a dash of sassitude

Giveaway Time

2008-05-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

There are 31 subscribers on here and only two on my new a dash of sassitude. I've moved, you're gonna miss out on all the new fun stuff if you don't resubscribe over there. :) I won't be updating this site anymore.

I'm hosting a giveaway on the new a dash of sassitude. Go check it out! In fact, I'll be hosting on next week and the week after, too.

I'M MOVING!!!

2008-04-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hubby bought me a new domain: a dash of sassitude! Come join me over at my new home! I've got the place all spiffied up. I've also got some fun surprises in store over there.

I'm Having a Giveaway...

2008-04-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

No, not here, THERE. Check it out for your chance to win A Mother's Heart Knows. :) You only have until Tuesday, April 29th, so don't dilly dally. And there is a question you must answer to qualify. Don't worry, it isn't 'What is your bank account number?' or anything serious like that. This time. hehe

Bloggy Giveaway Hangover Anyone

2008-04-25T08:15:00.001-07:00

Wow - over 800 giveaways this round. You know what that means? There are some serious givers out there that know how blessed a person is when they give. I'm still bummed that I missed out on this round (as a giver). Thankfully, we are once again healthy and next time, I'll have something fun planned I'm sure.

I did, however, manage to enter some giveaways. Wowza! There are gift cards, books, clothes, jewelry, toys...so many neat things to possibly win. My fingers feel like nubs and my kids are tired of staring at the back of my head. :)

Life is returning to normal as we hit the end of the giveaways. I've found some new blogs to read. Here are a couple blogs I am enjoying thanks to Bloggy Giveaways:

Marsha from Our School and Other Such Happenings has a gorgeous blog and she has a great sense of humor. :)

The Natural Mommy is another new favorite of mine. I can totally relate to her posts and love her writing style.

Thoughts from Miller Manor is fun to read and I love the look of her blog.

Now, I'm off to enter one or two more giveaways and then the kids and I have some friends to hang out with this afternoon. Bring on the girly chit chat and FOOD. :)

The Bloggy Giveaway Carnival

2008-04-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

With everyone being sick here, I almost missed this. I wish I could have hosted a giveaway this time because it was such a blast last time! I'm sure there will be another and I hope to be ready for it. :)

In the meantime, there is several hundred giveaways going on right now, so head on over and have fun! (Click on the banner)

Where Have I Been?

2008-04-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

We were hit hard by the flu here. Fevers, croup (it sounded like we had some barking seals in the house), sore throats, ear aches, runny noses, stuffed noses, chapped skin, sinus infections, headaches, chills, coughs, throwing up, sleep troubles...it has been loads of fun. I've been so tired, I've spoken nonsense at times lol.

We had to steam the kids, take them out in the cold air, give prescription meds, put Vicks on feet and chests, drink loads of tea, drink plenty of water, eat an immune boosting soup, take honey and lemon mixture, get lots of rest, pray, spend nights sitting up, spend days snuggling sick little ones - it's been exhausting.

I have felt anything but sassy for over a month.

Are we done yet? Not quite. In fact, I'd love to crawl in bed as my ears and throat hurt right now, but I've missed blogging and figured I should let everyone know what's up. Most of the kids are back to healthy. Hubby and I seem to be bring up the tail end of this fun round of the flu.

I will say this - there was a drastic improvement when I kicked the natural remedies into full gear. I'll share some of what I did for a works for me Wednesday post soon. :)

In the midst of the chaos here, my darling hubby bought my own domain for a dash of sassitude and I'm working on setting up a new wordpress blog for it. Only one problem, I can't seem to figure out how to get a second sidebar. If anyone can guide me, I'd be ever so grateful!

It's seriously slowing me down with the launch of the new site. I hope to unveil the new blog soon!

It's A Party!!

2008-03-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

You've made it! Welcome to the party with a dash of sassitude. Can you believe the hundreds of blogs already joining in the blog party? Talk about fun.

I'm a sassy blogging mama married to an amazing man who finds me amusing. I think that's a good thing.

We have six fantabulous kids with varying degrees of sass depending on who they take after.

Higher sass levels definitely means they resemble their father. What?

I rest my case.

Why this blog? Well, I came up with a dash of sassitude and thought, "What a cool name for a blog". On a lark, I checked to see if it was available on blogger. It was and I clicked away not needing yet another blog.

A little while later, I discovered I had actually clicked make a blog instead of cancel. I couldn't let it go to waste. After a little brainstorming, a dash of sassitude officially came to life.

I've had a blast reviewing products, hosting giveaways, and writing about things only a sassy mom could appreciate.

Now I know you have other parties to attend to this week, so I'll wrap this up. Need a dash of sassitude in your life? You can subscribe over on the sidebar. You'll even have the option to subscribe to my other bloggity blogs.

And if you want to party with me some more, check out my other blogs: Enoikeo, My Meandering Mind, Penning Prose, and Six Short of a Dozen all have unique party posts.

Please leave a sassy comment before you leave. I'd love to visit you at your place.

The banner at the top of the page will take you to The Ultimate Blog Party. There are lots of people to get to know, blogs to check out and PRIZES to win.

My top three picks are:

♥ The Rocking Horse from A Rocking Horse to Love
♥ The webcam from Liz at This Full House
♥ A $50 gift certificate to Emily Rose

If those are already taken, I'd love the following (in order):
15, 37, 59, 55, 60, 39, 103, 87, 47, 11, 62, 34, 64, 7, 17, 46, 74, 100, 105, 104, 99, 3, 75, 28, 8, 90, 73, 70 - after that, anything is fine. :)

There are so many awesome things that it's really hard to choose. You don't even need a blog to participate. Now go have fun!

Show and Tell: Me

2008-03-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

I'm new to the Show and Tell Friday meme, but I thought it would be fun to add it to a dash of sassitude, so you can get to know me better. With that in mind, my first Show and Tell subject is me.

Don't these glasses make me look smart? I've been wearing them for less than a year, but I feel like I've always worn them. There wasn't much of an adjustment period going from nothing to glasses. This probably has something to do with my obsession with sassy sunglasses.

This picture actually tells a lot about me. See the hair color? I'm actually a blonde naturally. My blonde moments come out full farce when the roots begin to show.

Anyway, the next thing you see is my top. I love fun and funky clothes. This one is near and dear to my heart (literally) because it has images from London all over it. I actually lived in London as a child and moved back to the states when I was 10. Yes, I was a Navy brat. Now, I'm just a brat. Sometimes.

It's hard to see, but I'm wearing a sterling silver necklace. I LOVE sterling silver. My hubby bought this necklace for me when I asked him to choose a cross for me. I wanted a special necklace from him and one that would remind me of Jesus. This one shows Jesus on the cross. It reminds me of what He did for me. And for you. Sentimental x two.

Now look behind me. See the tea cups? I happen to love tea. English influence? Perhaps. I raise my pinky when I sip my tea. You HAVE to raise your pinky finger. That's how real tea drinkers do it.

I love tea cups. We have a lot of tea cups in our cabinet and all my kids love tea. I'll save that for a future show and tell.

The tea cups behind me in the photo hold all sorts of fun buttons. I actually bought this set of cups for a craft project. I need hubby's help. Or I may modify the design. HMMMM. Mind is whirling. Creativity is flowing. I gots an idea. I guess I now have another future Show and Tell.

Which brings me to the next thing in the photo. See all those mini drawers? Lots of crafting goodies to be found in there. I love working with my hands and behind me is my craft desk and supplies.

One last thing you can learn about me in this photo: see the mango wall? Pretty huh. Why a bold color on the wall? Well, this room is my office, craft, school room. I wanted something that would inspire creativity. Mango and yellow walls! Total FUN! I'll take you on a tour later for Show and Tell.

To think, I wondered if I'd have enough ideas for Show and Tell Fridays and they seem to be all over the place. I love it when an accident comes together. ;)

Amazing what you can learn about a person from one, little photograph. For more Show and Tell Friday goodness, click on the banner.

Works for Me Wednesday - Backwards Edition!

2008-03-05T14:34:00.000-08:00

Today it's Works for Me Wednesday: The Backwards Edition! This means I get to ask you for tips on my dilemma. What is my dilemma? I'm so glad you asked.

I want to incorporate more bean and rice dishes into our meal plans because they are not only healthy, but frugal. However, warmer days are coming, so I'd like to skip the soup and opt for summer friendly recipes.

I'd love for you to share your favorite/best recipes for bean and rice dishes (can be together or separate) that are especially wonderful when it's HOT outside. :)

I look forward to seeing what you all come up with.

Click on the banner for more Works For Me Wednesday ideas!

And the Ribbon Rockstar winner is...

2008-03-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

I apologize for keeping you all in suspense for an extra day (now you know why I write suspense novels), but we have some sick kiddos here and I'm fighting sinus stuff myself. FUN!

This was a fun giveaway because I love the product and I got some cute pictures of Little Miss Amber as a result. Thank you everyone for entering and make sure you come back and visit soon.

Now for the moment you've been anticipating. Who is the winner of the Hanna Montana bow? According to random.org, the randomly selected number is 2!

Stacey Moore who said she loves 'the Made to Match Tres Chic bows!! my soon to be 4 year old loves to rock out the show with hannah montana!! thanks' and 'i am already a subscriber and already have your button!! we would so love to win the hairbow!!'

Thanks for your support of this new blog, Stacey. Congratulations on winning the hair bow. Please email me to claim your prize and I'll forward your email to Linda at Ribbon Rockstar.

Thanks again for playing along everyone.

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-02-27T16:09:00.000-08:00

Don't forget my own Ribbon Rockstar giveaway here at a dash of sassitude!

The Opinionated Parent is hosting a giveaway for a fun kid's CD called Fast and Feisty by Princess Katie & Racer Steve. The music is lively and the message is positive. I can see Little Miss Princess and Wild Dude dancing around the house to this. :) Go check it out before the deadline on March 5, 2008 at midnight MST.

Tag, I'm It

2008-02-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Tami from Tree Swing Reading for this fun meme.

The Rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

The nearest book happens to be the one I just reviewed on my other blog, Penning Prose with Audra Silva: Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren.

Here's the snippet from page 123:

"From the colors and delicacy of the flowers to the landscape that can't make up its mind to the sky that seems to stretch from the first gasp of wonder to the next and beyond." She lay back onto the grass, tracing the clouds, in the endless ocean of blue. "Yeah, I like this place."

This was such a good book. Check out my review here.

I tag Charlyn, Jules, Bev (who needs to write a post this year), Pietra, and Heather. Leave a comment if you do it, so I can come check it out. :)

Review and giveaway: Ribbon Rockstar

2008-02-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

It's giveaway time. Stay tuned for the giveaway at the end of the review.

When Linda from Ribbon Rockstar contacted me to review her product, it took only a few minutes on her website before I eagerly agreed. Her bows are adorable and come in a various sizes, many different styles, a huge array of colors and two choices of clip types. I'm really pleased with the quality of these bows. The ribbon looks secure and she even covers part of the clip.

Her Baby Bows are about 1.5-2 inches wide. These little bows are perfect for babies and for pulling the hair back on the sides of older girls.

I received the Double Stacker in pink and white from the Basic Hair Bows section. Here's Little Miss Princess modeling this bow:

She made sure to turn, so you could see the back. She loved modeling this bow. As you can see, the Basic Bows are anything, but basic.

Next, Linda makes Boutique Hair Bows and the ribbons she uses have a lot of sassitude. These bows are fun and it would be hard to choose a favorite in this group.

The Character Hair Bows will be sure to excite your daughter. I have fallen in love with Miss Mouse myself. AND one of these character bows has been chosen for our giveaway, so stay tuned.

There are also Holiday Bows for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, Christmas and even Patriotic Bows.

She has even made some Made to Match Bows for Gymboree. These would be adorable in any outfit that matches the colors. I have Standard Poodles and I'm thinking the Made to Match Tres Chic bows would be nice to have.

The final category is School Spirit. My second sample bow came from this group. Little Miss Princess wasn't quite in the modeling mood for this set of photos, but we managed to get some cute photos to show off the fantabulous Apple for the Teacher Bow. This one is perfect for the homeschooling mom or teacher or to match an apple outfit which we just so happen to have:

That is Little Miss Princess signing I love You (her interpretation) and starting to crumple. She became happy again when I showed her the pictures.

Here's a close up of this adorable bow.

I have one of each style of clip and they are both wonderful. If you have a little girl who loves wearing bows, either clip would be fine. However, if she doesn't like it when you take too long fixing her hair or if she decides she is done NOW, I recommend the alligator clip. It is quick to get in and out fast.

Win it: Linda has graciously offered a Hanna Montana Bowto be given away to one my readers.

Here's what you need to do to enter:

1. Visit Ribbon Rockstar and browse around.

2. Come back here to this post and leave a comment telling me which bow is your favorite and who you'd like to win the Hannah Montana bow for.

3. Extra entries:
a. Blog about this giveaway on your blog, come back here and leave a separate comment with the url directly to the blog post.
b. Subscribe to my blog (you can subscribe at the top of the sidebar), come back here and a separate comment telling me you did.
c. Add my button to your blog's sidebar, come back here and leave a separate comment with the url to your blog.

4. Make sure I have a way of contacting you or come back to see if you have won and then email me. If you haven't claimed your prize within three days, I'll have to choose another winner.

You have the chance for three extra entries, but you have to leave a separate comment for each thing you do, to make it easier for me to count the entries.

Contest ends Friday, February 29th. I'll announce the winners on Saturday, March 1st.

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-02-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

We seem to be going around and around with colds or bugs this winter. I'm fighting a cold, have fluid in my ears, and now it's moving to my chest. Fun. My voice seems to be coming and going today much to the delight of my children. Sounds like a great day to enter contests. :)

I'm A Drama Mama is hosting a "You Know, Whatever Giveaway" to celebrate her blog turning 1. What's the prize? It's a mystery. I love a good mystery, don't you? If you do, go grab the button before February 26th.

Kristin from An Ordinary Life is hosting a giveaway for some cool Retro Style sunglasses from Baby Banz. These are so cute! Deadline is March 1st.

Pippin Party is hosting a giveaway for a cool set (8) of Happy Birthday Plates from Department 56. They have some great posts about hosting parties, too. Check it out before the deadline on Saturday, March 1st.

Want your little one to learn sign language? Sassyfrazz is having a giveaway for a Baby Signing Time gift set or a Signing Time gift set. You can find out more about the DVDs from the Signing Time website. The deadline to enter is March 2 at 11:59 PM CST.

MommyKnows and www.thebabymarketplace.com (a great place to shop and learn about cloth diapers) are hosting the bumGenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper Give Away. Go on over and comment and be entered to Win one of two bumGenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diapers. Contest is over on February 27th, 2008 (@ 9:59 pm MT)

I'm a finalist!

2008-02-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

This is a sticky note. Scroll down for current post. :)

I'm a finalist for the Most Evocative Haiku for the Haiku Buckaroo contest over on My Mommy's Place. My entries can be found here and here.

I had a blast writing these and entering, but I had no idea I'd end up a finalist. :) Mine starts with 'As the gray sky weeps...'

Go cast your votes for your favorite Haiku now before it's too late.

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-02-21T17:18:00.000-08:00

Christine from Diapers to Diapers, and beyond! is holding two giveaways. First, you can win a $20 gift certificate to Announcements Galore. The deadline is 9pm (PST) Feb. 25th.

Her other giveaway is for a $25 gift certificate to Ribbon Rock Star. Let me tell you, these bows are so darn cute! (Look for my own review and giveaway coming soon!) Deadline to enter is 9pm (PST) Feb. 27th.

Need a blog makeover? Jen from Trendy Mommy Blog Design is giving away not one, but FIVE blog makeovers! Go check it out before the deadline on Tuesday, February 26th at midnight.

Blessed Arrows is having a giveaway where you can win the chance to choose one item from their store. She has some cute things on there. The deadline is 2/24/08.

Skin Care Part 1

2008-02-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

I don't really have a skin care regimen in place and my skin shows it. I don't break out a lot, but I have a subtle roughness on my face. My forehead has tiny bumps on it, my skin is dry and sometimes the T-Zone shines. Most of this isn't really noticeable to others, but I see it.

I love applying and trying new things in the art of makeup, but the canvas, my face, could use some improvement. I'm on a hunt for better skin tone and texture.

My plan is to use the Cetaphil knockoff morning and night with just a touch of moisturizer. I'm not going to use any foundation for a while unless I'm having my picture taken because it does even things out a bit.

What do you like to use to cleanse and moisturize your face? What does your facial skin care regimen consist of? Do you wash your face once or twice a day? Or are you more like me and it's a hit or miss routine?

Momviews - Bright October giveaway

2008-02-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

I told you Momviews has some fun giveaways. You can win a Haba Little Garden Pegging Game from Bright October. This is a cute wooden peg board game where your little one arranges the pieces of the garden. The deadline to enter is February 13th.

Momviews Giveaway - Pediped Shoes

2008-02-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

Momviews has another fun giveaway for the cutest shoes by Pediped! These would be adorable on Little Miss Princess. The soft soles and comfortable cushion makes these perfect for little feet. Hurry because the contest ends tomorrow, February 11th.

Momviews Giveaway - magazine subscription

2008-02-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

Momviews is hosting a giveaway. You can win a 2 year subscription to a new magazine for moms called Hybrid Mom. It's by moms about issues relevant to moms. Deadline to enter is February 13th.

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-02-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

I know I've been quiet. We've had a tummy bug going through the family this week. It's been a mess (literally and we had the laundry to prove it), but we seem to be almost over it. Just Little Miss Princess (almost 2) and mama.

Now on to the fun stuff:

Kailani is hosting a jewelry giveaway on An Island Life. You can win a beautiful necklace from Hazelnut Cottage. I especially love the meaning behind it which she mentions in her post. Check it out before the deadline on February 14th.

Kat is giving away a shirt from LTDchix. These shirts capture life as a mom with sassitude. My favorite design is this Fitness one, although I can relate to a couple of them for sure. Deadline is February 14th.

Teresa is holding a new contest over at her personal blog. Those entering have a chance at winning a beautiful floral necklace created by Lori Jaclyn. She’s willing to ship the prize anywhere, so anyone is eligible to participate! Deadline is February 17th.

And the winner is...

2008-02-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

somebody, but first, a message from the Queen of Sassitude:

Thank you, thank you. Speaking of thank you, thank you for joining in the fun here. I had a blast doing this giveaway and reading everyone's comments. Apparently, the dead plant is the new potted plant look. YES! I'm fashionable!

I will get around to visiting those of you who left a url in their comment, but it may take time. I am a mother of six and the comments on this blog alone were 126. I hosted five giveaways on five different blogs (I'm a blog addict), so you can imagine it might take a while.

Also, thanks to Shannon over on Bloggy Giveaways for making this fun event possible.

One more quick note before I announce the winner. You might want to subscribe to this blog because it is actually a blog where I host giveaways, review items (email me if you'd like me to review your product), and generally dish some sassitude. My email is over in the sidebar, along with my button if you want to share some linky love, and a way to subscribe if anyone is interested (you know you are - DO IT!) This has been a subliminal message in which you will now have the desire to do one of those things.

Now on to the fun! Who is the winner out of 126 comments? Let's turn to the overworked Random.org:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

8

Timestamp: 2008-02-04 02:07:23 UTC

Number eight is:

Margaret who said...The mug is super cute!

Way to go, Margaret! I'd share some Linky Love, but alas, no URL. So, everyone say congrats in the comments! Margaret, email me with your snail address, so I can mail out your prize. :)

I hope everyone had a lot of fun and come back and visit sometime. If you leave your url, I'll come visit. :)

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-02-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

As always, I'll add giveaways to this post as I come across them today. :)

Angela and Connor are giving away a Yoga Mommies DVD over on their Seven Dogs and A Baby blog. Check out the review and then enter to win before Feb. 6th at midnight.

Popular Baby Products is having a giveaway for a $35 gift certificate to Attitude Pie. They have some cute clothes! Deadline to enter is Thursday, February 7th.

Giveaway Marathon

2008-02-02T11:26:00.001-08:00

I think I wore my fingers down to nubs entering all of those giveaways. I've had a blast both entering and holding my own giveaways this week. Mine end later today, so hurry if you haven't entered yet:

http://adashofsassitude.blogspot.com/2008/01/giveaway-with-sassitude.html
http://www.audrasilva.com/blog/?p=39
http://fff.thesilvas.com/?p=44
http://writingmom.bravejournal.com/entry/30041
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sixshortofadozen/470732/

I'm glad there is a break between the big Bloggy Giveaway Carnivals, but I'm already planning what to give away next time. :)

Stay tuned for the winners to be announced tomorrow!

A Giveaway with Sassitude

2008-01-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

Contest open to those with a US mailing address only. I'm sorry, I can't afford the extra shipping at this time.

Have you heard the buzz? The Bloggy Giveaways Carnival is in full swing. As of this posting, there are almost 700 giveaways linked to the Carnival (and I haven't added my five yet!). There are guidelines on that post if you want to host your own, too. Lots of fun to be had this week.

Now on to my own giveaway with sassitude! You can win a beautiful plant...check it out:

Oh wait...looks like I forgot to water it. Hmmmm, I've got it. You can win something delicious for the chocoholic in you:

Much better. How do you win this yummy gift? Just leave a comment on this post. I prefer comments with sassitude, but any comment will do as long as it is family friendly. Maybe you could tell me something interesting about you! Contest ends Saturday, February 2nd and the winner will be announced Sunday, February 3rd.

PLEASE make sure I can get in touch with you or make sure you check back Sunday. If I can't get your mailing information, I'll have to select another winner.

Contest open to those with a US mailing address only. I'm sorry, I can't afford the extra shipping at this time.

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-01-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

Ready for some more chances to win something? Read on...

Christine is hosting a sassy giveaway over on From Dates to Diapers, and Beyond! You could win a pair of Love Notes Earrings by Cherry Creek Designs- perfect for Valentine's Day. All you have to do is leave a comment on Christine's post with your favorite item from Cherry Creek Designs before 9pm, February 4th.

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-01-23T15:45:00.000-08:00

An Island Life is hosting a giveaway! You can win a onesie/shirt from Uncommonly Cute. Check them out and make sure you enter by January 29th.

A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible! You have until January 31st, 2008.

A Cowboy's Wife has another giveaway for a cute purse with Turquoise stones on it. Contest ends January 27th.

Makeup Mess Up Fixes

2008-01-23T12:39:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when you put your eye shadow on and it dusts your cheek? If you wipe it with your hand, it usually smudges. I put about a drop of water on a cotton ball and wipe it clean. No smudges.

How about when you almost have your makeup all done and you're finishing with a swipe of mascara on your lashes. Oops. You now have a black mark on your pretty eye shadow application.

Or maybe you blinked when you applied the mascara and whoa, you resemble a raccoon. Take a Q-tip and gently dab at the spot. Tada - the mascara is gone leaving your eye makeup intact.

Works for me. :)

Click on the banner for more Works For Me Wednesday ideas!

And the winner of the SkinMD giveaway is....

2008-01-20T11:12:00.000-08:00

Drumroll please....

:)

WindyCindy! Congratulations!

Please email me (email is in the sidebar) with your name and address. I'll get this out soon.

Speaking of giveaways, the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival is coming in one week! Woot! Keep an eye on Rocks in my Dryer for more information. I'd like to offer a giveaway or two, but I'm not sure it's possible this round.

Anyway, enjoy today and I'll be back with some fresh content this week.

Winner selected with the help of random.org.

Review and giveaway: SkinMD

2008-01-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

I have another wonderful lotion for you guys. Skin MD Natural is a shielding lotion designed to protect your skin and hold in its natural moisture (which means you should be drinking plenty of water!). Everyday our skin is bombarded by chemicals and harsh elements which dry out your skin leaving it dry and irritated.

Skin MD Natural is fragrance and color free - two common irritants. It's lightweight, feels silky smooth and has a pleasant scent. You only need a little bit to cover a lot of skin (I made the mistake of squeezing too much out and thankfully, my kids helped by taking the extra off my hands - literally).

There isn't an SPF that I can see on it (I didn't see one on the Gloves in a Bottle lotion either), so be sure to add something with a good SPF if you're heading outside even in the winter.

If you suffer from dry, irritated skin, eczema, or other skin problems, you might want to give this stuff a go and see if it helps. To find out more, check out the Skin MD Natural website.

Want to win it? Skin MD Natural sent an extra 4 oz. bottle for one of my lucky readers! Go to their website and read about this lotion. Leave a comment on this post telling me one interesting thing you learned from their site. You have until Friday, January 18th to enter. Saturday, I'll randomly select the winner via random.org and announce it here on a dash of sassitude.

Want a second entry? You have three ways to gain a second entry:
1. Subscribe to a dash of sassitude
2. Place my button on your blog
3. Blog about this giveaway

Come back here and leave a SECOND comment telling me which option you chose including the url (directly to the post if applicable) or email address you used. Already subscribed or have my button? Leave that SECOND comment letting me know.

FINE PRINT: Please leave a way for me to contact you or I'll have to select another winner. The winner has one week to respond with their shipping address, or, you guessed it, I'll have to choose another winner.

Now - enter away!

Gloves in a Bottle WINNER

2008-01-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

Thanks for entering the contest! The winner of the 8 oz. Gloves in a Bottle is sweetnlow121

Congrats! Please email me with your name and address to claim your prize.

I'm having another lotion giveaway on Monday. Come back and check it out. :)

Winners chosen using random.org

Review and giveaway: Gloves in a Bottle

2008-01-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post this yesterday, but the day got away from me much like today. Both days, I've had to leave the house for some errand or appointment THREE times. I was barely home in between. In fact, I'm heading out for the third time today soon. But not before I post this review and giveaway. :)

Gloves in a Bottle
Winter is the season for dry, irritated, itchy skin. Add in the kind of wind that howls through our town (think tumbleweeds blowing down the road - I kid you not), and chaps has a whole 'nother meanin' (I live out west, indulge me).

To add to the mix, I have sensitive skin, and I'm allergic to many scents. I approach skin care items with caution - including lotions. I couldn't resist trying a new one, especially with a name like Gloves in a Bottle. It sounds warm, comfortable, inviting (I love a nice pair of gloves!).

I wasn't disappointed and neither were my kids (they all wanted to try it of course). It goes on nice and absorbs quick making your hands feel moist, but not greasy. The bottle will last quite a while because you only need a little dab to cover your hands (it would also be great for knees, elbows, heels - you know those places that like to crack in the winter?) and it lasts for hours even if you wash your hands.

My favorite feature? It's unscented! I can wear it without my nose itching and a headache forming. I plan on adding a drop or two of essential oil to mine for a light scent.

It really is a great lotion especially for those in a profession where their hands are submerged in water more often than not (hint: it would make a nice gift for a hairdresser and ensure your continued good looks). My daughter, the artist, was surprised to find it in one of her art supply catalogs. She thought it would provide good protection where the paint brush rubs against her hand.

If you want to find out more, check out the Gloves in a Bottle website.

Want to win it? Gloves in a Bottle sent an extra 8 oz. bottle for one of my lucky readers! Go to their website and click on notable customers. Leave a comment on this post telling me which one of their notable customers you think is the coolest. Me? Totally NASCAR! You have until Friday, January 11th to enter. Saturday, I'll randomly select the winner via random.org and announce it here on a dash of sassitude.

Want a second entry? You have three ways to gain a second entry:
1. Subscribe to a dash of sassitude
2. Place my button on your blog
3. Blog about this giveaway

Come back here and leave a SECOND comment telling me which option you chose including the url (directly to the post if applicable) or email address you used. Already subscribed or have my button? Leave that SECOND comment letting me know.

FINE PRINT: Please leave a way for me to contact you or I'll have to select another winner. The winner has one week to respond with their shipping address, or, you guessed it, I'll have to choose another winner.

Now - let the giveaway begin!

Review: SparkPeople

2008-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Get a Free Online Meal Plan

Look for a review and giveaway tomorrow here at a dash of sassitude!

It's hard to be the real you when you are tired, out of shape and lack motivation. My first step in unleashing the real me is to clear my mind and strengthen my body. To do this, one of the goals I set for myself this year is no sugary foods in 2008 unless it's for a special occasion. Another goal is to strengthen my body by eating well, exercising and choosing to live a more active lifestyle.

I found a wonderful site that offers a lot of useful tools. SparkPeople is an awesome community and the man behind it has generously donated a ton of money and time into the place to help SPARK PEOPLE into a healthier lifestyle. Everything on the site is free to you.

Here are some of things the place offers:

1. I can track my calories and monitor the amount of carbs, fats and protein which is especially helpful for someone who needs to make sure the carb/protein levels are well balanced to avoid hypoglycemic reactions. Another problem I have is not knowing how much I need to eat to reach the calories I need to gain a little weight and to balance out Little Miss Princess' nursing. I can also track my water intake.

2. I can track my fitness goals including how much time is spent for cardio, weight training, etc. (it also tracks weight goals for those trying to lose). You can even track family members who aren't old enough to have their own page on the site (must be 18 or older).

3. There is a section for tracking other types of goals, for setting appointments with email reminders, journaling, etc.

4. There are a lot of recipes, articles, demos and information to help point me in the right direction. The topics range from nutrition to goal setting and much more. They offer meal plans and fitness plans or you can do your own thing.

5. Motivation! You can join teams and find challenges to help you reach your goals or set up your own team (group).Their are a lot of supportive people on the message boards including experts to answer questions.

Plus, almost everything you do earns you points including posting on the message board. There are limits to how many points you can earn for various tasks which I think helps keep things in balance.

6. You set up your own page, add friends, have a comment wall, can blog, send messages, etc.

Seriously, check it out and find support and motivation to help you unleash the healthy and fit you in 2008! If you do sign up (and I get points if you use the button on here), please let me know and I'll add you to my friends and we can encourage each other to reach our physically fit goals.

Look for a review and giveaway tomorrow here at a dash of sassitude!

Giveaways Around the Net

2008-01-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Ready to go out and win something fun? Check these giveaways out:

Mamanista is holding a giveaway for a $150 gift certificate to Nature's Child - a brand new store from the owner of Along for the Ride. Deadline is 8pm EST on January 5.

superdumb supervillain is hosting a giveaway for some cute jewelry from i love blocks. What a neat idea for jewelry. These are especially great for people with metal allergies. Giveaway ends January 6th.

Anticipate 2008

2008-01-01T20:46:00.001-08:00

It's the first day of 2008 and I've thought a lot about the new year stretching out ahead of me waiting to be filled with the splashes of color and beautiful prose that makes up my life.

I've decided this year is about giving myself to my husband in a whole new way. It's about finishing what I've started; some things I began years ago and some recently. It's about being true to who I am, the person God made, flaws and beauty combined. It's about using the gifts God gave me. It's about developing my talents. It's about being who I truly long to be and not caring what people think. It's about stepping out and not hiding anymore. It's about freeing myself to really live life, mistakes and all.

This is me, this is real, this is vulnerability.

Anticipate 2008 is about being true to self. It's about changing only to develop who you really are, not to please others. I don't know where the road will lead, but you're welcome to join me.

Keep an eye out for posts with the above banner. If you choose to journey along with me as we anticipate awesome things in 2008, grab the mini banner below and join me.

Link the banner to http://writingmom.bravejournal.com/entry/29614 so other people can find out about this challenge.

Ready to be the real you unmasked?

And the Starbucks gift card winner is...

2008-01-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You don't really want to know, do you? Really? Well, okay, but let me tell you how I randomly selected the winner first. I went to random.org and this is the result:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2008-01-02 00:02:56 UTC

Now, using this result, I pulled up my list of subscribers and counted down to the fifth subscriber from the top. And the winner is

jchoppes (at) hotmail (dot) com

I'll be emailing you and if you read this, email me with your name and address. If the prize isn't claimed by Sunday, I'll have to choose another winner.

Thanks for playing and look for another giveaway coming your way soon.

A New Year!

2007-12-31T20:16:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone is bring in the New Year safely. We aren't doing much tonight, but I did give myself a whole new look for the new year.

Here's the before:

And here's the new look:

What do you think? Do I have sassitude?

Don't forget: tomorrow I announce the winner for the Starbucks gift card. :)

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-12-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

Don't forget I have my own giveaway for a Starbucks gift card. Here are some other fun giveaways:

An Island Life is holding a giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to mymommysbracelets.com. I'd love to win the sassy Sweetheart necklace for my daughter. Giveaway ends midnight December 24th.

Made in the USA has a giveaway for a gorgeous Whittemore Chamberstick from Hampshire Pewter. They have a School Bell I could totally use for our homeschooling.

5 Minutes For Mom has a yummy giveaway. you could win a year's worth of Orville popcorn and Netflix movies. Fun stuff! Winner announced January, 1st 2008.

Amanda is giving away lounge set by Amanda and a cute embroidered t-shirt from Creations By Lisa McGrath. Adorable! Deadline is January 1st, 2008.

Starbucks Giveaway!

2007-12-17T17:44:00.001-08:00

I wanted to get this posted early this morning, but my day had other plans. I think you will agree this one is worth waiting for. By the way, this is my FIRST giveaway!

When the January blahs hit and the weather is cold and dreary, you can warm up with a $10 Starbucks gift card! Actually, the gift card won't warm you much after the initial excitement of winning, but once you head out to your local Starbucks and grab yourself something steamy, you will be warmed by the drink as well as the thought that this one was free. Wonderful, right?

Want to see the pretty card you could win? I thought you might.

Isn't it cute? Now, what do you have to do to win? Follow these two easy steps to enter my giveaway:

1. See that Subscribe me! button right above my oh so sassy sassitude button? (Hint: It's in the top right sidebar.) Enter your email so you can be notified about giveaways, reviews or things of sassitude. If you are already a subscriber, you are already entered to win.

2. After you subscribe, leave a comment letting me know what you love about Starbucks. This second step is purely optional, but I'd love to hear from you.

Want a double entry? Snag my sassitude button and add it to your sidebar or blog about this giveaway. Include a link so your readers can easily find their way here. Then email me with a link directly to your post about my giveaway. I'll verify you either have the button or posted and then you will have a second entry. My email address is over in the top left sidebar.

When does this yummy giveaway end? December 31st. I'll announce the winner January 1st. Now that's a fun way to begin the New Year, don't you think?

I have to be able to draw the winner, so please don't subscribe as anonymous. I will have no way of knowing how to contact you. I say this because there is one person on there already as anonymous. I can't include you in the giveaway because your email address isn't showing. I'm sorry. I simply have no way of identifying you. Thanks.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-12-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

Life has gotten so busy here which is to be expected when you have company coming for the holidays. I did want to mention two giveaways real quick:

Melody over on Pennies In My Pocket is hosting two. Her first giveaway (and I mean her first one ever) is for a $30 gift certificate to Our Two Peas in a Pod. Read more about it on Melody's blog - they have some neat jewelry. The giveaway ends Sunday, December 16, 2007 @ 11:59 PST.

Bitten by the giveaway bug, Melody has another giveaway this week. You could win a cute Just Like Mama Baby Doll Carrier from Vision Forum. This giveaway ends December 18, 2007 at 10:00pm PST.

Have fun! By the way, this Monday, I'll be hosting my first giveaway. Keep an eye out for that!

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-12-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

More fun stuff coming your way. What's nice is even if you don't win, you get great ideas for gifts. Have fun!

MomFinds has a giveaway for a cute P’Kolino Little Reader Chair. The bright colors are fun. I know my two youngest kids would love one.

Are you a baby wearin' mama? Along For the Ride has a wonderful contest for a $250 shopping spree! There are also additional gift certificates you can win. Check it out! You have until midnight on December 31, 2007.

Mamanista! has several fun and sassy giveaways. You are sure to find something you'd like to win there.

I could definitely use this next giveaway. A Mom in Red High Heels is holding a giveaway for a topless undershirt from Blush. As a nursing mama, I'd love to have some of these. This would also be great for my daughter who is getting tall and has trouble with her shirts becoming too short for her.

Fire and Ice Wish List

2007-12-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

I'm picky about jewelry, but Fire and Ice as some beautiful pieces. I'm more of a sterling silver gal than gold, although I do occasionally wear it. I also love Amber, so these caught my eye:

Amber Bangle Bracelet
Amber Pear & Square Bracelet
Amber Diamond-Shaped Pendant
Amber Pear Bezel Pendant

I think I'm in love with this Roman glass piece, too:
Roman Glass & Pearl Drop Necklace

I've got to stop looking around this site before I find more things I'd love to add to my wish list. One thing I like (besides all the gorgeous jewelry) is the price range - you can find something inexpensive or you can splurge for that special occasion.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-12-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Ready for some more great giveaways? Of course you are, so here we go:

SheFinds has a coat to give away and it sure looks cozy. My daughter could use this one. You have until Friday, December 14th, 2007 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time to enter.

An Island Life has a cute LTDchix t-shirt giveaway going on - a great way to bring a little humor into motherhood. Check it out by December 13th.

An Island Life also has a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to Warm Biscuit Bedding Company. Lots of fun stuff there. Hurry, this one ends midnight December 9th - that's TONIGHT!

Okay music lovers, here's one for you: 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a giveaway for an Insignia® Shelf System from Best Buy. Winners will be notified Sunday, December 16th.

Another one for music lovers; Stephanie has a giveaway on Close to Home has a fun giveaway for your choice of dance mat. Check out the details and enter to win before she announces the winners on Tuesday, Dec 11th.

Want something educational and classy for your little one? CPA Mom is giving away a set of Little Laureate DVDs on her Did You See That? blog. These look really neat. Check out the details on her blog and enter to win by midnight EST, Thursday, December 13, 2007.

CPA Mom has another giveaway on Did You See That? This one is for a Play Puzzle Farm by Oompa Toys. I know my little girl would love this one. Check it out before the deadline: midnight EST, Wednesday, December 12, 2007.

Where did this week go?

2007-12-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

It has flown by and I haven't had a chance to post on here. I'm writing about my crazy and funny week over on My Meandering Mind, so if you need a laugh, check that out. The first story posted today.

I'll announce some giveaways in a bit, but for now, do you like reading? Marnie Pehrson has written a cute Christmas story about the true meaning of Christmas and she's giving it to you as a gift. You can read more about "Miss Humbug" including how to get your own free copy over in my sidebar.

I'm about a third of the way through and it is a cute and fun read so far. Enjoy and check back later for some giveaway announcements.

I'm also testing out some products and will be reviewing and holding some giveaways myself next week. Stay tuned.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to enter giveaways (sung to deck the halls)...

Christine has another sassy sweet giveaway on her blog from Dates to Diapers and Beyond. You could win a cute hair accessory set and pacifier clip from Ericalyn Designs. Giveaway ends midday on December 3rd.

Superdumb Supervillain is holding a giveaway for three SIZE LARGE nursing shirts by Boob. Giveaway ends December 12th.

Made in the USA has a toy giveaway. You could win a Little Builder and Whimsie Block Set by BEKA, Inc. I'd love this for my little ones. Giveaway ends December 3.

Do you have a little super hero of your own? Then check out The Full Mommy for a chance to win a shirt with a detachable cape from Little Capers. They look so cute! Giveaway ends December 2.

Gift Wrapping Tradition

2007-11-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

We have a new Christmas tradition the kids love. It started the Christmas season of 2005. I was seven months pregnant with our youngest and UNCOMFORTABLE! Anyone who has been pregnant knows what I'm talking about.

That year, my in-loves (in laws) were flying in for Christmas and not only were they planning a huge Christmas, but they wanted to give the girls' room and the boys' room a makeover. They had everything shipped here.

I organized the boxes separating gifts from decorations, plus I needed to wrap the gifts from them and from us because there wouldn't be enough time if I waited until my mom-in-love arrived.

There were boxes, some huge, stacked high the length of our hallway. Can we say, overwhelming? I called in my task force aka the kids (we had five at the time). The kids wrapped and decorated presents in shifts, while I marked what was wrapped on my list.

I had them rotate so they couldn't see their own gifts and they only got to see a couple gifts for each person. The kids loved it! They guarded the secrets well, although, they did enjoy the old "I know what you're getting" routine.

I enjoyed watching the clumsy attempts of wrapping by the little ones, the gentle help offered by the older ones, and the creativity they put into it. Some of the gifts look like they were mangled, but it adds to the charm. I wouldn't want perfectly wrapped gifts if it meant losing the precious look of joy on their faces when they announce, "Look, mom, I did it!" (with a little help).

What seemed like a difficult task became a wonderful new tradition. As gifts come in to the house, I write them down, organize the wrapping sessions and check things off. This is one Christmas tradition here to stay. The kids and I look forward to it each year.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Works For Me Wednesday post. If you'd like to play or read more great tips, click on the banner and visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Shopping Deals from Skimbaco

2007-11-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

Skimbaco is having a big sales event with deals going on daily from November 23rd through December 4th. Check out there blog for the goods, too including a chance to win a $200 to Skimbaco. Just click on the banner to go there.

Want to know what I'd spend the $200 on? Maybe these to motivate my darling daughter to keep her socks on:

Or this darling shirt for her:

I'd also love this cute shirt for my son:

If only I'd win the gift certificate. :)

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-11-27T07:25:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it will be December in four days! It's become a cliché to say time is flying by, but TIME IS FLYING BY! 2008 is almost here. But Christmas will be here first and on that note, here are some more giveaways. As usual, I'll update today's post as I come across the fun stuff.

Babywearing is such a wonderful bonding time for both mom and baby. To help with that, Tammy from A Mom in Red High Heels is having a giveaway for a beautiful red silk sling from Bronwen Handcrafted.

Need some holiday music? Angela at One Baby, Seven Dogs, and a Mommie is giving away the "It's a Wonderful Christmas" CD by Michael W. Smith.

Maybe you need some books to add to your personal library or to give as gifts. Christina has a great fiction giveaway of eight books! The neat thing is that all the books relate to RELATIONSHIPS. I'm always saying relationships are the most important thing to focus on and this giveaway is a neat reminder.

Want something fun AND educational for your little one? Breeni Books is giving away a Jump Start World 2008 1st Grade CD-ROM.

SHHH - I have a secret. Come close so I can whisper it to you. Breeni Books has another giveaway for a fun book called Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World's Best-Kept Secrets. She mentions how the kids would love it, but I'm thinking I'd like to win it for my hubby. :)

Christine over on From dates to diapers and beyond has a giveaway for jewelry from Michabella Creations. The jewelry is gorgeous!

I love books and thankfully all of my kids seem to love them, too. So when I saw the cute ones offered in the giveaway over on Mama Divas, I was excited. I know my two youngest kids would enjoy the Cleo Series by Caroline Mockford.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-11-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

I love Adventures of Odyssey (and so do my kids), so when I read about the giveaway for the Adventures in Odyssey Christmas Samplers over on Oh Amanda, I had to share it with you guys.

Teeny Manolo is having a contest. The prize? Three people have a chance to win gift certificates to Amazon in the amounts of $50, $50 and $150. I could definitely use that for some Christmas shopping.

Don't forget to check out the gift guides over in the sidebar for ideas.

Well Read Child is giving away two "When I Was Young in the Mountains". You can read more about the book and giveaway on her blog.

The Spirit of Christmas

2007-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Amanda from Oh Amanda challenged her readers to write about what puts them in the Christmas spirit. Just thinking about Christmas does it for me. I LOVE Christmas. I think about the reason for the season, the gifts I'd like to get or make for those I care about, seeing the anticipation of holiday fun on my kids' faces, decorating, listening to Christmas music, planning our celebration with both old and new traditions...there is so much to look forward to.

This year, I've discovered the fun of bloggy giveaways! WOW - so addicting and exciting. That's one of the reasons I started this blog (and the totally fun name helped). I want to share that fun with others. Speaking of giveaways - check out Oh Amanda's CD giveaway here.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-11-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

Our Blessed Arrows is having a giveaway for a really cute pair of Pedoodles. These are so adorable and sassy. :)

Blessed Nest is giving away a Holiday Decor Starter set from Sterling Pear. It's gorgeous!

Props and Pans is giving away a kickTrak from Babykick. This device makes tracking baby kicks much easier than the old fashioned paper and pencil method. Read the review and enter to win.

Win a 6 Month Subscription to The Tessy & Tab Reading Club from Laura Williams' Musings. You have until Thursday, November 29th, at 11:59PM, EST to enter this week's drawing. Go Here to Enter this Week's Drawing. U.S. Residents Only.

You can win a copy of Word World DVD on the Breeni Books blog.

The Laughs Will Go On is holding a giveaway for a fun and sassy shirt from LTDChix. These will definitely give you and other moms a giggle.

An American in Canada is having a fun and yummy Christmas giveaway sure to put you in the Christmas mood.

Anything to do with chocolate has my attention for sure. Chocolate Bytes (love the name) is having a contest for a chocolate molecule t-shirt from Moleculewear.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a wonderful day and even if today isn't a holiday, you can still have a day of thanksgiving.

A free ebook for girls

2007-11-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

I still have sick kids, so this will be short.

I just signed up for a newsletter from Out of the Nest and Beyond after a friend suggested I check out their website. In honor of Thanksgiving, they are offering their ebook, The ABC's of Proverbs 31 for Girls, as a free download for a limited time. There is also A Woman of Godly Character Chart for download at the bottom of the page. This offer is for subscribers and friends, so I'm letting my friends here know.

While you're there, check out the rest of the website and sign up for the newsletter and menu plan. I've only just subscribed myself, but it sounds like a nice one.

I'm off to snuggle some sick kiddos and praying they are feeling much better by tomorrow. At least we are having a quiet Thanksgiving here at home.

Giveaways and Events Around the Net

2007-11-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

I have a couple of sick kids, so my posting time can only be found in small snippets of time. The little ones need lots of snuggling and mothering. I'll update this as I go along today.

Here are a couple of holiday gift guides to help you with your Christmas shopping this year:

The guides have some wonderful gift ideas.

Giveaways:
Could you use a new makeup brush set? Check out The Makeup Girl and enter to win.

Visit My Two Boys for a chance to win the Doctor's Suitcase from Moolka.

An Island Life is having a giveaway for a terrific stuffed animal storage solution from Boon. I need one (or two) of these.

Made in the USA is having a giveaway where two people have a chance to win a gift set each from The Rada Kitchen Store.

Blog happenings

2007-11-17T19:41:00.000-08:00

No post again today. I'm in the middle of a major blog redesign on my other blog. After a lot of hair pulling, I'm finally getting somewhere. I should have it done by Monday. :)

Then I can combine two of my blogs and have one less blog. I'll still have too many, but I should be able to knock another one off soon. :)

In the meantime, check out the happenings over on the sidebar. Lots of giveaways in progress.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-11-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

5 Minutes for Mom is having a giveaway for a gorgeous retro Pedal Car. If you don't fall head over heels for the pedal car, Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles has other cool items you could use a gift certificate on. Personally, I'm torn between the car and a retro record player.

Win a Sling

2007-11-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how long this contest lasts, but you have the chance to win a sling of your choice from Mod Mum over on The Domestic Diva blog.

I use a wrap, but would love to try a pouch sling. It would be so much faster to put it on and pop the baby in for fast trips to the store. :) Mod Mum has some really cute ones, too.

Christmas List for Grandparents

2007-11-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

My mom asked me to email her an early Christmas list for the grandkids this year. She wanted time to mail them all out rather than try and bring them on the airplane with her. I don't blame her. I have six kids so you can imagine how heavy that would get even at one gift per person.

But I also knew how easy it would be if my mom would shop online and have everything shipped here. My mom has emailed, chatted and a few other things, but shopping online? Not so much.

I had to introduce her to this wonderful way of beating the holiday madness at the local stores and post office.

I created a public wish list on Amazon and put the child's name in the comment box for each item. Any gift idea not available on Amazon or if I could find it cheaper, I added a direct link to the item. Then I put prices next to everything to help her choose the price range she wanted.

Since she was new to this, I told her to give me a call and I'd walk her through it over the phone. She chose to work solely with the Amazon list and do everything in one transaction at one place. I don't blame her. Shopping online can be intimidating for someone who has never done it before.

When it was all done and she'd set up her account, I mentioned that this would be a great way for her to shop for birthday items, too. She's hooked.

This takes the Christmas List to a whole new level of ease for grandparents. Even more so for those who don't live close by. They can have it shipped directly to you and either pay a little more for wrapping or you can offer to do wrap it for them as it arrives.

Speaking of wrapping gifts, I have a great family tradition related to Christmas gift wrapping. But you'll have to wait until the next Works for Me Wednesday! Now, go visit Rocks in My Dryer to read great tips from the other players.

Giveaways Around the Net

2007-11-13T08:29:00.000-08:00

There are two terrific giveaway events going on right now:

and

Go check out the fun. If you know of anymore giveaways. Leave a comment. :) I'll update this post as I come across more.

Updated to add:
A review and giveaway for toxic free cleaning supplies by Lily's Garden Herbals.

The Dorothy Apron from Carolyn's Kitchen have sassitude written all over them. For a chance to win one, check out The Apronista.

Need some stocking stuffers? Hazelnut Kids has sponsored a wonderful giveaway on My Two Boys.

Our Blessed Arrows is giving away some Baby Legs. These are great now that the weather has turned cold (and windy here).

Homemade Mama - Review and Giveaway

2007-11-12T01:05:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to start off my product reviews with Homemade Mama. Pietra is a WAHM homeschooling her five children and sewing products such as cloth pads, Binky Blankys, nursing pads, and more for other mamas.

I have used Homemade Mama cloth pads for a while now and I love them. The pads are well-made, comfortable, and hold up after many washings. She offers pads in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, styles and fabrics to meet your needs. Mine store nicely in a matching drawstring bag. I love that I can fold them up to fit discreetly in my purse and the small wet bag is great for holding used pads until I'm home again.

Pietra also carries packages for teens in some fun and funky fabrics. I have two teen daughters who use Homemade Mama cloth pads and really like the softer alternative to disposable pads.

If you'd like to learn more, she has an FAQ at the bottom of her cloth pad page. After your try cloth pads, you won't want to go back to the disposables. You can't beat cloth for softness and comfort.

Check out her website and have fun with the Homemade Mama Birthday Celebration November 15th. Homemade Mama turns three and is giving you the gifts. How cool is that? Click on the banner to learn more about the giveaway and then visit the Homemade Mama Website on the 15th.

a dash of sassitude

2007-11-10T10:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a dash of sassitude which is looking anything but sassy at the moment. You can help me with that. First, let me tell you what a dash of sassitude is all about.

I'll be showcasing items with sass for moms and their darlings, both the little ones and the big ones (that would be your hubby) as I come across them. If I've personally tested something out, I'll post a review.

As a mom of six, I'll review products for moms, children from babies to teens (I'll include their reactions, too) and husbands/dads. I've reviewed books for a couple of years now and I think it will be fun to branch out into other items for review.

I'll also let you know about any fantabulous give aways I come across. At some point, I may even hold giveaways myself. If you'd like to sponsor a giveaway, let me know.

Now, how can you help a dash of sassitude become a fun and sassy place to hang out? I'd like to include your link (or button) if you offer something a sassy mama would appreciate. I especially want to support WAHMs who have a product a mama with sassitude needs to know about.

You can reach me at the email address on the sidebar. Now don't forget to answer the poll under my profile.

Disclaimer: This is a Christian and family friendly site, so please respect that in regards to what you'd like me to review, what you'd like to sponsor in a giveaway, and I'll only link to sites that don't conflict with those two criteria. Thank you.