The Baby Year Event

Mom Powered Media 

Proudly Presents The Baby Year Event!

Here's what one lucky person will win:

 A year's worth of diapers! 

We all know how expensive diapers can be and this prize will save parents money that they can to put other necessities or whatever they want. Even using coupons or getting them from Amazon, diapers have a pretty hefty price tag, so this prize is sure to help!

To sweeten this giveaway...

Infantino Lil Lion's Happy Hangout Gym

The winner will also receive the Infantino Lil Lion's Happy Hangout Gym, which has a super soft mat with unique textures. It is for babies between 0 to 5 months. This gym includes five detachable activity toys and musical peek a boo mirror.

Hosted by: Mom to Bed by 8| Powered by Mom| Real Mom Reviews
and Baby Costcutters

Giveaway ends September 20th at 11:59 P.M..
 Open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+.

To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Philosopher's Wife is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.  

7 Quick Takes

1.  My poor baby isn't feeling well.  It makes me feel so helpless!  Yesterday, and most of today, has been spent cuddling on the couch.

2.  The crochet hook that I am using to make the hat with the yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts disappeared under the couch for most of yesterday.  Since Catherine was resting there I decided to leave it for a while.  So I did the only logical thing to do, I started a new crochet project with a different hook!

3.  I am hosting a giveaway for a Custom Dyed Skein of Yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts!

4.  While writing these quick takes, my daughter woke up and I decided to take her temperature.  Gee, I wish I had a "fancy" thermometer--like this one.  (Sadly, she is still feverish.)

Simple & Traditional 

5.  I dislike not having a "traditional" mailbox.  If I want to mail something I either have to walk to the big blue mailbox (admittedly not far nor difficult) or catch the mailman as he's delivering my mail.  I do like that our mailman is super nice and that I can hand him packages less than a pound to mail out!  (This is great for Etsy & Ebay stuff!)  Growing up we had a traditional mailbox, although it was removed from the house quite a bit, but until I lived here I didn't know how convenient that little red flag actually was!  What type of mailbox do you have?  How far away is it?  Do you have to go far to mail something?

6.  Does anyone follow the Cake Wrecks blog?  I often find it hilarious--and sad.  Some of my favorites are the "What the Bride Ordered vs. What She Got" posts (like this one, or this one, or this one) .  I feel terrible for the bride, but hope that since it was submitted to CW she is able to find the humor in the situation.  But wow, just wow!  I am by no means a cake decorator, but I certainly could do better than a lot of those "professional" decorators!

7.  For anyone that's wondering, I had a gorgeous cake at my wedding!  (Wow, over six years ago...)

I need to upload some more wedding pictures someday,
but this is one that I have on this computer. 

Check out more Quick Takes at Jen's blog, Conversion Diary.

Besides the above yarn giveaway, 

I have a couple of others!  Check them out!

WIPS

Work In Progress

This week I'm making a hat.  I decided to use my beautiful Merino Wool yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts to make a lightweight hat perfect for fall.  I will be writing a review about my experience using this yarn.  I'll give you a quick sneak peak: it's been a wonderful experience! 

Also, I am hosting a giveaway, where one of my lucky readers can win a custom dyed skein of yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts! Go {here} to enter!

If you're interested, last week's  Beaded Crochet Bracelets turned out pretty well!  

I will be linking up at the following:

Yarn Along with GinnyFrontier Dreams with NicoleWork In Progress with TamiWhat You Doing Wednesday with SueTuesday's Tallies with Carole

Custom Dyed Yarn Giveaway

This is the yarn that I received!

I am super excited to be hosting this giveaway!  You might have noticed that I really, really, really enjoy crocheting so it logically follows that I get excited by yarn.  High quality yarn can make me giddy.  Fangrrl Fiber Arts provided me with a skein to review and is providing a CUSTOM DYED YARN for the winner of this giveaway!

You can read all about my experiences using this yarn {here}.

She has many beautiful yarns (and roving!) in her shop.  Here are some of my favorites:

"Disney Villains"

"Megaman"

"Sylvanas" 

"Sid & Nancy"

Aren't these wonderful?  And would you love to have some new yarn?

Enter below, the Rafflecopter form might need a minute to load.

USA only.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beaded Crochet Wrap Bracelets

I gave a teaser of my Beaded Crochet Wrap Bracelets last week in my WIPS post.  (That's Works In Progress if you didn't know!)  I am happy to report that I've finished a few and am pretty happy with how they turned out!

This was my first time to incorporate beads in a crochet project and I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was!  Basically, to use beads you string all of the beads that you are going to use before you begin crocheting.  I worked a little bit of Elmer's glue into the end of the yarn until it was stiff and pointy and then end was a "needle" to make stringing easier.  Then I just worked my crochet chain as normal, and whenever I wanted to add a bead I just slid it up the yarn and worked it into my stitch.  (So, in a nutshell: 1) string beads 2) crochet as normal adding a bead when you want. Super easy peasy!)

This silvery grey bamboo yarn looks great with the clear glass seed beads.  It did take a bit of patience to string all of the tiny seed beads onto the yarn!  The beads add a bit of subtle sparkle and glam.  I also made a similar bracelet using the same yarn but gorgeous reddish-orange beads.

Now available for purchase! 

You can purchase this one at my Etsy Shop!
Well, not anymore, someone already did!

On my Multi-Colored Bead Wrap Bracelet I love how the glass beads "pop" out.  They are eye-catching and super fun!

I also made one non-wrap bracelet.  I once again used the silvery grey yarn, but this time I used green aventurine beads.  

I will be making more of these--both for myself and to sell in my shop!  They are just so much fun to make and to wear!

I am hosting a giveaway for a custom dyed skein of yarn!

I love linking up at parties!  

You can check my button page or follow any these links to see where I link up each week!

Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Making Monday Marvelous, A Round Tuit, Make it Yourself Monday, I Made It! Monday, Craftastic Link Party,  Craft-O-Maniac, What's In the Gunny Sack?, Make it Great, Take a Look Tuesday, Mix it up Monday!, Terrific Tuesdays, One Project at a Time, Cowgirl Up, Show Me What You Got, Will Craft for..., Your Whims Wednesday, What We Wore, Made, and Read, Tip Toe Thru Tuesday, What I Whipped Up, Made By Me, Time for a Party, It's a Party!, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Show Off Your Stuff, A Crafty Soiree, Hookin Up with HoH, Creative Juice Thursday, Commercial Break Thursday, Catch a Glimpse, DIY Diva, Things I've Done,  Chic & Crafty, Friday Favs Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Fun Party, Financial Friday, I {Heart} Fridays, Creative Bloggers Party, 

$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

The Philosopher's Wife is excited to bring you an other awesome giveaway!

Welcome to the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Sponsored by RewardIt.

In just three months, RewardIt has made over 100 people winners. They are looking forward to launching their full site very soon so that they can make even more people winners. RewardIt will allow users to earn virtual currency called Reward$ just by searching the web, playing games, watching videos, redeeming coupons and much more!

So, what would you do with the gift card if you won?  Would you treat yourself to a Kindle?  Or get something a little more mundane such as diapers? With an Amazon gift card the possibilities are vast, I mean you could even get a kitchen sink!  Or will you save the gift card for your Christmas shopping?

Enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card.

Open to the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on September 2nd, 2012.

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Bloggers, join a group giveaway event like this one! Sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by Giveaway Promote. If you'd like to hear about all group giveaway and hop events open for blogger sign-ups, subscribe to Giveaway Promote's weekly group giveaway events and hops newsletter.

The Philosopher's Wife is not responsible for prize shipment.

7 Quick Takes Friday

ONE

Catherine and I will be quite sad when the pool closes.  We have just over a week left.  This week has been very quiet at the pool--a couple of toddler swim times we were the only people in the pool!  

TWO

Here is another picture from the pool!  

THREE

I shared a photo on my Facebook Page of the awesome yarn I received from Fangrrl Fiber Arts.  

FOUR

St. Rose of Lima's feast day was this week.  She is my confirmation saint.  The first book I read and learned all about her was this one. 

FIVE

I am feeling completely unmotivated to get up and wash the dishes.  Someday, I WILL have a dishwasher.  (Even if it's just a cute little ponytailed girl with a bucket!)

 SIX

I took a super short -- four question -- what's-your-temperament quiz earlier today.  I'm sure you've seen them: if you answered mostly A's then you're phlegmatic, etc.  Well, I honestly answered A, B, C, & D once apiece.  So what does that make me?

SEVEN

I added one of my beaded crochet wrap bracelets to my Etsy shop!  

Check out more 7 Quick Takes!

PS: Do you like giveaways?  Then check out my Giveaways!

Blogger Opportunity

Are you a blogger looking to get into the giveaway world?  Then you should check out this opportunity!


  Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, Diva Fabulosa and Simply Shawn & Jenn are bringing you an awesome FREE Blogger Opportunity! They will be giving away $200, in their Have it your way event! How will this work? Whatever the winner wants, the winner will get! Kindle Fire, PayPal Cash, Amazing, Wal-Mart, Target! Who cares, they get just what they want! Blogger get FREE Facebook link with the option to purchase additional links! Jenn's Blah Blah Blog had a giveaway just like this called the Sizzling Summer Giveaway that was fabulous, so were going to bring it back over and over and over again! This time Simply Shawn & Jenn has decided to join in the fun to celebrate reaching over 10K fans! About the event

• Prize: Whatever you want up to $200 (shipping included) Do you want a Kindle Fire? Maybe an iPod, hummm maybe gift card to Target, oh wait Paypal cash? We don't care we want you to have it your way! So let the games begin, and let's have some fun with this one!
• Event will run from Sept 20th until Oct 20th.
• Free Facebook
• Additional likes $2
• Daily Votes $3
• Co-host spots $10. (with this you will receive your blog mentioned all blogs posts, FREE Facebook, and FREE Twitter! If you choose this please be sure to add your links in the assigned spots on the form below)

You can sign up for this event, HERE

Wordless Wednesday--A Ponytailed Girl and Her Bucket

WIPS

Works In Progress

This week I decided to try my hand at crocheting with beads.  I am making a few different bracelets.

(Of course, I'm still working on the capelet and the afghan!)

Have you ever worked beads into a crochet project?  How did it turn out?

I will be linking up at the following:

Yarn Along with Ginny

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami
What You Doing Wednesday with Sue
Tuesday's Tallies with Carole

Perky Jerky Review

Do you want an all natural, low calorie, high protein AND energizing snack?

Then you should try Perky Jerky. 

(Sorry, if you're vegetarian, I can't really help you today.)

This awesome jerky is the genius result of a happy accident.  You can read all about it here, but in a nutshell some guys were hanging out, something spilled, someone ate it, and it was good.

I was very excited to receive six small (1 oz) packages of this ultra premium jerky to review--three each of the beef and turkey.  My husband, being the bigger jerky lover of the two of us, was also very excited about this opportunity!


Nutritionally speaking, these are pretty great!  The Turkey Perky Jerky only has 50 calories per 1 oz package and the beef only has 90--which is great for a snack! Personally, I love that there are no preservatives or nitrates.  I'm not a heath nut by any means, but it is kind of scary all of the extra "junk" that is in the typical American diet.

We only had one extremely minor complaint (if you can call it that): one of our packages of Turkey Perky Jerky had significantly less flavor than the others.  Don't get me wrong, it was still good--just less flavorful.

(Just curious, how many times can you say Turkey Perky Jerky fast without messing up?  I made it to five.)

Jerky is just a great snack to have around.  It doesn't take up much space and it weighs so little!  It's perfect to toss in a purse or diaper bag.  Or if you don't have either of those it fits into a pocket pretty well, too!  It makes fantastic traveling food because its no mess and no fuss.

You can order your own Perky Jerky at their website.  They have a variety of size options.  You can buy a 1 oz package for $2.99 or get a 12 pack of 2.2 oz packages for $59.88.  If you really want to show your love for Perky Jerky you can buy a Perky Jerky T-Shirt or baseball cap.  Of course the ultimate fan of Perky Jerky will get the JerkMan Suit.  (Seriously, this is too funny!  You have to check it out!)

While you're at it, you should check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Delicious Pizza Braid

Tara, from Tales of a Trophy Wife, recently shared a family recipe for Chicken Parmesan Braid on her blog.  When I saw it I immediately knew that I'd have to try this recipe out!  True to my style, I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but as she said, it's highly versatile!

My kitchen table is my work-space since I have almost no counter space.  

Tara's tutorial on how to make this is fantastic, so head over there for the recipe!  I do have one note on the recipe, I had a very difficult time incorporating all of the flour.  You might be able to see a bit of flour still in my measuring cup above that never did get worked in--and I probably could have left a tiny bit out of the dough as well. 

The colors are so pretty!

The toppings that I used were fresh tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella, and an Italian blend of cheeses.  I added more cheese after I took this picture--I really do love cheese!

This picture was taken immediately after it came out of the over.  It smelled so good!

It looked very pretty when it came out of the oven.  It's so much fancier than our traditional calzone or stromboli.  Apparently I didn't pinch the end of the braid together quite enough and it did separate a little bit.  Per the recipe, I brushed it with with egg for the final baking minute or two, but I think that next time I might try melted butter.

The leftovers were also delicious!  

And yes, I will be making this again!  I think that next time I might try a bbq chicken version.

You can find the buttons for all of the awesome parties I like to link up to on this page.  But here's the text link to each place that I am sharing at this week:

Just Something I Whipped Up, Made by You Mondays, Making Monday Marvelous, More the Merrier Monday,  A Round Tuit, Make it Yourself Monday,  Mix it up Monday, Live, Love Laugh, Creative Bloggers Party & Hop, I Made it Monday, Craftastic Monday Link Pary, Craft-O-Manic Monday, What's In the Gunny Sack?, Make it Great Monday, Show Me What You've Got, Terrific Tuesdays, Craft and Tell, Handmade Tuesdays, TOO Cute Tuesday, Cowgirl Up,  Will Craft for Fun, Wow Me Wednesday, We Did It! Wednesday, Your Whims Wednesday, Show & Share, What We Read, Wore, and Made, What I Whipped Up, Made By Me, Bloom, Friday Fun Party, Hookin' Up with the HoH,  Catch a Glimpse   

$40 Amazon Card Giveaway

It's time for another Amazon gift card giveaway!  

Gift cards from Amazon are the best, because you can get just about anything that you want...or need!

Books, diapers, clothes, tools, toys, one of the best games ever, it's all there!

Mama Papa Barn is pleased to offer this giveaway thanks to our sponsor, UniqueVanities.com.

UniqueVanities.com is a unique e-boutique that prides itself on not only have the largest selection of individual and truly unique bathroom vanities and fixtures, but also the best client experience available on the web. We strive, with each client, to return to the sales process of the "five and dime," where not only did associates know you by name, but they were genuinely interested in helping you find the perfect item for your project--whether you bought from them or not.

 A huge thanks to my co-hosts: 

Mom to Grandma ¤ There's a Contest for That ¤ Mama's Mission

As Mom Sees It ¤ Chant3llo's Blog ¤ The Giveaway Gals

Oh! My Heartsie ¤ Military Wives Saving ¤ Search With Vonnie ¤ Live Laugh Love to Shop

Open to entrants Worldwide! All entries will be verified.
Ends September 7, 2012

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from  yours. The Philosopher's Wife is not responsible for sponsor prize fulfillment.  

Baby Party Giveaway

Check out my other giveaways!

This event is hosted by Pregnancy Forum and Joys Of Life.

Joys Of Life has teamed up with many of her amazing blogger friends to bring you and awesome event where you can have a chance to win fabulous prizes!

Prizes are:

Britax B-Agile Baby Stroller

Bedding 10 Piece Crib Set

Clear Blue Digital Ovulation Tests

One lucky winner will win all three of the above prizes!

This event is open world-wide. You must be 18+ to enter the giveaway. Once the event is over, a winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be contacted via email and will be asked to follow all the instructions required as well as to the mandatory requirement to comment on the winner announcement post to confirm they have been shipped the prize and they can comment back once their prizes have arrived. Failing to follow the instructions may cause the delay of prize. The winner is required to answer the email within 48 hours - no reply from the winner then another winner will be chosen at random. So, keep out an eye on your emails and check your spams too once the event is over.

Give the Rafflecopter a moment to load. 

Don't forget, the more entries you complete the greater your chance of winning! 

Good luck everyone !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Philosopher's Wife is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

PS: You might have seen this giveaway advertised with different dates, and yes, the event was supposed to start August 12th, but for various reasons it was delayed.