It's been so long!

Hey everyone!  It's been so long since I've blogged.  I've wanted to get back into the swing of things but just haven't had the motivation to do so.  One of my resolutions this year was to do things that I want to get done.  One of those things is to keep in touch with my online peeps and blog more.  So here I am.  

Today, I wanted to get the ball rolling with one of my all time FAVORITE foods!  Pizza!   Freschetta Pizza to be specific.  The Freschetta® Rally for Real Pizza campaign is underway and I wanted to share with you about the great ingredients they use to make these YUMMY pizzas.  Freschetta only uses the highest quality, freshest ingredients to make their pizzas and they are BY FAR the best, closest thing to homemade frozen pizza I've found. 

Today, Freschetta is kicking off their Rally for Real campaign and will be giving away 5 pizza to 100 winners each WEEK!  Enter to win on their facebook page www.facebook.com/freschettapizza

On March 30, they will select 10 winners to win pizza for a YEAR!

Good luck, and happy eating!


I occasionally receive compensation in the form of products for posts. However, the opinions I share are solely my own.

I Heart Faces-photo challenge

 

Kylia, age 1, and our dog Nugget last fall.  I adore this photo, the love of a child and a pet <3.

I entered this photo in the I Heart Faces Photo challenge (pets) this week.

Shutterfly deals!

I just made this awesome Mother's Day card and 2 mugs plus got about 24 prints for just .14 cents!  YES FOURTEEN cents!!!!!!  I had a code for $30 off $30 from Photoworks
because they closed and partnered with Shutterfly to transfer all accounts to them.  Then I had a free shipping code for orders over $30 (SHIP30).  I also had a code for a FREE card.  I love Shutterfly!!!!  Add to all this that I will get a $10 coupon (on any order over $10) for sending this post to Shutterfly for review!  Head on over there and make some memories!

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Tupperware

Anyone want Tupperware? I have a party open until April 25 that you can order from. Click here to view the products, specials, or to place an order.

Tupperware still offers a LIFETIME guarantee, and they offer a lot more than just storage containers. Check out the spill proof tumblers for little kiddos and the Quick Chef chopper/blender. It's the perfect little food processor and takes up just a little space!

The microwave cereal bowls are also on sale this month for $12.50 for a set of 4 with lids! This is an awesome deal on a great product!

Anyone that places an order and comments on this post will be entered to win a $5 amazon.com gift card! Be sure to comment here that you placed an order!!!

I'm baaaack!

Ok, so it turns out I did stop blogging, for a hot minute. I'm back and better than ever. I don't know how much I am going to blog about freebies and deals as there are just so many other blogs about that out there. I treated myself to a Nikon D3100 this spring and I am working on learning how to use it. Meanwhile, I will probably post about photos and editing (or trying to LOL) for a while. I am focusing on my family and hope that you will join me on my journey. As always, I welcome any tips you can give me on the photos! Here's a taste of what's to come.

I have entered this photo in the "wind" themed photo contest at

Where did I go?

A few people have asked me if I have stopped blogging or just dropped off the face of the planet. No, I did not do either. I got very caught up in Swap-Bot and have been using the time to really feel out the site and participate. I wanted to be able to give an accurate review of the experience and let you all know what it is all about! So here goes.

I joined Swap Bot mid May. I found a button on a random blog and boy am I glad! I have completed 49 swaps since joining and am signed up for several others currently. It has become one of my favorite places online. Swapping has given me some "ME" time. Here is how the bot works.

First you have to be a member. This is the easy part. Just go to www.swap-bot.com and register. Then you get to fill out your profile. Make sure you fill it with things that apply to you! This is how people will be able to tailor swaps to fit you. If you like the color pink, make sure you say so. If you simply detest orchids, put it down. If you are allergic to anything, be sure to include this also. List the crafts that you enjoy as well as creating a wishlist of items you would love to have. Be sure to include some small, light, and flat items that are easily shipped in an envelope.

Next, go to the find swaps button at the top of the page. You are now ready to find a swap. There are usually several newbie friendly swaps that are easy. I recommend joining one of those just to get the idea of how a swap works. Also, check out the forums! They are a wealth of information and the experienced swappers are usually pretty willing to explain things to newbies if you don't understand something. There is also a one on one trading forum where newbies can gain ratings through private swaps with experienced swappers so you can join more swaps.

I have to say I am very excited to have found swap-bot! I get to sit down and focus on something for me. I put together my swaps and take great pride in the creations. I have also decided to dive into a few crafts that I have never even heard of before. You never know, you may just find that you are more creative than you give yourself credit for!

I am addicted! (and a small giveaway)

And the winner is......
Number #13
Roosterruler! Congrats!

Erin H said...

Roosterruler sent me a PM on SB

To swap-bot! My goodness, the artistic talent and creativity is just outrageous!!!! Because of this new-found love, I will send one of my lucky readers a "random envie" of goodies, similar to the ones you might receive on swap-bot. Of course, this is to spread the word and convince you to join as well :) A word of warning, if you do join, and you don't send to your partner, you will be flogged for eternity for being a flaker! But none of my readers would ever do that, would they? Anyhow, on to the giveaway!

To Enter: Just leave a comment. Yes, that is it. Any comment will do but it would be great if you would pop on over to swap-bot and take a looksy around and comment about it here.

EXTRA ENTRY: Join swap-bot and private message me there telling me it is an entry into the giveaway. I am aprettykitty84 clicking this link will take you directly to my profile. If you are already a member, you can message me too for an extra entry!

I will leave the contest open for a week, closing it on 6/15/2010 at 6 pm EDT.

US only, 18+, I was not influenced nor am I getting compensated for this post.

Thank you!

I want to take a moment and thank everyone for entering my first giveaway! There were 277 VALID entries, 2 were after the cutoff time. The winner was number 95. A total of 71 google friend connect followers in a little less than a month! Thank you!

My First Giveaway! Digital photo keychain and Betty Crocker Warm Delights!

And the winner is......
#95

throuthehaze said...

follow on twitter @throuthehaze
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

May 22, 2010 1:40 PM

To celebrate having 15 Google Friend Connect followers, I am hosting my very first, of many I hope, giveaway! I decided to giveaway something that I love.

A Coby digital photo keychain and a package of Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis in Molten Chocolate Cake.





I chose the photo keychain because I love having pictures with me of my girls so I can show them off. This keychain is perfect for that! It holds up to 60 pictures. It includes the USB cord to connect directly to your computer to easily load the pictures onto the keychain.






The Betty Crocker Warm Delights are one of my favorite sweet tooth snacks. I top them with ice cream right out of the microwave and oh they are SO good! One lucky winner will WIN a package of the molten Chocolate cake flavor.

Here is how to enter to WIN!

MANDATORY ENTRY
BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR COMMENTS OR I CANNOT CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!!!!! You can encrypt it like this aprettykitty84 {at} yahoo {dot} com
Leave a comment below telling me what you want to see on my blog!

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each you complete)

1. Become a follower on Google Friend Connect (if you are already a follower, just say so in a comment)

2. Follow me on twitter (include your Twitter username in your comment, if you already follow, say so in the comment)

3. Follow Cheap Peeps on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall saying you entered the giveaway.

4. Link up this contest on Mr. Linky, be sure to link to that post! (2 entries, leave 2 comments!)

5. Tweet about this giveaway! Post a link to your tweet. (Clicking the timestamp will give you a link for a specific tweet.) (Can be done once a day!!! Leave a comment for each tweet!)

6. Post this giveaway on your Facebook profile. Leave a link to your profile. (Can be done once a day, leave a comment for each post!)

7. Subscribe to my blog

8. Put my button in your blog roll (2 entries, leave 2 comments)

9. Blog about this giveaway (5 entries, leave 5 comments)

This giveaway will run from May 13, 2010 until June 3, 2010 6:00 PM EDT at which time I will use random.org to choose a winning comment. Open to US Residents 18+ only!

I was not paid of influenced in any way by the companies mentioned in this giveaway. These are all my own opinions and the items being given away were purchased by me, not given to me for review.

Trying my hand at being crafty

So I just joined this swapping site, Swap-Bot and I am totally loving it! So far I have received tons of cute little crafty things, cards, etc. They have these TAG games where you 'tag' someone and they send you something and you post something else to offer. I offered a handmade personalized bookmark in one of my tags thinking it seems simple enough if they pick that. Well, the person that tagged me chose the bookmark. I thought here we go! So I sat down tonight to brainstorm and figure out how to make this bookmark. It took me about 1 1/2 hours but this is what I came up with. Her name is Amy and she likes the colors orange and purple and the Princess Diaries books. The colors are a little washed out from my flash (sorry about that), but what do you think about the finished product?

Quickie Giveaway! 1 FREE package of Pull Ups! 24 hrs.

And the winner is...................
#7

Vivobello said...

My daughters butt would like these!

May 24, 2010 11:15 PM

You won a coupon for FREE pack of Pull Ups and a $2.00 off coupon!

All other entrants, I will send you an email asking for your address so I can get your $2.00 off coupons in the mail!

Thank you everyone for participating!

I have a coupon for a FREE jumbo package of Pull Ups training pants. I want to pass this on to one lucky reader! The winner will also get 2 $2.00 off coupons for Pull Ups. 5 runner ups will each get 2 $2.00 off coupons for Pull Ups training pants. The coupons expire June 30 so there is plenty of time to use them!

Be sure to leave your email address in the comments so I can email you if you win! Leave a separate comment for each entry!

Quickie giveaway entry:
~Just leave a comment below!

Extra entries:
~Follow me on twitter @aprettykitty84 (button on left)
~Tweet this: "Enter to #win a #free package of Pull Ups in this #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/3ytbvxt ! "
~Like Cheap Peeps on FB (button on right)
~Enter my other giveaways! (1 entry for each giveaway)
~Make this your Facebook status "Enter to #win a #free package of Pull Ups in this #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/3ytbvxt!"
~Follow me on Google Friend Connect
~Spread the word about my blog and/or giveaways! (5 entries, use Mc Linky, blog about it, email friends-cc me at aprettykitty84@yahoo.com)
~Put my button on your blog (3 entries)

This giveaway will run for only 24 hours, get in on it before it's over! It will end on 5/24/2010 at 11:59 pm.

Giveaway! Michael Aram Forest Leaf 4x6 Frame

And the winner is.........
#3

Hannah said...

I entered your very first giveaway!

aigcanada7 at hotmail dot com

May 22, 2010 4:14 PM

I will send you an email!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I have a quick giveaway for everyone today! This one will last from today, May 21 until May 28, 2010 at 6 PM EDT.

WIN IT! A Michael Aram Forest Leaf 4x6 photo frame valued at $69. You can see the frame and zoom in to see the detail HERE.

MANDATORY ENTRY
Leave a comment below telling me what you will use the frame for!

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR COMMENTS OR I CANNOT CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!!!!! You can encrypt it like this aprettykitty84 {at} yahoo {dot} com

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each you complete)
1. Become a follower on Google Friend Connect (if you are already a follower, just say so in a comment)

2. Follow me on twitter (include your Twitter username in your comment, if you already follow, say so in the comment) -- LINK ON THE LEFT

3. Follow Cheap Peeps on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall saying you entered the giveaway. --LINK ON THE RIGHT

4. Link up this contest on Mr. Linky, be sure to link to that post! (2 entries, leave 2 comments!)

5. Tweet about this giveaway! Post a link to your tweet. (Clicking the timestamp will give you a link for a specific tweet.) (Can be done once a day!!! Leave a comment for each tweet!)-- You can use the 'Share this on twitter on the left for this entry'

6. Post this giveaway on your Facebook profile. Leave a link to your profile. (Can be done once a day, leave a comment for each post!)-- You can use the 'Share this on Facebook on the left for this entry'

7. Subscribe to my blog

8. Put my button in your blog roll (2 entries, leave 2 comments)-- leave a link to where I can see it!

9. Blog about this giveaway (5 entries, leave 5 comments)-- leave a link to where I can see it!

10. Enter another giveaway on my blog! (1 entry for each giveaway!)

This giveaway will run from May 21, 2010 until May 28, 2010 6:00 PM EDT at which time I will use random.org to choose a winning comment. Open to US Residents 18+ only!

I was not paid of influenced in any way by the companies mentioned in this giveaway. These are all my own opinions and the items being given away were purchased by me, not given to me for review.

FREE ice cream!

Who doesn't love free stuff? Who doesn't love FREE ICE CREAM!?!?! From 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, May 22, ALL Wal Mart stores will be holding a FREE ice cream social! Samples of ice cream and toppings will be available to try. Some items will be available only at Wal mart. Here are a few of the tasty treats available to try

• Breyers® All Natural Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream
• Breyers® All Natural Vanilla Caramel Brownie Ice Cream
• Blue Bunny® Strawberry-Banana All Natural Frozen Yogurt
• Hershey’s® Chocolate Syrup
• Reddi-wip® Original

Stop in at your local Wal Mart with the family and enjoy a nice cool treat on them!

HURRY! Free limeade sparkler at Taco Bell

Print your coupon HERE for a FREE limeade sparkler at Taco Bell. There are only 500,000 prints available so HURRY before they are gone! Cool off today with this tasty treat!!!

Giveaway Ideas! Help!!!

I would like to thank all my followers!!! I love doing giveaways and would like to continue. I need ideas!!! What would you like to see? Would you like me to feature YOUR creations, from Etsy, or a personal shop? Let me know what you want and I will try my best to do it!!!

If you would like your item(s), services, or Etsy shop featured on my blog, send me an email via the Contact Me page. I would be honored to host a giveaway for you!

ChristyNelson.net craft of the month

I won a monthly craft pack and some other goodies from KraftyKash and I got the bucket of items today. I was excited to get started on my craft for the month. Included in the packet was a small twig wreath, 3 small circle mirrors, lots of styrofoam beads in red, yellow, and green, floral wire, and 2 leather straps.

The rules are that you must use at least SOME of each material, and any other materials as needed. It is not required that you use ALL of the materials provided. You can only make one craft per packet for submission to the contest.

Here is my masterpiece.
It is a tiny red bird made out of 2 red styrofoam beads, a small bit of floral wire for a beak, secured to the wreath with floral wire. I used one of the little mirrors as a base for my "nest" and used 3 yellow styrofoam beads for eggs. I wrapped some of the green wrapper from the florist wire around the eggs to make it look like moss. All of it is placed into the twig wreath and I used a leather strap to hang it up.

It took about 10 minutes to make once I figured out what I wanted to make.

Head on over to Christy Nelson for yourself and check out the monthly contest, and get a craft packet of your own!

Got Flip Flops?

One day only! Old Navy is having a sale on classic flip flops Saturday, May 22. They will be $1.00 a pair, limit of 5 pairs per customer. Get your flip flop shopping done for summer! Remember, these would make great additions to gift baskets, birthday gifts, college students, and GREAT donations to military personnel as shower shoes!

Recipe: Banana Boats

We made these awesome little treats, banana boats, at Girl Scout camp over the campfire.

Ingredients:
Bananas
Chocolate (bars, chips, candy melts)
Aluminum foil
Plastic spoon
Campfire grate

Take a banana and peel back only one part of the peel, do not detach. Take a plastic spoon and make a trench down the exposed part of the banana, it does not have to be very deep, just enough to put the chocolate in. Lay a few pieces, 3 or 4, of chocolate in the trench. Replace the banana skin. Wrap the banana in foil and lay on the campfire grate. Let the banana get warm on one side before turning. Cook until desired mushiness. Unwrap, peel back the one piece of banana skin and dig in.

All the moms decided these would also be good with marshmallows, peanut butter chips, nuts, and many other toppings, use your imagination and make them your own creation!

I made it!

Well, I made it through the mommy and me girl scout camping trip. We actually had a ton of fun! The girls loved it, there were no scaredy cats!!! All the moms were great as well, we had a lot of good conversation and some laughs as well. It was a great break from the usual hustle and bustle of being a mom.

We arrived at camp around 3 pm, we left right after school got out. First, the girls had to carry their own bags from the cars to the tents and get buddies. And by tents, I mean cabin-like tents. They are permanent fixtures and have cots!!! Plus one right there!! After the girls got their things into the tents, we made our beds and got bug spray on. We checked out the greenies, a.k.a. pit toilets, which were not as bad as all the moms expected!

Now we are ready to go on our first hike! We get to the edge of the woods near the start of the trail and it goes straight down. This hill is steep! We are all holding on to trees as we go slowly down the hill trying to keep our footing. We see some deer tracks and raccoon tracks but didn't catch any animals. The trails were muddy so we didn't do as much hiking as was planned. We also made a stop at the wishing tree and the troll bridge. The we had to go back UP this hill. That was an adventure all its own. We all made it!!!


We headed back to camp for dinner. The girls roasted hot dogs over the fire for the moms and themselves, We let the girls play for a little bit while the adults chatted and Fiona managed to fall in the mud! She had it everywhere! Then we had s'mores and banana boats. Oh my!!!!! Banana boats are my new favorite campfire food! I posted the recipe! We ended the night with some not so scary stories and singing.




The night was uneventful, no girls screaming and no critters getting into the cabins. In the morning we helped ourselves to cereal and donut holes while warming up by the fire. The it was time for a troop picture!

Then it was time for the girls to clean the greenies. Surprisingly, they were very willing and seemed to have fun doing it. Fiona even volunteered, and later did, to clean our bathroom at home! The girls did a couple crafts and that was pretty much it.

Fiona can't wait to do it again, and I am willing to do it again! We had a lot of fun and I would encourage anyone that has to opportunity to go on a girl scout camping trip, to go!

I will be MIA until Saturday afternoon

I just wanted to give all my readers a heads up that I will be gone from now until Saturday afternoon. I am going on a Mommy and Me overnight camping trip with Fiona. Wish me luck! Tonight I am sure I will be inundated with tons of high pitched squealing and giggles. The only thing I am really hoping NOT to happen: getting my shoes wet. Like soaking wet. I cannot stand squishy shoes or wet socks. Yeah, that is probably the least of my worries but I am hoping it doesn't happen. I am hoping that Fiona has a great time and enjoys her first camping experience. Granted we are going to be in platform tents with little cots but the little girls are going to be doing the cooking and they will get to see what it is like to spend the night with nature. I am sure I will have tons of pictures to post when we get back so look forward to seeing them!!!!

Until tomorrow!