Hallmark Helps Make Every Part of Life a Special Occasion

Since Baby was born I have lessened the amount of time I spend online, but I know I could cut back even more to ensure that I never miss his first step, word, or even any other little, yet meaningful moments.

To help in this effort, I took part in Hallmark's BlogOut, which is part of its Life is a Special Occasion campaign.

During the BlogOut I was tasked to "turn off technology and turn up the relationships" with those most special to me.

It didn't matter how long I turned off the tech.  It could've been for a few hours, an afternoon, or a whole day.  What mattered most were the moments that I observed or that were created because of the time spent away from all the tech. 

To help create special moments with my boys during the BlogOut, I received a Hallmark Recordable Storybook, We're Not Scared of Anything, which was perfect for Halloween!

The first time I attempted the BlogOut challenge it was a HUGE FAIL! I told myself I would check my email early in the morning before the boys got up and would not go online again until at least half the day was over, but I simply forgot, and an hour later I was back online.

So I tried again another day, and I was able to go 12+ hours without going online.

For some people that may be too easy and they could stay offline even longer. For some people even one hour is tough. But however many hours you spend with those most special to you instead of being online is what counts. It doesn't matter if it's one hour or twenty-four hours.

During my BlogOut Musician and I read We're Not Scared of Anything while Smiley listened, and it was just a touching moment as we all enjoyed this new book. They giggled when they found out what was found under the bed that seemed so scary, and hearing my boys laugh is always nice.

Hallmark has many products to help create those memorable moments. Not only do they have recordable storybooks and cards, but they also have great ideas, recipes, and more to help you create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Because after all, every part of life is indeed a special occasion!

Visit Life is a Special Occasion for more information.

 

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.

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Powerline Internet AV Kit Giveaway

Diamond Multimedia (www.diamondmm.com), a leading manufacturer of multimedia and communications products, introduced a new Powerline Ethernet Adapter Kit that uses HomePlug technology and enables users to connect internet ready devices by using their home’s electrical wiring.

The Diamond HP200AV easily connects internet ready devices to an Ethernet connection without the need for new cables and wiring. The Diamond HP200AVconnects PCs, modems, routers, game consoles and IP set-top boxes via power lines in a home or office. “No more having to run cables all through your house because you need to hook up a new HDTV to watch Netfix™”, says Louis Kokenis, Product Manager, of Diamond Multimedia, “and it works with so many internet capable devices we have started to use them for our office printers, time clock, Ethernet enabled HDTV’s, and our IP security cameras.”

Installation is a plug and play process designed for quick connection. The first adapter is plugged into an AC wall outlet and then connected to a router. The second adapter is free to be plugged into any available wall outlet and is easily paired with the click of one button. With speeds of up to 200Mbps, the HP200AV supports Internet Television (IP-TV in HD quality), video-on-demand, VoIP Telephony and fast Internet access. 

It achieves a range of up to 200 meters within a single power line grid, enabling the greatest reliability and flexibility to connect network-enabled devices throughout a home or office. “Diamond is addressing the increasing demand for multimedia networking for the home and office with this great new product,” said Bruce Zaman, CEO, of Diamond Multimedia. “We really believe this product can be a terrific solution for customers.”

All Diamond Multimedia products come with a one year limited warranty, a Diamond guarantee of quality manufacturing and a recently upgraded, US based, customer support system.

Learn more at http://www.diamondmm.com/HP200AV  or by watching this video.

Shop: Diamond Multimedia’s HP200AV is available at Amazon, Circuit City, CompUSA, Fry’s, Micro Center, Newegg, NCIX, Tiger Direct, Best Buy Canada, Future Shop and product distributors including D&H and Ingram Micro. (SRP $79.99).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Powerline Internet AV Kit!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Heather R!

• 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 Diamond Multimedia (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 November 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 November 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.

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"That" Room

Do you have "that" room?  The one where you tend to "dump" anything and everything that you can't find a place for or that you don't have time to put away yet?

Or maybe it's a room that acts as multiple rooms--an office, a playroom, a bedroom, a fitness room, etc.

Or maybe it's all of the above.

I have a room that fits the "all of the above" description, and I'm embarrassed to say that it has been a complete mess for about 5 years.

Well, not for 5 years straight.  There have been several occasions where the room has been cleaned, only to become disorganized in just a few weeks, or even days.

Whenever I get the urge to clean and straighten everything up, I tell myself I'm going to keep that room clean.

But somehow things always end up there that don't belong...

I am determined to get that room clean and keep it clean.

I don't know when it will happen, but it will.

Do you have a room like that in your home?

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Funky Monkey Snacks Giveaway

Looking for some last-minute Halloween goodies?   How about some tasty and healthy everyday snack alternatives?  Then Funky Monkey Snacks may be just what you're looking for.

What if there was a delicious snack with the crunch and convenience people love, but also had the taste and goodness of fresh fruit?

Imagine a tasty snack that was crunchy, portable, and good-for-you… now you know what Funky Monkey Snacks are all about!

Funky Monkey Snacks are a line of freeze-dried fruit that are 100% natural, 100% real fruit, and 100% delicious – with three servings of fruit in each 1oz bag!

Musician has tried Funky Monkey Snacks and his favorite is the Bananamon, and it's actually my favorite too.

It's such a fun and yummy way to eat fruit!

Shop:  Click here to find out where you can get Funky Monkey Snacks.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Funky Monkey Snacks sampler pack!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to kendra22!

• To enter, visit Funky Monkey Snacks and comment on your favorite flavor or flavor you'd most like to try.
  
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Funky Monkey Snacks (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 Funky Monkey Snacks on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is November 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 November 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. Click here for my disclosure policy.

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VivaKids' ABC iPad App Review

Smiley got to try out a really fun app for the iPad: VivaKids' ABC.

VivaKids’ ABC is a creative and playful way to learn and practice the alphabet through cheerful and engaging stop motion video animations, designed exclusively by internationally renowned artist, author and educator Ulrike Kerber! 

The letters of the alphabet come alive in this fun iPad app that seamlessly combines letter shapes and sounds into words both familiar and challenging. Toddlers and pre-kindergarten children are engaged and captivated by the motion and imagination expressed in this colorful, cheerful learning tool. VivaKids’ ABC is a great building block for children to begin learning and loving to read! 

Smiley loves to play with the VivaKids ABC aka "letters" app (I want to play "letters!").  

He loves watching the letters come to life in colorful and imaginative images. 

I personally love all the "mini-movies" that are displayed for each letter.  Whether colorful umbrellas start to pop up or a giraffe or camel traverses the screen, I was really impressed with the animation, and Smiley seemed to love it too!

Smiley plays with lots of other alphabet/ABC apps, but I haven't seen anything like the VivaKids' ABC app before!  The app really seems to capture his attention, not only because of the animation, but also because of how interactive it is.

His favorite feature of the app is how he can draw and "trace" the letters with his fingers. 

The VivaKids' ABC app is very engaging and creative, and one that Smiley looks forward to playing with all the time.


Shop: You can purchase VivaKids' ABC on iTunes (SRP $2.99)

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.

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WW: Yummy Mummies

(Thank you to The Party Animal Blog and  The Idea Room for the inspiration!)

For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday.

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Coupons for Bertolli, Beech-Nut, Slim-Fast, and More!

Here are some coupons being offered on the Coupon Network:

$1.50 off when you buy any FOUR Bertolli® Pasta Sauces
$1.00 off when you buy any THREE Bertolli® Pasta Sauces
75¢ off when you buy any TWO Bertolli® Pasta Sauces
$2.00 off when you buy any PEOPLE® Magazine
50¢ off when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley® Granola Thins
$1.85 off when you buy any FIFTEEN BEECH-NUT® STAGE 2 1/2™ BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
$1.10 off when you buy any FOUR BEECH-NUT® STAGE 2 1/2™ BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
60¢ off when you buy any ONE BEECH-NUT® BABY CEREAL
$2.00 off when you buy any THREE Slim-Fast® Ready To Drink Shake Multipack
$1.60 off when you buy any TWO Slim-Fast® Ready To Drink Shake Multipack
95¢ off when you buy any ONE Slim-Fast® Ready To Drink Shake Multipack
$20.00 off when you buy any ONE Philips Norelco SensoTouch or SensoTouch 3D Electric Razor
$5.00 off when you buy any ONE multi-pack of Philips Sonicare brush heads
50¢ off when you buy ONE BOX Fun da-middles™ Cupcake Mix
$1.75 off when you buy any TWO Ester-C® Items
50¢ off when you buy ONE LouAna® Product
$1.00 off when you buy ONE box of POST GREAT GRAINS Cereal
$3.00 off when you buy any ONE REFRESH® Brand Product
40¢ off when you buy any ONE package of Stevia In the Raw 100% Natural, Zero-Calorie Sweetener Products
40¢ off when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pizza Crust, Breadsticks, Loaves or Dinner Rolls
40¢ off when you buy TWO PACKAGES any flavor/variety Totino's® Rolls Snacks
40¢ off when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® Chewy Bars, Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars or Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies
30¢ off when you buy TWO CANS any size/variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® or Grands! Jr.® Biscuits
40¢ off when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls
50¢ off when you buy TWO any flavor Betty Crocker® boxed Potatoes
$1.00 off when you buy FOUR any flavor/variety Totino's® Crisp Crust Party Pizza® Products
50¢ off when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts
50¢ off when you buy EIGHT CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt
$2.00 off when you buy any TWO GoodBelly® Quarts
$10.00 off when you buy any ONE Philips Norelco Speed XL Series Electric Razor OR any ONE Nivea for Men Electric Razor
$5.00 off when you buy any ONE Philips Norelco 7000 Series Electric Razor
$3.00 off when you buy ONE Multi-pack AVENT BPA-Free Baby Bottles
$1.00 off when you buy any SIX Mighty Dog® 5.5 oz single cans
$1.50 off when you buy any TWO Sundown Naturals® Product
$1.60 off when you buy any TWO Nature's Bounty® Vitamins or Supplements
$5.00 off when you buy any Philips Norelco Shaving Replacement Head
$1.00 off when you buy any two bags of SENSEO® COFFEE PODS
$2.00 off when you buy any Osteo Bi-Flex® Supplement or Powder

The above is an affiliate promotion.  Click here for my disclosure policy.

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AdoraPet Books Review

Musician and Smiley have been enjoying a couple of new AdoraPet children's books we were fortunate to receive recently.

Throughout the AdoraPet books, Pima Puppy and Pico Puppy have many different experiences that range from the imaginative, like the Mermaid Adventure, to the intrepid, like the Astronaut Adventure, to the practical, like Visiting The Dentist, learning valuable lessons along the way about friendship, helping others, and being true to their own uniqueness. 

We were fortunate to receive the books Visit the Dentist and Firefighter Adventure.

Musician just happened to go to the fire station on a field trip recently, so he has constantly been reading the Firefighter Adventure book.  

His favorite part of the book is when the puppies used a hose to put out a fire, as during his visit to the fire station he helped carry a water hose with the help of a firefighter.

Smiley loves looking through the pictures of both books and he's always asking me to read them to him.

The books are easy to read, have fun and colorful illustrations, and their small size (4.5" x 4.5") makes it easy to carry anywhere. 

I really like how there are questions in the beginning of the books which encourages discussion throughout and after reading.  

The AdoraPet Books are fun and educational and would make a great birthday gift for a beginning reader or a stocking stuffer for the holidays!

Shop: You can purchase AdoraPet Books at www.AdoraPet.com (SRP $5.95).


To celebrate the November launch of this book series, AdoraPet is giving away one book per day for the rest of the year as well as giving away one $100 Barnes & Noble gift card. Click here for information on how to enter.

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.

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Kellogg's FiberPlus Giveaway

DH and I have been making a greater effort to consume more fiber, and thankfully there are so many delicious options out there, such as Kellogg's FiberPlus Bars and Cereal.

Fiber may be a famous super-nutrient, but most Americans aren't getting the amount of fiber recommended for a healthy diet. In addition to promoting good digestive health, fiber also helps support good heart health and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers and diabetes. Kellogg's FiberPlus® cereals contain at least 35% of your daily fiber.

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and other compounds in food that protect body cells from unstable molecules called free radicals. Different types of antioxidants help protect against heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases. Kellogg's FiberPlus® bars contain antioxidants vitamin E and zinc, and Kellogg's FiberPlus® cereals offer antioxidant vitamins C and E.

My favorite Kellogg's FiberPlus product is the Chocolatey Peanut Butter Bars. We often buy the multi-packs from our local warehouse club store, and it's a bit hard to believe that something so chocolatey and yummy can be loaded with that much fiber and antioxidants!  DH liked them a lot too, and I actually got a bit upset with him when I discovered he ate the last of the bars!

DH's favorite Kellogg's FiberPlus product is the Cinnamon Oat Crunch Cereal.  It has way more fiber than some of the other cereals he was eating, and the fact that it tastes really delicious is one reason that it has become one of his favorite cereals.

Kellogg's FiberPlus has made it easy and tasty to get more fiber into our diets, and I personally can't wait to try other products they offer!

Win: 5 lucky winners will each receive 5 coupons good for a 5-ct box of Kellogg’s FiberPlus® bars OR one package of Kellogg’s FiberPlus® cereal (11.5oz or larger); ARV: $3.50 each.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to JC, Carolsue, Breanne, wallindeb, Tina!

• To enter, visit Kellogg's FiberPlus and comment on your favorite product or product you'd like to try.
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
  1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Kellogg's FiberPlus (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; use hashtag #fiberpluscoupon (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is November 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 November 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 and have also read and agreed to the sponsor's rules.
  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.

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Zhip Review

Whenever we go on lengthy drives, the kids like to watch movies in the car.  One of their favorite movies is on DH's iPhone.  Sometimes we try to rest the phone on the headrest for them to watch, but of course, the phone eventually falls.

But now, thanks to Zhip, the boys can watch movies on the iPhone and we don't have to worry about the phone falling!

• The Zhip is made of 100% Polycarbonate material, which is the same stuff used to make bullet proof glass, so it's sturdy and durable.
• The unit is compact (it measures 27/8" x 13/8" x 3/4"), comes equipped with a built-in desktop stand.
• The Zhip expands to fit any handheld mobile device and features special retractable, "scratch-free" grip handles with protective padding that attach tightly around a smartphone or iPod Touch to safeguard and secure even the most expensive device.
• It is equipped with a sturdy, "no-drop," three-foot extendable zip cord to easily mount any smartphone practically anywhere for the following uses:

• For Moms On-the-Go: The Zhip quickly mounts to the back of a car seat to entertain the kids with movies, shows, music videos, and games while on the road;
• At the Gym: Use the Zhip on exercise equipment at home or at the gym to make workouts more enjoyable while keeping your handheld device safe and secure;
• For Frequent Travelers: Hangs on the tray table hook right at eye level to deliver your favorite entertainment selections on long flights; or 
• Any Member of the Family: In the dorm room, in the kitchen, on the stroller... and it's also the perfect desktop stand.

The Zhip was really easy to use.  I simply expanded it to fit DH's phone, extended the cord around the headrest, and my boys were able to watch their favorite movie and we did not have to worry about the phone falling.

The Zhip is small and lightweight, and I love the fact that I can keep it in my purse without it taking much room.

 

It's also very versatile, as not only can we use it in the car for the boys to watch movies, but we could use it while on a plane and I could even use it in the kitchen while following a recipe (I'd simply hang it on a cabinet pull and I wouldn't need to worry about it getting spilled on).

 

The Zhip has already come in so handy, and I can imagine so many other uses--in our home office, on the stroller, in restaurants... 

 

Who knew such a tiny invention could be so practical in so many ways?

Shop: You can purchase the Zhip on www.TheZhip.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com and Newegg.com(SRP $14.99).

Savvy Savings: Get the Zhip for $9.95 (regular price $14.95) when purchasing via www.thezhip.com and using code zhipmom. Discount code valid until November 20th, 2011. When purchasing, enter the discount code in the "Gift Certificate" box on the third page of the "Shopping Cart; " must click on the "ADD" button to activate the discount. 

 

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.

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Winnie the Pooh Blu-ray/DVD Combo Giveaway

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, for the latest adventure featuring the world’s beloved bear, Winnie The Pooh! Join Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Christopher Robin, Owl, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore, and all of the classic characters you know and love when Walt Disney Pictures releases Winnie The Pooh on DVD and Blu-Ray October 25, 2011!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Winnie the Pooh Blu-ray/DVD Combo!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Hotsnotty2!

• To enter, take the personality quiz (above on the widget) and comment on which Winnie The Pooh character you identify with the most.
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
  1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Winnie the Pooh (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 October 29, 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 October 30, 2011 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) and will need to reply by October 31, 2011 11:59pm HST.
• 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.

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Healthy Treats for the Class

Musician's birthday is coming up, and I've been trying to figure out what kinds of "treats" to take to his classroom.

Although there is no official rule at school prohibiting cakes, ice cream, etc., it's encouraged to bring healthier treats.

Several kids in Musician's class have already celebrated birthdays and have brought in cakes, ice cream cakes, and cupcakes.  One child brought in drinkable yogurt.

I want to bring in something that's not only healthy but looks fun to eat too, since I know how picky some kids can get. 

I already got the goodie bags figured out--each child will be getting a little book I bought through Scholastic Book Club along with another practical item (pencils, crayons, etc.), but I'm just having a really hard time figuring out what kind of treat to bring in...

Any ideas???

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Alessi's Ark: Time Travel CD Giveaway

20 yr. old folk and style siren Alessi’s Ark released her first full length US album Time Travel on September 27th 2011.

Time Travel is already casting its ethereal spell on the British press, prompting unanimously positive reviews in magazines and broadsheets. Alessi’s Ark (aka Alessi Laurent-Marke) is also included in this month’s MOJO Magazine “Communion Club” feature highlighting the ongoing British folk scene led by million-sellers Mumford & Sons, who have been championing their Communion sister since inviting her to the gatherings several years ago. The devotion of Mumford’s Ben Lovett is such that he produced a special-edition EP in 2009.

Named for Lovett’s nascent Communion Records and the Sunday evening jam-sessions and gigs at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club that spawned it, the Communion collective includes artists like Laura Marling and seeks to promote a talented new generation of London-based songwriters. MOJO’s piece relates Lovett’s sentiments toward the collective, ‘“It’s like exercise for the soul… [a way of] giving something back.’”

Swoons Alessi about her experience, “Ben introduced me to Communion and before long I’d found a full band among the patchwork of people involved with the nights. It felt like stepping into a family.” However Mumford’s Communion community isn’t the only verdant musical scene Laurent-Marke has worked in. In 2009 she spent time in Nebraska with Bright Eyes and Bright Eyes/Monsters of Folk member Mike Mogis, who produced her debut UK album Notes from the Treehouse.

Shop: You can purchase Time Travel at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP: $11.29)

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Time Travel!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Gianna!

• To enter, comment on why you'd like to win.
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Alessi's Ark (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 Alessi's Ark on Twitter (leave your user name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is November 3, 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 November 4, 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.

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WW: The Next Best Thing to Chocolate Therapy

(They were out of Chocolate Therapy at Ben & Jerry's - Windward Mall so I got Chocolate Fudge Brownie).

For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday.

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Coupons for Hormel, BISSELL, Gerber, and More!

Here are some coupons being offered on Coupons.com:

$1.50 off BISSELL Stomp 'N Go™
$1.00 off HORMEL ALWAYS TENDER flavored product
$1.00 off any JOHNSON'S Baby product
$1.00 off any LISTERINE Antiseptic Mouthwash
$2.00 off Any Aleve 40ct or larger
$1.00 off 1 pkg of PHILADELPHIA Cooking Creme
$1.00 off 10 Yoplait Yogurts
$0.75 off 1 Dove Hair Care Product
$0.75 off 2 Windex Glass cleaning products
$1.00 off (5) Weight Watchers Smart Ones
$3.00 off two BISSELL Stomp ?N Go™
$0.40 off 2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crusts
$0.40 off two Pillsbury Sweet Rolls
$0.75 off Scrub Sponge 3-pack or Larger
$5.00 off CARS 2 Mattel & Fisher Price Toys
$1.00 off Cat's Pride cat litter
$1.50 off 2 T.G.I. FRiDAY'S Frozen Entrée for One
$0.75 off Yoplait Kid Zone yogurt
$0.50 off 2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie crusts
$1.00 off any LISTERINE for Kids product
$1.00 off on any Robitussin product
$1.00 off Honey Elixir or any Little Remedies
$5.00 off on any can of Enfagrow™ Powder
$0.40 off 1 Fleischmann's Pizza Crust Yeast
$1.00 off one BOTTLE OF GREASED LIGHTNING
$1.00 off DESITIN™ Soothing Rash Bath Treatment
$1.00 off ANY 2 GRADUATES PUFFS OR LIL CRUNCHIES
$3.00 off Lysol Clean-Flip™ Starter Kit
$0.50 off 2 Yoplait Greek yogurts
$0.55 off on any Bagel-fuls (4ct)
$1.00 off 2 GRADUATES YOGURT OR VEGGIE MELTS
$1.00 off ANY 1 GRADUATES LIL' ENTREES
$0.55 off 1 GERBER GRADUATES PASTA PICK-UPS
$1.00 off ANY OREGON CHAI PRODUCT
$0.50 off Fun da-middles™ Cupcake mix
$0.75 off a Gold Peak 59 oz. carafe any flavor
$1.50 off A 4 PACK OF SEATTLE'S BEST ICED LATTES
$1.00 off (1) Gas-X Product. Use as directed.
$0.50 off Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair
$5.00 off on ONE (1) Filtrete™ Water Station
$0.50 off 1 Scotch-Brite™ Botanical Disinfecting
$1.00 off Your Purchase of PEOPLE magazine
$0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product
$3.00 off 1 BOTTLE OF 16 oz. BreathRx Mouth Rinse
Up To 75% Off On Prescription Medication
$2.00 off any one e.p.t pregnancy test
Up To 75% Off On Prescription Medication
$3.00 off Celine Dion Fragrance Product
$1.00 off Healthy Gums Rinse
$1.00 off People Specials: Twilight Breaking Dawn
$2.00 off on ONE (1) Filtrete™ 8 Cup Water Pitcher
$1.50 off 1 ex-lax product. Use as directed.
$1.00 off on Schiff Mega-D3™
$10.00 off any Comfort Zone diffuser or spray
$3.00 off any COSEQUIN Dog Product
$2.00 off Monte Carlo on DVD or Blu-ray­™
$1.00 off one Dermarest psoriasis or eczema produ
$1.00 off any Brioschi product
$5.00 off Your $25.00 Order at Vistaprint
$3.00 off Cosamin DS Joint Health Supplement
$4.00 off Pass the Popcorn! board game
$4.00 off Cosamin ASU Joint Health Supplement
FREE Designer Montage & Extra 20% OFF purchase
$20.00 off for 12 months includes $75 VISA Card
$2.00 off any COSEQUIN Cat Product
$3.00 off Coromega Omega-3 Squeeze products
$100 Visa Gift Card for Joining ADT
$0.75 off any Effergrip Denture Adhesive product
$2.00 off any Percogesic product
FEE-FREE Cash Load on a Western Union Prepaid Card
$3.00 off Slo-Niacin
$2.00 off the Essence Hair Issue
$2.00 off any NASALCROM allergy product
Buy 1 Get 2 FREE EASY BAKE OVEN MIXES
$3.00 off 1 SOLID GOLD SUN DANCER™ Dog Food
$1.00 off Schiff MegaRed
$2.00 off AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion

The above is an affiliate promotion.  Click here for my disclosure policy.  

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Thomas & Friends: Merry Christmas, Thomas! DVD Review and Giveaway

Thomas & Friends: Merry Christmas Thomas!

Thomas lights up the tracks in a magical Christmas collection! Climb aboard for adventures and cheer as your favorite engines prepare for a festive celebration. Help Thomas find the grandest tree on Sodor and then join the Logging Locos as they sing the Misty Island Snow Song in the hope of a winter wonderland. As the snowflakes fall, Gordon, Mavis, and Percy will take you to the Steamworks for a special surprise party. ‘Tis the season for holiday magic with Thomas & Friends!


Episodes include:

· “Let It Snow”
· “Surprise, Surprise”
· “Percy the Snowman”
· “Tree Trouble”


DVD BONUS FEATURE


· The Christmas Gift Matching Game

Even though the holidays are a couple of months away, Merry Christmas, Thomas! really got my boys in the holiday spirit!

They loved Let It Snow and watched in anticipation to see if any snow would fall after Thomas sang the Misty Island Snow Song that the Logging Locos told him all about.  Gordon didn't believe it would work, but Thomas did and once he realized how to make the snow appear, the boys got all excited to see the snowflakes start falling!

Smiley really enjoyed Percy the Snowman.  He thought it was funny how Percy turned into a "snowman" and that Thomas couldn't find him underneath all of the snow!

What really made the DVD so enjoyable was all of the holiday scenes--the Christmas trees, the snow, the presents, the lights...I admit that the DVD started to get me into the holiday spirit too!

The important lessons that are discussed throughout the DVD, such as sharing and working hard, make Merry Christmas, Thomas! a DVD that can be watched all-year long, not only during the holidays.

And you can bet my boys will be doing just that--watching Merry Christmas, Thomas! many more times throughout the year!

Shop: You can purchase Thomas & Friends: Merry Christmas, Thomas! at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $14.98).

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Thomas & Friends: Merry Christmas, Thomas!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to mail4rosey!

• To enter, comment on what you plan to get for your child/grandchild (or any other child) for the upcoming winter holiday(s).
• 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 Thomas & Friends (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 November 1, 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 November 2, 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.

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MAM Review

I recently received a bunch of MAM goodies for Baby to try out.  

MAM babies are special. MAM parents are too. They want the best of all baby worlds combined: they want premium design and perfect function. Discerning parents choose to buy a MAM product on more than 40 million occasions around the world every single year. And when they do, they find the perfection they're looking for.

I was fortunate to receive MAM Bottles, Pacifiers, an Oral Care Rabbit, a Clip & Nipple Cover, and Cooler.

The MAM Bottles have easy-to-read measurement markings, and a nice, wide opening.

The Pacifiers are so colorful and lightweight.

The Oral Care Rabbit is so cute and it's perfect to help massage baby's gums.

My favorite items (and Baby's too) are the Clip & Nipple Cover and Cooler (teether).

The Clip easily attaches to baby's clothes, and having the teether attached to other end means Baby can easily find his teether and pick it up whenever it falls.

The clip does sometimes come off of his clothing, but more often than not, the clip stays put and Baby is happy sucking on his teether until I take it away.

The clip is also perfect to attach pacifiers and it also has a handy nipple cover to keep it clean and protected.

The MAM products are practical, innovative, and they make great gifts for any new mom and baby!

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.

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BISSELL Stomp 'N Go Review

I'm a big fan of BISSELL products. I have the ProHeat 2x Healthy Home Deep Cleaning System, as well as the Little Green ProHeat, so I was really excited to try the BISSELL Stomp 'N Go stain-lifting pad.

Stomp 'N Go:

• Stomp out tough stains
• Permanently removes tough set-in stains like red wine, food stains, fruit juice, pet messes, mud/dirt, coffee/tea, blood and more
• Leaves carpet smelling fresh

It wasn't too long before I needed to use the BISSELL Stomp 'N Go. One day Smiley spilled his grape juice onto the kitchen floor, and some juice splashed onto the carpet.

I immediately opened up the BISSELL Stomp 'N Go, placed it on the spill, stepped on it to release the cleaning solution, and I left it on for 24 hours (you can leave it on for just 30 minutes, but because it was grape juice I decided to leave it on for 24 hours).

As soon as I put the pad on the spill, I could see the juice getting absorbed.

After the 24 hours, I lifted the pad up and the stain was almost completely gone!

The direction of the fibers of the carpet make some areas look darker than others, and it makes it a bit hard to distinguish the carpet's color from the juice stains, but there are still a few faint stains there.

Despite that, I was pretty impressed that I could simply stomp on a pad and almost all of the juice was gone!

Even though I love my BISSELL machines, the Stomp 'N Go eliminated the need to take one of them out, fill up the container with water and cleaning solution, brush and vacuum up the spill, and clean out the containers and brushes.

I will actually soon be using my ProHeat 2x Healthy Home Deep Cleaning System when I do my regular carpet cleaning, and I'm sure the stain will be even less evident, if not disappear altogether, however, I'm glad that I was able to use the Stomp 'N Go, because it saved me a lot of time and effort. 

Overall I am satisfied with how the BISSELL Stomp 'N Go worked.  You wouldn't really notice anything was spilled unless it was pointed out or you looked up close, and with many more inevitable spills and messes that I know my carpet will endure, the BISSELL Stomp 'N Go pads is something I will want to have on hand at all times. 

Shop: You can purchase BISSELL Stomp 'N Go at various retailers online and nationwide (SRP $4.99/box of 5).

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of BISSELL and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space DVDs Review

Just in time for Halloween, we were fortunate to receive the DVDs Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space.

In Scared Shrekless, the gang gathers to celebrate Shrek’s favorite holiday: Halloween!  But instead of the usual tricks or treats, Shrek ups the ante and challenges everyone to spend the night telling scary stories—the last one to be scared Shrekless wins.  The DVD includes spooky spoofs on classics horror movies and features the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and
Antonio Banderas.

Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space finds Susan, B.O.B., The Missing Link, and Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. dispatched as special operatives to investigate a mysterious alien presence on Halloween.  As the night unravels, innocent-looking pumpkins are revealed for what they really are – mutant aliens!  Luckily the monsters are there to smash the mutants’ wicked scheme to take over Earth.  Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space features the star-studded cast of voice talent from the original hit film including Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland and Rainn Wilson.


Monsters vs. Aliens was hilarious, and all of the Halloween scenes got the boys excited to go trick-or-treating.

The boys loved watching the little pumpkins try and take over the neighborhood, and they giggled whenever they saw B.O.B.

I loved the adult humor and pop culture references (like when Dr. Cockroach looks like E.T. on a bicycle).

Scared Shrekless was also super funny, and our family's favorite of the two DVDs.  Like Monsters vs. Aliens, there were a lot of fun scenes that the boys enjoyed watching, and there was a lot of jokes only adults could understand.

I loved the parodies of the famous scary movies (Psycho, The Exorcist, etc.), but my favorite part of the DVD is actually one of the bonus features - the Thriller video.

Shrek and the other characters re-created Michael Jackson's popular video and I thought it was great.

And what made Shrek scream in the movie theater was quite funny!

Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space are great Halloween movies for the family to watch to get into the Halloween spirit, and would even make great Halloween gifts!

They are just the kind of Halloween DVDs I like to watch - full of humor instead of horror!

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.

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General Mills Big G Cereals Star Wars Promotion and $25 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway

The complete Star Wars saga in now available on Blu-ray!

Calling all Star WarsTM fans! Now you can take the Star Wars adventures to new heights by bringing home STAR WARS THE COMPLETE SAGA on Blu-ray. Relive the unforgettable moments and experience the spectacular adventure of STAR WARS The Complete Saga in a way only Blu-ray can deliver.

This incredible collection unites all six Episodes together for the first time in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With over 40 hours of thrilling special features, including all-new content created exclusively for this release, you can journey deeper into the Star Wars universe and discover more than ever before. Feel the Force of STAR WARS The Complete Saga on Blu-ray...!

In honor of the release, select General Mills Big G cereals have a limited edition Star Wars good versus evil image on their packaging, which when combined creates a full panoramic poster. 

Exclusively at Walmart, look for specially marked boxes of Big G cereals, including Honey Nut Cheerios®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, and Lucky Charms®. Collect all three to create a Star Wars panoramic poster showcasing your favorite characters, like Darth VadarTM, Luke SkywalkerTM, Han SoloTM, Princess LeiaTM and more.

Find more information about Big G cereals at www.WholeGrainNation.com.

Find out more information about Star Wars The Complete Saga at Blu-ray.Starwars.com.

We were fortunate to receive a box each of Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Lucky Charms, all of which had a piece of a Star Wars poster in the back.  I put them together to create a cool scene that really intrigued Smiley.

Smiley hasn't watched any of the Star Wars movies yet, so when he saw the back of the cereal boxes, he kept asking "What's that mommy?"

What a cool way to help promote the Star Wars saga on Blu-ray.

And since it's displayed in our kitchen, it's a constant reminder of what I should get for DH for the holidays...

Win:  One lucky winner will receive a General Mills Big G Cereals Prize Pack which includes one box of each of the following cereals to form their own Star Wars panoramic poster: Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, $25 Walmart gift card.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Carrie!

• To enter, comment on your favorite Star Wars movie.
• 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 www.WholeGrainNation.com and Blu-ray.Starwars.com (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 October 28, 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 October 29, 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 MyBlogSpark, General Mills, and Walmart for providing the information and product(s) 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.

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Coupons for Pillsbury, Smart Balance, Betty Crocker, and More!

Here are coupons being offered on the Coupon Network:

$5.00 off any ONE multi-pack of Philips Sonicare brush heads
$1.00 off Pillsbury® Sweet Moments® Refrigerated Desserts
$1.00 off Betty Crocker® or Fiber One® Box Muffin Mix
50¢ off TWO CUPS any flavor Yoplait® Greek yogurt
50¢ off when you buy ONE BOX Fun da-middles™ Cupcake Mix
50¢ off Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Cake Mix & Frosting
50¢ off any flavor/variety Nature Valley® Granola Thins
50¢ off Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel®/Scrambles®/Pancakes
$1.00 off when you buy Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough
75¢ off when you buy any ONE BOX select Total® cereals
$1.00 off when you buy TWO BOXES General Mills cereals
75¢ off when you buy any ONE BOX select Kix® cereals
50¢ off when you buy any flavor/variety Bugles® Corn Snacks
50¢ off Nature Valley® Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars
$1.75 off when you buy any TWO Ester-C® Items
50¢ off when you buy ONE LouAna® Product
60¢ off when you buy any ONE Smart Balance® Buttery Spread
$1.00 off when you buy ONE box of POST GREAT GRAINS Cereal
$3.00 off when you buy any ONE REFRESH® Brand Product
40¢ off Stevia In the Raw Products
40¢ off on Pillsbury® Refrigerated Italian Meal Breads
40¢ off on Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls
40¢ off when you buy TWO PACKAGES Totino's® Rolls Snacks
30¢ off on Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® Biscuits
$1.60 off when you buy any TWO AXE® Styling Products
40¢ off when you buy ONE POUCH Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix
40¢ off on Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars or Brownies
50¢ off on Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts
$1.00 off on Totino's® Crisp Crust Party Pizza® Products
50¢ off on any flavor Betty Crocker® boxed Potatoes
50¢ off when you buy TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls
50¢ off when you buy EIGHT CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt
75¢ off Romano's Macaroni Grill® Restaurant Favorites® Kit
$1.00 off on any TWO BOXES select Cheerios® cereals
50¢ off when you buy TWO Uncle Ben's® Ready Rice® products
50¢ off on Uncle Ben's® Long Grain & Wild Rice products
$2.00 off when you buy any TWO GoodBelly® Quarts
$5.00 off Philips Norelco 7000 Series Electric Razor
$10.00 off Philips Norelco Speed XL/Nivea for Men Razor
$1.50 off THREE NESTLÉ® Halloween Chocolate Funsize Bars
$1.00 off when you buy ONE Purina ONE® brand Dry Cat Food
$3 off 1 Multi-pack AVENT BPA-Free Baby Bottles
$1.00 off SIX Mighty Dog® 5.5 oz single cans
$1.50 off when you buy any TWO Sundown Naturals® Product
$1.60 off any TWO Nature's Bounty® Vitamins or Supplements
$2.00 off when you buy any ONE PEOPLE® Magazine
$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.  

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