Heck Of A Bunch

Happy 15th Birthday Build-A-Bear Workshop - #FriendsCount

2012-02-10T05:31:00.001-06:00

In 2012, Build-A-Bear Workshop will celebrate two major milestones. The first milestone is their 15th birthday! Since the company opened its doors in St. Louis Galleria on October 27, 1997 it has grown to become a global brand while being recognized as a company with heart. The second milestone is the celebration of selling their 100 millionth furry friend!

The closest Build-A-Bear Workshop to where I live is almost an hour away, so we don't make it here often. I have, however, taken the kids a few times and we've always had fun. I've even purchased a few furry friends online and have a couple of them put away until Easter when two of the younger girls will get them.

I've never taken into consideration how much friends count until just a few years ago. Although my two older sisters are ten years older than me, I consider them friends. I also have two girlfriends, Missy and Kim, that I've become close to over the last couple of years. When the five of us get together on weekends or at camp it's always a good time. We laugh like it's nobody's business and enjoy each other's company.

sister Sandy, friend Kim, friend Missy, sister Traci, and myself

Whether your best friend is one of your longtime gal pals, your spouse, your pet, or even your teddy bear, we can all agree that our friends have made our lives so much better.

I wrote this post on behalf of MomSelect and Build-A-Bear. No monetary compensation took place. In exchange for this post, I am entered to win a prize. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

The Natural Dentist - Review and Giveaway

2012-02-10T02:44:00.001-06:00

I know all too well the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, I didn't take care of my teeth like I should have and had to get top falsies last year. Since then, I've been doing all I can to make sure my bottom teeth and gums stay healthy. My kids and husband also know the problems I've had with my top teeth and don't want to live through what I did.

I was recently able to try the Healthy Gums Antigingivitis Rinse from The Natural Dentist, a company with a complete line of toothpastes and mouth rinses for every oral care need. The Natural Dentist was created by a dentist to provide effective oral care for his patients teeth and gums. Their products are formulated with a scientific blend of natural ingredients. Unlike many oral care brands, The Natural Dentist does not use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), an ingredient that can irritate your mouth.

My family uses mouth rinse daily. Some are overpowering with their minty taste or seem to have too much alcohol in them. The Healthy Gums Antigingivitis Rinse from The Natural Dentist in Peppermint Twist flavor doesn't have either. The flavor reminds me of a mix between mild mint and sour cherries. It helps moisturize my gums and keeps my mouth feeling fresh for a long time afterwards. The rinse is clinically proven to heal and prevent bleeding gums. Although that's not a problem I experience, I appreciate that it helps prevent it from happening. The bottle has a childproof twist cap and I like how the rinse makes my mouth feel.

Win It!

One person will win a bottle of Healthy Gums Antigingivitis Rinse.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Samy's Big FAT Valentine's Day Giveaway

2012-02-09T15:56:00.001-06:00

To get sky-high, sexy strands this Valentine’s Day turn to the experts in hair amplification – Samy!

Samy’s Fat Hair “0” Calories line is formulated with the exclusive Thickening Complex - a blend of natural extracts, vitamins and proteins that infuse hair with strength and body. These one of a kind products leave hair thicker, fuller and stronger with incredible shine!

Enter for a chance to give your hairstyle a makeover this Valentine’s Day by going to SamySalon.com for a chance to win a basket filled with over $100 worth of fabulous Fat Hair products!*

Samy’s red hot tip: To add volume to any Valentine’s Day style, spray Fat Hair Thickening Spray in damp hair before styling. For a finishing touch, lock in your sexy style with a spritz of Fat Hair Amplifying Hairspray.

Fat Hair products are available at samystore.com, Rite Aid, and select drugstores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

*Promotion open only to residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia that are at least 18 years old. Giveaway ends February 28, 2012.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

A Facebook Plea From Little 'Ole Me

2012-02-09T04:44:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day is coming up and since I don't want you to have to rush out to the store to buy me candy or flowers, I'll make it easier on you and instead only ask that you "like" a comment on a Facebook page.

A local radio station is sponsoring a giveaway and I can totally see myself being super thrilled if I won. Roses and gift certificates are just a couple of the prizes.

In order for me to win, my comment on the radio station's Valentine contest Facebook post has to have the most "likes". That's where you come in. I don't ask for favors very often and hope I'm not offending anyone by pleading for favors now, but the comment with the most "likes" is what wins the contest. If you're so inclined to help me, I'd be much obliged. (Said in my sweetest Southern Belle tone).

This is what you need to do:

Go to the 97.9 KICK-FM Facebook page.

Find this wall post:

97.9 KICK-FM

Here's your chance to win a very nice Valentine's package! Comment below what you would like for Valentine's Day...the more creative the better! Then share this with your friends and tell them to "like" your comment! The person who has the comment with the most "likes" will win $50 gift certificates from Geise Jewel Box and The Maine Course restaurant and a vase of fresh roses from Wellman Florist! You can comment until Monday, February 13th at 9am! If there is a tie, we'll select a winner from those tied using random.org! One comment per person please! Remember to have your friends vote for your comment to improve your chances at winning!

Once you see that wall post, scroll down until you find my comment. It's the 36th one and has a picture of me next to it. Just in case you're not sure of my name and only know me as Heck Of A Bunch, it'll be the comment that Terra Heck (me!) posted. Once you find my comment, click "like" and that's it.

I swear, it shouldn't take but a couple minutes of your time and it'll keep you from having to think of what else to get me for Valentine's Day.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post. I just totally wanna win!

HauteLook - High End Fashion At Up to 80% Discounts

2012-02-09T04:16:00.001-06:00

Sign up for HauteLook, a private shopping club, and get access to high-end fashion at up to 80% discounts. It's free to join and new sales events can be discovered every day.

This post contains affiliate links. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Free 7 Day Pass to 24 Hour Fitness

2012-02-09T04:08:00.002-06:00

24 Hour Fitness is a global fitness leader and is currently the largest privately held fitness club chain. Click on the link above to receive a free 7 day pass to 24 Hour Fitness.

This post contains affiliate links. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

The Great Divide - Children's Book Review

2012-02-09T03:48:00.001-06:00

Book Synopsis:

Animals, like people, enjoy spending time with their friends and family. Many groups of animals have their own unique names. Did you know that a group of gorillas is called a band? And a bunch of billy goats is a tribe? Following in the footsteps of Multiply on the Fly (multiplication), What’s New at the Zoo? (addition) and What’s the Difference? (subtraction), this rhythmic, fun-to-read-aloud book introduces children to division as they conquer bands, tribes, mobs and more.

My Review:

In The Great Divide, children can learn about groups of animals while committing division skills to memory. Different types of animals are represented in colorful illustrations. The cadence of the story is told in a rhyming format. Further lessons can be learned in the "Creative Minds" section of the book. Collective nouns matching and a detailed explanation of division are just a couple of the educational pages that provide supplemental educational material.

The Great Divide is a Spring 2012 release from Sylvan Dell Publishing.

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

MyPublisher's New Line of Baby Stationery Has Arrived - Giveaway

2012-02-09T01:30:00.002-06:00

In November I did a review and giveaway for MyPublisher, a leading publisher of photo books, cards and stationery. The personalized Christmas cards I received exceeded my expectations and I received several nice comments about them. I'm excited to announce that MyPublisher has launched a new line of beautiful custom baby announcements and shower invitations, designed to celebrate the birth and life of babies everywhere. This line includes over 150 new baby designs. The high quality cards feature extra-heavy stock and custom-made deluxe envelopes. With options to customize the colors, finishes and textures of the cards, along with dozens of envelope liners to choose from and return address printing at no extra charge, everyone will be able to find a card that captures the message they want to share. I'm not expecting a baby anytime soon, but I know some family and friends who are. I will be referring them to MyPublisher when it comes time to celebrate the special life.

Discount Code: Use code BABY25 at checkout when you purchase 25 cards or more and get a voucher for a free photo book. Offer ends March 31, 202.

Win It!

One person will win a $50 MyPublisher gift certificate that can be used towards the baby announcements and/or the shower invitations.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feeling Happy For These Winners

2012-02-08T23:52:00.001-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the To Kill A Mockingbird Blu-ray giveaway is #40, Heather! (confirmed)

The winner of the Light Affection giveaway is #63, tammy.

The two winners of the Not Soap, Radio giveaway are #255, Jessica Peeling and #213 kirstensapphire.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out all my current giveaways, listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

FREE Two Days Only: A Vampire Novel with Actual Bite!

2012-02-07T09:51:00.001-06:00

As the modern world establishes itself and pushes the supernatural into the shadows, the supernatural fights back.

The Darkening Dream is a chilling new dark fantasy novel by Andy Gavin, creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter, that has received rave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and is FREE for two days only on Amazon Kindle (February 7th to 8th)! Download your FREE copy here: http://amzn.to/yTvZPG

Long-time readers of dark historical fantasy (Tim Powers, Guy Gavriel Kay, Katherine Kurtz) will appreciate the weaving together of mythology, occult, and religion, while younger readers and fans of HBO dramas (True Blood, Carnivàle) or urban fantasy (Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher) will be drawn to the twisted imagination, graphic action, and romantic tension.

About The Darkening Dream

Even as the modern world pushes the supernatural aside in favor of science and steel, the old ways remain. God, demon, monster, and sorcerer alike plot to regain what was theirs.

1913, Salem, Massachusetts – Sarah Engelmann’s life is full of friends, books, and avoiding the pressure to choose a husband, until an ominous vision and the haunting call of an otherworldly trumpet shake her. When she stumbles across a gruesome corpse, she fears that her vision was more of a premonition. And when she sees the murdered boy moving through the crowd at an amusement park, Sarah is thrust into a dark battle she does not understand.

With the help of Alex, an attractive Greek immigrant who knows a startling amount about the undead, Sarah sets out to uncover the truth. Their quest takes them to the factory mills of Salem, on a midnight boat ride to spy on an eerie coastal lair, and back, unexpectedly, to their own homes. What can Alex’s elderly, vampire-hunting grandfather and Sarah’s own rabbi father tell them? And what do Sarah’s continuing visions reveal?

No less than Gabriel’s Trumpet, the tool that will announce the End of Days, is at stake, and the forces that have banded to recover it include a 900 year-old vampire, a trio of disgruntled Egyptian gods, and a demon-loving Puritan minister. At the center of this swirling cast is Sarah, who must fight a millennia-old battle against unspeakable forces, knowing the ultimate prize might be her very soul.

The Reviews Are In

"A vampire novel with actual bite." ~The Kirkus Reviews

"Mr. Gavin has brought something refreshingly new to a genre now suffused with poorly-concealed bodice-rippers which have more in common with Fabio than Bram Stoker: depth. His big baddies are scary, not romantic interests, and the added religious lore is complex and engaging. Don't expect another Twilight -- the story can get downright creepy, so be prepared for a return to the old horror sensibilities of supernatural fiction." ~Amazon Review

"With Mr. Gavin's video-game pedigree, I was expecting something aimed squarely at the 18-25 year old fanboy contingent; what I got in The Darkening Dream was something wholly unexpected: A period novel with a female protagonist, a crash-course on Judaism in the colonial years, and multi-layered series of plot arcs featuring a crazy cast of natural and supernatural characters populating 18th Century Colonial America." ~Amazon Review

"…A perfect blend of mystery, magic and myth. A grown-up Grimm's fairy tale...emphasis on grim." ~Amazon Review

Read the first two sample chapters here http://bit.ly/xXVxXS

Get your FREE copy of The Darkening Dream for two days only on Amazon here. http://amzn.to/yTvZPG

I received no compensation for this post. I received a paperback copy of the book for review. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Haan Agile Steam Mop - Review

2012-02-06T15:24:00.002-06:00

I generally don't mind cleaning. I want things done a certain way, so I'll usually clean the house myself. The one chore I detest though is mopping. I'd never come across a mop or cleaning method before that makes the chore easier or at least more desirable. I received a Haan Agile Steam Mop for review and I honestly don't detest mopping anymore. It's still not on my list of favorite things to do, but it's not something I huff and puff about anymore.

With the HAAN Agile, the swivel-head design and super low profile head make it easy to maneuver around furniture, cupboards and other obstacles. Remove the water tank, fill at the sink and start steaming in just 20 seconds. Use the Carpet Glide attachment to sanitize and deodorize carpets, rugs, cushions, mattresses and other soft surfaces. The HAAN Agile kills 99.9% of household germs, bacteria and dust mites without chemicals.

Features

•Swiveling low profile head

•Removable Water Tank

•Machine Powered Steam Pump

•Ergonomic Handle

•Storage Hook

•Power Cord Management System

•Steam Head with 15 Steam Jets

What's in the Box

•2 Reusable Ultra-Microfiber Cleaning Pads

•Floor Protector/Resting Pad

•Carpet Glide Attachment

•Lime and Scale Remover

•Users Manual & Warranty Card

There are a handful of parts for the Haan Agile Steam Mop and I'd definitely recommend thoroughly reading all instructions before use. I was able to assemble the steam mop with ease and understand what detailed steps I needed to take after reading the instructions a couple of times.

The steam mop works on hard surface floors by removing the water tank and filling it with tap water. The unit is then plugged in and placed on the floor protector/resting mat. After turning it on, wait twenty seconds for it to heat up. When it's heated, place the unit on the ultra-microfiber pad.

While the steam mop is heating up, there is a steady noise that you can hear coming from it. The noise is somewhat loud, but it's not ultimately annoying. When I use the Haan Agile Steam Mop to clean my hard surface floors, I'm impressed with how well the mop maneuvers to get close to tight spaces and areas that are otherwise hard to reach. I can get right next to my baseboards and get them as clean as the main area of the floor. The steam mop relies solely on water and steam, using no chemicals. I'm able to see how much dirt I've picked up once I remove the Ultra-Microfiber Pad from the bottom of the unit. The steam mop seems to clean my floors nicely and it's so much easier than a conventional mop.

The Ultra-Microfiber Pads need to be cleaned after use. It is preferred that they are hand washed or machine washed in cold water on the delicate cycle. Air drying is best, but I've been throwing mine in the dryer for a few minutes at a time.

Besides steam cleaning floors, the Haan Agile Steam Mop can be used to freshen, deodorize and sanitize carpeting, rugs, upholstery, pet cushions and more. I wouldn't consider it to be a heavy-duty carpet cleaner but it works well for getting rid of minor spots and stains. To use the steam mop on carpets, there is a plastic carpet glide that attaches to the unit. Just as you do when you are mopping, the unit gets placed on the resting mat/floor protector when it's heating up and uses only water and steam to clean. When the kids spill something on the floor or the dog has an accident, I use the Haan Agile Steam Mop to clean up and sanitize the area.

Included with the Haan Agile Steam Mop are packets of Lime and Scale Remover which are to be used every three to six months to clean the inside the unit and remove potential lime and scale.

The Haan Agile Steam Mop is a unit that doesn't make cleaning floors and messes seem as much of a chore anymore, with its ease of use and cleanliness achieved.

I received product for review from HAAN USA. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Win Big with Bigen This Valentine's Day

2012-02-06T13:52:00.001-06:00

The biggest name in brunette color is offering you a chance to win a Valentine’s basket of Bigen products worth over $100! With a mix of Permanent Powder and Semi-Permanent shades, as well as coloring accessories to help you achieve a fool-proof color application at home, the winner will be well on their way to becoming a master at-home colorist! To enter please visit the Bigen website and click on the Bigen Valentine Giveaway.

To get sexy, shiny, rich color for you and your valentine turn to Bigen. Bigen provides long-lasting, flawless color without the use of harmful chemicals ammonia or peroxide. Bigen Permanent Powder and Semi-Permanent Hair Colors are also available for purchase at www.bigenusastore.com.

*Promotion is open only to residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia that are at least 18 years old.

I received no compensation for this post. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Valentine's Day Heart Healthy Meals - #HormelFamily

2012-02-06T13:28:00.001-06:00

What are you doing to celebrate Valentine's Day with your family? Are you making a heart-themed or heart-healthy meal?

For a holiday that is represented by hearts and showing the love to those around you, Valentine's Day is the perfect time to start showing your own heart a little bit of love. Regular exercise is critical to keeping your heart in shape, but the food that you put in your body has just as large of an influence on the health of your most talked about organ. This Valentine's Day, take some time to think about the impact of your food choices on your heart and follow some of the below tips and advice to ensure a happy and healthy heart.

Substitute high-fat foods for lower-fat counterparts. Use liquid oils when cooking, like olive ad canola oil, instead of solid fats like butter and margarine.

Reduce fat and keep an eye on salt consumption by trying out a variety of spices and seasonings. Bouillons are a great way to add seasonings without adding fat. Try beef flavored Herb-Ox bouillon sodium-free granules that are perfect to add a unique flavor to gravies, marinades, soups, stews, rice dishes, pasta dishes and stir-fries.

Most fruits and vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, which is great for your heart. Grabbing a handful of vegetables is a quick, perfect, heart-healthy snack during the day. Use the leftovers to throw into a pasta dish later in the evening. If you're on the go, try the small, compact and delicious CHI-CHI'S Snackers with carrots or celery.

Consume at least four servings of nuts, legumes, and seeds each week and avoid more than 36 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages each week.

Lean proteins help to provide you with a sense of fullness and keep hunger at pay in between meals. Try a Hormel Always Tender pork roast for dinner, packed with 18g of protein, in either a roast flavor or onion and garlic roast.

I wrote this post as a member of the Hormel Extended Family Blogger campaign and received products. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Don't Be the Blogger Who Makes the Wrong First Impression

2012-02-06T02:44:00.001-06:00

I've been blogging for two and a half years now and have not yet been to an actual blog conference. It's not for lack of wanting to. It's for lack of money. Family finances and bills come first. Someday, oh someday, I'll have enough extra cash to attend a blog conference. When I do, watch out!

I have had a couple of opportunities to attend media events with other bloggers. My first was a Build-A-Bear Workshop in St. Louis. It was very obvious to everyone that I was a fish out of water. I was nervous being around such a strong group of women and it was my first time driving to a big city alone. I had a good time, but didn't even make it to the second day of the conference. The GPS I borrowed wasn't updated and landed me in the middle of a loading dock facility instead of Build-A-Bear headquarters. I straight up gave up, called my husband in tears, and drove home.

Thankfully, I had already passed out some business cards to other bloggers in attendance the day before. I'll forever be rendered "the blogger who got lost in more ways than one". But because I had business cards and had passed them out, several of the other bloggers who had been at the workshop were able to contact me and reach out in concern, asking where I was and what was going on.

On another occasion I attended a movie media event in Florida with a handful of other bloggers. That event was still quite bumpy, but went much smoother than the first.

Even though I'm no expert, here are some dos and dont's for when you attend your next blog event:

1. Know where you are going - If you're driving somewhere you're not familiar with, do all the research you can to map possible routes. Don't rely solely on a GPS to take you to your destination. After all, even technology fails.

2. Bring business cards - People want to know who you are, what you do, and how to contact you. They are not going to retain it from memory. Create business cards that reflect your blog and hand them out at every possible chance. I gained one blog follower while taking a flight to Florida. After chatting her up, she asked why I was on the flight and conversation ensued about the media event. I handed her a business card and she became a blog follower. And that was just from someone sitting next to me on an airplane!

3. Don't be the wall flower - I don't care how insecure or shy you are, don't show it. I made that mistake the first time and didn't branch out like I should have. It's much better to be remembered for having a great personality than being remembered as the one who stuck to the wall like glue. You could make wonderful friends or PR connections by breaking out of your shell and faking the confidence.

4. Don't compare yourself - The blog world is extremely diverse in personalities. It doesn't matter how big your blog is or how well known you are. What matters is being yourself. Don't worry about whether the person sitting next to you will like you or not. Make the most of it and have fun!

Do you have any tips or advice for what you should or should not do at blog conferences or media events?

I wrote this post as part of the Tiny Prints Business Card campaign and will receive business cards. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Super Bowl - Patriots, Giants, or Commercials?

2012-02-05T04:52:00.001-06:00

I'd like to say I'm rooting for a football team today during Super Bowl XLVI, but I'd be lying.

Every year I'm a faithful watcher of the Super Bowl but it's never for any team. In fact, I don't know the first thing about football. Sure, I can get as excited as the next person when someone scores a touchdown but I couldn't tell you exactly how that touchdown was achieved.

Whether the Patriots win or the Giants win is not of utmost importance to me. What I want to know is just how great the commercials are going to be. I want to see commercials that are worth the millions paid. It'd also be nice if Madonna made this a Half Time to remember.

Are you a once-a-year-football-poser like me or will you actually be rooting for a certain team?

Movie Coupon Savings

2012-02-05T04:35:00.001-06:00

This post contains affilitate links. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

TurboTax - Free Federal File

2012-02-05T04:08:00.001-06:00

With TurboTax you'll get your biggest tax refund guaranteed, with 100% accurate calculations and free help and step by step guidance so you are confident your taxes are done right. • TurboTax Federal Free Edition • #1 Rated, Best-Selling tax software brand year after year • FREE preparation, FREE printing, FREE efiling for your simple tax return (when referring to TurboTax Federal Free Edition) • Easily get your biggest tax refund possible, guaranteed* • Free Audit Support Center and live online help • Guides you like a GPS through your simple tax return(when referring to TurboTax Federal Free Edition)

This is a sponsored post. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Girl's Guide To Dating

2012-02-05T03:56:00.001-06:00

Academy Award®-Winner Catherine Zeta-Jones and Justin Bartha Star in the charming romantic comedy, The Rebound, arriving on Blu-ray and DVD February 7.

Upon discovering her husband’s infidelity, Sandy (Zeta-Jones) and her two kids move from the suburbs to pursue a new life in the big city. There she meets Aram (Bartha), a local coffee shop employee whose wife only married him to get her green card. The two strike up a friendship which eventually evolves into something more. However, it isn’t long before they’re faced with the big question - “Is this real or just a rebound?”

Sandy unfortunately finds herself back on the singles’ market, and having been partnered up for so long finds it difficult to meet a man. This helpful dating guide will offer up some hints and tips for those who are starting over and find themselves back on the market.

Join a Gym

Sandy meets Aram at a women’s self defense class. If you’re looking to get back out there and into the dating scene, you probably don’t want to try to meet men at a women’s workout class, but instead try going to a co-ed gym or fitness boot camp! There are plenty of quality men out there that you could meet while working out, and it’s a great way of motivating yourself to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay in shape.

Get Online

If you are actively trying to get out there and date and you AREN’T using an online dating site, you need to be. The stigma that was once attached to online dating is largely a thing of the past as a huge portion of the US now uses online dating as a way to connect with potential partners. Many of these sites also have promising success rates with the sheer amount of matches they’ve made. And who knows? Maybe you’re new Mr. Right is right around that virtual corner!

Replace Kid-Centric Places With Kid-Friendly Places

Many single moms find that it’s difficult to meet men because they’re constantly doing things with their children in kid-oriented places. The playground, the zoo, Chuck E. Cheese – these are not really great places to meet men. However, if you start going to kid-friendly places (like museums, bookstores and farmer’s markets), you’ll have a better shot at meeting a new man, without the difficulties associated with being in a place completely swarmed by loud kids.

Team Up!

If you have children, it is imperative that you are able to have some time sans the kids when you’re dating. A great way to do this is to team up with other parents. You can switch off watching each other’s kids so that everyone has time for themselves (to date, to nap, to do whatever). Any of your existing friends with kids would likely be happy to agree to this arrangement, as it’s a help to them too! And, as much as you love your children, you need some time away for them in order to fulfill your own needs and maintain your happiness. Plus, it’s basically a play date for the kids, so they might not even notice that you’re gone!

Change Your Routine

Many of these tips have had the same kind of theme – do something different! Your life has changed, you’re single now, and you need to make lifestyle adjustments. If you want to meet a new man, you can’t continue doing the same exact things that you’ve been doing, you need to try something new! Join a club that holds monthly meetings (like a professional society, the Audubon Society, a group on MeetUp, etc.) or take a fun class (like cooking, art, etc.), and make a real effort to meet new people and try new things. Not only will you potentially find a date, but you’ll also learn new skills and enrich your life with exciting experiences!

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Discover Your Winter Cocktail - Giveaway

2012-02-05T03:30:00.002-06:00

Everyone has their favorite cocktail, but have you wondered what winter cocktail fits you best? Take the Discover Your Winter Cocktail quiz and you can find out by answering a few simple questions.

With the above widget, you can take the Discover Your Winter Cocktail quiz. There's also a fun guide that will give you little known facts about liquor you may not have known. If you click on 'The Winter Twist to 4 Classic Cocktails', you can spice up your tried and true favorite drinks with fun holiday twists.

Here are a couple of Seasonal Cocktail Recipes for you to try:

Chocolate Snowball

Ingredients:
2 oz coconut rum
2 oz Irish cream
1 oz hazelnut liqueur
3 1/2 oz melted chocolate
3 1/2 oz cream
1 dash chocolate syrup

Preparation: Place the chocolate syrup around the glass then place the other ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass.

Winter Breeze

Ingredients:

1 oz creme de cacao
1 oz vanilla schnapps
1 oz Irish cream
milk

Preparation: Pour liquors into a beer mug and fill with milk. Stir and serve.

Win It!

One person will win a Hendrick's Gin Golf Umbrella and a $20 Crate & Barrel gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This post contains an embedded widget.*

The Secret World of Arrietty Coloring Sheets

2012-02-02T16:27:00.002-06:00

With THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY debuting in theatres next month, here are t hree coloring sheets featuring characters from the film that you can print and color.

To print coloring sheets individually, right click on picture and use 'Print Picture' feaure.

I received no compesation for this post. This post is for informational and entertainment purposes only.

The Amazing Mat - Discount Code and Giveaway

2012-02-02T04:30:00.001-06:00

There's a lot of foot traffic that goes through my house every day. It's the kids, husband, nephew, and dog on a normal day. That's not counting the days we have company over. A lot of dirt and germs get tracked through the house. I've always been a stickler about disinfecting my home but never gave much thought about the germs, dust and bacteria that travel from walking all throughout the home. The Amazing Mat, a specially formulated door mat, uses multi-layered antibacterial adhesive sheets to create a clean, sanitary environment in walkways and entrances. I received The Amazing Mat in the oriental design for review and was interested to see how it would help keep germs, bacteria, dust, dirt, mold, and pollen at the door.

The first thing I noticed about The Amazing Mat is that it's not designed like an ordinary door mat. It is actually a hard plastic mat with a design on the bottom and multi-layered, numbered adhesive sheets layered on top. The clear "sticky" sheets are designed to collect dirt and germs when stepped on. It uses the same anti-bacterial adhesive as NASA, used to trap dirt and capture germs, bacteria, and pollen before they're tracked in your home. When the top one gets dirty, you peel it off to expose a new sheet. There are thirty adhesive sheets which are numbered so you know how many you have left as you remove them. It has a non-skid backing so it can be placed on hard surfaces or carpet. There are six designs of The Amazing Mat available to choose from.

(underside view of The Amazing Mat)

At first I placed The Amazing Mat in the doorway of my living room. It's the first mat that I've been able to put there without catching on the door when it's open or shut. However, I moved the mat to my hallway entrance because it sometimes snows where I live and the mat can become slippery when wet. Approximately once every five days is how often I remove the adhesive sheet on top to expose a new one. The design of the mat matches my decor nicely and I like how the mat traps dirt and other contaminants before it has the chance to go all through the house. Although the mat has a surface that looks slick, none of us have slipped on the mat or had trouble walking on it. The Amazing Mat is meant for indoor use only and care should be taken to tread carefully to avoid tripping. The non-skid backing has kept my mat in place right where it belongs. I like the overall concept of The Amazing Mat and that it stops dirt in its tracks.

Discount Code:

Use code SHIPNOW to receive free shipping and handling with any The Amazing Mat purchase.

Win It!

One person will win The Amazing Mat in choice of design.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Delightful Discounts and Deals #7

2012-02-02T01:43:00.002-06:00

February is already full with fantastic giveaways, discounts, promotions, and information. Here's some I'd like to share with you:

The Children's Place is hosting a gift card giveaway contest on their Facebook Fan page. Enter to win one of four gift cards valued at $250 each. After you submit your entry, create a personalized Valentine starring your little sweetheart by uploading a photo and writing a love note. Visit the Children's Place on Facebook and click on the 'Love You Baby' link to learn more.

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Trident and Stride have teamed up to bring you “Chew For The Loot,” an instant-win game that will reward gum chewers with a million dollars, 50 bucks at a time. That's right, every specially-marked pack of Trident or Stride you chew is a chance for your mouth to earn you an instant 50 bucks. Just open the game piece to find out if you’re the winner. And if you don’t win the first time, keep trying – the more you chew, the more chances you have to win!

While you can’t win on Facebook, Trident and Stride have put together interactive Facebook tabs that allow you to get a virtual taste of money right now by adding some bling to your mouth (using one of your Facebook photos). Try it now and ‘LIKE’ the official “Chew For The Loot” tab at your favorite brand’s Facebook page:

- Trident: http://www.facebook.com/tridentgum

- Stride: http://www.facebook.com/stride-gum

See full rules and regulations at www.chew4loot.com.

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Disney has collaborated with NFL to give viewers the opportunity to enter 'The Journey to the Super Bowl Sweepstakes' with an ad that will run during the Super Bowl XLVI broadcast on Sunday, February 5th. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 in New Orleans.

Viewers who are interested in entering the sweepstakes should tune into the game and watch for the "John Carter" commercial. During the airing of the 30-second spot, a code will be revealed. Viewers can then go to NFL.com/John Carter and input the code to be entered in the sweepstakes. For more information on the sweepstakes and for the official rules, visit NFL.com/JohnCarter.

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World RARE Disease Day is coming up on February 29th. Did you know that 1 in 10 Americans are affected by RARE disease and more than 350 million people are affected worldwide. The Global Genes Project is a grassroots effort to bring more awareness to the rare disease community. Join the "1 Million for RARE" movement and like the Global Genes Project Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/globalgenesproject.

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In honor of St. Valentine, erincondren.com is giving $50 gift cards away everyday until February 14th. No matter the size of the order you place, your name will go into the drawing for the $50 gift card being given away that day. Each day a winner will be selected at random. In addition, you can receive 25% off all notepads by using the code LOVENOTEPADS at checkout. The discount code expires 2/5/12 and cannot be combined wtih any other discount code.

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The Himalayan Salt Shop is offering a discount of 15% off any purchase you make at their store, www.saltpower.com. Use the code SAVE15 to redeem your discount. Offer expires 2/6/12.

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The 'Camry Effect a Friend' Giveaway lets viewers Shazam the new "Connections" TV commercial (http://bit.ly/Shazam30) and enter for a chance to win one new 2012 Camry, plus another for a friend. The "Connection" spot will make its on-air premiere during NBC's live broadcase this Sunday, Feb. 5th and is the first and biggest giveaway of its kind to utilize Shazam technology. But you don't have to wait to enter; The commercial is currently available online for early entry at http://bit.ly/Shazam30.

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I received no compensation for this post. Thsi post is for informational purposes only. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

First Winners of February

2012-02-01T23:16:00.001-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Trop50 giveaway is #106, Amanda S. (confirmed)

The two winners of the In Time DVD giveaway are #144, rubynreba and #225, Patty White.

The winner of the Laughter Heals giveaway is #208, Emillie Rose.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to enter my current giveaways, all listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Keramikos Kitchen - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-31T04:02:00.001-06:00

I have a drawer in my kitchen that holds knives and cutting tools for the kitchen. Some knives are of better quality than others and those are the ones I tend to gravitate towards when I need precision cutting. Out of the different types of knives I own, I've never had a ceramic knife. That is, until I received a set from Keramikos Kitchen.

Keramikos Kitchen manufactures and sells high quality ceramic knives, all with a 1 year buy-back guarantee. And the buck doesn't stop there. They also offer a lifetime unconditional warranty and a lifetime free sharpening service on their ceramic knives.

BENEFITS OF CERAMIC KNIVES:

• Extremely sharp blade for perfect cuts

• Naturally anti-bacterial

• Does not oxidize or rust like a steel knife

• Stays sharper 10x longer than a steel blade

I received the 2 piece ceramic Utility Knife + Pairing Knife for review. The two knives arrived in a nice black gift box with a clear window for viewing. The knives were set in a soft cushioned material. At first glance, the knives looked like hard plastic, with black handles and white blades. Because of this, my husband was skeptical with how well they would cut. His skepticism wasn't warranted. The knives are ceramic and have been great for cutting meats and vegetables. The paring knife has been used many times to peel potato skins and it doesn't look like I've butchered the potato when using the knife. The skin peels off easily and my fingers don't feel sore from gripping the handle of the knife after using it for a length of time. The blades of the knives are sharp and require little strength to get the right cut. The knives are supposed to retain their edge for 3-6 years and rarely need to be sharpened. These knives are now in the front of the knife drawer, as a set both my husband and myself frequently use.

Win It!

One person will win a 2 piece ceramic Utility Knife + Paring Knife.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gentle Reminder: Two Giveaways Ending Tonight

2012-01-31T00:40:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways will be ending tonight at 11:01 pm CST. Be sure to get your entries in, if you haven't already.

In Time DVD giveaway - 2 winners - USA

Laughter Heals travel mug giveaway - USA

There's no limit to how many of my giveaways you can enter or how many you can win.

Free Purex Sample

2012-01-30T15:14:00.001-06:00

The "Prove it to Yourself!" campaign has started and
the new FreeSamplePurex.com promotion is up and running. Free samples of new Purex Triple Action liquid are now available.

In a few weeks, new Purex UltraPacks samples will also be available via the FreeSamplePurex.com website but note that you are allowed only one Purex sample per household per year so if you sign up for the liquid sample now, you will not be able to sign up for the UltraPacks sample once it is available.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Where's the Spices When You Need Them

2012-01-30T15:02:00.001-06:00

I have a fairly large pantry, which is a help and a hindrance all in one. Because it's large, the pantry holds a lot of food. I try to organize it once in a while and sort according to category. Boxes go on one shelf, canned goods on another. The task seems almost useless though because stuff never gets put back where it belongs. Trying to locate spices when you need them is the worst. Where's the all-purpose seasoning salt or garlic flakes when I need them? Oh yeah, on the top shelf buried under a trillion cereal boxes! I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have to spend forever and a day hunting for my spices. I'm beginning to think a spice rack would make a nice solution to the frenzied problem of hunting for spices when I need them.

I've seen spice racks before but had no idea there were so many designs and placement options available. Want a wall spice rack? No problem. Want your spices hidden in a drawer? You can get that too. Want your spice rack to look like a ferris wheel? Whatever floats your boat.

Do you own a spice rack? Tell me, is it easier to find the basil and thyme?

This is a sponsored post. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Cereals With the White Check

2012-01-29T04:31:00.001-06:00

My kids like to eat cereal for breakfast sometimes. I like to even indulge in cereal as a snack. Some of our favorites include cereals from General Mills. I was happy to recently learn that cereals with the white check, including Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Total now have more whole grain than any other ingredient. Now more than fifty varieties of cereals with the white check have whole grain as the first ingredient on the ingredient listing, indicating that whole grain is the first and most prevalent ingredient.

In connection with healthier lifestyles, a diet rich in whole grain has been linked to healthier body weights, and it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. You know how much whole grain you're getting from every box of cereal with the white check because the grams of whole grain per serving is highlighted on the side of the box.

With all the health messages facing grocery store shoppers, it can be confusing to translate what appears on food labels into nutritional needs, and hard to determine which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. To help clear up confusion, General Mills developed "Fast Lane For Whole Grain", an online educational game that allows you to navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient. You can also enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the fifty cereals with the white check. Visit www.wholegrainnation.com to play "Fast Lane For Whole Grain" or to learn more about the importance of whole grain.

I received products and information from the Pssst... Network. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Hormel Foods 'Go Big for the Big Game' Sweepstakes

2012-01-28T04:49:00.001-06:00

As a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, I want to make sure you're aware of the Hormel Foods 'Go Big for the Big Game' Sweepstakes. By filling out the simple entry form on the sweepstakes tab of the Hormel Foods Facebook page you can have the chance to win a $500 gift card to throw the ultimate Big Game party for friends and family. The sweepstakes ends February 3rd so be sure to head over there, "Like" Hormel Foods Recipes on Facebook, and enter to win. Good luck!

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Life Peak - Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Review and Giveaway

2012-01-28T04:37:00.003-06:00

In my house alone there are three adults, six kids, and one dog. Yeah, that's why I'm called "Heck Of A Bunch"! I love having a full house but it sometimes comes at a price. When one of us get sick, it usually becomes a domino effect until we've all come down with whatever contaminant has been passed our way. That's why it's super important that we all follow a health routine to keep ourselves and others from getting sick.

Life Peak, a global leader in sanitizing systems, has been manufacturing hand hygiene products for more than forty years in the commercial sector. The Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser with sanitizers and bottles that I received from Life Peak have made the routine easier and more fun.

The Flu Season Special Pack that I received included one dispenser, a bag of solution, and refillable empty bottles and spray pens. This touchless hand sanitizer dispenser is motion-activated and filled with a bag of sanitizer. When you run your hands under the dispenser, it automatically dispenses an alcohol solution that sanitizes. The Germstar solution is a premium quality, hospital-grade solution with a water-like consistency with no sticky residue.

There are different color options for the touchless sanitizer. I have the Chrome/Smoke dispenser. It matches my kitchen decor well and has gives a futuristic feel. Seriously, it almost looks like something out of a cool sci-fi movie! A bag of sanitizer solution was included with the dispenser and already inserted. All I had to do was remove the red safety tab and insert 4 AA batteries to make the dispenser work. If you prefer to plug in the dispenser an A/C adapter is included.

There is more than one option for placement of the Life Peak hand sanitizer. It can be mounted to a wall or set on a counter top. Hardware is included if you want to mount it. There are several nice features and innovation that went into the Life Peak hand sanitizer. For one, you can purchase hand soap cleanser or sanitizer refills, so the machine works for either solution. There's also a night light so you can see what you're doing in the dark. A cover security lock feature allows you to lock the cover if you choose. A small plastic key is stored at the bottom of the dispenser that you use to unlock the cover. If you use this feature, I recommend that you always place the key back where it belongs so you know where it's at the next time you need to open the top.

Each dispenser comes with empty refill bottles and spray pens that can be filled with the sanitizer and used wherever you go. There are two notches on the tray of the dispenser. One notch is to set bigger bottles on for exact placement and the other notch is for the spray pen bottles. Yet another cool feature is that you can control how much liquid is dispensed by turning a knob at the side of the dispenser. The knob settings go from 1 to 5.

The bag that holds the solution lists all ingredients and warnings; The bag is also recyclable. Replacing refills is easy. The hand sanitizer itself doesn't dry our hands and has only a slight alcohol scent. It has only four ingredients and kills 99.99% of germs. The only downfall that I find is with the instruction manual. There are very little written instructions and the visuals aren't very clear. There are videos on the Life Peak website that are very informative on how to operate the dispenser and the features that are available.

The whole family is enthralled with the Life Peak Touchless Dispensing System. We just pass our hands under the sensor when needed and the proper amount of sanitizer is dispensed. The kids have filled the spray pens and bottles up with sanitizer and carry them around in their purses and backpacks. Seriously, I had no idea that a hand sanitizer dispenser could have so much ingenuity. I'm definitely impressed!

Win It!

One person will win a Life Peak Hand Sanitizer and Touchless Dispenser - Flu Season Special Pack.

Includes:

1 - Touchless Dispensing System

1 - Bag of Sanitizer (Citrus or Original Mint)

2 - Empty Refill Bottle

2 - Empty Refill Spray Pen

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BottleHood - Recycled Glassware Review

2012-01-28T01:16:00.003-06:00

I have a small collection of shot glasses. I have them scattered for display in my kitchen and my camper. At times, I'll even put them to use. One company that has several neat shot glasses and other dapper products made of recycled glassware is BottleHood.

BottleHood glassware is made from bottles reclaimed from local restaurants, bars, and events. The bottles are repurposed using local crafts people and are turned into great looking glassware. Functional products are made while glass is kept out of landfills. I received a set of Chopin Shot Glasses for review from BottleHood.

Truthfully, I've never heard of Chopin Potato Vodka until I received the shot glasses. However, when I saw them on the site I was immediately drawn in by the unique design. The shot glasses are repurposed from the Vodka bottles. The glass is frosted with a clear window on the front so you can see a picture of the famous composer come through from the back of the bottle. On the back of the shot glass is a description and ingredients from the original bottle. The shot glasses are well crafted and comparable to any you'd buy at a store or souvenir shop.

I really, really like the original look of the shot glass and it's been added to my collection. What I like even more is that it's been repurposed from an actual Vodka bottle. BottleHood is making its mark on the environment by making something useful out of bottles that would otherwise just be thrown in landfills.

I've got my eye on this Jagermeister Pendant Light and have already told my husband that it'd make a nice gift for me. Jager is my favorite alcohol of choice and I can totally see this light added to my camper.

If you are looking for a unique Valentine's Day gift for your loved one, this "Sweet" Collection would make a nice present.

"Like" BottleHood on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BottleHood.
Follow BottleHood on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BottleHood.

I received product for review from BottleHood. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Last Winners' Announcement for January

2012-01-27T11:30:00.002-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been notified and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Tropical Traditions giveaway is #384, lexee. (confirmed)

The winner of the Purex UltraPacks giveaway is #34, VickieC. (confirmed)

The three winners of the Sarris Candies giveaway are #29 Jackie and #367 trixx and #265 bison61.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out my current giveaways, always listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Dollars & Uncommon Sense - Book Review

2012-01-27T04:14:00.001-06:00

Book Synopsis:

Most people use common sense when they make decisions about their money.
Most people also live paycheck to paycheck, have sleepless nights worrying about debt, and think the only way to have money is to win the lottery.

In Dollars & Uncommon Sense, Certified Financial Planner® Stephen Repak shows you why and how to use uncommon sense instead. He retrains the way you think about money and takes you step by step through a program in which you will:

· take control of your spending
· get rid of your debts once and for all
· build more wealth through saving and investing than you ever thought possible.

My Review:

I've never been wealthy, but I've been really close to poor. My present financial situation is probably better than it's ever been, but I still live paycheck to paycheck. I was aware of and have a system already in place for a few of Stephen's tips on how to better manage my money and have more to save up. With that said, this book has a wealth of information on other methods I can use to have extra income in the long run. There are several sections in this book, with the Saving and Investing principles being most helpful to me. Included in the book is a section of useful websites, a glossary, and worksheets. For anyone wanting a financial help book that is easy to follow, I'd recommend Dollars & Uncommon Sense.

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Infant Meningitis Awareness - Protect Infants Now

2012-01-27T01:29:00.001-06:00

I know there is open debate on whether or not to vaccinate your children. Everyone has their own beliefs and I'm not here to judge. Personally, I've had all of my children vaccinated and feel okay with that decision. I would like to tell you abut Meningococcal Disease, the Meningitis Angels, and the Protect Infants NOW (PIN) petition, which will hopefully educate and inform you of the disease, how it affects children, and what you can do to recommend infant meningitis vaccines.

Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of meningitis (an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (a life-threatening bloodstream infection).

Aside from injuries and neonatal complications, meningoccal disease is among the leading causes of preventable infant death in the U.S. Approximately 50-60% of these cases are vaccine preventable.

Recent CDC estimates reveal that meningococcal disease incidence is three to seven times higher in infants under one year old than in any other age group, and the highest risk for meningococcal disease is during the first seven months of life.

Approximately 1 in 16 infants who contract meningococcal disease will die from it.

There are more deaths from meningococcal disease each year than there are from pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and rotavirus disease -all infections which infants currently receive vaccines for.

Let your voice be heard and visit Protect Infants Now to learn how you can raise your voice and ask the CDC to make the right decision by encouraging them to recommend adding this lifesaving vaccine to the infant immunization schedule. You can sign the Protect Infants Now (PIN) petition, like I have, to help with efforts to protect our children and try to eliminate as many cases of this disease as possible.

Meningitis Angels is a national non-profit organization founded in memory of a child who's life was taken as a result of meningoccocal meningitis/meningococcemia. Meningitis Angels educates the public, health professionals, child care facilities, schools and universities on meningitis and other vaccine preventable diseases and the preventions including vaccines, through personal stories or educational brochures, posters, and videos. You can learn more by viewing the Meningitis Angels PSA video.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Meningitis Angels. This campaign was made possible in part through support provided by Novartis Vaccines. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name from Mom Central as a thank-you for participating. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

This post contains an embedded video.

Tropics in the Winter, With Bath & Body Works

2012-01-26T03:37:00.001-06:00

Although the weather is chilly, get in the tropical state of mind with Bath & Body Works Island Paradise Signature Collection featuring Aruba Coconut, Rio Rumberry and Bali Mango.

Aruba Coconut

Top Notes: Juicy Thai Mango, Fuji Apple, White Nectarine

Mid Notes: Passionflower, Vanilla Orchid, Casaba Melon

Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Rio Rumberry

Top Notes: Thai Papaya, Tangelo, Fresh Coconut Water, Sparkling Summer Lemon

Mid Notes: Tiare Flower Plumeria, Watery Starfruit

Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Bali Mango

Top Notes: Sparkling Tangerine, Asian Apple, Peony

Mid Notes: Thai Lychee, Passion Flower, Pink Rose, Nectarine

Dry Notes: Raspberry Coulis, Skin Musk, Sugar Woods

I received a sample of Bali Mango body spray and my senses instantly went to a place of warm breezes, sipping light beverages, and enjoying the sun's rays. I love Bath & Body Works as it is, so being able to try Bali Mango was a pleasure. The sweet scent is suitable for wearing at any time you want your imagination to go on a tropical vacation.

I received product for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Play With Your Food And Eat It Too

2012-01-26T03:27:00.001-06:00

I bought a Scrabble edition box of Cheez-It baked snack crackers, thinking the kids would find them pretty neat. Out of all six kids, it was the almost 18 year old daughter who laid them out on my computer desk to play a game of solitaire Scrabble. At least she picked up the crumbs when she was done!

Robby Wash - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-26T03:18:00.001-06:00

I've used different forms of laundry detergent in my wash before, ranging from powders and liquids to concentrated packs. The newest, a first for me, was the Robby Wash from Oransi. The Robby Wash laundry detergent ball has launched in the U.S. with several money-saving benefits:

10 ounces of Robby Wash ball replaces 75 lbs. of traditional laundry detergent.

One Robby Wash ball lasts up to 12 months. The ball itself will last three years.

One Robby Wash ball will save more than $100+ over 120 washes.

The ecofriendly, hypoallergenic and safe Robby Wash ball is only $2.95 and lasts one year. It also includes refills and a tube of stain remover.

Granted, I haven't had the Robby Wash for a year, so I can't vouch for its longevity. But I'm all about saving money on laundry, especially since I have to wash clothing for a family of eight people. In the few weeks that I've had the Robby Wash, I've found that it is easier to mess with than big containers of detergent, it doesn't cause a mess, it takes up little room in my washer, my clothes come out as clean as they would with any other detergent, and it seems to be quite cost-effective. With the Robby Wash costing $32.95 and the indication that it lasts a year, that's quite a bit of money saved!

The Robby Wash ball works by using a unique and patented worldwide technology to clean your laundry effectively. Its activated macromolecules are gradually released through the wash, dissolving dried-in stains by generating ions which activate the water molecules. This increase in pH enables the activated molecules to penetrate deep into the fabrics and attach themselves to the stains. As the motion of the drum agitates against the clothes, the stains come away easily from the fabric and dissolve in the water.

Although there is a tube of stain remover included with the Robby Wash, I prefer to use a regular trigger-spray remover. After pretreating and sorting my clothes as usual, I place the clothes in my washing machine and then place the Robby Wash laundry washing ball amongst the clothes. There is no need to add any additional soap or detergent; The capsules inside the Robby Wash do the work. The Robby Wash ball can even be kept in the washing machine between uses as long as it's not buried in clothes because it needs to be in a well aerated place. It also it not meant to be used in the dryer. New pellets need to be put in the Robby Wash when you notice the existing pellets starting to decrease significantly because it needs to be full for optimal use. There is a tab on the ball to refill with the pellets when it's time to do so. For me and my family, the Robby Wash has made the chore of laundry even easier.

Win It!

One person will win a Robby Wash.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not Soap, Radio - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-25T04:13:00.002-06:00

Not Soap, Radio is a whimsical bath and body collection designed to assuage modern frustrations such as diet, love, stress, and other people in an amusing way. They use the best ingredients and all fragrances are custom blended. I'm not sure what the company name means but I like the cleverness of the packaging and the playfulness of the products.

I received a couple Dry Oil Perfume Sprays and a Solid Parfum from Not Soap, Radio for review from the 'I'm Not Here, I'm Really...' collection. The 'On Holiday In Tuscany' dry oil perfume spray is a blend of tangerine, neroli, bergamot, lime, and sweet tea. The 'Vacationing In A Quaint Seaside Village' dry oil perfume spray and solid parfum blends notes of nectarine blossom, honey, peach, black currant, and green mandarin.

The Dry Oil Sprays are a blend of exotic fragrances and essential oils to give your skin a sensuous, silky feel. They can also be used as room sprays. I haven't used the Dry Oil Sprays to freshen my room but they've definitely given my dry, dull wintry skin a radiant shine. Before I get dressed for work, I spritz some Dry Oil Spray on an area of my skin and lightly rub it in. There's a noticeable difference in how my skin goes from dry and dull to healthy looking. The light scents are also pleasant.

The Solid Parfums from Not Soap, Radio are FAA approved for travelling. The fragrance works when applied to pulse points and as a hair pomade. I used it on my hair once and didn't seem to have as much frizziness. A few times a day I'll apply the Solid Parfum to my wrists and back of my earlobes for a pleasing scent.

If I can't be at an exotic or fun location right now, I may as well wear products that give the indication of what it would be like!

Win It!

Two people will each win a Solid Parfum and two Dry Oil Sprays from Not Soap, Radio.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Plumb Pretty Jewelry - Valentine's Special Discount Code

2012-01-25T02:35:00.001-06:00

Tina, a friend and co-worker of mine, is offering a special discount code for 25% off her handmade jewelry through her Etsy Shop, PlumbPretty. Use code VDAY25 during checkout. Discount expires 2/14/12. I've held a few reviews and giveaways for Tina. I've also worn a few of her pieces. I think you'll like them as much as I do.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Dentist Tips to Prevent/Cure Bad Breath

2012-01-24T14:23:00.001-06:00

Did you know that Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait a co-worker can have? Studies have shown that 35% of Americans suffer from bad breath. Brushing your teeth isn’t enough to cure bad breath. Check out these unique cures, from Founder & CEO of Arch Dental, Dr. Pankaj Singh, that will leave you feeling better inside and out!

Practice good oral hygiene.

· Brush your teeth AND tongue after you ea (keep a toothbrush/wisp at work or school to brush after lunch)

· Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.

· See your dentist twice a year

Chew on mint leaves or parsley

Eating an orange is a good way to eliminate bad breath instantly. The citric acid present in oranges will help in stimulating the salivary glands and encourage the flow of breath-freshening saliva.

Eat Yogurt - Studies have shown that the active bacteria in yogurt, specifically Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, may have a beneficial effect on odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist.

Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Went to

2012-01-24T14:18:00.001-06:00

Went to

The Author of this post is Darius Boone

I went to http://www.homesecuritysystem.com to look into alarms for the house because I worry when I’m away and my kids and wife are home without me. I have to travel a lot for work and that’s made me miss my life back home a lot more but you know, I think it’s important to realize they’re not going to fall apart and die without me being there. Having an alarm is going to make me feel better about being away but you know, I’ve also been thinking about getting a dog for them, too. I think it’s important to remember that they need to learn responsibility while they’re young and a dog would be a good security feature, too, especially if we get a big one that barks loudly. I don’t know why I took this job with me travelling so much but now I’m totally committed so I’ve got to keep on keeping on until I score the next promotion and can finally get back into an office like I’m dying to do.

This is a sponsored guest post. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Helpful Travel Phrases

2012-01-24T05:22:00.001-06:00

Academy Award® Winner Rachel Weisz Stars in the Heart-Pounding Suspense Thriller, The Whistleblower, arriving on Blu-ray and DVD January 24. How far will one woman go to fight global injustice? Inspired by true events, THE WHISTLEBLOWER has been met with praise by critics and heralded at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (“Best Narrative Feature”), Seattle Film Festival (“Best Director”) and Whistler Film Festival (“Best Film,” “Best Narrative Feature”).

Academy Award winners Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardner) and Vanessa Redgrave (Julia) head a powerful cast that includes Oscar® Nominee David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck) in writer-director Larysa Kondracki’s harrowing dramatic thriller. When Nebraska cop Kathryn Bolkovac (Weisz) accepts a U.N. peacekeeper position in post-war Bosnia, she uncovers a deadly sex trafficking ring. After learning that fellow peacekeepers and military contractors are involved in the ghastly practice and its cover-up, Bolkovac risks her own life to save the lives of others and expose the corruption.

Kathryn and many of her American colleagues could have benefited from a quick Bosnian or Croatian language lesson. Here, we will explain some common words and phrases to help travelers, including "Hello," "Thank You," "Do You Speak English?" and "Help." Use this handy guide for common travel phrases in Spanish, French, Vietnamese and, of course, Croatian.

“Hello”

The first thing you want to do in any situation is greet the person you’re talking to. Here is how you say “Hello!” in four different languages:

Spanish: ¡Hola!
French: Bonjour!
Vietnamese: Xin chào!
Croatian: Bok!

“Do You Speak English?”

If you’re foreign language skills are minimal, knowing how to ask people if they speak English is especially useful. Here is how you do that:

Spanish: ¿Hablas Inglés?
French: Parlez-vous anglais?
Vietnamese: Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?
Croatian: Govorite li engleski?

“Help!”

If you’re in a foreign country, you may need to ask someone for help, perhaps in getting directions, or in case of an emergency. Here is how you say “help:”

Spanish: Ayuda!
French: Aidez-moi!
Vietnamese: Giúp đỡ!
Croatian: Pomoć!

“Where’s the Toilet?”

No matter what country you travel to, you will, inevitably, need to use the bathroom while sightseeing. Here is how you ask where you can find the toilet:

Spanish: ¿Dónde está el baño?
French: Où sont les toilettes?
Vietnamese: Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
Croatian: Gdje je WC?

“Thank You”

If someone helps you by answering a question or pointing you in the right direction, saying “thank you” is the polite thing to do. Here is how you say this phrase:

Spanish: Gracias!
French: Merci!
Vietnamese: Cảm ơn!
Croatian: Hvala!

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational and entertainment purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Light Affection - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-24T01:54:00.002-06:00

If you are looking to create a photo gift that's one-of-a-kind, I highly suggest Light Affection. The company offers personalized compact lamps and night lights using a porcelain engraving that comes alive when illuminated. The varying thickness of the translucent maerial creates the illusion of the original image. Based on your photo, a piece is carved using a special technique and created into a personalized compact lamp or night light. Each Light Affection piece is carved based on a personal photograph and each original has its own unique serial number.

I was blessed to receive a personalized night light for review. I submitted a couple of photos and was immediately contacted by email about image size or quality. I like that the company wanted to ensure I had a quality photo I could use to get the best final product. I ended up choosing a photo of my teenage daughter during Homecoming night last year. I was emailed back with a sample image of what the overall photo would look like. Within a couple of weeks, I received my final product and was quite pleased. Normal production time for each Light Affection piece is ten workdays.

sample photo

night light turned off

night light turned on

When turned off, the night light looks like a wooden frame with a white etched photo inside. When turned on, the night light illuminates the photo, giving a beautiful glow. Seeing the etched photo be transformed into an illuminated light is mesmerizing. The included light bulb is an energy efficient bulb that is long lasting and doesn't get hot. There's a switch on the front so you can turn the light on and off at will. The night light is set up to fit outlets that are positioned up/down on a wall. It will work for a sideways outlet but the picture won't be upright. The quality of the night light is superior and I'm wowed by the final product.

Win It!

One person will win a gift certificate for a free personalized Night Light from Light Affection.

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New Year, New Eating Habits - #HFExtendedFamily

2012-01-23T13:37:00.002-06:00

I've made two New Year's resolutions to myself. One is to attend church more regularly. The other is to eat healthier and lose a few pounds. So far I've lost two. It's nowhere near my goal, but it's a start. What ways are you getting healthy this year? What resolutions have you made and are you sticking to them?

Setting a resolution to eat healthier for the New Year is a lot easier said than done. With all of the distractions being thrown our way, whether it is work, family, or school, it is not uncommon to lose sight of our healthy eating goals. Instead of focusing on what NOT to eat this New Year, why not to make a goal to try new foods or create new habits in the home surrounding meal time? Keeping nutrition in mind, create a plan for yourself and your family that is fresh and unique, as well as healthy.

Having trouble where to start? Here are some tips!

Keep it simple. Don't attempt to overhaul your entire style of eating immediately. Gradual changes are key. Start by adding fruit as a dessert or a delicious veggie as a side dish to dinner.

Eat a variety of foods. Bringing the same sandwich to work every day isn't going to get you the nutritional value that your body needs. Try making a sandwich with Hormel Natural Choice deli meats, which contain no preservatives, artificial ingredients or MSG and include a variety of options including turkey, ham, chicken, and roast beef, so your sandwich selection never gets boring.

Don't deny yourself your favorite treats. It's important to remember moderation, not elimination.

Sit down with your family and create a meal plan for the week. Keeping in mind the food pyramid and using a tool like MyPlate, create dishes that everyone in the family will enjoy. Let each family member plan a dinner dish for the week and then get everyone's input on what changes can be made to make it a healthier meal.

Remember to drink water consistently throughout the day. For the body to function properly, you need to continually replenish it with water. This goal could be the perfect opportunity to cut out that extra glass of juice, soda, or coffee, and replace it with a cup of water.

Add a little bit of excitement to an otherwise boring salad by choosing a protein to sprinkle on the top. Try Lloyd's Woodfire Barbecue pulled chicken for added flavor or a quick fix like Hormel chunk chicken, made with one hundred percent real meat.

My husband recently created homemade chicken noodle soup using Hormel chunk chicken, chicken broth, and No Yolks egg noodles. What are your go-to recipes for eating healthy?

I received products, as part of the Hormel Extended Family Blogger team. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

New Hour-Long "Team Umizoomi" Special Premieres Today

2012-01-20T04:29:00.001-06:00

There’s a Shape Bandit on the loose taking shapes from all over Umi City and it’s up to Team Umizoomi to save the day in the new hour-long special, “Team Umizoomi vs. The Shape Bandit,” premiering today, Jan. 20, at 12:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The Umi Team must identify shapes, numbers and patterns, count and measure in order to stop the Shape Bandit.

Nickelodeon recently launched Team Umizoomi Math: Zoom into Numbers, a math-based app inspired by the preschool series. Developed by curriculum consultants and tested by focus groups, the app features five touchable, deeply leveled games (23 levels in all) and takes the curriculum and excitement from the television screen to mobile devices using state of the art designs. It has been the number-one educational app on iTunes for several weeks.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

To Kill A Mockingbird - Blu-ray Giveaway

2012-01-20T01:26:00.001-06:00

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: Famous Stories of Innocence Lost

Digitally Remastered and Fully Restored with Over Three Hours of Bonus Materials Including Two FullLength Documentaries

On Limited Edition Collector’s Series Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, one of the screen’s most beloved and critically acclaimed films, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a commemorative Limited Edition Collector’s Series Blu-ray™ Combo Pack as well as on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on January 31, 2012. The powerful and poignant adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel hits the half-century mark, digitally remastered and fully restored from high resolution 35MM original film elements, plus more than three-and-a-half hours of bonus features chronicling the making of the cinematic masterpiece.

Scout, the heroine of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, lives with her father and brother and isn't privy to many positive, female role models who want her to be anything more than a 'lady' in a nice dress.
To honor the release of the film on Blu-ray on January 31, we will examine some more progressive and forward thinking female role models that Scout could have used to look up to, including the smart and talented Hermione from the Harry Potter series and Princess Leia from Star Wars.

Margo Channing from All About Eve

Margo Channing (played by Bette Davis) from the classic film All About Eve is tough as nails and definitely plays against the stereotype that woman are meek and easily led by men. Margo also stands out in comparison to the manipulative, lying Eve (played by Anne Baxter). Davis was nominated for an Academy Award for this role, and won the Best Actress Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Princess Leia from Star Wars

Princess Leia (played by Carrie Fisher) may seem demure at first glance, but she isn’t afraid to stare down cargo smugglers, military commanders, or even Sith Lords. Princess Leia isn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty either, often sporting a laser pistol and jumping into battle at a moment’s notice. Aside from being able to defend herself, Leia is always equipped with a one-liner that can put most anyone in their place.

Fa Mulan from Mulan

Fa Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na) is both strong and honorable. Unwilling to let her elderly father go to war, Mulan poses as a man and goes to the army in her father’s place. Mulan is able to succeed in training camp (often surpassing the actual men in her camp), and comes up with ingenius ideas that help defeat the Huns.

Erin Brockovich from Erin Brockovich

Julia Roberts portrays real life hero Erin Brockovich in a biographical film of the same name. Not only is Erin a single mother to three children (which is a feat in and of itself), but she also discovers a massive cover up of industrial poisoning by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and crusades for justice for those who were affected.

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson) has shown an entire generation of girls that it’s cool to be smart and opinionated. Hermione is well read, extremely intelligent, logical, quick thinking, cool under pressure and very clever. She also has a soft spot for those in need, and often goes out of her way to defend those people or creatures.

Win It!

One person will win a Blu-ray copy of To Kill A Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition.

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The Tork Home and Finally Home To Family Winners Are...

2012-01-19T23:41:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been emailed and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Finally Home to Family giveaway is #385, ArtsyChaos.

The five winners of the Tork Home giveaway are:

#227 ababe28

#390 Belinda M.

#491 Tylerpants

#290 CouponQueen81

#287 Michelle B.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to enter my current giveaways, all listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Whole Grain As A First Ingredient

2012-01-19T03:07:00.001-06:00

The Whole Grain First Ingredient coupon link now has additional prints. Visit http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/d537/ to download a printable coupon for $1.75 off the purchase of any (2) cereals with the white check today!

The Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with a whole grain listed as the first ingredient. Now every cereal with the white check has more whole grain than any other single ingredient, with the same great taste. You will see whole grain as the first ingredient on the ingredient list, indicating that whole grain is the first and most prevalent ingredient.

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of "The Doctors," identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting products with whole grain as the first ingredient. Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words "whole" or "whole grain" are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Here´s how to determine if your cereals have whole grain as a first ingredient:

People really want to make healthy eating decisions, but there are a lot of messages vying for their attention in the supermarket. This can be especially true when it comes to determining which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day´s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.

Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.

Don´t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don´t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help make it easier to find whole grain products, General Mills developed "Fast Lane for Whole Grain," an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

In connection with healthier lifestyles, a diet rich in whole grain has been linked to healthier body weights, and it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Make a commitment to incorporate more whole grain into your family´s diets by starting their day with a bowl of cereal with the white check, including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®. For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the "Fast Lane for Whole Grain" sweepstakes visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

I received no compensation for this post. This is an informational post on behalf of General Mills and MyBlogSpark. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

What's Your Number? - DVD Review

2012-01-18T05:54:00.001-06:00

Ring in the New Year with a fresh and funny tale about dating, relationships and life as Anna Faris (Scary Movie Franchise, The House Bunny) and Chris Evans (Fantastic Four, Captain America) come together in a hilarious quest for “the one” in WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? Unrated Ex-tended Cut, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD released January 10 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

DVD Synopsis:

After reading a magazine article that insists if a woman has slept with at least 20 people that they have already missed Mr. Right, marketing executive Ally Darling (Anna Faris) begins to panic, thinking that she will be alone forever. With the help of her hunky new neighbor (Chris Evans), Ally starts tracking down all her ex-boyfriends, hoping to find her real true love while she helps him escape his latest fling. Hilarious hijinks and adventure ensues as Ally goes on her wild search for the best “ex” of her life, only to find what she is looking has been right in front of her all along.

Featuring hysterical supporting performances from Chris Pratt (Moneyball, “Parks and Recreation”), Joel McHale (“The Soup,” “Community”) and Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live,” Hot Rod), WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? is based on the book “20 times a Lady” by Karen Bosnak and will be available as a Blu-ray combo pack and single disc DVD. Flaunting an unrated extended cut of the film and loaded with laugh-out-loud bonus material including new expanded flashback dates and gag reel, the Blu-ray combo pack and single disc DVD is available for an average retail price of $29.99 and $19.99 respectively.

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? Special Features

●Extended Cut of Movie
●Extended Flashback Dates and deleted scenes
●Gag Reel

My Review:

Anna Faris is an actress who I deem to be quirky and fun to watch. She didn't disappoint in this movie. She plays Ally Darling, a girl who is on the quest for love from her several ex-boyfriends. Unbeknownst to her, true love was right under her nose. The plot is predictable but the scenes are funny. This is what I'd consider a chic flick, but I caught my husband chuckling several times at the raunchiness and laugh-out-loud moments. The movie is Rated R and shouldn't be seen by children, but I suggest it for adults who are in the mood for a good romantic comedy.

I received DVD for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I wasn't influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Laughter Heals - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-18T02:45:00.001-06:00

Ever notice how you generally feel better when you're smiling and laughing. At least that's the way it is for me. My heart feels lighter and my mind is calmer when I watch a comedy, read a funny joke, giggle with my friends, or just find amusement in everyday things.

From the creaters of Save The Ta-Tas is Laughter Heals, a company that supports initiatives that create joy. Being diagnosed with breast cancer, or any of life's circumstances, doesn't have to defeat your spirit. Laughter Heals knows that and is all about creating joy together, even during times that don't seem so joyful. Laughter Heals Gifts has a Facebook page with posts of joyful and funny pictures, jokes, and quotes. The company sells travel mugs, apparel, keychains, and more to promote the mantra that "Laughter Heals". A free keychain is included with every Laughter Heals purchase.

I received a Laughter Heals travel mug and now carry it to work with me all the time filled with coffee. The 16 oz. stainless steel mug is adorned with a purple band that is designed with butterflies and the 'Laughter Heals' logo. The lid has a pull-back lip to drink out of when open and keep your beverage from spilling when closed. On the bottom is a black non-slip surface to keep the mug in place. For the most part, the travel mug is leakproof. It keeps my coffee hot for a long time and the heat doesn't transfer to the outside of the mug, preventing it from burning your hands. The travel mug is very pretty, functional for my coffee cravings, and reminds me to consider laughter when times are tough.

Win It!

One person will win a Laughter Heals Travel Mug.

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Wordful Wednesday - Hangin' With the Girls

2012-01-17T23:07:00.002-06:00

Simply stated, I miss camp. What I miss most is the camaraderie. It's a feeling of belonging and being with groups of people that accept me for who I am, silliness and all. That's why it's always a good feeling when I can get together with my girls and hang out, which is exactly what I did Saturday.

My sisters have the best sister in the whole world!

We're related by blood and friends by choice.

When I get together with these four girls, all is right with the world.

In the Doghouse Now

2012-01-17T04:21:00.001-06:00

They say that dog is man's best friend. Does that count if both are in the doghouse together?!

Now I know where to send the dog AND the kids when they don't behave!

Disclaimer: Neither one were in trouble. They were just hanging out together in the dog kennel. I seriously don't use it as a form of punishment.

Diamond Candles - Blog Tour Review and Giveaway

2012-01-17T04:03:00.001-06:00

Take one look at my fingers and it's pretty obvious I have a ring obsession. Rings are my jewelry weakness. I also like candles. Combine the two and it's a pretty safe bet that I'm sold. Diamond Candles is a company that combines soy candles with rings for sweet scents and pretty bling.

Diamond Candles is a company that sells highly fragrant premium quality soy candles with a fun 'ring reveal' experience. Inside each earth friendly soy candle they make, there's a ring hidden inside a pouch. Once enough wax has melted from the candle, you can pull the pouch out and open it to reveal a ring worth a price range anywhere from $10 to $5000.

As part of the Diamond Candles Campaign, I received a Diamond Candles soy candle for review in the Cupcake scent. With a burn time of 125-160 hours, the scent pleasantly reminds me of what a cupcake smells like. The candle is placed in on a bookshelf in one of my hallways and fills the space with a yummy scent. The fragrance is enough that you can definitely smell it when you pass through the hallway, but not so strong that it is overpowering.

The suspense of what my ring looked like was almost too much. As soon as I was able to, I pulled the gold pouch out of the candle and opened it to reveal the piece of jewelry. Although it is a ring of small value, it is very pretty. The costume ring is gold with diamonds on the side and a light purple stone in the middle. I have big fingers so the ring only fits on my pinkie, but it is an appealing piece.

There is no outright indication of how much your ring is worth when it's revealed but there are clues. If a ring has '14k' or something similar imprinted on it, there's a good chance it's of higher value. If it has 'Thailand' or other similar words imprinted on it, the band is most likely has little value. You can also upload a picture of your ring to the Diamond Candles Facebook Fan Page to show off your pretty band and get opinions on how much it may be worth. Although my ring isn't the real thing, the reveal process was lots of fun and the candle itself is charming, with a pleasant fragrance.

Win It!

As part of the Diamond Candles Campaign, 30 people will each win a Diamond Candle from the company. The winners will be randomly drawn by the company from all participating blogs.

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In Time - DVD Review and Giveaway

2012-01-17T00:50:00.002-06:00

Be Your Own Minuteman

Arriving on Blu-ray and DVD January 31

In the year 2161, time has become the ultimate currency and genetic alteration has allowed people to stop aging at 25 years old. Upon reaching 25, the countdown begins and in order to stay alive everyone must work to buy themselves more time or die within a year. When a struggling young man, Will Salas (Justin Timberlake), comes in contact with a “millionaire,” he is gifted more time than he can imagine. Falsely accused of murder, Will is a fugitive on the run and becomes determined to bring down the entire system by any means possible.

In the film, Philippe Weis was in the business of loaning time to lengthen the lives of society's elite; however, you don't have to have a thousand years under your belt in order to live a long and full life - or to look as good as Justin Timberlake looks in the film. In this feature, we will discuss quick and easy ways to 'invest' in your life, so to speak.

Start Your Day With a Glass of Water

One of the best things you can do for yourself is drinking tons of water, especially in the morning. While we sleep, we lose a lot of oxygen. So, to rejuvenate our cells, we need to supply them with oxygen and water. Drinking a nice glass of water in the morning is a great way to do this, and it will help you feel less tired in the mornings.

Replace Coffee With Herbal Tea

Many people love drinking a cup (or many cups) of coffee or caffeinated tea during the day. For a healthier alternative, you can try a nice cup of herbal tea. There is a massive selection of flavors of herbal tea and many of them aren’t just soothing, but actually offer health benefits! For instance, chamomile and peppermint teas have both been found to antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and peppermint tea actually acts as an antioxidant as well!

Squeeze in Some Exercise

Not everyone has time to go to the gym on a regular basis, and that’s completely understandable in today’s busy world. Though a mix of cardio and weight training exercises are best for your body, if you don’t have the time to dedicate to this kind of workout routine, there are still things you can do to stay in shape! If you work in an office, you can do simple things like talking a short walk every hour or so. Or, if your building has stairs, run or walk up and down them a few extra times a day, just to get your blood flowing and your muscles working. You can also stretch at your desk, or even jog in place while you’re waiting for the printer!

Be Conscious of What You Consume

The absolute best way to invest in yourself is to know and moderate what goes into your body. Knowing simple things like what foods have good fats in them (like avocados and olive oil) and which meats are best for you (fish, chicken and lean cuts of beef are good choices) is essential if you want to treat your body well. Basic rules like staying away from heavily processed foods (fast food, sugars, etc.) and loading up on things like fruits, vegetables and whole grains are simple dietary adjustments you can make that will greatly benefit your health.

Practice Deep Breathing

Practicing a bit of deep breathing is both calming and has healing effects for your body. Any time that you’re able (in the office, while driving, cooking, etc.), you can try deep breathing where you inhale for five seconds, hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly release. Do this for a few minutes a day. This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is great for rejuvenating your blood cells, and giving you a calm, relaxed feeling throughout the day.

My Review:

Just imagine if you had a set amount of time and it was used as currency instead of money. Would you use that time wisely? In Time makes you think and ponder how you'd live your life if that were the case. Money is no longer used and people are guaranteed to live until the age of 25. After that age, they are given one year to use as currency. Spend it too fast and you're dead. Save it up or steal it and you can live for decades. New Greenwich is the dividing line between the people of poverty and the people who have all the time in the world to spend.

Justin Timberlake plays Will Salas who is wrongfully accused of stealing time from a wealthy man with many years. He ends up in New Greenwich and learns that the government, politics, and Timekeepers play a large role in how long people live. Will takes a wealthy socialite's daughter hostage and she soon joins his side in winning the war for those who don't have the time to live very long.

I watched In Time with a few family members. One person said they thought there should've been more action and another thought a car wreck scene looked very simulated. Other than that, it was agreed that In Time is a very good movie with an original, thought-provoking plot and believable acting.

Win It!

Two people will win In Time on DVD.

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Trop50 True Resolutions - Giveaway

2012-01-16T04:38:00.001-06:00

We are a few days into the new year and I'm more resolved than ever to stick to my resolutions. One of them is to attend church more regularly in order to grow spiritually. My other resolution is to reduce my soda intake. Although I'm not sure I can ever give up on carbonated, fizzy drinks I know they sabotage my diet and aren't good for me.

Trop50 offers fruit juice goodness with 50% less sugar and calories, and no artificial sweeteners. These juice beverages are just what I need to consume healthier drink options and there's several flavors that sound refreshing. I haven't yet tried Trop50 but plan on purchasing some during my next grocery trip. Farmstand Apple and Raspberry Lemonade sound especially refreshing.

Trop50 True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year's resolutions. Share your secret motivation behind your resolutions and you'll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50 cent off coupons for up to fifty of your friends. Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card. I've submitted one of my New Year's resolutions on the Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook page and encourage you to do the same.

Win It!

One person will win a $25 Visa gift card.

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Sarris Candies - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-13T10:58:00.001-06:00

I love me some chocolate. I have a sweet tooth and usually grab something sweet to eat a couple times a day. I don't see myself giving up chocolate, but I'm trying to shed a few pounds by summer. That's where it helps to have chocolates that aren't so fattening, like the Pretzel Slims from Sarris Candies.

Available in Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate, the 100 calorie Pretzel Slims are a guilt free treat. Each individual pack has ten chocolate coated pretzel sticks that are big on taste and small on calories. I received a few packages of the Milk Chocolate Pretzel Slims. A perfect combination of salty and sweet, I'm able to satisfy my sweet tooth without overindulging. The Pretzel Slims are salted pretzel sticks drizzled in delicious chocolate. Rather than eat a whole package at once, I've been eating a few Pretzel Slims at a time, and a few at once does the trick. They satisfy my cravings and taste delicious.

Sarries Candies signature piece is milk, dark, and white chocolate pretzels. They also offer several other chocolate confections and candies. Wedding favors, novelties, and corporate gifts are included in their purchase options.

Win It!

Three people will each win six packages of Pretzel Slims.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SendAFrizbee - FrizbeeGram Review

2012-01-12T03:53:00.001-06:00

I may be a full-grown adult but I get as giddy as a child when I get a special package in the mail. It's always nice to know that someone is thinking of me and has taken the time to send something by mail. Not too long ago I received a nice gift in the mail...in the form of a frisbee. Although I like to receive other kinds of gifts I thought it was pretty cool I could get a frisbee in the mail, and it was delivered in my mailbox. There were no extra boxes or packaging to open or have to discard later.

The frisbee came courtesy of SendaFrizbee.com. It is a family owned business that produces personalized FrizbeeGrams from high quality discs made from FDA food and drink approved polypropylene plastic. The frisbees are approximately 9 1/4 inches round and can be kept as a memento or can be played with just like a regular frisbee. There are several colors to choose from and you can add your custom message or picture for free. Free shipping is included on all orders and there is no extra charge for any military address outside of the United States.

The Frisbee I received is hot pink in color and has my blog header image on it. The words say "We love Heck Of A Bunch From your friends at SendaFrizbee.com. Because the frisbee is not packaged, it has a mailing label on the back of the disc. The label can be removed or left on there to show others that you received a FrizbeeGram in the mail. I chose to remove the label from mine. Most of the label came off easily but some of the adhesive was stubborn so I scraped it off with a butter knife. I let the kids play with the plastic disc a few times, but now have it placed in my cedar chest as a souvenir.

I received product for review from SendaFrizbee. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Purex UltraPacks - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-12T02:46:00.001-06:00

As a VIP Purex Insider, I get the good fortune of trying some of Purex's latest and newest laundry formulas. In fact, I recently posted a review and giveaway for Purex Triple Action laundry detergent. I'm pleased to now be doing one for Purex UltraPacks.

New Purex UltraPacks detergent will launch in February. Purex UltraPacks are convenient pre-dosed liquid detergent packs that make laundry easier than ever. Each Purex UltraPack contains powerful 2x concentrated liquid detergent and they dissolve quickly once the washer is started - even in cold water. They are formulated and safe for all machines, including high-efficiency (HE). Available in two varieties, Mountain Breeze and Free & Clear, the Purex UltraPacks simply get placed in the washer before clothing is added. The film then dissolves and the detergent is released.

I tried the Mountain Breeze Purex UltraPacks on several washes. The are approximately eighteen blue detergent bricks in each package and one is usually enough per load. It's a convenient process where I just have to add one of the UltraPacks and let water run over it before adding in the clothes. Sometimes the film doesn't dissolve as quickly as I'd like so I have aided it along by massaging the UltraPack film under the water until the film dissolves and the detergent is fully released. The packaging size is smaller and more portable than a laundry detergent jug. I don't have to measure how much detergent I need to use. It's a "throw in the wash and be done" method. The detergent seems to work the same as any other Purex laundry detergent I've been pleased with. It cleans my clothes and adds a slight mountainy fragrance. Unbeknownst how, one of my last detergent bricks remaining busted open in the packaging and created somewhat of a mess. For the most part, Purex UltraPacks are advantageous for making laundry simpler and time-saving.

Win It!

One person will win a coupon for FREE Purex UltraPacks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Time To Clean Out the Locker

2012-01-11T16:33:00.003-06:00

Where I work, my company has a locker room provided with employee lockers. They resemble school lockers, with a large section to hang your coat and a smaller section to put books and papers. At first, my locker was simply filled with work papers and a sweater for chilly nights.

Over the years, the locker has been overrun with other things. One is the wooden Christmas tree I set out on the countertop every year. Oh, and there's the headphones I've never used. A couple of DVDs I loaned out to co-workers and never took back home sit in there. Let's not forget the credential certificates I've received. Now that I think about it, my locker is beginning to look more like a hoarder's home rather than a place to neatly store stuff. You know it's bad when you open your locker up and stuff starts falling out at you. Doubt I'd receive workman's comp for that!

Guess I'll be adding 'Clean Out My Locker' on my list of things to do.

This is a spnosored post. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

To Kill A Mockingbird Video Clip

2012-01-11T16:15:00.001-06:00

The classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, will be released on Blu-ray January 31st. In anticipation, here's a video clip called Atticus Shoots Rabid Dog.

This post contains an embedded video.

I received no compensation for this post. Please do your own research before purchasing product or using services.

Finally Home to Family - Giveaway

2012-01-11T01:52:00.001-06:00

For many service men and women the day they return home is the happiest day of their lives! We have all seen the happy reunions of families during the holidays, but what happens after the reunion is over? For many men and women it’s the beginning of a new struggle, the struggle to put their families back together again, and it’s not easy. Military divorces have increased 42% since 2001, and that number is sure to increase with the number of service men and women returning home from Afghanistan.

With the Finally Home To Family widget we all can help the men and women who have defended our country fight the war in their backyard! Included in the widget is a What's Your Romance Recipe Quiz where you can find out your spouse's secret ingredient for romance. With just a click of your mouse, answer a few questions and you'll have your customized romance recipe. With the exclusive Finally Home Dates PDF you can download great ideas that will help add some spice into your romantic life. The Awesome Stories section includes stories from couples who have struggled with relationships and how they've coped in the same situation.

Win It!

One person will win a $15 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January Facebook Giveaways

2012-01-11T01:04:00.001-06:00

Here are a few Facebook giveaways you may be interested in:

The Natural Dentist 1,000 Fan Celebration Giveaway!

Don't want to have to choose between natural and effective when it comes to oral care? Then you'll love The Natural Dentist! When their Facebook page reaches 1,000 fans, they'll celebrate with a giveaway that will offer a chance to be one of 10 winners to receive a prize pack containing a bottle of TND Healthy Gums Rinse, PLUS your choice of a $25 retailer gift card from either Walgreens, Rite Aid or Whole Foods!

Powered by nature, proven by science, The Natural Dentist line of products was formulated with a scientific blend of natural ingredients by a dentist to provide effective, natural oral care for his patients' teeth and gums.

PediaCare® Helps Parents Understand the New Changes to Infants Acetaminophen Products; Offers "Get Back to Happy" Sweeps!

PediaCare is one of the first brands to adopt a new dosing system for infant acetaminophen products. And, to help explain and illustrate the changes to infants and children's acetaminophen products, Dr. Jim Sears, pediatrician and co-host of The Doctors, teamed up with PediaCare® and Little Remedies® to create a video explaining the new, smart product changes along with a demonstration of the new special dosing mechanisms.

And, to help you get your little one back to feeling happy, now through January 31, 2012, you can enter thePediaCare "Get Back to Happy" Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of four fun prizes! One grand prize includes a two night stay for four (4) at one of The Great Wolf Lodge® resorts and all winners will receive a PediaCare "Get Back to Happy" Family Pack each valued at $350.

For additional information about PediaCare® products and the dosing changes, visit the PediaCare web site, www.pediacare.com .

Nip Flu Season in the Bud with a New Oscillo® Sweeps!

Oscillococcinum® is tough to pronounce….but even tougher on flu-like symptoms!

Enter the “How Do You Say Oscillococcinum” Sweepstakes for your chance to win Oscillo, Children’s Chestal and a $50 Walgreens retail gift card. Prizing starts Monday, January 9; one random winner will be selected each weekday until January 20! Plus, watch the fun video of fans trying to say Oscillococcinum. If you are one of the 10 random prize winners and also guess which of the three fans says it correctly, you’ll be eligible for a bonus $100 Walgreens retail gift card. That’s triple the prize!

Enter now through 12 p.m. ET on January 20, 2012, for your chance to win. “LIKE” the Oscillo Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/Oscillo for great flu season tips.

Silpat Giveaway

Silpat, maker of the original non-stick baking mat, is hosting a Facebook giveaway now through Jan. 23, 2012.

Silpat is ideal for baking cookies, preparing candies and even roasting vegetables, fish, poultry and more. Silpat provides maximum heat transfer, ultimate release and quick and easy cleanup.

Visit Silpat's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mysilpat) to enter for a chance to win a Silpat half-size non-stick baking mat.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Jolly Happy For These January Winners

2012-01-10T23:37:00.001-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Aerobie Megatop giveaway is #361, DLSLoveBlogs. (confirmed)

The winner of the Original Copper and Brass Polish giveaway is #65, lisa. (confirmed)

The winner of the New Year's Carnival Giveaway Hop giveaway is #492, jmcghee2024.

The three winners of the Purex giveaway are #26 Wild N Mild $$$, #374 ababe28 and #226 shopannies.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

That's What I Call Ingenuity!

2012-01-10T05:39:00.001-06:00

My husband amazes me. Sometimes it's with how immature he acts. Other times it's with how clever he is.
I really think he could be stranded on a deserted island and find a way to make a raft out of underwear elastic and coconut milk.

The other day my vacuum took a dump. That just cannot happen. It is necessary for me to vacuum everyday. I have a dog that sheds more hair in one day than a cockroach lays eggs. The vacuum belt was completely broke. I ran to Wal-Mart with the part number in hand, only to return empty handed. Wal-Mart does not carry the belt size I need and I was too stressed out to look in any other stores.

I figured my carpets would just become a dumping ground for dog hair and resigned myself to that fact.

Da, Dah, Da....Husband to the rescue!

He searched around the house and found just the thing. A rubber tire from an R/C vehicle.
With some tweaking and cutting, he was able to turn it into a belt for the vacuum. Beat that one, McGyver!

Tropical Traditions - Powdered Laundry Detergent Review and Giveaway

2012-01-10T00:57:00.002-06:00

Tropical Traditions, a company I've worked with before, recently gave me the opportunity to review their powdered laundry detergent. I knew that if it was as good as the products I've reviewed in the past, I'd be mighty pleased.

Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent cleans and removes stains from your laundry with the power of Oxygen Bleach Destainer and Deodorizer. The Powdered Laundry Detergent is safe and effective at all temperatures on whites, permanent press, bright colors, pastels, prints, and delicates in hard or soft water. It is not suitable for silk or wool. Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent is non-toxic, environmentally safe and contains no phosphates. It cleans and safely bleaches your clothes.

With their laundry detergent there is no harmful by-products upon decomposition. It dissolves as completely as liquid detergents and rinses away completely leaving no residue in your clothes.

I've never really tried a laundry detergent with oxygen bleach added in it. That's because I've been fearful it would cause my colored clothes to fade. My fears were short-lived with the Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent. It seems to make my whites a little cleaner and doesn't cause any fading. The laundry detergent is added to the washer after it's filled with water. For my regular size top-loading washer, I use 1/4 cup of detergent on normally soiled loads. A scoop is included and helps to measure the correct amount. The laundry detergent is unscented and gives a nice amount of suds in the wash. There net weight of the detergent is five pounds and quite a few loads can be washed with just one tub. I do have to be careful when scooping out the detergent because some of the granules fall out of the container so I usually have a minor mess to clean up. Other than that, it's a laundry detergent that works well for my large family.

Tropical Traditions has several free coconut recipes that you can browse through and use if you are looking for variations and different ideas for your meals. You can receive a free copy of the Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Book with your first time purchase from their site.

Win It!

One person will win Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Progresso Souper You Contest

2012-01-09T23:32:00.001-06:00

Are you ready for a new look this New Year? Progresso® is excited to announce the return of their Souper You® Contest giving you the change to win an incredible makeover. By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

Now that the ball has dropped and the confetti has settled, it´s time to consider how you will stick to your resolution for the New Year and maintain your weight management plan, without sacrificing on variety or the taste of foods you love. Thanks to Progresso®, you can have your soup and eat it too!

With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices.

o This year, the Souper You® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser

o Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd

o Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th

o In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup.

o Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c.

Watch this amazing video of the 2011 winner experience, then get your entry in for the chance to win.

I received no compensation for this post. This information was provided to me by Progresso through MyBlogSpark. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Happy Birthday Allyson!

2012-01-09T16:16:00.001-06:00

My step-daughter, Allyson, is 17 years old today! Until Shelby's birthday in April, there will be two 17 year old teenagers in the house. Oh My!

We celebrated Allyson's birthday yesterday with a simple family gathering in our home. My mother made cupcakes and cookies and my husband made Velvetta Cheese dip.

With her own special cupcake

My nephew makes it a point to invade at least one picture at every event.

Happy 17th Allyson!!

The Caldecott Chronicles No. 1 - Book Review

2012-01-08T04:29:00.002-06:00

Book Synopsis:

Written by R.G. Bullet, The Caldecott Chronicles No. 1 is a 120 page young adult short story.

Caldecott, the ancestral home of the 32nd Earl of Rothshire, is besieged. The undead and certainly unwashed are traipsing across overgrown lawns intent on ripping the very flesh from the Earl’s body, scooping his brains out and eating his remaining horse.

But many of them will not make it that far as the 32nd Earl has two things in their way: A prised Purdey shotgun and an accomplice named Saffy. Saffy is a young and simple girl from the local village. She is quick of foot at setting traps, and dispatching the undead to the afterlife. She is endlessly coming up with cunning and disturbing methods to rid the estate of disease.

Although the word zombie is never used in The Caldecott Chronicles, the undead, the ungodly, the beef squad, and stumblers certainly is.

The bizarre and gruesome details are narrated in a journal by a very Aristocratic British gent. Get a first hand look on how the Victorian upper class deal with stumbling trespassers and see how one draws ones inspiration from a teenage girl born to kill.

A truly chilling, unique and often hilarious illustrated fantasy set as a series of short stories. The Caldecott Chronicles will resonate till your dying days.

My Review:

My 13 year old son read this book in a few short days. Logan advised he liked the characters and how the plot was told. He wants to read the other books in the series of short stories. Here is the synopsis in his words:

"It's about a guy who tries to surive and not get killed by zombies. He finds a girl, a horse, and a kitten on a farm. He takes all of them in and the girl cooks for him. Plus she helps him around to barricade his house and makes a small barn that is a trap for the zombies. One night a person that is not a zombie got hurt in the barn with all the traps. The girl ran outside the house and she was never seen again. Later the man went on a killing rampage and killed a lot of zombies. One morning, he found the girl and some friends she made and they lived together and killed zombies together."

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and my son's and we were not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from ours.

Five Ways To Evade Your Ex

2012-01-08T04:00:00.001-06:00

What's Your Number? is an outrageous romantic comedy arriving on Blu-ray and DVD January 10th as an all-new Unrated Extended Cut. Colin (Chris Evans) makes a habit of hiding out from his many former flings in Ally's (Anny Faris) apartment. This playful feature will give the top five ways to avoid interacting with your ex, including funny and creative ideas like changing your appearance, hiding at a friend's apartment, and putting a fake name on Facebook.

After reading a magazine article that insists if a woman has slept with at least 20 people that they have already missed Mr. Right, marketing executive Ally Darling begins to panic, thinking that she will be alone forever. With the help of her hunky new neighbor Colin, Ally starts tracking down all her ex-boyfriends, hoping to find her real true love while she helps him escape his latest fling. Hilarious hijinks and adventure ensues as Ally goes on her wild search for the best "ex" of her life, only to find what she is looking for has been right in front of her all along.

Avoid Their Hangouts

If you're looking to avoid your ex, the first thing you must do is avoid all of their hangouts, because the last thing you want is an awkward confrontation. This includes the area in which they live, their place of employment, and bars, parks, movie theaters, etc. that you know they frequent. Why run the risk of bumping into your ex at a restaurant you know they love? On a positive note, this gives you a chance to explore new places, make new friends, and potentially find that perfect replacement for your ex.

Put A Fake Name on Facebook

If your ex is starting to enter into stalker territory, you might want to consider putting a fake name on Facebook. This is, of course, assuming that you have already un-friended your ex and limited y our privacy settings. To make yourself virtually untraceable to your ex on Facebook, change your last name to your mom's maiden name, substitute a nickname, or just make up something crazy to throw your ex off your scent. If worse comes to worse, you can always deactivate your Facebook page too.

Hide At A Friend's Apartment

If you live near your ex, or if they're just really persistent and keep showing up at your house, consider hiding out at a friend's place. Not only will your ex not be able to find out, but you will also get to spend some quality time with one (or many) of your friends. Staying with a friend is a great way to make the best out of a bad situation.

Change Your Appearance

This is starting to get a little extreme, but if you need to, you can always change your appearance in order to avoid your ex. Not only will this confuse and bewilder your ex, but it might also boost your self-esteem! You can try donning a fake moustache, dying and cutting your hair, losing or gaining weight, changing around your wardrobe or, if you have the money, getting plastic surgery.

Move Out of Town

Moving out of town should be a last resort in trying to avoid your ex, but it is always an option. Moving to a different city is pretty much a surefire way to avoid your ex, because you're physically picking up your life and taking it elsewhere. Of course, this drastic move has many, many drawbacks, including having to find a new job, being further from your friends and/or family, having to find a new place to live, and spending a good chunk of money on moving expenses. You need to be really dedicated (or crazy) to move out of town to avoid your ex.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Tork Home - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-06T02:43:00.001-06:00

We go through a lot of napkins, hand towels, and paper towels in my home. With a large family like mine, it's impossible not to. I have an upright holder for my paper towels, but the napkins become problematic when they are left sitting in the packaging because they eventually fall out everywhere. Tork sent me a napkin dispenser and hand towel dispenser for review and both products have given me the opportunity to store my paper items so they are dispensed one at a time and not left to be scattered around.

The Tork brand offers a complete range of products and services within hygiene and cleaning for washrooms and kitchens. They sell napkin dispensers and refills, hand towel dispensers and refills, and wet and dry wipes to consumers through their Tork Home webpage.

The Tork Xpress Hand Towel Portable Interfold Dispenser is a countertop towel dispenser that adds an upcale touch to your restroom. The dispenser utilizes a unique towel system that delivers only one towel at a time, minimizing the risk of cross contamination. It features a smooth surface for optimum hygiene. The dispenser works best with Tork hand towels that are made from 100% recycled fibers. I received a white Hand Towel Dispenser without the hand towels so I purchased some from a warehouse store. I have the dispenser set atop a bathroom cabinet and my household uses the hand towels to wipe our hands, clean up minor messes, and blot excess makeup. There are two push-in buttons on the sides of the dispenser to open it and fill with hand towels. The hand towels are then dispensed one at a time.

The Tork Xpressnap Napkin Dispenser is similar to the hand towel dispenser in that it dispenses towels one at a time. There are two push-in areas on the sides to open the top cover and insert the napkins. Dispenser capacity is 200 napkins. What makes this napkin dispenser from any I've seen is the AD-a-Glance feature. This feature lets you insert an advertising or decorative template on both sides of the dispenser. Some themes include education, environment, and holidays. With my dispenser, I inserted a cherry blossom display card on one side and a winter scene card on the other. The top cover has to be opened for the templates to be inserted. There are also display cards you can purchase or make yourself that looks like a photo frame, making it even more personable. A picture of your loved ones or a favorite item can be displayed on the napkin dispenser.

The napkins for the napkin dispenser are also unique. You don't have to use plain, boring napkins. There are six designs available to choose from. I have the Praire Blossom Xpressnap Napkins in my dispenser. They are functional and cute at the same time. I now have a neat way to dispense my napkins and they aren't left loosly scattered. Both the napkin dispenser and the hand towel dispenser are handy to have.

Win It!

Five people will each win a Tork Xpressnap Tabletop Napkin Dispenser with napkins and a Tork Xpress Hand Towel Dispenser.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordful Wednesday - Going To Be Great Again

2012-01-04T03:44:00.001-06:00

On Christmas Eve a big surprise came to the family. My niece is expecting her second child! I'm going to be GREAT again....a great-aunt, that is.

Ashley, Tyler, and Faythe surprised the entire family when they walked in my sister's house wearing their coats. They discreetly took their outerwear off and just stood there. It took a few minutes but it finally registered to us what their shirts said. Their daughter's nickname is Peanut so now they have a Cashew waiting to be born.

I always get excited when there's a new addition to our family. My nephew and his girlfriend are also expecting, around the same time. It's going to be GREAT!

The Jamberry Nails and G-X Disinfectant Winners Are...

2012-01-04T03:43:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Jamberry Nails giveaway is #224, lisa.

The winner of the G-X Disinfectant giveaway is #101, Jessica Snook.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. I always have my current giveaways listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

New Year's Resolution Blog Carnival - DVDs Giveaway

2012-01-02T23:01:00.002-06:00

Hauling & Trucking, Medical Transcription Source and Makobi Scribe Present New Year’s Resolution Blog Carnival. My New Year's Resolution is to lose a few pounds and keep it off. It seems I do fairly well in the spring and summer, but gain all my weight back in the winter. I'm like a bear in hibernation. All I want to do in winter is eat and sleep. I'm not going to let the vicious cycle repeat itself this year.

For the giveaway I am offering three new DVDs from Vivendi Entertainment. Giveaway is open to residents fo the USA and one winner will receive all three DVDs. Enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures – Release Date: 1/3

Born on a Baja, California beach in 1959, new hatchling Sammy must do what his fellow newborn sea turtles are doing: race across the beach to the ocean before a seagull or crab captures them. Thus begins Sammy’s incredible fifty-year ocean journey. Along the way he meets his best friend, a fellow turtle named Ray, and overcomes obstacles both natural and man-made while trying to fulfill his dream of travelling around the world. Throughout his travels, Sammy never forgets about Shelly – the turtle he saved on his first day and loves passionately from afar. Based on the actual course of a sea turtle’s life, this story of one creature’s breathtaking journey is a thrilling voyage the whole family will enjoy.

My Review:

Children will fall in love with Sammy and his friends as they conquer obstacles while racing to reach the ocean. It's a kid-friendly movie that entertains and teaches about friendship, struggles, hope, and environmental awareness.

The Garfield Show: Dinosaurs and Other Animal Adventures – Release Date: 1/10

Everyone’s favorite cat is at it again! Join this larger than life feline and his animal friends as they embark on a series of adventures from digging up dinosaur bones, working with farm animals and discovering life under the sea. No stone is left unturned as Garfield takes us through the history of dogs, attends a pet show and even prepares to eat a pet goldfish! Being part of the animal kingdom has never been any more exciting!

My Review:

I grew up watching Garfield in older cartoon animation and recall it being a favorite. Even with its CGI animation, Garfield is still a lovable show with humor and mischief. Watching Garfield, Jon, Odie, and the other characters in The Garfield Show: Dinosaurs and Other Animal Adventures is a welcoming trip down memory lane for myself and clean, fun entertainment for my kids. The different episodes on this DVD feature Garfield and his friends as they deal with all things animal-related.

A Mile In His Shoes – Release Date: 1/10

Only a miracle can help baseball coach Arthur “Murph” Murphy (Dean Cain) and his losing minor league baseball team. As Murph sets out to recruit new talent, he stumbles upon Mickey (Luke Schroder), a young farmer with an incredible pitcher’s arm. However, Mickey’s parents are reluctant in allowing him to join the team because he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey’s parents that life in the minor league will benefit their unique son, but he doesn’t realize just how much his new recruit will help the team’s game and, more importantly, their spirit. Based on a true story, A Mile in His Shoes is an inspirational film that celebrates faith, determination and the power of friendship.

My Review:

You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this movie. Mickey Tussler, a teen with autism, is set apart from others due to his behaviors. With help from baseball Manager, Arthur "Murph" Murphy, Mickey shows others the meaning of compassion and inspiration. There are some religious undertones in the story, but they're not pushy. I shed a few tears, felt warmness in my heart, and rooted for the underdog while watching this movie.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monkey Pod Games - Brainteasers Review

2012-01-02T01:33:00.002-06:00

At Monkey Pod Games you will find a huge variety of wooden brainteasers, puzzles, and family games. They have created games that can be used for a great family night and have developed brainteasers which can be solved by oneself or as a team. Many of their puzzles are also educational which build mathematical awareness as well as social and analytical skills. Monkey Pod Games is named after the Monkey Pod tree, which is the wood from which the puzzles are made. Monkey Pod Games challenged me once before with their games and I'm glad for the most recent review opportunity.

The Globe Trotter Large Airplane Puzzle is an 11-piece puzzle that is an airplane when completed. The pieces are large, the wood is smooth, and the airplane can be played with once it's put together. It also makes a nice decoration piece, which my boys have done.

The three sets of metal brain teasers we received were definitely a mental challenge. Each set comes with four metal brain teasers designed to test the mind. The object is to remove a piece of metal by twisting and turning, figuring out a solution. My husband was quite proficient in figuring out what moves were needed to find the solution to each puzzle. I was on the opposite side of the spectrum; I couldn't find the solution on my own to any of them. Once my husband showed me the solution to each one, it was an "Ooooh, now I get it!" moment. If you need help with the brainteasers, you can enter the product code or order ID online and have the solutions/hints sent to you to download.

The Monkey Pod Games Wooden Tangram Set - Large Shape Cards was a big hit among the kids. With seven wooden pieces, known as tans, the object is to form a specific silhouette shape using all the pieces without overlapping any of them. There are fifty cards of shapes to duplicate and three categories - animals, people, and abstracts. There are varying degrees of difficulty so some shapes are easier to master than others. If you get stumped, solutions to each puzzle are printed on the back of each card. A wooden box with lid keeps all the pieces in place. The kids like to challenge each other to see who can make the most shapes without any assistance.

The puzzles, books, and games at Monkey Pod Games have varying levels. If you're a genius (and I'm not!) you can purchase books and brainteasers that will show your true skill. There are also kid's learning puzzles for the younger ones to explore and play with. And there's something for everyone in between.

I received products for review from Monkey Pod Games. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Triple Action Liquid - Purex Laundry Detergent Review and Giveaway

2011-12-28T05:23:00.001-06:00

Purex is rolling out a new Triple Action formula across the entire liquid detergent line. This new and improved Triple Action formula delivers even better on Purex's promise to leave your clothes bright, white, and clean, at half the price of the leading brand.

Purex's R&D scientists have been working hard to create an even better Purex formula and have come up with the new Purex Triple Action formula. New Purex Triple Action leverages the best parts of their current formula, combined with new additions, to deliver great cleaning and improved brightening power. As with all their current detergents, new Purex Triple Action has been specifically formulated to work in both traditional and HE washers.

Purex is one laundry detergent brand that I use on a regular basis. I like that it's inexpensive and efficiently cleans my clothes. I don't know specifically what the new formula is that's added, but I've used the laundry detergent on several of my loads. Mountain Breeze, the scent I've used, isn't overpowering. The detergent itself isn't watered down and a little bit seems to go a long way. My husband and nephew are the biggest culprits when it comes to dirtying up clothes, although the rest of the household isn't innocent. The Purex Triple Action has been successful in removing the dirt and minor stains from our clothes.

Win It!

Three people will each win a coupon for FREE Triple Action liquid detergent.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordful Wednesday - Christmas

2011-12-27T23:07:00.002-06:00

Wow, this year has flew by fast! It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone. For the first time in a long time, we didn't have any snow. Me and snow aren't friends so I can't say I missed it, but it didn't seem much like the holidays without it.

December 23rd is when my children got to open their gifts from us. Between seven kids, four adults, one dog, and a ton of presents, the house was pretty packed.

Christmas Eve morning was modern warfare with Nerf guns in the kitchen. Shelby was the main target.

Christmas Eve we had dinner at my sister's house. The spread of food was enough to almost put me in a coma. Oh, and make me gain five pounds!

We exchanged more gifts at my sister's house.

Step-daughters, Allyson and Juliann

Daughter, Shelby

Great-niece, Ayala, says it all with her tongue sticking out!

I received lots of wonderful gifts. Some included a microfiber plush blanket, Tassimo coffee, pajamas, Water for Elephants book, metal wall clock, photo collage frame, and more.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well!

ThinkGeek - Gadgets and Gizmos Review

2011-12-27T05:22:00.001-06:00

Whether you consider yourself a geek or a collector of all things cool, ThinkGeek has an abundance of amazing gadgets, toys, t-shirts, and electronics. I've done reviews and giveaways for ThinkGeek in the past and have been fascinated with their products every time. I don't consider myself a geek, but I could spend hours browsing all the neat items that ThinkGeek has to offer.

If you are a Star Wars fanatic, you'd be amazed at all ThinkGeek has to offer for the movie fans. Take the Star Wars Han Solo Carbonite Chocolate, for instance. Officially licensed, the dark chocolate bar is molded to look like Han Solo frozen in carbonite. It comes encased in a gift box. Logan and Adam ate this chocolate bar up almost as quick as I got a picture of it. They said it was one of the coolest looking pieces of candy they'd seen and it was yummy delicious. They also mentioned that the plastic packaging the chocolate is in almost looks like a vault, making it look like Han Solo is trapped inside and trying to get out. So they chanted "Free me! Free me!" while munching on the head and arms of Han Solo.

Bananas are eaten about as quick as they're brought in the house, so I thought it'd be a hoot to try out the Grow Your Own Banana Tree greenhouse. The kit comes with everything you need to grow bananas. Once the banana tree (that's actually an herb) sprouts, it will grow about a foot the first month. Included are banana tree seeds, a windowsill greenhouse, planting mixture, and instructions. Juliann and Emma have been taking care of the seeds, following the instructions, and waiting patiently for anything to sprout. Right now it's cold weather where I live, so we have to be careful not to let the greenhouse near the windowsill when the temperatures drop. We're still waiting on any bananas to form, but we're excited to see what may come about.

Shelby has been rockin' out with the Ladies Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt. What makes this shirt special is that the guitar decal on the front plays like a real guitar with music. All power cords are recorded from a real electric guitar, so you can strum out all you want. The included mini amp clips to your belt and has volume control. The sound quality is clear and it's pretty loud when turned up at full volume. The shirt itself runs small, so it's best to order one size up. Shelby may not know how to play a real guitar in real life, but she can semi-sorta have some serious strummin' skills when wearing this shirt.

To clean the shirt, the decal comes off the front and the amp unplugs. Once the shirt is clean and dried, the decal gets pressed back into place and the amp connects back to the ribbon part of the shirt. The shirt requires 4AAA batteries for the amp, and they're not included.

I've watched episodes of Dr. Who from time to time and understand there's a cult following of the popular sci-fi show. My kids don't have the first clue about Dr. Who. That didn't stop Adam from thinking The Doctor's Nano-Recorder is pretty darn awesome. It is a voice recorder that lets you record a message for up to ten seconds long and flashes a red light. It requires 2 AAA batteries, which are not included, and looks like something from outer space. The boys like to record goofy messages on it and ambush their family members with surprise messages and red lights.

ThinkGeek has a Geek Points program that rewards you for shopping with them. The more you shop, the more points you earn. By earning points from each purchase, you can redeem those points later for free products.

I received products for review from ThinkGeek. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

The Fuller Brush Original Copper & Brass Polish - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-27T02:44:00.002-06:00

Fuller Brush is focused on providing modern remedies for today's cleaning needs. With much cleaning experience, they have the know-how and expertise to provide you with cleaning supplies to make home cleaning faster and easier.

I had the opportunity to review the Original Copper & Brass Polish from Fuller Brush. Honestly, I wasn't too sure what to do with it at first. Obviously, it's use is to clean brass and copper but I don't have a whole lot of that lying around my house. Lo and behold, I decided to give it a try on the bottom of my cooking pans that were coated with darkness from years of cooking with them.

It's important to wear rubber or latex gloves when using the Original Copper & Brass Polish. I poured a small amount onto a cloth and applied it to my cooking pans, then let it sit for a few minutes. I then rinsed the pans thoroughly and wiped them dry with a different cloth. It almost looks like I have new pans now! I've also used the Copper & Brash Polish on the doorknobs in my home and they are now a lot shinier and newer looking. The Original Copper & Brash Polish is made with special anti-tarnish ingredients that leave surfaces clean and adds a protective barrier.

Win It!

One person will win Original Copper & Brass Polish.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Last Winners of the Year

2011-12-27T02:17:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Chick-fil-A Prize Pack giveaway is #47, Anne N.

The winner of the Aqua Clean Concentrate giveaway is #39, Lexigurl.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Please check your entries to be sure you follow via GFC, subscribe to email, etc. The first winner chosen for the Chick-fil-A giveaway said they subscribe by email, but I couldn't verify that. So another winner was chosen.

To enter any of my current giveaways, check out the list on the top left hand side. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

eBags - Packing Cubes Review

2011-12-26T04:23:00.001-06:00

My daughter will be attending college next fall. It's still some time away, but I've been gathering items for her that she can use while at college. For Christmas, I got her a pop-up laundry hamper and other things to start her college stay. I'm not ready to let her go, but I want her to have the needed essentials.

eBags, the world's largest online retailer of bags and accessories for all lifestyles, recently sent me a set of Packing Cubes for review. I knew they'd be perfect for Shelby. Once she saw them, she knew they'd be perfect for her too.

Packing Cubes from eBags come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I received a three-piece set in purple. Made of TechLite Diamond Nylon, each one has a mesh top panel for easy identification of contents. The interior seams are fully finished for durability and corded double zipper pulls make opening and closing simple.

When I first got the packing cubes, two of them were nestled inside the largest, which shows me they are very compact and don't take up much space if they're not being used. Shelby has already started storing items in her packing cubes and says she plans to use them throughout her college stay. The largest cube holds her towels and washcloths, the medium one holds beauty and hygiene products, and the smallest one holds important documents and applications. She's been able to pack quite a bit into the cubes and likes the design of them. If she wasn't already using them, I could get a lot of use out of them myself during camping season by packing toiletries and camping equipment in them.

You can find eBags on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bags-by-eBags/159614177463938 or follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bags_by_ebags.

I received products for review from eBags. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Aerobie Megatop - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-25T21:46:00.002-06:00

I'm no stranger to Aerobie, a sports toys brand. I've worked in the past with them, reviewing the coffee press and the flying discs. This time I was given the chance to review their newest product, the Aerobie Megatop.

Made in the U.S.A., the Aerobie Megatop Spinning Top is perimeter weighted and precision crafted for long spins. The quick launch accelerator easily achieves 3000+ RPM spin rates. It includes a catching plate for catching, throwing and balancing tricks and a spin booter for almost unlimited spin times. Several tricks and games can be played for hours of fun and competition.

The Aerobie Megatop has quite a long spin time. A clear area is needed if you are spinning it on the ground, to keep it from knocking against obstacles. Once it's spinning, you can throw it in the air and catch it with the catch plate to watch it spin against that. The spin booster is used to keep the top spinning while it's in motion, for even longer spins. Logan and Adam have learned a few tricks using the Aerobie Megatop and like to compete to see who can come up with the coolest tricks and keep it spinning the longest. You can watch a video fo the Megatop in action at http://aerobie.com/videos/Megatop320.wmv.

Win It!

One person will win an Aerobie Megatop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Country Dance 2 - Wii Game Review

2011-12-25T18:35:00.001-06:00

Released November 1, 2011, Country Dance 2 is twice as much boot scootin' fun! It features all new music, all new moves and this time, you get to sing along! Country Dance has set the bar for all dance games with over 18 CMA award winning artists - and now that list has grown to 30+ songs featuring today's hottest artists and their new hit songs.

Notice my nephew wearing cowboy boots with his sweatpants!

Country music is not my genre of choice, but I'll listen to it once in a wihle. Everyone else in my household likes country music, and Country Dance 2 has been a big hit. This Wii game features current country songs from big hit stars. I don't know a lot about country music, but I know enough about the stars listed to know they are popular. Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, and Jason Aldean are just a few.

Each player only needs one Wii controller to play. Participants can choose which song they'd like to dance to or have it randomly selected. Some songs are easier to dance to while others are a little more intricate. By following the computer generated dancers, participants follow moves on the screen to get scores on dance numbers. There's not a lot of variety in the dance moves and a lot of it resembles line dancing, but it's fun to play and we all compete to see who can get the highest scores.

I received Wii game for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Wishing You A Wonderful Christmas

2011-12-25T04:57:00.001-06:00

I'd like to wish my readers and PR contacts a wonderful, warm, happy, and merry Christmas!

I've already celebrated Christmas with my family. Today all of our kids will be at their other parental homes to exchange gifts so we did our family gift exchange on the 23rd. Christmas eve is when we opened gifts at my sister's house. Lots of good food was consumed and nice gifts were exchanged. I found out that I'm going to be a great-aunt again when the news was divulged at my sister's Christmas dinner. I'm so happy there will be another addition to the family and another baby to spoil! My kids were grateful for all they got and I came away with some nice presents. God bless everyone!

Blue Orange Games - Review

2011-12-25T04:28:00.002-06:00

I have fond memories of playing board games with my mother and brother when I was growing up. Maybe that's why I like to play games with my kids so much now. Blue Orange Games sent my family a couple of games to review and we were more than happy to play them. Blue Orange Games has over eleven years of experience creating high quality games using durable materials. The company pledges to produce eco-friendly games and plant two trees for every one used in game construction.

Yamslam is a dice game, similar to Yahtzee. Rolling the dice and choosing the combination that gets you the best results is the name of the game. Each combination has a point value but there are only four corresponding chips. Your goals is to try to get the highest-scoring combination and get the higher numerical chips before your opponents do. For 1-4 players, some of the point combinations include a flush and a full house. A Yamslam is achieved when all five dice show the same number. Bonus points are awarded for drawing the last chip from a rack and having one chip each from the stack. The game comes in a tin case, providing for more effective storage than cardboard. Yamslam is for players age 8 and up, and is a game of luck and strategy. It's quite fun to play.

Spot It! is a pocket game that also comes in a tin case. For 2-8 players, this card game requires a keen eye. Fifty-five cards make up this game in which there is only one matching symbol between any two cards in the game. There are four variations of game rules but the main object is to spot which two symbols can be found between a set of cards, and get rid of all the cards in your hand first. I have yet to win this game but I can't seem to want to quit playing it! By the time I find the first matching symbols in cards, someone else has already found it and the next card has been laid down. It goes fast and you have to find the two matching symbols before your opponent does. In addition to the original set of cards, I received an NHL version of Spot It! cards. Gameplay is the same but the cards have a hockey theme. Me and the kids really like this fast, fun game. The games we have from Blue Orange have been well received in my household by all the kids and myself.

I received products for review from Blue Orange Games. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

OrnamentShop.com - Christmas Ornament Review

2011-12-22T09:24:00.001-06:00

As I've mentioned before, my Christmas tree has ornaments that are personalized or hold special meaning. All of the kids have their own personalized Christmas ornaments on the tree, and Adam recently added another, thanks to OrnamentShop.com.

One of Adam's passions is cars. I'm pretty sure his step-dad passed the love of cars on to Adam. When he received the Yellow Car - Personalized Christmas Ornament, he was quite happy to add it to the Christmas tree. Made of resin, it resembles a convertible car, complete with painted wiper blades, headlights, and wheels. A gold string is attached so it can be hung on the tree. Adam's name is adorned atop the hood of the car. It is hung on the front of the tree so, according to Adam, "people can see my awesome ornament".

If you're looking for a specific tree ornament or angel Christmas ornaments in general, Ornament shop is your source for personalized Christmas ornaments and gifts for all occasions. Made from many different materials (ceramic, glass, dough, clay dough, metal, and resin) their ornaments represent significant memories that customers can cherish in the years to come. They even have a Christmas A to Z section where you can learn interesting and useful facts and tips about Christmas, including why is Santa in a red suit.

I received product for review from OrnamentShop.com. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

iCaughtSanta.com - Catch the Magic of Christmas

2011-12-21T13:19:00.001-06:00

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.

In three simple steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.

Enter code SANTA50 to get your entire order for half price. Merry Christmas!

In exchange for this post, I'm entered to win a prize. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Jamberry Nails - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-21T03:44:00.001-06:00

I like fun and funky art designs on nails, but I will not go to a manicurist and pay to get it done. For one, I don't have the extra money. For two, I used to do it and my real nails always suffered. The glue would inevitably ruin them.

Jamberry Nails, a direct selling party company, allows me to express moods and fun colors on my nails without damaging them. Their nail shields give you a high-end salon look in the convenience of your home.

I received a set of Green and Purple Whimsical Swirl Jamberry Nails for review. The set of 18 nail shields and instructions arrived on a flat card. The instructions are easy to understand and there are eight steps to applying the nail shields. It's important that your nails are free from dirt or nail polish before applying the Jamberry Nails. Once you have matched your finger or toenail to the shield that fits it best, the nail shield needs to be warmed with a blow dryer for 10-15 seconds until warm and flexible. I actually only had to warm my nail shields for about 6-7 seconds each. After that's done, the shields get pressed onto the nails and firm pressure is applied around the edges to adhere the shield to the nail. A rubber cuticle pusher helps seal the shield around the cuticle. Excess material can be trimmed with scissors and nail files. Once the shields are on the nails, heat and pressure are to be applied again until it is sealed to the nail.

When I first used the Jamberry Nails, I wasted three of them because I did not follow instructions like I should have. I did not have a cuticle pusher or nail file around the house and thought I could do without. I found out that those two tools are important to have on hand to help trim off excess and to apply pressure. I purchased those two tools and applied the nail shield like I should've done the first time.

After correctly applying Jamberry Nails, I was very pleased with the outcome. It looks like my nails have been professionally and artistically painted. Each sheet of nail shields will do 2-3 sets of fingers or toes. The nail shields last longer than regular nail polish. I've done my fingernails twice now and each time the nail shields have stayed on for a little over a week. They can be completely removed by breaking the seal underneath the edges of your fingernails and peeling them off. No residue or stickiness has been left behind on my nails after taking the nail shields off. Sure beats going to a manicurist!

Jamberry Nails can be ordered online or through a Jamberry Consultant. You can also host a party to receive hostess rewards towards Jamberry Nails products.

Win It!

One person will win a set of Jamberry Nails in color of choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adam's Cover Made YourCover of the Month!

2011-12-21T02:47:00.001-06:00

In November I did a review and giveaway for YourCover, a company that enables users to create their own personalized magazine covers online. The covers can be printed by the company or you can print a downloadable image yourself. I had a cover created for my son, Adam and submitted it to the Gallery of Covers. I was happy to receive word that Adam's cover had been chosen as December's Cover of the Month! What that means is that his cover is now featured on the YourCover home page until January. I also received a gift certificate for a free YourCover magazine cover print with a wooden frame.

It's exciting to go to the YourCover homepage and see my son's magazine cover featured. Adam is stoked about it too. For the free YourCover print, I had one made for my son, Logan. He's on the track team at school and enjoys running. I'm going to gift the magazine cover in a wooden frame to him on Christmas.

I love the idea of YourCover. It's a unique product and would make a wonderful gift for anyone. Customer service is above exceptional. They helped me a couple of times in a very timely and kind manner. If you are a last minute shopper and you're still in need of a Christmas gift for someone, I'd suggest a gift from YourCover. For just $12.95, you can upload a photo and customize the cover. You'll then receive your magazine cover instantly by downloading, saving, and printing it out.

I received no compensation for this post. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

ZhuZhu Babies: A Perfect Pint-Size Present

2011-12-20T16:24:00.001-06:00

The perfect pint-sized present for your little Zhu-natics, ZhuZhu Babies™ are adorable miniature ZhuZhu™s that come in a variety of collectible characters. From penguins to ponies, ZhuZhu Babies add a touch of sweetness to the Zhu-niverse™. Each character has its own name, symbol, biography, and birthday. Kids can enjoy dressing their ZhuZhu Babies™ in charming outfits, tucking them into bed with the FunTime Sleepover Playset, or watching them twirl and spin with the Dance Recital Playset. Perfectly pocket-sized, ZhuZhu Babies are a great gift for your child!

Meet A Few Of The ZhuZhu Babies That Are New To Zhu!

The stork has landed: New ZhuZhu Babies™ are just hitting shelves, and these adorable characters come in a variety of animals. Kids can collect them all!

Savvy the pony: with her bright pink coat and polished mane, Savvy is as known for her beauty as she is for her clever brains. Quick-witted and cunning, Savvy helps her pony pals get out of the stickiest of situations

Scout the mouse: quite the adventurer, Scout loves to pretend she is a pilot, swinging as high as she can on the playground. Like a true mouse, she loves cheese, which is why cheese is her symbol!

Joey the seahorse: giddy and hyper, Joey is known for never being able to "swim still." He constantly darts across the ocean, challenging his friends to races. Moving so quickly often gives this seahorse bubble hiccups, which is why bubbles are his symbol!

In exchange for this post, I'm entered to win a gift. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

G-X Disinfectant - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-20T05:30:00.002-06:00

I've been working for a while now with Stanley Home Products, a direct-selling company that offers high quality household cleaners and more. The products I've used have been effective and I'm now pleased to present the G-X Disinfectant.

The G-X Disinfectant is an aerosol disinfectant spray that gets in hard-to-clean places to help kill more than a dozen harmful germs and viruses, including Influenza A. It is EPA Registered to be effective in killing the Influenza A virus, when used according to directions. Sized in a 16 oz. can, the aerosol penetrates cracks and crevices liquids can't reach.

There's eight people living in my household. When one gets sick, the domino effect takes place until we all get sick. I'm pretty vigilant about disinfecting my home to help prevent that from happening. I've been using the G-X Disinfectant on my doorknobs, all around the baseboards, and around the sides of large appliances. The can is big enough that it will last me a while. I can't say for certain that the G-X Disinfectant spray is what's kept my household from getting sick so far since using it, but I feel a little more comfortable and safe in knowing I'm using a product that's EPA registered and formulated to keep harmful germs from causing us illness.

If you are interested in earning some extra income, you can take advantage of Stanley Home Product's business opportunities to earn 35% on every item you sell.

Win It!

One person will win G-X Disinfectant.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jessica Cosmetics - Shine On Collection Review

2011-12-20T03:50:00.001-06:00

'Tis the season to shimmer in pure colour perfection! Light up the night and celebrate your style with a set of new festive colours by JESSICA that will have you shining bright. The Shine On collection is a colour trio designed to make your style the life of the party. The assortment of spirited sparkles includes Lucky Star, Starry Night, and Superstar.

I received the Shine On Collection for review. Each of the three colors are packaged in festive bulbs. Lucky Star is a gold glitter, Starry Night is a red glitter, and Superstar is a silver glitter. They can be worn alone or as accents to your nail polish. I've been wearing the colors by themselves. They go on easily and dry fairly quickly. Rather than using brushstrokes, I dab on the sparkly polish where I want the glitter to go. In addition to the glitter, there's small circular dots that give a confetti look. I usually put on two coats to get a strong glittery finish on my nails. There wasn't a strong nail polish odor when I applied the color to my nails. The colors are festive and the packaging is super cute.

The Jessica Cosmetics line offers products specifically targeted to treat each different nail type. Founder, Jessica Vartoughian, has a unique nail care philosophy behind each and every nail treatment and nail color. All JESSICA Cosmetics' nail colors and treatments are free of toluene, formaldehyde and DBP.

I received products for review from JESSICA Cosmetics. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

The Something About Silver and Charm Factory Winners Are...

2011-12-20T00:29:00.002-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been notified and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Something About Silver giveaway is #121, Kayla@TheEclecticElement.

The winner of the Charm Factory giveaway is #269, Erin.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out my other current giveaways, listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

I don't have a lot of giveaways going on right now due to the holiday season. Giveaways will pick up again in the beginning of the year.

Reminder: Two Giveaways Ending Tonight

2011-12-19T03:40:00.001-06:00

This is your friendly bloggy reminder that two of my giveaways will be ending tonight, December 19th, at 11:01 pm CST. I'd hate for you to lose out on the chance to win.

$40 Something About Silver gift certificate giveaway

Charm Factory Beaded Bracelet giveaway