Great Giveaway: $30 Pear Tree Gift Code Ends 12/4

Pear Tree Greetings has some really great promotions running right now. First they have Operation Gratitude, teachers can sign up to receive 30 free cards for their class to color and send to service men and women.

  Pear Tree has also partnered with the American Cancer Society and have add 6 exclusive designs.  100% of the proceeds from these cards go to the American Cancer Society. 

Through the end of today you can receive 20% off any order of $75 or more using the promo code BLACK20.  Also be sure to visit their promo page for more great offers like Free Shipping!

Win It!
One lucky Hot Mom Tips reader will receive one $30 gift code usable on ANYTHING at Pear Tree Greetings!

Mandatory Entry
Follow Hot Mom Tips on Google Friend Connect.  Head on over to Pear Tree Greetings and take a look around.  Then come back here a leave me a comment with what you would use your gc on.

Include your usernames and email if it's not visible in your profile. This must be done FIRST and your email must either be included or visible in your profile or all entries will be disqualified.

Extra Entries
These are optional extra entries that can be completed after the mandatory entry.  Be sure to leave a comment for each entry.i. e. 2 entries = 2 comments

• “Like” Hot Mom Tips on Facebook (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Networked Blogs (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Twitter  – 1 extra entry
  
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave link to tweet. (click on time under tweet)  – 1 extra entry (can be done daily)
  
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to post – 5 extra entries
  
• Grab my NEW button and add it to your blog. Leave a link to your blog – 3 extra entries
• Grab my Blogtoberfest button and add it to your blog.  Leave a link to your blog - 5 extra entries
  
• Share giveaway on Facebook, Digg, Stumble Upon, etc.  Leave link and/or username – 1 extra entry each
• Add Hot Mom Tips to your blog roll, leave link to your blog – 2 extra entries
• Vote up this giveaway on Prizey - 1 extra entry
• 
•  Fuel my blog- 1 extra entry
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• Add my blog to your Technorati favorites - 1 extra entry
• 
• Click the Bump my post button above - 1 extra entry
• Enter any other giveaway on Hot Mom Tips and leave comment that you did so. – 3 extra entry each

 Giveaway ends December 4, 2010 11:59pm PDT.  Winner will be chosen at random using Random.org

Website Review: Krome Photos

If you are anything like me you have tons of photos you've taken throughout the year just sitting in a folder, on a memory card or still on the camera.  There's too many to sort through, much less edit and touch-up.  Enter Krome Photos.  Krome Photos is an online photo editing service.  You simply upload your photos then let Krome editors choose your best photos then edit and enhance them.  The full "Krome treatment" includes color correction, red-eye correction, cropping, artistic retouching, sorting and tagging.  When your photos are done you get an email letting you know their ready.  You keep the ones you want, "undo" the ones you don't. 

Right now, Krome Photos is having a really awesome introductory offer, your first 25 are free plus you can buy 100 more for only $2.50!  I uploaded all the pictures my Mom took when she came to visit earlier this month and let the editors pick which 25 to edit.  They did a really great job.

Original

Krome Treated

You can also easily share your photos on Facebook, Kodak, Snapfish and Shutterfly right from your dashboard!  Visit http://www.kromephotos.com/ and give it a try now!

Eden Fantasies Ambassador Program

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Where to List Your Giveaways

Starting out with reviews and giveaways it can be difficult to get comments and entries.  Here are a few places I've found to list giveaways


My favorite site is Sweepstakes Advantage.  This is the site I use when entering giveaways.

Online-Sweepstakes.com is where I've heard most people get the majority of their traffic.

Here's a good list of giveaway linkies http://www.gograhamgo.com/2010/08/giveaway-linky-list-where-to-link...

Audry's Giveaways a a great list of places to list your giveaways: http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/08/where-to-advertise-giv...

Also don't forget to list them in the appropriate groups on mom and blogging networks:

The Giveaway Bloggers Network
Giveaway Blogs Network
Bloggy Moms Network
Mom Bloggers Club
Mommy Approved™!
Pitch It to Me
Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network
Mom Entrepreneur

Great Giveaway: Christmas Praise CD by Alice Langehennig EXTENDED Ends 11/21!!

Christmas Praise

Alice Langehennig

Instrumental Christmas CD
Featuring Jubilate Ringers!
Length: 45 mins

Caroling, Caroling
The Star Medley
Sing We Now of Christmas
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
Deck the Halls
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Go, Tell It On the Mountain
Sweet, Holy Child
Carol of the Bells
O Little Town of Bethlehem
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
I Saw Three Ships
Masters in This Hall
Holiday Medley


Review
I really love this CD.  It's one of my favorite Christmas CDs.  I love to put it on while I'm cleaning, getting ready for company or decorating.   Helps to put you in that holiday spirit and make the chores go faster.  I also love listening in the car.  The flute and bells along with the piano make it really festive!

Buy it!
Head on over to Alice Langehennig's product page and view her other CDs, note cards and books.  Elizabeth Lauren Ministries: The Music Ministry of Alice Langehennig.
She also has a great weekly bible study series called The Message and The Music.  Each weeks current lesson can be viewed here.  Past lessons are available for download here.  You can also subscribe to receive The Message and The Music by email either on her website or by emailing Alice directly at alice@alicelangehennig.com.

Win It!

Alice Langehennig has generously offered one Hot Mom Tips reader a copy of her Christmas Praise CD

Mandatory Entry

Follow Hot Mom Tips on GFC (left side bar) AND head on over to AliceLangehennig.com and leave me a comment telling me one other item you’d like to have.  You must do the FIRST or all other entries will be disqualified.

Extra Entries

Submit a separate comment for each extra entry (5 extra entries – leave 5 comments)

• Follow Alice, @elministries, on twitter. – 1 extra entry
• Subscribe to The Message and The Music (Right side bar or email Alice directly alice@alicelangehennig.com) – 1 extra entry
• Make a purchase from AliceLangehennig.com – 10 extra entries
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Google Friend Connect (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• “Like” Hot Mom Tips on Facebook (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Networked Blogs (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Twitter  – 1 extra entry
  
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave link to tweet. (click on time under tweet)  – 1 extra entry (can be done daily)
  
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to post – 5 extra entries (must include link to AliceLangehennig.com and giveaway)
  
• Grab my button and add it to your blog. Leave a link to your blog – 3 extra entries
  
• Share giveaway on Facebook, Digg, Stumble Upon, etc.  Leave link and/or username – 1 extra entry each (must be verifiable)
  
• Add Hot Mom Tips to your blog roll, leave link to your blog – 2 extra entries
• Vote up this giveaway on Prizey
• 
• Fuel my blog- 1 extra entry
• 
  
• Add my blog to your Technorati favorites - 1 extra entry
• 
• Click the Bump my post button above - 1 extra entry
• Enter any other giveaway on Hot Mom Tips and leave comment that you did so. – 1 extra entry each

Giveaway ends 11.59pm PST 21 November, 2010.  Winner will be chosen at random using Random.org

Great Giveaways: Custom Superhero Cape from Powercapes.com Ends 11/21

Powercapes.com creates custom superhero capes, costumes and accessories.

From the Website:

Who We Are

PowerCapes is a team of Moms, Dads, Customer Service Heroes, Web Ninjas and Passionate People who have dedicated their lives to helping kids be real super heroes.
Started by Holly Bartman as a way to provide children with personalized super hero capes, PowerCapes has become the #1 destination for authentic super hero wear for kids (and adults, too!)

Our Company Culture

Our company is founded on the principles of giving back to the community and supporting children's causes while making a fun, high quality, safe product.

Made in the USA

We have our own manufacturing facility in the Metro Detroit area where our production staff makes each product completely by hand one-at-a-time for children around the world.

Review

I was really impressed with Powercapes.  The cape arrived much quicker than I expected.  The quality of the cape is excellent, which is good since it has to stand up to the use of 3 boys.  My  youngest designed it and wears it the most but since all my boys names start with "J" they can all three use it.  The other night was Family Involvement Night at the school and they were supposed to be dressed as superheroes.  Julian, my 7 year old, left his costume at his dad's so he word the cape and went as "Super Julian."  They had a blast and loved showing off the cape.





Buy It

Powercapes.com is currently having an excellent sale.  Right now you can save 50% on their Custom Superhero Costume, 38% on Custom Superhero Capes and 20% on Solid Color Capes!  Also if you hurry you can get Hero Mask and Cuff combos over a Zulily.com for just $11.99!

Win It!

One lucky Hot Mom Tips reader will win a custom Custom Superhero Cape of their own from Powercapes.com!

Mandatory Entry

Follow Hot Mom Tips on GFC AND Head on over to Powercapes.com and let me know what color, emblem and letter you would choose if you won. You must do the FIRST or all other entries will be disqualified.

Extra Entries

Submit a separate comment for each extra entry (5 extra entries – leave 5 comments)

• Follow Powercapes, @powercapes, on twitter. – 1 extra entry
• Subscribe to Powercapes.com newsletter – 1 extra entry
• "Like" Powercapes on Facebook  – 1 extra entry
• Make a purchase from Powercapes.com– 10 extra entries
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Google Friend Connect (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• “Like” Hot Mom Tips on Facebook (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Networked Blogs (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Twitter  – 1 extra entry
  
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave link to tweet. (click on time under tweet)  – 1 extra entry (can be done daily)
  
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to post – 5 extra entries (must include link to Powercapes.com and giveaway)
  
• Grab my button and add it to your blog. Leave a link to your blog – 3 extra entries
  
• Share giveaway on Facebook, Digg, Stumble Upon, etc.  Leave link and/or username – 1 extra entry each (must be verifiable)
  
• Add Hot Mom Tips to your blog roll, leave link to your blog – 2 extra entries
• Vote up this giveaway on Prizey
• 
• Fuel my blog- 1 extra entry
• 
  
• Add my blog to your Technorati favorites - 1 extra entry
• 
• Click the Bump my post button above - 1 extra entry
• Enter any other giveaway on Hot Mom Tips and leave comment that you did so. – 1 extra entry each

CD Review: Norah Jones ...Featuring

 Norah Jones released a new CD on Tuesday, ...Featuring,  an awesome collection of her collaborations throughout her career.  It's a really great collection and really shows Norah's wide-range of musical ability.

“A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries,” says Norah. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”


Songs on …Featuring range from classics recorded by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, and Roy Orbison to new material by such wide-ranging innovators as Ryan Adams and Q-Tip.


The track listing for …Featuring is as follows:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward



I really enjoyed ...Featuring.  I put it on while cleaning a just grooved while working around the house.  I really love " Baby it's Cold Outside" and "Take Off Your Cool."  You can connect with Norah on her official site: http://www.norahjones.com/ where you can watch videos, find tour dates and for a limited time stream ...Featuring in it's entirety.
...Featuring Norah Jones can be purchased on Norah's official site, from Amazon.com or your local retailer.

Disclosure: I was not paid to give this review. I received the CD to listen to and review thanks to One2One. I will be entered into a drawing for a gift card with One2One Network for doing the review. All opinions are 100% my own, true thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review.

Super Saturday Blog Hops 11/20

I can't believe it's Saturday already! This week really flew by.  The kids are out of school until after the end of the month for Parent/Teacher Conferences then Thanksgiving.  Jordan was disappointed, he really loves school!  Anyway, time to surf!  Here's some really great blog hops for Saturday.  Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog you visit!

Green Goes Simple: Go Green -- and Save Money

Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home

Go Green -- and Save Money

By Amy Levin-Epstein for Green Goes Simple

Sure, protecting the environment can sometimes mean spending more, but there are plenty of ways that greening your life can help keep more green in your wallet. “Living green and healthy can be done on a budget and, in many cases, can actually save you money,” says Sara Snow, green lifestyle expert and author of Sara Snow’s Fresh Living. Here are six tips from Snow on how any family -- with any budget -- can start helping the planet and saving money today.

Make Time for a Tune-up
Next time you get your oil changed, spring for a new air filter, which can improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent. Driving around with a clean air filter, properly inflated tires and working spark plugs can save you as much as $600 a year in fuel and maintenance charges.

Be a Biker
If you haven’t already joined the ranks of the two-wheeled, you can start by buying an inexpensive used bike online. Assuming you spend about $30 a week in gas, you could save up to $1,500 a year in fuel costs by peddling from point A to point B. Even if you only bike once or twice a week, it will still add up to some serious dough. The bonus? You’ll get nice toned legs along the way.

Go Veggie
Not only does meat cost more money than vegetables, it costs the environment more resources, including water and feed. Even if you can’t quit turkey, well, cold turkey, try going veggie a few days each week. If you spend about $20 on meat each week, you could save around $500 a year by eating it half as often. Plus, a healthy plant-based diet may reduce your medical bills as well.

Streamline Your Stuff
Be the ultimate antihoarder by selling valuable household items that you rarely use. The Belgian waffle maker gifted by your Aunt Suzy last Christmas? Let it go. The vintage roller skates you never got around to using? Say goodbye. If you sell your I-made-one-juice-last-year $300 juicer for $100, you’ll be recycling the product -- and cycling some money back into your bank account. You can host a garage sale or offload used things to new owners online.

Buy a Better Bulb
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than standard incandescent lightbulbs. Plus, each CFL can save you about $30 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb. Figuring that a CFL bulb will last about 10 years, that’s $3 per year per bulb. By replacing 20 bulbs in your house, you’ll save $60 annually in lighting costs -- clearly, a bright idea.

Take Control of Your Thermostat
Your thermostat no longer calls the shots automatically. A one-time investment of $30 will upgrade your old device to a programmable version that will allow you to control when and how intensely your home will be heated or cooled. You can also set the thermostat to turn off when you’re away or asleep, saving around $100 a year in energy costs.
Want more tips on saving money while going green? Check out GreenAndSave.com,  TheLazyEnvironmentalist.com, GreenAndCleanMom.com and MomsGoingGreen.com.

Amy Levin-Epstein is a freelance writer who’s been published in magazines like Glamour, Self and Prevention, on websites like AOL, Babble and Details and in newspapers like the New York Post and the Boston Globe. You can read more of her writing at AmyLevinEpstein.com.

Live Right Live Well: Whole-grain Sweet-potato Pancakes

Whole-grain Sweet-potato Pancakes

From the Editors of Live Right Live Well



Filled with whole-grain goodness and rich in vitamin A, these easy-to-make pancakes -- served with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar -- can be served for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. Use either canned or fresh-cooked, mashed sweet potatoes. Leftover pancakes can be individually wrapped and placed in a zippered plastic bag in the freezer. Simply heat in the microwave for a quick, healthy meal or snack.
Makes 12 pancakes (12 servings, 1 pancake per serving)
Ingredients
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (canned or freshly cooked)
1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons canola oil

Directions
1.  Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

2.  In a separate bowl, mix remainder of ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and stir just until all ingredients are moistened.

3.  Preheat griddle or skillet and coat with a small amount of oil or vegetable cooking spray.

4.  Drop batter by heaping 1/3 cup portions onto hot surface and cook until bubbles form. Turn pancakes over and cook until dark golden brown and cooked throughout.

5.  Serve immediately.

Nutrition information (per serving)
Calories: 145
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrate: 21 g
Fat: 4.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg
Sodium: 360 mg
Calcium: 105 mg
Iron: 1.3 mg
Vitamin A: 2415 IU
Vitamin C: 2 mg
Fiber: 1.5 g

Great Giveaway: Swarovski Crystal or Pearl Ring from Chunky Bling Ends 11/28

A few months ago I posted a website review of ChunkyBling.com as part of their Blogging for Bling program for which I received a beautiful Swarovski Ring. I choose the Rosaline Swarovski Pearl Ring and I've got to tell you I love it! 

 Now I'm excited to announce that one of you will win a Swarovski Ring of your own! Chunky Bling is an online jewelry shop with awesome chunky beaded jewelry.In addition to rings they have necklaces, bracelets and watches.  Their charm cluster necklaces and bead watches are not only beautiful and elegant, they are also customizable.  You can build your own necklace for only $18 or your own watch for only $32.  Chunky Bling also has 3 ways to get FREE bling through their Name That Bling, Blog for Bling and online jewelry party programs.

Buy It!

Chunky Bling makes a great gift and now through Dec. 5 Hot Mom Tips you can get 15% using the discount code ANGEL412.  Head on over to ChunkyBling.com and build your own watch or necklace or check out their great jewelry sets!

Win It!

 One lucky reader will win their choice of  Pearl or Crystal Swarvoski Ring.

Mandatory Entry

Follow Hot Mom Tips on GFC AND Go to Chunky Bling's Build Your Own Watch page and pick out your favorite watch face and band.  Come back here and leave a comment with the names of the face and band you would choose were you to build a watch.  You must do the FIRST or all other entries will be disqualified.

Extra Entries

Submit a separate comment for each extra entry (5 extra entries – leave 5 comments)

• Submit and/or vote on a name in the Name That Bling contest – 1 extra entry
• "Like" Chunky Bling on  Facebook – 1 extra entry
• Make a purchase from ChunkyBling.com – 15 extra entries
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Google Friend Connect (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• “Like” Hot Mom Tips on Facebook (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Networked Blogs (left side bar) – 1 extra entry
  
• Follow Hot Mom Tips on Twitter  – 1 extra entry
  
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave link to tweet. (click on time under tweet)  – 1 extra entry (can be done daily)
  
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to post – 5 extra entries (must include link to AliceLangehennig.com and giveaway)
  
• Grab my button and add it to your blog. Leave a link to your blog – 3 extra entries
  
• Share giveaway on Facebook, Digg, Stumble Upon, etc.  Leave link and/or username – 1 extra entry each (must be verifiable)
  
• Add Hot Mom Tips to your blog roll, leave link to your blog – 2 extra entries
• Vote up this giveaway on Prizey
• 
• Fuel my blog- 1 extra entry
• 
  
• Add my blog to your Technorati favorites - 1 extra entry
• 
• Click the Bump my post button above - 1 extra entry
• Enter any other giveaway on Hot Mom Tips and leave comment that you did so. – 1 extra entry each

Giveaway ends 11.59pm PST 28 November, 2010.  Winner will be chosen at random using Random.org