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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Malea McGuinness "Close As Air" CD Review and Giveaway *3 Winners*




 Have you heard of Malea McGuinness?   I admit that I had not before being asked to review her new CD "Close As Air" which is her second CD.  She has been described as "a passionate pop/rock singer-songwriter".   As I reviewed her CD I agree that she falls into a pop/rock genre, although some of the songs reminded me a bit of folk/country also.   Not the old-fashioned kind of country so much as what some of the country artists are doing now in crossover music.   She definitely has a full and rich voice that could handle any sort of musical genre.  Some of the songs, such as "Moving On",  had me head bopping to them and some of them, such as "Stars" touched my heart.   You should listen to her songs and see if she's a new artist that you would like to check out too.  Here's a link to a YouTube video of her singing the title track "Close As Air".



Some Interesting Tid-Bits About Malea McGuinness
  • Previously, Malea has shared the stage with an eclectic range of artists: Gavin Degraw, The Crash Test Dummies, Augustana, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Ambrosia, Kevin Bacon, Donovan, Tyrone Wells, Terri Nunn, Roger Clyne and the Peace Makers, Boy Hits Car, Todd Rundgren, Ed Burns and The Blue Jackets, Green River Ordinance, Willie Porter, Uncle Daddy.
  • While attending college, Malea starred in the Broadway revival of 'The King and I'
  • Malea has her own signature model acoustic and electric guitars with Korea-based company, Peerless Guitars.
  • She is half Korean and half Irish.
  • Malea is an extremely active animal rights activist, and regularly collaborates with humane societies and rescue organizations all over the country. Currently, she serves as a guest blogger on PetLvr.com: http://www.petlvr.com/blog/

You can preview her songs here on amazon 
Or download the MP3 of the title track  Close As Air
or the track Spinning

You can visit her site at Maleamusic.com
You can connect with Malea on Facebook

Three readers of Pammie in Jammies will get the opportunity to win a copy of her new CD, "Close As Air".

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Listen to the preview of her songs on Amazon and let me know which one is your favorite.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • "Like" Malea on Facebook.
  • Leave a comment on her Facebook wall that Pammie in Jammies sent you.  
  • Follow me on GFC (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
  • Subscribe to my email newsletter and confirm it in the email you'll receive (worth 2 entries so leave two comments)
  • Enter any other open giveaway.  
  • Subscribe to swagbucks and leave your first name and last initial in your post.   (worth  5 entries so leave five comments)  You can read more about it and sign up through  THIS POST  .  You must be participating and I will verify.

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and will close on  Thurs. Sept. 9th at 10PM EST.   Winners will be notified by email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.   Limited to US entries only.

New Freebie Deals for Aug. 25

Free sample of NOURISH shampoo and conditioner.  Click at bottom of the page.

FREE Blizzard treat from Dairy Queen.   YUM!  Sign up for their newsletter. 

FREE sample of Cheetos Mighty Zingers.   YUM!

FREE sample of Playtex Sports Tampon. 



FREE sample of Nature's Bounty adult gummies vitamins. 
 
FREE download of the Phish CD "Live Bait".

FREE sample of GoodNights underwear for boys or girls. 


So go and grab yourself some freebies and start looking in your mailbox for surprises!




Sunday, August 22, 2010

Pen to Paper Challenge...A Letter to My Daughter.

I'm a Pearista and this month Christy from Pear Tree Greetings challenged us to put pen to paper and send cards to people.  She sent us cards with envelopes and then smaller cards and envelopes we could include so our recipient could write back.   It seems to be a lost art form these days.   I remember growing up how excited I'd be to get a letter or a card in the mail.   Now it seems that communication is mostly with email or text messages or messages left on answering machines.   But nothing can replace a heartfelt handwritten  note.  Sometimes it's easier to write what we feel than to say it out loud.  We can reword it and rethink it until we get it just right.   It gives us time to put the words down exactly how we want them.

So I'd been thinking over the last few weeks about who I could send my cards to.   I had a few people in mind and thought I knew who my first one was going to.   But this past week as I helped my eldest child finish shopping and packing to return to college, I changed my mind and the choice became clear.   I would put pen to paper and write my daughter a note.

I know all parents love their children unconditionally, or at least I hope so, and I know we're all guilty of bragging a bit too much on occasion, but my daughter really is a wonderful child.   She's always been "exuberant" as our pediatrician called it, and full of energy and curiosity.  She had a teacher in the third grade who once told me if it wasn't for my daughter some days she would wonder why she was teaching.   The teacher told me she'd look around the room and all the kids would be doodling or leaning on their elbows half asleep, but there would be my daughter waving her hand excitedly because she knew the answer or paying rapt attention to every word the teacher said.  My daughter approached all of life like that.   She always wanted to learn, not only in school, but to do karate and dance, or play the piano and cello, or to play softball and basketball and soccer.  She couldn't suck enough out of life or fast enough.

She also never got into trouble or caused me any worry.   I've had people tell me they need an affidavit proving she was so good, or saying it must be nice to live in the land of unicorns and constant rainbows.  Or others imply I must have my head in the sand because she was probably being a wild teen and I was just too clueless to know.   I would just smile at them and know they were wrong.   She had a large group of friends who were all just like her.   Scrubbed face kids with beaming smiles and impeccable manners.   Kids who were the leaders and most outstanding students in a very large high school.  I never worried when she went out with them that they'd be drinking or doing drugs.   They just weren't those kids.

Now does that mean she never annoyed me?   Of course not!  She was a teen girl and every person who has had one knows the fear those two words can strike in the heart of a parent.   There were tears, and shrieking and slamming doors on occasion.   But those pale in comparison to a child who made good grades, played the cello beautifully and made her parents proud.

She has continued being a wonderful child in college.   She's in honors biochemistry, been selected to attend leadership conferences and continues in the orchestra in college.  She did an internship this past summer in Washington DC and attended meetings at the State Dept, Dept of Agriculture and Dept of Energy.   She referred to it as her job, but I referred to it as her "adventure".     She saw all the monuments and museums, attended concerts at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and watched the fireworks over the Potomac.   Once again she managed to squeeze every bit out of life in those 8 weeks.

So as she returns to college, I'm putting my pen to paper to write her a note for her first week of school.   I want to thank her for the joy she brought me watching her grow from an exuberant child to an exuberant young adult.   I want to thank her for the pride I felt watching her fervently bow her cello with utter love and devotion to the instrument these past 10 years.   I want to thank her for being such an easy child to raise and one that any parent would be proud to have.    I want to wish her luck as she returns to  college and continues on the path to becoming a successful and independent woman.  And of course I want to tell her that I love her.  That is what my pen says as I put it to paper.

Do you have individuals who have brightened your life?   Or people who have offered a hand when you were at a low point?  Or perhaps a long lost friend who used to make you laugh so hard?   I challenge you to put pen to paper and let them know how they've enriched your life.   I challenge you to reconnect with them.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Gap $50 certificate for only $25! Deal at Groupon today only!

Have you heard about Groupon?

Groupon features unbeatable daily deals from top local businesses in over 140 cities around the world. Groupon has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and was named the #1 Hottest Website for 2010 by Fox Business News.   You’ll find great restaurants, spas, events, activities, classes, and more all at 50-90% off.   Many times the deals are local.   For example, today an area cheesecake shop has certificates to buy a cheesecake at 57 % off.  But sometimes they're nationwide.

Today's deal is the GAP.   You can get a $50 gift certificate for only $25!!  
When do you ever see the GAP at 50% off?   You can use it at all the GAP family stores too including Baby Gap and Gap Kids.

If you want it you need to hop on it NOW!   It's only good until midnight EST.  Click on the banner below.  While you're there, check out the deal going on in your area too.   Maybe you'll be lucky and have cheesecake too! 



Energizer Smart Charger

If you're tired of having to replace batteries in your electronics raise your hand!  I know that I am!  We use so many things that require batteries...cameras, video game controllers, remote controls, mp3 players, etc.  

I recently heard about the Energizer Smart Charger and I'm intrigued!  I've never tried rechargeable batteries, but this might tempt me to give them a try.   I already love Energizer batteries so assume this will be a quality product.  And it would certainly help if we weren't having to always replace batteries.   It gets expensive and it's bad for the environment.  

This charger has several great features:
  • It has a slow charge rate that prevent it damaging your batteries.   That'll save money!
  • It has a large LCD screen that shows how long until the batteries are fully charged and a fuel gauge.
  • It charges 2 or 4 AA or AAA batteries at one time.  
  • It is ENERGY STAR certified.
  • It has a detector that tells you if the battery is bad or is a disposable battery so can't be charge.
Here is a link to the Energizer site where you can read more about this product.  


I think would be great for my family.  I hope to get one soon to try out.   How about you?   Do you want to try the Smart Charger?


By writing this post, I may be eligible to receive an Energizer Recharge Smart Charger and a gift card.   I received no other compensation for this post.   These are my honest opinions and reflect my previous experience with Energizer products. Thanks to J. Leigh Designz for letting me know about this opportunity. 


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Macaroni Grill Frozen Entree Review and Giveaway--CLOSED

My family is a huge fan of Macaroni Grill restaurants.   We have one near us and we usually eat there for Valentine's Day, our anniversary, birthdays, etc.   We love both the food and the service.  I even had an opera student who was a server sing happy birthday to me once!


Well now Macaroni Grill has come out with a line of frozen entrees that you can serve in your home.  While no one will sing to me while I dine, it will certainly be easier and cheaper to whip up some Macaroni Grill at home!   I was recently offered the chance to review the Grilled chicken Florentine, with grilled white chicken and spinach, along with farfalle pasta tossed in a delicious creamy parmesan cheese and garlic sauce. 





My frozen entree also included a pasta serving bowl and pasta serving tongs as pictured to your left.  









I whipped up this entree one evening by adding only1/3 cup of milk to the package ingredients to make the tasty meal on the right!   I think it looks pretty in the serving bowl and with the tongs too!   My family all loved it.  My husband asked where I could buy them, my daughter loved that it included spinach in it, and my son wiped up the last of the sauce with some garlic toast we served with it.   I loved that my family members were all happy and it only took me about 15 minutes to whip up the whole meal! The bag says it serves two.   We served all four of us although the portions were a tad on the smaller side.




To add even more Italian flare to your relaxing nights at home, check out the additional varieties of Macaroni Gill frozen trees available this summer in your grocers freezer case.  They also have a Basil Parmesan Chicken entree with grilled white meat chicken, broccoli florets and tomatoes with cavatappi pasta tossed in a flavorful creamy basil parmesan sauce.    The Roasted Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Spicy Italian Sausage Pomodoro varieties are also perfect for bringing the romantic aromas of Italy into your home.


One of my lucky readers is going to get the opportunity to receive the same prize pack that I got to review.  The Macaroni Grill prize pack includes one Macaroni Grill Frozen Entree sample, in addition to a serving bowl and pasta tongs.  You'll love it!

You can click HERE for info on all four of the current frozen entries.    You can click HERE to visit their site for a $1.00 coupon for the dry dinner kits or $1.50 off the frozen entrees.


I am grateful that Macaroni Grill provided me with the  free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark.  All the opinions are my own.


 MANDATORY ENTRY:
Which of the four varieties of Macaroni frozen entrees would you most like to try?   The four are all listed above.


 EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Like Macaroni Grill on facebook HERE
  • Follow Macaroni Grill on twitter HERE
  • Tell me another entry you'd like to see Macaroni Grill add to the line.   I personally love their Chicken Piccata.  (You can enter daily by offering a new idea each day)
  • Follow me on GFC  (worth 2 entries so leave two comments)
  • Subscribe to my email newsletter and confirm it in the email you'll receive (worth 2 entries so leave two comments)
  • Enter any other open giveaway.  
  • Subscribe to swagbucks and leave your first name and last initial in your post.   (worth  5 entries so leave five comments)  You can read more about it and sign up through  THIS POST  You must be participating and I will verify.
RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Thurs. Sept. 2nd at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter.  Prize will be mailed from MyBlogSpark.  
Macaroni Grill provided you with the free product, information, and prize pack through

FREEBIES for Aug. 18

There are quite a few freebies out now.   Check them out and sign up for the ones you're interested in.  I always love getting these little surprises in my mailbox!!!
  • FREE lunch tote for taking the Healthy Lunch Challenege HERE
  • FREE GoodNights HERE
  • FREE sample of Prevacid for heartburn relief.   Click HERE
  • FREE sample of Emergen-C Vit D, Vit C, and Calcium fizzy drink supplement HERE 
  • FREE sample of Nectavida liquid supplement by clicking HERE
  • FREE seed samples.   It does say they're currently out but will put you on a wait list by clicking HERE
  • Today only.....Blockbuster Rent a movie get another movie rental FREE.  You can browse the movies and find a kiosk or reserve online by going HERE.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Freebies for Aug. 13

  • Free sample of coffee by filling out form HERE
  • Get a Post-It Durable Tabs and Label Pads sample by filling out the form HERE
  • Free sample of Hot Tamales candy by filling out the form HERE
  • Free sample of Nature Made Vitamin D.   Click HERE and spin the wheel.  Everyone wins.  
  • Get a free sample of achooz saline nasal wipes by clicking HERE.
  • Walmart has a free sample of Emergen-C with Vitamin D and Calcium.   Click HERE

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

FREE items for Wed. Aug 11

  • Sample of Post-It Super Sticky Notes.   Click HERE and fill out form.  
  • Sample of Oxy Clinical Acne Treatment. It includes a single-use application of Oxy Clinical Clearing Teatment, Hydrating Treatment, and Advanced Face Wash.   Click HERE and fill out form.  It has a spot for a promo code but it will go through if left blank.
  • Get two free Smart For Life cookies and a coupon for underWAY beverages.   Click HERE and fill out form.
  • Free Air Wick Citrus Zest Paper Air Freshener.    Click HERE and fill out form.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

FREE Lowe's Build and Grow Workshops for Kids--Build a Bug Box Aug. 14


 Lowe's has great free workshops where kids can build and take home a project on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 10-11 AM.  I would check with my own store to confirm the time.

HERE'S where you can sign up in 3 easy steps.  

On Aug. 14th, your child can build this cute beetle shaped bug box!



On Aug. 28th they can build this school bus! Includes stickers, a secret compartment, chalk and a chalkboard on top!  This could be cute to use at school or even better to keep at home to store homework supplies in.   Remember these workshops are FREE!   Just sign up with the link above.



Sign them up today!
 

Monday, August 9, 2010

Freebies for Monday Aug. 9th

  • FREE Bare Naked Ladies song download from Amazon.    Click HERE
  • Post It Notes are FREE this week at Target or Walmart with this coupon.   (Thanks  cheapstingybargains!!)  Click HERE
  • Like True Lemon on Facebook for FREE samples of True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange.   I love this stuff!   Click HERE 
  • FREE pack of Extra Dessert Delights sugar-free gum.   You have your choice of flavor--Key Lime Pie, Mint Chocolate Chip, or Strawberry Shortcake.  Click HERE (Thanks Absolute Portal!)
  • Don't forget about the FREE greeting cards for teachers I posted last week HERE

Funky Monkey Snacks Review and Giveaway

 

I was recently given the opportunity to sample all seven flavors of Funky Monkey Snacks--Applemon, Bananamon, Carnaval Mix, JiveALime, Mango OJ, Pink Pineapple, and Purple Funk.



Here's some information about the snacks:


Funky Monkey Snacks are a line of freeze-dried fruit that are 100% natural, 100% real fruit, and 100% delicious – with three servings of fruit in each 1oz bag!  Our “fruit that crunches” provides the ultimate snack, fusing the great taste, smell, and nutritional goodness of fresh fruit with the crunch and convenience of conventional snacks.  Here are some additional Funky Monkey highlights:

•       Funky Monkey Snacks have no added colors, flavors, sugars, or preservatives
•       Our special, proprietary manufacturing process provides for a crunchier texture vs. conventional freeze-drying techniques
•       We use full slices and pieces (not dices) of delicious, fresh fruit

•       Funky Monkey is made in Brazil using tropical fruits at the peak of freshness
•       Our products are gluten-free and are certified Kosher
•       One of our 7 flavors, Purple Funk, also includes açai, a berry from the Amazon that is viewed as the newest superfood

 My two kids and I sat down and sampled all the flavors and picked out our favorites.   I loved the tart ones best like JiveALime and Pink Pineapple.   My son basically liked them all.   We all three loved the Carnavale Mix which is just a combination of all the flavors in one bag.   The interesting thing is we all thought the combo was better than the individual flavors even if we liked the flavors.   Maybe we're just weird! 




You can check out the Funky Monkey website and view the flavors.
To check for them locally in stores click HERE
Check them out on Twitter .   They have lots of giveaways and contests there.
Sign up for their newsletter HERE

Funky Monkey Snacks has generously offered to provide one of my readers with a sampler pack (1 bag of each of the 7 flavors) as a giveaway.

  

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Go to Funky Monkey Snacks and leave a comment with which snack you think you'd like best.


EXTRA ENTRIES:
1)  Follow me on GFC
2)  Subscribe to feed
3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive
4)  Sign up for Funky Monkey newsletter HERE
5)  Follow them on twitter HERE
6)  Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post
7)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries.   (You can get extra swagbucks through the 15th if you join.  Read about it HERE)  You must be an active member of swagbucks by the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries
7)   Enter any other open giveaway


RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends at 10PM EST Sunday, Aug. 22.    Winner will be selected using random. org and notified via email.   Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.   Winner will receive a box of all 7 flavors which Funky Monkey Snacks will ship directly to the winner.





Disclosure:  I received samples of the snacks to facilitate my review but was given no other compensation.   I was in no way influenced as to what to write and the opinions are my own. 

An EXTRA 40 Swagbucks If You Join Through Aug 15 ! Total of 70!

The post has been updated with a new date that is through August 15.  The original post had it ending last Sunday night, but you have more time now.   So you still have all this week to join for the extra 40 Swagbucks  for a  a total of 70 Swagbucks when you join.   Here's the post.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

OOOPS....I did it again!

Oooops.....I did it again!  Not trying to sound like Britney Spears, but I sent out an email newsletter with the wrong title again.   Anyone know where I can get a brain transplant? LOL

So here's the correct postings from last night!

 Free glitter ball and free pizza coupons HERE

Free gummie vitamins and free pedometer HERE 

AMAZING Swagbucks deal.   70 swagbucks instead of the usual 30, plus deals coming up all week.   For info, click HERE

FREE Glitter ball and FREE pizza!

Two great freebies!   Thanks cheapstingybargains for the following info!

FREE glitter ball at Borders/Waldenbooks.   It looks like a decent sized ball!    CLICK HERE for the coupon.
You need a Borders Reward Card that they'll scan, but if you don't have one you can sign up there in the store. 

FREE DiGiorno deep dish  pizza with the following facebook coupon this week at Target.   So hurry in.   CLICK HERE to get the coupon.

TWO Free samples from Nature's Bounty-- Adult Gummies vitamins and free pedometer

FREE sample of Adult Gummies Vitamins

FREE pedometer

An EXTRA 40 Swagbucks If You Join Through Aug 15 ! Total of 70!

*** UPDATED***
If you aren't familiar with Swagbucks, here is a link to a post I wrote about it early June that describes the program and how to earn and redeem bucks.    I've earned over $100 in Amazon Gift Cards since April plus an itunes gift card.   I've referred many people and they've legitimately earned lots of bucks too!     CLICK HERE FOR INFO
Swagbucks has a BUNCH of deals going on this week and they're also letting me offer you an extra 40 swagbucks to join by Aug 15. So if you've been thinking about doing it, now is the time!! But hurry the extra 40 swagbucks ends 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, August 15

70 SWAGBUCKS WHEN YOU JOIN INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 30!!!

Here's some info on the special deals going on this week:
"Swagbucks is fighting the Back-To-School blues all this week with lots of fun promotions! First, you'll have the chance to win five different limited edition back-to-school themed Swag Bucks - if you snag them all, you'll earn a 50 Swag Buck bonus! Take advantage of sales in the Swag Store on all School Supplies and Cookie's Kids Merchandise, make sure you follow Swag Bucks on Twitter and Like them on Facebook for more rewarding opportunities. Plus, they're having another Swag Code Extravaganza on Thursday, where you'll get at least 5 codes for extra bucks. If you're not already searching and winning on Swagbucks.com, head over now and enter the code (I  will give you after you sign up) for 40 extra bonus bucks during registration!"

So click the link below to join. Also, if you join, leave your email address in a comment to let me know and  I'll then email you the code for the extra 40 swagbucks. Remember the deadline is before 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, August 15 !!  Post any questions here or feel free to email me!!  My address is in the upper right sidebar. 





__________________

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

FREE greeting cards for teachers! & Magazine Deals.

There was an OOOPS!!!  in yesterday's email that went out.  It had an old title in the email.   Sorry about that.   So just to make sure you caught the two items, here they are again!!    Go check them out!

FREE greeting cards for teachers 

Women's Day, Parents and Sporting News under $4 per year

Monday, August 2, 2010

FREE greeting cards for teachers!


Tiny Prints is offering teachers the opportunity to send FREE personalized welcome cards,







FREE personalized thank you cards for parents,












and FREE personalized award cards for stellar students.  

There are several different choices in each category.  




Use coupon code APPLE2010 to get your FREE cards today! Offer expires 10/31/2010


CLICK HERE TO ORDER.

Women's Day only $3.73 per year!!

Best Deal Magazines Deal of the Day for Monday is Woman's Day for only $4.39/year.   Plus if you use the 15% off code below (and why wouldn't you LOL) it comes to only $3.73/year!!!!!   So order today using THIS LINK and don't forget to enter the 15% off code.  



Take An Extra 15% Off Most Titles
Code: PXSS88 Offer Expires August 8, 2010







Some other deals coming later in the week for only $3.73 include Parents on Wednesday and Sporting News on Thurs.   Think gifts!!