Posts tagged as:

giveaway

A Get To Know You Giveaway!

by Stacy on February 23, 2010

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed, but I would still love to here your answers to any of these questions. Lauren, from Hobo Mama and Judy B. were our lucky winners, they really took the time to leave some truly thoughtful comments and well increased their odds in doing so. I had a ton of fun with this giveaway and hope we can do something similar again soon.

Ok Ladies, I’ve got a fun little experiment for us today – consider it a “Getting to Know Each Other” exercise. I’ll ask a series of thought provoking questions and provide my own personal answers. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to answer one or all of the questions in return and we’ll all know that much more about each other. OK, here goes …

Are you what you wanted to be when you grew up?

Actually, Yes I am. Growing up I dreamed of being a roller coaster test pilot, a super sleuth, owner of a children’s orphanage and the World’s Greatest Wife. I may not have accomplished all these feats, but I am confident I rock at being the World’s Great Wife. Now, some of you may argue with me on regards to that title but if you were to ask MY husband, I’m sure he would say I’ve earned it and in reality, we only have to be the “World’s Greatest” according to that one very special person. Lucky for me, that one special person is not only my husband, but he’s also my best friend.

Do you have a true passion?

I’ve never felt more passionate about anything than I have about being a Mother. You hear folks talk about finding their “calling” and I honestly believe I found mine the day I became a Mother. Nothing else in my life has consumed me more, filled me with more joy or felt quite so right. So right, in fact, I felt the need to do it three times. So right, that if given the chance I would gladly do it three more times. And a few more times after that if God was willing. Have you ever seen the movie Cheaper by the Dozen? Well, it’s sort of a dream of mine. Really. For now though, I’m relishing all the moments I have with my knee high trio.

How do you center yourself?

Very Quickly. Being home with a 9 month old, soon to be 3 year old, and a 4 year old doesn’t leave much time for solitude, quiet time, or meditation. I steal my moments whenever I can. That’s why I do all of my soul searching, chatting with my angels, and spiritual contemplations in the shower. I try very hard to be as eco-conscious as possible and this 15-20 minute extravagance is probably my worst vice in regards to the environment, but for now I think Mother Nature would commiserate with me. I also try to recite this prayer everyday – it has really helped me stay focused and centered on being the woman/wife/Mom/friend/human I want to be.

Are you a prisoner of your possessions?

Proudly, No – I’ll be the first to tell you I’m a horrible pack rat but as you’ll be learning more about very soon, I have greatly downsized my personal belongings (by about 40% actually) but I still have a long ways to go (I’ve got another 30% to purge). It gets easier as time goes by and my “need” for things is diminishing more and more each day (Hurray!) This is something I’m incredibly proud of.

How old do you feel?

Well there’s a trick question. Much of me thinks and acts like a child, but with more wisdom and awareness. My body is more capable than it was in it’s early 20′s, but the Wii says I’m about 34 (what does it know anyway). According to my birth certificate, I’m 31 but it’s already full of spelling errors {Yep, I mean my name – story for another day} so I’m not too sure if I should believe that Guess I’ll go with how I feel, so I must be about … 24! Yeah, that sounds about right.

These questions were presented to us by the folks at Bare Escentuals as part of their Rethink What Matters campaign. Not only were they kind enough to ask us to participate in their weekly quiz, but they have also offered 2 lucky readers their very own Bare Minerals Blush. Pretty cool, huh?

To Enter:

Answer one or all of the questions to be entered to win a Bare Minerals Blush in one of these colors:

Aubergine (Rose Pink)
Beauty (Blushed Pink)
First Class (Warm Rose)
Flowers (Bright Rosy Pink)
Fruit Cocktail (Coral Pink)
Giddy Pink (Warm Baby Pink)
Gold Gate (Warm Apricot)
Joyous Jennifer (Bronzed Pink)
Morning (Pale Peach)
Vintage Peach (Poppy Peach)

I’ll close the entires and choose a winner on Saturday, 27 Feb at 9pm CST and contact them by email. I’ll need to know your color preference right away so take a moment to look them over and pick out the color you’d like to try in advance.

Extra Entries:

I’ll count any participating comments on any posts on KSW from now until Saturday as entries in this contest. That’s an infinite chance of entires, just get reading and start commenting. Comments should be relevant to the topic of the post – one word comments or other randomness will not be approved or considered as an entry.

I hope you think this Q&A was as much fun as I did, if so let me know – maybe we can make this a regular occurrence. If you’ve got a question you’d like me to answer email me and I’ll add it to the next segment.

{ 19 comments }

POP QUIZ & A Giveaway

by Stacy on August 17, 2009

1. Which animal holds the record for being the Worlds Fastest?
2. Do you know which insect has ears on its knees?
3. Can you name the longest living animal?

The answers to these questions and many more can be found within the pages of “Actual Size,” “Biggest, Strongest, Fastest” and “What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?”, the most recent additions to the Kohls Care for Kids program.

Everyone knows books are good for children, but Kohl’s brings new meaning to the idea of books benefiting America’s youth. Since the inception of Kohl’s Cares for Kids® in 2000, they have turned $5 books and toys into more than $126 million for children nationwide. Kohl’s Cares for Kids is proof that a little love goes a long way and a good book can positively impact children far beyond story time.

Why We love Them: They’re Affordable Gifts that Give Back! – At just $5 each, the Kohl Cares for Kids books and plush toys are an incredible value to families looking to stretch their budgets {aren’t we all?}. Not only affordable, these award winning books and plush toys pack an educational punch too. As a final bonus, you can feel good about your purchase knowing that 100 percent {yes, that’s right 100%} of the profits will go towards initiatives such as injury prevention, immunizations and educational programs for diabetes, asthma and childhood obesity.

Kohls Cares for Kids

The books and coordinating plush toys are available now through September 26 in Kohl’s stores or at Kohls.com for only $5 each, but you can win your very own set right here from Kids Stuff World.

Contest Entry Rules

To enter to win your very own prize pack of two books and a coordinating stuffed animal (a $15 value) just leave a comment answering one of our Pop Quiz questions:

1. Which animal holds the record for being the Worlds Fastest?
2. Do you know which insect has ears on its knees?
3. Can you name the longest living animal?

Extra Entries:

You can earn an extra entry for each one of the following, leave a comment to let me know you completed each one:

1. Telling your friends about this giveaway, if they mention you by name – I’ll give you an extra entry for each one
2. Tweet this giveaway: Kohls Cares for Kids & KSW are giving a way a zoo of a prize pack http://tinyurl.com/kqf7vx – Ends 8/26 @ 9pm CST #KSW
3. Join KSW’s Brand New Facebook page
4. Take a look at our discussion boards, leave a comment (here on the site or in the Tell Us discussion board) for any additional topics you’d like to see us cover
5. Become a KSW subscriber (already a subscriber? Just say so in a comment)

Contest Ends Wednesday, August 26th @ 9PM CST

{ 53 comments }

Announcing the Winners …

by Stacy on June 9, 2009

Bedtime Stories

Image via Telegraph.Co.UK

We had such a fun time running this year’s KSW Kohl’s Cares for Kids Summer Reading Giveaway. Your comments turned us on to so many great new books (summarized list coming soon) and even better, we heard some wonderful ways parents, soon-to-be parents, daycare workers, and grandparents are incorporating reading into their children’s lives. We were so inspired, we just had to choose those comments as the winners of the contest. Here’s a peek at what these mindful parents and soon-to-be moms had to say:

“I am 6 months pregnant with my first chid, but I have started to read outloud whenever I read a book. My husband does the same thing when he is reading next to me.” ~ Alexis Hernandez

“On hot days (like today) we spend quiet afternoons in the tent inside reading books. The kids love it! Especially when we make popcorn.” ~ Katie

“To encourage reading…I have my 8 year old read a book to my 2 year old, which then inspires my 2 year old to read a book to our yellow lab Sadie:)” ~ Tangie

“The Daycare Kiddos and I love to read. I have a huge front porch and have filled it with rocking chairs, benches, little chairs.. Everything so the kiddos and i are comfy out there. We watch the traffic, and then it is reading time. They love it.. We love to sit on the front porch and read.. Going on a Bear Hunt.. or The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
I also read to them right before naptime, as they are laying on their little beds, today’s book was the Napping House.. they loved it.” ~ Maureen

“Reading is great. It’s so great that once a week I take my son to the library for him to choose his own books. He loves it. We even got him his own library card so he feels special. This fits great for our family.” ~ Keonte

Congratulations Alexis, Katie, Tangie, Maureen and Keonte we’ll be contacting you soon

We enjoyed reading your comments so much and hearing your personal stories that we’ve decided to keep the summer reading ideas coming. Do you have your own personal way of sharing your love of reading with your child or incorporating storytime into your family life? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Just share your ideas in the comment section of this post. We’ll share the most creative entries with our readers and even link back to your site (if you have one). Leave as many comments as you like and comment often, you never know there just might be a prize or two involved for some of you.

{ 2 comments }

Kohl’s Cares for Kids Giveaway

by Stacy on May 28, 2009

Kohl’s has cooked up a great way to keep kids reading through the summer months. Now through the end of June, Kohl’s is offering “Duck at the Door” and “Duck Soup” by New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jackie Urbanovic along with coordinating plush toys.

Max the duck and Brody the dog, along with the coordinating books, are available for only $5 each at all Kohl’s stores and online at Kohls.com as part of the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program.

Through the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program, 100 percent of the net profits from sales of the Duck books and plush toys will benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide. Since the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program’s inception in 2000, Kohl’s has turned $5 merchandise into more than $126 million that has made a positive impact on the lives of children across the country.

In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares for Kids features the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program, which will recognize more than 2,000 young volunteers in 2009 with a total of nearly $350,000 planned in scholarships and prizes; the A-Team Program, which encourages associate volunteerism and provided more than $5.6 million in grants to youth-focused nonprofit organizations; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit http://www.kohlscorporation.com/.

This year, KSW is helping Kohl’s spread the word about the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program by giving away 5 sets of Max the Duck plush toys and coordinating books. That’s right, there will be 5 lucky winners!

Enter to win this outstanding prize package by leaving a comment stating one of the following: your child’s favorite book, your favorite book to read with your child, or an interesting way you’ve incorporated reading into your family’s lifestyle.

Contest Ends Saturday, 6 June at 11PM CST

{ 51 comments }

EcoStore USA Review and Giveaway

by Stacy on May 12, 2009

Some reviews are hard to write, you are either not that impressed with the product or drastically uninspired to write anything eloquent. That is certainly not the case when it comes to reviewing Eco Store USA. In fact, the reviews were practically written by the second day we started using their products. Hesitant it could be that easy, I have waited a few weeks (make that a month) to make sure none of my feelings about the products have changed. Let me assure you, they have not.

Product #1: Ecostore USA Baby Moisturizer $8
This moisturizer could not have arrived in my household at a more perfect time. We had just moved from a harsh winter in Germany to a dry warm climate in Texas, with record breaking hard water. Almost immediately my family’s skin started to dry out and crack. My husband and I had purchased two different moisturizers – neither of which was helping our condition. When the EcoStore Moisturizer arrived I quickly rubbed a bit on my hands and was pleasantly surprised. The smell is a citrusy, clean scent perfect for my daughter and my perfume sensitivities. The moisturizer goes on smoothly and instantly traps moisture into your skin. Since this moisturizer is made for babies, it does have a bit of a greasy feel that lingers (just what a little one needs). My daughter giggles in delight each morning when I massage this moisturizer into her skin. My husband’s cracked hands are healing and the tight skin around my expanding belly feels a little more like its old self. I would definitely recommend this moisturizer to others and would love to gift it to my friends.

Why KSW loves it: The clean, citrusy smell and moisture trapping consistency. Once we started putting it on our hands, we could not stop. Also, I love the way it makes my toddler’s legs feel baby soft all over again.

Tip: We found this moisturizer works better as an all-day lotion, than an after bath lotion. You just won’t feel all the yumminess of this lotion if your skin was recently wet.

Product #2: Eco Baby Body Wash $10
If you knew my husband, you would really get an understanding of how terrific this baby wash is. To say he is a bit of a naysayer is an understatement. He also believes that all things “green” are a hoax. He judges all things to the same standards – HIS, and I assure you they are always high. Who better to evaluate a bath product for kids, right? Opportunity struck one weekend while my kids were in the tub and I was in the shower. Hubby popped in to see if he could lend a hand with the bathing process, so I asked him to soap up the kiddies. By the way, I mentioned, let me know what you think of the bath wash, I’m doing a review on it for the website. “Great”, his enthusiastic reply in an oh-so-condescending tone. Bath time came and went without squeals, obsessive crying or any toddler meltdowns. “So, what did you think of the bath wash”, I called out from the shower? This might be the greatest stuff ever, he replied just out of my line of sight. I stuck my head out assuming he was mocking me. “Really?” I said? Yeah, it’s great.

Why KSW loves it: Unlike most baby washes, this one is ultra thin. This makes it perfect for rinsing off toddlers and infants who do not like getting water in their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. They rinse clear in just seconds and smell delicious.

Product #3: Eco All Purpose Spray
I put this All-Purpose spray on the same level as the Clorox Anywhere Spray. It is green, mild and can be sprayed just about anywhere. I’ve used this a few times around the house so far, but I admit I am saving this for when the new baby comes. It will be great for wiping up the endless spills associated with newborns (spit-up, drool, and more)

Why KSW loves it: I am not afraid to spray my baby play-mats with it and then let my baby crawl around afterwards.

And now for the part you’ve all been waiting for … Melissa of EcoStore USA was gracious enough to give us a $25 Gift Card for one lucky KSW reader. If you’d like to try $25 in fantastic eco-friendly products then just follow theses steps

Ways to Enter to Win a $25 EcoStore USA Gift Card

1. Leave a comment on this post stating how you’d spend your EcoStore USA Gift Card (Required – 1 Entry)

2. Tell your friends about this giveaway, if they mention your name in their comment you’ll get an extra entry (Optional – 1 Additional Entry per mention)

3. Tweet about this giveaway, be sure to add @steet to your tweet so I’ll be able to see it (Optional – 1 Additional Entry)

** Be sure to enter your email address so we’ll be able to contact you if you win **