When was the last time you received a lovely handwritten note? At Effie's Paper, they believe that the only thing better than receiving a hand-written note in the mail, is having the perfect stationery to write hand-written notes to friends and loved ones! Effiespaper.com offers several different lines of fine quality paper products including Notecards, Foldover Notecards, Notepads, Gift Tags, Coasters and Labels. Many have lovely quotes included in a nice print, or they can be personalized. The paper is of the highest quality and comes in beautiful color combinations. Their design lines surely include something for each taste. Effie's Paper products are not like something you’d find in the dollar store or discount chain. The prices reflect the quality of their product. Here’s what, Kaylyn Johnson Chandler, founder and creative force behind Effie's Paper says, “What makes Effie’s Paper stand out from the crowd is our design aesthetic. We love bright bold color … [Read more...]

Today’s Giveaway is a high-ticket item from VTech - the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless telephones and a leading supplier of electronic learning products. VTech is introducing a Three Handset Connect to CELL Answering system. Not only does the Giveaway include the phone system, but Vtech is also supplying a lovely basket of must-have items for one of my lucky readers. The Basket includes: Colorful, hand-threaded shopping basket Chocolates Festive holiday candle Long distance calling card Keychain digital photo frame VTech Connect-to-Cell phone system Fun holiday trimmings   Vtech knows the holidays may be the most important time to reconnect with loved ones, and with this gift basket, they want to make sure you have several ways to stay connected. According to a recent survey, the easiest way to connect with loved ones who are far away is with a phone call.  Nearly half of respondents said a phone call to catch up is the best present a distant … [Read more...]

  Today’s Giveaway comes to you from MakerCraft, a custom jewelry company that helps take the guesswork out of designing your own jewelry. Having spent hours, myself, in front of the bead section at my local craft store, I loved hearing about MakerCraft and spending some time at the MakerCraft blog. Owner and creator, Corissa McClays says, “I founded a company to make it easier for women to express their personal style.”  Their first product is an app that lets women design and order the perfect jewelry for their personal style. They also offer gift codes, so if you don't want to design a gift you can give someone else the money to design for themselves. The beauty of MakerCraft is that every piece is made to order via an iPad app. You don’t have to have an iPad to win this Giveaway, they will design the piece of jewelry for the winner, if you don't have the iPad. When you visit the blog, you’ll learn about their Fashionable Color Theory. They discuss how to … [Read more...]

  *This giveaway has been extended until 11/28 and is open Worldwide! Today’s Holiday Gift Guide treat features a trip to Moscow with Bronte and her loveable bear, Frank! A newly released, Award Winning children’s book, Bronte & Frank go to Moscow, is considered a Travltivity Book – meaning not only is it a delightful story full of Bronte & Frank’s travel adventure, but many engaging learning activities for children are included at the back of the book, as well. Also included is a Moscow metro guide for parents, shopping locations, restaurants and favorite places to visit in Moscow. If you visit Bronte & Frank’s website or facebook page, you’ll learn more about the cities they visit and participate in the interactive learning. Bronte & Frank go to Moscow is hardcover, with sturdy cardstock spiral-bound pages and includes a CD featuring cultural learning devices, stories and music. Not only will your children learn about an exciting world-class … [Read more...]

Today you get to meet Happy, an adorable, loveable Yorkie. Happy’s had a few adventures already, but the Holiday Gift Guide is featuring “Happy’s Christmas Gift” by Geoff Parker Sr. This children’s book is an enchanting Christmas story about this endearing little Yorkie.  “Happ” belongs to Nana and she’s sent him off to the Post Office to mail his Christmas Letter to Santa. He makes it to the PostOffice just in time, and on his way home he stops to visit Butcher Joe, who gives him a treat, then Hap meets a little girl named Amy on the street who’s on her way to mail her letter. It turns out Amy and her mom live in a shelter – so Christmas Wishes are of vital importance this year. When she realizes she’s too late for the Post, Hap comes to her rescue, but not without trouble and adventure along the way. Happy sneaks into the back entrance of the Post Office and finds the mailbag headed for the North Pole. He falls into the bag and somehow, Hap ends up at the North … [Read more...]

The Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway for today is for a Transformer Rescue Bot, but first I wanted to share with you my thoughts on a few hot Playskool toys for this season. First is the Play-Doh Doctor Drill ‘N Fill Playset. No home is complete without Play-Doh and Dr. Drill and Fill Playset is a great set to put little hands to work creating. Not only can your children have fun making braces, forming teeth, and brushing teeth, but this set will help diffuse some of the fear of going to the dentist. My kids love the Playbase head with ears that comes with an electric drill, tweezers, dentist tool, a mirror and braces roller. Dr. Drill ‘N Fill puts them in the driver’s seat of dental work! The set comes with one 5oz can of Doh, and 2 two-ounce cans. The Play-Doh Doctor Drill 'N Fill Playset is presently on sale on Amazon for $22.18. Next is Transformers Rescue Bots. Little hands can easily transform these Transformer Rescue Bots characters from truck to robot with one … [Read more...]

  Today’s giveaway is an insect you’re gonna want to have around your house! The HEXBUG Nano is a new, tiny collectible, micro robotic creature that uses the physics of vibration to move forward and explore. My kids adore this toy!  These little Hexbugs are powered by a tiny motor, and 12 little buggie legs. As they move forward they explore the little mazes your child creates for them out of the Hexbug Nano Hive Habitat which is a transportable environment.   Check out the world of Hexbugs on their website. The Hexbug Hive can be connected to any pre-existing Hexbug Habitat you own, or be added on to new ones you acquire. The creation options are seemingly endless, as you add variety with Hexbug playground accessories. The Hexbugs have an uncanny sense of balance and can flip onto its feet, zoom around the hive, switch directions and scurry onto a new path. Their behavior is random and energetic. Each Hexbug is assigned a unique serial number and point value … [Read more...]

  It really is the thought that counts. Today's Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway is an eBook titled "Present Perfect" by Sherry Reichert Belul. Sherry Belul is the founder of Simply Celebrate, a company that offers tips and products to help people practice turning ordinary days into an extraordinary life. She started her company because she feels we need to "wake up to all the joy, spontaneity, color, and connection that is available in every moment. We want you to love the life you have — even when everything doesn't look exactly like you imagined." You can check out her website and hear all about her philosophy of celebrating life and loved ones with creativity and connecting. In "Present Perfect" Sherry has combined a list of 127 gifts from the heart. 60 of her ideas won't cost you a dime. At the top of that list is what she calls the Love List, and it's just what it sounds like - making a list of those unique loveable traits about that special someone. The next 36 ideas … [Read more...]

  Today's Holiday Gift Guide feature is one that makes for an excellent family movie night! When gifting to married siblings, friends with families, and kids, movie nights are great to plan for. I have done this many times. What better way to enjoy a family movie night than with the new Disney's The Lion King Diamond Edition and some oh so tasty Wholly Guacamole products?! There just isn't! The Diamond Edition of Lion King comes with Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy! You will be all set! Wholly Guacamole has also generously offered up a cooler of goodies, to go along with your movie. The Wholly Guacamole cooler may not be exactly like the picture, but it will be good! I imagine Amazon will be having some great sales on other Disney movies, if you're working on building up your collection. I think movies make excellent gifts for adults and children. This giveaway will end at 11:59pm on 12/2. Each entry is optional, but the more you complete, the greater your … [Read more...]

  Have you ever heard of Mumoocie? It’s pronounced Muh-moo-see, and it’s the new cozy curved body pillow that’s “Helping America Sleep like a baby.” Mumoocie is also known as “The Mum Pillow.” Mumoocie comes in two different styles; fiber filled and high quality memory foam. Both are designed for comfort and support with a slightly different feel. It also has a removable, washable cover for easy laundering. It helps create the safe, cuddly sleeping position like spooning and it’s made to retain body heat, as well as scent to give you the most soothing and snuggly sleep imaginable.   You can place Mumoocie behind your neck, under your legs, or behind your back to relieve stress - or cuddle with it in front of you as a spooning body pillow and feel like your loved one is sleeping soundly right beside you! Many children suffer from separation anxiety making bedtime difficult, but Mumoocie is perfect for easing the separation anxiety experienced by so many … [Read more...]