Category: Reviews

The Java Mama’s Favorite Things + {Super Fab Maybook Giveaway!}

I know you all have heard of Maybooks right?  Well, if you haven’t then you MUST hear about them now!  I got a Maybook a few months ago and since then I have been telling ALL my friends about them.  They are so bright and stylish.  Maybooks are also very light and easy to take with you anywhere. 
In my busy life I have to keep a planner and schedule of everything or I tend to forget.  Maybooks has a weekly agenda feature that I use a lot to schedule blog posts and daily activies.  I like how you can keep that seperate from your monthly calendar as well.  It’s less clutter.

Here is a glimpse at the monthly calendar view:

 Connor Elf would like to give one away to a Java Mama reader today!!!

 

Woohoo!

 

TO ENTER:

(Use Rafflecopter Below)


a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

California Wine Club {A Christmas Giveaway!}

I received my second shipment of wine from the California Wine Club right before Thanksgiving.  We actually took it over to my in-laws house to have with our Thanksgiving dinner.  I think everyone enjoyed it.  Like I said before I am a white wine gal.  I really liked the Chenin Blanc.  It was light and refreshing, and a little sweet.  All things I look for in my wine!

Look at all the medals these wines have won?  California Wine Club doesn’t just send you wine….they send you quality wine.  If you are looking for a Christmas gift and have a wine lover in the family this would be perfect.  I promise you they will think you are the most thoughtful person ever!  Don’t wait because the ground shipping deadline is December 12th.  Any orders placed after December 12 will incur expedited air shipping charges.

To enter the California Wine Club
Giveaway click the link HERE.
 
At the end of November California Wine Club will draw 52 winners….and then at the end of December they will draw another 52 winners!!!!  Woohoo!!!

Prizes include:
1) One of four, Three Month Wine Club memberships
(A $150 value you can give as a gift, or keep for yourself)
2) One of 50 handy Two Bottle Wine Totes ($25
value)
3) One of 50 Red Tulip Music wine country CD’s
($15 value)
 
AND…..
 
ONE READER WILL WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB FOR $50.00!!!  Please leave a comment below telling me what your favorite kind of wine is.

If you love wine or know someone who does a subscription to California Wine Club would make a great gift this Christmas or any time of the year.

With four wine of the month clubs to choose from, we have wine selections and wine gifts to suit all tastes and all budgets. To learn more click any of the following links:

I hope you all will check out California Wine Club!

California Wine Club can be found on:
TWITTER

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a 2 month Membership to the California Wine Club for the purpose of this review.

Blurb {$50 Giveaway}

Blurb is a creative publishing platform that allows anyone to create, share and sell a professional quality book. Make a portfolio of your client work, an archive of your blog, a cook book of your favorite recipes, a photo book of your family pictures or a quick book of your instagram photos – the possibilities are limitless. It’s easy and quick to do – with a variety of software options you could complete your dream book in next to no time.

Once you’ve made your book you can share it with others on your Facebook/Twitter or website & blog- you can even sell it for profit.

I created a Blurb book a few weeks ago using my Facebook account.  I included all the photos I had uploaded the past couple years over Facebook.  This is such a neat feature because it includes all the comments from friends and family and I just loved reconnecting with those memories and photos!

Here is the cover of my Blurb album:

 You can title it whatever you want 🙂

Here is an example of what the inside looks like.  It includes photos, comments, and commentary on the pictures.

I loved all the memories the Blurb book brought back.  While flipping through it I got to read all the things friends and family have said over the past few years. 

I know this book will be something we can pass onto Connor and his family someday. 

Awe..first airplane ride 🙂
Blurb books are so awesome!  Last year Terence surprised me with a Blurb book.  He created a book that included all the posts from my first year of blogging.  It meant so much to me that he put that together for me!   I love the fact that you can turn what you post on your blog & on Facebook into writing.  I know lots of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s who would love to receive a book of memories for Christmas this year. 
 
Would you like to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Blurb???
 
Enter using Rafflecopter below:

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was given a Blurb book in exchange for this review. All thoughts written by me on behalf of Blurb. The opinions and text are all mine.

Alphabet Photography

A few weeks ago I ordered this gorgeous piece of art from Alphabet Photography.  It was so easy!  You just go to their website and type in a word.  Then you can scroll through all the letter options until you find the ones that fit your personal style!

This is what I created:

I just love the way it turned out and it’s framed beautifully.  They did a great job and you can tell it’s very high quality artwork and framing.

Alphabet art is a unique process of photographing everyday objects that resemble letters of the alphabet, then arranging the photographs in a collage to create any name or word. Alphabet Photography Inc. is the original and leading company in the letter art industry, and boasts the largest collection of photographs collected from around the world. Each official Alphabet® Photography art piece is hand crafted, high quality, and truly original! With letter photos from London, Paris, New York and more, we are confident that you will enjoy your Alphabet® Photography experience

I’m loving the new sea foam letters:

Official Alphabet® Photography makes a unique addition to any home decor, and the inspirational alphabet photo art makes a great gift for any occasion.
Since its inception in 2007, Official Alphabet® Photography has generated more than 100,000 online orders, has received worldwide media attention as far as Chile & Australia, and even Prince Charles himself called the work “smashing”!

Jennifer Blakeley, Founder of Alphabet Photography Inc, has received various awards for her letter art work such as winning the 40-under-40 award for Innovative Business and being named Niagara Entrepreneur of the year in 2010. Jennifer was listed as one of PROFIT magazines Top 100 Canadian Women Entrepreneurs in Canada, and the popular website babble.com listed Jennifer in their Top 50 list for successful mompreneurs in North America.

Earlier this year, Alphabet Photography developed and launched an iPhone/iPad App entitled Word Chaos. This innovative word scramble game has been downloaded more than 100,000 times in the Apple App Store.
Alphabet Photography offers over 1000 photos from around the world to choose from!!!

The perfect customized gift that includes photographs from all over the world, this is the original Alphabet Photography. Celebrity owners include: Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate, Tyra Banks, Ryan Seacrest, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, John Schneider, Nelly Furtado, and many more!
 
I was given this artwork on behalf of Alphabet Photography. The opinions and text are all mine.

Disney Secret Of The Wings {Review+Contest}

Having a sister is one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever had in my entire life.  I have not just a sister but a twin sister!  Growing up we shared EVERYTHING!  We shared clothes, makeup, shoes, cars, jobs, classes at school … just about everything.
My sister is one of the only people in the world who I feel truly understands me.   She’s someone who knows what I am thinking just by looking at me.  We share a unique bond a lot of people don’t understand, but it’s one I’ve been thankful for and consider it very special.
Of course growing up we also had our share of fights!  Ha ha!  Not everything was perfect, but I can’t imagine growing up without her.  We even got pregnant and had our boys together!  They are two months apart.  I hope they share a special bond someday like we have over the years.  Although life has taken us on separate paths, I know our love for one another will always be there. 
                
Connor and I watched the movie “Secret of the Wings”.  Actually, Connor has probably watched it over 5 times!  It’s an adorable movie about sisterhood.  Tinker Bell and Periwinkle are long-lost sisters and don’t even know it. 
Tinker Bell lives on the warm side of the border, while her sister lives on the cold, winter side.  Neither can survive the climate on the opposite side of the border.  Tinker Bell sneaks across and discovers her wings start to sparkle.  This leads her on a journey to a world unknown and the discovery of a sister and a bond she never knew existed. 
 
You can follow Tinker Bell and Periwinkle on their journey in “Secret of the Wings”.  I don’t want to give away the whole movie or the ending, but it’s such a cute film.  I loved the meaning behind this movie and the memories it brought to mind of my sister and me.
 “Secret of the Wings” follows seven brand new characters that join Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow. They are Periwinkle, who is Tink’s sister; Lord Milori, the imposing but kind leader of the Winter Woods; Dewey, the keeper of all fairy knowledge; Gliss and Spike, Periwinkle’s two best friends; Sled, a winter sparrowman; and Slush, a mellow laid-back “sparrow-dude”(or “fairy-dude”).

This is a little fact I just love!  The production enlisted the help of a noted twin-study expert. Hearing the incredible stories of long-lost twins reuniting and viewing footage of twins meeting for the first time was extremely helpful in developing how Tinker Bell and Periwinkle react to each other, both physically and emotionally.  
One of my favorite new shows is “Smash”. “Secret of the Wings” includes Megan Hilty, who performs the voice of garden fairy Rosetta, and Anjelica Huston, who performs as Queen Clarion, both on “Smash.” “Secret of the Wings” is the first movie in the Disney Fairies franchise to be produced in 3D.   
I think you will truly enjoy this movie whether you have a sister or not.  Everyone has that best friend who they think of like a sister.  I hope ya’ll enjoy it as much as we did!  It’s very cute, and I know this movie will pull at your heart strings just like it did mine.
What does sisterhood mean to you?

Answer that question in the comments to be entered for a chance to win a copy of “Secret of the Wings.”

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: #SweepstakesEntry; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/8 to 10/31.
Be sure to visit the Disney “Secret of the Wings” Reel Sisterhood brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Back to School with MetroPCS {$100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!}

I am the proud owner of a new Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G. This phone is pretty nifty I must say! I’ve been using in for a few days now, and I really like the features on this particular phone.

In fact the last 3 phones I’ve owned have been Samsung phones. They’ve all been great phones, and I’ve never had problems in the digital age we are living in it’s almost impossible to go a day without a cell phone. I’ve left mine at home before, and I feel so LOST all day without it. I didn’t realize how much I relied on my phone until I didn’t have it with me.

Now that school is right around the corner I’m sure all those teens and tweens must have their cell phones at all times. Your child having a cell phone can also benefit you as a parent. It can help you stay in touch with your kids while they are on the go, at school, and at and other activities. A cell phone can give you peace of mind to know that if an emergency were to occur your child would have a way to call for help.

MetroPCS has the nation’s most affordable 4G LTE service, with the plans starting at $40-taxes and regulatory fees included. MetroPCS is the only provider that can offer no contracts and offer 4G LTE at an unmatched value. You have the freedom to choose any plan and any device and change at any time to fit your lifestyle and evolving needs. Not only do we use our cell phones to make calls and texts, we use it for so many other things in our daily lives. We use it as an alarm, a music player, a GPS system; we search the Internet and take photos. You can play millions of songs through Rhapsody Unlimited Music and download movies, TV shows, apps and more on the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G.

All of these features are available in the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G to keep you connected to everything you care about. And for just $199 (+ tax and after mail-in rebate, for a limited time).

I remember the feeling I had as a teenager when I got my first cell phone. I was so excited that my parents trusted me with it, and I felt secure knowing I had a way to reach anyone at any time. Making the decision to buy a cell phone for yourself or your child can be a big leap. You will feel better knowing if you choose MetroPCS you aren’t tied down. You get the freedom you want and the cell phone you need.

Would you like to win a $100 Visa Gift Card?

Answer the question below: At what age did your child receive a phone?”

Rules: No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/20 to 9//20.

Be sure to visit the MetroPCS brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!