One more $100 Visa Giveaway from BlogHer and Olay

 This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

Does your skin change when you are pregnant?

Pretty much everything in my body is affected when I’m pregnant. My hair gets thicker and grows so much faster. My face fills out. My feet even get bigger. And I won’t even start on the internal things like morning sickness and heartburn.

My skin luckily improves during pregnancy and I love the “glow” that I get. It’s something I want to carry past my pregnancy and for the next several years. I think one of the main things I can do to maintain that is drinking water and taking care of my skin.

I’ve noticed with Olay Total Effects that my skin has that added glow even beyond being pregnant. I'm hoping that even after I have my baby - I will continue to carry a glow because I'm using Olay Total Effects.  It has made my skin so much smoother and fresh looking.

How does your skin change when you are pregnant? One of your comments will win you a $100 visa gift card from BlogHer.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

 

Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 27, 2010.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Also - visit the BlogHer Round up page where 14 other bloggers are giving away $100 visa gift cards as well for other chances to win!

Olay and BlogHer $100 visa Giveaway and Skin Care Review

 This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

I’ve never had great skin. In college I went through a horrible time period where I had continuous, awful breakouts. I think it was a combination of stress, hormones, and unhealthy eating.  Ever since that time, I’ve been very self conscious of how my skin looks and very aware of good skin on other people. It’s something that I notice right off about a person and probably the thing I’m most likely to envy.
I’m thankful that as I’ve aged, my skin has become much clearer and I’ve learned that wearing a lot of make-up doesn’t exactly always make it look better.
I have embraced aging. I actually love being in my 30’s and I know I will love the 40’s also.  I want to look young but I also have learned that looks aren’t the most important thing and I’m less and less concerned with what people think and more comfortable with who I am.
And I'm turning 37 in a week or so - which is hard to believe but I want to look the age I feel - which is about 26.
 I do want to do everything I can to take care of myself and probably the biggest thing will be taking care of my skin. I use a lot higher SPF than I ever have. I’m careful of being in the sun too much. And I want to try and use a product that will make my skin look better.
I’m happy with how Olay Total Effects is working just in the few weeks I’ve been using it. I feel like my skin is actually looking smoother and younger.  My pores are getting smaller and I just feel like I have more of a glow! I'm very happy with the results I'm getting so far from using this product!

Are you embracing aging? What are your secrets to looking young? One of your comments will win you a $100 visa gift card from BlogHer!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

 

Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 20, 2010.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Also - visit the BlogHer Round up page where 14 other bloggers are giving away $100 visa gift cards as well for other chances to win!

Blender/Can Opener winners

I finally picked the winners tonight for the blenders/can openers. There are too many to list on here but I'm contacting the winners by email tonight. Thank you for entering!

If you didn't win - remember you can get these great Hamilton Beach products at Wal-Mart (or other retailers)!

WINNERS

The winner of the first Visa Gift Card was #440 comment Melissa! She will be contacted through email!!

The winners of the Arkansas Baptist Cookbook were #86 Annette and #490 Hope! They have been contacted through email!

All winners were chosen using the random integer generator!

I will be drawing winners of the blenders and can openers tomorrow night.  You still have a chance to win as well as another $100 visa gift card!!!

See below!

Olay Total Effects review and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

 This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

Two things have been affecting my skin lately. One is pregnancy. Luckily - I am one of the lucky ones who doesn’t get break outs during pregnancy. My skin actually looks it’s very best when I’m pregnant! If only I could keep that when the nine months were over. 

The main thing I am noticing is I am starting to age whether I like it or not. I have a hard time believing and admitting that I’m almost 37 but I am.  And years of sun worship are beginning to show. Also years of not taking care of my skin.

I used to have pretty oily skin but I’ve noticed it’s not dry - especially in the winter.

So I have been using the Olay Total Effects for a few weeks and I have noticed my skin is looking healthier.  I've really noticed my pores are looking smaller and my face just looks more smooth over all.  It's amazing how just after a few days - I honestly see a difference. I guess all this time of not using a moisturizer or any kind of skin care has been a big waste.  It's great how one simple product that it isn't expensive - can do the job of a whole skin care line.

I took these two pictures about two weeks apart - from the first day I started using Total Effects. You may not be able to tell a huge difference - but I can see it. I'm not wearing makeup in the second picture and I am in the first and my skin appears a lot smoother. I love it!

What are you skin issues? I’d love to hear and one of you who leaves a comment will win a $100 visa gift card from BlogHer. 

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

 

Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 13, 2010.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Also - visit the BlogHer Round up page where 14 other bloggers are giving away $100 visa gift cards as well for other chances to win!

BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers page

Hamilton Beach Can Opener and Blender Give Away

(DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN - YOU COULD WIN A $100 VISA GIFT CARD AND ALSO AN AMAZING COOKBOOK - ALL THIS WEEK!)

So Hamilton Beach is allowing me to give away two of their hottest Christmas items - an awesome can opener and a blender.  I have NINE of EACH to give away!!! So you have a great chance with Eighteen winners in all!!!

The can opener:

Smooth Edge cutting

Cuts the can on the side

No more sharp edges

Extra Tall Design

Easy touch opening lever

Opens regular and pop top cans

The BLENDER:

450 watt motor

8 speeds

48 oz glass jar

Mess free spout for easy pouring

Wave action jar means no more ice chunks

And these both retail for $29.88.  If you don't win - you can find them at your local WAL-MART!!!

(Great gifts people - I'm just saying!)

I will draw a winner on next Thursday.

Leave a comment and let me know which one you would like to win and make sure you leave an email address where I can contact you if you win!!!

Cookbook Giveaway

Arkansas Baptist Children's Home is a wonderful ministry that gives a home to children who come from bad situations. It is one my family believes in strongly and has seen the amazing results of changed lives.

They have put together an AMAZING cookbook as a fundraiser and it is my new favorite cookbook! It has 570 recipes and 75 complete menu plans! It is so easy to use - grouped by parties and menus!

This would make the BEST gift for that special person in your life or for you! Orders must be in by December 15th so ORDER soon to receive by Christmas! !!!! (or order any time after that to just have it)! Go to the link below to read more and get your own very special cookbook (and help a very worthy ministry)!


http://www.abchomes.org/new-abchomes-cookbook.html

AND I'm giving away TWO free copies - so leave me a comment letting me know you would like to win and I'll pick a winner on Monday afternoon!!!

Olay Total Effects

 This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

I was asked by BlogHer and Olay to review their newest product “Total Effects”.  Because I am undergoing skin changes, both with pregnancy and aging (I’m about to hit the 40’s), my skin is in need of some help!
I have never had a skin care regimen. I know I have needed one - especially as I have entered my 30’s but I find it hard and time consuming to put several things on every night. I can’t seem to remember or I’m too tired to do it.
So I was excited to try this new product because it has 7 things in one!
* Line minimization
* Cooling moisturization (and going into winter - I really need that!)
* Energizes apperance (if anyone needs some energizing to their skin - it’s me!)
* Gentle Exfoliation
* Pore refinement (I have HUGE pores so this is a big one to me)
* Free radical defence
*Subtle lifting (and if only this would work on ALL the body. Ha!)

I’ve only used the product for a few days but I already feel like my skin looks better! I’m going to be posting for 4 weeks - so I’ll let you know if I actually see improvement or not!

I’d love to hear about your skin care regimen or if you don’t have one - how does this all in one product sound???


Leave a comment and one of you will win a $100 visa gift card from BlogHer!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

 

Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 6, 2010.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Also - visit the BlogHer Round up page where 14 other bloggers are giving away $100 visa gift cards as well for other chances to win!

BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers page

"A Minute for Mommy" Giveaway

  One of my close friends who I happen to think is one of the Godliest girls I know recently wrote a devotion book for moms! I'm going to give away 3 copies of it here if you will leave me a comment! (PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A WAY FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU!)

If you don't win - there are several ways you can get the book - go to one of the links at the bottom and order or you can get a signed copy by emailing her at berkli_binns@hotmail.com.

She is going to give 10% of each book sold to a charity. Anyone buying books from reading here - the money will go to Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes. This is a place near to my heart that houses children in Arkansas who come from troubled homes and need a place to live. It's a wonderful ministry and one that my family supports.

About the book:

You know you’re a mom when:
•You cannot remember the last time you took a shower.
•Laundry is an everyday activity, but folding it is not.
•You are eating chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, or pizza…again!

But you also know you’re a mom when:
•Your heart melts when that sweet little voice says, “I love you, Mommy.”
•Your fridge is covered with special crafts, photos, and award ribbons.
•Hearing your child sing brings you joy and a smile.

Moments like these make being a mother worthwhile, and A Minute for Mommy is the perfect devotional to help you cherish and remember each one. Join Berkli Binns as she reflects on her motherhood experiences and lessons God has taught her through her children.

With thirty-one inspirational devotionals, you can read through it in a month or just pick it up when you need some encouragement. Take A Minute for Mommy, and you’re sure to be drawn closer to your children and, more importantly, the Lord.

Berkli Binns lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband, Richard. She has two boys—Clay, age five, and Caleb, age three. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, where she serves on the women’s ministry council. Berkli’s current and most rewarding occupation is homemaker.

Her website is: http://berklibinns.tateauthor.com/
Barnes and Nobel link is: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Minute-for-Mommy/Berkli-Binns/e/9781616639655/?itm=1&USRI=berkli+binns
Tate Publishing link: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61663-965-5 
Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=138215569538300

Win a free Halloween Pail

How cute are these Halloween pails? My good friend Stephanie makes all kinds of cute personalized things and she has these CUTE, CUTE pails perfect for hauling all that candy your kids are sure to end up with! And the fun thing is they can use it year after year!

I'm giving away one free pail! I'll be drawing a winner on Friday afternoon!

And if you don't win - go here - http://ifyousaysewgifts.com/category_11/Trick-or-Treat-Pails.htm and check out all the designs. They are only $19 each and could last for years!!! She also has all kinds of cute fall personalized shirts you should check out!

Just leave me a comment and let me know which design is your favorite!! (How do you pick?)

Lisa Whelchel's Book "Friendship for Grown Ups"

I am SO excited to have FIVE copies of Lisa Whelchel's new book "Friendship for Grown-ups" to give away! I will draw winners on Friday night!

Finding and keeping friends as an adult can be a challenge and I think is a great guide book! Lisa is a wonderful Christian author and speaker! You will be blessed by this book I know!

And if you don't win - you can find it in most local bookstores as well as on-line!

Also - I am getting the chance to interview Lisa on Thursday morning so I'd love for you to come to my regular blog and leave me questions you would love to hear answered!

Just leave a comment on this post and let me know you'd like to win!

Winners of the Sheila Walsh Book

The winners for the Sheila Walsh book are:
45 Lindsey at thirtycanwait.blogspot.com
57 Katy at lifeasmrswright.blogspot.com
123 Catherine - no info - PLEASE contact me
146 - Lina at myheartmeetyours.blogspot.com
175 -Chantal at justmehopingformore.blogspot.com

Beautiful Things Happen When A Woman Trusts God

I've heard blogger comments are messed up today so if you can't leave a comment - come back later this week and do it!

Sheila Walsh is an amazing Christian author and speaker and she has recently written this book. This kind of sums it up for me:

Do you ever question God's ability to catch you when you fall?

Do shame, fear, and brokenness keep you from fully trusting God?

Do you secretly believe your dreams are unreachable?

You are not alone.

Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God is all about trust. How we fight it. How we learn to do it. How it transforms us.

Life is not safe. That reality slips over us as we grow. Our response to the Father in that reality allows us either to swing higher and higher with the trust of a child . . . or fearfully shrink back from the swing set altogether.

As we weigh that choice, God whispers: Trust me.

In a remarkably transparent account, author and speaker Shelia Walsh opens wide her lifelong battle with trust and the moment-by-moment choices she made to follow where God led.

Shelia has lived a life ruled by "hidden places" of insecurity and brokenness and knows the overwhelming beauty of a life wholly handed over to Christ. As you encounter her struggles and triumphs, you also meet ten of the Bible's transformed-Tabitha, David, Paul, and others-who teach us that in spite of overwhelming circumstances, just one trusting encounter with Christ sets beautiful things in motion.

It can resurrect dreams, instill purpose, and ignite hope.

Discover what beautiful things can happen when you trust God.

I'm giving away FIVE copies of this book and I will draw winners on Friday afternoon. Just leave me a comment and let me know you'd like to win.

For His Glory

There is an amazing family that lives in Oklahoma and has 13 children. One was 3 years old and died of cancer 3 years ago. They also have these twin sons who have a CD out that is SO great! It's instrumental music and it's all hymns. Which I love a lot of music but I'm a sucker for Hymns. There is nothing like the old hymns in the hymn book. These two guys are SO talented and their CD would make an amazing soundtrack or gift!

Check them out at : http://www.shekinahspringsstudio.com

And I'm giving away TWO copies! Just leave me a comment telling me your favorite hymn or if you don't have one - just let me know you'd like this CD! You will be blessed by it!!! I'll give it away on Wednesday night of next week!

Plan B

So I said at the beginning of the year that I would not do any more giveaways and I still plan to stick to that except where I have the chance to give something and introduce you to something that I think is inspirational or to help you grow in your walk with Jesus.
I'm excited to tell you about a book that is being released today. It's written by Pete Wilson who is pastor of a church in Nashville (that Angie Smith attends). I first heard about his book through Angie when he did a feature on them after they learned the news of Audrey. The book is Called Plan B. And I think there are SO MANY of you who could relate to this book (including myself). I could have used this book when I was single, when I was struggling with infertility, when Harper's birth didn't go like I thought it would. And I have no doubt there are many days ahead when life won't be picture perfect like I think it should be. Watch this video!

PlanB Promo from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

In Plan B pastor and author Pete Wilson uses real life stories of disappointments and hurts along with the biblical stories of men and women like David, Joseph, and Ruth to help readers come to grips with the truth that they will face situations that in themselves they are completely unable to handle but that in them God is simply trying to get them to surrender their plans so that they can receive His. He identifies our common responses to difficulties and offers hope, helping us to

• Understand what God might be up to
• See how surrender helps us to receive God's plan
• Embrace the community of believers
• Reconcile a God of love with a life of tragedy and suffering
  

Wilson points readers to the cross as not just the starting line but the centerpiece of our story with God and shares that it is there we turn in our Plan B and find the undeniable relationship between crisis and our hope followed by true spiritual transformation. "God wants to live inside the questions" says Wilson and then reminds us that "the cross is proof that He does not always change the circumstance but that He always has a purpose in every circumstance. He will never let go of us. He will hold us and His cross will be an anchor for you.


It's in bookstores all across the country and on amazon.com. I'm giving away THREE copies HERE. Leave me a comment and I'll draw three winners on Thursday night.

I will Carry You Giveaway!

If you have read my blog for any length of time - you know that I just adore this girl above. Angie Smith and her husband Todd (he sings with the Christian group Selah) are an amazing couple with three girls, one on the way and one sweet baby who is with Jesus, Audrey.

I stumbled upon Angie's blog right after she started it and couldn't quit reading. I was drawn in by her story and prayed for her and for Audrey. I remember reading this post and bawling my eyes out. Angie has a gift for writing.

And she has written a book telling the story of Audrey. I'm not a reader and I read it in less than two days. I couldn't put it down. If you know anyone who has suffered the loss of a child - this would be an amazing book to give them. And Angie talks at the end about how to help those who lose a child. I was so thankful for that because I think at some point in our lives we will probably all know someone, unfortunately, who will go through this and I'm saving her book as a reference.

"I Will Carry You" comes out tomorrow nation wide and you can find it in Barnes and Noble, Books a Million , and Lifeway. I really encourage you to buy a copy. You will love it!

And I'm also giving away THREE COPIES!! All you need to do is leave me a comment and let me know you'd like to win!

Robbie Seay Band Giveaway

The Robbie Seay Band are an awesome Christian band and they have GREAT music! They have just come out with a new album - "Miracle".

This is what Robbie said about the album:

“In some ways, this record reflects the past year for us - representing a broader journey and reality,” Robbie says. “From the deepest depths of sorrow and angst to the greatest moments of celebration in scripture, the band strikes up and it’s beautiful to be part of that. Each song seems to echo what God is doing among us, that this is not a me-centered life we’re living... we are not alone.”

“The title track and first single of the project, “Miracle” came in the wake of devastating news. I remember getting a phone call from one of my closest friends. ‘Kristy has cancer. It doesn't look good, but we're believing for a Miracle.’ I wrote the lyrics the next day. I prayed and believed with him. Kristy, wife and mother of three young boys would die two months later. “

“The song is not a miracle sweat cloth,” Robbie continues, “or a televangelist coming to a town near you. It's the crying out when you're in the depths of life. Believing. And as we all know, sometimes it doesn't end like we so fervently believed. The song is not a promise of a miracle. It is, however, the declaration that we all will find ourselves in great need of one at some point in our lives - and in those moments, we choose to believe even when we can't see our hands in front of our face.”

You can listen to the songs below!!! You will love it! You can find it on itunes or any retailer!
Leave me a comment and you can enter to win a copy of the new CD AND a t-shirt!!!!
I will draw a winner this Friday night.