All this holiday shopping is making me thirsty!  And if you read this blog at all, you know that when I am thirsty, nothing will do except a big glass of Southern Sweet Tea.  One of my favorite places to get my sweet tea fix is SONIC Drive-In (it doesn’t hurt that they have delicious tater tots, too).  On a recent holiday shopping marathon, I decided to get my swing into SONIC and pick up my favorite drink and realized that I should share the wealth with my other sweet tea lovin’ friends.  In just under 10 minutes, I had completed the rest of my shopping list by purchasing SONIC gift cards…great for stocking stuffers and teacher’s gifts!

But why stop at the gift card?  For the first time, SONIC is offering a dozen officially-licensed SONIC tees!  These aren’t your ordinary logo polo shirts, the gang at SONIC designed quirky, stylish, unique novelty t-shirts (which even come in female cuts!).  Why not pair a tee with gift card for the SONIC lover on Santa’s list?

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a $20 SONIC gift card and a SONIC tee!

How to enter:

1. Tell me which SONIC tee you would choose!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @SONICDrive_In on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (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 and SONIC on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on January 2nd. 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% mine.

We don’t go to the movies very often…it’s expensive for a family of four!  So when we do, it has to be a movie the kids are dying to see.  The last movie we ventured to see was Cars 2 and we were not dissappointed.  The girls both loved it (my husband and I chuckled a bit, too), so we are thrilled that Cars 2 is making it’s way to Blu-ray so we can enjoy it again at home!

Juicy Juice is helping you get into “spy mode” by offering special limited edition Cars 2 Juicy Juice packages and even a website with plenty of fun spy games to enjoy.  Enroll in Spy School and you can print a spy journal and create your very own spy name….mine was Sasha La Belle (that’s sooooo much better than Bridgette, right?). 

GIVEAWAY

Want to join in the fun and host a movie night of your own?  Juicy Juice is giving away a great prize pack to one lucky reader including the Cars 2 Blu-Ray, a $25 rewards card to buy snacks and special edition Cars 2 JUICY JUICE eight-box juice boxes.

How to Enter:

1. Create your Cars 2 Spy Name with the Juicy Juice name generator and let me know what it is!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @JuicyJuiceUSA 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 December 2nd. 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

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?

With two young daughters, a full time job and a blog, life gets crazy.  Really crazy.  But on Friday nights, my husband and I like to unplug, slow down and enjoy a lazy night with our girls.  Whether it is dinner out or movie night in, we set aside some quality time together.  One of our favorite activities is playing board games; my daughters are loving the new Scrabble Alphabet Scoop right now.

How cute is this Yahtzee Game?

Need a few suggestions for a fun family night activity?  Coca-Cola wants to help your family get back to basics with Coca-Cola Family Night through My Coke Rewards with new snack recipes and tips for family friendly entertainment.  One tip I found on the site

is to host a “Movie Under the Stars” Party.  Simply drape a sheet on your garage door (or rent a screen in your area), lay blankets on your front lawn and enjoy your favorite movie!

Need snacks?  Coca-Cola and Chef G. Garvin have you covered!  The Grilled Chicken and Cheese Nachos are now on my short list of new things to try.  For even more inspiration, if you save up your My Coke Rewards points, you will find some great prizes to make your Family Game Night one to remember.  Check out this popcorn bowl set!

GIVEAWAY

To help kick-off Family Game Night, Coca-Cola is offering one lucky reader a prize pack (ARV $100) including:

• (1) $25 Amex Card for snacks and supplies
• (1) Coca-Cola Coupon
• (1) Yahtzee Board Game
• (1) Monopoly Board Game
• (1) Coca-Cola Polar Bear Puzzle
• (1) Checkers Mat

How to Enter:

1. Tell me your favorite Family Game Night activity!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @MyCokeRewards 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 My Coke Rewards on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 24th. 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.

When my kids were just babies, it was easy to dress them up in adorable handmade costumes or just a silly Halloween tee.  But now that they are both school aged, they have loftier dreams…..Princess Tiana, Hannah Montana, an 80′s Pop Diva and a Spanish Dancer to name a few.  Far cry from the pumpkins of yesteryear!  Not only are the costumes more expensive, but the older they get, the more accessories are required….wigs, tiaras, gloves, shoes…..totally blowing my holiday budget.

Fortunately, I have found some great online coupon codes at PromotionalCodes.com, a website that offers thousands of free online coupons from leading brands like Target, Home Depot, Macy’s and more.  But the one that got me most excited was a coupon code to Halloween Express!  Need more ways to save this Halloween?  Check out the following budget friendly ideas:

1.      Browse your closet for costume creations. Old clothes and even curtains and sheets can be transformed into festive attire. Unworn shirts can be cut up for a sash or vest, a bridesmaids dress makes a great princess or harem girl costume and an oversized orange sweatshirt is the perfect pumpkin for your child. Also browse the internet for DYI ideas—the key is creativity.

2.      Search thrift stores for inexpensive costumes and accessories. Buying old clothes saves money and also helps green-up the environment. Don’t forget to look for used costumes on the Internet at Craigslist or eBay.

3.      Use online coupons for costume savings. Sites like PromotionalCodes.com and CouponWinner.com offer hundreds of money-saving coupons for costumes, decorations, accessories, candy and more. These sites have special Halloween categories that are currently featuring promotional codes for 15, 30, and 40 percent off Halloween costumes and accessories, including special discounts from Halloween Express.

4.      Organize a costume swap. Get your friends together and trade children and adult costumes. Or you could do this within your neighborhood or office. Others will love your money-saving idea, plus you’ll probably get a free costume!

5.      Buy next year’s costume at extremely discounted prices after Halloween. Start saving for next year now and shop after the haunting celebration to score anywhere from 60 to 80 percent off costumes and accessories.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a $100 gift code to Halloween Express just in time for this Halloween Season!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me how you would spend your $100 to Halloween Express!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Halloween Express (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @shopsaveshare on Twitter.  Tweet using the hashtag #spookysavings and let us know what you want to be for Halloween. 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, PromotionalCodes.com on Facebook and Halloween Express on Facebook.  Let them know that Experimental Mommy sent you!

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

6.  Comment on a Halloween Express coupon code at PromotionalCodes.com.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 14th. 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.

Well, we are almost done with another week of school.  We are finally settling into a routine here and both girls are thriving in their new classrooms.  My oldest had her very first test and scored a 100 (proud mama moment)!

Earlier this week, Nestle Family challenged me to pledge a New School Year Resolution.  I decided to pledge a new, healthier school year for my girls by preparing nutritious dinners and packing healthy options for lunch and snacks.  My main obstacle is finding time to prepare, so my husband and I decided that we would take one hour every Sunday morning to plan a menu for the entire week followed by a shopping trip at the grocery store to stock up on essentials.

I found a very useful app for my iPhone to aid in planning and shopping trips, Dinner Spinner from Allrecipes.com. Almost like a slot machine, you can “spin” the categories to find something fun to cook.  Looking for something specific?  You can select main dishes made with chicken in 45 minutes or less and instantly view many recipes that fit the bill!  I am hoping this app helps me to find new recipes so I can stick to my resolution.

Have you made a New School Year Resolution?

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a $25 Nestle Family Mastercard Rewards Card, $20 in school supplies, free coupons from TOLL HOUSE Refrigerated Cookie Dough and OVALTINE, an OVALTINE straw dispenser and recipe booklet,  as well as a Nestlé Family coupon booklet!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me your New School Year Resolution!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Nestle Family (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 Nestle Family on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 19th. 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 this is a compensated post, all opinions remain 100% mine.

Busy Mom?  Love to shop?  Love a good deal?  If you answered yes, run and download the free Zulily iPhone app!  Zulily, a daily deal website offering great discounts (up to 90% off!) on products for Moms, babies and kids, has gone mobile allowing busy Moms to shop from the comfort of bed, the carpool line, the kitchen….just about anywhere!

Each day, Zulily offers fifteen exclusive deals typically ranging from 50-90% off from up and coming boutique brands.  I have found some great deals on outerwear for kids, shoes for me and back to school supplies, too.  The only problem is that items do sell out and you get the best selection when you purchase early.  As an on the go Mom, sometimes I miss the start of the sale event and miss out on the daily deal I had my eye on.  But, with the launch of the Zulily iPhone app, I can be connected no matter where I am!

“Millions of busy moms shop Zulily’s site regularly to discover the best brands and hottest styles for their family at the lowest prices, but they are typically on-the-go,” said Darrell Cavens, founder and CEO of Zulily. “With the iPhone app, moms can take a quick peek at the day’s sales from anywhere, at anytime and never miss out on a great deal from Zulily or their favorite brand.”

Now, it’s easier than ever to shop online at Zulily!  Not only can you see daily deals for today, but you can preview the ones to come and even set reminders for the sales you do not want to miss.  With round the clock deals and one-time shipping, you can buy an item during a morning sale and have it shipped with an item you purchase that evening paying only one standard shipping rate.  Invite friends to Zulily and get a $15 credit when their first order ships!

Check out the app and download it for free at the iTunes store now!

GIVEAWAY

Want to check out the magic of Zulily?  One reader will win a $25 credit to Zulily to start shopping now!

How to Enter:

There are a few things that are a given on Thanksgiving Day in my home.

• I will eat turkey.
• My husband will watch football.
• I will eat more turkey (and some chocolate pie).
• We will all watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade!

As far back as I can remember, I have watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in awe of the Rockettes, Santa and of course the high-flying balloons. To be totally honest, the kid in me really wants to be one of those balloon holders (or maybe even a Rockette). But if I can’t be in the parade, I’d love to be at the parade! While this parade is much different that my beloved Mardi Gras, it is definitely on my bucket list.

This year, Macy’s is giving one of their Fans plus three guests a trip to New York City to attend the Thanksgiving Day parade! From the press release:

“More than 10,000 of Macy’s Parade’s ever-rambunctious elves have magically taken residence at Macy’s stores nationwide and at locations in select cities. Fans who find one of Macy’s hidden elves, give it a makeover and submit their design to Macy’s Elf Adventure Facebook application could see their elf design transformed into a flying wonder and watch it soar in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! In addition, the winner and three guests will receive a trip to New York City to see the Parade live.”

How do you find a rambunctious elf?

From August 9-24, 2011, look for clues on Macy’s Facebook page and via Twitter @macysevents or follow the hashtag #macyself. Daily clues will be posted along with a password. Once you figure out the riddle, whisper the password to a Macy’s department sales associate who will then reward you with a coveted elf. The daily clue and password can also be received by texting* ELF to MACYS (62297). Elves can also be found frolicking in 10 cities hosting Macy’s Elf-Apolooza, a fun filled event for the entire family.

I have an elf. Now what?

Let your imagination run wild! Design your elf, take detailed pictures of the front and back and submit your design by completing the Elf Application after “Liking” Macy’s on Facebook. The application will ask for the identification serial number found on the packaging of your official Macy’s Elf and all applications must be received by Wednesday, August 24th at 11:59:59 PM EST.

I am so proud of myself! My elf ROCKS! Will I win?

From the received entries, a judging panel from Macy’s Parade & Entertainment Group will narrow down the entries to the Top 85. These entries will be posted on Macy’s Facebook page on Tuesday, August 30^th when voting begins. The Elf design with the most votes as of Wednesday, September 6^th at 11:59:59 PM ET, will be announced in mid-September. And of course, the winning design will be transformed by the Macy’s Design Studio into a high-flying helium balloon!

What are you waiting for? Go find those elves and start creating!

GIVEAWAY

Want to shop while looking for an elf? One winner will receive a $250 Macy’s Gift Card!

How to Enter:

Did you ever Avoid the NOID?  Like most teenagers, I was a huge fan of pizza (confession: I still am.).  I remember being treated to Domino’s every other Friday and vividly remember that pizza stealing NOID who was born 25 years ago (has it been that long?).

To celebrate his birthday, Domino’s is encouraging you to STOP avoiding that NOID and play the “Super Pizza Shootout” on their Facebook page for a chance to win one of 10,080 $10 gift cards!  Simply “like” Domino’s on Facebook and intensely play the massively social arcade game.  Every minute until August 15th at 10am, the NOID will give away one $10 Domino’s gift card to the highest score in each round pitting their Facebook Fans against one another (hey, the NOID isn’t all good, right?).  Good Luck!

GIVEAWAY

The NOID has given me one $20 Domino’s Gift Card for one lucky reader!

How to Enter:

With a busy lifestyle, we do have the occasional meal on the run.  However, we do not have an unlimited budget, so finding quality food for a decent price can sometimes be a challenge.  Like just about all kids, my daughters are huge fans of chicken nuggets.  Recently, Burger King has unveiled their all new “Tender 8″ chicken nuggets!

To celebrate, Burger King launched their “Tender 8″ Facebook application so new fans of the chicken nugget could help spread the word while enjoying an awesome coupon.  Visit the app and select your “Tender 8″ from your family and friends.  Each of those you select (plus you, of course) will receive a printable coupon for a FREE 8 piece box of Burger King Chicken Tenders when you buy an 8 piece box.

A good friend of mine, Sara from Momma Findings, gave me the chance to try the new Burger King item by selecting me to be a member of her “Tender 8″ crew (thanks, Sara!).  Tonight for dinner, I decided to give them a try.  I have had the old crown shaped tender from Burger King in the past, so I was curious to see the difference.  The new tenders appear larger than the old nuggets and were tasty.  The menu item comes in four, eight or twenty pieces to satisfy just about any appetite.

GIVEAWAY

Want to try the new Tender 8 at Burger King?  Five winners will each receive a $10 Burger King Gift Card!

How to enter:

1. Tell me one person you would include in your Tender 8!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Burger King (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! No more than 10 tweets a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for additional entries.)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Burger King on Facebook.

5.  Place my banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on May 14th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to continental U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of  the Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a different experience with the product.  A product was received to facilitate this review, but all opinions remain 100% honest.