Monday, August 30, 2010

Rite Aid Shop for the week of 8/29-9/4

Rite Aid was good to me this week, I didn't get anything that generated Up+ Rewards but meh, I HATE to spend more than a $1 OOP for my drug store shops.  I know that's a slightly unrealistic goal sometimes and I know that with SCR's you get the money back at the end of the month but I just can't bring myself to fork out the funds every Sunday and then wait to get it back at the end of the month.
I know I am a lame-o, but everyone has their own shopping/coupon style and this just happens to be mine. 
Anyways, I digress...always going off on the random tangents...lol


I got:
17 Gain Dish Soap-- .89 cents each
Coupons I used: 
16 $1/1 Gain Dish Soap

Subtotal: -.87 cents 
Tax: $1.06
Total OOP: .19 CENTS!!!

WOOT WOOT!! And for those coupon-ers that may ask...no I did not clear the shelves by any means, this store was STOCKED with like 3 shelves full of dish soap...which I thought was kind of random (I live in a VERY SMALL town in the middle of nowhere and this is the only Rite Aid for miles) but maybe they anticipated tons of people coming in to buy dish soap.  But honestly, I wanted to clear the shelves...I send this type of stuff to my family in Washington and California, because I believe if I can help them out then I should.  That's a huge part of why I coupon, I am a nurturer, see a need fill a need.  And besides who doesn't need dish soap??

I have more Gain coupons and I am VERY tempted to go back to Rite Aid and grab up a few more but that's the greedy person in me talking so I am going to fight the urge.

SOOOOO whatdidya get this week at Rite Aid??  Or CVS?  Or WAGS??

For the full rundown on Rite Aid deals you can check them out here

Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Snack Review and Giveaway

My son is an unofficial fruitarian/vegetarian.  He doesn't like to eat meat for most meals.  He prefers fruit, yogurt and grains (rice, limited breads and oats) and FRUIT.
LOTS OF FRUIT.
So of our $50 weekly grocery budget $35-$40 per week is spent on fresh produce.  And he will eat just about anything in RAW fruit and veggie form.  So when the opportunity arose for me to review ORGANIC FRUIT SNACKS from Peter Rabbit Organics I jumped right on it.  And he dusted off those pouches in 2 days, (it would have been one day but I made him space them out so that they would last...)

From the Peter Rabbit Organics Site: "Our Peter Rabbit Organics fruit pouches are packed full of 100% fruit.  We have done all the washing, chopping and peeling for you, so you can now eat fruit on the go without worrying about the mess or hassle...Made from pure, organic fruit, our BPA-free pouches have no added sugar or preservatives.  We only source organic ingredients certified by the USDA, and whenever possible we use local suppliers in Oregon. Our 3 delicious pouches have a thick, smooth texture and aren't diluted with water or juice."  Sounds great right?



My son loved these snacks, and I loved that they were organic fruit in a convenient on the go package.  I was able to sneak a taste of them and they are GOOD.  It reminded me of a fruit smoothie, I preferred them cold from the fridge but it made no difference to Clyde-warm, cold...all delicious as far as he is considered.  The snacks are available for purchase online through Amazon and available in stores like Starbucks and various other retailers.  I think Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Snacks are a great product and I will definitely be purchasing them again in the future because these are great healthy organic snacks options for long car trips, play dates or shopping trips.  I will definitely be buying these again for my kids because its a great easy snack for a family like us on the go!
Thanks Peter Rabbit Organics!!


BUY IT:
You can buy Peter Rabbit Organics here
or find them in your local stores here

WIN IT:
Peter Rabbit Organics has offered one The Dill-io reader a prize pack of 10 Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Snacks to enjoy in your home.  This giveaway is offered to US residents only.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit the Peter Rabbit Organics site and let me know what flavor sounds the best for your kids!  Please leave an email addy in your comments so I have a way of contacting you when you win!!  

EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Follow The Dill-io thru GFC (+2 entry)
  • Follow The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+2 entries)
  • Become an email subscriber of The Dill-io (+3 entries)
  • Become an RSS Subscriber to The Dill-io (+2 entry)
  • Become a fan of Peter Rabbit Organics on Facebook (+1 entry)
  • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+2 entry) 
  • Follow Peter Rabbit Organics on twitter (+1 entry)
  • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry) 
  • Tweet this giveaway (just hit the Retweet button at the top of this post!!) (+1 entry daily)
This contest is open to residents of the USA. Contest ends on September 14th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received products from Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Snacks for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All information on Peter Rabbit Organics was obtained from literature sent to me or published online on their website.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Winner Winner Winner

And the winner of the Ecover Hand Soap is #50!!
Shannon who said...I subscribe via email #2

Thanks everyone who entered and please continue to enter the other giveaways I am hosting right now and stayed tuned for more to come this week!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Winner Winner Winner

Winners of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Giveaway with 123 comments:
#37















#97
 
Winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me!!
 

Skoy Cloth Review and Giveaway

Confession time-I am kind of a chronic counter wiper downer.
With paper towels.
I like to wipe the counters-A LOT.  It gives me inner peace to see a freshly wiped counter.
I didn't used to be this way.
I was a partial slob for like the first 5 years of my marriage.  Clean counters never really mattered all that much to me, I used to work full time and in the days of one child I usually didn't have a mess on my counters.
So no biggie.
Fast forward to now-full time SAHM and homeschooling mom to 2, wife to a Pilot that is usually running out the door at all hours of the day and a man who can't really concern himself with counter crumbs.  Insert me and my pseudo-crunchiness, I am in the process of trying to un-paper towel my family.  Jet Pilot hates them, kids usually use baby wipes for their messy faces, so really when you get down to it, its just me that has the Paper Towel Addiction.
But I am getting better and just recently I was sent a product that I think will relieve a large portion of my paper towel addiction.
  
SKOY Cloth were created by 2 moms from Encinitas who wanted to create a cloth better than any cloth they have ever used in their kitchen that was both eco-friendly, and reusable.  The idea was born when one of the creators remembered one indispensable cloth she used while living in Europe in the 90's.  Skoy Cloth was later born from that idea.  Skoy Cloth are 100% biodegradable, reusable, absorbent and European Made.  They absorb 15 TIMES their weight and are the eco-friendly alternative to paper towels.  (Seeing as one Skoy is equivalent to 15 ROLLS OF PAPER TOWELS!)  Hello, how could you not want to use Skoy??  Plus since its reusable you can throw it in the wash, nuke it in the microwave (make sure the cloth is wet first), or just toss it in the dishwasher.  Eco-conscious and easy to maintain-THIS CHICK IS SOLD.


I used SKOY to wash my dishes, and to wipe down counters, stove, table, microwave..you get the idea.  My Skoy cloth got a LOT of use that first day.
And it stood up well.
I used it for 3 days and then tossed it in the washer, its now back to putting in work in my kitchen and it is holding up GREAT!  I give SKOY 2 GIGANTIC thumbs UP!!  Thanks Skoy for helping a girl un-paper towel herself!

BUY IT:
You can buy Skoy Cloth here
or

WIN IT:

Skoy Cloth has offered two "The Dill-io" readers a 4 pack of Skoy Cloth to use in their home! 

This giveaway is offered to US residents only.


MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit the Skoy site and let me know something you learned there.  Please leave an email addy in your comments so I have a way of contacting you when you win!!  

EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Follow The Dill-io thru GFC (+2 entry)
  • Follow The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+2 entries)
  • Become an email subscriber of The Dill-io (+3 entries)
  • Become an RSS Subscriber to The Dill-io (+2 entry)
  • Become a fan of Skoy on Facebook (+1 entry)
  • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+2 entry) 
  • Follow Skoy on twitter (+1 entry)
  • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry) 
  • Tweet this giveaway (just hit the Retweet button at the top of this post!!) (+1 entry daily)
This contest is open to residents of the USA. Contest ends on September 13th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received products from Skoy Cloth for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All information on Skoy Cloth was obtained from literature sent to me or published online on their website.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Back to School Lunchboxes Review & Giveaway

I was recently sent Easy Lunchboxes system to review & with 2 littles that are always hungry on whatever trip or outing we go on I thought it was a great opportunity.  Now in all honesty I used to be a pretty bad "stop at whatever was closest and go through a drive thru mom"--not a healthy decision maker I know.  But within the past year collectively as a family we have SEVERELY cut back on all processed foods-this has forced us to plan ahead and bring our own healthy snacks/treats when we need some on the fly nosh.  
Well I am all for eating healthy BUT walking out of the house with a purse full of sandwiches bags which have the propensity to get squashed or spilled-not so much. 
And I just hate to waste the sandwich bags like that, its so not eco-friendly.   

Enter Easy Lunchboxes Back to School Lunchboxes to the rescue!  Easy Lunchboxes was created by a mom who wanted to send her kids off to school with healthy, nutritious lunches made in a flash without the waste of paper/plastic products.  Easy Lunchboxes supports the waste-free lunch movement, and offer a reusable, superior solution at a much lower price than other companies.  FDA approved. No BPA, phthalates, lead, vinyl, or PVC. Safe for dishwasher, freezer, and microwave.  Love that!!  Here are a few dishes I put to use in my Easy Lunchboxes System:  (act like you are impressed...haha!)

Tuna sandwich, apples and radishes
Oatmeal & flax burger on a wheat bun w/ pickles, string cheese & cantaloupe
For the fruitarian- peaches, clementines cheese & oven dried grapes
Turkey Wrap with clementines and celery
EasyLunchboxes are a Bento style lunchbox and I really, really like that.  I have been trying to get my creative juices flowing as far as what to put in them for Jet Pilot's lunch and so far I am still coming up with everyday stuff but I have been doing a little Bento Lunchbox recon and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.  (Naturally this is the week I want to try them out and he is on early flights all week and is home by lunchtime...oh well :)


All in all I REALLY like EasyLunchboxes, at first I thought it was going to be like any other piece of reusable plastic ware, but its NOT..at all.  This system is perfect for those on a budget and the eco-conscious minded.  And for the price..you can't beat it, plus there is a handy little grommet on there to attach a dietary restriction tag (perfect for Bonnie who is allergic to beef) or just some snazzy "flair".  Jet Pilot has commandeered our EasyLunchboxes System, so no flair for him but you get the idea.


BUY IT:
You can buy your very own EasyLunchboxes System here
or

WIN IT:

Easy Lunchboxes has offered one "The Dill-io" reader an EasyLunchboxes container set and one lunch bag (winner chooses color). Retail value ($21.90)

This giveaway is offered to US & Canadian residents only.
Please do not enter this giveaway if have won or received free product from Easy Lunchboxes within the past 3 months. 

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit the EasyLunchboxes site and let me know something you learned there.  Please leave an email addy in your comments so I have a way of contacting you when you win!!  

EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Follow The Dill-io thru GFC (+2 entry)
  • Become an email subscriber of The Dill-io (+3 entries)
  • Become an RSS Subscriber to The Dill-io (+2 entry)
  • Become a fan on of EasyLunchboxes on Facebook (+1 entry)
  • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+2 entry) 
  • Follow EasyLunchboxes on twitter (+1 entry)
  • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry) 
  • Tweet this giveaway (just hit the Retweet button at the top of this post!!) (+1 entry daily)
This contest is open to residents of the USA. Contest ends on September 10th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received products from EasyLunchboxes for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All information on EasyLunchboxes was obtained from literature sent to me or published online on their website.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

    MEGA Swagbucks Friday!!

    Today is MEGA Swagbucks Friday--know what that means??  
     



    From the SWAGBUCKS site: 
    "Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day (MSBD), which means better odds of winning our BIG Swag Bucks denominations! Simply search naturally, and with a little luck, you'll be winning large bills starting at 20 Swag Bucks and up.

    While this is NOT a guarantee that you'll win high value Swag
    Bucks, we invite you to visit our twitter page (http://twitter.com/swagbucks) on every Mega SwagBucks Day to hear from Swaggernauts like you who are winning big.

    If you're a winner, consider tweeting a picture of your congratulations screen and including @swagbucks in your tweet. If TSG sees your tweet, he'll retweet it!"



    What is Swagbucks you ask??


    From the Swagbucks site:  "Swagbucks.com is the web's premier rewards site. Swagbucks.com allows web users to earn virtual currency by doing the things they do every day - search the web, shopping at their favorite retailers, and by engaging in other activities such as phone recycling, submitting polls, and completing special offers. Swagbucks.com is the only place on the web to get what you want without ever having to spend a dime."




    You redeem your FREE digital currency for actual FREE stuff.  
    All kinds of stuff!!  
    If you have not signed up yet, then what are you waiting for...I have earned over $120 in Amazon Gift Cards since signing up a year ago!! Its a great legit program!! Sign up here!!
     

    (FYI, yes that is my referral link...duh... ;P)

    This is in no way a sponsored post.  These are my own opinions and I was under no obligation from anyone to write a positive review.

    Thursday, August 26, 2010

    SafeTPet.com Dog Collar Review

    SafeTPet recently sent me a dog collar for our Chuy pup, and it was not a moment too soon...because the thin baby puppy one he WAS wearing was WAAYY to small.  The collar from SafeTPet is very nice.  Its thick, and durable and has very nice high quality stitching that's personalized with my pup's name and our phone number.  The stitching is nice and thick and the collar on the whole definitely looks like it can take a beating.  Which if you have ever seen my dogs in real life you know they are a HANDFUL.  When you order you get to choose the color, size and stitching color.  I think that so sweet!! I should have ordered a black collar because not 10 minutes after Chuy got the collar on he was running around the yard and rolling in the grass. 
    What can I say boys...even in dog form as messy.  But he is so cute, so its okay.


    BUY IT:
    You can buy the SafeTPet Personalized Collar for $15.99 from here

    SafeTPet makes a variety of personalized pet products so if your pets are in the market for some new neck/leash candy then you should check out the site!!





    Thanks SafeTPet for the great collar, we love it....now I need to go drag the dog out of the bathroom because I hear slurping...never a good sign....**sigh**....

    Wednesday, August 25, 2010

    Word-FUL Wednesday

    Hilarity is my 3 year old son asking for waffle mustard...or to the Clyde language illiterates...maple syrup, for his waffles.
    He got his point across though...I guess that's what counts.
    Kids are funny.


    - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

    Win a free Weekend Stay at Hampton Inn

    This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.


    Hampton_logo


    Being a military wife and former Sailor I have literally moved 5 times in 5 years.   And each move from one duty station to another we are driving.  
    Far.
    Sometimes in excess of 1000 miles from the "old" place to the "new" place.  With 2 kids.  2 little kids that can't really occupy themselves for 10-12 hours.  (Which is how long Jet Pilot and I want to drive from Point A to Point B-no stops except gas at the RED line.)  So we stop at a hotel after a day of traveling and spend the night somewhere.  Anywhere.  We have no hotel loyalty, but as of now we might develop some.

    Hampton Inn Hotels currently has a daily drawing until September 4, 2010 for a free weekend stay at any Hampton Hotel, its part of the Chain of Friends Sweepstakes Campaign they are currently running.  Everyone can enter, and you can do so here for your chance to win.  I don't know about you but I am entering because whether its a military move stay or just a random weekend away who doesn't love FREE?  So enter now!! If my family and I were chosen as winners I think we would choose to stay at a Hampton Inn down in Florida by my grandmother.  Cuz she is such a total blast and I miss her dearly.  That and she dotes on my littles like no other.

    A few months ago my family and I traveled out of town for a family trip and it was on this trip that I realized how much TRUE FUN it was to travel with family and friends on a trip.  Excellent memories are made and good times are always had.

    So what are you waiting for??
    Click here to enter the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes
    Visit my sponsor: Win a free Weekend Stay

    Wordless Wednesday

    Tuesday, August 24, 2010

    Boost Mobile Re-Boost

    This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boost Mobile. All opinions are 100% mine.


    For those folks on a pay as you plan for cell phones listen up...because I have some info you may be able to use.  Boost Mobile has a program called Re-Boost.  Now in the event you may live under a rock with computer access here is a little bio on Boost Mobile
    "Boost Mobile is the no-contract wireless company offering services on dependable nationwide network with straightforward pricing and a full suite of high-quality phones. Boost-branded wireless phones are available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail and independent wireless dealer locations"

    Re-Boost has some flexible payment options that include:

    *Pay Online
      --You can make a one time or recurring payment with debit or credit card
      --You can redeem your Re-Boost card or receipt PIN
      --Register your card for future payments
      --Or any friends and family that love you can go in and make a payment to your card without tying their own card to your account.  Nothing like gifting some cell minutes!!
    *Pay by Phone
      --You can make a one time or recurring payment with debit or credit card
      --You can redeem your Re-Boost card or receipt PIN
      --Register your card for future payments
    *Pay in Person
       --Go into any Boost Mobile location and make a payment in person

    Boost Mobile phones are social in their nature. You can do things like update Facebook and Twitter very simply.  I know I have been know to post, update or tweet something on the fly with my cell phone and nowadays its almost a requirement.

    Here is some info on the latest and greatest phone plans that Boost Mobile is currently offering:

    • Blackberry phone detail page: http://www.boostmobilestore.com/bpdirect/boost/PhoneList.do?action=view&id=BB8330
    • Blackberry plan detail page: http://plans.boostmobile.com/blackberry.aspx

    • i1 phone detail page: http://www.boostmobilestore.com/bpdirect/boost/PhoneList.do?action=view&id=i1
    • i1 plan detail page: http://plans.boostmobile.com/monthlyunlimited.aspx

    How awesome is it that Boost Mobile offers a Blackberry phone??  Pretty sweet right??

    Visit my sponsor: Reboost

    So check it out...click on the Boost Mobile links at the top of this page to find out more information!!

    Monday, August 23, 2010

    Late Night Musings

    As I sit here on this laptop late after the kids and husband have gone to bed I have these mom musings going through my head...and while they are mostly funny in nature...they also seem to be the most puzzling...lol.  I am going to blanket statement this whole post and say that it is a smidge blog flimflam but better to get it out and off my chest right?  Here it goes..

    • why is it my son who has a plethora of toys/activities/books to keep him occupied is the most interested in jumping off the night stands in my room yelling "WEEEEEE, WEEEE.."
    • my daughter who can recall any song she hears the first time never remembers when I ask her to take off her shoes in the house and put them in her room...
    • or just when Jet Pilot and I think we have a "plan" (and I use that word EVER so lightly, because when it comes to the military you can never REALLY plan) for our lives over the next few months which will eventually lead to the next few years he comes home all starry eyed over the prospect of things changing....
    • or how is it that our "little" dog (who is bigger than our "big" dog) can be soo incredibly bad but one look at that cute, scrunchy, furrowed brow and your heart just melts...(That dog causes us soo much grief...he is a troublemaker...but he is soo DARN cute)
    • and most importantly how is it that I can be surrounded by all this chaos, silliness, moving plans, furry paws and feel like there is no where else in the whole world I would rather be...
    10 years ago if you were to ask me where I thought my life was headed the answer I would have given would not have been close to encompassing the fulfilling enriching life I am now leading (isn't being young and dumb grand..or not..lol), and that's the best part. 
    Because change IS the only constant. 
    Adapting and excelling to new situations are what make me a swimmer and not a sinker-and I like that.  So if that means sporadic Olympic quality night stand jumps or sparkly pink converse near my front door...then I'll take it, because these are blessings, and I have to remind myself that...more often than I care to admit. 

    Its always those late night mama musings that end becoming blog posts...now why is that... ;P

    LOVE AND LIGHT!!

    The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship

    This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Woodrow Wilson. All opinions are 100% mine.

    When my husband went back to college about 5 years ago one of the first things he mentioned was grad school.  (In my head I was like lets get through the first year before we start planning your post bachelor's degree academic life..lol...but that's how HE rolls!) Well this is program/fellowship is something that is right up his alley.  I think if my husband did not have the military then this would have been something that he would have seriously considered.  here is the rundown on the program:


    The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship provides recent college graduates and career changers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, or math) with a $30,000 stipend to complete an intensive master’s degree program at one of fourteen participating universities.



    Competitive candidates will:
    - Have completed an undergraduate degree in a STEM field by June 2011.
    - Have graduated with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
    - Demonstrate a commitment to the program and its goals.

    Fellows will:
    - Complete a field-based master’s degree in teacher education.
    - Commit to teach for at least three years in a high-need school.
    - Receive intensive support and mentoring in the classroom.
    The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships seeks to recruit, prepare and retain effective teachers for the students and schools who need them most.

    For more information or to fill out an application, please visit: http://www.wwteachingfellowship.org

    Apply now for the September 1 deadline!

    "Change the World by Changing Theirs. Become a Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellow!" 

    For Full information go here www.wwteachingfellowship.org

    Visit my sponsor: The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship

    Winners Winners


    The winner of the Crazy Dog Tee Shirts Giveaway is:

     Laura!! Congrats!! You have been emailed and you have 48 hours to get back to me, if you do not reply you will forfeit your prize.



    The winner of the Vinyl UPrinting Giveaway is:
    Beckee!! Congrats you have been emailed and have 48 hours to email me back, if you do not your forfeit your prize!

    Eco Friendly Baby Products EcoMom Review & Giveaway**CLOSED**

    Recently I contacted Eco Friendly Baby Products - EcoMom and asked if they would be willing to sponsor a review and giveaway on "The Dill-io" and guess what...they said YES!!

    Eco Friendly Baby Products - EcoMom sent me the Revolution Foods Sampler for review and can I just say it was an awesome snack set for my kiddos to enjoy.   With a 6 year old daughter and 3 year old son sometimes it can be hard to find snacks that appease BOTH of their tastes AND my nutrition concerns. EcoMom offers USDA Organic foods and eco friendly products.  "...We think making healthy choices should be easy, that’s why we have exceptional products that are both healthy and environmentally-friendly. for all ages to enjoy..."  Plum and Revolution Foods have a complete line of products from high chair to lunch box ages so the sample I received was just a small fraction of all the awesome products for your children to enjoy. 


    Recently EcoMom launched a new program called EcoPass.  With EcoPass you purchase an annual membership for $99 and this entitles you to a 15% discount on every order AND free shipping with no $75 minimum requirement.  EcoPass pays for itself in as few as 4 orders and costs only $8.25 per month.  I think this program sounds intriguing and is a great avenue for obtaining healthy, organic food for little ones.  So check it out...something for everyone...

    The remnants of the MashUp...it never stood a chance

    I would say this is one satisfied customer!
    The Grammy Sammy was gone in about 3.7 seconds

    BUY IT:
    Eco Friendly Baby Products - EcoMom has offered a 15% discount code for all The Dill-io readers, just use SBBL551 during checkout on all orders from now until September 31, 2010

    WIN IT:
    Eco Friendly Baby Products - EcoMom has offered one lucky "The Dill-io" reader a $15 Gift Card to be used online
    To ensure that EcoMom touches the lives of all the mamas out there 
    winners cannot have won from EcoMom in the last 45 days.

    MANDATORY ENTRY:  Leave a comment on this post and become a public follower of this blog (if you are already one then just say so in your comment)


    EXTRA ENTRIES:
    • Become an email subscriber of The Dill-io (+3 entries)
    • Become an RSS Subscriber to The Dill-io (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan on of EcoMom on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Follow The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+2 entries)
    • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+1 entry) 
    • Follow EcoMom on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Sign up for the EcoMom newsletter here (+1 entry)

    This contest is open to residents of the USA and Canada only. Contest ends on August 31st at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

    Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received products from EcoMom for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All information on EcoMom was obtained from literature sent to me or published online on their website.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

    Sunday, August 22, 2010

    Energizer Smart Charger

    Have you heard of the Energizer Smart Charger? I have heard of it before because I used to work at an electronics store, and I often thought "we could use that in our house"! I have developed a decent stockpile of batteries via couponing deals but batteries deal seem few and far between for me lately.  Enter the Energizer Smart Charger and Batteries.  This charger may just be the answer to my battery/coupon shop anxiety Not to mention they are better for the environment!

    In the house of The Dill-io we have never used rechargeable batteries, mostly because of the stockpile and my lack of knowledge about them. But, this one charger looks snazzy! The charging display is nice and large and easy to read!! I love that! And, it has a bad battery trigger that lets you know if you put a battery in the wrong way, like a 3 year potentially climbing counters and getting into things he should not!  It automatically shuts off on it's own-pretty neat right??

    I wrote this post in order to be eligible to receive a smart charger and a $15 Target gift card of my own. For information on how you blogger-istas can do it too just go here!

    Simple Sunday Blog Hop!!







    If you are in need of twitter followers,  Go here and follow the rules below....

    How it Works

    1. Follow all 4 Hosts and Guest Host blogs 1 -5 ( we will follow back )

    2. Add your Twitter URL ( not your blog url or giveaways)

    3. Snag our new button to use in a post about the Simple Sunday Twitter Hop

    4. Follow as many ppl. as you would like & follow everyone back that follows you :)

    (This is not a giveaway linkup or anything other than your Twitter url's will be deleted)

    CVS Shop for the week of 8/22-8/28

    I decided to hit CVS late Saturday night on the way home from a friend's house.  Jet Pilot was not too thrilled with the idea of the late night trip but I just knew that I would find everything in stock at this hour and I knew that Jet Pilot would not want to go shopping tomorrow after church.  I did 4 transactions and here is the breakdown.

    Transaction #1:
    2 Glade Sense N Spray-- $5 each

    Coupons I used:
    2 $3/1 Glade Sense N Spray from the 7/11 SS (expired 8/21...phew just made it..there are some IP's on coupons.com but my CVS is not taking IP's at the moment so I have to go with insert coupons.  Thank goodness I had some!)
    $4 in ECB's

    Subtotal: 0.00
    Tax: .70 cents
    Total OOP: .70 cents!!
    Earned $3 ECB

    Transaction #2:
    2 Crest Pro Health toothpastes-- $3.49 each

    Coupons I used:
    2 .75/1 Crest Toothpastes from 8/1 P&G
    $5 in ECB's

    Subtotal:.48
    Tax: .49
    Total OOP: .97 cents
    Earned $5 ECB

    Transaction #3:
    Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor-- $9.97
    Fantasy Football Magazine-- $6.99
    (for Jet Pilot...yeah I know...burned through the ECB's but meh, better to pay tax on something than actually PAY for it, IMHO)

    Coupons I used:
    $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor from 8/1 P&G
    $12.96 ECB

    Subtotal: 0.00
    Tax: $1.19
    Total OOP: $1.19
    Earned $5 ECB

    Transaction #4:
    10 Vitamin Water--$1.00 each
    $10 in ECB's
    No coupons used (I think there are some Vitamin Water tearpads out there but I did not have them and did not think far enough in advance to try to trade for them, cuz yeah, I am that dense sometimes..lol)

    Subtotal: $0.00
    Tax: .70 cents
    Total OOP: .70 cents
    Earned $5 ECB 

    It was a good haul and I am pleased with what I got, I spent $3.56 and earned $18 in ECB's.  Not bad at all...because I would have paid that for 3 Vitamin Water...Jet Pilot like trendy hip drinks, he's a snob that way...lol.  But I love him anyway!!

    Friday, August 20, 2010

    Boogie Wipes Review and Giveaway**CLOSED**


    Boogie Wipes extended me the opportunity to review their products and I thought "Great, awesome when one of the kids needs it I will have these wipes on hand"  Well Germy McNasty wanted to prove me wrong and within HOURS of receiving Boogie Wipes in the unscented variety my little Clyde start getting the colorful nose leakage.  
    BOOGIE WIPES TO THE RESCUE!
    Boogie Wipes are made with Saline and they dissolve Boogies caused by the common cold, allergies or everyday booger filled kid moments.  They act as a gentle alternative to a regular tissue.  Boogie Wipes are:
    •   Extra soft, 
    • Alcohol, Phthalate and Paraben Free
    • Come in great Scents - Such as Great Grape, Fresh Scent, Magic Menthol & Simply Unscented

    Boogie Wipes were an ABSOLUTE lifesaver for my Clyde because he despises using a regular tissue and it gave me some inner mom peace knowing that I was using a natural de-mucus-er (is that a word...it is now..lol) to help fight the germy grossies he contracted from who knows where!

    Right now Boogie Wipes is running a promotion on their special friend Boogs, just head over to their website, print out the form, attach 3 UPC's and mail it in! In return you get this cute little guy!
     
    I give Boogie Wipes the double thumbs up!! Thanks Boogie Wipes!!

    You can BUY Boogie Wipes here
    OR....  
    YOU CAN WIN THEM HERE!! 

    GIVEAWAY 
     
    WIN IT:
    One lucky reader will win 2 packs of 30 count Boogie Wipes 
    (fresh, grape, menthol or unscented varieties)

    MANDATORY ENTRY:  Head over to the Boogie Wipes site and leave a comment on this post about something interesting you learned on their site (please leave an email address in your comments so I have a way to contact you when you win!)


    EXTRA ENTRIES:  If it says 2 entries, then please leave 2 comments
    • Follow the Dill-io thru GFC (+1 entry
    • Become an email subscriber of The Dill-io (+2 entries)
    • Become an RSS Subscriber to The Dill-io (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan on of Boogie Wipes on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Follow The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+2 entry)
    • Follow Boogie Wipes on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry) 
    • Enter another giveaway on this site (+2 entries) 
    • Join the Boogie Bunch (+2 entries)

    This contest is open to residents of the USA only. Contest ends on August 31st  at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

    Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received this product for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review.  All information pertaining to this product was published on their site.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

    Thursday, August 19, 2010

    Little Garden Buggies Giveaway Take 2 Winner


    And the winner of the Little Garden Buggies Take 2 is  
    "I put your button on my blog, it's on the right scrolling under "places where I hang out"
    http://www.lilbitofus.blogspot.com"


    I have emailed the winner and she has 48 hours to contact me.  Thanks ya'll for entering!! 104 Comments!! WOW!!! Thanks for the giveaway love!!

    Ecover Review and Giveaway **CLOSED**

    Now more than ever I have become more aware of the products my family and I are putting in and on our bodies.  And as the mama of two littles I run into multiple messy hand opportunities on a daily basis; so naturally I began to become concerned with the hand soap my kids were usually 5+ times a day.  Then I discovered ECOVER Hand Soap.

    I went sent the Ecological Hand Soap scented with Lavender and Aloe Vera for review and literally I had washed my hands twice while making dinner and I was SOLD on its quality and excellence.  The soap smells amazing, boasts top notch cleaning and best of all its eco friendly!!  I also got this snazzy reusable bag for groceries (which if you know me IRL, you know I am a reusable bag junkie!!  (Thanks ECOVER!)  Ecover offers a full line of household products and is readily available through out the US.  You can check out their entire line here!


    BUY IT:
    If you’d like to know where they sell Ecover near you, go to www.findecover.com & treat yourself with some online coupons at www.ecovercoupons.com
     
    WIN IT:
      You can win the same superb Ecover Ecological Lavender & Aloe Vera Hand Soap 
    I was sent here on The Dill-io!!



    GIVEAWAY
    MANDATORY ENTRY:  Head over to the Ecover website and tell me what other product interests you (please leave your email address in your comments so I can contact you if you win)


    EXTRA ENTRIES:
    • Follow The Dill-io thru Google Friend Connect (+1 entry)
    • Become an email subscriber of The Dill-io (+2 entries)
    • Become an RSS Subscriber to The Dill-io (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan on of Ecover on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Follow The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+2 entry)
    • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+1 entry) 
    • Follow Ecover on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Follow the Ecover Blog here (+1 entry)
    This contest is open to residents of the USA and Canada only. Contest ends on August 27th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

    Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received products from Ecover for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All information on Ecover was obtained from their website.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

    Tuesday, August 17, 2010

    Homeschool Day 1 Part 1 of many more to come!

    Okay so we started...homeschool that is.
    This is Bonnie's Curriculum when it came on Friday..it was not that much..just not packaged very eco friendly!!

    It was a little bit chaotic and unstructured on the first day.
    But I made it!!
    And Bonnie LOVED IT!!  She was soo pumped to start "school"!!
    She listened with attentive ears and eager eyes for the entire 2.5 hours we were in "session".

    Now Clyde on the other hand was not as into it as I would have hoped but its a work in progress.  I figure if I can get an hour of attention out of him broken up between snacks and play time then we will develop and stay on a good schedule.

    The real reason for this post though is that I need some help....I want to know if there are any other homeschooling mamas out there and if so how do you do your schedule on a daily basis.
    Do you only do certain subjects on certain days...all subjects everyday...is it better to start bright and early 8:00 am in the morning??  Or start a little later, say 11:00 am??
    Please please leave any and all tips in the comments section and if any of you have blogs that address these types of questions I would love to get my read on and I am open to all suggestions.  Thanks in advance everyone and HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING!!! (Because I think I am going to enjoy it-ALOT!!)

    Look at what I got in the mail!!!


    I am soo excited to have this giveaway win!! I FINALLY WON a Seventh Generation Cleaning Kit!!  I have literally been stalking R&G Blogs for a set like this.  I love all the Seventh Generation products and it makes me all warm and fuzzy knowing I am buying (or winning) Earth friendly products!! I won here at this most awesome blog and can I just say--THANKS AGAIN FOR PICKING ME AS YOU WINNER!!!  

    I have been slacking majorly on the Mailbox posts but its mostly because I have been getting a ton of products for Review and Giveaways; and I don't want to spoil the fun and let you all know what great products are coming up!!  If I get any more interesting things in my mail I will try to be more proactive in posting them on here. 

    So you get anything exciting in your mailbox lately??

    Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Review & Giveaway **CLOSED**

    First off let me say that I am kind of a marinade/BBQ sauce snob.  I like the uppity boutique-y mom and pop kinda sauces.  And with us traveling so many different places over the years I am soo blessed to have found some amazing sauces!!  So when I was able to review Country Bob's I was totally psyched!  A little info on Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce..."It was 1968 when Country Bob Edson perfected his sauce recipe and today we call it  All Purpose Sauce because it was more than just a steak sauce. Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce has remained the flagship item since 1982 when Country Bob, Inc. was established. Along the way we have been dedicated to offering our customers the best tasting and highest quality steak sauce or All Purpose Sauce (gluten free),.."  This sauce sounded like its something we can get down on in the house of the "Dill-io"!

    When the sauces came I was excited to try and couldn't wait to cook dinner that night.  We made steaks marinated in Country Bob's with a splash of vinegar and a myriad of spices.  Then we let it sit in the fridge for a few hours and onto the grill it went.  Now I imagined the sauce would be good but I was totally amazed at the unbelievable AWESOME-ness that was Country Bob's!  I was expecting something similar tasting to a quality steak sauce but Country Bob's surpassed all my expectations.  It was full of flavor, not super runny (or super thick), it had a smoky flavor and it worked as an awesome dipping sauce for Clyde's lil cut pieces of steak.  All in all I think Country's Bob's is a great product and it hands down 100% gets my positive recommendation to one and all!!


    BUY IT
    You can buy Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce here
     WIN IT
    Do you want to know the BEST part--Country Bob's has offered to give not ONE but TWO "The Dill-io" readers 2 bottles of Country Bobs to enjoy!!


    MANDATORY ENTRY:  Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would use this sauce on AND follow this blog publicly (please leave your email address in your comments)

    EXTRA ENTRIES:
    • Become a confirmed email subscriber of "The Dill-io" (+3 entries)
    • Become an RSS Subscriber to "The Dill-io" (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan on of Country Bob's on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Follow "The Dill-io" on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Follow Country Bob's on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Become a follower of The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+2 entries)
    • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Tweet this giveaway and leave a link to it (+1 entry) You can use this tweet if you want: #Giveaway @Navy_frugalista blog for 2 bottles of @Countrybobs #Allpurposesauce ends 8/26!! 2 Winners!! Enter now!! http://tiny.cc/vug46

    This contest is open to residents of the USA only. Contest ends on August 26th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

    Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received this product for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

    Monday, August 16, 2010

    CVS Shop for the week of 8/16-8/22

    I was in and out in a flash this week...mostly because I went in on Saturday night and I just wanted to test the Sobe deal and make sure they let me use the B1G1 IP on a B1G1 deal...and they did!  PHEW!!  I will probably go back this week and try to get more Sobe and the MM deals.  But if I don't make it back I am not going to sweat it....I am realizing that I can not kill myself over getting "THE MAXIMUM ECB ROLLOVER" each week.  It makes me crazy and takes time away from my family.
    In case you can't see thats me getting down off the soapbox...aaanndd I'm off. 


    Transaction #1:
    8 Right Guard Deodorants-- $4.49 each
    6 Sobe LifeWaters-- $1.59 each

    (and no I did not clear the shelves on the deodorants...for some random reason this store had about 40 Right Guard deodorants...I was like "oh my..stinky folks in Mississippi!!")

    Coupons I used:
    4 B1G1 Right Guard Deodorants from 7/25 RP
    (I think I could have used $1/1 Right Guard IP from coupons.com to turn it into a MM but meh...I was with Jet Pilot and did not want to troll CVS for something to get with my overage.  And besides it was FREE, so I opted against being a coupon glutton....this time at least...lol)
    3 Sobe B1G1 IP from here

    Subtotal: .00
    Tax: .59 cents
    Total OOP: .59 cents

    Friday, August 13, 2010

    Vinyl Banner Giveaway from Uprinting.com


    Did you ever plan a party (birthday, reunion, baby shower etc..) and get through most of the decorating and realize that you forgot the "Happy Birthday" "It's a Girl" etc.. banner.  Well I know I have and its aggravating.  Mainly because at that point you need to run out like a maniac and grab XX banner at XX price at the closest store and its totally not what you envisioned for your particular party theme.  
    Well the great folks at UPrinting have offered up another great giveaway for all the great readers at "The Dill-io" that solves the party banners issues that may come up.  Up for grabs this time is a Premium 15 mil., UV protected, fade resistant, Indoor/Outdoor, Vinyl Banner with Grommets (ARV $62).  Uprinting offers vinyl banners cheap with top notch quality printing and 100% personalization if needed.  I am totally wishing that there was a way that I could win this giveaway because this would come in mighty handy when Jet Pilot graduates from Flight School and we need a banner to commemorate the occasion.  LUCKY READERS!!  On to the fun part!!




    Giveaway Prize:
    24x36 Vinyl Banner w/ Grommets   
    Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above

    MANDATORY ENTRY:  Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would put on this banner if you won!


    EXTRA ENTRIES:
    • Follow "The Dill-io" publicly through Google Friend Connect (+1 entry)
    • Become an email subscriber of "The Dill-io" (+2 entries)
    • Become an RSS Subscriber to "The Dill-io" (+1 entry)
    • Follow "The Dill-io" on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry)
    This contest is open to residents of the USA only. Contest ends on August 20th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

    Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received information on this product for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All information was provided from UPrinting.com.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

    Crazy Dog Tee Shirt Review and Giveaway

    I promised a kick off of giveaways and here is the first one from Crazy Dog T-Shirts!  Haven't heard of Crazy Dog Tee Shirts??  Well they are a company that sells these amazingly awesome tee shirts.  They carry everything from 80's tees (flux capacitor anyone?), vintage tees (I am a sucker for a vintage tee) and just down right funny tees!!  Crazy Dog has created a neat venue to express your creativity through clothing and who doesn't love that??


    Crazy Dog sent my husband "The sun never goes down in cool town" tee to review and my husband absolutely loved it.  Jet Pilot wore his new shirt under his flight suit all day and he said the tee was awesome.  The cotton was lightweight but sturdy, with it being under his flight suit all day and it being Mississippi in the summer he said the tee did not hold moisture and it fit like a dream til the end of his day.  To quote him "It breathes really well and did not stick to me like I was anticipating and of course it was completely hilarious whenever I showed someone."
    Boys and their humor.

    And the coolest part of this review Crazy Dog has offered one "The Dill-io" reader a chance to win a Crazy Dog T Shirt of their own!!

    GIVEAWAY
     
    Winners can choose between receiving one of the following:
    • Free Mystery Tee (they would need to specify their size (in Mens) and mailing address.
    • Free $15 Gift Card (they would need to release their email address to us to receive the code via email)

    Winners cannot have won a shirt from Crazy Dog or have been sent a shirt for promotional purposes in the last 90 days
    MANDATORY ENTRY:  Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite tee and become a public follower of this blog (if you are already one then just say so in your comment)


    EXTRA ENTRIES:
    • Become an email subscriber of "The Dill-io" (+2 entries)
    • Become an RSS Subscriber to "The Dill-io" (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan on of Crazy Dog on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Follow "The Dill-io" on twitter (+1 entry)
    • Post a comment on the Crazy Dog's Facebook page telling them what your fave tee is (+1 entry)
    • Become a fan of The Dill-io on Facebook (+1 entry)
    • Post a comment on one of Crazy Dog's Flickr photos. (+1 entry)
    • Check out my Bloggy Bestie's Giveaway from Crazy Dog and tell her "The Dill-io" sent you! (+1 entry)
    • "Like" or "Share" one of the products on Crazy Dog Tee Shirts website. (+1entry) 



      This contest is open to residents of the USA only. Contest ends on August 20th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

      Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received this product for review and was under no obligation from any person(s) or company to post a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

      Happy ENTERING!!

      Wednesday, August 11, 2010

      For the Man in my life

      Just a short little post to tell the man in my life Happy Birthday!!  Jet Pilot's Birthday was today and I just want him to know that I appreciate him and I am soo blessed to have such an amazing man as my husband!! Happy Birthday Honey and I know even though we did not do much it was a great day for me because we were able to celebrate together as a family.  And I know in coming years that is not going to be case, there will be A LOT of special occasions that we will be apart.  So thank Heavenly Father this birthday we were together...I love you more than words could ever express and I am so proud of the career path that you have chosen and the dream you are making coming true everyday!! 


      HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!

      Wordless Wednesday

      She was soo little
      And he was too..

      Tuesday, August 10, 2010

      Den-Tek Flossers Review

      I recently was afforded the opportunity to review Den-Tek Floss Picks and for anyone that knows me in real life knows I am kind of a freak when it comes to oral health (and I have trained my oldest to be the same way..) so this was right up my alley. I have never used floss picks before personally, so I had no idea what to expect. 


      Well first off they were nice and compact, their small size means that I could throw them in my bag and use them on the fly discreetly for those random times a person desperately needs a quick floss.  Secondly, the bottom part of the floss picks has this snazzy little pointed edge that is perfect for getting in between tight teeth (read= back molars) and made flossing a cinch.  And the floss was not waxy (which I DESPISE)-it was a shred resistant and high quality; not to mention soft.  But not too soft that it did not get the job done.  The floss part of the picks worked like a charm.  Since they are so compact, to floss my whole mouth I did have to use a few to clean between all my teeth but it did a thorough job.

      The Den-Tek Floss Picks also had this handy little lip on the top of the pick that was for your TONGUE.  Its called a tongue scraper and its meant to remove the mouth nasties that can cause bad breath.  Now if you are an oral health freak like me you know that most of the germs in your mouth are ON your tongue so I was most pumped about using this feature.
      So I did it.
      And I loved it.
      I think it was my favorite feature too. 

      I know corny right?

      But highly effective, I did rinse my mouth out after scraping- I don't know why I did this I just felt like its what I was supposed to do.

      Intrigued  in Den-Tek Floss Picks?? To buy Den-Tek Flossers online they have a store here.

      And in the spirit of being a frugalista (and an instant gratify-er, like me) there is a
       $1/1 Den-Tek Floss Picks Printable (or snail mail) coupon, just click here.


      All in all I think its an awesome product and I will definitely keep using these in the house of "The Dill-io"

      Disclosure / Disclaimer:  I was offered this product for review only.  No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post.   The provision of product did in no way influence my post.  All opinions are 100% mine.