Downy Wrinkle Releaser Review and Giveaway ~ 5 Winners!!!

I hate housework. I do it because I have to but I wish I didn't. One of my least favorite chores is ironing. I avoid it with a passion. I always make sure I take the clothes out of the dryer immediately. Sometimes this works and I don't have to iron. Other times, it becomes a choice of ironing or wearing wrinkled clothes.

Don't think I haven't worn wrinkled clothes because I have. Yes, that's not good but you have to do what you have to do. I will do anything to avoid ironing.

Now, I have found a great product that will help me avoid ironing and I am thrilled!! That product is: Downy Wrinkle Releaser. Downy Wrinkle Releaser is an easy-to-use spray that reduces wrinkles and helps keep your clothes looking neat without the hassle of ironing. Its unique formula relaxes fabric fibers, helping to release wrinkles. Downy Wrinkle Releaser® leaves clothes with a light fresh scent.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser really works. Go to the website and check out the video. I recieved a bottle of the Downy Wrinkle Releaser and a t-shirt. I decided to test it on the t-shirt that was way more wrinkled than any of my clothes.

I took the t-shirt and laid it on my bed. I sprayed it once with the Downy. I then began started rubbing the t-shirt and sort of stretching it out. After one application, it was almost wrinkle free. I say almost because it had a few left but I was impressed how many wrinkles were gone.

This is perfect for everyday use or for traveling. I know I am going to get more Downy Wrinkle Releaser and keep a bottle in my suitcase because this is the perfect travel companion. It also leaves clothes smelling fresh and controls static cling!

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical but it really worked. I would recommend this product if you are like me and do not want to iron.

You definitely need to try this for yourself. I am so glad that this product is available. It is going to make my life so much easier.

Thanks to the great peeps at Downy, I have five (5) sets of the Downy Wrinkle Relaser in travel size and a Downy t-shirt for my loyal readers! YAY! You know the drill, enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!








a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

P&G/Home Depot Giveaway!!!

It's summertime and that means grilling out and summer entertaining. This summer, Mr. Clean, Bounty and The Home Depot are teaming up and serving up some great tips and products to help get ready for summer entertaining. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ or just freshening up your patio or deck, The Home Depot has the products you’ll need to help you get the most out of your outdoor living space this summer.

Mr. Clean and Bounty towels will help you keep your outdoor living space clean as well. I love the Mr. Clean erasers to clean my grill. And I cannot live without Bounty towels. They clean up my outdoor furniture and I always use them as napkins when we have BBQ.

According to a recent Procter & Gamble survey, only 25 percent of consumers clean their grills and only 20 percent of consumers clean their outdoor furniture. Yet keeping them cleaned can help them last longer.

So, here are a few tips for getting your outdoor area ready for entertaining:

* Maintain Your Outdoor Furniture – Keep it looking good all summer 

* Inspect your Deck – Give it good once over - check for loose nails, bricks, cracked concrete 

* Remove the Clutter – Clean up, power wash, remove unnecessary items/debris. 

* Accessorize – Add in the little touches (i.e., plants, outdoor lighting, lanterns, centerpiece) 

* Clean your Grill – Give your grill a clean start this season.

These are great tips. I know we always clean our grill before winter and then in spring, we clean it again and make sure it is in good working order. We also store all our outdoor furniture cushions large plastic bins so when summer comes around, the cushions will be clean and ready to place on the furniture.

Remember that Home Depot is a one-stop-shop for purchasing P&G products, including Mr. Clean Outdoor Spray, Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro Magic Eraser and Bounty. They have everything you need for your summer entertaining and grilling!

Thanks to P&G, Home Depot, Mr. Clean and Bounty, I have a special prize package for one lucky reader. The prize pack includes: a full-size bottle of Mr. Clean Outdoor Spray, Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro Magic Eraser, one Bounty Paper Towels Roll and a custom LeatherCraft 2-pocket natural colored canvas The Home Depot apron.

What a great prize pack! Just enter below on the Rafflecopter widget below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

AutoZone $50 Gas Card Giveaway - 2 winners!!!

At this time of the year, we start planning our annual road trip. Every year we try to get away in the summer. Even if it is just for a few days, we always hit the road in search of an adventure. This year, we are not traveling too far but even if we are just driving a few hundred miles or a few thousand miles, we do as much as possible to save money.

Before we get on the road, we make sure our car is in good working order. With gas prices so high a few small adjustments and maintenance can save you money. With that in mind, AutoZone encourages motorists to proactively maintain vehicles to ease the pain at the pump and get the most out of their gas tanks.

A few minutes of proactive maintenance, including checking and replacing oil and spark plugs at recommended intervals, can often improve fuel efficiency. Many motorists are unaware that simple routine maintenance can not only get you to your destination safely, but can help get the most out of your gas dollars.

To help motorists maximize their fuel economy on their summer road trips, AutoZone is offering these tips:

• Trip Smart. Spend a few minutes performing routine maintenance before you hit the road with your family and loved ones this summer.
• Switch to a synthetic motor oil. Consider a quality, synthetic motor oil like Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy to help improve fuel efficiency and engine performance.
• Check and replace vital vehicle components at recommended intervals. Regular maintenance can prevent costly damage, improve fuel efficiency and prevent an unwanted breakdown.
• Check and maintain all fluid levels. Be sure your antifreeze is up to the task for hot summer temperatures. Replace it if needed according to recommended service intervals.

These are great tips. I know when we take our road trip in August, we will be following these recommendations. Anything that can save wear and tear on our car and save us money on gas, is a good thing.

For more budget-savvy summer travel tips, families who are planning trips this summer are encouraged to download AutoZone’s Trip Smart travel guide for free!

Thanks to AutoZone, I have two (2) $50 Gas Cards to giveaway to my wonderful readers!! YAY! I know this will come in handy this summer. Just enter on the RaflleCopter widget below!!

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Disclosure: I was provided a gas card 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.

Evergreen Packaging Asks You to #ChooseCartons

It's amazing the things you take for granted. I thought I was pretty "green" because I garden, compost and recycle. I use energy efficient light bulbs. I try to do my best when it comes to being friendly to the environment. Then I had the opportunity to take the Evergreen Packaging choosecartons.com challenge.

Evergreen Packaging created the #choosecartons challenge to show to encourage and educate consumers to choose more environmentally friendly packaging. You can visit the Choose Cartons website and learn about the advantages of carton packaging. The interactive site is set up to raise awareness and tout the benefits of paper carton packaging versus other less green packaging.

You can also you play the interactive Carton Checkout game, get green tips, get information on carton recycling and be inspired by recycled-carton art. You can also help spread the news about cartons to civic organizations and schools and will find downloadable presentations and hand-outs to do so.

I took the challenge. I started by looking in my fridge and pantry for cartons versus plastic. What I found was a whole lot of plastic containers everywhere. I only found a milk carton, orange juice carton, egg carton and a carton of chicken broth. In the pantry I only found cartons of broth. There were also boxes of pasta and other stuff but what I noticed was that I had a lot of plastic containers and non-recyclable packaging. Wow, who knew I was so non-green!

It was surprising how many products are contained in plastic. When you start thinking about it, a lot of the items can be housed in carton. It can be done because a few weeks ago, I was in Costa Rica. While doing a little shopping with my mom at a local grocery store, I noticed that a lot of the same products that are housed in plastic here in the United States are packaged in carton there. I found that sauces, beans, laundry detergent etc. are not in plastic. I was impressed that Costa Ricans are taking the environment so seriously.

If manufacturers really thought about it, so many of the products we use can be packaged in carton and it would keep help the environment. Carton is so much better than plastic.

Here are some interesting facts about paper cartons:

* Over 41 million households have access to carton recycling, and that number is on the rise. In addition, cartons are made from renewable materials – more than 70 percent of the carton is made from paper, all from trees from responsibly managed forests.

* Packaging plays a very important role in keeping food and beverages fresh. The environmental impact of a package is just as important as the contents inside.

*Cartons are recyclable where facilities exist. The paper fiber contained in cartons is valuable. Recycled cartons are used to make products such as tissue, office paper, wall boards and other building materials. To learn if your community accepts cartons for recycling, please visit www.recyclecartons.com or check with your local recycling program.

* Cartons are made with renewable energy. More than 50 percent of the energy used to make the paper in Evergreen Packaging’s cartons comes from biomass.

* Responsible forestry promotes new forest growth, and these forests help to diminish greenhouse gases. Forests remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in trees. In the US, due to both increases in the total area of forest land and increases in the carbon stored per acre, an additional 192 million metric tons of carbon are sequestered each year through responsible forest management programs nationwide. This offsets roughly 11% of the country’s industrial greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of removing almost 135 million passenger vehicles from the nation’s highways.

There is so much be to be said about choosing products in containers that help the environment. I think if we even made an effort to change even 10% of plastic containers into carton containers, we would be so much better off.

This challenge opened my eyes and now I am going to make a conscious effort to choose products that are healthier. You should take the challenge and see how much carton packaging you have in your refrigerator and pantry. I think you will be surprised as well.

As part of the campaign, Evergreen Packaging is also making a donation to Habitat for Humanity every time the #choosecarton hashtag is used. Share a #choosecarton fact with your friends and the donations to Habitat for Humanity grow!!

For more information on the #ChooseCarton campaign, visit their website. You can also follow #choosecarton on Facebook and Twitter.  

Evergreen Packaging is a global leader in creating fiber-based packaging solutions customized to deliver product freshness and brand distinction. Evergreen Packaging is a vertically integrated packaging company, delivering total solutions of barrier paperboard, technical expertise, equipment and service. Evergreen Packaging cartons have the eco-friendly attributes consumers want: more than 70 percent of the carton is made from paper derived from a renewable resource: trees. Cartons are also recyclable for an increasing number of households. In addition, our cartons are made with renewable energy – over 50% of the energy used to make the paper in our carton comes from biomass.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Evergreen and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

P&G/Kmart Giveaway!!

Just a head's up that from 6/24/12 to 6/30/12, P&Gamble and Kmart are offering a FREE Bounce 40 ct. with purchase of Tide 75 oz. Up to $2.99 value. The Tide 75 oz. liquid detergent will be on sale for $8.97!! Limit (1) FREE per transaction. While supplies last.

What a great deal this is. I am going to head over to my local Kmart this week to grab this deal!! I love Tide detergent; it is one of my favorites. I also love using the Bounce sheets because I am such a fan of clean smelling laundry.

So head on over to Kmart and snatch up this deal!!

To celebrate this great deal, Kmart and P&G have supplied me with a great prize pack for one of my readers. The prize pack includes $10 worth of Kmart gift cards and Tide Pods 35 ct.

If you haven't tried the Tide Pods, you should because they are great. I use them all the time now. You all know the drill just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!!





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Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes from P&G/Kmart. 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.

Dollar General/P&G Honor Military Heroes + Giveaway!

Throughout the month of June, in recognition of the men and women of the U.S. military and their families, Dollar General® is teaming up with Procter & Gamble® to honor those true Every Day Heroes who have made sacrifices for their families, their communities and their country.

Dollar General truly values these heroes and their experiences and offers many career opportunities for returning veterans. Dollar General is the winner of the 2011 Military Officers Association of America Distinguished Service Award and was recognized in GI Jobs magazine’s list of Most Military Friendly Employers.

I love that Dollar General and P&G are honoring our military families. The sacrifices made by these men and women are huge and I do not think they get enough credit for all they give up to keep us safe.

As part of this campaign honoring our troops, Dollar General is giving you the opportunity to upload a video about your special military hero. Upload a video and tell the world why your hero is special. Head on over to the Every Day Heroes site and tell the world why your hero is so special. This is such a great way to honor that special someone in your life!

And thanks to P&G and Dollar General I have a wonderful prize package that includes: a Swiffer® 360° Duster, a set of Pringles® red computer speakers, Old Spice® Champion Deodorant, Tide® sample packs and a Dollar General reusable shopping bag. WOO! What a great prize! To win, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Mary Kay Cosmetics HUGE Giveaway!!!

When I traveled to Washington DC as part of the Top Latina Bloggers group, one of the sponsors was Mary Kay. Now I don't use Mary Kay products because in reality I use little or no makeup. But because I received a bag full of goodies, I decided to give them a try.

I received a full line of the Botanical Effects Skin Care. I have oily skin so I am always having to wash and keep my face clean in the summertime. I usually stick with plain soap and water but sometimes that is not good enough. The Mary Kay Botanical Effects line was great. The line comes with a cleanser, moisturizer, freshener and mask.

The cleanser was great and left my face clean and soft. The moisturizer left my face smooth. The freshener is great because it is a product I can use to give myself a touch up during the day. I have yet to try the mask but I cannot wait.

I also tried the Mango Tango Lip Gloss and I am in love with this product! It has a little color and leaves my lips so kissable according to hubby! WOO! I haven't used any of the makeup except for the mascara and I really liked it.

The good thing for you, my loyal readers, is that when I get products to try then you score too! I have a very special giveaway for one very lucky reader who will receive the following prize pack:

Mary Kay® Nourishine Plus™ Lip gloss in Mango Tango
Mary Kay® Nourishine Plus™ Lip Gloss in Au Naturel
Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist and Pale Blush
Mary Kay® Lash Love™ Mascara in Black
Mary Kay® Cream Blush in Sheer Bliss
Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Color in Cinnabar, Emerald, Ivy Garden, Copper glow and Honey Spice
Mary Kay® Eyeliner in Rich Jade
Mary Kay® Eyeliner in Deep Brown
Mary Kay® Mineral Eyecolor in Crystaline
Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek color in Strawberry Cream and Sparkling Cider
Mary Kay® Compact (unfilled)
Mary Kay® Compact mini (unfilled)
Mary Kay® Lip liner in Soft Blush
Mary Kay® Cheek brushes
Mary Kay® Eye brush sets
Botanical Effects™
Cleanse
Hydrate
Freshen
Mask

OMG, right? This prize package is worth $279!! This would be great for you or as a gift. I knew I had to give this away because you all deserve a chance to win this prize!!

Remember, you can check out the products on the Mary Kay site or in the Spring Trend Report in People in Espanol Magazine. To win this prize pack, you know the drill by now. Just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below! Good Luck!!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

8550 LiftMaster Garage Door Opener Review

A few months ago I was given the opportunity to review a LiftMaster 8550 garage door opener. I wasn't even sure if we needed one but when I asked my hubby he said YES!

He was actually thinking of replacing our old ones because they had been going wonky for the last few months. We were having trouble with the car remotes. We were also having trouble with the sensors and the lights would sometimes work and sometimes not. Our garage door openers were installed when they built the house about 20 years ago so they were just getting worn.

We were only receiving one garage door opener but after reading all the material on the LiftMaster 8550 garage door opener that we were going to get installed, hubby opted to replace our other opener as well. He was that impressed. The 8550 LiftMaster is a belt drive system that delivers smooth-running power and reliable performance year after year.


We had Richard DeLalio of New Look Garage Doors come out to check out the current system. He noticed a few things right away. The original installation was done in a total willy-nilly fashion.  So every time the garage was opened, we could hear it throughout the house because the openers were installed incorrectly thus making them shake and rattle. The other thing he noticed was that our openers did not have safety wires. This was scary because I never realized that if the spring breaks, it could shoot out and kill someone.     

I have to be honest and say that garage door openers don't turn me on. I really wasn't as excited as hubby about this review but after the installation was completed and hubby went through all the bells and whistles with me, I have to say that I changed my mind. The new Liftmaster Garage Door openers have the new MyQ technology and let me tell you that it is cool.

The MyQ technology has some great features. The wall control panels not only tell us the time but also tell us the temperature in the garage. We can also program the wall panels to close the doors automatically on a timer we set. The panels also let us know if there is something blocking the sensors. It stops the doors from closing if they sense anything.

The lights go on automatically when the doors open and when anyone enters the garage. This is great for those dark mornings when the sun is not out yet and we have to go to work, the lights come out when they sense us. Love that!  The remote controls allow you to turn on the lights before you arrive home.

One of the coolest features, is the indoor sensor. When the garage doors are open, the indoor sensor  lets us know. With the old noisy units, I could hear the doors being opened so we knew if someone had come home. With the quieter units we can no longer hear them inside the house, which is nice. But it is even nicer that the sensor lets us know if the door is open.This is great because on occasion, I zone out and forget to close the door but now I know one of the doors is open and I can close it from inside the house!


The feature my hubby loves the most is that we can set up the garage door opener online or on our phones, so if we leave the door open we can check from work or anywhere else. We can also close it automatically from our phone or computer. Hubby loves this.

The units also feature a battery backup so if the power goes out, we can still open and close the doors which is huge especially during winter. The remote controls are great as well. They were easily programmable and each one can open either door. So we do not have just one assigned spot now. We can park on either side.

Beside the fact that the new garage door openers now are mounted correctly and have safety wires, they are a lot better than the old ones. They are quiet and run smoothly when opening or closing. The sensors now work without a problem.

Overall, we are loving our new openers. It's funny because garage door openers are not something you think about but when you get new ones, you realize what a difference a good unit makes.


Would I recommend the LiftMaster 8550? Absolutely! We are really happy with the units and know they will last until we decide to move.

I want to thank LiftMaster for this great opportunity. I also want to thank Rich from New Look because he was wonderful. Friendly, professional and the installation went smoothly! If you are in the market for a garage door opener, check out the LiftMaster.



***UPDATE-Sept. 23, 2013*** Someone asked me if I was still happy with this garage door opener a year later and the answer is yes. It is still running smoothly and we have had ZERO problems with it since it was installed. Our only issue is that we need new garage doors but that was an issue before this unit was installed. But overall, I would still recommend this product. It has served us well and we are happy with the LiftMaster***

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.  Hubby also put his two cents in too!

Will be Gone for a Week

Well, I won't be fishing but I am heading back to Costa Rica for family stuff.

I will be back in a week. In the meantime, enter my giveaways. And keep an eye out because I always bring back some goodies from Costa Rica to giveaway!! YAY!

P&G Partners with Lolo Jones for the 2012 Olympic Games + GIVEAWAY!

I am so excited because the 2012 Olympic Games are just a few months away. I love the Olympics. Ever since I was a little girl, I have watched them faithfully. It is so incredible to follow our athletes as they try to win the gold for themselves and our county.

This year, P&G has already begun gearing up for the London 2012 Olympic Games. P&G is also partnering with Lolo Jones, world champion hurdler and U.S. Olympic hopeful and donating $25,000 on behalf of Family Dollar to the P&G Team USA Youth Sports Fund. Lolo Jones attributes her success to her mother who held down two jobs to support her and her siblings. Her mother had to stretch her money and Lolo says her family benefited from shopping at Family Dollar because of the great value the stores offer.

I can totally relate to Lolo because when I was younger, my mother also shopped at Family Dollar to find great prices and many products especially P&G products. Our money went a long way and it helped us.

For more information and to keep up with Lolo as she goes to the Olympics, you can visit www.followlolorun.com. You can also follow Lolo on Twitter. You will learn about Lolo and her incredible journey. She also talks about what a great influence her mom was and how she helped her get to where she is now.

Also check out this amazing video that showcases the moms who have helped our Olympians succeed in their quest for gold.



In honor of the 2012 Olympics, P&G and Family Dollar have a special prize package for one of my readers that includes: Tide® Pods, Febreze® Auto Air Freshener, Downy® Unstoppables (full size), Crest® 3D White Toothpaste, Clairol® Lash Blash Mascara – all in a reusable Family Dollar shopping bag. How awesome is that? Just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below.





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Disclosure: I received sample products from P&G 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.

Give the Gift of Disney Magic ~ D23 Silver Membership Giveaway!

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a huge Disney fan. My love of Disney was cultivated early on when I was a child. I remember going to Disneyland a few times a year. It was always such a treat to be able to go. My sister and I would sit in the car and from the freeway, we would get so excited when we would see the tip of the Matterhorn. Once we saw that, we knew we would soon be at the happiest place on Earth!!

Even now, I get excited when I go to Disney whether it's DisneyLand or Disney World. It is still the most magical place on Earth to me. People always think Disney is for kids but it is for everyone. Besides the rides, we love going to Disney because it offers so much. We love attending all the shows. We love the shopping. We love the water parks. We also love the hotels because they are perfect for a romantic getaway! I consider myself a foodie, so it is always a thrill to be able to eat some gourmet meals. If you have not had the Filet Mignon with Wild Mushroom Risotto at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canadian section of Epcot, you are missing out on one of the most delicious meals ever.

I also think that the love of Disney goes on even as you get older. I never get tired of visiting the Disney Parks. And every time I go back, there is something new for me to enjoy! I also never tire of watching Disney movies or collecting Disney merchandise!! In fact, some of the biggest fans I know are adults!

A few months ago, I hosted a wonderful giveaway for a Disney D23 Silver Membership. And now I have another D23 Silver Membership to give away!!

You will love this prize if you are a Disney fan. It gives you the opportunity to keep up on all things Disney. It also offers some special and unique benefits that are only available as a member. Let me give you a rundown of the what you will receive:

A one-year D23 Silver Membership includes:  

* Membership Card and Certificate: Your membership card and personalized, suitable-for-framing member certificate features Donald Duck hand drawn by Disney Legend-and the voice of Donald!-Tony Anselmo.

* The 2012 Annual Membership Gift, D23 Calendar: a 23-month calendar called "From Concept to Classic," pays tribute to 75 years of Disney feature animation and celebrates the legacy of magic and enchantment by showcasing dozens of examples of Disney concept art through the years - many shared publicly for the first time. |

* Special Member Events: The opportunity to attend numerous D23 Member events throughout the year

* Exclusive Merchandise: D23 offers its members access to exclusive, limited-edition merchandise and collectibles.

* Subscription to bi-weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter with breaking news and special offers. (You may opt out of receiving FanFare after your first e-newsletter arrives.)

* Special promotional offers and discounts throughout the year.

Benefits * D23—the world's only official Disney fan club—unlocks the magic of Disney, providing unprecedented access to all of Disney's wonderful worlds through its beautiful Disney twenty-three magazine, informative website and online newsletter, memorable events and experiences, money-saving discounts & special offers, and complimentary gifts.

* Disney twenty-three is the official publication of D23 and comes boxed and shipped to your home with a surprise collectible gift. Each issue features stunning photography, in-depth stories and exclusive interviews. (Magazine is included with D23 Gold Membership only.)

* Incredible events including exclusive tours of the Walt Disney Studios Lot and Walt Disney Archives, advance screenings of new Disney movies, signature holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort, special experiences at Disneyland Resort, commemorative events across the U.S. and much more.

* D23 offers members unique money-saving opportunities and special offers. From discounted tickets to Disney shows on Broadway and special deals at the Disney Store to savings on SuperShuttle (for your next Disney vacation!) and unique gifts from Brookstone, LittleMissMatched, Apricot Lane and the ABC TV Store.

* D23 Expo 2013: The D23 Expo, the greatest gathering of all things Disney ever in one place, is “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.” The event is open to the general public, but D23 Members receive an exclusive discount on tickets (on sale August 9, 2012!) to this bi-annual event. The next D23 Expo will be held August 9 – 11, 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center across the street from Disneyland Resort. Past Expos have featured talent like Johnny Depp, Dick Van Dyke, the cast of Marvel's The Avengers, the Muppets, Miley Cyrus, Billy Crystal, and scores of Disney Legends and luminaries..

As a Disney fan, I think this is such a great program. I love that members get the opportunity to do exclusive tours and who wouldn't love attending the D23 Expo? That is definitely on my bucket list!

I can't always visit Disney World or Disneyland but it is nice to know that as a D23 member, I can keep up with all the information and news that makes Disney so special.

The memberships are worth the price. The Gold Membership is only $74.99 and the Silver Membership is $34.99. For that price, you get a lot of Disney.

What I love about the D23 Fan Club is that a membership also makes a perfect gift for any Disney Fan in your life. Last year, my friend received a membership after her husband read my write up and she was thrilled. Any "big kid" on your gift list would enjoy this membership.


So remember, if you know a Disney fan, you should really look into giving them a D23 Membership. If you are a Disney fan, get yourself something special and buy a membership for you! Who doesn't want the Gift of Disney Magic any time of the year? If you are thinking of buying or gifting a membership, I have a 10% off code for you. Just head over to the D23 site, click Join at the top left corner, add a membership and use the code D23NILLY to get the discount. The code is valid from June 1, 2012 – July 31, 2012

Thanks to Disney, you can also win a D23 Silver Membership here on my blog! YAY! All you have to do is follow the entry rules to enter. Please be patient for the Rafflecopter widget to load.


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Disclosure: This is sponsored post for Disney through Brandfluential. I was compensated for my work on this campaign. Thoughts and opinions are my own. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Amathia Soapworks Review and Giveaway

I have to come clean. Yes, pun intended. I am a soapaholic.

What you ask? A soapaholic. I love soaps. I obsess about soaps. I like all types of soaps and I have the proof. I actually have a whole bathroom cabinet dedicated to soaps that I have gotten from stores, farmers markets, fairs, festivals, and as far as Costa Rica and Nicaragua. If I see soap, I buy it.

It got so bad that my husband banned me from buying more soap until I used up at least 1/3 of my stash. It was hard but I did it. But every once in a while I sneaked a soap into the cabinet without him knowing.

When I had the opportunity to review Amathia Soapworks there was no way I was going to turn that down. Sample soap? I was all over that!

I received some samples from Amathia Soapworks. I have to say that I think I am a bit of a soap connoisseur. I have tried all types of soap. What impressed me about Amathia Soapworks is that they use the best quality ingredients to make the soaps.

That is super important to me because although I will use commercially made soap, I prefer handmade soaps. I will always choose handmade soaps over any other type. Amathia also uses the cold process technique of soap making which is the old fashioned way of making soap. The soaps are also made in small batches. Small batching ensures the quality of the soap.

I tried the Ginger-Lime soap and loved it. The smell was delicious. The subtle smell of citrus with the spicy scent of ginger is so clean and refreshing.  The soap left my skin moist and not dry, which is another thing I look for in soaps. Many times, even with handmade soaps, I find that they will dry out my skin. Amathia soap did not. It lathered up nicely and left my skin smooth. The fragrance lasted and I could smell it a few hours later.

I would definitely buy Amathia soaps, when and if the soap embargo is over. Amathia Soapworks had some fragrances that I really wanted to try. The Sweet Pea Shea, Nectar Honeysuckle Jasmine and the Solace Mint Trio soap sound so good! Amathia also offers some beautiful wooden and glass soap holders. Also available are lip moisturizers, candles and scrub soaps. The variety is endless.

If you are a soap lover like me, you can go over to Amathia Soapworks and use the code "WILLYNILLY20" at checkout to receive 20% off all products. Valid until August 31st. That is awesome!

One of my lucky readers also has the opportunity to win a variety stack of mixed soaps. These little soaps are great because you get a mix of fragrances and I always use these as my facial cleansers in the morning!

To win, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. All prizing for MSM giveaways is handled by a third party unless otherwise noted. For this reason prize fulfillment can take up to 90 days after the winners information is received.

$50 Gift Card Giveaway!!!

I have another treat for you, my dear readers!! Courtesy of the Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center, I have a $50 Visa gift card for one lucky person.

The Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center offers patients a multitude of services including:

•Face lifts
•Rhinoplasty
•Eyelid Lift
•Browlift Forehead Lift
•Liposuction
•Breast Augmentation
•Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
•Breast Reduction
•Breast Reconstruction
•Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
•Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
•Thigh and Buttocks Lift
•BOTOX® Cosmetic

I have considered getting a little lift and tuck here and there. There are a lot of parts of me that have been taken over by age and gravity and it's not pretty folks! I will wait a few years but if I ever get the nerve and money, I might do it. For more info, you can also follow Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center on Facebook.

I want to thank the Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center for the $50 gift card that one of you lucky readers will win!! YAY!

You know the drill folks. Just enter on the Rafflecopter widget!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: Compensation was received but the opinions in this post are solely mine. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Coupon Giveaway!

As a Purex Insider, I recently received the opportunity to try Post Honey Roasted Honey Bunches of Oats cereal. I had never tried them before but after eating them, I am hooked.

Although I have been on a journey to get healthier, I still eat a few things like cereal. I don't like eating breakfast so I figure if I give myself a morning treat, I am more apt to eat breakfast. Plus, at a 120 calories per serving I figure I can afford to have a bowl in the morning.

I really liked Honey Bunches of Oats because it was tasty and sweet. It stays crunchy in milk and one small portion satisfied my taste for something sweet. Thanks to Honey Bunches of Oats and Purex, I have 5 full value coupons to give to 5 lucky readers. YAY!

Enter below on the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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.