7/11/13

Enter The @BrooksAtwood #HGTVstar Twitter Giveaway Contest Sunday 7-14

Enter The @BrooksAtwood #HGTVstar Twitter Giveaway Contest
This Sunday, July 14th 8pm EST/7C

Contest: Take a quick picture of yourself, friends and family or even your pet watching Brooks on this week’s #HGTVSTAR challenge—each of the final four do a design makeover of a bus and appear on The Talk with Julie Chen and Sheryl Underwood, to offer design tips.

Five giveaway contestants will win the coveted Brooks Atwood “Design Like A Rock Star” T-shirt and one lucky winner will receive a grouping of vintage glassware that Brooks has repurposed by painting white for a cool look (like he did recently on King 5 Seattle). Brooks will autograph every piece.

To enter, tweet your HGTVstar viewing party photo to @BrooksAtwood using #TeamBrooks and #HGTVstar during the show this Sunday 8/7C. Contest ends 7/15/2013 at 10am EST, winners will be announced Tuesday, July 16th at 12pm EST.

Current Giveaways

The Dream House - Throwback Thursday

Includes affiliate link.

Welcome to Throwback Thursday Link Up!
Sponsored By:

Join Us Each Weekly as We Add a New Stroll Down Memory Lane to
Our Weekly Throwback Thursday Link Up.
Each week we will have a quick post about a "walk down memory lane" or "what if" type of post for Throwback Thursday.

Lisa and Bonnie would love it if you would:
Please link back to our blogs or posts. You will find the buttons below.
The "Throwback Thursday Link Up" will benefit those who participate!
Each post should be along the lines of a fond memory our what ever happened...? or even do you remember...? Please do not link to a site other than your own.
Please make sure you use your own photos in your posts, OR make sure to give credit to your photo source.
Also please take the time to visit at least three of the blogs when you add your link, and share upon your visit.
Please do not link to the same post more than once.
All posts must be family friendly!

As an added feature you may add ONE text link (word; not some obvious shout out) to an affiliate link for a product discussed/mentioned in your post. Example: I remember having a favorite pillow that made the rounds to each and every sleepover throughout my youth. Make sure you make you note in your post about the affiliate link for the FCC!

Let's enjoy a stroll down memory lane; maybe a family vacation or a wonderful food from your childhood. Truly the options are endless!


The Dream House
In 2005, this house was my dream house. We bought it and moved in with big dreams of a large family house, a staircase the children would come down on Christmas morning, a separate area for my daycare business, and a huge yard in back that would eventually host the swimming pool. It was so exciting and I finally felt like I had "made it" in my life. Funny how things change!
This is my dream house in 2013. We're renting not buying, so we are not tied down by mortgages, homeowners' insurance, and owner repairs. It's a one-story house so I never have to climb the stairs again with a laundry basket or vacuum steps with the fear of falling. The only office area I need now is for blogging and scrapbooking. There are no safety gates or outlet covers and I can leave my knife block on my counter. The backyard is for barbecues and my dog Buddy's "business." It's much smaller and much easier to clean. Yes, things do change!

Flight of the Butterflies continues in Austin


The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas, will continue to show the award-winning IMAX 3-D documentary, Flight of the Butterflies, through the summer due to popular demand! Don't miss your chance to see it!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is Coming


Follow CAPTAIN AMERICA on Twitter: @CaptainAmerica
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER releases in theaters on April 4, 2014

Never Too Old To Learn

I always get goosebumps when I hear about an elderly person finally getting their degree. I think it's fantastic! There are so many opportunities to learn new things and you don't have to be a young college student to continue your education. Look around your town for opportunities to take local classes on cooking, crafting, and canning. Many of them are offered free and they offer everyone a change to learn something new and meet some wonderful new people. There are lots of ways to continue your education through online classes as well. You can relax in the comfort of your air-conditioning, clad in your summer jammies, and learn something new. LeanForward offers full service and affordable elearning solutions, including web-based trainings, computer-based trainings and instructor-led trainings. They develop online simulations and games with blended learning solutions. When I was a childcare provider, I took a variety of online and classroom trainings because the Texas Childcare Licensing department required at least 20 hours of training per year to meet minimum standards. I believe they now require at least 30 hours of continuing education. With so many wonderful opportunities for summer learning and education, why not discover something new for yourself? I have always told my children, "People can take away anything you have, except for your education." They watched me get my Bachelor's degree as a single parent while I worked full time. They also watched me get my Master's degree online while working full time. My husband also earned his Associate's and his Bachelor's degree online in the past few years. Having an education is priceless!

7/9/13

Win Two Sonicare for Kids Rechargeable Electric Toothbrushes - Christmas in July Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop hosted by Just Married with Coupons, Sweep Tight and Matter of Cents! Enter to win hundreds of dollars in prizes by hopping from blog to blog! The grand prize sponsor is Maggie Bags. They take recycled material and give it new life by creating eco-friendly and sophisticated handbags! Other sponsors include SodaTabs and JustSweep!
I'm giving away TWO
Philips Sonicare for Kids
Rechargeable Electric Toothbrushes!
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.
Open to US residents, ages 18 and up.
Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 7/17/2013.
Good luck!

Win $20 Cash - Anything Goes Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Anything Goes Giveaway Hop

This event is hosted by The Review Wire and Review Wire Media. This hop is dedicated to...anything! All participating blogs have a giveaway of at least $20 so hop down the list to see what they have in store for you. Make sure to also check out the Grand Prize over at The Review Wire and enter to win a pair of Bluebuds X Headphones from Jaybird, a retail value of $170!

Enter below to win $20 Cash! 
Open to US residents, ages 18 and up. 
Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 7/31/2013. 
Good luck!

Nonni's THINaddictives - Review

Disclosure: I received Nonni's products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Still searching for that perfectly light, sweet, and crunchy snack that's good for you? You should try Nonni's THINaddictives! These artisan Almond Thins are healthy and delicious, plus they come pre-portioned with three in each little on-the-go package, six packages to a box.
Made from real ingredients (that you can pronounce) like wheat flour, eggs, sugar, almonds, cranberries, raisins and pistachios. They are low-fat with zero grams of trans fat, with antioxidant-rich ingredients in every single bite. They are available in three addictive flavors - Cranberry Almond Thins, Cinnamon Raisin Almond Thins, and Pistachio Almond Thins.
My favorite flavor is the Cranberry and they are definitely addicting! Three thins are the perfect healthy snack for me especially mid-afternoon when my lunch energy has worn off and I'm getting sleepy. Almonds always supercharge me and Nonni's THINaddictives curb my desire for something sweet. These would also be the perfect "dessert-like" treat for a child's lunchbox too!
Discover all of Nonni's delicious food products at www.nonnisfoods.com and connect with the THINaddictives social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Your Pet is a Superhero at PetSmart

Disclosure: I received PetSmart products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
This summer, show your superhero pet how super you think he is with these adorable exclusive DC Comics and Marvel pet toys, tee shirts, bandanas, and more. How cute would your fuzzy girl look in a new Wonder Woman Dress? Style your dog in a new Spiderman or Hulk tee!
Check out these darling dog toys I received for Buddy...a Supergirl chew doll, a Batman ball plush and a Robin ball plush. They are super soft and super fun, with special effects like squeakers and crinkly materials to make playtime more fun.
I love to surprise Buddy with a new toy because it turns him from a lazy, ten year old dog into a bouncy, perky-eared puppy again. Watching him roll around the floor and chase after a new toy is great exercise for him and he loves the attention.
PetSmart knows pets and provides the highest quality pet supplies and pet accessories to help your pets live a long and healthy life. I've trusted PetSmart for many years and think it's fabulous that they let customers bring their pets into the store to shop. We've even used their dog training classes!
Shop www.petsmart.com for all your pet needs and be sure to get some of these exclusive DC and Marvel toys and pet clothes before they're gone! Make sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter so you can be first to hear about new exclusive products and special discounts.

Keep Cool With Printable Beverage Coupons

offer expired

Win a Trip to Florida - No Bake Contest

Safest Choice Eggs invites you to show off your culinary skills and submit creative no bake recipes for delicious desserts, mouth-watering entrees and other tasty treats. Recipes should use eggs (using Safest Choice Eggs, of course! to keep your recipe safe) as an ingredient and not require any cook time in the oven. The first 100 entrants will be mailed a FREE coupon for a dozen Safest Choice Eggs.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a prize package including a trip for two to Florida, accommodations for two days and three nights at a luxury resort, a $1,000 travel stipend, a Calphalon Non-stick 9-Piece Cookware Set, set of 4 Ici Silicone Tools, Chef Giuliano’s cookbook, Hazan Family Favorites, free Safest Choice Eggs for one year and of course, a cooking lesson and delicious meal prepared by Giuliano - all valued at more than $5,000 USD.

Three finalists will also receive a kitchen prize package including a Calphalon Nonstick 9-piece Cookware Set, a set of four Ici Silicone Tools, Chef Giuliano’s cookbook, Hazan Family Favorites, and free Safest Choice Eggs for one year - all valued at more than $400 USD.

READY TO ENTER?
Just click HERE to get started!

Where to Win a New Car


ENTER AT THE LINKS BELOW TO WIN A NEW CAR!














7/8/13

Win $100 Amazon Gift Card

 

Makobi Scribe and Sason and Pobi are bringing you this Amazon Twitter blast. The winner will receive an Amazon gift card for $100. The giveaway is open to Everyone :) Good Luck! 

Pulled Pork A1 Tortillas - Tasty Tuesday #Recipe Link Up

Welcome to Tasty Tuesday Recipe Link Up
Sponsored By:

Join Us Each Week as We Add New Recipes to Our Weekly Tasty Tuesday Recipe Link Up.
Recipes shared need not be 5 star rated restaurant quality to impress. Link up your family’s favorites and maybe find a new family favorite among the recipes listed below. I’m always on the lookout for something new to try and share with my family.
Lisa and Bonnie would love it if you would:
Please link back to our blogs or posts. You will find the button below.
The “Tasty Tuesday Link Up” will benefit those who participate!
The recipe needs to be a recipe YOU made. Please do not link to a site other than your own.
Please make sure you use your own photos in your recipes, make sure to give credit to your source.
Also please take the time to visit at least three of the blogs when you add your link, and share upon your visit (having share button on each post is beneficial).
Please do not link to the same recipe more than once.
As an added feature you may add ONE text link (word; not some obvious shout out) to an affiliate link for a product used in your recipe. Example: Add 1 tsp Vanilla. Make sure you make you note in your post about the affiliate link for the FCC!
So, dust off those family treasured recipes and let the sharing begin!
Pulled Pork A1 Wraps: The Perfect Lunch
Take two flour tortillas, center one piece of American Cheese on each.
Scoop 1/2 cup of pulled pork onto each cheese slice; warm in
microwave oven for 45 seconds. Drizzle with A-1 Steak Sauce.
Fold in half and enjoy. When your lunch runs down your arm to your elbow,
you know you're eating good!

Empty Nest Home - Photojournal

Before we moved anything in the house, I wanted to get photos of each room. As we settle in and decorate, I'll be using many of these for before/after shots. Enjoy the tour!
 The front of the house.
 The front entryway.
 View from the door into the house.
The dining room.
Another shot of the dining room.
 The dining room from the kitchen.
 The kitchen.
 The kitchen from the dining room.
 My itty bitty pantry.
 The living room.
 Formal dining in the living room; soon to be our office.

Flatout Flatbread - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 
It's so easy to create a healthy and delicious lunch with Flatout Flatbread. They are perfect for on-the-go lunches and kids love to make their own meals with Flatout Flatbread. Available in Multigrain and Light Original Wrap, these whole wheat flatbreads are loaded with fiber and protein, while minimizing calories and carbs.
We've used them for flatbread pizza, scrambled egg wraps, peanut butter and jelly rollups, and veggie wraps this week. Everyone in my family loves them. They can be warmed in the oven or microwave, or used at room temperature like lunchbreads.  I really like that flatbreads are so versatile for meal prep!
Kids love to have fun in the kitchen and using Flatout Flatbreads helps keep the mess to a minimum and the fun at a maximum. Some of the most special memories are made in the kitchen and we received some wonderful Flatout products to create our own meal ideas. You can find Flatout Flatbread at Sam's Clubs across the USA!
Visit www.flatoutbread.com to learn more! Plus you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter for fun ideas and great recipes. Then enter below to win a Flatout Good Prize Pack right here on my blog!
ENTER TO WIN! 
The Flatout Good Prize Pack includes a Kids' Chef Kit and a $45 Sams Club Gift Card. To enter, just fill in the easy Rafflecopter form below. Open to US residents, ages 18 and older. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 7/31/2013. Good luck!

Hawaiian Tropic and Schick for Summer Legs - Review

Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
The temperature in Texas has hit 100 degrees regularly for several weeks now and I've been wearing shorts every day to try to keep cool. I have never been a big fan of shaving my legs, but I hate hairy legs more. Schick has discovered a way to make shaving more enjoyable - Their new Xtreme3 razor handles are scented with Hawaiian Tropics scents!
It's been a long time since I've used a Schick razor and I'm so impressed with these Xtreme3 razors. There are three blades for a really close shave, and there is a strip at the top of the blades that contains Aloe, Vitamin E and Jojoba. The handles are shaped with lots of ridges to reduce the chances of slipping (and slicing) while shaving. I haven't cut my legs open and surprisingly I haven't had to deal with any razor burn (even in those sensitive spots).
Sun protection is a must in the summer and this new Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Clear Mist Spray Sunscreen is awesome. It smells so wonderful but best of all it's not greasy or oily. It sprays on clear and feels very light on my skin. It has an SPF of 30 plus it's water resistant. It leaves my skin very soft with its 12-hour moisturizers. Of all the sunscreens I've tried, I like this one best.
My favorite product of the summer is the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion. I'm very careful not to burn my skin, but even just a short outdoor activity can really dry out my legs. This lotion is ultra-hydrating and contains Aloe to moisturize my skin and soothe it if I happen to get too much sun. I adore the Coconut Papaya scent and I've actually been using this on my legs as my daily lotion because I love how soft it makes my legs. You can find all these products at drug stores, food stores, and mass retailers nationwide! You can also visit www.shaving.com and www.hawaiiantropic.com for more information. You can also connect with Hawaiian Tropic on Facebook.