My daughter loves watching movies. While I limit TV time and make sure it's mostly educational, such as PBS, we do allow her to watch the occasional DVD after her homework is done.

We received recently a copy of Balloonatiks: The Collector's DVD. It includes several episodes about the adventures of the Balloonatiks - five ordinary teens mysteriously transformed into rubbery, shape-stretching super heroes. They take on any of the bad guys who dare to threaten Hot Air City. My daughter enjoyed watching the DVD, and asked to see it several times over the next few days. I found the animation well done and the music rather pleasant. I appreciated the sense of humor in the characters' names - Flator, Squeeker, Airbrain, Sparky, Bouncer and Leaky.

Produced in state-of-the-art CGI animation and a unique style of presentation, Balloonatiks: The Collector's Set is part of The Balloonatiks' catalog of entertainment for children, which already includes two paperbacks, a series of comics and games, and an interactive website. The Balloonatiks can be found on Facebook and Twitter as well.

The Giveaway
One person will win a copy of Balloonatiks The Collector's DVD!

To enter, please comment below who would be watching this DVD if you won.

 You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a copy of  Balloonatiks The Collector's #DVD! #Giveaway ends 9/15 @aitmama @balloonatiks #win #contests #kids http://tinyurl.com/29ju69b" – you may do this once a day;
• follow Balloonatiks on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 15, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. The winner will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours. Review product, related information, image and giveaway prize courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Congratulations to the lucky winners of the Foxy giveaway! The following comments were selected at random to receive a copy of this Pam Grier book, courtesy of Hachette Book Group:

#47 amweeks, #6 walkabout, and #34 aledol.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsor for providing the prizes.

I like to make sure that my kids are eating healthy. While this is not always easy, it's doable at home where I can decide what's goes on the table and in the pantry. When they are at school, I have no control over the cafeteria menu - and young kids don't always make the best food choices.

One way around that is to send their lunch from home. I came across a company that makes the mad morning rush easy and takes the guesswork out of packing lunch: EasyLunchboxes.com. The EasyLunchbox system includes a set of four Bento lunch box containers and an insulated lunch bag cooler. The containers are excellent quality, and stack together when empty as well as full. Made of non-toxic, food-safe polypropylene, they are BPA-free, phthalate-free and safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. Each container has a lid in a different color - very handy if you are packing several lunches at the same time and need to know who gets what container without having to open it.

The large compartment of the Bento box can easily hold a sandwich, wrap, grilled chicken strips, even a small salad. The two smaller compartments can be for cut up veggies or fruit, a boiled egg, some sort of dip, or crackers. The Bento boxes are large enough to pack an adult lunch as well as school lunches for kids. The large section holds 2.5 cups, the medium section - 3/4 cup, and the smallest section - 1/2 cup.

The lunch bag coolers that complete the EasyLunchbox system come in 5 colors: black, dark red, purple, olive, and aqua. I received the latter which is a very pretty shade of blue. The bag is very roomy and fits 3 Bento containers. That means you can take this cooler not just to the office or to school but also to a picnic and put three lunches in there! I highly recommend purchasing the lunch bags and the Bento boxes together because other small lunch boxes I own will not fit the containers horizontally. Of course, the containers close very well so this is a concern only if you prefer your Bento box fitting perfectly in the cooler - which I do. If you are packing a single lunch in the cooler, there is tons of space left on top for a drink, a whole apple or another fruit, an extra snack, and an ice pack. A cup of yogurt, a thermos of soup, tea or coffee - the sky's the limit! The bag is well made, and everything zips up securely.

The EasyLunchbox system is ideal for school lunches, office lunches, and family picnics. My kids are in love with the Bento containers, and immediately picked their favorite lid colors. As a parent, I know that often presentation wins the healthy eating battle, so having my children excited about good-for-them food starts with the lunch box and containers. Hooray for healthy, convenient, eco-friendly and economical school lunches!

The EasyLunchbox containers cost $13.95 for a set of four - a steal considering their quality, and how easy and fast they make preparing lunch to go. The lunch bag coolers are $7.95. The perfect finishing touch to packing any school or office lunch!

The Giveaway
I know you want an EasyLunchbox system! One lucky person will win a set of containers and a lunch bag cooler in their color of choice - retail value of $21.90!

To enter, please visit EasyLunchboxes.com and comment below with something you learned.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow EasyLunchBoxes on twitter;
• subscribe to their newsletter;
• tell us what color lunch bag you'd pick if you won;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win Bento lunch boxes and cooler bag - gr8 4 #backtoschool! #Giveaway ends 9/14 @aitmama @EasyLunchBoxes #win #contests http://tiny.cc/d1ok0" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 14, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada. Please do not enter this giveaway if have won or received free product from EasyLunchboxes within the past 3 months.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
I love taking pictures, and for me showing them off is the next best thing to taking them. I was excited to receive for review a Digital Photo Keychain from WholesaleKeychain.com.

The keychain is nice shade of pink, and has a decent size 1.5 inch LCD display. When I opened it and turned it on, the battery was low. Luckily, it was rechargeable, and all I needed to do was connect it via the enclosed USD cable to my computer to take care of that. The menu buttons are on the back of the keychain, and while this probably makes the front more attractive, I'd have preferred them to be on the front for convenience.

The keychain has a carabiner in lieu of a key ring. The chain was not attached to the photo frame part. I had no problem putting it together but would have preferred a key ring instead of a carabiner, and that everything came already assembled. As it is, I would not use it as a key ring because my keys just won't fit. The carabiner allows to attach the keychain to a backpack, purse, or to another key ring.

The keychain has 4.8 MB internal memory which can store about 72 pictures. When I tried uploading some photos, I noticed that the USB cable did not make good contact and kept disconnecting. I ended up having to hold it in place with one hand while selecting the photos I wanted with the other. The pictures are automatically resized into squares and can be in one of several formats: JPEG, BMP, PNG, and GIF. There were two demo pictures already uploaded, and while they looked good, my own photos were grainy and low resolution. I own a very good Canon camera, and used high quality images. However, their image quality once uploaded to the keychain leaves much to be desired.

The pictures can be on auto slide show or changed manually. There is a time display that will be handy to those who do not wear a watch and want to know the time. Personally, I can always check the time on my cell phone. The time gets automatically synced with the computer once the keychain is connected via the USB cable.

The product description of the keychain mentions photo view software contained in the attached CD. There was no CD in the package I received, and everything needed in terms of software is already in the keychain.

Bottom line is, I would not use the keychain myself or as a gift but it makes an entertaining toy for my kids.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. Product information and image are provided by the company or PR firm. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I have to admit I had not heard about Cuban superstar Issac Delgado until Sony sent me his new CD for review. This album, aptly called L-O-V-E, includes 12 songs originally performed by Nat King Cole. Delgado's passionate interpretation of these familiar recordings never fails to lighten my mood. His voice is very expressive, and the musical performances are outstanding. The album includes a  special contribution by Nat King Cole’s brother, Freddy Cole. This is the first time that Freddy Cole has participated in a tribute album for his brother.

L-O-V-E is a collection of sultry Spanish songs that caused a good amount of dancing at my house. It's impossible to listen to it without smiling and tapping my feet to the infectious rhythm. Some songs are slow and melancholic, other more lively. I loved the background vocals and the piano accompaniment. The remarkably trumpet, sax and trombone create an atmosphere of buena vida, and a feeling of relaxation and joy.

Here is a complete list of the L-O-V-E tracks:
1.      Perfidia
2.      Quizás, quizás, quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)
3.      Tiernamente (Tenderly)
4.      Ay Cosita Linda
5.      Suas Maos
6.      A Su Mirar Me Acostumbre (I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face)
7.      Piel Canela
8.      Aquellos Ojos Verdes (Green Eyes)
9.      L-O-V-E
10.    Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros
11.    Hojas Muertas (Les Feuille Mortes)
12.    No Tengo Lagrimas (Nao Tenho Lagrimas)

Issac Delgado will be on tour in September, and if you are lucky to live in one of these cities, consider going to hear him live. I am sure it'd be a worthwhile musical experience.
 
9/7        Triple Door                              Seattle / WA
9/8        Anthology                                 San Diego/CA
9/9        Conga Room                             LA / CA
9/10      Yoshi’s                                     Oakland / CA
9/11      Yoshi’s                                     Oakland / CA
9/12      Yoshi’s                                     Oakland / CA
9/13      Kuumbwa Jazz Center               Santa Cruz / CA
9/24      Concert Hall                             NY / NY

L-O-V-E by Issac Delgado will be released on August 31 by Sony Classical, and can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this CD courtesy of Sony Music. The opinions are my own. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

Let's start the week off right by announcing another giveaway winner! Congratulations to #41 Khrys {Mom of 3 Dolls} who won the Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies giveaway. I hope Khrys's three dolls enjoy these as much as my kids do!

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsor for providing review and giveaway product.

Book Description
As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she'll die before she'll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin's innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.

Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she's no stranger: He's bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld's most wanted and Con soon learns he's the only one who can help her . . .  and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.

The Giveaway

Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for five (5) copies of Sin Undone by Larissa Ione.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good romance novel you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 5 copies of Sin Undone by Larissa Ione! #Giveaway ends 9/13 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tinyurl.com/2437me2" – you may do this once a day;
• follow Larissa Ione on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 13, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per household. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

I took many years of music lessons as a child. Although I did not become a concert pianist as my mom was hoping I would, it left me with a deep appreciation of classical music. I am especially fond of the beauty and expressive powers of the piano, my childhood's musical instrument of choice.

Recently, I got the opportunity to hear a CD recording of Lang Lang. He is an exceptionally talented pianist who was born in China and moved to the U.S. at the age of 15. In 2009, Time Magazine included Lang Lang in their list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Over 5 billion people viewed his performance in Beijing's opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games. This album presents his live concert in Vienna, and consists of two CD - almost 2 hours of beautiful music.

The first CD includes two of my favorite Beethoven sonatas: No. 3, Op. 2, and No. 23, Op. 57 - the famous Appassionata. To hear someone perform these magnificent pieces with so much passion and perfection is a rare treat. This is Lang Lang's first-ever recording of Beethoven sonatas. The second CD presents a special tribute to Chopin's 200th anniversary with three of his works. It also features Albeniz's Iberia, Book I, and Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 83. You don't need to be an expert in classical music to enjoy this album. Even my kids danced and twirled around to the sound of Lang Lang's piano.

Lang Lang Live in Vienna would make a great gift for any aficionado of classical music. It is available in multiple formats: Deluxe limited edition, Blu-Ray, DVD, LP vinyl and digital formats. The Blu-Ray will be released in October 2010. The CD, DVD, LP vinyl and CD/DVD combo were released earlier this week.

In case you'd like to hear him live, here are some of Lang Lang's U.S. tour stops:

September 18 – Dallas, TX – Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
September 20 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Opera House
September 22 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Hall
September 25 – Washington D.C. – John F. Kennedy Center Concert Hall
September 29 – NYC – Carnegie Hall
December 31 – NYC – Avery Fisher Hall

Finally, I would like to share some more information about this remarkable musician. He has founded the “Lang Lang International Music Foundation” to identify and support exceptionally gifted piano students between the ages of six and ten. Ever since he became famous, China has been in the grip of a piano-learning frenzy known as the “Lang Lang Effect”. Steinway & Sons - the legendary piano makers - have recognized the pianist’s popularity with children by creating five versions of the “Lang Lang Steinway,” designed for early music education. In recognition of his commitment to young people, Lang Lang was made a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2004.

 Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this CD courtesy of Sony Music. The opinions are my own. No monetary compensation was provided for this post. 

At my house, there is always yogurt in the fridge. We eat it plain, mix it with fruit, use it as a dip, cook with it, and even drink it.

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I got to try a new yogurt treat - Yoplait Splitz. This yogurt has a creamy consistency and tastes like a sundae. It's a sweet little treat that provides a source of calcium and vitamin D. Yoplait Splitz contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners and no high fructose corn syrup. It is available in three flavors: Strawberry Sundae, Strawberry Banana Split, and Rainbow Sherbet.

I received a cool Yoplait Splitz picnic pack that included a coupon for a free sample of Yoplait Splitz, an insulated carry tote and a roll up fleece picnic blanket. We tried the Strawberry Banana Split, and my kids and I both enjoyed it. It tastes quite sweet, so I serve it as dessert at dinner. One little cup holds 3.25 oz and has 90 calories. Yoplait Splitz would make a nice addition to your child's - or your own - lunchbox.

I also left some Yoplait Splitz in the freezer overnight, and we had frozen yogurt the next day! It's refreshing to indulge a cool treat in this hot weather, and I feel good knowing that the kids are having something that's healthy.

The carry tote and picnic blanket were put to good use this weekend when my family enjoyed a day at the park. The tote is quite roomy and can hold plenty of food and drinks. The blanket is soft gray fleece on one side and folds neatly with straps and even a handle.  

The Giveaway
One of you will win the same Yoplait Splitz Picnic Prize Pack that I received - a coupon for free Yoplait Splitz, an insulated carry tote and a roll up fleece picnic blanket. This coupon for a free pack of Yoplait Splitz is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.

To enter, please comment below which flavor of Yoplait Splitz you'd like to try first.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a @YoplaitYogurt Splitz picnic prize pack! #Giveaway ends 9/12 @aitmama #win #contests #MyBlogSpark http://tinyurl.com/2etlntw" – you may do this once a day;
• follow Yoplait Yogurt on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 12, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S. only. Winners will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours. Review product, related information, image and prize package provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

Congratulations to the lucky winners of the Paris Hilton Tease giveaway! The following comments were selected at random to receive a bottle of this new fragrance:


#220 jerseygirl137, #233 Julie, and #175 Elena.

All winners have claimed their prizes. If you did not win, make sure to enter my new fragrance giveaway - it's for 3 bottles of Jessica Simpson's Fancy Nights!

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsor for providing the prizes.

Whenever I am getting ready for a night out with the girls or a date with my husband, a nice fragrance is the finishing touch. My favorite perfume puts me in the mood to enjoy some grown up time. It's something that I do for me. I am sure others don't mind when I smell nice, too.

Whether or not you have children who are going back to school, it's important to make the effort to spend quality time with your significant other. If you are a parent, get a babysitter, swap time with other parents, give the grandparents a chance to enjoy the kids. If you are single, let your friends play matchmaker, or go for a girls' night on the town. And make sure you get a bottle of good perfume for yourself!

How about Jessica Simpson's new fragrance, Fancy Nights? I have not tried it myself but it certainly sounds intriguing:

Warm, rich notes of crisp, citrusy Bergamot are blended with the opulent green note of Egyptian Papyrus in a playful caress. The heart is a hybrid of exotic essences: Indonesian Patchouli, Bulgarian Red Rose and Night Blooming Jasmine.

As the fragrance evolves on the skin, the warmth of creamy vanilla and soft sandalwood surfaces, tempered by velvety notes of amber and oak moss.  The fragrance is as friendly as it is spicy, like a sweet sparkle of magical romance.

The Giveaway
Three (3) winners will receive a bottle of Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights!

To enter, please comment below who would use the fragrance if you won. Is it for yourself? For your sweetheart? Will it be a gift for a friend?

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 bottles of Jessica Simpson's new fragrance Fancy Nights! #Giveaway ends 9/12 @aitmama #win #contests #beauty http://tiny.cc/kqg3j" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 12, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. only. One prize per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor. Product information and image courtesy of the sponsor. No compensation was provided for this post.

Internet safety is very important these days. As our kids join the 'net generation at a very early age - for school and play - we have to make sure they know how to stay safe on the web.

Below are some tips on how to stay safe online from InternetSafety.com. I am working on a review and giveaway of Safe Eyes, their parental control software, so make sure to check back if you are interested in this product. In the meantime, feel free to use these pointers to protect your children.

1.       Teach online safety – Be sure that children know about online stranger danger, what to do if they come across a website or have an online conversation that makes them uncomfortable, and so on.

2.       Provide a clear list of ‘don’ts’ - Explain, for example, that children should never give out personal information such as their last name, address, city, phone number, siblings’ names, school name or parents’ workplaces.

3.       Block inappropriate websites – You can automatically prevent access to sites that have been “blacklisted” because of objectionable content by using parental control software. Advanced programs let you select which website categories will be filtered (adult, alcohol, dating/personals, drugs, gambling, hate sites, pornography, profanity, sex, violence, weapons, etc.). You should also be able to block specific websites and/or keywords of your choice.

4.       Explore the Web together - Spending time online with your children, whether visiting websites or Facebook or playing an online game, can help you steer them in the right direction and enable you to better understand their digital world.

5.       Beware of ‘back door’ dangers – Sometimes an objectionable YouTube video will be sent by email or embedded on someone’s social networking page, or a peer-to-peer file sharing program like BitTorrent may have inappropriate photos or other objectionable material. This is another reason to monitor your children’s computer use.

6.       Monitor ‘live’ communications such as chat and IM – Online sex offenders usually meet victims in chat rooms; cyberbullying often happens during IM sessions; and both can happen either place. Some parental control software can block IM programs, save the full text of IM conversations, and alert parents if children post forbidden information.

7.       Encourage trouble reports – Children should feel comfortable coming to you if they encounter something or someone online that makes them feel uneasy or threatened. Be sure to applaud their honesty so that they will keep you informed of future problems.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No compensation was provided for this post. I feel the topic is important, and I am sharing this information.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of The War Lovers audio book giveaway:

#59 Emma, #34 aledol, and #2 Ann On and On....
 
Many thanks to all who entered, and to Hachette Book Group for providing the giveaway prizes.

Welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday! Bloggers, please link your current giveaways below. Everyone visiting - enjoy browsing!

Paris Hilton Tease - 3 win (8/28)
Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies (8/29)
Foxy - 3 win (8/30)
Huge Romance Package - 3 win (8/31)
Get Rid of the Performance Review - 3 win (9/2)
Tazzini Water Bottle (9/3)
Varionet Reading Glasses (9/3)
Set of 3 Hydros Bottles (9/5)
Seduced by a Highlander - 5 win (9/6)
Gift Baskets from That's Caring - 3 win (9/6)
George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill (9/7)
The Recessionistas - 3 win (9/8)
Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer (9/8)
Violight Toothbrush Sanitizer (9/9)
Case of Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips (9/10)

The first time I saw a Food Should Taste Good product at my local wholesale club, I thought - of course food should taste good! Still, we all know that sometimes it does and sometimes, well, not so much. I was already quite impressed by a company that would put their commitment to good food right in the name on their label.

Then I took a second look. Tried a sample - and I was hooked. Right there I bought my first huge bag of Food Should Taste Good Multigrain chips. I have to tell you, these chips are heaven in a chip! Actually, they are something between a chip and a cracker. Crunchy, flavorful, with a simple ingredient list, and - they taste good, just as food should! I know, I like them so much my poetic side is acting up.

Food Should Taste Good makes all natural tortilla chips. Their products are free of cholesterol, preservatives and trans fat, and do not contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). The chips are also certified Kosher and Gluten Free, lower in sodium, and a good source of dietary fiber.

Food Should Taste Good sent me five varieties to try. In addition to the Multigrain that I was already familiar with, I received the Sweet Potato, Yellow Corn, Cheddar, and Chocolate. First, I opened the Sweet Potato. Again - delicious, sweet and salty in a perfectly balanced combo, just the right crunchiness factor, and truly addictive. With these chips, I do not need salsa, queso, or dip - although they certainly go quite well with all three. Just give me a large bowl.

The Yellow Corn is just what you should expect in a corn tortilla chip - in one really good corn tortilla chip! I've always believed that I can tell how good a Mexican restaurant is by tasting their tortilla chips. If those are hot and fresh, so will be the food. If they are stale... well, better leave. Food Should Taste Good Yellow Corn chips are as good as the just-made tortilla chips at my favorite restaurant. It took years to find this place. Enough said!

The Cheddar has a nice flavor, and pairs very well with salsa or queso. My kids tried it with cottage cheese, and I loved it with hummus.Speaking of pairings, I love how they recommend accompaniments for each chip variety right there on the package.

Last but not least - the Chocolate. It's pure genius to combine the salty crunchy goodness of a chip with semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa! I love this delicious treat - you can get some apple or peanut butter to dip in but again, I prefer it as is.

My family inhaled all five bags in record time, and I had to make another urgent stop at the wholesale club. This time, I got a huge bag of Sweet Potato. I am snacking on them as I type this. Yum!

Personally, I like my bags of chips in size XL - the bigger, the better! For those who prefer their snacks in single-serve bags - and for your kid's school lunches - Food Should Taste Good has 1.5 oz bags. Three different sizes can be purchased from their online store, and the chips are also available at retailers.

Food Should Taste Good also has several other varieties that I can't wait to try: Olive, Jalapeño, The Works!, Lime, White Cheddar, and Blue Corn.

I highly recommend these delicious chips. Food Should Taste Good hosts frequent contests on their Facebook page. Right now, there is a weekly contest you can enter to win a free sample case of 5 bags of chips. In addition, you can get a $1 off coupon on their website if you join the fan club. I, for one, am a proud member!

The Giveaway
You must try these chips! To help you in this noble pursuit of snack perfection, Food Should Taste Good are giving away a case of 5 bags - your choice of flavors!

To enter, please comment below which five flavors you'd pick if you won.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• join the Food Should Taste Good fan club - see the bottom of their home page;
• check out the recipes here and tell me which one you'd like to try;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a case of delicious tortilla chips from Food Should Taste Good! #Giveaway ends 9/10 @aitmama #win #contests http://tinyurl.com/23cxemh";
• see the store locator and share where you can find these chips near you;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 10, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. Giveaway prize, product information and image are provided by the company or PR firm. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours. 

A couple of months ago, I blogged about a fun contest sponsored by French Toast. By now, you are probably done shopping for the new school year. If your child's school is among the many in the U.S. that have a dress code, this is the perfect time to show off the unique personality and talents of your kid - and let's not forget how totally cute they look in their new uniform.

If you missed my earlier posts, French Toast are sponsoring a $15,000 contest in which kids who attend a school with a dress code can show the world what makes them unique and special. The “Show Us The Real ‘U’ In Uniform” contest is open to all uniform-wearing children. Its goal is to provide a forum for kids to express their individuality.

Children are encouraged to send in videos or essays with pictures – showing them dressed in their uniforms – that illustrate and describe why they are exceptional. Kids and their parents can enter the contest by visiting http://www.uinuniform.com/ and following the instructions. On November 1, French Toast will be posting the 10 finalists and people will be able to vote for their favorites. The grand prize winner will win $10,000 in cash and their school will receive $5,000 in vouchers from French Toast. Results will be announced on or around November 30.

The final day to enter is September 15, so get those camcorders rolling!


Disclosure: I am a French Toast Brand Ambassador for this project. I will receive a gift card as a thank you for spreading the word.

It's time to announce more giveaway winners! Congratulations are in order for the lucky people who entered and won the following giveaways:

Scentsy Botanical Package: #118 mandala;

Wrong by David H. Freeman, courtesy of Hachette Book Group: #39 Anonymous, #33 janetfaye, and #56 Denny, Alaska;

Antioxidant Omega 3 Greens from Tropical Traditions (drawing an alternate winner): #8 beth.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsors for providing the giveaway prizes.

Ironing is my least favorite chore. While I love the look and feel of freshly ironed clothes, I hate what needs to be done to get there. I do all I can to avoid ironing - including racing to the dryer the minute it stops to take out the clothes, and folding them right away to prevent wrinkles. I also buy shirts and pants that do not need ironing.

I've used dryer balls in the past in an effort to avoid using dryer sheets or fabric softener. I recently tried a new type of dryer ball: Mister Steamy. These dryer balls use water to make steam in the dryer, so clothing comes out soft and wrinkle-free. The dryer balls have some kind of spongy material inside that soaks up water, and holes on the sides that release steam when heated in the dryer.

I found Mister Steamy as effective as dryer sheets in reducing wrinkles on my clothes. It did not work as well to reduce static. Another great use for Mister Steamy is releasing creases on clothes that are otherwise clean and do not need to be laundered again. This would come in handy if you are coming home from a trip with clothes that are clean and unworn but got wrinkled in your suitcase. Rather than wash them again, you can just toss them in the dryer with Mister Steamy to get the creases out.

Mister Steamy would also work well if you forgot a load in the dryer. It would help you - and your college students - get your clothes as wrinkle-free as possible without ironing.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. Product information courtesy of the company or PR firm. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

I love padlocks that come with a combination and not with a key. That way, I do not have a key to carry with me to the gym, or worry about losing it. The only problem there is that the combination on my lock tends to be some preset random thing that I promptly forget when I have not used it for a few months.

Two new products from Master Lock are designed to help forgetful people like me. They would come in very handy to your kids who need to keep their stuff secure at school.

The 1500ID Speed Dial Combination Padlock features a first-of-its-kind design that opens on directional movements – up, down, left and right – instead of a standard rotary dial. It's easier and faster to use than the old type of dials. This innovative lock allows me to create my own combination with any number of movements in any sequence. For example, up-up left-right, or down-left-right-up. Or, for the geographically inclined, North-South-East-West, for instance. I can work it with one hand, and it's perfect for a storage locker, the gym, or school. If I happen to forget the combination, it can be reset. I could also use the adhesive letters, numbers, colors, shapes and symbols included in the package that can be applied over the lock's directional arrows. The Speed Dial is available in red, blue (the one I got), black, and white.

The second lock I tried is the 1590D Precision Dial Combination Padlock. I received one in pink - very pretty, girly color. It features a standard rotary dial. Again, I can choose my own combination of three letters or numbers. Personally, I'd rather use letters than numbers - it could be someone's initials, a pet name, or any other set of letters that is easy to remember. The lock operates with a traditional right-left-right movement, and the enclosed reset tool ensures this lock will not be rendered useless like my old ones if I ever forget the code. I suggest keeping the reset tool in a safe place at home, and if your child (or you) ever forgets the combination, just get the reset key. In addition to pink, the Precision Dial is available in black, blue and green.

The two new products are available at retailers nationwide, and also online on Amazon.com.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. Product information and images are provided by the company or PR firm. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winner of the Crocs Crocband Sneak Kids giveaway! The adorable shoes will go to #99Anonymous who likes the White / Black ones best.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsor for providing the giveaway prize.

Did you know that researchers have found more than 10 million bacteria living on a single toothbrush? And I bet these are not the good kind of bacteria. I've also read that since toothbrushes reside in the bathroom - in close proximity to the toilet - tiny particles of what's flushed down that toilet ends all over the bathroom, including on the toothbrush you put in your mouth twice a day. Gross!

Before you rush and boil the life out of your toothbrush, allow me to introduce Violight, a revolutionary toothbrush sanitizing system that eliminates up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria - including strep, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and the H1N1 virus. The Violight products use germicidal ultraviolet light, and in just a few minutes make your toothbrush virtually germ-free. How cool is that!

I received the Original Violight Toothbrush Sanitizer. It's a cup-sized holder for four toothbrushes, and uses electricity to power the ultraviolet light inside. The sanitizer is turned on by pressing a button, and turns off automatically when its job is done. While working, it glows with a pleasant blue light. For added safety, if you unlock or remove the cap, the light bulb is de-activated.

The Violight germicidal UV bulb lasts over 2000 hours, and only needs replacing every one or two years, depending on use. It comes with a removable drip tray for easy cleaning.

I also tried Violight's ZapiPOP-Za-Za Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer, an adorable little thing that my kids just love. It uses batteries (3 AAA) and holds a single toothbrush. Zapi, as affectionately called at my house, works much in the same way. It comes with a free toothbrush but will also accommodate your own manual or electric head toothbrush.
 
My family uses the Violight sanitizers daily, and I have the peace of mind that harmful bacteria no longer reside on our toothbrushes. Hooray for that!
 
The Giveaway
One lucky person will win the cute ninja called ZapiPOP-Hi-Ya Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer!
 
To enter, please comment below who would use the Zapi if you won.
 
You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win @Violight  toothbrush sanitizer - great 4 #backtoschool! #Giveaway ends 9/9 @aitmama #win #contests #kids http://tinyurl.com/283uwvs" – you may do this once a day;
• follow Violight on twitter;
• join the Violight mailing list - see top right of the home page;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 9, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. Giveaway prize, product information and image are provided by the company or PR firm. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the Welch's Fruit Snacks giveaway! These lucky people will enjoy a sweet treat, and may even share it because they are getting two boxes each.

#191 Hannah, #189 Emma, and #40 rubynreba
Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsor for providing the giveaway prizes.

When my kids were babies, they did not care at all for mommy taking their temperature. You know how it's done, right? It's not fun for parents to try and take the temp of a squirming infant who is already not feeling well, and screaming bloody murder to match.

My daughter had a series of ear infections when she was about 2 years old, and that's when I figured out she hated the ear thermometer, too. I started looking for a better option and found the Exergen TemporalScanner. Ever since, taking my kids' - or my own - temperature is a no-fuss business that lasts about 2 seconds flat.

The Exergen TemporalScanner is an infrared thermometer which captures the heat naturally emitted from the skin over the temporal artery. That means you just position the top on the child's forehead and slide across to the hairline while pressing and holding a button. It's really easy to use, and the result is much more accurate (to within +0.2 degrees Fahrenheit) than those provided by other types of thermometers. A red light and a beep indicate the reading is done. The unit has an LCD display that shows the temperature, and runs on one 9-volt battery.

Unlike traditional bulb thermometers, the Exergen TemporalScanner contains no mercury, and unlike tympanic thermometers, it does not need plastic probe covers with each use - thus it is better for the environment and for your wallet. In addition, this is the only thermometer manufactured in the U.S., according to the company.

The Exergen TemporalScanner is available at retailers nationwide, with a suggested price of $50. I bought mine at Walmart but have seen it also at Costco, Walgreens, and Babies R Us.

The Giveaway
One person will win an Exergen TemporalScanner!

To enter, please share how you prepare for colds and flu season.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win @Exergen TemporalScanner thermometer - great 4 #backtoschool! #Giveaway ends 9/8 @aitmama #win #contests #kids http://tinyurl.com/2fs7558" – you may do this once a day;
• follow Exergen on twitter;
• share something you learned on the Exergen blog;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 8, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation or free product was obtained for this post. Giveaway prize, product information and image are provided by the company or PR firm. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Book Description
It's the day after Labor Day, 2008, and the elite universe of New York's Upper East Side is about to unravel along with the economy. Socialite Grigsby Somerset is barely aware of her changing world, and has no idea her investment banker husband Blake is about to enter into a devil's bargain with hedge fund owner John Cutter. As autumn unfolds, Grigsby's fairytale life starts to unwind. Street-smart Renee Parker has been hired as John's executive assistant and is convinced that something is amiss with her new boss.

Alexandra Lebenthal, who is active on the New York social scene, has written THE RECESSIONISTAS,  a debut novel about four socialites whose perfect Upper East Side lives get turned upside down when the economic collapse wreaks havoc on their pampered existences.

In a tale that is ripped from the headlines, a group of powerful New Yorkers suddenly encounter social upheaval, deception, and scandal. Some will find their way out of disaster while others, after making dangerous choices, dig their own graves. This story of expulsion from a modern-day Garden of Eden captures what happens when lives that were only designed to acquire more suddenly face the prospect of a great deal less.

My Review
This is an entertaining and at times moving inside look at the pampered existence of four rich women whose lives get affected first-hand by the financial crisis on Wall Street. Whether the author is drawing from personal experience or from close observation, she is writing with keen attention to detail and compassion for the plight of some of her characters. Fiction is smartly blended with real-life facts and events from recent times. Some of the problems faced by New York socialites could not be farther from the average person's. Yet, readers can sympathize with the overworked and under appreciated heroine who is trying to balance her career and family. Occasionally, the book sounds a bit like the society pages meet financial crisis headlines. Got to love the smart title: fashionistas during recession, or recessionistas! Well, recessionalites just does not have the same ring to it although it'd be more accurate.

The Recessionistas is a good beach / coffee shop / light reading, and I hope Ms. Lebenthal is considering another novel.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of The Recessionistas by Alexandra Lebenthal!

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 copies of The Recessionistas by Alexandra Lebenthal! #Giveaway ends 9/8 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tinyurl.com/25l334x" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 9, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information, review copy and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Proper nutrition is important for everyone but especially for kids. Now that school is back in session, my children are starving after a day of learning and play. Sometimes, with all after-school activities, there is little time to prepare dinner. My George Foreman grill helps me make healthy cooking fast and convenient.

I've had a small George Foreman grill for years, and use it regularly. Grilling meat, fish, and veggies is so easy! Another thing my family just loves is panini sandwiches, and these come out delicious on this grill.

The Evolve grill I received has 4 plates: 2 grill, 1 mini-burger, and 1 deep-dish baking plate. Other options that can be purchased separately are:

• Griddle plate – allows to prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner without adding extra oil or butter;
• Cupcake/muffin plate – for six muffins or cupcakes; 
• Panini plates (2) – no need to butter the bread when making panini;
• Omelet plates (2) – flipping omelets used to require lots of butter or oil to prevent sticking, however, with the George Tough™ nonstick coating, making omelets is simpler and healthier;
• Waffle plate – no need for a waffle maker! Enough said.

The cooking surface of the Evolve grill is 84 square inches that provide enough space for preparing up to 4 servings at a time. The deep-dish baking plate works great for casseroles. I love cooking those because I can sneak in as many veggies as I want! My kids are especially fond of the mini burgers - I make these with ground turkey for an extra healthy, delicious meal. And, of course, the traditional grilling surfaces that are so much versatility to healthy cooking.

Here are some other cool features that are pretty self-explanatory:

• Digital time and temperature for better, more precise control;
• George Tough™ nonstick coating for easy cleaning;
• Signature Foreman heating elements for even heating;
• Adjustable angle to go from a sloped to flat cooking surface;
• On/Off switch for added security;
• Dishwasher-safe drip tray;
• Dishwasher-safe spatula for no-fuss food removal.

Even if you are not in love yet with the previous George Foreman grill, you will be once you try the Evolve grill. It is available on the George Foreman Healthy Cooking site for $129.99. Additional plates retail for $14.99- 27.99. Shipping is free on orders over $99.

The Giveaway
I know you want this baby! And one of you will win a George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve grill right here.

To enter, please visit George Foreman Healthy Cooking and comment below with your favorite item.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• share your favorite recipe from the George Foreman Healthy Cooking blog;
• follow George Foreman Grill on twitter;
• like them on Facebook;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win the new @GeorgeForemanCo Evolve Grill! $130 Value #Giveaway ends 9/7 @aitmama  #win #contests http://tinyurl.com/2ec78gb" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 7, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Omega 3 Greens from Tropical Traditions: #98 aledol;

Kiwi Shoe Kit: #40 Shelly.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the two sponsors for providing these giveaway prizes.

Summer vacation may be over, but that doesn’t mean kids will be out of the sun. Data suggest that the majority of sun exposure in a person’s like occurs before the age of 18.  So… how can you be sure to protect your children when they are back at school and out of your sight?  Kavita Mariwalla, MD, Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, suggests following these simple rules:

• If your children play sports, pack water-proof spray-on sunscreen in their backpack. Make sure you tell them to spray it on while getting ready for practice or the big game (30 minutes before sun exposure). The spray version is easy to apply and they don't have to feel shy about asking a team mate to help them out.
• Consider washing your child's practice clothes and uniforms with Rit Sunguard. Available on-line and in most grocery stores, the easy to use powder can be washed in with clothes in the laundry and confers added SPF to t-shirts, shorts and socks - good for multiple washes.
• Buy empty lotion bottles (travel size) and fill them with sunscreen to pack in your child's backpack. That way it is easy to transport and easy for you to monitor their use.
• Don't forget sunglasses. Beyond a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your child's eyes from harmful UV rays.
• Encourage wearing a hat. Though most children are resistant to wearing a broad-brimmed hat, baseball caps are better than nothing. Just remind your child to put sunscreen on their ears and the back of their neck!
• If your child is in tournaments lasting the whole day in the fall, designate a "sunscreen parent." Just like the "snack parent" who provides nourishment to keep the kids on the field, the "sunscreen parent" can keep them safe and free from sunburns. Making this part of the sport environment creates healthy habits early on.

What are the data to support the importance of sunscreen use?

Data show that basal cell skin cancer is rising in people under the age of 40. In addition, a study done in 2000 and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that children who wore sunscreen consistently developed fewer moles than those who did not. The same study showed that sunscreen use is even more important for children with freckles because it decreased the number of nevi or moles they acquired by up to 40%. An epidemiological study completed in 2009 showed that male children are at higher risk than female and additional risk factors for developing moles include spending 5 - 6 hours /weekly/ between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm outdoors. That's not a lot of time considering most sports practice is at least 1 - 2 hours a day. And don't forget those soccer tournaments!

So, if your child is playing sports when school gets back in session, remember these tips and keep them protected even when they are not under your watch.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No monetary or other compensation was received for this post. I believe this information is important, so I am sharing it.

Now that I have a good handle on the back to school madness, I am starting to think about teacher appreciation gifts. Yes, my kids' teachers work very hard all year, and I always try to find the perfect gifts to show how much we appreciate all they do.

I recently came across ThatsCaring.com, a green gift giving site. That's Caring uses environmentally friendly packaging and shipping practices. They have over 40 gift basket options to choose from ranging in price from $16.99 to $99.99. The baskets include bakery, gourmet, pasta, sweets and snacks, home and spa, and pet gifts.

I received the wonderful Tub Therapy Gift Basket - a selection of pampering eco-friendly items. The products in it come from The Enterprising Kitchen, a fair-trade, nonprofit enterprise that provides workforce development and support services for women working towards self-sufficiency and economic independence. Purchasing the Tub Therapy baskets supports this organization and its programs.

The gift basket includes:

• body butter enriched with chamomile;
• natural bar soap made from a blend of natural oils, including moisturizing shea butter, olive, palm, coconut, and soybean oils, as well as wheat germ oil, known for its soothing and antioxidant properties;
• liquid hand soap;
• bath salts scented with natural essential oils, and beautifully packaged in an organza bag with a wooden scoop;
• shower gel;
• soy candle tin.

I love soy candles and quality bath products, so the items in this gift basket were perfect for me. My favorite products are the body butter and bar soap - both do wonders for my dry skin! I like the seascape / citrus blossom scent. If you love lavender, the same basket is available in this scent as well. It would make a wonderful gift for a friend, your child's teacher, or anyone who likes a little pampering in an eco-friendly way.

The Giveaway
That's Caring are generously giving away these three prizes to my readers!

• Tote-A-Note $43.99 -  includes a tote and a note pad + note book from 100% recycled acid-free paper;
• Tub Therapy Sampler in Seascape $25.99 - a mini-version of the Tub Therapy Basket I received;
• Cheese, Crackers & Record Bowl $35.99 - includes cheeses, crackers, and a bowl made from a recylced record.

To enter, please browse their site and comment below with your favorite item.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• join their mailing list;
• follow That's Caring on twitter;
• like them on Facebook;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 #eco-friendly #gift baskets from @ThatsCaring! #Giveaway ends 9/6 @aitmama  #win #contests http://tinyurl.com/2ex8fn8" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 6, 2010, 11:59pm EST. One prize per person. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Through midnight EDT today, Monday, August 23rd, all Tropical Traditions ground shipments within the lower 48 United States will be FREE with coupon code 200810FS!

This special offer does not apply to refrigerated or frozen items, eggs, or to rebounders which are shipped by the manufacturer. It also does not apply to 2nd day air and overnight shipments.

As always, as a first-time customer you can get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase. Find out all about coconut oil and its uses! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge. You get a free book, I get a coupon for referring you.

Remember today is the last day to enter my giveaway for Antioxidant Omega 3 Greens from Tropical Traditions! I love this stuff, and drink it every day. Good luck!

Congratulations to the randomly selected winner of the Epson Stylus NX420 giveaway! The lucky person is #486 Pricilla.

Remember that right now, there is a $30 instant rebate when you purchase the Epson Stylus NX420 online from the Epson store. That means getting it for $69.99!

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsor for providing the giveaway prize.

Book Description
Tristan MacGregor is famed throughout the Highlands as a silver-tonged seducer and an unrepentant rogue. Bold and charming, he's dallied with many women, yet none as mysterious as the lass he steals a kiss from at king's court. Little does he know this beauty is one of his clan's greatest enemies.

Isobel Fergusson has despised the bloodthirsty MacGregors ever since they murdered her father. She's horrified to learn that the handsome stranger she kissed is of this clan. But Tristan means to possess her at any cost and Isobel's body turns traitor at his touch. Can a man she's sworn to hate be the only one she can ever love?

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for five (5) copies of Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good romance novel you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 5 copies of  Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn! #Giveaway ends 9/6 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tinyurl.com/293sf58" – you may do this once a day;
• follow Paula Quinn on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 6, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Around this time last year, my wholesale club had Christmas decorations available. It's hard to think about Christmas shopping when it's close to 100 degrees outside, but hey, it's never too early to start stocking up that gift closet! Or put a few things on your wish list.

This year, I have a few items from Kranich's Jewelers on my own wish list! I think their Two Tone Gold Everlon Love Knot collection is stunning. A pair of beautiful earrings would be lovely. Or, since I love chocolate, maybe a little something from the Hershey Kiss Jewelry.

Kranich's Jewelers also offer gorgeous engagement rings and wedding bands for men and women in their Verragio collection. Check them out, and start working on that wish list!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Everyone at my house has a reusable water bottle, and I make sure these are always ready to go. Proper hydration is very important, especially in hot weather. And it's been hot, hot, hot around here!

At home, we have a refrigerator filter that provides us with filtered tap water for drinking and cooking. For refills on the go, we count on water fountains and sometimes tap water. Hydros bottles make sure your drinking water is always clean and tastes good. These are the first reusable bottles I've tried that come equipped with their own filter!

The Hydros bottles are made from shatter proof plastics that are BPA- and phthalates-free. The bottles are light yet have a solid feel to them - very well made, and I love the elegant yet simple design. One bottle holds about 3 cups of water. The Hydros bottles come in 5 colors: clear, blue, pink, charcoal, and green. When I am sure that the water is of good quality - for example, it's already filtered - I fill the bottle bypassing the filter. When the water passes through the filter, the bottle takes less than 20 seconds to fill. The filter is carbon-based and reduces chlorine, chloramines, and particulates in tap water. It's good for up to 150 fills, and features Ionarmour® natural odor-killing antimicrobial enhancement. The filter needs to be replaced every three months - or after 20 gallons have been filtered - and can be purchased for $7.99 from the company's site.

Last but not least, the bottle is chemical and heat-resistant as well as dishwasher safe. Personally, I prefer to wash it by hand - the bottle has a wide opening that allows proper cleaning.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a set of three (3) Hydros bottles - a $90 value! Keep one for yourself, and share the others with family or friends.

To enter, please comment below who would use the Hydros bottles if you won.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• join their mailing list - see right bottom corner of the site;
• check out the Hydros bottle site and share something you learned;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a set of 3 Hydros reusable bottles with built-in filters! #Giveaway ends 9/5 @aitmama #win #contests #eco http://tinyurl.com/238ba4w" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is September 5, 2010, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of The Bride Collector audio book giveaway:

#24 Megan, #240 Ardy22, and #87 ossmcalc.
 
Many thanks to all who entered, and to Hachette Book Group for providing the giveaway prizes.

Welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday! Please use the linky below to spread the word about your giveaways, and enter some, too. Have fun!


Epson Stylus NX420 Printer (8/22)
KIWI Shoe Kit (8/23)
Antioxidant Omega 3 Greens (8/23)
Welch's Fruit Snacks - 3 win (8/24)
Crocband Sneak Kids Shoes (8/25)
Wrong - 3 win (8/26)
Scentsy Botanical Package (8/26)
The War Lovers - 3 win (8/27)
Paris Hilton Tease - 3 win (8/28)
Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies (8/29)
Foxy - 3 win (8/30)
Huge Romance Package - 3 win (8/31)
Get Rid of the Performance Review - 3 win (9/2)
Tazzini Water Bottle (9/3)
Varionet Reading Glasses (9/3)

I often have a drink or a snack right next to my keyboard. Coffee, soda, the occasional glass of red wine. Crackers, fruit, chocolate. You get the picture. And while I have not drowned my PC yet, I have had a couple of spills. No red wine stains on the carpet - yet!

Cleaning the PC and its related accessories is a chore I do not enjoy. I've tried those air sprays that are supposed to get the dust and crumbs out. They do work but I never feel something is well cleaned if I cannot dunk it in soap and warm water.

Now I can take my keyboard and mouse to the kitchen sink and wash them to my heart's content! Yes, thanks to Unotron, my PC accessories have never been as clean. I received Unotron's corded keyboard and an optical mouse.


In addition to being so happy to be able to wipe and wash them, I enjoy using them. The mouse has a good solid feel in my hand, and the buttons click softly. The keyboard does not make my fingers ache from typing - again, soft clicks, and comfortable. It has a removable wrist support - another plus in the comfort area.

Oh, and since the keyboard is washable, it would not stick and fizzle if I spilled my cappuccino all over it. Or my red wine. And the kids' sticky little fingers are no longer a threat. I'll still make them wash their hands  though.

In case you are wondering what you can clean the Unotron mouse and keyboard with, the answer is pretty much anything: soap, bleach, disinfectant, antibacterial cleaners, washing-up liquid, non-abrasive cleaners, general purpose cleaners, and surgical spirit. Water temperature should be under 176 F. That is, please do not boil the equipment!

Unotron products would be great for kids, college students, and adults. In case you prefer a cordless keyboard and mouse - personally, I can never get around the battery issue - Unotron has those, too.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.