Update! Winner alert!!! Congratulations to Krista for her comment… comment #38!

Congratulations Krista! Looks like you be lookin’ cool in no time!

———–

Hey baby…

Do you workout?

Heh.

For a good number of years I have been running and cross training… in running shoes.

Which has been fine, but then one day I met met the New Balance Minimus.

How cute is she?

But the Minimus is more that a cute shoe. This shoe has been carefully designed. The low-heel makes lunges more lunge-y which means them glutes are going to feel the burn sooner! It is uber-comfortable and extremely lightweight. It is great for cross training, and in this new era of barefoot running, the Minimus is able to offer stability with it’s lightweight build. Read here for more details about how Minus works with your feet.

I have a pair (thank you New Balance!) and I love them. I use them exclusively for my cross training days now, and even love to wear them when I am not exercising, but need to be on my feet. Such a comfortable pair of shoes. For me, they have been a refreshing change from my usual/only workout choice and my feet love the feel of them.

Do you think these shoe might be great for you? How about we give a pair away?

To enter to win, simply leave a comment below telling me your favorite Minimus color!

Optional entry methods:

• Tweet! Example Tweet: I’d love to win a pair of @newbalance Minimus shoes and get my workout on! http://bit.ly/oUEFs8
• Like Jenny On the Spot on Facebook.
• Like New Balance on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave a separate comment for each bonus entry. Contest ends Friday, September 17th at midnight! No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

*A great big THANK YOU you to New Balance for my pair of shoes and for generously offering to give a pair away to one of my readers!!!

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Update! We have WINNERS – commenters number 1, 4 and 7!!! Congratulations to Ray, Jill and Megan!

——–

So, when I went to BlogHer back in August… I went to a little party hosted by DOVE Ice Cream…

Um… on a yacht. A yacht cruise in the San Diego Harbor. And DOVE Ice Cream.

And a real-life Cap’n!!!

[photo credit for above photos: DOVE]

We saw fireworks on the harbor.

We were given brown pashminas to keep us warm.

Pashminas were placed on our shoulders by strapping, young men.

Lisa was not at all happy about this.

These young men brought us champagne at our every whim.

And we ate DOVEBARS.

Life can be so cruel…

The young gentlemen who served us our champagne, DOVE Ice Cream and warmed our shoulders with pashminas were also lively conversationalists! We talked to great extent about their jobs as yoga instructors and personal trainers.

Such hard working young men.

I will admit… it is so hard, doing what I do. Having to bear so much… The persevering and whathaveyou.

But I do it for you… IN FACT as a result of what I had to endure on that hawt August night on the San Diego Harbor… I have something to give to 3 lucky winners.

I have in my possession enough free DOVE Ice Cream coupons to give 3 winners 4 coupons for a free DOVE Ice Cream! Each coupon is worth up to $5.50… $22 in free DOVE Ice Cream coupons for 3 winners!

No foolin’!

I go through these things for YOU. I take the hard hits for you… for you to have ice cream. And not just any ice cream… DOVE Ice Cream.

(I will admit, I am holding onto several coupons to hand-out to select crying mommies on the first day of school next week.)

But for YOUR chance to win one of the three 4-coupon sets… in the comments, tell me all about your love for DOVE Ice Cream! Contest runs September 3rd to September 16, 2011 at midnight PST … You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post. (Example: If you love @Dove_Chocolate then you’ll love @jennyonthespot’s DOVE Ice Cream giveaway! http://bit.ly/nT6T9U)
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.

No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. And if all else fails… I will redeem the coupons myself and make my belly very happy.

Don’t think I won’t.

You can learn more about DOVE Ice Cream here. You can find them on Facebook here!

*A big thanks to the folks at DOVE for providing the coupons for this giveaway, and all the good times on that yacht!

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

It’s that time of year again… It’s time to get back to school and it’s time to get all the gear that goes with it.

And where does all that gear go?

IN A BACKPACK, RIGHT???

The backpack you see here is on from Schoolbags for Kids. Lucy LOVES her new backpack.  She said, “It’s SUPER comfy, Mom!”

I like it too. It buckles in front (see Lucy on the bike below), it is incredibly spacious, has lots and LOTS of fun, organizational pockets, it is very well-made, and for every backpack purchased… Schoolbags for Kids gives a backpack filled with school supplies to children around the world!

*Side note: Lucy does not ride her bike to school. However, she was so excited about her new backpack, she couldn’t bear taking it off. In fact, she was so much in heaven – with her 2 wheelin’ skills AND a new backpack… she rode in circles for at least 20 minutes. School doesn’t start for us until next week…

Friends. Be sure to visit this link to Schoolbags for Kids and read more about how this wonderful outreach began and follow this link to read more about why the backpacks they give to children around the world are yellow… They were even on Martha Stewart’s “Living Today” radio show!

*This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.  I was provided product in exchange for this review.

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Updated! Winner alert!!!

Congratulations to Sara and Sheila! Commenters #3 and 15! You both are receiving a code for $15 toward a GelaSkins purchase!

Congrats ladies – and thanks to all who entered!

*****

See that? Um…. CUTE!

How’d I make my laptop look so NOT laptop-y?

Thank you very much!

They are SO easy to use! The hardest part was deciding what skin to choose! I toyed with the idea of designing my own, but in the end I decided to go with their design options. I visited the GelaSkins website and browsed and browsed and browsed… The choices are many, for our many devices… iphones, laptops, e-readers… gaming devices. You need to just hop over and see for yourself.

I finally decided on this design for my laptop:

Those colors just make me feel all happy and shiny!

I almost chose the same skin for my iPad, but my kids use it too… so I decided to choose something that all of us would love. And when I saw it… it was a no-brainer:

I mustache you a question…

I’ll be honest… there is nothing I don’t love about GelaSkins. Their service was excellent, and the quality of the skin is excellent. Much more sturdy than I thought. But a note from the experienced – be sure you do clean your surface well. Not like I did… like, on the kitchen counter after a sugar spill. The skins do show those little bumps. It’s easy to make sure your surface is clean… mostly if you do not clean and apply over a sugar spill. It was just a few granules… but knowledge is power, people.

#amomslife

So… it is with excitement I offer TWO readers a $15 gift code to GelaSkins!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Between now and August 14th, use the promo code “BLOGHER11″ in the promo code field to receive 10% off for anything in their store (except gift certificates).

For a chance to win of of the two $15 gift codes… in the comments, tell me which GelaSkin design you would like! Contest runs July 31 to August 14, 2011 at midnight PST … You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post. (Example: Bling-out your laptop, iPad, or phone! @jennyonthespot and @gelaskins combine forces for a giveaway! http://bit.ly/pCw4Yf)
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.

No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

You can also check out GelaSkins of Facebook and Twitter!

*Disclosure: I was provided credit towards my GelaSkins. Opinion expressed here is mine and truthful. I am very pleased with my cute stuffs.

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs! Giveaway listed on OLS.

I have been a “user” of Mary Kay for many, many years. Many.

So, when an opportunity to review my beloved Mary Kay arose, I was all, “REVIEW? MARY KAY? GIMME. LOVE.”

Surprisingly, as familiar as I am with Mary Kay… I got a little surprise. Receiving the new goods helped me realize I had fallen into a bit of a rut. I had my found awesome… my colors, my “system”… But then I got my box, and was introduced to a pinker shade of lip color than my “norm”… a more neutral color pallet for my eyes… and my ever-favorite Ultimate Mascara.

Wanna see what that Mary Kay did to me???

I’m sorry. I may have gone a little bit overboard. But I couldn’t help it!

And the reactions of my 12 year old son and 9 year old daughter… were PRICELESS! Upon first sight of their mother… both said, “WOW!” My daughter added, “You look REALLY pretty mom!”

And we know that kids are the Honest of the Honest, so. It was official – me = pretty!

Let me tell you what it is I love about Mary Kay:

• Their mineral eye shadow stays on and gives great coverage.

• Their compacts are magnetic, lovely and the product stays in!

• My blush and eye colors are in one place.

• The Ultimate Mascara doesn’t give me that “black-eye” shadow… it wears and wears and wears…

• And this!

I love me some good make-up, but I have always had a hard time knowing HOW to create a “look”. I received the Brilliant Blue Eyes mineral eye color bundle, and it showed me HOW to use the 3 neutral colors to help bring out my the blue in my eyes.

It worked, no?

Want to feel pretty too? Would YOU like to win some Mary Kay product to try for yourself? In the comments, tell me which Mary Kay products you would like to check out to enter to win a Mary Kay gift basket valued at $100! Contest runs July 27 to August 26, 2011 at 5 pm PST … You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
• For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

• Visit Blogher.com’s Promotions & Prizes section for more chances to win!
• Go here to read the Official Rules
• Go here to visit Mary Kay’s Official site

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Over the last few weeks I have been utilizing Degree’s “Get Into the Move Challenge” application on Facebook. as a way to help motivate me to… stay moving despite a very busy summer.

I have spent the last number of years working hard to stick with regular exercise to maintain my weight loss after having kids. But dear mercy, I am having a hard time keeping exercise a priority. Why is exercise always the first thing to let-go of when life gets busy?

I was skeptical of the Facebook app at first. I wasn’t sure a Facebook application would be enough to give me the extra push I need these days. However, the “Get Into the Move Challenge” app has proven to be a good friend… gently nudging me in those moments I could easily talk myself out of getting moving.

Knowing I have a place to log my accomplishments, and earning a little something to boot:

• In the app, one can choose from a list of activities – and is awarded MotionMILES for those activities.
• You even get MotionMiles just for logging in!
• There is a daily question centered around fitness… one can earn MotionMILES are earned for answering correctly.

Why MotionMILES? What’s the benefit?

There are a few benefits… one has a few choices in mile redemption.

• I had fun spinning the instant win wheel. Not that I won a ton (6 miles), but there’s something about a spinning wheel and a waiting to see what Lady Luck has to say *wink*.
• There are big drawings one can enter as well, for TRIPS and such. I entered one drawing. Testing good ‘ol Lady Luck again!
• But I donated most of my MotionMiles. Each donated MotionMile is worth .10 – which goes to one of 2 causes… Challenged Athletes and Girls in the Game.

The “Get into the Move” challenge is easy to do. I am getting some exercise in anyway, and on Facebook a few times a day… I may as well hop over to the Get Into the Move Challenge on Facebook, log some MotionMILES… and contribute to some worthy causes.

And during these past several weeks I have also been using Degree with motionSENSE, and I am still loving it. Degree  takes the scientific end and describes it this way,

It introduces motionSense Technology, consequently becoming the ONLY antiperspirant that is activated by motion first, not moisture, so women can stay ahead of perspiration.

I am lost on science. I just know it works well for me and it smells nice. This is a big deal because I have tried many other antiperspirants with no success, except for the one I’ve used for 15 years. I was thrilled to have discovered this new product by Degree because I was ready for something new.

How about you? How do you live an active lifestyle? Leave your answer in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Contest runs July 19 to August 15, 2011 at 5 pm PST … You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
• For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The official rules are available here. Visit the BlogHer round-up page here for more chances to win!

There a couple of things going on here…

1. A brand-spanking new haircut from Inga at Seaport Salon and Spa (An Aveda concept salon) located in Silverdale WA, yo, and…
2. Some very healthy feeling hair that I have been giving some TLC as I have been personally testing out the Aveda Damage Remedy line, AND the Sun Care line AND also my skin has been testing out the Replenishing moisturizer (my little Lucy LOVES the stuff – gotta keep my eye on her!)… and hair is held by the Control Force hairspray… and…

My hair is so blasted soft right now. And feeling strong. And smells of pure delight.

I know – we BOTH wish I had a scratch and sniff blog!

My experience at the Seaport Salon and Day Spa was delightful.

Everyone was warm and ready to roll… the “spa water”… which was cucumber water was so refreshing. I had a few sips before my master stylist, Inga, took me to her station…

She offered me two aromatherapy oils to choose from. I chose the “energizing” aromatherapy scent. Inga had me take 3 deep “energizing” breaths and the head massage ensued.

Heaven much?

YES.

Inga was great about asking questions about my hair… I could tell she wanted to get  a clear idea of what I had in mind before she whipped out her scissors.

I appreciated that.

I had my hair cut fairly short a couple of years back, and I am still trying to get somewhere with length. I really didn’t give her much to work with, but she made sense of my jibberish and cut just enough to give me the shape I’d hoped for and make my tattered ends all neat and shiny.

Walking into a new place is hard… who you gonna let come at you with scissors *wink*. But having confidence that there are trained professionals backed-up by a company with strong commitment to high-quality… I felt confident about my decision to step-out into new territory.

In the past number of weeks I have been spending quite a bit of time getting to know Aveda. Getting to know their business practices, much of their product line, and have been to two of their spaces. The benefit Aveda salons offer is not only product consistency, but service consistency. Though I got a haircut at one salon, and some pampering at another, it was clear they strive to maintain a consistent excellent level of service to their guests.

And here’s the thing, friends. My hair is important to me. I have gone through great experiences and some pretty awful ones. New stylists make ne NERVOUS.

My issues are not just about my “image” or monetary value (though important)… it’s also about time and quality. I appreciate Aveda product for their effort in all things green,

and for their efforts in world-wide social responsibility… all the way down to providing my with a quality haircut. My time is valuable. I don’t have time to go get it fixed. I want to go to a place I am confident will do things well and do them right.

Hitherhencetofore… Aveda.

#shazam.

Wait. You want to see the video Jyl made of our girls’ morning at the Universtiy Vialage Aveda Salon?

OK!

My friend Mona was there, she seemed to have a great time too! You can check out the fun she had here!

Now, I already gave away $72 in Aveda product here, BUT… worry not! If you go to you local Aveda store location and mention the secret word “11Summer” you, my friend will receive a free Aveda sample!

I’m curious. Do you use Aveda product? If you do, what is your favorite. If not, what is most appealing to you about Aveda product?

*Aveda provided me with product to try-out and test. And test I have! My haircut was provided by Seaport Salon and Day Spa, my local Aveda Concept Salon. My opinions about Aveda and the Seaport Salon are honest and all mine.

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Demands on my time are increasing, and my own physical activity is the thing that usually gets cut first. I notice that this adjustment has made me feel less happy and less physically strong. And friends… I really like feeling strong. It makes me feel capable and confident.

As a result of cutting back my physical activity I have realized I really, really need to make an active lifestyle a priority on my to-do list. But it means I have to be creative with how I stay active. I don’t have the time to do what I used to, but I NEED to keep moving… I just checked out Degree with motionSENSE “Get Into the Move Challenge” and am encouraged!

It’s their application on Facebook. Degree with motionSENSE is an antiperspirant/deoderant that starts working with one’s motion, instead of waiting to activate when you start to sweat, due their motionSENSE technology!

The product is activated by motion… it makes sense that they are providing a resource for how to get moving – let’s just test out that motionSENSE technology!

I signed up on their Facebook page, where their purpose is to provide a resource… a source of motivation to get or stay moving. More details about the program from Degree:

By registering for the Degree Women “Get into the Move” application on Facebook (facebook.com/degreewomen) or on mobile devices (m.degreewomen.com), fans can start earning motionMILES, virtual currency redeemable towards chances to win thousands of prizes. These motionMILES are earned for various ways women move, including checking in with Facebook places and logging activities. Earning motionMILES is easy – eligible activities include going to the gym, taking Zumba® or yoga classes and various other activities women already do, like grocery shopping or catching the bus. Fans can also earn motionMILES by answering daily trivia questions on the Facebook application, inviting friends to “Get into the Move,” and even logging in daily.

The Goodness:

1. A space to keep track of one’s physical activity
2. Prize winning potential as you earn points
3. Degree with motionSENSE… I was sent product to try. It has worked exceptionally. I rarely try other antiperspirant/deodorants because I have not found any product that works for me (except the one I’ve ben wearing since I was 18). Until now. And I love the scent I am using – Fresh Energy. I was a little nervous to do this review, since I have had a hard time finding product that works for me. I am thrilled to have discovered this product.

How about you? How do you live an active lifestyle? Leave your answer in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card (prize chosen based on commenters in this post and a following post). Contest runs June 20 to July 18, 2011 5 pm PST … You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
• For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The official rules are available here. Visit the BlogHer round-up page here for more chances to win!

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

*Winner update! 6.26.11… I would like to congratulate TAMMY of Tammy’s Two Cents (for her comment as commenter #6) for her winning here today!!! Tammy has won the three products list below – a $72 value!!!

——————————

Summer is coming!

Woohoo!!! Sunshine! Swimming!

Damaged hair?

Do you have a plan in place to protect your lovely locks? Enter Aveda’s Damage remedy line:

Aveda has a reputation for quality.

Why?

Because they produce quality product. From how the product effects hair and skin… to the scent of their product… to their commitment to sustainability… Have your read the Aveda mission statement?

Aveda is above bar.

And aren’t we lucky! Aveda is GIVING one of YOU a lot of their “above bar” goodness from their Damage remedy line:

• One (1) 8.5 fl oz Damage Remedy™ Restructuring Shampoo (USD $24)
• One (1) 6.7 fl oz Damage Remedy™ Restructuring Conditioner (USD $24)
• One (1) 3.4 fl oz. Damage Remedy™ Daily Hair Repair (USD $24)

That’s a $72 value!

For a chance to enter and win, complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each – including links to their original tweets:

• Visit the website (Aveda.com/video), watch a “How To” video, then come back to this post and leave a comment letting us know one thing you learned from the video.
• Tweet the following: “I just learned how to ___________________ with @Aveda and couldn’t be more excited! #AvedaSS”

This contest runs from June 14, 2011 to midnight (PST) June 20, 2011.

Hang on a sec…  there’s another little treat – Aveda would love to offer you a chance to win Aveda product at their local stores. Go into your local Aveda store location, mention the secret word “11Summer” and receive a free Aveda sample.

***Extra, Extra! Users are invited to submit images using @Aveda products and engaging in summer activities such as lounging poolside, playing volleyball… summery stuffs! All photos can be submitted via the Instagram application or any photo sharing platform available on Twitter. Use the hashtag #AvedaSun. Each week during the one month campaign (May 16 – June 20), two winners will be randomly drawn to receive the entire Summer Essential line – a total of eight winners at the end of the month. At the end of the campaign, all photos will be compiled into a photo album on the Aveda Facebook Page, allowing users to “Like” and comment on photos.

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

*Update!!! 6.26.11 So. The voting on the lips seemed to have taken a turn… a turn that to me… seemed to uneven the playing field. I don’t want to bore anyone with my theories of what may or may not have happened, and I am sure my decision will not be popular with everyone… but as a result of what I saw in the voting process… I decided to throw the vote to a random.org. My apologies for those that spent time to cast a vote for self or friend, but the sum of the whole could not compete…. hitherhencetofore – random.org. My sincerest apologies.

Now. For the winner…. The winner of a private Aveda party at the University Village Aveda in Seattle! Random.org chose…. Number 6 — @ScoutsHonor of The United States of Motherhood!!!

Congratulations, girl! And thanks to all!

—————————————

Not too long ago, many local women who are hawt/hot on the social media scene stopped by the University Village Aveda store in Seattle for pastries, coffee, social time and some pampering!

More on that event later… Right now, we need your help! See Jyl of Mom It Forward and me in this here picture? Well, everybody got all kissy-kissy with a card to show off their pucker too!

Why?

Because a private party of pampering is at stake – party goes to the best pucker! Who won’t kiss a card for a party?!

Out of 30(ish) puckers, we finally narrowed it down to 6 sets of lovely lips…

But we need your help! Only one of these sets of lips will win a private pamering party at the University Village Aveda store for up to 9 lucky friends!

Voting runs June 13, 2011 to June 20, 2011! The pucker with the most votes will win! Simply toss your opinion into the ring and the owner of one of these lovely puckers will blow kisses at you – I just know it!

Loading…

If you didn’t go to the event, and if you don’t see your lips here… Guess what? I have an Aveda giveaway valued at over $80 coming here in the next couple days! Subscribe by email here to get an alert to this upcoming giveaway as well as future coolness! In the meantime… it’ll take moments – which pucker tickles your fancy?

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Loading…