Top 9 of 2009

I have been fortunate enough to review some really awesome products this year. So I thought I would compile a list letting you know which items have been some of my favorite and most used over the past couple of months

9. Pediped - These little shoes are super stylish yet comfortable.

8. Photofiddle - Princess P's oil painting is proudly displayed in the living room and we get compliments on it all the time.

7. Admiral Road Designs - This is now P's favorite blanket, it goes with us everywhere.

6. Safety 1st Air Protect Car Seat - This will be the car seat we use for years to come.

5. See Kai Run - Super cute shoes with quality and style.

4. Keurig Platinum Brewer - This little machine is what helps me get started each morning.

3. ASSETS Shapewear - I wear these all the time!

2. Hana Elite 1" Flat Iron - Seriously the best. I use this flat iron everyday.

1. Bumbleride Flyer - The versatility and style of this stroller makes it a pleasure to use.
Honorable Mention: JVC, Crane, Barbar, Bissell, Danielson Designs, Livie & Luca, The Pretty Peacock, Stop Staring!, Epson, Robeez and HP

I would have loved to include many, many more companies and products but we would have ended up with something like a top 50 of 2009. I want to thank each and every company that provided a product for review and/or use in a giveaway! I am excited for 2010 and the opportunity to discover new and exciting products.

Give-It-Away Thursday

Its that time of the week! Link your giveaways here and spread the word.

Giveaways at Piece Of Me:

Organic BabyLegs from babySNAZZ (Ends Tomorrow!)

Epson Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer

SoleMates High Heeler

Now it is your turn. You can link up as many giveaways as you would like. Just remember to leave your site name, giveaway prize and ending date. Be sure to spread the word!

So This Is Was Christmas

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and are enjoying their time with family and friends. I apologize for being MIA lately, the holidays have my brain all out of whack.

(Umm...it looks like we had a photo crasher. Thanks Clark Griswold!)

We were very fortunate this year and received many wonderful gifts. But my favorite gift was from hubby and it is the ridiculously cute Florida Gators outfit from Victorias Secret. (Which I will be sporting on Friday when they play in the Sugar Bowl!) C's parents gave us a Wii which I also absolutely love. We went out and bought EA Sports Active and it has seriously kicked my butt so far! I hope I will be seeing some results in the New Year!
Princess P racked up this Christmas! Between our house, both our parents houses and all the places in-between, our house looks like a toy store. I had to go through her toy box and get rid of half the toys already in there just to make room for all of the new additions. She is definitely one lucky (or spoiled) little girl!

Did everyone get what they wanted? What was your favorite gift?

Winner

The winner of the Shoebuy.com Giveaway is (1140 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

642 

Timestamp: 2009-12-30 21:43:22 UTC

blueviolet said... 642

Email subscriber.
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

December 22, 2009 8:41 PM

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HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web Review

For weeks now I have been hearing the hype surrounding the new HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web. The t.v. commercials sing the All-in-One Printers' praises from its ability to print directly from the web to the fact that you can replace each ink cartridge individually to save money. It appears you cannot go wrong with the Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web. But how does it really stack up in a mother's world?
We were very fortunate to receive an HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web All-in-One Printer to review (whew, that is a mouthful!). Before it even arrived I was on the internet searching all of its features and functions. Armed with only a slight insight as to what this machine could do, we opened the box and hoped for the best.

On the inside I was pleasantly surprised to find the unit wrapped in a reusable tote bag and the cords neatly packaged in a reusable accessory case. This not only cut down on packaging waste but it also made getting the all-in-one printer out of the box a lot easier. After the tape and protective coverings were removed, we were ready for setup.
The 4.33" touchscreen instructed us on how to proceed and then we waited on the printer to finish its initialization. Connecting to a network proved to be a bit difficult but after several attempts we were up and running. Basically the next 10 to 15 minutes were spent playing around with the different apps included with the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web. We found printable coloring sheets from Disney, Nickelodeon and DreamWorks as well as coupons and recipes at our fingertips (literally). These are all wonderful features for me, especially the coloring sheets and crafts. I also love that I can print coupons from Coupons.com directly from the printer.

As an avid lover of pictures, I was anxious to see how the Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web compared to some of the other all-in-one printers. The memory card slot is conveniently located beside the touchscreen and once inserted your photos are uploaded fairly quick. The touchscreen allows you to browse through all of your photos selecting the one's that you would like to print as you go. If you choose to edit them you are given a variety of options (for example: adjusting the brightness or cropping) before printing. This is where I encountered my first problem. The cropping feature is very hard to use. I either ended up cutting off a portion of the picture or getting the box so small that I had to start all over. This may be a feature that is best used on a computer with a mouse, for me anyway.
After the picture was selected and the paper type and size was changed, I was ready to print. The printer seemed to go through a variety of "motions" and finally started to print the photo. Within seconds I was holding a beautiful, professional grade 8 x 11.5" photo of my little snow princess. I was immediately impressed. After selecting a few more photos I decide to focus on the more popular 4 x 6" size and started printing those. The quality was great but after a closer inspection I noticed a couple of the photos had white flecks in them. They were hardly noticeable but were still there. I am guessing that as the photos went through the printer they got scuffed up a bit, but that is only speculation.

I could go on and on about the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web but you would probably be reading paragraphs for hours. So I thought it might be easier for you (and me) if I listed out my favorite features and somethings that could be improved upon.

(2 separate paper trays)

Raves:

• Automatic Red-Eye Removal (A must since I am always in a hurry.)
• Customize the 4.33" touchscreen with your favorite apps
  
• Sleek, Modern Design
• Auto Duplexer (for double-sided printing)
• Direct Printing from Bluetooth, iPhone, iPod touch, etc.
• 2 Separate Paper Trays (4 x 6 holds up to 20 sheets, 100 sheets standard letter-size paper)
• Sliding dust cover over memory card slots
• Google Maps, Coupons, Recipes, etc. at your fingertips
• Reusable Tote & Accessory Bag
• Clear Scanning with the option of in color or black & white
• Low cost print cartridges (around $10 for a standard refill)
• Energy Star qualified
  

Rants:

• Crop function is hard to work
• Powering on takes a minute or two
• The printer goes through a variety of "motions" and even shakes at times
• The Touchscreen can be overly "touchy" and can even lag sometimes
  
• You are not able to open the clear tray lid all of the way and it makes refilling the paper harder
• Lacks auto document feeder
• Limited amount of apps available at this time
  
• High Price (around $399.99)

This Mom's Opinion:
If you can stomach the steep price tag (which there are some great deals going on right now) then this all-in-one printer is a great buy. The professional grade print quality will save you time and the hassle of having to trek off to the store. The printables feature is great for afternoon crafts with Princess P and the Fandango app is super if you have a theater that accepts printed tickets. I love the touchscreen but find myself getting aggravated each time I mistakenly click on a photo to print. And don't even get me started on trying to keep little fingers off of the screen.
With its stylish design, the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web looks great sitting atop my desk and fits perfectly too. And the touchscreen adds a futuristic touch that just can't be ignored. I would recommend this printer to fellow moms as well as anyone looking to print high quality photos or have limited web access from your printer. Overall, I would give the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web 4 stars out of 5 just because of the minor flaws I am sure can be perfected with time.

I did want to let you know that right now you can save $60 on the Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web with an instant rebate and receive free shipping at the HP Official Store. Also, you can save $50 if you trade in your old printer.

A big thank you to HP for this review opportunity.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. HP provided the Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

Give-It-Away Thursday

Its that time of the week! Link your giveaways here and spread the word.

Giveaways at Piece Of Me:

$50 Gift Certificate to Shoebuy.com

Organic BabyLegs from babySNAZZ

Epson Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer

SoleMates High Heeler

Now it is your turn. You can link up as many giveaways as you would like. Just remember to leave your site name, giveaway prize and ending date. Be sure to spread the word!

SoleMates High Heeler Review & Giveaway

Most days you will catch me in a pair of sweatpants, a tee shirt and slippers with no makeup on and my hair in a ponytail. That is a far cry from the days where dress pants and heels were a requirement. While I love the "look" I have going on now, I sometimes miss getting all done-up to go to work. That is why whenever I get a chance to go out, I do it right. Besides, there is no need for all of those clothes (and fabulous shoes) in the back of the closet to go to waste.

My love affair with heels started many years ago when I would prance around the living room floor wearing my moms best stilettos. Then, after I landed my first "real" job where dress shoes were a requirement, my motto was the higher the better. While they have so many benefits, they make your legs look fab and do wonders for your back side, they have their downfalls as well. Like trying to trek to you car through grass or getting stuck in the sidewalk crack. Nothing can make a woman cry harder than damaging her favorite pair of high heels.
I was recently introduced to SoleMates and instantly had one of those "why didn't I think of that moments". When I first saw an actual pair of SoleMates I believed the concept was simple, increase the surface area and you won't get stuck. But there is actually a little more to it than that. By increasing the surface area of the heel you actually reduce the pressure placed on the area and therefore prevent the heel from sinking into the grass or falling into a crack.

The design of the SoleMates High Heeler is engineered to fit snugly on most heels without damaging the heel or compromising the aesthetics of the shoe. By simply slipping the SoleMates onto the high heel of the shoe and pressing the heel down to secure in place, you can immediately experience the support. The SoleMates High Heeler works on many other surfaces than grass and sidewalks. The are perfect for walking on cobblestones and bricks, woven carpets, antique floors, and even grates. They also protect your heels when you are driving in a car!
I received a pair of black SoleMates (they also come in clear) to try out on my high heels. As soon as they arrived I slipped them on one of my favorite pair heels and got ready to strut my stuff. (I do want to note that they fit very snugly on this certain pair of shoes. But I can see how they will not fit every heel out there.) I immediately felt more secure with every step I took and I virtually walked without making a sound. While SoleMates are not completely invisible, they are discreet enough to wear with shorter length outfits and not look silly. The best part is that they are reusable and when not in use they can be stored in the handy plastic pouch they come in.

If you are an upcoming bride I highly recommend SoleMates High Heeler not just for yourself but for your entire bridal party as well. Because more than likely you will be taking at least a few photos outside and no one wants to worry about sinking into the grass during this monumental occasion. SoleMates would also be a cute item to throw into the bridal party gifts.

Giveaway Giveaway

One lucky reader will win a pair of SoleMates High Heeler!

*This giveaway is now closed.*

To Enter: You must visit SoleMates and tell me something you learned from their website. Please make sure your answer is different than the one left in the comment above. Also, please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it is visible in your profile.

Extra Entries:
1. Grab my button. Leave an address where it can be found.
2. Subscribe to my feed. Must be verified to count.
3. Follow me on blogger.
4. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave a comment on which one(s).
5. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway using the text below. You can tweet once daily for an extra entry each day.
Never sink into the grass again...Enter to win @thesolemates High Heeler @PieceOfMeBlog! http://bit.ly/7nmBbG
6. Grab the "Santa's Little Helper" Holiday Gift Guide button!
7. Follow SoleMates on Twitter. Be sure to leave your username in your comment.
8. 5 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you blog about this giveaway please leave 5 separate comments.

Giveaway will end on January 6th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to US residents.

A big thank you to SoleMates for this review and giveaway opportunity.



This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. SoleMates provided the SoleMates High Heeler and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

Wordless Wednesday: Merry Christmas

My Father-in-Laws office Christmas Party.

Our Tree!

Epson Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer Review & Giveaway

In the past my main criteria for purchasing a printer was good print quality. If it happened to be an all-in-one that included copy and scan, than that was an added bonus. Well, apparently I need to up my standards because I did not realize what I had been missing.
I was recently given the chance to review the Epson Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer, and from first use I was in love. I was a bit worried about set-up, since I have Windows 7, but C stood by my side the entire process in case I ran into problems. Before I even connected the printer or inserted the software CD, I had to visit the Epson support site to download the latest software. That went smoothly and before I knew it I was printing the test page.

A great feature of the Epson Artisan 710 is that it has built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet Networking. This is a perfect thing for both C and I because I use a desktop and he works from a laptop. This feature allows us both to print, scan and access memory card slots from any room in the house.
I am all about convenience and ease of use, and the Epson Artisan 710 has been both of those in the past weeks. The very handy Tilt and Easy-to-View 2.5" LCD allows you to select, copy, enlarge, rotate, crop, restore, and print photos without a computer. In fact, I created and printed special projects straight from the printer itself! I turned a snowy photo of Princess P into coloring book pages for her scrapbook, created notebook paper with the same scene as a background image, and I even printed a custom CD with the same picture. These are all wonderful features that I never even thought about before. Now I am wondering how I lived without them for so long!
All my previous printers had the capability to print photos but they either used all of the ink or the quality was very poor. That is definitely not the case with the Artisan 710! I was amazed at how clear and grain-free the photos were. And in addition to being almost professional-quality, the Artisan 710 prints photos (in a flash) that are smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant. Another feature that I love is the Auto Photo Correction. It has advanced face detection to distinguish people from scenery and even automatically removes red eye (which I always forget to do).
The Epson Artisan 710 contains two automatic photo trays, one for standard paper and one for photo paper, for added convenience that I love. That means no more opening the paper tray to take one out and replace it with the other! The Artisan 710 also allows you to print double-sided paper in no time.

Even though the Artisan 710 has been here for several weeks, we still haven't got around to using all of its added features. Like charging our cell phones or MP3 player from the USB port on the printer or printing from a iPhone or iPod Touch (mainly because we don't have either of those). I don't think that they left anything out with this printer except programming it to make dinner.

If you have made is this far than you can pretty much tell that I love the Epson Artisan 710. However, as with everything in life, nothing is perfect. After a couple of weeks of use I went to print some coupons and noticed it would not print. I got out the quick start guide and immediately started going through all of the steps. (This is where the LCD screen comes in so handy.) I checked the print head nozzels and nothing, so I went to Epson's support website to find help. After some searching I learned that I needed to uninstall the software and then re-install it to see if that would work, and it did! One thing to keep in mind if you have smaller children in the house and the printer is within reach), is that they will want to play with the LCD screen. We have had problems trying to keep Princess P off of it. She loves to move the panel up and down and press all of the buttons. Another thing I noticed, which has nothing to do with the printer, is the program (for example: Windows Photo Viewer) used to print photos can affect the quality. Other than those small things we have not had any other problems with the Artisan 710.

The Epson Artisan 710 offers so many wonderful features including built-in Wi-Fi, Ultra Hi-Definition photo prints, individual ink cartridges, and one-of-a-kind projects. You can purchase the Artisan 710 at epson.com for $179.99 and right now you can get free ground shipping! This would make a wonderful gift this holiday season!

Giveaway Giveaway

One lucky reader will win an Epson Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer!

*This Giveaway is now closed.*

To Enter: You must visit Epson and tell me another product you would love to have. Please make sure that your answer is different than the one in the comment above. Also, please leave your email address either in the comment or visible in your profile.

Extra Entries:
1. Grab my button. Leave an address where it can be found.
2. Subscribe to my feed. Must be verified to count.
3. Follow me on blogger.
4. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave a comment on which one(s).
5. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway using the text below. You can tweet once daily for an extra entry each day.
Enter to win an @EpsonAmerica Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer ($179.99 ARV) @PieceOfMeBlog! (Giveaway ends 1/5) http://bit.ly/5xcEQM
6. Grab the "Santa's Little Helper" Holiday Gift Guide button!
7. Follow Epson on Twitter. Be sure to leave your username in your comment.
8. 5 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you blog about this giveaway please leave 5 separate comments.

Giveaway will end on January 5th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to US residents.

A big thank you to Epson for this review opportunity!



This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Epson provided the Artisan 710 and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

Winner

The winner of the Juice Beauty Giveaway is (427 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

53 

Timestamp: 2009-12-21 18:11:54 UTC

The Penny-Pinching Mama said... 53

tweet!
http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/6616555348

December 12, 2009 9:14 PM

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Snowed In!

This is how it looked at 2:30 yesterday.

This is how it looked at 2:30 today.

Of course the snow of the decade would have to come the weekend before Christmas. When last minute shopping had to be finished and holiday parties had to be attended. We are at 13" and counting without the possibility of it melting anytime soon. At least we are home and we are safe, unlike thousands of motorists who are stranded on the treacherous highways right now.

We did try venturing out before it got too bad yesterday. But it seemed that the snow had gotten ahead of us because all of the roads were blocked due to wrecks. So, for now, we are in the house baking Christmas cookies and being lazy in our pajamas. Now that I think about it, it is not a bad way to spend a Saturday!

Can you spot the SUV in this picture?

Winner

The winner of the VTech Giveaway is (523 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

57 

Timestamp: 2009-12-19 21:58:14 UTC

vgi said... 57

vtech on twitter @vanessaiaquinta Vanessa.Iaquinta@gmail.com

December 11, 2009 5:31 PM

Congratulations! I have sent you an email and you have 48 hours to contact me.

babySNAZZ Review & Giveaway

Most of you know that in my area, shopping resources are limited. That is why the majority of my retail therapy is done online. Which is fine with me because nine times out of ten I can get much cuter things for a fraction of the price. It is also a great way to support fellow stay-at-home moms.
I recently found babySNAZZ and immediately fell in love with the look and feel of the website. They offer many well-known brands such as Aden + Anais, Bebe au Lait, and Moby Wrap just to name a few. babySNAZZ also carries an impressive collection of cloth diapers and apparel. The handy tabs allow you to find exactly what you are looking for whether it be a gift for mom or baby.

babySNAZZ was founded in 2005 due to the lack of stylish baby gear offered at local stores. Searches quickly turned to the internet where the outcome was lots of variety with loads of style. babySNAZZ (formerly Snazzy Tots) began as a small website with a limited amount of items for sale. Then, in late 2006, they upgraded the website and added many new items including many products that are organic or made-by-moms. Today, babySNAZZ is operated by several stay-at-home moms out of their homes. With the help of a fulfillment center, babySNAZZ offers an impeccable attention to detail, low pricing and super-fast shipping.
As an avid lover of all things BabyLegs, I was super excited when babySNAZZ offered me the chance to review a pair of my choice. My eyes were quickly drawn to the organic styles and I landed on the festive cranberry color. The perfect color to pair under skirts for the holidays but still subtle enough to wear later on in the winter and the following fall. The thing I love most about BabyLegs is their versatility. They allow Princess P to rock her skirts and dresses in cooler weather and they are ideal for potty training. The organic style BabyLegs are made of 80% organic cotton, 12% nylon, 8% spandex and come in a variety of colors to match every child's wardrobe. And right now at babySNAZZ you can get them at an absolute steal! Over 20 different styles and colors for $6.95 a pair. That is a savings of 54%!
babySNAZZ is the place to look for stylish gear for mom and baby. And right now you can sign up for the customer loyalty program and earn 10% back in store credit with every purchase!

Giveaway Giveaway

One lucky reader will a pair of Organic BabyLegs in their choice of color from babySNAZZ!

*This giveaway is now closed.*

To Enter: You must visit babySNAZZ and tell me which pair of Organic BabyLegs you would choose if you were the lucky winner. Answer must be different than the one left in the comment above. Please leave your email address in your comment or visible in your profile.

Extra Entries:
1. Grab my button. Leave an address where it can be found.
2. Subscribe to my feed. Must be verified to count.
3. Follow me on Google Friend Connect.
4. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave a comment on which one(s).
5. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway using the text below. You can tweet once daily for an extra entry each day.
@babySNAZZ is giving away a pair of Organic BabyLegs in your choice of color! Enter to win @PieceOfMeBlog. http://bit.ly/6zAYiL
6. Follow babySNAZZ on Twitter. Be sure to leave your username in your comment.
7. 5 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you blog about this giveaway please leave 5 separate comments.

Giveaway will end on January 1st at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to US residents.

A big thank you to babySNAZZ for this review and giveaway opportunity.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. babySNAZZ provided the Organic BabyLegs and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

Denial, Complaints and Snow

I know I have been lacking in the personal post department lately, so I am blaming it on the rapidly approaching holidays. And since I can't seem to sit down and focus on writing an actual post this is kind of going to be a hodgepodge mix of my random thoughts.

* I completely refuse to believe that this time next week we will be frantically assembling Princess P's presents from Santa and filling her stocking full of goodies. It has gone way too fast! I miss being a kid when Christmas seemed to take forever to arrive.

* This year just doesn't seem as cheerful as past years. I don't know if it is the lack of money for buying presents (I love to GIVE gifts) or the fact that C has to work Christmas day, I am just not as jolly as I would like to be.

* I am blaming our mid-year move on the total lack-of Christmas cards filling our mailbox. Normally, my doorways are covered with cards from family, friends and people I tend to forget. But this year we are on 2 cards and counting. LAME

* The wonderful meteorologists are predicting a "mammoth winter storm" (their words exactly) to hit tomorrow afternoon. We are talking 16"+! This is the third weekend in a row. But next weekend, when everyone is hoping for a white Christmas, it will be 45-degrees. Guess our plans of heading to the mall for last minute shopping are not going to happen.

* I just noticed how my "random ramblings" post has turned out to be nothing but complaints. So, on the brighter side Frosty The Snowman comes on tomorrow night. I guess that is what we will be watching, granted we have electricity.

* The "Santa's Little Helper Holiday Gift Guide" is wrapping up. Thoughts? Improvements for next year? Have you received your prizes yet? Please let me know!

* Our anniversary is next Wednesday! (Yes, we are the crazy couple that got married right before a big holiday. C wanted it that away so he would remember the date.) No big plans. Dinner probably, then maybe to the mall to finish up shopping that should have already been done.

* I love that Nick at Nite has like 5 back-to-back episodes of The Nanny on every night! Seriously, one of my most favorite shows ever. Now if they would only bring Home Improvement back!

Yeah, that is just a little piece of my chaotic, stressed, joyless brain right now! Happy Holidays!

Winner

The winner of the Giggles & Grins Design Giveaway is (314 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

218 

Timestamp: 2009-12-17 20:18:06 UTC

Anonymous said... 218

entered hallmark giveaway-jenprincess88 at aol dot com

December 13, 2009 12:45 PM

Congratulations! I have sent you an email and you have 48 hours to contact me.

Give-It-Away Thursday

Its that time of the week! Link your giveaways here and spread the word.

Giveaways at Piece Of Me:

Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike from VTech

Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer

$50 Gift Certificate to Shoebuy.com

Now it is your turn. You can link up as many giveaways as you would like. Just remember to leave your site name, giveaway prize and ending date. Be sure to spread the word!

Dremel 4000 High-Performance Rotary Tool Kit Review

I have to start out by telling you that a Dremel once saved my life. Well, not really my life but more like my sanity and belongings.
I done a cross-country move several years ago and had a friend, and I use that term loosely, pack up my things into a portable storage unit and have it shipped to me. We drove an hour and a half to pick it up and when we got there we found a nice little present from my "friend". I was greeted by a anti-theft key lock, you know, one of those that you cannot cut off with bolt cutters. And since this "friend" did not send me the key, we were up the creek without a paddle. Thankfully, we were smart enough to call ahead (I had a feeling that my "friend" was going to pull a stunt like this) and bring a (real friend's) Dremel with us. Fifteen minutes and three Dremel cutting attachments later, I was the one laughing.

I apologize for that long intro, I just wanted to demonstrate how a Dremel rotary tool can be useful in so many ways. From carving and engraving to cleaning and polishing, the Dremel high speed rotary tool offers endless project options that center around one tool. It is easy to see why tool enthusiasts and beginners alike flock to the Dremel 4000 (Dremel's newest high speed rotary tool) for all of their creative needs.
The Dremel 4000 offers the highest performance and most versatility out of all the Dremel rotary tools. It contains a high-performance motor that enables a consistent performance at all speed levels. The Dremel 4000 has a sleek, ergonomic body that provides a 360-degree grip zone for additional comfort and control. A great money-saving feature is that the Dremel 4000 is compatible with all existing accessories and attachments as well as the high performance attachments.
We were lucky enough to receive a Dremel 4000 High-Performance Rotary Tool Kit to review. This handy kit comes complete with 2 attachments and 31 accessories all packaged in a storage case for maximum organization. When C opened it he was like a kid on Christmas morning as he inspected each accessory and envisioned what he could do with it. Visions of rust removal and sharping blades literally filled his head. As I saw him gazing at the instruction booklet I actually got excited that long-forgotten projects may, in fact, actually get finished. And with the long list of accessories included in this kit they may actually get finished soon. Here is what the 2/31 Dremel 4000 High-Performance Rotary Tool Kit includes:

• Dremel 4000 High Performance Rotary Tool
• Cutting Guide
  
• Sanding/Grinding Guide
• Storage Case
• Quick Start Book
• Accessory Case
  
• 191 High Speed Cutter
• 401 Mandrel
• 402 Mandrel w/ Screw
• 407 Coarse 1/2" Sanding Drum
• 408 1/2" 60 Grit Sanding Band (2)
• 411 3/4" Sanding Disc, 180 grit (2)
• 412 3/4" Sanding Disc, 220 grit (2)
• 413 3/4" Sanding Disc, 240 grit (2)
• 414 Felt Polishing Wheel
• 420 Heavy Duty Emery Cut-Off Wheel (3)
• 421 Polishing Compound
• 426 1-1/4" Fiberglass-Reinforced Cut-Off Wheel (2)
• 428 Carbon Steel Brush
• 429 1" Felt Polishing Wheel
• 432 1/2" 120 Grit Sanding Band (3)
• 445 1/2" 240 Grit Sanding Band (2)
• 541 Aluminum Oxide Grinding Wheel (2)
  
• 561 MultiPurpose Cutting Bit
• 84922 Silicon Carbide Grinding Stone
• Wrench
• 932 Aluminum Oxide Grinding Stone

C loves that the Dremel 4000 has variable speed settings so it can be used on a variety of different projects. He also really likes that it can be used with all Dremel accessories and attachments, so he and his friend can borrow off each other if needed. I really like that the Dremel 4000 High-Performance Tool Kit comes in a storage case that keeps everything neat and organized, including the Operating Instructions and Quick Start Book.
The Dremel 4000 would make a great gift this holiday season. Just ask my dad, he could not wait until Christmas so he went out and bought one several weeks ago!

A big thank you to Dremel for this review opportunity!


This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Dremel provided the Dremel 4000 High-Performance Rotary Tool Kit and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

Winners

The winners of the Hallmark Giveaway are (558 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

82 528 

Timestamp: 2009-12-16 15:58:24 UTC

mary said... 82

Santa's Bright Idea keepsake ornament. I love Rudolph.

December 7, 2009 10:30 PM

kngmckellar said... 528

subscribe to email
kngmckellar@hotmail.com

December 14, 2009 10:01 PM

The winner of the Robeez Giveaway is (539 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

133 

Timestamp: 2009-12-16 16:06:25 UTC

carol said... 133

I love the Robeez Mini Shoez Patent MJ - black
in size 3US

December 8, 2009 5:53 AM

The winners of the Waterpik Giveaway are (686 entries)...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4 291 584 

Timestamp: 2009-12-16 16:12:13 UTC

Tami said... 4

button on blog www.giveawaybuttonblog.blogspot.com

December 8, 2009 1:50 PM

Betty N said... 291

I entered the Munchie Mug giveaway

December 9, 2009 8:36 PM

ColleenMarie82 said... 584

I entered the Juice Beauty GIveaway

inman@Mobap.edu

December 14, 2009 4:15 PM

Congratulations! I have sent you all an email and you have 48 hours to contact me.

Shoebuy.com Review & Giveaway

It is no secret that I love to shop for shoes. But with only one shoe store within a 50 mile radius, most of my shoe shopping gets done online. Numerous times I have found shoes I like at different websites and have to pay shipping from two different stores. But now I can do all of my online shoe shopping at one place with Shoebuy.com!
At Shoebuy.com you will find the largest shoe selection anywhere, online or offline. They offer over 950 different brands and add new styles daily for the most up to date fashions. You can find departments for Women, Men, Teens and Kids with collections ranging from sandals to boots. They even have an advanced search that allows you to find the size, brand and width you are looking for. Shoebuy.com also offers Bags, Apparel and Accessories for all of your fashion needs.
I recently had the opportunity to choose a pair of shoes to review from Shoebuy.com and let me tell you, it was a super hard decision! With their very large selection of brands and styles I was in shoe heaven browsing from page to page. But when I landed upon the Jessica Simpson Roha slip-on booties in the Brunt Brown Shinny Brush Off color I knew they were the one's. Perfect for winter but still super sexy.
When they arrived, which did not take long at all, it was love at first sight. I had wanted a shoe that would match most of my fall/winter wardrobe but not be the same brown color as all of my other shoes. The Brunt Brown Shinny Brush Off color captured exactly what I had wanted and the decorative buckle on the side added a touch of style. The heel height is super high (4 3/4") but I found that with the built-in platform they are easy to walk in. The style of the shoe also adds extra support and allows them to stay on great. The only complaint I have is that there is little traction on the bottom of the soles. So they can be a little slick until they are ruffed up a bit. I wore the Jessica Simpson Roha booties on Thanksgiving with a pair of dressy jeans and a button up shirt and I received so many compliments. I literally had family members trying to steel them off my feet!
Shoebuy.com is the perfect place to do all of your holiday shopping. With so many styles and brands to choose from I am sure you will find something for everyone on your list.

You can take 10% off of your purchase at Shoebuy.com with the code PIECEOFME10 or $5 off with the code PIECEOFME5! Codes good until 1/1/2011.

Giveaway Giveaway

One lucky reader will win a $50 Gift Certificate to Shoebuy.com!

*This giveaway is now closed.*

To Enter: You must visit Shoebuy.com and tell me what you would spend the gift certificate on if you were the lucky winner. Please make sure your answer is different than the one in the comment above. Also, please leave an email address either in your comment or make sure it is visible in your profile.

Extra Entries:
1. Grab my button. Leave an address where it can be found.
2. Subscribe to my feed. Must be verified to count.
3. Follow me on Google Friend Connect.
4. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave a comment on which one(s).
5. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway using the text below. You can tweet once daily for an extra entry each day.
Enter to win a $50 @Shoebuy Gift Certificate @PieceOfMeBlog! (Giveaway ends 12/29) http://bit.ly/550ETF
6. Follow Shoebuy on Twitter. Be sure to leave your username in your comment.
7. 5 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you blog about this giveaway please leave 5 separate comments.

Giveaway will end on December 29th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to US residents.

A big thank you to Shoebuy.com for this review and giveaway opportunity.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Shoebuy.com provided the Jessica Simpson Roha shoes and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.