A different type of bar(re) code.

January is the month of the Resolution. And for me, it's also the month of giving up on those Resolutions. So for 2014, I'm not setting any hard and fast goals. I simply resolute to the following:

• I will be happier.
• I will be more spontaneous.
• I will be healthier.

That last one is tricky--I'm purposefully not attaching any lbs. or inches or stupid half marathons to it. Because, as we all remember, the only time I run is if it's from a bear or toward a Qdoba. I digress.

In the effort of committing to that last goal, I was delighted when a friend of mine approached me about a very cool opportunity. She is the co-owner of a new fitness studio local here to Metro Detroit, Barre Bee Fit, and dropped me a line asking if I would be willing to try out their classes and also share the experiences with a few friends to help spread the word about the studio. Very interested, party of 1 right here.

Here's the awesomesauce news: I'm committing to sweating it out in 6 classes over the next 30 days and I want to bring YOU with me for free! (Sorry in advance to those readers not in Metro Detroit!) So, if you live within driving distance of Birmingham, Michigan and you want to join me in trying to "Live by the Barre Code," keep reading.

When I was contacted, I honestly didn't know much about Barre Bee Fit, other than I assumed it incorporated some kind of ballet. Hi, barre. Duh. After a little more research on my part, I've learned that not only do the classes include the ballet barre, they also incorporate choreography, weights, kettlebells, and resistance training. There are 8 different types of classes that you can sign up for depending on your target areas, time commitments and goals. I AM ALL ABOUT THIS. (Personal disclaimer: I'm willing to try all the classes except the Barre Burn, because I'm not interested in dying.)

So, do you want to spice up your workouts? Try something new? Come "Live by the Barre Code" with me! I'll choose 6 readers to join me in 6 different classes--and no worries, we'll work around both our schedules to make it work. I'll chronicle my experience here on the blog...always good for some entertainment.

How to enter? It's easy! Simply "like" Barre Bee Fit Metro Detroit's Facebook page and leave a comment here and tell me one of your New Year's Resolutions. Or, if you're not into blog comments, shoot me an email at kveedub{at}gmail{dot}com. I'll select 6 readers by January 24 to join me!

Winner, winner, Subway dinner.

I'm trying to be more healthy these days, so KFC and fried chicken just a'int cuttin' it. Stick with me, eh?

Anyway, it's time to annouce the winners of the Time Out mat giveaway from Amy Sews It.

Congratulations to:

Meg from Because I Said So (and Other Mommyisms)

&

Emily from A Daily Dose of the Mitchells

Ladies, hit me up at kveedub[at]gmail[dot]com to claim your prize. And for the rest of you, use code "10spot" to get 10% off anything in Amy's etsy shop! Weeee!!!

TIME. OUT.

Brace yourselves, folks. It's giveaway time around these parts!

Glances left.

The ever-so-creative Momma of 3, Amy of Amy Sews It has graciously offered TWO ABM3 readers the chance to win one of her super kick arse time out mats.

The design, while uber simple in nature, is actually quite brilliant. I ordered mine about 2 weeks ago after a long hunt that stretched to the corners of amazon, etsy and ebay (and everywhere in between) to find the perfect product. Here's what I love:

• It's small enough to take with us wherever we go. And we go a lot of places. It's also diaper-bag/purse friendly because of the ribbon tie design.
• It's washable. Kids = messy. Washable = good.
• Her fabrics are SUPER cute. (And she can do custom orders!)
• Alex's time outs are now more consistent. No matter where we are, he knows that the blue mat is where it's at.

So back to my original point: TWO of you are going to WIN one of your own! There are up to 4 ways to enter--do one or do them all, but be sure to leave a comment for each separate entry. It's not rocket science, promise.

1. Be a public follower of ABM3.
2. Visit Amy's etsy shop and tell me which fabric or product is your fave. Umm, like her awesomesauce hats! Or these!
3. Post a linky to Amy's shop on YOUR facebook page.
4. Tweet about this giveaway.

Giveaway ends at midnight on May 11. I'll announce TWO winners on May 12.

And because I think it's hilarious that you can truly find anything online, please visit ehow's advice on how to effectively use time outs "Super Nanny" style. That's how we roll.

...stay tuned, because if you don't end up winning, Amy's going to offer a special discount to ABM3 readers!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

Congrats and pink confetti and bubbles to Ashley Paige from I love you more than carrots. Did you have a crystal ball or something - you were correct on gender and SO close on the date!!

Email me at kveedub{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your prize!

And once again, may we all give a standing ovation to the fine, fine peeps over at CSN stores? We heart you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

NIEPHEW WATCH: 2011

Oh, hai there. How is everyone doing today? Mmm hmmm. Ok. Everyone good? Good.

WELL THEN.

Let's cut to the meat and potatoes of today's topic, shall we? Today marks ONE WEEK from Niephew's due date. And if Niephew is anything like his/her cousin Alex, TODAY is the day. But, since I haven't received a text or phone call alerting me otherwise, I'll just continue to wait very impatiently. Le sigh.

Twiddles thumbs.

While we wait, why not have a giveaway?

Throws confetti.

The fine peeps over at CSN stores are sending their love to ABM3 readers yet again. And as if I haven't raved about their product offerings again and again...they have everything from backyard swing sets to cutlery. Yes, cutlery. I think it's a fun word. Seriously. Say it like 10 times fast. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery. Cutlery.

In honor of my precious Niephew's pending arrival, one lucky ABM3 reader will win $55 to use on ANYTHING from csnstores.com. Yippee!

To enter: 1) You must be a public follower. 2) Leave a comment here predicting Niephew's gender and birthday. Cinchy!

The winner will be selected using random.org on Niephew's due date, Feb. 14.

Werbegeschenk Gewinner!

Which, according to Google Translate (my bff for the next 10 days) is "Giveaway Winner!" in German.

I asked one of my German colleagues to pick a random number between 1-25 and she selected "zwei," which also according to Google Translate is TWO...Stephanie!

Glückwünsche, my dear! Email me at kveedub{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your prize.

And don't for a minute think that I'm just letting the rest of you down without something to cheer you up...Grandma's Little Lilly has generously offered ABM3 readers a $2 discount on any order when you use coupon code "lilly30". Be sure to mark it in "comments to seller" and she will send you the refund via PayPal. This code is good thru Nov. 10.

Merry Halloween!

Gifts on Halloween? That's preposterous!

False. That's how we roll around these parts. I'm a giver...what can I say?

If you noticed this week's "What I'm Loving Right Now..." (glances left) then you probably can guess what I've got up my sleeves for this giveaway. And if not, go look. We'll be waiting.

...

...

...

...

Got it? Good.

Now, let's get down to business. One lucky reader will win their very own coupon organizer from Grandma's Little Lilly. Weeee!! I have one of my own and love it. Instead of fumbling around with a disorganized pile of clippings stuffed into a gently used Ziploc bag, I'm now an organized, chic shopper with an UBER cute filing system to prove it. As I waltz down the aisles at Meijer all hands-free with my organizer attached to my cart, other shoppers longingly gaze at me in envy.

Want to experience this couponing/shopping nirvana for yourself? Enter to win!

Here's how to enter: visit Grandma's Little Lilly Etsy shop and leave a comment telling me your favorite fabric and the one thing that always manages to sneak its way into your shopping cart, despite your best efforts. For me, it's Cheez-its.

That's it! Easy peasy. Oh, and you must live in the continental U.S. Sorry, neighbors to the north.

I'll announce the winner on Wednesday, November 3.

A Girl Can Dream!

Sponsored By:


Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity--your ultimate family vacation! As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine and Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.

_______________________________________________

So, where would I go? Who would I bring? What would we do? I can honestly tell you that this has spurred a lot of fun “imagine if…” dinner conversations at the VeeDub household, and one thing has been made perfectly, vividly clear: my dream vacation and Joey’s dream vacation are two totally different situations.

He would go to the mountains and fish all day. Literally. All. Day. Evenings would include fab 5-star dinners, expensive vino and hours spent in a hot tub (that’s the part I like!) but the next day he’d get up and do it all over again. I love him and I love his weird hobbies (read: obsession with Fantasy Football, fishing and Legos) …but fishing in particular is something I will never, ever understand.

As for me? Well, I have two different ideas. The first is a romantic getaway for just Joey and me. We would tour all of Europe—with a mandatory stop in Greece—and do all the things that crazy tourists do. We would be gone for 2 weeks and would NOT take cell phones or computers. At the end of all this, I could probably be swayed to send for Alex by AirMail and live in a little villa somewhere in the South of France until the end of time. Le sigh.

The second (and probably more realistic) dream vacation would be more family-oriented. We would rent a really sweet place somewhere on a beach (location truly doesn’t matter—this one is all about the people I’m with) and invite everyone. Brothers. Sisters. Moms. Dads. The whole fam-damily would just chill in a humongous beachfront palace (with a pool!) for a week. We would laugh and tell funny and embarrassing stories over s’mores by a campfire on the beach until 3 a.m. The children would all sleep until 10 a.m. every morning and breakfast would be huge buffets with omelets cooked to order. Dinners would be ginormous cookouts like pig roasts and grilled steaks with good IPAs on tap. On sunny afternoons we would walk to the nearest little beach town and get ice cream from a tiny store staffed by its 60-something retiree owners. Wash, rinse, repeat for seven days and I’m a happy girl.

I'm not asking for much, right? :)

_______________________________________________

Don't forget to enter the “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, for a chance to win your own ultimate family vacation. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Hot Off The Press.

It's been a big week 'round these parts. Some things I can't talk about (No, I'm not pregnant. You shut your dirty, whorish mouth.) and others I can. Here's the things I can speak of:

1. Tomorrow is D-Day. Donation Day. A-la-Pantene Beautiful Lengths Day. My appointment is after work, which gives me enough time to think about it all day and eventually change my mind. I think I'm really going to miss the tonypail. Like, a lot. But it's time for a change and I've wanted to do this since like 1905.
2. A super fun post in collaboration with Cheerios is also planned for tomorrow. Is the suspense killing you?!
3. Another giveaway is on the horizon! I'm considering some crazy Halloween-related ideas on how to enter...stay tuned.
4. Alex will be 18 months on Friday. **faints**

That's all for now. I can't even sit still about the hair. I've been twirling it around my pointer finger all day. And maybe singing to it just a little bit. Don't judge.

Winner, Winner. Chicken Dinner.

In a strange twist of events, there were only 16 entries into le giveaway. Really, it just made the odds that much better for the rest of you, right?

Aaaaaanyway, I asked Joey to pick a number 1-16 and he selected a number related to Alex...15, for the day he was born.

And that entry was...

Jackie D. from always in my heart.

Congrats, girl! And the rest of you, don't get all emotional on me...CSN likely has more good things up their sleeves for the future. Keep reading!

Hump Day Happiness.

Meh. It's Wednesday.

How do you make a typically mundane Hump Day a little saucier? Well, I don't know about you, but I GIVE STUFF AWAY!

Yes, it's that time again, childrens. My bffs over at the CSN group of stores are offering another gift card to one lucky reader. I've said it before, but you can literally find anything on CSN's 200+ online shops. From upholstered headboards to shoes to fitness equipment...it's all there.

But wait, there's more! They've upped the ante this time to a whopping FIFTY buckaroonies. For real!

To enter:
Just leave a comment on this post telling me what you'd use the $50 on. That's it! Don't worry, I won't hold you to your choice if you win. Oh, and you must also live in the US or Canada (their rules, not mine).

Contest ends August 18 at midnight EST. I'll announce the winner on Thursday, August 19. You're welcome!

Notes To Self.

1) Draft blog post regarding Alex's 15 month checkup. Should highlight: hatred of shots, love of pediatrician, denial of toddler status.

2) Inform readers that another CSN giveaway is on the horizon. You're welcome.

3) Post adorable pictures from picking Kelli up from the airport. Check.

4) Admit openly that I have an obsession with baby Crocs and madras shorts with polos, as exhibited above and below...and pretty much every other picture currently on file. Popped collar optional.

5) Take a brief blogging hiatus while sister is in town. Through next Friday, if you're wondering.

Happy Friday!

Oh there is simply SO much to celebrate today. The first and most obvious, it's Friday. Word. Second, it's GIVEAWAY DAY! And third, I'm getting on a plane in about 18 hours for a weekend of shenanigans in NOLA with my bf, Caitlin. And the forecast in the dirty souf is sunny with a chance of AWESOME. For your visual entertainment today, here's some examples of what goes down when we're together:

Jim Joyce Sucks! GO TIGERS!

Putting on her makeup on my wedding day. Klassy.

My wedding day. I married my other best friend...

'cause, you know...marrying her would be awkward.

Spice Girls' World Tour. Yes, we're that awesome.

Based on the above, I can only image what pictures I'll be sharing on Tuesday from NOLA. It'll be epic, I'm sure.

In other news, who wants to know who won the giveaway?! I DO! I DO! Le winner is...

Kat from 800 months!

Congrats, girlie! Email me at kveedub{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your prize.

I'm out until Tuesday, childrens. Have a fun weekend...don't do anything I wouldn't do (which, let's be honest...probably is a short list this weekend). 

Not Bad For A Thursday.

I woke up this morning SO pumped that it was Friday.

Except, it's not. Shiiiiiite.

So, to perk us all up a bit that it's not Friday, how about we do another giveaway? Yippie!

My dear friends at the CSN Family of stores love them some ABM3. Remember the lamp review I did awhile back? Anyway, they've generously offered to give one lucky reader a $40 gift certificate to use at any of their 200 + websites. With options from toys to bathroom vanities to shoes (I mean really, who doesn't love shoes?!), the winner of this giveaway has some serious online shopping to do!

So, how to enter? Let's keep this one simple: just become (or already be) a public follower of ABM3 and leave a comment on what product you might get if you win. Don't worry, I won't hold you to your selection!

If you want to blog about this giveaway with a link back, I'll give you two extra entries (just leave the link in your comment).

I'll pick a booger winner on Friday, June 4. Good luck!

Picky Stickys Winner!

Congratulations to... 

BROOKE!

The timing couldn't have been better on this lucky win - rumor has it she just learned she's expecting baby #3! Can't wait to see if you choose the bump or the baby stickers. Maybe you'll share your progress with ABM3 readers? :)

Please email me to claim your prize kveedub{at}gmail{dot}com.

Picky Stickys Giveaway!

Once upon a time there was a girl. She got pregnant and took "Hump Day! Bump Day!" pictures. When le babe was born, she took "Alex and the WIPpo" pictures. One day, she noticed that a friend was posting similar pictures of her (adorable) daughter on the Book of Face...but with a MUCH cuter twist...and the girl was very, very sad that she did not discover her friend's secret sooner.

Enter Picky Stickys.

Genius product, I tell you. Pure. Genius. In fact, I'm super jealous I didn't think of it first. Basically, they are stickers that you put on a white onesie before you snap the milestone pics. And there's loads of options, designs, colors and themes. You can do the traditional "1 month, 2 month, 3 month" etc. series, special holiday stickers or (my personal fave) the bump stickers! Take note: should there ever be a WIP pt. 2, these will be on my bell-ay! There's also a selection for the "older" kiddos to mark the quarter year milestones. You know Alex is going to hafta have them...

So here's the thing: Because I am a crazy person, I emailed Tish (creator and genius behind Picky Sticky) how much her product RULES and how I wish I would have known about it sooner and she was all like, "Thanks! Wanna do a giveaway?" To which I was all like, "Ab-so-freaking-loote-ly!"

Aaaaand, here we are. It's giveaway day. And it's AWESOME. One lucky ABM3 reader is going to win a set of Picky Stickys - any variety, any theme. Keep them for yourself or give them as a gift to a recently knocked up friend. Either way, I'm about to make 1 reader really, really happy.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Be a public follower of this blog and also follow Picky Sticky on Facebook.

Fake legal jargon: You must complete the mandatory entry before the bonus entries will be counted. My bf can validate this. She's almost a lawyer.

BONUS entries: (Leave one comment for your mandatory entry and a separate comment for each bonus entry.)

- 2 entries: blog about this giveaway with a link back to ABM3 and Picky Sticky's etsy site.

- 1 entry: follow Picky Sticky on twitt-ah.

- 1 entry: follow me on twitt-ah. (OMG. Did I really just say that? Me. On Twitter. Such a joke!)

- 2 entries: tweet about this contest using this tweedley-dee: New moms and moms-to-be: check out the giveaway over at '...and baby makes 3!' courtesy of @PickySticky & @kveedub http://bit.ly/b3kHsY

I'll draw a winner using random.org on Friday, May 14. Because really, there's not better way to end the week than by giving away awesome, free stuff.

Good luck! And I'm already jealous of the winner, whoever you are!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Drumroll please....

I used the random # generator over @ random.org and would like to wish a happy (pretend) birthday to:

Kiki from Kiki's Thoughts and Escapades! You won the $10 gift card to Starbuckies.

Liz, who was the first to comment...but your blogger profile doesn't list a blogeroo for me to link to. You won the $10 gift card to Target.

Yo, Kiki and Liz, hit me up at kveedub{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your sweet prizes.

More giveaways are planned for the weeks ahead....stay tuned!

Happy Birthday To...You?

Much like Dane Cook's "You get a humpback whale! You get a humpback whale! Everybody gets a humpback whale!" Oprah joke, I'm spreading the love for Alex's birthday celebration. Since it's too expensive to mail humpback whales and too gross to mail cake, gift cards will simply have to do. And you know you love that more, anyway. The poll was very close between le Target and Starbuckies, so we'll call it a tie and have two winners. You're welcome.

So here's how you can win 10 big ones to Starbucks OR Target...1 winner for each.

Publicly follow ABM3 +
leave le comment with birthday wishes to Alex =
1 entry

That's it! Super cinchy! If you want to blog about this giveaway and link back to it, I'll throw in 2 extra entries. She works haaaaaaard for it, honey.

...and the only person that is ineligible for this giveaway Joey, since I buy him he buys me Starbuckies every day, anyway.

Giveaway closes @ midnight on April 21. US and Canada eh? residents only.

It's How You Live.

I needed a pick me up of the Costco-size variety today...and as it usually does, music had a big role in amping up my disposition. "How You Live" by Point of Grace was just played on XM 32. ::taps toes:: If you've never heard it, I encourage you to download it - it's a super catchy song with a great message. Here are some of the lyrics (just the ones I find to be particularly uplifting):

Wake up to the sunlight

With your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress

Use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

Let it all out

You won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live

So go to the ballgames

And go to the ballet

And go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children

Dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night

Tonight I think we'll take Alex for a walk (gorgeous day!), order pizza and eat it on the good dishes. And did someone say Shamrock Shakes on the way home?!? Maybe we'll even have a dance party to bad 80's music in the kitchen and drink that expensive bottle of wine we've been waiting for a reason to open. Who needs a reason? Today is AWESOME - that's reason enough.

Do something extraordinary today, will you?

And if you're version of 'extraordinary' includes entering fab giveaways, take a mosy on over to Hey?! A Mom Can Dream! to enter her giveaway for a Glow Girl coupon organizer. Also, check out this post for a great CSN Stores giveaway. You're welcome.

Hair On Fire.

Near the entrance to my last office, there was a sign that read, "Put your hair out before entering this area." It was intended to poke fun at (and hopefully detour) those individuals who were certain that every single project was an urgent, top priroity and must be completed, like, yesterday. Those people are annoying.

Anywho, it would seem that I really, really, really, really, really, really need one of those for my new gig. And let's be honest, here...it's not as if the work I do is solving world hunger or anything like that. Yes, it's important in the here and now and is strategic and aligned and all that other bullshank corporate jargon. But it's not saving lives.

In summary: I am currently too busy being gainfully employed to eat, sleep or grocery shop. Oh, and also to clean. Weekend visitors, take note.

I have no energy or concentration, for that matter, to provide poetic humor for my minions. So instead, here's some giveaways you can enter:

• Address labels from bleu soleil designs
• Sullivan & Sawyer products from Heir to Blair
• A month (yes, a MONTH...like, one a day) of giveaways from Clemsongirl

As always, you're welcome.