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American Girl’s 2014 Girl of the Year

January 2, 2014 by Melissa

How quickly do you think Isabelle Palmer, American Girl’s 2014 Girl of the Year, is going to dance her way into your hearts.

Each year American Girl launches a new doll to celebrate the triumphs, achievements, aspirations and dreams of children all over the world. Isabella Palmer is a dancer with many talents including fashion design for what else, ballet costumes. Isabella has some difficulties when she starts a new dance school but she finds a way to shine and stand out without losing who she is inside.

American Girl Doll of the Year run $120. It’s a steep price for a doll but each one comes with her own extraordinary story of triumph and acceptance. Typically each doll comes with a story book where you and your child learn all about the girl and her life. Isabelle has 3 stories devoted to sharing her tale. I’m guessing the popularity of her dance background might have something to do with it.

A girl needs her accessories and Isabelle’s are amazing!

Isabelle’s Studio– 24-piece set features a beautiful armoire, sewing table, sewing machine, and lots of accessories $275

A beautiful white armoire with mirrored doors and ballet-barre handles—it opens to reveal drawers, fabric pockets, and a sewing table
A pretend sewing machine that lights up, with a needle that moves at the touch of a button
An upholstered stool with a yellow bow tied around the legs
A dress form with a copper-colored base—perfect for designing her dance fashions
Three fancy hangers to keep outfits organized
Three faux spools of thread that fit on the sewing machine spindle
Three fabric swatches for her original creations
A sewing basket that holds a fabric pincushion, pretend scissors, and a mini measuring tape
A sketchbook for planning designs
A paper hatbox with diamond graphics for storing supplies
Three black-and-white photos to decorate her space—one is signed by her idol, Jackie Sanchez!
Two tickets and a ballet program for the Autumn Festival

Isabelle’s Dance Barre–Girls can give Isabelle the perfect place to practice her pliés! $65

A ballet barre
A foam yoga mat so Isabelle can stretch to warm up
Ballet slippers to help her glide on the floor
Pink pilates straps—your girl can slip them over Isabelle’s hands or feet to help her hold a pose!
A faux water bottle to keep her hydrated
A purple support bandage that wraps around her ankle

Isabelle’s Performance Set–Isabelle designs this spectacular costume for her Waltz of the Flowers ballet performance $38

A sleek unitard
A flowy tutu skirt made of layers of mesh and tulle
A show-stopping corsage of satin flowers embellished with ribbons, mesh, rhinestones, and sequins
Shimmery satin dance shoes with crisscross ankle ribbons
A starry rhinestone tiara and jeweled wristband that dazzle in the spotlight

American Girl Dolls are a special kind of luxury for young girls. The story they share give girls hope for their own dreams and desires. Isabelle Palmer is only around till 12/31/14 or until supplies last.

Shopping with Shop Your Way Mobile App

December 19, 2013 by Melissa

If you’re anything like me your smartphone is always by your side. I use multiple times a day to check weather, bank balances, school websites, email and of course for great shopping deals. The Shop Your Way mobile app is giving shoppers a unique experience while staying mobile. By giving access to your favorite brands and being able to redeem earned points and use discounts Shop Your Way is bridging the gap between online shopping and visiting your preferred stores.

The app stores up to 20% in coupons or points on a regular basis that you can redeem directly from your smart phone. Say goodbye to carrying around that coupon pouch! The fun doesn’t end at saving money. You can use the app to go behind the scenes of our celebrity brands like Adam Levine, Nicki Minaj and much more.

Download the Shop Your Way app today for the following features http://syw.co/1cAxOa5

Shop’in to access daily in-store deals! Download the Shop Your app today”
Shop’in to get exclusive sales and load coupons! Download the Shop Your Way app today
Clip coupons right to your mobile phone! Download the Shop Your Way app today
Get coupons right on your phone to use in store for purchases!

Last Minute Shopper Twitter Party @Kmart #JollyGifts

December 19, 2013 by Melissa

Are you a Last Minute Shopper like me? Join the #JollyGifts Twitter Party with @Kmart for ideas and advice for the best gifts to give for those last minute additions to your shopping list. To RSVP and have a chance to win one of the prizes, make sure you do the following:

Follow the host @Kmart account and co-host @KmartDeals.
Retweet one of the promotional tweets below announcing the party.
Last minute shoppers welcome! Join our #JollyGifts Twitter Party 12/20 at 12pm CT – $200 in prizes, RT to RSVP! http://shout.lt/nXHK

Got all of your #JollyGifts under the tree? Great! Join our Twitter Party 12/20 @ 12pm CT, $200 in prizes! RT to RSVP http://shout.lt/nW3L

Participate in the conversation when it occurs Tuesday, December 20th at 12pm CST by answering questions and chatting to others under the hashtag #JollyGifts. Make sure you use #JollyGifts, or we won’t be able to see your replies!

The winners will be selected as the party goes on, but if any of the above criteria are missing you will be unable to claim your prize. If you are announced a winner, simply reply to @KmartDeals you accept the prize and a rep will be in contact with you via DM for the next steps.

We’ll be at the #JollyGifts party. Hope to see you there too.

Who Wants To Be A #PersonalShopper @ShopYourWay?

December 19, 2013 by Melissa

This is a sponsored post. I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.

Tis the season for wishing you had a bigger budget, right? I do wish I had a bigger budget this holiday season because there are a ton of things that I would love to get for the kids as well as Melinda but that seems to be the story every year. Too many present ideas and never enough money, LOL. Don’t get me wrong everyone is going to have very nice things under the tree but just not as many since the presents are more expensive due to the kids being older.

Lucky for you, they’ve sweetened up the reasons to become a Personal Shopper at Sears and Kmart. In addition to earning commission to put towards your holiday budget on every qualifying purchase your family and friends make, you’ll get that warm and fuzzy holiday feeling after helping others with your shopping expertise. Since the season for giving is now, Shop Your Way is awarding its Personal Shoppers with more chances for a bigger commission. You can earn up to 5% in commission just by gaining more clients, reaching sales numbers, following new brands on Shop Your Way, sending client invitees and more. If you think you don’t have what it takes to become a Personal Shopper, you’re probably wrong. If you find yourself giving advice often, enjoy making connections and have an entrepreneurial spirit, Personal Shopper would be a great fit for your lifestyle.

JCPenney Holiday Fashions for the Family

December 17, 2013 by Melissa

What are the holiday fashion plans for you and the family? JCPenney has options for everyone to stay within your budget while maintaining style and comfort.

Do you keep it casual? Do you take the opportunity to dress up everyone for a rare family photo? Do you coordinate all the outfits for let each person’s style come through? Whatever you decide JCPenney has choices for every member of the family for head to toe.

The babies and kids stay stylish while maintaining an appropriate look for their age in patterns and designs that fit the season perfectly.

Baker by Ted Baker Floral Dress $32
Joe Fresh Animal Sweater $20
Joe Fresh Waffle Knit Zip Sweater $25
Joe Fresh Velvet Slip On Shoes $12
Joe Fresh Bow 2-piece Hat Set $10
Olsenboye Illusion Dress $48

It’s time for Mom, Dad and the Grandparents to put away the comfort and dazzle the rest of the family with choices that stand out and make a statement.

Liz Claiborne Faux Wrap Sweater Dress $50
Liz Claiborne Necklace $78
Nicole by Nicole Miller Tamie Convertible Flap Crossbody Bag $44
St John’s Bay Flannel Shirt $30
Clairborne Argyle Sweater $40
Stafford Scarf $40
MSK Belted Filigree Dress $75

This is just a sampling of all the smart, chic and stylish choices that can be found on JCPenney.com or in your local stores.

Join #SearsHoliday Twitter Party 12/17 12pm CST

December 16, 2013 by Melissa

Join the Better Than Free Shipping #SearsHoliday Twitter party 12/17 12pm CT! To RSVP and have a chance to win one of the prizes, make sure you do the following:

– Follow the host @Sears, as well as co-host @SearsDeals.
– Retweet one of the promotional tweets below announcing the party.

Finished your shopping? Good. Now join our #SearsHoliday Twitter Party tomorrow at 12pm CT! $200 in prizes RT to RSVP http://shout.lt/nT1S

Doesn’t get better than FREE SHIPPING! Join our #SearsHoliday Twitter Party 12/17 @ 12pm CT. $200 in prizes RT to RSVP http://shout.lt/nTGT

– Participate in the conversation when it occurs Tuesday, December 17th at 12:00PM CST by answering questions and chatting to others under the #SearsHoliday hashtag. Make sure you use #SearsHoliday or we won’t be able to see your replies!

The winners will be selected as the party goes on, but if any of the above criteria are missing you will be unable to claim your prize. If you are announced a winner, simply reply that you ACCEPT the prize and a Sears Holding rep will be in contact with you via DM for the next steps.
Hope to see you at the #SearsHoliday party!

Holiday Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

December 16, 2013 by Melissa

Are you looking for some inexpensive holiday gifts or stocking stuffers? Do you need some ideas for last minute guests, hostess gifts or even tokens for someone you forgot? This list is chock full of suggestions for just about anyone on your list. Kids, grandparents, foodies, teachers or teens would be excited to receive just about anything from this list.

Harmonica
I’ve never heard a bad note come from a harmonica. Give the gift of music for all ages.

YoYo
Release the inner 8 year old with a classic toy.

Cookie Cutters
Choose from basic shapes as an introductory set for a new baker.

Fork Chops
The best of both worlds; chop sticks on one end and a knife and fork on the other.

iPhone Button Stickers
Personalize your iPhone even more by adding decoration to your button with these dots. Choose from hippy, artsy, sporty or more.

Cable Organizer
With the collection of smartphones, laptops, tablets, ereaders, mp3s and everything that has a cord know they are easily accessible with a cord holder.

Astronaut Ice Cream
Who can say no to dessert. This amazing freeze dried ice cream is sure to please palates and make someone smile even if it doesn’t taste good.

Explanation Bandages
No need to explain what happened when you sport these self-explanatory bandages on your boo-boo.

Movie Film Sticky Notes
Transform anything into a scene from Hollywood with this transparent movie film sticky note roll.

Dandelion Tote Bag
Carry groceries in pretty style with a hand printed tote.

Hedgehog Dryer Balls
Get the fluffiest towels and less wrinkled jeans with these spiky critters tossed in your dryer.

Toast Coasters
Playful toast shaped coasters come packaged like a loaf of bread.

Plunger Pencil Holder

Everything in their place and a place for everything like this plunger pencil holder

Fancy Socks
Everyone wears sock so why not wear cool and funky ones

Metallic Colored Pencils
Make your doodles and drawings a touch more special with these soft metallic pencils.

Cable Photo Holder
This cable photo holder is a space saver plus a money saver, no more frames to buy.

Owl Hook
Hang your keys, hat, towel or dog leash from this whimsical but sturdy hook.

Photo Props
Make every photo a special one by adding a special touch like a bow tie or mustache

Toothbrush Holder
Help keep toothbrushes clean and out of the way with these adorable holders that suction to the mirror

Deer Cupcake Picks
Keep the foodie keep the food festive with these picks of deer with antlers.

Which of these above gift ideas would be a great match for a special person in your life?

Holiday Traditions Twitter Chat with Personal Creations

December 16, 2013 by Melissa

Let’s get in a last minute Twitter Chat on Monday, December 16th at 1pm ET. Personal Creations, The Divine Miss Mommy and Jolly Mom will be sharing our favorite holiday traditions and of course – it wouldn’t be the holidays without some gifts!

Twitter Party Details

What: #PCholiday Twitter Party

When: Monday, December 16th at 1pm ET

Where: Twitter

Hashtag: #PCholiday

WHO TO FOLLOW:

Co-hosts: @StacieinAtlanta and @JollyMom

Brand: @PCgifts

Prizes: Eight (8) $50 Personal Creations Gift Cards

RSVP: Please RSVP HERE with your Twitter Handle and Twitter Handle URL.

Xbox One, Forza Motorsport 5 and M&M’s Under The Tree

December 15, 2013 by Melissa

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client.

Shaun loves his Xbox 360 and plays it every single chance he gets so I am really excited for Christmas morning so I can see his face when he opens up his brand spanking new Xbox One and Forza 5. I must admit that I’m also pretty excited for him to open up his Xbox One so I can hook it up and him and I can play Forza Motorsport 5 together. Shaun and I have been playing Forza 4 together on the Xbox 360 and I know we are going to love playing Forza 5 together with the new graphics on the Xbox One.

Melinda and I went to our local WalMart last night and picked up Forza Motorsport 5 and while we were there we also picked up a bag of Peanut Butter M&M’s as well as a ton of other stuff. Shaun loves candy almost as much as he loves Xbox (just like his father, LOL) so we are going to wrap up the M&M’s as well and put them under the tree. I can see him now on Christmas morning playing his Xbox and eating M&M’s, LOL. That is what I snack on when gaming or watching TV so who can blame him for wanting the do the same plus it’s Christmas so we’ll give his a pass on eating candy so early in the morning.

Christmas is 10 days away and thank goodness for that because I have been wanting to give Shaun his Xbox One since I picked it up on Black Friday. Thankfully Melinda stepped in otherwise Shaun would have nothing else to open on Christmas except for his M&M’s, LOL.

Come on Christmas. I am patiently waiting for you but I must admit my patients are wearing thin as I am overly excited for the 25th to arrive.

One cool thing that WalMart is doing is called Buy, Snap and Redeem. It’s a pretty cool promotion and here are the details:

Buy Forza 5 game
Buy participating M&M’s products (+ Participating products include: M&Ms Peanut 42oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Milk 42oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Peanut Butter 38oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Pretzel 30oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Peanut 19.2oz Large Laydown Bag, M&Ms Milk 19.2oz Large Laydown Bag, M&Ms Peanut Butter 18.4oz Large Laydown Bag, M&Ms Pretzel 15.4oz Large Laydown Bag.)
Snap a photo of qualifying items on the receipt on your phone and text it to 811811
Redeem: You will receive a text back with a reward code valid for a $10 eGift card to Walmart.

I like that Walmart is texting back a $10 eGift card just for buying the game and M&M’s. I love gaming, M&M’s and we shop at Walmart ALL of the time so to me this is a win win. I took a picture of my receipt last night showing my purchase of the M&M ‘s as well as Forza Motorsport 5 and I text it over to 811811 and within minutes I received a text back saying that my receipt has been submitted for processing and that I can expect a confirmation text within 48 hours, sweet.

So now I will just sit back and wait for my $10 eGift card for Walmart to arrive. I am sure that once I do receive it I will just spend it on either more Xbox stuff or more M&M’s either way it’s $10 well spent.

Also be sure to participate in the Pixel Art Instagram competition.

In order to participate, create your own Pixel Art using M&M’s (R) candies and snap an Instagram Photo. It should be video game and/or racing inspired to celebrate the launch of the new game Forza 5 (think your favorite characters, race cars, car logos, game symbols, weapons, gaming systems etc). Be creative and have fun!

Tag your image with #FueledByM AND #Contest and post the image on Instagram and Twitter. You can enter up to 3 times per day!!!!

One lucky Pixel Artist will win a new Xbox One and Gaming is better with M pack including the Forza 5 Motorsport game and a 14 oz bag of M&Ms(R). Contest runs Dec. 4th – Dec. 18th and winner will be chosen at random.

Here is my work of art that I submitted for the Pixel Art Instagram Competition.

Hallmark Coupon for the Holidays

December 10, 2013 by Melissa

Just in time for holiday shopping get your Hallmark Coupon for $5 off purchases of $10 or more.

Hallmark is a shopping destination for the holidays for more than just greeting cards. Gifts, storybooks, festive decor and memory keeping tools are on many wishlist why not shop for everything in one place.

get $5 off your $10 or more purchase at your local Hallmark Gold Crown Store with this printable coupon. Just click the coupon below to take you to the printable coupon.

*not valid for online purchases at Hallmark.com. Expires 12/24/2013.

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