Twistos prize package! #recipes and #giveaway

This sponsored post is part of the Makobi Scribe Mother's Day #giveaway event - I received compensation for this post.

IT’S TIME TO TREAT YOUR TASTE BUDS… SPRING INTO A NEW SNACK ROUTINE! CHEF & COOKBOOK AUTHOR GABY DALKIN SHARES RECIPES TO TWIST UP SNACK TIME!  

Twistos has also furnished a prize package that will be great for Moms on the Go!  

GIVEAWAY: The on-the-go kit includes an insulated lunch bag with cooler pack, filtered water bottle, dunk-n-dip snack container, smart planet collapsible lunch container and (6) bags of Twistos.

Turbo is out Today! #Win your #TurboFastFun Copy #FHEInsiders #Sponsored #Giveaway

We are celebrating at our house!  Turbo is out on DVD and Blu-Ray today and one luck Acting Balanced reader will win their copy!

Laugh it up with the visually stunning, heartfelt comedy-adventure for fans of all ages this holiday season! “Fresh, fast and funny” (Lou Lumenick, New York Post) and garnering four stars from Shawn Edwards with Fox TV, DreamWorks Animation’s TURBO has been hailed by critics as “pure family fun” (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview) receiving outstanding audience reaction and a coveted “A” CinemaScore.

Directed by David Soren and from the team behind family favorite franchises MADAGASCAR and KUNG FU PANDA, TURBO is “a movie both kids AND adults will adore!” (Deidre Behar, Clevver News) and features laugh-out-loud performances from an incredible voice cast of today’s biggest stars: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolf, Michelle Rodriguez and Samuel L. Jackson.

DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo Blu-ray^™ Deluxe Edition

The TURBO Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Deluxe Edition includes an extra holiday gift, the TURBO pullback racer toy for a limited time while supplies last.

Feature film in high definition

Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features:

• Smoove Move’s Music Maker – Watch action-packed music videos featuring songs from the film 
• Meet Tito – Director David Soren provides an introduction for a scene that was deleted from the film.

• The Race – Director David Soren provides an introduction for a storyboard sequence that eventually made it into the film. Viewers can even see picture-in-picture comparison to the final cut.
• Shell Creator - Create your own shell from select-able parts 

Additional Special Features:

• Champions Corner - Host Paul Page interviews Turbo one-on-one to hear all about his racing techniques and inspirations!
• Be An Artist! – Dave Burgess, Head of Character Animation on the film, shows the audience how to draw: Turbo, Whiplash, Skidmark, Burn, Smooth Move, White Shadow, Chet and Customizable Racers. 
• Team Turbo: Tricked Out – See Turbo and all the rest of the snail crew in a break- down of the cool components that make up each of their shells.
• TURBO F.A.S.T Trailer from TV show – First look at upcoming new TV show this December

Turbo also has some great activity sheets! Just click on the ones you want and it will take you to the larger size to download!

Now, just fill out the rafflecopter form below to win your copy!

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Is your Car ready for Winter? #Sponsored #Giveaway from @Water_Savers

***This is a sponsored post - I received compensation from @Water_Savers for it's publication4

Winter is a time to get together with family and enjoy the holidays, but getting ready for the change in seasons is no small feat.  It takes time and planning to make sure your family and your home are ready to brave the elements. 

But is your car as ready as you are?  If you haven’t thought about preparations for your vehicle, these five simple tips will help you prepare for the colder months ahead.

·         Check your tires. Before the roads get slick, check your tires to be sure they aren’t worn and that they are properly inflated. You should be able to find the proper tire pressure on the inside of your driver’s side door. Cold air will cause the air in your tires to compress and may cause your tires to lose pressure, so make a note to check again later in the winter.

·         Wash and wax your car at a professional car wash. Putting your car through the car wash during the sloppiest season of the year may seem a strange idea but a thorough wash can remove harmful compounds that may cause damage when mixed with sand and road salt. Experts from the International Carwash Association also recommend a coat of wax for an extra layer of protection from the elements. Besides protecting your car, you’ll also be protecting the environment. Professional car washes can save up to 20 percent of the amount of water you’d use by washing your car at home. They do this by treating and reusing their water, rather than releasing toxic chemicals and grime into the storm drains, which can often occur when you wash your car yourself. You can learn more about the environmental benefits of a professional car wash at washwithwatersavers.com.

·         Check your brakes. Your brakes will work harder once the icy conditions of winter set in. Make sure they are up to the task by bringing your vehicle in to your mechanic for a thorough brake inspection.

·         Check fluids. In the winter, no fluid is more important than your coolant because, if you’re out of coolant, you’re out of heat. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much coolant you need as well and provide the correct blend. It’s also never a bad idea to keep an additional bottle of coolant in your car for emergencies.

·         Winter emergency kit. If you find yourself stranded by the side of the road, a winter survival kit can be very helpful. Include an ice scraper/brush, extra blankets or clothes – including hats and gloves – snacks and bottled water and a first aid kit. A small shovel can come in handy if you get stuck and a bag of cat litter can be used to provide needed traction for your tires.

Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability, and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes.  By planning ahead you can ensure that your family and your car will be in for a smooth ride all winter long.  

Prize Pack Details:

WaterSavers has created a special cold weather survival kit to help you feel prepared for winter.  

·         WaterSavers Cold Weather Survival Kit that includes:

o   First aid kit, flashlight/signal torch, 2 AA batteries, 2 emergency candles, box of safety matches, 2 hand warmers, emergency water bag (1 gallon capacity), survival compass, emergency blanket and cotton gloves. All items are packaged in heavy-duty, water and puncture resistant carry case made of 600D polyester

·         WaterSavers Tote bag

·         $20 VISA Gift Card

Just fill out the rafflecopter form below:
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Yummy Breakfast Solutions from @Publix & @Yoplait #Giveaway Sponsored by #MyBlogSpark

My sister and our friend just headed home to Toronto after visiting a week, but adding their visit to our already busy household meant that I had to make sure there were supplies on hand so that they could serve themselves breakfast... Now that they've headed home, I need to restock my supply of cereal and Greek Yogurt and I'll be heading to Publix to do just that - especially with this great deal from General Mills on two things we love ~ Cheerios and Yoplait Greek Yogurt!


Here are some great savings from Big G and Yoplait Savings at Publix that you can combine for even greater savings:

• Buy any 1 Cheerios (10.9oz or greater), get 1 Free Yoplait Greek or Greek Blended (available 10/26 - 11/15)
• Buy 10 Yoplait Greek or Greek 100 for $10 (available 10/24 – 10/30)
• BOGO MultiGrain Cheerios and other Cheerios varieties including Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, Banana Nut Cheerios, Chocolate Cheerios, Dulce de Leche Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios (available 10/24 – 10/30)

Personally, I love to add some Cheerios to my Yoplait Greek Yogurt like other people add granola, but even separately, these deals make it worth your time to make a trip to Publix! Both items are also great for Wayne to take to work and eat his breakfast 'on the go'!

Find even more savings at www.everydaysaver.com/publix

What's your favorite flavor of Cheerios?  of Greek Yogurt?  Fill out the rafflecopter form below and enter to win a $25 Publix GC!

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Review and Giveaway: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ultimate Showdown DVD set #Sponsored

I remember as kids when my brother discovered the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with his friends and so I was really pleased for my boys when Nickelodeon came out with an updated band of turtle brothers that still embody the vibe and feel of the original series.  The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ultimate Showdown contains the last twelve episodes (including the double length final episode) of the first season of the new and improved TMNT!


The episodes that are included are:

1. I, Monster
2. The Alien Agenda
3. The Pulverizer
4. TCRI
5. Cockroach Terminator
6. Baxter's Gambit
7. Enemy of My Enemy
8. Karai's Vendetta
9. The Pulverizer Returns!
10. Parasitica
11. Operation: Break Out
12. Showdown, Parts 1 and 2 (Season Finale)

Our family's review:

My boys, especially Erik are obsessed with comic book style super heroes and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are right up there with the Avengers and Spiderman in his eyes.   This 2 DVD set contains what I consider to be the twelve most exciting episodes of the first season - especially since they build to the ultimate climax - a showdown between Splinter and Shredder... 

As a mom, I appreciate how well written each episode is and how much fun all the characters are - with their quirks and strengths - it makes for fun family entertainment!

Win your copy:

Do you or your kids need to add TMNT: Ultimate Showdown to your collection?  Just fill out the rafflecopter below:

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International #Giveaway: Autographed copy of Wild Child by Molly O'Keefe #WildChild

It's Molly O'Keefe day on Acting Balanced!  The #WildChild Blog Hop is underway, Molly is guest posting about Sex and Identity: Miley Cyrus and Wild Child and we've got this great International Giveaway of an Autographed copy of Wild Child to giveaway!

Wild Child:


Monica Appleby is a woman with a reputation. Once she was America’s teenage “Wild Child,” with her own reality TV show. Now she’s a successful author coming home to Bishop, Arkansas, to pen the juicy follow-up to her tell-all autobiography. Problem is, the hottest man in town wants her gone. Mayor Jackson Davies is trying to convince a cookie giant to move its headquarters to his crumbling community, and Monica’s presence is just too . . . unwholesome for business. But the desire in his eyes sends a very different message: Stay, at least for a while.

About Molly:

Molly O'Keefe is a RITA-Award winning author with 24 novels in publication. She's won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Best Flipside in 2005 and Best Superromance in 2008. Her new series The Boys of Bishop will begin in October with Wild Child. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her family and the largest heap of dirty laundry in North America.



Enter to win your autographed copy here:
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Dreamworks Offers Scary Characters and a #GIVEAWAY Treat! #FHEInsiders

My kids love the fact that I am a Fox Home Entertainment Insider because they keep getting to watch amazing DVDs, Blu-Ray and Digital Downloads and when I told them that all three of these great movies were coming out on the same day... well they were extremely excited - and I know that whoever wins the fabulous giveaway after entering on the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post... well their family will enjoy all three of these titles:

• 1 copy of Monsters vs. Aliens: Cloning Around on DVD
• 1 copy of Kung Fu Panda: The Scorpion Sting on DVD
• 1 copy of Shrek the Musical on Blu-ray

   

Check out this post to see clips and more about each of the movies! 

The approach of Halloween means that the weather is getting cooler and it’s the perfect time of year for family movie nights on the couch at home. All of the scary movies being shown on TV aren’t exactly family friendly, so as a parent you may be finding it difficult to come up with things to watch with your little ones. Luckily for you, DreamWorks is releasing three fantastic films on DVD this month! Below, you can find out more about the characters to be watching in these family-friendly titles this Halloween.

Shrek the Musical

The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie. Called a “triumph of comic imagination” (Elysa Gardner, USA Today) that “never stints on spectacle or laughs” (David Rooney, Variety), Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album.

Shrek

Shrek may not want to welcome visitors to his home in the swamp, but this big green ogre would make a fun guest in your home this Halloween! Although he puts up a tough front, Shrek has a soft spot in his heart for those he cares about, especially Donkey and Fiona. This goofy guy brings the laughs with his Scottish-Irish accent and one-liners! He’s also great for scaring off enemies with his stinky breath, huge size, and frightening yell.

Monsters vs. Aliens: Cloning Around

Get ready for a world of hilarious monster mischief and alien antics in this all-new animated TV series inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s ginormous hit movie Monsters vs. Aliens. Join team leader Susan, muscle-bound Link, ingenious Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D., and B.O.B., the gelatinous blob, as the residents of the government containment area embark on fun-filled adventures under the not-too-watchful eye of General Monger!

B.O.B

B.O.B., short for Benzoate Ostylezene Bicarbonate, got his name when he was accidentally created in a laboratory from some scientists experimenting with chemically- and genetically-altered food products. This one-eyed blue blob was held in captivity in Area Fifty-Something for decades, but he still has a friendly personality and contagious smile. Since B.O.B is a large gelatinous mass, he can change his shape easily and absorb any object. Although he has no brain, B.O.B. is quite intelligent! This big, blue blob is exactly the person you want by your side on a creepy Halloween night.

Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.

An intellectual mad scientist, Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. is known for bursting into psychotic laughter while completing his experiments. But, don’t be fooled. Dr. Cockroach has not always been this way. In the 60’s he developed a device that would allow humans to live a lifespan similar to that of a cockroach. When his creation went wrong, Dr. Cockroach came away with the head of a bug and the ability to climb walls and digest garbage just like cockroaches. His intelligence and lifespan make him a force to be reckoned with!

Kung Fu Panda: Scorpion Sting

Get ready for more high-kicking action and fur-flying fun in this awesome animated TV series based on the Academy Award®-Nominated hit movieKung Fu Panda*! He may not be your typical warrior, but Po packs an arsenal of martial arts skills as big as his heart...and his stomach. Always ready to fight for what’s right, Po and the Furious Five—Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Crane and Viper—face exotic dangers at every turn, including a pair of magic shoes with an evil “sole,” and Scorpion, one of the sharpest villains in all the land!

Po

The courageous dragon warrior, Po Ping, is always up for a new adventure. Although Po is not your typical Kung Fu warrior, he uses his personality and his strengths to solve problems and protect those who need him most. He has an excitement for life and is determined to be the best warrior that he can possibly be. Sometime Po can be a little immature and rambunctious, but he has a kind heart and knows the importance of family.

Tigress

A vital member to the Furious Five, Tigress has unmatchable strength and bravery. She is a master at Kung Fu and at one point was considered to be destined for the title of Dragon Warrior. Although her short temper can still appear sometimes, Tigress has learned to be more friendly and calm. At times she is quiet and less sociable than the other members of the Furious Five. Overall, she possesses a strength and dignity that makes others admire her.


And now enter to win your Dreamworks Bundle here:
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Get ready for the Holidays with Tiny Prints Sponsored #Giveaway

If you've been reading Acting Balanced for a while, you know that I absolutely love personalizing my holiday cards and photo gifts with my kids pictures and that Tiny Prints is one of my favorite places to do that online!  They offer fast, reliable service and it's so easy to visit their website and create exactly what I want using their amazing templates!  It doesn't hurt that as a Global Influence Blogger I am able to receive a gift code for use towards my holiday order and offer a $50 gift code as a prize to one lucky reader too!

You can also win by heading over to the Pinning Party (tm)  #TinyPrintsCheer on Tuesday, October 8th at 2pm hosted by  @ResourcefulMom!  RSVP at the  signup page at:http://resourcefulmommy.com/12915/tiny-prints-holiday-cheer-pinning-party/

Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Bitty Mysteries DVD #Giveaway @FHEInsiders

Strawberry Shortcake was one of my favorites when I was growing up.  I remember playing with all of the dolls with my friend Tricia and coming up with fun adventures for the whole gang!  Now, a generation later, Strawberry and her sweet friends are back and better than ever in Berry Bitty Mysteries and one lucky Acting Balanced reader can win a copy of the DVD!

Synopsis: Get ready for mischief, mystery and marvelous good times in Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Bitty Mysteries.  You’ll follow the clues to fun and adventure as Strawberry and her pals learn to face their fears, become real-life heroines and find some missing VIP’s (Very Important Pets)!  It’s glimmery girl power to the rescue in these stories of friendship!

Here's a clip from Berry Bitty Mysteries:


And here's a fun, new coloring page to print off (click on the picture or this link to get a .pdf)

Enter here to win:

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Talk Like a Pirate and Win Pirate Booty! #Sponsored Review and #Giveaway

Arrrg... In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, Acting Balanced has teamed up with Pirate's Booty to send one lucky AB reader in the US a case of yummy, scrummy GLUTEN FREE Aged Cheddar Pirate's Booty!

Robyn was one of the lucky taste testers in our family and she's been enjoying the fun and fabulous puffs that she compares with those day-glo cheese puffs... only way healthier and with a great crunch!  It's made with Rice and Corn, and as a mom, I appreciate that it's all natural and trans-fat free, although all the kids care is that it tastes good.  Both boys gobbled up their portions too!  For those with other allergies, Pirate's Booty is also peanut and tree nut free so it makes a perfect snack to send in as a treat for those in nut-free schools!

I was personally impressed with both the taste and texture - since I don't actually like the day-glo cheese puffs, it was great to find something that tasted great and I didn't feel too guilty snacking on!  I also appreciate that it's fairly low fat and doesn't have the sodium that chips or other savory snacks often do!  

Want to try it out with your family?  Check out the Pirate's Booty website, visit Pirate's Booty on Facebook or follow Pirate's Booty on Twitter and then enter to win your very own case!

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Lovable Labels Sale Announcement and #Sponsored #Giveaway

Two great things to tell you about from one of my favorite places ... Lovable Labels!  First off, one lucky Acting Balanced reader from the US or Canada is going to win a cute package of personalized Halloween Stickers and secondly, everyone can save with this great weekend sale below:

The giveaway is for a cute set of 30 Personalized Halloween Labels. Just fill out the rafflecopter form

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Modern Family Season 4 Sponsored Blu-Ray #Giveaway #MyModernFamilyBD from @FHEInsiders

If you're a fan of Modern Family, this is a DVD giveaway for you!


In Season 4, we watched as Haley went off to college and Lily had her first day of Kindergarten. These are two big steps that are often very hard for parents to handle. Here is some advice for all of those modern parents out there who are going through these transitional stages with their families.

The laughs – and the awards – just keep on coming for the #1-rated “Modern Family,” winner of three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series! With Jay and Gloria’s baby on the way and Haley going off to college, the entire Pritchett/Dunphy clan faces some major surprises as they bicker and bond over house-flipping headaches, unwanted play dates, and everything from hot-tempered hormones to in utero karaoke. Featuring a stellar array of guest stars including Matthew Broderick, Shelley Long and Elizabeth Banks, Season Four takes a heartfelt and laugh-out-lough hilarious look at what it means to be a “Modern Family.”

Here are some Back to School Tips from Modern Family:

• Set Guidelines

Before you send off your precious son or daughter to fend for their selves in college, make sure you clearly discuss guidelines. Remind them that even though you are not there to set specific rules, they are still responsible for their actions. Claire and Phil certainly know what it’s like when your daughter calls you one
night because they’ve been caught doing illegal things by the police.

• Prepare Your Little One

Kindergarten is a huge step for your little one! Make sure they are prepared for their big day by giving them a basic educational foundation and teaching them to play well with others. When Lily heads off to kindergarten and gets in a tousle on her first day, Cam and Mitchell are put in a very awkward situation. No parent wants to be in the same situation!

• Communication is Key

Set up specific times to continue growing as a family. There is a fine line between suffocating your college kid and staying informed about what’s going on in their life. Many families will select a certain time, for instance Sunday afternoons, to have family phone calls and catch up on the week’s happenings, even if they have talked throughout the week. Just because your son or daughter has moved out, it does not mean that your relationship has to suffer! In fact, sometimes parent-child relationships grow once the kid has left for college.

• Distract Yourself

Plan a fun activity for yourself right after dropping your son of in his college dorm room or leaving your daughter for the first day of kindergarten. Have a distraction for yourself so that you don’t find yourself at home looking through photo albums and wondering “how did the time go by so quickly?” These steps are exciting, but certainly emotional and you don’t want to wallow in your sorrows.

• Show You Care

No matter what age your child is, make sure you are sharing in their excitement! Whether you have a kindergartener bringing home a painting or a college student signing up for campus activities, ask them questions about their life and listen to their answers. Celebrate with them when they ace an exam or learn to count to 20.

Modern Family Season 4 arrives on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 24th and one lucky Acting Balanced Winner will receive a Blu-Ray copy of it - just fill out the rafflecopter below:

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Brew over Ice Review and #Giveaway for @Keurig - #Sponsored @brewoverice

I am one of those girls who loves me some tea... and coffee... and well, lets just say that if it's wet, I'll drink it...  so when I was asked to check out some great new Brew Over Ice flavors for the Keurig, I knew that I'd have to share them with you!

Calling all Keurig® brewer lovers! Did you know you can make refreshingly cool iced beverages with your Keurig® brewer? Whether you’re craving an iced coffee, or a home-brewed iced tea, you can enjoy delicious beverages from the comfort of your own home with Brew Over Ice K-Cup® packs! With our variety of mouth-watering flavors, you will have no problem creating the perfect beverage to revital-ice your day. Simply fill a tumbler with ice, choose the brew that best suits your taste buds, hit the 6 or 8 oz button on your Keurig® brewer, and get ready to enjoy the sweet sensation of Brew Over Ice!

First off, I got a great gift package (and you can win one too!) 

Then I tried out all three of the yummy flavors that came in my kit... 

What I loved about the Sweet and Creamy Iced Coffee was that it was perfectly balanced and all in one.. I really prefer my iced coffee with that sweet and creamy flavor and texture as it gets and this K-Cup meant that I didn't have to fiddle with my coffee at all - it brewed perfectly over ice and had just the right balance of sugar, cream and wonderful iced coffee flavor!  

With the Snapple Peach Iced Tea, I was honestly expecting to find chunks of peach floating in my tea!  I didn't get to have more than a sip of this one before Erik stole it and drank it down... he's a tea fanatic and I fear that he'll be learning how to work the Keurig before long to be able to make his own Brew Over Iced Tea!

Finally, there was something new to me in the box, Strawberry Pomegranate Vitamin Burst - so before I even tasted it, I went online to see what kind of vitamins I'd be brewing for myself!  

Both Robyn and I are huge fans of pomegranate flavor so when I learned that we could get Vitamin C, Niacin, B6 and B12 all packed into this Brew Over Ice K-Cup, I was definitely intrigued!  (See nutritional info to the right)  The first taste was amazing - you could definitely taste both strawberry and pomegranate and it was a great consistency and brewed really well over ice.  The one thing I did notice was there was a bit of a bitter aftertaste once I'd been sipping it for a bit, but I won't let that stop me from trying it again!

Out of all three of the new flavors, I have to say that my favorite was the Sweet and Creamy Iced Coffee, partially because it's the most complicated to make right for me normally.  The second would be the Strawberry Pomegranate, which was really refreshing and had all those great vitamins and finally, the tea - only because I really didn't get to drink it...  they were all great!  I can definitely see using the Keurig to Brew Over Ice any time I want I fabulously cool pick me up!

Want to keep up with all of the latest Brew Over Ice News?  Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter!  When you head out to shop for more K-Cups, watch for this symboto know that you've got a great Brew Over Ice treat to take home:

US residents can enter here to win their own Brew Over Ice Prize Pack - just fill out the rafflecopter form!

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Shutterfly Photo Story for iPad App and Photobook Review and Giveaway #sponsored

I love taking pictures with my iPad - I carry it everywhere I go because it's my lifeline these days - I have e-book apps, apps to keep the kids entertained and now I have a fabulous new iPad/iPhone app from Shutterfly that is letting me take the special photo memories I've captured on the iPad, phone, camera and gotten from friends into cool new photobooks!



Because the app and the iPad are portable, I was able to sit at Barnes and Noble last week, watching Erik play with the train table, and playing around with Shutterfly Photo Story for iPad!  It was quick and easy to install and even easier to create a summer memories book from all of my photos!

Not only could I access the pics that I took with the ipad directly, I was also able to grab favorites from Facebook, Shutterfly and Instagram!  I chose all photos that I thought I wanted to use, found the background that I wanted and the app went to work, grouping the pictures where it thought I wanted them! That gave me a great foundation to work from and lots of wonderful options for backgrounds! I played around after the app did it's autofill to tweak the pages and change a few things around - the autofill had put the photos in chronological order, and there were a few pictures that I wanted grouped differently, so I was easily able to re-arrange things!   You don't even need internet access to set up the book if you're using the photos directly from your iPad, but it was great to be able to access the ones on my Facebook and the ones I had already uploaded to my Shutterfly account!

I decided on a black and white themed book- to let my pictures pop off the page - and it offered a fair number of page options - the only thing I would have liked was to have some different shapes other than square or rectangle to choose from - some of my pictures would crop better in a circle or oval frame, but overall I am totally pleased with the results!

Because I made my photo book for my family who don't understand things like QR Codes, I didn't take advantage of the really cool bonus feature - being able to add your recorded voice to your pages, but I think that the next time I make a book, I will definitely record each of the kids on their 'special' page and share it via email and the Shutterfly Share Page!  I am waiting for the day that Erik and Liam want to create their own stories - I can see photographing their artwork and letting them 'read' or tell the story  for each page!  You get 30 seconds of recording time per page which is a totally unique feature!  And there is a unique QR code on the printed version of your photo book that links directly to the online version so friends and family can easily access the recorded version!  They can access the completed book on any device and you can even share it on Facebook!

If you have an iPad, and want a fabulously fun and creative way to create new photo books, then I totally recommend downloading the Shutterfly Photo Story for iPad App!

One lucky Acting Balanced reader with an iPad* will get to create their own Photo Story Book for free** when they enter to win on the rafflecopter below: *You must complete your photo story book on an iPad to use the codes provided. **Free shipping to the US is included. Canadian winners will need to pay for their own shipping.

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Dollar General and P&G Team up to honour Everyday Heroes #Sponsored #Giveaway

In celebration of educators everywhere, Dollar General is teaming with Procter & Gamble® to honor our nation’s schools and teachers who make a difference in the lives of children through its Every Day Heroes program .  The Every Day Heroes campaign honors educators who teach students to be their best by offering great savings on school supplies and other products for the heroes closest to our hearts.

Dollar General has a strong commitment to education through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and believes learning to read, earning a GED or learning the English language are investments that opens doorways for personal, professional and economic growth.

During September, Dollar General is recognizing Kimberly Shearer, an English teacher and library science teacher at Boone County High School in Florence, Ky., as its Every Day Hero.  As an eight-year veteran of Boone County High School, her commitment to educating our youth and advocating for 21^st century literary skills through the use of technology helped earn her the title of “Kentucky Teacher of the Year.”

When she is not busy helping her students succeed, Kimberly is spending time with her husband and two daughters.

September 1 brandSAVER®: Try it & Love it

I am a huge fan of P&G products and always get an extra paper when I know that the monthly brandSAVER® coupon book is coming out!    The September P&G brandSAVER® found in local newspapers on Sunday, September 1st!nday, September 1 and I am sure it's going to be chock full of great deals and opportunities to try out some great products!

You can use P&G brandSAVER® coupons at Dollar General to get high-quality P&G products at great prices. When you use your P&G brandSAVER® coupons at Dollar General this month you'll get even more savings on everyone’s favorite brands like Febreze Air Effects with Gain Fresh Scent, which sweeps away stale odors and leaves a fresh scent.

Proctor and Gamble is also sponsoring this great giveaway for one of my lucky US readers: 

·         A $10 Dollar General Gift Card

·         CoverGirl Black Ink Eye Pencil

·         Tide PODS Spring Meadow

·         Febreze Fabric Refresher Gain Scent Spray

·         Febreze Air Effects with Gain Fresh Scent

·         A Dollar General reusable shopping bag

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Imperfection Blog Tour announcement and GIVEAWAY!

Imperfection (Pure Blood)

At the center of a war brewing between two packs: her son

Meara Falk always followed her parents' rules, until one night in March when the temptation to let loose changed her life forever.

Nine months later, disowned and with a baby on her hip, she discovers werewolves exist after being on the wrong end of some teeth and claws. During her first change, werewolves attack, stealing her son and driving her out of her home.

Now she’s looking for the man who kidnapped her baby and turned her life upside down. Meara's son is in the middle of a threatened war between two powerful packs. Getting him back will jeopardize the lives of everyone she loves.

Available on Amazon

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About the Phaedra Seabolt

Phaedra Seabolt is the youngest of four and the only girl. She spent her childhood trying to be the best she could be at everything she did which drove her to attend college long enough to attain her master's degree. Now she is a stay at home mom and happily married.



On Sale for Only $0.99 for the Tour!


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Hayson Publishing is giving away 3 swag packs (Water bottle, bookmark from swag shop, and $10 Amazon GC) for the tour. Fill out the form below to enter
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