Never Stay At Home Mom's Gift Idea & Giveaway: Ritzpix Personalized Travel Mug or Photo Mug

As a never-stay-at-home mom I love being able to take my kids with me when I travel... sometimes...

The kids are never really far from my thoughts or my heart, but I can say that this past weekend at SoFabCon was a refreshing change from hotel travelling with the kids - I had one roommate instead of four, I had my own bed and no one hogged the covers, and we came to an amicable schedule for showering and getting ready that didn't involve any whining, dragging of feet or tantrums... There was no one banging doors or hiding in the closet and if I put something down it stayed down... but I didn't want to go without taking something of my kids so when RitzPix.com offered to let me poke around their site and make a photo gift, I knew that I had hit on something that I could personalize and would totally fit into my lifestyle: A Travel Mug!

The RitzPix.com site lets you design unique photo gifts including mugs, shirts, iPhone cases, photo books and more. It’s a great place to go when gift shopping for Mother’s Day, Father’s day or even graduation gifts.  It was really simple to browse the site and they offer scrolling coupons in the upper right hand corner of their site to let you get more bang for your buck!

I quickly found exactly what I wanted, the stainless steel travel mug - 

• Photos applied directly to steel surface for a reflective metallic look
• Travel Mugs hold 14oz. and include lid
• $24.99 Each

The whole process only took about ten minutes, including the time I took hemming and hawing between cute photos of my kids to upload my picture and place my order!  Within a week I had my new mug in hand and I was ready to take my kids to SoFabCon in spirit!  It was so easy that I added a latte mug to my order for when I actually get to have a drink at home!

The only thing I wish is that there was a way to request an opaque white background for the stainless steel travel mug, but I truly do like how they came out.  The travel mug itself has a great lid with a twist open spout and very few parts which makes it really easy to hand wash - neither mug is dishwasher safe because of the custom photography.  The stainless steel mug has great insulation and worked great to transport hot beverages!   Of course I had to pack it in my checked baggage or bring it to the airport empty, but it was a great way to bring my kids with me on my travels... if you've got a never stay at home mom or dad in your life or a graduate heading off to school that would love a reminder of home, you should check out ritxpix.com for a great photo gift!

One lucky Acting Balanced reader will win a $20 RitzPix.com GC - just fill out the rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Gift Guide - Plan 2 Bee Planner Review

Is there someone on your holiday shopping list who chronically adds "Be healthier, eat better, lose weight, make more time for myself" to their list of New Year's Resolutions?  Or are you that someone?  I want to introduce you to Plan 2 Bee - a different kind of planner and one that can help you set and track goals, change negative habits into positive ones and still keep track of your busy life...

MMMmonday - Hallee's Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

It's been a while since I've shared a recipe that I got from my friend and fellow blogger, Hallee the Homemaker, but I've been starting to put together Christmas gifts and I found this one tucked into my notes from September of this year... 


Hallee is an inspiration to me - she's really worked hard to take food back to the basics and has cut out processed foods and more from her family's diet, she even grinds her own flour!


I knew this recipe would be fabulous because Hallee has a whole family of taste testers and the first time I made it, my family concurred:


Hallee said:

I’m not a fan of the packaged seasoning mixes only because they contain ingredients other than the spices.  I haven’t been using them now for about two years and haven’t missed using them yet.

and so I offer you her version of Taco Seasoning Mix (and my additions/substitutions)


Ingredients:
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground oregano (or you can substituted dried/crushed)
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt - I substitute celery salt


I add:
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp turmeric 
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper - if you like some kick


Directions: Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container!


When I give this as a gift, I triple or better the recipe and fill a large spice jar or small mason jar.


Do you have any other great suggestions for holiday gifts?  Have a great recipe of any sort on your blog?
Link it up here and share it:

Fabulous Giveaway from BBC America and Acting Balanced

This Holiday Season, The BBC America Shop invites you to discover the perfect Holiday gifts. Simply click to visit the site:http://bit.ly/BBCHoliday-2010.  There are so many great gifts to choose from, including all of the ones featured in the great prize package below!

In addition, the BBC America Shop is giving you the opportunity to win a pair of $500 gift card (one for you and one for a friend!).  The gift card is redeemable toward purchases at bbcamericashop.com.  Hurry because this contest will end on December 15^th.  Click here to enter the contest: http://on.fb.me/BBC-Sweeps2010

In Addition, One lucky Acting Balanced Subscriber (in the US) will win this fabulous Prize Pack:

 

Keeping Up Appearances: Deck the Halls with Hyacinth DVD

When it comes to snobbery, Hyacinth Bucket is in a class of her own! Tireless social climber Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced ‘Bouquet,’ of course!) puts her best foot forward in this high-class comedy’s favorite specials.

 

Are You Being Served? Christmas DVD

The holidays drive some store workers to do some really funny things. That’s why there’s plenty of laughter in store as the unbelievably quirky Grace Brothers sales clerks make merry in four classic comic Christmas specials presented uncut and lovingly restored.

Charlie & Lola, Volume 11: I Really Really need Actual Ice Skates DVD

First she begged Granny and Grandpa for a scooter, but now Lola has decided that she wants a pair of real, actual ice skates. Everyone is dubious. Charlie reminds her she felt the same about her old yo-yo and Dad warns her that he doesn't want to find the ice skates in the bottom of her closet. But Lola is adamant, she needs actual ice skates because they are sparkly and white, and when she gets them, she will be the best ice skaterer in the whole school.

 

Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 1985 plus 1983 and 1984 Christmas Specials DVD

The world's longest-running sitcom, from Roy Clarke (Keeping Up Appearances), is back with more adventures featuring everyone's favorite senior delinquents! Compo, Clegg and Foggy attempt to settle a question involving Nora's feet, to keep Britain tidy with the Dewhirst Campaign for a Cleaner Countryside, and to show Digby's donkey who's boss. Filmed on location in the Yorkshire Dales.

Robbie the Reindeer DVD

Follow Robbie through a pair of hilarious and hip animated adventures in this multi-award-winning animation that the whole family will love.

Spot’s Magical Christmas DVD

Spot the perfect holiday gift! The delightful star of Eric Hill's beloved children's books joins his friends as they embark on a special magical ride to help find Santa's special Christmas sleigh-before it's too late. As a reward for his help, Spot finds a big surprise under the tree on Christmas morning! Bonus episode: Spot's Winter Sports, featuring Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), plus two games. As seen on Playhouse Disney.

 

And…a Big Ben Ornament (for your tree!) & Lemon Soap (milled soaps will fill your home with a refreshing citrus fragrance)

The rules:

This giveaway will run until December 14th at 11:59pm and is open only to residents if the USA. 

Each entry must be made by separate comment.

Winner will be chosen by random.org, their entry verified and they will be notified by email and blog post and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit the BBC America Store and tell me something else you like

Bonus Entries (Separate comment required for each entry)

Follow Acting Balanced/Chascouponmom on Twitter (leave twitter name)

Follow Acting Balanced on Google Friend Connect

Like Acting Balanced on Facebook 

Subscribe to Acting Balanced by email (must be complete)

tweet this giveaway (1x per day):

" I want to #WIN a BBC America prize Pack @chascouponmom /Acting Balanced 

http://tinyurl.com/2wyw7pg #giveaway ends 12/14 "

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post and comment here to tell me (up to 3 per day)

+ 2 Enter any Book Giveaway on Acting Balanced (2 comments)

Product Review and Giveaway - Greenleaf Gifts!

I always love stumbling on local companies with web presence to spotlight on my blog and when I stumbled across the opportunity to find out more about Greenleaf Gifts, a candle and fragrance company based in South Carolina, I jumped on it...

The Story Of Greenleaf

Our expertise in fragrance, color, wax, product formulations and packaging differentiates us from other lines in this industry. We strive to coordinate all of these attributes to yield a superior quality fragrance. The fragrances we offer vary from the simple warmth of Cinnamon to more complex fine fragrances like Bamboo & Blossoms, Blushing Tulips, or Classic Linen. To guarantee consistency across the product lines (candles, potpourri or aerosol, etc), each and every fragrance is specifically formulated to provide the strong and "true to the end" fragrance our customers have come to associate with Greenleaf.

Greenleaf sent me a selection of products to try in some of their yummy new fragrances:

 I received their new Holiday Candle in Wintercream scent... The beautiful container glows wonderfully when lit, and the package is definitely gift worthy!  As for the scent, Wintercream is a  "Soft and lovely blend of creamy vanilla and sensual amber and musk" I am a huge fan of vanilla, but others in my family find that it's too sweet a scent.. but this candle adds just enough hints of amber and musk to take the sweetness to a new level and make it comforting rather than cloying.  This is a great candle for the holidays because it will blend in with other scents as you bake or hang the greenery around your home.




I also got to try two products in their holiday Gathering scent -



"Gathering's Scent is a welcoming warm vanilla with spicy clove and cassia oil, blended with sweet pumpkin and sprinkled with ginger nutmeg, carrot seed and cardamom"


The traditional "Signature Candle" is beautifully boxed for giving as well... and lets you see the beautiful color of the candle through the sturdy glass container.  The weight of this candle will surprise you!  This candle burns beautifully and the wick is easy to light and so far it has exceeded my expectations on burn time... it has been burning regularly in my home since I received it and it's still going strong!  I love how spicy this candle smells - it's been a great transitional candle between Autumn and Christmas - the clove and pumpkin keep reminding me of the best of holiday baking without actually screaming pumpkin pie.


I also received the Room Spray in Gathering - this aerosol room spray is scented just right to add fragrance, but not odor to the room... I'm not usually a room spray kinda girl, but this has definitely been a good way to scent the house when I've been too tired to light the candles.

Finally, I have to say that one of my favorite things to receive was their Dillon Reed Diffuser  in Merry Memories.  The Merry Memories scent is fabulous!  It combines cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and pear to bring everything about the holidays together for me.  I love that the reed diffuser is a subtle way to bring the scent into the room and I don't have to worry about the flame of a candle... I keep this one in my bedroom.


Again, the packaging of the reed diffuser makes it giftable and the diffuser itself blends into any decor.  This diffuser has been so popular that when I went to get the link from their website, I saw that all four holiday scents were out of stock!  


There is a fourth scent in the Holiday Collection, Silver Spruce, that I wasn't able to try because one of my household isn't a big fan of any 'woodsy' scents, but given the description, I can tell you that I think I'll be sneaking something into my next order to see what he thinks... "Fresh wintery aroma of crisp Siberian Fir and cedarwood, softened with sandalwood"


Greenleaf Gifts were great to work with and I received my order quickly and it was well packaged against shipping dangers.  These products are all high quality and display beautifully, so whether you are looking to add holiday cheer to your own home, or for that perfect gift, I can't recommend Greenleaf Gifts more highly!  Greenleaf Gifts also offer a whole range of high quality home decor, spa and other fragranced items in their year round collections.

Greenleaf Gifts is also offering a giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

 will get the comforting fragrance of the Wintercream Holiday Candle (value $24).

This giveaway is open to US residents in the lower 48 States and cannot be shipped to a PO Box.

This giveaway ends on December 8th, 2010 at 11:59PM EST

All entries will be verified if selected as the winning entry by random.org.

Mandatory Entry 

(must be completed before bonus entries can be counted)

Visit Greenleaf Gifts and tell me what other product(s) you would choose.

Bonus Entries (one entry per activity - please leave a separate comment for each one):

Like Greenleaf Gifts on Facebook

Follow Greenleaf Gifts on Twitter

Follow Acting Balanced/Chascouponmom on Twitter
Tweet about this giveaway (1x per day - leave link)

" #Win a beautiful Wintercream Candle from Acting Balanced/ @chascouponmom and @greenleafgifts http://bit.ly/g4Iw6o  #giveaway ends 12/08  "

Follow on Google Friend Connect
Like Acting Balanced on Facebook 
Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page (1x per day - leave link)

Subscribe to Acting Balanced by email

Leave a comment on a non-contest post (1x per day - let me know where)

Product Review and Giveaway - JUMBiES

Are you looking for a unique gift for the stuffed animal collector that has it all?  Something they don't have of course... and this holiday season, the answer is JUMBiES!


Product Description 
JUMBiES are Jumbled Babies! They are a result of the storks crashing into each other and jumbling up all the baby animals!  So a Duck and a Monkey becomes a Duckey!...and a Dingo and a Bat becomes a Dingbat!  Each JUMBiE comes with its own mini comic book and POG.  JUMBiES also have their own D.O.J (Date of Jumble) and motto.  These cute whimsical animals really ignite the imagination of children and adults alike!

My review:


I received two JUMBiES for review, planning to give one to each of my older children... but lo and behold, my twelve year old stuffed animal collector claimed them both for her collection!


We got the Moosecow and the Pigbit to review.

  

Robyn really appreciated that these toys weren't perfect and weren't rejected either... It reminded us of the Christmas special with the "Island of Misfit Toys"



These toys are a great learning opportunity to talk to your children about people and animals who may have differences... much more of a conversation starter than say, webkinz or beanie babies.  The comic book that comes with the JUMBiES offers their background and a great way to introduce your child to their new 'pet'.  


There is also an online site at www.jumbieland.com - while not as extensive as webkinz, there are some cute games and activities for elementary school age children and some printable pictures for younger kids.  


Check out the whole line of JUMBiES including these cute little guys:

Camelot

Zelephant  

WIN YOUR OWN JUMBIE!  TWO WINNERS!

Contest is open US Residents only and will end on November 30/2010 at 11:59 PM.  Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here on Acting Balanced and emailed.  Winner will have 48 hours to register and claim their prize.

Mandatory Entry: 

Visit www.jumbieland.com and tell me what you like about JUMBiES in the comments below!

Bonus Entries (Leave a separate comment for each):

+ 1 Like The JUMBiES on Facebook

+1 Follow JUMBiEs on Twitter

+ 1 Bonus entry Follow Acting Balanced/Chascouponmom on Twitter (leave twitter name)

+ 1 Bonus entry Follow Acting Balanced on Google Friend Connect

+ 1 Bonus entry Like Acting Balanced on Facebook 

+ 1 Bonus entry Subscribe to Acting Balanced by email (must be complete)

+1 Bonus entry Leave a comment on a non-contest post and comment here to tell me where you posted (1x per day)

+1 Bonus entry - Tweet this (1x day) -

I want to #WIN a @jumbies from Acting Balanced/ @Chascouponmom http://bit.ly/hHgWSG #giveaway ends 11/30

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Gift Ideas for the DIY person in your life!

The Home Depot's Gift Center has released a line of amazing Husky Hand Tools all for under $20.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gifts or stocking stuffers for dad or the special DIYer, contractor or tool aficionado in your life, The Home Depot’s Gift Center has a wide variety of Husky Tools - all of which are under $20 and some even under $5 – from which to choose. Husky Tools is offering a diverse selection of must-have tools in the Gift Center at an impressively low cost.

check out this great idea for just $4.88:

or this one for  the mechanic in your life, only $14.88



I personally like this one for me- 
53-Piece Workbench Screwdriver Set ($14.88) 

Complete Screwdriver set with Full Size Ratcheting Screwdriver, Interchangeable Precision Ratcheting Handle and 11 Different Standard Screwdrivers 
Includes 30 Standard and 10 Precision Bits
Rubberized Grip Maximizes Comfort and Torque
High-Visibility Vertical-Stack Clear Storage Case



Check out your local Home Depot for these and other great gift ideas ftom Husky!

You can check out more at