Fun — Page 23

{Memorial Day Deals} Perpetual Kid: Deals, Coupon Codes + MORE!

I am SUCH a fan of Perpetual Kid! They have such fun stuff, and great sales. Check out some of the great summer stuff they have available…

The Ketchup Charlie is a cap that goes on your ketchup bottle, and then it squirts out super gross to the absolute enjoyment of any little boys you have… Ours LOVE it. The beer bottle grips can also be used with soda, and they make a HUGE difference in keeping your drink cold.

The giant gummy bear would keep the kids busy on the 4th of July BBQ’s, at least for a few minutes, lol. And I’m lovin’ the sword and mask for grilling… So funny!

So make sure to check out their great Memorial Day Weekend Sale and get some fun stuff for your summer BBQ’s too!

Shutterfly Freebies and Deals!

Get some great deals from Shutterfly this weekend!

Address Labels: Use code ANRJ-B64D-SFH4-F21WM0 to get FREE Address Labels with any purchase.
Free Cards: Get 5 free 5×7 Greeting Cards, or 5×7 or 5×5 Stationery Cards with code DADCARD.
FREE Shipping: Spend $30 bucks or more and use code SHIP30 to get FREE Shipping, until June 9th.
Deals: They have tons of deals up to 50% off on gifts for Father’s Day too! Check it all out on the Shutterfly site today!

And, a few more photo deals:

Free Canvas Print: We have one of these, and it seriously is amazing. I upgraded to a bigger size, so I didn’t use the free option, I took the $50 off credit {you can choose when you get there} and now have an amazing art quality canvas print of my baby girls face. Plus, the site is super easy to use. Canvas Print.
Snapily: This is such a fun idea, and they really are pretty awesome as gifts. Snapily allows you to take 2 of your favorite photos, and animate them. 2 images rotate in the space of one photo. Get an instant Free $3 credit with this referral- Click Here.
Vistaprint: If you haven’t ordered from them yet, do it! I’ve done a couple posts you might have seen, sharing pics of some of the great stuff we’ve gotten from them. Easy to use site, products are great quality, and you can get SO many photo products for free. Free Photo Gifts.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 28, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | 1 Comment

Hate Your Cable Company?

I sure did. I’m not gonna name names, because mom always taught me that “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all.”

And man, I sure have nothing nice to say about my old cable company!

We don’t have a ton of options where I live, but I researched them ALL before switching to DirecTV. I have been {SUPER DUPER} happy since we switched. So when I saw this deal right now, I wanted to share it with you guys in case you’re looking for something new…

They rock for a few reasons…

FREE HD.
FREE Cinemax, Starz, Showtime, and HBO for the first 3 months!
FREE HD DVR and HD receiver upgrade.
FREE NFL Sunday Ticket {We have this, and oh boy, did my boyfriend LOVE me for this one!}
150 Channels for only $29.99 a month {MUCH less than I was paying before. I mean, MUCH, MUCH less.}
You only need ONE HD DVR for the all of the TV’s in your home.

This is just over-the-top better than what we had before.

No more outages or fuzzy pictures. No more inaccurate bills. No more wasting money by paying too much for service that wasn’t even any good!!

The deal right now is even a little better than what we’re getting now, so I’m going to call today and see if they’ll match it for me. Worth a shot, right?

Check it out, and let me know if you join me in making a switch! If you’re aleady a DirecTV fan, tell us why in the comments!!

{This is my own opinion about DirecTV, and my own real experience with them!!}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 26, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | 1 Comment

{Digitwirl} Back That Thing Up!

Or… How to get “Set-it-and-forget-it Computer Backup!”

Read more about this weeks Twirl:

If you thought the wails of anguish that emanate from a gazelle being attacked by a lion were horrific, that’s nothing compared to the wails of anguish that will escape your lips if your computer dies and takes everything with it.

A lifetime of photos and videos, countless files, a music library that spans the decades. Gone. Caput. The solution to this worst case scenario is simple– Carbonite.

Carbonite is a secure online backup system for your entire computer that, should disaster strike, can restore all your files onto your repaired, or new computer. We checked out a few services like this, but we think Carbonite is the best online backup system, because it has unlimited data storage for a flat rate of $59 per year. That’s right, no matter how many pictures of your daughter’s third birthday, complete with a pony-riding princess you may have Carbonite will store it all safely.

And, Carbonite backups are far from out of sight out of mind, you can access any of your files from your computer or Smartphone any time. So watch this Twirl to see how you can avoid distraught howls in favor of set-it-and-forget-it peace of mind.

So, what do you think?

If, like me, you are totally technically challenged, I bet you’re feeling a big weight lifted off of your shoulders after watching this video! Like a, “Finally an easy way to make sure I don’t lose all of my important stuff if I make a huge mistake one day and totally screw up my computer” type of feeling :) Right?

Back that thing up…

Backing up my information is one of those things that pops into my head from time to time, but since I had no idea where to start, and it seemed like something that would be way to complicated for me to figure out, I tried to ignore the whole thing.

Technology Tragedy.

About 6 months ago, the kids were all playing around in the office, and somehow {none of them will really admit to doing ANYTHING, of course} they completely fried the hard drive in my boyfriends computer. Like, everything gone. All of his photos, his work files, his programs, music, all. of. it. gone. Forever.

That made me realize how easy it can be for something to happen, and how extremely valuable the content on my computer is! What if something happened, and I lost all of my little one’s baby picture files?

Just do it.

So, this has been on my mind for awhile, which means I was SUPER EXCITED to learn about Carbonite in this video today! Just set up an account, and someone ELSE will do the work, and backup everything for me, and keep it all safe? And for only $59 a year?? Easy peasy, and I’m in!!

I’m going to be signing up for this today, and am so glad that Digitwirl shares such awesome products, services, and companies with me in short, easy to understand video presentations. Finally, I can upgrade some of my technology, because with Digitwirl, I “get” it!!

Love it? What more great tips?

Digitwirl is the weekly web show that offers simple solutions to modern day problems. In 3-minutes, Digitwirl brings busy women the very best time, money, and sanity-saving technology, and then teaches them how to use it, step-by-step. Digitwirl was created by technology lifestyle expert Carley Knobloch, who uses lots of technology to manage her busy life as mom of two and entrepreneur. Become a subscriber to get weekly show alerts and exclusive deals at Digitwirl.com, or follow Digitwirl on Twitter at @digitwirl.

Carley's Byline Pic Check out Digitwirl today!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 26, 2011 Filed Under: Deals and Coupon Codes, Shopping, Fun Stuff | No Comments

Vacation Freebies!

I put together a little list of vacation planning and travel freebies for you today…

First, travel books and kits! Learn how I use them and why I love ’em:

I love to look through and “window shop” new trips, to dream and plan for the future.
The kids LOVE the maps that come with these kits! We use them to draw out “Treasure Maps” that they trade each other, and search for toys and goodies they hide outside.
I’ve also used a couple of the maps to frame and put up on the boy’s bedroom walls. Great, cheap, decor and they love it!
Another use for the kits is to teach the kids about geography, and fun places. Learn states on the maps, have them search the travel books and tell you where they want to go and why, or look for animals. My 4 year old nephew LOVES that game.
There are crafts for you too! Maps make great background papers in a travel themed scrapbook.
These kits come with maps, glossy travel books, coupons, activities and more!

Since I’m a big fan of these kits, I thought you might be too. If you want a few free ones to check out too, check out the list:

Yellowstone: Get a free kit here Yellowstone. I’m hoping to visit here next summer.
Arkansas: Tons of guides and choices of kits here! Travel Kits.
Alaska: Really nice full size book with this one. Alaska Freebie.
Orlando: Get your choice of LOTS of free stuff, plus a discount card. Florida Freebies.
Your Choice: Browse destinations, pick travel guides that you’d like, receive guides Free by mail or download. Click Here.

Free Printable Planning Kit:

If you do plan on traveling this summer, check out this fun and FREE printable travel planning kit… Free Printable! It is meant for a Disney Trip, but would work for ANY type of trip, and I think it would be SUPER handy. Love it. Really helps keep you organized and on schedule.

And, here are a few resources that we use to find really deeply discounted travel options:

TravelZoo: Sign up for their family friendly travel newsletters for updates on deals. They go quick because they’re at a super discount, but if you can snag one they’re amazing. TravelZoo.
Disney Deal: Enjoy 5 nights of FREE accommodations, compliments of Calypso Cay Resort in Orlando, FL, when you purchase 2 tickets to any Walt Disney World theme park. Click Here to learn more.

Plus, a few tips to keep your trips fun and budget friendly:

ALWAYS pack snacks. We have a cooler with juice, water, and chocolate milk. Not just for the kids, but for us too. Less stops for drinks means less time wasted. String cheese, go-gurt, and lunchables are more great choices. Plus, let each kiddo pick out a few of their favorite snacks to bring, and pack ’em in a fun lunch box. Saves money too.
Activities! Obviously no one wants to hear whining, or “are we there yet?” So pack whatever is age appropriate and fits your family, whether its a game boy, coloring book, or picture books. I like to make pillow case kits… A sack for each kiddo with a few of their favorite things.
Also helpful, those cheap plastic trays that fit over your lap, like this Lime Sparkle Lap Tray, so each kid has a place to eat their snack and play.

That’s it! Hope some of these freebies and tips help you guys out! If you are taking a fun trip this summer, leave me a comment and tell me about it… I’d love to hear your plans! And leave a comment with a way you save money, or stay organized during travel. I love to chat :)

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 25, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies, Fun Stuff | No Comments

FREE Kids Stationery Set from Pear Tree

What an amazing free offer from one of my FAVORITE paper product companies, Pear Tree!

Here is how you get this super cute set:

Enter your email on the screen you come to here, Pear Tree.
The set will automatically be added to your cart.
Either keep browsing and shopping for a bit, or just go to check-out.
Enter your shipping info. It will give you free shipping and no tax, so you get these completely FREE!
Smile, you’re done. Now wait for this fun little freebie to show up in your mailbox!

If you love this offer, make sure to share it on facebook or twitter using the “Share” buttons below, so your friends can get this before it’s gone!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 21, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | 3 Comments

My Birthday = Gifts for YOU!

Happy Birthday to ME, Happy Birthday to Me….

This is a really terrible quality picture of my birthday cake last year. But I love it. This was a great cake. It came with plastic flower rings. How can a cake get better than that, right? And they spelled my name right. That’s always a bonus.

Anyway, in celebration of my birthday, which is coming up next weekend, May 22nd, I’m doing a few giveaways that will all end the 21st, so that I can announce winners and give away “birthday presents” to you guys on my birthday! Man, I rock, right?

So, make sure to get entered!! I don’t want you to miss out on the fun.

The BIG giveaway is this one…

The Spring Flowers Beauty Bag Giveaway {$80 Value!} Notice how the pink flowers match the pink flower rings from my birthday cake? Nice. Enter here: Win Me!!.

Next I have a fun giveaway to welcome you to my favorite product testing company, BzzAgent:

This is my most recent campaign for the new Tresemme color care line. I’m just getting ready to dye my hair again, and am excited to see if this helps keep it fresh. If you’d like to get boxes of free product like this, join me as a BzzAgent, and then sign up for MyPoints, which is how they reward your activity. Then just leave a comment right here and I’ll send the first 10 people one of the fun coupons I got in this BzzKit as a little welcome gift!

And another little giveaway…

Check out my post here: Ebates Giveaways!, and learn how you can win some pretty darn amazing prizes right now from Ebates, why it’s so awesome, and enter to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card from me, just for answering a quick question! Easy peasy, right?

I’ll make up a few more little giveaways next week too, just to add a little more fun!

And if you want to get ME a birthday present, I’d LOVE any of these gifts:

Leave some comment love on my posts!! I end many of my posts with a question asking for your opinions, but it seems like everyone is being shy :) Leave me some comments, share your experiences, add some new tips. I love conversation!
Suggest my blog, twitter, or facebook to any of your friends who would appreciate it! I love sharing fun new stuff, so of course the more people I get to share it all with, the more fun it is! And, the bigger Sunshine and Sippy Cups grows, the more cool stuff I’ll get to offer to you guys!!
Leave me a Happy Birthday message on my page on May 22nd!! I get to be a bit of an attention diva when my birthday rolls around… I’ll admit, in my early 20’s, I celebrated my birthday WEEK each year, and planned parties and events each day. What can I say? I love an excuse for a party!

So, get your name in the drawings, and look forward to a few more freebies and giveaways next week!! Have a great weekend :)