Mandy's Thirty-One Gifts Review & Giveaway!!

Just because the holidays are over, it doesn't mean that the gifts have to stop!!  Thirty-One Gifts has a great selection of products perfect all year round!!  And Mandy from Thirty-One Gifts can help you choose the best ones!!  She is a director with Thirty-One Gifts, and she just got started about 7 months ago! Thirty-One Gifts is not only a great place to shop, but you can build your own business for only $99!!   Read Mandy's story by clicking here!

Thirty-One Gifts offers so many great things! Their patterns are super cute and the products are very useful and versatile! Everything looks super nice! And the variety is amazing! Everything from totes to purses, even a flat iron case!! The new expanded size fits a majority of flat irons, making it great for storage or travel!  Many of the products can be monogrammed, making the gift even more personal! These products are great to give, or even great to buy for yourself!!

I love the Mini On the Go Organizer!! This super stylish wallet comes in three prints.  Inside are dividers to help organize whatever you want-business card, coupons, or whatever your wallet holds! I use it to organize all my cards of all types, and store cash and frequently used cards in the very front.  It is a quick way to find what I need without having to pull everything out at the checkout!  The closing clasp is secure, so I don't have to worry about losing anything out of it.  And something I found important is the clear ID holder actually holds my ID.  I got a new wallet for Christmas and haven't used it yet because the spot to hold my drivers license is too small.  This one is the perfect size and I love it! The organizer even has a cute little handle, making it even easier for on the go!  Sometimes I just grab this, my keys and a small chapstick (which I can even stick in the side of the organizer) and I'm ready for the day!

The compact size of the organizer is not too big and not too small.  I am a person who frequently changes her wallet and purse, but since getting this organizer I have used it consistently and just change my purse.  The wallet is just so versatile and pretty much perfect, so why change a good thing?

Thirty-One Gifts also has beautiful organizational baskets, perfect for all your home organizing needs! I love the Medium Magazine Basket! It is great for the bathroom-it holds a roll of toilet paper for easy dispensing, plus storage for extra rolls and reading materials!  Their variety of basket styles and sizes will keep your house organized and clean while looking stylish!

Small Lunch Tote

And for those of you who love a great picnic like me, they have an insulated picnic thermal tote!  Keep the hot things hot or the cold things cold! This is one of the products from their thermal collection! Thirty-One gifts has different sized thermal totes, great for lunches, travel and more!!!  The lunch totes are great for school, work, or on the go!!

If you would like to join forces with Mandy and make some money, click here to join her team!!  Earn money and rewards as part of a great team, led by a fabulous director!!

Mandy has graciously offered to giveaway a small lunch tote!! Here is how to win!!:
MANDATORY ENTRY 2 PARTS MUST BE DONE FOR THE ENTRY AND EXTRA ENTRIES TO COUNT:

PART 1:  Tell me one product that caught your eye from their catalog!!  Leave your answer in your comment!

PART 2: Follow me via Google Friend Connect
You must put both parts in the SAME comment and include your GFC name for the entry to count. Also must include an email to contact you to win, unless it is visible on your blogger profile.
 No email=no prize!

For all other entries, leave a separate comment for each entry, and if it says more than entry for doing something, leave an individual comment for each of those entries and label them #1 #2 and so forth.
Have questions? Email Frugal Family Fun!

Extra Entries:

Like Frugal Family Fun on Facebook leave me your Facebook name in the Comment 1 extra entry

Like Mandy's Thirty-One Gifts on Facebook leave me your Facebook name in the Comment 1 extra entry

If you get a friend to like us on Facebook, you get an extra entry! One entry per friend that likes my page!  THIS IS AN UNLIMITED ENTRY  Just say in your comment that you got a person to like and what their name is! 1 extra entry each

Follow @FrugalFamilyFun on Twitter and leave your twitter name in the comment 1 extra entry

Tweet about this giveaway up to 5 times daily for entries. leave me the link to your tweet- Your Tweet Must include @FrugalFamilyFun  and the link to this contest.  tweets must be at least 1 hour apart for entry. 1 extra entry for each tweet.

Subscribe to our email updates, via google reader, or via RSS feed , 1 extra entry for each

Put our button on your blog, leave me the link to the blog THIS WILL BE CHECKED. 3 extra entries


Blog about this contest, including a link back to this giveaway worth 5 extra entries. Leave me the link to the blog post in your comments

Enter any of our other giveaways! Gain an extra entry in this contest for each contest you enter! Leave the name of the contest in your comment!

Contest begins now and ends January 28, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeits prize.  Open to US Only!

Mandy Haffner provided me with an organizer in exchange for a review on my blog. I was not obligated to give a positive review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. Photos from

Mandy Haffner!

Plow & Hearth Two Tier Storage Cubby Review and Giveaway!

With as many people in the house as I have, being organized is not only important, its outright necessary.  There is no other way to get through life with a houseful, than to be organized!!  I am always on the hunt of great products and storage cubbies to help keep my house organized and me from going insane!! Plow & Hearth has great products to help keep the clutter out of the way!


One product I absolutely love is this Two Tier Storage Cubby:

This beautiful cubby (2 cubbies are shown here) is perfect for a bed side stand, end table or table near the front door.  It can really go in any room of the house! I use it in my room to keep reading material near the bed, my glasses and other things I like to have close at hand when in my room at night.  The slanted shelve ends help to keep things inside as well as give the cubby a unique look.


I can think of all sorts of things you could do with these cubbies!! They would be perfect for kids' shoes, cubbies for a preschool or daycare, a way to organize the garage and more!! The wood is sturdy and best of all, the cubby is fairly easy to assemble! I was able to do it all on my own!! I was pretty proud of myself to say the least!!

The cubby is just under three feet tall, and fits easily in just about any space. Use it alone or purchase several to have lots of storage, as shown above.   The cubby can stand up to all sorts of messy stuff, so it can even be used to store garden supplies or whatever you please!  And when you buy 2 or more, they are $59.95 each!  When you purchase just one it is $69.95 so you are getting savings when purchasing more than one!! They look great and will help you stay organized!

Oh yeah did I mention one of you gets to win one of these!?!  Here is how to win!!:

MANDATORY ENTRY 2 PARTS MUST BE DONE FOR THE ENTRY AND EXTRA ENTRIES TO COUNT:

PART 1:  Tell me another product you would love to have from plowhearth.com!  Leave your answer in your comment!

PART 2: Follow me via Google Friend Connect
You must put both parts in the SAME comment and include your GFC name for the entry to count. Also must include an email to contact you to win, unless it is visible on your blogger profile.
 No email=no prize!

For all other entries, leave a separate comment for each entry, and if it says more than entry for doing something, leave an individual comment for each of those entries and label them #1 #2 and so forth.
Have questions? Email Frugal Family Fun!

Extra Entries:

Like Plow and Hearth on Facebook and leave me your Facebook name in the comment

Like Frugal Family Fun on Facebook leave me your Facebook name in the Comment

If you get a friend to like us on Facebook, you get an extra entry! One entry per friend that likes my page!  THIS IS AN UNLIMITED ENTRY  Just say in your comment that you got a person to like and what their name is!

 

Follow @plowandhearth on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in the comment

Follow @FrugalFamilyFun on Twitter and leave your twitter name in the comment

Tweet about this giveaway up to 5 times daily for entries. leave me the link to your tweet- Your Tweet Must include @FrugalFamilyFun @PlowAndHearth and the link to this contest.  tweets must be at least 1 hour apart for entry. 1 extra entry for each tweet.

Subscribe to our email updates, via google reader, or via RSS feed , 1 extra entry for each

Put our button on your blog, leave me the link to the blog THIS WILL BE CHECKED. 3 extra entries

Blog about this contest, including a link back to this giveaway worth 5 extra entries. Leave me the link to the blog post in your comments

Enter any of our other giveaways! Gain an extra entry in this contest for each contest you enter! Leave the name of the contest in your comment!

Contest begins now and ends January 17, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeits prize.  Open to US Only!

Plow and Hearth gave me a product to review on my blog. I was not obligated to give a positive review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

CP Docks Review & Giveaway!!

Cell phones are such a necessity now a days! I can't put mine down for very long! Which means it has to be charged usually during the day and I charge it over night. But the cords are so long they get in the way, and sometimes they get tangled with other cords. What a mess. I need a better solution to keep things looking neat!!

CP Docks are the best solution, and they make great stocking stuffers!!  You simply wrap the cord around the holder, plug in the phone and then plug the phone into the wall adapter and  plug the adapter into the wall. There is also an adapter you can attach to the existing outlet to free up the outlet and let you use the great CP dock shelf!!

 I love the EZ Mount Cell Phone Station! It is one product that removes the cell phone and cords off the counter and onto a wall. It installs as a simple wall plate. No drilling or anchors are needed. The unit consists of a shelf for the phone, a cord holder to hide the charging cord and a hook to keep car keys conveniently located near the phone. There is no need to store a charger, since it stays with the charging station. 

The new Plug in Shelf portable charging station protects your phone and eliminates the tangle of charging cords. Just plug in your charger, wrap the cord around the cleat and place your phone on the shelf. This is the perfect size for travel and makes a wonderful stocking stuffer idea this year.


You can win your own CP Dock!! Sponsored by Tomoson.com  Here is how to win!!
MANDATORY ENTRY 2 PARTS MUST BE DONE FOR THE ENTRY AND EXTRA ENTRIES TO COUNT:
PART 1: Tell me which CP Dock you like the most!!
PART 2: Follow me via Google Friend Connect
You must put both parts in the SAME comment and include your GFC name for the entry to count. Also must include an email to contact you to win, unless it is visible on your blogger profile.
 No email=no prize!

For all other entries, leave a separate comment for each entry, and if it says more than entry for doing something, leave an individual comment for each of those entries and label them #1 #2 and so forth.
Have questions? Email Frugal Family Fun

Extra Entries:
Like Frugal Family Fun on Facebook leave me your Facebook name in the Comment

If you get a friend to like us on Facebook, you get an extra entry! One entry per friend that likes my page!  THIS IS AN UNLIMITED ENTRY  Just say in your comment that you got a person to like and what their name is!

Follow @CPDocks on Twitter and leave your twitter name in the comment

Follow @FrugalFamilyFun on Twitter and leave your twitter name in the comment

Tweet about this giveaway up to 5 times daily for entries. leave me the link to your tweet- Your Tweet Must include @CPDocks @FrugalFamilyFun and the link to this contest.  tweets must be at least 1 hour apart for entry. 1 extra entry for each tweet.

Subscribe to our email updates, via google reader, or via RSS feed , 1 extra entry for each

Put our button on your blog, leave me the link to the blog THIS WILL BE CHECKED. 3 extra entries

Blog about this contest, including a link back to this giveaway worth 5 extra entries. Leave me the link to the blog post in your comments

Like CP Docks on Facebook!  and leave me your Facebook name!

Enter any of our other giveaways! Gain an extra entry in this contest for each contest you enter! Leave the name of the contest in your comment!

Contest begins now and ends December 12, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeits prize.  This is open to U.S. only!! Good luck!


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

Savvy Source Birthday Party Tips!

I got an email from Savvy Source and I had to share the contents with my readers! Here are some great tips for your child's next birthday bash!!

Bigger Isn't Always Better: Tips for a Fun and Manageable Birthday Party

June 01, 2010 by Kelly Leahy

When did children's birthday parties go from small gatherings of a few friends and relatives to full blown galas? We've seen princess parties for four-year-olds complete with invitations that looked like they could have come from the renaissance, pony rides and inflatable castles.

Your child's special day does not have to throw you into debt just to make it memorable. Here are a few tips on planning the perfect party and managing your child's expectations (and your own)

Start planning early. The earlier you start stocking up on supplies, the less it will hurt your budget. Invitations, decorations and favors can be purchased well in advance. A theme can be helpful with planning, but it's not necessary.

Set a start time and an end time. Unless you are interested in firing up the grill, pick times that don't coincide with meals like 1:00-3:00 p.m. or 2:00-4:00 p.m. If your child still takes an afternoon nap, why not have a morning party at 10:00 a.m.? This prevents afternoon meltdowns and allows your guests to have the rest of their day free.

Think of the parents. If you are partying with preschoolers, chances are the parents will be there too. Make sure to have plenty of adult snacks (and maybe some beverages, too). Have a place for them to sit and don't be afraid to ask for help. Chances are parents will jump at a chance to escape the small talk.

Activities. Kids are pretty good about entertaining themselves but planned activities can help considerably. Have a craft ready for the children to make as well as a more physical activity (piñata, kiddie pool or monkey bars) for the more rambunctious guests.

Party in a box. Sometimes the easiest and even most economical option is to rent out a space for your child's party. Whether it's a local pool, a party room at the zoo, or an indoor playspace, you can sit back and let a professional take over. This is a great option when inviting your child's entire class or when you just don't feel like cleaning the house twice.

To open or not to open. More and more often, we go to parties where the gifts are piled in a corner and left unopened until the guests leave. Though there are arguments that this prevents jealousy, guests often place quite a bit of thought into the gifts that they select and would like to see them opened. Also, this gives your child the opportunity to thank them in person. Opening gifts after the cake cutting gives people a chance to duck out if they don't want to sit through the paper flying. If you do opt to open them in private, be sure to send a thank you note, phone call, or at the very least, an email.

The most important things to remember are that kids are pretty happy little creatures as long as there is sugar around and that birthday parties only have to last about two hours. Relax and have fun!

Winner of the Rubbermaid Junk Drawer Organizer!!

Spring is here, which means time for spring cleaning!! We have teamed up with Rubbermaid:


 to help one of you get organized!! Via random.org our lucky winner is:


Strawberry Kids said... 97 http://twitter.com/strawberrykidss/status/12180070668

Congrats!! I have emailed you and am waiting for your response!! If we don't hear back in 48 hours we will redraw!! Thanks again to all who entered and continue to enter our current giveaways!!

My Job Chart!

Spring is officially upon us. And in addition to warmer weather, chocolate bunnies and blooming flowers, this season signifies far less fun for most Moms- spring cleaning! If you're having trouble rallying your troops to help you clear out the clutter and get your house in tip-top shape, we just might have the perfect solution for you. And unlike those pretty petals in your garden, this is one tool that will be brightening up your household throughout the seasons!
 
If you haven't had a chance to check out myjobchart.com, now is the perfect opportunity. Can you imagine your kids actually looking forward to doing chores? My Job Chart makes it possible.
 
My Job Chart is a FREE online Chore Chart that teaches kids to work in a fun and productive way. Using an easy and fun online system, My Job Chart inspires kids to do their chores on time. An interactive point system tracks your child's progress, creating excitement and enthusiasm among kids. And the fully customizable chore chart allows you and your child to decide upon mutually determined rewards, fostering communication and developing responsibility. You even get an email or text message when your kids finish their chores or they earn a reward!

Go to  Myjobchart.com and create your account today!!! 

 Don't forget to connect with My Job Chart by checking out their parenting blog, following them on Twitter at @MyJobChart and becoming a fan on Facebook!

Via MomSelect
Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place
 

Rubbermaid Junk Drawer Organizer Review and Giveaway!

I bet you and I have something in common. I am sure that somewhere in your house, you have a junk drawer. Maybe it's big, maybe it's small. But it's your catchall, the place where you put this and that when you lack a better place to put it.  Stuff you can't seem to do without but don't have a good place to put it.  I know I do! I have one, my husband has one.  So I was thrilled when Rubbermaid offered me to try out their new Junk Drawer Organizer to help with my disorganization!!  Well I was a bit bummed when the dimensions of the interlocking Junk Drawer Organizers didn't fit in the drawer I wanted to use it on.  So I started trying to figure out how to best use the system, and decided to use it in my bathroom medicine cabinet! We store everything that is used often in there-toothbrushes, hair deals, medicines, etc.  Here is a pic of how it looked BEFORE:

 

Messy, unorganized and not nice too look at! We are always on the go so much that it just ended up like that.  Well no more!! Take a look at the fab job in my AFTER pic:

Nice, neat and ORGANIZED!! All the toothbrushes are together, hair ties have a place-it all fit so nicely!! The only organizer I was unable to use was the large one, I believe it is the  6"x15".  I ended up using that one on my shelf in the bathroom to put small bottles of hair products and other small things to keep them together. I can just pull out the box to get what I need and look into without having to make a mess.  The entire system makes everything nicer to look at and makes it efficient!  I was so proud I had to run out and show my husband what I had done!!  ☺  What can I say, I love being Suzy Homemaker!!

I wanted to share some fabulous Junk Drawer Organizing Tips from Rubbermaid:

Bringing order to your home's most over-used drawer

Everyone has one. But few of us use it effectively. Yes, that’s right: the family junk drawer. Almost always in the kitchen, it becomes a catchall for everything from specialty kitchen tools to spare keys, gum to school permission slips, office supplies to emergency essentials. Here’s our four-step plan to help you sort through the mess and transform your drawer from junky to ingenious!
STEP 1: ASSESS THE MESS
Take everything out of the drawer and put it on a (spacious!) flat surface. What’s actually in there? There’s stuff that should be there (batteries, extra keys), and probably a lot that shouldn’t: tools, school permission slips, junk mail, candy. Determine what’s staying, and what’s going.
STEP 2: RELOCATE WHAT NEEDS RELOCATING
Move the aforementioned misplaced items to their rightful places (in the tool box, into the garbage or recycling bin), then ensure similar items won’t end up in the junk drawer in the future. Put baskets by your front door or mudroom so kids have someplace to stash school notices, and you have a spot to put mail, junk or otherwise. Set up a plastic binder or sleeve to hold takeout menus, placing it near your phone book. And vow to take the extra time to put screwdrivers and drill bits where they belong, to avoid searching later.
STEP 3: CREATE NICHES FOR JUNK-DRAWER ESSENTIALS
Now dedicate space for junk drawer must-haves. These are the things you want on-call on a weekly basis, as when packing lunches, jotting down notes while checking voicemail, handing off the house to a home-sitter or babysitter, lighting candles, and so on. Also, you’ll want to keep some emergency supplies handy, like the essential flashlight and batteries. Shallow plastic drawer organizers, with moveable dividers that can be adjusted to fit drawer size, are perfect for all your junk-drawer needs. Flashlights, notepads and pens, twist-ties, kitchen twine, scissors and matchbooks are all accessible.
STEP 4: CONTAIN TINY MULTIPLES - OR NOTABLES
Paper clips, rubber bands, stamps and loose change benefit from further containment within the organized junk drawer. Use TakeAlongs Twist & Seal single-serving food containers to hold these easy-to-lose items. It’s also a good way to set aside spare keys.
 
Rubbermaid  would love to help one of you get more organized! One lucky reader will win a set of Junk Drawer Organizers with the following dimensions:

• 1 – 6″ x 15″ compartment
• 1 – 6″ x 9″ compartment
• 1 – 3″ x 9″ compartment
• 1 – 3″ x 12″ compartment
• 3 – 3″ x 3″ square compartments

Here is how to win!

***MANDATORY ENTRY***THIS MUST BE DONE FOR ALL OTHER ENTRIES TO COUNT!
Head over to Rubbermaid.com and leave me a comment telling me something else you would love to have from Rubbermaid

For some extra entries, do the following, and for each that you do,  leave a separate comment below telling me you did it.  Example: if you  blog about it for 5 entries, leave 5 separate comments, such as "blogged here (leave me the link), entry #1" and  so forth.  shoot me an email at frugalfamilyfunspot(at)gmail(dot)com if  you have any questions!!

1. Follow Rubbermaid on Twitter (for 1 bonus  entry!)

2. Follow Frugal Family Fun on twitter  (For 1 bonus entry!)

3. Follow me on Google friend  connect (For 3 bonus entries!)

4. Add my button to your  blog (For 3 bonus entries!) (Leave me a link to the blog!)

5.  Blog about this giveaway (For 5 bonus entries!) (Leave me a link to the  blog!)

6. Tweet about this giveaway!! MUST include the link to this review AND @FrugalFamilyFun AND @Rubbermaid

THIS CAN BE DONE  5 TIMES DAILY FOR 1  ENTRY PER TWEET. THESE MUST BE SPACED OUT, NO LESS THAN 1 HOUR  APART!!  (For 1 bonus entry each, total of 5 daily!)

7.Sign  up via email or RSS Feed through Google reader for our updates!(can do  both, 2 entries for each!)

8. Fan Rubbermaid on Facebook

9. Sign up for Rubbermaid's Email Club

The contest will begin March 17,2010 and end April 17,2010 at 11:59 P.M.  PST.  One winner will be chosen via Random.org  The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond  or they forfeit their prize. In this case a new winner will be chosen!  Good luck to all!

I was not monetarily compensated for  this post. Rubbermaid did provide me with a junk drawer organizer for product review, and will also be providing the winners with one as well.

Some Photos courtesy of Rubbermaid.