Happy Panda at Laura Williams Musings.

Laura Williams Musings is giving away a great gift basket from Happy Panda.  Take a look at all the great things you can win.  Comments close on Monday, Dec 3.

no picture to post/out of town still.

Melrose Apron Giveaway

Boutique Cafe' is having a great giveaway this week.  You can win a beautiful Melrose Apron from Sommer Designs.  They are picking a winner on Friday, Nov. 30.  Better hurry and enter.

I can't post a picture of the apron because I am out of town and using a Mac.  I don't know how to post pictures using a Mac.  Anybody got any hints?

To see the apron go to Sommer Designs or Boutique Cafe'.  (Any tips on how to do an accented e?)

Welcome TeenyManolo!

There is a great newish site (launched in September) I just found.  It is called TeenyManolo.  It's a parenting/childhood site with some great posts.  Here is a one with a list of their top 10 favorite Christmas movies.

There is even a handy gift guide if you are having trouble shopping for someone you buying a gift for.

Stop by and see what else they have to offer.

Out of Town

I will be out of town this next week. I'm not sure if I will have internet access or not. To see what contests are available while I am away, head on over to Prizey. You will find lots of giveaways to win.

update:  I do have access off and on.  Mostly off but sometimes on.

thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

12 Days of Christmas Shopping with Skimbaco

Skimbaco is having an event called The 12 Days of Christmas Shopping. There will be many great deals on designer children's clothes. Beginning Friday, Nov. 23 prices will be at their lowest of the year. Check out some of the great deals.

Here are a few of my favorite items:

I love these Veggie Boots by Livie and Luca

Edenstar Blossom Sun Top

Cherry Blossom Felt cake

Rada Knifes are the Best

Rada Knifes are my favorite knifes. They have wonderful pairing knifes and the vegetable peeler is amazing.

Made in the USA is giving away a set of knifes. To find out all the details visit Made in the USA before Nov. 26

Gift Guides

Are you looking for a gift for someone? Try looking here. (take a look at the sidebar also)


The Crunchy Domestic Goddess

Boutique Cafe' Has A Bag For You

Boutique Cafe' is having an amazing giveaway right now for the Minneapolis diaper bag from Zosephine. You have until Nov. 23 to enter.

Do you hate your current diaper bag? Right now we use a small diaper bag for my nieces but it doesn't always fit the extra clothes and diapers and toys and snacks. We sometimes use the 3 year olds back pack to bring her an extra set of clothes which leaves the diaper bag available for her one year old sisters items.

This diaper bag looks amazing. I love the convenient cell phone pocket. The style of the bag is also a plus. No ducks or little bears, no pink or blue or pastels.

Pedoodles For Their Piggies

I just love cute baby shoes and Pedoodles makes some cute ones. Our Blessed Arrows is giving away a pair of shoes of your choice (from instock shoes and sizes). There will be two winners. To find out how to enter visit Our Blessed Arrows by Nov. 25.

Stick around because she will be having weekly giveaways.

I love Aprons

Apron A Day is giving away a great apron of your choice. All you have to do is tell her which apron is your favorite from Carolyn's Kitchen. My favorite is the Dorothy apron in Red. Winner will be drawn on Nov. 24.

Pay It Forward Book Giveaway

I have been meaning to post this Pay It Forward for a while but I just keep forgetting. If you would like to know more about the Pay It Forward giveaway visit Overwhelmed With Joy on all the details. Basically, you enter to win a gently used book, read it and then pass it on to someone else either by a giveaway from your blog or just by giving it to a friend. The purpose is to let other people enjoy a good book. Most people love to read a new book without having to purchase it and it is always great to share. Isn't that what you learned in Kindergarten? On to the book!

I actually have two books up for grabs. One I got from Overwhelmed With Joy and one my mom got from The Mommy Rambles. My mom doesn't have a blog so I told her I would host her Pay It Forward.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Follow the link to read what this story is about. It is a great read.












I also have up for grabs.

The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts



From the back cover:

Caney Paxton wanted his cafe to have the biggest and brightest sign in Eastern Oklahoma-the "opening soon" part was supposed to be just a removable, painted notice. But a fateful misunderstanding gave Vietnam vet Caney the flashiest joke in the entire state. Twelve years later, the once-busy highway is dead and the sign is as worn as Caney, who hasn't ventured outside the diner since it opened. Then one blustery December day, a thirtyish Crow woman blows in with a three-legged dog in her arms and a long-buried secret on her mind. Hiring on as a carhop, Vena Takes Horse is soon shaking up business, the locals, and Caney's heart...as she teaches them all about generosity of spirit, love, and the possibility of promise-just like the sign says.

If you would like to read these gently used books and then pass them on to someone else, leave a comment letting me know which book you would like. If you would like your name put in for both books let me know that also. There will be 2 winners. One for each book. I will leave comments open until Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. US and Canada residents only.

Trendy Tadpole

I did a review for Trendy Tadpole awhile ago and I want to show you a picture of my niece wearing the shirt. It is a wonderful and beautiful shirt. It was a little hard to get a picture because she refused to stand still for the photo. I had to take it while she was riding her bike. The shirt is a size 6 Cherry Blossom. My niece wears a 4t and the 6 fits great. It's a little long on the sleeves and the length but it will be able to withstand her next growth spurt.

Skin MD Winner Announced

Thank you to everyone who left comments. Random.org says the winner is comment #34 (minus the double comment)

Congratulations Bree!

You are the winner of a 4oz bottle of Skin MD. Be looking for an email from me.

Traditions

We have a few Holiday traditions in my family. Here are a few.

Thanksgiving
My mom makes the normal dinner for Thanksgiving. After dinner, some of the aunts and uncles nap on the couch or any other location that is available. The kids play the PS2 upstairs. The rest of us play board games while my mom and aunt look at the ads for sales the next day. That is a typical Thanksgiving.

Christmas
We spend Christmas eve at my mom's family and have pizza. Christmas day is at home. We eat a nice breakfast and then open gifts. Later we have a larger family dinner. The last couple of years, we have started going to the movies on Christmas day.

New Years
We have a small party and call my aunt at midnight. Her birthday is Jan. 1.


What are your traditions? If you share them, you could win a Toshiba HD DVD Player from In Pursuit of Proverbs 31. Contest ends Nov. 17.

*This contest is hosted by Pursuit of Proverbs 31. Please enter over there. I am just letting you know about the contest and telling my traditions.*

memes

Alexia from The Mommy Rambles tagged me to do both of these memes, so I am going to put them both in the same post.

8 Things Meme:

8 things I’m passionate about

1. Jesus Christ

2. My family

3. My nieces

4. My friends

5. Reading

6. Sleeping

7. Finding great new baby products

8. Blog contests

8 things I want to do before I die

1. Be a wife

2. Be a mom

3. Get the job of my dreams (even though I'm not sure what that is)

4. Learn to take better pictures

5. Visit Oregon, Maine, and maybe a couple of other places

6. Own a house

7. Go Australia

8. Visit Europe

8 things I say often

1. "Do you have to go potty?"

2. "Be nice to your sister"

3. "I'm hungry"

4. "Time to read books"

5. "Give me a smooch"

6. "Guess how much I love you"

7. "I love you as big as a pineapple"

8."I'm cold"

8 books I’ve recently read

1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

2. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

3. Alice the Fairy by David Shannon

4. The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross (in the process of reading)

5. The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center

6. Over Her Head by Shelley Bates

7. Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Bryd

8. Germ by Robert Liparulo

8 songs I could listen to over and over

1. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

2. The Goonies 'R Good Enough - Cyndi Lauper

3. Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin

4. Grease Soundtrack

5. Nightingale - Nora Jones

6. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

7. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

8. Beautiful You - Monk & Neagle

8 things that attract me to my best friends

1. Fun

2. Love to do the same things I do

3. Doesn't mind my strange ways

4. Listens even when I am blathering on about unimportant things

5. Loves their family

6. Likes my family

7. Doesn't mind me hanging around

8. Man this is hard to come up with 8 things.

8 things I’ve learned this past year

1. To Crochet

2. Gotten better at sewing

3. Patience

4. What blogs are

5. There are wonderful, generous people out there

6. I don't have to buy it

7. I can make that

8. How crazy curly hair can get. (my nieces)

8 people I think should do Crazy 8’s

I don't know anyone to send this to, so if you want to do this meme feel free to.

Random Views of Me

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Blood Oranges
2. Bakery: sour cream glazed donuts
3. Meat: Steak
4. Frozen: Cherry Garcia Ice Cream - Ben and Jerry's
5. Dry goods: Chex mix

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. Pajamas
2. Pajamas
3. Pajamas

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. "What's for dinner?"
2. "Be nice to your sister"
3. "Do you have to go potty?"
4. "Can I have a kiss?"
5. "Guess how much I love you"

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you'd probably be in a pretty irritable/bad mood?
1. eat
2. check my email and check some blogs
3. go to the bathroom by myself

What are 3 things that you have in your room that have been with you for the longest amount of time?
1. A teddy bear I got when I was 8.
2. my bed. I need a new one
3. strawberry shortcake and barbies - In a box in my closet in storage.

If you were only allowed to listen to 5 of your CDs for the rest of your life, never adding anything else, which 5 could you listen to & be content with?
1. Queen - Greatest Hits
2. Nora Jones - Come Away with Me
3. Monk & Neagle - The Twenty-First Time
4. Grease - Soundtrack
5. ABBA - Gold

You're driving down the road, and suddenly you're hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?
1. Someone passes me and I am going a little over the speed limit
2. Someone speeds up and slows down and I can't pass
3. Someone pulls out in front of me

You just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Reading books and blogs
2. Entering contests
3. Playstation
4. One of the many craft projects I have started and not finished
5. Watching a movie

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Petting Zoo
2. Penguins
3. Monkeys

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show of your choice. You can pick between 5, so what are you deciding between?
1. Heroes
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. America's Next Top Model
4. Gilmore Girls (I know it isn't on anymore)
5. Chuck

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Cherry Garcia - B&J
2. Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk - B&J
3. Vanilla

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. MomSpit
2. Joanne Fabrics coupons
3. Numerous Chapsticks
4. Beaners frequency card
5. pictures of my nieces

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Photographer
2. Mom
3. Interior Decorator
4. toy designer

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school and inform yourself of 4 things that you should or should not do what would it be?
1. Go for it!
2. Have fun
3. Don't wear that really ugly outfit
4. pay closer attention in Spanish

I'm tagging:

Anybody who wants to do this.

Sling That Baby

The Domestic Diva is giving away a sling of your choice from Mod Mum. There are some great slings over there. Take a look. Not sure of an ending date. These are my favorites.

Lily

Emma

Be Blessed with BabyLegs

Our Blessed Arrows is having a great giveaway. She is giving away BabyLegs. One of my favorite things. Winner will be chosen on Nov. 19

12 Days of Christmas with Mamanista

Mamanista is having a 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway. There will be some great gifts to be won. Find out how by stopping by.

Skin MD Review and a Giveaway

**** Comments are now closed*****

The wonderful and very generous people at Skin MD offered me a trial of their Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion. I accepted because I get very dry skin in the winter. Working with kids, I also wash my hands a lot.

One of the things I liked about this lotion is that it did not feel sticky or waxy when I applied it. It only takes a little lotion to provide relief from dry skin. The lotion glides on smoothly and keeps your hands smooth. I have mostly used it on my hands but have, on occasion, used it as an all-over lotion with good results.

I also liked that the lotion does not have a strong smell to it. There is basically no smell at all. You won't smell like a fruit bowl or smell like you fell into a florist truck after applying this lotion.

The website tells you exactly what is in the lotion so you don't have to worry about any hidden ingredients. They also give descriptions of each of the ingredients so you know what you are putting on your body. Not many companies do that.

Read through some of the user reviews and see some before and after photos to get an idea of how well this lotion works. I have to say that when I clicked on the before and after photos, I was thankful for not having severe dry skin or any medical issues involving my skin. I just get dry, sometimes cracky, skin.

The website does a wonderful job of explaining how the lotion works and why it works and what is in the lotion. Head on over if you have any questions.

If you would like to try some for yourself, you're in luck because I have a 4oz. bottle to give away to one lucky commenter. (Retail Value $25)

To win all you have to do:

• leave me a comment telling me what lotion you normally use.
  
• I will accept comments until 5 pm (est) Friday, Nov. 16.
  
• Make sure I can contact you through your blog or leave an email in a way so the spam bots can't get you (youremail at youremail dot com) or something like that.
  
• The winner will be posted Friday evening or Saturday afternoon.
  
• I will contact the winner through email and be asking for a mailing address.
• US or Canada residents only please.
  

Organic Clothing Giveaway

Made in the USA is having a contest to win an outfit for your kid. The outfit comes from My Goodness Duds. There are some extremely cute shirts check them out. I'm not sure of the ending date for this giveaway.

Here is my favorite:

Messy Lil' Monster

Cyber Baby Shower for Classy Mommy

Congratulations Classy Mommy! She is having a boy and Happy Panda is having a party for her to celebrate. There are some great games and prizes to be won. Grab something to drink and find a comfy seat and join in.

Games:

Well I really can't play any of the games this time. I don't have any kids. So I can't post a picture of my baby belly. I haven't given birth so I can't tell you how long labor took or how big the baby was. We do have a sort of nursery here for my nieces but I won't show you that because it is just a crib and a rocker in a room, nothing special.

But I can still enter to win some of the prizes because they are having a random draw after the four winners of the games have been picked and they have chosen their prizes.

Here are my top picks:

• KN Karen Neuburger Mouse Pajamas
• Hanes deluxe gift pack
• Blessed Baby onesie
• Downtime Sleepy Hat

Classy Mommy and the prize donors have helped raise money for a wonderful charity called Project Peanut Butter

Christmas is Coming!

Are you making your lists? Wish lists, giving lists, food lists, guest lists, lists, lists, lists. This is a season of lists. I know I tend to make more lists during the holidays than any other time. One list I enjoy making is my giving and wishing lists. I have a few things on my list already.

I just checked out 5 Minutes for Moms and they are having a Christmas Giveaway 2007. I can add a few more things to my lists just by checking out that site. They are giving away a wonderful bag from Mom4Life. Check it out and see what you can add to your lists.

Photobooks Would Rescue My Pictures

My photos tend to get stuck in my camera or in the computer. I take some wonderful photos sometimes but I just never get around to printing them. It is really sad, I don't think I have printed any pictures since last Christmas! I think I have found the perfect solution. Photobooks. I am in luck because mommy bytes is having a giveaway. She is giving away 6 HP Photo Books. This is one to win! The contest ends Nov. 15.

I would probably create a photobook of my nieces since they seem to be my only subject. I would post a picture but since I don't have their parents permission, I won't. Here is a lovely photo I took at the park a couple of weeks ago during an outing with my niece.

Hair Disasters of the 80's

One of the worst hair disasters I have encountered happened when I was in middle school. The time when you don't want to have hair disasters. Everything hangs on your hair and clothes looking great in middle school. I survived and my hair eventually survived also.

I have long straight hair. My friend had short, curly (permed) hair. She talked me into getting a perm. I got my hair cut and layered and permed. YIKES! I looked okay coming out of the salon but after a few days of me washing and trying to style it, I looked horrible. I ended up looking like a frazzled crazy person. My curls turned into frizz and there was nothing stopping it. After the perm started to die down, I was crazy and got another perm. You would have thought that I learned the first time but I didn't. I went to someone else and thought this time would be better. Not a chance. I looked just as horrible. Maybe I can find a picture somewhere if I didn't burn them all. Maybe I won't post it so that I don't scare away all of my one reader.

I could have used Beauty Confidential or even some help from the wonderful people at Parent Bloggers Network.

Lead-Free Toys

Are you concerned over the safety of the toys you will be purchasing this Holiday season? I am. I want to stay away from all painted and plastic products. That will be a mighty hard task. There is a great site that lists stores where you can buy these wonderful toys. My Two Boys is having a giveaway from some of these stores that sell natural toys. This giveaway will last all month.

Right now till Nov. 5 you can win a great wooden tool kit from Natural Pod.

I love this set. My niece will love this set. She likes to work on her bike with her dad. Perfect for Christmas.

Here is another wonderful lead-free toy. It is a Abbee, an organic cotton doll from happygreenbee. This doll is so cute! I love the stripes. Giveaway ends Nov. 6.



The next giveaway on My Two Boys is for a 3 layer wooden puzzle from LaLa Natural. Their store contains all natural products for your family.




Giveaway 5 is from Hazelnut Kids. It is a mega giveaway. There are 12 items in this prize pack. Go take a look. Not sure of an enter by date.

The next giveaway is from Little Sprouts. It is a collection of wooden food items and a linen bag. This would be great for our little kitchen. This giveaway ends Nov. 19.





I just found the best present for my niece. It is at Moolka and it is a Haba Wooden Doctor kit. We have the Fisher Price doctor kit but I have taken away the blood pressure cuff as it might or might not contain dangerous levels of lead. Well to be safe I would love to have this wooden kit.

Natural Pod is giving away a great gift set.  ( I can't post a picture but you can take a look at what you can win by going to My Two Boys.)

My Two Boys has added another giveaway to the lead-free list.  This one is from Oompa Toys and is Haba wooden block set.  The set is a Russian building set a great addition to your regular block collection or as a stand alone set.

Funny Baby Clothes

I have recently discovered a great new place to get some cool baby clothes. It's Trendy Tadpole. They sell cute, witty and stylish shirts for babies and kids. The shirts are made right here in the U.S.A. That is a major plus in my book. The website is very easy to navigate and offers great pictures and descriptions of the shirts.

This shirt is my favorite. It's called Cherry Blossom.



Most of the shirts run about $19.95. A very affordable price. Which is great because you can order more than one, such as this one, which reminds me of all those 80's movies that I love.



I would also consider buying the Elvis shirt because my 3 year old niece loves to listen to Elvis songs. You should here her sing Blue Hawaii.


Trendy Tadpole also donates proceeds from the sales of their shirts to P.E.T.A, UNICEF and this month to breast cancer awareness with The Silly Wagon. So buy a shirt and help a good cause.

Before you go, I just wanted to show you a few more cute shirts.





Are you still here? Go shop!