Peter Rabbit Organics {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Laura!}

I like to think that my kids are pretty good eaters.

In fact, when we're having lunch with our friends in our play group and one of the other adults has brought something to share, we all always get a laugh that my girls are pretty much the first ones to volunteer. Do they ever turn down foods? They'll ask me. I just shrug and smile.

In truth though, even with the variety of foods (both healthy and... not-so-healthy) that my kids enjoy, I do still wonder if they are getting enough of the good stuff. Fruits aren't too difficult, but veggies? Those seem to turn into a discussion or battle if I attempt to put anything but their few favorites on their plates.

So, when I found out that Peter Rabbit Organics had introduced a new line of veggie blends to their puree pouches, I was interested to see if they would be the innovative way that I needed to expand my kids' diets in a fun way.

Having been first introduced to Peter Rabbit Organics a few years ago with their organic fruit snacks and knowing how much Big Sister E had enjoyed them, I already had an idea that she and Little Sister B would be excited about the concept of the veggie blends.

By taking pure, organic fruits such as strawberries and bananas and turning them into a thick, smooth puree in an extremely convenient BPA-free pouch (with no added sugar or preservatives), having Peter Rabbit Organics on hand had been great for at home or on the go.

But I have to admit, I did wonder if the mix of Sweet Potato, Corn and Apple; Pea, Spinach and Apple; and Carrot, Squash and Apple would be as big of a hit. Pureed spinach? My kids were going to eat that? I figured I'd just have to wait for them to arrive to see.

Similar to squeezable drink boxes, Peter Rabbit Organics pouches take safety into account by including a no-choke cap (removing the worry of giving them to little ones) and a 4.4-ounce size that makes it easy to get a large serving of vegetables in each one.

I love how easy these pouches are to hold in your hand (even for small hands) and that they are incredibly portable for tossing into a diaper bag, lunch box or purse and knowing that they won't break, spill or even require a spoon. Just open the top and treat it like a straw! With no refrigeration necessary, they're an extremely convenient way to include good nutrition just about anywhere.

But again, would my kids like the flavor? Because that was pretty much the deal-breaker on how handy these would really be to have. If they wouldn't eat them then it really wouldn't matter how healthy and convenient they were...

Big Sister E finished the Carrot, Squash and Apple mix nearly immediately and Little Sister B wasn't far behind with the Sweet Potato, Corn and Apple. They loved them! Even though we didn't have the need to close the pouches back up, I did really appreciate that Peter Rabbit Organics makes it possible to simply screw the cap back on and save the rest for later. No more wasted food!

After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two flavors we did encounter one problem with the Pea, Spinach and Apple blend - that we only had one! Both girls were so enamored with it that we ended up using spoons and squeezing the veggies out evenly between them.

Clearly my worries about my kids not wanting to eat pureed spinach were unnecessary, as they not only ate spoon after spoon of it, but then they each insisted that they have the chance to try to suck out any remaining drops still in the pouch.

Available on Amazon, these convenient pouches are a great way to include 100% organic vegetables and fruits (and nothing artificial) into kids' diets. If it takes being able to literally squeeze the nutrition, vitamins and wholesome additions in, that's fine with me!

Thanks to the generosity of Peter Rabbit Organics, one person will be able to see what the child in their life thinks of these tasty and healthy pouches as well, because...

One lucky person will receive a 12-pack (two of each of the six flavors) of fruit and vegetable pouches from Peter Rabbit Organics!

To enter to win: Visit Peter Rabbit Organics and tell me something that you learned about this company or their products.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Peter Rabbit Organics on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

#WIN a 12-pack of Peter Rabbit Organics fruit and vegetable puree pouches - kids love em! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/efroef #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 25th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Peter Rabbit Organics for providing their vegetable purees for me as well as a 12-pack of all the flavors for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Nutrisystem {Week 9}

It has already been nine weeks on Nutrisystem? Really?

As much as I have been enjoying the program for more than two months now, I haven't missed all of the talk in the media discussing the pros and cons of the program and its competitors. And it is a good question - with all of the various weight loss plans out there, how are you going to know which one is for you?

For me, I haven't personally tried many of the other big-name programs because I'm not into going to weekly meetings (when the heck would I do that?), counting calories or converting every morsel I eat into some point system, having to replace meals with shakes (okay, I have tried that. I was starving so I ended up eating while also drinking the shakes... which didn't help anything) or, most importantly, shelling out a small fortune to join.

Just take a look at the Nutrisystem vs Jenny Craig Cost Comparison, the difference is huge!
On top of the price, I know that my main weakness is my lack of will-power and that, when left to my own devices, I eat far-too-large portions of foods that might not be the most healthy choices. So by having a clear plan to follow and the food pretty much ready and waiting, it is no wonder that my Nutrisystem journey has been going as well as it has!

However, that doesn't mean that I'm not continually surprised (and pleased!) when I step on the scale. This morning was no exception when I saw...

Starting weight: Too much

Week 1: -3.0 lbs
Week 2: -3.0 lbs
Week 3: -1.0 lbs
Week 4: -1.4 lbs
Week 5: -1.0 lbs
Week 6: -0.8 lbs
Week 7: -0.8 lbs
Week 8: -1.4 lbs
Week 9: -1.0 lbs

Total loss: 13.4 lbs

Of course I was a little bit spoiled last week having lost more than a pound, but I'll still take it! Particularly because my awesome friend who made far too many yummy foods for Valentine's Day had us over for dinner last night and made an extremely tasty dinner and dessert that I couldn't help but enjoy.

But another pound gone is another pound gone and when I think that it was only nine weeks ago that the 13.4 pounds were still on my body... well, how can I not be thrilled? Remember, if you would like to see how you can lose weight and get healthy with me, visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689!

Want to hear how other awesome bloggers are doing? Head over and visit with Heather at Living on Love and Cents, Sara at "Deal"icious Mom, Heather at Our Kids Mom, Melissa at Sippy Cup Mom, Brett at Mama Loves Her Bargains and Kari at Shining 2 Save and cheer them on as well!

As a member of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program, Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me to review. However, all thoughts, opinions and results expressed are completely and honestly mine; your experience or feelings may differ.

Mega Bloks Domino Build Game {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Lloyd Family!}

Along with the great childhood memories I have of visiting our local library and filling up a crate with books to bring home and enjoy, I fondly remember many of the times that my family would sit down and play games together. Whether it was all of us on a Friday night or just my continuous attempts to thwart my older brother's winning ways, those were the days!

There's just something about the experience of spending quality time with friends or loved ones playing something entertaining, enjoyable and even educational that can be so much fun for everyone. So, as my own children get older, I want to be sure to set aside countless hours to play with them as well so that they can learn the value and appreciation for what makes a great game.

And what better way to start than one from a name that we already know and love, MEGA Brands, and their new Mega Bloks Domino Build Game.

Designed for ages 3 - 6, both boys and girls will have a blast learning colors, numbers, animals and matching while boosting their critical thinking and motor skills. Plus, as soon as I opened the box and saw the bright colors and adorable illustrations, I knew that both of my kids were going to be asking for this game again and again.

With the ability to be played with anywhere from two to four players, preparation and setup for the Mega Bloks Domino Build Game was nearly nonexistent, something that I appreciated with two kids who are always extremely eager to begin anything that looks like fun.

After we each selected which of the four animals we were each going to become - lion, elephant, giraffe or polar bear - we set the four Mega Bloks pieces of them nearby and prepared to begin.

In the past I've felt frustrated trying to explain the rules of some games to my kids and having them not really understand the concept. With Domino Build, however, that couldn't have been further from what happened - simply take turns trying to match one of your tiles to those that have already been played. And, when you do, build your animal one Mega Bloks block higher until you win (or, to take away hurt feelings, we play until everyone wins).

Not only did Big Sister E catch on immediately to how to play, she was clamoring to help encourage Little Sister B when it came to matching and laying down her tiles. The two of them were able to work together to figure out which cards could be laid in different places and how the game would turn out differently each time we started again.
And again. And again.

And again.

As the Mega Bloks Domino Build Game has been an instant favorite from the beginning, I'm not sure if it ever makes its way fully back into the box and onto the shelf. The girls love playing the actual game...

Or, as Little Sister B is still a bit on the young side for it, just building with the Mega Bloks. After all, they are Mega Bloks. And what kid can resist those?

Retailing for $10.99, this game is overall a great way to develop skills like patience, practice and determination through something fun and simple like the play and manipulation of the pieces. It has been a welcome addition to our collection and one that I know will continue to entertain as well as educate for years to come.

The Mega Bloks Domino Build Game can be found online on Amazon (with free shipping!) or at various retailers across North America. It makes a great gift for any young child, particularly those that are already fans of Mega Bloks!

Speaking of fans, if there is one who loves Mega Bloks in your life then you'll definitely want to check out the Mega Bloks Family Club. There you'll find things like offers, contests, promotions, a free email newsletter, an educational and informative blog, and even a printable coupon for $5 off any $30 or more Mega Bloks purchase. You'll never miss a Mega Bloks beat with this great new Family Club!

Thanks to the generosity of MEGA Brand, one person will be ready to enjoy matching, building, colors, shapes and more with the child in their life, because...

One lucky person will win a Mega Bloks Domino Build Game
from MEGA Brands!

To enter to win: Visit MEGA Brands and tell me the name of one of the high quality products offered there that the children in your life would love.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow MEGA Brands on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

#WIN the new Mega Bloks Domino Build Game - high quality educational fun from @MEGABrands! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/gJDvac #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email (must be confirmed) or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 25th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Mega Bloks and Team Mom for providing a Mega Bloks Domino Build Game for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Joining the No Call List

I hate telemarketing calls.

(Is there anyone who doesn't? Very social people, maybe? Or someone who is just really in the mood to talk to anyone?)

When the National Do Not Call Registry was formed, I was thrilled in assuming that it would eliminate the number of times my phone rings and I find someone wanting to discuss car loan refinance options or amazing magazine subscription discounts or some other deal that I'm just not going to want to miss.

But here's the thing. I'm not looking to refinance my car or buy the latest gadget that I've never heard of (as if I would purchase it sight unseen over the phone anyway) or even answer a telephone survey. I learned my lesson the hard way on that last one when I spent a full half an hour on the phone answering a survey once and always regretted having wasted that time.

So now that my phone number has been registered as one to NOT call, why do I continue to receive them? According to the National Do Not Call Registry, "calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted," which just makes me sigh a big sigh.

If I want to donate to charity, then I'm going to do it on my own terms. And if I cared about politics, then I would follow the news... and, in fact, the huge number of automated calls reminding me about such-and-such great candidate in the weeks leading up to any sort of election drive me even further away from caring. I'll make my own informed decision and vote for whomever I please, thank you very much.

Even with caller ID, I still can't just let the phone ring - it's a habit I can't break. But typically now I hang up as soon as there is that obligatory pause while a telemarketer's computer system kicks in. However, I'm thinking there has to be a better way. I have two certain someones who live here that talk and talk and talk all day long... why not let them have a conversation with someone new?

I think it would help get my point across that I don't want to talk if I handed the phone to Little Sister B to ramble incoherently for a while or to Big Sister E so she could launch into a story about how at school we used these markers that were like markers but they were more like circles and there were paints and then I got some marker on my shirt and then this one boy didn't raise his hand and that's the same boy who wore dinosaur pajamas on pajama day and do you know what we had for snack? Those tortilla things with cheese! You know? Those ones? And I drank some milk and then you know what else? Well...

It seems like a win-win situation all around if I don't have to waste my time gritting my teeth but instead my kids get to chat until they've said everything that they can think of... or until the telemarketer hangs up. Whichever comes first.

Now I'm just waiting for the phone to ring.

Are you plagued with telemarketing calls? How do you like to deal with them?

Snazzy Baby {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, monorox!}

When I was pregnant with Big Sister E, one of the things that I quickly noticed when shopping for baby gear is that there is just so much of it. From large to small items to products that are seemingly outgrown in a week to those that last throughout childhood... it's hard to know where to even begin.

Fortunately, I also discovered that there are some companies that I can relate to because they seem to have standards that are a little higher than others. Instead of just being useful, they want their products to withstand daily use and show no wear and tear. Instead of raising the price when the quality goes up, they work to keep things affordable.

So, when I was introduced to Snazzy Baby, right away I was glad to see that they focus on the combination of three important factors - quality, value and function - and that their award-winning products are ones that have been universally praised by parents and the juvenile gear industry alike.

Since having been founded in Australia in 2003, the Snazzy Baby name has been synonymous with the hottest and most innovative baby protection products for new parents across the world... and, when they arrived here, I could see that they would still be beneficial for my kids even though we were past the "baby" stage.

First up, the Snazzy Baby Knee pads. Even though these sounded great when I read about their ability to be used indoors or outdoors and on all floor surfaces to protect from sore knees, bruies and rug burn, my initial thought that these weren't something that we would use with two children that no longer crawl (although, wow, these would be great for little ones who move or are learning to move on their knees).

But then I saw the note from Snazzy Baby that these knee pads can be used for "Commando Crawling, Crawling, Toddling, Walking, Running, Bike Riding, Ball Sports, and Playground Activities" and I immediately thought of my two accident-prone kids. As the weather warms up and we will be outside working on our bike riding skills, I knew that these would be perfect to protect not only their knees but their elbows as well.

Pulling these out, I found that the soft, durable (and machine washable!) material felt extremely comfortable and that by using the Velcro straps they were easily adjusted to any size (they are made to fit from 4+ months to 4+ years). Both Big Sister E and Little Sister B were clamoring to try them on immediately!

Available in four different colors, these knee pads have held up very well already as my girls have done their fair share of running and sliding around on them. The non-slip traction has proven to be a great addition to the design and the all-over flexibility and movement that these provide shows just how much thought Snazzy Baby put into making them a great investment for babies all the way through childhood.

Moving on to the My Baby's Own Deluxe Travel Chair, I took one look at it and knew that it had Little Sister B's name written all over it. This compact, multi-use temporary child restraint is just the type of product that we need for any number of situations and locations where her squirming and resistance to sitting still have made things difficult.

As I looked over the Travel Chair, right away it was obvious that this was an extremely intuitive and easy-to-use product. The entire thing is one continuous piece of fabric that unfolds out of its pouch and quickly attaches to any chair, whether in a restaurant, your home or while visiting a friend who doesn't have a high chair or booster seat.

Considering that this works for children who are independent sitters all the way up to 37 pounds, has a non-slip bottom to help keep kids upright, only requires the use of four easy-to-secure buckles and has helpful instructions printed right inside just in case you need them, it is just the thing to keep handy for just about any outing. Putting Little Sister B in was a snap (she actually got a big kick out of strapping herself in) and, once settled, she loved her special chair!

Along with being connected to a chair, the My Baby's Own Deluxe Travel Chair can also be attached to a shopping cart to keep kids secure while at the store. Or you can even fasten it to your own body for hands-free holding, feeding or safety during the cruising portion of an airplane flight.

What versatility! This would have been perfect to use when we traveled internationally with Big Sister E when she was 22 months old as it would have kept her securely attached to me during the plane ride but also could have been brought to all of the various locations that didn't have an appropriate seat for her when we arrived.

However, for even more versatility, the ultimate Snazzy Baby product has to be the Deluxe 3 in 1 Combo Carrier.

A combination of a baby carrier (for both inward and outward facing) and a travel chair, the Combo Carrier has been created to ease some strain out of the busy parent's lifestyle. For use with children from 4 months up to 3+ years, this ergonomically designed product is extremely comfortable for both the adult and the child and, with its color-coded buckles, is fast and convenient to use.

I appreciated that Snazzy Baby had again included the instructions right on the inside as an easy reference and by having the green-matches-to-green and blue-matches-to-blue on the buckles, this carrier wasn't hard to put on at all. Plus, with the addition of the multiple storage compartments on the front and the gel based shoulder strap (probably the softest strap I've ever encountered), using the 3 in 1 Combo Carrier for extended amounts of time is no problem at all.

I was pleased to find that getting this carrier on and getting Little Sister B situated wasn't difficult at all. In fact, it simply involved strapping it around my waist, placing her in (when I was putting it on myself I sat down in a chair), connecting the buckles and then placing the shoulder strap over my head.

I've used plenty of other carriers that required an extra person to help, so it was great to know that I could use this one on my own without any problems. As for Little Sister B, whether she has been hanging out on my hip or that of my husband, she loves being able to ride along next to us and always has a big grin in doing so.

The very first time that Little Sister B sat in the Combo Carrier she declared it "Comfy! Comfy!" and I agreed with her. I can see how easy this would be to use with younger children, especially as they can face in or out, and the fact that Snazzy Baby has taken extra steps to ensure everything from the child's even weight distribution to meeting or exceeding safety standards just makes it even easier to have peace of mind when using it.

But this product does more than just act as a baby carrier, it can also transform easily into its own travel chair or child restraint (great for in a shopping cart) with a few simple adjustments to the straps. There is even a separate strap included (in the storage pocket) that is quickly clipped on to make sure the carrier is completely secure when hooked onto a chair.

In just a few motions I was able to transfer Little Sister B from riding to sitting... and she thought it was hilarious!

One more added bonus to the 3 in 1 Combo Carrier? It comes with a free pair of My Baby's Leg Warmers, a fun and funky way to protect little legs (or arms) indoors or outdoors. Just pull these brightly-colored, lightweight, one-size-fits-all leg warmers on whenever and wherever for kids of all ages!

As a whole, I've found all three of these products to have lived up to Snazzy Baby's claims. They are not only versatile and convenient to have, but the focus on safety is something that any parent can appreciate with their child, no matter what the age.

The prices are comparable to other baby gear on the market ($19.99 for the Knee Pads, $34.99 for the Travel Chair and $79.99 for the 3 in 1 Combo Carrier) but being able to use these for an extended period of time, not to mention the variety of different ways, does add extra value to each one. A new parent could begin utilizing any of the three from when their child is only a few months old and continue for years to come!

Thanks to the generosity of Snazzy Baby, one person will be able to experience the quality, safety and innovation that these products can provide as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of a Deluxe 3 in 1 Combo Carrier, My Baby's Own Deluxe Travel Chair or Knee Pads from Snazzy Baby!

To enter to win: Visit Snazzy Baby and tell me the product that you would most like to own AND one of the awards that particular product has won.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Snazzy Baby on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN your choice of Snazzy Baby Deluxe Carrier, Travel Chair or Knee Pads (ARV $80)! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/hPgoi1 #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Snazzy Baby for providing their products for me as well as the item of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Getting into a Cleaning Routine

I wish I was one of those people who was really into cleaning.

I have friends who, no matter what day and what time you drop by their house, it will be spotlessly clean and comfortable. And as much as I would like to think that my house looks like that at times, it never lasts and we always seem to fall into the Company Is Coming, Hurry Up And Clean category. Why is that?

Is it the way that my kids walk through a room and all of a sudden there is a trail of dirty socks, cracker crumbs, discarded toys and scraps of paper left in their wake? Or is it purely my lack of motivation in following along after them to encourage neatness or just do it myself?

Everything from the newest or greenest cleaning supplies to fancy or cheap vacuum cleaners hasn't seemed to make any difference, I'm still looking around and seeing mess. I think it's time to make a change.

Create a schedule? Devote certain days and times to cleaning? Make it a priority?

Nah. I'm thinking I just need to work on this a little more...

...and move my pint-size helpers up to the real thing. Because if they're so excited about pretend cleaning, I had better take advantage of that before they outgrow it!

What about you? Do you manage to keep your home clean longer than the 20 minutes that I do? And even though I'm joking about having my kids do all of the cleaning around here, are there certain jobs around the house that yours like to help with?

Winners!

The lucky winner of a $25 gift card to Build-A-Bear Workshop is...

Congratulations, Jenny!

The lucky winner of a $50 gift certificate to Sterling Silver Jewelry Gallery is...

Congratulations, mommy2luke2008!

The lucky winner of a pair of Data-55 Women's Suede Mid Calf Boots from Jenlinn.com is...
Congratulations, Jodi!

The lucky winner of a Remington Style Curling Iron is...

Congratulations, Raven In A Blue Room!

Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways! Have a great weekend!

NOVICA {Review & $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, ruslady!}

There are times that I'm struck by the thought that the world is such a big, big place. Here I am going about my daily life and there are families all across the earth that are moving through theirs, except that what is normal to them might be an extraordinary and fascinating culture to me.

And even though I have traveled some (and will continue to do so), there is no possible way that I will get to experience what it is like in all of the various nations that are out there. The chance of me being able to not only meet the people, but see their way of life and the handcrafted works of art that they create to support themselves seems pretty slim.

Unless I spend time browsing NOVICA. Because there I know that, through my computer, I'll be united with more than 2,000 master artists from around the world and have the ability to select from more than 30,000 handmade works of art to incorporate into my own life.

Founded 12 years ago as an online, fair-trade marketplace, NOVICA now offers limited edition and one-of-a-kind handcrafted works of art that are each stunning in their own way. Carrying everything from silver jewelry to hand-sewn apparel to home decor that you're not going to find in a store near you, NOVICA not only gives you the ability to find something for you or the unique gifts that you're looking for, but you'll be helping others.

NOVICA has already succeeded in helping change the lives of more than 50,000 people in developing nations, a number that I find both inspiring and extremely impressive. So while you may just think that the tableware or vases are lovely, NOVICA has provided a way for the artisans who created them to earn personal recognition and receive real-world prices for their work.

Now that just makes the necklaces even a little more beautiful, doesn't it?

And let me tell you, they truly are gorgeous works of art. It took me days to go through the clothing, handbags, collectibles and more that NOVICA has before I finally admitted that the sterling silver jewelry had indeed been calling my name. Of course that still meant deciding on not only which type of accessory but then which particular one...

I'm not cut out for difficult decision-making like this sometimes. However, I did know that I wanted earrings and I did know that I wanted to add a little color, so that helped. And, when I had finally chosen and waited a little while for my picks to arrive all the way from Thailand, I couldn't wait to see them in person.

The Silver Dangle Earrings and the Amethyst Floral Earrings were every bit as beautiful as they were in their photographs and even arrived in their own striking jewelry boxes.

Opening them up, I loved the simple, chic design of both pairs and the way that they were just the right combination of elegant and casual so that I can wear them for any number of occasions.

As I examined each earring closely, it was clear that although both pairs were delicate and lightweight, that they had also been crafted extremely well and would hold up easily to a small or large amount of use.

I also really enjoyed the artisan story card that came along with each set of earrings, giving me insight into not only the artist that created them but the inspiration behind the design, name and more.

When it comes to shopping for an item that is distinct as well as good-looking, NOVICA has a huge selection that is sure to provide plenty of options. But, of course, the fact that by shopping there you can help make a difference in improving lives and preserving traditional crafts worldwide just means that you (or your recipient) can be even a little more satisfied with your purchase.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of NOVICA, one person will be able to browse the handcrafted works of art to choose their favorite, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to NOVICA!

To enter to win: Visit NOVICA and tell me the name of one of the beautiful items there (other than those mentioned above) that you might purchase if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow NOVICA on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $50 gift certificate to NOVICA for beautiful jewelry, decor, apparel and more! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/fMDOWX #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open worldwide! If you're reading this then you can enter!

A big thank you to NOVICA for providing a gift card for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.