3G2S Turned 7! Let's Celebrate with 'Gifts That Give!' from UNICEF Market!

Thank you to UNICEF Market for providing a gift code for us to shop and for providing an additional gift code for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

This March, 3G2S turned 7!  Since I am now a part time blogger and have far less time to write, I have to make each post count.  That's why this blogoversary seems like the perfect opportunity to share the new sister site to Novica.com, UNICEF Market, with 3G2S readers.

As you may have noticed over the years, I have a soft spot for triple garnet silver jewelry.  I love wearing it to represent my three January babies.  That's why I absolutely fell in love with the Garnet and Sterling Silver 'Waterfall' Necklace I found on UNICEF Market.  This necklace was handcrafted by an artisan named Carmen Granados from the Andes in Peru and displays three round garnets in a graceful, yet modern design.

To make UNICEF Market jewelry even more special, each piece comes in a drawstring jewelry pouch and is accompanied by an artisan storycard, which allowed me to learn a little bit about the woman in Peru who created my necklace.  Every UNICEF Market purchase is packed with a postcard with a handwritten thank you.  In addition to all these special touches, you can feel good about giving artisan-made gifts because, not only are you supporting the artisan, but you are also helping UNICEF save and protect children in impoverished areas around the world.  Each product page gives you an example of how your purchase could benefit children.  For example, the purchase of this necklace may have provided 18 doses of measles vaccine to vulnerable children.

I have to admit, I love giving 'gifts that give' as much as I love receiving them.  While shopping for myself on UNICEF Market, I began looking for Mother's Day gift ideas for my mother, grandmother, and sister.  On the top of my list so far are the beautiful scarves and shawls, plus some of the ornate hand carved jewelry boxes.

Thinking of shopping UNICEF Market for your next gift purchase?  Each gift purchase comes with a free greeting card containing your gift message plus there is the option to upgrade to Premium Gift Boxes for jewelry purchases.  For each item, you can click on "Delivery Estimate" to find the cost of shipping (which is surprisingly affordable) and the approximate number of business days it will take the item to travel from its point of origin to your front door.

Learn more about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the UNICEF mission here.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S residents only. You must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Kohl's Deals on Disney FROZEN Holiday Gifts Continue On Post-Black Friday & Cyber Monday!

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Kohl's. I received Kohl's gift cards to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

Although I love visiting my local Kohl's store, during the busy holiday season, I shop almost exclusively online.  We live in such a highly populated retail area that it takes us a half an hour or more just to drive a mile or two this time of year.  Why deal with that when I can shop in the comfort of my own home, where there is no traffic, no lines, and no crowds?

Another perk of shopping online at Kohl's is that there are some great FROZEN gifts that are available online only.  Throw in the free shipping deals, Kohl's promo codes, Kohl's Cash and Yes2You Rewards, and I just cannot find any reason not to shop at Kohls.com!  I also love that Kohl's does not hold your order if part of it is not available to ship yet.  I placed my order on Black Friday and have received 2 of the 3 shipments already.

You all know that I'm an early shopper, right?  By the time Black Friday and Cyber Monday roll around, I'm pretty much done with my shopping already.  What does that mean?  I end up seeing things I had been eyeing in the past for a great price and just cannot resist purchasing them for myself or someone in my family.  From this Kohl's order, my daughter became one Disney Frozen Elsa Castle Raglan Tee, one Elsa & Heart Earring Set, and one Anna & Elsa Heart Alarm Clock richer!  We also have the Disney Frozen Floral Anna Tee, which was love at first sight for my daughter, and the Disney Frozen Microfleece Throw (my favorite item of all the ones we ordered) coming from the same order!  In addition to these, I also bought my daughter a new rain jacket and a Paw Patrol toy for my nephew for Christmas.

I do have to share one Kohls.com shopping tip with you! . . . When I shop, I usually add things to my shopping cart and come back to checkout when I know my order is complete.  Well, I learned that you just cannot do that during this time of year.  At least 4 items I had in my cart were sold out when I returned to checkout the next day: a different Frozen earring set, the Olaf Throw & Pillow set, the rain jacket for my daughter in a different color, and a fleece jacket for my husband.  My advice is:  If you want it, don't wait to complete your order!!!

Want to shop for Frozen gifts?  Kohl's has all things Frozen, including clothing, jewelry, home furnishings, electronics, toys, and more.  All you need to do is go to Kohls.com and click on the Disney Frozen banner on the upper right of the homepage and you'll be taken to a selection of 800+ Frozen items.

By the way, did you vote for your favorite singer or group in the Frozen "Sing Your Heart Out" Contest?  If you weren't watching the 2014 American Music Awards, you can find out who won by visiting Disney.com/FrozenFriday, where you can see spotlights of the winners and all the finalists.  It's so interesting to hear their individual stories about how they got to that moment.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Although every effort will be made to have the prize received in time for Christmas, we cannot guarantee that the prize will arrive by 12/24/2014.

Home Decor Gifts for Everyone On Your Shopping List from Zazzle

Thank you to Zazzle for providing a sample round pouf for us to base this review upon and for providing a gift certificate for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Over the years, Zazzle has grown significantly as far as the types of custom products they offer.  Take their home decor selection, for example.  You may expect to see throws, pillows, mugs, and tree ornaments when you visit their site, but you will find so much more.  Upon visiting Zazzle.com recently, I was delighted to find lamps, cutting boards, serving trays, plates, bowls, tree skirts, Christmas stockings, and even wrapping paper!  Of all the wonderful home furnishings items I had discovered, the poufs were my favorite of all.

When I first saw the Luck & Longevity Round Pouf, I knew it would be perfect for our home.  I love the Asian flair and it was an easy way to add another seat in our living room without adding a large piece of furniture.  Of course, you would need to find the right pouf for you.  With currently 43,513 cube and round poufs to choose from and the ability to customize your item, I don't foresee a problem with finding exactly what you need.  There are styles that are suitable for nurseries, dorm rooms, mancaves, and everything in between.  Many styles can be personalized with a name or a monogram, whether your are choosing a trendy chevron pouf or one that's in your favorite team colors.

If you truly cannot find exactly what you're looking for, then you always have the option to design your own pouf by uploading your own images for the top and sides.  I always thought it would be cool to create a mosaic image using photos of my children, my husband, and myself from different stages of our lives.  What design would you put on a custom square or round pouf?

To view all the home decor items available, visit www.Zazzle.com, where you could finish almost all your holiday shopping in just one stop!  Be sure to sign up for the Zazzle newsletter to stay in the know about special offers and Zazzle promo codes during the holiday season and throughout the year.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Give the Gift of Music This Holiday with the SOL Republic PUNK Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

Thank you to SOL Republic for providing a PUNK wireless speaker sample for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I have been privileged to have reviewed so many SOL Republic products over the last couple of years. I am always excited to see and test the next one. So far every SOL Republic product I have tested has received an outstanding review from me and I would be lying if I said I was not partial to their products, but frankly they have earned that bias from me. SOL Republic makes great personal audio electronics and their pricing is always better than the competitor for comparable items. However I always try to find at least one imperfection when I do a review for them. I am not always successful….

I received the SOL Republic PUNK Bluetooth speaker in black for review. And as always, I was excited to get it as I love my DECK and wanted to see how a smaller speaker compares. The basic rule of thumb with speakers is that bigger is almost always better. Could the PUNK sound as nice as my larger DECK?

I wont keep you in suspense: The DECK has a bigger and richer sound, but wowee the PUNK wireless speaker sounds extremely good for a 3-1/2" speaker and I was impressed. It boggles my mind how much sound SOL Republic can jam into a speaker that can fit into your palm.

The bass is better than I would expect from such a small form factor (SOL Republic signature bass) and the rest of the range was pleasantly complete. At max volume there was no cracking or static. This is no quickie-mart-as-seen-on-TV speaker that I see everywhere. I tested a few different genre’s of music to hear a variety of sounds as well as some video to really test the PUNK. It all sounded fantastic.

The PUNK is also water and dust resistant, something that even my DECK can't do! The exterior is rubbery and soft offering some light shock resistance and toughness. The PUNK is so tough, it doesn't come with a case like its peer does. Just grab and go.

You can plug the PUNK into analog and USB ports for wired audio and charging. Not that you need to plug it in for audio, the Bluetooth connection was as easy to set up as can be and the range is superb. Although I have yet to prove if the PUNK can go for 8 hours on a charge, I hardly doubt it as my DECK can play all day long. SOL Republic knows how to do wireless batteries!

Are there better sounding Bluetooth speakers out there? Sure. But not one as small as the PUNK and certainly not as inexpensive. I also bet none are as tough as the PUNK or can get wet and keep playing.  The PUNK is truly designed to just grab, throw in a bag or big pocket, and go. With the punk you can have quality music anywhere you go.

And guess what? I don't have a single negative thing to say about the PUNK. I failed to find my obligatory imperfection. At $69.99 you simply cannot go wrong with this speaker. It's tough and easy to use, perfect for teenagers, college students, and anybody who needs great sound that's easy to take with you.

The SOL Republic PUNK wireless speaker comes in 7 colors.  To see them all or to learn more about this compact Bluetooth speaker, visit www.SOLRepbulic.com.

CYBER WEEKEND SPECIAL:  Order a PUNK speaker and get a pair of JAX in-ear headphones for FREE. (Valid thru December 1st, 2014 @ 11:59p Pacific Time.)  Also, $1 from every order over $50 from the SOL Republic website will be donated to the Children's Cancer Association.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Although every effort will be made for the winner to receive the prize by December 24th, 2014, delivery in time for Christmas is not guaranteed. The color of the prize to be sent will be based on availability.

"Music Made Me Do It" . . . Share Your Story with SOL Republic!

Thank you to SOL Republic for providing the Music Made Me Do It prize pack for our #MMMDI giveaway.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Music is a time machine.

Almost every memory I have ever had has a soundtrack to it, the good times and the bad. How many times has a song on the radio teleported you back to a time in your life? How many people have you known that you think of whenever a certain song comes on the radio? Many for me.

When I hear Journey, Zeppelin, and Hall & Oates, I am sent back to the 70’s riding on the school bus (with the coolest driver ever!) and hanging out with my brothers in Tennessee.. Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, U2, and Run DMC send me back to high school and all the lifelong friends I made there. As I got older I realized how much music I had missed before my time and started listening to CCR, The Beatles, Elvis, Cream, Hendrix, and on and on.

I am convinced every phase of my life is represented by the music I was listening to at the time. I think back to all of the things I used to do when listening to music. Drawing, studying Karate, driving, spending time with friends at the beach, and bicycling. Oh boy, the hours and hours I spent on my bike when I was younger listening to music that shaped my attitude and spirit.

I would ride up and down the Charles River all day long listening to the entire albums by U2, Pearl Jam, and anything else I could get my hands on. Of course, back then I listened on my portable CD player….. but that's another story. There is nothing like blasting Pearl Jam’s Even Flow while speeding 30 miles an hour down a steep rocky hill or catching a little air to Van Halen’s Jump.

Today I listen to everything, whether it's through my SOL Republic Relays on my bike or with my Master Tracks at the office. As I age, I start to appreciate skill and talent over genre. I appreciate the quality of the sound. If its good music by a talented artist then I like it, whether its opera, rap, country, death metal, or ska it doesn't matter. And with thousands (millions?) of songs just a touch away, I can teleport back into any time of my life in an instant.

This year, music made me get back on my bike. Something I haven't done in years and years. I have a thousand reasons to get up and do something, but only music can do it every time.


Does the video above make you think of the amazing things you've done in your lifetime?  Find more Music Made Me Do It stories on www.solrepublic.com.  3G2S readers are invited to share your stories for a chance to win ALL the SOL Republic products listed below (colors may vary) . . .

Our 'Music Made Me Do It' SOL Republic Prize Pack (ARV $700+) includes:

• 1 SOL REPUBLIC Deck speaker (ARV $129.99)
• 1 SOL REPUBLIC Punk speaker (ARV $69.99)
• 1 SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Air wireless headphone (ARV $199.99)
• 1 SOL REPUBLIC Tracks on-ear headphone (ARV $99.99)
• 1 SOL REPUBLIC Relays in- ear headphone (ARV $79.99)
• 1 SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks over-ear headphone (ARV $199.99)

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Good luck in the drawing!

TERMS & CONDITIONS:  This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Although every effort will be made for the winner to receive the prize pack by December 24th, 2014, delivery in time for Christmas is not guaranteed. The prize pack image found in the contest post is only an example. The products in the prize pack may vary from the colors shown in the image and will be sent based on availability.

Make Your Home Phones More Efficient with Panasonic Link2Cell Bluetooth Phones & Qi Mobile Chargers

Thank you to Panasonic for providing a sample Link2Cell Bluetooth® Enabled Phone with Answering Machine KX-TGH263B & 3 Cordless Handsets for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional set for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I love gadgets, so when I heard about Panasonic’s new Link2Cell Bluetooth Enabled Telephones, I was excited to try them out. We have VOIP service at home and just use a basic cordless phone, but the thing I really liked about the Panasonic ones is that they are equipped with Link2Cell technology. These phones not only connect to a land or VOIP line, they can receive the incoming calls to your cell phone!

When we received these, I immediately set them up and got them running. We received one main base and two secondary bases with three phones. I put the main unit in our living room and the secondary ones in the kitchen and our bedroom. The phones link via Bluetooth to up to two cell phones, so all of our phone calls to our home phone and to both my husband’s and my cell were coming through the same set of phones! I loved that these phones play our cell’s personalized ringtones, so there is no way to miss who the phone is ringing for. The phones even have voicemail capabilities, which would be a plus for many consumers.

I love that I can use these handsets even if my cell is not right next to me. Now when my phone dies, I can go plug it in at the charger in my bedroom, but not miss any calls with my handset. It doesn’t allow me to text from the handset, but that’s a feature I’m okay without. It does, however, have a text message alert option, so I know if I have a text on my cell phone. The handset itself has very clear reception and I’ve never had any issues with static. It even has a “noise reduction” button so you can remove background noise, such as from the children or the television, while you are on an important call.

In addition to the mentioned features, it has Talking Text Sender Alert which announces the phone number of incoming calls, a Locate Cell button that helps find your missing cell phone, Power Back-Up Operation which utilizes the large battery to keep the phones operating in a short power outage, Tone Equalizer which allows users to set bass and treble to equalize their voice, Eco Mode which saves power, Call Blocking, and complete personalization of the home screen on the units including wallpaper. Plus, it has a very sleek and stylish design that is nice and compact so as to not take up a ton of space on tabletops.

We also received the Panasonic Qi Mobile Charger, which retails for $39.99, so now I can charge my phone anywhere. This small but powerful charger is convenient to take anywhere -- in purses, the car, even in your pocket. It has the capability to charge any phone with a USB cord so it’s always ready to charge your device whenever you need it.  What a perfect gift idea for anyone who needs to stay connected no matter where they go!

The Panasonic Link2Cell Bluetooth Enabled Phone is an excellent product that exceeded my expectations. These retail for $119.95 at Shop.Panasonic.com, but is currently on sale for a limited time for just $91.99. What a great price if you have someone on your holiday list who needs a more efficient phone system at home!.

Enter to win a Link2Cell Bluetooth® Enabled Phone with Answering Machine with 3 Cordless Handsets (ARV $119.99) plus a Qi Mobile Charger (ARV $39.99) of your very own . . .

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This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

12 Disney FROZEN Gift Ideas for Girls at Kohl's (#KohlsGiveaway #Sponsored #MC)

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Kohl's. I received Kohl's gift cards to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Can you believe that Christmas is now less than two months away?  I'm an early shopper and am usually mostly done by Halloween.  This year, however, I seem to be having trouble staying on top of everything.  How about you?  Have you started your Holiday shopping?  Well, if you're shopping for a Disney FROZEN fan, then you could probably be done with just one shopping trip to your local Kohl's department store.  Kohl's has everything FROZEN from fashion to home furnishings to toys and electronics.

Need to get in the winter wonderland mood before you can start your shopping?  Remember when I shared about the FROZEN Sing Your Heart Out Contest in September?  Well, the video submission period has come to a close, but the voting period will begin on November 10th, when you will be able to vote for your favorite of the 10 ten finalists to help determine who will appear in the Kohl's Holiday ad scheduled to air during the 2014 American Music Awards.

My daughter and I watched countless videos of entrants singing their hearts out to Let It Go.  There were so many talented people of all ages, including adorable children with lots of charisma.  I have to say that I hope Jaclyn, Olivia, and Makena make it to the top 10.  This trio would certainly get my vote for their amazing performance!  If you haven't yet, be sure to view their video and let me know if you agree.  (Be warned:  You may be singing Let It Go for the rest of the day.)

Now that you're in a wintry mood, let's talk Holiday shopping!  Of the vast assortment of Disney FROZEN gifts available at Kohl's, here are my top 12 picks . . . 

12 Disney FROZEN Gift Ideas for Girls:

1.  Disney Frozen 2-pc. Fragrance Gift Set

2.  Disney Frozen World of Creativity Kit

3.  Disney Frozen Elsa Nightgown

4.  Disney Frozen Elsa & Anna Travel Trunk Dress-Up Set

5.  Disney Frozen Talking Olaf Pull-A-Part Plush

6.  Disney Frozen Elsa Snowflake Sparkle Dress by Jumping Beans (a Kohl's Exclusive)

7.  Disney Frozen Elsa & Anna Karaoke Machine

8.  Disney Frozen Anna, Elsa & Olaf Kids' Digital Watch

9.  Disney Frozen Elsa & Anna Color & Style Purse Set

10.  Disney Frozen Elsa & Anna "Sisters Forever" Hoodie by Jumping Beans (a Kohl's Exclusive)

11.  Disney Frozen Elsa & Anna Fold-Out Sofa (Coming Soon)

12.  Disney FROZEN:  Olaf's Quest Nintendo DS or 3DS Game

Out of all these cool FROZEN gift ideas, the one my daughter chose as her top pick is #5, the Talking Olaf Pull-A-Part Plush, with #5, the World of Creativity art set, coming in second.  Which gift idea would your little FROZEN fan like the best?

To view these and the other 750+ FROZEN items offered by Kohl's, visit www.kohls.com/frozen.

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This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Prepping for the Holidays with Personalized Tree Ornaments from Ornaments With Love

Thank you to Ornaments With Love for providing a personalized tree ornament sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Ummm . . . no it's not too early to be thinking about the Holidays!  Even if you don't start your shopping early, there are a few things to think about before the season sneaks up on you . . .

1.  What are my children going to ask Santa for in their letters this year?  Will it sell out if I wait to buy it?  Will I need to put it on layaway to pay for it in time for Christmas?

2.  What should my children wear for the Holiday card photo this year?  When do I need to order them to get them before December so I'll have time to write a note inside and address them all?

3.  Do I need anything major for entertaining this Holiday?  New dining room set?  New television?  Should I have the floors professionally cleaned?

4.  Some retailers take extra time to ship any personalized items I may want to give as gifts.  The shipping time might even get longer as the Holidays grow closer.  Should I shop for these items now before the big rush?

Christmas is a huge deal at our house.  We started some fun traditions when our oldest was just a toddler.  For example, every year I purchase personalized ornaments for the whole family.  I always get one that represents all 5 of us and sometimes the pets too.  Some years, the pets get their own ornaments.  Each child always gets his or her own personalized ornament.  Some years I let them choose their own and others I decide to surprise them.  Whichever course I choose, we always order our ornaments from Ornaments With Love.  I think this might be our 7th year buying ornaments from this family-owned business.  I shopped their site before I even thought about owning a blog.  You should see the cute ornaments I found last year!

Another tradition we have is that our children always gift a personalized ornament to their favorite aunt and uncle (my sister and brother-in-law).  This year, we chose this Personalized Moose Family Christmas Ornament.  I just thought they were too adorable when I saw them.  I never thought I would perceive a tree ornament to be huggable, but that's what I think when I look at this smiling moose family.  This ornament is available for family sizes of 1 to 4 children.  Maybe I'll get one for my own family next year!

This year, I think I'll be surprising my children with ornaments I choose.  The great thing about Ornaments With Love is that there are new ornaments added to the already vast selection every year.  That way, I can always find something cool and new, rather than choosing from the same ornaments year after year.  Also, shipping is free when your order totals $50 or more.  And, did I mention that their turnaround time is as little as 2 business days and they ship by U.S. Priority Mail?  Still, I always order early because it's one thing I can just check off my Holiday prepping list!

Time to get started on your Holiday prepping!  Visit www.OrnamentsWithLove.com to view their enormous selection of personalized tree ornaments.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

A Custom Hand Stamped Personalized Sterling Silver Toggle Necklace for My Birthday!

Thank you to Like Mother, Like Daughter for providing a sample custom hand stamped silver necklace for us to base this review upon and for providing a gift certificate for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

It's September!  That means the two sapphires of 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires had birthdays this month . . . one of which was me.  Yes, I turned forty *cough* one this month.  Somehow turning 41 seemed to impact me more than 40.  I wouldn't say I'm feeling old . . . just older.  Regardless, nothing cures the birthday blues better than jewelry.  Well, not just any jewelry.  It needs to be something special . . .

No piece of jewelry could be more special than one that was crafted just for me.  While browsing this charming hand stamped jewelry boutique on Etsy, called Like Mother, Like Daughter, I saw this sterling silver washer toggle necklace and I kept coming back to it.  I admit I have an affinity towards larger circular pendants, but I just wasn't sure this was the one for me.  Then I realized that I could make this the perfect necklace for me because it can be customized!

What did I come up with?  Why, it's this mommy necklace that has the names of all five members of my beloved family stamped into the sterling silver washer plus a silver family tree charm dangling in the center.  I just love the way this necklace turned out!  If you do too, you can order this custom necklace here.  It would truly make a cherished gift for a special mom in your life.

Now, I'm one to leave my jewelry on 24/7.  Just as stated in the shop information, this type of silver will develop a patina when exposed to air.  If you aren't a fan of an antiqued look, then I recommend that you keep these pieces stored away safely protected from the air while they're not being worn.  It's also helpful that each piece comes with a polishing cloth to help keep your jewelry looking like new.

To view all the wonderful offerings in hand stamped necklaces, bracelets, and earrings (in sterling silver, bronze, copper, and aluminum) visit Like Mother, Like Daughter on Etsy!  Now it does take some time for your custom pieces to be created, so plan accordingly if you're purchasing a gift.  For me, it was totally worth the wait!

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

SOL Republic Relays In-ear Headphones for Students, Athletes, or Anyone Constantly On-the-Move

Thank you to SOL Republic for providing sample Relays in-ear headphones for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our giveaway prize. All opinions expressed are our own.

I received a pair of SOL Republic Relays to test and review. If you have read any of my previous reviews, you will know that I am a SOL Republic fanboy and I rave about their products. Most of the time, I can hardly even find a single flaw (partially why I am such a nut for them!). This time, however, in between my raving, I will point out the biggest flaw I have found in a SOL Republic product, then tell you why you should buy them anyways.

I was sent the Relays in Horizon Blue and as always, they look amazing. Unlike other earbuds I have ever used (ever seen?), the Relays have a soft-ish plastic ring around the Sound Engines to keep the buds securely in your ear. In fact, that is the primary difference between the Relays and other SOL Republic earbuds. The Relays are designed to stay put, no matter how you are using them. They will stay in your ear as you run, bike, or work out at the gym. Although I did not try them doing any of those activities, it is clear that the Relays stay securely in my ear. They fit very snugly even if you tug on them. The Relays would be a great choice for the adult or student athletes in your home as they stay in and are quite durable.

Like most SOL Republic products, the Relays come with a 3 button control on the cord allowing you to adjust your volume and answer calls if using them with your phone, although a single-button version is also available. Another SOL Republic signature feature, the cord has a thick rubber coating that resists tangles. The Relays come in 5 vibrant colors to match your style. Also included in the box is a small ripstop case and a variety of different sized ear pieces to perfect the fit.

But how do they sound? Amazing. Like all the other SOL Republic products I have reviewed, they sound terrific. The sound does not compare to my Master Tracks, but for an earbud I was pleasantly surprised. That is getting increasingly hard to do, as I have been blown away with every SOL Republic device I have tried and my expectations are high. I will say, if the Relays are not properly seated in your ear, the sound may be tinny. And this is the segway to my problem with the Relays….

I have very sensitive, slightly narrow ears and earbuds tend to be uncomfortable for me, even the best ones will start to hurt after prolonged usage and the Relays were no different. The very feature that keeps the Relays snug in my ear is what was triggering my sensitive reaction and leading to discomfort. But I am a unique example, nobody else in my family suffers from my ear sensitivity. I also need to mention that after some time fine tuning the placement, my discomfort is improving. I feel my ears will adjust eventually as I use them. After reading other reviews, this issue seems unique to me so this may not be a factor for most.

Aside from my unique issue, the SOL Republic Relays are every bit as nice as I thought they would be, and frankly expect from SOL Republic. Each time I review a SOL Republic product I am more impressed, but my expectations are also increased. The Relays met my increased expectations and I fully recommend them. They look fantastic, sound amazing, and they have the quality I have come to expect. And for $79.99, they are very competitively priced for a high end in-ear headset. With back to school upon us, the Relays would make an excellent gift for the students (or the teachers) in our lives.

To learn more about the Relays and other SOL Republic products, visit www.solrepublic.com.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

In a Renaissance Mood? Visit King Richard's Faire Starting August 30th! #KRFaire

Photo Credit: Julie Dennehy.  Thank you to King Richard's Faire for providing press passes for our family and for providing a pair of tickets for our contest prize. All opinions expressed are my own.

Over the course of two years, our family has attended King Richard's Faire in Carver, Massachusetts three times and plans to make our fourth trip this year.  All five of us are excited to make new fond memories at the 33rd annual King Richard's Faire during opening weekend, which is August 30th to September 1st (Labor Day weekend!).  You can see overviews and photos of our past visits here.

Even though we've been to the Faire three times already, we still have not seen every show, gone on every ride, visited every single one of the artisan shops, or tasted all the Renaissance faire food.  Each time we go, we look forward to experiencing something new, as well as re-experiencing some of our favorites.  Our daughter has already asked if she could attend Princess School again.  Our boys can't wait to watch at least one of the jousting events.  I know my husband is anxious to face off with his arch nemesis, the Giant Stryker, again.  The whole family is very much looking forward to seeing Jacques Ze Whipper for the fourth time.  We can't go to King Richard's Faire without seeing his show!  And of course, we all love shopping for unique souvenirs to commemorate our visits.  My husband has been wearing his chainmail bracelet for two years now.


Things you should know about King Richard's Faire . . . 

• Sunday, August 31st is Military Appreciation Day!  All military personnel will get free admission by showing their valid military ID.
• There are special events or contests scheduled for every weekend after opening weekend (September 6th thru October 18th).
• King Richard's Faire also offers special events for your special occasions, such as birthdays for adults and children, marriage proposals, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, and anniversary celebrations.
• A few of the shows are PG-13, so be sure to ask if a show is appropriate for young children before sitting down to enjoy it.
• You can stay up to date on Faire news, including rain dates for special events, on the King Richard's Faire Facebook page.
• The Faire is open on Labor Day and on Columbus Day.
• Before heading to the Faire, check the Entertainment Schedule.  Make a note of the times and locations of shows you don't want to miss, but try not to schedule them back to back so you and your family are not stressed out about keeping up with the itinerary.
• Parking is free!
• Tickets are $29 for adults (12+) and $16 for children ages 4-11 and are available for purchase now on the King Richard's Faire's website or at the door. Children under 4 are admitted free of charge.
  

Take a peek at the fun waiting for you at King Richard's Faire . . . 

Follow Julie Dennehy's board King Richard's Faire - Fan Photos on Pinterest.

I'm thinking of trying my hand at shooting a crossbow this year.  How about you?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

The New Rechargeable VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch is Built for Much More Than Telling Time!

The VTech product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech.  All opinions expressed are my own.

It’s camera time! With the exciting interactive Kidizoom Smartwatch, kids can capture photos, add photo effects, record videos, and play built-in games for learning fun on the go. Complete with an easy-to-use 1.4” color touch screen, as well as more than 50 digital and analog clock displays, the multi-functional Kidizoom Smartwatch is perfect for kids learning to tell time. It also boasts a rechargeable battery, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, voice recorder with funny voice changing effects, and parental game controls.

Kidizoom® Smartwatch features include:

• 1.4 inch color touch screen
• Camera for taking photos and recording videos
• Voice recorder with 5 voice changing effects
• Special effects including customized photo frames, color filters and distortion effects; fun video frames
• 4 fun games, included
• Kid-durable design to withstand drops and bumps
• Splash proof and sweat proof
• Alarm clock with fun tones and animation
• Timer and stopwatch in kid-friendly themes
• 50+ digital and traditional analog displays
• Rechargeable battery
• 4 vibrant colors: blue, pink, white and green
• Micro USB cable for data transfer and battery recharging
• Access to Learning Lodge app store to download more games and watch displays
• Recommended for ages 4 years and up
• MSRP: $59.99

We were sent a VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch to try out and we were instantly impressed. It’s made of high-quality rubber and plastic that is sure to stand up to use by any kid. It is very well laid out so it’s easy to use but still has many great features, and it’s small enough to fit even my tiny 7 ½ year old’s wrist. In addition to the touch screen, it has only 2 buttons so that even younger kids can navigate it easily. The choice between watch displays is a nice touch and Quinn has loved personalizing his clock daily. We also really like the camera feature plus the filters and frames you can use. The included four games are fun and engaging, though a little simple for Quinn. He still likes playing them though.

Quinn loves his unique Kidizoom Smartwatch. It’s great for the car, shopping, restaurants, or anywhere else. It’s small and simple and is no problem to wear around wherever kids like to go. I love that it is rechargeable too, so there’s no wasting of batteries. We love this watch and are happy to have it.


More about the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch . . .


You can learn more about VTech on their website, VTechKids.com. You can also follow them on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Take a Peek at the New Kohl's Disney Jumping Beans "Planes: Fire & Rescue" #MagicAtPlay Collection

I participated in an Ambassador campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl's. I received promotional items and product samples as a thank you for participating.

In case your little Disney fan hasn't alerted you already, the highly anticipated movie sequel, Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue, will be coming to theaters on July 18th!  Although the movie's release date is during mid-summer, Kohl's has what you need now . . . the exclusive Disney Jumping Beans "Planes: Fire & Rescue" collection for boys!  I am a huge fan of sporty orange and blues together, especially on boys.  I am loving that these colors have been included in so many pieces in this new playground-friendly clothing collection found at Kohl's.  It makes it so easy to mix and match!

3 reasons to shop the "Planes: Fire & Rescue" line at Kohl's . . .

1.  A fun trip to the movie theater!  If you're planning to take your little Disney Planes fan to see the sequel in July, then be sure he's dressed properly for the occasion.  My two boys wore Cars movie t-shirts to see Disney Pixar Cars 2 in the theaters and you can bet they will be decked out in Planes apparel to see Planes: Fire & Rescue.  Each time your little one wears that shirt or outfit thereafter, he will remember the fun time he spent with you at the movie.

2.  The 4th of July is right around the corner!  Red, white, and blue is a color scheme that can be found in at least half of the pieces in the "Planes: Fire & Rescue" collection.  These pieces would be perfect to wear to celebrate on the Fourth and any day throughout the summer (and even early fall) after that!

3.  Back-to-school shopping!  In some parts of the country, children are nearly halfway through their summer vacation already.  That means back-to-school shopping is not too far away.  This new Disney Jumping Beans collection also includes long-sleeved knits, long pants, and hoodies.  Mix and match to make these pieces last your child through summer and into fall!

To view the entire Disney Jumping Beans collection for boys and girls, stop in your local Kohl's store or visit Kohls.com.

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Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.