Lately I've been finding it harder and harder to find cute clothes, especially dresses, in stores, and I've been finding it a lot easier to find cute dresses online, and the ones on Shabby Apple are no exception!

After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it.

They visited trade shows, marketplaces and designer studios only to discover the problem was not that department stores weren't buying the right dresses, but that designers weren't designing them.

Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else.

A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

Shabby Apple has some great collections of dresses, but my favorite dresses were those in the "flirty" category, like this Azure Coast dress.

Isn't the color just beautiful?

Whether you're searching for a flirty or sophisticated dress, a maternity dress, or even a dress for a little girl, check out Shabby Apple and their vast selection of designs!

Win: One lucky winner will receive one of the following dresses (winner's choice): Tuxedo III, Helena, Oh La La, Midnight Garden, Baja, Circo, Atlantic Fog, Pretty in Pink, Barefoot in the Park, Athena.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulatinos to ferriz!

• To enter, visit Shabby Apple and comment on your favorite item (excluding the giveaway items or anything else mentioned in this post).
• 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 Shabby Apple (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 September 7, 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 or about September 8, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
  Good luck!

Thank you to Shabby Apple for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

It's almost the end of August, so don't forget to print out those coupons from Coupons.com, since after August 31st, many of those coupons will no longer be available!

Also, here are more new coupons added to Coupons.com.

$3.00 off TWO packages of GOODNITES Underpants

$1.00 off Any ONE (1) LISTERINE AGENT COOL BLUE

$1.00 off LISTERINE TOTAL CARE PLUS WHITENING

$3.00 off Garnier HerbaShine Color Creme Haircolor

$0.75 off On Any GUM Flossers

$0.55 off GUM GO-BETWEENS

$1.50 off any OXY Clinical product

$1.00 off NESTLÉ RAISINETS 6-Pack

$1.00 off NESTLÉ CHERRY RAISINETS

$1.00 off NESTLÉ CRANBERRY RAISINETS

$1.00 off SCOTT Paper Towels

Life & Beauty Weekly: Happy You

How to Have More Energy

By Catherine Ryan for Life & Beauty Weekly


Between work and family, household responsibilities and a social life, your days are packed. How do you have time to find the energy for it all? The next time you’re in need of a pick-me-up, try one of these quick and easy energy boosters. They’ll add some oomph to your attitude in less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee.

1. Power up at breakfast.
“Starting your morning with the right fuel can increase alertness and concentration,” says Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant in Pittsburgh. And no, a bagel or donut doesn’t cut it -- refined carbs may deliver a spike of energy, but a crash quickly follows.
Instead, make breakfast a combination of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy, unsaturated fat. Think whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk, topped with fruit and almonds, or two scrambled eggs with veggies and a slice of whole-wheat toast. The nutrients take longer to digest, giving you sustained energy until lunch.

2. Sniff a stimulating scent.
Keep a bottle of citrus or peppermint essential oil in your desk drawer and take a whiff whenever you need a pick-me-up. Or pop a peppermint or lemon drop candy or a stick of mint gum. Citrus aromas (such as grapefruit and lemon) and peppermint have been shown to trigger increased activity in areas of the brain associated with alertness, according to a study in the International Journal of Neuroscience. After smelling the fragrances, participants also performed math problems faster and felt less anxious.

3. Wear bright colors or decorate with them.
Looking at bright hues stimulates the brain and makes you feel more alert, according to the journal Color Research and Application. Red may be particularly helpful, especially if you need energy to focus on a complicated project, says Norbert Schwarz, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan. In a study, people who looked at red shapes on a computer screen answered questions more accurately than those gazing at blue ones. Why? Red hues can signal caution, which may make you more detail-oriented.

4. Turn on the radio.
Music is a near-instant way to put more pep in your step. Researchers at London’s Brunel University found that when study participants listened to upbeat songs while jogging, they exercised 15 percent longer and reported feeling happier than those who worked out in silence. Fast-paced music may subconsciously push us to step up our efforts, but you don’t have to be on a treadmill to reap the benefits. Cue up a dance-worthy playlist next time you have a marathon errand-running session or need to zip through your to-do list.

5. Organize your space.
A kitchen full of dirty dishes or papers strewn around your office could contribute to your lethargy. “When you clear out or give order to your surroundings, you feel more in control, letting you focus more energy on other things,” says Regina Leeds, author of One Year to an Organized Life. Tidying up a small area can also give you a sense of accomplishment, which helps feed your motivation to tackle other tasks on your to-do list, she says.
No matter what your to-do list or day holds, these tricks can help boost your energy and ward off that midday -- or morning or evening -- slump.

Over the summer I wanted to make sure Little Music Man was kept busy. We'd practice his fine motor skills and other skills he learned/used while in school through "homework" almost every day which consisted of a letter-tracing worksheet, Summer Bridge Activities workbook, and alphabet crafts, as seen below.


Almost all of the ideas for the alphabet crafts came from Totally Tots. I was amazed at all of the craft ideas and other activities featured on the site (I wish I was creative like that!).

Little Music Man had a lot of fun working on the crafts, and he always enjoyed looking at the finished product.

I'm going to start Smiley Boy on some activities and crafts from Totally Tots soon, and I'm just so glad moms share their creativity since that's a department I seriously need help in!

I love going to IHOP. I usually order whatever special breakfasts they have and I always leave stuffed! I have never tried the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity though, which is celebrating 25 years through a special promotion!

Twenty-five years ago IHOP’s Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity had a star-studded premiere along side such 1985 classics as The Breakfast Club, The Goonies and Back to the Future. Like these unforgettable pop culture icons, this child of the 80’s has only improved with age. Since it first arrived on IHOP menus, the iconic breakfast item has been center plate for millions of memorable occasions and life’s everyday victories.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of IHOP’s famous Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity breakfast comes the introduction of the “Super” Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity limited time offer. Now through October 3 at participating locations and starting at $4.99, guests can enjoy two of IHOP’s fluffy Buttermilk pancakes topped with cool strawberry, warm blueberry or cinnamon-apple compote and creamy whipped topping served with a “super” combo of golden hash browns and eggs. For just a little more, add your choice of crisp bacon, pork sausage links or hearty ham.

Twenty-five years ago, the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity debuted with an unforgettable television advertisement that featured guests wearing funny nose and glasses disguises as they expressed their embarrassment at ordering the funny-named dish. Now a part of the American Lexicon, the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity continues to twist and tempt the tongues of guests, old and young alike, who crave a taste of fun that is uniquely IHOP.

The “Super” Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity fun continues online where guests can visit http://www.ihop.com/ to “Mask Your Mug” by digitally placing a pair of the memorable funny nose and glasses disguises on any existing photo and upload to their Facebook profile. To add to the fun, users can create their very own “Rooty Tooty Title” by simply entering their name into the designated field, users will receive a Rooty-inspired nickname to share with their friends.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit http://www.ihop.com.

Win: Two lucky winners will each receive an IHOP Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity Vintage-Inspired Tee (only sizes L and XL available).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to jakiesmom, Mnemosyne!

• To enter, visit IHOP and comment on your favorite menu item.
• 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 IHOP (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 August 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 or about August 6, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 the sponsor for providing the products for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten month, and parents can help their little ones get ready for kindergarten with the help of The Jim Henson Company and Dinosaur Train!

School is right around the corner, and it’s time for parents to jump aboard the DINOSAUR TRAIN to celebrate “Get Ready for Kindergarten” month in August.

There are many things that can be done to help prepare children for kindergarten, including working with your child on basic academic skills such as writing his/her name and reading letters; teaching critical thinking skills by encouraging them to ask “Why” questions; working on arts-and-crafts projects to get your child more comfortable using scissors, markers and other supplies he/she will see plenty of in kindergarten; and making shopping for school supplies a fun experience by letting your child make some choices of their own, like the color of his/her backpack or pencil case.

At The Jim Henson Company, the immersive and compelling DINOSAUR TRAIN website at www.pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain offers parents (and teachers) a wealth of activities to encourage basic scientific thinking skills for pre-school children. Here are a few examples:

Help your child practice the letters of the alphabet while learning about the diversity of dinosaurs that once lived on Earth with the “Dinosaurs A – Z song.” Basic supplies needed include 26 index cards (4x6 or 5x7), a thick marker, crayons, lyrics to "Dinosaurs A to Z" song and the Printable page of all 26 dinosaurs in the song. For instructions go to: http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/dinosaursatoz.html

Help your child learn some basic insect anatomy by creating a model of a dragonfly, and learn that some animals seen in the world today also lived at the time of the dinosaurs. Basic supplies needed include construction paper, wooden popsicle sticks, strong tape, pipe cleaners, colored markers, glue and glitter (and photographs of real dragonflies from books or the Internet). For instructions go to: http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/dragonfly.html

Help your child understand and apply the term "hypothesis," investigate and make predictions about the science of color, using household basics including food coloring, clean food jars/containers, colored markers and a cookie sheet. For instructions go to: http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/colorfulhypothesis.html

“Get ready for Kindergarten” shopping ideas for play, learning and fun (available at major retailers) include:

DINO TRAIN T-REX BACKPACK FROM ACCESSORIES 22: The DINOSAUR TRAIN 16” backpack features our favorite T-rex Buddy. It also features adjustable padded shoulder straps and 3 easy zippered compartments making it great to carry DINOSAUR TRAIN toys and school supplies as well as mesh side pockets for markers, pencils, etc. The glossy Buddy appliqué makes Buddy virtually come alive on both the blue and brown styles. This is a definite back-to-school must have for any DINOSAUR TRAIN fan! MSRP $14.99; available now.

DINOSAUR TRAIN I AM A T-REX FROM GROSSETT & DUNLAP: Buddy has spent his whole life in a pteranodon nest. He knows he's not a pteranodon, but he's not sure what he is. When his family decides to visit a new stop on the DINOSAUR TRAIN, Buddy finally learns the truth. He's a T-rex! This simple storybook is the perfect introduction to the world of DINOSAUR TRAIN! Ages 3 and up. MSRP $3.99; available now.

TRICERATOPS FOR LUNCH BY GOLDEN BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY CALEB MEURER
A Little Golden Book about Dinosaur Train! The Triceratops are coming over for lunch. Do you serve them plants or fish? That's what Buddy and his dinosaur siblings need to figure out before Tank and Trudie Triceratops arrive at the train station. This Little Golden Book retells an episode of the new PBS Kids animated series Dinosaur Train. It explains to young readers the difference between herbivores and carnivores—so that the next time you're dining with a dino, you'll know what to expect! Ages 2-5; MSRP $3.99/$4.99 Can; on sale August 10, 2010

DINOSAUR TRAIN TAKE ‘N’ PLAY ANYWHERE™ GO FISHING™ MAGNETIC ACTIVITY FROM PATCH PRODUCTS: Now kids can help Buddy and his family catch fish! They’ll practice hand-eye coordination and matching skills as they use the magnetic fishing pole to grab fish and try to land them in just the right spot. DINOSAUR TRAIN Go Fishing teaches cooperation, trial and error, or listening to and following instructions. Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere activities feature big magnetic pieces that are easy for kids to use and hard for kids to lose! Ages 4 and up; MSRP $9.99; available August at specialty stores, amazon.com or patchproducts.com.

DINOSAUR TRAIN DINOSAUR COLLECTIBLE 3-PACKS FROM LEARNING CURVE: Perfect for hours of imaginative dinosaur play, these 3-packs feature three detailed DINOSAUR TRAIN character figures and a special collector card. The 3-pack figures can be enjoyed separately or can fit inside train cars (sold separately) for more role play fun. The 3-packs are currently available in the following sets: Mrs. Pteranodon, Shiny & Derek; Mr. Pteranodon, Don & Velma; Boris, Annie & Pete; Dolores, Ollie & Oren. Ages 3 and up; MSRP $7.99; available now.

DINOSAUR TRAIN ALL ABOARD GAME FROM PRESSMAN TOY CORP: Join Buddy and his friends on the DINOSAUR TRAIN! Choose a character – Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, Don, Cory, Tank or Mr. Conductor – and try to move the fastest along the tracks. Speed through the three dinosaur eras: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous along the beautiful scenery. Special Stopwatch spaces will help you get closer to the nest, while Dinosaur Crossing spaces will send you back. The first player to reach the nest area in the center of the board wins. For 2 to 6 players; Ages 4 and up; MSRP $12.00; available now at Target and Amazon.com.


Win: One lucky winner will receive a Dinosaur Train T-Rex Backpack full of new Dinosaur Train products as described above!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to jsc123!

• To enter, comment on how you get your child(ren) ready for Kindergarten or going back to school!
• 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 Dinosaur Train (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 September 4, 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 or about September 5, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 the Jim Henson Company for providing the products for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Little Music Man enjoys playing with molding dough, and thanks to Team Mom, Little Music Man received Moon Dough that he asks to play with just about every day!

Moon Dough-the amazing new dough that is out of this world! Soft, light, wheat-free and non-drying, Moon Doug comes in 8 great colors for you to play with again and again!

We were fortunate to receive the Moon Dough Barnyard play set (ARV $19.99), which comes with molds, a play mat, and Moon Dough.

Assembly of the barnyard was really quick and easy, and in just a matter of seconds, Little Music Man started to create pigs and other farm animals!

Little Music Man had a really easy time making the animals--he'd simply put the moon dough into the mold, turn the crank, and out comes a cute animal!

Besides animals, he could also make fences and hay bales.

He's already spent hours and hours making farm animals!

I think the Moon Dough is so cool--it's so light and feels like nothing I would expect. It's pretty amazing how it looked as if it started out as almost a powdery consistency, then after molding it for a while, it turned into a pliable ball!

Although you have to be sure not to get it wet at all, and it can still make a mess leaving behind little pieces of dough everywhere, the Moon Dough seemed a lot easier for Little Music Man to work with than other types of dough, and the Barnyard play set kept him busy for a long time!

There are a few other Moon Dough play sets available (Pizza Shop, Dog House, Burger Shop), one of which I'm already planning to get for Little Music Man's next birthday!

Smiley Boy can easily identify his numbers, but when it comes to counting, he always counts "1, 2, 7, 8, 9..." Fortunately, we received a fun book, Dinosaur Numbers by Paul & Henrietta Stickland, that's helping him remember what order the numbers are supposed to be in! ONE big dinosaur standing all alone…TWO hungry dinosaurs biting on some bones. Kids can really count on these delightful dinosaurs! The adorable characters from Paul Stickland’s best-selling Dinosaur Roar!—Squeak, Fierce, Meek, Tiny, Slimy, Spiky, and Lumpy—are perennial favorites with the preschool set, and they’re here to teach numbers from ONE to TEN. These irresistible creatures will skip, run, sing, and play their way into kids’ hearts.

Smiley Boy has a lot of fun going through Dinosaur Numbers. He'll identify each number while I read the story. I love that the numbers are big and bold, and the rhymes and colorful dinosaurs help to keep Smiley Boy engaged.

Little Music Man enjoys the book too--he likes counting the dinosaurs on each page.

Dinosaur Numbers are a fun way for little ones to learn and practice counting and identifying numbers!

Shop: You can purchase Dinosaur Numbers at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $5.95).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Based on the #1 international bestselling book by Kate Long, Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson stars in, The Bad Mother’s Handbook. Catherine Tate of the BBC’s “Doctor Who” rounds out the cast with Anne Reid (Hot Fuzz) and Holly Grainger (BBC’s “Demons”).

Daniel (Pattinson), the shy nerd at school, has a crush on popular gal-pal Charlotte (Grainger) and he would do anything for her. When she discovers she is going to be a teenage mom, Daniel tries to help with all of the stress, drama and anxiety that comes with it. The drama unfolds as Daniel tags along with the dysfunctional family of three independent and outspoken women during the emotional ride of motherhood and adolescent woes. The next nine months become a journey of courage and strength filled with laughter, love and tears.

Shop: You can purchase The Bad Mother's Handbook at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $26.98).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Bad Mother's Handbook DVD!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Cher!

• To enter, 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 The Bad Mother's Handbook (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 August 31, 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 or about September 1, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 the sponsor for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Even though there are still stores in Hawaii that don't accept printable coupons, at least there are some that do, and one of my favorite sources to search for coupons is Coupons.com.

Since I'm always trying to save money, and I know many of you are too, I'll always try and post as soon as I find out about new coupons!

There are currently four new coupons

$0.55 off on any (1) package of any Frigo Cheese

$1.00 off Ziploc Brand Bags

$1.50 off Ziploc Containers

$1.00 off LAND O LAKES Deli Cheese

There are many, many more coupons making it easy for us to save money!

Thanks to Music Moms, I was able to listen to David Garrett's new CD, Rocky Symphonies.

For David Garrett, whose idols go from Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page to his former teachers Itzhak Perlman and Ida Haendel, there shouldn’t be any hierarchy between genres. “Choosing repertoire is very instinctive,” David observes. “For this project, it was quite easy. We had a theme—rock—and we chose things with a very strong rhythmical vibe, whether it was Beethoven or Metallica. The concept of “Rock Symphonies” has been on my mind for a very long time. I’ve always thought that there was a very strong connection between classical and rock; there’s a very strong sense of rhythm and a very strong sense of precision in both.”

In my mind, I consider classical music to be more on the mellow, soothing side, but Garrett creates a whole new atmosphere by combining rock and classical music to create rock symphonies that I never thought possible.

I was quite surprised by how Garrett successfully combined two genres into energetic and passionate tracks. The combination of rock and classical music was quite intriguing, and I found myself really enjoying the CD.

My favorite track was Walk this Way--it's a song that I remember when I was a lot younger, and it was pretty neat to hear Garrett's classical take on such a popular song.

November Rain and Live and Let Die were also quite amazing, and overall the entire CD presented a whole new musical experience for me.

Garrett's passion is evident in Rock Symphonies, and I think he was able to successfully combine his love of rock and classical music into a memorable CD.

Shop: You can purchase Rock Symphonies on Amazon.com and at various other retailers online and nationwide. (ARV $10.00)

Win: One lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of Rock Symphonies!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Jeanie!

• To enter, 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 David Garrett: Rock Symphonies (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 August 30, 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 or about August 31, 2010(make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 Music Moms and Decca for providing the products for review and giveaway. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

As I mentioned when I initially posted about my OpenSky Shop, I'll only be offering brands and products that I actually use myself. These next products are no exception. Well, actually, my kids are the ones that use these products...puzzles and toys from Melissa & Doug!

I've lost track of how many Melissa & Doug products we own, but here are just a couple of them that we do:

Pet Sounds Puzzle ($11):


- Dimensions: 11.8 x 0.6 x 8.7 inches.

- Animal sounds play when matching cubes are placed in the wooden tray.

- Six realistic sounds per set.

- Easy to grasp and maneuver.






Beginner Pattern Blocks ($16):

- Five two-sided wooden pattern boards with ten designs.

- Recessed spaces for secure shape placement.

- Brightly colored geometric shapes complete the pictures and can also be used for color and shape matching activities.

- Everything stores neatly in the sturdy wooden storage box.



My boys love playing with the Melissa & Doug puzzles and other toys that we have.

I have many more great Melissa & Doug products in my OpenSky Shop so check it out to find some great gifts for your little one!

On My Island Views, I'm giving away another Wendy's $10 Gift Card, so if you love their new salads as much as I do or want to try them out, don't forget to visit My Island Views for your chance to win!

Women come in all shapes and sizes, and when it comes to plus sizes, Fashion to Figure offers a variety of pieces in all sorts of designs that are perfect for business or leisure!

Everyone wants fashion and style; lots of choices; great prices and personal service. These factors and our family history in full-fashion made us realize customers were underserved and there was an opportunity to build a new kind of store - a corner of the world where everyone would feel inspired. We believe fashion is truly a state of mind, not a size range. So, we set out to create an environment that provides fresh fashion choices and service embodied by respect, attention, and understanding. And, all this in a cool, trendy and fun place everyone could enjoy going. We wrote up the concept, entered a prestigious business plan contest and got a lot of attention because of our great-grandmother and family's old business. But, we didn't win anything! However, we started down the road to our dream of revolutionizing full-fashion. We have been joined by some amazing advisors, investors, colleagues and friends along the way. And, you and your constant feedback keep us working towards our mission.

Whether you're looking for a pretty dress, a trendy top, or a some comfy leggings, Fashion to Figure has a nice selection to choose from!

Win: One lucky winner will receive one of the following Fashion to Figure items (winner's choice): Graphic Print Dress, Jersey Halter Ruffle Maxi Dress, Lace Shrug, Floral Mini with Crochet Dress Straps, Strapless Circle Challis Tunic, One Shoulder Black Dress.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to CathyB!

• To enter, visit Fashion to Figure and comment on your favorite item (please be specific; 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 Fashion to Figure(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 August 28, 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 or about August 29, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 Fashion to Figure for providing the giveaway product free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Even though we have summer-like weather all year round, it's not until the actual summer months, with the intense heat, do I find ants invading my home.

We usually have the typical black ants invading our kitchen during the summer, but this year it seems we have sugar ants.

Last year, a friend of ours, who lives a block away, told us they started to get sugar ants, and I guess they've migrated since we have them now too.

I've tried an eco-friendly bug spray, but so far the ants still keep coming back. I'll keep trying though, but I'm also going to try Terro, which usually works for us.

I've heard certain spices can help keep the ants away, so I'm going to have to do some research.

Do ants invade your home? How do you combat them?

Tomorrow, August 20, PBS KIDS will premiere a new one-hour special, Dinosaur Train Under the Sea, and we got a sneak peek at this special!

Children of all ages can join Buddy and the entire Pteranodon family aboard the Dinosaur Train as they embark on their first underwater adventure exploring the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic oceans to learn about new aquatic creatures. The new special episode will premiere on the popular PBS KIDS preschool destination, an educational, hosted two-hour morning television block. (Please check local listings).

To reach their destinations in this watery adventure, the Pteranodon family rides the Dinosaur Train through a glass-encased time tunnel that dives down under the sea to visit underwater stations. The fantastical train also features the new Aquacar, an open car filled with sea water to transport their new friends. Along the way, the family meets Elmer Elasmosaurus, a giant long-necked marine reptile who dives deep and can hold his breath; the Michelinoceras brothers, two sea creatures that travel backwards; Carla Cretoxyrhina, a friendly young shark; and Paulie Pliosaurus, a marine reptile known as the “T. rex of the ocean.”

Synopses:
“Elmer Elasmosaurus” The Dinosaur Train’s new Aquacar gets its first passenger when the Pteranodon family helps transport Elmer back to his home in the ocean. This long-necked, giant marine reptile is a deep-sea diver with a special talent for holding his breath.

“Carla Cretoxyrhina” On their underwater excursion, the Pteranodon family meets up with a young shark named Carla Cretoxyrhina, who turns out to be much nicer than her reputation suggests.

“The Amazing Michelinoceras Brothers” Buddy and his family continue their underwater adventure by traveling deep underwater on the Dinosaur Train to view two backwards-bounding brothers named Max and Mitch Michelinoceras.

“Paulie Pliosaurus” The Pteranodon family wrap up their Dinosaur Train underwater exploration with a visit to a marine reptile called Paulie Pliosaurus, a creature known as the "T. rex of the Ocean."

As with all Dinosaur Train episodes, my boys loved the colorful characters, their silly antics, the fun songs, and of course--the neat train (they love hearing the whistle blow!). The Under the Sea episodes were especially fun for them because they loved seeing all the fish, and both boys would always point out "Fish!" whenever they'd see one. The underwater tunnel was really cool too!

I personally thought it was neat to learn more about dinosaurs that live under the sea (why they have long necks, why some have many arms, etc.), and even the different types of seas which have different temperatures, colors, and more!

Don't forget to tune in to the premiere tomorrow, and you can also purchase a copy of the new Dinosaur Train Under the Sea DVD to be released on August 24!

Win: One lucky winner will receive the Dinosuar Train Under the Sea DVD, which will be released on August 24! DVD Description:


Dinosaurs Under The Sea is presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital English Stereo. The run time is 120 minutes. The DVD includes the following:
Adventures:
· Elmer Elasmosaurus
· Carla Cretoxyrhina
· The Amazing Michelinoceras Brothers
· Paulie Pliosaurus
· Elmer Visits the Desert
· Shiny’s Sea Shells
· Jess Hesperornis
· The Old Spinosaurus and the Sea

Special Features:
· Games
· Coloring Pages and Dinosaur Reference Guide
· Parents’ Information

• To enter, comment on why you/your child(ren) enjoy Dinosaur Train!
• 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 Dinosaur Train (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 , August 26, 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 or about August 27, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 the sponsor for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Life & Beauty Weekly: Happy You

Keep Your Favorite Clothes Looking Like New

By Elizabeth Brownfield for Life & Beauty Weekly

That perfectly fitting pair of jeans, a gorgeous new sweater, a crisp white T-shirt -- whether you spent $10 or $100, your favorite wardrobe pieces have the power to make you feel like a million bucks. So why not protect your investment? These clothing care strategies will keep your closet’s MVPs in great shape for a long time to come.

1. Keep jeans looking new.
Jeans see more wear and tear than most other items in your closet. To avoid the too-worn look, wash your jeans inside out on the delicate cycle and remove them from the dryer when they’re still slightly damp. (Intense heat can break down denim fibers.) “Most of the damage to jeans happens in the last 30 percent of dry time,” says Steve Boorstein, author of The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing and creator of the website ClothingDoctor.com.

2. Remove stains from a T-shirt.
One mishap needn’t relegate your tee to the bottom of the drawer. “Time is your biggest enemy,” says Boorstein. “The faster you address the stain, the better the chance of removing it.”

For water-based stains -- coffee, red wine, perspiration -- fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and laundry detergent, plus a few drops of vinegar, and spritz the area ASAP. Then gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Wash the shirt as normal but avoid the dryer. Heat can permanently “bake in” a stain. If the stain remains, soak the entire shirt in warm water and color-safe or oxygen-based bleach for an hour, then wash it again.

Oil-based stains -- butter, salad dressing, lipstick -- are more stubborn. Pretreat with a solution of one part glycerin, one part lemon liquid dish detergent and eight parts water; the citrus detergent can help break up oil, says Boorstein. But you may have more luck with dry cleaning. Just tell the staff what caused the stain so they can treat it accordingly.

3. Stop sweaters from pilling.
“Pilling is the result of friction,” says Boorstein. While some of it is unavoidable (you can’t exactly stop swinging your arms!), try to minimize friction when you can. Keep elbows off surfaces and alternate the side on which you carry your purse. To remove fuzz balls, shave your sweater with a new, disposable razor. It’s easy and gives you more control than electric lint removers and de-pillers, so there’s less risk of a snag or other damage. Just use a light touch and be careful not to slice into the garment.

4. Prevent fabrics from fading.
“People tend to over-wash and over-dry clothing, which fades fabrics,” says Boorstein. “Unless they’re heavily soiled, clothes don’t need to agitate in the washer for 40 minutes.” Run shorter, 20-minute wash cycles, and use the delicate wash and medium-heat dryer settings. Other tips: Wash in cold water and turn clothes inside out first.

5. Maintain a bathing suit’s shape.
Wearing a swimsuit can be daunting enough without feeling self-conscious over a saggy bottom or stretched-out straps. To maintain fit, wash or rinse the suit ASAP after getting out of the water -- chlorine and saltwater break down stretchy fabrics. When you’re ready, wash the suit by hand in cold water with a few drops of detergent. If you must machine wash, do so on the delicate cycle and put the suit in a mesh bag for protection, then lay it flat to dry.

Sage and Savvy is a Studio One Networks Media Partner.

I am so excited to launch my Sage and Savvy OpenSky Shop!

If you haven't already heard of OpenSky, it's "...a new way to shop, buy, and sell.

We give anyone with an audience — bloggers, editors, celebrities, social media mavens — the chance to discover amazing products in our ever-growing supplier network and effortlessly sell those products themselves. We take care of the heavy lifting by providing all the support and tools required to make every interaction easy, personal, and fun for everyone starting with the shopper.

The OpenSky platform fuels connection.

We empower suppliers, sellers and shoppers to work together to get the right products to the right people."

Through my OpenSky shop, I'll only be selling brands and products that I've actually used myself, so hopefully you'll end up finding some great products too for yourself and your family.

Any items can be purchased by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button on my site, in which you'll be redirected to OpenSky, where the purchasing process will be handled and completed. I will have no access to any of your personal or financial information.

And if for some reason you are unhappy with the product you purchased, OpenSky accepts returns for 1 full year!

So without further ado, the very first item I'm featuring is the Mommy Mitten!

Product Details

- Hand warmer for use while pushing a baby stroller.

- Keeps hands protected.

- Water resistant and insulated.

- Features a line with fleece for cozy experience.

- External zipper pocket.

- Perfect accessory for winter.

Being that I live in Hawaii, you may be wondering why I would sell Mommy Mitten when it seems like a product more for those who live in cold-weather states.

Well, here's an excerpt of a previous review I did in November of last year:

Thanks to Team Mom, I received several infant feeding products from the new mOmma line.

At a get together last month I wanted to make a dessert that was both unique and fun for the kids, and I stumbled upon Bakerella's Cupcake Bites, which I thought were perfect!

They were pretty easy to make, and although I had to tweak the recipe a bit to work with the ingredients and products that I had, they turned out delicious, and pretty decent-looking.

They don't look nearly as nice as Bakerella's, but they sure did taste good!

I also made cupcake pops, which basically involves the same ingredients, but just a few different steps.

They were a hit with everyone--both the kids and adults loved them and were quite impressed!

I can't wait to make more for my son's class.

Hopefully by then I'll figure out how to make them look as good as Bakerella's...

For the past several months we've been looking at dining room sets since our current set is 10 years old (and it looks about 20+ years old).

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores through which I can search for not only a dining room set, but bistro and pub sets, breakfast nooks, and so much more!

CSN Stores offer the largest selection of items for most home and office goods. And these items are priced right to be very competitive with other sites, providing our customers with strong savings, too. This combination of benefits is rare among online retailers and is what sets us apart. Leading brands on CSN Stores' sites include: La-Z-Boy, Herman Miller, iittala, Kartell, LG, Rachael Ray, Sanyo, Diaper Dude and many, many others. The variety of products is also staggering, with some one million available.

So whether you're looking for dining room sets or bedding sets, or items for any other room in your home, check out CSN Stores!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a one-time-use $60 Gift Certificate code to use towards any one of CSN Stores' 200+ websites!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to mail4rosey!

• To enter, visit CSN Stores and comment on what you'd use the gift certificate for (please leave the link or specific product name).
• 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 (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)
• 6)Follow CSN Stores on Twitter (leave your user name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is August 22, 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 August 23, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) and will have 3 days to accept. Valid for US or 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 CSN Stores for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post. Images courtesy CSN Stores.

Thanks to Mom Select, we received a brand new Water Pik EasySelect Shower Head to replace our old shower head which was very much in need of replacing.

Designed for those with discriminating taste who want to experience the ultimate in shower style and performance. All EasySelect™ products feature an in-handle spray mode selector, which makes selecting sprays easier than ever. Designed with OptiFLOW® technology that increases water force up to 30% by optimizing water flow, so you feel refreshed and invigorated.

Spray Modes:
* High/Low Concentrated Center Spray
* Circular Massage
* Power Spray / Pulsating Massage
* Misting
* Water Saver

DH installed the shower head very quickly and easily, and we couldn't wait to try the new shower head!

DH loves that the force is a lot stronger than our old shower head, and so do I. I love that it's so easy to change the spray mode, and it just looks so sleek in our master bathroom (in fact, it's the NICEST thing in our bathroom)!

The shower head is a lot larger than our older shower head, which I think is great, and although I haven't tried cleaning the nozzles yet, one of the key features is "easy clean nozzles," so that'll be a welcome change from our old shower head, which was such a hassle to clean!

I look forward to my daily showers--it's the one time of day I have all to myself, even if it's just for a few minutes, and thanks to Water Pik, showers are a lot nicer and I look forward to them even more!

Thank you to Mom Select and Water Pik for providing the product for review free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

I recently participated in an online blogger presentation showcasing Wendy's new Salads, featuring Chef Rick Tramonto and Beth Thibault, Manager, Menu Innovation.

In response to customer feedback, and requests for more texture (e.g. croutons), drier lettuce, smaller pieces (e.g. chicken), and "flavor excitement, " Wendy's introduced four new salads: Apple Pecan Chicken, Baja, Spicy Chicken Caesar, BLT Cobb.

I had never tried a salad from Wendy's before, but after viewing the presentation and Chef Rick Tramonto prepare the salads, I couldn't wait!

I was fortunate to receive a $10 gift card to try one of Wendy's new salads, and since I love Mexican food, I decided to try out the Baja Salad.

The salad consisted of a bed of fresh and spring mix lettuce, and was topped with cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, guacamole, pico de gallo, tortilla strips and a Creamy Red Jalapeno dressing.

It was DELICIOUS! (Note: the Baja Salad comes with Chili, but since I don't eat beef, I requested no Chili).

The lettuce was fresh (I saw no brown or wilted pieces), the guacamole was really good (some of the best I've ever had), the pico de gallo was tasty (I just wish they gave a little more), the tortilla strips added a nice, savory crunch, and the dressing gave the salad a nice, spicy kick.

Although I do wish they offered chicken instead of chili on the Baja salad, I thought it was still really good without the chili, and the next time I'll either get the Baja salad again, or I'll try the BLT Cobb since it has bacon, and to me, just about everything tastes better with bacon!

To find a Wendy's near you, click here.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a $10 Wendy's Gift Card!

• To enter, comment on which of the new salads is your favorite, or which are you most eager to try.
• 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 Wendy's (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 August 20, 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 or about August 21, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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!

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love to eat chicken. However, at home, I don't cook chicken too often because I hate handling raw chicken. Thanks to Tyson Grilled & Ready, I can now make meals with chicken that doesn't involve the yucky mess when handling raw chicken!

Tyson® Grilled & Ready™ Frozen Chicken Breast Fillets and Grilled & Ready Frozen and Refrigerated Chicken Breast Strips are fully cooked and perfectly portioned for your favorite recipes, hot or cold. They're a delicious, healthy addition to salads, sauces, and soups.

These tender and juicy fillets and strips make it easy to add variety to party appetizers or dinner. They're everything you love about fresh chicken, ready in half the time.

Tyson Grilled & Ready Frozen and Refrigerated Chicken Breast Strips:

* Perfectly-cooked grilled chicken ready in just minutes
* 98 Percent fat free with no preservatives*
* Tender and juicy right out of the microwave

I was fortunate to receive coupons for Tyson Grilled & Ready, and I picked up a bag of Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Breast Strips at Target (ARV $8.99 in Hawaii).

It takes just 30 seconds to heat up in the microwave, and I have chicken ready for pizzas, nachos, wraps, and more!

In fact, we've already used the chicken for pizzas, nachos, and wraps!

Although I can tell the difference in taste between the Grilled & Ready chicken and chicken that I cook myself, the chicken still tastes fine, and I absolutely love that the strips are ready to eat in less than a minute, which makes meal prep so much faster!

Tyson's Grilled & Ready Chicken makes meal-time quick (and less messy), and I can't wait to try out the Southwest Chicken and Fajita Chicken Strips to make my favorite Mexican-inspired meals!

Shop: You can purchase Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken at grocers nationwide.

Win: Two lucky winners will each receive a coupon good for any Tyson Grilled & Ready product (up to $9.99 value; expires 12/31/10).

• To enter, comment on a dish you'd use Tyson Grilled and Ready chicken in.
• 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 Tyson (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 August 19, 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 or about August 20, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 Tyson for providing the coupons for review/giveaway. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

This year I've been trying to make more of an effort to respond to emails on a timely basis, because before I was really bad at responding to emails, especially personal ones.

Naturally, if someone doesn't respond to an email I send that is seeking a response, I do get impatient if days and days have passed, but I know things happen--people get sick, go on vacation, they have to tend to other personal/business matters, or maybe, just maybe, my email went into the spam/junk folder.

If I don't get a response within 1-2 weeks, I usually send a follow-up email, and a majority of the time I get a response.

I think I've been pretty good at responding to emails more timely.

Yes, there still are a few that I accidentally overlook or get stuck in my spam/junk folder, but more often than not, I think I'm better at responding to emails quickly.

How quickly do you respond to emails?

Does it make a difference if the email is personal or business?

One day, while reading JDaniel4's Mom blog, I discovered a neat new way to serve meals--in muffin tins!

Then I discovered many, many more creative muffin tin meals on Muffin Tin Mom, who hosts Muffin Tin Mondays!

So I decided to start doing Muffin Tin Meals on occasion, and here's my first one:


In the various cups are grapes, apple sticks, yogurt, oranges, and cheese sandwich slices.

It doesn't look nearly as fun or nice as the muffin tin meals linked up on Muffin Tin Mondays, but I had so much fun fixing up the meal.

I try to fill up as much of the cups with fruits or veggies, which makes muffin tin meals not only fun, but healthy too!

I think I have as much fun making the muffin tin meals as my boys do eating what's in it!

Thanks to Oceanhouse Media, we have even more great Dr. Seuss apps for our iPhone!

Little Music Man loved how he could touch the screen and words would pop up.

The Lorax is indeed a classic story and one that we both enjoyed.

The Lorax Garden (ARV $1.99): Help the Lorax regrow the world's Truffula tree forests! Design your own trees and flowers, see them grow right before your eyes, and share beautiful postcards you've created with friends & family.
It was fun to plant a Truffula Tree seed. We'd make sure to give it enough water, watch it grow, and earn Care hearts in the process. It's such a neat way for Little Music Man to learn how to take care of plants (if only I could take care of plants that well in real-life)!

Dr. Seuss Senders (ARV $1.99): 100 fantabulous cheer-ups and quotes. Send them to loved ones as triumphs and notes!

Someone need cheering? Some laughter? A boost?
Spread smiles for miles with your friend Dr. Seuss!
For little ones, grandkids, coworkers, friends,
parent and teachers... The Fun never ends!

I think the Dr. Seuss Senders are such a cute idea for Dr. Seuss fans and just about anyone who could use a smile!

I remember when Tamagotchi was such a huge craze here in Hawaii (and just about worldwide), and I recently got a chance to try out the new TamaTown Tama-Go by Tamagotchi, which brings a whole new level of fun in caring for the virtual pet!

Tamagotchi is the one and only virtual pet! TamaTown is the latest sensation, which includes the original nurturing play pattern and character customization.

1. The TamaTown egg is larger for easier play.
2. TamaTown is the base for the Tama characters (sold separately). Attach any Tama character and activate character-specific new games.
3. Includes an interchangeable design sheet and 1 “lite” character unit.
4. TamaTown has a new 4-gray scale display screen for greater detail!
5. When you collect multiple characters, TamaTown rewards you with special announcement.

We were fortunate to receive the Blue with Memetchi Tama-Go (ARV $19.99). Little Music Man was very intrigued when he saw the Tama-Go, but I think he's still a little too young to properly take care of the "pet," so of course, I stepped in!

I ended up with a Boy, named him, and I immediately fed him and started to take care of him.

He seems to sleep and eat a lot--I feed him everything from pork and beans to beef bowls, and he sure grows quickly!

I really don't remember much from the original Tamagotchi, but with my new "baby" I not only have to feed him, but I have to discipline him if he makes a mess, nurture him, take him out to play, and so much more!

I like the different games that I can play to help you earn points to get more food and other items.

It was quite addicting taking care of the virtual pet, as I always checked his stats to ensure he was happy and well-fed, and if he wasn't, I had to figure out how to make him more content and satisfied.

We were also fortunate to receive a Mametchi #101 Gotchi Character (ARV $6.99).

1. Each character comes with 2 character exclusive games that can be played with TamaTown Tama-go (sold separately).
2. Visit shops and get character specific gifts!
3. Comes with a face plate to change the look of your Tamagotchi. Includes exclusive web codes to access special gifts on www.tamatown.com.

TamaTown is a lot of fun and can be quite addicting, and I think kids will enjoy taking care of their virtual pets, playing games, and even playing online at TamaTown!

TamaTown teaches responsibility and nurturing in a creative way that I'm sure kids (or kids at heart like myself) will find a lot of fun!

Shop: You can purchase TamaTown by Tamagotchi products at various retailers online and nationwide, or click here to find a retailer near you.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a White with Kuchipachi Tama-Go and a Ringotchi #156 Gotchi Character Figure!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Louis!

• To enter, 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 TamaTown (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 August 14, 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 or about August 15, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 the sponsor for providing the products for review and giveaway. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Even though I breastfed both my boys, I had no idea there was such a thing as Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7 2010)! To celebrate Breastfeeding Week, Mommy's Little Monkey is sponsoring a wonderful giveaway!

The Story
On a quiet evening in 1998 Evie Ballesteros curiously sat and listened to her sister speak tenderly of her new transition into motherhood. Although not a mother herself, Evie could only imagine what it felt like when her sister shared with her the discomforts of publicly breastfeeding her newborn baby. Evie’s new secret quest the following days was to find a solution to this problem. Heading off to the store she found great little items that she could use and manipulate into a covering for her sister while she nursed in public. After gifting her sister with this new cover the appreciation for something so simple yet so functional moved her to gift her other two sisters, family members and friends with the same creation. Once time to make one for herself she finally understood the emotions and set out to make the perfect cover. A cover with sufficient coverage and privacy, embellished with beautiful detail and secure closures was her mission. A passion for breastfeeding and motherhood grew in Evie as she spent time creating that perfect nursing cover and dreams followed behind.

The Dream
After the birth of her third little monkey Evie decided to finally listen to the advice from others and started her own business. Evie named her business after her endearing nickname for her three beautiful children. With so much encouragement and support from her husband and knowing at that point that her idea needed to be protected she did what she never thought she could possibly do, she wrote her own patent. After months of agony she was finally done and set off to launch her website and new baby: Mommy’s Little Monkey™. With her vision to help other women with their public breastfeeding concerns and to assist in the breastfeeding movement, Evie has brought to you her patented creations The Nursing Curtain® and the Simple & Sweet Nursing Curtain™. The Nursing Curtain and the Simple & Sweet Nursing Curtain are beautiful nursing covers you will find on Mommyslittlemonkey.com and in beautiful boutiques nationwide.

Shop: To purchase breastfeeding essentials, visit Mommy's Little Monkey.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Mommy's Little Monkey Prize Pack consisting of a Nursing Curtain, Burp Cloth, and Pro Nurser Onesie!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Chrissyb!

To enter, vist Mommy's Little Monkey and comment on your favorite Nursing Curtain design!

• 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 Mommy's Little Monkey (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 August 13, 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 or about August 14, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) 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 Mommy's Little Monkey for providing the products for giveaway. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post. Photos courtesy Mommy's Little Monkey.

Thanks to Sterling Children's Books, my boys have a fun new book that they love to both read and dance with: The All-American Jump and Jive Jig by M. P. Hueston, illustrations by Amanda Haley (ARV $14.95).

Let’s dance! Come along on a joyful journey across America, where children from east, west, north, and south show off their coolest moves. From the Juneau Jitterbug to the Hilo Hula, the Brooklyn Boogie to the Miami Mambo, these dances will entice young readers to gather family and friends, get up, and groove. Which will be their favorite—Maine’s Rockland Sock Hop or Michigan’s Mackinac Milkshake? The Lubbock Line Dance or the Rockies’ Elevation Celebration? Every dance is irresistible fun, and will set happy feet in action! M.P. Hueston’s witty, rhythmic verse and Amanda Haley’s colorful pictures make following along easy--and will encourage kids to come up with their own choreographed creations!

The All-American Jump and Jive Jig is such a fun and colorful book. Smiley Boy's favorite dance is the Brooklyn Boogie--he loves putting his arms up and stomping around.


There's several more dances representing cities all across America, and I like how there's a nod to Hawaii in the book with the Hilo Hula.


I also like how the book depicts notable aspects about each city and state, so the boys can learn more about each one, for instance, there are illustrations of the mountains in Colorado, the snow in Alaska, and the coast of California.


The All-American Jump and Jive Jig is a great read that's fun, colorful, lively, and educational too!


Shop: You can purchase The All-American Jump and Jive Jig at various retailers online and nationwide.