Giveaways I Want To Win

The Dirty Shirt is giving away a boxed set of Harry Potter books.

Cardstore.Com Is My New Go To Printer For Personalized Cards, Invites, and More

As part of Family Review Network's group of maven reviewers I was given the opportunity to review Cardstore.com

Website:

http://www.cardstore.com http://www.cardstore.com/cardstyle-blog/ 

 

Company Overview:

Cardstore.com is a Berkeley, California based greeting card retailer that combines online customization with designs from over 70 independent artists. Since 1999, the company has printed over 15 million personalized cards, and uses only FSC-certified cardstock. Whether you need to send 1,000 personalized thank you cards to your best customers, or a single birthday card to a friend, we make it fast, easy and memorable.

 

Mission:

At Cardstore.com, we believe there is the perfect card for every occasion. From announcing the arrival of your new baby to wishing that special someone in your life a happy birthday, our beautiful designs can be personalized with your photos and messages to create the ideal greeting card.

Products:

Holiday cards, photo cards, thank you cards, announcements, invitations, greeting cards

 

Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/Cardstore

 

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/cardstyle

Mother's Day is approaching and this is really a beautiful, personalized way to say I love you to Mom, Grandma and any woman in your life that has made an impact.

I love when you can personalize cards but more importantly, as an amateur, professional photographer, I love being able to share my pictures with friends and family.

As you all know, Goddess just celebrated her 5th birthday and while I loved doing craft thank you's for the kids in our lives, I really wanted to do something special for all the adults who showed their love to Goddess.

Cardstore.com review came at just the right time. Here are the thank you photo cards I made last week.

It was really hard to decide which design to use because Cardstore.com has so many photo card designs to choose from.

I chose the style (3 pictures, because how could I pick only one????), I placed my order for the amount I needed (No minumum order! Get whatever you need. Need 1 card? No problem)! When I saw the box 2 days after placing my order I was shocked. The turn around was so fast. The card itself is amazing! Nice, thick cardstock, that holds its shape and stands up almost like a frame. No bending in the middle. I love getting cards and placing them around the house (on shelves or the top of the TV) but they end up bending in the center within 2 days, eventually laying flat on the table until I decide if they are keepers.

That is another thing about the personalized cards; friends and family will be less likely to toss them after the event. Who could throw out pictures?

Cardstore.com isn't just for Personalized photo cards, you can also get birthday cards, holiday cards,wedding announcements thank you cards, birth announcements, Religious invitations, graduation announcement (graduation is around the corner).  No reason for cards right now, that's OK, how about  business cards or like Momma Blogs A Lot did with her Mommy Cards.  Or, if you are a pet lover, how about pet cards, I totally know two friends who would totally do this. 

Cardstore.com really would like for you to try them for yourself with a discount on your next order from now until June 30, 2010. Simply use the code FAMILYREVIEW10.

"This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Cardstore.com, who provided a gift card for shopping for the product for this review"

Sky Watch Friday

Visiting the manor last week was amazing. It was a beautiful day and the sky was so amazing.

Color Carnival Friday

This week's Color Carnival is a hard pick for me. I have so many fun pictures that I took with this theme in mind.

Playing Catch-Up After Playing Hooky With The Kids

I am not a big believer in standardized education. Kids do not need to be in a structured, school setting to learn in my eyes. This means many things (which we will undoubtedly get into along the way), but it also means is that I have absolutely no problem springing the kids from school, for what has become our yearly ritual of going to the zoo.

My Little Ground Hogs (more pictures to come)

Yesterday, Goddess just told me "you can give away all our Little People."
Me: Huh, you don't want them anymore?"
Her: No Handsome and I don't play with them, you can give them to someone else."

*Sob* this makes me so sad. I loved watching them play with their Little People. We have hundreds and they were a big part of their pretend play. So sad!!!!

I loved watching them create these villages with the Strawberry Shortcake house and the Little People. My kids are getting big! Wahhhh.

This picture from 2007 actually hurts my heart!

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter - Audio Book Review & Giveaway - 3 Winners

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Listen to an Excerpt

Download the iPhone App

Become a Fan on Facebook

Join the Undead Book Club

What I Can Tell You: The premise rocks!  I loved it.  Seth Grahame Smith has a brilliant mind. If you love Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Imagine that Abe is not only a favorite president and the star of our $5.00 bill but a vampire slayer as well!

I have become a big fan of Audiobooks and love listening while I clean.

This video is so fun.

We Have A Bunch Of Winners & Some Giveaways End Tonight

The winners of the Pocket Therapist by Theresa Borchard are:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2 - Patti Hess
45 - Angela W.
27 - Merrie L

Timestamp: 2010-04-29 19:42:57 UTC

The winners of the Sexaholic book by  Pynk are:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

104 - Misty
59 - Clary

64 - Call Me Kayla
126 - Huguette
78 - Renee

Timestamp: 2010-04-29 19:48:07 UTC

The winner of the Wubbzy Goes Green DVD is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5 - Hollowsins

Timestamp: 2010-04-29 19:56:10 UTC

The winner of the Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies from Etsy Shop Salt LakePatisserie giveaway is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

128 - Melodic Mom

Timestamp: 2010-04-29 20:01:12 UTC

The winners of the This is Why You Are Fat Book by Jackie Warner are:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6 - Nan Lara
60 - Misty Van
52 - Lauri

Timestamp: 2010-04-29 20:05:16 UTC

Thanks to everyone who enters my giveaways. The sponsors would like to thank you for your time and effort.

All winners have been notified by email. If you do not receive an email, please contact me directly. You have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is selected.

Mr. Magoo Returns on DVD After a 30 Year Vacation with Kung Fu Magoo

As a child of the 60's I was a big Magoo fan. Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carole was by far my favorite holiday movie for many years.  When I was approached to review a new Magoo movie with Disney stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse I was excited. Would Magoo be relevant? Would kids of today watch it?

Featuring an All-Star Voice Cast:

Dylan Sprouse (as Justin Magoo) ,Cole Sprouse (as Brad Landry), Alyson Stoner (as Lorelei Tan Gu), Chris Parnell (as Cole Fusion) and Kenny Mayne (as himself)

Kung Fu Magoo DVD Synopsis:Join Mr. Magoo and his nephew, Justin, as they dodge giant robotic spiders and jet ski ninjas on a kung fu-style adventure! When supervillian, Tan-Gu, invites the world’s most notorious bad guys to compete in the “Evil-lympics,” there’s only one man who can put a stop to the evil and save mankind—Kung Fu Magoo!  And it’s up to Justin to help his uncle stay in the competition...while avoiding danger at every turn!

SRP: $14.93 and iTunes: $9.99

Runtime: 79 minutes

What I Can Tell You: I put the DVD in and explained to Goddess that we were going to watch a movie called "Kung Fu Magoo". She thought the title was funny. So do I! I told her that when I was little I loved Mr. Magoo. She loves hearing my "when I was a little girl stories."

We sat down on the couch with a blanket and pressed play. She loved it. Magoo is still cute and funny in a sad sort of way. Magoo and his "nephew" fight against evil and Magoo avoid danger by the skin of his teeth.

I was surprised and happy that Goddess liked it. She is not familiar with Dylan and Cole although I believe this will be a reason a lot of tweens might like it.

Kung Fu Magoo is something you and your kids can watch together.  The release date is May 11th, Handsome's birthday.

Also, look for Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest.

Release date: May 11, 2010

SRP: $9.93

Runtime: 82 minutes

Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest DVD Synopsis:Join a medieval Mr. Magoo (as Friar Tuck) along with Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men on their (mis)adventures in Sherwood Forest.  From fleeing the Sherriff of Nottingham to feuding with King John, this band of caring castaways will stop at nothing to bring justice to the poor!

To Purchase:

Mother's Day Romance Giveaway - 3X'sThe Hotness

I am so excited to be able to host this giveaway from Forever, the Romance publisher section of Hachette Book Group

Most of us girls love reading romance and Hachette has just what you want, from some of the best romance writers in the business.

MONTANA DESTINY  By R.C. Ryan

RAVISHED BY A HIGHLANDER By Paula Quinn

STILL THE ONE By Robin Wells

DESIRE ME By Robyn DeHart

KNIGHT OF PASSION By Margaret Mallory

TO SURRENDER TO A ROGUE By Cara Elliott

Thanks to Anna from Hachette Book Group I have 3 Romance Sets to give away to my readers.

To Win:  Leave my a comment by Midnight, Mother's Day, May 9, 2010

US and Canda ONLY!

For Extra Entries:

*Blog about this, and leave me the link for (3 extra entries) (each entry must be separate)

*Subscribe to my newsletter/email (3 entries) (each entry must be separate)

*Follow my blog (2 entries) (each entry must be separate)

*Subscribe to Chotskies

*Follow me on Twitter, leave your twitter name

*Enter another giveaway on my blog and let me know which one.
*Comment on a non-giveaway post and tell me which one.

*Tweet this giveaway and leave your link

*Become a fan of Maria's Space on Facebook

*Add me to your blog roll and leave the link
*Follow me under networked blogs (on my left side bar)

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Do not leave entries in the comment section, 

those are for comments about the post only!!!!!

Disclaimer: I will be receiving all the books as well from Hachette Book Group who are also providing the giveaway.

If you really want to win, and you are so inclined, you can enter on any or all of these other wonderful bloggers sites.

Giveaway Blog Hosts:

1.       Bookswithcoffee.wordpress.com

2.       Dreyslibrary.blogspot.com

3.       Fictionvixen.com

4.       Frugalplus.com

5.       Heavenlysavings.blogspot.com

6.       Kennedyandzach.blogspot.com

7.       Luxuryreading.com

8.       Mamasmoneysavers.com

9.       Masoncanyon.blogspot.com

10.   Mommypr.com

11.   Nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com 

12.   Reesspace.blogspot.com

13.   Romancejunkies.com/rjblog

14.   Saveyspender.com

15.   Singletitles.com

16.   Smexybooks.com

17.   Stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com

18.   Takingtimeformommy.com

19.   Teddyrose.blogspot.com

20.   Thebookbinge.com

21.   Thebookgirl.net

22.   Thedivinemissmommy.com

23.   Thriftyjinxy.blogspot.com

24.   Todayismysomeday.com

25.   Youthfultips.blogspot.com

Boiron USA - Homeopathic Remedies for The Flu Season

Last month I received a box in the mail from Boiron USA, a company that specializes in homeopathic medicine.

Opening the box, I was greeted with some fabulous color!

I dug in and came up with this packet

Which contained three of their children's medications.

1) Children's Oscillococcinum which is a new product - ($2.00 coupon here)
As soon as you start feeling run-down or have other flu-like symptoms, take Oscillococcinum. Oscillo^® is regulated as a drug by the FDA and is supported by published clinical studies as well as more than 65 years of use throughout the world.

• Clinical studies show that Oscillo reduces the severity and duration of flu symptoms
• Great taste and convenient to take
• No side effects or interactions with other medications
• Good for everyone 2 years of age and older

2) Cold Calm Pellets - For all your cold symptoms.

3) Children's Chestal - A Cough syrup.

I felt that all product taste good and were easy to get my son to take.  I love the pellets and how easy it was for him to take. Twist the top, the pellets fall into the cap and he takes the recommended amount.

The Oscillococcinum was also easy. He takes one every 3 hours. You simply open and pour the crushed medicine into his mouth.

The Chestal taste just like honey and he had no problem taking that either.

I love that all products are available over the counter, taste great, are natural and are in the perfect dosage. Easy to take along in your bag or back pack. 

($1.00 coupon available here).

Boiron offers more than 800 homeopathic medicines that are approved by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of United States (HPUS). We have selected about 80 of the most popular medicines to be readily available in most health food stores and specialized pharmacies. The others can be special-ordered by your pharmacist or your health food department specialist and made available to you in usually less than 3 days.

Thanks to Boiron for the opportunity to try these out and I have purchased another pack of Oscillococcinum at A&P today.

Husband And Wife by Leah Stewart

Book Description from Harper Collins

In this new novel by the celebrated author of The Myth of You and Me, a young mother discovers that her husband's novel about infidelity might be drawn from real life.

Sarah Price is thirty-five years old. She doesn't feel as though she's getting older, but there are some noticeable changes: a hangover after two beers, the stray gray hair, and, most of all, she's called “Mom” by two small children. Always responsible, Sarah traded her MFA for a steady job, which allows her husband, Nathan, to write fiction. But Sarah is happy and she believes Nathan is too, until a truth is revealed: Nathan's upcoming novel, Infidelity, is based in fact.

Suddenly Sarah's world is turned upside down. Adding to her confusion, Nathan abdicates responsibility for the fate of their relationship and of his novel's publication—a financial lifesaver they have been depending upon—leaving both in Sarah's hands. Reeling from his betrayal, she is plagued by dark questions. How well does she really know Nathan? And, more important, how well does she know herself?

For answers, Sarah looks back to her artistic twenty-something self to try to understand what happened to her dreams. When did it all seem to change? Pushed from her complacent plateau, Sarah begins to act—for the first time not so responsibly—on all the things she has let go of for so long: her blank computer screen; her best friend, Helen; the volumes of Proust on her bookshelf. And then there is that e-mail in her inbox: a note from Rajiv, a beautiful man from her past who once tempted her to stray. The struggle to find which version of herself is the essential one—artist, wife, or mother—takes Sarah hundreds of miles away from her marriage on a surprising journey.

Wise, funny, and sharply drawn, Leah Stewart's Husband and Wife probes our deepest relationships, the promises we make and break, and the consequences they hold for our lives, revealing that it's never too late to step back and start over.

I received a copy of Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart from Harper Collins to review and am so happy to be part of this campaign.

What I Can Tell You: I read this book from cover to cover in 2 nights and loved every minute of it. It is so well written. The characters, storyline and general feel of the book are perfect!  I will love the main character Sarah. Sarah's world is rocked to the core and she STILL has to do her mother duties. Totally believable story that shows just how strong woman can be and how strong they HAVE to be.

I will be searching for more books by Leah Stewart, she is a fantastic writer who keeps the story moving and doesn't beef it up with filler (I never felt like I had to read ahead to pass over irrelevent storyline). If you are like me, you will not be able to put this book down.

Husband and Wife hits the shelves on May 4th.

To Purchase:


Fan Leah on Facebook

ABC Wednesday - "O"

This week for ABC Wednesday the letter is "O"

O = Octagon - The Botanical Gardens has an Octagon Fountain full of Koi.



O = Over - While taking a picture of the fountain, a plane flew "over" my head


O = On - There is a shoe "on" the handle of this door

The Toothfairy Starring Dwayne Johnson-A Review + Giveaway-2 Winners

TOOTH FAIRY 

In the spirit of The Game Plan and The Pacifier comes a funny “fish out of water comedy” perfect for the entire family.  Hilarious and wholesome, Tooth Fairy arrives on Blu-ray Disc/DVD Triple Play and DVD May 4 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Dwayne Johnson (The Game Plan) stars as Derek Thompson, a hard-charging minor league hockey player whose nickname comes from his ability to knock out other players’ teeth.  After discouraging a youngster’s hopes, he is ordered to one week’s hard labor as the real Tooth Fairy, complete with the requisite tutu, wings and magic wand. At first he “can’t handle the tooth,” but eventually learns how to adapt to his new position and finds himself rediscovering his own forgotten dreams. From Emmy award-winning director Michael Lembeck (“Friends”), the whimsical adventure features a stellar supporting cast including Academy Award winner Julie Andrews (Enchanted), Ashley Judd (Crossing Over, Helen), Stephan Merchant (“The Office”), and professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler.

What I Can Tell You: I received a screener copy thanks to Bender/Helper Impact and was excited to watch. Mostly because I love anything that I can watch with my kids. When I was a kid, going to the movies was something we did as a family and bounded us. Sitting down to watch a movie with my kids makes me feel good and I am very careful what movies they see.  The Toothfairy was a great movie for us to watch as a family. Even my son who isn't one for watching movies stopped everything to watch. There is something for everyone.

Derek (Dwayne) is a hockey player and the hockey scenes are enough for any hockey fan. Romance Derek and Carly played by Ashley Judd are in a relationship. Cuteness (Carly's daughter Tess and Derek's scenes) and the brooding son Randy who isn't sure if he likes Derek.

At first, I was unsure of the dynamics. Was Derek married to Carly? Wait Tess called him Derek. Is he an Uncle?  15 minutes in I figured out the dynamics. No biggie. It didn't take away from the movie, just made me feel like I missed something at first.

My favorite scenes were any where Derek is a fairy but better than that is when he first become a fairy and when he goes on his first house call. I wished there was more of it.  The best scene for me was Billy Crystal's very tiny scene.

While the movie isn't the best, it was fun and entertaining.

Thanks to Bender/Helper Impact I have 2 copies to give away to two readers.

To Purchase:

To Win:  Tell me the last movie you watched with your kids by Midnight, May 11, 2010

US ONLY!

For Extra Entries:

*Blog about this, and leave me the link for (3 extra entries) (each entry must be separate)

*Subscribe to my newsletter/email (3 entries) (each entry must be separate)

*Follow my blog (2 entries) (each entry must be separate)

*Subscribe to Chotskies

*Follow me on Twitter, leave your twitter name

*Enter another giveaway on my blog and let me know which one.
*Comment on a non-giveaway post and tell me which one.

*Tweet this giveaway and leave your link

*Become a fan of Maria's Space on Facebook

*Add me to your blog roll and leave the link
*Follow me under networked blogs (on my left side bar)

*Add my main button to your side bar

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Do not leave entries in the comment section, 

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Public Service Announcements From My In-Box

Last week I asked what everyone thought about extra entries on Giveaways.

I would like to thank everyone for their honest opinions. Most of you are OK with them so for the time being I am going to keep them or I may change it up a bit and only do it on some.

With the summer coming and loads of road trips how about some audio books to keep you company on the road to wherever?

Introducing Simply Audiobooks, it is like the Net-flix of books. It's pretty cool. You can browse by genre, narrator, author and even get a free book download every month. This month it is L. Ron Hubbard's, The Last Drop.

More than 14,000 Books on CD in 33 Categories, Unlimited Rentals, No Late Fees: Simply Audiobooks

Based on Netflix Model, Simply Audiobooks Rents Most Extensive Collection of Audiobooks Anywhere

OAKVILLE, ON – With the largest and most diversified collection of audio book rentals in the world, Simply Audiobooks, the “Netflix of Audiobooks,” has enough listening material to ease 90-minute daily commuters through nearly 250 years of driving. By purchasing a monthly plan, Simply Audiobooks members get unlimited rental access to a library of more than 14,000 books on CD in 33 categories with no due dates, shipping costs or late fees to worry about.

Since 2003 when the company established itself as the first of its kind, Simply Audiobooks has worked to provide unlimited audio book rentals to U.S. customers with free direct-to-door delivery and no due dates or late fees. Like Netflix, members arrange a queue online where they can input their books of interest. When customers are finished with an audio book, they simply send it back for free, and the next available book in their queue is automatically shipped as soon as the previous book is received.

“Avid readers can’t always get their fix—in the car, performing menial tasks at work or at the gym—and that’s why the audio books market skyrocketed into a $923 million industry in 2007,” said ,  Lee Chesworth, CEO of Simply Audiobooks Inc. “Libraries carry them, but the selection is thin; audio books can cover more than 15 CDs, which makes them expensive to purchase. In contrast, Simply Audiobooks has multiple copies of each book in stock so the wait to grab the new thriller you’ve been dying to enjoy is short.”

Unlike other audio book rental services, Simply Audiobooks doesn’t ship books in installments. Instead, members are sent the entire audio book in one shipment (15 CDs or less—the length of a majority of audio books) so they can listen all the way through without having to wait for the next section to reach the mailbox.

Categories included in the Simply Audiobooks selection span all of the popular genres—from biographies to mysteries, romance to horror and science fiction to religion. The web site offers books in other formats (like cassette or downloadable MP3), many of which can be purchased directly through Simply Audiobooks.

Simply Audiobooks memberships are available for purchase through the website for a monthly fee of $26.98 or special annual pricing at $21 a month. To sign up and take advantage of a free 15-day trial, visit www.simplyaudiobooks.com.

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - Sponsored Post

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - www.fashionplaytes.com

So cool!

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Great Creative Outlet for Girls 5-12

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - www.fashionplaytes.com

So cool!

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Mom Central Announce Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways

Mother's Day is coming soon and Mom Central is hosting their massive Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways.

The Mom Central Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways runs from April 26 through May 9. Check back each week for your chance to win one (or all!) of the products we've reviewed.

To enter to win, click on each of the links below and leave a comment (make sure you have registered with Mom Central and are logged in). Good luck and happy holidays!

Week 1 reviews and prizes: (You must enter to win by Sunday, May 2)
Nuo Tech

See's Candies
Dazzle DVD Recorder 
Wee Ride Kangaroo Carrier
Chronicle Books: Pretty Pantry Gifts
Bellarina Chamonix Scarves
Back to Basics Egg-and-Muffin Toaster and Egg Poacher
"L'Occitane Experience" Vivabox
Shark Cordless: VX3 Floor and Carpet Cleaner

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Melba Snacks Food From My Past Get A Make Over

When Mom Central asked for bloggers interested in reviewing Melba Toast I raised my virtual hand. I remember Melba Toast from when I was a kid. Whenever my parents went on a diet, and it happened often, they would eat Melba Toast.

I received two boxes in the mail, a Sea Salt flavor and Spicy 3 Pepper to try. I took them with me to my morning, coffee meeting and asked my girlfriends to try them. They both liked them however, I was more fond of the Sea Salt one. The big test was my 5 year old. She asked to try one and took the tiniest nibble. While I waited for a face she swallowed the nibble and went back for more giving me the proverbial that has become her signature "I like it" stance.

When my parents ate them, they usually threw some tuna or egg salad on theirs. This was over 35 years ago though, things are a little different thanks to Chef Kyle Shadix. Check out some of these awesome recipes, including a dessert made with Melba Toast.

While on the Melba Toast site, enter the Dance Your Way To Hollywood sweepstakes.

“Dance Your Way to Hollywood” will send one lucky winner and a guest to Tinseltown for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including private dance lessons and tickets to watch the taping of a highly popular television show. The four-day, three-night, all-expenses-paid experience includes air travel and accommodations at a popular Hollywood hotel. Sweepstakes entries accepted March 17 through June 30, 2010.

“I wrote  this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Old London Melba Toast and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”