Giving Gifts That Make A Difference ~ World Vision Review & Giveaway

Here in America, we are very spoiled. Much of what we have we don't even appreciate and it isn't until something we use everyday is gone that we realize just how we truly are blessed. Many years ago, I went on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic and it really opened my eyes to how desolate and desperate many people's lives are. Bathrooms that were simply holes in the ground surrounded by sheet metal for privacy, dirty and disheveled children running barefoot through dirt streets, small houses packed full of families who lived together because they could not afford their own housing and so much more. It was heartbreaking. Well, if you have a generous heart this Holiday season, why not give a gift that will mean more than anything a child has ever received?

Choosing a charity to which you can contribute can be difficult, especially with so much (sadly) fraudulent activity that takes place within charities. In thinking about a charity to donate to this season, World Vision has a few suggestions on how to pick the perfect one! Here are their tips...

1. Find a charity with a track record; review the organization’s IRS tax status, check how it spends money and makes important decisions. Good places to find this information are Charity Navigator and GuideStart. 

2. Be thoughtful about an organization’s overhead and administrative costs; cost efficiency is an important factor when choosing a charity, but effectiveness is the key. 

3. Ask questions before you give – visit a charity’s website, send an email, or call if you have concerns. 

4. See what others are saying about the charity of your choice via social media and trusted online forums. 

5. Watch for scams; be on your guard for emails that ask for credit card or other personal information. Check the Better Business Bureau Charity Reviews website ( www.bbb.org/charity-reviews) before giving.

I have to admit that I am always skeptical when it comes to giving money to charities and therefore, I rarely do unless I know them extremely well. World Vision is a reputable, non-profit organization with a wonderful track record of fighting poverty and aiding women, children and families all over the world. I love it when a company takes the well-being of those less fortunate into consideration and actually does something to help them. When it comes to shopping for holiday gifts, you can do something very unique through World Vision to help others. World Vision offers 36 hand crafted items that you can purchase for someone and at the same time, help someone in need! You can also give money for livestock, clean water, wells and other things. 

For this review I was sent one of the hand crafted items available in the World Vision Gift Catalog and I chose to receive the Fair-Trade Coffee Set. This set comes in a beautiful, African sewn gift bag, hand sewn by local women. I love the colors of this bag! You also receive a gorgeous, hand carved olivewood scoop for the coffee. 

The coffee itself is in bean form and smells WONDERFUL! My sniffer is totally sensitive right now and I was just loving the scent as I pulled the coffee from the gift bag. This delicious coffee features flavors from Ethiopia, Sumatra, and Costa Rica and is blended by OneCup.org. Remember, when you purchase a gift from World Vision you are paying a higher price because that money is going to help someone in need. So when I say that this coffee set retails for $65, please don't be shocked. It is totally worth it. :)

This set is just one of 36 different gifts that you can purchase to help another child or family out this holiday season. I would strongly encourage you to check out World Vision's Gift Catalog to see what you can do to make this the best Christmas ever for someone across the world. 

World Vision has offered to give away a Fair-Trade Coffee Set to one of you! Here are your entry options...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free products in exchange for this post. All quotes and stock photos are from the World Vision website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

All About Holiday Pet Safety

We had a dog several years ago and fortunately, never had to deal with many Holiday issues. Lily was a beautiful Golden Retriever who was curious, rambunctious and VERY energetic. We had a 13 month old child in the house when Lily became our dog and because of the age of our daughter, we completely gave up on having a Christmas tree. She (my daughter) was so busy, I didn't have time to keep her away from a tree. So, we never had to deal with training Lily or my daughter to keep out of the tree. Other decorations were strategically placed above reach of little hands and paws and we always enjoyed a stress free holiday. For those of you who have four legged friends around your decorations, I have some tips to share with you on how to keep them safe during this very busy and joyous time of year. These tips are thanks to DOGTV.

1.   Don’t turn your pooch into a holiday decoration – avoid putting lights on the lower branches of the tree

Source: We Heart It

2. Pups get chilly too – keep them warm and cozy on winter walks

Source: We Heart It

3. Holiday plants can be dangerous – keep dogs away from the poisonous ones like poinsettia, holly and mistletoe

Source: flickr

4. Avoid an expensive surgery – keep tinsel, ribbon and garland out of their reach

Source: flickr

5. Don’t throw them a bone – turkey, ham and lamb bones can get stuck in their throat and intestines

Source: flickr

6. If your dog gets into the prescription pills it will give you more anxiety that your in-laws – keep them out of paws reach

Source: drdvmd.com

7. Use a pet friendly tree preservative – just like toilet water, dogs may drink from under the tree

Source: We Heart It

8. Dogs are curious creatures – don’t put edible gifts in stockings. They may not be there in the morning

Source: Flickr

So, there you have it...some simple yet effective ways to help ensure your pets safety! The holidays can be hectic and you don't want to forget to keep your furry friends safe. Enjoy your Christmas!!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Check Out Kidorable's Holiday Gift Buying Quiz!

Do you have some picky children on your gift list?? My children aren't really old enough to be picky and enjoy just about anything that comes in fun, wrapped packages. I think sometimes the packaging is more exciting than the gift itself! :)

Well, in lieu of Christmas and buying gifts that will only be played with for 10 minutes after opening, Kidorable has come up with a cute Gift Buying Quiz that will help you pinpoint exactly what kind of gift your child will love. I took the quiz and here were my results:

Your score is 2 out of 5. It sounds like you've given some dud gifts in the past. Perhaps it's best to leave the gift selection to the experts. Check out the Kidorable Gift Finder.

Oh dear...HA HA HA! Dud gifts must run in my genes. Hopefully I will do better this year. LOL! :)

So, be sure you stop by Kidorable and check out their quiz...it is fun, easy and a super quick way to make sure you get the perfect gift for your special little ones!

Prank Pack Fake Gift Boxes Make Gift Giving HILARIOUS!

So, how many pranksters read my blog?? Do you like to play practical jokes on people? My daughter pulled one on my hubby recently and he just about died. It was late at night and he had not yet come to bed but she was still awake. I quickly ushered her into our room and snuggled her waaaay down under the blankets on his side of the bed. When he came in to go to bed he shuffled around the room and then proceeded to pull the sheets back. He saw Hannah's big eyes peeking out from under the blankets and yelled and jumped all at the same time!! I honestly never thought it would scare him like that and that is the reaction you always dream of getting but goodness, it was very funny. Now, I walk around on pins and needles waiting for his payback. HA! Playing clean and fun jokes on others can be fun and the holidays are the perfect time to exercise a bit of humor...especially during gift-giving time.

Recently, I became acquainted with a company called Prank Pack and what this company specializes in is creating fun and hysterical prank gift boxes for any occasion. When I first went to the website, I was immediately caught off guard. I thought to myself, "now how can they make something like that and make it work too???" So, it worked for me immediately and I knew ahead of time that it was all a prank, but forgot momentarily. Pretty funny I thought. Here is how it works...

Prank Pack fake gift boxes appear to contain ridiculous products from clueless companies. Just pack your real gift inside, sit back and revel in your gift recipient's half-hearted enthusiasm. Your party will thank you!

Having never heard of anything quite like these Prank Gift Boxes, I was immediately intrigued and just by looking at the site I knew it would be a fun item to review.

So, for this review I was sent three Prank Pack Gift Boxes. I was sent the Pet Sweep Box, the iDrive Box and the Crib Dribbler Box. Sounds great, doesn't it?? I have to tell you here...as soon as my package arrived, my husband had such a blast looking at these boxes. I think he is going to confiscate every one for gifts for his co-workers. Especially the Pet Sweep Box for his boss, who recently got a new dog. HA!

Each box comes flat and you do need to unfold it into it's box shape. When fully unfolded, it is about the size of a large phone book. It you have a totally gullible friend or relative, they will probably have some great reactions to the box itself...take a look at the box pictured above. It supposedly contains an iDrive Mobile Device Mount. You can only imagine what this device will do...soooo funny!

Once your suspect opens the box from either end, they will be greeted with this kind message that will immediately let them know that they have been "pranked". I love this. I can think of sooo many people that I want to use these on!!

My ultimate favorite of the three I was sent was the Crib Dribbler Box. Oh goodness...the box shows a rodent-type water container in a crib with a baby sucking on the end of it. 

The idea is that you can keep baby "watered" all night long or any time you want some "me" time. Trouble sleeping through the night because of night time feedings??? Try the Crib Dribbler! Of course, we all know that there is no such product on the market and that this is all just a prank designed to make people smile. I for one LOVE this box and it would definitely make a fantastic gift for anyone who is expecting a baby or is a new parent. 

So this holiday season - instead of going for the plain gift boxes, why not check out these hilarious Prank Pack Fake Gift Boxes? There are many from which you can choose and they retail for just $8 per box (or you can get 3 for $20!). I think it is the gift that could keep on giving and hey, you just might get it back with YOUR gift wrapped inside! Be sure you check out Prank Pack on Facebook and also on Twitter and put the fun back into traditional gift giving. :)

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the sponsor's website and email.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello dear readers! Here we are on Thanksgiving Day 2013! Hard to believe... :) I wanted to wish all of you a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Hope you have a WONDERFUL day full of fun, food and plenty of opportunities to count your BLESSINGS. Enjoy your day and thanks for being such wonderful readers...I am thankful for YOU! :)

...and a bit of Thanksgiving Day humor for you...love this! :)))

Introducing NOVICA's NEW Premium Gift Wrap! {$25 Gift Code GIVEAWAY}

I have been a fan of NOVICA ever since I discovered them several years ago. I have given their products as gifts and have kept some around my house. Every time I pull out something from NOVICA, I receive wonderful compliments. Over this past weekend we had some company over for dinner and I used some lovely cobalt blue drinking glasses that I received for review over the summer. My guests were so impressed with the lovely craftsmanship and quality of these glasses and I am still so much in love with them. Aren't they gorgeous?

Well, recently I was informed that NOVICA is offering new Premium Gift Wrap that will impress any person on your holiday gift list. NOVICA applies handmade elements, carefully crafted ribbons and beautiful brass plates to their wrapping and currently, the gift wrap is available for India, Bali and Thailand but they are working to make it available in all of the NOVICA regions!

So, let's look at some of MY favorites for items that can be wrapped in this gorgeous gift wrap. NOVICA offers something for everything and the best part is all of their selections are unique and nothing you would ever find anywhere else. It is something that I love about NOVICA...the wonderful selection.

First and foremost, I love these Sterling Silver and Pearl Floral Dangle Earrings come from Bali and Java and are so delicate and lovely. I love pink and sliver together and these look so elegant. If I was looking for a nice gift for a special lady in my life, I would definitely check out these earrings. Who doesn't just love a gorgeous pair of earrings?!?

This Family Love Unique Wood Sculpture from Indonesia definitely falls into the unique, yet beautiful gift idea category. As you can see, there is a mother, father and tiny baby in the sculpture and to me, family is so special. What a wonderful way to celebrate family and the holidays all in one gift.

Now, for that special guy in your life, NOVICA has wonderful gifts for men to choose from! One of these items is the Men's Short Sleeve Brown Cotton Shirt. Agus Suryanto evokes casual elegance with the designs of this rich brown shirt. Sewn of cotton, the shirt's collar is trimmed with a hand-woven ikat band in the style of Lombok textiles in brown shades. Features a pocket, two visible buttons and five hidden. Buttons are black and includes a replacement. This shirt is casual as well as dressy and would make a fine gift for any man.

So, as you can see NOVICA offers a wide variety of gifts for both men and women and the quality is always superb! I have never been disappointed with anything I have received from NOVICA and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to give unique and personal gifts this holiday season. Remember to check out the Premium Gift Wrap and enjoy your shopping experience at NOVICA!

NOVICA has offered to give away a $25 Gift Code to one of you! Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. However, I received a free NOVICA gift code in exchange for this post. All quotes and stock photos are from the NOVICA website and email. Prize is provided by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Carmex Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection Review & Giveaway

I am a HUGE lip balm fan. I love anything that adds a bit of shine or a touch of neutral color. My style is not in-your-face, bold and outrageous, but rather quiet, subtle and neutral. Favorite lip colors are blushy rose, cafe' au lait and clear. This time of the year the wind is quite unforgiving and I find my lips are getting drier. With the dryness of the air, it is time to once again break out the lip moisturizers and I have some of my all-time favorites from which I can choose. One of my favorite lip and skin care companies is Carmex and currently, theirs is the brand I am using.

Carmex has recently come out with a brand new Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection and friends, this collection is SO fun! Each lip balm is graphically printed with a design that will appeal to every Carmex user. With prints like a refined black and white pattern to whimsical, colorful designs, this new collection will allow you to express your personality in a truly fashionable and fun way. Before I introduce you to this collection of lip balms, here is a bit more about Carmex...

Founded by Alfred Woelbing - the inventor of Carmex® Lip Balm – Carma Laboratories Inc. is a family owned and operated business that employs more than 100 people in Franklin, Wis. Carma Laboratories makes Carmex brand lip balms, including a premium lip balm called Carmex Moisture Plus™ ultra hydrating lip balm, and Carmex skin care products. Carmex is available in major drug, food and mass merchant retailers, at convenience stores throughout the United States, online and in more than 35 countries around the world. 

I have been a Carmex fan for some time now and have a hard time deciding which I like better, the lip moisturizer or the lotion. Right now, I am using the lotion multiple times a day because it absorbs quickly, isn't greasy and works extremely well for me. I was thrilled when I heard about the Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection and could not wait to try it out!

So, for this review I was sent all four lip moisturizers from this collection: Whimsical (multi-colored), Fab (purple), Chic (black and white) and Adventurous (leopard print). My package arrived in this cute little box the other day and it was all I could do to NOT get into it right then and there!

I have to say that I just LOVE the bright and stylish colors. There truly is a style for everyone! Each stick is slimline and will fit nicely into any pocket, purse, glove box, wallet and diaper bag.

As always, the Moisture Plus formula is amazing. To me, it has a slight orange flavor and is very silky smooth. When I apply it to my lips, my lips stay moist for hours...which is one factor I consider what lip balms I want to use. 

When you are trying to decide which "personality" you are, Carmex has developed a really neat quiz to help you determine which style fits you best. This Uniquely You Personality Quiz is super easy to take and I found out that I am the "Chic" (black and white) style...which is pretty accurate! My sticks also came with neat little cards that explain each lip moisturizer's style and I thought this was a cute touch. 

My lip balm sampler was on hand for this review and so I let her pick out the one she liked the best and give it a try. She picked Whimsical because she loved all the bright colors...that IS her personality too...wild and crazy. :) She loved it and it ended up helping her lips feel a bit better. She has been chapped and this helped to give her just a bit more moisture. 

So, if you are looking for some great stocking stuffers or small gift ideas, be sure to check out the Carmex Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection. It is chic, trendy, stylish and PERFECT for any gal on your list this holiday season! You can find this collection at mass retailers and drug stores across the country. 

Carmex has offered to giveaway a set of the Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection to one of you! Here are your entry options...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad I did receive Carmex products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Carmex website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Tips & Tools for Secure On and Off-Line Holiday Shopping

Ok, so it has begun. The season for online shopping has commenced, and with online sales expected to increase 13-15% this holiday season, it’s important to ensure online holiday experiences are safe ones. The holiday season should be fun and festive, and the joy of the season can be lost quickly if people interact with an un-safe website, lose important receipts or blow their budgets . My husband and I want to do most of our Christmas shopping online this year to avoid the crowds at the store so these tips are really helpful for us.

Master Lock and Mario Armstrong, Digital Lifestyle Expert™ have provided tips and tools to help navigate the holiday safety, securely and with as little stress as possible.

"The holiday season should be fun and festive -- not stressful," said Mario Armstrong, The Digital Lifestyle Expert™ and Master Lock representative. "However, the joy of the holidays can be lost quickly if people interact with an un-safe website, lose important receipts or blow their budgets. Luckily, the internet now offers a ton of great tools to help people navigate the holidays safely, securely and with as little stress as possible."

1. Make smart online purchases. The convenience of online holiday shopping can quickly be derailed if you become a victim of identity theft due to sharing your credit card and shipping data with a non-secure site. Before providing any personal or financial information, make sure that you are interacting with a reputable, established company. Check to make sure the website is secure by verifying the address has an "s" in "https://" at the beginning of the URL, that a closed padlock is located in the URL bar, and that if you are entering any personal information, there is a checkmark or padlock image indicating the website is protected by a trusted source. If you're still worried about using your personal financial accounts for transactions, a pre-paid debit card may be the way to go -- just be sure to read the fine print for any fees and terms.

2. Click with caution. Consumers may be bombarded with link-heavy holiday emails this season sending well wishes or advertising hot gift items and sales. However, with more than 9,500 malicious websites detected by Google every day2, consumers are advised to click links with caution to avoid a malware-spreading site. Before clicking, hover over the link first to review the complete URL. Beware of small errors in website addresses such as missing letters, misspellings, a different .com extension or other tweaks to a company's name. For extra protection, type the address into the web browser directly to ensure you are not being redirected to a fraudulent site from a link.

3. Set and track your budget. Avoid post-holiday regret or debt by setting a realistic budget and tracking your purchases to ensure you adhere to it. A variety of apps and websites can help you with your budget tracking goals, such as Mint.com. For easy access to your private information on the go, store online passwords in the Master Lock Vault smart phone app or website for easy recall. Vault users can store and organize URLs, usernames and passwords in one protected place in a 256-bit SSL data encrypted, firewall protected, 24/7 monitored "safe deposit box." Simply click on the stored URL for your popular sites for easy access directly from your Vault.

Master Lock Vault users can also use the Vault to access virtual holiday shopping lists, schedule reminders for bill due dates and holiday social events and even store newly received gift cards for easy access for post-holiday shopping. Register for FREE here: www.masterlockvault.com/

4. Keep digital receipts. Easily file away receipts from your holiday shopping in one place to cross-reference purchase dates and totals with your bank and credit card billing statements to check for any unfamiliar charges, or to facilitate easy returns after the holidays. A quick and easy way to do this is to take a photo of the receipt immediately and store it in the Master Lock Vault. You can also use the Vault to store photos of gift receipts. If they accidentally get thrown out with the wrapping paper, you can easily re-print them. Check with your local store for specific policies and information.

5. Don't leave a digital trail to your gift purchases. If you are using a computer that other family members use and don't want them to see what sites you've visited, enable your browser's private browsing feature when researching and buying gifts. Private browsing (also known as the incognito setting on Google Chrome) allows you to surf the Internet without saving any information about which sites you visited or searches you've conducted. In some browsers this may be found under the Tools menu; check your browser's specific settings to learn how to set up private browsing.

So before you commence on your holiday shopping adventures, make sure you are prepared! There are so many people out there looking to make this a miserable season for others so keep yourself safe and secure. Happy shopping!!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Choose Shutterfly For Your Holiday Cards! {Giveaway}

It is really really hard to believe that we are writing about Christmas topics already. Are there truly only 7 weeks until Christmas?????? Goodness...this year has flown by and I am so excited for the holidays. Family parties, yummy food and many opportunities to make special memories. This time of the year though I am usually digging around in my photos from the year looking for pictures to use on our family Christmas card. It isn't hard to find good holiday cards when shopping online and that has been the source for my cards for the past few years. Every year, we receive such wonderful compliments on our cards...it just makes sending them out that much more fun.

Shutterfly is my all time favorite company for my Christmas cards and I have used them for the past several years. It is so easy to create cards and the ordering process is simple. One year, I didn't get enough envelopes with my order and called Shutterfly customer service. Their customer service representatives were amazing and so professional and I received my envelopes promptly. Ease of order, high quality cards and professional customer service is one of the reasons I love Shutterfly. Today, I am so excited today to share some of my favorites from their 2013 Holiday Card Collection. Some of the card designs styles that are new this year are as follows...

New card design styles for 2013 - 5x7 folded tri fold & back of card designs

• Classic: Traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes, monogram
• Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter,        Instagram pictures are perfect for this style
• Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments
• Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun
• Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas
• Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights

Ok, so I was asked to pick out my five favorite cards and honestly, this was difficult. There are just so many fun designs, styles and themes, it makes it very hard to find favorites. I know for a fact that I enjoy saying "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "Happy Holidays" so that narrowed my search down a bit. I also tend towards cards with a religious theme so that helped me a bit too. Here are my favorites that I wanted to share with you!

My first favorite is the Merriest Monogram Memories card. It is stylish, modern and very elegant. I also love cards that allow me to use many photos of the children plus, I am LOVING the large photo on the front. This card says "Merry Christmas" and allows you to put your family's monogram in the center, which is nice. I would probably go with this card for our cards this year...this one has to be my favorite!

The Wrapped In Burlap 6x8 Stationery Card is also a favorite of mine. If you enjoy a more "rustic" Christmas card, then this one is for you! I love the country look of this card and also, the way you can add multiple pictures. You can also add text and additional pictures on the back of the card too. 

For a more stylish and elegant card, how about this Snowflake Sophisticate 6x8 Stationery Card? I love the calligraphy font, colors and black and white photo effect. It just adds so much elegance to something so simple. This card also allows you to add text and additional photos on the back, which is helpful if you want more than just the large photo on the front. I LOVE this card. 

I consider my family to be the biggest blessing in my life so it is no wonder the cards that have the huge word "Blessings" across the top are a big hit with me. :) This card has is definitely a favorite of mine simply because it says it all. I love my family and love sharing pictures of them with others so this card, Year of Blessings would be a great choice for our yearly Christmas card. I love the colors and the fact that it shows just how blessed I am. 

Last but not least I cannot forget to pick out a favorite pet-themed Christmas card. Oh, how cute is this Purrrfect Holiday card???? I love it. If you have pets and want to share the joy of what they add to your home, Shutterfly has some special selections for you. We do not have a pet (we have a fish...but that doesn't really count.............does it? Ha ha!) so this is not a top priority for me but I know plenty of people who do have pets so I wanted to share the fact that Shutterfly caters to the pet lovers as well!

So this year as you start your Christmas Card shopping, be sure to check out Shutterfly's Holiday Card Collection. Their selection is HUGE and there is honestly not a better online card company that I can recommend. They also have some really cute photo gifts that can be used for loved ones. Also, there will be a Twitter party on November 15th at 8 PM ET using the hashtag #PhotosYouLove @ResourcefulMom RSVP signup page. This sounds like fun...hope you are able to make it!

I am so excited about ordering our cards this year and sharing photos of my children with my family. Happy shopping! Shutterfly has offered to give one of my readers a $50 off total order (plus free shipping) code! Here are your entry options into this giveaway...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I will be receiving free products as compensation for this post. All quotes and stock photos are from the sponsor's website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.