May 2009 | Fairy Blog Mother

May 31, 2009

Sunday Stealing 5/31

Sunday Stealing: The Monkey's Meme

1. Name one person who made you smile today: My 2 year old son. Oh, wait...clenching my teeth isn't exactly smiling, is it?

2. What were you doing at 8am this morning? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

3. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Watching the Spongebob Squarepants movie, eating popcorn, drinking Powerade, texting my friend in North Carolina and reading posts on an online forum. That, my friend is (lazy) [wo]man's multi-tasking.

4. What is your favorite candy bar? Peanut Butter Twix, with the chocolate cookie

5. Have you ever been to a strip club? Yep, I have!

6. What was the last thing you had to drink? Don't you listen...or read? Powerade...duh.

7. What was the last thing you ate? Again...don't you read? (popcorn)

8. The last sporting event you watched? Pfftt...yeah right.

9. Do you go to church every Sunday? Pfftt...yeah right. Though I do live right next door to a Mormon church. *dodges the lightning bolt*

10. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? That's not a fair question...that's like making me choose between brownies and cheesecake.

11. What are you doing tomorrow? Watching the Spongebob Squarepants movie, eating popcorn, drinking Powerade, texting my friend in North Carolina and reading posts on an online forum.

12. What do you think of when you hear Australia? I've never heard Austraila before. But when I think of Australia I think of that Crocodile Hunter dood.

13. Biggest annoyance right now? Well, there's this problem with my knee...

14. Last song listened to? Something by REO Speedwagon (I was at the concert last night....and Styx was better)

15. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Ha! I wish!

16. Are you jealous of anyone? I'm a little jealous of all those awesome bloggers who get to "test drive" new kitchen appliances.

17. Is anyone jealous of you? Fuckin hell, I hope so...I'm like totally awesome, yo.

18. What do you usually do during the day? Watch the Spongebob Squarepants movie, eat popcorn, drink Powerade, text my friend in North Carolina and read posts on an online forum.

19. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? Plankton from the Spongebob Squarepants movie. He's dumb.

20. Are you thinking about someone right now? Umm...Sponegbob Squarepants?

The Slanket Giveaway - CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. A WINNER WILL BE DRAWN SOON. THANKS!

I know that the summer months are just around the corner. Summer is only weeks away and I'm giving away a blanket. But I'm not giving away just any old blanket...it's a Slanket!

I use a blanket all year round. While lounging (ahem, napping) on the couch or sitting up with my laptop, I've usually got a blanket over me. In the summertime our air conditioning turns our downstairs family room (the main hang out) frigid. And I can never seem to be warm enough during the crazy Utah winters. And blankets are just cozy and comforting...comfortable, warm...yeah, you know all of this already.

So why a Slanket at the start of summer? Well, why not?

I personally think the Slanket would be awesome on a camping trip. Sitting around a campfire (not too close! as the Slanket is kind of um...breezy? swingy? loose?) on a camping trip. Or it would make a great gift!

Yes, a Slanket is a blanket with sleeves. I know you've seen them around...or seen "another" blankets with sleeves on tv. I never thought I'd want one, let alone actually own one. But I'm glad that I do.

It really is a nice, soft, cozy blanket. It's extra long so your feet stay covered and has extra fabric around the neck so that it drapes over the shoulder and stays put. Then of course there's the sleeves. Which are actually quite handy. As you can stay completely covered and can still use your hands.

Yes, I'm not going to lie...my kids laugh at me. And even I can't help but giggle a little when I throw on my Slanket. But those same kids that laughed, jumped at the chance to use it when I left it on the couch. And...now they want one. So I'm sure I'll be making a purchase from their kids selection very soon.

I received the Ruby Wine (shown in picture below) colored Slanket and I love it. It has replaced my regular blanket that I always have near the couch. It's comfortable, soft and cozy. It's made from non-pilling, 100% polyester microfibers and is machine washable.

You know you want one...

And lucky for you the lovely people over at The Slanket.com have agreed to give a Slanket to one of my readers.

To enter this giveaway:
Visit the The Slanket website and tell me which color you like the best

This is the mandatory rule for entry. If you don't do this then any extra entries you submit will not be counted. Any entries that simply say 'enter me', 'count me in', 'great prize' or anything equally lame will not be counted...or even published for that matter. This rule especially applies to "Woo Hoo make me a winner!"

Please make sure your email address is in your profile or you leave it in your comments.
If I can't contact you then you can't win!

Extra entries? You know you want 'em...
I will give you 1 extra entry if you do any of the following:
(Leave a comment for each additional entry. If you put all of your extra entries in one comment it will only count as ONE entry. Sorry!)

Sign up for The Slanket newsletter
Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Follow my blog on blogger
Follow @funnyjello and @slanket on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. This can be done once a day. Copy/paste: RT Win a Slanket from @funnyjello and @slanket http://tinyurl.com/mqs3w5
Drop your card on my Entrecard widget (comment with blog name)
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother and a fan of The Slanket. (you must do both for ONE entry)
Post my button on your blog
Post on your blog about this giveaway [a blurb while posting about other giveaways, etc. is ok] (leave me the link to your post)
Digg, Stumble or kirtsy this post. (leave me your username)
Add my MAIN PAGE (not this post) to your favorites on Technorati (leave your username)

Current subscribers/followers/fans just leave a comment letting me know and you'll get your extra entries.

BONUS!!!

Add this button to your blog/website for an extra entry. Just leave me a comment with the link.

Open to US only
Ends June 14, 2009 11:59 PM MST

Much thanks to The Slanket.comfor this wonderful review and giveaway opportunity.

Malt-O-Meal Giveaway - CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN SOON. THANKS!

This final Mother's Day Madness giveaway has MOM and her wallet in mind. Oh...and the kiddies, too.

I have been a fan of Malt-O-Meal brand cereals for as long as I can remember. I remember it my parents buying them for my sister and I as kids.

The quality is just as good, if not better than the name brand boxed cereals but you get twice as much, if not more for the price you pay.

And did you know that Malt-O-Meal brand cereals have 75% less packaging than cereal boxes? So not only do you get MORE for your money, you also get less waste.

Check out this comparison chart. Many of my family's favorite cereals are on "The Competition" list...but we very rarely purchase the brand name. Even when the brand name is on sale and I have a coupon I can still get a better deal on the Malt-O-Meal cereals.

My family's favorites are the Frosted Mini Spooners, Cinnamon Toasters and the Chocolate Marshmallow Mateys. My kids would eat an entire bag of the Frosted Mini Spooners in a day if I let them. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks...they love it.

Malt-O-Meal also has hot cereals. Not oatmeal...but that 'cream of....' type cereals. And they also taste just as good as the name brand stuff...and they even have chocolate flavored. Yuuuum!

I have 10 Malt-O-Meal free product coupons to give to FIVE Fairy Blog Mother readers. Each winner will receive two coupons each.

To enter this giveaway:
Visit the Malt-O-Meal website and take a look around.
Then come back and tell me which Malt-O-Meal cereals you'd like to try

Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Follow my blog on blogger
Follow @funnyjello on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. This can be done once a day.
Drop your card on my Entrecard widget (comment with blog name)
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother on Facebook.
Post my button on your blog
Post on your blog about this giveaway [a blurb while posting about other giveaways, etc. is ok] (leave me the link to your post)
Digg, Stumble or kirtsy this post. (leave me your username)
Add my MAIN PAGE (not this post) to your favorites on Technorati (leave your username)

Current subscribers/followers/fans just leave a comment letting me know and you'll get your extra entries.

BONUS!!!

Add this button to your blog/website for an extra entry. Just leave me a comment with the link.

Open to US only
Ends June 14, 2009 11:59 PM MST

Thanks to Malt-O-Meal for sponsoring this giveaway.

May 30, 2009

Playskool Clipo Hippo Review

I was given the opportunity to review Playskool's Clipo Hippo. Well, actually my son Ethan, who never looks at the camera, was the one to actually review it.

Because we already own the Clipo Creativity Table I knew that Ethan would enjoy the hippo too. He plays with the Clipo table all the time....usually to stand on it to reach things he's not supposed to get into, but that's a different story for a different day.

We could barely get it the Clipo Hippo out of the box he was so excited to play with it.

The Clip Hippo comes with 20 Clipo parts that attach to the hippo's back and wheels of the toy. The top compartment opens up to store all of the pieces and you can stick the pieces in through the mouth of the hippo...that was Ethan's favorite thing to do.

The unique design of the Clipo blocks makes them incredibly easy to stack, build and create fun things.

I took some pictures of Ethan in action with the Clipo Hippo.

Pushing the "car" with "big bird" or "buh-bud on cah" as he calls it.

And...feeding the "cah"

He has since taken the pieces from the Clipo Table and tried to shove them all in through the mouth of the hippo. He got a little pissed off when they all wouldn't fit. LOL

The Clipo Hippo sells for around $20 online and at many retailers.

Much thanks to Playskool for giving us this wonderful review opportunity. We love the Clipo Hippo!

Dear Ethan,

Please don't touch the tv.
Please don't flip the light switch off and on and off and on and off and on just because you can reach it.
Please don't play with the water dispenser on the refrigerator just because you can reach it.
Please don't turn on the fan that sits in the window.
Please don't play in the dog's water bowl.
Please don't climb the hundreds of dollars worth of baby gates that we've strategically placed all over the house to keep you out of things.
Please don't flush the toilet over and over and over again.
Please don't toss things into the toilet.
Please don't turn the water in the bathtub on just because you know how.
Please don't feel it necessary to follow me to the bathroom every time I need to go.
Please don't sit on the dog or pull her ears.
Please don't take all the cushions off of the couch and then jump off the couch onto the cushions.
Please don't feed the dog your food.
Please don't screech like a banshee when you accidentally drop food and the dog gets it.
Please don't dump out the toy bucket and then use the bucket to stand on top of and reach things you know you're not supposed to have.
Please don't pull your arms out through the straps on the car seat.
Please don't kick of your shoes every time I place your wiggly little butt in a shopping cart.
Please don't grab at items in the grocery store.
Please don't bite my flip flops. Why? Why? Why?
Please don't ever body slam me again.
Please don't pull my hair.
Please don't bolt out the door into the garage any time someone opens the door.
Please don't push the buttons on the dishwasher.
Please don't call Daddy "Dennis".
Please don't poop in your diaper then run off to a corner to remove it.
Please don't make me watch the Spongebob movie anymore.
Please don't topple over the play kitchen and use it as a step stool to reach things you're not supposed to have.
Please don't throw your toys at the tv. LCD is expensive.
Please don't pull my books from the bookshelf.
Please don't play with the blinds in the window.
Please don't destroy your brother and sister's things.
Please don't run off with Daddy's sunglasses. Oakley's are spendy.
Please don't drop your spoon on the floor on purpose because you decide you want the Spiderman spoon instead.
Please don't destroy your coloring books and my magazines. You are not a paper shredder.
Please don't color on the walls, pillows...yourself.
Please don't escape out the dog door just because you can fit through it.

These rules are effective until the day you move out of my house and will still be enforced anytime you should visit there after.

Please sign and date that you agree to these terms. Otherwise Daddy may have to have Mommy committed. Seriously.

Signature________________________________ Date__________________

Love,
Mommy

Sleepyheads Winner Announced!

I've drawn a winner for the Sleepyheads giveaway. There 638 were entries!

Congratulations!
#559 - trixpixel

Note: comments start over at 200 and again at 400 and 600

I'll be contacting you shortly, you'll have 48 hours to respond before I draw another winner.

Thanks to all who participated!

Spinlash Giveaway - CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. A WINNER WILL BE DRAWN SOON. THANKS!

So you all know about my love for infomercials. They can be the full 30 minute programs or the short 30-60 seconds spots in between my favorite programs. I'll watch them, fully intrigued every.single.time.

I'd seen Spinlash many times on TV and decided to drop them a line to see if I could review. Mascara being my favorite cosmetic...infomercials being my favorite "show" on tv, I couldn't go wrong, right?

And I'm glad I did write to the Spinlash people. They very generously sent me two Spinlash mascaras. One to try for myself and one to give away to one of you!

The brush is battery operated and rotates in a very non-scary way (lol) to coat, curl and separate your lashes at the same time. It lengthens and thickens lashes without clumping. And with just a switch of the button you can get the bottom lashes too.

And you know what...it's true...for the most part. I'm not going to lie.

This thing was a bitch to open. Sorry, it was. The mascara is in the smaller tube (see picture) and the brush in a separate piece. You put them together when you receive it. The "easy-to-remove" cap on the mascara was not so easy. I don't know, I had a hard time...I used my teeth. Ouch. But I got it.

I like my lashes curled more than what the Spinlash could do. Yes, it did curl them...but my eyelash curler takes priority over mascara on any day. I'll skip mascara before I'll skip curling my lashes. So this is a big deal to me. But it's not the end of the world...I just use my eyelash curler before. No biggie.

I have major seasonal allergies and I am loyal to waterproof mascaras. Because this mascara isn't waterproof and my eyes tend to be watery during allergy season, this mascara didn't hold up. No matter how careful I was when drying my eyes the mascara was coming off. But I blame my allergies for that, not the mascara. On a dry-eye day I could easily wear this mascara with no problems.

I took some pictures of my eyes to show you. The right eye, I only used the Spinlash. The left eye, I used my eyelash curler and the Spinlash.

And now I'm convinced that I'm probably the only one who would EVER know the difference. So I guess it's all in my head about the eyelash curler thing. LOL
You be the judge...

Eyelash curler or not, that is two coats (only one coat on the bottom) of Spinlash mascara on each eye. Note: No clumps, no flakes, my lashes aren't all stuck together (which sometimes happens when you double or triple coat your lashes) but...I'm still not giving up my eyelash curler.

Overall, I really like the brush. The mascara I'd like better if I could get a waterproof version. The easy-to-remove cap on the mascara sucks.

So I have one Spinlash in Brownish/Black to give to one lucky Fairy Blog Mother reader.

To enter this giveaway:
Visit Spinlash and tell me why you want to try this
and tell me your current mascara brand

Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Follow my blog on blogger
Follow @funnyjello on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. This can be done once a day. Copy/paste: RT Win Spinlash mascara from @funnyjello http://tinyurl.com/m3epwk
Drop your card on my Entrecard widget (comment with blog name)
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother on Facebook.
Post my button on your blog
Post on your blog about this giveaway [a blurb while posting about other giveaways, etc. is ok] (leave me the link to your post)
Digg, Stumble or kirtsy this post. (leave me your username)
Add my MAIN PAGE (not this post) to your favorites on Technorati (leave your username)

Current subscribers/followers/fans just leave a comment letting me know and you'll get your extra entries.

BONUS!!!

Add this button to your blog/website for an extra entry. Just leave me a comment with the link.

Open to US only
Ends June 13, 2009 11:59 PM MST

Thanks to Spinlash for sponsoring this giveaway.

Gabbygale Handbag Giveaway - CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. A WINNER WILL BE DRAWN SOON. THANKS!

Today's Mother's Day Madness giveaway is sponsored by Gabbygale.

Gabbygale has a wonderful selection of handbags, make-up cases, wallets, laptop bags and even diaper bags. They're cute AND reasonably priced. Like EVERYTHING is $35 and under. Seriously!

When I was contacted to review Gabbygale I was all too excited. I was sent the Zebra Makeup Bag. I told them it was like they read my mind...about my love for zebra. Turns out they just read my blog. ;)

I LOVE this make up bag. I don't travel a lot and when I do I usually take only a few necessities as far as make-up goes because I have so much...so much that I rarely use but can't bring myself to get rid of.

The Zebra Make Up Bag holds a lot of stuff. At least I think so...I have a ton of make up and accessories and it all managed to fit in here...and I can see everything. It's not buried or stuffed into a pocket where I'll never see it again.

The bag zips closed and has an outside pocket. There is a double sided pocket inside, in the center that attaches with velcro (shown in picture) . So you can take it out if need be. And it also came with a small mini bag for jewelry or other small items.

This make up bag has so many great features on top of being stylish and cute. The quality is great and it holds all my make-up, brushes and other accessories.

The best part about this bag (haha not really)...I think even Dennis is rejoicing.

My counter top...
As you can see in the picture below my old make up case was like a drop off station for everything in the bathroom. I could never find anything because it was like a catch-all.

So yeah, I've totally talked up this make-up bag. But there are many other choices on the Gabbygale website. I know you're going to find a high quality, affordable bag that you'll love.

Gabbygale has a great referral program as well. Under each item is an "email a friend" button...send it to a friend and they'll receive a 15% off code. For every friend that makes a purchase that you have referred you'll receive $10 off your next order. (Your friend must enter your email at checkout in the "referral" box.)

And...you get a free coin purse with any purchase. Woo!

Aaaaannndd to sweeten this even more...

Gabbygale is giving one Fairy Blog Mother reader their choice of any bag from the website.

To enter this giveaway:
Visit Gabbygale and tell me which bag you would choose.

Subscribe to the Gabbygale newsletter
Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Follow my blog on blogger
Follow @funnyjello and @GabbygaleBags on Twitter and tweet this. Copy/paste: RT Win a Gabbygale handbag from @funnyjello & @GabbygaleBags http://tinyurl.com/l4zz4j This can be done once a day.
Drop your card on my Entrecard widget (comment with blog name)
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother on Facebook.
Post my button on your blog
Post on your blog about this giveaway [a blurb while posting about other giveaways, etc. is ok] (leave me the link to your post)
Digg, Stumble or kirtsy this post. (leave me your username)
Add my main page (not this post) to your favorites on Technorati (leave your username)

Current subscribers/followers/fans just leave a comment letting me know and you'll get your extra entries.

BONUS!!!

Add this button to your blog/website for an extra entry. Just leave me a comment with the link.

Open to US only
Ends June 13, 2009 11:59 PM MST

Thanks to Gabbygale for sponsoring this giveaway.

May 29, 2009

I'd Like To Thank The Academy...

And Sara from Ordinary and Awesome for giving me two more blog awards to go with my ever growing collection!

Sara is like one of the coolest bloggers I've come across. She has three (yes, three!) really cool blogs and is genuinely a really nice person. And how she manages three blogs, I have no idea...I can't keep up with the two that I have. My original blog has since been abandoned and gets an update once a month or so...and usually it's something that I've already posted here that I want to share with my family. LOL

I'm rambling...I'm good at that.
Back to Sara...

Ordinary and Awesome is her personal blog where she shares stories about her life, her blog stalker and Jon & Kate (yes, that Jon & Kate.)

Reviews and Giveaways...well that's pretty self explanatory, right? She has some giveaways coming up...her own little bloggy carnival. Make sure you stop by!

And Subjective Beauty is her "creative" blog. She creates awesome blog designs, many of which you've seen around the blogosphere. She also created these two awards.

You really should check out all of her blogs. Great reads, funny stories...purdy bloggy creations.

So I have been given an Extraordinary And Awesome Blogger award and a Superstar Blogger award. I'm very touched that Sara thought to give me these awards. It means a lot to me that I'm being accepted into this bloggy world...as I've not been here for very long.

I'm going to pass along the Extraordinary and Awesome award to Alisha at Confessions of a Moody Mommy. Alisha and I have become friends. We both started blogging around the same time so we've been helping each other along. She is extraordinary and awesome!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Superstar Blogger award I'm going to give to Mom On The Random because oh.my.gawd. she makes me laugh. I especially love her "Dear [such-and-such-company]" blog posts. But she also posts some really good movie reviews. You should stop by.

Thanks again to Sara, for giving me these awards! <3

Carolina Pad - Get another EXTRA entry!

My friend Tammi over at If You Could See What I See is having a Carolina Pad giveaway too!

If you go over and enter her giveaway I will give you an extra entry into MY giveaway. You just need to leave me a comment letting me know that you entered over there.

Check out her giveaway:

http://ifyoucouldseewhatisee.blogspot.com/2009/05/carolinapad-giveaway.html

Blush Topless Undershirt Winner Announced!

I cannot stress the importance of making sure I have a way to contact you when you enter one of my giveaways. Please, please make sure you leave your email address in your comment, you can break it up so bots won't find it. (example: yourmom [at] email [dot] com) Or make sure it's in your profile. The original winner of this giveaway had no contact information therefore the entries were disqualified. Too bad for them...but lucky for someone else.

There were 254 entries in the Blush Topless Undershirt giveaway.
A winner was chosen via random.org

Congratulations!
#192 Ginny - Mom of 2 Dancers

I'm emailing you right now and you'll have 48 hours to claim your prize. Thanks to all who participated!

Mister Linky Is Back!

It looks a little different, but works just the same. Thanks to Spamgirl for telling me how to fix it!

Just click on the Mister Linky icon to post your giveaways.
See the screen shot below for an example.

So go add your giveaways so I can come and enter!

Pop-Its Giveaway - CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. A WINNER WILL BE DRAWN SOON. THANKS!

It's flip flop season! My favorite time of year. I have a love/hate relationship with shoes. I love to buy shoes, love shopping for shoes...hate wearing them. If I could wear flip flops every day all year long I would. Unfortunately, flip flops are not ideal footwear for Utah winters.

I recently discovered Popits and was eager to contact them for a review.

What are Popits?
Popits are interchangeable charms for flip flops, hats and hair accessories. How cool is that?!

Popits’ eye and hook technology was developed by an MIT engineer, who may have not been the most fashion forward man, but boy was he smart. Popits charms can be mix and matched from flip flops to flats and from jewelry to even clips for your hair – all of which have a special Popit attachment. With an array of colors and shapes to choose from, Popits allows anyone to indulge their every mood, personality or outfit.

I received a pair of black flip flops with the green flower charm. The flops are comfy and stylish. I really love the charm, it makes them unique.

Their website allows you to personalize your flip flops and there are so many cute charms to choose from. And Popits are so cool they've been spotted on celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Katherine McPhee and Lisa Rinna.

Wanna win some Popits?

I have one pair of flip flops with two sets of Popits charms to giveaway to one lucky Fairy Blog Mother reader.

To enter this giveaway:

Visit the website and customize your own flip flop (follow the link).
Come back and tell me the flip flop color and two sets of charms you would choose.

Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Follow my blog on blogger
Follow @funnyjello on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. This can be done once a day. Copy/paste: RT Win Popits flip flops from @funnyjello http://tinyurl.com/npdvqu
Drop your card on my Entrecard widget (comment with blog name)
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother on Facebook.
Post my button on your blog
Post on your blog about this giveaway [a blurb while posting about other giveaways, etc. is ok] (leave me the link to your post)
Digg, Stumble or kirtsy this post. (leave me your username)
Add my MAIN PAGE (not this post) to your favorites on Technorati (leave your username)