Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Kranich's Jewelers

When Patrick and I got married, I knew exactly what I wanted on my hand. Something simple and easy to wear with an evening gown AND a pair of dirty jeans. I got exactly what I wanted and couldn't be happier with our choice. Still, there are days when I see lovely rings that take my breath away that I wonder if maybe, just maybe, I might have been ok with a fancy schmancy ring....

Kranich's Jewelers has been in business sine 1903 in Pennsylvania has some truly unique pieces. Some of my favorites are within their Verragio Engagement ring collection...

Yeah. I think I could have managed having that on my hand... ;)

Some of their more whimsical jewelry would be their Hershey's Kisses collection. I know Hershey's is pretty big in PA, but this diamond studded necklace astounds me! You chocolate fans are SERIOUS about this stuff!


Disclaimer: I was sent a lovely piece of jewelry to review in return for linking to their site. However, if the jewelry hadn't been so lovely, I would have sent it back and not given a good review. Also, I'd love to show you what I chose but it's a surprise for a certain someone and I can't spoil it! These opinions are MINE and mine alone.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Cleveland Vacation Giveaway!!!

I am SO excited to bring the biggest giveaway I've ever had together for all of you! After visiting Cleveland for the promotional tour of its best attractions and accommodations, I contacted some of my favorite venues to see if they would like to recreate the vacation for one of your families to enjoy. After a lot of emails and phone calls, it has finally come together! Everything you see below is valid for 1 year so that your family will be able to visit and enjoy Cleveland when the time fits your schedule.

The winner of the giveaway will receive:

4 tickets to:

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest

Great Lakes Science Center

A Christmas Story House

$10 gift certificate for:

Sweetie's Candy Company

$20 gift certificate for:

Grumpy's Cafe

Accommodations for 2 nights for a family of 4 at:

Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre


Are you as excited as I am?!?

Here's what you have to do to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Visit one of the above links and tell me something, ANYthing, about it!
Extra entries:

~ Follow me on twitter.

~ Tweet this giveaway and link back. You can do this 5 times! (please use separate comments for each entry)

~ Subscribe to my blog.

~ Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back. This is worth 5 entries! (please use separate comments for each entry)

~ Write about this on Facebook and link back.

~ Stumble or Hoot this giveaway (or whatever social media thingy-bob you use) and link back. Again, 5 times for 5 entries! (please use separate comments for each entry)


I will draw the lucky winner on the morning of Sunday, August 29th, using the same old-school method of drawing from a hat. (If you don't like that method, then don't enter.)

First Disclaimer: I have to have your email available! If I do not hear back from the winner within 48 hours of notification, I will have to choose another person. This is not an exact science, folks so MAKE SURE I can find you on your home page or by putting your email in the comments. By entering below you are signing off any rights to whine or complain that you didn't get my email or that you were out of town or that your internet wasn't working or that a meteor hit your house and you didn't have a chance to check your emails.

Second Disclaimer: Be sure to check all of the venues for schedules and black-out dates. Most will be open year-round, but it sure would stink to arrive and find out that your trip falls on the one week that something is closed for renovations!

Third Disclaimer: (Geesh! Enough with the disclaimers, lady!) Once the package leaves my home (via priority mail), I cannot control it. Should there be a natural disaster of cataclysmic proportions or should the postal service make a boo-boo and the package gets lost, I cannot replace it.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the giveaway! Your help was wonderful and I couldn't have arranged this without you all!

Good luck to everyone!
Now get commenting!!!

Winner of 4 Cedar Point Tickets!

Stay tuned for another big Cleveland giveaway....

Friday, August 13, 2010

Disney on Ice: Princess Classics


I am so thrilled to be a member of the new Feld Family Activator team! Feld Entertainment organizes many exciting shows in the Chicago area, including Disney on Ice Princess Classics in September!!! Corinne is almost 5 and my little nieces are 4 and 5; Which little girls are going to be loving their Mommy and Auntie this fall?

I can't wait to surprise them all! I'll update with photos after we watch the show on September 8. Hope to see you there!!

Feld Entertainment would like to extend a discount code so that everyone can enjoy the show for a little less money. The details are below:


Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44
(Valid Monday-Thursday and Friday Matinees, excluding holidays)
and save $4 on all weekend shows by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com
and entering the coupon code:
MOM
*
Enter Code in the “MC Promotions Box” on Ticketmaster.

United Center in Chicago, IL
September 8 – 12, 2010

Wed. Sept. 8
– 7:00 PM

Thurs. Sept. 9
– 7:00 PM

Fri. Sept. 10
– 7:00 PM

Sat. Sept. 11
– 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:00PM

Sun. Sept. 12
– 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:00PM+

+Spanish Language Shows.

*Use promotional code MOM when purchasing tickets at the United Center Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter Code in the “MC Promotions Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required. Not valid on Front Row or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

Winner of the Veggie Tales Sweetpea Beauty!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cedar Point Giveaway!

If you've been reading my blogs, you know that I recently went to Cleveland and its surrounding area for a fabulous promotional tour. While in Ohio, we spent the day at the Cedar Point Amusement Park and my mind was literally blown by the rides they have available. (Literally. It was quite messy as I have a large brain...)*The Top Thrill Dragster. Psychotically fun and unlike anything you've ever experienced. You'll regret not trying it, believe me!
The scariest ride of them all... the Ferris Wheel!!! FYI, I did NOT go on this. The Ferris Wheel and I have an understanding: I don't ride it and it doesn't kill me. It's a sweet deal.Honestly, I wish I could go back RIGHT NOW, it was that much fun. Dozens and dozens of rides and the layout was just so much easier to navigate. PLUS, the beach is right outside of the park if you want to have a picnic lunch and relax in the waves. Might I also suggest looking into their hotels and other accommodations that are available on-site (with gorgeous views of the lake and beach) to save on driving time and to get a little special treatment!

Cedar Point has generously offered a package of 4 passes for 1 reader to win! I am so excited to be able to offer this to you all!! The tickets are good every day until Labor Day and then on the weekends until October 31. Check their schedule for off days as they close down for decorating the park for the Halloweekends event. (I was assured that the Halloween theme is spooky without being gory so you can still bring the little ones!)

If you'd like to win these tickets, please follow the directions below. We'll pick a winner on Saturday the 14th so that there will still be time to plan your trip.

~ Go to Cedar Point's website and tell me about one ride that looks cool. Mandatory!

After doing the above, you can then get extra entries by:

~ Follow me on Twitter.

~ Tweet this giveaway and link back. (can do 5 times, but please label each one!)

~ Follow my blog.

~ Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back. (worth 5 entries, but please label each one!)

~ Share on Facebook and link back.

Edited to add: BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! If I can't contact you within 48 hours, I will have to choose a new winner!!

Good luck!!

* Disclaimer: My brain may or may not actually be large. But I do have a big head and have a hard time finding hats to fit, so it's a natural assumption...

Monday, August 2, 2010

Popchips!

Oh my God. Have you tried these? Have you heard about them?
Popchips are a new way of looking at potatoes. Never fried, never baked, they are cooked with heat and pressure until the potato slice, well, pops! It's a bit like the love child of a potato chip and a rice cake but without the dry and pasty aftertaste. In one bag there are only 3g of fat and NO trans fat. Also, every single ingredient on the packaging is something I can pronounce and picture in my head. That's not something you can say about most potato chips!

For those with children on gluten-free diets, this could be a good choice for their lunches as Popchips are Gluten Free!*

In the huge box that my family received just days ago, only one lonely bag remains. It is hidden in a location that cannot be divulged because 2/3 of my children can read my blog and that bag? That bag is MINE.


*All the dietary and allergen information is from the packaging. Be sure to confirm before serving to your family.