$30 Target Gift Card Giveaway {Fall Fashion For All Giveaway Hop}

Fall is officially here! It's time to update your wardrobe with clothes, shoes, and accessories that will keep you warm and looking fabulous during the cooler season. Discover some great fashion items during the Fall Fashion For All Giveaway Hop hosted by Lindsey Blogs and Viva Veltoro. You could win a prize valued $20 or more at each participating blog, including the awesome Grand Prize from the hosts.

My Giveaway

I'm giving away a $30 Target gift card to a lucky reader of mine! Target has quite a collection of fashion items for men, women, babies and kids. From clothes and shoes, to belts and handbags, Target carries everything you need to put together a stylish outfit, all at incredibly affordable prices. From now through 10/1, you can save 30% off all outwear with code FALL30. Start shopping here.

Celebrate National Guide Dog Month with Natural Balance

September is National Guide Dog Month. It's the perfect time to learn about what life might be like for people who are blind or visually impaired. What is it like to "see" through the eyes of a guide dog?

In celebration of the National Guide Dog Month, Natural Balance, the maker of premium-quality pet food, and Guide Dogs for the Blind (a non-profit charitable organization that raises and trains exceptional guide dogs to serve the blind and visually impaired) have recognized the "Top Human-Canine Teams Who Make Us Believe."

These nine teams are outstanding examples of the amazing partnerships possible between humans and canines. I was particularly inspired by Ashleigh and here guide dog Yuri, and I'd like to share their story with you:

Imagine, for a brief moment, what it would be like to work in the middle of Times Square in New York City. Imagine weaving through the large crowds, the bustling commotion, and the pulsing energy at every corner. Now, imagine trying to do this without your eyesight. For Ashleigh Hertzig, this is not just an imaginary scenario—it’s her everyday life.

Visually impaired since birth, Ashleigh used a cane to get around for years—but found that it became increasingly difficult to be mobile during the wintertime due to dangerous patches of ice on the pavement. These harsh winter conditions—combined with encouragement from her family—got her to consider the possibility of a guide dog.

Ashleigh grew up terrified of dogs, but as she began researching Guide Dogs for the Blind, she felt that their positive reinforcement philosophy matched her personal beliefs and values. So she took a leap of faith. When Yuri—a Guide Dogs for the Blind-trained yellow Lab—first walked into her life, Ashleigh remembers he was so excited that he couldn’t stop sneezing. Now, over two years later, they’re so connected that she can’t imagine life without him.

“Being paired with Yuri has changed my life in so many ways. In addition to being my eyes, keeping me safe, and giving me independence, he has also become my best friend—and is constantly by my side,” says Ashleigh. Without Yuri, Ashleigh may have never developed the confidence and independence needed to fulfill her dream of living and working in New York City. She is now able to navigate the city’s fast-paced subway system every day, feeling fully safe and cared for.

As Ashleigh's story shows, in addition to providing enhanced mobility, guide dogs can also be a social bridge, opening a world of possibilities for friendship and human connection.

To help people like Ashleigh Hertzig, please consider donating to Guide Dogs to the Blind. Once there, you can also read the stories of the eight other amazing human-canine teams. There's no better time than National Guide Dog Month to show your support for these incredible people and their four-legged superheroes!

Do you have a special bond with your pet? Feel free to share your own story in the comment section below.

Disclosure: I received a free gift in exchange for this publication.

Step2 Whisper Ride Cruiser Giveaway

Instead of strolling your little one around the neighborhood, you can take her to a fun ride in the Step 2 Whisper Ride Cruiser. It'd be an exciting adventure for young children and a low-intensity workout for the parents! Learn more about this brand new ride-on toy and enter to win one for your kiddo!

As you can see from the photo below, Thrifty Nifty Mommy's daughter loves the new Whisper Ride Cruiser. Your little cutie will too!

Information about the Whisper Ride Cruiser from Step2:

Children will have a blast strolling around town in the sleek and stylish Step2 Whisper Ride Cruiser! This kid’s ride-on features a realistic body style that matches today’s supercars, including life-like decals and interactive features. Little ones will enjoy their ride while pretending to drive around with the movable steering wheel and working horn. This toddler ride-on will provide your kiddo with a roomy stroll around the neighborhood, park, or zoo! Made in USA of US and imported parts.

BubbleBum Prize Pack & $75 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

This week is Child Passenger Safety Week. Do you think you know enough to keep your kids safe when they ride in a car? Do you wish there were an easier way to transfer car seats from one car to another? BubbleBum has the perfect solution for you with their lightweight, highly portable inflatable booster seats. Learn about tips for child passenger safety and enter to win an awesome prize package from BubbleBum, including a $75 Amazon gift card and other great travel products for kids!

Kids love staying both safe and comfortable with BubbleBum’s kid-approved, super cool inflatable booster seat. Buckle up your older kids (age 4-11) in a car booster seat providing safety and comfort that is the top choice for all parents. BubbleBum gives kiddos the perfect "boost" to prevent the risk of slouching (which happens with flat car booster seats) and seat belt abdominal injury in the event of a crash. The cool factor makes kids more likely to want to use a booster seat.

BubbleBum weighs less than a pound and inflates/deflates in minutes. It meets and exceeds all Europe and U.S. safety regulations, even in the deflated state. The air-filled design provides extra comfort compared to flat booster seat alternatives. BubbleBum booster seats utilize memory foam technology to help create stability and structural integrity in the seat with side positioners to correctly position the lap belt.

BubbleBum was created by Grainne Kelly, an Irish mom-of-two, as a solution to her own struggles lugging heavy booster seats during her travels with her kids. With her expertise and direction, BubbleBum is leading the way in ensuring that every child has a safe and comfortable booster seat on every car ride. And to help you ensure every child is safe in every vehicle, Grainne has the below tips for you: