Win a "Date Night" Prize Pack from Deborah Raney and RSVP for her 5/30 Facebook Party!

Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}

 
One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!

Check out the complete blog tour here

Can't-Wait Willow! Book Review & Giveaway

Disclosure:  I received my own copy of Can't-Wait Willow! to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  Thanks so much to the sponsor for providing this giveaway.

   

 

I have a fun children's book to tell you about, Can't-Wait Willow!  We really loved this story.  Not only is it engaging but also educational to boot.  It can be hard for everyone (children and adults alike) to learn the lesson that is portrayed in this book - sometimes you need to say no to good things to end up with something great.  After waiting for the circus to come to town Willow learns just that.  On the first day she misses out on the truly great as she is distracted with other things.  Those things in and of themselves are not bad; however, the day ends sadly when Willow is not able to do the things she truly wanted to, experience the circus.  Thankfully, she is given a second chance and she takes it to heart.  She learns to say no to good things and ends up with the best.

 Enjoying this story as a family.

My kids loved following the star throughout the book with Willow (Star Search).  When Willow makes good choices the star is happy and vibrant and when Willow makes choices that may not be the best, the star is deflated and sad.  This star search feature made it really easy to talk to the kids throughout the story about all the choices that Willow was making.  I loved hearing their thoughts.  If you want a fun book with a great lesson, then this is definitely for you!

Read more about the book below and make sure to enter the giveaway!


About Shine Bright Kids:
The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a relevant framework to help instill solid values and teach the importance of making good choices.  The principles that will be explored include: using good judgment, taking responsibility, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.

About the Author: (Recognize the last name Ziglar?!?)
Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world's original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series.  Christy is available for Q & A, author interviews, Skype calls, etc!

The first book in the series: Can't-Wait Willow!
Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town!  The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can't say "no" to some good things.  On the way to the show, she is distracted be enticing treats and fun that she just can't turn down.  Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she run our of time, but money, and she won't be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she's been dreaming of.  Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say "no" to good things to end up with something great!

About the Illustrator:
Thanks to her first grade teacher, who recognized her superior skills in drawing a robin, Luanne Marten has been drawing, painting and sketching ever since.  She is a great experimenter and has a fresh, whimsical approach to bring her characters to life.

Website: 
The author's website has great resources to support the book, including a printable poster with 'Ways to Shine Bright,' as well as reward chart you can use at home with your children.  Check it out here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Burlap Banners & Giraffe Cake

Remember how I told you that I co-hosted a baby shower last weekend with 3 lovely ladies?

Here we are in our matching hostess aprons!  We were also all given a homemade chocolate pie with our very own new pie dish.  Thanks so much Jenn!

The theme was burlap and baby animals with a centering on giraffes.  I wanted to show you some of the decorations that I made.  You will see a bit of my crafty side come out in this one!

 Baby Burlap Banner

For all my banners I just cut out burlap into triangles, printed letters off my computer onto computer paper and placed the letters behind the burlap and used white paint to paint them directly onto the burlap.  Make sure to have some kind of backing behind your burlap as some paint will seep through.  Then for this one I took two different types of giraffe fabric and tied pieces in between the letters.  Super easy.  I hot glued twine to the back of each banner and left extra twine to make sure they would be easy to hang.

Name banner with additional hearts.  I made the hearts removable in case my friend wanted to put this up in her nursery.

The GIFTS table.  I can reuse this banner at all my parties!  Isn't my friend lovely?

I wish I had a better photo of this one.  This is the it's a boy banner!  I used giraffe felt to add a few extra triangles.  I also made the ETHAN buckets on top of the mantel, galvanized buckets with twine and chalkboard labels.  

You know how much David and I like to bake.  We had the privilege of making the cake.  We made a giraffe of course!  

I found some super cute burlap photo paper at Michael's and lined the cake board with that.

 

We baked a 13 x 9 cake and cute the cake to form the giraffe shape.

 All the spots and embellishments were made with tootsie rolls!

 This photo gives you an idea of the height - it was hard to capture all of it in one photo.

 And a side view, what do you think?

Etsy Spotlight: Creating Paper Memories

I have a new Etsy shop to tell you about, creatingapapermemory!  Dee has an assortment of paper products from thank you notes, candy wrappers, stickers, water bottle labels, invitations, seating charts, bookmarks and so much more!  If you have an upcoming special event you should visit Dee.  She personalizes items for weddings, baby showers, you get the idea.

I recently worked with Dee for a baby shower I was co-hosting with three lovely ladies.  The shower theme was baby animals with a centering on giraffes.  Just take a look at some of the items that Dee sent me.

 These are advice cards for everyone to fill out for Mom and baby.  My friend's name is Jenn and she will be having a son, Ethan!

 These labels worked perfectly for candy favors.  You just wrap them around Hershey's Nuggets - they stick themselves.

All finished.  One side reads Jennifer's Shower, the other side reads 5-4-13 and the underside reads Thanks for sharing my special day!

These are adhesive stickers that can be used for favor boxes but I used them as embellishments.  

 A centerpiece with the themed sticker.  (Note - another friend made these centerpieces, fun right?)

And the cutest Thank You notes.  You fold them and the other side reads - Thank You for making my shower special!  Dee also sent the cutest coordinating return address labels but I don't have a photo of that or you would know where my girlfriend lives.

 Display Table

Our display table was set up so that everyone would fill out an advice card and place it in the basket, self address and envelope (one less thing for Jenn to have to do) and take a chocolate or two - not a bad set-up, right?

What do you think?  I thought Dee's personalized giraffe items were absolutely perfect and really helped pull the whole thing together. 

You can check out Dee's complete Etsy shop here (make sure to add her shop to your favorites while you are there) and her website, Creating Paper Memories,  here.

Disclosure:  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  Thanks so much to Dee and creatingapapermemory for sending the above items for review.

My Mom, Mother's Day, MAS Detergent & Sweepstakes

Have you heard of MAS Detergent?  MAS detergent helps protect and renew your colors and darks thanks to its unique Renew Effects.  MAS produces two different types of laundry detergent - MAS Color for colors and MAS Oscura for darks and denim.

For the first time in the US it will be available for purchase at Walmart.  I have not been able to locate it at my local Walmart yet but I am keeping my eyes open.

Mas Mother's Day Appreciation Sweepstakes Going on Now!

The Mas Mother's Day Appreciation Sweepstakes is live!  Mas Detergent wants to thank all the hard working, child loving, laundry washing moms out there by celebrating Mother's day with a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000!  This sweepstakes runs from May 6th to May 31st.  Click here to enter!

My Mom with A many years ago!

I am blessed to have a pretty amazing Mom.  She has worked hard her entire life and a few years ago was able to retire (yeah Mom).  My Mom is one of the most generous people that I know.  She consistently puts the needs of others above her own and she doesn't hesitate to give when needed.  Thanks Mom for really modeling generosity :).

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Purex for providing me as a Purex Insider with this information about MAS detergent and the Mother's Day Appreciation Sweepstakes.  And thanks Mom for being great!

Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Blog App & Giveaway

Chick-fil-A is helping you make today #FreshMade, by creating new menu options that you can feel good about!  They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap all under 430 calories made with premium ingredients.  How cool is this?  And to celebrate there is a new Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Blog App, check it out below.



The Blog App includes:

•    Are You A “Starter”? Quiz - Some of us wake up with pep in our step, ready to conquer the world. Others might need a little kick in the behind to inject something new into their lives! Find out if you’re already raring to to go or need a little help getting the good time rolling!
•    #FreshMade Activities - Select your mood and let quotes and images from film express how you’re feeling.
•    See How We Start Fresh - Behind-the-scenes - Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the new Chick-fil-A salads are #FreshMade just for you!

What do you think?  Are you ready to take your taste buds to greener pastures?  How about a little giveaway!  Winner will receive 2 Chick-fil-A Salad coupons!  Enter below and good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Chick-fil-A for providing this information and sponsoring this giveaway.

Funky Yellow Bus Review

I have a new book to tell you about, Funky Yellow Bus by Robin Rosenberg and illustrated by Bernie Freytag.  This book is geared for kids ages 3-7, especially those fearful of new situations, including riding the school bus for the first time.  It can be applied to really any nervous moments or "firsts" that we all experience.

This book is full of cool characters and stars Brookie Cookie!  B was a tad excited about this name as her middle name is Brooke :).  Brookie Cookie is starting Kindergarten and finds herself super nervous about riding the Funky Yellow Bus.  It is a situation that is full of unknowns.  My children have never ridden a yellow bus as they are homeschooled but it is something that they are curious about.

 B (who is about to complete 1st grade) read this to C and D without any problems.

 I loved watching them enjoy this story.

The book has a rhyming pattern and my kids thought this was super fun.  Really, who doesn't like music and rhythm?  The pictures are bold and engaging for children of all ages.  Brookie's nerves are soon squelched as she realizes that she has friends aboard the bus - both old and new (Brad, a friend from nursery school, and Johnny, an older kid who seems tough but is actually a nice guy).  The Funky Yellow Bus ends up being an exciting place to be that offers fun and new adventures. 

I think their smiles say it all.

Want to know more about Funky Yellow Bus?  Check out the video trailer on their facebook page here.  And you can purchase your own copy of this book on Amazon here.

Check out their website here for even more details.  Thanks Robin for creating such a fun story.

Disclosure:  I was provided with a complimentary copy of Funky Yellow Bus to facilitate my review by the author.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.