It is that time of the year.  My children went back to school in early August, but I see a lot of schools started after Labor Day.  Since our schools started so early I wasn’t prepared.  Coupled with the fact that we moved only days before classes started I really was at a loss.  I honestly couldn’t find James’ shoes until 15 minutes prior to the buses arrival.  Someone had packed them or shall I say threw them in a garbage bag of toys from his bedroom floor.  Anyway, when school started back not only was I not prepared with school supplies, but I also lacked the proper food for boxed lunches (James hates buying lunch at school) and/or dinner.

Well, school has been in session almost a month now and I’m somewhat better prepared, but I am still going to enter NESTLÉs Happy New School Year Sweepstakes.   You can enter every day for a chance to win the grand prize of $5,000 worth of back-to-school essentials plus a $2,000 NESTLÉ Literacy Grant for your school, plus daily prizes of $50 reward cards.  The sweepstakes ends October 15, 2011.  This would be an incredible way to start this school year off.

As part of this wonderful campaign NESTLE partnered with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and will be sending me $100 worth of books to donate to a classroom in need in my area.  You have no idea how excited this makes me!  I support RIF every opportunity I get and I believe their program is top notch.  I know there are so many schools here locally that will benefit from these books…and I appreciate NESTLE for giving me the opportunity to better my local community.

BUT…not only have they honored me with this but they are offering one of my readers the most awesome giveaway featuring a $25 MasterCard rewards card, $20 worth of school supplies, a mix of free coupons from STOUFFER’S, JUICY JUICE, TOLL HOUSE Morsels and Refrigerated Cookie Dough, CARNATION BREAKFAST ESSENTIALS and OVALTINE; product from WONKA, Baby Ruth, CRUNCH and BUTTERFINGER; a straw dispenser and coupon booklet.

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Nestle.  I received books to donate through RIF and Nestle to a school of my choice.  I also received the prize pack for sharing this with you.

Subway Baseball DeSIGNS is the latest socially responsible project the company has taken on.  The money raised from the eBay auctions benefits the Little League Urban Initiative program which helps fund start-ups, developments, equipment, clinics and field maintenance for Inner City Little Leagues.  Starting today (August 19, 2011) you can bid on baseballs signed by Katy Perry, Joe Montana, Maroon 5, Johnny Damon or David Price to name a few.  All auctions end August 28th giving bidders 10 days to set their prices and get in on the action.  It’s the third year they are raising money for the Little League Urban Initiative and it is a great program to get in on.

The tour will visit four U.S. cities concluding with a final stop at the Little League® Baseball World Series (LLBWS) from Aug. 19-28, where the baseballs will then be auctioned off to the general public with all proceeds benefitting the Little League® Baseball Urban Initiative program which helps fund start-ups, developments, equipment, clinics and field maintenance for inner-city youth leagues and teams.

Baseball legends and Famous Fans of SUBWAY® will participate in the tour’s various stops including Cy Young Award winner and ESPN baseball personality Orel Hershiser and former Los Angeles all-star outfielder Shawn Green, who will also serve as honorary coaches in the 2011 National Little League® Baseball Appreciation Game.

For more information on the tour, consumers can visit SubwayKids.com and the Official SUBWAY® Facebook page. Online auctions for the celebrity-autographed baseballs will open to the public Aug. 19 and will run through the Little League® Baseball World Series, which concludes Aug. 28

SUBWAY® Restaurants have proudly sponsored Little League® Baseball and Softball since 2005 as a way to encourage Little Leaguers and their families to live active lifestyles and eat healthy.

About SUBWAY^® Restaurants

Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. Their partnership, which continues today, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey – one that has made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. In the 2010 Zagat® Fast Food Survey, the SUBWAY^® brand was ranked “number one” by consumers in the “Most Popular,” “Top Service” and “Healthy Options” categories for food brands with 5,000 or more locations. For more information about the SUBWAY^® chain, visit www.SUBWAY®.com.  Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/SUBWAY®. Follow us on Twitter:twitter.com/SUBWAY®freshbuzz. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.

 About Little League Baseball & Softball

Little League® Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest and most respected youth sports organization. With players in every U.S. state and more than 70 other countries, the program is led by more than 1 million adult volunteers. It serves children ages 5 through 18, including physically and mentally disabled children (Challenger Division) and children in urban areas (Little League Urban Initiative). 

Follow Subway on Facebook and Twitter

 Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by Subway through Mom Bloggers Club and I was compensated for this post.

If you child hasn’t already gone back to school (mine has) he/she should be going soon.  This year I’m more motivated than ever to help James progress in his reading and writing.  I believe he is at a point in his education where my role is as much as a motivator as anything or anyone.  Buddig (the famous lunch meat people) are hoping to make my job easier with their new Sandwich and a Story promotion.

Headline:  Make A Sandwich And A Story with Buddig for a Chance to Win!

Sweepstakes Description: To nourish a love of reading, Buddig is giving away Scholastic children’s books and school supplies. The Make A Sandwich And A Story sweepstakes kicks off Aug. 15, 2011 and ends on Oct. 30, 2011.

How to Enter:  To enter the sweepstakes look for specially marked packages of Buddig lunchmeats and go to Buddig.com/SandwichAndAStory. Enter your code and complete the entry form to enter the sweepstakes.

Eligibility:  The Buddig Make A Sandwich And A Story sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

Timing:  Sweepstakes begins on Aug. 15, 2011 at 12:00:01 a.m. Central Time (CT) and ends on Oct. 30, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m. (CT).

Prizes:

Five Grand Prize winners will receive a Scholastic book library plus a Buddig backpack filled with school supplies (ARV $200).

400 First Prize winners will receive a Buddig backpack (ARV $13.00).

118 winners each week beginning on Aug. 22 will receive a free Scholastic book (ARV $10.00).

Total ARV of all prizes is $19,160.

Limit:  5 entries per person/email address per day.

About Be A Reader:

For more than 100 years Carl Buddig & Company has nourished families. Now Buddig is nourishing children’s minds as a proud supporter of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and the national Be A Reader campaign. Buddig believes that reading and literacy go hand-in-hand with good nutrition to support a lifelong love of learning.

During the yearlong Be A Reader campaign, parents and their children are encouraged to create their own reading and literacy experiences wherever they may be. As a proud supporter of RIF, Buddig will provide a minimum of $100,000 through May 30, 2012 to help children across the nation discover the joy of reading.

Buddig has teamed up with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) to help children and parents prepare to head back to school.  I love the tips they shared with me and I have incorporated a bunch of them into our daily routine this year so I wanted to share them with you.

Back to School Tips

• Play word games associated with things in the classroom. Use your child’s back-to-school shopping list to prompt ideas.

• Establish a family reading hour. Set a time after school and on weekends when everyone in the family devotes an hour to reading.

• Make up your own story together and write it down. What was your child’s favorite summer activity? Who was the most memorable person your child met and why? Help your child write down these memories and add illustrations to move the story along.

• Have your child become a pen pal with a special summer friend or long-distance relative. Supply them with stationary and envelopes, postcards, postage stamps, an address book, and a box for saving letters.

• Use the Internet to promote interactive learning. Children reading online develop critical thinking and research skills. Start a web search for favorite book titles or authors. Conduct a search for your child’s top music videos.

• Read aloud to your children. Choose a favorite place and special time. Try using different voices for each character.

• Create a reading nook or out-of-the-way special place where your child can read without being disturbed.

• Put up some poster board to create your own word wall. Use this to share comments on favorite books and to tackle problem words your child may be having trouble reading.

• Visit Buddig.com/SandwichAndAStory for games and reading activities and a chance to win fun back-to-school prizes. Prizes include a Scholastic book library and a Buddig backpack filled with school supplies. Weekly winners will be chosen through a random drawing to receive an age-appropriate book.

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  I was compensated for my time and post by Buddig…however, my opinions are my own.

I wanted to share my recent trip to Kohls with you because they are featuring the best books and cutest character right now, Clifford The Big Red Dog.  As part of their Kohl’s Cares® program a 100% of the net profit from each purchase of their Clifford initiative will be donated to support kid’s health and education in communities nationwide.  I love this program and am a frequent supporter.  Not only does my son benefit with an age appropriate book (reading is ubber important!) and a stuffed animal featured in the series, but we are giving back to kids’ everywhere with our purchase.  According to Kohl’s they have raised more than $180 million since 2000 for this cause.

At each check out you will find a display similar to the one pictured above where you can purchase one of the many Clifford books from the series and/or a stuffed animal for ONLY $5 ea.  With school starting soon in many areas around the nation I highly recommend Clifford’s First Day of School - a book sure to be a hit in most households this time of the year.

This “Clifford’s First School Day” book by Norman Bridwell captures the excitement of anyone’s first day. See Clifford get caught in messy misadventures that make the small red puppy more lovable than ever.

100% of the net profit from the sale of this item will support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Visit our Kohl’s Cares® site to learn more.

• Story takes you along for Clifford’s first day at school — filled with finger painting, cookie baking and messy misadventures.
• Details:
  • Exclusively at Kohl’s!
  • Author: Norman Bridwell
  • Hardcover: 56 pages
  • Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
  • Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise is not eligible for discounts or other promotional incentives.

You can also pick up a Clifford, T-Bone, Mac, or Cleo plush toy to accompany your book.  We choose T-Bone.

T-Bone may look tough, but he is sure to be as loyal a friend to your little one as he is to Clifford. From the tip of his yellow tail to his black nose, this plush dog is the perfect companion while reading or watching T-Bone and his friends on TV.

100% of the net profit from the sale of this item will support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Visit our Kohl’s Cares® site to learn more.

• Plush construction offers superior softness.
• Details:
• Exclusively at Kohl’s!
• 10 1/4″H x 9″W x 10″D
• From birth
• Polyester fiber
• Spot clean
• Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise is not eligible for discounts or other promotional incentives.

Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by Kohl’s, however opinions are my own.

I’ve shopped at Kohl’s for a very long time, ever since it opened in the city I live in. Why? Because they have the most incredible prices, latest fashions, and these awesome books and matching stuffed animals located by the register. Silly? I’m serious. My son probably owns every book they have featured and the matching stuffed animal to go with it. He especially loves his Fox from Fox in Socks.   I never really gave it much of a thought until recently when I read about the new Kohl’s Cares program.   It’s through the sales of Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise that the company’s philanthropic program is funded.

From June through the end of September, Kohl’s Cares^® will feature Clifford The Big Red Dog, Clifford The Firehouse Dog, Clifford’s Birthday Party and Clifford’s First Day of School hardcover two-in-one books and coordinating plush toys. For adults, Kohl’s Cares^® will feature Fast Weeknight Favorites, a cookbook from Good Housekeeping. Each hardcover book, plush toy and cookbook is an incredible value at only $5 each.

Kohl’s is a family-focused, value oriented specialty department store that donates 100 percent of the net profit from their Kohl’s Cares merchandise to help support kids’ health and education initiatives nationwide.  The merchandise purchases also help Kohl’s support almost 160 hospital partners nationwide!  They have raised $180 million to support in local communities nationwide and to think, I was one of the people who have been donating all along!

You can purchase their books and plush toys at any of the 1,097 Kohl’s stores nationwide and online at www.kohls.com.  Visit their site to learn more about Kohl’s Cares.

Disclosure:  This compensated post was sponsored by Kohls.  Opinions are my own.

Recently I had the opportunity to shop in Mexico, Bali, Brazil, and Thailand. It took me weeks months to decide what to spend my $75 on (if you don’t believe me ask the rep). I couldn’t help myself because NOVICA, a site affiliated with National Geographic, features crafts from talented artists from around the world all for sale with a click of a mouse. I couldn’t chose between the silver jewelry and the sterling silver jewelry. I didn’t know if I wanted to buy earrings or necklaces and I kept going back and forth on my decision.  They also have the most impressive home decor items that would make any room stand out.  It was almost painful to decide what to do.

It was the Cobalt Spiral Hand Blown glasses from Mexico that finally caught my attention and I ordered a set of six with a matching pitcher to round out my serving set for my summer barbecues.  Since items ship directly from the country in which they are made I was very anxious about delivery time and wondered how the condition of something so delicate would hold up in route.  I was really surprised that not only did I receive my order in less than a week, but without a chip, crack, or any damage whatsoever.  The craftsmanship was beyond my expectations and I am now the owner of a one of a kind beverage set.  NOVICA is now my #1 source for unique gifts.

About the Artist’s Javier and Efren

The artistry of Javier and Efren has been featured in periodicals ranging from Sunset magazine to the Miami Herald.

Since the 1990s, Javier Gutiérrez and Efrén Canteras have worked together to preserve Mexico’s blown glass artistry. “This type of work is a beautiful craft. I love blown glass because of the pure imagination poured into every piece created,” confides Efrén.

“Even though the art of blowing glass originally came to Mexico from Spain, and it is practiced all over the world, Mexico’s blown glass artistry is unique,” says Javier enthusiastically.

“I was 15 years old when I began blowing glass. Now I have the opportunity to teach the art of blowing hot glass to other young artisans. I start by employing people as my assistants, but I aim to train them to be experts, glass blowers equipped with a beautiful and useful skill.

Working as a team, Javier specializes in the design of the pieces, and Efrén transforms the designs into a reality. “Efrén and I make a great team. Over the years we have worked hard to design truly original styles with a distinctly Mexican accent.”

Regardless if you want to be a casual shopper of the site or if you want to host your own party with NOVICA Live, this is the place to go for your gift giving needs.  Speaking of gifts, how would you like to win a $75 Gift Certificate to shop NOVICA?

What can you win?

Win a $75 gift certificate (gift code) to purchase whatever you want from NOVICA.

How do you win?

The mandatory entry is to visit the sponsors site, NOVICA, and tell me in a comment below what item you would like if you won.

Are there additional ways to earn entries?

• Follow my blog or if you are already following – tell me who you are. (1 entry)
• Blog about this, or post to your FaceBook linking back to me or email 5 friends about this giveaway copying me on the email. (10 entries)
• Follow me on twitter @lisasamples and the sponsor @NOVICA and tweet this contest leaving me a link. (1 entry per tweet/2 tweets per day) Please leave time between tweets. (You can use the RT button above.)
• Subscribe to my email feed. (2 entries)
• Favorite me on technorati, digg, or stumble leaving link. (2 entries per fav – see easy social bookmarking icons below this post)
• Leave a comment on another NON-GIVEAWAY post on my personal blog Life with Lisa. (1 entry per comment)
• Add my button to your site and give me the link where you installed it – see sidebar for code. (2 entries)
• Enter this giveaway on a giveaway LINKY or site. (1 entry per)
• Become a Life with Lisa Facebook fan and tell me who you are! Feel free to say hello on my wall if you like. (2 entries)

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post and I was given credit to make a purchase from NOVICA in return for sharing my honest opinion about my experience and the product.  This giveaway will end June 18th at 11:59pm EST and is open to USA/Canada residents.  Winner is determined by “And the winner is…” and will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification via email.

This is just a friendly reminder to do something that makes a difference and test drive a Chrysler Town & Country before June 1st. If you do they will donate 5 Scholastic books to the school of your choice in addition to another 5 books to a school in need.   What does it cost you?  A few minutes of your time.  Chrysler believes a bright future begins with a solid education and it makes me sad to see that there haven’t been many people taking this opportunity seriously. Chrysler has 150,000 books to donate…

Get Involved

Step 1

Visit http://www.facebook.com/ChryslerTownandCountry to begin the registration process where you’ll provide information about yourself, how you’d like to be contacted & what school you would like your book donation to go to.

Step 2

Check-in at your nearest dealership using Facebook Places when you test drive the new 2011 Town & Country.  Don’t forget to ask your dealer for your donations dealer code.

Step 3

After you complete your check-in and test drive, a unique registration code will be assigned to you and automatically entered on your behalf.  Return to Facebook, enter the donation dealer code provided to you by your sales associate and your books will be donated.  For those without a Web enabled smart phone they have an option for you as well.

Disclosure: I received a stipend  from Chrysler to cover the cost of my time and this post. Opinions are my own and my offer to feature you on my blog if you test drive and donate is my idea.

I recently got the opportunity to work with Collective Bias and ConAgra Foods to help fight child hunger with their Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.

Here is a list of what I bought:

• Peter Pan Peanut Butter
• Banquet Frozen Meals
• Kid Cuisine
• Healthy Choice Soup
• Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers
• Healthy Choice Steamers
• Chef BoyArdee Ravioli
• Marie Callenders Frozen Meals

As pictured above each product with the Child Hunger logo has a code on it.  Although purchasing the product is great you don’t actually feed a child until you get home and enter the code on the #ChildHungerEndsHere website.

Each code entered into the site will provide a meal from Feeding America.

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. (next sentence(s) is/are your own).