A few changes...

About a month ago I wrote a post about how I needed you to "Pardon my Dust" while I made some great changes around the site? Well fortunately you haven't had to see much dust at all yet, but starting today until tomorrow when the changes are complete you may actually see a little dust flying. So, grab a face mask and and a broom, because when its about to get crazy around here. In the meantime, here are a few "sneak previews" of what you're in for! You can't see much, but, um, that's the idea. :) Enjoy!

What would you do with $30,000?

Things I would do with 30,000 dollars (assuming that I didn't have to do anything responsible with it like pay off loans, invest it, or put it in a college fund) :

1) Put in the in-ground pool that I've wanted, literally, my whole life.
2) Make a down payment on a plane. (This Cessna 400 or Skylane 182 would do.)
3) Go into a Chanel store and plunk down the cash for whatever I'd like, for a change.

What would you do with 30,000 dollars? Well, Huggies is giving you the opportunity to win 30,000 dollars during their Generation Huggies celebration! Did you realize that Huggies has been around for 30 years now? I was one of the orignial Huggies babies! Now I have my own little one in diapers, and it's truly crazy how quickly time flies!

I wanted to let you know that Generation Huggies is hosting a video contest as well as the Generation Huggies Sweepstakes. They are currently touring through major cities where moms will be able to create their own video at designated Video Creation Stations for a chance to be part of their national ad campaign. Moms can also join the Huggies Baby Network where they will be the first to learn about new Huggies product information, mom-to-mom tips, fun activities and games, message boards, expert advice and special offers. If you are interested in entering, the information and guidelines are below!

Now through November 20, 2008, there are two ways for moms to create a video reflecting on "What Motherhood Means to Me."
1. Videos can be uploaded to www.GenerationHuggies.com
2. Alternatively, moms can create a video on-site when they visit a local Generation Huggies event.
3. Videos should be no longer than 60 seconds in length and no larger than 5MB.
4. Everyone can participate by giving a hug, or vote, to their favorite video through November 30, 2008.
5. Judging ends November 30, 2008.

Also, anyone can enter the Generation Huggies Sweepstakes for a chance to win $30,000.
1. From now until Nov. 30, 2008, enter online by visiting www.GenerationHuggies.com.
2. The grand prize winner will receive $30,000 and will be chosen in December 2008. (wouldn't that make Christmas shopping SO much less stressful?!?!)

So go on, hop on over to Generation Huggies and enter to win 30,000 dollars! And, if you win, don't forget who tipped you off! I really need that pool...

So tell me, what would you do with 30,000 dollars?

Wordless Wednesday - Plane on a Highway

On our first night in Orlando we ran to the store to get some milk. We pull off the interstate and pull behind 5 planes driving down the road! I couldn't resist getting out of the car with my iphone and taking this picture. I walked right up next to the police officer and asked if it was ok and he said "Are you kidding? I would be taking pictures too! Take as many as you want!" We found out that they were heading to the convention center for a plane show. Crazy huh? Talk about something I never thought I'd see!

Visit more Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

A little slice of heaven...

The life of a stay at home mom is not always as glamorous as you may think. Contrary to the beliefs of my husband, I do not sit home watching soap operas and eating bon bons. Well, at least not until last week -- and there were no soap operas involved. Honestly, I didn't know that REAL bon bons actually existed. From my time as a French teacher and my college years I already knew that a bon bon is a "goody goody" in French -- and more importantly just a general term for candy. But last week, a company called South N France gave me a delicious wake up call!

These amazing little bon bons are all handmade and dipped in chocolate. When they arrived I opened the box (maybe a bit too eagerly) and divulged in a tase of the cookies and cream bon bon. It was absolute heaven and quite possibly one of the best things I have ever tasted. I brought them to lunch that day to give some of my husbands coworkers a chance to try them too. They were a hit -- everyone loved them!

These delicious bon bons come in 7 delicious flavors and my favorite is by far the Cookies N Cream! The Pistachio is very good, as well as the Chocloate Chip Cookie dough! To be honest, I may have favorites, but they are all fantastic! I think these would make great Christmas Gifts for co-workers, bosses, friends, and even those family members that you never know what to get! They are fantastic and you will be the talk of the office/family! You can order them online in different quantities and flavors at the South N France website. Oh, and if you live in the North Carolina area, you can even schedule a bon bon making party or a Grapes and Crepes party at their shop! Sounds like a great girls night out to me!

If this sounds like something that you would like to try then stay tuned for our 2008 Holiday Gift Guide, being released on November 10th. We will be giving away a 20 piece gift tin of handmade bon bons in conjunction with the release of the guide, courtesy of South n France!

So tell me, do you have a sweet tooth? Is this something you would enjoy?

Review and Giveaway: Pony Sisters Ponchos

Last week we got something in the mail that I was so so excited about. Pony Sisters Ponchos turned my sweet Little AG into the most adorable version of little red riding hood EVER! We got this awesome red fleece poncho for Little AG to try out and we just love it (and she loves how it flies behind her when she runs!). Even though the product was developed in Seattle (brrrrr) the fleece is actually the perfect material for our relatively warm weather year-round here in Louisiana. Rare is the day when we need something other than a light jacket (it's SO depressing, really) so this is the perfect way to keep her warm. She can't take it off, but it also doesn't bother her like a jacket would because it's not bulky and doesn't get in the way. Oh, and have I mentioned how irresistibly cute it is? I'm just sayin'.

Some cool things about Pony Sisters Ponchos that you should know: It is a mom-owned, mom-developed, and mom-run company (I love Mompreneurs!). The idea for their ponchos came about because the owner's daughter hated to wear jackets. Her mom sewed her a fleece poncho to wear to keep her warm, and they started getting stopped everywhere they went to ask where they got it. (Because, as I have already mentioned, it is so stinkin' cute!) It was one of those "ah ha!" moments, and the idea for Pony Sisters Ponchos was born.

Oh yeah, it even has pockets on the inside of the poncho to keep little hands warm. Even cooler, the pockets aren't visible from the outside of the poncho, so it makes you feel all secret-agent-like. Little AG has just recently discovered the joy of pockets, so this has provided lots of entertainment for us.

The ponchos are extremely well made and look very professional. I can say with 100% certainty that I know you will love these ponchos as much as we do. When Little AG grows out of her small, we are promptly buying a Medium, and then the rest of the sizes. I can already tell that this will be one of our wardrobe staples!

Ok, gush gush gush. Gushing is complete. How about winning one? Would you like that? I thought you might. Just follow these easy-peasy rules below to enter:

• Head over to Pony Sisters Ponchos and pick out your favorite poncho. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling me which one you would love to have for the little poncho-wearer in your life!
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
• Blog about this giveaway and link back here. Tell me about it in a separate post.
• Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate post.
  
• Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate post.
• Favorite Chic Shopper Chick on Technorati (there is a "Fave this Blog" button in my right sidebar) and let me know about it in a in a separate post.
• Add me to your blog roll. Not just my button in your sidebar, I'd love to be on your blog roll! Let me know about it in a separate post!

That's it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

Oh, and psssst -- have you heard about our Pink Dyson Giveaway? There is still time to enter! You can also win a copy of the Naked Brothers Band Season 2, or a complete Holiday Card Package from Tiny Prints.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you'd like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contests ends at 11:59 pm CST on October 30th, 2008.

The Holidays are coming! Tiny Prints Giveaway

I love the Holiday Season -- everything about it makes me grin from ear to ear. I am in a the best mood for almost 2 months straight and am almost like a child again. Every year one of my favorite things to do yet one of my biggest challenges is to find the perfect Christmas card. Last year I drove hubby nuts with over 15 different screenshots of what different cards would look like personalized for our family before we chose one. It literally took me almost a week to make a decision. This year I'm getting a jump start on our Christmas cards by checking out all of the amazing stuff at Tiny Prints. Check out some of the great cards I found there -- and this is just scratching the surface!!


Tiny Prints has generously offered to give one lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader a complete Holiday Card package -- which will include 50 of a selected card of your choice, 72 address labels and 60 stamps with the matching card design. To enter to win, you need to follow the rules below. Please pay attention, because it is a little different than my previous contest rules!

Please check out the Tiny Prints Holiday Photo Cards and search for the holiday photo card with “slushy to chic” in the description. Hint: It's in the first two pages. Once you've identified the correct card, you should click “ask a friend” to share the card to my e-mail address (contests at chicshopperchick dot com) with your fun and creative greeting then click “Save in Favorites.” Then share that same greeting in the comments section of this post and you’re entered! The winner will be selected from those who chose the correct card and provided the most fun & creative greeting!

That's it! This contest is open to all participants throughout the world! So please, enter! This contest ends November 7, 2008.

We could all use a little Pixie Dust!

As a little girl I used to love watching Peter Pan -- and of course, the "little green fairy" Tinkerbell was my ultimate favorite! I'm thrilled that now Little AG will be enchanted by the same characters as I was as a child, and this first film in a series of new releases that feature the Disney Fairies does just that!

Fulfilling the dreams of every little girl (and even a few moms!) who has ever wanted her own pair of fairy wings, Tinkerbell flies onto DVD and Blu-Ray disc and into your living rooms starting this Tuesday, October 28th. Every fairy is born with a very special talent, and this movie is about Tinkerbell feeling like her ability to make things "tinker" isn't as special as the talents that the other fairies have. However, with the help of some of her other fantastic friends in Pixie Hollow, Tinkerbell finally begins to realize that the best gift of all is simply the ability to be herself! Little AG was completely captivated (and completely still!) when this movie started, and I had to tear her away for bathtime.

Ok, my personal favorite part about this movie may be something that you haven't even considered -- we hear Tinkerbell speak. I'm not sure if you realize it, but Tinkerbell has never offically uttered a word, so this was a real treat. An all-star cast has lended their voices to this full-length film, with Mae Whitman as Tinkerbell and with America Ferrara, Raven-Symone', Kristin Chenowith, and Lucy Liu rounding out the cast as the other fairies! Grab the kiddos and come check out the sneak previews below and then try telling me that, even as an adult, you aren't pretty excited about seeing this one.






The DVD and Blu-Ray Disc will both be released this Tuesday, so be sure to go pick up your copy to start your new Disney Fairy Movie Collection. The suggested retail for the DVD is $29.99 and for the Blu-Ray Disc is $34.99 and you can find your your copy of TinkerBell on Amazon.

Our Anniversary

Hubby and I have been married for 4 years today! I can't believe it's been 4 years already, though we always joke what a long time that is to put up with each other! Here are a few photos from our wedding exactly 4 years ago today - the day when I married my best friend!

Wordless Wednesday

Ever see a shot of the Eiffel tower from the top looking down?



Well, now you have.

Taken by yours truly in July. La Tour Eiffel was bathed in blue light for a change because France had just taken over as President of the European Union. Usually it's just kinda yellowish - but this made for a better picture anyway, right?

Does it make you dizzy?

That wasn't so wordless...

Giveaway: Naked Brothers Band, Season 2

Real Brothers. Real Music. Not Really Naked.

When I read the tagline I have to admit I was a bit relieved! With the 3rd season of the Naked Brothers Band beginning to air on Nickelodeon comes the release of the 2nd season on DVD. The show that started it all with a movie has taken off among the pre-teen audience.

A little background on the show: "When two stars of the show, Nat and Alex were young, one day they announced, "We’re the Naked Brothers Band!" while dancing naked around their apartment after a bath. They formed a band in preschool with Nat's best friends." A band. In Preschool. Woah! These guys are truly talented.

All of the music on the show is written by kids (Nat and Alex) and is specifically for kids. The show is best suited for kids between the ages of 1 and nine -- but adults will jam out to this fun show too! You can pick up season 2 of the Naked Brothers Band on Amazon.

Win it! Would you like to win a copy of the Naked Brothers Band, Season 2? To enter, follow the easy peasy rules below!

• Leave a comment on this post - but a little effor would be nice. No "I wanna win" or "Enter me". kthxbai.
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
• Blog about this giveaway and link back here. Tell me about it in a separate post.
• Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate post.
  
• Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate post.
• Favorite Chic Shopper Chick on Technorati (there is a "Fave this Blog" button in my right sidebar) and let me know about it in a in a separate post.
• Add me to your blog roll. Not just my button in your sidebar, I'd love to be on your blog roll! Let me know about it in a separate post!

That's it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you'd like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contests ends at 11:59 pm CST on October 29th, 2008.

http://www.chicshopperchick.com/2008/10/naked-brothers-band-season-2.html

1.59 Million Cribs Recalled

My hubby actually saw this story tonight on Yahoo news and I wanted to link to it here so that you can make sure this isn't a crib that you own. 2 babies have died from these cribs, so I implore you to read this story on the crib recall to make sure that this isn't a piece of furniture that you have in your house.

Please pass it on to your friends and family as well. Let's keep those sweet babies safe.

Sneezy? Is that you?

When I got an email about Clorox's new Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray, I just knew I needed to know more about it. My poor husband is pretty much allergic to LIFE. For years he sneezed constantly, and his mom begged him to go to the doctor. He had gone once, but that doctor brushed him off like he was crazy, and without even testing him told him that the allergies were essentially "in his head." Years later we finally convinced him to go to an allergist and lo and behold, the man is allergic to cats, dogs, dust, trees, pollen -- you name it and he's pretty much allergic to it.

Their new anti-allergen spray breaks down 90% of allergens and can be sprayed on virtually every fabric surface. It is gentle enough to be used around kids and pets (an obvious must for us) and it is dye-free and fragrance-free. When we received our sample, I promptly sprayed it over almost every fabric surface in our home, including the carpet. Does it work? Honestly, I'm not sure how to tell. We do have two dogs in the home, but how do I judge whether or not hubby is sneezing more or less than usual? Since I can't I'll just take it on good faith that the stuff works and that the testing they did before releasing the product actually means it is more than just water in a bottle. However, it makes me feel better about my house to use it, and honestly, when can you spend under 5 bucks on something and honestly say that?

I'm a Mac!

I'd like to applaud Microsoft for their great effort with their new "I'm a PC" commercials. Some of them are great, and I like watching them. I've read that sales and searches for new PCs have even increased slightly. However, I am a Mac girl, through and through. I switched to a Mac a little over 3 years ago and at first I hated it because it was so different from what I was used to. After a month I realized it was just breaking bad habits, and that everything on a Mac was actually easier for me to access and understand. I've been a Mac girl since that moment, and I can honestly say I'll never switch back to a PC.

At one point my Mac did have some serious issues -- I had my optical drive and logic board replaced twice. However, when it works, it works. There are no issues with the computer freezing, no programs (except for the Microsoft ones!) ever encounter fatal errors and "have to close", and there is no such thing as Ctrl Alt Del (that command doesn't even work on a Mac!) However, Apple took care of me, and when my computer wasn't functioning properly, they sent me a new MacBook on them. What other company do you know that has that kind of customer service?

So, that is why hubby and I (he's also now a convert!) cracked up laughing when we saw this commercial today. Great response to all the new "I'm a PC" ads. Way to go Apple! You will laugh too, even if you are a PC!



So tell me, what are you? Are you a Mac? Or are you a PC?

Great Giveaways at An Ordinary Life

Have you been over to An Ordinary Life lately? Kristin has all KINDS of cool giveaways going on that you will totally want to win (but not the Rose Petal Cottage because I really need that one for Little AG for Christmas!). Seriously though, in addition to winning a Rose Petal Cottage, you can also win a Lifestyle Custom Kitchen for your kiddos, which Little AG would be equally as enamored with!

She pretty much always has great giveaways, so go check them out over at An Ordinary Life! Oh, and PS, you know it must be true, because I am not easily impressed and I totally never blog about other giveaways! :)

Paris, Je t'aime

For some reason I just can't focus today. I feel like I have a million things to do and just no immediate drive to do them. When I was doing the morning rounds of the internet this morning, one of the blogs I love had a slideshow of some pictures of Paris, and it just made me want to be there instead of here. I don't have dreams of being a rockstar or a celebrity, just of moving with my family to Paris and living a happy little life working and living in the city I love.



For the record, I would be just as happy moving to my other favorite city in the entire world, Nice, on the French Riviera (so I guess my title should be "Paris et Nice, Je vous aime"). People there are so nice and laid back, and I could sit forever on the rocky beaches and listen to the water crash onto land. Plus our all-time favorite restaurant is there. And, of course, I would love the opportunity to actually speak French on a daily basis.


But hey, a girl can dream right? One day...

Tupperware Winner Re-Draw!

Good morning CSC readers! Our first Tupperware winner did not respond, so we've chosen a new one. Random.org chose comment #187 -- kathy55439 who said...

Lit'l Bowl Set I love bowls and serveing trays... not sure why LOL

I've emailed you, so please respond or email me within 72 hours to claim your prize!