One way to thank your favorite PR contacts, favorite brand reps, or even fellow bloggers (think of the friends who have passed along great opportunities to you) is with a simple, but thoughtful holiday card.

FedEx Office makes it easy to order custom holiday cards and calendars!

FedEx Office has a huge selection of holiday card and calendar templates that for cards and calendars that would work to help you highlight the 'best of 2011' from your blog. Trust me, I know. I was given a gift card to use to order holiday cards or a calendars and have spent several days just browsing and trying to decide if I want to go with a calendar or cards!

I have finally decided on a custom photo calendar (I think) and there are tons of cool backgrounds to choose from. It's taken me so long that I'm writing this post before I've even placed my final order. Once you decide, the process is really, really easy and quick.

Photo Cards are not limited to one photo

What made the decision so hard is that the photo cards do not limit you to one, or even two photos. The design options are vast...

AND, the designs work whether it's one photo, or if you choose the collage layout.

Notice you can even choose horizontal, vertical, and you can choose the collage that works best for the photos you want to use. This option is great if you want to highlight all the cool things you did on your blog this year.

Another option I was considering was the mini desk calendars that have a unique photo for each month! A very cost effective and fun way to promote your blog or your business.

SAVE on FedEx Office Cards and Calendars

Through November 27, order online using www.fedex.com/greetings to save 30% on select holiday cards and calendars!

Order on December 8-17 and use www.fedex.com/us/greetings/25email.html to save 25% on select holiday card and calendar orders

WIN a FedEx Office Holiday Prize Pack

I'm giving away a prize pack to one luck reader and all you have to do to win it is leave me a comment telling me how you'll use FedEx Office calendars or cards this holiday season.

For an extra entry, post a link to this giveaway on Twitter or your public Facebook page and leave another comment with a link to your post.

Prize pack includes:

20 holiday cards

plush ornament

FedEx Office pen

compact office supply case with sticky notes, paper clips and a ruler

Contest open to residents of the US and Canada, 18 years or older, and ends 12/7/2011 at 11:00pm ET. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. Winner has 2 days to claim prize before another winner will be chosen.

Happy Holiday Ordering!

Janine

Disclosure: I received a $50 gift card from FedEx Office to make this Holiday Cards and/or Calendar. I am solely responsible for selecting the winners for the giveaway (not FedEx Office). Also, the ideas in this blog post are entirely mine and I have not received ideas or advice from FedEx Office. 

Relationships are difficult and require open communication and, most importantly, honesty, to work well. Everyone will relate to something in Monster in Laws, so everyone deserves a shot at winning this in law survival kit!

The In-Law Survival Kit includes:

$50 Body Shop Gift Card

Spa Wisdom™ Japan Yuzu & Green Tea Bathing Salts

Total Body Massager

Here's how to enter:
1. Leave a comment telling me a funny or crazy in-law story. Feel free to post anonymously and note that your email is not visible.

2. Extra entry - share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or public Facebook page and leave another comment with the URL of your post

Contest is open to US residents 18 years and over, and ends November 25, 2011 at 11:00 pm. I will choose a winner via random.org but the prize is provided by Lifetime / A&E.  I will notify winner via email and give 48 hours to claim with a response.

Be sure to watch Monster in Laws on A&E Monday nights (10 Eastern /9 Central) and follow the chatter on Twitter with #monsterinlaws.

Disclosure: I have a wonderful relationship with my OWN Mother-in-Law who occassionally reads this blog along with her other relatives. We are one, big, happy, loving family with no issues whatsoever. That said, even I can enjoy this show...it's THAT good. The giveaway prize is provided at no cost by Lifetime / A&E. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

This post was underwritten by BMO Harris Bank, which offers a matching $25 on a new savings account opened for your child through their Helpful Steps for Parents program. Learn more at bmoharris.com/parents

What better way to teach kids about money than with their own savings account?

The opportunity to write about this came at the perfect time.

The girls have been asking about getting an allowance for a few weeks now and just last weekend we sat down to discuss how we might handle that. The Mister and I agree that we don't want to necessarily pay them to do chores. We feel that each member of the family needs to contribute and that's what chores are...they are part of life in a family.

However, how are they supposed to learn about money, managing, saving, and spending if they don't have the chance to earn it?

We discussed what other families do:

Some pay a small amount for various chores...emptying the dishwasher is $.10, while taking out the trash is $.20.  Some simply pay a weekly amount and track the chores that get done...or don't get done. Other kids don't get any set amount but receive money here and there to spend (or save).

We've decided to go with the all or nothing approach.

In all honesty, I'm not sure how good I'll be at the 'nothing' part of this approach but we'll try it. For "all or nothing" the girls have a set of chores they have to do. Some are daily (putting those DAMN shoes away), some are weekly, and some are monthly. If they do all their chores for the month they will receive $20 at the end of the month! That's a large, tangible amount that they can see grow if they save it, or even a portion of it.

Earn Money then Save Money

The next step in this allowance adventure will be to open a bank account for each of them. This way, they can see the amount they save grow, but not be tempted to spend it as they are if they simply stuff it in their wallets. I think BMO/Harris Bank has a great idea matching $25 for a new kid's account! First of all - to go from $0 to $50 just for opening an account will get kids excited about seeing the balance grow, and thus excited about SAVING their money.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about BMO Harris Bank, visit their website http://bmoharris.com/parents

Disclosure: I received compensation for this post but all opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

All it took was a pedal.

The Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Cleaner Starter is so easy to use, all it takes is one little push of a pedal and the toilet is clean.

There are no batteries required and, Scrubbing Bubbles even thought to provide a white cover for the can of cleaning solution that sits next to your toilet! The sprayer clips easily onto to the toilet bowl rim. The only issue I had was convincing my daughter she wouldn't pee on it the first time she saw it on the edge of the bowl.

She quickly got over it when I showed her how to step on the pedal and it leaves the bowl looking and smelling nice and clean.

Disclosure: I received a Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Cleaner for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, I truly hate cleaning toilets. This makes it much easier. Some links are affiliate links.

So it makes a whole lot of sense that Kellogg's and Scholastic would team up on a promotion, right?

I mean, don't we deserve to read more than a ceral box (no offense Kellogg's) at breakfast?

Get $5 toward a Scholastic Book from Kellogg's and Walmart

Buy 2 specially-marked Kellogg's products (sold at Walmart wouldn't ya know) and redeem the code inside for a $5 gift card to buy a book from Scholastic Book Clubs or the Scholastic online store.

WIN a Kellogg's / Scholastic Prize Pack

It just so happens that one lucky reader can win a bounty of Kellogg's products and Scholastic books to celebrate the partnership.

Here are just some of the goodies you'll win.

• a mix of picture and chaper books from Scholastic
• an assortment of Kellogg's products
• a $15 gift card to Walmart

Here is a link to the complete rules.

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me what Scholastic book you would purchase with a $5 gift card (or which book you would apply the $5 to)

2. Post this on Twitter, "What is the ONE thing everyone does when eating cereal? #giveaway http://bit.ly/qqXLrK via @JanineNickel"  (Then leave a second comment with a link to your tweet.)

That's it! Giveaway ends 10/14/11 at 11:00 pm Eastern. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. A complete list of giveaway rules are HERE.

Disclosure: I received a prize pack of my own as a thanks for helping spread the word. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, I LOVE the Kellogg's products we received and purchase them on my own all the time. In addition, I have big readers and we're always big supporters of our school's Scholastic Book Fair. Great books. Great company.

Noodles for everyone!

Or, at least everyone in my family because I received a sweet package from P.F. Changs as a thank you for helping spread the word about National Noodle Day and the festivities they are planning in celebration.

P.F. Changs Home Noodle Meals

We will be sampling two of the 4 Home Noodle Meals by P.F. Changs:

Grilled Chicken Teriaki with Lo Mein

and

Pepper Steak with Chow Fun

I've had P.F. Chang's Home Meals before so I know how easy they are to make and how delicious they are as well. Plus, I don't need any other excuse to eat noodles for dinner - if it's noodle day then I'm eating noodles.

Socialize wtih P.F. Chang for Prizes

P.F. Changs is hosting a Twitter party on October 5th from m 8-10pm EST. Be sure to tweet with @PFChangs and follow the hash tag #noodlenight for a chance to win prizes and more! Then, on October 6th check out the PF Changs Facebook page (www.facebook/pfchangs) where there will be a Home Menu Sweepstakes tab where you'll enter to win a VIP noodle tasting kits like I received, chef-quality skillets to prepare your meal, and a grand prize trip for two to Las Vegas!

Of course, if you win, I would expect to be your #2 on that trip!

Disclosure: I received a VIP noodle tasting kit including 2 P.F. Changs home meals, noodle bowls, and the awesome Lo Mein t-shirt in the top photo. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, the meals really are deelish but the "Aint no shame in lo mein" t-shirt is the bomb!

Did you ever have someone hand you a toy for your kids and you try it out and you think,

"I'm not giving this to them!"

Yea, that's what happend with the 20Q Artificial Intelligence Game that my friend Leticia handed me a few weeks ago.

Here's how it works.

Think of something that is an animal, vegetable, or mineral.

Then, let the 20Q start guessing.

You press yes, no, sometimes or rarely for the answer.

It somehowbymagicelves guesses your thing every. single. time!

For my kids they needed some help answering the questions but for the most part they could do it all themselves and it occupied them for an entire 3-hour car ride

Here's a short list of some of the things our 20Q has guessed correctly:

• Dog
• Whale
• Ruby
• Snot

That last one had be really believing in magic.

20Q is available in all sorts of colors and themes including this 20Q Harry Potter version!

You can get more information on the 20Q Facebook page.

Disclosure: I received the 20Q game at no charge. All opinons expressed here are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Some links are affiliate links.

I love our sofa.

I stalked our sofa for YEARS at Urban Country in Bethesda, MD - a fabulous shop if you are ever in the area - browing on the weekends (before kids when I could do that) and then relaxing on Big Blue, as I called it, and dreaming of a day it would be in my very own home.

Our sofa is a giant, massive, slip-covered, denim beast that is soooo comfy and wide you sink right into it.

But our sofa is over 10 years old and those comfy cushions have started to sag. I refuse to get rid of Big Blue so finding a way to perk it up became the only option.

Enter Furniture Fix

I was given an opportunity to test out Furniture Fix to help give Big Blue some much needed support...and my back as well!

Furniture Fix is a series of interlocking panels that slide right under the sofa cushions (or mattress, or easy chair cushion, etc) to give sagging furniture a firm lift.

 Furniture Fix panels

Does it work?

I slid Furniture Fix under one side of our sofa and then sat on both sides. I definitely noticed a difference immediately. In the above photo you'll see 2 sets of the panels under one sofa cushion (I told you Big Blue is big).

How much does Furniture Fix cost?

You can purchase one set for under $15 at various retailers (Bed, Bath & Beyond) and online at www.furniturefix.com. One set is large enough for a chair, but you will need to get 2-4 sets if you want to firm up a sofa or bed.

Have you found other quick fixes for sagging sofas? If so, I'd love to read about them in the comments!

Janine

Disclosure: I received 2 sets of Furniture Fix at no cost for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior publishing. Also, I invite you to come over and test my sofa before I buy 3 more sets of Furniture Fix and see for yourself!

Did you know that honey does not spoil?

Me neither. That fact would have come in handy last year when my huge Costco-sized container of honey crystalized and I was trying to decide if I should toss all $14 of it.

It took National Geographic to design an app that my kid is hooked on to educate me about the shelf-life of honey.

The Weird but True app give you an interesting fact with every swipe or shake.

Inspired by the National Geographic book series of the same name, Weird but True has some of the strangest facts that can be ranked with your vote on the weird-o-meter.

 Here is what Ellie thought:

The Weird but True app is available for iPhone and iPad on iTunes.

Also, be sure to check out the Weird but True Collectionon Amazon.

Disclosure: I received the app for free but all experiences and opinions are my own. This post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Some links are affiliate links.

That’s what I remember hearing from my dad as he flicked on the light after finding me reading in a dark room. It stuck with me throughout college and now as I have two very active readers. Through the years I’ve noticed that the right kind of lighting is not only better for your eyes, it’s better for concentration.

SmartLight by Verilux is the perfect homework partner

Now that I think about it, I am drawn to work in a room with good natural lighting. The room in my house I chose for my office has 2 southern facing windows and gets the most daylight of any room in my house. When I choose a ‘virtual office’ for the day, I choose a coffee shop or library that has lots of windows and day light.

When Verilux asked me to review their SmartLight I was intrigued. Could a desk lamp really help someone read faster, work longer, and experience better concentration? I’ve been using the lamp for over an hour now writing two blog posts and I can tell you, I’m in a groove I haven’t experienced in a while.

SmartLight – what’s the difference?

Here’s the difference between the lamp we have on the Twofer’s homework desk and the SmartLight.

our regular desk lamp

You can see the yellowish light from the regular lamp, versus+ the “natural spectrum” light from the SmartLight. Which one do you think increases contract, reduces glare, and stimulates the body’s natural enhancers much like a sunny day would do?

Here’s what else I like about the SmartLight:

• Lightweight and easy to move from room to room
• Flexible gooseneck and 6 foot cord perfect for any desk
• White, contemporary design fits into any décor
• Bulb that lasts 10,000 hours
• Retails for under $40

For more information about SmartLight
visit Verilux
Find them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter

Got questions about the SmartLight? Leave me a comment and I'll try to answer it as best as I can!

Want more back to school tips? May I suggest...

DIY Portable Study Carrel

I spent $130 on Backpacks for School

Disclosure: I received a SmartLight at no cost for the purpose of this review. All opinions and experiences are mine and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.