Giveaways and More!

Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain {REVIEW & GIVEAWAY}

2013-05-07T20:06:00.001-07:00

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.

I'm probably like most everyone in the world when I say that I love pizza! Over the past couple of years my husband and I have made some changes to our diet including eliminating most animal products so pizza looks a lot different today than it did a few years ago. We love to load our pizza with fresh pizza sauce, lots of veggies and, if I'm feeling decadent, a soy-based mozzarella. Some of our favorite toppings include artichoke hearts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms and the new Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain fits right in with those toppings. The toasted wheat flavor of the crust adds a little sweetness to all of those veggies. The perfect combination, in my opinion! There are some great ideas at the Pillsbury website for some great Farmers Market pizzas! Also, be sure to get your $1.50 off coupon so you can try this new pizza crust, too!

I was thrilled to receive a great prize pack to make my pizza baking experience a little easier.

The pan really made the crust crispy on the bottom which is a very important aspect of pizza in my house. We don't like soggy crust so I made sure to cook the crust for a few minutes at a high temperature before I loaded on the toppings just like the instructions suggested. Here is the result! It was a delicious dinner and I will definitely be purchasing the Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain for future pizza making nights!

I'm excited to say that General Mills and My Blog Spark is offering one of my lucky readers the opportunity to win the exact same prize pack I received including a free coupon to try a Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark in exchange for my opinion of the product. All opinions are my own.

Carmex Healing Lotion & Healing Cream {REVIEW & GIVEAWAY}

2013-04-03T09:52:00.001-07:00

Living in the Pacific Northwest is really hard during the winter months. Not only is it cold, wet and dreary but all that cold and wet weather makes for some very dry skin. As a teenager, I used to use lots of Carmex lip conditioner in the winter to keep my lips from getting too chapped. I am thrilled to review the Carmex Healing Lotion and Healing Cream during these dry months to make sure that Carmex is still the best when it comes to healing dry skin.

As soon as I received the products, I immediately slathered some of the healing cream on my hands. They have been so dry for the past couple of months that I was really hoping for some relief. I was very happy because after just the first application, I felt my skin softening and absorbing some of the moisture from the Healing Cream. I then decided to try some of the lotion on the soles of my feet which have also been fairly dry for the past few months. I applied some of the lotion, put some socks on and went to bed. When I woke up, my heels were much softer than the night before. The trick of putting socks on has been something I've done for a long time to retain the moisture. If you haven't tried it, you're missing out on an easy deep moisturizing treatment without any of the expensive salon products. It works great and Carmex once again showed me that they are the expert when it comes to healing dry skin. I will recommend Carmex products to all of my friends and family who suffer from dry skin.

One of my lucky readers will win the two products shown above thanks to Carmex! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free product to review in exchange for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep {REVIEW}

2013-03-29T20:40:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, we are having a little trouble on the sleeping front with our cute little guy. At almost nine months, he still wakes up multiple times throughout the night and has a tough time taking naps that last longer than 30 minutes. I am so sleep deprived that I'm functioning on fumes right now and can't remember the last time I had longer than 3 hours of sleep. This opportunity to review Dr. Harvey Karp's book, The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep came at just the right time for me!

I have heard many good things about Dr. Karp and his philosophies so I was excited to get his take on how to help babies and toddlers sleep better, more specifically my baby. My favorite thing about this book is the tone that Dr. Karp uses in his writing. He doesn't place any blame and, in fact, states that babies cannot be held too much or spoiled. Since my baby was not only my first child but born 7 weeks premature, he has been held and rocked and nursed to sleep since we brought him home from the hospital and I felt somewhat responsible for some of his sleep issues. It's nice to hear from a pediatrician that not only are these things natural but necessary for good development.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was so thrilled but terrified at the same time! I've spent time around babies and even have a sister who is 8 years younger than I am but having my own baby was scary! As Dr. Karp says, kids can come with instructions. Playing the correct white noise, using a consistent bedtime routine, waking a sleeping baby (who knew?) and the correct way to swaddle are all points that this book covers in detail. I also love that it is written in multiple parts; birth to three months, three to twelve months and one to five years. The best part of the book for me, though, is the part where Dr. Karp discusses easy no-cry tips for better sleep. My little guy is so spirited that sometimes he starts crying the minute we walk into the bedroom. Dr. Karp has some easy solutions to help lessen the crying.

I haven't had a chance to try out all of the techniques but they make perfect sense to me. I'm hoping for a good result and some better sleep out of my kiddo. Not only do I need some more sleep, but my baby is chronically overtired. Dr. Karp talks about the results of sleep deprivation which include obesity, cancer and other health woes none of which do I want my child to experience. We are getting ready to move and are planning on getting started with some of these techniques as soon as we are in our new living quarters. Wish me luck that we can finally get some much needed sleep in our household! With this book on my nightstand, I feel ready to take on this daunting task and recommend it to any parent who is suffering from the same sleep troubles.

Disclosure: I am participating in a book review campaign with One2One Network. I received this book from Harper Collins for the purposes of reviewing it. I have not received compensation. My participation in the campaign enters me into a drawing for a gift card. All opinions stated are my own.

I'm back!

2013-03-29T15:17:00.003-07:00

It's been a long time since I posted anything and I've certainly missed it! Being a stay at home mom is not easy at all and having an 8 month old who doesn't sleep longer than 30 minutes makes it even harder. I can barely get my laundry done so this blog has been put on the shelf. It's tough to be too mad at a face like this, though!

We are seeing a little progress on the sleep front and I have a couple of reviews and a giveaway to post so, hopefully, this will bring me back to the blog world. Wish me luck and thanks for sticking with me through my hibernation!

Holiday Traditions - Ornaments With Love {REVIEW}

2012-11-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Around my house, we have a few holiday traditions that continue to make me feel secure and loved even as an adult. I hope to pass these traditions on to my kids just because they made the holidays so much fun and gave us something more to look forward to than just receiving presents. I think my favorite holiday tradition was receiving a new Christmas ornament to put on the tree. My mom made (and still makes) such an effort to pick out an ornament for all three of us kids that symbolized something we were interested in or participated in that year such as a sport or new hobby.

For the past few years I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Ornaments With Love to bring you some of the cutest personalized holiday ornaments. This year is no different but it is much more exciting for me because we have added a new member to our family and it is his first Christmas so I got to peruse the cute baby options! However there are so many options at Ornaments With Love for all your loved ones. There are personalized ornaments for military, sports, hobbies, travel, grandparents, houses, friends and the list goes on. I could (and have) spent hours looking at all the different ornaments on this website!

Not only are there tons of options of ornaments but the folks at Ornaments With Love are so quick! Every time I have ordered an ornament, I have received it within one week. That is incredible to me that they can get these adorable ornaments completed, personalized and shipped all within one week! The ornaments are also extremely affordable considering you get exactly what you want and it is personalized. The ornaments in some of the retail shops I have seen are more expensive and not nearly as cute. Ornaments With Love also sends you a little gift bag so you can wrap it up for the special person who is receiving this great gift.

I know you are curious which personalized baby Christmas ornament I chose...

Isn't it cute? I love it and, although you can't see it in the pictures, the babies hat sparkles! It's going to look so great on the Christmas tree this year and for years to come.

I plan to head back to Ornaments With Love and get a few more personalized ornaments for family members like my parents who are first time grandparents this year. My mom will love this gift and it won't break the bank! Be sure to take a look at Ornaments With Love and maybe start a new tradition with your family this holiday season.

Disclosure: I was sent a free product in exchange for my honest review of this company. All opinions and views are my own.

Where have I been?

2012-10-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

There is an amazingly good reason why I haven't blogged since February...

I was busy preparing for my first child and then my little miracle baby was born on July 12th, 7 weeks before his due date. Bennett weighed 3 lbs 8 oz when he was born due to being growth restricted. I went in for a follow up growth ultrasound and was admitted to the hospital after a high blood pressure reading because the doctors were worried about preeclampsia and the fact that the baby hadn't grown much over the previous two weeks. Over the course of that evening, the baby's heart rate was dropping every half hour and recovering quickly until 5 am when it dropped to 50 beats per minute and stayed there despite our efforts to move me every which way. They did a c-section at 5:29 am and we were parents! Bennett spent 4 weeks in the NICU where he grew to 4 lbs 10 oz and we brought him home on August 10th.

Since that day, we have getting to know our little guy (who isn't so little anymore). I plan to get back into blogging slowly as I learn how balance life as a mommy. So, that's what I did all summer. How was your summer?

Excitement!

2012-02-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

There is much excitement in my house because something happened that I have been waiting so long to announce...

I'm pregnant!

I can't tell you how good it feels to type those words as I've wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember so I am thrilled that this dream is finally being realized. I still have moments when I don't feel pregnant but then a wave of nausea will hit and remind me. Luckily, I've hit 12 weeks and am looking forward to those feelings subsiding and the "honeymoon" phase known as the 2nd trimester to begin.

Since I'm a mommy-to-be, I plan on entering baby contests like crazy and am really looking forward to Happily Domestic's Oh Baby Extravaganza to begin on March 1st! Head over there and check it out yourself if you are expecting or know someone who is.

Sorry about the silence

2012-01-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

You're probably wondering where I've been over the past couple of months. Well, I obviously haven't been blogging. We spent the holidays in the sun with my parents and came back to work, lots of it. My husband and I own a local fitness center and January has been extremely busy this year. Yay for an increase in business! I'm going to try to get back to blogging soon but can't promise anything right now. Hopefully, this is the year I have some interesting blog fodder!

Happy New Year to everyone!

Kelo-cote Scar Gel & Spray {REVIEW}

2011-12-11T10:01:00.001-08:00

About 7 years ago, I had surgery to remove my gall bladder. Fortunately, the doctors were able to use a laparoscopic technique so the scarring was minimal but I do have a few small scars on my stomach. When I was approached to test a scar treatment gel, I was happy to oblige. Although the surgery was not recent, I still do have some light redness around the scars. Kelo-cote is an advanced scar gel that offers an easy and effective way to reduce the appearance of scars and heal the skin.

Background
Kelo-cote was created by Advanced Bio-Technologies, Inc, which is a privately held biopharmaceutical company based in Georgia. Advanced Bio-Technologies specializes in creating products for the treatment of scars with unique patent protected formulas based on cross-linking technology.

Science
Unlike traditional silicone gel sheets, Kelo-Cote is very easy to use, and is free of the limitations associated with gel sheets, such as the difficulty of usage on the joints and face. Silicone gel works by protecting the scar from external stimuli and helps to modulate the cells which contribute to scar growth. Kelo-Cote gel dries to a waterproof and gas-permeable layer that acts as an extra layer of skin.

Solutions
For those looking for an easy way to reduce scarring, Kelo-Cote is a new advancement in scar treatment. This gel will flatten and smooth the scar, while also maintaining the moisture balance and elasticity of the surrounding skin. This gel can be used to treat scars as soon as skin is closed, or when stitches are removed.

My thoughts? I prefer the spray to the gel just for ease and less clean up. I applied the product twice daily as is recommended which was easy after jumping out of the shower. The product dried as I applied my makeup. As I said above, my scars are not all that visible so I didn't see a major improvement in the appearance but there was not much to improve upon. I would love to see the product used immediately following a surgery to see how effective it is on fresh scars. I do plan to continue to use the product just because I'm curious to see if there is a change after the 90 days of use that is recommended by the manufacturer.

Kelo-cote can be purchased at SkinCareRX.com.

Disclosure: There was no monetary compensation for this review. I was sent a free product in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Carmex Healing Lotion & Cream {REVIEW & GIVEAWAY}

2011-11-27T08:58:00.001-08:00

Like most people, winter is really tough on my skin because of all the moisture in the air and washing my hands every ten minutes to keep germs away doesn't help. Thank goodness for Carmex! Carmex offers so many wonderful products from lip moisturizers to skin care products which help lock in the moisture and keep your skin soft and supple. As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I was recently sent a package of the Carmex Healing Cream and Carmex Healing Lotion. You can read my review of these products that I wrote last year here.

Carmex is also offering one of my lucky readers the same package that I received to help you get through this winter with soft, moisturized skin!

Disclosure: I received free products in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review nor offer a giveaway.

Ornaments with Love Personalized Christmas Ornaments {REVIEW & GIVEAWAY}

2011-11-13T19:41:00.001-08:00

Christmas is probably my favorite holiday of the year (along with just about everyone else!). I love all of the aspects of Christmas including baking cookies, spending time with loved ones and decorating! Ever since I can remember my family has spent one full evening or afternoon spending time decorating the Christmas tree with Christmas ornaments. Dad always complained about unraveling the lights and hanging them and Mom just wanted everything to look good so she tells us where the holes in the decorating are. Now we have a prelit tree so no more lights to unravel but we still have fun listening to the background stories of all the ornaments and where they came from which always brings back wonderful memories. Someday, I will carry on the tradition with my own children.

Another tradition in my family is that every year my mom gets us each an ornament. Back when we were younger, we always received ornaments related to an activity that we had been involved in that year like basketball or music lessons. This year, I had the opportunity to chose an ornament from Ornaments With Love and I'm so excited to share with you what I chose! My husband I are love to drink wine and are blessed to live in an area where a delicious wine region is coming alive. I decided to highlight this "hobby" (if you can call drinking wine a hobby) in my choice of ornaments!

Isn't it cute? The selection of ornaments at Ornaments with Love is really impressive. You can chose from family to military to sports to religious themes and even beyond those!

Not only was I impressed with the selection but the turnaround time was amazing! It only took about 3-4 days from when I placed the order to actually receiving the ornament in my mailbox. The personalization is always free and you also can receive free shipping when you spend more than $50. Any of these ornaments would be the perfect gift for a family member or friend this holiday season.

Guess what? One of my lucky readers is going to win their choice of a FREE personalized ornament from Ornaments with Love!

Mandatory Entry

Please visit Ornaments with Love and tell me which ornament you love most and leave a comment below. (Please make sure that I have an email address to contact you if you are the winner either in the comment itself or on your profile.)

Additional Entries (Make sure you leave separate comments for each entry. For example, if you post my button on your blog, leave three separate comments letting me know you did.)

3 entries - Become a public follower through Google Friend Connect of Giveaways and More or let me know if you already follow this blog.
3 entries - Grab my button and post it on your blog. Don't forget to include your blog address so I can go see it! (You can find my button in the column on the right)
3 entries - Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and the Ornaments with Love website. Leave the link to your blog post in your comment.
1 entry - Become a Giveaways and More email subscriber. Check your email and make to sure verify your address to gain this entry!
1 entry - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 entry - "Like" Giveaways and More on Facebook.
1 entry - Enter another active giveaway on Giveaways and More! (1 entry per giveaway entered)
1 entry per day - Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway using the green "Retweet" button at the top of the post. Make sure to include the link to your tweet in your comment.

This giveaway will close on December 3rd at 11:59 pm PDT. This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen via random.org, announced on this blog and notified by email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen and notified.

Thanks to Ornaments with Love for sponsoring this giveaway!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Tropical Traditions Organic Moisturizing Lotion {REVIEW & GIVEAWAY}

2011-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

As you well know, I am a huge fan of anything from Tropical Traditions! They have some of the best natural products for everything from laundry to haircare to cooking products. I am also a religious user of lotion. Everyday I use moisturizing lotion because the climate is so drying here in the Northwest so if I didn't use some sort of lotion, my skin would be insanely dry. That's why I elected to review Organic Moisturizing Lotion from Tropical Traditions. I was curious to know if coconut oil really is a wonderful for skin as they claim.

I chose the Baby Silk Organic Moisturizing Lotion because it's the most popular lotion so I figured I couldn't go wrong, right?

Filipinos are well-known for their youthful appearance and soft skin, even though they live in a climate that exposes them to the sun’s rays year round. Coconut oil is their main dietary oil, and is also the main ingredient in their skin care products.

All of the moisturizing lotions that Tropical Traditions offers are made with organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Virgin Palm Oil. No other products on the market are made with finer oils as their base. Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil is traditionally made from fresh organic coconuts, and independent laboratory tests show that it has a higher level of antioxidants than other coconut oils.

Virgin Palm Oil contains high concentrations of a powerful form of Vitamin E called “tocotrienols” which published research has shown is 40–60 times more potent than alpha-tocopherol (the most common form of Vitamin E found as an additive in most skin care products.) In addition to these powerful Vitamin E tocotrienols, Virgin Palm Oil is also rich in natural carotenes. It is one of the richest natural plant sources of carotenes with concentrations of 500–700 ppm. It is 15 times more retinol-equivalent than carrots and 300 times more than tomatoes, for example.

So, what did I think? I really like this lotion. The consistency is thick but not heavy once it's applied to the skin so you feel moisturized but not weighed down. The Baby Silk scent is amazing! It's not overpowering but just slightly floral and refreshing. I can definitely tell why it's the most popular scent and is a geat bargain at $15.99 for 8 oz.

Guess what? One of my lucky readers will win a bottle of this amazing lotion! Enter below!

Dei Fratelli 4th Annual Recipe Contest!

2011-11-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

Are you a good cook? Want to win FREE Dei Fratelli all-natural tomato sauces, salsas and other fabulous tomato products for a year?

It’s easy! Enter the 4th Annual Ripened Recipe Contest by submitting your favorite tomato-based recipes at http://www.facebook.com/DeiFratelli and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Submit as many recipes as you’d like but hurry the contest ends November 30th!

Dei Fratelli is a fourth generation, family-owned company based in Toledo, Ohio that makes all-natural, Kosher and gluten-free tomato products. Check out their complete product line here: http://www.deifratelli.com/.

Good luck!

Disclosure: I was offered a free packets of sample products in exchange for my support of this contest. I was not offered any monetary compensation.

CouponCabin's 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz - Enter to win great prizes! {GIVEAWAY} | #CouponCabinHop

2011-10-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz! This multi-blog event is hosted by Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA and is sponsored by CouponCabin. This is the biggest event the blogosphere has seen with over 400 giveaways each at $25 value or more plus a huge giveaway with some major prizes like a MacBook Air, iPad2 & Visa Gift Cards. You can find all the giveaways from the participating blogs by visiting the host blogs, Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA. Each host blog will feature a different set of giveaways for you to enter!

No matter what type of coupon you're looking for, you'll find it and over 100,000 others at CouponCabin.com, a leading destination for coupon codes, printable coupons, deals and more. Now with a new and improved grocery coupons section and the largest selection of coupon codes that are guaranteed to work, CouponCabin is the best place to start your search for savings. This holiday season, CouponCabin is dedicated to making holiday savings as easy as pie by bringing you the best deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also download our CouponDetector and we'll let you know when the site you’re shopping has coupons and deals available. Never pay full price again with help from CouponCabin.com!

CouponCabin is giving away the following fabulous prizes:

Grand Prize: MacBook Air (11-inch, 128GB; ARV $1,199)
2nd Runner Up: iPad2 (16GB, with Wi-Fi +3G; ARV $629) & $200 Visa Gift Card
3rd Runner Up: iPad2 (16GB, with Wi-Fi +3G; ARV $629)
4th Runner Up: $300 Visa Gift Card
5th Runner Up: $200 Visa Gift Card
6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Runner Ups: $100 Visa Gift Card each

Please visit Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA to enter the giveaway and make sure to say Giveaways and More referred you! You can enter on all three sites or just one- it’s up to you! If you enter all three giveaways that just means more chances for you to win.

I have two amazing sponsors for this event! First is Scentsy! I don't know if you have ever been to a Scentsy party but they are so much fun and the products are really nice. I have a couple of wall warmers for my bathrooms and they are perfect when you are expecting company because they are not only pretty but smell fantastic! Lora is an independent consultant with Scentsy and she has generously offered a warmer and scent bar of the winners choice! The scent of the month is Pumpkin Roll which is one of my favorites around this time of year. Take a look around the site and check out the beautiful holiday warmers.

My next sponsor is Fashion to Figure. This is an awesome site dedicated to trendy fashions for the plus sized woman. I mean, check out this dress. It is so cute and would be very flattering on any sized woman.

They have some super cute pieces and even offer accessories for those who aren't plus sized. Fashion to Figure is giving away any one item worth $30 or less on their site!

Enter here to win! Giveaway ends on November 25th!

Enter the other blogs' giveaways in the CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz by visiting the links below!

Repechage C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate {REVIEW}

2011-10-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

I'm back with another amazing product from Repechage! This time around, I was sent a bottle of the Repechage C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate to test out. Since the Fall season is when my skin begins to get dry and uncomfortable, I was pleased to review a product that claims to prevent dehydration and restore moisture to the skin. I have never tried seaweed based skincare products but if it does what it says than I'm happy to sign up!

C-Serum, short for cytoserum, is a highly concentrated seaweed extract full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace elements. All of these things help to increase cell renewal as well as detoxify, oxygenate, hydrate and renew the skin. Who wouldn't want to use a product such as this one? If skincare products with vitamins can achieve all of these things, I'm in! For the short time that I have been using this serum, I have noticed that my skin feels softer. Maybe that's the seaweed working it's magic? It certainly seems to be with the following ingredients.

Laminaria Digitata– Algae - This EcoCert seaweed provides hydrating, nourishing, and anti-oxidant properties. Natural sources of 12 vitamins including B12, C, E, K and Beta Carotene, 18 amino acids, and 42 trace elements. Essential fatty acids help maintain the skin barrier while Alginic Acid – a polysaccharide – helps to lock moisture into the skin. Known to help increase cell proliferation.
Carrageenan – Red Algae - Derived from red algae known as Irish Moss (Chondrus Crispus), Carrageenan is a gel with excellent emollient properties.

This is not the only amazing seaweed product that Repechage sells. In fact,there is a whole line of products using seaweed for normal skin. If you tend to have sensitive or oily or combination skin, Repechage offers products for you, too. There are multiple lines of products to meet any and all needs out there.

You can purchase C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate on the Repechage website as well as at specified spas all over the world. Check out this amazing product!

Disclosure: I received a free sample of this product in exchange for my honest opinion of the product. All opinions are my own.

FRESCHETTA - PROUD TO SUPPORT PINK! {GIVEAWAY}

2011-10-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and FRESCHETTA is celebrating and supporting research through the PROUD TO SUPPORT PINK Program! Breast cancer is a disease that has impacted just about everyone in this country and we all should do our part to help fund research to find a cure for this horrible disease. From September 25th - October 31st, you can purchase specially marked packages of FRESCHETTA pizzas and Artisan Pizza crusts with codes that can be entered at www.ProudToSupportPink.com. For every code that is entered, the makers of FRESCHETTA products will donate $1 to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center towards their goal of reaching a $50,000 donation. Not only will $1 be donated but you will also have a chance to win one of 50 pink iPod Shuffle players each week!

I received a cute package from FRESCHETTA which included 2 pairs of FRESCHETTA PROUD TO SUPPORT PINK earphones and a coupon for a free FRESCHETTA pizza. I love FRESCHETTA pizzas so I'm really looking forward to getting to the store and picking up my free one! FRESCHETTA pizzas are one of my favorites in the freezer case because they always use delicious ingredients that make the pizzas taste like they were made fresh that day. I'm not sure what they use to make the crust but it definitely hits my taste buds in a positive way. I know that they use real cheeses and tomatoes that are picked at their ripest so the flavors are true and fresh.

I gave one set of earphones to a friend so she could enjoy them, too!

How would you like to win your own package just like the one I received? Well, you can! Enter the giveaway below via Rafflecopter.

Disclosure: I received the prize package listed above from FRESCHETTA as a member of the FRESCHETTA Fresh Connection team in exchange for my honest opinion of the brand. All thoughts and ideas are my own.

Carmex Click Sticks! {REVIEW}

2011-09-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

Carmex products have been a staple in my life since I was young and needed a product that would really work to keep my constantly chapped lips soft and supple. Carmex definitely was that product for me. So, when I was contacted by Carmex to try out some of their newest products and write about them, I immediately said yes.

I received the above pictured package at home (minus one lip balm that my husband stashed somewhere). In the package came Lime Twist Click Stick, Vanilla Click Stick, a picnic blanket and a Moisture Plus Satin Gloss. I don't know about you, but lip balm is one of those items that can always be found in my purse. I usually have two or three for backup, too. These Carmex click sticks both kept the good name of Carmex intact. I prefer the Vanilla just because it's such a pleasant scent but the Lime Twist is actually pretty refreshing as well! It's a nice scent for the warm days of Summer. Not only do these lip balms smell good but they also have SPF 15 sunscreen in them. That is must have in my book because I am very conscious about keeping my skin protected from the harmful rays of the sun.

I'm also very impressed with the Moisture Plus Satin Gloss. Like the click sticks, it includes SPF 15 sunscreen to protect your lips and vitamin E and aloe to keep your lips moisturized and nourished. It's a great product to apply before you put your lipstick on to make sure the color stays on your lips for a little while longer. The Moisture Plus gloss comes in tinted options, too. You can apply a hint of pink, peach, berry or plum to jazz up your look!

Carmex products are sold just about everywhere so look for them the next time you are shopping in the cosmetics aisle at your local retailer. They really are the best products out there!

Disclaimer: As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I received this package for free in exchange for my honest opinion of the products. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Blog Hop!

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to gain new followers and possibly win some amazing prizes? I just signed up to be a part of this amazing blog hop event and you should, too!

CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz is hosted by Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA and sponsored by CouponCabin.com, a leading online destination for coupons including coupon codes, printables, grocery coupons and more.

Can you believe these AMAZING prizes that CouponCabin will be giving to readers who enter the giveaway?

Grand Prize: MacBook Air (11-inch, 128GB; ARV $1,199)
First Runner Up: iPad2 (16GB, with Wi-Fi +3G; ARV $629)
Second Runner Up: $250 VISA Gift Card
Other Prizes: $100 VISA Gift Cards will be given out to four (4) additional winners

Not only will your readers be allowed to enter but CouponCabin will ALSO be giving away the same awesome prizes to bloggers who participate in the giveaway hop:

The blogger who refers the most readers to the giveaway will win a MacBook Air
The blogger who refers the 2nd most readers to the giveaway will win an iPad2
The blogger who refers the 3rd most readers to the giveaway will win a $250 Visa Gift Card

Total Value of Prizes: $4,300!!

But WAIT. There’s more. Yes, It gets EVEN BETTER!!

Not only will each blogger who joins be eligible for the Blogger Prizes, they will also receive one (1) $20 Target Gift Card for every blog they refer who registers to participate in the event. Please note you cannot refer yourself.

We told you this was CRAZY!!

The main giveaway for these fantastic prizes will be held on the three host blogs and we will also feature a linky so that readers can hop to enter all the other giveaways on participating blogs. Reader entries will start on November 1st and go through November 25th.

Sign-up now to secure your spot!

How to Participate:

When:

November 1 at 12:01 am EST to November 25, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be announced during a live event on Twitter on November 28th. Further details will follow at a later date.

Requirements for participating blogs:

Have a giveaway specifically for this event and cannot start before start time, or end before specified end time
Minimum prize/pack value of $25
Display the event button in your post so hoppers can easily identify it
Display the linky in your post to encourage hopping
Comply with proper disclosures, no entries that violate Facebook policies (i.e. requiring comments on walls), must follow FTC guidelines (no extras for making purchases, etc.)
Sign up for CouponCabin’s Blogger Email Newsletter. They will send you top coupons, promotion and giveaway announcements geared specifically for bloggers. There is no cost to joining their newsletter. By providing your email address at sign up, you will be automatically enrolled.

Since this event is sponsored by CouponCabin, we ask that your giveaway sponsor for this specific event not be in direct competition with them (ie. another coupon website).

Only bloggers who are participating in CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz are eligible for the Blogger prizes (Macbook Air, iPad2 and VISA Gift Cards).

The Blogger & Reader Prizes will be open to both US & Canada.

What does all this mean for you?

A great deal of traffic to your blog, opportunities to network with other bloggers and eligibility to win the Blogger prizes! Plus it will be lots of fun!

Want to take part in CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Hop?

Sign ups are now open! Please fill out the form and say Giveaways and More referred you and submit your administrative fee of $5 to SassyScorpYM@gmail.com. You will be emailed within 24 hours to confirm your participation. Then please spread the word and tell others about this amazing hop and to say that YOU referred them!!

This is going to be an AWESOME event! Don't pass up the opportunity to be a part of the fun!

Opps! Late winner announcement...

2011-09-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

My life got a little crazy there and I totally forgot to pick a winner of the Tropical Traditions Glass & Surface Cleaner giveaway! Sorry about that!

Congratulations to #69 - all natural katie

The winner has been notified and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thanks to all for entering and for your patience. Have a great day!

Kanshi Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray {REVIEW}

2011-08-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

My job as a bank teller keeps me on my feet all day long, all week long. After a day at work, my feet are usually pretty tired and sweaty (sometimes I even experience foot odor...shh!) and it's been very difficult for me to find shoes that keep my feet from aching. Can you see why I was so pleased to find a bottle of Kanshi Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray in my mailbox for review? If a product can provide cooling relief after a long day at work, I'm in!

So, what's in this stuff that makes it so great? That's the best thing! The ingredients are all natural and paraben-free. There is Lemon Myrtle which acts as a natural anti-microbial, anti-fungal and odor cutting agent (this is my favorite ingredient!). Next is the Triple Mint formula of peppermint, spearmint and cornmint which combine to provide the ultimate soothing and cooling experience! The last one (but not the least) is Horse Chestnut to help improve circulation. All of these come together to give you a unique experience that awakens and refreshes your tired feet.

Now, you ask, does this really work? I mean, for $10 can you really claim that a spray can make your feel feel better after a long day? Well, I'll be honest with you, it certainly helped cool down my feet as well as help keep the odors at bay. I did notice that after putting my feet up and spraying them with Kanshi Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray, they felt better. Especially being that it's summer, the cooling relief of the Triple Mint is a welcome feeling. I also sprayed my husband's feet and he was happy with the cooling relief, as well. If you like to pamper yourself and loved ones, Kanshi products are a great, natural way to soothe and refresh! Find Kanshi on Facebook and Twitter to learn about new products being released and events coming to your area!

Disclosure: I received a free sample of this product in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not given any other compensation nor was I required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

GourmetGiftBaskets.com Winner!

2011-08-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the GourmetGiftBaskets.com Midnight Snack Care Package:

#64 - Brooke C

The winner has been notified by email and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Household Traditions Glass and Surface Cleaner {REVIEW & GIVEAWAY}

2011-08-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

Cleaning is one of my least favorite things to do mostly because of the smelly chemicals that seem to permeate the cleaners out there on the market. When I was trying to decide what my next product to try from Tropical Traditions would be, I took this fact into account and chose to try the Glass and Surface Cleaner. Would it really work like the cleaners that have those chemicals? Well, I found out.

Household Traditions Glass and Surface Cleaner uses a revolutionary technology which guards your health from harmful irritants and inhalants yet effortlessly cleans glass and most surfaces without the use of ammonia, alcohol, or harsh, volatile solvents normally found in most glass and surface cleaners; even those labeled “natural.” Household Traditions Glass and Surface Cleaner contains no fragrances or dyes.

This product doesn't contain any ammonia, alcohol or harsh volatile solvents. Once you've used it on a surface, there is no need to rinse it off. All you have to do is spray it on and wipe it off with a towel. I love how easy it is to use and how comfortable I feel that the chemicals are not going to hurt my family. Also, this cleaner will work on just about any surface (not including wood). I love that I can clean not only my kitchen counter tops but my bathroom mirrors and other surfaces with this same solution. I even was able to clean off my kitchen table because it's not real wood but wood veneer. It cleaned up very nice with no sticky residue or streaks.

How would you like to try out Household Traditions Glass and Surface Cleaner for free? One of my lucky readers will win a 1 gallon jug of this product thanks to the folks at Tropical Traditions! Good luck!

Disclosure: I was provided with a free sample of this product in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. I was under no obligation to write a positive review nor offer a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Christmas in July winners!

2011-08-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all my recent winners and thanks to all who entered my giveaways. I'm working on a couple more so stay tuned for a chance to win some great stuff!

Christmas in July - Thompson's WaterSeal Deck Care Kit & iolo's System Mechanic

#427 - amanda l h

Christmas in July - Stella & Dot GC and Lilla Rose Flexi Clip

#100 - Alicia Schroeder

Christmas in July - Snazzy Crochet Designs & Peter Rabbit Cases

#139 - janetfaye

All winners have been notified and have 48 hours to respond to my email. Thanks to everyone involved!

Wordless Wednesday - Summer fun!

2011-07-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

We finally have summer weather here in Oregon so we spent Sunday afternoon having fun on a friend's boat at the local reservoir. This is my husband rocking the innertube!

For the Ladies Gift Basket {Christmas in July - Giveaway}

2011-07-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

This one is for all you ladies out there! We all like to feel beautiful and what better to make us feel that was than some new jewelry and hair clip? Stella & Dot is offering $50 to spend on their website and Lilla Rose is giving away a Flexi Hair clip worth up to $15! These are fantastic prizes and will make any woman out there feel like a queen!