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Caroline Alexander is a mother daughter small business that creates unique accessories for women, children, and the home.
These are very beautiful, feminine items. Their inspiration comes from their children and our friends who inspire them to create one-of-a-kind designs in multi-media (clay, ribbon, paint, beads, glitter and anything that you could imagine). As a fickle crafter, it sounds like me!.
“Our whimsical designs are constantly evolving and taking us on new adventures. Each item is handcrafted by us and takes many hours of hard work. We hope to impress you by our exclusive creations and hope you stop by regularly to check our ever changing inventory”
Here are some of the Categories:
Fairy Houses
Fairy Door and Leaves (totally adorable!)
Silk Flower Accessories
Ribbon Flower Accessories
Wedding Accessories
Handbags
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the fairy houses. They are dainty, girlie, whimsical and fun. What a unique gift!
Caroline Alexander has offered one lucky Blogmania reader a $25.00 Gift certificate to use towards a purchase at their site on anything their heart desires.
To Enter: Please post your favorite item from CarolineAlexander.net Your email address must be included in your blogger profile OR posted here or another winner will be selected.
* US entries only
* Giveaway starts Sunday 08/30/2009 and ends Saturday 09/12/2009 at 11:59pm EST
* Winner will be selected via random.org
* Winner must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.
EXTRA ENTRIES
After meeting criteria for main entry, please submit an additional comment for each extra entry. For extra entries you can do any of the following:
- Follow Caroline Alexander and myself in Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway. Please leave link. 2 entries (please post twice)
- Blog about this giveaway 2 entries (please post twice)
- Follow this blog – 1 entry
- Visit www.carolinealexander.blogspot.com and follow! 1 entry
I did not receive any form of compensation for this post. For more details on this blog and my posting practices, please see the disclosure form on the bottom of this page.
Now that my blog is up and running I really do need to get some business cards printed! People are using business cards now for everything. “Mommy cards” are very popular for mothers looking to network with other parents. People are using business cards as social “calling cards”. I love colorful, personalized cards. These say a lot about the personality of the person.
Digital Room has great options for self priniting your own cards! They have graciously offered 2 Blogmania readers the opportunity to win a set of business cards:
Die Cut Business Card
(2) PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE 500 Business Cards:
Your choice of size: Business Card Sizes 2×3.5”, 2×3”, 2×2″;
Your choice of paper: 14pt cardstock (matte or gloss coating) & 13 pt cardstock uncoated
Your choice of Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside
To Enter: Let me know what you would use YOUR Business cards for!
* US entries only / US shipping only
* Giveaway starts Sunday, 08/30/2009 and ends Tuesday 09/08/09 at 11:59pm EST
* Winner will be selected via random.org
* shipping costs paid by winner
EXTRA ENTRIES
Please submit an additional comment for each extra entry. For extra entries you can do any of the following:
- Blog about this giveaway
5 entries (please post 5x)
- Follow me in Twitter @misaacmom AND tweet about this giveaway. Please leave link.
2 entries (please post twice)
- Follow me (current followers eligible), grab my button and/or list Blogmania on your blogroll.
1 entry for each method
Winner selected via random.org. Digital Room is responsible for prize fufillment.
I was presented with the opportunity to receive business cards for doing this giveaway in partnership with Digital Room. Please see disclosure policy below for more information on this site’s posting practices.
When Miss C was in competitive gymnastics, we traveled quite a bit in state for competitions and tournaments. This year was her last year of competing and we went as a family to one of the meets. Competition time can get expensive when you are traveling every month, and sometimes every week so we try to keep costs down. My husband found a discount hotel online with a continental breakfast. We were guaranteed a non-smoking room.
When we got there my heart sunk. Our great hotel was not so great. It was at least 40 years old with little upkeep. As I peered in the front office I noticed a very narrow, adjoining room with one rickety table for 2 and a total of 3 cereal dispensers lining the wall. “Surely this is not the continental breakfast” I told myself. (it was)
We finally got checked in and went to our room. It was cramped, dingy and filled with smoke. We were guaranteed a non-smoking room. Nope – overbooked. They sent someone up to clean our room and she simply sprayed about 1/2 a can of Lysol in the room. The smoke smell was less noticeable but the fumes from the excessive use of Lysol were worse. I ended up leaving the front door open to air out the room. As we looked out the front door we gazed directly at the brand new, clean, grand Holiday Inn directly across the adjoining Parking Lot. I even made my husband call to see if they had any availability. Nope – booked…. We learned a valuable lesson – You don’t have to get the most expensive hotel room but you sure as heck should not get the cheapest one!
If you want to do an affordable trip, consider a “state-cation”. Traveling locally can save money but being frugal does not mean scrimping on fun. This is a wonderful way to learn more about your state, do something different, refresh and renew, have fun with the kids, etc. Holiday Inn is an affordable option for families.
Holiday Inn is an iconic symbol reminder of the 70’s – a common pit-stop for families on annual road trips. A Holiday Inn always resided in every city I had ever visited – the familiar hunter green sign with white lettering. A first family state-cation early in my marriage (my husband, my daughter and myself) was actually at a Holiday Inn in Western North Carolina. My husband and I both felt confident that we would be staying in a clean hotel with comfortable accommodations for an evening’s stay when we made reservations at Holiday Inn.
Today’s Holiday Inn is improving with the times by transforming its hotels world wide. Changes include signature bedding with “soft” and “firm” pillows and power showers in the bathroom, just to name a few, all with a more contemporary look and feel. Holiday Inn also boasts more than 2,500 locations in the US, offering a fun and easy getaway in every state.
Are your ready for summer to end? Take an opportunity in August to explore your home state with family and friends. Soon enough busy fall schedules take over, cold weather will set in and you will be dreaming of a fun road trip.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Holiday Inn. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
I don’t have any crazy cleaning confessions. I am basically just a crazy, slightly OCD cleaning fool. I LOVE nothing more than clean, orderly, well organized house and make great efforts to accomplish this. Cleaning to me is therapeutic, invigorating, and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I am through. It could also be said that is is a control issue, but I don’t care. I still love doing it.
My husband and 2 of my children do not feel the same affinity towards the “cleanliness is godliness” philosphy that I hold as to be an infinite truth. Only Miss E. shares my passion for cleaning and organizing. I will often catch her reorganizing after I help her clean her room. Yes, I already know which of my girl’s homes I will be visiting regularly when they are grown…..
That said, one neatnik plus one neatnik “in training” do NOT equate to a clean home when there are five residents. Last weekend I spent the majority of the day cleaning Miss N.’s room in dismay while she “helped” (translation: she was not much of a help). The work can be daunting. I keep up with the daily cleaning but rely heavily on help from the homestead. Hey – if you make the mess, expect to help clean it up!
Whether you are tidy, or not-so-tidy, you can share cleaning confessions of your own.
Check out the Kenmore You Tube Website to see the cleaning confessions of others. If you are so inclined, you can create a video of your own, upload to YouTube and enter the Kenmore Crazy Cleaning Confessions contest. The rules and entry dates for the contest can be found HERE!
OK – I do have one confession of my own…. I admit that I love watching TV shoes like “Clean House” and “How Clean is your House” . I am always intrigued by the disgusting messes people live in. I find these shows to be a great source for cleaning and decorating inspiration. Every time I see the disasters these people live in with I have an urge to go and help clean and organize. Most people would run the other way but I am always ready to tackle a cleaning challenge.
While you are here visiting, feel free to share your cleaning triumphs and challenges! Oh, and feel free to pass along any good tips.
I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kenmore and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Random.org Timestamp: 2009-08-31 01:47:15 UTC:
JACLYN (Grand Prize)
blueviolet
Mia J.
guettel78
js22 said
Congrats to the winners!
I am a carboholic. I love bread, pasta, coolies, pastries, rice, potatoes, and even starchy veggies (corn and carrots). Add that to my love of sweets and you have an unhealthy combo. Carbs are healthy in moderation but most Americans like me tend to go overboard on the carb intake.
Over the past couple of years I have made a contentious effort to change our eating habits. I rarely purchase white bread – opting instead for wheat or other healthy grains. It took a while to get my kids on board but they no longer ask for white bread.
Atkins has also made eating healthier easier. Atkins has recently added two new staples to their product line to help us eat a greater variety of our favorite foods. Atkins’ new All Purpose Baking Mix and Penne Pasta come packed with fiber, are low in sugar. These fit perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle and they make cooking and baking easier (which as a working mom I am ALL about). You can indulge in your favorites without the guilt when you add healthy products to your menu plan. .
Today I tried the Atkins pancake mix. To be fair my husband and kids did not really like them BUT I make the absolute worst pancakes out of anyone I know. I make great waffles but have not, even after 14 years of raising kids, have I EVER made a decent batch of pancakes. My pancakes stink…. Also, my kids I (and hubby) like consistency and this was different than what they were used to.
The Atkins brand had a grainier texture than my regular pancake mix. It was a little heartier which is really surprising with a low carb product and I really liked this. I also liked the packaging – the batter mix came in a reusable heavy duty plastic bag instead of a box which helps keep the product fresh. Normally with most products I would prefer a box from a recycling perspective, but because of the dangers of pancake batter mix and mold when stored in cardboard boxes. I think this is much safer. (here is an older article)
I am really looking forward to making the pasta. My pancakes may be cruddy but I make the best pasta! Being Italian in heritage, I still love to make hearty pasta dishes. I refuse to give this up, but now I can make healthier versions of my favorite recipes using Atkins!
Love to cook and love to eat healthy OR are you trying for a healthier lifestyle? To celebrate the launch of their new products, Atkins has announced an online recipe contest where you can share your own recipe featuring the All Purpose Baking Mix or Penne Pasta and win great prizes. Recipes can be submitted to www.atkins.com by September 30, 2009.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Atkins and received samples to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Miss E. is most like me out of my three girls. She loves puzzles, reading, games. My husband loves to call us nerds but we don’t mind. I still like to play games – I may not be the high scorer or even in the top 10% but I find it productive in moderation to help with improving my memory (long term is great – short term, not so much), focus, and attention to detail.
I encourage my kids to play games also, whether it be card games, board games or computer games. It teaches them how to play with others, helps them learn to think strategically, gives them a sense of accomplishment when they do well and most importantly they have fun.
BrainFuel is a new web based program that is designed to maximize kids’ learning potential. BrainFuel4Kids.com aims to help take your child’s learning to the next level. You can find out more about how BrainFuel was formed HERE.
BrainFuel has fun categories such as “Brain Food” (Breakfast, Lunch and Vitamins and Herbs) “Brain Health” (Brain Facts, Exercise the Brain and Protecting the Brain) and “Brain Games“. These are aimed to engage both kids and mom/dad. The site provides us Moms as much benefit as kids with an interactive forum. This gives parents an opportunity to share learning ideas with each other.
My favorite area is the fun but challenging games for kids from Lumosity.com . These are designed to promote quicker thinking, better concentration, and improved memory.
On a constant quest to eat better and share that goal with my family, BrainQuest can help – they have a lot of information on foods / vitamins that can help with brain function.
While you are there, also make sure to enter the BrainFuel $30,000 cash giveaway in partnership with Rachel Ray OR their own giveaway for an annual membership to Luminosity for joining their newsletter.
On your next rainy day or as a great reward, check out Brain Fuel! Just make sure you share your computer time with the children 
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of BrainFuel and received an insulated lunch bag from California Innovations to thank me for taking the time to participate.
You know what I love more than ANYTHING. Doing Laundry! I love lugging heavy bottles of detergent and fabric softener up the stairs, sorting clothes, measuring the liquids, waiting for loads to dry, folding, putting clothes away and wondering why the laundry never ends. Sounds like fun, right? Not. BIG Not. (Although I much prefer doing laundry to the dishes but it is not my favorite chore by any means).
So what is a gal to do? With three kids the laundry is not going to go away. I am not independently wealthy so cannot afford a maid or a laundry service. We conserve as much as we can. I have reiterated to my kiddos that wearing a shirt for five minutes does not constitute as “dirty” and I have gotten out of my “must have a fresh towel after every shower” bad habit, etc. but seriously, we have enough laundry to make me avoid the room like the plague.
How clever of Purex to come out with a solution to lessen the avoidance attempts of doing laundry. Purex has come out with an innovative solution to laundry dilemma – Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets. These sheets are not your average dryer sheets – these are a total laundry solution – a load’s worth of detergent, softener and anti-static all in one powerful sheet.
I have used Purex detergent for years but wanted to put these fabric sheets to the test. I already use Purex as my primary brand (it is affordable and it works great) and these just looked too good to be true.
I was a little nervous about how well this would do. I have three kids which equates to a lot of questionable stains and 1 or more loads of laundry a day. We have always had an EXTRA Capacity Washer and Dryer. thank god. We need it. Or I would be doing 2 – 3 loads a day. So how did the Purex Complete 3-in-1 laundry sheets do?
I picked these up at Walmart yesterday. (Just in case I did NOT like these, I also picked up my normal purchase of Purex Natural Elements). The Purex Complete 3-in-1 laundry sheets are a little pricier than normal laundry detergent I paid $5.94 and had a $1.00 coupon so the total cost is about $0.25 per load – factor in that this also includes the cost of liquid laundry detergent, fabric softener AND dryer sheets.
The Purex Complete 3-in-1 laundry sheets came in a convenient, reusable plastic box which held 20 laundry sheets. It was really easy to use. I simply took the fabric sheet out of the box, started the washer, threw it in, waited about a minute while the tub started to fill up, then put my clothes in. When the wash was done it smelled clean and fresh (I checked). I put the laundry in the dryer, including the sheet and nothing else and then ran the dryer cycle. The clothes came out soft, clean and static free. So Easy!
What I really loved most about this product. Instead of 3 separate products, I used one much smaller product that does three jobs. Less waste. Less junk in the landfill. Better for mama earth. I also love that the box is refillable – the refill packs are smaller and economical. The following is from the Purex Website (not yours truly):
-
Less Water
As you may have noticed, liquid detergents have gone to smaller bottles and converted to a 2X Ultra Concentration. Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets take concentration to the next level! If everyone in the United States1 switched to buying Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets, 41 Olympic-sized pools worth of water would be saved each single refill purchase versus purchasing a standard 50oz bottle of liquid detergent!
-
Less Packaging
The Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets Refill has 43% less packaging than the products it replaces. If every American bought just one Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheet Refill instead of even one bottle of liquid detergent2, we could prevent the equivalent of 91 million detergent bottles (27 million lbs), originally destined for landfills, from being produced – keeping over eight football fields worth of packaging out of landfills.
-
Less Weight
With less water and packaging to transport, we are able to reduce CO2 emissions from transportation by 67%. That’s an equivalent savings of removing 3,143 cars from the road for a year versus the CO2 that would be generated from the same people buying a bottle of detergent3!
- Assumes US population of 113,567,967 based on US Census 2009 Projection
- Detergent bottle assumption based on Purex Liquid detergent 50oz bottle
- Removes 36,053,929 lbs. of CO2 from the road with assumed 11,470 lbs. of CO2 generated from each car (Source: Walmart Sustainability Substantiation)
If you are a busy parent I really do recommend that you check this out. Anything to make our lives easier. Here is a free coupon to get you started! (while supplies last). Also, if you are a blogger and want a chance to win a years supply of Purex Sheets, check out THIS SHEET WORKS. (It really does!)
I did not receive any form of compensation to do this post. This post was done in partnership with Purex as part of the This Sheet Works and Purex Insiders programs / campaigns. Please see disclosure policy below for more information on this blog and my posting practices.
I recently received a Sleepy Bear for review. It is just adorable. I was very impressed with the size of the stuffed animal and the quality of the construction. This is is a high-quality plush toy that is designed not only to be fun, but also educational.
The Sleepy Bear is designed to teach small children about baby-wearing. It is an excellent toy for a todder / preschooler who is already or is soon to be a new big brother or big sister. It presents the concept of mom caring for another child through play.
My girls keep asking if they can have this bear but I am setting it aside for one of my nieces as it is more age appropriate for them. My oldest niece, 4, has a baby sister and acts as a mini-mommy instead of as a sibling – the sleepy bear would be a perfect companion for her!
Some noteable points about the Sleepy Bear:
· The very first stuffed toy to help promote babywearing!
· 100% organic – Ecofriendly!
· There are NO removable parts that could be potential choking hazards – the eyes, nose, etc. are all stitched on so that curious little hands won’t have anything to pull off.
· The wrap that the bear is wearing (Organic Khaki wrap) is also available in full size for mom’s at: www.sleepywrap.com/organic
The Sleepy Wrap IS available on the Sleepywear.com website but the Sleepy Bear is currently available exclusively through select merchants. See below for a list of retailers who carry the Sleepy Bear:
Tadpoles & Butterflies
Sherwood Park, Alberta CANADA
info@tadpoles.ca
www.tadpoles.ca
1.888.312.6554
Supermommy’s Superstore
2411 Ring Road, Suite 105
Elizabethtown, KY
accounts@supermommyssuperstore.com
www.SupermommysSuperstore.com
270.769.6693
Sweet Infant
1007 S. Country Club Rd.
Lovington, NM
support@sweetinfant.com
www.sweetinfant.com
575.441.3005
Nurtured Family
8525 Jackrabbit Rd., Suite B
Houston, TX
support@nurturedfamily.com
www.nurturedfamily.com
832.239.5140
Heavenly Hold
510 Briarfield Crossing
Marietta, GA
amber@heavenlyhold.com
www.heavenlyhold.com
404.849.5394
Baby Carriers-n-More
265 W Cimmarron Way
Erda, UT
robyn@babycarriersnmore.com
www.babycarriersnmore.com
801.671.5740
Attached to Baby
Seattle, WA
sara@attachedtobaby.com
www.attachedtobaby.com
800.887.1461
I have one Sleepy Bear to give away to a lucky Blogmania reader.
To enter please visit the sleepy wrap site and post something you learned AND who you would love this bear for.
- Main rule above must be followed or entry will not be considered
- US entries only
- Winner will be contacted via email. If your email is not in your post or in your profile another winner will be selected. If winner does not respond within 3 business days another winner will be selected.
Giveaway begins on 08/25/2009 and ends on 09/02/09
- Follow @misaacmom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Please leave link to your tweet. 1 entry
- Blog about this giveaway post link here. 2 entries (please post 2x)
- Follow me (current followers eligible), grab my button and/or list Blogmania on your blogroll. 1 entry for each method
- Favor this blog in Technorati – post your Technorati user name 3 entries (please post 3x)
sleepywrap.com is responsible for prize fufillment. This post was done in partnership with Parent Reviewers. Outside of a Sleepy Bear provided to me for review, I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.
What is the world coming to? Michelle Obama was caught on camera wearing “short” shorts on a hiking trip. What was she thinking? Although I do question the length of her shorts being considered short (obviously no one has been paying attention to the daisy dukes kids are wearing today), I cannot believe she would even consider wearing shorts on a hiking trip. In summer no less! Common, surely she must know that she must be fully suited up, in couture, from head-to-toe AT ALL TIMES as part of her first wifely duties. This includes presidential dinners, public speaking engagements, trips to the gym, surfing the net, lounging, tending to sick children, sleeping, bathing, and, of course, hiking.
Warning: Objectionable content. May not be suited for younger readers.
Even more horrific is that earlier this month she wore a dress from, (please try not to faint or vomit)… Target! And not this season either. Oh for shame, for shame. Forget world hunger, forget global warming, forget the natural deficit, oh and please, let’s forget the national health plan. This is a real crisis – a noteworthy and newsworthy event that should take top credo in all current news headlines. This one is making the history books folks. Who in their right mind would wear clothing from Target. I mean heck, who even shops at Target? Have you even ever heard of Target?
I am just appalled.
