Happily Blended Product Reviews, Giveaways, and tales from a Mommy Blogger of three

Martina McBride Shine All Night Tour

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Blog Awards: Sunshine & Bodacious Blogger

Two blog awards received and passed on to my faves!

Next Direct Children’s Model Competition

Feb 18th at 7am EST Enter to win 100K scholarship & modeling competition for Next Direct coming to America!

Wordless Wednesday: My 2 Favorite Boys

Spending time with my 2 favorite boys and only sons!

Because I Found Me

Sharing personal stories to help you be a happier, more positive YOU.

School Oh How I Miss Thee

January 5th, 2010 · 4 Comments · Brandy's Life

About two years ago I started my venture towards a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration at an online college and shortly after Baby K was born I realized that there was no way in the world I was keeping up with all that I had on my plate as Mom of three in addition to keeping up with my business and other ventures I enjoy doing. The degree itself was something I had always wanted, and it was sad to know I had to put it on the back burner for a few years.

The thing that I don’t miss from taking online courses is the term papers, seriously I love writing if given an interesting subject but if you hand me a topic that is of little interest to me I will be sitting on my butt racking my brain for hours on end trying to write something that sounds educated.

So when I head back to college to finish my degree I sure hope that someone else can write my term papers or that I take courses that are of high interest to me!

What is or was the worse part of school for you? What do you or did you love the most?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are 100% that of my own.

Have you smiled today?

34FF87E2EF0B2B4788DA73101F6AE786 School Oh How I Miss Thee

Question about this post or something found within it? Read my Disclosure Policy.

Week 1 52 to Fabulous: Fab Beginnings

January 5th, 2010 · 12 Comments · Brandy's Life

This is my first week participating in 52 to Fabulous, I just love the positive ring to that, don’t you? I am forced to focus on my wants this week rather than my needs, which I will admit is very hard for me. I haven’t been one to ever focus on anything I simply want, it’s always been about my family’s needs, but I can do this!

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Have you smiled today?

34FF87E2EF0B2B4788DA73101F6AE786 Week 1 52 to Fabulous: Fab Beginnings

Question about this post or something found within it? Read my Disclosure Policy.

Ecostore USA Winner

January 5th, 2010 · 2 Comments · giveaways

Congrats Winners Ecostore USA giveaway ended at last night and so here is the winner chosen using Random.org … lucky number 29 …. AshelyOhio who said, “email subscriber schiffam21 (at) gmail (dot) com” Congrats!

Saving Money in 2010

January 4th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Saving Money

The New Year is fresh upon us, and if you haven’t set a resolution to save more money then I think you are part of the minority. Everyone is looking for ways to save money, and it must be one of the top New Year resolutions for human beings world wide! I wish I could be creative and write a post about 30 Ways to Save Money but alas I can only think of a few and so here is my post dedicated to ways I think you will be able to save money and have a prosperous New Year.

The first place I tried to save money this year was with car insurance, I have a great record with the exception of an underage DWI back in 2000 I haven’t received any speeding tickets, traffic violations nor accidents on my record ever. My husband on the other hand is now required to file an SR22 which is a financial responsibility type of insurance or something that happens when you get into an accident without car insurance or have too many traffic violations on your record and so it took me some time to shop around but with the help of my wonderful insurance agent we were able to find a plan that met our needs and was within our budget.

The second place where most can find a way to save money is on your cable, Internet and phone bill. For me I must have a high speed connection, for my children and husband we must have cable television at some level, after all Lost is coming February 2nd, and we must have a phone hooked up since we don’t use cell phone carriers. I was able to find a bundled plan with Comcast that helped me save money by bundling the three services together. If you are not currently bundling any services or maybe your bundled plan agreement has expired I would get on the phone and see what specials they have running that can save you on your monthly bill.

The third place to save money not only now but anytime of the year is searching for coupon codes. Let’s say you want to purchase an item from a particular website, simply punch in that website followed by the word discount codes or coupon codes and you would be amazed at the offers you can find. I do this for Checks Unlimited because there is always a fantastic deal but you can virtually find deals for everything using this tip I provided.

The last place I think you should find a way to save money is on your grocery bill. It’s not easy to start being a coupon blogger nor follow them daily but it is easy to sign up for sites that offer coupons such as Pampers, they offer special coupons if you sign up on their list and so do many other companies. If you are a dedicated brand shopper, be sure to visit their website to see if you can’t get some coupons delivered to your inbox or mailbox prior to your grocery shopping trip.

What are some other ways you choose to save money in the new year? Do you quit getting hair cuts, stop paying for movie rentals or something else? I would love to hear what has worked for you or what you plan to do in the New Year to save money!

Shop Til You Drop or Frugal Shopper?

January 4th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Saving Money

Anyone who knows me really well knows that I am not a big shopper, even during the holiday season. I am the first person to find most of my family gift items for free or low cost, the reason I am so good at it is because I know how to find the best shopping deals around.

As a blogger I have become an affiliate for many online businesses and in turn I get deals emailed to me often which is fantastic. I am able to compare shopping prices with various online companies and in turn create a memorable shopping experience that doesn’t empty my bank account.

So as the holiday season leaves us, I wonder what items did you not get this holiday season that maybe you could possibly use more of? Maybe you are planning to get fit this New Year as part of your resolution and in order to get fit you will need a freezer to store all your new diet food supplies. I know I personally have been eying those lean cuisines and wonder if they will give me a boost on losing the weight faster than simply exercise alone?!

I look forward to shopping around and having an insiders ability to compare prices as we near birthday season for my family. I know my father would love some great items, but I am a penny pincher and must compare all shopping prices prior to buying anything!

What about you, do you compare prices, are you a frugal shopper or do you simply shop til you drop and regret it later?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% mine.

Taste New Zealand

January 4th, 2010 · 8 Comments · giveaways

Starting January 6, 2010 McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants will be allowing guests to get a taste of New Zealand. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise have partnered up to offer special menu items that will allow you to get a taste of New Zealand. No more expensive flights to get a taste of New Zealand, simply visit your local McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant and try Greenshell™ Mussel Fritter or the New Zealand Grass Fed Filet Mignon and to top your meal off try the ever so scrumptious sounding Traditional Pavlova.

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