Meet Saige, American Girl's 2013 Girl of the Year

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It's my pleasure to introduce American Girl's 2013 Girl of the Year, Saige Copeland!  Saige is a high-spirited girl from New Mexico who loves to ride horses and paint.  When budget cuts take away her school's art class funding, Saige uses her creativity and imagination to mobilize others and inspire change.  Here are a few facts about Saige:

Where she lives
Albuquerque, New Mexico, the hot air ballooning capital of the world

Favorite activities
Being at her grandma Mimi's ranch, painting in the studio or riding Picasso the horse

What changes her life
Entering the fourth-grade school year with no art classes

What she discovers
You can use your imagination to create artwork and inspire change

Saige will launch on January 1 with two books that tell her story, as well as a new American Girl activity book that encourages girls to express themselves through art:

• Saige
• Saige Paints the Sky
• Express  Yourself: Use Art to Explores the Emotions Inside You!

Saige's character will come to life with an 18-inch, auburn-haired Saige doll, with a variety of outfits and accessories, such as:

• Saige's horse Picasso
• Saige's dog Sam
• Hot air balloon
• Various outfits including a riding outfit, dressy outfit and painting outfit

What's more, Saige's story will be captured on a DVD movie from Universal Studios Home Entertainment in 2013.

As in previous years, the 2013 Girl of the Year will be tied to a community initiative that girls can rally around.  Since Saige is passionate about preserving arts programs in schools, this year American Girl is introducing a number of Saige-related initiatives, such as:

• American Girl's "Shine On Now" charitable initiative will be supporting the Arts Education Program run by Americans for the Arts.

• American Girl will be launching an Elevate the Arts School Grant Contest on January 1.  Elementary art school teachers will be able to enter to win one of thirteen grants totalling $45,000 for their school's art programs.

• American Girl will be launching a Soar with Saige Sweepstakes, where girls can enter to win one of ten prize packages.

• American Girl will be partnering with Americans for the Arts to launch Saige's Learning Guide, a free downloadable curriculum with fun art activities.

Are you excited about Saige's arrival?  We sure are!


Disclosure: I received an advanced media kit from American Girl containing press releases and review copies of the new"Sage" and "Express Yourself" books.. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Bonggamom's Friday Finds -- list your giveaways here

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Welcome to Bonggamom's Friday Finds! I'm glad so many of you are finding this to be a useful way to get more traffic to your giveaways. And as a person who loves entering giveaways, I have to admit it's a great, easy way to find out where all the best giveaways are.

So feel free to leave links to your giveaways, everyone. And don't forget to get cracking and enter everyone else's, too!

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Day 9 Twelve Days of Giveaways

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On the ninth day of Christmas, Bonggamom gives to thee..... a fun travel game!  One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Spot It! On the Road game from Blue Orange.  It's a travel version of their award-winning Spot It! game, sized and themed just right for families driving to and from their holiday destinations all across the country.  There is just so much to love about Spot It! On the Road.  I love that it's so simple and yet so much fun.  I love that kids of all ages can play, including their parents.  I love that it doesn't involve batteries or a touchscreen.  I love how it fits neatly into a small, portable tin. I love that it turns a long, boring roadtrip from a necessary time suck while getting from A to B, into an enjoyable part of the whole family holiday experience.  It's sure to hold off the "Are We There" whines, for a while at least!


Here's how to enter today's giveaway:

Required Entry
Check out the Blue Orange website and leave a comment on this page telling me which of their games you would most like to play with your family.

Bonus Entries

1) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (5 entries)

2) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Pin this giveaway on your Pinterest board (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered Day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway!

6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry per day):
Enter to win a Spot It! game fr Blue Orange in Day 9 of @bonggafinds 12 Days of Giveaways!  Giveaway ends Jan. 13 at http://tinyurl.com/coq7rja

7) Add the Bonggamom Finds Twelve Days of Giveaways button on your blog sidebar -- get the code here (1 entry)

8) Join any of the open giveaways in the Twelve Days of Giveaways series (see full list at the end of this post, 1 entry per giveaway you've joined).


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on January 13, 2013; I will draw a winner at random on Jan. 14  and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Join all of Bonggamom Finds' Twelve Days of Giveaways!  Here are the holiday giveaways that are live....
Day 1, December 25: Leapfrog LeapPad 2 bundle
Day 2, December 26: $25 Visa gift card from C&H Light
Day 3, December 27: Nerf Firevision Sports Hyper Bounce Ball
Day 4, December 28: My Little Pony
Day 5, December 29: Littlest Pet Shop Fairies
Day 6, December 30: Wreck It Ralph iPad apps
Day 7, December 31: $50 EdenFantasys gift card
Day 8, January 1: $50 Levenger gift card

.... and here are the giveaways that are coming your way....
Day 10, January 3: $50 gift certificate to 1800Lighting.com
Day 11, January 4: Yo Gabba Gabba! Music is Awesome CDDay 12, January 5: Little Big Planet Game for PS Vita(note: each giveaway link will go live on the specified day)



Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Day 10 Twelve Days of Giveaways

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On the tenth day of Christmas, Bonggamom gives to thee.... a $50 gift certificate to 1800Lighting.com!  They have literally thousands of light fixtures, lamps and other home accessories, in every style you can think of.  Their collection of Mission/Arts & Crafts items is superb; we actually own several of the products you can find at 1800Lighting.com.  Here are two of them:

This Arroyo Craftsman porch light helps guests (and postmen) see their surroundings when they're on our front porch.


This Arroyo Craftsman outdoor wall sconce is on our back porch.

I love the Arts&Crafts style so I'm happy as a clam browsing the 1800Lighting.com website, but they have lots of other styles, so whether you prefer Modern or Shaker or Victorian or some other style, you're sure to find a piece at 1800Lighting.com that complements the rest of your home.

Here's how to enter today's giveaway:

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this page telling me your favorite item on the 1800Lighting.com online site.

Bonus Entries

1) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (5 entries)

2) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Pin this giveaway on your Pinterest board (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered to win a $50 gift card to 1800Lighting.com in Day 10 of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway!

6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry per day):
Enter Day 10 of @bonggafinds 12 Days of Giveaways: a $50 gc to 1800Lighting.com!  Giveaway ends Jan. 14 at http://tinyurl.com/cow34lt

7) Add the Bonggamom Finds Twelve Days of Giveaways button on your blog sidebar -- get the code here (1 entry)

8) Join any of the open giveaways in the Twelve Days of Giveaways series (see full list at the end of this post, 1 entry per giveaway you've joined).


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on January 14, 2013; I will draw a winner at random on Jan. 15  and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Join all of Bonggamom Finds' Twelve Days of Giveaways!  Here are the holiday giveaways that are live....
Day 1, December 25: Leapfrog LeapPad 2 bundle
Day 2, December 26: $25 Visa gift card from C&H Light
Day 3, December 27: Nerf Firevision Sports Hyper Bounce Ball
Day 4, December 28: My Little Pony
Day 5, December 29: Littlest Pet Shop Fairies
Day 6, December 30: Wreck It Ralph iPad apps
Day 7, December 31: $50 EdenFantasys gift card
Day 8, January 1: $50 Levenger gift card
Day 9, January 2:  Spot It! game from Blue Orange

.... and here are the giveaways that are coming your way....
Day 11, January 4: Yo Gabba Gabba! Music is Awesome CDDay 12, January 5: Little Big Planet Game for PS Vita(note: each giveaway link will go live on the specified date)


Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Giveaway prize was provided by Capitol Lighting as compensation for a previous post.. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Daily Lemon: That's Silly

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Ah, babies. They're so cute, right!? I mean, who could resist a cute widdle face like this????

Sorry, wrong picture.
(shuffling through pictures)
Ah, yes. Here it is. 
        Nope, still wrong one. 
Maybe this is it!!!!

No?
Fine, I give up. Maybe they're not so cute.
Especially when they start playing with inflatable sex toys.

Or practicing their kung fu on you.

Or . . . you get the idea.

 (old person impression) Stupid kids.

PARTY PEEKS WEDNESDAY: Valentine's Spa Party

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With less than a week until Valentine's Day, I wanted to share a fun party that's perfect for little ladies who want to celebrate on February 14th or at any old sleepover!


I love this fab fete from Itsy Belle featuring Moodylicious Children's Spa products.  After all, what girl doesn't love to be pampered?


All of the guests were given Moodylicious products at the mani/pedi station.


And then they got to work beautifying each other.

In addition to spa treatments, there were plenty of treats too!


These spa "sundaes" made from loofahs and bath beads are too cute.


There were marshmallow sugar scrubbers.


And the lip straw toppers are a great touch.


It doesn't get much sweeter - well, except with some chocolate face frosting!


I don't know about you, but this post is making me want to get my spa on!

You can get more details and see more pictures over on Itsy Belle and the spa products you see here are available from Moodylicious Children's Spa.  For more fun celebration inspiration, follow my Party Ideas board on Pinterest.
Images: Itsy Belle

FUNDAY MONDAY: I'm Back with Thirty-One! {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

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I know, I know - I've been completely MIA for, oh, a month or so now.  I have a good reason - my "real" job has been crazy busy! - but it's not a great excuse so I figure what better way to apologize than by having a fun giveaway?

I've been hearing lots of talk about Thirty-One but had never seen their products in person until my friend Brooke offered to send me some to preview.  A few days later, this terrific Organizing Utility Tote arrived at my doorstep:


I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love it!  Not only is the Awesome Blossom pattern adorable but the bag itself is so useable.  It's made from double-laminated nylon and has seven exterior pockets.  What could be more perfect for a mom of twin toddlers who's constantly lugging around diapers, wipes, sippies and snack cups but refuses to carry a diaper bag anymore?  Now I don't have to worry about things spilling and have enough storage for all of the girls' crap, er, goodies.  And I look cute to boot!

Brooke also sent along two of these super cute Ruffled Cinch Sacs for Gabrielle and Alaina and let me tell you, between the sassy color and the frilly ruffles, they fell in love at first sight!


I really like how lightweight they are - I know we'll be filling them with beach toys this summer so the girls can finally lug their own.

Thirty-One has a huge line of products designed to make life easier, and going through their catalog, there was something I wanted on every page.  Like the Hang-Up Home Organizer:


This would SO help with the clutter in my kitchen!  And I totally need one of these Flat-Iron Cases before all of the trips we have scheduled this summer:

A few of these Basket Liners will make my linen closet look Martha Stewart-worthy.


And I can't imagine hitting the beach this summer without these two handy numbers - the Cinch-It-Up Thermal Tote (look at how much it holds!):


And the About Town Blanket, which opens up to 60" x 38"!
I could go on and on - oh, wait, I already have! - but you get the gist.  Just one last thing to love about Thirty-One - everything comes in a variety of fun patterns and you can have almost all of the items personalized, allowing you to create exactly what you want!

To place your order from Thirty-One, just click on the My Events tab here and you'll see one set up for readers of AFOMFT.  There's a great special for April too - if you spend $31 this month, you get 50% off any handbag!


And here's the best part!  All readers will get 10% off their orders (not including shipping and handling) through Sunday, April 8th!  You don't need a code and the 10% off won't show in your cart, but will applied when your order is processed.   What are you waiting for?  Get shopping!  

And no, I didn't forget about that giveaway I mentioned!  My friend Brooke has graciously offered to give away one of the Organizing Utility Totes she sent to me to a lucky AFOMFT reader!  The winner will even be able to pick the pattern.  To enter to win, visit the Thirty-One catalog and post a comment here telling me which of their products you like best (this is mandatory). For additional entries:

• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT) and tweet the following: Enter to win the perfect summer tote from Thirty-One at @AFOMFT! http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post. Comments on Facebook will not count as entries. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and ends April 9th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on April 10th. If the winner does not contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

FREEBIE FRIDAY: Teacher's Appreciation Day!

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It's FREEBIE FRIDAY and with just one more week left in Teacher Appreciation Month, today's featured printables will help you come up with something cute for the educators in your child's life.  
Up first, just attach this sweet printable I saw over on Skip to My Lou to a store-bought note pad and voila - instant adorableness!

Or fill a berry basket (Hello recycling!  Teacher's Appreciation + Earth Day all in one post!) with some fruit-scented goodies and add this tag from The Girls at Eighteen25 for a super cute gift.

Hope you enjoyed today's pick!  I've got more Teacher's Appreciation Day ideas here and for more fab freebies, check out my Freebies and Printables boards on Pinterest!