Thursday Edition of Contests Galore Pin It

Welcome to another Edition of Contests Galore!

Each day brings new contests from around the blogosphere and sometimes beyond.  If you would like to be included in one of the Editions of Contest Galore, please use the Contact Form to send me your giveaway/contest information.

If you love these daily editions of contests galore, put me in your feed reader or sign up for to get my post via email so you don't miss the new roundup.

You MUST visit the contest links below to enter.

No entries are accepted on this post.

If you are unsure if you've entered a contest already, do a search for your username.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for another edition.

Thanks for stopping by and Good luck!

Laura

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Blog: The 6 O'Clock Stitch

Contest Link: http://the6oclockstitch.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway.html

Prize: One  winner will receive a $10 gift certificate AND one winner will receive a $5 gift certificate.

Entry: Browse shop and comment to post.

Deadline to enter: Midnight (EST), Tuesay, February 3, 2009

Open to continental US residents only.

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Lonely Planet's Write a Restaurant Review & Win competition

www.lonelyplanet.com/competitions/review

Write a review of any restaurant or cafe on lonelyplanet.com and you'll automatically go into the running for some tasty daily prizes. Shake off your napkin and get writing!

Win iPod Touchs, Nintendo Wiis, iTunes Gift Cards, accommodation vouchers, Lonely Planet guidebook packs & Canon Digital Cameras!

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Name of blog: Everything Up Close

Number of winners: 1
Sponsor: The Giving Essence
Prize: One winner will receive a Peppermint Stick Headache & Stress Eraser from The Giving Essence.
Link: http://everythingupclose.blogspot.com/2009/01/giving-essence-review-giveaway.html
Restrictions: Canada and the US only.

End Date: January 31, 2009

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Name of blog: Everything Up Close

Number of winners: 1
Sponsor: Honey Dipp
Prize: One winner will receive a Honey Dipp gift basket valued at $100.
Link: http://everythingupclose.blogspot.com/2009/01/honey-dipp-review-giveaway.html
Restrictions: North American entries accepted.

End Date: February 2, 2009

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Name of blog: Everything Up Close

Number of winners: 1
Sponsor: Mountains of the Moon
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 gift certificate for Mountains of the Moon.
Link: http://everythingupclose.blogspot.com/2009/01/mountains-of-moon-review-giveaway.html
Restrictions: Worldwide entries accepted.

End Date: February 2, 2009

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Name of blog: Everything Up Close

Number of winners: 1
Sponsor: Snacktrition
Prize: One winner will receive one 8.5-ounce tub of each of Snacktrition's products: Calcium Sea Salt Almonds, Calcium Smoked Almonds, Fiber Salt & Pepper Cashews, Fiber Sea Salt Cashews, and Calcium & Fiber Fruit & Nut Mix.
Link: http://everythingupclose.blogspot.com/2009/01/snacktrition-review-giveaway.html
Restrictions: North American entries accepted.

End Date: February 6, 2009

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LoveEtsyFeedback
http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2009/01/feature-104-win-earring-necklace-set.html
win porcelain jewelry set from JoanMillerPorcelain
Comment on blog post
Ends 2/03/09
US only

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HOST or NAME OF BLOG: Simply Stacie
CONTEST LINK: http://stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/bella-bracelet-giveaway.html
PRIZE: Bella Bracelet
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment
DEADLINE TO ENTER: February 12, 2009
Open to US & Canada

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Peanut Butter and Pickle Reviews
Children's Books by David Michael Slater
http://pbandpickles.blogspot.com/2009/01/childrens-books-by-david-michael-slater.html
Ends February 4th @ Midnight EST US ONLY

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new giveaway up now on Petit Elefant.  It's a $50 gift certificate to the online children's boutique Sugarplum Dreams.
Here are the details:
http://petitelefant.blogspot.com/2009/01/sugarplum-dreams-giveaway.html
One of you is going to win a $50 gift certificate to spend as you'd like at Sugarplum Dreams. Yay! See below for details.
Giveaway Guidelines:
  1. To enter the Sugarplum Dreams $50 Gift Card Giveaway, leave me a comment on this post telling me how you'll spend your money.
  2. If you blog about this, you get an extra entry. Email me to let me know you've posted about it with a link to the post.
  3. If you twitter about it, you will receive an additional entry. Again, email me. This means you can get TWO extra entries for this giveaway! What are you waiting for? Shoo!
  4. If you post my button on your blog, again, you guessed it, an extra entry.
  5. Leave only one comment please.
  6. Anonymous comments will be ignored.
  7. The deadline to enter is Sunday February 1st, Midnight MST. Winners will be announced Monday February 2nd.
  8. If I don't hear from you within 7 days to claim your giveaway another winner will be chosen.
  9. Good luck!

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Simply Sweet Treats Featuring And Sew Much More

Value: 18.00

Dates: 1/29-02/5

Link: http://customcreationsbysydnei.blogspot.com/2009/01/simply-sweet-treatsand-sew-much-more.html

Link to Blog: http://customcreationsbysydnei.blogspot.com

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Technorati Tags: contests, giveaways, daily contest roundup, bloggy giveaway, bloggy contest, blog giveaways, blog contest

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

Wednesday Edition of Contests Galore Pin It

Welcome to another Edition of Contests Galore!

Each day brings new contests from around the blogosphere and sometimes beyond.  If you would like to be included in one of the Editions of Contest Galore, please use the Contact Form to send me your giveaway/contest information.

If you love these daily editions of contests galore, put me in your feed reader or sign up for to get my post via email so you don't miss the new roundup.

You MUST visit the contest links below to enter.

No entries are accepted on this post.

If you are unsure if you've entered a contest already, do a search for your username.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for another edition.

Thanks for stopping by and Good luck!

Laura

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Peanut Butter and Pickle Reviews
The Shower Hug
http://pbandpickles.blogspot.com/2009/01/shower-hug.html
Ends February 4th @ Midnight EST US ONLY

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Host: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
Link: http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/spice-and-entice-in-and-out-of-kitchen.html
Prize: Black Sweetheart Apron
How To Enter: Comment on post
Deadline: Feb. 3, 2009
US Only!

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Crabtree & Evelyn gift set contest

http://eightymphmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/crabtree-evelyn-giveaway.html

Enter by leaving a comment
Ends 1-31
U.S. entries only

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http://www.mommafindings.com/2009/01/label-daddy-wants-to-send-you-to.html
Prize: BlogHer '09 Conference Pass ($200)
To enter: Leave a comment on post.
Deadline is: 2/25/09
Open to US & Canada residents only

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Monkey Mayhem is giving away a pair of Aldabella Scarpa shoes!

Deadline is February 4th!

Just post a comment with what your favorite pair of shoes on their site is and why.

http://jasfamily.blogspot.com/2009/01/aldabella-scarpa.html

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Adventures of a Twenty Something Mother

Win It! Tide-to-Go Martha Stewart Recipe Box!

Tide-To-Go is giving away, through my blog, (2) prize packages which include (see picture above):

• Martha Stewart recipe box from Macy's
• Recipe cards to help fill your new box
• Some fabulous recipes from the Deen Brother's cookbook (yes, Paula's boys!)
• 10 Tide to Go Mini pens!

All you have to do to enter is just leave a comment here!

You only have until Friday, January 30th at 10am to enter.

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Technorati Tags: contests, giveaways, daily contest roundup, bloggy giveaway, bloggy contest, blog giveaways, blog contest

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

CFBA BLOG TOUR: Gatekeepers (Dreamhouse Kings #3) by Robert Liparulo Pin It

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gatekeepers
(Dreamhouse Kings #3)
Thomas Nelson (January 6, 2009)

by
Robert Liparulo


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly.

Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colorado with his wife and four children.

Robert's first novel painted a scenario so frighteningly real that six Hollywood producers were bidding on movie rights before the novel was completed. His acclaimed debut novel, Comes A Horseman, is being made into a major motion picture by producer Mace Neufeld and his short story "Kill Zone" was featured in the anthology Thriller, edited by James Patterson.

Bob has sold the film rights to his second book, GERM. And he is writing the screenplay for a yet-to-be-written political thriller, which sold to Phoenix Pictures, for Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, The Guardian) to direct!

And his third book Deadfall. debuted to rave reviews!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Bob Liparulo wants to give away a signed 3 book set of the DreamHouse Kings books! Send an email to Bob [at] Liparulo [dot] com and put "CFBA" in the subject line. He will pick a winner next week!!!!

In the third novel of this young adult series, the mystery deepens in a house that is more than meets the eye.

The Kings have been in the creepy old place, their new home, for only a few days, but they've experienced enough terror to last a lifetime. And the mystery is growing even more baffling. Shadowy and shifting, the big house conceals doors into other worlds that blur the line between memories and dreams-and the slightest misstep can change history forever.

At least, that's if they believe the trembling old man who shows up claiming to know them. "There's a reason you're in the house," he tells them. "As gatekeepers, we must make sure only those events that are supposed to happen get through to the future."

The problem is that horrors beyond description wait on the other side of those gates. As if that weren't enough, the Kings are also menaced by sinister forces on this side-like the dark, ancient stranger Taksidian, who wants them out now.

It's hard to believe that things could have gotten worse for the King family-but they have. Dad's in handcuffs, the school bully has just found the secret portal that leads from the high school to the house, and Xander is sure he's found Mom, but they can't get back to her. Then Jesse arrives, and he seems to be a virtual Obi Wan of knowledge about the place. But is he the key they need to unlock the secrets, or just a crazy old man?

Dangers are increasing from within and without when Xander makes a startling discovery that explains why they haven't found any rooms that lead to the future. Alongside the threats, though, they're also starting to find some surprising allies.
All they have to do is get organized, get psyched, and get Mom. But that isn't nearly as easy as it sounds.

Xander, David, and Toria must venture beyond the gates to save their missing mother-and discover how truly high the stakes have become.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Gatekeepers
(Dreamhouse Kings #3), go HERE

What they're saying:

Review
"If you like creepy and mysterious, this is the house for you! Every room opens a door to magic, true horror, and amazing surprises. I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?" --R.L. Stine (Goosebumps)

Review
"A powerhouse storyteller delivers his most fantastic ride yet!"
-Ted Dekker, bestselling author of Kiss, Chosen and Infidel

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

Caregivers Marketplace Pin It

If you haven’t heard about Caregivers Marketplace, it’s a great rebate program for everyone that is a caregiver… and that includes us Moms with toddlers and babies, as well as those taken care of children in need of medical care, and elderly who also need assistance.

The way the program works, is you purchase qualifying items, send in your receipts with those items circled and you get back money on them. (the amount varies per item).

If you still have qualifying receipts for 2008, you will need to submit your form (printable from the site) by January 31, 2009.

And while you are there on the site, be sure to print out a form for 2009 as well!  You can hold onto the receipts or send them in when you have at least 5 qualifying products.

Here is a short list of participating brands, see the website for full listing:

• Huggies
• Huggies GoodNites 
• Huggies Pullups
• Balmex 
• Nature Made Vitamins
• Cottonelle
• Gold Bond
• Polident
• Poligrip
• Aspercreme
• Poise
• Comfort
• Cortizone
• Icy Hot
• Ensure
• Glucerna
• Citrucel
• Koapectate
• Ecotrin
• and there are MANY others listed on the website

Go here to join and print your form: www.caregiversmarketplace.com for 2008 (if you still have receipts) and 2009 then start saving those receipts to get some cash back!

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

FIRST WILD CARD BLOG TOUR: The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams Pin It

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Stacy Hawkins Adams

and the book:

The Someday List

Revell (January 1, 2009)

The Someday List Blog Tour Giveaway
Tell Us One Item on Your Someday List. Leave your answer in the comment section. Participants will be entered into a drawing for The Someday List Blog Giveaway. View the prize package below:

* $50 American Express Gift Card

*Autographed Copies of all of Stacy’s books: Speak to My Heart, Nothing But the Right Thing, and Watercolored Pearls, and the anthologies The Midnight Clear and This Far By Faith.

*20% Discount Coupon from Tywebbin Creations. (May apply to one service)

Join Us for an Hour Long Chat with Stacy on January 30, 2009. We will announce the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the THE SOMEDAY LIST BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY during the call.

Phone #: 1-518-825-1400 / Access Code: 15642 / Time: 8:00 pm EST

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stacy Hawkins Adams is a nationally-published, award-winning author and speaker. Her contemporary women’s fiction novels are filled with social themes and spiritual quests that take readers on journeys into their own souls.

She holds a degree in journalism and served as a newspaper reporter for more than a decade before turning her full attention to penning books, speaking professionally and writing freelance articles.

She is currently writing her sixth novel and her first nonfiction book, an inspirational title that will encourage women in their faith.

Stacy lives in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two young children.


Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800732669
ISBN-13: 978-0800732660

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Prologue

Rachelle fumbled with the bouquet of yellow roses and locked eyes with him. Her flowers sagged from thirst.

The simple gold band she clutched stuck to her sweaty palm.

Instead of a flowing white gown, she wore the black pencil skirt and short-sleeved white silk blouse that, until today, had served as her choral ensemble uniform.

Her groom was dressed in his standard singing attire too—white collared shirt, black tie, and black slacks. He had removed the diamond earring from his left earlobe, his goatee was freshly cut, and as far as she was concerned, he had never looked finer.

Between the two of them, the worldly goods they possessed amounted to less than what Rev. Prescott likely paid to have his preaching robe cleaned.

And yet, she knew this was right. The right time, the right place, and the right man, even if she had to marry him in secret.

One day they would look back on this elopement with tenderness and pride, telling their children about their union in an empty church sanctuary, not far from the university they would graduate from in six months.

He smiled at her and arched an eyebrow, questioning the delay in her response.

The minister repeated himself.

“Rachelle Marie Mitchell, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

She smiled. Her beloved didn’t have to worry about her having second thoughts—not when she felt this way.

“I do, Reverend Prescott,” she said. “I do.”









1



Rachelle Mitchell Covington felt both giddy and guilty.

In twenty-four hours she would be completely alone and she couldn’t wait.

No worries about temporary empty-nest syndrome—she was happy to let her parents deal with two preadolescent know-it-alls for half of the summer. And no need to feign an interest in her husband’s wants, work, or even his world.

For the first time in their eleven-year marriage, she and Gabe would be away from each other for more than a week.

When he informed her that he had agreed to speak at a medical conference the week before he left for a medical mission trip, she knew he expected her to complain. Rachelle had frowned for his benefit, but also bit her lip to keep from cheering.

Though it was already steamy outside this morning, the temperature inside Houston’s Intercontinental Airport left her longing for her cashmere coat. Rachelle shivered and smiled when Tate and Taryn, looking like they had stepped off the pages of a Children’s Wear Digest catalog, turned to wave one last time before passing through the security gate and approaching a waiting airline employee.

The young woman in the crisp navy and white uniform would escort them to their direct flight to Philadelphia.

The fifth and third graders had been trying to whine their way out of their annual summer visit with Rachelle’s parents for two days, because they would miss their friends, feared boredom, and believed Gram would have way too many rules. Rachelle had reminded them again this morning that, despite those perceived hardships, they had no problem enjoying the regular outings, video games, and other treats they enjoyed during their stay.

When Tate and Taryn disappeared around a bend that led to Terminal A, Gabe turned toward Rachelle and motioned with his head that he was ready to go. He and Rachelle walked briskly toward the parking deck without touching or talking.

Gabe walked a stride or two ahead of her, as if he were on a mission. He tempered his gait as they neared his SUV, and he unlocked the doors with his key chain device.

“I’m not going into the office this morning since I’ll be flying out early tomorrow,” he said without looking toward Rachelle.

“Let’s grab breakfast at Olivette.”

Rachelle scrambled for an excuse, but none presented itself.

She hadn’t mentioned that she soon would be leaving too, for a weekend trip to the West Coast. It didn’t matter that he didn’t know. He wasn’t going to be home anyway.

“That’s fine,” she finally said about breakfast, although he had already steered his Mercedes in the direction of the hotel restaurant.

They rode in silence during the half-hour drive and didn’t speak until the waitress asked for their order.

Rachelle sighed and responded by rote. “He’ll have smoked salmon and a bagel with a side of fresh fruit.”

Gabe nodded and looked up at the waitress. “She got it right.”

“Salmon and bagel with a side of fruit,” the waitress repeated, lodging the order in her memory.

Rachelle leveled her eyes at Gabe. “Order for me.”

He peered at her over the rim of his glasses. “How would I know what to order for you?”

Rachelle didn’t feel like playing along with his public politeness today. She sat back and folded her arms.

“Try.”

The waitress shifted from one foot to the other and turned her gaze to a nearby bank of potted plants.

Gabe’s nostrils flared and he clenched his teeth. “Just order something already.”

“If you can’t do it, I guess I’m not hungry,” Rachelle said.

Gabe opened the leather-encased menu and glared at the offerings.

Seconds later, he pushed it into the waitress’s face. Startled, she grabbed it before it landed on the Oriental rug beneath the table.

“Bring her an omelet with ham, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese.”

The waitress nodded and left quickly, her reddish-brown ponytail swaying with each step. Rachelle knew the young lady had to be wondering how a couple could fight over a breakfast order.

If she had asked, Rachelle would have assured her this skirmish was overdue.

Since she had received Jillian’s unsettling invitation three weeks ago, Rachelle’s tolerance for just about everything had plummeted.

With the kids away for the next month, she didn’t have to contain herself. Gabe should be thankful he was leaving for a business trip tomorrow.

He laid his linen napkin across his lap and stared at her.

Rachelle challenged him with her eyes. She wanted him to care enough to question her, to probe why she was being defiant.

But just as she knew what to order for his meal, she knew he wouldn’t take the bait. He was his usual, detached self—enveloped in skin that was a smooth, savory brown and as self-absorbed as a two-year-old whose favorite words were “no” and “mine.”

In that moment, something welled up inside of her. She looked past Gabe’s glasses, past the perfect white teeth, past the pool of nothingness in his eyes. She wanted to see into his soul. She wanted to know that he had an “I would die for you” kind of love inside of him. For her.

Even if they had been together for what seemed like forever. Even if she didn’t know how she really felt about him. If one of them could summon the emotion, maybe that would make all the difference.

He was leaving tomorrow for New York and would return home for one day before traveling to Uganda. In twenty-four hours, she’d have the entire house to herself. But right now, she realized, she needed to leave to save herself.

Right now, what mattered more than being a good wife was being good to herself. Hearing from Jillian for the first time in a long time was nudging her to stop procrastinating.

Rachelle took a sip of her coffee and rose from her seat. “Stay and enjoy your breakfast. Call a taxi when you’re done. I may or may not be at home by then.”

“What—”

Before he could protest, Rachelle raised her hand to stop him.

Her voice trembled when she addressed him in a whisper.

“Gabe, I’m tired of playing like the happy couple. Our life is strangling me. I want a real marriage and this isn’t it . . . And by the way, I’ve always hated cheddar cheese.”

She grabbed her purse from the back of her chair and strode toward the door, heart pounding as if it would burst through her sleeveless tangerine top.

Had she really done that? Did she just walk away from her well-to-do, handsome husband and leave him stranded in a restaurant?

What would her parents say? Their friends? For the first time that she could recall, those questions wouldn’t determine her actions.

Rachelle slowed her pace when she reached the restaurant’s entrance and nodded farewell to the hostess. She strode through the lobby of the Houstonian Hotel and thanked the bellhop who held open the door for her. While the valet retrieved Gabe’s Mercedes truck, she stood at his booth, tapping her foot and looking over her shoulder.

In the minutes since she had left the table, Gabe hadn’t pursued her. Despite the fact that she had fueled this drama, she was hurt.

She breathed in the humid summer air and exhaled slowly, trying to keep her composure.

For once, she wished she were sweaty enough to mask the moisture on her face. The last thing she wanted to admit was that once again, she had allowed him to make her cry.





©Stacy Hawkins Adams, The Someday List: A Novel, Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2009. Used by permission

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

2 Binder Toting Couponers, 1 Honda Civic, + Sales = a stuffed car, lots of deals & 2 tired gals Pin It

A friend and I made plans to meet up Sat. morn (January 24th) to shop together. She offered to drive her car that is good on gas as compared to my 12 passenger van... although I think we should have took the van after we tried stuffed her car.

This is what her car looked like at the end of the day.

	Mine  haul of goods was in the trunk - (12) 4-roll Cottonelle t.p that wouldn't fit & was in backseat.

The rest of the story..
I was running early to meet her due to a bank and post office stop so I went to Bi-Lo for a few things that I had q's for & found some closeouts. Those bags are not even in the picture as I left them in the van.

At Bi-Lo, I bought:

4 Suave Cucumber Melon conditioner closeout .74 - .50/2 - .24 ea
2 Suave Cucumber Melon shampoo closeout .74 - .50/2 = .24 ea
My goal for shampoo/conditioner is .25 or less... preferably free but if I can get it for .25, I will stock it as I give to friends, family, etc. in need.

9 Blistex BOGO at .65 ea - (9) .35/1 = free
7 Lipton tea bags 16ct $1.25 - .60/1 = .05 ea
3 Lipton To Go closeout $1.70 - .60/1 = .50 ea
Total pre-tax $39.50
Total Saved $37.16
Tax $1.05
Total OOP $3.38
- MIR $5 on 3 Lipton To Go
= a Money Maker (MM) of $1.62

Prior to getting to the hair salon (were I was getting a free hair cut), we stopped at the Rite Aid because we were early.

At Rite Aid, I bought:

(9) .10 Rite Aid popcorn on clearance!

I paid .97 oop and saved $5.31 from the original price to the clearanced price. Cathy gave me (7) boxes of hair color that I helped her use q's for to get free & make overage on her order.

Next stop: hair cut (free with a g.c. courtesy of herbal essence) I had to pay $5 as the $35 g.c didn't cover it. Cathy almost fell asleep in the chair waiting... who knew a hair cut was going to take almost an hour?! She occupied herself though looking at a couple of videos I took of my stockpile.

and just for those wondering... here's that $40 hair cut (remember I had a $35 g.c so had to pay $5 oop)

I have naturally curly hair so she layered it then straightened it (with straightener which I have one so I can do this to it). She layered it to give me more volume because my hair is baby fine.

Now back to the shopping story…

Then to CVS &  Walgreens which were just up the street and on the corner across from each other.

CVS was a bust except for us scanning our cards. I got a $5/$15 that expires on the 27th which will probably expire befor I get to use it and I got a $10/50 that expires on 1/31, and 3 different $1 off specific item coupons

At Walgreens we did better.

First Transaction:
4 Tostitos $2.50 ea
4 Queso dip $2.50 ea
(4) $1 q's ($1 off 1 Tostitos and 1 Queso Dip -- and I had enough to share 4 q's to Cathy for her deal)

Total Saved: $15.12 (sale and q's)
Total OOP: $17.55
Received: $10 RR

Second Transaction
6 Skippy $1.99 ea
2 Ragu $1.99 ea
- (4) .75/2 q's
- $10 RR from 1st transaction
Total Saved: $21.08 (sale and q's)
Total OOP: $4.15
Received $10 RR

Third Transaction
(7) 12pks of Pepsi $3 ea
- (2) $1/1 q
- $10 RR from above
Total Saved $25.93 (sale and q's)
Total OOP: $10.63
Received $10 RR (did not roll this into anything so I have it to use this week)

Then it was cheap/quick lunch/chat time. We enjoyed a McD's burger before hitting the road again.

This time our destination was Kmart to wreak havoc.  We met a lady there who we shared deals & coupons with as well as shared info about A Full Cup.com

1 Energizer 8pk batteries (for Cathy to watch the rest of the first video as it was the BIGGEST portion of the stockpile and was well worth seeing the look on her face and hearing her laugh) $6.99 - $2/1 = $2.99

4 Act Mouthrinse $3.19 - $2/1 = FREE

1 Bic Sensitive Twin Razors $3.29 - $2/1 = FREE

1 Bayer 32ct $2.59 - $1/1 = Free (and I shared q's with Cathy so she could get some)

1 Sucrets $3.99 - $1.50/1 = .99 - $1.50 MIR - MM of .51

2 Febreze Hawaiian scent Air Effect $2.99 - $1/1 = .99 ea

4 Dixie 320ct Napkins $3.99 - $1/1 = $1.99 (and I had extra q's to give to Cathy for to get 4 for herself)

4 Nature Valley Fruit & Nut bars marked down to $1.64 - .50/1 = .64 ea and I had q's to give to Cathy for her some and to the lady we met there too and shared deals with, etc.

4 Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal $2.25 - $1/1 = .25 ea

3 Sobe Life Water Strawberry Kiwi $1 - .50/1 hangtags = FREE (Cathy spotted these and we shared the hangtags to get the water)

- $5/50 q

Total saved in sale/q's $70.24 not counting clearance items price diff.

Total OOP: $13.61

By this time, Cathy and I were on cloud 9 with deals & just having a fun day of shopping together.

Our next stop landed us at Ingles for TRIPLES!!    This is were we met a nice lady who was installing blinkie machines and we chatted with her a few minutes as she was also a couponer.

This Ingles was new to us, so we probably missed a few deals because of that but we both had a blast and saved some moola.

I Saved $107.71 and spent $56.23 ... that seemed high to me so after looking at my receipt, I got overcharged $17.88 and can't figure it out how because the way the young man did the triple part of the coupons.

From deducting what I should have paid for the items after q’s, I cam to the conclusion I was overcharged by $17.99.   I didn't catch it until we got to Kroger in Harriman and since I was with Cathy (she drove), I wasn't about to ask her to drive all the way back to Lenoir City to go though all that hassle (I think this store closes at 9 or 10 anyway) so we would have got there after they closed for sure so I just wasn’t going to ask her to do that.

But for everything I got, I still got an excellent deal so I'll just have to suck up the overcharged amount and smile.

6 Betty Crocker Potatoes .98 - .35/1 = Free

2 Free Hamburger Helper wyb3 Betty Crocker potatoes

4 French's Fried Onions $1.66 - .50/1 = .16 ea

6 Manwich $1 ea - .50/2 = .50/2

4 Roasted Sweet Peppers $1.31 - .40/1 = .11

3 Veg-All .63 - .35/1 = Free

5 French's Worcestershire Sauce .98 - .50/1 = FREE and I had one q for a Free one

2 Frank's Hot Sauce $1.50 - .50/1 = Free

9 Smuckers Grape Jelly $1.67 - .35/1 = .62 ea

10 French's Mustard $1.45 - .50/1 = Free

2 Biz Powder $3.38 - $2.50/1 = $1.88 ea

9 Puffs Tissue .98 - .25/1 = .23 ea

1 Angel Soft Tissue $1.48 - .50/1 = Free

17 Renolds Baking Cups .85 - .25/1 = .10 ea

5 Huggies Wipes $2.91 - .50/1 = $1.41 ea

3 Pampers Wipes $2.78 - .50/1 = $1.28 ea

4 Smuckers Uncrustables $2.00 - .75/1 = $1.25 ea

4 Pillsbury Toaster Streudels $2.00 - .35/1 = .95 ea

1 Bag of Reduced Bananas .99 (no q but man I can't pass up those bag deals.)

Oh and while Cathy was checking out (don't remember her totals) I looked through the clearance buggies and found 4 South Beach bar items marked to $1.34 and I had $2/1 coupons for them. So I had her to put them in on her order to give her the overage since she just gave me $2 to put on mine so I wouldn't have to write a check... So she got overage from the boxes that made up for the $2 and then some and I got free South Beach snack bars.

By this time it was about 8pm and we were S T A R V I N G!!

To Zaxby's since Cathy had a q to use that basically ended up being a BOGO deal. We were SOOOOOO hungry.    I asked her if it would be rude if I licked the box.  She started laughing at me, then laughed even more when I started hiccupping.

Then it was on to Kroger for Mega Deal (MD)  Sale in which you got $5 instantly off your order for buy any 10 participating items (identified by tags throughout the store).

At Kroger, I loaded the buggy with:

3 Green Giant Potatoes/Sauce $1.50 - .50/1 dbl = .50 - .50 MD = FREE

1 Yoplait Yogurt $2.49 - $1/1 = $1.49 (mishap w/Kroger card cost me on this one as I would have only made money on it because there was a $1 CellFire q, $1 Shortcuts q on the card))

6 J&J Buddies $1.09 ea - (2) $3/3 = .09 ea and I should have rolled these to get another $3 off q for each 3 on the order but I was just too tired to care at this point.

1 Weight Watchers blueberry muffins marked down to $1.29 - $1/1 = .29

6 Oust Air Santizers $2.99 - .50 MD on each one and (3) BOGO q's (so basically made $1.50 total on this for the FREE q's - MD)

6 Kraft Shredded 2% Cheese $1.99 - .75/1 = $1.24 - .50 MD ea - .74 ea

6 Quakers Rice Quakes $1 - $1/1 = FREE (shared q's w/Cathy so she could get frees)

2 Marzetti Croutons marked down to .99 - .50/1 = FREE

2 Daisy Sour Cream $1.99 - .50 MD ea = $1.49 - .50/1 dbl = .49 ea

1 Kroger Whole Wheat Crackers .88 - .75 CFire = .13

1 Fiber One Bar $2.49 - .50 MD =$1.99 - .50/1 = .99 (I messed up & used the wrong Kroger card or I would have made money of .26 after a Cfire .50 and Shortcuts .75 q would have came off )

2 Keebler Fudge Cookies $2.50 - .50 MD ea = $2 - $1/1 = $1

1 Kroger Tuna in Water .76 - .75/1 CFire = .01

1 Gillette CShampoo $4.37 - $2/1 = $2.37 (mishap w/Kroger card cost me on this one as I would have only paid .37 after $2 Pgesaver q came off)

1 Kroger napkins .88 (another mishap cost me .75 on this as I would have only paid. 13 with a .75 Cfire)

1 Kroger tissue .88 (another mishap cost me .75 on this as I would have only paid. 13 with a .75 Cfire)

2 Kroger 3lb onions (no q) $1.61 on sale ea

1 No Nonsense knee High Clearance $1.50 - $1.50/1 = FREE

12 Cottonelle 4 pks .99 - .50/2 = .49 ea

Not counting clearance prices saved $93.83
OOP $31.07
and my mishaps costs me $8.25 grrrr.

 

By this time is was about 10:30 pm & we were tired! We ate Keebler Fudge Sticks, & drank sobe water to stay awake.

 

Total of Everything I bough before q's (not counting orig./clearance or hair g.c) $513.98

Total OOP: $137.59

and my mishaps/overcharges cost me $26.13

so basically I should have only paid $111.46.

Plus I have:

MIRs: $6.50 (so far)

and a $10 RR for later

So what does $513.98 in products look like.... (- 2 Sobe Water I drank)

There is NO WAY I would have ever paid $513.98 for that stuff!!!

I'm so glad I coupon!

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Being Good Stewards.. Pin It

As wives, we often do the majority of the grocery shopping, shopping for clothes, etc. and in some cases, the wives are writing out the monthly checks to pay the bills. As such, we can impact our family’s finances greatly if we are a “spend-thrift”.

I know some of my readers are not going to like my message but it’s been on my heart and I feel now is the time to share it given the state of our economy with many being laid off left and right. Some of you may be already experiencing the sting of a layoff and it’s effect in your own household. 

I am not here to judge. I am here to try to help you. This post is not here to condemn you but rather to hopefully give you some insight and ideas on what you can do to help your husband and your household finances.

Titus 2: 4-5 tells us older women that we should be teaching the younger women.

Titus 2 KJV 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 

In that passage of scripture, us older women are to teach the younger women in many areas pertaining to our home and family as a whole.  What we do, where we go, what we say, etc. can and does reflect on our family and our children see how we treat our husbands, keep the home, etc.  They are watching you whether you realize it or not.  They can (and often do) repeat the same mistakes you make.

One of the areas that is not specifically mentioned in the above passage but still goes along with the message is to be a good steward of the money our husbands are bringing home via their paycheck. 

Many families have budgets set up for certain expenses, bills, etc.   As a wife, it’s up to us to help our husband reach those goals to stay within budget. 

I don’t know about you but I just can’t go out on a whim and spend say $50 for a pair of sneakers. For one, I am not  spendthrift.  I never have been.  Not sure it was because I grew up in a family that didn’t have much that caused me not to be or if it is because I know that I don’t have to spend $5o to get a good pair of sneakers.

I admit to being frugal. It’s just me. I grew up with parents who both grew up during the Great Depression. I’m sure much of their resourcefulness spilled over to me (and I hope my siblings).

Being frugal has come with a stigma though from some who view frugal with being poor.  Oh it’s quite different… Frugal is being Smart!   I reuse things  (empty cottage cheese containers become containers for leftovers; I refurbish things for another use (mesh onion bags as pot scrubbers), I make things from scratch (muffin mix and other mixes to keep from buying high priced store-bought mixes that I can’t get cheap or free with coupons), and I make things cheaper than I can buy them sometimes (homemade laundry soap for one).

I also admit to being an avid couponer. I use a coupon binder that I started years ago and shared on a couponing message board and the method just took off.  I shop the sales, match up the coupons to those sales, as well as shop markdown/clearance bins too.

Both of the above traits have helped us to further our budget as well as to stock our freezers and pantries.  I stockpile things like shampoo, soaps, etc. that I get free or very close to it after coupons.  This helps save money in the long run because I’m not having to make a special trip to the store because we have run out of something (that rarely happens around here). And if the need arises in the community, I can make up a bag of toiletries in a few minutes to donate to someone in need.

Being a good steward doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having nice clothes, etc. it means you find different avenues to acquire those clothes. You don’t have to shop Macy’s, Dillards, etc. to dress nice.  You can find many pretty dresses, skirts, blouses, and more right at your local thrift stores.  Goodwill is amazing when it comes to finding good deals. The local store has a “50% off everything in the store” sale once a month.  That is when I go shopping for shoes and clothing for the children that I have not been able to find at another local thrift store that has freebie boxes out front. I’m not ashamed to look in those boxes and they are open to all who wish to look through them.  I don’t shop Goodwill every month but rather about once every 6 months or so.  I stock up on bigger sizes for the children to grow into as well as current things we may be in need of.   This has furthered our clothing budget greatly.  I’ve never been one to want to shop in a department store or mall anyway.  I like the deals that can be found at thrift stores.  Plus in the warmer months, I stop at yard sales where the deals can be often even better than the thrift stores. 

So with all that said, I hope you will have gleamed something you can use to help you be the woman God wants you to be as a wife and mother as well be a helper to your husband in reaching the financial goals he has for your family.

Blessings,

Laura

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FREE Diet Dr. Pepper 2 Liter! Pin It

Go to Dr. Pepper and click on the square on the bottom left of the screen (Or here’s the direct link for the form Free Diet Dr. Pepper )

Fill out the form (2 small forms) but it’s fast and easy.

You can choose between a coupon for a free 2 liter OR a coupon for a free 2 liter.   Obviously, the 2 liter coupon is a better deal!

And regarding the bolded terms below… looks like this offer is PER PERSON 13 and older  and not per household… so order a coupon for everyone in your household that meets the requirement (you may need to have separate email addresses as it does ask for that).

Enjoy!!

Quote: DR PEPPER AND NOTHING DIET ABOUT IT ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF DR PEPPER/SEVEN UP, INC. © 2009 DR PEPPER/SEVEN UP, INC. *OPEN TO FIRST 2,000,000 TO REGISTER 1/26/09-3/31/09. MUST BE 13 OR OLDER. LIMIT ONE PER PERSON. COUPON GOOD FOR ONE 2 LITER OR 20 OZ. DIET DR PEPPER (UP TO $1.59) AND EXPIRES 6/30/09. ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF THE U.S. SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY. © 2009 YAHOO! INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF SERVICE | COPYRIGHT/IP POLICY

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

Tuesday Edition of Contests Galore Pin It

Welcome to another Edition of Contests Galore!

Each day brings new contests from around the blogosphere and sometimes beyond.  If you would like to be included in one of the Editions of Contest Galore, please use the Contact Form to send me your giveaway/contest information.

If you love these daily editions of contests galore, put me in your feed reader or sign up for to get my post via email so you don't miss the new roundup.

You MUST visit the contest links below to enter.

No entries are accepted on this post.

If you are unsure if you've entered a contest already, do a search for your username.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for another edition.

Thanks for stopping by and Good luck!

Laura

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Host: Comfort Joy Designs
Contest Link: http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/save-sam-giveaway.html
Prize: Stupid About Men 10 Rules for Getting Romance Right by Deborah Dunn
How To Enter: Leave a Comment
Deadline: February 1, 2009

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Spoiled Pretty's CORALista Blush Giveaway, Sponsored by Benefit
Cosmetics - Ends February 1st
http://spoiledpretty.blogspot.com/2009/01/coralista-giveaway-sponsored-by-benefit.html

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Spoiled Pretty's Romantique Nail Polish Giveaway, Sponsored by China
Glaze - Ends February 1st
http://spoiledpretty.blogspot.com/2009/01/oh-joy-china-glaze-romantique-giveaway.html

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Jolly Mom

Win The Invisibelt-2 WINNERS!

Ends Feb 8^th

US entries only

http://www.jollymom.com/2009/01/mom-time-in-eliminate-bulk-with.html

                Leave comment on post. Additional entries available.

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Jolly Mom

Win a Pintucked Blouse by Alpinestars ($78 Value)

Ends Feb 8^th

US entries only

http://www.jollymom.com/2009/01/mom-time-in-for-fierce-woman-in-all-of.html

                Leave comment on post. Additional entries available

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Momstart
See Kai Run Giveaway
Ends Feb 14th
US
http://www.momstart.com/2009/01/see-kai-run-giveaway-for-bloggers-give.html

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Momstart
No Cry nap solution
Ends Feb 28th
US
http://www.momstart.com/2009/01/no-cry-nap-solution-giveaway.html

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Momstart
Entrecard Points
Ends Feb 28th
International
http://www.momstart.com/2009/01/entrecard-contest-bloggers-give.html

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Momstart
Wine Gift Basket
Ends Jan 31
US
http://www.momstart.com/2009/01/wine-catastrophe-giveaway.html

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Name: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
Link: http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/do-you-have-enviable-curls.html
Prize: Curl-Gel-Les'C Product and T-Shirt
Deadline: February 5, 2009

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Name: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
Link: http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/let-your-rooms-speak-to-you.html
Prize: Vinyl Wall Quote or Phrase of choice
How To Enter: Comment on post after visiting sponsor site
Deadline: February 2, 2009

US Only

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Host: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
Link: http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/all-blinged-out-with-help-of-icecom.html
Prize: 33 Carat Blue Topaz Sterling Silver Bracelet
How To Enter: Comment on post after visiting sponsor site
Deadline: Feb. 2, 2009
Open To All

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LoveEtsyFeedback
http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2009/01/feature-103-3-win-prizes.html
win one of 3 prizes from Geekdetails
Comment on blog post
Ends 2/01/09
US only

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Y.e.s. products for Anti-Aging Serum and Rejuvenating Cream worth $115 (ends 2/2/09) http://www.mommieswithcents.com/2009/01/giveaway-yes-anti-aging-serum.html

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Belli Motherhood Body Firming Serum worth $35 (ends 2/1/09) http://www.mommieswithcents.com/2009/01/giveaway-belli-motherhood-body-firming.html

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LoveEtsyFeedback
http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2009/01/feature-103-3-win-prizes.html
win one of 3 prizes from Geekdetails
Comment on blog post
Ends 2/01/09
US only

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Giveaway -  CPSIA Protest Giveaway (Baby Products)

Blog – Goodies for Mom

URL - http://goodiesformom.blogspot.com/2009/01/bloggy-giveaways-cpsia-protest-giveaway.html

Number of winners – 6

How to Enter – Leave a comment after visiting the sponsoring site. Bonus chance for blogging or twittering about giveaway and leaving comment with link.  

Deadline – Saturday, January 31, 2008 at midnight EST

Open to US only

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Giveaway -  Beating the Winter Beauty Blues Gift Pack

Blog – Goodies for Mom

URL - http://goodiesformom.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway-beating-winter-beauty-blues.html

Number of winners – 1

How to Enter – Leave a comment after visiting the sponsoring site. Bonus chance for blogging or twittering about giveaway and leaving comment with link.  

Deadline – Saturday, January 31, 2008 at midnight EST

Open to US only

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One of three copies of The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk, open to all entrants in any countries! To enter, leave a comment by the end of Friday, January 30, 2009, PCT! Get an extra entry by linking to the contest on a blog and leaving another comment.
http://www.breastfeeding123.com/contest-to-win-one-of-three-copies-of-the-breastfeeding-mothers-guide-to-making-more-milk/

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An Avent Isis Breast Pump Set, Glass and Plastic BPA-Free bottles, nursing bracelet and nursing pads. Open to residents of U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.  To enter, leave a comment by the end of Friday, January 30, 2009, PCT! Get an extra entry by linking to the contest on a blog and leaving another comment.
http://www.breastfeeding123.com/win-a-manual-breast-pump-bpa-free-bottles-nursing-pads-and-more/

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A copy of Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book. U.S. residents only. To enter, leave a comment by the end of Friday, January 30, 2009, PCT! Get an extra entry by linking to the contest on a blog and leaving another comment.
http://www.breastfeeding123.com/win-a-copy-of-mommys-little-breastfeeding-book/

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In case you haven't heard, VanillaJoy.com is having a kitchen giveaway this week with some great prizes.
Here's what you could win this week on Vanillajoy.com:

Monday - Over $100 in baking products from Wilton

Tuesday - A 6 piece POP Container Set from OXO

Wednesday - The Cansolidator Pantry from Shelf Reliance

Thursday - $25 cash from Buzzillions

Thursday - A free felt pattern from BuggaBugs

I hope you'll stop by and enter to win these fabulous prizes starting today, Monday, January 26th, and continuing through Thursday of this week

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Name of your site:                                            The Post-It Place                  

Name of Product:                                             Stainless Steel Bag Dispenser

Deadline to enter                                              Jan 31st at 8 PM EST

US addresses or world-wide?                           US Addresses Only

A live link to the contest/giveaway post            http://thepost-itplace.com/?p=1695

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Hot Beauty Health
http://www.hotbeautyhealth.com/beauty/beauty-health-giveaway-philosophy-i-love-red-licorice-set
Philosophy I Love Red Licorice Set
Can enter by filling out form on my site.
Jan. 31, 2009

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Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy