I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. Yesterday’s launch was HUGE. (Amazon ran out of printed books!) And we hit a #1 bestsellers list and top 5 in two other bestsellers lists!!! Whooo hooo!!!

TheSuburbanMom is now officially a bestselling author! (Check out the book on Amazon.)

You know I love to give things away… so I am going to giveaway 2 copies of my bestselling book to two TheSuburbanMom readers. Who wants a copy of a bestselling book about success?

You do? Great, I will make this one super easy. All you have to do to enter to win a copy is to subscribe to my newsletter. That’s it subscribe and leave a comment telling me you are a subscriber. (Oh, and if you want to say something nice, I am not apposed to that either )

Two winners, one week, go!

Giveaway ends August 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm.

Chocolate lovers listen up, this post is for you! I just ate the yummiest chocolate and best of all, it was totally customized to my taste – so, of course, it was awesome! My chocolate bar was dark chocolate with almonds, cashews, coconut flakes, peanut butter drops and Oreo pieces.

Are you drooling yet?

Then listen up Chocomize is the new way to order chocolate your way. You begin your journey at Chocomize by selecting your base; milk, white or dark. From there you can add up to five scrumptious toppings of your choosing from a HUGE selection of nuts & seeds, fruits, herbs & spices, candy, decorations and more. By my count, there are 100 toppings to choose from. Here are a few of the toppings that really impressed me as unique:

• Organic nuts
• Goji berries (look them up, they are really good for you and taste yummy too)
• Mini Chipotles
• Lavender
• Pop Rocks
• 24 Kt Gold Flakes
• Crystallized Rose Petals
• Ground Coffee

Using the handy-dandy creation station, you create your bar. Just how you want it. If you are looking for a unique wedding favor, you can even have an edible photo added to your bar.

Alright so the design is cool, but how do they taste. Yummmmmmmmm. As you can see from the picture above, my husband dug right into his bar before I got around to taking photos! (His bar creation; dark chocolate, macadamia nits, coconut flakes, sour cherries, blueberries and coffee beans.)

Plus, I was very impressed with shipping. They came in a box, inside a bubble mailer with 2 ice packs. While they sat on my doorstep in the HOT Florida heat for a couple of hours before I found them they were NOT melted!

In case you are curious about the third bar in the picture it is; dark chocolate, roasted sunflower seeds, cinnamon, cranberries, pistachios and mini pretzels!

Buy it – Chocomize is offering TheSuburbanMom readers a very special coupon code – just for reading this post! Enter “suburbmom” at check out for 10% off your order!!!

Win it – Want to win your own bars? Chocomize is giving one TheSuburbanMom reader 3 chocolate bars to customize.

Mandatory Entry – To win, visit Chocomize and tell me how you would design one of your bars.

Additional entries:

• Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
• Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter (@SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Enter to #win 3 custom Chocomize chocolate bars from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @ http://wp.me/pQHaE-16o”
• Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
• Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
• Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends August 11, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Discloser – I received three chocolate bars from Chocomize in exchange for hosting this review and giveaway and three bars are being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Congrats to Mommy2Bears for winning tickets to take her crew to see Storytime Live at the Bob Carr. Thanks to everyone who entered. If you still want to get tickets, check out this post for discount ticket info.

Mommy2Bears has been notified by email, and as always, winners have 72 hours to respond with contact information or new winners will be chosen. Thanks to everyone who entered, the more you enter, the more I can offer great giveaways.

Alright, admit it – who gets overly excited about school supplies? ME! Seriously, I might have a problem. I can’t go down a supply aisle without an urge to buy pens! I love a nice pen, especially rollerballs!

So when Zebra offered to send me its new 2010 line including 2 packs of rollerballs, I was all over it. Now I am in pen heaven. LOL. I received three packs of pens and a package of mechanical pencils. Here’s the skinny on Zebra’s new line.

Regal Roller – Hello nice pen! I just love the way these pens glide over the page and the rich colors. The Regal line comes in both an arrow and needle point, my personal preference is the arrow (thicker) point – they are just so nice and smooth. Now I am not turning my back on the needle point, they are also nice, I just really like the arrow. Available in eight colors - Black, Blue, Red, Green, Pink, Light Blue, Orange and Brown.

Daisies – The Daisies Pens are a fun, whimsical line of ball point pens. Uber cute and girly with a floral design, perfect for a teen or mom who likes funky colors. They are really nice ball-point, click pens that come in Fuchsia, Violet, Teal, Light Green and Orange. I have to say that I was a little disappointed with the green pen, it is a weeny pea green that didn’t excite me, but the rest of the colors rock! These will be my new go-to pens for birthday cards.

Cadoozels – I don’t use pencils. Frankly, I can’t remember the last time I used a pencil, but man are these cute for kids! In bright colors with kids patterns like space, hand prints, sports, ice cream and art I don’t see these becoming the next office staple, but they would be great for a teacher. Since no one in our house uses pencils, I left these new in package to donate to out back to school drive (although I was tempted to keep them until my two year old needs them – I also have pack-rat issues!).

Whether you are back to school shopping for the kiddos or just looking at pens for yourself, check out Zebra Pens. I like them, and you will too.

But it - You can find Zebra Pens at all major office supply stores, Kmart, Walmart and more national and local chains.

Win it - One lucky TheSuburbanMom reader will win their own back-to-school pack just like mine. (That’s 13 pens and 10 pencils!)

Mandatory Entry – To enter, tell me are a pen or pencil kind of writer?

***NEW BONUS ENTRY - Get 2 extra entires for voting for my daughter’s picture in the Funrise bubble pic contest Bubbles = JOY~ (no email required — just click and fill in the caption!)  Leave 2 comments telling me you voted!****

Additional entries:

• Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
• Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter (@SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Enter to #win a back to school pack from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @ http://wp.me/pQHaE-12b”
• Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom AND Zebra Pens on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
• Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
• Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends August 4, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure – I received products mention above for review and an identical set is being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Growing up, Friday night = pizza night, and pizza night = movie night. Now that I have a little girl of my own, it’s still Friday night, pizza night and movie night. In fact, tell my daughter it’s Friday and ask her what’s for dinner and she will tell you pizza!

Although most evenings our movies consist of colorful cartoons, I am all about checking out today’s family movies. I am nostalgic, I like a good-wholesome family movie. So, even if she’s too young to be interested in the movie, I’ll watch it by myself.

The newest family-night movie on NBC airs this Friday, July 16 at 8/7c. The Jensen Project is brought to you by P&G and Walmart and features a family tangled up in a science fiction plot. Check out a sneak peek:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtFIN61kSqs

And Idol fans will be excited to learn that Brooke White appears on the soundtrack.

Win it – In addition to curling up with your family on the couch to watch The Jensen Project on Friday night, one lucky TheSuburbanMom reader will win The Jensen Project on DVD and soundtrack.

Mandatory Entry – To enter, tell me your family’s favorite movie.

***NEW BONUS ENTRY - Get 2 extra entires for voting for my daughter’s picture in the Funrise bubble pic contest Bubbles = JOY~ (no email required — just click and fill in the caption!)  Leave 2 comments telling me you voted!****

Additional entries:

• Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
• Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter (   @SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Enter to #win a family movie pack from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @ http://ow.ly/2ax8P”
• Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
• Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
• Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends July 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Discloser – I received The Jensen Project DVD and soundtrack  from P&G and Walmart in exchange for hosting this giveaway and the DVD/soundtrack are being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

My daughter takes after her mama and dada – she loves TV. I know some of my friends say their kids won’t sit still long enough to watch something, not my daughter – she get’s transfixed. So, I am always on the hunt for new age-appropriate shows for her to watch. I am happy to announce that I have found two more DVDs to add to her rotation that are cute, age-appropriate and educational – yippie!

DVD 1 -Dive Olly Dive: Under Pressure

With five adventures included on the DVD (approx 12 mins each) there is lots of fun to be had with Olly, the talking submarine, and his pals. Olly and is friends join together to help clean up the ocean (an underlying theme in all adventures) while tackling problems such as asking permission before taking things, helping a friend and more. Of course, I love the underlying “green” theme It has a cute “Chuggington” feeling to me, which is to say the talking subs are like little trainees still learning their jobs, and the people talk to them and train them as if it is normal to talk to machines. A little goofy for adults, but my daughter loved it, and it grows on ya. Very colorful and attractive animation too.

DVD 2 – Word World: Pirate Sheep

Four mini adventures on this DVD run approx 15 minutes each plus bonus songs and behind the scenes. My daughter loves to sing “yo-ho, yo-ho a pirate’s life for me.” So when I told her we were going to watch a pirate cartoon, she was so excited! And when the main character said “yo-ho,” she was hooked. I didn’t know what to expect with this cartoon, but I was quickly impressed with how all of the characters and objects were actually created out of words. SO CLEAVER! I could see this being a great DVD to watch once she starts reading. The sheep character looks a little like a pill bug to me, but Superhero Sheep was my favorite cartoon in the series – the word creation is really cool in this one. My daughter was also a big fan of Word World, of course, it doesn’t hurt that they sang songs too.

Buy it – Dive Olly Dive and Word World are both available from N Circle on Amazon (retail $12.99 each).  (Check out all of their other adventures too.)

Win it – One lucky TheSuburbanMom reader will win both DVDs to enjoy with their pre-schoolers.

Mandatory Entry – To enter, tell me your little one’s current favorite DVD.

***NEW BONUS ENTRY - Get 2 extra entires for voting for my daughter’s picture in the Funrise bubble pic contest Bubbles = JOY~ (no email required — just click and fill in the caption!)  Leave 2 comments telling me you voted!****

Additional entries:

• Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
• Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter (  @SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Enter to #win 2 DVDs for your pre-schooler from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @ http://ow.ly/2ax8P”
• Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
• Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
• Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends July 27, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Discloser – I was provided the DVDs mentioned in this post for review and the DVDs are being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Whether you are two or 92, there is something wonderfully captivating about a live-stage performance. I am especially a fan of musicals, which is why I got so excited when I learned Storytime Live! is coming to the Bob Carr in August. Storytime Live!

“From the producers of Dora Live and Backyardigans Live, comes a brand new show! Nickelodeon presents its newest, biggest, most exciting live show ever – STORYTIME LIVE! Come play along with your favorite preschool pals live on stage. Leap into Fairytale Land with “Dora the Explorer,” journey through Filthingham with “The Backyardigans,” hop into Wonderland with “Wonder Pets!,” and join the Monkey King’s celebration with “Ni Hao, Kai-lan.” Hosted by Moose and Zee, Nickelodeon’s musical adventure, STORYTIME LIVE features four of the top-rated preschool shows on television today and is sure to be the hit live show you and your family have been waiting for!”

Doesn’t that sound like so much fun? Even though my daughter isn’t (yet) familiar with all of the characters listed, I know she will be enchanted. Plus, this will be her first show at the Bob Carr! (Mommy is very excited to share this experience with her little girl, can you tell?!)

Buy it – Storytime Live! is currently traveling around the country. You can find out more about shows in your area on the Storytime Live! website. For my local pals, the Orlando shows will be August 4 at 4 & 7 pm and August 5 at 10:30 am and 7 pm.

Win it – And guess what? I have a family 4 pack of tickets for one lucky TheSuburbanMom reader for the August 4 at 4 pm show. (Note, these tickets are ONLY good for the August 4 at 4 pm show at the Bob Carr in Orlando, FL.)

Mandatory Entry – To enter, tell me what character your kids will be most excited to see at Storytime Live!

***NEW BONUS ENTRY - Get 2 extra entires for voting for my daughter’s picture in the Funrise bubble pic contest Bubbles = JOY~ (no email required — just click and fill in the caption!)  Leave 2 comments telling me you voted!****

Additional entries:

• Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
• Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter ( @SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Orlando Moms – Enter to #win 4 tix to Storytime Live! from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @ http://wp.me/pQHaE-Wv”
• Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
• Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
• Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends July 26, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to those who will be in Orlando, FL on August 4. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Discloser – I was provided with a pair of tickets to see the show and the 4 pack of tickets is being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Congrats winners!

Justine won the Gazillion Bubbles Machine – your kids will get a kick out of this!

Ashley R won the WeeRide Kangaroo Bike Seat – you will love riding with your little one in this!

Winners have been notified by email, and as always, winners have 72 hours to respond with contact information or new winners will be chosen. Thanks to everyone who entered, the more you enter, the more I can offer great giveaways.

PS – Please vote for my daughter’s photo. You do NOT have to provide an email or anything – just click the link and fill in the capture thing to prove you are a person – that’s it! It takes 5 secs! Thanks in advance.

I do a lot of things very well, but I can’t cook (or bake). This is evident in the results of my muffins that I forgot in the over the other day for an extra 10 mins… oh yes, it was smoke that reminded me. Lovely!

So, for those of us who are cooking challenged… or maybe just challenged for time, Pillsbury and Sam’s Club have a yummy solution. Pre-made brownies!!! Just open the box, ice, slice and server. My kind of cooking! LOL

With a taste as delicious and authentic as if you baked them at home, Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are a blend of 3 types of cocoas with real chocolate syrup and milk chocolate chunks to make a delicious fudgy brownie-they´re the perfect solution when you´re pressed for time. Add personal flair to these already-baked brownies with your own decorations, frosting, caramel or powdered sugar! With a straight-out-of-the-oven flavor without the time or clean-up, Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are a great treat for any occasion!

If you are planning a special celebration for the 4th of July holiday, these might be just what you need to simplify your meal prep!

Extra benefit — these brownies come with 6 Bonus Box Tops for Education! Yeay!

Buy it -Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are only available at Sam’s Club.

Win it – One lucky TheSuburbanMom reader will win their very own Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies pack including a brownie container to carry you treats to a special event, 2 cans of frosting, a frosting kit and a $25 gift card to Sam’s to Buy your brownies! (Note, you don’t have to be a Sam’s Club member to win, but you do have to be a Sam’s Club member to redeem the gift card at Sam’s.)

Mandatory Entry – Subscribe to my newsletter – you must confirm your registration. This way you won’t miss any giveaways, deals, stories, etc!

***Double BONUS ENTRY - Get 2 extra entires for voting for my daughter’s picture in the Funrise bubble pic contest Bubbles = JOY~ (no email required — just click and fill in the caption!)  Leave 2 comments telling me you voted!****

Additional entries:

• Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter ( @SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Enter to #win a $25 Sam’s GC and Brownie Pack from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @ http://wp.me/pQHaE-Qn”
• Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
• Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
• Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends July 12, 2010 at 5 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Discloser – I was provided a a Pillsbury prize pack to review for this post and an identical pack is being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.