Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Promote You - Link Up

Running After Raina
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This is a link up where I promote you!  Promote whatever you'd like - facebook, twitter, google+, blog posts, a blog - as many as you'd like!!!

This is all about promotion.  Join up and share :)

Also, liking is enabled, so you can like a particular link to remember you have visited :)

This is open until the 31 of January - ALL month long :)

P.S. If you are hosting a giveaway - please include end date if you can.




Website Building - My Story

So, I suppose in the blogging world, we all know how "fun" it can be to create a new website.  I love a fresh new website, but I also know the downside.  We have all been there, so we bought a domain....now what? ...Right?  All dressed up and nowhere to go.  Well, I thought I would share my first website buying experience with you:

I started out a bit naive in the world of website building.  I thought you buy a website, and BAM you're done - there it is, fresh new page!  I was aware that it would take some coding, but to completely start from scratch...I had no idea what I was doing.  I purchased my domain, with no hosting.  So, I had a website...but it wasn't even there.  No one handed me the "how to" book, until it was too late.  I eventually found out hosting was needed, but seeing as how I wanted a blog website - I then purchased the WRONG hosting.  One oops after another.  I was frustrated, and lost.  After that, you would think I would have learned my lesson...nope.  I was refunded for the wrong hosting I purchased, and forgot that by being refunded I would lose hosting...so, I purchased website designing through the company.  ....so now I have website design capabilities, a domain, and no hosting!  I'm glad I can laugh about it now, but talk about a HEADACHE and a half.

I think life would have been a lot easier, with an easy website builder to say the least.

Disclaimer:
I was asked to tell my story as a sponsored post by Bucks2Blog from an online website building company for compensation, however, these thoughts are my own.  

New Year - New Blog

We are already four days into the new year!  Can you believe how fast this year is already moving?

I've got a new blog layout - thanks to Najla Qamber.  She is very affordable and easy to work with.  

I can't help but to feel optimistic about the coming year.  I've also purchased a domain, that I hope to be able to share with you soon.  

I usually choose not to make New Years resolutions, because I can't keep them - instead, for the past 5 years or so I always say "make this year better than the last".  It seems pretty easy to do, right? I am hoping to keep that true for this year too.  I hope to bring many more reviews, giveaways, Savvy Blog Sundays, and more!  I really enjoy doing this, and I am glad you are here to read this as well.  

I have really enjoyed getting to know the blogging community, and am glad to have made some new friends.  

I currently have one giveaway opening each day this week....so please check out and enter some giveaways!  I love being able to give products to my readers!

Thanks again for visiting!


 

Uprinting Postcard Giveaway!! -CLOSED


Disclosure:
This giveaway is sponsored by Uprinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive postcards for hosting.  Please visit them for more details about their printing services, and for your printing needs.

Uprinting is offering 100, 5 x 7 post cards to the winner of this giveaway!  Uprinting offers many different printing options for your printing needs!  

Contest Rules:
Open to US residents only, must be 18 and above to enter.

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive postcards for hosting. Please visit them for more details about their printing services and for your printing needs.

By entering you agree to the terms and conditions for this giveaway and release Running After Raina from responsibility of any issue.  Sponsors are responsible for getting prize to recipients unless stated otherwise.

Prize Details:

100 pcs Postcards for One (1) *Winner
5” x 7”, 14pt Cardstock Gloss, No Folding
Front Only Printing
14pt Cardstock Gloss
2 Business Days Turnaround time
*Free shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only





I need the following information when entering the giveaway:


You may leave one comment with all of your entries listed.


I will need facebook name, google+ name,  URL to the tweet, and email so I can contact you if you win and verify the entries. 


If I do not have this information, I will not be able to name you as the winner and another winner will have to be chosen so please do not forget!








Enter to Win:

Mandatory:
1. Like UPrinting on Facebook below and leave a blog post comment about how you would use the postcards if you win (please leave email and fb name):








2. +1 Uprinting below (please leave google+ name and email):
3. Tweet about how you will use the postcards if you win (please leave tweet URL and email):
4. For an extra entry (please leave email): Subscribe to Running After Raina via email - leave a blog post comment letting me know you've done so. (right sidebar)


Winners will be assigned a number (the number in which they comment on my blog) and chosen by random.org. Winners will be notified by email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.

Giveaway ends on 1/11/12 and winner will be notified within 24 hours of contest ending.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Great Deals and Freebies from Vista Print

This is an affiliate offer, if you purchase an item from the below links I do receive a small commission.


VistaPrint is a great source for all your printing needs!  You've probably heard their ads on Pandora for free business cards if you are a music fan.

They have several free opportunities for new business owners (a great item for new bloggers to get their name out there).   They even offer a free logo design!  You can create your logo within minutes, and have free cards sent right to your door (all you pay is shipping).

Great Deal for Bloggers/Small Business Owners:
250 business cards free with shipping!
Free Logo Builder, that automatically helps you build your logo and you just input it on whichever items you like!  They also have several font customization tools, to make your business cards truly YOURS.

Other Free items from VistaPrint:
Free pens
Free bumper stickers
Free rubber stamps
Free website!
Free checks
Free business email
Free email marketing
Free invitations and announcements
and Free Get Found Online tools!

You only pay the shipping cost!

Great Holiday Deals:
Vistaprint also offers Holiday Cards, wall calenders, desk calendars, magnets, photobooks, ornaments, and MORE.

Calendars start as low as $7.99
Cards start as low as $3.99

Visit today, I know I am going to be ordering my business cards for my new domain soon!





Auto Insurance Affiliate

This link is an affiliate link that is Pay Per Click. I receive a small commission if the link in this article is clicked by Advertiser. 

 If you are looking for inexpensive auto insurance - let AIM do the work for you. Get a quote today online!

They offer student tips - on affordable and safe driving technique, along with a list of companies that will work with those with not-so-good driving records.

For instance, did you know by keeping your grades up in school that you can keep your insurance costs down?  I didn't, until visiting AIM.

So please, visit today - even if you do not sign up for a quote, learn some tips and tricks...and let me know how it went :)





Lovable Labels Review and Giveaway

Lovable Labels provided me with a Friendship pack free of cost for this review.  All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by monetary compensation.

About Lovable Labels:

Lovable Labels was started by a mom who simply realized the need for labeling children's belongings  in settings where the items could easily be lost.  As a mom, I completely understand this theory!  It's so easy to misplace things, or for things to just disappear when you have a little one.  I love the idea for Lovable Labels and know they are greatly needed.

Lovable Labels makes personalized labels and tags for nearly any item you can think of.  Regular Sticker Labels are great for school supplies and lunch boxes, Slimeline Sticker Labels are great for smaller toiletry items, Shoe labels have a "perma-grip" backing to help stay in place and are made to fit in the heel of a shoe.   They even have "Press n' Stick Clothing DOTS" where you simply peel and stick to the care tag of any garment (or you can even choose Iron-ons).  Lovable Labels can also make Allergy Alert Labels which provide a clear warning for your child's lunchboxes, drink bottles, or other items.  If they didn't cover enough bases there, they have bag tags, Mini-Metal tags, Vital ID Wristbands, Combo and Camp packs to save you $$$.  Waterproof and weatherproof - these Labels are sure to stick in place!

My Product Review:


Friendship Pack Includes (information via the Lovable Labels website):
Jam-Packed with 120 labels this is a value you can’t pass up! 30 Sticker Labels, 80 Slimline Labels and
10 mini Fun Stickies *added bonus* You can share with a friend! Purchase any Friendship Pack
and receive a FREE Friendship Sampler (40 Slimline Labels) for a friend!







I liked that Lovable Labels had many customization options.  There are 45 icons to choose from to place onto your label.  I chose the cat (#36) for mine, because we have two cats and my daughter loves them.  From there, you can pick a color (or if you are buying a specific pack like the one I received - you can pick from Bedazzled (pink, purple, and green) and Majestic (black, yellow, green, red and blue) along with a friendship sample of either type for a friend of your child's.

I love the colors of this pack - Ours was the Bedazzled, so we received pink, purple, and green labels.  They stick to plastic surfaces well (we tried ours on a sippy cup).  The bold bright colors are easy to see, and the names are easy to read.  The icons are a super cute touch.


(image edited for last name)

The kitty is to the right of the name and the name is bold and bright :) I loved that the green color even matched our sippy cup.  

I chose the friendship sampler for a friend who is having her baby this month - I chose footballs for his icon and I know they will come in handy, since every mom knows those first few months can be hectic and we often forget quite a few things in the most random of places.  

I love the idea of being able to share the labels with friends!  I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing their product, and I know you will love it too.

Lovable Labels has a great product, mom approved!  


Where to Buy:

To purchase Lovable Labels you can visit them online - which makes ordering around the world an easy task!  They also have a phone line at 1-866-327-LOVE (5683) ~ open 24 hours, 7 days a week!

To Win:

Lovable Labels has generously supplied us with a pack of "Friendship Pack" for one lucky winner!  Thanks, Lovable Labels!


Friendship Pack Includes (information via the Lovable Labels website):
Jam-Packed with 120 labels this is a value you can’t pass up! 30 Sticker Labels, 80 Slimline Labels and
10 mini Fun Stickies *added bonus* You can share with a friend! Purchase any Friendship Pack
and receive a FREE Friendship Sampler (40 Slimline Labels) for a friend!


Disclaimer:
This contest is open to US and Canada.  Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.  Void where prohibited by law.  


 Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.  If you enter the giveaway, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of this giveaway as stated above and below the Rafflecopter form.  


This giveaway ends just in time for Valentine's Day  on 1/30/12 at 12:01 AM.  The winner will be selected by random draw and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. 


This giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.


Please click READ MORE to view Rafflecopter Entry Form!