No longer MIA!

Yes, I have been ignoring this blog but I have a few great giveaways coming up, my dears!! I will have some time this long weekend and boy I need a long weekend after this weekend. We had a huge event at work and that was sucking all my time.

I am back though. In the meantime, check out a picture of me in my fairy outfit that I wore for our event!! Don't mock me! I am so rocking that tiara!

Remember to Support your School with Box Tops for Education!

I am posting this to remind everyone about Box Tops for Education. Last year at Blogalicious, I was able to meet some of the folks who work for Box Tops for Education and it was great. As the Director of Development for my school, I am always looking for ways to bring in money. Although this program is not run by my office, I work with the coordinator to get the word out.

This year, our school almost increased the amount of box tops collected. I can't wait to see where this money will go. In the past, the school has bought supplies, books and even helped fix up the playground. YAY! It is extra money that gives our Director a little breathing space for those little items that might not be in the budget. Plus, it creates a sense of community in the school. Parents and the kids get in on the fun!

I find myself now checking the items I buy and cut out the box tops. This past weekend, I had to make name tags for a big event we had and realized the Avery boxes had boxtops, so I made sure my volunteers cut and saved them! So please read this important information and pass it on!

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Did You Know…

· America’s schools have earned more than $400 million through Box Tops for Education since the program started in 1996, including more than $59 million last school year

· More than 100,000 K-8 schools are enrolled in the program

· There are more than 240 Box Tops for Education brands, including Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Kleenex, Ziploc, Hefty, Juicy Juice, Avery, Land’O Lakes, Brita, Hanes and Boise

Ways to Earn

Your school can earn up to $60,000 every year, as much as $20,000 from each of these ways to earn:

1. Clip Box Tops coupons from hundreds of favorite products. Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10 cents for your school.

2. Shop online at the Box Tops Marketplace and your school earns eBox Tops on every qualifying purchase—at no additional cost to you.

3. Order books online through the Box Tops Reading Room from Barnes & Noble and earn eBox Tops for your school.

Learn about these and more ways to earn cash for your school by visiting the Box Tops for Education website.

About Box Tops for Education

Box Tops for Education offers parents and kids easy, everyday ways to earn cash for their school . The program began in 1996, as more and more schools struggled to make ends meet. Each year enrolled schools receive a program kit to help them build their own comprehensive fundraising campaign. Most schools designate a program coordinator to develop ways to encourage students, parents, school staff and community members to clip Box Tops from participating products and bring them to school.

After the collected Box Tops are sent in to General Mills, the school receives a check, equivalent to 10 cents for every Box Top redeemed. Schools can earn up to $60,000 per year, up to $20,000 respectively from the Clip, Marketplace, and Reading Room program components, to spend on anything they choose. Thousands of schools have used the cash from Box Tops for Education to purchase items such as computers and computer software, library books, art supplies and playground equipment. Support our kids’ schools today. Fan Box Tops for Education on Facebook. Follow Box Tops for Education on Twitter .

WINNER! Dove + Men Care.

YAY another winner. The winner of the Dove + Men Care pack chosen by random.org is"

Elaine

Congrats! I have sent you a email. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!!

I also want to thank everyone who participated. I appreciate your continued support! I am slowing down a little because I have a huge event coming up at work the end of June and I am busy, busy. I will have some new giveaways up soon so keep checking back.

Closed - iPod Nano Giveaway!!

I am getting crazy once again and giving away stuff!! I actually won this iPod last year at Blogher. I had all the intentions of getting it set up and using it for myself but a year later and it is still sitting in my drawer collecting dust.

It's actually quite nice and is the special edition Red collection iPod nano. I really wanted to use it but I never listen to music. I don't even listen to music in the car any longer. I listen to audiobooks. At work, I have my Pandora going. At home, I am too busy.

So because I love giving stuff away, I am giving one of my lucky readers a chance to win this baby! You know the drill.


Mandatory Entry

Leave a comment any comment. No extra points but tell me something interesting about yourself!

Extra Entries

* 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 on GFC (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (1 entry)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Enter another one of my giveaways and tell me which one you entered (1 entry per giveaway entered)
* 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: Tuesday, July 19 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. The iPod nano is given as is. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: This is my iPod Nano and I am giving it away just because! Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes because I am a post office slacker.

Winner! Scotch Brite!!!!

YAY another winner. The winner of the Scotch Brite Cleaning pack chosen by random.org is"

ReggieMann

Congrats! I have sent you a email. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!!

I also want to thank everyone who participated. I appreciate your continued support! I am slowing down a little because I have a huge event coming up at work the end of June and I am busy, busy. I will have some new giveaways up soon so keep checking back.

Winners!! Maggi, Saucy Mama, Flip Camera and P&G Basket

Yes, I am a huge slacker but we already know that. But I finally picked winners using Random.org and here are the lucky peeps.

Maggi: Nicole C.
Saucy Mama: Lauren Chan
Flip: .laura
Secrets of Expression: Nicole Green


Congrats! I have sent you a email. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!! I also want to thank everyone who participated. I appreciate your continued support! I am slowing down a little because I have a huge event coming up at work the end of June and I am busy, busy. I will have some new giveaways up soon so keep checking back. In the meantime, if you want to check out my Jamaica vacay pictures, head on over to Carolyn in Carolina and check them out. We had a fantastic time. I wish I was still there! LOL

MLB All-Star Charity Dance Party on July 9, 2011 - Phoenix, AZ

For you peeps in Arizona, here is a cool event you need to attend.

The MLB is having an event to focus awareness and raise money for fighting cancer. Tickets are only $10 for kids under 14 and $15 for adults, with all proceeds benefitting Stand Up To Cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and Komen for the Cure.

Here are some videos of the celebs who will be there.

· Dr. Ana Maria Polo
· GLEE”s choreographer, Zach Woodlee
· DANCING WITH THE STAR’s Mark Ballas

To register for the event, please click here.

Glee's very own acclaimed choreographer, Zach Woodlee, will judge a dance contest open to all Dance Party attendees. The grand prize winner of the contest will win an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity on the set of Glee.

Winners coming this weekend!

I have been so busy since I have gotten back from vacation. I hope to have the Flip, Maggi and P&G Basket winners this weekend!! Hang in there!

Knock Out the Fat with the George Foreman GRP4B Next Grilleration™ Removable Plate Grill - Review

I love my George Foreman Grill. So when I had the opportunity to try the George Foreman GRP4B Next Grilleration™ Removable Plate Grill I was thrilled.

I have to say that now that I am on a mission to lose weight and get healthier, the George Foreman Grill is the perfect appliance to have in the house. I am not going to give up my favorite foods but I have been trying to learn how to cook tasty food without so much fat and calories.

The George Foreman GRP4B Next Grilleration Grill is about helping me Knock Out the Fat™ on my foods. According to the makers of the grill: new results of independent testing show that the George Foreman Grill removes up to 42% of fat from quarter-pound burgers made with 80/20 ground chuck beef, translating to a reduction of approximately 89 calories per burger!

I totally believe that because when I have used my other George Foreman grills you can see the fat oozing out of the meat and when you see it in the tray, you know it is not going to your hips!

This grill has the following specifications:

• 72 square inch grilling surface lets you cook for 4
• 2 dishwasher-safe removable grill plates for easy clean up
• Temperature indicator light indicates plates are at grilling temperature
• Integrated handle is ergonomic & compact
• George Tough™ Triple non-stick coating is durable & eliminates need for oil
• Patented sloped grill design knocks out the fat
• 1 ½" floating hinge works to accommodate thick cuts of meat
• Embedded heat elements provide consistent heat & rapid recovery time
• Dishwasher-safe removable plates with cool-touch handles for easy clean up
• 2 Plates included: 2 ribbed grill plates

I decided to make a simple burger. My secret to a good burger is in the spices you add. If you don't spice up the meat just right, your burger will not taste good. I usually use a mix of salt, pepper, seasoned salt and a grill seasoning. I also add onions to keep the burger moist inside.

What I love about the George Foreman grills is that it instantly sears both sides of the burger at the same time so the juices stay in as well.

The grill worked wonderfully. It made some great burgers without much fuss or muss. I really liked the size of the grilling surface. My George Foreman Evolve's surface is not as big so this was great. I was able to fit in 3 pretty big burgers on the grill with room to spare.

The removable plates are easy to clean and so is the grill itself. I loved this grill as I loved my other George Foreman grills. I think they get better with every new one that comes out. I honestly don't think I could survive without any George Foreman grill in my house. I use it for many types of cooking. I can't wait to grill up a skirt steak on this baby. Because of the size, it will be perfect!

I also know that it does "Knock Out the Fat" when I use it. The proof is int he pudding or in this case, the proof is in the drip tray!

Remember to follow George Foreman on Facebook and Twitter!!


Disclosure: I received a grill for review purposes through the Family Review Network. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions posted here are mine.

CLOSED ~ Scotch Brite Cleaning Products Review and Giveaway

As you all know, I was away for a week in Jamaica. It was fantastic. But then I had to come home. *Sigh*

I came home to some good and bad things. The good? I came home to this wonderful package of Scotch Brite Products. I am so a geek about cleaning products and Scotch Brite is one brand I use and trust. It came at a wonderful time since when I got home, my tub had some mildew mildew since we did not leave the the AC on and the bathrooms have no windows or air circulation. UGH!

Luckily, the box contained some great new products that included a Grout Scrubber, Non-Scratch Angled Scrubbers, Nook and Cranny Scrubber, Streak Free Mirror Cloth, Non-Scratch Tub and Shower Scrubber, Absorbent Counter Cloths, and a Non-Scratch Shower and Bath Scrubber. Salvation!

I hate cleaning but love cleaning products that make my life easier and the new Scotch Brite products make my life easier. I have to say I loved the Streak Free Mirror Cloth. I am embarrassed how dirty my bathroom was but the Mirror Cloth cleaned it right up without any cleaner just the cloth. Even hubby was impressed since I always make him do the mirrors.

The Non-Scratch Tub and Shower Scrubber was fantastic. It cleaned up the mildew right away and it was easy to use and cleaned up dirt I didn't even see.

My other favorite product was the angled scrubbers. I used them in the kitchen and bathrooms to get to the scum around the faucets. The angled scrubber gets into the nook and cranny's. The Nook and Cranny Scrubbers work well too.

The Absorbent Counter Cloths were fantastic. They claimed to clean up make-up and hair. Now my bathroom counters always have make-up and hair everywhere. I wasn't sure if they would work, but they did. The Absorbent Cloth picked up so much hair it was amazing. Then I used them to clean the fixtures and they came out sparkling clean.

I am not surprised I love these products because Scotch Brite always has good products. Like I said, it is a brand I trust and use and will always use.

Now you have the opportunity to win some Scotch Brite products as well. Wouldn't you love to try these? I know you will love them. One lucky reader will win a pack like mine! You know the drill. Good luck.

Mandatory Entry

Head on over to the Scotch Brite site and come back and tell me what product you would love to try.

Extra Entries

* 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: Tuesday, June 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: 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.