Have Fun with Otter Pops #YouOtterKnow

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

What is your favorite thing about summer? Exciting outdoor activities, creative fashion experiments, or yummy frozen treat? One of the things my children love most about summer is that they can have popsicles every day! If you live in the western portion of the U.S., you're in luck! Because you will have the chance to try out Otter Pops, which come in six fruity flavors, featuring fun characters known as the Otter Pop Stars.

Otter Pop Stars include Sir Isaac Lime, Little Orphan Orange, Strawberry Short Kook, Louie-Bloo Raspberry, Poncho Punch, and Alexander The Grape. My elder son loves all the flavors, but the Little Orphan Orange is his absolute favorite. As far as the character goes, his likes Strawberry Short Kook best because he thinks she looks the funniest of all. And she looks so cool as a female drummer!

Otter Pops are made from real fruit juice and contain no major allergens. Besides enjoying a wholesome snack, your kids may have even more fun with their favorite Otter Pops, including music, dance, art, and more. Visit www.otterpopstars.com to check out all the fun facts about Otter characters and complete interesting activities while on the site!

My children love the music videos because they are funny, cheerful and the best way to see Otter Pop Stars in action. The "Fun Stuff" section is where you can learn something interesting from each Otter character, such as foreign language starters, art projects, pet care tips, and even a berry sweet poem written by Louie. What we finding most useful is "How to Tell a Fruit from a Vegetable".  Are you surprised that tomatoes, cucumbers, zuchini, peppers and coffee actually belong to the fruit family? And we look forward to creating our very own drum set when we have all the materials on hand!

Otter Pops are social beings too. You can connect with Otter Pops on Facebook and follow @OtterPops on Twitter.

Protect Your Identity with LifeLock

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

As we rely more heavily on the Internet for our daily life, we are more susceptible to a new and dangerous kind of crime--identity theft. Anyone who has fallen victim to identify theft knows how detrimental it could be to lose your own identity, including your social security number, credit card numbers, bank account info, and even access to your emails. The consequences are usually far more serious than the loss of physical property because the damages may last a long time, such as a poor credit score that takes years to repair. It is necessary to be more proactive and have your identify protected by an effective defense system like LifeLock.

LifeLock monitors your identity around the clock and safeguards your vital personal information through alerts of potential threats--both credit and non-credit related. It also provides comprehensive recovery services to help you minimize damages in the event of an incident of identity theft.

Around this time last year, one of my primary email accounts got hacked and all of a sudden I found myself unable to log in and everyone on my contact list received a scam email claiming that I was robbed and stranded in a foreign country and needed a large sum of cash by wire transfer. I panicked as that email account is associated with my bank accounts, PayPal account, and my tax returns. Fortunately I was able to regain access through Google support, but it is hard to tell how much of my personal information is already in the hands of the hacker. How hack friendly is your password? Read this infographic to find out!

If you're not yet convinced about the danger of identity theft, check out the stats yourself:
• Households earning $100k + per year have the highest identity fraud rate at 7.4%
• The average cost per person of having identities stolen is $1,513
• 11.6 million adults were victims of identity fraud in 2011 and a total of $18 billion was lost.

Alarming stats for social media/ smartphone users that have experience identity fraud:
• 6.6% of victims are smartphone owners
• 6.8% of victims are social media users who click on the applications
• 8.2% of victims are social media users who have “checked in” using their smartphone GPS
• 10.1% of victims are LinkedIn users

Please seriously consider signing up for a LifeLock membership to protect yourself from the risk of identity theft. Follow LifeLock on Facebook  to get more tips that may help you outsmart identify thieves.

Bitdefender Total Security 2013 Protects You Online & Offline

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

Now that we enjoy the convenience of having things done electronically, from mangaing finances to organizing documents, it has become all the more important to have your personal information and digital assests protected by a reliable antivirus service, such as the Bitdefender Total Security 2013. Ranked #1 in Antivirus software, Bitdefender is the winner of both CNET Editor's Choice and PCMag Editor's Choice. The new version of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus has taken privacy and security to new levels with a considerable number of exciting and unique features!

Whenever you pay bills, manage bank accounts or make purchases online, Bitdefender Safepay™ , Bitdefender’s proprietary secured browser will safeguard your online transactions and home banking applications from all tampering attempts.

Are you ever annoyed by those pop-ups asking you to respond to possible security attacks to your computer? It won't happy with BitDefender Autopilot, which allows BitDefender to operates on its own, without constant interruptions to your computer experience.

My favorite feature of BitDefender is Social Network Protection. As a blogger and social media enthusiast, I'm more likely to become victims of identiy theft when I process information posted on social media. BitDefender guards you against hackers and spammers by filtering the links you receive from your Facebook and Twitter friends and monitorsing your privacy settings.

While I never allows my son to visit websites on his own, it may not be feasible for other parents to keep an eye on their children's computer usage all the time. The BifDefender Parental Control Options allows you to block inappropriate content, restrict Web access between certain hours, and remotely monitor your children's online activity – even on Facebook!

It's amazing that Bitdefender can protect your privacy and property even offline. The Bitdefender Anti-Theft feature can help you track lost or stolen devices!

If you're to buy a new antivirus software anytime soon, seriously consider BitDefender as your first choice and enjoy the peace of mind you need!

SAVE Big on Your Next Visit to San Antonio!

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

San Antonio is our favorite destination for a weekend getaway. It's within driving distance and filled with family friendly attractions and activities for us to explore. We've been to San Antonio for five times, yet the city surprises us with something new every time we visit! Now with the SAVE – San Antonio Vacation Experience program, we can get more out of our next trip for less.

SAVE has partnered with top San Antonio hotels and attractions to bring you over $600 in savings to theme parks, animal adventures and historic tours, as well as exclusive rates on accommodations for every price point and need. SAVE offers are displayed on an intuitive Deal Map and sorted on a Deal List. Either option allows you to narrow down your search by the type of locations or activities of interest. When planning your San Antonio vaction with SAVE, be sure to start with the Limited Time Offers so that you wouldn't miss out any time sensitive deals and discounts.

Our must-see attraction in San Anotonio is SeaWorld. This season, SeaWorld is debuting “Aquatica,” an 18-acre aquatic park with up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and relaxing, sandy beaches.  We look forward to checking it out, and use SAVE to receive $10 off admission.

Here's our tentative itinerary for our trip to San Antonio this summer:

Day 1:
Almo Sightseeing Tour (SAVE Deal: $2 off Kids & $5 off Adults)
Almo IMAX Theatre Rivercenter (SAVE Deal: Free child admission w/ adult purchase)
Dinner and boat trip on River Walk
Check in at Comfort Suites Alamo/ Riverwalk (SAVE Rate: $189 for a family of 4)

Day 2:
SeaWorld (SAVE Deal: $10 off one-day admission for up to 6 people)
Check in at DaysInn SeaWorld (SAVE Rate: $149 for a family of 4)

Day 3:
Shopping at Market Square (SAVE Deal: 10% off $20 or more)
San Antonio's Official Visitor Information Center (SAVE Deal: FREE gift with purchace of $15.00 or more)

See how much I could SAVE in San Antonio? Wanna keep informed of all SAVE deals? Follow @SAVEinSA to stay in the loop!

Atlantic Luggage Sweepstakes: Win a Family Vacation to Legoland!

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

Are there any LEGO fans in your family? Have you ever visited Legoland? Enter the Atlantic Luggage and Legoland Sweepstakes for your chance to win a 2-day vacation for a family of four to Legoland in Florida! The sweepstakes runs from July 1st to August 1st. One lucky person will win the Grand Prize, consisting of

• four 2-day Admissions to LEGOLAND Florida
• 2-night stay at a 3-star or better hotel (one 4 occupancy room)
• 3-day car rental
• Meet and Greet with a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder
• one free set of Atlantic luggage

Open to US residents (excluding Rhode Island) 21 years of age or older. Limit one entry per day per email address.

Earlier this year, Legoland Florida opened a new water park, featuring wave pool, tube slides and body slides. It also allows visitors to imagine, design, and build a unique LEGO vessel and set it afloat on the 1,000ft lazy river.  Looks like the Grand Prize winner is bound to have an unforgettable family vacation this fall. It could be you!

About the Sponsor:
Atlantic Luggage is affordable, durable, lightweight, and perfect for families who love to travel. Their collections come in a variety of sizes and styles, with something for everyone!

Clipix: A New & Fun Way to Organize Your Life

Do you still remember the good old days when we clipped newspapers and magazines in order to save useful articles and pictures? Now with everything goes digital, we find a zillion things of interest or of value to us over the Internet. Wouldn't it be nice to have a tool that helps us clip and save them electronically so that we can pull out the relevant information when we need it? The creators of clipix designed their website to do exactly what we wish for--to keep and organize things we find online that we want to come back to.

Clipix is free and easy to use. You can set up an account within seconds by linking it to your Facebook or Twitter account, or with your preferred email. After adding a "Clip" button to your bookmarks bar,  you can start clipping everything you see online with a simple click of that button. All your clips will be stored in clipboards that you can customize and organize. You have full control over the privacy settings as to who will be granted access to your clipboards. Watch the video demo below to have a better understanding of how clipix works.

One unique feature of clipix is Syncboards, which allow you to see what your friends or family clip to the syncboard in real-time. The Multiboards is another neat feature clipix offers. It helps you stay better organized by grouping multiple clipboards by category.

For the past Valentine's Day, I used clipix to save recipes and craft projects that I find online. Take a look at my collection--

    

What do you plan to use clipix for? Online shopping, vacation planning, or home decorating? Don't forget to share your ideas... and your favorite clipboards!

Promoted Post

dealnews: Deal Shopping Made Simple

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

I love shopping online and buying a good bargain makes me feel like a smart shopper.  But looking for the best deals can be time consuming and it's not always possible to keep up with the hot deals on stuff you really need. Websites like dealnews are therefore a wonderful resource for shoppers like me, who loves deal shopping but can't afford the time for all the research.

 

Every day dealnews scours 2,000+ online retailers and brings the best deals at your fingertips. The staff at dealnews verify that each deal listed is valid and has the lowest possible price so that you don't have to do any of the hard work. Deals are neatly organized into major categories like computers, clothing, electronics, travel local and seasonal. Right now there is a special tab for Valentine's Day, where you can find great gifts at incredible prices.

 

Within each category, you can easy sort the deals by subcategories, brands, stores, prices, the date they were added to the listing, as well as their hotness based on the amount of savings you can get. Each deal page not only provides you with the direct link to the item on sale, but also a detailed description of what makes it a best buy, including shipping charges, taxes, choices available, and overall savings.

 

Here are a couple examples of the nice clothing deals that I can find at dealnews:

  

 

When you have a chance to visit dealnews.com, please come back and share with me your favorite deals and what you plan to buy.

 

If you really want to stay on top of the latest deals, I'd suggest you subscribing to dealnews newsletter or custom deal alerts. You can choose to receive a daily digest of the best deals or deals on a specific product, from a specific store, or a specific category.

 

dealnews also rewards its registered users with exclusive giveaways and sweepstakes. Right now, you could win a Nook e-reader for Valentine's Day! Don't miss it!

Sprint 4-Day Sale: Free Nexus S™ 4G and More!

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

Sprint is hosting an amazing 4-day sale to help you connect with your Valentine easier and faster than ever. From now through February 8th, you can get the Nexus S™ 4G for FREE or the HTC EVO™ 3D for only $49.99!  These sweet offers are open to both new and existing Sprint customers. All you need to do is to open a new line of service or add to your current account during the promotion period.

Nexus S™ 4G features built-in Google apps, integrated Google Voice™ service, 4G speed, a superfast processor, and a sleek design with thin-profile contour display. It appeals most to Android-powered players who want the latest Google Apps™ and OS updates as soon as they become available. The phone normally retails for $549.99 but now it can be yours at zero cost!

If you prefer a bigger screen and want to experience the most advanced technology, HTC EVO™ 3D would be a better choice for you. Featuring the 3D glasses-free technology, HTC EVO™ 3D allows you to take, share and view 3D pictures and flicks all at lightning-fast 4G speeds. Order it online now at sprint.com and you can save up to $400 off its regular price!

Besides the free phone and deep discount, Sprint also waives the $36 activation fee for new lines of services and upgrades as well as shipping charges on new phone orders. That means a colossal amount of savings! But you need to act fast, before all these incredible offers expire this Wednesday.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club February Offer

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

Prescription drug costs can be prohibitive if you're uninsured or your insurance provides poor coverage. Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is here to help--to make prescriptions drugs more affordable through exclusive savings and discount. This month, Walgreens is offering a special discount on the annual membership fee for its Prescription Savings Club. Individual memberships are as low as $20 a year, while you can have everyone in your immediate family covered for only $15 extra. Your spouse, dependents 22 and under, and your pets are all considered part of your immediate family!

You can join the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club either online or at a Walgreens pharmacy near you. With your membership card, you can start saving instantly on over 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications. Discounted pricing are available on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies. In addition, you can earn bonuses every time you buy Walgreens and Nice! brand products and photofinishing services.

Don't worry if you're not sure whether the club membership is right for you. You can test drive for 30 days and cancel it with a full refund if you're not completely satisfied with what it offers. Plus, Walgreens will generously refund you the difference if you don't save more than the cost of your membership during the course of the year of your membership. Bascially you have nothing to lose but a lot to gain by joining the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club!

Wanna be among the first to find out new offers and promotions from the nation's largest pharmacy chain? Follow Walgreens on Twitter and "like" Walgreens on Facebook, and you'll be all set.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club: Big Savings at Small Costs

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

Have you been using Walgreens as your primary pharmacy? Are you under a prescription insurance plan managed by Express Script for year 2012? If your answer is "yes" to both, then you're very likely to be affected by the recent breakup between Walgreens and Express Script, which could result in a huge hassle and possible financial losses for Express Scripts clients who are used to having their prescriptions filled at the nation's largest drugstore chain.

Now that Walgreens is excluded from the Express Scripts pharmacy network, you will feel greatly inconvenienced if you're forced to drive farther to a pharmacy within the network and if that pharmacy has less convenient hours than Walgreens, who offers the largest number of 24-hour and drive-thru pharmacies in the country. You will feel even worse if you have already established a personal relationship with your Walgreens pharmacist over the past years.

As an effort to minimize the trouble caused by the transition, Walgreens is offering a special discount on annual membership for its Prescription Savings Club this January. During the promotion, an individual can join the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club for only $5 (regular $20), or $10 (regular $35) for a family membership, which covers spouse, dependents 22 and younger and even pets!  Club members may enjoy savings on over 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications (400+ generics are available with a 90-day supply for under $1 a week.), discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies, as well as bonuses on purchases of Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services.

If you've been looking to join the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, now would be the best time to do so. The promotional offer will help you make the most out of your membership and take advantage all the extra savings and conveniences (locations, store hours, refill options, etc.) that Walgreens has to offer!

Love Walgreens? Then show your support by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following Walgreens on Twitter. By doing so, you'll also stay updated about Walgreens' latest changes and special promotions.

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.

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.

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!

Protect Your Business and Family with Norton by Symantec

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Norton Small Business by Symantec. All opinions are 100% mine.

I know many moms who are small business owners and who rely heavily on computers and the Internet for managing their business as well as their day-to-day activities. A hacker attack or virus infection could result in serious financial losses. In a recent survey of small business owners, nearly one in three respondents (28 percent) identified technology as one of their top business priorities, while almost six out of ten small business owners (59 percent) admitted to having experienced some sort of malware in the past three years, and half of them (51 percent) had to pay an expert to resolve the problem.

It's therefore important for small business owners to protect their computing system with reliable anti-virus services like Norton Small Business by Symantec, which could detect and prevent malware and viruses from damaging your website and networks.  In fact, you can get 30% off Norton Small Business Products now (primarily for 5 and 10 user products) and start taking advantage of Norton's premium protection and 24/7 tech support.

Small business owners are not the only ones who need computer and internet security. As an avid Internet user, I'm confronted with malicious online attempts to steal my personal information and take over my computer every day.  My old laptop was killed by an unknown virus after I accidentally clicked on an unsafe website. Luckily I had all my important files backed up on an external hard drive, but still, it was a huge hassle trying to recover my dead computer. This could have been avoided had I installed a good anti-virus software.

The Norton 360 and the Norton Internet Security 2012, both of which have just launched this past September, include an array of neat features such as optimizing your computer performance, safeguarding all your online activities from emails to downloads, and automatic file backup. Be sure to check out what Norton has to offer and tell me in a comment which Norton product would you most benefit and why.

PackIt Buy One Get One Free Sale

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

As seen on Martha Stewart show, PackIt lunch boxes are the latest invention that keeps your food cold and fresh for up to 10 hours! Motivated by their need to keep their kids lunch cool for a longer time (Ice gel packs only last for 2 hours), Single Moms Jeannette and Melissa created PackIt, which offers a revolutionary solution to food storage problems that are common among moms on-the-go and moms with school age children.

PackIt is both convenient and versatile. When not in use, it can be easily folded for storage and carriage. It expands to 8"x10"x5", the perfect size for a delicious meal, healthy snacks, or chilled beverages. You can even use it to carry baby bottles with milk or formula. The product is made with safe, non-toxic material and is sweat-proof and PVC and lead-free. You can enjoy the peace of mind when using it for your family. Check out the video below and see why moms love PackIt so much.



Interested in giving PackIt a try? Now is the best time to do so because you can purchase a Packit and get a second one free for only $19.95. The offer is available for a limited time only.  You can choose from three vibrant colors and patterns that fit different genders.

I would use PackIt primarily for snacks and drinks on a road trip or playdate. What would use a PackIt for?  Any fun ideas? Please don't hesitate to share them with us in the comment section!

Stand Up For Family Comedy Special

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

Do you value your family more than everything else in life? I know I do because it is my family that defines who I am and makes me feel that I'm always needed and loved. Therefore, I think it necessary to teach my own children about the importance of family and assure them that they can always count on their family for support.   Stand Up For Family is a comedy special presented by American Family Insurance, featuring short yet funny anecdotes of family life. Leading comedians including Bill Bellamy, Rodney Perry, Mark Viera, Donnell Rawlings, and Tony Roberts offer their own perspectives on the importance of family by telling stories inspired by experiences from their own families.

Among the videos available on the Stand Up For Family website, my favorites are "Still Free" and "Momma Talk" by Bill Bellamy. "Still Free" reminds of me of the good old days when children had no access to high-tech toys and gears, but had their imagination in full bloom with free play and simple games. "Momma Talk" reflects, although in a somewhat exaggerating way, the old school parenting style that many of us experienced when we were kids.

As a parent, I highly appreciate AmFam efforts to re-etashilsh the importance of strong family ties through a keen sense of humor and stories we all can relate to. I think the show offers great entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. I suggest all of you checking it out when you have a moment.

T.G.I. FRiDAY’S Entrées for One & Fun Freezer Contest

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of T.G.I. FRiDAY'S. All opinions are 100% mine.

T.G.I. FRiDAY’S is known not only for their restaurants with lively atmosphere and delicious food, but also for their brand of frozen meals that allow you to savor bold and fun flavors in the comfort of your home. The new line of T.G.I. FRiDAY’S “Entrées for One” features nine new entrées inspired by popular menu items from T.G.I. FRiDAY’S restaurants. From Sizzling Steak Fajitas to Creamy Chicken Pasta Carbonara, the new varieties are sure to shake things up in the frozen food category.

My husband is a huge meat lover. When I told him about the new frozen entrées from T.G.I. FRiDAY’S, he could hardly wait to try out the Sizzling Steak Fajitas and Sizzling Chicken Fajitas. We went to the grocery stores for a food hunt. Unfortunately neither Kroger or Walmart has yet to carry the new line. The Chicken Quesadillas looked great, so we decided to try this out instead.

  

The Chicken Quesadillas comes with two easy-to-use microvaweable heating sleeves and a yummy meal is ready in 3 minutes. Hubby had the first bite and told me that it was very flavorful and spicy. As my stomach doesn't allow me to take anything spicy, I let him finish all of the rest and he gladly did so. From the look on his face and the speed with which the quesadillas disappeared, I knew he really enjoyed his quick meal. We hope the new varieties will be available in our local stores soon.

Do you love to decorate your freezer and make it more fun to have frozen food? T.G.I. FRiDAY'S is having a  Fun Freezer contest on their Facebook page. By submitting a picture of your freezer, you could win a home theater makeover and a year's worth of Entrees for One! Entries are being judged and will be open to public voting on October 7, 2011. Be sure to check out all the fun creations and help choose the winners.

Share Your Dream with Upromise & Win $10,000!

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

Upromise has offered its members over $600 million in college savings through the rewards program during the past ten years. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Upromise is hosting a fantastic contest and sweepstakes, through which $20,000 cash will be given away to parents who share their dream for their child and how they plan to realize that dream. To enter, simply visit www.upromisetodream.com and follow the instructions to submit your story in 500 words or less.

After sharing your own dream, you can go read stories from other participants and vote for your favorite by clicking on the "Like" icon under each entry. The story that receives the most votes by the end of the contest will win the author a Grand Prize of $10,000! Not into the voting game? Never mind. You could still be a weekly winner of $1,000 based on pure luck. A total of 10 weekly winners will be selected from random drawings. You may read the dream wall official rules for more details.

I just entered the sweepstakes by sharing my dream for my son's future. I don't have specific expectations about what career path he will pursue when he grows up. My only wish is that he will stay happy throughout his life. He will be able to follow the lifestyle of his choice, have a job that he feels passionate about, and be successful on his own terms. We as parents will support his own dream as much as we can and offer him advice and guidance when necessary,

What's your dream for you child? Share it with Upromise and you could win big, getting close to making your dream come true! But hurry! The promotion ends on September 29, 2011 at midnight. Feel free to post your story in the comment section below so that we could vote for you.

Win 1 of 4 $500 Express Gift Cards for a Suiting Makeover!

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

Whether you want to dress up for a professional conference or happy hour with your co-workers, Express has the right outfit for you! Express carries a vast selection of women's suits, with fashionable designs, vibrant colors, and premium quality.

My favorite among the variety of choices is the Women's Rouched Sleeve Jacket & Pants. The striped pattern of the fabric and the flare pants can make sure that you will work in style and look taller and slimmer. I would wear this suit for any work occasions including business presentations, job interviews, and networking events.

From now until the end of October, you can enter the Express sweepstakes for your chance to win a $500 Express Gift Card to put together your favorite outfit for work or other important occasions! Four prizes are up for grabs. You must be a fan of Express on Facebook to be eligible for the Work It Sweepstakes. To maximize your chance to win, enter once per day until 10/31. Open to both US & Canadian residents!

What's your favorite suit from Express? Enter the sweepstakes and you could win it free! What are you gonna use your suit for? Don't forget to share with us! Good luck!