My blog has moved!

You will be automatically redirected to the new address. If that does not occur, visit
http://freckleberryfinds.com/
and update your bookmarks.

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Friday, April 29, 2011

Super-Duper Saturday Link Up

Welcome to the Super-Duper Saturday Link Up, where you can link your giveaways, Twitters, and Facebook pages all in one place! There are no rules, but it'd be really awesome if you snagged the button and tweeted about this linky so we all get more exposure for our links!



Photobucket





Post your GIVEAWAYS here:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.

Post your FACEBOOK PAGES here:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.

Post your TWITTER here:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.

Have a great weekend!

Freshly Picked - Kolcraft Edition


The moment has arrived! Out of 1,525 comments, we have a winner! 
Congratulations to Jennifer, the winner of the Kolcraft Contours Lite Stroller! 


You guys really blew me out of the water with this one! I am so thrilled with the response to this giveaway. Now, more sponsors are interested in Freckleberry Finds, and that means I get to bring you bigger and better giveaways! 

Now on to my very first review and giveaway event: Giveaway May! It launches on MONDAY, so make sure you grab that Giveaway May button for your THREE extra entries into each giveaway during the event. 




Giveaway May will include great prizes! Cloth diapers, books, puzzles, gourmet fudge, sippy cups,  organizers, lotions, baby clothes and more! You won't want to miss out.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Expanding Our House by Two Feet

With my due date quickly (and slowly at the same time) approaching, I've been having such a mixed bag of feelings. I'm thrilled to meet my newest little bundle, but I can't help but wonder what life will be like once we become a family of five. Of course it means things like never sleeping again, paying for two weddings instead of just one, and never being able to fit into a normal sized booth at a restaurant. But it also means Emma will have a sister, and Micah will be a big brother. My husband and I will get to watch him be a leader, protector, and best friend to "his" girls. I'm exhausted just thinking about the months (year +?) of breast feeding, but I also get to experience the bond of nursing my little princess.

I was terrified when I brought home my son from the hospital. Two?! I was managing one just fine, but now I am responsible for TWO?! I would ask moms, "How do you do it?", and they would give me tips and tricks that we've all heard before. But once we were all home from the hospital as a family of four, I learned that though the advice of other moms is valuable, for sure, nothing will compare to your maternal instinct.

So how will I do it with three? Easy. Just do it.

How did you prepare for a new baby? What is one piece of advice that you truly valued?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Soda Stream Review

We are, admittedly, a soda family. Mr. Freckleberry is a grape soda kind of guy, and I teeter between Diet Dr. Pepper and Coke Zero. However, we always (and I mean ALWAYS) run out before our next grocery trip, and I know that I absolutely hate to buy more soda. You've got to lug it underneath your basket, then you've got to haul it out to your car, then haul it to your fridge. Then, it takes up practically my entire bottom shelf! Not only that, but we live in the boonies and don't have trash service, meaning we have to burn anything we "waste". While I do my best to keep everything separated for recycling, I know that there's been cans tossed into the burn pile. Cans. Hate 'em.

I learned about Soda Stream through a fellow blogger, and was instantly intrigued. You mean I can make 12 litres of soda for as low as $4.99?! That's incredible value, folks, and virtually no waste. NO cans to separate, no recycling center trips. Just great soda for a screaming low price.


Here's how Soda Stream works: Fill your bottle with a litre of water. Then, you carbonate it using the Soda Stream. I've got to say, this is a neat thing to watch! You can choose how "fizzy" you'd like your drink to be, as well! After carbonation, you add whichever flavor of soda you'd like, and voila! You've got a custom made beverage!



Not only do they sell quite a few flavors of soda mix, but they also have fabulous energy drink mixes (think along the lines of Red Bull), Sparkling Tea, Sparkling Naturals, MyWater Essence Flavors, as well as many diet versions of their mixes. I was thrilled to unpack my box and see the Soda Stream Cola Free mix, which is comparable to Coke Zero! I am absolutely floored. This is without a doubt a better taste AND better value than buying canned soda from the market.



Mr. Freckleberry desperately wants to take it to work to have on his desk! It's just such a smart way to enjoy flavored water or soda and be environmentally conscious (as well as frugal!) at the same time. You can buy Soda Stream at many retailers nationwide! The model I received can be purchased for about $80. Each bottle of Soda Mix starts at $4.99, and it will make you 12 litres of soda.  Soda Stream also has an online store, stocked with tons of Soda Mix, carbonators, bottles, and more!

This product is just plain awesome. We've saved money, we've saved our backs, and we've helped reduce our waste output. All around, the Soda Stream earns an A+ from me!

Disclosure: The review above is my own words and honest opinion. I received a product in order to complete my review.

Freshly Picked - Advertising Edition


Congratulations to shopannies and Melanie! You have both just won 3 months of advertising space on Freckleberry Finds! 


I will be emailing you both shortly to let you know that You've Been Picked! 

If you didn't win, don't worry! I still have advertising spaces available, and I'll honor the discount that I included in the giveaway post. Email me and you can get 20% off any advertising package! That's only $8.00 for a month, and just $20.00 for three months! Remember, Giveaway May is coming up in LESS than a week, and tons of readers will be visiting, so this is a great time to get in on the discounted ad space :).

Have you grabbed the Giveaway May button to earn THREE extra entries into each giveaway during the event? NO?! Well, hurry! It's right over there on the right hand sidebar :). 

Friday, April 22, 2011

Super-Duper Saturday Link Up

Welcome to the Super-Duper Saturday Link Up, where you can link your giveaways, Twitters, and Facebook pages all in one place! There are no rules, but it'd be really awesome if you snagged the button and tweeted about this linky so we all get more exposure for our links!


Photobucket



Let's get to linkin' and hoppin'!




Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Have a fantastic Easter Weekend, Freckleberries!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Skin MD Natural Review

I have never had to experience dry skin like this before. Ever. As a native South Texan, we had so much humidity that it was pretty much impossible to have dry hands. But now that I'm a Midwesterner who has to deal with bitterly cold winters and dry conditions, my hands have taken a turn for the worst. It seemed like no matter what I tried, I couldn't get my hands moisturized and maintain their moisture! I tried scented, unscented, foofy lotions, cheap lotions--all of it. But nothing worked quite like Skin MD Natural!

This stuff is phenomenal! It's light, but it feels like a protective layer is covering my hands throughout the day.  It's fantastic! From the Skin MD Natural website: "Most moisturizers do not seal in the body's own moisture, they artificially lubricate the outer layers of skin. When they wear off, the lubrication is gone and the original dryness remains. Sometimes this process will draw out the body's natural moisture and contribute to the dehydration process.

Skin MD Natural has an added benefit of forming a natural barrier, sealant on the skin, keeping its own natural moisture inside. This eliminates the need for having to put an artificial moisturizer on several times during the day, as Skin MD Natural lasts a good portion of 8 hours with one application."


I feel 100% confident using this product on my entire family, including my kids. Skin MD Natural is free of parabens, petrochemicals, dyes, and other ingredients known to irritate skin. Not only that, but they're vegan, cruelty free, and eco-friendly. Did you know that they use 100% solar power to manufacture their product? That's amazing in and of itself! 

Skin MD Natural healed my hands, truly. I even had slight cracking, and with a few days of regular (as in, once a day!) use, they were healed. I would absolutely recommend Skin MD Natural to anyone, dry skin or not! Keep an eye out during Giveaway May for a chance to win a bottle!

Disclosure: The review above is my own words and honest opinion. I received a product in order to complete my review. VQZQGHY9EZKP

DEAL ALERT! Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL for $165!

Holy moly! Mega deal alert!



Diapers.com has the Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL Convertible Car Seat in Granite or Champagne for $165.59 SHIPPED! These retail for $229.99 normally, so get in on this deal before they're GONE! The seat itself is 20% off, and then you can use the code GET10PCT to get an additional 10% off of EVERYTHING in your order (new customers only), and all orders over $49 get free 1-2 day shipping!  

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Freshly Picked - PxlCafe.com Edition


Congratulations to Joy N. and E! You've both won two digital scrapbooking kits from PxlCafe.com! 


I will be emailing both of you shortly to let you know that You've Been Picked by Freckleberry Finds! 

You may see a taper in new giveaways in the next week or so, but that's only because I'm ramping up for Giveaway May (oh, and the fact that I'm about 37 weeks pregnant and running around like a chicken with my head cut off)! 

Don't forget -- snag the Giveaway May button for THREE extra entries into each giveaway during the event!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Super-Duper Saturday Link Up

Welcome to the Super-Duper Saturday Link Up, where you can link your giveaways, Twitters, and Facebook pages all in one place! There are no rules, but it'd be really awesome if you snagged the button and tweeted about this linky so we all get more exposure for our links!

 

Photobucket




You've got giveaways, Twitters, and Facebook Pages, and I've got a linky. Ready? Set? Go!

Post your GIVEAWAYS here:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Post your TWITTER here:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Post your FACEBOOK here:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Freshly Picked - The Laundry Tarts Edition


Congratulations to lucky comment number 350...Annie1! You've just won a bag of eco-friendly detergent from The Laundry Tarts!


If you didn't win this one, don't worry! Giveaway May is coming up, and there will be TONS of great things for you to score! Don't forget to grab the Giveaway May button for THREE extra entries into each giveaway during the event. 

Happy Friday, everyone!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Giveaway May

Alrighty, Freckleberries. My first ever giveaway event is right around the corner, and you are NOT going to want to miss it! With giveaways ranging from cloth diapers, tasty gourmet treats, toys, books, and more, you're going to want each entry you can snag! Grab the Giveaway May button below and post it on the main page of your blog and get THREE (count 'em, three!) extra entries into EACH giveaway during Giveaway May!




I am so very excited about this event, and I hope you are, too! Not to mention, I'm due to have this baby on or around May 9, so needless to say, May is going to be a busy month in my house :). I'm thinking about having a mini-contest to guess when I'll actually deliver. We'll see what I can drum up!

Happy Thursday, Freckleberries! 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Freshly Picked - Threadbands Edition


Congratulations to lucky comment number 112...McKim! You've just won a custom birthday shirt from Threadbands, LLC! 


I'll be emailing you shortly to let you know that You've Been Picked by Freckleberry Finds! 

If you didn't win this giveaway, don't lose hope! Not only do I have some stellar giveaways up right now, but Giveaway May is right around the corner! There will be stuff for you AND for baby, so don't miss it! If you grab the Giveaway May button (right hand sidebar), you'll earn THREE extra entries into EACH giveaway! So hurry, go snag that sucker!

Also, if you haven't yet liked Freckleberry Finds on Facebook, you might wanna get in on that! I'm accumulating a bit of a "grab bag", and on days I'm feeling a bit giveaway happy, I may host some flash giveaways! Plus, it gives you an entry into all of my giveaways, so go for it!

Happy Hump Day! Halfway to the weekend :). Keep on keepin' on!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Networked Blogs

Just a quickie post before I hit the hay. I'm now on Networked Blogs! Awesome, huh? That means you can see my blog posts on your Facebook or Twitter feed whenever they're hot off the press! You'll never miss a giveaway or deal!
You can follow me via Networked Blogs by clicking "Follow This Blog" in the Networked Blogs widget in the right hand side bar, or by heading over to my Networked Blogs profile page on Facebook.

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! We had a somewhat eventful tornado scare, complete with hail and 65 MPH winds. Also, BOTH of my kiddos are staying the weekend at my Mother-in-Law's house, and that means I will have all day tomorrow to myself. The house will be so quiet! What would you do if you had a kid-free day?

Friday, April 8, 2011

Super-Duper Saturday Link Up

What time is it? Link up time! You know, I call this linky the Super Duper Saturday Link Up...so how about we make it really super duper? Now, this bad boy will have a linky for giveaways as well as a Facebook AND Twitter Hop!  There's no rules, but it would be really awesome if you Tweeted about this link up so that we ALL get more traffic to our giveaways and Twitter accounts! Here, you can even use this text:

Come check out the Super Duper Giveaway, Facebook, AND Twitter Linky hosted by @freckleberrymom! http://bit.ly/g9wk7b

If you follow me, leave me a comment and let me know! I always follow back, you just gotta let me know! :) You can help spread the word about this linky by snagging the button below:

Photobucket




Don't forget about my current giveaways, folks!


Let's get this linky started, shall we?

Post Your GIVEAWAYS HERE:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Post Your TWITTER HERE:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


Post Your FACEBOOK HERE:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.


I hope you all enjoy the Super Duper Link Up as much as I do! Have a fantastic weekend, Freckleberries!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Extreme Couponing --- Worth the Clipping?

So last night, TLC launched the premiere of their newest show, Extreme Couponing. It follows people who will obsessively collect coupons, including walking miles around their neighborhood looking for discarded circulars, or even dumpster diving to get their fix. These folks then formulate a game plan for how they will combine, double, triple, and complete upwards of 10-20 different checkout transactions in order to get the biggest bang for their buck.



And when I say bang, I really mean to say magnanimously large explosion. One couponer racked up a total of over $1,900.00. You read that right. Nearly TWO GRAND in groceries. With coupons, she paid a mere $103.72. That purchase included things like 35 cans of soup, 40 boxes of cereal, 90 packages of cold cuts, 100 containers of yogurt, and 150 bottles of mustard. Well, at least you'll be set on hot dog toppings for a few zillion years.

Now, I agree, it was pretty exhilarating to see her $1,900 total creep down to the hundreds, but truly, I see no need to have 150 bottles of mustard. Can someone really eat 100 containers of yogurt before they spoil? Regardless, I'm intrigued as to how these couponers manage to walk out of grocery stores with hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars worth of groceries and only paying a very small percentage of their bill.

Are you a couponer? Tell us your tips and tricks! I'd love to implement coupons into my shopping trips, but I can never see myself loading up four carts worth of Ragu. Can you?

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Who knew noses were such a terrifying yet hilarious thing?



No, this isn't my baby, but man he is too cute! Enjoy the smile, Freckleberries! Happy Wednesday!

Freshly Picked - Purex Complete with Zout Edition


Congratulations to my two winners of the Purex Complete with Zout giveaway: Erica C. and Sarah! You both just won a full bottle of Purex Complete with Zout laundry detergent. Awesome! 


I will be emailing both of you shortly to let you know that You've Been Picked by Freckleberry Finds!

Don't forget about all of my current giveaways that are running right now. I've got a lot of fantastic stuff up for grabs! 


The Laundry Tarts Eco-Friendly Cloth Diaper Safe Detergent 4/14

Also, I am so very excited about Giveaway May! I'll be making a post about it later in the week to fill you guys in on just how awesome it's gonna be! If you're a retailer or Etsy owner and want to be a part of this review and giveaway event, it's not too late! There's still a few spots open. Send me an email and I'll get you more information about the event.

Happy blogging, entering, and beyond!  

Friday, April 1, 2011

Super-Duper Saturday Giveaway Link Up 4/1-4/8

It's that time again! You've got giveaways, I've got a linky. Let's get together and make it happen!

Don't forget about my current giveaways...there's a TON right now, too! I know you don't want to miss out on the Kolcraft Contours Lite Stroller or Laundry Tarts Detergent!


It'd be really fab if you tweeted about this linky! That way we ALL get more exposure for our giveaways! Here's a sample tweet for ya (don't you love how easy I make this for you?!): Check out @freckleberrymom's #giveaway linky! http://bit.ly/fQadZs

Ok, enough jibba jabba. Link 'em up, folks!

PxlCafe Digital Scrapbook Review + Giveaway

So with my recent blog redesign (doesn’t it look great?!), I spent HOURS combing the internet for cute digital graphics that were just right. It was harder than I thought! Thankfully, my designer worked her magic and I got just what I wanted, but I can’t imagine going at it alone.

Then, I heard about PxlCafe.com. Not only do they have incredible graphics, word art, papers, and elements, but they have full fledged Digital Scrapbooking Kits to help you make gorgeous scrapbook pages! What I loved about the kits was how they simply provided you with all the right materials to create what YOU envision. You pick the background. You decide where the photo will go. You enter text where you want it. They don’t limit your imagination---they enhance it! Not only can you use it for personal use, but they also have options for commercial use! So bloggers and business owners, take note! I had the chance to play with the Butterfly Kisses kit as well as the Oh Baby - Girl kit. They are to-die-for adorable! Check out some beautiful designs that people just like you and I have made using the kits from PxlCafe.com:


(Click Images for full size)

Are you kidding me?! Those are amazing! And what’s really neat is that you can use this with whichever photo editing software you prefer, like Photoshop Elements. I’m telling you, I can’t get enough of their cute graphics and kits:

Look at all of the stuff you get in a Kit!



Want in on the digital scrapbooking love? PxlCafe.com has generously offered TWO Freckleberry Finds readers TWO Digital Kits of their choosing! 

Mandatory Entry:
Visit PxlCafe.com and let me know what product you'd love to try!

Extra Entries (‘cause this is just too good to miss out on!):
Follow Freckleberry Finds via Google Friend Connect in the right hand sidebar. (+2)

Like Freckleberry Finds on Facebook and comment with your Facebook name. (+1)

Like PxlCafe on Facebook and comment here with your Facebook name. Be sure to thank them for the giveaway at Freckleberry Finds! (+1)

Follow Freckleberry Finds on Twitter and comment with your @username. (+1)

Tweet up to THREE times daily using this text: “#Win two digital scrapbooking kits from PxlCafe.com and @freckleberrymom! 2 WINNERS! #giveaway http://bit.ly/fqjEeh”. Comment with the permalink to your tweet. Make sure there's at least an hour in between tweets, pretty please! (+1 per tweet)

Grab my NEW button and leave me a link so I can find it! If you have my old one (the purple owl), you need to update it for this to count! (+3)

Blog about this post with a direct link pointing to this giveaway. Leave me a link so I can check it out! (+5)

Enter this giveaway into a linky (aside from my own). Leave me a link and the # on the list. You can find tons of giveaway linkies for each day of the week here and here. (+1 per linky entered)

Subscribe to Freckleberry Finds via email in the left hand sidebar (+1)

Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs. The button is in the left hand sidebar. You can vote once a day! (+1 per vote)

Enter another one of my giveaways. When you comment on this post, tell me the comment number of your other giveaway entry. (+1 per giveaway)

Remember, you gotta be in it to win it! Good luck, Freckleberries!

The Fine Print
This giveaway ends April 15, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST. Any entries submitted after the contest ends will be deleted. Random.org will choose the winner, and I will announce the winner on my blog on April 16, 2011. I will email the winner as well. If chosen, you have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. This contest is open WORLDWIDE.
Make sure that you leave an additional comment for each additional entry! For example, if you tweeted twice today, make sure you comment back here two separate times with the two separate links.
*Disclosure: The review above is my own words and honest opinion. I received a product in order to complete my review. PxlCafe.com will coordinate with the winner for their prize. By entering this contest, you release Freckleberry Finds of any liability.

Win 3 Months of Ad Space on Freckleberry Finds!

Today I'm catering to my fellow bloggers, etsy shop owners, retailers, and beyond! Who wouldn't want to have their button in as many places as possible? Well lucky you! TWO READERS have the chance to win THREE months of advertising space on my blog! That's a $25.00 value!


Interested in buying some ad space on Freckleberry Finds? For the duration of this giveaway, I'm offering a discount on my advertising space! Save 20% on any advertising package by sending me an email at ashley at freckleberryfinds dot com and mentioning this giveaway! That's only $8.00 for a month of advertising, or $20 for three whole months! This is a killer deal! Choose the three month package and your ad will run through Giveaway May, my review and giveaway event that spans the entire month of May. It doesn't get much better than that!

Another great idea: If you have a really big giveaway going on, or an event of some sort, choose the one month option to get the word out about your promotion! I'll even work with you if it's longer than a month, or already in progress. Need 5 weeks of ad space? Only need 2 weeks? Let me know and I can make it happen.

To make this even easier to win, I'll make the entry as simple as possible.

Mandatory Entry: 
Follow Freckleberry Finds on Google Friend Connect and leave me a comment telling me that you're a follower. That's it! (+1)

and for those who are in it to win it: 
Follow Freckleberry Finds on Twitter and tweet daily about this giveaway and comment here with your permalink. You're welcome to use this text: "My stats are gonna be stellar if I #win 3 months of #free ad space with @freckleberrymom! Discount in post! #giveaway http://bit.ly/h1Vfuq".  (+1 per tweet)

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy, right? Right! Get movin' and win this one, folks!


The Fine Print
This giveaway ends April 22, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST. Any entries submitted after the contest ends will be deleted. Random.org will choose the winner, and I will announce the winner on my blog on April 23, 2011. I will email the winner as well. If chosen, you have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. One month of ad space is defined as 4 weeks from start to finish. Three months of ad space is defined as 90 days from start to finish. Family Friendly Ads only! This contest is open WORLDWIDE.
Make sure that you leave an additional comment for each additional entry! For example, if you tweeted today, make sure you comment back here with your link!
*Disclosure: I am sponsoring this giveaway personally. By entering this contest, you release Freckleberry Finds of any liability.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
Blog Design by Grey Bloom Designs