Musings from Me on Kids, Preteens, and Teens » Giveaways http://www.musingsfromme.com Seizing family time one dinner at a time. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:29:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 New Giveaways Posted and Winners Chosen http://www.musingsfromme.com/new-giveaways-posted-and-winners-chosen/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/new-giveaways-posted-and-winners-chosen/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:16:52 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5425 If you read this blog, you’ll know that I don’t host a giveaway every week. Sometimes it is months between giveaways. But, when I do host a giveaway, I. Go. All. Out! Last month I held my Musings from Me Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway. And oh it was a lot of fun. I loved sharing the toys, games, and even phones that we love in the Musings from Me family. And now the announcement you have all been waiting for…more winners! Two lucky readers won a Hasbro game! Taboo — Congrats, Katrina! Rubik’s Cube — Congrats, Christine @justicecw! Two giveaways just closed or are about to close. Congrats to everyone who entered! I have one more giveaway this week…for #BigMiracleMovie. Enter…now! Congratulations to all winners! I must give a hug thank you to all the amazing companies that sponsored giveaways on my blog. I LOVE sharing what I love with you…my readers.]]>


If you read this blog, you’ll know that I don’t host a giveaway every week. Sometimes it is months between giveaways. But, when I do host a giveaway, I. Go. All. Out!

Last month I held my Musings from Me Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway. And oh it was a lot of fun. I loved sharing the toys, games, and even phones that we love in the Musings from Me family. And now the announcement you have all been waiting for…more winners! Two lucky readers won a Hasbro game!

  • Taboo — Congrats, Katrina!
  • Rubik’s Cube — Congrats, Christine @justicecw!

Two giveaways just closed or are about to close. Congrats to everyone who entered! I have one more giveaway this week…for #BigMiracleMovie. Enter…now!

Congratulations to all winners! I must give a hug thank you to all the amazing companies that sponsored giveaways on my blog. I LOVE sharing what I love with you…my readers.

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/new-giveaways-posted-and-winners-chosen/feed/ 1 Save the Whales with #BigMiracle [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/big-miracle-giveaway/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/big-miracle-giveaway/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:30:17 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5443 As a little kid living in New Jersey, I recall seeing a couple of movies at the drive in movie theater. The movies were loud and I think one was a James Bond film, Goldfinger(?). Not all that appropriate for kids, really. I have very strong recollections of falling asleep while watching the movie. As a big kid living in Manchester, England, I saw a scant few movies. Our local movie theater (The Rex in Wilmslow, Cheshire) would show the same movie on the sole screen for weeks and weeks and well, you get the idea…weeks. I saw the original Star Wars a few years after its release in the U.S. In a interesting turn of events, I saw the uncut Rocky Horror Picture Show on British TV when I was about 16…I was very shocked by the movie, but didn’t stop watching! As a college student living in PA, I saw many, many movies through the college’s movie program. I very much made up for my movie-light childhood by watching everything from The Godfather to the Gods Aren’t Crazy. I watched whatever movie was showing, no matter what the movie was. As a young dating person, then engaged person, [...]]]>


As a little kid living in New Jersey, I recall seeing a couple of movies at the drive in movie theater. The movies were loud and I think one was a James Bond film, Goldfinger(?). Not all that appropriate for kids, really. I have very strong recollections of falling asleep while watching the movie.

As a big kid living in Manchester, England, I saw a scant few movies. Our local movie theater (The Rex in Wilmslow, Cheshire) would show the same movie on the sole screen for weeks and weeks and well, you get the idea…weeks. I saw the original Star Wars a few years after its release in the U.S. In a interesting turn of events, I saw the uncut Rocky Horror Picture Show on British TV when I was about 16…I was very shocked by the movie, but didn’t stop watching!

As a college student living in PA, I saw many, many movies through the college’s movie program. I very much made up for my movie-light childhood by watching everything from The Godfather to the Gods Aren’t Crazy. I watched whatever movie was showing, no matter what the movie was.

As a young dating person, then engaged person, then married person, I watched movies 2 or 3 times a month. While I still watched many, many movies, I began to look closely at my “movie spending” dollars. As the price of movie tickets increased, not to mention the sky-rocketing cost of movie snacks, so did my need to ensure that the movie I planned to see was “worth” it. Out when any comedies. Back in my dating days, I watched movies based on who was in the movie. As I became more budget conscious, I began to read reviews. If the movie received a so-so, lackluster review, there was no way I was spending my hard-earned cash.

To this day, I want to take my family to movies that are well acted, produced, directed, and most importantly have a storyline that is uplifting and positive. We would much rather take our kids to see a film with a good message than one with cheap laughs and jokes. And that is why I am very happy to tell you Big Miracle.

The Big Miracle is inspired by a true story. You may remember the story from a few years back of the small town news reporter, played by John Krasinski, and an animal-loving volunteer, played by Drew Barrymore, who band together with others to save a family of whales trapped by ice in the Arctic Circle. I don’t recall the news story, but apparently a coalition of people — Inuit natives, oil companies, the Russian and American military — joined together to free this family of whales from the ice cap.

We’ll be catching this movie shortly after it is released. I hope you will too. Read on as I have a giveaway for Big Miracle goodies for you. To learn more about Big Miracle:

Now, here’s what you have been waiting for…the giveaway! I have one Big Miracle prize pack for one lucky reader of this blog. The Big Miracle prize pack includes:

  • a $25 Fandango Gift Card
  • Whale Plush
  • a Big MiracleT-shirt 

Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the mandatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment. so I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

Subscribe to Musings from Me by reader.

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

I was given a Fandango Gift Card to facilitate my review. Prizing is provided by Universal Pictures. The views expressed in this post are my own. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity. Giveaway ends February 1, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. Giveaway is open to U.S. mailing addresses only.

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/big-miracle-giveaway/feed/ 53 Binging and Purging, But in a Good Way [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/sams-club-giveaway/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/sams-club-giveaway/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:04:13 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5209 Over the past few months, I have purged, recycled, consigned, and moved a ton of stuff from our family room. I’m about to declutter the dining room office. Early last year I tackled the playroom. The year before last, the master bedroom was on my hit list of rooms to declutter. Some days I can actually see the top of the family room coffee table. Some days…not so much. Baby steps. Likewise, some days my floor is clear and other days…not so much. What works for me is storage units. No, not the storage unit complexes in industrial parks. No, I mean storage units, shelves, and tubs. Give me a Rubbermaid or other tub and I have the tools to tackle the clutter. Over Christmas break, I set up a couple of storage shelves and a small table for my son’s Lego. With our new found family space, game playing is back on the table — literally — as a fun activity for our family to do. It’s hard to play a board game amid the clutter of papers, glasses, books, magazines, and who knows what else is stored on top of the coffee table! The start of the new [...]]]>


Over the past few months, I have purged, recycled, consigned, and moved a ton of stuff from our family room. I’m about to declutter the dining room office. Early last year I tackled the playroom. The year before last, the master bedroom was on my hit list of rooms to declutter.

Some days I can actually see the top of the family room coffee table. Some days…not so much. Baby steps. Likewise, some days my floor is clear and other days…not so much. What works for me is storage units. No, not the storage unit complexes in industrial parks. No, I mean storage units, shelves, and tubs. Give me a Rubbermaid or other tub and I have the tools to tackle the clutter.

Over Christmas break, I set up a couple of storage shelves and a small table for my son’s Lego. With our new found family space, game playing is back on the table — literally — as a fun activity for our family to do. It’s hard to play a board game amid the clutter of papers, glasses, books, magazines, and who knows what else is stored on top of the coffee table!

The start of the new year also heralds kids going back to preschool, school, or even college. Sam´s Club wants to help you keep yourself and your children organized. You can also find Box Tops for Education products at Sam’s. Collect Box Tops for Education to help your school of choice.

Check out these sweet deals and promotions from Sam´s Club and Box Tops for Education to make your life as easy! While purchasing some of your favorite General Mills brands you can also earn more cash for your local school with the Sam´s Club “6 Box Tops on a Pack” promotion.

I have a Sam’s Club $25 Gift Card for one lucky reader! Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the mandatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment. so I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

Subscribe to Musings from Me by reader.

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

Keep your eye on this blog for more giveaways. Coming soon: Another fun toy from Best Pals and a Giveaway! And a week of DVD Giveaways!

I was given a Sam’s Club Gift Card to facilitate my review. The review samples, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. The views expressed in this post are my own. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity. Giveaway ends January 30, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/sams-club-giveaway/feed/ 51 I Want to Work in Film, But Not Like This [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/ocean-spray-snacks-giveaway/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/ocean-spray-snacks-giveaway/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:17:29 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5255 I have nightmares that one day I will see myself in a news story about overweight people. Only the story isn’t about me or my weight gain or loss. No. I am just one of the people filmed from the waist down as I walk down a city street as part of the background film for the story on overweight people. Yikes, I’d hate to see myself in this type of news story…wouldn’t you?! As the new year progresses, I am making goals for myself. I don’t want to blog about my New Year’s resolutions because (1) I’m not ready to commit them to “paper,” and (2) I see resolutions as for my eyes only. But, I will admit to wanting to change a few things about my way of life. As with previous years, a huge goal of mine is weight loss. I’m one of those people still trying to lose baby weight from a decade ago. Yikes! It’s hard reading that sentence, but the reality is that I need to make changes. One of my downfalls is snacking. I either eat foods that are not that healthy OR I eat a too large portion of healthy and nonhealthy [...]]]>


I have nightmares that one day I will see myself in a news story about overweight people. Only the story isn’t about me or my weight gain or loss. No. I am just one of the people filmed from the waist down as I walk down a city street as part of the background film for the story on overweight people. Yikes, I’d hate to see myself in this type of news story…wouldn’t you?!

As the new year progresses, I am making goals for myself. I don’t want to blog about my New Year’s resolutions because (1) I’m not ready to commit them to “paper,” and (2) I see resolutions as for my eyes only. But, I will admit to wanting to change a few things about my way of life. As with previous years, a huge goal of mine is weight loss. I’m one of those people still trying to lose baby weight from a decade ago. Yikes! It’s hard reading that sentence, but the reality is that I need to make changes.

One of my downfalls is snacking. I either eat foods that are not that healthy OR I eat a too large portion of healthy and nonhealthy foods. One key factor for me is portion control. If I bag up popcorn or baked chips, I eat less. Recently, I was given a few boxes of fruit snacks.

Now if you are picturing those super-sugary, character-themed snacks your child begs you to buy in the grocery store…think again. Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks are in a different league. The fruit flavored snacks are full of taste. You can taste juice spilling out of the fruit snack.

Now for the details on Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks…

  • Great snack for kids and adults. Pop a pack in the lunchbag or stash a pack in your purse. Tasty anytime.
  • Available in two delicious varieties, Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks: Assorted Fruit and Berries and Cherries.
  • Made with real fruit juice, natural colors (colors from natural sources), and flavors.
  • Made with apple, pear, and cranberry juice concentrate, but are not intended to replace fruit in the diet.
  • 80 calories, gluten free, and contain 100% of the Daily Value of Vitamin C.
  • Like Ocean Spray on Facebook.
  • Follow @OceanSprayInc on Twitter.

BONUS for MOMS of SCHOOL-AGED KIDS! Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks are available year round Double Box Tops! Is your school a member of the Box Tops for Education Program? If not, why not? For more information on Box Tops for Education, click here.

The kind folks at Ocean Spray have asked me to host a giveaway. Did you know that 80 years ago Ocean Spray was started as a cooperative with three families? Today, the values of community are integral to Ocean Spray’s 600 grower families? But, back to the giveaway…

Four lucky readers of Musings from Me will each receive 6 boxes (3 of each variety) of Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks!

Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the mandatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment. so I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

Subscribe to Musings from Me via reader.

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

Keep your eye on this blog for more giveaways. Posting reviews and giveaways through the end of January and beyond. Coming soon: Another fun toy from Best Pals and a Giveaway! And a week of DVD Giveaways!

I was given six boxes of Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks to facilitate my review. The review samples, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ocean Spray® through MyBlogSpark. The views expressed in this post are my own. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity. Giveaway ends January 23, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/ocean-spray-snacks-giveaway/feed/ 17 Whining Up Ahead, But I Chose Winners…So All Is Good. http://www.musingsfromme.com/whining-up-ahead-but-i-chose-winners-so-all-is-good/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/whining-up-ahead-but-i-chose-winners-so-all-is-good/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:18:38 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=4975 I’m in a race, of sorts. But, I’m not sure where I am going. Every feel like every day you are really simply racing from Point A to Point B with a pit stop at Point C before heading back home at some point? A rat race, of sorts. Mornings start later than usual. You know how it is. After getting three kids on three buses to three schools with three backpacks, three lunchboxes, three permission slips…I am exhausted. Even weekends are busy with swim meets, volleyball tournaments, school projects, and household stuff. So, a busy day followed by a late night of working is a recipe for a sleepy me once the kids are off to school. I’ve been known to catch a quick or not so quick catnap. But, back to today. No napping for me. Lots to do. I feel mostly rested. We’ll see how I feel at the 3 p.m. slump! Before sleep catches up to me, here are the winners of my Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways. Congrats to all! I’m so pleased that so many of you visited and commented and entered my giveaways. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Kerfuffle! Dicecapades! — [...]]]>


I’m in a race, of sorts. But, I’m not sure where I am going. Every feel like every day you are really simply racing from Point A to Point B with a pit stop at Point C before heading back home at some point? A rat race, of sorts.

Mornings start later than usual. You know how it is. After getting three kids on three buses to three schools with three backpacks, three lunchboxes, three permission slips…I am exhausted. Even weekends are busy with swim meets, volleyball tournaments, school projects, and household stuff. So, a busy day followed by a late night of working is a recipe for a sleepy me once the kids are off to school. I’ve been known to catch a quick or not so quick catnap.

But, back to today. No napping for me. Lots to do. I feel mostly rested. We’ll see how I feel at the 3 p.m. slump! Before sleep catches up to me, here are the winners of my Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways. Congrats to all! I’m so pleased that so many of you visited and commented and entered my giveaways. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

  • Kerfuffle! Dicecapades! — Congrats, Kristin!
  • Lego Duplo My First Fire Station — @rsgrandinetti. Congrats, Renee!
  • Lego Pirates of the Caribbean — @dagmarbleasdale. Congrats, Dagmar!
  • Tonka XT Ricochet Tricksters — @WiCProject. Congrats to Miriam!
  • KRE-O Transformers Sentinel Prime — @italiaangel80. Congrats, Brooke!
  • HTC Status Phone — @ddx155. Congrats, Douglas!
  • HTC Wildfire S — @chrisdeglen. Congrats, Debbie!
  • Sam’s Club Gift Card — Congrats, Deanna!

Many congratulations to all my winners. And a huge thank you to the companies that helped make my Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway a rip-roaring success!

Stay tuned for my week of DVD giveaways! Now what should I call my week of giveaways? Any ideas?

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/whining-up-ahead-but-i-chose-winners-so-all-is-good/feed/ 0 Mmmm…Cinnabon http://www.musingsfromme.com/mmmm-cinnabon/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/mmmm-cinnabon/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:30:23 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5414 My friends at Pssst…, General Mills, and Cinnabon asked me to share this with my readers. Who am I to say No? So here it is… Cinnabon was able to warm the hearts of others this holiday season through its Random ‘Packs’ of Kindness contest. Now it’s your turn to do the same! Throughout the holiday season, Cinnabon asked consumers to share stories of random acts of kindness online and now it’s time to vote for your favorite good deed! Between now and January 28th, vote for the most heartwarming act of kindness on the Cinnabon Facebook page and help those who did a good service win a cash prize of $2,500 as well as a $2,500 donation to the charity of their choice! Now that’s what I call a good pair of prizes! Be sure to vote. Encourage friends and family to vote on the Cinnabon Facebook page. Continue to spread the warmth throughout the New Year. I was not compensated for this post. The views expressed in this post are my own. I was provided this information by Cinnabon and General Mills through Pssst…]]>


My friends at Pssst…, General Mills, and Cinnabon asked me to share this with my readers. Who am I to say No? So here it is…

Cinnabon was able to warm the hearts of others this holiday season through its Random ‘Packs’ of Kindness contest. Now it’s your turn to do the same!

Throughout the holiday season, Cinnabon asked consumers to share stories of random acts of kindness online and now it’s time to vote for your favorite good deed! Between now and January 28th, vote for the most heartwarming act of kindness on the Cinnabon Facebook page and help those who did a good service win a cash prize of $2,500 as well as a $2,500 donation to the charity of their choice! Now that’s what I call a good pair of prizes!

Be sure to vote. Encourage friends and family to vote on the Cinnabon Facebook page. Continue to spread the warmth throughout the New Year.

I was not compensated for this post. The views expressed in this post are my own. I was provided this information by Cinnabon and General Mills through Pssst…

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/mmmm-cinnabon/feed/ 0 Holiday Gift Guide: Can You Solve the Rubik’s Cube? [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/rubiks-cube-giveaway/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/rubiks-cube-giveaway/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:27:49 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5389 Give me any puzzle. From 500 pieces to 1500 pieces. 3D puzzles. Even those mystery puzzles where you don’t know what the image will be until you start putting the pieces together. You name the puzzle and I will do it. Now there is one puzzle which is befuddles me. This puzzle makes me wonder if I will ever get the hang of it. When I see my daughter clicking through and easily finishing the puzzle, I know I will never be able to do it. What puzzle am I talking about? Rubik’s Cube. Just call this puzzle my nemesis. Try as I might this puzzle has continued to outfox me. Now, my Preteen-now-Teen tackled the Rubik’s Cube a few years ago. She clicked. She clacked. And hey presto she finished the Cube. Leaving me awestruck. Even as a kid I was never able to do the Rubik’s Cube. Can you do the Cube? How many tries did it take you? How long did it take to finish? Did you ask your son or daughter to complete it for you? Come on, fess up! The Rubik’s Cube is the perfect birthday gift. Kid, Tween, Teen, Even adults will love playing [...]]]>


Give me any puzzle. From 500 pieces to 1500 pieces. 3D puzzles. Even those mystery puzzles where you don’t know what the image will be until you start putting the pieces together. You name the puzzle and I will do it. Now there is one puzzle which is befuddles me. This puzzle makes me wonder if I will ever get the hang of it. When I see my daughter clicking through and easily finishing the puzzle, I know I will never be able to do it. What puzzle am I talking about?

Rubik’s Cube. Just call this puzzle my nemesis. Try as I might this puzzle has continued to outfox me. Now, my Preteen-now-Teen tackled the Rubik’s Cube a few years ago. She clicked. She clacked. And hey presto she finished the Cube. Leaving me awestruck. Even as a kid I was never able to do the Rubik’s Cube. Can you do the Cube? How many tries did it take you? How long did it take to finish? Did you ask your son or daughter to complete it for you? Come on, fess up!

The Rubik’s Cube is the perfect birthday gift. Kid, Tween, Teen, Even adults will love playing with Rubik’s Cube. Many adults will remember the original Rubik’s Cube from their childhood.

I was asked by Hasbro to challenge my readers. Do you have what it takes? Are you ready to take on a challenge? Is the Rubik’s Cube within your grasp? Yes! Hasbro wants me to give away a Rubik’s Cube to one lucky reader. Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the mandatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment. so I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

What was your favorite Christmas or holiday gift as a child?

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

Keep your eye on this blog for more giveaways. Posting reviews and giveaways through the end of January. Coming soon: Another fun toy from Best Pals and a Giveaway!

Other giveaways ending soon:

  • Need a smartphone? And who doesn’t?! I’m giving away an HTC Status (ends 1/5/2012) and an HTC Wildfire (ends 1/6/2012)!

I was provided with Taboo for this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends Wednesday, January 11 at 11:59 p.m. Any links in this post are affiliate links to my amazon affiliate account.  I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity.

 

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/rubiks-cube-giveaway/feed/ 6 Holiday Gift Guide: Personalize the HTC Wildfire To Suit You [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/htc-wildfire-giveaway/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/htc-wildfire-giveaway/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:00:16 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5342 My husband and I were talking about our first couple of cell phones. Back in the day…I might as well refer to this time as the “Wilderness Years.” We purchased our first cell phone in 1995. Note, that I said “we”…that’s right for about 3 years my husband and I shared the phone. This phone was called the “baby phone” for a long, long time. The so-called baby phone was purchased when I was 6 months pregnant. I was supposed to use it for emergencies. I couldn’t call to chat with my husband when he was on his way to and from work because he didn’t have a cell phone. No friends or family had phones. The phone was about the size of 2.5 decks of playing cards laid end to end. I phone weight at least 3 pounds. Because the phone didn’t have a “go to sleep” button, I had to store the phone in a bag which I carried in my purse. This prehistoric phone was about as far from the smartphones of today as you could possibly imagine. My phone was like your phone. No personalization at all. HTC has a new phone that is billed as [...]]]>


My husband and I were talking about our first couple of cell phones. Back in the day…I might as well refer to this time as the “Wilderness Years.” We purchased our first cell phone in 1995. Note, that I said “we”…that’s right for about 3 years my husband and I shared the phone.

This phone was called the “baby phone” for a long, long time. The so-called baby phone was purchased when I was 6 months pregnant. I was supposed to use it for emergencies. I couldn’t call to chat with my husband when he was on his way to and from work because he didn’t have a cell phone. No friends or family had phones.

The phone was about the size of 2.5 decks of playing cards laid end to end. I phone weight at least 3 pounds. Because the phone didn’t have a “go to sleep” button, I had to store the phone in a bag which I carried in my purse. This prehistoric phone was about as far from the smartphones of today as you could possibly imagine. My phone was like your phone. No personalization at all.

HTC has a new phone that is billed as the phone that lets you be you. The Android-powered HTC Wildfire S runs on HTC Sense. You can customize the way the phone “looks and feels” by swapping out skins, scenes, and sounds. Perfect for the first-time smartphone adopter, too!

Like the HTC Status that I reviewed in an earlier post, the HTC Wildfire S is the social phone. Use both of these phones to keep up with your social media scene. Consolidate all your social media channels on your phone in a way that works for you.

When you’re feeling like taking a break, pull out the HTC Wildfire S for some fun music, games, and apps. The Android Market is the source for all your app needs.

Want the deets on the HTC Wildfire?

  • The HTC Wildfire S can be purchased from Metro PCS. Find a location near you.
  • Works on Android with HTC Sense platforms.
  • HVGA 3.2″ touch display screen.
  • Internal memory of 512 MB RAM.
  • 5.0 MP camera with front and back cameras.

The kind folks at HTC want me to giveaway an HTC Wildfire S. So, here is how you can win an HTC Wildfire S phone…

Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the mandatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh, and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment, so I can contact you if you win! Want a chance to win another HTC phone?! I’m giving away an HTC Status (ends 1/5/2012)!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

Go to HTC, look at the HTC Wildfire S, and leave a comment about what you like about this phone or any other HTC phone.

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends Friday, January 6 at 11:59 p.m. Any links in this post are affiliate links to my amazon affiliate account. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity.

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/htc-wildfire-giveaway/feed/ 369 Holiday Gift Guide: Taboo [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/holiday-gift-guide-taboo/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/holiday-gift-guide-taboo/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:19:28 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5271 Last month, I consigned a couple of treasured and much-played-with games. Candyland. Hi Ho Cherry O. Chutes and Ladders. In fact, the Candyland I consigned was out second one. The first game was a battered and tattered from years of use. The Queen Frostine card was much sought after and very dog-eared. With a Kid, Preteen-now-Teen, and a Teen, we’re playing different games these days. My Preteen-now-Teen purchased Guesstures with her birthday money. We discovered Ji Ga Zo Puzzle game after I brought the game home from February’s Toy Fair. My son rediscovered Mousetrap the other week. But, what about dear ole mom and dad? I have to tell you that it has been a while I played a board game with friends. Adult friends. Not family or little kid friends. But what game would we play? Our playroom shelves are overflowing with kid’s games. What would be a good game for adults to play? Not Scrabble. As I would probably go head to head with my husband…we’re both English major-types. Not Trivial Pursuit as my husband would hands down be the winner. He’s a former It’s Academic player. Local friends will recall the high school quiz show on D.C. [...]]]>


Playing a quick game of Pictionary...probably to avoid cleaning the family room!?

Last month, I consigned a couple of treasured and much-played-with games. Candyland. Hi Ho Cherry O. Chutes and Ladders. In fact, the Candyland I consigned was out second one. The first game was a battered and tattered from years of use. The Queen Frostine card was much sought after and very dog-eared.

With a Kid, Preteen-now-Teen, and a Teen, we’re playing different games these days. My Preteen-now-Teen purchased Guesstures with her birthday money. We discovered Ji Ga Zo Puzzle game after I brought the game home from February’s Toy Fair. My son rediscovered Mousetrap the other week. But, what about dear ole mom and dad?

I have to tell you that it has been a while I played a board game with friends. Adult friends. Not family or little kid friends. But what game would we play? Our playroom shelves are overflowing with kid’s games.

What would be a good game for adults to play? Not Scrabble. As I would probably go head to head with my husband…we’re both English major-types. Not Trivial Pursuit as my husband would hands down be the winner. He’s a former It’s Academic player. Local friends will recall the high school quiz show on D.C. and now Baltimore stations. Here’s an idea…Taboo.

Years ago, I “think” my parents had this game. I recall playing the games with friends and family in those days before all of us had children. Also, known as the pre-Candyland time! Taboo is just the game to get adults who may be stressed from the mayhem of life to relax a bit. Calling out answers is always a fun release of pent up energy!

In the game, Taboo the object of the game is to make your teammates say words without actually telling them the word. You can use obvious clues because these clues are of course Taboo! Taboo includes over 1,000 new words and a die, so no need to clear a huge amount of space. You’ll have plenty of room on your table for drinks and snacks. All you need is a little space for rolling the game-changer die, and a spot for the Taboo Card Holder, and a buzzer and timer.

Taboo uses 2 AAA batteries. The game is recommended for those 18 and up. Taboo can be played by 4 or more players. The game retails for $29.99. Or you can find the game on amazon.

The kind folks at Hasbro have a Taboo for one lucky reader. Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the manadatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment. so I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

What was your favorite Christmas gift as a child?

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

Keep your eye on this blog for more giveaways. My Holiday Gift Guide is still going strong. Posting reviews and giveaways through the end of December. Coming soon: Another fun toy from Hasbro…Rubik’s Cube Giveaway!

Other giveaways ending soon:

I was provided with Taboo for this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends Tuesday, January 10 at 11:59 p.m. Any links in this post are affiliate links to my amazon affiliate account.  I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity.

]]> http://www.musingsfromme.com/holiday-gift-guide-taboo/feed/ 9 Holiday Gift Guide: HTC Status’ One Touch Facebook Share [Giveaway] http://www.musingsfromme.com/htc-status-giveaway/ http://www.musingsfromme.com/htc-status-giveaway/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:33:34 +0000 Jill http://www.musingsfromme.com/?p=5335 Ever watched your child perform at the winter concert and forget to share those precious moments with family and friends who couldn’t attend? You may be too enthralled by your child’s performance to worry about posting to Facebook. No matter, carry on doing what you are doing. But, what if you want to post those precious poses to Facebook, but you get mired in clicking this and opening that app on your smartphone? Maddening isn’t it how many clicks you need to click before posting to social media platforms? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to post to Facebook with just ONE click? The HTC Status is a phone with a mission. What is this mission? The HTC Status wants to make recording your life easier. The HTC Status’ Facebook Share button is placed on the front of the phone…just below the keyboard. Before you make that call, you can see on the HTC Status’ screen updates from friends near and far. You’ll never be out of the loop again…in fact the HTC Status is your connection to your loop of friends. Perfect first smartphone for a teen! The front and back camera will come in handy for those impromptu pics of [...]]]>


Ever watched your child perform at the winter concert and forget to share those precious moments with family and friends who couldn’t attend? You may be too enthralled by your child’s performance to worry about posting to Facebook. No matter, carry on doing what you are doing. But, what if you want to post those precious poses to Facebook, but you get mired in clicking this and opening that app on your smartphone? Maddening isn’t it how many clicks you need to click before posting to social media platforms?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to post to Facebook with just ONE click? The HTC Status is a phone with a mission. What is this mission? The HTC Status wants to make recording your life easier.

The HTC Status’ Facebook Share button is placed on the front of the phone…just below the keyboard. Before you make that call, you can see on the HTC Status’ screen updates from friends near and far. You’ll never be out of the loop again…in fact the HTC Status is your connection to your loop of friends. Perfect first smartphone for a teen!

The front and back camera will come in handy for those impromptu pics of yourself holding a Starbucks coffee or modeling your latest shopping deal. Add special effects like Sepia or aqua tones to the pics taken with the phone’s 5.0 MP camera.

Want the deets on the HTC Status?

  • The HTC Status is an AT&T phone.
  • Works on Android with HTC Sense platforms.
  • HVGA 2.6″ touch display screen with 480 x 320 resolution.
  • 5.0 MP camera with front and back cameras.
  • Retails for $19.99 with a 2-year contract. $369.99 without a contract.

The kind folks at HTC want me to giveaway an HTC Status phone. Who am I to argue?! So, here is how you can win an HTC Status phone.

Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the mandatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment, so I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.

Go to HTC, look at the HTC Status, and leave a comment about what you like about this phone or any other HTC phone.

Optional Comment — Leave a comment.

I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends Thursday, January 5 at 11:59 p.m. Any links in this post are affiliate links to my amazon affiliate account. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity.

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