When I was contacted about doing a review of Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen, I jumped at the chance. I have been using Neutrogena products since I was a teenager. Face soaps, moisturizer, hand and body lotion – the whole line – so I already know how good their products are. I am a white girl. This may come as a shock to you all, but it’s true. As my boo, Britt would say, I’m “white as daylight”.  I glow in the dark, literally, no radiation needed. I do not tan, I burn. I have had many horrible sunburns in my life. Some so bad that I could not go to school the next day because I couldn’t wear clothes. I have blistered and peeled more times than I can count.

Why? Because I’m a fish and love to swim or be at the beach. And apparently sunscreen wasn’t invented until I was hitting puberty. Until then people used suntan oil. Yes, oil. If you were fancy, you got Tropical Sun or something. If you weren’t, you used straight baby oil. My Mom’s best friend used almond oil. She said it made her skin both softer and browner. She would get so dark in the Summer, that you couldn’t see her in the dark. I’m not kidding. She wore a white crocheted bikini to show off her tan better.

But I digress. Again.

I didn’t start using SPF 15 until I was about fifteen years old. I think that’s when it became available. I’m forty now. As I said, I am a really white girl. The Diva has inherited my skin color. Though her Daddy is a Hispanic Mutt, he is not very dark and actually burns in the sun as well. Although not as quickly as I do. I can go from translucent to lobster red in .56 seconds. I am determined not to let Ro suffer the same way I did as a child. I put sunscreen on her daily, rain or shine. And I try to remember to put some on myself, as well. I do always have sunscreen on my face – it’s in my moisturizer. Although I do not go out in the sun much and will avoid it at all costs. I’m not a big fan of Summer. Where we live, once it gets hot, it stays hot until October and sometimes November. And not your run of the mill hot, either. We’re talking sustained stretches of 100+ degree heat.

We have no central air conditioning. It’s miserable. And yes, that was a ploy for sympathy and the mercy of someone to get me adequate cooling. Or a house that has it. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

We used the Wet Skin Kids Sunblock Spray SPF 70+. It has Helioplex® Technology, applies to wet or dry skin, is sweat proof, waterproof, oil-free, PABA-free and has a continuous spray. It is also hypoallergenic. The sunscreen is easy to apply, even on wet skin, but has a thicker consistency than the other sprays I have used. The Diva says it’s stinky but I didn’t smell anything too odoriferous. It is not good for the face, though, and burned her eyes for a significant amount of time, even after being washed and wiped with water. I followed the directions and sprayed the sunscreen into my hands to apply to her face, but it did not matter. The burning commenced just as soon as my fingers left her face.

I like that it can be sprayed over wet skin and still be effective. It saves time and keeps kids who want to play from getting frustrated about having to dry off, have the sunscreen applied and then wait until it dries before resuming their water activities.

You can see by the video how easy it is to apply on wet skin and how well the can sprays. You will need to wash your hands after application as they feel sticky, but overall, this is a good product.

If you would like to try this product for yourself, you can get a coupon when you buy online and save $2 on all sunscreen products.

Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

All bloggers and designers know how expensive stock images can be and how easily that fee can deter a client from getting the design they truly want. Personally, I have looked for images for my blog’s redesign since last Summer, with no success. Ask Susan, she’ll tell you how frustrating it’s been for both of us. Two things are hampering my quest: money and finding the perfect image. Now my problems may be solved. Fotolia.com has offered me a thirty day subscription to their stock image site! I am so happy. You have no idea.

Free, quality photographs and vectors are a web designer’s dream. And Fotolia.com has some amazing images! This review couldn’t be any better, well unless I was offered, say, 1 million dollars or a mini-van to review and keep.

But I digress…

My review of this site includes five downloads per day for thirty days. Vector images count as three downloads and I am not allowed to get any videos, but I am very happy about this, nonetheless.

But, wait, there’s more…

Do you:

Need images for a blog design but don’t have the funds right now? Want to download more images than you have cash to buy?

Have I got a deal for you, my friends!

Fotolia has generously given me thirty-five 14-day subscriptions to give out to my readers. That’s right, THIRTY-FIVE of them.

*The two-week trial entitles you to download 3 images per day, but vector images count as THREE downloads. You cannot download any videos, but who wants to download someone else’s videos anyway?

All you have to do is comment on this post, making sure you fill out the email box in the comment section telling me what you will use the subscription for, promise to send me a brief review of your experience with Fotolia and I will send you the access code. This will be on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t delay. The first thirty-five peeps to comment get the goods.

Easiest thing you’ve ever gotten free, right? Right.

I only have one suggestion for those of you lucky enough to get the trial: find your images BEFORE you create an account. Copy the URL’s of the images you want & save them somewhere, then start your subscription. I know first hand how many hours can be lost  searching for images and your trial period could be up by the time you are ready to download. That would be sad.

FREE Stock Images For Your Design is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

Have you heard about the World’s Greatest TV Dad contest hosted on ManOfTheHouse.com? This contest pits our favorite TV dads against each other head to head competition and it’s your votes that will crown the all time greatest TV Dad. It’s really quite fun and since June 19th is Father’s Day, what better way to get in the groove than a contest to see who is the best loved TV dad? I grew up in the 80′s, a time when family sitcoms were still pushing boundaries and the remnants of the hippie era were the ones in charge of programming. The 80′s were a rare mix of  burgeoning acceptance of everyone, Women’s lib still thinking they had to be militant to get heard, women wearing power suits with giant shoulder pads – essentially what a man would wear to the office if he was a woman – and aging hippies coming to the realization that they had now become part of the establishment they fought so hard against a few years before. A prime example of art imitating life is the character Steven Keaton {played by Michael Gross} from Family Ties:

He and his wife were full on peace and love hippies in the 60′s who settled down, got married {very establishment}, had three kids and got real jobs. They went to UC Berkley where Elyse became an architect {creative, but still an establishment career} and Steven became the manager of a public TV station, WKS-TV in Ohio {less of an establishment career, but still}. Their children, for the most part, did not embrace their parents’ liberal, hippie ways. Alex was über conservative, Mallory was materialism at it’s finest and the youngest, Jennifer, was just your average tom-boy…until puberty hit. And it was a great show.

See? I told you that former hippies were in charge of programming in the 80′s. I had a great dad. He was not perfect but he was pretty awesome. Sadly, he died of cancer in November of 1992. I still miss him to this day. I hate that The Diva will never know him. He was a really cool Granddad as well. It makes me very sad that she cannot have the same experience with her Grandpa that my brother’s son did. But my husband does a pretty good job as the fun, silly dad, although, he is sometimes far more lenient than I allow. We are working on that. So who is it? Who do you think should win? The character of Steven Keaton showed America that it was OK for a man to show emotions and be loving to his kids. I liked that and that is why he is my choice for World’s Greatest TV Dad. Go vote. A lot. It’s very fun.

Who Is The World’s Greatest TV Dad? is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

Yes, I have finally chosen the winner of the Frame A Memory Giveaway. I have been seriously busy, not only with my design business, but with dealing with a school who has basically done nothing to fix the fact that my daughter, a KINDERGARTENER, is being bullied at school by boys in her class.

I’ll write a post about that later.

On to the winner…

I had to remove/disqualify three comments because one was from my Big Bro and two were responses from me. Instead of pulling from a pool of 782 comments, I pulled from a pool of 69 because that is how many legitimate comments there were.

And the winner is…

Comment number six was left by Susan, who said:

Congratulations, Susan!! You have 48hrs to get me your mailing address so your prize can be shipped to you. I would also like to thank everyone who entered my contest. I have a few more coming up, so stay tuned.

And The Winner Is… is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

My friend, April Showers, started this very cool site called The Blog Designer Network where bloggers and designers can get and share tips to make their blogs beautiful. Need some tech tutorials? Not sure where to find free fonts? Don’t understand how to make a header, much less add it to your site?

Check out The Blog Designer Network, join the forum and have fun. I’ll be posting tutorials there myself.

To launch this new site right and celebrate her merger with Beautiful Blog Designs, April is having a HUGE giveaway. Just check out the prizes:

Registration to the May edition of The Blog Designer Workshop by The BDN
6 Months of Advertising on the Blog Designer Network by The BDN
$25 Gift Certificate to Workshop(s) or Videos by The BDN
Custom Illustration by April Showers
Social Media Design Package by Laura Jane Designs
Genesis Theme Framework & Family Tree Child Theme by Mommy Monologues
$50 Blogger to WordPress Transfer (Genesis/Family Tree theme incl.) by Mommy Monologues
Vector Customizable Social Icons by Grey Bloom Designs
Basic Blog Layout by Custom Scrapbook Blog Designs
Genesis Theme Framework & Choice of Child Theme + Support by RFE Hosting
6 Months of Hosting by RFE Hosting
Domain Name Registration by RFE Hosting
Wufoo Membership by Zany Dezines
50% Off Any WordPress Package by Zany Dezines

How awesome is that? And I am now entered for every one of those prizes just for writing this post. Want to enter too? Write a post and then go leave your link here.

Awesome Giveaway At The Blog Designer Network is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

Frame A Memory is my latest Etsy Shop find.  I think I love them and Linda, the owner, was kind enough to allow me to giveaway one of her beautiful creations to one of you. These handmade frames are a unique and personal way to display your  most treasured photographs. They have many styles for you to choose from and bonus: you won’t break a nail, mar the actual frame or ruin a good knife trying to open the backing to insert or change the picture!

Frame A Memory frames are the most unique and special frames on the market.

Our magnetic frames can be hung using the attached ribbon or displayed on a table or other flat surface with the attached easel stand. Each frame comes with three matching, ornate magnets that compliment the frames unique theme. The magnets allow you to display one to three pictures on each frame easily and in any orientation you like. We hope you enjoy these frames as much as we enjoy creating them for you.

The frames are each 9×11 inches and cost $35.00. We are constantly adding new themes and updating our selection of frames, so please check back with us often.

 

They say that necessity breeds invention, right? I think these frames are pretty cool and I just know you will love them as much as I do! And guess what? You can win one of your choice! Follow the instructions below to enter the contest. You must follow them exactly or you entries will be disqualified.

Linda was kind enough to also offer all of my readers a 10% discount if you purchase one of the frames for yourself. Use the code LastShredsOfSanity at checkout to receive your discount. This code is good for 30 days, until May 15, 2011 .

Now for the good stuff…

The winner of this contest will win ONE frame of their choice. This contest will end on April 30, 2011 at 11:59pm.

Mandatory entry:

• Visit Frame A Memory’s Etsy shop then come back and leave me a comment telling me which frame you would love to win. Choose carefully. The frame you state in your comment will be the frame you win!

Bonus entries:

***Each bonus entry point must be left as a separate comment. So if the bonus is worth 3 entries, you must leave THREE comments for that bonus to count, etc.***

• Like Frame A Memory on Facebook ~ 1 extra entry
• Subscribe to my blog via email/FeedBurner {At top of my sidebar} ~ 1 extra entry
• Follow me on Twitter {@BabyRocasMama} ~ 1 extra entry
• Tweet about this contest {Twice per day. DO NOT spam your followers} ~ @BabyRocasMama #Contest: Frame A Memory unique handmade picture frames #Etsy #Giveaway Click to enter!  http://bit.ly/eP3t0D #Win Ends 4/30 ~ Leave a comment with the tweet URL - 1 entry per tweet
• Like Last Shreds Of Sanity on FaceBook. – 3 entries
• Like Shan’s Shreds Designs on FaceBook – 3 entries
• Leave a comment on any non-review or giveaway post ~ 1 extra entry per comment
• Blog about this contest on your own blog. No just copying and pasting my whole post or a link to it. You must actually write a post telling your readers about this giveaway with a link in your post to this post ~ 3 extra entries {Leave  the link to the post in the comments}
• Post about this contest on FaceBook. Lease leave a comment with the URL to where you posted. {This is a daily entry! Post it to your FaceBook every day to earn an entry each time.  Must leave a daily comment with the URL to the posting/status} – 1 entry per posting
• Connect with me on Networked blogs located in my footer – 3 entries

Remember to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry

Giveaway ends April 30, 2011 at 11:59pm.

Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Winner will be notified via email and a winner’s post on this blog.

If you do not enter a valid email, your entries will be invalidated.

Winner will have 48hrs to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Prize will be shipped by the sponsor, not me.

Open to U.S. residents 18+ only {Sorry to my Canadian readers. Sponsor’s rules, not mine}

Frame A Memory Handmade Etsy Frames Giveaway! {Closed} is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

Check out my Whrrl for Vitamin Finder at Stater Bros. Markets.

Vitamin Finder At Stater Bros. Markets is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

This Sunday, February 27th, we are going to see the Imagination Movers in San Diego! The Diva is so excited. I mean jumping around the house excited. She cannot wait. Is it sad that I am excited as well? I haven’t been to a concert since we went to see Social Distortion in 2006. And no, Miss Ro did not go with us. She was babysat by Auntie Carol who had a grand time with her niece. She even gave her a bath. Of course, Ro was not quite a year old then…

As you can tell, I don’t get out much. We had the choice of going to one of the “In A Big Warehouse” shows in LA or San Diego. Since we live between those two counties, we chose the closest one, which also turns out to be one of my favorite towns. I love San Diego, specifically Oceanside. It’s just a beautiful place. I love the beaches. And they are just so laid back there. It’s a nice change of pace for me.

Ok, back to the show details….

If you would like to go to the San Diego show here is address of the theater::

February 27, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Spreckels Theatre
121 Broadway # 600
San Diego , CA 92101

This will only be the third time we have ever taken The Diva to a show/theater, so we’ll see how she does. The first time was for Disney On Ice at the end of 2009. She did pretty well, considering she was only four and she was freezing her butt off. The second time was a few weeks ago when we took her to the walk-in theater to see Tangled. She did so well! And we all loved the movie. Normally when we see a movie, we go to the drive-in so that Miss Ro’s eccentricities can be contained and we don’t end up bugging anyone else. Yes, we still have drive-ins out here and yes, some still have the speaker you hang on your window. It will be very interesting to see how she does at a kids’ concert. Hopefully the theater lets me take pictures and video inside so I can do a proper review of the show.

Don’t know who the Imagination Movers are? Watch the video below and enjoy!

Want to take your young’uns to a show? Check out the concert schedule at their website.

We’re Going To See The Imagination Movers! is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

Yes, I know…I have been a bad blogger. I have not posted the giveaway linky in a few weeks. Life just…got away from me I suppose. But I’m back, er, it’s back, so link away my friends. Link away!

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t have time to search for giveaways anymore, because I’ve started my design business, Shan’s Shreds, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, guys. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, win them.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, August 23, 2010.

PS: If you spam my linky, I will ban you. Both from my blog and Mr. Linky themselves. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Being Alison -6 winners - 4 $50 AMEX GCs and 6 BruiseMD Packs - 9/13 2. Being Alison - $5 DQ GC - 8/25 3. Being Alison -2 winners for SafetyTats - 8/27 4. Being Alison -Powermat - 8/31 5. Being Alison - Memphis Beat - 9/6 6. Cheryl- Executive Gift Shoppe 7. 2 Wired 2 Tired - Cafe Press Custom T-Shirt (8/26) 8. Three Different Directions - Monopoly Game (8/24)

9. Play That Now - Memphis Beat Tshirt & Hot Sauce (9/6) 10. Play That Now - Dinosaur Train DVD (9/2) 11. Musing Mainiac - Guidecraft Drivetimes Signs - ends 9/20 12. Musing Mainiac - IHOP Rooty Tooty Frsh and Fruity T-Shirt - ends 9/15 13. 2 Wired 2 Tired - Dakota's Personalized Gifts $50 GC (8/27) 14. A Hen's Nest - Seventh Generation "Back-to-School" kit 8/28 15. The Review Broads - 2 Winners - "Marmaduke" DVD - 9/7 16. AutismLearningFelt/Dinner & Ice Cream ends 8/30

17. My Little Review Corner - Blockbuster GC (Canada) 9/02 18. My Little Review Corner - Memphis Beat prize pack ends 09/10 19. Nolie's Place - K'Nex Big Building Tub 8/27 20. Nolie's Place - Amazing Hot Massager 8/27 21. Parazul Designer Classic Handbag ARV $250 22. You're next!

By now, you should all know the drill…

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t have time to search for giveaways anymore, because I’ve started my design business,  Shan’s Shreds, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, kids. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, do so.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, July 5,2010.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Being Alison -Brugo Mug - 7/13 2. Being Alison - $35 Fandango GC - 7/13 3. Being Alison - 5 winners - 3 $25 Amex GCs and 5 $50 Bruise MD - 7/12 4. AutismLearningFelt/$25 Gift Certificate ends 7/20 5. BusyWorkingMama – Smart & Sexy Lingerie Set $75 (US 7/11) 6. BusyWorkingMama – Daily SPF15 Emulsion (US/CND 7/12) 7. BusyWorkingMama – NOVICA $40 Gift Card (US 7/13) 8. BusyWorkingMama – Himalayan Salt Inhaler (US/CND 7/15) 9. BusyWorkingMama – Vivoderm Anti-Aging Mask $85 (US/CND 7/16) 10. CWM: Coby SNAPP Camcorder (7/12) 11. CWM: VTech V.Reader -7-12 12. Cheryl- Reach/Rembrandt 13. Musing Mainiac - Patriotic Pillow Pet 7/26 14. Musing mainiac - Green & Blacks Chocolate 7/14 15. Musing Mainiac - The Necromancer 7/8

16. Musing Mainiac - Seventh Generation 7/8 17. A to Zebra Celebrations @ The TaterTwins (7/10) 18. Zak! Designs Nibble Tray @ The TaterTwins (7/16) 19. Monogrammed Cosmetic Tote 7/10 20. Ocean Complete Sinus Irrigation 7/17 21. Funky Monkey Snacks and T Shirt 7/13 22. Sesame Street Firefly Friend and Buggy Buddies DVD 7/8 23. Lee Ritenour 6 String Theory Album Giveaway – Ends 07/14 24. Inspirational Bracelet by D.O.G.G. Giveaway – Ends 07/14 – Worldwi 25. Profoot Gift Bag Giveaway – Treat Your Feet! Ends 07/18 26. 1-lb of Organic Whole Golden Flaxseed – Ends 07/06 27. Colgate Care Pack Giveaway – Ends July 8th 28. Kenny G – Heart and Soul Album Giveaway – Ends 07/13 29. CnC - 3-month JumpStart Membership (7/18) 30. Deal-ectible Mom (Micralite Superlite FastFold Stroller)

31. Deal-ectible Mom (BuiltNY Stroller & Thirsty Tote-2 winners) 32. Deal-ectible Mom (6 month subscription to Zoodles) 33. $50 CSN Stores Gift Certificate Ends 7/26 (The Greer 5) 34. Oscar Mayer prize pack 35. Airplanes&Dragonflies-Agoo 50% off Code & $50 Coupon Code Giveaway! (ends 7/16) 36. Beccas Backyard - Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree (7-7) 37. 50.00 Winkflash gift card 38. crayola chalkbaord puzzle 39. corel paint it 40. dispcable me soundtrack 41. good clean fun natural bath products 42. burgo coffee mug 43. rolled canvas giveaway 44. custom wall graphic 45. You're next!