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.

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 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.

Disney FROZEN Holiday Gift Ideas for Under $50 at Kohls! #FrozenFriday #MC

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

Christmas is only 4-1/2 weeks away!  Where did the time go?  It seemed like back-to-school was just yesterday . . .

Speaking of time, did you know that this weekend is the last to vote for your favorite of the 10 finalist in the Kohl's FROZEN Sing Your Heart Out Contest.  I was sad to see that the trio I was rooting for did not make it to the final round, but many talented people of all ages did.  In fact, there is such variety in the singing styles of these 10 finalists that I found it extremely difficult to choose just one.  I ended up voting for Chantal, who adds a soulful rock sound to the song "Let It Go".  However, the duets Katherine & Kelly and that of Kevin & Matt were close seconds.  Which one is your favorite?  Voting ends on Sunday, November 23rd at 9:30pm EST, the same night that the winner will be revealed in a Kohl's holiday commercial at the end of the 2014 American Music Awards.  I'm going to have to rush home from an event just to catch the winner's announcement!

I hate having to rush in general, but especially when it comes to my holiday gift shopping.  By Halloween, if I'm not mostly finished with my shopping, then my gift radar turns on and I'm on high alert for gift ideas for the remaining people on my list.  As always, I'm happy to share gift ideas with 3G2S readers.

Kohl's is your destination for FROZEN gifts this holiday!  They have such a huge selection of FROZEN merchandise, including toys, clothing, electronics, home furnishings, and more.


Disney FROZEN gift ideas for under $50 . . . 

1.  Disney's FROZEN Olaf "An Expert on Snow" Pendant Necklace - Black Friday Preview Pricing just $8.99.

2.  Disney FROZEN sleepwear - Black Friday Preview Pricing from $12.00.

3.  Disney FROZEN Olaf Snow Cone Maker - Black Friday Preview Pricing $24.74.

4.  Disney FROZEN Elsa Musical Light-Up Dress - Black Friday Preview Pricing $29.99.


Of all the gifts we previewed from Kohl's, my FROZEN-obsessed daughter was most delighted with the musical light-up dress!  As a size 7/8, she was still able to fit into the 4-6x gown.  A huge smile appeared on her face when she pushed the button and heard the song "Let It Go" and the blue lights started flashing on her bodice and snowflake-covered skirt.

To see the full selection of FROZEN merchandise at Kohl's, please visit Kohls.com/frozen.  Which gift idea would your little girl love the most?

For even more gift ideas, read 12 Disney Frozen Gift Ideas for Girls at Kohl's.

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.

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.

Shop 'n' Share: #RadioShack Has You Covered For Holiday Gift Ideas For the Whole Family! (Sponsored by #MC)

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for RadioShack. I received a gift card to facilitate a shopping trip and promotional item as a thank you for participating.  All opinions expressed are my own.

As a child, I remember visiting our local RadioShack store with my Dad a countless number of times.  It was the place to shop for electronics, even if you were just looking for a power surge protector.  In 2013, there are many places to shop for electronics and gadgets, but RadioShack will always be among the top choices of trusted technology retailers on my list.  My husband and I are happy to have a RadioShack conveniently located in our local mall.  Aside from some specialty stores for mobile phones, Apple, or Microsoft products, the only other electronics retailer in the mall is a modest section in one of the anchor stores.  This RadioShack store must be a lifesaver for anyone who wants to finish all their Holiday shopping in one trip to the mall.

Many families save most of their major electronics purchases for Christmas gifts.  My family is the opposite.  If we need (or want) a new TV, tablet, or mobile phone, we usually do not wait to purchase it as a gift.  Instead, for the Holidays, we buy smaller thoughtful items for each other and for other people on our list, which often includes gifts in the tech and gadgets category.

I was delighted to see a sign for RadioShack's Holiday Cash promotion at the front of the store.  For every $50 a customer spends, they will earn $10 in Holiday cash that the customer can redeem one at a time during the specified dates on most purchases (with some exclusions).   That $10 could pay for a stocking stuffer or batteries for the gift you purchased during your first visit!

Although our local RadioShack store is likely smaller than freestanding locations, I was still amazed at how much they could pack into this mall location.  They had some of the most sought after gifts of the season, such as no-contract mobile phones, the newest smartphones, tablets, gaming systems, and more.  I was also extremely impressed with the selection of toys, which included modular remote control cars, quad copters, and learning toys.  For more gift ideas, visit RadioShack's Holiday Hub.

If you have stockings to stuff this year, RadioShack also has you covered with fun and useful items sized perfectly for a stocking.  Not only were there gift cards for Xbox Live, Google Play, iTunes, and more, there was a huge assortment of external battery portable chargers for mobile phones and novelty USB thumb drives.  I even found special edition Hexbug Nanos that pulled Santa's sleigh!

That day, I was shopping at RadioShack to check off a few things on my husband's wishlist.  An intercom system for the house was something that has been on his list for a long time.  Because I know it's not a common gift idea for the Holidays, I was happy to be able to find one for a decent price.  Also, my husband's alarm clock stopped working many months ago and he has been using his smartphone's alarm clock app in its place.  We both miss being able to glance at the clock to know what time it is instantly, so I picked up a digital alarm clock for him as well.

Since I spent more than $100, I received two $10 Holiday Cash coupons.  I will be returning to RadioShack soon to get the batteries I need for all our gifts plus a compact external battery for my smartphone.

If you haven't shopped your local RadioShack lately, be sure to make a point of stopping in.  Nearly 2,000 store locations have received a makeover with more to come.  I hope ours is on the list of stores to be reset in 2014.  As a sneak peak, checkout the new RadioShack Speaker Wall below . . .



To learn more about what RadioShack has to offer, visit www.RadioShack.com.

Exclusive Items, Low Price Guarantee, and More Reasons to Shop at Best Buy for Holiday Gifts! @BestBuyWOLF #bbyHoliday13

This reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you've learned anything from reading my blog, it's that mine is a very tech-oriented family and that I just LOVE to shop!  Put those two things together and I would say I spend as much time shopping for tech items as I do for clothes for the five of us.  My husband and I have been shopping at Best Buy for at least 15 years and we continue to do so for many reasons, including excellent customer service, a vast selection of products (including Best Buy exclusives), their low price guarantee, great service plans, their many free shipping offers, and the ability to order online and pick-up in the store.

Although I am an avid online shopper, sometimes you just want to experience a tech item before you buy it.  For instance, I'm in the market for a Windows Intel tablet.  That is not something I would ever buy without trying it out for myself.  Best Buy is not just a store . . . it's a showroom.  There are also times when you may need advice about which of the hottest competing brands of tablets, phones, or gaming systems would suit your needs or the needs of someone on your Holiday shopping list.  A Blue Shirt is the perfect person to help with that.  I've found that Best Buy only hires people who are knowledgeable and passionate about their products and will give you their honest opinion because they do not work on commission.  Another reason why Best Buy is one of our top places to shop for tech items is because they do not wipe their hands of you after you've made your purchase.  If you have an issue with a product, you can bring it into the store for assistance from customer service or the Geek Squad.  Many other places require you to pay to ship your product back, even if it's under warranty, and I have not the time nor the interest in doing that.

So, what's on your shopping list this year for tech and gadgets?  How about the Digital Barbie Makeover Kit, the Jawbone UP, or some cordless headphones?  Well, Best Buy wants to help you save money on some of their most popular brands, such as Mattel, Fisher-Price, Logitech, and more with these two special offers that can be used in-store or online . . .

• Save 15% off Health & Fitness Products, Fisher-Price, and Mattel Toys from 12/1/13 to 1/18/14 when you checkout using Code: bloggers15off or print the coupon to shop at your local Best Buy store.
• Save 10% off Headphones and Portable Speakers (excluding Beats. Bose, and Sony products) from 12/1/13 to 1/18/14 when you checkout using Code: bloggers10off or print the coupon to shop in-store. 

For more great gift ideas in all price ranges, be sure to visit the Best Buy Holiday Gift Center!

Get the Look for Less: Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Preppy Guy! #ThisIsStyle #shop #cbias

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This fall fashion shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. #ThisisStyle #cbias.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I have always thought that men are far more difficult to shop for than women.  This is especially true for someone like my preppy husband, who is extremely particular.  If you ever think about buying him a polo shirt, make sure it has more than 3 buttons on the placket, no banded sleeves, and no tipping on the collar.  When I was presented with the chance to do some Holiday shopping for my husband, I was happy to do it.  You know how much I love shopping, but I also love a challenge!  Let's face it.  Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is a sport.  My challenge was to shop for fall fashion items to gift to my picky preppy husband.

The key to finding the perfect gift for someone is knowing their tastes.  Even if you have never chatted about fashion with that person, you can still get to know their style by simply paying attention to, not only what they wear, but to what they are paying attention to on TV, in magazines, in stores, and so forth.

Some of the biggest 2013 fashion trends are plaid and moto jackets.  Unfortunately, my husband is not a fan of either, but he just loves colorblock sweaters, pullovers, and outerwear.  Luckily for me, colorblock is still big for men this season!

Because my husband dresses for work during the week, he likes to be casual on the weekends.  This is the perfect weekend look for 'The Prep' in your life.

Get the look for less at Sears . . .

• NordicTrack Men's Two Tone Microfleece Pullover Jacket
• NordicTrack Men's Long-Sleeve Fitness Shirt
• Covington Men's Knit Touchscreen Gloves
• Dockers Men's Tussock Casual Lace-up Ankle Boot

Complete the look with his favorite pair of classic jeans.  Not only does the outfit look stylish, but both the NordicTrack pieces feature the NT Dri moisture wicking, so they are perfect for my husband, who tends to get warm easily.  The knit long-sleeve shirt also has built-in SPF 30 protection, which makes it perfect for transitioning into springtime.

My husband is not only preppy, he is also very tech-oriented.  Any free minutes he has is used to consume media, so for the colder months, the knit touchscreen gloves are a must!  These particular gloves retail for only $10, so you can afford to buy a pair for every man in your life.

For special occasions, my husband likes to avoid wearing a shirt and tie.  The casual Holiday look below would be perfect for him.  It's preppy, stylish, and comfortable!

Get the look for less at Sears . . .

• Arrow Men's Cheststripe V-Neck Shirt
• Covington Men's Wide Stripe Knit Beanie
• Covington Men's Knit Touchscreen Gloves
• Dockers Men's Castaway Casual Boat Shoe

Complete the look with your preppy guy's favorite pair of flat-front or pleated khakis.  What I love about this cheststripe knit is that it has a faux crew neck layering tee built-in.  As I had mentioned before, my husband tends to warm easily, so he prefers not to wear layers while indoors.  This top gives the smart look of a layering tee under the v-neck without the extra layer!  I might just have to go back and buy this top in a few more colors for him.

To learn more about my Holiday picks for 'The Prep' in your life, checkout my Preppy Guy Gift Guide!  For more great gift ideas, browse the #ThisIsStyle Pinterest board.

Follow SoFabConnect's board ThisisStyle on Pinterest.

The RUUM American Kid's Wear New Holiday Newsletter (Plus a 40% off Cyber Weekend Promo Code!)

I received a promotional item as a thank you for sharing about the new RUUM American Kid's Wear Holiday Newsletter.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you are a fan of the children's fashions at RUUM American Kid's Wear, then there are 3 things you should know this weekend!  First, you must checkout RUUM's Holiday Newsletter.  Not only does it include RUUM's Holiday Gift Guide, it also includes an interview with Brianne Manz of Stroller in the City and a tutorial for a DIY Winter Bird Feeders craft.

Second, if you plan to be shopping online this weekend at RUUM.com, then here is a coupon code for you.  Checkout using promo code 162 by Monday, December 2nd to receive 40% off your entire order.  Also, standard shipping is free for orders over $60!

The third thing you should know is that we are giving away a $25 RUUM gift card.  If you haven't entered our RUUM gift card giveaway, then take a few minutes to do so now.  This giveaway ends on December 9th, 2013.

Weekend Wishlist: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals at #RadioShack (#MC)

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for RadioShack. I received a gift card to facilitate a shopping trip and promotional item as a thank you for participating.

This year, RadioShack helped shoppers to kick off their Holiday shopping with their 'Name your Deal' promotion, where shoppers could name and then return to vote on their favorite deals through November 27th!  If you missed out on that promo, you still can still take advantage of the current RadioShack Black Friday deals and the upcoming RadioShack Cyber Monday deals.

Ours is a very tech-oriented family, so tech gifts are always welcomed by everyone, even our 6 year old twins.  Large expensive gifts may come to mind when you think of electronics, but that is not always the case.  Tech gifts come in all price ranges.  You can find everything from Santa gifts to stocking stuffers without breaking the bank, especially when you keep your eyes open for exceptional Holiday deals.

What's on my family's wishlist this weekend?

1. Xbox® 360 4GB Sports and Adventures Kinect Bundle - $199.99 (Reg. $299.99)

2. Wireless Gear 2200mAh Portable Power Bank - $9.99 (Reg. $29.99)

3. RadioShack 1:16 Lamborghini Aventador J - $17.49 (Reg. $34.99)

4. STEALTH CAM STC-DASHCAM Dash Cam - $79.99 ($99.99)

5. Bushnell 260224 NightWatch 2x24mm Night-Vision Monocular - $169.59 (Reg. $211.99)

6. Hipstreet Bluetooth Multimedia Keyboard Case for iPad® mini - $40.99 (Reg. $79.99)

7. Silverlit Interactive iFido - $19.99 ($39.99)

8. RCA® ANT1650R Flat-Panel Antenna - $49.99 (Reg. $59.99)

To maximize your savings, when you shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, be sure to look for other deals.  When shopping at RadioShack online, be sure to take advantage of their Free Shipping offer on orders over $25, earning $10 in Holiday Cash on Black Friday, and the Free Ship-to-Store option.  You all know that I prefer to shop online whenever possible, but when free or flat rate shipping to my door is not available, then I think buying online and picking up in the store is the next best thing.

Also, if you do not see the deal you want today, be sure to check back on December 2nd (Cyber Monday) for more great deals.  I really want to buy an intercom system for our multi-level townhouse, but I did not see any included in RadioShack's Black Friday sale.  I am crossing my fingers for Cyber Monday.

What's on your Weekend Wishlist on the biggest shopping weekend of the year?

'pick UR gift' Reinvents How to Give the Perfect Holiday Gift with the Reverse Wish List! #pickURgift

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Those Media Girls and pick UR gift. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For me, gift shopping for children is one of the most enjoyable things I get to do in life.  Shopping for adults, however, is not quite as fun for me.  The fact of the matter is that adults are not as easy to please as children and they usually have their own opinions and may have begun to be set in their ways (even if they refuse to admit it).  I would say shopping for gifts for adults is on the top of my list of stressful things about the Holidays.  Just coming out and asking the person what he or she needs takes all the fun out of Holiday shopping.  Well, pick UR gift has come up with a solution that makes everyone happy . . . the reverse wish list!

What's a reverse wish list?  Simply put, it's a list you create of things that you think would make awesome gifts.  Then your friends and family get to choose which gift they would like to receive from the reverse wish list.

Creating a reverse wish list could not be any easier.  All you need to do is take two seconds to register on the free website, www.pickURgift.com. Then just drag the blue 'UR Button' to your browser's toolbar.  This button works similarly to the Amazon Universal Wish List button.

While shopping online, when you see an item that you think would make the perfect gift for someone, just click the button and a little box will open on the right side of the window.  Within this box, you can specify if this item is for a particular person, choose on which Gift Page you would like this item to appear, select the best image to represent your gift, and enter a description of the item.  In my case, I made a list of items that I already own, whole-heartedly love, and can afford to purchase as a gift.  In the gift descriptions, I made sure I included why I love each item.

After you have created your Gift Page, you can choose to make it public or keep it private.  You can also share the page with your friends and family by entering their emails in the available fields or by simply sharing the link to your Gift Page with them directly.  If you would like to maintain the element of surprise somewhat, you can ask each person to choose 2 or 3 of their favorite items and then you can choose which one they will receive.

With pick UR gift everyone wins.  You get the enjoyment of picking out gifts.  The gift recipient will never be disappointed with their present.  You will not need to deal with gift receipts or returning unwanted items.

You may also want to know that you can create a wish list for yourself and add to that list while you are shopping online for other people.  To learn more about pick UR gift, visit Eight MPH Mom (and enter to win a $200 Visa gift card while you're there), plus follow pick UR gift on Facebook, Twitter, and the #pickURgift hashtag.

Explore the pick UR gift website and be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift code . . . 

1. Sign up on pick UR gift (simply provide your name and email) and add the 'UR button' to your toolbar (just drag and drop it onto your toolbar and you're done).

2. Create a wish list page and and assign it to someone (a friend, a family member, etc.)

3. Add at least two gifts to that wish list/gift page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18+ years only and ends on November 25th, 2013.  This is a multi-blog giveaway.  3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires is not the administrator of this giveaway.

Ornaments With Love Offers a Vast Selection of Fun and Unique Personalized Tree Ornaments

Thank you to Ornaments With Love for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Since before my husband and I were married, we began a tradition of buying personalized dated ornaments each year to hang on our Christmas tree.  Before we had children, we would get a couples ornament for just the two of us plus an ornament for each of our cats and dogs.  After our family began to grow, we would buy a personalized ornament to represent the whole family, my husband and I as a couple, an ornament for each of our 3 children, and one for all the pets together.  Needless to say, we have a large collection of ornaments, but each and every one of them are special to us.

I have been a customer of this small business before I even started blogging.  I kept coming back every year because there is such an enormous selection of ornaments to choose from plus new styles added each year.  I usually buy all bread dough or resin ornaments, but this year I chose a glass ball ornament for our family ornament from Ornaments With Love.  I realized last year that, over time, several of our glass ball ornaments had been lost due to breakage.  I really would like to add more to our ornament collection over the next few years.

This particular Personalized Penguin Family with 3 Children Glass Ball Ornament features 5 penguins in a snowy scene.  Like most Ornaments With Love tree ornaments, I was able to specify the year, the names, and a short caption.  This ball ornament comes with a ready-to-wrap box that also will store the ornament safely when it's time to take your tree down.  When shipping your bread dough and resin ornaments, this company also includes Holiday-themed cellophane bags with twist ties and gift labels for you to easily gift the ornaments you purchased.

I also wanted to share the other ornaments I purchased this year from Ornaments With Love.  I was thrilled to find tech-themed ornaments to fit our extremely techie family.  Although our daughter is also tech-oriented, I chose an arts and crafts-themed ornament for her because I think art is her first love.  I also chose some cute mittens hanging from a mantel for our 3 cats.  (Our poor hermit crabs and fish don't get their own ornaments or stockings.)

You can also checkout our personalized ornaments by Ornaments With Love from 2012, 2011, and 2010.  Our ornaments shipped within 2 business day by Priority Mail, so they arrived quickly.  You can also get Free U.S. Priority Mail Shipping on orders over $50.  These ornaments make cherished and affordable gifts, especially when you can find just the right one for the recipient's personality!

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.

Giveaway: The Best Deal I've Ever Found on Cyber Monday ($200 Visa Gift Card)

This multi-blog giveaway has been sponsored by Coupons.com.  I received a promotional item as a thank you for taking the time to participate in this campaign.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Anyone who has visited this blog knows that I am an avid online shopper.  I whole-heartedly believe that is the way to find the best deals while investing the least amount of time and effort.  I am also someone who shops for Holiday gifts all year round, so by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, I am mostly done with all my shopping . . . especially for the big gifts.  That is when I really get into trouble . . .

It is difficult for me to resist shopping online Thanksgiving weekend.  The deals actually start to pop up on Thanksgiving Day, but the best online deals come on Cyber Monday.  You can find great prices on clothing, furniture, small and large appliances, toys, and especially electronics.  Last year we purchased the 39" LED HDTV pictured above for just $249.99 (Reg. $399.99) plus free shipping.  The lowest price I have seen this television sell for since then has been $289.99.

With all the free shipping deals retailers offer to stay competitive and such great deals, there is really no reason not to do a bulk of your Holiday shopping online (unless you enjoy the crowds, the long lines, lack of parking, and running around town looking for that one store that still has that must-have gift in stock).  Be sure to bookmark and sign up to receive email updates about Cyber Monday sales from at least one coupon/deals website to stay on top of the best deals.

Now enter to win a $200 Visa gift card, so you can shop during Cyber Monday this year, which falls on December 2nd!  (Please read the entries carefully.  This is a multi-blog giveaway and the mandatory and extra entry requirements will vary from what 3G2S normally offers.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

Contest is open to US 18+ and will end on October 28th at 12:01 am PST. One person will win a $200 Visa eGift Card. Once winner is chosen and emailed, they will have 48 hours to confirm their win or a new winner will be selected. This prize is provided by Coupons.com and will be fulfilled by Coupons.com.

Our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide Will Be Featuring Unique Gift Ideas in Fashion, Tech & Gadgets, and Toys!

 It's almost that time of year again!  In just a few short weeks, our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide will go live.  Like last year, each gift guide category will be linked at the top of the blog and will temporarily takeover our 'Fashion Faves' section.  You can expect to see the 3 gift guide buttons (pictured above) at the beginning of November.  Remember to click on those buttons often because new gift ideas in Fashion, Tech & Gadgets, and Toys will be added to these guides through mid-December.  Be sure to follow @_Karen on Twitter, because we will announce when a new item has been added to any of the 3 gift guides.

You can look forward to gift ideas from the following brands and retailers plus many more . . .

SOL Republic

Mialisia Jewelry

Jabra

RUUM American Kid's Wear

Moose Toys

Dollie and Me

Therapy Shoppe

What else can 3G2S readers look forward to? 

You will have the chance to enter to win several of the items featured in our gift guides.  Keep your eyes open for our upcoming Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways!  You may even see some Holiday Gift Guide Preview Giveaways in October.

Remember, you can look for additional gift ideas in our previous Holiday Gift Guides!

Get a Jumpstart on Holiday Shopping . . . Save up to 50% off Ann Loren Matching Outfits for Girls and Their 18" Dolls

This post has been written as part of a Zulily affiliate promotion.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Even though our 6-1/2 year old Makenzie has grown up with two brothers, is extremely athletic, and loves studying taekwondo, she somehow turned out to be one of the girliest girls I know.  Although she enjoys playing Legos and computer games with her brothers, I know that she wishes deep down that she had a sister to play dolls and dress-up with.

When I showed Makenzie the Ann Loren matching outfits for girls and their 18" dolls, she immediately wanted to see each and every one.  She once had a few matching outfits for herself and her favorite doll, but unfortunately she recently outgrew them and it is quite difficult to find such matching outfits in sizes larger than a girl's size 6 or 6x.  Not only are the Ann Loren outfits fun, bold, and oh-so-sweet, many of them are available in up to a size 9/10 for girls.

Our daughter chose the Pink & Black Deva Tunic and Ruffle Pants to be her favorite outfit, but I like the Polka Dot Rizzo Dress (pictured above) the best.  Which Ann Loren outfit is your favorite?

If you like to start your Holiday shopping early or know a girl with a special birthday coming up, then you will most definitely want to take advantage of the Ann Loren up to 50% off sale!  As a 3G2S reader, you can shop starting today (9/8)! For the general public, the sale will be taking place on Zulily from 9/9 to 9/11.  There are even 18" doll carriers and doll beds included in this sale!