Monday, November 16, 2009

Miss E and the Diwali dance

Miss E. has been talking about her play and the Diwali dance for quite some time. Now until Miss E. shared this with me, I had no idea what Diwali was, much less a Diwali dance. thank you google... (Yes, I know - pretty sad that you have to google what your 7 year old is learning about in school).

Next week is the first performance and Miss E. is all set! After weeks of elusiveness, I have finally been shown the entire routine and love it. There will also be Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas routines - all of which Miss E. has ALSO memorized and performed at home for all of us. She was holding out on us!

Miss E.'s sisters, who hate to perform, are naturally talented. Miss E. .on the other hand is a little on the klutzy side (like her mom). So sad because she loves performing. Just her excitement alone is so cute. I cannot wait to see her and the other kids in full gear, singing and dancing up a storm.

I will post pictures next week. :)



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sentimental Silver - Review and Giveaway



I recently was very fortunate to be able to review a handmade, customized necklace from Sentimental Silver. I patiently waited and the day my package arrived I was so excited to open it up and see how the necklace turned out.

WOW. Super Wow. My necklace is GORGEOUS.



I LOVE LOVE LOVE my necklace. I received a Tiny Tags necklace similar to the one above with my girls names "monogrammed" (hand stamped). I was impressed with a few things:

- The necklace was super shiny - some sterling silver can be dull or darker - Not Sentimental Silver. This was very light colored silver with a high sheen. Probably because their products are made with pure (.999) silver!

- Even though the tags were very cute and tiny, the girls names were easily readable.

- The weight of the tags was perfect - they were not lightweight where they would be "floating" on the chain. Instead they hung nicely centered.

- Quite simply I love the fact that this is personalized with the names of my girls, my favorite people in the world!






Another product Sentimental Silver offers is their Sparkle Jewelery - this is the same as their other products but with a little bling bling. Very cute - why not add birthstones of you or your kids?

Check out just some of the categories below!

PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - I AM BLESSED SQUARE
PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - I AM BLESSED ROUND
PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - SPECIAL SWEETHEARTS

PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - ROUND
PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - TINY TAGS
PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - SQUARE
PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - LARGE HEART

PERSONALIZED JEWELRY - SMALL STAR

PERSONALIZED HEART JEWELRY

PERSONALIZED PHOTO JEWELRY


If you want to look at other Testimonials from satisfied customers, just click HERE.


Sentimental Silver had graciously offered one lucky Blogmania reader a personailized tiny tag (chain not included), a $35 value! To register tell me what your favorite item is.
* The Tiny Tag is approx 1/2 inch long by 1/4 inch wide and works best with names that are seven letters or less. In order to accommodate longer names, they will be stamped on the piece at a slight angle.

If you cannot wait and want to buy an item from Sentimental Silver, please use the code word "SALE" and receive 20% off of your order!!!

Main Entry: Tell me something you loved at Sentimental Silver.


EXTRA ENTRIES (please post a separate entry in the google form for each extra entry):

1 extra entry (each) available for faving on technorati, following me in blogger/google friends, sharing on facebook, subscribing or grabbing a button.

1 extra entry follow Sentimental Silver on Facebook

1 extra entry sign up for Sentimental Silver Newsletter

2 entries for following both Sentimental Silver and myself in twitter and tweeting this giveaway - please include @misaacmom and @SentimentalSilv in your tweet. Use the "share this" button for easy tweeting

5 extra entries for blogging about this giveaway.

* Giveaway starts Sunday 11/15/2009 and ends Monday 11/30/2009 at 11:59pm EST.
* Winner will be selected via random.org
* Winner will be contacted via email
* Winner must respond to email notification within 2 business days or another winner will be selected.
* Email address must be posted in your blogger profile OR you must post it with your entry.
-Only residents of the U.S. are eligible to win
-No P.O. Boxes
- Sentimental Silver is responsible for prize fulfillment




Thank you to Sentimental Silver and Chic Execs for this review and giveaway opportunity. I did not receive any form of compensation for this blog post other than the product to review. For more information on this blog and my posting practices, please refer to the disclosure policy below at the bottom of this page.





What I did today that was gross

and disgusting....

I cleaned my carpets. Now I just cleaned the carpets about 1 and a half to 2 months ago. Not very long at all. I cannot believe how dirty they were so soon after cleaning prior. For the amount of vacuuming and housework I do, the dirty water should have been fairly clear.

With 3 kids, a dog, and various rodents (gerbils, guinea pigs, etc) I thought I had seen pretty much seen it all. Uh uh. Nope. Nothing rivals the water coming out of the steam cleaner. Besides the consistency and scent of the dirty "water", what was shocking was the fact that I did NOT get sick.....

I cannot believe my floors were that dirty. What is the worst is knowing that the girls are always crawling around and playing on the floor. While I was dumping the dirty water, aka tar, I was thinking 'my kids are playing on THAT?' I was so worked up that I actually also cleaned the doormat and kitchen mat.

Well, on the bright side all is fine and dandy as far as clean carpets go. For another month at least. Then I can get grossed out all over again.


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

MyPunchbowl.com - your holiday greeting and gathering organizational tool

The holiday season conjures up many feelings - joy, nostalgia, sentiment, and the desire to carry on past traditions and create new ones.

Often times, holiday hosts will adorn their Thanksgiving tables with treasured family heirlooms like Great-Grandma’s gravy boat, Papa’s Silver Carving Platter, or China received as a wedding gift – each with its own precious memory.

Yet, many hosts also want to infuse their own unique personality into their celebrations and look for creative ways to make guests feel just as warm and welcome as the celebration itself.

MyPunchbowl.com, the leader in start to finish party planning, offers FREE online Thanksgiving invitations that will immediately engage the recipient and generate such excitement and anticipation, they’ll think they can already smell the turkey roasting! And remember, the etiquette pros always say to send invitations out a month in advance!


Here is just a small sample of the FREE online invitations for Thanksgiving:




Who wouldn’t love to receive a warm, welcoming online Thanksgiving invitation to join in the celebration?

A MyPunchbowl.com membership is absolutely free and offers a huge array of standard invitations templates and eCards for any celebration or occasion. They have everything you need from online invitations to party supplies, personalized favors and much more.
And online invitations save times, money, the environment, and, let’s face it, your writing hand!!

Here is a free recipe from MyPunchbowl.com





Cinnamon Apple Muffins for Thanksgiving Day Breakfast

Muffin or cupcake liners
1 ½ cups flour
1 ½ tsp. of baking powder

¾ cup of sugar

1.5 tsp. of baking powder

1 tsp. of ground cinnamon

½ of a cup of whole milk

1/3 of a cup of melted butter

1 egg

1 cup of peeled, cored and diced Granny Smith apples

1 cup of cinnamon chips

To make: stir the flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon together in a medium-sized bowl. Add the milk, butter, egg, apples and cinnamon chips next, stirring together until the mixture is smooth. Fill each muffin liner about 2/3 full, then bake in a 365 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving them.


Saturday, November 07, 2009

Today we went to the magnet school fair to look at high school options for Miss C. I REALLY did not want to go - I am pretty exhausted due to work and the kids being tracked out. My husband convinced me that we both needed to go and I am glad we did. The school we had in mind for Miss C. would not have been a fit. We are looking at a different school in which the odds of getting in are much better. We will have to wait until February to apply but are excited about the prospects!

Late this afternoon I just dyed my hair and did my nails. Going to the nail salon is too much coordination with DH so I usually do manicures myself at home. I hands looked bad all week but this is the first time I have had the time or energy to do something about it. Of course Miss N. and Miss E. had to get in on the action, so the bathroom is a mess - nail polish bottles everywhere. Of course Miss E. insisted on doing her nails herself and was also not satisfied with the results. I hate doing nails with her because it is such a production:
- Each nail a different color
- If the results are not satisfactory, you have to start over
- At least once she cries. Usually more than once.

At least all of the nail polish stayed in the bottles or on our nails. My nails look lovely if I do say so myself - I started with a barely black with a hint of shimmer (more of a midnight plum) and put on a coat of chocolate-copper frost. The result is a very deep, shimmery auburn-chocolate. I would take a picture but I have not cleaned up the sides yet so it looks rather sloppy.

I have a few reviews and 2 giveaways to post. I am going to be moving to my own website early December or January and was playing around with that. Unfortunately it is a totally different format and is going to take quite a bit of work to get the look and feel I want.


Sunday, November 01, 2009

My first Blog Award




I received my very first blog award. I have received the "Best Blog Award" from "NW Money Savin' Mama"!

Rules are:
To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers you've awarded to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Drum roll please....
Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife
Girl Get Strong
Green Earth Journey
Jenn Cooks
Lipgloss Break
Little Miss Heirlooms
Mother 2 Mother
My Wee View
Nerd Like
Pays To Live Green
Reviewin' It Up
Sweet Greens
Three Different Directions
tout est des roses
what's cooking at DD



Miss N. and her new email account

Miss N. has her own email address and is quite proud of herself. She keeps emailing me. I cannot remember the last time I received love notes. Look at what she has sent me:

love youSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 8:27 PM, Miss N. wrote:

NO MATTER WAT U ARE MY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 8:21 PM, Miss N. wrote:

who knew u where a cuddle bug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 8:18 PM,Miss N. wrote:

Dear mommy ily to.


On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 3:45 PM, Mary Beth wrote:

Hi N. ! I love you



Campus Quilt Company - Review and Giveaway




Campus Quilt Company is an organization that is dedicated to creating memorable keepsakes for people. When the company contacted me about doing a review, I immediately said "Yes!". I have seen these quilts in magazines and on reviews from other bloggers ; I think these quilts are a unique, thoughtful and wonderful way to preserve memories.


I requested to have a "Wee Quilt" made out of my girls old baby clothes. I carefully went through the girl's old clothes and selected some favorite rompers, dresses, and accessories from their layette. I carefully shipped the items back in the bag provided and anxiously awaited my quilt.


Campus Quilt Company was very good about calling me through the process. They called if they had any questions regarding placements of the clothing, the background, sashing, etc. I admit that the first time I sent in the clothing, I did not send enough items in. The company rep quickly called me, I mailed some additional items in and my quilt was done very quickly. I could not be more impressed with the service I received or the quality of the quilt. All of my interactions with Campus Quilt Company have been excellent. How many times can you say that about a business?





My picture does not do this quilt justice! My quilt is absolutely gorgeous - My girls, husband and parents loved it. The quality was superb - the placement of the clothes was perfect, the loop quilting was precise and the sashing and background were pieced together perfectly. Here are better pictures and examples of the other items Campus Quilt has made. I am not the only satisfied customer! Check HERE for CampusQuilts.com comments and praise.


Buy it!
With items starting as little as $95 this is an excellent gift. Who would a campus quilt be good for?
- college graduates - a T-shirt quilt or T-shirt Pillow make great a commemorative gift for those wanting to relive their college years!
- parents - kids grow so fast; preserve your memories with a wee quilt.
- those who have lost a loved one - what a lovely tribute to those we have lost. In addition to T-shirts and baby clothes, the Campus Quilt Company can also make quilts out of ties, old clothes, sports jerseys, etc.

Here are their 5 main reasons for selecting a Campus Quilt!



Win it!
CampusQuilt.com has generously offered one lucky Blogmania reader a $150 gift card!

* One main entry per person / email address.
* Giveaway starts Sunday 11/01/2009 and ends Monday 11/30/2009 at 11:59pm EST
* Winner will be selected via random.org
* Campus Quilt Company is responsible for prize fulfilment.

* Winner must respond to email notification within or another winner will be selected.



Main Entry - Must be followed or no further entries will be considered
Let me know which of the quilts posted on their website or Flicker account is your favorite. Please post the URL here

PLEASE USE THE FORM (NOT THE COMMENTS SECTION) AND POST SEPARATELY FOR EACH EXTRA ENTRY.

EXTRA ENTRIES (please post for each extra entry):

1 extra entry (each) available for faving on technorati, following me in blogger/google friends, following me in twitter, sharing on facebook, subscribing or grabbing a button.

3 entries for tweeting - please include @misaacmom in your tweet.
YOU CAN DO THIS DAILY
Use share this for easy tweeting OR copy and paste the message below!

RT: ~~New giveaway!~~ Win a $150 Gift Certificate from Campus Quilt at Blogmania! http://bit.ly/1csT6A @misaacmom

5 extra entries for blogging about this giveaway.

1 extra entry - post what you would like to have made into a quilt.



I received a quilt in order to do this review. I did not receive any other form of compensation. For more information on this blog and my posting practices, please refer to the disclosure policy below.



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