Big Mama's Blog

Christmas Wishes at EdenFantasys.com

2011-12-06T14:20:00.000-05:00

We're just a few short weeks from Christmas and EdenFantasys has some beautiful items available to help you celebrate the season. As I've written before, EdenFantasys has a huge selection of gorgeous lingerie items. They have a wide variety of holiday themed costumes that can help heat up those cold winter nights. They also stock all kinds of great outfits for a night on the town - cute tops, skirts, and dresses to help make you feel sexy. They even have some fun items to dress up the man in your life!

In addition to these gifts, they also have things that are a bit more tame.

To make your lips kissable and soft, they offer a beautiful lip lovely set that includes a gentle lip scrub and a lip balm. These are offered in peppermint and strawberry and come in a gorgeous gift box. It would make a wonderful gift for someone else or even just to pamper yourself. And at under twenty dollars, the price is right.

Once you've got your lips all softened, you can dress up a bit more with Bella in bloom palette, that includes lip gloss, eye shadow and face powder. When you buy this, it comes with an extra gift for you, a beach towel from EdenFantasys.

No matter what you're looking for this holiday season, be sure to check out EdenFantasys!

Disclosure: EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys, provided me with a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Review: EdenFantasys Lingerie

2011-10-29T15:41:00.000-04:00

Because my husband's new job has him out of town a fair amount right now, we have to be really creative during the time that he's home. I have used EdenFantasys to pick up some sex toys for when we're apart, but on his last trip home, we used the site to pick out some new lingerie for me for when we're together.

First, they have a really wide range of lingerie. They have all kinds of costumes if you're looking to do some role playing (or you want to extend Halloween past Monday). They also offer a huge variety of "regular" lingerie from more conservative gowns to some lacy "barely there" teddies.

I love that when you click on the larger sizes, they use plus sized models to show off the items. We were able to make some good choices for us by checking out items that were modeled on women who have a build similar to mine rather than some of the other models.

The items that we ordered shipped just as quickly as I've come to expect and they were of great quality. The prices are reasonable and the selection is fantastic. We had fun picking them out, and more fun trying them out! As always, EdenFantasys for the win!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from EdenFantasys.com. I was compensated with a gift card for this post, however my opinions are 100% my own.

EdenFantasys and Breast Cancer Awareness

2011-10-12T12:09:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love the good folks over at EdenFantasys. They have an absolutely amazing selection of toys and lingerie and romantic goodies at reasonable prices. I have been shopping there for over a year now and I love it. If you're looking for a place to purchase anything to spice up your romantic life, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month and because they are awesome, EdenFantasys is running a contest where you can submit a short video (between 30-45 seconds) explaining why you support breast cancer awareness. You need to include the phrase "Support Breast Cancer Awareness and show your ta-tas some love; they're already close to your heart" in the video. They are offering three different prizes. First place wins a gift basket of $500 of pink products (including some really high-end items!). Second place is a $100 gift card and third place is a $50 gift card.

You need to upload your video to their site by midnight on October 14, so you don't have a lot of time, but if you think that breast cancer awareness is important and you'd like the chance to win a little something-something as a result, I highly recommend checking out this contest! Click the banner at the top of the post to get the full details and support breast cancer awareness this October!

Review: Fleshlight from EdenFantasys

2011-08-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

This post is intended for adult eyes only. So if you're under 18, I'd appreciate it if you'd check out something else right now. Thanks!

I've been a fan of adult toys in the bedroom for me for quite some time now. Granted, I waited a long time before I got my first vibrator, but since that first time, well, let's just say that over the years I've amassed quite a collection. Especially thanks to the fine folks over at EdenFantasys.

But we never bothered to look for anything for my husband. Years and years have gone by and while I've been vaguely aware of their existence, I never spent much time thinking about what a sex toy for him might mean. I eventually realized that I hate double standards, especially in the bedroom, and after hearing nothing but good things about it, I decided to purchase him a Fleshlight.

According to him, there is a reason why this is a best-selling male sex toy!

The Superskin material is very life-like. By adjusting the cap at the bottom of the flashlight portion of the product, you can increase or decrease the amount of suction that you receive. This can actually be fun to play with when using it as a couple. It seems to be stretchy and yet still snug. Based on his reactions when using it, I would say that it is an enjoyable experience! It can be a little bit of a pain to clean up and it's not the most discreet thing (it's a flashlight, yeah, but gigantic and pretty obviously NOT a flashlight!), but when it comes to actual use, it's quite nice!

I had concerns that this would be strictly a solo device, but it's actually been something that we enjoy using together. That said, I appreciate that he now has some options when we are apart. If you're just making your way into the arena of male sex toys, I think this is one that is worth checking out!

Disclosure: I was compensated by EdenFantasys.com in the form of a gift certificate for this post, however my opinions are 100% my own.

EdenFantasys Liberator Shapes Contest!

2011-05-11T08:30:00.002-04:00

As I stated a few weeks ago, I adore the Liberator wedge ramp combo that I got from EdenFantasys. Honestly, they are just about the best addition to our bedroom that I could imagine. They make everything more comfortable, more interesting and more fun. My biggest regret is that we waited so long to buy them. I really can't say enough good things about our Liberator shapes. Really, I encourage you to go out right away and purchase them for yourself. Worth every penny.

With my new love affair with Liberator, I was excited to see that EdenFantasys is running a contest to give away some additional Liberator shapes. They have four different shapes that they're offering and they are really interesting. In addition to being liberator shapes, these also have places to hold toys to give them a little extra kick. I'd love to check out the Wing. In addition to no doubt being a sturdy, well-made piece of furniture, it includes pockets in it to house a vibrator (or other toys, if you're going solo) that can add additional stimulation to the whole piece. Which I have to admit, sounds incredibly fun.

You can enter to win up to two of the Liberator shapes in the contest. Simple entries include liking pages or tweeting about the contest. Just head over to EdenCafe and check it out!

Disclosure: EdenFantasys.com has sponsored this post, but the opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Review & Giveaway: Prefense Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer

2011-05-05T10:15:00.003-04:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.comWe're just a few short weeks away from school being out and summer break beginning. Which around here means that the kids are going to be playing outside a lot more. Which means that their hands are going to be touching one grubby thing after another. And means that they're going to be picking up germs just like always.

One thing that helps prevent sickness in the summer (and let's be honest, no one wants to deal with sick kids in the summer!) is active hand washing. Of course, sometimes the kids are less diligent about that than I'd like. So I was excited to try Prefense Alcohol-free hand sanitizer that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi for 24 hours with a single application. This is equivalent to 10 hand washings!

Because this is alcohol free, it doesn't dry out your hands like other hand sanitizers. In fact, my skin felt even smoother after an application. It's also completely non toxic and safe if swallowed, unlike most other hand sanitizers. Additionally, the lack of alcohol makes it non-flammable. And the citrus scent is very pleasant and not at all overpowering.

With so many hand sanitizers on the market, I really love that there is one available that is so effective and safe!

Buy it: You can head over to the Prefense website and order your own 8 oz. bottle for just $9!

Win it: One lucky reader will win an 8 oz. bottle of Prefense! Contest open to US residents 18 and older.

Mandatory Entry:

What outdoor activities do your kids like to do during the summer that require hand washing?

Extra Entries:

Follow Prefense on Twitter.
Like Prefense on Facebook.
Follow me on Google Friend Connect.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: #Win an 8oz bottle of hand sanitizer by @Prefense from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/kqNymE #Giveaway ends 5/16 (2x per day at least an hour apart).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day.).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, May 16. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Review: Personal MicroDerm System from SkinCareRX.com

2011-05-05T09:41:00.001-04:00

I had the opportunity to receive a Personal MicroDerm system from SkinCareRX.com. I've tried various microderm abrasion kits in the past that use various exfoliating creams, and have liked the results, but this one is different. This is an actual microderm system that uses aluminum oxide crystals just like the professionals. Only with this, you have the ability to use it in your own home.

The PMD is very easy to use. It comes with a short 8 minute DVD that gives detailed instructions on how to assemble the product and the best way to use it. I found it very helpful to watch the video before using the product.

Once you have put it together and have determined what skin type you have (you want to use the lighter grit first so you don't damage your skin), you simply plug in the PMD and using upward strokes, move it across the skin that you want to address. The caps create a vacuum and you can feel the discs on your skin. Be sure not to hover in any spot to avoid damaging your skin.

I found it easy to move the product on my skin and the results were amazing! I have several dry patches of skin and this did an amazing job of removing that dead skin. It does need to be followed with a moisturizer so that you don't lose the important nutrients in your skin, but as long as you follow the instructions, it is a fantastic product!

I did notice some pinkness after using the product, especially the first time, however it faded quickly and the results have been very nice. I intend to use it on some rough patches on my elbows with the heavier grit discs and I believe I will see similar results there.

You can order your own Personal MicroDerm System from SkinCareRX at this link. I would encourage you to check it out!

Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review, however my opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Winners: Fogless Mirror & Shapelets

2011-05-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

Winner time!

The winner of the Fogless Shower Mirror was #80, camper223!

The winner of the make your own silly band kit from Shapelets was #56, teressa m!

Both winners have been emailed and will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks to all who entered!

Disco over to the Hilton Promenade!

2011-04-25T10:09:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

No matter your feelings about disco music, I don't know if I've ever met anyone who didn't like the Village People. It's hard to feel anything but happy if you hear the opening chords to "Y-M-C-A" or "In the Navy." If you hear that, you know that fun is just around the corner!

And you can still have a fun time! The Village People along with Maxine Nightingale & Janice-Marie are coming to Branson, Missouri on May 13 and you can enjoy them in style thanks to the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel!

If you're looking to set up a fun get-away, the Hilton Promenade is ready to help you out. They are offering a wonderful package that includes two tickets to the 70's Super Show featuring The Village People, Maxine Nightingale & Janice-Marie plus a one night stay at the Hilton Promenade starting at $219.00!

Aside from the concert, the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing has so many fantastic amenities! After the concert, you can relax at the indoor pool and whirlpool. You can go online and update your Facebook page with all of your pictures from the concert thanks to the wireless high speed internet access in each room. Or you can just crash on the pillow-topped mattress with down comforter!

Of course, if you want to extend your trip, Branson offers lots of other things to do. You can go shopping at the Tanger Outlet Mall, visit the scenic Table Rock Lake, play a round at the Payne Stewart Golf Club, or enjoy the fun attractions at Silver Dollar City. All of these are located under 10 miles from the Hilton Promenade.

So contact Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and book your package! You know it's fun to stay at the Hilton Hotel!

What's your favorite song by the Village People? Let me know in the comments!

Review: Liberator Wedge Ramp Combo from EdenFantasys.com

2011-04-19T10:31:00.000-04:00

Hubby and I have been wanting the Liberator Wedge Ramp combo for years now. We'd talked about it, but they're a bit spendy and we were hesitant to spend that much money on fancy pillows.

I finally ordered a set from EdenFantasys a few weeks ago and we tested them out when he got back from Poland. Oh my.

Every positive review of the Liberator products that I've read is completely right. I don't think anything has improved our sex life as much as these pillows.

They are made from a high grade furniture foam that is amazing at keeping its shape and supporting a couple (even a large couple like my husband and me) during sex. The material covering the shapes is a microfiber, water resistant material (ours is a pretty purple, but you can also get it in black and blue). One of the things that I love about this combo is that it doesn't move. Not on the bed and not on each other. We use the pieces separately and together and they stay put. The covers remove for easy washing.

They are a bit large so storage can be a bit problematic. And as I said, they are a bit expensive. But really, the negatives are barely worth mentioning compared to the positives.

They allow for deeper penetration, more comfort in some positions and plain old access to some positions that we had thought were not possible. And, if you hurry, you can get these and other Liberator shapes at a 15% discount at EdenFantasys right now! Be sure to check this out right away. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Disclosure: EdenFantasys.com has sponsored this post, but the opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Review & Giveaway: Shapelets - Make Your Own Silly Bands

2011-04-14T19:24:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty sure the silly band craze will never die. There is always some new silly band coming out! My kids are still fairly enthralled with them, and I find them in couch cushions and under beds and stacked up on counters all the time. It's an epidemic, I tell you!

Of course, silly bands come in all kinds of shapes, but the problem is that kids don't get to use their imaginations much when you buy these products for them. It's fun to share and trade them, but there's not much in the way of creativity.

I had the opportunity to review Shapelets and let me tell you, if you're going to have silly bands in your house, this is the way to do it! With this kit, your kids are able to design their own stretchy bands into any design they want.

The kit that I received came with the pegboard, 32 pegs, and 24 rubber bands in different colors and sizes. Basically you just put the pegs into the board, wrap your band around it and then bake it for five minutes at 225 degrees. You don't even need a baking sheet, as the pegboard is able to withstand those lower temperatures.

We did have several of the bands break when we made them because we stretched them too tight over the pegs, so some experimentation is needed to determine the best size rubber band for your creation, but when we got that right, it worked like a charm. We were able to make simple shapes like stars and some more complex shapes like animals and creatures that my son created. It was really fun to see the kids experiment with different arrangements of the pegs. You can check out a gallery of kid designed silly bands here.

I would absolutely recommend this. If you've got a birthday party planned, check out the party pack, where you can order 10 kits for only $49.99. When you consider a packet of silly bands can run $4, that's a killer deal. Individual packets are just $9.99, so if you're looking for a great, inexpensive project, this is a fantastic way to go.

Buy it: You can buy your own Shapelets packet for only $9.99!

Win it: One lucky reader will win a Shapelets packet of their very own! This contest is open to residents of the US 18 and older.

Mandatory Entry:

What shape would you use this kit to design?

Extra Entries:

Like Shapelets on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email (must confirm).
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: #Win a make your own silly band kit from @BigMama247 http://bit.ly/eGjxxL #giveaway ends 4/25 (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day.).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, April 25. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: I received a package of Shapelets for review, however the opinions expressed here are entirely my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Chance to Win a Ceiva Digital Photo Sharing Frame!

2011-04-12T22:28:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to review a Ceiva digital picture frame last fall. I absolutely love this thing. It's so neat to be able to share pictures digitally across the miles directly onto my digital frame. With Mother's Day and Father's Day just around the corner, this makes a great gift.

And I wanted to let you know that you have the opportunity to win a Ceiva frame right now! You know those beautiful pictures you took from your last vacation? Well, pick the best one and load it up to Ceiva's contest page and you could win your own Ceiva photo sharing frame with a one year Picture Plan! Just click the button below to enter. And be sure to follow Ceiva Joe on Facebook to see other contest pictures.

Review & Giveaway: Fogless Shower Mirror

2011-04-12T09:07:00.003-04:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
I love a nice shower. Nothing feels better to wake me up or help me relax than stepping into the shower and letting the water pound down on me.

But in our house, time and space are at a premium, so most showers are pretty quick. And if there's a chance to multi-task by doing face washing or shaving or some other thing beauty regimen in the shower, all the better.

So we were excited to receive the Fogless Shower Mirror from ToiletTree Products. This is a really handy little device for the family on the go!

This product is really nice because instead of suction cups that tend to work for a while and then give out, it has a special silicone adhesive that attaches the base to your shower wall. This allows this fogless mirror (and it really is fogless! I'm amazed at how well it works!) to stay secure. In case you were concerned about that because of height differences, know that the base is adjustable, so you're able to tilt the mirror up and down for people of different heights in the shower. If you had an extreme height difference, this might be a problem, for for most, it should work really well. It measures 6.5 in x 8.5 in x 1.5 in and weighs less than 1 pound.

The shatter-proof mirror remains fogless because it has this ingenious reservoir that keeps the mirror at the same temperature as your shower. You can easily remove the mirror from the base so you can fill it with hot water and then off you go! No special coatings or anything like that, just water!

The base has a nice little shelf on it for the squeegee and a razor or sponges. It's all very self-contained and is ultra-convenient.

Buy it: You can purchase your own fogless shower mirror at ToiletTree Products for $29.95!

Win it: One lucky reader will win a fogless shower mirror courtesy of ToiletTree Products and Tomoson.com! This contest is open to residents of the US 18 and older.

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by the website and tell me what you would use this for in your bathroom.

Extra Entries:

Follow ToiletTree Products on Twitter.
Like ToiletTree Products on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email (must confirm).
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: #Win a fogless shower mirror by @ToiletTreeProd from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/gczR9p #giveaway ends 4/22 (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day.).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, April 22. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Winner: Blogmania - Man Town Prize Pack!

2011-04-12T08:22:00.000-04:00

And now, the winner of the Blogmainia package, featuring prizes from EdenFantasys, CSN Stores & Clever Hands!

Apparently this time it paid to be a procrastinator because our winner was #533, C Duran!

I've emailed the winner and they have 48 hours to respond.

Thanks to everyone so much for coming out and making this a really successful blog hop! Tons of awesome prizes - I hope you won something at one of the fantastic participating blogs. And please stick around - more reviews and giveaways coming up soon!

Winners: BKW Seasoning & All Terrain

2011-04-12T08:01:00.000-04:00

First I wanted to draw these winners - stay tuned for the winner of the Blogmania prize!

The winner of the BKW Original Seasoning is #15, Denise S!

The winner of the All Terrain Lip Balm for kids was #29, anna t!

Congratulations to our winners! Both have been emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prizes.

Thanks to all for your entries! Stay tuned - Blogmania drawing in just a minute!

Blogmania: Man Town - $112 in prizes!

2011-04-09T00:01:00.002-04:00

It's time for Blogmania!

For the next 3 days, you have the opportunity to win some amazing prizes here at Big Mama's Blog and at other blogs all over! These are some fantastic bloggers and I'm thrilled to be joining with them for this event.

Just as a reminder, here is what one lucky winner will be taking away from my blog:

A $16.95 credit to Clever Hands.
A $45 gift code to CSN Stores.
A $50 gift code to EdenFantasys.

So let's get on to the entries! We want to make this easy

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment telling me who you want to win this packet for!

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog publicly on GFC.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Subscribe by email or RSS (one entry each - must confirm).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, April 11. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Be sure to check out the other awesome participants! We have nearly $10000 in prizes available for you to win!

Please note that Bree, Blogmania or the Blogmania bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner we will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

Blogmania Sponsor: Clever Hands

2011-04-07T10:39:00.000-04:00

Just two short days away from Blogmania '11: April edition! And I want to let you know about another sponsor.

Clever Hands is a wonderful Etsy shop that sells bandoliers for your journal. While I know that the smart phone has replaced pen and paper, there are still a lot of us that like to carry a real live notebook for jotting down ideas for blogs or during meetings and it's easy to lose track of your pen and pencil. Emily has designed these really lovely and practical bandoliers that wrap around your notebook at all times.

She also offers hand-bound notebooks. These are sold in sets of three. They measure 4.25"x5.25" and contain 24 pages, with 48 sides. They are small enough to stick in your pocket and not take up a lot of space.

I love Emily's shop and I am thrilled to be able to offer you a chance to win a $16.95 credit (and free shipping!) to Clever Hands so you can purchase your own journal bandolier or hand-bound notebooks. Also, be sure to check out Emily's blog here. She's got some DIY ideas and just general crafting tips. Definitely worth adding to your reader!

I'll see you soon for the giveaway!

My Countdown Countdown

Review & Giveaway: All Terrain Kids Lip Balm

2011-03-31T06:35:00.002-04:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.comI thought that spring was upon us, but this past Sunday I had to brush snow off of my car. And for the rest of this week, the temperatures haven't gone above the mid 40's. So despite March's "in like a lion, out like a lamb" promises, we've got a bit more "lion" to get through.

So I was happy to have the opportunity to review All Terrain's Lip Armor for kids. Chapped lips are always a problem when the weather is dry, and I was happy to see a great lip balm for kids.

The twin pack that I received came with two flavors, cherry and bubble gum. Both have a fantastic scent, but very little flavor. One of the problems with kid lip balms is that they tend to have a lot of flavor to them, the kids lick them off and then you have an even bigger problem on your hands, er, lips. These are very neutral in flavor, so far less of a temptation for licking.

Another thing that's great about this product is that it is paraben and petroleum free. All Terrain products are made from all natural ingredients like almond oil, shea butter, beeswax and vitamin E, so they do an amazing job of keeping your lips (and your kids' lips!) smooth no matter what the weather is. And because they have an SPF of 25, they are protected all year round from UVA and UVB rays.

All Terrain has a whole array of children's products from sun screens to soaps. And you can feel good because all of their products are cruelty free and not tested on animals.

Buy it: You can purchase All Terrain's Lip Armor on the web for only $3.99!

Win it: One lucky reader will win a twin pack of All Terrain's Lip Armor for kids! This contest is open to residents of the US who are 18 and older.

Mandatory Entry:

Like All Terrain on Facebook and leave a comment saying Big Mama sent you! (Leave a comment here too!)

Extra Entries:

Follow All Terrain on Twitter.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email (must confirm).
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: #Win a pack of Kid's Lip Balm by @AllTerrainCo from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/erwHUt #giveaway ends 4/11 (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day.).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, April 11. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Winners: Apothica & Pillsbury Giveaway

2011-03-30T22:03:00.000-04:00

It's winner time! Hooray!

The winner of the $25 Apothica.com gift card was #124, Shawna O!

The winner of the Pillsbury gift pack was #42, ashley!

Both winners have been emailed and will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks to all who entered! Be sure to stop by for more giveaways, and to get ready for the big Blogmania giveaway on April 9-11!

NMEDA Services

2011-03-30T20:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Disabilities can happen to anyone. They aren't something that you can plan for and they can present a number of challenges to families. You have physical difficulties to deal with. You may have modifications that need to be done to your home. It can be emotionally exhausting to deal with the pain of a family member who is encountering this. One challenge that people might not consider is that of transportation for their disabled loved one. NMEDA is able to help with that need.

Sometimes the challenge isn't a disability at all, but may be as simple as a family member who has aged and is no longer able to drive their vehicle in without modifications. They may be wheelchair bound or have another issue that compromises their ability to drive without assistance. Again, NMEDA has the tools available to help them lead a full, active life.

NMEDA is a non-profit trade organization that educates consumers on purchasing equipment from a qualified NMEDA dealer. NMEDA itself does not sell anything. They help families get in touch with NMEDA dealers who are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NMEDA dealers will help you find a safe handicap van or help you make vehicle modifications for your disabled family member.

Because no two people are the same and no two disabilities are the same, it's beneficial to have an in-person evaluation of your needs. NMEDA dealers are able to help you find what the best driving solution is for your family. If you find that you need help with equipment that you have purchased from an NMEDA dealer, they offer training and can help you with any further refinement that may be necessary. You can go to the NMEDA website to find an NMEDA dealer near you.

In addition to NMEDA dealers, they also have a Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealers. The Quality Assurance Program is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Equipment Mobility Industry. Dealers who have been through the QAP will have a special badge by their name on the website and you can know that they are held to the highest standard to meet your performance and safety needs. This includes having a certified welders if they need to perform structural modification on a vehicle, 24-hour service to their customers, and records of all adaptive work. They also have an annual audit performed by a third party to make sure that they are in compliance to the NMEDA Guidelines, certain aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and "Make Inoperative" mandates.

In order to find out if there is a NMEDA dealer in your area, simply go to the NMEDA homepage and type in your zip code and it will give you a list of dealers who are ready to help you with your mobility and transportation needs. I was able to find four QAP NMEDA dealer within 100 miles of my home. Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know where the closest NMEDA dealer is to you.

Disabilities can be difficult on family members. NMEDA can help make that burden a little bit lighter.

Blogmania Sponsor: EdenFantasys.com

2011-03-24T19:32:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love the folks over at EdenFantasys. They are one of my favorite shops on the web. They have so many fun things going on at their site. Not just all of the awesome toys, but also tons of ways to earn points toward future purchases. Plus lots of contests to win items on their blog at Eden Cafe, and chances to win gift cards and other free goodies if you like their Facebook page. There are so many great things about this site that it's hard for me to list them all!

So I am really excited to announce that EdenFantasys is one of the Blogmania sponsors! They have generously donated a $50 gift card to one lucky winner. My theme is Man Town and they have lots of items to please the man in your life! Whether it's toys for him, lingerie for her (I always consider that to be a gift for my hubby!), or some Liberator furniture for both, there is sure to be something to make you happy! Be sure to head to their site and start your browsing and don't forget to stop by their Facebook page for lots of other opportunities for great deals. And be sure to enter the giveaway here during Blogmania starting April 9!

Disclosure: EdenFantasys.com has sponsored this post, but the opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Get Ready for Spring With Pier 1

2011-03-22T17:45:00.003-04:00

This post brought to you by Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today is the first day of spring and I know that the warmer weather is making me think about spending a bit more time outside. I'm not a huge outdoor person, but I do love sitting on my porch writing or reading, sipping on a mug full of coffee. We had to get rid of our outdoor furniture because it was just falling apart, so I'm in the market for something new. Pier 1 has some beautiful options available.

My personal favorite was the wicker rocking chair they had. I love to lounge and that piece looked like it would be both comfortable and functional. It's available in white, mocha and light brown and would be really versatile for both indoor and outdoor use. They also have a number of different cushions available for each piece, so you can find something that reflects your personal style, no matter what you choose. Whether you like something bold and floral or more subdued, they have colors and styles to match every personality.

In addition to the fantastic rockers, they also have the iconic Papasan line, including the single chair, the double Papasan and even a really wonderful Swingasan chair. If you're looking for something a little bit different from the normal, be sure to check out this beautiful and stylish line of outdoor furniture.
While you're at the store or the website, also take a minute to browse the other bargains that they're running. Right now you can save up to 20% on items like dining furniture, bedroom furniture, home office, upholstery and wicker seating, rugs and window panels, occasional tables, and wall decor. No matter your needs, Pier 1 has something to meet your needs.

Be sure to sign up for the Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter to check out the latest deals and in-store offers that are available. Also, keep your eyes open for the Pier 1 Tweetups that are coming up:

Dallas: March 22nd
Atlanta: April 5th
NYC: April 20th

Start your spring off right with Pier 1!

Winner: Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves

2011-03-20T15:51:00.000-04:00

It's winner time!

The winner of the package of Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves was #25, Eaglesforjack!

I've sent an email and they have 48 hours to respond.

Please check out some of the great giveaways I've got going on the right and get ready for the big giveaway with Blogmania in just a few weeks! Keep your eyes open for more sponsor posts in the coming weeks!

Review & Giveaway: BKW Seasonings Original

2011-03-20T15:40:00.002-04:00

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (3/20)

2011-03-20T07:37:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! Grab the button and share with your friends!

Feel free to list your giveaway here using the following format: Giveaway name - end date - US/Can/WW

Thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway: 45th Pillsbury Bake Off Prize Pack

2011-03-15T20:12:00.001-04:00

I love watching cooking shows with my oldest daughter. We have a great time seeing how the chefs manipulate the items they receive and turn them into amazing meals. We particularly love to see them get things like pie crusts and pastries so we can get more ideas on how to use those goodies from Pillsbury in our own kitchen. I'm not terribly creative in the kitchen (that's more of my husband's domain!), but I know that I have some creative readers so I was excited to share this opportunity with you -- the 45th Pillsbury Bake Off!

Pillsbury is looking for original recipes that taste and look delicious, are easy to prepare and that families across America will love to eat. Consumers can submit recipes in one of four recipe categories:

The Breakfast & Brunches category includes casual brunch or weekend family breakfast ideas. For example, sweet rolls, pull-aparts, pastries, breakfast breads, egg dishes or breakfast sandwiches.
In the Entertaining Appetizers category, entrants can submit appetizers and snacks to serve at casual gatherings with family and friends or for holiday entertaining. For example, bite size appetizers, tartlets, pinwheels, puffs, bruschetta or focaccia.
The Dinner Made EasyTM category encourages home cooks to create easy-to-prepare main dishes that will delight your family. For example, pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, foldovers, casseroles, chilis, soups or savory pies.
Quick and easy treats for anytime celebrations can be entered into the Sweet Treats category. For example, cookies, pies, tarts, brownies or bars.

Entries are being accepted online between now and April 18, 2011, at www.bakeoff.com. One hundred lucky finalists will compete for a chance at the grand prize during the contest finals, which take place March 25-27, 2012 at the Peabody Orlando Hotel in Florida. You´ll also find contest details, including eligible products, prizes and the official rules, on the web site.

The recipes will be judged for 1) taste, 2) appearance, 3) creativity and 4) consumer appeal. All entries must meet the requirements of the recipe category and appropriately use two of the eligible products in at least the quantity specified. The grand prize is one millions dollars!

Win it: One lucky reader will win a Pillsbury Bake Off gift pack, which includes an apron, recipe book and pen from Pillsbury! This contest is open to residents of the US who are 18 or older.

Mandatory Entry:

What is one dish you make really well?

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email (must confirm).
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a Pillsbury Bake Off gift pack from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/eMRiTA #giveaway #myblogspark ends 3/28 (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once per day.).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, March 28. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: I received a Pillsbury Bake-Off gift pack through My Blog Spark to facilitate this giveaway. All opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Blogmania Sponsor: CSN Stores

2011-03-15T19:28:00.000-04:00

You've seen me mention our good friends over at CSN stores before, and I'm happy to announce that they are one of the sponsors for my Blogmania theme: Man Town! A lot of giveaways on this and other sites tend to focus on women, so I'm thrilled to be able to give something to the men in your life, even the little ones. CSN stores carry lots of amazing products, including wooden swing sets, accessories for your stereo, even fire pits for the upcoming summer grilling season!

Phoenix Swing Set

I love this company and have been really happy with all of my purchases there. With over 200 stores, there really isn't anything that you could want that they don't provide! They are graciously providing a $45 code to one lucky reader for Blogmania! Be sure to stop by their stores and browse around. You won't be disappointed!

Set your calendar for April 9th -- the amazing team of bloggers that make up the Blogmania Dream Team are getting ready to absolutely blow your mind with some fantastic giveaways! I'm so excited to be a part of it!

My Countdown Countdown

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (3/13)

2011-03-13T07:48:00.000-04:00

Review & Giveaway: Apothica.com

2011-03-11T08:00:00.004-05:00

I’m happy to have Apothica.com as a sponsor on the site. They have a really wonderful collection of cosmetics, skin and hair care items on their site. Not to mention fragrances, candles and even laundry items! They also have a loyalty program where you get 5% back on each purchase toward your next purchase.

Today I want to highlight one of the brands from their extensive line-up of cosmetics, Napoleon Perdis. Napoleon Perdis is an Australian based company, founded with the idea that every woman has the right to feel confident in her appearance. They create professional products that are beautiful for all women. Right now Apothica.com has a number of items in the Napoleon Perdis line on sale, including the Swept Away Siren Lip Gloss pack that includes five beautiful lip gloss colors.

Apothica has graciously offered one lucky reader a $25 gift card! This contest is open to readers 18 and older in the US.

Mandatory Entry:

Go to the Apothica website and tell me what you might purchase with your $25 gift card.

Extra Entries:

Follow Apothica on Twitter.
Like Apothica on Facebook.
Blog about Napoleon Perdis (or another Apothica brand that you love) and link to Apothica.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email (must confirm).
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a $25 gift card to @Apothica from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/eBT16J #giveaway ends 3/25 (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day.).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, March 25. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Review: EdenFantasys.com Spring Sale!

2011-03-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

It's spring cleaning time! Despite the snow that we got over the weekend, I can tell that it must be getting close to spring. I got the uncontrollable urge this past weekend to sit down at my bookshelf and really clear it out. I don't do that very often, so it must be spring cleaning time. Those little hints of nice, warm weather make me want to open my windows and air out all of the gloom and darkness of winter.

Apparently it's the same with my friends over at EdenFantasys! They are currently running a Spring Clearance sale on a lot of their sex toys, including a lot of the high end items. Right now they have a number of toys being offered at 50% off through March 31. Thirty-five of their luxury toys are offered at 25% off through March 11, so you'll want to hurry to get those.

Also, if you check out their promotions page and like EdenFantasys on Facebook, you are eligible for more great discounts. Right now, Eden Friends can get a high intensity bullet for free! I don't know about you, but I find free to be pretty hard to pass up!

So if spring fever is catching you, be sure to stop by EdenFantasys and check out their Spring Clearance! Hopefully you'll find something so you can reward yourself after all of that cleaning!

Disclosure: I received a gift code to EdenFantasys.com for my review, however, all opinions are completely my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Review & Giveaway: Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves

2011-03-08T09:27:00.003-05:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
We love cake here. There's just something really comforting about baking something and enjoying it as a family. And the kids LOVE cupcakes. I'm definitely not great at decorating them myself, especially compared to some, but the kids always have a fun time icing and decorating their own personal little bite of deliciousness. And they were really excited about trying the Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves.

These are a very fun, inexpensive, quick way to turn a regular cupcake into just about anything!

The sleeve is just what it sounds like, a decorative, self-adhesive sleeve that you put around the bottom of your cupcake to transform it into all kinds of different things. You can choose to have an ice cream cone:

A tub of popcorn:

Or even a piece of sushi!

With over 70 different sleeves, the possibilities are wide open!

We received the little burger and we had a great time working on it together. The package includes a dozen sleeves as well as information on how to get the best results for your cupcake. The packaging is very slim, so you can keep it in a drawer and not worry about it taking up extra space in your pantry, which is nice.

We did find that because they are flat, we had to trim up our cupcakes a little bit to get them to fit on easily, but they really were cute and could really add to a party theme.

Buy it: You can purchase Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves online at RoundaboutSleeves.com!

Win it: One lucky reader will win a package of Roundabout Cupcake Sleeves! Open to residents 18 and older in the US.

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by the website and let me know what sleeve you'd like to try!

Extra Entries:

Follow Roundabouts on Twitter.
Like Roundabouts on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email (must confirm).
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a package of cupcake sleeves by @RoundaboutWraps from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/hO9IGB #giveaway ends 3/18! (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day!).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, March 18. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Winners: Tiecoon.com, Pear Tree Greetings & TCM Sahara

2011-03-08T09:02:00.001-05:00

Time to announce some winners! Hooray! (Sorry about the lateness of the announcements -- crazy week last week!)

The Tiecoon.com giveaway winner was #2, Bwp1984!

The winner of the Pear Tree Greeting $20 gift code was #5, Mframe00!

The first winner of the TCM Sahara DVD was #52, dglitter!

The second winner of the TCM Sahara DVD was #64, Nancy M!

Congratulations to all of our winners! They have been emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prizes! New reviews & giveaways coming later today and in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Musical Monday

2011-02-28T10:43:00.000-05:00

Jars of Clay is coming to my church at the end of next month (with Derek Webb, Matt Maher & Audrey Assad -- squee!). I've not seen Jars of Clay live in a long time and I'm really looking forward to it.

In preparation, I've been listening to their most recent album The Shelter a bit in the car. Now I absolutely ADORED Good Monsters and Long Fall Back to Earth pretty much out of the gate. I had favorites from those cds on first listens. But this one has taken a bit longer to grow on me.

Nevertheless, as I've listened, I've found that several of the songs are really moving me. And the one that has really grabbed me (and you'll know why as soon as you read the lyrics) is the title track, Shelter. Yet another reminder that we need one another and that one of the greatest gifts we can give to one another is the gift of relationship.

To all who are looking down

Holding onto hearts still wounding

For those who’ve yet to find it

The places near where love is moving

Cast off the robes you’re wearing

Set aside the names that you’ve been given

May this place of rest in the fold of your journey

Bind you to hope, you will never walk alone

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live

Your arms are all around us

If our hearts have turned to stone

There is hope, we know the rocks will cry out

And the tears aren’t ours alone

Let them fall into the hands that hold us

Come away from where you’re hiding

Set aside the lies that you’ve been living

May this place of rest in the fold of your journey

Bind you to hope that we will never walk alone

If there is any peace, if there is any hope

We must all believe, our lives are not our own

We all belong

God has given us each other

And we will never walk alone

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (2/27)

2011-02-27T06:35:00.000-05:00

Sappy Saturday

2011-02-26T08:50:00.000-05:00

Early last month I wrote a bit about birth and about how I don't like waiting for things.

Well, at least one of the things that I've been waiting to share with you is now available for sharing! Hooray!

I have made no secret that depression is something that I live with off and on. And as a result, I was able to start the Not Alone series, where people have shared their own struggles with depression and anxiety. I'm so grateful to those who have shared here and on my new blog.

So I'm thrilled to share with you that the Not Alone series is being turned into a book!

I will be working with Jonathan Brink of Civitas Press to make the Not Alone series into a one of their community project. I have a piece in their first community project (The Practice of Love) and I love what they're doing over there. It's very exciting to me to be a part of what Civitas is doing.

If you have considered writing for the Not Alone series, you can head over to the project page and you can download the project document. It has all of the information that you need to make a submission. Please let us know if you're interested in having it as a part of the blog series as well. I would also really appreciate it if you would consider sharing this information with others. You can tweet about it (please use the hashtag #NotAlone if you do), share on Facebook, or share the link with anyone who might be have a story of their own to share.

Thank you so much for your support. This is a really exciting thing that I believe will have an opportunity to help a number of people.

Giveaway: TCM 31 Days of Oscar -- Sahara

2011-02-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

I love movies. Even when I watch television, it's mostly movie channels because there's nothing quite like a good story told well to make me happy. Or sad. Or whatever emotion it is that the story is trying to convey.

And yes, while I like a lot of popular movies, I'm always happy when Oscar season rolls around because I like my share of serious films as well. I'm definitely a Netflix person, so I generally tend to see Oscar nominees after they've left the theater (every once in a while I'll catch one when it's still out, but well, I'm cheap and going to the theater is not).

If you're a movie hound like me, you are no doubt aware of Turner Classic Movies' 31 Days of Oscar. It runs from February 1 through March 3 and during it, they show a number of Oscar winning and Oscar nominated movies. Some of my favorites still to come are Silence of the Lambs and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. You can head here to find the full list of movies playing or check out this awesome widget.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is getting trivial with its annual 31 DAYS OF OSCAR® festival in February. The 2011 edition of the month-long event will feature more than 340 Academy Award®-nominated and winning movies, scheduled in trivia-inspired marathons. In addition, each night will feature a Best Picture Oscar winner at 10 p.m. (ET).

TCM host Robert Osborne, who is also the official biographer of the Academy Awards and the Academy's red carpet greeter, will host 31 DAYS OF OSCAR, which will mark its 17th year on Turner Classic Movies. The 2011 edition will feature several high-profile films making their debuts on TCM, including three Best Picture winners: Cavalcade (1933), Amadeus (1984) and Forrest Gump (1994). The month also includes the TCM debuts of the blockbusters Pretty Woman (1990) and Thelma & Louise (1991), as well as outstanding dramas like Hugh Hudson's Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), Hector Babenco's Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989) and Michael Mann's Ali (2001).

Several excellent actress showcases are planned for TCM for the first time, including Janet Gaynor in Street Angel (1928), Ingrid Bergman in Joan of Arc (1948) and The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958), Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop (1956), Julie Andrews in Star! (1968) and Cathy Burns in Last Summer (1969). Also, such international classics as Hiroshi Teshigahara's Woman in the Dunes (1964), Constantine Costa-Gavras' Z (1969), Jean-Charles Tacchella's Cousin, Cousine (1975), Jean-Paul Rappeneau's Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) and Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors: Red (1994) will come to TCM for the first time.

Among the month's many interesting marathons are a collection of films starring Jack Nicholson, the most nominated performer of all time; four films that received nominations in all four acting categories; an entire day featuring all ten Best Picture nominees for Hollywood's Golden Year, 1939, including Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz; a day of romantic comedies on Valentine's Day; a night of Oscar firsts; a slate of films that earned Best Director nominations but failed to earn Best Picture nods; and a night of films that earned participants posthumous nominations.

The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented live on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Win it: TCM has graciously offered a copy of the movie Sahara to two of my lucky readers! This contest is open to residents of the US who are 18 and older.

Mandatory Entry:

Sahara is a 1943 war film directed by Zoltán Korda,. This movie stars American iconic actor who played a U.S. Army Sergeant, Joe Gunn. Who is he?

Extra Entries:

Follow TCM on Twitter.
Like TCM on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a copy of Sahara from @TCM and @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/dV4fYm #31daysofoscar #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart and must contain the #31daysofoscar hashtag)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day)

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, March 2. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: I was given a copy of Sahara as a part of this promotion, however the opinions here are entirely my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Review: dug (down under gear)

2011-02-22T23:14:00.000-05:00

We just celebrated Valentine's Day last week and I've got to tell you, that one seems like it was made a lot more for the ladies than the guys. Which is really unfortunate because we women should be just as generous with our gift giving.

If you're thinking that you'd like to find something nice to get the man in your life, let me recommend dug (down under gear) products.

We received one of the sheer black muscle t-shirts and a pair of black boxer briefs. I've got to say that I've never felt material quite like the shirt. It is absolutely some of the softest, lightest material I've ever encountered. I've run it through the wash a few times and haven't noticed any fading or shrinking.

The boxer briefs are really wonderful also. The material is a bit thicker. Like the shirt, I haven't noticed any shrinking or fading of the material. Both are tagless, so there's the added comfort of not having a scratchy tag bothering your man.

dug items are all made here in the US, which I really appreciate. I also love that the company lend support to events that raise awareness and funds for Sickle Cell Anemia and Breast Cancer. So not only can you know that you're getting quality, sexy gear for the man in your life, you can also know that your purchase is going to help worthy causes.

You can purchase these items and a number of others at duglife.com. Maybe give your husband a little something just for fun!

Disclosure: I received several items for review, however my opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

Winner: SkinMD Natural

2011-02-22T22:12:00.000-05:00

Time to announce another winner! Sorry for the delay. I meant to draw this yesterday and, well, time just got away from me. But here we go!

The winner of the bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion was #46, Cowboys Wife!

I have sent her an email letting her know and she has 48 hours to respond.

Please check out the other giveaways posted and stay tuned -- several more giveaways on the way later this week!

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (2/20)

2011-02-20T05:57:00.000-05:00

Review & Giveaway: Tiecoon.com Silk Tie

2011-02-17T21:35:00.003-05:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.comJust this past weekend, Jason had a ceremony at school to salute his academic achievements. His grades are really fantastic and he received a certificate from the dean. I'm all super proud of him for all of his accomplishments.

That said, his job hasn't required him to wear a tie for a while, so we had to go digging for something nice for him to wear. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to review a tie from tiecoon.com so we were in good shape!

Tiecoon.com offers really inexpensive silk ties. They have hundreds of woven Jon vanDyk ties that are only $5. They also have extra long ties that are $8 and all of their silk ties are just $10 each.

It's a great company because in addition to great ties at a low price, they also donate ties to different organizations that have a need. If you know of an organization that could use ties, you can apply at their website. Also, this company offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. A company that is willing to back up their product like this is a really great thing, in my opinion. Of course, their ties are really fantastic and I think that you'll be really pleased with them!

Buy it: You can head over to tiecoon.com and order ties starting at only $5!

Win it: Tiecoon.com has generously offered a free tie to one lucky reader. This contest is open worldwide!

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by Tiecoon.com and let me know what tie you like.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a free silk tie from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/gQnskp contest ends 2/25 #win #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, February 25. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Review & Giveaway: Pear Tree Save the Date Cards & $20 Gift Card

2011-02-17T08:12:00.001-05:00

I know that it's closing in on wedding season because as the person who does booking for our band, I'm getting more emails and calls lately about weddings. And with Valentine's Day just behind us, there were no doubt a large number of recent engagements.

Pear Tree Greetings knows this, which is why they have a line of beautiful save the date cards now available. These are so nice because, like so many of Pear Tree's cards, these are very customizable. They have a number of different styles, ranging from formal to very informal. And since you can choose what photo to include, you can add your own personal flair to whatever style you choose.

They also have a really unique item with their save the date magnets. If you're looking for a really interesting way to announce your wedding date, this is a fun way to do it. A lot of people will use a magnet to hold the save the date card, so this just cuts out the middle man! They have 19 different designs available and you can purchase them in sets of eight, depending on your needs.

Buy it: Be sure to shop the Pear Tree Promo Code page for the latest discounts and promotions on everything from Graduation Invitations, Wedding Collection and even a code valid on ANY purchase.

Win it: Pear Tree Greetings is giving away a $20 gift code good for any item in their store to one lucky reader! This is open to residents of the US ages 18 and older.

Mandatory entry:

Stop by Pear Tree Greetings and tell me what you'd use the $20 gift code to purchase.

Extra Entries:

Follow Pear Tree Greetings on Twitter.
Like Pear Tree Greetings on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a $20 gift code from @PearTreeGrtngs and @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/eMp6LC #win #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, February 28. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Review: DuWop Cosmetics

2011-02-16T21:48:00.000-05:00

I have a new sponsor here on the blog! You'll be seeing a giveaway from Apothica shortly, but today I wanted to let you know about one of the brands that they sell on their site.

DuWop cosmetics is a great line cosmetics from makeup artist Christina Bartolucci. She created the first line of lip plumpers, which she named Lip Venom. These use essential oils of cinnamon, ginger and wintergreen to plump the lips and give them that full, just-kissed look. And since it has no irritating chemicals, this plumper is wonderful for people who are looking to have sexy, luscious lips without sacrificing skin health to get them.

I'm especially interested in the DuWop Twilight Venom. It's a dark red lip plumper. I admit, I could take or leave the books and movies (my daughter would disagree with me on that, but nevertheless!), but this lip plumper looks absolutely fantastic. I'm a sucker for red lipsticks and the addition of a plumper in this looks just perfect for me (I was not blessed with my youngest sister's super gorgeous full lips).

DuWop also has a full line of blush, eyeshadow, foundation, and other makeup essentials. They include a number of natural ingredients and are good for all skin-types. As someone with sensitive skin, I appreciate any cosmetic product that includes natural ingredients that lend themselves toward being irritant-free. Because let's be honest, irritated skin is not particularly glamorous. And if I'm going to the trouble of getting myself all dolled up, I'm probably trying for at least a little bit of glamor.

You can check out DuWop makeup at Apothica.

Disclosure: I received a $10 gift card for writing this post and am hoping to win some products from DuWop. That said, all opinions are entirely my own. If I do win, be sure to check back for another review! Read my full disclosure here.

Review: JimmyJane Afterglow Candle from EdenFantasys

2011-02-15T08:26:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite methods of foreplay is sensual massage. The feel of skin-on-skin helps you to connect to your partner in a really fantastic way. The JimmyJane Afterglow Candle is a lovely way to make this special because it is both a candle and a massage oil. The flickering candlelight helps to set the mood and the musky vanilla scent adds to the ambiance. This isn't so much for the quickies, but if you're looking to spend some time exploring your partner's body, sensual massage is wonderful and I found the Afterglow candle to be really helpful. The Afterglow candle is free of paraffin and dye and has a lead-free wick. It also has no phthalates, parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals and animal products which means that it should be acceptable for most skin types.

When you light the candle, it takes about 30 minutes for the candle to melt into a massage oil. When the oil has melted, you blow out the candle and pour the oil directly onto your partner. I was concerned that it might be too hot, but honestly, it was very nice. The texture of the oil was really delightful and it worked well as a massage oil. It moved silkily over the skin and a little bit went a long way. I didn't find that I needed to add tons of oil to my husband in order to have a nice massage. It didn't leave any kind of sticky residue and it soaked into the skin well. I didn't find that it stained our sheets in any way. The scent was very nice, both in the room and on the skin later. It was a bit muskier than a normal scented candle, but I didn't find that it was tremendously overpowering.

It does take a while for the oil to melt, particularly in the cold weather. I would be interested to see how it holds up in warmer weather. After about half an hour, we were able to use the oil. I loved that we didn't need to use very much for a nice massage and that it soaked into the skin well. I didn't find any need to wash the product off because it soaked into the skin well, but if you don't care for the lingering scent, I could see wanting to remove it.

This product was a bit pricey, which to me is the biggest turn-off and why this is something that I would use a little less frequently than I might like. But if you're looking for a way to add a little spice to your relationship, I would recommend checking this out.

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (2/13)

2011-02-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Winner: Alight.com giveaway!

2011-02-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

Winner time!

The winner of the alight.com giveaway was #33, Toni!

I have sent her an email and she will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks to all who entered! Be sure to check out the other two giveaways that are running right now and stay tuned for a few more going up this week.

Have a great weekend!

Review & Giveaway: Cover Your Hair

2011-02-11T14:18:00.001-05:00

I have been a hat person for as long as I can remember. One of my most horrifying moments as a child is remembering when my middle sister took one of my favorite hats that my grandmother owned and threw it into the fire in a game of keep-away. I wept over that hat. Truly, I just love hats and wear them every chance I get (if you keep track of my profile pics, I'm nearly always wearing some kind of head covering).

So when I was approached by Cover Your Hair to review one of their products, I was super excited!

This site is absolutely fantastic. They have just about any kind of hair accessories you could want. I chose one of their Three Button hats to review. I've been looking for a new cap and this one was perfect.

The material is 100% polyester and the hat fits snugly and comfortably. And it looks absolutely ADORABLE. Even my 12 year old daughter, who is (as all seventh graders are) the fashion maven agrees that it's a stylish, cute hat.

If you're not as much a hat person, they still have lots of other items. They have headband bandanas, Israeli tichels, baby headbands, and baby hats. They even have items like combs and hair rollers, so really just about anything you could want for your head needs. And everything is very reasonably priced, so you will be able to find what you need easily and at little cost to you.

Buy It: You can buy the fantastic hat that I received here for just $14.49.

Win It: CoverYourHair.com has graciously offered one of my readers a free $25 box of surprise hair accessories! This contest is open world wide!

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by CoverYourHair.com and let me know what items you would love to receive!

Extra Entries:

Follow Cover Your Hair on Twitter.
Like Cover Your Hair on Facebook.
Follow the Cover Your Hair blog publicly with GFC.
Follow the Cover Your Hair blog on Networked Blogs.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a box of hair accessories worth $25 by @coveryourhair from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/eUQC0I #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, February 23. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Review & Giveaway: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

2011-02-11T08:42:00.001-05:00

The cold, dry weather has been in full force. We've had a pretty good cold snap for the past few days and when I have to run the heater like that, it generally means sucking all of the moisture out of the air around here and out of my skin. Add to that constant hand washing due to colds and germs that love to flourish and my skin is all rough and sand-papery. Not attractive. And really not comfortable. Dry, dead skin just hurts after a while.

Fortunately, I received a sample of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion a few weeks ago and it has been helping combat that dry, scaly skin!

The primary thing that I like about this lotion is that it bills itself as safe for all areas of the body, and that is absolutely true. I've used it on my arms, legs, hands and face and have not noticed it being greasy or leaving any kind of unwelcome residue behind. I've never found a moisturizer that could actually work on my upper arms (where the really scaly, gross skin likes to live) and my face. So that alone is a reason to try this out. As a fairly simple person when it comes to cosmetics, the fewer steps in my routine, the better!

I also really appreciate that this skin care product is made in the United States using 100% solar power. The product contains no animal products and was not tested on animals and is completely vegan. It always makes me happy to be able to review items that can be used by ALL of my readers, especially when they are a high-quality product like this!

This product works a bit differently from traditional moisturizers. A shielding lotion does the real work to prevent dry skin in two ways.

First, it assists the inner layers of skin to absorb moisture. The humectant (an ingredient that attracts moisture) used in Skin MD Natural is unique to it and has been laboratory tested to be 6 times more effective than any other you will find in common creams.

Second, a shielding lotion enhances the power of the top layer of the skin to resist environmental irritants while protecting the inner natural moisture.

This can be a big benefit for those who cook, wash dishes and garden because Skin MD Natural helps skin retain its natural moisture and oils in the face of all those irritating soaps and chemicals.

I have been very happy with the results that I've had and I would happily recommend this product to others.

Try It: You can try a sample of Skin MD Natural by clicking here.

Buy It: You can purchase a 4 oz. bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion for $18 here.

Win It: One lucky reader will win a bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion! Winner must be 18 and older and live in the United States.

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by their skin care website and let me know something you've learned about Skin MD products.

Extra Entries:

Follow Skin MD Natural on Twitter.
Like Skin MD Natural on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a bottle of Shielding Lotion by @skinmdnatural from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/fa5SVz #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, February 20. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Musical Monday

2011-02-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

I'm going to cheat a little bit today and post something that is not strictly musical.

Okay, it's not really musical at all. Though they do both sing rather frequently in their videos.

I'm talking about RobandBeckiReadStuff.

Seriously, I am dying over these videos.

Becki and I were tight back in elementary school. We would swing or climb the awesome jungle gym or play on the ~~death spinner~~ merry-go-round and sing songs from Oklahoma together. We then went to different high schools and just didn't hang out any more.

For serious, you're missing moments like this when you don't watch.

We reconnected a few years ago on Facebook and seriously, her status updates probably get a larger percentage of likes from me than just about anyone else. And I probably only like half as many as I actually like, because if I liked all of them, people might think I'm just a creepy stalker. (I prefer my stalking to be seen as cute and endearing.)

Anyway, she and her friend Rob have been doing a new web show where they read stuff from the internet. Basically they find a humor site and do dramatic readings from it. They did a series from DamnYouAutoCorrect.com which was really fantastic and now they're reading from McSweeneys.net (which, if you haven't been to either of these sites, you are seriously missing out). They've also branched out and have started offering advice, which is a brilliant mixture of humor and seriousness.

Truly, these are some of the best 10-15 minute bits of my week.

Sadly, I cannot find a way to embed any of their videos here, but you can go to their Facebook page and watch to your heart's content. Become their friend so you don't miss any new videos.

You WILL be entertained, I totally promise.

Winners: Handmade With Love & Make Your Own Candy Kit

2011-02-07T09:13:00.000-05:00

Time for more winners! Hooray!

The winner of the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway contest (necklace from Cut Your Heart Out and some handmade items from me) was #56, Kats7960.

The winner of the Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kit was #8, Hiccupapparel.

Both of the winners have been contacted by email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all who entered! Several new giveaways being posted this week, so stay tuned! Have a great day!

Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway Hop! (Feb. 2-6)

2011-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway Hop! I'm so glad you stopped by!

The sponsor for this giveaway is Jessica from Cut Your Heart Out handmade jewelry. She is offering one of her beautiful necklaces to one lucky winner. I love Jessica's store because she has gorgeous items and she doesn't charge an arm and a leg for them. Here are a few examples of her work:

My Heart is Rubber & You Are Glue ($10.00)

Lost & Found ($8.00)

Additionally, I will be throwing in a few of my own handmade items. I do crochet and knit, so you'll get an assortment of items (hat, slippers, dishcloths, wrisites -- it's all game, but expect at least 3 different items, and probably more!).

This contest is open to folks in the US only. Thanks for stopping by!

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by Cut Your Heart Out and tell me what other item you would purchase.

Extra Entries:

Become a public follower of the Cut Your Heart Out blog.
Become a public follower of this blog.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like me on Facebook.
Subscribe to my RSS feed or email (must confirm).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM EST, February 6. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (2/6)

2011-02-06T06:50:00.000-05:00

Eversave Deal of the Day (2/2)

2011-02-02T07:24:00.000-05:00

Eversave continues with their great Valentine's Day deals today with a voucher to Ice.com where you can get $50 of jewelry for only $25 plus a free pearl bracelet!

Thanks for stopping by!

	Today's Save: Ice.com Today's Save:Get a free pearl bracelet and $50 of jewelry at Ice.com this Valentine's Day Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 04, 2011
	Bonus Save: Tempting Truffle Today's Save:Give the gift of gourmet goodies with $30 of premium chocolates from TemptingTruffle.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 02, 2011
	Bonus Save: KaBloom Today's Save:Brighten up your sweetheart's day with $35 worth of flowers from KaBloom.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 03, 2011

Winner: EdenFantasys $55 Gift Code

2011-02-02T06:51:00.001-05:00

Time to announce the winner of the EdenFantasys.com gift code. Thanks to so many for entering. I hope to have more contests from this company in the future. I do love them!

The winner was #4, Kport207. Congratulations! I have sent an email.

Be sure to check out the Handmade with Love Giveaway hop that is going on right now. There are 143 blogs offering tons of prizes from various artisans.

Have a great day!

Quiznos Coupon

2011-02-01T21:18:00.000-05:00

I do love a nice Quiznos sub and this was a deal I had to pass on! Enjoy!

Review: EdenFantasys EdenPoints Reward Program

2011-02-01T08:03:00.000-05:00

Truly, I am completely sold on EdenFantasys.com. This site is really just a wealth of great sex information and products. I absolutely love it.

Today I want to highlight one of the really interesting features of the site (and I promise, there are many!). They have something called the EdenPoints Reward Program. With this, you can earn points by making purchases, liking various products, writing reviews, commenting on other reviews, and a host of other actions. One of the things I like about this site is how active the community is on it, and this rewards activity.

Every 1000 points you earn, you get a $10 gift card. The points can't be transfered to another person, but of course once you turn your points into a gift card, you can give that to someone else. The site has a handy pop up that tracks the points as you perform various tasks and you can go to your dashboard and verify how many points you have earned so far. You can read more about how the rewards program works here.

With Valentine's day right around the corner, why not stop by the site and start earning points?

Eversave Deal of the Day (2/1)

2011-02-01T06:24:00.001-05:00

Eversave is continuing to offer some great Valentine's savings with the save from KaBloom today -- $35 of flowers for only $17. And if you've bought flowers on Valentine's Day, you know that's a good deal!

Also, the great folks at Eversave are offering free vouchers this week to folks who like their Facebook page. Because what is better than 51% off of flowers than free flowers!

And as always, sign up, refer your friends and get $10 added to your account to be used toward other vouchers. It's a great deal!

	Today's Save: KaBloom Today's Save:Brighten up your sweetheart's day with $35 worth of flowers from KaBloom.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 03, 2011
	Bonus Save: Tempting Truffle Today's Save:Give the gift of gourmet goodies with $30 of premium chocolates from TemptingTruffle.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 02, 2011
	Bonus Save: Wallhogs Today's Save:Stick em up! Get $55 worth of custom wall graphics from Wallhogs.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 01, 2011

Winners: Pear Tree Cards and Lohio Family Tree

2011-02-01T06:16:00.000-05:00

I love it when I get to announce winners on the site! By far one of my favorite little moments here. So, without further ado:

The winner of the Lohio EP Family Tree was #5, SalemMomma!

The winner of the 24 Personalized Valentine's Day cards from Pear Tree Greetings was #54, Xenia!

Both have been contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks to all who entered the contests. There are still several to enter and more coming soon, including the Handmade with Love Hop starting tomorrow! You can follow the giveaways on the top right of the page, or be sure never to miss by subscribing to my RSS Feed or email!

Musical Monday

2011-01-31T12:13:00.000-05:00

I promise not to do this very often, but today's song totally goes with the post I wrote over on my other site. If you're interested on further thoughts about why I picked today's song, stop over to Alise...Write! and see what I had to say there.

Regardless, this is a great, great song. I absolutely love everything about it. Lyrics, music, dynamics -- it's got it all. Enjoy Shine by Anna Nalick.

Oh the night makes you a star

And it holds you cold in it’s arms

You’re the one to whom nobody verses I love you

Unless you say it first

So you lie there holding your breath

And its strange how soon you forget

That you’re like stars

They only show up when it’s dark

Cause they don’t know their worth

And I think you need to stop following misery’s lead

Shine away shine away shine away

Isn’t it time you got over how fragile you are

We’re all waiting

Waiting on your supernova

Cause that’s who you are

And you’ve only begun to shine

There are times when the poets and porn stars align and

You won’t know who to believe in

Well that’s a good time to be leavin’

And the past knocks on your door

And throws stones at your window at 4 in the morning

Well maybe he thinks it’s romantic

He’s crazy but you knew that before

And I think you need to stop following misery’s lead

Shine away Shine away Shine away

Isn’t it time you got over how fragile you are

We’re all waiting

Waiting on your supernova

Cause that’s who you are

And you’ve only begun to shine

Yeah you’ve only begun to shine

Won’t you shine shine shine shine over shadow

Shine shine shine shine over shadow

Shine shine shine shine over

And I think you need to stop following misery’s lead

Shine away Shine away Shine away

Isn’t it time you got over how fragile you are

We’re all waiting

Waiting on your supernova

Cause that’s who you are

And you’ve only begun to shine

Yeah you’ve only begun to shine – 3x

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/31)

2011-01-31T08:07:00.000-05:00

A couple of fun deals here for you! You can get $55 of Wallhogs decals for just $25 and save half off of some delicious looking truffles, just in time for Valentine's day.

Thanks for checking these out!

	Today's Save: Tempting Truffle Today's Save:Give the gift of gourmet goodies with $30 of premium chocolates from TemptingTruffle.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 02, 2011
	Bonus Save: Wallhogs Today's Save:Stick em up! Get $55 worth of custom wall graphics from Wallhogs.com Expires 11:59 PM - Feb 01, 2011

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (1/30)

2011-01-30T00:01:00.001-05:00

Sappy Saturday

2011-01-29T13:56:00.000-05:00

With several snow days this past week, the kids have played on the Wii a bit.

Okay, a lot.

Anyway, my bookend children have (re)discovered my favorite game -- The Legend of Zelda. I became a dyed in the wool Zelda fan after Ocarina of Time. Everything about that game just made me happy. I loved the land, I loved the game play, I loved the music, all of it. It's just one of my most favorite video games of all time.

Twilight Princess is the game the kids have been playing and again, I just marvel at the game play. I'm obviously not a graphics person because there's nothing very striking about that, but I do love the world the developers have created in Hyrule. As I'm watching the kids play, I remember again how much I enjoy this game. Even as a simple observer, it's a lot of fun.

Which is why I'm hoping against hope that Nintendo does in fact come out with a new Zelda game this year. I've been hearing rumblings about it for quite some time now and I am despairing of them actually ever making it happen. It's quite disheartening, to be honest.

At the beginning of the month I tweeted that my primary goal for this year was to get Nintendo to release Donkey Kong 64 to the Wii store for download, but I may have to amend that to seeing that Skyward Sword is actually released in 2011. Because that would be pretty sweet.

Review & Giveaway: Glee Gum Make Your Own Chocolate Kit

2011-01-28T08:29:00.001-05:00

We had a snow day yesterday. I am not nearly as organized as my sister, so a lot of the time, I don't have any activities for the kids to do. Sometimes they manage to entertain themselves (like with the Iganadon report last week), and sometimes they just bicker. But this time, thanks to Glee Gum, we actually had something to do on this snowy day!

I received the Make Your Own Chocolate kit from Glee Gum to review and I've got to tell you, this is a fantastic product. It comes with all of the products necessary to make your own chocolate. What I loved about this particular kit was that it gives you all of the various components of chocolate. The kit comes with cocoa butter, cocoa powder, confectioner's sugar, starter crystals, cocoa beans, a thermometer, papers and step by step instructions on how to make the chocolate. It also includes a story about the history of chocolate and lots of great information about the process of creating chocolate now and how it helps those in impoverished areas have a better life.

The kids liked smelling and tasting the chocolate in its different forms. We all laughed at the disparity between the smell and taste of cocoa butter (which smells like chocolate and tastes like wax) and the difference of how the chocolate tasted before we added any sugar to it. It was also really neat to be able to see a cocoa bean and taste it right from the source.

Of course, we also loved the opportunity to try the chocolate once it was all made! It was really delicious and we just had a great time together making the chocolate and learning about its history.

I love that Glee Gum is so conscious about the environment (the products are all organic and the packaging is all recycled/recyclable) and making socially responsible products. I also love that they encourage learning with the information included in the package and the website. They also include lesson plans for each of the Make Your Own Candy kits so you could include a lot more learning beyond the project itself. Fun, responsible, educational, delicious -- that's all kinds of win from where this mom is standing!

Buy It: You can buy a Make Your Own Candy kit from Glee Gum for just $13/kit.

Win It: The awesome folks over at Glee Gum have been kind enough to offer a Make Your Own Candy Kit to one of my readers! You will be able to choose which one you'd like to try (Make Your Own Chocolate, Gum or Gummies). This contest is open to residents of the continental United States only.

Mandatory Entry:

Head over to the Glee Gum website and tell me what other product you might like to try (or what you like best about their mission, which really and truly is why I love this company!).

Extra Entries:

Follow Glee Gum on Twitter.
Like Glee Gum on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a Make Your Own Candy Kit by @GleeGuy from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/gRKsEv #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day!).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, February 6. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/28)

2011-01-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

Today's deal from Shoebuy.com is a one day only thing, so get 50% off of your voucher for today only! Thanks for checking these out!

	Today's Save: Shoebuy.com Today's Save:Marc Jacobs, Steve Madden, BCBG - oh my! Just $15 for a $30 gift card and free shipping on footwear at Shoebuy.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 28, 2011
	Bonus Save: Fit in Clouds Today's Save:$10 for $20 worth of stylish foldable flats from FitinClouds.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 28, 2011
	Bonus Save: Shabby Apple Today's Save:Look red delicious in vintage-inspired dresses from ShabbyApple.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 29, 2011

The Cool Mom

2011-01-27T09:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I ushered my daughter into the realm of awesome by giving her a first taste of the exciting world of hair color alteration.

I decided that I wanted to blue my hair a little bit. So the other day when I was at the drugstore, I picked up a bleach & blue kit. It's been a few years since I've been a really off-the-wall color, so I thought a little blue streak might be something good to perk me up in the middle of these grey, depressing, winter days. At the very least, it would give other people something to giggle about.

Anyway, after seeing me walk in with the kit and talking to some friends at church, Deborah decided that she wanted to join me in the world of hair color. Since the kids ended up having an early dismissal due to snow yesterday, we spent the afternoon coloring our hair together. What. A. Hoot!

First we had to do the bleach. Her totally unprocessed hair bleached out super nice and evenly. It wasn't quite as blonde as it could have been, but when the blue washes out, she's still going to look pretty awesome. Then we did the blue. It's a much darker blue than I anticipated, but it looks crazy good on her.

We had a great time laughing over the coloring and reciting lines from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World to each other. It was all kinds of geeky mother-daughter fun.

Here's a pic I touched up with Deborah's results. I do love this kid. She makes me all kinds of happy!

Do you remember the first time you dyed your hair?

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/27)

2011-01-27T08:07:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day to purchase $35 of educational toys for $15. And today's save has some really adorable vintage-style dresses. I particularly like the aprons they have there -- fantastic!

Also, Eversave is looking for ideas on what kind of vouchers to offer for Valentine's day. You can stop by here and fill out the survey to have your voice heard!

	Today's Save: Shabby Apple Today's Save:Look Red Delicious in Vintage-Inspired Dresses for 55% off from ShabbyApple.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 29, 2011
	Bonus Save: Brighter Beginnings Toys Last Chance: $15 for $35 worth of Melissa and Doug, Klutz, and more toys and games from BrighterBeginningsToys.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 27, 2011
	Bonus Save: Fit in Clouds Today's Save:$10 for $20 worth of stylish foldable flats from FitinClouds.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 28, 2011

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/26)

2011-01-26T07:19:00.000-05:00

You can still get the deal from Brighter Beginnings today and tomorrow. That's definitely one worth checking out. And I admit, I'm going to be looking at those shoes. Very cute.

Thanks for checking them out!

	Today's Save: Fit in Clouds Today's Save:$10 for $20 worth of stylish foldable flats from FitinClouds.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 28, 2011
	Bonus Save: iSkin Last Chance:$18 for $40 worth of at-home Microdermabrasion and pore cleansing systems from ShopiSkin.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 26, 2011
	Bonus Save: Brighter Beginnings Toys Today's Save: $15 for $35 worth of Melissa and Doug, Klutz, and more toys and games from BrighterBeginningsToys.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 27, 2011

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/25)

2011-01-25T08:37:00.000-05:00

Some great stuff today! Especially if you're looking for gifts for the kiddos for birthdays or parties for other kids or want to get a jump on next year's Christmas shopping (because I know some people are into that).

Thanks for checking it out!

	Today's Save: Brighter Beginnings Toys Today's Save: $15 for $35 worth of Melissa and Doug, Klutz, and more toys and games from BrighterBeginningsToys.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 27, 2011
	Bonus Save: iSkin Today's Save:$18 for $40 worth of at-home Microdermabrasion and pore cleansing systems from ShopiSkin.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 26, 2011
	Bonus Save: Pearl Image Teeth Whitnening Today's Save$38.99 for one at-home teeth whitening kit from Pearl Image Teeth Whitening ($129.99 value) Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 25, 2011

Musical Monday: Review & Giveaway Lohio - Family Tree

2011-01-24T09:24:00.002-05:00

I'm always so happy to find new music. There's nothing quite so fun to me as discovering new artists, especially musicians in my own backyard.

So I really delighted to be directed to Pittsburgh band Lohio.

Lohio just released an EP titled Family Tree in September. I had the opportunity to give it a listen and I've got to tell you, it's really fun.

I really love the instrumentation on this EP. It has a really wonderful acoustic sound. They have a very "earthy" tone to them. In a world of heavily processed vocals and electronic music, it's great to find a band that has a a far more natural sound.

I found that their music has a very unique blend of simplicity and intricacy, which I like. Instrumentally they use some really unique blends of instruments all of which set the tone of each song perfectly. Vocally, they manage to really pull out some really big choral sounds and then contrast them with more quiet vocals of the primary songwriter Greg Dutton and vocalist Liz Adams. As someone who appreciates contrasts in dynamics, Lohio does this really well.

My personal favorite song on the 5-track EP is Adelai. I love the chorus riff and during the bridge it almost has a Phillip Glass kind of feel to it.

To promote the new EP, Lohio is kicking off a tour in February. You can check out the dates below. But I want to extend a special invite to my local friends and mention that they'll be here in Morgantown on February 4 at 123 Pleasant Street. And for my wider range of friends in PA, they'll be playing in Pittsburgh on February 19 at Thunderbird Cafe. I'm planning to go to the Morgantown show, so if you want to go, be sure to shoot me a message and we'll hook up!

Feb 3 – 136 Loft – Buffalo, NY
Feb 4 – 123 Pleasant St. – Morgantown, WV
Feb 5 – Davis Elkins College – Elkins, WV
Feb 7 – Union Hall – New York, NY
Feb 8 – Lit Lounge – New York, NY
Feb 10 – The Fat Frogg – New York, NY
Feb 12 – The Cave – Chapel Hill, NC
Feb 14 – Cosmic Charlie’s – Lexington, KY
Feb 15 – The Bishop – Bloomington, IN
Feb 16 – Rudyard Kipling – Louisville, KY
Feb 17 – Vollrath – Indianapolis, IN
Feb 18 – KOBO – Columbus, OH
Feb 19 – Thunderbird – Pittsburgh, PA

If you're looking for a unique, interesting indie-band, I definitely recommend checking out Lohio.

Buy It: You can purchase Lohio's EP Family Tree here.

Win It: The band has graciously offered a copy of their EP to one lucky reader! Contest open to residents of the US who are 18 and older.

Mandatory Entry:

Who is your favorite band right now?

Extra Entries:

Follow Lohio on Twitter.
Like Lohio on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Subscribe to my site by RSS or email.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a copy of @Lohiomusic's new EP Family Tree from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/hY2NEV #win #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day!).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, January 31. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/24)

2011-01-24T06:41:00.002-05:00

	Today's Save: iSkin Today's Save:$18 for $40 worth of at-home Microdermabrasion and pore cleansing systems from iSkin.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 26, 2011
	Bonus Save: DLM Entertainment Today's Save:$15 for $35 worth of movie, TV and Broadway posters and poster frames at DLMEntertainment.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 24, 2011
	Bonus Save: Saving Dinner Today's Save:$15 for $30 towards menu planning services from SavingDinnerShop.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 24, 2011
	Bonus Save: Pearl Image Teeth Whitnening Today's Save$38.99 for one at-home teeth whitening kit from Pearl Image Teeth Whitening ($129.99 value) Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 25, 2011

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (1/23)

2011-01-23T00:01:00.002-05:00

Sappy Saturday

2011-01-22T08:24:00.000-05:00

photo © 2010 John Pederson | more info (via: Wylio)
I have cold feet.

No, I'm not nervous about anything (well, not right this second anyway), I just literally have chilly feet almost all the time.

As a result, one of my favorite things is a nice pair of fuzzy socks. I love knitting socks (though I'm still not very good at it). I love knitting slippers (I'm way better at those). And I adore thick, soft, fluffy socks.

I love sliding my feet into a pair fresh out of the dryer, all toasty and warm.

I love the bright colors that I might not normally wear out and about but that look just right for kicking around the house.

I love how they slide across my kitchen floor (is there anyone, child or adult, who doesn't like to sock-skate on a slick floor?) while I'm loading the dishwasher, making me feel a bit more whimsical than a woman in her mid-30's has a right to feel.

And I love that my feet are at least a little bit warmer when I have them on.

Do you have a favorite pair of socks? What do they look like? And do you have any other tips for keeping feet warm?

Review: Smiley Valentine's Day Cookies

2011-01-21T22:54:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite memories from high school was during my senior year. Because I was a total slacker, I opted not to take math my senior year and ended up with a study hall first period. I had other friends who apparently were also slackers and so we would, altogether too often, skip out of class and drive to the local Eat 'N Park for breakfast. And when we were done, we would always grab a dozen Smiley Cookies to take back to the secretaries at the school, hoping that if we were there in time, we could maybe bribe them into not paying attention to the roll sheets and marking us as present for the full day. (Yes, I was a terrible person. I know.) These cookies must have done the trick though, because I managed to graduate without too much of a blemish on my record.

It's been a long time since I've had a Smiley Cookie, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review a dozen of their heart shaped cookies. They were just as great as I remember. A delicious, soft sugar cookie with fantastic tasting icing. Their cookies are all hand-iced and are made with all of the same great ingredients that they were made with back when I was just a youngster, skipping school. I was kind and shared them with my family and everyone just loved them.

You can purchase a dozen of these Valentine's Day Cookies for $13.99/dozen. Mine arrived in a delightful smiley box and were well packaged so they were fresh and unbroken. And if you're wanting something for a party (say, a Steelers Super Bowl party?), you can create your own cookie starting at $12.99/dozen.

If you're looking for something a little different to give as a gift this Valentine's day, I highly recommend checking out SmileyCookie.com. This is a wonderful and unique gift. Especially for high school secretaries.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Snow Day

2011-01-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

photo © 2009 Angela Marie | more info (via: Wylio)

We have another snow day here in Marion County, WV. I love having the kids around, but wow. Sometimes these unplanned days off can deteriorate into screaming matches between the kids. And sadly, despite being the grown-up, I all-too-often join in.

Today is a bit different though.

The kids, completely of their own volition, have been working together to help the youngest write a report on the iguanodon.

This report is not something that is due for class. It's not for extra credit. It's not FOR anything.

Christopher got some of those foam things in a capsule that you stick in water and they turn into a shape. He got a dinosaur pack and one of them was an iguanodon. That's it. They have been upstairs scouring the internets for information about what this animal ate, how it hunted, what it looks like, when it lived, everything.

I love it.

I love that they want to learn simply for the sake of learning. I love that they want to expand their knowledge not because someone is forcing them to, but because they think it's cool to know new things. I love that they let something simple like a 2 inch piece of foam launch them into a world of discovery. And I love that they are working together, complimenting one another as they use their skills together.

They still need to keep it down because Jason is trying to sleep, but I much prefer asking them to laugh quietly than to fight quietly.

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/21)

2011-01-21T11:11:00.002-05:00

	Today's Save: Saving Dinner Today's Save:$15 for $30 towards menu planning services from SavingDinnerShop.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 24, 2011
	Bonus Save: Frecklebox Today's Save:$15 for $30 worth of perfectly personalized children's presents from Frecklebox.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 21, 2011
	Bonus Save: Snapily Today's Save: $12 for $25 worth of personalized 3D or animated flip pictures from Snapily.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 22, 2011

Eversave Deal of the Day (1/20)

2011-01-20T06:37:00.000-05:00

I recently joined with a new program through Eversave.com. They offer daily deals kind of like Groupon does. Have fun shopping!

	Today's Save: Snapily Today's Save: $12 for $25 worth of personalized 3D or animated flip pictures from Snapily.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 22, 2011
	Bonus Save: Southern Magnolia Minerals Last Chance:50% OFF Natural mineral beauty products from Southern Magnolia Minerals Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 20, 2011
	Bonus Save: Frecklebox Today's Save:$15 for $30 worth of perfectly personalized children's presents from Frecklebox.com Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 21, 2011

Celebrity Lullabies

2011-01-19T07:14:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine posted this on his Facebook page the other day and it absolutely cracked me up. Given that I don't have kids in the Sesame Street age range any more, I completely missed this. I love Ricky Gervais anyway, and this just solidified my crush on him a little bit more.

Also, he is the only person I will accept as a substitute boss for Steve Carell as Michael Scott on The Office. Otherwise, it's time to shut that down.

Any other funny videos that I should know about?

Review & Giveaway: EdenCafe

2011-01-18T08:46:00.003-05:00

(Adult content -- if under 18, keep on moving!)

Two weeks ago I mentioned one of my new partners, EdenFantasys.com. Today I wanted to talk about the blog they have affiliated with the website, which is EdenCafe.com.

This is a really interesting feature of the site. They have numerous topics that are covered, from things like body image (some really poignant posts in that section) to things like sex and parenting. There are posts that are very explicit (the topic headers should give a pretty good hint as to how explicit the material will be) and some that are simply about relationships in general and have nothing about sex in them at all. Of course, I would recommend browsing around after the kids have gone to school or to bed, but I have found some fascinating and insightful articles at the Cafe.

+++++

Giveaway: EdenFantasys has graciously offered a $55 gift code to one lucky winner, in plenty of time for Valentine's day! Open to those 18 and older in the US.

Mandatory Entry:

Stop by EdenCafe and let me know what section you'd like to read.

Extra Entries:

Follow EdenFantasys on Twitter.
Like EdenFantasys on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a $55 Gift Code to @EdenFantasys from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/h1MyLx #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, February 1. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: EdenFantasys.com provided me with a gift code in exchange for a review of the site, however my opinions are 100% my own. Read my full disclosure here.

Winners: Purex Crystals & Jon Acuff's book

2011-01-18T08:08:00.000-05:00

The first winner of the Purex Crystals Softener is #136, Aline!

The second winner was #96, Rhonda C.!

And the third winner was #60, Jessica!

The winner of the Jon Acuff book was #18, rubymoonstone!

All of the winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond. Congratulations and be sure to check out the other giveaways on the site!

Musical Monday

2011-01-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

While the Gregory Brothers are usually good for laughs, I love how they have used auto-tune on Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. There's not much I can add to this.

Have a great day! Go make a difference in someone's life!

Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up! (1/16)

2011-01-16T07:18:00.001-05:00

I love giveaway linkys, and I thought it might be fun to host one over here! So welcome to the Sunny Sunday Giveaway Link-Up!

Feel free to list your giveaway here using the following format: Giveaway name - end date - US/Can/WW

Thanks for stopping by!

Winner: MaMi Foaming Cleanser

2011-01-15T10:12:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to #74, Jessyca who won the MaMi Foaming Cleanser! She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond.

Thanks to all who entered. There are still four other giveaways running right now, and I'll be adding more later this week.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Guest Post at Super Coupon Girl

2011-01-13T09:27:00.000-05:00

I've got a guest post today over at SuperCouponGirl.com about one of my all-time favorite websites, PaperBackSwap.com. Swing on by and say hello!

Our whole family is comprised of avid readers. (Well, I’m guessing about the animals. But the dogs have been known to literally devour a book or two and the cats like to climb in my lap when I’m reading, so I assume that they’re on board with the whole reading thing as well.) And if you read, you know that a book habit can be expensive. And if you’re a family of six, you know that a book habit for six people can be really, stinkin’ expensive. (read more)

Thanks to Beeb for letting me guest post for her!

Moolala

2011-01-12T22:14:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard of Jasmere. I love what they've got going on there with daily deals. The basic idea is that the more people who purchase at a time, the less you end up spending on the item of the day. It's very cool.

There's another new deal site that is getting ready to launch and I wanted to let you know about it. This one is called Moolala. It's a similar theme. There will be daily deals from local and online merchants and you are able to purchase them at a significant discount.

They also have a great referral program that is starting right now. These are the kinds of things that take off pretty quickly, so getting in on the ground floor can be really great! They are offering 2% back on any purchases you make, as well as 2% on any purchases your referrals make, or their referrals and on and on.

And right now, if you sign up and get some friends to sign up, you have the chance to win a Kindle! You have until noon Friday to add 5 friends to be entered to win. I'd love it if you'd consider signing up under this link. And then be sure to invite your friends!

Lots of savings to be had and maybe a chance to earn a little bit of cash! Thanks for checking it out!

Review & Giveaway: Pear Tree Kids Valentine's Day Cards

2011-01-12T07:04:00.001-05:00

Jason and I are never very "typical" in our holiday celebrations. I looooove to get presents, but I especially like to get them at times when I'm not expecting them. So Valentine's Day has never been a huge celebration for us.

But back when we were dating and doing the long-distance thing, Jason and I wrote lots of letters. Around Valentine's Day, one of us would always send a stack of those fun little punch out Valentine's cards with love notes scribbled all over them. It was a fun, kitchy way to celebrate the holiday. Those cards always make me smile today, thinking back to that time.

My friends over at Pear Tree Greetings have gone a long way to get the kitch out of those cards with their fantastic new line of Kids Valentine's Day Cards. These adorable cards are fantastic because they can be personalized to your child. They even have several styles that allow you to add your child's photo to the card! What a great way to give something extra special to a grandparent or far-away family member or even a classmate! I received a sample of several of these cards. The card stock is excellent quality and the pictures on them looked absolutely precious. They even have a killer robot card!

Buy It: Click right here to buy some of these fantastic cards in plenty of time for Valentine's Day! Don't forget to stop and check out the promo codes that they have available!

Win It: One lucky reader will win 24 free personalized Valentine's Day Cards! This contest is open to those 18 and older in the US.

Mandatory Entry:

Head over to Pear Tree and let me know your favorite Valentine's Day Card design.

Extra Entries:

Follow Pear Tree Greetings on Twitter.
Like Pear Tree Greetings on Facebook.
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.
Follow my blog on Networked blogs.
Follow me on Twitter.
Like Big Mama's Blog on Facebook.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win 24 Valentine's Day Cards from @PearTreeGrtngs and @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/h7s09R #win #giveaway (2x per day at least an hour apart)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link where I can find it).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once a day!).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59 PM, January 31. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Review & Giveaway: alight.com

2011-01-11T09:43:00.003-05:00

I am so happy that I have the opportunity to work with alight.com. They have really great selection of clothes and I love browsing around their site looking for new things!

I've been desperately needing a new winter coat. The one I had was in pretty bad shape and I'd been wearing one that was simply not acceptable, so with some of my Christmas money, I went ahead and bought myself a new coat.

I love the selection of jackets that they have at alight.com. I've been wanting a pea coat for a while, so I was excited to see that they had this one available and on sale!

Because I'm subscribed to their newsletter, I saw that they were also offering a discount for orders over $50, so I knew I was getting a good deal.

The coat is very nice. I needed to tighten up some of the stitching on the buttons, but otherwise the quality, warmth and fit of the coat is fantastic. The shipping was lightening quick (I received the item 2 days after I ordered it) and the price was right. It was a great experience and reminded me why I'm happy to be partners with this fantastic company!

++++++++++

Giveaway!

This is a pretty exciting thing! I get to partner with alight.com to bring you the opportunity to win a top, skirt or dress (*at alight's choosing*) for one lucky winner a month! So even if you don't win this time, there will still be other opportunities to win! Open to USA only.

Mandatory Entry:

You must sign up for their mailing list/newsletter on alight.com then come back here leaving me a comment telling me that you did and which email you used to sign up for it with.
You must sign up for the alight.com newsletter and leave a comment with your email to be eligible to enter this giveaway, winners who are not signed up with the newsletter will forfeit their winning prize and a new winner will be chosen.

Extra Entries:

Like alight on Facebook.
Follow alight on Twitter.
Follow my blog on GFC.
Follow my blog on Networked Blogs.
Like my Facebook Page.
Follow me on Twitter.
Tweet this contest using the following: Win a free plus-sized top by @alightcom from @BigMama247! http://bit.ly/dENuOA #giveaway #win (Can be tweeted twice a day, at least 2 hours apart.)
Post my button on your blog (leave a link).
Subscribe to my blog by email (must confirm).
Vote for me on the Fence (see button on the right -- just click! Can do this once per day!).

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you (if you leave an email in your Disqus comment, I'll have it even though it's not visible to everyone). If I can't contact you, I'll make a different selection. This contest will be open until 11:59PM EDT, February 11, 2011. I will choose a winner using the Random.org random number generator. I will send an email to the winner who will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll select another comment.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: I purchased the item reviewed here. The views expressed in this post are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.

I lied yesterday...

2011-01-08T07:34:00.000-05:00

One quick post today to let you know that my new site is up and running!

Hooray!

Go ahead and stop by www.alise-write.com and say hi!

(Things are still a bit sparse right now, but a house warming gift of a new follow or a like on my new facebook page would be just delightful!)

Antici...pation

2011-01-06T10:46:00.001-05:00

There are a lot of things that aren't happening right now.
Well, they're happening, but not at the speed I would like them to be happening.
In real life, this is a slow season for the band and a "money going out without money coming in" kind of time (bridal expos are a little bit spendy and most gigs aren't booked for two weeks out). My husband is in his last semester of college, but it means that we have five more months of a really insane schedule and not getting to spend anywhere near enough time together.
Online, I've got a couple of projects that I'm very, very excited about, but can't really share much about yet. I'm waiting on a new blog design so I can finally get my new blog up and running. I've got some guest posts that are just waiting to make their debut.
There's a lot of good stuff "out there" but it's not time right now.
And I hate that.

That said, a few days ago I posted that my word for the year was birth. And one of the things about birth is that it has to happen when it's time to happen or things can go seriously wrong. There can be lots of complications for babies that are born prematurely, both in the birth process itself and in the long term. If conditions lend themselves to a premature birth, birth professionals will do everything in their power to help the pregnancy continue so that the baby has every chance of survival outside of the womb.

Right now, everything looks pretty healthy with my "pregnancies." Everything is progressing in a way that leads me to believe it's going to be a pretty successful birth. That is tremendously exciting to me.

But birth takes time and I've got to have the patience to let that time come. For now, I'll just try to relish the antici...

...pation.