Surprise Giveaway: Tiny Prints

Are you looking for the perfect birth announcement? Do you want to get a head start on your holiday card? Or maybe you just found out your best friend is expecting and want to find the cutest shower invitation?

If you are looking for any of the above, you must check out Tiny Prints.

I have received several adorable birth announcements in recent months and many have been made by Tiny Prints. The quality of card stock and images stood out so much to me that I decided to check out tinyprints.com for myself. And I am so glad I did!

Even though I no longer have a need for birth announcements (oh yes, two children are enough for me!), with the holidays rapidly approaching, I was thrilled to see that Tiny Prints also makes photo holiday cards. They even make business products like corporate holiday cards and party favors so that companies can keep things fresh and modern.

And the good news for you today...one lucky HC&B reader will win a $50 gift certificate from Tiny Prints!

Here's how to enter:

• Check out TinyPrints.com and post a comment below telling us what item you like most and why.
• In your comment, please be sure to include your name and city/state.
• Post your comment by Midnight PST on Sunday, October 5th.

The winner will be announced some time shortly after October 5th, so please keep checking back to see if you are the winner.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Shown above: Blooming Babe Girl Photo Card; Winter Orchid Holiday Card; Snowflake Dance Business Holiday Mint Tins

Thursday's Tip: Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Image courtesy of hostessblog.com

Shoe Shopping Made Simple at Zappos.com

I used to love shoe shopping...well, that is until I had two kids in tow. Now shoe shopping is pretty non-existent, with the exception of online gazing. But I have always thought buying shoes online is such a pain because you don't know what the shoes will look like on you, and if you don't like them, you are stuck.

That all changed recently. I have a wedding I am attending in a couple of months and I need new shoes for the dress I bought. And like most moms out there, I don't have time to go shoe shopping at actual stores. Enter Zappos.com.

On this site, you can search by one or all of the following categories: style, shoe size, heel height, shoe width, color and price.

Once you have found the right shoe(s) for you, free shipping and returns are standard on all purchases. And what I love even more, you have up until a year to return your purchase...fantastic, I know!

So for any bride-to-be out there that can't decide on her wedding day shoe, you can buy as many shoes as you want, keep the one you like best with your dress, and return all the others...for free!

And, of course, even if it isn't your wedding day, you can follow this same idea.



Oh, and did I mention Zappos.com sells handbags, clothes, accessories, electronics, and lots of other cool stuff. Free shipping and returns...unless you can somehow find a better price on the shoe, you really can't beat that deal when it comes to online shopping.

Shown above GUESS by Marciano - Sharika (Black Patent) $89; Kate Spade - Hudson (Dark Grey Tweed/Grey Crocco Print) $352

Gifts for All at Delight.com

I must tell you about the wonderful cashmere robe I recently received! I absolutely love it! It is the first cashmere robe I have ever owned and it is so soft and relaxing...if a robe can be described as relaxing!

Where did I get this robe, you ask? Delight.com, of course! Delight.com is a wonderful website that features a variety of wonderful gifts. You can shop by recipient, you can shop by price, or perhaps you are more interested in "eco-delightful" items.

Bottom line, you will find something for that someone you are shopping for at Delight.com, man, woman, child, or pet!

Gifts like the Saint Tropez Hard-Case Clutch ($164.50) or The Man Can (now on sale for just $39.89) will make any family member or friend glad they know you!

But wait, there is more. Now through September 30th, any HC&B reader will receive 15% off any order from Delight.com. Simply enter the code DelightBlogFriends at checkout to receive this discount.

Happy shopping!!

(By the way, the fantastic cashmere robe I mentioned is currently not available, but I was told that it will be returning to Delight.com very soon!)

Surprise Giveaway Winner: Macy's Gift Card for Your Anniversary Ideas

As usual, your anniversary ideas were amazing. Thank you to all those who entered this fun anniversary giveaway. Some ideas were unique, others were thoughtful, and of course, some were very romantic. And some were all three tied into one.

If you are planning an anniversary celebration in the next few months, I highly recommend that you click here to see all of the wonderful ideas and options you have to honor your special day.

Luckily for me, the winner was not chosen by creativity. Entrants names' were put in a hat (yes, it took a big hat!) and my three year old son picked out a name.

And the winner is....

Heather from Naperville, IL, who said...
"Congrats on 5 years of marriage! I tend to be more sentimental for occasions like these...for our 5 year anniversary I found some old love letters we wrote to each other and make them into a book. I surprised him with them book and we read them together. Although I think he thought it was kind of sappy, I really treasured looking back at all those mushy things we used to write to each other, especially after kids."

Heather, please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your gift card.

Please stay tuned for many more giveaways coming your way very soon!

Your Favorite NKOTB Memory = Free NKOTB Tickets!

Yes, it could be that simple!

All you have to do is go to Jamsbio.com and share your favorite NKOTB story. Three lucky fans will be selected by drawing to receive a pair of tickets to see the New Kids in the city of his or her choice on the band's sold out reunion tour.

One lucky fan has already been picked, but 2 more winners will be selected on September 15th and September 18th. (But as the New Kids sing, "Get loose everybody 'cause we're gonna do our thing. 'Cause you know it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings!")

Oh, and you might be asking, what is Jamsbio.com??? It is a social community to share your life through music.

Click here to go directly to the contest!

Photo courtesy of NKOTB.com

Get Your Flags Ready

While watching the Olympics this summer, everyone seemed to get pumped up about our country - finally. But what about one of our darkest days?

I just received an email asking everyone to fly their American flags this Thursday, September 11. In honor of all those that were lost and all the heroes on that day (and the many days/weeks/months that followed), please fly an American flag. Whether it is a large flag or just a small one, let everyone know just how much this country means to you.

I Agree with Perez Hilton?!?!

MTV held their annual Video Music Awards last night, and let's just say, it was so riveting that I watched up until the season premiere of Entourage started at 10pm.

The performances were okay, and Britney Spears won 3 awards. In all seriousness, I am a fan of hers and was glad that she won. But come on, like that wasn't planned?!?! With the entertainment world revolving around the "Britney economy," they (the media) now have to try and help her make a big comeback so that everyone can make more money off her. I mean, if she faded off into obscurity, no one would be able to make thousands of dollars off one photo. And besides, the media can't tear her down until she is built back up again. (Now I know why my Criticism of Mass Media professor in college was so bitter!)

But then there was the host Russell Brand. Who??? I know he is from the U.K. but still have no idea what he does - other than annoy me. And I am so glad that MTV made sure that he was very impartial when he made his preference clear for the presidential election. (Sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm.)

But here is where I agree with Perez Hilton. He mentioned in an after show interview (yes, I pathetically watched it) that he didn't like how Brand kept bagging on the Jonas Brothers for wearing promise rings that signified their virginity. I agree with Perez, you can't bag on them for having good values and trying to lead a healthy life. And as a mom, I have to applaud them for making these values public. Hopefully, all of Brand's bashing will have a reverse psychology effect on the Jonas Brothers and their fans. For all that is good and holy, they aren't even 18!!!

Photo courtesy of MTV.com

Preschool Germs

Last week was my 3 year old's first day of preschool. He was very excited to go and had a blast playing with all the toys and meeting new friends. (Oh, and he liked the Skittle he got at the end of the class, too...he is his mother's son!) So that was Wednesday...

When he woke up from his nap on Thursday, he complained that his throat and nose hurt. (Oh that Skittle!!!) That, of course, turned into a runny and stuffed up nose, a cough and a fever the next night.

I hate seeing my little buddy not feeling well, so I am always a little stressed when he gets sick. And now with his little sister, crawling around, following him all over the house, I just don't want her to get sick either. Because, let's face it, sick kids = no sleep for parents or parents getting sick, too.

I know illnesses happen, but come on, the first day of school!?!? And now I have to decide on whether or not to take him to school tomorrow if he still has his cough and stuffy nose...what's a mom to do?

Surprise Giveaway: Macy's Gift Card for your Anniversary Ideas

In just 10 days, my husband and I will be celebrating five years of wedded bliss. In honor of this momentous occasion, one lucky HC&B reader can win a $100 Macy's gift card. (My anniversary and you are getting the gift...lucky you!!!)

We already have made plans for celebrating our anniversary, but it is always great to hear your ideas, too. So with a theme of love and wedded bliss, please share with all of us (a)how you have celebrated an anniversary in the past, (b)how you intend to celebrate an anniversary, or (c) a great anniversary gift idea.

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment with your anniversary celebration/gift idea (please keep it PG) along with your name and city/state/country.
• All comments must be received by midnight PST on Friday, September 12 to be eligible. No anonymous comments will be accepted.
• In order for your entry to be accepted, all information requested above must be included.

The winner will be posted shortly after Friday, September 12. Please keep checking back because the winner will not be contacted.

Good luck!