All posts by Alicia

My Favorite Things Holiday Giveaway + 18 More Giveaways!

Contests, Giveaways, , ,

Favorite things giveaway

  • Take a look at the gift collage above to see all the amazing giveaways you are about to enter!
  • Scroll down to see my giveaway up close.
  • Enter to win My Favorite Things prize package at the bottom of this post.
  • HOP around to all the other sites, check out their amazing prizes, and enter to win their gifts!

giveaway blog hop

1. About a Mom | 2. A Helicopter Mom | 3. Moscato Mom | 4. Homemaking Hacks | 5. Better in Bulk | 6. The Rebel Chick | 7. Around My Family Table | 8. Mom Luck | 9. A Nut in a Nutshell | 10. Kids Fun Reviewed | 11. Just Stop Screaming | 12. Moody Mama Says | 13. Sunshine and Sippy Cups | 14. This Mama Loves | 15. The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug | 16. Our Family World | 17. The Mommy Insider | 18. The Divine Miss Mommy | 19. MiscFinds4U

my prize package

I’ve been thinking.. what are some of my favorite things and what makes a thing a favorite thing?

My favorite things are things makes life easier.   Before having kids, I didn’t think much about what makes life easier, besides money and cute clothes.  Duh.

Here are some of my favorite things:

  • a smartphone
  • lots of smartphone chargers (one for every room and the car is ideal)
  • a blow dryer that dries hair very fast
  • the perfect purse
  • a great diaper bag that is easy to get into and wipe clean
  • comfortable shoes
  • things that help the kids sleep better
  • and things to help organize all the ‘stuff’ in a family home like baskets

I’d have to say that one of my all-time favorite types of things are bags.  Purses, diaper bags, computer bags, reusable bags, tote bags.  You name it.  I have bags full of bags in my shoe closet. I love black bags because they go with just about anything and busy moms need a purse or diaper bag that she can grab and go and not have to worry about whether it matches her outfit or not, right?   That’s also me telling you that most of my purses and bags are black.  I’m trying to branch out and get other color bags but it’s hard.  I’ll let you know how that goes.

I’ve put together a giveaway prize pack that I think you’ll love especially if you are a bag fangirl like I am!

It includes a JJ Cole Caprice diaper bag valued at $69 and a 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Medium Satchel in black valued at $44.

Phillip Lim giveaway and JJ Cole giveawayOne winner will get both of these bags!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Medium Satchel in black (specs)

  • Shell Material: Polyurethane
  • Liner Material: Cotton
  • Closure Style: Zip Closure
  • Compartment details: Interior zip pocket
  • Handle Type: Double Handle, Removable Strap
  • Dimensions: 9.5 ” H x 6.5 ” W x 13.62 ” D
  • Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean
  • Learn more about this bag here

JJ Cole Caprice Diaper Bag (specs)

  • spacious interior with multiple organizational compartments
  • easy-access exterior pockets for wallet and cell phone
  • insulated side bottle pockets
  • removable, adjustable shoulder strap
  • includes Grips™ stroller attachments and coordinating changing pad
  • Learn more about this bag here

To enter to win these gorgeous bags, use the rafflecopter form below.

I have teamed up with 18 other bloggers to share some of our favorite things with our readers.   This is not a group giveaway, just a fun blog hop where you’ll find see lots of fun and exciting things and get to enter to win them all!

For additional entries, head over to the other my favorite things blog giveaways and enter the giveaways on their site. Return to The Mommy Insider and leave a separate comment for each blog, telling me where you entered.

Entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Nov. 30, 2013.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified via valid email address.

Thanks so much for entering and good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gift Guide: 4 Wireless Speakers Great For Families

2013 Holiday Gift Guide, Gadgets, iphone, , , , ,

Chances are, there are at least 4 devices in your home that are used to play music.   My son walks around with earphones in his pocket 24/7.  I guess he doesn’t walk in his sleep, that I know of at least, but he sleeps with his earphones too.  I’m not a big fan of sleeping with earphones or having earphones in ears hour after hour.  That’s where wireless speakers come in handy.

Wireless (aka Bluetooth speakers) speakers are great for households in which there are iOS and Android devices.

Wireless speakers work with nearly all smartphones and tablets.  In my opinion, it would be idea to get the kids a wireless speaker as well as one for yourself.  You never know where the kid’s speaker is going to end up, right?

Most Bluetooth speakers are designed with rechargeable batteries, so they can be moved from room to room with ease.  When the battery charge is low, simply connect it to your computer or other charger.

Some wireless speakers such as the DECK speaker (#1 in the photo below), allow multiple devices to connect giving everyone in your home or at a party, the chance to play DJ for a while.

If you ask me, it’s time to go wireless.

Here are 4 wireless (bluetooth) speakers that will make a great gift this holiday season!

Gift Guide: Wireless Speakers

 

1 – DECK Wireless Speaker  – $199

2 – Sound Spot Compact Speaker – $69

3 – BeatBlock- Premium Bluetooth Wireless Speaker – On sale for $89 from $149 now at Amazon.com

4 – Bose® SoundLink® Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II – $299

 

Is there something that you’d like me to help you find for your holiday wish list?  Let me know in the comments below or email me at alicia @ themommyinsider.com and I’ll do my best to find whatever it is that your child (or you) are asking for holiday season.

RaceTrac Free Coffee Week Through Nov. 16th + $25 Gift Card Giveaway

Contests, Freebies & Trials, Giveaways,

Disclaimer: This post was written by me on behalf of RaceTrac. I was compensated for the review, however all views and opinions are 100% my own.

It’s cold outside and there is nothing better than a nice warm cup of coffee on a cold day like today! I will probably be drinking coffee all day long since the high today is supposed to be 51 degrees.

I guess it’s a good thing that RaceTrac’s free coffee week is going on now, Nov. 10th – 16th.

This offer is good for all coffee, all sizes, and all flavors, they are all free – all week! No coupons or purchase necessary in order to get a free coffee. And just fyi, RaceTrac has some crazy good coffee! Whenever we are out and about and need some really good coffee RaceTrac is where we go.

RaceTrac Crazy Good Coffee

All RaceTrac stores feature their new coffee offering, which includes a line-up of six blends of fresh brewed coffee, including 100 percent Colombian Roast, Dark Roast, Hazelnut, Extra Caffeinated, Regular and Decaffeinated. They also use 100 percent Arabica beans, and brew their coffee fresh 24/7. Also, guests can select their favorite coffee blend and customize with their favorite creamers, sweeteners and toppings like whipped cream. RaceTrac’s new 6,000 square foot model stores include an expansive coffee bar area for maximized prep space!

I have to go out later today so I am going to have to head to RaceTrac and grab a cup of their Colombian Roast..and I just might splurge and get whipped cream on top!

Don’t forget that Crazy Good Coffee Week ends on November 16th! So hurry over to a RaceTrac near you and grab your free cup of coffee!

Win $25 RaceTrac gift card

$25 RaceTrac Gift Card Giveaway!

What’s your favorite flavor coffee or how do you like your coffee?  Whipped cream on top?  Skim milk?  Nutmeg?
Leave a comment below telling me all about it and you’ll be entered to win a $25 RaceTrac gift card!

 

To learn more about RaceTrac check out their Social Channels:

3 Reasons To Use Layaway And When To Start

Holiday, , , ,

Kmart holiday layaway

 

It’s hard to believe but the countdown is on to the holiday season!   Although many of us don’t start shopping, decorating and celebrating until after Thanksgiving, there are a few holiday ‘must-do’s’ that you need to start sooner rather than later.   Planning your holiday menu ahead of time is a must.   Also, why not get a head start on your holiday shopping by starting before the busy Thanksgiving holiday?

First, put the big (or small) items on your kid’s wish lists on Layaway.   Most Layaway contracts are eight weeks long, so this is the ideal time to shop and pay over time.   You don’t want your wallet to go into shock on November 29th, do you? Didn’t think so.

Still need convincing? Here are a few ‘Layaway Lessons’ to keep in mind:

1.) Last year’s Christmas tree was on its last limb and this year you could probably use a new one  
Pick up a pre-lit tree (because that’s the way to go), LED lights, wreaths and village houses now and pay them off in time for decking those halls!

2.) Your gift list has grown
Your kids are getting older and want more gifts or maybe what they just want one or two expensive gifts like a new laptop or game console.  Long gift lists or those including expensive items call for Layaway. Fill your cart to the brim and roll it over to the Layaway counter. Your kids don’t need to know you paid their gifts off over time.

3.) Money is tight this year
It’s not just you; many of us are watching our spending. If you’re having trouble staying afloat while keeping your bills paid, Layaway is a must. Not only will you avoid ‘wallet shock,’ you’ll keep your pre-holiday peace of mind.

Kmart Layaway LogoWhether you have one or 100 items, you can Layaway almost everything on your list without paying a service fee through 11/23. Plus, you can pay in store, online or using a mobile phone. Eight or 12 weeks later (depending on your contract) pick up your items and you’re good to go!

 

Bonus: After you figure out how easy it is, you can Layaway all year round at Kmart.

 

A 7-Year-Old Girl’s Dream Shopping Trip at OshKosh B’gosh + 25% Off Coupon!

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Fashion & Style, Holiday, Shopping, Style Guide, ,

*I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for OshKosh B’gosh. I received a gift card to facilitate my shopping trip and to thank me for participating.

As strange as it may sound, I rarely take Madelyn with me when I buy her clothes.  I’d rather buy a bunch of clothes and bring them home for her to say yay or nay to and try on at home, than deal with the potential whining about trying clothes on and me taking too long.  On that note, last week I was brave and took Madelyn to the OshKosh B’gosh store.  I expected whining.  I expected chaos.  And I got it.   Not because she didn’t want to try clothes on.  It was the opposite this time.  She wanted to try on everything!  We were at the store for 2 hours.

When we arrived at OshKosh B’gosh, two employees greeted us. One asked what we were shopping for and one told us about the amazing doorbuster items.   My jaw dropped when she told me that the fleece pullovers were just $9!  If I wasn’t there to buy outfits for school, I would have grabbed a dozen pairs of fleece pants and pullovers and been done with our shopping trip.

OshKosh B'gosh doorbuster sale

After perusing the doorbuster items we made it to the racks of clothes.  Madelyn put three outfits together in a matter of minutes.. then five.. and more and more.   Oh my gosh they were cute outfits too!  I quickly got down on my knees and explained to her that while I would love for her to have a velvet dress with an adorable turtleneck to pair with it and tights, my goal with this shopping trip was to buy her a couple of outfits she could wear to school.  While I was talking to her, I saw her eyes focus on something behind me.  Boots.. “the most super-adorabalist boots EVER” she said…sort of like that new word she came up with earlier this week; fancasual.  She’s on a roll with the interesting new words. That was the end of that conversation.

While she tried on the boots, I found jeggings.   I have bought Madelyn several pairs of jeggings in the last year and she’s worn holes in all of them.  When I picked up a pair of OshKosh’s jeggings, I realized that the jeggings I had bought were not nearly as good quality as OshKosh B’gosh’s.  Their jeggings are thick and seem very durable.

Madelyn paired a knit cardigan from OshKosh B’gosh that she had with one of the outfits we bought, creating this adorable outfit.  This is my favorite of the outfits she picked.  It is practical for school and it will also make a cute holiday outfit.

OshKosh B'gosh little girl outfit

Oh, and aren’t the boots adorable? The boots are regularly $50. I initially told Madelyn she couldn’t get the boots but when she put the effort into putting them on with every outfit she tried on and I saw just how freakin’ cute they are with everything.. I caved.  I was sure the boots were going to put us well over our $100 limit.. but seeing as how our entire purchase was just $96, they didn’t!

I could not believe how many items we were able to get with our $100 gift card at OshKosh B’gosh!  Seriously.  I took a photo to show you just what we bought with $96!

OshKosh B'gosh shopping spree

This is what we got for $96!

Pretty great, right?

OshKosh B’gosh Coupon!

Because I want you to get the same amount of stuff that Madelyn did for just about $100, here is a coupon for 25% off your purchase of $30 or more!

OshKosh B’gosh has offered a special coupon for 25% off a $30 purchase for The Mommy Insider readers! This coupon can also be redeemed online or in your local OshKosh B’gosh store.

OshKosh B’gosh coupon

It was tempting to use my gift card to buy holiday clothes for Madelyn but she can make any outfit look festive with accessories…she’s better at that than I am.. so we refrained on buying ‘holiday specific’ items and went with fun, functional, and comfortable everyday clothes. We’ll be back soon (we got a coupon with our purchase) so maybe we’ll stock up on holiday clothes next time! Here are a few cute pieces that would be great for holiday outfits.

OshKosh B'gosh holiday clothes

Connect with OshKosh B’gosh on Twitter and Facebook!

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author