Sunshine and Sippy Cups

Your Daily Bit of Sunshine…

Todays Daily Bit of Sunshine Quote:

“I am because you are.”
-African Proverb

This is definitely a quote that must have been first spoken by a mother. It goes both ways… She only exists because of me, because I was able to carry her and allow her to grow for those long 9 months. But really, I now am who I am because of her.

Having a baby, when I never thought that I would, changed everything about me. I love life so much more, and am so happy every day, all because of her. So, it is true. I am, because she is.

How has motherhood changed your life?

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 10, 2011 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | No Comments

{May 9} How I Got These Freebies

Want to know how I got THESE freebies?

Since everyone always wants to know, “How do you GET all of this stuff?!”, I’m going to start posting a picture of the new freebies in my mail, and tell you how I got them! That should help some of the “Freebie Newbies” learn some great tips to get started!

How I Got Today’s Freebies:

Shipping Packages: Go over to the Priority Mail site from the U.S. Post Office to request this free shipping kit. You can then pay for and print shipping labels right from home, and even schedule free pick ups! So helpful if you’re a blogger with giveaways, an Etsy or Ebay seller, or even if you send lots of gifts. Super excited to get these… Will help me get giveaway prizes out MUCH quicker!
Magazines: I get almost all of my magazines for FREE. The site I use most often is TradePub. It’s mostly web and business magazines, but when you sign up, they’ll notify you of other good ones like Woman’s Day or Cosmo. Love it.
Aveeno: I got this sample from an offer I found a few weeks ago on MySavings. The deals will be different now because they update with new stuff every day, but check them out: Free Samples.
Free Catalogs: I get all of my free catalogs from Catalogs.com. Sometimes they even give you a coupon code to use when you’re requesting the catalog!
Aveeda: Found a link to sign up for the Aveeda newsletter on FreeFlys a month or so ago, and they sent me this as a birthday gift… A coupon for a FREE full size product, up to a $24.95 value!! Woo hoo, right? They are another site where the deals change all the time, so sign up for their newsletter!
Coupon Extravaganza: Woooooaaaahhhh!!! Seriously, I cannot BELIEVE how many coupons she was able to fit into this little package!! I won a prize in a referral contest from Dinosaurs & Dandelions on Facebook, and my prize was a package of coupons. I had no idea just how darn amazing this package would be!

Check it out:

This prize TOTALLY rocks my socks. I love to refer to pages I like, and do it all the time just because. So I wasn’t even trying to win, just wanted to show some love and help her out. To win such a generous prize is pretty cool :)

So… Those are todays freebies! Have you gotten any good freebies in the mail lately? If so, share in the comments! Everyone loves to learn some new tips!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 9, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

{NEW} Product Testing Opportunity!

Are you a member of MyView?

If you are, make sure to go and check your account today! I had a survey waiting, and after completing it, I got a message stating that I qualify to test out a NEW mascara product! Wooo! You know I freakin’ L-O-V-E product testing, right?

I just want to make sure you guys don’t miss out on this one if you qualify! I know I don’t always have time to complete all of the surveys I get…. So I wanted to give you a heads up, so you can go and check it out!

And if you’re not signed up with MyView yet, it’s super easy to get started. It just takes a minute to sign up, and then you can look forward to opportunities like this too.

Have you guys had any good product tests lately? I’d love to hear about them :)

Get started with MyView right here: MyView Sign Up. You’ll love it.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 9, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies, Product Testing | No Comments

Is that deal Ebateable?

I read this new term today, and love it:

Ebateable [ee-bey-tuh-buhl] (adjective) – When an online deal is made even better with coupons and cash back from Ebates.com.

I check Ebates first EVERY time I shop online! I find coupon codes to give me a discount on what I was planning to buy anyway, PLUS get cash back on my purchase. Awesome, right? And you can see BIG FAT CHECK from Ebates in the picture above, to show you that yes, it’s legit!

PLUS, right now is Ebates 12th Birthday Bash, and they’re giving YOU the gifts! You can earn 12% cash back on tons of great stores right now…. Go to their site to check ’em all out. Many of these stores are usually 2-5% so this is a HUGE increase, and a great way to get some cash back built up fast!

AND, there’s more!

If you’re new to Ebates, you’ll get $5 cash just for signing up today! And, they’re doing a HUGE fan giveaway too. To celebrate their 12^th birthday, Ebates is giving one lucky Facebook fan $1200! They’ll choose the winner from their fan base on May 17^th. In addition to $1200, They’ll also be picking 4 other facebook fans to receive a $250 Philosophy Gift Bag. So Head over and Like Ebates on Facebook! Super duper awesome, right?

So get signed up for Ebates today! And then, when you shop online, ask yourself, is this deal Ebateable? (And start getting that cash back!)

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 9, 2011 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

OpenSky features my FAVORITE Pop and Lolli Product!

I recently signed up for updates from OpenSky, and have been so in love with the products that their experts have chosen for me so far…

What is OpenSky?

You choose the categories that you are interested in (like food, health, style, design) and then you choose which experts in that category that you want to follow. Then they send you emails with cool new things that they think you will like. And boy, did they hit this one right today!

”OpenSky features a passionate community of curators – celebrities, authors, stylists, chefs and other trendsetters in Food, Style & Beauty, Healthy Living and Home & Design. Get access to their exclusive sales. Click Here to get started!”

Why I love todays deal:

I’ve been looking at this exact decal set from Pop and Lolli for awhile now… And today it’s offered at a discount EXCLUSIVELY for members of Open Sky! This offer comes from expert Holly Robinson Peete, in the design category.

And, if you haven’t heard of Pop and Lolli yet, read more about why they are totally the type of business that I like to support:

At Pop and Lolli, 50% of the business is a charity called (it’s) chic 2 change, which was co-founded with Pop and Lolli for the sole purpose of benefiting children in need. So, for every set of Tree of Knowledge decals purchased, (it’s) chic 2 change will provide educational materials and resources to positively influence South African Children in need. Not only are you encouraging the little artist or writer within your child, but you’re also contributing to an amazing organization—a great feeling and a great product!

Bonus Giveaway Entry:

So, OpenSky brings you amazing products, from awesome companies, at discount prices. Cool, right? Also, since I am so excited to share OpenSky with you, I’m giving everyone a BONUS entry into my Spring Flowers Beauty Bag Giveaway {$80 Value!}. All you have to do is sign up for this awesome site, then leave a comment on the giveaway page with your favorite category, curator, or deal. (Will be verified). Check it out, and find your own favorites today!

Choose the OpenSky curators you’d like to follow. Then each week, you’ll get private messages about amazing products they love, which you can buy at up to 60% off. Click Here

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 9, 2011 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

Get a FREE Personalized T-Shirt

You already know I’m a HUGE fan of Vistaprint, right?

{I think I’ll share a bunch of pictures later of some of the great freebies I’ve gotten from them lately}….

Right now, you can get another new FREE item, a free personalized T-Shirt!

There are so many fun ways you could use this:

Put your blog logo on it and give it away to a fan!
Or… Keep it for yourself, and walk around giving yourself free advertising. (Shameless promotion, yes. So what? Lol)
Put a picture of the kiddo’s on it to give to the grandparents.
Add a picture of Daddy, and have it say something like, “Worlds Bestest Super Duper Dad” or something, for Father’s Day.
Put a picture of a new graduate on it, with a congratulations message!

Lots of fun stuff you could do. I’ve used these for gifts a few times, and they always get a big smile! Here’s a bit of detail:

1 FREE Customized T-Shirt! Choose from a variety of designs and add your own text to make your design unique! The T-Shirts are made of 100% Pre-Shrunk cotton and are available in sizes from S to XXL The T-Shirt is FREE, just pay for Shipping and Processing! Click Here to get started!

And, I haven’t checked yet, but usually they have a deal where if you spend $30 or $40 bucks, you can get FREE shipping too. There are so many free deals right now, plus tons of 50% off prices, so you can stock up on a TON of cool stuff really cheap.

These really are great T-Shirts, and the image and letters wash up well too.

Leave a comment with what you’re going to put on YOUR free T-Shirt!! I’d love to hear your ideas. Since I’ve gotten these a few times, I’m looking for a new idea this time…