Valentine's Day with Pure Romance - Review & Giveaway

So, here it is.

Another Valentine's Day is almost upon us.

What are your plans for this festive occasion?

Maybe you're planning a fun night out - Perhaps dinner and a movie?

Maybe you're planning a family night - Perhaps pizza and some board games?

Maybe you're even planning a romantic night in. Maybe you have parents nearby that have offered to take the kids for the night. Maybe you don't have kids yet. Maybe your kids are grown and off at college. If the romantic night in is what you're hoping for, then I have a giveaway for you.

Have you heard of Pure Romance?

If not, then here's a little background on the company -

Patty Brisben, the founder of Pure Romance, started the company in 1993 to empower, educate, and entertain women. Since then, the company has grown to over 70,000 product consultants who live the company’s mission each and every day.


Empowerment: This jobless recovery is taking its toll on families, however very often our Pure Romance consultants report that they are meeting or exceeding their income expectations. Sales have been recession-resistant. Pure Romance experienced a 37% increase in sales in 2010. Pure Romance also empowers women because they are able to take control of their sex lives, which can have an impact on quality of life.


Education: Pure Romance products resonate with women unlike any other in the category due to our commitment to educating women about their bodies and our products. The Pure Romance partnership with the Kinsey Institute, coupled with our curriculum developed by our Director of Sexual Health Education, means our 70,000 consultants are trained to provide the most helpful information and advice. Pure Romance doesn’t sell in stores because in-home parties offer women fun, private, peer-to-peer learning opportunities about romance, intimacy and sex.


Entertainment: Whether it’s the fun and camaraderie of the Pure Romance parties themselves, the use of Pure Romance products by a woman, or a couple’s inventive Pure Romance fun, entertainment is at the core of the company’s mission.

Is it sounding a bit more familiar now?  ;o)

I have actually never been to a PureRomance party. In fact, I had never even used any of their products. However, they did send me a box of goodies to facilitate this review. While I haven't used most of the products, I did try out one. It is a rash preventing shaving cream that can also double as a hair conditioner.  I have to admit, it smells wonderful (I used grapefruit.) and did an amazing job of making my skin soft and smooth.   If you're looking for this product on the website, it is called "Coochy". (Seriously, who names this stuff?  I liked it so much that I'd probably buy it, but I don't know if I want the kids - that can sound out anything - to see this tube sitting in my shower.  I'm almost positive that this would be a word that they'd find a way to repeat in school.)

Now, back to the giveaway.  Pure Romance is offering one of my readers a Mini Nights of Passion Variety Pack ($30 value) so that you can try out five of their most popular products - Aura, Ex-T-Cee, Excape, Sensations & Sweet Seduction.  This mini size sampler would be perfect to take with you for a romantic weekend away.  Because the winners need to be reported back by the 19th, this giveaway is going to be quick and easy.  Here's what you have to do to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what your general Valentine's Day plans are/were.   Did you do dinner and a movie?  A performance at the local theater? Bowling?  A romantic night in?

Optional Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter. Post your username in the comments.
2. Tweet about this giveaway using @rmgm. Post a link to your tweet here. This can be done once daily.
3. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect and post a comment with your username.
4. Like me on Facebook

Details:

* Only open to US residents
* Winner will be chosen using random.org
* Giveaway ends 11:59 pm ET on February 16, 2011
* Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page.
* Winner will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
* Prize will be sent directly from the sponsor.  I am not responsible for lost or damaged products. 

*Note: This giveaway is sponsored by PureRomance.  I received products in exchange for this post.  No other compensation was received.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Company information for this post was given to me by Global Influence. 

With a card sent here and a card sent there . . .

Here a card.  There a card.  Everywhere a card, card. :o)

Beginning in late October, my to do list is filled with purchasing, writing, and mailing out cards.  Between Pumpkin's birthday and the traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, we fly through stamps at our house in November and December.   From invitations and holiday greetings to the thank you cards that follow them up, we are always looking for new, fun, and creative products that might catch the eyes (and hearts) of our family and friends.

We couldn't possibly be the only people in this situation, right?   Some of my readers have to be in need of cards too, right?  If you are, then it might just be your lucky day.  Global Influence approached me on behalf of CardsDirect to get the word out about all the products they carry as well as to host a giveaway for a code to be redeemed for 25 cards (up to a $50 value) from CardsDirect. 

CardsDirect offers the very best in personalized greeting cards for business or personal use. Over 2,000 card designs are available in categories that include holiday cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, photo cards, baby shower invitations, birth announcements and many more! With free personalization and custom imprinted verse, CardsDirect offers an easy online ordering process and top quality cards with the best selection, customer service and pricing found anywhere.

While I haven't used CardsDirect yet, it looks like it is a great site for personal use as well as for a business owner.  While looking through the Christmas Cards, I was surprised at the selection.  There are several cards that allow you to put your company name on the front of the card as well as personalize the inside.   In the Holiday Cards, you can find Thanksgiving, Hanukkah,  New Year, and even Earth Day Cards.  I might not have a specific need for those cards, however some businesses might find that Thanksgiving is a better time to thank their customers for their loyalty.   While browsing the Baby Announcements, I thought back to when Peanut and Pumpkin were first born.  Why didn't I send some adorable announcements like those?  Honestly though, I spent most of my time browsing the Photo Cards.   With so many to choose from, how am I supposed to decide which one I really want?

I may not know what I'm going to order yet, but you shouldn't be concerned about that.  You need to be thinking about what you want to order.  If you want to win a code for 25 cards (up to $50), here's what you need to do.

Mandatory:

• Browse the CardsDirect site and leave a comment here telling me which card you'd choose if you won. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile.

For additional entries you can also do the following. Be sure to leave a comment for each additional entry.

• Follow CardsDirect on twitter (leave your twitter name)
• Follow me on twitter (leave your twitter name)
• Like CardsDirect on facebook (leave your initials)
• Like me on facebook (leave your initials)
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect (leave your username)
• Tweet about this giveaway. You may do this once daily. Be sure to include @rmgm and @CardsDirect as well as a link to this post (leave a link to your tweet)

Details:

• Only open to US residents
• Winner will be chosen using random.org
• Giveaway ends 11:59pm ET on November 15, 2010
• Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page. If an email address in not in the comment or on your profile page another winner will be chosen.
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer:  I will be receiving some cards in exchange for hosting this giveaway.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Quoted information came from CardsDirect via GlobalInfluence.

SafeSocial

Have you heard of SafeSocial?

SafeSocial, a new AOL product that launches today, can help you protect your children, even if you aren't a social media expert. SafeSocial helps you:

Find out where your child has online accounts

Know who your child is "friends" with online

Get notified if your child is in a conversation about violence, suicide or drugs

See photos your child has posted online, and others' photos in which your child has been tagged

Another benefit? You can monitor all this activity without being a "helicopter parent." Your child will have to agree to be monitored, but you won't need to connect with them on the social media accounts, or hover over their shoulders in person.

*Disclaimer:  All information for this post was provided by Global Influence.  By posting, I am eligible to win a $25 gift card.  I will provide my thoughts and ideas about SafeSocial in a later post. 

Tiny Prints Appreciates Teachers

As a former teacher, I know how hard good teachers work.  They are generous with their time, energy, love, patience, and  money.  They love and care for each of the children in their classroom as if they were their own.  They spend hours, days, or even months trying to figure out how their children will best succeed.  Once they've figured it out, they provide their kids with the tools for success and help them to find their way on their own so that they can experience the joy of their achievements.  Some days they go home exhausted, frustrated, frazzled and at the end of their ropes.  Luckily, other days they go home smiling, laughing, energized and proud of what their kids have accomplished.

During my years as a student, I was blessed to have many amazing teachers.  They were the ones that challenged me the most.  My best teachers set the bar high, and expected me to not only meet, but exceed my goals.  It may have been difficult to make them proud, but when I did, I knew that I had really achieved something of significance.   While I don't know if I ever thanked them in person, I have thought of them with appreciation often.   Now, as a mom, I thank Peanut's and Pumpkin's teachers when I see that they are going above and beyond their "job" as a teacher.  I think that an expression of gratitude is the least I can do for someone that sees my child more than I do during the school day.

Apparently, I'm not the only one to show appreciation for teachers.  Several businesses provide discounts or even free products for teachers to make their lives just a little bit easier.  One of those businesses is Tiny Prints.

To honor teachers everywhere who are preparing for their school year, Tiny Prints has designed greeting cards to meet their needs. They can send each student a personalized welcome greeting card, connect with their student's parents with a thank you card and celebrate their students with award cards. In support of building a connection between teachers, students and parents, Tiny Prints is offering these personalized greeting cards for free starting Monday, August 2nd through October 31, 2010. Teachers will just need to apply the code: Apple2010 at checkout.

In addition, you can participate in a Tiny Prints Teacher Greeting Card Twitter Party with the tag #makeitpersonal this Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET/1:00 to 2:00 p.m. PT.  This should be a great time to learn more about Tiny Prints and see what they have to offer.

*Disclaimer:  I received information for this post from Global Influence.  In exchange for posting about Tiny Prints and the Twitter Party I have an opportunity to win a Tiny Prints gift card.

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

Recently I had been browsing online and ran across a post on SmittenKitchen for some fun Chocolate Whiskey and Beer Cupcakes My first thought was, "These would be great to make for St. Patrick's Day!" It was shortly after that thought that I was sent information on the opportunity to post a "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" PSA. For some reason I had never realized how intertwined St. Patrick's Day and drinking were. While I have never personally participated in a Kegs and Eggs celebration, nor have I indulged in Green Beer (Oddly, I just can't eat or drink things that are not the "right" color.), I understand that many people do. My only hope in writing this post is to spread the word to people to think before you drink. Go out and have fun. Eat, drink and be merry, if that is how you choose to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Just make sure that you plan ahead so that you don't make this St. Patrick's Day your last . . . or the last for an innocent victim.

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and it's not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe, it's planning now for a safe and sober way home.

Are you headed out with friends after work this Wednesday to celebrate the holiday? No? Well when you and your family are on the road headed to choir practice, a t-ball game, or coming home from school, you may be sharing the road with those returning from a fun St. Patrick's Day event. It's time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

Let's remind everyone about the importance of remembering to:

• Designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick's Day, keep in mind that in 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. And for those who don't plan on over-indulging, a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

Global Influence is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had "only a few" drinks. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."

We need your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this St. Patrick's Day by spreading the word that buzzed driving is drunk driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please watch this important video about the financial and personal repercussions of getting a DUI: http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/sign/php#video

Remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

For more information, visit Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving on Facebook and Twitter (@Buzzeddriving).

Disclaimer: I was not given any compensation for writing this post. All information including and after the image was provided to me by Global Influence for the purpose of spreading the word about this campaign.