Who's The Boss?

Giveaway: Disney Umbrella Stroller

We've headed down to Disneyland this weekend.  We are celebrating Darius' birthday (yes, one month in advance) with 21 family members.  Yes, that's right... TWENTY ONE people that I know and personally love have decided to make the trip with us.  I am so very excited (and so very stressed).

 So what better way to get in the Disney spirit than have a Disney-themed giveaway! The Disney Umbrella Stroller Collection includes Disney Princess, Disney Fairies and Disney Pixar Cars umbrella strollers.  At $19.99 each, Delta's Disney Umbrella Strollers are an affordable, fun alternative to the mega full-size stroller.

 Darius was never much of a stroller kid - that's why I always loved a lighweight umbrella stroller.  It made lugging it around a breeze and didn't take up half of my trunk space.  We only travelled with an umbrella stroller which made navigating airport security a snap.

Delta Children's Products will send one lucky Who's the Boss? reader an umbrella stroller of your choice.   Cars, Fairies, Princesses, oh my.  Simply comment on this post before 11:59pm on Monday, May 11th to be entered to win.

 

Giveaway: Black Mountain Jewelry

UPDATED: Congrats to Cathy Doheny!You are the winner.

"The tree symbolizes my family, who stands strong and proud despite the storms of cancer and hardship. Because our foundation (the trunk of the tree) was strong, our branches remained intact, as we weathered the storm. The tree ultimately symbolizes survival!"

Be sure to check your email for instructions on how to place your order to get the Tree of Life.

Giveaway: Yummie Tummie

UPDATED: Congrats to Holly!  You are the winner.  Check your email soon for your gift certificate code.

Yummie Tummie is the new must-have garment for every mother.  Seriously, people.  And lucky for you, the fabulous people over at YT have given me a $100 gift certificate to give to one very lucky reader. 

Please vote for me

This is a sticky post and will remain at the top of Who's the Boss for the next week.  Scroll down to see new brilliant writing.

I was selected as one of ten finalists for the Mabel's Labels BlogHer 09 Contest.   My post about being a frazzled working mom who finds a community in blogging must have struck a cord.  Please head over to blogcontest.mabel.ca and vote for me. 

Voting closes on Monday February 23, 2009 at 12:00pm EST.
There is only 1 vote allowed per person.

Giveaway: Welch's AquaJuice

Congrats to DemMom for winning the AquaJuice giveaway.  Please email me your shipping address at whosthebossblogATgmailDOTcom to receive your free bottle.

We are a juice family.  Darius is a juice kid.  He's a milk kid too.  But juice - especially apple juice - is one of his staples. 

I've always been one of those moms who waters down the juice.  I don't like to give him a full cup of the straight stuff - especially knowing that he is going to drink it all and ask for more.  So I've been stealthily adding a little extra H2O to his sippy cup for years.

When I heard that Welch's had a new juice called AquaJuice, I was determined to get my hands on bottle.  It has no high fructose corn syrup, less calories, and no artificial sweeteners.  It's "less juice" than regular juice without compromising on the flavor or quality of the juice.  Come on, we all know that when we water down the juice on our own we end up watering down the flavor too. 

Community

It's hard for me to believe that I've been blogging for three years.  Three years ago, I didn't know what a blog was, had never read a blog, and didn't know that I'd ever have my own blog.  I was a busy corporate mom, working way too many hours, feeling out of sorts in both my professional world and my personal one.  My only source of "venting" was a daily call to my mother and emotionally unloading more on my spouse than should be allowed in a healthy relationship.

In a nut shell, I was struggling. 

I still remember the day that I received an email from an acquaintance of mine, Jill Asher.  We belonged to the same Mother's Club.  A club that I was desperately trying to make "work" in my life but wasn't feeling the support I needed.  Jill sent out an email on the Mother's Club calling for writers.  Jill was co-founding a blog for mothers in Silicon Valley and she needed mothers willing to write about their unique experiences mothering children in the land of high tech. 

And the winner is....

And the winner of the Leapfrog Didj is.... (drumroll please)

Nanette!

 

 

Darius and I pulled her name out of a hat.  I've used random.org in the past, but then noticed that it often pulled the same number whenever I ran a contest (one smack in the middle, if you are curious).  So I am relying on the old hat trick for a while. 

Also, I am moving all giveaways over to my review blog.  Betchya didn't know I have a review blog, eh?  It's grossly neglected.  Lots of cobwebs and dust and spiders over there.  Poor little neglected blog. 

To make it a shiny happy place, I'll be having a giveaway a week for the month of December starting with a free laptop skin from skinit.com.   Plus I just reviewed a fun toy that can keep your kids occupied for hours.  So come on over and check it out.

Giveaway: LeapFrog's Didj

 Now you don't have to stand in obnoxiously long lines on Black Friday to get this awesome new gaming system from LeapFrog.

 Didj is awesome.  Plain and simple.  You can customize the games to focus on specific needs of your child and track their progess on LeapFrog's Learning Path.    

One very lucky winner will get a brand-spanking new Didj and the fun Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.  Total retail value is $120.

 

How to Enter the Didj Giveaway:

• Comment on this post before 11:59pm on Friday, November 28, 2008
• Leave your valid email address (without it, you be out of the running)
• You can get extra entries by:
  • Following me on Twitter
  • Posting this contest on your own blog (and leaving a link in the comments)

Winner will be announced on Monday, December 1st.

Bloggers Contest Round-Up

I love free stuff.  I especially love free stuff during this crappy economy.  Cool stuff that I don't have to pay for... well, that is right in my price range.  If you love free stuff too check out these contests and giveaways all over the blogosphere.

Darius received an I See Me book last year and it is still one of his favorite books.  The books are a unique gift for a special little someone in your life.  Plus MommyVents has a FREE SHIPPING CODE for any product you order - FSD13665.

Is your holiday spending budget non-existent this year?  Have no fear.  Check out HP's crafty holiday ideas.  You can make an adorable hand-made photo album for practically pennies on the dollar.  Don't want to print out the stuff?  No problem!  Enter to win a folder filled with HP crafts. 

Want a smartphone but don't have the budget for one?  Go enter to win a Nokia E-71 at Hormone-Colored Days.  Hurry - contest ends tonight!

I cut out my Starbucks for a good cause.  But no good deed goes unnoticed.  Over at Mummys Product Reviews you have a chance to win a $20 Starbucks card. 

If you are having a contest this week, let me know in the comments.  I'm happy to share the link love.

One Crafty Give-Away

Updated: Congrats to Geminigirl64 for winning the Crafty Giveaway. Look for an email from me in your inbox!  **Winner chosen by random at random.org

Last Thursday, I attended a fun Girl's Night Out hosted by Hewlett Packard and Maria Bailey.   I have to say, I am not a very crafty person.  I can knit and I can do beginner-skill embroidery - but I haven't done either of those since well before my mothering years.  I don't have time for that sort of thing.

Or so I thought.  In just 1 hour, I had made a whole assortment of crafty gifts (all which will be used this holiday season).  And since HP was so generous, now you can too.

I am a Crafty Momma Giveaway includes...

• Poinsetta Gift Card Holder
• Zen Garden Matchbook Photo Album
• 10 pages of gift tags - perfect for the holidays
• Glass paperweight that you can decorate and give away (mine is going to Nana)
• Shrinky-Dink Wine Glass Charms (6 for you to make at home and 4 already made for you). 
• 100 sheets of HP Brochure and Flyer paper (so you can make more of these for free on the HP website using your home printer)
• And... the brand spanking new almbum by Dana Parish

How to Enter this Crafty Contest:

• Follow me on Twitter
• Then comment on this post with your Twitter ID before 11:59pm on Friday, October 24, 2008
• Leave your valid email address (without it, you be out of the running)
• Winner will be announced on Monday, October 27th.

 **You can still enter if you don't have a Twitter account, make sure you let me know in the comments

Another Swag-a-licious Giveaway

UPDATED: Congrats to Lisa @ Twisted Noodles for winning the "This is MY Swag" Contest. 

When I came home with SIX bags of swag, I just knew that giveaways where in the future.  Last week, Marketing Mommy won the "Momma wants a Swag Bag" contest.  This week's contest doesn't have a single piece of kid-related swag.  Yes that means you don't have to share with the kids.  You get to keep it all for yourself (including the free underwear). 

"This is MY Swag" Contest includes:

HP laptop sticker

A free pair of panties (yes, underwear)

Emerita Massage oil

Merci Chocolate

Orville Redenbacher Microwave popcorn

Internet Password Organizer

TNT DVD with an episode of The Closer and Saving Grace plus wine glass jewelry

Weight Watcher's hard candies

Manicure Kit

A magic eightball

Plus much much more

Estimated Value: $100.00

How to Enter "This is MY Swag" Bag Contest:

• Comment on this Post before 11:59pm on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
• Leave your valid email address (without it, you be out of the running)
• Open to US Residents
• Winner will be announced on Thursday, August 7th.

Pick a Number

Me:  I'm having another contest on the blog

Darius:  Can I pick the winner?

Me:  Sure.  Pick a number between 1 and 18

Darius:  Any number?

Me:  Yes.

Darius: Four-tee-nine

Me:  Bubba, that isn't between one and eighteen. Pick a number between those numbers.

Darius:  But you said I could pick any number.

Me:  No, I said pick a number between one and eighteen. 

Darius:  But I want four-tee-four.

Me:  Are you gonna pick between one and eighteen or not?

Darius:  Fine.  I pick one and six.

Me:  Bubba, just one number.  You can only pick one number.

Darius:  Let's see.  Only one?  Ok.

Me:  Ok what?  What number is it?

Darius:   Six definitely six.

The Swag-alicious BlogHer Giveway

UPDATED: Congrats to MarketingMommy for winning the contest!  Everyone else, please come back next week when I'll be having another BlogHer08 Swag Contest.

In keeping with tradition, I am having a Swag Giveaway for those who did not make it to BlogHer (or for those who did and are a glutton for for swag).  It was hard to part with some of this wonderful stuff, but I'm spreading the swag-love. 

This Who's the Boss Swag In A Box was born from every single swag bag I received at BlogHer - The People's Party, the exclusive SV Mom's Bags, the BSM Media/Mom's Select Room, and the official Swag Bag of BlogHer08.

Included:

Wati Dress (size 4)

Brother's All Natural Fruit Crisps

Merci Chocolates

Busy Body Book

Leap Frog Water Bottle

Tail Wags Helment Cover

Mr. David children's music CD

Coupons for FREE Stoffer's Lasgana

JiDesign Note Cards

Red Scholastic Book Tote from the People's Party

...Much, much more

Estimated Value of Swag in A Box: $175

How to Enter Momma Wants a Swag Bag Contest

• Leave a Comment on this post before 11:59pm, Thursday, July 31st.
• One entry per person (leave a valid email address so that I can contact you if you win!)
• Open to residents of the US (and those internationally who can explain to me customs and pay for additional shipping). 
• Winner will be announced on Friday, August 1st.

If you don't win this contest, I'll be having a second Swag-a-licious Contest next week. 

I scream, You scream, We all scream for Baskin Robbins

Remember that little post over at Silicon Valley Mom's Blog about my not-so-great experience at Baskin Robbins?  Most of the commentors were throwing dirt at me for speaking up about a dysfunctional policy.  Well Baskin Robbins listened and sent me a very nice email clarifying their position AND apologized for their store's lack of customer service.  I really wasn't expecting anything from BR.  I just was blogging my opinion. 

So color me happy when in this afternoon's mail was a lovely hand-written note from Danielle, a PR Rep for Baskin Robbins and TEN $2.00 gift certificates.  That's twenty dollars for a replacement scoop.  Wow!  The power of blogging. 

With such a generous company, I have to pass on the generosity.  I mean, who doesn't want to enjoy a little ice-cream treat this summer? Therefore, Who's the Boss is having a summer ice-cream giveaway.  NINE lucky WTB Readers will win a $2.00 gift certificate for any delicious treat at Baskin Robbins.   Yes, that means we are keeping just one certificate.  In fact, Darius will finally be getting his replacement scoop tonight after dinner.  Thanks Baskin Robbins.

The Baskin Robbins Free Scoop Contest Rules:

1. Make sure that there is a Baskin Robbins in your area

2. Comment on this post with your favorite flavor of Baskin Robbins ice cream.  Don't forget to use a valid email address (if you win, I need to contact you!)

3. One entry per person.

4. Leave your comment by Monday, June 30th. 

Nine lucky winners will chosen at random and announced on July 4th.

Blogiversary Giveaway Winners

All winners were picked randomly by a draw.  Since there were so many giveaways, I drew based on the number which corresponded to the order in which the comments were entered.  I typically use random.org for to pick random winners, but found that it often picked the same number for each contest.  Weird, I know.   Darius had the honors of drawing the numbers out of a hat.

For the signed copy of Just Who Will You Be? , the winner is Allison

For healthy and yummy snacks, the winners are Laptop Television Mom and Beth

For the signed copy of Parenting, Inc the winner is Feener

For a box of the best chocolates, the winners are Lia and Dad's House

And for the grandprize of  the HP Photo Printer, the winner is Nicole/Wksocmom

I've tried contacting all of you via email so that I can get your shipping address.  If you haven't heard from me, please email me at whosthebossblog AT gmail DOT com.

Oh and if you live locally (psst Lia and Nicole), then I think a Mommy-Bloggers Night Out is the only way for you to redeem your prize.  wink wink

Giveaway: HP Photosmart Printer

One very lucky reader will win this very cool HP Photosmart A626 printer (a value of $150)

Put one-touch printing at your fingertips with the HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer.   It sports a 4.8" color touch screen that you can use with a stylus or on-screen keyboard for editing photos.

Plus you can:

• Make photos "scrapbook-ready" and design unique greeting cards using more than 200 borders, graphics, frames, and effects
• Do slide shows on the screen and print individual shots by simply touching them
• Print directly from a memory card, PictBridge-enabled camera, or PC
• Print wirelessly from Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Remove red eye, slim subjects, and enhance images, all without a computer
  

As my grand finale of a week of giveaways celebrating my 1 year anniversary of the blog, this contest will remain open for the entire weekend.  The same rules apply.  Just leave a comment by 11:59pm on Sunday, May 25th.

Giveaway: See's Candies

See's is my favorite chocolate.  A California company that is so deliciously scrumptious.  Growing up, my dad would get us a little box of chocolates for every special occassion.  It's a family tradition.  So to mark the anniversary of the blog, I'm giving two lucky readers a box of chocolates.

I have two gift certificates for a 1lb box of chocolate.  You can order online whatever type you want.   Or if you live in California, you can go directly to one of their shops to redeem your prize. 

My favorites are Raspberry Cream in Dark Chocolate - it's heaven in a single bite.  For a great variety, you can get one of their pre-packaged boxes.  Our fave is Nuts and Chews.

Read the rules and then comment on this post.

Giveaway: "Parenting, Inc." by Pamela Paul

Pamela Paul has generously donated a signed hard cover copy of her new book, Parenting, Inc. 

I absolutely loved this book and had the opportunity to interview Pamela, a fellow working mom, about the book.  This book is a must read for all parents.  Seriously. 

To enter this giveaway, go read the rules and then leave a comment on this post. 

Giveaway: Brother's All Natural Fruit & Potato Crisps

I love, love, love these snacks by Brother's All Natural.  I buy them in bulk and keep them in the back of the car for an anytime snack. 

If you haven't tried them before, now is your chance!  Two lucky readers will win four real-size, individual serving bags of their fruit crisps and new potato crisps.  I took one bite of the potato crisps and immediately hid the other sample from my family.  They are so frickin' tasty - kicks the ass of Lays baked chips.  And with only 45 calories and zero fat per individual serving bag, you will never feel guilty about eating chips.   Seriously, I think air has more calories than their snack bags.

To win, simply read the rules and then comment on this post.  And you too can love snacks that are packed with flavor and never feel bad about eating the whole bag again.

Giveaway: "Just Who Will You Be?" by Maria Shriver

When I met Maria Shriver in April, I made sure to sneak in an extra copy of her book for the signing.   She signed this copy for one lucky Who's the Boss Reader. 

This is a fun little book that may just change your attitude to help you change your life.  I gave copies to my mom and Grandma too.   Maria Shriver was an inspiration to meet.  And I think you'll love this book as much as I did. 

To enter, read the rules, and the leave a comment on this post.