Announcing... Black Friday "Blog-Busters"!

In the spirit of the holidays I have decided to do an event within an event! That means that during my Christmas Extravaganza I will be hosting a special Black Friday "Blog-Busters" event! You will be able to enter to win $450 worth of items from 4 great companies starting this Friday! My normal daily reviews and giveaways will still be posted, except 4 giveaways will go up on Friday!

I will be posting extra entries throughout the next few days, but to get a head start on extra entries, leave me some comments on this post!

The first 5 people to comment will get 2 extra entries into each of the Black Friday "Blog-Busters" giveaways!

All you have to do is tell me what your favorite Black Friday sale item is this year! Have fun!

Columbia Review!

When I think about winter snow gear one of the first companies that always comes to mind is Columbia, because they are at the forefront when it comes to new and innovative outerwear. Columbia has been around since 1938, and they have been keeping families warm ever since! They started as a small family run company and have expanded to the global company that we now all know and love. To learn more about the fascinating history behind Columbia, please click here.

Columbia recently sent me some items to review, and I'm so excited to share my opinions with you all, because I am absolutely in love with the items! I was sent the Quilt-Essentials™ Full Zip for myself in the Bark shade. I love this jacket so much I barely even know where to begin! First of all, it has been a wonderful piece of clothing for Fall, because I can wear it on the chillier days. Also, you can use it as a layering piece on colder days since their's plenty of room to wear a few layers underneath without it looking bulky. The 100% polyester Microadvantage Fleece makes it super comfy, and I just love how soft it has stayed after multiple trips through the washer and dryer. The
Omni-Shield™ advanced repellency is another feature that I love because there have been times where I get caught in the rain while wearing it, and the water doesn't soak in, keeping me nice and dry! This feature also protects against stains, which as all you moms out there know, is a great feature to have! I recommend this fleece jacket to all of you out there, because it is comfortable, warm, and protective from the elements. You will not be sorry when you order this!

Columbia also sent Izzy the Arctic Andrea™ Reversible Set in Dark Laurel, and I love the set just as much as I love the fleece! For one thing, this set is extremely functional, because, like the fleece, it also features the Omni-Shield advanced repellency which means that once the snow hits it will mean more protection from getting wet while Izzy plays in the snow! The snow pants are an adjustable bib style with a fleece top, which is great for adding some extra warmth. They also have a grow cuff on them, which means as she grows taller we can adjust the length. One of Izzy's favorite features is that the set is reversible. She is a girl after all, so she likes her options! The jacket has an adjustable hood, and is very warm. The layering aspect of the fleece and jacket will be a great thing to have on the especially colder days. Sorry for Izzy's funky faces in photos, she likes to goof around!

So, can you tell how much I love Columbia as a company? I'm extremely satisfied with the products they sent to me, and I really think the quality and price make a great value. Keep Columbia in mind when it comes time to shopping for all of your winter gear needs this year!

PBF Collections Review and Giveaway!

Yay! I'm so excited to be bringing you guys so many fabulous handmade gift ideas right now! Today's giveaway comes to us from PBF Collections, an Etsy shop that makes all sorts of fun girly accessories from knit items to purses! Ana is the owner of the shop and she is very passionate about bring fun fashion items to her customers at affordable prices. What really caught my eye about her creations was her use of unique fabrics that are both vibrant and bold. Ana definitely has an eye for style!

Being located in Las Vegas, Nevada means that Ana is able to stay current with the upcoming fashion trends and bring them to her customer at prices they can afford. Ana sent me the Pink Bird Pyramid Purse and I think it's really pretty. I like that it features complementing patterns of fabric, and the plywood bird button is a lovely accent to the purse (it came from Italy!). Ana hand dyed the lining, which adds a nice touch to purse. The shape of the purse is oblong, so it's a nice purse to carry when you have longer items that you need to fit inside (such as a large water bottle, an umbrella, or a magazine). The stitching is very nicely done, but there are a few minor stitching flaws on the bottom of the bag. Now, for me, this doesn't bother me since I tend to find beauty in the imperfections of handmade items. Ana also assured me that this only happened because it was one of the first she made of the pattern. Overall, it's a great purse, perfect for both teenagers and older women. I think it really dresses up a plainer outfit, so it's great for both casual and formal events.

Ana has also decided to award one of you lucky ladies with something too! One lucky reader will win the Cell Phone/Mp3 Pouch in the Bold Flowers print. I've seen the print and it's very beautiful. To see an example of what the Cell Phone/Mp3 Pouches look like click here. This would make a great gift to keep for yourself or to give to someone else, maybe as the gift packaging if you're giving someone a new cell phone or Mp3 player for Christmas!

Be sure to check out PBF Collections' blog to see new items and learn more about their creations!Also, for all you Twilight fans out there, check out her items fashioned after some of the popular Twilight trends!

Here are the entry rules:
1. (This is the mandatory entry) Receive one entry for visiting PBF Collections and telling me what your favorite item is! Make sure you leave your EMAIL address in this entry.
2. Receive two entries for following my blog and telling me that you do in two separate comments.
3. Receive one entry for being an email subscriber and telling me that you are in a comment.
4. Receive three entries for grabbing my new button and putting it on your blog. Leave three separate comments.
5. Receive three extra entries for posting my Christmas button on your blog. Leave three separate comments.
5. Receive one entry per day for following me on Twitter and tweeting about the giveaway! Leave me a comment each day to let me know that you did.
6. Receive one entry per day for updating your Facebook status and including the link to this giveaway. Leave a comment with a status link.
7. Receive five entries for blogging about this giveaway on your blog and leave me the link in a comment.

This giveaway will end on November 29, 2009 at 11:59 pm. At that time I will choose a winner using random.org and let them know through email. The lucky winner will have 48 hrs to respond before a new winner will be chosen.

I have a confession to make...

I have a confession to make... I'm a "Christmas-aholic". We just put the tree up (no lights or ornaments yet, but still, it's early, lol). I don't know what came over me, but I was so ready for Christmas this year! I've gotten so into the music and the shopping (with coupons and price matches OF COURSE!) and the decorations this year, it's really surprised me. Normally, I don't like the thought of all that until at least after Thanksgiving is over, but this year is the first year that Izzy actually sort of knows what's going on, so I guess that had to do with it. I think she talks about Santa Claus 20 times a day, and LOVES to talk about the reindeer especially! So, in honor of the Christmas spirit, what are some of your favorite Christmas songs? I used to have a music player up on the blog, but I took it down so I could put Christmas music up. First 5 people to tell me their favorite Christmas song will get 1 extra entry into one of the giveaways that is currently up (tell me which one, and I'll add it for you). Have fun!

Lil' Princess Bowtique Winner!

Congrats to comment #20! You won the Lil' Princess Bowtique Giveaway!

Chelsea said...

i love the purple sheer!

chels_leigh4 AT yahoo DOT com

I will email you right now and you have 48 hours to respond. Congrats!

Turtle Taylor Giveaway!

Ever feel like you have millions of crayons floating around your house? That you become aware of those crayons by the blunt snapping sound they make when you step on them? If this sounds at all like you, you need to check out today's giveaway! The Etsy shop Turtle Taylor comes to us from Cheryl, who makes many different handmade items for children. Her inspiration comes from her two daughters, to whom she is a stay at home mom. She makes a variety of quality items for the diaper bag, including diaper wipe cases. She makes things that seem boring because they are functional into works of art to accompany your everyday life! Some of the other items she creates include Crayon Wallets and holiday and birthday themed accessories.

She has graciously decided to send one of you lucky ladies a fabulous Crayon Wallet, which can easily save your sanity when it comes to storing your child's crayons! She also makes a variety of quality items for the diaper bag, including diaper wipe cases. She makes things that seem boring because they are functional into works of art to accompany your everyday life!

You will love the fact that Cheryl can personalize so many different items, and I can't wait to see who wins!

Here are the entry rules:
1. (This is the mandatory entry) Receive one entry for visiting Turtle Taylor and telling me why a crayon wallet would be so handy for you! Make sure you leave your EMAIL address in this entry.
2. Receive two entries for following my blog and telling me that you do in two separate comments.
3. Receive one entry for being an email subscriber and telling me that you are in a comment.
4. Receive three entries for grabbing my new button and putting it on your blog. Leave three separate comments.
5. Receive three extra entries for posting my Christmas button on your blog. Leave three separate comments.
5. Receive one entry per day for following me on Twitter and tweeting about the giveaway! Leave me a comment each day to let me know that you did.
6. Receive one entry per day for updating your Facebook status and including the link to this giveaway. Leave a comment with a status link.
7. Receive five entries for blogging about this giveaway on your blog and leave me the link in a comment.

This giveaway will end on November 28, 2009 at 11:59 pm. At that time I will choose a winner using random.org and let them know through email. The lucky winner will have 48 hrs to respond before a new winner will be chosen.

Kumon Review and Giveaway!

"Nothing inspires a child like the skills and confidence to succeed on her own" ~Kumon Website

Kumon is an educational company that was founded 50 years ago in Japan by teacher and parent Toru Kumon. His mission was to help his son achieve greater success in school, and the system he created was so productive that his son was doing calculus by the time he was a sixth grader! The purpose of Kumon's reading and math programs is to help children become stronger at gaining the fundamental skills necessary to help them achieve greater academic performance.

Kumon stresses the point that every child has untapped abilities and potential to excel at whatever they put their mind to, which is why it is so important to instill confidence in your children from a young age. There are over 1,500 Kumon Centers in North America, and centers in 44 other countries around the world, helping children achieve greater success, one day at a time.

By using the Kumon method with your children they will develop:
"A mastery of the basics of reading and math
Improved concentration and study habits
Increased self-discipline and self-confidence
A proficiency in material at every level
Performance to each student’s full potential
A sense of accomplishment" (Taken from the Kumon website).

I have always loved the Kumon Publishing products that we have tried, and have noticed a hige difference in Izzy's knowledge and skill level after using them for a while. Kumon Publishing sent me a selection of workbooks ("Let's Color", "Let's Fold", "Let's Cut Paper")to review with the help of Izzy. Within about a week of using them, I noticed a large jump in Izzy's skill levels when it came to coloring inside the lines, cutting shapes, and folding. She is almost 3, and when we began using the workbooks she still had some difficulty, especially with using scissors. She is now able to hold scissors correctly in order to cut shapes, and she almost always tries to color inside the lines! They also sent us some workbooks that focus on tracing, doing mazes, and writing letters, and I have seen an improvement in those areas as well. It's amazing how much fun she has while learning new skills! I recommend these products to all parents, no matter what ages or skill levels your children are at!

Want to win some workbooks for your children? Kumon Publishing will be sending the lucky winner a set of 4 Kumon workbooks, which are sure to help give your child some extra skills to help them achieve greater success!

Here are the entry rules:
1. (This is the mandatory entry) Receive one entry for visiting Kumon Publishing and telling me which workbook is your favorite. Make sure you leave your EMAIL address in this entry.
2. Receive two entries for following my blog and telling me that you do in two separate comments.
3. Receive one entry for being an email subscriber and telling me that you are in a comment.
4. Receive three entries for grabbing my new button and putting it on your blog. Leave three separate comments.
5. Receive three extra entries for posting my Christmas button on your blog. Leave three separate comments.
5. Receive one entry per day for following me on Twitter and tweeting about the giveaway! Leave me a comment each day to let me know that you did.
6. Receive one entry per day for updating your Facebook status and including the link to this giveaway. Leave a comment with a status link.
7. Receive five entries for blogging about this giveaway on your blog and leave me the link in a comment.

This giveaway will end on November 26, 2009 at 11:59 pm. At that time I will choose a winner using random.org and let them know through email. The lucky winner will have 48 hrs to respond before a new winner will be chosen.