I signed up for Social Spark....

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

So, two weeks ago I won my first giveaway...yeah! In case you forgot, I wrote a post about it because I was so excited. I have been entering so many giveaways lately. I have said to myself  "how are all of these ladies giving so many fabulous things away?"  Low and behold, my friend Life of a Sippy Cup Mom had a post on her blog about it today. She joined SocialSpark.  I immediately had to check it out.

What next? Of course I sign up. It is a site that allows bloggers to link up with advertisers and do reviews. There are a bunch of different opportunities available if your blog qualifies. This will be great...getting to pick what you want to review and then getting paid for it!

The sign up process was really easy. You have to create a username and password first. The enter some basic information like your name, blog address and info about your blog. You have to add an HTML code somewhere on your blog for SocialSpark to be able to "claim" your blog (basically verifying it is yours).

Once you do that, you are automatically approved and will have review opportunities. Each opportunity is a different payout and what is made available to you depends on how long you have been a member of SocialSpark.

So, I am hoping it all works out. It seems like a great opportunity for anyone. All you have to do is love blogging and love testing new products! We will see when I get my first product review!

If you are interested, be sure to check out all of the details below....

Code of Ethics

Sign up for SocialSpark

Almost Wordless Wednesday....

Where is Waldo??

Yes....his nose is pressed against the screen!

Top Two Tuesday....

Another edition of  Top Two Tuesday hosted by my trendy friend The Undomestic Momma. This week you are to pick the top two things you would take with you on a deserted island. Wow...I think Momma is watching too much Survivor! I would bring....

ONE. A headband. Whenever you are at the beach, a pool, etc., a headband will always save you from looking like a mess!

TWO. Of course...a picture of my hubby and my two sons. I would never want to be any place where I could not see there faces.

And I would be wearing flip-flops and a one piece shorts outfit (you know, those cute little ones that are all over the stores now) since that is what I am living in these days. Can't live without them !

Miscellany Monday...

Wow...it is Monday again. Last week I participated in Miscellany Monday hosted by carissa at lowercase letters. I kind of like the randomness of this whole nonsense post. So, here are my bits of 'miscellaneous' ramblings.

ONE.  Why is it that when a you are enjoying an activity with your children (i.e. - playing with a bucket at the beach), does an older stray child wonder over and start to annoy your toddler??  Is that mean to say? My Anthony was playing nicely at the beach yesterday with a bucket and this little girl came over and grabbed it out of his hand telling me she wants to play with it. I am all about sharing, really I am, but don't grab and where is her mom?? I took the bucket and she was literally yanking it out my hand. This went on for 5 minutes. Moms, please watch your kids and teach them some manners.

TWO. There should be a law that moms are not allowed to 'work' past 8pm. Are there 'mommy laws' like child labor laws? Some senator somewhere should bring that to Congress!

THREE. I love to eat classic vanilla icing right out of the tub. I made cupcakes for Christopher's T-Ball team and I practically ate the whole container of icing before the cupcakes were out of the oven. That is problem.

FOUR.  Last week a few blogs were doing 'wedding posts.' I am just curious....as a New Yorker, we tend to spend way to much on weddings and give way too much money as a gift. I am talking anywhere from $200 - $500 depending on how close you are to the bride and groom. What do other states give as wedding presents?

5QF and New Friend Friday...

This week I am participating in 5 Question Friday and a new linky party hosted by the Trendy Treehouse and the Girl Creative called New Friend Fridays. If you are just stopping by...hello and welcome. All my other followers, if you want to read the answers to these silly questions, go right ahead : )


1. Do you know how to play a musical instrument? No...I cannot even whistle. Shows you how talented I am.

2. What is your pet peeve while driving? People blasting the radio. I hate that!! Especially when it is a middle-aged man or woman. We all do not need to know you are in a mid-life crisis.

3. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa services? Unlimited spa services. I love the spa and try to go as often as money allows. I had a housekeepwe durning both of my pregnancies and you end up cleaning before and after they do. What is the point??

4. Is there a song that you hear that will take you back to the moment, like a junior high or high school dance? "More than Words" by Extreme. Where are they now anyway?

5. What song best represents your life right now? I can't even give you a song because I never listen to the radio. I have selflessly given that up to let my kids watch DVD's in the car. God, life has changed!!

Yeah...I won something!!

So, I never win anything. These last few months since I started blogging I have been amazed at all of the giveaways that are out there. I am not sure how you really start to get involved with giving all of these great things away, but I would love to learn. Anyone that has any advice, please feel free to leave it in my comments : )   

Anyway, I was over on The Clever Mommy Chronicles where she was hosting a review and giveaway for a beautiful initial necklace from My Belle Boutique. It was a circular disc with an initial along with a silver heart charm and a little pearl charm. I love all kinds of jewelry especially Mommy jewelry. I have written a post about all the pieces I already own. You can read it here.  Anyway, I entered the giveaway and then, of course, went on to become a follower of My Belle Boutique. Well, she was hosting her own giveaway for a $10 gift certificate to her Etsy store. I entered that giveaway too. And so now what?  I WIN both! I was shocked. Going from never winning anything, to winning 2 giveaways in one week....and to the same place. How cool is that?

Kayla from My Belle Boutique was great. I send her my information for the inital necklace I won as well as what I wanted to use my $10 gift certificate for. I thought the initial necklace was so cute, I used my GC for a second necklace. I got one as a gift for my sister. I received both items within a week. I think they came out great....don't you?

Wordless Wednesday....

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue....

Top 2 Tuesday...Reality Shows

Ok...Top 2 Tuesday this week hosted by The Undomestic Momma is 'reality shows' you would want to be on. I think my life is like a reality show now...should someone be paying me for this job?? Seriously, I too, like most of my blogger friends, am a reality show junkie. It is what I do to unwind before bed. The shows I would want to be on are..

1. Housewives of New York (I do live in NY, but they didn't ask me to be on the show..LOL). I like seeing places I know or have been to before.

2. Keeping Up with the Kardashians...this crazy family cracks me up. Who wouldn't want to hang out with that crew for a day??

Miscellany Monday...

This is my first 'miscellany monday'....not sure how many miscellaneous things you need to know or want to hear.

1. Why is it that no one has come up with a ziploc bag for inside the cereal box?? My little Anthony now has a habit of going in the cabinet and taking out the cereal. And of course....it all ends up on the floor. You ask why is the cabinet not locked...ask my hubby. We remodeled the kitchen last year and he doesn't want to 'screw' anything into the new cabinets. So, instead we will spend money everyday to buy new boxes of cereal : )

2. I have no idea why people insist on going shopping and not putting the cart back in the 'cart parker' in the parking lot. I went to Target yesterday and this annoying lady put her cart right in back of another car when the cart parker was 5 feet away. Now that person is going to have to move it to get in their car. I gave her a dirty look...I was going to say something....but it want to start a fight : )

3. My darling boys.....why when they are driving you insane do they give you the cutest look???

4. I have an obsession with polish on my fingers and toes. As soon as I see a little chip...I need to take it off and re-do it. Is that OCD??

New Bag...an Etsy Shop Review

With the summer quickly approaching....a new bag is always necessary. When I had Christopher (4 years ago) my hubby wanted me to be a 'trendy' new mom and so he had bought me a black Coach diaper bag. I love it. I used it for a long time with Christopher and then took it out again last year when I had Anthony. It was expensive so I knew I need to use it to the fullest!! Well, I came across a great Etsy shop called Doodlescoot Designs. She specializes in custom diaper bags, handbags and accessories.

I contacted Teri and she was great during the whole design process. I chose the style of bag I wanted and then had to decide on the fabric and whether or not I wanted it monogrammed. Any questions I had, she was very helpful and even sent me pics of some of the fabric and thread options. Since the bag is custom, it took a little longer to make. Almost 3 weeks. It seems like longer when you are checking your mailbox everyday with the anticipation of your order!! One of the best things was the price....ONLY $49. I think that is a great price for a custom bag. I have seen many beautiful bags on Etsy, but all were much more expensive. I have gotten so many compliments on this bag...I just love it.

The bag is so roomy. It has a ton of inside pockets, great for organizing. I have everything but the kitchen sink in there....and it still closes. Check out her shop...you won't be disappointed!

I did end up doing the monogramming, even though I don't have a middle name! I did the first letter of my name and my boys.

Wordless Wednesday...

The dreaded haircut - from start to finish.....

Top 2 Tuesday - Guilty Pleasures....

Today I am participating in Top 2 Tuesday hosted by The Undomestic Momma. The topic is Guilty Pleasures....I have to many to list....how can I pick just two??

1. Trash television......I stay up at night when the house is quiet. That is what I do to unwind before bed. The kids are watching Batman and Spongebob all day, so nighttime is my time. My favorites are Housewives of NY, Housewives of NJ, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Tori and Dean and many more. Thank god for DVR!!

2. This is the typical one.....chocolate and ice cream!! If I don't control myself...I would probably be 900 lbs. My hubby calls me a 'closet eater' as he will sometimes walk into the kitchen at 11pm and I will be sitting in the dark with a spoon and the gallon of ice cream!

Weekend Review....

So...another hectic weekend has ended. Do you feel like you are constantly running on the weekends (well, I guess why would the weekends be any different...we are running all the time, aren't we?)?  Here are the highlights...

1. Friday night - Another Bouncey birthday party. Why is this always the theme for 4-5 year olds?? It was actually really good...kids had a blast and got pretty tuckered out from running around!!

2. Christopher's last T-Ball game was Saturday morning. This was our first year playing a sport. So cute to watch. Kids really not that into it at this age...rather be picking dandelions in the outfield! But each player got a trophy....he was so excited. I guess that is what my $90 registration fee was for : )

3. Hubby worked outside on the house. He put up shutters....makes a big difference. Like the new door too??

3. Local carnival/fair Saurday night. Why is it that the attendents at every game booth and ride are missing teeth? Is that a pre-requisite to work at these things? Total waste of money...each ride was $4, plus food and games. I could have got a nice new bag for the money! Christopher wanted a goldfish ($10 later....could have just went to the pet store and bought it for a buck) and thankfully we got one. And not even due to the $10 we spent. A friend won two and graciously gave us one! Great...another thing to take care of!

4. Went 'boat' shopping. We already have a small boat but it is really not kid friendly. We weren't thinking of the future when we bought it many years ago. So, we'll see. It is a hobby we really enjoy...but it costs ALOT of money. But....you only live once, right?

5.  Did a fundraiser walk for the National Alopecia Foundation. A little boy in my nephews class has it (it is a disorder where you lose all of your hair) and they were doing a walk to raise money. So me and my girlfriends got up early, went for breakfast and did the walk. It is always nice when you can do something to help, especially when it is a child. It was also nice to have some "me" time. Plus, I had a form of alopecia twice....lost patches of hair (stress related..LOL) but mine came back. So it hit close to home : )

6. Finished off with some trash television. New season of Kourtney and Kloe Take Miami....love these Kardashion girls!

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Fun Follow Friday and 5QF...

So this week I am particpating in both the Fun Follow Friday from Simplie Stacie and Five Question Friday. I am on a mission for some new followers...so hopefully this helps. If you are new here...stay awhile and take a look at my crazy little life. Maybe you'll even learn a thing or two!

1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship?

Someone who as the ability to listen and give advice, even if it may be something you don't want to hear. When there is a bond that you know that person will be there for you no matter what. And most of all, someone you can laugh with.

2. What is the last thing you bought & later regretted?

I would have to say my bedroom furniture. It is 9 years old and I never really liked if from the beginning. Too much laquer!!

3. Have you ever had a prank played on you?

No...I have always been the one playing the pranks!

4. What is your favorite theme park?

That would be Universal Studios in Orlando...I haven't been to too many others : )

5. Have you ever seen someone else give birth?

Not witnessed, but seen photos. And it was on accident that I came across them. I quickly put them back in the draw!!

Need 'Blogger' help.....

Okay, all of you tech savvy ladies....I need help. I have been racking my brain on this stupid blog trying to figure out the setting that allows me to respond to comments via email. When someone leaves me a comment, it gets sent to my email. But if I try to respond, it goes to a noreply-comment@blogger.com. Well, obviously this is not working!! I want to be able to respond to all of the lovely comments....HELP!!!

"Me" time makes me a better wife and mother...

I know we have all felt overwhelmed...what mom doesn't?? We get stressed just from day to day life. Trying to get your toddler to eat something other than peanut butter and jelly can get very challenging!! But sometimes I think we need to really make an effort to take "me" time. And by "me" time, I don't mean that your hubby is watching the kids for 5 minutes so you are able to take a shower with no one walking in the bathroom. Or that you get to clean up the dinner dishes without a child pulling on your leg. This week I am PMS-ing and I am in need of some "me" time. I love my kids unconditionally....but they can drive me to the NUT HOUSE! If everyone leaves me alone for just one hour...I will be a better wife and mother.

Wordless Wednesday...

Can boys have babies??

This will make you want to grill....

I am a sucker for all things cute....that I really don't need. Well, I was shopping at the Christmas Tree Shops when I came across these outdoor serving platters. Of course I had to pick them up!

The salt and pepper shaker are too darn cute! Each serving platter was only $5.99, the plates were $1.99 each and the salt and pepper shaker were only $1 each. I got the whole set for $18. It would make a great gift too. Instead of bringing dessert to a party, why not bring a gift like this and the hostess has something to keep.

I have never seen a platter like this for hot dogs...doesn't it make you just want to grill so you can use your new accessories!

So excited for this.....

Ever want something really, really bad?? Well, these past few days I have been on a mission....for this....

How cool is this??? I saw it a few weeks ago at Big Lots (without the umbrella and the table) for $168. I thought that was a great price. Well, of course when I went back to get it, it was gone. I called all of the stores, called the corporate heardquaters....no luck. I looked online and found it at Walmart.com (with the umbrella and table for $245). I was ecstatic!! I put it in my 'shopping cart' and with the chaos of 2 kids I forgot to checkout that night. Went back the next morning.....and GONE!!! I was so mad. How could this be?? Was I not meant to have this lounger???  Now, the search is back on. I find it at AceHardware.com but it says they only carry it in the store. I call my local Ace. They have it. I tell my hubby he had better get there and pick it up PRONTO. He saw the picture and says to me "what are you going to do with this??" When am I actually going to 'lounge' with 2 kids?? NEVER....but I really, really wanted it. So, he was darling enough to buy it for me. I love our backyard and can't wait to use it. My hubby did all of the landscaping himself and it is beautiful. I told him did would make a great addition to his masterpiece. Don't you agree??

Five Question Friday...

My first ever participation in a Friday blog event.....do you all really care about my answers??

1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? Or, if you were to go to college right now...what major would you choose?
I would not change my major..I went for Fashion Merchandising and Buying and Direct Marketing. I might possibly go to be a teacher, not because I would really want to do it, but because it would be a convenient job being a mom.

2. What do you love most about your home?
I love my kitchen. We just remodeled last year and my hubby did all the work himself....makes it that much more special.

3. What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)?
Trash magazines....People and Us Weekly top the list. That is the extend of my reading!

4. What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten?
I am such a picky eater...I really haven't tried too many gross things. I would never win Fear Factor!

5. If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be?
I would be Courtney from According to Jim. She is the mother hen who is always trying to do the right thing and keep her crazy husband grounded!!

Maybe I should be at the Oscars...

Another award...this makes two in two weeks! Does this qualify me to head right to the Oscars?? I am not sure Angelina or Jen could stand a chance against this SAHM!! Anyway, I want to thank LeeAnn at  
The Life of Rylie and Bryce. She has a great blog about her 2 beautiful children (can you guess their names??). She also does some great reviews. Check her out....you will really enjoy her writing. Well, she was kind enough to pass this award on to me. I guess she thinks I have a "trendy" blog...I am glad someone agrees with me : )

Here is how this award works:

•To receive this award, promise to share this with 10 other BLOGS that you think are Trendy too.
•Post about your award in your blog.
•List your Top 10 Trendy Blogs.
•Share with them.
•Leave a link to the Trendy Blog Button.
•Tell them they need to give this award out to 10 as well.

I am passing this award on to these 10 blogs that I think are trendy:
1. What Allie is Making Now
2. The Wilson Family
3. Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM
4. A Mama Stork Knows
5. Depressions and Confessions
6. The Undomestic Momma
7. Modern Style Mama
8. Fighting Off Frumpy
9. The McGlothin Family
10. The Fick Family Blog

You can pick up the button on their site....The Trendy Treehouse.

I am so glad that I discovered blogging. These last few weeks have been so fun, meeting new people and seeing just how crazy we all really are!!

Wordless Wednesday....

                              Who lives in a pineapple under the sea??

Go with your gut....

There comes a time (usually once a day for me) when we question what we do as parents. Being a mom to a child who is a picky eater is no easy task. Those who personally know me, know that Christopher has been a bad eater since birth....literally. He used to projectile vomit his formula, which had to be changed  about 10 times, until he was able to digest the most expensive one!! I do have to admit that I am a picky eater as well. So sometimes I feel like I can't really get mad at him when I don't eat my veggies either.

Anyway, we just got him eating a hamburger (only because we say it is a "Krabby Patty" and he loves Spongebob). Last night at dinner he was eating his burger and as usual he is eating so slow. My hubby kept telling him "come on, eat your burger." Christopher has a tendency to take 9 hours to eat because he just sits at the table and talks...and talks....and talks. As any mom knows her kids...I had a feeling something was wrong. He seemed like he was stalling for a reason. But my hubby again said to him "eat your burger or there will be no snacks after dinner." The hubs and I try not to interfere when one of us is dealing with a situation with the kids. But I had to say something. I watched Christopher's mouth and he was chewing. And chewing. And chewing. I knew it just wasn't going down. I gave him a drink. He is still chewing. I asked him if he wanted to spit it out. He said no. He continues to chew. Now at this point....I am starting to get that lump in my throat just thinking of that burger in his mouth that he has been chewing for 10 minutes.

Next...from the dinner table to the bathroom.....up comes the burger. I should have went with my gut and not have insisted he eat that damn burger!!