Category: Default

Meet the Company: 

Maybelline New York is the number one cosmetic brand globally and is available in over 90 countries worldwide. Our products are carried in virtually every major U.S. mass-market retailer including drugstores, discount stores, supermarkets and cosmetics specialty stores. Our manufacturing and distribution center has grown to roughly one million square feet and has approximately 2,000 workers.

As a renowned color authority, Maybelline New York creates seasonal color stories with products in the season’s hottes

Through the Mom Trials:  As one of Walmart’s More Than 11 Moms, I got to preview the new Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara before it hits the stores.  As a woman who loves cosmetics and make up, I always have fun trying out new beauty products and my short, straight, and thin lashes definitely needs all the help it can get!  I was excited to give this a go since one of my staple mascaras you’ll find in my cosmetics bag is their infiinitely popular Great Lash mascara, you know, the mascara in the pink and green container.

Pulse Perfection mascara works by using vibrating technology to achieve 7 sought after features that any woman wants to find in a mascara: volume, length, separation, color, curl, luster and no clumps.  You operate the mascara wand by pressing a button found on handle of the mascara wand when you apply the mascara to your upper and lower lashes.  This button activates the pulse mechanism which sends out 7,000 vibrations combined with 7 synchronized actions per minute to mimic the zig zag motion professional make up artists use for perfect lashes!

This vibrating mascara did coat, lengthen, and thicken my lashes very well although it still managed to clump.  I tried wiping the excess off the mascara wand with the top of the mascara base and also tried dabbing the extra mascara down with some tissue and yet, the clumps were present.  The clumps weren’t too noticeable, but it was there.   Other than that, I have found no other complaints and my lashes are remarkly improved with the use of this mascara.  I don’t even have to use an eyelash curler with the Pulse Perfection Mascara!

 

Event and Deal Alert:  May 18th marks the date of Maybelline’s one day preview sale of their first vibrating mascara, Pulse Perfection!

Giveaway Time:  2 lucky Blessings Abound readers will win Maybelline’s Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara before it’s availabe in stores!  All you have to do in order to be eligible for a chance to win is to leave a comment with what brand/type mascara you are using right now!

5 Extra Entries:  Blog about this 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)
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 48 hours of me posting and emailing the winner of the prize will forfeit their prize and the prize will be either donated to charity or lived out in a live contest. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified!  This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until May 21st 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 22nd! Blessing open to the USA and Canada!

 

What mom couldn’t use a makeover?  Between responsibilities to her family and home, what time do we have left over to make sure we are looking our best?  Well, that’s about to change with Macy’s exciting new promotion:  Macy’s Million Dollar Makeover Contest!  This is a chance for YOU to get a one in a lifetime chance to get a full makeover by style extraordinaire, Clinton Kelly, and possibly win $1 MILLION DOLLAR MAKEOVER to revamp your work, your home, your entire life!  All you have to do is head over to their Macy’s Facebook page and submit a photo or video explaining why you deserve this makeover.  Simple as that!  You better act fast though- the contest ends January 31, 2011 and you won’t want to miss out on this fabulous opportunity to transform your look and a chance to win a life changing makeover like no other!

About Macy’s Million Dollar Makeover:

8 Deserving contestants. 8 Makeovers. Help us decide who will win the makeover of a lifetime.

Clinton won’t just be transforming your wardrobe; he will help to transform your work, your home, your entire life. “Macy’s Million Dollar Makeover” will consist of a nationwide call for entries through January 31st, from which eight contestants will be selected for a Clinton Kelly makeover. America will help us decide which of the eight will win the makeover of a lifetime, worth $1 Million!

“Macy’s Million Dollar Makeover is my typical makeover on steroids,” said Clinton Kelly, style expert for Macy’s and co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear. “The winner will not only get some quality time with me to update their look, but they will get a truly life-changing experience. From fashion to finances to fitness, they will undergo a complete life transformation.”

Giveaway Time (required entry):

A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a $50 Macy’s Gift Card!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment on whether you think you need this life changing makeover!

10 Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!
2. Enter the Million Dollar Makeover and leave a comment.

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

• Like Blessings Abound Mommy Facebook Fan Page.
• Like this post on Facebook.
• Like the Macy’s Facebook Page.
• Write on the Macy’s Facebook Wall that you entered to win a $50 Macy’s Gift Card 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 other giveaway you entered.
• Tweet 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 Macy’s on Twitter at @macysinc.
• 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 January27th 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 January 28th!  Blessing open to USA only!

*Product and information was provided free of charge in exchange for this post from Macy’s 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.

 

This is the first day of our Father’s Day Fling and what better prize package can we start this off with than a personal skin care package for Dad!  Women love to get pampered and it’s time to honor Dad and give him the same treatment for all that he does for his family.  We have put together a skin care package that’s sure to leave him looking and feeling good!  Check out these fine products from Remington and the Body Shop for terrific Father’s Day gift ideas!

About Remington Shavers:

Combining cutting-edge innovation and outstanding quality, Remington’s broad range of shaving products offer a close, comfortable and convenient way to shave.  Each shaver uses revolutionary technology and unique benefits to help achieve the hair removal needs of both men and women of all ages.  Whether you are a first-time shaver, or an experienced electric user – get your best shave ever with a Remington shaver!

Featured Remington Shavers for Fathers:

Remington’s Body + Back Groomer provides total control over your body hair enabling you to create a cleaner more confident look. 360° attachments have bidirectional cutting for added versatility and an extendable handle for hard to reach areas. With this you have a total body grooming solution with the ability to maintain your back, chest, abs/groin, legs and underarms.

About the Body Shop:

 

For many years, The Body Shop® has constantly sought out wonderful natural ingredients from all four corners of the globe, and brings you products bursting with effectiveness to enhance your natural beauty. While doing all of this The Body Shop® also strives to protect this beautiful planet and the people who depend on it — not because it’s fashionable, but based on the belief that it’s the only way to do business.

More than 30 years have passed since Dame Anita Roddick began her extraordinary journey with The Body Shop® and pioneered the simple idea that “businesses have the power to do good,” leading to the birth of the original, ethical cosmetics company. Today, this philosophy continues to drive everything we do and we celebrate this as “Nature’s Way to Beautiful.”

You’ll find Nature’s Way to Beautiful being celebrated across more than 2,500 The Body Shop® stores in over 55 countries worldwide from 24th August 2008. Invigorated visuals and copy will be evident instore, online and through external communications.

 

Featured Body Shop Products for Fathers:

Experience a closer shave with a rich, skin-softening cream made with Peruvian maca root, creatine, Brazil nut oil, sesame oil, and aloe vera that energizes and helps boost skin vitality, moisturizes, hydrates, soothes, and protects his skin from nicks, cuts and irritation.

Of A Man’s After Shave Balm uses aloe vera and shea butter to soothe, soften, and moisturize his skin after shaving with an easily-absorbed balm that leaves a fresh, clean scent with notes of bergamot, lemon, fig leaves, geranium, coriander, marine, tarragon, cedar wood, amber, and teak.

Of A Man’s invigorating, 2-in-1, foaming soap-free gel cleanses and conditions his body with gentle lather from palm oil and leaves a fresh, clean scent with notes of bergamot, lemon, fig leaves, geranium, coriander, marine, tarragon, cedarwood, amber, and teak.

End rough, dry skin with the help from Hemp Hand Protector that uses hemp seed oil and beeswax to lock in moisture, leaving hands smooth and supple with a fresh, herbal scent.

A wooden shaving brush that enhances the foamy lather of your shaving cream. Made with Community Trade Russian birch wood and animal-free super-soft synthetic hairs. Its short, rounded handle makes it easy to hold in the palm of your hand.

This vegetable-based, Olive Oil Soap, is combined with palm oil and glycerin that cleanses and conditions skin and is best for normal to dry skin.

Giveaway Time:  The Grand Prize includes a Remington Shaver (your choice of a BHT-600 Body and Back Groomer, a PG 360 8-in-1 Personal Groomer, or a Flex 360 Electric Razor all from Remington) with the Body Shop Men’s Personal Skincare Set (Maca Root Shave Cream, Of A Man Aftershave Balm, Of A Man Hair & Body Wash, Hemp Hand Protector, Wooden Shave Brush, and Olive Bar Soap) and three runner ups will receive a Body Shop Men’s Personal Skincare Set!  That means there will be 4 winners!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to visit The Body Shop and leave a comment in the form provided in this post telling me what product you like the best. Then visit Remington leave a comment on what product you like the best (remember to use the provided form). You MUST enter this giveaway with both mandatory entries for entries to be qualified! This giveaway is part of the Father’s Day Fling Event!

10 Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this post.
2. Enter any other Father’s Day Fling Giveaway included in this event.

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog.
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 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 June 4th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick four winners and announce it here on my blog shortly after June 5th! Blessing open to USA!

 

Struggling with what to figure out what to give a loved one this Christmas?  Sam’s Club has several ways to help you make those choices easy with features like the Deal of the Day, their Holiday Gift Guide, the Gifter Stress Lifter, and Dear Santa program.  They also have a Gifts Galore section of their online holiday center that will help you to find the right gift at the right price for everyone on your list this year!  In the Gifts Galore feature, you will find gifts categorized by budget and recipient.  It’s convenient to stay within your budget by taking a look at what they have to offer by the price you’d like to spend and if you’re not quite sure what to give a particular someone, they have terrific suggestions for him, her, and the kids in your life.  They also have a Holiday Preorder Program to get a head start on the festivities ahead and make gift giving easier than ever.

In addition, they have put together a wealth of gift giving ideas in their More Joy For Your Jingle Holiday Gift Guide with an abundance of 27 pages full of this year’s most wanted gift ideas!  They’re all laid out beautifully with ample information to get your list checked off in no time.  I’ve already got several people covered on my own list just by browsing through this holiday catalog alone and I spotted so many great entertaining and home decor ideas to get my house dressed for the season!

Giveaway Time: A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a $25 Sam’s Club Gift Card!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to visit Gifts Galore and leave a comment with what recipient that the Sam’s Club Holiday Gift Guide will help you the most to shop for!

10 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry Each:

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. (update to reflect new url)
6. 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 November 26th 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 November 27th!  Blessing open to USA only!

This post is a part of a Sam’s Club Sharing the Savings blogger campaign. I may have received compensation in exchange for my participation, but the views and opinions expressed are solely my own.

 

Meet the Company:

“At SeaYu Enterprises, we love animals — and we care about the world we live in. But we know firsthand that every pet lover needs a quick, powerful and convenient solution for pet clean up problems. That’s why we’ve carefully developed the safest, most effective, pet cleanup system you’ll find anywhere. Completely free of harsh chemicals and 100% biodegradable — and personally tested in our own home. All natural. Fur friendly. Kid safe. And able to stand up to any pet cleanup or odor challenge — even skunk.

We’re committed to making sure all of our products are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and completely recyclable. Easy on the environment and easy to use. Our unique Advanced Eliminator3 Formula(TM) doesn’t just cover up the scent. It eliminates odors, deep cleans and removes stains — everything you’d expect from the leader in all natural pet-cleaning products.

So, breathe again. The world is a safer place. And life just got easier! “

Through the Mom Trials: We’ve been trying to go as green as we can and that includes taking care of pets and their odorific habits.  As much as I love them, I can’t stand some of the gross, smelly things they do that come along with them.  I have a very stubborn American bulldog who loves to get into anything he can find outside, including dead carcasses that leaves a horrible stink on our rug when he pukes and drools all over it.  It’s not very pleasant I tell you!  I managed to get the stain out of the rug, but the faint smell lingers.  Then he precedes to get his slobbery mouth all over our leather furniture and the slight stench is still present through my several attempts of using a variety of cleaners to get it out.  Then I got to try out a couple cleaners from Sea Yu’s Enterprises, Green + Clean line!

The Green + Clean Carpet & Upholstery cleaner and Furniture Refresher came to my aid!  Their strong acting, easy to use formula worked wonderfully to eliminate the smells and when I mean eradicate the odor, I mean it’s permanently gone.  Unlike a lot of other cleaners that promises to get rid of the smells and only masks the odor for a limited time, these cleaners eliminate it for good and leaves your rug and furniture smelling great!  I also like the fact it’s natural and safe for both my family and pets so I won’t have to worry that it’s harmful for their health.  These are all around wondeful products that I’m fully satisfied to use around my household and can’t wait to try out their other products!   If you’re dealing with a difficult to eradicate pet smell, try Green + Clean cleaners and you’ll be delightfully surprised at how powerful these green cleaners are!

Giveaway Time: A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win two of their choice of Green + Clean cleaners!  All you have to do in order to be eligible to win is to visit Green + Clean and leave a comment with which green cleaning products you’d like to win and why!

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.

 

About the FloorMate:

Taken from the website- The Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub WidePath features patented SpinScrub brushes, interchangeable Grout brushes, Widepath 15″ nozzle, folding handle and EZ Select Dial to vacuum, wash or dry your hard floor surfaces in your home. Also includes removable brush assembly and nozzle squeegee.

• The first vac-wash-dry cleaning system specially designed to clean most hard-floor surfaces. Switching between cleaning options is a snap with the EZ Select dial
• Exclusive SpinScrub Brushes
• The first vac-wash-dry cleaning system specially designed to clean most hard-floor surfaces
• Fingertip Trigger Control – lets you control where, when and how much cleaning solution you apply
• Folding handle – for easy assembly and compact storage
• Dual tank design separates the cleaning solution and pick-up so you never put dirty water back on your floor
• Includes specially formulated Hoover Grout and Hoover Floor-to-Floor cleaning solutions
• Interchangeable SpinScrub and Grout Brushes let you choose the right brush for the job
• 15″ Widepath removable nozzle helps you finish the job quickly and clean up easily

 

 

Through the Mom Trials:

As a mom of four children ages seven and under, it can be hard to keep our hardwood floors pristine clean condition and with three stories of both hardwood and tile flooring in our home, it can be a never ending chore!   With all the mess my kids make on a daily basis from food that accidentally spills onto the floor from the dinner table to mud and debris tracked in from the outdoors, I literally could spend hours cleaning them and having to haul around a myriad of cleaning tools with me to get the job done right.  That was before I had the priveledge of testing out the Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub Widepath!

The first moment it arrived at my door, I couldn’t wait to test this new toy, I mean hard surface cleaner out!   I don’t think my kids had ever seen me open a shipping box quite so fast in their lives!   It came unassembled but I could tell just by looking at it that it would be cinch to put it together and within minutes, I proved myself right.   The FloorMate was then ready to go and I had never been so excited to clean my floors and trust me, even though I appreciate gleaming clean floors, it’s one of my least favorite things to do!

Operating the FloorMate is a breeze with the EZ Select Dial.  It gives you three functions to choose from: Dry Vac, Wash, or Wet Pick Up and makes it simple to switch from one function to another.   You start out by selecting the Dry Vac option and vacuum your entire floor area.  I have to say that I was pretty skeptical that this all in one hard surface cleaner could do a thorough job of picking up all the dirt on my floor but it surprised me and does a decent job of getting even the smallest particles of dust and debris off my birch hardwood and tile floors.  With it’s extra wide track, I didn’t have to make as many passes to pick up everything off the floor.  When you’re done, you turn the FloorMate off and empty out and replace the canister and fill the cleaning solution resevoir with the provided hardwood cleaning fluid.   Then you’re ready for the next task of washing your floors!

Choose the Wash option and you’ll notice that the spinbrush will now lower to the ground and will spin when you turn the machine on.  There is a trigger attached to the handle so you can control how much cleaning solution you need to get your floors clean.  It usually only takes a couple passes to get my floors shining again and the trigger is very useful when you have stuck on spots and stains that need extra attention.  Switching the spinbrushes to the grout brush and back is a snap too when you need to use it to clean your tile floors.   My tile flooring has also never looked so good and made such a difference.

One of the things I love the best about using this to wash my floors is that it also dries the floor as you wash them!  The fluid gets sucked back up at the same time you’re washing them so you’re not left with dripping, wet floors that can cause slipping accidents.  With a baby who is on the verge of walking and an accident prone toddler, this is one function that’s much needed in my home.  I won’t have to worry that my child will end up flat on their face when they’re following me around while I’m cleaning my floors!

The Dry Vac is one of my favorite options!   Once you’re done washing the floors, you can use this option to get your floors dry and it has come in so handy when we’ve had liquid spills in the house.  No longer will you have to waste several paper towels or dirty a towel or rag to get the spill cleaned up!   Just fire up the FloorMate and within seconds, not only is the liquid sucked up but you can clean it with the Wash function so you’re not left with sticky residue on your floors.

The Hoover FloorMate provides a more thorough job of cleaning than the standard broom and mop method!  With this machine, I was able to drastically cut the time it took to make my floors sparkle and without all the extra effort of using several different cleaning tools.  This simplifies and makes the tough job of cleaning hard floor surfaces much easier!  It’s lightweight to be carried up and down stairs when needed and when not in use, stores quite nicely when you’re done using it as the handle folds down so you’re able to stick it just about anywhere.

Mom Suggestions:

Although the FloorMate worked perfectly fine for most of my hardwood and tile flooring, if you have a home that has baseboard heating and tight corners, I would go with the FloorMate SpinScrub with Tools to get those hard to reach areas.

Giveaway Time:

Hoover is giving my Blessings Abound readers the chance to win a Hoover Floormate!  All you have to do in order to be qualified to enter is to visit the Hoover website and leave a comment with what other Hoover Vacuum, Floor Cleaner, or Carpet Cleaner that would best fit your floor care needs and why!

For another chance to enter for a chance to win a Hoover FloorMate, visit Life Starring Ellie and Eve’s Hoover FloorMate Giveaway and enter there!  If you enter there, let me know and it will earn you 5 additional entries in my FloorMate Giveaway!

Extra Entries (to be earned after qualifying entry requirements have been completed):

 

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Blog about this blessing and link back to it.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/akblessingsand tweet this Blessing with a link to it and leave a comment that you did with your twitter id.
   4. Advertise your blog on my blog through Entrecard.
   5. Fave my blog on Technorati.  Please make sure you have the new url faved or it doesn’t count!
   6. Post my button on your blog or site. Please update with the new code if you already have it!

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 6th 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 7th! Blessing open to the USA and Canada only!

 

Host A Chex Party Mix-Change

During this time of year, holiday parties abound!  With all the festivities, I’m sure there will be plenty of cookie baking and Cookie Exchanges to attend. If you’re looking for a unique way to host a holiday party, why not try something new like hosting a Chex Party Mix-Change? It’s super easy and fun to do!  Instead of getting together and exchanging cookies, let each guest prepare their favorite Chex Party Mix and take home their favorite combinations!

 

We put together a Chex Party Mix-Change during my daughter’s 10th birthday party and the kids went crazy digging into the different flavors of Chex Mix.  We personally made the Hot Butter Yum Chex Mix (a combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, honey and marshmallows blend effortlessly together in a crazy-delicious, gluten free crunchy mix) and Chex Caramel Chocolate Drizzles (melted chocolate, chewy caramel and a delightful crunch carry this gluten-free party mix recipe from microwave to table in 15 minutes).  Our guests loved the change up from the regular cookie exchange and were more than happy to sample different flavors of Chex Party Mix!

Our personal favorite was the Chex Caramel and Chocolate Drizzles.  It sure went fast and there was barely any left when the Chex Party Mix-Change was over.

When the party was wrapped up, we had plenty of festive colored red and green take out boxes for our guests to store the Chex Party Mix they’d like to take home with them.

This party prompted my sister to make Chex Party Mix at a gingerbread making party we went to recently.

I think the children were the most excited to take home their own take out boxes filled with Chex Party Mix.  This was a fun change of pace to taking home party favors and would I would gladly do a Chex Party Mix-Change over again!

Chex Party Mix-Change Tips

Highlighting the flavors of pumpkin pie, cinnamon, brown sugar and caramel, your guests are sure to “fall” in love with these seasonal favorites that can be made in the microwave in 15 minutes or less. These five Chex Party Mix recipes are sure to get your guests excited for fall and the upcoming holiday season-

• Original Chex Party Mix– A tried and true classic of many holiday gatherings.
• Chex PB & Chocolate Blast– Is there really a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate? Yes, when Chex cereal is added!
• Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch– Mix things up and try this mouthwatering alternative to the beloved holiday pie.
• Hot Buttered Yum Chex Mix– A combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, honey and marshmallows blend effortlessly together in a crazy-delicious, gluten free crunchy mix.
• Chex Caramel Chocolate Drizzles– Melted chocolate, chewy caramel and a delightful crunch carry this gluten-free party mix recipe from microwave to table in 15 minutes.

Try these easy tips and tricks for wrapping up the fun so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go-

• Cello Gorgeous!– Packaging your favorite Chex Party Mix recipes in cellophane bags is simple and cute. And, they’re endlessly customizable to add personal touches.
• It’s My Party– Flip a party hat upside down, line it with cellophane and it instantly becomes a festive cone-shaped container.
• Chex Cupcakes– Arrange cupcake liners filled with Chex Party Mixes neatly in a box.
• Chex-To-Go– Packaging Chex Party Mix recipes in a takeout container is quick and easy to “carry out.” We’re including 10 of these in your prize pack to help you get started!
• Tin Tower– Tin is “in” when it comes to creating a hip holiday container for Chex Party Mix-Change guests. Discover oodles of holiday tins at craft or dollar stores.

Chex Party Mix-Change Kit Giveaway:

A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a Chex Party Mix- Change Kit that includes:

• 5 boxes of Chex cereal to create Chex Party Mix recipes
• 5 featured Chex Party Mix recipes
• 10 takeout containers so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go
• $20 gift card to purchase recipe ingredients and decorating supplies

All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment with your favorite way to share Chex Party Mix!

10 Extra Entries:

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

3 Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
• Sign up for the BAM (Blessings Abound Mommy) Newsletter.
• Follow via GFC/RSS Feed
• Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

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

• Like Blessings Abound Mommy Facebook Fan Page.
• Like this post on Facebook.
• Enter any other giveaway on Blessings Abound Mommy and leave a comment with which other giveaway you entered.
• Follow me on Twitter at @akblessings.
• Can be done 10 times for 1 entry each time:  Leave a comment on a non-giveaway related post and leave a comment that you did so for each one you commented on.
• Can be done twice daily, there must be 3 hours between tweets.  Tweet: #Win Chex Party Mix-Change Kit #Giveaway @akblessings Ends 12/28 #myblogspark #chexpartymixchange http://bit.ly/srxQ8f

Winner(s) will be chosen via Random Drawing. Winner(s) 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 28th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick winner(s) and announce it here on my blog shortly after December 29th. Blessing open to USA only!

Disclosure: The Chex Party Mix-Change product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Chex through MyBlogSpark.

 

C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix

C&H Sugar has come out with their C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix!  What’s a cookie starter mix?  It’s basically the secret to creating dozens of homemade treats, all from just five simple ingredients.  The C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix makes 10 cups of dough that you can use right away or store in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to bake.  All you need to do create your own special cookies is to add your own ingredients to the mix!  The recipe to make your own C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix is shown above.

I made the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix and I couldn’t believe what a cinch it was to make this foundation for a variety of different cookies.  Within a few minutes of mixing in my KitchenAid mixer, I had created enough cookie starter mix to make dozens upon dozens of cookies!  What a frugal and novel idea that’s perfect for all the holiday baking that’s going on right now.  It’s incredibly easy to work with and I’m so thrilled that I now have a shortcut to baking cookies whenever the need arises.

This is what the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix looks like (above).  That’s 10 cups of starter to get you going in the right direction when it comes to holiday baking!  I bet you’re wondering what I made out of the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix.  I made…. drumroll please….

Turtle Cookie Bars!!!

They were tasty and disappeared pretty quickly during a church service we had.  It was so simple to whip up since I had the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix to begin with and I’m so excited to have plenty of cookie starter mix left so I can make dozens of holiday cookies for our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange this year.  I have so many ideas of what I’ll make out of the rest of the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix and I think it would also make an excellent gift for a loved one this Christmas!

C&H 1001 Cookie Starter Mix Facebook Contest

C&H Sugar is also hosting the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix Facebook contest!  They want you to come up with an original cookie recipe using the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix.  When you submit your cookie recipe, you have the chance to win awesome prizes including one grand prize baking gift basket valued at $350 plus four runner-up prizes of baking gift baskets valued at $100 each!  You will also receive a C&H® Sugar coupon and a promo code good for 40% off Chicago Metallic bake ware on www.chicagometallicbakeware.com just for entering your recipe.

I’ve entered my own Turtle Cooke Bars recipe in the C&H Sugar 1001 Cookie Starter Mix Contest.  Since you’re probably in the mode of baking holiday treats, try out the cookie starter mix and enter your recipe too!

C&H 1001 Cookie Starter Mix $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway:

A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a $50 Visa Gift Card!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to visit the C&H Sugar Facebook page, like the page, review the recipe submissions, and then leave a comment with your favorite recipe entry.

10 Extra Entries:

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

3 Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
• Sign up for the BAM (Blessings Abound Mommy) Newsletter.
• Follow via GFC/RSS Feed
• Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

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

• Like Blessings Abound Mommy Facebook Fan Page.
• Like this post on Facebook.
• Like the C&H Sugar Facebook Page.
• Enter any other giveawayon Blessings Abound Mommy and leave a comment with which other giveaway you entered.
• Follow me on Twitter at @akblessings.
• Follow C&H Sugar on Twitter at @candh_sugar.
• Can be done 10 times for 1 entry each time:  Leave a comment on a non-giveaway related post and leave a comment that you did so for each one you commented on.
• Can be done twice daily, there must be 3 hours between tweets.  Tweet: #Win @candh_sugar $50 Visa Gift Card #Giveaway @akblessings #CH1001 Ends 1/1 http://bit.ly/rZIPmg

Winner(s) will be chosen via Random Drawing. Winner(s) 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 January 1st at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick winner(s) and announce it here on my blog shortly after January 2nd. Blessing open to USA only!

*Product and information was provided free of charge in exchange for this post and giveaway from C&H Sugar 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.

 

This past month during the Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge, we’ve been focused on how well Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel Laundry Detergent has worked on our dirty laundry.  I’ve also shared how we manage to stay on top of our laundry as a family as well as our strategy for monthly laundry money saving tips.  Arm & Hammer has definitely left me with a positive impression of their products these past two months!

I’ve been very satisfied with the way this laundry detergent has performed on our clothes and towels.  It’s amazing how a little capful goes a long way to fighting stains and leaving our laundry smelling fresh.  Every load comes out clean and I have yet to wash a load twice since using Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel laundry detergent.  I haven’t had to use a stain stick on our clothes since a little of the laundry detergent applied directly to stains prior to washing seems to get every bit of the stains out.

Next month, we’ll touch on more laundry talk as I’ll be reviewing Arm & Hammer Essentials dyer sheets and letting you in on more of our laundry strategies and other laundry saving tips you may find useful.  You can find additional laundry tips at http://www.armandhammer.com/fabric-care/laundry-detergent/landing.aspx.

Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge $25 Visa Gift Card Giveaway:

(required entry):  A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a $25 Visa Gift Card!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment about what you think about the Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel Laundry Detergent!

10 Extra Entries:

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

3 Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
• Sign up for the BAM (Blessings Abound Mommy) Newsletter.
• Follow via GFC/RSS Feed
• Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

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

• Like Blessings Abound Mommy Facebook Fan Page.
• Like this post on Facebook.
• Enter any other giveaway on Blessings Abound Mommy and leave a comment with which other giveaway you entered.
• Follow me on Twitter at @akblessings.
• Can be done 10 times for 1 entry each time:  Leave a comment on a non-giveaway related post and leave a comment that you did so for each one you commented on.
• Can be done twice daily, there must be 3 hours between tweets.  Tweet: #Win $25 Visa Gift Card #Giveaway @akblessings Ends 8/1 http://bit.ly/puXP5Q

Winner(s) will be chosen via Random Drawing. Winner(s) 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 August 1st at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick winner(s) and announce it here on my blog shortly after August 2nd. Blessing open to USA only!

*This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is compensating me to try different products. Save $1.00 on any 2 ARM & HAMMER Laundry Detergents. And be sure and head over to The Switch & Save Challenge for the chance to win $25,000.

 

Although the holiday shopping season has begun and it has put me in the mood to enjoy a good old fashioned hot cocoa with whipped cream and listen to nostalgic Christmas carols, it doesn’t mean holiday shopping is easy.  Where can I get the best bang for my buck and what gifts would be just right for those special, loved ones on my list?  Sometimes, it’s a challenge to find gifts that will please and fit within my ever tightening budget.  Sam’s Club has found a solution for us who want to find the perfect gift for the right price.  They have launched a Deal of the Day from now until December 24th where you can find awesome gifts at substantially low prices!

The Sam’s Club Deal of the Day focuses on a new product being released each day in limited quantities with a jaw dropping low price tag that you won’t find anywhere else.  These quality items at discount prices will help you to find fantastic deals on gifts for your family and friends and you’ll want to act fast to take advantage of these bargain prices.  For example, today’s Deal of the Day is the 14 piece Cuisinart Cutlery Set with French Bolster.  At Amazon.com, you would pay $58.67, not including shipping.  At Sam’s Club, this awesome set is going for $23.88 and that’s more than half off of the price at Amazon!  What a steal of a deal!!!

What’s even better is that you can subscribe to get these fantastic deals in your email so you won’t miss any of these deeply discounted treasures every day.  Additionally, if you’re like me and get anxious to know what the next great deal is before it’s released, you can get a sneak peak on the next day’s deal right on the site (and yes, I do like to peek at my gifts before Christmas- wink, wink)!

Giveaway Time: A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a $25 Sam’s Club Gift Card to get a head start on your holiday shopping!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to visit Sam’s Club Deal of the Day page and leave a comment with which Deal of the Day looks the most appealing to you!

10 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry Each:

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. (update to reflect new url)
6. 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 November 21st 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 November 22nd!  Blessing open to USA only!

This post is a part of a Sam’s Club Sharing the Savings blogger campaign.  I may have received compensation in exchange for my participation, but the views and opinions expressed are solely my own.