Thursday, December 15, 2011

Some Christmas Gifts Ideas You May Not Have Thought Of!


Hello! I’d first like to thank Elizabeth for this opportunity to guest post. As Christmas is nearly upon us (just 10 more sleeps!), I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some ‘alternative’ gift options that you may not have considered. Thankfully many of these are suitable for preparing on a last-minute basis.

Vanilla / cinammon sugar:
These tasty treats require only two ingredients to make and their subtle flavour will appeal to all but the staunchest dessert deserters. Simply put a vanilla pod or cinammon stick into a jar of sugar, leave for a while (two weeks is the ideal amount but the Christmas run-up will do just fine), wrap, and give.

A mix-tape:
Revive the ‘80s tradition with modern-day formats. A selection of songs you think the recipient will enjoy on a CD with a custom designed case will be appreciated universally. The flexibility that comes with such a gift is unlimited.

Personalised stationery:
The charm of a personalised message on an everyday household object is surprisingly hard to beat. Seeing a loved one smile at you from your mousemat while sitting at your desk is a lovely feeling. Personalised calendars are also a great option; they can be filled with photos of precious memories and experiences, and will be seen several times a day during the upcoming year. Family-specific dates and occasions can also be added.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Flyaway by Helen Landalf

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 Title: Flyaway

Author: Helen Landalf

Release Date: December 20, 2011

By the Book On:
           
            Amazon

            Barnesand Noble

Author’s Website






About:
Girl loves Mom. Mom loves meth.

Stevie Calhoun is fifteen and knows how to take care of herself. Her mom has disappeared for days at a time before. So why is Aunt Mindy making such a big deal of it now? Whatever. Stevie will pack up her gypsy skirts, midriffs, camouflage pants, and red high heels. She’ll go with Aunt Mindy. But it doesn’t mean she’s going to stay. Mom will return and promise to never see Drake and his white powder again. Stevie will make sure of that. If Mom’s awake, she’ll be with her. If she’s working at the club, Stevie will hang at home and count the hours. Who cares about school? Who cares about Alan and helping those stupid birds? Crap. Does she? My review: With a powerful mix of humor and heartbreak, Flyaway is a contemporary novel that takes a frank, hopeful look at the victims of addiction and their right to a safe and heartening future.

$100 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway!





Thanks to Makobi Scribe and Madame Deals, a whole bunch of bloggers were able to all come together and give out a $100 Amazon gift card (courtesy of those two lovely blogs). Entering is simple! Use the Rafflecopter form below. If you go through and follow everyone, you will get bonus entries. 

Good luck!!

Never Too Late to Think About Going Into the Nursing Field!

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My mom is a nurse, but to be honest I never really considered being one as well. I do not know why. Only reason I can think of is because my mom never tried to push any profession on me. She always wanted me to pick something that I wanted and she never tried to influence me. And besides her, I did not have any exposure to nursing. So right now, I am taking night classes to become an accountant.


When I think about it though, going into the nursing profession seems to be a great idea. With people living so much longer and the Baby Boomers maturing, more and more nurses seem to be needed. Where I live, there is a constant nurse shortage. Two weeks ago, I had to go to the ER with a family member. One of the nurses was explaining how she has been working more than 40 hours a week, because there is such a shortage at the hospital. Hospitals and clinics are always hiring nurses. My city’s newspaper is filled with help wanted ads.  The last I checked the unemployment rate was around 9%. However, with the huge demand for nurses, the unemployment rate for them is not as high. And the pay is also great as well!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Giveaway: My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software



I recently have started scrapbooking. I love the pages I create and how much better the pictures look instead of being in a traditional photo book. One of my complaints with traditional scrapbooking is that it can be very expensive. It ends up costing quite a bit of money just to create a few pages. Also when I create my pages, sometimes I feel like a 3 year old created the page.
My Memories is a digital scrapbooking software that is rated #1 on Amazon. This software will help you create professional and fun looking scrapbook pages. What’s great is that you can also create cards, letters, photo books, calendars, invitations, and so much more!

Bloggers Read This! $100 Amazon Twitter Blast



Okay Bloggers, this is an event you do not want to miss. Amee from Madame Deals and Jen from all her blogs (Sason & Pobi, Makobi Scribe, & Kobiso)  are so generous and have teamed up to bring this awesome event. Sign up for this is free. You must have a Twitter account. Click here to go to the main post and learn about this great event that will be going on.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Cake Icing, Butt Budder & Tea Lids: Review

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Title: Cake Icing, Butt Budder and Tea Lids
Author: Renee Andrews
Pages: 297
Published: 18 November 2011
Buy the book on
     Barnes & Noble
     Amazon




About the book: Cake Icing, Butt Budder and Tea Lids has been described as Sweet Home Alabama, the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Practical Magic and Steel Magnolias all rolled into one. "In the South, if a woman isn’t married by age twenty-five, it’s time for an intervention." This is the basis behind Delilah and Edna Thibodeaux’s dogged determination to make sure their beloved Jezze doesn’t end up an old spinster, like her mother and aunt.

But what happens when the eccentric antics of the young girl’s crazy Cajun aunt and mother put her search for Mr. Right on a 25 year deadline to potential disaster? And why should she have to prove that they are the experts in marriage intervention, anyway? Because she loves them? Yeah, probably. Because they really don’t mean any harm? That too. But when they decide her Mr. Right is T-Roy Bertrand, the butt budder salesman, does she really have to agree? And if she’s made up her mind, why does her heart refuse to listen?

Friday, December 9, 2011

Bloggers Check This Out: Eden Loves Bloggers Program


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EdenFantasys is your go to website for all your adult needs and pleasures. They carry such a wide array of products. They even carry makeup, oils, candles, fragrances, and more. What I like is that all the products are fairly priced, and there are great sales that are always going on! You just cannot beat the prices. EdenFantasys loves to work with bloggers and many different options exist for bloggers. Here are some great programs you can work with EdenFantasys in.

Product Reviews: You can review one product a month from EdenFantasys in exchange for an honest review and two link backs. You would choose an item of a certain list that you wished to review. If you do not want to review an adult friendly item, that is okay because EdenFantasys carries many family friendly products. These is even the possibility of being able to have a giveaway! What I love about this program is that you can pick an item that interests you and that there are other items available if a behind closed doors item is not your thing. Go here for more information on being a product reviewer.





Thursday, December 8, 2011

Giveaway: enLiven Yogurt with Probiotics - 5 Winners!



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I am all about eating healthy foods, because I think it is so important for your health. Something I eat almost every day is yogurt. There are so many great benefits of eating yogurt, so I make it an essential part of my diet. I recently tried enLiven for the very first time! 

PhotobucketAbout enLiven: enLiven yogurt comes in 4 flavors: Blueberry, Peach, Strawberry, and Vanilla. The yogurt is sold in a four pack. Each serving is only 110 calories and is 99% fat free.  It is made with 100% natural fruit and flavors. The yogurt is very affordable with an on average cost of only $0.47 per serving. enLiven is sold exclusively at Walmart.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Look at my new layout! Lady Jane Designs: Giveaway

So when I had first set up my blog, I had used just a free layout and tried to make my own header. I had so many problems with it and I just did not like it. But now I have this amazingly cute blog layout thanks to Lady Jane Designs! I think she did a fabulous job and I could not be any happier.



What Lady Jane Designs has to offer: At Lady Jane Designs, there is something to fit every need. For your blog Sara can create backgrounds, headers, post dividers, blog button, signature, favicon, choice of layout, social icons, sidebar titles, menu, and more! Your Facebook and Twitter pages can also be customized with backgrounds, color coordination, custom profile pics, and more! Check out Sara’s website. Everything is laid out so nicely and you can see what great options there are.

 My problems with my page before the makeover: The biggest problem I had was my menu. When you would first arrive at my page, it would be all spread out. Then slowly (and I mean slowly!) the menu would shift into place. I also did not like that my social media buttons were all over my vertical toolbar, so you would have to scroll up and down looking for them. Lastly, it was just boring. There was nothing fun or exciting about my page. If you are like me, you do not know the first thing about blog design. I needed someone that knew what they were doing to help.


Sunday, December 4, 2011

Art Bellies Pocket - Giveaway With 5 Winners!


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As I am sure you know by now, I was not born with the artistic gene. Don’t get me wrong, I love to do crafts and such, but I always need a bit of help. Art Bellies Pocket is that bit of help I need to turn pictures of my love ones into an original masterpiece.  This app is created by Art Bellies, which is a small company that has a great mission: to help pregnant women feel beautiful and creative!

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Diamond Candles Campaign Announcement: BLOGGERS to review & giveaway: Unique Soy Candles With Ring Surprises



Bloggers: Possible review and giveaway opportunity

Check out Celebrate Woman Today!



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Have you experienced a soy candle with amazing aroma that inspires and makes your holidays go smooth and relaxed? Have you seen anything like waiting with anticipation what's going to be peaking out of the hot soy liquid while the candle is still burning?

Friday, December 2, 2011

BrytonPick {Say goodbye to floss} Review

Whenever I go to the dentist, they floss my teeth. Each time they are flossing, they will say some comment about how I need to floss more. They always catch me! If there is one thing I do not like, it is flossing. I hate dealing with the string, trying to wrap it around my fingers, and maneuver the thing between my teeth. This is why I was so excited when I found out that I was going to review the BrytonPick, because it is far from your average teeth flosser.


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BRYTONPick – FLOSS In Seconds Advantages:
Convenient & faster interdental cleaning
Reusable - up to 30 days, less waste, less environmental impact
Germ resistant - flexible & thin stainless steel edges
Portable – go anywhere credit card size carry-pouch

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Giveaway: Bird Wall Decal from Cherry Walls 12/19




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PhotobucketI love shopping for unique items for the walls on my home. The problem I run into is that I would have to pay a very high price for that unique item. That is why I am so glad that I discovered Cherry Walls. You are guaranteed a fun, unique wall while at very good price. Cherry Walls has great decals for any room of your house.



I was able to review the Birds Wall Decal – 6 Birds Flying in green. When I saw the birds online for the first time, I knew I was going to love them and actually also ordered a pack of white ones. I am so glad I did. The birds were so easy to put on my wall, and they turned the boring wall into a modern eye popping wall.  

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Giveaway: Winter Wonderbucks $75 cash



Winter Wonderbucks

The holidays are right around the corner and that means it's almost gift-giving time! Wouldn't you love a little extra cash to help out with all of those holiday decorations and gifts for under the tree?


Well, here is your chance! With Winter Wonderbucks you have the chance to win $75 cash or a $75 Amazon gift code! Winter Wonderbucks is brought to you by Formula Mom and Tales From the Nursery together with a collection of fabulous bloggers. We have come together to bring you a great cash giveaway in honor of the holidays!

Beginning today through December 18th, you will have the opportunity to win $75 to help out with those holiday expenses and make the holidays a little more wonderful! The winner will choose between Paypal or an Amazon gift card.

To enter, please visit the pages below to follow the sponsoring blogs on Twitter and like them on Facebook. Then complete the Rafflecopter form below and you will be entered for your chance to win some shopping money!


Please note: The Rafflecopter form is the same on all participating blogs so you only need to enter on one of the blogs. Duplicate entries will be deleted so there is no need to enter on more than one blog. It will not increase your chances of winning!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Best Holiday Movie Ever!

My favorite movie of all time is……

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Winners!!



The winners of the Dots Planner Printables are…


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CONGRATS Winners! Thank you to everyone that entered.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Crazy Dog Tshirts: Great Holiday Presents!



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Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love thinking about the presents I will buy for my family and friends. Now there are some people, that I had no idea what I was going to buy them. Well.. until I found out about CrazyDogT-shirts. This company is great because they have Funny t-shirts, Cool t-shirts, 80s t-shirts, and so many more! There really is something for everybody. My favorite is the Funny T-shirts section. I was able to pick out two shirts and both were from the Funny T-shirts section. It was a coincidence that it happened that way. I actually did not realize it until after I picked my shirts out, but CrazyDog Tshirts really are hilarious!


I chose the Giant Gingerbread Man T-shirt in the Funny T-shirts section of their website.



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The most elaborate Christmas trees!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I always going to a thing called The Festival of Trees. It is a popular event that benefits the local hospital in my town. Local businesses decorate elaborate trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses. It is all displayed nicely and is a huge family event. I always volunteer first and enjoy the decorations after. I took pictures of my favorite trees!
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Friday, November 25, 2011

Quick, hot breakfast: Cinnabon CinnaPoppers


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I love having a hot breakfast in the morning. But during the week it is typically cold cereal for me. I was at Sam’s Club the other day and found this new breakfast item. It is Cinnabon Cinnapoppers. If you love cinnamon rolls, you will love this tasty treat. Typical cinnamon rolls take at least ten minutes to cook in the oven, not including the preheat time. The Cinnapoppers come in individual trays that contain ten little rolls. All you have to pop it in the microwave for 45 seconds, and then it is done!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Don't Miss This Two Day Sale! Cherry Walls $3 decal



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I love creative and originial items for my home. Now I am not creative, so I rely on other people for that (I  like to buy the peices, not make them). Let me tell you,  Cherry Walls  is your answer to having a room that no one will forget! Cherry Walls is having a  great special for the next two days that I do not want you to miss out on!
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Look at how cute these birds are! For the next two days, you could own this decal for only $3 plus free shipping. This typically sells for $14. You will receive 6 birds and you pick the color.
This would also make such a great gift for someone else, because they won't ever think you bought a professional, cute bird decal for only $3. 


We Have A Winner!


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Congratulations Fe M. for being the winner of the Bucks for Black Friday giveaway. I hope you get some great deals with your money tomorrow!

Another Bad-Dog Book

“Not another one. I had gone to the bookstore to read the gossip magazine for free when I saw it – yet another best-selling book about someone’s adorable, out-of-control dog.” -Joni B. Cole

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This is how Joni B. Cole’s story begins. She is at a bookstore and sees another book about a dog. Cole’s book about her dog should be sitting on that book bestselling table she thinks. Well that is if she gets around to writing it. Fast forward to the present and Cole did write her bad dog book, sort of.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Etsy Spotlight: CloudStreet


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I just recently created my very first scrapbook page and was so proud of it. When I think about it though, I did have some things I would change. One thing I noticed was that I had a hard time cutting and centering my creations. So I was thinking that I now want to try digital scrap booking. That way my creation would look completely professional. Cloudstreet creates the perfect pictures for creating fun scrapbook pages. Cloudstreet is a design and illustration studio filled with wonderful goodies.

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These fun animals and trees is The Baby Pastel Wild Animals Pack. These pictures would look so cute with pictures you took at the zoo. This pack would include different colored trees, lions, giraffes, monkeys, and more! This pack only costs $4.95! You cannot beat that when you get unlimited use of the pictures. When you buy physical scrap booking pieces at the store, you only get one use and they are more expensive.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Etsy Spotlight: RedCatArtBeads


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PhotobucketIf you are having trouble thinking of a gift for a lady this holiday season, RedCatArtBeads is the perfect place to go for super cute jewelry. The jewelry is all custom made, and some are even her own personal design.

If you are like me, you want to own this necklace so badly! I love the fun colors, because you could wear it with any colored shirt. I would also be willing to bet that no one else will be wearing a necklace like this. I would be able to wear this to work, or also out on the town. This necklace has so many different looks.
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Monday, November 21, 2011

Giveaway: Dots Planner Printable


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I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about starting a new year, is starting a new planner. I love looking all around for the best one, because I will be stuck with it for a whole year! I write everything in it. I would be lost without my planner. Uncreative Mommy (don’t let her name fool you!) is an Etsy seller that sells every kind of planner you can think of! Her's are great because you do not need to wait until the new year to start it :) She sells grocery lists, cleaning calendars, blog planners, menu planners, babysitter information, and so much more! She gives you the tools to create the almighty, customized planner!




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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Etsy Spotlight: Little Punkin Munkie


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You cannot have too many ornaments on your Christmas tree. I just do not think it is possible! I have a weakness for cute ornaments, and Little Punkin Munkie  is filled fabulous cupcake ornaments. These ornaments are very unique and you will not find anything like it in stores!

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I really have such a big weakness for homemade ornaments. Look at how cute these are! I am sure if this ornament was on your tree, you would get a lot of compliments.



Etsy Spotlight For The Holiday Season


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I did not know what Etsy was until I started reading blogs, which was a few months ago. It is such a wonderland of wonderful products. I love how easy it is to search for different items. The creators are so talented. You never know what to find, and I think it deserves a lot more exposure.

With the holiday season coming up, it is now time to buy decorations and buy presents for other people. Over the next few weeks, I will posting about some great Etsy sellersand their products. Feel free to contact me if you are interested. in being featured. I hope you will love their products as much as I do J

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