Free Coffee & Breakfast Samples @ Panera Bread

Do you have a Panera Bread store near you?

If so, head on over TOMORROW for a free cup of coffee and samples of their breakfast sandwiches.

More info here.

Happy New Year, again!

Today is the Chinese New Year! The year of the Ox.

I wish you luck and much happiness.

xoxo,
L

Boon Flair Highchair Giveaway @ Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls

I'm sure you've heard of Boon... they're an innovative company for little tots! What I love most about them is their modern edge to the products. Something else I love, their creative style to combine function and fun.

Boon is also very generous with the mommy blogging community, and frequently offers giveaways of their products.

Well, they're having a SUPER, MEGA GIVEAWAY at Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls right now... to win a Flair Highchair. Hot dog!! Sign me up!!

Given our modern style and home, this would be perrrrrfect for our little guy.

Thank you, to both Boon and Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls, for the chance to win a great product.

Click here, to enter the contest. Ends Feb. 1.

The Urban Advantage Stroller

If you know me, or read this blog, you may be aware of my love-hate relationship with strollers. I love so many strollers, that I hate to shop for them. When we started our stroller shopping experience, I was incredibly excited. That excitement quickly dwindled, then turned into headaches and dread for the next stroller shopping trip.

So what would make stroller shopping/buying 100% easier and worth 'every penny'?! To win one!! Of course.

Check out the Urban Advantage stroller above, from GoGoBabyz. It's sporty, has all the basics (5 point harness, brakes, child tray, etc), PLUS some really great defining features (extra large sun shade, lidded parent tray for essentials, etc).

I love it, and I'm hoping TO WIN IT. That's right, it's currently being offered in a blog contest at Barefoot Mommies. Thank you, thank you, thank you Barefoot Mommies!!

My fingers are crossed, I've dotted my 'i's, and I'd go out to find a 4 leaf clover if it wasn't wintertime...

If you'd like to enter the contetst too, click here. Ends Feb. 7th.

Graco Suite Solutions

Pull over, take a second, and check this out... it's the cadillac of Pack-n-Plays:

Graco's Suite Solutions
AND, it's up for grabs in a contest at Mommy Mandy/Amanda's blog! Yes, you could WIN this caddy of baby bliss and make your baby/new mommy life just a bit easier. Oh, how wonderful!

Head on over to Amanda's blog to enter, contest ends on February 14th (what a sweet valentines day surprise for someone!).

Mom Time in '09: Time Saving Tips

I'm not sure I'm the best qualified for this topic, but I think I do pretty well with organization and family/task management, so let's see what I can come up with...

1. I'm the main chef in the house. Tim's great at offering help, but I usually decline because I've already got things mapped out in my head on what to do and when, and I'm in my groove. But I say 'yes' on occasion and it not only makes dinner prep go faster, but it's fun to spend a little time together in the kitchen. So say 'yes' on occasion when your husband offers help.

2. Double freezer-friendly foods, for dinner that night and a fast dinner later in the month. There are days I DO NOT want to cook. That's when I go to the freezer. Soups, casseroles, breads, etc all freeze great. Here are a few of our favorite recipes that are freezer friendly: Chipotle Macaroni & Cheese, Easy Veggie Chili and Cornbread Muffins, Banana Bread, 4-Cheese Stuffed Shells and Lentil Stew.

3. Do the small things right away. Make the bed when you get out of it in the morning, put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher right after dinner, etc. Taking 30 seconds or 2 minutes right when you think of something that needs doing, will save you future time in thinking about it, dreading it, and feeling unorganized.

4. Make a list for yourself. I keep multiple lists, but not too many that I feel disorganized. My lists are as follows: grocery shopping, other misc shopping, menu plan for the week, and to-dos. This keeps me on track and feeling accomplished. I can relax at the end of a day when I know I've been productive and have been able to take a lot off my to-dos.

The above seems basic. But they're all easy not to do, or to procrastinate, or to fall into alternate bad habits. Keep on track and you will save time and feel good about your days.

I'm looking forward to hearing the tips other bloggers give! Everyone has room for improvement.

Click here to go to Jolly Mom, and here to visit Go Graham Go! for more 'time saving tips'.

Bumbleride Stroller Giveaway

I know... those words are captivating, aren't they?!

It's true, there is a giveaway currently happening at An Ordinary Life for a Bumbleride Flyer stroller. Yay, yay, yay! Jump up and down, I know you want to.

We would put this stroller to such good use with Thor... and I love the color. My fingers are crossed to win, but I encourage you to enter too, and yes, I will be happy for you if you win. Sad for me. But happy for you!

Enter the giveaway here at An Ordinary Life. Contest ends February 10.

Mom Time in '09: How to make time for yourself

Hm, now this is a tricky question for me (and probably a lot of women). I'm an over-giver, and generally think about everyone else first, then myself last.

However, I have a great husband that supports whatever I come up with... I want to go get a pedicure, he says 'great!' (and usually wants one too - I love it!). I also have great friends that like to meet for lunch, and I'll take an extra 30 minutes after lunch to either walk around downtown myself or maybe pop into a favorite shop for some drooling.

When I really need to recharge, I generally have to be by myself. Whenever I grab a romance novel, it's my husbands cue that I'll be 'absent' for a day. I devour them within hours, and can take myself into another world and relax. Tune all else out and ignore everyone/everything.

Otherwise, I really like to do most other things with people and as long as I feel like I have a good balance of different activities going, I don't feel like I need 'time for myself'. Those activities are what I do FOR myself, for fun and they are what keep me going and excited each week.

To read other bloggers ideas on how they take time for themselves, visit Jolly Mom or Go Graham Go!

Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller, Giveaway!

Yeehaw little cow-pokes! This is a giveaway NOT. TO. BE. MISSED.

If you are starting down the path of familyhood, or have a cow-poke or two in the nursery, wrangle them up and strap them into a sweet ride...

The Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller

Love it.

Great maneuverability and features (check out the big basket underneath!), looks cool, and fits TWO little ranch-hands. Two. Oh, how nice it is to consolidate sometimes.

So mosey on over to I Never Grew Up and enter this giveaway. What are you waiting for?? Go!!

Contest ends Jan. 30

Blog Design Makeover

I have a few blogs... I'm a blogaholic, I admit it. I like to author some, and read a ton of others. There are some very talented and funny people in the world, and I like connecting with them via blogs.

But what happens when your blog starts to fall behind the curve and looks a little tired?

Time for a blog design makeover! And you know what... (hint, hint)



...the talented Judi at Doodlebug Designs is hosting a giveaway for a FREE blog makeover. Wow!

Something I would love for my food blog.

If you have a blog and think it would be wonderful to get a 2009 face-lift, head on over! Contest ends Jan. 24.

Swami Baby is...

...swami darn cute!


I just love this saying, and on a baby onesie?! Imagine the 'ooohs' and 'ahhhhs'.

Lucky us, we get the chance to win a $50 gifts certificate to Swami Baby, thanks to Mama in Flip Flops2. That's right, $50 to shop however you please.

Click here to enter, contest ends Jan. 20.

Good luck!

Double the Ergo Carrier trouble...

...cause there's ANOTHER ergo carrier giveaway happening on Jolly Mom! Increase your chances to win one of the best baby products I've ever seen by heading over and entering Jolly Mom's contest.

I'm loving the black sport.


Which ergo carrier will you choose??

Ergo Carrier Giveaway

Ergo Carrier giveaway at Mommy Mandy's blog. Need I say more?!

Check. It. Out...


I'm in love and want this soooo bad. But I'll also be happy if YOU win.

So hurry, go enter! Contest ends Jan. 26.

Baby K'tan Giveaway

A baby carrier is a must. A must, must, must. Thor isn't even here yet, and I know without a doubt, that this is true. And I can't wait to wear our little man all over town! Heck, even just in the house to keep my hands free.

This is a super great opportunity: Win a Baby K'tan camouflage carrier (size M) from The Soothie Ranch. What a fantastic giveaway!

Click here to enter (before Jan. 26th).

Good luck!

Crazy Baby Clothing Giveaway

If you want to avoid trucks, baseballs and ducks on your kids clothes... it can be a challenge. But, fear not, there are some shops that get it.

For example: Crazy Baby Clothing Company

Their little punk and rocker onesies and toddler tees are cool, and something you'll be happy to look at on your bambino.

My favorite is "the future of rock and roll" onesie. Thor would look so cute in it!

Well, we have our chance to make that happen, since Katydid and Kid is hosting a giveaway for a onesie and pacifier of your choice! Yay!!

Hurry over and enter. Contest ends Jan. 23. I bet this will be a popular one.

TomTom Giveaway

Holy toledo, batman... There is a TomTom GPS system giveaway going on at Gerritnow.


I kid you not when I say:

Run your mouse, do not walk, over to this hyperlink, and enter NOW.

Shooshoos Giveaway

Shoes can be expensive for our little ones, especially when they grow out of them so quickly. (what don't they grow out of quickly)

So, I like to find companies with a good product for a reasonable price... or better yet, try to win a pair from a company with a good product!

Shooshoos fits both categories. Check these out, only $24.95:


If you like what you see, you can go to Shooshoos and buy them, OR try to win your favorite pair at Thrifty & Chic Mom's blog.

Enter now! What are you waiting for?!

Sprout Shell for Baby Carrier

Mamma Findings blog really does find great stuff.

We bought a bassinet for our stroller, thinking: baby in the carrier alone would be too cold.

Well, someone else had that same thought, and guess what, they solved it without buying another $200+ accessory.

Introducing... the Sprout Shell. Genius. Pure genius.

A handy, very portable, cloth cover for your infant car seat/carrier. Keeps baby snug, and warm as a bug in a rug. Love it.

Head on over to Mamma Findings to win a Sprout Shell! (contest ends Jan 17)

Zoobie me, please!

What's pint sized, soft, cute, pulls out into a blanket and is something you can win?!

A zoobie pet!

Head on over to I Never Grew Up's blog, and enter to win a Zoobie pet. They are so cute and functional, I dream of winnin Kojo the Croc for Thor.

Good luck.
xoxo

Teething Bling

Have you seen the Teething Bling necklaces?? They are silicon designed teethers for our gummy kiddos, but they look like jewelry. I love them, and think it's one of the great mom inventions for practical use.

They also have bracelets, keychains, etc, but I like the necklaces the best. In addition to teething, I think it would be a great distraction/entertainment piece for babies while nursing. Some bambinos don't like to sit/lay still for very long.

If you have a chance, head over to The Soothie Ranch. They're giving away a teething bling gift set to 5 readers!! Wow, wow, wow! I am so hoping to win... fingers crossed.

xoxo,
L

Random Fun - What's your Rock Star name??

From The Power of Housewife. Pretty fun, enjoy!

First pet's name and current car
YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: Missy Liberty

Favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie
YOUR GANGSTA NAME: Vanilla Shortbread

First initial of first name, first three letters of last name
YOUR FLY GUY/GIRL NAME: L-Chi

Favorite color, favorite animal
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: Blue Giraffe

Middle name, city where you were born
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: Ann Landstuhl

First 3 letters of last name, first 2 letters of first name
YOUR STAR WARS NAME: Chila

"The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink
SUPERHERO NAME: The Red OJ

First names of your grandfathers
NASCAR NAME: Paul Barton

Name of favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy
STRIPPER NAME: Mango Snickers

Mother's and father's middle names
WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: Ann Andrew

Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city starting with that same letter
TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: Rodriguez Raleigh

Favorite season/holiday, flower
SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: Summer Dahlia

Favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”
CARTOON NAME: Avocado Sweatery

What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree
HIPPY NAME: Muffin Earl Gray

”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)-
YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: The Running Thunder

Indie Stroller Giveaway

A stroller must be one of the most coveted prizes, for mom giveaways. How could it not be? Everyone needs one, there are some really cool designs on the market, and they can be fairly pricey.

When we started stroller shopping, I thought my head was going to explode! Seriously. With so many factors to consider (wheels - air or plastic, under-bag storage size, seat recline ability, width and weight, etc), it nearly drove me mad. And even once you buy one, most friends told me they ended up with 2-3 strollers (one friend has 4!) because one stroller just can't be/do everything. You need a city stroller, a travel stroller, a jogging stroller... and on and on, depending on your lifestyle.

I could continue, but let's get to the point: we all love and need stroller(s)! And we all love getting something so highly coveted for free. Yes, we do.

So, lets throw our hat in the ring for a very cool stroller being given away at Mommy Mandy... the Indie.


Isn't it pretty, and cool, and functional, and darn tootin GREAT?!

My fingers are crossed, and I'm very thankful to both Amanda and Bumbleride for the chance to win a great product for Thor. What are you waiting for? Get over there and enter!!

Good luck to you (and me!)!

Mom Buzz and Busy Mom New Years Party!

It's officially 2009. Why let the new years celebration end? Celebrate for a few more days, appreciate 2008, but ring in 2009. How should we do that? With fun parties and giveaways, of course. (of course!)

Check out Mom Buzz and Busy Mom for a new years party, January 1 to January 8th.

First prize up for grabs, a Zoobie pet. How I love the zoobies! They are so cute, and it's genius how they turn into a functional blanket.

Dont miss your chance to enter (and maybe win!) a zoobie, and many other prizes over the next few days.

Here are some of my favorite sponsors: Boon, Jack & Lily, and Zoobies

Good luck!