Curiously Awesome

This is a sponsored post, I am a Kmart Layaway blogger, though all opinions are my own.

I used to be a HUGE layaway shopper. Years ago, when we were perpetually broke, layaway was the only way I could organize and plan my major purchases. Many of the main stores have discontinued layaway as an option for shoppers now, which I think is unfortunate.

It used to happen once in a while and I hated it every time. I would want to make a purchase, but something prevented me from putting an item on layaway and then I couldn't buy it.  As far as I know, Walmart, Best Buy and Toys R Us don't even offer consumers the option to layaway items anymore.

The holidays are coming. Are you ready? I know that I've already been watching Kmart to find the items that I want to place on layaway for your family and friends. The Kmart layaway program blows away other retailers as far as their layaway programs.

Here's an even better reason to check out KMart's free layaway  . It's the  Kmart's Big Layaway Giveaway . Listen to all this:

There is one layaway giveaway per store every week from 9/9/12 through 11/17/12. See what I'm saying? You get the convenience of Kmart's great layaway for holiday gifts and you also get the chance to win great prizes at Kmart!

Here is what I'm thinking of adding to a layaway:

1. GE X500 Power Pro Series Digital Camera- Black
2. Pandigital 7.0 in. Digital Picture Frame
3. Lowepro Fastpack backpack

What do you think? I'm hoping to win big during the Big Layaway Giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Can you believe it's almost time to head back to school?  Noooooooooo…say it isn't soooooooo!

I know…I'm as big a kid as they come, but these summers are just way too short!

Here's a little something that may make it easier to head back to the classroom. How about injecting a little color into schoolwork! Have you heard of  AstroBrights papers  ? No? Well…read on!

AstroBrights Papers are standard 8.5 by 11 sheets that come in 23 bright colors. When what you're doing needs attention, use AstroBrights. This isn't wimpy, cheap paper, either. These sheets are high-quality enough for whatever you're doing, from presentations to flyers to brochures.

Here's something cool that AstroBrights is doing, too. Support any elementary school of your choice by entering the "Give a Brighter Year" sweepstakes. If you win, the school you choose will get both cash and supplies worth $30,000! Entering is so easy — just click on the link above and then click the “Like” button to like their page. Finally, click the “Go to App” button to get to the entry form.

If you've got some creative youngsters, this is for you, too. AstroBrights is sponsoring a "Make Something Astrobright" design challenge. You could win AstroBrights Paper and other prizes as well as have great opportunities for sharing projects with pictures and video.

You also might enjoy engaging with the AstroBrights community on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. Use the hashtag #goastrobrights, too!

Let the power of color encourage your kids to unleash their creativity!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm a skin care junky — I admit it. I would be embarrassed to show you my bathroom cupboards and medicine chest because there are so many different creams, lotions and emollients that I've splurged on over the years. I have a special affinity to plant-based products because I think they have the best and most effective ingredients for skin care.

Have you heard of Apple Stem Cells? No? Well, listen…because I have important information for you today. The  éclos Skin Care products contain a Swiss apple that may be able to stimulate skin stem cells. This isn't just a ho-hum claim, people! This is huge! Why? Because these stem cells can give your aging skin the oomph it needs to behave like younger skin. This apple stem cell technology combines with plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants to help make fine lines fade and send wrinkles and tired skin packing.

At one time, you couldn't get these products unless you shopped the high-end department stores and spent big bucks. Now, everyone can afford to give their skin the best ingredients.

Just listen to what each kit contains — you're not going to believe this!

You get:
• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• and even a éclos Terry Cloth Head Band to keep you hair back while you're working on your face!

Can you see what I mean now about how different éclos is from other anti-aging products? How many other products give you a cellular activator face serum, a restorative eye cream and a skin renewal clay mask all in one kit?!? NONE!

With the facial cleanser skin prep, your face is gently prepared for the other products to do their thing. The cellular activator face serum wakes up your cells and gets them hopping. The regenerative cream puts the moisture back where you need it for healthy skin. The restorative eye cream helps minimize wrinkles and bags. The radiance facial scrub makes your face GLOW. The skin renewal clay mask coats your skin with beneficial ingredients that will provide big results.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vianda for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are looking for effective support for male enhancement, look no further. Enzyte 24/7 is a natural option.

Since 2001, Enzyte, an aid for natural male enhancement, has helped men with better erection quality and increased arousal. Introducing Enzyte 24/7, a new advanced formula capsule from a brand that you can trust with your health and safety.

Take the dosage once a day. Enzyte 24/7 works along with your body chemistry to provide results that should even get stronger over time. This gives you the confidence you need in your ability to perform whenever and wherever you wish.

Don't take my word for it, though! If you're interested, go see one of these commercials.

Check out Enzyte on Facebook too!  If you "like" the Enzyte Facebook page, you can find the best prices as well as interesting information. You will even find links to articles related to men's health and other lifestyle issues. Go ahead and sign up and you will even get $10 coupon off your Enzyte purchase!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Enzyte products should be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle and individual results may vary.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CafeWell for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you heard of CafeWell  ? CafeWell is a social network with a special purpose. Consumers who use this network can receive effective and enjoyable education about healthcare. One of the most important goals of CafeWell is to improve member perception of health plans. Consumers can have a fun and safe way to improve their health.

So..you’re wondering…what’s the catch, right? Well…here’s the good news! There really isn’t one! CafeWell is free to join and you can sign up right online to start enjoying the many benefits. Once you’ve joined, check out the many different programs like Reach for the Peaks .  This is cool because when you participate in this program, you’ll join a wireless pedometer program that will help you become and stay more active!

Want some more incentive? Listen to these testimonials:

“I never thought that I was competitive before.  Now I am counting steps and enjoying seeing them add up.  My husband was actually teasing me a little and telling me that I was competitive after all… It has been fun to encourage each other to get more steps in each day.  It is also fun to see the medals add up.  I don’t know whose idea it was to get this program started, but it was a great one.  I sure hope everyone else is enjoying this health competition to get healthy!”

“So today I am taking a step forward to get off the couch and become healthy.  I am overweight, underpaid and not so full of energy!  I know if I think I can, I CAN!  AND I WILL!”

Honestly…I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t benefit from a little boost in the healthy living department. There sure is NOTHING to lose from giving CafeWell a try! I’d love a little accountability to keep me exercising every day, wouldn’t you?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m really excited for another growing season to begin! I am an avid gardener, growing a big variety of different flowers and vegetables in my home gardens.

I’m especially excited to try the new Expand ‘n Gro™  planting mix! Have you heard of this new potting soil?

Sure, every gardener is well acquainted with potting soil, but this stuff is DIFFERENT. How? Well…

1. You can expect flowers and vegetables up to three times their normal size than when you use native soil

2. Expand ‘n Gro also significantly improves your soil for a number of years

3. Save money because this concentrated planting mix expands up to 3 times its size after you add water. The planting mix has sponge?like compressed coir mixed in with the potting soil when water is added. Coir improves moisture control and bulk density of the planting mix.

4. Forget about fertilizing…Expand ‘n Gro feeds plants for up to six months

5. The all natural fibers in this planting mix hold up to 50 percent more water than standard potting
soil

I am eagerly anticipating the sample that Miracle-Gro is sending me. Sound cool? Well, you can receive your own sample thanks to the giveaway. Post a comment to this blog post and you can receive your own sample!

I always tease my husband because he absolutely refuses to use bookmarks and instead, he uses tabs in the same way that most NORMAL people use bookmarks. It’s not uncommon for him to have a hundred or more tabs going at one time. You can imagine his angst if his browser crashes. It isn’t pretty…let me tell you.

Are you a heavy bookmark user?I am…my problem is that I am not always sure that I want to save something as a permanent bookmark. So…my solution is to create a few special folders inside my bookmarks where I will temporarily stash links that I want to come back to for further reading.

I was really excited to hear about clipix  . It’s a free service. All you have to do is visit their website, drag the app to your bookmark toolbar and then get surfing. Whenever you see something that you want to make sure you can come back to, just click the clipix button on your toolbar. Select the clipboard where you want to stow away the link and there it will sit until you come back to check it out again. It really couldn’t be easier.

Here’s a screenshot of one of my clipboards. I do a lot of surfing for quilt patterns, so this is a great way for me to keep track of projects I want to try. Oh, if you’re wondering. You can choose to share your clipboards or keep them private — totally up to you!

Also, if you’re interested, here is a Clipix   that really helps you see what this is all about.

If you didn’t notice. Curiously Awesome has a nifty Clipix widget in the sidebar. This way, if you ever see anything here that you want to save for later, just click and come back then!

So…what do you think? Cool, eh? What will you use Clipix for? Post a comment to share you ideas!

Promoted Post

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you use Walgreens for prescriptions? If so, I have a big tip for you today.

It’s called the  Walgreens Prescription Savings Club and just wait until you hear all these details! This is an important way to save money on prescriptions.

Pay $35 annually and you get a family membership that covers the prescription expenses of the whole immediate family — including spouse, children 22 and under and even your furbabies (pets)! Don’t have a family? Well, the Prescription Savings Club price is $20 for individuals, too. After you join you get a discount on prescriptions, which includes discounts on over 8,000 generic and brand name prescriptions. You also get discounts on flu shots, nebulizers, prescriptions for your pets and even diabetic supplies. Talk about an effective way to lower your medical expenses, huh?

Show Walgreens your customer support by visiting Walgreens on Facebook  and Walgreens on Twitter ! These social media websites are also the place to get important updates on Walgreens, including special sales and savings. I know I really appreciate how easy it is to stay in touch with what’s going on at Walgreens — a few simple clicks on Facebook or Twitter and I have all the important details I need to make sure I’m saving money every time!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you in the market for a new phone? I know…it’s a fun an exciting thing to shop for a new phone. Technology is advancing in such a way that there are always such new and neat things that a phone upgrade will give you. I’ve had my phone for almost a year now…don’t get me wrong…I still love it and all…but sometimes I think it would be nice to upgrade already.

Maybe when it’s time for me to upgrade, I’ll go with Nexus S™ 4G  or an HTC EVO™ 3D   . The Nexus 4G can even be had for FREE if you add it to your account or open a new line of service with Sprint. You could also get the Nexus free online only — a $50 MIR will convert to instant savings plus $99.99 Internet-only savings. How cool is that?

Is the HTC more your style? Well, listen to this. Get the HTC for $49.99 if you add it to your account or open a new line of service with Sprint. Or, you could also get it for $49.99 — online only — a $50 MIR will convert to instant savings plus $50 Internet-only savings.

Even better — waive the activation free when you set up new lines and get free shipping!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you fill prescriptions at Walgreens? If so, I have some information that you may find interesting.

Up until now, Walgreens and Express Script s have been working together to provide customers with the prescription medications they need. Express Scripts is the go-between for pharmacies and employers with health plans that pay for medications.

Unfortunately, this partnership ended with the beginning of 2012 because the two entities could not reach a mutually acceptable agreement. So now, Walgreens is not included in the Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network.

Walgreens tried very hard to salvage the deal to enable them to continue serving the many people who have come to rely on Walgreens for prescriptions. They even offered to hold rates flat without any increases. Express Script’s response? They insisted on unilateral definition of contract terms. Express Scripts also planned to cut Walgreens reimbursement rates to unheard of levels.

Walgreens is continuing to try to reduce the impact on patients even after this dissolution. They have come up with a way to enable many patients to continue to use Walgreens using a special  Walgreens Prescription Savings Club . Spend $10 annually for a family membership that covers everyone in your immediate family — spouse, dependents 22 and younger and even pets! Individual membership is $5 annually. This means that only a small number of patients are probably affected at this time — check the back of your insurance card – if it says “Express Scripts,” then you may be affected. If it doesn’t say Express Scripts, you are probably OK.

How do customers feel about this? Well, a recent survey showed that 82 percent of employers would not exclude Walgreens if the savings was less than 5 percent on their total expenditure. Sixty percent of of those surveyed said that they would not exclude Walgreens for less than 10 percent savings. A whopping 21 percent said that they would not exclude Walgreens from their network period.

Want to know more and show your support for Walgreens? Check out  Walgreens on Twitter and Walgreens on Facebook  .