I’m talking about LAUNDRY. 

There’s good news though… I’ll be reviewing two different laundry wash balls and giving you the chance to win your own!

What’s a wash ball, you ask?  Watch the video for all the details.

I can’t wait to do laundry together!

Vinyl Craft Lettering Prizes
Grand Prize: $120.00 Gift Certificate to Vinyl Craft Lettering
First Prize: $60.00 Gift Certificate to Vinyl Craft Lettering
Second Prize: $30.00 Gift Certificate to Vinyl Craft Lettering

How to Enter
There are 3 ways to gain entries

1. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you would do with your vinyl lettering if you won; and don’t forget to mention any other entry methods you completed (see below for more entry methods) (1 entry)
2. Announce the contest to all your Facebook friends, by inviting them to come enter the contest and putting a link to the contest page in your Facebook status. (2 entries)
3. Add one of the following links to your blog or website (5 entries for each site) – in your comment below tell us the URL where we can find your link

1. Wall Lettering – linking to:  http://www.vinylcraftlettering.com/vinyl-wall-lettering.html
2. Vinyl Letters – linking to: http://www.vinylcraftlettering.com

Claiming your Entries
To claim your entries simply leave a comment on the bottom of this post listing all the things you did to enter.

Rules
Each participant can only do each entry method one time to gain entries
The winner will be announced May 4th, 2010

1. Visit http://www.picturethiscreationsgiftshop.com/ and check out all the photo gift items available.
2. Leave a comment on their blog http://picturethiscreationsgiftshop.blogspot.com/ with the name or link of your favorite item from their website.  Options available for extra entries.
3. Complete entries by 8:00 PM, EST on 4/17/2010.

US residents only. 

If you’re in the Phoenix area, I have a chance for you to win a 4-pack of tickets to the April 1st show! (And this is NOT an April Fool’s joke!)  Please head over to my personal blog and leave a comment telling me your favorite Disney character for a chance to win.

The tickets are for the April 1st show in Phoenix, AZ, so if you aren’t in the Phoenix area, please don’t enter. Good Luck!!

They come in four flavors — 24 Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss, Chocolate Passion, and my favorite — Cinnacake Classic.  You should be able to find them at all the U.S. locations of Cinnabon.

If you want a chance to win a $20 gift card to try them yourself — head over to my personal blog and enter the drawing! I’ll choose a winner on March 8, 2010.

Fiber One Yogurt comes in 4 yummy flavors (Strawberry, Peach, Vanilla and Key Lime) and is only 50 calories per serving! It has 0 grams of fat, but 5 grams of fiber! (That’s 20% of your RDA!)

If you head over to my personal blog (My Little Patch of Sunshine) check out the giveaway list on the right to enter for a $50 Safeway gift card! Wouldn’t that be great for your grocery budget in March??

Well, SKin MD can cover all those wishes except love. It’s up to you and cupid to work that out!

The prize basket is valued at $100 and contains the following:

- Bottle of Skin MD Natural shielding lotion
- Bottle of Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 shielding lotion
- One pound of See’s dark assorted chocolates
- Pack of Starbucks VIA Ready brew coffee pouches
- Kiss Me coffee mug
- A Cuddly teddy bear
- Lollipop Bouquet

Contest ends:
February 7, 2010 (to arrive to winner in time for Valentine’s Day)
Where to enter:
http://www.skinmdnatural.com/forms/valentines-giveaway.php

An email was sent to Kathy letting her know she won!  Thanks to all those who entered the contest and I look forward to more fun giveaways this year!  Special thanks to Piggy Paint for providing the gift certificate!

You just have to comment to enter and there are several other ways to get additional entries too!  The bear is adorable – a beautiful full sized white teddy bear with pink hearts and a pink heart nose!  Perfect for any young (or not so young) lady in the house or even Grandma!

So head on over to ParentingZoo.com and enter – and please mention in your comment that you heard about it from Moms Love Shopping!  Thanks!

I have 3 coupons that I will send to one lucky commenter!

• $1.50 off purchase of Ghiradelli peanut butter squares (these were YUMMMMMY!) (expires 4/10)
• $1.00 off any AVEENO Baby Product (expires 4/10)
• $1.00 off any AquaFresh iso-active Foaming Gel Toothpaste (expires 12/10)

I have personally tried all of the items I have coupons for, and can tell you that they have earned a place in my grocery cart!

To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment.  That’s it!! Just make sure it’s connected to a valid email address so I can email you and get your mailing address to send these off to you.  I don’t care what you say in your comment, there is no special question to answer, there are no additional entries you can earn by doing more stuff.  Just say “hi!” or “Hey – I read all the time but I never comment!” or “You are awesome!”

The giveaway is open through next Friday (January 22, 2010).  I’ll choose a winner over the weekend and contact them so their coupons get in the mail by Monday.

(We have another giveaway going on if you want to enter both — check it out!)

This week, I discovered Piggy Paint!  Piggy Paint is a non-toxic, water-based nail polish that is safe for children.  It was developed by a mom who worried about the toxic chemicals in traditional nail polish.  Piggy Paint doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, isn’t flamable and is marketed as “natural as mud!” It is also made in the USA.

It comes in a wide variety of colors, as well as gift packs of multiple colors.  Lydia (to the left there) has her toes painted in “Girls Rule” which is a shimmery purple.

The polish goes on just like any other nail polish, and has a vibrant color.  The brush in the bottle is small, which made it easier to paint those tiny toes.

The website recommends using a hair dryer to help dry the paint to a hardness, but I didn’t do that with Lydia.  I just had her sit still while I braided her hair after painting her nails and they dried just fine. If we were in a hurry to get somewhere, I probably would use the hair dryer.

Piggy Paint also offers a non-toxic polish remover.  There is almost no scent, and I wasn’t sure if it would work.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that it works great!

I think I’ve found this year’s go-to gift for all the young girls on our gift list! And, while it’s marketed for children, I see no reason why adults couldn’t use it as well.

I’m excited to tell you that Melanie, the owner of Piggy Paint, has given me a $15 certificate to give to one of our readers!  You can have up to 5 entries in this giveaway!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

• Visit Piggy Paint and come back to leave a comment about your favorite color of polish!

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Do the following & then come back and leave a separate comment for each entry)

• Follow Piggy Paints on Twitter (@piggypaint)
• Fan Piggy Paint on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway
• Share the link to this giveaway on your blog or Facebook wall.

A winner will be chosen Friday, January 22, 2010 from all valid entries.  I will use random.org to choose the winner.  Entries must include a valid email address so that I can contact you!

You can visit my personal blog for another chance at this giveaway!

Disclosure: I received a sample of Piggy Paint nail polish and a sample of Piggy Paint polish remover to help me learn about this product so that I could write a complete and honest review. Piggy Paint has also provided the gift certificate for the giveaway in this post.

You don’t think it’s possible? Check this out:

“Recently, movie goers at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Manhattan got more than they expected before the showing of Amelia. In the first-ever “commercial” of its kind, an onscreen presentation was actually combined with a real-life dance performance by creative agency Johannes Leonardo.” (See the full video version here).

A Social Media Marketing Manager from M80 contacted me on behalf of Daffy’s to offer a $50 gift card for your perspective and opinion on the unique Daffy’s “commercial”.

To enter, simply leave a comment below on your thoughts of the video. Contest ends midnight CST on Monday, December 21, 2009.  One winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 thru random.org.

P.S. Even if there’s not a Daffy’s in your area, it’s still a great video. You may know someone in the area that would love to win this gift card or that you could gift it to, should you win!

Disclosure: M80 is providing one reader a gift card on behalf of Daffy’s for this giveaway. No compensation was provided to blog owner or authors.

— CONTEST ENDED.  Congratulations to @proudtobeapoppa! –

Just a few days ago, I gave a rather lengthy glowing review of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion. I’m not exaggerating when I say I LOVE this stuff!

Lucky for us, 21st Century Formulations has generously agreed to send out a full size bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion to one Moms Love Shopping reader.

If you are literally itching to try this lotion, here’s your chance!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

EARN AN EXTRA ENTRY BY TWEETING:

RT @momsloveshoppin – Comment to win a full size bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion! http://bit.ly/Skin_MD_Giveaway

Return to this post and leave the link to your Tweet (if don’t know how to direct link to your Tweet, see this page).

Contest ends midnight CST on Monday, December 21, 2009.  One winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 thru random.org. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion listed above from 21st Century Formulations for my honest review. They are also providing the full size product to give away. No additional compensation was provided.

Since it’s easier to show you how neat this toy is — here’s Nate with his review of the Crayola Color Explosion Glow Dome!

Over on my personal blog, I’m giving away a Crayola Glow Dome thanks to My Blog Spark! Check it out before Monday, December 7, 2009, for a chance to win!

So, I was happy to see that Arby’s is currently running a giveaway for gift cards daily and a $10,000 grand prize. Daily, one person will win $500.01, 6 entries will win $50.01 and 30 entries will win $5.01. Then, when the giveaway ends near the end of December, one person will win $10,000.01!

You can enter daily, and once you register your basic information once, the subsequent entries are simple. Even $5.01 would be a welcome addition to the wallet these days!

Marie Callender’s has launched a new product — shelf-stable meals that are microwavable. I was sent a few samples to try out, and I enjoyed the meals I tried! The meals have 2 separate sections — so the noodles or rice can be steamed separate from the sauce. Once both are heated up, you mix them together and enjoy!

While my kids can eat peanut butter & jelly for lunch 5 days a week, I admit that I enjoy something else. These meals were the perfect thing to pop in the microwave while I made sandwiches, and then we all sat down to eat together.  I loved that all the varieties I tried had a good flavor, and weren’t overly bland. The rice & the noodles cooked up perfectly, and there was plenty of sauce to mix with the starch.

I had the chance to try: Traditional Stuffing & Turkey, Garlic Herb Chicken, Classic Stroganoff and Sweet Sesame Beef varieties. The Sweet Sesame and Garlic Herb Chicken were my favorites!  I made my husband eat the Stroganoff because it includes mushrooms.  He liked it, but felt that he needed 2 to make a meal.

These meals don’t require refrigeration or freezing. They are shelf-stable, and can sit in your pantry until you’re ready to heat them up in the microwave. You’ll find them near soups, or other shelf-stable meals in your grocery store.  The suggested retail price for them is $3.49.

I have TWO meals to give away to one of our readers!  In your comment, let me know which two you would like to try from the following: Traditional Stuffing & Turkey, Garlic Herb Chicken, Classic Stroganoff and Sweet Sesame Beef. A 2nd entry can be earned by tweeting this giveaway. (Be sure to leave a 2nd comment with a link to your tweet, or your twitter name!)  Another entry if you subscribe to the newsletter! (And, again, please leave a comment that you subscribed, or are already a subscriber.)

Comments will be open until midnight on Monday and the winner will be announced in this post on Tuesday!  Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Marie Callender for providing me with 4 meals to try, and sending the winner 2 meals!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Just listen to one or all of the Whole Foods Market podcasts and leave a comment telling us what you think of our work.
2. To listen to the podcasts please visit:
   http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/category/whole-body-podcast/
3. Comment on one or more of the following podcasts:
   -Breathe and Meditation for Stress Relief
   -Herbal Approaches for Healthy Mood
   -Boost your Back to School Brain Power
4. Type: www.momsloveshopping.com in the “website” field on one or more of the comment forms.

P.S.
Good luck! Hope you learn healthy tips and the gift card!

*** Comments are now closed!  T hanks to random.org, comment #5 from Chris was selected to win the pink pajamas!  An email has been sent to her.  Thanks again to KN & their PR firm for donating the pajamas for this giveaway! ***

You’re probably aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  You can’t miss the pink ribbons everywhere, or all the merchandise in stores that has suddenly turned pink.  While the awareness is important, it is also important to remember that funding breast cancer research is necessary and expensive!

A PR firm recently contacted me to let me know about Pink Parties — which are being thrown at Dillards stores across the country in conjunction with KN Karen Neuburger.  For every pair of pajamas purchased, 30 minutes of research will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  You can also purchase pajamas directly from KN Karen Neuburger. Their goal is to fund an entire month of cancer research — with the ultimate goal of developing lifesaving treatments and an eventual cure.

I didn’t realize how important each minute of research is, until I read the following statistics:

• One hour of research allows a breast cancer biopsy to be performed
• One day of research allows a clinician to conduct genetic counseling for one woman
  
• One week allows researchers to compare ten tumor samples

I did a little research about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I found that they support scientists at top universities and academic medical centers around the world. A minimum of 85 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. To give you an idea of the breadth of their program — in October 2008, 166 scientists from the United States, Australia, Canada, Latin America and the Middle East were awarded $34.5 million. They also received the Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars, which puts them above 99% of the evaluated charities.

To help increase awareness of this program, I was generously given a pair of pajamas and pink socks to give away to one of my readers! Please help spread the word about this worthwhile cause, and maybe you’ll be the lucky winner of a cozy pair of pajamas!

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling me if you know anyone who has battled breast cancer. For up to 3 additional entries, please:

* Tweet this post, and leave a comment letting me know you tweeted. You can even copy this tweet: Check out @MomsLoveShoppin pink pajama giveaway for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! http://bit.ly/1pPx5B
* Post a link on Facebook, and leave a comment letting me know.
* Blog about this post, and leave a comment letting me know.

I will use random.org to choose a winner Monday, October 19, 2009. Winner will be notified via email, and the pajamas will be sent directly to their home from the PR firm.

Thanks for helping to spread the word!

For more information, visit Karen Neuburger’s site. You can also donate directly to the Foundation by visiting the Time For Research website.

(Disclosure: The pajamas were generously provided by the PR firm, for KN and Dillards, for this giveaway. No additional compensation was received.)

Chef Ann Cooper, a.k.a. the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” has been making school lunch programs healthier across the U.S. for the past decade.  This is your chance to bring her to your school or district for your very own action plan to improve your lunch program.

1. Just create and post a 1 minute video to you tube showing why your school is in need of a School Lunch Makeover, and submit the link to: schoollunchmakeover@wholefoods.com
2. Leave a comment below with a link to your video and your email address (you want to know if you win, right?) and I’ll randomly select our lucky mom winner to win a $50 Whole Foods Gift card, on October 8th, 2009!

You can learn more about Chef Ann and the Video contest at:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/schoollunchmakeover

Contest submissions must be received by October 8th, 2009 -   So Get Busy!

I know that $5200 would buy quite a bit of groceries for my family — especially if I was careful and used coupons, sales and promotions to their full extent. I think it would be fun to see how long I could make $5200 last, don’t you?

Head over to their site and fill out your entry. And, if you win, please come back and let me know!

My kids love cereal, and it’s an easy breakfast (and snack) to serve. I have a certain price point that I try to hit when buying cereal, and FREE is definitely within that price point!

If you win, come back and leave a comment to let me know! I love to hear about readers who win things!

The Intercontinental Hotel Group sponsored the “Biggest Bed Jump” this summer and are currently giving away 1 night’s stay when you’ve stayed for 2 nights at one of their hotels.  You must stay 2 nights before August 15, and then you can use your free night anytime before December 26, 2009!  (Check out their website for all the rules & details!)

And, what fun is jumping on the bed if you can’t rock out at the same time?  Over at my personal blog — leave a comment for a chance to receive one of three iTunes gift cards I have to give away (thanks to Susannah, who does PR for IHG!)

It is chock full of fun facts about famous women, history about various things, rules for games and tons of great activities.

This is the 2nd book by the same authors (the first was The Daring Book for Girls) I read the first one, and didn’t think Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz could create a 2nd that was as good as the first. I was wrong! I had so much fun going through this book, reading about fun activities, and even sharing it with my boys (while it’s written for girls, so many of the activities are perfect for kids — regardless of their gender.)

In the spirit of the book, I threw down a double dare over at my personal blog. If you play along, you might win an Amazon gift certificate & be able to buy this great book for yourself!

“Yeah, but one day I’m gonna break down and buy me a really snazzy, portable Flip MinoHD Camcorder.”

Yeah, we know how it is.

So here’s an idea… while you’re procrastinating, why don’t you have a little fun and enter to win one?  You weren’t really going to wash the dishes right now, anyway!

Head on over to Tell Me Thursday to enter the Flip Video Contest and have some fun mom… You earned it!

When I asked about the details of her lovely coupon organizers, Mary said, “I live in Las Vegas, I hand stitch felt coupon organizers that are stylish, compact, easy to carry and useful. They have 12 expandable labled pockets, with an elastic closure.”

Contest ends at Midnight CST on Monday, June 8th.  One winner will be randomly chosen and contacted for shipping information via email.

So how can YOU win one for yourself?  We’re so glad you asked!

1. Visit the Funnatics etsy shop
2. Choose your favorite coupon organizer style
3. Leave a comment below tell us which was your favorite!
4. Double check your email address before you submit your comment!

Pretty simple, huh?  So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment already!

1500 neighborhoods will win an ice cream party for 100 guests, complete with ice cream and party supplies.  The party box includes all the paper goods you’ll need, an ice cream scoop, an apron, and even a disposable camera!

If you win, I expect an invitation!!

Here are your random numbers:

2

Timestamp: 2009-05-11 06:31:27 UTC

Comment #2 came from Traci, who had this to say about respect:

I believe respect is something best taught by being caught.

Meaning children will catch the meaning of respect by watching us as we show respect to others (and of course to our children too!).

What seems to have greatest impact on children is what they see us do; more than what they hear us say. Because saying one thing and doing another only makes you a hypocrite – and there goes your respect.

Traci – mom of 6 and Grammy of 2

I’ve contacted Traci & will send out her bracelet as soon as I receive her info!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and please support this great cause. Macy’s is still selling the bracelets for only $5.

Half of the proceeds for these $5 bracelets will benefit the RESPECT! campaign, a Family Violence Prevention Fund initiative sponsored by Macy’s to raise funds and awareness to end violence against women & children.

What better time than Mother’s Day to think about how our mothers taught us to respect others, and how we as mothers teach our children to respect others?

Visit GiveRespect.org to learn more about their initiative, and also to send free e-cards to those you respect.

I have one bracelet to give away to one of our Moms Love Shopping readers! Please leave a comment sharing how you teach respect to your children, or what it means to you to receive respect. I will draw a winner late on Mother’s Day!

I am also giving away a bracelet on my personal blog, so click on over for a 2nd chance to win! You must leave a comment in order to be in the drawing.