Sunday, July 31, 2011

Help Schools through the My Coke Rewards Schools Program

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of My Coke Rewards for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's no secret that many schools across the nation are facing budget cuts, which means less money towards supplies and special activities. Fortunately, My Coke rewards for schools offers parents, teachers, school administrators, and other community members a way to help schools get much needed supplies and gear simply by donating My Coke Rewards points.

I know so many people who love Coke (DH loves Diet Coke!) and other Coca-Cola products, but I also know many of these people have never signed up for My Coke Rewards (I admit, it took me a while to join myself).  If they simply signed up for My Coke Rewards, they'd be well on their way to helping a school in need!

Parents, teachers, school staff and administrators--anyone in the community can help simply by signing up for My Coke Rewards and donating points to their schools, and schools can redeem their points for art supplies, athletic equipment, electronics, and more!

If your child's school or school you wish to designate to is not registered, there's an option to send an email to the school's principal, directing him/her to the My Coke Rewards for Schools website to get more information.  A School Coordinator would then have to be designated to register the school (go to mycokerewards.com/schools and click on “Register Today").

Another way The Coca-Cola Company is helping schools is through the Sprite Spark Park Sweepstakes.  

Through September 30, Sprite is giving away 25 playgrounds worth $25,000 to schools and are giving consumers who purchase and enter a code from any package of Sprite/Sprite Zero an entry into the sweepstakes to help their school win. 

Entries can also be donated for 3 points!

I've been a member of My Coke Rewards for some time now, and now I know exactly what I'll be doing with my points.

There are over 1200 students in my son's elementary school, and if parents donated just one point for each child enrolled in the school, the points could be redeemed for pencils, glue, or even educational games!

The Coca-Cola Company has made it simple to help schools.

We can all make a difference.

It just takes one point.

Visit My Coke Rewards for Schools and sign up today!

MCR_School_Blogger_0706[1].pdf (page 3 of 3)

Visit Sponsor's Site
Posted by Gem at 7:57 PM 0 comments

Windex Mini Giveaway


Windex Mini
With the launch of Windex® Mini, a concentrated refill pouch that uses 90 percent less plastic packaging than a traditional 26 fluid ounce trigger bottle, global environmental leader SC Johnson is taking another bold step to help consumers make greener choices.
Concentrates use less packaging, decrease shipping impacts and reduce waste that ends up in our nation’s landfills. Yet sales data shows U.S. consumers prefer not to refill their household cleaning bottles. This means stores won't stock concentrates and companies hesitate to create them. With this test, SC Johnson wants to understand how to motivate consumers and retailers to consider trading up from traditional cleaning methods to a greener choice.

“By conservative estimates, a flexible pouch saves six times as much plastic waste that goes into a landfill compared to a traditional bottle,” said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. “Refilling with a concentrate is an example of a very small behavior change that could make a real difference in minimizing waste. But many people don't want the inconvenience. We want to crack the code and figure out what it would take to make concentrated refills an accepted – even demanded – choice.”

Windex® Mini concentrated refill pouch delivers the streak-free results consumers expect from the 75-year heritage of the Windex® brand. In just three easy steps – cut, pour, add water – consumers can refill a clean, single 26 fluid ounce Windex® bottle with cleaner. To get the revolution rolling, the product is being sold directly by SC Johnson at www.scjgreenerchoices.com in three-packs of “snip ‘n’ pour” pouches.

Small Change, Big Difference

The trigger bottle for Windex® Original glass cleaner is already produced with 50 percent post consumer recycled content. Choosing to refill with one Windex® Mini concentrated refill pouch has an immediate positive impact:

  • Requires 90 percent less plastic packaging than a 26 fluid ounce trigger bottle - enough to make 6.5 ballpoint pens
  • Avoids transporting 22.4 fluid ounces of water - nearly 1.5 pounds by weight
If SC Johnson can prove that concentrates will sell, and convince retailers to stock them, it could make an even bigger impact. People buy approximately 21 million bottles of Windex® Original glass cleaner each year. If just 20 percent of those were refilled, each year it could:

  • Save 350,000 pounds of plastic - that's 26 million ballpoint pens
  • Avoid using 175,000 pounds of virgin plastic - that's 3 million soda bottles
  • Avoid transporting 735,000 gallons of water - that's more than 6 million pounds by weight

Win: One lucky winner will receive Windex Mini!

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

  • To enter, comment on a fact noted above that intrigues you the most about Windex Mini.
  • 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 Windex Mini (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is August 14, 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 August 15, 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 respond.
  • 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 review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post. Click here for my disclosure policy.
Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Zulily - Daily Deals for Moms, Babies, and Kids

With three kids, I'm always looking for great deals on clothes and toys, and Zulily is a daily deals site that offers REALLY great deals on brands such as Melissa & Doug, Skip Hop, Roxy, and so much more!

Sign up below so you won't miss out on the deals!

Pampers

The above is an affiliate promotion. Click here for my disclosure policy.
Posted by Gem at 8:11 PM 0 comments

Save Money with Straight Talk

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

These days so many people are cutting back in all areas to save themselves money, and one way many people are doing so is by re-examining their cell phone plans and getting cell phone service through Straight Talk.

With Straight Talk, you can select from a variety of phones in a range of prices (including smart phones!) by well-known and trusted brands, such as LG, Motorola, and Samsung.

You can keep your current cell number or pick a new one, and you can choose from several service plans starting as low as $30 a month with the “All You Need Plan."

$30 a month!  That includes 30 MB of web data, 1000 minutes of nationwide talk time and 1000 texts!

That's less than half of what I know many people are paying for their current phone plans, many of whom don't even come close to using 1000 minutes a month or sends/receives anywhere near 1000 texts! 

There's also an unlimited monthly plan option for $45 for 1 month which includes unlimited texts, minutes, web data, and more!

You can also opt for an unlimited 1-year plan for just $499--everything you need at one low price!

Other Straight Talk Service Plan features include free 411 calls, no activation, reactivation, or termination fees, and great nationwide coverage.  Many people have even commented on the great reception.  Just check out the video below!


If you need to call a friend or relative in another country, Straight Talk offers International Long Distance Service, a flexible prepaid calling service that enables you to make international calls from your home, cell or office phone at low rates.

And what else is great about Straight Talk is that there are no contracts and no credit checks.

Think about all that money you could save with a Straight Talk plan.

I'd save all that extra money to go on vacation!

So many people have offered their testimonials as to how great the Straight Talk phones and service plans are.  In fact, they are the official mobile phone of the FLW, whose members have accepted them hook, line and sinker.

For more information on what these phones offer, please check out these YouTube videos:

Visit Sponsor's Site
Posted by Gem at 8:44 AM 0 comments

Teas' Tea Mango Oolong Tea First Place Win and Giveaway

ITO EN (North America) INC. is pleased to announce that their newly launched TEAS’ TEA® Low-Calorie Mango Oolong has won first place at the 2011 North American Tea Championship in the Ready-to-Drink Flavored Oolong Tea category.


Produced by the World Tea Media, the entries in The North American Tea Championship are judged by a panel of professional cuppers, leading retail buyers of tea and restaurateurs and assessed through blind organoleptic analysis of the following characteristics: flavor; mouthfeel; color; clarity; balance. The ratings of each characteristic are calculated on an overall numerical value on a 100-point scale, with winners determined by rank.

With a rating of 92 points in the Oolong Tea category , TEAS’ TEA® Mango Oolong received the highest rating of any tea in the Iced Tea Class.

“We are honored to be recognized for the clarity and taste of our tea. To be awarded with the highest rating just reaffirms our commitment to producing high quality products that uphold our five guiding principles of Natural, Healthy, Delicious, Safe and Well-designed.”




Win: One lucky winner will receive a bottle of Teas' Tea Mango Oolong Tea.

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

  • 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 Teas' Tea (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment) 
  • 6)Like ITO EN on Facebook (leave your user name in your comment)
  • 7)Follow ITO EN on Twitter (leave your user name in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is August 13, 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 August 14, 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 respond.
  • 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 review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post. Click here for my disclosure policy.
Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
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Friday, July 29, 2011

Pampers Gifts to Grow - 100 Free Points for Joining!

Now that I have two boys in diapers, I sure am earning a lot of Pampers Gifts to Grow points with all of the diapers and wipes I'm buying!  If you buy Pampers products and haven't joined Gifts to Grow yet, you're missing out on a lot of points that you could redeem for toys, gifts cards, and more!
Join today to get 100 Free Points!
Pampers

The above is an affiliate promotion. Click here for my disclosure policy.
Posted by Gem at 11:06 AM 0 comments

Coupons for Listerine, Reach, Philadelphia Cooking Creme, and More!

Here are some new coupons from Coupons.com:
The above is an affiliate promotion.  Click here for my disclosure policy.
Posted by Gem at 10:09 AM 0 comments
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Pocoyo and Langers Juice Promotion and Dance, Pocoyo, Dance! DVD Giveaway

Summertime challenges even the most creative parents with how to keep the kids entertained, active and limit all day snacking.

Pocoyo and Langers Juice may have the ideal solution!



Beginning August 1 through August 31, parents can receive an all-new Pocoyo DVD – Dance, Pocoyo, Dance!–with the purchase of 10 Langers Juices (plus $1.99 shipping and handling), while supplies last. 



The Dance, Pocoyo, Dance! DVD, based on the Pocoyo animated television series, will encourage kids to get up and dance, jump and have fun for hours. The music provides high-energy participation, and Pocoyo and his animal friends, Elly the elephant, Pato the duck, and Loula the dog, add to the excitement. It’s a good workout for Mom and Dad, too. Kids can quench their thirst with Langers Juice after dancing with Pocoyo while watching Dance Pocoyo Dance!.
The multi-award-winning animated television series Pocoyo is now featured in a new half-hour timeslot during the weekends on Nick Jr., on Saturday’s and Sunday’s at 1.00pm ET/10am PT, complementing the current weekday broadcasts at 4:25 pm Eastern/1:25 pm Pacific. Pocoyo also airs on Univision’s Planeta U on Saturday mornings at 8:30 am; and on select PBS stations nationwide(check local listings). Additionally, Pocoyo toys are available at Toys”R”Us and amazon.com

Langers Juice, in kid-friendly juice flavors like orange, red grape, white grape, grape with vitamin C, and pineapple, are available nationwide at retailers including WalMart, Albertsons, Econo Foods, Food 4 Less, Lucky, Market Basket, Miners, Ralphs, Smart & Final, Sprouts, and Staters, among others.
And as the temperatures soar, Moms and their kids can use Langers Juice to create their own healthy and refreshing fruit juice popsicles! Simply pour 4 oz of juice into a paper cup and pop it into the freezer. When the juice freezes, kids can eat the frozen treat with a spoon, or simply lick the cold concoction, peeling back the paper cup as needed.


Parents know that sodas, sports drinks, sweetened juice or fruit-juice cocktails have too much sugar, too many calories or too many additives. That’s why Langers 100% fruit juice is the smart choice for parents and their kids.

Mayo Clinic Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., says that while whole fruit is the best choice, certain types of fruit juice can be a healthy part of your child's diet.

Recent studies have confirmed that drinking moderate amounts of 100 percent fruit juice doesn't affect a child's weight. What 100% fruit juice does offer is more vitamins and nutrients and fewer additives than other drink choices.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association recommends that children between 6 months and 6 years can safely consume 4 to 6 ounces (118 to 177 milliliters) of 100% fruit juice a day; while those 7 years and older can consume between 8 to 12 ounces (237 to 355 milliliters) per day. 
About 4 ounces (118 milliliters) of 100% fruit juice equals one serving of fruit.


Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Dance, Pocoyo, Dance!
  • To enter, comment on your favorite way to cool off with your kids during the summer.
  • 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 Pocoyo (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment) 
  • 6)Follow Pocoyo on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
  • The deadline for entries is August 31, 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 September 1, 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 respond.
  • 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 review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM 81 comments
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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Baby Snug Review and Giveaway

I recently received the Baby Snug Infant Positioner by the Mamas & Papas, which has turned out to be one of the best baby products I've received in a long time.


Baby Snug is a 2 piece seat that adjusts as your baby grows, just remove the seat insert. It is ergonomically designed to provide support and comfort as well as being easy to clean and lightweight, perfect when you're on the move - for inside and outside use.

I was fortunate to receive the Teal Baby Snug (also comes in Raspberry and Apple), and it was a snap (literally) to put together.

In just a few seconds, I snapped together the tray table and put the 1st stage seat in, and the Baby Snug was ready to use!

Baby seems to love sitting in the Baby Snug.  We often put him in there and read to him, or we put toys on his tray to play with.  Sometimes he also likes to just sit and observe the environment around him.


Whenever he's in there, my older boys interact with him a lot.  Smiley loves to show him different toys and Baby always tries to "speak" to him.

I love so many things about the Baby Snug.  I really love the fresh and modern design, and I really like the Teal color. 

I also like how the Baby Snug will grow with Baby.  When he gets older and is ready for solids, I'll be able to feed him while he sits in there, and I can leave little finger foods on his tray to snack on.

Once he outgrows the 1st stage seat, I'll simply take it out and he can continue to use the Baby Snug.  In fact, Smiley, who is 2 years old, loves to sit in the Baby Snug too!

The Baby Snug is also easy to clean, and it's great to take to friends' or relatives' homes--especially when a highchair is not available, as it would make it easier to feed Baby.

Since Baby is our 3rd baby, we really don't have a lot of new baby gear--we're using a lot of items that we bought or received since Musician was born, but both DH and I agree that the Baby Snug is one of the best baby products we've received in a while and I think Baby would agree too!

    Shop: You can purchase the Baby Snug at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $55.95).

    Win:  One lucky winner will receive a Baby Snug (winner's choice of color).

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

    • To enter, visit the Mamas & Papas and comment on your favorite product (excluding the giveaway product)
    • 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 Mamas & Papas (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment)
    • The deadline for entries is August 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 August 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 respond.
    • 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 review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
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    Wednesday, July 27, 2011

    Coupons for Stonyfield, POST Cereals, Dole, and More!

    Below is a list of coupons currently on the Coupon Network:

    Save up to $4.00 on Degree Men® Deodorant
    Save up to $5.00 on future purchase of Pampers®
    Save $1.00 on Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil Twin Refills
    Save $5.00 when you buy $25 or more in iTunes gift cards
    Save $5.00 on fuel gift card w/ $100+ gift card purchase
    $1.00 off when you buy any EIGHT Stonyfield Oikos 5.3oz cups
    Save $1.50 when you buy 2 or more Pedialyte® Products
    Save up to $2.00 on Hamburger Helper® Skillet Meals
    $1.00 off when you buy ONE box of POST Shredded Wheat Cereal
    50¢ off when you buy EIGHT CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt
    75¢ off when you buy TWO any flavor select Yoplait® Yogurts
    Save up to $6.00 when you buy Playtex® Gentle Glide® Tampons
    Save $2.50 on Dr. Pepper™, Crush™ or A&W™ Dessert Toppers
    Save $2.50 when you buy any two Budweiser® Sauces
    Save up to $2.00 on FARMER JOHN® Rope Sausage
    $2.00 off when you buy any TWO GoodBelly® Quarts
    Save $2.00 when you buy twenty or more Yoplait® Yogurt Cups
    Save up to $2.00 when you buy Yoplait® Yogurt Cups
    Save up to $2.00 when you buy 9Lives® Wet Cat Food 4-packs
    Save up to $4.00 when you buy OSCAR MAYER Hot Dogs
    Save up to $2.50 when you buy Viva® Single Roll Towels
    $1 off when you buy PEOPLE® Magazine
    Save 75¢ in future savings when you buy Gold 'n Soft®
    50¢ off Bisquick® Baking Mix/Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix
    Save up to $4.50 when you buy Cottonelle® 12-Pk Toilet Paper
    40¢ off Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars or Brownies
    Save 75¢ when you buy four or more Dole® Mandarin Oranges
    50¢ off when you buy any TWO Gold 'n Soft® 15oz Tubs
    $1.25 off when you buy any two Marie's® Dressing
    $5.00 off any Philips Norelco Shaving Replacement Head
    $1 off when you buy any two bags of SENSEO® COFFEE PODS
    $2 off when you buy any Osteo Bi-Flex® Supplement or Powder



    The above is an affiliate promotion. Click here for my disclosure policy.
    Posted by Gem at 10:53 AM 0 comments
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    Free Sample - Depends

    Click below to sign up for a free sample of Depends.

    Depends



    The above is an affiliate promotion. Click here for my disclosure policy.
    Posted by Gem at 10:51 AM 0 comments
    Labels:

    Free 30 Day Trial - Norton 360 Antivirus (No Credit Card Required)

    For a limited time, you can Try Norton 360 Antivirus For FREE!


    You get the latest full version and can test all the features.


    No credit card is required, and the program will automatically expire after the 30 day trial period.
    Norton 360 Antivirus


    The above is an affiliate promotion. Click here for my disclosure policy.
    Posted by Gem at 10:48 AM 0 comments

    WW: You Have These on Your Phone or Camera Too, Right?


    (Photos "accidentally" taken by your child.  I think that's Smiley's or Musician's hand...)

    For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM 4 comments
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    Tuesday, July 26, 2011

    Find Daily Deals on Salecamel.com

    There are just so many daily deals sites, and it's really hard to keep track of them all, but Salecamel.com is a site which tracks deals on a variety of items from a number of daily deals sites, with a focus on outdoor gear, such as tents, sunglasses, bikes, and more!

    So whether you're into camping, snowboarding, hiking, or surfing, or simply want to find a good deal for yourself or a loved on, check out Salecamel.com!


    The above is a sponsored post.
    Posted by Gem at 9:14 AM 1 comments

    Rango DVD Review and Giveaway


    Called “the coolest, orneriest, funniest, best-looking movie” (Richard Corliss, Time) that is “like nothing you’ve ever seen” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), the hilarious and imaginative RANGO saddles up in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack with Digital Copy and on standard DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment.  

    The incomparable Johnny Depp voices Rango, a chameleon living as an ordinary family pet that dreams of being a fearless hero and is challenged to become just that when he inadvertently becomes the sheriff of a lawless desert town called Dirt.  

    We all watched Rango over the weekend and we really, really enjoyed it.

    Watching Rango's adventures in the town of Dirt as he tries to discover what happened to the town's water supply resulted in a lot of laughs--mostly from DH and I.

    Our kids enjoyed seeing all the different animals that Rango came across, and had fun watching the scenes where Rango ran away from the Hawk.

    I thought it was great how the characters each had their own distinct personalities, which really added to the humor of the movie. 

    Speaking of humor - there was a lot of adult humor, which made DH and I laugh out loud numerous times, and even though our boys didn't understand why we were laughing, they still laughed along anyway.

    I really loved the Mariachi Owls--they were quite a "hoot," and my favorite part of the movie was when Rango met up with the Spirit of the West.

    Rango is such a funny, clever, and entertaining movie.

    It's one of the coolest movies I've seen all year, and I personally think Johnny Depp has a lot to do with it. I think he did a great job in giving Rango his voice, literally, to tell his story.

    I didn't think I'd enjoy the movie as much as I did, but I really enjoyed it, and DH did too.

    It was a great movie for the entire family to watch together--in fact, we already watched it twice and the second time I picked up funny references that I missed the first time, so I'll definitely be watching it again and I'm sure I'll discover even more funny gems!

    Shop:  You can purchase the Rango DVD or Rango Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $29.99/$49.99). Specially marked RANGO Blu-ray/DVD Combo and standard DVDs include an offer for $5 off the combined purchase of the DVD and three Nestle Tombstone Pizzas (selected varieties).  With this purchase, fans will get an instant redeeming coupon good for $5 off (see specially marked DVD packages for offer details).  The instant redeeming coupon will also be available in select national women’s magazines.

    Win: One lucky winner will receive a Rango DVD and Storybook!

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

    • To enter, comment on your favorite part of the movie if you already saw Rango; if you didn't see Rango yet, 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 (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment)
    • The deadline for entries is August 9, 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 August 10, 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 respond.
    • 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 M80 who contacted me on behalf of Paramount to write this blog post, and for providing the DVD and other Rango products, along with the giveaway prize, free of charge.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.  All opinions are my own.  Click here to view my disclosure policy.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
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    Monday, July 25, 2011

    Glow Crazy Distance Doodler Review

    Lately, almost every night, my boys and DH have been playing with the Glow Crazy Distance Doodler! 

    Find a clean, flat wall and turn off the lights, it's time to Glow Crazy! The GlowCrazy Dual-Action Magic Lightwand works from over 10 feet away, so you can have a long distance game of Tic Tac Glow! The reusable GlowClings won't harm your wall, and react to the Lightwand with a wild glow! You can put them up as sheets or easily cut them into fun shapes to decorate your room!  Use the stencils to create cool Glow Scenes!  See what kind of fun silhouettes you can make using your hands, your teddy bear, or even your friends! Your creativity will really shine with GlowCrazy!

    DH set up one of the wall clings behind the bedroom door of Musician's room, and once he showed the boys how to use the Magic Lightwand, they've been hooked!

    Musician and Smiley will doodle and try to draw different objects, and DH has fun too, as he shows the boys how to create silhouettes with different toys and body parts (note-the pictures below are not a good depiction of the "coolness" of the Distance Doodler--I just had a really difficult time taking glow-in-the-dark photos; in person the images glow a lot brighter).



    We also play "pictionary" and practice spelling with the Glow Crazy Distance Doodler.

    We do have to make sure the boys are careful with the Lightwand and they don't shine it in their own or others' faces, but for the most part they know exactly where to shine the Lightwand to create cool drawings!

    Just about every night Smiley will ask to "turn off the light," which means he wants to play with the Glow Crazy Distance Doodler.  It's so much fun!  I can't tell who has more fun playing with the Magic Lightwand--DH or the boys!

    The Glow Crazy Distance Doodler is a super cool toy, and it has offered us a really fun way to spend time as a family together before bedtime!

    Thank you to the sponsor for providing the product for review free of charge.  All opinions are my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM 1 comments
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    Sunday, July 24, 2011

    LeapFrog: Sing and Learn With Us! DVD Giveaway


     LEAPFROG: SING AND LEARN WITH US!
    “Leap” into the “Back-to-School” season as Lionsgate Home Entertainment and top educational toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., team up again to release LeapFrog: Sing and Learn With Us! 

    Originally available in the toy aisle as the “Sing-along Read-along” Early Reading Set, the title makes its DVD debut with an all-new cast of characters performing 12 animated sing-along shorts focusing on developmental reading skills, short vowels, phonics skills and comprehension. In addition, the release allows viewers to download 12 Sing-Along Storybooks so that children can bring these lessons wherever they go! 

    DVD SYNOPSIS
    Set the stage for independent reading with rocking songs, the fun, lovable characters of the Us band--Og, Al, Gus, Izzy and Meg--and easy-to-read-along stories! Children are introduced to short vowel sounds as words appear on screen with each playful song, allowing them to build reading skills and confidence as they sing, laugh and read-along with 12 animated, musical stories. Twelve matching storybooks are also available on DVD for download to reinforce the learning and inspire kids to read at home or on the go.

    Shop: You can purchase Sing and Learn with Us! at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $14.98)
     
    Win: Two lucky winners will each receive a copy of Sing and Learn with Us!

    ***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
    Congratulations to Hifam, Rebecca Graham!
    • 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 LeapFrog: Sing and Learn with Us! (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment)
    • The deadline for entries is August 7, 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 August 8, 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 respond.
    • 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 review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
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    Saturday, July 23, 2011

    Babycakes Cupcake Maker Review

    I love baking cupcakes, but for a long time I only had one muffin pan, which meant I'd have to keep the oven on for an extra long time to make cupcakes from a single recipe.

    I've since bought an extra muffin pan, but I don't think I'll be using them very often now that I have the Babycakes Cupcake Maker!

    With the original Babycakes cupcake maker, you’ll enjoy the delights of the corner bakery in your own kitchen. Bake 8 cupcakes in about 5 minutes. The non-stick coating and and easy-to-fill cooking reservoirs make baking cupcakes, pies, tartlets and appetizers fun and easy. The Babycakes cupcake maker comes complete with all the accessories you need to bake and decorate a variety of cupcakes and other tasty treats. The manual includes recipes, hints and suggestions that will be sure to delight friends and family. The cupcake maker features 1400 watts of cooking power, power and ready lights, convenient cord wrap, latching handle and more. Bake with or without paper baking cups.

    I couldn't wait to make cupcakes, and I ended up using a store-bought Yellow Cake Mix to make the cupcakes, and I made the Cream Cheese Frosting that was in the recipe book that came with the cupcake maker.

    When making cupcakes, you can use liners if you want to, but I didn't have any so I simply sprayed the cupcake maker with cooking spray just to be sure the cupcakes wouldn't stick.

    The cupcake maker gets really hot pretty quickly.  As soon as I started pouring the batter in, it already started to sizzle and bake!


    There's a green "ready" light on the lid of the cupcake maker that will illuminate after 3-5 minutes, at which time I checked to see if the cupcakes were ready by inserting a toothpick in them.

    The cupcakes were done really quickly.  It took no more than 5 minutes per batch. I used a mini spatula to easily get each muffin out, and they turned out light and fluffy.

    I do wish there was an audible alert or timer though, simply because I'd often find myself multi-tasking while the cupcakes were baking and I was afraid I'd miss the light and the cupcakes would end up burnt.

    After the cupcakes cooled, I frosted them with the Cream Cheese Frosting (it was the first time I ever made frosting from scratch!) and added sprinkles.

    I have yet to master the art of cupcake frosting, but fortunately the cupcake maker also came with an icing bag and decorating tips which I will definitely try out the next time I make cupcakes.

    Although Babycakes Cupcake Makers work best with moist mixes, the store-bought mix I used still created really moist cupcakes, and the frosting was absolutely delicious.

    What's great about the cupcake maker is that it can be used for other types of dishes too--muffins, cornbread, pies--the possibilities are endless!

    Cleaning it was fairly simple.  Once the cupcake maker was cool, I wiped it down with mild soap and water.  There were some crumbs that got into the grooves on the side, but I managed to get most of them out with a toothpick.

    Overall I thought the Babycakes Cupcake Maker was really easy to use, and I'm glad I no longer need to turn on the oven to make cupcakes (I just feel like that's a lot of wasted heat and energy!).

    I can't wait to try out more recipes and create new dishes in the Babycakes Cupcake Maker!   

    Shop: You can purchase the Babycakes Cupcake Maker at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $29.99)

    I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Babycakes and received a product sample and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM 2 comments
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    Friday, July 22, 2011

    School Supply List Surprises

    I have several friends that are teachers, and one day, one of them looked at my son's school supply list for Kindergarten and she was a bit shocked at some of the items listed, stating that it's in the school's budget to purchase some of the items that were on the list.

    Her daughter also happens to be going to Kindergarten, but at a different school, and she once again noted how shocked she was at some of the items on her daughter's list.

    I admit that I was a bit surprised too when I saw some of the items on the list--items that I know were not on my own school supply list when I was younger.

    Some of the things of note on my son's school supply list are:

    Dry Erase Markers
    Manila Folders
    Hand soap
    Hand sanitizer
    Anti-bacterial Towelettes
    Clipboard
    Sheet Protectors

    Are there any items on your child's school supply list you were surprised to see?
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM 2 comments
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    Thursday, July 21, 2011

    Coupons for Revlon, Hillshire Farm, Mitchum, and More!

    Here are current coupons being offered on Coupons.com:

    $5.00 off Your $25.00 Order at Vistaprint
    $1.00 off on Phillips' products
    $1.00 off ANY NEO-SYNEPHRINE PRODUCT
    Up To 75% Off On Prescription Medication
    Up To 75% Off On Prescription Medication
    $1.00 off ON ANY TWO TRUE CITRUS PRODUCTS
    $2.00 off any NASALCROM allergy product
    $100 Visa Gift Card for Joining ADT
    $5.00 off on any can of Enfagrow™ Powder
    $1.00 off HP ColorLok Paper
    $0.55 off on any Bagel-fuls (4ct)
    $1.00 off two V8 100% vegetable juice
    $1.00 off one V8 V-Fusion + Tea beverage.
    $1.00 off 1 Box of 14 count Instead Softcups
    $5.00 off Any ROGAINE product
    FREE Collage & EXTRA 20% OFF! NO SESSION FEE
    $1.50 off any (1) 11oz package of Natural Fusions
    $1.00 off 2 GERBER GRADUATES PUFFS
    $1.00 off 1 GERBER GRADUATES LIL' ENTREES
    $1.00 off any L'Oréal Studio Line Styling Product
    $1.00 off Dr. Scholl's Odor-X™ Product
    $1.00 off Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away
    $0.75 off one Efferdent PM 78 count
    $1.00 off eight cans Purina ALPO brand DOG FOOD
    $0.40 off Yoplait Yogurt
    $1.00 off any ONE (1) POISE Liners
    $1.00 off Dr. Scholl's Clear Away Products
    $1.00 off any ONE (1) POISE Pads
    $1.00 off any BENADRYL Anti-itch product
    $1.00 off (1) NIVEA Good-bye Cellulite Product
    $1 off Any frame up to $159 + 50% off Lens Options
    $0.75 off 1 Minute Maid Enhanced 59oz, any variety
    $1.00 off 2 GERBER GRADUATES YOGURT MELTS
    $0.55 off 1 GERBER GRADUATES PASTA PICK-UPS
    $2.00 off the August issue of ESSENCE
    $1.00 off (1) Nivea Express Hydration Lotion
    $1.00 off (1) package of Vanity Fair Hand Towels
    $1.00 off Hartz Home Protection™ Training Pads
    $0.75 off 1 Kashi Frozen Entrée or Pizza Product
    $0.75 off 1 Breyers Blasts!™ (48 oz.)
    $1.00 off any Urinozinc Prostate Formula
    $2.00 off Florastor probiotic
    $1.00 off (1) package of ATHENOS Feta Cheese
    $2.00 off ONE Glidden Brilliance Paint Testers
    $1.00 off ON ANY ALKA-SELTZER ANTACID
    $3.00 off ALKA-SELTZER ANTACID AND ALKA-SELTZER
    $1.00 off ANY SKINTIMATE MOISTURIZING CREAM SHAVE
    $1.00 off (1) Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Product
    $1.00 off any Revlon Beauty Tool
    $1.00 off any Mitchum Product
    $1.00 off Hillshire Farm Lower Sodium Lunchmeat


    The above is an affiliate promotion.  Click here for my disclosure policy.
    Posted by Gem at 12:42 PM 0 comments
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    TGI Friday's Coupon

    We no longer have a TGI Friday's in Hawaii, but if you there's a location near you, visit Regular Mom here to find out how to get a $5 off $15+ purchase coupon.

    The above is an affiliate promotion.  Click here for my disclosure policy.
    Posted by Gem at 12:40 PM 0 comments
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    Take the Bagel Bites Simply Snack Pledge and Bagel Bites Coupon Giveaway

    This summer, Bagel Bites launched the Snack Simply Pledge campaign to encourage parents to offer wholesome and simple snacks.  


    The Bagel Bites Snack Simply Pledge asks parents to adhere to three guiding principles for snacking this summer, which include:

    1.   Keep it Simple – Choose simple, easy-to-prepare snacks with wholesome ingredients.
    2.   Keep it Tasty – Serve snacks kids will love to encourage lots of smiles around the table.
    3.   Keep it Fun – Take the time to connect with your child and incorporate some simple, family-friendly activities during the daily snack-time routine.

    It's quick and easy to take the pledge (I did!), and when you do, not only will you receive a $1 off Bagel Bites' coupon, but you'll also be helping to support Bagel Bites efforts in donating $1 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America with each pledge, up to 50,000 pledges. 

    Snack time can be fun and nutritious at the same time.  Whether it's serving Bagel Bites (made with whole grains and real cheese) with fruits and veggies to make funny faces, making fruit kebabs to make eating fruit more fun, or making frozen treats with 100% juice, just a little creativity makes eating well enjoyable for the entire family!

    It's even more fun to let the kids help (pour the juice in pop molds, help put the fruit on the skewers, etc), as they become even more excited to try out their own "creations."

    Often times though, "simple" is good enough--I just let the boys pick out what they want--whole grain, gluten-free pretzels, fruits, or yogurt, and they're content!

    And whenever possible, we ask the boys to describe what they're eating (shape, color, etc.) and what letter the food starts with and to name other items that start with the same letter.

    There are times that I may still grab a pack of cookies or crackers for their snack time, but after taking the Bagel Bites' Snack Simply Pledge, I'm even more encouraged to try to always give my kids simple, wholesome snacks that they'd enjoy!

    Click here to take the Simply Snack Pledge.

    Win:  Two lucky winners will each receive two coupons good for any one free Bagel Bites Frozen Snack product (expires 5/31/12; max. value $3.19).

    ***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
    Congratulations to KowgirlsRule, susan1215!
    • To enter, visit Bagel Bites and comment on your favorite variety.
    • 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 Bagel Bites (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment)
    • The deadline for entries is August 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 August 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 respond.
    • Valid for US addresses only.
    • By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
      Good luck!
    I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bagel Bites and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
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    Wednesday, July 20, 2011

    WW: Why Do They Always End Up in a Big Pile on the Floor?

    For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM 5 comments
    Labels:

    Tuesday, July 19, 2011

    Clifford the Big Red Dog: Dog Days of Summer DVD Giveaway

    Enjoy the summer breeze and warm sunshine with beloved Scholastic character, Clifford the Big Red Dog™, as Lionsgate Home Entertainment releases Clifford the Big Red Dog: Dog Days of Summer.

    Arriving just in time for summer, this all-new Clifford adventure includes five fun-filled episodes that have never been released to DVD, but are sure to become another classic collection. The title supports a larger effort to reach kids and families across the country with the Clifford BE BIG Campaign for civic engagement.  Inspired by Clifford’s 10 Big Ideas (Share, Help Others, Be Kind, Be Responsible, Play Fair, Be a Good Friend, Believe in Yourself, Have Respect, Work Together and Be Truthful), the BE BIG campaign invites people of all ages to take positive action and make the world a better place. 

    This DVD will focus on the Be Truthful theme of the campaign. In addition, the DVD contains the kid-friendly direct-play feature, allowing children to insert the DVD and watch without help from an adult. 

    DVD SYNOPSIS
    Every summer day, Clifford™ sets out on fun-filled adventures with his friends and learns big lessons about friendship, loyalty, and other ways to BE BIG! In these five playful stories, Clifford discovers that one of the best ways to BE BIG is to always be truthful. From Emily Elizabeth teaching Clifford that it doesn’t help to hide things, to T-Bone learning to do the right thing, to Cleo learning a lesson when she plays tricks on her friends, cuddly Clifford leads neighbors and friends around Birdwell Island to learn how to BE BIG by always being kind to each other and being truthful!
     
    EPISODES
    ·    “Special Delivery”
    ·    “Welcome to Birdwell Island”
    ·    “Doing the Right Thing”
    ·    “The Dog Who Cried Wolf”
    ·    “Jetta’s Sweater”

    DVD BONUS FEATURES
    ·    Six Speckle Stories

    Shop: You can purchase Dog Days of Summer at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $14.98)

    Win:  Two lucky winners will each receive a copy of Dog Days of Summer!

    ***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
    Congratulations to gnwg, Raven In A Blue Room!
    • To enter, comment on why you/your child likes Clifford the Big Red Dog!
    • 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 Clifford the Big Red Dog (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--you may tweet once per day based on HST (leave the link in your comment)
    • The deadline for entries is August 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 August 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 respond.
    • 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 review and/or giveaway free of charge. All opinions are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
    Posted by Gem at 12:00 AM
    Labels: ,

    Monday, July 18, 2011

    The It Gets Better Project and Rise Against's Make it Stop Video

    Rise Against and The It Gets Better Project ® are proud to announce a collaboration in conjunction with the release of Rise Against’s new single, "Make It Stop (September's Children)" from their album Endgame, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.


    The It Gets Better Project and Rise Against shift the spotlight to bullying via “Make it Stop (September’s Children),” a topic Rise Against lead-singer Tim McIlrath says really hasn’t been adequately addressed in the rock scene. "A number of events were the catalyst for the creation of Make It Stop, everything from the suicides in September 2010, to our own fans voicing their fears and insecurities from time to time,” says McIlrath. “I decided to create the song as a response, and when I discovered the It Gets Better campaign and [It Gets Better Project co-founder] Dan Savage's commitment to such an important and concise message, I was moved. I immediately felt that if our song is the road, then the It Gets Better campaign is the destination. I hope the synergy between the two can reach people and make a difference."


    "Tim McIlrath has written a powerful song," It Gets Better Project co-founder Dan Savage said. "With the release of 'Make It Stop' and the accompanying video, Rise Against is sending the message to its fan base that the bullying and harassment of LGBT teens needs to stop and that suicide isn't a solution."


    Award-winning director Marc Klasfeld directed the "Make It Stop" music video in Chicago at Tim McIlrath’s high school alma mater. “I've been a fan of Rise Against for a while and it was amazing to work with them on this special video,” Klasfeld said. “As soon as I heard the song, I knew a powerful video could be made that could potentially help people and I jumped at the chance to be a part of it.”


    The video depicts the band performing the song in the high school gymnasium alongside moving scenes of individuals from the LGBT community experiencing and coping with bullying from their peers in high school. The music video also includes snippets of multiple youtube submissions provided by the It Gets Better Project, with individuals sharing their stories and letting viewers know that “it gets better.” You can watch the video by clicking the links below, and embed using the code at the bottom of this release:


    "Make It Stop (September's Children)" on Vevo
    For some great background and more on the meaning behind the song and video, you can watch the video for the Behind The Scenes of “Make It Stop” at the link below:


    Behind The Scenes


    Rise Against is well known for lending their voice to causes as well as their close relationship to their fans. Past songs with a bent toward social activism have included "Ready to Fall" in support of PETA and "Hero of War", written in response to the military action in Iraq.


    The It Gets Better Project is a non-profit organization created by syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage, who is featured in the video, and his partner Terry Miller in September 2010. Eight months later, IGB has turned into a worldwide movement, inspiring over 10,000 user-created videos viewed over 35 million times.


    To date, the project has received submissions from celebrities, organizations, activists, politicians and media personalities, including President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Anne Hathaway, Joel Madden, Ke$ha, Sarah Silverman, Ellen DeGeneres, the staffs of The Gap, Google, Facebook, Pixar, the Broadway community, and many more.


    The website www.itgetsbetter.org is a place where LGBT youth can see how love and happiness can be a reality in their future, straight allies can support their friends and family members, and where anyone can share their story, take the It Gets Better Project pledge, watch videos of love and support, and seek help through the Trevor Project, GLSEN and the ACLU LGBT Project.


    Please spread the word today by visiting www.riseagainst.com and taking the pledge at the It Gets Better Project's website, www.itgetsbetter.org.


    For more information on Rise Against, check out the band's Facebook and Twitter pages. Make sure to pick up a copy of Endgame available on iTunes now!


    I received no monetary compensation for this post.
    Posted by Gem at 9:15 PM 0 comments
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