Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop: Kidtoons Olivia Wintertime Cheer Prize Pack

Welcome to the Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop!

The New Year's Ball is dropping in a only 2 days. Wish you all a very happy and rewarding New Year! I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Babs Book Bistro are co-hosting this 5-day blog hop to help you welcome the new year with nice giveaways. There are almost 200 chances to win. Be sure to visit all participating blogs via the linky at the end of this post and enter as many giveaways as you like. Happy hopping and good luck!

There are so many fun activities you can participate in during the holidays. Is going to the theater one of your favorites? Hope you had the chance to take your family to Kidtoon's last feature in 2011--Olivia Wintertime Cheer series.

Here are the synopses:

OLIVIA Talks Turkey: Olivia takes up turkey calling, and before long, she's attracted a turkey who refuses to leave her side!

OLIVIA's Snow Day: On a snow day, Olivia and her friend Julian form a news crew and track down the real story behind an alleged sighting of the legendary abominable snowman.

OLIVIA builds a Snow Lady: Olivia is thrilled when she's chosen to build the mascot snowman -or in her case, snowlady - for the annualMaywood winter festival. She's determined to build the biggest snowman anybody's ever seen! But when all the snow melts away, Olivia has to build her snowlady out of something else: cotton candy!


Princess for a Day: When a real live Princess comes to town, Olivia can't wait to meet her. But Olivia gets to do more than just meet her - when Olivia and the Princess realize that they look almost exactly alike, they make a plan to trade places! Olivia initially takes to life in the castle, but she soon misses her family, and realizes that being a Princess isn't all it's cracked up to be. When the royal family cuts their visit short, and decide to head home, can Olivia and the Princess swap back before it's too late?

The Giveaway

Kidtoons has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a fantastic Olivia Wintertime Cheer Prize Pack! It includes tons of goodies that will sure make your little Olivia fan smile:

*One Olivia: Princess for a Day DVD
*One Big Olivia Plush
*One Mini Olivia Plush
*One Olivia Kaladeiscope
*One Olivia Builds a Snowlady Book
*One Olivia Princess for a Day Book
*One Olivia Puzzle
*One Olivia theatrical poster

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for writing this post. Giveaway prize will be delivered directly to the winner by Kidtoons.

Beautify Your Hair with Paul Mitchell

Treating yourself to a fresh new look is a great way to celebrate the holidays and welcome the new year. Now with Paul Mitchell, you could get professional results without having to visit a salon. You can save both time and money by purchasing Paul Mitchell products online.

Paul Mitchell is known for its full line of professional hair care and styling products, including shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, hair gel, special treatment, and so much more. Whether you're got straight or curly hair, whether your goal is to produce great volume or keep your dry hair nourished and moisturized, Paul Mitchell provides the right match for you. Not only has the brand been a favorite of salon professionals, it's also a popular choice among fashionistas who love to experiment with DIY hairstyles.

Among the diverse array of hair care products that Paul Mitchell provides, I'm most interested in trying the Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner, which are designed to improve hair and scalp health, and to moisturize and repair dry and damaged hair.

Salon quality hair products are typically more pricey than generic brands. But you can easily snag 20% off all Paul Mitchell products at online retailers like Salon Savings. Go check out what Paul Mitchell has to offer, pick the products that fit your hair type and style, and start your new year makeover with beautiful hair.

Disclosure: I was compensated for my time for writing this post. This is not a product review and I have not personally tested the products featured herein.

One Tree Hill: The Complete Eighth Season on DVD & Dream Wedding

One of the most highly anticipated episodes of One Tree Hill Season 8 is Episode 13 "The Other Half of Me", in which Brooke and Julian finally tie the knot. Their wedding is definitely one to remember: an angel-like bride, romantic personalized vows, unique and touching speech from the eight-year-old best man, as well as an overly vigilant security guard.

Brooke and Julian's wedding brings back memories of my own. My dream wedding is not about elegant dresses, extravagant settings, or romantic ceremony. What matters most to me is the presence of all our family members and close friends, along with their best wishes for our marriage. And I was so blessed to have exactly what I wanted for my wedding. In my opinion, Brooke and Julian's wedding would be more complete if Brooke's dad could have come to walk her down the aisle.


One Tree Hill - 'I Love the Way You Love Me' by thewbdotcom

Missed the RSVP to the wedding? Here's your special invitation with Season 8 of the One Tree Hill http://bit.ly/w2DhRu! Don't forget to take advantage of the UltraViolet digital copy that comes with the DVD http://bit.ly/rHfjEo. Plus, tune in for the Season 9 Premiere on Wednesday Jan 11, 2012 at 8/7c on The CW!

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote One Tree Hill Season Eight on DVD.

Host a PartyLite Party and Earn Free Products

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are a lot of fun things to do during the holiday season, including home parties, when family and friends get together to cheer and celebrate. Did you know that you could be rewarded with free perks by hosting a PartyLite party at home?

PartyLite is known as the world's #1 direct seller of premium quality candles and home-fragrance products, which can be purchased at home parties as well as on-line in every state in the U.S. and in 17 other countries.  Nearly 60,000 people worldwide sell PartyLite products and more than 12 million people attend PartyLite parties each year. There’s a PartyLite party going on somewhere in the world every 18 seconds! Amazing, isn't it?

Hosting a PartyLite party will not only help you socialize with friends, neighbors, and coworkers, but will also give you the opportunity to earn FREE products to redecorate and refresh your home every season.  You could enjoy scented candles, candle warmers, home decor accessories, reed diffusers and more at little or no cost! You can "like" the PartyLite Facebook page to stay informed about special monthly offers online for party hosts and guests.

PartyLite candles have been such a huge success because people love the way they look, smell and the way they burn. Check out the adorable Snowman ScentGlow Warmer and elegant Enchanted Gingerbread Village Votive Holder.

Did you get a chance to enter the PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes, where you could win 1 of 5 $500 PartyLite gift certificates? Don't feel sad if you missed it. You can start earning free PartyLite favors by becoming a host. The PartyLite Winter/Spring 2012 Catalog launched on Dec. 16. Be sure to check out what's new.

Last-Minute Gift Idea: Holiday Themed Zenni Optical Frames

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical. All opinions are 100% mine.

Christmas is right around the corner. Have your got everyone on your list a nice gift? Don't panic if you are not quite done shopping. Zenni Optical is offering a large array of cheap eyeglasses and frames with stylish designs. Their holiday themed collection features some really unique and cute designs, which are perfect gift ideas for those who want to spice up the way they wear eyeglasses.

The holiday themed Zenni Optical frames come in a variety of festive colors and patterns. It is absolutely delightful to find Santa Claus, snow flakes, candy canes, gift boxes on your frames that could go well with the holiday decor you already have at home. Here are a few of my favorites from Zenni Optical's holiday themed collection.

Besides affordable prices, all Zenni Optical glasses include free anti-scratch coating, thin and light lens, full UV protection, protection case, and microfiber cleaning cloth. Shipping is as low as $4.95, and you can get it free by placing an order over $50.

With all the money I could save from purchasing frames at ZenniOptical.com, I would buy my loved ones more of their favorite stuff, such as cool toys, cozy clothes, and delicious food!

I strongly encourage you to check out what Zenni Optical has to offer during this holiday season. Feel free to share your favorite frames with me in the comment section.

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop: National Geographic Kids Ultimate Holiday Gift Pack!

Welcome to the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop!

As we're entering the busiest and most exciting time of the year, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Oasis for Ya have organized this week-long blog hop, featuring over 200 blogs with great giveaways as part of the holiday celebration in the blogsphere. Please use the linky at the end of this post to hop onto other participating blogs and enter the giveaways you like. Merry Christmas and good luck!

National Geographic Kids has generously offered to give one of my readers an Ultimate Holiday Gift Pack including a hardcover copy of Ultimate Weird But True valued at $19.95 and a $10 iTunes gift card! The winner can purchase the Weird But True app for just $1.99 and still have cash left for a few other apps that have been on her kid's wish list, such as National Geographic Kid's award winning Ultimate Dinopedia app.

The Ultimate Weird But True book is big, thick, colorful and literally bursting with over 1000 wild and wacky facts and pictures. Did you know that it really can rain frogs or that some people can hear their eyeballs moving? Kids may find that truth is stranger than fiction through this fun-filled, super-sized hardcover book.

With 200 themed spreads, the book features animal antics, wacky inventions, freaky weather phenomena, stupid human tricks, nature's most bizarre creations and so much more! The "Ultimate Secrets Revealed" features explain how the most mind boggling facts are possible.

Both my son and I love to read the Ultimate Weird But True. We're fascinated by the fancy pictures and eye-popping descriptions. It's a book that kids will pore over for months and return to for years to come!

You can order a copy from the National Geographic store, or download the top rated Weird But True App. To get a taste of what to expect in the book, your kiddo may take Quiz Your Noodle with the Ultimate Weird But True online quiz. Have fun!

Disclosure: I received free book to facilitate my honest review. No monetary exchange took place. Prize will be delivered directly to the winner by National Geographic.

One Tree Hill: The Complete Eighth Season on DVD

The dynamics of relationships lies at the center of CW's hit show One Tree Hill. From Haley and Nathan's marriage, to the engagement between Brooke and Julian, and the love triangle among Mia, Alex and Chase, different kinds of entangled yet interesting relationships all come into play in one small town named Tree Hill.

In Season 8 Episode 15, "Valentine's Day is Over", we see how each couple or family values their relationship and celebrates Valentine's Day--some are playful and hilarious, some are romantic and heartwarming, some are simple yet memorable...

I couldn't help shaking my head when the pregnant and moody Haley searched frantically for Nathan's hidden gift. Her ecstasy dropped to freezing point when Nathan produced a gift entirely different from what she thought she had discovered. I love the twist on the twist when Nathan stopped teasing Haley and revealed the beautiful surprise for her.

The Cosplay game between Brooke and Julian was wild and amusing, but the real romantic moment didn't come until the couple decided that it was time for them to consider adopting a child. It's my favorite moment from this episode because it marks another milestone in their relationship. What do you think?

In Tree Hill, NC, there is never a dull moment. Hope, heartbreak and a hurricane - all in one season! One Tree Hill's Season 8 is packed with drama and ready for pre-order (http://bit.ly/w2DhRu)! The DVD set includes access code for the UltraViolet Digital Copy (http://bit.ly/rHfjEo), which allows you to download the episodes to your computer and instantly streaming them on all compatible devices.

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote One Tree Hill Season Eight on DVD.

Watch New Episodes of Rizzoli & Isles on Monday Nights

In last week's episode of Rizzoli & Isles, Jane's high school reunion turned out to be unique and eventful, but in an undesirable way. Were you surprised by what Jane found out, including the entangled relationships among the characters? This week an all-new episode "Don't Stop Dancing, Girl" will continue to unravel Jane and Maura's suspenseful world to you. Here's the synopsis:

The world of competitive dance turns deadly when the mother of a star performer is stabbed to death at a competition. Jane and the team search for clues, but they soon realize something is off about the woman's history. Korsak has his hands full when his stepson is accused of shooting a cop. Recurring guest star Lolita Davidovich appears as Korsak's ex-wife, Melody.

Get a sneak peak from the video below.


Rizzoli & Isles - 'Don't Stop Dancing, Girl' by thewbdotcom
To solve the mystery of the victim's death and her identity, tune in to Rizzoli & Isles tonight at 10/9c on TNT!

If you haven't seen the show, you can check it out here http://bit.ly/lnDvyi!

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Rizzoli & Isles.

All-New Slim-Fast Shakes Review

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast. All opinions are 100% mine.
Weight loss has been my number one New Year's Resolution for three years, but I'm still struggling to reach my goal. It's not easy to follow a workout schedule consistently. It's even harder to curb my cravings for indulgent food. To help you lose weight without sacrificing taste, Slim-Fast has introduced its richest, creamiest, best-tasting shakes ever, which come in newly designed bottles that are convenient to take anywhere you want.

The new Slim-Fast shakes provide up to four hours of hunger control, 10 grams of protein, five grams of fiber and 24 essential vitamins and minerals. They are available in four delicious flavors: Creamy Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Rich Chocolate Royale, Cappuccino Delight, Strawberries N’ Cream.

The new Slim-Fast shakes are an essential part of the Slim-Fast 3•2•1 Plan:
• 3 Snacks: Take three healthy snacks per day, such as Slim-Fast 100-calorie snack bars, fruit, nuts or veggies
• 2 Slim-Fast Shakes or Meal Bars per day: They will not only wow your taste buds, but also provide the balanced nutrition of a meal and up to four hours of hunger control
• 1 Balanced Meal: Take one balanced 500-calorie meal per day, with half your plate filled with veggies, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with whole grains.

The new Slim-Fast shakes are available in the pharmacy sections of grocers and retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway and Kroger and online at Amazon.com and the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Store on Facebook.

I was provided with a free coupon to sample the new Slim-Fast shakes. I spotted them easily at my local Kroger, which has the 8-pack on sale for $8.99. All the flavors sound tasty to me, but I finally decided to try Creamy Milk Chocolate first. As expected, the shake is creamy, rich in flavor, with smooth, silky texture, and very filling indeed! I think the Slim-Fast products are the perfect choice for those who want to lose weight fast without overlooking nutrition and taste in the daily diet, especially during the holiday season. You may want to "like" Slim-Fast on facebook
to keep posted about its new offerings and promotions.

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway: Shabby Apple Dress!

Fashion-related items always rank high on my holiday wishlist. Filled with parties and celebrations, the holiday season is the perfect time to dress up and to reward yourself with a fresh new look. If you're still looking for a holiday gift that will brighten up a woman's day, check out Shabby Apple, an online boutique well-recognized for their unique collection of dresses, skirts and women's apparel for different occasions, along with fashion accessories like jewelry, shoes and handbags. I adore many of their vintage-inspired designs that never go out of style. I'm also impressed with their use of vibrant colors and creative incorporation of ruffles, bows, frills and lace into styles that address the needs of different body shapes.

One of my favorites is this sleek and flirty Tiber dress. Bedecked with a tailored bodice, boat neck and elbow-length sleeves, the empire waisted frock hugs close to the body for a figure conscious shape. The knee-length skirt has just a bit of flare which is accentuated by the variegated bands of the Sarah Hansen-designed fabric.

A simple shift takes on a new form with a lei of tucks, folds and petal-like ruffles along the rounded scoop neck of the Bali Ha'i dress. Princess seams and careful tailoring keep the shape classic, and the cap sleeves and deep orchid color make it summer's perfect stand-alone piece.

Put on a sunny, sophisticated look with the Pineapple Princess dress. The woven cotton poplin/spandex blend fabric combines with a fitted skirt and bodice to create a sensuous silhouette. An eight inch ruffle at the waistline adds the perfect feminine flare.

I love the playful bird-and-vine print of the Cecily skirt. Blending colors of buttery yellow, rosy pink, and deep fig, this designer cotton woven offers easy and flattery fit with its vintage-inspired pencil cut design.

Want more inspirations for gift ideas? Shabby Apple has put together an exclusive holiday gift guide to help you make a smart choice. December is the best time for Shabby Apple fans to stock up on some beautiful dresses because lots of styles are on sale and shipping is free all month long! Don't miss these great offers!

The Giveaway

Shabby Apple has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a Shabby Apple dress valued up to $88! The winner may choose her favorite from the four products featured in this post.

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for hosting this giveaway. Prize will be delivered directly to the winner from Shabby Apple.

Join the Advil Congestion Relief Project: Win $30000 for Your Community & $500 for Yourself!

The leading cold and flu brand Advil is putting a twist on its tagline – “The Right Relief for the Real Problem,” by initiating the Advil Congestion Relief Project, which aims to provide relief to congestion problems facing communities around the country, from undersupplied schools to crowded streets and more. In its first relief stop, the Advil Congestion Relief Project unveiled a new library at P.S. 130 in the Bronx on Tuesday, November 15. Now the project is looking for more communities in need of help through an online contest.

You could bring up to $30,000 cash to your local community by answering the following 3 questions in a short essay:

1. What’s congested in your community? (no more than 150 words)
2. How does that affect your community? (no more than 150 words)
3. How could Advil Congestion Relief relieve your community’s congestion? (no more than 200 words)

Entries will be judged based on relevance to theme, composition/clarity, degree of impact to a community, and feasibility. Three winning communities will each receive up to $30,000 in sponsorship while the authors of the winning submissions will each receive a $500 cash reward! The deadline to enter the contest is January 4, 2012 at noon. Good luck!

Disclosure: I am a member of One2One Network and I am eligble to receive product and prizing for my time. I make no claims about Advil Congestion Relief as a product or it's effectiveness.

Sprint 3-Day Sale: Free Smartphone Offer

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint. All opinions are 100% mine.

My best friend called me through a new number the other day. She told me with excitement that for the first time in her life she owned a smartphone and it was free from the wireless company she switched to. I did a little research online and found that Sprint is having a big 3-day sale between 12/12 and 12/14, offering great deals on Android™ powered EVO 4G devices.

During the promotion period, you will not only get the HTC EVO™ 4G or EVO™ Shift for FREE on Sprint, but also get activation fee waived for new lines of service plus free shipping! That means a colossal amount of savings!

The HTC EVO 4G smartphone features a large 4.3 inch touch screen and dual cameras--an 8-megapixel camera on the back for photos and videos and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat and self portraits. It also comes with 32GB MicroSD card slot and unprecedentedly fast web speeds. It can be easily turned into your most light-weight mobile work station and HD media center! Remember, this cool device can be yours completely free.

If your contract is up for renewal, now it's the perfect time to make the switch to Sprint. You can take advantage of this awesome offer either to get an upgrade for yourself or to give it as a thoughtful holiday gift. The free phone offer ends on 12/14. Act fast!

WhitePages Run & Hug Contest and $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

The holiday season usually means a time to reunite with family members near and far. To recognize the importance of family around the holidays and to help you reconnect with a family member that you have lost touch with, WhitePages Archives.com have teamed up for the fantastic "Run & Hug" contest, where people are asked to share their favorite memory of a long lost relative. The contestants whose story receives the most public votes will win two all expenses paid trips to where the reunion will take place plus $1000 cash! Cash prizes of $500 and $200 will also be awarded to the runner-up and second runner-up. All top ten contestants will receive year-long subscriptions to Archives.com to explore their family history.

To enter, simply submit an essay with 500 words or less, or a video testimonial describing your favorite memory of a long lost relative with whom you would like to be reunited. If you are not submitting a video, please submit an image that best illustrates your story (a photo of your relative, or of you at the time when your memory took place, your family crest, etc.) Once your story is submitted and approved, it will be open for the public to vote on. Then you need to invite all your online and offline friends to vote for you. You could win big just by having a lot of supporting friends! Entry submission and voting period both ends on December 19, 2011 at 11:59PM PST.

The earlier you enter, the better your chances are. Hurry and good luck!

The Giveaway

To encourage participation in the contest, WhitePages has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a $25 Amazon Gift Card! It will sure come in handy for holiday shopping!

Disclosure: I received a gift card to facilitate my posting. Prize will be sent directly to the winner from WhitePages.

Win the Ultimate Holiday Gift Pack from Crest & Shecky's & Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips Giveaway (2 Winners)!

Crest 3D and Shecky's has teamed up on the “Let Crest 3D White Pamper You with 2 Hours of Holiday Primping this Holiday Season” sweepstakes, which offers you multiple chances to win The Ultimate Holiday Gift Pack to help you take the stress away!

Here are the remaining prizes up for grabs:

Enter by                   Prize
December 12, 2011: 2-Hour Luxury Mani/Pedi to Add A Festive Flare to Your Holiday Look

December 19, 2011: 2-Hour Home Cleaning Service to Help Tidy-Up Before The In-Laws Arrive

December 21, 2011: 2-Hour Mixology Class to Add The Finishing Touches to Your Festive Holiday Soiree

Sweepstakes ends December 21, 2011 at 11:59PM EST. Open to US residents only. Limit one entry per person or household per day. Limit one prize per person or household.

You may want to give the gift of a brighter, whiter smile this holiday season with Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips. For a limited time only, Crest 3D White is offering a special Give Some, Get Some Holiday special pack, which includes two bonus 2 Hour Express Whitestrips with the purchase of a full box.

The Giveaway

To encourage participation in the sweepstakes, Crest has generously offered to give two of my lucky readers each a box of Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips valued at $55! Each box includes 4 treatments, enough to keep your teeth bright and shining for an entire year!

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any form for hosting this giveaway. Prizes will be sent directly to the winners by Crest.

New Changes to Rafflecopter!

If you're entering my giveaways today, you must have noticed that Rafflecopter has got a new look. The Rafflecopter team has been working hard to help you enter blog giveaways much easier. Here are a brief recap of the new and improved features:

1. The new widget allows you to log in using either Facebook Connect or your name and email. It no longer relies on cookies to remember you. This will help you remember which giveaways you have entered, which entries you have completed and save you trouble when you come back for a daily tweet entry!
2. You can use the same log in to access all giveaways run through Rafflecopter. No need to enter the same info for every entry on every single giveaway. Yay!
3. If you sign in using Facebook, you will be able to edit your previous entries. Many of us had this "oops" moment when we entered too fast with a wrong or blank answer. Finally, there's a fix to that!
4. Exciting news for bloggers who want to run their own giveaways via Rafflecopter. Rafflecopter has ended the "invite-only" beta mode and gone public. Signup is open to everyone! Visit Rafflecopter.com and create your account today.
   

I can't wait to hear what you think about these new changes. Please feel free to share your feedback in the comment section below or directly with the Rafflecopter team.

All New Episodes of Rizzoli & Isles on Mondays

Starring Angie Harmon as Jane Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as Maura Isles, Rizzoli & Isles follows this interesting female duo of a "tough-as-nails Boston police detective" and a "smart, impeccably dressed medical examiner" as they bust some of Boston's most notorious criminals. All new episodes from Season 2 of the show air every Monday at 10/9c on TNT.

In last week's episode, it was a relief to see that Jane was able to clear the murder charges against her brother Tommy and nailed down the real culprits. In the upcoming episode, Jane will again be faced with the challenge to question the role of people she personally knows in a murder case. Here's the synopsis of "Seventeen Ain't So Sweet":

Jane attends her high school reunion and brings Maura along for the ride, but the fun is cut short when one of her old classmates turns up dead on the football field. Jane must focus on the past when she realizes that everyone in her class is a potential suspect. Meanwhile, Korsak gets a visit from ex-wife Melody Patterson (recurring guest star Lolita Davidovich), who hopes he'll invest in her new business. Plus, recurring guest star Christ Vance returns as Sgt. Major Charles 'Casey' Jones, an old flame of Jane's, and recurring guest star Matthew Del Negro appears as Angela's car mechanic, Giovanni, who has eyes for Maura.

Looks like a lot will be going on in tonight's episode. It must be exciting to see some of Jane's past revealed during the investigation. Tune in tonight at 10/9c on TNT!



If you haven't seen the show, you can check it out here http://bit.ly/lnDvyi!

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for 'Rizzoli & Isles.'

Gift Card Giveaway Hop: $25 Target Gift Card!

Welcome to the Gift Card Giveaway Blog Hop!

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Attack of the Books are co-hosting this 5-day blog hop. As the name suggests, all the 130+ participating blogs will be giving away gift cards to help you with last minute holiday shopping! For this hop, gift cards are not necessarily book-related, so you could win gift cards from your favorite store like Walmart or Starbucks. Please use the linky at the end of this post to find out what each blog is giving away and enter the ones you like. Happy holidays and good luck!

After browsing through my gift card caddy, I decided to give away a $25 Target Gift Card to one of my lucky readers! It can be used both online and offline. Hope the winner will have fun shopping with it!

Disclosure: The prize is provided by myself and will be delivered either by email or by USPS at the winner's choice.

Holiday Gift Guide: Amazon Rain Skin Care System Review & Giveaway ($79)

We need to be careful about we apply to our skin, as skin care constitutes a large part of our overall health. Some skin care products may do more bad than good due to the use of harsh chemicals. Amazon Rain introduces a complete skin care system, utilizing all natural, organic ingredients extracted from Rainforest plants, which provide a rich source of antioxidants and other naturally-occurring elements that can effectively renew skin tissues. All Amazon Rain products are free of synthetic chemicals and preservatives, alcohol, harsh detergents, waxes, parabens, mineral oil, lanolin and artificial fragrances and colors. They are safe and designed to suit all ages and skin types.

The Amazon Rain Complete Skin Care System consists of six premium quality products: Botanical Cleanser, Crystal Exfoliator, Refreshing Mist, Camu C Serum, Deep Nourishing Oil, and Replenishing Moisturizer, each corresponding to one of the following essential steps to younger-looking skin:

*Cleanse—Dissolve impurities without leaving skin tight or dry
*Refine—Remove the build-up of dead, dull skin cells
*Tone—Shield your skin from environmental factors
*Treat—Diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
*Nourish—Deeply nourish tissue layers for a youthful, radiant glow
*Hydrate—Balance hydration and lock in moisture

Amazon Rain kindly provided me with its complete system for review. I'm deeply impressed with how unique these products are. They're different from other brands I have tried before in a number of ways. First, the beautiful packaging is lightweight and eco-friendly. The bottles are made from ABS plastic, a heavy-duty glass alternative that is recyclable, prevents oxidation and reduces the risk of breakage. Second, they come in an unusual dark yellowish color and a gentle, fresh scent, which is completely new to me. Third, they have a relatively thinner texture and absorb very fast and easily into my skin without leaving any greasy feel. What's more, they leave my skin feel pampered, nourished, and refreshed! It's interesting to read about all the natural ingredients that can be found in Amazon Rain products and where they originally come from.

My favorite from the system is the Amazon Rain Replenishing Moisturizer, followed by the Camu C Serum and the Botanical Cleanser. The key Rainforest ingredient in the Camu C Serum is Camu Camu berry, known as the "Ultimate Amazon Superfruit." With the world's highest concentration of antioxidant vitamin C, it helps rejuvenate your skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The Camu C Serum therefore makes a great holiday gift for women who look to "outsmart the signs of aging". It normally retails for $79, but right now you can get it for $53 by taking advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free holiday special. Plus you can join Amazon Rain's Preferred Customer program and and start earning Loyalty Points redeemable for free products. You are eligible for additional discounts if you order by December 31, 2011.

With each Amazon Rain purchase, you will be in fact helping support two non-profit organizations: ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research) and Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center. Hope you will soon join Amazon Rain to promote a virtue that runs "Deeper than Beauty".

The Giveaway

Amazon Rain has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a bottle of Camu C Serum valued at $79! The winner can use it as a holiday treat to herself or a thoughtful gift for someone she loves.

Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate my honest review. No monetary exchange took place. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Traditional Brownie Mix Prize Pack #MyBlogSpark

Holidays are a great time for family and social gatherings, for relaxation and recreation, and for savoring delicious food! No holiday party is complete without some indulgent sweet treats. But baking to the satisfaction of your hungry guests could be challenging and time-consuming.

The new Betty Crocker New Milk Chocolate Traditional Brownie Mix will come to your rescue with a fresh-from-the-oven treat that won’t have you spending hours in the kitchen. Brownies made with this mix combine the right touch of milk chocolate flavor with the traditional homemade brownie taste. You can easily impress your guests by following 3 simple steps:

1) Heat oven to 325°F or 350°F (varies by type of pan) and grease bottom of pan;

2) Stir and fully blend brownie mix, water, oil and egg, and spread in pan;

3) Bake until ready (time varies by pan size and desired thickness)

You can get a pan of brownies ready in as little as 25 minutes. Yum! Look for Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Traditional Brownie mix in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.

The Giveaway

To encourage you to try out this amazing new product, Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark have generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Traditional Brownie Mix Prize Pack! As shown in the picture above, the prize pack includes:

*1 box of Betty Crocker® Milk Chocolate Traditional Brownie Mix
*1 Betty Crocker apron
*1 Walton 9 x 9 x 2" Non-Stick Brownie Mix w/ Cover
*1 mixing spoon.

Disclosure: The product, information and prize pack have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

Baby Gizmo 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #BabyGizmoBlogger

Baby Gizmo is celebrating this holiday season with 12 Days of Giveaways. Prizes include high-end baby gear from Inglesina, Oilo, Boon, Britax, Timi & Leslie, Stokke, Peg Perego, Skip Hop, Summer Infant, Moonlight Slumber, phil & teds and Orbit Baby!

Each day is a new chance to win a fantastic prize package. The giveaways are managed via Rafflecopter so you know they're easy to enter. Better yet, you can gain one extra entry per day by telling Baby Gizmo that you're referred by "icefairy's Treasure Chest". If you do, I will gain one entry into the blogger contest, in which I could win a $300 Gilt.com credit by being the top referrer. It's a win-win option! Good luck to us all!

Smallville: The Complete 10th Season & The Complete Series On DVD & The Finale

In Season 10 of the CW hit show Smallville, Clark overcomes the greatest challenge of young life, conquers the otherworld forces of darkness, and finally grows into the "Superman" as we know today. The moment when Clark finally mastered the art of flying is what we have been waiting for, the moment when Clark embraces his destiny and brings hope to humanity. The show left us with a breath-taking surprise though--Lex becoming President-elect of the United States! We can't help wondering what kind of tough challenges are waiting Clark "The Superman".

Do you like the way the series ended? What would you like to change? Feel free to comment below with your thoughts.

Smallville: The Complete 10th Season and The Complete Series are now available on DVD. Order yours today!

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for "Smallville."