Spring Sweepstakes from Everything Mom

Everything Mom is a website that offers exactly what you would think, a little bit of everything for today’s mom.  Their Spring Sweepstakes is going on now and will appeal to anyone who dreams BIG (that’s you, right?).

With two top prize packages worth a total of over $6,500, you’ll definitely want to head over and find out what it takes (three simple steps) to enter this amazing giveaway.

One lucky (Canadian) winner will get a Kitchen Appliance Makeover thanks to T-fal. U.S. residents are eligible to win a week’s stay (2 adults, 2 children) at Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Puerto Vallarta. Visit the Everything Mom Spring Sweepstakes’ page to read more about this winner of the Condé Nast “Most Excellent Spa Hotel” award 2009 and Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice award for “Best Luxury Hotel in the World.”

Contest ends April 4th so what are you waiting for? Head on over to Everything Mom to learn more about these great prizes and how you can win!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Hot Blogger Calendar

I love surprises! This morning, I received a message on Twitter from a friend who congratulated me on my nomination. I had no idea what she was referring to, but then she sent me a link to the Hot Blogger Calendar where I found myself listed among a few other hot ladies and gentleman bloggers that have been nominated to be included in the 2011 calendar!

There’s only a few days left to vote (winners are announced on March 5th) so please, please, please, head over to vote for me! The winners (12 men and 12 women, altogether) will be flown to NYC for the official photo shoot in September of this year!

I would love to win a trip to New York City, and if I win (and Mr. Lady and Busy Dad Blog do too), I’ll be spinning cartwheels down the aisle of the plane as I make my way to the Big Apple!

The best part of all is that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Hot Blogger Calendar will go to the American Red Cross.

What are you waiting for? Go over and Vote for Me! Pretty please!

Don’t forget to check out the Hot Male and Female Bloggers of 2009.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Do You Care for Valentine’s Day?

I  cringe when thinking about the time my ex-husband gave me a Vermont Teddy Bear for Valentine’s Day – over six months after he moved out and filed for divorce.

Even though the card said that it was from my son, I couldn’t help but gag at the idea. I mean, it’s not like our son (who was only 3 at the time) actually picked it out or even suggested that he get me a gift at all. In fact, when I opened the box, my son grabbed the bear, assuming it was for him. I didn’t argue.

Sad to say this is the memory that first came to mind when reading about this contest from Care.com (the largest and fastest growing service used by families to find high-quality caregivers) .

They have put together an awesome Valentine’s Day contest which allows people to share their most romantic or funny Valentine’s Day memory. I’m guessing if you have a story to enter, it’s much funnier and way more romantic than mine.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, including round-trip airfare, a two-night hotel stay at the luxury SLS Hotel with dinner for two at SLS’s Bazaar restaurant and a private VIP tour of the Warner Bros. Studio lot, where “Valentine’s Day” was filmed.  Twelve finalists will each receive two tickets to see the film.  In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Care.com will also provide the winners with a free one-month premium membership to find that perfect babysitter.

HOW TO ENTER: Enter at www.facebook.com/caredotcom, and share your most romantic or funniest Valentine’s Day memory. All entries should be rated PG. The twelve finalists will be selected during the months of January and February 2010. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the 12 finalists in February. Three Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges on or around each of the following dates: January 23, 2010, January 30, 2010, February 6, 2010, and February 13, 2010. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the 12 Finalists on or around February 13, 2010.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

There’s still time to win!

A few weeks ago, I posted three separate giveaways / contests that have not yet ended. If you’d like to register to win, there’s still time!

• Head over to read about the Bundle Up Joy luxury wearable baby blankets and enter to win your very own! Ends October 30th.
• Check out the awesome Big Combo Pack from Mabel’s Labels and you could win your very own, personalized, set! Ends October 9th.
• Let us know which game sounds the most exciting from the Nintendo Wii’s Family Party game and you could win a copy of this brand new release! Ends October 16th.

Stay tuned for more great giveaways over the coming months! We don’t do them often, but we do have some pretty fabulous items coming your way.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun

Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun

Enter to win this great game, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii! Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun has a little something for everyone. On September 22nd, this game will be released and one lucky reader will win their very own! (Contest ends on October 16th, at midnight, PST.)

Family Party is a collection of games, including team sports and brain challenges. Players can choose from over a dozen adorable characters, participate in up to four player competitive action, and unlock games and challenges to achieve the highest score and even win medals!

Games include:
Athletic Games: climb ropes, test your reflexes, tackle obstacle courses, race on a unicycle, or test your balance on a board.
Sports Games: race on a boat, compete in a home run derby, score a touchdown, kick a goal, or race for a flag.
Muscle Games: train as a boxer, test your strength at hammer toss, or compete in a marathon.
Martial Arts Games: act as a ninja, break tiles with a karate chop, or slash with your sword as a nimble samurai.
Brain Challenges: make your way out of mazes, test your wit at memory games, or challenge your friends to board games that attack back.

Priced at only $19.99 (and Rated E10+), this is a great value for hours of endless in-home family entertainment. Enter to win by leaving a comment which includes the game you’re most looking forward to playing from the above selections.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Mabel’s Labels

Mabel's Labels

The women behind Mabel’s Labels are so much fun and I’m excited to share this awesome giveaway that they’re sponsoring in honor of our 2nd blogoversary!

If you’re not already familiar with the amazing products that Mabel’s Labels provide, head over to their website to check them out! They’ll be giving away the BIG COMBO to one lucky reader! The Big Combo includes: a pack of 45 Sticky Labels, 50 Iron-Ons or 75 Tag-MatesT, 24 Shoe Labels, 2 Bag Tags (Dishwasher/microwave-safe and UV resistant.  Clothing labels are laundry safe.) That’s over $60.00 worth of labels!

Check out all the labels they provide, including household labels and clothing labels.

In Chicago, during the BlogHer conference, I kept running into the behind-the-scene team who have created such a strong presence and established their brand online. I’m pleased to know them!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment with the color pattern you’d like to receive if you’re the chosen winner! You can select Standard, Princess or Ocean colors. Contest ends October 9th, when I’ll select, at random, one lucky winner.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Bundle up baby

With Fall officially around the corner (September 22), it’s time to start thinking about pulling out your winter gear. If you’re expecting a baby in the next few months, or know of someone who is welcoming a little one into the world, you’ll want to enter this giveaway!

Bundle Up Joy, founded by Terry Chi of Los Angeles, is giving away a luxury wearable blanket from their signature “Chinois” line in honor of our 2 year blogovesary! Simply email Terry directly or leave a comment below!  Giveaway ends October 30th, when she’ll select, at random, one winner who will receive the Blue Blossom design (up to 6 months).  All Happy Healthy Hip Parenting readers also receive a private sale price of $39 (Plus Free Shipping within the continental US) on any design!  Just email Terry with your design preference.

Bundle Up Joy's "Blue Blossom" piece

I met Terry, and learned about Bundle Up Joy, last year at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. She’s been supporting Happy Healthy Hip Parenting ever since and I hope you go check out the other designs available on her site. My personal favorite is the Chocolate Floral pattern in the sleeveless style.  Become a Fan of Bundle Up Joy on Facebook!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Two years young

Only because I recently had to renew my business license did I realize that two years have gone by since I first began blogging. I’ve made some honest-to-goodness real-life friends through this experience. I’m honored to be a part of this amazing community.

I’m excited to announce some awesome giveaways starting next week from a few companies that have been supporting Happy Healthy Hip Parenting, such as Mabel’s Labels and Bundle Up Joy.

Be sure to bookmark this site, subscribe or follow along so you don’t miss out!

Time flies when you’re having fun!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Giveaway: Professional Cookware Set

Food Service Warehouse is giving away a professional cookware set worth $1,000 as part of introducing their new expanded lines of professional cookware. This cookware is tough, high quality cookware used by top restaurant kitchens throughout the country and cookware would be a great addition for any serious home chef.

There is no obligation, just go to the website and enter their professional cookware contest.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

"I Forgot Our Anniversary" Contest

from The Father Life

Did you ever forget a really important date… like your anniversary? Your wife’s birthday? Kinda awkward, eh? Ever go to buy your wife a bra for Valentine’s Day (oh yeah, that’s coming up) and… can’t remember her size? Yeah, so pathetic.

Well, fear not! We recently heard about a new product (thanks to Tyler Wainright of Building Camelot!) called THE LITTLE PINK CARD, “a nifty, wallet-sized card that assists your husband, boyfriend, or significant other in always buying you the perfect gift” and in remembering important dates.

As you can tell from the picture, it’s pretty self-explanatory; but it’s a good lifeline for guys who just can’t seem to remember these critical pieces of information despite their life depending on it. So, we dropped a line to the fine folks over at THE LITTLE PINK CARD and asked if we could do a giveaway with them… and so…

With Valentines Day right around the corner, THE FATHER LIFE and THE LITTLE PINK CARD are happy to bring you our “Help! I Forgot Our Anniversary!” Contest!

Here’s how it works:

• Post your most pathetic “I Forgot _____” story! We’ll read ‘em all and choose the 4 funniest/most pathetic stories about a time you forgot your anniversary, got you wife a flower she was allergic to, etc… you get the idea.
• Have fun! This isn’t meant to humiliate us guys. It’s good to enjoy a good laugh reading these.
• The last day to post your story is Sunday, January 25th.

Here’s what you can win:

• The Little Pink Card will give away 4 cards to the 4 guys with the most pathetic story. They’ll be printed with the info you want for your lady.
• And, even if you don’t win, The Little Pink Card is giving the rest of our readers free shipping/handling on their product (we’ll be posting a link).

Sound good? Great! Post your most pathetic “I Forgot _____” story today for your chance to win! And spread the word! The more stories, the more laughs!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home