Big Apple Mami 2 Year Blogoversary

Today, I am celebrating my girl, Kristina, from Big Apple Mami!  Its her 2 year Blogoversary!  Come celebrate with us! -------- 2 years ago this Big Apple Mami  started this little blog and today, to celebrate, we're having a giveaway!!   One reader wins it all! Happy Entering!

Becoming Fab

And Nothing Else Matters & Singledou[b]t

Van Wynsberg Nest & plush paisley lane

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Monday Meet Up 1 Year Anniversary

Today, Since its Brooke at Covered in Grace's One Year Anniversary of Monday Meet Up, I am co-hosting along with some other lovely ladies the meet up and a giveaway. Come on in and join!

Hey Everyone!!

It's time for another Monday Meet Up... and A GIVEAWAY!!!

It's hard to believe that the Monday Meet Up has been going strong now for a year! You are all the reason that I keep it going. And I love browsing around all the blogs that are linked up. So, to say thank you and to celebrate a bit, I'm hosting a giveaway today!! There are some great prizes to be won and ONE WINNER TAKES ALL!!

Be sure to link up your posts in the linky!! And...

Yes, that is me. In footed, hooded pajamas...wearing a snuggie...with a shake weight. If you own any of these things, we should definitely be friends. This picture captures a little bit about myself that I would like to share with you. 1. Shake weight: Although I got this as a gag gift and it resides under the couch for the most part, it does represent my desire to work out and endeavors to try to be\get in shape. (Notice how I said desire and endeavors, definitely not always successful, but I do blog about my attempts and failure.) I would love for you to join along and share our journey. 2. Snuggie: I got this, and I had no idea how much I would use it. My husband always keeps our apartment super, duper cold! My snuggie definitely comes in handy for me! Don't make fun! 3. Footed\Hooded Pajamas: Did you know that they make this for adults? They are so comfy to sleep and lounge around in. If you read my blog briefly, you will know I am a big fan of comfort--Comfort food, comfortable clothes. Comfort is key. Do you own anything that is potentially embarrassing?? Care to share? Come on by and introduce yourself. I would love to meet you!

Alright yall, are you ready for the Giveaway Things?

First thing's first...I've got a few necessary rules to share.

You must link up a post in the Monday Meet Up linky to be eligible to enter. You must display the Monday Meet Up Button on your linked post to be eligible to enter. The Giveaway Raffle is open to US residents ONLY.

Check out our Gorgeous Giveaway Sponsors!!

And Oogle the AWESOME Prizes!

You're gonna love this book!! I talk more about it at the

::Hint-Click on the Pic Where it Says "Used Book Haul"::

DON'T FORGET TO LINK UP YOUR POSTS BELOW!!!

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Alright Lovely Ladies {and Gents}…

It’s your turn.

Link up your favorite posts-all week long!

Woo us to you blog. Let us get to know you!

Meet other amazing bloggers and extend your blogging community!

Party Rules

1. Link up your posts, link up your page…it’s up to you!

2. Link back to this post using either the MMU button

(code located in the MMU tab on the side bar) or via a text link.

3. Make sure you visit (and comment) on other posts linked up–

what fun is a party if no one talks to each other? Make some new friends!

4. You must be a follower of Covered in Grace to link up.

Are you interested in guesting for the Monday Meet Up? Click HERE.

March Madness Birthday Celebration With Big Apple Mami

It's a March Madness Birthday Celebration over at Big Apple Mami and I'm joining 16 other bloggers to celebrate and give you an awesome prize!  There are actually several reasons Kristina at Big Apple Mami is celebrating this month including two birthdays, an 11th wedding anniversary and her sweet little 1 month old, Mateo who was supposed to be  born in March, but arrived on Valentine's Day instead! :)

So let's party!!! 
This Giveaway will run from March 18th - March 28th (Kristina's actual birthday) and once all entries have been verified, the winner will be announced.
Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win! 
Good luck and Happy Entering! 
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Where Did January Go? {Giveaway}

Happy Thursday!

Its crazy to me that its almost the end of January.  Where did the month go?

I feel like I've spent most of my month creating and knitting! Which i love to do!  I was happy to see orders come through from my Etsy shop after the holiday rush!  I've been working on new patterns and using new yarn.  Like this gem! I was really excited to see how this guy would turn out. You'll see more of these guys in my shop very soon.

Today,  I'm joining with my dear friend Kristina from Big Apple Mami.  She's having a great January Group Sponsor Giveaway!  Make sure you visit her sponsors and enter the giveaway.  Lots of great space and gift cards!

Enjoy!

I'm so excited you're here! This month, my wonderful sponsors are giving away some great ad space + a $20 Starbucks gift card! 

If you aren't familiar with these wonderful sponsors of mine, please please go check out their blogs! They are a wonderful group of ladies I'm so thankful to know! 

In addition to the gift card and ad space from my sponsors, I'd like to give away 3 months worth of medium ad space as well. One of my goals this year in blogging is to really develop a closer relationship to the lovely ladies and blogs behind the buttons on my sidebar and one of the ways I'd like to do that is through extended times on my blog so that I can get to know you better! :)

Good luck to all who enter! This is a great giveaway if you're wondering who to sponsor for February as the ad space is great!! :) 

And thanks always for reading my blog! xoxo

Happy Entering! 

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13 in 2013: Getting Organized

I'm an admin girl. Almost every job I have had since I was 21 has been some sort of administrative job. I am good at being that person.  When it comes to other people!  But when it comes to my own life.... I can't do it to save my life!

I am messy!  Not dirty but messy. I always have been. I have all sorts of piles all over the apartment. I'd love to say its just in my room but unfortunately for my roommate it flows into every other room.  

The thing is... I don't know how it gets that way.  When I clean, I think "this is it. I will be better after this."  But then 2 days later there are piles.  I honestly don't see myself doing it.  I am half convinced there are little messy trolls running around throwing my stuff about.

The last year or so I have tried everything to get more organized.  I have read blogs, pinned pins, and  crafted to get myself more organized.  Slowly I can see it getting better but its not quite there yet.  

So I thought if I made it one of my 13 and I promised to blog about it that maybe the extra accountability would help... Now I know these goals that I blog about are still my goals and you aren't going to be checking in but I like to pretend that someone will... hey whatever it takes, right?  So that is my plan. And in true Kim fashion I have broken this goal down into smaller goals that i can do throughout the year. (ps-trying to remember that this is 13 in 2013 and not 13 in january).

So here goes the Get Organized List for 2013

1) Purge - Get rid of all that unneeded stuff. (clothes, materials, yarn, shoes, etc)

Already started tackling some of these.

2) Coffee Canister Wall - Already have up some but want to put up more!

3) Put clothes away at the end of the day

4) Spend 10 minutes a day putting things away.

I have lots of goals this year, huh?  Well hopefully they will keep me busy!

THanks for stopping by, friends!

WHile you are here, you should totally enter the giveaways below. I am helping GirlBooklet celebrate 500 followers!

PACKAGE ONE

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PACKAGE TWO

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PACKAGE THREE:

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Some Goals Are Easier Than Others (and a Giveaway)

Good Morning, my sweet Friends! I hope that your Wednesday is treating you well!  

I accidentally slept in this morning. I got swallowed up into my first book of the year and stayed up way too late.  When my alarm went off instead of hitting snooze,  I hit off.  EEK.  So its been a slow morning.

Speaking of slow.  

As you may have read, I have 13 goals for 2013! You might have read about some of them here, here and here.

I still owe you some posts explaining some of them but I just wanted to update you on the 3-4 I have posted about!

I would love to say that my #1 goal "Working on My Spiritual Growth" and "Finish Reading Through the BIble" were going swimmingly but so far its the one I have failed at the most. I even set smaller goals to help bench mark that growth and I have failed at those too."

I am part of a women's bible study and we are reading through part of the old testament, Genesis through Kings.  So i have the built in accountability but I still am barely doing it.  Still I choose to write a blog post, work out or even surf the web over reading the OT.  Now granted, I am in Deuteronomy so its not the easiest, softest reading I could be doing but still. I am just not making it a priority.  I am trying to have grace with myself but when is the point that you stop having grace and start disciplining yourself.  Sometimes I think that's what i need to kick start something I am having trouble with. 

Getting spiritually healthy is to me the same as getting physically healthy.  Its not something I think I should be taking lightly.  Its not that I think God will love me less or even more by doing or not doing these things. I simply think that my soul, my heart and my mind will be better if I make this a priority so why is it that its easier to add workout routines to my day but not 20-30 minutes with my Lord?  

So that's where I am at with #1 in 2013! The others are going well! But this one is waning! 

Here are some of the other thngs I have been doing
1) finished my first book of the year - Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
2) Signed up for a half-marathon in Allentown, PA in April
3) Started learning how to Crochet (had to stop because I now have 5 orders in the Etsy que)
4) Sorted through my yarn and donated about 30-40% of it
5) Started setting up my studio (check my etsy site later today for proof of that)
6) Complete 6 workouts last week which included 7.5 miles
7) Lost 4 pounds

Its nice listing out the things I have made progress on. Seeing them on the screen makes me feel like less of a failure (wink wink).

Thanks everyone for humoring me today! I hope you are having a great week.  


Before you leave, enter the giveaway below. I am helping GirlBooklet celebrate 500 followers!

Package 1
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Package 2

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Package 3

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9 Days of Healthy Giveaway: Day 9

I can't believe we've reached the last day of our FUN giveaway to kick off 2013!

Thank you so much to all who participated and spread the word! 

There's still time left to enter the following days' giveaways, so don't miss out if you haven't entered yet! 

Day 5 - 1 Year's Subscription to Women's Health from Covered in Grace

Day 6 - Redmond Clay, Daily Detox Capsules & First Aid Cream from Big Apple Mami

Day 7 - 1 Dessert Mix from Pamela's Heavenly Treats

Day 8 - Upgraded Coffee from Baxtron{Life}

Today's Giveaway is one that will help anyone looking for a more Real Foods, probiotic rich diet, get started! 

The winner of this giveaway will have the option of choosing one Starter Culture from Cultures for Health!

Cultures for Health has over 300 products to support a more real foods lifestyle including kefir (both dairy and water), kombucha, sourdough (including a gluten-free option), buttermilk, yogurt and soy.

While I didn't use Cultures for Health when I first started my sourdough and kefir fermenting, they were definitely going to be my backup plan if I couldn't get my own cultures going on my own. It's an easy way to incorporate that extra nutrition and health into your diet!

Have you ever fermented anything? If so, what?

Happy Entering and Good luck!

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9 Days of Healthy Giveaways: Day 8

Welcome back! This giveaway is wrapping up tomorrow, but there's still plenty of time to enter most of the day's giveaways still! 

You don't want to miss out, so go HERE to enter Day 4-7! And thanks so much for helping spread the word! :)

Today's giveaway is something near and dear to my heart....

COFFEE!!!

(yes, I'm slightly addicted and have no problem admitting it!) :)

Courtney, from Baxtron{Life} is here today giving away a really fun coffee product I'd never even heard of! 

Upgraded Coffee is actually good for you! 

Here are a few reasons why (from their website):

1. It is carefully produced and tested with our proprietary process to target the lowest toxin content vs. normal coffee, so you get all the benefits of coffee without the negative health effects.
2. The beans are harvested from a family-owned estate in Guatemala at high altitude, where the best coffee grows.
3. The estate is Passive Organic and the family that owns it does not allow chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, etc.) It is not economical for Central American boutique coffee estates to become certified organic.
4. They are hand picked by experienced coffee harvesters – skilled people who know how to pick only perfectly ripe berries.
5. Most coffee beans are processed by either leaving them in the sun and elements to wither and spoil as they dry, or by pressing them and letting them ferment (spoil) to remove the outer layer of the bean.  Both of these techniques are known to produce significant levels of mycotoxins as they enhance flavor. Upgraded Coffee beans are processed right after picking using a process that avoids any chance of fermentation.  This more expensive process is safer because it dramatically reduces harmful molds or bacteria from impacting your health.
6. The beans are roasted in small batches by the #1 ranked roaster in United States under the strictest conditions.  Roasting the beans enhances their antioxidant capacity and flavor to provide you with a healthier, tastier cup of coffee.

Sounds good, right? 1 lucky ready will get to try these coffee beans and I'll admit, I'm a wee bit jealous! :) 

Courtney is also kick-starting a Coffee House Tour next month that you don't want to miss 

"Courtney is a Seattle native on a mission to find the best Coffee in NYC!

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about coffee plus things you may not have known.  Rediscover an unadulterated love of coffee purified by the critique of a true Seattle coffee snob.  Interviews, Giveaways, Coffee of the Month club & More!!" 

I'll definitely be tuning in to hear of all her finds next month! :)

Good luck today and don't forget to enter the other giveaways too!! 

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9 Days of Healthy Giveaways: Day 7

Welcome! It's Day 7 of this very fun giveaway series! Hope you've enjoyed the giveaways so far! 

Today we have the lovely Pamela, from Pamela's Heavenly Treats giving away a mix of your choice from her Esty Shop!

Some of her options include

And those are just a few! Don't they look amazing? 

Pamela is passionate about switching out ingredients to make her treats more healthy without losing the amazing flavor. When I visit her blog, I am almost always drooling when I'm done reading about her newest recipe! 

Good luck on winning one of these mixes! 

And don't forget you can still enter Day 3-9 of the Healthy Giveaway Series HERE

Happy Entering! 

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9 Days of Healthy Giveaways: Day 6

Welcome to DAY 6!! Hope you've had a chance to enter the previous 5 days of giveaways! Days 2-5 are still live and you can enter HERE, if you haven't already! Good luck! :) Today we have another giveaway from Redmond Real Salt Company!

Not only does this company have Salt...they also have Redmond Clay Their clay is natural bentonite clay extracted from the earth in its pure, natural state and has many healing qualities to it! They offer it in clay form, pre-hydrated gel or easy-to-swallow capsules. It works great at detoxing and healing open wounds!  The clay can be used both externally and internally and internally can help with such things as constipation, heartburn, stomachache, acid reflux and more. As you can see, it's pretty versatile and completely natural!  I love having the first aid clay on hand for cuts, scrape, burns and bites. It's amazing how helpful it is in the healing process without all those extra harmful ingredients other products have.

The Daily Detox Capsules help keep your digestive track on track and gathers toxins and other harmful waste as it goes through your digestive system. Also a great thing to have on hand without those other scary ingredients no one is sure how to pronounce or what they mean without a dictionary.

Hear what other people are saying about the Clay and to learn more about how to use the clay, there is a free download of the book "We Eat Clay (and wear it too)" 3, yes THREE lucky readers will win a clay, capusule and first aid combo set  through today's giveaway!! Yay!! :)  And if you can't wait to win, get the clay directly here today  Good luck and Happy Entering!!  a Rafflecopter giveaway

9 Days of Healthy Giveaways: Day 5

Welcome to DAY 5 of our fun giveaway series! 

In case you missed the first 4 days, here's the rundown:

Day 1 - Real Salt Wooden Gift Set (just a few hours left to enter, so hurry hurry!!)

Day 2 - Dish Scrubbies & Swiffer Covers from Singledou[b]t

 Day 3 - Lemon Peppermint Cleaning Scrub from A Modern Hippie

Day 4 - 4 Pack of Pouches from Little Green Pouch

And now....today's giveaway, that comes from the wonderful Brooke, over at Covered in Grace

Brooke explains why she's so excited to give this prize away:

"I've always been a fan of quick reads, lots of photos, and helpful tips, so magazines have been a long-time favorite of mine. I've definitely gone through my fair share of them. But when it comes to health mags, I always find myself picking up Women's Health...over and over. They seem to focus on full-body health and feature stories about women who are living fit and striving for strength. Yah, they have those fun little articles... flat abs fast, better sex tonight, and beauty tips... but overall, I feel like the magazine lives up to its name. I'd love to share this with you all! I hope you enjoy! Xo"

Thanks so much Brooke! What a great giveaway! 

Happy Entering!

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13 in 2013: Adding to My Skill Set & Another Giveaway

Happy Thursday!

I hope you are each having a great week!

I am combining my posts this week with the 9 days of healthy Giveaways.  You'll find that below!  Don't forget to enter Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

But before I move on, I thought I'd share with you another one of my goals for 2013!

I love to knit!  I have a shop that is primarily my knit creations. But I always wanted to learn how to crochet. I've tried many times but never have the stamina to keep it up. From what people tell me, its easier than knitting but for this knitter I am not finding that to be true.

So one my goals is to try and learn and not give up until I have it down! Even if it means torturing myself.

I've watched a few youtube.com videos and feel like I am on a good path.  Hopefully you'll soon see some products of the process!

Got any good tips, patterns or tricks that i can learn on? I'd love to see them

Ok now onto the DAY 4 giveaway!

Welcome to DAY 4! (content comes from Kristina at Big Apple Mami)
We have a really fun giveaway for you today! One that is toddler and mami approved! :) 
As you might know, if you're a regular at Big Apple Mami, our youngest, Lucas struggles with many food allergies. His allergies include soy, wheat, dairy, eggs and the lethal one - peanuts.
So, as you can imagine,finding food for him to eat when we're on the go is hard and we have to pack almost everything he eats just to be on the safe side.
When I discovered the fruit/veggie pouches that many of the major baby food companies have, I was thrilled. They are organic, he loves them and they are super easy and quick (not to mention a lifesaver in Target when he's grumpy and ready to go home!!)
But, the price not so great. The cheapest we've found them is for $1.50 per pouch which if you buy several, adds up quickly, and while they are organic, I still always prefer to make my own food (for everyone in the home) if I can. I began looking online to see if I could find a company that made reusable pouches but the ones I did find were super expensive and usually just had 1 or 2 in the package. Not convenient or worth the price.
Then, I stumbled upon the Little Green Pouch company. It was exactly what I was looking for, reasonably priced and they sent you 4 to a packet. Hooray!

When I reached out to them to see about reviewing some, they were more than happy to send me a packet for us to try out and generously offered to provide a packet to a lucky reader of the blog as well! 
They are really easy to use with little mess and quick cleanup! And on their site, they provide many yummy recipes if you need inspiration, or you could just pop in some homemade applesauce and you're good to go! 

I love that they are reusable, freezer and dishwasher safe and just as easy as the regular pouches to use!  And what's even better? Toddler approved! :)

Great, right?  So happy we have these and so glad I can share this giveaway with you as well! 
And don't forget, giveaways for Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 are still live! Don't forget to enter to win those amazing prizes as well! 
Good luck! 
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Wow I have 500 Followers Giveaway

When I started blogging, I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I'd ever reach 500 followers, but here I am with 500 followers! So today, I am going to throw myself a little dance party and you are invited.  I will have a swag bag full of prizes for one lucky party goer.  

Some come on in! Meet some amazing bloggers and enter to win my 500 follower giveaway!

Covered in Grace

(Contributor to $20 Group Gift Card ~ Winners Choice)

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ HelloCotton ~ BlogLovin ~ Pinterest

The Chronicles of Chaos

(Contributor to $20 Group Gift Card ~ Winners Choice)

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ BlogLovin

Yellow Umbrella

(Personalized Stationary & An Elite Ad On Yellow Umbrella)

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ BlogLovin ~ HelloCotton

 

Football and Rainbows

($20 Target GC)

Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

The Crafty Side Of Sarcasm

(2 months 200x100 ad space)

Pinterest ~ BlogLovin ~ Twitter

All My Love for All My Days

(Large Ad Space)

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

Raising Reagan
(Reagan's Premier Ad Space 175 x 175 - Sidebar Ad)

Facebook  ~ Twitter ~ Bloglovin ~ Networked Blogs


Discover. Create. Live.
(2 months Medium ad spot)
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ BlogLovin

Of Thoughts and Things
(1 month Medium Ad Space)
Twitter

Aren't they a great group of ladies?  I think so!

Enjoy getting to know them and entering!

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