Invitation Consultants Custom Stampster {Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, jakeremom!}

When it comes to sending and receiving mail, it's no secret that we're clearly big fans around here.

There's just something about hearing the sound of the mail truck coming down our block, peeking out the window to see it pull up, waiting until it has pulled away (and then an extra pause or two so that it doesn't look like I have nothing better to do with my day than wait for the mail), and then heading out to pull open the box to see what might be waiting inside.

Is that just me?

So when it's time to send out my mail (especially for the holidays), I enjoy every part of the writing, sealing, addressing and stamping process except one: the return address. There's just something tedious about writing my address on envelopes and I never seem to be happy with the return address labels that I've printed or have made in the past... that just run out anyway.

Instead, it is much easier to be excited to mail letters, cards and even bills, thanks to the Stampster from Invitation Consultants.

Carrying everything from wedding invitations to stationary to kids' party invitations, Invitation Consultants offers stylish and personalized products for just about every aspect of your life. But when it comes to their enormous selection of Custom Stamps, I hadn't realized just how many of their 55 designs I would like.

Whether you're looking for simple, straight lines or unique, personality-filled patterns, the stamps at Invitation Consultants come in just about all of them. And although I would see myself mostly using the address stamps, the choices don't come to an end there.

There are stamps that would make a great gift for your child's favorite teacher...

...super adorable stamps for newly married couples...

...ways to show your Greek pride...

...and many more. I love the way that Invitation Consultants makes it easy to customize your stamp in your choice of three colors as well as selecting the color of the ink itself from five different options. It's easy to enter in your information (or that of your recipient) and see a clear preview right on the website, as well as calculate the price every step of the way so that there is no surprise when it comes time to place your order.

Even better, Invitation Consultants creates your stamp with the utmost consideration for the environment, meaning that there is no waste, litter or chemicals involved in the process. Instead, your final product will be unique, high quality, and last for years. Just think of all of the time and hand cramps saved not having to hand write your address or all of the money that won't be spent ordering and reordering address labels time and time again!

The Stampster retails for $39.99, which might seem like a lot more than a sheet of address labels, but considering just how many times you'll use it over the years, that price seems quite reasonable.

For home, business or just for fun, Invitation Consultants has a Stampster that will work for you or as a great gift this holiday season. With options for children, college students, and adults, you'll be sure to find something unique to satisfy someone on your list. And, thanks to the generosity of Invitation Consultants, one person will be able to wrap a great present or send out their holiday cards in style, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of Stampster
from Invitation Consultants!

To enter to win: Visit Invitation Consultants and tell me which Stampster you would select if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Invitation Consultants on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN a Custom Stamp (ARV $40) from @FabulousInvites - great for holiday cards! http://bit.ly/rpkKWp @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway and link back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on November 28th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Invitation Consultants for providing a Stampster for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

New for Mother's Day: Hallmark Postage-Paid Greetings {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Polly and Erin!}

Unless you happen to be the people who did an online search for "i hope you have a happy, fun weekend with your family" or "how to stop your kid from eating candy" and made it to this blog then you know that we're big fans of the mail here. There's just something about holding mail in your hands that is more meaningful than reading it in your inbox.

By the way, Person #1, thanks! I hope you have a fun weekend as well. And sorry, Person #2, I don't have that problem because I tend to have eaten it all myself before they have the chance.

Fortunately, after having spent the last 100 years helping people stay connected and best express their feelings, Hallmark has now made sending greeting cards even easier than it was before. Just in time for Mother's Day 2011, Hallmark has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to offer an innovative addition to their product line: Postage-Paid Greetings.

I have always been a fan of Hallmark, from their classic greeting cards for all occasions to the adorable Recordable Storybooks that we know and love. So, when I heard that they had come out with a perfect way to celebrate and honor all of the moms in our lives this Mother's Day, I knew they would be a hit.

These Postage-Paid Greetings just make sense! The cards themselves are colorful, stylish, and high quality, which is exactly what I would expect from Hallmark, and somehow they manage to always have just the right wording inside. With extra touches like a pinch of glitter or iridescent wording, you know that they're going to make Mom smile.

However, great cards are what Hallmark is known for, so that isn't something new. What is great with the Postage-Paid Greetings is the envelope and the barcode right on there indicating that postage has already been paid. All you have to do is sign it, seal it, and stick it out in the mailbox - what a time saver!


With more than 90 Mother's Day Postage-Paid Greetings to choose from, 2011 is even easier to celebrate your mom, mother-in-law, grandma, friend, sister, aunt or anyone else who has been like a mother to you.

And, as the postage on these cards is treated like a Forever stamp, its value will always be equal to the price of a standard First-Class stamp, regardless of when it is mailed. So you never have to worry about buying too many or having to add penny stamps on in the future, you will always be prepared to only have to write a quick message and send your greeting out the door.

In addition to Mother’s Day, Hallmark offers more than 200 “every day” and seasonal Postage-Paid Greetings. So, whether you are thanking mom, sending a birthday card, or celebrating a graduation, Hallmark has made things a little bit easier for all of us.

Postage-Paid Greetings are sold in Hallmark stores, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and other Hallmark distribution partners across the country and the Mother’s Day line ranges from $2.69 - $3.99. It has never been easier to tell your mom that you love her! And, thanks to the generosity of Hallmark, two people will be able to make their friends and family happy as well, because...

TWO lucky people will win a sample pack of
Hallmark Postage-Paid Greetings!

To enter to win: Tell me the upcoming occasion for which you would like to send a Hallmark Postage-Paid Greeting.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you follow Hallmark on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a set of Hallmark Postage-Paid Greetings - no searching for stamps to send smiles! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/kdPhs4 #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook, or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on May 23rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Hallmark for providing a sample pack of Postage-Paid Greetings for me to review as well as for two lucky giveaway winners. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

fair ivy: The Gift That Keeps On Giving {Handmade Strawberry Earrings Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, jayedee!}

Back in January I had the pleasure of being introduced to fair ivy surprise package subscriptions, one of the most fun and innovative websites that I've had the chance to review in quite a while. I mean, who wouldn't be excited about having a beautifully-wrapped package filled with an array of adorable and unique goodies inside arrive right at their front door?

I love the concept of fair ivy as a whole and the way that they make it so incredibly easy, not to mention fun, to give someone a gift that keeps on giving. Simply choose your category (fair ivy for women, fun ivy for girls and teens, fur ivy for pets and the people who love them, and the new fred ivy for men) and your subscription length and you're set to sit back and wait to hear how excited your lucky recipient is when they receive their first package.

With everything from jewelry to apparel to beauty products and more waiting inside each individually wrapped box, I loved the thrill I received from opening up each one and finding something that made me smile waiting inside. I could definitely get used to doing that each month!

However, if you're not sure about the idea or wondering if fair ivy would be the right choice for your next gift, I think it's great that they now offer a one-month subscription (of either the regular or mini size packages) so that you can essentially test the notion out before committing to a longer time period (although take it from me: you'll want to).

As well as the addition of the single package purchase, how cool is it that there is now a surprise package subscription for men with the new fred ivy?

I never know what to get my husband for his birthday or Father's Day, so this would be a load off of my mind! Designed for "men who like silly, awesome, manly gifts. They are appropriate for anyone who doesn't take life too seriously," these are a great way to incorporate some fun and lighthearted gift-giving for the man in your life... and give him a fun laugh!

Are you ready for a taste of the adorable and unique things that can be found at fair ivy? One of the especially cute items that I received for review was a pair of handmade stud earrings that have been the perfect way to add just a touch of pizazz to any outfit...

...and now, thanks to the generosity of fair ivy, someone else will get to see just how sweet and fun these are as well, because...

One lucky person will win a pair of Handmade Stud Strawberry Earrings from fair ivy!

To enter to win: Visit fair ivy and tell me something you learned there or for which person in your life these surprise package subscriptions would make a perfect gift.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

2 Extra Entries if you Like fair ivy on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN an adorable pair of Handmade Stud Strawberry Earrings from @fairivy! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/eT5o8y #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to fair ivy for providing a pair of Strawberry Earrings for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

fair ivy surprise package subscriptions {Review}

When it comes to surprises, my husband doesn't trust me.

He thinks that I'm going to secretly open a package or envelope when it arrives or I'm going to peek into his emails and find an order receipt or any number of other devious things. Which, yes, those are all things I could do, but then that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?

And I love surprises! Whether or not I know something is on its way, the anticipation of opening a gift when I don't know what is inside makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning all over again. What will it be? Am I going to love it?

The only thing that could make a surprise gift better would be for it to 1, come in the mail (because clearly we have a thing for the mail around here) and 2, be only one of a series of many surprise gifts. Because that would mean that the excitement would continue on again! And where to find such a perfect combination? From the site that handpicks only the best and most unique items, wraps them up beautifully and sends them right to your doorstep: fair ivy.

Created to bring joy and fun to receiving packages in the mail, fair ivy surprise package subscriptions is the innovative way to send two, four or six month's worth of hand-selected items that are a mix of fun, quirky and even handmade qualities.

Available in three categories (fair ivy for women, fun ivy for girls and teens, and fur ivy for pets and the people who love them), as well as choosing the category and subscription length, fair ivy offers regular or mini size packages to match your recipient as well as your budget. But, no matter what you choose, if they are anywhere near as thrilled as I was when their first box arrives, you'll know you have found a big hit!

After opening the outer brown box (adorned with a cute fair ivy stamp and sticker) of my fair ivy surprise, I could hardly wait to dig in through the packaging to discover what was underneath... and was amazed as the well-wrapped items just seemed to keep on coming!

After admiring the simple yet chic packaging, I opened each individual item with a hope that at least a few would match my picky tastes. Little did I know how much I would love each one a little more than the next! I'm not sure how fair ivy seemed to find something from so many different categories that I would adore, but they definitely did!

From the beautiful turquoise necklace and chain to the handmade scarf with parachuting elephants stamped on it (love that!) to the easy herb-growing kit to the bath bomb for relaxing in the tub... I can't remember the last time I felt so happy after opening up something the mail carrier delivered (and that says a lot, considering we're on a first-name basis with him).

If this was just a selection of what would come in one month of a fair ivy surprise subscription, the thought of having my day brightened by a package like this every month meant I knew this would make a fantastic gift for any occasion or holiday. If you've been looking for something unique for Valentine's Day for a loved one (or to hint to your significant other), this would be perfect!

But not just for grown-ups, sending a fun ivy surprise package subscription would be a great way to let your college teen know you are thinking of her or just a cute way to have something to share with your daughter. How could she not be excited to have all of these goodies delivered right to her?

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but as I opened each great fun ivy item, I understood what they meant when they described the contents as "fun, cute, silly, uncommon and awesome!"

Cute mushroom wall decals, a handmade adorable coin purse, a sweet little piggy bank, strawberry earrings and an eggling... where do they come up with these gifts? I love them! Even though this box was designed for the younger crowd, I had such a great time opening up each item and marveling at how different it was from the one before it, as well as just how universally-appealing and enjoyable they all were!

I had such a wonderful time with the fair ivy and fun ivy boxes that they made me wish we had a dog or cat so that we could experience fur ivy as well. What an innovative way to make a pet owner happy - by spoiling their beloved feline or canine companion!

For Valentine's Day, a birthday or all year round, fair ivy is an innovative way to give a gift that keeps on giving! Your recipient will enjoy the surprise of discovering what unique products will arrive in their box each month and you won't have to scour the internet for something that is sure to bring a smile to their face.

As everything comes already wrapped (fair ivy is even eco-friendly and uses recycled and/or recyclable packaging materials whenever possible), after you put in your order you're all set! The only thing you need to do is wait for a thank you each month... and then to take the time to decide who else you know that would love a fair ivy surprise package subscription!

(Other than the fair ivy and fun ivy boxes that I was provided by fair ivy, I was not compensated or enticed or to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this company and their incredibly fun products.)

Keurig Special Edition Brewer {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Cindy!}

What do you think of when you hear the word coffee?

Do you picture getting up and brewing a fresh pot every morning in hopes that you'll finish a cup or two before it gets cold? Or do you think about the time spent waiting in line at your neighborhood coffee shop so that you can plunk down more of your hard-earned cash to ensure that you have a gourmet cup just how you like it?

Or, are you like me and you think about how the way to get the most flavorful, decadent, made-precisely-the-way-I-like-it-only-when-I-want-it cup of coffee is best done from the top name in coffeemakers, Keurig? Well, if you do, then you must already know that no kitchen is complete without the Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer for coffee, tea and hot cocoa that the whole family can enjoy.

Recently when we heard the vroom of a truck slowing down in front of the house, the girls and I went to the door and met the delivery man there. As he was setting down the boxes, he turned to me and said "You got a Keurig!" and proceeded to tell me just how much he loves his and that his family uses it all the time.

If that isn't a recommendation right off the bat, I don't know what is.

Having heard about Keurig and their promise of excellence (the name is actually derived from the Dutch word for excellence) I already had high expectations for how great this machine was going to be. As the leading single-cup brewing system in North America, Keurig was founded by coffee-lovers who wanted a way to enjoy a fresh cup of gourmet coffee, tea or hot cocoa quickly and easily.

With so many flavors of their K-Cups offered to go along with the high quality brewers, all that is required is the press of a button and less than a minute's worth of time. There is no set-up or clean-up or dumping cold coffee down the drain, just a steaming hot cup of delicious coffee whenever you want it. Sounds pretty great, doesn't it?

In fact, using the Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer didn't only meet my high expectations, it surpassed them. Right out of the box there wasn't much more to do than plug it in and get the initial cleaning rinse going while I checked out the yummy flavors of K-Cups in the included sampler packs.

Mmmm... regular coffees, flavored coffees, teas and hot cocoa... mmmm....

A few short minutes later my Keurig was cleaned and ready to go and it was time for our first cup. With Big Sister E by my side we decided to try hot cocoa - she's definitely a big fan.

After filling the water reservoir (it holds up to 48 ounces), we opened the top of the Brewer, popped the hot cocoa K-Cup in and pressed the button telling it to make the "small mug" size.

I immediately liked how there is no guesswork with the Keurig - it tells you when it is ready to brew or if more water is needed and the K-Cups fits right inside with no maneuvering necessary. The handle is easy to use to open or close the top and the three sizes available (a 6 oz small cup, an 8 oz small mug and a 10 oz large mug) help you determine just the right amount of coffee, tea or hot cocoa to brew.

With the touch of one button, almost instantly we had wonderful-smelling hot cocoa streaming into our cup. I wasn't sure what sort of noise to expect the Keurig to make while it worked, but was really pleased with the way the Quiet-Brew Technology kept this Brewer from being disturbing at all.

When it came time for clean-up, it was pretty much nonexistent. The empty K-Cup was simply taken out and thrown away and the drip tray underneath the cup was easily removable had there been any drips to wash off (there wasn't a single one).

This is also a great feature if you want to use a taller cup or travel mug because without the drip tray there is plenty of added room for almost any height mug to fit right in.

The convenience of the Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewing System really is unparalleled, as they truly have thought of everything to make this as user-friendly as possible. Not only does this Brewer give you a fresh-brewed cup of fresh coffee, tea or hot cocoa every time that is made exactly how you like it, but its features make it pretty much fool-proof.

The blue backlit LCD screen tells you everything you need to know and because it is programmable, you can even set it to have your Keurig turned on and waiting for you by the time you get into the kitchen. Then, in the amount of time that it will take you to pull out your cream and sugar, your gourmet coffee will be prepared and ready for your first delicious sip - with no wasting the rest of the pot or messy clean-up involved!

The list of K-Cup flavors available is staggeringly large, making me want to try out one of each. So far each of the cups I've tried from the sampler pack have been rich and delectable, making me eager to test more! Along with their other great accessories, Keurig even offers two different K-Cup Carousels so that your flavors can be stored in a stylish way to match the chrome accents of your Brewer.

Or, simply purchase the My K-Cup reusable filter and you're able to use your own gourmet ground coffee right in your Keurig Brewer. No need to give up your current favorite - you just now have a way to brew it without wasting the rest of the pot!

I love being able to offer unexpected guests a quick cup of coffee or tea without any fuss or wait. When a good friend stopped by the house the other night, I had a hot mug of Lemon Zinger tea in her hands in under a minute - and felt like a great hostess. And for all winter long when Big Sister E wants a cup of hot cocoa after playing outside in the snow (a tradition that we have) I'm looking forward to being able to have it ready and waiting for her as she walks in the door. Keurig is perfect for the whole family!

You may or may not decide to kiss your Keurig as well, that's up to you.

Who doesn't need a few extra minutes in the morning? With the hectic rushing as parents across the country are still getting used to back-to-school routines, a Keurig Brewer is a high quality, innovative, fast and easy way to bring efficiency and convenience into your life.

Check out their amazing line of K-Cups and Brewers to find the one that will work for you - there is even a Mini Plus Personal Brewer that would be perfect for heading back to college or just to save space counter space. All of the features and benefits of a wonderful Keurig in a smaller package!

Are you ready for a gourmet cup of coffee in moments right in your own kitchen? I love my Keurig and am sure you will, too! And, thanks to their incredible generosity, so will one very happy person, because...

One lucky person will win a Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer
from Keurig! ARV $139.95!

To enter to win: Visit Keurig and tell me one of the delicious K-Cup flavors that you would like to try.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you sign up for the Keurig newsletter (found at the bottom of their homepage) and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: I'm getting ready for fall with Keurig! I just entered to win a Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/atBa7R
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

KEURIG! WIN a Keurig Special Edition Brewer ($140) for delicious coffee, tea & cocoa! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/atBa7R #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Keurig. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on October 15th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A huge thank you to Keurig for providing a Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Spotlight on PR!

Well, hi there. Thanks for stopping by.

I started this blog not so long ago and have been overwhelmed at all of the wonderful people that I have met and the friendships that I have already made. It's like there's this whole world of bloggers out there that had been hidden away from me and now that I have my own blog, I have gained immediate access to the club. You pushed the Publish Post button? Then let's teach you the secret handshake.

However, the group of people that I haven't had a great deal of contact with are PR Professionals. They don't seem to just be hanging around reading about my trips to the zoo or Little Sister B eating yogurt. Or, if they are, it hasn't made too many of them want to have me review their products (how they can resist Little Sister B's chunky cheeks, I'll never know). How do I meet the elusive PR? Fortunately for me, Tara @ Feels Like Home and Adrienne @ Adrienne’s House have opened up a wonderful opportunity to help make these connections. They are running a special Spotlight on PR during the entire month of August allowing bloggers like me to get involved and create and foster some new PR relationships. To do so, I start here and introduce myself.

As the title of my blog implies, the mail carrier is a very important person around here. I love reading reviews and entering giveaways, so every day it's exciting to see what the mail carrier will bring us. It's fairly common in my house to hear my almost-3-year-old say, "The mailman bring this?" when she sees something new on the table. What can I say? I've taught her well.

So what better way to spread the joy that I feel at reading a well-written review or winning a great giveaway than by passing it along to my readers? I write honestly, using humor and cute pictures of my daughters and when I like a product, I rave! See a sample of my past reviews and giveaways here:

Baby Things by Jessica (review)
Yoplait Whips! Summer Cool Down Prize Package (review & giveaway)
YoBaby yogurt (review)
Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets (review)
Solavie Desert Hair Care (review & giveaway)

I am interested in products from almost any category because I think there are so many great things out there, how could I exclude something until I, or my family, have tried it? As well as myself (a SAHM), I am married and have two daughters, Big Sister E (the all-knowing almost-3-year-old) and Little Sister B (an adorable, happy 8-month-old). Big Sister E loves books, toys (both for girls and boys), dress-up, coloring... pretty much anything and everything that entertains a toddler and gives a good indication of a product's worth just in her facial expressions. Little Sister B is into pulling herself up on her crib rails, speedy crawling, pulling my hair when I carry her in a backpack and is a great tester of all things baby. As much as my husband might tease me for always going on about new items that I have found or tried or won, he would enjoy being able to try out and review products directed at men (even if he wouldn't admit it).

If you are interested in having Thanks, Mail Carrier review and/or host a giveaway of one of your products, you can rest assured that my family spends time with each item and I take writing my review seriously and would never do a cut-and-paste type of write-up or just throw something together in order to get it done. You deserve more than that, as do my readers. Look at these faces, they mean business!

Thanks for visiting and reading my Spotlight on PR. If you would like to contact me, I'd love to hear from you at xpsundell {at} gmail {dot} com. Thanks to Tara and Adrienne for this opportunity. And thanks, Mail Carrier, for making this blog possible by bringing your little truck down my street and making my day with each new delivery.

Sorry about that.

I think the mailman hates me.

We actually have two different main mail carriers and one doesn't seem to mind me so much, but the other one? He hates me.

What can I say? I get mail that is too big to fit in the mailbox fairly often, meaning they have to get out of the truck and bring it up to the front door. The one is always smiling and will bring ALL of our mail to the door when he brings the packages up because that's the NICE THING TO DO. The other? Will bring up the one item and leave everything else out in the mailbox so that I have to walk my lazy self down the driveway to get it. I guess he thinks that if he has to go out of his way to walk up to the house then I should have to go out of my way to walk the same distance. Also? If there is a chance that the package can be smashed, flattened or otherwise crunched enough to fit into the box, OH YEAH, he'll get it in there.

Well, Mailman, let me tell you. Even though you may get annoyed when you see my name on yet another package, I LOVE you and your cute truck and when I hear the familiar vrooom noise that can only mean one thing, it makes my day.

Thanks, Mail Carrier.