Okay, let’s just get straight to the point: It’s sunny outside.

IT’S FINALLY SUNNY OUTSIDE! 

Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like summer. And if there’s one product that is synonymous with summer, it’s Hawaiian Tropic. A few days ago, I posted an exclusive sampling opportunity for Hawaiian Tropic’s Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30.

Why it’s awesome:

The Silk Hydration Sunscreen incorporates UVA and UVB sun protection with hydrating ribbons infused with silk protein and shea butter. And on top of Hawaiian Tropic’s trusted formula, you’ll also receive 12-hour moisture, a silky, luxurious feel and waterproof protection. Did I forget to mention the signature coconut fragrance? Smells like summer!

For those who were lucky enough to grab a sample, enjoy! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do. And for those who missed out, fear not… it’s a #HawaiianTropicCA Twitter Party!

We’ve got TONS of amazing gift baskets to give away, including Visa Gift Cards ($$$!) and Hawaiian Tropic Summer Kick Off Kits! The kits are worth approximately $75 and include:

Sarong - Hat - Hawaiian Tropic Towel - 2 Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotions (SPF 30 & SPF 50) - 1 Silk Hydration After Sun Moisturizer - 2 Island Radiance Self Tanning Lotion (Medium and Medium Dark).  (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

We’ve all played the game before. You know; the one where you discuss the improbable fate of being hooked up to an electric chair, and revealing what you last meal would be.

Fried chicken? Pizza? Macaroni and cheese? What comfort food would you turn to?

Myself? I’ve already made a list of the top 5 foods I’d request. (Don’t worry, I haven’t committed a heinous crime.)

1. A Croque Monsieur; a simple yet magical mix of ham, cheese and toasted bread. Served with a green salad.

2. A Club Sandwich; applewood smooked bacon and tender chunks of chicken breast layered between tangy mayo. (With fries, of course.)

3. A Smoked Meat on Rye; with just enough yellow mustard and a kosher pickle on the side.

4. A Miami Sandwich; my own creation (and an award-winning one to boot!) – I’d likely ask if I could make it myself.

5. A Fish Banh Mi; Vietnamese grilled catfish infused with turmeric and slow cooked with dill and green onion.

Notice a trend? YES, I love a good sandwich. In fact, I can say with confidence that the humble sandwich is my favourite kind of food in the entire world. And certainly, a worthy last meal if I was leaving said world. Bread, bread, bread. Carbs, carbs, carbs. Comfort, comfort, comfort.

So is it any real surprise that one of my favourite brands evah is Dempsters?

Every loaf of Dempster’s bread is made with 100% Canadian wheat and baked fresh daily – making it the perfect base for a delicious, satisfying sandwich. And, did you know that 1 slice of Dempsters WholeGrains bread contains this? ->>

(I know. I didn’t think Dempsters WholeGrains could get better either, until I saw the breakdown. And now I’m on cloud 9; because I know that the taste and texture that I love is also pretty awesome for me, too.)

When you visit Naturally Dempsters you’ll have access to a wealth of delicious recipes – including step-by-step video instructions from Dempster’s resident celebrity culinary genius Chef Bob Villeneuve. How about a 12 Grain Spinach-Strawberry and Goat Cheese Sandwich? Or an Asparagus Benedict?

Me – I’m partial to a Spinach and Leek Chicken Salad Sandwich. Yum!

(more…)

Years ago, a recipe for a Seven Layer Mexican Dip fell into my hot little hands.

Sweet! One of the most delicious dips known to mankind, and now I could make it all on my own. I scanned the recipe, excited for my next informal shindig, where I was certain it would be a crowd pleaser. As I looked through the directions, I noticed an asterisk at the very end:

*Be sure to use Maggi Chili Sauce. It’s the best tasting sauce out there, great for this recipe.

Hmm. Since I was not familiar with Maggi products, I decided to go on and give it a try. And I concurred; it really was the best chili sauce I had ever had. Not too spicy, and with just the right twang, the appetizer went on to be a hit (of course I knew it would) and I became a fan of Maggi Taste of Asia Chili Sauce for life.

Since then, I’ve enjoyed several Maggi products, including their Vegetable Soup Mix, Premium Oyster Sauce and Season Up! Spices.

And now… Maggi introduces their NEW So Juicy!

So Juicy is a whole new way of cooking that creates delicious, juicy chicken every time – no mess and no stress! It includes the special “Flavour Lock” cooking bag that seals in the flavour and lets chicken simmer in its own juice.

That’s all! Minimal preparation and cleanup, and maximum flavour. I’ll admit that I’m normally hesitant to put plastic in the oven, but something tells me that Maggi has this down to a science. Has anyone tried Maggi So Juicy? I’d love to hear your feedback. So Juicy is available in Mixed Herbs, Garlic and Rotisserie seasonings.

Well, now that we’ve made it so easy…. with So Juicy… so, how would you like to win $2,000? (more…)

Since we had SO much fun during our last Twitter Party for The Client List, we thought we’d do it all over again!

This Sunday, April 21st at 10:00pm ET, join us for #TheClientList Twitter Party. We’ll once again be live tweeting during the wildly popular second season – and if you’re a fan of the show, or would love to see what all the hype’s about – c’mon and stop by!

ALL Canadians are welcome to tweet with us – just be sure to RSVP and that all of your tweets include both @lifetimetvca and #theclientlist in order to be eligible for prizes.

Speaking of prizes, we’re giving away some AMAZING ones this time around!

- 3 x $25.00 Amazon.ca Gift Cards
- 2 x $50.00 Amazon.ca Gift Cards
- 1 x $100.00 Grand Prize Amazon.ca Gift Card

If you’re following along on Tweet Grid and wish to solely follow the party, be sure to enter “#theclientlist @lifetimetvca” as your search string.

Not sure what channel Lifetime is on? Click here to view Lifetime’s helpful channel guide.

About the Show:

“The sweet yet seductive Riley Parks is back with a new season and new secrets in The Client List, starring and executive produced by Golden Globe-nominee Jennifer Love Hewitt. Following last season’s cliffhanger finale, more drama and new threats await Riley Parks (Jennifer Love Hewitt) in the equally steamy second season of The Client List. After being deserted by her husband and left alone in financial despair, the Texas single mother of two accepts a larger role at The Rub, the seemingly traditional spa that offers clients on the list special “extras,” adding further obstacles to her already difficult double life. But it’s the sudden return of her estranged husband Kyle (Brian Hallisay) that proves to be especially challenging for Riley as her feelings for brother-in-law Evan (Colin Egglesfield) finally come to a boil. Caught with her back against the wall, trust becomes an overwhelming issue for Riley as everyone, including those closest to her, seem to be hiding something.”

Don’t forget to RSVP to be eligible for prizes… click here!

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It’s not often that I let pictures – or products – do the talking; I’m too much of a motormouth not to put my two cents in. However, when President’s Choice approached me to do a PC black label giveaway for Mother’s Day, I just knew the delicious, gourmet food would speak for itself.

Want to celebrate your Mom this year? Consider picking up some – or all – of the products below. Together, they make a wonderful assortment of fine foods that won’t break the bank, and they just happen to be my picks for Mother’s Day gifts. Host a high tea, treat her to a gourmet Italian meal, or celebrate with a traditional breakfast in bed. The possibilities are endless… and scrumptious… with PC black label products (found at Loblaws stores.)

Of course, the ultimate way to spoil Mom silly is to win a gourmet gift basket here! President’s Choice has put together a beautiful basket, valued at over $100, which contains a collection of exceptional fine foods from the PC black label line. The collection features a range of outstanding foods all made with a rich artisanal provenance and amazing flavours.  From confectionary items, spreads, dressings, marinades, pastas, sauces, oils and vinegars, aromatic spice blends, to baked goods, baking ingredients and more, the foods within the PC black label collection were inspired by the most exquisite tastes from Canada and around the world. With this basket, Mom will enjoy an exciting adventure in food – one that will inspire and excite taste buds!

One lucky winner will receive ALL the products showcased below, just in time for Mother’s Day. Good luck!

PC BLACK LABEL MIXED BERRY TEA

With Thai lemon grass, Egyptian hibiscus, Brazilian açai and North American blueberry, along with a hint of licorice root and zesty orange peel, our round-the-world tea blend is a refreshing burst of herbal berry flavours and aromas. The pyramid-shaped tea bags come individually wrapped.

PC BLACK LABEL BLACK CURRANT JAM

Packed with ripe luscious black currants, our dark, dense jam is ideal for both sweet and savoury applications. Try with pork, poultry, cheeses and pâtés, or spread on sweet breads, muffins and biscuits. Imported from Belgium.

PC BLACK LABEL EARL GREY ALL BUTTER SHORTBREAD THINS

A treat for tea and biscuit lovers alike, our tender, all-butter shortbread thins are baked with a traditional Earl Grey tea infusion. The distinct flavours and aromas of bergamot orange make this the biscuit of choice when paired with tea or coffee. Imported from Scotland. (more…)

If there is one meal I am very familiar with, it’s the good ol’ Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

You see, when pregnant with my first, it was the only craving I had for nine. solid. months. I can look back on it now and laugh, but the truth is, I was quite obsessed back then. It went something like this:

I first started craving grilled cheese sandwiches shortly after my morning sickness ended, at about 13 weeks. At first, I’d go the traditional route: adding one slice of processed cheese to two slices of white bread (Dempster’s Stays Fresh White Bread, of course). I’ll grill the sandwich in a buttered pan until the bread was crispy and the cheese was ooey-gooey.

I soon realized that a grilled cheese sandwich was my breakfast of choice, but curiously, on days I opted for fruit or eggs, I felt an irrational need to have a grilled cheese at snack time or before bedtime. I suppose the irrational need could be called a “craving”.

As my pregnancy progressed, I started experimenting; I began trying different cheeses (cheddar, provolone, Monterrey jack and Swiss were among my faves), and introduced complementary ingredients such as sliced apples, crisp bacon and avocado. I was still grilling up the sandwiches, but now I had switched to a fabulous panini grill, reasoning that if I was going to indulge, I might as well do it right.

(Above images courtesy of Dempsters; Smoky Bacon and Apple Grilled Cheese and Pizza Grilled Cheese.)

By the eighth month, I could no longer wait for the panini grill to heat up. I had resorted to nuking cheap, store-brand cheese between 2 slices of white bread for 30 seconds in the microwave. Yes, it got ugly.

Miraculously, after I gave birth to Ryder, my insatiable desire for grilled cheese sandwiches instantly disappeared. To tell the truth, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had one since – I guess you can say that 276 days straight of eating grilled cheese sandwiches has likely cured me of the habit for good.

However, I always remember to celebrate my most remarkable craving ever, and this year is no different: With National Grilled Cheese Day coming up on April 12th, Dempsters is celebrating with a #GrilledCheesePlease Twitter Party!

As always, there will be fabulous prizes up for grabs, including 8 x 6 month supplies of Dempster’s Bread (26 Dempster’s coupons), and 2 Prize Packs of ‘Grilled Cheese for a year’ (1 x Breville Panini Duo + 52 Dempster’s coupons + $50 grocery gift card). WOWZERS!!! (more…)

It’s no secret that my family has been bitten by the travel bug. We’ve had the awesome opportunity to participate in many family adventures – so much so that we’ve started planning for our first bona fide vacation for the end of 2013.

(My, how far I’ve come since the first time I discussed family travel – where I was literally freaking out at the prospect! I guess it goes to show you that time spent together with your family always overshadows all the little worries.)

It’s also no secret that family travel is expensive.

Often, just the thought of the time, expenses and amount of planning involved can prevent families from taking a much-needed vacation. It’s tragic! Especially when you consider that there are resources available to help every family save for and select the perfect vacation.

Well, if you’re planning on getting away, great news! The TD Affordable Family Travel Guide provides simple tips and budgeting tactics that allow you to plan a great family vacation, without breaking the bank.

The first step to budgeting for family travel? Join us for the #TDFamilyTravel Twitter Party on Thursday April 25th from 9 to 10 pm EST. We’ll chat about your best advice for planning budget-friendly family travel and get tips from TD Canada Trust on how to budget, save and stretch your travel dollar further. (more…)

There are so many ways I could introduce this Twitter Party – you know, talk about my addiction to Bounty Paper Towels; how they’ve helped us out of mess after mess… and why it’s so important to have them on hand for every little disaster.

But really, what it comes down to is this: Who wants to win a ONE-YEAR supply of Bounty? Um yeah, that would be EVERYONE!!

Here’s the scoop. Food Network Canada’s newest original competition series, Donut Showdown, premieres on Tuesday, April 2nd at 10pm ET/PT. And, Bounty happens to be the title sponsor!

(I can totally see that. Jelly donuts, cream puffs and chocolate cruellers? Recipe for a mess, for sure!)

“Hosted by international food television personality Danny Boome (from The Chew and Recipe Rehab), Donut Showdown features an all-star judges panel, who will decide which fried dessert will make the cut. The judges are Food Network Canada chef David Rocco, culinary expert Maggie McKeown of Recipe to Riches and popular Toronto restauranteur Zane Caplansky. Each episode starts with three competitors who will be asked to create a fried treat using bizarre and top-secret ingredients. At the end of each week, only one will prevail and will walk away with a $10,000 prize.”

Join us as we TWEET LIVE with Bounty during the show, chatting up all the thrills and spills. (I recommend having a light snack on hand – there’ll be a lot of donut talk, so you may get a case of the late-night munchies!)

DATE and TIME: Tuesday, April 2nd at 10:00pm ET
HASHTAG: #BountyShowdown
MODERATORS: @Listen2Lena – @FeistyFrugal – @Jen_Banks – @ParentClub – @SassyModernMom

Of course, you know we have some AMAZING prizing up for grabs – we’ll be giving away 5 x 6-months supply of Bounty, and 3 x 1-year supply of Bounty. Now raise your hand if you just got ridiculously excited about that – congratulations, you must be a Mom! (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

Is there a “magic” potion that can help you feel more energetic, make your skin radiant, boost your health and help ward off illness and infection?

Sure, you get it by doing this little thing called “juicing”. 

I’ve long been a fan of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables; drinking the cold, delicious liquid is like a rush of nutrients to your immune system. However, I’ve never been a fan of the cleanup after the fact. And I’m embarrassed to admit that this is the sole reason why my old juicer found a permanent home at the back of my cupboard.

Of course, this year I made a promise to myself to cut the crap. And even though commercially marketed 100% fruit juices are considered a “health food”, they’ll never be as healthy as extracting the fresh juice yourself. So I dusted off my old juicer and realized, OMG! It’s ancient. The motor hummed and hawed and only extracted about a 10th of the fruit. Now that would not do AT ALL.

Thankfully, my friends at Hamilton Beach Canada were on board with my mission to put my health first, and sent me their famous Big Mouth Stainless Steel Juice Extractor for review. Once it arrived, I was motivated to fill my fridge to the gills with my favourite fruits and vegetables. Health and happiness, here I come!

Caption: This is what is going into my body this week, thanks to the Hamilton Beach Canada Big Mouth Juicer. #healthyliving #juicing

The juicer features an extra large 3” chute, which allows you to juice whole fruits and vegetables with less prep time. In fact, a medium sized Red Delicious apple falls down the chute quite nicely; larger apples (like the Golden Delicious variety pictured above) should be cut in half prior to juicing. And those humming and hawing motors are definitely a thing of the past; the Big Mouth comes with a powerful 800 watt motor which literally obliterates fruits and vegetables in seconds (yielding up to 24% MORE juice for selected produce). Finally, the durable stainless steel cutter/strainer ensures that the unit is always ready when you are. (more…)

I know y’all are probably tired of me going on and on about how much I adore Orlando, Florida. Walt Disney World this; SeaWorld that. Oh, and in case you were wondering, I do have a few more reviews coming up. Stay tuned!

However, since I’m sensitive about detailing my amazing adventures without being able to spread the love around, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to give back to my readers – in the form of a 7-Day Dream Vacation to Orlando, Florida!

Here’s the scoop: my good friend Stephanie over at How to Survive Life in the Suburbs recently vacationed in Orlando, including a luxurious stay with Global Resort Homes. (You can read about her adventure here.) From unique town homes, luxurious condos to spacious vacation homes, Global Resort Homes has something to suit every style and budget. The best part: each home is in the center of everything, located in one of nine distinctive resort communities only minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort.

(more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

If you took a peek at my recent home office pictures – or what I like to call “The Before” – you’ll know that I’m in desperate need of a makeover. And while you all agree that I need a new chair (thanks for the horrified comments, ha!), I also drastically need to cut down on the clutter and disorganization. This weekend, I’m doing my best to De-Clutter and Prosper!

Click here to view my Staples De-Clutter and Prosper Home Office – BEFORE.

Of course, you know I’d never undertake such a  feat without spreading the love to my readers. So, while you all wait with baited breath for my big reveal (note: please do not wait with baited breath), I have the following giveaway to share!

Here’s the scoop: In addition to sponsoring my home office makeover, Staples Canada has been busy – they’ve joined the AIR MILES Reward Program as a national Sponsor. Now shoppers can earn AIR MILES reward miles on all their Staples purchases! To help cluttered Canadians spring clean their workspace, Staples and AIR MILES are offering my readers a chance to win a “Clear the Clutter” prize pack. Filled with items to organize your desk, it’s a prize valued at more than $500!

One lucky winner will receive:

$100 Staples Gift Card • 100 AIR MILES Bonus Miles • Assortment of Patterned Martha Stewart File Folders • Stack+Fit Martha Stewart Desk Accessories: Shagreen Drawer with Inbox and Organizer • Martha Stewart Large Shagreen Double File Pocket • Case File – Accordion File with Handle • Martha Stewart Home Office With Avery Dry-Erase Weekly Planner, Red and Grey • Belkin Conserve Valet – Smart USB Charging Station • Fellowes SmartSuites Monitor Riser Plus • Fellowes Powershred 69Cb 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. And, stay tuned for my pictures of my new home office! (more…)

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Raise your hand if you think this year is flying by much too quickly! I woke up this morning and realized that winter is almost behind us; spring is around the corner, and March Break is NEXT WEEK!

So, who’s got amazing plans? I must admit to being a little disorganized – this is actually the very first March Break in our household, and after doing a lot of travelling in the preceding months, did not really have it in me to plan a vacation. Still, with so many amazing events happening in and around the city, we’re actually booked every day next week! From indoor playgrounds to craft parties, matinee movies and more, Ryder’s “break” will involve me darting around like a mad woman. Splendid.

Of course, our first stop will be the grocery store, where I’ll load up on fresh fruit and snacks – including Ready-to-Eat Popcorn from Orville Redenbacher’s. My boys are addicted to the Sharp White Cheddar flavour; with a classic cheesy taste and a hint of butter, they’re a huge hit at snack time. (From Orville: Each tasty nugget is 30% larger and fluffier than the leading ready-to-eat savory popcorn. Diagnosis: Delicious.) They’re also great if you’re travelling, because sometimes you just don’t have a microwave handy – especially on road trips!

And so whether you’re about to pack the kids into the car for the drive down to Florida (gutsy!) or planning to spend the time in staycation mode like us, Orville has March Break covered. In order to occupy the family on the road, in the air or on the couch, they’ve offered my readers a variety of fun solutions to help answer age-old March Break questions like “Are we there yet?” and “Now what are we doing?”.

Worth $200, the Orville March Break Prize Pack contains fun distractions like kid-friendly travel games, DVDs and audio books, as well as board games the whole family can enjoy together. And of course, this prize pack has the snacks covered too, so Mom and Dad can just focus on the fun. Pop up some of Orville’s new Pop Up Bowl for the staycation or take Orville’s ready to eat gourmet flavours on the road.

Included:

- 2x Orville Redenbacher’s NEW Pop Up Bowl in Buttery flavour and 2x Orville Redenbacher’s NEW Pop Up Bowl Smart Pop!

- One (1) of each of Orville Redenbacher’s new ready to eat gourmet popping corn; Salty and Sweet Kettle corn, Dill Pickle, White Cheddar and Chipotle Whit Cheddar

- Three (3) colouring books and markers, a travel mug and water bottle, a back pack, three (3) family friendly DVDs and three (3) family friendly games (more…)

Canadians, if you love Lifetime TV Canada, and you love Twitter Parties, this one’s for you.

This Sunday, March 10th at 10:00pm ET, join us for #TheClientList Twitter Party. We’ll be live tweeting during the premiere of the widely anticipated second season – and if you’re a fan of the show, or would love to see what all the hype’s about – we would love for you to join us.

About the Show:

“The sweet yet seductive Riley Parks is back with a new season and new secrets in The Client List, starring and executive produced by Golden Globe-nominee Jennifer Love Hewitt. Following last season’s cliffhanger finale, more drama and new threats await Riley Parks (Jennifer Love Hewitt) in the equally steamy second season of The Client List. After being deserted by her husband and left alone in financial despair, the Texas single mother of two accepts a larger role at The Rub, the seemingly traditional spa that offers clients on the list special “extras,” adding further obstacles to her already difficult double life. But it’s the sudden return of her estranged husband Kyle (Brian Hallisay) that proves to be especially challenging for Riley as her feelings for brother-in-law Evan (Colin Egglesfield) finally come to a boil. Caught with her back against the wall, trust becomes an overwhelming issue for Riley as everyone, including those closest to her, seem to be hiding something.”

Although the show centers around Riley, we tend to wait for Evan to appear -

If you’re not a regular viewer of the show, don’t fear! Here’s your chance to get caught up – you can watch The Client List Season One Marathon beginning at 12:00pm ET on Lifetime TV Canada. A whole day of drama, intrigue, ethical debates, sexual tension and um, Colin Egglesfield? Yes please!

Then, join us and @LifetimeTVCA for a fun Twitter Party! ALL Canadians are welcome to tweet with us – just be sure to follow @LifetimeTVCA and RSVP below to be eligible for prizes.

(Click here to view the Lifetime TV Canada channel guide to find a service provider in your area.) (more…)

My husband and I always like to joke that participating on a show like The Amazing Race would be the end of our marriage. You see, we’re both directionally-challenged, and staying together in close proximity – while perpetually lost – are the makings for a good ol’ divorce.

Of course, I love a good scavenger hunt… the adventure, the suspense, the rewards, oh my! I’m usually the first person to decode the clue, so really, I just need a good guide to help us find the way to the next one. Any volunteers? I am officially taking on partners!

Speaking of scavenger hunts, participate in the Passport to Explore sweepstakes, and you and a guest could be off for a 7-day adventure to the North American destination of your choice (anywhere Air Canada flies, with a stay at Loews Hotels), courtesy of National Geographic.

Entering is Easy: Visit a participating National Geographic or National Geographic Explorer luggage retailer to identify the mystery animal on the product’s tag. Then, fill out this form for your chance to win. For extra entries, enter my blogger code, 801 - and/or share a link to the contest on your Facebook Page.

And here’s the part I love – I know exactly how to get to a National Geographic luggage retailer, because you can find them almost everywhere. Have a Sears in your area? You can likely find the luggage there. Now that’s the kind of scavenger hunt I like. Click here to find a retailer near you.

The contest closes on March 31st. While you’re out an about, check out some of the gorgeous luggage that National Geographic carries. From messenger bags to backpacks, rolling duffle bags to leather crossbodys, they’ve got you covered for your next adventure. I’ve always been smitten with the Explorer Collage Hardside Luggage -

“Durable, maneuverable, and eye-catching, our hard-side Explorer luggage is a travel-savvy way to show your love of National Geographic. It’s full of features that frequent travelers will appreciate. For starters, you’ll be able to spot the full-color graphics in an instant whether it’s sliding down the baggage claim chute at LAX or strapped to the roof of a bus in Bangalore.

A zippered pocket on the inside lid and interior tie-down straps help you stay organized and efficiently packed. All four wheels have 360° rotation so it’s easy to maneuver through crowded airline terminals and other tight spaces. The push-button, retractable handle slides smoothly. And carry handles on the top and side help when lifting the suitcase in and out of overhead bins or the trunk of a taxi.”

The good folks at National Geographic sent a 20-inch model our way, which is the perfect size for weekends away when a carry-on is too small, yet we don’t want to tote along our super-big suitcase. The design is incredibly gorgeous, and I can’t wait to find a reason (or destination) to use it!

Click here to enter the Passport to Explore Sweepstakes.

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Earlier this year, when thinking about goals for myself and my blog, I made a vow: I would do more “feel good” giveaways in 2013. That is, the chance to give back to my readers with prizes that aren’t necessarily attached to reviews; a few awesome things here and there “just because”.

I love when things fall into place.

You may remember the epic deal on UGG boots over at MTF Price Matters a few weeks ago. Listen to Lena readers were treated to an exclusive online coupon which took 25% off already discounted products – and let me tell you, stock went quickly. In fact, all but two sizes were sold out less than 24 hours later!

(UGG Classic Short Boots in Chocolate just became available in sizes 7 and 8, so act fast! Enter code “25OFFUGGS” at checkout to grab them for just $101.99 plus free shipping.)

From the popularity of this sale, I realized two things:

1. I have the most fabulous, fashion-conscious readers who also love a good deal.
2. MTF Price Matters has incredible promotions. Like, ridiculously good.

Now it could have all ended there, but then I received a call from MTF Price Matters, who wanted to say thank you to my readers for being awesome customers. And how are they saying “thank you”? Wait for it… I think there’s a feel good moment coming on…

By giving away this Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System with 10-30mm VR 1 Nikkor Lens, valued at $499.99!

“For your very mobile lifestyle comes a completely new imaging system with freedom to create and express as never before. Highly compact and portable, the Nikon 1 J1 goes everywhere you go. Moments from your amazing world are captured using a highly responsive autofocus and super fast shooting speed. In one touch you can work in Full HD (1080p) movie record mode. A camera so versatile you can even snap photos while recording movies. Unleash your creativity with Nikon 1—offering a balance of high performance, advanced features, portability and a newly designed interchangeable lens system. Infuse your world with photos from every moment and connect as never before.”

Now how’s that for giving back?

Simply enter the form below with your qualifying entries. Thank you to MTF Price Matters for sponsoring this giveaway, and good luck! (more…)