Life is like a sandcastle something beautiful here for awhile & then gone, but the impression it makes on others can last forever.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Blogger Opp. $500 & 9 Canvas Winners



Say “I Love You” In-Canvas Event

Grand Prize: $500 Visa Gift Card + 9 Winners will also receive a 16×20″ Canvas
Event dates: 1/15 – 1/29
Please Say Life Is A SandCastle Referred you.
I have a chance to win a print too. 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Giveaway Linky Thursday 12/19/13


Thanks for joining in this week's giveaway linky for blog giveaways only, no businesses or contest entries. 

Air Hogs Atomsphere 12/17
IPEVO Pad Pillow 12/17
$400 Mía Mariú Shopping Spree 12/23
Lugz Mens Drifter Boots $81.99rv 12/17
6 Month Diaper & Wipe Delivery 12/23
. .

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Spy Gear - Panosphere & Spike Mic Launcher

We were sent more fun play from Spin Master, links in this post will link to sponsors page so you can find more information about these great items mentioned. This Gear is for the spy enthusiastic kid in the house. 2 great products Spy Gear Panosphere & Spy Gear Spike Mic Launcher your little 007 secret agent may capture more than you want them to know. Especially at this time of the year with Santa is visiting. My boys are listen to our conversations and watching to learn what presents they will get this year. It's tough keeping things secret and now even more so.

Their plan to catch either Santa or the Elf On the Shelf in the house. They want to set up the Spy Gear Panosphere to keep watch of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and catch Santa bringing toys. They also want to listen with Spy Gear Spike Mic Launcher to see if they hear anything while they are in bed. Just see the the image below I pulled from the camera. We are all in trouble here the spy cam takes some pretty good images to be so small. The spike mic sound quality was clear. Yes, the kids love these toys.

The thing I love most is that the camera, it has a rechargeable battery and is charged with the USB Transfer Port that is included. Connect to your computer when you want to recover the pics. & video. Open the file on your computer. The camera takes 1 photo per second and you  can switch to video.

The only issue is the kids and the suction cup shooting the mic, they don't have a great aim and it works best on flat smooth surfaces. Other than that we tried up to 40 ft away and could hear good. Using good batteries is key.

The question this year is: Will Santa and the Elves make it through the house without being caught by this fantastic spy gear?



Panosphere 360 Spy Cam

Capture it all with the advanced technology of the Panosphere 360 Spy Cam! The Panosphere is capable of recording in every direction at once. Its amazing 360° panoramic video recording ensures you don’t miss a thing. Take 2000+ photos or 10 minutes of video in 720p! With 3 ways to play you decide how you’re going to record: slide it, stick it, or strap it. Each attachment gives the Panosphere a new way to remain undetected. The included video editing software lets you explore your footage, make edits, and upload to social media networks. Gear up with the all-seeing Panosphere 360 Spy Cam from Spy Gear!

Spike Mic Launcher

Get the latest in high-tech Spy Gear! The Spike Mic Launcher is a remote listening device delivering super spy audio surveillance. The Spike Mic dart has a built in microphone with two unique interchangeable tips: Sticky Dart and Suction Cup. Just fire, stick, and listen. With a live audio feed you’ll remain undetected as you hear conversations happening in far away locations. Plug in using the headphone jack (headphones sold separately) for stealth listening. Launch it or stick it to a wall as you gear up with the Spy Gear Spike Mic Launcher!

Friday, December 13, 2013

No Sew Elf On The Shelf Costume - Easy

My son is one major fan of the Elf on the Shelf. He asked about an elf costume, we looked at the costume stores. They didn't have any to match the beloved character from the book and show. I thought about it and decided I can do this on my own, even with out a sewing machine.

Hot glue gun in hand, a red long sleeve shirt from Walmart. I took the white felt material and cut the triangle shapes out then I went to work bunching and gluing the white felt on like the elf collar. Next, I made the mittens by folding the material, long side of his hand next to the folded side. Tracing my sons hand  and cutting it out I spaced over about a half of inch. I hot glue and fold it back in half. Turn inside out and done. Top with Santa hat and red pants I have a cute little elf. He loves it.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Giveaway Linky Thursday 12/12/13

Thanks for joining in this week's giveaway linky for blog giveaways only, no businesses or contest entries. 

. .

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sweepstakes Air Hogs Atmosphere

Air Hogs Atmoshpere is the next toy that has amazed and held my kids attention while out of school for vacation. We received an assortment of awesome Spin Master Toys to share our opinions on, links in this post will take you to sponsors page so you can find the just right gift this holiday season. The Atmoshpere has auto-hover technology. You control the flyer with the palm of your hand, my boys are running all over guiding it up. The hardest thing for them is waiting on it to charge and waiting the 15 minutes for the battery to cool before putting it back on charge. They have used this toy a lot and it has held up to destructo team.

This one comes with it's own charging station that takes 6 double AA batteries to recharge the Atmosphere. It's a easy toy to use and gets big play from kids. 


The instructions say keep hands, hair and loose clothing away from the rotors. The reason I included in my review about 3 years ago, my son had a toy with spinning wheels and caught it in my hair, I had to cut it out. So anything they play with now I pin my hair up or run the other direction. The boys always try to make it come in my direction. It is a fun toy and they have enjoyed it.

Atmosphere - Soar to new heights with the Air Hogs Atmosphere! This powerful levitating sphere requires no remote control and hovers above any surface! Its spherical shape allows the Atmosphere to smoothly bounce off walls and ceilings for non-stop flight. You are the controller with the high-tech hovering power of the Air Hogs Atmosphere!

Thanks to our sponsor one lucky US Winner will win an Air Hogs Atmosphere.

Disclosure: The sponsor supplied review product and giveaway product. All opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 9, 2013

Air Hogs Helix X4 Stunt Quad Copter

Spin Master knows what little boys dreams are made of. Sure bet on the holiday wish list this Christmas is a Spin Master toy. We received an assortment of awesome Spin Master Toys to share our opinions on, links in this post will take you to sponsors page so you can find the just right gift this holiday season. My boys have been testing these out since they were on break from Thanksgiving and they have held up to the test of my 4 yr old that is super destruction. My 6 yr old had just told me days before the Air Hogs HelixX 4 Stunt Quad Copter was on his most wanted list.

First thing I love about it is that you can charge the copter by plugging into you USB cable connection on your computer. OH MY GOSH!! total win, it's not sucking all the life out of the batteries in the remote control. However if you are on the go with the copter you can use the controller to charge the copter. Thing to remember: you need to wait about 15 mins after flying to give the battery time to cool down before placing it on charge. The kids watched the clock like hawks waiting.

Immediately they began doing stunts with it and it would flip in the air. Laugh and giggles, squeals of excitement from 2 little boys. I personality think this is one of the best designs we have seen and helps the product last. It holds up and constructed with a good design to help protect the propellers. I was real pleased with the performance, ease of use, quality, and entertainment of the Helix X4 Stunt Quad Copter.
TECH INFO Air Hogs Helix X4 Stunt:
The Air Hogs Elite Helix X4 Stunt is a high-performance RC stunt quad-copter! Utilizing 2.4GHz radio control, gyro stabilization, and 4-ducted fans, the Helix X4 Stunt is aggressively maneuverable and incredibly fast! Perform 3 incredible stunts with the push of a button as you backflip, barrel roll and 180 flip. The Helix X4 Stunt features incredibly crash-resistant materials protecting the rotors and delivering superior durability. Its full 4-channel control enables the Helix X4 to easily outfly any obstacle and out stunt any other RC vehicle. Nothing moves like a Helix! Experience the future of flight with the agile Helix X4 Stunt!
Disclosure: Thanks to our sponsor Spin Master for providing this products for my review. All opinions are my own.

Sweepstakes IPEVO Pad Pillow

Welcome to the IPEVO Pad Pillow Giveaway

Sponsored by: IPEVO
Hosted by: BabyCostcutters.com
BabyCostcutters is featuring this on their Holiday Gift Guide! You can read her full review of the IPEVO Pad Pillow here.
One lucky winner will receive a charcoal grey IPEVO Pad Pillow
Giveaway ends Dec. 17, 2013. Must be 18+ years of age to enter. Open to US Only. Use the form below to enter.
Happy Holidays and Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sweepstakes Lugz Mens Drifter Boots $81.99rv

Welcome to the Lugz Mens Drifter Boots Giveaway

Sponsored by: Lugz
Hosted by: BabyCostcutters.com
BabyCostcutters is featuring Lugz Drifter Shoes on their Holiday Gift Guide! You can read her full review of the Drifter Shoes here.
One lucky winner will receive a pair of Lugz Drifter Shoes.
Giveaway ends Dec. 17, 2013. Must be 18+ years of age to enter. Open to US Only. Use the form below to enter.
Happy Holidays and Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy & Sell Gift Cards @GiftCardRescue

This past week I spent some quality time with just me and my mom. We had a very important doctors trip and we had a special dinner just the two of us, (VERY RARE). We had already decided the place we were going to dine out weeks before after visiting GiftCardRescue. See we caught discounted restaurant gift cards for sale at GiftCardRescue. It felt nice dining out and knowing we was only paying almost half price for that meal. Links in my post will take you to sponsors site to find your own great deals and learn more about GiftCardRescue.

I keep checking back on their site to see other gift cards we can save money by buying. Not only can you buy gift card, you can sell ones you don't want. You can make money from a gift card you don't need. With over 450 merchants listed on the sell list. How does that work? You’ll receive a check for $$. The check will be mailed within two business days after your gift card has been received and verified. Go type in one you have and see how much gift card for cash you can get back.
I've sold and bought from them in the past and have had a positive experience each time. Gift cards make a perfect gift for family and saving cash makes a great gift for you. Go check out GiftCardRescue for your holiday shopping. I've been a shopper at GiftCardRescue for a couple of years and really enjoy the deals. They are one of the best Gift Card Exchange Websites I've found.

Check them out:






Disclosure: Sponsor provided my family with gift card in exchange for my honest opinion. My opinions are my own.

Sweepstakes $400 Mía Mariú Shopping Spree

Which one of us ladies couldn't use a little self pampering. Getting all fixed up during the holidays or anytime for that matter. 

Mía Mariú is an innovative company that stands for beauty and health in harmony and above all, for happiness and balance for all women. With nature's finest forces, they offer a full line of health and beauty products designed to help you illuminate your beauty from the inside out.

The Mía Mariú product philosophy is that beauty and health go hand in hand. Everything you want. All you need. Beauty and health in harmony.

With Mía you don't have to spend a lot of money to get high quality botanical skin care, mineral cosmetics and nature's nutritionals that you want and deserve. That is what they are all about. Mía Mariú offers real health, beauty, balance and harmony for real women.

Mía‘s natural health and beauty products are available exclusively through an Mía Mariú Independent Adviser or online here: http://miamariu.com/.

One lucky winner will receive a $400 Mía Mariú Shopping Spree.

Event hosted by Mom to Bed by 8. Giveaway ends December 23rd at 11:59pm, open to US residents only, ages 18+. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. To enter please use the giveaway form below. Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: Life Is A SandCastle is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Blog Opps. Treadmill, $250 Visa GC & More!!

New Year, New You Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media


Grand Prize: ProForm ProForm Performance 400 S Treadmill
Additional Prizes: $250 Visa Gift Card, $100 GAP Gift Card and Body Gospel Deluxe
Event dates: 1/1 - 1/31
Open to US and Canada
Referral prize: $50 Amazon E-Code or Paypal Cash

Bloggers: Sign Up HERE

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Giveaway Linky Thursday 12/5/13

Thanks for joining in this week's giveaway linky for blog giveaways only, no businesses or contest entries. 

6 Month Diaper & Wipe Delivery 12/23
KitchenAid Tilt-head Stand Mixer + accessories 12/9
Blu-ray #MovieMagic 12/15
. .

Sweepstakes #Win Blu-ray #MovieMagic

Watched any good movies lately? What movies are on your most wanted list?
You Haven’t Seen Your Favorite Movie Until You’ve Seen the Special Features!
This Holiday rediscover the #MovieMagic behind your favorite films. Blu-ray offers exclusive special features that put you in the filmmaker’s chair, with a behind-the-scenes access to all of the magic: Special effects, talent interviews, alternative endings, unreleased scenes, bloopers, and more!
With a Blu-ray combo pack, you can enjoy your favorite films in high-definition whenever and wherever you want. You can keep the Blu-ray disc in the living room, DVD in the car, and the digital copy on your phone for when you’re on the move!
Grab your favorite movie lover a Blu-ray this holiday!
• With the combo pack you can take your favorite films wherever you go. You can keep the Blu-ray disc in the living room, DVD for the car, and the digital copy on your mobile phone while on the move!
• Blu-ray lets you to watch your favorite movies with unmatched sound and video that is SIX TIMES the quality of DVDs!
• Blu-ray offers the most premium possible in home entertainment experience
• You don’t have to worry about the buffering that happens with streaming videos

WIN Blu-ray #MovieMagic copy of one of the following titles (chosen at random from the list below) to award one lucky reader!
• The Little Mermaid - Diamond Edition
• The Lone Ranger
• Monsters University
• Angels Rising
• Rise of The Guardians
• Despicable Me 2
• Turbo
• Grown Ups 2
• Wizard of Oz 3D
• The Wolverine
• Star Trek: Into Darkness
• White House Down
• Fast 6
• Pacific Rim
• After Earth
• Man of Steel
• Red 2
• World War Z
• 2 Guns
• Weeds: The Complete Collection
• Predator 3D

US Winner, 1 winner per household ends  December 15, 2013.

Each household is only eligible to win ONE #MovieMagic Title via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Disclosure: All materials, prize and information supplied from Blu-ray & Partners Hub. No other compensation was received.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Tickets Zoo & Aquarium, Donate Toy #New York

The WCS Toy Drive - Everyone can use some extra love this season! 

From November 16th through December 31st, join the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo in their efforts to spread a little love this holiday season. All five parks of the Wildlife Conservation Society are participating in a toy drive to help local families in need. For every new toy donated you can receive one free general admission ticket!

All five parks will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for donation to help support local families in need. The Bronx Zoo will be participating in the Bronx Borough President’s annual toy drive in support of families of local veterans and active duty military members. Central Park Zoo will join the fun and donate to families of local veterans and active duty military members as well. In addition, The New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo will be collecting toys to donate to some of the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. For every new toy donated you can receive one free general admission ticket.* Toys can be dropped off at the gate; admission is not required. Your donation can make all the difference.

*Free ticket to the Bronx Zoo when donating at the Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, or Central Park Zoo. Free ticket to the New York Aquarium when donating at the New York Aquarium or the Prospect Park Zoo. 

For more details, please visit 
http://bronxzoo.com/toydrive/.