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Playing Santa with Personal Creations #pcholiday

Blog Post Disclosure Bannertrackable pixelPersonal Creations is helping me play Santa this year.  With some family members that already have everything shopping can be difficult.  Going the personalized route is always a good choice. It ensures the gift will be unique and a perfect fit.

My parents never need anything but I always want to give them something to show my gratitude for everything thing they do  all year long.  My dad loves anything and everything that has to do with cooking and barbequing. I picked out these 2 items for him knowing he’d love them and knowing they’d become permanent fixtures in his kitchen.

The personalized Pepper Mill is made of eco-freiendly rubberwood and stands at over 13 inches tall.  The wooden carving board will serve as the perfect tool for all of my father’s dinners on the grill.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

The  doggies mean a lot to us and while we provide everything they need throughout the year I wanted to treat to something special for the holidays.  They have overtaken the blankets that sit on the back of the sofa rendering them useless for anyone else to use because they smell like dog.  The Dog Bone Fuzzy Blanket is soft and warm and fit 2 small dogs perfectly.  They’ve been good at avoiding our blankets since giving them their own blanket, I’m guessing because it’s always available to them.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

You didn’t think I forgot about gifting to myself did you?  Personal Creations is a great option for adding special details in my own kitchen.  I also love to cook and bake and like adding to my collection of gadgets and other useful items.  My own cutting board and wooden utensils seemed like an obvious choice.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

The back door was a little bare so I gave it a little style with this personalized door mat.  Coming in from a wet yard or deck just got a little safer in my kitchen.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

There’s still time to shop  for your own personalized gifts, ornaments and in time for the holidays. Personal Creations is offering 20% off all of your purchases through the end of December. Click here to start shopping and the 20% will be applied in your shopping cart.

Follow Personal Creations Blogger Board: Christmas Ideas on Pinterest




Shop At Home for the Holidays with #ThirtyOne plus #giveaway

Last summer I asked the Twitterverse for their recommendations for a beach/pool bag large enough for a family of 5. I got some expected answers, some brands shouting out their own goods and then a couple mentions of Thirty-One and the options they have. Do you think it was coincidence that 2 weeks later I stumbled on a table at a local 4th of July Festival and it was a local Thirty-One representative? The table was covered in gorgeous colors and patterns and options for any and every organizational, travel, storage issue ever imagined. This began my love affair friendship with Wendi. Shortly after this meeting I was invited to and attended her Open House where I got to see more items on display and in action all over her house.

thirty-one gifts, personalized bags, organized closet

I shopped that day and have been back numerous times since. My everyday wallet as well as small cosmetic case are permanent fixtures in my purse. My beach bag is their XXL Everyday Tote. This thing holds 5 beach towels, a Zippered Pouch of sunscreen, a Zippered Pouch for the iPad and phones and a thermal Tote for snack. Yes all of those things I mentioned are from Thirty-One.

I’m in love with the construction quality, ability to match patterns and the always changing designs and products. I know if they discontinue something (my wallet) I will be able to find something else I equally love.

new thirtyone patterns

Over the past two years with Thirty-One, I’ve helped hundreds of ladies get organized around the house and on-the-go. Our terrific line of personalizable bags, organizers, accessories, stationery and more has just what you need for the perfect thoughtful gift, or a little indulgence for yourself. I’m happy to share Thirty-One with you, and would love to help make your holiday shopping a little easier!

For me, Thirty-One is way more than an indulgence – it’s the source of income I need to keep me at home with my four-year-old son, Darren. For my hostesses, it is the free, half-price and exclusive products they get, while having much needed girl time with friends and family. For my customers, it is an amazing price for a stylish and functional item.

I love sharing Thirty-One, and I am loving my Thirty-One experience. How can I help you experience Thirty-One? Whether you’d like to do a little shopping, you’re thinking of hosting a home or catalog/online party, or you want to live the dream of a Thirty-One consultant… call or email me today!

Wendi Jacobs, Director
Thirty-One

Everyone knows someone who needs a little organization help. Everyone knows someone that loves a great storage tool. Everyone knows someone that would appreciate a stylish accessory for everyday.

Now’s your chance to win a $50 GC to spend with MY very own Wendi. Use it towards a purchase for you or a friend. Let me know what you find on Wendi’s Shopping Page that you would love to have. Be sure to include the pattern.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above. Please note the changes to the entries and frequency, entries that don’t follow rules may be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • SUBSCRIBE to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • SHARE this link on Facebook (I entered to win a $50 Thirty One GC from LookWhatMomFound..and Dad too! )
  • JOIN Wendi’s Thirty One Facebook Group for EXCLUSIVE contests,  giveaways, product news, usage ideas, photos and more….
  • FOLLOW Mom & Dad  on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (1 time per day), please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: I entered to win $50 @ThirtyOne GC#Giveaway from @lkwhtmomfound @anddadtoo http://bit.ly/OW2s7k 
  • ENTER another Giveaway – let us know which one in the comment (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)
  • COMMENT on any other Review/Our Life/Our Travels/Our Thoughts post, let us know where to find it

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Monday, November 12, 2012. The winners will be emailed and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Continental US residents only. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

I Disclose




We got our Holiday Cards!!!

Our holiday cards are ordered and received! Thank you Cardstore.com. Last year I was a complete slacker and never got around to ordering our photo cards. In the past I was on top of it, getting pictures taken of the kids early enough in the season to get them ordered and sent way before Christmas.

our holiday cards 2010

If it weren’t for Cardstore.com and their exceptional variety of designs and layouts plus super quick shipping I wouldn’t already have my cards in hand ready to address and ship. I was especially impressed to the ability to choose specific card layouts to suit my preference such as 3 or 4 picture collage or design style such as vintage or modern. Besides cards and announcements you’ll find a list of appealing gifts and stationery for anyone on your list.

I go with simple collage photo cards  but if you’re the crafty type check out the Embellished Card Kits for a little DIY action. Order the card you love, personalized with your photos and message then order the Holiday Accent Kit that best matches its design. At home assemble the cards with accents such as gems, felt appliqués or rubber stamps. Kits start at $6.49 with enough supplies for 24 cards.

I’m a note taker and a list maker so I was immediately drawn to the personalized photo notebooks. This is such a cute gift for someone long distance; it gives them a glimpse of those special certain someones with each draw of the pen.
With products such as personalized gift tags, mommy cards, wedding thank you cards, business cards and stationery, easily complete shopping for many people on your gift list this year.
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Holiday Wishlist 2010-Simon & Lucy My Story Necklace Giveaway

Gift giving should be from the heart whether it’s Christmas, Mother’s Day or a Birthday. Give mom the gift of love and honor this Holiday Season with a My Story personalized necklace from Simon and Lucy.

simon and lucy my story necklace

I design and hand stamp a collection that I call: the My Story collection. I love to design a piece for a person that encompasses everything important to them from the past, present and perhaps the future. It’s a unique process that allows me to learn a little bit about the person I am designing for in order to design a necklace just for them. Even if you don’t know where to start, I do and I will help you through the process and make it relatively painless for you.

It’s quite magical when my clients see their necklace and they start reminiscing as they look at each charm. I LOVE it and so do they!

All pieces are one-of-a-kind and created with you in mind.

A My Story necklace is a custom piece of jewelry that tells your story, your journey, your life, your future. Included are the details closest to you; children’s names, birthdates, symbols and more. Earlier in the year I received my own My Story necklace; it included of course my kid’s names, my nieces, my parents, a blue crystal to symbolize my birthstone and a special pendant for my mother, a very special person on my life.

my personal my story necklace

Simon and Lucy want to giveaway another My Story necklace (value $155) this season. Visit Simon and Lucy and tell me what you would include in your necklace. If you are giving this to someone else, what do you think they would include.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment or have it attached to you blogger dashboard. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links. Please note the changes to the entries or frequency, entries that don’t follow rules will be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Follow Mom and Dad and Simon and Lucy on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 1 time per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Personalized My Story necklace from @SimonandLucy #giveaway http://bit.ly/bHsoNT
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Simon and Lucy on Facebook AND share this giveaway including link on YOUR WALL.
  • Enter another Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway – let me know in a comment which one (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Sunday, November 28, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page. Previous winners of Simon and Lucy contests are not eligible to win.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Holiday Wishlist 2010 – Things Remembered Personalized Giveaway

Personalized gifts come from the heart. That’s why when Things Remembered approached me recently on a review and giveaway I jumped at the chance. We’ve all received a bridal party gift or shower favor that was emblazoned with the date of the event and the happy couple’s names but Things Remembered has sooooo much more. The holiday season is the best time to express your love, appreciation and gratitude for your loves ones, friends, coworkers and other special someones like teachers and clergy. Things Remembered has a slew of gifts for everyone on your list.

Something extra special that Things Remembered does each year is offer exclusive products that benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. The Resilient Heart Necklace sparkles with the joy of the season and displays a crystal heart at the center of a textured pendant. Also available is the Radiant Star Bracelet that features a crystal-bordered star charm, multiple intertwined chains and toggle closure. Both can be engraved with a name, date or special wish, and $2 from each purchase is donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

radiant star bracelet

I was able to personalize the Radiant Star Bracelet with a message for my grandmother. The message simply stated “Always In My Heart”. With many miles distancing us I wanted to give her a little reminder that I’m always thinking of her and miss her dearly each day.

radiant star bracelet for grandmom

Win your own Radiant Star Bracelet or any one of these other items complete with personalization for that special someone in your life,

Things Remembered Butterfly Compact
Things Remembered Digital Photo Key Chain
Things Remembered Playing Card Set
Things Remembered Make-A-Wish Necklace

Tell me which item you would choose and what would you have engraved.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment or have it attached to you blogger dashboard. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links. Please note the changes to the entries or frequency, entries that don’t follow rules will be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Follow Mom and Dad and Things Remembered on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 1 time per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Personalized Gift #giveaway from @TRemembered http://bit.ly/a2D1Jk
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Things Remembered on Facebook AND share this giveaway including link on YOUR WALL.
  • Enter another Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway – let me know in a comment which one (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Sunday, November 28, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page. Note: This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only. Winner must not have won a Things Remembered prize pack within the last 60 days.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Holiday Wishlist 2010 – Zazzle Custom Gifts $25 Giveaway

Do you have the perfect gift in your head for that person who has everything? Do you know the exact thing that will make them smile, laugh or cry? Are you having trouble finding that gift? Let Zazzle make that personalized or custom gift for you.
Zazzle is the world’s leading platform for quality custom products. Zazzle’s proprietary technology enables individuals, professional artists, and major brands, including Disney and Hallmark, to create and offer billions of unique products for customers worldwide. Zazzle’s rapidly expanding product base covers every topic imaginable and includes t-shirts, business cards, invitations, in addition to a variety of custom gifts. Upon creation, products are instantly and accurately visualized on the site and offered in the Zazzle marketplace.

This holiday season I gifted to myself this t-shirt

i'm totally tweeting this

I say this phrase often, usually as Rob or the kids are doing something funny, frustration or confusing. Sometimes I never actually make it to Twitter but it’s always what I think of first. This is what I consider the perfect gift. I’d like to get my brother a t-shirt that says Yes Chef! because he works in a professional kitchen. My mother goes by Mom-Mom with the grandkids, have you ever seen anything with Mom-Mom on it? Zazzle is the place to get that loving term of endearment or funny nickname on something like an apron, a tee, stationery or even a pair of shoes. Zazzle is offering the first ever customizable shoes. Choose your design and plaster it all over your favorite style of Keds.

custom christmas keds

This holiday season make it special with Zazzle custom designs and printing. Win a $25 GC by visiting Zazzle and leaving the link of something you would get.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment or have it attached to you blogger dashboard. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links. Please note the changes to the entries or frequency, entries that don’t follow rules will be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Follow Mom and Dad and Zazzle on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 1 time per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Let @Zazzle create the perfect gift, #WIN $25 GC http://bit.ly/biKn2H
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Zazzle on Facebook AND share this giveaway including link on YOUR WALL.
  • Enter another Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway – let me know in a comment which one (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Sunday, November 28, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Make your photos funky with BeFunky Photo Editing Subscription Giveaway – CLOSED

Ever get a great shot of the kids or beautiful scenery and know that just a regular picture won’t do it justice BeFunky.com lets you turn those shots into eye-catching artwork, gifts and projects.

BeFunky simplifies photo editing and effects for everyday people.
Marvelous Photo Effects
Choose from our constantly growing library of photo effects to turn your ordinary photos into extraordinary art with virtually no effort.
Smart Photo Enhancement
Photo editing made smart. Fix your common photo problems like bad lighting, digital noise, fuzzy colors and details with one click.
Design Goodies
Give your digital creations a whole lot of character with BeFunky Goodies. Add speech bubbles, frames and more…

I’ve been using BeFunky to give some of my pictures a special touch. Here is Sabreena the night of her 8th grade formal.

Here is what I did when playing around with that same picture. The plan is to get it printed on canvas and display in her room once it gets painted.

Here is a simple picture of Shaun and Shae walking down the street.  I added a vintage touch, making it look like a picture out of my grandmother’s frame.

The process of working with BeFunky is really easy, everything is one-click from color filters and exposure to adding effects like cartoonizer or watercolor, no need for any Photoshop experience at all. Once you have your photo where you like it saving or uploading to social networks like Flickr or Facebook is simple. User Friendly is definitely something they perfected. The FREE basic features allow for simpler photo adjustments but for just $4.95/month you’ll have access to all the awesome enhancements, adjustments and more.

Win a Professional subscription ($99.95 value) to BeFunky.com here at LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Visit BeFunky.com and play with the enhanced features and tell me which photo effect you liked best.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review, Family Story or Article; let me know where to find your comment.
  • Enter any other current Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Follow Mom and Dad and BeFunky on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway up to 3 times per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: #Win @befunky Professional photo-editing/enhancement sub ($99.95 value) @lkwhtmomfound @and_dad_too #giveaway http://bit.ly/9Ycq7L          
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and BeFunky on Facebook AND post about this giveaway on your wall. (include link to giveaway)
  • Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description the the contest and prize
  • Follow LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Monday,  August 30, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Personalized Gifts for Dads, Grads and Brides

Dads, Grads and Brides need gifts that have meaning but also purpose. Personalized Gifts is a one-stop shop for men and women of all ages for all occasions. Father’s Day is coming up and Rob was in dire need of a new leather money clip.

The Black Leather Credit Card Wallet with Money Clip from APerfectWallet.com is a full but lightweight wallet with money clip built in. The money slides easily in and out of the exterior clip without disturbing the credit cards that are nestled safe inside the exterior pockets. This has been a perfect alternative to his original standard money clip; no more pulling everything out just to pay a bill or shop. Rob stopped using a wallet a couple years ago when it just became a catchall for every receipt, store card and business card he picked up. The money clip helped him cut down on the bulk. APerfectWallet.com has supplied Rob with this wallet/money clip combo; a smarter version of the money clip what he had been carrying.

Personalized Gifts isn’t just for money clips and wallets. Wedding season is among us so it’s the perfect place to check out favors, place card holders and groomsmen gifts. Don’t forget the grads with a unique pen or cufflink gift to start their new life on the right foot.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




My Story Necklace from Simon and Lucy GIVEAWAY-CLOSED

Family is so important to me. My kids, my husband, my parents, my siblings and my new little nieces mean the world to me. My new “My Story Necklacepersonalized jewelry from Simon and Lucy represents all of these parts of my life in one lovely piece of jewelry.

Simon and Lucy was born out a mom’s desire to create something that represented the things that were most cherished to her; her children. With some hand-me-down tools and a bit of inspiration simple metal shapes and stamps are transformed into family trees and keepsakes.

I was given the opportunity to review a custom “My Story Necklace”. I give up some information about life and those that fill it and the jewelry was designed just for me. Each tag signifies something a little different.

  • Letter B for our last name and then the years of our anniversary and the kid’s birth
  • MomMom for my mother, she’s a very significant part of my children’s lives
  • A beautiful disaster of my the kid’s names, nieces names, my dad, grandfather and grandmother
  • My birthstone
  • Me and my siblings

It’s jingly sound is a pretty but casual touch to everyday. I’ve been stopped and asked what it was and asked to explain each tag and word and their meanings. The “My Story Necklace” is a unique option for mother’s and grandmother’s jewelry.

WIN your own “My Story Necklace” here at LookWhatMomFound..and Dad too!  What special moments/people/things in your life would you want represented on your custom “My Story Necklace”?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review, Family Story or Article; let me know where to find your comment.
  • Enter any other current Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Follow Mom and Dad on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 3 times per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Personalized “My Story Necklace” from Simon & Lucy #giveaway @lkwhtmomfound @and_dad_too http://bit.ly/9jqb6N
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description the the contest and prize.
  • Follow LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Thursday,  June 17, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




My Perfect Mother’s Day would be……

lying on a chaise lounge watching the kids frolic in the sand and surf with a fruity drink in my hand

In a perfect world my perfect Mother’s Day would be a surprise trip to Hawaii for 2 weeks where our plans consisted of pure indulgent laziness with an occasional excursion and massage thrown in. This dream is free of time commitments and financial burden so I’m free to imagine anything I want.

In reality I expect breakfast and a day of hanging around the house, maybe some yard work, flowers and handmade cards. Not a complaint from me at all. This is my life, the life I choose, the life I wouldn’t trade.

I’m a mom, I don’t know anything else. I have friends and family and the blog and other hobbies but mommyhood comes first. If given the chance to give it all up and do something else without any guilt I wouldn’t. What else is there? I suppose I could answer with securing a promising career or traveling the world first but without my babies what is the point.

I’m not the best mom in the world hell sometimes I’m not the best mom I could be but I embrace it completely and don’t regret a single moment, a single decision and single tear or a single gray hair.