Skimbaco Lifestyle by Katja Presnal » GIVEAWAYS

5 Mom Survival Tips for Back to School Time (and $100 Giveaway)

Katja Presnal — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:24:46 +0000

I still remember it like it was yesterday.
Excited about Kindergarten, and the new backpack.
Anxious to start the new era in my life I was entering.
Looking brave outside and saying to myself I was a big girl, I can handle it.
Inside I was so scared and didn’t want to let go the hand I was holding.
Saying goodbyes at the classroom door and fighting against tears.

And not being able to fight the tears anymore when I walked out of the school house holding my husband’s hand and leaving my youngest child inside to start his first day at school.

The past year was my first year of all three kids in school, and it was an adjustment for sure, and if nothing else, very emotional! I have enjoyed working more, and attending to blogging conferences and events, which I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it, if all of my children weren’t in school. But getting to the routines and actually enjoying the new mommy freedom took more than I thought of. My advice for stay-at-home-moms: start planning already now, even before the first day of school is here!

1. Start a new hobby that keeps you busy and your mind excited. Join a gym, knitting circle or start cooking and baking more – what ever suits you.

2. Remodel your house. Or just a room. Start collecting decorating ideas now, so you are ready to start once school starts.

3. Get a pet – a puppy or kitten will keep you busy. Or maybe it’s time for another baby.

4. Start a new home based business. Get serious about your blogging. Or start creating products to sell at Etsy. Get a job.

5. Think about YOURSELF for a while – do something that you want to do but haven’t been able to before.

$100 for Back to School Shopping Giveaway

Lots of us are gearing up for school – an exciting, fun and sometimes, hectic time. Hallmark has put together this great resource to help you calm the butterflies and build your kids’ confidence. Just for joining the conversation you’ll be entered to win $500 – or comment here to get a chance to win $100.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Comment here with a tip how to make going back to school easier for you or your child.
FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:
2. Tweet about the giveaway with a hashtag #hallmark and link to this post (leave a comment you did, you can do this once a day).
3. Become a fan of Skimbaco Lifestyle at Facebook

GIVEAWAY ENDS: August 15th Midnight EST.

Full disclosure: The Giveaway was sponsored by Hallmark, via Real Girls Media.

WIN A TRIP TO SXSW!

Katja Presnal — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:00:53 +0000

Just in! John Andrews from Walmart had a huge surprise in his sleeve for the BlissDom Conference attendees.

Walmart is offering TWO trips to SXSW raffled TODAY on Saturday February 7th.

WHAT TO DO TO WIN:
Tweet a link to any Eleven Moms’ site & use #11momssxsw to win one of two trips to SXSW Conference in Austin, TX in March. Ends on Saturday February 7th midnite. MUST BE AT BLISSDOM TO WIN.

You can find all Elevenmoms blogs on my sidebar (and I am of them :) or at Elevenmoms.com.

Want a quick way to enter..? Copy and Paste and Tweet:
Visit @katjapresnal’s blog http://twurl.nl/75e4cu to find out how to win a trip to SXSW #11momsSXSW Pls RT

UPDATE: @sparksfley and @pensieverobin were the lucky winners!!

2fish kids’ Magnetic Calendar for Kids Giveaway

Katja Presnal — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:53:44 +0000

Bloggy Giveaways are this week! Check out all my giveaways.

This giveaway is for a 2fish kids’ magnetic children’s rearrangeable weekly calendar called MY WEEK. This product is great for kids 3 years and older. 2fish kids magnetic weekly calendar is colourful, playful and you can fully personalize it to your day and week. It will teach your child about the different days of the week, seasons, weather and more.

MY WEEK was designed by a certified teacher, industrial designer and mom – with preschoolers (ages 3-6) in mind. Colors and symbols help pre-readers differentiate the days of the week. Magnets are included to show the relationships between today, tomorrow and yesterday. It’s a great visual tool to help children grasp the abstract concept of time.

$100 BidMyCleaning Gift Certificate Giveaway

Katja Presnal — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:47:44 +0000

I am so excited about this week’s Bloggy Giveaways! Not just because it is an awesome giveaway carnival with hundreds and hundreds of participating bloggers, but because I just had an honor to meet Melanie, the super nice hostess of the Bloggy Giveaways this weekend at the Disney Mom Blogger Cruise. I will be hosting several giveaways this week – make sure to check them all out!

$100 Gift Certificate to BidMyCleaning.com

This giveaway is for a 100$ Gift Certificate to BidMyCleaning.com. Have you already heard of BidMyCleaning, the first online marketplace for house cleaning services…? The offer an amazing service for you to find the right cleaning service for you. Just choose what type of cleaning service you are looking for a maid service, carpet cleaning or window cleaning, type in your zip code, the size of your home and the BidMyCleaning.com will show you the different options available for you and for what price.

And not just that.

You will also see with one look how other customers rate the different companies, if they are insured or a national chain versus a family owned business. For many of us to whom the green factor is important, BidMyCleaning separates the companies using eco friendly cleaning products for you. When you have done your research which company seems like the right fit for you, you can schedule it for you right away via BidMyCleaning.com.

Win a $100 Gift Certificate from BidMyCleaning.com, and test the service yourself! I am so excited to offer this to one of my readers. Select maid service, window cleaning or carpet cleaning to get instant bids from pre-screened providers
in your area and then schedule online immediately. 100% satisfaction guarantee.

ENTER TO WIN:

RULES:
Deadline for comments/above: January 31st midnight EST. US only.