200 Borders Stores Closing! Save up to 75% off!

Attention Ozark Mamas! Did you get the news that Borders has filed

Ch. 11 Bankruptcy and is closing over 200 of their store locations by

April 2011?


Locations that are closing in the Ozarks include:

Rogers, AR -- Ballwin, MO -- Chesterfield, MO -- Kansas City, MO -- Springfield, MO -- St. Peters, MO -- St. Joseph, MO -- Oklahoma City, OK -- and Tulsa, OK

To see a complete list of the 200 store closings, click here!

Don't miss out on these deals! I've heard that you can save up to 75% off products!

Wordless Wednesday- They are totally related! : )

Well, almost wordless:

Distracted Mommy Spells DISASTER in my house, what about yours?

P.S. Note, this is the same cupboard just a couple of years later. You'd think I would have learned to lock it by now. : )

This is SO going on my next sewing project list!

I can just imagine my little cutie in these this summer! I can't wait to make them! It's super easy too!

Get the tutorial for it here! I love her website! It's where I go for all my crafting ideas when I feel in the mood!

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/03/ribbon-capris.html

P.S. I guess I'm in an " ! " right now. lol.

When I'm able to get the sewing machine back out again, I will definitely post a picture of DD's new jeans! : )

What's your secret to "Doing it All"?

I've always wondered this! Some Moms are so much more put together than others. If you feel like you are one of these "put together moms" would you be so kind to share your secrets with the rest of us? I only have 2 kiddos right now but plan on having more in the future. How do you stay on top of things, blog, get your goals accomplished, etc?

Please enlighten us! : )



Thanks,

Featured Follower: "Bows that Grow" and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Our First Ever Featured Follower is:

Meagan with Bows that Grow. (a.k.a The Fergi Fam)

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

Do you have any children?

Well, I have been married for five years now and I am a SAHM of three adorable kids (two boys + one girl).

What are some things that you love to do?

I love to organize! You would never know it by the looks of my house but if I could have all the money in the world I'd have all sorts of shelves, containers, and sorters.

I LOVE to make lists, even if they don't always get accomplished. I made a notebook specifically for my lists.

What are some things that you hate?

I hate taking baths. If for some reason I'm in the mood to take a bath, I have to clean the tub, shower, bathe, and shower after. I find it gross to sit in your own filth.

I hate watching new movies because I'm afraid of what's going to be in them. I hate anything scary, or dirty, and I hate cussing. So I stick to the stuff I know and that's mainly kid movies! :)

What are three things you are really good at?

Okay, off the top of my head...singing. I used to sing in a barbershop quartet. I miss it soooo much! I'm also a licensed cosmetologist and I make AWESOME homemade bread.

What made you think of starting Bows that Grow?

Well, one day I tried a headband on my baby girl and it did not fit her anymore. I had only bought the headband a couple of weeks before that. I decided that there should be something that grows with your child and when I didn't find it, I decided to make it myself : )

How do "Bows that Grow" work?

All of my bows connect together so you can get the size and look you are going for. You can Mix-and-Match them to coordinate with the outfit your little one is wearing as well. Then these bows can connect to my headbands, clippies, barrettes, or even hats. The possibilities are endless and you aren't left with a bow that can't be worn anymore because they "outgrew" it.

Well, thank you Meagan for letting me feature you and for becoming a follower of Ozark Mama Reviews!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for some EXCITING news!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ozark Mama Reviews is teaming up with Bows that Grow to bring you an awesome giveaway. The winner will have their CHOICE from one of these adorable custom-made "3-tier Mix and Match" sets from Bows that Grow.

Here are your choices:

Choice #1:

Choice #2:

Choice #3:
Choice #4:
or Choice #5:

This Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!
Winner is announced in the winners tab at the top of this blog!

Win it! One of my readers will win their CHOICE from one of these Bows that Grow sets above!
Also, for those of you that are interested in purchasing regardless if you win or not there is a promo code that Bows that Grow has offered. Mention the code: SPRING20 in your order to Meagan on her site and receive 20% your total purchase! This code will last until the end of February 2011.

Mandatory Entry:

You must complete these before any other entries count. Also, you must include your e-mail with each entry so that I can contact you if you win. Entries without an e-mail will not be counted in the giveaway. Good Luck!

1. "Like" Bows that Grow on their Facebook page. (1 entry)
   
2. Choose which set you want to win and who it's for (1 entry)
   

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each with your e-mail.

1. Follow this blog with GFC and leave a comment (past followers count) (2 entries)
2. "Heart" the Bows that Grow Etsy shop . (1 entry)
3. "Like" Ozark Mama Reviews on Facebook. (1 entry)
   
4. Follow @ozarkmamareview on Twitter and leave your Twitter handler (1 entry)
   
5. "Tweet" about this giveaway using this tweet (limit 1 tweet entry per day):
   

#Win a "3-tier Mix-and-Match" Headband Set from #BowsthatGrow @ozarkmamareview #giveaway #hairbow http://bit.ly/hPG4ik Ends 2/25

6. Subscribe with RSS to Ozark Mama Reviews (1 entry)
7. Subscribe by e-mail to Bows that Grow (1 entry)
8. Make a purchase from Bows that Grow (10 entries)

This Giveaway will end on February 25, 2011 and is opened to US Residents only! Be sure to leave your e-mail address with each entry and leave separate comments for each entry!

I was not paid to feature this post! I was not compensated in any way!

(P.S. If you would like to be a Featured Follower and are a Follower of Ozark Mama Reviews please contact me at ozarkmamareviews at gmail dot com so we can get you posted!)

Dear Neglected Blog...

You seem to have been put on the back burner this year. Instead, I have been playing "house" and trying to be a good girl and not be distracted by the computer. Well, I'm at my whits end with the never-ending clutter that slaps me in the face each morning, that makes me wonder why it takes me all day to clean one room, and I am back now, to tend to MY needs, lol, to connect with the outside world of Mommies and mostly to procrastinate the mundane tasks I must do everyday. Oh how I look forward to naptime and bedtime each day (although, the little ones must never grow up : )

***********************************
So, here it is: I'm Officially BACK : )

and with that being said:

Now that the blizzards are over (crosses fingers) it looks like my blog could use some Spring Cleaning (thanks to the groundhog for not seeing his shadow). See? I need to do my chores still. Just in the blogging world : )

Things to look forward to:

Posting more often and I'm going to be changing things up a bit. This is my first public blog and things aren't working the way I want them to with me posting so:

I'm planning on posting only 3 times a week. I will most likely be posting on:

Mindful Mondays: Deals of the Week, Fun things going on in the Ozarks that week, Product Reviews, and Meal Planner Monday too!

Wacky Wednesdays: I will still be writing parenting tips or opening up the blog to a therapy session for Moms, and anything else I want to include to give the blog personality, such as craft projects, blogging tips, Wordless Wednesday pictures, etc.

and

Featured Friday: Yes, finally, I will be having a blog follower featured and adding giveaways once in a while as well. If I don't have a feature lined up for the week I will be going to one of your guys blogs and picking an article to link to to feature (with your permission of course...but it's free advertising so I'm sure you wouldn't mind ; )

So, that's all. Thanks for following in my learning process as I get this blog defrosted and for sticking with me even through my "ice" storm.

P.S. Make sure to check Back Friday to get this blog rolling full steam ahead with a Featured Blogger and a Giveaway to top it off : )

Twitter Hop Thursday

Welcome! Follow me @ozarkmamareview and I will follow you back!

If you want to follow me with GFC (right hand side of blog), I will also follow you back as well!

Fumbling into the New Year!

Well hello there! Yes, I admit, I have been lost in my own thoughts and have not taken the time needed for my blog! The New Year has begun and all the stress of Christmas has passed but new things keep popping up every day (higher electric bills). Hopefully the Hubby can get a management job soon! My little boy's 1st birthday was a success! He enjoyed his cake much more than his sister did on her 1st birthday (maybe it's a boy thing...). The poor little guy is teething right now and I can't get his temperature to go down! I hope that's what it is at least. I probably will be taking him in to the doctor tomorrow if I can't get it down. It was 99.5 (armpit) all day yesterday and then this morning it was 101.5 (armpit) and now it's 102.5 (rectal) so, I've given him some tylenol for the 5th time today (which I DISLIKE!) and am hoping that it will go down soon. The good news is that my blog has 59 followers now! Yay! Thanks guys!

So, today's tip for Wisdom Wednesday: (now that I'm trying to get back into the swing of things)

Try to Look at the BIG PICTURE.

If you are putting your child into timeout for the umpteenth time today. Give yourself a little break and step back and think to yourself, maybe, just maybe, they are only trying to get your attention. Have you done anything with them for the past few hours or have you tried to get things on your to do list done only? It wouldn't hurt for you to take 5 minutes out of your routine to play with them in whatever they are doing. (Can you tell I write these notes for myself? So, I can go back and read what my subconscious is telling me? : ) So, to continue, instead of plopping them in front of the TV, try turning on some music and dancing with them, it will make you and them feel better instantly. Man, I can't wait for Summer to be here again so I can get some air! Winter drives me loopy having to stay inside all day!

So, what were your New Year's resoultions? Still sticking to them? (it's only been 5 days, hopefully you have : )

My resolution was to get it together, be on time to places finally, stay on top of the laundry and keep the house in order so that I can take the time to play with the children and not feel overwhelmed with all the clutter. Wanna know something funny my husband and I just talked about? We checked our library account online so he could renew his book. I thought that I only had 2 books checked out but it turns out that I actually have 3 checked out. The 3rd book that is somewhere in this house is titled, "How to organize your life in one week". Yup, it's lost, as you can tell the book is working wonders for me : )

Alright, have fun spending some time with your children this week! In other successes we officially started pre-school lessons with DD this week (she is 3) and it is going great!

Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S. If you knew me in person this is how I really talk, all dis-jumbled, sometimes you have to stop me and tell me that you have no clue what I'm talking about : ) Hopefully you can keep up!

A Little Review for Now

Well, I had great intentions of reviewing a place this week but with it being Christmas and my son's birthday coming up, I had no chance to get out and about to do that. I love my blog I really do but I love my family more! Just saying : ) So, I just thought that I'd share a few places that I have been recently and loved.

Culvers (http://www.culvers.com/)

We had the best ice cream there today! I love that if you join their club you get free stuff too!

Target

I was able to get the Vaseline freebie deal with coupons!
http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2010/12/target-deals-free-vaseline-lotion-more/

Hope you guys enjoyed your Holidays! I loved seeing the children open their presents and loved having the magic in my house for a little while!

Need a Fun Place to Take the Family for New Years Eve?

First Night Springfield 2011 (http://www.firstnightspringfield.org/)

One World, One City, One Night
December 31, 2010
5:30pm – Midnight

Join us as we ring in the new year at First Night Springfield 2011. The theme for this year’s event is “One World, One City, One Night” and will feature a wide variety of performances that highlight the beauty and diversity in different cultures.

You won’t want to miss the Chinese Lion Dance performed by Fu Hok Studios, the traditional Latin American dancing by Grupo Latinoamericano, or the performance of the Japan America Friendship Group.

This year’s event will also feature performances from Chris Sligh (American Idol Season 6 finalist and national Christian recording artist), Someone Still Loves you Boris Yeltsin, SuperCharge and many more of your favorite local performing groups.

Last Minute Panicking and MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!

Sorry for not posting the past couple of days! My blog has been unfortunately placed on the back burner trying to get Christmas "Wrapped Up" before it gets here. To make it up to you guys I thought I might help a little with your Last Minute Christmas Shopping as well!


My daughter is SOOO into Santa Clause right now. This is the first year that she actually gets it (she's 3). Last year, she refused to sit on anyone's lap that was not her parents, lol. This year she practically ran into Santa's arms and I had to pull her off because she really wanted to give him a kiss! I let her blow a kiss to him instead. So, when I saw this website: www.iCaughtSanta.com , I knew right away that I would like to get a picture for my daughter to see that Santa had been to our house!

With over 20 poses to choose from it has been fun trying to decide where I wanted to catch Santa! I love that this could become a Family Tradition as well since there are so many options!



To help you choose click on the this link to take you to the Gallery on their website for some inspiration!


(Sample picture from the Gallery)

If you have a newbie believer or if your older children are getting a little too curious about Santa put their worries to rest!

I recommend iCaughtSanta.com to anyone who wants to put a little extra holiday spirit into their home this year.

FYI: There is also an iPhone app available for those on the go!

BUY IT!

These make great last minute gifts as well!

iCaughtSanta.com prices are as follows:

$9.99 for 1 photo or $20.00 for 4 (give the code to others in your family so the cousins can see Santa was at their house too!). There are Gift Cards and e-Gift Certificates available for $9.99 for the first and $4.99 for each one additional gift.

Readers of Ozark Mama Reviews can get a 25% their iCaughtSanta.com purchase using the discount code: Ozark-Mama .

*CLOSED* Winners can be found under the Winners tab at the top of this page. All Winners have been notified and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen!

WIN IT!

Win a promotional code for a free iCaughtSanta.com photo – 5 Winners!

TO ENTER: Just leave a comment saying who you want to win this for!

EXTRA ENTRIES

Let me know you have completed the extra entries by leaving separate comments.

• For 3 Extra Entries: Follow this blog through Google Friend Connect
• For 3 Extra Entries: Follow iCaughtSanta on Twitter @CatchACharacter
  
• For 2 Extra Entries: Follow Ozark Mama Reviews on Twitter @OzarkMamaReview
• For an additional entry: Tweet: Keep the Magic alive! Enter to win iCaughtSanta Photo http://ozarkmamareviews.blogspot.com/2010/12/last-minute-panicking-and-my-first.html

• For 2 Extra Entries: Add our button to our blog on your site (in the buttons tab at the top).
  
• For 2 Extra Entries: Like Ozark Mama Reviews on Facebook
  
• Even More Entries! Leave a NEW comment on as many other posts as you like (up to 10) and get one entry for each comment. Be sure to let me know which ones you commented on below!

Giveaway Rules: Giveaway ends Friday, December 24th at 10:00 am Central Standard Time. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. You MUST have a valid email in blog profile or leave email address in comments. I will notify the winner by email. If winner doesn’t respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Once confirmed, this post will be updated with the winning names and entries.

Good Luck to all!

P.S. Now onto a 1st Birthday party to plan for My Son! Life does not slow down! lol!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com and sponsored by Favorite Wigs Shop Name Brand Wigs at Low Prices! Large Wig Selection of Estetica Wigs, Quality Wigs. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Featured Friday-Where followers get noticed!

So, since this is the first Featured Friday, I thought I would give my blog a little time to grow and just feature myself, since in the long run, it would benefit my readers to know who I am, and have more views of their interview next week when the blog is bigger (I'm hoping to have 100 followers). So, that being said, here we go!

Name: Amber
Blog: www.ozarkmamareviews.blogspot.com

1) A little bit about me:

I am a stay at home mom of 1 boy and 1 girl and 1 cat and a wonderful husband. I love to sew , take pictures, read, and play with my kiddos. My newest endeavors are my blogging and I'm also about to start school again (for Elementary Ed.) online.

I HATE clutter and last year I made it my goal to get rid of all the clutter I can find. I accomplished that goal and have figured that it is a daily purging process because we bring things into our home every day. Next year my goal is to be on time to things.


2) What is your favorite book(s)? Favorite Movie(s)? and Favorite TV show(s)?
I love the Twilight Series, I watch Life Unexpected (yes, I know corny but I'm hooked), also, I love GLEE!

3) Where is your dream vacation?
I would love to go to Australia. I don't want to take the kids. Just me and my husband, like a second honeymoon.

Well, when it's your turn I will let you guys also talk about any business stuff that you would like. I hope that you will enjoy this blog and have a Happy Weekend!


Amber

Our First Talent Show Thursday! So Excited!

Alright, I'm so excited for this! Talent Show Thursday! What have you done lately (or in the past) that you want to show off! It's can be a craft, sewing project, organization project, painting project, awesome party you threw, basically anything that you want others to see and brag about!

So, Here's my accomplishment to show off!

I wanted my daughter to be Belle for Halloween.

I had been planning it ever since last year was over!

I strategically introduced a Disney Princess to her (Cinderella) and it instantly became her favorite and that was all she could talk about and watch for months. Then, as Halloween grew closer, I introduced her to Beauty and the Beast and BAM! The infatuation was born! Pretty sneaky right? I knew that her hair would be long enough this year compared to last year and that she might remember it better (since she was now 3). So, I waited till the last possible moment to accomplish my hidden agenda.

I bought all the material over the course of the year from different thrift stores (yes, you read that right). I couldn't see paying a lot for the costume so I gathered up some materials to make the dress myself. I found a bridal skirt, a really nice fancy prom dress, and an old pillow dust jacket. I waited till the store had their special 5 dollar bag sale and then I was super giddy to get my items home!

I'm sorry that I didn't take pictures of the whole process but I pretty much just used the existing zippers from both ensembles; made the cover-up & poofy part for her dress out of the bridal skirt by cutting it in half and using elastic to get the ruffled look; and then I used the prom dress for the main base of the costume and for the gloves as well. So, how do you think it turned out?


P.S. Naturally, I found some more costume items at the same said thrift store and stuffed them into the bag so that her Dad could be "the beast". I think the dress took me a total of 6 hours to complete because I hadn't really ever sewn anything that elaborate before (besides her baby blessing dress) but that's a post for another day.

P.P.S. This is probably the last time that I will get to "choose" (wink, wink) her costume for her and it was worth all the effort I put into it! I'm glad I finally get to show it off!

Now, Onto the Blog Hop!

Rules for the Talent Show Thursday Blog Hop:

Here it goes!

1) Be a follower of this blog
2) Grab the Talent Show Thursday Button (under the buttons tab on my blog).
3) Make a post including the link and Button to this hop within your blog post.
4) Free free to post this hop on Twitter if you so choose. You'll get an extra entry and make sure to leave a comment with your handle.
5) The winner gets bragging rights, a winners button, a post of their button on the side of my profile (under Talent Show Divas) and a few new followers (I would like everyone to follow the winner) too.

I will select the winner with random.org at the end of this hop (ends Sunday at 11:59 p.m.) and post the winner on Monday morning, so be sure to check back! I will be checking entries to see if the blogger is a follower of this blog with GFC (only qualified entries will be counted).

So, here's the link to link up your projects. And the button too! I can't wait to see what you have made with your talents!

Go ahead link up! : )

10 Days Till Christmas and Wisdom Wednesday!

It's officially two weeks until Christmas! How are you handling it? I shopped for the kids presents throughout the year so now we are just going to go one day and get some stocking stuffers and last minute things too. Well, that is for the children that live in my house at least! Everyone else? Pictures, yup, it's my go to arsenal. And for the Hubby, NO IDEA! He has changed so much this past year and the only things I can think of that he might like would be a Farmville gift card and an iTunes giftcard. What about you guys? What are you getting your husbands? Inspire me....please!!!


On another note, this post is suppose to have a little Wisdom factoid in it for us Moms to get us throughout the week. So, without further adieu, my Wisdom Wednesday Fact for Moms:

Do what is best for YOUR family!

Some things work for your family and some things don't. You are the deciding factor of how your family will function. If your kids don't go to bed till past 9 and sleep in till 10 don't stress about it! I know the parenting books say they should be in bed by 8 at the latest but if that doesn't work for you, skip it. Don't take parenting books to be your golden bible, they are just guidelines. When I had my first child, I pored over all the parenting books I could find, hoping to give my child a better upbringing than my parents gave me. I have found though (since having my second), all those parenting books have been tossed out the window. Yes, they were great savers with my first but you learn so much with actually experiencing it yourself. My theory is that they are your kids for a reason, they didn't just get stuck with you. You were meant to be their mother and you will have some natural inspiration with how to handle their individual needs. Books may help, but when all is said and done you know what will work for them the most (your attention and love). Give your children the real gift they want for Christmas this year....your TIME!

Ozark Mountain Gymnastics Review

We recently went to Ozark Mountain Gymnastics for a group meeting. I just wanted to say that this is one of the best keep secrets in Springfield! My daughter (3 years old) loved the place! The staff was very nice and were there to help the children on the equipment (which is a biggie for me). We stayed for three hours and my daughter enjoyed it the entire time! We first ate in the lunch area (also used for birthday parties) and then it was on to the gym. They had an open foam pit for them to jump into, 2 trampolines, an obstacle course, and they even played games with them as well. While we are not yet ready to enroll our daughter......

We will definitely be taking advantage of this awesome deal instead!

They have classes for children ages 3 and up, birthday parties (not bad prices either), and even camps to attend (must be at least 5 years old).

For more information visit their website: http://www.ozarkmountaingymnastics.com/

Directions:


View Larger Map

Talent Show Thursdays

Talent Show Thursdays-

On Thursdays, I will publish something that I've been working on craft wise. Plus, It's always good to have a little Talent Show as well! If you have something you have made that you want to share with others make sure to link up and it will be listed for all to see! The more the merrier!

P.S. If your week has been too busy or you have run out of show and tell items don't be afraid to show us your to-do list of craft projects you've found on the web! Just make sure to give the credit to the rightful owner and leave the link to their blog and picture.

Thanks everyone!

Featured Fridays

Featured Fridays-

On Fridays, I will publish a feature about one of my blog followers! The feature will include some general information about yourself PLUS any BUSINESS things you want to have our fellow readers know about! Once there are enough followers of this blog, I would love to also include some giveaways in the mix!

Mindful Mondays

Mindful Mondays-

On Mondays, I will publish a list of events happening in Springfield this week along with general holiday reminders. Please make sure to check back each week and see what is new! When we get enough followers, I hope to add some agenda specifically for our group as well!

Wisdom Wednesdays

Wisdom Wednesdays-

On Wednesdays, I will publish some wisdom for Mommies. Seeing as it is the middle of the week, I thought we could use some tips to save our sanity; then hopefully we can make it through the rest of the week!

Things to Do Tuesdays

Things to Do Tuesdays-

On Tuesdays, I will publish a review of different places to take your children in Springfield. These include things such as library reviews, park reviews, and other children related venues to partake in! These will be personal reviews that I conduct myself and will include pictures and detailed information about my experiences.