, a race tire signed by No. 31 Prilosec OTC driver Jeff Burton and the No. 31 team. Cool huh?

To enter, just stop by The Winner's Circle Sweepstakes, enter your email address, and play their online game. You may play once per day until September 1, 2008. You can also download the "Winner's Circle" widget to keep track of how the race is going!

Maybe one of you will win a free trip to Championship Race!

To help promote this great sweepstakes, I'm giving away a DVD filled with highlights of the Greatest moments in NASCAR history along with some other fun promotional games, computer desktop wallpaper, etc.

All you need to do is mention in comments who your favorite NASCAR driver is before midnight, May 15th. That's it! A random winner will be selected and notified on May 16th. The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, just subscribe to my blog and/or mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.

This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide. Good luck!

Review & Giveaway: The Rookie Mom's Handbook

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The winner is Shannon of The Buchmann Update. Congratulations!

Before I had Girlie Girl, I remember thinking that I would never be able to leave the house with her by myself. How in the world would I be able to handle lugging all the equipment? What happens when I can't find a place to nurse her? What if she just.won't.stop.crying?

Of course, one she arrived all I wanted to do was get out of the house for some fresh air and maybe a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks. I looked in all the local publications for Mommy & Me type activities but didn't find much available. What I wouldn't have done for The Rookie Mom's Handbook by Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss.

From the book: Bookstores are filled with activity books for babies and toddlers, but The Rookie Mom's Handbook is the only one designed exclusively for first-time mothers. Here are 250 enjoyable activities to help rookie moms maintain their individuality and boost their confidence about leaving the house, socializing, and doing things they always liked to do - either with or without baby.

What I loved about this book are the many great suggestions that you probably would have never thought of on your own. You know they're there but sometimes you just need a little reminder. The Rookie Mom's Handbook is written in small bite-sized pieces for your convenience and organized by baby's age. Reading can't get any easier than this!

The only problem I had was reading the dark purple text on the light purple background. It's very pretty to look at but it was a little hard on my eyes. But then again, it could just be me.

To celebrate this wonderful book, a blog blast will be held from May 9th till 11th where you could win a fantastic gift bag filled with more than $250 worth of goodies for moms, including the brand new BABYBJĂ–RN® Baby Carrier Synergy, a child’s gardening kit from Smith & Hawken, a baby tshirt from Scout Organic Baby, and of course, a copy of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook. For more information on how to enter stop by the Parent Bloggers Network today!

Now for my giveaway, how would you like a copy of The Rookie Mom's Handbook for yourself or for another brand new mom?
  • To enter, just leave a comment below saying what's your favorite activity to do with your child. If you don't have a child yet, then what's the one thing you're looking forward to doing with your future child?
  • To earn extra entries, just subscribe to my feed and/or mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here. Please let me know if you're doing/did the extra credit so I can make sure you're entered properly.
  • Don't forget to leave a way to contact you in case you win.
  • Comments will close on May 14th and a random winner will be selected and notified on May 15th. The winner will have 3 days to claim their prize.
  • This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide. Good luck!

Thank you to the Parent Bloggers Network and Rookie Moms for this review opportunity.

Thrusday's Contests & Giveaways

For a list of my current giveaways, please see the sidebar.

For Everyone

Just for Women

Just for Kids
Baby Essentials

Home Items

Books & Movies for GrownUps