Scott® Rocks! (literally)

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you a music buff? I am. In fact, for about three years there, I didn't even turn on my television except to watch music documentaries.

I couldn't tell you a thing about who got voted off Survivor, but I could recite every single word from the Justified album by Justin Timberlake. So our conversation might have sounded something like this:

You: "Can you believe Survivor last night?"

Me: "Senorita, I didn't watch Survivor Last Night because TV's not Right for Me. Music is Still on My Brain and Nothin' Else. Please don't Cry Me A River. Instead, try turning off the television and turning up the radio and Rock Your Body. Justin Timberlake will Take It From Here.

(Speaking in song titles just happens to me sometimes.)

Another side-effect is that my love of music, specifically music trivia, makes me pretty annoying at cocktail parties. You might try to talk about the weather or Fashion Week, but I'll blurt out, "Hey, did you know that the first Grammy Awards were in 1959... or White Christmas by Bing Crosby is the best selling single of all time... or Sting's real name is Gordon Sumner?  (I'd probably go by Sting, too.)

In short, you really want to invite me to play on your Monday night trivia team. You know, as long as you only need help with one category. If it's Geography or Political Science, you're on your own.

That's why I was so excited when I heard about a new deal at Dollar General. If I purchase $6 in Scott Paper Products in-store at Dollar General, I get 3 FREE music downloads.

That's right - FREE, as in, nada, zip, zero, zilch, nothing.

Ahhhh... music to my ears.

And this offer comes at a perfect time because I fly through paper products during the summertime. My family loves to have cookouts and barbecues, and with the kids home all day, they can certainly make a mess or two or fifty. And, I've got two stinky boys in my house, so let's don't even talk about how much toilet paper we go through. Ahem.

Here's a few of the many great Scott Paper Products available at Dollar General:

-Scott® 1000 count bath tissue, 9 pack
-Scott® 1000 count bath tissue, 4 pack
- Scott® Towels (Mega Roll, choose a size) 6 pack
- Scott® Extra Soft Bath Tissue , 12 pack, Big Roll

Buy the products that you needed anyway, but get them at Dollar General so you can take advantage of a great price AND 3 free music downloads.

And then afterward, we'll go kick some booty at trivia night, okay? Whaddaya say?

Get the Best Deal on your Hotel Wedding Package

This is a guest post by Absolute Wedding Cars. Thank you, Stephen, for writing an excellent article.  

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Many people choose to get married in a hotel and this usually includes the ceremony, the reception and an evening party. If you are considering this option, then it is likely that you will want to get the best package possible that offers you everything you want included in the day at the best price available. Here are some tips for getting the best deal on your hotel wedding package.

Compare Options Locally

If you are hoping to use a hotel in your area, visit each of them asking about prices and deals and comparing what they have to offer. If one hotel is offering a better deal than another but you prefer the pricier option, it may be worth mentioning the better deal to the hotel as they may reduce their price to get your custom. Also, if some elements of the package do not interest you then consider asking if you can make changes for the same price.

Internet Searches

One of the quickest and easiest ways to find hotel wedding packages is to compare the prices on the Internet. A search of hotels in your area will list various deals on your search engine. However, while this is great for looking at prices and what is included in the package, it is important to take the time to visit venues yourself and make sure that it meets your requirements to avoid disappointment at a later date.

Choose All Inclusive Packages

Some hotels offer packages that include only the reception and evening venue. Others offer inclusive packages offering entertainment, photography, accommodation and the registrar. It is often the case that inclusive packages are the better deal providing that they include things that you would have chosen.

Go Out of Season

Some times of the year are more expensive than others. Likewise, a weekend wedding will generally be more expensive than one held in the week. If budget is one of your major concerns when organizing the wedding, then consider comparing the prices of deals at different times of the year and opt for a weekday wedding. If you are having a wedding in a hotel, then you will want to look for the best package available to you. Using the Internet, visiting the venues, booking out of season and choosing all inclusive packages are all excellent ways of getting the best deal for your big day.

Conclusion

If you are having a wedding in a hotel then you will want to look for the best package available to you. Using the Internet, visiting the venues, booking out of season and choosing all inclusive packages are all excellent ways of getting the best deal for your big day.

About This Article: Provided by Absolute Wedding Cars A Dublin based company specializing in luxury wedding car hire. Click here for more information.

ZzzQuil helped me Zzzzz

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZzzQuil. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you a good sleeper? I'm not. I really want to sleep, but I just can't stop thinking about stuff. Important stuff like what the weather is like in London.

I consider a good night's sleep like the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. I mean, I've heard of it; I've just never actually seen it myself.

I've tried some sleep aids, and even a prescription from my doctor, but I've always hated them. I've never thought that it was worth sleeping if I felt groggy the next day. Between kids, a husband, a home, laundry, cooking, cleaning, working full-time, blogging and watching Game of Thrones, I don't have a lot of downtime. Not sleeping makes me feel less sleepy than taking medicine to make me sleep, if that makes any sense.

But then ZzzQuil contacted me about trying their product and it was awesome!

They also sent me a robe, lavender linen spray and a Amazon gift card. Now if that isn't going to help me relax, I don't know what is!

I noticed that I fell asleep a lot faster than I normally do, and once asleep, I stayed that way. Well, except for when Drew woke me up because he had a bad dream. But even then, I went into his room and scratched his back, and then was able to go back to my room and immediately fall asleep again. And me "immediately falling asleep" is kind of like Halley's Comet - you're lucky if you get to see it once every 75 years.

The next morning, I woke up feeling rested. I didn't have that "medicine head" feeling, either. I was ready to tackle my day, which was good because that Game of Thrones wasn't going to watch itself, you know.

You've heard of NyQuil, right? This is made by the same people. But this Vicks product isn't for colds or pain; it's for when your only symptom is occasional sleeplessness.

This over-the-counter sleep-aid is available in either a Liquid (Warming Berry flavor) or Liquicaps form. I went with the Liquicaps, and they were small and easy to swallow - even for someone like me who normally hates pills. The packaging was also small and easy-to-store in my bathroom medicine cabinet.

The active ingredient is diphenhydramine HCI, which helps reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep so you can wake up the next day feeling rested and refreshed. Man, I love that stuff.

So if you're like me and can't sleep for diddily, give ZzzQuil a try and let me know what you think.

Also, be sure to like ZzzQuil on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @ZzzQuil. Add the hashtag #ZzzQuilNight so they can find you and say thanks.

Sweet dreams!

I Oughta Be in Pictures (on the beach) #RatherBeInPCBSweepstakes

This post brought to you by Visit Panama City Beach. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you know where I spend a lot of time? Instagram.

I just love looking at everybody's photos. And it's the only place where I can take a selfie of me eating spaghetti and it's considered "art".

But do you know where I'd rather spend a lot of time? Panama City Beach.

That one's sort of self-explanatory. The world's most beautiful beaches... the white sand... the emerald green water.... the fresh seafood... the good old fashioned fun. Uhmm, yes, please.

Panama City Beach is only about six-hours away from us, so we spend a lot of time there. In fact, we just enjoyed an impromptu trip to PCB for Spring Break.

Not only were the white beaches and emerald water simply breathtaking, but we also found some of the best restaurants, shopping, and family-friendly attractions there, too. We soaked up the sun all day long and then enjoyed eating our weight in lobster bisque and watching the kids ride go-carts. It's an authentic, laid-back beach where you can truly be yourself any time of the year, year-round. There's something for everybody at Panama City Beach.

Hmmm... Now if only there was a way to turn my time on Instagram into time relaxing at the beach.

Well, that's where the Rather Be In Panama City Beach Sweepstakes comes in.

#RatherBeInPCBSweepstakes

• Enter via Instagram using the hashtag #RatherBeInPCBSweepstakes
• 3 Grand Prize winners get a trip to PCB Beach!
• 12 First Prize winners get a Shutterfly.com photobook and free shipping
• Unlimited entries are allowed

How to Enter

• If you don't already have it, download the Instagram app on your smartphone
• Using Instragram, snap a pic of yourself, your kids, your dog - anybody who would "rather be in Panama City Beach". Artistic spaghetti selfies are totally acceptable. 
• Upload your photo to Instragram. Be sure to use the hashtag #RatherBeInPCBSweepstakes so they can find your entry.

That's it. It's that simple.

Do what you were already doing, but now each time you upload a pic to Instragram, you can earn one entry to win an amazing vacation to Panama City Beach. Bragging rights to your friends also included.

Be sure to visit Panama City Beach on Facebook for all the details. Good luck!

Dove's Real Beauty Ad Campaign: You Are More Beautiful Than You Think

Do strangers see us more accurately than we see ourselves?

According to a new beauty campaign by Dove, the answer is yes, and the proof comes in the form of FBI forensic sketches.

On Monday, Dove posted a powerful three-minute YouTube video reminding us that we are more beautiful than we think. The response has been overwhelming.

Seven women of different ages, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds were asked to describe themselves to an FBI sketch artist, Gil Zamora, from behind a curtain; he couldn't see them. They were to give "just the facts" about their physical features, and he created sketches based solely on their descriptions.

What came out of their mouths wasn't just the facts, though; it was a version of the facts that most of us see when we look in the mirror: "I kind of have a fat, rounder face", "my mom told me I had a big jaw", "the older I've gotten, the more freckles I've gotten".

Then strangers, who met the participants in the waiting room, were brought in to describe these same women to the sketch artist. But this time, Zamora got "just the facts", the real facts, the way strangers see us: "she was thin, so you could see her cheekbones", "cute nose", "she had nice eyes; they lit up when she spoke".

The differences in the side-by-side sketches were pretty vast. Check it out.

The response was emotional. My response was emotional. I teared up thinking about how I would describe myself if given the same chance: "fat face", "big lips", "frizzy hair", "wide hips".

Is that all I see? Is that what I'm teaching my daughter?

Each one of us is unique and we all have a true physical beauty that is all our own. We also have an inner beauty that shines through us because of who we are. The world tells us that our beauty doesn't count. We need to remind the world that it does.

"Women are their own worst beauty critics," Dove says. "Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful... we decided to conduct a compelling social experiment that explores how women view their own beauty in contract to what others see."

Finally! A beauty campaign that actually makes us feel beautiful. Thanks, Dove.

Simply Right is simply right

This post brought to you by Simply Right Infant Formula. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you know how to catch baby fever faster than anything? Get your baby-makin' organs cut out. It's true. I was completely content with two children until I found out that I had cancer and couldn't have any more kids; then I started goo-goo'ing and gah-gah'ing over babies so much that I almost landed a guest spot on Elmo's World.

And similar to what I did in 8th grade, when my boyfriend dumped me and I spent hours looking at old photos and listening to Debbie Gibson cassettes, I like to take walks down this memory lane, too. I came across the cutest photo of Drew when he was about 3 months old and taking a bottle in my arms. Awww! It seems like yesterday!

I remember being so tired at the time, but looking back on those 3am feedings, they were some of my favorite moments with him. Drew and I would be the only ones awake in the quiet house. Without any distraction, I listened to him cooing while taking his battle and watched his eyes get heavy like he just ate a big Thanksgiving feast. When he would look up at me, it felt as if the rest of the world disappeared.

That's why I was so excited to partner with Simply Right Infant Formula  because they provide Balanced nutrition for your Baby’s Growth and Development, which is pretty doggone important, people. These babies grow up before we know it and early nutrition is vital to their good health.

Stop by the Sam's Club website today and check out Simply Right Formula in the Mom-Friendly Package. If you're like me and had to give plenty of feedings at softball games or choir practices, this formula makes on-the-go feedings quick and easy! Check out this short video here to see what I mean.

And how do you feel about saving money? It's pretty awesome, right? Compare Simply Right to brands like Infamil and Similac. They have the same quality but a much different price. Give your baby the proper nutrition he or she needs without braking the bank. Now that's a win-win.

What are some of your favorite memories of motherhood? How did formula like Simply Right fit into your motherhood duties and make life better?

The Parking Spot

This post brought to you by The Parking Spot. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you know who has really good luck finding parking spots? My husband. In fact, he gets the first parking spot so often that we started calling it "The Hohenbery". Now if only I could figure out a way to translate his good luck with parking spots into winning lottery numbers... hmmm, I've got to work on that one.

But as for me? I represent the other 99.5% of the population who never gets a good parking spot. My parking spot luck is so bad (How bad is it?) that when I'm on a diet, I count walking from my parking space into the grocery store as "high impact cardio workout".

But I've figured out a way to ALWAYS get "The Hohenbery" at the airport - or, you know, please feel free to use your last name there instead - and that's with THE PARKING SPOT.

When you travel, The Parking Spot shuttle is waiting for you at your car to completely eliminate the stress of airport parking. Hop in and enjoy a lush ride to the airport door. When you return, the shuttle will be ready to take you back to your car, too. Guests are provided with complimentary luggage service, chilled water and a newspaper during the commute. Join the Spot Club and become a VIP - earning free parking rewards
.
Now that's the kind of service I could get used to!

Here are just a few of the many great things that I learned about The Parking Spot:

• The shuttles are yellow with black spots. Style counts, y'all.
• Friendly shuttles run every 5-7 minutes.
• Covered, open-air, and valet parking available (select locations)
• Fast and easy check-in and check-out
• Always open
• Well-lit, fully-fenced
• Luggage assistance available
• Complimentary USA Today until 9am, Monday-Friday
• Complimentary chilled water
• Airport parking reservations available
• Car services available in some markets such as oil changes and car washes 

With 34 facilities at over 22 airports nationwide, there's one near you. I checked the website and there are three locations near the Atlanta airport where I live. And that's pretty much the last little nudge that I need to book a trip for Spring Break. I think I'll make my airport parking reservations now. Care to join me? I hear the Caribbean is nice this time of year...

Be sure to like The Parking Spot on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @TheParkingSpot.

If you hate carrying a week's worth of luggage through the airport parking lot while you're running late for your flight as much as I do, contact The Parking Spot today. Start your next vacation off right with relaxation, not parking lot stress.

The Parking Spot insures that we all get "The Hohenbery"/ "The (Your Last Name)" every time we travel, so we can save our good luck for something else... like winning lottery numbers.

Dollar General and Mars: A Winning Combination

This post brought to you by Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.

When you hear the word "Mars", what do you think about?

Is it 6th grade Science class and learning about the solar system? I know! I'm so old school that I still think Pluto is a planet, too.

Or, is it the book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus when you finally realized that no matter how coveniently the laundry hamper was placed, a dude's dirty underwear was always going to end up on the floor?

Well, if you're me, when you hear the word "Mars", you automatically think about candy. Of course, the same thing happens to me when I hear the words "desk", "conjunctivitis", and "sundress". (I'm pretty much always thinking about candy.) (Obviously.)

And now, one of my favorite places to shop - Dollar General - is making it even easier for me to think about candy. Yay! I love Dollar General because there is always one near you and you just can't beat the deals. And if I can save money and stock up on essentials like candy? I call that a win-win.

 Be sure to stop by today to pick up some MARS® products at Dollar General. If you buy (3) three 2 liters of a participating brand, you get a MARS® Chocolate FUN SIZE 6-pack® absolutely FREE. So buy something like, say, a 7-Up®, a A&W Root Beer®, and a Sunkist Orange® 2 liter....

  

... and snag yourself one of these fabulous MARS® Chocolate FUN SIZE 6-pack® for free.

• MILKY WAY® Brand FUN SIZE 6-pack®
• MILKY WAY® Brand Simply Caramel FUN SIZE 6-pack®
• 3 MUSKETEERS® Brand FUN SIZE 6-pack®
• SNICKERS® Brand FUN SIZE 6-pack®

  

Does it sound too good to be true? I know, but it's not. For reals y'all, stop by Dollar General today and see for yourself. Great products, great prices and free candy. This is pure awesomeness.

Get your organize on with Rubbermaid!

This post brought to you by Rubbermaid® All AccessTM Organizers. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you the sentimental type? I am. I would keep every tissue that my kids every blew their noses in if I could get away with it. (Dumb health code)

But I'm also a neat freak. I love for everything to be clean and tidy. And those two things do not go together like peas and carrots if you know what I mean.

Because have you ever seen that episode of Hoarders where the house was completely spotless? Yeah, me neither.

Sometimes I feel like I have a Molly Maid angel sitting on one shoulder and a hoarding-intervention-waiting-to-happen devil on the other. "Now be a good girl and throw away that napkin from your dinner date with Brian. You've saved plenty of special things, so let's get rid of that one and keep the house clutter free, mmm'kay?".... "What? Throw away something as precious as a NAPKIN FROM 2005? No. Freaking. Way. Just stick it in a drawer beside all the coupons that you'll forget about and the sales catalogs that you'll never order anything from."

I'm telling you, forget things like Batman and the Joker... Superman and Lex Luthor... Kim Kardashian and marriage counseling. The real battle of good and evil is going on at my house.

And to make matters worse, our house is on a slab, so we have no basement. Translation: no place to stick all the stuff that we'll probably never use again anyway.

But I've finally found a storage solution to my organization/ wanna be hoarding problem: Rubbermaid® All AccessTM storage containers

Rubbermaid is a company that you know and trust for always providing quality, affordable, and creative storage products. And they have done it again with their new All Access storage containers.

These durable containers come in a variety of great colors, so they look great in any bedroom, playroom or bonus room. I'm going to be buying some for my closets and garage. And I'd totally buy some for my basement, too - you know - if I had one.

The containers are designed to stack on top of each other and make the most of your space. And what makes these particular containers so great is that they have a drop-down door (kind of like what's on your dryer), so you can open the containers from the front, too, accessing items without pulling the containers from stack. Your back is going to love it.

Be sure to stop by your local Walmart today to pick up a few of these handy-dandy Rubbermaid® All AccessTM storage containers today!

Cooper Tire: My Every Day Road Trip Contest

This post brought to you by Cooper Tire. All opinions are 100% mine.

Who doesn't love a good road trip? They're awesome, right?!

I love road trips, and not because my husband is trapped in the car with me for hours and has no way to escape from my detailed stories about middle school cheerleading. Well, not only because of that.

It's because road trips are fun! It's nice to get away for a while and take in all the scenery along the way. It's a memory building machine. 

I remember one road trip back in college, we had four cars speeding in a caravan through Alabama trying to make it back to Atlanta from Panama City. A state trooper stopped in the middle of the highway and pulled over all four cars. The cost of the tickets was more than our vacation! We sold doughnuts every Saturday morning for a month just to pay for them.

When Bailey was a baby, she took a bottle in her carseat on the way to the beach. But unfortunately, that half-drunk bottle of formula ended up beneath my driver's seat where, drip-by-drip, it puddled on the upholstery  After cooking in the 100 degree heat for a couple of days, you don't even want to know how bad that car smelled, but think "dead skunk", and then know that it was worse than that. Forget water boarding - that spoiled-milk-stank would make me tell you every government secret that I knew and a few that I would totally make up. 

When I was about 6 months pregnant with Drew, we went on a road trip to South Carolina. I don't know if I was just nesting or really inefficient when packing, but I think I brought everything we owned. I had to ride with piles of stuff at my feet, so when we finally arrived, Drew wasn't the only person stuck in the fetal position if you know what I mean. 

Whether it's ordinary trips to the grocery store or extraordinary memories, Cooper Tire is commemorating life’s every day road trips with an exciting opportunity to earn an entire year of free gas during the Cooper Tire's My Every Day Road Trip Contest. 

Running March 1 through March 29, fans of Cooper Tire’s Facebook page can share their not-so-everyday road trip stories by submitting video, written stories, or photos. For inspiration, fans can view two featured videos that detail the extraordinary daily drives of two unique Cooper Tire owners, and the role Cooper tires play in their every day road trips.

“Cooper tires are crafted for life’s every day road trips and we’ve long heard from dedicated fans about their daily journeys. We’re excited to create an open forum for people to share their stories,” said Hal Gardner, Cooper Tire’s Vice President of Marketing Communications and Market Intelligence.

How to Enter

Starting March 1, Cooper Tire Facebook fans may submit their not-so-every day road trip stories on the company’s Facebook page in one of the following ways:

1. Written story
2. Photo
3. Video 

Winners will be selected based on criteria such as originality, creativity, and their passion for Cooper tires and compelling content.

Prizes

1. Written story: The top written story will win a $100 gift card to use toward gas for one week.
2. Photo: The highest rated photo entry will receive a $500 gift card to use toward gas for one month.
3. Video: The top five video finalists will each win a new set of four Cooper tires and advance to the final phase of the competition. In the final phase, Cooper Tire Facebook fans will be encouraged to vote for their favorite Every Day Road Trip video, to help determine the final winner. The video with the combined highest score and most votes will be awarded a gift card for $5,000 toward gas for one year to fuel their daily drive.

Opportunity to Win for Voting

You can win prizes just for voting! Beginning April 15th, fans can vote for their top video to help determine the overall Cooper Tire Facebook video winner. For each vote (one per day), fans will automatically receive an entry to win a Road Trip Kit. The prize pack includes several items to keep them on-the-go, including a $100 Cooper Tire auto service voucher, a $50 gas card, $50 iTunes gift card and Cooper gear.

Be sure to like the Cooper Tire’s Facebook page for complete contest and sweepstakes rules and submission guidelines.

Cooper Tire has been crafting tires for life’s road trips for nearly 100 years. Boasting a full product portfolio, fitting most vehicles on the road today, Cooper manufactures quality passenger, light truck, sport utility, performance and winter tires.

Note: Video, photo and story submissions are accepted March 1-29. Voting (for an opportunity to enter the sweepstakes) begins April 15.

Check out contest information on the Cooper Tire Facebook page for more information. Good luck!

Win a $50 gift certificate from OshKosh B'gosh

Certain brands stand the test of time, brands like OshKosh B'gosh. Since 1895, OshKosh B'gosh has been dressing kids in style while providing quality products at great prices for parents.

We've always been an OshKosh B'gosh family.

Think back to 1981. Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as President of the United States. We put a few dimes in the jukebox baby and listened to "I Love Rock 'n' Roll". Diff'rent Strokes was our favorite show. What you talkin' 'bout, Willis? And I was in the first grade. All I wanted for Christmas was my two front teeth and those OshKosh B'gosh overalls. Looks like I got lucky on both!

I've always bought OshKosh B'gosh for my kids too, because we you find something that works, you stick with it. Look at little Bailey in 2003 wearing her cute sundress.

Oh my b'gosh, isn't she adorable? I miss that little baby face.

OshKosh B'gosh is still as awesome as it was in 1895, 1981 and 2003. And that's why I've picked out these Easter outfits for Bailey and Drew this year. I can't wait to see them all dressed up and holding their Easter baskets! (Facebook photo coming soon.)

OshKosh B'gosh is ready to jump into spring with new baby and kids clothes just in time for Easter. New colored pants and baby and kid boys with mix and match woven button-front shirts are perfect for spring and even better for Easter dress-up. Get your baby or big girl ready to hunt for hidden eggs in floral sundresses matched with knit cardigans.

Sounds pretty good, huh?

It gets even better.

OshKosh B'gosh would like to give you a $50 gift certificate to buy some amazing Easter outfits for your kids.

Entering is as easy as 1-2-3.

Contest:

1. Go to the OshKosh B'gosh website and look through the new spring line. To make it quick and easy, I've listed the link HERE for you.

2. What is your favorite item from the Easter Preview collection? Leave a comment below with a link to your favorite OshKosh B'gosh Easter item(s).

3. One lucky reader will be randomly chosen to win a $50 gift certificate. Contest ends Monday, March 4, 2013.


Find the closest store to you HERE using their handy-dandy map feature. But don't worry, you can also use your gift certificate to order online and have the awesomeness delivered to your door. Now that's service.

Good luck!

OshKosh B’gosh partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote the Easter Preview.  As part of the program, I received product or gift cards.  OshKosh B’gosh believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words, and therefore did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products I used. OshKosh B’gosh policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaway in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

Win a $25 VISA gift card from Apartments.com

This post brought to you by apartments.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

They say the grass is greener where you water it.  But isn't it even greener where somebody else waters it?  Somebody, like, a professional?

Well, that's one of the many perks of apartment living!  No yard work, convenience, flexibly, price, luxury,  amenities, awesomeness. Apartments are a #perfectfit.

When I think back to some of my fondest memories, they involve apartment living.

I loved the convenience of living close to school or work - or even better - to shopping malls.  I also enjoyed being able to get exactly what I needed when I needed it, because the next year, if my needs changed, then my residence could change, too. Homeowners, try doing that in today's home market.

And there was always fun activities going on at the apartment complex like karaoke contests, 4th of July cookouts, bunco night, or listening to good music by the pool.  Whatever it was, you were guaranteed to meet nice people, who were also your neighbors.

If you want to experience all the wonderful parts about apartment living, then apartments.com is the place for you!

Apartments.com makes finding your next apartment home simple!

The easy-to-use website allows you to search by location, size and price.  Then you can quickly sort through your search results and narrow down your selection to exactly what you are looking for.

Browse through floorplans, photos, pricing, and community information quickly and easily.  You can even take a 360 degree virtual tour without leaving your computer.  And if you like what you see, check availability or contact the community right there from the website.

To make things even more convenient, use the apartments.com smartphone app while you're waiting at the doctor's office or trying to look busy at work.

Just for fun, I decided to search for an apartment on apartments.com. I really like the Dunwoody area of Atlanta, so I started there.  Not just because it's where all my favorite shopping and restaurants are, but well, yeah, that's why.

I typed in the zip code and quickly browsed through the search results. I knew that I would need 3 bedrooms and as much square feet of space as possible, so I focused on that criteria to narrow down my favorites.

And there it was - Mount Vernon Flats at The Perimeter. I read all about the community, looked at photos of the beautiful apartments and the amenities, selected my favorite from the seven floorplans, and even took a virtual tour.  The map feature made it easy to calculate exactly how far away I was from Perimeter Mall (ahem - 2.4 miles).

Be sure to use Apartments.com to help you find your new apartment!  And follow them on Twitter @aptscom to keep up with all the latest promotions.

Hey, would you like a $25 VISA gift card?  Well, I know where you can get one.

Contest:

Go to apartments.com and pick out a cool apartment that you'd choose if you were choosing.  Post the url link to that apartment in the comment section below.

Earn an additional entry by tweeting the link to @aptscom.  Be sure to include #AptWin in your tweet.

One lucky commenter/ tweeter will be randomly selected on Thursday, March 7th to win the $25 VISA gift card.

It's that easy.

So leave a comment or get your Twitter on and win a gift card!  Yay!  Good luck!

Loveagram

This is a sponsored post by Loveagram App, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Happy Valentine's Day!  I love this holiday because this holiday is all about love.

I know this might come as a total shock to you, but I tend to be a little over the top with certain things.  Birthday parties, decorating, embarrassing myself in public places, the list goes on and on.

But on Valentine's Day, I don't like to be over the top.  I like to keep it simple, special and some third "s" word that I can't think of right now... uhmm, spectacular?  no. serendipitous? sometimes. secretive? hey, I'm a married woman!  sanguine? only when I spill the wine.  hmmm, sweet? yeah, perfect. 

I don't spend more than twenty-bucks on gifts and I make homemade cards for Brian, Bailey and Drew (not the free printables from Pinterest that make somebody else's words look perfect, but ones that I make with my really poor penmanship).  I rub little kids' backs and read them extra long books.  Valentine's Day is all about the little things for me.  

Doesn't this holiday rock?!

Loveagram contacted me about a Valentine's promotion.  Talk about simple, special and sweet!  This app is perfect.

You can download Loveagram for only 99 cents through today only. 

Here's how the app works:

Step 1: Time to decorate.

Step 2: Smile for the camera. 

Step 3: Wear your heart on your sleeve... on your photo.

Step 4: Start talking to add your voice message.  Or, sing a song if you have a really great singing voice. And if you don't have a really great singing voice, EVEN BETTER.

Step 5: Save the movie to your camera roll so you can text it, tweet it, Facebook it or email it to your favorite people in a snap.  

My 11-year-old daughter loved this app!  I can totally see her spending an hour or 50 making fun messages to text to her friends.  

Get your Lovegram app for only 99 cents today at the app store here.

Also, be sure to check out their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

The Hopper from DISH

This post brought to you by DISH. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I was in college, I took a Social Services class, and in one assignment, we had to create a monthly budget for a family of five with a limited income.  My professor listed the hypothetical family's fixed and variable expenses on the dry erase board, and then challenged students to make recommendations for cuts and changes.

One student suggested to eliminate cable television.  (I guess this goes without saying, but there was a very loud GASP! of disbelief heard from the rest of us.)  My professor said, "Okay, now explain to me how you can provide a family of five entertainment 24-hours a day for this amount of money.  Cable television is the best financial investment that a family can make."

That concept really stuck with me through the years.  And if you're family is like mine, you loooove some television.  We have TVs in practically every room of the house, and we also watch shows on our smartphones and tablets.

We all have our favorites.  I like cooking shows and dramas.  Brian likes news and sports.  Bailey likes 'tween shows and reality TV.  And Drew likes cartoons and, well, cartoons.  So most of the time, we turn to a very competitive round of rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets to watch their show.

But with DISH Network, you don't have to beg to watch your show because you can watch all the shows.  And the Hopper is pure awesomeness.  Check it out.

• Avoid DVR conflicts by recording 6 different primetime shows on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC simultaneously.  Everybody gets a victory lap here.  No more rock, paper, scissors! 
• Hate commercials? DISH has created commercial-free TV with Auto-Hop where you can instantly skip commercials on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, giving you an extra hour a night.
• DISH Anywhere lets you turn any smartphone, tablet or computer into a portable television. Never miss another show when you're on-the-go again.
• With the Hopper Transfers app, transfer all your DVR shows to your iPad before you leave the house.  Then watch them anytime without an internet connection being required.  This is perfect for long road trips and plane flights.  No more buying expensive iTunes movies for the kiddos.  
• You'll have HD DVR functionality in every room of the house. You can pause, rewind and record live TV in any room.  Plus, you can access your DVR from any room as well.  Start a movie in the living room and finish it in your bedroom if you want. 

And let's not forget the cherry on top.  If you have the Hopper, you get to pronounce it the way they do on the commercials: Da happa?  Da happa!  Da happa?  Da happa!  Yay!

Join the 14 million subscribers who already know that DISH offers the best programming at the best value.  Packages start at only $24.99 (for 12 months with 24 month commitment.  Restrictions apply.).  And get the Hopper for absolutely FREE when you sign up for DISH.

Visit DISH online to Learn more about the Hopper and be sure to LIKE DISH on Facebook and Follow DISH on Twitter for more information and promotions.  Happy watching!

T-Shirts.com Giveaway

Do you love a great t-shirt?  One that's comfy, cute, and good quality at a great price?  Hey, me too!  

So that's why I was so excited when T-shirts.com offered to send me a free t-shirt of my choice.  The only problem was deciding which one.

There were so many cute vintage tees.  And I only love 80's movies on days that end in y. Goonies never say die, y'all.

Find it here.

I thought this one was especially nice because it served two purposes: 1) It's a great St. Patrick's Day shirt 2) I'm set for being super annoying the entire night.  "Hey, I just met you... and this is crazy... but I am thirsty... so beer me maybe?"

Find it here.

Awww!  But I loved this one, too.  "Stop destroying the planet. It's where I keep all my stuff."  That's right, peeps.

Find it here

But I finally decided on this one because my husband thinks I'm H-O-T when I wear Chicago Bears stuff.  We both know that I still don't give a rip about football, but he doesn't seem to care.  And ladies, when your husband thinks you're H-O-T, laundry gets done.  It's a known fact.  

Find it here

But guess what?!  T-shirts.com is hooking YOU up with a t-shirt of your choice!  All you have to do is send me an email.  That's it.  It's that simple.

Now It's Your Turn...

Send an email to me at amanda@werdyab.com with the subject line, “Tee it up!” by Monday, February 18th for your chance to win any shirt from T-Shirts.com under $30!

In the body of your email, just include the URL to the shirt of your choice. One winner will be chosen at random and emailed at that time.

Thanks for participating!

This giveaway is for U.S. Residents Only

Kickboard USA Scooters

This is a sponsored post by  Kickboard USA, but all opinions are 100% mine. 

Do you like being cold?  I hate it.  I wear boots and sit beside a space heater in August.  I'm not even convinced that I can regulate my own body temperature like normal humans do.

And I live in Atlanta, otherwise known as Hotlanta, because it's really stinkin' hot here.  May I pour you a glass of sweet tea?

So even though our winters are not very harsh, we still don't get out that much. Brrrr.

But I've got a four-year-old with energy to burn.

Enter Kickboard USA scooters.

Kickboard USA was nice enough to send me a mini micro scooter for Drew to sample.  This scooter was specifically designed with your 3 to 5 year old in mind.  And what my 3 to 5 had in mind when he saw it was F-U-N.

As a Mom, I loved that it was safe, durable, and quality-made.  Not to mention, it comes in a variety of fabulous colors.  There was kid-friendly safety instructions with cartoon pictures so Drew could "read" them himself.  He loved that.

Drew was all like, "Yessss. My Mom being a blogger has FINALLY paid off.'  Poor kid, up until now, it's just been embarrassing stories that he will beg me not to show his friends one day.

Drew asked about his scooter every day:  "Is it here yet?"  "Where's my scooter?" "I can't wait to see it!" And just a few days later, we walked into the house, and there it was - the shiny, new scooter of his dreams.

Hey, did you hear the angels singing or was that just Drew?

So this brings us back to the beginning of this post, about our family being more of a snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug type instead of a let's-go-outside-and-freeze-our-tails-off type.  It was cold and dark when we got home, so I felt so sorry for Drew, not being able to ride his new scooter outside.

But no problem!  Because 3 to 5 year olds are smarter than adults.  So Drew put on his baseball helmet, and started riding his scooter from the kitchen, to the dining room, into the foyer, through the living room, and back again.  I can't get him off the thing.  I think he's logged more miles than the Daytona 500.

Drew picked it up very quickly and hasn't fallen once.  What I especially loved about the Kickboard USA mini micro scooter was that it functioned like a bigger-than-mini-micro scooter.  To turn the corner, you lean into it instead of turning the handles like a bicycle.  That gives the little guys and gals more control, eliminates sharp turns, and preps them for future skateboarding or snowboarding skills.  See that orange thing on the back?  That's the break, just like how you would stop a bigger board.  Drew is a sk8ter boi pro now!

And Kickboard USA doesn't just make scooters for toddlers, no sir.  They make scooters for the entire family!  Go to the website to check out all the great products for ages one through teens & up.  The baby scooter is just about the cutest thing that I've ever seen.

What do you think?  Does Drew like it?  I can't tell.

Be sure to check out Kickboard USA online, on Facebook, and on Twitter for more information and special promotions.

And speaking of special promotions (ahem), right now you can get a red or pink maxi or mini scooter for 14% off and FREE SHIPPING until February 14, 2013.  Pair it with an adorable red or pink long-sleeved t-shirt for just $9.99 including shipping, and you've got the perfect Valentine's gift.  See the website for complete details.

Signature Surveys

This post is sponsored by Signature Surveys but all opinions are 100% mine. 

Do you spend a lot of time on the Internet?

What a silly question. Of course you do!  It seems like everybody does these days, right?

And I'm no different.  Between liking Facebook statuses, retweeting Conon O'Brien, admiring cool pics on Instagram, or catching up on a blog or two, I spend a lot of time online.  As in, A LOT.  Let's just say that if surfing the web was actual surfing, I would've earned my own body board endorsement by now.

Another one of my favorite pastimes is handing out my opinion.  For convenience sake, I usually give my opinion in the form of repinning a recipe that I'll never try on Pinterest or giving a thumbs-up to a hilarious video on YouTube.  Because handing out my opinion while I'm already on the Internet is just good time management, y'all!    

Have you ever wondered if there was a way to make cash for handing out your opinion online?  Or if you could translate web surfing into shoe money?  Or if there was a way to turn all those social media hours into dollar bills?

Well, that's where Signature Surveys comes in.  BOOM.  Jackpot.

 Click HERE to check it out.  Don't worry, we'll wait on you.

This website pays you money for spending time on the web and giving your opinion.  

This is the best combination since peanut butter and jelly, cookies and cream, or Taylor Swift and whatever boyfriend will soon be inspiring her next hit song.  

Here's the skinny:

• Go to Signature Surveys.
• Sign up and start earning immediately.
• No cost to join.
• Rewards for taking surveys, joining websites or participating in trails and more.
• Daily opportunities to earn extra money without leaving your home.
• Join other free survey sites through Signature Surveys and get connected to focus groups.
• Get cash fast by using one of the convenient and safe payment options like PayPal.  

It's that easy.  No, really, that's it.

Try it out and let me know what you think, okay?  And then we'll go shoe shopping together.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

This post brought to you by Ripley's Believe It or Not!. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cartoonist and adventurer, Robert Ripley, first got the world hooked on his daily drawings in 1918.  Later, he developed Ripley Entertainment, best known for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, the go-to place for all that is bizarre and interesting in this world.

I've always been fascinated by cray-cray. I used to love watching that Ripley's Believe It Or Not! show on television, which was hosted by Dean Cain.  One thing I couldn't believe, though, is that Superman was hosting a cable show? That's a long way from stopping a speeding bullet if you know what I mean.

Ripley's Publishing is still bringing us unbelievable stories from all around the world with its annual Ripley's Believe It or Not! Download the Weird.

But this year, there's a new twist that makes it even better!  The new Ripley's App allows hidden content in the book to COME ALIVE.  Download it today for iTunes or Android.  Oh, and did I mention that the app is free, as in, f-r-e-e?

Are you as intrigued as I am?  Seriously, I can't get enough of people who have survived 950 violent car crashes or like to swallow swords.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Download the Weird has an eye-catching cover, which makes it a beautiful gift for those who need a little more weird entertainment in their life, i.e., all of us.

Here's how it works: Simply point your smartphone or advanced iPod in the direction of the oddSCAN logos within the book and see the story come to life with exclusive bonus content including videos and images. It will take you into a Ripley's Believe It Or Not! like you've never been before.

And a special pullout section provides readers with weird Titanic facts, stories about the real life Elephant Man, and panoramic pictures from the home of "Weird Steve", just to name a few.

Buy your copy of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Download the Weird on Amazon today.  And then download your free app to unlock even more features.

Win a Red Carpet Experience at the 2013 ACM Awards

This post brought to you by Dr Pepper at the ACMA’s. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you a little bit country?

I am.

Want proof?

I'm the sixth generation of my family to live in the same rural smalltown in Georgia.  So that makes my kids the seventh generation.  And I'm not just talking about the same region or the same state here, I'm talking about the town. Translation: We really need to get out more.

Where I come from, there are a few things that we take very seriously: sweet tea, SEC football, and country music.

Some of my earliest memories are of me sitting on my grandparents' living room floor and listening to country music greats like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Tammy Wynette.  When other 5-year-olds were asking Santa for dolls or bikes, I asked for a Dolly Parton wig and a microphone.  True story.

But hey, I'm not all country.  I'm a little bit rock 'n' roll, too.  You know, sometimes I listen to Rascal Flats or Taylor Swift.

My love for country music encouraged me to pursue professional songwriting for a few years. During that time, I had a few really cool experiences including landing a reality television show on CMT.

Have I ever told you about that reality show? No?  That's weird.  It's usually the first thing I brag about, because let's face it, nothing says "I'm cool" like "I was cast for a reality television show".  Ahem.

So if you're a little bit country (Dolly Parton wig optional) or if you like being treated like a star, then you're going to love this contest from Dollar General and Dr. Pepper at the ACMA’s!

Stop by Dollar General today and pick up a bottle of Dr. Pepper.  Included with that refreshing beverage at a super low price is your chance to win a country music experience like no other!

One grand prize winner will score a One of a Kind Red Carpet Experience at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Secondary prizes include one (of six) trips to the ACM Awards and daily $100 Dollar General gift card giveaways.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  I know!  I'll race you there. And we better hurry because this contest ends 2/24/2013.     

Sharper Image: The Gift Giving Anxiety Cure

This post brought to you by Sharper Image. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you have gift giving anxiety?

(I do.)

It's a rare but recognized disorder where you completely freak out while shopping for the perfect gift for someone. And unfortunately, that metaphysical problem usually results in the physical problem of NOT being able to find the perfect gift for someone. And then it's gift card time again.

But several years ago, I discovered the answer to my gift giving anxiety, and that is Sharper Image.

Sharper Image is the one place where imagination, creativity, innovation, passion quality and excitement all come together.  I can always find great gifts for all my favorite people.

Sharper Image was founded in 1977 and grew to over 200 retail locations, but the company discovered that it reached even more customers through its award-winning catalog and website, becoming a truly iconic American brand. 

Since 2008, Sharper Image has moved to a website and catalog only business where customers can easily research and purchase the latest Sharper Image products online.

Even better!  You mean, I can get all the same great Sharper Image products without having to fight mall traffic or be tempted by those evil cookie kiosks?  I call that a win-win.

On their website, you will find extensive product search functionality, informative video clips, customer product reviews, convenient order tracking, access to real time toll-free customer support, and company related information.  Each customer enjoys a personalized, content-rich shopping experience.

You should check it out.  Go ahead.  It's cool.  We'll wait on it.

Awesome, huh?

I was looking through the Sharper Image website today and found a few must have products!

• Sound Soother.  I can't sleep a wink without listening to the sounds of ocean waves or tropical rain. The Sound Smoother plays continuously all night long or you can set an auto-off timer for 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.  Not only does it help you sleep, but the dual alarm clocks also help you wake up.  The brushed metal finish looks great in any room and the large digital display makes it easy to read the time and sound description   It will reset itself in case of power outage or daylight savings time so you never have to miss a morning appointment, you know, unless you just want to.

• Back Massager. Simply attach this little piece of happiness to any chair and you're ready to experience a deep-kneading shiatsu or rolling massage.  You can customize the back massager to your particular height so you can enjoy perfect R&R made especially for you.  Four independent rollers travel up and down your back for instant stress relief. Turn on the Soothing Heat feature if you want a deeper, more relaxing massage. The easy-to-use Advanced Touchpad Control features a laser-edged flat panel. A carrying bag is included so you can take your massager wherever you go!

Bluetooth Speaker. Big enough for great sound but small enough for on-the-go, the wireless speaker guarantees that you'll never have to be without your tunes.  It connects wirelessly to smartphones, laptops, and most notebooks. The speaker can be up to 30 feet away and still controlled by your device. The powerful speaker output has an integrated subwoofer for expanded bass response, making your Boom Boom Pow even Boom Boom Powier. The Bluetooth conference calling feature can be used with any smartphone. A convenient universal device holder is also included.

My birthday will be here before I know it, and I'm really hoping somebody decides to give one of those back massagers.  And in this case, "somebody" is my husband. Or maybe my parents. Or my sister. Or my BFF. You know, I'm not picky at all.

Which one of these must haves are your favorite?  Leave a comment below and join the Sharper Image conversation.