Your gifts are wrapped and the cookies are baked but is your wardrobe ready for the holiday season? No worries, there are budget-friendly options to look fabulous, and with the styles Sears has – nobody will ever guess where you got the clothes!

Join us on Twitter Monday night, December 12th, from 7pm- 8:30pm CT for a Holiday Fashion edition of #SearsChat and a chance to win Sears gift cards.

Follow the Holiday Style chat and these Twitter accounts: @Sears, @SearsStyle and co-hosts @StacieInAtlanta, @Crissy, @JollyMom and @MommyInsider and me @katjapresnal, we will be talking everything holiday fashion.

Come share your fashion tips and get ready to look your best at each holiday party this season.

Sears be giving away the following featured prizes:
Grand prize: $125 gift card
Three $25 gift cards

To Enter for a Chance to Win:
Have an active Twitter account.
Follow the official @Sears and @SearsStyleTwitter accounts.
Tweet “Join me @Sears & @SearsStyle for #SearsChat – Mon 12/12 from 7-8:30pm CT talking about Holiday Style | Details/Prizes: http://bit.ly/tQgwiQ”
Post the link to your tweet in the comments at the Sears blog, where you can also find the official rules.
During the Twitter Party, send a Tweet (containing only appropriate, family-friendly content as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) that includes the #SearsChat hashtag.

Disclosure: This post and my participation to the Twitter chat are sponsored by Sears.

I have four free movie tickets to see Focus Features movie ONE DAY starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. Two for me, and two for you courtesy of Kodak, the official film the movie was shot on! One Day is in theaters starting today, August 19th.

We don’t have any babysitters so I can’t take my hubby for a movie date, but I’m making it a girlfriend date instead and I’m going with my friend Lisa of New York Chica with me – and she in fact is giving away another two tickets to see the movie. One Day sounds like a perfect chick flick or a date movie and great way to end the summer! Check out the trailer and enter the giveaways for scoring free tickets for the movie. And if you already go see the movie this weekend tweet us @skimbaco and tell what did you think!

ONE DAY Movie

The movie ONE DAY follows the lives and loves of Emma (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dex (Jim Sturgess of Across the Universe) over 20 years, checking in on them on every July 15th – the anniversary of the day they met in 1988. One Day is based on the international best-selling novel by David Nichols.

Emma is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. Dex is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground.

For the next two decades, key moments of their relationship are experienced over several July 15ths in their lives. Together and apart, we see Dex and Em through their friendship and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they are searching and hoping for has been there for them all along. As the true meaning of that one day back in 1988 is revealed, they come to terms with the nature of love and life itself.

2 MOVIE TICKETS TO SEE ONE DAY GIVEAWAY

The giveaway is for two (2) movie tickets to see One Day gift for one (1) winner. The contest runs August 17- August 23th, 2011, 12 midnight EST. The winner is chosen randomly. The winner will be contacted on August 24th and given 24 hours to respond back with a shipping address. The giveaway is for everyone over 18 years old within the US and the tickets are valid only in the US in most movie theaters before October 31, 2011.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Has one day in your life changed it forever? Comment with your answer and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRY:
2. Subscribe to Skimbaco Lifestyle Newsletter and leave a comment you do.

UPDATED: This giveaway is closed. The winner is Tracy and she has been emailed! Thanks for everyone for participating.

H&M Back to School Collection hit the stores today and I couldn’t be more excited! H&M’s Back to School collection is designed to be as fashionable as it is practical and H&M’s kids clothes are durable, safe, and comfortable and you will not believe the prices! Tees starting at $4.99, pants $9.99, jackets from $14.95 and with the money you save on clothes you can do something fun with your kid before the long school year starts. Or with the money you save on back to school clothes shopping for your kids, you can get something for you too!

20% OFF COUPON

For additional savings, print out the 20% off coupon and save 20% off of children’s clothing at H&M between August 4- August 14th.

SMART & STYLISH & SAFE

If you have been reading my blog before you know I have written about the safety measures H&M takes when manufacturing their clothing. Many of their children’s clothing in this fall 2011 collection have been made with organic cotton, which has been cultivated without chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Their children’s clothing is also well tested to make sure none of the buttons, ribbons etc. will come loose. As a mom I can trust their clothing is made well and safe for my kids. You don’t even have to wash the clothes before use, since they have been made without chemicals.

See all of the pictures from the H&M Back to School Collection below and enter the $2,000 gift card giveaway! And check out the collection yourself at the H&M location close to you. The collection will be available in most H&M US stores. You can use the store locator to find a store close to you.

$2,000 H&M GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

The giveaway is for $2,000 H&M gift for one (1) winner. The contest runs August 4- August 14th, 2011, 12 midnight EST. The winner is chose randomly. The winner will be contacted on August 15th and given 24 hours to respond back with a shipping address. The prize is mailed in four $500 gift cards one in every 3 months and the shipping is handled by H&M. The giveaway is for everyone over 18 years old within the US and the gift card is valid only in the US.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Check out the H&M kids collection photos here or visit H&M Back to School and let us know what you like about the collection the best. Leave a comment here with your email address so we can contact you if you win! Good luck!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
2. Subscribe to Skimbaco Lifestyle Newsletter and leave a comment you do.
3. Follow @skimbaco on Twitter and leave a comment you do.
4. Like Skimbaco on Facebook and leave a comment here you did.
5. Tweet:
Win $2,000 gift card from @hmusa for clothes for one year at @skimbaco http://ow.ly/5VvzK #HMkids
and leave a comment with a link to your tweet.

You can also connect with H&M on Facebook and Twitter @hmusa.

DOUBLE your changes to win and enter to a similar giveaway at Momma’s Gone City!

Are you ready for Judy Moody? Megan McDonald’s beloved children’s books are coming to alive this Friday in a movie Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer Movie. The movie is about Judy Moody’s (Jordana Beatty) who is determined to have the best summer of her life with the help of her little brother Stink (Parris Mosteller) and fun-loving Aunt Opal (Heather Graham). The script, penned by Kathy Waugh (Peep and the Big Wide World) and Megan McDonald, is based on the characters in McDonald’s popular children’s book series, and I have to be honest – I haven’t read any of the nine books but I know my kids absolutely love them, and that’s enough for me making a movie date with my kiddos this weekend and seeing the movie.

If you have Judy Moody fans at home – scroll down to a cool giveaway your little Judy Moody fan will love! You might also want to check out the movie’s Facebook page to connect more with the movie & its fans. And let me know in the comments if you are planning on seeing this movie on the opening weekend.

Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer arrives in theaters nationwide on Friday, June 10, 2011.

I also want to share this music video by young artist Camryn. Her “Wait and See” music video incorporates clips from the movie featuring Heather Graham and Jaleel White. 11-year-old Camryn is already a powerhouse performer, releasing her debut album “Wait & See” this coming summer. Camryn is the exclusive artist in Heather Graham’s new feature film, “Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer”; featuring the tracks “Wait & See”, “So What Oh Well” and “Summer”. I love seeing young kids to succeed like Camryn is!

Judy Moody Giveaway

PRIZE:
Judy Moody Prize Pack containing:
* “The Everything Kids” Cookbook
* Pottery Barn “Playful Chef” Cooking Set
* Judy Moody Sunglasses
* Judy Moody Activity Books
* Jump Rope
* JM Not Bummer Summer Book
* Mini Movie Poster
* Mood Rings
* (2) T-Shirts (1 Adult & 1 Kid Size)
* (2) Zorbitz bracelets

MANDATORY ENTRY:
1. Comment why you/your kid likes Judy Moody and remember to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRY:
2. Subscribe to Skimbaco Lifestyle via email and comment that you did.

EXTRA ENTRY:
3. Follow @skimbaco on Twitter and tweet:
“Enter to win Judy Moody Prize pack http://ow.ly/5dzdC via @skimbaco”
Leave a comment with a link to your tweet.

DEADLINE: June 15, 2011, midnight EST.

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

I remember the first year I was old enough to legally purchase liquor – I bought my father a bottle of cognac for Father’s Day. In our family a good bottle of cognac, whiskey, or wine is always a great gift. And to me there was always something luxurious seeing my father sitting on a leather armchair, warming his cognac in the round glass and taking a casual sniff of the aromas coming from his glass, and just relaxing and having a drink after dinner.

If you are looking for a special Father’s Day gift for a dad in your life, whiskey and whiskey accessories provide a luxurious option for less. You know when you are giving dad his favorite whiskey and proper glass to drink it from, he is going to have a number of those nice and relaxing moments of enjoyment. Luxury dinner and glassware is a great gift item, and the best is that you can start collection a series and buy it little by little to extend it to the entire collection over the years. And when you choose from timeless and elegant designs – you have something to keep forever. One of my favorite manufacturers is Villeroy & Boch, a brand that my grandmother and aunt has collected for years, and I fell even deeper in love with when we lived in Germany. The Villeroy & Boch Fine Flavour Whisky American Bar Sets offer many different glass set options for Father’s Day gift. My personal favorite is the tall Canadian Whisky Tumbler as in the picture above.

SUMMER SALE COUPON CODE:
Get 20% Off Villeroy & Boch with coupon code: VILLEROYSUMMER. Starts now until July 4th. Not valid on selected collections, check out the website for details.

Villeroy & Boch Fine Flavour Whisky American Bar Set Giveaway

I have one set of these beautiful Villeroy & Boch whisky sets for one lucky reader. You will have a chance to select your favorite set of two glasses from Villeroy & Boch Fine Flavour Whisky American Bar Sets. The giveaway is open to all US Citizens over 18 years old, and we ship prizes only within the US. You are required to send your address within 48 hours since noticing you that you won in order to receive the prize.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

1. Mandatory entry:
Go to Villeroy & Boch and pick your favorite Fine Flavour Whisky American Bar Set and come back and leave it in the comments which one you would like to win. Leave your email address in the comment form so I can contact you if you win.
2. Extra entry:
Subscribe to Skimbaco Lifestyle via email and comment that you did.

DEADLINE: Tuesday June 7th, 2011, midnight EST.

DOUBLE your chances to win! Enter the giveaway also at Party Bluprints Blog

Disclosure: I have received products from Villeroy & Boch, but I have loved the brand since a little girl, and all my opinions are my own.

Looking for a holiday gift for a teenager who already has everything? For a mom who loves taking pictures of her kids? For a music lover who loves downloading music online? Seagate External Hard Drive is a great unexpected techy gift under 100 bucks for almost anyone in your list.

One of our clients at Collective Bias is Seagate – they are THE maker of external hard drives. I have to admit – I was embarrassed to admit to even my team at first that I didn’t own an external hard drive. And this even after two years ago our car was broken into and my laptop got stolen – and I lost memories worth two years and a book that I had written for 11 chapters. One the reasons why I hadn’t gotten the external hard drive before was that I always thought it was that techy stuff that I wouldn’t know how to use it. But I bought a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Home Network Storage System from Walmart.com and love it! Truth to be told, my husband broke it out of the box and helped me to set it up, but it is so easy to use. It’s wireless and we can send files from all of our computers from the entire house to it (both PC and Mac!) and not just that but I can send and get files from it also when traveling. It’s so easy and the best of course: I don’t have to worry about losing my data anymore.

I think the Seagate External Hard Drive makes a great gift idea for many of those people in your list that are hard to buy for – or who already have everything. Parents like me tend to have a lot of video and picture files they storage in their computers and teens have movies and music files. You can learn more about different types of hard drives at Walmart.com. They sell them in stores as well, but I liked ordering mine online – it’s easy and super fast. The Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Ultra-Portable Hard Drive also comes in fun colors like red, blue and silver (black too) making it your techy holiday gift even cuter.

WIN IT! SEAGATE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a Seagate External Hard Drive!

Prize: Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 500GB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable Hard Drive ($89.82)
Seagate GoFlex ultra-portable drive easily stores and backs up all your files. As the world’s most versatile drive and the core of the GoFlex storage system, you can upgrade to a faster interface or access your drive on your TV, your network, or by simply pairing it with other GoFlex Storage System products.
Key Features:
Capacity: 500GB
Store up to 63 HD movies, 222 standard movies, 125,000 songs, and 250,000 photos
Interface: USB 2.0
Plug and play
Compact, portable design
Enter to win:
One entry per method, two different ways to way:
1. Comment with your data loss story and leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.
2. Tweet “Enter to win Seagate external hard drive at @skimbaco http://goo.gl/fb/wzqfD #GoFlexMemories” and comment with a link to your tweet. It would be great if you also follow @skimbaco at Twitter.

DEADLINE: December 20, 2010, midnight est.

Disclosure: Seagate is a client of the company I work for, but I bought my own hard drive and my opinions are my own.

This is a Blissdom ticket I just bought – and it is waiting for a name change – to your name!

Skimbaco Lifestyle is hosting a writing contest with a BlissDom conference ticket giveaway, and the winner will receive this ticket to BlissDom Conference, held in Nashville on February 4-6, 2010.

Last year I had an opportunity to go to BlissDom, and I absolutely loved it. In fact I was one of the speakers, and I have received positive feedback on our session the whole year round. I am going this year too – and hoping to see as many friends and fellow bloggers there with me as possible.

ENTER TO WIN A BLISSDOM TICKET (Worth $307.46)

Write a blog post up to 400 words how you live life to the fullest, send it to katja.presnal@skimbaco.com and it will be published at Skimbaco Lifestyle. Ask your friends to come and comment – and the blog post with most commenters will win the ticket.

OFFICIAL RULES:
1. Write a blog post how you live life to the fullest and email it to katja.presnal@skimbaco.com with title “Skimbaco BlissDom post”

2. The post should be between 250- 400 words, and it can include photos. It is 100% under my judgement to post it or not to post it, if it has any type of material that does not fit Skimbaco Lifestyle, it will be disqualified.

3. You can add your own photo and bio with links to your blog & twitter etc. published under the post. These might be edited if too long.

4. The posts are published at Skimbaco Lifestyle in the order they come in – or if they need editing, it might take longer to publish.

5. Send your blog post by January 11th 12 midnight EST.

6. Ask your friends to come and comment your post and tell why you should win the ticket!

7. The Blog post with most commenters on January 22nd 12 midnight EST will win a ticket to Blissdom. The commenters need to be real people, preferable with links to their blogs/twitter profiles to verify they are “real people”.

NOTE: By sending your blog post and participating you are giving Skimbaco Lifestyle the rights to publish your blog post and any pictures you are sending, and you will accept these rules as stated here, including the fact that your blog post may be disqualified if it includes any material not suitable to publish at Skimbaco Lifestyle. BlissDom Conference has nothing to do with this contest, nor can be held liable for anything regarding this contest. This contest is sponsored by Skimbaco Lifestyle, and these rules may be modified regarding minor details.

You can use these buttons to spread the word and spread the love and ask people to come and comment on your blog post. Just remember to change the link to your blog post once it is published.

Good luck!

<br /> <a href="http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2010/01/writing-contest-win-a-blissdom-ticket.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t23/skimbaco/blissdom-contest.jpg" border="0"></a><br />

NOTE: Hallmark wants to help you celebrate your Hallmark moments and is giving away $50 Hallmark gift card for one reader.

6 AM and I already heard a spoon clacking in the cereal bowl. The day I had been so nervous about was finally here.

It was the first day of school and I found my 9 year old daughter from the dining room, dressed in her fashion tee designed by Miley Cyrus eating cereal. “I’ve been up like 3 hours” she says. I smile, at least one of three is happy to go to school.

An hour later the other two are up too, brushing their teeth, getting clothes on, and little while later messing up their clothes with strawberry jelly, and changing them again. But making their own breakfast (and lunch) makes the kids feel that they are big kids and they can handle it – I don’t care how much they mess the kitchen or their clothes.

All three kids are so excited about the start of school; I don’t know why I was so nervous. Everyone’s backpacks are packed, the Raisinettes and Juicy Juices in their lunch boxes right next to their sandwiches.

“Come on mama, we are going to be late” I hear while I’m still testing the camera has batteries on to snap a picture or two. I can’t believe my kids are all so big now, from youngest, the first grader to the oldest, the fourth grader. How did this happen..? Time goes too fast. I want to keep kids home a little bit longer, but they are rushing me outside.

Gaby dressed in her Ralph Lauren dress turned into a tunic, Isabella in her fashion tee and a vest borrowed from my closet, Kris in his dog shirt and Tea Collection jeans, and all wearing Sketchers Grandma gave them. And all rushing me to snap the pictures fast, school is starting! I spent way too much money on new clothes this fall for kids, but I think it really gives them a self-confidence boost to go to school in clothes they are comfortable with.

Once we get to school, kids ran off the car – me behind them. They say they don’t need me to go in with them, and I think they are running because they are trying to loose me! But mamarazzi with her Nikon is following to snap a few more pictures and see all three find their classrooms.

And the morning is over as I walk out of the school building and I am so proud of myself; I’m smiling, not crying.

Luckily I had an opportunity to interview Kelly Ripa the same day, and I don’t have to stay home alone and freak out because of the quietness. I rush to the train station and call my husband and give the details of the first school morning.

I know he was nervous too.

Going back to school is an exciting, fun and sometimes, hectic time. To calm the butterflies and build your kids’ confidence, Hallmark has put together this great resource to encourage moms like you. Just for sharing a bit of advice, you’ll be entered to win a prize package valued at $500! Check it out.

You can win $50 Hallmark Gift Card by being a Skimbaco Lifestyle Subscriber!

1. Subscribe Skimbaco Lifestyle in your email box.
2. Leave a comment you are a subscriber.

DEADLINE: September 27th midnight EST.

Famous Footwear and Mom It Forward have teamed up to bring us a delicious giveaway!

Did you know that two things most all women share is their love of shoes and ice cream? Famous Footwear blends these two ingredients together on its site Make Today Unexpected, which gives us women the chance to discover our style and flavor in a most unexpected way.

I just went there, took a short quiz, and found out my personal ice cream flavor is “The Devil Wears Cheesecake”!

Me – glamorous trendsetter? What does your quiz result say? Leave a comment here and by doing so – you will enter to a fabulous giveaway!

Giveaway

Grand Prize

This week, Famous Footwear is awarding one lucky winner with a $100 gift card. Shoes anyone? (See Entry Requirements below.)

Coupon

Everyone’s a winner in this giveaway! Make your back-to-school shoe shopping spree a little more affordable by visiting MakeTodayUnexpected.com and entering to receive $10.00 off your next purchase of $50.00 or more.

Entry Requirements

To enter for a chance to win the $100 Famous Footwear gift card, please do these four things (make sure you leave a separate comment for each of your entries). Giveaway closes Friday September 4th, 8 AM EST.

Note: Entries that do not follow all of these requirements will not be considered.

1. Take the ‘Find Your Flavor’ quiz by clicking here. Leave a comment on this post with your flavor and e-mail address.
2. Become a fan of the Famous Footwear’s Make Today Unexpected Facebook Page.
3. Follow @maketodayfamous on Twitter.
4. Post these messages on Facebook and/or on Twitter and leave comments here, linking to your messages:

What’s your flavor? Click here to find out: http://bit.ly/a5zhj PLS RT

Download Famous Footwear coupon 4 back-to-school/fall savings: http://bit.ly/fogQH PLS RT #gno

Extra Entries

You can earn up to two extra entries for this week’s giveaway. Leave an additional comment for each.

• Click here and become a Famous Footwear REWARDS club member (free).
• Post or tweet about something unexpected that has happened to make your day or week more positive on @maketodayfamous or on the Make Today Unexpected Facebook Page.

The Fine Print

No purchase necessary to enter. Famous Footwear and Mom It Forward employees, and giveaway hostesses are ineligible to participate. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered.