Aubut Life

Amon Maternity GIVEAWAY!!

I have told you how much I love Amon Maternity before (see here)

And I will say it again!

I had not used or really even known about Body shapers while I was pregnant or after I gave birth- I really wish now that I had! I have tried a few and most were completely uncomfortable and living in AZ- too hot to pull off!! But Amon has a body shaper that is designed for use after having a baby to help keep you tummy sucked in and get it back to "Pre-baby" shape. Although my daughter will be turning 2 in a couple months- this thing is AWESOME!!! Lightweight- but does what some of the others with boning and laces can do- yet this is still comfortable and I didnt even remember I was wearing it! PLUS- it makes all my clothes fit better!

They also have the Be*hold Band- this provides extra support for the belly and lower back!

You can read my review of their body shapers here! I LOVE mine!! It has become a part of my daily wardrobe! haha

Amon Maternity has offered 1 Lucky Aubut Family Reader a $50 GC

**Mandatory Entry** MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG TO ENTER!! Leave your first comment stating you are a follower AND what you would use your $50 GC for!
**Bonus Entries** (Please leave a separate comment for every entry- if it says 5 entries to grab the button- leave 5 entries!) Dont forget your Email address!

- Subscribe via email to my blog (5 entries!!!) Top right hand column

- Grab my button and let me know where to find it (5 Entries!!)

- Follow me on Twitter (2 entries)

- Tweet about this Giveaway (2 Entries)

- Enter any of my other Giveaways (2 Entries for every giveaway you enter! )

- Post about this contest and link back to me (10 Entries!)

- Purchase anything from Amon Maternity (20 Entries!)

Giveaway Winners will be drawn on Jan 10th at 12 midnight!! Good Luck~!

on Maternity’s mission is to support expecting mothers in getting comfortable by creating a healthy and happy life. Amon symbolizes creation, fertility and life. We are an online maternity store dedicated to providing pregnancy belly support with revolutionary maternity support belts, pregnancy belly band and bodyshaper undergarments.

Winners!!!

Better Late than never right???!!! Right????

Sorry- Got busier than expected with Christmas and blanked......

So.... Here are the winners!!

Perfectly Paper $50 GC...... Michelle!!

SandPit Kids- $20 GC....... Amy!!

All Decked Out- Any Item in Shop.......Xenia!!

Whole Foods-$20 GC ...... Charity!!

All winners have been emailed. Congrats!!

Thanks to all who entered- love ya!!

Posh Baby Couture GIVEAWAY!!!

Chandra Williams is the owner/creator of Posh Baby Couture and she is simply amazing! Her shop has some of the most decadent and POSH clothing and accessories I have ever come across!

A little about Posh Baby and Chandra- Chandra was a NFL wife for years until her husband retired recently. She started out making Diaper Wipes Cases and Bling Shoes, until she realized she had a talent for sewing. With her 3 nieces as her inspiration, she started making couture childrens clothing! And lucky for all of us that she did!!

Come on! Check out some of her stuff! Gorgeous!

These are so cute! I want some for me! :)

I am just starting to get into football (now that Dre patiently spent an entire day explaining each second of a single game and I "understand" the game!) So I think Ayla will need one of these for game days! Go Cardinals!

I have never seen such a cute saying for a maternity shirt! LOVE this!

Can we make this in my size??! ;)

I was in shock when I saw what Chandra created for me. She noticed that I have a definate thing for animal prints, and she made up 2 pairs of Custom Couture jeans just for Ayla! They both had coordinating Zebra print material in the shape of "A" for Ayla on the back pockets, one had hot pink, black and white patterend ribbons on the bottom. Swarovski Crystals lined the pockets and they have tiny bows on the front belt loops. In person- these are absolutely gorgeous!!

You cant see it in the pictures- but the back pockets are surrounded with pink crystals!

She also sent these gorgeous sandals for me! The pictures do not do these justice- the fleur de lis bling is awesome! These will be my new favorite shoes! Thankfully they are super comfy too!

So now on to the fun part! Chandra has offered one Aubut Family Reader a $40 GC to Posh Baby Couture!!

To Enter:

**Mandatory Entry** MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG TO ENTER!! Leave your first comment stating you are a follower AND your favorite item from Posh Baby Couture!

**Bonus Entries** (Please leave a separate comment for every entry- if it says 5 entries to grab the button- leave 5 entries!) Dont forget your Email address!

- Subscribe via email to my blog (5 entries!!!) Top right hand column

- Grab my button and let me know where to find it (5 Entries!!)

- Follow me on Twitter (2 entries)

- Tweet about this Giveaway (2 Entries)

- Enter any of my other Giveaways (2 Entries for every giveaway you enter! )

- Post about this contest and link back to me (10 Entries!)

Winner will be chosen by Random.org on Jan 5th at 12 pm!! Good Luck!!

Thank you so much Chandra- I truly love the jeans and sandals- you are amazing!! :)

Whole Foods Giveaway!!!(CLOSED)

So I broke this up into 2 parts because my review got a little long! And I wanted everyone to know about the Giveaway!!

Whole Foods in offering one Lucky Aubut Family Reader a $20 Gift Certificate to check out their store and go shopping!

There are some really great sales starting on Dec 26th- so I will cut this contest off earlier than usual so if you are the winner you can get in on some of these GREAT Deals coming up!!

December 26th:

* Rings of Shrimp Platters- 2/$15

* Wine 3/$12 (Right on time for New Years Eve!!)

New Year's Day:

* Wings- $0.89/ lb

They also have some amazing gourmet appetizer recipes that can be made for less than $0.50/ea!!

Here are a couple of my favorites: Go check them out!

Enter to Win a $20 Gift Certificate from Whole Foods:

**Mandatory Entry** MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG TO ENTER!! Leave your first comment stating you are a follower.

**Bonus Entries** (Please leave a separate comment for every entry- if it says 5 entries to grab the button- leave 5 entries!) Dont forget your Email address!

- Subscribe via email to my blog (5 entries!!!) Top right hand column

- Grab my button and let me know where to find it (5 Entries!!)

- Follow me on Twitter (2entries)

- Tweet about this Giveaway (2 Entries)

- Enter any of my other Giveaways (2 Entries for every giveaway you enter! )

- Post about this contest and link back to me (10 Entries!)

- Follow Whole Foods on Facebook (2 Entries!)

-Follow Whole Foods Blog (2 Entries)

- Follow Whole Foods on Twitter (2 Entries)

Winner will be chosen by Random.org on Dec 26th at 12 pm!! Good Luck!!

Wexford Jewelers GIVEAWAY!!!

Wexford Jewelers has some of the most unique jewlery I have ever seen. The shop is owned and operated by two sisters Sarah and Emily and their husbands Jason and Michael in Northern Michigan. Each piece is unique and handmade.

Check out some of their amazing creations!

I love the color and simplicity of this ring!

I am a sucker for chunky Silver rings!

These earrings are to die for!

I was sent the Black Fleur De Lis Necklace with white diamond. It is stunning!

To Buy:

**Holiday Special: Now thru JAN 1st, buy any 2 items and get free overnight shipping!!!**

To Win:

Wexford Jewelers has offered one lucky winner a Rose ring! This is a $68 Value!

**Mandatory Entry** MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG TO ENTER!! Then go to Wexford Jewelers Etsy Shop or Website - let me know your favorite piece!

**Bonus Entries** (Please leave a separate comment for every entry- if it says 5 entries to grab the button- leave 5 entries!) Dont forget your Email address!

- Subscribe via email to my blog (5 entries!!!) Top right hand column

- Grab my button and let me know where to find it (5 Entries!!)

- Follow me on Twitter (5 entries)

- Enter any of my other Giveaways (2 Entries for every giveaway you enter! )

- Post about this contest and link back to me (10 Entries!)

- "Heart" Wexford Jewelers Etsy Shop (5 Entries)

- Purchase anything from Wexford Jewelers (20 Extra Entries!)

Winner will be drawn on Jan 5th at 12pm!! Good Luck

Whole Foods Rocks!! This Might Be a New Hangout!! :)

I was contacted by Whole Foods a while back and asked if I was interested in taking a tour of the store. I have never been in a Whole Foods store- I admit- I have not been real into the whole "Organic, green" lifestyle. I know, I know, I fell like the last person on Earth who isnt, but I just never really got it. But I was intrigued and I went. Now I get it!!

(Taken from Whole Foods Website)

We offer natural and organic products because we believe that food in its purest state -without artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives - is the best tasting and most nutritious food available.

Our business is to sell the highest quality foods we can find at the most competitive prices possible. We evaluate quality in terms of nutrition, freshness, appearance and taste.

*We carefully evaluate each and every product we sell.
*We feature foods that are free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats.
*We are passionate about great tasting food and the pleasure of sharing it with others.
*We are committed to foods that are fresh, wholesome and safe to eat.
*We seek out and promote organically grown foods.
*We provide food and nutritional products that support health and well-being.

I have to admit that I was impressed. I dont know why I envisioned a very hippy- bared down- granola store, but I did. So when I walked in, I was suprised #1 on how huge it was and the look of the store. #2- How many departments it had, #3- The prices and selection.

This store was Ginormous! I had expected a little corner market- type place. But no- it was bigger than the Super Target by my house! And it was not a warehouse type store, but looked more like an AJ's (our gourmet food store here) than a regular grocery store!

Whole Body Dept- I so love Mineral Makeup!

Wall to wall grains, granola, beans, etc...

I am a dork- but I thought the idea of grinding your own Peanut Butter Flavors was awesome! Sara even made me some to take to the kids!! (They loved it!)

There are like 100 departments in here! On top of the usual departments like Seafood, Meat, Bakery, they have 3 Soup bars, Salad Bar, Olive Bar, Tapas Bar, Wine Bar, Pizza place, Sandwich Shop, Smokehouse, Grind Your Own Peanut Butter Bar and an entire Body Department with a full makeup counter, Facial Lines, Lotions, Shampoos, etc..They have a Clothing section, Baby clothes, Floral Shop, Shoes, plus all your normal grocery items! Its Unreal!

On the tour- I found out that the experts behind all the meat counters and the cheese counters cut your meat for you however you want it and in the quanity you want. I know a lot of stores do that with their meat, but I thought it was pretty cool that you can pick up a block of exotic cheese and tell them you want 2 bites of it and they will re-cut it for you on the spot! In their bakery, they will slice all the baguettes for you, and in any department- you can get samples of anything you want before you buy anything!

Another cool things about this store is that you can grab anything and go sit at one of the restaurants of tables located through out the store. They have a wall of beer that they break down and sell individually so you can make up your own six packs if you want to try some new exotic beers! (I could have a field day with that! ha!) I have never seen so many types of alcohol in one place! Their wine selection is just as big! In the wine bar- they host monthly 5 course dinners paired with beer and wine for $30! I am definately taking Dre back with me one of these days for that! AND on December 26th wine is going on a huge sale!!

This is about 1/4th of the wall that I could fit in a pic!!

The Wine and Tapas Bar- How about this after shopping?

I actually brought my husband and kids back the following day for lunch! Dre of course ordered from the Smokehouse, I got a Turkey,Brie and Spinach Sandwich and Seafood Bisque Soup and the kids split a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. My sandwwich was to die for- this might be a new favorite for me! Dre was in Heaven and my kids are not big Peanut Butter and Jelly fans, but they sucked it down fast! It was really fun!

I could go on and on about this place- but this would be a super long post! Bottom line- this is such a fun place to shop! Everyone is really helpful and informative. I could spend all day here. You should definately stop by and browse.... and maybe finish up with a drink at the bar! ;)

Thank you Sara for being a sweetheart and so helpful!! You're awesome! :)

Christmas Party!!

Christmas Party!

We had a little Christmas Party for the kids last week at my friend Kandise's house. The girls did a cookie exchange and te kids did a gift exchange. We made Christmas Ornaments with the kids - glitter, felt, stickers, messy fun! But the highlight was Santa! (My friend Hope's husband was nice enough to dress up for the kids and do photos! Thanks John!

The second Santa walked in the house- Ayla put her hands over her face and buried her head in my hair. She stayed like that not moving for the first 10 minutes while I was getting Brody to get on Santas lap. I finally took her hands down and tried to coax her to sit on Santas lap- after about 10 minutes of pleading, she seemed to be into it- until I set her on his lpa- the hands immediately went over her eyes, she started crying, and I got one picture before I had to take her down!!

How sad is that?! Poor baby! BUT - once she was off his lap- and a safe distance away- she was waving at him and saying "I love you Santa!" hahah!!

Brody was not sure- and he waited until almost everyone had gone up to Santa before he got his courage up to do it. But it didnt require any coaxing from me! He walked up to him and told Santa he wanted some Hot Wheels for Christmas! When Santa asked what color Hot Wheels- Brody said "Well, I already have a lot, so anything you want!" hahah~

Men of a Certain Age- Cool Show Alert!!

Cool Show Alert!

I was sent a copy of the first episode of the new show Men of a Certain Age a while back and just got around to watching it last week. I was suprised that I like it so much. I thought it was more of a "Guy show" but I got into it. Although the story line on paper sounds kind of bleak, the actors and how they portray it works out to be entertaining and funny!

I love Ray Romano. I liked him in Everybody Loves Raymond and his stints on King of Queens. The whole put-upon middle aged husband role works for him. And it works again for him in this show! I had not known the other actors- but as an ensemble- they work well together!

3 Men all going through Mid life issues- and wondering "Who am I?" "How did I end up here?"

ABOUT MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE- (taken from the TNT Website)

John Lennon once wrote, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” For three men entering the second act of their lives, those words are starting to hit home in TNT’s newest original series, MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE.

MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE explores the unique bonds of male friendship among three men experiencing the changes and challenges of mid-life. They have been best friends since college but now, in their 40s, are navigating through the second act of their lives. Joe (Romano) is a friendly, slightly neurotic, recently separated father of two who had dreams of being a professional golfer. Now he owns and runs a party store. Terry (Bakula) is a laid-back, handsome actor who seems to breeze through life (and women). Lately, he’s spending more time working as a temp than as an actor. And Owen (Braugher) is an overstressed husband and father of three who endures constant criticism from his father, for whom he works as a car salesman.

These friends face very different challenges. Joe, who currently lives in a hotel, tries to connect with his kids and is dipping his toe in the dating pool, while also struggling with the gambling problem that may have ended his marriage. The unmarried Terry scoffs at domestic issues but sometimes wonders if his own single life is all it’s cracked up to be. Owen does everything he can to climb the sales board at his father’s car dealership and keep his cool over the seemingly endless renovation project in the home he can barely afford. Through it all, these men are there for each other when it counts.

Final thought- definately worth taking a look at! I will be watching tomorrow!

Men of a Certain Age airs on TNT Mondays at 10:00 pm EST!

Catching Up on Winners!!!

3 Winners tonight!

*Personalized by Jackie- $15 GC- # 19- Xenia!

* Yellow Bug Boutique- $25 GC #59- Lizzie!

* Girlie Bows- Dress of Choice- #172- Malice!

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to every one who entered!!

*All winners picked by Rnadom.org and winners will have 48 hours to claim prize before choosing alternate winners!

Top Ten Thursday! Irrational Fears...O Lord!

Ok- so this is super late- but I just found Dawna's blog called A Kiss and A Peck and thought I would join in her Top Ten Thursdays Meme!
You can do a top 10 list of anything you want to write about but being short on time- I am going to use her topic this week!

TOP 10 IRRATIONAL FEARS!
These are my top 10 Irrational Fears- and some may make sense and some may make you think I am crazy! But they are real to me- so bear with me! :)

#1- Cats. I know- the pictures everyone sees makes them look like the cutest, cuddliest, harmless creatures on Earth. However, to me- they are evil. In real life- I have never encountered a evil cat, but I do have a recurring dream about a cat lunging at me and digging its teeth into my arms and having to rip it off. (Lovely mental picture right?!) Absolutely insane- I know, I know! But they scare the hell out of me! I will avoid contact with all cats, and try not to tremble when one is in my vicintiy.

#2- Birds- another weird Makes-no-sense fear, but I am terrified of birds. Not all birds, but the big black ones or any with the long beaks or that make shreiking sounds. I get all squirmy when birds come to my table at an outdoor restaurant and if they get on my table- I will get up and go inside.Immediately.

#3- Cops- NOT That I have done anything wrong! But I lose it if I get pulled over! I read a story once of a woman who was stopped by the police and confused (somehow) for someone else. They arrested her and would not listen to her story. She sat in jail for I dont know how long before they realized their mistake. Now I know that is REALLY far fetched, but I always panic a little (ok, a LOT) when I get pulled over that maybe I have an unpaid ticket, or some fine I dont know about that is going to get me in a heap of trouble....(Are you thinking I am crazy yet??)

#4- Fire- I just know some day I will start a fire from leaving the curling iron on or leaving the stove on. When we moved into our current house and everything is gas- that is even worse. I have NEVER actually left a curling iron on OR the stove- yet numerous times have called my Hubby, Dad or Brothers to go to my house while I am out, convinced that the house is in flames. WTH??!?!?

#5- Being Alone at Night. Now this one is fairly recent. I have always LOVED it when hubby went out for the night! That is my time to do whatever I want- take long baths- blare my 80's Hairband music (dont laugh!) and watch trashy reality TV! Now we live in a very nice area, in a nice gated nieghborhood. There has never been any violent crimes, or anything to fear here. The last couple times I have been alone- all of a sudden, I am convinced that someone is looking in our house. (Our house is like a fish bowl anyway-all open windows from every side- so that is not too far fetched!) But I check the doors 100x a night and have to sleep on the kids side of the house instead of my room in case someone breaks in while we are sleeping, I need to be able to get to them both immediately! (I dont blame anyone if you stop reading now and write me off as a lunatic- I know how these sound!)

#6- Elevators. This is not a huge fear- but always kinda in the back of my head when I am in one. I am not Claustrophobic at all- that is not the problem. I dont know how to explain it- I just dont trust them. It does not help that I just got stuck in one less than a month ago at the airport- and the other girl in the elevator panicked and rang the bell 100 times before it finally started moving again after 10 minutes. If I am with people- I will go on and be fine.If I am alone- I prefer the stairs- thank you very much!

#7- I have a weird fear of losing my teeth. This is not something that I ever think about it real life again- but in dreams- I always bite into something and all my teeth crumble and shatter into tiny pieces and there is nothing left.

#8- I dont even know how to classify this- but I call my brother every time I see an accident on the freeway. I just need to make sure it is not him. (He is a tad reckless!)

#9- Port-A-Jons: Self explanatory right?!? It is an endless hole of nasty- I cant do it.

#10- Camping. I dont get the appeal. We camped out a lot when I was little. Back then- I wasnt scared of it- it was just a waste of time. Away from friends and indoor plumbing!Listening to scary stories around a campfire and then being told to disregard them and go to sleep. Now- I dont see the appeal of sleeping on the cold ground, with bugs, wild animals, freezing, (and in case the campfire stories were true!) no protection aside from a flimsy canvas bubble- No Thanks!

Photo from news.deviantart.com

I totally understand if you all think that I should be locked up by now- but try to make a list of 10 of your irrational fears and see if you sound sane! They are "Irrational" after all! :)

Finally in the Clear!!

My poor baby girl is finally feeling better! More than that actually- she woke up on Monday as if she had not been sick at all and worrying us out of our minds for a week!

Last Sun night- she woke up and was screaming. She never wakes up in the middle of the night- so we both went running. She had puked all over herself and her crib. Dre takes her out of her crib and she proceeds to puke all over him and the floor. After a bath and lots of cuddling- she fell back asleep.

Monday she was her usual crazy-girl self. Monday night- she puked in the middle of the night again.

Tuesday night- same thing- although she did get sick once during the day. We were stumped because she was acting fine- no fever, running around with Brody all day. The only thing that was a little off was she refused to eat. BUT- she rarely eats anyway. Seriously- it is a good day when she will take 3 bites off her plate at any given meal. (But the Dr's always say she is in the 80th Percentile in weight and off the charts in height- so not to worry!) But this being the 2nd day of NO food and very little fluid, we took her in. Dr. says she has astomach virus and gives us anti-nausea medication so she will keep down the little she does drink. We were told if after 3-4 days if she is the same to take her to the hospital to hook her up to some IV's to get some fluid in her.

Umm...That scared the hell out of me!! I was determined to get her to eat and drink that day! We got her prescription filled- went directly home to give it to her - and she puked it up immediatley. Dr said to give her another. Puked it up. She does not like to take medicine and her gag reflexes turn on immediately when she knows it is coming. SO- we dissolve it in a little bit of water- nope, she can taste it- it comes up!! Stuck one in a popsicle, she spit it out!!

Finally get her to drink a pill down from a bottle when we put her down for the night- so she slept thru the night!

Friday-Saturday: she refuses to get off the couch. She wants me to lay down with her all day and cuddle. I send my son to my parents for the day. Zero food- maybe a couple sips of water all day. We try Pedialyte, popsicles, juice, 7-up, crakcers, cookies- ANYTHING to get something in her stomach!! Nothing! Dr says she is not dehydrated! Huh?!?!? How could she not be by now???

Sunday is my sons birthday party- and we had my parents stay with her for a couple hours so we can host - we come home determined that we were taking her to the hospital that night for fluids. We walk in and she is up and running around! My parents got her to eat several popsicles, soup, bottles of water. HUH?!?! What the hell were we doing wrong?? She continues to eat for us for the rest of the night so we hold off on the hospital.

Monday morning- It was as if nothing was ever wrong. She is eating like normal, drinking, no symptoms what-so-ever!! I am so grateful and so confused at the same time!!

But I am so happy to have this smiling face back!!