Sample, Sample

the mail has been rather crappy lately. made me want to stop using capital letters, so i have for a while. his royal highness was out of state. miss priss is a preteen girl - nothing more to explain there.

just when it was looking bleak and dreary and turning out to be just another day in the neighborhood minus mr. rogers and his really cool train, my postman delivered a slick box...


start sampling is a service of the postal service...see?

i was one of the lucky ones...


the box included some coupons and samples of wisk detergent, nonni's biscotti, secret deodorant, coffee mate, and dental picks.

i promised to tell my family and friends about the box. tag, you're it. head on over to the website and sign up. you can't ever tell when you'll need this little pick me up to show up in your mailbox.

Cooking with Martha

Sirius is offering another Martha Stewart cookbook for download -- it's free and Thanksgiving themed. Enjoy!

Doughnuts on the House

In observance of National Donut Day, Krispy Kreme is giving away one donut per customer today, totally for free. Just go in, ask for your favorite and take a bite for me. If you don't live near a Krispy Kreme, well....move.

Free Food - Sort Of

Head on over to XM Radio and download a free summer cookbook from Martha Stewart.

Thank You CVS and My PA Friends

It's a good mail day when you're sitting on the sofa watching Food Network and the FedEx man brings a package from CVS with a make-up bag full of products -- shampoo and conditioner, lotion, Biore stuff, makeup brushes and a manicure kit. Sweeeet!

And when I thought it was already the best day ever, the postman brings a package from your friends in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Yes, there were kisses inside. But not just any kisses -- candy cane flavored kisses. They have some varieties up there that we can't find around here.

I just don't deserve it! Really, I wasn't that good last year.

Thank You, Phyto!

When I saw the FedEx man at the front door, I wondered what late Christmas gift had arrived...you know, maybe Kevin was going to great lengths to surprise me with the Infiniti I've been drooling over. No such luck.

But I did win some phytovolume actif (volumizing spray). Great day for it, too, 'cause the haircut I got today needs some extra sass in the back. I've used phyto products before -- when I was highlighting my hair -- and I really like them. They just cost too darn much to buy on a regular basis.

Thanks, FedEx man!

Thank You Loreal & Pam Anderson

Kevin checked the mail today and came running down the driveway yelling, "It's here! It's here!" He knew I'd be excited to see the cookbook I'd won from Pam Anderson (not the Tommy Lee gal). But he had another surprise for me...some Loreal lipgloss that I won from something back in November. How cool is that? Two in one day! What a nice treat after a long week in Mobile.

You can't win if you don't try, friends. Enter, enter, enter!

Share the Love and It Comes Back Around

Yesterday after I posted the Thanksgiving Edition of You're a Know It All, the postman put a little love in my mailbox. I won some Isadora eyeshadow! Only problem is -- it's purple. Now what in the world possessed me to register for purple eyeshadow? Other than the fact that I'll register for almost anything free, that is.

I'll admit I did wear teal eyeshadow in the 80s, but let's face it, it was the 80s and everyone else was wearing the same thing despite the fact it looked like our gall bladders had busted.

I'll give the shadow a try. But don't expect any pictures...

Thank You, NYC!

Substitute postwoman brought me another prize the other day...but I forgot to mention it. I hope I'm not becoming complacent...yuck-o! Never want to take the even the least of my winnings for granted lest I ingrate (can I use this word this way?) myself into a dry spell. I got a NYC bronzing blush palette (some brand of makeup that I really hadn't heard of, but, hey, it was a contest). Looks quite lovely, actually. So if you see me around with pinkish, melonish colored circles on my cheeks, you'll know where I got them (like you really care).

Thank You, Estee Lauder

Even our substitute postwoman knows that I like to get free stuff in the mail. Seems I won another cosmetic giveaway -- Estee Lauder sent me their Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex. It's worth $40 - maybe the odds for a huge haul are swinging in my favor...

Thank You, Buotini & Dove

Guess what I won? A set of wooden salad hands (you know, those things that you toss salad with) and some Dove Shampoo and Conditioner. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Postman!

Thank You, Styli-Style

Wow! Sure do thank the postman for another great find in my mailbox today. I won a tube of lipstick from Styli Stlye. Keep 'em coming!

Thank You, Revlon

It's been a slow mail week at our house and that really bums me out. Seeing the mail truck come up the street (okay, let's be honest here...I hear the postman before I see him, usually when he's still on the next street over) is one of my most favorite times of the day. I don't even mind the bills he brings, as long as there is something fun mixed in.

Well, I was not very happy to find one manila envelope in the box today...until I turned it over and saw the Revlon return address on it. More free make up for me!!! I entered the giveaway in June -- better late than never.

One day I'll reel in a big one. Until then, I'll take whatever goodies the postman brings me.

Even More Free Food

Panera Bread will be debuting their new menu items on September 10 with a free tasting. Check with your local establishment, though, before heading out as not all locations are participating.

More Free Food

Wear something with your favorite team's logo on it to Chick-Fil-A on Labor Day, and get a free sandwich. Bet Tim will be happy...

And for those of you in the Montgomery/Prattville (AL) area, Chick-Fil-A will be giving away free breakfast items on Tuesdays in September. Go to any area restaurant on September 8 between 6:00-10:30 AM for a free chicken biscuit (thanks to Melinda for the tip!).

More Freebies in the Mail

I don't usually post more than once per day (makes me look like I have nothing else to do...) but I had to share what I got free in the mail today. UPS delivered a package from Redken. I won a full size bottle of their All Soft shampoo from another sweepstakes I entered back in June!

I'm still holding out hope for those kitchen appliances, Kevin's grill, the trip to Niagra Falls, a meet and greet with the Jonas Brothers, the garden makeover.....

What I Got Free in the Mail Today

If you know me well, or follow this blog, you know I have been entering sweepstakes quite regularly for some time. Actually, my first win was in 10th grade when I won a trip for two to Raleigh, NC, for a Bruce Springsteen concert...airfare, hotel, tickets, the works. I've been filling out those forms ever since.

My persistence had paid off again. I was so excited to see a package in the mailbox this afternoon addressed to me. Inside was a full sized bottle of Clarins Self Tanning Bronzer that I won from something I entered back in June. I know some of you might think a $32 bottle of lotion stuff isn't quite worth the daily entering of information that I do. While mathematically it might not seem a wise investment of time, I assure the excitement of coming home at the end of a busy week to find a surprise in the mail makes it worth it.

I'm still waiting to bring home a bigger haul (like the complete Frigidaire kitchen appliance collection), but until that time, I'll stay the course.