Merry Samsung Christmas Giveaway Event

Welcome to the

Samsung Christmas Giveaway Event!

One lucky winner, 

two great Samsung prizes. 

For a chance to win 

simply enter via the Rafflecopter below. 

GOOD LUCK!

(not a Planet Weidknecht giveaway)

Prizes: Samsung 32-Inch and Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player
Event dates: 12/2- 12/16
Open World Wide

Quick Tips for Getting Extra Holiday Cash

With the holidays fast approaching, everyone is thinking about the impact holiday shopping will have on their wallets. While holiday gifts do tend throw budgets into a tailspin, the good news is there are actually some easy ways to find, sell and earn some extra cash. In fact, some of you may already have that money lying around the house!

FIND.
Without realizing it, you may have money owed to you just waiting to be claimed! Every U.S. state has an unclaimed property program that actively and continuously finds owners of lost and forgotten assets. According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, a total of $2.25 billion (yes, billion!) was returned to rightful owners in 2011, with the average amount being $892. Around the country, there is $41.7 billion still waiting to be claimed, so check out www.Unclaimed.org to see if you have lost funds to secure!

SELL.
On average, Americans actually have 10 unused electronics items in their houses, which could turn in to big bucks if traded in. Trading in is really easy to do--for example, Target stores nationwide accept products in-store in exchange for store gift cards. Let’s be honest, you were probably going to spend money there anyway, right?

If you prefer to trade in online, NextWorth makes it easy to get cash for your old devices. Just find your device on the site and answer simple questions about its condition for an instant quote. A free shipping label is provided to send it in. Items typically accepted for trade (online or in-store) include: iPhones, iPads, iPods, cell phones, point and shoot cameras, Digital SLR cameras, tablets, e-readers, game consoles, GPS units, laptops, movies, video games and calculators.

EARN.
Though not the easiest, or the most fun option, putting in a few extra hours around the holidays is an excellent way to get some dough. The National Retail Federation reports that retailers will hire between an estimated 585,000 and 625,000 seasonal employees this year.

Retail stores are the busiest this time of year and always need some extra hands. As a bonus, you’ll likely be eligible for the employee discount as well! Consider other seasonal jobs as well - like working at a ski resort or a Christmas tree lot.

Hopefully, with the help of these tips and some great holiday sales, you can upgrade from that macaroni necklace budget to some great gifts for the loved ones on your list this year!

--guest post

Newly Released Printable Coupons

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December List of Giveaways

• Array {new game} - Ends Dec 1
• Optari Crossbody Bag - Ends Dec 1
• A Very Merry Golden Records Christmas CD - Ends Dec 1
• Healthy Helpings Pocket Chart - Ends Dec 2
• PetSmart Holiday Costume or Holiday Toy of Winner's Choice - Ends Dec 5
• Heart of Haiti Songbird Picture Frame - Ends Dec 5
• Simple Food For Busy Families - Ends Dec 5
• ReUsies Snack and Sandwich Bags - Ends Dec 5
• The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook - Ends Dec 5
• Status Update Bands - Ends Dec 5
• Fierce Women: The Power of a Soft Warrior - Ends Dec 5
• Terro Spider Killer - Two Winners - Ends Dec 5
• Entertain Like a Gentleman - Ends Dec 5
• Shains Headband Kits and Hair Elastics - Ends Dec 7
• Cook's Delight Low Sodium Chicken Soup Base - Ends Dec 7
• A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus - Ends Dec 7
• Two $50 American Express Gift Cards - Ends Dec 8
• Corset Top from CorsetChick - Ends Dec 8
• On The Go Accessory Pouch - Ends Dec 9
• Fagor Slow Juicer - Ends Dec 15
• $25 American Express Gift Card - Ends Dec 15
• Karina Dress - Ends Dec 25

Win a Fagor Slow Juicer

Welcome to the 
Winter Wonderland Giveaway Hop
hosted by Andersons Angels 
and Joy of Momma Joyner!

This Event features a little bit of everything! Each blog has a prize worth at least $25, so be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win some wonderful prizes!
This event runs from December 1-15, 2012.

My prize is a
Fagor Slow Juicer!

This amazing small appliance has transformed my diet. The Fagor Slow Juicer is so easy to use and I can get more fruits and vegetables into a single glass than I could ever eat in one sitting. That means my body is now getting the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs. All I have to do is drop fresh fruits and vegetables into the food chute on top of the slow juicer and turn it on. The juicer uses only 150 watts of power and double-separates the juice from the pulp, dumping each into its own collector cup (included). It also comes with a user manual, a booklet of juicer recipes and an instructional DVD. It's also very easy to clean and took me only five minutes to take apart the pieces and hand wash them all. When they were dry, it was a simple process to reassemble it and there are guide dots to make sure it's done properly. It's compact and lightweight too!

My first original juicer recipe was Blaspberry-Grape Juice. I dropped 2 cups of blackberries, then 2 cups of raspberries, and then 1 cup of red grapes into the food chute. It took about five minutes to juice my fruit and I got a huge glass of fresh, incredibly delicious juice from it. I drank it for my lunch and wasn't hungry again until dinner. I've also made (and enjoyed) the Carrot Juice and the Cool Apple Juice (a fruit/veggie combination) from the Fagor Slow Juicer Recipe Booklet. There are more recipes on the Fagor website, including recipes to use the pulp so you're not throwing anything away. I'm planning on creating lots of great recipes and I will share them on my blog as I create them. I LOVE my Fagor Slow Juicer and totally recommend it! You can find out more at www.fagoramerica.com and link up with them on Facebook and Twitter. Then enter below to win your own Slow Juicer!
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Win It Here:
One winner will receive the Fagor Slow Juicer! To enter, just fill in the form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chances to win. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 12/15/2012. Good luck!

A Bit of Applause For Mrs. Claus

Welcome to the 
Christmas Books Giveaway Hop!

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

and runs from December 1-7, 2012.

After you enter my giveaway, visit the list of

participating bloggers below and enter their giveaways too.

My prize is:

A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus

by Jeannie Schick-Jacobowitz and Susie Schick-Pierce

This children's hardback picture book is destined to become a classic Christmas story. This beautifully illustrated tale is about Mrs. Claus deciding Christmas should go on, even though Santa is sick in bed. She rushes around trying to complete all the preparations and encounters a few things that go wrong. Christmas can sure be a lot of work. Just wait until you see how it ends!

This easy-to-read rhyming story is so much fun to read aloud and beginning readers will love it too. It's a great reminder that no one can do everything alone, and that helping others and working hard feels good. My preschoolers love this book and have requested many re-reads. This is a wonderful Christmas gift idea!
Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Win It Here:

One lucky winner will get to put this wonderful book under their Christmas tree! Open to US and Canada, ages 18 years and older. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 12/7/2012. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Win Your Choice of Corsets

Welcome to the 

Crazy Christmas Giveaway Hop 

hosted by GoingCrazy!! WannaGo??!! 

and Planet Weidknecht. 

During the holidays things can get crazy, but we're here to help you take a break and win some great prizes! Each blog is sponsoring a giveaway of at least $25 value. This giveaway hop runs December 1-8, 2012. Join the craziness and have fun!

---

My prize is

winner's choice of a corset top

from CorsetChick.com!

The selection at CorsetChick.com is amazing. They offer corset tops, corset dresses, clubwear, lingerie, hoisery, sleepwear, and even shoes and boots. From sweet and innocent to hot and steamy, these corsets are beautiful, high quality and very slimming.

The White Satin and Lace Corset is available from size Small to size 5/6XL. Plus size corsets can be hard to find, but CorsetChick.com has so many to choose from. This one is 14" from top to bottom, with a fully adjustable criss-cross ribbon back, and a side zipper. There are 12 lightweight vertical bones around the corset and it's cut shorter at the back for extra comfort.

It's very comfortable to wear and I love the sweetheart neckline. The lace is soft and the satin ribbons add lots of charming personality to the design. My husband was quite happy to take the photos for this review! The winner of this giveaway will be able to choose any one of the corset tops at CorsetChick.com, valued at $30 or less (which is most of them). Be sure to link up with their Facebook and Twitter pages, then enter below to win!
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 

Win a $25 American Express Gift Card in the Jingle Jam Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the 

Jingle Jam Giveaway Hop 

hosted by MamaNYC and 

Cheap Is The *New* Classy! 

We’ve organized this giveaway event in order to kickoff the holiday season with a bang. Let’s get ready to jingle and jam with some amazing prizes geared towards music and everything else. This event will run from December 1-15, so you will have plenty of time to enter all of the giveaways on the linky list below! Good luck and Happy Holidays!

My prize is a

$25 American Express Gift Card!

Enter to win by filling in the form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the US. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chances to win. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on December 15, 2012. Good luck!

Keeping The Kids Busy

During the summer and extended school breaks, you should plan for a few different ways to keep your children busy and occupied. Instead of letting your children sit in front of a television for hours, try involving them in some local activities. Through these activities, your children will have fun, stay busy and learn more about the world.

Music Lessons - If your children already love music, you should sign them up for music lessons. From singing to piano teachers, finding a good teacher is easy if you use the Internet. Through online services, such as TakeLessons, you can find your music teacher with ease. You can learn more about TakeLessons from their website. After your children have improved their musical skills, you can even host your own family recital.

Day Camps - During the summer, community organizations frequently offer day camp opportunities for children. These social day camps offer a variety of activities that will appeal to any child. A typical day at camp can include crafting, storytelling, singing and physical activities. Older children can even attend more adventurous summer camps that let them have a true outdoor camping experience.

Sports - Check with local schools and community organizations for a sports team your children can join, including indoor basketball and outdoor soccer. Even if your child isn't familiar with playing a team sport, these activities can help them find a new hobby and make new friends. If you can, make an effort to attend your child's games. Your child will love hearing you cheer for her at the game. Consider encouraging your children to keep playing their new favorite sport after school resumes.

Volunteering - Organizations in your area are always in need of more volunteers. You can teach your children the value of helping others through a local volunteer opportunity. A food bank may be in need of more workers to help sort canned and boxed foods. A local school may need some children to help tutor students who are behind in their studies. These positive experiences may motivate your child to volunteer again in the near future.

From music lessons to volunteering, your local community is full of great ideas to help occupy and even challenge your children. After a summer full of fun and exciting learning experiences, your child will have new friends and treasured memories.

Dealing with Holiday Stress

This time of year is supposed to be filled with peace, love, and joy. Instead too many families find themselves stressed out, overextended, and downright grumpy. If your peace only comes from covering your ears and screaming, or your love is directed only at the cashier who forgot to ring up one of your purchases, or your joy is only expressed when you cut off someone else's car on the highway, you might want to take some steps to find your way back to the real meaning of Christmas. Here are some tips to help you find your peace, love and joy again:

1. Make a list of no more than three things that are most important to complete that day. Everything else isn't important enough to worry about. If you accomplish more than what's on the list, reward yourself with a bubble bath.
2. Shop alone. If you can't leave your kids with your spouse, find a neighbor who will swap babysitting time with you. Once you're out and about by yourself, take your time and enjoy it.
3. Practice saying no. You don't have to make cookies for the kindergarten class and sew the costumes for the church play and organize the bingo for the nursing home and hand-make all your holiday cards and knit scarves for the homeless. Pick just one of those things that will be meaningful, do it, and be done.
4. Turn off the television. It's just more background noise. You're being constantly bombarded with commercials telling you what you need to buy for yourself to be happy, when in reality happiness comes from within. Plus, for every commercial the kids see, they'll be begging for that toy instead of playing with the things they have.
5. Send the children outside to play. If they are at least 3 years old, they can play in a fenced in backyard without you standing over them. If you are a worrier, watch them from inside through a window while you enjoy coffee and some quiet.
6. Forgive yourself. No one can do it all. No one wants to do it all. Christmas comes just once a year. This year, sit down and soak in the meaning, instead of trying to rush around creating it for everyone else.

New On Kindle: Whispering Wally by Kevin Collier

“Wally the Whale was the biggest creature in the ocean, and also the gentlest. He spoke softly, and the most important things he had to say were spoken in a whisper.”

So begins each tale of Whispering Wally and Torrie, the Tiny Sea Turtle. Originally written for a TV show based on award-winning author/illustrator Kevin Collier's undersea characters, The Sand Art Secret http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFLFFHM is the first kindle picture book by Tangerine Sky Productions, a multi-media company owned by Collier, and wife, Kristen.

“We did about 7 or 8 Whispering Wally stories for our show,” said Kristen, also an author, “and as he's Kev's most beloved character, we've also made him the host of our kid's page.” http://www.tangerineskyproductions.com/Products.html

Whispering Wally has his own blog http://whisperingwally.blogspot.com/ with a video, coloring pages and merchandise. And the Colliers have also made a video http://www.truli.net/entertainment/exclusively-on-truli-whispering-wally-in-the-sand-art-secret of The Sand Art Secret, as well as some of their other children's stories.

Buy The Sand Art Secret - Just In Time For Christmas!

Kevin Collier has illustrated over 200 books and for shows on several networks. See his latest work on the Tangerine Sky website. http://www.tangerineskyproductions.com/

Follow Tangerine Sky Productions on twitter for their most recent updates! https://twitter.com/TangerineSkyVid

--guest post

Get Off the Couch

It started with the portable DVD player. A (compared to newer technology) heavy, clunky thing that was better than nothing and certainly easier to deal with than actually traveling with a regular television. Then, slowly and sneakily, streaming media became a regular part of our everyday lives. What began as a desktop-dependent application has long since gone portable. Thanks to streaming media and the plethora of devices on which you can watch it, now you can watch The Vampire Diaries TV Show, and other popular shows wherever you are.

The most recent news surrounding portable television technology comes from the world of Apple. Most people are already familiar with the idea of streaming media and television shows through their smart phones. In fact, the expansion of the iPhone screen with the iPhone 5 makes this a far more pleasurable experience than it used to be.

They didn’t stop there. Shortly after announcing the iPhone 5, Apple announced that there are going to be new iPads out for the holiday season. The iPad 3 has been announced. The real news, however, surrounds the iPad mini—a bridge for people who want more screen and functionality than their iPhones but find the iPad bulky or difficult to deal with. The iPad mini promises a better media viewing experience than any of the other devices currently offered by the company.

It could be argued that the iPad mini is Apple’s answer to the Amazon Kindle Fire. A couple of months ago, Amazon announced that it was updating the Kindle Fire to include HD video capability—a function that caters solely to people who are using their Kindles to watch television shows and movies.

At the same time, there are a plethora of new Windows based tablets and portable computing devices coming down the line. The most notable is the Lenovo Ideapad Yoga. If you’ve seen any of the Windows 8 commercials, this is the computer that has a keyboard, a screen and the hinges that hold them together allow the screen to be flipped around to rest back to back with the keyboard, creating a touch screen tablet.

It’s the hybrid tablet/laptop computer everybody’s been longing for since the iPad came out a few years ago and proved that touch screen keyboards are not everybody’s friends. Imagine the shared functionality of the streaming media services (easier to search through your laptop but easier to view on a tablet) on this baby!

Belkin, on the other hand is doing its best to conquer the world of live television streaming. It has announced the @TV, a device that will take whatever is available live to the home television set or is saved on a DVR and sends it via wireless networking to a cloud server. The user can then utilize any mobile device that can access the cloud to watch the shows. Talk about never missing a moment!

So really, with all of these different (and mostly affordable) ways to take your favorite television shows with you, why are you still sitting at home?

--guest post

Smiley Christmas Cookies - Review

Christmas is my favorite dessert time of the year. There is no better time to enjoy gingerbread cookies! Smileycookie.com makes delicious gourmet cookies for every occasion and Christmastime is no exception. Their old-fashioned gingerbread cookies have been a Pittsburgh favorite for over 25 years.

These kosher, nut-free Christmas cookies are backed by a 100% guarantee. They are always delicious and fresh, plus they are packaged and shipped with so much careful attention that I've never had one arrive broken. They also offer individually packaged Christmas cookies for stocking stuffers or for sharing with larger groups at schools or workplaces.

One big gingerbread cookie is the perfect-sized dessert after dinner, especially with a cup of coffee or some spiced cider. I wish I knew how Smileycookie gets the perfect combination of soft and crisp in these gingerbread smileys, because my own gingerbread creations don't even come close to theirs. Their Christmas tree cookies are yummy too!

It's impossible not to smile at a cookie that is smiling back at you. My son is part cookie-monster and loves to help me watch my weight by ensuring I don't eat them all alone. Since they're under 100 calories each, I don't feel guilty with just one. Smileycookie.com also features Hanukkah Gift Baskets and Christmas Gift Baskets, so get your orders in today! Use the coupon code "BLOG10" at checkout to get 10% of any of their Christmas cookie gifts! Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway

offer expired

EatSmart Kitchen Scale Winner

The winner of the 

EatSmart Kitchen Scale is...

Debra Hall!

Congratulations!

Enter more giveaways HERE!

Wellness Healthy Pet Food Treats - Review

This time of year, most of us tend to gain a few extra pounds with all the wonderful holiday treats that are available. Don't feed people treats to your pet though because many can be toxic. Instead treat your pet well and spoil them with Wellness Pet treats!

Wellness Healthy pet foods and snacks are exactly what your pet needs and wants. They use delicious real foods, like deboned meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and wholesome grains. The meats are free of added steroids and hormones and every product is created with the perfect balance of protein, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Wellness Pure Rewards Turkey Jerky comes in a resealable pouch, filled with little squares of protein-packed jerky bits. Made of more than 90% meat and free of grain, wheat and artificial flavors and colors, these dog treats are a moist chewy treat that is perfect for training rewards. They also come in beef, chicken/lamb, turkey/salmon, venison, and venison/salmon.

Buddy was so excited when he heard me opening the pouch! He came right over and sat pretty right in front of me before I could even tell him to sit. (Honestly, these smell good enough for people to eat, but I promise I didn't try one.) Buddy absolutely loves Pure Rewards Turkey Jerky and since the kids tend to give him too many treats, I'd much rather he be eating something of this quality.

The Wellness WellBars are thick, crunchy oven-baked dog snacks. They are wheat-free and have added vitamins. The WellBars have no corn, no soy, and no artificial colors or flavorings. Buddy loves the Chicken/Cheddar Cheese WellBars and could hardly believe he was getting two different snacks in one night!

The 20oz box also comes in Peanut/Honey, Lamb/Apples, Whitefish/Sweet Potatoes, and Yogurt/Apples/Bananas (gee, suddenly, I'm hungry). They are bite-sized snacks and are covered by the Wellness Guarantee that ensures your pet loves them.

Check out www.wellnesspetfood.com for their entire line of great pet foods and treats for dogs and cats and fill your pet's Christmas stocking with something wonderful! You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Buddy and I both approve of Wellness Pet Treats!
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Poseidon and the Sea of Fury Book Blast

Poseidon and the Sea of Fury 

A young Poseidon must triumph over aquatic terrors in this Heroes in Training adventure. The merciless Cronus and his Titan buddies are in hot pursuit of Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon, who plan to travel across the treacherous boiling sea in order to save a fellow Olympian. They have a boat, but they also have a problem: Poseidon can’t swim and is terrified of the water (well, really of the creatures that lurk in its depths). The group faces danger after danger as they battle singing sirens, a fishy and ferocious Titan named Oceanus, and people-eating monsters sent by Cronus himself. Can Poseidon overcome his fears and help his fellow heroes escape Cronus and his cronies?
Buy: Amazon * Amazon Kindle * Barnes n Noble

Heroes in Training by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams - Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams deliver fun, adventures, and a few surprises as ten-year-old Olympians go on a journey of a lifetime to discover their true identities and defeat their Titan enemies.

Praise for Heroes in Training
"Readers will gobble this down and look for more, make no mythtake." ~ Kirkus

“This is a fun read, casting Zeus in the role of relatable kid, and there is a nice balance between his primary goal of survival and his sense of destiny and adventure. . . Share this title, and likely more to come, with those still too young for Percy Jackson’s adventures.” ~ School Library Journal

~ Enter Below to Win $100 Amazon or Paypal ~

Tech-Lovers' Christmas Giveaway Event

post removed by author

Magic Cabin Ruben's Barn Dolls - Review

Magic Cabin just released these sweet, playful friends that your child is going to love. Ruben's Barn Dolls are soft and huggable with hair that feels like silk. With their outstretched arms and glowing faces, these dolls beckon children to hold them. The faces are embroidered onto their velvety fleece faces and each friend has its own darling expression.

Magic Cabin has a huge selection of Ruben's Barn Dolls so it's likely you can find one that reflects your child's hair and skin color. From baby dolls and kids dolls to costumed dolls and ballerina dolls, you're sure to find one your child loves. They all have darling sparkling eyes and there is even a superhero boy doll available.

Their perfectly plump little bottoms allow them to sit and are weighted just enough that they don't tip over. This makes them wonderful play companions because they can sit right next to your child just like a friend. My preschoolers were so excited to show Tim and Cicci around our classroom!

My little ones showed the dolls our wooden barn and learned that "barn" means "children" in Swedish. These two dolls are from the Kids Collection and measure just over 14" tall. Our new Ruben's Barn Dolls ate lunch in our home center, accompanied the kids to the computer center, and even played at the block table together.

When it was naptime, my preschoolers tucked Tim and Cicci under a blanket on one of the cots. Safe for ages two and up, their sweet little faces got lots of kisses today and all my children absolutely adore them. We've been talking about our "full names" lately, so when they asked me what the dolls last names were, I told them Ruben.

Surprise your little ones with Ruben's Barn Dolls from Magic Cabin this Christmas! Shop from home at www.magiccabin.com for these and many more fabulous childhood treasures. All their products are wonderful and their customer service is always excellent. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to be first to hear about new products and special promotions.
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Need gift ideas for him or her?

How about for the kids or pets?

CLICK HERE

to visit the

Planet Weidknecht

2012 Holiday Gift Guide!

Keegan's Chronicles Book Blast

Keegan's Chronicles Trilogy Set
Books 1-3

Coexist: 

Sixteen-year-old Keegan is struggling to keep her huge secret from her friends--she's an elf, descended from a long line of elves that live in secrecy alongside humans. In elfin society, mates are predetermined but not allowed to meet until they are eighteen. Against tradition, Keegan's brother Thaddeus told her Rourk's name because his visions warned him she'd need Rourk's protection, especially since Keegan will play a key role in the coming war between the dark and light elves.

Conflicted: 

Keegan, is only alive now due to Black Magic, and her bond with her Chosen is broken. She cannot remember Rourk at all. For the first time, she feels like a normal teenager. She is dating Donald, her long-time crush, and everything seems perfect. But Rourk still feels their bond, and despairs for the woman he was always meant to love. Keegan's best friend Anna is determined to find a way to use her powers to return Keegan's bond, no matter what it takes. The question is does Keegan even want it?

Consumed: 

Keegan has dealt with a lot over the last two years: Death, black magic and the loss of her bond to her chosen mate. But on her eighteenth birthday, the bond with Rourk returns. Now, Keegan faces her hardest decision. Tradition requires elves marry at eighteen. If she accepts the path laid out for her, she will be spared a lifetime of physical and emotional pain. But will that life ever really be her own?

Enter below to win $100 Amazon or Paypal!

Steps to Take After a Serious Injury

If you sustain a serious injury due to another person’s negligence, you may deal with huge medical bills and lost income. You may not know where to turn or who to trust. Regardless of whether you were involved in an auto accident, a slip and fall, or another incident, the way you approach the accident can determine whether you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Here are four steps to take after a serious injury:
1. Gather information about the accident. If you were involved in an automobile accident, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Take photos of the crash site and your vehicle. If you slipped and fell inside a store or other business due to a hazardous environment, take a photo of the conditions that caused your fall. You also need a record of the incident. For auto accidents, call the police and complete an accident report. Obtain a copy of this report to ensure accuracy. If the accident occurred inside a place of business, contact management and file an accident report.

2. Seek medical attention. The sooner you have a record of your injuries, the better. If you delay treatment, the other person’s insurance company may argue that you sustained the injury after the accident. Seek medical attention on the day the accident occurs - regardless of how you feel. Some injuries may not manifest themselves for several days or weeks. However, a doctor can usually detect trauma during a physical examination.

3. Limit communication with the insurance company. Immediately after a serious injury, the other party’s insurance company may contact you. It’s okay to provide your account of the incident. However, do not admit fault and do not accept an early settlement offer. Some insurance companies quickly contact victims before they have an opportunity to speak with an attorney. This is because insurance companies want to pay the least amount of compensation for personal injuries.

4. Hire a personal injury lawyer. With an attorney on your side, there is somebody to look out for your best interests. A lawyer who specializes in personal injury can estimate the value of your injuries and work with the insurance company or the other party to get you the maximum compensation. These lawyers are not only negotiators, but proven investigators as well. They’ll review your accident report, speak with witnesses and examine the evidence surrounding your claim. And if the insurance company or the other party is unwilling to cooperate, your attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

--guest post

K'NEX Tinkertoy Transit Building Set - Review

When this package arrived my preschoolers literally screamed with delight. Tinkertoys are just as popular now as they were 35 years ago when I played with them. K'NEX has given our old Tinkertoy products a fabulous makeover and now all the pieces are made of lightweight plastic. No more splinters, no more snapped sticks, and no more faded colors. These kids dug right in and started building.

The K'NEX Tinkertoy Transit Building Set is a huge set of 150 different pieces that can be constructed to make the 15 easy-to-assemble ideas included on the builder's "blueprints." The creativity never stops there though, as a child with imagination can build thousands more creations with these open-ended, durable toys.

Designed for ages 3 and up, there are a few small pieces, so toddlers should be closely supervised when building with their older siblings and friends. There are even role play figures included to extend a child's imagination even further. After all, why build a car if there's no one to drive it!

Since the pieces snap together, they stay together and last throughout the play session until the child decides to take them apart, which takes very little effort at clean up time. It comes in its own colorful storage box with a snap-on lid and all K'NEX Tinkertoy sets are compatible so your child can add on to their collection with every holiday!

Buy this and more great construction toys at knex.com. As an early childhood educator, I give K'NEX Tinkertoy Sets my stamp of approval! Pick some up for Christmas! You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more great ideas to entertain and educate your kids.
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Charming Charlie Gift Card Winner

The winner of the 

$50 Gift Card to Charming Charlie is...

Nicole Strunk

Congratulations!

Enter more giveaways HERE!

Equipping Your Children for Winter Activities

With winter fast approaching, it's time to go through your closet to see what cold weather gear you need for your children. If you're planning a winter trip to a snowy destination, you must make sure you have the right clothes to help your children stay warm. Depending on the activities you plan for your family, your children may also need some specialized gear. Visiting an online store, such as BrandsonSale.com, can help you find the winter gear you're missing from your closet.

Head Gear
Start your winter gear checklist by looking for a helmet. A good helmet can significantly reduce the chance of injury if your child falls while skiing or snowboarding. After finding a helmet, you should look for a good hat that your child can wear under the helmet. Look for a hat that will also keep your child's ears warm and cozy. Don't forget a pair of sunglasses to protect your child's eyes from the sun on a bright day. For days spent on the slopes, a pair of goggles can help your child see clearly if the weather turns to snow.

Body Gear
Winter weather is usually unpredictable, and many winter activities can make you sweat. Look for clothes that your children can easily remove or put back on as the weather dictates. This can include a fleece vest, sweater or light jacket. If your child suddenly feels too hot, she can simply pull off the sweater and put her coat back on. You should also get your child a ski parka that will keep them dry and warm when it snows hard. A good pair of gloves is also a must; be sure to get a pair that will still let your child freely move her fingers.

Socks and Shoes
Keeping your child's feet dry during wintertime activities is not always easy. Be sure to invest in a few pairs of thick socks that will insulate your child's feet. If you plan to ski, get boots that will fit your child's feet and the skis. For winter camping trips, a good pair of snow boots is a necessity. If your child's feet get wet, it will be difficult to dry and warm his feet back up.

If you're planning a variety of winter activities for your family, you need to make sure everyone has the proper gear to stay warm. Keeping your family warm will ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience.

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iFrogz Animatone Accessories for Children - Review

The new iFrogz Animatone line features headphones and earbuds in child-friendly designs and animal-inspired images in a variety of bright colors. Created by Zagg, both versions of these first Animatone audio accessories feature built-in volume boundaries to prevent the sound from being turned louder than 85 decibels, which is equivalent to the level of an average telephone dial tone. The Animatone over-ear headphones are available in Red Ladybug, Blue Snail, and Green Turtle designs. The earbuds are available in Red Snake, Blue Walrus, and Green Deer designs.

The Ladybug headphones were an instant hit in my preschool classroom! Everyone wanted to try them on so I plugged them into my player and loaded up some children's music. We turned them up as loud as they would go, to test the sound protection feature and it works perfectly. The headphones are lightweight and comfortable to wear. My two year old dubbed them our "ladybug ears." They are an excellent value and would make a perfect Christmas gift for your child.

You can purchase the Animatone products, as well as lots of other great digital audio and mobile phone accessories for the iPod, iPhone, iPad and other consumer electronics, at Best Buy and at www.ifrogz.com. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to be first to hear about new releases and special promotions.
Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for my honest review.