Merry Christmas, Little Hoo! Review

Merry Christmas, Little Hoo! is a children's book by author Brenda Ponnay. She is the author and
illustrator of several children’s books including the Secret Agent Josephine series: ABC’s, Colors and
Numbers. She lives in Southern California with her daughter, Bug* who inspires her daily.

This book is a short holiday book, with cute illustrations. I am personally a big fan of short books. I'm a chronic yawner when I read out loud to my 4 year old daughter, it's bad, like 5 sentences in and I'm stifling a yawn, so I really appreciate short and to the point books like this one.

Merry Christmas, Little Hoo!Is about a young owl named Little Hoo, who keeps hearing noises and wonders if it's Santa or his reindeer, only to find out it's something/someone else. The illustrations first show what he thinks it is and then what it really is. The very last picture is my favorite, Santa chilling with Little Hoo's dad by the tree, with Little Hoo sleeping soundly in his bed.

I would definitely recommend this book if you have a young child, as I said it's cute, short, very easy to follow along with, and isn't full of tongue twisters like some holiday books.

You can find it on Amazon in either Kindle format or paperback.

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I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest review 

Harvest Snaps Review + Giveaway

Harvest Snaps sent me 4 new holiday flavors of their products to try and post a review on. I received these products free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

I received a sample of Snapea Crisps a few months ago from a sample site called PinchMe and absolutely fell in love with them. I'm not a big vegetable fan, so for me to say I like them, well a little more then like, border line obsessive about them, they must be awesome ;)

So when I saw that Harvest Snaps was looking for reviewers for new flavors I jumped on the chance. 

Product Description:

Good-for-you and great taste can be hard to come by these days, but for us they’re like two peas in a pod. Inside every bag of Harvest Snaps we combine taste, quality and simplicity. Sprinkle that with the passion we have for fresh, natural ingredients, and you get one "snaptastic" snack.

When it comes to "what’s inside" Harvest Snaps, it all starts with the clean flavors and essential nutrients Mother Nature intended. Our Snapea Crisps are made with all-natural peas – 70%* to be exact – while our Lentil Snaps come packed with 65% authentic lentils and their powerful combination of nutrients.

With each handful (yes we said handful) your body will soak up Vitamin B, calcium, iron, folate, potassium and dietary fiber. Finish that off with a high level of protein and fiber and you’re sure to feel satisfied without feeling sluggish. Not to mention, these snappy little snacks are gluten-free.

Individual Reviews on the flavors I received:

Wasabi Ranch- These definitely had a bite to them, but not scorching, but since I don't like spicey food, I brought them into work to share. I work with about 15 people and half the people didn't like the ranch aspect and the other half didn't like the Wasabi aspect. When it came down to it only 3 out of 15 people really enjoyed this flavor.

Salted Caramel- Once again I brought this flavor into work and we were all hesitant to try these, the flavor just didn't seem to fit with what the snack was, I mean really caramel and peas? Blech! But we all tried them and the flavor surprised EVERYONE. Only 2 people out of the 15 DIDN'T like them, I even liked them. They are very sweet and are almost like a dessert type snack.

Coffee Toffee- This one was neither a hit or miss at work, I don't think anyone will be begging for them in the future, but no one said they were gross. They tasted like a sweet type of cereal with a coffee after taste.

Onion Thyme- I think everyone at work who tried this flavor thought they tasted great and went back for seconds. The main consensus on what they tasted like was stuffing and that the flavor wasn't overly oniony.

You can find Harvest Snaps on:

• Facebook 
• Twitter 
• Instagram 
• Pinterest

Great news, I'm allowed to host a giveaway with this review! The winner will receive the same flavors I did to try for themselves. Use the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. Winners must receive mail in the US, VT Freebie Girl is not responsible for lost or damaged packages.

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Do you wanna build a snowman?

Do you wanna build a snowman? Don't worry you won't even have to go outside!

Today I'm going to explain to you how to make a snowman sock puppet (it's not really a puppet, more a decoration). This is a great craft for kids (and adults!) because it's simple and not many materials are required.

What you'll need:

• Dry beans, rice, or small pebbles (something to weight the bottom down)
• A white sock (the crew type that goes just above your ankle)
• Stuffing (the stuff they use to stuff pillows, you can find them in the sewing section of Walmart)
• 3 medium sized rubber bands
• Brown pipe cleaners (or you can probably use real twigs)
• Fluffy orange pipe cleaner (or whatever you want to use for the nose)
• A strip of fabric (whatever you want the scarf to be)
• Buttons
• Black felt dots (you can use a hole punch, or once again whatever you want to use for the eyes and mouth)
• Glue

How to:

• Put a few handfuls of dry beans/pebbles in the bottom of the sock (however much you think it will take, so it will stand on it's own)

• Stuff the sock with fluff

• Try to do it in layers, stuff the bottom of the sock 1/3 of the way up until it's maxed, then add another smaller layer on top of that, and an even smaller layer on top of that
• STOP stuffing at the beginning of the line of the sock

• Tie the top of the sock off with a rubber band
• You can add a touch of fluff to it, so that when you tie it off there's a little hanging out and can be the poof on top of that hat.

• Take what's left of the sock and fold it over what will be the head of the snowman, this will be the hat
• Fold it down, then fold it a 1/4" up

• Those layers I told you to make with the fluff, find them and tie a rubber band around them
•  You're probably thinking "Oh, I should be smart about this and do it BEFORE I stuff completely." No, tried it, doesn't work and looks stupid.

• Decorate it however you want
• Tie the Scarf around the neck of the snowman
• Poke the brown pipe cleaner in the side. Get inventive make fingers, add mittens, etc.
• Use the buttons to make eyes (or the black felt dots)
• Use the black felt dots to make a mouth (or draw one on with sharpie)
• Cut a piece of the orange pipe cleaner and stick it in as the nose

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CD Mount for Phones Review

My state (Vermont) just passed a law about hands-free driving, so I requested to write a review for the Universal CD Slot Mount and was given this product free of charge in exchange an honest review.

The Universal CD Slot Mount was fairly easy to assemble, just 4 pieces came with it. It does come with directions, but I just eye-balled it and clicked all the pieces into place. When it came to putting it in the CD player, once again it was easy. The insertion part is only 1/4 of the size of a CD and once it's in the CD slot,  you just tighten a knob on the bottom of the mount to secure it in place. So, yes, it does go INTO your CD player, but since I don't use the CD player in my car, this product is a nice fit for me.

Everything is adjustable on this CD Mount. You can swivel it from side to side, widen the brackets to fit larger devices, and rotate it. There's also foam padding on the back and sides to protect your phone and keep it snug (See pictures below). It doesn't stick too far out, probably 4" at most.

As for size, it doesn't stick too far out, probably 4" at most and hasn't gotten in the way of anything, since I've used it. Although it does hide the radio station display/ clock display, which sometimes does bother me.

Apart from the visual hindrance, this product has been great for me and I highly suggest it, especially if you don't use your CD player often. These mounts can be purchased on Amazon for less the $20.

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.

Cyber Monday Deals- 2014

If you are participating in Cyber Monday please do yourself the favor of using Ebates. They also post discount codes!

You will get a certain percentage of cash back from your purchases, if you are a new member and spend $25 at any of the 1200 participating stores you will get a $10 gift card.

All you do is sign into Ebates, search for the store you want to shop at and click the SHOP NOW button, it will redirect you to the store with a tracking number, within a week after shipping you'll receive your cash back 

• Amazon Lightning Deals

• Barnes & Noble- 25% with code CMONDAY14

• Bath and Body Works- 25% with code HEYMONDAY

• BonTon- Free shipping with code FREESHIP no minimum. $50 off $100 purchase with code
  ZCYBER50MON. 30% off purchase with code CYBERSALE30 

• Children's place- 50% off site wide, no code needed

• Disney Store- 20%coupon code CYBER

• JCP-20% off with code CYBRMNDY

• Kmart- 15-25% off with code CYBER25
• Shop your way reward members- $15 back in points with $50 purchase

• Kohls- coupon 20% code CYBER20

• Melissa & Doug- free shipping no minimum with code FREESHIPZERO. $10 off $50 purchase/$20 off $100 purchase with code SAVE10. Free personalization. Free gift with $50 purchase

• Victoria Secret- 2 Free Reward cards with any $10 purchase use code: SECRETBONUS. Free shipping with $50 purchase with code SHIP50FREE. $20 off $125 purchase with code 20OFF125

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Are you a Influenster?

Are you a member of Influenster? Yes, well, good then, you know what it's all about. No? Man, you are missing out; take a seat, let me tell you about the awesomeness that is Influenster.

Influenster is a fantastic program, that is completely free, I probably wouldn't tell you about it if it wasn't because I'm a tight wad and I believe everyone should live as such *wink*.  Anyway, you fill out little surveys on the things you enjoy most, beauty, fitness, etc. so that they get an idea of the things that they should send you, the logic behind it is that they want your opinion, and if they send you stuff you hate or have no interest in how are they to get it?

If you are one of the lucky ones, they will send you a VoxBox or a product assignment, please note not EVERYONE will get something (I usually receive something a few times a year). Who's chosen is based on the answers you've given in the surveys taken and the survey they have sent to you if you were in the running for the VoxBox. If you are chosen to receive something (whether box or product), Influenster will send it to you, you'll try it, they'll give you tasks to complete, and you'll have a certain amount of time to complete said tasks.

If you're in the top participants, you'll possibly even receive a bonus! I've gotten a bonus three times, one for Venus Razors, in which they sent me extra razorblades, the second for the Freeman Beauty campaign, where I received $300 in Freeman beauty products, and the latest a package from Hershey! (see pic below)

So, lets rehash:

1. Influenster is a FREE program
2. You have the possibility to receive FREE products (that you get to keep) for minimal effort
3. The tasks are simple to complete (liking a brand on a social media site, posting pics, reviews)
4. You have the possibility to be a top Influenster and receive bonus items, which are usually fantastic.
5. I recommend it, really that should be all you need (I kid, but seriously...)
6. Forgot to mention: Influenster also hosts Twitter parties, in which you can participate in and score some sweet prizes 
7. Oh, and they also have an InfluensterApp, but I have a not so smart phone, so I can't tell you much about that.

Influenster Campaigns I have been invited to are:

My favorite campaign was the Freeman Beauty Campaign. They sent me a coupon for a free Freeman Spa item, I went to Walmart to redeem it, I completed my tasks, AND I won $300 in Freeman Beauty products. Influenster is so simple, yet so rewarding.

I recommend Influenster to everyone, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

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Black Friday Coupons & Deals- 2014

 

Here's a list of coupons to help you shop Black Friday, I will add more as they become available:

• Gift Card Deals
• CVS freebies
• Rite Aid freebies

• Barnes & Noble
• 30% off coupon one item, expires 11/30
  
• 30% off online code: BFRIDAY14
• Bath and Body Works- 
• 15% off online, code SNOWFLAKE15
• 20% off online, code FA143269
• FREE item with any $10 purchase
• In-store code: 4692
• Online code: SANTASTREAT
• Bonton-
• Up to 25% off In-store coupon, exp 11/29
• Online code: AFTERTHX14
• $10 OFF AN ITEM OF $10 OR MORE: Thursday 6PM-Friday 3PM
• Be one of the first 200 customers in the door Thursday, November 27, 2014 and receive a Gift Card. 200 Gift Cards per store valued between $5 and $250 will be given away on Thursday, November 27, 2014 starting at 6PM
• Disney Store-
• 20% off with online code THANKS
• JCP- 
• Bonus coupons being given away on Thanksgiving
• Friday 6am to 1pm, get $20 bonus cash when you spend $75 or more

• Kmart-
• 15% off online, code: KWINTER15
• Kohl's - 
• Get $15 Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent (Ends Nov 30)
• Online code for 15% off: THANKS1236 or THANKS9469, expires 12/7 
• 15% off coupon, expires 11/30
• Sign up for their emails for a 15% off coupon
• Michael's (enter zip code to access coupons)- 60% off door busters
• Thursday: 30% off entire purchase
• Friday: 7am to noon, 30% off entire purchase
• Friday: noon to 10pm, 40% off entire purchase
• Saturday: 8am to noon, 25% off entire purchase
• Sears- $10 off $40 purchase
  
• In store coupon
• Online code: TURKEY

ONLINE SHOPPERS:

If you are doing ANY online shopping this year, please do yourself the favor of using Ebates.

You will get a certain percentage of cash back from your purchases, if you are a new member and spend $25 at any of the 1200 participating stores you will get a $10 gift card.

All you do is sign into Ebates, search for the store you want to shop at and click the SHOP NOW button, it will redirect you to the store with a tracking number, within a week after shipping you'll receive your cash back

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