ES6tLMQ0PXfdqC9-18bZz9xUQ9E The Life Of A Coast Guard Wife: 6/27/10 - 7/4/10

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Summer in the South: Crazy Dog T-Shirts Review & Giveaway

My husband and I absolutely love t-shirts with funny sayings on them! They really catch peoples attention! I can't even count the number of times people have come up to us saying that they love our shirts!

Well, I found a wonderful site that is LOADED with t-shirts with funny sayings! Crazy Dog T-Shirts! There are pages upon pages of shirts to choose from! You can be there all day looking and laughing at them all!

For my review, I picked the Squirrel ADD T-shirt. I sometimes have a short attention span, so I thought it was very fitting. Plus, it reminded me of the movie UP! My dogs do it too! All I have to say is "SQUIRREL!" and they take off into the yard!

I LOVE my shirt! It fit so well. It's comfortable too! Whenever I wear it, I see people staring and laughing. It makes me smile to see other people smiling. You never know, that could have made their day a little better! :)

Crazy Dog T-Shirts are very affordable, and worth every penny you spend! They even have a daily t-shirt special where you can get select t-shirts for $6.99!

Here are a few of my favorites!


                                                                           WIN IT                                                                           
One (1) lucky reader will win a t-shirt of choice from Crazy Dog T-Shirts!

                                                               MANDATORY ENTRY                                                           
Go to Crazy Dog T-Shirts and tell me what t-shirt you'd pick if you won! Please be sure to leave your email address in the first entry, or that it's visible on your profile. *You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*

                                                                     BONUS ENTRIES                                                              
Leave separate comments for each entry


1 Extra Entry-
Follow me on Twitter
Follow Crazy Dog T-Shirts on Twitter
'Like' me on Facebook
'Like' Crazy Dog T-Shirts on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall
Add my blog to your blogroll
Enter another one of my giveaways. 1 entry for each.
Sign up for the Crazy Dog T-Shirt newsletter

2 Extra Entries-
Subscribe to my blog via email
Grab my button and tell me where to find it
Follow my blog via GFC

3 Extra Entries-
Grab my Summer in the South button and tell me where to find it

8 Extra Entries-
Blog about this giveaway and tell me where to find it

Daily Entries-
Tweet about this giveaway. 3 tweets per day. Please do not tweet all together!

RT #Win a t-shirt of choice from @USCGWifey and @CrazyDogTShirts #Giveaway ends 7/24 http://bit.ly/93kk1N

                                                                             RULES                                                                         
Giveaway ends July 24, 2010 @ 12 (noon) CST

Winner(s) will be chosen via Random.Org., and contacted via email
Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner(s) will be chosen
Open to US Only


Don't forget to thank a member of our MILITARY!

Friday, July 2, 2010

I Love Fridays!

Yay for Friday! Welcome all new comers! My Summer in the South blog event just started yesterday! You are just in time! Grab the button and get started entering! Lots of prizes up for grabs! Hope you enjoy yourself! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Smart and Trendy MomsFriendlyFridayButton

New Friend Fridays


Don't forget to thank a member of our MILITARY!

Summer in the South: RPCM Cool Vest Review & Giveaway

I have been DYING to share this one with you guys! While searching for sponsors, I ran across RPCM Cool Vest! Right away, I knew I had to contact them. And now, I am beyond happy that I did!

In all honesty, I didn't think I would be hearing back from them. The cool vests are such a nice item, I didn't think they'd want to be a part of this. Maybe I'm cutting myself a little short. Soon after I sent my message, I got an email back from Ray Booska, one of the founders. He told me to give him a call.

Hum...I've never had a contact tell me to call them. But, I was really curious about the product and though, 'hey, if I can shed the light of the blogosphere on a wonderful company, I'll do it'. Right away I picked up my phone and called.

Ray wanted the low down on the whole blog review thingy. :) I explained it all to him. His main concern was that, what if I gave him a bad review. I told him that I wouldn't have contacted him if I didn't think I was going to like the product! He then went on to give me a lot of information on the vests.

Before I start my review of the vest I received, I want to share as much information as I can on this most wonderful vest!

The company was founded in 1995 as a Florida Corporation by Steve Wuest and Ray Booska. They, like many other new companies started out in a garage, but soon moved into a real manufacturing facility. 3 years later they hired their first employees.

In 2001 they created military model products using mil-spec camouflage materials. Cool vests are worn by all, but I love to see them being used by our military. They are constantly battling the heat and these are a great asset for them. A very loyal customer to Cool Vest is no other than the United States Coast Guard right here in Mobile AL! I was so pleased to hear that!

Not only are the military wearing these, but also law enforcement. Not to mention that they even make the vests for dogs! So, yes, law enforcement dogs and military dogs are wearing them as well! Military and Law Enforcement Working Dogs suffer in the extreme heat. This puts them at risk and their handlers at risk. Imagine trying to do YOUR job in the summer heat AND when wearing a fur coat! That's why these vests are helping so much. You could say that they are saving lives!

I wanted to tell you about the Military Working Dogs Cooling Vest Project. Most people don't know that there are also dog overseas serving as well. The military takes good care of their men, but what about the dogs? Temperatures get up to 130 degrees! The dogs can not handle that! That's where the cool vests come in. The Gem City Dog Obedience Club is working very hard to provide vests for the approximate 300 dogs in Iraq. And it's not just the vests they are getting. They also need Doggles to protect their eye, Muttluks to protect their feet from the hot sand and asphalt, and collapsible water bowls. YOUR help is needed to send these brave dogs the tools they need to continue to protect us and our soldiers! There are three ways to donate. PLEASE, send what you can!

1) Visit http://www.supportmilitaryworkingdogs.org/ and click on the Support Our Troops button and it will take you to a secure online PayPal link.

2) Mail a check, made out to:
       SupportMilitaryWorkingDogs.org
       P.O. Box 122
       Donnelsville, OH 45319-0122

3) Visit any US Bank location and give the teller a check made payable to:
       SupportMilitaryWorkingDogs.org
       Account #130110310088

The Cool Vests are 100% made in the US! Everything from the straps, down to the thread it's sewn together with! Now, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. Don't think that you are going to put this on and expect to feel like you just jumped into a pool. The cool vest uses Phase Change Material (PCM) Cooling Technology. RPCM® (Renewable Phase Change Material) is made from high-technology processed fats and oils - even classified as "food grade" by the FDA. Think of it as "second generation" phase change material for the 21st century. All other phase change material (PCM) cooling vests use old-style petroleum byproducts like hexadecane, which contain hazardous chemicals. If it doesn't say RPCM®, it's just not safe!

The vest is meant to keep your body temperature regulated, not to make you cold. Put the Cool Packs in a container of ice water, the refrigerator, or freezer until the clear liquid turns into a white solid, then slide them into the pockets on the vest, put the vest on, and you're good to go! There are adjustable straps on the sides and shoulders to make it fit securely to your body.

The vests will continue to maintain a 59 degrees temperature as long as any portion of the PCM remains solid within the pack for up to 2 1/2 hours!

Now on to my review. The day before I got my vest was my grass cutting day. I LOVE to cut the grass, and will do it in the heat of the day. Yeah, I know, I'm a little crazy! 8-) I went out there and got going. It was HOT! I finished the front and back yard and headed inside. We don't have a small yard being that we are on a corner lot. I was out there for a while. I took breaks and drank lots of water. When I went inside, I felt TERRIBLE! I sat down on the tile floor and then couldn't move. All of the sudden, I had to run to the bathroom to throw up. I was dizzy, weak, and scared! The hubby is of course out to sea, so I'm only here with my 4 and 5 year old! Luckily, I relaxed and jumped in a cool shower, then took a nap with my boys.

It could have been a lot worse. Getting overheated is a very dangerous thing. And take it from me, it sneaks up on you! Once again, in steps the Cool Vest!

This week when I went out to cut the grass, I threw my Cool Vest on! I cut the whole yard and the vest was still cool when I finished! The whole time I was cutting, I could feel the coolness on my back. Mind you, I was still hot and sweaty, but not like before! When I took the jacket off after I was done, I immediately touched my hand to my back and stomach. They were nice and cool! And, the cool down process went so much faster because I wasn't as hot as I usually am! There will never be another day that I cut the grass without my Cool Vest!

My husband is an MK in the Coast Guard. In other words, he's a mechanic. Which means that he works down in the engine room on the boat. As you can imagine, there isn't any air conditioning down there! He comes home all the time complaining about how hot he was and trust me, I can smell it on him! :) Since I  was sent the Coast Guard issued Cool Vest, I sent it to work with him. He is also having the same results! Being down there in the heat is much more manageable now!

My overall impression of the Cool Vest is outstanding! Not only is the company helping military, law enforcement, working dog, and the general public, but they are also sending vests to the people working out in the Gulf helping with the oil spill! Such a great company!

                                                                               WIN IT                                                                       
Ray has kindly sent me an extra Cool Vest to giveaway to one (1) of my VERY lucky readers!

                                                                   MANDATORY ENTRY                                                       
Visit RPCM Cool Vest and tell me something you learned that I DIDN'T mention in my review! Please be sure to leave your email address in the first entry, or that it's visible on your profile. *You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*

                                                                        BONUS ENTRIES                                                           
Leave separate comments for each entry


1 Extra Entry-
Follow me on Twitter
Follow  on Twitter
'Like' me on Facebook
'Like' on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them I sent you
Add my blog to your blogroll
Enter another one of my giveaways. 1 entry for each.

2 Extra Entries-
Subscribe to my blog via email
Grab my button and tell me where to find it
Follow my blog via GFC

3 Extra Entries-
Grab my Summer in the South button and tell me where to find it

8 Extra Entries-
Blog about this giveaway and tell me where to find it
Make a purchase from RPCM Cool Vest
Make a donation to help the Military Working Dogs

Daily Entries-
Tweet about this giveaway. 3 tweets per day. Please do not tweet all together!

RT #Win a RPCM Cool Vest from @USCGWifey and #Giveaway ends 7/23 http://bit.ly/chRs9N

                                                                            RULES                                                                         
Giveaway ends July 23, 2010 @ 12 (noon) CST

Winner(s) will be chosen via Random.Org., and contacted via email
Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner(s) will be chosen
Open to US Only

Don't forget to thank a member of our MILITARY!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Summer in the South: Essential Swimwear Review & Giveaway

When summer rolls around, every woman and girl out there knows how important it is to get the perfect swimsuit! If you have one that just isn't quite right, or doesn't fit the way it should, there is no way you can go out and have fun! You want to be comfortable and wear a suit that flatters you and makes you feel beautiful!

In my opinion, Essential Swimwear has accomplished that! Their suits are made with our insecurities and assets in mind! Brittney, the owner of Essential Swimwear used to hand-make the suits! She fitted hundreds of women and learned what we want and need! She no longer hand-makes the suits, but has gained tons of knowledge that makes essential swimwear truly unique!

On the site, they offer a fit guide. It will help you pick out the perfect suit for your body shape. It walks you through things to look for and what is going to make you look better! Hiding what you don't want seen, and showing off the other areas that you want people to notice! Such a great read! I learned a lot!

Essential Swimwear offers halter tops, tankini tops, and sweetheart tops. Basic bottoms, hipster bottoms, front seam bottoms, skirted bottoms, and swim skirts. There is literally something for everyone!

For my review, I picked out the Chocolate Stripe Tankini Top and the Brown Basic Bottoms.

No that's not me in the picture. I wish! :)

I 100% LOVE my suit! It is sooo comfortable! I have a huge problem trying to keep my rear end covered, but these bottoms work great. They fit securely, without cutting off my circulation.

The top is wonderful as well. I am small chested, so I am VERY picky about tops. I hate having to walk around wearing something that makes me look like a boy! This top is very flattering! It covers my little love handles and fits my chest very well. It's front lined with built-in, seamless soft cups. It doesn't get any better than that!
And because it's got the tie on and the elastic on the top, I don't have to keep pulling on it to make sure it's staying where it should! Basically, I put it on and go! No fussing and pulling here and there! I have for sure found the place I will be buying more suits from in the future!

You can also host an Essential Swimwear party! Here is a little about hosting:
Our Goal: For you and your girlfriends to enjoy a completely stress-free environment and find the perfect swimsuit for each body type. With over 16 unique swimsuits tops and bottoms, each guest will have the opportunity to find the style that is right for them.


What You Earn: As the host of the party you will not go away empty-handed. Just for setting up the party and selling 2 swimsuits, you will receive 20% off your personal swimsuit order. You will also receive additional rewards based on total party sales. Visit Essential Swimwear for more information on hosting!

We are so excited to be featuring essential swimwear that we've given you MORE chances to win! This giveaway is sponsored by essential swimwearand hosted on two blogs: The Life of a Coast Guard Wife and  Mommy's Memorandum,  Visit each blog for more chances to win. Essential Swimwear is giving away TWO full swimming suits, one on each blog!

                                                                              WIN IT                                                                        
One (1) lucky reader will win a swimsuit of choice from Essential Swimwear! Ha, I KNOW you want this one! I'd be entering my own giveaway if I could! lol

                                                                  MANDATORY ENTRY                                                        
Visit Essential Swimwear and subscribe to their newsletter! Please be sure to leave your email address in the first entry, or that it's visible on your profile. *You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*

                                                                      BONUS ENTRIES                                                             
Leave separate comments for each entry


1 Extra Entry-
Follow me on Twitter
Follow Essential Swimwear on Twitter
'Like' me on Facebook
'Like' Essential Swimwear on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them I sent you
Add my blog to your blogroll
Enter another one of my giveaways. 1 entry for each.
Enter to win an essential swimwear top and bottom at Mommy's Memorandum

2 Extra Entries-
Subscribe to my blog via email
Grab my button and tell me where to find it
Follow my blog via GFC

3 Extra Entries-
Grab my Summer in the South button and tell me where to find it

8 Extra Entries-
Blog about this giveaway and tell me where to find it

Daily Entries-
Tweet about this giveaway. 3 tweets per day. Please do not tweet all together!

RT #Win a swimsuit of choice from @USCGWifey and @essentialswim #Giveaway ends 7/22 http://bit.ly/a2aat4

                                                                             RULES                                                                        
Giveaway ends July 22, 2010 @ 12 (noon) CST
Winner(s) will be chosen via Random.Org., and contacted via email
Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner(s) will be chosen
Open to US & Canada

Don forget to thank a member of our MILITARY!

 
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