Take the Pearl Pledge Against Cervical Cancer

Did you know that January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month? Please hop over to my Laugh in Bed blog for a very important post about cervical cancer awareness.


Go over there and read more about the Pearl Pledge. We're trying to  get 4,070 pledges – the same number of women who were expected to die from cervical cancer in 2009 – before Mother’s Day (May 9, 2010).

I'm also giving away 5 Pearl of Wisdom Pins. So, go already!

All I want for Christmas is a New Computer

Or laptop. I'm not picking. Now that I'm addicted to Tweetdeck, my computer laughs at me when I try to tweet and have too many Firefox windows open. By too many windows I mean more than 2. Don't even ask what it does when I try to open Excel or Word. It's not a good multi-tasker.

There's some amazing computer and laptop giveaways going on right now. What an awesome Christmas present it would be to win one! I'm sharing the love.

TechSavvyMama is giving away a HP TouchSmart 600 touchscreen computer. If I won this compute I might actually watch movies on it. The giveaway ends midnight tonight EST so go enter! She's also giving away lots of other fun things on her blog too! Make sure you subscribe to her blog so you don't miss anything.

Curious George Christmas & DVD Giveaway

Congrats to "Miss" Anita for winning the DVD!


Ok, I admit that I love Christmas. I love the decorations, the trees, wrapping presents, but especially the music. Usually i hold off on Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.

However, I'm a sucker for Christmas stories. When I was given a chance to preview the new Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas, I jumped for it! I love watching Curious George on PBS with Sophia. It's one of the few kid shows I don't mind watching. Not only is George cute, but he teaches my daughter about math and science. Where else could a little monkey fly into space and help out scientists?

We had some of Sophia's friends over yesterday for a little screening. First we all made Build-Your-Own Pisghetti Pizza. I provided pitas or english muffins and had all the toppings in little bowls. I love making individual pizzas, so yummy. Kids had cheese and ham, while the adults made salami and spinach pizza.

While those baked, we started the DVD. I was a little shocked to hear The Man in the Yellow Hat sing in the opening number, but as my husband put it, "Can't have a Christmas movie without a song."  I admit, he's right.

George and The Man in the Yellow Hat (what is his name, anyone know?), count down the days until Christmas. However, George has written (ahem, drawn) his wishlist this year and the Man in the Yellow Hat can't decipher it. Hilarius antics thus ensue, of course. After the pizza disappeared, we moved on to popcorn. Can't have a proper movie viewing without popcorn right? This is a movie both kid and adults will enjoy.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas airs the weekend of Thanksgiving. Check your local listings. If you are in the DC area, it airs on WETA TV 26 on Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 AM and again on Monday, November 30 at noon.


If that doesn't fit in your schedule, I'm giving away a copy. All you have to do is leave a comment with the answer to this question:


What's on your wishlist this holiday season? (Not the kids, yours)


Please make sure that you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.



For 3 extra entries, you may also do any of the following. Just make sure you come back and leave a comment with the link or letting me know you've done it. I won't be able to keep track otherwise.

• subscribe to my blog (or already do)
• subscribe to my new craft/food blog, Cup of Creativi-Tea
• Tweet about the giveaway (leave a link to your tweet) or post it on Facebook
• You're welcome to copy and paste this for your tweet/FB status
• What does Curious George want for Xmas? Win the new DVD & find out! http://bit.ly/CuriousGeorge #AVeryMonkeyChristmas @thienkim
  

I'll draw a winner by November 30! I will try to mail it out the same week, but keep in mind, I'll (hopefully) have a newborn by then.


I was not compensated for this post or for hosting the screening party. However, I was given a copy of the DVD as well as some popcorn and games for the party. Thanks to 360 PR!

Will You Be My Friend? & Giveaway

I finally caved in and joined Facebook. It's only been about 2 days, but I like it. I'm reconnecting with old college friends. I'm a bit overwhelmed by everything that you can do on Facebook. I like the simplicity of Twitter much better. Just will take some time to figure it all out.

I also created a Passion & Art Facebook Fan Page. Won't you become a fan? I'm also doing a giveaway over there too. All you have to do is become a fan and comment on this discussion. One lucky commenter will win a $25 grab bag of Passion Parties goodies. If you refer a friend who becomes a fan and comments, both of you will win a $25 grab bag. For more details, head over to the discussion.

See you over there!

Blogalicious Winner

Congrats to Rosa! She won the free pass to Blogalicious.

She won with her comment:

I would love to see "The Beauty of Different" sponsored by Disney Interactive Studios

The registration specials are still good. It's not too late to register, so don't forget to check out the latest news! The last day to register is September 25.

Arrrgh! Don't forget to talk like a pirate today!

To Smartphone or Not To Smartphone?

Hubby and I have been debating on if I should cross the smartphone threshold. I have this sad little Motorola Razr. About 2 months ago, it started acting crazy and I could only charge it by hooking it up to my computer. For some reason, it's working normally again. I guess it's time to go cellphone shopping as I use this phone for my Passion Parties business.

My girlfriends (and business colleagues) tell me I need a Blackberry. I feel like I'm already plugged in too much: email, Twitter, blogs, and more. Some of it is for work but a lot of it is for fun too. Will I be too addicted if I can access all this from my phone? Will it make me unable to be fully present when I'm supposed to be having quality time with Sophia? Those are my main concerns.

My calendar is half electronic now, thanks to Google Calendar. I'm even sending myself text reminders of my to-do lists. Am I being a Luddite? I love my paper calendar. I like pulling it out my bag and seeing the entire month at a glance. I've even printed out my monthly view Google Calendar so I could carry it around in my purse. I guess I wouldn't need to do that if I had a smartphone.

Why all the internal debate? My friend Leticia from Tech Savvy Mama is giving away a TMobile MyTouch Phone. After reading the review, I discovered I can use it for my Gmail as well as Google Calendar!

Devra from Parentopia spoke about mommy guilt this week at our Mocha Moms meeting. She sets a self-imposed limit with her tech time. She doesn't plug in while her kids are getting ready for school and when they are home from school, she doesn't plug in either. She wants to be 100% available for her kids. Her kids are older than Sophia, but I think that's a great idea.

With the new baby coming, I know I'll have to work my business when I can squeeze it in. Once he's on a schedule, I can go back to a schedule myself.

Maybe I do want a smartphone? That MyTouch looks sleek!

PS Don't forget you a few more hours to win a pass to Blogalicious!

Win A Blogalicious Conference Pass!

Have you heard about Blogalicious? It's an awesome blogging conference organized by the wonderful ladies at MamaLaw. Blogalicious 2009 will provide women bloggers of color an amazing opportunity to come together to celebrate their diversity and their love for blogging.

For three days, black, Latina, Caribbean, Asian-Pacific, and Native-American bloggers, among other nationalities, will enjoy a weekend of entertaining discussions and extraordinary events, all experienced in the company of exceptional women. The conference runs Oct 9-11.

How cool is that? Now don't fret. You don't have to be a minority or have a vagina to attend. Honest. All are welcome!

A couple of weeks ago, they had a special for conference registration and it was too good to resist.
I got on the phone with my OB and she cleared me to travel to Atlanta for the conference. My birthday is October 8, so I hope you can come and help me celebrate.

Let me tell you how awesome the conference will be. Not only will it be a great weekend of networking, but some amazing bloggers will be speaking and sharing their amazing experience. Check out the agenda.

There will also be FREE childcare, thanks to sponsor Huggies. You don't even have to find a sitter for your kids! They're going to be entertained and fed while you get to enjoy time with other grownups. You can even apply for the Chevy Carpool, where you'll receive a cool Chevy to drive to Atlanta. The last day to apply is September 15 (TOMORROW).

So go register today! There are currently some amazing conference pass specials. These are for a limited time and a limited quantity, so take advantage of them before they are gone.

Student Pass - A special discounted price of $75 per ticket is now available for students. A Student Pass admission gives you access to all conference activities BUT you'll have to present current college or university student identification at conference check in and you'll have to be at least 21 years of age to party.

2 for 1 Pass - A special discount of $350 for admission for 2 will be offered to you and a friend if you register together. Admission includes all the perks of a regular admission - just at a discount.

Party Pass - For those of you who want to network a little and party a lot, this pass will give you admission as a conference attendee to the exclusive Blogalicious events on Friday and Saturday nights and will give you access to the Exhibitor Marketplace during the day on Saturday.

Skip Pass - If you only want to attend the general sessions, then this pass is for you! For a special price of $100, you'll get admission to the Saturday Morning Keynote Session; Keynote Luncheon (includes lunch); Town Hall Session; Coffee & Snack Breaks; and the Exhibitor Marketplace.

Don't sleep because these offers are for a limited time only!

You can also win your own pass, right here on my blog! I would love to meet you in person. There are several ways you can enter the giveaway to win a full conference registration (hotel and travel are on your own). Those who are already registered are not eligible for this contest, sorry. Please make sure you leave an email address for me to contact you.

1. Leave a comment on which speaker or breakout session you couldn't miss for the world. (See agenda)

2. Tweet about the giveaway (with link) and leave another comment with the link to your tweet. If you're feeling lazy, you can use this tweet:

Enter to win a free pass to @Blogalicious09 (via @thienkim) http://bit.ly/3cYFh

3. Blog about the giveaway, link back to it and leave your post link in a comment.

I'll draw a winner by this Friday, Sept 18, 2009.

t I Love a Man in Uniform Winner

Thanks for all the entries!

Congrats to Melanie for winning the book!

Please contact me within 48 hours with your mailing address and I'll send it out.

I'll have a new giveaway up soon.

Some New Book and A Giveaway

Just saying hi to those visiting from my friend's blog, Not Exactly Bento. She wrote a great post about the first time I took her out for tapas. Check it out!

Thanks to Paperbackswap, my mailman has been gifting me with some new books to read. I'm totally addicted to books, mostly collecting them since I don't have as much time to read as I'd like. (If you've never heard of Paperbackswap, it's a great way to swap your books, paperbacks and hardcovers, for FREE! Just pay for postage. If you decide to join, please use my link--I get a referral point. Thank!)

First, I just got a copy of Padma Lakshm's Tangy, Tart, Hot, & Sweet. I love watching Top Chef. Though the current Top Chef Masters is a bit lackluster. I totally have a girl crush on her. I love that Padma isn't afraid to eat. I've just lightly skimmed the cookbook, and it's everything I love in a cookbook. The pages are glossy, beautiful pictures and a picture of Padma biting into a piece of fried chicken! Now to clean my kitchen so I can try out one of the recipes.

I took Living Artfully by Sandra Magsamen to read while at my doctor's appointment. It's a fun book-inspiring without being too preachy. She believes that everyone is creative. We just all have to discover what calls each of us. I totally believe this too. She gave me a great idea. I've been wanting to host a gathering of my favorite women for a day of creativity and pampering. Reading this book has definitely kickstarted me!

Now onto the giveaway! Every now and again, I'm given the opportunity to review some books for Elle Magazine. I'm stalking my mailman for the August issue to see if they published any of my reviews for the Elle Lettres column.

After I read the books, I usually post them on Paperbackswap, but why not do a giveaway? Normally, I wouldn't even pick up books that pertain to the military, but I Love a Man in Uniform by Lily Buruna totally drew me in. Maintaining a marriage is tough enough, but maintaining a marriage while your husband is in Iraq. The writing isn't sappy or self-deprecating (one of my peeves), and kept me turning the pages.

So if you'd like a chance to win this book, there are 4 different ways to earn entries.

1. Just leave a comment with your email address. I'll randomly drawing a name on or about July 30th.

2. Tweet about the contest, then comment again for an extra entry. If you're feeling lazy, just use this tweet:

Not your usual beach read-book giveaway from @thienkim http://bit.ly/summerread

3. Follow me on Twitter, and just post another comment saying you did

4. Subscribe to my blog for another entry. That's right, leave another comment. If you're already subscribe, just let me know too!

A Contest--Win a Lipstick Vibe

EDIT: Contest extended until March 15th, while I try to get my ducks in a row!

Happy Valentine's Weekend! I know it's a day early, but I promised you some romance tips right? Check out Savvy Source, where I'm a guest writer for today. There are great tips on how to keep the fire burning in your relationship. (There's also a special for Savvy Source readers who want to shop at my website.)

To celebrate Valentine's weekend, I'm having a contest. I've been thinking about starting a blog that focuses more on sex and relationships. I don't want to do it here because it might get explicit (oh la la). Since not everyone wants to read about explicit sex (wonder what google search hits I'll get for that), I want to keep it separate.

Your mission, should you decide to accept:
What's a great title for a sex and relationship blog? The blog will have a casual feel (after all, I'm no doctor). I hope to provide awesome tips, a bit of education and reviews of toys, books, lotions, the whole shebang! And not always take myself too seriously. Sex is supposed to be fun.
Want to win this totally fabulous Lipstick Vibe ($25 value)? It's small, discreet and waterproof! Great for a midday pampering. Post your suggestion in the comments below. The title I like the best will win. However, I'll randomly pick one person to win a sexy surprise prize. I'm saying surprise because I don't know what it is yet.

1. You can enter as often as you like. However, you can't enter titles that are super similar, for example, The Sexy Lady or The Sexy Woman. Bonus points for being clever.

2. Tweet about the contest for an extra entry (for surprise prize). Make sure you add @thienkim so I can keep track.

3. Blog about it and link to my blog for another entry for the random drawing. Make sure you leave a comment with the link.

4. Subscribe to my blog feed. Post another comment that you've done so. Or if you already do, just say that.

5. The last day to enter is February 28, 2009.

Spy Museum Ticket Winner!

Sorry it took so long. When your child gets sick, everything gets pushed aside. She's feeling better except for a horrible sounding cough. And she gave me a present too. I think I've caught her cold.

So the winner of 2 tickets to the International Spy Museum is Smiling Mama! Send me your info and I'll mail out your tickets ASAP!

Make sure you come back. I have some cool Leapfrog toys to giveaway from the fun event in NYC. They'll make great holiday presents for the kiddos in your life.

Day 20: Random Acts of Kindness

Tomorrow is a fun family day! DH is driving my sister to the airport at 5 AM (eek!) and then we're headed off to the Thanksgiving parade downtown. Sophia's been talking asking all week if we could move the parade to today. So cute.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. I love cooking for Thanksgiving. I've been drooling over the recipes over at Pioneer Woman. If you've never been to her blog, it's a must read. She's hilarious! Larry is in charge of the turkey. He brines it and it's the best, juiciest turkey I've ever eaten. Usually I take care of all the sides. My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the leftover turkey carcass. I make turkey gumbo with it. I love a good gumbo. I don't make it very often, as it's time intensive. Now that we're getting teased with snow flurries, a nice hot bowl of gumbo will warm us up!

I've been thinking about hosting a cookie swap. It sounds like a lot of fun. Have you ever been to one? I'm still debating if people are too busy this time of the year to bake and swap cookies. It sounds so Suzie Homemaker.

I totally flaked on soul coaching's Day 19, but I won't beat myself up over it. I'll just move on. Do you practice RAKs? Random acts of kindness? Today's assignment is about making an effort to practice RAKs. I don't consciously do it everyday, but I think I should. Sometimes I'll bring cupcakes to "school" (the Parent Resource Center). I'll open doors for moms with strollers struggling when I'm out, or letting the person behind me in line at the store who only has 1 or 2 items skip ahead. It doesn't make my day any more difficult.

What was your random act of kindness?

Don't forget about the giveaways!

Win an Epson printer!

One of the other blogs I write for, DC Metro Moms is giving away a totally cool Epson Artisan 800 printer. Make sure to hop over and enter to win. Tech Savvy Mama wrote a great review. Looks like a great printer for craft projects too.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for tickets to the International Spy Museum. And I just found out the tickets are good until Nov 19, 2009!

Day 17: a Spy Giveaway & I Shoulds

EDIT: The tickets to the Spy Museum are good until Nov 19, 2009--a whole year!

Does your to-do list look like this?

• I should do the dishes
• I should clean off my desk
• I should call my leads
• I should spend more quality time with my kid
• I should, I should, I should. . .

That's what the to-do list inside my head sounds like. When I write it out the I should's aren't there, but I think them in my head. I'm sure you do this too. Why do we do this to ourselves? According to Denise Linn, should implies guilt. I definitely feel guilty when I say these things. Even guiltier when I don't do them. Does all the guilt motivate me to do these things?Absolutely not! So I just need to change my way of thinking, right? Instead of saying "I should do the dishes," I can say "I could do the dishes, but I am going to relax and watch some tv."

One of the things I keep saying I should do is do a giveaway to celebrate my 100th blog post (several days ago). So here we go.

If you live in the DC area or plan on coming to visit the area before Christmas, I'm giving away 2 tickets to the International Spy Museum. (Full disclosure: hubby works at the Spy Museum, but neither of us are being compensated for this giveaway. They don't even know I'm doing it!)

Here's the caveat: these tickets are only good until Dec 24th. I will email the winner with exact details. I'll draw a random name on November 27th (Thanksgiving) around midnight. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. You can earn up to 4 entries:

• leave a comment on this post with an email address
• subscribe to my blog (using the Subscribe to Posts button on the right) or your blog reader, then leave a separate comment saying you did
• mention this giveaway on your blog and link back with another comment
• subscribe to my Passion Parties newsletter (orange block on right) (leave a comment too please); if you subscribe just say that.
  

Sorry about having to leave all the separate comments. It's the easiest way for me to keep track.

Historians believed that Mata Hari's career as a burlesque dancer allowed her spy? Was she? There's a great exhibit about her at the Spy Museum.

Winner!

Photo from smohundro via Flickr

Okay, I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last post. And you're probably wondering who the winner is for the giveaway! So wait no more, the winner of the travel sized RomantaTherapy Passion Power in white chocolate is Wylde Iris! And here's the drink she shared with us:

Ok now the drink...

We like margaritas and this is our spin on the traditional.
1 1/2 oz Cuervo Gold Tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier or Cointreau
1 oz water
1 tsp Agave nectar (or to taste)
1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
Shake well and pour over ice. Very good.

I'm a fan of any drink with tequila in it! I also did receive some great romance tips! You might see those in my newsletter this month. Not on my email list? Sign up with the link in the sidebar.

No olives & a Giveaway

photo by Flickr member 365bunnies

I love a martini. Not the ones with olives and vodka. Nope, I love girlie martinis. The fruitier (or chocolately) the better! Maybe it's just the way then then stem of the martini glass feels between my fingers. Maybe it's how sexy I feel balancing the fragile glass while sipping such sweet nectar.

My favorite martini is definitely the Appletini. However, maybe it's time I branch out. However, there are requisites. It has to look sexy and taste good!

Chocolate Martini
Don't forget to rim the glass with some cocoa powder or even better, chopped chocolate bits.

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 1/2 oz Godiva Chocolate liquer
  
• powdered cocoa for rimming

1. Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake vigorously.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with cocoa.

Doesn't that sound delicious? I'll have to pick up some Godiva Liquer for our next happy hour.

Did you know that August is Romance Awareness Month? To celebrate, I'm offering a giveaway and a sale on my website. Visit my shop and you'll save 12% off your order when you use code ROMANCE at checkout. Fine print: Not valid retroactively, on party orders, or with other discounts.

Now here's the giveaway! Tuck a travel size of our yummy Passion Powder in White Chocolate in your bag on your next romantic getaway. Dust this on your lover and you can nibble, lick, and kiss your way into oblivion.

You can get 1 entry for doing each of the following. Just leave separate comments for each item and I'll randomly draw a winner next Friday, August 22. Extended until Aug 25th. Sorry, due to mailing costs, this contest is only available for US residents.

1. Leave a comment with a romance tip that has worked well for you. No bedroom details necessary!

2. Share your favorite sexy drink. If you have a recipe, please share a link!

3. Post this giveaway on your blog and leave the link in your comment here!

Summer Activities

One of my favorite bloggers, Tech Savvy Mama is having a great summer reading giveaway! Today's the last day to enter, so go check it out! She gives great suggestions about great ways to keep your kids reading during the summer. Fortunately Sophia loves books, she can't get enough. I hope that she never loses that. You should definitely read her other entries too. Have you ever wondered if your child spends too much time on the computer? Or want to know what are good sites for the kiddos?

If you want to discuss your kids' tech time, check out her Lilaguide group, Tech Savvy Parents.

My parents are in town, so I don't have a lot of time to blog. We're going to pick blueberries! Full report later.

Giveaway Winners!

Flickr Photo by HewGriff

I had a glass of wine with dinner Monday night and for some reason, after that, I lost my voice! Okay, it was kinda raspy and hoarse and I sounded mostly normal in the morning. It wasn't even a sexy raspy, just freakish.

What are you doing to pamper yourself? I have always believe in taking time for yourself, more so now that I'm a mom. Are do you just fall into bed every night exhausted? Take 20 minutes and read that bodice ripper you've been hiding in your nightstand. Or you can have that glass of wine and some chocolate after everyone has gone to bed. My favorite is to fill up the tub with some bath salts and grab that stack of magazines I haven't had a chance to read all week. I trying not to read any parenting magazines while I'm relaxing.

Do you give yourself pamper time or me time? What do you do?

Okay, now for the giveaway winners. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to announce them. Drumroll, please. Will Justice Fergie, Jessica, and Gasa please send me your mailing address? Send me an email to kim (at) kimstoys (dot) com and I'll send your Valentine's goody bags with Passion Parties samples in them!

Don't forget to enter for goody bag giveaway

I've extended the goody bag giveaway until Friday, and I had extras, so I'll be giving out THREE bags! So just leave a comment in this post or the previous one. Tell me what you do to make everyday feel like Valentine's Day. Then check back on Saturday for the winners!

Welcome Moms Inc of Silver Spring readers! We had a great meeting today about blogging for your business, and I shared my blog with Moms Inc. Fellow member Terri Holley gave the presentation and is offering a teleclass on Joyful Business Blogging. Check it out!