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Shutterfly Best Gift Ever and Giveaway

Posted on April 22, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: I wrote this post for Shutterfly as part of a Global Influence campaign. I will be receiving a 16oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug and shipping as compensation for participating. Shutterfly is also supplying the same item for the winner of the giveaway below.

How do you tell someone all that they mean to you? This is something that many of us often take for granted. I have to admit that I am probably one of those people, especially with TechyDad.

TechyDad and I have been married for almost 12 year and all but two of them have included our boys. Not only does my husband go to work each and every day to provide for our family, he does so much more. He is a supportive husband who did not question my desire to leave the classroom to stay home with our boys. TechyDad is a fantastic father. He loves to play with the boys and expand their horizons in all of the items that he enjoys. Watching the boys all geek out together is priceless. In addition to this, my husband is also my webmaster and 99% of the time he is our cook (he enjoys it – go figure).

TechyDad loves to take photos. When we go out and about, he almost always has his camera in hand. Macro photos and now experimenting on his SLR camera mean we have lots of pictures. The funny thing, he does not have many updated photos of our family at work on his desk.

Over the years, we have purchased items from Shutterfly, including personalized gifts for our kids and other members of the extended family. I loved that they are meaningful and show a but more TLC when selecting the item. Right now, I would love to get TechyDad a mug for tea or a desk top plaque with new photos that he will cherish. Of course, I could also sit down with the boys and make him a new personalized photobook filled with memories (we have made Shutterfly books for the boys before).

With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation season among us, we can look at the fun personalized gift options available via the Shutterfly Best Gift Ever page.

Giveaway Time:

Thanks to this Best Gift Ever campaign with Shutterfly, one reader (US or Canada) will be able to make their own personalized 16oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug plus shipping.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Head over to the Shutterfly Photo Gifts page and let me know in the comments what your favorite item is that you would like to give or receive.

The following Bonus Entry may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comment each time you complete this item.

1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway (may be done twice a day): #Giveaway for a personalized 16oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug from @Shutterfly http://bit.ly/11Bj3hU #win #ShutterflyGifts

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins April 22, 2013 ends April 28, 2013 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 24 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected.

Open to US and Canadian residents only.

If you are on Twitter and would like more chances to win prizes from Shutterfly, join @ResourcefulMom on Monday, April 2^ndfor the Shutterfly Twitter Party. More information on Resourceful Mommy including the RSVP and prize information.

Additional Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign. As noted, we have already purchased several Shutterfly products before, and the opinion expressed is 100% my own.

Categories:
gift ideas giveaway sponsored post TechyDad

Sharing #ProgressOh! Moments (#Giveaway)

Posted on February 1, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Can you look back and think about a moment when you felt and even looked your best. You were genuinely happy. For me, it was months after my oldest son was born. TechyDad and I made a choice to change our eating habits and we worked out together. We both lost a lot of weight and had a lot of energy. Then. as many people can understand, things happened. I went back to work, we started years of searching for answers to questions about our kiddo, our second child was born, and suddenly we are here.

I know that I am the one in control of my destiny and ready to work on this again. My running shoes, apps, FitBit Zip, and other items are set to be tools for my goals. Exercise is a great way to get rid of stress, and I love eating fruits and vegetables. My body really does crave them. While the winter months are not friendly for some of these items, I look for other items. Progresso® soups are a favorite of mine. I like that there are 40 flavors available that have 100 calories of less per serving. These soups make me say Oh! because I feel like I am indulging in a comfort food that makes me happy.

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I also learned that Progresso is having a contest for the ultimate ProgressOh! Make-Oh-ver experience in Hollywood.

Three winners on the Progresso®Facebook page entry will receive:

Round-trip airfare for you and a guest to Los Angeles, California
4 day/ 3 night hotel accommodations
A head-to-toe makeover, including hair, makeup and a blue dress to get you ready for your own ProgressOh! moment in Hollywood
Two tickets to this season’s live finale of The Biggest Loser
$2,000 spending money

To enter you must:

Visit Facebook.com/Progresso
Complete an official entry form on the Progresso Facebook page
Share a photo
Tell Progresso why you love their soup
Tell them why you deserve a ProgressOh! makeover
Ends February 11, 2013

This contest is not associated with The Angel Forever, but my readers do have a chance to win something over here.

Giveaway:

MyBlogSpark sent me the following prize pack and one lucky winner will be selected randomly to receive the same package. 2 can of Progresso® soup (Light Creamy Potato with Bacon & Cheese and Light Chicken Pot Pie Style), Cosmetic bag, and compact mirror with brush.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Share what your ProgressOh! moment would be.

The following Bonus Entries may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each that you complete below to make sure you get the right number of entries.

1 Bonus Entry – Follow TheAngelForever on Twitter
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway (May be done three times a day): Enter to #win a #ProgressOh! prize pack from @TheAngelForever and #MyBlogSpark http://bit.ly/XccHTo #Giveaway
2 Bonus Entries – Like The Angel Forever on Facebook. Let me know you have done so here.
2 Bonus Entry – Like Progresso on Facebook and let me know you have done this in the comments.
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February. Leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done twice per day.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and/or add me to your blogroll. Be sure to leave a link with the location.
1 Bonus Entry – Head over to TechyDad’s blog and say hello to him. Let me know where you posted a comment. May be done once a day.

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins February 1, 2013 and ends at 10:59 EST on February 15, 2013. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I wrote this review as part of a MyBlogSpark campaign for Progresso®. My family received the complimentary prize pack and another will be provided to a winner of the giveaway. All opinions are my own and no other compensation has been given.

Categories:
giveaway looking back me moments

Shutterfly Photobooks for the Holidays (#Giveaway)

Posted on December 2, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I have always dreamed about scrap booking and used to make photo albums for our family. Then reality got in the way and I stopped. I would always be jealous of people that had made beautiful memory books for their children. In September, TechyDad and I spotted a really great deal for a Shutterfly Photobook. It was an 8×8 with 20 pages and you could design it with your own photos and text on the pages.

Late one night, we sat up and pulled photos together to make the books. Our plan was to give them to the boys for a night of Chanukah. The kids love looking at photos and this was going to be a book about our spring trip to Walt Disney World. When the books arrived, I have to admit we almost gave them to the boys. All these weeks later, the books are wrapped and ready to give to the kids. They will be an early Chanukah present left for them when we are away at the New Fantasyland event.

Now that we have made the books and seen what they look like in person, I can not wait to make more. They will make great holiday presents to share family events, trips, and other items. They can be about birthdays, weddings, and anything else you imagine. The books are the perfect size for grandparent brag books and to take away with you to share on new adventures. I also think they would make a fun present to a teacher to remember the school year and celebrations.

Giveaway Time:

Thanks to a Global Influence campaign with Shutterfly, two readers (US or Canada)will be able to make their own twenty page 8×8 Photobook to gift. Please note that shipping is not included, you will receive a code to make the book and have to pay for this on your own.

Check out this video below and then head to the giveaway information.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Watch the Shutterfly Photo Books: The Best Gift Ever video and comment on what scene in the video reminds you of a memory in your own life.
The following Bonus Entries may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each that you complete below to make sure you get the right number of entries.
2 bonus entries (leave a comment for each one) – Visit the Shutterfly Photobook page on their website (here) and let me know which is your favorite “style” and who you would make the book for. There are nine different categories in the styles, so have fun browsing.
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway: #Giveaway for 20 page 8×8 @Shutterfly Photobooks from @TheAngelForever to celebrate the holidays http://bit.ly/VjoIvv #win #SFLYPhotobook (May be done once a day – leave link to Tweet in comment below for new entry)
1 Bonus Entry – Follow TheAngelForever and Shutterfly on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter name below.

Open to US and Canadian residents only – remember shipping is NOT included with this prize.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign. As noted, we had already purchased several of their products before, and the opinion expressed is 100% my own. I will be receiving a promo code from Shutterfly to thank me for my time and make another one of their Photobooks.

Categories:
giveaway holidays Product review

Tuesday Tales – Marlow and the Monster (#Giveaway)

Posted on October 30, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Did you ever have a monster under your bed, in your closest, or in another location in your room? Perhaps you did not, but maybe a child in your life has this fear. Author and illustrator Sharon Cramer’s granddaughter and a familiar Disney monster movie were the inspiration for her latest book Marlow and the Monster.

Marlow and the Monster – Written and illustrated by Sharon Cramer – Talking Bird Books – August 2012 – ISBN 9780983943716 – Hardcover 40 pages – $14.95 (Also eBook of Marlow and the Monster available)

Marlow is a young boy who seems rather annoyed when a colorful monster keeps coming to his room. The monster keeps pestering Marlow and hides when he calls his mother to come help. Of course, nobody sees the monster who continues to bother Marlow. Eventually, Marlow figures out something to do that involves his little sister Sarah. She helps him to see the truth behind the monster and how he is not really that bad.

JSL, 5, and I read Marlow and the Monster together and we both really enjoyed it. JSL immediately was intrigued with the very different style of illustrations from Cramer. Although black and white may seem quite simple, the level of detail in these magnificent drawings are beyond anything I have ever seen in a picture book. You can tell that love was poured into each and every page of this book. JSL was also fascinated with finding a sweet little friend within each picture.

As a parent and teacher, I love that monsters are not portrayed as bad creatures. They are simply misunderstood and will help to ease fears that many children may have. Too many kids are afraid of monsters because of what they may hear from other kids and see within books and television programing. JSL and I talked about the monster and why Marlow may have been upset with him. Then we were able to chat about how it is important not to assume something about a “person” before you really get to know them. There are a lot of lessons that you can take from Marlow and the Monster. Of course, Sharon Cramer also has made a list of pointers to help children with their fear of monsters. We will be using this since JSL has been waking almost every evening with nightmares. Here is Sharon Cramer talking about some of the items during a television interview:

I know that we will now be checking out more of the books by Sharon Cramer, including her award-winning three-book series, Cougar Cub Tales. In addition to this, she is working on a Fantasy series called The Cerulean Star and just released her first full length novel, The Execution.

Marlow and the Monster Book Giveaway:

Author and illustrator Sharon Cramer would like one lucky reader to have a very special copy of Marlow and the Monster for someone in your life. Please be sure to see the rules listed within the Rafflecopter widget and below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section and Rafflecopter. Giveaway begins October 30, 2012 and ends November 14, 2012. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to US and Canada residents only.

Disclosure: I received the autographed book complimentary of Sharon Cramer and Talking Bird Books in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% my own. This giveaway is sponsored by Talking Bird Books who will fulfill the prize to the giveaway winner. Two Amazon Affiliate links are included in this post for the books in the giveaway. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy the book through that link.

Categories:
books giveaway Product review Tuesday Tales

Tuesday Tales – Linnea in Monet’s Garden (#Giveaway)

Posted on October 16, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a child, I adored spending time with older neighbors and learning from them. They taught me how to knit, love art, and many other things. In addition to this, I adored Claude Monet. For some reason, I fell head over heals in love with his water lilies. At about the time, I was ready to change my bedroom from rainbow hearts and a set based on Monet’s lilies was out. My parents got it for me for my birthday one year. I bought art to go on my walls and additional books about Monet. These items all went well when I had to write a report in French class during high school. I had Monet post cards, painting replicas, and a variety of books. I vaguely recall a book about a young girl going to visit Monet’s Gardens in France.

Fast forward to the day I received an e-mail from Sourcebook Jabberwocky letting me know that the book I could visualize in my collection was being released again for the 25th anniversary. Yes, Linnea in Monet’s Garden is back and even more beautiful than ever.

Linnea in Monet’s Garden – Written by Christina Bjork – Illustrated by Lena Anderson – Sourcebooks Jabberwocky – October 2012 – ISBN 9781402277290 – Hardcover 48 pages – Ages 4+ – $16.99

Imagine entering a beautiful world where you meet a young girl named Linnea and her upstairs neighbor Mr. Bloom. Together, the two have bonded over their admiration for the artist Claude Monet. They talk about his life, family, artwork, and more. As they chat, they talk about going to Paris together to visit Monet’s gardens. Bjork tells the tale of their friendship and adventure that is mixed with the beautiful illustrations by Anderson. In addition to this, there are photos of Monet, his work, and more.

The story gives readers a chance to learn about the Impressionist art movement, Claude Monet, and Paris. This blend of history and fiction is really a great starting point to introduce children to one of the great artists. Some of the most beautiful pages and memories of the book are when Linnea and Mr. Bloom are actually in Monet’s garden.

Although I can not find my original book, I know the new 25th Anniversary Edition of Linnea in Monet’s Garden is an improvement. I do not remember the colors being this vibrant, the pages being so big, and the experience being so touching. I am happy to report that my love for Claude Monet and his work has been revived and I look forward to sharing with with my boys. It will also be a great book to share over a break and add in some art projects in the Impressionist style.

Giveaway:

Sourcebooks is having a blog tour to help celebrate Linnea’s birthday. They are giving away a copy of the book and a Vera Bradley bad to one lucky person who enters the various giveaways. In addition to this, they would love one of my readers to also have the opportunity to take home a copy of the book. Comments left here for the initial entry before 10/25 will also be entered into the drawing for the prize from Sourcebooks.

Please be sure to see the rules listed within the Rafflecopter widget for details about my individual giveaway courtesy of Sourcebooks.

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section and Rafflecopter. Giveaway begins October 16, 2012 and ends October 24, 2012. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to US and Canada residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received Linnea in Monet’s Garden complimentary of Sourcebooks in order to facilitate this review. This giveaway is sponsored by Sourcebooks who will fulfill the prize to the giveaway winner. An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the book mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy the book through that link.