Happy New Year

Its been a long December and there's reason to believe,

Maybe this year will be better than the last,

I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself,

to hold onto these moments as they pass.

To all of my readers, old and new...thanks for sharing with me and bearing with me as I tread the waters both here and at Mommy's Multiple Mayhem, and here's wishing 2010 to be the best ever! Be safe, be merry, be wise...enjoy your family and loved ones tonight. I'll be thinking of you as I keep watch over my hospitalized patients tonight........till next year!

Multiple Blessings to You and Yours

Celebrate New Year's 2010 With Cookies

Orange-Glazed Cookies
It's the last day of 2009, why not celebrate with cookies? Here's one to try: Orange-Glazed Cookies, which happen to be hubster's favorite.

Makes 60 Total Time: 3hr 00m 

 

Ingredients: Basic Sugar Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for shaping the cookies
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions for Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
3. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated (the dough will be stiff). Shape into a disk and (unless otherwise specified in an individual recipe) refrigerate, wrapped, for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. 

 

Directions

1. Divide the basic sugar cookie dough in half and form into 1-by-1½-inch rectangular logs (do not substitute slice-and-bake dough). Refrigerate until firm. Slice ¼ inch thick.
2. Bake at 350° F on parchment-lined baking sheets until just beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Dip tops of cooled cookies in a mixture of 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest.

The Best Bubbly Picks for a BYOB New Year's Bash

When the clock strikes midnight, pop open one of these affordable bottles of bubbly.

 Italian Zardetto Prosecco Brut is a crowd-pleaser. Fresh and lively with just a hint of sweetness, it has a fruity taste and a tangy, slightly mineral finish. It goes as well with prosciutto and oil-cured olives as it does with takeout Thai. To buy: $13, astorwines.com.

 Spanish sparkler Poema Cava Brut has an Old World soul: You can taste the stony soil in its tiny bubbles, but they’re wrapped in green apple, bright lemon, and white peach flavors. Made in the expensive Champagne tradition (the second fermentation that produces the bubbles happens right in the bottle, not a big tank), Cava is the real deal. Serve it with these festive Spanish appetizers. To buy: $11, binnys.com.

When you’re ready to splurge, make it real Champagne. Deutz Brut Classic Champagne is vibrant and creamy―full of gentle lemon blossoms, pears, hints of stone fruit, and a touch of caramel apple. Delicious with crab or shrimp. To buy: $40, binnys.com. 

Gruet Blanc de Noirs, a delicious pale pink wine from New Mexico, dances with the flavors of wild strawberries, bright cherries, and creamy citrus. Grapefruit and intriguing herbs give it a tiny edge, making it a lively match for hors d’oeuvres like chicken skewers and baked Camembert To buy: $14, astorwines.com.

 

Fashionable Holiday Handbags for Busy Moms – Coach Giveaway!

Coach has partnered with The Fashionable Housewife  and Fashionable Gals for an amazing giveaway! These two fabulous blogs are each part of Coach’s 30 favorite bloggers and have partnered with them for their Holiday Blog-a-Day promotion this year!

The Fashionable Housewife blog is so excited to be a part of such an amazing group of bloggers and have the opportunity to show their readers a few pieces from the Coach Holiday collection, and give one lucky reader the chance to win the fabulous Amethyst Texture Metallic Audrey Shoulderbag!!!


  
The winner on  The Fashionable Housewife blog  will receive the Amethyst Texture Metallic Audrey Shoulderbag as shown above ( ARV $398 )



The Fashionable Gals blog is also very excited to be a part of such an amazing group of bloggers and have the opportunity to show their readers a few pieces from the Coach Holiday collection, and give one lucky reader the chance to win the fabulous Poppy Sequins Mini Flap!!!


The winner on Fashionable Gals blog will receive the Poppy Sequins Mini Flap  as shown above     ( ARV $138)


If you visit www.coach.com/holidayblog each day during the promotion, you can read what read what this group of truly talented fashionistas have to say about Coach, including giveaways, reviews, pictorials and more!

The Fashionable Housewife: 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

The Fashionable Housewife

is celebrating the Christmas season

with their first annual

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza!

The first annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza started December 1 and will feature a new giveaway each day until December 12th. You’ll have a chance to enter each giveaway once a day until Dec 20th, 2009.

Dec 1 – Clarisonic Mia ($149 value) Dec 2 – iS Clinical Innovative Skincare Regime ($200 value) Dec 3 – Danielle Nicole Leather Handbag ($195 value) Dec 4 – Emily Elizabeth Jewelry Giveaway ($95 value) Dec 5 – XCVI Cuddle Cape ($150 value) Dec 6 – Kooba Eve Handbag Giveaway ($575 value) Dec 7 – Sears Kmart & Lands’ End Gift Cards (2 winners) Dec 8 – Macy’s $50 Gift Card Giveaway Dec 9 – Sir Alistair Rai Khari Wrap Giveaway ($95 value) Dec 10 – EnviroVogue Shopping Spree ($50 value) Dec 11 – StrapDiva ($50 value) Dec 12 – HP Envy 13 Notebook ($1,899 value)

All giveaways end December 20th at 11:59pm ET. Click on each link and follow the rules to enter each giveaway. You have from now until December 20th to enter all the giveaways listed above on The Fashionable Housewife Blog.

Day 12 – HP Envy 13 Laptop with Windows 7

Sarah-Jean, the fashion forward editor from The Fashionable Housewife blog has partnered with HP for the last and final day of their 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza!

One lucky reader will receive the NEW HP Envy 13 valued at $1,899.99!!




❝The HP Envy 13 is super thin, weighs about 3.74 lbs. and is less than 1″ thin, and features a 13.1″ HD Radiance display with up to 410 nit/82% color gamut which is twice as bright as other notebook displays in its class, BluRay and Beats Audio make it an ideal device for experiencing music and video...❞

To learn more about this fabulous and totally fashionable laptop, visit www.hp.com/go/envy. Click here for more info about Windows 7.  

 Thanks to The Fashionable Housewife Blog and to HP

and all of the 12 days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza Sponsors!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

【ツ】8 BlogHers try Tassimo and give you 1 of 8 chances to win your own Tassimo Brewer!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really like  L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*


When everyone gets what they want, people come together. That’s the thinking behind Tassimo, the only home brewing system that gives everyone the drink they want. From coffees and teas to rich cappuccinos and lattes. Even hot chocolate. Tassimo offers more than 40 beverage and flavor varieties to satisfy everyone—from brands you know, like Gevalia, Maxwell House, Twinings and more. Tassimo even satisfies your premium coffee cravings with a great variety of Starbucks offerings -- including Starbucks Breakfast Blend and House Blend varieties.
Tassimo is able to produce more types of drinks through simple bar code technology. Each T Disc—the little round guys that hold the coffee—has a bar code on its back that tells the brewer the exact temperature, pressure and time it takes to brew a perfect drink. With the press of one button, you can make a whole crowd of people happy. Whether they’re into macchiatos or chai lattes, or just a good cup of joe, it’s that simple to turn your kitchen into the new gathering place.

There's more!  Tassiomo gave 8 BlogHers a brand new brewer and coffee flavors to try.  Read each review below and see what beverages they made.  After you read the reviews, follow the instructions on each blog and enter to win your own Tassimo brewer and variety of beverage flavors!
Tarrant, from Retro Food, considers her Tassimo “very cost efficient when you break it down by cup and consider the no waste, no mess, and no special dishes to wash part.” She’s already ordered refills.

Sheila, from Xiaolin Mama, had “20 guests at a party this past weekend and the Tassimo churned out drinks like a champ.” She was able to offer an array of hot drinks without any waste.

Megan, from Megan’s Minute, is looking forward to using her Tassimo during the holidays “because it'll be nice to be able to offer a variety of coffee blends depending on the tastes of my guests”.


Rhoda, from Southern Hospitality, “always thought having one of these machines around the house would be loads of fun!” She’s looking forward to having her guests “order up a special drink with dessert”.
Stephanie, from A Year of Slow Cooking, loves the simplicity of using her Tassimo and the water filtration system keeps her assured that her kids receive a freshly-purified cup of hot chocolate.
When Kim, from Petroville, made her first cup of cappuccino, she “felt like a barista as the machine steamed” and her milk foamed…see what her Thanksgiving guests thought too.
Grace, from More Women, thought in order to find “another nifty twist for a home appliance,” her Tassimo “would make the perfect gift for the workplace.” See what features her husband enjoyed the most.
Check back next week for one more review and another chance to win!

No purchase required. The sweepstakes runs from December 10, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. Please be sure that your email address is up-to-date in your BlogHer profile so that we can contact you if you win! Click here to read the official rules.

Posted In

• Special Offers

【ツ】BlogHers take the LOFT style challenge and give you 1 of 16 chances to win a $200 LOFT gift card!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really like  L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*



LOFT is all about stylish advice for everyday, beyond the closet and into real life. We understand how women with a casual lifestyle live, and how you like to dress. We provide you with feminine, versatile, effortless pieces, and offer great style advice and ideas. We want to make your style aspirations attainable.
Live. Love. LOFT.
LOFT invited 14 BlogHers to visit the store for a LOFT shopping party and take a style challenge.  Read each review below and see what holiday looks they loved and how they enjoyed their shopping experience.  After you read each review post, follow instructions and enter to win a $200 LOFT gift card!
LOFT is also giving you two more chances to win.  Visit the LOFT website here.  Then tell us in the comment section below what your favorite look is, or what you would like to give as a holiday gift.  Two winners will be randomly selected, good luck! 
“From the time I stepped in to the store and for the hours after the event that I petted the pretty things I brought home, I was in heaven.” - Said Jessica from Sassafrass.
Serena, from Zip n Tizzy said, “I readily turned myself over to the stylist, Hailey, telling her that I wanted to break out of my “Mom Jeans”  See how it worked out!
Olivia, a confirmed shopaholic, stepped in for Gen Pink to appease her addiction.  Read about all the fun she had during her style challenge.
Steece’s Pieces said,  “I'm tellin' ya, girlfriends---look no further! LOFT is exactly what I was looking for and caters to all the many different aspects of a woman's life.”

“Everyone should shop at LOFT because it will make you feel good about yourself (and more than a dozen chocolate doughnuts ever could)” - Said Leah from A Girl and A Boy.
See what looks the fabulous stylist helped Kari from The Karianna Spectrum come up with!
Holly, from Caleigh's Corner said, “I had an amazing time at LOFT. The stylists were wonderful and they totally helped little 'ole me out of a fashion funk.”  Check out her new looks!
Michelle, from Honest and Truly, loved the star treatment she received “I got to dress up in my perfect party outfit”.
During her shopping challenge, Sheila from Xiaolin Mama, picked up several shopping tips.  Check them out!
Julie from The Calm Before The Stork, stepped out of her comfort zone and tried the LOFT skinny jeans.  Check out what other new trendy looks she tried.

“Nothing pleased me more than when I came out of my dressing room in a look that I had styled and the stylist exclaimed “Look at her- she doesn’t even need me!” -Said Slynnro.
Kelly, from Mocha Momma said,  “Thanks to a personal stylist, I got to mix and match and use jewelry and scarves and belts and things that normally I wouldn’t pick up.”
“My first outfit was chosen as a holiday casual look, with the winter white color scheme offset by the shimmery gold blouse and faux fur neck warmer.”  See how it looked on Devin, from Mom’s Happy Handful.

New to LOFT, Jamie from Oh! How Lovely was drawn to all of the colors and was hooked as soon as she walked into the store.


Wait there is more, exclusively for BlogHer readers, save 20% off your next full-price purchase at LOFT! Click here for the coupon!
^{Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. You must be registered at BlogHer, and be logged in to the site, to enter this promotion. If you are not registered, it's free and easy! Simply click on the "Join Us" button in the box at the top right of this page, then come back to this page to enter your comment.
This sweepstakes runs from December 10, 2009 to December 25, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. Please be sure that your email address is up-to-date in your BlogHer profile so that we can contact you if you win! Click here to read the official rules. Good luck!}

Posted In

• Special Offers

【ツ】Have a funny holiday road trip story? Tell us for 1 of 9 chances to win $200!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really like  L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*


Ever thought to yourself, in the midst of a family road trip, “maybe one day I will look back on this and laugh?” Sprint recently asked 8 BlogHers to share their unforgettable family road trip experiences. Check out each of their posts below to read the horrifyingly funny stories they shared.
Now is your chance to share a memorable road trip story. Read on to find out how you can win 1 of 9 $200 Visa gift cards!

See how chaos ensues during Meg, from Muses of Megret, childhood road trip from Louisiana to South Carolina when she coaxed her parents to let her bring a pet Betta fish along.”
Despite the family car being so packed there was, “no room for carry-ons or personal bags, barely any room for snacks, and shoulders squeezed together so hard I could barely move my arms,” Julia, from Sweet as Punkin Pie, scherishes the time her family spent together on long family road trips. 
Read how Janet's, from Slice of Pink, impromptu travels plans and spontaneity left her standing in velvet loafers at the starting line of a 5K race on New Year’s Eve!
Busy Mom recounts how she and her family endured the worst of luck when they traveled to Christmas at her brother-in-law’s bachelor pad…needless to say Christmas is now celebrated at her house!
Recalling her first post-college attempt to make it home in time for Christmas, Michelle, from Honest & Truly learned to overcome her stubborn independent youth along with some valuable lessons in traveling.
Dara's, from CookinCanuck, family dog was able to provide a little comic relief during the annual 18 hour family road trip which included several treacherous mountain passes, a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride, and a pummeling snowstorm.
Barbara, from Long Hollow, made a family wedding in Mexico a perfect excuse to expose her children to a different culture allowing them to experience a different landscape, language, and cuisine.  
Find out how the perfect cabin rental, close vicinity to a water park, and cheap price left Kristi, from Stepford Stories, husband asking, “did you know there was a train?!”

The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 from Sprint can help insure that your next road trip goes a bit smoother. With GPS to guide you right to your destination, this sleek and performance-driven device is designed to help you do all the things you need to do. It is music, email and web browsing capable, and also features voice activated dialing and Bluetooth® Wireless. Learn more about the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 from Sprint!
Sprint is also sponsoring BlogHer's Family Connections Group, where you can join BlogHer's community journalism project on digital parenting by talking about how you and your family interact with technology. Check it out!
After entering each of the BlogHers’ sweepstakes above, tell us about that wild family road trip that makes you look back and laugh. By sharing in the comments area below, you will be entered for a chance to win $200!
^{Each sweepstakes runs from December 9, 2009 through December 31, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. For Official Sweepstakes rules click here>>}

【ツ】HERSHEY’S® KISSES® Chocolates Holiday Recipe Sweepstakes with 8 ways to win $100!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really like  L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*


HERSHEY recently invited 8 lucky BlogHer Reviewers to try out some of their HERSHEY KISSES holiday recipes. Once the bloggers were well stocked with not only the HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolate that we all know and love, but also KISSES Brand Candy Cane Mint Candies and KISSES Meltaway Milk Chocolates, they headed over to Hersheys.com to find the perfect recipes to share with family and friends for the holidays.

Look for HERSHEY’S KISSES in the new red bag this Holiday season!

Check out each of the 8 KISSES recipe reviews listed below to see which recipes each blogger chose, and enter each bloggers’ sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Visa® gift card!

For the first time, Gen from Quadville was able to include all four of her 3 ½ year olds during her holiday sweets baking!  See how this mom and her young brood made a new family tradition.
Find out which peanut-free cookies were a hit with DeeDee, from Fiddledeedee, and her daughter to share during their holiday family dinner.
“When I told my mom we were going to bake Forgotten Kisses Cookies, she jumped right in. Suddenly, we had three generations of Puddings with whipped egg whites on their hands.”  Check out all the recipes Angela, from Fluid Pudding, got her family to create!
“As an experiment I made some of the cookies with Meltaway Kisses---and I preferred them. The Meltaway Kiss had a softer texture even when the cookie was completely cool.” See what other cookie baking tips Kristen, from Swistle, dishes out for this holiday season!

Amie, from Life With The Boys, is sharing treats this holiday by making goodie plates for friends and neighbors.  Luckily, she’s got a new “Go To Cookie” to wow them with this year!
When making the KISSES Macaroon Cookies, Jessica, from Oh The Joys, said, “it was only after I finished the actual baking part when I read that the recipe was supposed to yield four dozen cookies. I had made seventeen. [No wonder my jeans are getting tight.]”
Discover along with M3, from Salsa in China, which HERSHEY’S cookie recipes were an "easypeasy treat" for her girls to make.
"Once the house is decorated we get to the good stuff, the baking…if I could bottle the smell of Christmas it would be fresh baked treats mixed with eau de Christmas tree." See which HERSEY’S KISSES recipes Melanie, from Big Mama, whipped up to evoke the smells of Christmases past.

After reading about all those delicious holiday treats and entering each sweepstakes, head on over to Hersheys.com to find  that must have recipe. You can also check out Hersheys.com/holidays for some holiday crafts that make great gifts, Holiday screensavers so even your computer is decorated for the holiday, and also Christmas cards and gift tags that you can personalize and print!
HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates even has a Cookie Exchange!
Celebrate the holiday season this year with HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates by letting us help you plan the ultimate cookie exchange. All holiday hosts are invited to become members of the HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates Cookie Exchange Web site, www.kissescookies.com; a social networking site for cookie exchange enthusiasts and a resource for party planning tips and delicious recipes!  Browse HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates cookie recipes like the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms, ask other members for recipe suggestions, share and discover ideas for party games, decorations and more!  Visit HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates Cookie Exchange at www.kissescookies.com, your one stop-shop for holiday entertaining!


^{NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. Ends 12/31/09 at 11:59:59 a.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., 18 or older at the time of entry. Void in PR and where prohibited. To enter go to www.BlogHer.com (the "Web Site") and follow the online instructions to log in or register. Followers of participating Bloggers should then link to any of the eight (8) individual Blogger’s pages to post a comment (“Entry”) on the Blogger’s page regarding HERSHEY®’S KISSES® Chocolates to receive one (1) entry per Blogger’s site, into the Blogger’s Sweepstakes, during the Sweepstakes Entry Period. All comments must comply with BlogHer.com Editorial Standards and the Sweepstakes Entry Guidelines. Entries must be written in English and must be at least 10 characters. Limit one (1) online Entry per name/e-mail address. For prizes and full Official Rules click here.
SPONSOR: The Hershey Company, 100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, PA.
© 2009 The Hershey Company.} 

Posted In

• Special Offers

【ツ】7 BlogHers try Arbor Mist and give you 1 of 8 chances to win $100!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really like  L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

Arbor Mist was inspired to create new Sparkling Wine, to bring friends and family together for any occasion.  That's why Arbor Mist asked 7 BlogHers to try the sparkling wine and create a themed party basket for one of their occasions.  Read each review below and see what BlogHers created.  Next, follow instructions on each blog to enter for 1 of 7 chances to win a $100 gift card.
For one more chance to win a $100 gift card, tell us how you bring friends and family together.  Enter in the comment section at the bottom of this page.  You must also include your DOB (day/month/year) in your comment to be eligible for this sweepstakes.
Update 12/10 New Bonus Review:  Michelle Woo put the fun in wedding planning by creating “The Ultimate Wedding Stuff Making Party”- Read the review for entry instructions and rules.

Arbor mist inspired Yvonne from Joy Unexpected to create a “girls night in” basket to unwind from her busy holiday schedule.
To help friends get through a rough time, Oh! How Lovely created the “Breakup Survival Party” basket. Check out the feel good items she included. 
Janet from Slice of Pink created a Parisian themed basket for a day of fun with her girlfriends.  Check out what she included.
Megan’s Minute created her themed basket around game night.  Find out what she included and get some ideas for your own game night!


“I knew right away I wanted my party to center around the idea of being a rock star. So I set off to create a box full of rock star worthy treats and décor” said Monique of Your Style Star.

Cat from Wishbone Clover loves to spend her winter with TV, her friends, and some sparkling wine.  See what she put in her “ready to celebrate anytime” basket.

Turn an everyday occasion into something extraordinary – pop open a bottle of new Arbor Mist Sparkling Wine with natural fruit flavors.  Available now in Peach Sparkle and Raspberry Sparkle. Learn more.
Nine winners (one per each review post, and one on this page), will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. You must be registered at BlogHer, and be logged in to the site, to enter this promotion. If you are not registered, it's free and easy! Simply click on the "Join Us" button in the box at the top right of this page, then come back to this page to enter your comment.
This sweepstakes runs from December 4, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 21 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. You must enter your DOB (day/month/year) in your comment to be eligible.  Please be sure that your email address is up-to-date in your BlogHer profile so that we can contact you if you win! Click here to read the official rules. Good luck!

Posted In

• Special Offers

【ツ】BlogHers are giving you 8 chances to win a $100 Visa gift card and an Aquaphor gift basket!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really like  L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*


What if you could work wonders against your baby’s diaper rash, drool rash and dry skin? Here's your chance! For over 25 years, pediatrician-recommended Aquaphor Healing Ointment has been trusted to soothe and protect your baby’s tender skin.
Aquaphor recently sent 8 BlogHer moms Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash and Shampoo to share with their babies.

Check out their reviews for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and an Aquaphor gift basket worth over $118!
"Once I realized what a miracle salve Aquaphor was, I started using it for everything." -Kristy from She Just Walks Around With It
"I liked the clean, scent-free suds, as opposed to other kid-shampoos with scents so strong and cloying, it’s like I ran his head through a lavender field." -Mona from Kirida
"This stuff stays, but still feels light. And even more recently I’ve been using it as a face moisturizer. Which-Awesome! So basically we all love this stuff and we’re wondering why we didn’t have any before?" -Shanée from 1 Ideal Life
"It has a clean scent and makes bathtime at our house a little bit easier with only one bottle to have to grab." -Rachael from Little Bites of Heaven
"I will use no other product from now on it's worked so well for my baby and his rash issues. I was getting a bit desperate over in this neck of the woods am and relieved to have a solution." -Loralee's Looney Tunes
"I’ve noticed her skin is markedly softer when she emerges from the bath. Even though the product is unscented, somehow she smells awesome. You know, that clean baby smell. The smell that makes you want to devour babies whole" -This Northern Life
"You buy it because you want something that will condition and improve your baby's skin. The Healing Ointment is free of fragrances and preservatives on purpose, and that's not a feature a lot of baby products can claim" -Leah from A Boy and a Girl
"I have used it everywhere from her little face to her feet. I tried everything out there and this really helped more than anything." -Kelly from Kelly's Korner
To soothe, protect and help heal, visit www.AquaphorHealing.com
If you haven't entered yet, click here to tell  your solution for soothing your fussy baby for the chance to win a $1,000 visa card.

【ツ】 Discover a new kind of PC this holiday season with Intel and enter for your chance to win 1 of 8 gadgets!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really LIKE L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

Discover a new kind of PC this holiday season with Intel and enter for your chance to win 1 of 8 gadgets!

It's the holiday season and you're looking for that perfect gift idea, right?  Well Intel® has some gift ideas for just about anyone - even for yourself!  Check out these small but mighty gadgets called Mobile Internet Devices.  We're giving you 8 chances to win one of the newest, innovative touch screen gadgets powered by the incredibly small Intel® Atom™ processor.   So discover a new kind of PC this holiday season. Just check out the BlogHer reviews and enter for your chance to win on each blog!
The UMID mbook is the world's smallest PC --it's a technology accessory you can take anywhere. The mbook runs full Windows XP on an Intel® Atom™ processor. The five-hour battery life makes it great for all your favorites: Video Conferencing with your friends on Skype, accessing Facebook, uploading photos, downloading movies on iTunes, or even stay productive -- so next time you can skip taking the laptop whenever you're on-the-go!
The Viliv S5 is a 4.8" touchscreen media-on-the go device  powered by the Intel® Atom™ processor.  This touch screen device lets you take your digital life with you everywhere you go.  You can take your music,  HD movies, office documents, digital photos and more with you while you're around town, on vacation, at home or on campus.  With 3G or WiFi connectivity options, the Viliv S5 gives you a full internet  computing experience and long battery life into a portable device.
The Viliv X70 is a 7" touch screen mobile internet device that can literally change the way you use mobile computing in your daily life -- at home, or at work.   With built-in GPS capabilities, you can use it for turn-by-turn directions.  You can also access all of your favorite office applications or access your media library anywhere you go.  With an integrated camera, you can use Skype for video conferencing with your family, friends or colleagues.  You get the same internet experience you get on your PC -- all of this and more, now in a portable device!
Now check out what these BlogHers had to say for your chance to win!
"This little mobile device/small PC has made my life so much easier! Oh and it weighs nothing, I swear it's not much heavier than my phone! I have it in my purse all the time and I don't even notice it." -Tiffany from I am Style-ish
"...the applications seem limitless. I’m excited to try Netflix (you can watch films right there on the device), TweetDeck and the Live Photo Gallery." -Michelle from Michelle Woo
"I think it is an AWESOME gadget for folks who travel (having to lug a laptop through security is, well, annoying AND heavy) or, would like to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Skype or read blogs favorite blogs [hint, hint] and generally surf the Internet on something larger than their cell phone." -Liz from This Full House
"Last night I took Miss Viliv to the local coffee joint so I could browse the internet, create a Christmas card list, and listen to Christmas music. Mission accomplished. PLUS, I was approached by three latte swilling cool kids who found Miss Viliv to be quite fetching." -Fluid Pudding
"The five-hour battery life is great for all my favorites: staying active on Facebook, Tweeting, uploading photos, downloading movies on iTunes, or even just to stay productive." -Hetal from Show Me the Curry
"...if you're a video and media junkie and want to download videos from a NetFlix account or from iTunes and watch them on the go, or if you want a GPS system for car, this is the device for you." -Megan's Minute
"In short, this thing is like a tiny little baby computer! I want to tickle it under its chin and ask it whoooooo’s a cute little mobile internet device, who, who, who?" -Holly from Nothing but Bonfires

^{The sweepstakes runs from December 8, 2009 to December 30, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. Please see indiidual sweepstakes pages for official rules.}

Posted In

• Special Offers

【ツ】HP TouchSmart 600 PC Reviews With 5 Ways to Win One For Yourself!

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really LIKE   L❤VE   BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

HP TouchSmart 600 PC Reviews With 5 Ways to Win One For Yourself!

HP recently gave 5 lucky BlogHer Reviewers the opportunity to try out the HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC and share what they thought. This all-in-one computer has changed the way they use a computer becuase of it’s revolutionary touch screen interface. HP was even kind enough to give each of the bloggers another one to give away!
You have 5 chances to win one of your own!
Check out each of the five reviews below to find out how great touch screen access to info, entertainment and social networks can be, and to enter each blogger's sweepstakes of a HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC!

Kelly, from Kelly’s Korner, loves how her new HP TouchSmart 600 has great photo editing, slide show and movie applications. Find out what other features have her blown away!
See how the HP TouchSmart 600 has brought Stephanie, from A Year of Slow Cooking, and her family together. “I’m excited that my husband and the girls are so excited, spending so much time playing together, and fooling around with all of the programs.”
Jen, from My Charming Kids, just hasn't been able to keep her hands off it—after all, it is a TouchSmart! “I have died and gone to computer heaven, my friends…there is a program that helps me access Twitter, photo storage and organization solutions that make an obsessive organizational freak like me salivate.”
Check out how the HP TouchSmart 600 has become a family favorite for NieNie, from The NieNie Dialogues.  Her children “love how easy it is to do Barbie's make-up with their fingers on the screen.”
Sophie, from BooMama, adores the Recipe Box feature that lets her “add any recipe I happen to run across on the web and will even READ THE RECIPE OUT LOUD TO ME while I cook.”

As you can see, the HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC has a whole suite of built-for-touch applications that make this all-in-one so revolutionary.

• Instantly launch your favorite apps from HP TouchSmart Home
• Experience the best of the Web—Hulu, Netflix, Twitter, Rhapsody, and more—in touch-enabled style
• Import recipes from the Web; enter your own, and easily manage with HP Recipe Box
• "Write" search criteria with your finger using the new search interface
• Use touch to edit photos, and to choose songs and create playlists
• Create and share collages with a simple touch using HP TouchSmart Canvas
• Use your voice to zoom, rotate, and invert photos
• Create professional -looking videos, slide shows, and movies
• Watch HD movies on the Blu-ray player; burn and edit home videos
• Bookmark favorite movie scenes
• Watch, pause, and record TV with the included tuner and remote

Now, check out each of the reviews above to find out how you can win one of your own! Visit the HP site to learn more about the HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC.

Easy-To-Do, Inexpensive Holiday Decorations

Don’t bite off more than you can chew this holiday. Pick up the ingredients for these deliciously simple decorations at your local supermarket.

What You Need

Two bags of fresh cranberries, red-and-white baker’s twine, scissors, craft needle, box of candy canes (you’ll need four canes per place setting), Velcro strips, place cards, marker

Three Easy Ideas

❶ Cranberry Garland

Popcorn? Not this year! String a few berries here and there on baker’s twine that’s appropriately peppermint-colored.

❷ Candy Stand

Upend canes and secure to make a place card holder that really earns its stripes.

❸ Sweet Centerpiece

Raid the candy aisle for a display that would make Willy Wonka proud.

 

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Win A Little Einstein Bounce House for Christmas!

Passion Parent and Bouncers Bounce House Inflatables will be giving away a FREE BOUNCE HOUSE  to one  lucky reader this holiday season, guaranteed to be delivered in time to sneak under the tree! (free shipping is only available in the Continental United States-will ship elsewhere if you are willing to pick up shipping costs).
An Inflatable Bounce House makes the perfect gift for all children ages 2 and up depending on the model!  For the shy child or one full of imagination, children with special needs or just a child with a little too much energy, have one child or 5 children – then an Inflatable Bounce House will meet your child’s needs!  They offer variety, exercise and hours of non-stop fun!  Inflatable Bounce Houses are the safer version of the beloved “Tree House” of our youth. Kids can build there own little worlds and play till their hearts content, all in a safe and inflatable environment.  And the best part – it’s exercise too!  Do you have one of those children who you have to fuss with to go play, to put down the video games and get outside and play?  Get them an Inflatable Bounce House and watch the transition take place.  Whether it’s raining, snowing or a perfect sunny day, there’s no other childrens’ toy that will offer such variety of healthy entertainment.  And let’s not forget portability and ease of set up.
 WIN A BOUNCE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS!


WIN A BOUNCE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS!
Passion Parent and Bouncers Bounce House Inflatables are so excited to be able to play Santa and give away – COMPLETELY FREE, 1 Little Einstein Bounce House!  They’ll be selecting one of  reader as the lucky winner on December 19th, 2009.  That way it gets shipped and under your tree in time to be unwrapped. W00t!

• Become a fan of  Bouncer’s Bounce House on FaceBook
• Add www.BouncersBounceHouseBlog.com to your blogroll

 

 

 

Crocs Deal of The Day

Crocs has some great deals going on all month long.Check out the Crocs.com Deal of the Day each day during the month of December. Along with the special daily deals, they are also offering free economy shipping on any order all month! Use these codes to save and stretch your hard earned dollars even more!


 

Code UEIMKRKY3ISA may work for 10% off.

Code N9DWZLKY3ISA will work for 5% off until December 18th, 2009.

I love Crocs, I used to only wear them to work at the hospital, but now they have expanded their styles and selections for men, women, and kids. They are always so comfortable and I was so excited to have scored 2 cute pairs of the cozy, lined Nanook ballerina flats. I'm gonna wrap them up and put them under the tree for myself. 【ツ】

HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop PC Giveaway!

Can you imagine getting one of these under the Christmas tree this year? Well, for one lucky reader it would be a blessing! Jolly Mom Blog has been chosen by HP to offer a great HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop PC Giveaway, but hurry, it ends December 7th, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST.

I've found myself completely smitten with the built-in touch-optimized applications, including the all new Windows® 7.1 and the True HD experience when viewing HD content & playing HD games on the HP TouchSmart 600. Its so ultra cool and ultra techy right now.I would really love to win this more than anything as we are having serious computer issues here on the home front. When you have a routine and become reliant on it, its craziness when it suddenly isn't available or reliable. I'm talking livliehood here, seriously!

"If you've never heard of the HP TouchSmart 600, it is the result of a collaboration between Microsoft and HP. They came together to create best-in-class touch technology that melds the power of Windows 7 with HP’s revolutionary TouchSmart PCs. The HP TouchSmart 600 showcases this technology within its sleek design, HD widescreen, BluRay, adjustable webcam and more. The award-winning multi-touch PC features motions such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick and press and drag let users zip through applications...."  It doesn't end there. You'll have to go to Jolly Mom Blog to read on further (its a great, informational review) and for your chance to enter. Good Luck! Thanks to Jolly Mom Blog & HP for the amazing review and giveaway!


Enter the Giveaway here

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies With A Diabetic Twist, Still Full of Taste

My Hubby was newly diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last week. His blood sugars were so high, that he found himself dangerously bordering Diabetic Ketoacidosis, suffering terribly skewed vision, as well as profound malaise & fatigue. All this ultimately required a 4 day inpatient Hospital stay and an Insulin drip get to him back to normal. My hubby is scared enough now to adhere to a better diet and fitness plan and we are collectively, as a family, helping him along. That means making better choices for the entire family. The holidays are no exception, but you can still Celebrate the season with a batch of classic Christmas cookies.  I've come across some great cookie recipes from resources such as Diabetic Living, from gingerbread people to sugar cookies, that have reduced the carbs, calories, and sugar—but kept the flavor—in many traditional, favorite holiday cookie recipes. Here's one of our family favorites.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

• Servings: 36 cookies
• Calories 66
• Total Fat (g) 4
• Saturated Fat (g) 1
• Monounsaturated Fat (g) 2
• Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 1
• Cholesterol (mg) 6
• Sodium (mg) 35
• Carbohydrate (g) 7
• Protein (g) 2

Diabetic Exchanges

• Other Carbohydrates (d.e.) .5
• Fat (d.e.) .5

Peanut Butter Cookies

The fascinating thing about these irresistible peanut butter morsels is that they contain no flour. For holidays, imprint them with cookie cutters to fit the season instead of the star-shaped cutter. The fascinating thing about these irresistible peanut butter morsels is that they contain no flour. For holidays, imprint them with cookie cutters to fit the season instead of the star-shaped cutter.

SERVINGS: 36 cookies

CARB GRAMS PER SERVING: 7

1	cup sugar substitute (we used Splenda® )
1	cup peanut butter
1	egg

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the 1 cup sugar, the peanut butter, and egg until well mixed. Using your hands, roll peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with a drinking glass that has been lightly greased and dipped in sugar substitute. Lightly grease a small star-shaped cookie cutter; dip in sugar substitute. Press into the center of each cookie.

2. Bake about 9 minutes or until edges are set and bottoms are lightly browned. Makes 36 cookies.