December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009!

It has been another wonderful year...

Although there were quite a few bumpy roads, I am truly thankful for what I have in my life.

Rather than dwell on the many "downs," instead I try to reflect on the many "ups."

Little Music Man started preschool and is now speaking a lot more! Even though he is still developmentally behind, he has made such amazing progress!

Smiley Boy is walking, babbling, and climbing on everything!

DH continues to be a wonderful and supportive husband in everything I do.

We are truly blessed. Even though we may not be rich money-wise, we are rich with love and that's what matters...

I hope you all had a wonderful 2009, and here's looking to an even greater 2010!

December 30, 2009

EO Hair Care Products Review

I use EO hand sanitizers often, and I recently had a chance to try out some products from their new Hair Care line!

Harnessing the key ingredients in five beneficial Hair Care Complexes, EO® Everyday Hair Care adjusts its performance with products customized for your hair care type anytime and every time!


  • Reformulated with key active ingredients to nurture and pamper. Pure Essential Oils nurture and soothe hair.
  • EO® Specific Hair Complexes target the needs of normal, dry, oily, color-treated or fine hair.
  • Key Active Ingredients for Maximum Therapeutic Benefit.
  • pH Balanced and Biodegradable to clean and condition naturally.

The EO site has a great hair product finder to help you determine which products would be best suited for your hair. After answering a few questions, it was determined that Chamomile & Honey Shampoo and French Lavender Conditioner are two of the products that would work best on my hair.

I was very fortunate to receive bottles of French Lavender Everyday Shampoo and Conditioner (ARV $8.99 each), Chamomile & Honey Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner (ARV $8.99 each), French Lavender Detangler (ARV $9.99) and Repair-Deep Conditioner Wild Lime & Ginger (ARV $9.99).

Since my hair is pretty “normal,” I’ve been using the French Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner the most. The Lavender fragrance is so pleasant and calming. The Chamomile & Honey Shampoo and Conditioner also smell really good!

I use the Detangler occasionally, but it seems like whenever I do it gives my hair an unusual texture—it feels a little stringy. This could be because my hair is very fine, but other than that, the Detangler does its job and smells great too!

Although I don’t color or blow dry my hair, it’s constantly exposed to the sun, which I know can damage it, so the Deep Conditioner is great to have. It smells wonderful, and after leaving it on for only 10 minutes, I’d easily rinse it out, knowing that the natural ingredients will help to repair any damage while also helping to protect it from future damage.

Thankfully my hair is pretty healthy, and using EO’s hair care products will help to keep my hair healthy, shiny, and nourished!

Shop: You can purchase EO products online on their website, at other online stores, or find a retailer near you.



Thank you to EO for providing the products for review free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 29, 2009

Norman PhartEphant, Volume 1 Review and Giveaway

Not too long ago I had a chance to review the adorable and “talented” Norman PhartEphant™, and I recently had a chance to review his new book, Norman PhartEphant, Volume 1!

Norman PhartEphant, Volume 1, is the story of a young African elephant adopted by a U.S. zoo. Norman learns a bit about geography, culture, and family structure while exploring the zoo and making friends. Despite Norman's gas, his adventures are a blast!


Norman PhartEphant is a very funny book. It was hilarious as I read to the boys about Norman’s different types of “sounds,” and it was even funnier when I tried to do the sound effects as I read the book.

Since we have the plush toy, we also thought it was amusing as we read the book while squeezing Norman's tail at the approrpiate parts.

The boys loved the images throughout the book—especially of the different animals in the zoo, which Little Music Man loved pointing out.

Norman PhartEphant is not only fun, but educational too, as we learned all about Norman’s former home in Africa, and his new friend Ty the Tiger’s home in India.

And now we can’t wait to meet Norman’s new friend from Australia in his new book coming out in 2010!

Shop: Norman PhartEphant, Volume 1 on the
PhartEphant website. Note: A portion of all Norman PhartEphant™ sales go towards the following organizations: The Smile Train and Half the Sky.

Win: One lucky winner will receive Norman PhartEphant, Volume 1 and a Norman PhartEphant plush toy (Total ARV $34.90)!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to beth!

  • To enter, visit the PhartEphant website or the PhartEphant Gear website and comment on your favorite item (excluding the giveaway items)
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    PhartEphant (leave the link in your comment)
    2)
    Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 5, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on January 6, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!

Thank you to Fierce Fun Toys, LLC for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 28, 2009

The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack Review

I have yet to see The Princess and the Frog, which has gotten so many rave reviews, but thanks to Walt Disney Records, I had a chance to review The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack (ARV $18.98).

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana, a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.


The track list includes:

1. Never Knew I Needed
2. Down In New Orleans (Prologue)
3. Down In New Orleans
4. Almost There
5. Friends On The Other Side
6. When We're Human (Feat. Terence Blanchard)
7. Gonna Take You There (Feat. Terrance Simien On Accordion)
8. Ma Belle Evangeline (Feat. Terence Blanchard On Trumpet)
9. Dig A Little Deeper (Feat. The Pinnacle Gospel Choir)
10. Down In New Orleans (Finale)
11. Fairy Tale/Going Home
12. I Know This Story
13. The Frog Hunters/Gator Down
14. Tiana's Bad Dream
15. Ray Laid Low
16. Ray/Mama Odie
17. This Is Gonna Be Good

I love listening to The Princess and the Frog! The CD featured a variety of genres popular in New Orleans, such as jazz and blues, which really gave the CD a lot of character.

My favorite track is Never Knew I Needed. It’s such a pretty and meaningful song. I also enjoyed Dig a Little Deeper. It’s a gospel-type song that was really uplifting and got me singing along!

The last several tracks were scores, which only made me wonder what would have been taking place in the movie during these scores.

Overall I really enjoyed The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack, and now I can’t wait to watch the movie!

Shop: You can purchase The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack on
Amazon.com.



Thank you to Walt Disney Records for providing the product for review free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 27, 2009

Walmart Holiday Meals Giveaway

With so many holiday gatherings to attend, most of which are potluck, I’m always looking for meal ideas that are not only quick and delicious, but inexpensive too! Thanks to Mom Central, I found out about Walmart’s Holiday Meals website, which offers affordable meal ideas for the holidays!

Walmart has good news for moms seeking to save money without sacrificing holiday cheer - a holiday meal for 8 under $30 (that's less than $4 per person)! Food Network star Aarón Sánchez has developed recipes to go with Walmart’s affordable holiday menu to help families create a delicious New Year’s celebration on a budget.


The Smokies-Filled Mushrooms look easy to make and sound delicious! Another recipe that also sounds delicious is the Blue Cheese-Stuffed Rolls.

Walmart’s Holiday Meals has some really great ideas for those of us who want to create a delicious dish without breaking the bank, and I can’t wait to try out the recipes for the next holiday gathering!

Win: Two lucky winners will each receive a $30 Walmart Gift Card!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to tawnda, Angie!

  • To enter, leave a comment naming the holiday dish that you love to make at gatherings.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Walmart’s Holiday Meals website (leave the link in your comment)
    2)
    Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 3, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on January 4, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Walmart. In addition, I received a Walmart gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate and two to offer as a giveaway.

December 26, 2009

SeaPak Shrimp Company Review

I know I should eat more seafood because of the health benefits, and thanks to SeaPak Shrimp Company, I received a coupon to try out one of their products!

The SeaPak Shrimp Company is the #1 retail brand within the frozen specialty seafood category. For 60 years, we've provided the highest quality, best-tasting shrimp. Quite simply, we're the shrimp experts. The SeaPak Shrimp Co. is known for its care and attention in choosing only the best shrimp for its retail and foodservice products.

We know we should eat seafood twice per week, but how much should we eat per serving? According to the Mayo Clinic, each serving should be about 3 ounces. That’s 6-8 shrimp, one salmon burger, or one crab cake. But you can certainly have more! And remember that seafood is just one part of a healthy diet - maintain balance with vegetables, whole grains, and other sources of protein.

SeaPak Shrimp Company offers a variety of shrimp and other types of seafood too, such as salmon, tilapia, and ahi!

I picked up the Herb Butter Salmon with the coupon, and DH decided to try it one night for dinner.

It took only 4 minutes to cook in the microwave, and it smelled so good!

As for the taste? Well, unfortunately I didn’t get to try it since DH ate the entire salmon filet himself, but he said it was really, really good, and he can’t wait to eat the other fillet.

That’s only if I don’t get to eat it first…

Thank you to SeaPak Shrimp Company for providing the coupon to review a product free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 25, 2009

Happy Holidays!


December 22, 2009

Catch a Character's iCaughtSanta Review and Giveaway

The holidays are always magical, especially for the kids, and Catch a Character can make it even more magical with their fun iCaughtSanta photos and videos!

A personalized picture from
Catch a Character is the perfect gift for any child… PROOF that their favorite fictional character is not only real, but was actually ‘Caught on Camera’ in their very own home! Kids will be amazed when they see the "proof" and you'll be a Hero! Choose from our world famous cast of characters including Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy.

It’s so easy to create a photo (ARV $9.99).

I uploaded a photo of my living room, and then chose a Santa. The Santas are in various poses (e.g. eating a cookie, reading a list, sitting down), and I ended up choosing the first pose of him simply standing. I positioned him where I wanted in the photo, and then I added a frame. There are several to choose from, and I chose a red border with “Merry Christmas” wording.

I could adjust settings (brightness, etc.), and preview the photo before finalizing. Once it’s approved, upon purchase it’s ready for download so I could print it at home, or I could even upload it to print at a store (e.g. Walgreens)!

The photo was nice and clear, and it was just so neat to see Santa in our home!

Isn’t that such a cute idea? Wouldn’t it be fun to slip in the print of the iCaughtSanta photo with your other holiday pictures, and just imagine…after the holidays you’re sitting down with your family, looking at photos, and then all of a sudden, there’s one of Santa, in your home! I bet the kids would get excited!

And I’m sure my boys will get excited to see Santa in our home when I show them the iCaughtSanta photo!

What a great idea to keep the magic of Santa alive and well!

Shop: To create fun and magical photos, visit Catch a Character or iCaughtSanta.

Win: 15 lucky winners will each receive a code to customize their own photo (with Santa, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy or Cupid).
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Jennifer, jakiesmom, Cynthia24x7, mykidsarefun, Molly K, packerfantimmy, lilyk, missreneer, tutugirl, Angie, Angela C, Gianna, Missybeez, mail4rosey, ktgonyea!
  • To enter, visit Catch a Character or iCaughtSanta and comment on why you’d like to win!
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Catch a Character and iCaughtSanta (leave the link in your comment)
    2)
    Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 29, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 30, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!

Thank you to Catch a Character for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 21, 2009

Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes Review

Little Music Man loves pancakes, and I recently received a coupon to try out Aunt Jemima’s Frozen Pancakes!

With over 100 years of experience, Aunt Jemima is the pancake expert. From our fun Mini Pancakes, to our better-for-you Whole Grain offering, Aunt Jemima pancakes are a warm, nutritious breakfast for the whole family. And they're ready in minutes out of the microwave or toaster.

We ended up purchasing the Homestyle Pancakes (ARV $3.99), and I received a recipe for a Turkey Pancake that I decided to try out. I didn’t have all of the necessary ingredients and had to make some compromises, but I still think it looked like a decent enough turkey! Little Music Man even recognized it as a turkey!

I did have to cut up the turkey into smaller pieces though so it was easier for him to eat, but he ate everything. Pancakes, bananas, peanut butter…his favorite things!

I tried two pancakes myself and it was really good—if I didn’t know they were frozen, I would think that they were made fresh!

Although they’re a little thinner than our family is used too, Aunt Jemima’s Frozen Pancakes tasted great, and are great to have on hand, especially if we’re short on time—just pop them in the microwave and in less than a minute breakfast is ready!

If you’re already a fan of Aunt Jemima’s frozen pancakes, don’t forget you can enter the
Morning Moments contest now through December 31, 2009!

Don’t forget to capture your holiday breakfast moments on camera for the chance to win a family vacation for a warm location in the “Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancake Morning Moments Contest.” To enter, simply photograph a breakfast moment with your child/children. Then submit the picture along with a description in 100 words or less of how you share a delicious, warm moment in the morning with your child/children. For more information and to enter log onto
www.auntjemimafrozen.com/morningmoments/.

For fun breakfast ideas, check out the below recipes. I’m hoping to pick up some strawberries so I can make the stocking next!

Shop: You can purchase Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes at grocers nationwide.

Frosty the Snow Pancake
Ingredients
3 Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes
Cool Whip
5 pieces of black licorice
2 green M&M’s
3 red M&M’s
1 orange gumdrop
5 mini chocolate chips
Circle-shaped cookie cutter

Directions
Heat up 3Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes
Use a cookie cutter to cut one pancake into a smaller circle for the snowman’s head
Cut another pancake into a hat shape
Place the third pancake as the body of the snowman
Spread Cool Whip over the head and body of the snowman
Cut up pieces of black licorice for the hat and arms
Lay the licorice pieces over the hat shaped pancake and place the other pieces on both sides of the large pancake for the arms
Add 2 green M&M’s for the eyes
Add 3 red M&M’s for the buttons going down the middle of the larger pancake
Cut an orange gumdrop in half and lay sticky side down for the nose
Place five mini chocolate chips for the mouth


Stocking Pancake
Ingredients
3 Aunt Jemima Pancakes
Strawberries
Cool Whip

Directions
Heat up 3 Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes
Cut pancakes to make a stocking shape – two big squares and an oval
Slice strawberries and lay over the top of the pancakes, covering them completely
Dab Cool Whip on the top and bottom corners of the stocking


Thank you to Aunt Jemima for providing the coupon for the review product free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

EcoSMART Home Pest Control Products Giveaway

I recently posted about EcoSMART’s Home Pest Control, which I’m frequently using to combat the ants that invade our home.

EcoSMART Technologies, the world leader in safe pesticide solutions, is a venture-backed company with patented technology and a world-class management team. Our mission is to create the world's safest, most effective pesticides based on natural ingredients. We have 15 years of scientific research and a wealth of patents behind us. We make the only 100% safe insecticide that is proven to work. We offer the only complete line of EPA exempt pesticides sold in the US.

An excerpt from my review: I sprayed it on a crack near one of our living room windows through which that ants were crawling out of. I immediately noticed the very strong mint-like smell. Although the smell was strong, I would much rather smell mint than chemicals…I do find that I have to spray areas more than once to keep the ants under control, but despite that, I think it’s great that EcoSMART offers a
natural home pest control that is safer for my home and for my family.

EcoSMART offers other
home pest control products, lawn and outdoor products, and more!

I think it's awesome that EcoSMART offers safer alternatives that I can feel comfortable using in and around my home!

Shop: You can purchase EcoSMART natural bug sprays, insect repellent, and more online on the EcoSMART website, or enter your zip code on the EcoSMART website to find a retailer near you.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Safe Home Value Bundle (ARV $24), which includes the following products: Ant and Roach Killer (14 oz can); Home Pest Control (24 oz spray bottle); Flying Insect Killer (14 oz can); Insect Repellent (6 oz bottle).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to kristelh!

  • To enter, visit EcoSMART and comment on your favorite product or product you’d like to try (excluding the giveaway items)
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    EcoSMART (leave the link in your comment)
    2)
    Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 28, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 29, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!

Thank you to EcoSMART for providing the products for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 20, 2009

Touch the Art Review

My boys love touch and feel books, and thanks to Sterling Publishing, they received some touch and feel books from their Touch the Art Series that are not only fun, but educational too.

Touch the Art: Catch Picasso's Rooster by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo (ARV $12.95): Like most children, painters throughout history have loved animals—and this gallery of delightfully touchable creatures showcases a menagerie of artistic beasts. Little hands will enjoy stroking a red feather on Picasso’s The Rooster, feeling soft fleece in Milton Avery’s Sheep, 1952, and petting a kitten’s whiskers in Henri Rousseau’s The Tabby. They can even smell a scratch-and-sniff cheese surface on van Gogh’s Two Rats!

Little Music Man loved how animals were featured in all of the art. He was able to touch A Couple of Foxhounds’ ears, a cute Hare, and more!

Touch the Art: Tickle Tut's Toes by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo (ARV $12.95): Experience the wonders of ancient Egypt! This long-gone civilization will come alive for kids when they actually feel a gold coffin with the tomb of the legendary King Tut, the scratchy pyramids at Giza, the gauzy covering on a mummy, and Nefertiti’s jewels. It’s a really cool way to make both art and history accessible to even the youngest children.

Little Music Man was able to feel how rough a Sarcophagus was, and also feel the sail of a Painted Wooden Model Boat. The rhymes on each page added to the appeal of this book.

These Touch the Art books are such a great idea, incorporating masterpieces of art into such a fun book. My boys loved feeling the elements, and the images are amazing! Not only are they fun for my boys, but I really enjoyed them too! Information about all of the artifacts is listed in the back of each book, and I learned how, why, when, and by whom the pieces were made.

The Touch the Art books are such a neat idea, integrating classic art pieces and a child’s senses to enhance the reading experience. Now I can’t wait to take my boys to see real art, but I’ll just have to make sure they don’t touch the REAL art!


Thank you to Sterling Publishing for providing the products for review free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 19, 2009

Fantastic Mr. Fox Giveaway

Fantastic Mr. Fox recently opened in theaters and I’ve read some great reviews about the movie. The video I posted of Let Her Dance, from the Fantastic Mr. Fox Soundtrack, only makes me want to watch the movie even more!

FANTASTIC MR. FOX...features a score from Academy Award ® nominated and Golden Globe ® winning composer, Alexandre Desplat, and an eclectic range of evocative songs from the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Art Tatum, Burl Ives, Jarvis Cocker. Cocker co-wrote and performed the track entitled “Petey’s Song,” especially for the film.


FANTASTIC MR. FOX is visionary director Wes Anderson’s first animated film, utilizing classic handmade stop-motion techniques to tell the story of the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach).Peter Travers of Rolling Stone Magazine calls the film “literate stop-motion magic that deserves to be called groundbreaking”.

The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, and Jarvis Cocker. The screenplay is by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach, and the film is produced by Allison Abbate, Scott Rudin, Wes Anderson and Jeremy Dawson.

Mr. and Mrs. Fox (Clooney and Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristofferson (Eric Anderson). But after twelve years of quiet domesticity, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr. Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground without enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) TRACKLISTING:
1. American Empirical Pictures* - Alexandre Desplat
2. The Ballad of Davy Crockett – The Wellingtons
3. Mr. Fox in the Fields* – Alexandre Desplat
4. Heroes and Villains – Beach Boys
5. Fooba Wooba John - Burl Ives
6. Bogus, Bunce and Bean* - Alexandre Desplat
7. Jimmy Squirrel and Co.* - Alexandre Desplat
8. Love - Nancy Adams
9. Buckeye Jim - Burl Ives
10. High-Speed French Train* - Alexandre Desplat
11. Whack Bat Majorette* - Alexandre Desplat
12. The Grey Goose - Burl Ives
13. Bean’s Secret Cider Cellar* - Alexandre Desplat
14. Une Petite Ile – Georges Delerue
15. Street Fighting Man – Rolling Stones
16. Fantastic Mr. Fox AKA Petey's Song - Jarvis Cocker
17. Night and Day – Art Tatum
18. Kristofferson’s Theme* - Alexandre Desplat
19. Just Another Dead Rat in a Garbage Pail (Behind A Chinese Restaurant)* - Alexandre Desplat
20. Le Grand Choral - Georges Delerue
21. Great Harrowsford Square* - Alexandre Desplat
22. Stunt Expo 2004* - Alexandre Desplat - Alexandre Desplat
23. Canis Lupus* - Alexandre Desplat
24. Ol' Man River - The Beach Boys
25. Let Her Dance – Bobby Fuller Four
*Music composed, conducted and produced by Alexandre Desplat

I hope I get a chance to watch Fantastic Mr. Fox in the theaters (or at the very least watch it when it comes out on DVD).

Shop: You can purchase the exclusive deluxe version of the album on iTunes: http://bit.ly/FanFoxOST

Win: Two lucky winners will each win a Fantastic Mr. Fox prize package consisting of: Fantastic Mr. Fox Soundtrack, a sticker book, a novel with photos, a movie poster, and Velcro-on fake-fur foxtail ties (ARV $25).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Chacoy pronounced: Sha-coi, Genny!


  • To enter, comment on what you enjoyed about Fantastic Mr. Fox, or if you haven’t seen it yet—why you would want to see it.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Fantastic Mr. Fox
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave your link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 26, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 27, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US and Canada addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!


Thank you to Universal Music Group for providing the products for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 18, 2009

Diamond Rio's The Reason and Beautiful Mess Review

I recently had a chance to listen to the new CD The Reason (ARV $18.98) by Diamond Rio, and read their new book Beautiful Mess (ARV $26.99).

The Reason track list:

1. The Reason
2. This Is My Life
3. God Is There
4. Reaching For Me
5. Into Your Hands
6. Just Love
7. Moments Of Heaven On Earth
8. My God Does
9. Wherever I Am
10. What Are We Gonna Do Now
11. In God We Still Trust

My favorite track was Moments of Heaven on Earth. Listening to the lyrics made me really think about how fortunate I am to have all that I do. It may not be much, but what and who I have in my life are certainly precious.

I also enjoyed This is My Life and In Your Hands. These songs, just as many of the other songs, were sweet and inspirational.

The Reason is simply a beautiful CD which contains tracks with very meaningful lyrics that uplifted me, and personally, it reinforced the notion that everything in life happens for a reason.

Beautiful Mess: For the first time, the real story of one of country music’s most successful bands is told. Diamond Rio’s climb to the musical mountaintop may best be described as the ultimate thrill ride—an adrenaline-rushed ascension, a series of twists and turns, ups and downs, and ultimately the overwhelming feeling that they’d do it all again. In Beautiful Mess, Diamond Rio pulls the curtain back, allowing fans unlimited access into their personal lives, revealing details of health scares, freak accidents, and other obstacles that had to be overcome. The book tells the story of how six contrasting personalities formed a partnership that has evolved for more than two decades, establishing an inspiring musical legacy. “A lot of people are struggling out there,” said lead singer Marty Roe. “We hope in some way that our story will help encourage them. Our prayer is that readers will see that their mess can become beautiful.”

It was very interesting to read all about Diamond Rio. There were numerous photos throughout the book, and I learned so many things about them, such as how the group began as the River Boys and how they eventually renamed themselves to Diamond Rio, and how my favorite song, One More Day, was originally meant as a love song. Ultimately, I learned all about each member, as well as the group as a whole, and how both individually and as a group there were many successes, but there were also numerous obstacles which they overcame with the help of their family members, friends, and their faith.

Diamond Rio’s The Reason and Beautiful Mess are both inspirational and encouraging, and I know the next time I’m feeling down or frustrated, I can simply pop in the CD or read some excerpts from the book to lift my spirits and make me remember that everything happens for a reason, and we can always gain something from our struggles.

Shop: You can purchase The Reason and A Beautiful Mess on the
Word Superstore website.


Thank you to Media Collective for providing the review products free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 17, 2009

Ultimate Party Meatballs Review

Whenever I’m looking for new recipes to try out, the less ingredients there are the better, so naturally the recipe for Ultimate Party Meatballs was perfect to add to my recipe collection!

Ultimate Party Meatballs recipe

1 14-ounce can Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 12-ounce bottle Heinz® Chili Sauce
1 2-pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-size meatballs

Directions

Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.
Makes 30 appetizer servings.

Doesn’t that look easy?

I was fortunate to receive the Ultimate Party Meatballs recipe card, along with a jar of Heinz Chili sauce and a can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry sauce thanks to Mom Central. All I had to do was purchase the meatballs, which I found at a local warehouse club.

It really was quick and easy to follow the recipe, and DH couldn’t wait to dig in!

He really enjoyed the meatballs, and he even recommended that I make it for an up coming holiday party.

The sauce was tasty—it wasn’t too sweet or spicy, and I think I may want to try it on some chicken wings the next time. There’s a recipe for
Ultimate Party Wings, along with other recipes, entertaining tips, and more on the Ultimate Party Meatballs website that will help give you some great ideas to get through the holidays!

Together, the Heinz Chili sauce and Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry sauce create a tasty and versatile sauce that can be used on beef, poultry, pork, and more, making it easy for me to create a quick and easy dish for the holidays or anytime!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Heinz and Ocean Spray and received the ingredients necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

December 16, 2009

The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout Review and Giveaway

Since the beginning of the year, I have lost twenty pounds. This meant I lost all of my pregnancy weight and a little more, but I still need to lose more weight. Although I go walking frequently, I know I need to exercise more and add in some strength straining, and fortunately I received a DVD that features both cardio and strength exercises that I can do in the comfort of my own living room—The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout (ARV $14.98).

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT, trainer Jillian Michaels will challenge your body with intense workouts that really melt off the pounds. There has never been a better time to start the journey to a better, healthier life!This heart-pounding, fat-burning workout consists of one intense 25-minute interval routine and two 10-minute programs that work your upper and lower body. Starting with a warm-up program, you have the option of three challenging ''last chance'' workouts that melt away pounds and sculpt targeted muscle groups, and then you can reward your body with a relaxing cooldown. These workouts can be alternated daily or combined to get a more extensive routine.

The first day I received the Last Chance Workout DVD, which features some of the Biggest Loser's contestants performing the exercises, I immediately popped it in the DVD player. I selected to do the Week 1-2, Monday routine, which consisted of a warm-up, then the Last Chance Workout routine, and then a cooldown.

All I can say is that I am so out of shape! I did the exercises with three pound weights (when required), and the exercises really kicked my “you-know-what” (especially the push-ups—I have a hard enough time doing push-ups, you can imagine how hard it was for me to do staggered push-ups!) If I couldn’t finish an exercise within a circuit (which was often), I’d just pause for a few seconds, take a few deep breaths, and continue on. There are contestants who do “beginner” versions of exercises that I could’ve followed, but instead I decided to try and keep up with the others (looking back I should’ve stuck with the beginner versions on some of the exercises).

The next day, instead of the interval routine, I did the upper body sculpting and lower body toning. These exercises were just as intense, but I managed to get through more of these exercises. Don’t get me wrong—they were still tough (again—I struggled with most of the upper body workouts--push ups, renegade rows, etc.)

I liked that it was actual contestants who performed the workouts (versus a group of already fit and trim people) on the DVD, and I found Jillian to be quite motivating. Every time I messed up, I could imagine myself being encouraged (yelled) at by Jillian, just as she encouraged the contestants on the DVD whenever they were struggling.

The only aspects about the DVD that I disliked were that the exercises didn’t seem to be performed to the beat of the music, which often threw me off, and Jillian didn’t perform a majority of the exercises—she simply announced what exercise to do next and walked around and encouraged the contestants—it would’ve been nice to see her do the exercises too.

Other than that, the Last Chance Workout DVD really got me sweating and my heart pumping, and very sore the next day! I can’t wait until I can successfully complete each session. I just can’t imagine having enough energy and stamina to go through all sessions at one time (as is scheduled for weeks 5-6).

But I know I can do it.

If the contestants on the Biggest Loser can do it, so can I.

Note: As with any exercise program, it’s important to consult your doctor or other physician first.

Shop: You can purchase The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Sonya!

  • To enter, comment on how you stay motivated to workout or what you plan to do to stay motivated to work out.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 23, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 24, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!

Thank you to Lionsgate for providing the review and giveaway products free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 15, 2009

Holiday Spectacular Day 31: Price-Pfister Review and Giveaway

Several months ago while cleaning our bathroom sink, I noticed the bottom of the faucet started to get loose. Fortunately, I recently received a new faucet from Price-Pfister that DH installed with almost no problems, and it is absolutely beautiful!

Price Pfister is a leading provider of water conserving faucets. At Price Pfister, we believe our faucets should function as beautifully on the inside as they are outside. As one of the first faucet companies to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program*, we’ve been a proven leader of green projects since 2007. Our water conserving faucets are WaterSense certified. Faucets like the Ashfield Trough Faucet use 30% less water than a traditional faucet. And by converting any of your existing Price Pfister faucets with an Eco-Pfriendly ™ Aerator, your household can save even more water -- over 2,200 gallons each year! We’ve also designed a separate volume and control function that dramatically reduces the amount of water used without affecting performance.


We were fortunate to receive the Ashfield 3-hole Faucet in Polished Chrome (ARV $250).

It took DH approximately a total of 4 hours to install the faucet, with the biggest problem (which took a majority of that time) being taking out our old faucet.

Our old faucet was all rusted in, and the location of certain parts behind the sink made it really difficult for DH to get the faucet out--I even had to help him at one point.

Finally, after getting out the old faucet, DH attempted to install the new Price-Pfister faucet.

Unfortunately, the old water inlet tubes did not fit properly with the new Price-Pfister parts, so DH had to get some new ones the next day.

Once he got the parts, in just a matter of minutes he completed installation.

A funny thing—when he went to buy the water inlet tubes, one of the employees at the hardware store asked him if he wanted to get a special wrench that makes it easier to unscrew parts behind the sink. If only we knew such a thing existed! I’m sure DH would’ve gotten the new faucet installed in a lot less time.


Well, the Price-Pfister Ashfield Bathroom Faucet looks beautiful!

The Ashfield Faucet is THE nicest thing in our bathroom right now, which is making me seriously consider renovating our bathroom, as well as replacing other faucets.

Who knew something as simple as a bathroom faucet could make such a difference?

Shop: To purchase Price-Pfister products, click here to find a retailer near you.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a faucet of choice from the following selection: Kitchen: Ashfield or Hanover; Bathroom: Ashfield or Treviso.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Hotsnotty2!

  • To enter, visit Price-Pfister and comment on which faucet you’d select if you won.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Price-Pfister
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Add my Holiday Spectacular button to your sidebar
  • The deadline for entries is December 22, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!

Thank you to Price-Pfister for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 14, 2009

Holiday Spectacular Day 30: ID Me Labels Review and Giveaway

Little Music Man has lots of labels with his name on it that we’ve applied to clothes, cups, books, and more, and thanks to ID Me Labels, Smiley Boy now has labels with his name on them too!

Welcome to ID Me Labels, home of the Binky/Bib Button, ID Me Photo Labels, and one of the fastest turnarounds in the industry (24- to 48-hours!); the very things that distinguish us from all other label companies! ID Me Labels are specially laminated so they’re UVA-resistant, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and highly durable. Our research proves that millions of children’s untagged personal items end up lost or in the lost-and-found departments of daycare facilities, schools, camps, and swim schools annually. And with a relatively small investment in ID Me Labels, most loss can be prevented. ID Me Labels are perfect on baby bottles, backpacks, bibs, binkies, bowls, cameras, CDs, DVDs, clothing, craft supplies, cell phones, luggage, eyeglasses, lunch boxes, school supplies, sporting goods, toys, toothbrushes, pencil boxes, water bottles, and the list goes endlessly.

We were fortunate to receive the Daycare Combo Pack (ARV $53.95) with Smiley Boy’s name, which included the following labels: 25 Streamline Labels, 25 Binky/Bib Button Labels, 25 All-Purpose Icon Labels, 25 Stick-On Clothing Labels, 8 Sole Mate Shoe Labels, 1 Bag Tag.

Since Smiley Boy loves cars, I chose the race car icon for the labels, along with the Rockwell font, and the color I chose was yellow.

So far we’ve used the labels on cups (Little Music Man and Smiley Boy have identical cups so the labels make it easy for each of them to know which is the correct cup to use), toys, and clothes.

The labels on the cups haven’t come off with normal washing (they only came off when Little Music Man peeled them off), and neither have the clothing labels.

You can really put them on all sorts of items—books, shoes, crayons, spoons…just about anything!


I like that the labels are bold and bright, so it’s easy to distinguish one of Smiley Boy’s items from one of Little Music Man’s.

It’s great that the combo pack includes labels in a variety of sizes, and there are several cute icons, cool fonts, and bright colors to choose from.


The ID Me Labels have already come in very handy--they are very practical for playdates, parties, and will become a necessity once Smiley Boy starts school!


Shop: To purchase labels for clothing, dishes, school supplies, and more, visit the ID Me Labels website.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Daycare Combo Pack.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to trixx!
  • To enter, visit ID Me Labels and comment on which label you’d use the most AND what item your child loses the most.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    2)
    Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Add my Holiday Spectacular button to your sidebar

    6)Tweet this giveaway (leave your link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 21, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 22, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!


Thank you to ID Me Labels for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 13, 2009

Little Stinker's NipDip Organic Nipple Balm Review

When I first started nursing DS1, it was such painful experience! The first few days after nursing I was sore, cracked and bleeding. The nurse gave me a sample of a nipple cream, but when I looked at the ingredients—some of which I couldn’t even pronounce, I decided not to use it.

Thanks to Little Stinker, I was able to try out their new NipDip Organic Nipple Balm which is comprised of 100% natural ingredients!

Little Stinker’s mission is to provide parents and nurture babies with a smart, natural alternative to the unpleasant smell and task of changing diapers, that gently conditions, moisturizes, and leaves skin smelling fresh and clean.

The NipDip seemed almost odorless, but upon closer inspection it did have a slight fragrance. It was very easy to apply, although I did think it was a little bit on the oilier side and seemed to leave a slight oily residue. Fortunately, the ingredients are all natural and edible, but I still waited at least a few hours after application before feeding Smiley Boy again.

So far the NipDip has worked just fine—I’ve experienced no dryness or cracking. What I love the most about the NipDip is that it contains safe ingredients, and no parabens or phthalates.

The NipDip is currently in its final stages of development and is set to be launched next year.

I would definitely buy it once it comes out on the market, but since I may be done nursing by then, it’s something I would buy as gifts for my friends who are nursing!



Thank you to Little Stinker for providing the product for review free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Holiday Spectacular Day 29: Motor Oil Matters and Jiffy Lube Review and Giveaway

Although DH usually changes the oil and replaces the filter in my car himself, I admit we don’t change it regularly enough. Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I found out about the website Motor Oil Matters, which made me realize just how important it is to get my car’s oil changed regularly.

On this site you’ll find advice and information from multiple sources and at various levels of detail — all designed to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision when it comes to motor oil and your vehicle…Having quality motor oil in your vehicle can help protect your investment in your vehicle, help prevent expensive engine and emissions system repairs and can even help maximize fuel economy.

The first thing I did when I got to the Motor Oil Matters website was take the M.O.M. Knows Best quiz. I was asked such questions as why phosphorus is added to motor oil. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, I failed!

Then I read some great tips and advice, such as why it’s important to change your oil on a regular basis, why synthetic motor oil is better than conventional motor oil, and so much more (I should’ve read all of this before I took the quiz)!

It was very interesting to read all about motor oil, and I really learned a lot.

Since I didn’t change my oil in a while, I knew I had to get it changed (especially after all that I read), so I headed down to Jiffy Lube to use a gift card that I received thanks to MyBlogSpark, Shell Lubricants, and MotorOilMatters.org.

We went to the Jiffy Lube in Aiea for their Signature Service Oil Change (ARV $38.99 in Hawaii). It was quite busy—there were 3 rows of 3 cars each, but it only took a few minutes before one of the employees came to work with us. While my car was getting serviced, we went to eat lunch at a nearby restaurant, and when we were done with lunch, our car was waiting for us.

They not only changed the oil, but they vacuumed the floors, wiped the windows, and so much more! I did have to get the air filter replaced for an additional cost, but the total price before using the gift card was very reasonable (in fact, a lot less than a place that I went to years ago to do just an oil change and air filter replacement!), and the service was quick and friendly.

Now that I’m armed with more knowledge of motor oil, I will make sure that I regularly change my car’s oil, and that DH regularly changes his car’s oil too.

To locate a Jiffy Lube near you, click here.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a $35 Jiffy Lube Gift Card!
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Jennifer!
  • To enter, visit Motor Oil Matters and comment on a fact you found most interesting.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Motor Oil Matters
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Add my Holiday Spectacular button to your sidebar
  • The deadline for entries is December 20, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 21, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!


Thank you to MyBlogSpark, Shell Lubricants, and MotorOilMatters.org for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 12, 2009

Holiday Spectacular Day 28: Tony Hawk: RIDE Giveaway

These days there are so many cool games for the various game consoles out there, and thanks to M80 I recently found out about the new game Tony Hawk: RIDE (ARV $119.99, Activision Publishing, Inc., ESRB Rated E10+).

Available for the Wii, XBOX 360 and Play Station 3, RIDE features an innovative motion sensing skateboard controller, and redefines the sports genre by offering a fully dynamic hands-free gaming experience. Designed in conjunction with the game, the cutting edge wireless controller allows for unprecedented freedom and movement. Players of all experience levels will have the chance to feel what it’s really like to skate.


Check out the video below to see how much fun the game looks!


Tony Hawk: RIDE looks like it would be a blast to play!

I know I could never perform those skating moves in real life, but with the Tony Hawk: RIDE game, I would be able to experience the next best thing.

Totally cool!

Shop: To purchase Tony Hawk: RIDE, click here to find a retailer.

Win: One lucky winner will receive the Tony Hawk: RIDE game for the Wii platform!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Over Thirty Mommy!

  • To enter, visit Tony Hawk: RIDE and comment on which trick are you most excited to try or think is the coolest.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Tony Hawk: RIDE
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Add my Holiday Spectacular button to your sidebar
  • The deadline for entries is December 19, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 20, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!



M80 contacted me on behalf of Activision Publishing with information for this post. Thank you to M80 and Activision Publishing for providing the giveaway products free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 11, 2009

Holiday Spectacular Day 27: Frito-Lay "Party in a Pinch" Giveaway

If you’re like me and you’re starting to feel a little stressed out about upcoming holiday gatherings, Frito-Lay has some really great tips that can help you create a great party (even a last-minute one):

Frito-Lay wants to help ensure you never miss a beat during the holidays. With some shortcuts and quick “better for you” recipes coupled with a little flair and presentation, you’ll have your guests asking “how does she (or he) do it?”

So, we bring you the “Holiday Party in a Pinch:” A few tips to prepare both the home and the pantry so you’re always ready to be the holiday host:

Ambiance is everything – Keep a playlist of festive music easily accessible or stock the stereo with CDs so it’s ready at the push of a button…literally. Add a few scented candles and presto…instant ambiance!

Let guests add their touch – Keep a box of ornaments on hand and ask your guests to add one to the tree.

No clean-up necessary – Stock-up on a supply of holiday-colored paper plates, napkins and utensils to lessen post-party clean-up. And if the house is tidy before you head out for the day, there’s no scrambling once they arrive!

Stock the pantry – Have some “better for you” Frito-Lay products on hand to lessen the stress of “what to fix?” and allow for more time to visit with your guests. Frito-Lay’s Tostitos Scoops or Baked! Scoops -- with a delicious dip -- are true crowd-pleasers. Serve on a festive platter or dish and presto! …festive snacks ready to share!

Entertain with ease – Always have several fun board games accessible to keep guests entertained. And a few kid-friendly movies or simple crafts will keep the little ones busy while the adults socialize.

Those are some great tips!


I often stock the pantry with Frito-Lay’s Tostitos, since I often have on hand sour cream, salsa, and cheddar cheese to make a simple, yet satisfying appetizer dip. And if I’m lucky, I may have some pre-cooked chicken that I can shred to add to the dip, along with olives and jalapenos.

The above are great tips to keep in mind, and on my next shopping trip I’ll be stocking up on even more Tostitos and holiday-themed paper goods, and hopefully doing these things will help ease the stress for the rest of the holiday season!

Shop: You can purchase Frito-Lay products at various grocers nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a gift basket which includes: Frito-Lay chips and dip or salsa (assortment will vary), a serving bowl, and a copy of “
The Last Minute Party Girl” for great quick party planning ideas (ARV $40).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to karen!

  • To enter, leave a comment with your own "party in a pinch" planning tip
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and
    Frito-Lay
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow
    me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Add my Holiday Spectacular button to your sidebar
    6)Leave your favorite recipe that uses
    Frito-Lay products
  • The deadline for entries is December 18, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
  • If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on December 20, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
  • Valid for US addresses only.
  • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
    Good luck!


Thank you to Frito-Lay for providing the products for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

 
The review posts published on Sage and Savvy are personal opinions only. Press releases and other information from business are shared if I believe it may be of interest to Sage and Savvy readers. Press releases/information from businesses do not reflect my personal opinion. Unless otherwise specified, products are provided by the sponsor free of charge, and no monetary compensation is received. Sage and Savvy assumes no liability for any malfunction, injury, or other loss or damage, whether direct, consequential, or incidental, arising out of services, companies, or products that have been featured, reviewed, given away, advertised, or written about on Sage and Savvy. Click here for my Terms of Use.

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