A Brand New Year

  By Amy | January 7, 2009 - 9:18 pm |
1 Comment

That’s right folks, no need to worry.  We are still here but between all the usual holiday madness surrounding Christmas and the new year celebration, posting here has been, well, nonexistent.  I know you can all relate to that but, “No more,” I say. “No more.”  We’ll be back to some regularly scheduled postings here shortly.  In the meantime, however, we do have some pretty big new to share with all of you.  We are expecting our second child sometime in late July.  How ’bout them apples?  For a look at the ultrasound picture of the ‘lil bugger, you can look over here on my other blog.

Cheers!

Eric & Amy

Boon has some cool new bath things

  By Amy | December 16, 2008 - 10:32 pm | , , ,
1 Comment

Not long ago, I posted about the new Bug Pod, Boon’s newest bath time clean-up friend.  The Bug Pod is now available for purchase at Boon Inc. online.

I can let you in on a little secret that I know, too.  Boon has some brand new bath toys coming SOON.  If you have a Facebook profile, you can join Boon’s Fan Page and get a sneak peak.  Stay tuned for more…

Vincent Shoes and some seriously good deals

  By Amy | December 15, 2008 - 9:05 pm | ,
1 Comment

These parents have been fans of Vincent Shoes since our preschooler became a walker, which has been a couple of years now.  Most recently, you will find our daughter trotting around in the Midwest snow wearing her pink Susan’s pictured here:

We also have a pair of Betty’s, which unfortunately, the little lady has just grown out of.  These shoes got a lot of wear and were easily one of our favorites based on comfort and style.

Vincent is offering 50% off on ALL regular priced items through tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16th.  So, I can easily purchase Betty in a bigger size and we’re all set for the Spring.  Although, there are so many ridiculously cool styles to choose from, I may go with something different, since I already know the comfort and quality craftsmanship is there.  Here is what you need to know to get your 50% off:

*Enter coupon code HOLIDEAL at checkout

As much as I want you to stay and mill around on my site, I MUST tell you to get over to Vincent Shoes online and take your pick from their many styles of babies and kids shoes.  While you’re there, check out their Closeout Cubby for up to 75% of select styles.  The pickin’s are getting slim, so don’t wait around for too long!  (Click the button below to be taken to the Cubby)

*The special 50% off deal above cannot be used with items listed in the Closetout Cubby sale.

Also, ground shipping is FREE on orders of $75 (net after promotional discount) and up.

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth

  By Amy | December 12, 2008 - 5:15 pm | , ,
41 Comments

Luckily, I have them!  I can attribute this to my parents, always reminding me to brush and taking me to the dentist every six months for a check-up.  I’m not saying that my teeth are perfect but I do know the importance of brushing.  We’re trying to get our three year old into the good oral hygeine habit now.

As you know, with the holidays comes snacking, snacking and more snacking.  Cookies, candy canes, fudge, you name it.  If you go to someone’s house around the holidays, there is sure to be something to snack on.  All the more reason to remember to BRUSH. YOUR. TEETH.

That being said, we’d like to help.  Oral-B has teamed up with us to offer two lucky readers either an Oral-B Pulsonic Sonic Toothbrush or an Oral-B Triumph

Here are the details of the Oral-B Pulsonic Sonic Toothbrush:

  • Sonic technology: With more than 27,000 vibrations per minute to drive them, Pulsonic’s bristles clean and promote naturally whiter teeth
  • Thin Precision bristles: Promote naturally whiter teeth by gently polishing off surface stains
  • Professional timer: Subtle two-minute timer with 30-second intervals makes it easy to track how long you’ve been brushing each quadrant of your mouth and helps you reach the dental expert-recommended brushing time
  • Two customized brushing modes
    • Clean: Provides effective plaque removal and cleaning of your teeth
    • Sensitive: Offers gentle care of your gums and other sensitive areas
  • Exclusive custom brush head design
    • Pulsonic Brush Head: Contours your teeth to provide an effective clean while remaining gentle on teeth and gums
    • Precision Tip Brush Head: Cleans between teeth in hard-to-reach areas—where stains start—and is also ideal for cleaning around dental work with its Interspace® design
  • Rechargeable: No need to replace batteries

With more than 27,000 gentle sonic vibrations per minute, Pulsonic’s bristles clean and promote naturally whiter teeth while allowing maximum maneuverability and control with the slim and lightweight handle design.

Here are the details of the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide Toothbrush:

  • Improves gum health: Helps prevent and reverse gingivitis
  • Provides ultimate plaque removal
  • Delivers superior teeth whitening and polishing action in 21 days*
  • Penetrates between teeth to sweep away plaque for a floss-like clean**
  • Helps reduce excessive brushing force, which can lead to gum recession, by up to 88% in only 30 days†
  • Helps you brush for two minutes

The Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide is the first and only power toothbrush that uses a wireless digital display to help improve your brushing habits. It also has sensor to tell you if you’re brushing too hard and alerts you when it’s time to change the brush head

To enter: leave a comment on this giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under “Category” and “Tags”.  In your entry comment, let us know if you have ever used an electronic toothbrush and if so, which brand?

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes.  Last day to enter is Friday, December 19, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification.  This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

*You may include your choice of the Pulsonic Sonic toothbrush or the Triumph w/ SmartGuide in your entry if you’d like, but winners will be chosen at random.

*Please note: We cannot guarantee that the toothbrushes will arrive on time for Christmas

Patrick Dempsey’s Unscripted Cologne for Men

  By Amy | December 10, 2008 - 11:21 pm | , , ,
26 Comments

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR UNSCRIPTED WINNER!
* Eric K. (#25)

Our winner has been notified via email

Yesterday was a day just like any other, really.  Nothing out of the ordinary happened at all.  Woke up, started working, talked to Patrick Dempsey.

Hmm?  Patrick?  Yeah, just Patrick Dempsey.  No biggie.

How did the conversation go?  You really want to know?  I mean, because really, it’s not a big deal at all.  Me and Patrick are like “this” (do the whole, cross your fingers thing – yeah, that one).

Ok, so you really want to know what we talked about?  This is kind of silly because I mean, geez, we get on like any other regular buddies do.  Alright, you’ve pulled my arm.

So, I called up Patrick.  Yeah, I have his number.  Although, he really ought to let up on the security over the phone…making me “announce” myself and give a “passcode” and whatnot.  Come on now Patrick!  Is all of that really necessary?

I digress.  I called him up and we made small talk.  Of course, he’s such a popular guy, he had to mute me on occasion to accept a delivery at his door and oh, that pesky call waiting of his.  We must have been interrupted by other callers a million times.  Anyway, I called him up because he’s got this fantastic new fragrance with Avon called “Unscripted” and I just HAD to talk to him first-hand about it.  Here was our conversation, in a nutshell:

Me: Hey Patrick!  How are ya?  How are Jillian and the kids?  Gosh, it’s been so long!  Are you all ready for the holidays?  I’d love to drop by again soon, I have gifts for the kids.

Patrick:  Hey Aims!  Good to hear from you!  The family is doing great.  Man, when was the last time we spoke?  My goodness, has it been that long?  Gifts for the kids?  Oh, you SHOULDN’T have!  You’re the best, Aims.

Me: So, Patrick!  Tell me ALL ABOUT Unscripted!  I’m just so THRILLED for you!  It must have been something, designing this lovely scent from start to finish.  It’s just so…unexpected!  I just couldn’t be happier for you!

Patrick: Yes, well, it has been amazing being involved in the entire process.  I love the scent, I wear it every day.  I’m so glad to hear that Eric likes it!  I really had him in mind when choosing the layers, including the black pepper in the top layer and the lavender in the middle – come on, Aims, I knew  that you’d love that one!  And of course the finishing touches of musk, vetiver and patchouli.  This scent is really all about following your passion.

Me: Well, Patrick, you have really hit the nail on the head with Unscripted.  I can imagine there will be a lot of great smelling men and their very pleased ladies after they get a bottle of your new fragrance in their hands.  I hate to cut our conversation short, really, I do!  But I must get going now.  Tell the family hello and lets not wait so long to chat again, shall we?

So, really, that was the jist of our conversation.  Interestingly enough, I was blog-hopping earlier and came across some other ladies who apparently also decided to put their call in to Patrick right around the time that I did.  Like Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry, Arianne from To Think is To Create, Steph from Adventures in Babywearing, Michelle from Scribbit, Janice from 5 Minutes for Mom, Trisha from MomDot, Katja from Skimbaco Lifestyle, Kim from Jogging in Circles and Maria of Blue Suit Mom.

Hmm?  You visit their blogs too?  Oh, alright.  You caught my bluff.  We were all on the call with Patrick together.  Rain on my parade, why don’t ya?  Oh well.  A girl can dream, can’t she?  Thanks to Maria for making this call happen and including all of us star-struck bloggers (who, by the way, Patrick really appreciates!).

We have some McDreaminess to share with you.  How would you like to surprise your man (or men, surprise your women?) with Patrick’s brand new fragrance, Unscripted?  Here’s your chance.

To enter to win a bottle of Unscripted, leave a comment on this post.  In your entry comment, tell me what YOU would ask Patrick about Unscripted if you had the opportunity to sit down and chat with him.  Please keep it tasteful and related to Patrick’s involvement with Unscripted.  I know, I know, I’m asking a lot of you.  Believe me.  I know.

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes.  Last day to enter is Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification.  This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

**We also have a free standard shipping code for all of you:

Promo Code – JINGLE30
Expires – 1/31/09

Good for free standard shipping with a $30 order when you shop with an Avon eRepresentative

The Children’s Place: $60 in Gift Cards

  By Amy | December 8, 2008 - 10:23 pm | , , , , ,
57 Comments

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHILDREN’S PLACE GIFT CARDS WINNER!
* Kristina (#21)

Our winner has been notified via email

The Children’s Place is a store that I think of when I want bright, colorful clothing for my little girl.  I have never been disappointed with the quality and I have owned many different outfits and outerwear from their collection.  Most recently, a certain 3 year old that I know received a couple of outfits from The Children’s Place for her birthday; like the yoga babydoll top, yoga pants, the shine heart hoodie and these fleece pants.  And, since potty training is in order at our house, she can’t always wear one-piece footie jammies.   So, these adorable monkey pj’s work perfectly.

I could drop a ton of links back to The Children’s Place right now because there are so many cute things to choose from but I’d rather give you the chance to head to a store near you or click over to their online store and do some shopping withe the two $30 gift cards we have up for grabs.

To enter: leave a comment on this giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under “Category” and “Tags”.  In your entry comment, let us know if you win these two gift cards, valued at $30 each, if you will spend them on your own kiddo or if you will give one or both of them as a gifts.

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes.  Last day to enter is Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification.  This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

–
*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site?  Make sure you link to it on Mr. Linky HERE
*Do you “Twitter“?  We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

Holiday indulgences and whatnot

  By Amy | December 7, 2008 - 9:29 pm | , ,
1 Comment

With the holiday season fast approaching, it never fails, the moment you walk into the grocery store, you are faced with special deals on sweets and items for holiday baking. I don’t know about you but it’s temptation central for me. Even if I had no intention of baking those six different Christmas cookies, I’m always suckered in once I see those bags of red and green wrapped Hershey kisses, Reese cups and bags of brown sugar.

I’ve never been one to follow a weight-loss program. I suppose that could be why I have the weight concerns that I do today. Although, I have become increasingly more interested in the Weight Watchers program. I recently discovered that they have some pretty neat online tools to make balancing your eating habits a pretty simple task. I’m all about the simple.

Weight Watchers now has this “Snack Widget” that you can get for your desktop or embed into your website, which allows you to simply type in a snack food that you want and the widget will produce a variety of Weight Watchers snacks to choose from instead.

Check it out for yourself here:

You can get this widget HERE.

You can find Weight Watchers on Facebook (I just became a fan) where they offer free recipes and great weight watching tips. You can also find a lot of great healthy eating information on their website HERE.

Like I said, the closer we get to celebrating the holidays, the harder it is to eat sensibly when you’re faced with all of those fabulous goodies.  Keep Weight Watchers in mind when you head out to that next holiday party.  Know that they have a great online resource that you can turn to when you need a boost in confidence and some healthy eating tips.