Winner Announcement: Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Schleich, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #159:

CONGRATULATIONS, Carole!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Make Moms Life Easier With Verizon FiOS

Do you ever feel like you could use an extra pair of hands just to get things done?  As a stay-at-home-mom of two young children, it seems that I'm always going somewhere or doing something.  Between transporting to and from school, errands and grocery shopping, after school activities, volunteering at school and taking the time for me by going to the gym.  Where can I get a little extra help?

Verizon FiOS is like having several little helpers right at your fingertips.  There to do exactly what you need, when you need it!  I think that we all can get a little excited about that.

Imagine being able to set your thermostat while on your way home, coming home to a nice warm house after being out in the cold all day.  Maybe you need to turn on your lights.  What about being able to keep your young children entertained with a movie on your cell phone when your errands and appointments are taking much longer than anticipated.  Maybe you need to catch up on the news of your favorite sports game that you're missing.  With Verizon FiOS all those things are possible and more!

While I don't actually have Verizon FiOS, my husband and I are talking about making the switch! Anything that can save us a little time is well worth considering.  With summer right around the corner and the kids being out of school, free time is going to be few and far between.  Maybe FiOS could make our time stretch just a little bit farther.

I just wonder if this technology might be smarter than I am!

Here are a few Verizon FiOS features:

I LOVE PETCAKES

My daughter is 7 years old and absolutely LOVES her PetCakes. She takes them with us on road trips and when we run errands. She makes sure they take daily naps in their little crib and she sleeps with them at night. She takes care of them like they are "real" and it's just too cute!

**I posted this as an entry into the current Petcakes contest!  You can enter too...

WIN a FREE full set of PetCakes!

Last Chance to Enter: Pure Romance Gift Pack Giveaway (5/31)

This is the last giveaway of the month, then begins a new month and new giveaways.  Don't miss your chance to enter!

ENTER NOW!!!

Pure Romance Giveaway (5/31)

Winner Announcement: SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice

I want to thank everyone who entered my SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsors, Mama Buzz and SmartLab Toys, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #34:

CONGRATULATIONS!

DIY Granite Countertops: GIANI Granite Countertop Paint Review and Giveaway

We bought our house eleven years ago and I have always hated our kitchen countertops. I didn't mind the color, it was everything else about them that I disliked.  If I were to open a can it would leave a ring all over the counter.  No matter how hard I scrubbed or how often I cleaned, my kitchen countertops always looked dirty.  Even though I knew for a fact they were clean.

A couple months ago I saw a few bloggers posting reviews and giveaways for Giani Granite Countertop Paint and it immediately peaked my curiosity and my interest!  Could this be my ticket to beautiful kitchen countertops?

When our chocolate Giani Granite Countertop Paint arrived I will admit that I was concerned.  It is a 5 step process and that scared me a little bit.  However, I was convinced that no matter how things turned out - my kitchen countertops were going to be better than they were and have been for years.

I was thrilled when my hubby sent me a text message telling me that he had started on the kitchen counters.  When I texted him back making sure that he had gotten a before photo of the kitchen, his reply was no.  He forgot!

Yikes!  I really wanted to show the major transformation that took place in our kitchen as a result of the GIANI Granite Countertop Paint.  Sadly, even though I have tons of photos of the kids in our kitchen, none of them show the entire kitchen.  As a result, I'm only able to show you a glimpse of what our kitchen countertops used to look like.

Here are a few before photos:

When I arrived home, hubby had already watched the DVD and had laid the primer coat on the counters.  Oddly enough, I loved the black more than our original countertops!  I instantly knew that this was going to make a world of difference.

Primer/Base Coat Applied

 Then we sat down together and watched the instructional DVD that came with our kit, again.  It clearly laid out the steps, one by one, putting my mind at ease.  We could do this!  I was eager to get started and excited to see how my new kitchen countertops were going to turn out.

The 5 Step Process:

Step 1:  Roll on Primer/Base Coat

Step 2: Sponge on 1st Mineral

Step 3: Sponge on 2nd Mineral

Step 4: Sponge on 3rd Mineral

Step 5: Roll on Clear/Top Coat

Steps 1 - 4 are now complete:

I had been stressing for no reason, the entire process was simple and easy.  Applying the product to the backsplash was a little awkward and took a little practice.  The most difficult thing about the process of transforming our kitchen was not being able to use the kitchen all weekend.  Other than that, it was a breeze.

 Our kitchen project is now complete:

Winner Announcement: My Pal Going Green Doll Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my My Pal Going Green Doll Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, LorettaRose, LLC, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #90:

CONGRATULATIONS, Granny!

Last Chance to Enter: Father's Day Giveaway: Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ - 3 Winners (5/30)

Don't let this lip smackin' giveaway pass by without entering!  There will be 3 winners!

 

Father's Day Giveaway: Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ - 3 Winners (5/30)

Follow Us Monday Morning Blog Hop 5/30

Sit down, relax and lets have some fun!  Welcome to Follow Us Monday Morning - the Monday blog hop and Google friend follow here at Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free. This is the place where we casually meet and greet, have a little conversation and expand our blogging networks.

I am honored to have been chosen to represent the 'Us' in Follow Us Monday Morning!  My co-host,  JR from Frugality Is Free are looking forward to meeting new friends.  I know that we have so much to share and so much to learn from one another.

Each week we will feature a blog as Hot Blog of the Week, and we will post a question to get the conversation started. The Hot Blog of the Week will get the first place in the linky, and the featured blogger will win a free ad space at both Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free for a week.

********************************************** 

Winner Announcement: The Pocket Referee Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Pocket Referee Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #30:

CONGRATULATIONS, Lil'!!!

Give me Some WAT-AHH!

My kids are 10 and 7 and drinking water has always been important in our house.  We have always taught them the importance of making healthy choices, for both their body and their mind.  They rarely drink juice or soda/pop.  In fact, when given a choice of beverage, 9 times out of 10 both of my kids will choose water.

I recently introduced them to a new brand of water, WAT-AHH!  I must say that when they read the bottles they both started laughing and saying "wat-ahh" in their silliest voices!   The topic of conversation for the next hour was... "Mom, can you please give me some wat-ahh, I don't drink water anymore!"  They were really getting into it and cracking themselves up!  That in itself was priceless.

 The WAT-AHH! logo is bright, bold and fun - making them an obvious choice (and winner) with kids of all ages.

My 10 year old son chose the Power WAT-AHH! first.  He said that it would help make him ever stronger and more powerful than he already was.  (Ha Ha Ha, good grief)  My 7 year old daughter chose Energy WAT-AHH! because she claimed she was tired and it would help wake her up.  It's tough being 7 years old, right?!

Last Chance to Enter: SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice (5/29)

Don't miss your chance... Think Birthday or Christmas gift giving!

 

SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice (5/29)

LOW ENTRIES - Last Chance to Enter: Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway (5/28)

This great giveaway ends tonight at midnight.  Perfect for ANY child!

Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway (5/28)

Winner Announcement: Hasbro Fun on the Run Travel Game Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Hasbro Fun on the Run Travel Game Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #4:

CONGRATULATIONS, Amber!!

Plow and Hearth Review and $50 Giveaway

Summer is right around the corner.  With summer comes gardening, flowers and spending time outdoors!  Each year I try to think of something new to add (or change) in our yard and on our deck.  I always have grand ideas but very rarely get them accomplished.  I have high hopes of this year being different!

Plow and Hearth offers an amazing selection of items perfect for helping me achieve my goals.  Everything from garden furniture to decorative containers to raised flower and garden beds.  I browsed the site fro more than an hour and had numerous items picked out.  Making the choice on which one item to order first was quite difficult.

I ended up choosing the tiered wooden plant stand from Plow and Hearth to begin my outdoor summer makeover.  Planting flowers and herbs with my children is a yearly tradition.

The plant stand looks like a miniature three tiered picnic table for your plants. It can easily display a variety of potted plants, both inside or out. It is made of sturdy hardwood and is varnished to look great and last! 

It was very easy to assemble.  My husband put it together from start to finish without getting irritated or losing his patience!  That in itself says a great deal about this product!

Both my husband and I are very impressed at just how sturdy and stable the plant stand is. Plus, it looks great and I love it!

I got this item to put outside on our deck.  We spend lots of time out there during the summer as a family.  It is where we lounge on our porch swing, BBQ and enjoy the mountain view.  However, the plant stand is still in our bedroom - two weeks after its arrival.  It looks great there and I just can't bring myself to put it outside... not yet!

About Plow and Hearth (from their website):

Founded in 1980 as a small country store, Plow & Hearth is a trusted national catalog, retail, and internet company specializing in unique, enduring home and lifestyle products that are quality-built and guaranteed to meet our customer's expectations.

WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive a $50 Gift Certificate to Plow and Hearth

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Plow and Hearth and let me know which item you would choose

This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Monday June 20th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.

**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner.  

A special thanks to Plow and Hearth for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Winner Announcement: Cupcake Cuties Degisner Cupcake Kit Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Cupcake Cuties Degisner Cupcake Kit Giveaway - Winners Choice.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Cupcake Cuties, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #46:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

LOW ENTRIES - Last Chance to Enter: My Pal Going Green Doll Giveaway (5/27)

I've extended this giveaway through midnight PST time!  Giving you just over 2 more hours to enter this low entry giveaway!

My Pal Going Green Doll Giveaway (5/27)

Gourmet Gift Baskets: Deluxe Glow In the Dark Care Package Giveaway

Summer is right around the corner and for many families that means family camping trips, summer camps, bonfires and slumber parties!   One of the things that always comes to mind when I think of those fun summer activities are glow sticks!  Glowing lights just add an extra amount of fun to any "dark" activity.

These days it's just not about glow sticks and flashlights.  There are glow in the dark balls, tattoos, glasses, clothing, bracelets and so much more.  My kids have always loved glow sticks, from a very young age.  They take them to bed at night, use them when we're camping and even outside for bonfires.  It seems that just about any activity is more fun when you have something that glows!

The Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package in filled with oodles of goodies. This amazing Gourmet Gift Basket is sure to light up your night!  It includes the following items:

(1) Glow in the dark Bumple Ball
(30) Glow in the dark Bracelets
(2) Glow in the dark Eye Glasses
(4) Glow Bars
(2) Glow in the dark Mouthpieces
(1) Flashlight
(2) AA Batteries for the Flashlight
(12) Glow in the dark Rubber Band Bracelets
(2) Decks of Standard Playing Cards
(1) Sudoku Puzzle Book
(1) Bendable PVC Pencil
(1) Pencil Sharpener 

 Temporary Tattoos
(1) S'mores Card Game
(1) Light Up Porcupine Fluffy Ball
(1) 9x12 Scribble Pad
(12) Fine Point Washable Markers
(1) Dream Catcher Kit
(1) Ookie Ball


Gourmet Gift Baskets has something for everyone and every occasion.  Their selection of care packages are amazing.  Making a choice just might be the most difficult decision of your day.  Arts and crafts, camp essentials, sports, midnight snacks, junk food and more!

WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive a Gourmet Gift Baskets Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package ($60 value)

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Gourmet Gift Baskets and tell me which care package (other than the glow in the dark) is your favorite.

This must be completed before other entries will count.

Extra Entries (Optional):

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry! 
If you are already a follower - leave a comment and let me know. 

1. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work Publicly via Google Friend Connect (2 comments - 2 entries)

Tweet:  #Win a Gourmet Gift Baskets Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package from @gmtgiftbaskets @cheekymommaof2 #Giveaway Ends 6/16 http://t.co/SrSpoZz

This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Thursday June 16th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.

**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner.  

A special thanks to Gourmet Gift Baskets for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

LOW ENTRIES - Last chance to Enter: Hasbro Fun on the Run Travel Game Giveaway (5/26)

Very LOW entry giveaway is ending tonight at midnight.  Perfect for summer travel!

Hasbro Fun on the Run Travel Game Giveaway (5/26)

Frugal Summer Fun for the Family - Free Bowling All Summer Long!

Memorial Day weekend officially kicks off Summer 2011!  My children don't get out of school until June 9th, but they are already talking about all the fun things we are going to do together over the summer!  Bike riding, swimming, camping, waterpark, fishing and the amusement park are among many activities on their long (and growing) list.

Have you thought about how you will keep your kids busy this summer?

AMF's Summer Unplugged is this summer's best bowling deal and it kicks off this weekend!

 

Zip, Zero, Zilch for Kids 16 and Under

• At select AMF centers, two free games of bowling per day for kids 16 and under. (Shoe rental not included, but they’re worth paying for.)
• Time: open until 8:00PM, 7 days a week.
• Dates: Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) through Monday, September 5 (Labor Day).
  
• Parents go to http://bit.ly/AMFfree to select a participating center (over 200 locations) and complete a simple registration form.
• Free game coupons emailed every Sunday starting May 29 for the following week – it’s that simple!

**I'm participating in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Results may vary.

Winner Announcement: Modern Light Candles Giveaway - Winners Choice: 2 Winners!

I want to thank everyone who entered my Modern Light Candles Giveaway - Winners Choice: 2 Winners.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Modern Light Candles, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winners are #20 and #148:

CONGRATULATIONS!!