$100 Gift Card Giveaway at Shop At Home

Remember when I told you about this cash back site I found called ShopAtHome? Have you checked it out yet? I have already made a couple purchases in the last week, snagging free batteries as well as some new clothes from Old Navy at ON's 20% off Cyber Monday Sale. Not only did I get free shipping and 20% off from Old Navy, but I also will get 20% back from ShopAtHome.com as well. How cool is that?



I'm amazed at the great savings you can find in one place. Talk about one-stop shopping. For head's up on deals and special cash back bonuses, be sure to subscribe to the ShopAtHome Blog, follow ShopAtHome on twitter or become a fan on Facebook.


Yesterday ShopAtHome.com put their Gift Card Guide front and center. Often times if you make a purchase through a cash back site, the special bonuses don't apply to gift card purchases. But, at the SAH Gift Card Center there are plenty of stores that offer a discount, like 7% off Barnes and Noble gift cards! I like that.


This week one of my lucky readers will win a $100 gift certificate to the participating merchant of his or her choice, listed in the ShopAtHome.com Gift Card Guide. Winner MUST be a registered member of ShopAtHome.com. It's free to sign up. (You don't have to make a purchase in order to win.) Giveaway will be open until Sunday night, December 6th, at 8 pm, PST.

To enter, simply leave a comment here, telling us your favorite merchant over at the ShopAtHome Gift Card Guide. Please make sure that you leave a way for me to contact you in the event that you win.


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Fantastic Sam's: A Review and a Giveaway

Years and years ago, like six kids ago, I used to get my hair done at a very froofy salon in Santa Barbara. Back then I paid about $45 every six weeks or so to get coiffed and primped. We lived in an affluent community and we were dinks, so why not?

Then we moved to one income, and FishPapa and I realized that we probably didn't need to spend our money on expensive beauty services. I started cutting his hair myself. I still got to go to a salon, but it was definitely a less froofy establishment. But, I really haven't missed it. Well, at least not too much.

In fact, over the years SuperCuts and I have become good friends. And Great Clips has filled the bill when SuperCuts couldn't. Recently, however, I was given the opportunity to try out Fantastic Sam's.

Like SuperCuts and Great Clips, Fantastic Sam's is a walk-in salon. You don't need to have an appointment in order to have your hair cut or styled. Last week I was desperately due for a trim. It had been several months since I'd been in and I was feeling the frump. My big boys were, too. Not the frump necessarily, but we couldn't see the whites of their eyes anymore, their hair was so long.


In the past I've always cut my kids' hair. But, FishBoy12 is growing in independence and was really not liking his mama to orchestrate his grooming. Broaching the topic of a hair cut has not been the most fun. So, since I was going to go to the salon anyway, FishPapa suggested that I take the boys. Maybe FishBoy12 wouldn't buck a stranger's influence as much as he does mine. FishBoy9 came along, too.

But, I have to tell you, I wasn't looking forward to paying for their hair cuts. And I was a little tempted to lie about FishBoy's age when I found out 12 year-olds count as adults. But I didn't!

In my area, an adult cut is $18 and a child's cut is $15. This is a little higher priced than the base services at the competitors. However, a shampoo is included in the base services whereas it is an extra charge at Great Clips and SuperCuts. This turned out to be a good thing. Unbeknownst to me, one of my boys was not able to get all the shampoo rinsed out of his hair well. He had a build-up of shampoo on his scalp that was liable to cause him a great amount of discomfort. The hair stylist was observant about this. She showed me what was going on, washed his hair with a clarifying shampoo to break down the build-up, and gave him a good scrubbing, too. I was very thankful for her attention to detail as there would have been no way for me to know this, especially as we're experiencing "grooming challenges" in the tween years.

Both boys like to wear their hair longer. However, all I know to do is a bowl cut, so I figured a trip to the salon might be a good thing for their fashion sense. Turns out the stylist didn't even know how to do a bowl cut! Guess I am really behind the times.... Instead, she gave them updated cuts that a lot of the boys are sporting these days. We can see their handsome faces, and they are both happy with their haircuts.

As for me, I got a new 'do, too. Every once in awhile I get bored of long hair and have it chopped. This was the time. I had searched the internet for styles that I liked. The stylist who worked with me listened carefully to my hair issues (cowlick, extra thick locks, etc.) She helped me find something that "would do something" for me and gave me instructions as to how to style it and retrain that pesky cowlick. It is a layered bob with a sidebang, in case you're wondering. It's a great "wash and go" style and I'm quite pleased with it.

Overall, we had a great experience. While my haircut was complimentary, I did spend $33 + tip on the boys. I am not sure if we will make this a regular expense for our family. The jury is still out on that one. I'll tell you next time they get shaggy.

But, I was quite impressed with the service we received. The salon was not the fanciest, but it was clean and well-designed. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. And as first time customers we were given welcome packets that contained money-saving coupons for future visits. You know me and coupons, that would certainly bode well for a return visit. How 'bout you? Where do you get your 'do?

Check out Fantastic Sam's website to find a location near you and be a fan on Facebook to get the lastest news.

Want to give Fantastic Sam's a try? I have a $25 gift certificate to give away this week. 

There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment about your experiences with walk-in salons.
2. Follow me on twitter and leave a 2nd comment telling me that you did.
3. Subscribe to LifeasMOM in a reader and leave a 3rd comment, telling me you did so.

Giveaway is open until Sunday, December 6 at 8 pm, PST.

Disclosure: I received a gift certificate for Fantastic Sam's so that I could review their services and share my opinions with my readers. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by a complimentary haircut. C'mon!

Encouraged by what you've read? Subscribe to LifeasMOM by email or in a reader and join me on the Road to Joyful Motherhood.

Review of HP Photosmart Premium with Touch Smart Web

The handsome guests I took with me.

Today I attended an HP Blogger Event at a San Diego County movie theatre. The Hewlett-Packard team treated their guests to a complementary movie (with popcorn!) as well as a hands-on demonstration of the HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web.

In the last 13 years since FishPapa and I bought our first computer, we've owned a couple different printers, including a couple HPs. It was fun to check out this one. If you're in the market for a new printer you might want to consider this one.

Here are some of the features I think would be particularly helpful to busy moms:

• You can print, fax, scan, and copy from one machine.
• It can print from multiple computers via built-in wireless.
• You don't need access to your computer to print. You can plug in your camera, memory card, or mobile phone to print. Or you can print directly from the web. This printer accesses the internet via wi-fi and has a number of web applications, including google maps, kids' sites, and Coupons.com

But, the thing that made me go, "Ooooh" was this:

The coupons that print from coupons.com are formatted to use paper very efficiently. It even prints out a list of the coupons you printed. I think this is a really handy feature. I'm such a grocery geek!

The list price on this printer is $399, but I think that you may be able to find it for less, especially as the holidays approach. Amazon will not tell you their price, unless you click a few times, but I'll just say that the last time I clicked, it was a fantastic discount. Further more, there is an instant rebate of $60 available at some locations as well as a $50 trade-in on your old printer.

If you're looking to print photos and a lot of web-based items, this appears to be a good product.

Disclosure: I received a free movie and snacks for myself and two guests at this event. However, I was neither required nor requested to write a review about this product. I just thought it was cool and that you might be interested in knowing more.

Encouraged by what you've read? Subscribe to LifeasMOM by email or in a reader and join me on the Road to Joyful Motherhood.

Jolly Llama Squeezable Sorbets - A Review giveaway closed

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER, MOLLIE!

Frozen treats go pretty quickly at our house. It wasn't too many months ago that I stocked up on 6 or 7 "sorta half-gallons" of ice cream. We're down to the last one or two. Even when the weather has got a little chill to it, it's fun to enjoy a cool, sweet treat. So, how could I turn up a chance for our family to try Jolly Llama Squeezable Sorbets. I'd never heard of the product, but it sounded really interesting.

While I'm not the most "nutritious and delicious" of moms, I do try to limit the amount of junk my kids consume. So, what attracted me to test these sorbets were that they were just a little bit healthier than the average frozen dessert. I know, I know, high-fructose corn syrup in moderation is fine. But, give me plain ol' sugar any day.

Here's some info from the company:

Jolly Llama Squeezable Sorbets at a glance:


-- they come in fun-to-eat individual 3 oz. squeeze-up tubes
-- all natural (no genetically modified corn sweeteners)
-- low in fat and average just 75 calories per serving
-- high in fiber and vitamins A & C
-- four flavors: strawberry, mango, acai, blueberry
-- available nationwide for home delivery thru the company's website
-- currently in grocery stores throughout the Western US


All-natural sorbets in individual 3 oz. squeeze-up tubes are new from Jolly Llama LLC. The premium whole fruit frozen novelties come in four flavors (strawberry, blueberry, acai, and mango) and are naturally sweetened with pure cane sugar. Averaging just 75 calories per tube, they’re low in fat, dairy and allergen-free, and fortified with Vitamins A & C and natural fiber. The Acai flavor is rich in antioxidants. Introduced in July, Jolly Llama Sorbets are now available in stores throughout the West and nationwide through the San Francisco-based company's website (www.jollyllamasorbets.com). Currently sold individually, the suggested retail price of each tube is $1.69. A 4-pack box will be introduced shortly.


“We created Jolly Llama to be all-natural frozen novelties that people can feel great about enjoying,” said President Scott Jacobson “They’ve been an instant hit with both grown-ups and kids because they taste great and are fun to eat.”

The FishFam received an assortment of the four flavors shipped to the house. How fun to have the UPS man bring a big box, with a cooler inside, with dry ice and two dozen sorbets! The packaging was super cool -- literally. The sorbets were hard as rock. I was impressed that they would make an excellent splurge as a Christmas gift for someone.

Everyone in the family has tasted several flavors, and all the kids and FishPapa gave Jolly Llama a thumbs up. If you're looking for a sweet-tart dessert, this probably isn't it. The two flavors I tried, mango and acai berry, were quite sweet. A little too much for my tastes, but that's okay. I need to fit into the magical capris.

Regardless, Jolly Llama Sorbets were most definitely, FishKid-tested, FishMama-approved.

Would you like to try them too? How about winning some?

Jolly Llama is giving away a 24-piece case of one flavor to one winner this week. Giveaway will be open until Sunday night at 8 pm PST. Make sure that you leave an email address or other method of contact. There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling us your favorite flavor: blueberry, acai, mango, or strawberry.

2. Follow me on Twitter. Leave another comment telling me you did so. (New followers only, please.)

3. Post about this giveaway or Tweet it and bring the link back here.

I hope you win!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary case of sorbets so that my family could taste them in order for me to offer my feedback to my readers. I've offered my honest opinion of this product.

Encouraged by what you've read? Subscribe to LifeasMOM by email or in a reader and join me on the Road to Joyful Motherhood.

Win a Copy of Susan Branch's Book, Autumn Giveaway Closed

If you read yesterday's review, you know that I am a BigTime Fan of Susan Branch. So, you'll understand how fun it is to be giving away her book, Autumn, on my site this week. One lucky reader will receive a copy of this beautiful book. It is chock-full of beautiful drawings and delicious recipes. We enjoyed Touchdown Chili last night. The verdict from the FishFam is that it is SuperBowl quality.

There are three ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite part about Fall.
2. Participate in this week's Ultimate Recipe Swap which starts tonight. The topic is Make-Ahead Meals.
3. Become a fan of Susan's on Facebook or follow her on twitter. Come back here and leave a comment telling me you did so.

Update 11/6/09 - Due to new Facebook guidelines which I don't understand, I'm eliminating that part of the entry options. Any entries up until this point are still valid, but let's stick to the other methods of entry from now until Sunday night when this contest will close, 8 pm, PST.

To be eligible to win you must leave me an email contact. I just don't have time to search the blogosphere for you. Thanks for understanding.

Encouraged by what you've read? Subscribe to LifeasMOM by email or in a reader and join me on the Road to Joyful Motherhood.

Susan Branch's Autumn: A Review

For the past sixteen years I've been a great admirer of Susan Branch's work and cookbooks. I have collected her books over the years, and the pages of Heart of the Home, Vineyard Seasons, Christmas from the Heart of the Home, and The Summer Book are well stained and dogeared, as all good cookbooks should be. Not only are the books beautiful to look at, but they feature some fantastic recipes. (Some are even posted online.) Our family has regularly feasted on Lemon Chicken for special occasions, Annie Hall's Butter Cookies at the holidays, and Grilled Shark with Peach Salsa for June birthdays.

While I am just an itty-bitty drop in her bucket of fans, she stands out to me as one of my favorite people to admire from afar. She even answered a "fan letter" of mine a few years ago. How fun is that to receive a illustrated notecard from the artist herself? Having met her at a book signing once, I can vouch that she is as charming in person as she is on paper.

The good people at Susan Branch Studios recently sent me a copy of Autumn to review. It is just as fun as her previous books. Inspired by the colors of Fall, the water colors in this book are as restful as they are whimsical. I always wonder if I would like Martha's Vineyard in real life as much as I like Susan Branch's artwork.

This book is the perfect handbook for autumn entertaining as it includes recipes, decoration ideas, and all sorts of tips for hostesses and moms with kids to entertain. Susan is the oldest of EIGHT KIDS, so she knows what family management is all about. Her lightheart and "happy gene," as she calls it, is evident throughout her work. One can't browse her books without absorbing some of her joie de vivre. You can follow Susan Branch on twitter or on facebook.

This book, as with the others in the Susan Branch collection, get the FishMama Stamp of Approval.

Since this is Freezer Cooking Week, the FishKids and I are going to be experimenting with some of the recipes in Autumn, including Indian Shuck Corn, Touchdown Chili, and Homemade Marshmallows with Hot Cocoa. Yum! Tune in tomorrow at LifeasMOM for the live-blog edition of this made-ahead experience. More details are here.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. However, my opinions are in no way changed by this. I was not asked or required to write a review.
Encouraged by what you've read? Subscribe to LifeasMOM by email or in a reader and join me on the Road to Joyful Motherhood.

The Cooking Milk: A Review of Carnation Evaporated Milk

When I lived in France during my junior year in college I developed a taste for coffee and tea. I loved to have it with cream, but fresh cream was expensive. And I was, after all, a "starving college student in Europe." One of my fellow Americans introduced me to canned evaporated milk. Sold in tiny cans it was the perfect solution to my coffee creamer dilemma. Evaporated milk is merely fresh milk that has been heated to remove some of the water. Condensed, it is a perfect substitution for cream with more calcium and protein per serving. It can be used in virtually any recipe calling for milk and sometimes those calling for cream. (That's going to depend on the recipe.) One of the added benefits is that it has a longer shelf-life and needs no refrigeration prior to opening.

Recently I was approached by One2One Network and Carnation Evaporated Milk to test one of their recipes as well as one of my own, using The Cooking Milk. They graciously provided me with a gift card to purchase ingredients and two coupons for free Carnation Evaporated Milk. I was sent a copy of their Holiday Recipe Guide. You can request one to be mailed to your address or download it online.

Since potatoes and bacon are such a great Fallish, Footballish combination of flavors, I made the Loaded Potato Potluck Favorite. Oh my! The recipe is delicious. Even my potato-hating FishBoy liked it. One kid who has an aversion to the word "casserole" did not care for it. Not sure what's wrong with the boy, 'cause this was good stuff. FishPapa called it a Naked Twice Baked Potato. There we have it.

For our own recipe experiment, I substituted evaporated milk for the cream that's called for in my blueberry scones. They were a little moister than normal, but still very good. We didn't notice any difference in flavor. And, of course, I made them in miniature.

I think keeping canned milk in the pantry is a great idea, especially considering that the price of fresh milk is on the rise. You could easily use canned instead of fresh in most of your baking without noticing a difference. Keep your eyes open because sales will abound in the next few months. Evaporated milk is often a "called for" ingredient in many a holiday recipe. Last year I was able to get several cans "for free" after sales and coupons. I imagine that will be the case again this season.

Disclosure: Carnation and One2One Network provided me with two free cans of evaporated milk as well as a gift card to cover the expense of the ingredients needed to prepare these recipes. I was not compensated in any other way. My opinions shared here are just that -- mine.

Encouraged by what you've read? Subscribe to LifeasMOM by email or in a reader and join me on the Road to Joyful Motherhood.