Favorite Summer Photo

I absolutely adore this picture of Davey. We like it so much we had a graphic artist transform it into an amazing picture that hangs in our living room.

The picture captures Dave's funny little spirit and spunk, as well as his funny little lovable face. The photo was taken at his 1st birthday party in late July and I will always cherish that summer day, along with this photo. That is why I chose this picture as my entry into UPrinting.com's Summer Photo contest.

Thanks for sponsoring the contest, UPrinting!

UPrinting.com is a leading online provider of business cards, color brochures and mailing postcards.

UPrinting Winner

Congrats go to Cindi who won my UPrinting.com Poster Print Giveaway.

everyone for entering. I have sent you an e-mail Cindi, so if you haven't seen it, please let me know. If you didn't win the poster be sure to visit UPrinting.com and check out there fantastic rates for Canvas Printing and Poster Printing.

Calypso Studios Giveaway

I am carrying around one of the cutest reusable totes I have seen yet. It's a design from artist Emma Hand sold by Calypso Studios, and is one of three in the "Acts of Kindness" series pictured above. Calypso Studios actually has a slew of delightful totes with styles that will suit just about everyone. I'm eyeing this cute number for this year's Christmas shopping:

Depending on the design the totes are available individually for $7.95 or in sets of three for $20. These totes are the sturdy, water resistant polyester material I like so much. They even fold into a handy little roll that closes with a snap so you can keep one tucked conveniently in your purse. I personally have given reusable bags as a gift with increasing frequency because I think they make such a nice gift.

Calypso Studios also specializes in unique, affordable jewelry like these earrings I got to try out:

Or this great piece from their vineyard collection-

Jewelry starts at just $3 and I don't think I saw a piece over $15! Now that is my kind of shopping; cute and affordable.

Calypso Studios has offered to give one of their adorable reusable totes and a piece of jewelry to one of my lucky readers.

How to Enter

Visit The Calypso Studios website, and tell me what your favorite item is. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

• Follow Calypso Studios on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
• Become a fan of Calypso Studios on facebook (1 entry, leave your name please)
• Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
• Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Entries will be accepted until June 23rd 11:59 PM CST when a winner will be selected by firing up the randomizer. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Good Luck!

EyeBuyDirect Giveaway

My Dad is the ultimate in practical. I am pretty sure that every single item in his home has a working purpose and is used for that purpose or it hits the curb with a quickness. That makes him particularly difficult to buy for when it comes to Father's Day, so I know he would approve of my next gift idea- a gift certificate from EyeBuyDirect.

I had the opportunity to go through the ordering process at EyeBuyDirect and receive a fantastic pair of glasses. Here I am with my sharp new frames from EyeBuyDirect:

As you can see Davey HAD to see what we were doing with the camera. With how attached he is to me I am astounded there are any pictures of me taken in the last 2 years without him on my lap.

The ordering and selection process at EyeBuyDirect is easy peasy and even a bit fun. They have a nifty little tool called the "EyeTry now" feature that allows you to try the frames on prior to buying them. Even though I chose the pair I thought I would select before trying them being able to see them on me, so to speak, was very reassuring.

Just in time Father's Day EyeBuyDirect has a terrific special for individuals looking to give dad a Gift Certificate. From now until July 21^st you can get an EyeBuyDirect.com gift voucher for 20% off, which makes an incredibly economical pair of glasses even more inexpensive!

A complete pair of eyeglasses; single vision plastic lenses, frames, scratch coating and case start at just $7.9x plus shipping. So not only is EyeBuyDirect a smart choice for dad it is a brilliant idea if you need a second pair of glasses or even a fashionable, inexpensive first pair. EyeBuyDirect wants to go even one better than cheap, how about free? They are giving away one pair of prescription eyeglass (value up to $100) to one of my readers! And even with frames starting at $7.95, ya can't beat free!

How to Enter

Visit the Eyebuydirect website, and tell me what glasses you would select if you won. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

• Post your "EyeTry" photo on the "Wall of Frames" (1 entry, leave a link please)
• Post a comment on the "Wall of Frames about someone else's picture (leave a link, may comment 5 times for 1 entry each comment)
• Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
• Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Winner will receive a code good for 1 free pair of eyeglasses with a value of up to $100. Code is not valid for use on designer frames or sunglasses. Entries will be accepted until June 28th 11:59 PM CST when a winner will be selected randomly. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Good Luck!

Halo Dog Treats- and Great Halo Coupons!

So you may have already read how I am loving Halo dog food since trying it. Well, since Dave tried it since I haven't actually tasted it. If you haven't, be sure to read this blog post.

While trying out Halo's Spot's Stew Wholesome Chicken adult dry food Davey also had a chance to try some of the Halo dog treat products, which include some brand new varieties. When we got the treats unwrapped Davey attacked the Liv-a-Littles Chicken Protein Treats first. If you have ever given your dog freeze-dried liver treats the Liv-a-Littles are sort of like that but without any icky smell. The best part about the Halo Protein Treats, besides the fact that I can get Dave to do anything for one, is the ingredient list. Here it is:

Ingredients: Chicken

No preservatives, no questionable additives or chemicals just good ole chicken. Plus they aren't messy, smelly or gnarly in any way they are fantastic to break up and use for training.

Davey also happily tasted the Halo Liv-a-Littles Healthsome Dog Biscuits. Here he is giving me a high five for one-
Now if only I could teach him to pick up his toys…

Halo has offered to give my readers an EXCLUSIVE coupon good for $3 off of any of the dog or cat pet products they sell; including treats, food, grooming supplies, supplements or books. The $3 coupon is good for any on-line purchase at www.halopets.com/shop and can't be found anywhere but right here.

Halo will also send you a $5 coupon via e-mail if you sign up for their newsletter, here. The $5 coupon is good in stores where ever Halo products are sold. This coupon equates to some free treats or food considering many Halo products start under $5! I plan to use mine to snag some more Halo Dream Coat for Miss Chloe, a product I'll be talking about soon.

How to Get your Online Coupon:

• Visit www.halopets.com/shop and select the items you wish to purchase. Keep in mind that any order over $75 will receive free shipping.
• Proceed to the checkout, entering your shipping and billing information (including your credit card information).
• AFTER submitting your payment information, but prior to confirming the order, you will see a box to enter a "Coupon Code".
• Enter "pestka" (without the quotes) to receive a $3 discount.
• Coupon code expires June 30^th, 2009

I would love to hear from you if you are able to make use of either coupon. Enjoy!

Be The Match Marrowthon

Last year I became a member of the National Bone Marrow Donor regiistry. Although I haven;t been called to donate yet, I am ready and willing when that call does come in. Normally there is a $52 tissue processing fee to join the registry, but starting June 8th resgistration is free. The free registration only comes once a year, so if you have ever considered joing the registry now is the time to do so. Free registration ends at 46,000 new donors or on June 22nd, whichever comes first.

GelPro Mat Review

I have discovered something that actually makes me want to stay in the kitchen a little longer. What is this miracle product, you ask? A chocolate fountain? Self-cleaning dishes? A kitchen nap cot? Nope, Just my GelPro anti-fatigue kitchen floor mat.

That's right, a floor mat. And not just because it comes in the color "truffle", either, since independent testing in my kitchen has demonstrated that the GelPro mat is not edible.

Aside from the yummy color the GelPro appeals to my love of textures. I am entirely tactile when selecting clothing or items for my home. I have to feeeel everything and it was to feel good or I'm not wearing/sleeping/ sitting/standing on it. 'Good' has a variety of definitions which include soft, velvety, squishy, cool, silky, warm, smooth or spongy- depending on my mood.

The GelPro has wholly pleased my texture hungry side from the moment I placed it in my kitchen. It is the only anti-fatigue mat available that is filled with gel. I adore the way it feels under my feet, so much so that I want to spend time at my kitchen counter. Don't let my partner hear that or she might cover the whole kitchen in GelPro mats to keep me cooking and cleaning 24/7.

Oh yes, and I should probably mention the GelPro mat is fantastic for relieving fatigue, particularly if you have a bad back, arthritis, foot problems or anything of the sort that causes standing for periods of time to be difficult. I have a recipe or two I dread making because I know it means an hour of chopping. With the GelPro under foot I don't dread the chopping, it makes that much of a difference.

If you have a foodie, a cook or master of the kitchen that you want to encourage to stay in that kitchen as long as possible the GelPro would make a really wonderful gift (Father's Day anyone?). I think it is a must have for anyone on their feet all day that has to come home and stand in the kitchen.

The mat comes in a variety of styles, sizes and colors and can be purchased online. The Basketweave style that I have can also be purchased at your local Bed, Bath & Beyond. The mats start at $99.95, which is a good price considering the phenomenal quality. I guarantee you no other mat will come close to this one in durability, comfort or quality. If you put one in your kitchen maybe I'll come over and cook for you. Well…at least I will be more likely to cook for you.