Giveaway Ending Tonight: Almondina Gourmet Cookie Sampler

How would you like to win the perfect treat?  Almondina are unique and delicious - a gourmet cookie, health food and snack all in one.  To win a sample pack of your own, be sure to enter by clicking the link below...

Almondina Gourmet Cookie Sampler Giveaway 

What is your favorite cookie?

Save Money on College Textbooks - Campus Book Rentals

Students everywhere are headed back to school and hitting the books!  As a mother of two children, I know how expensive it can be to get all the necessary items to succeed in class.  One major expense for college students is books, but Campus Book Rentals can help make things a little more affordable.

Some perks of renting textbooks include:

- save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
- free shipping both ways
- can highlight in the textbooks
- flexible renting periods
- they donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented

You can choose to rent by the quarter, semester, or the entire summer!  Their selection of textbooks is top notch, thousands of titles to choose from.   Renting textbooks saves you time and money... plain and simple!

Giveaway Winner Announcement: Martha Stewart Pets Prize Pack!

As an animal lover, being able to make another pet happy made my evening!   
It's time to tell you who won the Martha Stewart Pets prize pack.   

The lucky giveaway winner is:

Give the Gift of a Smile! Smiley Cookie (Review & Giveaway)

The holidays are right around the corner and most of us are trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on our gift list.  We all have one person on our list that either has everything or doesn't want anything, right?  Why not give them the gift of a smile?  Everyone can use a cheerful smile to brighten their day.

Smiley Cookie offers a wide variety of cookie gift baskets, customized cookies, and cookie gifts!  I can easily guarantee that these adorable cookies will put a smile on the face of anyone who receives them - young or old! 

You should have seen the faces of my children light up when I showed the cookies to them.  I ordered two dozen customized cookies in their favorite colors!  Pink and purple for my daughter and yellow and black for my son, he's a Steelers fan!   

They could hardly wait to eat them.  They also couldn't stop talking about how cute they were.  I would have to agree!   

Not only were the cute, but they were delicious.  The cookies themselves were soft and buttery.  The frosting just a little bit crunchy.  The perfect combination!

I was also very impressed with how well the cookies were packaged.  The cookies arrived quickly and safely, no broken smiles.  They were also packaged inside a tightly sealed plastic container inside a sturdy box covered in bright smiles.  The box is just as cute as the cookies, it just doesn't taste as good!

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Almond Breeze Almond Milk - 3 Winners!

One day closer to the Labor Day weekend and one day closer to my kids going back to school.  Where did the summer go?

Tonight I get to share the love and choose 3 lucky giveaway winners!  Be sure to enter for your chance to win...

Almond Breeze Almond Milk Giveaway - 3 Winners!

Do you have any fun Labor Day weekend plans?

FREEBIE: Get a FREE "You Like This" T-shirt

Bargain T-Shirts is offering a  FREE “You Like This” T-shirt when you like their Facebook page and fill out their form!

All they ask in return is that you post a picture of yourself wearing the free shirt on your Facebook timeline when it arrives.

Get your FREE SHIRT before it's too late! 

Are you a Working Mother? Free Working Mother Magazine Suscription

Are you a working mother that could use a little help, advice and encouragement?  Working Mother is the only national magazine that helps moms with careers balance their personal and professional lives.  

 Enjoy a free magazine subscription (6 issues) to Working Mother magazine.  No strings attached.  You'll never receive a bill.  This subscription is yours, compliments of StartSampling.com.

Fisher Trail Mix Giveaway - Ends Tonight!

If you're looking for a delicious, healthy, on-the-go snack idea, you're going to love the giveaway that ends tonight!

Be sure to enter for your chance to win a Fisher Trail Mix Variety Pack!

Fisher Trail Mix Giveaway 

What is your favorite trail mix ingredient?

Make Boating More Enjoyable With a Bimini Top from Empire Covers

Spending time on the lake with family and friends is one of our favorite summer activities.  Boating, swimming, tubing and camping on the lake is the perfect way to spend quality family time together and make memories that our children will remember forever!

  We recently received a bimini top for our boat and we love it!  A bimini top is a durable sunshade that provide protection from the hot summer sun but still allows you to enjoy the scenery from your boat.

Last weekend we come to realize just how much we loved having a bimini top for our boat...

 Two weeks prior we had gone on an 8 hour boating trip up the river.  It was just too hot!  We had to keep the boat moving and let the wind cool us down, or we had to stop the boat every 20 minutes and jump into the water just to stay comfortable.   As much as we love boating, the hot summer sun was just too much!

Last weekend we went boating, sporting our new grey bimini top and we were in heaven!  My husband's comment... "Wow, this is unreal!  We should have gotten one of these tops months ago!"

The bimini top provided us with protection from the hot sun, but still allowed us to enjoy all of the elements of a wonderful boating trip.  

I couldn't believe what a difference it made.  We had been missing out.

The simple fact that we didn't have the hot summer sun beating down on us all day long made a world of difference!  It made a fun day of boating so much more enjoyable!

Giveaway Winner Announcement: Wholly Guacamole &Salsa Prize Pack

Labor Day weekend is upon us and that means end of the summer BBQ's, picnics and parties.  Of course, we all know that salsa, guacamole and dips are the perfect addition to any get-together! 

In honor of Labor Day weekend, it's time to tell you who won the Wholly Guacamole & Salsa prize pack giveaway!

The lucky giveaway winner is:

Martha Stewart Pets Prize Pack: Giveaway Ends Tonight!

Do you like to spoil your pets?  PetSmart has a wonderful collection of Martha Stewart Pets supplies. Everything from pet toys, comfortable dog beds, adorable pet clothes, practical feeding supplies, and functional pet collars and leashes.

Martha Stewart Pets Prize Pack Giveaway 

Are you a cat or dog person?

Think Christmas! Minted Holiday & Christmas Cards - $50 Gift Card Giveaway!

I know that most of us are busy with back to school preparation, but the holidays are sneaking up on us quickly!  You may not want to admit it, but now is the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas cards and gifts!

My favorite holiday cards to give and receive are those with family photos on them!  This year, our Christmas cards have a picture of our two kids on them.  

It's a great way to share how much they have grown with friends and family that don't get to see them on a regular basis.

Minted is an online store offering fresh, modern custom stationery, holiday cards and invitation designs sourced from a global community of indie designers through monthly design contests.  

They believe that great design lives and thrives in the hands of independent brands and designers that consumers may not hear about or have access to through traditional retailers. 

Have a LEGO Fan? FREE Two Year Subscription to LEGO Magazine

If you have a LEGO fan in your family like I do, then this is the perfect freebie for you!  Right now, you can get a FREE two year subscription to Club LEGO Magazine!  My daughter receives this magazine and she absolutely loves it!

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 5

Today I begin my 6th week on the Nutrisystem plan and I'm thrilled to announce that I'm still focused, determined and going strong.  I'm taking my weight loss journey one day at a time, getting one step closer to my goals as each day passes.

The Nutrisystem program makes following the plan and losing weight easy!  The food is absolutely delicious, and includes all my favorites... pasta, pizza and of course, chocolate!  I also love the fact that my meals are color-coded, making it easy to organize and grab if you're in a hurry and running out the door!  Breakfast: Blue, Lunch: Orange, Dinner: Red, and Dessert: Purple!

What a coincidence... purple is my favorite color and dessert is my favorite meal of the day!  It was meant to be and I love it!!

During my 5th week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost...

Back to School Shopping – Saved $357 – Only 84 Cents OPP!

Last week, my daughter and I went on a back to school shopping spree while my son was at wrestling camp.  My daughter and I headed to the mall with a wallet full of money saving coupons and gift cards that I had won online.  Our mission was to get everything the kids needed for back to school while spending as little money out of pocket as possible!

We only shopped the clearance racks - making sure that we would get the most bang for our buck!  I love being able to combine clearance, coupons and free gift cards all together in one transaction. 

Some of the items purchased included an Adidas backpack, messenger bag, socks, undies, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, and 1 pair of shorts.  Oh, and let's not forget that our shopping trip also included a visit to Orange Julius and Go FroYo, which are also included in the total! 

Giveaway Winner Announcement: Itzbeen Baby Timer, New Life Maternity Shoes & Medela Baby Bottles!

WOW, after sharing over 70 wonderful baby shower gift ideas, reviews and giveaways... my July baby shower gift guide and giveaway event has officially come to an end.  I'm announcing the final 3 winners.   

I hope you all had as much fun with this special delivery event as I did!  It was a lot of work, but so worth it!  Now I'm trying to decide which type of event I should host next... any ideas?

Now it's time to tell you who won the last baby shower gift guide event giveaways: 

• Itzbeen Baby Care Timer Giveaway
• New Life Maternity Shoes Giveaway
• Medela Clama Baby Bottles Giveaway

The lucky giveaway winners are:

Giveaway Ending Tonight: $25 Grocery Outlet Gift Card - 2 Winners

Do you need to buy some back to school lunch and snack foods?  The only thing better than frugal grocery shopping is shopping for FREE!

Two lucky winners will receive a $25 Grocery Outlet Gift Card - Enter today!

$25 Grocery Outlet Gift Card Giveaway X2

We all know that free groceries taste the best! 

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Medela Calma Baby Bottles

Switching from bottle back to breast has never been easier. Calma was developed using evidence-based research on babies' natural feeding behavior so you can enjoy your breastfeeding bond longer.

Enter for your chance to win your very own Calma baby bottles from Medela...

Medela Calma Baby Bottles Giveaway

Milk Unleashed Blog App & Variety Pack Giveaway

It’s back to school time which means field trips, wrestling practice, dance recitals and maybe a little time for mom thrown in for good measure. Having an on-the-go lifestyle can be challenging to say the least and Milk Unleashed is here to help!

With handy single-serving shelf safe milk there’s no need to ever run out! You can take it anywhere at anytime! Milk Unleashed goes wherever your family goes, whether it’s a lunchbox, a cooler, purse or a diaper bag!

Here are a few reasons why you will love the Milk Unleashed Blog App:

• On-The-Go Games and Tips! Even cruising down the freeway can be an adventure! With these fun games and tips you can have some family time even when you are out on the road!
• On-The-Go Snacks! Have you ever wanted to try the world’s best smoothie? Well Milk Unleashed is here to make all your dreams come true! Find out the best snacks to grab that will make your next outing even more thrilling!
• Get Social! Tweet with the #MilkUnleashed hashtag to get your audience revved up for their next family adventure!

Giveaways Ending Tonight: Vegan Conscious Box & New Life Maternity Shoes

TGIF!  With only two weekends left before my children head back to school, the weekends are all about family time!  Before we know it, we are going to be spending our time at school functions and sporting events!

Don't forget to enter for your chance to win a Vegan gift box or a pair of comfortable maternity shoes.  Simply click on the links below:

Vegan Conscious Box Giveaway

New Life Maternity Shoes Giveaway 

When do your children start school?

Sports Illustrated Kids: SportsParent of the Year Contest‏

My son is an avid sports collector and loves getting his issue of Sports Illustrated Kids in the mail each month.  He knows more sports facts and stats that I even knew possible, it is something that he enjoys and connects with.

For the first time ever, Sports Illustrated Kids is naming a “SportsParent of the Year” and would like to invite you and your readers to enter or nominate an inspirational SportsParent! Modeled after the famed Sportsman and SportsKid of the Year awards, the SportsParent of the Year title will honor a parent who embodies the essence of sportsmanship. After all, we wouldn’t have a Sportsman or SportsKid without the role model who initially set the example. 

A true SportsParent is dedicated to using sports to support family and community, not scores and trophies. The SportsParent will exemplify qualities that SI Kids aims to impart to children through a shared passion for sports, including fun, dedication, healthy living, and the value of community and team. 

The “2012 SportsParent of the Year” Grand Prize Winner will receive a $1,000 gift card to support his/her child’s or community team’s sports needs! The winner may also be featured in an upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated Kids magazine and/or on SIKids.com. 

Tiny Prints: Back to School Giveaway ($50 Gift Card)

I know it’s still warm, but sadly the smell of sharpened pencils is starting to overpower the smell of sunscreen to signal the start of the new school year!  I'm thrilled to be able to offer a special Back to School with Tiny Prints giveaway!

My "babies" will be starting 3rd and 6th grade this year.  Sending my children back to school is always filled with mixed emotions.  On one hand I'm happy about it and being able to get back to working out at the gym on a regular basis and having a little "ME" time.  On the other hand I'm sad that I won't be able to spend all day with them doing fun things and making life-long summer memories.

I'm positive that the first day of school is always harder on me than it is on them.  I do my best to be strong in front of them and wait to breakdown until I get into the vehicle.

During the last few weeks of summer we do a few different things in order to prepare for the transition back to school!  Most importantly, we spend lots of time doing FUN activities together as a family.  Everything from camping, boating, swimming at the lake, bike rides and picnics at the park.

The kids and I always sit down together and fill their backpacks with all their new school supplies.  Everything from folders to binders and crayons to glue sticks.  I shop for these items on clearance so they always have a nice variety to choose from.  They especially love getting to choose their own folders because of the designs!

Join the NickMom Clique - Win Prizes, House Parties & More!

Are you a mom that likes to earn free stuff?  Join the NickMom Clique and start earning points towards great rewards, even in-home parties!  Right now you have the chance to be selected to host a NickMom House Party, win a $1000 shopping spree, win weekly prizes and much more!

More Giveaway Winners: MAM Baby Prize Pack & Swaddle Blanket Trio!

If you or someone you know is expecting or have a newborn at home, there are still several great baby giveaways to enter from my July Baby Shower Gift guide and Giveaway Event.  You can find a list of my current giveaways in the right sidebar, so be sure to check them all out and enter for your chance to win!

 

Now it's time to tell you who won the following two baby shower event giveaways.    

• MAM Baby Prize Pack Giveaway
• Swaddle Blanket Trio Giveaway

The lucky giveaway winners are:

Zaggora Viva HotPants - Heat Up Your Weight Loss (Review & Giveaway)

It's no secret that the easiest way to increase your weight loss is to combine diet and exercise!  It's been 5 weeks since I began my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem, and I'm loving the results.  I'm also making the effort to utilize my elliptical to maximize my weight loss, in hopes of reaching my weight loss goal by the end of 2012.

I've had two c-sections and am trying to lose 40 pounds.  My stomach, hips, thighs and butt are my trouble areas, and was pleased to discover that Zaggora HotPants covers all them all!    

We all know, as you burn calories, you lose weight.  Zaggora HotPants claim to help you lose weight 4 times faster by burning more calories each time you wear them.  I may be a little crazy, but it's like you can "feel" them working as you're working out!

The NEW Viva HotPants are bright, bold, funky and fun!  The colors remind me of spring!

Specially designed with Celu-Lite technology fabric lining, HotPants™ enhance your natural body temperature to warm you up in the areas you want to target most (thighs, bum, and legs).

A study done at the University of Brighton, with the Zaggora HotPants vs. regular workout wear discovered these facts:

• HotPants increase energy expenditure during exercise by 6%
• HotPants increase energy expenditure in the hour after exercise by 26%
• HotPants increase the core body temperature by an average of 18%
• Thermal sensation was significantly greater but still comfortable in HotPants

In my journey to lose weight, I'm always open to new and healthy ways to give me a little extra boost.  Weight loss pills will never be an option for me, but a great pair of workout pants is a welcome addition!

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Itzbeen Baby Care Timer

Even though my children are older, it's still hard to remember how long it's been since certain activities.  As parents, we get busy and some things just slip our minds.  Let's face it - there are times when we all need a little extra help!

Be sure to enter to win a great baby timer so that you can always remember how long itzbeen...

Itzbeen Baby Care Timer Giveaway 

How long has it been since you won a blog giveaway?

It Works! Ultimate Body Wrap - Tighten, Firm & Tone!

Whenever I hear promises of weight loss products claiming to help you quickly and easily lose weight, I'm always skeptical.  If it were really as simple as taking a pill everyday, we all would be skinny with perfect hair and dark tans - just like the people in all the ads and commercials.  Right?  The same thoughts crossed my mind when I first heard about It Works! body wraps,  beauty and wellness products.

As the months have passed, I keep hearing more and more people raving about the effects and results of using the It Works! products - especially their ultimate body applicator (AKA body wrap).  With all the hype, I simply had to try their product for myself.

I immediately knew that I wanted to try the It Works! Body Wrap.  I only had one dilemma... stomach or thighs, which trouble area was I going to wrap in hopes of getting amazing results?  Being a mother of two wonderful children, and two c-sections, I decided that my stomach was in need of the most attention.

The It Works! Ultimate Body Applicator: 

This body-slimming applicator is infused with an all-natural botanical formula that is absorbed through the skin. It is designed to tighten, firm, and tone our skin. Also works as an anti-inflammatory and improves cellulite, stretch marks, and over-all skin appearance. 

The applicator is worn for a minimum of 45 minutes and actually continues to process for 72 hours after it is removed. Everybody’s skin processes differently. Some medications store in your cells for a long time and it may take longer to process. 

This is a healthy cleanse for your body. You are actually feeding your body something healthy, and that's a great thing!

I'll admit that I wasn't sure what to expect as I took my before measurements and applied the wrap to my stomach.  Almost immediately I felt this warm, tingly sensation under the wrapped area - very weird!  Did that mean it was working?

No More Knots! Back to School Meltdown Contest + Knot Genie $4 Coupon

My daughter has long hair, so of course that means knots!  I try to remember to put her hair into braids when she's going to be doing certain activities, but it never seems to fail - she manages to get a few knots and I don't want to hurt her when I brush them out!

Are you ready to join the thousands and thousands of mamas who no longer dread the hair brushing drama? Then The Knot Genie Detangling Brush is for you! The Knot Genie and Teeny Genie were created to not only to make brushing of even the most unruly hair effortless, but to create peace in households around the world at bath time. Their unique bristles act like little "fingers" gently untangling knots and tangles. The amazing Knot Genie magically gets rid of knots. Not to mention complaining.

With the introduction of four new Knot Genie colors in their limited edition Back to School Collection, they’re also running a fun contest. The contest is called, the Knot Genie Back to School Morning Meltdown contest. 

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced a foot stomping-shrieking-morning meltdown at that critical time when you’re trying to get your child off to school. Recount (if it’s not to painful) your worst meltdown and how you diffused the situation and enter your story in our contest. Ask your friends and family to vote for your entry and you could win $500.00. The first 50 people to enter will get great prizes just for participating.

Be sure to enter the contest and get your $4 coupon today!

4 Ways to Go Frugal with Health Insurance

Just like there is no free lunch, there's no free health insurance. Health care costs are steadily rising in this economy, too, so if you intend on living frugally, this is one area of your budget that you must keep a steady eye on. There are millions of ways to save on health insurance and healthcare costs that most people don't really know about. Here are a just a few to get you started on your way to more frugal spending on healthcare.

1. Look for work that provides health benefits.

If you are currently working a job that offers no health care benefits, it would be wise for you to start looking for different work. If you are married, most employer-covered insurance plans will cover family members too, so talk things out with your spouse and make sure that at least one of you is getting employer-sponsored health insurance. If you are single, seek out work with benefits, even if it pays less. You'll be saving potentially thousands of dollars a year by working for an employer who offers benefits.

2. Always go to doctors who are in your plan's network.

It can be tempting to stay with certain healthcare providers even after you get insurance coverage and they aren't in your network. Know, however, that in-network doctors tend to be much, much cheaper. By going to doctors who are out of network, you're essentially throwing away many of the savings that accrue by being insured.

3. Open a flexible spending account.

Find the Best Promo Codes & Deals on the Web: Coupons by Answers!

  
Coupons, sales, clearance, frugal... are just a few of my favorite words!  I make it a point every single time I go shopping to see just how much money I can actually save.  Whether it be for groceries, clothing, gifts, dining out or for entertainment - I'm always looking for the best deal.  Money saving coupons are everywhere if you just take a little time to look.

I'm being completely honest when I tell people that I rarely pay full price for anything.  I just can't accept the reality of paying retail prices for anything.  I take pride in knowing that I'm using every possible resource to save my family as much money as I can.  It's those savings and my frugal ways of shopping that pay for the fun extras that we are able to enjoy together as a family.

You can easily use Coupons.Answers to find great deals and promo codes for almost every retailer, including all your favorites.  My favorite way to save money is to combine sales or clearance prices with a coupon for maximum savings.  It's my personal goal to have a coupon for over half of the items in my cart!

Giveaway Winner Announcement: Mommy Necklace & ErgoBaby Baby Carrier

It's time to tell you who won the following mom and baby giveaways that were a part of my special baby shower event. 

• Mommy Necklace Giveaway 
• ErgoBaby Baby Carrier Giveaway

The lucky giveaway winners are:

Giveaway Ending Tonight: $25 Famous Footwear Gift Card

My daughter and I were at Famous Footwear yesterday afternoon doing a little back to school shopping.  Famous Footwear has more than just shoes - they also have a great selection of backpacks and socks!

Don't miss your chance to do a little frugal back to school shopping... enter today!

$25 Famous Footwear Gift Card Giveaway

Have you finished your back to school shopping?

5 Hour ENERGY - Give it a Shot! (Review & Giveaway)

How often do you find yourself needing a little extra energy?  Do you reach for a cup of coffee, a can of soda, an energy drink or possibly a combination?  Coffee is my personal choice, but my husband has to have his daily dose of 5 Hour Energy! 

My husband has to wake up very early to go to work on a daily basis, working long hours.  His job is very physical and he has to work outside in the elements year-round, from extreme heat to extreme cold.  Making sure that he stays healthy and has enough energy each day is critical!

If you ask my husband if he can go a day without his energy drink - he will tell you that it's not an option.  He swears by them and I make sure that he never runs out!

There are days that I simply feel exhausted and have no motivation, I'd be happy sitting on the couch all day, but you and I both know that doing nothing all day long isn't an option. I decided to give 5 Hour Energy a try for myself...

Last week was super busy, we were on-the-go all week long.  There were a couple nights where I didn't get to sleep until after midnight and was up before 6am the following morning.  5 Hour Energy delivers exactly what it promises... ENERGY!   I felt more perky and motivated than I had in days!

The Smiley360 “Capture Your Summer” Contest

Summer is quickly coming to an end, my children head back to school in just two weeks. There’s nothing like making lifelong memories of hot summer days and time spent with family, great friends, good food, good times and beautiful scenery.   

 If you ask my children what their favorite memory about this summer has been so far, they will tell you all about our trip to the West Edmonton Mall in Canada.

While we were there, the kids had a picture perfect moment with a real sea lion.  After watching the sea lion show, the kids got up close and personal with the star of the show!

They have seen sea lions before, on our summer vacations to the Oregon Coast - but they have never been this close to one.  This was a moment of a lifetime and one that they will remember forever!

 

Our summer fun didn't stop there... we have been spending a lot of time at the lake boating, swimming and tubing.  We have been making the most out of every moment this summer, as we know that we don't always get tomorrow - so we have to make the most of today! 

 

Just look at all the fun memories we have made this summer...