Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sid the Science Kid New Episodes Sneak Peek and Learning Science Kit Giveaway

My boys love watching Sid the Science Kid (it's one of my favorite shows too!), and we recently got a sneak peek at a few episodes which premiere on October 4!

During the week of October 4, Sid and his friends learn about Force and Motion, with episodes that get kids up and moving, actively experimenting with the preschool physics concepts of friction, elasticity and inertia:

“Slide To The Side” (“Why Can’t I do the ‘Sid Slide to the Side’ dance in my sneakers?”)
Sid tries out his new dance called “The Sid Slide to the Side!” on his hardwood floor. He soon finds out his sneakers can’t slide, which leads Sid and his friends to observe and investigate friction; what makes something slow down.

“That’s The Way the Ball Bounces” (“Why didn’t my ball bounce?”)
Sid creates a new sport called Playdough Ball! When it’s time to play, Sid discovers that his ball doesn’t bounce, it just splats on the ground. At school Sid and his friends discover that if a ball doesn’t have enough elasticity, it won’t bounce.

"Ignatz’s Inertia" (“Why didn’t Ignatz stop moving?”)
Sid pushes his toy panda Ignatz across his room on a skateboard, but when the skateboard bumps a wooden block and halts, Ignatz continues to fly forward. Teacher Susie tells Sid and pals that things keep moving until they are stopped, and that’s called inertia.

“Sid’s Super Kick” (“Is my Super Sid Kick too super?”)
Sid becomes his alter ego Super Sid, the world’s greatest super hero. While demonstrating his Super Sid Kick!, Sid learns that by kicking a ball with more force, the ball will fly farther. Things become very clear when Teacher Susie demonstrates force with a 6-foot tall air cannon and tennis balls.

Just as Daylight Saving Time begins to make the days shorter and the nights longer during the week of November 8, Sid and his pals investigate Lights and Shadows, with episodes on light, darkness, shadows and rainbows:

“Let There Be Light” (“Why can’t I grab the light that comes out of my flashlight?”)
Sid and his baby brother Zeke are playing a game where they try to “grab” the light coming out of the flashlight. But Sid and his friends discover that they can’t grab light, and they can’t make it bend around a corner – unless you reflect it. They also discover that not all light is the same color—it can be bright, soft, yellow, white, etc.

“Discovering Darkness” (“Why am I getting up in the dark?”)
Sid has to wake up a bit early on a winter morning, so that means it’s darker in the morning and darker earlier in the evening. This leads Sid and his friends to investigate and observe what happens when a light source is completely blocked—creating darkness.

“Shadow Smile” (“Why doesn’t my shadow smile when I do?”)
After looking at his own shadow on his bedroom wall, Sid starts wondering why his shadow doesn’t smile when he does. This leads Sid and his friends to investigate creating shadows at school.

“A Rainbow Every Day” (“Oh no! What happened to the rainbow?”)
From his tree house, Sid spots a rainbow in the sky. He races down the tree, runs into the kitchen, and excitedly tells his parents and Zeke to come outside to see the rainbow. But when they arrive, it’s gone. A field trip to the Science Center shows Sid and his friends
experiment with large prisms and learn how rainbows are made from light, not paint.

We were fortunate to get a bunch of Sid the Science Kid goodies to hold a screening party with a bunch of my boys' friends to watch the following episodes: Slide to the Side, That's the Way the Ball Bounces, and Ignatz's Inertia.


The most popular episode by far was Slide to the Side. The kids learned about rubber and friction and loved when race cars were used to demonstrate the concepts being discussed. Smiley Boy kept shouting "room" (vroom)!


The kids also learned about elasticity while throwing balls around the living room, and they also learned about inertia while letting toy cars go down a slide (it was fun to watch them mimic the kids on the show!).


They even played with the cool Sid the Science Kids toys we got!

The new Sid the Science Kid episodes were a lot of fun and very educational at the same time, and I bet the kids will be excited to see the rest of the new episodes...I know my boys can't wait!

Don't forget to watch the new episodes beginning October 4!

Win:
One lucky winner will receive a Sid the Science Kid Learning Science Kit!

***THIS GIVEAWAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Baby Mama!


  • To enter, comment on which episode you think your kids will enjoy 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 Sid the Science Kid (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 October 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 October 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.
  • 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 the screening party, review, and giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Upcoming Baby Essentials & Gift Guide

Have you noticed the banner in my left sidebar?

My Baby Essentials & Gift Guide will be ongoing for the next several months, and I'll be featuring a lot of reviews and giveaways of baby products!

So if you're expecting or know someone who's expecting, you could win some great items for yourself or for gifts, as well as get some helpful shopping ideas!

For any giveaways featured as part of the Baby Essentials & Gift Guide, anyone who leaves a comment on the Must-Have Baby Products post will get extra entries for each giveaway (details will be forthcoming in the giveaways).

If you're a company wanting to be featured, please email me!

Thank you all again for your continued support

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

WW: Kickin' Back in Daddy's Shoes


For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

New Free Samples

Here are some new free samples from FreeFlys!

Free sample of Purina® Pro Plan

Free sample of Kotex®

Coupon for a free Buxom® lash mascara

Coupon for free Mexican Hass® Avocado!
Sage and Savvy if a FreeFlys affiliate.

What are Your Must-Have Baby Items?

With baby #3 on the way, I realized that we're going to have to buy a few new baby items.

We still have a lot of stuff from when our first two kiddos were born, but some of the items are worn out or no longer working.

We'll need to look for a new stroller, a new swing, new car seats, among other things.

There have been so many new brands and types of baby products that have come out since DS2 was born, and it seems a little overwhelming. Friends who have just given birth this year have brands of strollers that I've never even heard of before!

What are your must-have baby items? (If you have a review on a blog of some of your favorite items, please feel free to leave the link(s)).

I'm going to need all the help I can get when it comes to finding the right baby products!

Benny Marchant: Conversations Missed Giveaway

Conversations Missed, the tantalizing EP by electric troubadour, Benny Marchant, is the sound of a hopeful heart that's bruised but still beating. Painting the stages of love and loss, the songs Cold Weather, Been Too Long, A Better Way and two versions of the title track, Conversations Missed, introduce Benny's haunting alternative folk-rock. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli (Radiohead, White Stripes,) it's a four-track tour of the spirit of a musician unafraid to explore his feelings -- and a teaser for early 2011's Cold Weather album that leaves the listener wanting more of Benny's intimate, tuneful insights.

"For me, the best part about recording Conversations Missed as a solo artist was being able to be vulnerable," says Benny. "When I was in bands and in the studio I used to hide some of my soul behind the music and sounds. Now I'm not trying to fit in with anyone else but me -- a new me."

All of Benny's songs confront not just his, but all of our human awakenings and growth -- whether it's the determined positivity of the lonely man in Conversations Missed, who makes himself reach for light in his darkness; Been Too Long's realization that it's finally right to get out of a bad situation, its plaintive sound emphasized by pedal steel guitar; the exultation of allowing yourself to give and receive love in the breezy Cold Weather; and the wake-up call of the vibrato cello in A Better Way's reminder that yes, you can recover from a broken heart -- and now's the time to start.

Benny's yearning anthems float on a bed of harmonies framing his tender vocals and ringing, melodic guitar. On Conversations Missed Benny claims his own personal, emotional sound. The process was eased by the collaboration with Chiccarelli. "He’s a genius," states Benny emphatically. "He helped bring the songs to life and put the pieces together so that ten really good songs grew into an album. He gave me the confidence to go deep."

Ardently, Benny says, "I've been working my whole life to be this happy with my own music. I'm always going to be competitive with myself to write that next song, whether it's inspired by my own life experience or something I imagine through a friend's or loved one's eyes. I'll always be searching, reaching further."




Shop: You can purchase Conversations Missed at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win:
One lucky winner will receive an autographed 8x10 photo and a copy of Benny Marchant: Conversations Missed!
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Angel Jacklyn!
  • 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 Benny Marchant (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 October 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 October 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 product for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Monday, September 27, 2010

CSN Stores $65 Gift Certificate Giveaway

When it comes to finding cheap bedroom furniture in Hawaii, I personally think options are limited. That's why I think it's awesome that you can find a lot of great bedroom furniture pieces at great prices at BedroomFurniture.com, one of CSN Stores' 200+ online stores!


Beyond stellar customer service, our 200+ sites at 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.

I've actually been looking for a platform bed for a while now, and I've never seen prices for platform beds in Hawaii as low as they are at CSN Stores.

If you're looking for cheap bedroom furniture, or even furniture for your living room or patio, check out CSN Stores!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a one-time-use $65 CSN Stores gift certificate!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Nad!

  • To enter, visit CSN Stores and comment on what item you'd use the $65 CSN Stores gift certificate towards (please be specific)
  • 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 CSN Stores (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 October 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 October 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 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 CSN Stores for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Giving Kids a Creative Edge





Ideas That Spark: Home Style

Giving Kids a Creative Edge

From the Editors of Ideas That Spark
By Aviva Patz

Children are naturally creative: Their napkins become hats, their drinks are magic potions, and ketchup turns into paint. But aside from being endlessly entertaining, creativity is also critical to their developing brains. Creative and artistic experiences help kids express their feelings and come up with new ideas and ways to solve problems. Studies show that involvement in the arts boosts test scores and promotes academic achievement across the board.

These discoveries may explain why children’s art studios are popping up across the country, giving kids a chance to let their imaginations run wild with paint, clay, and in the case of Make-a-Messterpiece in Glenview, Ill., even bubbles. In addition to private studios (such as KidsArt in California and Washington) and foundations (such as Creative Art Space for Kids in New York), many YMCA branches and local art museums offer art programs.

You can also get your child’s creative juices flowing at home with some very basic art supplies and the right attitude. Bring out the creative genius in your children with these simple tips.

Start With a Blank Slate
Leave projects open-ended so kids are free to imagine the endless possibilities. For example, if you’re painting pumpkins, don’t paint one first as an example, because your kids are likely to try to copy it, quashing their creativity. Instead, simply give children paint and paintbrushes and let them begin. Keep in mind that there are no wrong ways to paint a pumpkin.

Forget Perfection
Focus on the creative process rather than the finished product. For example, your child may find tremendous fun and fulfillment in shaping, squishing, pounding and poking at clay for an hour -- even if the end result is a shapeless lump.

Don’t Mind the Mess
Art is not a neat business, and nothing stifles creativity faster than a wet mop or a dustpan underfoot. Let your child get dirty -- that’s how she’ll learn to take risks. (Plus, it’s fun!) You can wipe up the glitter later.

Mix It up
Spice up your at-home art projects by using different materials instead of the usual paint, felt, pipe cleaners and beads. Challenge your children to find art supplies in their environment: a sponge, chopsticks, gum wrappers, bottle caps and egg cartons, for example. Head outside and collect leaves, sticks, acorns and small pebbles. Supply children with glue and paper and give no other direction. Be ready for anything.

Expose Them to Diversity
Take trips to museums and zoos; see plays and concerts; attend an African drumming circle, a Mexican fiesta, a Chinese New Year celebration. Every experience your children have with people or situations outside their normal routine widens their range of creative expression.

Make Music
Encourage experimentation with musical instruments without showing how it’s done. Let her play piano with her toes or beat the drum with maracas if she wants. You can make your own instruments too. Dried beans in a toilet paper tube make a great shaker; waxed paper secured over a coffee can is a drum; rubber bands stretched over a shoebox make a guitar. Grab an instrument and play along for a fun family hootenanny.

Allow for Unconventional Ideas
Thinking outside the box is what creativity is all about. When kids come up with a new way of doing things -- making a sculpture out of plastic hangers, for instance -- go with it (as long as it’s safe, of course). Your support will encourage more creative thinking and problem solving down the road.


Sage and Savvy is a Studio One Networks Media Partner.

Aveeno, Lubriderm, and More Coupons at Coupons.com

Here are more coupons available at Coupons.com!


Sage and Savvy is a Coupons.com affiliate.

Healthy Choice Steaming Entrees Review

Ever since I had a chance to try Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers, we would often end up buying the 4-pack at our local warehouse club. Thanks to Mom Central, I got a chance to try out their new Steaming Entrees, and I'm sure we'll be buying more of those too!

Enjoy bigger, more vibrant ingredients in a smaller, lunch-sized portion. Steaming unlocks the delicious flavors of quality ingredients so you can taste and see the difference.

I was fortunate to receive samples of the Honey Balsamic Chicken and the Chicken Romano Fresco Steaming Entrees.
Preparing an entree is simple--simply take it out of the box and microwave it for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. Because of the steaming technology, you don't need to vent the plastic cover.

While an entree was cooking, I saw how the plastic cover would puff up, almost as if it were going to explode, and I could actually hear all the steam coming out of the entree. It was pretty cool!

After letting it sit for a couple of minutes, I took off the plastic cover, and immediately the fragrant sauce made my mouth water.

Everything was moist and tender--the chicken, potatoes, and the veggies. There was a lot of sauce on the bottom, so I did end up stirring everything together.

The size of the Steaming Entrees was just right, perfect for lunch, or even for dinner--perhaps just add a side salad!

All of the Healthy Choice Entrees I've tried so far are quite good, and for the many days and nights when time is limited, I think they're an ideal choice for a quick and delicious meal!

Check out Healthy Choice's Facebook page for more information on their products and a chance to win coupons!

Shop: You can purchase Healthy Choice products at various retailers online and nationwide.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received samples of their new steaming entrées to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Bake Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Miniatures Giveaway

If you're one of those who loves chocolate chip cookie dough, Bake Shoppe may have the perfect sweet snack for you--Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Miniatures!Like the cookie dough you've always loved- Mixin' Bowl Lickin' Good!

Real butter in the batter and no hydrogenated oils.
Real brown sugar.
Egg free and no refrigeration required.
So authentic you'll want to bake 'em.

For health reasons I don't eat cookie dough, but I would definitely try the Bake Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Miniatures! They look like bite-size pieces of sweet yumminess!

Shop: You can purchase Bake Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Miniatures at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive two 3.5 oz boxes of Bake Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Miniatures!

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

  • 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 Bake Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Miniatures (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 October 2, 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 October 3, 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. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Food Cravings and Aversions

I can't believe all of the food cravings and aversions I've been experiencing this pregnancy.

With DS1, I had no cravings, but the smell of pasta sauce made me nauseous.

With DS2, I still couldn't stand the smell of pasta sauce, but I also started to crave fruit-flavored items. Not fruit, but fruit-flavored, like Popsicles and gummy bears.

With this pregnancy, I can handle the smell of pasta sauce, and I still crave fruit-flavored items, but I've also been craving other weird things...shoyu, eggs, bacon, fried noodles, cheese sauce...

And whenever I see a commercial featuring big, juicy burgers, I feel like I want to eat one, but I don't eat beef!

What's really strange is that I now crave "real" fruit in addition to fruit-flavored items, and if I have a choice between something chocolatey and something fruity, I'll opt for the fruit!

Shocking.

Just the other night I had dinner with a girlfriend and we decided to order dessert, and usually I would order anything with chocolate, but this time I ordered a slice of passion fruit ice cream pie.

I have lots of chocolate in my house, and under normal circumstances all of it would be eaten up quickly, but amazingly I've had no desire to eat all the chocolate in sight like I usually do.

Don't get me wrong--I still love and eat chocolate, but if I see a candy bar on the counter, I don't have the immediate desire to eat it like I used to.

In general I should be eating more fruit than chocolate anyway.

I still consider myself a chocoholic though, and I'm sure I'll be back to my normal chocolate-devouring ways soon...

Have you had weird food cravings or aversions while pregnant?

Last Chance Coupons!

Print these Coupons.com coupons now, as they won't be available after the date in parentheses (they may be posted again in the future, but print them now while you still can!).

$1.00 off any 3lb or larger Reser's Deli Salad (9/26/2010)
$3.00 off on ONE (1) Rug Stick Kit (9/30/2010)
$5.00 off On Snuggie Varsity Blanket only (9/30/2010)

$88.99 for 2 Pairs of Eyeglasses (9/30/2010)
$1.00 off on Any Revlon Nail Enamel (9/30/2010)
$4.00 off any Tag™ book over $9.00 (9/30/2010)
FREE Expressions Montage & EXTRA 20% OFF (9/30/2010)
$0.50 off on one (1) Egg Beaters (9/30/2010)
$1.00 off Energizer batteries or flashlight (9/30/2010)
$0.50 off Fiber One Frozen Muffins (10/1/2010)

$1.00 off Good Earth™ Restaurant Favorites (10/1/2010)
$0.50 off YoPlus Yogurt (10/1/2010)
$0.50 off Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters (10/1/2010)
$0.75 off Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit (10/1/2010)
$0.75 off LÄRABAR, JOCALAT or JamFrakas™ bars (10/1/2010)
$1.00 off Pillsbury Savorings products (10/1/2010)

$0.50 off Yoplait Delights™ Yogurt Multipack (10/1/2010)
$1.50 off Wanchai Ferry™ Frozen Entrée (10/1/2010)


Sage and Savvy is a Coupons.com affiliate.

Celebrate Baby Safety Month with Munchkin; Super Safety Bath Ducks Review

September is Baby Safety Month, and Munchkin offers a lot of products to help you keep your baby safe all-year round.

We were fortunate to get some of Munchkin's adorable Super Safety Bath Ducks.



We know how you worry about the water temperature when you give baby a bath. Well, our darling duck collection can make bath time more worry free. These collectable duck characters have our special White Hot® disc at the bottom that tells you when the water is too hot to handle, then lets you know when it’s just right to bathe. Babies love the huggable size. and since it’s watertight, it won’t sink or mildew. So put our duckies to the test.

As soon as Smiley Boy saw the Bath Duck in the tub, he went "QUACK!" He loved having the duck in the tub with him, and I thought the disc on the bottom was very helpful in making sure the water is not too hot. If it is too hot, the word HOT on the disc turns white.

It's too bad the ducks can't squeak, but that just means that no water can get in and out, and that they won't end up all yucky and mildewy inside.

The Munchkin Super Safety Bath Ducks are handy to have during bath time...if only I could get Smiley Boy to stop taking them out of the bathtub (he likes to play with them in his room too), because when it's time for a bath the next day, I always have to search for them!

Munchkin also introduced new Safety Gates.


Munchkin recently launched a brand new line of Safety Gates nationwide that meet or exceed both U.S. and U.K. safety standards. These gates are the first on the market that offer such advanced safety features as well as aesthetic properties. They’re available in a range of materials and finishes to meet a variety of parents’ preferences.

Years of safety research and engineering have gone into the development of Munchkin safety gates. The smallest details on every gate have been designed to maximize safety. Each gate has at least two locking mechanisms to ensure a child cannot open it. Vertical slat or dowel design eliminates potential footholds for a child to climb over. Pressure mount gates employ a sturdy U-shaped powerframe made of steel to generate a strong four-point seal in openings.

Munchkin offers a variety of gates in different designs and finishes, and they have a handy gate selector tool on their website so you can find the ideal gate for your home!

Munchkin offers many other safety products--so whether you're looking for a bath product, a gate, a feeding product, or a product for your vehicle, check out Munchkin's vast selection of baby products to help keep your little one safe!

Shop: Click here to find a Munchkin retailer near you.


Thank you to Munckin for providing the products for review free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A Surprise Blessing

If you checked my Wordless Wednesday post yesterday, you know that I'm now expecting baby #3, which was a complete surprise.

Even though DH and I discussed the possibility of having a third child, we were looking more into the future--like in a year or so.

But, when I was a day late a few months ago, I got a little nervous since I'm NEVER late.

However, when I took a pregnancy test, it came up negative.

So then I thought maybe I am really late.

But then I took another test a week later, and sure enough...it was positive.

Then I started to get really nervous, because since it wasn't planned, I wasn't taking any prenatal vitamins, and I was racking my brain trying to remember if I ate things I'm not supposed to...

Well, so far things are looking good, and I know it's a blessing (and a huge responsibility) to have another human being growing inside of me...again...

I'm still very nervous, and I'm still suffering from severe morning sickness, but the next several months will be exciting as I prepare for #3's arrival in the spring!

Pillsbury Sweet Moments Review and Giveaway

It's no secret that I love my sweets, and thanks to MyBlogSpark, I had a chance to try out new Pillsbury Sweet Moments!

Pillsbury introduces two new ways to enjoy life´s little luxuries with Sweet Moments Bite-Size and Molten Lava Brownies! Pillsbury Sweet Moments, now available in the refrigerated baked goods section of your local grocery store, are perfect for indulging any time of the day. The Bite-Size Brownies, which are layered with either rich caramel or fudge and chocolaty coating, are just the right size to grab and go for a quick pick-me-up. They´re ready to eat, so are ready right when the craving strikes - no preparation necessary! And, at 60 calories per brownie, they´re just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

And to reward yourself for a busy day well spent, try a Sweet Moments Molten Lava Brownie, which are served in single-serve bowls and are also available in rich caramel and fudge varieties. Each are covered in decadent chocolate or creamy caramel and topped with a chocolatey drizzle. After only 15 seconds in the microwave, the brownie bowls are warm and ready to enjoy. When chocolate bliss is this easy, how could you resist pausing for a Sweet Moment at the end of your day?


I was fortunate to receive a Sweet Moments Prize Pack which included a coupon for new Pillsbury Sweet Moments, and some luscious chocolate-inspired bath goodies.


It was so hard to choose between the Bite-Size Brownies and the Molten Lava Brownie Bowls, but ultimately I ended up getting the Chocolate Fudge Molten Lava Brownie Bowls.

There are two brownie bowls in a box, and each bowl seemed to be just the right size for some sweet indulgence.

It's easy to prepare--simply take off the plastic cover, and pop it in the microwave for a few seconds! The instructions say to heat it up for 10-15 seconds, however, I heated the bowl for 15 seconds and the brownie was still cold--inside and out (I don't think it's due to my microwave since it's pretty new and powerful). So I ended up heating it for another 15 seconds, and then it was nice and warm...and rich, gooey, chocolatey, sweet...simply DELICIOUS!

Amazingly I have yet to eat the other Pillsbury Sweet Moments Brownie Bowl, but I'm saving it for just the right "sweet moment..."

Shop: You can purchase Pillsbury Sweet Moments at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Pillsbury Sweet Moments Prize Pack!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Amanda!

  • To enter, comment on which of the Pillsbury Sweet Moments products you're 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 Pillsbury Sweet Moments (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 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 October 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 Pillsbury and MyBlogSpark for providing the information and products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

WW: The Biggest (but SO Worth it) Little Reason for My Recent Ills


For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs Review and Giveaway

I recently got a chance to listen to the new CD Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs, that was a delight to listen to!This new album features the most sinister songs from your favorite and feared mischievous characters such as Ursula, Scar and Jafar. But wait – there’s more! When inserted into your computer, you can download exclusive Disney Villains crafts and recipes, making Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs the perfect party planning companion for your Halloween celebrations!

Even though the songs on Disney Villains are "sinister," sung by some of the most popular villains in Disney motion pictures, the songs were so much fun!

Oogie Boogie's Song from The Nightmare Before Christmas was my favorite track: You're jokin', you're jokin'/I can't believe my eyes/You're jokin' me, you gotta be/This can't be the right guy/He's ancient, he's ugly/I don't know which is worse/I might just split a seam now/If I don't die laughing first

Such amusing lyrics!

I haven't seen Beauty and the Beast yet (in fact, I haven't seen most of the movies the various songs are from), but Gaston was another favorite, as well as Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid is one of the few movies I did see, a long, long time ago, and hearing the song brought back so many memories of the movie!

Disney Villains is indeed perfect for Halloween! It would be great for a Halloween party or to have it playing in the background while trick-or-treaters come by--it's not too scary, and I think both kids and adults will get a kick out of hearing the songs!

Disney Villains is full of sinister songs and is a very entertaining CD - and now I really want to see the many movies I haven't seen yet!

Shop: You can purchase Disney Villains at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $13.98).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Baby Mama!
  • To enter, visit Disney Villains and comment on your favorite track (excluding anything 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 Disney Villains (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 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 September 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 Walt Disney Records for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Yoplait Splitz Review and Giveaway

Ever since he was an infant, Little Music Man loved yogurt, so I knew he'd be eager to try new Yoplait Splitz!

Yoplait® Splitz delivers the dessert flavor kids crave in a wholesome and nutritious yogurt that Mom can feel good about. It has all the goodness of 100% real Yoplait® yogurt with 90 calories, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors or sweeteners and it's a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D.

Great taste in three fun flavors. Try it frozen, too!


Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I received a cool Yoplait Splitz prize pack which included a coupon for a free sample of new Yoplait Splitz as well as a prize pack that includes an insulated carry tote and a roll-up fleece picnic blanket.

I picked up a pack of Strawberry Banana Split Yoplait Splitz, and gave a container to Little Music Man for dessert one evening, and it was no surprise--he loved it!
I couldn't resist giving it a taste myself--the banana and strawberry combination just smelled so good. It was cool, creamy, and delicious!

I love that each container of Yoplait Splitz is the perfect size for Little Music Man--and perfect to pack in his lunch too!

I know he can't wait to try the other flavors of Yoplait Splitz...and neither can I!

Shop: You can purchase Yoplait Splitz at grocers nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Yoplait Splitz prize pack which includes a coupon for a free sample of Yoplait Splitz*, an insulated carry tote, and a roll-up fleece picnic blanket. *This coupon offer for a free pack of Yoplait Splitz is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to kathy pease!
  • To enter, visit Yoplait Splitz and comment on which is your favorite flavor or flavor you're 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 Yoplait Splitz (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 27, 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 28, 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!


The Yoplait Splitz, the prize pack, information and the prize package for giveaway were all provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sour Jacks Watermelon Giveaway

I love sour candy, and the Sour Jacks Watermelon candy sounds like something I would definitely devour!
Sour Jacks Watermelon is packed with an irresistible watermelon zing-get the juicy taste of summer all year round!

Sour Jacks Watermelon comes in various different sizes, and can be eaten as is (my mouth is already watering), or you can mix them up with some popcorn, or even ice cream for a fun treat!

If you love sour candy and the taste of watermelon, try some Sour Jacks Watermelon!

Shop: You can purchase Sour Jacks Watermelon at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive two 3.5 boxes of Sour Jacks Watermelon!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Gianna!
  • 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 Sour Jacks (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 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 September 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 giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

New Coupons for Dove Promises, Purina, Starburst, and More!

Here are some of the newest coupons being offered at Coupons.com:

BOGO Starburst Gummibursts Pouch 1.5 oz
$0.25 off the cover price of Woman's Day

$1.00 off REMBRANDT Paste or Rinse
$1.00 off any one Hormel Always Tender product
$2.00 off Mac and Me or Little Monsters on DVD
$2.00 off when you buy one Happy Sensation Body
$1.00 off when you buy any one Nivea Body Lotion

$4.00 off on Zegerid OTC™ 42 count
$0.55 off on ANY ONE (1) DanActive 4-pack

$3.00 off any Non-Drowsy Claritin
$88.99 for 2 Pairs of Eyeglasses
$0.50 off on ANY SIX (6) Light & Fit 6 oz. Cups
$0.50 off on ANY ONE (1) Light & Fit 4-pack
$0.75 off on one (1) HORMEL Fully Cooked Bacon
$0.75 off on ANY ONE (1) ACTIVIA 4-pack
$1.00 off DOVE PROMISES Silky Smooth Chocolate

$1.00 off Purina Tidy Cats brand Cat Litter
$1.00 off Purina Friskies brand Canned Cat Food
$1.00 off Purina Friskies brand Dry Cat Food
$1.00 off Purina Friskies brand Cat Treats
$1.00 off six cans of Purina Alpo brand Dog Food

$1.50 off 2 packages of Purina brand Dog Snacks
$1.00 off 3.5 lb or larger bag of Purina Dog Chow

$1.50 off Glade PlugIns Scented Gel
$2.00 off On One Weekend White Kit

Cutting Down Cleaning Time




Ideas That Spark: Smart Living

Cut a Three-Hour Clean to 30 Minutes

From the Editors of Ideas That Spark
By Gail Belsky

If you had two or three hours to spare, you could easily spend it cleaning your kitchen, bathroom and family room. They are the most heavily used rooms in your home, and they get dirty fast. Or you could spend 10 minutes cleaning each one and use the rest of the time for something a lot more fun.

The trick to speedy cleanups is to reduce the amount of products you use and to clean only what needs to be cleaned. Unless you’re fanatical about removing dust bunnies from under the couch, make that a monthly chore. Mop the kitchen floor twice a month instead of every week, and allot an extra 10 minutes for that task. Meanwhile, you can do a quick and effective cleanup -- either all at once or a little each day -- in no time at all.

Kitchen: Get Gleaming
The secret to a speedy kitchen cleanup is one of the cheapest products around: plain old vinegar. Either white or cider vinegar on a paper towel can clean and shine the sink, counter and appliances -- including stainless steel. (Don’t use on marble, however. It can damage the surface.) Before you start, clear off countertop clutter, and load dirty dishes into the dishwasher.

Dirty floor? You should have time for a quick sweep. But if you want to mop up too, cleaning expert Donna Smallin, author of Cleaning Plain and Simple and the One-Minute Cleaner (Storey Publishing), suggests checking out the new Bissell Sweep & Steam: “It leaves the floor clean and dry in a few minutes.”

Bathroom: Spray, Wipe and Go

Step 1: Pour 1/2 cup of bleach into the toilet, and let it sit.

Step 2: Spray the shower walls and door with daily shower cleaner.

Step 3: In the meantime, focus on the countertop, sink and mirror. You’ll only need one product for all three, according to Smallin: glass cleaner. For the mirror, use a rag, not paper towel, to avoid scratches.

Step 4: Return to the toilet. Scrub the bowl and under the rim with a toilet brush, and flush.

Step 5: Use disinfectant wipes for the outside and the seat.

You’re done!

Family/Living Room: Swipe and Sweep
Quickly vacuum the floor and sofa cushions wherever you see crumbs or pet hair. (If you can’t see it, don’t sweat it. You can do a proper sweep-up later on).

Clear off the coffee table, but don’t bother with furniture polish or oil soap. Just dampen a microfiber cloth with water and swipe it over tables, lamps and any other surfaces.

And for easy clutter reduction, Smallin suggests tossing items that belong elsewhere into a laundry basket -- and taking it somewhere else to put away!



Sage and Savvy is a Studio One Networks Media Partner.

Brendan James: The Day is Brave Giveaway

As a follow-up to 2008's critically acclaimed debut The Day is Brave, singer-songwriter Brendan James has released his self-titled second album. Recorded in James’ new hometown of Los Angeles (where he relocated permanently after seven years in New York City), the album is as layered in personality as the artist who made it. Brendan and producer Warren Huart (The Fray) added a number of musical textures to the album, but kept the focus on his expressive piano-playing and emotive lyrics. “My lyrical style is unmovable I’ve found,” he says. “I have tried to write a little more abstractly, but I just can’t. You are what you are and my heart is on my sleeve. I am a romantic as well as an optimist...I think my songs have this heaviness meets romance meets positivity.”

To experience Brendan for yourself,
watch his music video for first single "The Fall" and a live performance of the track "The Lucky Ones," which is featured in the trailer for the upcoming film How Do You Know.
Shop: You can purchase a download of The Day is Brave on iTunes (ARV $7.99)

Win: One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Brendan James: The Day is Brave and a poster!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Hifam!
  • 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 Brendan James (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 25, 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 26, 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. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Last Chance Coupons!

Below are coupons being offered on Coupons.com that will be unavailable to print after the date indicated in parentheses. The coupons may be issued again in the future, but just in case, I'd print them now!

$4.00 off on Zegerid OTC™ 42 count (9/18/2010)

$3.00 off Any ONE (1) HUGGIES Snug & Dry Diapers (9/20/2010)

$1.50 off any OXY Clinical product (9/21/2010)

$1.00 off Glade Sense & Spray refills (9/21/2010)

Two Like It™ Size Create Your Own for $5.00 (9/23/2010)

$1.00 off On Your September Issue of REAL SIMPLE (9/24/2010)

$1.00 off the September Issue of HEALTH Magazine (9/24/2010)

Sage and Savvy is a Coupons.com affiliate.

Simon Graham for the iPad and $10 iTunes Gift Card Giveaway

I recently posted about Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece Book 1 and how much I enjoyed this iPhone puzzle app, and for those of you lucky ones with an iPad, you can now get Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece Book 1 HD!

Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece is now available with high-resolution graphics exclusively for iPad! Download Simon Graham HD today! A family and Apple favorite across the world!

Ten-year-old Simon Graham needs your help! His grandmother has been kidnapped and the only clues he has are in the diary she left behind. Assume the role of Simon as he journeys from his small hometown to the big city and beyond, solving puzzles integral to the story along the way. Once a puzzle is solved, the next section of the story is unlocked.

During the journey:

· Help Simon puzzle through clues to find his grandmother's prized pocket watch.

· Test your skills solving a handful of puzzles that are tightly integrated with the plot.

· Enjoy visual, word, math, and hidden picture puzzles, which, when combined with the compelling story line, provide family-friendly entertainment

Simon Graham is the first family-friendly puzzle adventure of its kind, developed on behalf of and with input from women, casual gamers, and puzzle-lovers. A fan and Apple favorite, Simon Graham has been featured as a New and Noteworthy App in 20 countries, including the US, the UK, and many other nations.

Shop: You can purchase a download of Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece Book 1 HD for the iPad on iTunes (ARV $2.99).

Win: Two lucky winners will each receive a $10 iTunes Gift Card!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to katklaw777, Barbarawr!

  • To enter, comment on why you think you'd like the Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece Book 1 app.
  • 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 Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece Book 1 (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 (must reference @sagemom; @simon_graham; and @theapphouse; leave the link in your comment)
  • 6)Follow Simon Graham and the Extraordinary Timepiece on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • 7)Follow TheAppHouse on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment).
  • The deadline for entries is September 24, 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 September 25, 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 the App House 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.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Beauté Minéral Review and Giveaway

If you've been reading Sage and Savvy for a while, you know how much of a lip balm addict I am, and thanks to Beauté Minéral, I received a lip balm as well as a lip tint that have become new obsessions.

Beauté Minéral cosmetics are formulated with all skin types in mind, particularly the sensitive, the breakout-prone, the dry, the oily, or just generally finicky types. We don’t like icky stuff like irritating chemicals or useless things like fillers, so we don’t use any of those in our products. We are all for Pure, Natural, Beauty, and that’s what you will get from Beauté Minéral.

I was fortuante to receive a Beaute {Lip} Balm and a Queen of Hearts Gorgeous Face Lip & Cheek Tint.

The Beaute {Lip} Balm has worked wonderfully. It soothes my lips with the use of all-natural ingredients, and the special essential oils blend gives it a very nice, but subtle scent that also helps to pamper my lips.

The Queen of Hearts Gorgeous Face Lip & Cheek Tint is very versatile, and although I've only used it on my lips so far, I love that it can also be used on my cheeks!

I think it's great how it gave my lips just enough color while also moisturizing it and protecting it from the sun.

I've been reading more and more about how a lot of makeup contains not-so-good-for-you ingredients, but thanks to companies like Beauté Minéral, we can look good without worrying about what we're putting on our precious skin.

Shop: To purchase lip balms, lip tints, eye color, and more, visit Beauté Minéral.

Savvy Savings: Use code BLBFREE2 to get a free Beaute {Lip} Balm with any purchase (code expires 12/31/10).

Win: Five lucky winners will each receive a Beaute {Lip} Balm!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to codi, Christina F., jennifer, jakiesmom, Yona Williams!

  • To enter, visit Beauté Minéral and comment on your favorite product (excluding anything 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 Beauté Minéral (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 23, 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 24, 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 Beaute Mineral for providng the products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

WW: Tissue Paper is So Much FUN!


For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Thriving Ivory: Through Yourself & Back Again Giveaway

Today marks the release of Thriving Ivory's new album, Through Yourself & Back Again.


Thriving Ivory's sophomore Wind-up album, Through Yourself & Back Again, reflects the lessons they've learned following the release of their successful self-titled debut. "Do you dream/That the world will know your name?" they asked prophetically in the band's pop radio hit, "Angels On The Moon," a song inspired by the heroics surrounding 9/11.

And, if the whole world isn't yet familiar with the music of this San Francisco Bay Area band (founded by songwriter/keyboardist Scott Jason and vocalist Clayton Stroope), certainly their audience has grown exponentially thanks to VH1's "You Oughta Know’, tons of radio airplay and three years of non-stop touring.

Thriving Ivory's latest takes those experiences and moves the band to the next level. The album was co-produced by the band and Gregg Wattenberg at Quad Studios in New York's Times Square. Additionally, there are three songs produced and mixed by Mark Endert (Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister,” Maroon 5, The Fray). "There's more of a cohesive quality to the album," says Stroope, the band's charismatic front man, who takes his cues from larger-than-life rock stars like Robert Plant, David Lee Roth and Steven Tyler. "Most of the songs were composed in a recording studio we set up in the back of our tour bus over a lengthy period of time."

The first, Endert-produced single, "Where We Belong," sports a typically epic, cinematic flourish, while the majestic "Some Kind Of Home" features Jason on keyboards and guitarist Drew Cribley's Edge-like delay pedal sounds. "What was cool about working with Mark was how we were able to reference a lot of different types of music. He had us focus on maintaining a fresh, youthful quality to the sound, keeping it light and not having it bogged down with heavy distortion, so it has a clean, hard edge. He helped us pay attention to things we ordinarily never would have. We were a little more self-aware this time," says Stroope...

On their sophomore Wind-Up album, Through Yourself &Back Again, Thriving Ivory are "where they belong," on the journey they started six years ago. "We're tighter than ever as a unit, and we're more than ready to play this new material live," concludes Stroope. "We've taken some time out from the road to center ourselves. We're excited to get back out and take the next step."


Shop: You can purchase a download of Through Yourself & Back Again on iTunes (ARV $9.99)

Win: Three lucky winners will each receive a copy of Thriving Ivory: Through Yourself & Back Again.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Team JC, Angel Jacklyn, Diana D!

  • To enter, visit Thriving Ivory and comment on your favorite track (player is in the upper right corner).
  • 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 Thriving Ivory (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 21, 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 22, 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. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Monday, September 13, 2010

New Dannon Yogurt and Purina Coupons

Coupons.com is offering new Dannon Yogurt and Purina coupons!

$0.50 off on ANY ONE (1) Light & Fit 4-pack
$0.50 off on ANY SIX (6) Light & Fit 6 oz. Cups
$0.55 off on ANY ONE (1) DanActive 4-pack

$0.75 off on ANY ONE (1) ACTIVIA 4-pack

$1.00 off 3.5 lb or larger bag of Purina Dog Chow
$1.50 off 2 packages of Purina brand Dog Snacks
$1.00 off six cans of Purina Alpo brand Dog Food
$1.00 off Purina Friskies brand Canned Cat Food

$1.00 off Purina Friskies brand Dry Cat Food
$1.00 off Purina Friskies brand Cat Treats

Sage and Savvy is a Coupons.com affiliate.

U-BUILD Mouse Trap Review

Thanks to Hasbro, our family has a fun new game that we can not only play, but we can build too--U-BUILD Mouse Trap!

You build the game! Assembly is only half the fun as you build your game, Space Boot and Trap. Then, chase down the cheese. Don't get trapped as you search for the cheese in outer space. Collect 10 cheese bricks to win. Play it our way, or change things up! Find ALL of the cheese, customize the gameboard, add in some twists, and make it your own!


DH and Little Music Man had a lot of fun building the game. Once the game was built, it was time to play!

The object of the game was to collect as many cheese bricks as possible by knocking them over when you launch your mouse, and the first person to collect 10 cheese bricks wins!

Since Little Music Man is a little too young to understand how to fully play the game, we just improvised and played our own version of the game--and he still had fun knocking down cheese blocks and launching the mouse!

What's great about U-BUILD Mouse Trap is that you can customize the game to play it faster or play it where all the cheese bricks have to be collected and the mouse with the most wins, but the neatest thing is how you can build different designs with the cheese bricks--shapes, sculptures, and other random designs!

U-BUILD Mouse Trap is not only a fun family game, but it helps to foster creativity and imagination. From start to finish, it's a game that will keep the entire family entertained!

Shop: You can purchase U-BUILD Mouse Trap at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $19.99)

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

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Oikos Chocolate Indulgence Prize Pack Giveaway

Little Music Man loves Greek Yogurt, and Oikos recently introduced two new flavors, Chocolate and Caramel, that I know Little Music Man will love once he gets to try them!
New Chocolate and Caramel pure pleasure-on-the-bottom Oikos Organic 0% fat Greek yogurt flavors offer a healthy, yet indulgent treat all in one convenient snack-sized cup. With only 110 calories and 10 grams of protein per 4 ounce serving, it’s a diet friendly way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Authentic Greek yogurt uses a straining process that removes the whey (liquid) from the yogurt, giving Oikos a creamy and decadent texture without the fat. Straining also makes Greek yogurt naturally richer in protein than regular yogurt, and lower in carbohydrates.

Oikos Organic is the best-selling organic Greek yogurt on the market today — it’s made from organic milk from farms that don’t use toxic persistent chemicals and fertilizers, antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.


Shop: You can purchase Oikos products at various grocers nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive an Oikos Chocolate Indulgence Prize Pack which includes: 1 coupon for a free Green & Black Organic Chocolate Bar; 1 sample of Numi Organic Chocolate Tea; 1 Dagoba/Eco Lips Organic Chocolate Lip Balm; 1 Skinnyskinny Real Cocoa Organic Soap Bar; 2 free coupons for Chocolate and Caramel Oikos multipacks; Recipe card set featuring Chocolate Cheesecake, as well Oikos spatula.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to saturdaynightfever!
  • To enter, visit Oikos and comment on your favorite flavor or which flavor you're 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 Oikos (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 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 September 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 Stonyfield Farm for providing the giveaway products free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That: Wings and Things! DVD Review and Giveaway

Some of my boys' favorite books are by Dr. Seuss, so I knew they'd be excited to watch the new series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! on PBS Kids, as well as the DVD The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Wings and Things.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is a new series from the classic Dr. Seuss. Focused on exploring nature's wonders from the beach to the skies. The Cat in the Hat shows how it's perfectly natural to explore the world. This new series features Martin Short as the voice of The Cat.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Wings and Things DVD: Preschoolers will love exploring exotic locations with The Cat in the Hat as he travels the world with Sally and Nick on the Thing-a-ma-Jigger, and best of all They'll Never Know They're Learning!

Episodes include: Show me the Honey; Migration Vacation; I Love the Nightlife; Oh Give Me a Home; Many ants Make Light Work.

It was so neat to see The Cat in the Hat come to life in the episodes. All of the silly characters and fun rhymes made it so much more interesting to learn about how bees collect nectar to make honey and how they have a special dance to to communicate to other bees about where to collect nectar; why birds migrate during the winter; how some animals are nocturnal and sleep during the day; and so much more!

Smiley Boy loved whenever The Cat, Sally, and Nick would fly around in the Thing-a-ma-Jigger and they'd sing a fun song. Little Music Man loved the bees' honey dance and seeing all different animals throughout each episode. I personally think Martin Short does a great job as the voice of The Cat in the Hat.

It's so neat to see some of the boys' favorite characters on screen, and I know they'll continue to look forward to watching The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! on PBS Kids and on DVD!

Shop: You can watch the series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! on PBS Kids, or purchase The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Wings and Things at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $12.99).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Wings and Things!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to jsc123!
  • To enter, visit They Are Learning and comment on which coloring page you like 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 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (leave the link in your comment)
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  • 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • 6)Follow NCircle Entertainment on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is September 18, 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 19, 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 NCircle Entertainment for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Pirate's Booty Review

As I mentioned previously, I always try to pack healthy snack options in Little Music Man's school lunch, and thanks to Pirate Brands, I received a treasure chest full of Pirate's Booty snacks that are perfect for packing in his lunch bag!



Well, I have to be honest--most of the bags of Pirate's Booty didn't make it into Little Music Man's lunch bag...because we ended up eating a lot of it at home!

I've tried many of the Pirate's Booty flavors before, but Little Music Man only tried a couple, and Smiley Boy didn't try them at all before, so once I opened up the treasure chest, we all couldn't wait to dig in.

Aged White Cheddar is still my favorite, and it seems to be Little Music Man's favorite too. Smiley Boy's favorite was Veggie.

The Pirate's Booty snacks are so flavorful and light, and the fact they are all-natural is a big plus!

I admit I'm addicted to the Aged White Cheddar Pirate's Booty--our local warehouse club store used to carry the two-packs and I'd buy them every trip, but now they don't carry it anymore--I'm so bummed!

But whenever I catch it on sale at a local grocer I always pick up a bag or two.

Pirate's Booty is a snack that I feel comfortable letting my boys eat, and below are some snacking tips to help your entire family snack smarter!

Back-to-School: Snack Survival Guide
Pirate Brands’ Resident Dietitian Offers Tips on Snacking Smart

As another school year begins, it’s every parent’s hope that their little student will make the most of the learnings ahead. And now, there’s even a lesson in lunch – Emily Whelan Anschlowar, MS, RD, and in-house nutrition expert for Pirate Brands (makers of Pirate’s Booty), has created tips to teach children how to snack healthy and learn good eating habits for life.

“Children and parents have far more meal and snack choices today than they did just a few decades ago,” said Anschlowar. “While many of the current snack options on store shelves are designed to be convenient, they’re made with highly processed ingredients and artificial colors, preservatives and flavors – which doesn’t make them the healthiest snacking options.”

Consequently, it’s more important than ever to be thoughtful about smart snacking, especially when it comes to school lunches and afternoon treats. Here are a few tips on selecting snacks wisely:

* Show by Example. Your little ones look up to you, so choose healthy snacks and cultivate good eating habits, as they’ll be watching and learning.
* Know Your Arithmetic. Be careful with portion size – it adds up! If you can’t find smaller portions of your kid’s favorite snacks, make your own. Sandwich baggies are great for making grab-and-go, kid-size snacks – and they’re reusable, too.
* Do Your Homework. Become a savvy nutrition label reader. Choose store-bought snacks that boast a short and simple list of ingredients that you can recognize without having to use Google!
* Sweets Don’t Make the Grade. Avoid sugary snacks and cakes and your child will surely avoid the inevitable energy crash and lack of focus that comes with it.
* Fun Beyond Recess. Make healthy eating fun! Engage your kids by letting them pick out their own healthy snacks in the grocery store.
* Taste Not, Want Not. Last, but certainly not least – make sure the snacks are not only good for you, but are tasty or they’ll go to waste! As you know, kids have a picky pallet, so a delicious, fun snack will surely get an “A!”

Pirate’s Booty makes the grade! Pirate’s Booty is a deliciously baked, all-natural snack that mom can feel good about adding to the lunchbox. Pirate’s Booty is made from puffed rice and corn and is gluten, trans-fat and tree nut free. Plus, the snack is only 130 calories for a one ounce bag. Also, with Pirate’s Booty, you get more puff per portion – a one ounce serving of Pirate’s Booty has more pieces than a one ounce serving of most competitive snacks, so your little one won’t feel short snacked!

Pirate’s Booty is available in a variety of flavors, so there’s something for everyone! Pirate’s Booty flavors include Aged White Cheddar, Veggie, Sour Cream & Onion, New York Pizza, Barbeque and Sea Salt & Vinegar.

Look out for Pirate’s Booty one ounce/lunchbox friendly size bags in the natural aisle at your local supermarket. For added convenience, Pirate’s Booty is also available in six – one ounce bag multipacks!

We hope you’ll be inspired to live a little healthier and have fun while doing it!


Thank you to Pirate's Brands for providing the products for review free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.