Win a $30 Gift Card from SophiasStyle.com

 I told y'all we would be doing giveaways and today is the day! (Well technically this week is the week but you may as well enter today while you're already here, just sayin'.)

I've actually had quite a few requests to do this but this was the first time I was really impressed enough with a company to move forward.  I am so excited to tell you about SophiasStyle.com my new favorite online kiddie boutique. 

SophiasStyle.com is a standout for a bunch of reasons;

First,  I actually LOVE the clothes and shoes and accessories they carry.  Their brands include;  Lito, Bonnie Jean and my favorite Rare Editions and Primigi.  And they have hard to find specialty products for gymnasts, cheerleaders and figure skaters.

Second, their prices are BELOW RETAIL STICKER.  Who doesn't love discount designer kids clothes?  Goodness knows with two going on three girly girls I do!

Third, they have free shipping on a regular basis and they run specials and discounts (keep an eye out for those). 

Last but not least...(this is the one that put them completely over the top in my book)... they have a heart for orphans!  That's right when they learned about my upcoming trip to Kazakhstan they offered to make a clothing donation to the orphanage.  They told me to go on their site and shop for what the kids in Kaz needed.

Seriously how awesome is that? 

Now there are a ton of darling dresses on their site I would have loved to bring to Kaz but I was practical and asked for socks and underwear.  A week later I had a huge package delivered filled with all I asked for PLUS 12 sets of new jammies.  

So perfect for a mission trip where our main objective is to deliver and set up 100 new beds.

Of course there is also the GIVEAWAY and they've made it super simple and easy.

Not one...not two... but  

THREE lucky readers will each win a $30 gift-card from SophiasStyle.com

Here's all you need to do:

1. Go over to their Facebook  Sweepstakes page HERE
2. Click the "Like" button
3. Click the "Enter Now" button and fill out the sweepstakes form.  (You only need to fill out your name and address and they promise they wont spam you.)

All and all pretty painless.

The sweepstakes runs from September 9th at 9am CST through September 16th at 11:59pm CST. The winners will be chosen at random and will be notified by email.

ENTER TO WIN HERE 

And check this out... 

EVERYONE who enters gets a promo code good for 10% off your next order at SophiasStyle.com

BTW...Here are a few of the things I'm eying for my girls....

http://www.sophiasstyle.com/baby-girls-black-fuchsia-velvet-christams-holiday-dress-6m-24m.html

http://www.sophiasstyle.com/primigi-ruby-red-sequin-velcro-strap-shoes-toddler-girls-7-5-13-5.html

http://www.sophiasstyle.com/melissa-and-doug-toddler-little-girls-bella-butterfly-boots-6-13.html

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Give Aways and Good Causes!

Ok so this is sort of cool... at least I hope you think so.

Since I started writing Five of My Own last December readership has grown pretty steadily.  At this point Five of My Own averages 60,000 page views per month (and growing by >5,000 each month).  According to Alexa (if I’m understanding this) it’s rated in the top 2% of the most trafficked sites on the web.  We've been listed as the #1 Top Mommy Blog for most of 2011 and we were even voted one of the 2011 Most Inspirational Families by Circle or Moms.

It is totally crazy.

With the increased traffic I’ve been getting requests to do product reviews and giveaways.  To be perfectly honest I wasn’t sure at first if I was interested.  There are sites out there that do lots of giveaways and basically the whole blog is about reviewing products but that’s just not me.  I'm not making a living doing this (as if) I'm just sharing my experience with adoption and these crazy people I live with.  Plus I just can't get comfortable with "selling" something I don't really believe in. Especially since one of the first requests was for me to review a cord blood storage service.  Seriously, cord blood?  On an adoption blog?? After that I basically put it out of my mind.

But I think I've figured out how to have some integrity in this process... in fact I think there might be a way to have some fun and do some good at the same time.  So, beginning in September I will be reviewing products and hosting giveaways as they become available.



However I’m going to have some ground rules.

if you’re an advertiser - this is for you!

• The product or service has to be of interest to Five of My Own readers; think moms, mostly adoptive moms.  You know the kind of moms with kids, adopted kids. If you are selling something like cord blood storage or say breast pump or stretch mark cream you’re barking up the wrong tree.

• Now if you have cute clothes, toys, children's books, parenting books, therapeutic services, baby/toddler/kid gear, cool websites or something else you think we could use then by all means tell us all about it!

• If we agree you have something that makes sense to talk about here, I will share your product or service with my readers along with my honest review and opinion.  (If it’s negative, I’ll leave it to you to decide if I should publish).  My review will include pictures (both yours and mine) and links to you site.

• We can discuss details on a individual basis but generally here’s what I would like in return;

• Of course I need something to work with so send me samples and information on your product or service.

• I don't want to be paid BUT I will ask that you make a donation to an adoption charity or project of my choice.  This might be in the form of cash or merchandise or even a percentage of sales generated. (And great news your donation will be tax deductible!)

• Finally I ask that you sponsor a give away for Five of My Own readers.  I love my readers and I want them to get a little something too!

So that’s it.  A little something new.  Here's hoping this will add some fun for my readers while helping a few of the orphan related charities I love!

Our first reader giveaway will begin on September 12th!  I think all of my fashionista moms are going to like this one!

If you would like me to review your product, service or site here on Five of My Own please email me at fiveofmyown@gmail.com.

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Virtual Vacation: Real Souvenirs!

The vacation countdown chain.

We are going on a Caribbean cruise and you are all invited to join us.

Virtually that is.

So pack your virtual suitcase.

Dust off your virtual passport.

And get your virtual pedicure.

Actually go ahead and get a real pedicure, you deserve a little pampering!


We leave tonight!







WHILE WE ARE AWAY...


Each day I will be writing about our adventures in family vacationing.  There will be lots of pictures and fully (edited) recaps of the days adventures.

It will just like being there.


Except you won't be able to hear my kids fighting.


Make sure you check back here throughout the week because each time we stop in a new port I am going to buy a special souvenir for one of my very lucky and oh so fabulous readers. 

All you have to do to be in the drawing to win the souvenir is leave a comment on a day we are in port.  For my Facbook followers I'll need you to comment on the blog to play along.  I will announce the winner the following day and post a picture of your amazing prize.

(Now just to be clear were talking "amazing" as in "oh wow how did they carve that coconut to look just like a pirate monkey?")

Sound like fun?

Thanks to Jamie Mornigstar for this great idea.  The girls took turns cutting one link each day from the vaction countdown chain.  It ended up being a great way for them to understand how many days there were before vacation. This little craft projects gets two thumbs up from this traveling mama!



Personally I would hit the followers button (over there on the right) AND vote today.  You don't want to miss anything when coconut pirate monkey heads are at stake.





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