First, let me tell you about the pair of No Gap Lee Jeans I received last month (or was it October?). (Note to self: Check your editorial calendar more often and actually abide by it.)

These jeans have a band of elastic inside the top of the jeans so that when you bend over, you aren’t giving away the store. Or something like that. It’s not that crinkly elastic waist your mom used to make in those homemade pants (and, dude, I know about the crinkly waistbands). Nope. It’s completely hidden and it’s quite comfortable. In fact, not only does the elastic keep the back of your jeans from gapping when you sit or bend, it keeps your tummy in check too! Suh-weet. I love it when a plan comes together (and can keep my body contained).

So here’s my low-down of the No Gap Lee Jeans. I like them a lot. They have a dressy dark wash and are perfect for the days I want to take it up a notch and wear heels to lunch with my friends or have dinner with my husband. The elastic is comfortable and not binding and, as I said, has the added bonus of holding in the fluff of my stomach. One of the things I loved about the jeans is also something I wished were different: the length. Since I’m right on the cusp of petite (I’m 5’5″), I have a hard time finding a length that works for me. The petite or short lengths tend to be a tad too short and the regular lengths tend to be too long. So, this isn’t really a problem with Lee, it’s just in general. But if you have the short legs like I do, just be aware that the No Gap Lee Jeans are great with heels.

Would you like to win a pair of Lee jeans for yourself? Well, in honor of its 120th birthday, Lee is giving away 120 pairs of jeans each day in December on their Facebook Fan page. Did you read that right? 120 PAIRS OF JEANS PER DAY! That’s 3,720 pairs of jeans this month. Your odds are pretty good, wouldn’t you say? The contest starts December 1 and runs for the entire month of December.

And now some Lee trivia (because I am a complete sucker for interesting information I can whip out at the Christmas party). Lee’s innovations through the years include:

1911: Lee introduces the overall
1926: Lee produces the first zipper fly
1949: Lady Lee Riders was introduced to the women’s market
1964: Lee introduces the first no-iron pants
2007: Lee introduces the Natural Fit instantly slimming tummy panel
2009: Lee introduces Slender Secret, an ultra-stretch slimming jean for every woman

This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to Steve G., Roxanna, & Sky! I’ll be contacting you via e-mail and you’ll have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you, then I’ll have to choose a new winner. Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to Little Debbie for providing the prizes!

Those of you who watch your feedreaders faithfully, waiting for the thrill of the Don’t Try This at Home update . . . today I reward you! Your waiting has not been in vain, my friends. I come bearing a giveaway.

I have loved Little Debbie snacks since I was a little girl. My favorites back then were the Nutty Bars, Star Crunch, and the Swiss Cake Rolls (which I still crave). A few months ago Little Debbie approached me with the opportunity to try their new 100-calorie snacks and I fell in love again. Hello? You mean you just give me a smaller portion but keep the flavor? I’ll take a full flavor, smaller-sized snack over a cardboard snack any day! Then, a few weeks ago, I received another box from Little Debbie, this time filled with five boxes of individually-wrapped muffins. Oh sweet snacks of love! I’m here to tell you I love me some muffins. And Chili, Jr.? Unabashedly devoted to muffins. And Max? He’s macho about it, but yessirree, he loves the muffins too.

So we’ve tried them all: blueberry, cranberry & orange, chocolate chip, double chocolate, and lemon. My favorite is the cranberry & orange; it’s great for a quick breakfast with some hot (who am I kidding?) ICED tea. They are also just the right size for a snack. Which is one of the things I like about the 100-calorie snacks and these muffins–they aren’t a meal. So many snacks today are as big as a meal or hold as many calories as two meals. These are actual snacks that take the edge off your hunger until you can eat a healthy meal. The only complaint I have? I wish Little Debbie would use real sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup. But that’s hardly a Little Debbie issue, I wish everyone would stop using HFCS. It would just be completely awesome if Little Debbie led the way.

So! We love the muffins! We love Little Debbie! And we want to share the love with you! Three winners will receive their very own boxes of Little Debbie muffins to try. Your package will include all five flavors we tried: blueberry, cranberry & orange, chocolate chip, double chocolate, and lemon. Are you interested in winning? Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Little Debbie snack is or your favorite Little Debbie snack memory. You won’t win if you don’t follow that rule. Comments like “I wanna win” or “Pick me” won’t be chosen.

Also, don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because, hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.

Finally, the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday, June 12 and contact you that same day via e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your spam folder!

I’ve told you my favorite snacks, but my favorite memory is running in from playing outside and knowing that my mom would always have Little Debbies waiting for us in the pantry. Seriously. There was never a time when I didn’t have access to a Nutty Bar, a Swiss Cake Roll, or a Star Crunch depending on what my fancy was. That’s a pretty good memory to have, don’t you think? Now let’s hear yours.

Congratulations to Mel, A Dramatic Mommy; Michelle at Scribbit; and PastormacsAnn!

I have a treat for you today! Literally! How would you like to win your very own big box filled with several smaller boxes of Little Debbie 100 calorie snack cakes? I'm here to say, YUM! Yes, I've tasted them. Yes, they're good.

Here's the deal: These aren't stale knock-off Little Debbie cakes. These are the full-flavor snacks, but they are much smaller (hence the 100 calories). Now, at first you may think they are too small to satisfy. I hear you. I had the same thought. However, think about it this way: portion sizes are out of control. Do you really need that whole thing to be satisfied? Probably not. You most likely just need a taste to get past the craving. These snack cakes provide that. So, if one of your resolutions is to watch your portions this year, Little Debbie has you covered.

I have three of these prizes to give away! Are you interested in winning? Leave me a comment telling me what your New Year's Resolution is. Is it portion control? No carbs? More exercise? Nothing at all?
Tell me. That's it. Easy peasy. You won't win if you don't follow that
rule. Comments like "I wanna win" or "Pick me" won't be chosen.

Also, don't enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don't get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you're anonymous? Just sayin'.
   

Finally, the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only.
• You don't have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I'll pick a winner on Friday, January 16 or so and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. I'll send you the e-mail address of my LD contact. You have four days to respond to the LD contact and give him your name and mailing address. If he doesn't hear from you within the four-day deadline, I'll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you're checking your
  spam folder!

Pssst! I’m doing a giveaway at one of my other blogs, Blogging Basics 101. It’s for an amazing and oh-so-sexy Epson Artisan 800 All-In-One printer. Head over there and check it out!

While you’re visiting BB101, you may find it’s a wealth of information. Why not subscribe to the blog?

This giveaway is closed.

Congratulations to Tracy.

Another day where I’d like to keep the prize for myself, but I already said I’d give it to whoever wins on Friday. Stupid ethics.

Without further ado, I offer you a very fashionable serving tile (12 inches by 12 inches, I believe) and coordinating beaded spreader. These tiles come in all sorts of colors and patterns at Spiffy Spoonz, but I fell in love with the cheetah print and Chilihead, Jr. gave it her stamp of approval as well. How could I go against an endorsement like that? It’s gorgeous. You’ll love it.

In case you missed it yesterday, here is my gushing spiel on Spiffy Spoonz. Seriously, y’all. I love this company.

Holly Loyd is my personal friend and the genius behind Spiffy Spoonz. She hand-beads each piece and even does custom orders. If you don’t win here, please
consider buying something from her site for yourself or a teacher or a
secretary or as a stocking stuffer or whatever. I’m sure you’ll find a
reason!

Are you interested in winning? Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite get together is. Is it hosting book club? A family Thanksgiving? An impromptu coffee? Tell me. That’s it. Easy peasy. You won’t win if you don’t follow that rule. Comments like "I wanna win" or "Pick me" won’t be chosen.

Also, don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.
   

Finally, the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only because I’m nothing if not cheap.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday, October 31 (or Saturday, November 1) and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by
  then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your
  spam folder.

Don’t forget to check out the other giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Congratulations to Carol.

I love today’s giveaway. In fact, I’m really almost ready to chuck the giveaway and keep these things for myself. They are that gorgeous. I won’t, though, because I love my readers and I’m happy you’re here, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah.

Today’s giveaway is a set of serving pieces from Spiffy Spoonz: I’m offering the pie server and the slotted spoon. They have coordinated beading in green and black. The slotted spoon has a round green bead with black spots; the pie server has three small square beads in the same green, black, and a deep red that looks almost black. Beautiful!

Holly Loyd is my personal friend and the genius behind Spiffy Spoonz. She hand-beads each piece and even does custom orders. If you don’t win here, please consider buying something from her site for yourself or a teacher or a secretary or as a stocking stuffer or whatever. I’m sure you’ll find a reason!

Are you interested in winning? Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Thanksgiving side dish is (recipes welcome, but not mandatory). That’s it. Easy peasy. You won’t win if you don’t follow that rule. Comments like "I wanna win" or "Pick me" won’t be chosen.

Also, don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.
   

Finally, the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only because I’m nothing if not cheap.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday, October 31 (or Saturday, November 1) and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by
  then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your
  spam folder.

Don’t forget to check out the other giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Congratulations to Kimberly B. (@ msn).

You are going to love today’s giveaway! I have a beaded pie server from Spiffy Spoonz.This particular pie server has two brown beads with black spots–cheetah style.

Holly Loyd is my personal friend and the genius behind Spiffy Spoonz. She hand-beads each piece and even does custom orders. If you don’t win here, please
consider buying something from her site for yourself or a teacher or a
secretary or as a stocking stuffer or whatever. I’m sure you’ll find a
reason!

Are you interested in winning? Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite pie is (recipes welcome, but not mandatory). That’s it. Easy peasy. You won’t win if you don’t follow that rule. Comments like "I wanna win" or "Pick me" won’t be chosen.

Also, don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.
   

Finally, the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only because I’m nothing if not cheap.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday, October 31 (or Saturday, November 1) and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by
  then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your
  spam folder.

Don’t forget to check out the other giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Congratulations to CanCan (Mom Most Traveled)

Today is the first day of the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival! Everyone who’s anyone is playing along and offering goodies. If you’re not there, you should be!

I will be offering something every day this week. And not crappy stuff, either. Stuff you’d want. Stuff you could actually give as gifts. Even today.

Today I give you the gift of family time in the form of two DVDs: Hoot and Little Women.

Hoot: (Description from Amazon.com) Based on the
best-selling book, Hoot is a classic story that is fun for all ages.
When a boy and his classmates realize that a population of endangered,
burrowing owls is threatened by new construction, the kids decide to
take on crooked politicians and bumbling cops in the hope of saving
their new friends.

Little Women: (Description from Amazon.com)A stirring look at life in New England during the Civil
War, Little Women is a triumph for all involved. We follow one
family as they split into the world, ending up with the most
independent, the outspoken Jo (Winona Ryder). This time around, the
dramatics and conclusions fall into place a little too well, instead of
finding life’s little accidents along the way. Everyone now looks a bit
too cute and oh, so nice. As the matron, Marmee, Susan Sarandon kicks
the film into a modern tone, creating a movie alive with a great
feminine sprit. Kirsten Dunst has
another showy role. The young ensemble cast cannot be faulted, with
Ryder beginning the movie in a role akin to light comedy and
crescendoing to a triumphant end worthy of an Oscar. –Doug Thomas

Are you interested in winning? Leave me a comment telling me what your family does for family night. That’s it. Easy peasy. You won’t win if you don’t follow that rule. Comments like "I wanna win" or "Pick me" won’t be chosen.

Also, don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.
   

Finally, the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only because I’m nothing if not cheap.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday, October 31 (or Saturday, November 1) and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by
  then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your
  spam folder.

Don’t forget to check out the other giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

This giveaway is closed.

Congratulations to

• Frances
• Shelby (@ hotmail)
• Terra (@ aol)
• Herb of Grace

I met a wonderful marketing rep for Starbucks at BlogHer08. She was kind enough to send me some coupons for the new Vivanno drink Starbucks is offering

From Starbucks: With a whole banana, our proprietary whey protein and fiber powder, your choice of milk, ice, all-natural Naked juice, and not a drop of artificial sweeteners, this refreshing beverage has nothing to hide.

Vivanno comes in two flavors: Mango Orange Banana and Chocolate Banana.

I’m giving four winners a chance to try a Vivanno for free. All you have to do is comment on this post. That’s it. Easy peasy.

The only thing I ask is that you don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.

And the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only because I’m nothing if not cheap.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail address.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by
  then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your
  spam folder.

This giveaway is closed.

Congratulations to Megret and Angela.

You want to know what busy is? Busy is when you have so many projects and vacations (both great) that you don’t have time to participate in your own Bloggy Giveaways Carnival. It’s true. I missed my own carnival. It’s a talent, friends.

Today, though, I have a giveaway you are going to love: SpiffySpoonz. These spoons are made by a friend of mine and they are beautiful. They are also truly affordable and make perfect hostess gifts and teacher gifts. Heck, they’d be a great gift for everyone.

I’m giving away two serving spatulas. (Two winners will each receive one spatula.) These are not the kind of spatula that went missing in the Great Rice Krispy Treat Debacle. These are sturdy serving spatulas you can use to serve anything from pie to casserole to whatever you put on the table (except soup–not so good for soup–but you can buy a spiffy soup server).

All I’m asking you to do is visit Spiffy Spoonz and look at her awesome products. Then come back here and tell me what your favorite was. That’s it. Of course, you’ll probably either want to a) buy something right now in case you don’t win it or b) bookmark the site for later gift purchases. Trust me on this one.

The only thing I ask is that you don’t enter more than once because duplicate entries will mean that you don’t get any
entries. Just so you know and all. And no anonymous comments because,
hello? How can I contact you if you’re anonymous? Just sayin’.

And the rest of the rules:

• This giveaway is open to US residents only because I’m nothing if not a total procrastinator and cheap to boot.
• You don’t have to be a blogger to play along, but you do have to have an e-mail.
• I’ll pick a winner on Friday and contact you that same day via
  e-mail. You have four days to respond. If I don’t hear from you by
  then, I’ll have to choose a new winner. Make sure you’re checking your
  spam folder.