Liz 2.0

I absolutely love living in Gwinnett County there is a great mix of people, lots of big towns with small town feel and so very much to do all the time!

Explore Gwinnett is a great site that collects all the things to see and do, hotels, discount coupons in one place I love it!

Howdy all! I'm sharing today again on Educents the daily deal site that I’ve signed up with and have been enjoying saving money on educational books, games, curriculum and more. As a homeschooling mom finding great resources that fit with my kids’ interests and fit our lifestyle is part of the fun. However buying all of that can eat into the budget, so saving money is a big priority.


 SIGN UP NOW AND GET $10 CREDIT!!  You could take an additional $10 off the LeapPad Ultra!!

The best part are the deals here are a few of my favorites right now:

• upcoming Georgia State Park events
• ways to save at Georgia State Parks
• where to stay at Georgia State Parks
• and win prizes!

Lucky participants will win a Friends of Georgia State Parks Family Membership, a $75 value!

• 2 Annual Park Passes (good for two people/vehicles in your family for one year)
• Free Golf or Camping
• Overnight Stay Discount
• Retail Shop Discount
• Annual Historic Site Passes
• SAM Shortline Discounts

YIPPIE! I shared with you already how much I loved The Oogieloves and the Big Balloon Adventure movie (August 29th release date). Now is your chance to win a prize pack valued at over $150!

Here is a little bit more about the thought behind this innovative #RatedGGG movie for the whole family:

Kenn Viselman, the creator of The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure (due out “Oogust” 29^th) believes in the The Power of Mom. So much so he and his team have been traveling around the country engaging bloggers in conversations about what constitutes quality G-rated entertainment. Other than a few wildlife documentaries and a re-release in a popular children’s movie in 3-D, Hollywood has completely ignored the youngest moviegoer. The best they give us for our kids – animated PG films – are loaded with aggression and bloodshed.

Moms: You have the power to change what Hollywood pushes on your children. In fact, there is no voice more powerful than yours. You control the home, the family budget and your child’s welfare. Aren’t you tired of watching moms die in the first ten minutes of so many animated movies? Aren’t you tired of seeing your children confused by the aggression towards their beloved movie characters? There’s no place for such violence in a children’s movie. Enough is enough.

It’s this “enough is enough” attitude that got Kenn Viselman, the marketing genius who introduced us to Teletubbies, Thomas the Tank Engine, Noddy and Eloise, mad as h*ll. The end result: The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure, a film that reinvents the movie-going experience. This film – basically a movie and a live show rolled into one - is the first-of-its-kind interactive family musical that encourages the audience to get out of their seats, dance, and sing. Visual and auditory cues invite the audience to “move” the action along, allowing parents and kids to interact not only with the characters, but also with one another.

The story follows the Oogieloves - Goobie, Zoozie and Toofie - as they prepare for a surprise birthday party for their friend, Schluufy. When their guardian, J. Edgar, loses the last five magical balloons in all of Lovelyloveville, the Oogieloves take action. Along the way, they meet Rosalie Rosebud (Toni Braxton), Dottie Rounder (Cloris Leachman), Lola and Lero Sombrero (Jaime Pressly and Christopher Lloyd), Milky Marvin (Chazz Palminteri), and Bobby Wobbly (Cary Elwes). The movie opens in theaters “Oogust” 29th.

Here are all the ways to connect and find out more information about this interactive and entertaining family movie:

Website: www.oogieloves.com (be sure to check out the parents guide!)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOogieloves

Twitter: @TheOogieloves and follow the hashtag #ratedGGG

The prize pack includes:

Tent, Mobile, Glitter Tattoos (2), Stickers (2), Beach Balls (2)

One (1) winner (US address only) will be chosen via the Rafflecopter app.

GIVEAWAY ENDS: August 30, 2012

Summer is here!!  Are you already hearing the “I’m board” whine from your kiddos? Have you already spent your summer time budget on camps and sports?  We’re finished with our homeschooling and are looking for other activities and events to engage our minds and to exercise our bodies. 

If you’re not already familiar with Field Trips with Sue be sure to subscribe to that website. There are always fantastic reviews on places around Atlanta and Georgia to see and do with kids. I often find many of her activities being perfect for us as homeschoolers during the school year.

Here is a bit more about the Field Trips with Sue website:

Field Trips with Sue is an award-winning blog about things to do with kids in Atlanta and throughout Southeast. It helps families plan outings, day trips, weekend getaways and vacations. Select posts are featured on Raveable.com, (named by Travel + Leisure magazine as a top travel site) and ATL Insider (the website of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau). Sue also contributes to national travel sites, Travel Savvy Mom and Best Family Travel Advice. Bi-monthly, see Field Trips with Sue segments on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Sue has appeared as a travel expert on Atlanta’s WXIA-TV Atlanta; Fox 5 Atlanta, KTVI-TV, St. Louis, MO; WTLZ-TV, Columbus, Ga.; and WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL. She has also been quoted for stories on travel in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Northside Neighbor.

Sue Rodman, the site founder, has used her expertise and written ebook that compiles tons of free and frugal activities around Atlanta, Georgia, and some are national activities.

More about the book 100+ Free Things to do in Atlanta:

100+ Free Things to Do in Atlanta:
A Don’t-Miss Guide for Summer Fun

Atlanta, GA May 17, 2012 – Summer is coming and parents and caregivers are asking the age-old question: “What are we going to do with the kids this summer?” 100+ Free Things to Do in Atlanta offers frugal and fiscally-responsible families, ideas for summer fun and year-round entertainment. The book includes tips on visiting Atlanta’s favorite attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta for free. In addition, families can learn how to beat the heat with free pool time and splash fountains, escape inside for arts and crafts at local retailers or outside to experience nature. With this book, summer will be anything but boring.

Written by Atlanta resident Sue Rodman, the book is a natural extension of her popular and award-winning travel blog, Field Trips with Sue, about things to do with kids in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast. The blog helps families plan outings, day trips, weekend getaways and vacations from a first-hand point of view. More importantly, from a mom’s point of view. Each entry in 100+ Free

Things to Do in Atlanta includes the who, what, where and when with costs up front for easy viewing. Web links guide readers to specific information on the attraction; addresses make it easy to plug into the GPS on the go.

100+ Free Things to do in Atlanta is available in ebook formats such as Kindle, Nook, iPad and iPhone for $4.99. Printed books are available for $9.99. Visit www.fieldtripswithsue.com/100free to purchase your book today!

Having received a copy of the book, I’ve been able to read through and find a few things we’ve done already this summer and have booked a few more on our calendar.  Some things I had been familiar with but most of them were a completely new idea.

I think this would make a great resource in your home library especially if you often have family coming into town or are traveling to Georgia.  Being able to entertain your whole family affordably, makes being a great host a lot easier.

Sue has given me one ebook to give away so here is your opportunity to win this book o’ family fun!

Being six months pregnant I’ve definitely have baby on the brain.  I’m always interested in seeing what the latest and greatest baby trends, gadgets and must haves.  The expo is featuring lots of exciting vendors and sponsors. There are even more exhibitors where you can get the latest baby info. One of the exhibitors, Atlanta Diaper Relief will be having a huge diaper party. Be sure to stop by and support this fantastic organization which provides diapers to low income parents in Metro Atlanta. Dr. Oz and his wife will be speaking on Sunday.  How exciting is that!

Oh and since the event is at the Gwinnett Center there is FREE PARKING!! An added bonus for me is that the Gwinnett Center is almost in my backyard so my travel time is super short too!

WHERE?
Gwinnett Convention Center (map it)

WHEN IS THE EVENT?
June 9-10,2012
Sat. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sun. 11:00 am- 5:00 pm

WHAT IS THE SHOW ABOUT?
This giant baby shower combines shopping, information and celebration all in one amazing event.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Expectant Parents, New Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Friends who are planning a baby shower or have your baby shower with us!

Here is your opportunity to attend the Baby Shower Expo along with 3 guests.  I have been giving 2 sets of 4 tickets to give away. This is a super quick give away so tell your friends!

I’m not sure if I shared on the blog yet but we’re expecting our third child this fall! We are super excited to expand our family. This news makes me even more excited to attend the Atlanta Baby and Child Expo again this year. The organizer of the event has offered me two tickets to the event and she’s given me two tickets to give away to one of my readers.

This event has so many great vendors, sharing tons of information. If you’re a mom of older kids, a soon to be first time mom, or a grandparent you will surely get some great info and resources for your babies and kids.



Here are the details:

WHAT: THE premier event for expecting and new parents in the Southeast. We bring in the ultimate in parenting and baby products and professionals. It’s an elite experience, intimate in setting and not overwhelming.  It’s a party for YOU, the expectant, the new parent, the grandparent and the supporting cast of family and friends.

WHEN: May 12th, 11am-3pm (VIP ticket holders get early entry, starting at 10:30am)
WHERE: Fox Theatre Ballrooms, 660 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

TICKETS: www.atlantababyandchildexpo.com has all the details and tickets
This event features a Maternity Fashion Show, Red Carpet Photos of attendees as they enter, a Stroller Trial Track, Cravings Corner and so much more!


LIZ’S EXPO TIP: At the expo there are tons of opportunities to sign up with companies, for raffles or mailing lists. I like to bring a few printed address labels to speed up filling out those forms. 


I know you want to go and want the opportunity to win tickets right?  I’m running the give away through Rafflecopter again. 

I love attending events at Gwinnett Arena, the place is literally in my back yard.  I get  even more excited when great family friendly events are hosted there. Guess what is coming to the arena in a couple weeks?  DISNEY ON ICE!  I have always wanted to see a Disney on Ice show, my friends all tell me they are entertaining and exciting family entertainment.  Having fun as a family is  my definition of a good time. It sounds like Disney Princess fans will get their fix seeing a bunch of princesses, but no worries there are over 50 Disney characters featured in the show, you’re sure to see a favorite. 


Here is the show’s details:

Get tangled up in Disney’s 50th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of
your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White. Ahoy, Mateys! Set sail with Peter Pan, the always sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook and his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Never Land! Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’ Tick-Tock! Tick-Tock! Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army of Cards. Relive magical moments in this ultimate Disney animation celebration coming to Duluth!

Show Dates and Times:
• Wed., March 28 at 7:30 pm
• Thurs., March 29 at 7:30 pm
• Fri., March 30 at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm
• Sat., March 31 at 11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm
• Sun., April 1 at 11 am and 3 pm

Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove begin at $25 and are available at
www.ticketmaster.com. Purchase non-vip tickets for opening night, Wed., March 28 for only $15! To
learn more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Okay I’m super excited about this show, how about you?? 

  Would you like a chance to win a family four pack of tickets to the Wednesday, March 28th 7:30pm show? Enter here using this Rafflecopter widget. (bare with me, this is my first time using this widget)

Congrats to comment #10

simplydab

who shared the Perfect Roast Chicken recipe as her favorite chicken recipe. They should be able to make lots of this dish with all the chicken this $65 credit!

Don’t forget Zaycon Foods is now selling cases of chicken in both Georgia & Florida!

Okay I’ve posted once on Zaycon Foods and so far I’ve made a couple yummy chicken recipes.  If you’re on my mailing list then you might have received an email from me today encouraging you to get a free account and see what is coming to your area.

I just received an email that Florida and Georgia peeps will be able to order their cases starting tomorrow. If you’re in those states see below for the list of pick up locations. The 40lb cases will sell for $67.60 + Tax.  ($1.69/lb).

If you haven’t already signed up I must encourage you to sign up already!! I’ve been given the opportunity to host a giveaway for a $65 Zaycon Foods Credit!! If you win you will almost get a case for free. Zaycon Foods  on their facebook page had shared they will be in 48 states delivering chicken this fall. So if you’re not in Florida or Georgia no worries just be patient a little longer. (In the rare chance you’re not in their delivery area the winner will get a $30 check to purchase chicken at your local grocery store)

Now go over to Zaycon Foods and register using my referral link:
https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf35532

Delivery Locations for Florida & Georgia
FLORIDA

Congrats, angiewaitte!!  Email me your name and email and I’ll get it to the information over to the event organizers.

Hey all you mommies or expectant mommies, check out this exciting event coming to Atlanta.

This is a one day event full of information, products and activities focused on those little bundles of joy.   

When:
May 14, 2011

Where:
the Fabulous Fox Theatre Ballrooms

What:
The Atlanta Baby and Child Expo is a one day extravaganza of “all things baby” for new
moms and moms-to-be, as well as their friends and family. Set for May 14th at the Fabulous
Fox Theatre Ballrooms, this is not your mass-expo event, but an elite pampering and shopping
experience, providing new and expectant moms with a true treat.

I’m super excited about this event. Here’s what the organizers are offering to the attendees:

You’ll get to meet with Atlanta’s most experience professionals, check out the finest baby
products, and be able to register for premier services. The event is geared toward expectant
and new moms, from pregnancy to pre-k, and will include expectant massages, a maternity
fashion show, cravings corner, baby dream gear runway, and a mom and baby product area
where you can purchase the items you adore. There will also be thousands of dollars worth of
giveaways, from strollers to car seats and even a crib. There are even special features from
the www.BabyNameWizard.com where you can try matchmaking your interests with baby name
options and the Bump It Up Style Lounge where you can get personalized tips on how to “bump
up” your style before and after your pregnancy.

Since my first kiddo is turning 5 this summer it has been a while since I’ve been in tune with the latest and greatest in the baby arena.  We now have our 2 month old, I can’t wait to get to this show and see what new goodies are out there. I’m especially excited to see what the latest styles are available post pregnancy while I’ve still got these few extra pounds to work off I still want to look some what put together.

Speaking of what’s new have you heard of thebump.com (from the creators of theknot.com)? They’re a great new (since I was last pregnant) site all about pregnancy and mommy connections. They are also one of the sponsors for this event.

You can purchase tickets to this exciting event online at http://www.atlantababyandchildexpo.com/ Advanced tickets are $20 and include a swag bag!

Partners and sponsors include TheBump.com, Atlanta Parent magazine, Safe Kids of Georgia, Atlanta Kids Directory, www.MomsLikeMe.com (Atlanta), www.AtlantaMoms.com, and www.MyAtlantaMommy.com, along with many other national and local leaders in the baby industry.

So I know you want to go right? The Expo organizers have given me 2 tickets to attend this event and 2 to give away to 1 blog reader.  Here are the details:

To enter all you have to do is comment on this post. I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to seeing and learning about at the expo.  The give away will end April 30, 2011 at 11:59 EST and the winner will be announced May 1.

DSP’s birthday week kicks off tomorrow with the traditional 24 hour chat!!!!  The week then moves into lots of chatter, challenges, fun and of course SCRAPPING!!!

Yay I get to hand out three free kit coupons to 3 of you lucky readers, thanks so much for making this a fun give away.

Okay so even if you don’t win you’ll definitely want to hop on over to the store and check out the over 10,000 digital scrapbook supplies!

Oh and if you are going to play along be sure to check out the birthday forum (goes live at midnight tonight) I have a Super Six Photo Sketch Challenge that will be running all week.

Okay Okay I know you really want to see if you won so without further ado here are the winners!!!!!!

bludlfn003 aka Amanda (bludlfn003@)

SilvaHeala (silverhealer21@)

Shana34 (sayoung79@)

YAY for the winners!!!!  See you all in the forums this week!!!!!

Well if you’re a long time reader of this blog you know I love freebies!! Any chance to win some goodies I’m there.  Well my favorite digital scrapbooking site has offered up some goodies for me to share with you!!

One of the top digital scrapbooking sites on the web is celebrating their Super Sensational Sixth Birthday...and you're invited!!  This is one of the biggest events Digital Scrapbook Place, Inc hosts each year. The week long event is filled with games, chatting, prizes, freebies, sales, challenges and lots of F-U-N!  The party starts March 27th with the traditional 24-hour chat and the partying continues through out the week.

To kick things off The Digital Scrapbook Place, Inc has offered up some goodies for me to give away. I have three free digital scrapbooking kits to give away to three of you lucky blog readers.  Check out the Shop at Digital Scrapbook Place, Inc to pick out your favorite kit!

Winners will be chosen at random (via random.org) on March 26th.

HOW TO WIN

Comment on this post. Simple eh?

EXTRA ENTRIES

You can earn extra entries by one of the following, just email me confirmation to elizabethlmccoy[at]gmail[dot]com

Tweet this blog post via Twitter

Share this with your friends via Facebook

Become a fan of Liz 2.0 on facebook

This is my busiest time of year at my day job so I’ve been busy working hard and getting my deadlines checked off.

In spite of the busy-ness I’ve gotten a few more scrapbook pages done. I’m also working on a really pretty wedding invitation that I’m in love with right now. I can’t wait to show you.

Title: Rain Boots
This layout was completed for a new chat/challenge with Marcee Duggar Designs.  She is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE digi designers. Her kits just inspire me! Hey if you like my polk-a-dot rain overlay you can download it here for FREE!

Title: Love You
This layout is done using another one of Marcee Duggar’s Page Kits. I did this one for the family as a valentine’s day layout.

Title: Enjoying the View
This layout is the first layout I’ve completed for my NYC album. I’m having trouble getting inspired to work with the photos so if you have any kit suggestions let me know.

Have you done any scrapbooking lately????

YEAH!!!

iclickpix you’re a winner!! send me your mailing address to elizabethlmccoy{at}gmail.com and I’ll get it right out to you!!

And don’t forget all the great digital scrapbooking tutorials for Paint Shop Pro and other digital scrapbooking software at DSP.

Hey as you know I’m big into digital scrapbooking! Hey do you want to get started in digital scrapbooking?? I’m giving away a copy of Paint Shop Pro Photo XI!!

Once you win check out all these great tutorials for scrapping with Paint Shop Pro:

• Completing Your First Paper-Style Page [PSP]
• Completing Your First Graphic-Style Page [PSP] [PSP12]
• Brushes Palette [PSP]
• Blk & White Image with Selective Color [PSP]
• Dramatic Photo Effect [PSP]
• Enhancing photos [PSP]

It is the card I ordered from Samara Gugler’s new Etsy Shop! The card I ordered was the Hula Girl Card:

Can I just say this picture does not do it justice it is INCREDIBLE!! So So So gorgeous! I can’t wait to find the perfect occasion to give it to someone. Or maybe I’ll just frame it and put it on my desk.

I know you want one too right?  Well Samara has generously offered up one of her cards to give away here on my blog!!!

Here is what you have to do to enter to win

1. Head over to Samara Gugler’s Hybrid Art Shop at Etsy.com go through her for sale gallery and check out some of her GORGEOUS designs.

2. Come back here leave a comment telling me which one (or more than one if you can’t decide) is your favorite.

3. I will be picking a random winner in 2 weeks, on June 30, 2009 and I will announce the winner with a blog post.

4. Sorry but we will be limiting this give away to US residents only.

Want more chances to win?

1. If you’re on facebook please share this blog post on facebook and come back leave a 2nd comment that you’ve shared it. (If we’re not friends on facebook look me up!)

2. If you use twitter you can tweet this blog post and come back here and leave a 3rd comment that you’ve tweeted this blog post.

So you can potentially have up to 3 entries in this one give away.  I’m so excited to be giving away a card from such a TALENTED hybrid artist.

Okay my cousin sarah and my other cousin sara have both posted this challenge on their blogs and I want to play along.  The first 5 to comment on this blog post will receive a gift from me.  The key is you must pay it forward and either do the same on your blog or offline and do a random act of kindness for someone around you.

Come back here and share how you pay it forward in your life.

There were 91 entries (THANKS EVERYONE!) but only 1 winner.  That winner is commenter #78!

I use Random.org to select the random number.

So the person holding #78 is … Danielle Fromella!

A great big congrats to Danielle for her win!

Again thanks to all who participated in my first give away during the bloggy giveaway carnival.  I have some exciting giveaways coming up this year so stay tuned for those.

If you want to stay up-to-date on all my content just subscribe either by email (at the top of the site) or through your favorite RSS Reader.