Fourth of July Deals!

To dispel those Monday Morning Blues, here are some lucrative deals from some hot hot hot stores!

Gonna Luv it offers an extensive collection of high quality designer jewelry for the best value. They are also introducing a never-ending $5 coupon for the 4th of July.

Special Coupon: $5 off any order
Valid from: 15th June 2008 onwards Voucher Code: LUV5OFF

Let’s Go Strolling is a great store for parents offering advice, personalized service on tried and true products. They sell all shapes, sizes and brands of quality strollers, designer diaper bags, carriers, carseats, gifts and accessories. This 4th of July they are offering 10% off diaper bags as well as great deals on the Quinny Buzz and Maxi Cosi Carseat, and Stokke Xplory stroller.

10% off diaper bags
Code: 4DAD10
15June-31 July 2008

Buy a Quinny Buzz and a Maxi Cosi carseat and save $50
Code: QUINNY50
15 June-6 July 2008

Get a 3 year warranty on a Stokke Xplory and receive a free diaper bag worth $120
No code needed
15 June-31 August 2008

Belli is the safest choice for pregnancy, motherhood and baby skin care. Their collections include Belli Pregnancy, Belli Motherhood and Belli Baby. They are the #1 recommended brand by Ob/Gyns nationwide. Every Belli product is allergy tested, free of paraben preservatives, dyes and synthetic fragrances. Belli products are not tested on animals.

This 4th of July, Belli is offering 20% off your entire order when you buy one FULL SIZE of EACH baby product (Calm Me Wash, Nourish Me Lotion, Pamper Me Talc Free Powder, and Protect Me Diaper Rash Cream)

Special Coupon:
Get 20% off of your entire order when you buy one FULL SIZE of EACH selected baby products (see list).

Valid from:
15th June-15th July 2008

Voucher Code:
BABYSAFE

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Thursday Thirteen - Edition One

My very first TT on this blog (I think!)

Thirteen Things I love about you, Kiddo (my son)

1. I love how you've started saying 'tank-eee' (Thank You) whenever I hand you something. (although you really shouldn't say that to me, especially when you hand me a dead fly)
2. I love how even the hint of music has you swaying and dancing. (although it'll probably cause our neighbors to laugh if they see me doing the robot with you, my tiny partner)
3. I love how you love the water and that bath time is one of our favorite times together . (although sweetie, washing between toes is nothing to scream down the roof about)
4. I love how you're learning to say new words every day. (although you really shouldn't call Daddy as Baddy in front of others)
5. I love you enthusiastically answer the phone and want to talk to your grandparents every day. (although you really shouldn't say 'bye' and hang up just when it is Mommy's turn to talk)
6. I love how you enthusiastically point to the cars go by, where ever we go. (although you shouldn't point out the car next to us just when the driver is picking his nose, yeccch!)
7. I love how you like running and bouncing a ball, giddy with delight. (although I do wish you'd stop using Mommy's behind as a bouncing board)
8. I love how you've recently started to kiss me on your own, without me begging for it. (although I do wish you wouldn't kiss the neighbor's dog on its mouth and then me right after)
9. I love how you walk up to people, touch them and give them your friendliest wave and smile. (although sweetie, you shouldn't touch a woman's behind and then walk away before she's turned, leaving poor Daddy to face her outrage)
10. I love how you like to see me cook and even try to help stir. (although Mommy likes to dress the potatoes, she just doesn't want to dress in them!)
11. I love how you like to read your books sitting in my lap. (although you really shouldn't chuck them at Mommy's head when her eyes sometimes glaze over)
12. I love how you like to shout 'belly belly' (birdy birdy) and point out birds to me. (although I do wish you wouldn't grab Mommy's shirt in front of her stomach and shout out those words in front of the snooty neighbor)
13. I love you've come come into my life and made everything brighter. (although sweetie, Mommy doesn't appreciate being woken up from a sound sleep with a torch aimed straight at her eyes)

I love you Kiddo, dirty diapers, sticky kisses and all.

Your turn now! Don't forget to leave your list or the link to your Thursday Thirteen post in the comments.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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Yummy Strawberries!

California provides 88% of the nation's strawberries, and the region is experiencing an incredibly bountiful harvest this year. With over 35,000 acres of fields across California, the growers will be picking nearly 6 million crates of delicious, ripe strawberries this week to deliver to grocery stores nationwide.

So, wondering how to best take advantage of all these strawberries? Whether it is making fresh strawberry shortcake for a backyard barbeque, dipping them in whipped cream, or just grabbing some as a quick, sweet afternoon snack, strawberries remind us of long, sunny summer days.

Fun strawberry facts to share with your kids:

• If you lined up all of the strawberries grown in California in one straight line, they would wrap around the entire Earth 15 times.
• Guessing game! There are about 200 seeds on the outside of each strawberry.
• California harvests over a billion pounds of strawberries annually.
• One acre of land (about the size of one football field) grows about 50,000 pounds of strawberries - that's the same weight as 4 elephants!
  

For us moms, it's worth knowing:

• Strawberries contain powerful antioxidants and rank second among the top ten fruits in antioxidant capacity: one serving of strawberries contains more Vitamin C than an orange.
• Strawberries may help reduce the risk of heart disease, fight some types of cancer and lower blood pressure. Not bad for a little red berry!
• Don't forget! The antioxidants in strawberries also aid in memory performance and may help prevent Alzheimer's disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, two key factors that can cause age-related diminished brain function.

Hundreds of strawberry recipes can be found here.

Visit Strawberryville, an online destination for kids full of interactive games, activities and kid-friendly recipes!

Enjoy the bountiful harvest and sweet taste of strawberries as they arrive at your grocery store shelves this week!

linky linky, prizey prizey, info info

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Accidentally Great Giveaway

Lol, did the title bring you here? Confess!

Here's the nitty-gritty:

My good friend Kim over @ What's That Smell? blog keeps having these great giveaways. Her latest is just one of the BEST! I wish I didn't have to share (but darn it, I must - it's one of the conditions for keeping the Halo. Yes, that one you see on my head there), but I will - sigh.

This time Kim is giving away a $10 Best Buy gift card to one very lucky person. Entering is as simple as subscribing to her blog and there are other ways to get multiple entries. So go now, shoo, enter already!
.
.
.
What's that? The link? Oh, I forgot that! No, no, it was *accidental* I swear! Darn Halo slipped and ... oh, what the heck. Go here and get all the details.

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Wiki Wednesday - Edition One

I read this over at Planet Books who in turn got it from Verbatim. It's a neat concept. Here's how Ver explains it :

Wiki Wednesday
Time to learn something!

1. Go to Wikipedia.
2. Click on "Random article" in the left-hand sidebar box.
3. Post it!

Neat-o! Here's what I got :

Homerun (film)

Directed by	Jack Neo
Produced by	Chan Pui Yin Titus Ho
Written by	Jack Neo
Starring	Huang Wenyong Xiang Yun Shawn Lee Megan Zheng
Music by	Redwan Ali Li Yi
Cinematography	Kane Chen
Editing by	Lawrence Ang
Distributed by	MediaCorp Raintree Pictures
Release date(s)	7 August 2003
Running time	108 min.
Country	Singapore
Language	Chinese

Homerun (Chinese: 跑吧！孩子 pinyin: pǎo bà hái zǐ) is a 2002 Singaporean film. A remake of the award-winning Iranian film Children of Heaven, Homerun is a comedy about two poor siblings and their adventures over a lost pairs of shoes. The movie emphasises the importance of friends and kinship. Set in 1965, the year Singapore separated from Malaysia, the film satirises political relations between the two countries, leading to its banning in Malaysia.

The movie was written and directed by acclaimed Singaporean film-maker Jack Neo, and produced by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. It stars Huang Wenyong, Xiang Yun, Shawn Lee and Megan Zheng. Filming took place in the rural outskirts of Kuala Lumpur during November and December 2002, but post-production delays pushed back the film's release date.

Released in cinemas on 7 August 2003, Homerun grossed over S$2.3 million during its nine-week box office run. It was nominated for two awards at the 2003 Golden Horse Awards; Megan Zheng, then 10, became the first Singaporean to win a Golden Horse. Generally, however, critical reception of the movie was mixed.

Your turn now, go! And be sure to sign Mr.Linky below with a link to your Wiki Wednesday, so we can all visit each other.

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Giveaway Winner - Bamboosa

It's June 25th and time to close the Bamboosa Giveaway. There was terrific response to this giveaway! Looks like you all love Bamboo products, especially quality ones by our sponsor, Bamboosa! And why not - Bamboo is natural, anti-bacterial and anti-stinky, lol, which is how I term it! Ah, I wish I could have entered!

I'd love to give a prize to all those who entered but unfortunately my pockets are not that deep... still you're each and everyone of you a winner in my book!

Before I announce the winner (as chosen by Random.org) I'd like to thank Bamboosa for generously sponsoring this giveaway and to all of you, for participating and spreading the word. If you haven't already, then please consider Subscribing to this blog's posts and receive word of the latest happening from here and around the blogosphere right in your inbox. That includes giveaways, reviews, etc ;-)

I've already started a new giveaway, the BUGABOO Giveaway, so don't forget to enter than as well. The deadline is July 14 and there are lots of ways to get entries.

And now, if you haven't expired from the suspense, here's the lucky winner :

clenna@a....

Congratulations!!!

Please respond to the winning email within 5 days or an alternate winner will be chosen.

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Review & Giveaway : Bamboosa

********* sticky post, scroll down for newer posts **********

http://www.bamboosa.com/

Bamboo is IN! In clothing, that is! Yes, this natural fiber has become quite the rage these days. With its natural anti-microbial properties, a mmmm-silky smooth texture to rival that of finest cashmere, Bamboo clothing is THE softer, lighter and greener way to dress. Especially with summer staring you in the face, since Bamboo keeps you cooler than most other fabrics.

Which brings me to today's store, South Carolina-based Bamboosa! Created by three partners who have a combined 80 years in the textile manufacturing, private label apparel, graphic design and embellishment industry, Bamboosa has stuff galore made from this most sustainable natural resource! I got to try Bamboosa's Baby Bodysuit and Baby Bib and I must say the quality speaks for itself. And no one can deny how fashionable they're as well!

This Father's Day, give that special man in your life a gift of Bamboo Pique Knit Polo. He's going to look dashing in this! And for those stinky toes, try the Adult Bamboo Crew Socks. No more smelly toes! Bamboo socks contain a natural odor-eating ingredient.

From Baby Products to Gift Sets, Accessories, Soapbars and more, Bamboosa has something for everyone in the family. And right now they're having a SALE, so run and take advantage of that! Also, Bamboosa have teamed up with Change Round-Up enabling e-shoppers to round-up their online purchases and donate the electronic spare change to a charity of their choice. Give a little. Help a lot. They also have a ton of eco-friendly links, information and news!

And to help one lucky reader of this blog go *green* this summer, Bamboosa has generously offered a $50 gift certificate towards their store!

US only, and deadline to enter is 5 AM CST, June 25th.

To enter, simply :

Visit Bamboosa. Then come back and leave a comment with one product which caught your eye.

Comment as many times as you like, mentioning just one product in one comment.

You can only comment again AFTER at least one other person has commented (after you).

Non-bloggers can also easily comment by choosing the Anonymous feature.

Blogger or Non-blogger, just remember to leave your email address with at least one of your comments.

Readers, I do hope you'll kindly help spread word of this giveaway! I've included a short blurb below that you can easily copy and paste (CTRL+C and then CTRL+V).

" Bamboo is IN! With its natural anti-microbial properties, a mmmm-silky smooth texture to rival that of finest cashmere, Bamboo is THE softer, lighter and greener way to dress this summer. But that's not all!

Hurry on over to A Bookworm's Diary where you can enter to win a $50 gift certificate towards Bamboosa, a store full of Bamboo products of the finest quality! "

Good luck!

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Product Review (and giveaway) - Badger Balm

http://www.badgerbalm.com

A while ago I read about Badger and their fabulous balms on my friend Diane's blog, dkMommy Spot. Since Diane recommends nothing but the best, safest natural products, I slotted away Badger in my mental 'to try' list. The other day I was in a natural Foods store buying something for my son when I saw a Badger balm near the checkout counter. I was in a state that day, worried over some personal issues and it didn't really register in mind although I was staring quite fixedly at the Badger balm. Then suddenly, something clicked and retrieved this entry from my mental list.

Coincidentally the balm I picked up was none other than their Healing Balm.
You see, for some time I had been having these dry patches on the backs on my hands. Nothing had worked. I'd tried Aveeno which came doctor recommended, I'd tried some other over the counter salves, I'd tried moisturizers, I'd tried oils. Absolutely nothing worked. Meanwhile my hands were getting worse. The skin was now starting to break and itch badly. I was at my wits ends and seriously considering going to a dermatologist, something I really really hate!

So, I picked up this balm which said "relief for hardworking hands" and thought, 'hey, that's me'! As always I checked the back for the ingredients which were olive oil, natural beeswax, castor oil, aloe vera and essential oil of sweet birch! Everything that was natural, pure and nothing the least unpronounceable about them, something I've come to associate with products and medicines having multiple side-effects. And it also said on the back that this is the best stuff for your cracked skin. 'Made for me' I thought and bought it straight away. That night I cautiously applied a thin layer all over the affected area. I must admit, I didn't hold out much hope for this balm to succeed where my other true-and-tried salves, creams etc hadn't. And so it was only the next night that I realized that my hands hadn't itched the whole day! Since then I've been regularly applying this balm and my hands are getting better. The cracks are gone, though some roughness of skin remains. But I'm sure with regular application even that will be gone soon.

If you haven't fallen asleep yet, lol, then here's your reward to reading it through. A GIVEAWAY! Diane at dkMommy Spot is giving away a Badger Balm Summer Set Giveaway! So, go over there now and enter before midnight EST on Friday, June 27, 2008.

Note : This is not a sponsored post.

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Go Gaga Giveaway

Here's another giveaway coming your way from Jill of Alex Casey Baby.

Enter to win a Go Gaga Diaper Bag - Value of $95.00

· Comment on post and personal blog to enter.

· Closes Friday, June 27th

· Open to US residents

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The No Key Lock - Schalge Lock

Hectic - that's the word that comes to my mind when at a day's end I just sit down, take a deep breath and try to describe the day to my husband. From chores to commitments, there's no end to the amount of juggling I have to do at any given time. And it's only going to become worse as the days go by, and Kiddo grows up and the activities correspondingly increase.

But the other day I missed the repairman as I was held up at the doctor's. And, as I suppose many of you know, it's hard enough getting these people to come by in the first place, let alone a second! My husband and I struggle to juggle these commitments as we're not comfortable giving out our keys to strangers. But sometimes you just have to. But I don't want the cleaners going into our bedroom and my husband doesn't like strangers going into the office room. What's the solution? We can't put locks on every door, for there's always the danger of my child unknowingly locking himself in or us out!

The solution is Schlage Locks who have recently developed an ingenious solution to this problem by creating an electronic keypad lock and deadbolt for our homes, both indoor and outdoor. The keypad allows access via a four-digit code that can be customized so members of your family, guests, nannies, and service providers can all access your home using different codes! Each code (up to 19 on each lock!) can be easily set up for a new person or deactivated if you no longer want someone to have access to your house.

No more keeping track of spare keys, sending your children to school with a key around their necks, or changing the entire lock if you have a flame out with a nanny. Schlage Electronic Keypad Locks also provide relief from the rare occasions when you are locked out of the house or your child arrives home unexpectedly - without you there. That's another of my pet Mommy worries!

Thanks to Mom Central's Schlage blog tour, I got an indoor Keypad lock to try. I was a little apprehensive if I'd be able to install this lock on my own. But thankfully, Schlage has a nifty product tour and support that explained things very clearly. And with a little (ok, a lot! :) help from my husband, we got things cracking. The toughest part of the whole thing was removing the old lock which I swear, had put down 6 foot long roots. But we managed to wrestle it out and got this one in and it was pretty easy as this lock comes ready to use right out of the box with a 9 volt battery included. All you're supposed to need is a screwdriver, but we needed to use a little more but that's just our door knob (and my ineptness). Now it's all set and coded up, ready to use the first time a stranger has access to our home. And all I have to do is remember the code - easier said than done, lol.

Best thing is, you'll find Schlage Locks at your local Home Depot. I know that for sure as I saw it at the one near my home and that was before I got one for review!

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Teen Pregnancy

According to Wikipedia, Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage or underage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant. The term in everyday speech usually refers to women who have not reached legal adulthood, which varies across the world, who become pregnant. In my words, children having children!

There was a time when a woman was considered a spinster if she was unwed by the age of 18. She was forced to marry and bear children at such a tender age that it damaged her irrevocably, both physically and emotionally. That was long ago. We live in enlightened times now and children (call them teens, tweens, young people, whatever. They're children in my eyes) know and are made aware of the birds and bees from various sources, primarily (and hopefully) through school-approved sex education. Or so we like to think. Turns out we've just been deluding ourselves. Despite preaching abstinence, despite making birth control available, National data showed an alarming 3% rise in teen pregnancies in 2006—the first increase in 15 years!

And now this teenage pregnancy pact!

If you don't already know, here are the grim highlights. In the Massachusetts fishing town of Gloucester, 17 teenage girls, all belonging to Gloucester High School and none of them older than 16 years old, are all expecting babies. School officials became suspicious when an unusual number of students began to visit the school clinic to take the pregnancy test, some of them multiple times. Those who weren't pregnant showed visible disappointment. Questioning revealed that horrifyingly the girls had entered into a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together.

What could have prompted such reckless, thoughtless, insane behavior?!! Yes, insane! Bringing a child into today's world is already fraught with perils. The last thing a child needs is to be born to a mom whose sole purpose in creating that life was so she could enjoy a baby shower??!!

Where did we as a society fail these girls? What could we / the people of Gloucester have done to prevent this? Some say that the Gloucester high school has done perhaps too good a job of embracing teen mothers by providing them with day care and generally making them feel welcome. But can blame truly be placed at this institute's door? Or should we lay it on the crumbling economy of this fishing town that has left its spirit broken?

Whatever the reason, my true concern is for those babies. And their young moms. What will happen when they realize there's nothing fun or romantic about taking care of a helpless baby, of literally holding its life in your hands; of midnight feedings, no sleep and constant vigil. It's a lifelong commitment, Motherhood is. There's a reason why Mothers are revered in some parts of the world. It's not easy being a Mom at any age.

My thoughts and prayers are with them. And I sincerely hope that despite this sad beginning, some, if not all of them will rise to the occasion and grow into their responsibility.

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Mommy's Here - Or is it the Mafia?

There are days (and I mean every single day) when Mommy-ing is dirty business. Mafia has nothing on the clean-up a Mom has to do constantly. Just consider :

A pesky stain?
"Fuh-get about it." (thanks to that nifty Tide pen)

A stinky diaper?
Sent to bottom of the seventh circle of hell (aka the Diaper pail) never to return again. (I bet the Mafia would relocate if asked to change a stinkier-than-a-rotten-fish diaper roughly eleven times a day)

Messy Joint (aka house)?
Whacked into shape.

James Bond has nothing on a Mom evading a flying missile (aka toy), who can outleap Superman in a quest to stop her toddler from racing out on to the street while normally unable to leap 6 inches in the air and is capable of spinning a web of fabrication faster than Spidey when having opened the door to a very nicely dressed neighbor with more pasta than hair on her head.

But give me a toddler who doesn't eat the food placed in front of him, and I'm utterly defeated. I've tried cajoling, I've tried begging, I've even tried (fake) crying. I've tried pasta, I've tried veggie, I've tried cheese, I've tried desserts, I've tried "enter food name here". I've even tried changing food venues. We've tired to eat in front of the TV (a wasted exercise. Kiddo was more interested in learning about gravity. Food that's thrown in the air or food thrown down will ultimately end up .... on the carpet .... Mommy just had professionally cleaned), sometimes in our backyard, sometimes in the bedroom. End result is same. There's more food on the ground, on the carpet, on the pots and on me than in my son's stomach. I've had to buy more cleaning materials than cooking. To clean the kitchen floor (read, rest of the house), to clean us and to clean all our clothes.

Like I said, Mommy does more clean-up than Mafia - every(stinky)day!

pssst - surprises hidden in the links ;)
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Mommy's Here - Pacifying and Dreaming

As a wife and a mother, a Stay-at-home-Mom at that, life is one long juggling session without an end in the foreseeable future. Only in the movies there is a magical solution for the weary parent. Such as Vin Diesel who is roped into being an impromptu nanny in that hilarious movie 'The Pacifier'. Yes, to dispel the blues, this is one of the movies I always like to watch. I like it, not for the great acting or the kick-ass action. But rather for Diesel trying to defend his bulging chest muscles from being slandered as man-boobs or rebuffing the flirtation of a 5-year old girl and other such hilarious situations.

Relaxing in a hot bath without Kiddo demanding my instant attention is a gift I've come to cherish and which sadly, doesn't come often. Often in such instances, all he wants is his favorite monkey or some other stuffed animal but which, like the writing instruments in my house, has disappeared from sight. While he loses his things constantly, my Kiddo is adept at finding stuff I've misplaced, such as jewelry or a new CD. Or rather, that he's seen me leave somewhere and later forget. So all I do is ask him and more often than not, he leads me straight to point X where the missing object is... provided he understands what I'm asking, of course.

Many a time I've asked him to show him where is the book that Mommy was reading just 5 minutes ago. He looks at me most seriously, sometimes with bafflement thrown in. Fighting the urge to laugh, I try synonyms first, then fall back invariably on everyone's favorite method for conveying something to a person unable to understand them - I say the same thing over again, slooowly and in a loud voice. I can't help but grin foolishly when I realize what I'm doing :) If he didn't understand the word 'book' when I said it in a normal voice, what are the chances he'll understand it when uttered 5 decibels louder.

Besides it's summer already, or at least it is in my part of the world. I have no energy left to shout, the heat has sapped it all. Time to dream of beaches and waves and of all the wonderful places we are not going on vacation -Thanks to OPEC. Yes, my heartfelt felicitations to this OILY ORGANIZATION for making my dreams NOT come true. Maybe I should give them a call and thank them personally. Does anyone know their phone number?

And as I've been telling this past week, click the links as they lead you to giveaways and more!

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Toddling Along - A Day at the Mall

We generally go the park in the evenings where Kiddo can swing himself hyper. But on a recent weekend, it was so hot, this mommy decided it was just the right time to go to a nearby mall, full of cool goodies ...I mean, cool air! Of course, my main motivation, besides the shopping, is the fresh, hot popcorn! Nothing like movie popcorn, don't you agree? That and ice-cream! We didn't actually go see a movie, although I'd love to go see Wall-E! I generally like Disney/Pixar movies, they're the perfect way to while away a hot afternoon. It's just not the same watching them on a DVD, right?

But my son is so full of energy that asking him to stay put in a darkened theater for more than 10 minutes is a crisis in the making. Looking uncommonly cute, he took to his little heels and scampered in the direction of the play area. Taking a deep breath, I hitched my bag securely on my shoulder, tightened my pony tail and took off after him. Everything is a game for him and I love nothing more than to indulge him.

What are your favorite activities to do with your children? Give me ideas, please!

(click the links for some surprises!)

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This and That (and Giveaways!)

I'm addicted to my blog(s). As you may know, I have 4 blogs (5 if you count the Wordpress mirror of this blog) and I try to regularly update all of them. That, plus reviewing products, books, writing for other websites, giving away stuff etc, takes up a good chunk of my time. I won't even mention the ton of email I regularly receive. I think I may very well faint the day I don't a get a Viagra email or an offer to lengthen something I don't possess to lengthen!

So, if I haven't answered your email yet then feel free to give me a nudge and I'll try to get on it right away. A bribe of brownies would certainly speed up the process. Lucky for you, The Daily Grind blog is giving some away! Win it (enter before June 20) and send a couple my way :)

But that's not the only reason I'm not feeling up to the mark lately.

For the last week or so, my toddler has decided night is day and day is night. How this happened, or why is baffling to me. My overworking Mommy guilt factor reminds me at this point that I did a lot of that similar *owling* when I was pregnant with him. "Did that have an effect on him?", I ponder sleepily as I try to soothe my screeching son to sleep. "Or was pointing out the Moon and the Stars to him out the window that first night he woke up a humongous mistake?" shouts my blistering conscience. Whatever it is, my son is not sleeping and that means I'm not sleeping.

Perhaps I should read him a Scholastic book. Goodies for Mom is giving some away at her blog! (Btw, I'm also going to have a similar giveaway soon, so keep reading!) He's too young for the educational software Accidental Mommies is giving away or I'd have plopped him in front of the computer and napped for 15 blissful minutes.

Getting by on 2 hours of sleep everyday to a person like me who loves her 8 hours of repose with a passion that one generally reserves for George Clooney or Brad Pitt, is akin to being in the seventh circle of Hell. Yes, I'm exaggerating, but you can imagine the condition I'm in after more than a week of this topsy-turviness. My hair is wild, my eyes are black-circled. What I need more than anything is to win JivaFit's beauty giveaway and restore my looks with the Set of 5 Skin Appetit beauty products they're giving away which includes the Optim-Eyes Firming Eye Gel, Nutri-Pro Night Serum, Nutri-Collagen Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, Detoxifying Nutri-Cleanser and Nutri-Moisture Balm Stick. Deadline to enter is 5pm, June 30.

Or is the AC on too low for Kiddo? Could that be the reason? In that case, I should be dressing him up in Babylegs. And what do you know - my friend Diana of Modern Mama's Fabulous Favorites is giving away a lovely pair at her company blog!

Maybe it'll work out by itself. Let's see. And that's all I have time for today. More tomorrow! If anyone has any suggestions or advice about Kiddo, me or anything... tell me about it in the comments :) Come on guys, I see my Statcounter numbers go up, but not a single comment on any post other than the giveaway. I'd love to hear from you - say anything that's on your mind!

(click the links, people. surprise, surprise :)
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Giveaway - Bamboosa, chic Bamboo Products


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WIN A $100 Lands' End Gift Card!

When it comes to online shopping (or even online window shopping...do they call it window surfing, I wonder) one of my favorite destinations is Lands' End. They not only have quality stuff, but also stuff that really appeals to me. I was fortunate enough to have bought Hubby a Land's End Shirt towards the beginning of our marriage. Needless to say, he Loved it! After that, my reputation as "one who can buy Mr.Bookworm a present that he actually likes" was set! And Mr. Bookworm, who didn't even know what Lands' End was before then, keeps hinting for their stuff whenever any opportunity comes up, presents-wise that is :)

Ok, you're wondering what all this leading is up to and how in the world you can score a $100 GC to this wonderful store. Right?

Please tell me that's the case. I'm not just talking to myself here (not again)!
Helloooooo! Anybody ther....?!
Oh, Mr. Bookworm!! You gave me a fright! What? No, I'm talking to my readers here, not you. That man, never comes when I call him, but when I don't... ::rolling eyes::

And now I've lost my train of thought. Umm... hmm... no, I remember! I was going to tell y'all how to win a $100 Lands' End GC!

All you have to do is take the Lands' End Back-To-School 2008 Survey! The survey consists of 18 multiple-choice questions. Upon completing the survey, your name will be entered to win one of five $100 Lands' End Gift Cards. To be eligible to win, you must complete the survey by midnight (CST) on Wednesday, June 25.

Take the Survey Now!

To do : Must order my Halo! Unfortunately Land's End doesn't carry that, so I'll see about a Tiara instead. Oh, Tiffany's....

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Happy Father's Day!

I leave you with this funny cartoon, Goofy's Father's Weekend!



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Giveaway - ImagiPlay Toys, toys with integrity
Giveaway - Bamboosa, chic Bamboo Products


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ImagiPlay Winner

Wow, that was one successful giveaway! There were over a 100 entries and everyone enthusiastically mentioned their favorite toys from ImagiPlay's vast collection. There can be only one winner but I hope you'll all make ImagiPlay one of your favorite destinations for all your toy needs.

Enough of the suspense! Thanks to the services of Random.org, the lucky winner is :

Shelly whose email begins with michelejdaley@...
First alternate winner - laurachil...
Second alternate winner - mistchlo...

Congratulations! Please email me with your choice of prize - either Vision Quest Playset or Counting Bunnies Puzzle. If I don't hear back from the winner, then the prize will go the first alternate winner and so on.

Thanks for participating! Don't forget to enter the Bamboosa Giveaway. The deadline for that is June 25.

If you haven't already, please consider Subscribing to this blog's posts to be kept updated of all the giveaways that are coming, get news about the latest happenings/contests from around the blogosphere and of course, first-hand product reviews.

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Review and Giveaway - ImagiPlay Toys

********* sticky post, scroll down for newer posts **********

http://www.imagiplay.com

I first came across ImagiPlay when I was browsing the web, searching for quality toys for my child. I didn't just want some battery-operated gadget with flashing psychedelic lights and/or capable of emitting ear-splitting noise. We already have plenty of those headache-inducing things (wince)! No, I was looking for toys that'd help his eager young mind to grow as well.

I was instantly captivated with ImagiPlay's motto, "Toys With Integrity". And upon investigating further, I was overjoyed to learn that they have quality products that connect with nature, have eco-friendly sources, and hold educational value to boot! In short, they're green (anyone who visits this blog regularly knows I'm all for going green), they're safe (and with the recent scare of lead toys, which parent hasn't looked around for safer alternatives) and they make learning fun (just what I was looking for)!

Which is why I think you should give them a chance too! And there's something in it for you too, wink! More on that towards the end of the post. Read on...

ImagiPlay's Founder and President Barbera Aimes offers children toys that represent her true passion: our planet. Their toys (whose materials and paint meet or exceed US and European standards) take their inspiration from Mother Earth herself and are made from renewable, sustainable materials.

ImagiPlay has a wide range of toys, from babies to toddler to older kids, from puzzles, to wooden playsets to imaginative bookends, there's something for everyone there. Their plain wooden rattles are perfect for newborns. You can also use their convenient Where to Buy feature and see which stores in your zipcode carry their products.

And while you're there, readers can browse into their Learning Center and add to their knowledge of various animals, most of them featured on ImagiPlay. For instance, did you know Geckos have no eyelids or that baby flamingos drink milk?! Children will just love that!

My Kiddo enjoys playing with his Counting Bunnies. Not only does it help him learn numbers, but colors as well and it helps improve his hand-eye coordination. And I can rest easy knowing that he's learning and having fun with a toy safe for him and for Mother Earth as well.

ImagiPlay toys make excellent baby gifts, sure to please the parents as well :)

And now for the part you've all been waiting for, the GIVEAWAY!

First, the prize. ImagiPlay has generously offered winner's choice of either Vision Quest Playset or Counting Bunnies Puzzle.

Open to Continental US only. Ends June 15 at 5 am CST.

TO ENTER,

- Visit ImagiPlay. Then come back and leave a comment with one product which caught your eye. Please make it something other than the prizes offered.

- Comment as many times as you like, mentioning just one product in one comment. But you can only comment again AFTER at least one other person has commented. In the unlikely event no one comments after you, feel free leave a comment once per hour. (So, keep checking back. The more you comment, the more your chances of winning)

- Don't forget to leave your email address with at least one of your comments.

It's not necessary, but I'd highly appreciate it if entrants spread the word about this giveaway either by blogging it or emailing other bookworms about it. I'll send a lot of virtual blessings your way, if you do :)

Good luck!

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Toddling Along - Much Ado About ...A thing

Ever since Kiddo was born, I've been sharing his growing adventures with friends and family. Today, I thought I'd share one with you.

I was cooking veggies on the stove today, for Kiddo's lunch. I generally put them in water and slow-cook them on the stove as that way I can add different veggies separately and cook them to the desired mushiness. Kiddo is apparently out to protect and conserve his 7 baby teeth for some arduous future eating and so still prefers his food to be mushy - the peas firm enough to retain the skin, yet soft inside; the beans, on the other hand, have to be cooked until they resemble nothing more than green goo. And so on and so forth. No king could be more pickier, I'm sure, lol.

Getting back on track - knowing well how long that particular veggie would take to do some elementary transformation, I decide to take a well-deserved rest. I lay my aching, up-intermittently-since-2-am legs on the ottoman and settle my behind on a blissfully soft couch cushion. In my hands is the book I've trying to finish for the past 3 weeks (not the book's fault. It's so interesting, in fact, that I try to read it only when I'm sure of not being interrupted). Kiddo is off playing (read destroying) something or the other. I'm eagerly looking forward to a full blissful 6 minutes of doing nothing but rest and read. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Kiddo comes running up to me. He does this periodically no matter what he's doing, gabbles something in Kiddish and runs off. Today, however, he stands there at my elbow, tugging at my sleeve and running his mouth a mile a minute. I ask him what's the matter. He replies with an even more rapid-fire return round of Kiddish that leaves me bewildered. Not willing to leave behind the comfy cushion where my behind is ensconced most comfortably, I ask him again. He replies vigorously and a tad bit more shrilly, this time pointing somewhere over my head. As I know the windows are in that direction, and feeling it's just a squirrel or something that has him excited, I try to pacify him by saying, 'yes, yes, nice killy (that's how he pronounces squirrel)'. But he's having none of it. Now, arm tugging is introduced.

With a mournful sigh for my nipped-in-the-bud rest and a tender mental apology to my tired feet, I heave myself off of the couch and wearily ask him to 'show me'. These are magic words that Kiddo understands only when convenient to him, this apparently being one such case. So, leading me by the forefinger, he solemnly steers me into the kitchen (a direction completely opposite to where he was pointing earlier, a sense of direction not being one of the things he's mastered...yet). And then towards the stove. He then says something, making a big 'whoosh' sound with lots of arm waving and points upwards ... towards an awesome sight.

The sight of steam billowing out of the pan.

Yes, that apparently was the awesome sight he needed Mommy to come and take a look at.

And dear readers, I was (after I got over the spontaneous burst of laughter, that is). I could easily imagine how such a simple, prosaic thing would inspire amazement in so young a mind. And I was touched, deeply touched. Touched that he wanted to share that wondrous spectacle with me. So I stood there with him, gaping at steam coming out of a pan.

It's just one of the perks that comes with being a Mommy. Not to mention, how it has the power to make a tired Mommy forget all her aches and pains and replace it with a smile and a memory to last a lifetime.

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Giveaways For 12 June

Father's Day Giveaway @ A Book Blogger's Diary

David Baldacci Book Giveaway

Win 2 copies of 'A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander'

Earrings Giveaway

Giveaway: TELL ME MORE® Spanish Homeschool Version

Limited Edition Sports Photo Giveaway for Father's Day

Bone Strings Poetry Book Giveaway at carp(e) libris

Doodlebops Live In Concert DVD Giveaway!

SWAKdesigns Giveaway @ A Wrestling Addicted Mommy

Livin With Me My Husband Rocks giveaway

Greenmomfinds.Com - Bedding Giveaway

Chesapeakeribbons.Com - Stylish Belt Giveaway

WantNot.Net - Tropical Hello Kitty Giveaway

The-Trades.Com - Kung Fu Panda Contest

Babylyonstreasuries.Com - Handspun Yarn Giveaway

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Site of the Day - AbbyRoo

My friend Diana just posted about this wonderful bag on her blog and like I commented on her post, this AbbyRoo bag is right out of my imagination!

Just take a look at it's specs :

cotton/canvas fabric
roomy 17" x 15" tote
large back pocket
unzip two full length zippers to reveal:
two 5" x 4" mesh zippered pockets
two 5" x 6" mesh zippered pockets
two 7" x 10" mesh zippered pockets
two 16" x 6" mesh side pockets

Just what I need instead of lugging around a diaper bag, a reusable shopping bag, a water bottle and a purse - I'm laden like a pack horse, I tell ya! Now, if only my stroller would fit in this, I'm all set :)

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Giveaways for 11 June

SwaddleMe Infant Wrap - a review and giveaway

Giveaway — Serena & Lily Cribset from Layla Grayce

Savvy May Creations

Chief Family Officer's Third Anniversary Celebration: Giveaway #7 - Oliso Frisper Freshkeeper

Kobold Toys Giveaway

Junk In Our Trunks

Win Jumper on DVD

Livin With Me My Husband Rocks giveaway

Parents With Style Orville Popcorn giveaway

Mommy Mandy Orville Popcorn giveaway

Red Sox Mommy Skin MD Natural giveaway

Mommy Doodles Fidgy Bridgy Honey B Bedding giveaway

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Giveaways for 10 June

Bag Borrow or Steal has generously offered to give one lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader a $50 gift card

Free Kit on How to Reverse Baldness

Free Subscription to American Baby Magazine

Free Flipbook and 50 Free Prints from Snapfish.com

Celebration of Daddyhood Father's Day Giveaway!

Bob The Builder DVD Giveaway!

The ladies over at Blessed Nest Perch are giving away A Little Something For Baby by Earth Mama Angel Baby from Naturally Trendy (Deadline: June 14th).

Cascade Lemonade is giving away a free vintage pattern travel accessory (up to $10 in value) to one lucky winner (Deadline: Noon, June 11th).

Giveaway - Charming Party & Goblet Charms!

Hello Kitty & Build-A-Bear Giveaway @ Bloggy Giveaways

GIVEAWAY! Summer Goodness from Whimiscal Walney

mod*mom giveaway :: 10 digital dwell magazine subscriptions

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