Get Crafty With Crafts 'n things' FREE Newsletter!

I've always been big into crafts. I love creating things with my own hands, especially if I can do a project with my children. I'm not a craft elitist either. :) I love experimenting with a wide variety of ideas and projects.

Ideas aren't always easy to come by though, and that's where Crafts 'n things free newsletter comes in handy. Created by the makers of Crafts 'n things magazine (which is one of my favorite magazines), the newsletter is filled with fabulous ideas, tips and more.

With the economy as tight as it is right now, the newsletter is the perfect venue for finding ideas for homemade gifts that you can give as presents on special occasions. You can also find sewing/knitting/crochet projects, home decor ideas, and even projects for your garden.

Oh, and did I mention it is completely free?! Simply register and confirm through your email and you're all set to go! Once I confirmed my membership, I was even given links to bonus projects, 30 minute cards, and contests.

Want to join in on the fun? Simply click here to register for free. Enjoy!

Special K Snack Crackers

I've always been a big fan of Special K products, especially as it pertains to watching my weight. Their products have always been delicious AND healthy, the perfect combination.

I was so excited to find out that they have now developed a line of snack crackers! Thanks to Mom Central, I was able to check out two of the new cracker flavors, Multi-Grain and Italian Tomato and Herb.



Both were SO delicious! And both are very low-calorie. You can have 17 of the Italian Tomato and Herb crackers for only 90 calories! The Multi-Grain crackers that I tried came in pre-measured packs with only 90 calories each.

Because both are made with whole-grains, they keep you satisfied, unlike regular, plain crackers. Plus they were perfect for satisfying my salt cravings in the middle of the day. You can really taste the tomato in the Italian Tomato and Herb, as well, and the Mult-Grain crackers have a touch of sweetness to them.

The more products I can have on hand to help me stick to my diet, the better. I'm definitely going to make sure I have Special K crackers around all the time so that I'm not tempted by less-healthy, more calorie laden snacks!

Pepsi Super Bowl Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to micaela6955 from Creative Writings 101! She was selected at random through Random.org as the winner of our Pepsi Super Bowl Giveaway!

Thanks to Pepsi and Weber Shandwick for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway and thanks to all who entered. Stay tuned for more fun contests coming soon!

Garage Sale America Winner

Congratulations to Mom Forever and Ever! She was selected as the winner of our giveaway with Bruce Littlefield!

She wins an autographed copy of Garage Sale America, as well as a personal photo creation from Bruce himself.

Thanks to Bruce Littlefield for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway! And thanks to all who entered. :)

Win a Free Blog Design!

Judi over at Doodlebug Designs is hosting a giveaway for a FREE TEMPLATE DESIGN! I stumbled on this at just the right time as I've been dying to get a redesign of my personal blog but just can't afford one right now.

I checked out Judi's gallery of designs, and they are gorgeous! I know my blog would be in good hands.

Head on over to enter for yourself, but don't get mad if I have my fingers crossed that I win this one! :)

Light Your Way with Step 'N Shine - Giveaway

My grandma has had several falls in her bathroom due to her age and frail health. Making her way through the dark in the middle of the night is not easy for her.

That's why I was so happy to find out about Step 'n Shine, an ingenious product that will help her easily get the light she needs to get safely to the bathroom.

Thanks to Southard Communications, we were able to test the Step 'n Shine Solid Night Light System seen here at Walmart:



The package came with one, wireless, activator mat in a solid beige color, one light with adhesive backing as well as a hook to hang the light. (Click here to see Step 'n Shine's online site, which provides more lights in their package, or you can order extra lights through Walmart.)

The benefit of Step 'n Shine is that it only lights up when you need it. Simply step on the mat to activate it and it sends a wireless signal to the other light (the mat lights up as well). You can choose where you'd like the other light to be....a bathroom, nusery, hallway, stairs, etc.

Here are some of the benefits of the Step 'n Shine:

• Completely wireless
  
• Operates up to a 100 ft. range
  
• Wireless remote illuminator light is perfect to use on the newborn's changing table
  
• Just step and a gentle light automatically illuminates the room without disturbing anyone
  
• Comes in an attractive, solid beige color
  
• Requires six "AA" batteries (not included)

There are also colorfully printed mats for toddlers and older children, or for moms to use in a nusery.

Click here, to see the youth mats at Step 'n Shine's website, or here to see the nursery mat at WalMart:



After trying it out for ourselves, we felt good giving the system to my grandma for Christmas and she really loved the concept herself when she saw it. I'll rest easier knowing that she's a little safer at night now thanks to Step 'n Shine.

There is also a Snuggle 'n Shine Bear for kids that works similarly to the Step 'n Shine mat system:



Your child sleeps with the cuddly bear and when he/she needs to get up to use the bathroom (or for any other reason), he/she simply gives the bear a squeeze and the bear lights up.

Just as with the mat system, there is another light (in the shape of a little bear) placed wherever you choose that also lights up, giving your child a safe, lighted path to their destination:



Again, thanks to Southard Communications, my daughter was able to review this adorable product. She not only likes to be able to see where she's going, but she feels much more secure having both the light to guide her and the bear to hold when she needs to use the bathroom.

Want to win the Snuggle 'n Shine Bear for the child in your life? Simply leave a comment here to enter. The contest is limited to U.S. residents only (sorry!)

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following:

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Post my button on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.blondereviews.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Blog" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified. By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Thursday, January 22, 2009. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Pepsi Super Bowl Giveaway

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with The Ultimate Pepsi Super Bowl Party Pack, valued at $250?!



The pack is perfect for those hosting an at-home viewing party. It includes:

• 1 football
• 1 beverage pail
• 1 snack helmet
• 2 key chains
• 2 hats
• 2 t-shirts
• 5 Pepsi 24 pack coupons
• 5 Frito Lay coupons

Thanks to Pepsi and Weber Shandwick, one lucky reader will win all of the above!

Before I give you the details on entering, I want to encourage you to visit Pepsi's new site RefreshEverything.com, where you can upload a video message to President-Elect Obama.

Being a Republican myself, I would love to see more conservative videos there (Republicans are not really represented on the site at all right now). Pepsi is open to hearing from everyone, so let's get some conservative voices heard!

Okay, on to the giveaway. Simply leave a comment here to be entered. It's that easy!

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following:

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Post my button on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.blondereviews.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><center><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Blog" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></center></a>

Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified. By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Saturday, January 17, 2009. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Want an additional chance to win? Kristin at An Ordinary Life is also giving away this fabulous package! Click here to enter.

First Giveaway of the New Year!

Happy 2009! Are you ready for more fun and fabulous giveaways this year?



I'm kicking off the year with a giveaway you are going to really love. Did you see my previous post about Bruce Littlefield's appearance on CBS? He did a fabulous job giving tips on clever ways to display your photographs.

Bruce and I decided to do a fun giveaway that ties in with his appearance.



One lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of Bruce's book Garage Sale America AND Bruce will PERSONALLY work magic with one of your favorite photographs! (Maybe one of the tips he offered in his appearance? You'll have to wait and see!)



To enter, simply check out the video of Bruce's appearance on CBS's The Early Show by clicking here. Then, come back here and leave a comment letting me know what your favorite tip is (you can always comment over at CBS, but only comments left on this post will count towards the contest....this contest is in no way sponsored by, connected with, or endorsed by CBS).

You're on the honor system, so please no "cheating" by copying answers. Besides, you'll be missing out on all the fun if you don't watch Bruce's fabulous ideas (and he's SO much fun to watch!)

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following:

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post AND to Bruce's appearance. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified.

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

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org, posted here and contacted by email. Good luck!

Family Games from Electronic Arts

Ask anyone who the leader is in making the best video games and the answer will always be EA (Electronic Arts).

Thanks to Foghorn PR, our family had the opportunity of reviewing three fabulous games from the EA line, including Littlest Pet Shop: Winter for Nintendo DS, Travel Games for Dummies for Nintendo DS, and Family Game Night for Playstation 2.

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My little girl, Natalie, had the Littlest Pet Shop: Winter game at the top of her Christmas list so she was beyond excited when the game arrived. She has played with it endlessly and it goes perfectly with her Littlest Pet Shop collection of toys, figures and games.

Here's a description of the game from the website:

"Jump right into your own Littlest Pet Shop™ Winter, full of cute, quirky pets that magically come to life in an exciting digital world. Collect some of the newest and cutest pets and explore the four separate environments where you can care for and play with your pets in a variety of mini-games. The more time you spend having fun with your pet, the more great stuff you earn for your pet shop, including new pets, playsets, accessories, and more. Experience your Littlest Pet Shop in a whole new way!"

And here's a peek at it's fabulous features:

• Have fun in a winter wonderland
  
• For 1-4 players
  
• Collect and name 20 pets including brand new Fanciest, Cuddliest, Sportiest, Chilliest, and others!
  
• Dress up your pets with over 100 accessories like scarves, glasses, hats and more!
  
• Play with your pets in four unique, pet-sized worlds.
  
• Engage in all of your favorite winter activities, explore the jungle depths, enjoy a day in the garden, and manage your pet shop from pet plaza.
  
• Compete in 16 fun and challenging mini-games to unlock accessories, playsets, and new pets too!
  
• Many difficulty levels mean you can replay the games over and over again.
• Celebrate pet birthdays and other events by planning festive Littlest Pet Shop-style parties with Evite!

I'd have to say this is definitely one of Natalie's favorite video games now. Click on over to the site for more information and to check out all of the amazing graphics.

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MY personal favorite game, and the one that now has me hooked on Nintendo DS, is Travel Games for Dummies, one of three games in the line of "Games for Dummies" (there's also Poker for Dummies, and Brain Training for Dummies). The games are based on the popular book series with the same name.

In my case, the game should be titled "Insomnia Games for Dummies" since I play most often when I'm battling insomnia. There are soothing background sounds such as birds chirping as I play which help lull me to sleep, while the games keep my brain from thinking, "It's 3 a.m. and you're still awake!" (which just guarantees you'll stay awake even longer).

And they do make a great pastime while waiting at a doctor's office or when I'm getting my hair done and waiting for the color to take (a usually boring 40 minutes or so, but not anymore with my Travel Games in hand).

Here's a description of the game from the site:

"With 3-games-in-1, you can take the fun with you. Includes: Sudoku, Crosswords, and Solitaire. Through a simple and interactive interface, you can easily learn and play these games at your own pace. Over 600 puzzles to play on the go."

My favorite has been the crossword puzzles and I'm so hooked that I purchased my own Nintendo DS so I don't have to keep borrowing my daughter's.

Click here for more information and/or to purchase.

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Finally, a game that all of us love and play together is Family Game Night for Playstation 2.

The graphics are really fun and so detailed. Take a look at these examples:




The adorable Mr. Potato Head is your host for all the games which include Connect Four, Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry! and the all new, Sorry! Sliders. You can play the classic games, or you can play exciting, new variations like Connect 4 Power Chips, Boggle Portal Cubes, Reverse Yahtzee and Battleship Salvo.

My kids really liked that they could customize their own game room under their personal profile. There are so many themes and decorations to choose from, and trophies and other rewards earned through game play are displayed there.

The best part is that 4 players can join in the fun, so we can get a big game of Sorry Sliders going for example (our favorite), or we can battle it out in Yahtzee, another favorite.

Click here for more information and/or to order. You can see tons of the cool graphics as well to get an idea of how amazing they are.

Watch This Star Shine

No, not me. I'm not conceited enough to call myself a star. *grin*

I'm talking about one of my dearest (and hottest...that just has to be included in any introduction I ever make about him because it's so true) friends, Bruce Littlefield.

Bruce is a style and design guru, best-selling author, restaurateur, and King of Fun. If you haven't already, check out two of my favorite books from him: Garage Sale America and Merry Christmas, America!

Bruce is going to be on CBS's "The Early Show" this coming Tuesday, January 6, between 8 and 9 a.m. EST talking about clever ways to display photos. You don't want to miss it! I'm telling you, Bruce could get up there and talk about the Dewey Decimal System and he'd have you enthralled just from his smile and "fun-ness."

You can see previous appearances from him here.

And you can also watch him shine in these two videos from "The Today Show":

Decking the Halls:
(Watch what trick Bruce pulls on John Leguizamo in the video)



Garage Sale America:



See how much fun he is?!

Make sure you tune in to CBS's "The Early Show" this coming Tuesday, January 6, between 8 and 9 a.m. EST so you don't miss out on some great tips from a great guy!