Giveaways Oh Giveaways . . . Oh how I love you! #giveaways #freestuff

People think I am crazy but I love to enter giveaways. Its a great way to try new products, get to know new brands, treat yourself to fun new things, or simply get free Christmas gifts for your friends/family. I have been entering giveaways since my pretty lil princess was growing in my belly. Since she was my second child I didn't think I would have a baby shower but still wanted/needed a few things that we didn't have on hand from our first child (mainly clothes - since our first was a boy). I did some research on some of the couponing blogs I followed and found that entering giveaways can be simple, and take very little time and effort. I started entering and started winning almost instantly!

To-date I have won:

• $10 gift card to Simple Addictions (great online jewelry and clothing store!) Check them out at http://www.simpleaddiction.com/
• An Auburn Toddler headband from So Tweet Designs (she makes wonderful headbands and does special orders!! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoTweetDesigns
• 2 Nuk Bottles (from two different giveaways)
• $50 gift card to PinkBlush Maternity
• So Tweet Blanket Bundle
• Comfort & Harmony Swing
• Monkey Mat (check them out!- This company has been on Shark Tank!)
• Origami Owl Necklace with Charms
• Custom Shirt from Lissy Loo Boutique
• $50 Preggers gift card
• $50 Vintage Pearl Gift card
• Sweet Baby Dolly hat pattern
• Max It Out Maxi Dress from Honey and Hive
• Farmhouse fresh pajama past yogurt Mask and Shea butter soap from Dockside Elizabeth City
• Cardigan, watch, necklace/earring set from Anna Design Co
• Binky D Diaper
• Taylor and Chloe hair accessories
• $60 Umi gift card
• Look Sharp Target Coupon Booklet
• Mia Mariu Rejuvenate Your Skin Anti-Aging Pack
• Tiny Love Play Mat
• Really Wolly: 12 Little Blessings Children's Book
• Sprout Snacks and coupons
• 2 Zipadee Zip's (from two different giveaways)
• BabyHatIsland baby hat
• Knot Ring
• $25 gift card to Target
• 3 Plant Potter Wraps
• Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag (only the BEST diaper bag out there! Love Love Love mine!)
• A printed family tree from Jena Glantz Design Creatives
• My Baby Can Sign DVD
• Bottle warmer
• Bottle cooler for stroller
• infant pajamas
• Pedipad kids shoes
• $50 Umi Shoe gift card
• Minky binky
• Oh, Baby Book
• Frozen CD
• Shopkins prize pack
• Azure Naturals Vitamin C Serum
• Hyland’s Prize Pack
• Plaid scarf from Everyday Pitter Patter Shop
• $50 gift card to 9th & Elm
• Necklace from Emma Sophia
• tulle skirt and a sweatshirt from The Girl That Loves
• Saints and Soldiers DVD
• Zoey's Attic Gift card
• KidCuteTure Dress
• Noah Book
• 3 pairs of earrings from LovelyFluer (an Etsy shop)
• $100 gift card to Pretty Bandit 
• Framesi Shampoo/Conditioner
• Gift card to ICreate Custom labels

There are a few items I haven't mentioned because I don't have them physically yet. I never count a win until I have received my prize. Keep in mind most prizes take 6-8 weeks to get to you once you have won.

If you have entered any giveaways what have you won?

Changes- Lots and Lots of Changes

Its been crazy busy here on the home front - I broke my foot about a week before Mr. Handsome graduated. Which means I cancelled the family pictures I had scheduled because I didn't want my brother-in-law/podiatrist to see me attempt to take the pictures in my heels. Plus who wants the ugliest boot in pictures you want to in large and put in your living room! Urgh!  On the bright side I wasn't able to help move :) so Mr. Handsome and his family did pretty much all of the packing, loading, moving, unloading and unpacking! Yeah for me :)

Graduation was AMAZING! I didn't realize how emotional it was going to be until Mr. Handsome walked across the stage and received his diploma. Lil Handsome man screamed "That's MY DADDY!" and let me tell you at that point I lost it! Not just a tear or two - I made puddles at my feet! Its been a 6 year journey for us (4 years in graduate school and two in undergrad). I journey I was so ready to complete until the day after graduation, when the real world hit. And when it hit it hit HARD! Broken foot expenses, moving costs, new housing costs, set up fees for all the utilities, old cars breaking/fixing and breaking again, not to mention diapers, gas and food. Lets just say that first paycheck couldn't get here fast enough. In my head I had already spent that check 10x over. I just wish I got to spend something - any of it really - on something I actually wanted not needed. Real world problems right?

Outside of my broken foot the move went better then expected. Lil Handsome and Pretty Princess took the road trip well. Only getting too fussy a few times. My MIL helped out by driving and staying with us for two weeks until I could drive again and walk around without crutches. By the end of the two weeks I'm not sure who was more excited to see the plane arrive to pick her up- Me, Mr. Handsome and my MIL. Love her to pieces but home girl and I don't see eye-to-eye on many things.

Pretty Princess also just celebrated her very first birthday! I was one excited Mama. Since Mickey Mouse is her boyfriend and all we went all out on a Mickey and Minnie themed party! My mom and two of my siblings were able to make the trip to come see us and celebrate with us. Pictures to come soon- as soon as I figure out this whole blogger.com thing. Technology and I aren't friends and it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon- Maybe I should invest in Blogging for Dummies???