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Back to School with Personalized Products (Giveaway)

Posted on August 19, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Hello, my name is Beth and I am addicted to Back to School supply items. Perhaps it is from my time in the classroom teaching, having young kids, or maybe there is just something special about new goodies for heading back to school. Times sure have changed a lot. Now, you can personalize items for yourself, your child, a special teacher, or anyone else thanks to Tiny Prints.

As part of a Global Influence campaign, I was reminded to check out the products that Tiny Prints has to offer this year. With my little guy heading to kindergarten, I am on the look out for something cute to make him smile, know how loved he is, and to surprise him. I love that they have lunch box notes that would be perfect.

There are options that would be great for boys, girls, and all different age groups if I wanted to toss one in that would not embarrass my fourth grade son. In addition to this, I could get something as a welcome back to school gift teachers. Tiny Prints has stationary and stickers that this teacher would have loved to write notes to parents. Sure they often call home or e-mail, but personal notes are still a classy way to go. Teacher stationery would be great or even some custom stickers and labels.

I think I will be ordering some of the adorable notes to send to JSL along with their Super Cute Hero stickers and other items because they will make me happy when surprising my kindergarten kid.

Giveaway Time:

The folks at Tiny Prints would like to give you the opportunity to do some Back to School Shopping with a $50 promo code and free shipping. You can select the items that would work well for your family. I only mentioned some of the Tiny Prints Back to School items – there are many others to check out as well. Please note promo code excludes calendars, photo books, Erin Condren notebooks & planners, and gift certificated.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Visit the Back to School page and come back here to let me know which specific item you would buy with your promo card and why.

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 – Visit the Back to School Page, click through to your favorite product page and pin your favorite item on Pinterest. Be sure to use the #TinyPrintsBTS in the description and come back here to leave a link with your pin.
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway: #Giveaway for $50 code for @TinyPrints from @TheAngelForever to celebrate Back to School time http://bit.ly/PutYHm #win #TinyPrintsBTS (May be done once a day – leave link to Tweet in comment below for new entry)
1 Bonus Entry – Follow TheAngelForever and Tiny Prints on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter name below.
1 Bonus Entry – Visit the Back to School page on Tiny Prints, click through to your favorite product page, use the Tweet button to send a tweet. Leave a link to your Tweet here in the comments below.

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins August 19, 2012 and ends August 31, 2012 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter (you will need a Twitter account), 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 US residents only.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a compensated Global Influence campaign. I will be receiving a promo code from Tiny Prints to thank me for my time.

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Adventures in Amazing World

Posted on August 13, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

When I was in fifth grade, my teacher Mr. D introduced me to the world of Carmen Santiago. I was on a mission around the world learning about people, places, and things. I was able to problem solve with friends to apprehend this notorious fugitive all while at an old style Apple computer while playing a game. Later on, my parents bought a game where I was a surgeon. I had to read about my patients health conditions and then help them to get better. Games allowed me to gain confidence in my problem solving skills, and use of technology.

All of these moments helped change my world. I was sold on the benefits of educational gaming. My views grew stronger as I used games while tutoring children who were reluctant readers. Then, I found games that helped to reinforce content in my own classrooms. Now, as the mother of a soon to be kindergartener and fourth grader, I allow my children to use them as well.

Of course, finding games that I am comfortable with is not always easy. Many are violent, filled with more game than learning and/or problem solving skills. I often rely on word of mouth from my friends, or a great campaign opportunity to introduce me to something I had never heard of. Thanks to Global Influence, I recently found out about a new game for children called Amazing World by Ganz Studios.

Since I have been looking for a new game for my oldest son to try, I allowed NHL to test out the free version of Amazing World. Once we downloaded the game, we were transported into the virtual world full of Zings. If you were curious, Zings are the citizens of Amazing World that are able to be named, customized, and get challenged along their adventure. NHL named his generic free Zing – Agent Z (homage to Agent P) and he was off. Within minutes, he was hooked. He was laughing at the interactions with other characters. The 3D colorful and fun environment within Amazing World engaged him like I have not seen in a while. I loved that he was reading, solving puzzles, and navigating throughout the world. He was thrilled to locate new items, collect prizes, and figure out how to build his own home for Agent Z.

In addition to the free version of Amazing World, you can also register Amazing World plush toys or figures (Zings). They will then come to life in your game and allow you to use an exclusive item within the world.

The full subscription to Amazing World also allows players to have full access to the gaming world. The free trial account limits you to the first 20 levels (there are 50), only four friends on your friend list, access to only four Amazing World hosts, and limited items that you can buy in the World Shop. NHL quickly realized that there were items that he could not do, but was okay with it now. I have to admit, with his love for the game, we may invest in the subscription to allow him to have more fun within this world (his birthday is this Friday).

Check out the video to see a bit more about Amazing World:

Giveaway Time:

The folks at Ganz would like to help a child in your life to get started expanding the fun in Amazing World. One lucky reader will receive two Amazing World toys. To enter, you must have a Twitter account and tell the world about the Amazing World game. You must use the hashtag #AmazingWorldGame and mention that the game is free to play within your Tweet. An example:

Come discover and explore Amazing World, a new free-to-play 3D virtual world full of challenges and fun! #AmazingWorldGame

***Do not forget, once you Tweet, please be sure to come back here and link to your entry Tweet in the comments below. This will be the only way that I can track entries and contact the winner.

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins August 13, 2012 and ends August 23, 2012 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter (you will need a Twitter account), 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 US residents only.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a compensated Global Influence campaign. As someone who understands the value of computer based video gaming for children, it was fun to learn and watch my son enjoy something so much. Now, I just hope he will allow me to explore some as well. Ganz will not be held liable for any problems during the administration of the contest, but they are responsible for fulfilling prizes to the winner.

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The New Face of Social Gaming – Tail Towns

Posted on July 31, 2012 10:16 pm by TheAngelForever

When you log onto your Facebook account what do you see? Do you notice friends and colleagues involved in games with icons that catch your eye and wonder what they are? I know that when I log onto my Facebook page I see a lot of this. Over the years, it has changed quite a bit. When I started, there were games to garden and tend to plants. Then, strategy games with words became very popular.

These days social gaming has grown in leaps and bounds. According to a 2011 Popcap Games Social Gaming Research (September 2011), the numbers show a major trend where people are playing more often and for longer periods of time. Popcap’s study showed dramatic changed in one calendar year. Those who play several times a day went from 36% to 44%. The number of people that place over six hours per week more than doubled from 7% to 15%. With the increase of mobile devices, it is not surprising to see numbers change since people can check in with their friends on the go more and devote down time to gaming when home.

Thanks to Global Influence, I recently heard about a new Facebook game called Tail Towns that intrigued me. It isn’t everyday that you hear about a game that is free, has photo-like graphics, and is filled with drama that likens itself to a juicy soap opera tale. While playing briefly the other day, I uncovered a snafu with some of the characters that meant my poor critter was sent packing from an orchard and had been scolded. No doubt, I will uncover more as I have more time to explore. Yes, Tail Towns allows you to create a getaway where you can customize your home in the country and more.

You can also buy Tail Towns figurines like the one below. When you register to secret code online within your game, you will receive rewards and hidden storylines for your specific character. Yes, this will help to add to the drama of the game and grow the tale that unfolds before your eyes.

For more information, Tail Towns has a blog, they also have a fan page on Facebook, and you can also get a taste of the action by watching this fun video:

The folks at Ganz World would like to help you to get started with your adventure in Tail Towns. One lucky reader will receive a Tail Towns figure from the first series. To enter you must have a Twitter account and Tweet the following:

Describe your ‘dream garden’ or ‘country getaway’ using the HASHTAG #TailTowns.

Once you Tweet, please be sure to come back here and link to your entry Tweet.

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins July 31, 2012 and ends August 10, 2012 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter (you will need a Twitter account), 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 US residents only.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a compensated Global Influence campaign. As someone who enjoys social gaming, it was fun to learn more about this dramatic and unique game that continues to intrigue me. Now I hope to find more time to experience more of the fun myself.

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Photo Gifts for Mother’s Day

Posted on April 15, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Mother’s Day is coming and TechyDad keeps asking me what I would like. To be honest, a nice quiet day with the boys is what I would really enjoy. Just doing something special that does not involve the circus like last year (we literally went to the circus). Of course, I know that we are trying to show the boys that we give some gifts to each other and they are not the only gift receivers. Two items that I have been thinking of were personalized cell phone case or a photo mug.

Thanks to a campaign from Global Influence, I now have a few new items that may be on my list. Shutterfly’s collection of photo gifts has really grown. Of course, they have a great selection of mugs that you can personalize like this tiled one below. They also have a nice selection of iPhone cases, but nothing that will work with my Droid Bionic. Perhaps they would be good options for Father’s Day for Papa.

What I was not expecting were fun new bags, different wall art options, fleece blankets, personalized puzzles, and many other items. The new items within the photo gift section of their website has grown a lot in recent months.

With all of the sales right now, these photo gifts would not only make great Mother’s Day presents, but also nice items to put away for Father’s Day, graduation presents, birthdays, and beyond. To keep up on all that Shutterfly has to offer be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

So, what are you asking your family to get you for Mother’s Day? I would love to know what you have in mind. I think I am going to go for a fun new mug with photos from our upcoming trip to Disney World!

It's Me

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a compensated Global Influence campaign. As someone who enjoys finding unique gifts for family and friends, I love the new selection of items that I will be able to pick from with my Shutterfly gift certificate. Global Influence Network

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gift ideas holidays me moments photos sponsored post TechyDad

The Together Counts Pledge

Posted on April 2, 2012 5:51 pm by TheAngelForever

Living in the snow region of the country, we have to be creative in getting active as a family. Now that it is spring, it is a lot easier. The kids love to head to the park with us. We wander around the playground, head onto trails, wander in the hedge mazes and more.

NHL is 8 and is much more aware of being active, eating healthy foods, and junk foods in moderation. He actually started going to his school’s Just Run club. The kids also know that I wear a pedometer to try to track my activity. Both of the boys think it is a lot of fun to compete with our walks and see if we can beat our last pedometer adventure. This summer, I am sure we will be doing even more treks to try to visit places and save money on gas for the car.

Together Counts is a program for everyone. The goal is to help to inspire families to lead healthy and active lives. Energy Balance is a key element and major principle of the program. Quite simply, this means that the calories that we eat are the ones that we burn. Together Counts brings together 195 retailers, food/beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods stores, insurance companies, non-governmental organizations, and professional sports organizations to get the message across. For additional information, head to the Together Counts website learn more and take their pledge on finding balance and moderation.

Together Counts is having a sweepstakes right now on their Facebook page to celebrate their first anniversary. Prizes include gift cards, George Foreman Grills, and a membership to Anytime Fitness. Of course, Together Counts is also on Twitter and Pinterest. Tomorrow evening, April 3, be sure to join Together Counts as they celebrate Child Nutrition Month during a Twitter party from 8-9 EST. Prizes include $50 same-as-cash gift cards. There is more information and to RSVP over at Resourceful Mommy.

So have you made the Together Counts pledge yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

It's Me

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a compensated Global Influence campaign. As someone who strives to find balance, I love the principles behind Together Counts and am happy to share this with my readers.

Global Influence Network