Black Friday Giveaway In the Works and First Announcement

So  I am a huge fan of Black Friday and I love the holidays as well.  I am organizing a huge giveaway for you all to help you get some of your holiday shopping out of the way.  The giveaway winner will be drawn and notified on Black Friday.  I have huge goals for myself to be able to giveaway some great products.  So far the following are on the table:

1.  Initials Inc (I loved their products so much that I started selling them myself!!)  I will be sponsoring this giveaway item and am not yet sure what it will be.
2.  Mad K's Creations--hat
3.  Love1111--$10 GC
4.  Tea Company--(I am super excited about this one because they are my FAVORITE children's clothing!!!)
5.  Homespun Soaps
6.  Tupperware (through rep Kristi Boylan)
7.  Passions
8.  Shabby Girls Boutique (this is another one that I am super excited about)

I am hoping to keep getting more sponsors.  Wish me luck and I will keep you updated as more sponsors sign on and as they add their prizes if they have not announced them yet.
 

Curious About Labor Day, I Was

So I know that most people know that today was Labor Day.  The odd thing to me was that I really didn't know much about labor day when I started thinking about it.  I mean, I knew the basics, I knew what it was for and I knew what it meant but I was not sure about the rest.  I did not know the exacts as to how it was started or why, so I set out on a mision to find out more information.

Of course I knew that the labor movement was behind the start of Labor Day and that it falls on the first Monday in September.  I learned that the meaning was to celebrate both the economic and social achievements of workers in America.  I knew that it was celebrating the economic achievements but I was not sure that it was about the social contributions of Americans in the workforce.  What do you think about this?  As a freelance writer I get to celebrate being an employee as far as the eonomy goes but I really do not get to celebrate the social aspects of having a job.  Sometimes I miss these and today I spent some time reflecting what I missed about them.

There is no accurate record of who started the first Labor Day. There are speculations but no one gets credit becaue the records just are not that clear.  Although Labor Day had been celebrated before it was not officially considered to be a holiday until between 1885 and 1886. 

Today we celebrate Labor Day nation wide giving employees in most positions with a day off of work to celebrate.  There are still a lot of employees who find themselves working but no union labor jobs are working unless for overtime.  Plus most professionals have the day off unless called in for an emergency of one type or another.

So what are your thoughts on Labor Day??

Mine are that I think that it is a great thing for employees to be celebrated.  It really does not matter what job someone has as we are all contributing to society.  Some people might choose to look down on one career or another but instead of doing this you should be looking at those employees and thinking about the contributions that they are making to your society.  In stating your society I am simply referring to what you think about the different aspects of how each of these jobs affects you.  I am thankful for all employees around the US that help to make my amazing life possible and I would love to hear what you are thankful for today as well.

Review Tupperware

Today Tupperware has come a long way from where it was when you probably most remember it.  One of the things that I love the most about today's Tupperware is that it offers you the ability to do everything that you could ever imagine.  You can easily get yourself organized or even help yourself to more easily prepare meals.  There are so many products that I love from Tupperware that I would love to share a few with you.

Kristi Boylan is one amazing Tupperware lady and someone who has become a good friend of mine.  I love the idea of supporting this mom of six's home based business because I know that the money that I spend is helping this like minded mommy to take care of her family. 

Today's Tupperware has products for everyone's budget and when you shop online there are a variety of exclusive gifts for you to choose from. 

The Classics are all of those things from Tupperware that you probably remember from when you were a kid.  These are the items that made Tupperware popular and are something that you will enjoy being able to use.

Here are some of my favorite classics:

The Midgets which cost you just $15.



The Bell Tumblers with Sipper Seal Domed Lids that will cost you $24.  Right now there is an online special on these for just $14.50.


Classic Rattle Shape Sorter and Counting Toy is just $29! 



The Cook's Tools are all of the things that you need to help you cook and prepare your meals.

I love how the Ice Cream Scoop actually cuts through even the most solid frozen ice cream.



The Freezer section will give you products that you can use in your freezer.

 I love the new ice cube trays with lids and think that they would double as one of the best ways to freeze your extra baby food into one ounce cubes for your little one to eat.  The cost is $29 for two and you will never have funky smelling ice again because they offer a specail odor seal.



The Cutlery and Cook-Ware section is one that you might not be familiar with when you are thinking of the Tupperware brand.

I would love to have the Universal Series Kitchen Knives Complete 7 Piece Set, it looks awesome and in particular I love how each knife is stored in its own little blade protecting case.  The price is really good when you consider that Tupperware still offers the lifetime warranty on all of their products.  The cost for the complete set is $189.



Today there are more products offered in the Kids section than ever before.

I am a big fan of the Early Ages Eco Complete Baby Set for $39,



the Boys Eco Lunch Set for $45,



the Hello Kitty Lunch Solutions Set for $49,



and the Kids in the Kitchen Baking Set for $45.



There are Kitchen Compliments that will add to anyone's kitchen no matter what level you enjoy cooking on.

A beginner cook will appreciate the step by step instructions of the cookbooks, like the Smart Meals Recipe Book for $15,



while the more experienced chef is sure to appreciate things like the Tupperware Fresh Herb Planter System for just $19.50.



The Lunch Solutions will show you some of the above choices for kids while there are additional choices for adults like the Healthy Salad on the Go Set for $25.



The Microwave area is going to feature all of the products that you can use in the microwave.

The Micro Steamer is one of my most favorite kitchen tools.  I love that you can cook rice in the bottom while steaming your veggies right on top.  Plus at $29, it is a very affordable option as well.




The area labeled On the Go is the area in which you would find everything that you need to travel and be on the go.

The Mega Tumbler is on my shopping list because I know that I will be able to get the water that I should be drinking in when I use it.



The Preparation section is where you will go to find all of the tools that will help you prep your foods for meals.

The Smooth Chopper is what I had the priviledge of reviewing.  I say priviledge because this handy tool that costs $59 and is currently on special for $35 is awesome.  It does a variety of things and I have found that I use mine much more than I would have thought.  Not only do I use it to chop but I also use it to whip.  I made whipped cream for our strawberries the other night with this awesome tool.  I have also made smoothies in it with frozen fruit and juice.  The smoothies were a bit chunky for my taste so I think that I should have kept chopping them for a bit longer.  My kids even love helping with this tool although I did discover that they did not pull the cord straight but down instead.  It actually wore a small groove into the plastic where they were pulling it so this is something for you to watch for if you are using it.  Make sure that you are able to pull the cord straight out and I am sure that you can avoid this one.

I thought that I had taken pictures of the completed products, I made salsa one day in it and I made the smoothie and whipped cream but I could not find them on my card.  I am not sure if my kiddos accidentally deleted them or what. 

The Refridgerate section provides an area where you can find all of the solutions for your refrigerator. 

I love the idea that they now feature a Water Filter Pitcher for just $49.  So comparable to the price of other water filter pitchers and actually something that you can have the full lifetime warranty on as well.



The Serve section features all of the products that you can use to serve your guests food and beverages.  There are new items that are more classy than the plastic ones from before.

I love the Serving Center Set and could see using it for a variety of different items.  It costs $45.



Then there is the Tupperware Chic Dining Cocktail Collection with Wine Charms and you can get them all for $149.



The Storage area features all of the storage solutions that you could use in your home.  If I had a million dollars all of my pantry and cabinet shelves would be lined with these containers.

The Super Cereal Storer is just $19 and a great way to get more life out of your cereal if you are slow cereal eaters. 



The Gift Sets collection has a variety of gift sets that you can use.

The Pasta Party Basics Set includes a variety of items that are needed for you to be able to make a great pasta dish, there are three different sets to choose from that range in price from $44-$99.



As you can see I love me some Tupperware and I know that you will too.  The best part is knowing that you are buying something that is going to last you a lifetime.  It is replaceable and something that you will definitely be able to get your money worth.





 

Mom-Spotted Giveaway: Contours Bassinet, Three Wheel Stroller, or Tandem Double Stroller

That's right!  Mom Spotted is offering this amazing giveaway.  You can win your choice of a Contours tandem double stroller, a Contours three wheel stroller, or a bassinet.  This would not only be perfect for any mom out there who needs a little something special and new for their baby but would also be great for someone who wanted to have an awesome shower or new birth gift for any of hteir friends.

If you are curious as to what these products look like I will share some pictures with you.

Controus Classique 3 in 1 Bassinet in neutral or pink



Contours Options LT Tandem Stroller



Contours Options Three Wheel Stroller



 

Things I'm Thankful For

I'm starting something new to try & be more upbeat & positive.

1. Having a healthy & happy immediate family

2. Being able to spend so much time enjoying my mom & dad

3. Unexpected friendships

4. My church family

5. Women that I can look up to as positive role models

6. All of my great friends

Christmas Traditions

That's right I'm preparing for Christmas, making my shopping list & doing everything I can to start getting gifts out of the way.

I have a few Christmas traditions & I will be blogging through the holidays.

Tradition 1--Santa does not wrap! After an unfortunate incident with my oldest when he was three & questioned why Santa & mommy had the same wrapping paper I decided Santa was no longer going to wrap.

Tradition 2--handmade stocking stuffers, that's right I'll be making some of my kids' stocking stuffers. This year I plan on painted letters to spell their names in their new rooms & initial photo ornaments.

Tradition 3--a new one! Instead of having an Avent calendar I will be placing twenty four books under the tree. I will start youngest to oldest & we will open a new book each day, Then we will read a story before bed each night.

Christmas Eve Tradition 4--new pjs to open

Tradition 5--Santa brings one gift, mom & dad give one gift, & you get a gift from each sibling.

So I am preparing for many things. I'd love to hear what you are preparing for.

Recipe--Delicious Cheesy Stuffing Side

Okay so this is definitely not considered "home" made in my opinion but when you are in a pinch for a side and you need something this is so yummy!!

6 Tbs butter, melted and divided
1 box chicken flavored stuffing mix
1 can of Progressive starters in any flavor that you choose (I prefer the parmesan basil one)
1 pckg cheese slices (I used swiss!)

Preheat oven to 350.  Pour 2 Tbs butter in the bottom of a glass casserole dish.  Spread half of the stuffing mix over the butter.  Lay the package of cheese slices over the top of the mix.  Pour the  can of Progressive starter over the stuffing mix.  Pour the rest of the stuffing mix over the top and drizzle the remaining 4Tbs of butter over the top of this.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Not only is this delicious it is so simple and something we all can do in a pinch when we need a side to serve at the last minute.  It would be good for you women out there that have hubbies who call last minute for entertaining as well.