Target Video Games Holiday Deal

Now through 11/5, you can get a great deal on video games through Target! They have a buy 2 get 1 free deal on select games!!

Pixels of Promise Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Pixels of Promise Contest!!

It was really hard to pick a winner because there were some really great photos and touching stories. I selected truwinner for her touching photo and comment on how she looks to her beautiful grandniece for courage and a way to remember how blessed we truly are:

Well my grand niece has had 3 brain surgeries since she was born 2/4/2010, was sent home after being born at Duke and in NICU for 2 weeks without anybody noticing she didn't have a rectal opening. She faces so many challenges, but she smiles and brings laughter and love and family togetherness.

EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale GIVEAWAY!!

Holiday Gift Giving Guide: For the traveler on your list. Plus, it makes a great stocking stuffer!

If you have ever had the joy of traveling by air, then you know that flights are unpredictable, luggage gets lost on occasion, and things do not always go as planned. Because of this, it is important that travelers do everything in their power to make sure they are well prepared for travel, to include ensuring their luggage meets all airline requirements. 

The EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale allows you to get an accurate weight on your luggage so you can make sure you don't surpass your airline's luggage weight requirements. The product is really easy to use. It comes with a battery so all you need to do is remove it from the box,  clip the EatSmart buckle to the handle of your suitcase/bag, lift and the weight will appear on the backlit LCD screen. The SmartGrip design allows for easy lifting. 

Buy it here: Amazon sells the EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale for $19.95.  

By clicking on the Amazon link, EatSmart generates some referral money through Amazon Associates.  They donating 100% of the proceeds each month to a different foundation!! Even more of a reason to buy!

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win an EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale!

**Please read the rules**

This giveaway is open to US Residents. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT! One set of entries per household.

Mandatory Entry:  Go to the EatSmart website and tell me something you learned or another product you like.

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)
2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription
3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog
4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog

5. Follow me & EatSmart on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.. 

6. Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter: www.eatsmartproducts.com

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook

8. Like EatSmart on Facebook 

9. Write on EatSmart's Facebook wall where you are traveling next or if you've paid overweight luggage fees (or something "fun")

 

The winners will be selected on 11/10 via random.org and will be emailed. The winners will have 48 hours to respond.

 

I was provided with the above mentioned product previously for the purpose of facilitating a past  review. No other compensation was reviewed and the views expressed here are my own.

Puppies vs. Babies Contest Announcement

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are some sights that just make you go "ahh!" and puppies and babies are probably two of those sights that absolutely melt your heart.  There is just something about the innocent smile of babies and the furry and lovable faces of puppies that makes people want to see them on screensavers, calendars, and even t-shirts. The question is, however, do people find babies or puppies cuter? The Puppies vs. Babies online contest is trying to find that out!

 Puppies vs. Babies is a competition hosted by Animal Planet. They have some super adorable videos of, you got it, puppies and babies being oh-so-cute. In a playoff style contest, people are asked to vote for the video that makes them laugh, smile, or melt the most. I checked out some of the contenders and I will admit that it is a really tough call! In the end, I am going to have to do with....puppies!

I am both a baby lover and a puppy lover, but I have to say that in the end puppies are the winner. Puppies don't get colic, they are always glad to see you, and they don't go through the terrible twos! Plus, you can totally get always with naming your puppy a ridiculous name (e.g. Princess Buttercup).

Go to Puppies vs. Babies online contest and vote! You can vote through November 23rd and the winning puppy or baby will win $5000.  I would also love to know who you think is cuter and why so feel free to leave a comment below.

Santaspeaking.com Giveaway!

Gift Giving Guide: This is a great present for any child!

Going to the mall to have your child sit on Santa's lap for a couple of minutes can be an exhausting task. Plus, your child hardly has enough time with Santa to enjoy the conversation or even remember it later.

At SantaSpeaking.com, they offer live, interactive, personalized Santa Claus experiences that bring back all of the fun, magic, and wonder that is Santa Claus. They customize a truly believable experience that turns even skeptics into believers! When Santa calls, he's a kind, generous and "jolly old soul" who knows your child's name, whether they've been naughty or nice, who their best friends are, and for that matter - what kind of grades they got on their last report card, or how they did on their latest dance recital.

As seen on TV (Today Show, Rachael Ray, CNN, and many others), radio (WUSN 99.5, Cool 101.9, and NEWS 1130 to name but a few), and print (Parents, USA Today, The New York Times, Parenting, etc.), SantaSpeaking.com is the recognized leader in Christmas entertainment.

SantaSpeaking.com is part of I Believe Productions, a company owned by the husband and wife team of Bob and Linda Brown who live in New Jersey with two of their own young Santa believers. Bob and Linda have both experienced the magic of believing in miracles, each having survived individual diagnoses of cancer. Linda was cured of colon cancer, and Bob is currently in long-term remission from pancreatic cancer. It is their hope that bringing the magic of Santa to you may also help bring about an end to this tragic disease, and thus, a portion of all net profits will be donated to the STAND UP TO CANCER organization.

Types of Calls...

• The SINGLE CALL lasts 3-5 minutes and is recommended for one child.
• The EXTENDED CALL lasts 8-10 minutes and is recommended for up to three children.

Recordings...

• CD RECORDINGS come on a mini CD that
  can be played in any tray type of CD player
  and can also be used as an ornament.
• MP3 RECORDINGS are emailed to the email
  address provided in the checkout page.
  Typically these are sent within 48 hours of the call

Buy it here: You can purchase one of the following packages from Santaspeaking.com:

Live Call: $18.95

Live Call + MP3 Recording: $26.95

Live Call + CD Recording: $34.95

Extended Live Call (up to 3 children) + FREE CD Recording: $46.95

• Add $10 for calls scheduled to occur after 12/11.
• Add $25 for calls scheduled on 12/24 (Santa's busiest day!)
• Add $40 for calls scheduled on 12/25 (Santa's normal day of rest!)

Discount code:  Enter the code MB2011 and receive a 10% discount on your order!

WIN IT HERE:  One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a live call and CD recording from Santaspeaking.com!!

**Please read the rules** US residents only. Each entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household.  To leave a comment, click on the comments link.

 

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me who you would have speak with Santa if you won! 
 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog

4. Follow me  on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

5. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

6. Like Cake Mom on Facebook   

The winners will be selected on 11/9 via random.org and will be emailed. The winners will have 48 hours to respond.

 All information was provided by Santaspeaking.com.

This Week's Winners!

Congrats to this week's winners:

Jamba Juice: Kristen G., Mommy-money, Jenny, mtmomo09, & Trixx

Cheryl's Cookie: Carolwegs

Marzetti Dip: mywildcrazyworld & c allen

Freschetta: Natalie A.

What's coming: My Holiday Gift Giving Guide is starting!! You can expect some great giveaways and some fun product reviews for the next 7 weeks! This upcoming week you can enter to win a call from Santa, a necklace, a fun travel must-have, and Wii game!!

Stanley Home Essentials TreatMint Foot Lotion

For 70 years, Stanley Home has been offering quality cleaning, home, and personal care products to North American homes and families.  I have had the opportunity to review several of thier cleaning products and have been very impressed with the quality. So, I was eager to see if their personal care items were of the same high quality.

I received a bottle of Essentials TreatMint Foot Lotion to review. Even though I have a desk job, my feet are still sore at the end of the day because, lets face it, dress shoes are just not that comfortable.  The lotion contains peppermint, menthol, and camphor oils. It is formulated to moisturize and work deep to help soothe aching feet.  The formula is also collagen-rich which will help keep your skin youthful.

The lotion has a very strong mint scent to it, like a very potent mint gum.  The lotion absorbs easily and well into the skin. The mixture of oils and mints really helps cool and soothe your feet, almost instantaneously. This is a really great way to end a hard day's work and much cheaper than paying for a foot massage!

Buy it here: Essentials TreatMint Foot Lotion can be purchased from Stanley Home for $7.49.

I was provided with the above mentioned sample for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Christmas Deal Alert!

I just bought one of these saves for myself. You can enter the code SPOOKY and get an additional $5 off! This is a really great deal for just $20!

ezprints Today's Save:$25 for a custom photo puzzle and set of playing cards from ezprints.com, plus free shipping ($49.98 value) Expires 11:59 PM - Nov 04, 2011

Think Geek: Zombie Slippers Review

Like it or or not, zombies are all the rage. Personally, I never quite understood the appeal but my 8 year old son thinks there is nothing cooler than a good old fashion zombie movie. So, what is even cooler than a zombie movie? Zombie slippers!

Think Geek, the ultimate online store for all things the inner geek in all of us truly loves, offers a pair of plush slippers that capture everything fantastic about zombies. Rather than eating your brain, these oversized zombie heads feast on your feet, keeping them warm as can be. They come as one-size fits most and your feet can fit in either slipper so there is no stumbling around trying to find the right or left one in the morning.

Review: These are really disgustingly adorable. They have hand-stitched eyes popping out of their sockets, are the perfect shade of "zombie" gray, and even show of some trademark blood stains around the mouth. These suckers may resemble cold, dead zombies but they are incredibly warm and really comfortable. I love the amount of detail on them. They are quite big so they will fit men easily and will be a bit big on women and children but still work just fine.  

If you are going to hang around your house and be comfortable, you might as well have some fun with it!

Buy it here: The Plush Zombie Slippers can be purchased from Think Geek for $19.99.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Minus417 Anti-aging Giveaway ($229 value)!

TREAT YOUR FACE AND BODY LIKE FINE JEWELS WITH GIFT SET TREASURES FROM WWW.MINUS417.COM

 

 

 Minus417 is the lowest point on Earth and situated at 1,373 ft (-417 meters) below sea level, where time stands still.  -Minus417 specializes in combining ancient knowledge with high technology. Their products are based on an optimal balance between the components’ proportions and their cosmetic effects. These products present a unique cosmetic development, the Vitamin Mineral Complex, a scientific combination of natural active components, like moisture-balancing select minerals from the Dead Sea, energizing anti oxidant vitamins and unique plant extracts from France , designed to assist in regenerating skin cells and preventing aging signs. All –Minus417 products are paraben and mineral oil free. For the first time ever they are now available to American consumers.

 

 

Time Control Firming Cream

·  Holds back time and keeps your skin silky & smooth.

·  Contains a high concentration of select moisture balancing minerals and unique anti oxidant vitamins together with Horse chestnut extract and chamomile extract that help firm the skin.

·  Fights the skin aging process

·  Contains their unique Vitamin Mineral Complex

·  Helps to firm skin

 

TIME CONTROL RECOVERY A CREAM

• A special intensive treatment cream fights wrinkles and signs of aging.

• High concentration of retinol (vitamin A) that plays essential roles in appearance of skin, growth, development, and maintenance of healthy skin.
• Collagen and essential oils with the Vitamin Mineral Complex that prevents moisture loss.
• Improves firmness and elasticity of the skin and prevent signs of aging.
• Effective for all skin types.

 

TIME CONTROL FACIAL ACTIVE SERUM

• Highly concentrated serum for firming and smoothing skin.
• Because the serum is solely water-based, a higher concentration of active ingredients can be combined with it than other creams.
•  Energizing vitamins that aid in cell rejuvenation and minerals improving the balance of moisture in the skin.
• Effective for all skin types.  

 

FACIAL MICRO LOOFAH FOAMING GEL

·        Deep cleansing action with micro loofah beads.

·        Massaging micro natural loofah beads dislodge impurities and dead skin cells.

·        The foaming gel reduces the appearance of dark spots, speeds up the skin's micro-circulation and provides a deep cleansing.

·         The gel is based on the Vitamin-Mineral Complex, a combination of natural active ingredients, including moisture-balancing minerals from the Dead-Sea together with nourishing plant extracts and active vitamins as well as jojoba oil, olive oil and grape oil, that leave the skin clean, soft fresh and glowing.

·        Encourages skin regeneration

·        Effective for all skin types.

 

TIME CONTROL FIRMING CREAM

·         Combats the skin’s aging process and laxity.

·        Contains a high concentration of moisture balancing minerals and unique vitamins together with Horse chestnut extract chamomile extract that help in firming the skin.

·        Fights the skin aging process.

·        Contains their Vitamin Mineral Complex

·        Effective for all skin types.

 

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win 4 anti-aging Minus417 products worth $228.97!

**Please read the rules** US residents only. Each entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household.  To leave a comment, click on the comments link.

 

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me why you want to win!

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Enter the Pixels of Promise photo contest (you will receive a free t-shirt!) - 3 entries - MUST ENTER PRIOR TO 10/31

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog

5. Follow me  on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook   

The winners will be selected on 11/3 via random.org and will be emailed. The winners will have 48 hours to respond.

I was not compensated for this post. All information was provided by KMR Communications.

Heelys Review

Have you heard of Heelys yet?  They are shoes with wheels in the heels that allow the person wearing them to transition from walking to rolling by shifting weight to the heel.  Since the wheels are removable, they can be transitioned to sneakers easily.

Review: Bella received a pair of the originals to review. In hindsight, I should have requested a pair of the Heelys HX2 which come with two wheels per shoe and are meant for beginners and younger children. Bella really struggled with the concept and we spend many days practicing outside with minimal success. She is pretty good at balancing, she just could not seem to understand the body mechanics of the roll.  

See her third attempt here:

She is determined to get the hang of it and I have a feeling that it will be like riding a bike...once she gets it she will never forget.  My younger brother used to have a pair and I was always amazed at how he could get around with them.

Buy it here: Heelys is throwing a Black Friday special!! Between Nov 25-Nov 28, Buy any pair of Heelys, get the second pair for $25. Or buy a Nano, and get a pair of shoes for $25, and get free ground shipping on all orders!

I received a pair of Heelys to review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Hallmark's Life is Special Campaign plus Review



Click here to register


Last week I participated in a BlogOut challenge and I unplugged my computer for the evening to spend as much time with my kids as possible. Not only did it feel great to play with them without being distracted by incoming emails and blog posts, we got the chance to try a really fun new product from Hallmark.

The Interactive Story Buddies are adorable stuffed animals with multiple story books that can be purchased about each stuffed toy.  The furry friends help you read the story by actually talking and reacting to the section of the book you are reading! That's right, you read and the Story Buddy responds!

The collections offers a variety of five different Story Buddies and each have three books available for purchase (though you receive a free book when you first purchase your Story Buddy). Available characters include a monster named Bigsby, Jingle the dog, Abigail the bunny, a raccoon named Watson, and a teddy bear called Cooper.

How it works:

1. Press your Story Buddy's ear to begin.
2. Read the story aloud in a quiet place. Speak in a clear voice when you see the highlighted phrases.
3. Listen as your Story Buddy chimes in with several different sounds throughout the book.

Review: We received the Cooper Story Buddy along with his book "Cooper's Big Bear Hug".  My daughter went nuts over this product. She loves stuffed animals and books. The look on her face the first time I read the line "Cooper, I love you" and the bear responded "I love you too" was absolutely priceless. I will have to admit that I was equally as impressed with the bear's responses as I read through the book.  There were responses for every 1-3 pages read and the sweet voice of the little bear melts your heart.  My daughter has not let Cooper out of her sight since we received him and I am already planning on getting the other two books for her for Christmas this year.

Buy it here: You can purchase Story Buddies and their books from Hallmark.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

This Week's Winners

Congrats to this week's winners!

Tropical Traditions: ProjectHope7

Hillshire Farm:  Sueparks2003, amyd, Amber, & rj7777

Cranium: Kyonac1

Squinkies: Tylerpants

Emergen-C: amberlavine

Popcorn Factory: Katfam95

Daryl Hall CD: Nickolay

As I said last week, I am taking it a little easy on the posts this week in order to get things together for the Holiday Gift Giving Guide. I will still have a couple of treats for you this week though!

Pop Rocks Contest Announcement and Halloween Activties

 

Pop Rocks® celebrates Halloween and costume creativity this October with a fun “Pop Rocks My Costume Rocks” contest for all Pop Rockers. The contest showcases photos of scary, spooky and funtastic Halloween costume photos on the Pop Rocks facebook page with a chance for participants to win a box of Pop Rocks’ “Flavor of the Year,” Pop Rocks® Grape.

Entering the contest is easy, with Pop Rockers submitting their best Halloween costume photo at the My Contest Rocks link at Pop-Rocks.com through Oct 31st 2011 at 11:59 pm. Then, on November 2nd, Dr. Frank Rockenstein, noted Pop Rocker and Costumologist, will randomly select five costume photos from among all the entries. Dr. Rockenstein and Pop Rocks will award each winner a box of Pop Rocks Grape, recently named “Flavor of the Year” by Pop Rocks fans worldwide.

The “My Costume Rocks” contest is part of the Pop Rocks, Halloween Spooktacular also featuring a pre-emptive safety campaign to keep youngsters safe while Trick or Treating. The 2011 Pop Rocks outreach is part of the company’s yearlong celebration marking the 35th Anniversary of Pop Rocks. For more information on My Costume Rocks and Pop Rocks please go to Pop-Rocks.com.

About Pop Rocks:
The one and only original popping candy brand, Pop Rocks, is America’s best selling popping candy and has been enjoyed by and is a favorite of an ever-growing variety of loyal confections lovers of all ages since the 1970´s. After 35 years at retail, Pop Rocks maintains an extremely high brand awareness and continues to use unique marketing programs that appeal to kids, teens and people of all ages. Become a Pop Rocks fan on facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/poprockscandy today!

Pop Rocks Recipes! 

Edible Wizard Wands

Ingredients:
Pretzel Rods
Baking Chocolate
Pumpkin Patch Orange Pop Rocks

Extras:
Wax paper
1.Melt chocolate in deep microwave safe bowl in microwave oven according to the directions.
2.Let chocolate cool and slightly thicken for approximately one minute.
3.Pour, stir and mix desired amount of Pop Rocks into slightly thickened chocolate.
4.Dip pretzel rods midway into melted chocolate and Pop Rocks mixture.
5.Place chocolate and Pop Rocks covered pretzel rods on wax paper to let cool
6.Refrigerate until served

Drinkable Popping Potion Ingredients:

Orange and Lime Jello
Pop Rocks
Ginger ale or Lemon Lime Soda

Extras:
Clear cups

1. Prepare Jello according to the instructions on the box
2. Cut the Jello up into small cubes
3. Set cubes of each flavor in a separate own bowl
4. Allow party guests to fill their cup with Jello, alternating colors as they like
5. Pour some Pop Rocks on top (not too many, or you'll have a mess)
6. Pour Ginger ale or lemon lime soda on top, and enjoy!

All information provided by the company. By sharing this post I have an opportunity to review Pop Rocks in the future.

 

Winnie the Pooh DVD Giveaway!!

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, for the latest adventure featuring the world’s beloved bear, Winnie The Pooh!  Join Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Christopher Robin, Owl, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore, and all of the classic characters you know and love when Walt Disney Pictures releases Winnie The Pooh on DVD and Blu-Ray October 25, 2011!

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a Winnie the Pooh DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack!

**Please read the rules**This giveaway is for US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes).  You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household.  To leave a comment, click on the comments link.

 

Mandatory Entry: Click on the Winnie the Pooh widget above, take the personality quiz, and tell me which character best fits your personality!

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Enter the Pixels of Promise photo contest (you will receive a free t-shirt!) - 3 entries

4. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

5. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

6. Like Cake Mom on Facebook       
 

The winner will be selected on 10/29 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

No compensation was received for this post.

Foodie Friday: Sante' Nuts Review and Discount Code!

Sante' Nuts use all natural ingredients in their spice recipes and aim to make their nuts crunchy and fresh. They use only the highest quality nuts and always roast by hand in small batches. They also use a secrete technique that minimizes the amount of oil the nuts absorb during the roasting process. Less oil means the nut is healthier and crunchier. 

Additionally, Sante' Nuts contain:

no artificial flavors or colors

no high fructose corn syrup

no cholesterol

no preservatives

no trans fats

no gluten

Review: I was given a sample of each of their four flavors to review.

Candied Walnuts - I actually really dislike the taste of walnuts. I have always found them to be dry and I hated the aftertaste. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I actually loved the candied version. The company describes them as "sweet and rich with amazing crunch" and that description is perfect. The salty and sweet combination with the crunchy walnut was very enjoyable. 

Candied Pecans - Each nut truly had its very own flavor and appeal. The pecans were less rich than the walnuts but still very enjoyable. Again, there was a nice mix of salty and sweet flavors and the pecans tasted very fresh. This was one of my favorite varieties. 

Garlic Almond - These nuts are seasoned with zesty garlic and cayenne and black pepper. Since I am not a fan of pepper, these were simply too strong to be eaten straight out of the bag. They may be tasty in a salad. I put them out for people to eat at work and the bag was empty in a matter of no time so I suppose your enjoyment of the Garlic Almond nuts depends on your preference for pepper.

Roasted Salted Pecans -  These had a really great texture to them. I had tried the candied pecans before trying these so I found myself craving the sweetness of the other nuts. These were good; however, I prefer a bit more salt than what was provided.

Buy it here: You can purchase Sante' Nuts online.

Coupon Code: Enter the code 2011-Blog-055 at checkout and receive a 25% discount!

I was provided with the above mentioned samples for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

BlogOut!

As part of its Life is a Special Occasion campaign, Hallmark is launching BlogOut — a challenge to turn off technology and turn up the relationships with those around you.

They are asking bloggers to turn off technology for a moment, an afternoon or even a day to give you time to celebrate the unplanned, perfectly imperfect moments you share with those who mean the most to you.

If you are a blogger yourself, then you know that blogging is very time consuming. I am getting much better at finding time to do my work wen it does not interfere with my family life, but it is not perfect.

So, I accepted the challenge from Hallmark and kept myself from blogging all day yesterday! They sent me a fun activity to do with my kids instead and I will share my experience with you next week. 

Freschetta Makes a Difference Announcement and GIVEAWAY!!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and Freschetta is supporting research through the Freschetta Proud to Support Pink Program! From September 25-October 31 you can enter codes from specially marked packages of Freschetta pizzas and Artisan Pizza Crusts. For each code entered $1 will support breast cancer research, up to $50,000. 

Their site also has a place for people to share their breast cancer journey or the journey of a friend of loved one. These stories will be displayed on www.ProudToSupportPink.com and on their Facebook page. They are also giving away 50 pink iPod shuffle players each week in October! Additionally, 50 pink iPod Shuffle players will be donated each week in October to four cancer centers around America to be enjoyed by breast cancer patients during treatments. Wow, that is amazing!

Freschetta Pizza: I was lucky enough to have my first opportunity to try Freschetta pizza. Freschetta uses only all real cheeses, sauces made out of tomatoes picked at the peak of their ripeness, premium meats, and recipes that are truly flavorful. The Naturally Rising 4-cheese Medley Pizza was one of the best frozen pizzas I have tasted. The crust was thick and soft and the blend of spices offered a unique taste I have not seen before in frozen pizzas.  If you shy away from frozen pizzas because of the artificial tastes, then I would definitely challenge you to give Freschetta a try.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a coupon good for one free Freschetta pizza, 21oz or larger and two (2) pairs of Freschetta Proud to Support Pink earphones: one for the winner and one to share with a pal or family member !

 

**Please read the rules**

This giveaway is open to US Residents. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT! One set of entries per household.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me if you know someone who has battled breast cancer.

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)
2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription
3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog
4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.
6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook
 

The winners will be selected on 10/28 via random.org and will be emailed. The winners will have 48 hours to respond.
   
The makers of Freschetta contacted me  and provided product to review; however, all opinions/thoughts/ideas are my own.

Stanley Home Grime Guard Glass Cleaner Review

Cleaning. It is a naughty word. However, it is necessary so I feel that if you have to do it, you should do it right.  For 70 years, Stanley Home has been offering quality cleaning, home, and personal care products to North American homes and families. They offer a new Degreaser Concentrate that is four times more concentrated than leading cleaners and is formulated to power out tough grease build-up and stains wherever they’re found. Since you use less, you save more!  It is safe for septic systems, biodegradable, and phosphate-free.

The GrimeGuard Glass Cleaner from Stanley Home uses the cleaning power of ammonia mixed with GrimeGuard which provides an invisible shield to guard against accumulated dirt and repel water spot build-up. This protective shield keeps surfaces cleaner longer and makes on-going cleaning, quick, and easy. The product can be used on windows, mirrors, chrome, ceramic tile, porcelain, car windows, and TV screens.

Review: This cleaner worked great! It is a foaming spray that leaves a streak-free shine on your surfaces. Spraying is not only much easier than a squirt bottle, but the foam covers the areas much better and does not run. I was very happy with the outcome of my glass surfaces after use, much more so than any other product I have used!

Buy it here:  You can purchase Stanley Home Grime Guard Glass Cleaner from their website for $6.49.

I was provided the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Marzetti Caramel Dip Review and GIVEAWAY!!

There are two things I crave most in the fall: caramel and apples. Put them together and I am in ecstasy.Marzetti Caramel Dips offer an easy way to add some delicious caramel to your favorite fruit or snacks. It can be combined with a variety of foods to include apples, pears, pineapple, banana slices,  pretzels,  and even pound cake.

Review: I was given the opportunity to review Marzetti Caramel Dip and boy was I thrilled. My kids and I cut up some apples and had a delicious snack that we just could not get enough of! The caramel is gooey and soft and tastes downright delicious with some apples. We were actually able to cut up 6 apples and still have a lot of caramel left. A little bit of this stuff goes a long way. It is the perfect fall treat and would be a real hit at a party.

Buy it here: Marzetti Caramel Dips are available in your grocer's produce section for a suggested retail price of $3.99 per 16 oz package (prices may vary).

Win it here: Two (2) lucky Cake Mom readers are going to win a coupon for 1 free Marzetti Produce Dip!

**Please read the rules**This giveaway is for US residents only.  You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household.  To leave a comment, click on the comments link.

 

Mandatory Entry: Tell  me which other Marzetti dip (besides the caramel) you would love to try.

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Enter the Pixels of Promise photo contest (you will receive a free t-shirt!) - 3 entries

4 Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

5. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

6. Like Cake Mom on Facebook     
 

The winner will be selected on 10/26 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

  I was provided with the above mentioned samples for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.