When I was at the Blissdom Conference in Nashville last month, they had a booth where they conducted  Covergirl Smoky eye’s on all the ladies who attended the conference.

All attendee’s also were given a Smoky Eye Kit from Covergirl in our take home swag bags.

Here is Me getting my Smoky Eye Look On :

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

(ALL PHOTO”S Courtesy of Brad Lawless from Collective Bias)
Aren’t I just beautiful with my new Smoky Eye Look ?

I had also been sent a gift card from my wonderful relationship with Collective Bias to shop for a Covergirl  Smoky Eye Kit.  Here is a Whrrl of my shop :

I wasn’t able to find the kits at my local Walmart, but they do sell them online here : http://digg.com/u1ONVm

The kits come in BOLD, Glamorous, and Natural Looks. They retail for about $16.50 each.

You can also WIN a kit here !!!

Here is how to win :

1. Comment and tell me which kit you would try if you win Natural, Glamorous, or Bold ? = 1 entry.

2. Fave my site on momfaves – comment and let me know you have = 1 entry

3. Fave Covergirl Smokyeye’s on momfaves – comment and let me know you have = 1 entry

4. FAN my Facebook page : you can do that by clicking on “Follow this blog” over on my sidebar or by going to Facebook and following The Plus Size Mommy.- Comment and let me know you did = 1 entry.

5. Use stumbleupon, technorati, digg for this site/post. – comment letting me know which you have done = 1 entry per way.

6. Tweet the following on Twitter – ” Win a @Covergirl #Smokyeye kit on @plussizemommy ‘s Blog here : http://digg.com/u1ONgJ ” – Tweet up to 3 times per day = up to 3 entries per day. Please comment leaving tweet thread, and please leave separate comments for each entry.

This giveaway starts NOW and will end on 3/5/2010 at 7PM EST. TWO winners will be selected via random.org.
Winners MUST be subscribers to this blog to win. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes. If you enter to win, please check back here by 3/6 for winners names to be posted.

Thank you for entering and Good Luck!

The Plus Size Mommy

*I was sent a gift card from Covergirl and Collective Bias to shop for the Smoky Eye Kits, and also for my time. My opinions and anything I say about the Kits is my own. I always give my honest opinions on anything I review.

The Baby Relay casting call is now live on Pampers.com.  All videos featuring babies crawling from left to right that are uploaded by this Sunday, Feb. 20, will be included in a casting call for a commercial that will air on Feb. 28!

You will not want to miss this great opportunity for your adorable baby to be a part of a new Pampers commercial!

The Plus Size Mommy

It is no secret I am a HUGE Pittsburgh Steeler’s fan just like most people who live in Pittsburgh. I love to watch them play and follow their season from start to finish every year. This year they didn’t do so well, but I am still a loyal fan.

On every game day I try and serve foods that feel like we are tailgating at home. This means there is a lot of hot dogs, Kielbasa, Hot Sausages, hoagies, and appetizers. My family loves it, and so do I.

The following are some tailgating tips I would like to share with you on behalf of  Dr. BBQ, who is the Executive Chef of Justin Timberlake’s NYS restaurant, Southern Hospitalityand has written numerous cookbooks on the fine art of grilling.  Here is a link to his website:  www.drbbq.com.

This segment also features Zatarain’s, Wickles Pickles and Moore’s Marinade.

Click the following link to watch the video -

http://videostorage.prnewswire.com/storage2/preview/41530notc_preview.wmv

Happy Tailgating to you all, and since I cannot root for the Steelers in the Superbowl GOOO JETS !

The Plus Size Mommy

No holiday celebration is complete without appetizers made with flaky crescent dough. Here are some easy, yet impressive recipes to try that call for either Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Rolls or the newer Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet.

• Crescent-Wrapped Brie
• Crescent Bacon-Cheese Tartlets
• Crescent Holiday Tree

These appetizer recipes will help you entertain with ease while still wowing guests with tasty twists to familiar foods. And just one more reason to celebrate … each recipe requires just 20 minutes of preparation.

FROM ME:

I am ALWAYS baking with Pillsbury in my home. My children love the biscuits and rolls. I like that I can serve warm bread right from the oven with dinner within minutes. We love to make hot dog wraps too and other mini appetizers. I am going to love trying out these new recipes over the holiday break!

Now you can WIN as well : All you have to do to win is Vote on which one they would like you to recreate with your own personal touch.

BONUS ENTRY : post how making the new recipe went and how your family liked it.

you all have a chance at 4 entries each, 1 for your vote, and then up to 3 for actually making up to the 3 recipes and coming back and commenting how it went and how your family liked them, or not, or what their favorite one ended up being!

This is a tasty giveaway!

ONE WINNER will win :  A PILLSBURY PRIZE PACK WHICH INCLUDES :

• 2 VIP coupons for Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dough – coupons are only valid in the U.S.
• 3 Great holiday platters to serve your new creations to your guests

This giveaway starts NOW and will end on December 23rd, 2009 (8pm EST.). WINNER WILL NOT get prize pack until after Christmas!!!  Winner will be posted to this site on December 24th.

THANK YOU to all who enter, Happy Holidays…. Good Luck !

The Plus Size Mommy

*I also received a prize pack which Pillsbury provided you with the free product, information, and gift packs through MyBlogSpark.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Elves are Back in Town, The Tradition continues…& WIN!* (theplussizemommy.com)

1. Jean D.
2. BrooklynShoeBabe
3. @AngEngland
4. Tamra A
5. Trish @IamSucceeding

AND….drummmmm rollll the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of Weight Watchers® Ice Cream Treat’s for A YEAR is:

************Musings from Me***************

This is soooo exciting. The Winners PLEASE email me to claim your prizes within 48 hours !!

My email is xbeth@yahoo.com and please write WEIGHT WATCHER WINNER in the subject line!!!

THANK YOU all so much for entering and HAPPY HOLIDAYS , ENJOY !!!

The Plus Size Mommy

Related articles by Zemanta

• Win a YEAR of Ice Cream Treats from Weight Watchers*!!!! (theplussizemommy.com)

My Black Friday Site: http://mybfdeals.com/
My Black Friday Flickr Photo Stream: http://www.flickr.com/groups/bfdeals/

Related articles by Zemanta

• HOW TO: Use Social Media to Find Black Friday Deals (mashable.com)

The Plus Size Mommy

Starting in November, you can receive a free movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of General Mills´ Cereals. After purchasing two cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the code found inside each box of cereal and print your free movie certificate good for admission to any movie.

Participating brands include select sizes of: Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Trix and Reese´s Peanut Butter Puffs.

To find a participating theater near you, log onto
http://emoviecash.com/dis_locator/.

FROM ME :  I was thrilled to receive my prize pack from General Mills due to my relationship with My Blog Spark! This is a great one, 4 movie tickets and a coupon to get a free box of cereal. There are a ton of great movies playing out there right now, I am going to use my movie tickets to slip into my children’s  Christmas stockings they will be so excited to get these.

YOU CAN WIN TOO !!!!

General Mills, through MYBLOGSPARK also would like to offer to one of my readers the great opportunity to go to the movies and a FREE box of cereal !!! Here is how you can win :

• Please comment and tell us what your favorite movie moment is/was ?  = 1 entry
• Are there any movies playing now or coming soon that you and/or your children would love to go see? leave a comment about it = 1 entry
• What was the first movie you ever shared (at the movies) with your child(ren) ? leave another comment, and = get another entry !
• Tweet the following on twitter, “Win 4 tickets to the movies and General Mills cereal here http://bit.ly/4xz3e ”  comment with the tweet thread = 1 entry  (up to 2 times/2 entries per day)
• technorati this blog, comment and let me know you did = 1 entry
• digg or stumbleupon this post = comment and tell me you did and get another entry for each way
• write a blog post on your blog about this giveaway and link it to this post, comment and let me know you did = 1 entry
• vote for this blog over at divinecaroline.com under the “love this site” awards, comment and let me know u did = 1 entry

This giveaway begins NOW and will end on November 9, 2009 at 7pm Eastern time. Winner will be posted to this site by Nov. 10th. Winner will have 48 hours from time posted to claim their prize by emailing me their home address so prize can be sent to them. Winners will NOT be notified via email. THANK YOU for entering and visiting my site. GOOD LUCK !

The Plus Size Mommy

** GENERAL MILLS PROVIDED ME WITH THESE COUPONS, Information and the prize pack to give away through MYBLOGSPARK *** Thank you for this great opportunity !

Related articles by Zemanta

• General Mills is Sending Your Family to the Movies Free! {Giveaway} (momblognetwork.com)
• General Mills Responds to Sugary-Cereal-for-Kids Report (fooducate.com)

I was recently given samples of Boiron products while attending the Type A Mom blogger conference. I will say I was hesitant to try them, as I never have used homeopatic medicine on my children before. I didn’t know anything about them and this is just something new to me, but now after reading about it on the package and now trying them, I am set on them!

My daughters have had this atrocious cough. I used the “Chestal Honey”, by putting 1/2 tsp. in some tea for them, and the cough keeps away for like at least 4 hours, letting me get SOME sleep! Boiron is a homeopatic medicine. children’s. It is a cough syrup. Works wonders!! Our pediatrician said cough can last weeks after having H1N1, am so happy they have this to relieve it a bit for them (and me).

I have also tried the Boiron, Oscillococcinum it is for flu like symptoms, I used it for my sons. no side effects, they are like little pellets that melt on their tongues. helps fever, chills, and body aches and feeling run down ness. It helped them tremendously. I am totally rethinking like tylenol and so on for my kids now. My mom has also tried some adult cough one from Boiron and loves it as well. Check them out!

Hear what my friends are saying about the Boiron products too after I posted about my experience on facebook:

• “Love this! I was in europe with Bella and the doctor there prescribed it for her. She got better in like two days and now we take it all the time!”
• “I hope they get better soon! Thanks for the tip on Chestal Honey, I use some of the other Boiron products myself.”

I believe that a lot of moms are scared to give medications to their kids with all the callbacks and effects that they can do to them. I believe that moms are looking for a safe alternative that will still provide the same outcome for their children.

These medications are not as well known in the area of where I live as say tylenol or advil. But being a user and now a believer of how they work, if someone asks me for a tip on what to do to ease a cough for their child, you better believe I am going to tell them try the Chestal!!!

If you would like to try this medicine to keep your family healthier this flu season (everyone should be jumping on this!) here is a link to the Boiron site as well as they have a $1 off coupon on there to help you save money while trying out their products : http://children.boironusa.com/

there is also a FAQ page on the site so you as a parent can make intelligent choices and decide about the homeopatic products for your child(ren).

Have you ever tried homeopathic medicines? Homeopathy is a theraputic method used to help the body rebalance and heal itself using natural substances in micro-doses. If you HAVE tried homeopathic medicines I would love you to comment and share with us (me and other readers) your experiences. If you do not use them, please also comment and share with us your reasons why ? I would love to hear all of your opinions on this subject

“Here’s to keeping your household happy and healthy!!”

The Plus Size Mommy

* after writing this post, I was included into a campaign due to my relationship with the One 2 One network, and so, to be transparent, I am disclosing that I am also using this post to be a part of their Boiron campaign.

Related articles by Zemanta

• H1N1 Flu Update (cehwiedel.com)
• Keeping Babies Safe in a Swine Flu World (blisstree.com)
• Swine Flu in Our Home (momblognetwork.com)
• No Flu Germs Allowed (suburbialv.blogspot.com)

Have you tried the NEW Zone Perfect Indulgence Line of  nutrition bars ? Let me tell you, I have been learning a ton on being a healthier me lately and eating right and making healthier choices.

When Zone Perfect sent me these bars I was floored at #1 the packaging. They look like very expensive nutrition bars, but they really aren’t. They are also CHOCOLATE, yes, you heard me correct. They are all chocolate covered bars. They come in 3 varieties at the current time:

1. Caramel Toffee
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse
3. German Chocolate Cheesecake

Now, I will tell you right off the bat, I did not care for the German Chocolate Cheesecake ones. They just aren’t my taste. But the Peanut Butter Mousse and the Caramel Toffee are to die for! and I recently was sent more of these bars to share with friends and family and their #1 choice was the Caramel Toffee ones.

When I asked what is their favorite part about the Zone Perfect bars, they loved #1 the chocolate, #2 the amazing amount of protein in them (11g) and #3 the price (which is a little less than $6 per box!) Other factors they liked was the basically low amount of sugar, so even my diabetic Aunt was able to eat one and be okay. They fill you after one. I eat them as a snack in between meals or when I am craving chocolate and 1 does the trick. I am not looking around for something more. Also another factor I love is that my kids like them, so the Zone Perfect bars became a nutritious snack for them after school, and they were on top of the world that I let them eat chocolate!

As I stated I had a little get together with the Zone Perfect bars that I was sent to get other opinions on them. I invited people over to try some at my home and we shared in a “Healthy Halloween“, I took some with me to a friends party and passed some more out to the attendee’s, who were so glad to try something new, and I also wrapped some in Halloween ribbon and took them into my kid’s school for the teachers, to give them a “Healthy Halloween” as well. I know they will be appreciative to have some nutritious bars to snack on when they get a break from teaching or on the way home.  I also did a Whrrl story about them using photo’s. You can see my story in photo’s below:

All in all, I totally recommend Zone Perfect for anyone who is truly searching (like me) to be a healthier me and to live a healthier lifestyle with my family.

Here is to a Healthy Halloween to you and Yours!

The Plus Size Mommy

Related articles by Zemanta

• Avoiding the Big Binge for Halloween! (susanheim.blogspot.com)

I was sent to Walmart with another group of ladies from a survey group called Communispace. They do exclusive surveys for companies, and I had been chosen to be a part of the ones for Walmart. I knew nothing about blogging.

WOW was I emerged into this lingo they spoke of. I felt like I was from another planet. I never heard these terms, these Internet places. Heck, I was happy I knew Excel and Word ! I remember taking notes like crazy. I mean, these ladies were talking about their little bambinos at home, and how fun it was to do product reviews, and it was just a group of ladies I wanted to know more about and get more involved with.

THEN it happened… I was invited to a PJ party in the one hotel room. In that room was none other than Jessica Smith (from Jessica Knows), Katja Presnal (from Skimbaco Lifestyle), Amy Allen Clark (from Momadvice ), Colleen Padilla (from ClassyMommy ), Christine Young (from From Dates to Diapers), and Tara K (from DealSeekingMom), there may have been a few more, but I cannot recall all of them. (Sorry if I missed you) I remember looking up their websites and reading them back in my hotel room, and reading and seeing all their beautiful sites and reading about all kinds of things that I was soooo interested in.

Some of the other elevenmom’s I met who have helped me immensely along the way are Lucretia (Geekmommy), Jen (Frugal Upstate), Lynnae , Deninse Sawyer(Centsible Sawyer), Lori (A Cowboy’s Wife), Alyssa (Kingdom First Mom), Linsey (wise bread) Monica (Mommy Brain Reports) and THE Consumer Queen (Melissa Garcia).

It was such a fun night, I asked sooooo many questions, I am sure POSITIVE I got on all of their nerves. BUT They answered them with kindness and a way I could understand. I remember writing down like every word, trying not to miss anything. I wanted to be part of this group of woman, powerful woman, woman like me who were all moms and wanted to better things for consumers, who wanted to change the world one blog post at a time. Who wanted to help others with their savvy saving tips. I didn’t even know who these ladies were but in that short time a year ago, I knew I wanted to be like them. For I too wanted my voice to be heard as a Consumer Mom who wanted to Save money and let companies know what I like and what I thought could be made better.

I had also met Mr. John Andrews while there. He was like in the know of everything. Everyone at Walmart knew him, he was like BIG MAN ON CAMPUS ! He rocked ! He treated us like royalty(and still does even today). His impression on me was like no other man’s in the world of business. He could meet with the Big Whigs at Walmart, but still was very much interested in what us moms and consumers wanted. He was like a fearless leader for the Walmart 11 Moms. He caringly toured us around Bentonville and told us about Brands and companies and just was so intelligent I was in amazement.

I remember being on the shuttle bus thinking about all of these ladies names and I think I may have even asked out loud what could a good name be for me ? I talked it over with the Communispace Moms and we were all thinking about some names I believe. We were all thrilled of finding this group of woman. It felt like we struck oil, right in Bentonville! We went on a tour there of a Walmart store and I remember looking around at the “Plus Size” clothing to try and find a t -shirt souvenir for me to take home. In disgust I couldn’t find one. I was upset over the offerings in the Plus Size Department at Walmart. I remember even thinking what can I do to make a change here ? Plus Size Woman don’t want to be covered over in some moo -moo and put out to pasture. We want what non-plus size woman want in the way of fashion but with a little bit more material. And then…like a light bulb from the God’s of General Electric themselves:

“THE PLUS SIZE MOMMY” was born !

I went back onto the shuttle and said, “I want to blog about Plus size woman and things, and I am going to be The Plus Size Mommy”, I think I heard a couple of laughs but someone did say, I don’t think there are any blogs for that, or at least no one had heard of any. I was so proud, lol (I am still smiling).

After going back to the hotel Katja helped me create a Twitter account and I named myself “@plussizemommy“.  She also told me how to create a blogspot blog and after I came home and emailed all of them a few more times to bug them, The Plus Size Mommy became a reality and Alive as ever.

I have evolved my blog over the year. I went from Blogger to WordPress and have met tons of great people along the way to guide and help me. I am on Twitter with over 6000 followers and I have posted over 390 blog posts. I have Tweeted over 27,000 Tweets (Yea, I talk a lot) I like to be social, thats why being involved in social media makes so much sense for me, and I am the happiest blogger ever ! I also do not just write about Plus Size topics, although this is a passion of mine) I have broadened my writing to include many other topics.

I have made so many friends. I have been to 4 conferences, traveled to 6 new states that I have never been to before and hope and plan to go to many more. I have met over 20 celeb’s IN REAL LIFE, Through twitter I have connected with 5 celeb’s that I talk to on a regular basis. I have networked with over 100 companies. I have over 560 Facebook friends, and over 1,473,900+ connections on LinkedIn!!!!

I have made over $15,000 between sponsorships, products I reviewed , and revenue off of my blog (via consulting, ad’s, or by hosting giveaway’s). And only God knows how many countless hours I have put into it (way to many according to some). I have also recruited at least 3 fellow bloggers by telling them about what I do, and helping them get set up. (How is that for blogging Kharma!!!  )

It has been a long rode, with lots of ups and downs. A road I am finding that many haven’t yet traveled, and one I am still navigating. But all in all it is one I hope to never stray from.

I love the people (fellow bloggers rock), I love the companies, I love to find out about and tell others about new/improved products before they are even on the market, I love the travelling to conferences, I love the small breaks away from home to travel, I love to give things away and make others so happy when they win something, and I love to write and have my voice heard.

More people who I would like to thank who have been there and supported me along the way, and if you have been there and I forget to mention you, please do not be offended, there are so many people!  - My children, who put up with me on the computer sometimes when time slips away and I have to eventually just close the lid and come to play. My Husband, who also puts up with me missing cooking dinner at times, or not having the housework done. My mom, who has been helping me to take care of my children and family, and who is there to watch the kids when I go on my trips to conferences. Kim (craftymamaof4), who is always there for me with a shoulder to lean on every time I feel like quitting my blog, and for every time my blog gets hacked and I am fed up. Jerri Ann (mom e-centric) again for being there for me, her and her husband helped me so many times, through so many “hacks” and getting my blog back up and running and her being there to lean on when I am disgusted.

Barbara Jones (One2One Network) and Ali Worthington (Blissfully Domestic) for giving me tons of inspiration. Blissdom 09 was the first conference I went to and learned so much. I fell in love with these ladies, they are smart, sweet, and have all the qualities I look for in a friend. If you don’t know Ali, your totally missing out, she is beautiful, intelligent, and just knows exactly where she wants to be. Her southern voice is to die for and so sweet, I could just sit and listen to her speak all day long! Barbara is such an inspiration to me, she is one of the hardest working ladies I know. She is so gentle natured and very intelligent indeed, I just love to hear from these ladies.

All of the staff that I have met at Collective Bias, there is Amy, Rebecca, Jay, John, and Lucretia (and many more) they are all great to work with on projects and keep me going.

There is a long list of others that I totally appreciate but for the sake of time I cannot link to all of you, but PLEASE feel free to comment and link to this post. These people who have helped me through(and they may not even realize the support they have given me) are: Anissa Mayhew, Amy Bair, Shannon Powell, Sugar Jones, Erin Jeanny, Brandy Tanner, Danielle Smith, Elizabeth Norton, Alaina Frederick, Sandy Jenney, Pensieve Robin, Mary Davis, Leah Segedie, Dwan Perrin, Momfaves, Fiona Bryan, Michelle, Amanda H, Melissa Smallwood, Niri, Kelby Carr, John Chow, Nicole (Holymoleynicoley)Jyl J. Pattee, Carissa R., and I am so sorry if I left you out there are so many others. All of these people somehow have impacted me during this first year, and I love you all for it!

People who I would also like to thank are PR reps and brands and people from them like Jessica Kane,Rick Calvert, George Smith Jr., Ted Rubin, Allison Sands, Allison Blass, The Tanka Bar Crew, The Healthy Choice Brand and PR reps, Victoria (You ROCK!), Megan from Twittermoms, Marie Denee, La Grande Dame, Sinuate Media Team, Bonnie McGuire, Julie Dodobara, Catherine Wood Hill, Lee (from Ocean Isle), #GNO, Krystal Franklin, Jakks Pacific, and so many great others who have been with me along the way.

*Jakks Pacific was the very first product review and giveaway I did on my blog, during last Christmas! It was for a Girl gourmet cupcake maker!!! Thank You Jakks! *

I THANK YOU for coming along with me on my journey, and hope you will continue with me. Afterall a blog that is not read means nothing. I can only be a great blogger with great subscribers and readers like YOU.

THANK YOU !!!   ((((((HUGGS))))))

The Plus Size Mommy

Related articles by Zemanta

• I feel the earth move under my feet (davidgillespie.wordpress.com)
• 9 reasons why Mashable rules the social media (howtomakemyblog.com)
• It’s Time To Hide The Noise (techcrunch.com)
• 9 Simple Tips For Personal Branding (davidrisley.com)