Kicken The Winter Blues - $1000 Cash Giveaway

Welcome to the Kickin The Winter Blues Giveaway

Hosted by Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog and Pink Ninja Media

Like so many others I was inspired by all the shows I've seen on television sharing these awesome stories of people saving hundreds of dollars a month by simply using coupons. While I haven't quite reached that status I am well on my way. The very best tip I can give to a newbie at couponing would be to get organized. Couponing can seem very overwhelming at fist but once you find a system that works for you and your lifestyle it will become like second nature. 

About our Sponsor: Rather Be Shopping

 Have you heard of the best place to save money, find online coupons, search coupon codes, and find coupon codes that are updated daily? You might have heard it mentioned on TodayShow.com, L.A. Daily News, MSNBC, Woman’s World, and Readers Digest to name a few. If you haven’t been there yet and love to save money! You should visit Rather Be Shopping. Kyle from Rather Be Shopping is awesome and takes pride in saving money, and it shows. He keeps Rather Be Shopping updated daily with the best online coupon codes, printable coupons, savings, bargains, and for those new to online shopping learn “How Coupons Work.” Don’t forget to get geared up and save on the go with the FREE Rather Be Shopping Coupon App for your iPhone. About the Giveaway: We are super excited to bring FIVE lucky people the chance to win some serious cash! The 1st prize winner will receive $500 PayPal Cash! How exciting is that!

 Check out how the break down will work.

• 1st Prize: $500 Paypal Cash
• 2nd Prize $200 Paypal Cash
• 3rd Prize $150 Paypal Cash
• 4th Prize: $100 Paypal Cash
• 5th Prize: $50 Paypal Cash

Giveaway will run from 02/27/2013 at 12:00am EST - 03/28/2013 at 12:00am EST, open WORLDWIDE! To enter you must be at least 18 years of age, and use the Rafflecopter below. Remember you do not have to complete all entries on the Rafflecopter, but by doing so you are gaining more entries into the giveaway and increasing your chances on winning. There is plenty of time to enter this giveaway as it will run for 4 weeks. Those of you who wish to take advantage of daily entries be sure to visit daily and grab those extra entries.

Special thanks to our fabulous Co-Hosts:

Pink Ninja Blogger, Simply Shawn N Jenn, My Four Littles, Moms Vacation Spots, My Simply Walk, Adventures of a Military Family of 8, PrewChatterly, One Proud Momma, Coupon Gator Mommy, and Happy Home and Family

Thank you for making this event so much fun! Maybe you will be one of the FIVE lucky readers will receive cash! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This blog was not compensated for being part of the event, nor are we responsible for shipping the prize to the winner. This event is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any other social media network. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email. The winning email will come from jennsblahblahblog@hotmail.com. Be sure and add it to your safe list. We sure would hate to have to redraw another winner. If you have any questions about the giveaway you can contact Jenn from Jenn's Blah Blah Blog at jennsblahblahblog@hotmail.com. Good Luck.

Weight Loss Update- hCG 1234

As a Reminder I have been doing the Creative Bioscience 90 Day Challenge.     I elected to try their hCG 1234 drops.  This program is broken down into phases. Phase One gorge on fatty foods for  two days while starting the drops. It sounds a lot more fun than it is. If done right by the end of the first day you are completely over it. You need to store up on fatty foods to prepare yourself for Phase Two were you eat little to no fat and from 500-1200 calories depending on the program that's best for you. I am on a 500 calorie diet. Phase Two can last for 3-6 weeks depending on the amount of weight you need to lose. I have a significant amount to lose so I am creeping upon my fifth week in a six week phase. 

 WHAT I LOVE:
The fact that my meals are a no brainer at home because there is a specific list of foods you can eat.

I enjoyed stepping on the scale everyday and consistently seeing progress for the first two weeks.

I love the ease of taking drops vs. pills.

WHAT I DISLIKE:

At week three my menstrual came on and weight loss stalled for a week and 4 days.

The disappointment of standing on the scale and NOT seeing progress for over a week.

The cheat days (3) I gave my self because of discouragement, pressure and a holiday.


So I have kept you waiting long enough as of the writing of this post 4 weeks and 2 days into the program I have lost 4.5 inches from my waist and *drum roll please* 22.4 pounds!

Overall I am happy with my experience so far and realize after some research that the set back is common for women and it is not something I wil beat my self up for in the future. Also, the cheat days really aren't worth it, while you are taking the hCG 1234 drops if you take fats and sugars into your body you will gain a substantial amount of weight. Which leads us to Phase 3 were you slowly reintroduce foods back into your diet, while the hCG slowly leaves your system. I'll let you know how it goes!

If you are a blogger and interested in joining me on this challenge apply here: Creative Bioscience 90 Day Challenge.

Disclosure:  I received a 90-day supply of the product in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are 100% mine and not influenced in any way.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Recap

Like so many other parents and overall circus lovers we braved the horrific traffic and congestion that surrounded Phillips Arena in Atlanta GA on Saturday. The things we do for our kids. But nonetheless, we made it albeit 30 minutes and slightly annoyed. Our frowns were quickly turned upside down who could stay made at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

MOST ANTICIPATED MOMENT- I was most excited to see the tigers and lions we got there just in time to see the END or their performance. One man in a cage with four lions and three tigers it was awesome.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

NAIL BITING MOMENT- OMG the Motorcycle performed by the Torres Family was impressive enough with just four motorcycles reaching speeds up to 65 mph in a 16 ft steel sphere, but when the number continually climbed from four to eight riders the family and I was on the edge of our seats.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

 WARM & FUSSY MOMENT- I blinked and all of a sudden the Big Top was filled with some of the most talented little cats, dogs, ponies and llamas you will ever see. The great part is most of these pint sized animal were rescued from pounds and shelters. Youtube videos had nothing on these little performers.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

AMAZING MOMENT- As the elephants paraded around the stage it was amazing how poised they were. You think an animal that large would be clumping around instead they looked regal.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

SURPRISING MOMENTS- It's weird but I was drawn to the Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey African American Ringmaster and youngest, was very charismatic and demanded your attention.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

Overall the entire family enjoyed themselves in the end and I hope that you and your family will do the same. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be in the Atlanta area until 03/03. Click here to see when they will be near you.

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to this event. But, my opinions are 100% my own. 

Chobani Champions Review and Giveaway

If you follow my blog you know I am obsessed with providing my kids with healthy meals and snacks. Luckily for me my boys love yogurt and after trying Chobani Champions have become quite the yogurt snobs. I guess they know good quality when they taste it. Chobani Champions is the first Greek Yogurt made for kids! Like all Chobani products, Champions is made with only natural ingredients, like low-fat milk and real fruit. Plus it’s packed with protein, bone-building calcium, probiotics and 20% of the Daily Value for vitamin D. Champions is also gluten free, Kosher Certified.

Champions is available in yummy, kid-friendly flavors  Very Berry, Honey-Nana, Orange Vanilla and Vanilla Chocolate Chunk. My youngest loves the Vanilla Chocolate Chunk, which he simply calls the Chocolate Yogurt. While my oldest son enjoys the Very Berry for it's super fruity flavor.  Each tasty variety is sold in convenient single-flavor four packs. Plus at only 100 calories per 3.5oz cup, Champions is a great snack for the health conscious mom and dad too! I must admit the hubby and I have sneaked a cup or two when the boys weren't looking. Every cup is bursting with flavor, super creamy and just the right size for the little hands and there little tummies!

Now it's your chance to proved your little ones with greek yogurt made just for them. Two lucky readers will receive one variety case of Champions cups containing six 4-packs (for a total of 24 cups). 

Enter Below

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you are not one of Your Unexpected Beauty winners Chobani Champions also runs a giveaway on their Facebook page each week were 20 cases are given away every week.
 

Twitter: @Champions Instagram: @ChobaniChampionsFacebook: Chobani Champions

Disclaimer: I received samples of the product. But, as always my opinions are 100% my own. 

WW- Spiderman & Fedoras

Deakin & Romee

I took the boys to the store and they were allowed to pick whichever hat they wanted! The youngest decided on a Fedora while the oldest went for Spiderman. Love their personal style!!!

What this SAHM Hears Day In and Day Out!

I want bread, jelly, eggs, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, etc.for breakfast.

Every morning when I get up I am greeted by the two most adorable little boys you will ever meet. And everyday my day starts the same not "good morning mommy" not "I love you mommy", but with two different breakfast orders. 

Daddy didn't give me my vitamin.

Everyday after the hubby has kissed us all goodbye as he rushes off to work before the garage door closes one of them says "Daddy didn't give me my vitamin". When will they forget the one time that he gave them a vitamin before he left to go to work and remember that I give them their vitamins EVERYDAY!

Were not going anywhere?

After the little men have had their vitamins and are satisfied with their breakfast experience than they want to know what's on the agenda for today. I guess they expect the worse (staying home) and hope for the best (going somewhere) because the question is always "Were not going anywhere". This is the time when we either all get dressed for an outing or settle down for our 1.5- 2hrs learning time.

DANIEL TIGER!

Although we are working on telling time they are no where near able to actually do so, yet they always know when it's time for Daniel Tiger to come on. This is where mommy gets to check out for 30 minutes because this is one show I don't mind them being glued to the T.V. for because it is awesome.

I want crackers, cheese, yogurt, cranberries, etc. for snack.

Before Daniel Tiger can get "Agamaga" (his closing phrase) out of his mouth someone begans to rattle off what they desire for lunch. It's my own fault they have been on a schedule since birth, mostly for my own sanity, and know that schedule drives me completely up the wall. LOL

Where's my blanket?

After the snack the boys retreat to their rooms and play until I call for nap time. That is the exact moment when every lovie, blanket stuff animal that they just have to have in bed with them goes missing.

Good afternoon.

My oldest son has determined the moment that the school bus drops the elementary kids off in front of our house  is the exact moment that nap time is over making it the afternoon. So he slowly creeps out of his room finds me gives me his sweetest smile and says "Good afternoon mommy".

I want peanut butter & jelly, hot dogs, chicken, raviolis, etc. for lunch.

Now here is where my oldest son makes as much noise as he can to wake his brother and when he successfully does so turns and tells me what he wants for lunch. 

Let's call granny, auntie, cousin, friend.

The afternoon is when they are most chatty and want to call all our relatives to catch them up on their day. Thank goodness for grannies!

What you going to cook?

Somewhere along the lines they realized that they have absolutely no say on what will be served for dinner so they just simply ask "What you going to cook?"

When daddy's coming?

Once I began cooking they know that daddy can't be too far away. So they continually ask me when is he coming and peeks out the front window until he arrives.

YAY DADDY!!!

I know this list is supposed to be what I hear all day long, but we all are screaming "Yay Daddy" when the hubby arrives home.

Center for Puppetry and Arts: The Adventure of Mighty Bug

Written and directed by Jon Ludwig

2012-13 Family Series

Welcome to Bugville, a jumpin’ little insect community that swings to the Bugville Boogie and the sweet sounds of WBUG Radio star Morpha Butterfly. Watching over the insect citizens is the one and only Mighty Bug, a superhero with super strength, smelling, hearing, and flying abilities. But Mighty Bug isn’t the only arthropod with an eye on Bugville. The evil arachnid Scorpiana has assembled a group to attack the town.  Can Mighty Bug defeat the evil Scorpiana and save Bugville? Find out in this science-filled comic book style adventure!

I recently decided to start giving my sons some one on one mommy time. So when the opportunity came up to experience a show at the Center for Puppetry and Arts I knew it would the suitable outing for my soon to be four year old. Boy was that an understatement it was perfect we saw" The Adventures of Mighty Bug" not only did my little one learn a ton about bugs, but he shared all his newly acquired knowledge with his little brother once we got home!

"The Adventure of Mighty Bug" combined the use of body and shadow puppets using comic book storytelling style to keep the audience captivated  My absolute favorite part of the show is when they come out at the end and explain how the production works, thus saving me from having to answer a million questions on the ride home.

Don't forget to head up stairs to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop and make your own Lightning Bug Rod & String Puppet to take home. It's included in the ticket price. This was a big hit with my little guy and I am sure it will be with yours as well!

                                     
                                          WATCH THE TRAILER

Where:
Center for Puppetry and Arts (Main Stage)

1404 Spring Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309


When:
Jan 31 - Mar 17, 2013

Showtimes:
•Tues-Fri: 10am & 11:30am
•Sat: 12pm & 2pm
•Sun: 1pm & 3pm


Single show tickets, which include Create-A-Puppet Workshop and Museum:
Member - $9.25
Non-Member - $16.50

Purchase tickets online at  tickets@puppet.org or call the Ticket Office at  404.873.3391.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary tickets for this show, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Kickin The Winter Blues $1000 Cash Giveaway Blogger Opp

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog and Happy Home and Family would love for you to join them in a FREE Blogger Opportunity! Sign up now for the Kickin The Winter Blues $1,000 Cash Giveaway! Grow you're readership, don't miss out on this awesome giveaway.

Details:

• Blogger will get a FREE Twitter or Pinterest link with Announcement Post or $5 .
• Additional links available
• Giveaway will start on 2/25/13 and run until 3/25/13.
• Want more information, swing by and check out Jenn's Blah Blah Blogs FREE Blogger Opportunity.

Let them know Your Unexpected Beauty sent you!