Julie's Journal

So another year comes to an end, and we’re all looking forward to a new start and a ‘do-over’ from the things we didn’t accomplish last year. I’m fairly happy with the way last year went overall, but things can always get better, right?? I’m excited for the new year.

If you’ve been a regular reader of my blog for the last 5 years you’ve obviously seen a change here. This blog use to be my “journal.” I use to write about all things happening in my life, and more often, ‘over shared’ things that I should have just kept to myself. There were several incidents that happened this year that I did share on here, and in direct result lead me to not want to share here at all. So I stopped. I changed focus and direction and now you will only see product reviews and giveaways. I know I’ve lost readers, and that makes me sad, but I’ve also gained a lot of new readers, and that makes me happy.

I’m going to stick with Twitter and Facebook for sharing personal things in my life from now on, and quite frankly it’s just easier. It takes less time, and keeps me from getting long winded.

Sooooooo…with that HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2010 be your best year yet!

How is your holiday shopping going? Are you able to get something for everyone on your list? Times are tough right now so shopping at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls is the best way to stretch your budget to include everyone on your shopping list. They carry the latest brand-name toys to electronics, beauty products, gourmet food and entertaining essentials–they are one-stop shops for all your holiday needs.

Do you need a little help getting in the holiday spirit this year? How about a little Carol-oke! One lucky person will win a $5,000 shopping spree – just for singing their favorite Holiday Carol! Check out the specially created YouTube Caroling Channel. There, you can select from one of three carols, create your own “Carol-oke” video and upload for entry into the contest. Additionally, for each off-price “Carol-oke” video that is uploaded, a charity donation will be made.

I have two (2) $25.00 gift cards (one for T.J. Maxx and one for Marshalls) to giveaway on my blog. That’s two (2) winners! Just follow the instructions below to enter to win.

T.J. Maxx & Marshalls $25 Gift Card Giveaway
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY

1. Sign up to receive the T.J. Maxx newsletter by email. (top right hand corner of their web site).
2. Sign up to receive the Marshalls newsletter by email. (top left hand corner of their web site).

EXTRA CONTEST ENTRY

1. Follow @T.J. Maxx on Twitter.
2. Follow @Marshalls on Twitter.
3. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
4. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
5. Tweet: Enter to win T.J. Maxx & Marshalls $25 Gift Cards on JuliesJournal.com http://bit.ly/4UAg2L

Contest ends Sunday December 27, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose two random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. First responder will get their choice between the T.J. Maxx $25 gift card or the Marshalls $25 gift card. Second responder will get the remaining one. I did not receive any compensation for this post. Special thanks to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls for sponsoring this giveaway.

So does everyone have all their holiday shopping done yet? Are your holiday cards all signed and ready to mail out? How about your holiday dinner plans? Do you know exactly what you are going to cook and serve yet?

It’s that crazy time of year again where us moms are struggling to get everything done to make it just the perfect holiday once again. Safeway understands the constant demands of motherhood, so they’ve created holiday guides that will save you both time and money this holiday season.

With Safeways budget-conscious recipes, weekly specials and email savings they’ve got you covered on everything you need to make your holiday dinner perfect. I like using the weekly specials page to check what is on sale at my local Vons before heading out to shop.

Safeway also has these helpful pages on their website, so make sure to check them out.

• Edible Gifts
• Kid-Friendly Entrees
• Leftovers Lounge
• Decorating Tips
• Gingerbread Man Game

I’d like to help out one lucky reader of my blog this year, by giving you a $50 Safeway Gift Card to help purchase your families holiday meal. Just follow the instructions below to enter to win.

WINNER – #145 Krissy

$50 Safeway Gift Card Giveaway
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY

1. Visit the Safeway budget-conscious recipes page and tell me what recipe you’d like to try in my comments.

EXTRA CONTEST ENTRY

1. Become a fan of Safeway on Facebook
2. Sign up for Safeway’s email savings newsletter.
3. Become a fan of Julie’s Journal on Facebook
4. Add me as a friend on Facebook (I friend back!)
5. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
6. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
7. Tweet: @JustJulie wants to buy your family holiday dinner! Enter to win a $50 Safeway Gift Card on JuliesJournal.com http://bit.ly/6b4pFs

Contest ends Saturday December 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. I did not receive any compensation for this post. Special thanks to Safeway for sponsoring this giveaway.

“Tis the season, and make it a great smelling one with the Glade Holiday Collection! The collection is offered in Apple Cinnamon and the limited-edition Bayberry Spice, and have seasonal designs of falling stars or festive gift packages on the red or green candle holders. The collection features new, refillable Glade Scented Oil Candles decorative glass holder, refillable Glade Scented Oil Candle tins, and Glade 4 oz. jar candles. They are available from now through December located in your grocery store, Target or Walmart, at the suggested retail price of $3.49. I got the Bayberry Spice and it smells wonderful!

Follow the instructions below to win one a Glade surprise candle from the Holiday Collection, just like a surprise Christmas gift.

Glade Holiday Candle Collection Surprise Candle Giveaway
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

1. MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY Go to the Glade Holiday Candle Collection website and tell me what your favorite Glade home fragrance product is in my comments.
2. Become a fan of Julie’s Journal on Facebook
3. Add me as a friend on Facebook (I friend back!)
4. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
5. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
6. Tweet: Enter to win the Glade Holiday Candle Collection Giveaway from @JustJulie http://bit.ly/12fyFk

Contest ends Tuesday December 8, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. Special thanks to Family Review Network for sending me a Glade Holiday Candle to review and for sponsoring this giveaway.

WINNER #95 Dagmara

I’ve got another great giveaway from Angela Moore, and it’s just in time for the holidays. Her hand blown – hand painted ornaments are just adorable! She sent me the Margarita Mambo one and I can’t wait to get my tree up and hang it! If you are looking to add a new ornament to your collection, or need a gift to give someone, these ornaments are just perfect, priced at only $10.00.

Angela Moore Hand Painted Ornament Giveaway – If you are the winner you get to choose which ornament you want from the ornament collection (subject to availability)
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

1. MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY Go to the Angela Moore website and tell me what your favorite ornament from her collection is in my comments.
2. Follow @ArtToWear on Twitter.
3. Become a fan of Angela Moore on Facebook
4. Blog about my giveaway and link back to my post.
5. Become a fan of Julie’s Journal on Facebook
6. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
7. Add me as a friend on Facebook (I friend back!)
8. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
9. Tweet: Enter to win the Angela Moore Hand Painted Ornament Giveaway from @JustJulie http://bit.ly/12fyFk

Contest ends Monday November 30, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. Special thanks to Angela Moore for sponsoring this giveaway.

WINNER #71 – kristy