Ornaments With Love Review & Giveaway

 Ornaments With Love is a family-owned business that has been in the ornament business for over 16 years, 6 of which have been online! The online store hosts a wide selection of beautiful ornaments that can be personalized for your family. Do you want a special ornament for your baby's 1st Christmas? Did you just get married? Ornaments With Love has over 2,000 specialty personalized ornaments to fit any occasion or style.

My Thoughts

I love Christmas ornaments and always buy a specialty one each year to commemorate the boys growing a year older. The best way to do this, I have found, is by purchasing ornaments with a picture frame! I was very excited to see the great selection of picture frame ornaments at Ornaments With Love.

I chose the Noah's Ark Picture Frame Ornament, which included personalization. I put both names, Josiah and Liam. Plus, it included a star with the date, 2010! What a perfect ornament to commemorate Josiah's 4th Christmas and Liam's 2nd. It's the perfect size ornament. You can see the picture while on the tree, but it's light-weight so, it doesn't cause the tree limbs to sag. I can't stand when ornaments do that.

Isn't it adorable?

It's so hard to find cute ornaments these days. I went to Target tonight in search of some fun ornaments, but they were so gaudy and cheaply made. I want quality ornaments that actually mean something special. All those cheap ones break every year and I end up cleaning them up every time. No more! It's time to buy from Ornaments With Love. I also love their Angel Ornaments! Their ornaments are great quality and they are reasonably priced.

Buy It

Ready To Make your first purchase at Ornaments With Love? Prices start at only $8.95!

Win It

One Lucky CTM Reader Will Win a Personalized Ornament of Their Choice From Ornaments With Love!

How To Enter:

•  Visit Ornaments With Love And Comment Below About Your Favorite Ornament!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you!The initial entry is mandatory! Be sure to answer that question before earning extra entries listed below! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry.

Additional Entries

• "Like" Ornaments With Love on Facebook and leave a message that Children Teaching Mama sent you (I will be checking!)!

•Make a Purchase from Ornaments With Love during this giveaway (5 entries!)

•Follow Children Teaching Mama via Google Friend Connect

•Register for the Children Teaching Mama Newsletter (on left sidebar)

•'Like' Children Teaching Mama on Facebook

•Follow Children Teaching Mama on Twitter

•Grab the New & Improved Children Teaching Mama Button & Place on Your Blog (3 entries)- leave url

• Grab the Gift Giving Guide Event Button & Place On Your Blog (5 entries if before Dec. 3rd and 2 entries if after the 3rd!) - leave url

•Enter My Other Giveaways (1 Entry Per Giveaway Entered)

• Comment On Any Non-Giveaway Post (1 entry each comment) - tell me where to find it

•Tweet (up to 2x a day 1 hr apart) By clicking the "Tweet" Button At the Top Of this Post OR Use this Tweet:

#Win A Personalized Holiday Ornament @ChildrenTeach

http://tinyurl.com/ornamentslove #giveaways Ends 12/13

Plenty of opportunities to increase your chance of winning! This Giveaway is open to US Residents and Ends December 13th at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be drawn by random.org. An announcement will be made on the blog and the winner will also be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

Applied Labels Review & &25 Gift Credit Giveaway

I am big on labeling boxes, drawers, containers, or anything else that would potentially make my life easier and more orderly. Josiah will be (gasp) going to school next  year so, I've already been thinking of ways to label all of this clothes and other school items. I remembered when I was a small child in the 80s, my mom had this little cloth labels she ironed oto our clothes, but those are just so much work. That's when I found Applied Labels!

Applied Labels offers a variety of labels for the entire family, businesses, daycares, and more. The labels simply adhere to the item without the need to iron or wash! They are made to withstand washing, play, and any kind of abuse a child can offer. You can put them in clothes, shoes, on files, cabinets, or anything you can think of.

My Thoughts

I received a pack of Classic Applied Labels with Josiah's name on them and a cute little train to review. They are simple in a black and white print, which isn't as fun for kids, but serves it's purpose. I immediately stuck them on a few different items- his ride-on truck, his jacket, a shirt, and his art bin. After a week, all are still stuck on just as well as before. They are definitely super-adhesive and, as a multi-purpose product, it's a great buy!

I'm really big on the fact that they have so many different uses and there are many different types of labels to choose between. If you need labels with dates, you can even purchase those from Applied Labels. As a person who need an extreme amount of organization in her life, I love labels! These are great, especially for parents.

Buy It

Ready to Organize Your Life? Purchase Your Classic Applied Labels Today! A Pack of 30 is only $14.95!

Win It

• One Lucky Reader Will Win A $25 Gift Credit To Applied Labels!



How To Enter

• Tell Me How You Attempt to Keep Your Family Organized in A Comment Below!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you!The initial entry is mandatory! Be sure to answer that question before earning extra entries listed below! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry.



Additional Entries

• "Like" Applied Labels on Facebook and leave a message that Children Teaching Mama sent you (I will be checking!)!

• Follow Applied Labels on Twitter!

•Make a Purchase from Applied Labels during this giveaway (5 entries!)

•Follow Children Teaching Mama via Google Friend Connect

•Register for the Children Teaching Mama Newsletter (on left sidebar)

•'Like' Children Teaching Mama on Facebook

•Follow Children Teaching Mama on Twitter

•Grab the New & Improved Children Teaching Mama Button & Place on Your Blog (3 entries)- leave url

• Grab the Gift Giving Guide Event Button & Place On Your Blog (5 entries if before Dec. 3rd and 2 entries if after the 3rd!) - leave url

•Enter My Other Giveaways (1 Entry Per Giveaway Entered)

• Comment On Any Non-Giveaway Post (1 entry each comment) - tell me where to find it

•Tweet (up to 2x a day 1 hr apart) By clicking the "Tweet" Button At the Top Of this Post OR Use this Tweet:

#Win A $25 Applied Labels Gift Credit @ChildrenTeach @appliedlabels http://tinyurl.com/appliedlabels #giveaways Ends 12/16

Plenty of opportunities to increase your chance of winning! This Giveaway is open to US Residents and Ends December 16th at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be drawn by random.org. An announcement will be made on the blog and the winner will also be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

7 Helpful Tips For Holiday Tech Shopping

If you are anything like me, you are lacking a little in the tech department. I love learning about new electronics and such, but I'm not very good at it. My husband wants an E-Reader for Christmas so, I've been looking around everywhere for info about them. It's tough for someone from the original Nintendo generation to catch on to all of these new-fangledy electronics and such, you know. So, here are 7 tips for Holiday tech shopping!

7 Tips For Holiday Tech Shopping For The Parent Who Knows Little to Nothing About Technology:

1. Look For Sales- Now, my favorite month of the year for sales in November. Black Friday ads come out a bit early so you can scope out all the on-sale products and electronics. I always look at them, write down the items I'm interested in, and then, do my research. It's fun and exciting for me. I also look through all the newspaper ads each week and online for deals.
2. Do Your Homework – Look around places like Amazon.com and Staples.com to find out more about products you may be interested in. The more you learn, the better prepared you are.
3. Write Out A List- Write down your top choices and their features that set them apart. That way, when it's time to buy, you can compare and contrast. If you don't write it down, you may get to a store or website and completely mix up the info in your head. At least, that happens to me.
4. Read Reviews – So, you may have found out about the products you like, you may have found the item on sale, but is it worth purchasing? Now it's time to listen to the voice of the people! What were the general experiences people are having with the products you are interested in buying? If 50% or more of the people give a negative rating, you are really running a risk at purchasing a bad item. There was an item I really wanted this Christmas and just looked at the reviews and there are over 200 negative reviews. Can you believe that? It completely changed my mind about wanting that product.
5. Get to Stores Early – Okay, you've done all of your homework and you've found the item that's perfect for you. Don't take a chance at missing out on the sale. Get there early, especially on Black Friday. I drove past several stores this Black Friday at 3am (2 hrs or so before they even opened) and the line was already around the building. Get there and be ready to get your item!
6. Find Coupons – For many online retailers, you can find coupon codes online at places like retailmenot.com. Always take a few extra minutes to see if you can find a coupon. Usually you can find at least 15% off or so. Sometimes you can also find print-out coupons to bring to the store, too.
7. Always, Always Get the Warranty- You want to get a good deal, I know, but please don't go cheap on the warranty. If anything happens to your item, you want to know that it can get fixed or replaced. The computer I have now was a replacement for one that died on me under warranty. In fact, they replaced my old laptop with an even better, more expensive model so, I got a free upgrade due to my warranty. It's totally worth the price and the security. 

I'm sure I am forgetting some things so, I'll add them if I come up with more. Are you purchasing electronics and such this Christmas? My husband also wants a new laptop so, I've been searching everywhere for the best deals and good quality laptops. It can be a bit frustrating, but when you finally find a good deal for a good product, it's completely worth the work!

Happy Holidays!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

About Staples

Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services. Our broad selection of office supplies, electronics, technology and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and copying and printing, helps our customers run their offices efficiently. With 2009 sales of $24 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia serving businesses of all sizes and consumers. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today ranks second worldwide in e-commerce sales. The company is headquartered outside Boston.

Merry Fluffy Christmas Event Sponsor #4: 2 By 2 Boutique Fleece Training Pants

As you know, I love my hardworking Mamas on Etsy! I was so excited to find yet another Etsy Mama who makes a wide variety of wonderful items. 2 By 2 Boutique offers quality handmade items for the entire family. I first found her while looking for fleece training pants for Josiah and, after taking a look around her Etsy store, I realized there was much more to choose from. She makes blankets, baby slings, the coolest casserole dish carriers I've seen, crayon holders, and much more! I love the selection.

For my review, I received a fleece day-time trainer for Josiah in a Thomas the Train print. Josiah loves Thomas so, I knew this would be a hit and would encourage potty training. His brother has a Thomas cloth diaper and he's been wanting one so badly! Sure enough, he couldn't wait to put his Thomas trainer on. It's soft and cuddly, fun for him, and breathable.

The fleece allows airflow through the trainer so, no more diaper rashes or yeast. At least, that's been our experience! Plus, the day-time trainer is pretty absorbent with doublers sewn in. Josiah is pretty good about holding it in while sleeping, but usually has an accident in the morning. :Luckily, with his trainers, he can feel the wetness at the beginning, stops, and runs to the bathroom to finish. It's been great!

I'm happy to announce Josiah is now officially potty trained! It took a while and we were getting a bit frustrated, but (knock on wood), he's only had 1 accident in the past 2 weeks. I'm so proud of our big boy. I'm fully convinced it's all because we switched over to cloth trainers. Cloth is definitely the way to go!

Buy It

Are your ready to make your first purchase at 2 By 2 Boutique? Check out all the wonderful items for affordable prices!

Win It

One Lucky CTM Reader Will Win A $15 Gift Credit To 2 By 2 Boutique! Pick and Choose Between All The Wonderful Items!

Want Some Early Entries For This Amazing Package?

Here's Your Chance!

These early entries will be added to entries for the giveaway package during the Very Fluffy Christmas event beginning on December 1st!

Early Entries

• Take A Look At 2 By 2 Boutique And Leave A Comment Below Telling Me Which Item You'd Love to Have!
• "Like" 2 By 2 Boutique on Facebook and leave A Comment Saying CTM sent you!

• "Follow" the 2 By 2 Boutique Blog!
• Favorite the 2 By 2 Etsy Boutique!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back every day from the 1st-5th for a new Fluff giveaway!  Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries.  Good Luck!

This review was written for 2By2 Boutique. No compensation was given for my opinions. All opinions expressed are 100% mine and only mine!

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor #3: FluffyRumps Fleece Soakers & Longies

FluffyRumps is a Mama-Owned business based on Facebook. Rhonda, the mama in charge, sews custom fleece soakers, longies, skirties (longies with cute skirts sewn in), and hats. Check out the photos on the FluffyRumps facebook page to see which fabrics are currently in stock. There are often ready-to-ship, discounted, and discontinued sale items, too!

There are so many designs and colors to choose between that it's hard to pick just one. That's okay, though, because the prices are more than affordable. Most items are from $9-$11, which is about half the price of most soakers and longies! So, you can buy several without breaking the bank.

Have you ever used fleece covers for you cloth diapers? If not, they are a wonderful way to go. Fleece immediately wicks moisture away from the body and into the soaker usually sewed into it. In addition, the diapers are very breathable. These two qualties make fleece very popular amongst cloth diapering parents, especially because it's great for babies who often get diaper rashes. In addition, fleece is easy to wash and very fast drying.

My Thoughts

I was so excited to receive my FluffyRumps soaker because I'd never used fleece before! I picked out my favorite fabric design, which is the crabs and anchors print, sent over Liam's measurements and, before I knew it, the soaker was sitting in my mailbox!

Adorable Monkey Longies

 I am so amazed at how incredibly soft the fleece is. Liam's little belly is a little bigger than his other measurements so, she made the tummy area a bit bigger just for him, and it fit perfectly! It an adorable soaker and looks great paired with some BabyLegs. I've only used it during the day and it works great, never leaking. Plus, with a baby prone to diaper rashes, I am proud to say that I've never had a breakout when using fleece.

I love my FluffyRumps diaper and, after several washes, it still looks great. Also, I love the pricing. With prices around $10, I can buy 2 at a time, as opposed to the usual 1 cloth diaper. I highly recommend buying from FluffyRumps and am very happy with my soaker. I'm actually about to purchase a pair of longies this week and can't wait to give them a try.

Win It

One Lucky CTM Reader Will Win A Pair of FluffyRumps Fleece Longies (Their choice of size and print, of course!)

Want Some Early Entries For This Amazing Package?

Here's Your Chance!

These early entries will be added to entries for the giveaway package during the Very Fluffy Christmas event beginning on December 1st!

Early Entries

• Take A Look At All the Fluffy Rumps Photos And Leave A Comment Below Telling Me Which Design/Color is your favorite

• "Like" FluffyRumps on Facebook!

• Tell Me Why You Love Cloth Diapers!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back every day from the 1st-5th for a new Fluff giveaway!  Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries.  Good Luck!

2 Extra Entries For Joe Shopping $50 Amazon.com Giveaway

Hi, everyone!I just wanted to let you know I added 2 extra entries on the Joe Shopping $50 Amazon.com Giveaway. Head over to Baby Dickey's Giveaways and register for her Joe Shopping $100 giveaway and earn 2 extra entries for BOTH of our Giveaways!

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor #2: Baby Legs & Early Entries

BabyLegs signature leg warmers were created as one mother's unique solution to curing a diaper rash! The Dr. told her to air out the area so, she cut the toes out of a big pair of socks and slid them over her daughter's legs to help keep her warm, yet leave the diaper area uncovered. Ingenious! Since then, BabyLegs have grown and are available in a variety of colors and prints.

BabyLegs Leg Warmers are the perfect diaper bag companion and we never leave home without a pair. They help keep those little legs warm and are super-soft! The leg warmers make diaper changing extremely easy, too. Not to mention, if your little one wears cloth diapers, they are perfect for showing them off and you can find different colors and prints to coordinate!

In addition to leg warmers, BabyLegs also offers a variety of boys/girl socks and girl's stockings in adorable prints! There are so many different choices, it take a while to decide which ones to buy, but that's okay. BabyLegs often has great sales going on so you can get a few pairs at a time!

Win It

One Lucky CTM Reader Will Win A HUGE BabyLegs Gift Package Worth $50! It includes the Winner's Choice Of These Items:

(2) BabyLegs Leg Warmers

(1) Pair of Baby Socks

(1) Pair of Girls Tights*

*If you have a boy, you can have 2 pairs of socks instead!

Want Some Early Entries For This Amazing Package?

Here's Your Chance!

These early entries will be added to entries for the giveaway package during the Very Fluffy Christmas event beginning on December 1st!

Early Entries

• Take A Look At All the BabyLegs Leg Warmers Colors & Prints And Leave A Comment Below Telling Me Which Pair Is Your Favorite!

• "Like" BabyLegs on Facebook!

• "Follow" BabyLegs on Twitter!

• Join the BabyLegs  Newsletter!

• Create A BabyLegs Account! (3 Entries!)

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back every day from the 1st-5th for a new Fluff giveaway!  Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries.  Good Luck!

A Very Fluffy Christmas Sponsor #1: AppleCheeks Cloth Diapers Review & Early Entries

AppleCheeks is one of my very favorite Canadian cloth diaper companies. From their dedication to customer service to their wonderful quality products, AppleCheeks is a wonderful cloth diaper to add to your fluff collection. AppleCheeks diapers come in two sizes for a guaranteed good fit for your little one and are also available in a variety of colors.

AppleCheeks cloth diapers are pocket diapers that come with a bamboo insert. The great feature of these diapers is that you can take the dirty diapers and immediately toss them in the wash. No need to remove the insert because it will come out by itself once the washing machine starts up. So, I'd say it's very dad-friendly, too!

The bamboo insert is one of the softest inserts I've ever felt. It's so soft that Liam thought it was his blankie when I received my first AppleCheeks diaper. I had to actually purchase a new insert because I didn't have the heart to take it away from him! The bamboo is also super absorbent. The more you wash, the more absorbent it becomes!

Win It

One Lucky CTM Reader Will Win An AppleCheeks Little Bundle (A $27.50 Value), which includes:

(1) AppleCheeks Cloth Diaper - Your Choice of Size & Color

(1) 2-Layer Bamboo Insert

Want Some Early Entries For This Amazing Cloth Diaper?

Here's Your Chance!

These early entries will be added to entries for the giveaway package during the Very Fluffy Christmas event beginning on December 1st!

Early Entries

• Take A Look At All the AppleCheeks Diapers Colors And Leave A Comment Below Telling Me Which Color Is Your Favorite!

• "Like" AppleCheeks on Facebook!

• "Follow" AppleCheeks on Twitter!

• Join the AppleCheeks Newsletter!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back every day from the 1st-5th for a new Fluff giveaway!  Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries.  Good Luck!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Sponsor #4: Jasmere Review & Early Entries

I'm a big fan of daily deal websites and that's exactly what Jasmere.com is all about. Each day Jasmere offers another great deal for only a fraction of the retail price. Just sign up for their daily deals emails to see if it's something you'd like to purchase!

Jasmere doesn't offer just any products and items each day. Rather, they focus on specialty retail, such as fine clothing, accessories, menswear, specialty foods, services, toys, jewelry & housewares. Each brand exclusive sale lasts for a total of 24 hours.

Registration is FREE so, sign up today and start receiving those deals!

Jasmere Holiday Sweepstakes
Three lucky Jasmere members will be selected to win their choice of any single 2011 Jasmere feature - up to $500 in value. You'll choose from the finest fashion, food and who-knows-what to hit their site over the entire upcoming year.
Simply type the phrase ENTERME2011 (one word, all caps) into the comments section at checkout, anytime you purchase at Jasmere.com between NOW and 12/23/2010.

Win A Jasmere Featured Item Each Week

Every weekday, a member of Jasmere's Facebook Fan Group will win that day's jasmere-featured product for FREE, exclusively for one of our Facebook fans. No purchase necessary.
It's super easy to enter. Just become a fan (aka click the "like" button at the top of Jasmere's Facebook Fan Page), then check their Fan Page shortly after noon (Eastern time) each weekday. They'll announce a randomly selected winner via jasmere's status update.

**COUPON Use coupon code SF05287D40 for $5 off your order - code expires 12/1.

Win It

Jasmere is offering One Lucky CTM Reader a $25 Gift Credit! (As part of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event!)

Here's your chance to earn some early entries into the big giveaway beginning at 12:01am on December 1st!

These extra will be added to the entries during the Dec. 1st through 5th Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event!

Early Entries

• Join Jasmere and leave a comment here telling me which item you would like to buy

• "Like" Jasmere on Facebook

• Follow Jasmere on Twitter

• Make a purchase on Jasmere (5 entries)
  (leave your email address that you signed up with to confirm)

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back on Wednesday for the other giveaway entries! Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries. In all, there will be over $100 worth of gift cards! Good Luck!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Sponsor #3: My Father's Hands Wooden Toys Review & Early Entries

Christmas is nearing and it's time to find some unique and fun presents for the kids. I do my best each year to find presents that are unusual and entertaining, but my very favorite items are handcrafted! I search the fairs and festivals and have found a variety of great gifts over the years. This year I didn't even have to leave my house to find a wonderful online shop with handmade toys called My Father's Hands Wooden Toys.

Marlon, the owner of My Father's Hands Wooden Toys, says that when he became a parent, his love of woodworking was completely renewed. A proud father of two, he always finds time to work on his passion, wooden toys! Marlon sorts through rough, uncut pieces of wood and carves them into pieces of toy art, fashioning each piece together perfectly and thoughtfully. His ultimate wish is to create safe handcrafted toys that inspire imagination and creativity for young ones. I'd say that is exactly what he does!

Being handcrafted, no two toys are exactly the same, making My Father's Hands Wooden Toys unique and even more special. Take a look through the shop and see some of their favorite toys listed, from dump trucks and open box haulers to log haulers and steam rollers! My son is in heaven every time we take a look through them.

In addition to all of the wonderful toy creations, My Father's Hands is also dedicated to giving back to the Earth and, therefore, plants a tree for each toy sold through Trees For The Future. What an absolutely wonderful idea!


Win It
My Father's Hands Wooden Toys is Giving One Lucky CTM Reader a $25?? Gift Credit! (As part of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event)

Here's your chance to earn some early entries into the big giveaway beginning at 12:01am on December 1st!

These will be added to the entries during the Dec. 1st through 5th Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event!

**Early Entries**

• "Like" My Father's Hands Wooden Toys, LLC, on Facebook and leave a message that Children Teaching Mama sent you (I will be checking)!

• Follow My Father's Hands Wooden Toys on Twitter!

•Make a Purchase from My Father's Hands Wooden Toys during this giveaway (5 entries!)

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back on Wednesday for the other giveaway entries! Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries. In all, there will be over $100 worth of gift cards! Good Luck!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Sponsor #2: Rent The Runway Review & Early Entry Options

If you are anything like me, you love designer clothes. I love watching runway shows, reading fashion magazines, and shopping for new clothes, but there's one problem. I have 2 children, 2 cats, 2 fish, and the Hubs to feed before I even get a chance to look at the newest Vera Wang or Badgley Mischka creation. There's just no way I can afford to put down $1,000 on a new outfit these days. My newest Armani outfit is nearing 5 years old now.

Rent The Runway was created by two friends who realized that, even with a closet full of clothes, there's often nothing to wear. Just imagine you need a beautiful dress for an upcoming event, you look into your closet and then realize there is nothing to fit the occassion! I hate when that happens. To make matters worse, you don't have the money to purchase a new dress. Don't worry, we have the perfect solution!

Rent The Runway allows women to rent designer dresses and accessories for only a fraction of the retail price! You go to the website, search through all the different dresses to find the perfect dress for your upcoming occasion and schedule it's delivery. You can rent dresses, purses, and jewelry for up to 8 days! Then, after you've wowed everyone at the big party, just slip the rented items back into the pre-paid envelop provided and mail it back at no extra cost!

My Thoughts

I was more than excited when I stumbled across Rent The Runway. Since first finding it, I've already seen it mentioned on quite a few tv shows, too. It's an ingenious idea, really, and so many women can benefit from it. How many dresses have you purchased for just one occassion, never to wear it again? How many of you have upcoming holiday parties to attend, but just can't afford a new outfit? Rent The Runway is the way to go.



Nicole Miller



I was curious about the cost to rent designer dresses and such. I mean, some of them cost thousands of dollars each so, I'd expect a rental to be quite expensive as well. I found just the opposite to be true. There are so many choices to fit your price range. The cheapest rental fees start at $50-$75 and include many designer dresses by such designers as Halston Heritage and Nicole Miller, which retail for about $300-400! The most expensive rental fees are up to $350 for Temperley London and Missoni dresses that regularly retail for over $3,000!!



I love this website and can't wait to actually rent something. With the holidays just around the corner, we already have two work parties scheduled so, I've already begun my search on Rent The Runway. One of my $50 favorite rentals is by Nicole Miller called All Laced Up (pictured to the right)



Proenza Schouler $250

Oh, another thing I love about this website is that even though we can rent designer dresses, they don't expect us to have the runway size 0 bodies, thank goodness! There is a wide range of size choices, from 0 to 12, depending on the designer. With all the different styles and dress choices, you are sure to find a dress that fits your body type. Isn't that great?

So, are you ready to purchase your first rental from Rent The Runway? Better yet, want to win a credit to add towards your purchase?

Win It

Rent the Runway is Offering One Lucky CTM Reader a Chance to Win A $50 Gift Credit! (As part of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event)

Here's your chance to earn some early entries into the big giveaway beginning at 12:01am on December 1st!

These will be added to the entries during the Dec. 1st through 5th Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event!

**Early Entries**

• Register For Your Rent The Runway Account

• Take a Look at All the Dresses on Rent The Runway and Leave A Comment Below About Your Favorite Dress!

• "Like" Rent The Runway on Facebook and let them know CTM sent you!

• Follow Rent The Runway on Twitter!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!


That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back on Wednesday for the other giveaway entries! Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries. In all, there will be over $100 worth of gift cards! Good Luck!

This post was written for Rent the Runway. No compensation was given for the writing of this review. All opinions are 100% mine and only mine.

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Sponsor #1: Dave & Buster's Early Entry Options Included

 For those of you who have never heard of Dave & Buster's, this is a place you don't want to miss! The Dave & Buster's slogan, "Eat. Drink. Play.", really sums up the whole definition of the establishment. You can bring the kids for a fun-filled day, bring a date for a fun, romantic evening, or host your event, be it for a birthday, corporation, or holiday gathering! With rooms and rooms of entertainment, Dave & Buster's is sure to please everyone. First, have a delicious dinner from huge selection of dishes. Have a nice drink or glass of wine. Then, set off to play games the rest of the night!
Now's the time to book parties and Dave & Buster's would be the perfect place for a company party! I sure wish we had one closer to us. In addition to their promos and discounts for early booking on holiday parties, Dave & Buster's has a variety of great deals going on for guests, including a 1/2 price happy hour, the Eat & Play Combo for only $15.99, and much more. Take a look at their website and learn more about Dave & Buster's. Then, plan a visit for a night of fun.

Win It

• Dave & Buster's has donated a $25 Gift Card to One Lucky Winner of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!

**Early Entries**

Here's your chance to earn some early entries into the big giveaway beginning at 12:01am on December 1st!

These will be added to the entries during the Dec. 1st through 5th Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Event!

• Tell me If You've Ever Been To Dave & Buster's. If so, Comment Below About Your Favorite Part of Your Experience!

• Follow Dave & Buster's on Twitter

• "Like" Dave & Buster's on Facebook and Leave A Message Telling Them Children Teaching Mama sent you!

• Follow Dave & Buster's on YouTube!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry!

That's it for now! The big event officially begins at 12:01am on December 1st so, check back on Wednesday for the other giveaway entries! Also, I'll be listing several more sponsor write-ups with additional entries. In all, there will be over $100 worth of gift cards! Good Luck!

This post was written for Dave & Buster's. No compensation was given for the writing up this post other than the gift card to give away! All opinions written are 100% mine and only mine!

Upcoming December 1st Events!

Hi, everyone! I have 2 upcoming events that will be going on at the same time!! I just wanted to give you a heads up on them. I'll also be listing early entry options and reviews for the next few days.Here's a little info about both:

A Merry Fluffy Christmas- Dec 1-5th

A cloth diaper event with a new giveaway each day! Only cloth diapers and cloth diaper related items will be part of the giveaways.

Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop - Dec 1-5th

One Huge giveaway per blog with only gift cards and gift credits as the giveaways! My giveaway will have over $100 worth of fun gift cards for the entire family! There will be many blogs participating so, get ready to register!

I'll also continue listing my usual giveaways and review, too! We have lots going on around here. Don't forget to register for the $50 Amazon.com giveaway!

Holiday Gift Guide: Step 2 Real Projects Workshop CSNStores.com Review

I am a huge CSNStores.com fan and have been working with them for a few months now to bring you great giveaway opportunities. This month, I decided to switch things up a bit and actually review an item. What a treat! The hardest part was actually choosing 1 item! There are so many products, from toys and kitchenware to furniture and tools! Anything you could possibly imagine is there.

I finally decided on the Step 2 Real Projects Workshop. I love Step 2 products and toys because they are super durable and last for years and years. The Real Projects Workshop encourages imaginative play for children with a "wood" project workbench. The pieces of wood are actually foam that can be assembled into all kinds of projects (cars, trucks, a plane, etc.)!

The workshop comes with 65 pieces, including blueprint plans, an electronic drill, a saw, hammer, and the 42 "wooden" pieces. For ages 3 and up, this toy stimulates the imagination and helps develop hand-eye coordination. The Step 2 Real Projects Workshop gives children an unlimited amount of fun and activity for years to come and would make a wonderful holiday gift!

My Thoughts

As this was my first order from CSN Stores, I was very pleased with the fast and free delivery offered for my item. It was even delivered via Fed Ex on a Saturday. That was very impressive considering many stores do not pay extra for weekend delivery.

I couldn't wait to get into the Step 2 Real Projects Workshop. I think I was just as excited as my son. It was everything I imagined from the toy, just as described on CSNStores.com. All of the DuraFoam "wood" pieces are soft so, I know he won't hurt himself or his little brother. I helped Josiah with the projects so we could create a car, though he just likes sticking them all together and creating his own unique pieces of art. The  parts fit together very easily, even for a 3 year old, and he immediately loved his workshop.

Josiah loves to pretend he is working with his PawPaw so, this was the perfect gift to make him feel like the big boy he is. The Step 2 Real Projects Workshop is perfect holday gift!

Buy It

Ready to make some little girl or boy very happy? Buy a Step 2 Real Projects Workshop today for only $69.99 and Free Shipping!

I wrote this review for CSNStores.com. No compensation was given for the writing of this review. I only received the item to review and nothing else. All opinions written are completely and 100% mine and only mine.

Holiday Gift Guide: Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kits Review & Giveaway

Although chewing gum (just like Glee Gum) was originally made with chicle, which comes from trees in the rainforests of Central America, many gums these days are made with synthetic resins and other chemicals. Glee Gum is an all-natural alternative to the other chewing gum on the market. Not only is Glee Gum created from natural ingredients, it is also presevative-free, and free of artificial flavors, colors, and sweetners. In addition, making gum with chicle also helps save the rainforests. Oh, and did I mention the gum is also gluten, dairy, soy, and nut-free?

Glee Gum comes in a variety of flavors and there are also Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kits for kids! Your kids can make their own Glee Gum, Gummy Worms, or Chocolate! Each kit comes with all of the ingredients needed to make candy and fun facts relevent to the candy. It's fun for adults, especially when you get to eat your finished creations.

My Thoughts

I knew the Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kits would be a hit with Josiah. We chose the Gummies(gummy worms) Kit and had to make some as soon as it arrived! The kits are recommended for children 8 years of age and older so, I definitely had to help him out a bit. That's okay because I was very intrigued by the entire process.

 I never knew this, but gummy worms are made with carrageenan, a seaweed extract, which helps make them gummy. So, the first thing we did was boil a piece of seaweed in water. The smell was a little funky, but not overwhelming. Then you mix everything together and heat it to make a sticky, runny goo. Be careful not to get it on you because it's super hot!

hot goo!

The kit also comes with molding starch. For the next part, you can get very creative. Find different items around the house to make different shapes. All you do is push them into the molding starch to create the shape and then pour in the gummy goo. This part is the messy part. The molding starch is essentially flour and easy gets all over. You have to be very careful to keep it on the plate so, I recommend using a pan or baking sheet.

our shape-makers and mess!

We used bendy straws, a rattle shaped like a flower, a measuring spoon, and play-doh utensils to make shapes in the molding starch and they worked great! Josiah was able to help me make shapes, but I poured in the goo. Once the goo is in the starch, you carefully move it to the refridgerator and guard it from children for about 15 minutes or so.


The finished product!

This picture is of our first batch of gummy worms. The mix makes much more than this, but the great thing is, if you don't use it all, cover it, put it in the fridge, and reheat it the next day for more fun. That's what we did and it worked just fine. I didn't want to make too many at once because I knew Josiah would want to eat them all.
All and all, I was very pleased with the Glee Gum candy kit. Josiah had a blast, but it definitely makes a mess so, be prepared to wipe up some goo and/or starch. It was a very easy clean up and then we got to enjoy our work with a gummy worm. I could still taste the seaweed a little, but it didn't seem to phase Josiah at all. He gobbled them up as fast as he could. I had to sneak some for me and the hubs. Next time, I would love to try the gum or chocolate kits. They all look great!

Buy It

Ready to make a child very happy? Purchase a Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kit today for Only $13!

Win It

One Lucky Winner Will Get A Make Your Own Candy Kit of Their Choice!

How to Enter

• Visit the Glee Gum website and Tell Me Which Candy Kit You'd Like To Try The Most!

Additional Entries

• "Like" Glee Gum on Facebook and leave a message that Children Teaching Mama sent you (I will be checking!)!
• Follow Glee Gum on Twitter!
•Make a Purchase from Glee Gum during this giveaway (5 entries!)

•Sign up for the Glee Gum Newsletter

•Follow Children Teaching Mama via Google Friend Connect
•Register for the Children Teaching Mama Newsletter (on left sidebar)

•'Like' Children Teaching Mama on Facebook

•Follow Children Teaching Mama on Twitter

•Grab the New & Improved Children Teaching Mama Button & Place on Your Blog (3 entries)- leave url

• Grab the Gift Giving Guide Event Button & Place On Your Blog (5 entries if before Dec. 3rd and 2 entries if after the 3rd!) - leave url

•Enter My Other Giveaways (1 Entry Per Giveaway Entered)

• Comment On Any Non-Giveaway Post (1 entry each comment) - tell me where to find it

•Tweet (up to 2x a day 1 hr apart) By clicking the "Tweet" Button At the Top Of this Post OR Use this Tweet:

#Win A Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kid For Kids @ChildrenTeach @gleeguy http://tinyurl.com/candykit #giveaways Ends 12/13

Plenty of opportunities to increase your chance of winning! This Giveaway is open to US Residents and Ends December 13th at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be drawn by random.org. An announcement will be made on the blog and the winner will also be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.