Check out my Arbor Mist Sparkling wine party basket, enter to win a $100 visa check card!

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Arbor Mist

Last month me and my husband were kids free for the evening, so we decided to stop and pick up some snacks and a bottle of wine. I immediately noticed Sparkling Wine by Arbor Mist. The thing you need to know about me is that I like my wine sparkly and I like my Arbor Mist, so without hesitation, I picked up a bottle of the raspberry sparkling.

"We're getting fancy tonight." I told my husband, as I put the bottle in the cart.

I was expecting it to be over the top sweet, but to my surprise, it wasn't. Just a hint of raspberry flavor. I really enjoyed it-- crisp, bubbly and not overly sweet or fruity. (I bet you're glad I'm not a Professional Reviewer of Wine after reading that, right? I TRIED!)

It's definitely something I wouldn't hesitate to share with guests in my home.

Which is why I was happy to be a part of this BlogHer review. It's a product I've tried, a product I like and one I think you'll like too.

I was asked to put together a party themed basket using Arbor Mist Sparkle wine.

I have created what I believe to be an awesome Party in a Basket.

You know how crazy life can get around the holidays, yes? The stress of planning meals, cooking meals, cleaning the house before the family comes over. Decorating, buying gifts, creating holiday cards. It can be overwhelming.

I can't think of a better way to get away from it all then to have a Girl's Night In!



We'd open a chilled bottle of Arbor Mist Sparkling. There would be plenty of snacks. Cheese, salami, crackers, olives STUFFED WITH FETA CHEESE. And of course, chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. There would be music playing in the background while we eat, sip our Arbor Mist Sparkle wine and gossip. After we we're stuffed from the drinks and snacks, we could play a game or watch a couple of Chick Flicks. Because, seriously, no Girls Night In is complete without a little Patrick Swayze.





Sounds fun and delicious. Admit it.

The good news is Arbor Mist wants you to have a chance to win a $100 visa gift card!

To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me tell me what you'd add to my Girls Night In party basket (you must leave your date of birth to be eligible to win) - or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in The contest starts on 12/4/09 at 3:15 pm and will end 12/31/09 at 5:00 p.m. (PST). You must leave an email address- Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.

Rules:

* No duplicate comments.
* You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
* You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
* This giveaway is open to US residents, aged 21 and older
* Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
* You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
* Please see the official rules here: Official rules


REMINDER! You must also include your DOB (day/month/year) in your comment to be eligible for this sweepstakes

When you're done commenting here, please visit BlogHer.com special offers page for 7 more chances to win!

Be sure to check out Arbor Mist at their official site,become an Arbor Mist fan on Facebook, take a break at the Refresh Your Fun blog and follow Arbor Mist on Twitter.

My Son Reviews Tony Hawk "Ride."

(Last month Activision treated myself and my boys to a Tony Hawk Weekend. We got to spend the day with Tony Hawk on Friday, spend the night in the beautiful La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad on Friday and Saturday evening. Then, on Sunday we were able to attend Tony Hawk's charity event, Stand up for Skateparks. It was an incredible weekend that was not only exciting and fun, but extremely eye opening and informative. What Tony Hawk is doing for the children is to be applauded. I will write my own take on things, but my son asked if he could post his first. We were not paid for this review, but we were given the game for free as well as a gift card to buy snacks for preview party.)

Last month I was lucky to meet Tony Hawk. We got to watch him skate with some friends of his and we had dinner with him on the half pipe. I have to say, he was an all around cool guy. He was humorous. It was so cool when he demonstrated his new game for us!











This weekend we got an advanced copy of the game. We had a party for friends to try it.







Now I would like to give you my review of the game.

Tony Hawk has done it again! His new game Tony Hawk Ride is the game that brings you closest to skateboarding. Young or old, balanced or not, all you need is the ability to stand and move a little. This game is so realistic you'll think you're actually skating. There was only one con with the game- You have to unlock the levels on each ride mode which can be hard and a little frustrating. But this game is 100 percent fun! Play and you will want to play it over and over. This is a must have game and sure to be loved.

First Winner of GoodNites "bedtime kit" announced. Enter for your chance to win!

Thank you for the wonderful submissions to the GoodNites Bedtime Moments contest! It's time for me to announce the first winner for the "bedtime kit."

o $100 gift certificate to PajamaGram.com
o $50 gift certificate to Borders
o Blanket
o Bedtime journal for recording special bedtime moments
o Overnight tote bag to hold all items mentioned above




Bedtime from Afar

I travel a lot for work, but it doesn't stop me from being part of Ethan's nigh-night routine. Regardless of what's going on, I call home at 8 p.m. to talk to Ethan. I recite, from memory one of his favorite books. I ask about his day. We talk about what he ate for lunch, for dinner. He asks me to smell his stinky feet. We tell one another how much we love the other. Then we give each other Eskimo kisses. I'm sure I look and sound really weird when I'm on these calls, but it doesn't matter. Whether I'm home or away, I will be part of Ethan's bedtime routine.

-Jilt

Congratulations, Jilt!

If you want a chance to win a bedtime kit and also a chance to win a $2,500 room makeover, it's not too late! Simply go to The GoodNites Special Bedtime Moments website, submit a 100 word post of a special bedtime moment. (Please remember copy BEFORE you submit so you can paste in the comments section here for your chance to win the bedtime kit!)

Special Bedtime Moments

I have so many wonderful memories surrounding bedtime stories in our home. However, there is one in particular that stands out. I used to read each of my boys a bed time story in their own rooms every night, separately. It allowed me to have a few precious minutes alone with each child. But one this particular night, I decided to mix things up a little bit. I called both of the boys to the living room to make my announcement.

“Mommy’s not going to read any stories tonight.” I said.

“MOM! WHY NOT!?” They shrieked in horror.

”Because tonight Mommy wants to tell you stories instead-- stories about when you were babies.”

They both squealed in excitement.

I sat on the floor and began to tell them stories. “One time? When I was giving you a bath? You pooped in the tub!" They both erupted into laughter. So I told another one and another. Anytime I'd say "this is the last one." They'd agree, but as soon as I'd finish the story, they'd say “Tell us more, please?” And I would because as I was having the time of my life with my boys.

By the time I kissed them good night, my stomach ached from laughing hard. I promised that we'd do it again.

That became one of their favorite bedtime rituals-- listening to stories of when they little. And to this day, if I ever want a little time with my Teenage and Almost Teenage son before bed time, I just sit down on their floor and say "do you know that when you were a baby you would..." And they'll listen to whatever I have to say, and we'll laugh and laugh together.

I like to think they'll never be too old or grown for Story Time with their mama.

I'm writing this story today to kick off GoodNites ‘Special Bedtime Moments’ contest. You will have the chance to win one of two grand prizes of $2,500 for an all-star bedroom makeover! All you need to do to enter is go to www.SpecialBedtimeMoments.com . Share a short bedtime routine, story or moment with your kids for the chance to win. Before you post your entry, please copy the post so you can come back and paste in the comments of this post for your chance to win a “bedtime kit” ($250 value!) Kits include the following:

o $100 gift certificate to PajamaGram.com
o $50 gift certificate to Borders
o Blanket
o Bedtime journal for recording special bedtime moments
o Overnight tote bag to hold all items mentioned above



Three winners will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I have partnered with GoodNites^® for this series of posts; I am being compensated for writing about my family's bedtime routine and for promoting this contest, not for endorsing a product.