MyCoupons.com

I love coupons! Now that we are a family of three I have become much more conscious of our spending. Now we have this little one who we need to be sure we are taking care of financially. But we also need to make sure we are getting her the things she needs and providing her with fun experiences. So whenever I can find a good deal I am all over it!

I spend a lot of time searching the Internet for a discount code or printable coupons. Sometimes I find myself at dead ends wasting time on sites that didn't have anything to offer. MyCoupons.com is really a great resource to use to find great deals at your finger tips.

Here is a little about what MyCoupons.com has to offer:

·         Hundreds of coupons codes on site from retailers like Sears, Macys, Kmart, Children’s Place, and many more!
·         Nations oldest coupon site – founded in 1995
·         CouponPros on staff that talk to merchants to get exclusive deals and to help people with couponing and saving money
·         Exclusive offers only available on site
·         Weekly Newsletter emailed with top deals and promotions
·         Facebook site with VIP List for additional deals and weekly prize giveaways
·         Discounted Gift Cards – buy retailer cards below face value, ex. AMC Theatre card with $25 balance for $21.25

The site is well organized and easy to navigate. Whether you are looking for grocery coupons, discount gift cards, or deals at tons of stores you can easily and quickly find what's available. Can you can even search by alphabetical order to see if your favorite store is listed (they have so many, I bet it is!). They even have offers for things for you to do with your family. You can find everything from Netflix coupons to Expedia coupons.

Check out the site and start saving!

Balloon Time - Review and Giveaway

No birthday party is complete without balloons! Well, this year we had decided my daughter's would be. Why you ask? Because with all the hustle and bustle on the big day running out at the last moment to get balloons just doesn't always make sense. I did it last year for my daughter's 1st birthday and I ended up having to wait in line for 20 minutes and then wait while one person slowly blew up the balloons I needed. Needless to say it set me back on my tight schedule. So this year my husband wanted to avoid my rage and said no balloons!

Then I discovered Balloon Time. These great helium balloon kits can be picked up at tons of local retailers, including Target and Walmart. With this kit you have your own small helium tank and balloons ready to be blown up when you're ready at the scene of the party.

This worked out perfectly for us! My parents had come a few minutes early so I put them to work. My dad used the tank, my mom tied the knots, and my sister attached the ribbon. Then I was free to place them wherever I wanted without feeling rushed or frazzled. Teamwork and success!

I'm so glad we didn't go without balloons at this wonderful celebration. And I'm so glad we gave Balloon Time a try. It saved me time and money.

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a voucher for a free Balloon Time product.
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Like Balloon Time on Facebook OR follow them on twitter (you can do both for two entries)

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog 
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook 
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail

This giveaway is open to US only.
This giveaway ends on June 22, 2011  at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Transformers: Beast Wars - Now on DVD!

Brace yourself to relive some of the most epic TRANSFORMERS battles and non-stop action adventures through the 15th Anniversary release of BEAST WARS.  In 1996, TRANSFORMERS fans were introduced to this stunning saga between the heroic MAXIMALS and the evil PREDACONS wherethese powerful TRANSFORMERS disguised themselves as some of the fiercest and most ferocious animals on Earth. In a flash of an instant, these beasts turned into battle-tested robot warriors ready for combat. Created by Hasbro and produced by Mainframe Entertainment, the hugely successful animated series TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS ran for three successful television seasons and garnered an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.  

On June 7, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc., will unleash theTRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set, featuring all 26 visually stunning episodes and exciting bonus features.  A must-have for fans and families, this DVD set promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with exciting adventures and is priced to own at $29.93 SRP. 

I don't have all the many memories of Transformers. My mom says that I watched them sometimes, but what I really do remember is the toys. My friend had a whole bunch of them and when I would go over to play that was always what I wanted to play with. He would always narrate using proper terminology from the show, but I would just want to transform them.

But when I heard that they were releasing this DVD I was really interested. I was sure my husband must have watched them and I absolutely love a blast from the past. I was right, he had watched them and he was really excited to relive it and share it with our daughter.

Some of the cartoons today just don't live up to our expectations so it's really cool to be able to share cartoons of the past with our kids. Check it out today!

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie is a great book for young readers. This story is geared for children ages 8-10 and is something that children that age can really relate to. Here is a little about the story:

LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE is the sweet and poignant story of a young girl named Eleanor who is not happy. Her beloved babysitter, Bibi, is moving away. Suddenly, the things that she used to enjoy aren't fun anymore. Everything reminds her of Bibi. To make matters worse, Eleanor has a new babysitter who just isn't the same.

I found this story to be really enjoyable. The print is clear and spaced nicely for young readers. The layout is easy on those young eyes getting used to lots of lines on a page. And there are even some really fun illustrations throughout done by Matthew Cordell.

As I was reading this book I kept thinking about my third graders. I used to teach third grade and the characters and events in the book were so real and relate able. The feelings of Eleanor are so common and she thinks just like a young child. In her head it's easy to just up and move to Florida. When Natalie wants her to do something that she doesn't want to do she just simply says no. Her relationship with her best friend is so real and the worries she has are, too. Like worrying about not being able to sit next to her on the first day of school.

The book is a lot of fun and perfect for those readers who are ready to tackle chapter books! And be sure to check out the author's website, where you can clearly see how important books were to her childhood!

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the ScareMeNot, The Loud Book, and the Melting Pot Giveaways!!

ScareMeNot - #90 Meredith

The Loud Book - #62 Shannon

The Melting Pot - Emmy's Closet, Elizabeth Janik, Krista, Elmo Fan

Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

The Pregnancy Test by Melissa Heckscher and Emily Sikking, M.D. - Review

Oh I can remember being pregnant very vividly. I remember telling my husband that I literally felt like my body had been taken over by an alien. I no longer felt in control of my own body. Don't get me wrong, I was happy and excited that I was growing a little tiny baby of my own. But the actual feeling of being pregnant.... I should say feelingS... freaked me out.

I had a million and half questions. So many, in fact, that I was embarrassed to keep asking my mom and my friends. For sure they thought I was crazy, right? Well, looking back now I'm sure they didn't think I was crazy because they were in my position once too. No matter how much we read we always come up with questions... and usually at the most inconvenient times. I remember once I was getting my nails done and they asked if I wanted a back massage. I froze. Yes, of course I did... but could I? Was it allowed? Would I go into early labor?

The Pregnancy Test is a really fun book that all moms-to-be should have on hand. It's filled with funny, yet sometimes serious, questions. There are a lot you will laugh at and say why would anyone ask that. Like can you scuba dive while pregnant? To me I would laugh it off and say why even ask.. no! But really, can you? What if you are on vacation and only a few weeks along? I'm sure the situation has come up many times!

But it also answers a lot of very realistic questions, like why am I so itchy during my pregnancy? Oh yes, I remember that feeling! Or is it ok to hold your pee in? Would you really ask your mom that? And would she know? So this books is full of insights. And what could be better for a large pregnant woman who is super uncomfortable and can't fit into anything than to laugh? Or to feel comforted that someone else had that question too. Check it out and get it for your next pregnant friend. She'll thank you.

Could it be.....

A mommy post! My husband has been making me feel guilty lately about my lack of mommy blog posting. It seems my blog has been filled with reviews and giveaways... but not much about me. Well, as you know last month was my daughter's second birthday and party planning consumed me (in a good way... I would love to be a party planner in my next life). And then the weather has been gorgeous, so weekends and even week days have been filled with getting outside!

Ok ok, enough with the excuses. I guess the real fact of the matter is that I have nothing to say. My life at the moment is really boring in a good way. It's just normal. I'm doing the same things every other mom if a toddler is doing and loving it. But it's not all that interesting.

So rather than boring you with my dilemmas over what size swim diaper to buy (I hate that my daughter is right in between sizes! The mediums are too small and the larges are too big!) or my woes about potty training (yeah, it's just not happening), I figured I would make a confession.

I am addicted to reality TV. Ok, I've said it! A lot of my friends are often surprised to find me a reality TV junky. I'm not sure why they are surprised, but they are. I try to limit what I watch because I will get hooked, not matter how cheesey, trashy, or down right stupid. For example, The Jersey Shore. As a Jersey girl I take a lot of offense to that show. They do not represent New Jersey, they aren't even from New Jersey. Yet we get a bad rap for it. Yet, they have tons of viewers.. me being one of them. I told myself not watch even one episode. Don't fall in with the crowd. Be strong. Then there was an all day marathon on... the end. Hooked. I've watched every episode and season since. Not because I enjoy it. The people on it all drive me nuts. But it's really just such a train wreck that I have to watch and actually look forward to the next season. Ugh!

It doesn't end there. Real Housewives... pretty much any of them, but specifically NJ, OC, Beverly Hills, and NY. They are a guilty pleasure. And it's the same thing. I literally get frustrated watching them and often find myself yelling at the TV, but there I sit night after night.

So now you know a little more about me. Tell me your guilty pleasure!

Gourmet Gift Baskets - Junk Food Care Package - Review and Giveaway

I know I've mentioned this before, but I love getting things in the mail. A letter or card makes me happy, but a care package makes me feel like the most special person in the world. I get super excited to dig through and discover all the goodies inside!

Gourmet Gift Baskets is the perfect place to go and find a basket or gift for anyone you could imagine. Their variety makes them stand out and their organized site makes it easy to find that perfect gift for a special person or occasion.

I recently had the opportunity to review one of their care packages. With my family there was really no better choice than the Junk Food Care Package. I know, The Health Nut Care Package may have been a better idea, but did you see the goodies in the Junk Food one?!?

When it arrived I was really excited to get a closer look and see some of my favorite snacks that I hadn't had in years. Umm... combos! My husband and I then went into "child mode," "I call the Rice Krispie Treat!" "I call the Yoohoo!" It was fun and funny... though I'm glad no one was there to witness it!

We have been enjoying these treats over the past few days. We are spacing them out to savor them! But what's been so awesome is that everything is individually wrapped. So we can grab a bag of chips or a granola bar as we head out to the park. Little Miss has been enjoying it too.

This is clearly a great package to send to a college student cramming for exams, a military member who could use a yummy pick me up and taste of home, or a crazy mom who gets excited at the site of Combos. Really, you can't go wrong with this variety!

Check out Gourmet Gift Baskets for all your gift giving needs!

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win the Junk Food Care Package!
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Like Gourmet Gift Baskets on Facebook.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog 
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook 
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail

7. Follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on Twitter

8. Leave a comment on their Facebook wall with your favorite product

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on June 16, 2011  at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Kidorable - Hooded Towel Sale and Review!

I've written about them a lot. Have you checked out Kidorable yet? You have to. They take the most functional items that kids usually fit to wear, like raincoats and rain boots, and make them adorable! They have a huge selection of items, from hats and gloves to backpacks and umbrellas. And the best part is, there is something for everyone! With the many themes available you will be able to match your child's personality and interests with their really cool items. My daughter loves to dance around in her ballerina raincoat and matching umbrella! They put the "fun" in "functional!"

And just another great product from Kidorable is their hooded towels. With many to choose from it will not be a struggle to get your little one dried off after the bath or the pool. We were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to test them out first hand!

We chose the dinosaur for my daughter because she is big into dinosaurs right now! Usually getting her out of the bath is a huge struggle. She just loves to splash around way too much. But this towel does the trick! All we have to do is ask her if she wants to dress like a dinosaur and out she comes! She's adorable running around roaring!

The quality of these towels is unbeatable. They are warm and absorbent and built to last. They come in two sizes (newborn to 2 years and ages 3-6). I got the 3-6 for my two year old and I'm glad I did. She will have room to grow and keep this towel around for years.

Have I sold you on the cute towels yet? I'm about to make them sound even sweeter! From May 30 through June 12, you can get 20% off their entire order when they purchase our impossibly cute and soft cotton hooded towels. Just use code DRYOFF33 at checkout on www.kidorable.com. 


Head on over to Kidorable and check out their great selection of items and themes!