You are here: Home / Archives for Promotional / Giveaways
post

Create A Big Boy Room With My Wonderful Walls {Giveaway} CLOSED

June 23, 2011 By

 

I’ve got another room makeover post for you today.  If you missed the amazing new bed post, check that out first.

Let’s face it.  No amount of beautiful new furniture will fix ugly walls.  So with the help of a My Wonderful Walls Space Theme wall stencil kit, I was able to truly transform the boys’ old baby room into an awesome new Space Room!

About My Wonderful Walls

Launched in 2008 by Michael and Stephanie Goins, My Wonderful Walls is a family owned and operated online retailer of mural stencil kits, wall stickers and canvas art for kid’s room and baby nurseries. Michael and Stephanie, along with their talented team of artists and dedicated folks, are located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

We offer two main product types: Full-room mural stencil kits, giving all parents (even the artistically challenged) the opportunity to paint murals in their child’s bedroom, and canvas art that can be personalized and color-adjusted to match bedding and other room décor.

You can just put me square into that “artistically challenged” category right now.  I try to be creative, but I just don’t have those genes.  But My Wonderful Walls made it SO easy to create a really fun bedroom that my boys love to actually play in.

I chose to stencil paint my boys’ room.  I first had to cover the brown sponge painting with a nice outer-space looking blue paint.  I didn’t want it to be too dark, but dark enough.  You should have seen me in the hardware store looking at samples.  I was dreaming of blue paint chips for days!  I finally decided on a Behr paint/primer combo in the Disney color of “Cast a Spell.” For this mural project, I also needed a moon gray to create the lunar landing scene.  For this, I also used a Behr paint/primer combo in the Disney color of “Mickey’s Shadow.”

All of the self-stick stencils came on reusable paper.  It was very easy to separate the sheets and pull the stencils apart.  Each sheet has more than one stencil on it and they are separated by perforations.  They are easy to cut with scissors if you need them to fit closer together, but I found this wasn’t necessary for me.

The sticky stencils came off the paper easy enough, but the more intricate detailed ones (like flames) would stick together if you weren’t careful.   A couple of them I got stuck and needed a second person to help keep me straight.

The stencils stuck quite easily to my wall.  Now, I do have one suggestion, complaint, whatever you want to call it.  I wish the actual stencils were white instead of clear.  I found myself loosing track of the stencil edges, especially when I was working in the shadows of the bed or something.  As long as the sun was shining against the clear plastic, I could see it.  Otherwise I could not.  Maybe I just need glasses?

I placed almost all of my stencils onto the walls before I started painting and then with my sponge brush (that comes included in the space paint kit) I proceeded to paint my mural.  I picked a color and painted everything that was supposed to be that color, I then switched colors.   It did take a few coats of paint to cover, especially with the dark blue background.  I went back and forth painting, I even let the little boys help with the stars above their beds.

It was real easy to lay out all of the paints (or a few at a time…whatever is easy for you) and the work went quickly.  They send along a color sheet, which makes it a bit like color by numbers.  It shows which colors to use where.  Now, if you are a creative type, you can just do whatever you want.  But remember what I said at the beginning?  That I’m not creative?  I just stuck to the suggestion sheet.  It is truly mural painting for dummies!  SO easy!

Viola!  I’ll be darned if it didn’t look like a planet.  Go me!

My little space rover and robot…work in progress.  The main wall.  The boys dubbed the alien creature as “mommy.”  Gee.  Thanks.

A beautiful feature of these sticky murals is that you can remove them and reuse them.  So we actually ended up with three astronauts (and one alien mommy).  Just be sure to wipe the stencil off and let it dry a bit before you reuse it! I didn’t realize that part (even though it is in the instructions) and I reused a couple of stars without letting them dry first and a few stars got a little sloppy.  Oops!  I just told Bob that the boys painted those sloppy stars.

Another thing to note is that if you have textured walls (like me) then you will not get perfectly straight lines on your characters.  When I pulled the stencil off of that first planet I was really mad at myself.  I thought I screwed it up, that I didn’t have the plastic stencil flat enough or I used too much paint.  But every image I pulled the stencil off of was a little wiggly.  Personally…it just added to the charm and after my initial disappointment I decided it was just fine.  I’m not sure what can be done to remedy this though if you want perfectly painted images?

I am so incredibly thrilled with my boys’ new Space Room.  And, more importantly, they are happy with it, too!  They have been spending a lot of time playing in their room where they didn’t actually do anything in there but sleep before.  A theme mural fosters their imagination and I’ve heard them wake up talking about the effects of gravity more than once (not kidding).

If painting isn’t your thing, then My Wonderful Walls has a fabulous selection of wall stickers, too.  If your room is already nicely painted but you just need some fun kids wall art to give it that finishing touch, then they’ve got you covered.  My Wonderful Walls is truly your kids room decorating headquarters.

The really great people at My Wonderful Walls is offering a $75.00 gift certificate to use in their shop!  That can be used towards all sorts offun stuff so you can create an amazing space for your kids, too!

First Mandatory Entry

Visit My Wonderful Walls and take a look around.  Just leave me a comment telling me what your favorite product or theme is.  Good luck choosing just one!

Extra Entries (to be completed after the first mandatory entry)

  • Tweet the contest @OhRheally and earn one extra entry per tweet.  You can tweet as often as you like for unlimited entries.  You must link back in a comment showing me each tweet.  Please do not SPAM your followers, must have at least 50 followers to count.
  • Subscribe to my blog with email updates or RSS for two entries.   Leave two comments letting me know you subscribed.
  • Blog about my contest on your own blog linking back to me and to my contest sponsor, receive 3 entries.  Leave me three comments, with the link.  You might want to check out some of my blog post guidelines first.
  • Become a Facebook Fan and receive one extra entry.  Don’t forget the comment.
  • Leave me a comment on any non-giveaway post and receive an extra entry.  Just leave me a comment on the contest letting me know what the name of the other post you commented on is.  Extra comments must be relevant to the post.  Unlimited extra entries.
  • “Like” My Wonderful Walls on Facebook (let them know that mommy23monkeys sent you!) (1 entry)
  • Follow My Wonderful Walls on Twitter (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on July 7, 2011 at 10pm PST.  Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.  Only one entrant per household.  Winner will be chosen at random and notified by email.  They will have 72 hours to claim their prize.  Please refer to my complete list of rules. Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!  CONGRATULATIONS TO HEATHER R.  COMMENT #66!

 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Product Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
post

Chilis Shout Out to Eat Out {Giveaway} CLOSED

June 5, 2011 By

I LOVE CHILI’S!

Honestly.  I’m not just saying that because they gave me $20.00 to eat there either.  My mom and I take the boys to Chili’s all the time.  It’s a great place to eat and I really can’t think of a time that I have not like my food.  It doesn’t hurt that they have slushies for the kids either!

One of my favorite things to get at Chili’s is their Triple Dipper.  I’ve been ordering this off the appetizer menu for ever, even before it became cool.  For a long time they only had a handful of choices, but lately they have gotten really awesome with the variety and have added a lot of new options.  Right now, Chili’s wants to know what three favorite foods YOU would want on a Triple Dipper plate?

I guess if I could choose anything to be on MY Triple Dipper it would be:  Pizza,  french fries and cheesecake (I never said it would be a healthy plate…)!  But since my choices aren’t actually available (yet) then I chose Southwest Eggrolls, Boneless Buffalo Chicken and Big Mouth Bites.

I do not usually get the Boneless Buffalo Chicken, but I was feeling adventurous and didn’t think the regular Chicken Crispers would do.  And many times I’ve gotten the new Potato Skins instead of the Big Mouth Bites.  It never matters what combination I get, I always love everything and I love that the Chili’s staff always brings me extra Ranch with a smile.

Can you tell I’ve had a few orders of Triple Dippers before?  It certainly shows on my butt!

Anyhow…

Chili’s if offering you LOTS of fun ways to win your own $20.00 gift card so you can experience Chili’s for yourself.

 

Tesa over at www.2wired2tired.com is hosting a Chili’s Linky Rave where there are 200 blogs linked up, all of which are hosting their own $20.00 gift card giveaway!  That means you can hop around to 200 blogs and enter to win gift cards.  You could potentially win enough Chili’s money to have a whole party!

 

 

If hopping around and entering 200 blog contests isn’t enough, then you can visit the Shout Out to Eat Out Sweepstakes site and enter to win more gift cards there.  They are giving away a $20.00 gift card every day with a grand prize of $333.00.  Just visit the site and upload your face onto a fun Triple Dipper card!

 

 

 

But of course, more importantly than any of that other nonsense is the fact that I am giving away a $20.00 Chili’s gift card right here!  Aren’t you glad you stopped by today?

First Mandatory Entry

Entering this giveaway is a little different today.  You see, I am in competition with those 200 other bloggers to win my own $50 Chili’s gift card.  So to enter my contest you MUST CLICK THIS LINK and enter Mommy23Monkeys in the box that asks the “Name of the Blog.”  THEN you need to leave me a comment saying that you entered my name into the contest box.  So please help a poor momma out!  It is really very easy.

Lot’s of Extra Entries!

1.  In a comment, tell me your 3 favorite foods you would like to have all on 1 plate (1 entry)
2. “Like” Chili’s on Facebook (1 entry)
3. Follow @Chilis & @Shoutout2eatout on Twitter (1 entry each)
4.  “Like” Mommy23monkeys on Facebook (1 entry)
5. Opt-In to Chili’s email club here http://bit.ly/m6HYef (You’ll receive a free appetizer certificate too!)
6. Tweet this out:

“At @Chilis Good Things Come In 3′s! Check out @2Wired2Tired http://bit.ly/linkyrave for 200 chances to win in the #tripledipper linky rave!”

Giveaway ends on June 12, 2011 at 10pm PST.  One winner will be chosen at random and notified by email.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.  Open to residents of the US.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNER!

Filed Under: Giveaways, Product Reviews Tagged With: , ,
post

Father’s Day Giveaway! Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox {CLOSED}

June 3, 2011 By

The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox is HYSTERICAL!  I so wish I would have had one for Bob when we first started having children.  It is a fun gift for new dad’s and dad’s-to-be to help prepare them for their diaper changing duties (because we all know that dad’s MUST HELP change the diapers!).  And with Father’s Day just around the corner (June 19 in the US) why not give the new dad in your life something he can really use?

 

Chris Hartsfield is the Creator of Fun Stuff 4 Babies in Tampa, FL whose mission is to develop products that encourage and acknowledge Dad´s involvement in raising children. The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox arms New Dads with everything they would need for their very first diaper change as well as provides them with a chuckle. The company was created in 2008 by Chris and his wife Julie Hartsfield, and their debut product is the patent pending Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox.

The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox includes:

  • Mask –toxic fume filter for when it doesn’t smell like roses.
  • Goggles –for protection against your own mini version of Old Faithful.
  • Protective Poop Poncho –need we say more???
  • Tongs –Several inches of steel separation between you and the little warm wrapped gift.
  • Turkey Baster –for precision hiney washing.
  • Ear/Nose Plugs –use with care.
  • Pacifier — scream plug.
  • Baby Wipes — for cleaning baby bottom and various parts.
  • Diaper for Newborn — cute as a kitten until it gets wet then it looks and smells like a sewer rat.
  • Bio Hazard Bag and Rubber Gloves –for quarantine containment of the nuclear meltdown.
  • Emergency Formula Container– doubles as a PeePee cover for WeWe.
  • Hand Wipes– to clean up afterward. (For Dad’s use only).
  • Picture Frame — this is your badge of honor.

This toolbox is so much fun that it was even featured on the Today Show last year.  You know you’ve arrived when you are on the Today Show!

Check it out!

 

In anticipation of Father’s Day (16 days away) I have a few goodies for you!

Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox Coupon Code

The Toolbox retails for $36.99 but I have a code for $10.00 OFF your online purchase.  Just enter poop101 when you checkout on their website.


I’m giving away one Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox to one lucky reader!  Isn’t that swell?  Just in time for Father’s Day, enter to win your very own.  Give it to your husband, maybe even a new grandpa, or save it for your next baby shower invite to spread the happiness around to another future dad to be.

Mandatory Entry

Leave me a comment telling me your best diaper changing story!  My friend Cheryl did an entire post the other day about diaper and poop stories and it was hilarious!  So leave me a comment telling me the best story you got.

Extra Entries

  • Become a Facebook Fan and receive one extra entry.  Don’t forget the comment.
  • Tweet the contest @mommy23monkeys and earn one extra entry per tweet (feel free to use the button at the end of this post).  You can tweet as often as you like for unlimited entries.  You must link back in a comment showing me each tweet.  Please do not SPAM your followers, must have at least 50 followers to count.
  • Subscribe to my blog with email updates or RSS for two entries.   Leave two comments letting me know you subscribed.
  • Blog about my contest on your own blog linking back to me and to my contest sponsor, receive 3 entries.  Leave me three comments, with the link.  You might want to check out some of my blog post guidelines first.
  • Leave me a comment on any non-giveaway post and receive an extra entry.  Just leave me a comment on the contest letting me know what the name of the other post you commented on is.  Extra comments must be relevant to the post.  Unlimited extra entries.
  • Contest Rules can be found here.

This giveaway ends on Friday June 17, 2011 at 10pm PST.  Contest open to residents of the US only.  Winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries and notified by email.  Winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNER!

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , ,
post

Homeschool Science Fair Fun with Scientific Explorer {Giveaway}

March 23, 2011 By

Contest Is Closed!  Please see the end of this post for Winner announcement.  Thanks for entering!

 

Anthony’s favorite school subject is Science.  He would be happy if he didn’t have to do anything else all day long besides science experiments.  He is always saying, “mommy I have an idea for an experiment!”  And, most of the time, hearing this phrase makes me shudder at the potential mess that is coming.  But I try my best to help foster his love of science and comply with his experimental ideas (and messes) as much as possible.

If you have kids in school (or even if you don’t) you probably know that Science Fair season is here.  Just because I homeschool doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the fun of creating displays for our projects, and since Anthony loves volcano’s and lava {lava mostly}, we decided to do a volcano project.

This year Scientific Explorer has teamed up with Elmer’s to help show families how much fun and painless creating science fair projects can be.

Anthony had a “BLAST” (ha) creating his live action erupting volcano from Scientific Explorer.  It came with everything we needed to make the volcano:  plaster, molds, measuring cups, baking soda, citric acid and red food coloring.  Anthony even took it a step further and insisted that we paint it so it would look realistic.

*Note:  Tempura paint works okay on plaster…but after about 3 eruptions it all kinda peeled away.  I’m not crafty, but I think there is probably a better paint out there for this.  Anyone?  The kit does not come with paint, this was just something extra that Anthony added.

We spent a few days erupting the volcano over and over and over and over….again.  There is enough chemical supplies for about 10 explosions.  The boys loved it!  They would “ooh” and “ahhh” over the “lava” flowing down the sides.  I think I put it together wrong though because I had red soapy food coloring everywhere!   Thank goodness for lots of newspaper.

A few days later we went to work on our display.  Anthony chose to focus on the parts of a volcano.

Elmer’s sent along a bunch of very cool display supplies.  Everything we needed to make an eye-catching display was available.  Double sided markers, stencils, a tri-fold foam display board and (my favorite) repositionable letters.

These repositionable letters and numbers are basically post it notes.  They are tacky on the top, easy to move around and position.  Then when you have them where you want them, you glue them down.  They were SO COOL!  No more off centered titles, letters slanting down the page or running out of room at the end.  You know it’s happened to you!  It sucks.  I loved these letters.  Such a clever idea.

We were really happy with the way our display turned out.  It was colorful and fun.  I was able to find a volcano part’s printable online, so we printed those out and he labeled them with his big markers.  He was very excited to share his presentation with his dad and grandparents.

Would you like the opportunity to WIN these supplies so you can create your own science experiment at home with your kids?  Of course you would!  Scientific Explorer and Elmer’s is offering one lucky reader the same kit that I received that will include the following:

First Mandatory Entry

Leave me a comment and share your experiences with the science fair.  It can be about a project you did as a child or something you helped your own kids with.  Anything really, I just want to hear if you’ve had any cool projects.  I always need new ideas. :)

Extra Entries for THIS Contest ONLY

Subscribe to the Scientific Explorer YouTube Channel and get TWO extra entries (leave me 2 comments letting me know).  Scientific Explorer is hoping to grow their YouTube channel and there are opportunities to participate in their virtual science fair and win some great prizes!

Follow Scientific Explorer on Twitter and get ONE extra entry.

Follow Elmer’s on Twitter and get ONE extra entry.

Click for Other Ways to Gain Extra Entries

This giveaway will close on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 10pm PST.  Winner will be chosen using “And the Winner Is…” plug in.  Open to US residents only.  Winner will be notified by email and have 72 hours to reply and claim their prize.  Prize fulfillment is responsibility of contest sponsor.  Thank you and GOOD LUCK!



Filed Under: Family Life, Giveaways, Product Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
post

Wacoal Intimate Apparel Review & Giveaway!(CLOSED)

January 24, 2011 By

When you are a big girl, with big “girls” you don’t get many options for finding pretty underwear and bras.  I do most of my shopping at one or two mall stores, and never really find anything that I love.  But now, I have a new option!

Have you heard of Wacoal?  I had never heard of them until they contacted me about a promotion.  And generally, when a pretty intimate apparel company emails me, I have to turn them down.  They just don’t carry my size.  But I clicked over to their website and was really surprised to find that they did offer a selection of plus size bras and underwear.  YAY!  And these weren’t the ugly, bottom of the barrel styles either..they were pretty.  Double YAY!

Wacoal started business in Japan, but in 2009 expanded into the American market with Wacoal America.

Designing exceptional lingerie that really fits, providing exemplary service, and developing lasting customer confidence became our ideals and the blueprint for our success. By expanding into the United States, Wacoal had the vast global resources it needed to bring the most innovative and technically advanced products to the American woman. Making women look and feel their best has always been a part of Wacoal’s mantra, and the public has recognized and appreciated this part of the company’s mission from the beginning.

I have never had a professional bra fitting.  Maybe that’s why I never find anything that I love?  Because they don’t fit.  But that’s neither here nor there… I went into Wacoal’s online Fit Guide and was able to figure out what my size is supposed to be. It was really comical and I’m glad I was alone trying to fit myself in Bob’s office.  I didn’t have a proper measuring tape, so I used a piece of ribbon and a Home Depot metal measuring tape (very scientific).  After all was done and plugged into the Guide, I was shocked to learn I needed a G cup!  Holy moly,  Where did my DD’s go?

After the Fit Guide tells you your size, you can click on the “shop now” button and it will filter the store selections and show only those in your size.  It was really easy to find the one I liked, The Red Awareness Underwire Bra.

SO pretty!

I’m sorry, I really considered taking a picture of myself wearing this bra, but then I decided I would not want to scare any readers away!

Featuring superior comfort, the Awareness Underwire Bra is the #1 best-selling bra in our entire line! The Awareness Collection of bras features a ribbon flag to serve as a reminder to do your monthly self breast exam.

I think my favorite detail of this pretty bra is the little pink ribbon tag.  You all know how much I am into the pink ribbon causes and this is just a nice little touch.  This bra, without a doubt, is my most favorite bra I’ve ever owned.  Even though I ordered it a size too small (complete operator error) and it is a little snug, it is the most comfortable bra I have.  My straps don’t slide off, the underwire does not ride up over my boobs and it keeps everything contained so there is no accidental boobage at an inopportune time.  Not to mention, my husband thinks it “feels nice.”

As mentioned, I ended up with a size too small.  The fit guide told me to order a 42G.  I haven’t been a 42 in a long time, but went ahead and went with the recommendation.  I should have just taken the extra time to actually call in to a fit guide consultant and get help over the phone.  My ribbon and construction measuring tape method just wasn’t accurate.  But because I think I know it all, and don’t need any help, I did it wrong.  Wacoal offers professional fitting help, right over the phone.  Use it.

Wacoal offers so many items: bras, underwear, cami’s and shapewear all in a variety of sizes (even plus).  I’ve washed and worn my bra many many times, and even with it being a little small, I’ve not had any construction problems.  I will buy from them again and definitely recommend them to my friends.

Wacoal America is letting me chose FIVE WINNERS to win their choice of any bra or shapewear on their website!  Isn’t that cool!?  FIVE WINNERS!  YAY

First Mandatory Entry

Of course you need to visit Wacoal and shop around.  Please leave me a comment telling me which of their beautiful items you would love to have in your closet.

Extra Entries:  This Giveaway Only

“Like” Wacoal on Facebook and get 1 extra entry

Follow Wacoal on Twitter and get 1 extra entry

Click Here for all the other ways to get extra entries as well as see my contest rules.

This giveaway is open to residents of the USA only.  Contest will close at 10pm PST Monday February 7, 2011.  Five winners will be chosen by my “And The Winner Is” plug in and they will be notified by email and posted on this post.  Winners will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

FTC Disclosure:  I received a bra for the purpose of review.  My opinions are always my own.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

Apparently, “And The Winner Is” plug in doesn’t like it when it has to choose more than one winner.  So I went to the trusted Random.org to choose the five winning comments.  Just as a FYI, I DO check that you completed the 1st required entry. My first chosen winner had not completed the entry and therefore misses out on some fabulous lingerie.  Without further delay, here are the winners:

#100 Gina @ The Crave to Save (who was a tweeting fool!)

#7  Shilo Beedy

#86 G. Bailey

#23  Kristen H

#253  Jill Myrick

You should all be expecting an email from me shortly.  Thank you for visiting and entering my contests.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Product Reviews
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »