Megan's Minute Rad Reviews

Find Special Deals at HauteLook.com

If you're always looking for that next special bargain, give HauteLook.com a try. It's a website that has special sales on all kinds of designer products every 48 hours.

Those products include, linens, jewelry, shoes, handbags, housewares and much more. Some of the brands with sales going on right now: Molly Sims, Omaha Steaks, Mimi and Maggie, Joe's Jeans, Bedford Cottage and Knork.

According to their website, "HauteLook was chosen by People as one of the top 15 ways to save money, while Extra television called it a "Virtual Shopaholic Heaven.""

Now, if you do decide to give HauteLook a try, be sure to click through using my widget above. That way, when you register for the site, I'll get a couple of pennies for cluing you in on some great deals.

Now remember, if you go straight to the site by typing in "HauteLook.com" and register that way, I get nothin'.  So if you want to take care of Megan for keeping you up to date, be sure to go to the site only through my widget.

Happy shopping!

$500 Just My Size/Walmart Gift Card Giveaway

This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Just My Size Sportswear apparel.

Like many women I can be a terrible clothes horse but because I'm a large size lady, it's often hard to find fashions that are just right for my size and style.  That's why for years, if I needed casual clothes, especially for summer, I would get out my Just My Size catalog and order shorts, shirts and pants.

Well imagine how pleased I was when BlogHer told me they were doing a Just My Size giveaway!  They asked me to go on a $200 JMS shopping spree at Walmart and then tell you guys all about it. 

Can you say, "Yeah!?"

So off I went to my local Walmart and checked out what they had to offer.  I tried on a variety of T-shirts, tunics and shorts and eventually came home with my shopping bags full. 

I got two pair of rivet jersey shorts, in black and navy, a beaded gauze tunic in a burnt orange color, a pair of twill capri pants, and a variety of tees--some V-neck, some scooped--so I can mix and match depending on my mood.  I also picked up a couple of mock lace-up tunics that came in navy, purple and red.

The pieces are lightweight, very casual, very easy to wear, and very affordable.  In the summer, whenever I'm sitting in my backyard, doing a little gardening or running errands around the neighborhood, I'm comfortable in JMS fashions.

If you go to the JMS website you can use their mix and match tool to try on virtual fashions.  That way when you get to the store or order online, you'll have a good idea of what goes with what.

Energizer/National Geographic Camera Bag Giveaway: We Have A Winner!

We have a winner in the Energizer/National Geographic Camera Bag Giveaway!

It's Jennifer of A Bella Sorriso!

Congratulations to Jennifer and thanks to everyone who participated!

Energizer/National Geographic Camera Bag Giveaway

Last week I told you about the Energizer/National Geographic Ultimate Photo Contest and this week I'm here to offer you shutterbugs a special giveaway.

The prize package contains a Canon 2400 SLR Gadget Bag ($65) and 2 packs of Energizer® Ultimate Lithium AA batteries.

How to win?

Leave a comment below telling me what kind of photos you like to take. You have until June 28th 5PM EST to enter, then on June 29th I'll hold a drawing to choose a winner. 

Here are the rules:

• No duplicate comments however you can submit two additional entries by doing the following:

*Link to this post on Twitter and leave your Twitter link in the comments here.
*Blog about this post and giveaway and leave a link to your post in the  comments here.

• This contest is open to US residents age 18 and over.
• Winners will be notified by e-mail.
• Remember, you only have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Good luck!

Megan of Megan's Minute

 

Enter The Energizer/National Geographic Ultimate Photo Contest

The 3rd Annual Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest is happening now!  

If you guys know anything about me, you know I love photography.

To the right you can see my photo of a scarlet skullcap that I took at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania a couple of years ago.

You can see more of my photos from Longwood here.

But more about the contest

Send in your best photos-in categories like Animals/Wildlife, Travel, and Weather-for a chance to win a National Geographic Expeditions trip for two to Greece and be featured in an upcoming issue of National Geographic magazine.

Pro photographer Jim Richardson is the judge of the contest.

Here's more info from the contest press release:

The winner will have their photo featured in the December issue of National Geographic magazine in an ad for Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, and they’ll also be awarded the trip of a lifetime – a National Geographic Expedition for two to the Greek Isles.

After the entry period closes (June 30th), Richardson will review all of the entries and select two finalists in each category. Then, from Aug. 17 through Sept. 15, Americans will be asked to go online and review each of the Category Finalists and vote for their favorite in each category. Once the Category Winners are determined, Richardson will help choose a Grand Prize Winner, to be announced on or about Nov. 4.

So dig out those pictures, go to the contest website to enter, and good luck!

Megan of Megan's Minute

"Drop Dead Diva" DVD and Party Pack Giveaway

Get ready to unleash your inner diva!

Drop Dead Diva is coming back to Lifetime with all new episodes.

Don’t miss Paula Abdul guest-starring in the Season 2 premiere – airing Sunday, June 6 at 9/8c on Lifetime.

Drop Dead Diva follows a beautiful-but-vapid model wannabe, Deb, who finds herself relegated to the body of a plus-size attorney, Jane (Brooke Elliott), following their deaths. 

While the placement was accidental, it just might be divine intervention if it can help self-centered Deb learn to use her brain, rather than her looks to get by in life - with a little help from her loyal assistant Teri Lee (Margaret Cho).

The series will be widely released on DVD beginning Tuesday, June 1st, but the folks at Lifetime are sponsoring a “How to Host a Party like a Diva” giveaway that includes the DVD and a bunch of goodies in the prize pack!

The “Host a Party like a Diva” Prize Pack Includes:

• Martini glasses (2)
• Acrylic Martini Shaker
• Pomegranate Rim Sugar
• Pomegranate drink mix (2)
• The Little Pink Book of Entertaining
• Platter
• Set of 4 Wine Charms
• Season 1 DVD of Drop Dead Diva

How to win?

Leave a comment below telling me what kind Diva Party you would host. You have until June 14th 5PM EST to enter.

Then on June 15th I'll hold a random drawing to choose a winner.  Here are the rules:

• No duplicate comments however you can submit two additional entries by doing the following:

*Link to this post on Twitter and leave your Twitter link in the comments  here.
*Blog about this post and contest and leave a link to your post in the  comments here.

• Winners will be notified by e-mail.
• This contest is open to US residents age 18 and over.
• Remember, you only have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Good luck!

Megan of Megan's Minute

My Review of the 2nd Season Premiere of "Drop Dead Diva"

We Have A Tassimo Giveaway Winner!

Coffee lovers, we have a winner in the Tassimo Coffee Brewer Giveaway!

The winner is Deborah! 

In her entry she said her favorite coffee moment was her "first moment of consciousness." 

Thanks to all of you who entered and a big Congratulations to Deborah!

We Have an Arbor Mist $100 Visa Gift Card Winner!

Game lovers, we have a winner in the Arbor Mist $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

Our winner is Pixie13.

She told us in her entry how on her game nights, she loves Monopoly, Yahztee and Uno.

Thanks to all of you who entered and  a big Congratulations to Pixie13!

Love My Coffee! Tassimo Coffee Maker Review and Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Tassimo.

I'm a big coffee drinker and I like my coffee strong, dark, rich and hot--just like my men.

So when I got the chance to review the Tassimo home coffee brewing system, I was excited.

Setting up the system took a bit of time because you have to use a cleaning disc for the coffee maker and then set up the water filters as well. 

Once that was done however I had a whole host of coffee drinks to try out.  The system works with small coffee or tea discs that are inserted into the top of the machine.  You fill the tank in the back with water and then turn the machine on. 

Each coffee or tea disc has a bar code that tells the coffee maker how long to brew it and how much water should be used.  So for example an espresso disc will use less water than a regular house blend disc.

Being a big Starbucks fan, I first tried the Starbucks Verona and I wasn't disappointed.  It was strong and rich, just the way I like it.  It seems Starbucks doesn't make a decaffeinated Tassimo version and because I often drink decaf I'll be looking forward to that coming out soon.

I did try the Gevalia brand house blend decaf but it was too weak for my taste.  I then mixed one Gevalia decaf with a Starbucks Verona and that gave me a nice cup of halfcaf.  I see that Maxwell House makes a Tassimo decaf also, so I'll try that one when I get the chance.

The Twinings Chai Tea Latte came with milk creamer and Chai tea discs.  So first you make the tea and then you swap discs and add the milk to the same cup.

You do the same thing for cappuccino.   The coffee discs come with matching milk discs, so first you brew the espresso disc and then you use the milk disc in the same cup to get cappuccino.  I didn't really love the milky taste with the cappuccino, but it was fine with the Chai tea latte.

The Milka hot chocolate was just okay.  It had a decent chocolate flavor but it wasn't sweet enough.

Megan's Game Night: Win A $100 Visa Gift Card from BlogHer and Arbor Mist

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Arbor Mist

My friends and I love game nights, especially in the winter.  Just picture it:  it's a Saturday night, it's cold outside, the fireplace is going and there's nothing nicer than having some friends over to shake off the work week, relax and engage in some friendly competition.

That's why when I got this assignment to put together a party theme basket including Arbor Mist's sparkling wines, Raspberry Sparkle and Peach Sparkle, and using a $200 Visa gift card, I knew my theme would be a game night.

When my friends and I do a game night, we don't generally have dinner but we have lots of appetizers and snacks, and for later in the evening, desserts and coffee.  And when it comes to the games we play, we're pretty old school.  Scrabble, Sorry, Trouble, Taboo, Risk--you name it. 

Once in a while we'll even play cards and our favorite is an old one that my friend Lucy's mother taught
her in Ecuador called Quaranta.   We sometimes try to keep her mother from playing though because when she does, she's merciless.  You think she's this sweet little older lady, but when she's playing Quaranta, we call her Shifty Madonna.

When I was putting my Arbor Mist party basket together first I started with some bottles of Raspberry Sparkle and Peach Sparkle from my local liquor store.  Then I went over to Trader Joe's because they have great hot snacks you can just pop in the oven.  They also have fabulous crackers, salsas and dips so I stocked up on those as well.

Since I'm a big Starbucks fan, I got a Starbucks gift basket that was on sale at Staples and voila:  I had a basket, coffee and plenty of cookies to snack on later in the evening.  (photo above and right)

Because Legal Eagle and her husband The Architect came over last weekend for a visit, I decided to do a little Arbor Mist taste test before our upcoming game night.  Since this was the first time I was tasting Raspberry Sparkle and Peach Sparkle also I thought it would be fun to see what we all thought.