B1G1 at Disney Store + Free Shipping!

Disney Store has a GREAT “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” sale going on - and you get free shipping with the coupon code FREESHIP on any order. The sale includes stuffed animals, PJs, princess costumes and more that you can mix & match among the 250 items included in this sale.

Loving the Phineas and Ferb talking figures AND the Perry the Platypus Plush doll - too cute! We're also big fans of Toy Story, so the Buzz Lightyear and Woody PJs would be a big hit in our house! Score some great deals for Christmas - can't beat it with free shipping!!! AND you can get 7% cash back just by going through Shop at Home. Sure to make some little ones smile BIG! Happy Shopping!

Yay for Winners!

Time to announce the winner of the $35 credit to CSN Stores:

Congratulations to:

Rich and Mallory!

Rich and Mallory said...

I would love to buy this bedding set for my husband and Me!

http://www.csnstores.com/Pointhaven-8PC-HANNAH-PHN1003.html

Thank you to everyone who entered!! Be sure to enter the Build-A-Bear Giveaway and watch for another giveaway to pop up soon!

Build-A-Bear Giveaway!

Build-a-Bear is such a fun concept! Great for creative play, parties and just a day out with mom! Today only Build-a-Bear has FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders - no minimum - so it's a great day to finish up some shopping with them!! AND if you go through Ebates you can get 4.5% back on your purchases - so you'll get a better deal today by shopping online rather than going in store. They have some great deals on their Frosty the Snowman - $15 when you enter code 95647 at checkout - and their Beary Merry Teddy is only $5 when you spend $30 - what a great, inexpensive Christmas gift!!

Champagne Wisdom is giving away a $10 gift card for Build-a-Bear! AND I'll include a $10 off $30 coupon, so you could actually get $30 worth of products for only $10!! OR - you could always just spend the $10 on a free outfit, pair of shoes, etc. for your favorite furry friend!

Simply leave a comment below and tell me your favorite Christmas tradition! Get an extra entry for following, subscribing by email or feed, sharing this giveaway on facebook or twitter and for leaving a comment on a non-giveaway post. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. Giveaway will end 12/16 and the winner will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond. Thanks for reading along at Champagne Wisdom!

CSN Stores Giveaway!

So have you heard of CSN Stores?? If you haven't, where have you been?! CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything and everything you need whether it be a chic handbag, TV tables or even cute cookware in bright colors! You will seriously LOVE shopping with them - especially for Christmas! The great thing about CSN Stores, other than the great quality and unbelievable selection is that most items ship FREE! You just can't beat it for quality, selection and price. Not to mention, you can find classic items as well as items that are unique in selection.

I recently made several purchases with them in an attempt to tackle my son's Christmas list! I purchased a cute submarine play set AND an on-so-comfy looking bean bag chair that will be GREAT for relaxing and playing his Nintendo DS. I can't wait for him to see what Santa brings this year!!

Oh, and I have to admit, I've ordered something for myself as well...a Farberware Non-stick Skillet...which is truly THE BEST skillet I have ever owned!!

As you can see, there is something for everyone at CSN Stores. And lucky for you, the kind folks behind the scenes are giving one of my readers a chance to win a $35 credit to use anyway you'd like!! You can get what's on your wish list - or anyone's wish list for that matter!

All you have to do to enter is visit www.csnstores.com and tell me what you would spend your $35 on...and get an extra entry for leaving a separate comment telling me who this will be for...you, a family member, a friend?

Here are several ways to gain more entries, please leave a separate comment for each:
*Follow Champagne Wisdom via Google Friend Connect (3 entries)
*Follow my Reading for Kids blog, The Need 2 Read (3 entries)
*Sign up for email updates (10 entries)
*Follow me via twitter
*Tweet this giveaway (2 entries) - You can use the following:

Win $35 to CSN Stores from Champagne Wisdom! http://tiny.cc/31jeu

*Leave a comment on any other non-giveaway post (up to 5)
*Leave a comment telling me what you've purchased from CSN Stores in the past!
*Make a $1 donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Click the button below)and get 10 extra entries! Be sure to leave 10 separate comments!

Giveaway will end 12/12 and winner will be contacted via email and given 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thanks and good luck!

Get 4 Zhu Zhu Pets at CVS for $5 TOTAL!

CVS has a GREAT deal on Zhu Zhu pets this week, including the Kung Zhu Hamsters. If you have a little one who is Zhu Zhu crazy, like mine, then you'll definitely want to take advantage of this deal for Christmas!! I just went to CVS and purchased 4 Zhu Zhu Pets + 2 battle armors for $15 total - that's $2.50 a piece!! Here's what you can do to get yours:

*CVS has all Zhu Zhu pets and accessories on sale this week for B1G1 free (9.88 each).

*Go here to enter your email and print a coupon for B2G1 free.

*Go here to print a $5 off $30 purchase ($30 before your coupons - so you CAN use it)

*And as always, if you have any extra care bucks, you can use those towards your purchase. I bought 3 fridge packs of Coke/Sprite for $10 and got $3 ECB as my first, separate purchase. Then, I turned around and applied those $3 ECB toward my Zhu Zhu Pet purchase.

Use both coupons above and without any extra care bucks, you can still score 4 Zhu Zhu or Kung Zhu Pets for $4.88 before tax!!! That's a GREAT deal!

Happy shopping! I know this purchase will make one little man in my life VERY happy. Now, if I could just find a deal on the Battle Arena! ;)

FREE Santa Video!

This looks like so much fun - and it's free!! I can't wait to go try it out! You can create your own free personalized Santa Video for your kids! Just upload a photo of you and your child. Santa will then "receive" a letter from you in the video. When he opens the letter, it’s about your child (according to a few questions you've answered for personalization) ...and their photo appears in a magical 3D card! You can even select your child’s name from the list and Santa will say it in the video, plus he’ll talk about what your child has accomplished this year and what they want for Christmas. What a great freebie!!

Just go here to start making your video!

Thanks to Chi-Town Cheapskate for posting this great Christmas freebie!!

Where I've Been...

I so love blogging, but I was MIA for awhile...I actually had to cancel a giveaway event and I just kind of went away without warning...Now I'm back and while I won't be blogging AS often as before, I still plan to venture to my blog often to offer up some great deals, fun giveaways and little "mom" tidbits as I live and learn...but I thought I would post a picture to let you know "where I've been" and what has been consuming my time... :)



Since I so often post about my son, "The Short One", who happens to be madly in love with his new sister, I guess I'll have to refer to her as "The Wee One". Hehehe. Looking forward to all the laughter and joy she has to add to our family...

PaperJamz and Another Chance to Win!

I'm SO wanting to get the PaperJamz guitar, drums and amplifier set for my son for Christmas!! I know...I'm crazy!! If you haven't heard of PaperJamz and you have a son or a little boy in the family to buy for this year, you need to check it out! Also, check out this information on opportunities to WIN from Rayovan, PaperJamz and Mommy Goggles:

Rayovac wants to power your holidays with fun new contest. To enter, just visit the Mom Rocks the Holidays with Rayovac contest tab on Facebook, like them and tell them how you or your mom makes the holidays rock for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash! There will be 3 Grand Prize winners and 20 Runner Up winners will take home a Paper Jamz guitar, amp, drum kit, guitar strap, and two Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs of batteries.

Also, be sure to visit Mommy Goggles Moms Rock the Holidays with Rayovac & Paper Jamz Giveaway where you can win 1 of 5 Mom Rocks the Holiday prize packs that include a $50 Visa Gift Card, Paper Jamz guitar and Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 pack of batteries.

Disclosure – Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.

Giveaways Galore!

I'm ALL about entering giveaways - it pays off!! But...you can't win, if you don't enter! There are some great giveaways floating around in the blogosphere right now...especially with Christmas quickly approaching! I'm going to try to highlight some of my favorites throughout the month and I would love for you to do the same! And always, if you win - let me know!! Winning is fun - and I would love to know that you won on a giveaway you found through Champagne Wisdom.

Currently...here's one of my favorite giveaways, ending December 9th:

Over at Mommy Mandy you can enter her Los Angeles Auto Show giveaway and win $750 in gift cards!! Here's what the lucky winner will receive:

* One $200 gas card
* One $200 Visa gift card
* One $300 Lowe’s gift card (to get started on making over your garage!)
* Eco Car Care Kit ($49.99)

I don't know about you, but those gift cards would sure come in handy in the Champagne Household!! Just go here to enter! Wishing you love and luck...

Shutterfly - Great Christmas Gifts!

Merry Blossoms Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Just a little early "Merry Christmas" to everyone and a reminder to check in with Shutterfly for great deals and specials throughout the holiday season. They often have specials and free deals throughout the holidays. Photo collages, calendars, books and ornaments make GREAT Christmas gifts!! If you aren't already signed up with Shutterfly, you can do so here and get free prints! Here's wishing you a joyous holiday season filled with happiness, laughter, good health and great deals!!

Target's Daily Deal: 2 Pair of Jeans for $13 Shipped!!

Target is offering Daily Deals and WOW...today's deal is AWESOME!! You can get two pair of Mossimo Supply Co. women's/junior's jeans for $13 total SHIPPED!! Remember...this deal is good today only and I'm sure sizes will go fast, so hurry on over to take advantage of this deal. AND if you go through Ebates, you can get 3% cash back - even better!! I'm super excited about this deal because I still have a good bit of baby weight to lose, so 2 pair of jeans that actually FIT at a little over $6 a piece is a steal!!

Here's what you need to do...add two pair of jeans to your shopping cart - when you go to check out it will show you free shipping and then credit your account for $5 - the second pair of jeans is 50% off...use coupon code UZXPI33P to save an additional 10% off…ONLY $6.50 each!

To go through Ebates and get 3% back, go here, search for Target and start shopping!

To go straight to the daily deal, go here. Happy Shopping!!

Pop Tart Rewards

Did you know you can earn all kinds of rewards from Pop Tarts JUST by eating Pop Tarts?? From free photo prints and movie tickets to free music downloads...but my favorite is MORE free Pop Tarts! Just by entering the codes from the inside of your Pop Tarts boxes, you can earn two free boxes after entering 5 codes...pretty good if you're like us and eat Pop Tarts regardless! The trick is, you have to enter codes for five different flavors. However, we all like different flavors in our family, so there's usually 2-3 boxes in our pantry at all times. Just go to the Pick Your Rewards page to start earning!

Photo Fave!

I absolutely HAVE to find a contest to enter this picture in...it's just priceless!! Check out how happy my son and his cousins were to participate in two hours of pictures before the wedding in which they were flower girls/ring bearer. Too cute...

Merry Christmas from Game Stop and Today's Mama!

Okay...so I haven't been here in a looong while, but I've had SO much going on, my son started Kindergarten, I took on extra responsibilities at work and I had a new baby!! Ms. Pootie Pants, as her daddy calls her...lol, was born on November 5th. Welcome to the family Pootie Pants!!

I'll admit, while I'm not going to be able to blog to the extent I was blogging before, I am going to try my best to add some posts here and there - after all, I LOVE BLOGGING! And it plays a role in keeping me sane... :)

Today, what better way to get started back than to tell you about an AMAZING giveaway from Gamestop and Today's Mama... you're DEFINITELY going to want to check this out!! Look at my wish list below and create your own wish list on YOUR blog...who knows...one of us might be the lucky winner!!

Here's wishing you and yours and VERY happy Thanksgiving...

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme:

TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
I wish for a happy, healthy and joyous Christmas as we celebrate our first Christmas as a family of four. I wish that we would forever be grateful for what we have, where we have been and what we have become while remembering those less fortunate who could benefit from our prayers and good deeds. Ultimately, I wish that as we celebrate, we would remember and instill in our children the TRUE meaning of Christmas...our Savior, Jesus Christ.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
We always get up and see what Santa has brought, then cook a big breakfast for my parents, brother and grandparents...they come over to eat and see Santa's stash! It's always fun to get together early in the morning before the festivities of the day really begin!

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
A new wardrobe!!! Ha! Since I'm two weeks out from having a baby, NOTHING fits...and going back to work full time in January just can't be done naked...hehehe. :)

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
Homemade decorations with my five year old son, reading books together and Bible stories, singing carols, going to look at Christmas lights, making Christmas lists, visiting local Christmas celebrations - so much to do as a family!

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
I had the very first, basic Nintendo - haha! We were also fans of childhood games such as Sorry, Candy Land, Operation, Life and Go Fish.

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
Our Christmas morning breakfast, which used to be at my mom's, now is at my house.

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
Would LOVE to go to New York to see the lights - I've never been to New York!!

8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
Definitely an XBox 360 console for my son - and the Kinect is a must! He wants one SO bad!! Second on the list would be the game Kinectimals...he thinks that's the coolest thing ever when he sees it advertise, and third would be some games for my brother, brother in law and cousins for their gaming consoles for Christmas...would love to be able to get them some games, which we usually can't afford as Christmas gifts. Here's crossing my fingers for that lucky gift card!! :)

Old Navy Giveaway - Hurry, Hurry!!

GREAT chances to win a $50 off $100 Old Navy coupon over at Laughing Lindsay - she's giving away 10 of them!! Hurry though, the giveaway ends at midnight tonight. I don't know about you, but I could definitely put one of those to good use!! Just visit Lindsay's giveaway here!

Good Luck!!

My Favorite Giveaways

Here are a few favorite giveaways I've found around the Internet today...I've entered, why don't you??

Old Barn Rescue Wall Graphics for Your Home

Nuddle - Blanket of Hollywood

Clog Outlet Giveaway - win some CUTE shoes!

Crave Laptop Backpack and Compaq Mini Netbook!
Ends tonight!

Win 1 of 3 $25 Home Depot Gift Cards

Free Bible

Joe Gibbs' official website, Game Plan for Life, is offering a free Bible - no strings attached! Just go here and ask for yours!

Given his unique rise to the top of two different sports NFL Football and NASCAR racing, Coach Gibbs is often asked to speak and share his personal testimony with crowds. Men especially want to know what it takes to be “successful” and “relevant.” The Game Plan helps men to find true success and relevance in their own lives. However, it is less about Joe, than it is about who men are, why they were created and what they can really do with their lives.

Serving others through Christian ministry has always been close to Joe Gibbs' heart and in 1986 he helped found Youth for Tomorrow, a residential youth home, private school, and counseling center for at-risk teenage girls and boys in the Washington metropolitan area. More than 800 young people have been touched by the center.

Obsessed with Snuggies

The Short One is a walking infomercial for Snuggies. I promise he is. You know, those things that are like blankets with sleeves? Seriously...what happened to just wrapping a blanket around you? I'm not knocking them, I just don't really understand the concept. All I know is, my son wants one. He wants one bad. He's four, why does he want a Snuggie? He has asked for it time and time again for his upcoming birthday. I mean, easy gift...I saw them on clearance at a Target about an hour away for $12...it's just the fact that...is that REALLY what you want or are the infomercials brainwashing you? On the way home today he told me that he wanted Snuggies for himself AND for the dog. Uh - the 140lb dog?! He said, "Yes, mama, we can both get a Snuggie AND we'll get a pair of socks with it...did you know that? Did you know that you can take your Snuggie ANYwhere?? In the car, to the movies, anywhere!"... is my four year old son seriously buttering me up for a SNUGGIE??? He just told me they were SO good I could put him to sleep in it. And that he would take the color "rockin' blue". Oh my...I mustn't fail him. In search of Snuggies, here I go...

Children's Place: Great Deals and FREE SHIPPING!

Children's Place has always been one of my favorite places to shop for my little one. I usually get his Easter outfits there and I always take advantage of their sales! Right now they have some GREAT deals and free shipping through tomorrow, 2/26! If you scroll down to the bottom of their page you can take advantage of their Winter Blast sale - clothing from $2.99!! They also have their knit tops on sale for $5 - you can't beat it! Use promo code FSFEB2010 to get your free shipping...and still better yet?? Go through Ebates and get 3% cash back! I SO love great deals!

Hurry, hurry! Sizes will go FAST at these great prices!

Easy Roast for Busy Nights

This is my all time favorite, SIMPLE slow cooker roast recipe. I love it for those nights filled with school events, t-ball practice, soccer and the works! It's great to come home and have a dinner that's home "cooked" and waiting on you. You can use a shoulder roast or rump roast, whichever you prefer - both work great. I usually put my roast in the crock pot the night before, place it in the refrigerator and pull it out the next morning before I leave for work - that way I just have to turn it on and go!

1 roast
1 packet Au Jus Gravy
1 c. water
Onion, carrots, potatoes (optional)

Place the roast in your crock pot, pour one cup water over the roast and sprinkle one packet of Au Jus Gravy mix over the roast. Cook the roast on low heat for 8-10 hours. If you prefer onions, carrots and/or potatoes with your roast, you can add these to the crock pot and allow to cook all day as well. I usually get everything mixed up and in the crock pot, set it in the refrigerator the night before and take it out and begin cooking it before I leave for work the next morning. The Au Jus makes for a great flavor and after a day of work and after school activities - it's nice to come home to a cooked meal and a great smelling house!

Want an easy cornbread to make with it? I have a great recipe from my mom...easy and YUMMY!

2 c. buttermilk
2 c. Cornmeal mix
1 tbsp. oil
1 egg

Mix all ingredients well, pour into a well greased iron skillet. Cook at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes until dark brown and golden. Enjoy!

The Short One Goes for a Ride

I got a phone call at work today. My husband. "When you see D's hand, I want you to know what happened. I caught him, but his hand is sliced open"...always great to start a conversation like that...So it seems while my husband had his hands full of boxes to ship at the post office, on his way to load The Short One into the car for preschool, he pressed the button to open the garage door and The Short One grabbed onto the handle of the door - you know, the one you can use to open it manually if it isn't working. Well, believe it or not, it took him all the way to the top of the garage, feet dangling about my husband's car, eyes as big as his head (I'm told). Needless to say, the boxes were tossed as my husband darted under my son to catch him...he was afraid to stay, afraid to let go...but finally my husband coaxed him into letting go and he caught him, but his hand was cut on the way down. Now, that I've seen his hand and know that he's okay, I find it comical, picturing him dangling there...because he wasn't hurt - but he could have been! I very seriously doubt he will do it again. My husband said he tries most mornings to grab the handle and I suppose with my husband's hands full of boxes, he saw an opening...a fun ride. Little did he know it would take him all the way up so quickly, to the "tippy top" as he told me when I got home this afternoon. Want me to be honest? Now...the more I think about it, the harder I laugh. ;) So, if you have a little guy, watch out for that handle on the garage door...it may appear "enticing"...

Free ADT Pet Alert Window Cling

ADT is currently offering a free Pet Alert Window Cling.

One of the hallmarks of responsible dog ownership is keeping pets safe and planning for unexpected emergencies. As part of this public awareness campaign we are pleased to distribute ADT pet alert ‘window clings’.

My in-laws recently lost their home and the entirety of their belongings in a house fire. While we always hope and pray it won't happen to us, you just never know. This is a great way to alert the fire department in case of a fire - especially if you're not home and your pets ARE, which was the case for my mother-in-law. They lost four dogs in their fire. If you have pets, this is a wonderful freebie!

Get your ADT Pet Alert Cling here.

Free Photo Book for Troops!

Here's a GREAT freebie for those loved ones overseas. You can send a free photo book to anyone with an APO/FPO or MPO mailing address! The photo book will be a 5x7, 20 page soft cover album and will hold 50-60 photos. The USO even pays for the shipping! It’s a $17 value, ABSOLUTELY FREE. It's designed to be lightweight and fit neatly into fatigue cargo pockets and is a great way to share memories of home with those far away. What a cool freebie!

If you want faster shipping or additional pages, you CAN request both of those things for additional charges - but up to 20 pages with economy shipping is ABSOLUTELY FREE! Loving it!

Just fill in your information here and your Coupon Code will appear on the next page. You will also receive a copy of the code in an email confirmation for your records if you wish to use it at a later time.

The number of photo books being given away is limited, so hurry on over!

Thank you USO and Rocketlife - VERY cool!

Public or Private School - THAT is the Question!

Let's debate for a moment...public or private school? My son will begin kindergarten next year and I'm having a VERY difficult time deciding where to send him. You would think it would be an easy decision since I work for a public school, but alas...that makes my decision more difficult! If I take him to school with me, he would have to leave between 6:15 and 6:30 each morning...and not get home until 4:30. It would make for a long day and he wouldn't even be with me - I work in a 3rd-5th grade school. He would be at the K-2 school which is on campus, but still not the same building. It would enable me to be close for school events, parties and field trips...but make it difficult to return at night and on weekends for special school events, programs, sports and birthday parties. If I send him to the public school directly across the street from my home, he would get to "sleep in", but I don't know much about the teachers there and he would still have to be in an after school program until I could pick him up in the afternoon. Not to mention our school calendars are different - he would have spring break during a different week, different weather days and start/finish days.

We HAVE looked into several private schools, one we "like" another we LOVE. However, the one we love is rather pricey. I'm not even sure we could do it. Their schooling is phenomenal and their ratio is between 5:1 and 5:8 - AMAZING! Their graduate rate and scholarship rate is out of this world and the extra curriculars are great. It's down town from where we live and my husband could drop him off there in the mornings, but he would still be in after school. The private school we could afford has a better Bible program, but not a great ratio (better than public school) and their Math program STINKS. I can say this because I taught it for years and I'm not sure I could actually PAY someone to teach it to my child. It will remain nameless so as not to step on any toes. ;)

After talking to LOTS of friends and family members, I get mixed feedback. From someone who taught in private schools for years, sent her child and now teaches in a public school...she says "don't waste your money". From another who sent one child to public and one child to private - two schools I'm actually looking at - she says the difference between her two children and their experiences is AMAZING and she wishes she had sent them both to private school. From yet another, I was told she removed her child from private school because it was no better than the public school down the road. From yet another, his children graduated from the "better" of the private schools and one is now an attorney, another is at a Fine Dance Academy in New York. What to do, what to do?? The stories and advice go on...

And so my husband says, and I believe, if it is God's will, he will make a way and provide - which I believe. The problem I am having is differentiating between what I want and what GOD wants...I need Him to write it across my forehead! AND to make things more difficult, schools begin registering next month...and private schools will fill up quickly... HELP!!

I would love to hear your stories and advice...at this point, I keep wavering and honestly...I don't know what I'm going to do. I just want what's best for my son...and...I would LOVE to hear your opinions.

So the question is...public...or private?

A Giveaway from Made by Meegz

I found one of my all time favorite Etsy Shops recently...Made by Meegz! Since my husband bought me a new camera for Christmas, it has become one of my FAVORITE things to do - take pictures!! I'm so glad I found Made by Meegz! Megan is one stylish designer and I'm in love with her camera straps! Trust me, no matter WHAT kind of camera you own, Megan has something for YOU! Make your camera yours, spot it in a crowd, put a Made by Meegz strap on your camera and it will set you apart - in your own world of style!

Megan's SLR camera straps are a fun addition to any camera. "Depending on your height, photographers can wear the shorter (32 inch) strap around their neck or shoulder and the longer strap(38 inch) around their body for less stress on the neck and back."

Made by Meegz is the home and creator of the "super functional Quick Release strap. This strap is great to take off to switch to another strap depending on your mood & location. They are also great to get rid of that annoying strap when shooting on a tripod. Finally, you can just take off the strap all together and clip the two ends of the nylon webbing together to carry your SLR with a small handle. You can't go wrong with the QUICK RELEASE STRAP"...there are just so many great accessories to pick from at Made by Meegz!

The good part? You never have to worry about the safety of your camera: The nylon webbing on these straps has been tested at 600 pounds. The fabric strap and plastic has been tested at 100 pounds. Sounds pretty sturdy to me!

Megan takes custom orders, so if you can think it, she can create it! You can also find wrist straps, lanyards and key chains at Made by Meegz!

I recently asked Megan to tell us a bit more about her shop. Here's what she had to say:

What is the inspiration behind your Etsy Shop?
The kids are growing up so I have more time now -- gives me "purpose" as a SAHM -- and I am REALLY enjoying sewing.

Also(as printed on my sidebar of www.madebymeegz.com):I'm so excited to have this new site. I have always stayed at home to take care of our kids and even though it's been what I want to do, I've always felt like I was missing something.

This site is helping me to have the best of both worlds. I made a camera strap for a photog friends birthday earlier this year, she loved it, and the camera straps have just blossomed from there.

I'm loving designing and creating unique straps for YOU!

What is your favorite item in the shop?
Any reversible strap -- TWO in ONE!

What is your most popular strap?
Garden with Style and Splash of Red

Thanks, Megan!

Megan is giving away ONE item of your choice to a very lucky Champagne Wisdom reader - yay!!

How to enter:
Just leave a comment below telling us what you will pick from Made by Meegz if you're the lucky winner!

Want extra entries? We've got them! Get one extra entry for each thing you do below - be sure to leave a separate comment for each:
*Follow Champagne Wisdom
*Subscribe via email to Champagne Wisdom (3 entries)
*Follow Chmampagne Wisdom and Made by Meegz on twitter and tweet this giveaway - leave the link. You can do this daily.
*Tell Megan another type of fabric or design you would love to see in her shop.
*Follow Made by Meegz on Facebook
*Visit the Made by Meegz website and tell me something else you learned
*Grab a button - either Champagne Wisdom's button, the Made by Meegz button on her website, or both! TWO entries per button!
*Enter any of the giveaways over at 2 Little Muffins and let me know which one

This giveaway will end at 9:00pm central time...March 7th. Be sure to leave your email address in your comments or have it available in your blogger account. Thanks and good luck!

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to:

amweeks

You're the winner of the $25 EcoStore USA Gift Certificate - yay!! Be sure to respond to my email with your shipping information so I can forward it along to the company.

Remember...lots of giveaways are coming up soon!! Be on the lookout!

A New Animal Group Via The Short One

So we're reading a book last night about animals. Each page has a category of animals with various animals on the page. For example, one page was Safari Animals: Zebra, Elephant, etc. The next page was Farm Animals: Cow, Pig, Horse, etc. Each page had about 10 animals on it and some of them were rather difficult...predators, types of birds, but...The Short One was doing pretty well...until...

We got to the "Animals as Pets" page...and I thought, this will be the easiest page yet! After all, we've already gone through all the baby animal names, Lemur, Bobcat, Puffin...we've got this pet thing DOWN. Well, as I pointed to the animal, he named it..."Cat, Dog, Goldfish, Ferret"...he even got ferret?! Then I point to the Gerbil. And what does he say??

Zhu Zhu Pet!!

Aaahhh...confusion...thanks to the lovely and rather wealthy creators of the much loved Zhu Zhu Pets...lol

Free Shipping and $5 off at Oriental Trading

Oriental Trading Co. has a great deal going on right now - especially if you need to purchase some supplies for an upcoming birthday or event! You can use promo code ACFEB10 to get FREE SHIPPING AND $5 off your purchase (of $49 or more)! Not too shabby being that their shipping is usually at least $10!

Remember...you can log in through Ebates and get 2.5% back! Every little bit adds up...I have a "big fat check" from them on the way now - yahoo!

Free Pizza Winner!

Congratulations to LAURA...for winning the free DiGiorno's Pizza. THANK YOU to each of you who voted for my educational grant - I appreciate each of your votes! Laura, I've sent you an email. The coupon will expire soon, so be sure to respond ASAP. Congratulations!

Something BIG is Coming!

I am soooo excited to announce an upcoming giveaway event featuring Etsy shops that give back! I have a fabulous line up of shops and the list is still growing - you DEFINITELY won't want to miss it! Giving to charity - whether it be for medical research, children, education or animals...is so important. This upcoming giveaway event will be an Easter celebration of THE perfect gift - celebrating Easter and its meaning through shops and individuals who give their gift of time and proceeds to worthy charities. The event will begin around the middle of March - be sure to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the multitude of giveaways coming up as these shop owners bless you with their stories of giving and offer items from their shops for Champagne Wisdom readers.

I can't wait!

Disney: $6 Tees for Kids!

Disney has a GREAT deal right now! As their deal of the day, they're offering ALL FOUR PAGES of their kid's t-shirts for $6!!

These would be GREAT to stock up on for birthday gifts or just to order a few for the Disney fan in YOUR family. You can't beat the price! You can also go through Ebates for 5% cash back - great deal!!

Go here to order your Disney T-shirts!

Free Phone Call from Princess Tiana

How fun! You can get a free phone call from Disney Star, Princess Tiana...from The Princess and the Frog. We LOVED this movie! Even though I have a son, my husband is from the Louisiana Bayou, so it was fun to watch this together as a family and help The Short One "connect" with his roots!

Make a special little girl's day with this magical phone call. Just go here to register with Disney Movie Rewards. Then, you'll be brought to a rewards page where you'll need to click on "Free Phone Calls". Enter your information again and the next screen will give you an area in the upper right-hand corner where you can enter a promo code. Enter GUMBO and you'll then receive a confirmation and an email with details about setting up your phone call. A few steps, but worth it for the smile it's sure to bring after hearing Princess Tiana's voice!

Thanks to todaysfreebies.com for listing this fun freebie.

Free Tide Sample Plus More!

P&G is currently offering a free sample of Tide with Febreeze. When you login or register on their site, you'll also have the option to get a Pampers Cruisers sample and several high dollar coupons for dog and cat food, Olay and Tide Stain Release. I LOVE these laundry samples because they are PERFECT for traveling and stashing in your suitcase AND they almost always come with a coupon - a sample here and there adds up to savings in your pocket!

Go here for your free samples and coupons.

Free Card from Hallmark

Just saw this great offer from Hallmark in my inbox...

Get 1 free Kids Card in store at Hallmark, select from 9 designs now through 3/14 (valued at 1.99)...great for a teacher or to stash away for those unexpected birthday parties!!