Proven Winners Direct GIVEAWAY

There are some blogging opportunities I really look forward to each year, and I was so excited to be able to work with Proven Winners Direct again this year. You may remember last year that I received a beautiful DIY hanging basket that grew better than anything I've ever had, and was able to give one away as well.

This year I was thrilled to hear from them while working on planting some new bushes and re-doing our front porch area. They wanted to send me four gallon containers of the exclusive At Last roses. While we'd just planted butterfly bushes and coreopsis, I knew just where I wanted to add in some gorgeous roses. I considered sharing them with my mom, but after having torn up everything around our front porch at Mothers' Day, we had plenty of room.

It was almost instant gratification - within a week I had a huge box with holes in it placed gently on my favorite porch chair, and was grabbing my gloves to start planting these thorned beauties. Having flowers shipped always worries me, but Proven Winners Direct has it down. The box is super sturdy, and the gallon planters are safely divided from each other so everything looks like I could have carried it out of the nursery myself. I actually had to put in some effort tearing the box down so I didn't get all stabbed up with the thorns while trying to remove all four plants from the box. Then they had plastic carefully tied and taped across each pot so the soil stayed put during transit. Super impressive, and safely delivered.

These three pictures are my real At Last roses, and trust me, I'm no green thumb. I hurried to get my four plants in the ground before the rain came that day, and I've fertilized them a couple times, and tried to water every day. These flowers just keep coming! The corner with the three plants looks best first thing in the morning (when I'm not typically out to take a picture!), and the other one glows after getting the morning sun for a bit since it's at the other end of the porch.

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Plant Details:

Top three reasons to grow At Last rose:

• Combines fragrance and disease-resistance
• Easy care: no spraying required, no need for fussy pruning.
• Very long blooming, with flowers present from late spring through frost.
  
  

Garden Height:  30 - 36 Inches
Spread:  30 - 36 Inches

Light Requirement: Sun

Bloom Time:  Summer through Fall

Hardiness Zones:  5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Soil Fertility Requirement:  Average Soil
Water Category:  Average

Maintenance Notes: 

To keep it looking great, simply prune back by at least one third its total height each early spring, just as the new buds begin to emerge on the stems. Make your cut just above a thick, healthy bud, as these produce the most vigorous growth. It can also be fertilized at this time with a granular rose fertilizer.

The plant may be deadheaded if desired, but this is not required for continuous bloom.

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Want a chance to win your own four gallon At Last roses before you can buy them in 2018? Those who win a rose bush should be willing to share what they will do with it (give it to a friend or an interesting landscape idea) by posting a photo using #atlastrose and tagging ‘Proven Winners Direct’ on Facebook. This will enter you for a chance to win more roses!
To enter, comment here with your favorite feature of the At Last roses! Please leave your email as well, as I need to be able to contact you for more information when I draw a random winner on Tuesday, July 11 at 9pm ET.



I received these gorgeous and fragrant roses in exchange for my unbiased review. 

Harlem Globetrotters are BACK!

I've got another great holiday gift/family activity idea for you today.

Did you catch the Harlem Globetrotters at the Palace of Auburn Hills last time? They were a BLAST! Maggie still repeats some of the jokes from their show. It was truly great for all ages.

And they're coming again!

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS BRING 2015 WORLD TOUR 

TO THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS JANUARY 2, 2015

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their unrivaled family show, featuring some of the greatest athletes on the planet, to The Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Tickets at $42.50 VIP, $27.50 reserved and $18 general admission and four-packs at $135 VIP, $90 reserved and $55 general admission go on sale Monday, October 6 at 10 a.m. at Palacenet.com, The Palace Ticket Store and all Ticketmaster locations, including The Locker Room Store at Great Lakes Crossing. Tickets may be also charged by phone to American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard by calling 800.745.3000. Front Row and Courtside seating is also available. Information on group and scout tickets can be found at harlemglobetrotters.com.

With incredible ball handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy and unequaled on-court fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family – creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters. The Generals, the last team to beat the Globetrotters, are now coached by a former member of that 1971 team. They are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win, with a new strategy that’s sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money.

Want a better deal??

Here’s the link for discounted tickets:

www.palacenet.com/bloggers

Promo code:  globie

Lower level tickets:  $21.00 (Normally $27.50)

Upper Level tickets:  $13.50 (Normally $18.00)

Fine, if you insist - want to WIN your tickets??

Here you go!

To enter, just post a comment on this blog post with your favorite basketball team OR Harlem Globetrotter's memory.

Want another chance to win? SHARE this post and come back to the comments here and let me know.

All entries must be received by Friday, December 26 at midnight ET. I'll draw a winner the old-fashioned way (via Random.org) Saturday morning.

Good luck! 

Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend - TICKET GIVEAWAY - CLOSED

Now this sounds like an awesomely inspiring weekend! Oprah Winfrey is coming to the Palace of Auburn Hills next weekend - September 12 & 13. Please note that the tickets I've been provided to giveaway are for both days, as the show encompasses Friday night (7 - 9PM) AND Saturday (9AM - 5:30PM).

Check it out:

On Friday night, Oprah will take the stage, bringing her personal story and insights to life in a one of a kind intimate evening. Then on Saturday, Oprah will lead a day-long gathering of thousands with handpicked thought leaders and pop culture icons including Iyanla Vanzant, star of OWN’s hit series Iyanla Fix My Life, regular O Magazine contributor, best-selling author and spiritual life coach; and best-selling author of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert.

 You truly can live the life you want, and Oprah and her inspiring guests want to help you get there.

For your chance to win these tickets, you just need to do the following:

• For one entry (REQUIRED): Comment on this post telling us who you find most inspiring, and including your name and contact info (phone number or email address). PLEASE NOTE: Entries without contact info will not be considered valid.
• For an additional entry: Comment on any other post on this blog, then come back to this post and tell me which post you commented on (including your name to match up with the first entry).

That's it! Two entries possible, and I'll determine the winner randomly on Tuesday, September 9 at 11PM ET.

Walking with Dinosaurs Arena Spectacular - ANOTHER Ticket Giveaway!!

I cannot WAIT for this show!! And I've been so excited about it that I'm now able to give away ANOTHER four-pack of tickets for opening night, August 6, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

We're doing it old school this time - leave a comment with your favorite dinosaur (or your favorite little person's favorite dinosaur ;))
Please note: I moderate my comments, so it won't show up immediately.

Feel like sharing this giveaway? You'll get two chances for sharing. Share a link to this post either on your Facebook or your own blog, then leave me the link showing the 'share' in the comments.

Got it? One chance for your initial comment, two more chances for sharing and commenting about it.

I'll use random.org to determine a winner at 10PM ET on Monday, August 4.

Good luck!

Edited to add: I'm so excited to draw for a winner on Monday night, but if you're leaving me ANONYMOUS messages with NO way to identify/contact you, you can't win. Thanks for leaving your comment through something that gives me your info, or leaving your contact info with your comment.

GIVEAWAY! Harlem Globetrotters Tickets for April 19

The Palace of Auburn Hills is happy to announce the Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town Saturday, April 19 at 7:30pm!

I was talking the other day with a friend about seeing snippets of the Harlem Globetrotters on news shows and such regularly when we were growing up. And now a chance to see them in person?? Remember the episode of Scooby Doo that they were on? Ahh... those were the days.

If you're local to Auburn Hills, Michigan, or at least will be for Easter weekend, please enter to win a four-pack of tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway ends March 26 at midnight, eastern time.   


P.S. - If you don't win, don't worry - you'll still have time to purchase tickets. You won't want to miss the 2014 Fans Rule World Tour!!

Outback Steakhouse 'Tuck Away' Card Giveaway!

You can win $20 toward dinner at Outback Steakhouse!

I received an extra card for sharing about the Detroit Zoo's fundraiser the other night, and want to pass along the love to you! Don't worry about being local to me this time - the card is good at Outback Steakhouse restaurants in the United States (but not airport locations). I'll send the card to the winner the first week of September. The giveaway runs til August 29, 2013.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wild Beasts, Wild Wine! - GIVEAWAY OVER

 

Now this sounds like a GREAT time for a great cause!

"Raise a glass to wildlife at the Detroit Zoo's Wild Beasts, Wild Wine on Friday, July 26, 2013, 6 to 10:30 p.m. Guests can sample wine from more than 30 local and national wineries and vineyards while enjoying the Detroit Zoo’s award-winning habitats at twilight.

The wine-tasting experience will also feature live music by jazz crooner Ben Sharkey and Gino Fanelli’s Red Hot Sugar Daddies, after-hours access to the Zoo’s award-winning habitats, animal enrichment and zookeeper talks. The event includes admission, parking and ten wine-tasting tickets (additional tasting tickets and food will be available for purchase).

Advance ticket purchase is encouraged as space is limited and the event may sell out. Tickets are available for $35 until July 19; tickets purchased after July 19 will be available for $40 online or at the gate (if not sold out). Tickets are available online or at Window One at the front of the Zoo.

Designated Driver (DD) tickets will be available online or at the gate up to the night of the event. DD tickets are $25 and include Zoo admission, parking and unlimited soft drinks. DD ticket holders are not permitted to consume alcohol at the event.

Wild Beasts, Wild Wine will take place in the Detroit Zoo's Events Pavilion, rain or shine. All attendees must be 21 or older; photo ID is required. A “grape” time will be had by all!"

Want your chance to WIN two free tickets? If you're local to the Detroit area and available next Friday, July 26, just leave a comment here with your favorite zoo animal!

Want to increase your chances? Comment on another of my blog posts and mention that in your comment here as well :)

Winner must be 21 or older and have photo ID to pick up tickets at the gate of the event. Winner will be drawn Tuesday, July 23rd at 9PM.

Recess! - Giveaway

Do your kids like The Laurie Berkner Band? Dan Zanes & Friends? Ralph's World? Candy Band? The Verve Pipe? the School of Rock? Have I got great news for you! All of these artists, along with other performers and deejays, games, interactive activities, storytelling, and fun workshops are coming to Meadow Brook Music Festival on June 22.

This all-day event runs from 11am - 5pm. In addition to these great acts, families can visit various creative spaces on the Meadow Brook grounds to write and record a song, take a dance class, do arts and crafts or get a “rock star” makeover.

Sound like a fabulous event? Tickets for $25 in the pavilion and on the lawn are on sale now at Palacenet.com, The Palace Ticket Store and all Ticketmaster locations, including The Locker Room Store at Great Lakes Crossing. Tickets may be purchased with American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard by calling 800.745.3000. Family four-packs are also available for $75.

I've got a family four-pack of tickets to giveaway!! Yay!

Here's a couple ways to enter:

1. Comment on this post with your child's favorite music for one entry.
2. Write your own post linking to this contest for your readers. Comment with a link to your post for TWO additional entries.

I'll use random.org to draw the winner on May 9. Please remember this giveaway is for people who can attend the show in Rochester, Michigan on June 22.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Damn. I need that wine.

Congratulations to Denise for winning the Sexy Saturday giveaway last weekend :)

The weather is finally turning to fall! We are still getting quite warm by mid-afternoon, but I was nice and cozy catching the bus at 8:20AM in a lined flannel jacket. I tend to only wear that jacket a few times a year, and every time I wonder why it's not on me more often! I love it <3

Favorite Maggie story from her first (partial) week of school:
On Friday, it's Bagel Day. If the kids bring $1, they can get a bagel before school starts. Yum! I don't know if Maggie had ever had a bagel, but of course she wanted to participate, so I sent her with her $1. On the way home from the bus that afternoon, I asked her about it.
She said, "I picked a sugar one." I'm thinking, sugar bagel? Uh-oh. I'm guessing the white stuff was salt, kid.
"But," she continues, "I didn't like it. So I didn't know what to do. Then my teacher came and got the sugar off and I ate some of the bagel."
I asked if she wants to get a bagel again, and she said yes, but she'll pick a plain one next time.
Good choice.

I've decided to schedule a chocolate tasting party at my house on September 23. If you're local to Lake Orion, Michigan and would like to attend, let me know :)

Sexy Saturday!

Comments are now closed. 

Only the second Sexy Saturday I've posted, and already we've got a giveaway!

Have you heard of Zestra? Probably not. Zestra is the only clinically tested and proven, all-natural sexual enhancement product for women on the market. Zestra has been recommended by physicians (including Dr. Oz), featured on The View, The Doctors, ABC Nightline, and more.

It's applied topically to a woman's 'naughty bits' (I love that phrase!). The patented blend of botanical oils and extracts work to heighten her sensitivity to touch. If I recall correctly, there used to be something similar at the 'adult' direct sales parties (read: sex toys and such). That's all I'm going to say about that, because my mom reads this blog ;)

Now leaving aside the fact that I've seen about a thousand commercials for Viagra and Cialis while watching grown-up (but not explicit) tv, I have no idea why Zestra is such a well-kept secret! Will you help spread the word? It just could be worth your while!

Want to win your own supply of Zestra and Zestra Glide? I've been offered the chance to give them away (a combined $75 value!). In the comments to this post, just let me know you want to win for one entry. For a second entry, read and comment on another post on this blog (then leave a comment on this post letting me know). Want THREE more entries? Re-post this giveaway on your blog! (Yes, please leave me yet another comment with your link!)

Contest ends in one week (but I'm usually busy on the weekends, so you just got an extra couple of days...) - Monday, September 10 at 9PM ET.

Afraid you won't win, or want to know what you're in for? Get a free trial (just pay shipping).



For more info on the product, visit http://www.zestra.com/.

I'm receiving the product being given away for my objective post. The prize will be sent by the sponsor, not me. I'll provide them with the winner's info. Yay for honest disclosure :).

Comments are now closed. 

Need a Giveaway?

With spring officially just days away, I feel like I want to freshen everything up - even me!

That's why I was so glad to have found this Sephora giveaway at Handmade Reviews. I've never claimed to be too much of a girly-girl, but I could get lost in Sephora for days! If only I were the first one in my husband's life to be like this, I may be able to get away with it from time to time...but he used to have a friend who was much worse at it than I was, so he's never willing to take the risk. Now that Maggie's out of the stroller, I'm afraid of getting too distracted and losing track of her as I dream. For now, Sephora is mostly an online store for me.

What I wouldn't give for a little extra shopping there just for me :)

'Cool' Giveaway!

You know I like to know what's out there with other direct sales companies. One of the newer companies on the block is Thirty-One Gifts. One of their very popular items is a thermal tote (great for bringing your lunch to work, or a snack on the run). Not only is it available in several different fabrics, you can also have whatever you want embroidered on your bag!

The best news of all?? You could win one at Crazy Mom with 4 Boys. Go check it out - and tell her Becki sent you :)

If at First You Don't Win.... Try Again!! - GIVEAWAY CLOSED

If at first you don't win a giveaway on my blog - c'mon back! I'll try and have another one for you soon!

To that end, I'm very excited to announce that you could win anything here. I told a friend of mine the other day that I knew where she could get adjustable bar stools to go with her new table, or towels, or toys for her son, or tools for her husband...the list goes on and on!

CSN Stores has more than 200 different stores, with all different categories of merchandise! Go take a look - I'm guessing if they don't have it somewhere, you probably don't really need it. But since you do need it, they're helping one of my readers out. You could win a $55 gift card, good at any of the 200+ stores! I'll accept entries through January 22, 2011. - GIVEAWAY CLOSED

• To enter, just leave a comment to this post saying why you want to win, and what you might get with the certificate if you do win! (Be sure to include your email if you don't have a blogger profile!)
  
• Want two more entries? Promote the giveaway on your blog and let me know in an additional comment (please share your blog link).

CSN Stores is providing the giveaway gift card to whichever of my readers wins it. The gift card does not cover shipping. I am receiving your undying loyalty in exchange for posting another giveaway, right? Yay for honest disclosure :).

Valentines Day Giveaway - REPOSTED - Just One Week Left!

See the original post and enter here: http://sweetdaisy.blogspot.com/2011/01/planning-ahead-for-valentines-day.html

In case you're wondering, NOW is the time to start planning for Valentines Day. Whether or not you've found someone special, you can make it a good day for yourself with a treat from EdenFantasys, and they want to help you with that!

From toys you don't want to discuss with your mother, to massage kits, oils and accessories, to books and videos covering every aspect of intimacy and romance (my mom reads this blog - I'm embarrassed to use the 's' word!) - you can find it all here.

What I especially love about the EdenFantasys website is the product reviews. Real people who have used the actual products and read the books for sale give their honest assessments. They talk about aspects of the products that I wouldn't even consider, and they have honestly influenced my purchases!

I encourage you to check out their site and see what might enhance your Valentines Day. And they're encouraging you too - they're giving a $50 gift card to one of the readers of my blog! I'll accept entries until January 14, 2011.

• To enter, just leave a comment on this post (click the word post to get to the right post!) saying why you want to win (but not necessarily what you'd buy! This is still a family blog ;) ).
• Want two more entries? Promote the giveaway on your blog and let me know in an additional comment.

I'm receiving a gift card from edenfantasys for my objective review. Additionally, edenfantasys is providing the giveaway gift card to whichever of my readers wins it. Yay for honest disclosure :).

Planning Ahead for Valentines Day

In case you're wondering, NOW is the time to start planning for Valentines Day. Whether or not you've found someone special, you can make it a good day for yourself with a treat from EdenFantasys, and they want to help you with that!

From toys you don't want to discuss with your mother, to massage kits, oils and accessories, to books and videos covering every aspect of intimacy and romance (my mom reads this blog - I'm embarrassed to use the 's' word!) - you can find it all here.

What I especially love about the EdenFantasys website is the product reviews. Real people who have used the actual products and read the books for sale give their honest assessments. They talk about aspects of the products that I wouldn't even consider, and they have honestly influenced my purchases!

I encourage you to check out their site and see what might enhance your Valentines Day. And they're encouraging you too - they're giving a $50 gift card to one of the readers of my blog! I'll accept entries until January 14, 2011. - GIVEAWAY ENDED :)

• To enter, just leave a comment to this post saying why you want to win (but not necessarily what you'd buy! This is still a family blog ;) ).
• Want two more entries? Promote the giveaway on your blog and let me know in an additional comment.

I'm receiving a gift card from edenfantasys for my objective review. Additionally, edenfantasys is providing the giveaway gift card to whichever of my readers wins it. Yay for honest disclosure :).

Happy Birthday Kris - but WE get the presents!

Go check out My Sugar Bugs and enter to win a beautiful handmade bracelet from Beaded Jewels.

These beautiful "Beaded Jewel Bracelets of Hope" are designed and handmade by Lexi Butler, jewelry designer/beading artist. One lucky winner will receive a made-with-love awareness bracelet of their choice. The winner will be able to choose from 30 awareness colors and combinations and also have their choice of a grey ribbon, pink ribbon, yellow ribbon, silver ribbon or several other charms. All charms are sterling silver. The winner will also be able to chose their size for the perfect fit!

Check out and "like" Beaded Jewels on Facebook to see all of her designs! Then visit My Sugar Bugs to enter and maybe win your favorite for free!

Fun Kids' Giveaway

I love attention-getting titles. No, I'm not giving away kids. I only have one so far to start with, and I'm keeping her.

The giveaway I was actually trying to reference is through Hip Mama's Place for the new series of Kohl's Cares for Kids books and matching stuffed creatures. We still love the one we got at the holidays and wish we'd gotten more for Maggie. Hopefully we'll win one of these Dr Seuss themed ones. Or at $5 each for the books and animals, maybe we'll get off our lazy tushies and go out in the cold to get some :)

Head over to Hip Mama's Place before February 21 to enter. If you don't have a kid who wants em, you can always pass them on to little Maggie ;)

We ALL Won!!

Check out Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife for a chance to win a $20 Domino's Pizza gift card. The giveaway will be February 27, but you can already win this weekend!
On February 14 (yes, commonly known as Valentines Day!), use promo code HUG at checkout when ordering online to receive FREE order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes. Can't beat that!

What's That? You Want More Giveaways?

Head over to Cake Mom where there's a giveaway for TEN heart shaped cake pans - what an adorable addition for otherwise ordinary baking? Giveaway ends 2/17.

Hip Mama's Place is hosting a giveaway for Juno Baby Music Education DVDs until 2/17. I haven't heard of them before, but there are samples on their website and they look like fun!

On 2/20, Red Sox Mom is giving away a $50 WalMart gift card. Who can't find $50 worth of stuff they need at WalMart?

You can win a charm bracelet. The giveaway runs until 2/20. The bracelets are adorable, with different color heart charms already included - your choice!

Another super multi-purpose giveaway? The Divine Miss Mommy will be drawing to giveaway a $25 gift card to Macy's on 2/15.

A Few Giveaways!

What could be more summertime than Popsicles?? Head on over to Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife for your chance to WIN Popsicles (don't worry, they'll keep in the freezer til it warms up enough to enjoy them ;) ).

Like gum? Like art? Check out the artistic Dentyne gum (you'll have to go look to see what I'm talking about!) over at Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife.

How about truffles? Stop by MamaBuzz where Fancy Lady Gourmet Truffles is giving away custom cake truffles (and a 10% discount if you can't wait to win!).

Feel like getting organized (don't I always?)? Frugal with a Flourish is giving away a set of baskets with pretty little liners. Hurry on this one - it's done on February 7!

Wow! Over at Jaebumfangirl, she's giving away a Coach wallet she's never used! Whew! Don't see that very often. There's lots of entries already, and she's keeping it open until the end of February (good thing it's a short month!). The extra entries are for tweeting instead of blogging - if you're into twitter and don't want the wallet, I'd take it off your hands ;)

I'd be remiss if I didn't use this time to also give a huge shout out to Mama Kennedy, who finds most of these giveaways for me! Be sure and check out her blog regularly :)