Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE - Winner

Thanks to all who entered to win the tickets to Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE in Salt Lake City on November 9th. And thanks to my friend, random.org, who chose the winner so I didn't have to:



Congratulations to The Lewis Family! Please email me so that I know you saw that you're the winner.

To everyone else: thanks for entering, and I hope you get to go see the show!

Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE - Giveaway

Last year I took my two youngest kids to the Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE show in Salt Lake City. We had a blast. I mean, my kids loved watching the show and I loved watching my kids watch the show. They were more than slightly overwhelmed at seeing a television show come to life, and their excitement was clear as they talked about the show for months following the event.

Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE is coming back to Salt Lake City (Kingsbury Hall) on Wednesday, November 9th. There are two shows, a 2:pm show and a 6:pm show. If you'd like to be entered to win 2 tickets, please leave a comment on this post. I'll choose and announce a winner next Wednesday, October 26th. Please make sure that you either leave your email address in the comment, or that your commenting name is a hyperlink to your site so that I'm able to contact you.

Good luck!


Thanks to Sam Schultz for making this giveaway possible.

mabel's labels winner

The winner of the Mabel's Labels Colourful Essentials Combo is . . .

Eunice!

(please excuse the lack of a photo of the official drawing of her name)

Eunice, please email me with your contact information and I'll put you in touch with Caitlin from Mabel's Labels so that you can get your personalized labels.

Dear Everyone Who Entered To Win This Prize: THANK YOU. I wish you all could have won, these labels are fantastic. If you didn't win, you should really buy some because they're an awesome thing to have.

Dear Mabel's Labels: THANK YOU for creating such an outstanding product, for providing a prize for this giveaway, and for being so awesome to work with.

*****
Hey, go ahead and put it on your calendar right now: tomorrow is voting day.

mabel's labels giveaway

It wasn't until I returned home from my trip to New York City this past August that I got a chance to really inspect all the swag I received. As a VIP guest of the Social Luxe Lounge, I received a very personalized package from a company called Mabel's Labels: a booklet of personalized labels for myself, and that made me smile. Upon further investigation, though, I found five additional packs of personalized labels: one for each of my children.

I gasped. I held my breath. And then I shrieked. A little. Okay, more than a little.

When I received my labels, it was right before the start of the school year, and I took great joy in labeling things like: my kids' water bottles, backpacks, notebooks, and folders. I also labeled my girls' dance shoes since all dance shoes in a class look the same and they can easily get mixed up with others' shoes. And my older kids were thrilled to take some labels to school with them to use as they please (I know they use them for at least their pencils). The labels are unbelievably durable; they've stayed on and in tact on the water bottles through Who Knows How Many dishwasher cycles, as well as stayed in place inside the shoes.

But enough about my labels. Let's talk about your labels.

Today I'm partnering with Mabel's Labels to host a giveaway. The prize is the Colourful Essentials Combo (value: $48). This package includes:

* 30 Sticky Labels
* 40 Iron-on labels or 70 Tag Mates™
* 12 Shoe Labels
* 2 Teeny Tags





* Sticky Labels are dishwasher and microwave safe
* Iron-Ons and Tag Mates™ are washer and dryer safe
* Shoe Labels and Teeny Tags™ are waterproof and UV resistant
* Satisfaction guaranteed





* Tag Mates™ : 21mm x 10mm (13/16" x 3/8")
* Sticky Labels : 70mm x 16mm (2-3/4" x 5/8")
* Shoe Labels: 33mm x 33mm (1-1/2" x 1-1/2")
* Teeny Tags™ : 3cm x 2cm (1.2'' x 0.8'')




* Each motif features a combination of 3 colors and a cute li'l icon
* Names on labels are printed exactly as typed, to a maximum of 20 characters



This giveaway is open to residents of The United States and Canada. This giveaway begins today, Thursday, October 21st, 2010, and ends on Friday, October 29th, 2010, at 11:59 PM MDT. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 1st, 2010. The winner will contact me via email with their contact information, which information will be forwarded directly to Caitlin of Mabel's Labels, who will be in touch to coordinate production and shipment of the personalized labels.

Each of the following is worth one entry:

~ Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect (or let me know that you already do)
~ Become a fan of ("Like") formerlyphread on facebook (or let me know that you already do)
~ Follow me on twitter (@formerlyphread) (or let me know that you already do)
~ Follow Mabel's Labels on twitter (@mabelhood)
~ Become a fan of ("Like") Mabel's Labels on facebook
~ Visit mabel.ca and leave a comment on this post telling which product is your favorite
~ tweet about this giveaway, including in the tweet: @formerlyphread, @mabelhood, and a link to this post *this entry may be done and counted once daily*

For each of the above tasks, you must let me know you've done them in the comments section of this post (whether in one comment or one comment for each task, you choose).

Thank You, Mabel's Labels!

Good luck!


*****
Don't forget!
Until 10/22/10, you can still enter the giveaways for the following games:
Mastermind
Mastermind Animal Towers
Rubik's Slide
Bubble Talk

Also, get your discount on Yo Gabba Gabba Live tickets for the Utah show!

game on

Back in August, when I was at BlogHer I made a stop in the Expo Hall and had a seat at a small table at the Pressman Toy booth to play some games.

Good old board games.

I was able to get a few of these games sent to me, and my family and I have been playing them any chance we get.




Thanks to Pressman Toys, I'm able to host a giveaway and share these games with you!

See the following 4 posts, and good luck!!

Until 10/22/10, you can still enter the giveaways for the following games:
Mastermind
Mastermind Animal Towers
Rubik's Slide
Bubble Talk

Pressman Toy is an FTC compliant company. Disclosure: I was given these games by Pressman Toy for free to review and I get to keep the games at the end of my review period.

Mastermind giveaway

Do you remember the game Mastermind? You might not remember the name of the game, but you probably remember the codemaker/codebreaker strategy. This is a great game for two people. I love playing this with my daughters, we have nice conversation while playing.




Mastermind Board Game from Pressman Toys

· In order to win, players must use strategy and problem solving skills to outsmart their opponent. One player is the codemaker and sets a code of colored pegs. The other player is the codebreaker and attempts to break the code with help from clues given by the codemaker.

· Players take turns being codemaker and codebreaker and whoever breaks the code in the least amount of moves wins!

· Mastermind Attache Edition is also available. The same classic board game now comes in a compact zippered case perfect for travel.

· For 2 Players. Ages 8 to adult. MSRP $14

· Website: http://www.mastermindboardgame.com/

I'm giving away one Mastermind game to a lucky winner!

~ Leave a comment telling me your favorite childhood board game.

Giveaway ends on Friday, October 22nd at 11:59 PM, MST. Winner will be announced on Monday, October 25th. Winner will send me their contact info via email, after which the game will be mailed directly to the winner from my contact at Pressman.


Pressman Toy is an FTC compliant company. Disclosure: I was given this game by Pressman Toy for free to review and I get to keep the game at the end of my review period.

Mastermind Animal Towers giveaway

This is one of the games I played in NYC, and I think it's really great. It's Mastermind but for a younger crowd, using animal cards instead of pegs. Still played with two players, you can get creative with the strategies: play with groups of 3, 4, 5 or 6 cards; ask numeric order questions, or ask 'above/below' questions, etc..






Mastermind Animal Towers from Pressman Toys

· Both players secretly stack their animal tiles in their towers. Now the challenge and fun begins. Who can guess the order of their opponent’s tiles first. On your turn you ask a yes/no question like “Is the lion below the giraffe?” Be the first player to guess the order correctly and you win!

· Encourages logic skills in children

· For 2 players, perfect for younger Masterminds ages 6 and up.

· Website: http://catalog.pressmantoy.com/index.php/kids-games/item/190-3026


I'm giving away one Mastermind Animal Towers game to a lucky winner!

~ Leave a comment telling me your favorite animal.

Giveaway ends on Friday, October 22nd at 11:59 PM, MST. Winner will be announced on Monday, October 25th. Winner will send me their contact info via email, after which the game will be mailed directly to the winner from my contact at Pressman.


Pressman Toy is an FTC compliant company. Disclosure: I was given this game by Pressman Toy for free to review and I get to keep the game at the end of my review period.

Rubik's Slide giveaway

I'm not one of those people who can (easily) (or at all) solve a Rubik's Cube, but that doesn't mean that I don't like playing around with it. I thought it was neat that for the 30th anniversary of the cube, an electronic version of the game has been released.

I eagerly passed this game along to my daughter, who figured out how to play in two minutes' time. Be aware that with this game you will have to enforce Taking Turns.







Rubik’s Slide from TechnoSource

· To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Rubik’s Cube, Techno Source introduces Rubik’s Slide™, the new electronic puzzle game that anyone can play and no one can put down!

· Featuring more than 10,000 puzzles, Rubik's Slide includes two different types of play.

· Players can choose from multiple levels of difficulty, with easy, medium and hard puzzles built-in, vibrant light and sound effects, adjustable volume control, and high score memory. Batteries are included.

· MSRP: $19.99

· Available at major & specialty retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Target, Toys “R” Us, K-Mart, JCPenney beginning fall 2010

· Website: http://www.technosourcehk.com/pr-rubiksslide.php


I'm giving away one Rubik's Slide game to a lucky winner!

~ Leave a comment telling me your high score on Pac-Man. Or your favorite video or electronic game.

Giveaway ends on Friday, October 22nd at 11:59 PM, MST. Winner will be announced on Monday, October 25th. Winner will send me their contact info via email, after which the game will be mailed directly to the winner from my contact at Pressman.


Pressman Toy is an FTC compliant company. Disclosure: I was given this game by Pressman Toy for free to review and I get to keep the game at the end of my review period.

Bubble Talk giveaway

Of all the games I received, this may be my very favorite. With a minimum of three players, each with the ability to read, all but one player (The Judge) assigns one of their quote cards to that round's photo card. The judge then reads all quotes out loud and decides which is the funniest. The player who provided the funniest quote collects the photo card. The player at the end with the most photo cards is the winner.

The game suggests that The Judge changes each round, but we played it by having one person be the judge for the entire game. The first time we played it, we pre-determined that we would play five rounds; we were having such a fun time laughing with each other, however, that we played at least a dozen rounds with the kids begging to play more. It is so fun to play.






Bubble Talk from TechnoSource

· Bubble Talk is a hilarious, fast-paced tabletop board game that challenges players to match funny captions with even funnier pictures

· Easy to play and fun for the whole family, Bubble Talk begins when each player draws seven random caption cards. The judge for that round draws a picture card and players must quickly try to match the funniest caption they have to the picture. The player who makes the judge laugh the most wins that round

· Families can even customize the game play to their liking: play for a few minutes or several hours, substitute personal photos or write-in captions

· MSRP: $19.99

· Available beginning now at specialty retailers nationwide, including Learning Express and Barnes & Noble. Online at Amazon.com, Target.com, ToysRUs.com and Calendars.com

· Website: http://www.technosourcehk.com/pr_bubbletalk.php

I'm giving away one Bubble Talk game to a lucky winner!

~ Leave a comment telling me your favorite. Just your favorite.

Giveaway ends on Friday, October 22nd at 11:59 PM, MST. Winner will be announced on Monday, October 25th. Winner will send me their contact info via email, after which the game will be mailed directly to the winner from my contact at Pressman.


Pressman Toy is an FTC compliant company. Disclosure: I was given this game by Pressman Toy for free to review and I get to keep the game at the end of my review period.

Foxy Blunt Winners

Birthday Girl makes the draw . . .

And the winner of the Everyday Box Set is . . .

Suzanne!

And the winner of the Friendship Box Set is . . .

Jenny!

Congratulations, Winners!
Please email me with your shipping information, which I'll pass along so you can get your cards.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. And thanks to Foxy Blunt!

Foxy Blunt

I don't remember the first time I saw Foxy Blunt greeting cards, only that it was love - and laughter - at first sight. Love for the style -- just look how foxy:




And laughter for the specificity and honesty:





Their website best describes the philosophy behind Foxy Blunt:

"Simply put, Foxy Blunt is a new line of greeting cards that deliciously fuses bold designs with devilish humor...

They are not for the faint of heart, nor for those who genuinely tear up at phrases like “reach for the stars.” They remind us to not take life – or ourselves – too seriously. They let us say we care without gagging. And most importantly, they give us the freedom to be witty without sacrificing our killer style."

Awesome is learning about the cards.
More awesome is acquiring them.
Most awesome is giving them away.
(I can only imagine the level of awesome in receiving.)

Imagine my excitement in receiving a boxed set at the Social Luxe Lounge party in NYC in August. I did one of those "SQUEEEE!" things I keep reading about but never actually do.

Imagine my delight in making contact with Danielle Caro, Foxy Blunt co-founder along with Jennifer Morrison, finding that she is all kinds of awesome and eager to let me give away not just one but TWO box sets to you, my readers.

Before we get to the giveaway, I just have to share one more thing with you (as if you needed another reason to adore this company):

Imagine the impact when I learned of a new card available as Foxy Blunt uses their power for good in partnering with the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) to raise money to . . . well, here, have a look:



October, which is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is practically upon us, and 50% of proceeds from the sale of this card go directly to YSC. I asked Danielle to tell me more about the motivation to be involved with YSC, and the quality of her answer is something I cannot duplicate, so here, her own words:

"The story behind our partnership with them is a simple one: Jen and I are both passionate supporters of breast cancer research and have unfortunately been the frustrated bystanders as someone close to us prepares to battle it. After standing helplessly by struggling to find a way to support, to empower (and watching someone close to us be unexpectedly diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 25) we decided to create a card that will not just raise money, but will also act as support for those affected. It uses our signature humor to bring a smile to the face of someone recently diagnosed, and to underscore that they have the strength to beat cancer. We decided to partner with the YSC specifically because those women need a voice – they are underdiagnosed, undertreated and underacknowledged, yet more and more women under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer. Our entire line is really about giving women a voice and saying the things we all want to say but don’t, so to us this was another opportunity to do that for a group of women who really need the attention. We’re donating 50% of the proceeds directly to YSC, so the more cards we can sell, the better! The card will be available for purchase October 1."

Incredible. I love this company.

And now, without further delay, let's get going with this amazing giveaway from Foxy Blunt.


This giveaway begins today (9/16/10) and ends on Friday, September 24th, 2010, at 11:59 pm MST. The winners will be announced on Monday morning, September 27th. The winners will then have to contact me via email so that I may pass along their shipping information to Danielle of Foxy Blunt who will then ensure that the box sets are mailed.

Each of the following is worth one entry:

~ Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect (or let me know that you already do)
~ Become a fan of ("Like") formerlyphread on facebook (or let me know that you already do)
~ Follow me on twitter (@formerlyphread) (or let me know that you already do)
~ Follow FoxyBlunt on twitter (@FoxyBlunt)
~ Become a fan of ("Like") Foxy Blunt on facebook
~ Visit foxyblunt.com and leave a comment on this post telling which card is your favorite
~ tweet about this giveaway, including in the tweet: @formerlyphread, @FoxyBlunt, and a link to this post *this entry may be done and counted once daily*

For each of the above tasks, you must let me know you've done them in the comments section of this post (whether in one comment or one comment for each task, you choose).

Two winners will be chosen. One winner will receive the Everyday Box Set, and the other winner will receive the Friendship Box Set.



***Disclaimer: As a VIP guest of the Social Luxe Lounge Party I received a boxed set of Foxy Blunt greeting cards. Even so, I was/am under no obligation to write about this product. I just really, really dig it. And that's why I write: to share with you. I was not paid money for this review.***

Thanks, Foxy Blunt! Good luck, everyone!

Miraclebody Jeans: Winner

And the winner is . . .

Kacy!

Kacy, please email me within 24 hours with your contact information so that I can arrange for your jeans to be shipped to you.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks to Miraclebody Jeans!

Don't forget: Until 9/15, at miraclebody.com you can enter the code "TakeTen" at checkout for 10% off all jeans, and FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS for a limited time.

Miraclebody Jeans

Once while playing 'Which would you rather?' I came up with the following: Mom Jeans or Muffin Top? While I happen to believe that MomJeans are super comfortable, they look like, well, MomJeans. Anything with a lower rise has potential for MuffinTop, no?

Not anymore.

While in NYC last month, I was lucky enough to be an invited guest of the Getting Gorgeous Event, a thoughtfully planned-out celebration of style, beauty, and adornment.

Of the many companies and brands represented at this event, I know I would not be alone in stating that getting to know more about Miraclebody Jeans by Miraclesuit was one of, if not the, most exciting. Let me break it down for you:



I saw the sloagan, "Look 10 lbs. lighter in 10 seconds!" and was skeptical. "Sure," I thought to myself, "Slimming pants which will slim the extra skin right up over the waistband and make me look like I'm wearing a fleshy innertube for a belt." Even so, I approached the table of very helpful, very engaging MiracleBody reps.

"What size, Darling?" I was asked.

"Um...14, please."

"Great. Boot cut or skinny?"

Let it be known that I had never in my life donned a pair of skinny jeans. (Well, maybe when I was in, like, 4th grade, but not because it was fashionable to do so.) I had always presumed that they were not for me, in addition to looking to be uncomfortable. Yet being in the Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of, I answered with a smile, "Skinny, please."

Joining the other women behind the partition, the excitement about these jeans was palpable. Having removed my skirt, I slid on the jeans and . . .

Wow.

I felt amazing. (You may need to know that for this lady who doesn't necessarily enjoy shopping for herself, the feel of clothing being enjoyable is the Number One Requirement.)

Carefully, I approached some of my friends. Stylish friends. Friends who know about fashion. They validated me: I looked fly.

Awesome. My first try of skinny jeans: success.

I took them off and folded them, replaced my skirt, and approached Robert Verdi. "Do you love them?" he asked.

"Yes, very much, thanks for letting me try them on."

"Oh, Honey. They're yours."

*jaw drop*

These magical pants, the ones which lived up to their slogan: they're mine.

And, as fate would have it, the generous people at Miraclebody have agreed to award a free pair of Miraclebody Jeans (ARV: $110) to one of my readers.

This is your lucky day.

And here are the specs:

This giveaway begins today (90210) and ends on Friday, September 10th at 11:59 p.m. MST. The winner will be announced on Monday morning, September 13th, after which the winner will have 24 hours to contact me via email; otherwise a new winner will be chosen (with the same 24-hour notification stipulation).

Here's how to enter:

~ Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect
~ Become a fan of ("Like") formerlyphread on facebook
~ Follow me on twitter (@formerlyphread)
~ Tweet about this giveaway (must include @formerlyphread and #MiracleBody in the tweet)
~ Become a fan of ("Like") MiracleBody by MiracleSuit on facebook
~ Visit miraclebody.com and tell me in the comments section of this post which item from their collection you'd most like to have in your wardrobe.

Each task listed above is worth one entry. For each task you do, you must let me know via a comment on this post, including informing me if you are already [following me, etc.] (whether it's one comment per task or one comment with all tasks included, that's up to you). Each task may be completed once, except for the tweeting about this giveaway, which may be done once daily (don't forget to come back here to let me know you've tweeted!).

Got it?

I knew you would. You're so bright.

And because you're so bright, I know you'll like this deal:


Take advantage of this special offer to Getting Gorgeous attendees and for their blog readers. Enter Code "TakeTen" at checkout for 10% off all jeans, and FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS for a limited time.

Offer valid on purchase from 8/15 to 9/15 only.

Best of luck to you!


***Disclaimer: As a guest of the Getting Gorgeous Event I received a pair of Miraclebody Jeans. Even so, I was/am under no obligation to write about this product. I just really, really dig it. And that's why I write: to share with you. I was not paid money for this review.***

Laughing with my neighbor about having a li'l photo shoot in her yard.

Nice jeans, eh?