I logged on to my online banking and saw activity on my debit card. Apparently, the night before, I filled up my car at 5 different gas stations, had dinner at McDonald’s and Popeyes, and then swung by Walmart for a shopping spree. Oh wait….that wasn’t me.Have You Been the Victim of Identity Theft?
I logged on to my online banking and saw activity on my debit card. Apparently, the night before, I filled up my car at 5 different gas stations, had dinner at McDonald’s and Popeyes, and then swung by Walmart for a shopping spree. Oh wait….that wasn’t me.Get Active with Rockboard Scooter! {Giveaway}
Looking for a neat gift idea for your ‘tween or teen that’s not another electronic device? Look no further than the new Rockboard Scooter! Combining the propulsion of a bicycle with the practicality of a kick-scooter, the new Rockboard scooter will catch your kid’s interest and the attention of all the neighbors.
Available in both the full-size version that can hold up to 200 pounds and the mini that can hold up to 90, both are available in a variety of colors and will get your kids out and about with its sleek style and fast capabilities. The more you rock, the faster you go!
My 9 1/2 year old son was very excited to test out the full-size Original Rockboard Scooter. After a few minor adjustments from the box, he was on board and ready to roll. It took him just a couple of minutes to get the hang of the motion and then he was zooming all over the street. I liked how this scooter has him moving his legs, unlike the electric scooter he has. While he loves that one too, he obviously gets more exercise with the Rockboard and that is definitely a plus in my book! Built to last, it features reinforced handlebar assembly for safety and an oversized nylon coupler that allows handlebars to be folded for compact storage. The height adjustment lock on the scooter lets you adjust the handles to your exact height, and the comfort grip and aluminum alloy brake handle allow for hours of Rockboarding with perfect control on the pavement. The two-position locking joint for dual-mode scooter capability and easy folding lets you take it anywhere.
The Rockboard Scooter is available at Target or Amazon and it’s a MUST for your Santa list! We are incredibly excited that we have one to give away as well! You don’t want to miss out on this innovative new ride-on!
GIVEAWAY
One winner will win a Rockboard Original Scooter in White!
How to Enter:
1. Tell me why you want to win this Rockboard Scooter!
Additional entries:
1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).
2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @RBScooter on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Rockboard Scooter on Facebook.
5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 6th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.
This post is the opinion of Jennifer of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Dear Santa….
Making a Dent in Holiday Shopping at Red Envelope
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is a week from today? Because our weather is still quite warm here in New Orleans, it hasn’t really set in for me just yet. But once Thanksgiving ends, the Christmas season is upon us and I have got to get into gear with my holiday shopping!
I would love to sit here and tell you that at least 50% of my shopping has been completed, but in all reality, I have purchased one gift….yes, one. And you know what that means? I will have to spend countless hours in winding lines at crowded malls. But, as most of my friends will tell you, I am not a patient person which makes the instant gratification of online shopping perfect for me. Fortunately, I found Red Envelope.
Years ago, I made my very first purchase from Red Envelope. It was a bracelet for my Mom. I loved it; she loved it….we both became huge fans of Red Envelope. Now, I know that I can find a gift for just about anybody on my list from the comfort of my own sofa (even in my flannel pajamas!).
If you are having trouble finding that perfect gift, check out the holiday gift suggestions at Red Envelope. Believe it or not, my husband is the one that I generally cross off my list last. He never asks for anything. He never has a wish list. But this year, I found teh perfect gift at Red Envelope! My husband has a love affair with his iPad2 but has yet to purchase a nice case. I found a manly leather e-reader case perfect for his second love.
Many of the gifts at Red Envelope can be personalized adding a special touch. From the leather items to jewelry, a personalized gift is one to remember! Did you know gift wrapping was an option, too? You should totally take advantage of this service…it’s beautiful and convenient!
What’s on your wish list this year?
This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
Magnificent Holiday Cards at Minted.Com {Coupon Code}
It seems like every year, stores put out the holiday items earlier and earlier. This gets me excited and nervous at the same time! One of things I always love to get crossed off my to-do list is our Christmas cards! Luckily, a talented friend of mine just took some great pictures of my kids for me, so when I got the chance to get my cards from Minted.com, I was jumping for joy!
Minted.com is the top-notch website to get your Holiday cards without paying a mint! Not only do they have the best designs in town, but from now until November 28th, Minted.com is offering Experimental Mommy Readers 15% off of your orders by entering the code READERS when prompted at checkout!
Ordering from Minted.com is a snap. Once you decide on a design (and this is the hardest part because they are all fabulous), you simply upload your photo, type in your text, and you’re all set! Minted.com offers the “Find it fast!” option so that you can view your photo in many cards at once to help narrow down your decision as quickly as possible. Card choices vary from the traditional to the whimsical, and offer styles for one, two, or three or more photos. You can even select your choices down by format or style. I finally settled on the Holiday Dot Christmas Photo Cards and I love them!
Worried that even if it’s this simple your holiday-crazed brain will botch it up? No worries! Minted.com will send you via email a sample within a day or so for you to proof! Once that’s done, you will get notification that your cards are on the way! The timeline from project to print is so fast, blink and you’ll miss it!
Don’t forget to check out Minted.com for Holiday gifts too! From stationery to journals and notebooks, they have got many beautiful and customizable options for everyone on your list. Even better, Minted.com offers a referral program that can’t be beat! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more news that’s really worth a mint!
Be a Part of the 2012 Rose Parade with DOLE!
For the second year in a row, DOLE will take part in the New Year’s Rose Bowl Parade with a float entitled, “Preserving Paradise.” I can’t even imagine how beautiful this parade must be (and how great it smells, too!), but one lucky DOLE fan will get to find out! DOLE is giving their fans a chance to win the best seat in the house…..right on the DOLE Rose Parade float! Not only will the winner receive a seat on the float, they can bring THREE guests who will take in the parade in the grandstands on Colorado Boulevard as VIP guests of DOLE!This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. While a bouquet of roses was received in appreciation of this post, all opinions remain 100% mine.
Let MasterCard Help with your Holiday Shopping!
This holiday season, I am making a pact with myself. I promise to:
- Stick to my pre-set budget
- Avoid long lines by shopping online
- Enjoy more time with my family and friends
- REWARD MYSELF!
Easy, right? Every year, I seem to make this same agreement and have yet to stick by it. But this year will be different! Let me explain my game plan. I have already created a pre-set budget for gifts and transferred money to my checking account. I will use my MasterCard debit to shop from the comfort of my sofa (avoiding crowded malls) and easily track purchases online. Finally, I will reward myself by signing up for MasterCard’s “Here’s to Mom” promotion!
Because MasterCard knows that Moms are incredibly busy during the holiday season, MasterCard is helping Mom treat herself! All you have to do is enroll your MasterCard card (credit or debit) and email address, shop online thru December 31st, and after spending $200 you receive a $20 MasterCard gift card!
Let’s recap: shop with your MasterCard…..get a Gift Card! What’s not to love?
What do you plan to buy with your reward?
The New Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almond Pieces {Giveaway}
There are very few reviews that I get more excited about than chocolate. I mean, how can you turn down an opportunity to try the latest chocolate products (especially when they are from Hershey’s), right? Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Hershey’s and left with a new love for their chocolate and an even greater respect for the brand. So, I was thrilled to try out and share with you a sneak peek of what’s coming next!
The Hershey Company is getting ready to introduce a new addition to the Hershey’s Pieces Candies family which will join the already released varieties including Reese’s Pieces, Almond Joy Pieces, York Pieces and Special Dark Chocolate Pieces. Beginning on December 2nd, you will be able to enjoy the brand new Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds Pieces!
Each piece contains a whole almond covered in classic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate and coated in a crunchy shell. End result? Yummy awesomeness. I was sent two bags to test with my family. As I do with most reviews, I allowed my family to test first and I put away the other bag for review purposes including pictures and my own merriment. My husband quickly opened the first bag, gave a few pieces to the open hands of my daughters and I and finally sampled some himself. They were immediately a huge hit. I loved that each piece contained a whole almond making them quite satisfying. Because the pieces come in a resealable bag, you can easily close them up, move on, and revisit for another handful (or two).
Without my knowledge and almost by magic, the bag was empty in the first two days….how’d that happen? Fortunately, I had bag number two safely hidden in the pantry ready for the review. In a phenomenon that can only be described as tiny little elves, bag number two mysteriously disappeared. My family will not fess up, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the magical elves are named Lily, Aubrie and Randy. So, as much as I would love to show you a picture….I have none. But, I can tell you that my family loved them so much that BOTH bags were gone in less than a week.
GIVEAWAY
Want to be one of the first to try Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almond Pieces? Three winners will each receive a bag of their own!
How to Enter:
1. Tell me why you think your family would love Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almond Pieces!
Additional entries:
1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).
2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Hershey’s Pieces on Facebook.
5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on November 30th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.
This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Little Space Heroes Online Game {Giveaway}
For yucky, rainy, or sick days, kids’ computer games can be a lifesaver. This happened in my house recently when I was sidelined for a week with a terrible flu-like sickness. While my fever was running its course, my children were left to entertain themselves. Thankfully, I recently had the opportunity to review a brand-new interactive game for kids ages 5-12 called Little Space Heroes!
Little Space Heroes is a fun and safe multiplayer online game for boys and girls in every part of the galaxy! Part of the intrigue of Little Space Heroes is that you create your very own Space Hero and explore galaxies full of different planets instead of just being stuck in just one land or world. Players can create their hero, explore the galaxies, try their hand at challenging quests and missions, team up for group-based play. If Moms or Dads are worried about online content, you don’t have to be with Little Space Heroes. Suitability of content and safety is an important component of the game. Rated E for Everyone, multiple safety features are integrated into the site including trained game moderators, age-appropriate content, word filters, and 24/7 customer support. Need more reassurance? Check out the Parent information page.
Both of my kids thoroughly enjoyed the game! They loved the fun, colorful graphics and getting to create their own characters. Both kids really liked learning how to use their jet packs so they could zip around through the galaxy. Little Space Heroes kept them both entertained for an afternoon so that I could get some much needed rest!
GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will receive a Little Space Heroes Prize pack, including unlimited fun and adventure with a 12-month premium membership pass to Little Space Heroes, and mazing reusable Little Space Heroes wall stickers.
How to Enter:
1. Tell me why you think your kids would love Little Space Heroes!
Additional entries:
1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).
2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @LilSpaceHeroes on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Little Space Heroes on Facebook.
5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on November 30th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.
This post is the opinion of Jennifer of Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
My Experience at the KRAFT BlogEats Conference {Giveaway}
Ok, let’s be real. If you read this site, you know that I am not known for my cooking skills….or baking skills….or even boiling a good pot of water. But this past June, KRAFT took a chance on me (it was a HUGE leap of Faith on their part) and asked me to create a regional sandwich to be featured in the KRAFT Outstandwich campaign. I decided to go with a traditional New Orleans French Fry Po-boy…how can you mess that up, right?
Now, a few short months later, I found myself headed to the BlogEats conference at the KRAFT Kitchens in Chicago….O.M.G. In fact, my husband laughed when he learned that I was invited. I think his exact words were, “I hope then don’t expect you to cook something edible.“ Despite the lack of confidence on the homefront, I boarded a plane and left for BlogEats, a two day conference filled with cooking instruction, food photography tips, and product sampling.
The first night, I had a chance to meet up with the other 13 bloggers in attendance as well as the great people that made this event a reality. We were treated to an excellent dinner at Maggiano’s which was wonderful (we even had chocolate covered bacon for dessert!) and then left to get some rest at the Doubletree.
After a delicious breakfast featuring Monkey Bread, the next day began with a recipe challenge in the KRAFT Kitchens. My heart stopped instantly. I have to create and make a dish right here in front of everyone? I might die. Thankfully, I learned that we would be broken into teams….AMEN! My team was wonderful and I instantly volunteered to be the note-taker…I am good with a pencil.
While this challenge was a ton of fun (who knew?), my favorite part was learning about all of the new products coming down the line. As a Mom who works outside of the home, I am all for easy meal solutions. I was excited to learn about the KRAFT Sizzling Salads, a kit that comes with a sauce to cook your meat and a paired dressing for the salad. We had the opportunity to try the Southwest Chicken variety and it was totally restaurant quality. Delicious and Easy.
Another one of my favorite products is the Velveeta Cheesy Skillets. We actually had the opportunity to make the Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac in the KRAFT Kitchens…and get this…..I did it (and yes, it was edible). Four different varieties are available, but my kids’ favorite is the Nacho Supreme. One meal, one skillet….what’s not to love?
I had an absolutely amazing time at the KRAFT BlogEats Conference. I learned so much and walked away with a sense of kitchen confidence that I didn’t have before….and did I mention that I got to ride in the Weinermobile? SCORE!
GIVEAWAY
Want to try some of my favorite KRAFT products? One winner will receive this HUGE prize pack:
Kraft Foods Food & Family Holiday 2011 Magazine, Chips Ahoy! Chewy Gooey fudge-filled cookies, Ritz Bits Kickin’ Cheddar sandwich crackers, Snackwell’s Fudge-drizzled Caramel Popcorn, Wheat Thins Smoky BBQ snacks, Wheat Thins Sweet Cinnamon snacks, VELVEETA Cheesy Skillets Dinner Kit, Kraft Sizzling Salads Chicken Caesar Dinner Kit, Planter’s Peanut Butter creamy and crunchy flavors, JELL-O Halloween Brain Mold, JELL-O Jigglers Halloween Mold, JELL-O Jigglers Holiday Mold, Assorted flavors of JELL-O gelatin dessert and JELL-O instant pudding including NEW Candy Cane and Gingerbread pudding flavors, JELL-O Halloween Recipe Booklet, JELL-O Holiday “Treat Explosion” Recipe Booklet, Holiday JELL-O Jigglers recipe, JELL-O Jiggle-It app download, Crystal Light mocktail drink mixes, Kool-Aid Scary Blackberry Ghoul-Aid drink mixes, Coupon for one (1) package of any OSCAR MAYER Selects Hot Dogs, Coupon for one (1) package of any OSCAR MAYER Carving Board Meats
Whoa….that’s a LOT!
How to Enter:
1. Tell me which KRAFT product in this prize pack you are most looking forward to receiving!
Additional entries:
1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).
2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.
5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on November 25th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

























