December 30, 2010

Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

One of my favorite recipes to make throughout the year, especially during the holidays, is Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars (I found the recipe several years ago in a little Eagle Brand pull-out recipe booklet).
Ingredients
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 (16 oz.) can whole berry cranberry sauce

Instructions
HEAT oven to 350°F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
COMBINE flour, oats, 3/4 cup brown sugar and butter in large bowl until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture; press remainder firmly onto bottom of prepared pan.
BAKE 15 minutes.
BEAT cream cheese until fluffy in small bowl. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth; stir in lemon juice. Spread evenly over partially baked crust.
COMBINE remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar and cornstarch in small bowl; stir in cranberry sauce. Spoon evenly over cream cheese layer. Top with reserved crumb mixture.
BAKE 40 minutes or until golden. Cool. Chill. Cut into bars.
They are super delicious and always a hit whenever I bring them to a gathering!

Enjoy!

December 29, 2010

WW: I Love Trains!

It's the last week to ride the Pearlridge Express...can't wait for it to come back next year!


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

December 28, 2010

Last Chance to Print Coupons

Here are some coupons from Coupons.com that may no longer be available to print in January, so print them now while you can!




Sage and Savvy is a Coupons.com affiliate.

Resurrecting Anthony Giveaway

RESURRECTING ANTHONY: A True Story of Courage & Destination by Linda Cole and Tony Cole:


“Courage is the one telling trait that allows us to soldier on in the face of life’s greatest challenges,” writes Linda Cole. “We never know who we are capable of becoming until we are put to the test.” In this remarkable story RESURRECTING ANTHONY: A True Story of Courage & Destination (Alexandra Publishing, January 2011) authors Linda and Tony Cole find themselves stretched beyond anything they could have ever imagined when their 12-year-old son, Anthony, declares to a friend “I have no pulse” and collapses on the school playground.

It takes paramedics 13 tries to shock Anthony back to life, only to discover that the healthy, athletic boy has had a heart attack caused by a rare abnormal electrical pathway in his heart. It took four to five minutes to resuscitate him which deprived his brain of oxygen setting into motion a chain of medical events that ultimately resulted in global traumatic brain injury.

Drawing courage from their family and faith, the Coles face the enormity of Anthony’s situation and search for answers that will give them back their son. Ever the pragmatist, Linda plans for all of Anthony’s day-to-day care while Tony intensifies his efforts to coach his boy back to the person he was before his heart attack. Driven by the need to make progress before the window for optimal recovery closes, they begin an experimental treatment hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), to restore whatever function Anthony has left.

Slowly, glimpses of Anthony emerge, a light in his eyes, a brief smile, and one day, his first words since his journey began – “yeah, baby!” – inspired by cheerleaders during a football game on TV.

Anthony’s incremental progress leads to a series of personal revelations for his father. Tony’s test is to understand his new Anthony, whose greatest gift now is the ability to live totally and completely in the moment, the riveting heart of this tender tale. “I realized I must let go of my first Anthony in order to accept and love this new and different one,” Tony says.

“This was not an easy story to tell,” writes Linda Cole. “We found the courage to tell it because we hope that those in crisis will learn how to cope, how to be open and accepting of offered help, and how to advocate for needed services. We hope to inspire people to summon the courage they need to persevere, to commit without reservation, to adapt. We hope that others might learn from our mistakes and gain from our progress. We wrote this book and created the “Personal Courage SeriesTM” as a vehicle for people who have experienced life changing crisis to share their stories, learning and hope.”

The book also includes helpful “Toolbox” or takeaways for living through crisis which includes organizational advice for dealing with the maze and mountain of paperwork that results from hospital and insurance bills. It also has an indispensable directory of resources that includes contact info for groups such as: Brain Injury Association of America and the National Association of the State Directors of Developmental Disabilities. For more information please go to
www.resurrectinganthony.com.

Shop: You can purcahse Resurrecting Anthony at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $14.95).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Resurrecting Anthony!


***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Stacey L.!

  • 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 Resurrecting Anthony(leave the link in your comment)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar
  • 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 11, 2011, 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 January 12, 2011 (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.

December 27, 2010

Kids Music Connection Free Downloads and Children's CDs Giveaway

I always love finding new music for my boys to listen to, and I found out about a great site, Kids Music Connection, where you can download a bunch of children songs for free!





Kids Music Connection has created the Children’s Music Guide (download your own PDF here) which includes profiles of 70 artists, relevant children’s music articles, and a collection of over 80 songs from this group that you can download FREE!

We have been so pleased with the caliber of the artists in the Guide that we will be doing more complete profiles of them on our blog throughout the year. We will also have a regular (monthly) e-newsletter that will announce new CD releases and offer even more free music!

What a great way to learn about new artists and download songs for the kids to enjoy!

Please visit http://kidsmusicconnection.com/childrens-music-guide/ for more information and to download the free songs!

Win: One lucky winner will receive 3 of the following 5 Children's CDs of choice:

Laurie Berkner - Best of Laurie Berkner
Charlie Hope - I'm Me!
Dave Kinnoin - The Earth's Birthday Sing-Along
Madeline L Pots - Grandpa's Car
Meg Russell (Meg's Melodies) - Hat Parade


***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Giant Sis!

  • To enter, comment on which 3 CDs you'd pick if you won.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
    1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Kids Music Connection(leave the link in your comment)
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 10, 2011, 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 January 11, 2011 (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 the sponsor for providing the products for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 26, 2010

Inglesina Avio Stroller Review

Thanks to Mom Central Consulting, I was able to review a new stroller, the Inglesina Avio Stroller, which I've been testing out with Smiley and I know I will come in very handy once DS3 arrives!

Inglesina introduces Avio: the ideal stroller for dynamic and resourceful parents.

Avio is thin (only 19.50'' wide), very compact when folded (only 36.60" high) and convenient (it opens and closes with just one hand)! The solid handle, unparalleled smoothness and an effortless push make Avio a smart stroller to better face the hustle and bustle of city life.

Fly in the city, with Avio!

I was fortunate to receive a Black Inglesina Avio Stroller, and DH helped me with the set up (I'm sure I could've done it myself, but with a big belly and two little rascals running around it would've taken me a long time to set up by myself).

Some of the pictured instructions were a bit confusing, but once the stroller was set up, Smiley was ready to test out the new "ride."

There are so many things I love about this stroller.

First of all, it comes with a handy storage basket underneath the stroller, a cup holder, a hood, and even a rain cover! There are also several optional accessories that can be purchased (e.g. carrycot, leg cover, etc.).

The ability to recline is great (my other stroller could not recline as far back as the Avio), and the one-handed fold feature makes opening and closing the stroller a breeze.

I admit that it took me a while to figure out how to use the one-handed fold properly, but once I figured it out, opening and closing the stroller is now a cinch.

The stroller was very easy to push and maneuver even with Smiley in it, even with one hand. I know this will come in handy as I picture myself having to hold Smiley's hand often while DS3 is in the stroller.

Unfortunately, the Avio does not adapt to many car seats without having to buy an adapter, but at least it does have the ability to work with one of the infant car seats I do have once I do purchase an adapter.

Also, I do wish the stroller had a little tray with a cup holder in the front of the stroller to hold snacks and a drink.

And although it seems to be a little bulkier than the other stroller we already have, the Avio appears to be lot sturdier as well as a lot more comfortable.

Overall the Inglesina Avio Stroller is easy to open, use, and close, and it stores easily and compactly in our trunk or in a closet. It has many great features and Smiley already enjoys riding it, and I know DS3 will too!

Shop: You can purchase the Inglesina Avio Stroller at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $499).

Savvy Savings: Avio strollers are currently available on Diapers.com, and purchasers will get a free fast table chair with their order by entering promo code AVIOFAST at checkout.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Inglesina and received an Avio stroller to facilitate this review.

December 25, 2010

Happy Holidays!

No matter what holiday(s) you celebrate, wishing you and yours a safe and wonderful holiday...

Hope you get all that you've wished for!

December 24, 2010

Calvin Can't Fly Review


Calvin Can't Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Keith Bendis.

Calvin is one unusual starling! While his siblings and cousins learn to fly, this rare bird lets his imagination soar while reading about pirates, dinosaurs, and other fascinating things. The other birds call him “geeky beaky,” but Calvin just ruffles his feathers and buries his beak in a book. Yet, when it comes time to migrate, poor Calvin suddenly realizes he can't fly! His sisters, brothers, and cousins carry him into the air. But on their way south, the winds blow hard, the trees bend, and the air starts to smell strange. It's a hurricane, and only Calvin can save the day-because he has read all about it! Witty illustrations, an endearing hero, and a delightful story make this a true celebration of the pleasures of reading!

Although Calvin Can't Fly was a little difficult for Musician to read on his own, he still enjoyed going through the book, and he was very intrigued by all of the starlings. There were so many of them and he would always try counting them all.

The story itself of Calvin and how his love of reading helped save his brothers, sisters, and cousins from a hurricane was cute, and I thought what was really sweet was how Calvin's starling family refused to leave him behind when it was time to migrate, and how they were so encouraging when he finally learned how to fly.

Calvin Can't Fly emphasized both the joy and significance of reading, as well as the importance of family and never giving up--lessons that I hope Musician will always keep in mind.

Shop
: You can purchase Calvin Can't Fly at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $14.95).


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

December 23, 2010

Executive Gift Shoppe Giveaway

If you're looking for gifts for a golfer, coffee lover, a traveler, or anyone else for an upcoming birthday (or maybe to get a head start on next year's holiday list), Executive Gift Shoppe has a great variety of gifts to choose from!

Executive Gift Shoppe started as a small personalized gift store in Nanuet, NY in 1999 catering to the wedding & corporate gift industry. We built our reputation by providing unique, engraved & personalized gifts at affordable prices. Over the years, we have added thousands of new products, may personalized and many that aren't. One thing that hasn't changed is our commitment to quality and, more importantly, our commitment to customer service.

From business card holders to jewelry, flasks to tools, Executive Gift Shoppe may have just what you're searching for!


I love receiving and giving gifts that incorporate photos, and Executive Gift Shoppe has coasters, frames, and even clocks that I could add a special photo in!

So whether you're looking for a gift for a relative, a friend, a colleague, or even for yourself, visit Executive Gift Shoppe for some great gift ideas!

Win: One lucky winner will receive any item of his/her choice from Executive Gift Shoppe ($50 maximum).

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

  • To enter, visit Executive Gift Shoppe and comment on what item you'd get if you won (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 Executive Gift Shoppe(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 Executive Gift Shoppe on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 6, 2011, 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 January 7, 2011 (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 Executive Gift Shoppe for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 22, 2010

WW: Another Beautiful Day in Hawaii


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

December 21, 2010

Keyshia Cole: Calling All Hearts Giveaway

Four-time Grammy nominee, Keyshia Cole, and Yahoo! just premiered the video for her new single, “Long Way Down.” The track will be on Keyshia’s hotly anticipated fourth studio album, Calling All Hearts. The album, dropping today, also features the hit single “I Ain’t Thru” feat. Nicki Minaj and collaborations with Faith Evans, Tank, and Timbaland, among others.

Calling All Hearts follows the birth of Keyshia’s first child earlier this year and her engagement to Cleveland Cavalier, Daniel “Booby” Gibson. The entire album can be previewed right now on Amazon.

Fans can catch Keyshia on Chelsea Lately on 12/29.


Shop: You can purchase Calling All Hearts at Amazon.com (SRP $13.98)

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Keyshia Cole: Calling All Hearts!
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Carrie!

  • 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 Keyshia Cole (leave the link in your comment)
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 4, 2011, 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 January 5, 2011 (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. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 20, 2010

So Smart! DVDs Review

Last year Musician became a big fan of So Smart!'s Baby's First-Word Series, and since then so has Smiley!

When we received even more DVDs from So Smart!, I knew they'd be excited to watch them!

So Smart! Productions is a leading creator and producer of top-rated educational entertainment products for young children. Its trusted brands include So Smart! Baby’s Beginnings and Baby’s First Word-Stories for babies and toddlers, and King Otis and The Kingdom of Goode for preschoolers.

Founded in 1997 by early childhood development researcher and artist, Alexandra Tornek, and husband and media producer, Scott Tornek, their DVDs and music CDs—with simple stories, adorable characters, catchy songs and a pace that’s just right—are enjoyed by families around the world.



We were fortunate to receive the following So Smart! DVDs: Baby's Beginnings Musical Instruments, Shapes (SRP $12.99 each), and King Otis and the Kingdom of Goode: A Tale of Difference (SRP $19.98).

The Baby Beginnings series are targeted towards babies 6 months and up, and even though my boys are no longer "babies," they still really enjoyed the DVDs.

In fact, Smiley loves the Musical Instruments so much, that he is constantly asking to watch the "animals" DVD, as various animals are represented by certain instruments.His favorite animal was the monkey (piano), and he'd constantly dance throughout the entire DVD.

The Baby's Beginnings DVDs are visually stimulating, featuring a lot of different shapes, bright colors, and patterns to create different animals and scenes that keep my boys' attention from beginning to end.

The accompanying classical music also makes the DVD more entertaining.

A Tale of Difference was full of fun, colorful, and creative animals, and told the story of an elephant that was different from others, and how her differences actually made her special.

I thought this was a great DVD to watch to teach the boys about differences--especially with all of the recent news about bullying.


The So Smart! DVDs were entertaining and educational, and I know when DS3 arrives he'll enjoy the DVDs too!


Shop: Visit the So Smart! website to purchase DVDs and CDs for your little one!


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

December 19, 2010

Read and Share Bible Giveaway



Read and Share Bible: More than 200 Best-Loved Bible Stories by Gwen Ellis.

It is big and bright with lots of page-turning learning about the Word of God.
The Read and Share Bible is unique in its format and solid in Bible teaching. Packed with 200 stories that are simple re-tellings, the gigantic message of God's love and care is sure to win the hearts of little ones and give them a strong Bible foundation to guide their lives. With over 400 pieces of art, this Bible Storybook is highly interactive as it encourages Scripture Memory and reinforces comprehension with quick activities for you and your children.

Stories include Noah, David, Joseph, Abraham, Paul, and Christ as well as many other timeless Biblical characters and lessons.

Shop: You can purchase the Read and Share Bible at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $16.99)

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of the Read and Share Bible!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Viva!

  • 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 Read and Share Bible (leave the link in your comment)
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is January 2, 2011, 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 January 3, 2011 (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.

December 18, 2010

Hold It Baby Review and Giveaway

Whenever we dine or shop, we always make sure to bring lots of items to keep the boys occupied. For Smiley, this meant we'd have lots of little toys and cups secured to linky rings and elastic bands and other similar type holders that we could attach onto the high chair/shopping cart cover.

However, inevitably, since the linky rings or the elastic holders weren't so secure, the toys or sippy cups would fall on the ground.

It didn't happen that often, but often enough.

But I have not encountered that problem so far with the Hold It Baby! Hold It Baby was created in 2009 by mompreneur Elizabeth Lyons. Elizabeth had quite simply grown weary of hearing "Uh oh" from the backseat of the car as she barreled down the highway, or being forced (or, as she says, "choosing, in lieu of listening to this child's screams of protest") to return a toy or book to a child in a stroller after it had fallen onto a hardly sanitary floor. Unable to understand why no one had created a product that would hold not just sippy cups but also the board books, stuffed animals, small blankets and toys that her kids continually dropped (or threw) from the car seat, stroller, high chair, or shopping cart, she took it upon herself to bring that particular sanity-saver to market.

Compared to other similar types of products, Hold It Baby not only has the ability to hold a lot more (lanyards with large and small silicone bands, a clip, and a snap), but it's also more secure and can be adjusted to hold less items if necessary.

I've attached it to high chairs and strollers, and Smiley has no problems accessing his sippy cup, toys, or books.

The silicone bands secure things pretty tightly and so far I've had no problems with any objects getting loose and falling.

I like how the buckles can be detached so if I only need to hold one item, I can adjust it if necessary.

So far, nothing has fallen off the organizer--even when I tried shaking the entire organizer, or even when Smiley tried taking off one of the books, the products remained secure.

What I like best about Hold It Baby is that because it uses a buckle instead of a linky ring to attach to a stroller or high chair cover. This has prevented the entire organizer from falling to the ground.

Hold It Baby holds just about everything I need to keep Smiley occupied and stays nice and secure.

I just wish I had it months and months ago--as this would have prevented me from tossing a lot of sippy cups or having to wash and wash and wash again the many toys that have fallen to the ground.

Shop: You can purchase Hold It Baby on the Hold It Baby website (SRP $29.95)

Win: One lucky winner will receive the Hold It Baby On-the-Go Toy Organizer!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to zoe hunter lee!

  • To enter, comment on why you'd like to win!
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Hold It Baby; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Add my Baby Essentials & Gift Guide button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 6)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 7)Tweet the following "Check out @sagemom's Baby Essentials & Gift Guide http://tinyurl.com/29gb9uk"; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 8)Leave a comment on the Must-Have Baby Products post stating what your all-time favorite baby product is; please be specific (3 extra entries)
  • The deadline for entries is January 2, 2011, 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 January 3, 2011 (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 Hold It Baby for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 16, 2010

Holiday Cards from UrbanityStudios Review and Discount

Every year I order New Years Cards that doubles as Thank You Cards, and this year I was fortunate to create and receive cards from UrbanityStudios.

UrbanityStudios is an online stationery company offering exclusive designs for your Christmas Card, Birthday Invitation, Birth Announcement and Thank You Card needs. They began in 2006, and have continued to offer new, fresh designs alongside modern technology innovations. And their focus on customer service continues to be the best in the industry. UrbanityStudios is now offering Christmas and Holiday Cards in fun, festive and memorable designs. Their designs are printed on your choice of matte heavy cardstock, glamorous shimmer paper or archival photo paper. You can also utilize their color-changing service (it’s FREE) to change the design colors to anything you’d like.

I chose the Photo New Years Card from their Christmas and Holiday Card line.

I added a photo of my two boys, and what I love about UrbanityStudios design process is that I could change the background color, font, text, alignment, and even opacity of the text!

Since I'm partial to blues when it comes to my Holiday Cards, I changed the background to a dark blue, the words "2011" and "love" to white and decreased the opacity, and changed the "happy new year" and our names to a light blue, so everything would "pop" against the dark blue.

Once I completed the card, a final proof was sent to me before final printing!

The entire design process was simple, and I absolutely love the finished card, and I know all of my recipients will love it too!

If you still haven't ordered your Holiday Cards yet, or you're looking for Christmas Party Invitations or New Year Cards, be sure to check out UrbanityStudios!

Savvy Savings: Get 10% off any order. Use SAVVYHOL during checkout. This promotion is applicable site wide towards any UrbanityStudios' products. Offer is not applicable to previously placed orders. Urbanity reserves the right to discontinue or modify this offer at any time without notice. Valid until 12:00am MST 01/01/11.

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

Santa Bars

For Musician's classmates, I decided that he and I would make some Santa Bars, as inspired by an article in Martha Stewart Living's Magazine for Santa and Snowmen Bars.

Of course, they did not turn out to look like the ones in the magazine, and I also didn't use the exact same materials--I just used whatever I had in the house--cotton balls, construction paper, etc.

I also used boxes of chocolate covered macadamia nuts and kaki mochi instead of candy bars.

I did one sample to model the finish product that Musician could copy, and I also helped with a lot of the cutting.

Musician did most of the gluing and the drawing of Santa's eyes, nose, cheeks, and mouth.

And here is the finished product:

You can tell which one I did, but for the most part, I thought it was an easy, cute craft that Musician and I could work on together, and hopefully his classmates will enjoy them too!

December 15, 2010

Delizza Patisserie Giveaway

Once someone brought a tub of Delizza Patisserie Belgian Mini Cream Puffs to a get together, and they were a huge hit!

With so many holiday gatherings coming up, the Delizza Patisserie pastries would be an easy and delicious treat for anyone to bring!


Delizzaʼs eclairs and cream puffs are made with gourmet Belgian-style chocolate and rich dairy cream filling. They are an easy-yet-elegant solution for hosting at home or bringing to a party.

Choose from the following delicious varieties:
• Belgian Mini Cream Puffs
• Belgian Mini Chocolate Dipped Cream Puffs
• Belgian Mini Eclairs
• Belgian Double Chocolate Mini Eclairs


Delizza eclairs and cream puffs were imported from Europe in the early 2000s. They were so popular that production began in the US in 2004, with the same dedication to the highest quality and taste. Delizza Patisserie products are made with the finest ingredients, like real dairy cream, which has a high concentration of butterfat. Belgian style chocolate tops the eclairs, while the custard filling is made from real eggs.



You will be able to taste the difference.



Visit Delizza Patisserie on Facebook and enter their New Year's Eve contest for a chance to win some great prizes!


Shop
: To purchase Delizza Patisserie products, click here to find a store near you.


Win:
Two lucky winners will each receive a coupon for a free tub of any Delizza Patisserie dessert!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Lori A., humanecats!
  • To enter, comment on which dessert you'd get if you won.
  • You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Delizza Patisserie (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 Delizza on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 29, 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 December 30, 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 coupons for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 14, 2010

Organically Grown Giveaway

If you're in search of some cute, organic clothing for your little one, Organically Grown has a great selection to choose from!



Organically Grown has begun to play an active role in the organic revolution. Our apparel is made from organic cotton, which is grown by safe, pesticide-free methods from plants that are not genetically modified. We support the organic farming community and organizations worldwide that are committed to a green, sustainable environment. There is a direct connection between what we wear and the effect it has on the earth.



Organically Grown offers a lot of adorable baby items, such as bodysuits, rompers, and even dresses, and they also offer items for grownups too!

So whether you're looking for something for yourself or a little one, check out Organically Grown!

Win: One lucky winner will receive an item from Organically Grown's Infant collection (winner to provide size and gender; sponsor will select style).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to maryjaco1!

  • To enter, comment on why organic is important to you.
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Organically Grown; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Add my Baby Essentials & Gift Guide button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 6)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 7)Tweet the following "Check out @sagemom's Baby Essentials & Gift Guide http://tinyurl.com/29gb9uk"; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 8)Leave a comment on the Must-Have Baby Products post stating what your all-time favorite baby product is; please be specific (3 extra entries)
  • 9)Follow Organically Grown on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 December 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 Organically Grown for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 13, 2010

One of My Favorite Holiday Treat Recipes to Make and Eat: Easy Oreo Truffles

One of my favorite holiday treats to make and eat are these Easy Oreo Truffles (recipe courtesy Kraft Recipes).

I have yet to master how to make them look nice and round, but truffles aren't supposed to be "perfect," right?

And besides...they are so rich and delicious, that I don't think anyone minds that they're not perfectly round!

The Recipe:

What You Need
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 4-1/4 cups), divided
2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Make It
MIX cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.
SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.


I did tweak the recipe a bit when I made the truffles.

For the chocolate I used chocolate chips, and I also topped some of the truffles with some crushed candy canes.

Although they're a bit messy to make, it's worth it, because they are just sooooo good!

December 12, 2010

Master Lock Giveaway

I have so many different passwords for so many different things, that there have been numerous occasions where I forgot a password and had to have it reset. If you have that problem too, Master Lock Vault may be for you.

The site started as a place for lock owners to store their combinations, so they wouldn’t forget them, but has recently been expanded and updated into the new Master Lock Vault for safe storage of all combinations and passwords that are easy to forget.

The site provides the highest level of website security available today – that 256bit encrypted connection. You know you are on the secured site when you see the green browser bar with the secure padlock icon. This means that the site is secured against unauthorized interception of data, and that all data flowing to and from the site is encrypted, which makes all exchanges between the site and its visitors 100 percent private.


To even obtain this type of protection took an identity and employment check, as well as two phone interviews. This encryption is most common on banking, brokerage and government sites where the privacy and integrity of personal information is very critical.

At current computing speeds, a hacker with the time, tools and motivation to attack a site using brute force would require thousands (if not more) years to break into this type of site. Master Lock is doing everything possible to ensure top-notch security on the Vault site.

In addition, Master Lock has absolutely no access to any information stored in the Vault, and does not share users’ information with anyone, ever.

For additional protection with safeguarding your information, Master Lock encourages you to:
· Never use the same password for multiple accounts
· Never write down your password in a public place, such as in a Rolodex or on a sticky note on your computer monitor
· Never create passwords that are easy to crack, such as
o Default passwords (guest, admin)
o Dictionary words (rabbit, Packers)
o Words with numbers appended (password1)
o Words with simple obfuscation (p@ssw0rd)
o Double words (fishfish)
o Common keyboard sequences (qwerty)
o Common numeric sequences (911)
o Identifiers (555-1234, 01/12/1965)
o Anything personally related to you (license plate number, birthday)


Visit Master Lock Vault to get started, or you can download the free Master Lock Vault app on iTunes.




Win: One lucky winner will receive a Master Lock Speed Dial Combination Padlock (random color).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Hifam!

  • To enter, simply 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 Master Lock Vault (leave the link in your comment)
    2)Subscribe to my feed
    3)Add my button to your sidebar
    4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
    5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 December 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 product for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 11, 2010

Sea of Tranquility Giveaway

This time of year can make many people feel stressed, but Marlise Karlin, internationally renowned teacher and founder of The Simplicity of Stillness Method®, offers a few suggestions, as well as an audio CD, that could help make you feel less stressed not only during this holiday season, but all year-round.

1. Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted – at home, at the beach or even in a quiet corner of your favorite café. This might be challenging for some, but you need to find a place of solitude - so turn off the TV, put down the cell phone, stop looking at your watch.

2. Find a comfortable position, whether lying down or sitting, close your eyes and allow your mind and body to become still, and breathe deep.

3. Spend a few moments contemplating what may be challenging you, reflect on it for just a moment, and then let any negative thoughts or mind-chatter go.

4. Allow your body and mind to feel the flow of positive energy that starts at your core, grow within you.

5. Open your eyes, take a deep breath, and write down any thoughts or feelings you may have brought to the surface. Then, write down your daily intention. An example would be, “Today I will be free of negative mind-chatter.”

Make a commitment for taking the time to become still and contemplate – even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day, three times a week. The benefits you’ll see are immeasurable.

Sea of Tranquility Audio CD:

“What do we really want? To know love… and to know peace in our hearts. The possibility of living your dreams doesn’t have to be complicated. It can become a reality that you see more clearly every day. What Stillness offers us is a defining experience that forever alters our lives.” ~ Marlise

Stillness Sessions™ with Marlise are a uniquely different form of meditation that will help you to release old patterns and experience your true nature. They are the antidote to life’s greatest challenges from addiction to depression to finding the inspiration to create your dreams.

For best results listen to this CD in a quite space free from interruptions. Every person’s journey into Stillness is uniquely perfect.

Shop: You can purchase Sea of Tranquility at on the Marlise Karlin website (SRP $20.95).

Win: Five lucky winners will each receive a copy of Sea of Tranquility.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to George, kngmckellar, rah267, Stuff Parents Need, Penny Zeni!
  • To enter, comment on what gets you stressed out.
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Marlise Karlin; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 December 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. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 10, 2010

LeapFrog Learning DVD + CD Set Volume 2 Review and Giveaway

Last year my boys got to watch a couple of LeapFrog DVDs, Letter Factory and Talking Words Factory, and ever since they've become a fan of Lily, Tad, and Leap and their learning adventures.

My boys recently got to watch them on even more learning adventures in the LeapFrog Learning DVD + CD Set Volume 2!


Lionsgate Home Entertainment and top educational toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., have joined together to make learning fun, with the release of the LeapFrog Learning DVD + CD Set, Volume 2! Featuring three popular LeapFrog DVDs and a full-length Music CD—that alone is worth $12.98—the set will reunite young kids with Tad and Lily as they expand their knowledge of early reading and math skills. A follow-up to last year’s popular gift set, which has sold more than 100,000 copies to date, Volume 2 features the incredibly successful Math Adventure To The Moon DVD, along with Word Caper and Math Circus. In addition, the CD contains 13 songs that help kids learn the ABCs, days of the week, counting and more.


SYNOPSIS
Math Adventure to the Moon (ages 3-6): Tad and Lily need the perfect collection of things to take to school for their math assignment. When they finally decide on moon rocks, there’s just one problem — how will they get them? With some magical help from their firefly friend, Edison, they board a rocket ship to start their quest. Soon the twins learn that math is everywhere, even in outer space! Watch as they use their skills in counting, sorting, skip counting and recognizing patterns to overcome obstacles, find new friends and make the trip back to Earth!

Word Caper (ages 3-6): A wild word-building adventure! When Mr. Websley is accidentally silenced by the Silent E Machine, Leap, Lily and Tad must journey through the Complex Word Complex to build the code words needed to return his voice. Guided only by the "Absent Professor Device," the kids learn how to build the complex words needed to solve the code and save the day. Humorous songs add to the fun and help teach the rules for advanced word-building. This title was previously released as Talking Words Factory 2: Code Word Caper.

Math Circus (ages 3-6): Step right up to the Math Circus! Watch the Quidget Family and the Subtractobats perform high-flying feats of mathematics! In this astounding story, Leap, Lily, Tad and wacky Professor Quigley train numbers to count, add and subtract in a series of amazing circus acts. Numbers and Quidgets fly from trampolines, trapezes and cannons as they teach early mathematical concepts. In addition, humorous songs add to the fun and help reinforce educational concepts in an amusing and memorable way.

Learning Songs Music CD (ages 2-6): Sing, dance, and learn with these 13 delightful songs from the LeapFrog DVDs available for the first time on one music CD! LeapFrog Learning Songs include 'ABC,' 'Math is Everywhere,' 'Let's Rhyme,' 'Days of the Week,' and more! Track listing includes 30 minutes of songs: ‘The Learning Path,’ ‘ABC,’ ‘Days of the Week,’ ‘Count to 20!,’ ‘Animal Families,’ ‘The Sorting Game,’ ‘Math Is Everywhere,’ ‘Skip Counting,’ ‘Tell Me the Number,’ ‘The Shark Tooth Song,’ ‘Crab Counting,’ ‘Let’s Rhyme!,’ and ‘Big Letters, Small Letters.’

Smiley and Musician enjoyed all of the DVDs, but their favorite was Math Circus. Smiley is always asking to watch "counting," (which is his way of saying Math Circus), and Musician was really attentive to the trapeze addition since he's learning addition in preschool!

Their favorite part of Math Adventure to the Moon was when they learned how to make the rocket ship fly faster, as they counted by 1s, then 2s, and eventually by 10s!


In Word Caper, the boys thought it was funny how Mr. Websley lost his voice, and they really paid attention to the building of the complex words!

The Learning Songs Music CD was also lots of fun. As soon as I put the CD in the player and the first song started, Musician just started to dance!

My boys are often watching the DVDs from the LeapFrog Learning DVD + CD Set Volume 2--they're a fun and entertaining way for them to learn about math and spelling!

Shop: You can purchase the LeapFrog Learning DVD + CD Set Volume 2 at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $29.98).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of the LeapFrog Learning DVD + CD Set Volume 2!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Brooke C!

  • To enter, comment on why you'd like to win.
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and LeapFrog DVDs; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Add my Holiday Gift Guide button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 6)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 7)Tweet the following "Check out @sagemom's Holiday Gift Guide http://tinyurl.com/29m86ac"; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 8)Leave a comment on the Holiday Wish List post stating what item(s) is(are) on your holiday wish list this year (3 extra entries)
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 December 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 the sponsor for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 9, 2010

Billy Joel: The Hits Giveaway

One of my favorite recording artists of all time is Billy Joel. DH loves him too. We have so many of his CDs, and his new album, The Hits, will definitely be one we'll have to add to our collection.


Billy Joel has just released a new album of his Top 40 chartbusters and signature classics in The Hits. The album marks the first ever career-spanning single disc compilation of such classics as "Piano Man", "The Entertainer", and "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me". The Hits can be purchased on iTunes or Amazon.

The release of The Hits is merely a teaser as to what 2011 will hold for Billy Joel and his fans. 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Billy Joel's first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, and Columbia/Legacy Recordings will celebrate the occasion with a definitive reissue project of newly restored and expanded Legacy editions of the complete Billy Joel catalog, newly curated collections of rarities from the vaults, previously unavailable studio tracks and live performances, home video releases and more.

Among the upcoming releases in the Columbia/Legacy Billy Joel 40th anniversary commemoration will be Billy Joel - Live At Shea Stadium, a 2CD/DVD and stand-alone Blu-ray edition of Billy's historic 2008 Shea Stadium concerts, a Legacy Edition of the 1973 Piano Man album, a Complete Albums Collection featuring 14 of Billy's original albums with a bonus disc collecting 16 non-album tracks and more.

Tracklisting for The Hits is as follows:

1. Everybody Loves You Now (1971, Cold Spring Harbor)

2. Piano Man (1973, Piano Man, #25 Billboard Hot 100)

3. The Entertainer (1974, Streetlife Serenade, #34 Billboard Hot 100)

4. New York State Of Mind (1976, Turnstiles)

5. Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) (1977, The Stranger, #17 Billboard Hot 100)

6. Only The Good Die Young (1977, The Stranger, #24 Billboard Hot 100)

7. My Life (1978, 52nd Street, #3 Billboard Hot 100)

8. Big Shot (1978, 52nd Street, #14 Billboard Hot 100)

9. You May Be Right (1980, Glass Houses, #7 Billboard Hot 100)

10. It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me (1980, Glass Houses, #1 Billboard Hot 100)

11. Say Goodbye To Hollywood (live) (1980, Songs in the Attic, #17 Billboard Hot 100)

12. Allentown (1982, The Nylon Curtain, #17 Billboard Hot 100)

13. Pressure (1982, The Nylon Curtain, #20 Billboard Hot 100)

14. The Longest Time (1983, An Innocent Man, #14 Billboard Hot 100)

15. Tell Her About It (1983, An Innocent Man, #1 Billboard Hot 100)

16. A Matter Of Trust (1986, The Bridge, #10 Billboard Hot 100)

17. We Didn’t Start The Fire (1989, Storm Front, #1 Billboard Hot 100)

18. I Go To Extremes (1989, Storm Front, #6 Billboard Hot 100)

19. The River Of Dreams (1993, River of Dreams, #3 Billboard Hot 100)

Shop: You can purchase Billy Joel: The Hits on Amazon.com (ARV $13.25) or download the album at iTunes ($11.99).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Billy Joel: The Hits!

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

  • To enter, comment on your favorite Billy Joel song.
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Billy Joel; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Add my Holiday Gift Guide button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 6)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 7)Tweet the following "Check out @sagemom's Holiday Gift Guide http://tinyurl.com/29m86ac"; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 8)Leave a comment on the Holiday Wish List post stating what item(s) is(are) on your holiday wish list this year (3 extra entries)
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 December 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 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 the sponsor for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 8, 2010

Melissa & Doug Review and Giveaway

In our home, we have many, many Melissa & Doug toys and puzzles, and my boys were fortunate to receive even more Melissa & Doug toys that they could "test drive" for DS3!

From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug® is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children's products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug® has something for everyone, with nearly 1000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages!

We were fortunate to receive the following Melissa & Doug Baby & Toddler Toys: First Vehicles Set (ARV $19.99), Wiggling Worm Grasping Toy (ARV $7.99), and Picnic Basket Fill & Spill (ARV $19.99).

I knew the Picnic Basket Fill & Spill would be a hit because of the soft and colorful food toys. Smiley loves pretending to "eat" both imaginary food and pretend food, so I'd often find him counting the Picnic Basket items and pretending to eat them.
The Wiggling Worm Grasping Toy is the cutest worm we've ever seen. Unfortunately for Smiley and Musician, we've kept this toy unopened so DS3 will have a "new" toy to play with, but every time Smiley sees the box, he's asking me to open it. I don't blame him!

Of the new toys we received, the boys' absolute favorite toys are from the First Vehicles Set.

Smiley immediately wanted to play with the truck, plane, and car. He's constantly lining them up in a row, driving the car and truck around the living room, and flying the plane all over too.

The vehicles are bright and colorful, and his favorite seems to be the plane--he likes spinning the propeller!

Both boys love to play with the vehicles (so much so they're constantly fighting over them!).


Melissa & Doug offers many other fun and imaginative First Play Wooden Toys and First Play Soft Toys, in addition to many, many other puzzles and toys for older kids too!

And I have a feeling my boys will be getting many other Melissa & Doug toys puzzles and toys for the holidays as they usually do!

Shop: You can purchase Melissa & Doug products at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win:One lucky winner will receive a Melissa & Doug Prize Pack consisting of the following: First Vehicles Set, Wiggling Worm Grasping Toy, and Picnic Basket Fill & Spill.

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

  • To enter, visit Melissa & Doug and comment on your favorite product (excluding any of the giveaway items).
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Melissa & Doug; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Add my Baby Essentials & Gift Guide button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 6)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 7)Tweet the following "Check out @sagemom's Baby Essentials & Gift Guide http://tinyurl.com/29gb9uk"; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 8)Leave a comment on the Must-Have Baby Products post stating what your all-time favorite baby product is; please be specific (3 extra entries)
  • 9)Follow Melissa & Doug on Twitter; leave your user name in your comment (1 extra entry).
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 or about (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 Melissa & Doug for providing the products for review and giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

December 7, 2010

Joolwe.com Giveaway

If you or someone you know loves beautiful, yet affordable jewelry, check out Joolwe.com for a variety of necklaces, rings, and more!

Joolwe.com is a new online jewelry store that offers our customers a myriad of jewelry in a wide array of metals and gemstones that are gorgeously designed at an affordable price. The company is built on a simple philosophy: we believe online jewelry shopping should be a fun experience. Our approach to online shopping is to offer our customers fascinating pieces at outstanding prices, while maintaining our reputation for excellent customer care.

At Joolwe.com, you can create your signature look by choosing from one of our ensemble selections or choose unique accent pieces that compliment your personality. We have free shipping on all orders, a best value guarantee, an easy returns/exchange policy and a biweekly free jewelry giveaway. Our top priority is to make sure that all our customers to be completely satisfied with their shopping experience at Joolwe.com.

As I mentioned, Joolwe.com offers all sorts of jewelry--necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and so much more.

You can shop by price, style, or gemstone, and if you still can't decide on what to get, you can use Joolwe.com's Buyer's Guide for help in selecting and caring for that perfect piece of jewelry.

Joolwe.com also offers a Jewelry Loyalty Reward Program where you can earn points towards jewelry through purchases, reviews, and more.

You can even sign up for Joolwe.com's newsletter for a chance to win a product in their bi-weekly jewelry giveaway!

For a special gift this holiday season or any other special occasion, visit Joolwe.com for a vast selection of jewelry pieces at great prices!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Sterling Silver 1.34 ctw Cubic Zirconia Heart Pendant and Stud Earring Set.
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations toJR911!


  • To enter, visit Joolwe.com and comment on your favorite piece of jewelry (excluding the giveaway item; please be specific).
  • You may do any of the following for extra entries (be sure to leave a comment on this post for each “entry”):
  • 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Joolwe.com; leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 2)Subscribe to my feed (1 extra entry)
  • 3)Add my button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 4)Add my Holiday Gift Guide button to your sidebar; leave the URL (1 extra entry)
  • 5)Follow me on Twitter; leave your Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 6)Tweet this giveaway; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 7)Tweet the following "Check out @sagemom's Holiday Gift Guide http://tinyurl.com/29m86ac"; leave your link/Twitter name in your comment (1 extra entry)
  • 8)Leave a comment on the Holiday Wish List post stating what item(s) is(are) on your holiday wish list this year (3 extra entries)
  • 9)Follow Joolwe.com on Twitter; leave your user name in the comment (1 extra entry)
  • The deadline for entries is December 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 December 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 Joolwe.com for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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

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