Thanks, Mail Carrier

Celebrate Black History Month with Dollar General {Prize Pack Giveaway}

2012-02-16T14:15:00.001-06:00

While there are holidays throughout the year that are a little frivolous (I'm look at you, If Pets Had Thumbs Day on March 3rd and you, Tapioca Pudding Day on July 15th), February represents a month that is important to remember and honor: Black History Month.

This year, along with the annual observance and remembrance of important people and events in African-American history, Coca-Cola and Dollar General would like to join in the celebration with a little fun with their Honor Heritage Sweepstakes.

Right now Coca-Cola is offering Dollar General customers a chance to win a family trip for up to 10 people to the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival. This festival – which takes place July 6 through 8 – is the country's largest annual African-American music and empowerment event.

What started as a long weekend of great music (and food) in New Orleans back in 1995, the ESSENCE Music Festival has evolved into the largest African-American cultural event of the summer, featuring music from the hottest chart-toppers year after year – from old school (Aretha Franklin is a headliner this year!) to new.

The Honor Heritage Sweepstakes is part of Dollar General's Black History Month celebration, the first of several Dollar General initiatives honoring "Every Day Heroes." The year-long program will honor community heroes – from the firemen and veterans to teachers and caregivers.

Along with the trip to New Orleans, shoppers who purchase qualifying products may also be eligible to win instant prizes, including $50 and $25 in Live Nation Concert Cash. For a chance to win, Dollar General shoppers can check their receipt for a special code upon purchasing qualifying products and visit DollarGeneral.com to enter (and see the complete sweepstakes rules).

This sweepstakes ends on February 26th, so visit your nearest Dollar General store and online to be sure to get your entries in. Who knows? Maybe you'll be heading to New Orleans this summer!

In the meantime, thanks to the generosity of Procter & Gamble, one person will be able to enjoy a great set of prizes for themselves, because...

One lucky person will win a Dollar General Black History Month
prize pack*!

*Prize pack includes: Olay Firming Night of Olay Cream, CoverGirl LashBlast 24 Hour Mascara, Febreze Auto in Linen & Sky scent, a Dollar General calculator and a key chain.

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me the name of your favorite musical artist, band or group.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a prize pack containing Olay Night Cream, Covergirl Mascara, Febreze and more! http://bit.ly/zkysEN @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 8th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Procter & Gamble for providing a Dollar General prize pack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Bob the Builder: Here to Help DVD {Review}

2012-02-16T13:35:00.001-06:00

While Big Sister E is getting more and more into princesses and pink and all things typically "girly," she is also still very much a tomboy at heart. Blue! Dinosaurs! Cars! Bugs!

Happy to support her interests (no matter how much I might shudder at the bugs myself), I always know that one character that is sure to make her smile is the hard-working Bob the Builder. He and his Can-Do Crew and their action and exciting construction adventures are always a hit, which has been proven once again with the upcoming release of Bob the Builder: Here to Help.

If you build it, they will help! There's no challenge too great for this hard-hat wearing, hard-working builder and his Can-Do crew. Available February 21, 2012 on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, Bob the Builder: Here to Help is another collection of super-sized adventures that any young fan will enjoy.

Where they're being extra helpful on the job, making sure the local stage show goes on, celebrating a good friend's birthday or just having fun, Bob and his company lay the foundation for super-sized adventure, ready with the tools and the teamwork to teach even the youngest builder that the Fun is in Getting It Done!

In this DVD, Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew are Here To Help in this action-packed collection as they get the job done and share tales of teamwork from the building yard.

Scoop and Lofty learn that they can accomplish a lot with a little help from their friends; Scrambler is in for a big surprise when he accidentally frightens Lofty and must dig deep to repair his friend's confidence; Scoop needs a truckload of teamwork to save Wendy's birthday celebration and Scratch learns there's no one star of the show as everyone must work together to save Fixham's History Day celebration.

Next, Dizzy spins some chaos on the lighthouse ramp and must rely on teamwork — and a new-found talent for wheelies — to fix the mess. Join Bob and his machine team as they lend helping hands, scoops, cranes, shovels and more to build lasting friendships in these Can-Do tales of teamwork and fun!

Episodes include:

Lofty's Helpful Day
Scrambler's Stage Surprise
Wendy's Birthday Surprise
Scratch's Star Turn
Dizzy and the Wheelies

DVD Bonus Features include:

Build a House with Bob Game
"My Dream Team" Music Video
"I'm Big and I'm Blue" Music Video

Aimed at ages 2 - 5, Bob the Builder: Here to Help has a running time of 55 minutes and will retail for $9.98 when it comes out next Tuesday. We always love seeing the way that these tales can demonstrate that with the super power of tools, teamwork and lots of fun, Bob, Scrambler, Scratch, Roley, Wendy and the rest of the Can-Do Crew can eagerly take on and complete any job with a positive approach.

Bob the Builder and his team continually tackle every project with the power of positive thinking, problem solving, cooperation and follow-through and those are traits that I always want to promote with my children. For any young Bob fan, this DVD is a great addition to the home library.

(Other than the DVD copy of Bob the Builder: Here to Help that I received from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this DVD.)

Find It Games On the Farm and Educational Puzzles {Review & Giveaway}

2012-02-16T07:55:00.001-06:00

While my kids enjoy being loud and active, there are also many times that they (and I) prefer quiet, calm activities.

Whether they need a way to wind down after a morning at school, something to occupy their time during a ride in the car, or just to stave off boredom when the weather keeps us indoors, being able to play a game that keeps them entertained and happy is something I appreciate.

Fortunately, that's where Find It Games comes in with their line of innovative, intriguing and addicting hide-and-seek games. The most recent addition? One that really has my kids excited about searching for a variety of animals, tools, equipment and more that they know and love that is found in On the Farm.

Founded by a husband and wife team in 2003, Find It Games has grown from a fun family idea at the dinner table into into a name that is known around the world. Perfect for at home or on-the-go, these fun and innovative games are just the thing for the car, waiting for an appointment or just a quiet moment relaxing in a chair, as there is nothing more required than an imagination and a love for a good search.

By combining a creative container and a multitude of little shapes and figurines, kids (and adults) are entertained quickly and easily just by turning the container over and over while looking for the next brightly-colored cute piece on their list.

After having already been introduced to Find It Games last summer with their Veggie Tales game and then again a few months later with their Starry Night version, as soon as I heard that they had debuted On The Farm, I knew that it would be a hit.

With the kids eagerly chomping at the bit ("It looks like a farm! I see a horse! Open it!"), we had this cute silo-shaped container out of the packaging in no time — thank goodness for one toy that doesn't require 20 minutes and power tools to remove it from the box.

I love that Find It Games thought to make this version in a silo, as it not only fits the theme perfectly, but makes it easy for small hands to hold, twist, turn, shake and more. After all, how else are they going to uncover all 42 of the objects from within the bright and colorful pellets?

On The Farm treasures to discover include a tractor, windmill and a corn stalk along with a variety of furry friends and livestock such as a horse, duck, cow and chicken. In order to make it easy to keep track of which items you've found and which pieces are left, Find It Games includes a 50-sheet tear-off pad listing them all...

...as well as conveniently putting them all right on the bottom of the game itself.

Although you can't check off the items from the list on the bottom as you find them (maybe you could cross them off with a dry erase marker?), I still love that they are printed there to make it easy to have the full game contained in itself. Grab it and go and you're ready on a plane, at an appointment or just when you want to know what to look for but not necessarily keep track.

But whether in the car or an easy chair, we've had a lot of fun with On the Farm! Even though it is designed for ages 8+, the kids have returned to this silo over and over to take another look for yet another object and they haven't once gotten frustrated — instead they love the challenge and the thrill of the hunt (I have to admit that I really do, too)!

Big Sister E is also a big fan of the ladder printed on the silo!

With such a simple, yet captivating concept, Find It Games' hidden object games are a great way to encourage curiosity and learning without any pressure of winning or competition (unless you want to add that in, of course). Retailing for $23, this is a game that makes a wonderful gift or to have at home... and trust me, you'll want to pick it up to search for one more elusive items time and time again!

In addition to their line of games, Find It Games also has a brand new collection of puzzles that take the idea behind their unique cylinders and spread them into 300 pieces. These three new jigsaw puzzles, under a collection called Pieces of History, mimic the "finding" activity of the award-winning and well-recognized contained adventures from Find It Games and feature historical events that are familiar to adults as well as children.

With original and commissioned artwork on each one, Pharaoh's Egypt, Parade of Animals and On Dry Ground offer an instant lesson to users as they read the parchment-like list of hidden items to be found once the pieces are put in place. What a great opportunity for families to share time together in an educational and fun way!

Also designed for ages 8+, the Pieces of History puzzles retail for $13 and can be found along with the hidden object games in stores like Target, Barnes & Noble and Hallmark and online from Amazon.com, AreYouGame.com and, of course, FindItGames.com.

And, thanks to the generosity of Find It Games, one person will soon be on their way to an entertaining treasure hunt as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of On the Farm or any of the three Pieces of History jigsaw puzzles from Find It Games!

To enter to win: Visit Find It Games and leave me a comment telling me another of their innovative items that you would like to own (other than those mentioned above).

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Find It Games on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

#WIN an On the Farm hidden object game or Pieces of History puzzle from Find It Games! http://bit.ly/w7NJVi @thxmailcarrier #giveaway

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 8th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Find It Games for providing On the Farm for me to review as well as the choice between the game and the puzzles for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Affordable Glasses at GlobalEyeglasses.com {Review & Giveaway}

2012-02-15T09:19:00.002-06:00

While playing a game of "Let's pretend..." recently, our daughters decided that they would pretend to be my husband and me.

As I started to become apprehensive about what I sound like to a 3- and 5-year-old, the aspect of both of us that the girls focused on wasn't actually our personalities or parenting at all. Instead, Little Sister B turned to Big Sister E and said, quite matter-of-factually, Now you have to wear glasses and now I have to wear glasses.

Oh, little do you know, daughter of mine. As both her father and I are dependent on glasses or contact lenses (my eyes are especially poor), only time will tell how long it is before our children need help seeing as well.

Fortunately for them, glasses are viewed as a hip, trendy, fashionable accessory for all ages these days and not something to be hidden away. Also fortunate for them? The fact that while purchasing eyeglasses in the store can be pricey, finding the same selection and style with an affordable price tag online is easy to do. That's what GlobalEyeglasses.com is all about!

As a global leader in the direct retailing of professional-made prescription glasses and sunglasses right from the comfort of your computer, GlobalEyeglasses.com has managed to change the way that we shop for eyewear. Whether you're looking for a new pair of glasses to complement your wardrobe or replace older ones that are broken, not your current prescription or just out-of-date, GlobalEyeglasses makes the process fast, fun and easy.

On a mission to provide the best services, best quality and best collection of eyeglasses to their customers at competitive pricing structures, GlobalEyeglasses.com has the expertise, convenience and affordability that you desire. As their company's industry specialists perfectly understand your optical needs and custom make (and recheck) every lens and frame for accuracy, precision and quality, you can rest assured that the product that will arrive will be a hit.

As I began to browse through the large selection of glasses offered, right away I appreciated the way that GlobalEyeglasses.com made it easy to navigate and narrow down their collections. Whether shopping for plastic vs metal, round vs rectangular, men's vs women's, or much more, they've got them all laid out and only a click away.

With my eye out for a full rim, rectangular plastic frame that would add a little trendy kick to my wardrobe, when I came upon the S55, I knew that they would be a fun addition to my life.

While many people might wonder how you can order glasses online without being able to try them on, GlobalEyeglasses.com makes it simple in two easy ways.

First, the frame dimensions. By being able to compare the S55 to the current glasses that I wear, I had no problem being able to see just how these would look and fit my face.

Second, you can actually virtually try on glasses right at your computer thanks to the technology on GlobalEyeglasses.com's site. With the click of a button, you can get a general idea of the glasses on a model or, with a few more clicks, you can upload a photo of yourself or even use your webcam to get a live shot.

Place the glasses on the model or yourself and there you are trying them on!

After waiting a reasonable amount of time, a package from GlobalEyeglasses.com arrived and inside I found my S55 frames safely packed in a lightweight hard case with a cleaning cloth.

I hadn't realized that these acetate frames would have a glitter effect to the retro look, but I found that just gives them a little extra touch of uniqueness.

As I had been able to see all of the dimensions for these frames right online, I wasn't surprised when I placed them on and they fit very well. The lenses were crisp and clear and it didn't take long for my eyes to adjust so that I could wear the S55 around without problem.

Plus, as the description mentioned that these frames "are great for people who require high power lenses as the arms hide the lens thickness," I was happy to see that this was indeed true... and hiding the fact that I have such poor eyesight is definitely a feature I appreciate in eyeglasses!

Available in red, black and dark purple, these glasses have fun a fun way to add something new and different to my wardrobe. Best of all? Instead of spending hundreds to add a little kick to your life, the S55 cost only $49 at GlobalEyeglasses.com, including the lenses (which is important for someone like me who needs those extra strong ones).

With glasses available for men, women and children starting at only $12.95, the days of having to spend a fortune on glasses are a thing of the past. GlobalEyeglasses.com offers their customers a full pair of prescription lenses and frames at low prices, certified optical technicians who are experts to craft and inspect every pair of glasses, the convenience of shopping whenever and wherever for your schedule, and a simple and straight forward return policy with no questions asked. They really have it all!

If all of that isn't enough for you, be sure to enter the coupon code ThanksMailCarrier at checkout on GlobalEyeglasses.com and you'll instantly receive a 15% discount on your purchases. Can't beat a savings on their already-low prices!

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be able to see the world clearly while looking stylish and chic, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to GlobalEyeglasses.com!

To enter to win: Visit GlobalEyeglasses.com and leave me a comment telling me which stylish frames you might choose if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow GlobalEyeglasses.com on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $50 gift certificate to GlobalEyeglasses.com for stylish glasses or sunglasses! http://bit.ly/ywjGAV @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 7th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to GlobalEyeglasses.com for providing the S55 eyeglasses for me to review as well as a $50 gift voucher for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Cleanse Your Face the Right Way {Guest Post}

2012-02-15T08:54:00.001-06:00

This guest post discusses a topic that has always interested me - who doesn't want to find a beauty regimen that they can partake in at home for less?

Have you been using just ordinary face wash? Maybe it is time to try something new. Ordinary face wash just washes the surface of your skin, but does not give it a deep cleanse. Some great additions to your standard skincare routine are microdermabrasion products. These deep cleansers, masques, and exfoliating wands will go far beyond just simply cleaning your face.

Microdermabrasion at home products, available online from retailers like ShopNBC, will go beneath the surface of your skin and deeply penetrate it. As it penetrates your skin it helps reduce fine lines.

Using microdermabrasion at home products will give you a mini facial. It will leave your skin looking youthful and radiant. The systems will also help diminish the appearance of blemishes and dark spots, as well as minor acne scars.

Further, microdermabrasion at home helps shrink your pores and sloughs off dead, dry skin, like any great exfoliating product. Once you use a microdermabrasion at home kit, you’ll immediately notice how smooth and supple your skin feels. And thanks to online retailers, these easy-to-use products can be delivered right to your door in a matter of days – no more scheduling spa appointments or shelling out money for facials.

(This guest post was brought to you by ShopNBC.)

SlickSugar: Look Good While Making a Difference {Review & Giveaway}

2012-02-14T09:14:00.002-06:00

One of the beneficial aspects of having two daughters is being able to get twice the use out of my favorite articles of their clothing. There's just something so great about kids' apparel that makes me smile — whether it's the fun colors, cute prints, or trendy miniature styles... there are some pieces that I never want them to outgrow.

Those favorites in particular are the ones that not only demonstrate fashion and high quality, but are also unique, innovative, and have that extra stand-out-from-the-crowd aspect to them. After all, who wants to look just like everyone else?

The only thing that can make them even better? When a line of clothing doesn't only look good, but promotes doing good as well.

The latest company that I have been introduced to that does just that? None other than the unique and admirable SlickSugar.

The entrepreneurial, family-owned business behind Belly Banter, a great line of pregnancy and newborn stickers, SlickSugar has teamed up with the nonprofit organization Little Kids Rock to support the importance of music in schools with their "Keep the Music Alive" Tee.

As music programs across the country have been reduced or even eliminated, Little Kids Rock has helped fill the void by restoring and revitalizing music in underfunded public schools. Founded in San Francisco in 2002, the charity was started by an elementary school teacher who was frustrated at the lack of music funding in his own school.

Today, Little Kids Rock is one of the leading nonprofit providers of free lessons and free instruments to underprivileged children in public schools in 25 cities, resulting in an astounding 160,000 students. Bonnie Raitt, Slash, Paul Simon, B.B. King and Ziggy Marley are among the charity’s famous friends and supporters.

Having always supported the arts and music in schools, I was already loving the "Keep the Music Alive" Tee even before I had seen it in person. However, when a brightly-colored fun package from SlickSugar arrived, I was happy to see if this shirt would live up to promoting their great message.

Slowly unwrapping the soft, 100% cotton fabric, I was impressed with how thick and durable this shirt felt and the clear effort that went into making sure all of the seams and edges were well made.

Available in sizes 6 months through 5/6, I had initially worried that the largest size would be small on Big Sister E, but instead found that it was a great fit. We were both excited about the sweet and colorful design and how such a cute, cheery bird could have such a powerful message.

I love the idea of being able to promote as well as teach children about the importance of music in schools and send a message, even a tiny one, that school districts across the country need to restore and revitalize music programs that have been closed due to budget cuts.

Retailing for $26 (which means free shipping!), the "Keep the Music Alive" Tee and the rest of SlickSugar's great apparel and accessories (and don't forget the cute Belly Banter stickers for tracking expectant moms' progress or babies ages), can be found on their website. You can also find a selection of SlickSugar onesies and tees online at Target.com.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to support Little Kids Rock and their partnership with schools in a stylish way, because...

One lucky person will win a SlickSugar "Keep the Music Alive" Tee
in their choice of size!

To enter to win: Visit SlickSugar and leave me a comment telling me the name of the item there that is your favorite (other than the tee in this review).

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow SlickSugar on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Keep the Music Alive Tee or Onesie from SlickSugar! Cute and for a great cause! http://bit.ly/zOIPKU @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 6th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to SlickSugar for providing a "Keep the Music Alive" Tee for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Knowledge Universe: Read. Share. Give {Guest Post}

2012-02-14T08:58:00.000-06:00

This is a guest post on one of my favorite topics: children and reading! My girls adore books and the idea that this program increases a child's access to books is one that I stand behind.

How does a global education organization which creates educational alternatives impact a professional dilemma? How can the organization help solve a quandary whose solution seems elusive to America's top educational professionals? Knowledge Universe (KU), an organization which offers a wide array of materials and programs for toddlers through college age, is now influencing the reading readiness of young children throughout the world.

As part of their early reading program, KU launched a book-sharing program in 2011. The innovative program, "Read. Share. Give" was conceived as a way to encourage early reading among families. The program charted almost 15,000 "shared" books which participants logged online at the www.kindercare.com/read site.

The program enjoys tremendous success and KU was pleased by the response. David Roy, Director of Community Partnerships for KinderCare noted that KU's families and teachers were responsible for the program's resounding success. He explained that KU committed resources to the book-sharing program because research by the nonprofit Reach Out and Read organization indicates that more than 34 percent of children enter kindergarten without the skills needed to learn to read. The goal of the"Read. Share. Give" program is to address this issue by giving children increased access to books.

"Education provides the fullest opportunities for fulfilling ourselves. It is the access to all that a person has yet to learn, and that is precisely why the future belongs to the educated." Lowell Milken Co-founder Knowledge Universe.

KU celebrates the program's success by donating books to the Reach Out and Read organization in recognition of the Reach Out and Read goal of increasing young children's reading readiness skills. The KU donation will provide many families with increased access to books, both at home and at school.

(Disclosure: http://cmp.ly/3)

Find Handmade Beauty with Macy's Heart of Haiti Collection {Review & Giveaway}

2012-02-13T10:05:00.002-06:00

Valentine's Day is one holiday that manages to conjure up strong feelings on both ends of the spectrum. In love? Then you might spend February 14th in a happy, go-lucky fog. Not so in love? Then there's a chance that all of the hearts and cupids and boxes of chocolates at every turn just aren't your thing.

But no matter what your personal feelings are about Valentine's Day, this year we can all come together for something bigger and better. Because this year you can help support families in Haiti that are rebuilding their lives after the 2010 earthquake by making a purchase from the Macy's Heart of Haiti collection.

Helping Haitian families construct and restore their lives after the devastating earthquake two years ago, items in the Heart of Haiti collection use some of the most unlikely materials to create metalwork, ceramics, quilts, paintings, jewelry and other home decor items and accessories.

From raw materials such as recycled oil drums and wrought iron to paper-mâché and stone, each item is handmade by a Haitian master artisan. By creating art that reflects their rich culture and history, artisans have a sustaining income to provide nutrition, education and health care for their families.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and, despite the earthquake, people there are filled with hope and a desire to improve their lives through employment. Although options are very limited in this country, Heart of Haiti is a "Trade, Not Aid" initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy's.

By providing artists with an opportunity to make a living, feed their families, and pay their children's school fees (school in Haiti is not free), they are able to support their families with dignity and purpose. In fact, the Heart of Haiti collection has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in the country.

As well as being such a great cause, the Heart of Haiti collection features a variety of items that can only be described as beautiful. I was fortunate to have the chance to see the Heart of Haiti Songbird Picture Frame and the Heart of Haiti Goddess Heart Pendant in person and was in awe of the talent and skill that went into making such stunning pieces.

Painstakingly cut, hammered and varnished by hand, the Songbird Picture Frame is created out of steel from recycled barrels. The handmade, one-of-a-kind rustic beauty that this frame encompasses gives it a much more unique look than traditional, mass-produced frames that you'll find in the store.

Every time I look at this frame I am amazed by the way that Haiti's master artisans are able to make such detailed, intricate carvings and markings out of something so mundane as recycled steel. The results make such an attractive and artistic place to display photos of my favorite people and places!

The Heart of the Goddess Pendant is also handcrafted in steel cut from recycled barrels and measures in at approximately 1½" tall. Hung on a 29" black cord, this pendant demonstrates the creativity and beauty that Haiti's artisans can create out of a simple texture on a classic heart.

This pendant makes a great gift for yourself or a loved one for Valentine's Day as well as beyond. The $10 price tag is affordable in itself, but when you take into account the meaning and wonderful support for families in Haiti, that just makes it even more beautiful.

With more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, paintings, vases, candleholders, serving trays, picture frames, mirrors, coasters, necklaces, clutch purses and more, you're sure to find pieces you'll adore from Heart of Haiti.

The collection is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums & local gommier wood and can be found exclusively at 25 Macy's stores around the country and on Macy's.com. Most items fall in the price range of $25-$60 but the added benefit of feeling that you've supported something great? Priceless.

Thanks to the generosity of Macy's Heart of Haiti, one person will be able to celebrate in the love of this collection as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Heart of Haiti Goddess Heart Pendant!

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me what would happen on your dream Valentine's Day. Vacation? Presents? Family time? Ignoring it completely?

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you follow Heart of Haiti on Twitter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Macy's Heart of Haiti Goddess Heart Pendant - beautiful and a great cause! http://bit.ly/wqU35h @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 5th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to the Everywhere team for providing a Songbird Picture Frame and Goddess Heart Pendant for me to review as well as a Goddess Heart Pendent for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Homemade Jolly Rancher Lollipops {Recipe}

2012-02-13T09:13:00.000-06:00

Last week the girls and I arrived at our weekly playgroup to find a special treat at lunchtime.

A good friend (and Pinterest addict) had found directions online for making homemade lollipops out of Jolly Rancher candies. The results were extremely cute and, after hearing the instructions, I knew would be easy enough for us to make as well.

With Valentine's Day around the corner and my kids wanting to give a little something tasty along with their valentines at school, it was the perfect time to try these out ourselves.

Step 1: Gather the "ingredients."

You'll need a baking sheet, aluminum foil, parchment paper, lollipop sticks, cellophane bags (if wrapping), and Jolly Ranchers.

Step 2: Preparation (preheat the oven to 275°F).

Cover your baking sheet with a piece of aluminum foil and then a piece of parchment paper on top of it. Unwrap and place Jolly Ranchers together in groups of two (for regular size lollipops) or three (for jumbo lollipops). Leave enough space in between them that they won't melt together and so that you will have room to place a stick without it getting stuck into one of its neighbors.

We made sure that our lollipops would always have three different colors, but that just makes them more colorful. If you're a fan of one particular flavor or want to make them one solid color, that works just as well.

Step 3: Melt!

Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let the Jolly Ranchers get to where they have melted slightly together. We found that this took approximately 6 minutes, but that the best method was to keep an eye on them and especially watch closely after the 5 minute mark or so.

You don't want them to melt too far so that they're too thin for a stick, yet not far enough results in a more difficult time getting that stick to stay put.

Step 4: Remove and add sticks.

Much to the kids' dismay, my husband and I did this step ourselves. You have to work quickly to place and twist the sticks into the melted Jolly Ranchers before the candies harden, while also being careful to not touch the hot pan.

We found that if you push slightly in the opposite direction that you are twisting, that it helps get the candy to full cover the stick and therefore hold it firmly in place.

Step 5: Cool.

Even though these will pop off of the parchment paper after only a short amount of time, we left them to sit for around a half hour to ensure that they were fully cooled and wouldn't stick to the bags.

Needless to say, we were pretty excited about how cute they had turned out!

Step 6: Wrap.

Popping them into our lollipop bags, I tied the ribbons and we were set to go. You could use any sort of plastic bags or plastic wrap to cover these (or just toss them all in a bag together if you aren't gifting them), but for our valentines, I found that Wilton's lollipop bags that are prepackaged with ribbons attached were very convenient.

Using a single piece of tape, we attached a lollipop to each of our cards and sat back to survey the results.

Both girls are beyond excited to get to hand these homemade lollipops out to their friends and announce that they were the ones who made them. As for the taste, who doesn't love the sweet tang of a good Jolly Rancher? Except now there are three different flavors in one... yum!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chilly Jilly Duelette Bracelet and Hair Band in One {Review}

2012-02-13T08:48:00.001-06:00

Sitting in my hairdresser's chair at the start of my recent appointment, she asked me the question that always makes me pause:

So, how do have you usually been styling your hair?

Styling? Does being proud of the days that it actually gets washed count as styling?

Truthfully, I told her about how there are the days that I do get my hair straightened or curled or in general blown out and "done," but that there are also quite a few that it gets washed and then left to air dry... before being pulled up into a ponytail.

Because really, there are many, many days when a ponytail is just so convenient that it makes me happy. The part that doesn't is that during the time that I have my hair down to dry, I wear a generic ponytail holder around on my wrist. It is generally unattractive, unappealing, and uncomfortable (causing a dent in my skin).

And then I was introduced to the solution: the Chilly Jilly Duelette.

A combination bracelet and hair band in one, the Duelette is the answer to never sacrificing style for comfort again. Instead of wishing that I had a hair band when I don't or being bothered by the one cutting into my wrist, this stylish accessory ensures that once I put it on, I'm ready for the day.

Arriving in its own unique test tube packaging, it didn't take me longer than a few seconds before I had my Duelette out for examination.

This innovative bracelet is available in a black or white band with the choice of 14k gold or silver plated beads (or a combination of the two), making for a total of six different options to best match your wardrobe and jewelry style.

The design itself is practical as well as stylish, as the durable, non-fray band is adjustable to any size simply by moving the end bead. At the same time, the shine from the smaller, decorative beads is just the thing to make this more than another plain black band.

So simple and so chic! Once you've tossed this bracelet on your wrist in the morning, you're prepared for when you need to keep your hair out of your face or off of your neck. Whether that means dealing with the weather, going to the gym, running errands, work, heading out to dinner... the options are endless.

I appreciate that the Duelette can be worn alone and look great...

... or can be layered together with more Duelettes or traditional bracelets for a more eye-catching, trendy look.

And when it comes time to put it to use? Simply pull the Duelette off, adjust the size if necessary, and you're ready for the convenience of a ponytail.

Because the Duelette isn't quite as stretchy as my elastic bands, the resulting ponytail isn't as tight — but that hasn't been a problem. Instead, being able to have this on my wrist has come in handy more than once for me as well as for my girls.

Retailing for $15, the Duelette is priced closer to a bracelet than a hair band, but does the job of both. As with Chilly Jilly's other innovative, problem-solving products, this is one item that, once you've tried it, you just might wonder how you lived without it.

To find out more about the Duelette and Chilly Jilly, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

(Other than the Duelette that I received from Chilly Jilly to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this unique product.)

Sears Coupon Code - Today Only!

2012-02-12T00:00:00.005-06:00

Doing a little online shopping?

One of my personal rules is to never make a purchase online without using a coupon code or discount code and today is no exception.

Good only until February 12th at 11:59 pm CST, enter the promo code BEREWARDED at Sears.com and receive an extra $10 off of an order of $75 or more! Check out the details:

For better viewing, click on the image to see and read it in full size.

If you are someone who prefers to shop in person (and not wait for an item to be shipped), this code works online for Sears' "buy online, pick up in store" purchases as well, so you'll be able to have your items in hand right away!

What is on your shopping list? Chances are that Sears.com has it, so today is a great day to head over and pick it up!

Winners!

2012-02-11T14:19:00.001-06:00

The two lucky winners of a case of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes from CleanItSupply.com are...

Congratulations, lorialcorn2006 and dfraley3!

The lucky winner of a pair of Lugz Brigade Fold boots is...

Congratulations, mail4rosey!

The lucky winner of a Valentine's Day baking prize pack from Sweety High is...

Congratulations, coriwestphal!

The two lucky winners of a case of Clorox Disinfecting Spray from CleanItSupply.com are...

Congratulations, s and Lynn!

Thanks to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! Have a great weekend!

Disney Baby Expands their Collections of Essential Products {Review}

2012-02-10T15:17:00.000-06:00

When you hear the name Disney, what comes to mind?

Most people probably immediately conjure up images of castles and rides, movies that they've loved since childhood, and the characters that we've all known for decades. Disney is just a classic part of our lives!

However, if you haven't already been introduced to Disney Baby, you're missing out on a whole section of Disney that is sure to bring a smile to your face. DisneyBaby.com is multifaceted digital resource for families that provides consumers with information and inspiration online, while Disney Baby as the brand recently announced the launch of an all-new, expanded collection of products to help parents create magical moments right from the start.

From Simba in the Nursery to Nemo in the tub, the adorable all-new Disney Baby collections are organized around the key moments in mom and baby's day to make everyday moments even more magical. These feel-good, unique products are now organized into four main categories: Mealtime, Bathtime, Nursery, and Apparel.

Mealtime — As one of the most important times of day for baby, Disney Baby offers parents products essential to baby's development specially designed for their gentle little mouths. Available in designs featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and The Lion King, products include bottles that allow baby to control the flow of milk and pacifiers that fit the natural shape of baby's palate and gums.

Bathtime — From splish splashing in the tub to swaddling a squeaky clean baby in a cuddly towel, bathtime is always a fun adventure. To make bathtime the best time, the new Finding Nemo Bath Collection includes a fun tub with engaging toy bar, a hooded towel, bath toys, and more.

In the Nursery — Turn baby's nursery into a sleeptime safari with the new Disney Baby The Lion King Nursery Collection. The collection furnishes parents with everything they need to outfit a nursery, including a 4-piece crib bedding set, modern canvas wall art, a musical mobile and an animal print window valance, among other wildly adorable items.

Apparel — Now available in new playful patterns and character-inspired designs starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, The Aristocats and Tigger; there is a bodysuit for every little character. As well as being adorable, I love that Disney Baby offers the only infant bodysuit with a patent-pending design that "grows" with baby, featuring a second row of snaps for an inch of longer wear.

I had the chance to check out two of these bodysuits and was very impressed with the style, comfort, and all-around high quality of these pieces. What a great way for a little girl to incorporate Minnie Mouse in a chic, not-too-flashy way!

Along with the soft edging around the neck and and legs to protect sensitive skin, the second row of snaps was a feature that I would like to incorporate into all of my kids' clothes. This is just the thing to extend the use out of your child's favorite pieces!

As well as their bodysuits, Disney Baby also debuted a line of new, huggable Sleep and Play Sleepers as well as Pant Sets with matching caps and bibs and blankets round out baby's wardrobe.

It took me all of about 30 seconds of checking out one of the adorable Sleep and Play Sleepers before I was jealous that it wasn't in my size. Who wouldn't want to stay this comfortable and cute throughout the day and night?

I find the "subway art" design style very cute!

Cuddly and soft, this sleeper features a full line of snaps down the front and both legs for convenience. Plus, in the newborn and 0-3 sizes, the cuffs include an attached fold over mitt to protect babies from accidentally scratching themselves (all other sizes feature a regular bound cuff).

New styles of the Disney Cuddly Bodysuit are available now at Target, Amazon.com and Babies 'R Us stores. Pants Sets, Sleep and Play, the Lion King Nursery Collection, the Finding Nemo and Minnie Mouse Bath Collections and Disney-themed infant feeding supplies from Born Free are also available now at Babies 'R Us.

For additional information about all of these great products, visit Babies 'R Us, Amazon.com and Target. Even better, Disney Baby has plans to introduce more new products and collections later this year.

"Disney Baby celebrates the fact that life with baby is filled with so many magical moments to be cherished," said Jessi Dunne, executive vice president, Disney Moms and Babies for Disney Consumer Products. "In order to help parents to bond with their baby, the new Disney Baby collections are designed to provide quality products essential to every experience throughout the day with a touch of Disney magic."

Be sure to visit DisneyBaby.com for more about their full lines, as it not only serves as a one-stop resource to search the most comprehensive collection of Disney Baby brand products on the Web, it also allows parents and gift givers the ability to filter by gender, product type, Disney character and retailer.

This online destination also gives visitors the option to check out the Disney Baby= Magical Moments upload tool and gallery, inspirational ideas, mom-tested tips and a comprehensive Disney Baby= product showcase for expecting and new parents. Don't miss it!

As well as at DisneyBaby.com, you can connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

(Other than the aforementioned Disney Baby products that I received to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company, website and their cute clothing.)

Save for your child's future with the Gerber Life College Plan {$25 Snapfish Gift Certificate Giveaway}

2012-02-10T09:13:00.002-06:00

My memories of the first few days after Big Sister E was born are a bit hazy for a number of reasons. The exhaustion and lack of sleep, the sheer bewilderment that she was mine, how quickly it all blended together... yet something that I do remember was having piles of paperwork to sort through. Pamphlets, booklets, information — what was it and did I really need it all?

Let's face it, parents are faced with a whole lot of choices and decisions and sometimes we just need to know where to look for the answers as to what is going to be the best for our baby.

That's where the Gerber Life College Plan comes in, as it was designed to help busy parents safely and easily save for tomorrow. With guaranteed growth, life insurance protection, flexibility, and fixed monthly premiums payments, this program is there to be the smart choice for your child's future.

The only college plan that is also adult life insurance, the Gerber Life College Plan allows your child to follow his or her dreams, whether or not they end up including college. Plus, unlike riskier financial products such as stocks and mutual funds, this plan is guaranteed to not lose value. Who doesn't want to know that their money is safe?

With affordable pricing and no strings attached, it's easy to give your child a head start for their future. Benefits include:

Affordable, fixed payments
Stable growth that never loses value
The policy builds cash value over time, which can be borrowed against
Affordable premiums that work with your budget
Payments can be made monthly, semi-annually, annually
Guaranteed payout of $10,000 to $150,000
Flexibility to use the money for anything, even expenses not related to college
And more!

Whether college seems far off or not, the sooner you start saving for college, the more time that your money has to grow and the less you have to save each month to reach a sizable amount. So why not get started?

With the Gerber Life College Plan, you decide how much you can afford to set aside each month, and then you receive a guaranteed benefit payment of $10,000 to $150,000 when it's time for your child to enter college in 10 to 20 years. Unlike stocks and mutual funds, the Gerber Life College Plan does not go up and down in value due to economic conditions, so you never have to worry if your money will be there when it is needed.

You can find out much more on the Gerber Life Insurance Company website as well as see reviews and ratings from many past satisfied customers!

Want one more reason to check out Gerber Life Insurance Company? Head over to their Facebook page now for your chance to contribute your baby's photos to the Project Open Book picture mosaic and enter for a chance to win a $1,000 VISA gift card and more. For every photo uploaded, Gerber Life will donate $1 to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) to help spread the love of reading. They're on their way to donating $10,000!

Thanks to the generosity of the Gerber Life Insurance Company, one person will be even more excited about their child's photographs and what they can do with them, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 Snapfish gift card!

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me what you typically do with your photographs. Do they sit on your computer? Do you turn them into gifts? Email them to family?

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Gerber Life on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $25 Snapfish gift certificate to turn your photos into prints or gifts! http://bit.ly/wGK7Hk @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 2nd at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Gerber Life for providing a Snapfish gift certificate for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

The Children's Place Valentine's Day and Spring Fashions {Review}

2012-02-09T20:06:00.001-06:00

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, parents everywhere have been working to ensure that our children have the right cards to pass out and treat recipes ready to follow. After all, this is one holiday that I find that kids' excitement and enthusiasm is something that we can all enjoy, right?

But as well as making sure that my girls have a valentine to hand out to all of their friends, I also can't help myself in wanting to ensure that both of them are dressed up in something sweet on February 14th as well. After all, a mom can't be blamed for wanting to enhance the cuteness!

As usual, The Children's Place has everything you need for your little love to be stylishly dressed for the occasion.

From sweetheart graphic tees to heart-shaped accessories to sweet duds for baby, The Children's Place has all of the Valentine's Day looks that you are searching for... and many more that you didn't even know you were missing. With prices starting at $5.95 (and nothing over $20), there's just no reason to pass up a cute Valentine Bib and Body Suit set or a Heart Initial Necklace or a Denim Skort!

Also, to share the love, The Children’s Place is hosting a gift card giveaway contest on their Facebook page that's going on now. Simply head over and enter to win one of four gift cards valued at $250 each! Plus, after you submit your entry, you can create a personalized Valentine starring your little sweetheart by uploading a photo and writing a love note. Too cute!

While shopping for all of your lovely Valentine's Day apparel, I also love that The Children's Place makes it easy to think ahead to warmer weather and begin to stock up on the fresh trends from their spring collection. When it comes to preparing for the bright, sunny days ahead, The Children's Place is always the perfect fit.

Whether your spring plans include celebrations for Easter, Communion, a Christening, a wedding or simply just the warm weather, there is an adorably sweet item in The Children Place's collection that will work for the occasion.

With one daughter that enjoys being girly in dresses (Little Sister B) and one that leans more towards the comfort of pants and tops (Big Sister E), none of us could have been more thrilled when the Ribbon Dress and the Floral Embroidered Tunic arrived and put us all in the mood for spring.

The perfect combination of soft pink, classic navy and crisp white, the girls' Ribbon Dress is simple, sweet and very well-made. I was impressed right away with the horizontal, linear design and the way that each piece was roughly sewn on, giving it a chic and designer look.

I love the way that the navy blue grosgrain ribbon straps and lining along the top of the bodice, near the bottom, and around the empire waist give a contrasting, almost nautical appearance to this dress. Add that to the high quality lining and the attached mesh that gives a slight petticoat flounce, and The Children's Place has thought of everything!

The single zipper hidden on the back made it easy for Little Sister B to step right into the Ribbon Dress and once she had it on, can you blame her for wanting to twirl around and show off how cute it was?

This dress is meant to hit at-the-knee but is slightly long on Little Sister B simply because I asked for it in a size larger than she currently wears. That just means that by spring and summer, it will be just right... not to mention that she can put a sweater on over this now and be set for winter dress-up occasions as well!

Retailing for $39.95, the Ribbon Dress is available in sizes 4 - 14 and will surely be our go-to outfit for as long as it possible fits!

At the same time, Big Sister E's Floral Embroidered Tunic is a mix of delicate styling in the light cotton voile with great pintucked and embroidered details throughout. The white polka dots and roses are easily feminine enough against the dark blue of the shirt...

...and the gathered elasticized sleeve openings and tiny cut-outs are just a few more of the adorable little details that The Children's Place included.

By unbuttoning the top button of the front placket, Big Sister E was easily able to pull this soft and flowing tunic on over her head and it was quickly apparent that it could be paired with leggings, jeans, capris or even a skirt. No matter what, this is going to be extremely cute!

Retailing for $19.95 (but on sale now for only $12!) the Floral Embroidered Tunic can be dressed up or down for a variety of uses. I already know that this top is a hit simply because Big Sister E has already refused to take it off multiple times!

Spring will be here before we know it, so don't wait to have a few great items from The Children's Place in your child's closet today. Their clothes have always been high quality, stylish and items that parents and kids both love. Visit their website to see their great collections and find the store nearest you. You can also connect with The Children's Place on Facebook and Twitter.

(Other than the Ribbon Dress and Floral Embroidered Tunic that I received from The Children's Place to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company and their cute clothing.)

Teleflora Fresh Flowers Hand-Delivered Daily {Deal of the Day Bouquet Giveaway}

2012-02-09T08:32:00.001-06:00

It's partway into February already and what does that mean? As well as wondering where the time has gone and counting the days until spring is here, it is also an indication that it's crunch time when it comes to choosing a Valentine's Day gift.

Are you one of the many people looking at your calendar and wondering how the heck this holiday jumped up so quickly and, more importantly, what gift can be quickly found for the ones you cherish most in your life?

Fortunately, one of the most classic, much-loved gifts is still readily available: flowers. A beautiful, thoughtful gift that is always appreciated and enjoyed, flowers have a way of saying that you care while bringing a smile to your recipient's face from the moment they arrive.

This year, Teleflora is taking things one step further and making it even easier to send the perfect bouquet by letting you select between gorgeous Valentine's Day flowers or a one-of-a-kind Deal of the Day Bouquet.

Proud to have been connecting customers with the nation's best florists for more than 75 years, Teleflora has over 18,000 member florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, with an additional 20,000 affiliated florists outside North America. Their extensive network, coupled with their commitment to exceptional customer service, means that when you send flowers from Teleflora, you can be confident that you're sending the best.

When it comes to Valentine's Day, Teleflora offers arrangements in all sizes and styles. Whether your recipient prefers something traditional like long-stemmed roses...

...or something more modern, pretty and sweet...

(the adorable puppy is pretty hard to resist, isn't he?)

...or something that is a mix of somewhere in between classic and trendy...

...what would the most passionate, heartfelt day of the year be without Valentine's Day flowers?

However, if you're someone like me who has a hard time making decisions between all of the available bouquets, Teleflora has a great option with their Deal of the Day Bouquet.

This mixed bouquet is created by an expert florist using the freshest, most beautiful flowers available. The flowers included in each one-of-a-kind bouquet are selected to give maximum value for your money so that you can make a big statement with your arrangement while still getting the best value.

Because each Deal of the Day bouquet is made to order, you can feel confident allowing an expert floral designer to create a unique bouquet using their own signature style, creativity and flair. Plus, as you are able to name your own price (options range from $50 - $200), these bouquets always come in right on budget and, instead of looking pared down, give you the most bang for your buck. You can even easily add on balloons, stuffed animals or chocolates!

Candy and paper hearts are nice, but there is definitely something about expressing love on Valentine's Day with a beautiful bouquet. Whether you are looking for large and extravagant or simple and understated, Teleflora has the selection and variety that you're looking for... no matter if you have your heart set on a certain arrangement or want to stretch your dollar and have them create it for you. With gorgeous flowers either way, you know that you'll be spreading cheer no matter what!

Speaking of spreading cheer, thanks to the generosity of Teleflora, one person will have a post-Valentine's Day surprise for themselves or someone that they love, because...

One lucky person will win a Deal of the Day Bouquet
from Teleflora! ARV $50!

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me your favorite flower OR who the lucky recipient of this bouquet will be if you win (it's okay if it's you)!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Teleflora on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a mixed flower arrangement from Teleflora (ARV $50) for a post-Valentine's treat! http://bit.ly/AepaZO @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 23rd at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Teleflora for providing a Deal of the Day Bouquet for one lucky giveaway winner. This promotional sponsored post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I was compensated for my time investment and work on this campaign. All prizing for MSM giveaways is handled by a third party unless otherwise noted. For this reason prize fulfillment can take up to 90 days after the winners information is received. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil {Review & Giveaway - 3 winners!}

2012-02-08T13:39:00.001-06:00

I vaguely remember applying sunscreen when I was a child. I'm pretty sure that it was part of our outdoor routine when we were heading to the pool or the lake... and possibly a few other all-day outings. Looking back it seems that, along with car seats, sunscreen just wasn't a safety big thing to worry about.

Things have changed just a little bit, haven't they?

While it is obviously much safer and healthier to avoid too many of the sun's rays and put on sunscreen daily, there are also downfalls to being overly protected. Dr. Dennis Gross, renowned practicing dermatologist and board certified dermatological surgeon, observed the majority of his patients were experiencing Vitamin D deficiencies because they were overtly careful about exposing themselves to UV rays and using high levels of sunscreen.

It seems like you just can't win, right?

Actually, thanks to Dr. Gross himself, you can. His innovative and advanced Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil makes it possible to reap the benefits of the sun's Vitamin D while keeping your skin (and health) protected from the harmful rays.

With Vitamin D deficiency on the rise, Dr. Dennis Gross' Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil is the first-ever product to include active Vitamin D to help with symptoms of deficiency. As a large added bonus, Vitamin D also has cosmetic benefits such as skin hydration, skin radiance, anti-aging, and helps hyperpigmentation.

However, in order for the body to synthesize Vitamin D, it must be converted from UVB sun exposure or through supplementation/diet. Therefore, this product is truly the first and only skincare serum-oil that provides sufficient levels of Vitamin D to skin through topical application. In short, your skin receives all the sun's "good" without any of the "bad!"

Although I'm no doctor or scientist, I was looking forward to seeing for myself just what Dr. Gross and his bottled Vitamin D could do for my skin.

Although the 1-ounce bottle initially intimidated me (making me think that it would run out immediately), seeing that the directions indicated that you only apply a few drops in the morning and/or evening cleared up that thought.

Opening it up and using the dropper to apply 2-3 drops to my face and neck, I then started to wonder what the oily serum would do to my complexion. How could this not cause breakouts?

Again proven wrong by this golden liquid, I found that the Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil absorbed quickly and made my skin feel hydrated and soft. The description claimed that it would reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing radiance and luminosity and, after having used this now for a few weeks, I have to agree!

There is no need for any sort of moisturizer with this oil, as it has continued to alleviate areas of dryness and I truly have felt as though my skin has felt healthy without being greasy. Although I am not enough of an expert to say for sure that Dr. Gross has helped reverse past damage, boosted elasticity, or corrected the appearance of hyperpigmentation, I do believe that this serum has had a positive effect on my skin... and that's what matters!

The only issue that I have had since I began using this product is that the glass bottle has had me worried to travel with it and any possible breakage. However, it has since been packed and unpacked a few times and has thankfully had no problems, so I have plans to continue to use and bring this serum-oil with me wherever I go — this is by far my new favorite product!

If the idea of receiving the nourishing benefits of Vitamin D without the harmful effects of sun exposure sounds like something that your skin could use, the Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil from Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare just might be exactly what you're looking for.

Great for all ages and skin types, this innovative and one-of-a-kind product retails for $65 (on their website as well as on Amazon), which may seem high at first, but I do believe that the one bottle will last for an incredibly long time.

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, three people are going to get to try out this amazing product and see how much it benefits their skin as well, because...

Three lucky people will win a bottle of Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil!

To enter to win: Visit the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare website and leave me a comment indicating another of their innovative products that you would like to try.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a bottle of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil (ARV $65)! http://bit.ly/x7IpHF @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 29th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare for providing a bottle of Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil for me to review as well as for three lucky giveaway winners. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Celebrate the Launch of Real Moms Real Deals with a $500 Giveaway! {$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway}

2012-02-08T09:08:00.003-06:00

When it comes to finding the best bargains, I'll admit that even just one can make me a little giddy. What can I say? There's something about a good deal that gets my heart pumping!

However, I'll also admit that I'm not always the best one at discovering the biggest steals, so that's why I look to the bargain-hunters and frugal divas who can point me in the right direction. The newest site that is preparing to launch and do just that? Real Moms Real Deals!

A site dedicated to bringing moms deals at up to 90% off retail, Real Moms Real Deals is set to launch on February 28th and you're not going to want to miss what they have to offer. From clothing to baby and children's products to home decor to jewelry to craft and party supplies (and more!), their hot deals are going to be raising a few eyebrows at the incredible prices.

Even better, many of the vendors that will be featured are going to be showcasing handmade items that moms are sure to love... I know that I'm one of those people who has a soft spot for products that showcase the talents and time of others.

At the same time, Real Moms Real Deals prides themselves on customer service and promises to be there for their readers every step of the way. From visiting the website to your goodies arriving at your front door, they not only want to provide you with high quality deals that come Real Mom recommended and approved, but want to ensure your happiness.

So, what could be better than great deals on the products that you want with awesome service behind them? How about this...

That's right! In celebration of their upcoming launch, Real Moms Real Deals is hosting a giveaway with prizes totaling $500! Now that's a great deal right there.

On top of all that, thanks to the generosity of Real Moms Real Deals, one person will be prepared to purchase a few of their favorite things themselves, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 Amazon gift card
from Real Moms Real Deals!

To enter to win: Visit Real Moms Real Deals and sign up for their newsletter so that their awesome deals will land right in your inbox! Then return here and leave me a comment that includes the email address that you used to sign up.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Real Moms Real Deals on Twitter, on Pinterest, and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $25 Amazon gift card in preparation for the launch of Real Moms Real Deals! http://bit.ly/yGnanK @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 29th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Real Moms Real Deals for providing a $25 Amazon gift card for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

General Mills Cereals with the White Check mean Whole Grains for Your Family {Review & Giveaway}

2012-02-07T08:04:00.001-06:00

The start of the New Year has meant declarations of new eating habits for families everywhere. We all know that whole grains are important and the Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with a whole grain listed as the first ingredient.

However, I don't think that there is a parent out there that hasn't opted for convenience at least once, even if it meant that the health aspects were, shall we say, slightly less than desirable. But how can we ensure that the meals that we are eating and giving to our families are including those whole grains?

General Mills has now made that much easier, thanks to their full line of cereals with the white check.

Every General Mills cereal with the white check has more whole grain than any other single ingredient with the same great taste, so now there is never any confusion!

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of "The Doctors," identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for nutritional cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting enough whole grain as sometimes the wording can be misleading.

Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words "whole grain" are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. What a simple and easy way to remember and know that you're purchasing the most healthy items for your family!

With all the health messages facing grocery store shoppers, it can be confusing to translate what appears on food labels into nutritional needs, and hard to determine which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day's nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.

Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.

Don't Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don't forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help with choosing products with whole grain, General Mills developed "Fast Lane for Whole Grain," an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

I had a lot of fun racing my shopping cart down the aisle and picking up the foods containing whole grain!

Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios and Total.

We had a chance to sample all five and each one was a big hit, just as I knew they would be. These are classic cereals that I have loved since childhood as well!

For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the "Fast Lane for Whole Grain" sweepstakes, visit the Whole Grain Nation website. And, thanks to the generosity of General Mills, one person will get to enjoy a tasty whole grain-filled breakfast as well, because...

One lucky person will win 5 boxes of General Mills cereal
with the white check!

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me which of the General Mills cereals with the white check would you most like to have to start off your morning?

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN 5 boxes of General Mills cereal to celebrate healthy whole grains! http://bit.ly/AullLV @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win #MyBlogSpark

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 28th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to General Mills through MyBlogSpark for providing a the prize pack, information and giveaway. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Refresh for Less with T.J.Maxx and Marshalls {Review}

2012-02-06T18:01:00.001-06:00

Now that February has arrived, it is time to look back at the past month and reflect on how your resolutions have held up. Are they still intact?

Every January 1, millions of men and women resolve a variety of things, but two major ones are to get healthy and eat right as well as to keep their home looking refreshed and organized. But come February, momentum, time and motivation are often nowhere to be found.

Oftentimes, money can also be a major hindrance to sticking to resolutions, but T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have the affordable solutions for both of these challenges!

This year, rather than spending hundreds of dollars on a gym membership and new work out clothes to get fit and even more money on new kitchenware, bath towels or home decor to liven up your living space, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls are there to save the day (and your wallet).

Both stores carry a huge assortment of high-quality, brand name fitness equipment, gear, furniture, home accessories and more – but up to 60% off sporting good, department and specialty store prices. Additionally, each of the stores receives 10,000 new items each week, so there is always a great new selection of items to meet your needs.

Whether it's a full-scale redecorating project to match a new color scheme, a quick update of outdated decor, help with at-home workouts or new wardrobe needs, Marshalls and T.J.Maxx are the perfect places to get inspired. With all of their brand name options at affordable prices, anyone can find the help they need to complete any new look in their home or be motivated to continue on their exercise and weight loss goals.

Heading in to T.J.Maxx and Marshalls myself, I couldn't wait to see even a small amount of their selection and what they had on the shelves to help customers in 2012.

The answer? Everything!

No matter if I was thinking about decorating a certain room in my house or pumping up my athletic gear or just looking for a good deal to boost my wardrobe, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls had just about every item I could think of... and more.

To stay fit in the New Year, both stores had a wide variety of pieces that would work for men and women of all ages. Looking to dress for success? T.J.Maxx and Marshalls offer long- and short-sleeved moisture wicking tops, workout shorts and pants (both capris and full-length), sports bras, and athletic socks...

...while also giving you plenty of ways to tone and tighten your muscles with free weights and kettlebells in bright colors, ankle and wrist weights, weighted medicine balls, stability balls in a variety of sizes and more.

Or, if enhancing flexibility is on your agenda, there's no place better to pick up one of their colorful yoga mats, yoga and pilates DVDs, resistance bands and more.

From top brand name running sneakers to heart rate monitors with calorie counters to pedometers to track your daily activity to dance and aerobics DVDs to add some fun to your workout, I was feeling motivated to do a better job following my exercise and weight loss resolutions everywhere I looked.

At the same time, I've also made a personal push to keep my home in better shape this year as well and browsing at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls provided so many opportunities to spruce up throughout the house with ease.

Starting in the kitchen, it was easy to see how things could be made more attractive with oversized decorative (and usable!) bottles of olive oil, serving pieces, sleek French presses, high quality utensils, brightly-colored cookware and more.

For the bathroom, there were aisles and aisles of plush towels, solid or patterned bathmats and shower curtains, shower organizers, themed shower curtain rings and daily staples such as toothbrush holders and cups. What more could a chic powder room need?

For bedrooms that need a little pick-me-up, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls both have beautiful collections of designer duvets and down comforters, comfy throw blankets, luxurious sheets, feather pillows, plain and padded closet hangers, mirrors, trunks and many other bedroom accents.

Last, but certainly not least in my strolls through both stores: the living room. I love the way that T.J.Maxx and Marshalls offer looks that could have come straight from high-end department stores (with high-end price tags), yet are instead affordable.

Their shelves were filled with end tables, lamps, throw pillows, accent rugs, picture frames of all shapes and sizes, wall hangings, art and gorgeous furniture that I wished we had room for in our house.

I mentioned that the best part about shopping at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls is that merchandise is up to 60% off of department and specialty store prices, right? I love that I don't have to cringe before flipping over one of their price tags in fear of what the sticker shock might be.

Instead, the washcloth that I was recently looking at in the department store for $8 was only $3.50. And, after months and months of searching for a pea coat to replace the extremely old one that I was previously wearing, I stumbled upon this beauty on the clearance rack at Marshalls and was instantly in love.

This wool, fully-lined brand name coat sells for $140 in other stores, but was originally $69.99 at Marshalls. After having been marked down, I paid $45, a savings of $95 or around 68% and couldn't have been more thrilled. Now that is the type of bargain that can really make my day... and is made even better when I receive compliments everywhere I go wearing this coat!

You'll find everything from this year's must-have trends to fitness gear to home decor at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls at affordable prices that will help you find the look you want while staying within your budget. Looking for a hot new purse or pair of boots? A new set of sheets? Artwork for your walls? Stylish sunglasses or a great new piece of jewelry? There's just no need to spend more when T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have designer labels for less!

Find out more about these great stores (and their locations nearest you) on the T.J.Maxx and Marshalls websites as well as keeping up with T.J.Maxx on Twitter and Facebook and Marshalls on Twitter and Facebook.

(Other than a T.J.Maxx/Marshalls gift card that I received to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of these stores and their amazing deals.)

Smile! It could win a trip to New York City from TopDentists.com!

2012-02-06T16:29:00.001-06:00

How many times have you smiled today?

Did you receive a cheerful email or phone call? Watch your children come up with a creative and fun game together? Get a big hug from your significant other simply to say that they love you?

We all have people in our life that make us smile and whether we see them daily, monthly, yearly or only once in a long while, they are the children, parents, family or friends that manage to light up our grin simply by being themselves.

So... who makes you smile? TopDentists.com wants to know!

Not only will a photo of the person who makes you smile brighten your day, but if you enter it in the Who Makes You Smile Contest on TopDentists.com, it might win you a fantastic prize package!

The winning entry will receive an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, a teeth whitening session with a Top Dentist, $1,000 spending money, and a professional photo shoot. Who wouldn't smile about that?

But even if you don't win the grand prize, there are also daily teeth whitening kit prizes from Love That White Smile and chances to win teeth whitenings in Aventura, FL, Austin, TX, Beverly Hills, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and Troy, MI from Top Dentists in those areas!

Check out all of the details at the Who Makes You Smile contest page and then start deciding which image(s) you want to upload! The contest ends February 24th, so don't delay — it's time to decide who makes you smile and share that positive feeling with the world!

(I was compensated by TopDentists.com in exchange for writing this post, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Who makes you smile?)

Unique Gifts from NOVICA {Review & $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway}

2012-02-06T08:07:00.001-06:00

When it comes time to purchase a gift, whether for others or a little something for myself, I enjoy the shopping... but always struggle with the decision-making. After a while, the items in the store all start to look a little bit the same to me, you know?

Therefore, when I am introduced to a website that connects me with thousands of master artists from around the world and gives me the ability to select from more than 30,000 handmade works of art to incorporate them into my own life or give as a unique gift?

Well, then it's no wonder that browsing everything from the wool shawls to the wrap bracelets at NOVICA manages to keep me engrossed and enthralled for hours at a time.

One of the leading fair trade artisan websites, NOVICA works with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. By offering thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, clothing, unique gifts, and home decor, you'll not only find items that are each stunning in their own way, but you'll be helping others by making your purchase.

NOVICA has already succeeded in helping change the lives of tens of thousands of people in developing nations, a number that I find both inspiring and extremely impressive. So while you may just think that the tableware or alpaca sweaters are lovely, NOVICA has provided a way for the artisans who created them to earn personal recognition and receive real-world prices for their work.

Now that just makes the necklaces a little more beautiful, doesn't it?

When it came time to browse the Unique Gifts category at NOVICA, it took me days of looking and narrowing and returning to various pages over and over again. Having the products broken down by price as well as by recipient or home decor made it easy to navigate and when I finally placed my order, I couldn't wait for my items to arrive.

Arriving within days directly from Guatemala, the Vivacious Guatemala Cotton Scarf was even better in person than I had expected... starting with the beautiful wrapping paper and decoration. Who wouldn't be impressed with a package like this showing up at their door?

The scarf itself is made from a thin cotton gauze, giving it a great texture and making it naturally roll inward, creating an unusual effect with an ethnic flair. Available in a variety of other colors, I chose the bright green as something that would bring a pop of color to my typical wardrobe of greys and blacks and, as soon as I saw it, I was immediately glad that I had made that choice.

I love this scarf! The material is thin and feels delicate (although it can be machine washed), while the hand-tied ends give it a rough and stylishly unfinished look.

All in all, I've already worn this Cotton Scarf numerous times and have really loved the way that it is modern and stylish while still having a handmade, not-mass-produced look to it. It is definitely staying in my wardrobe for quite some time to come!

While the Vivacious Guatemala has had me looking trendy and chic, the Successive Circles Mango Wood Vase has done the same thing for my home by bringing the beauty of Thailand here. Starting from the stunning packaging, I knew that this would be a piece of permanent decor no matter what room we chose to put it in.

After slowly unwrapping the handmade paper, I marveled at the two concentric circle pieces and the skill that must have been involved to carve them so perfectly from mango wood.

While vase after vase that I've seen elsewhere all seemed to resemble each other, the smooth curves of the Successive Circles and the way that they nest inside one another is truly unique. I simply slid the glass tube in the middle and the contemporary look was complete.

Setting this vase on a glass shelf, I found that it made an artistic statement all on its own or with a few single buds.

As well as the outright beauty of both of these items, I also enjoyed the artisan story card that came along with each of them. By giving me insight into not only the artist that created them but the inspiration behind the design, name and more, it truly completes the gifts to know a little more about the work and thought behind them.

When it comes to shopping for a unique gift that is distinct as well as good-looking, NOVICA has a huge selection that is sure to provide plenty of options. But, of course, the fact that by shopping there you can help make a difference in improving lives and preserving traditional crafts worldwide just means that you (or your recipient) can be even a little more satisfied with your purchase.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of NOVICA, one person will be able to browse the handcrafted works of art to choose their favorite, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to NOVICA!

To enter to win: Visit NOVICA and tell me the name of one of the beautiful items there (other than those mentioned above) that you might purchase if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow NOVICA on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $50 gift certificate to NOVICA for beautiful jewelry, decor, apparel and more! http://bit.ly/yYxntV @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 27th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE and entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to NOVICA for providing a gift certificate for me for review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Winners!

2012-02-04T08:32:00.000-06:00

The lucky winner of a $25 Visa gift card and three coupons for Tropicana Trop50 is...

Congratulations, JC!

The lucky winner of The Original Baby Bullet, a Turbo Steamer and a Deluxe Cookbook is...

Congratulations, Laura Love!

The lucky winner of a Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra and a bottle of Purex Crystals is...

Congratulations, Mary!

The two lucky winners of a case (12 bottles) of original Pine-Sol Cleaner from CleanItSupply.com are...

Congratulations, Melissa Shirley and michele376!

The lucky winner of a pair of Originals shoes from pediped footwear is...

Congratulations, Christy!

Thanks to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! Have a great weekend!

What was your "Worst First Date?" Tell HalloweenCostumes.com and win!

2012-02-03T16:49:00.000-06:00

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, there are lovebirds everywhere planning the perfect date. Whether it is early in the relationship or after having been married for decades, it's fun to celebrate the holiday by spending time together doing something special.

However... what happens if those plans go wrong? And I'm not talking about a husband making dinner reservations and the babysitter cancels, I'm talking first date torture where the guy is so horrible or revolting that the girl wonders if she is on a hidden camera television show.

We've all had or heard about the date that went so badly that one person slipped out through the bathroom window or had to have a friend call them with a fake emergency, right? Well, what if your disgusting first date story could get you more than just a laugh?

Thanks to HalloweenCostumes.com and Seven 'til Midnight, now it can win you a fun little costume of your own!

Running through this Sunday, February 5th, US residents age 18 and older can visit HalloweenCostumes.com's blog and leave a comment telling their worst first date story. Because if you've had a horrible dating experience, the only thing that can make it better is to share it with the world!

Additional entries can be received by liking HalloweenCostumes.com's Facebook page, as well as Seven 'til Midnight's Facebook page but the two individuals with the 'worst' stories will win the fun little cupid costume (pictured above) from HalloweenCostumes.com to help ensure that this Valentine's Day they have a 'best' story to share instead.

This contest is ending soon and, as of right now, there are extremely low entries (and some of them are pretty funny). So what are you waiting for? Head over and enter!

(I was provided with a child's costume from HalloweenCostume.com in exchange for writing this post, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I want to hear your Worst First Date stories, too!)

Protect your Skin with Aquaphor {Review & $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway}

2012-02-03T09:49:00.002-06:00

Typically when I think of the aspects of winter that I don't enjoy, things like the cold, dark days, the freezing temperatures, and the sheer amount of time that it takes to get on snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, mittens and more come to mind.

However, not far down the list is the way that the dry winter air manages to wreak havoc on my and my family's skin. And as much as I am bothered by the itchy, cracked, sore feeling on my hands, knees, elbows and more, it's even worse knowing that my girls feel the same way. What parent doesn't feel bad knowing that their baby or child's soft, sensitive skin (which is more susceptible to eczema) is irritated?

Which is why I'm thankful that there are companies like Aquaphor that develop products that are specially formulated to soothe and help dry, cracked skin gently and quickly. Because now that we have started using Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo, we're all happier knowing that our skin is being protected safely and effectively.

Trusted by pediatricians, dermatologists and moms everywhere, Aquaphor products provide the extra gentle care that a baby's tender skin needs all year-round (but especially in winter). Free of fragrances, preservatives and dyes, their skin therapies are pure and gentle to safely protect, clean and restore everything from chapped cheeks to cracked lips to diaper rash.

Seeing as winter is in full swing around here and we seem to have dry hands everywhere I look, when the Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Gentle Wash & Shampoo arrived, it didn't take long before we were putting them to the test.

Providing the extra gentle care your baby's tender delicate skin needs, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is a multi-purpose ointment that can be used for a variety of locations on your child. I love that it can go from protecting a cut or scrape to relieving chapped knuckles to treating diaper rash (it's actually clinically proven to reduce diaper rash within six hours!) all in one quick motion.

The thick, clear formula immediately felt soothing and I could tell that it wasn't going to be a lotion that would dry and disappear. Instead, the slightly greasy feeling went away as I rubbed it thoroughly on my hands and I could almost feel my skin absorbing the moisture and losing the dry, uncomfortable sensation that they had.

I've found that it only takes a little of this Healing Ointment to cover a large area and the results are extremely long-lasting. I'll apply some in the morning and find that my hands or Little Sister B's dryness on her lower back (something she inherited from her father) stay hydrated and and smooth all day long.

Just knowing that our skin is healthy and protected and that I won't have to worry about my kids feeling itchy or scratching at the dryness is a big relief and something that I'm looking forward to continuing all winter long!

When it comes to cleaning our newly-softened selves, the 2 in 1 Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo is a soap-free formula that not only gently cleanses, but helps prevent drying effects. I am happy knowing that the tear-free formula is mild enough that it won't harm even the most sensitive skin, yet provides squeaky clean results that we can all appreciate.

Enriched with soothing chamomile essence and provitamin B5, we've found that this Wash & Shampoo doesn't leave a film or any residue and that we haven't had any issues with irritation on skin or hair. In all, we're loving both products and plan on continuing to use them to protect and keep all of us comfortable for the rest of winter!

For products that you know that can be depended on for relief from wind burn, chafing, blisters, dry winter skin and much more, Aquaphor is a name that has been trusted to provide gentle care for the entire family. Prices do vary (for example, the Healing Ointment is priced at $14.99 from Drugstore.com while only $7.95 on Amazon), but once you've experienced the quality, you'll be hooked!

And, thanks to the generosity of Aquaphor, one person will be prepared for the remainder of winter to arrive, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 Visa Gift Card, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo!

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me if you or someone in your family has dry skin and how you currently deal with it.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you Like Aquaphor on Facebook and/or follow Aquaphor on Twitter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $50 Visa gift card and 2 Aquaphor skin care products to heal and protect! http://bit.ly/xoGoZD @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 24th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Aquaphor for providing a $50 Visa gift card, Healing Ointment and Gentle Wash & Shampoo for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.