GoMacro Bar Review, Coupon and Giveaway

Last week we got something fun in the mail, a box of GoMacro Mini bars to try.

I was excited to try these energy bars for a few reasons, but number one being that they are gluten free.  At the moment 3 of my 4 kids are gluten free, with the oldest on a permanent basis.  And he, of course, is the most picky about his food.

He gave the thumbs up for the fruit flavored varieties of GoMacro bars.  There are 11 different flavors and I think I've at least tasted most of them this week, corners off my kids' snacks here and there!

My favorites are probably the cherries + berries and the apples + walnuts too, although the chocolate chip peanut butter would be a close second.

What else do I like about these bars? Here's my list, you might find other reasons to enjoy them by checking out their core principles.

• Gluten free
• Soy free
• Not only are they organic, they really are pesticide free
• Mini bars are the perfect size for kids

Two of the flavors are nut free as well, so they really are trying to help out those of us dealing with food allergies.  There truly is a lot to love about this company!

Twin approved!

Stay in the loop by liking or following GoMacro on all their social media channels.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

Try your own

If you'd like to check them out for yourself, new customers can get 40% off their first GoMacro order using code BLOGGER at check out.  That makes them cheaper than almost any other energy bar you can get in the store.

Win a box of GoMacro Mini bars!

In order to be eligible to win you'll need to leave a comment here AND like or share about GoMacro on at least one social media platform.  You can do more for extra entries!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
I received a complimentary box of GoMacro bars to facilitate my review, all opinions are my own.

Odyssey Adventure Club Back to School iPad Mini Giveaway

The end of summer is in sight, and OAC is giving away an iPad Mini back-to-school bundle! It might seem like summer just began for your kids yet it's already time for it to end, so if they need some added motivation to get their homework done, remind them they can jump on the Odyssey Adventure Club after their papers are written and their math problems are solved.

As members, your kids can also listen to Album 58 before the album is released to the public! Sign up today for just $5!

Here's what part one is about (which you can listen to for free HERE):

It’s a time of surprises as Wooton becomes the celebrity guest at Comic-Connellsville and Whit finds himself in conflict over the upcoming “Let’s Get Together Festival” in Odyssey. Plus, hear an interview with writer-director Paul McCusker about the entire 14-part series.

Album 58 was inspired by Focus on the Family’s The Family Project, a 12-session small group experience that explores the theological, philosophical, and cultural underpinnings of the traditional family, and combines that information with inspiring stories and practical tools to help 21st-century families thrive. Plus, here's a sneak peek of a new episode called "The Lone Lawman"!

 
Jason, Whit, Red and the gang rustle up herds of fun while performing a new Kids’ Radio show set in the Old West. “The Lone Lawman” features a confused boy getting mixed up with a shifty band of bank robbers. Can a hero on horseback set things right? See just how wild the West can get in this action-packed send-up of old-time radio dramas.

NOW . . . on to the iPad Mini back-to-school giveaway. One grand prize winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini

Hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. All winners will be announced August 28th on the widget on this page.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit this page again on the 28th to see if you won! (You'll see the winner's name in the widget.)

Book: Paige Turned (with giveaway!)

Despite her valiant efforts, Paige Alder seems stuck in chaos. Her new job as youth intern keeps her hopping from coffee shop to coffee shop all summer long, but at least she’s loving the one-on-one time she gets to spend with the girls.

The unfortunate side-effect is that now, four weeks of laundry fills her apartment. Plus, she barely has time to help her sister and best friend with their weddings! And even worse? Something is definitely wrong between her and Tyler. She apologized for what he thought he saw happen with Luke. Can’t they move past it?

Or could there be something he’s not telling her—something that could change everything?

***

This is the third book in the trilogy of Paige Alder.  It seemed like this was a light chic lit type of read, but there was just something there that made you think a little deeper.  I really enjoyed these stories.  And I'm giving away my set of 3! 

If you'd like to enter please leave a comment and make sure I have an email address to get a hold of you!

***

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Paige Turned, go HERE.

A few things about Erynn Mangum:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!


Giveaway open for one week, US addresses only.

Book: Return to Me (with giveaway!)

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true---King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God's renewed favor. For too long they've remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo's sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return---return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo's beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God's leading. Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah---and history---forever.

Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Me tells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

***

This is about the third book I've read by Lynn Austin and I think I would say her style is "in depth".  She really does her research and gets the setting and time right.  It adds so much to the story and especially historical stories like this I love feeling like I have a better understanding of what life was/could have been like back then.

This is the story of some of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple after the first one was destroyed.  It's at the end of Daniel's life when the king of Babylon sees the hand writing on the wall and then his kingdom is overrun by the Medes and Persians.

The middle part of the story started to drag on a bit for me, but then it picks up again and I had a hard time putting it down for the last third!  Even with company coming.

I loved how she didn't show the characters as perfect, but that they all had mistakes and slowly over time were able to overcome their doubts and live their lives.  Definitely like this author!

***

Purchase your own copy and read other reviews here or enter my giveaway below!


Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.  I received the second one from the publisher by accident so I'm giving it away on my dime!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


 
 

Personalized Stationary - A Minted Giveaway

If you know me at all, chances are you've received some kind of snail mail from me over the years. Birthday cards, Christmas cards, baby announcements, and Just Because cards. I love to send and receive real mail. So I'm always on the lookout for fun stationary.

Enter Minted.  The brainchild of a mom seeing her friends with talent getting no exposure, she decided to start an online crowd sourced stationary company.  Anyone can enter a design and it's then voted on by the community (and all you have to do is create an account to vote).  The top vote getters are offered for sale and the designers get commission on their art.

Pretty sweet idea if you ask me!

Minted offers something for everyone.  From holiday cards to birth announcements, birthday party invites to any and all wedding stationary.  Everything can be completely personalized and is customizable.  You can even have your wedding invites matched to a specific Pantone color!

Of course right now I'm shopping for 1st birthday party invites and just plain cute personal stationary.  This is one of my favorites!

Who do you send cards to?

Minted is offering a very generous giveaway.  $100 credit to their site.  To enter please fill in the rafflecopter form below!

Giveaway ends at midnight on February 9th and is open to anyone in the world!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I have been compensated for my time to write this post.  As always, all opinions are mine! 

Christmas Card Planning (with Giveaway)

This week we had our family pictures taken for our Christmas card.  I seriously LOVE how the pictures from last year* turned out and I can't wait to see this year's with the girls!  The photographer is a friend of my brother's who did his wedding and I went to high school with his wife.  Yes, we live in a small valley...

Anyway, I know it's still only October, but when I want to get my Christmas cards out in a reasonable time with 4 kids, I've got to start planning now!  For the last few years I've designed my own cards, but this year... probably not going to happen.  Something about those 4 kids?

So I turned to Tiny Prints and all their fabulous designs.  There's something for even the most picky of card senders and the best part is if you find a card you love, but there's just one little thing you'd like to change about it?  Their designers will make it happen.  Great cards and great customer service.  What's not to love?

I'm pretty sure I already know just which of these Christmas Cards I'm going to use, but I'll reserve the right to change my mind based on what picture(s) I want to use.  I may have to find a card with room for a dozen pictures!  Whatever it is, I'll have fun getting it done!

WIN IT!

How would you like to win a $50 credit to Tiny Prints for some holiday cards of your own?  (or anything else your heart desires!)

All you need to do is visit their site and tell me your favorite card.  Leave a comment below and make sure I know how to get a hold of you if you win!

Giveaway will close on October 28th and winners have 24 hours to respond to prize notification.

*The photo in the header of the blog is also from last year's shoot.

This post and giveaway sponsored by Tiny Prints, but my love of their products is all my own!
Prize does not include shipping and may not be combined with other offers.

Back to School with TinyPrints (and giveaway!)

Brian starts his teacher meetings today and next Wednesday is the first day of school, for him AND Cory.  My oldest child is starting school.

We really hadn't even decided what we were going to do about school this year until just last month.  But I'm so happy that we've chosen a local Montessori school.  I really don't have anything against public school except for the fact that they have all day kindergarten and I think that's just too long, especially for boys.  Boys need lots of creative active time!

So, he's starting school next week, we just got home from vacation on Friday, and now the mad rush is on to find the things he needs.

One thing I'm most worried about when he's out of my care is his allergy.  A gluten allergy, while not life threatening, is pretty overwhelming at times.  It's not just one thing, it comes in many forms and is in practically all pre-packaged foods.

So I'll be sending him to school with one of these adorable allergy alert cards from Tiny Prints.  He's 5 and pretty good about not eating foods without asking what's in them first, but a mom has to have something to worry about, right?  I'll feel a little better knowing the staff will have a quick reference handy!

And in that homemade lunch I will be sending because of his allergies I can add some cute little lunch box notes.  I remember when my mom sent notes in my lunch.  It wasn't every day, but made a special reminder that my lunch was packed with love.  And no, she didn't pack my lunch when I was older, that was my job!

Tiny Prints has lots of great options for your back to school needs and I've got a $50 gift card (plus free shipping!) for one of you to stock up!

Please visit the back to school page and check out all their supplies.  Pick one (or five!) and come back here leaving me a comment about what you like.

For extra entries you can use the options on the product page to share your choice on Pinterest, Facebook, Google+, or Twitter with the hashtag #TinyPrintsBTS.  Leave an extra comment for each share - up to 3 comments total including the first one.

Giveaway will close on August 28th at midnight PST.  Winners will have 2 days to reply so please make sure I have a way to contact you!

PS. Want more prizes from Tiny Prints?  Join the Back to School twitter party today (8/21) from 1-2pm Pacific.  RSVP and follow @resourcefulmom to play!

Tiny Prints has compensated me for my time on this post, but all opinions are my own.

Produce for Kids (with Giveaway)

We all know that eating more fresh fruits and veggies would help us be healthier, right?  Now we can eat healthier and help kids get healthy too.

Now through the end of July, Produce for Kids is partnering with grocery stores across the country in a Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign.  At participating Fred Meyer and Kroger locations you can make any produce purchase and the store will make a donation to the local children's hospital.  (see below for exact schedule)

And while you're shopping for your produce, keep an eye out for this display with Ideal Meal recipe cards for you to try.  Quick and easy healthy meal ideas centered around fresh fruits and veggies.  Perfect for our busy summer schedules!

Where we live there's a fruit stand on every corner and we love the farmer's markets in the summer!  So it's nice to know that our local Fred Meyer stores also source their produce locally - from the Northwest that means only Washington, Oregon, or Idaho when in season.

We've been the beneficiary of our local Seattle Children's Hospital so I'm happy to support this campaign and hope they will help many more children for years to come.


Campaign stores and dates
Northwest Fred Meyer Stores: through July 26th
Kroger Southwest: through July 24th
Price Chopper: through July 28th
King Soopers: through July 31st
Kroger Central: through July 18th

The following hospitals in our area will benefit: Mary Bridge Children's Foundation (Tacoma, Wash.), Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation (Seattle, Wash.), Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital (Spokane, Wash.), St. Luke's Children's Hospital (Boise, Idaho), The Children's Hospital at Providence (Anchorage, Alaska), Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel (Portland, Ore.).

WIN IT!

I have a $25 Fred Meyer gift card for one of you lucky readers!
To enter: please visit the Produce for Kids website and check out their Ideal Meals recipes (in the red box on the right hand side of the page).
Come back and leave a comment telling me which one you'd like to try. Please make sure I have a way to contact you!

For extra entries you may:

• Follow PFK on Pinterest
• Follow PFK on Twitter
• Like PFK on Facebook

Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway closes on July 9th at midnight and winners have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to US residents only.

I have been compensated for my time to write this post, but all opinions are my own.

PROBAR Fruition Review and Giveaway

Most of you are aware by now that my boys have to be gluten free and I have been for the past few weeks as well to see if it would help the girls.  The jury's still out on that one, but I haven't tested it yet since we've also been dealing with so many nursing issues.

However... going gluten free myself it really hit home how much gluten is in literally everything.  So it was very fortuitous that I had just received some samples in the mail of a new gluten free fruit bar.  Created by PROBAR, this line is called Fruition and is certified gluten free*.  Hooray!

 I am super impressed by these bars.  Of course I love that they are gluten free so the boys can have them.  Second, the base is a date paste which is naturally sweet so they're actually not very high in sugar, but plenty sweet to the taste.  Third, they are non-GMO and don't have any soy products in them.  And finally, they are soft without large chunks so even my toddler can eat them easily (as compared to some other granola type bars that have large nuts in them).

PROBAR comes in seven flavors and I got to try them all.  Of course my favorite really was the chocolate orange, but blueberry definitely came in a strong second!  The other flavors are cherry, lemon, cran-raspberry, peach, and strawberry.  I tend not to like peach anyway so my family ate those and the only one I didn't care for was the lemon.  I think because lemon is a tart flavor to me and the bar was still relatively sweet I didn't like it as much.

Each bar contains a full serving of fruit and was chosen as Prevention Magazine's "Best Bar" for 2012's Healthy Food Awards.  They actually have really strict guidelines for their food awards including less than 400 calories (these bars only have 170), less than 500mg of salt (they have 10mg), and no more than 10g of added sugar per serving as well as no genetically modified ingredients.

If you're interested in trying Fruition for yourself there's two ways you can.  First, enter the giveaway below for a mixed box of flavors.  Second, get 40% off your first order from the PROBAR shop by entering code "blogger" at checkout.  I know I'll be ordering a few boxes here soon!

WIN IT!

To win your own mixed box of Fruition please leave me a comment stating which flavor you think you'd like best!  You are also encouraged to "like" PROBAR on facebook to keep up with all the latest they have to offer. (and it looks like they run giveaways over there too!)

Winner will be chosen next Monday June 11th at midnight.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you!

This post was written as part of the Family Review Network.  I was not compensated in any way other than the product I received to facilitate my review.  All opinions are my own!

*For my gluten free friends.  The label is misleading as it does state that it was produced on equipment that processes wheat, however they are certified and it was checked with the quality assurance manager that all equipment is 3rd party certified as gluten free before production of these bars begins.

A Little Treat for Father's Day (Giveaway)

Papa.  That's what my boys have christened my dad.  I still call him Daddy most of the time.

And sometimes he still calls me Widget...

He's not a big talker, but he loves to fish.  One of these days I'll get around to posting a few really old pictures on here out of my scrapbook.  You know, in my spare time?  I have so many memories of fishing with my Dad and hopefully the boys will enjoy it just as much.  Oh, and maybe even the girls too!  Fishing rules!

While I can't really go fishing with him this year for Father's Day, I have hopes that in a couple more years I may be able to go again!  In the mean time I'll probably get him a card with a fish on it.  And we might have fish for dinner if he's caught any lately!

And where will I get my fishy card?  From Tiny Prints new card site called Treat.

If you've been around here for any length of time I'm sure you've noticed I kind of have a love affair going with Tiny Prints.  See, I'm one of those people who really likes stationary and cards and especially getting things in the mail.  And Tiny Prints just has such cool stuff!

Now they've gone and created a site that's entirely dedicated to greeting cards and it's called Treat.   It functions just the same as it always has, with cool customizable cards that you can have sent to you or directly to your recipient.

Treat is giving away 10 tokens good for one card each.  So if you'd like to make some special Father's Day cards, birthday cards, or just Thinking of You cards please enter by leaving me a comment below.  What do you call your dad?

Also: You can get your first card free by signing up and using the code: FREETREAT at checkout.

Giveaway will end next Monday the 4th at midnight.  Please be sure I have a way to contact you!
 
I have been compensated by Treat for this post, but all memories and opinions are my own!
Find Treat on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.

Beyond Coastal Review and Giveaway

It's starting to get warm around here; we put the AC in our window last night!  That means summer's just around the corner.

One of our favorite treats in the summer is to go to the waterslides.  Now normally I don't put sunscreen on myself or my kids every time we go outside.  I prefer to try not to be out in the heat of the day and just wear light clothing to cover up.  But going to the waterslides you don't really have that option!  They don't open until 10 and the hotter it is outside the more fun it is to be in the water.  So, we really need a good sunscreen.

Now, I'm pretty particular when it comes to sunscreens.  Cory reacted badly to a sunscreen the first time he wore it when he was just a year old so I did a lot of research and finally found one that has worked for us.  This means it has no fragrances, no extra ingredients, and we are limited to the mineral sunscreens.

If you know me you know how important it is to me that we limit the amount and kinds of chemicals we put in and on our bodies.  This sunscreen that we use on our boys is still available (although it's rather expensive), but the one that I have been using is no longer available in the formulation that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists with a good rating.  So now I need a new one for me, too.

Recently I was introduced to a new sunscreen company called Beyond Coastal.  They sent me a trial package of their sunscreens as well as information on the company.  I was thoroughly impressed by the fact that I can read all the ingredients and actually have a clue what they might be (Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Shea butter, etc.).  None of their sunscreens have a rating higher than 3 and the Natural line all have a 2 rating (on the EWG Skin Deep Database). 

This makes me super confident that when I do need to put sunscreen on my kids I'm not doing more damage to their little bodies by adding yucky chemicals.  When I used the Natural Kids SPF 30 I liked that for a mineral sunscreen (that's the white stuff) it actually rubbed in fairly quickly and really didn't feel greasy.  Usually I have to wash my own hands after applying it, but with this sunscreen I didn't notice it was nearly as bad.

And, if you absolutely can't stand the white sunscreen you can try their Active line.  They use the least toxic of the UVA blocking chemicals; avobenzone, plus all the other ingredients are natural just like in the other line.

Finally, all their sunscreens are fragrance free, paraben free, and even gluten free!  They have a slight scent, probably due to the various oils used, but I found it to be light and pleasant.

I'm happy to have a new family of sunscreens to add to our arsenal for fun summer days!

WIN IT!


If you would like to win the same sampler pack that I received all you need to do is answer this question: What does your family like to do in the sun?

• Leave the answer in the comments!
• Please be sure I have a way to contact you or I will have to choose another winner. 
• Contest will end next Tuesday (the 22nd) at midnight, or whenever my mama brain remembers to close comments!  

I received the sample pack of sunscreen in order to facilitate my review through the Global Influence network. All opinions are strictly my own.

Things I Love: Mini Mioche (with Giveaway!)

At the moment life is pretty much kicking my butt.  My little guy wants to be with me 24/7 when he's not sleeping.  And my bigger little guy is kind of jealous.

However... it's hard to stay mad at this face for long!

And how cute is he in that outfit?  I love the color of the sweater! 

The whole outfit is compliments of mini mioche (mee-osh) a baby and toddler clothing company from Toronto, Canada.

Things I Love:

• mini mioche is committed to using 100% organic cotton
• their clothing is designed and made in Canada
• seamstresses are paid a living wage
• they are environmentally friendly in their dyes and packaging (no plastic)

mioche means "little one" in French.  I love how soft the fabric is and that all the tags are also made of soft fabric to not be scratchy for my little guy.  Lots of baby clothes are really cute, but sometimes we don't really care about what character is popular, we really care about the baby!  These clothes are simple and classic.  No one will look at these pictures in 20 years and see "dated" - well, other than maybe my style!

The clothing seems to hold up pretty well to a crawling baby and many washes.  However, I haven't put mine in the dryer because I'm afraid it might shrink (see below), but they dry quickly.  The cute boogie pants even fit over cloth diapers!

 

Things I didn't Love:  The only complaints I have are in the sizing and "season" of the clothes.  Noah is wearing 9 and 12 month clothing in most brands.  This outfit is sized as 12-18 months and it fits him now.  The sweater is even a bit small width wise, especially over the t-shirt.  However, everything is long enough which is rather amazing considering most other clothing isn't.

In terms of the season, unless you live where it's warm most of the year this is not a fall and winter outfit.  The super soft cotton is rather thin and definitely isn't warm enough for our weather, especially if you keep your house on the cool side in the winter.  It would be great in milder climates or seasons though.

***

How would you like to win an item of your choice from mini mioche?  You would?  Great!  All you need to do is visit their website and then come back and tell me which item you would pick if you won!

If you can't wait to get your hands on this cute clothing use the code MCFALL for 20% off your order through November 30th.

This giveaway will run until 11:59pm on November 30th.  Open to US and Canada.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you or I will pick another winner!  Winners will have 3 days to respond.


For more Things I Love Thursday visit Jill at The Diaper Diaries!

Disclosure: I am participating in a mini mioche ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf of mini mioche. I received an outfit as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are always my own.

My Art Card Giveaway!

Most of you probably know by now that I'm definitely into photography. On the right side-bar is the link to my etsy shop where I'm selling note cards made with photos I have taken.

However... at the moment my friend Kailani is giving away a set of my note cards on her blog, An Island Life. She's written a great review as well! So if this is something you'd like, hop over and enter to win! :)

Blog Party Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaways last week! They are now closed and I have drawn the winners!

Day 1 - magnet set from Daisy May Designs goes to Lisa (nussli)

Day 2 - custom jewelry design from HeatherBoyd goes to Erinls

Day 3 - sewing pattern from that*darn*kat goes to Danielle (yellyjohnson)

Day 4 - burp cloth set from the Polka Dot Papoose goes to Terra Jones

Day 5 - earrings from RuthKealoha goes to Karen and Co.


Ladies, you have 3 days to get back to me. I sent you all an email so please check your spam/junk folders!

Blog Party Guidelines

This is a sticky post for Blog Party week! Scroll down for new posts and giveaways!

Welcome to my new/old site! I hope you'll stay and look around... help me figure out if everything is working right... and enter the great giveaways we've got for this week!

Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to my feed! It's right over there -->

(those of you who have me linked on your site, would you be so kind as to update the link? Thanks! - oh, and the button code is updated, too! code on the left sidebar! although the old code will still get you here!)

To enter all giveaways: You must either leave me a valid email address in your comment or have it on your profile so I can contact you. You want to know if you win, right?

• You may enter each contest by posting a comment about the item.
• You may enter a second time by posting my button on your blog. Please leave a second comment with the link to where it is posted.
• All Wii votes will be counted - you don't need to leave another comment for that.
• There may be other ways to enter so stay tuned!

All giveaways will end on December 8th at midnight Pacific time. The 9th is my birthday so I thought I'd have some fun picking winners then!
Winners will be contacted by email and have 3 days to get back to me. Good luck and happy contesting!

Blog Party Day 5: RuthKealoha

Welcome to Day 5 of my blog party! Please be sure to update your feed reader (and if you haven't already, now's a great time to subscribe!) to my new URL: www.welcometomarriedlife.com


Today I'd like to introduce to you the gorgeous jewelry made by Ruth. I met Ruth at a holiday bazaar a couple of weeks ago so I got to see this fun stuff in person! She's a mom like me and is just getting started making jewelry. In fact, I'm going to her house tonight for a Christmas party and to see if I can find the perfect gift for a friend!

Of course you'd like to see what kind of jewelry she makes...


I really like dangly earrings if they are just so... and these are totally my style! A set of pearls or some funky oriental beads!

Then there are the awesome necklaces...

You have to click on this one to really see it. It's a heart shaped stone wrapped with wire. Many colors available.

I also like necklaces that look like they are floating like the one on the left. The one on the right caught my attention because of the dove. She says there are earrings available to match! I have a thing for doves... some of you might know why!

Ruth has graciously offered up a set of earrings for my giveaway. You can choose any set you like! And she's just recently updated her shop so there are tons to choose from! Please go visit, find the pair you'd like or your favorite item and come back here and tell me! That's it!


To enter: You must either leave me a valid email address in your comment or have it on your profile so I can contact you. You want to know if you win, right?

• You may enter each contest by posting a comment about the item.
• You may enter a second time by posting my button on your blog. Please leave a second comment with the link to where it is posted.
• All Wii votes will be counted - you don't need to leave another comment for that.
• There may be other ways to enter so stay tuned!

All giveaways will end on December 8th at midnight Pacific time. The 9th is my birthday so I thought I'd have some fun picking winners then!
Winners will be contacted by email and have 3 days to get back to me. Good luck and happy contesting!

Blog Party Day 4: Polka Dot Papoose

Welcome to Day 4 of my blog party! Please be sure to update your feed reader (and if you haven't already, now's a great time to subscribe!) to my new URL: www.welcometomarriedlife.com


Today I'd like to introduce to you the beautiful designs of Tara. She makes modern baby slings and burp cloths in the most gorgeous fabric combinations I have ever seen!

Like this one... I think it's my favorite!



Or this set of burp clothes. Don't you love the bright colors!



You can shop Tara's Etsy store or her website. She has a page of "instructions" that will help you if you've never used a sling before. You can also buy her designs at a number of other sites.

Here are a couple of slightly more muted designs that I also like. But I'm really a fan of the bold, shhh, don't tell, okay?





Tara has graciously offered one of her burp cloth sets to you. I know there are many of you out there either pregnant, with a new baby, or have a million friends with babies so this will come in handy! I'd enter myself if I could... ;)

So please visit her Etsy shop and come back with the name of your favorite fabric pattern combo!


To enter: You must either leave me a valid email address in your comment or have it on your profile so I can contact you. You want to know if you win, right?

• You may enter each contest by posting a comment about the item.
• You may enter a second time by posting my button on your blog. Please leave a second comment with the link to where it is posted.
• All Wii votes will be counted - you don't need to leave another comment for that.
• There may be other ways to enter so stay tuned!

All giveaways will end on December 8th at midnight Pacific time. The 9th is my birthday so I thought I'd have some fun picking winners then!
Winners will be contacted by email and have 3 days to get back to me. Good luck and happy contesting!

Blog Party Day 3: that*darn*kat

Welcome to Day 3 of my blog party! Please be sure to update your feed reader (and if you haven't already, now's a great time to subscribe!) to my new URL: www.welcometomarriedlife.com


Today I'm featuring my "in real life" friend, Katie, of that*darn*kat!

Katie is a former teacher (like me!) turned stay at home mom to three adorable kids. She is a seamstress extraordinaire as you'll soon see from her wares!

She makes a lot of her children's clothes plus purses, wallets, and probably anything else you could think of! So without further ado...

See that cute wallet on the left? I have one just like it only mine is in various black and white patterned fabric. It's perfect for a black and white purse that I have and everyone thinks it's so cool that it was custom made for me!

Of course I'd love to have a custom made purse like the one on the right... but until the one I'm using falls apart I think I'll have to wait!

For our giveaway Katie is offering one of her patterns. Don't be scared, they are great photo tutorials! You'll have your choice of two sizes of girls dresses, a pattern for underwear (how cool is that???), or the pattern for the bag shown above in black and white.

Please go visit her shop, come back and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite item is!


To enter: You must either leave me a valid email address in your comment or have it on your profile so I can contact you. You want to know if you win, right?

• You may enter each contest by posting a comment about the item.
• You may enter a second time by posting my button on your blog. Please leave a second comment with the link to where it is posted.
• All Wii votes will be counted - you don't need to leave another comment for that.
• There may be other ways to enter so stay tuned!

All giveaways will end on December 8th at midnight Pacific time. The 9th is my birthday so I thought I'd have some fun picking winners then!
Winners will be contacted by email and have 3 days to get back to me. Good luck and happy contesting!

Blog Party Day 2: HeatherBoyd

Welcome to Day 2 of my blog party! Please be sure to update your feed reader (and if you haven't already, now's a great time to subscribe!) to my new URL: www.welcometomarriedlife.com

Today I'm pleased to introduce you to the fabulous Etsy artisan named Heather Boyd. She's an art teacher from Montreal whose wares run the gamut from wire jewelry to children's craft projects to clothing and textile items. She also does custom designs so if you have something in particular you would like... let her know!

I personally adore these cat earrings...


That's how I found her shop, I was searching cats and art!

Here are some other examples of items she makes...





Heather has generously donated a custom creation just for you! A pair of earrings, brooch, necklace or bookmark based on your idea, design, or logo! So go take a look at her shop and her website (there are lots more ideas there) and then tell me what you'd like for her to create!


To enter: You must either leave me a valid email address in your comment or have it on your profile so I can contact you. You want to know if you win, right?

• You may enter each contest by posting a comment about the item.
• You may enter a second time by posting my button on your blog. Please leave a second comment with the link to where it is posted.
• All Wii votes will be counted - you don't need to leave another comment for that.
• There may be other ways to enter so stay tuned!

All giveaways will end on December 8th at midnight Pacific time. The 9th is my birthday so I thought I'd have some fun picking winners then!
Winners will be contacted by email and have 3 days to get back to me. Good luck and happy contesting!

Blog Party Day 1: Daisy May Designs

Welcome to Day 1 of my blog party! Please be sure to update your feed reader (and if you haven't already, now's a great time to subscribe!) to my new URL: www.welcometomarriedlife.com

Now I'd like to introduce you to Kristy!

Kristy is the owner of Daisy Mae Designs and boy does she have some fun stuff! It's very affordable, too!

Kristy lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and is a "consultant by day, crafter by night (and weekend)!" Her shop is named for her sweet, lazy beagle, Daisy Mae.

Here are some examples of the things she creates. Lots of magnets and funky pendants!





Hmmm, can you tell I like black and white? Don't worry, she has tons of beautiful colored items, too!

In honor of my blog relaunch party she has generously offered one of her magnet sets to you, my lovely readers! In return she would like a little market research...

Please go visit her Etsy shop and leave me a comment with your favorite item... or two! There are cool magnets as well as beautiful necklaces and some note cards.


To enter: You must either leave me a valid email address in your comment or have it on your profile so I can contact you. You want to know if you win, right?

• You may enter each contest by posting a comment about the item.
• You may enter a second time by posting my button on your blog. Please leave a second comment with the link to where it is posted.
• All Wii votes will be counted - you don't need to leave another comment for that.
  
• There may be other ways to enter so stay tuned!

All giveaways will end on December 8th at midnight Pacific time. The 9th is my birthday so I thought I'd have some fun picking winners then!