Helping Hands Linky 7

I have not been updating the helping Hands linky as not many people have been involved.  But I really enjoy this linky and want to try to revive it.  Please help me spread the word about this linky, the more people that participate the more we can help each other.

It is time for us to share a bit of love and help each other out!! 

The helping hands linky

This is a linky of helping each other.  You put in a request of something you want done such as someone entering your giveaway, following your on twitter, facebook, or some other blogging need.  Then you full fill the requests of the three people before you on the linky.  This way we can all reach out and help each other.  When starting a new linky I will add the last three requests off of the old linky so those requests can still be met.  Please do not add your request to the linky unless you plan to meet the needs of the three people in front of you.  Also I know at times you may not be able to meet their requests such as when it is a giveaway entry and you have alerady entered please find some other little way to help them out!  

I used to participate in a linky similar to this one over at Ten Talents she used to run a linky called This for That which had the same type of theme of helping each other. 

Here are some sample entries:  

* Please follow me on twitter - (Linked to your twitter account)

*Please enter my giveaway (linked to the giveaway)

*please follow me on facebook ( linked to facebook fan page)

Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Recap: 

List your need in the linky and fulfill the needs of the three people above you in the linky

Do not list more then one need in a row as you would be one of the three people under you who would be there to fulfill your request.  But after three more people have put in requests it would be fine to add another request.

* Please Note only list one thing at a time so that there will be people under you to help you and so that the people above you can have three different people to try and help them out. 

 

 

Blog Hops and such for the week of: Feb. 27- March 5

Hello, and welcome to Learning to be Thrifty. 

Have a look around and enjoy Learning to be thrifty.

While you are here be sure to check out my two current giveaways:

LoveBook Online

MariCole Designs

 Goumet Gift Basket

Blog Hops: 

Swinging By Sunday

Let's get social

Sunday Strolling

Super Mega 7 in 1 blog hop
Swingin' by Sunday 

Advertising your giveaways tips day 1

There are many great ways to advertise your giveaway and many sites and blogs to help you. 

One I always get alot of traffic from is Sweep Tight if you put her button on your blog she will feature your giveaway on her blog she will also post it on her facebook and twitter - check it out here. 

Another great site that will post low entry giveaways is Tight wad in utah 
She has an ongoing list of giveaways that have low entries as well as posting daily with giveaways that are ending that day.  I always see lots of traffic coming from her direction on the last day of my giveaways.

If it is a homemade giveaway then a great place to try and get it posted is on By hand giveaways.  I have not done alot of handmade so I am not sure what kind of traffic this one will drive in.  


Another one that lists giveaways is BlogGiveaways


I have noticed that places where they post about the giveaway seem to drive in more traffic then giveaway linkys so I try to always enter my giveaways that these places.  
Where do you enter your giveaways? 

Tori

Maricole Designs- Review and Giveaway

I have recently found a etsy shop that I adore: Maricole Designs.

She sells very cute pull over bibs and burp clothes.  

I was recently contacted her to see if I could set up a review and giveaway.  

I reviewed two of her pull over bibs. 

I choose two pull over bibs to review.

I reviewed the lovebirds and the Rainbow of flowers:

I was very excited to review these.  Most of the bibs I have for babybug are small bibs for tiny babies and babybug is a messy eater!! 

The bibs arrived and I opened the envelope.  I was pleased to see how nicely they were wrapped.  They came wrapped in purple tissue.  If I had been giving them for a gift they would be ready to plop into a gift bag.  

I opened the package and was realyl surprised at the quality of these bibs.  They are made out of soft fleece material and have a stretch sweatshirt type neck hole.  The patterns and colors all worked really well together.  Then came the test dinner time.   The bibs kept babybug clean through the meal.  The bib was covered in dinner but the baby was amazingly clean.  I was concerned about how the bib would wash since it was made out of fleece, but it made it through the washer and dryer and came out looking just and nice and before I washed it.  

The bibs sell for $6 a piece.  At first I did think the price was a little much for a bib but out at target this morning I realized that was in the normal price range for a larger bib, and the I think the quality is much nicer then the store bought kind.  

MariCole Designs also sells bib and burp cloth sets.  I think these would make wonderful baby shower gifts.
You can also check out the happenings at Mariecole Designs on her facebook page.  

Want to hear some good news?  Maricole Designs is offering one Learning to be Thrifty viewer a chance to win their choice of two bibs or a bib and burp cloth set.  

  Mandatory Entry:
Tell me your favorite product and design from Maricole Design's shop.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow this blog using google friend connect.

2. Blog about this giveaway leave a link to the post in your comment- 3 entries (leave three separate comments) 

3. Tweet about this giveaway (may be done once a day) 

4. Follow me on twitter

5. Tell me how you found this giveaway?

6. Enter this giveaway into a giveaway linky - one entry per linky it is entered into please leave the link to the linky in your comment 

7. Like me on facebook  

8. Like Maricole Designs on facebook

 This giveaway is limited to US Residents only, 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends Saturday March 12, 2011 at Midnight Central Time, 1 winner will be chosen by random.org

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by MariCole Designs, I was given two bibs to review as well.  The opinions in my review are my own and not influenced by the company.   

Free Dr. Suess story time and target today.

Check it out target is having a free Dr. Suess Story time at target this morning.   

Find out more about it here.

Tillen Farms Giveaway - Winner!!

It is time to announce the winner of the Tillen Farms giveaway - 

Congrats to: number 160

Beckeesdeals said...

160

I love the Asparagus and cherries equally...and I feel really hungry now that I went through their AWESOME foods on their site!!

beckeesdeals at gmail dot com

Congrats Beckeesdeals!!   I will be emailing you shortly!!

Don't forget I still have the LoveBook online giveaway going with three winners and no one entered your odds are pretty good!!

Walgreens - free 8x10 collage

Walgreens is doing a seven days of deals deal this week.

Today's deal is a Free 8x10 collage 

Check it out here

Frugal tip of the day- and a ruined dinner

The crock pot is an excellent way to save money in the kitchen!! 

Yesterday on our meal plan was crock pot steak and potatoes.  You can really save money and still eat well when using the crock pot when cooking meat in the crock pot you can choose the cheaper, tougher meats because the crock pot keeps the moisture in so well.

Yesterday I woke up a few minutes early put in my three steaks smeared on some steak sauce, threw in some potatoes and carrots and added another layer of sauce.  I turned the crock pot on low and went to work.  All day I looked forward to a yummy steak dinner with no cooking when I got home.  Only to come home and discover I did not plug in the crock pot!  Oh was so upset that I did this!! We went from eating like kings to scavenging through the leftovers. 

Oh well lesson learned take a few extra seconds to check that the crock pot is plugged in next time!! 

Tori

Wandering through Wednesday!!

It's time for another Wandering through Wednesday!!

This is a blog hop with NO rules!

You don't have to add the button and you don't have to follow me 

(even though I would love for you too!)

If you do start following me, leave me a comment letting me know and I will follow you back!

Don't forget to visit the Co-Host! - Life with the Dietrich's

We have two buttons you can add:

A larger one perfect for a blog post-

<a href="http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/ktdietrich/WTWbutton-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Life with the Dietrichs"></a><br /> 

And a smaller one for your Sidebars -

<a href="http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/ktdietrich/WTWbutton-2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Life with the Dietrichs"></a><br />

Happy Hopping!! 

While you are here be sure to check out these great giveaways:

Tillen Farms

LoveBook On-line

Hops and such for the week of Feb. 20-27

Happy new week everyone!! 

Welcome to my blog if you are new,  feel free to browse around: 

Helpful links:

Click here to go to the helping hands linky

Click here to check out the giveway linky.

Click here to enter the Tillen Farms giveaway - yum!! 

Click here to enter my Love Book Online giveaway ( giving three copies away)

I hope you enjoy your time here at Learning to be Thrifty make sure you leave a comment and I will be sure to come visit your blog too!!

Happy Hoppin'

Tori

Blog Hops: 

Making Friends Monday 
Relax and make Friends Wednesday Blog Hop
Wandering Through Wednesday ( Co-Hosted by Me!! )
Nice to Tweet you 
Traveling through Thursday - Twitter hop
It's almost Friday Blog Hop  
Thursday's Friends and giveaways  
Blog Hop Thursday

LoveBook Online - Review and Giveaway

Have you seen LoveBook Online? 

This is a site where you can create and buy your very own book to show your loved ones how much you love them!! 

I was recently given an opportunity to create and review my very own LoveBook.  

The hubby and I created one for our sweet little baby bug! 

This is the cover for BabyBug's book only we added a line with her name on it: 

After you design your cover from their many choices you can create your pages.  You can use their pre-made pages or you can create your own.  We did some of both.  I really liked that I could edit the pre-made ones to make them fit our needs even more. There is a 20 page minimum but no maximum you can include as may pages as you want.

Here are a few of the pages from her book: 

The program was very easy to work with and I really enjoyed being able to be creative but at the same time being able to lean on the pages they had already made when my creative juiced got lazy.

So the book was made and sent to our door.  I was very excited to open it up and see baby bug's book.  The binding is very nice.  I love the color and the sturdiness of the cover.  My only worry about the book is that the pages are a bit thin.  I hope they will hold up over time.  The pages are book pages like thicker novel pages, in some ways I like that as it makes the book feel like a real book, but I think a glossy texture may have been better for durability sake. 

The books cost $39.95 for the hardback and $24.95 for a soft cover.  This price does seem a bit high to me, but I think that the thoughtfulness of this kind of gift would be very meaningful to the recipent.  

 Ready to win your own LoveBook?

LoveBook has generously offered to give free codes to three Learning to be Thrifty viewers.

Please note the winner will be responsible for the cost of shipping.

  Ready to win some paknaks? 

How to Enter: 

Please leave a comment for each entry, please include your email so I may reach you if you are the winner. 

Note The mandatory entry must be completed before any extra entries may count. 

  Mandatory Entry:
Go to LoveBook online and start a book, then come back here a comment on the reasons why you love someone.



Extra Entries:

1. Follow this blog using google friend connect.

2. Blog about this giveaway leave a link to the post in your comment- 3 entries (leave three separate comments) 

3. Tweet about this giveaway (may be done once a day) 

4. Follow me on twitter

5. Tell me how did you find this giveaway?

6. Enter this giveaway into a giveaway linky - one entry per linky it is entered into please leave the link to the linky in your comment 

7. Like me on facebook  

8. Follow Lovebook Online on facebook

9. Follow Lovebook online on Twitter

 This giveaway is open worldwide only, 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends Saturday March 5, 2011 at Midnight Central Time, 1 winner will be chosen by random.org



Please Note that the winners of this contest will receive a free book, but will be responsible for the shipping.

Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is sponsored by LoveBook Online, I was given a free book for review purposes but the opinions in this post are mine and have not be influenced by the company.

Giveaway Winner - PakNak

And the winner is: 

Number 36 - 

I follow this blog using Google Friend Connect!
Alison 

alijdjam@aol.com 

Congrats Alison!! I will be contacting you with more info!! 

Giveaway ending tonight!!!

The PakNak giveaway ends tonight: click here to enter

These are so cute hurry up you don't wanna miss out!!

Book Review- God Gave Us the World

God Gave Us the World - A Review 

Today I got this kids book in the mail.  It was called God Gave Us the World.  I opened it right up and read it to baby bug as she drank her afternoon milk.  It was a very cute book that showcases the conversation of a momma polar bear and her cub.  They discuss why there are different types of bears.  The cubs wants to know why God did not just create polar bears.  I loved how momma bear talks about how each bear is different and each is special.  I think this is a great book to help children learn to accept and love other children who may be different from them.  The book also talks about how this is the earth that God gave us and we need to take care of it.  I thought that there almost seemed to be two stories in the book and I would have loved to see two separate books from it one on how to love and accept those around us and embrace their differences and one on the earth.  This book has some wonderful pictures.  I love all the different bears and animals this book features.  It also has some educational value, as it describes a couple of different bears and where they are found and a few of their features. 

Over all I thought this was a sweet little children's book I give it four out of five stars. 

This book was provided free to me through blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.  This review is my opinion and is not at all influenced by the company. 

Helping Hands Linky 6

It is time for us to share a bit of love and help each other out!! 

The helping hands linky

This is a linky of helping each other.  You put in a request of something you want done such as someone entering your giveaway, following your on twitter, facebook, or some other blogging need.  Then you full fill the requests of the three people before you on the linky.  This way we can all reach out and help each other.  When starting a new linky I will add the last three requests off of the old linky so those requests can still be met.  Please do not add your request to the linky unless you plan to meet the needs of the three people in front of you.  Also I know at times you may not be able to meet their requests such as when it is a giveaway entry and you have alerady entered please find some other little way to help them out!  

I used to participate in a linky similar to this one over at Ten Talents she used to run a linky called This for That which had the same type of theme of helping each other. 

Here are some sample entries:  

* Please follow me on twitter - (Linked to your twitter account)

*Please enter my giveaway (linked to the giveaway)

*please follow me on facebook ( linked to facebook fan page)

Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Recap: 

List your need in the linky and fulfill the needs of the three people above you in the linky

Do not list more then one need in a row as you would be one of the three people under you who would be there to fulfill your request.  But after three more people have put in requests it would be fine to add another request.

* Please Note only list one thing at a time so that there will be people under you to help you and so that the people above you can have three different people to try and help them out.

Tuesday's Wins - ( a little late)

Please add your giveaways to the linky below.  It will be up all week feel free to add your linkys as well as check out some great giveaways around the blog world!!

Also while you are herebe sure to check out my two giveaways:

PakNak ends Friday!! 

Tillen Farms Ends 2/25

Wandering through Wednesday!!

It's time for another Wandering through Wednesday!!

This is a blog hop with NO rules!

You don't have to add the button and you don't have to follow me 

(even though I would love for you too!)

If you do start following me, leave me a comment letting me know and I will follow you back!

Don't forget to visit the Co-Host! - Life with the Dietrich's

We have two buttons you can add:

A larger one perfect for a blog post-

<a href="http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/ktdietrich/WTWbutton-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Life with the Dietrichs"></a><br /> 

And a smaller one for your Sidebars -

<a href="http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/ktdietrich/WTWbutton-2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Life with the Dietrichs"></a><br />

Happy Hopping!! 

While you are here be sure to check out my two giveaways I have going on: PakNaks and Tillen Farms

Hops and such for the week of Feb. 13-19

Happy new week everyone!! 

Welcome to my blog if you are new,  feel free to browse around: 

Helpful links:

Click here to go to the helping hands linky

Click here to check out the giveway linky.

Click here to enter my PakNak giveaway (ends Friday)

Click here to enter the Tillen Farms giveaway - yum!!

I hope you enjoy your time here at Learning to be Thrifty make sure you leave a comment and I will be sure to come visit your blog too!!

Happy Hoppin'

Tori

Blog Hops: 

Sunday Social Network Exchange
The Sunday strolling Blog Hop 
Making Friends Monday 
mom blog monday 
Thrilling Thrusdat Linky party 
Traveling through Thursday 
Blog Hop Thursday 
Frugal Fridays 
Hop Along Friday
Social Parade
Saturday Stalk 
Let's Get Social Sunday

Valetines day craft- homemade crayons

Several weeks ago I bought a set of heart shaped silicone ice trays in the dollar spot at target.  At the time I was not sure how I would use them but I thought they were cute and I would come up with something fun for them.  I set them aside and basically forgot about them.  Then I came across this post at the christian moms forums.

This was such a cute idea that I had to try it.  So off started my adventure to make some heart shaped crayons.  I did not have any old broken crayons, I am sure when baby bug gets older I will have all kinds of broken crayons to use for this, so I bought a cheap pack from the dollar store.  

I took the wrappers off and broke them into small pieces.  I mixed colors that I thought would look pretty together and layed them all out into the ice cube holder.  

After I had the crayons all in place I stuck it in the preheated oven at 250 degrees for 10 minutes.  Set it out to cool.

Then out they popped and I have these cute little crayons.  I am going to set babybug up in her highchair with a piece of paper and a few of these to color tonight, then I will be taking them to school with me in the morning to let my students use.  

What kind of projects have you done for Valentines day this year?

Tillen Farms - A review and giveaway

Boy do I have a yummy and nutritious product to tell you about today!! 

Meet Tillen Farms:

By way of background, we work closely with select farmers in Washington State’s agriculturally rich Yakima Valley where the unique climate produces world class fruits and veggies. During a short growing season, we bring in fresh Asparagus, Beans, Carrots and Snap Peas into our factory in Sunnyside, WA where they are cleaned, trimmed, and then run through a steam tunnel after which they rapidly chilled. Unlike virtually all other competitors, our veggies are minimally exposed to heat. As a result, Tillen Farms products are:

                  o       Uniquely Crisp with “Fresh from the field” flavor

o       100% all natural, gluten-free, fat free,

o       Kosher certified (all except Asparagus)                          

Our veggies offer superb cross merchandising opportunities at retail on deli counter, in a cheese island, with fresh produce and drink mix amenities or even liquor sets, where permitted!  Tillen Farms Maraschino Cherries are the first and only cherry with no preservatives, no red dye #40 and no corn syrup, ideally suited with dessert, baking and with drink mix amenities. No one else makes such a cherry which will bring new customers to the mix! 

I was sent a wonderful selection of Tillen Farms yummy products.

This was my afternoon snack! Yum: carrots, asparagus and spicy snap peas.  My favorite of these three is the asparagus yum, I love the texture the crunch is amazing.  When I think of pickled veggies I don't picture a crunchy fresh tasting vegetable, but that is just what you get from Tillen Farms veggies.  The spicier veggies were a little to much for me but my husband loved them so they will not go to waste.  These make a great healthy snack to keep in the fridge and since they are pickled they will last for quite some time.  

One of my other favorites was the cherries.  These are some great sundae topping cherries!!  I was really impressed with the fact these are made with natural ingredients.  

Check out the Tillen Farms website where you can buy your own yummy vegetables. 

Want to hear some good news: 

Tillen Farms has offered to give one blessed Learning to be thrifty viewer their own VIP sampler to try. 

How to Enter: 

Please leave a comment for each entry, please include your email so I may reach you if you are the winner. 

Note The mandatory entry must be completed before any extra entries may count. 

  Mandatory Entry:
Tell me your favorite product that Tillen Farms Sells

Extra Entries:

1. Follow this blog using google friend connect.

2. Blog about this giveaway leave a link to the post in your comment- 3 entries (leave three separate comments) 

3. Tweet about this giveaway (may be done once a day) 

4. Follow me on twitter

5. Tell me how you found this giveaway?

6. Enter this giveaway into a giveaway linky - one entry per linky it is entered into please leave the link to the linky in your comment 

7. Like me on facebook  

 This giveaway is limited to US Residents only, 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends Friday February 25, 2011 at Midnight Central Time, 1 winner will be chosen by random.org

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by Tillen Farms, I was given a sampler pack to review as well.  The opinions in my review are my own and not influenced by the company.   

 

Free Sweepstakes and Contest

Book Review- Divine Appointments

 A book review: 

Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich

From the back of the book:

With the big 5-0 fast approaching Josie Brooks begins to question her structured, picture-perfect (mid)life. 

This book showcases the hardships placed on several different lives due to an economic downturn and a company's choice to down size and re-group.   The main character in the story is Josie Brooks, an independent woman who moves from town to town working as a consultant hired on to large companies to help the companies work more efficiently.  Our story picks up from there as we meet the characters who meet the ax due to Josie's recommendations as well as the ones that scrap by and keep their positions. 

The story was a slow read for me I just could not seem to wrap my mind around the plot line and really enjoy this book.  I had a hard time understanding some of the links to a mysterious snowglobe and had the hardest time relating to Josie her  thought process a whole lot different then my own.  This was an interesting book but not one of my favorites and a bit of a chore for me to finish 

I give this book a 2 out 5 stars. 

This book was provided free to me through blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.  This review is my opinion and is not at all influenced by the company.  

Giveaways around the web 2/10

Well it is a lovely snow day for us today!! Everything is nice and white.

So what better way to waste some time this morning then with entering some giveaways.

Feel free to enter with me! But please don't win any of the ones I want to win!! 

Women Tribune is giveaway Wubbzy Be Mine from wow wow wubbzy ends 2/12

Being Allison is giving away a $50 gift card to Red Envelope ends tonight!!

Adventures of a frugal mom is giveaway a Cinderella Book - ends tonight   

New London Pharmacy is hosting a giveaway for a Valentines bag of goodies  ends tonight.

Helping Hands Linky 5

It is time for us to share a bit of love and help each other out!! 

The helping hands linky

This is a linky of helping each other.  You put in a request of something you want done such as someone entering your giveaway, following your on twitter, facebook, or some other blogging need.  Then you full fill the requests of the three people before you on the linky.  This way we can all reach out and help each other.  When starting a new linky I will add the last three requests off of the old linky so those requests can still be met.  Please do not add your request to the linky unless you plan to meet the needs of the three people in front of you.  Also I know at times you may not be able to meet their requests such as when it is a giveaway entry and you have alerady entered please find some other little way to help them out!  

I used to participate in a linky similar to this one over at Ten Talents she used to run a linky called This for That which had the same type of theme of helping each other. 

Here are some sample entries:  

* Please follow me on twitter - (Linked to your twitter account)

*Please enter my giveaway (linked to the giveaway)

*please follow me on facebook ( linked to facebook fan page)

Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Recap: 

List your need in the linky and fulfill the needs of the three people above you in the linky

Do not list more then one need in a row as you would be one of the three people under you who would be there to fulfill your request.  But after three more people have put in requests it would be fine to add another request.

* Please Note only list one thing at a time so that there will be people under you to help you and so that the people above you can have three different people to try and help them out. 

 

Wandering Through Wednesday!!

It is time for a brand new Blog hop.

I am very excited to be hosting with blog hop with Katie from Life with the Dietrich's

<a href="http://thriftytori.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/ktdietrich/WTWbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Life with the Dietrichs"></a>

This is a blog hop with NO rules!

You don't have to add the button and you don't have to follow me 

(even though I would love for you too!)

If you do start following me, leave me a comment letting me know and I will follow you back!

 

Don't forget to visit the Co-Host! - Life with the Dietrich's

Also While you are here:
-Feel free to enter my current giveaway for 3 paknaks
-Stop by my Helping Hands linky very fun!
-and enter your giveaways into my current Tuesday's Wins linky

Free Sample of 3-M heart shaped post-it notes

Click Here to get your free sample of 3-m heart shaped post it notes.

Hurry I have a feeling these will go fast!! 

Tuesday's Wins Giveaway Linky 3

Tuesday has arrived again and I am ready to win some goodies!!! 

Right now I have a giveaway going to win 3 PakNak's of your choice.  These are the cutest little things!! Click here to enter.

Please add your giveaways to the linky below.  It will be up all week feel free to add your linkys as well as check out some great giveaways around the blog world!!

Hops and Such for the Week of Feb. 6- 12

Happy Hopping!!  

If you are new to the blog welcome!!I am so excited to meet ya :)

This week I have been thinking about adding some buttons.  I have no clue how to make a button so I need to find someone to design my buttons.  I would love to trade advertisement on the site for buttons, does anyone like to make them and wanna work something out just let me know.

Check out the current Helping hands linky - here This is a fun new way to lend and receive a helping hand here around the blog world. I really hope you like this concept as much as I do.

Don't forget to enter our newest giveaway for some cute little paknaks!!

Check out the newest giveaway linky - Here 

Feel free to add your giveaways, I add a new linky each Tuesday. 

 

Hope you have a great week!!

I hope your week is filled with joy!

Tori

Blog Hops: 

Retail Therapy Weekly Blog Hop
Good Friends Just Click  
Tuesday Twitter Hop 
Twitter me this Thursday
Facebook Follow Friday 
Following Friday

CSN Review to come

I have been given another chance to review a product from CSN.  This really is a store with everything.  A place where you can shop for the kidos, the husband and yourself.  A place where you can get a new piece of furniture or a new laptop messenger bag  - Which of these bags is your favorite?

In the past I have been very happy with the things I have reviewed from CSN.  My biggest problem with them always seems to be choosing the item to get they really do have it all.  

As I get ready to choose an item to review I know I will spend several hours looking over all their wonderful items. 

Tori

Blogger Appreciation Day: January 2011

I love looking at google analytics at all of my blog statistics.  To me it is neat to see where my viewers are coming from and what all is happening so 

This linky over at 3 boys and a dog is just up my alley.  

She lists the top ten site that refer to her blog. Minus the big sites like google or twitter.

Here are the rules she lists on her site: 

1. Go into your tracking service (I use Google Analytics) and set the time period for January 1st – January 31st.
2. Find the sites that have referred readers to you and put them in order from most sends to lowest. (I only do blogs and small businesses, not big sites!)
3. Write a post (like this one) listing your top 10 referrers.
4. Grab the Blogger Appreciation Day picture and add it to your site or post. (It is also nice to link back to my site, since I am giving you a link )
5. Link that post up in my LinkyTools below. (Please do not list your current giveaways!! If you want your giveaways linked, send me )
6. Scroll down and you will see a list of links, simply add your direct post link to it. 

So here are my top ten: 

1.  Tight Wad in Utah - Sent me 27 

2. giveaway blogs- sent me 10

3. Ten Talents - sent me 10

4. Paisley Passions - sent me 9

5. showmyface - sent me 9

6. Chubby cheeks thinks - Sent me 7

7. Couponing to be debt free - sent me 7

8. Just married with Coupons -sent me 7

9. such fun to give - sent me 7

10. sweep tight - sent me 7

I want to give a big thanks to these top ten!!! 

Just in case your curious blogger sent me 117, twitter sent 13

I know these numbers are puny!! Hopefully they will grow as the blog grows.  Have you ever looked to see where your viewers come from?  Google analytics is a great tool for this.  

Go to 3 boys and a dog to check out other blogger appreciation posts!

PakNak - Giveaway and discount code

Did you catch my review of pakNaks? 

If not check it out here

Paknak has generously offered one Learning to be Thrifty viewer a chance to win three paknaks of their choice.

These are such cute accessories. 

I think if I were to choose three I would choose: 

Sprinkles- 

 

Birdy Bird- 

 And

Snickerdoodle for the holidays

Ready to purchase some paknaks for your littles?  or even for yourself?

Use the code: PAK20 to receive 20% off your purchase!!

  Ready to win some paknaks? 

How to Enter: 

Please leave a comment for each entry, please include your email so I may reach you if you are the winner. 

Note The mandatory entry must be completed before any extra entries may count. 

  Mandatory Entry:
Tell me your favorite paknak.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow this blog using google friend connect.

2. Blog about this giveaway leave a link to the post in your comment- 3 entries (leave three separate comments) 

3. Tweet about this giveaway (may be done once a day) 

4. Follow me on twitter

5. Tell me how did you find this giveaway?

6. Enter this giveaway into a giveaway linky - one entry per linky it is entered into please leave the link to the linky in your comment 

7. Like me on facebook 

 This giveaway is limited to US Residents only, 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends Friday February 18, 2011 at Midnight Central Time, 1 winner will be chosen by random.org

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by paknak, I was given two paknaks to review as well.  The opinions in my review post were my own and not influenced by the company.  

Helping Hands 4

It is time for us to share a bit of love and help each other out!! 

The helping hands linky

This is a linky of helping each other.  You put in a request of something you want done such as someone entering your giveaway, following your on twitter, facebook, or some other blogging need.  Then you full fill the requests of the three people before you on the linky.  This way we can all reach out and help each other.  When starting a new linky I will add the last three requests off of the old linky so those requests can still be met.  Please do not add your request to the linky unless you plan to meet the needs of the three people in front of you.  Also I know at times you may not be able to meet their requests such as when it is a giveaway entry and you have alerady entered please find some other little way to help them out!  

I used to participate in a linky similar to this one over at Ten Talents she used to run a linky called This for That which had the same type of theme of helping each other. 

Here are some sample entries:  

* Please follow me on twitter - (Linked to your twitter account)

*Please enter my giveaway (linked to the giveaway)

*please follow me on facebook ( linked to facebook fan page)

Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Recap: 

List your need in the linky and fulfill the needs of the three people above you in the linky

Do not list more then one need in a row as you would be one of the three people under you who would be there to fulfill your request.  But after three more people have put in requests it would be fine to add another request.

* Please Note only list one thing at a time so that there will be people under you to help you and so that the people above you can have three different people to try and help them out.