100 Sign up bonus for new Swagbuck Users!

If you haven't tried Swagbucks yet, what are you waiting for?! You can earn giftcards (I always choose Amazon) to lots of great retailers just for searching the web! I average $300 or more a year just for web searching and there are options for doing surveys, tasks, and you can even earn when you buy groupon and living social deals! Why not get paid for something you're already doing?

Right now there's a special holiday bonus of 100 swagbucks when you join and enter the code HOLIDAYSWAG at sign up. All you have to do is click the banner below and you'll be on your way to earning your giftcards!

Happy Holidays from Life Unexpected!

Hey guys just wanted to stop in and let everyone know that we're still living! I've been a busy week for us with a trip to Sea World, My niece Amelia Grace being born, Willow's 3rd birthday and Christmas on the way. We'll be back with everything in full swing next week but for now here are some pictures of what's going on in our lives.

The Amelia Monster on her birthday.

Wednesday the  twins ditched their "baby" seats and moved on to "big girl seats" Thanks Target's baby clearance for $70 Britax Roundabouts!

All of us at Hollywood Studio's to see the lights

Willow waiting to see Santa

Madeline and Ella waiting to see Santa

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

Found on the Internet - Men-Ups

When you sit back and think about it, how silly are pin-up poses? Women laying on the floor with their legs straight up in the air, or cooking  in the kitchen with their booty sticking out and a "naughty" face on? I mean really who does that? Would it be just as sexy if a man did it? Men-Ups is a hilarious photo set of men doing pin up poses!

Oh look at me, I'm a sexy lumberjack, sitting on my stump.

Taking a break from shoveling to show you my sexy legs.

Oh Noes! I knocked over my grill!

Rock Star Women of Klout

LaDonna from Mom Blog Society just did an awesome article on the difference between Klout and PeerIndex and I'm included in her "10 influential and fabulous ROCK STARS" section! The article explains how Klout and PeerIndex figure out how "influential" you are in the blogging world. I'm so excited to be included in this awesome group of women!

Check out the PeerIndex Vs Klout article to see what other fabulous female bloggers were included!

Hartstings Children's Clothing Review

We were recently given the opportunity to visit our local Hartstrings Children's Clothing store at the Outlets in Orlando Florida. Since the outlets are packed in the weeks leading up to Christmas we packed the girls in the car and headed over on the day before Thanksgiving. Our outlets are usually open until 11pm, but we were a bit shocked when we got there and found out that they were closing at 9pm because of the Thanksgiving holiday. We walked around the outdoor plaza for a bit looking for Hartstrings and when we finally found it we headed in
.

 After we admired the beautiful holiday clothing in the store for about 10 minutes we realized that not one of the sales associates had even acknowledged that we were in the store. We're not exactly hard to miss trying to maneuver 2 strollers with three little girls under three through their narrow aisles (our double stroller got stuck a few times and we couldn't fit down some aisles at all). At first we thought that maybe they were busy helping a customer in the back of the store but after looking around a bit it was confirmed that we were the only ones in the store. We found the two sales associates talking to each other behind the register and actually heard them swearing. When we walked by they started giggling and apologized. I had never purchased clothing from Hartstings so I was concerned about sizing on some of the pieces. While they did have a fitting room, I knew that trying to drag all 3 girls in to try on clothes just wasn't going to work with the time constraint we had so I asked one of the associates how their clothing ran in comparison to the other brands we usually buy and she told me she "didn't know if their clothes ran big or small, they go by age". She suggested a size 6-9 months for Ella and Madeline and a size 3 for Willow. I chose to size down to 3-6 for Ella and Madeline because they're in a lower percentile in both height and weight in comparison to other babies their age.

I was on a real mission to find at least one outfit for each of the girls in our budget so after looking at the holiday clothing (which we decided wasn't within our budget) we spied a HUGE clearance section in the back with clothing in that was 60-75% off. At this time one of the sales associates was able to break herself away from her conversation and informed us that they were having a Pre-Thanksgiving sale and that our entire purchase would be an additional 20% off, so we went to work looking through the racks to find things in the girls' size. We ended up finding a total of 5 outfits for the twins, two matching outfits and one single, as well as an outfit that Willow picked out. All for a total of $97.XX and a savings of over $250 from their original price.

Our Hartstrings Fashion Show

Madeline in the single outfit we purchased.

Madeline in the pink flower dress

Ella and Madeline in the pink flower dress. They like each other I promise.

Ella in the black and white tiered dress.

Madeline and Ella in the black and white tiered dress.

Willow in the plaid skirt and hot pink cardigan she picked out.

This is her new "smile". I love the rhinestone buttons and beading on this cardigan!

Our Overall Opinion

I think that Hartsings offers great quality stylish clothing for children of all ages. Their regular prices are defiantly out of our budget, but they seem to have some great sales that make their clothing affordable for everyone. Other then the customer service we received (or didn't receive) we had a positive experience with Hartsings and their clothing. We'd defiantly shop there again and recommend Hartstings to our friends. Just leave your double strollers at home! You call find more information about Hartstrings and their clothing on these sites:  

Website http://www.hartstrings.com/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/hartstrings 

Twitter @Hartstringskids 

I partnered with MomSelect and Hartstrings review. I received a gift card in order to do my shopping but received no other compensation for this post. All opinions are my own, please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Perplexus Original Toy of the Year Contest and Giveaway ends 12/16

I recently shared with you guys how much we loved our Perplexus Original from PlaSmart. Evidently a lot of other people love their Original Perplexus too, because it  has been nominated as Educational Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association! Educational Toy of the Year is like the “Oscars” for the toy industry AND it is voted on by the consumer! 

To celebrate their nomination PlaSmart would like to give one lucky Life Unexpected reader their own Perplexus! All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter widget below and make sure to show your appreciation to PlaSmart by voting for them for Educational Toy of the Year.

Bloggers Sign Up for Valentine's Day Event

Looking to join a Valentine's Day Hop? Check out this FREE Valentine's Day Giveaway Hop hosted by Mama to 4 Blessings and Chubby Cheeks Thinks. Only requirements are a prize of $50 or more and using Rafflecopter. Sign up now so you're on the top of the list!

What's Under Our Tree - Dora the Explorer from Fisher Price

Willow is absolutely in love with Dora the Explorer. Every time we go to the store we have to walk down the toy aisles to see the "Dora Doras". So when we started looking for the perfect gifts for Willow for her birthday and Christmas, we knew that we would be including Dora the Explorer items from Fisher-Price.
Just in time for the holidays, Fisher Price has released a wide variety of new Dora the Explorer products that any little Dora lover would be thrilled to find under the Christmas tree from Santa!

Magical Fairy Dora

Dora’s newest adventure takes place in the Enchanted Forest! After she helps the King save the forest, her fairy friends thank her by giving her magical wings! Inspired by the movie Dora Saves King Unicorno! Magical Fairy Dora wears a beautiful sparkling dress and comes to life with the press of her magical heart necklace. Wave the wand to hear Dora sing a special song and to watch her dress magically transform into beautiful fairy wings! Magical Fairy Dora says over 20 phrases in English and Spanish and includes, Dora, her magic fairy wand, hair brush and base. Dora requires 2 AA batteries, that are not included and retails for $32.49.

Dora the Explorer Dress Up Collection Doll and Fashions

At the very top of Willow's Dora the Explorer Christmas list is the Dress Up Collection Doll and her Fashions. Every time she sees her she asks for the "pretty Dora Dora", I know that she's going to be so excited to get her for her birthday next week!

This 15” Dora doll is ready to take you along for an adventure with her! The Dress Up Collection Dora has real eyelashes, rooted hair and comes with a fabric purse and an additional outfit change.This fashion forward  Dora wears stylish clothes just like your little fashionista! Dora also comes with a 32 page book It’s Friendship Day, all about her fun adventures! How cute are Dora's boots and matching purse?! Willow is in love with accessories, and never leaves the house without a purse and hair bow. It's only fitting that her Dora be accessorized as well. I love that you can add to your child's book collection while only making one purchase, I really wish more companies would include books with their products!

Fisher-Price didn't stop there, you can actually purchase additional outfits for your Dress Up Collection Dora!  There are currently four different outfits to choose from so Dora will be ready for any occasion.

Dora's Beach Vacation outfit comes with a plaid beach dress, gladiator sandals, twill vest and hat, chiffon scarf, plastic beach tote and “Dora’s Boardwalk Adventure” storybook.This outfit is perfect for taking Dora on your next summer vacation!

 Dora's School Time outfit includes a velvet jacket, skirt, striped shirt, ballet flats, ribbon headband, and even has her own play notebook Dora’s “School Day Sharing” storybook. We love the stylish mix of colors, and Dora's little headband. The star button is an awesome final touch on an already awesome outfit!

  

Is your Dora going to a birthday party? Take her in her best party dress with her Birthday Fiesta Fashion. She'll look her best in  a satin and organza party dress, matching purse, ballet flats, chiffon scarf, flower hair clip and Dora’s “Happy Birthday Abuela” storybook. 

If you live in Florida like we do, your Dora will need to be ready for the inevitable afternoon rain. Dora's Rainy Day outfit includes a real vinyl jacket and hat, rubber boots, dress and “Dora’s Splish-Splash Adventure” storybook. We love her little pink hat, since Willow is always afraid of her baby dolls getting wet hair when we're out in the rain.

Dress up Collection Dora retails for $49.99 and each of her fashion outfits (doll not included) are $16.29. You can find these great Dora items and other Fisher- Price products at your local Target, Walmart or other retailers as well as Fisher Price's Online Store or Amazon.com. 

I recieved one or more of the above mentioned products at no cost in exchange for this post. I recieved no other compensation and my opinion was not influenced in any way. All opinions are 100% my own. Your experience with Fisher-Price and their products may be different then my own. Please see our disclosure policy for more information

What's Under Our Tree - Willow House with Lani

About the Company

 "At Willow House, we embody grace, warmth, and a bit of magic. Like our namesake willow, we sway with the trends but are not overwhelmed by them. We are strong, responsive to the seasons, and always beautiful. Our roots keep us firmly grounded in our core beliefs as we impact the world with a touch that is ever-confident and feather-light."

Are you searching for the perfect stocking holders? How about a new casserole dish, or table runner?  The perfect necklace to complete your holiday outfits, or rings that really "pop" Willow House offers a wide variety of home decor, and holiday products to meet all your decorating needs, as well as a new line of affordable jewelry. Lani Mark, Willow House Consultant is here to help you with all of your shopping needs.

Great savings at Willow House

Right now you can save up to 75% off on great Willow House items during their holiday sale. You can find gifts and holiday decorations for less then $10, so I'm sure you will find Willow House products for any budget! While you're at it, check out the Willow House Outlet for even more savings!

How to Win

Lani is so confident that you'll love Willow House, that she wants to give one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to use towards anything on her site. All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter below!

A Little Pinsperation...How to fold fitted sheets

A few weeks again Zach "cleaned" the rooms for me. I've been looking for certain clothing items for awhile now and last night I found them. He had put 2 laundry pins in our closet underneath my long dresses so they couldn't be seen. I've sorted them out, and now I have 8 (yes, 8!!) loads of laundry to do today. I'm on load number 5 right now, and I realized that I never really learned how to fold a fitted sheet! Luckily my dear friend Pinterest was there to help me, so I thought I'd share some tips with you.

Dear Pinterest,
Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas, you quickly have me on the way to becoming a domestic Goddess. Now if only I could get the motivation to get off the internet long enough to do any of this things I've pinned.
Love,
Jessica

How to fold fitted sheets, a picture tutorial and a video tutorial in case you're a little more challenged like me.

Happy Baby Toddler and Preschool Pack ends 12/11

HAPPYBABY is committed to making baby and toddler food as healthy and delicious as homemade with the essential nutrients needed for optimal growth and development. They are socially responsible in all that they do. They use their collective talent to create the best possible products, grow their business, and give back to those in need. They are the only brand that includes ingredients like prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health, vegan and sustainable DHA, choline for brain development, and Salba®, nature’s most nutritious whole grain.

Healthy Bodies, Healthy World

 HappyBaby products are allergy friendly. All HappyBaby products clearly labeled and designed to offer parents the variety and choices they deserve. In addition to being allergy friendly, all HappyBaby products are organic so you can make sure that you're only putting the best into your little one's belly.

HappyBaby is Socially Responsible

HAPPYBABY works with Project Peanut Butter to help feed starving children in Malawi and Sierra Leone. Every package purchased contributes to this effort. You can learn more about Project Peanut Butter at projectpeanutbutter.org.

Where to Buy

HappyFamily products are available at your local grocery store, as well as online at the Happy Baby Store.

How to Win

HappyBaby would like to offer one Life Unexpected: Adventures of a SAHM reader a HappyBaby Toddler and Preschool pack which includes 2 FREE product coupons for each  of the following HappyFamily products. HAPPYFAMILY Frozen Bites, HAPPYMunchies, and HAPPYTots. The winner will also receive reciepes and a Happy Family nutrition guide. You can enter to win the Toddler and Preschool pack by using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Found on the Internet - Texts from Bennett

Okay, so this guy has a 17 year old cousin named Bennett who is "a white boy who thinks he's a Crip, works at Amoco, has a girlfriend named Mercades" and has no idea his cousin blogs about him. His entire blog is just screen caps of the crazy text messages his cousin sends to him. The grammar is horrible, the content may be offensive, but dear God it is hilarious. I present to you,  Texts from Bennett...

 

This gem is captioned "Bennett schools me on art history"

Have a Very Merry Christmas With EdenFantasys

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Wordless Wednesday - The Adventures of Nipper Twinkletoes & Snowflake

Nipper Twinkletoes and Snowflake have come to visit, we never know where they'll show up!

One Stop Christmas 11/29-12/6 - Morphology

 

Welcome to the One Stop Christmas Hop! We've teamed up with Mama to 3 Blessings and a lot of wonderful other bloggers to bring you great giveaways worth $25 or more just in time for Christmas! We want to make this holiday season as easy as possible for you and what better way to kick things off then by winning some gifts? To make it even easier, all of the blogs will be running their giveaways through Rafflecopter to make entering simple! The more you enter, the more chances you have to win!

We're offering one Lucky winner a copy of Morphology from Morphology Games, a $29.99 value. You can find or review of Morphology here

What's Under Our Tree - Morphology Bringing Family Game Night Back

Morphology is a fun, creative and challenging party board game combining simple shapes, your imagination and creativity. Using wooden sticks, glass beads and colored cubes how would you create a butterfly or airplane. Morphology takes unique twists and turns, and has everyone laughing out loud. Morphology is a  new twist on a classic party game that's perfect for the whole family! Draw a word from the deck of cards and "build" the word using the items provided--string, colored blocks, marbles and more! The real challenge comes when you are forced to build with your eyes closed, with only one hand or limited to string only. Can your family and friends guess what you built?

Morphology is a great new twist on Pictionary and it's fun for the entire family! We received a copy of Morphology from Morphology Games to review and we've had a great time seeing everyone's creative interpretations of the cards they draw. Butterflies are hard to make with only sticks and string! Morphology is so fun, that you may be able to actually pull your kids away from the TV or video games for a bit to join you in a game.You could even break out Morphology for a more "grown up" gathering, I have a feeling things may get a little more creative after an adult beverage or two!

Morphology has won numerous awards including : 

• Top Ten Game to Help Get a Party Started - ChicagoTribune
• #2 Toy of the Year - TIMES Top Ten Toys
• 2011 Game of the Year - Timberdoodle Co

How to Purchase

Morphology would make a great gift for anyone on your holiday list this year and is available at Barnes and Nobel and Amazon.com for just $29.99.

How to Win

I'm really excited to announce that Morphology is our sponsor for The One Stop Christmas Hop! They'll be offering one Lucky Life Unexpected: Adventures of a SAHM a chance to win their own copy of Morphology to help get the party started at their home! Just check back November 29 - December 6th for your chance to win!

I received one or more of the above mentioned products in exchange for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post and my opinion was not influenced in any way. Please see our Disclosure policy for more information.

Merry Little Christmas Cyber Monday Giveaway Event

Hi, and Welcome to the Merry Little Christmas Cyber Monday Giveaway Event! I'm so excited to be hosting my first ever giveaway hop, and I'd like to thank the great ladies who have joined up with me (especially those last minute additions)! Take some time to visit all of the wonderful blogs that have joined us and enter to great giveaways valued at $25 or more that they have to offer you!

Here on Life Unexpected, we have two prize packages to give away. That's right, we'll have 2 winners! Special thanks goes to our Amazing sponsors, Kristina Johnson, Scentsy Independent Director and Howard B. Wigglebottom Books for offering these great giveaways! Make Sure to check out our Sponsor Spotlights to find out about the great products or sponsors have to offer!

Prize #1 - Something for the Adults

Your choice of full size Scentsy Warmer and 3 wax bars a $49 value!

 

Prize Pack #2 - Something for the Kids

Scentsy Buddy with Scent Pak & Autographed Howard B. WiggleBottom Book

How to Enter

This giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over. Please enter using the Rafflecoper below, only entries in the Rafflecopter will be counted. All entries will be verified. Good Luck!