Cash in on Cashmere at Lands' End

Shhhhh! I've got a secret for you! There is going to be a HUGE sale on cashmere items at Lands' End tomorrow that most Lands' End shoppers don't even know about. I was given a tip to share with all of you that tomorrow's "Daily St. Nick Pick" at Lands' End will be a sale on some cashmere items....$50 for items normally priced at $89.

I'll be doing a review soon of Lands' End Cashmere Long-sleeve Tee Sweater, but let me tell you now that it is AMAZING. So comfortable that I want to sleep in it!

So if you're looking for a good holiday deal, head on over to Lands' End tomorrow to take advantage of this amazing sale!

Christmas....Sucks?

I know. Shocking title, right? That's what I thought too when I first heard about the book by the same name, "Christmas Sucks: What to Do When Fruitcake, Family, and Finding the Perfect Gift Make You Miserable" by Joanne Kimes. (author of "Pregnancy Sucks")

If you're not one of the many people who dread the holiday season, then you probably at least know someone who does. I myself am a Christmas fanatic. I cannot get enough of the holiday and am so excited when I see all the lights start to go up in the neighborhood (as they have now). I'm like a little kid every December.

My husband on the other hand, is a definite Christmas scrooge. And I can understand why as he's the budget-runner in our house. I probably wouldn't be as cheery as I am if I was the one to face the bills!

So when I saw this book, I immediately thought of my husband and knew he'd get a kick out of it. When it arrived, I handed it to him and said, "Here. This is for you." And he laughed as soon as he saw the title, nodding his head. I'm sure he was grateful that there was someone out there who understood him.

Now I will warn you. If you are easily offended, you'll want to avoid the book. Kimes is definitely the Sarah Silverman of the book world! I personally found her hilarious (as did my husband) and I'm going to have the book out on the coffee table for our Christmas party. Though I'll make sure it's not within any child's reach, of course.

Speaking of Christmas parties, here's a quote from the book on the disadvantages of cookie swap parties:

"You may get stuck with some truly crappy cookies. Sure you leave with an assortment of cookies instead of all one kind, but there are always some loser cookies in the bunch, like the candied fruit lavender surprise or the ones with nuts you hate, or the dried-out cookies that the baker claims to be biscotti but you know are only called this to cover for the fact that they were overcooked."

See what I mean? I love her humor. Sarcastic and snarky? Yes. But also down-to-earth and real. Kimes is the kind of friend who would flat out tell you that, yes indeed your butt does look big in that dress. And while you'll get mad at first, you'll inwardly thank her for saving you the humiliation of wearing that dress in public.

Her rants will amuse you and her many tips just might save you some sanity this Christmas!

Click over to Sucks and the City, Kimes' blog, to learn more about "Christmas Sucks."

And while you're there, check out her blog description for further proof of her hilarious sense of humor:

"Let's be honest. I know you only found this site by surfing for either "Sex and the City" info, or a porn version of said film. But I think you'll enjoy this site as well, so take off your coat and stay awhile."

Want to win a copy of "Christmas Sucks" for yourself? Thanks to Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc., one lucky person will win a copy of the book. Simply leave a comment here describing a funny/embarrassing/silly moment you've experienced during the holidays to be entered. Be sure there is an email to be found or your entry will have to be disqualified.

For a bonus entry, blog about this contest with a link to this post, then leave a separate comment here with your link.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org, posted here and contacted by email.

Good luck!

Keep Your Child Safe With SeatSnug

I'm a firm believer in using booster seats until children reach the required age and weight for regular seat belt use. My state (Virginia) has one of the strictest booster seat laws in the country, requiring the use of a booster seat until the age of eight.

But while my youngest is eight-years-old, she is very petite. So even though I can legally have her out of a booster seat now, I'd rather be on the safe side considering her height and weight. She doesn't mind the seat, so that makes my decision even easier.

Even with the use of a booster seat, however, there are still many dangers. Because of "seatbelt slack" (looseness in the lapbelt), children are still at risk for injury or death while in a booster seat. In fact, the auto industry cites seatbelt slack as a major contributor to injuries and deaths in vehicular accidents.

A loose seatbelt leaves room for a child to be thrown around during normal vehicular use. In sudden stops or front-impact accidents a child could possible "submarine" under the lap belt. In rollover accidents, children can be actually be ejected from the seatbelt even though the seatbelt was buckled.

While this information can be very concerning, there is a solution. Keeping the belt tightly secured is obviously the goal and a new product on the market, SeatSnug, does just that.



Here's a description of the benefits of SeatSnug from their website:

"The brand new SeatSnug® allows the lap belt to be lightly tightened around a child’s hips while riding in a vehicle, preventing seatbelt slack or looseness from developing.

By gently securing a child while riding in a booster seat, SeatSnug® substantially eliminates bouncing, rocking, tipping, falling over, submarining, and ejection, thus reducing the potential for injuries and death in vehicular accidents. At the same time, SeatSnug® improves child stability and comfort."

The device is simply clipped onto an existing seatbelt, and it works by keeping the lap belt tightly secured over the child's hips, while still allowing the freedom to move the shoulder belt for comfort.

This is the same technology used for keeping drivers safe on a race track, so you know that this has been tested and proven to work. Click here to read more about this CG-lock technology.

From SeatSnug:

"The CG-Lock technology received The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval as a unique car safety device that stabilizes children in booster seats to increase child safety and comfort. SeatSnug® is a CG-Lock technology product designed specifically for children, to provide peace of mind to Moms and Grandmoms, while they drive children around."

Here's an important comparison video that demonstrates the dramatic difference between a booster seat with SeatSnug and one without:



Visit SeatSnug today for more information on how to protect your child.

The Secret Mountain

As I've said here before, we have a thing for books in our house. My kids still love for me to read to them and they read to themselves every night as well.

So I'm always delighted to come across new publishers and books that I can share with my kids. I recently was able to review three books from the amazing publishing group The Secret Mountain:

Down at the Sea Hotel



Dream Songs Night Songs



A Duck in New York City



My personal favorite is "A Duck in New York City." My kids seemed to like that one best, too, most likely because we just traveled there this summer for vacation.

Here's a description of the book from the publisher:

"An original work by well-known singer-songwriter Connie Kaldor that tells the story of a little prairie duck with a big idea – making it on Broadway. It’s a long shot, and New York’s very far away. Luckily, a truck-driver named Big Betty comes along, offers him a ride, and gives him that extra little boost he needs to fulfill his dream!"

What sets these books apart from most others is that they come with a CD filled with music to accompany the stories. Lyrics and illustration files are also available for printing on the CDs.

The books themselves are high-quality. They are hardcover, well-bound, and the illustrations inside and out are dazzling!

The Secret Mountain books are going down on my favorites list. Head over to their site now to check them out for yourself. Enjoy!

Emergen-C Giftbasket Winner

Congratulations to "vtvixen469" who has won the giveaway for a gift basket filled with Emergen-C products!

Thanks to all who entered and to Emergen-C and Murphy O'Brien for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway.

Stay tuned for more contests to come!

Delicious Pillsbury Review and Giveaway!

Who doesn't love Pillsbury? Their creations are oh-so tempting and irresistible! I recently had the privilege of trying out three of their products with my family: Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls, Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations and Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Crust.

If there is one breakfast item that my kids will go crazy over, it's Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls. I swear they could be all the way outside and their olfactory radar will pick up on the heavenly scent coming from the oven as they bake.



In fact, my oldest child, who is now in college, considers it one of her favorite childhood memories. Smelling the delicious rolls cooking, melting the gooey icing on top, and then biting into the warm, soft, cinnamon-filled roll. Are you drooling yet? I am!

Now, Pillsbury has made it even easier to make these delectable rolls with their new frozen Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls made with real Cinnabon cinnamon. If you're worried that the fact they are frozen may take away from the taste, I can positively assure you that you need not worry! The taste is just as delicious...actually more so with the Cinnabon cinnamon.

There's no thawing involved. Simply pop them out of the freezer into the oven and they'll be done within 20 to 25 minutes. Since they're frozen, you can keep them much longer before having to cook them (though if your house is like mine, they'll be gone pretty fast!)

The rolls come in two sizes now: Regular Grands! and Grands! mini. I like both, but I found myself scarfing down a ton of the minis at once. I like my cinnamon rolls...well...BIG! :)

I'm also a huge bread lover and Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations definitely satisfy my bread cravings. You can make dozens of creations with these crescent rolls, but my favorite way to enjoy them is plain with butter. *drool*



The flaky dough sheet is crescent dough without the seams. Specially designed to be used in recipes, consider it a blank canvas for scrumptious dishes such as appetizers, calzones, casseroles, desserts and/or breakfast items. You'll be able to find recipes for Crescent Veggie Pizza and savory Bacon-Cheese Tartlets right on the package.

Click here to watch a video of various creations and find tons of delicious recipes to make. You can find more recipes and information about the product here as well.

Check out this tasty Shrimp dish made with Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations:



Then, of course, there's Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Crust. Want an easy way to make the delicious tasting homemade kind? Then look no further than Pillsbury!



We took the thin pizza crust and simply spread it out on a pizza pan, then topped it with tomato paste sprinkled with Italian seasoning (my preferred "sauce"), then topped with tons of mozzarella cheese. Simple, fast, and delicious! My family devoured it faster than I could blink.

Click here to see a video on the crust. There are also lots of fabulous pizza recipes for you to try out.

And check out all of the coupons and promotions Pillsbury has to offer while you're over there.

Want to try these tasty products out for yourself? Thanks to Pillsbury and Exponent PR, one lucky person will win free coupons for all three of the products mentioned above!

Entrants must read and agree to the rules listed here before entering the giveaway.

Once you've read the disclaimer, simply leave a comment on this post and be sure there is an email that can be found or your entry will have to be disqualified. For a bonus entry, blog about this contest with a link to this post and to Pillsbury, then leave a separate comment here with your link.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Tuesday, November 25, 2008. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org, posted here and contacted by email.

Good luck!

LITTLEST PET SHOP Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Abby from The Merry Meyers! She has won over $60 of LITTLEST PET SHOP toys in our LITTLEST PET SHOP giveaway!

Thanks to all who entered, as well as Foghorn PR and Hasbro's LITTLEST PET SHOP for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway!

Stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming soon.

Win a Vacation Getaway!

With the holidays fast approaching, most of us are more stressed than ever. Want to escape the craziness for just a little while?

TheSociety.com is
giving away 10 vacations to some of the most luxurious rental homes across the world!

Hurry over to enter as two of the vacations have already been given away.

Good luck!

Stop MRSA Now

With three kids, I am constantly worried about germs. My kids know that when they get in the door after they've been out, they must wash their hands in warm water, with soap, for at least 30 seconds. And when we're out and about, I carry hand sanitizer for all of us.

Such vigilance has made a difference as they get far less colds and flus since I've cracked down on them. Now, however, with the emergence of the deadly MRSA bacteria, it is of the utmost importance for parents to be extra careful.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of Staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. More than 90,000 Americans get potentially deadly MRSA infections every year and in 2005, nearly 19,000 Americans died from MRSA infections.

One mother, Everly Macario, lost her own young son Simon to MRSA in April 2004. After taking Simon to the emergency room with common cold and flu symptoms, and being released, Simon became lethargic with heavy breathing.

They returned to the hospital where Simon was admitted to the ICU. Simon passed away the next day. During his time in the hospital, doctors were unsure of the source of his infection and it was not until months after his death that it was confirmed to be Community-Associated MRSA.

Because of her experience, Everly is now committed to educating the public on MRSA. To help accomplish her goal, she joined the STOP MRSA Now Coalition, a group of community members who have experienced MRSA first-hand and are standing together to educate others to help prevent the spread of MRSA.



The spokesperson for the coalition is NBA star and father Grant Hill, who himself contracted MRSA. You can read about his experience here.

According to the coalition, there are two types of MRSA, Healthcare-Associated (HA-MRSA), which occurs in hospitals and nursing homes, and a newer type of MRSA called Community-Associated (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA has recently begun to spread in public settings like gyms, locker rooms, households and schools.

People can carry MRSA and not have any symptoms and they can also transmit the bacteria to other people. MRSA can be easily spread through skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated items.

The good news is that there are preventative measures that you and your family can take to protect yourself against this bacteria:

• Scrub up - Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.
• Wipe it down - Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
• Cover your cuts - Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
• Keep to yourself- Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
• Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.

For more information visit the Stop MRSA Now website. You can also watch this PSA video from spokesperson Grant Hill to learn more:

I've Got a Secret

Finding quality books for my kids to read is not always in easy task in this day and age. That's why I was so excited to find out that Danna Gresh, one of my favorite, Christian authors, has come out with a mainstream book series for tweens.

Secret Keeper Girl is a fiction series that explores relevant and age-appropriate issues to girls ages 8-12. The series is comprised of four books that feature a group of middle school friends who support each other through the challenges that they face in life.

My daughter Natalie, who is 8, got to try out Danika's Totally Terrible Toss - The Legend of the Purple Flurp in the series. The book is about a girl who gets into trouble when she accidentally hits the lunch lady in the head with her brown paper bag lunch. Through her troubles, she comes to learn that popularity can come with a price and that it's more important to be the "real Danika."

Natalie LOVED the book and finished it fairly quickly, which is pretty good considering it's over 100 pages and has ten chapters. So even if your child is on the lower end of the tween spectrum, it should be easy for them to follow along.

The design of the book is very appealing as well. Each page is framed in a purple background with girly graphics, and I think that made the book more visually appealing to Natalie.

At the end of the book, there are some fun activities, such as a Bible verse and how it applies to the character of Danika and her life, discussion ideas for moms and their daughters, a question form with blanks for your child to write in, and more.

In looking at the back of Natalie's edition, I see she answered the question about the most important thing about friendship. She wrote, "Being a friend is the only way to have one," (one of the lessons in the book).

See what I mean about quality reading? In fact, one of Gresh's main goals is to help young girls to avoid the perils of peer pressure and to encourage modest yet trendy attire.

To enhance this goal, and to accentuate the book series, there is an online site called Secret Keeper Girl. There are sections for both mothers and daughters and the site is so lively and colorful. The message within (about faith and values) is an important one for me as a mom to pass on to my daughter.

Be sure to check out the other books in the series as well: Just Call Me Kate, Yuzi's False Alarm, and "T" is for AnTONIa.

For more information, visit the website and check out this video featuring the author Dannah Gresh:

Emergen-C Review and Giveaway

In this cold and flu season, it's so important to make sure our kids are getting their vitamins. Now, there's a fun, new way to make that happen.

Emergen-C Kidz offers a complete multi-vitamin and multi-mineral fizzy drink mix for kids that comes in three flavors: Orange Pineapple Explosion, Strawnanaberry Blast and Cherry Yumberry. And one of the most interesting aspects of these drinks is that kids were involved in every part of the development process, from the taste to the name to the package design!

Emergen-C contains powerful antioxidants and 24 essential nutrients like vitamin C (500 mg), beta carotene, vitamin E, zinc and iron. There's also calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus to help build strong bones and teeth, and choline to support healthy brain function. Each package has 250 mg of real fruit juice powders and there are no artificial flavors.

My kids tested out the Strawnanaberry Blast and Orange Pineapple Explosion flavors. We followed the directions and added 6 oz. of water to the mix. However, over time, we've found that diluting it with more water makes it taste much better.

I tried the drink myself and neither my kids nor I could detect much of a fizz. Despite that, we all enjoyed it and they now mix up the drink all on their own (I made sure to tell them to limit it to one glass a day).

Want to try it out for yourself? Thanks to Emergen-C and Murphy O'Brien, one lucky person will win a basket filled with Emergen-C Kidz as well as regular Emergen-C products for moms and dads.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and be sure there is an email that can be found or your entry will have to be disqualified. For a bonus entry, blog about this contest with a link to this post and to Emergen-C, then leave a separate comment here with your link.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, November 19, 2008. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org and posted here and contacted by email. Winner has two weeks to respond to notification or the prize is forfeited.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: The statements in this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. So a Blonde Walks Into a Review and its author assume no liability for damages associated with the prizes or contents contained therein.

LITTLEST PET SHOP Giveaway Galore!

As my daughter is preparing her letter to Santa, there is one item guaranteed to go on her wish list: anything and everything from Hasbro's LITTLEST PET SHOP line of toys. It's the hottest thing for her and her friends this year.

In fact, it's long been a hit with all of them. I can certainly attest to that after collecting dozens of LITTLEST PET SHOP dolls accidentally left behind on my deck and in the sandbox many a time.

The toys are so popular that there's even a bit of a cult following on YouTube. Here is a really cute one I found, complete with music from ABBA:



And even a LITTLEST PET SHOP wedding:



Click here to see dozens more by this user, including LITTLEST PET SHOP birthdays, holidays, wilderness trips and more. See what I mean? There's a reason so many people love these cute little pets!

Natalie recently had the privilege of reviewing several products from the LITTLEST PET SHOP line and they were all a big hit with her:

LITTLEST PET SHOP Digital Pen (ARV $12.99)



The best part about this pen is that it's several toys in one. Not only can your child write with it, but there is also a removable TEENIEST TINIEST PET on top as well as a digital, on-screen pet that your child can "brush," "feed" and play games with. The pen comes with sticker sheets and paper for your child to write on as an added bonus. Natalie has always been into stationery for some reason so she loves writing with the pen as much as she loves playing with the pets.

LITTLEST PET SHOP Pet Pairs Fish and Whale (ARV $3.99)



How adorable are these pets? Natalie's are always wet as she constantly plays with them in the bathtub. The wave accessory comes with the two pets.

LITTLEST PET SHOP Pet Pairs Corgi and Dachshund (ARV $3.99)



So cute! Natalie is a huge dog lover so these are two of her favorite pets. Notice the two girly skirts that come with the dogs. A perfect touch!

LITTLEST PET SHOP Digital Planner (ARV $29.99)



Now this one really wowed Natalie. She feels so grown up with her own PDA. And what I love most about it is that it actually made her excited about math. "Mom!" she said to me. "I can practice my multiplication tables on this!" Doesn't get much better than that.

There are so many more fabulous features to this planner that I'm going to list the description from the site:

"Use the touch screen and stylus pen to care for your new digital pet, feeding, washing and even brushing him! Spend the day doing some virtual shopping together and pick out hats, hair accessories and shoes so you can dress your four-legged friend! Play games and plan all kinds of pet-lovin’ activities! Snap a picture at your pet’s photo shoot!

Think he might be hungry? Choose some food to feed him! And with all the fun you’re sure to have, you’ll need to keep track of your plans. You can also use your digital planner as an address book, a calendar for storing special dates or as a calculator! Take your planner with you when you’re on the go. With more than twenty-five on-screen games and activities, your calendar is sure to be chock full – of fun!"

Can you believe they can pack that much fun into one little toy? I actually have to pull Natalie away from it at times because she's on it SO much.

LITTLEST PET SHOP VIP Butterfly (ARV $14.99)



Here's another toy that has more to it than meets the eye. In addition to the adorable, plush pet, there is a code hidden under its color that lets your child access the virtual world of VIP pets on the LITTLEST PET SHOP web site.

There, your child will find games, activities and fun surprises.

Want to win each of these products, valued at more than $60, for the child in your life? Thanks to Hasbro's LITTLEST PET SHOP and Foghorn PR, one lucky winner will receive each of the products featured above! (actual color and style may vary)

To enter, simply leave a comment here letting me know about a product you love from the LITTLEST PET SHOP website. For a bonus entry, blog about this contest with a link to this post and to LITTLEST PET SHOP, then leave a separate comment here with your link.

Be sure that a valid email address can easily be found in your profile, or you can leave it in your comment. Entries from those who do not provide a way to find their email address will be disqualified.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. EST, Monday, November 17, 2008. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org and posted here and contacted by email. Winner has two weeks to respond to notification or the prize is forfeited.

Good luck! :)

Christmas Gift Guide

Kristin fromAn Ordinary Life has teamed up with From Dates to Diapers and beyond! and Chic Shopper Chick to provide you with great gift ideas for Christmas this year. Starting November 10, be sure to visit them to see what they reveal.

I'll also be updating this post with giveaway information from their event. Enjoy!

Blog Love

Jesica from Complete and Utter Chaos was kind enough to give the "I Love Your Blog Award" to this site. Thank you, Jesica!

The rules are that the recipients are to pass the award to seven blogs of their choosing, so here are my seven choices (and it's hard to pick just seven!):

1. MumsTheWurd!

2. An Ordinary Life

3. A Mama's Blog

4. Just a Mom's Take On Things

5. A Daily Dose of Toni

6. Lucky Ladybug

7. Mrs. Fussypant's Guide to Life

Ugh...that was SO hard! I don't want to stop at seven! Please don't feel slighted if you're not in this list...I love you all!

In fact, please check out all of the wonderful links and buttons in my sidebar for some fabulous blogs. They're all amazing!

Free Coloring Fun!

Got kids who like to color? Looking for free printable coloring pages?
www.FreeColoringPageFun.com has more than 2500 FREE Coloring Pages
to give you with hours upon hours of free coloring page fun!

Women's Health - Knowledge is Power

With all of the "female" health problems I've suffered over the years, it's a good possibility that I alone have kept the gynecological field in business. :) I've also been to a variety of doctors and have been given a variety of opinions.

So far, I've avoided having a hysterectomy and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible. Far too many doctors, in my opinion, push this option onto women when I believe it should be a last resort.

The AAGL has created a website to help women learn about less invasive procedures (even for those who do require a hysterectomy). They believe in the importance of educating women about such options and helping them to make the best choices for their bodies and their health.

Unfortunately, many women are not told of less invasive options for treating their conditions. Whether it be heavy bleeding, fibroids, stress urinary incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse, there are treatment options available that do not require traditional surgery.

Since 1/3 of women will experience these conditions in their lifetime, usually after pregnancy and childbirth, information on alternative treatments is so important. Traditional surgery frequently carries a higher risk of complications and a longer healing process. Minimally invasive procedures, however, are done quickly and relatively easily, usually require much less time to heal, and there's a lot less pain, too.

The US News & World reported that, out of the one in four women who receive hysterectomies, approximately 85% are still treated with traditional open abdominal surgical methods, despite the perfection of a decades old laparoscopic procedure that leaves the ovaries and cervix in place. So if I were to go forward with a hysterectomy, I would make sure my doctor uses the laparoscopic procedure if at all possible.

If you doctor proves unwilling or unable to perform minimally invasive procedures, you should feel empowered to seek out a second opinion from a gynecologist who offers less invasive options.

Visit the AAGL's website to learn about the alternative treatments that exist for your condition. Knowledge is power!

Enter the Magical World of Bella Sara

My little girl absolutely loves horses, as most young girls do. She loves to play with and read about horses and luckily for us we live in what's considered "horse country."

Now, there's also a virtual world of horses that my daughter can visit. Bella Sara is a safe, happy, and friendly place for horse lovers ages 5 and up.

Most exciting is the news that Bella Sara now has a new baby, Baby Bella! To celebrate, there is a line of Baby Bella trading cards to enhance the joy of this whimsical world. In addition to the traditional trading cards, there are now cards featuring all of the brand-new babies!



And, on November 6th, the website is kicking off a 10-day celebration where kids can qualify for daily prizes. They can also some of the babies’ birth certificates, read stories and get access to special codes (codes to unlock the virtual world of Bella Sara can also be found on the trading cards).

My Natalie has had so much fun with her cards and with the website. The cards tell about each horse and its family, as well as its special power and a positive message for your child. She's brought her cards outside to play with her friends and they are just as enchanted.

The website is even more exciting for her, and I usually have to pull her away from the many games and activities in the world of "North of the North."

Be sure to check out the site on November 6 for the 10-day celebration and you can open your child up to a whole new world of fun!

Lands' End Winner

Congratulations to Kari from The Redhead in the Corner! She has won her choice of pullover in the Lands' End Giveaway.

Many thanks to Lands' End and Fleishman-Hillard Inc. for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway. And thanks to all who entered. Stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming soon!