Sophia's Tutus Halloween Costume Giveaway!

I have always wanted to be crafty, but for the most part, I am not, AT ALL! So when I find someone who does amazing, beautiful work, I am always in awe. Such is the case with Sophia’s Tutus.

I recently found Sophia’s Tutus on Etsy. Let me just tell you that the pictures of her tutu sets, while impressive, do not do the clothing justice. In person, her clothing is just beautiful. I am not kidding when I say these costumes are a work of art.

The owner, Sovi, began making tutus when her now six year old granddaughter was just a toddler in dance class. She wanted to make her cute, original tutus with matching tops and leotards. She kept busy creating new outfits for her granddaughter for dance and then Halloween, Christmas, pictures, etc. Soon family and friends started asking her to make tutu sets for their daughters, and then the children at dance began to ask. She opened a shop in 2006 and began working full-time at making tutus. She just recently opened her Etsy shop. In the past she has also sold her items on eBay and Craigslist. Through the years she has developed a strong customer base thanks to the quality, variety and value of her products.

(The back of the gorgeous tutu outfit she sent my daughter)

She sent my daughter a ladybug tutu costume for review. My husband, who is not one to care much about clothes, was impressed with her work. The tutu is nice and full and is embellished with a large black flower with a rhinestone in the center, black ribbons, and black pom poms mimicking the lady bug’s spots. The shirt features a ladybug on the front, and the wings also mimick the lady bug look. The wings are trimmed with soft black feathers, and each black dot is outlined in gold glitter. The costume also comes with a headband covered in black fabric with antennas on top.

(She can't stop looking at the wings.)

These costumes would be wonderful for Halloween, school plays, or even a trip to Disney. (She has a few Disney tutu costumes in her store—Minnie Mouse and Cinderella.) Considering the quality of her work, these costumes, which generally include the tutu, top, wings and headband, are a bargain at $34.00.

In addition, Sovi is a pleasure to work with. She is extremely detail oriented and provides stellar customer service. One of her customers commented:

It was such a pleasure doing business with SophiasTutus. She was communicative, prompt in her delivery, and very concerned with my satisfaction regarding the order. The item I ordered was packaged carefully and arrived in a timely fashion. I will definitely order from SophiasTutus in the future. It was an extremely positive experience doing business with her.

I couldn't agree more!

The Giveaway:
Sophia’s Tutus has generously agreed to offer one lucky winner the costume of their choice (up to a $35 value.)

To enter this giveaway, please visit Sophia’s Tutus and come back here to leave a comment about which costume you would choose should you be the winner.

Additional methods of entry:
-Follow Sophia’s Tutus on Facebook

-Follow Mom’s Plans or leave a message stating that you already do, if that is the case.

-Follow Mom’s Plans on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or post it on Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment with your link.

This giveaway will end on October 12th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address in the comments so I can contact you if you are the winner.

I received a costume for review from Sophia’s Tutu. (Thank you!) I received no other compensation for this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Somersault Snack Pack Giveaway

There are not a lot of snacks out there that are truly good for you.

My son needs to bring a portable snack to school each day to eat in the classroom, and I often struggle with what to pack for him. I want snacks that are not loaded with sugar or processed ingredients.

The products from Somersault Snack Company fit the bill perfectly. They contain simple, whole food ingredients: sunflower seeds, whole wheat flour, sesame seeds among others. They also come in four flavors sure to please every palate: s.s. sea salt, chez cocoa, salty pepper and santa fe salsa.

The two big hits in our household were salty pepper and santa fe salsa. They had a hearty crunch and a delicious, nutty, spicy flavor.

These snacks are a nice alternative to chips or pretzels, and you don’t have to feel guilty about eating them. Each flavor has 6 grams of protein or more in a one ounce serving (approximately 15 pieces), and 3 grams of fiber. They don’t contain trans fats and have no GMOs.

You can order these snacks at Somersault Snack’s web site, or you can buy them at Caribou Coffee. They are also beginning to appear at other retailers. When you Like their Facebook page, you become eligible for 20% off your first online order.

The Giveaway:
Somersault Snack Company has generously agreed to give one lucky winner a snack pack with all four flavors.

To enter this giveaway, Like Somersault Snacks on Facebook and post a comment here that you did that (make sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner.) This entry is mandatory.

Additional Methods of Entry:
Follow Mom’s Plans or leave a comment that you already are, if that is the case.

Follow Mom’s Plans on Twitter or state that you already are, if that is the case.

Blog about this giveaway or post it on Facebook or Twitter

This giveaway will end on Thursday, September 30th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner.

I received a sample of all four flavors for review purposes. (Thank you Somersault Snack Company!) I received no other compensation for this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Vitalicious Super Sampler Pack Giveaway!

Are you looking to eat healthier or maybe shed a few pounds but you still want tasty food? Look no further than Vitalicious. Vitalicious was the first to market 100 calorie servings, and their 100 calorie muffin tops and brownies are not only good for you with 5 to 6 grams of fiber each, but they taste great. In addition, they are vitamin fortified and contain 4 to 5 grams of protein.

With Vitalicious, you get to indulge your sweet tooth yet still feel good about what you are eating. According to the Vitalicious website, most of their products on average will take between 13 to 15 minutes to walk off. Compare that to a candy bar!










Recently, we were sent a Super Sampler Pack which contained:

4 Low Fat Deep & Velvety VitaBrownies
2 Low Fat Chocolate Mint VitaTops
2 Low Fat Banana Nut VitaTops
2 Low Fat Triple Chocolate Chunk VitaTops
2 Low Fat Deep Chocolate VitaTops
2 Low Fat Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTops
2 Low Fat Golden Corn VitaTops
2 Low Fat CranBran VitaTops
2 Low Fat Apple Crumb VitaTops NEW
2 Low Fat RaisinBran VitaTops
2 Low Fat BlueBran VitaTops

They were all tasty, but my husband loved the Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTop heated up and topped with a scoop of caramel ice cream. (Maybe that defeats the point of 100 calorie muffin tops?)

I enjoyed the Banana Nut VitaTop as well as the Apple Crumb, but truthfully, they were all good. They are flavorful and they don’t taste low calorie or high fiber. They taste like ordinary brownies or muffins, but perhaps even better.

Made with all natural ingredients, Vitalicious products will need to be stored in the freezer. You can heat them up in the microwave in their plastic wrap to retain moisture or let them thaw on the counter. Since each one comes individually packaged, you can take these as an on the go snack or breakfast. On the Rachael Ray show, Hungry Girl turned them into low cal Whoopie Pies.



The Giveaway:

Vitalicious has generously agreed to give one lucky winner a Super Sampler pack just like I received for review. (R.V. $35.99).

To enter this giveaway, go to Vitalicious and leave a comment here telling me one thing you learned. (Be sure to check out their great recipe section!)

Additional methods of entry:
-Follow my blog or state that you already are if that is the case

-Follow Vitalicious on Facebook

-Follow Vitalicious on Twitter

-Follow Mom’s Plans on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter. (Include your link with your comment.)

This giveaway will end on September 27th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment so I can contact you if you are the winner.

I received one Super Sampler Pack for review purposes. (Thank you Vitalicious!) I received no other compensation for this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

The Time Keeper Household Planner Giveaway

Last year, the first giveaway I won was for the Time Keeper Household Planner. Was I ever lucky to win this! This is the ultimate planner for busy parents.

The creator, Starla, had tried many planners to organize her time, which was at a premium with 4 young sons at home. In 2008, she decided to create her own planner that would have all of the features she was looking for.



















This planner has it all. Each week includes one page that lists each day with several lines to schedule appointments, practices, events, etc; the other page includes a space for a daily menu for each day and a to do list. At the bottom is a small calendar of the last month and the upcoming month.















New this year are grocery list pages that tear out. How great is that!

In addition, many pages contain inspiring quotes such as "Great works are performed not by strength, but by perserverance" or inspiring Biblical quotes. I enjoyed reading these; they gave me motivation.

The Time Keeper is small enough to fit in many women's purses. This planner is a way to keep yourself organized but also for keeping peace in your life and for reflecting on the use of your time. Starla states, "I believe that God is honored when we make the most of the time He gives us every day."

The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive a 2011 Time Keeper Household Planner.

To enter this giveaway simply go to The Time Keeper website and state one thing you learned about The Time Keeper.

Additional methods of entry:

-Follow my blog or state that you already do, if that is the case.

-Follow me on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter.

This giveaway will end on Friday, September 24th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address in your comments so I can contact you if you are the winner.

I received no compensation from The Time Keeper for this giveaway.

$25 Gift Certificate to AddieKat Boutique - Halloween Costumes Giveaway

UPDATE: The winner is ReggieM1961@ Congratulations!

















My daughter, who will be two next month, is obsessed with Sesame Street. Her favorite characters are Elmo, Abby and Zoe. For Halloween this year, she will be Abby Cadabby.

I was delighted to find that AddieKat Boutique on Etsy makes Halloween Abby Cadabby tutu outfits. This is the best of both worlds! Ever since my son had his dance recital back in June, my daughter has tried to sing his ballet song, (yes, imagine a 22 month old singing “Let It Be” over and over) while twirling around the room and holding her hands above her head. This adorable costume matches her two loves—Abby and dance.

(My daughter in her Abby outfit. She is looking at her brother who is off to the side.)

Kim, the owner of AddieKat Boutique is the mother to three children, a nearly teenage boy and two little girls. She started making her daughters’ hair bows to save money, and then she branched out into other clothing. In her store, which opened this past May, she has over 60 adorable, hand-sewn items including many tutu outfits. (You may even be able to find one with your favorite sports team on the shirt!)

She generously sent my daughter the Abby Cadabby outfit to review, and we loved it! When we received the outfit, it was nicely wrapped in colored tissue paper. The tutu skirt is full and the sewing is superb. The t-shirt is made out of a thicker cotton, not the flimsy, thin t-shirt material some people use. Of course, the Abby face on the front is just adorable.

Since receiving this outfit, my daughter has worn it several times. She loves it. When she wants to wear it she tells me “Abby tutu.” I can’t wait for Halloween so she can go trick or treating in this cute outfit.

The Giveaway:
Kim has generously agreed to give away a $25 gift certificate to AddieKat Boutique.

To enter, please visit her Etsy store and leave a comment here as to what you would like to buy should you be the winner of the gift certificate.

Additional methods of entry:

-Follow AddieKat Boutique on Facebook

-Follow Mom’s Plans or let me know you are already a follower if that is the case.

-Follow Mom’s Plans on Twitter.

This giveaway will end on September 22nd. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure you include your e-mail address when leaving a comment.

I received an Abby Cadabby tutu outfit for review purposes. (Thank you AddieKat Boutique!) I received no other compensation for this review and giveaway.

Udi's Gluten Free Bakery Products Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is EmmaPeel@ Congratulations!

As I have shared my story about becoming dairy intolerant, I am amazed at how many readers have left comments about other conditions that leave them unable to enjoy every day foods.

Recently I was introduced to Udi’s Gluten Free Foods. Their gluten free breads were developed by Udi’s Certified Master Baker, Chadwick White, who had a friend with celiac disease. He developed a delicious bread that is not only gluten free but dairy, soy and nut free. Udi’s Gluten Free Foods extends beyond bread to many baked goods.

I was given the opportunity to sample their Whole Grain Bread, Chocolate Muffins and Pizza Crusts. Honestly, they were all delicious. My favorite was the Whole Grain Bread. It was moist and had just a hint of sweetness to it. I had it for breakfast toasted and topped with either peanut butter or jelly. It was a delicious way to start the morning.

Their Chocolate Muffins had a rich chocolate flavor, yet they were not too sweet They had chocolate chips inside which gave them a decadent taste. These are best served when you buy them; I did put some in the freezer, and they dried out a bit.

The Pizza Crust came two to a package and had a nice crispness to it. We would definitely buy all three products again.

If you or a loved one has a food intolerance or allergy, consider buying Udi’s Gluten Free Foods. If you sign up for their e-mail newsletter, you will get $1.00 off your order.

The Giveaway:

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods has generously offered one lucky winner:

*1 loaf Whole Grain Bread
*1 loaf White Sandwich Bread
*1 package of 2 9” pizza crusts

Alternatively, the winner could opt to instead receive 3 coupons, each for a free Udi’s product.

To enter, visit Udi's Gluten Free Foods and leave a comment about another product you would like to try.

Additional methods of entry:

-Follow Udi's Gluten Free Foods on Facebook

-Follow Udi's Gluten Free Foods on Twitter

-Become a follower of Mom's Plans or let me know if you already are

-Follow Mom's Plans on Twitter

This giveaway will end on Saturday, September 18th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address in your comments.

I received the above mentioned products for review purposes. (Thank you Udi's!) I received no other compensation for this giveaway.

Freezer Totes Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is Emy alwaysaroundboys@ Congratulations!

True confession: This is a picture of my deep freezer's innards. Yes, there are lots of yummy muffins and freezer meals inside, but to be honest, if what I am looking for is not on top, I HATE digging through the freezer. As I start to dig deeper into the freezer, all of the items on the side fall into the hole I am creating and I end up with a mess.











Freezer Totes were designed by Tim Miller who was tired of the frustration of an unorganized freezer.







"Freezer Totes stack four high in any full size chest freezer, allowing for full usage of the freezer, not just the top six inches. Though Freezer Totes were designed with chest freezers in mind, they have thousands of uses. Not only can they be used in a chest freezer, they can be used in garages, on shelves, pantries, or just about anywhere you may think of.

Until now chest freezers, though incredibly economical, have been impossible to organize, more closely resembling a child’s chaotic toy box than anything else. Freezer Totes maximize the space in the freezer and make everything in it easily accessible. Even Grandma can get things out of the bottom of the freezer with ease."

Freezer Totes measure 20"L x 12"W x 7"H.

I received 3 Freezer Totes and loved them. Unfortunately, my deep freezer is one of the smallest ones available, so I was only able to fit in 2 Freezer Totes. However, I filled those two with the beef we bought last winter. Now it is easily accessible instead of being buried at the bottom of the freezer.

These Totes are sturdy and durable. When we move and eventually replace our freezer with a larger size one, I plan on buying more Freezer Totes. These really do help organize the freezer, which means less waste long term. Even better, they come with a lifetime guarantee.

The Giveaway:

Freezer Totes has generously agreed to give one lucky winner 6 Freezer Totes (a $50 R.V.)

You can enter up to four different ways:

- Go to FreezerTote.com and tell me one thing you learned from visiting the site.

-Follow my blog or let me know that you already are

-Follow me on Twitter

-Share or link to your favorite freezer cooking (OAMC) recipe

This giveaway will end on Monday, September 20th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you leave your e-mail in your comment(s) so I can contact you if you are the winner.

I received 3 Freezer Totes from FreezerTotes.com. (Thank you Freezer Totes!) I received no other compensation for this giveaway.

Baby Gap Baby Boy's Ultimate Gift Set Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is Nell @ oldsockfarm@ Congratulations!














Do you have a baby boy in the home? Do you know someone who does or who is expecting one? If so, then you don’t want to miss out on this giveaway!

This giveaway is for one Baby Gap Ultimate Gift Set in size 0-3 months. Eight great items are included:

1 small stuffed bear,
1 blue bib with a red fox on it,
1 blue beanie hat,
1 blue romper with red and darker blue stripes on it,
1 blue pair of reversible pants (the other side is blue and white striped),
1 blue reversible jacket (the other side is blue and white striped),
1 white bodysuit patterned with a fox, trees & a house all over, and
1 blue reversible blanket (the other side is blue and white striped.)

The Giveaway:
One lucky winner will win this 8 piece ultimate gift set in size 0-3 months.

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment stating who you would like to win this set for.

Additional entries:
-Become a follower of Mom’s Plans or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Follow Mom’s Plans on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter (include the link in your comment)

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on Sunday, September 12th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address when you comment.

ThredUp Pro Membership Giveaway

UPDATE: The winner is kcardwell@ Congratulations!







We have talked about a number of ways to buy and sell kids clothes including eBay and Garage Sale Tracker.

There is also another service, ThredUp, that began in April. ThredUp offers the busy parent a convenient way to both sell and buy their children’s clothes. When a person signs up for ThredUp, they are immediately mailed 10 priority flat rate boxes. While they are waiting for those boxes, they can sort through the virtual boxes of clothes they might like for their own kids.

Although it is a new company, ThredUp already has 17,000 members and is adding 100 more a day.

A nice perk is that each month, a company serves as sponsor to ThredUp and offers 40 boxes of brand new clothes from their company up for sale, but a customer pays the same price for these as they would for a used box of clothes. About 30 minutes before the boxes become available the company sends out an e-mail to let customers know. Then, the boxes are randomly distributed throughout the listing. It is like a scavenger hunt to find them. They release about 5 boxes every few days.

The cost to join ThredUp is $29.99 for a ProMembership. Then, for each box that you buy, pay just $13.00 to have it shipped to you. This is a flat rate priority box that can hold 10+ items depending on the size clothing you are buying.







Unlike eBay, there are no pictures, so the buyer has to rely on the seller’s description. On the buyer’s end, this can be a bit tricky. The way an item is described may be different from the way it looks in person. For instance, I got a box of clothes for my son and was pleased overall with both the clothing and the descriptions. However, one of the shirts was described as being a baseball jersey with the number 48 on it. That description was correct, but it was a deep gold color, and I had been picturing a white color.

On the seller’s end, this service is great. You don’t have to take pictures as a seller does with eBay and you have very little to no interaction with the person buying your box. It is really very simple to list your items, and the ThredUp system takes you step by step through the entire process.

As this is a new company, there are some kinks in the system. I ordered a box of 12 month clothes for my daughter from a seller who had high marks for both style and punctuality. (Like eBay, buyers get to score the sellers on how stylish the clothes are and on timely the clothes were shipped out.) When I got the box, while I liked the style overall, I was annoyed to find that many of the clothes were dirty with crusted on food that came out after I washed them. One zipper on a jacket was broken, but that was never stated in the description. I left feedback and mentioned why I was not satisfied, and I must commend the ThredUp team for getting back to me promptly and offering me a free month of Pro Membership as compensation.

Thred Up can be a great service if you are on a budget and don’t want to spend time hunting down bargains at garage sales, thrift stores, sales racks, etc. In most sizes there are over 30 boxes available at one time, so you do have a good selection to choose from. In sizes where ThredUp is running low on stock, they offer sellers a discount of ½ off their next order ($6.50) if they can supply a box of clothing in the needed size.

The Giveaway
ThredUp has generously offered to give one lucky winner a one year Pro Membership for free. (A $29.99 RV.)

-To enter the giveaway follow ThredUp on Facebook (mandatory)

Additional methods of entry:
-Follow ThredUp on Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter


This contest will end on Tuesday, September 7th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received a one month subscription to ThredUp for review purposes. I received no other compensation from ThredUpfor this giveaway.

Divvies Dairy, Nut & Egg Free Cookies Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is clemay62@ Congratulations!

When I learned I was going to have to give up all dairy, I missed desserts the most—pies and crumbles, lemon bars, ice cream, cookies, the list goes on and on. I imagine an allergy or intolerance is even harder on a child who is not able to eat a friend’s birthday cake or the treats brought to school.

Benjamin Sandler was one of those kids. He can’t eat anything with even a trace of peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs. His mom spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen concocting items her son could enjoy and looking for treats that would satisfy not only her son, but all of his friends. She succeeded, and from her success was born Divvies—made to share. “ Divvies fun-foods are available to share with families and friends across the country. Divvies cookies, popcorns, and cupcakes are made in the company’s-own dedicated facility where no peanuts, tree nuts, eggs or milk enter the doors. Divvies candies, frosting, and sprinkles are certified by their manufacturers to be peanut-, tree nut-, milk-, and egg-free and are packaged in Divvies Bakery. Divvies conducts routine testing to minimize the risk of any cross-contamination in their certified allergen-free ingredients.

Thanks to Divvies, life's little pleasures of delicious desserts, are now made to share.”










I was recently given a chance to try Divvies chocolate chip cookies, and I and my whole family can attest to their delicious taste. My husband, who doesn’t eat very many sweets, loved them! They are so moist and packed full of chocolate chips. Best of all, you can’t tell that these are cookies made without traditional cookie ingredients. In fact, they are better than many cookies I have had.

The Giveaway:
Divvies has generously agreed to supply one lucky winner with a box of Divvies Doubles—24 delicious cookies delivered right to your door.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to Divvies and then leave me a comment stating which flavor cookie you would like to receive should you win.

Additional methods of entry:
-Like Divvies on Facebook

-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

This contest will end on Monday, September 6th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received one box of Divvies cookies for review purposes. Thanks Divvies! I received no other compensation from Divvies for this giveaway.

Kidorable Umbrella Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is hayleyfontana@ Congratulations!







Kidorable started out of the desire "to create children's apparel and accessories that are both functional and fun." They have more than succeeded. With adorable themes that children will love, Kidorable offers a full line of kid's rain gear and other great accessories.

I was given the opportunity to review a Kidorable butterfly backpack, hat and gloves for my daughter. These items are so cute!! My daughter loved them. She is enamored of all things butterfly and bee, so this set was perfect for her. She wears her backpack around the house saying, "School" because she wants to use her backpack at school like her big brother.










She can't wait for cooler weather so she can wear the gloves.










(She already wears the hat around the house.)

Kidorable is best known for their too cute rain gear--matching umbrellas, raincoats and boots. Kidorable has 12 different styles to choose from. There is a style for every little one. They also carry an "English Roses" line inspired by Madonna's best selling children's book.

Kidorable is also a favorite among celebrity children. Browse their site and you will see several pictures of Suri Cruise sporting their boots and backpacks. Earnshaw's Magazine said Kidorable "is on its way to becoming the Louis Vuitton of children's accessories."

Want To Purchase Now? Get a Discount.
Email me at momsplans@yahoo.com and I will send you a unique code for 10% off your total purchase!

The Giveaway:

Kidorable has graciously offered a free umbrella to one lucky winner.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to Kidorable and state which style you like best.

Additional methods of entry:
-Follow Kidorable on Facebook

-Follow Kidorable on Twitter

-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Follow me on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

This contest will end on Tuesday, August 31st at 11:59 p.m.. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received the products mentioned above for review purposes. Thank you Kidorable! I receive no compensation from Kidorable for this giveaway.

$40 CSN Stores Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is llansford@ Congratulations!









Do you remember the wonderful Presto Griddle I received from CSN stores? This griddle has made my life so much easier when it comes to freezer cooking! I can make 40 pancakes in a half hour (8 to 10 at a time) instead of the hours it used to take me to make three at a time in my largest skillet. Once I ordered the griddle, I was sent an e-mail with tracking information, it was shipped to me quickly and it arrived in perfect condition.









(My griddle in use during freezer cooking day!)

The Giveaway:
CSN stores, which sells all things kitchen related—kitchen tables, cooking utensils, pans, etc. is offering one lucky reader a $40 gift certificate to their online stores. This does not include shipping, but many of their items include free shipping. While I am always looking for new kitchen items, the lucky winner will be able to use this gift certificate to purchase anything in the CSN stores.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to CSN stores and state which item you would like to buy should you win.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

This contest will end on Monday, August 30th at 9 p.m. CST. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.
I received no compensation from CSN stores for this giveaway.

Pillows By Cindee Tooth Fairy Pillow Giveaway!!

UPDATE: The winner is susansmoaks@ Congratulations!

My oldest child just turned six and is a week away from starting first grade. I can’t believe how fast he is growing! Soon he will be losing his baby teeth and waiting for the Tooth Fairy to come. The idea of the Tooth Fairy has always perplexed me; how does she exchange the tooth under the pillow for money if the child is a very light sleeper?




















Well, I have found the solution for my light sleeper—a tooth fairy pillow. I found this delightful tooth fairy pillow on Etsy from Pillows By Cindee. I bought a Cars tooth fairy pillow. It has a cute little pocket on the front that has Velcro to close the flap. The pillow is exceptionally made and will get my son through all of those baby teeth. Best of all, the Tooth Fairy won’t have to work so hard to exchange a tooth for money because we will just hang this cute pillow on my son’s bedroom door handle.




















According to Cindee, who opened her Etsy shop this past January, “I have been making pillows for the last 3 years. I first started by making inspirational "Hope" pillows for women, teens, and children who were going through difficult times. Then, with the suggestions, encouragement and support of my wonderful family and friends, I expanded my horizons to include not only the "Hope" pillows, but all different kinds of pillows, such as: toothfairy pillows, accent/throw pillows, holiday pillows, pack-n-go pillows, sports pillows, potpourri pillows, personalized pillows, pillow cases, etc...I soon discovered that the pillow possibilities are endless!! The best part of it all...I LOVE every minute of it!!”

Cindee’s shop carries a variety of pillows, most of them for the reasonable price of $15 or less.

The Giveaway:
Cindee has graciously offered a $15 gift certificate to her Etsy shop to one lucky winner to be used on the pillow of the winner's choice.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to Pillows By Cindee and state which item you would like to buy should you win.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

This contest will end on Tuesday, August 24th. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received no compensation from Pillows by Cindee for this giveaway.

My Princess Closet Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is samantha.holcomb@ Congratulations!

When my daughter was baptized, her godmother gave her a Pinkalicious book about a little girl who turns pink when she eats too many pink cupcakes. Since then, she has been obsessed with Pinkalicious. I was searching the web one day and found Books to Bed items at My Princess Closet.





















Dawn, owner of My Princess Closet features many adorable items for your little princess or to give as gifts for the little princesses you know. She opened her store after she had a girl following three boys. She and her mom had so much fun shopping for her daughter, that she decided to open a store to share her adorable finds. She focuses on "gifts, accessories, toys and shoes for little girls ages 0 - 6."

My daughter absolutely loved her Pinkalicious pajamas! She insists on wearing them nearly every night! The pajama print matches the book exactly; I wish they had had these when I was little. Besides Pinkalicious, there are also matching book and pajama sets for Purplicious and Cinderella.












In addition to the Books to Bed pajamas, My Princess Closet also carries boutique dresses such as the MellyMello baby dress set pictured above and adorable gifts perfect for a baby shower.

















The pj cupcakes pictured above are just too cute! She also features a pink lollipop onesie, pictured below. How creative! These are sure to delight at a baby shower.

My Princess Closet is now on Facebook; you can do all your shopping for My Princess Closet directly from Facebook. In addition, if you Like My Princess Closet on Facebook, you will receive a 15% discount on your order.

The Giveaway:

Dawn has generously agreed to give one Mom's Plans reader a $25 gift certificate to My Princess Closet.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to My Princess Closet, and state which item you would like to buy should you win.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Like My Princess Closet on Facebook

-Follow My Princess Closet on Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

This giveaway will end on Monday, August 23rd. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter. Winner will be chosen via random.org

I received a set of Pinkalicious pajamas for review purposes. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own.

Day Planner with Intertwined Satin Ribbons Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner is Chantel at alaskawildrose@ Congratulations!

This is the last in a series of back to school giveaway posted every Tuesday.

















When I was a student, I relied heavily on my day planner to keep track of what homework and essay assignments were due when. I carried it with me every where and wrote down everything because otherwise I would forget it.


Today's giveaway offers the older student their own personalized day planner. The creator, PriaVanda, states, " I began weaving ribbons through plain bamboo mats to dress them up and was suddenly inspired to add this touch to everyday items. I was drawn to stationery because I cannot live without my day planner and that was the first product I created. The line grew from there."


The planner can be woven with three silk ribbon choices chosen from the 26 colors PriaVanda has available. Choose them to match school colors, favorite sports teams--the possibilities are endless.

I received a sample planner from PriaVanda and loved it. It measures 5.5 inches x 8.5 inches and has a sturdy hard cover. The size is perfect; it is not so large as to be cumbersome; it easily fits into a purse or can be carried. However, it is large enough to allow space to write down everything. The planner includes weekly + monthly pages, to do lists, motivational quotes and a two year reference calendar.

The weaving was very well done and adds a unique touch to the cover. There is also a strip of ribbon to act as a page marker in the day planner.














In addition to day planners, PriaVanda creates address books, journals, notebooks, memory books and guest books.

The Giveaway:

PriaVanda has generously offered to give one Mom’s Plans reader their own handwoven day planner.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to PriaVanda on Etsy and state which three colors of ribbon you would choose should you win.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Another alternative way to enter is to Like PriaVanda on Facebook

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

This giveaway will end on Tuesday, August 17th at 9 p.m. CST. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received a day planner from PriaVanda for review purposes. (Thank you!) All opinions are my own.

Dinner Is Ready Cookbook & Software OAMC Giveaway!

UPDATE--The winner is Chisum's Crew trinitygsd@ Congratulations!

I have been freezer cooking for several months now, and I have made no secret of the fact that while I love the results, I don’t really enjoy the actual days that I am cooking up all of my meals.

However, recently I had the chance to try the 30 Meals in One Day system (R.V. $95) by Deanna Buxton, and I loved, loved, loved it! Included in this system are--
-3 cookbooks—Dinner Is Ready, Lunch Is Ready and On the Side
- 30 Meals in One Day Software and User’s Manual
-White Recipe Labels

Deanna began freezer cooking in 1999 when her four children, ages 4 to 12, were involved in baseball. She would get home too late to cook and was frustrated to be feeding her family fast food or making them wait until she could cook a full meal. The first time she cooked 30 meals in one day she was exhausted and vowed not to do it again! However, she soon refined her method, and began teaching her method at women’s groups. By 2002 she had published her first book, Dinner Is Ready.

There are many reasons why I love this system. First, both the Lunch Is Ready and Dinner Is Ready cookbooks contain 14 chapters at the beginning of the book that lay out all you need to know about freezer cooking and making it easier on yourself.

I have been doing Once a Month Cooking since last fall, but I learned quite a bit by reading these chapters. I took the author’s advice to shop on one day and prep all of my vegetables before the actual freezer cooking day. That made such a difference in my cooking time! Before I would chop my onion at the beginning of the freezer cooking day; this time, I just had to reach for the chopped onions in the refrigerator.

This system also advocates choosing separate methods of cooking—for instance, pick two slow cooker recipes, two assembly recipes, two oven recipes, two stove top recipes, etc. and the cookbooks are broken down into the different methods of cooking.

But what really puts this system over the top is the software. Install this software into your computer and choose the recipes you are planning on cooking. The software creates a grocery list for you that tells you all the items you will need broken down by section in the grocery store and the exact amounts of what you will need. You can also use the software to add other items not related to your freezer cooking that you will need to buy at the grocery store.

If you are new to freezer cooking, this is the perfect system to get you started. If you are a veteran, you will still learn some information from this system. No matter your knowledge level, this system will help streamline your freezer cooking days. My only wish is that the books contained the nutritional information.

Curious what the recipes are like in this book? In a word, tasty, but one that we really enjoyed was Cola BBQ.

Buy It
If you would like to buy it, use the code CAROUSEL to receive free shipping.

Additionally, if you make a purchase on the 30 Meals in One Day website before the giveaway and end up being the winner of this giveaway, Deanna will refund you the $32 it would cost to buy the cookbook and software on their website.

The Giveaway:
Deanna Buxton has offered to give away the Dinner Is Ready cookbook and software, a retail value of $40.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to 30 Meals in One Day, go to the recipe section and come back here and tell me which recipe you would like to try.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

-Follow me on Twitter

This giveaway will end on Monday, August 16th at 9 p.m. CST. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received the 30 Meals in One Day system for review purposes. (Thank you!) All opinions are my own.

Cash Based Budget Envelope System Giveaway!

UPDATE--The winner is Amy - amysalotti@ Congratulations!







As I mentioned a few days ago, my husband and I are trying to live off of one income to see if we can financially manage to have me quit my job. To help us maintain this budget, we have put away the credit cards and have reverted back to a cash only system.

We had a cash only system several years ago, but it was only moderately successful because I was a bit embarrassed to carry around a bunch of envelopes. To combat this, I would only bring, say my grocery envelope with me to the store, but at the store I might end up buying a shirt for my son. Because I only had the grocery envelope with me, I would pay for clothing out of that envelope instead of the clothing one which was still at home. You get the idea why it didn’t work so well for us.

Recently I ran across an Etsy store, Timeless Journey, that sells binders specifically designed to allow you to use the envelope system in style. Laura, owner of Timeless Journey, loves Dave Ramsey’s philosophy. Sixteen months ago, she and her husband found themselves on the verge of losing their house due to losing her husband’s income as a carpenter because of the housing market slow down. They also found themselves talking of divorce. Her church offered Dave Ramsey’s course, and after the 13 week course, they found themselves, “empowered and at peace.” The divorce talk ceased. In the final course, Dave Ramsey spoke about using one’s gifts to find a career that one loves. Laura, an art teacher by profession, was introduced to Etsy a week later by a friend and started making her durable cash budget binders. Her small business boomed, and now she and her husband are debt free and planning to buy a house next month.

Her binders contain 5 envelopes and a pocket on each of the inside covers of the binder. In addition to being stylish, these cash envelope binders are motivating. She prints Dave Ramsey quotes throughout the binder. For instance, the cover of mine says, “If you live like no one else, later you can LIVE like no one else.” Reading that each time I reach for the binder to spend money helps motivate me not to spend as much.

I don’t carry a purse, but I feel completely comfortable carrying this as a little clutch. It doesn’t feel so obvious that I am carrying envelopes of cash and “on a budget” (although really, that is nothing to be ashamed of.)

Laura offers a variety of different patterns for these books; she even does them in Disney prints. I love mine and find it helps me use the cash envelope system.

The Giveaway:
Laura at Timeless Journey has generously offered to give one Mom’s Plans reader their own budget cash envelope system.

To enter this giveaway, simply go to Timeless Journey on Etsy and state which one of the binders you would like should you win.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

-Another alternative way to enter is to Like Timeless Journey on Facebook

This giveaway will end on Thursday, August 12th at 9 p.m. CST. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter.

I received a cash budget envelope system from Timeless Journey for review purposes. (Thank you!) All opinions are my own.

A Giveaway on My Dining Out Challenge Blog

Over at my Dining Out Challenge blog I am having my first giveaway--a $50 Chili's restaurant gift card. Make sure to check out our review and enter the giveaway. Who couldn't use a night out with this heat?

Backpack, Notebook & Pen Giveaway!

UPDATE--The winner is Candace - ckmd310@ Congratulations!

This is the fifth in a series of back to school giveaways posted on Tuesdays.

A few weeks ago, we featured cute kids’ backpacks from Abbe’ Designs. This week’s back to school giveaway is for the older kids and includes one backpack, one three subject spiral notebook and a pack of three pens. There is a choice between the boy’s and the girl’s backpack. The boy’s backpack is by SwissGear and is black, blue and grey. The girl’s backpack is purple with pink patterned with white hearts on the front.



















(Boy's backpack choice)


























(Girl's backpack choice)

The Giveaway:
-To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment stating which backpack you would like to win and who it would be for.

Additional methods of entry:
-Become a follower on my blog or state that you already are, if that is the case.

-Another alternative way to enter is to follow me on Twitter

-Blog about this giveaway or write about it on Facebook or Twitter

The giveaway ends on Tuesday, August 10th at 9 p.m. CST and is only open to U.S. residents. Make sure you include your e-mail address when you enter. Winner will be selected via random.org

This giveaway is complements of an anonymous donor. Thank you!

DaSweetZpot Jam and Jelly Giveaway!

UPDATE--The winner is Melissa - giveawaymommy@ Congratulations!















Marlene, owner of DaSweetZpot, worked at a Fortune 500 company for over 20 years when she was laid off a few years ago. When she was unable to find another job, she turned her hobby of jam and jelly making, learned from her grandmother, into her primary source of income. She opened her Etsy shop, DaSweetZpot, last September.

In addition to selling on Etsy, she sells at different festivals and events. She even sells 1.5 oz. jars of jam or jelly as wedding favors, baby shower gifts, etc. All labels are personalized for these events.










Marlene offers a variety of flavors that most people would never think of. She goes well beyond grape, strawberry, etc. For instance, she sent us a jar of Hola Margarita to sample. This one is made from tequila. It had a sweet and tangy taste and had the consistency of honey. We ate it on toast and loved it.

She also offers the seasonal flavor of candy cane. Candy cane! This is another one I want to try and will probably order this October.















In addition to unique jam and jelly flavors, Marlene offers glazes, marinades, toppings, syrups and potato pouches. Her potato pouches are an eco-friendly way to prepare baked potatoes in the microwave. Just scrub the potatoes, pat them dry, put them in the potato pouch and microwave. There is no need to pierce the potatoes. When the potatoes are cooked in the Potato Pouch, their skin is smooth unlike the wrinkled look potatoes get when wrapped in paper towel and cooked in the microwave.

As Marlene becomes more well-known, she is appearing in various publications. She recently was featured in the L.A. Times. (Read the article here.)

The Giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to DaSweetZpot.

-To enter this giveaway, you must go to DaSweetZpot and come back to leave a comment either on a flavor of jam/jelly you would like to try or which potato pouch fabric pattern you liked the best.

Other ways to enter after completing the above step:

-Like DaSweetZpot's Facebook page

-Become a follower of my blog or state that you already are

-Blog about this giveaway or post it on Facebook or Twitter and include the link with your comment.

This giveaway will end on Monday, 8/9 at 9 pm. CST. Random.org will be used to determine the winner. Make sure to leave your e-mail in your comment so I can notify the winner.

I received a jar of jam and a potato pouch from DaSweetZpot for review purposes. (Thank you DaSweetZpot!) I received no other compensation.