The crazy life of Stuffy Nickel.

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Hop Along Friday

2011-05-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

2. Please remember to return every week as the link list will start over each week. With that being said, the link list
will be open from Thursday evening through Friday night at 11:49pst, but will be visible indefinitely.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

The Crazy Life of Stuffy Nickel

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Blush Accessories Giveaway

2011-05-05T23:40:00.000-07:00

The other day I posted a super cool giveaway for BabyBond. I made a horrible error. The giveaway was not supposed to be for BabyBond. It was supposed to be for Blush Accessories. I have reviewed for them in the past and you can find a review of their amazing product, here.

If you don't know much about Blush Accessories, they are the have a great little t-shirt extender that works great for every woman, even those pregnant, breastfeeding, or not.

They have updated their package quantities and now sell in singles, doubles and triples. Buy in bulk and save, right?!

Singles - $15.99

Doubles - $24.95

Triples - $39.95

They're also giving us an exclusive offer, if you're looking for a great deal! Simply enter the code "mynewlifeasmom" and receive 30% OFF your entire order. This offer is valid for the next two days only, so please hurry!

Aren't ready to buy but still interested? Then you could enter to win one for FREE!!! Blush Accessories was gracious enough to offer another one for us to give away.

Mandatory Entry: Simply visit Blush Accessories and let me know what color is your favorite? I cannot guarantee that you will receive this color, I just like to know what your preferences are. (1 entry)

ADDITIONAL (OPTIONAL) ENTRIES:

Follow Stuffy Nickel via GFC. (5)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via Facebook. (5)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via Twitter. (1)
Subscripe to Stuffy Nickel via Email. (3)
Add our button to your sidebar. (5)
Follow Blush Accessories via Facebook. (1)

Follow Blush Accessories via Twitter. (1)Enter another Stuffy Nickel giveaway. (2)
Share this post on Facebook. (3 per day)
Share this post on Twitter. (3 per day)
(sharing can be done easily at the bottom of each post)

PARTICIPATION RULES: This giveaway ends on June 1st, 2011 at 11:59pm, PST and is open to US & Canadian residents, only, who are 18 years of age or older. Contest entrants are required to either leave their email in their entry posts or have it on their profile page. Entrants must include links to shared posts on facebook and/or twitter. They must also include user names and/or handles of social media sites for verification. If your entry cannot be verified, it will be void. If there is no way to contact you, you are not eligable to win. Winners will be notified via email and will have 24 hours, from the time the email is sent, to claim their prize. If a winner has fails to claim their prize within 24 hours, their prize is then forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway, you agree to these rules.

FTC regulations require me to share with you that I received the one or more of the following items, for free, to write this post. This, however, does not change my views or opinions of the product and/or the company. All opinions are mine and are honest. If you have any questions, please email us at info@stuffynickel.com

Hoppity Hop - Hoppity Hop - Hop Along Friday

2011-05-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

2. Please remember to return every week as the link list will start over weekly.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

Steve Silver Dining Chair

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

DiningFurniture.com

2011-05-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

Are you in the market for new dining furniture? Well I would love for you to check out Dining Furniture. Not only do they have dining tables and dining chairs, they also carry a great selection of kitchen carts, buffet tables, sideboards, sets, china cabinets and home bars! They also carry baker's racks and curio cabinets. Believe me when I say that they have a HUGE selection of products for every style and every home.

If you haven't heard of Buffet Servers or sideboards, they are used kind of as a side table in the dining area and are often used to hold all the prepared food, like buffet style. It makes it easier so you're not walking all the way to the kitchen to refill your plate, all while keeping the table free and clear with room to move.

Dining Room Buffet

This one is my favorite table.. if I had the room, I would totally get it.

Dining Furniture has a vast selection of great pieces that would fit any style, in any home. Their prices are great, too, ranging from $37 allllllllllll the way up to 16,916! With so many pieces to choose from it should be fairly simple to find something that you will truly enjoy.

A Boy and his Ride

2011-05-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

My love for horses goes way beyond almost anything I could ever explain. They are amazing animals and I simply could not imagine my life without some form of contact with them. Since I haven't had horses for a few years now, my only way to get my fix is to visit my horsey friends.

Monday, I did just that. While visiting my friend, L, not only did we get to visit her gorgeous horses, we also got to feed her super sweet week old bottle calf, Blossom. It was simply amazing. J loved seing all the animals at her farm and I wanted to share our pictures with you guys, since I haven't posted any pictures of him in a long time.

Done With Babies??

2011-05-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Are you done with babies but need furniture for your older children, like deals on great bunk beds? Yes! You can find them at More Bunk Beds. As I child, I LOVED bunk beds. When I finally got to pick out my own bed at like 13, I wanted a bunk bed. One of those bunk beds that had a normal top bunk but the bottom bunk was separate and could move away from the bottom and you could use it as a little office. You could use it for book storage, home work, etc. It was the best. I still love that bed and cannot wait for my children to get old enough to have their own Bunk Beds. It is a great way to utilize space and make room for toys and room to move.

This bunk would be great for little ones who are too small to safely climb the latter of the high bunk beds. Or if you are afraid for your small children up that high. I love how simplistic it is but how it utlizes space well!

This next photo is a picture of exactly what I am talking about, the Bunk Bed with Bookshelf. I had a bunk bed similar to this when I was younger. It was similar, only a little more... girlie.

Ooo! This one would even be great if you had a cousin or friend sleep over!

More Bunk Beds has a great selection with great prices. They have just about anything you could want on or in your bunk bed, even with different bed sizes. I seen that one bunk even had a full size removable bottom bunk.. nice! Perfect for an older sibling and younger sibling. Their prices generally run from $212 all the way up to $3,400! Of course the have a plathora of prices in between, as well. So check 'em out! If you're in the market for a bunk bed, I can pretty much guarentee that they would have something that you would love!

DROOL!!!!

2011-05-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

Cribbing - Part 2

2011-05-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

To read the Part 1 of this post, please click here.

Even though I am not currently pregnant, I still like to browse and shop. I call it "if" shopping.

"if we have a girl, we can get this..."

"if we have twins, we could get these..."

I love looking for new styles of cribs and crib furniture and one place I am looking is Baby Crib Station. They have every type of crib you could think of, from any brand or company you could ask for. From name brands to those a little less known. They have it all. They have 3-in-1's, 4-in-1's, convertables, portables, cradles, etc. They really have something for every nursery and every family. They even have a nice little selection of Rocking Cribs.

Look at this one...

How perfect would it be in your new little princess' room?! I really do have a thing for round cribs. They are so elegant, yet simplistic and sophisticated. I really love them. ♥ They even have less expensive, less extravagant rocking cribs like this one;

DaVinci Rocking Crib

Cribs on Baby Crib Station generally run from anywhere between $118 to $3,085! Any brand and style to choose from. Seriously. Even if you have multiples.. like this beaut for a pair of precious princesses;

Cribbing - Part 1

2011-05-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

When I found I was pregnant with my son, my intention was to purchase things that could be used with all of our future children. To buy things that were of good quality and that would work with both genders (in case that happened) and over several years.

On Mother's Day 2009, I was only about 10 weeks pregnant and my husband's Mother's Day present to me was to take me Babies R Us and purchase our complete nursury. Our crib, changing table, dresser, all matching, of course. Our nursery decor that came complete with lamps, hanging canvas paintings and even the supplies to let me paint my own.

Soon after my son was born, he was quickly moved into our bed. We co-sleeped. Bed shared. Whatever you want to call it. I nursed him successfully for almost 13 months and I wasn't going to get up and go to his room a couple times per night so he could nurse. At 10 months, however, he was still waking up at least twice per night. I had had enough. We transitioned him to his crib and was stoked that he had his own space to sleep.

Not to long after that, we found out that our crib had recently been recalled. It was a drop side crib and it was no longer safe for children to use drop side cribs. We ordered the replacement parts and sadly enough, they were a BRIGHT RED piece of plastic that stabilized the side and made it stationary. I was devistated. Sad that I spent so much money to make my nursery perfect, yet due to complete neglect from the crib company, my crib was now ruined. I now have BRIGHT RED pieces protruding on the front of my precious boys crib. While it may not be a big deal to some, it is to me.

This next time around, I will be buying a new crib. You can bet it will not be from the same company as the one I purchased previously. They have ruined their reputation for me and I am saddened that they were treat their customers so rudly.

(to be continued...)

Standing at the Dinner Table

2011-05-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

One thing that often gets overlooked in most homes is dining chairs. You may not think that they are that important but just think about it for a second... do you know how uncomfortable and awkward it would be to eat standing up? It sure doesn't sound that great to me. If you are looking for affordable dining chairs that can spice up your dinning area and not to mention are comfortable, you need to visit More Dining Chairs. They have affordable options that will add a touch of elegance, casual comfort or straight up weirdness to any dining room.

Upholstered Chairs & Much more!

And just to show you an example of just plain weird..

More Dining Chairs range from $37 all the way up to $2,167. What chair cost that much? You'll just have to go check it out.. it's pretty crazy. They have a ton of great options that I am sure you will love.

I also saw this one which is really different.

Great for a cabin with lots of iron throughout the home.

BabyBond GIVEAWAY!!

2011-05-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

MAJOR ERROR!!! Please see this post to clear things up!

Kitchen Fend

2011-05-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Being such a fan of fine furniture, as well as anything in the kitchen (food included), this brings me to my next post. Do you have a tiny kitchen, or even a large kitchen and just wish you had more chopping and storage space? More Kitchen Carts is the place to go. You have to check out these beauties! I want one so bad. I have a large kitchen compared to the size of my home and even though I have a crazy amount of cabinet space, I have found that we have filled them to the brim and are now looking at other options to store kitchen items and provide additional chopping space.

Butcher Block Kitchen Islands

Home Styles Kitchen Island

Aren't these amazing? Another great point to add about these kitchen islands is that they are priced to fit every budget. They range from a measly $79 all the way to a not to shabby $740. They have styles to fit every kitchen and amazingly they can add additional storage and usable counter space to just about every home. If you are looking for that extra added touch, please see More Kitchen Carts. They're beutiful, yet affordable and you just can't beat that.

My favorite is the one pictured above (the butcher block kitchen island).

Do you wish you had more space in your kitchen?

Wish Me Luck

2011-05-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

I've decided to try my hand at opeing a daycare. I've always watched children and my dream has always been to open and run my own daycare. It's about time that I bring that dream to reality and help those around me with the completely overpriced daycare costs.

I already have one client who's pretty much all but set in stone. I can't wait. I am so stoked to do what I love and have fun doing it. What's better than hanging out with super cool kids all day and being able to take your kids with you to work. Nothing. I love being a stay at home mom and I love kids. I just can't wait for this to get going.

I am in the process of getting registered and getting all my licences, training classes and such, and I am stoked. Here's a question I have for you. If you don't want to answer in the comments, feel free to email me at info@stuffynickel.com

Are you kids in daycare? How much do you pay?

Looking to spruce up a drab living space?

2011-04-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

Is your living space starting to look a little drab, cluttered or out of date? One of the easiest ways to spruce up your living space is to purchase new coffee table sets and/or end tables. It adds a bit of refreshment without replacing all your furniture and costing you an arm and a leg. It also brightens your living space and can declutter things, as well.

CoffeeTablesandEndTables has some great choices when it comes to coffee tables and end tables. They have glass top tables, wood top tables, coffee and end table sets and my favorite, lift top tables. Lift top tables provide a great way to organize your space without much effort. It also keeps everything within arms reach so you can utilize it when you need it. Their end tables retail between $49 and $10,105. Every person with every budget can afford a table at CoffeeTablesandEndTables.

They also offer some amazing end table choices. They have square end tables, rectangle, round and oval. They have end tables made out of glass, marble, slate and wicker. They also have them in every finish you can imagine. With prices between $41 and $3,060, they truly have an end table for every budget.

BONUS! Right now, they're also offering 10% off your purchase of $349 and up! Simply use promotion code "coffee10" at checkout. Some exceptions may apply. Please see CoffeeTablesandEndTables for more details.

Oh My! Oh My!

2011-04-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

As I said before, we're in the midst of looking at new patio furniture and when given the opportunity to write about fine patio furniture, I was ecstatic when I saw a special piece. While it may not seem much to some, my husband and I live for pool side parities and celebrations and if I can bring a touch of pool side ambiance to our home, that would mean a lot to us.

EveryPatioFurniture is bringing you an amazing wooden outdoor chair. The Vifah Outdoor Wood Chair brings that pool side feel right to your front or back yard. You can feel like your toes are in the sand and you have a cool fruit drink with a tiny little umbrella in your hand. It's refreshing just looking at it. It's simple and sleek style is sure to simplify your space without spending a fortune. The Vifah Outdoor Wood Chair retails for $113.

BONUS! Right now, they're also offering 30% off, as well as offering FREE SHIPPING on almost everything!! Offer expires May 2, 2011 and some exceptions may apply. Please see EveryPatioFurniture for details.

Which means, right now you can get this chair for $79 with FREE SHIPPING!!! How great is that?

Turning a negative into a positive

2011-04-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

Right after my husband and I got married, he changed jobs. Not only did he change jobs, he went from one job to something completely different. He went from working 9-5 to working almost 18-20 hour days. To be honest, it was awful. He was gone almost all the time and the only time he was home, he was sleeping. After about a year of that, he worked up enough business and put enough hard work in that he was able to slow down a bit and go back to a normal work day. He worked for that company for almost 6 years. Getting married just before he started (and I mean like 2 weeks before) this job made it feel like this company was part of our family.

In February of this year, my husband was laid off. At a time when we were very comfortable and very much needed the income. We have a child now and being laid off was something we never thought would happen to us. It was completely unimaginable. This means we have to completely rearrange our lives. Fortunately, we were blessed that he was able to get another job right away. However, this didn't thwart the change of life plans. We had to rearrange everything. One of these things being our house. My office/sewing room was then shoved in the closet to make room for SR's home office. All my things were moved to the side for more important duties. One of the things we have yet to make room for, however, is an appropriate desk for our home office.

CymaxOffice is a great place to look for desks for home offices. They have everything anyone could ever want and/or look for in desks. They have simple office desks, stylish office desks, to extravagant executive office desks. Desks with lots of storage, desks with minimal storage and desks with in between storage. They have desks that are small, desks that are large and desks that are completely insane in size. Honestly, I have my eye on these three pieces for our home office. One is extremely extravagant, but I am completely head over heels for this piece.

Which piece do you like?

BONUS! Right now they're also offering 30% off, as well as offering FREE SHIPPING on almost everything!! This offer expires May 2, 2011 and some exceptions may apply. Please see CymaxOffice for official details.

Wind Storms Equal Patio Renovations

2011-04-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

This year we've definitely had our share of wind storms, although they have been nowhere near as devastating as any of the natural disasters that have occurred lately. However, they have been devastating when it comes to our patio furniture. Our plastic chairs have ended up in the most random places and I am truly surprised that they haven't ended up across the street or at a neighbor's house. Even our wood water pump that we purchased at a silent auction was broken in due to the storms.

Due to this, we have been forced into the position of purchasing new patio furniture. As I've said before, we spend a majority of our time outside during the warm weather months and being from a naturally rainy state we have to take it when we can get it. Spending so much time outside means we need comfortable furniture that can hold up to frequent use. Not only does it have to feel nice, it also has to look nice.

EveryPatioFurniture has a wide variety of fine patio chairs that will definitely suit our needs. They have a vast array of designs, colors, styles and prices! They have everything from butterfly shaped garden chairs to rustic cedar log chairs, simple folding chairs to double gliders. They have it all. Here are a few of my favorites:

BONUS! Right now, they're also offering 30% off as well as offering FREE SHIPPING on almost everything!! Offer expires May 2, 2011 and some exclusions apply. Please see EveryPatioFurniture for details.

Summer is coming! Is your grill ready?

2011-04-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

With summer vastly creeping up on us, my family and I tend to reevaluate our summer necessities. Necessities such as patio furniture, play structures, yard supplies and outside cooking equipment. We spend 90% of our time outdoors during the summer and in doing so, our cooking is done outdoors, too. With that being said, we tend to reevaluate our outdoor cooking equipment, to make sure everything is in working order for the coming season. This year, we are reevuating our BBQ grill. Last year, we purchased a cheap grill that barely got us through the season. This year, we're looking to get a grill that will last us a long time.

Recently, we were sent a link to the following company and are in love with their choices of Weber Grills. CSGrills has an amazing array of Weber grills, including; charcoal, gas, electric and portable grills. I love the versatility of all of these grills. We are in desperate need of a new charcoal grill, as well as a portable grill that we can use when gas and/or charcoal isn't available or appropriate to use.

My problem now, however, is that I am having the hardest time deciding which one to get. CSGrills has so many options for Weber Grills and their prices aren't bad, either. They carry Weber Grills that cost between $45 all the way up to $2,600! They really do have something for everyone. One of the grills that I am definitely look at is the Weber Q140 Portable Electric Grill. I would love to have this for those times when the weather isn't the best for grilling and we're really craving some grilled food.

BONUS! Right now, they're also offering FREE SHIPPING on almost everything! Offer expires May 2, 2011 so check them out, now! Please see CSGrills for more details.

Cookies for Babies

2011-04-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was contacted with the opportunity to review a great new product for babies. Cookies for Babies. When I first read about Cookies for Babies, I immediately thought of those rock hard bitter biscuits that you can find in the baby section of your local grocery store that make a horrible mess when children attempt to eat them. I hate to admit it but I was a little less than excited about the opportunity to review a cookie, for babies.

When they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The packaging was gorgeous, the cookies were beautiful and I absolutely loved that they were wrapped in individual packages, for freshness.

Cookies for Babies was made to provide a cookie made with only natural and organic ingredients to those little ones we love. They have a super delicate shortbread flavor without the super rich buttery flavor, without any salt and only a touch of sweetness. They are perfect for the precious little ones in your life and yet delicious enough to eat yourself. Believe me, I have. They're good!

I love the ingredient list for these cookies; organic unbleached white flour, handmade unsalted butter, organic cane sugar and organic vanilla.I love that there is no worry about preservatives or additives or any of the following ingredients that could pose allergy risks for those sensitive; corn, egg, peanut, tree nut, salt, spices, soy, seed, starch and yeast.

If you would like to try Cookies for Babies, you can purchase them for $3.99, each and you can visit Cookies for Babies to find a retailer near you, or to purchase them online directly through Cookies for Babies.

Make sure you follow Cookies for babies on facebook and twitter to keep in the know on their latest news and promotions.

I would like to send a personal thank you to Cookies for Babies and their team for supplying us with the review items. This, however, has not changed my view or opinion of the product, service or company in any way. All opinions stated are my true, honest opinions.

Hop Along Friday - Week 49!!

2011-04-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

2. Please remember to return every week as the link list will start over weekly.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

The Crazy Life of Stuffy Nickel

The Crazy Life of Stuffy Nickel

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Muffin Monday - Snickerdoodles

2011-04-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

While browsing around the internet today, I happened upon the most genius idea ever. Wait, let me back up a little bit. Let me first explain that I am a huge sweet fan. I love pretty much anything sweet. One of my favorite things, is Snickerdoodle cookies. I love to make them, I love to eat them and now, I love to turn them into other things. More delicious things. Yum!

While browsing around the internet today, I came upon a form of Snickerdoodles that I have never seen before. Snickerdoodle Muffins. Not only did they look amazing, I can already taste the buttery muffin with the most delectable cinnamon sugar topping. I had to make them. Then while I was google-ing different recipes, I happened upon a little thing called Muffin Monday. The idea is to bring your family closer, each Monday, by trying a new Muffin recipe and sharing it with those you love. I love this idea. I may not post about it each and every Monday, but I will be happy to share amazing recipes that I come across.

SNICKERDOODLE MUFFINS

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar (or 1 tbsp. baking powder)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup milk

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325F. Line 12 muffin tins with foil or paper liners.

In a very small bowl, mix together 1 tbsp. of sugar and cinnamon, set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, cream of tartar (or baking powder) and the baking soda.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

Add the eggs, one at a time.

Then add the milk and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

Don't worry, you cannot over mix it at this point.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix just until moistened.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way full of batter.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Hop Along Friday - Week 48!!!!

2011-04-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 48th edition of Hop Along Friday! As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any one of the other hostesses.

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Gourmet Gift Baskets - Review & Giveaway!

2011-04-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Gourmet Gift Baskets is BACK! I know you guys are excited because, really?! Who doesn't like a gift basket?

Gourmet Gift Baskets carries anything you could ever want in gift baskets. From food items, movie night baskets, kids baskets, baskets for sports fiens, baby gift baskets, wedding baskets and so much more. If you're looking for any sort of giftbasket for a special occasion, please give Gourmet Gift Baskets a try. We have always received great service from them and we're very happy to be working with them, again.

This time, we were lucky enough to test out the Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package. The normal retail value of this care package is $59.99 and that isn't bad, at all, for all you receive in this care package. This gift basket includes the following items:

(1) Glow in the dark Bumple Ball
(2) 15 pc. Glow in the dark Bracelets
(2) Glow in the dark Eye Glasses
(2) 2 pc. Glow Bars
(2) Glow in the dark Mouthpieces
(1) Flashlight
(2) AA Batteries to power said flashlight :)
(1) 12 pc. Glow in the dark Rubber Band Bracelets
(2) Standard Playing Cards
(1) Sudoku Puzzle Book
(1) Bendable PVC Pencil
(1) Pencil Sharpener
(1) Temporary Tattoos
(1) Smores Card Game
(1) Light Up Porcupine Fluffy Ball
(1) 9x12 Scribble Pad
(1) 12 pc. Fine Point Washable Markers
(1) Dream Catcher Kit
(1) Ookie Ball

That is over 23 items that you will be sure to enjoy. Our favorites are the Light Up Porcupine Fluffy Ball, the Scribble Pad and Markers and the flashlight. Sug (pronounced like sugar) loves to play with the light up porcupine ball. It is almost gel like but when you smack it hard enough it lights up. He carries that thing aroung all day, crazy boy. I put the scribble pad and markers in our church bag so we can use it to entertain Sug when we're in church and need him quiet and occupied. And the flashlight... well... Senior stole that for his Jeep. Soon as he seen it, he commented, "Oh! That would be perfect for the Jeep! It even matches!!" Turd.

When we first got our Gourmet Gift Baskets package, I was a little disappointed to find that we were missing a couple of the promised items, as well as a few of the ones we received did not work. The broken items could not have been the fault of GGB, as they were still in their original packaging and completely undistrubed. When I notified them of the error and the non-working items, they happily shipped out the missing items and replacements for the items that we not working. No questions asked. The appologized for the inconvenience and I received the new items in only a few short days.

Am I unhappy with my experience, not at all! I can understand when so many things are included how 2-3 small items could be left out. It's human error, it happens and I understand. I do not blame them and applaud them grately for taking great care to see that the issue was handled appropriately.

Would you like to try a Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package from Gourmet Gift Baskets? Here's how you can!

Buy It! Visit Gourmet Gift Baskets and purchase a Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package for $59.99! They also have many more amazing gift baskets to choose from!

Win It! Gourmet Gift Baskets has been gracious enough to offer a Deluxe Glow In The Dark Care Package to one of our readers!

Mandatory Entry: To enter, please visit and like Gourmet Gift Baskets on Facebook and tell them that I sent you. (1 entry)

Additional (optional) Entries:
Follow Stuffy Nickel via GFC. (5)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via Facebook. (5)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via Twitter. (1)
Subscripe to Stuffy Nickel via Email. (3)
Add our button to your sidebar. (5)
Follow GGB via Twitter. (1)
Enter another Stuffy Nickel giveaway. (2)
Share this post on Facebook. (3 per day)
Share this post on Twitter. (3 per day)
(sharing can be done easily at the bottom of each post)

PARTICIPATION RULES: This giveaway ends on May 1st, 2011 at 11:59pm, PST and is open to US & Canadian residents, only, who are 18 years of age or older. Contest entrants are required to either leave their email in their entry posts or have it on their profile page. Entrants must include links to shared posts on facebook and/or twitter. They must also include user names and/or handles of social media sites for verification. If your entry cannot be verified, it will be void. If there is no way to contact you, you are not eligable to win. Winners will be notified via email and will have 24 hours, from the time the email is sent, to claim their prize. If a winner has fails to claim their prize within 24 hours, their prize is then forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway, you agree to these rules.

FTC regulations require me to share with you that I received the one or more of the following items, for free, to write this post. This, however, does not change my views or opinions of the product and/or the company. All opinions are mine and are honest. If you have any questions, please email us at info@stuffynickel.com

Hop Along Friday - Week 45!!!

2011-04-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 45th edition of Hop Along Friday! As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any one of the other hostesses.

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Review Blogger Opportunity!!

2011-04-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

I am looking for a few review bloggers to partner up with for a top secret mission. The number I need all depends on the quality of the bloggers (ie: site stats) I receive, so please, anyone interested, please respond. Partners will be working with companies to provide reviews, so reliable, quality bloggers are very needed. We do, however, have a few requirements that must be met in order to participate, so if you could, please fill out the following questionnaire to let us know a little more about you, your blog and your site stats. If chosen to participate, you will be made aware of the mission for further participation instructions. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Review Blogger Questionnaire

Hop Along Friday - Week 44!

2011-04-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 44th edition of Hop Along Friday! As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any one of the other hostesses.

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

Applied Labels on Facebook - Applied Labels on Twitter

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Twitter Hop Tuesday - It's BACK!

2011-04-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to grow your twitter following? It is simple to do.. just follow these three easy steps to building your followers.

1. Follow @stuffynickel on twitter. (I follow back!)
2. Add your twitter handle to the link list below. (ie: @yourtwittername)
3. Paste our button on your sidebar so others know you participate and can join in, too!

Help! Please, if you can!

2011-04-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

I normally do not ask for help from other but in this case, I am asking for all the help I can get. My friend and I have a history of rescuing animals, horses being one of those animals. My friend has a neighbor who is neglecting his horse. She has paid to have her feet trimmed 3 different times, out of her own pocket. She loves this horse and would love to buy this horse, however, the owner is not very fond of my friend. She has threatened to call animal control on him because he is 100% neglectful. Regardless of this, he has finally agreed to sell this mare but will not sell her to my friend. However, if she isn't purchased by Friday she will be going to auction which MANY meat buyers attend and purchase horses for CHEAP to kill, butcher and sell the meat. It isn't pretty, at all.

We are praying to GOD that we can save this mare. She is one of the sweetest mares and we just cannot let her go to auction. Her adoption isn't much in the case of horses but it is a lot for how bad of shape she is in. We need help raising the money to adopt her. Once adopted, she has an amazing home to live and thrive in that will take the best care of her. We just need to get her there.

If you can do ANYTHING to help this girl out, please email us at info@stuffynickel.com
We have a paypal already set up and ready for donations.
Thank you all, so much, for helping us save this girl. She deserves to be in a great home.

FREE* BabyBond for EVERYONE!!!

2011-04-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Slurp & Burp LLC will be offering a FREE* BabyBond to everyone who buys a BabyBond online from Babies R Us or buybuyBABY!!! This limited time offer will show up in your inbox sometime next Thursday 4/7/11 so keep your computers on, check your spam folders, and get ready to tweet cause this deal is sweet :)

*Buy one BabyBond online from Babies R Us or buybuyBABY and receive another BabyBond of your choice from Slurp & Burp LLC with only paying $10 shipping/handling. Email receipt from Babies R Us or buybuyBABY to pr@babybondnursing.com along with your choice of BabyBond. We will invoice $10 via PayPal for shipping/handling and ship your FREE BabyBond once shipping/handling fees are paid. Receipt must be dated 4/7/11.

Why BabyBond?

Breastfeeding is more than bonding and nourishment... it offers a priceless exchange between mother and child. Reflexive, instinctive interaction is quickly shaped into a primitive conversation. The infant makes requests by routing, patting mother's breast, and/or vocalizing, and the mother responds with delicious breastmilk, smile, and loving voice. A pattern of turn taking along with eye contact emerges which is the foundation for successful communication and language development.

As a mother of four and a practicing speech-language pathologist, I was determined to find a way to engage in frequent communication with each of my babies. For me, this meant incorporating breastfeeding into my hectic lifestyle; often nursing on the run. I designed BabyBond as a way for to cover myself while nursing in public without ever covering my baby. Language and behavior are best facilitated in naturalistic context. When nursing with BabyBond, the important interaction between mother and child is never interrupted. Even more, the baby is left uncovered to make observations, interact, and socialize which is what we all do at mealtime.

I am very thankful to all who have and continue to spread the word about BabyBond. Women are all different and it is important we have options when it comes to nursing. Remember... the goal is breastfeeding!

Sincerely,

Missy
Owner & Designer of BabyBond

Please remember that this deal is ONLY effective on Thursday, April 7, 2011. The initial BabyBond purchase MUST be purchased on that date to receive the free BabyBond from Slurp & Burp LLC. If you have any questions, please email pr@babybondnursing.com

Applied Labels™

2011-03-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

Applied Labels™ is another ingenious Label making company. The create labels that are versatile labels to put on childrens items that are durable, laundry and dishwasher safe. They can be placed on baby bottles, sippy cups, the bottom of snack bowls, pajamas for overnight trips, shoes, coats, and or toys that your children want to take with them to school or daycare.

For clothing you simply sandwich an applied label with one of the included blank backing labels on a clothing tag and you're good to go. For shoes, simply stick on a clear shoe shield sticker over the top to keep your applied labels in place and legible all year long.

We were sent 60 classic labels, 30 blank backers and 12 shoe shields for review. We have placed our labels on things from shoes, jackets, sippy cups, books and toys for our little guy. Our labels include our son's name and my email address which is very helpful. If we loose an item it's nice to know that it gives the finder a way to help reunite us with our lost items. We use a few sippy cups per day and we have ran them through the dishwasher on the highest/hottest setting (sanitizing included) and they have lasted. We've never had a problem with them rubbing off in shoes or on frequently used items. We love them and think they are a must have for anyone with kids or even pets. You will never have to guess who's items are who's, or have someone else claiming your items as theirs. Applied Labels keeps all your bases covered.

Would you like to have a pack of 60 classic labels, 30 blank backers and 12 shoe shields for yourself or someone you love? You can purchase them for $29.40 at Applied Labels. Make sure you also check out their facebook and twitter pages to keep updated on all things Applied Labels.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Hop Along Friday - Week 43!!

2011-03-31T21:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 43rd edition of Hop Along Friday! As you can tell, there have been a few more changes around Hop Along Friday. To simplify things and make blog hoping easier.

As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any one of the other hostesses.

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.

2. Please remember to return every week as the link list will start over each week. With that being said, the link list will be open from Thursday evening through Friday night at 11:49pst, but will be visible indefinitely.

3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!

Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse by Smartfish Technologies

2011-03-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

Smartfish Technologies is bring a whole new meaning to leading innovation. Their Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse has a patented ErgoMotion™ pivot system that reduces hand strain and makes you feel as if your mouse is "floating on air".

Now I won't go into all the details of how this thing works but I do feel that I owe you a little explaining because I, too, was a little confused when I seen this, myself. It does take a little bit of getting used to but I assure you, it is MUCH better than stand alone computer mouses.

The Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse is a pretty great little mouse. It stores a TINY little USB adapter inside the battery compartment so you never have to worry about leaving it behind or loosing it. It is also designed to move as your hand moves. When you use a standard mouse, your hand stays in the same position as you move. With the Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse, your hand moves in a very natural position as you move the mouse. When you move your mouse and hand forward, the heel of your palm has the tendency to want to move down, while your fingers move up. The Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse lets you move exactly as you feel the need to. The same thing when you want to move your mouse and hand downward. Your fingers move down and your palm wants to move it. This mouse lets you do so. When you want to move to either side, one side wants to go down while the other goes up. This mouse lets you move in just about any position you would like to.

My opinion: I love this mouse. I love how it keeps your hand and wrist in a natural position which would help eliminate hand strain and Repetitive Stress Injuries.

We were sent a Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse in Metallic Red for review and I have to say it is my absolute favorite mouse. I love the way it moves and keeps my hand comfortable and being a review blogger who is kept busy, this is very important to me.

If you would like to have a Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse by Smartfish Technologies you can get one by visiting Smartfish Technologies and purchasing one for $49.95.

Giveaway Sponsored by Organically Grown

2011-03-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Organically Grown is busting out their Spring 2011 collection and in doing so, we have partnered up with them to bring you guys a great giveaway. Organically Grown is bringing you another great line of ecofriendly products that are safe for both your baby and our Earth. Made from certified organic cotton their baby apparel is bringing a natural and healthy product to you and your little one. This Spring you can dress your little one in the softest ever, great Spring fashion with coordinating bodysuits and coveralls. The girls' Spring Garden Grow collection is featuring ladybugs and garden patterns while the boys get ready for Spring in the L is for Lion Collection which features Lions and other animal shapes.

Organic Little Lion Bodysuit Collection

$8 each or 3pk for $20

Available in NB, 3M, 6M & 9M sizes

Organic Garden Fun Bodysuit Collection

$8 each or 3pk for $20

Available in NB, 3M, 6M & 9M sizes

These adorable body suits are 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and

each bodysuit comes on a precious reusable padded hanger.

Organic Coverall Collection

$22 each in NB, 3M, 6M & 9M sizes

Available in the following styles:

L is for Lion Blue

L is for Lion Stripped

Little Ladybug Confetti Dot

Little Pink Ladybug

These comfortable coveralls are 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and

each coverall comes on a precious reusable padded hanger.

Would you like to win a Organically Grown Onesie for a special little one that you know? Here's how you can!

To Enter: Visit Organically Grown and tell me what other item they carry catches your eye. (1entry)

Bonus Entries (optional):

Follow Stuffy Nickel via GFC. (3 entries)

Follow Stuffy Nickel via email. (5 entries)

Follow Stuffy Nickel via facebook. (5 entries)

Follow Stuffy Nickel via twitter. (1 entry)

Follow Organically Grown via wordpress. (1 entry)

Follow Organically Grown via email (bottom right). (2 entries)

Follow Organically Grown via facebook. (2 entries)

Follow Organically Grown via twitter. (1 entry)

Blog about our giveaway, linking back to us. (10 entries)

Share via facebook, then leave us the link to the post. (3 entries)

Share via twitter, then leave us the link to the post. (3 entries)

Organically Grown GIVEAWAY from @stuffynickel! Make sure you head on over to www.mynewlifeasmom.com to join, I did! #organic #giveaway #win

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents, 18 years of age and older, only, and is open through 11:59pm on April 30th, 2011. The winners are chosen via random.org and will be notified, by email, of their winnings. If the winner fails to claim their prize within 24 hours of the time the winning email is sent, the winner forfeits the winnings and a new winner will be chosen.

Please do not forget to post your email, twitter/facebook handles and any links to any shared posts that you may have done. If I cannot verify your entry, it will be deleted.

If you have any questions, please email me at info@stuffynickel.com

Growing & Moving Forward

2011-03-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

As I am no longer a 'new mom', really, I want to make a few changes around here. My blog is now up for renewal and I do not think I am going to renew it. I would rather switch things up a bit and move to a new site. As you can tell, things have changed around here, once again and this time, I am very proud of them. This blog has blossomed into much more than stories of this new mom and I want my blog to reflect that. In doing so, the name and website link will change. The change does not take effect until next month sometime, but I want to make you aware of it now, that way you can change your links, if needed.

My new link will be www.stuffynickel.com

When the change becomes effective, I will loose my PR ranking, due to starting a new site and it saddens me to do so but everything else should follow me over. I am currently trying to get in contact with my domain host to see if they can help me either transfer it over or forward my current site to my new site so I will still keep my PR ranking. I will let you know what I find out.

NEW Postnatal Thermogenic (Fat Burner)

2011-03-26T19:00:00.001-07:00

This post brought to you by Delta Labs. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a mom who has battled loosing weight after having my son, I often wish I would have had another outlet to turn to. I hate the extra pounds and more importantly hate the way those extra pounds refuse to move from my body. I hate the way they make me look as well as the fact that they are hiding my 'true' identity. The identity that I know is hidden inside me. The identity that I want to be. Long to be. Will be again. Someday.

Researchers have stated that the most important time to loose the baby weight is the following 6 months after birth. I am almost triple that time and I wish I hadn't let time pass so quickly without even trying to loose the weight. If I would have known about this new product, I do believe that I would have tried sooner.

Postnatal Thermogenic is a postpartum weight loss supplement to help lose pregnancy weight. They are making it possible to loose lose the baby weight without having to struggle like I did and continue to do. This isn't another one of those fat burners that you have to worry about hurting your body, or your newborn babies. Postnatal Thermogenic (fat burner) is 100% herbal and contains no caffeine or stimulants which can be damaging to your body and most importantly to your babies. This postnatal support supplement contains key ingredients which helps support pregnancy weight loss safely and naturally. It also contains added herbal lactation support to help with milk production during those early months.

If you struggle with loosing those extra baby weight, take a look at this postpartum weight loss supplement, it could be the thing you're looking for.

A Word to the Wise...

2011-03-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

This is to those who participate in Hop Along Friday.

There have been many changes recently and some of them might be confusing. It has been brought to my attention that maybe they did not get explained enough or whatever. Regardless, as a group, we have decided to retract the "featured spots" and just go back to the standard ol "Blog Hop".

I take full responsibility for all these changes and the confusion it has caused. I appologize for this, completely.

Next week we will go back to how things used to be. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes to you all!
Stephanie

Hop Along Friday - Week 42! UPDATED

2011-03-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 42nd edition of Hop Along Friday! As you can tell, there have been a few changes around Hop Along Friday. We have a new Banner, a new button and a few cool new features!

Before you start freaking out, we will be keeping the Weekly Featured Blog, so please do not stress. That will definitely be staying. The new features, however, are just as great, so check them out! Along with the Featured Blogger, we will also be adding a few additional participation incentives for all you ladies who are so great at coming back week after week.

There will be 3 participants drawn randomly every week based off the participants from the previous week. The chosen will receive the following, in the order that they are chosen.

FIRST PLACE: The first participant chosen will receive a one week 125x125 ad placement on My new life as... Mom. This ad must be linked to your blog only, please.

SECOND PLACE: The second participant chosen will receive the "Weekly Featured" spot for the week. This link must be to your blog only.

THIRD PLACE: The third participant chosen will receive a text link placement on My new life as... Mom in a special feature spot. This link can be to either a blog, facebook or twitter link.

Cinnamon Bubbles

Additional AD space may be purchased for an additional fee. Please see our "PR FRIENDLY" page for more information. Text links can be placed for free and will be added to our LINKS sidebar.

As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you each have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stephanie at My new life as... Mom or any one of the hostesses.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each one of our hostesses, via GFC, located at the following links.

My new life as... Mom

2. Once you have completed that, then add your link to our link list below. Please feel free to add your blog, facebook and twitter, but please be sure to name them as such. Some of our readers do not have facebook or twitter and would like to distinguish between the links.

3. Place our button on your sidebar! Simply copy the button code, below, and past it in your side bar editor. Easy as that! The more who participate the better the hop will become!

Once you have finished linking yourself up, please feel free to follow through and visit other blogs, facebook and/or twitter pages that link up on the hop. We do not require that you follow every one, nor do we require that you visit every one. Please enjoy them at your pace and follow the sites you wish. We will do the same.

Please remember to come back and link up as it is a new list every week. The link lists will only accepting new links from Thursday evening through Friday night at 11:59pm, but the link lists will stay up indefinitely.

Hop Along Friday - UPDATED!

2011-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 41st edition of Hop Along Friday! As you can tell, there have been a few changes around Hop Along Friday. We have a new Banner, a new button and a few cool new features!

Before you start freaking out, we will be keeping the Weekly Featured Blog, so please do not stress. That will definitely be staying. The new features, however, are just as great, so check them out! Along with the Featured Blogger, we will also be adding a few additional participation incentives for all you ladies who are so great at coming back week after week.

There will be 3 participants drawn randomly every week based off the participants from the previous week. The chosen will receive the following, in the order that they are chosen.

FIRST PLACE: The first participant chosen will receive a one week 125x125 ad placement on My new life as... Mom. This ad must be linked to your blog only, please.

SECOND PLACE: The second participant chosen will receive the "Weekly Featured" spot for the week. This link must be to your blog only.

THIRD PLACE: The third participant chosen will receive a text link placement on My new life as... Mom in a special feature spot. This link can be to either a blog, facebook or twitter link.

Additional AD space may be purchased for an additional fee. Please see our "PR FRIENDLY" page for more information. Text links can be placed for free and will be added to our LINKS sidebar.

This will begin next week!

This week's featured blogger is #143!

As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you each have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stephanie at My new life as... Mom or any one of the hostesses.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each one of our hostesses, via GFC, located at the following links.

My new life as... Mom

This Adventure, Our Life