Frosty Festivities: DownEast Basics Jeans review and {GIVEAWAY!!}

Who isn't always in need of a new pair of jeans that fit you just right? Lucky for us all, DownEast Basics now offers a Denim line. They have a good variety of different styles so you're sure to find the right pair for you. Here are some of the styles they have available right now:

Matchstick Cords

Straight Up Skinny Jeans

Catwalk Jeans

Platinum Jeans

They also have FIVE more new styles coming soon! I am so excited for these Matchstick Jeans to come out. I want a pair so bad!

I had the opportunity to review the Platinum Jeans and I love them. They are really good quality and fit perfectly. The first day I was wearing them I had two people compliment them! I just might have to buy a few more pairs. I really like how I can dress them up or down.

It's nice having a pair of jeans I can throw on with a t-shirt and still look cute, or wear with a pair of heels and a nice shirt for going out. The only thing I don't love about them is that they are low rise so when I am sitting down I have to double check to make sure I don't have more showing then I want to.

BUY IT!!
Check out DownEast Basics to see all of the Jeans they offer. You can get some for as low as $33.00!

WIN IT!!

DownEast has generously offered one lucky reader a pair of jeans of their choice!

Mandatory entry:
Check out DownEast's Denim line and then come back here and let us know your favorite pair.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):'

3 Entries: Become a fan of DownEasts on Facebook.

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader.
1 Entry: Become our friend on Facebook AND update your status with link to this giveaway.
3 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to DownEast Basics (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).
1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).
2 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

5 Entries: Have our Frosty Festivities Button on your blog (must have commented on this post) We will be checking!
Good luck! Contest ends on December 11th at midnight. Winner will be announced December 12th.
Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks!
Open to U.S. only.

-Tracy

SproutBaby discount

From today through Monday, Sproutbaby.com (www.sproutbaby.com), the web's leading provider of eco-friendly baby products, will offer a full 33% off everything in its store, including biodegradable diapers, organic baby foods, reusable feeding utensils, toys and much more. For all orders over $75, free shipping is included for anywhere in the continental U.S. To obtain the discount, simply enter "333" at the checkout prompt. This code will expire Wednesday evening at 12:00 p.m. midnight PST.

Sproutbaby offers a wide selection of certified, family vetted, expert approved, eco-friendly baby products at affordable prices. Given the option to choose reusable, biodegradable and nature friendly products, Sproutbaby has found a wide world of new parents who prefer green products and environmentally sustainable options to standard baby care items found in children's boutiques or the grocery store.

Frosty Festivities: Crane Humidifiers Review & {GIVEAWAY!!}

If you are looking for a practical gift for your child, Crane Humidifiers is a great option! Not only will your child love the adorable animal characters, but moms will love the soothing power of moisture in the air that these humidifiers provide.

Check out a few of the humidifiers from Crane's Adorable Animals collection:

Duck Humidifier.
Pig Humidifier.
Frog Humidifier.
I received the Cow Humidifier for review. I have actually used a humidifier for my son's room quite often as I have found it to really help him breathe when he has a stuffy nose. Because my son is still under 2 years old, medication wasn't an option, but adding moisture to the air has been a lifesaver. Using a humidifier can provide relief from coughs, cold, and flu symptoms. This is a perfect gift as the flu season has definitely hit! I have also found (particularly recently) that turning on the humidifier at night helps my son's chapped skin due to winter weather.

I have loved using our Crane Humidifier. It blows steam evenly and quietly so my son isn't disturbed while he sleeps. A feature I really love about this humidifier that my previous humidifier did not have is an automatic turn off when the water tank is empty. This allows me to rest knowing I am not wasting power and that my son is safe.

WIN IT!!

Crane has generously offered one of our lucky readers an Adorable Animal Humidifier.

Mandatory entry:

Visit Crane and then come back here and let us know which humidifier you would love to own.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):

1 Entry: Follow our blog publicly (found on right sidebar).

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader.

1 Entry: Become our friend on Facebook AND update your status with link to this giveaway.

3 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to Crane (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).

1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).

2 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

5 Entries: If you added our 'Frosty Festivities' button early.

Good luck! Contest ends on December 10th at midnight. Winner will be announced December 11th.

Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks!

Open to U.S. only.

Bebe Belay winner!

Congrats to comment #38 Jeff and Holly , comment #4 Michele and comment #33 April V who won the Bebe Belay!! The winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to respond.

-Tracy

Winners!

We have a winner for the Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms cookbook:

#88

Jen

UPDATE:

Jen is already receiving the cookbook so she volunteered to let someone else win.

#92

Chelsea

And the winner for the Announcements by Susie:

#8

Jenny

Congrats! You will be contacted shortly.

{Winners!!}

First up:

The Activeion Pro winner is:

zealandsmom said...64

google reader :)

NOVEMBER 18, 2009 8:29 PM

Second up: Redraw for the Mia Bellina GC

The McDougles said...175

I'm a follower

heather[dot]mcdougle[at]gmail[dot]com

NOVEMBER 14, 2009 3:14 PM

Congratulations!! You should be getting an email from me shortly. Please respond within 48 hours.

One year older and wiser too...

Happy Birthday, Erica!

I hope it was a great one!

Frosty Festivites for the Whole Family: Hasbro Toys Review

Black Friday is over and you still have toys needing to be marked off the list?? Get all of Santa's shopping done in once place. With brands like Tonka, Hannah Montana, and Nerf, you will need to look no farther than Hasbro.

Hasbro is also the home of classics like Easy-Bake, Play-Doh, and Tranformers. Not only does Hasbro feature nearly every brand of toys your child desires, you can trust that when you are buying from Hasbro, you are purchasing products that have been tested for safety and will last for many Christmases to come.

Hasbro provides fun for all ages- from the Plaskool Busy Basic Ball-tivity Center for babies to Baby Alive for little girls to a huge variety of games designed to entertain the entire family.

Linley received the My Little Pony Pinkie Pie's Playhouse. This is such a perfect toy for a little girl. This adorable dollhouse features two floors full of pony fun! You can explore the upstairs bedroom where Pinkie Pie can rest in the pink quilted bassinet, and you can even press a special button to turn on a light and hear a soothing lullaby. Downstairs, Newborn Pinkie Pie and friends can freshen up in the bathroom or take a break and relax on the indoor swing. The My Little Pony Pinkie Pie's Playhouse playset comes complete with a Newborn Pinkie Pie figure and additional adorable accessories including a teddy bear, bottle, and play toy. Requires three “AAA” batteries, included.

I love a gift that comes ready to be played with as soon as the box is opened. No running out for batteries or extra accessories. Hasbro has you and your Christmas covered!

BUY IT:

Get your one-stop Christmas shopping for the whole family done early by visiting Hasbro today!!

Frosty Festivities: ASSETS Fantastic Firmers Panty & {GIVEAWAY}

I have a 9 month old daughter and a “soft” belly to prove it. Once I was able to fit into my pre-pregnancy pants, I started looking for ways to make them “fit” a little better… you know where I could breath and sit down. My mind immediately went to SPANX. I already own a couple pairs of their “higher power” body shapers (that’s my go-to under garment when I want to wear a hot dress), but my “higher power” shapers weren’t really practical for everyday wear. I wanted a panty that could smooth over my soft belly. I contacted SPANX and told them my “problem.” They sent me two (a medium and a large) of the ASSETS Fantastic Firmers Control Panties to try out. I was so excited to wash them and get them on my body. The “soft, power mesh lining firms your tummy, hips, thighs and rear and the outer fabric keeps everything invisibly smooth.” I love the outer fabric. When I wear my really tight jeans, they just slip right on (no tugging necessary). The inner lining really does help hold you in. When I held out my pant’s waistband, it looked like I should be wearing a whole size smaller. They sent me two sizes because I wasn’t too sure what size I would be in the panty. I am going to share with the whole world what size pants I wear because it is always helpful for me when I read reviews….. size 10. Hey, I have a butt and hips! So, on my body the large size felt like it covered more of the waist going a little above the belly button, than the medium which was right under the belly button. There is no actual waistband on these panties which means nothing to “cut into you.” But I did find that after sitting or bending over, the top would roll down. These panties are not to be worn with low pants and a short top! I didn’t find too much difference between the firmness of the two sizes or the rear coverage. For future purchases I would buy the medium for myself. The “uniquely designed bottom won’t dig in.” However, on me I also found it did not stay in place. I always had a cheek peeking out. I don’t enjoy that wedgy-feeling and don’t like having to pull it down. I’m not sure if it’s because I have “back” (according to Sir Mix a lot’s definition), but when this happens the panty lines are obvious. SPANX and ASSETS combined have over 200 different styles of shape wear. There’s more than a few styles to fit every body type. There is a cotton gusset- which is a big plus for me. I also found that the back seam for the gusset was set really far back and when bending over in light colored pants, you could see this seam. After washing both panties 3 times, they both still look like new. The washing instructions are “hand wash, line dry.” I washed both in my front-loader with my regular clothes. The first time I had them both in a delicate’s bag, but the second time they got mixed in with all the other laundry so they weren’t in the bag. I hang most of my clothes to dry so it wasn’t a big deal to pull these out and line dry them. The second time they were mixed in, a pair also got thrown in the dryer and came out looking and fitting the same.

I hadn’t really known about ASSETS which are “a budget-friendly brand available at Target, Ann Taylor LOFT and Belk. This panty controls and firms the tummy and tush, and at $14, it will still let you splurge on your little one! It pairs well with everyday clothing like jeans and a tucked-in blouse.” I will definitely be wearing mine to holiday parties this year!

WIN IT!!
ASSETS has generously offered one lucky reader a $50 gift card for ASSETS.

Mandatory entry:
Visit ASSETS and then come back here and let us know your favorite shape wear piece and where you would wear it (i.e. to meet the boyfriend's parents over the holidays).
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.
Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):'
1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader.

1 Entry: Become our friend on Facebook AND update your status with link to this giveaway.

2 Entries: Become SPANX's friend on Facebook AND update your status with a link to this giveaway.

3 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to ASSETS (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).

1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).

1 Entry: Follow SPANX on twitter.

2 Entries: Add our button to your blog.
5 Entries: Have our Frosty Festivities Button on your blog (must have commented on this post) We will be checking! Good luck! Contest ends on December 8th at midnight. Winner will be announced December 9th. Winner will be chosen through random.org. Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks! Open to U.S. ASSETS did provide me the 2 pairs of Fantastic Firmers Panties in exchange for this review. There was no monetary compensation for this review.

Frosty Festivities for Girls: JC Toys Review & {GIVEAWAY!!}

Every little girl loves to play "mom" and you could not find a more beautiful collection of baby dolls for her to mommy than those offered by JC Toys.

Established in 1993, JC Toys is a family run and operated business that has continued to grow its product line to include many doll categories. Each doll and doll accessory is carefully designed to ensure that the end user is 100% happy. Our goal is to make all of our dolls loveable and to ensure that everyone, from a first time baby doll mommy to the most demanding doll collector are completely overjoyed with our quality and superior design.

Perusing through the vast selection of JC Toys, ranging from angelic newborns to stunning collector dolls, will leave you "oohing" and "ahhing." The details on each doll are breathtaking and sweetly realistic.

JC Toys also offers an ample collection of ethnic dolls, mini-dolls, and boutique outfits certain to make any mommy (grown-up or pretend) swoon. And look at this play set...what little girl wouldn't squeal with delight after unwrapping these six little cuties??

Linley was lucky enough to receive Lily, and she instantly fell in love. How could she not?? Lily is perfectly adorable. At 18" she is much closer to the size of an actual newborn that any of Linley's other dolls. In fact, those chubby little cheeks and crystal clear blue eyes actually leave me yearning for another newborn. Between Lily's precious features and sweet baby scent, no little girl will be able to resist her.

Make your little girl's Christmas extra special with a beautiful doll from JC Toys. Happy Shopping!

WIN IT!!

JC Toys has generously offered one lucky reader an adorable Lily doll of her very own!

Mandatory entry:

Visit JC Toys and then come back here and let us know your favorite feature in the Sublime.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):'

3 Entries: Become a fan of JC Toys on Facebook

3 Entries: Follow JC Toys on Blogger

3 Entries: Follow JC Toys on Twitter

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader.
1 Entry: Become our friend on Facebook AND update your status with link to this giveaway.
3 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to JC Toys (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).
1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).
2 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

5 Entries: Have our Frosty Festivities Button on your blog (must have commented on this post) We will be checking!
Good luck! Contest ends on December 7th at midnight. Winner will be announced December 8th.
Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks!
Open to U.S. only.

Bravado Black Friday Sale

Head on over to Bravado for their last sale before Christmas!! Enter code TH09-175 at checkout to receive 25% off your order. Happy Shopping!

Vanilla Joy

Vanilla Joy is having several Black Friday giveaways including Step2 Kitchen, Sharp Blu-Ray DVD Player, JVC Picsio, Cars Race Set, Shade Sweater, Seagate Theatre, and more.

You may also check out Vanilla Joy for info on:

Craft Room Organization

Creative Date Ideas

Obaji Skin Care

Scrapbooking Furniture

Teaching Baby Sign Language

Frosty Festivities: YMI Jeanswear Review & {GIVEAWAY!!}

Every Fall/Winter, I like to go through all my jeans. I keep pants that I still wear and love and make sure they will work during cold weather. This year, I realized a lot of my jeans hadn't been worn in a long time, were out of style, or were just pretty tore up.

If you are like me and need to stock up on affordable denim that is super stylish, YMI is the answer. Their premium denim is priced inexpensively, but they don't spare on style, comfort, or quality.
YMI also offers super chic jackets to keep you warm and sexy this winter.
I am loving Velour Tracksuits. You can be comfortable while still being cute.
YMI offers several styles of jeans so you are sure to find your favorite shape that flatters your body. Above is Wide Leg Jeans.
Flare Jeans.
Bootcut Jeans.

Skinny Jeans.
I had the opportunity to try out the Distressed Skinny Jeans. I learned from my last YMI Jeans review to order a size smaller than I usually wear. These skinny jeans fit perfectly! I love the details around the waist and back pockets. The stitching and wash is unique and really makes these jeans feel special. The fabric is thick and durable. I love that the super distressed parts of these jeans aren't distressed enough to create holes. I don't expect any part of these jeans to get holes. The length is great to wear with either heels or flats, this is important with skinny jeans. I also love the appropriate amount of stretch these jeans provide. They are fitted everywhere, but don't give me love handles. I feel comfortable and sexy in these jeans!

WIN IT!!

YMI Jeans has generously offered one of our lucky readers a pair of jeans in their choice of style.

Mandatory entry:

Visit YMI Jeans and then come back here and let us know your favorite pair of jeans.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):

1 Entry: Subscribe to the YMI Obsessed Blog.

1 Entry: Become a YMI Facebook Fan.

1 Entry: Follow our blog publicly (found on right sidebar).

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader.

1 Entry: Become our friend on Facebook AND update your status with link to this giveaway.

3 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to YMI Jeanswear (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).

1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).

2 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

5 Entries: If you added our 'Frosty Festivities' button early.

Good luck! Contest ends on December 8th at midnight. Winner will be announced December 9th.

Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks!

Open to U.S. only.

Sign up for Vat19 Newsletter to win BIG!

Want to win the 5-pound World's Largest Gummy Bear along with 18 other "curiously awesome" products from Vat19.com? Sure you do!

All you have to do to enter Vat19.com's Cyber Monday Mega Giveaway (worth over $325!) is sign up for our twice monthly newsletter. You can sign up here.

The giveaway includes the following 19 products. You know, because we're Vat19!

• World's Largest Gummy Bear (Blue Raspberry)
• Giant Gummy Bear...on a Stick (Green Apple)
• The Original Slush Mug (Red)
• Morris the Memo Holder (Charcoal)
• Hershey's Syrup Chocolate Scented Candle
• L'il DaVinci Store & Display Art Cabinet (8.5x11)
• Cassette Tape 4-Port USB Hub
• Crayon Coffee Mug (Custard Yellow)
• Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup & Scoop (Mini)
• Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup & Scoop (Standard)
• Money Clamp Front Pocket Wallet (Geneva Mesh)
• Guitar String Bracelet (Silver)
• TelePen Telescoping Keychain Pen
• Graviti Battery-Powered Pepper Mill
• Ambient Fire: The Ultimate Video Fireplace DVD
• Talking Photo Album
• BuckyBalls Magnetic Toy
• Operation Classic Game Pen
• Cash Stash Keychain Capsule

One email address will be chosen at random from all of the email addresses signed up for Vat19.com's newsletter. The drawing will take place at 5:00 PM CST on Cyber Monday (November 30, 2009). This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.

If you are already signed up for Vat19.com's newsletter, then you're already entered!

Frosty Festivities for Babies and Kids: Safety 1st Car Seat Review

As a mom, the safety of my children is my first priority- always. When I strap my most precious cargo in the car, I am putting complete trust in the safety of my child's car seat.

Did you know:

1 in 4 car crashes involving children are side impact collisions. They are by far the deadliest type of collision for children, accounting for 1 in 3 child fatalities; nearly all of which are caused by head trauma.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a crash, a child’s head is the body part most vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries, accounting for 95 percent of all injuries sustained.

Talk about scary!! Thanks to the Safety 1st Complete Air with Air Protect car seat, I am able to breathe a little easier.

So what is so special about Safety 1st Complete Air with Air Protect?

1. Primary Focus on Head Protection

Air Protect™ Technology has been designed to defend against the biggest threat to children on the road today; side impact collisions. Side impact are by far the deadliest type of collision for children, accounting for one in three child fatalities; nearly all of which are caused by head trauma. The placement of Air Protect™ Technology on the car seat diverts crash forces away from a child’s head, the most vulnerable place in a side impact crash.

2. Superior Testing Methodology

The Complete Air™ Convertible Car Seat is tested with an intruding door technique, which best replicates an actual side impact crash. Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) collaborated with Kettering University’s renowned Crash Safety Center to develop a new standard for side impact testing. This new testing method is so significant that DJG and Kettering University have shared their findings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), supporting NHTSA’s efforts to provide more comprehensive regulations for side impact crash testing.

Impressive, right? So how does this Air Protect technology work?

Through the precise release of air, Air Protect™ shields children from side impact intrusion and immediately reduces crash forces at the most critical spot: around a child’s head. Air Protect™ does this by extending ride-down, the amount of time it takes to slow a child’s movement in a crash.

Now that we understand the safety behind the Safety 1st Complete Air with Air Protect, let's discuss the car seat itself.

First of all, the seat is beautiful. Clean and simple and modern, without any sacrifice in comfort. The Complete Air accommodates infants rear-facing from 5-40 lbs. and 19"-40" and toddlers forward-facing from 22-50 lbs. and 34"-45, making this seat a smart investment that will safely grow with your child.

Some of my favorite features include:

• QuickFit™ Harness System adjusts harness height from the front in one easy step without uninstalling from the car

Nothing is more frustrating than having to repeatedly rethread a car seat. The QuickFit Harness System eliminates all frustration. Adjusting height really is a simple one-step procedure. I am in love!

• One Click LATCH installation system allows for faster and easier installation when moving between vehicles.

I have never seen a LATCH system like this. It literally clips in like a seatbelt. Safely installing a car seat has never been easier!!

• 5-position adjustable headrest easily accommodates your growing child.

I put both my three-year old and my five-month old in the seat. The headrest adjusted to fit perfectly for both. When I invest in a car seat, I expect it to grow with my child. The Complete Air does not disappoint!

• Removable cup holder.

Who doesn't love a cup holder?

And finally, there is padding everywhere. Your child will not only be riding safely, but in total comfort as well!!

We are using the seat in the rear-facing position for the baby. The seat does recline a good deal, which may cause a fit issue in smaller cars, but works perfectly in our SUV. There should be no size issue forward-facing. In fact, the Safety 1st Complete Air with Air Protect is far more narrow than any other car seat I have owned, perfect for those of us that have cars packed full of car seats.

The good people at Safety 1st thought of it all with this car seat. Take the next step in car seat safety and purchase the Safety 1st Complete Air with Air Protect today. Available at Babies 'R Us in McKenna (Black/Gray) or Harvest (Brown/Orange) for $249.99