Surfin' Saturdays! Join us on Twitter (leave me a note so I can follow you back)!

Welcome to the 27th Surfin' Saturdays hosted by Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Two Monkeys & a Washtub, And Then There Were Four and  The Coupon Challenge! Each week we will be surfin' a different social network. You will have to check back every Saturday to see where we will be! One week it may be a facebook hop and then the next an email hop! It will be lots of fun and you will get to meet new people and see old friends as well!

We kindly ask that you follow these simple requests

1. Follow the hostesses in the first four spots (We will follow you back! Just please leave a comment letting us know that you are following us!)
2. Please only link up the network that is being hopped that specific week.
3. No spam please. These will be removed. 
4. It would be wonderful if you are linking up this week if you could add our button to your sidebar or in a post to help spread the word! :) The more people that join, the more fun it will be! (Plus if you add our button to your sidebar you can grab 5 extra entries into any ONE giveaway!)
5. If someone follows you please feel free to follow them back! If you follow me and leave a comment you are guaranteed a follow back!

This is a new list every Saturday, so please remember to come back and link up!

This week is Twitter!

Please link up only your Twitter!

Read more...

Quiet or the tiger gets it....

Quiet or the tiger gets it....just another day in the life of Logan's toys...okay so he is pretty gentle with his furbabies but at least this pic makes him look like he's about to rip the eyes out of his tiger!

Read more...

PupLight - Helping your doggie light the way during nighttime walks! Review

One of our New Year's resolutions was to spend more time as a family and that of course has to include Logan.  Logan loves to go on walks but by the time we get home after work, its nearly dark and we still have to eat dinner so until Spring/Summer come and it stays light longer, we have really enjoyed our PupLight product review. 

We still carry a flashlight since we have the kids with us (and they enjoy shining the lights on the ground), but this light really helps illuminate Logan to oncoming vehicles since he is definitely hard to see at dusk!  I'm guessing we will use this more often for those late night potty runs to the backyard as he gets older to avoid turning on the outside lights and waking the neighborhood dogs too!

The PupLight contains 3 Ultra bright white LED lights and runs on AAA batteries.  The PupLight is capable of lighting up to 200 feet forward and up to 70 feet on each side.  The picture below was taken of Logan at dusk without a flash, but you can definitely tell how bright the PupLight is whether you are using it at dusk or when its really dark outside (sorry the inside lights were shining through the windows where Logan chose to finally sit still).

I really liked that the PupLight came with it's own adjustable collar that is suited for any size dog and can be worn either on the collar or below the collar.  Since Logan is such a big dog and likes to sniff, we opted to use the light below his collar for additional visibility!  We've tried other collar and tag lights in the past and quickly gave up and went back to a trusty flashlight, but we've been using the PupLight and will continue to use the PupLight for any dusk or nighttime adventures with Logan!

Disclosure:  We received the product mentioned above for review in exchange for our honest opinions.  No additional compensation was received.

Read more...

Surfin' Saturdays - Facebook Week!

Welcome to the 26th Surfin' Saturdays hosted by Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Two Monkeys & a Washtub, And Then There Were Four and  The Coupon Challenge! Each week we will be surfin' a different social network. You will have to check back every Saturday to see where we will be! One week it may be a facebook hop and then the next an email hop! It will be lots of fun and you will get to meet new people and

see old friends as well!

We kindly ask that you follow these simple requests

1. Follow the hostesses in the first four spots (We will follow you back! Just please leave a comment letting us know that you are following us!)
2. Please only link up the network that is being hopped that specific week.
3. No spam please. These will be removed. 
4. It would be wonderful if you are linking up this week if you could add our button to your sidebar or in a post to help spread the word! :) The more people that join, the more fun it will be! (Plus if you add our button to your sidebar you can grab 5 extra entries into any ONE giveaway!)
5. If someone follows you please feel free to follow them back! If you follow me and leave a comment you are guaranteed a follow back!

This is a new list every Saturday, so please remember to come back and link up!

This week is Facebook!

Please link up only your FACEBOOK PAGE!

Read more...

Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Room Freshener Review & Giveaway!

The newly designed Glade® Sense & Spray® Automatic Freshener adds style to the household by providing a signature fragrance to complement a room’s design and ambiance. Glade® Sense & Spray® Automatic Freshener uses a built-in motion sensor to detect movement and automatically freshens the home only when needed.   It’s now available in a neutral colored vase design in two scents: Lavender & Vanilla and Hawaiian Breeze® that can be used in any room.

We love Glade scents in many varieties, so we were excited to try Lavender & Vanilla in the Sense & Srray too!  Glade has always been a part of keeping our home smelling fresh...at least as fresh as it can with two boys and a big dog!  The Sense & Spray are ideal in locations that have a hard surface without anything above it and that the kids won't play with...we put ours on our desk and it works really well.  We truly appreciate that you get a burst of fresh scent and then the unit locks out for 20 minutes before spraying again so you aren't overpowered when you're in the room.  We've used Glade Sense & Sprays in our bathrooms before too and they work really well.  A big bonus is that they come complete with batteries and it's easy to find refills when you eventually need them!

Win It!

One winner will receive a newly designed Glade Sense & Spray (company will choose the scent).  This giveaway will end on January 26th at 10:00PM Central.  I'll email the winner who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen!

Giveaway Details - Mandatory Entry!

Tell me why you need this in your home!  Or why you really, really want it!
(Please leave your email address so I know how to contact you!)

Extra Entries!

(If it states 2 extra entries, please leave 2 comments)

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (see right hand side bar) (+1 extra entry)

Like Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Facebook (+3 extra entries)

Subscribe to Two Monkeys & a Washtub by e-mail/RSS feed (+2 extra entries, you can do both)
Follow monkeyswashtub on Twitter (+1 extra entry)
Tweet up to 3x daily, must be 1hr apart, leave one comment with the link to your tweet (up to 3 extra entries daily): 

Win Glade Sense & Spray @monkeyswashtub! http://goo.gl/fb/YpFPj US- Ends 1/26!

Vote for me on the Fence (+2 extra entries daily)

Disclosure:  This post was written for Family Review Network &Glade who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.  No additional compensation was received.   

Read more...

TABASCO Original Red...I'll take three squirts please!

This post brought to you by TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

Before my husband and I had kids, we would host summer students from our alma mater while they did internships in Washington DC.  It's been awhile since we lived on the East Coast now, but we were always the talk of the parties because it always came down to how many squirts of TABASCO® Original Red we were going to be adding to pretty much any item we were serving because it just made the food taste so much better.  One of our summer students even sent us a cartoon drawing of us squirting TABASCO on tacos until we were sweating and daring them to do the same (totally didn't happen, but it was still cute)!

From breakfast to dinner, we found a way to use TABASCO® Original Red on just about everything.  Our favorite had to be a few squirts on scrambled eggs with a little shredded cheese in the morning.  It was the perfect breakfast to wake you up, but we also added TABASCO® Original Red to our hot wings too when we were throwing a party!  Keeping our guests on their toes was only half the fun, but we were gentle and only added a little TABASCO® Original Red to the mix of spices and beer as the wings marinated while baking before being crisped on the grill before serving.  The best addition was a few squirts of TABASCO® Original Red just before biting into the wings. 

Quick Buffalo Pizza:  I think we'll be serving those again on Super Bowl Sunday along with Buffalo Pizza.  We've found that the easiest way to make Buffalo Pizza is to order a no-sauce, cheese and chicken un-baked pizza and sprinkle on the TABASCO® Original Red along with Ranch dressing for an authentic and quick pizza that everyone loves!  The TABASCO® Original Red becomes a such an amazing element to the final taste of the pizza and our friends ask us to cook up this pizza every time we have a get together!  If you're looking for additional recipes, you can check out the Game-Day Party Menu and find out how you can get your Pizza Perfected!

Read more...

No snow in Texas yet this year...and Logan misses it!

Rescued from Pennsylvania when we lived on the East Coast, Logan is definitely a snow dog so Texas winters make him miss the old days....no snow this year, but last year he was able to run and romp like the good ole days of his puppy years!  I think you can see he was having fun (remember, he's a great dane, so you can see how deep the snow was last year)!  My boys keep asking when we'll have snow and we have to point out that we don't get snow every year here....guessing Logan didn't like that answer either!

Read more...

Big Paw Designs Review & Giveaway!

About Big Paw Designs: 

Since 2002 Big Paw Designs has made dogs hip, cats cool and pet lovers pleased. Big Paw Designs invites you to shop online for their unique selection of collar charms, pet jewelry, dog jewelry, dog charms, dog gifts, cat gifts, pet lover gifts, earrings, key chains, magnets, bumper stickers, pet picture frames and more that are designed and made in the USA . In addition to our Big Paw Designs own creations, Big Paw Designs® also carries a unique selection of dog & cat bowls, dog & cat toys, catnip, dog & cat collars from their favorite unique designers!

What we think about Big Paw Designs:

We were able to review the "Woof" Fleur de Lis keychain.  Made of high quality pewter, this keychain is definitely the perfect gift item for our friends from Louisiana that are pet lovers and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this particular keychain benefits the animals in Louisiana.  You can shop to benefit Used Dogs Rescue by purchasing any of the Fleur de Lis designs from Big Paw Designs and help the pets of Louisiana find homes. 

That is one of my favorite attributes of Big Paw Designs is that they have a strong desire to help pet rescue organizations.  After adopting all of our pets, I love the Rescue Power collection and anyone that has lost a pet will appreciate Angel Paws collection from Big Paw Designs.

Buy It!

You can purchase many pet-related items from Big Paw Designs, so if you're a pet lover or know one you should definitely visit Big Paw Designs!

Win It - Giveaway Details!

One winner will win their choice of pewter collar charms (cat or dog)!  This giveaway is open to US addresses only (18 years and up) and will end on January 28th at 10:00PM Central.  I'll email the winner who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Mandatory Entry!

Visit Big Paw Designs and let me know which collar charm your dog or kitty would love to adorn their collar!

Extra Entries!

(If it states 2 extra entries, please leave 2 comments)

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (see right hand side bar) (+1 extra entry)

Like Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Facebook (+3 extra entries)
Like Big Paw Designs on Facebook (+3 extra entries)

Subscribe to Two Monkeys & a Washtub by e-mail/RSS feed (+2 extra entries, you can do both)
Follow monkeyswashtub on Twitter (+1 extra entry)
Follow Big Paw Designs on Twitter (+1 extra entry)
Tweet up to 3x daily, must be 1hr apart, leave one comment with the link to your tweet (up to 3 extra entries daily): 

Win a Big Paw Designs Collar Charm @monkeyswashtub from @woofcp  http://goo.gl/fb/1pI2d Ends 1/28!
Vote for me on the Fence (+2 extra entries daily)

Disclosure:  I received the item mentioned in the review above for review in exchange for my honest opinion.  This review was through by Mom Spark Media.  No additional compensation was received.

Read more...

Great Wolf Lodge announces a 48-hour sale where you can save up to 20% off your stay!

I wanted to let  know that on January 20 at 10am CST, Great Wolf’s 48 Hour Sale – their biggest sale of the year – will go live. The sale is good on stays from January through April and would be great for anyone wanting to visit during Spring Break.

The deal hasn’t been announced yet, but I wanted you to be one of the first to know. Once the deal goes live on January 19, you’ll be able to find it here: greatwolf.com/value. Using the promo code 48HOUR, guests can save up to 20 percent during the sale – stays must be booked 10am CST January 20 – 7pm CST January 22.

Read more...

Somedays you just have to escape...

...and imagine what it would be like to live in a house that is not your own.  One that is free of clutter (not likely to happen with two boys and a dog - ever!)....but I can dream.  I'd love to have a home with clean lines, clean floors :), filled with modern furniture.  I'd love to have a pool adorned with this or should I just dream bigger and hope for a lake or beachside home?

Picture courtesy: allmodern.com

and let my boys color on desks that look like these because they just look like fun!  I know I could be creative with a cute desk like this!

Picture courtesy: allmodern.com

but wouldn't it be fun to rest your head on one of this bed at the end of the day too?  or if you had the chance to catch a nap....because that happens! right?!  I can only dream of leather accents on my head and footboards with cats that would adore scratching those and all the doggy slobber that would adorn it so quickly!

Picture courtesy: allmodern.com

Ahh....it's my life, one that I wouldn't trade, but I can dream of a house with clean lines, clean floors, and modern furniture...maybe I'll just have to get my own dollhouse to play with (seriously, I just want my bathroom to look like the one in this brinca dada doll house...okay, I could pass on the bidet, but love the tub and sinks)!

Pictures courtesy:  allmodern.com

Disclosure:  This post is related to an upcoming review for CSNStores.  I will receive a gift card in exchange for this post and will write a review on CSNStores for the product I purchase with my gift card.  No additional compensation was received.

Read more...

Surprise your valentine at EdenFantasys! It's never to early to plan your gift!

This post includes links to an adult shop, if you are under 18, please do not click the links!

EdenFantasys offers many items you would expect to find in an adult shop but also offers so much more!  If you'd like a little help putting together a Valentine surprise, be sure to check out EdenFantasys Fantasy Kits complete with community supplied story and all the EdenFantasys goodies from lingerie and toys to candles and massage oils.  The Fantasy Kits might also give you a good starting point for building your own Valentine's gift package too!

Snow Day Surprise is definitely a fun kit regardless of your comfort level with shopping at an adult store, complete with an Afterglow massage candle.  The massage wax is amazing since it leaves your skin feeling super soft too!

If you’re never shopped at EdenFantasys, be assured that they ship in plain boxes with non-descript return address labels.  In addition, you won’t receive embarrassing catalogs in the mail or emails you shouldn’t be opening at work (unless you opt in to receive them and specify which address to send them to!)!

Disclosure:  I am a member of the EdenFantasys Ambassador Program and receive gift cards in exchange for honest review posts about the company.  These are my honest opinions about EdenFantasys.

Read more...

Surfin' Saturdays - Google Friends Week!

Welcome to the 25th Surfin' Saturdays hosted by Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Two Monkeys & a Washtub, And Then There Were Four and  The Coupon Challenge! Each week we will be surfin' a different social network. You will have to check back every Saturday to see where we will be! One week it may be a facebook hop and then the next an email hop! It will be lots of fun and you will get to meet new people and

see old friends as well!

We kindly ask that you follow these simple requests

1. Follow the hostesses in the first four spots (We will follow you back! Just please leave a comment letting us know that you are following us!)
2. Please only link up the network that is being hopped that specific week.
3. No spam please. These will be removed. 
4. It would be wonderful if you are linking up this week if you could add our button to your sidebar or in a post to help spread the word! :) The more people that join, the more fun it will be! (Plus if you add our button to your sidebar you can grab 5 extra entries into any ONE giveaway!)
5. If someone follows you please feel free to follow them back! If you follow me and leave a comment you are guaranteed a follow back!

This is a new list every Saturday, so please remember to come back and link up!

This week is GFC!

Please link up only your blog if you have a way for people to follow you!

Read more...

BuildASign.com, the perfect place for making customized signs for fun or work! Review

Why BuildASign.com™?  We loved the easy to use design tool to design our custom banner and customized street sign!  It was so much fun creating the signs.  The price listed stays the same regardless of the number of colors on your sign, so you can feel comfortable uploading your own image or changing fonts, borders, or clip art colors as you create!  I was amazed at the library of images available for use, so many that it took a long time to find the perfect pictures (each of the lines, stars, flowers, and birds is a separate image) for our Happy Birthday Banner ($47 for 3'x8', $23 for 2'x4')!

I was looking for something bright that we could use over and over again whether it was my birthday or one of my boys as a way to say, "yes, you are at the right house" since balloons inevitably pop almost as quickly as we tie them out!  Our vinyl banner was well-made, the edges were nicely finished and the grommets were well-seated so we were impressed and sure to use this banner for years to come!

In addition, BuildASign.com™ offers custom street signs made of aluminum ($17 for 5"x18")!  You customize the sign so you can opt for a popular street you would like to hang in your home or make a personalized plate for your child's bedroom decor.  Since we are decorating my son's room in fireman decor, we opted for a customized fire station street sign (his name is on his, I just opted to leave it out for the post).  The options are truly endless whether you are uploading your own image or choosing colors and images to make the signs your own!

I know I will be using BuildASign.com in the future with the tons of available options, no setup charges for artwork, and no price changes as you add colors or images to a design.  I only wish that while using their design software that you could see the fonts as you scrolled through the choices instead of needing to change what you are working on to see what you like best!

You can choose from a wide range of sizes and top quality sign materials no matter whether you are launching a business or setting up a garage sale.  BuildASign signs are offered at affordable prices, whether the order is for a single sign – or dozens or hundreds of signs.

Disclosure:  This post was written for Family Review Network & BuildASign.com who provided the complimentary product for review inexchange for my honest opinions.

 
 

Read more...

Ahhh...I'm being smothered!

When you have two little boys, they have a way of finding all the toys you've ever owned and smothering you with them while you sleep!  At least I'll stay warm!

Read more...

Looking for a great escape & a great deal? Visit Elements Spa at Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine and book the Spa & Splash now!

Looking for a great escape now that the holidays have settled down, the kids are back in school, and you have a little time to yourself?  Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine has a great package (offer valid through February 28, 2011, Sunday - Thursday) and you must mention the Spa & Splash offer when you call to book! [valid at the Grapevine, TX location only]  Okay, so what can be so amazing about this package?

Well for $135, you choose one service from Group 1 (60 Minute Signature Massage w/Scalp, 60 Minute Radiant Skin, 60 Minute Immuni Tea Facial, or Immuni Tea Body Treatment) and one service from Group 2 (Signature Manicure, Classic Pedicure, Make-up Application, 30 Minute Massage, 30 Minute Facial or Yam Peel, or Hydro-Therapy Tub Soak).  Gratuity is not included in the package price, but to sweeten the deal even more, you receive 4 Splash Passes (in 2-packs) that are good for a single day water park admission in the next 12 months following your spa treatment (cannot be used on the same day).

Not only are you treating yourself, but you don't have to feel guilty about it either because later in the year you'll be able to head back to Great Wolf Lodge - Grapevine with your day passes and the family for a great water park adventure (black out dates do apply).  Since you normally can't purchase day passes, this is the perfect opportunity if you live in the DFW area and have always wanted to visit, but for one reason or another just can't spend the night at Great Wolf Lodge!

I had the opportunity to experience Elements Spa at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine and left feeling more relaxed than ever!  The tranquil setting and aromatherapy oils selected for my needs truly helped take away all the current stress and anxiety that surrounded me.  Magdelana and Kim were amazing, and I can't wait to book another spa day at Elements Spa.  After visiting Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine in the past as part of a staycation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it's amazing to know that such a serene and tranquil location exists amidst all the fun that can be had at the waterpark.  My husband and kids are looking forward to our day pass days this Spring as well as a perfect excuse to spend a day at the waterpark especially if it's terrible weather outside!

Disclosure:  I received a Spa & Splash package from Great Wolf Lodge - Grapevine in exchange for my honest review and opinions.  I paid gratuity on the traditional cost of services.  No additional compensation was received.

Read more...

Save 30% at the Fall/Winter Season Closeout at Gypsy & Co.!

Save 30% on remaining apparel from the fall and winter line at Gypsy & Co.!  If you're looking for styles that can go from day to night and will look great on you, you should definitely check out Gypsy & Co.!  I loved their styles so much, I purchased almost every dress and then started selling for Gypsy & Co.  You can't beat 30% OFF on these amazing dresses (50% off on the Alex and Claire designs (shown below))!  All apparel is designed and made in the USA!!!

Use code SECRET30 by clicking on the promotion button on the checkout page!  I'll be listed as your stylist (Laughing Chicks/Beth Alferink)!  Interested in joining the Gypsy & Co. team and want to find out more information about being a personal stylist, let me know, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have! 

The Spring line will be launching in late January and it's time to clean out the fall/winter inventory, so once it's sold out, there won't be anymore made!  Selling out quickly is my favorite dress that looks great with sandals or with tights and tall boots and is figure flattering on nearly every shape - click on over and check out the Catherine!

Live in the DFW area and interested in having a trunk show or attending the Spring launch and want to find out more information, please let me know!  I'd love to help you feel amazing in your clothes!  I love Gypsy & Co. clothing and wouldn't sell anything I didn't personally believe in!  Hope you love them too!

Read more...

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas Magic : Book Review & Giveaway

About Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas Magic:

In his foreword for the book, Santa Claus writes about how he and Mrs. Claus observe the festivities from the North Pole. He says, "We watch as you reunite scattered family members, enjoy the wonder on the face of a child, feel the joy of gift giving, and remember the true meaning of Christmas. We watch you gather with your communities at church, at school, and even at the mall, to share the special spirit of the season, brightening those long winter days."

Sometimes the Christmas memories we end up treasuring the most have nothing to do with buying gifts or enjoying holiday luxuries. Christmas is a magical time of year -- a time of family, friends, and traditions -- and a time for great stories, whether they are funny or heartwarming. All the joys, blessings, and excitement of the season are captured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic (ISBN 978-1935096542, $14.95), with its 101 new holiday stories covering everything from finding the perfect Christmas tree, being with family, and seeing the wonder in a child's eyes, to goodwill, love, and the true meaning of Christmas.

Our thoughts on Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas Magic:

Who doesn't love Christmas?  As we pack up the decorations this year, it's the pictures and memories that remain!  We think about the laughs, the time spent with family and friends, and the moments that can never be replaced.  This book is great at reminding us about the true meaning of Christmas and you don't need to read it just at Christmas, although you could always tuck it back for next year!  Whether you need a good laugh or are ready for a story that might bring tears to your eyes, each short story is written to capture the Christmas Season!

Win It - Giveaways Details!

Three winners will receive a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas Magic!  This giveaway is open to US & Canada will end on January 22nd at 10:00PM Central.  I'll email the winners who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Mandatory Entry!

Let me know why you'd like to receive a copy of this book!

Extra Entries!

(If it states 2 extra entries, please leave 2 comments)

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (see right hand side bar) (+1 extra entry)

Like Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Facebook (+3 extra entries)
Like Chicken Soup for the Soul on Facebook (+3 extra entries)

Subscribe to Two Monkeys & a Washtub by e-mail/RSS feed (+2 extra entries, you can do both)
Follow monkeyswashtub on Twitter (+1 extra entry)
Follow Chicken Soup for the Soul on Twitter (+1 extra entry)
Tweet up to 3x daily, must be 1hr apart, leave one comment with the link to your tweet (up to 3 extra entries daily): 

Win ChickenSoup-ChristmasMagic @monkeyswashtub from @chickensoupsoul  (3win *US&CAN*) http://goo.gl/fb/6X89W Ends 1/22!
Vote for me on the Fence (+2 extra entries daily)

Disclosure:  I received a copy of of this book for review in exchange for my honest opinion.  No additional compensation was received.

Read more...