Helzberg Heroes Celebrates Soldiers and Their Families

by Malia on October 28th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

There’s nothing quite as special as a gift of jewelry from the heart, whether it’s a tiny diamond ring paid for by working overtime every Friday night for a year or a hand designed custom piece. The last time my husband deployed I saved up and bought him a watch that he’s been wanting for years. It was great to be able to give him a gift after what he had to go through and in celebration of how much he was able to help the people he advised. He wears that watch daily. (I however am still waiting for my diamond ring for everything I went through, hint, hint.)

Helzberg Diamonds understands that soldiers and their families make a lot of sacrifices, including spending time far away from those they love the most. More than 30 years ago, Helzberg sent soldiers serving in Southeast Asia “I Am Loved” buttons to show their support. I find this support especially moving in a time when an unpopular war resulted in solders not always being shown the love and respect they deserved. In recognition of Veterans Day on November 11, Helzberg Diamond’s wants to again show active duty soldiers, veterans and their families they are loved and appreciated for their service to our country, this time with a little more bling!

Helzberg Heroes

Today, Helzberg is excited to launch a special military program, Helzberg Heroes, which will celebrate soldiers and their families with two special offers:

  • $10,000 Helzberg Diamonds Shopping Spree – The Helzberg Heroes contest asks military and their families to share their best “I Am Loved” stories. These stories can showcase those special moments of how your community supports your hero or how your solider expresses his love for his family while deployed. Then, Helzberg will show its love to the best “I am Loved” story by awarding one $10,000 shopping spree winner in December.
  • Special Military discount - Military members who show a valid military ID will receive a special discount when they visit Helzberg stores, November 1-28.

To enter the Helzberg Heroes Contest, visit www.helzbergheroes.com. Active duty, reservists, retired military and families can share their special “I Am Loved” stories at www.hezbergheroes.com. The entry deadline is November 28, 2011, or after the first 500 submissions is received. Helzberg will select and announce the $10,000 Shopping Spree winner in early December.

The winner will receive a Helzberg Diamonds’ gift card for a $10,000 shopping spree redeemable at any Helzberg Diamonds retail store in the United States.  Note, the gift card cannot be used for purchases from Helzberg Diamonds’ online store (but it’s more fun to try jewelry on anyway, right?).

Happy Fourth of July

by Kate on July 4th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

I hope you all had a wonderful fourth of July! It’s been a weird day since we’ve only been in our new home for 3 days and don’t really know anyone yet. We planned to go to the town fireworks, but it’s been raining most of the evening so the kids are tucked in bed like it’s any old night.

Despite the fact that we had nothing festive planned, I did dress the kids for the occasion. And, unlike last year when I could not get a good picture of the two of them to save my life I managed to get a couple keepers. Enjoy!

Happy 4th!

Support the Troops with Taste of Home's Flag Cake Recipe

by Kate on June 23rd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

Oprah has featured the topic. Martha Stewart has featured the topic. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden continue to work diligently on this issue. Here at The Shopping Mama, some of us live it. What is “it?”

Supporting Our Troops and Their Families

Many high profile celebrities are encouraging Americans to support our troops. Time and time again, the question is HOW?

Here’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to help our troops and their families in the two weeks leading up to the July 4th holiday: Simply visit the new Taste of Home Flag Cake Recipe and the magazine will donate 10 cents to the USO for each unique visitor up to $100,000!

Did you click yet?

It’s okay…I’ll wait.

I’m patient because each click provides a two-minute phone call home for a current service member working overseas. In addition to clicking on the Taste of Home Flag Cake Recipe, you can make additional donations directly to the USO. Every $1 raised provides 20 minutes of talk time for service members. And while $1, 2 minutes and 20 minutes are all measurable, the emotional impact of hearing a loved one’s voice is immeasurable.

Now that you’ve clicked, share this information on your Facebook page, email your friends and family, talk about it at work. Get others to click as well. Remember, it’s unique visitors through the Independence Day holiday that help donations grow, so tell as many people as you can about this fabulous flag cake recipe.

In addition to supporting our troops, you’re getting a terrific holiday-themed recipe that will outshine the fireworks on the 4th of July!

Finding The Silver Lining

by Kate on May 22nd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

In times of great sadness it can be hard to find anything positive. But, in this – probably the most difficult time of my life – I am clinging to the goodness. The silver lining in the horrible cloud that is this year.

Here’s how I see it: If my husband had not received a one year deployment, the kids and I would not have moved to Ohio.

If we had not moved to Ohio, we would not have enjoyed the benefits of living a mile from grandparents and extended family. My kids would not have gotten to really know their grandfather with the luxury of weekly dinners and unplanned visits. I would not have been able to comfort and cry with my family when we learned my father had leukemia. I would not have been able to tell my father “I love you” moments before he passed away last Wednesday.

I am going to cling to the silver lining – that I was and am here. It’s all that is comforting at the moment.

Well, the silver lining and the rainbow.

The day my father left the cancer hospital for hospice care my sister and I were driving home, depressed, and we saw a rainbow. There wasn’t a rain drop in sight but we saw a big, beautiful rainbow. Tonight, five and  a half weeks after turning to hospice care, four days after he passed away, this was in the sky:

Shake Hands with a Hero

by Kate on May 6th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

Thank you to Procter & Gamble, Kroger and the USO for sponsoring this blog post and the Shake Hands With A Hero initiative. Please click here to learn more about this program. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

***

When we said “Good bye” to my husband last fall at the airport, he wasn’t wearing a uniform.

When the kids ran into his arms to welcome him home for a few weeks, he wasn’t wearing a uniform.

Because he was not deploying with a unit (rather to fill a job) and he was leaving and arriving on a commercial airline he wore “civilian” clothes. And, frankly, it really bothered me.

In October, as we walked teary eyed through the terminal, I wanted everyone to turn to my husband and express their gratitude, tell him to return safely. I wanted strangers to turn to my kids and me and say, “Hang in there.”

When we celebrated his brief homecoming, I wanted folks to pat my husband on the back and say, “Welcome home.” But they didn’t. Without a uniform there was no way for strangers to know with certainty who in the world my husband is or what he does. And, certainly no way for anyone to know that my kids and I are supporting him at home.

The point is that there are SO MANY heroes (military spouses, children, etc) that don’t wear a uniform and don’t stand out that when you have the chance to say “Thanks” and show gratitude to heroes, take advantage of it. If you see someone wearing a uniform in the airport, say “Thanks.” If you see a woman wearing a blue star family pin, say “We support you.” And, if you’re given the opportunity to Shake Hands with a Hero, do it.

Read on to see how you can virtually Shake Hands with a Hero and support the USO – an organization that has provided support to me and my family throughout the years.

Shake Hands with a Hero

Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Kroger and its family of stores have partnered together to support the USO – an organization that provides an extensive range of programs at more than 150 centers in 27 countries and at hundreds of entertainment events each year to support the morale, welfare, social and entertainment needs of troops and their families, free of charge – in its mission to help American troops and their families. Through the partnership Kroger will donate $250,000 to the USO.

As part of the partnership Kroger and P&G have created an opportunity to let consumers virtually “shake hands with a hero” – the proper custom to show your gratitude to US soldiers in uniform to thank them for their service to our country. The first 50,000 people who utilize the application at www.honoringourheroes.com to shake a soldier’s hand will receive a coupon (loaded to their Kroger Plus Card) for $1 off P&G products.

Spring in Small Spaces: Challenge & Giveaway

by Kate on April 8th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Spring Into Spring

I’m the first to admit I have been rather lazy and apathetic about fixing up our current home. From the moment we moved in, I knew the house was temporary and we’re now mere months from our next move. The only drapes hanging are in the kids rooms to help them sleep better. The front porch still boasts my “fall display” despite the fact that it’s April. Whether you’re renting an apartment or living in your forever home, there are always small changes you can make around your home to update and freshen a space.

I’m happy to be a part of the Apartment Guide Spring in Small Spaces Challenge. And, my oh my, does my front entry need it?!

Blogger Challenge

The folks at Apartment Guide have challenged me to make small changes for with a big impact. Here’s the total blah that people see when approaching my front door.

Oh, wait. It does have a splash of color. Fall color that I put there in October. And, there’s also that ragged “welcome” mat that says anything but “Welcome.”

I already have the ingredients for an amazing update and can’t wait to get to work. I will post updated photos and details next week. But, in the meantime, here’s a hint of what’s coming.

Spring in Your Space -  Tips for Every Home

I was surprised to learn that the Apartment Guide website has more than an awesome tool to search apartments for rent. Indeed, Apartment Guide has an array of spring décor and lifestyle ideas and tips for people in any sized home. Here are some articles relevant to the season on Apartment Guide.

Apartment Guide wants to help you spring in your space. In addition to the great tips on the site, you can win a fun spring theme gift pack!

Win! A Spring Themed Gift Pack valued at $100.

Prize details: The gift pack contains a variety of spring-themed items including an ice bucket, a solar lantern, tablecloth and napkins, picture frames and a serving tray. The colors and patterns may vary for each winning pack.

How to Enter: Let me know what space in your home you’d like to upgrade this spring.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

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Giveaway ends April 22. Open to US residents only.

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Spring in Small Spaces” Blogger Challenge. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used for the “Spring in Small Spaces” Blogger Challenge. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Just Jen Custom T-Shirts with a Little Bling Review + Giveaway

by Kate on March 28th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Clothes, For Mama, Reviews

Just Jen is an amazing resource for blinged out custom shirts – for mamas, girls and babies alike. The rhinestone t-shirts are custom made so they’re perfect for bride shirts, maternity shirts or to announce that that sweet little bald headed baby is, in fact, a girl. Check out my custom tee and enter to win your own.

Custom Rhinestone Tee

When I was given the opportunity to review a Just Jen tee, I knew immediately what I wanted: a yellow ribbon t-shirt. As we all know, the yellow ribbon represents support for our troops – an issue near to my heart because my husband is deployed. While Just Jen doesn’t have a specific yellow ribbon tee for sale, they have the opportunity to design your own t-shirt with text or symbols. The process is super easy – you pick what you’d like to customize. In addition to t-shirts, you can bling hoodies, sweatpants, aprons, caps and even lingerie. Next, you pick from a variety of fonts and then pick from more than 20 crystal colors.

Here’s the final product of my custom tee – a white long-sleeved tee shirt with a citrine colored crystal ribbon.

The shirt looks great! I realized it’s my first yellow ribbon paraphernalia. Now I’m all set – when I want to represent I have the best. I’ve washed the shirt several times – it is white and I have kids so of course I’ve washed it – and all the little rhinestones are still in place. Here’s a more detailed photo of the pretty ribbon.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Just Jen tees are great quality, the crystals are Swarovski, and the custom design turned out just as I wanted. This isn’t our first Just Jen review and all the nice things I said about my custom blog tee and my daughter’s name shirt still apply. (And, ZOMG, I looked so much thinner last spring… this deployment has not been kind to my waist Just Jen shirt line and my daughter was such a cute baby.)

Or Not to Buy… The shirts are a bit more expensive than your average tee shirt, but they are ideal for special occasions like a birthdays, wedding or, oh, husband deploying.

Shop! Custom tees from Just Jen start at $29.90, and my personalized version is $35.90. In addition to custom designs, check out the existing designs for women and girls.

Win! A Just Jen Shirt – Custom or Existing Design!

How to Enter: Visit Just Jen and check out the rhinestone tees. Leave a comment with what you’d like if you win.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends April 8. Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses.

Disclosure: Sample product and giveaway prize provided by Just Jen.

R&R Homecoming

by Kate on March 8th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

If you have been following on Facebook, then you know my husband arrived home last night! He’s here for two weeks on his mid-deployment “R & R” (rest and relaxation) leave. Enjoy some photos from our sweet little reunion.

Getting ready…

There he is!

Do you think she’s happy to see her dad?

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