CLOSED ~ Hallmark "Life is a Special Occassion" Review and Giveaway! ENDS 9/18

Hallmark is launching a Get Carded Challenge as part of its new Life is a Special Occasion campaign, which encourages all of us to push the “pause” button on the blur of daily life and think about the beauty of unplanned, perfectly imperfect moments we share with those who mean the most to us.

When I was contacted to do this review and giveaway, I almost said no. I am so busy lately that I never ever get to write letters or cards. But I decided to do it. I am so glad I did.

This past week has been really tough on me with the death of my cat Shawn. I was wallowing in my misery and then one day I received a card from an old friend. She had seen my post and sent me a sweet sympathy card and that touched me so much that I cried.

Then I realized that she took the time to go out and buy me a card, write me the sweetest note and then send it and it made my day. It also made me feel so much better about what happened to my precious kitty.

Cards do make a difference. Whether you are sending sympathies, birthday wishes or a simple hello. These little notes can change someones day. It changed mine.

I dug up my Hallmark cards and started writing notes:

This one I sent to my friend in Florida who has breast cancer. She inspires me.

This one I sent to my friend, Maria, who I have not seen in a few years.

This one I sent to my sister, Yvonne, who now lives in Costa Rica and who I miss.

I am sending this one to the Vet's office as a thank you for being so kind to us andmmy baby Shawn during her illness and death.

This one I sent to my cousin.

This last one I sent to my ex-boss. I knew she would love it.

These cards are beautiful, thoughtful and very special. What can you expect from Hallmark but the very best. Do you want to send some of these cards to your friends and family? You can win a pack of these special Hallmark Cards. Just enter to win!

Mandatory Entry
Tell me who you would send a card to and why.

Extra Entries

* Follow Hallmark on Twitter (1 entry)
* Like Hallmark on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (2 entries)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!

Deadline: Sunday, September 18 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.





Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Disney John of Jungle Contest!

Check out this awesome contest and you might win a trip for 4 to the opening of Cars Land and a private Jungle Cruise tour skippered by John Lasseter!


From late 1977 through spring 1978, John Lasseter, before becoming chief creative officer at Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and principal creative advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering, worked at Disneyland, and was a skipper on the Jungle Cruise attraction. Recently, a search for a photo of John skippering the Jungle Cruise came up empty. Surely there must be a photo of Skipper John somewhere? To find one, we have created a contest. The first person to submit a verifiable photo of John as the skipper of the Jungle Cruise from 1977 will win a trip for 4 to the grand opening of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in summer 2012, and a ride on the Jungle Cruise skippered by none other than John himself! What better way to turn a Disney memory of old into a Disney memory of today?

For details on how to submit, visit Johnofthejungle.com or the official Disney Pixar Facebook page.

Okay, when we were little and we lived in Los Angeles we would go to Disneyland at least a minimum of 5 times a year. It all depended on how many guests we had from Costa Rica that year. In 1977, I was about 13 and who knows maybe John Lasseter was my Jungle Cruise guide one of those times I was at Disney. I only wish I had photos because I would love to win this contest!

But maybe you or someone you knows has a picture! You better start digging up those old photos and videos and you could be a winner! Good Luck.

CLOSED ~ Carmex Review and Giveaway! ENDS 9/16

Yay as part of the Carmex Blog Squad I have another great giveaway for my wonderful readers. I was able to review the two newest items: ultra moisturizing Carmex Lime Twist and Carmex Vanilla click sticks.

As you all know, I love Carmex products. I have used them for quite a while and they never let me down. My favorite Carmex products are the tinted lip balms. These new products are wonderful as well.

With Fall and Winter coming up sooner than I would like, it is time to stock up on my lip balms. These two newest Carmex click sticks will definitely be part of my beauty routine. I loved the Carmex Lime Twist. It has a fresh citrus taste and it really keeps my lips moisturized.

The Vanilla flavor was great as well. I loved the clear satin gloss finish product as well. There is nothing like have glossy lips!! Also in my prize pack came a really cute picnic blanket that I will be saving for next summer since Fall has already begun here in the mountains!

And you know that because I am a Carmex Blog Squad member, you can win a prize just like mine.

The prize pack includes:
1 Carmex Lime Twist click stick
1 Carmex Vanilla click stick
1 Certified Awesome Picnic blanket
1 Carmex Moisture Plus clear satin gloss finish

Mandatory Entry
Which new flavor of Carmex do you want to try? Vanilla or Lime?

Extra Entries

* Follow Carmex on Twitter (1 entry)

* Like Carmex on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (2 entries)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!

Deadline: Friday, September 16 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.



Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

WINNERS! Texas on Tour, NAIC, Red Baron Pizza!

YAY more winners!! The winners for the $50 gas card, Red Baron Pizza Packs and the Texas on Tour goodies are:

$50 gas card:
Sweeter the Berry

Red Baron:
mbreakfield
graywolfpack
Hachi
mogrill
Tamara B
Texas on Tour:
Tammy H
Congrats! I have sent you all an email. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!!

Thank you NAIC, Texas on Tour and Red Baron Pizza! I also want to thank everyone who participated. I appreciate your continued support!

Keep an eye out this week for a few new giveaways! Hopefully I will start getting back into the groove.

Fiber One 80 Review and Giveaway! Ends 9/9

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I was able to review the brand new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal! I am always looking for new cereal and one with 80 calories is right up my alley. Fiber One 80 is a cereal of crunchy wheat and corn puff squares.

It is also filled with fiber. I have to take fiber daily and this is a very tasty way to do it. With 40 percent of the Daily Value of fiber in one 80 calorie serving, Fiber One 80 Calories cereal helps me get my daily fiber.
Fiber also helps you feel full so this will help me on my weight loss plan as well. And I love it. It tastes really good. It has a sweet honey and cinnamon taste. The puff squares are crunchy and delish. I could eat this all day. I have even started snacking on these at night.

I would definitely buy this cereal. I am once again trying to get fit and this fits right into my fitness program.

You can try this new cereal by checking your grocery store's shelves. Or you can try and win one of these prize packs by entering my giveaway. The prize pack includes.:

1 box of Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal

1 sensor pedometer with USB connector to chart walking progress

1 neoprene iPod/smartphone holder with armstrap

Good Luck.
Mandatory Entry

Does your breakfast keep you full until lunch?

Extra Entries

* Like Fiber One on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Include #myblogspark. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (2 entries)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!
Deadline: Wednesday, September 14 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

I will be taking off a few days

I know I have to pick winners, send prizes and do more posts but I will be off for a few days. My cat, Shawn, had to be put down and I am grieving.

Read about her here.

Thank you Lane Bryant!

I have to give a shout-out to one of my favorite stores ever: Lane Bryant.

Being a fluffy girl, I have shopped there for decades. They always have great trendy clothes for the curvy gals. When I traveled to BlogHer in San Diego, Lane Bryant was nice enough to send me a gift card so I could pick up an outfit or two.

I should have taken better pictures but I didn't because I barely took picture this trip. But one of the outfits I was able to buy was this beautiful dressy peasant top and some black slacks. I love this outfit because not only can I wear it out but I can wear it to work as well.

The other item I was able to purchase was a beautiful black dress that I didn't have the opportunity to wear this trip. I was going to wear it out Thursday night to a few parties but we ended up staying in the hotel working on goody bags and other party things and didn't go out. Boo!

But it is a great dress to party in if you dress it up with some accessories and nice shoes. And again, it is perfect for a work event or meeting!

So thank you Lane Bryant for sponsoring my outfits. Even if they hadn't, I would still shop there. It is definitely on of the places I go to when I need new clothes. If you are a voluptuous vixen like myself, then you need to go check out the clothes they have. The clothes is always good quality and beautiful!

Disclosure: I received a gift card for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience of over 20 years that I have shopped at Lane Bryant.

Blogher 2011 Recap

I know I have been MIA even after I came back from BlogHer. But work and my cat's illness have made me not want to post lately.

I did post a recap of my Blogher 11 adventure on my personal blog though. SO if you are interested, head on over to Carolyn in Carolina and check it out. I did some fun things including cooking with a famous chef!!

I am going to try and get out of my funk but it looks like my little kitty will have to be put down and I know that will be terribly hard for me. But I do have more giveaways to post, so keep an eye out.

CLOSED ~ Texas on Tour Giveaway! Ends 8/18

If you have never been to Texas, it might be time for you to take a trip. Texas is huge and I have been there quite a few times. I have been to most of the major cities but my favorites are definitely Austin and San Antonio.

Austin has a great vibe. The music and nightlife are like no other. I actually went there with my sister and had a wonderful spa vacation. San Antonio is such a beautiful city as well. The history is amazing. I love Riverwalk. I also love the yummy food the city has to offer.

The city of San Antonio is one of the special Texas on Tour Sponsors: San Antonio- a vibrant city of legendary history and flourishing cultures. This is the perfect year to experience the Alamo as 2011 marks the 175th anniversary of the legendary Battle of the Alamo. Plus stroll the newly expanded River Walk, explore museums and dine on nationally acclaimed cuisine. One of America’s most affordable and friendly cities, make San Antonio your next vacation destination. Go to visitsanantonio.com to learn more.

There is so much to do in Texas that I bet you could take a 3 month trip and still not visit all the beautiful areas and attractions that Texas has to offer.

If you can't get to Texas, you can still visit the Texas on Tour interactive traveling road show that is bringing the Texas culture to the rest of the country. Texas on Tour features a stage act that brings the sounds of Texas to a city near you. It also features virtual tours of some of Texas’ most popular destinations and attractions, from their sandy beaches to an outrageous kayaking adventure.

To take advantage of this amazing experience, you can catch one of Texas on Tours upcoming stops:

Iowa State Fair 8/11 – 8/21 Des Moines, IA

Minnesota State Fair 8/25 – 8/28 St. Paul, MN

Check out the Travel Texas website for more information on visiting Texas. And while you are there, make sure you enter to win a trip for two to Texas. I am all over that!!

So check out the site then come back here and enter my giveaway. One of you lucky ducks will win the same prize pack I received that includes a Prize pack with spices and chili mix and one box filled with some really tasty salsas! YAY! Y'all know the drill!

Mandatory Entry

Tell me, have you ever been to Texas?

Extra Entries

* Follow Texas Tourism on Twitter (1 entry)
* Like Texas Tourism on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Include #txontour. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (2 entries)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!
Deadline: Thursday, August 18 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.


Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

#KOYH Twitter Party for those not at BlogHer!

We know some people are not he in beautiful San Diego and cannot attend Stiletto Media's first event. But you know we love our readers, followers and tweeps. So guess what? We are still giving non-attendees the opportunity to win some great prizes.

How you ask? Well by tweeting the #KOYH hashtag this Friday between 12:00 am to 11:59 pm PST! Make sure you follow @StilettoChat and the Kick Off Your Heels sponsors listed below.

@StilettoChat
@Dodge
@CVS_Extra
@SaucyMamaCafe
@Guacgrl
@TurbieTwist
Tweet the hashtag and even join the virtual party as we tweet out pictures of our guests, the venue and anything else that might be happening tonight.

What can you win?

Prizes

1. One pair of CitySlips
2. Saucy Mama gift basket ($150 giftbasket)
3. Go Red Boutique Mirror, Red Dress Broach and Red Dress T-shirt
4. Avocados From Mexico Prize pack worth $150
5. CVS iCraig Channel Tower Speaker (Click HERE to view: iCraig 2.1 Channel Tower Speaker)
6. $50 gas card
7. Kick Off Your Heels Goody bag : Two (2) tweeters will win a goody bag
8. Turbie Twist: Five (5) tweeters will win a Turbie Twist - I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!

So go RSVP at the Stiletto Media site. You MUST RSVP and you MUST be following @stilettochat and our sponsors to win. Winners will be chosen using random.org from those who RSVP, answer #KOYH questions and use the #KOYH hashtag. Winners will be announced on Saturday, August 6, 2011. You MUST follow @StilettoChat to claim your prize. Open to US Residents ONLY. Post Office Box addresses are not allowed.