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Join me this Friday and take a dive into the Giveaway Pool! Each Friday the Giveaway Pool features an amazing giveaway or review that provides a way for you to share some linky love of your own. This is an opportunity to promote your own giveaways by featuring them on Blessings Abound. If you would like to take part please provide your links in the following format:

– Blog name (prize information – ending date) with a link to the actual giveaway, not your home page.
Today’s Hot Giveaway Is:

Le Creuset Cookware

About the Le Creuset:

The Le Creuset company was started in 1925 after two industrialists met at the 1924 Brussels Fair in Belgium. Octave Aubecq was an enameling specialist and Armand Desaegher a casting specialist when they conceived of an idea to enamel cookware items in a foundry. They started their company, Le Creuset, and set up their foundry in the arable landscape and rolling hills of Northern France, approximately 120 miles away from Paris. This was a strategic move by the owners as it positioned their business right at the crossroads of the transportation routes that existed at the time for raw materials such as coke, sand, and iron. At the same time that year, the first French oven called the Cocotte was produced, the shape and name of which became pivotal to what has become an extensive range of French produced cookware.

The company began to develop and expand their product ranges between 1935 – 1945 to include cookers, hot plates for electric cookers, charcoal stoves, and certain kitchen utensils. They also started to develop their commercial strategy by launching their first press and radio publicity campaign that promoted the quality of their enameled cookware range. Unfortunately, troubled times came to the region at the onset of the Second World War and the German Wehrmacht took possession of the foundry to make grenades during the war.

After the war, from 1945 – 1955, the company experienced a new start. They continued their strategy of concentrating on a range of enameled cast iron cookware and added exciting new styles and originality of colors that made Le Creuset a major innovator of those times.

In 1952 international export began in earnest with 50% of exported goods earmarked for Europe and 50% for the United States. In 1947 the company took a further leap in the United States by setting up a subsidiary in the Low Country of South Carolina, called Le Creuset of America, Inc.

Over the years Le Creuset has released numerous innovative product colors and designs onto the market. Today Le Creuset cookware and kitchen utensils are sold around the world in more than 60 countries including the UK, USA, Australia, and Japan.

Putting Le Creuset Through the Mom Trails

It seems that any cookware line is simply not complete unless it includes at least one quality non-stick frying pan. I was recently fortunate enough to try out the company’s new ‘Forged Hard-anodized Cookware’ line. All I can say is that I found its 12” fry pan to be beyond good! In fact, its performance is nothing less than incredible! Cooking sticky foods in this pan that normally gets gunk to stick all over other pans, is a dream! It cooks food evenly and browns perfectly which makes it the ideal pan for several applications including deep frying, sautéing, pan frying, and one pan meals.

Cooking the perfect omelette becomes effortless when using Le Creuset’s Deep Fry Pan. The egg does not stick to the sides and bottom of the pan at all which also makes cleaning up much easier.

Sauteing and deep frying is a breeze as the deep sides and slightly narrow cooking surface helps to keep oil and fat from escaping. The large cooking surface and deep side walls makes it ideal for convenient one-pan meals that have become so popular lately as it reduces the number of pots and pans to clean up after a meal.

The Le Creuset Deep Fry Pan comes with a glass lid that fits perfectly to ensure even cooking, eliminate splattering, and to keep food warm while waiting to be served.

Le Creuset’s line of Forged Hard-anodized Cookware is made of top quality materials and sturdy enough to last a lifetime. A major benefit is that you can use your metal utensils with this fry pan without worrying about scratching or damaging the surface. You can also safely use this pan in the oven up to 500 °F and the glass lid is oven-safe up to 350 °F.

Regular non-stick fry pans are no match for the high performance of this amazing deep fry pan from Le Creuset. I can quite honestly say that I have never been as impressed by a pan as I am by the quality and versatility of this beautifully crafted deep fry pan. If I had to choose just one pan to cook all my meals, it would certainly be this one – and the price tag of around $170 for this Deep Fry Pan and Glass Lid set is definitely worth it!

Giveaway Time

One of our lucky readers stands a chance of winning her very own Le Creuset 12” Deep Fry Pan with Glass Lid from Le Creuset at an average price of $170. All you have to do to qualify for a chance to win this Giveaway set is visit a Le Creuset dealership near you and pick out your favorite piece of Le Crueset you would love to own.

You can also earn:

10 Extra Entries for:
• blogging about this Blessing and linking it back to this Giveaway post

1 Extra Entry each for:
• Subscribing to my blog (current subscribers also count)
• Blogging about this Blessing and linking it back to this post
• Twittering about this Blessing and commenting that you did so using your twitter i.d.
• Follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/akblessings
• Favorite my blog on Technorati and updating to reflect the new URL
• Post my button on your site or blog (please update with the new code reflecting the new design if you have one)

Please leave me a separate comment on each item above that you have completed stating that you have done so.

The winner will be chosen by Random Drawing. If you are a winner and I am unable to contact you or you do not claim your prize within 48 hours of receiving your winning notification by email of my posting of the winner in the Winner’s Section, you will forfeit your prize. Failure to claim prizes will be kept in the ‘live contest’ section. It is important to follow the directions carefully in order to avoid being disqualified.

This Blessing Giveaway is open to bloggers as well as non-bloggers. The time period to comment and be entered for a chance to win starts from now until [date] at 11.59 pm (Alaska Time). The winner will be picked via a random drawing and announced on this blog shortly afterwards. Blessings are also open to readers in the USA.

*Please note that this review is my own personal opinion and is based solely on my experience. Results for other people may differ and vary from person to person.

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend!

This Giveaway Pool is planned by my friend who is working as a carpenter and a deck builder in San Jose.

Giveaway Pool 05-01-2009

We’re drifting on the Giveaway Pool this Friday! Giveaway Pool Fridays will highlight a fantastic review and also show you how you can share some linky love your own style by promoting your own giveaways on Blessings Abound!

Kindly place your links in this style: Name of Blog (prize info- closing date) and link to the actual giveaway and not your homepage.

Today’s awesome giveaway is:

Lime Ricki

Meet the Brand:

The last time the sisters of Lime Ricki met, they sat around at a family get-together asking what-ifs. Eight months later, they found themselves pushing one another to the finish line during the Utah Marathon.

It all began after Colette had a rather frustrating experience at the mall, looking for a teen swimsuit for her daughter.

How was Colette meant to go about that scenario? She escalated her concern to her sisters.

Her younger sister Nicole had the same experience when searching for a swimsuit not only for her daughter who was just about to be a teenager but for herself as well. And while Jennifer’s daughter was still wearing diapers, she was aware that the fashion issue was not about to get any better. Unless…

Contemporary Swimsuits. Mega Style.
What if they chose to design their suits personally? Tankinis that looked great and did not cost as much — designs that their daughters and friends would actually wear?

Lime Ricki Swimwear covers your body comfortably. The only thing it exposes is your style. This means not having to adjust, pull, tug, or otherwise, be concerned about anything hanging out. The Lime Ricki sisters designed these swimsuits just for YOU! They are high-quality swimwear designed for swimming, playing, and lounging but most importantly, looking good.

Through the Mommy Tests: With summer fast approaching, it’s only right that we draw our focus to the forthcoming swimsuit season.

As mothers, we can rightly state that our bodies are not as they used to be before we had our lovely kids. In fact, not a lot of us are okay with wearing a bikini in our postpartum figures and we’re surely not excited about wearing a swimsuit that is not unfashionable and flattering.

Cue Lime Ricki’s modest swimsuits.

You don’t have to look dreary to consider yourself well covered. Lime Ricki’s swimsuits are available in a diverse range of fun, flirty prints that cover your body from unwanted skin showing out.

They also have a Key Lime swimsuit line where they use complex swimsuit designs that have the extra advantages of trimming and slimming your figure while covering the upper part f your body. They offer a cute Gabby Tankini Top which helps the Susan G. Komen Foundation in its fight against breast cancer!

I got the Amelia Turquoise Bottoms and Tankini Top and I just love it!

I adore how extra long the tankini is because it doesn’t slide up to expose my midriff while swimming or any other rigorous physical activity. The suit is really flattering because the polka dot print takes the main away from your middle area.

I love that I don’t have to be concerned about the tankini creeping up and showing my untoned tummy. It allows me to enjoy the freedom of a 2-piece. It has a vintage-themed style with ruffles, polka dots, and ruching that add a lovely feminine touch and are quite adorable.

They are a lot better as compared to having on any of those plain dull, slimming swimwear. It’s a lovely suit thanks to its additional straps that go around the back which is such a sweet touch and also ensures that I am sufficiently covered.

The bottoms come with a two-inch band on the top to provide a comfy fit and more coverage. Another amazing thing about this swimsuit collection is that you can mix and match tops with bottoms in order to come up with a variety of swimsuit styles to go with your personality!

Time for the Giveaway! A fortunate Blessings Abound reader will take home a Lime Ricki swimsuit of their choice! All you need to do to be eligible to win is to go through your hip line swimsuits and drop a comment on which swimsuit is your favorite!

Additional Entries:

Subscribe to my blog. Existing subscribers also count!
Write about this blessing on your blog and provide a link back to it.
Tweet about this blessing and comment that you did with your Twitter handle.
Give my Twitter a follow at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
If you have Technoratim you can fave my blog.
Publish my button on your site or blog.
Kindly drop a separate comment for each entry you make stating that you have done so.
I would like to insist that you provide your email with every entry so that I can easily reach you if you happen to be the winner.

If you win and I cannot reach you or are unable to claim your prize within 72 hours of me posting you as the winner, you will forfeit your prize and I will find a new winner. Kindly adhere to the instructions or you will be disqualified from the contest!

Bloggers and non-bloggers can both win the prize. The contest will run from now until the 11th of May at midnight (Alaska time). Any comment posted after will not be entered for a chance to win. I will choose a winner at random and announce it on my blog just after the 12th of May!

Have a great weekend!

This Giveaway is sponsored by my thoughtful friend who is working as a concrete contractor in Corpus Christi, Texas.

We’re riding the waves this Friday! Giveaway Pool Fridays will feature an amazing review or giveaway and provide you with a way to share some linky love your way by promoting your own giveaways on Blessings Abound! Please leave your links in this format: Blog name (prize information- ending date) and link to the actual giveaway and not your homepage.

This Friday’s Hot Giveaway is:

Meet the Artist:

“Creativity has been in my blood since the day I entered the world. I would say it’s genetic but I was also influenced and inspired by my family…mostly by my amazing mom who was my elementary and middle school art teacher and by my younger sister who made all kinds of arts and crafts projects with me so we could sell our goods to kind people in our front yard. I was also influenced by my upbringing…by growing up in Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico; I was always surrounded by vibrant colors, shapes and textures. By the time I was in high school, it was inevitable that I was assigned to projects like creating yearbook covers and musical play posters and that I was focused on a career in graphic design.

However, my practical side took over when Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania recruited me to join their management program in the publishing and printing industries. So I left San Juan and via the college route, I landed in a sales and marketing job in the hustling and bustling business climate of the Northeast. Although I managed to dabble in creative hobbies, I became fully immersed in my corporate career as a direct marketing professional in Philadelphia (although I never got used to the winter).

As time went on, I got married and had 2 exceptional kids and while my personal life was amazing, I got really-really bored with work. As much as I continued to learn so much about business and it continued to result in successful jobs and great experiences, I knew I missed my calling. So I started taking a hodge-podge of art classes at a local college…and thrived. I had fun in drawing, totally dug my color theory teacher, got frustrated with classical painting, poked around graphic design programs and absolutely fell in love with metal smithing.

Once I was exposed to the craft, I trained for over 4 years learning all kinds of jewelry making techniques and was completely captivated once I started creating dimensional and colorful pieces by fusing glass and clay. I became obsessed with this material and how to use it to make wearable and edgy art. Right about the same time, my sister turned the big 4-0, so she picked out her special birthday gift…this very cool glass necklace I made with scrap glass in one of my classes. And as she wore it, she said it literally enhanced her mood. People would stop her in all kinds of weird places and kept asking her where they could buy a necklace just like hers and the rest, as they say, is history.

I decided to say good bye to my boss, ditched my suits, bought a cool car and started my own business over 4 years ago…the answer to my obsession. Since then, I’ve continued to design, create and enhance moods using my craft and finally, with so many people continuing to ask where to find my jewelry, I created this very cool web site. And now…the world knows.”

Through the Mom Trials:

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and I know many of you are pondering what to give your dear mother this year.  Have I got a hip find for your mom!  I received a chic and personalized toggle necklace from Hip Fusion Designs that puts the ordinary hand stamped necklace to shame!  It is a handcrafted necklace with sterling silver beads and features bar tags that are anchored on a clasp that you take off and fasten from the front instead of the back creating a fresh, unique look that’s easy to wear.  You can add up to 6 tags and customize the front and back with whatever you’d like on them and you also have the option between several different types of beads to be strung on the necklace to fit your preference.  I personalized mine with my children’s name on it and I love wearing this beautiful piece of jewelry that speaks volumes of my love for my little blessings!

All Neida’s creations are stunning pieces of art that is durable and made to last and even includes a lifetime guarantee!  Along with providing personalized and made to order items. she offers many ready to go designs that she keeps on hand and are available to ship right away.  Neida is pleasant to work with and provides terrific customer service and takes her time to ensure that your purchase will arrive the way you have specified.  Last but not least, her items are shipped at a flat rate of ony $7 and comes packaged in a beautiful gift box and lovely ribbon made out of recycled and Eco-friendly materials that takes the headache out of gift giving!  Any of the gorgeous pieces of jewelry found in this collection would be a terrific gift for any occasion and a personalized necklace would be a heartwarming gift that any mom will cherish!

Giveaway Time:  A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win a $100 Gift Certificate to Hip Fusion Designs!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to sign up for their newsletter here!

Want to earn extra entries???

Here’s how you can:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Blog about this blessing and link back to it.
3. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
4. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
5. Fave my blog on Technorati.
6. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code if you already have it please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so. I urge you to also supply your email with each of your entries so I’ll be able to contact you easily if you’re the winner.

Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 72 hours of me posting the winner of the prize will forfeit their prize and I will redraw a new winner. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until April 24th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick a winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after April 25th! Blessing open to the USA and Canada only!

Enjoy your weekend!

Our 8th Sponsor in this year’s Blessings Abound Mommy Holiday Gift Guide and Christmas Blessings Extravaganza is T.J Maxx and Marshalls!

Did you know the average family is planning on spending $682 this holiday season on gifts for everyone on their list , a 3.2% decrease than last year?  That’s information straight from the National Retail Federation which means that price and value is at the top of everyone’s gift-giving check list and it’s essential to look for ways to maximize Holiday budgets this year. With T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, you can stretch your gift-buying budget so that you don’t have to leave anyone off the list! With 10,000 new items arriving each week, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have something for everyone on your list from the latest brand-name toys to electronics, beauty products, gourmet food and entertaining essentials and are one-stop shops for all your holiday needs.

Tis the season for caroling and T.J. Maxx and Marshalls has come up with a fun, new twist to caroling where it’s not necessary to go door to door in your neighborhood singing Christmas carols in the cold!  In their version of “Carol-oke”, you can upload videos of you belting out your favorite Christmas or holiday song on YouTube’s specially-created “Caroling Channel,” www.youtube.com/jointhecarolers and be automatically entered to win a $5,000 shopping spree or 1 of 15 $100 gift cards, just for singing your favorite Holiday Carol! In addition, for each every consumer who uploads a videosinging one of our original carols, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls will donate $1 towards the purchase of a brand new toy to Toys for Tots up to $50,000.  It’s a merry time to sing your heart out while entering to win big and help a child out this Christmas!

Giveaway Time: 2 lucky Blessings Abound Mommy readers will each win a $25 Gift Card good for any T.J. Maxx and Marshalls store!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment on what your favorite Christmas or holiday carol is!

10 Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!
2. Enter any other Blessings Abound Mommy Holiday Gift Guide and Christmas Blessings Extravaganza Giveaway!
3. Submit your own “Carol-oke” on the YouTube’s Caroling Channeland leave a comment with the link to your video.
4. Place my Blessings Abound Holiday Gift Guidebutton on your blog!
5. blessingsaboundmommysholidaygiftgui.png�? border=�?0″ alt=�?mom blogger,holiday gift guide,mom blog,blessings abound mommy,blessings abound�?></a>1 Extra Entry Each:
   1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
   2. Twitter about this blessing with the hash tag #DisneyFamily.comTravel and comment that you did with your twitter id.
   3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
   4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update to reflect new url)
   5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

   Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

   Winner will be chosen via Random Drawing. Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until December 18th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick one winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after December 17th! Blessing open to USA only!

   *Product was provided free of charge in exchange for giveaway from TJ Maxx and Marshalls and doesn’t affect my views or feedback of the product. This giveaway is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.

    

We’re kicking Day 7 of MomDot’s 31 Bloggers in 31 Days birthday party to celebrate one of my best online blogging buddies and exceptional mom blogger, Trisha Haas of MomDot’s 31st golden birthday!  There are 31 bloggers across the net in conjunction with this birthday blog party that will be hosting a giveaway each day of the birthday celebration with MomDot.  Today’s giveaway sponsor, Michabella Creations, was so sweet and gracious enough to surprise Trisha with one of their pretty offerings, A Bracelet for Mom with the words, MomDot on it

More information about A Bracelet for Mom:

Chloe bracelet was made for my daughter. Sterling block letters are accented with fuschia Swarovski crystal rounds. The sides are made with silver ribbed noodle tube beads,  Swarovski crystal bicones and silver beads. Finished with a heart toggle clasp. Just let us know the name and color you would like!

About Michabella Creations:

Michabella Creations is the concept of two friends who share a love for beading & handcrafting jewelry. Each of us brings our own unique perspective to the designs, which makes them one-of-a- kind. Our goal is to bring you handcrafted jewelry that is made with only genuine Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, silver, semi-precious gemstones, brass, and beautiful glass beads, while staying at an affordable price. We know the importance of high-quality without the high price tags! As a stay-at-home mom, Michelle found that making jewelry gave her a way to express her creativity. Cindy, who works a full-time job as well, started out making cancer bracelets for the Relay for Life. We began showing our designs to family and friends, and from there, started receiving orders. Now it has grown into a business for us! We are excited to be sharing our handcrafted creations with everyone. We hope you love our designs as much as we do! Remember that anything you see can be customized according to your preference!

We believe in giving back as much as we can. We are very involved with our community. By selling our cancer awareness items, we have been able to donate to charities such as the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, the American Cancer Society, Children’s Miracle Network, and the SPCA. You can feel good by knowing that your purchase of any of our cancer awareness items will have a percentage donated to a worthy cause!

Giveaway Time:  A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win a lovely Bloomin’ Earring Set that you can interchange the blossoms to four different flower sets on brass arched earwire so you’ll have a pair on hand to compliment just about any outfit in your closet!  This set includes blossoms  in colors seafoam green, topaz, navy blue, and amethyst purple.  All you have to do in order to be qualified to win is to visit Michabella Creations and leave a comment with another piece of jewelry (not mentioned in this post) that strikes your fancy!

10 Extra Entries:  Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post, Michabella Creations, and MomDot’s Party Post.

Daily Entry: Visit MomDot every day of May and enter the birthday contest for that day, leave a comment here for each of the 30 other birthday giveaways you enter, letting me know which one you entered.

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update with my new url please)
5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design and url please)
6. Give this post a stumble.

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 72 hours of me posting the winner of the prize will forfeit their prize and I will redraw a new winner. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until May 31st at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick a winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after June 1st! Blessing open to the USA!

Meet the Company:

After years of development, ReusableBags.com launched in August 2003, quickly establishing itself as the the preeminent website dedicated to the promotion & use of reusable shopping bags as a pragmatic solution to the growing problems caused by the massive/mindless over-consumption of single-use plastic (& paper) shopping bags.

Acting as a hub, reusablebags.com spreads awareness by educating consumers with facts on consumption/litter, and provides summaries of news articles and trends from around the world on the global push to reduce plastic bag consumption. Its store offers a wide range of high-quality, stylish, durable reusable shopping bags and accessories designed to help consumers reduce and reuse.

Through the Mom Trials:  We all know that using reusable bags is one easy step we can all take to take care of our Earth and Reusable Bags makes it simple by providing a wide variety of reusable bags including some of my favorites such as Envirosax, Built NY, and Acme.   With their extensive collection of reusable bags, it provides a one stop shop for all your reusable bag needs from shopping bags, lunch bags, produce bags, and more making it convenient for you to find reusable bags that fit your particular lifestyle.  In addition to providing reusable bags, they also offer reusable water bottles like Sigg, Kleen Kanteen and Earth Lust to help reduce the waste of disposable beverage containers.  Why not celebrate Earth Day the right way and commit to using reusable bags and water bottles in your life today!

I have the Reisenthel Flora Market Bag and this is one of the most beautiful reusable bags out there!   Any hip mom would look stylish carrying one of these gorgeous market bags to the store.  I just adore the vibrant floral pattern on the bag and the design is impeccable.  This bag features durable, lightweight aluminum frame, tear-proof polyester cover, sturdy bottom with rubber feet, soft rubber-grip handle, and an interior zip pocket.  It’s very easy to take along with you as it collapses down when not in use and the inserts are a breeze to put in when needed.  It’s a terrific size for just about any errand you need to run and makes a perfect picnic or garden basket.  I’ve used this market bag many times for hauling things to and from my car and it’s remained in tip top condition with plenty of life left in it.  It’s amazing to see how much this bag holds and that it stands up to the weight when I’ve packed it full to the brim.  I also like the fact it’s made out of recyclable materials and looks chic while saving our environment from plastic bags one bag at a time!

Giveaway Time:  A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win this pretty Reisenthel Flora Market Basket!  All you have to do in order to be qualified to win is to visit Reusable Bags and leave a comment with another reusable bag that you would find useful in your daily life!

5 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessing with a link back to the giveaway.

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update with my new url please)
5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design and url please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so. I urge you to also supply your email with each of your entries so I’ll be able to contact you easily if you’re the winner.

Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 72 hours of me posting the winner of the prize will forfeit their prize and I will redraw a new winner. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until May 2nd at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick a winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after May 3rd! Blessing open to the USA and Canada!

*This review and giveaway is based on my opinion and results may vary from person to person.

Hallmark has terrific Mother’s Day cards to knock your Mom’s socks off this year!  These outstanding greeting cards are much like the Hallmark cards I shared with you around Valentine’s Day where they feature a ten second recording so you can give them the gift of your voice plus music that follows that fits the theme of the card.  What a special way to make this day stand out and add the personal meaning that only you can put into the card. My children and I enjoy giving these cards out to our loved ones and know you will have fun customizing these cards to say what’s truly in your heart.  You’ll find these recordable cards with music in their Father’s Day Cards collection too so you can pick a card for each occasion and you’ll want to remember these dates so you can be sure to get your Hallmark cards in time:  Mother’s Day is May 10th and Father’s Day is June 21st.

Hallmark has also introduced some new types of cards in their affordable 99-cent collection.  They’ve added cards to fit just about any event or circumstance for a sweet deal  so that you can be prepared for any holiday or special occasion that comes your way, especially those that come around last minute.  I know one of the best ways to make someone feel good is to cheer them up with a card letting them know that you’ve been thinking of them and at this awesome price, you can stock up so you’ll never be caught without the right card to express exactly how you feel!  I get so wrapped up in my daily life sometimes those events just sneak up on me and I’m caught last minute, scrambling to the store for a perfect card.  Hallmark has come to my rescue to provide these cards that anyone can afford to keep a stash of them so you’ll have the card you need no matter how much notice you have.

You can also pick out a card online, customize it the way you want, and Hallmark will ship it on your behalf for the price of the greeting card and stamp!  That’s a convenient and budget friendly way to send your greetings when you don’t have a Hallmark location nearby.  My local Hallmark is a good hour’s drive away and I’m not always able to get out there  so this online process makes it easier and simpler to get the card I need in the comfort of my own home.  You’ll save time and money since you won’t have to get in your vehicle and use an ounce of gas or round up your family for a trip to town.  This technology makes it so anyone can send out cards no matter how busy your schedule is!

Check out my vlog to get a more in depth look at these wonderful line of cards and gift bags:

Giveaway Time: Three lucky Blessings Abound readers will win a Hallmark Cards Prize Package that includes two recordable Mother’s Day Cards, two recordable Father’s Day Cards, and four 99-cent every day cards!  All you have to do in order to be eligible for a chance to win is to leave me a comment with what special plans you have for your Mother for Mother’s Day this year!

5 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessings with a link to the Giveaway!

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update with my new url please)
5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design and url please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so. I urge you to also supply your email with each of your entries so I’ll be able to contact you easily if you’re the winner.

Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 72 hours of me posting the winner of the prize will forfeit their prize and I will redraw a new winner. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until May 5th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick a winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after May 6th! Blessing open to the USA and Canada!

*This review and giveaway is based on my opinion and results may vary from person to person.

Meet the Company:

Things Remembered began over 40 years ago as a small engraving and services shop called “Can Do”. And today, Things Remembered has grown into the nation’s leading, and most successful, retailer of personalized gifts. We’re proud of our longevity in the retail business and we are committed to continue to offer beautiful, unique, quality, personalized gifts to our customers.

Today’s Things Remembered customers can browse through our collection of gifts that goes far beyond expectations. Plus, we’ll engrave gifts purchased elsewhere! No matter what the gift or where you purchased it, we can engrave the item for that extra, personal touch. Simply bring your item to any of our 600 nationwide mall locations and one of our experts will carefully engrave it.

Things Remembered offers three ways to shop. Whether you’re shopping online or in one of our 600 stores across the country, Things Remembered customers receive excellent personal attention and service from over 5,000 of the friendliest, most accommodating teammates in the retail world. And customers can place orders directly through our Customer Service call center in North Jackson, Ohio and they’ll be treated to equally attentive service.

About Charm Story: This new line of silver plated charms gives you the ability to create your own “story” by capturing your life’s best moments through a series of personalized charms.   Their collection of charms reflect special events in your life that when put together in a bracelet or necklace displays your one of a kind life story.  There are several charm categories that match heartfelt occasions or milestones in your life such as photo charms, birthstone charms, and first chapter charms.   What’s so neat about them is that you can engrave each charm with names, dates, and personalized messages and I can’t wait to show you my story in an upcoming review!  These charm stories would make a wonderful, personable Mother’s Day Gift!

Giveaway Time: A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win your choice of bracelet or necklace that includes your choice of charm and engraving! All you have to do in order to be qualified to win is to check out Thing’s Remembered Charm Story line and leave a comment on which silver charm you’d choose and what you’d engrave on it!

5 Extra Entries: Follow Things Remembered on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tremembered and dm this message to tremembered: I am following you because of Blessings Abound’s Things Remembered Charm Story Giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update with my new url please)
5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design and url please)
6. Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post.

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 72 hours of me posting the winner of the prize will forfeit their prize and I will redraw a new winner. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until 95th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick a winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after May 10th! Blessing open to the USA!

About Yoplait® Frozen Smoothies:

Yoplait® Frozen Smoothies are a quick and easy solution to help you get those important nutrients, plus a whole lot more, and now they’re available in a new, delicious Blueberry Pomegranate flavor!

Each package of Yoplait Frozen Smoothies contains one full serving of fruit (1/2 cup) and only 110 to 120 calories per serving. In addition to containing live and active cultures provided by Yoplait® yogurt, when prepared with skim milk and made according to package directions, Yoplait Frozen Smoothies are also a good source of calcium.

Through the Mom Trials:

There’s one treat we have daily in our family and that is smoothies!  I’ve found it to be the easiest way to sneak veggies and help ensure that my kids are getting their full servings of fruit and veggies every day.  In fact, my husband has them in place of ice cream as a healthy alternative and as a way to help watch his weight and curb his appetite for junk food.

Yoplait has come up with a simpler and faster way to make your own smoothies at home.  Yoplait Smoothie has fruit and yoplait yogurt chips premixed in each bag so all you have to do is add milk and you’ve got two servings of tasty smoothies made!  These are also the very same smoothie mixes you’ve seen on the famous show, The Big Loser which airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

Our family tried the Triple Berry and Strawberry Mango Pineapple flavors.  They were both delicious, but being a lover of all things berry, the Triple Berry was a hands down favorite.  We tried them with both regular milk and almond milk and each concoction was just as tasty as the other.  The ratio of fruit, yogurt, and milk is right on providing a good blend of a fruity goodness and provides a balanced slushy consistency that can be made in no time at all!  We’re looking forward to trying the rest of the flavors like the new Blueberry Pomegranate.

Deal Alert: Visit the online link above to receive a printable coupon for $1.25 off any one flavor of Yoplait Frozen Smoothie.

Giveaway Time (required entry): A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a prize package that includes two VIP coupons to try Yoplait Frozen Smoothies and a 3-speed KitchenAid® blender with a special smoothie setting.  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment with your favorite time of day to enjoy Yoplait Frozen Smoothies!

10 Extra Entries (to be earned after required entry has been fulfilled):

• Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry Each (to be earned after required entry has been fulfilled):

• Like Blessings Abound Mommy Facebook Fan Page.
• Like the Yoplait Smoothie Facebook Page.
• Write on the Yoplait Smoothie Facebook Wallthat you entered to win coupons for Yoplait Smoothie and a Kitchen Aid Blender on Blessings Abound Mommy with a link back to this post.
• Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
• Enter any other giveaway on Blessings Abound Mommy and leave a comment with which another giveaway you entered.
• Twitter about this blessing with a link back to it and leave a comment that you did with your twitter id.
• Follow me on Twitter at @akblessings.
• Follow Yoplait Smoothie on Twitter @YoplaitSmoothie.
• Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

One winner will be chosen via Random Drawing.  Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim.  Please follow directions or you will be disqualified!  This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until November 30th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  I will randomly pick one winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after December 1st!  Blessing open to USA only!

*Product and information was provided free of charge in exchange for this post from MyBlogSpark and KitchenAid and doesn’t affect my views or feedback of the product or service.  This post is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.