Just testing something out =)

Things Remembered Review ( AND Giveaway!) CLOSED

As you all know, awhile ago I shared my love for Things Remembered.

I swear, I'm like a raccoon, I see something sparkly & I go all "ooohhh" with the big eyes.

Things Remembered is a raccoons paradise,so to speak, with their trinkets & sparkles & charming personalization on the perfect gifts for everyone on your Holiday shopping list.

With the holidays fast approaching, what better time to check out gift items at Things Remembered.

Be it a gift for Mom



Your husband or dad,

or even your children.

Things Remembered has something for everyone, no matter what age, size or budget you have to work with.

We got the chance to check out the gorgeous Race Car Photo Globe from Things Remembered, which one of you, will also win!

It's gorgeous, well crafted, complete with space for personalization & a spot to place a picture of your own little race car driver.

Here is how to enter-

-Follow @ tremembered on twitter and tweet about the giveaway. ( link me!)

-Fan Things Remembered on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall about a gift you’d love to give, link me to your post!

-Follow me.

-Follow me on Twitter.

-Tweet this giveaway, one tweet per day.

This contest will end on December 7th & a winner will be chosen using Random.org

Happy Entering & Thanks to Things Remembered for this great giveaway.

As always, I received no compensation for this review. I received a sample product provided by the company above & these are my thoughts & opinions voluntarily shared.

Black Friday.

Alright, who hit some sales?? Any of you ladies crazy enough to do some seriously early shopping??

Not I.

But,however, I do have some coupon codes I wanted to share with you guys, because my guide guide is starting soon, I thought we'd start Black Friday off with some sales & discounts!


SiliKids - Silicone Must Haves for Children, use code OHBABY to save 15% through December 31, 2009.

Bravado - For all your nursing needs. This is the last sale of the year, a fantastic 25% off. Good until MONDAY only, with code TH09-175

Bright October - One of my favorite places to shop for kids, I actually subscribe to their Newletter & learned via email that using code THANKS will save 15%.

Ultimate Cloth America is offering EVERYONE a chance to try their revolutionary new cloth, just for shipping & handling. This is something every household needs atleast one of! An eco friendly way to clean, wipe & all around eliminate the need for items like paper towels, swiffer pads & other paper products that fill landfills each year.

Kushies - is offering 25% off your online order with code BLACKFRIDAY. Good until Sunday Nov, 29,2009.

Happy Shopping!

Share any good deals you snagged so I can gloat with you & stay tuned the next few weeks for MY Holiday gift guide & must haves!

..Makin' a list,checkin' it twice...

Are you all making your lists & checking them twice??

Who has been naughty?

And who has been nice??

Need any ideas on what to get as you make these lists??

Stay tuned, the next few weeks we'll be featuring a holiday gift guide, with some awesome products, companies & giveaways as well.

I think with my guide alone, you can cross off the cleaner (OCD!!) on your list, the children, the techie, the gadget guy,the organizer, or Crafter in your life!

What about "the classic"? You know, the person who is impossible to shop for? Check, I got em covered.

I even have something for those readers who like to surprise their significant other with a special XXX rated holiday gift once the kids are in bed!

Stay tuned, I think you all will like what you see! In the meantime, leave me a comment telling me 3 things, that if money were no object, you'd love to see under YOUR Christmas tree ( or other form of holiday occasion & expression) Mine will be to follow!

They really DO grow fast!

This is the conversation I just had with my 3 year old..

Andy- "Mom, you go outside & get me a bird, ok? You get your shoes on & go catch one for me."

Me- "Andy I dont think I can catch one, they're too fast for me!!!" ((distraction))

Andy- "You can use a net!"

Me- ((hm))"We dont have a net for bird catching buddy"


Andy-"You can use the butterfly net!!" ((trails off singing some song "the chicken, who'da the chicken,chicken down the road....))

((pokes head back in the room))

"Okay, go get you shoes & catch a bird with the butterfly net!!!!"


I swear, he just turned into a little boy over night!

He's kinder to Ryan, more gentle ( most of the time) but he jumps to apologize & hug & kiss & say "I sorry, I dont mean to hurt you anymore." He's easier to talk to & rationalize if he gets upset & we can avoid a tantrum, he's more snuggly ( at his OWN will!) and just all around.. growing up!! I guess!! I seriously can't believe it, all the cliches are so true, about time flying, kids growing fast, yada yada.. I dont think anyone ever realizes it.. until they become a mother themself.

Well, I guess I need to go run around outside the window like amadwoman with a butterfly net attempting to catch a bird..so..




PS- Are you ready for Black Friday?? How about some holiday gift guides from yours truly?? In the true spirit of busy over tired mothers, I'll be waiting until AFTER Thanksgiving to officially enter the holiday shopping season.. I hope you'll join me for some giveaways, reviews & all around good stuff!!

I just have one question..

For, who I am presuming, is a male, anonymous commenter on my Twilight post..

Tell me.. how do you REALLY feel??

I'm turning into my mother.

No, not really, thank God. I love you ma but after our last adventure, I worry about how you find your way home every day.

Just kidding, sort of. I'd be lucky to turn into my mother, a successful woman, wife & mother of 1 fine child & myself.

I find myself, as years go on with Mike, finding myself, bitching to my mom about things Mike does & realize "ohgod, thats what she said to ME all those years!!!"

Like "Don't use my nice sewing scissors for Popsicle/wire cutting!"

I have one decent pair of sewing/craft scissors right now... because my mom gave me her old ones to hide from my husband incase I need them & he has used all other craft scissors for Popsicle/something stick that left residue I have to scrape off/wire which ruined the blade/some other weird thing Mike tends to do when he gets "working on a project."

What else.. there have been several things.. like, dishes.. or probably some bathroom related thing related to toothpaste or other messes..

So I just wanted to say.. Sorry mom. I was a silly child & I didn't know any better. Now I have a husband of my own, and I know what its like... to have a child.

Thanks for putting up with me all those years! Everytime I go to Joanns.. I want to buy you the $400 pair of sewing scissors to apologize.. I don't of course, geeze, we're broke! But I understand what you were telling me, all those years.

Twlight Series

Alright.. Who of my readers are Twihards??

I'm going to put up a poll & I'd love everyone to vote to let me know!!

These are a few of my favorite things!!!

Ah yes, it's THAT time of the year.. CHRISTMAS TIME!

I know, "What the fuck?" Your thinking..

It isn't even Thanksgiving yet, right? Ah.. I got bit early by the bug this year.

We've been having some pretty major family/life stuff going on the last month or so now. I just haven't had the time on the computer, or in the shower, or even at night time to catch up on life, the internet or sleep.

Mike is rarely home.

I'm with out a car.Oh yes, remember..my NEW car?? Yeah.. 200 miles past being included in the Lemon Law

I'm going NUTS from being with out a car AND Mike being gone.

I went....15 days with only taking one 10 minute trip to the grocery store up the road while my Mom watched the kids..

DUDE. It's bad. It isn't even like I WANT to leave the house because I have big plans, it's knowing I CAN'T. It's KILLING me people!!

We have alot of things going on that aren't working out super fabulously right now, BUT!

Such is life.

This too shall pass.

We will appreciate the times we have ahead, as we've fought & worked hard through these difficult times to achieve future greatness for our family.

So yes.. I have the Christmas bug. Early. It's my grabbing onto happiness & magic & spirit early & riding the coattails of Joy & Peace & Happiness an extra month this year.

With Holidays, of course, comes gift buying. Since becoming pregnant with Andy 4 years ago, I've found a new word of business. WAHM business.

Whats a WAHM? ( not to be confused with WHAM <-- Click & prepare to ROCK!!!

Work At Home Mom.

And here, my friends are a few of my favorites.. They can provide you with all your Holiday shopping needs, especially if your like me, with out a car to escape he...your house right now! Feed the shopping monster & support a mom like yourself, being able to stay at home with her kiddos!!!

Cat Lady Candles



...for all your candle & tart needs. If you don't know what a tart is, your missing out on a lifetime of goodness. Get with the program & check it out. Mandi, the owner is super fabulous, funny & one of my absolute loves of a friend!!!

My favorite, OF COURSE..Is named for none other than moi!
Claire's Cloves is a delicious blend of spicy clove.. I swear, it gets me in the holiday/relax/hang out spirit every time!!! But yes, I even burn it year round. It's just all around delicious for days inside when you just need a warm smell to cheer you up!

Mudshrimps



For all your cloth diapering needs! Amber, oh Amber.. My mom of boys, Vampire obsessed fabulous friend. I've "known" Amber for about 4 fun filled years!
The quality of her work & craftsmanship is epic for the new era of cloth diapering mamas. Ask any true CD'er.. They know & want to get their hands on a Mudshrimps.


Speaking of Cloth Diapering.. Who is hardcore enough to get into adorable woolies?? Or loves a gorgeous colorway in some soft yarn???

If so, check out Kimi over at A Twisted Stitch & Lemon Tree Lane.

I'm going to be making more list's of my favorite WAHM stores over the weeks leading up to this Holidays.Mmake sure you check it twice for all those on your list who have been extra nice!

Looking for new music??

Check out Nikki Yanofsky!
What a voice from such a young girl!
I think of Eva Cassidy & Norah Jones when I hear her.. what do you think??

Introducing Nikki Yanofsky, the 15-year-old singing sensation set to take the world by storm. Raised on jazz, Nikki has been singing all her life and has been compared to greats Billie Holliday, Judy Garland, and Ella Fitzgerald. Her hometown newspaper, the Montreal Gazette, says of her voice, "there is a richness and a maturity and a heart and an effortlessness that divas twice or three times her age would kill for."

Now, this energetic and gifted teenager - with a smile as big as her voice - is preparing a new album full of re-imagined jazz standards, folk classics and original material. Set for an early 2010 release, Nikki's album was produced by Phil Ramone and Jesse Harris (Norah Jones), and will showcase her songwriting collaborations with Harris and legendary singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. Another highlight includes a song written for her by the indie darling Feist. For a taste of what is to come, check out videos from Nikki's RawSessions, where she performs her original song For Another Day.

Veterans Day

I just don't like saying "Happy" before Veterans Day. It's weird to me. SO!

Thank you to all the Veterans out there for the hard work they do serving our country.

We wish for safe homecomings for those still out there, rest & remembrance for those who didn't return & happiness & peace for those who did.

I have to add.. Thank you to my hubby. Love you Mikey, thank you for your service & all your experiences.

Project Zambi & Zambi, the baby elephant.

I recently learned about Zambi, the Elephant & Project Zambi. I wanted to take a minute to let you guys all in on this great cause & adorable toy.


Earlier this year, Hasbro launched PROJECT ZAMBI, a global cause initiative tied to the new special edition FURREAL FRIENDS ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT toy that is dedicated to raising awareness and benefiting programs caring for children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

Hasbro has committed to donate 50 percent of the net profits from ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT -- a minimum of $500,000 (in U.S. dollars) -- to the PROJECT ZAMBI Fund, part of the Hasbro Children’s Fund, beginning in 2009, and hopes to expand this global campaign to include additional Hasbro products and brands in the years to come. By purchasing Zambi the Baby Elephant, consumers will be supporting programs that work directly with children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

This latest initiative is a part of the work Hasbro conducts in the U.S. and around the world to help children in need through the Hasbro Children’s Fund and product donations. In 2008, Hasbro impacted approximately four million children through its charitable programs and product donations.

Zambi the Baby Elephant can be found on Amazon & other stores for a great holiday gift that teaches kiddos about helping others, which after all, is what the holiday spirit is all about.

He's super soft & simply adorable & hugs your finger with his trunk, as well as sings you songs & interacts as all FurReal do.

Check out Zambi when doing your holiday shopping this year!

50% off your Happy Green Bee Order!!

Love love LOVE Happy Green Bee, as you might recall from this post.

I just wanted to let you all know, with code BIGSALE you can get 50% off your ENTIRE order!!

Happy Shopping!!!

Winners!

Thanks for everyone bearing with me. We've had a rough month & hopefully in another month, things will be all back to normal.

So. Winner time!

Lets just do them all, shall we?

amykathryn-

Result: 122

Kate said... 122

Follow.

Nimli-

Result: 20

sierra said... 20

I follow you on twitter!!

Campus Quilt-

Result: 75

Jen said... 75

Jen 19

Eye Buy Direct-

Result: 1

DeAnna said... 1

http://www.eyebuydirect.com/plastic-glasses-ronnie-black-p-2130.html

Strappy's-

Aik said... 15

I subscribed to the newsletter.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Congratulations to all & thank you to the great sponsors for this amazing giveaways! I've contacted each of you & you'll have 48 hours to respond to my email until a new winner will be drawn