Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Winner Announcement: Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Schleich, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!




The winner is #159:







CONGRATULATIONS, Carole!


I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Make Moms Life Easier With Verizon FiOS

Do you ever feel like you could use an extra pair of hands just to get things done?  As a stay-at-home-mom of two young children, it seems that I'm always going somewhere or doing something.  Between transporting to and from school, errands and grocery shopping, after school activities, volunteering at school and taking the time for me by going to the gym.  Where can I get a little extra help?

Verizon FiOS is like having several little helpers right at your fingertips.  There to do exactly what you need, when you need it!  I think that we all can get a little excited about that.

Imagine being able to set your thermostat while on your way home, coming home to a nice warm house after being out in the cold all day.  Maybe you need to turn on your lights.  What about being able to keep your young children entertained with a movie on your cell phone when your errands and appointments are taking much longer than anticipated.  Maybe you need to catch up on the news of your favorite sports game that you're missing.  With Verizon FiOS all those things are possible and more!

While I don't actually have Verizon FiOS, my husband and I are talking about making the switch! Anything that can save us a little time is well worth considering.  With summer right around the corner and the kids being out of school, free time is going to be few and far between.  Maybe FiOS could make our time stretch just a little bit farther.

I just wonder if this technology might be smarter than I am!


Here are a few Verizon FiOS features:

Flex View: “Watch what you want, where you want” 
With Flex View you can buy, rent and watch on-demand video titles on your FiOS TV, on your computer or on your mobile phone.
 
Media Manager:
Using Media Manager, you can access digital photos, music files, Internet radio stations, home videos, Internet videos from certain web sites directly from your FiOS-connected TV.

TV Widgets:
Verizon FiOS features awesome TV widgets like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, allowing you to Tweet directly from your TV, using your remote while watching TV. Yes, with FiOS, you can watch Modern Family and Tweet about the scary but true similarities between your husband and Ed O’Neill. Or update your Facebook status with “Yes, the kids are FINALLY in bed!” and virtually high-five with your fellow moms---all directly from your TV.

FiOS Internet: “Internet as fast as it gets”
FiOS doesn’t let up during “peak” hours like when the kids come home from school when some cable services slow down due to increased usage.

In-home Agent:
In-Home Agent is a PC application that provides you with fast, easy solutions for common FiOS & High Speed Internet questions. It's 24/7 support at the click of your mouse!
 

About Verizon FiOS

Modern consumers enjoy the ultimate digital lifestyle at work, home and play with Verizon FiOS advanced and integrated TV and broadband services.  The speed and intelligence of the nation’s largest all-fiber-optic network lets FiOS customers create personalized, integrated entertainment and information experiences that connect them to everything they care about -- anytime, anywhere, on a multitude of devices.  FiOS helps make life easier, more productive and more fun.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com

More info on Verizon FiOS: http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/aboutFiOS/overview.htm

Verizon FiOS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VerizonFiOS

Follow @Verizon on Twitter



**I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Verizon FiOS blogging program for a gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

I LOVE PETCAKES

My daughter is 7 years old and absolutely LOVES her PetCakes. She takes them with us on road trips and when we run errands. She makes sure they take daily naps in their little crib and she sleeps with them at night. She takes care of them like they are "real" and it's just too cute!






**I posted this as an entry into the current Petcakes contest!  You can enter too...


WIN a FREE full set of PetCakes!

Step1: Be a PetCakes Facebook or Twitter fan.
Step2. Post to Facebook, Twitter or a Blog (It can be your blog) a photo, video or drawing of anything relating to PetCakes. Title "I LOVE PETCAKES".
Step 3 Link photo, video or drawing... to our Facebook, Twitter or Blog.
Winner gets a COMPLETE SET of PetCakes (4 Doll, 4 minis)

Contest ends Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST

Last Chance to Enter: Pure Romance Gift Pack Giveaway (5/31)

This is the last giveaway of the month, then begins a new month and new giveaways.  Don't miss your chance to enter!



ENTER NOW!!!

Winner Announcement: SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice

I want to thank everyone who entered my SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsors, Mama Buzz and SmartLab Toys, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!




The winner is #34:






CONGRATULATIONS!


I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

DIY Granite Countertops: GIANI Granite Countertop Paint Review and Giveaway

We bought our house eleven years ago and I have always hated our kitchen countertops. I didn't mind the color, it was everything else about them that I disliked.  If I were to open a can it would leave a ring all over the counter.  No matter how hard I scrubbed or how often I cleaned, my kitchen countertops always looked dirty.  Even though I knew for a fact they were clean.

A couple months ago I saw a few bloggers posting reviews and giveaways for Giani Granite Countertop Paint and it immediately peaked my curiosity and my interest!  Could this be my ticket to beautiful kitchen countertops?

When our chocolate Giani Granite Countertop Paint arrived I will admit that I was concerned.  It is a 5 step process and that scared me a little bit.  However, I was convinced that no matter how things turned out - my kitchen countertops were going to be better than they were and have been for years.

I was thrilled when my hubby sent me a text message telling me that he had started on the kitchen counters.  When I texted him back making sure that he had gotten a before photo of the kitchen, his reply was no.  He forgot!

Yikes!  I really wanted to show the major transformation that took place in our kitchen as a result of the GIANI Granite Countertop Paint.  Sadly, even though I have tons of photos of the kids in our kitchen, none of them show the entire kitchen.  As a result, I'm only able to show you a glimpse of what our kitchen countertops used to look like.

Here are a few before photos:




When I arrived home, hubby had already watched the DVD and had laid the primer coat on the counters.  Oddly enough, I loved the black more than our original countertops!  I instantly knew that this was going to make a world of difference.

Primer/Base Coat Applied

 Then we sat down together and watched the instructional DVD that came with our kit, again.  It clearly laid out the steps, one by one, putting my mind at ease.  We could do this!  I was eager to get started and excited to see how my new kitchen countertops were going to turn out.

The 5 Step Process:

Step 1:  Roll on Primer/Base Coat
Step 2: Sponge on 1st Mineral
Step 3: Sponge on 2nd Mineral
Step 4: Sponge on 3rd Mineral
Step 5: Roll on Clear/Top Coat

Steps 1 - 4 are now complete:




I had been stressing for no reason, the entire process was simple and easy.  Applying the product to the backsplash was a little awkward and took a little practice.  The most difficult thing about the process of transforming our kitchen was not being able to use the kitchen all weekend.  Other than that, it was a breeze.

 Our kitchen project is now complete:




My husband and I completed this project together from start to finish.  It was fun and we are thrilled with the results.  The kids love it too!  Here are the comments/compliments we've received so far:

My husband says, "This is killer!"
Our 7 year old daughters says, "WHOA, that is awesome!"
Our 10 year old son says, "That made a big difference. Cool!"
Our friend Debbie says, "OMG!  Beautiful, it rocks!"
My mom says, "WOW, that is awesome!"

Here is the contrast between our old countertops and our new Giani Granite countertops:


I absolutely LOVE my new countertops!  The kitchen looks amazing! It is crazy how one simple change to a room can completely transform the entire look and feel.  It was well worth the time and effort.  I only wish we would have discovered this amazing product years ago!

There are six great colors of Giani Granite Countertop Paint.  Each kit covers 35 sq. feet and comes with everything you need:

-12 Oz. of IronCore Primer-Base Coat
- 6 Oz. of Brown Feldspar Mineral

- 6 Oz. of Inca Gold Mineral

- 6 Oz. of Chocolate Brown Mineral

- 16 Oz. of Automotive Polyurethane Topcoat
- 6" GIANI roller arm and two roller pads
- 4" GIANI granite paint sponge
- 2" Foam Brush
- Black Practice Poster Board
-
'Paint-by-Number' DVD for beginners
- Illustrated Instructions



 The great thing about this paint is that it can be used on numerous surfaces.  Those surfaces include: formica, laminate, butcherblock, drywall, cabinets, tabletops, mantels, vanities and much more.  They also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!





WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive a GIANI Granite Countertop Paint of their color choice ($70 value)

Mandatory Entry:

Visit GIANI and tell me which color of granite countertop paint you would choose.

**This must be completed before other entries will count**


Extra Entries (Optional):

Please leave a separate comment for each entry! 
If you are already a follower - leave a comment and let me know. 



  1. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work Publicly via Google Friend Connect (2 comments - 2 entries)
  2. Follow Giani Granite on Facebook - leave username (1 comment - 1 entry)
  3. Follow Giani Granite on Twitter - leave username (1 comment - 1 entry)
  4. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work on Facebook (2 comments - 2 entries)
  5. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work on Twitter (2 comments - 2 entries)
  6. Add the Being Frugal and Making it Work button to your blog (3 comments - 3 entries)
  7. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work on Networked Blogs (2 comments - 2 entries)
  8. Subscribe to Being Frugal and Making it Work emails (3 comments - 3 entries)
  9. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link (4 comments - 4 entries)
  10. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link - can be done once a day (1 comment - 1 entry)

Tweet:  #Win GIANI Granite Countertop Paint and Transform Your Kitchen from @cheekymommaof2 @GianiGranite101 #Giveaway Ends 6/21 http://t.co/pSbQsJ




This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday June 21st

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.



**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner.  

A special thanks to GIANI Granite for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Winner Announcement: My Pal Going Green Doll Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my My Pal Going Green Doll Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, LorettaRose, LLC, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!




The winner is #90:






CONGRATULATIONS, Granny!


I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Last Chance to Enter: Father's Day Giveaway: Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ - 3 Winners (5/30)

Don't let this lip smackin' giveaway pass by without entering!  There will be 3 winners!



Sunday, May 29, 2011

Follow Us Monday Morning Blog Hop 5/30

Welcome to Follow Us Monday Morning - the Monday blog hop and Google friend follow here at Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free. This is the place where we casually meet and greet, have a little conversation and expand our blogging networks.


PhotobucketI am honored to have been chosen to represent the 'Us' in Follow Us Monday Morning!  My co-host,  JR from Frugality Is Free are looking forward to meeting new friends.  I know that we have so much to share and so much to learn from one another.

Each week we will feature a blog as Hot Blog of the Week, and we will post a question to get the conversation started. The Hot Blog of the Week will get the first place in the linky, and the featured blogger will win a free ad space at both Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free for a week.



********************************************** 

The Hot Blog of The Week is:



A Little Bit of Everything is just that - a blog about a little bit of everything such as baking, crafts, crocheting, decorating, homemaking, knitting, photography and travel etc...

Congratulations!


You have won a feature, a free ad space for a week at Being Frugal and Making it Work AND Frugality Is Free PLUS the third spot in the linky.

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Follow Us Morning Feature BONUS!!! The Follow Us Morning featured blogger will win a FREE ad space for a week at both Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free.
 
Tip: The best way to gain more followers during a blog hop is by following others first, and leaving a link back so that they can easily find you. So don't forget to let someone know, if you are following their blog. One way to do this is by commenting and leaving your clickable blog signature (see below).
 



To participate:


Answer the Follow Us Monday Morning question (in the comment area or in a post) and post the button in your post. This is not mandatory, but it sure is appreciated, as it will help spread the word.

  1. Follow Being Frugal and Making It Work
  2. Follow Frugality Is Free
  3. Follow the Hot Blog of the Week - A Little Bit of Everything 
  4. Follow the Blog listed before you
  5. Answer the Follow Us Monday Morning Question
  6. Follow as many other blogs as you wish, and please follow those who visit you back
  7. Link your blog post in the Follow Us Monday Morning linky
  8. Please follow back!!!

**********
Question of the Week
**********

Question of the Week: What is your best frugal travel tip?  



My answer:   Bring drinks (and snacks) with you!  Pack a cooler with ice and drinks to save money.  When you buy drinks (and snacks) in bulk and on sale you can get them for 50 cents each or less.  If you're buying them in grocery stores or gas stations, you care going to pay $1 - $1.50 for the same exact item.

**********
 


Photobucket

Do you want to be Hot Blog of The Week?

***

•Blog about Follow Us Monday Morning (leave direct link)

•Post the Follow Us Monday Morning button in your sidebar (leave link)

•Tweet about the Follow Us Monday Morning Blog Hop (leave link)


You can tweet the following or make up your own tweet:

I'm participating in this week's Follow Us Monday Morning blog hop, come link up too & expand your blogging network http://t.co/omDcdgC


***If you do any of the above, please leave a link and let us know in the comment field, otherwise your entry might not be counted***

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*
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Winner Announcement: The Pocket Referee Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Pocket Referee Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!




The winner is #30:







CONGRATULATIONS!!!


I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Give me Some WAT-AHH!

My kids are 10 and 7 and drinking water has always been important in our house.  We have always taught them the importance of making healthy choices, for both their body and their mind.  They rarely drink juice or soda/pop.  In fact, when given a choice of beverage, 9 times out of 10 both of my kids will choose water.


I recently introduced them to a new brand of water, WAT-AHH!  I must say that when they read the bottles they both started laughing and saying "wat-ahh" in their silliest voices!   The topic of conversation for the next hour was... "Mom, can you please give me some wat-ahh, I don't drink water anymore!"  They were really getting into it and cracking themselves up!  That in itself was priceless.


 The WAT-AHH! logo is bright, bold and fun - making them an obvious choice (and winner) with kids of all ages. 

My 10 year old son chose the Power WAT-AHH! first.  He said that it would help make him ever stronger and more powerful than he already was.  (Ha Ha Ha, good grief)  My 7 year old daughter chose Energy WAT-AHH! because she claimed she was tired and it would help wake her up.  It's tough being 7 years old, right?!




WAT-AAH! DEFENSE (NEW!!)
• Ultra purified water!
• Immune boosting zinc!
• Absolutely No sugar!
• Tastes like pure clean water!

WAT-AAH! BODY
• Pure spring water!
• No sodium!
• No chemicals!
• Absolutely NO sugar!
• Tastes like pure clean water!

WAT-AAH! BRAIN
• Ultra purified water!
• Kid-friendly electrolytes!
• Absolutely No sugar!
• Tastes like pure clean water!

WAT-AAH! POWER
• Ultra purified water!
• Bone-building magnesium!
• Absolutely No sugar!
• Tastes like pure clean water!

WAT-AAH! ENERGY
• Ultra purified water!
• Energizing oxygen!
• Absolutely No sugar!
• Tastes like pure clean water!





Be sure you follow WAT-AHH! on Twitter and stay tuned so you can win cool prizes all summer long!! You can also find them on Facebook and their blog!


**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.   

A special thanks to WAT-AHH! for this great review opportunity!

Last Chance to Enter: SmartLab Toys Giveaway - Winners Choice (5/29)

Don't miss your chance... Think Birthday or Christmas gift giving!



Saturday, May 28, 2011

LOW ENTRIES - Last Chance to Enter: Schleich Wild Life Animals Giveaway (5/28)

This great giveaway ends tonight at midnight.  Perfect for ANY child!



Winner Announcement: Hasbro Fun on the Run Travel Game Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Hasbro Fun on the Run Travel Game Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!




The winner is #4:








CONGRATULATIONS, Amber!!


I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Plow and Hearth Review and $50 Giveaway

Summer is right around the corner.  With summer comes gardening, flowers and spending time outdoors!  Each year I try to think of something new to add (or change) in our yard and on our deck.  I always have grand ideas but very rarely get them accomplished.  I have high hopes of this year being different!

Plow and Hearth offers an amazing selection of items perfect for helping me achieve my goals.  Everything from garden furniture to decorative containers to raised flower and garden beds.  I browsed the site fro more than an hour and had numerous items picked out.  Making the choice on which one item to order first was quite difficult.

I ended up choosing the tiered wooden plant stand from Plow and Hearth to begin my outdoor summer makeover.  Planting flowers and herbs with my children is a yearly tradition.

The plant stand looks like a miniature three tiered picnic table for your plants. It can easily display a variety of potted plants, both inside or out. It is made of sturdy hardwood and is varnished to look great and last! 

It was very easy to assemble.  My husband put it together from start to finish without getting irritated or losing his patience!  That in itself says a great deal about this product!

Both my husband and I are very impressed at just how sturdy and stable the plant stand is. Plus, it looks great and I love it!

I got this item to put outside on our deck.  We spend lots of time out there during the summer as a family.  It is where we lounge on our porch swing, BBQ and enjoy the mountain view.  However, the plant stand is still in our bedroom - two weeks after its arrival.  It looks great there and I just can't bring myself to put it outside... not yet!



About Plow and Hearth (from their website):

Founded in 1980 as a small country store, Plow & Hearth is a trusted national catalog, retail, and internet company specializing in unique, enduring home and lifestyle products that are quality-built and guaranteed to meet our customer's expectations.



WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive a $50 Gift Certificate to Plow and Hearth

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Plow and Hearth and let me know which item you would choose

**This must be completed before other entries will count**


Extra Entries (Optional):

Please leave a separate comment for each entry! 
If you are already a follower - leave a comment and let me know. 



  1. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work Publicly via Google Friend Connect (2 comments - 2 entries)
  2. Follow Plow and Hearth on Facebook - leave username (1 comment - 1 entry)
  3. Follow Plow and Hearth on Twitter - leave username (1 comment - 1 entry)
  4. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work on Facebook (2 comments - 2 entries)
  5. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work on Twitter (2 comments - 2 entries)
  6. Add the Being Frugal and Making it Work button to your blog (3 comments - 3 entries)
  7. Follow Being Frugal and Making it Work on Networked Blogs (2 comments - 2 entries)
  8. Subscribe to Being Frugal and Making it Work emails (3 comments - 3 entries)
  9. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link (4 comments - 4 entries)
  10. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link - can be done once a day (1 comment - 1 entry)

Tweet:  #Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Plow and Hearth from @PlowandHearth @cheekymommaof2 #Giveaway Ends 6/20 http://t.co/Skjqh6O




This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Monday June 20th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.



**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner.  

A special thanks to Plow and Hearth for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Winner Announcement: Cupcake Cuties Degisner Cupcake Kit Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Cupcake Cuties Degisner Cupcake Kit Giveaway - Winners Choice.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Cupcake Cuties, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!




The winner is #46:






CONGRATULATIONS!!!


I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.