QuirkyFusionGiveaways | QuirkyFusion

Celebrate Mother’s Day with an Odyssey Early Brunch Cruise

Christy — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:54 +0000

It’s not always easy to find a special way to celebrate mom on Mother’s Day. She doesn’t always need anything, and getting together can mean a lot of work for everyone involved. That’s why I’m excited for this particular giveaway. I’ve got two sets of four tickets (each set has tickets for two adults and two kids) for the Mother’s Day Early Brunch Cruise on the Odyssey. Here are the details for the cruise on May 13:

Boards at 9:30am from Rowe’s Wharf and cruises 10-12pm. This cruise features an extensive brunch buffet menu, a jazz duo for entertainment and spectacular skyline views on the inner and outer Boston Harbor. This particular cruise also includes one complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa for adults over 21, a flower for mom, balloon artist, goodie bags, ice cream sundae bar and open soda/juice bar for kids. The all-inclusive price per person is $85.03, children are $44.32.

Winning is easy. Just leave me a comment below telling me one word you’d use to describe your mom, or being a mother in general. Don’t forget to enter your info into the Rafflecopter Widget. We’re on a tight turnaround on this giveaway, so make sure to keep an eye on your email on Thursday for my winner notification. Please reply ASAP. I’ll then pass your info along to the sponsor who will send you an email confirmation for your prize. Good luck!

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Disclosure: This prize is offered by Entertainment Cruises. I have received no compensation and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Happy Mother’s Day from The Meat House (Giveaway!)

Christy — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:47:12 +0000

When I was first introduced to The Meat House, I envisioned a butcher shop where I’d pick out choice cuts of meat under the guidance of an expert butcher. That’s not quite how things went down.

I was greeted with some of the highlighted items of the day, including samples. In case you can’t tell, this is a lovely assortment of fresh-baked biscotti. There were plenty of other samples scattered around the store. Dangerous.

The Meat House carries an array of imported items, including these gorgeous beverages. You’ll see later that I just couldn’t resist the French Lorina Pink Citrus Lemonade. And, although it’s ridiculously pricey, I will be stocking up on a few bottles when I return. For special occasions, of course. They also have pastas and other items from around the world.

Despite the appeal of the imported goodies, I was even more impressed by their support of local businesses. As you can see, they stock a wide assortment of Stonewall Kitchen items. They also have some cookies from Dancing Deer. But I was most excited about the treats from even smaller local bakeries, one of which is nut-free. Yay! The Meat House carries plenty of gluten free and sugar-free items, too.

Now, as fun as the desserts are, this is really a shop for those who love to cook. Here you can see the Borsari seasonings. The Meat House carries an assortment of sea salts, some beautiful vegetables, fresh-baked breads, condiments, spreads, and, of course, plenty of meats. I opted for their special Maple Bourbon marinated steak tips, which were just as delicious as the name suggests.

Here’s my final haul and every bit of it was delightful. I definitely want more of the tips, the Lorina soda, and that Mitchell’s Buffalo Dip I picked up for my husband, but ended up devouring with pita chips. I will admit that the items are pricier than you’d pay in a regular store, but you do pay a premium for gourmet items. Hopefully my Buffalo Dip and Pink Citrus Lemonade addictions won’t end in financial ruin!

Right about now, you’re probably drooling, or jealous, or both. Don’t worry. I’m not that mean. The Meat House wants to give one of my readers a special Mother’s Day Gift – a $75 gift card! The Meat House is located primarily in the Northeast US, but has some other locations as well. Please take a moment to make sure they’re close enough to you.

Ready to enter? Leave me a comment and let me know what item you think you’d HAVE to buy (don’t forget to enter on the widget). You can see more of their standard products on their website if you want to daydream about spending your $75 gift card. Keep in mind that because so many of their items are locally sourced, you may find a different selection in your local shop than I found in mine.

*Due to a technical glitch, this giveaway has been extended by 24 hours.

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Disclosure: We received a gift card from The Meat House to facilitate this review. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Win Tickets to Disney on Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey

Christy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:58:06 +0000

It’s no secret that I enjoy Disney on Ice, as we’ve reviewed several of the shows and given away tickets, as well. Over April vacation, we’ll be attending Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey, which covers some old-school Disney including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch, Peter Pan, and 101 Dalmatians. I can’t wait. These are great movies that my kids love, but aren’t particularly scary. Yay!

We’ve also got some tickets to give away for the April 19th 7pm show at the DCU Center in Worcester . Four to be specific. And they’re really good seats. Plus, they’re with us. =}

To enter, leave a comment below telling me which of the Disney movies mentioned above you’re most excited about in the show. Don’t forget to add your info to the Rafflecopter widget.

Also f that date doesn’t work for you, I’ve also got some special kid ticket offers:

1^st Offer: Kids Tickets $10 – Friday Night: Ticketmaster | Disney On Ice | Kids Tickets $10
2^nd Offer: Kids Tickets $10 – Saturday Night: Ticketmaster | Disney On Ice | Kids Tickets $10

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Disclosure: We received a family four-pack of tickets as well. We received no other compensation and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Happy 25th Birthday, Disney Store!

Christy — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:15:44 +0000

Since the Disney Store helped me celebrate my 40th birthday last year, it seems only fitting that I help them celebrate their 25th. I remember the first time I was able to visit a Disney Store – I thought I had stepped into a dream. For a Mickey Mouse fan living in Massachusetts at the time, there weren’t a lot of opportunities to deck out in Mouske-gear. Sure, there were t-shirts and watches (both of which I wore religiously), but the Disney Store opened up a whole new realm. Some people like to wear kittens or butterflies or flowers or skulls. I like Mickey Mouse. He makes people smile.

So, in honor of their big day, I’ve got a giveaway for you. Yep. They sent me a gift and they’re going to send one to one of you, as well. Pretty cool, huh? But first, I have to tell you that if you visit the Disney Store tomorrow (3/28), you can get 25% off your purchase. I may be doing a little shopping… but don’t tell Big Guy. Also, if you’re one of the first 250 customers at a participating store tomorrow, you can get a pretty sweet set of silver 25th Anniversary Mickey Mouse ears.

The 25th Anniversary gift set is pretty nice, too. It includes a Mickey and Minnie photo frame, plush Mickey Mouse, and a journal, pen and tote bag. The artwork on the journal, pen and tote is called “World of Disney” and features a range of Disney characters. It’s really cute.

Want to win? Leave a comment below with your favorite Disney character in the World of Disney design above. Mine is Mickey, of course. Don’t forget to leave your details in the Rafflecopter Widget!

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Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by the Disney Store. We received a prize pack for review purposes. There was no additional compensation and no promise of a positive review. The opinions in this post are my own.

Romancing the Introvert Year ‘Round #Giveaway

Christy — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:12:36 +0000

Big Guy and I aren’t big on the whole date night thing. It’s not that we don’t enjoy going out and doing things, except with two young kids, his full time job, my part-time job that might as well be full time, and a large family, we often desire to just be home and relaxing. We’re introverts and at the end of the week, we just want to recharge. Having a date is the last thing on either of our minds. In fact, if we could choose the ideal date, it would probably be to send the kids off to stay with the grandparents, and have some peaceful time in our own home. So, when I was asked to write about romance, I had to pause for a minute and think about what romance means to me.

I got to thinking about some ways you can romance your introvert, not just at Valentine’s Day, but all year round. There’s no hard and fast rule, but chances are he or she isn’t going to be as drawn to a flashy date or a night out dancing. That’s not to say we don’t enjoy those things, but there are other things that appeal to quieter personalities, too. I came up with a few simple ideas. If you’ve got kids, you can assume that the first step is either tucking them safely in bed for the night, or sending them off to stay with a relative. Note that these aren’t expensive or time consuming. They’re just about enjoying quality time together.

Buy him/her a book by his/her favorite author, order in, and institute a quiet evening of reading together on the couch. Make sure dessert is involved.
Put on some music, dim the lights, burn some candles or light a fire in the fireplace and spend some time slow dancing.
Order in and sit down with a board game. You know, the old-school kind with no screens or chargers or controllers.
Conversely, have a video game night. If you are both gamers, go ahead and choose your favorite games. If not, pick something cooperative so you can both have fun. Some of our faves? Boom Blox Bash Party (Wii) or any of the LEGO games.
Make (and eat) fondue together. Eating fondue forces you to go a bit more slowly, and gives you more time to talk. Plus, it’s yummy and fun.

One of the things I most want in a date night is ease of prep and cleanup. A romantic meal is nice, but being faced with a mound of dishes as you try to relax is not. So, when I was asked to write about romance by Dr. Oetker’s Ristorante Pizza, it actually clicked for me. The frozen pizzas retail for $4.99 to $5.99, so they’re less expensive than sending out, but they’re pretty tasty. I tried the Quattro Formaggi (four cheese) and it had a thin, crispy crust and a good amount of cheese. They’re just the right size for sharing with someone else. The box says that it’s three servings, but I’d say that’s only true if 1) you have a lot of side dishes (which we never do with pizza) or 2) you and your date eat like birds. Two servings is closer to reality, although if you have a hearty-eater, you’ll probably want to supplement with something else or a great dessert.

Dr. Oetker’s Pizza is available in the frozen section of your grocery mostly in states along the East Coast, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, Baltimore, Maryland and New Hampshire. There are six varieties of pizza, so there is something for everyone, and it’s quick and easy to make.

Are you looking to bring a little more romance into your relationship? Dr. Oetker’s Ristorante Pizza is giving away a gift pack that will help you take care of dinner. You can pair it with one of the ideas above for a quiet, but romantic, night in. the gift pack includes a pizza cutter, a freezer bag, a coupon for a free Dr. Oetker’s pizza, and a Slice & Serve Board from Crate and Barrel.

In order to win, head over to Dr. Oetker’s site and let me know (below) which pizza you’d want for your romantic dinner. And if you have a tip for simple romance at home, I’d love to hear it. Don’t forget to add your info to the Rafflecopter Widget!

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Disclosure: I received product samples from Dr. Oetker’s to facilitate a review and will receive additional compensation for this post. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own. Giveaways is sponsored by Dr. Oetker’s Ristorante Pizza and the One2One Network.

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HOP into Easter with a Movie Giveaway

Christy — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:42:00 +0000

HOP is the story of the teenage heir to the Easter Bunny enterprise who really just wants to be a rock star. Aptly voiced by Russell Brand, E.B. sets out on an adventure, eventually connecting with Fred, played by James Marsden. The trailer is below.When it came out last year, I had full intention to take the kids to see it in the theater. But one thing led to another and we never made it. Now we’ve got another chance to see it, just in time for Easter. We’ll be getting the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack to check out. Don’t be jealous, I’ve got a copy to give away to one of you, too…

The prize (valued at $47.98):

HOP Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)
HOP Book Meet the Easter Bunny
HOP Book Chicks vs. Bunnies

These would be cute in an Easter basket… if anyone were wondering. If you don’t want to take your chances, or want to buy a copy or two as gifts, there are some special offers if you want to pre-order. Depending on where you purchase, you can get a copy of the soundtrack, free bunny ears and a printable Easter party kit or even a Bunny Minion Plush. So cute!

How to win? Just leave a comment below answering the question, “What did you dream of being when you grew up?” Don’t forget to enter your info into the Rafflecopter widget and check off that you completed that step. There are some bonus entries as well.

This giveaway runs through 12:01am on 3/20.

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Disclosure: We will be receiving an identical prize pack as a thank you for sharing this with my readers. There was no promise of positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own. This giveaway is sponsored by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Win a Stop & Shop Guaranteed Value Gift Pack

Christy — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:12:15 +0000

Stop & Shop has recently announced a new look and assortment of Guaranteed Value items. You can see from the picture that the line is now in a bright orange and white packaging, making it really stand out on shelves. Each of the packages has a silhouette of the food inside so you can tell the cans and boxes apart, even if you can’t read. The collection has more than 80 products under a $1 and over 100 of them are $2 or less. They’re no frills, but who cares when you’re budget conscious?

We have the chance for one family to win their own Stop & Shop Guaranteed Value Gift Pack. Here’s what we had in our bag:

Sugar Frosted Flakes Cereal
Traditional Pasta Sauce
Fruit Cocktail
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Oregano
Garlic Powder
Ranch Dressing
Apple Juice Cocktain
Beef Noodle Dinner
$25 Stop & Shop Gift Card

Now, to be honest, some of these foods aren’t things we typically eat. We’ll be donating those to the food bank. Also, the winning bag may differ from this one in terms of ingredients. But I’m excited to try the line out to see how it compares to the brands we normally buy. We certainly don’t mind saving money!

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Disclosure: We received a gift pack as well. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Win Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles for a Year… and a Yummy Recipe

Christy — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:56:20 +0000

When I was growing up, I associated egg noodles with cream of chicken soup because they always seemed to come hand-in-hand. It’s one of my comfort food dishes. But when I found out that we were receiving a supply of Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles for a whole year, I knew that I’d need some more options, preferably with a grown-up slant. I found just the right recipe for us. I hope you enjoy it as well. I apologize for the lack of picture – we were so hungry when dinner was ready that we dug in before I had the chance to snap a shot!

Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

* This goes nicely with chicken. We cut up chicken into bit-sized pieces, dredged them in salt, pepper and flour, and then cooked them. We dredged the pan with the wine and cooked the sauce in the same pan. Easy-peasy. Another option is to add sausage slices. Also yum.

Ingredients

4 garlic gloves, minced
1/2 C Sun-dried Tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dry white wine
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons basil
One package Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles.

Heat a skillet to medium-high heat.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of the sun-dried tomato oil.
Add the tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sautee for about one minute.
Add the white wine, cream, and basil and bring just to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened. It should be 3-5 minutes.
For a creamier sauce, place the sauce in a food processor or blend with an immersion blender.
Prepare noodles as directed on package and serve with the sauce.

Sound delicious? It is, but you’ll need to throw your New Year’s Eve resolutions out the window for this dish. Anyway, now I also have a great chance for you to try the recipes on the Pennsylvania Dutch website or experiment with your own. You can win Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles for a year (24 packs of noodles!). In the meantime, if you “like” Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles on Facebook, you can download a coupon for $1 off two packs.

Please note that this giveaway is open to those who reside in/near New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford/New Haven, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Albany. The sponsor will have final determination of eligibility due to residency.

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Disclosure: We received a a similar package of noodles. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own. Pennsylvania Dutch is sponsoring this giveaway.

Win a Family Four-Pack of Tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Boston

Christy — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:35:11 +0000

I saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City ages ago. My boyfriend at the time really wanted to take me and I was honestly a bit reluctant. It turned out to be a really amazing show, however, and I’ve always wanted to go back. This year, I have the opportunity to take my own kids in Boston and I’m pretty sure they’ll be just as mesmerized by the spectacle. But since this is the season of giving, I also have super-special tickets to give to one of my readers.

The tickets (a pack of four) are for the December 28th performance in Boston at 5pm and they include a Meet and Greet with The Rockettes before the show! We’re using Rafflecopter for the giveaway and the mandatory entry is a comment about your favorite holiday memory. *If you don’t see the Rafflecopter widget below, please reload the page.

Here’s the blurb about the show:

This holiday season, THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR® starring THE WORLD-FAMOUS ROCKETTES® returns to Boston… and if you’ve never seen it before, this is DEFINITELY the year to go! Playing the Citi Performing Arts Center-Wang Theatre Friday December 2^nd – Wednesday, Dec 28^th!

This year’s show features brand-new scenes and songs, spectacular new sets, dazzling new costumes, an amazing 50-foot LED screen, and an unforgettable new finale! You’ll marvel at the incredible precision dancing of The Rockettes® in beloved scenes like the legendary “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the stunning reenactment of the first Christmas in the “Living Nativity.” An you’ll adore the new number “Christmas in New York,” featuring a chorus of Broadway-style singers and a life-sized double-decker bus! This year, through new technology and jaw-dropping new special effects, Christmas becomes more magical than ever before!

You can also purchase select tickets at 25% off:

How to Buy Tickets at 25% off*:
Log onto: www.citicenter.org/radiocity
Select a NON Peak Performance between Sat, Dec 7^th – Dec 28^th for your 25% off discount. For non-peak performances, choose weekday (Monday-Thursday) and evenings during school vacation week.
Enter Promo Code: ROXMOM11
*Offer is not valid for Gold Circle – $130 seats, for which there are no discounts. There is a 8 ticket limit on this event.
Tickets range in cost from $25-$130, depending on the location.

Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to the show for review purposes. There was no promise of a positive review and any opinions contained in this post are my own.

Win a Four-Pack of Tickets to Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove

Christy — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:25:05 +0000

Who are your favorite Disney characters? Rapunzel? Jasmine? Pumbaa and Timon? The Queen of Hearts? Tinker Bell? No matter which Disney movies are your favorites, there’s a good chance you’ll see some of the characters in Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove. The show includes all of the Disney Princesses, as well as beloved characters from Peter Pan, The Lion King, and Alice in Wonderland.

Curious how they’ll weave all of those characters into one show? You can find out. We’re giving away a four-pack of tickets to Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove at Boston’s TD Garden. The tickets are for the 7pm performance on Monday, December 26th – perfect for a great Christmas surprise! The show runs all that week, so you can also buy tickets for a time that is convenient for your family.

This contest is via the Rafflecopter widget – just click “I did it!” when you complete each entry. The mandatory entry is a comment below answering the question: Which of the characters in the show are you most excited to see? You can check out the video below to help you make your decision. And, of course, if you have any questions, please ask.