Sunshine and Sippy Cups

Update Your Home for the Holidays – $100 Swags Galore GC!

Getting the house spruced up and spiced up for the holiday season? Then check out Swags Galore – they have some amazingly pretty pieces to easily give your home a new look. And I’m even giving you a chance to get your favorites free, when you enter to win a $100 Gift Certificate!

ABOUT SWAGS GALORE

Swags Galore offers one of the largest selections of readymade curtains, draperies, valances, and kitchen curtains for all the rooms in your home. They stock large quantities of each size & color, so we can ship your curtain order with-in 24 hours.

Swags Galore carries all of the most popular brands including Ellery Homestyles, Commonwealth Home Fashions, Croscill, United Curtain, Lorraine Home Fashions, Achim Importing, Ellis Curtains and many more.

The mission for Swags Galore is to offer their customers the largest selection of curtains and curtain rods, only! No one online is serving this niche market exclusively. Where most other online stores sell curtains aside from all the other items they offer, Swags Galore only sells curtains and curtain rods.

Please stop by Swags Galore and “See The World Through Their Windows”. You’ll be hooked once you see the selection of in stock curtains at discounted prices with free shipping offers.

Prize: $100 Swags Galore Gift Certificate

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. Giveaway ends November 26th and is open to the US only.

Disclaimer: Swags Galore is the sponsor of this giveaway and is responsible for prize fulfillment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 9, 2013 Filed Under: Giveaways | 22 Comments

Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores

Have I ever told you how much I dread shopping for a new cell phone or calling plan? There are a few reasons I hate cell phone shopping: Staff who aren’t knowledgeable about the products. Even worse, staff who do know their stuff, but who value their commission more than finding the right phone for me. I’ve been debating changing wireless providers for awhile, and that’s tough too. I don’t want to visit 5 different stores to learn about 5 different brands. But ladies – I’ve found a better way. Follow me, and I’ll show you the way to simpler smartphone shopping….

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 9, 2013 Filed Under: Tech Tips | No Comments

15 Minute Chicken Fajitas – #15MinuteSuppers

Have you heard of 15 Minute Suppers yet? We are a group of bloggers passionate about getting a quick, delicious, and {mostly} healthy meal on your table in only 15 minutes. Watch for new recipes every single Friday. You can find these awesome recipes by searching the #15MinuteSuppers hashtag on your fave social media.

And since it’s Friday – it’s time for another 15 Minute Supper party! I love sharing these easy and delicious meals with you and helping you get a real meal on your table in less time than you could get take out or order a pizza. Now, for my recipe this week… Easy Peasy Chicken Fajitas in a flash!

I apologize in advance… I don’t have a pretty, plated, “finished” photo of this recipe :( The Mister accidentally deleted a few pics off of my camera. And of course they were the final set of pics for this post. So, you’ll get to see the deliciousness of the fajitas in the pan, but not actually on a plate with sides. Sorry friends! But the recipe still rocks :) [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 8, 2013 Filed Under: Food | 3 Comments

Bloggertunities: Tips, Tricks, & Opps to Help Build Your Blog

This post contains some affiliate links that help to support this site. But I only share and recommend things I use myself and love. Pinky promise.

I know, I know…. Bloggertunities have been kind of sporadic the past few months. Well – part of it is because of the craziness that is my life. Part of it is because I’m hoping to eventually transition these to my new “in-the-works” site, MeaganPaullin.com, that should be up and running in about a month. {I’ve got it on my hosting plan finally, and a designer is working on making it pretty.} But, I always get emails asking me where the heck Bloggertunities are, so I’m trying to get ’em up as often as possible. I promise – eventually these will be a regular weekly post, over on the new site :) Until then – check out what I’ve gathered up lately. Hopefully you find something helpful. And if you have anything awesome to share – feel free to leave it in the comments at the end!

Do you love sharing tips too? Have a great idea for a blogging presentation or panel? Do you have a set of tips to share? Or do you have a favorite blogger you’d love to see speak at BlogHer this year? Then fill out the form here – BlogHer ’14 Call for Ideas – to share your ideas or apply to speak.

Brands and Products

OXO: Sign up to get on the OXO mailing list, and get occasional opportunities to test out their new kitchen or household products. I’m a HUGE fan of OXO so I love this one.
Carmex: Join the Carmex Blog Squad! I’ve been a part of this for a couple of years now… There’s no payment for posts, but you get to try out a lot of fun Carmex products, and offer giveaways to your readers. {And it’s crazy – some of my most popular giveaways have been for Carmex bundles of goodies.} In addition to trying out the products, you often get cool branded merchandise – I have a cozy yellow Carmex hoodie I love, and my yellow summer striped Carmex boat tote is one of my fave bags for the pool :) Lots of fun if you’re a fan of Carmex.
OnStar: If you’re a current user of OnStar, they’re looking for a select group of bloggers to work with them on a long-term ambassadorship program, including an immersion trip to Detroit in early November. Apply here to learn more.
PDX Kids Reviewer: If you’re in the Portland area, have kids, and like fun, then check this out – Apply to Become a PDX Kids Calendar’s Online Reviewer. You have to commit to being able to meet their deadlines, and a few other basic requirements, but it sounds like a great way to see some cool new stuff in the area. I wish I lived closer!
Sunoco: Apply for the Sunoco Blogger Program – let them know what types of posts you’re interested in working on, such as giveaways, sponsored posts, guest posts, etc. And they’ll be in touch with new opportunities that are a good fit for you. I’ve never worked with them yet – although I did apply. If you have worked with them – leave some feedback comments below so we can all learn more :)

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 6, 2013 Filed Under: Blogging Resources, Weekly Opp's | 3 Comments

Free Books and Cheeseburgers

In my house, eating healthy is important. Abby is starting to learn the difference between “healthy foods,” and things like candy and cookies. I have a big veggie garden, fruit trees, and am learning to can and freeze some of that delish harvest for the winter months. But, even though I am on a big mission to help my family live cleaner and greener, I still think there’s room for fun foods – things that aren’t that healthy, but sure taste good.

As with all things in life I try to live by the 80/20 rule – 80% healthy foods, 20% splurges. And one of Abby’s favorite splurges is a Happy Meal from McDonald’s. Like, it’s her F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E. You know that scene from Cinderella, where they sing the “Sweet Nightingale” song? {The video below can jog your memory if you need it…}

Well, Abby was watching this recently. And you know how little kids will try to fake sing a song? {She just turned 3 in late July.} They’ll kind of silently move their mouths, getting a word in every now and again, as they try to learn the song? Well, I’m watching Abby do that, thinking how cute it was, when suddenly she starts singing along, with her own lyrics….

“Sweet, sweet Happy Meal. Sweet, sweet, Happy Meal. I-a-a-a-aiiii, I love you….”

Seriously, I was like Ron Burgundy. I was in a glass case of emotion – so many feelings going on…. It was the most precious little moment watching her sing so incredibly serious and sweet. It was also one of the funniest things I’d ever heard in my life. I was laughing, crying, and ooh-ing and ahh-ing all at the same time. This silly girl is definitely my kid. :)

Well, we recently stopped at her beloved McDonald’s to get her favorite – a cheeseburger Happy Meal, with fries and apple slices {lucky for me, the apples are her favorite part!} – plus a low fat chocolate milk. Did you know that McDonald’s has dedicated the whole month of November to supporting the importance of reading in kid’s lives? Yep, every day this month they’ll be encouraging kids to read by including a book in every Happy Meal sold. [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 5, 2013 Filed Under: Food | 4 Comments

Nabi 2 Disney Special Edition – See it in Action

Looking for the best kids tablet? Look no further… Let me introduce you all to the nabi 2 Disney Edition, available this holiday season from my fave peeps over at Best Buy. {I received a complimentary nabi 2 tablet to test out for this review – everything that follows are my own honest rambling opinions, as always…}

I am super lucky-ducky to have gotten to work with the Best Buy team for the past year or so, and I’ve gotten to try out a lot of their super cool new products as they come out. And while this is of course a ton of fun for us – the real goal is so that I can share some real-life feedback about these sweet new gadgets with you guys. You know, the stuff you really want to know about. You can find the product specs and technical info on the websites – but you want the skinny on how they work in real life, with real crazy kids. So, I’m here to give you some {hopefully!} helpful insight into one of the hottest holiday gift items of the season – a kids tablet that rocks for little ones and their parents. Check it…

I can’t believe all of the technology that exists for kids these days. I hate to show my age, but…. When I was a kid, we had an Atari. I remember the excitement of things like the first Nintendo. The Walkman and cassette tapes. Heck – do you remember how freakin’ awesome it was to play Oregon Trail on a computer? My nephews don’t believe me that when I was in middle school a kid having a cell phone was unheard of – in high school the cool kids just started to carry pagers. What a long way the world of tech has come, right? My oldest nephew has friends in 3rd grade with nicer iPhones than I have, and every kid has a tablet on their Christmas list this year. And, the nabi gives you some serious power and programs, at a price that won’t blow your whole holiday budget. [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 5, 2013 Filed Under: Tech Tips, Featured Tech, Holiday Gift Ideas | 8 Comments

Holiday Custom Candle Giveaway!

Welcome to the Lissy’s Lit Wicks Candle Company Giveaway! With the holidays coming, everyone can use some beautifully scented new candles, right? Whether they’re for gifts for your own home – you’ll LOVE these amazing candles from Lissy’s Lit Wicks. And you’ll love them even more if you win them!

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Sponsored by: Lissy’s Lit Wicks Candle Company

Candles are among the top gifts given during the holiday season. May that be to a teacher, coworker, friend or family member – candles are an easy gift that keeps on giving for many hours beyond the first time they are lit! Lissy of Lissy’s Lit Wicks Candle Company aspires to bring you beautiful, handpoured candles with unique and exciting scents like Merlot, Vanilla Pumpkin Pie and even Reindeer Poop! With jars to fit all occasions from mason style or fun martini glasses – Lissy has something for everyone on your holiday list! The candles are 100% soy and burn beautifully, as Krista from Savory Savings can attest to in her review!

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