February is Marfan Awareness Month

I do not personally know anyone personally affected with Marfan syndrome, but would like to give my readers awareness of this disorder during the month in which it is being recognized.

Approximately 200,000 Americans have Marfan syndrome or a related disorder, yet experts say that about half of those are not diagnosed. Marfan syndrome is a disorder of the connective tissue. Connective tissue holds all parts of the body together and helps control how the body grows. As a result, Marfan syndrome features can occur in many different parts of the body, including the eyes, bones and joints, and heart and blood vessels.

People with Marfan syndrome frequently have telltale signs that are easy to see.
They are often taller than unaffected family members, with disproportionately long arms and legs. They may have an indented or protruding chest bone and a curved spine, flat feet and loose joints. They may be nearsighted and have dislocated lenses in their eyes. What can’t be seen is the effect of the condition on the aorta. It is prone to enlarge and could tear or rupture – leading to a sudden, early death – if it’s not treated.

It is a genetic condition, so people are born with Marfan syndrome, but outward signs may not be evident until the teens or 20’s. However, even if the outward signs are not evident, the aorta may be enlarged and needs to be treated and monitored from a young age. Three-quarters of people with the condition inherit it from a parent, but one-fourth are a spontaneous mutation, which means they are the first in their family to be affected.

If you or someone you know has any of these features, an evaluation is necessary. New diagnostic criteria have been defined for those with a family history of the condition and for those who may be a sporadic case.

For even more information, tips and resources, you may visit the website for the National Marfan Foundation.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research regarding products and services. Your opinions and results may vary.

Crazy Dog T-shirts - Review

My husband is not without a shortage of funny tshirts. He has a twisted sense of humor, and the shirts from Crazy Dog Tshirts suit him to a tee. Although I found a ton of shirts that he'd love, I chose a shirt for myself to review from Crazy Dog T-shirts.



I love camping and the delicious tastiness of Smores. The Smore Marshmallow Tshirt I received put a hilarious twist to one of my favorite campfire treats. The shirt is very soft to the touch and feels good against the skin. I've worn it three times now and it has not lost its color or shape. The fabric is somewhat thin so I've been wearing it over a long sleeve thermal shirt, but it will be perfect to wear alone in the warmer weather.

Crazy Dog T-shirts (www.crazydogtshirts.com) is the number one source online for funny t shirts and vintage shirts that help you stand out and get noticed. Founded in 2004 the t-shirt empire offers custom shirts in Rochester, NY. They provide customers with a variety of cool t-shirts and crazy shirts. Featuring both creative original concepts and popular licensed designs. Looking for a funny t shirt? They have hundreds of funny shirts which you won't want to miss!



I received shirt for review from Crazy Dog T-Shirts. 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.

Himalayan Salt Shop - Review and Giveaway

I've always been fascinated by salt lamps. With their original shapes and overall visual appeal, I find them interesting to look at. Other than being representational of nature's beauty, I did not know until recently that Himalayan salt lamps are also beneficial to reducing symptoms of illnesses. In no way should salt lamps be considered medical devices, but they are known to reduce indoor air pollutants by emitting negative ions.



The Himalayan Salt Shop, stocked with salt lamps, bath salts and apothecary products, was founded in 2005 by Ernest Gaglione. Ernest was kind enough to send me a 4-5 lb. Himalayan Salt Lamp to review. Included with the lamp was a UL listed cord with bulb, a wooden base, and an information sheet.

This is what my salt lamp looks like when it's not lit.

This is what my salt lamp looks like when it is lit.

I am a collector of geodes and rocks, so the salt lamp I received made a perfect fit among that collection in my living room. The salt lamp itself is securely attached to a wooden base. The bulb fits inside a hole at the bottom to light up the lamp and I'm able to place the bulb either up high or down low inside the lamp. The cord it comes with has a switch to turn it on or off. I am in awe of the natural beauty of the lamp. It is made of authentic Himalayan crystal salt, and the coloring and pattern is simply beautiful. Instead of turning on the front room lights at night, I turn on the salt lamp and it sends forth a captivating glow. I appreciate how this piece looks as decor and as a lamp.



Discount Code:

Receive 15% off any purchase with code vday2011. Offer expires 2/14/11.

Win It!

One person will win a 4-5 lb. Himalayan Salt Lamp.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with your favorite salt lamp from Himalayan Salt Shop.

Extra Entries:

Leave a comment with your favorite bath & body product from Himalayan Salt Shop.

Leave a comment with something you learned from the Salt Lamp Information Center.

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA. Giveaway ends 2/16/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received product for review from Himalayan Salt Shop. 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.

Well, Well, Well, I Have Some Winners

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

The winner of the EO Products Bath Lovers Gift Set giveaway is #158, rubynreba.

rubynreba said... 158
I follow

January 20, 2011 1:28 PM

The winner of the Charm Factory giveaway is #162, sueparks2003.

sueparks2003 said... 162
GFC follower

January 29, 2011 8:02 PM

The two winners of the Like Dandelion Dust DVD giveaway are #103, Karen F. and #49, Deb K.

Karen F said... 103
Recently saw Dear John {again} ;.)

January 29, 2011 4:38 PM

Deb K said... 49
I follow with Twitter~Deb55106

January 16, 2011 9:03 AM

Many thanks to the sponsors and to all who entered. I have other 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.

Cleavitz - Review and Giveaway

My husband and I share a closet. He says that his side gets smaller and smaller every day with my clothes slowly inching over to his side. Hey, I'm a woman, I like clothes! Unfortunately, a few of my tops have sat in the closet, without being worn very often, due to the fact that it's been nearly impossible to find something to wear under them. My low-cut blouses tend to sit in the closet more often than not. I've worn strapless bras with them but I still have yet to find one that fits my tatas rather than make them look droopy. And even though a strapless bra provides coverage, it still peeks through and makes an appearance causing a fashion faux paus. Which leads me to Cleavitz...



Cleavitz is a fashionable half-top that provides ultra-comfort, cleavage coverage, and style. It is worn over a bra and underneath low-cut shirts, dresses, and business suits to dress up any outfit.

With the Cleavitz patent-pending design, the top ends just below the bra. This means that there is:
• No bunching around the front and rear mid-section!
• No more tugging and adjusting your camisole or tank top!
• No roll up -- provides a slim, neat appearance!
• No elastic band for maximum comfort!
• No clips, snaps or tape!
• No added bulk with as much coverage as you want!
• No sweat - The Cleavitz is much cooler than a full tank top or camisole!
• No money wasted – Expand your current wardrobe fast with one simple purchase!

Cleavitz was born in 2008 and they offer a 100% money back guarantee. They will either credit you for your purchase if unsatisfied or exchange it in a different size or color if needed. Two percent of all Cleavitz revenue goes to breast cancer research. There are two different styles of Cleavitz, available in different colors. The Everyday Cleavitz are plain, basic colors and the Executive collection comes in lace or shimmer options.


I received two Cleavitz, an Everyday White one and an Executive Black Lace one. I ordered them according to the size chart and both fit ideally. Wearing them over my bra, not once have the Cleavitz bunched up or been uncomfortable. I've been able to wear tops and blouses again that once sat in my closet. I won't go into detail or give names, but I recently saw an infomercial for a product that claims to do the same thing, except it requires fastening a piece of triangular fabric to your bra. I haven't tried it so I can't pass total judgement, but my first impression was that the product I saw advertised has nothing on the Cleavitz. If there was anything I could think of that the Cleavitz may not be suited for, it would be backless shirts. As for wash and wear, there's been no shrinkage and no stretching of material. Cleavitz has brought part of my wardrobe to life again.




Discount Code:

Until February 14th, receive 20% off your purchase at Cleavitz with code VALENTINE!

Win It!

One person will win three Cleavitz of their choice.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with your favorite style and color of Cleavitz.

Extra Entries:

Leave a comment with something you learned from the Cleavitz FAQ.

"Like" Cleavitz on Facebook.

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA. Giveaway ends 2/12/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received products for review from Cleavitz. 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.

Delightful Discounts and Deals #3

Sales and deals are always great finds. Here's a few I've come across:

Snapily:

Animated Photo Cards and 3D Printed Gifts
Free shipping + 20% off all orders with code FREEVALMIX
Expires 2/11/11

Skin Free Skincare:

Safe and effective products for delicate skin
50% off all Skin Free products with code BRRRRR
Expires 1/30/11

IsaBooties:

Eco-friendly shoes for little feet
30% off all IsaBooties with code valentine11
Expires 2/14/11

Himalayan Salt Shop:

Salt Lamps, Bath Salts & Inhalers
15% off any purchase with code vday2011
Expires 2/14/11

Tortuga Rum Company, Ltd.:

Caribbean rum cakes, sauces, and chocolates
Free Chocolate Rum Fudge with purchase of any 33oz Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake
Code VDAY11
Expires 2/28/11

Cleavitz:

Half tops that provide cleavage cover
20% off everything in online store with code VALENTINE!
Expires 2/14/11

SeeHere by Fujifilm:

Photo Gifts
35% off woven photo blankets + free standard shipping with code blanket-9
20% off any photo canvas + free standard shipping with code canvas-5
25% off photo playing cards + free standard shipping with code gifts-36
Expires 2/2/11

I received no compensation for this post. This is an informational post only. Please do your own research before purchasing products. I am not responsible for outdated discounts or deals.

My First Bee Friendly Friday

I almost had a nervous breakdown earlier tonight. I started thinking about my dentist appointment tomorrow and how terrified I am. If you know me, you know that dentists (oh, and Freddy Krueger) are my biggest fear. Having jacked-up teeth, it's imperative that I go whether I have a panic attack or not. Tomorrow is the start of getting dentures in my top teeth. They will be pulling the back top teeth tomorrow and the front ones three weeks later. I'm beyond ready to feel confident with my smile again. I've just got to get over the hurdle of wanting to throw myself in traffic rather than visit a dentist.

Although I've been following the two host blogs for a while now, this is my first time participating in Bee Friendly Friday. I'd be happy to have you as a follower and possibly enter some of my giveaways.

Good Night, Little Sea Otter - Children's Book Review and Giveaway

Book Synopsis:

Written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by Wish Williams, Good Night, Little Sea Otter is a delightful bedtime story featuring a baby sea otter who says "good night" to each and every one of his ocean friends before he settles down to sleep cuddled up in his mama's loving arms in a bed of kelp. The inspiration for Good Night, Little Sea Otter came while the author, Janet, was writing a magazine article set in a kep forest along California's coast. Children and parents alike will enjoy the rich, colorful art and tender tale that can be told at bedtime or anytime.

My Review:

If you have or know of a child under the age of six, I'd suggest Good Night, Little Sea Otter. It is a short and simple book of a sea otter telling his ocean friends good night. The chromatic illustrations show different creatures that live in the ocean. Children can point out the striped fish, seagulls, crabs, and other living things while the book is being read to them. It is a bedtime story that parents can read quickly and children can enjoy.



Win It!

Two people will each win a book copy of Good Night, Little Sea Otter.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with the name of another book title you'd like to read from Star Bright Books.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Follow Star Bright Books on Twitter, starbrightbooks.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada. Giveaway ends 2/12/11 at 8 pm CST. Winners will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

I received book for review from Star Bright Books. 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.

What Is Love?

It's hard to imagine that another holiday will be approaching soon, Valentine's Day. I believe you should show your love to those that matter everyday, but I am joyed to participate in this special day with my children and husband. My husband and I exchange gifts, while I always give the kids Valentine's Day cards tailored for them.

I recently asked my kids a simple question, "What is love?" Their answers touched my heart and brought a couple laughs.

Shelby - Love is having someone there for you through thick and thin, the good times and bad. If the day is great and going well, that person is there for you. If the day is dreary and not going well, that person is still there for you.

Allyson - Love is being able to smile, without effort, when you see a person's face. Your heart lights up.

Juliann - Love is having people who take care of you and are happy doing it.

Emma - Love is having a mom, dad, step-mom, and step-dad who make me happy and treat me good.

Logan - I love my Momma-Roo. I don't want to be in love right now. I love my family and know they love me.

Adam - Love is having a girl who doesn't get mad when you go RC racing. It's also doing things with that girl that you don't get mad about. When you do things together and have fun, it's love.


Speaking of love, it's time for me to consider which Valentine's Day cards I'd like to get my kids. One company that offers Valentine's Day greeting cards, Valentine's cards for kids, and Valentine's Day stickers and gift tags is Tiny Prints. From now until February 1st, they are offering all Valentine's Day cards at the price of $1.99 with the code HEARTGC.

Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Valentines Day cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Offering exclusive designs from the nation's top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch! They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo books and calendars.

Have you ever shopped Tiny Prints before? Do you have a favorite design from the selection of Valentine's Day cards at Tiny Prints?

In exchange for this post, I will receive a store credit from Tiny Prints on behalf of Tiny Prints and Global Influence. 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.

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Beauty Tips Campaign

We all know that Arm & Hammer Baking Soda can be used for baking and household purposes, but did you know that it can be used for beauty treatments? I didn't learn of all the wonderful things it can do for my skin until recently.

Thanks to Mom Central Consulting and Arm & Hammer, I received a large gift basket containing Arm & Hammer Baking Soda along with other products to enjoy an at-home spa experience. Some items included in the gift basket was Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, organic tea, a tea cup, lavender oil, an aromatherapy candle, and other items to make my at-home spa experience a pleasurable one. Included was a booklet with beauty and treatment tips.



Here are just a few simple and effective tips that I tried and learned while using Arm & Hammer Baking Soda:

Hair Care

Get rid of product buildup by sprinkling a small, quarter-size amount of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly. The Arm & Hammer Baking Soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so hair is cleaner and more manageable.

This was probably my favorite tip. I use a lot of styling products in my hair and always have build-up. I've recently started using Arm & Hammer Baking Soda with my shampoo. Although I'm still awaiting the long-term results, I've noticed my hair is more manageable and there's a little less build-up.

Natural Deodorant

Dust Arm & Hammer Baking Soda under arms as needed to feel fresh all day. The magic of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda actually absorbs odors instead of just covering them up.

I totally had no idea that something as simple as doing this would be a relief from the odor that emits from my pits. For years I've been in a dilemma of finding a deodorant that would not cause my skin to break out and would work in eliminating odor. It's always been one or the other, but not both. I have sensitive skin and most deodorants cause it to break out. If I find one that doesn't cause it to do that, then I come across the problem of the funk overpowering the scent after just a couple of hours. Gross, I know, but true. So far (knock on wood) Arm & Hammer baking soda has not caused my skin to break out and I've noticed that my underarm area smells much fresher.

Facial Glow

To use as a scrub in a facial, mix 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda with 1 part water. Consider enhancing the treatment by including 1 part ground oatmeal. Cleanse skin as usual, followed by the gentle scrub. Be careful to avoid the eye area. Rinse with warm water. It leaves skin feeling nourished and refreshed.

I happened to have an organic oatmeal facial scrub on hand, so I've been using it mixed with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. My skin feels cleaner after use. It's also not as dry around the nose area as usual after using this method.


Being able to use the items included in the gift basket and trying the tips from the booklet with my teenage daughters has been a fun experience in learning how to improve our skin with such an inexpensive product. I fully intend to continue using Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in my quest for good skin and youthfulness. For detailed how-tos on the tips I posted about and more tips on using Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, visit Arm & Hammer online.



I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Arm & Hammer and received a beauty basket to thank me for taking the time to participate. 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.

Keepin' Company Thursdays - Week 31

If this were a pregnancy, we'd be close to having a baby. Keepin' Company Thursdays is on its 31st week. Mucho gracias to all who link up.


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If you'd like to participate in Keepin' Company Thursdays, please follow these guidelines:

* Create a Keepin' Company Thursday post. Please include the Keepin' Company Button in your post.

* Follow the first two blogs, which are the hostesses: Heck of a Bunch and Traci66.

* Follow any of the other blogs you choose to and let them know you found them via Keepin' Company Thursday.

* If you get a follow via Keepin' Company Thursday please follow them back.

* Add your blog name and the URL to your Keepin' Company Post to the link below. There is no need to add your link twice. You can do so either on my blog or at Traci66. It will show up at both regardless.

* You can also grab the blog hop code to add to your post if you want the thumbnails to appear in your post.

* If you add the Keepin' Company button to your sidebar and leave either of the hosteses, Heck of a Bunch or Traci66, a comment letting us know where to find it we will randomly draw a blog to be in the #3 spot next week. This week's #3 spot goes to Finger Click Saver.

Help Keep Kids Healthy with Clorox Classrooms

Keeping my kids healthy is important to me. My heart breaks when one of them is ill, watching them suffer. And, having six kids, it's like a domino effect if one gets sick. Once one gets a cold or flu, it goes downhill and gets passed on until each kid has suffered the symptoms.

Schools are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. I can't guarantee my children won't get sick from coming in contact with other kids or school items, but I can help prevent it from happening.

To help parents and teachers create healthier classrooms, Clorox has launched Clorox Classrooms. This website provides parents with health tips and resources to help them keep kids healthy at home and school, and to support a healthy classroom.

For parents, there is a classroom supply checklist to help your child's teacher keep the classroom healthier and cleaner. There are also helpful resources, tips on disinfecting germy household hotspots, and tips on extending healthy hygiene at home.

Teachers can receive access to tips, tools, and resources for teaching healthy habits. There are lessons and activities, which meet educational standards, that help teach about germs and hygiene. By signing up for the email newsletter, teachers will receive information about classroom curriculums, and exclusive teacher offers and grants. Until February 28th, K-5th grade teachers can enter the free book sweepstakes for a chance to win fifty new books to stock their classroom book shelves.

Parents, teamed with teachers, can work together to help prevent sickness among our most precious...our children.

I reveived no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Your opinions and results may differ.

Wednesday Blog Hops

I took my 16 year old daughter to the dentist yesterday. My pocketbook almost screamed. She has cavities in EVERY tooth except one. Between me and her, we'll be living part-time at the dentist in the next two months.

I got a haircut last Friday. I asked the stylist to point cut it to give some texture and volume. She did as instructed, but I don't care for the overall look of it. I'm going to go back to just cutting my hair myself. I can do the same results for free.

I'm participating in some blog hops today and would be elated if you became a follower. If giveaways interest you, I have some listed at the top left hand side of my blog.


Welcome Wednesday hosted by Frugal Invitation and Beauty Brite



Wobble Over Wednesday hosted by My Life With Rats and More



Friendly Wednesday hosted by Feeding Four

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubbzy Be Mine - DVD Giveaway

DVD Synopsis:

Wubbzy Be Mine, released on DVD January 4th, is an irresistible compilation of three episodes featuring the series’ well-loved characters, Wubbzy, Widget, Walden and Daizy. In “Mr. Valentine,” Wuzzleburg’s trusty mailman falls ill on Valentine’s Day and Wubbzy steps in to deliver all the valentines, but he soon discovers there are none for him…. To Wubbzy’s surprise, his pals personally deliver his valentines, saving the best for last! In “Cupid’s Helper,” Cupid pays a visit to Wuzzleburg, but loses his prized bubble-blower. When Wubbzy finds it, he starts blowing bubbles bringing together some of Wuzzleburg’s oddest couples. And, in “My Speedy Valentine,” the third love-filled episode on the new release, Wubbzy and his pals try to find the fastest way ever to make their own valentines, but something keeps bugging Walden….



Win It!

One person will win Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubbzy Be Mine on DVD and a handful of special Wubbzy candy hearts packages.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with your plans for Valentine's Day.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA. Giveaway ends 2/6/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received no compensation or product for review. This post is for informational and giveaway purposes only. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Delightful Discounts and Deals #2

Why waste the money when you can save the money! Here's some discounts and deals I discovered:

Kidorable:

Clothing, rainwear, and accessories for children
Free pair of Hearts Knit Gloves with $20 purchase
Add gloves to cart and use code LOVEYOU at checkout
Expires 2/14/11

Frecklebox:

Personalized gifts for children
15% off your entire order with code HEART15
Expires 2/4/11

Scrubz:

All natural skin care products
25% off all products with code MOVINGSALE
Expires 2/1/11

HearthSong:

Age-appropriate and wholesome children's playthings
Take an extra 20% off their already reduced prices in their online outlet with code HSRJ
Expires 1/30/11

Old Navy:

Clothes for women, men, kids, and baby
Take an extra 25% off clearance items with code ONEXTRA25
Expires 1/27/11 at 11:59 pm EST

MyCraftivity Store:

Craft books
Take an additional 15% off their top wished-for books with code MYC127
Expires 1/31/11

Walgreens:

Online or in-store photo processing
Receive 10 cent prints on your 4x6 order of 75 or more with code MOMENT10
Expires 1/29/11

Jamfies Creations 1:

Esty shop featuring handmade paper crafts
All Valentine items are 15% off (excluding shipping). Prices are already adjusted for your convenience.
Expires 2/1/11

I received no compensation for this post. I'm not responsible for outdated links. Please do your own research when purchasing products. This is an informational post only.

Book and Bible Winners

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

The winner of the Resurrecting Anthony book giveaway is #5, rubynreba.

rubynreba said... 5
email subscriber

January 10, 2011 8:51 AM

The winner of the Read and Share Bible giveaway is #45, littleamberfate.

littleamberfate said... 45
I liked Tommy Nelson Kids on FB.

January 7, 2011 5:56 PM

Thanks to the sponsors and to all who entered.

Wordful Wednesday - Beading

I've mentioned a couple of times that my 12 yr old son has taken up an unusual hobby (unusual for a tween boy anyway). With help from my mother, he has taken a liking to creating beaded jewelry. I'm glad that he's found a creative outlet and it gives us quality time to do something together.


Saturday evening my mother came over with her beads. It was an evening of me, her, Logan, and my nephew making beaded jewelry.


Logan takes beading seriously. He is meticulous about patterns and overall appeal. So far he's made five necklaces, all of them quite pretty.


My nephew, Ozzy, didn't have a bead board available so he used a pizza plate to create a beaded ornament.



The necklace on the left was made by me and the necklace on the right was made by Logan. I am thinking about giving them away during an upcoming blog event. Honestly, what do you think?

If you'd like to participate in Wordy or Not So Wordy Wednesday, link up at Traci66. If you'd like to participate in Wordful Wednesday, link up at Seven Clown Circus and/or Parenting By Dummies.

Information Regarding My Blog Giveaways

A couple of months ago I held a review and giveaway for Pravana, with six winners to receive shampoo and conditioner sets. I've been blogging for a year and a half now, and this particular review/giveaway has been my biggest frustration yet. I've emailed the company numerous times, with only one response. That response was that they'd forward the email to another department to check into it. With that recent occurance, I'd like to let my readers know of some information in regards to my reviews and giveaways:

1. I am not responsible for unfulfilled or lost wins. That may sound harsh, but I've done my part with the company by reviewing their product and offering the giveaway if they want one. It is few and far between, but there are cases where companies don't or won't fulfill their obligations. I enter quite a few blog giveaways myself, and have had wins that never came in or eventually came in months later. It's definitely not fair to the blog owners and the entrants when the companies do this, but it is the company's doing...not mine.

2. In the same regards as the first, I will not pay out-of-pocket if a win does not come through. I have, on a couple of occasions, made an exception and offered someone a different win if the first one never showed and the other was unclaimed. I'll continue to do this, but at my discretion.

3. If you don't receive a win within six weeks, please email me and let me know. Don't email the sponsor first. I keep a folder of all my sent emails and there have been occasions when wins don't come in, only to find out that I've emailed them but they didn't receive it for whatever reason. Case in point: My Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Uno Review and Giveaway. There were six winners for that as well, most who were kind enough to email me and let me know they had not received it after a while. I emailed the sponsor who advised they never received the winner's list. I was able to check my sent emails folder and see that I did, indeed, email them with the required info. Once it was cleared, the company was very quick and proficient in sending out the Uno games.

4. Please leave your email address in the comments of your entries. There's ways to do it to avoid spambots. It's makes things so much simpler to pick a winner and email them from the information they left in their comment.

5. If you say you follow via GFC, subscribe by email, etc. please ensure that you are doing so. I don't have a problem so much with the GFC followers but there are a few email subscribers that actually aren't. I do have ways of checking. If you choose to subscribe by email (which I'd be thrilled if you do or already do) then please confirm it.

6. Don't let one or two letdowns keep you from entering giveaways and finding out about companies. I cannot reiterate enough that it's few and far between that companies don't fulfill their obligations. Most are very cordial and pleasant to work with. Don't let a few bad apples ruin the whole bushel.

7. Regarding my giveaways, as I cannot speak for others, there is no limit to how many you can enter or how often you can win. So if you see more than one on the same end date that you'd like to enter, go for it. There's a possibility you'd be the winner of more than one.

8. Have fun! I enjoy doing reviews and giveaways to learn of the various products out there. I like to let my readers know of my experiences with the products. Most of all, I appreciate all those who stop by my blog and enter my giveaways and/or read my reviews.

Are there any tips or requirements that you'd like to get across to blog owners or PR agencies? Do you have any particular concerns or ideas that would make everything easier for the entrants, blog owners, and/or PR agencies? I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Delightful Discounts and Deals #1

I'm probably in the majority here but I seem to get flooded with sales, deals, and discounts in my emails. Some I pass by with barely a glance but others seem to have some merit. I don't know how often I'll do it but I've decided to write a "Delightful Discounts and Deals" post from time to time to let you know of sales or bargains that are worthy of mentioning.

Art.com - art and decor items for the home, as well as professional custom framing and mounting services - Receive 30% off your order of $100 or more with code PETIT. Receive 20% off your order of $50 or more with code VERDOT. Offer expires 1/28/11.

191Kids - boys stylish shirts - Receive 40% off your total purchase with code heckofabunch. Offer expires 2/18/11.

ACandyStore - bulk candy - Receive 10% off your total purchase on all orders over $69 with code VDay10. Offer expires 1/28/11.

Kidorable - clothing, rainwear, and accessories for children - Receive 10% off boots, knitwear, and towels with code GROUNDHOG6. Offer expires 2/2/11.

Linea Pelle Collection - designer handbags, vintage belts, high fashion accessories - Purchase any Dylan Perf handbag at 40% off and receive a free Dylan Perf wallet with code DYLWALLET. Offer expires 1/26/11.

Vitalicious - healthy, all natural muffins, mixes, and brownies - Receive 5% off your next online order with code EMSQY3QYY. Offer expires 1/31/11.

Philosophy - skin care products - 15% off all fragrance and bath and body products with code valentines. Offer expires 1/28/11.

Snapfish - online photo service - Save 30% on collage posters featuring up to thirty photos with code POSTER35. Offer expires 1/31/11. Also save 25% and receive free shipping on photo books with code MY2010BOOK. Offer expires 2/2/11.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only and I am not responsible for any expired or outdated codes. Please do your own research when purchasing products.

The Pets Go Dying Off One By One

I give up, we've killed off four pets in the last three months and I can't figure out for the life of me why.

First it was the beta fish. Next to go was the iguana. Following after were the African dwarf frogs. Last in tow was the gecko. All we have left is the guinea pig. At this rate, his chances aren't looking good. (Actually, he seems to be as healthy as ever and is as loud as ever.)

The only plausible explanation that I can come up with is the cold weather. They all seemed fine and dandy till winter reared its ugly head. We fed them, loved them, petted them, and called them George but they were all destined for the big pie in the sky.

I don't care how much the kids beg, borrow and steal, I'm not purchasing or acquiring any more pets. It's taken a toll on me.

ChocCreate - Chocolate Review and Giveaway

There's two different kinds of chocolate. The first is yeah-it-tastes-okay-and-fulfills-the-craving chocolate. The second is ooh-ooh-oh-my-I-don't-want-to-share-it-tastes-so-good chocolate. The chocolate from ChocCreate is the latter.


ChocCreate is an online company that gives you, the consumer, the option to decide what you want in your candy bar. The list of ingredients within five different categories lets you indulge in chocolate in a whole new way.

To create a custom candy bar, the first step is to choose from dark, white, or milk chocolate. From there, you choose the ingredients you'd like added to make a creation all your own.

I chose two different candy bars to create. The process in itself is simple and the list of ingredients to choose from is ample. I found it helpful that each ingredient has the price listed so you know exactly how much you are spending on each candy bar and its additions.


The first candy bar I customized and received was a 3.5 oz milk chocolate bar with marshmallows, teddy grahams, and gummi bears. The second was a 3.5 oz dark chocolate bar with corn flakes, sunflower seeds, and pecan nuts.

Seriously, the candy bars with no additions are divine. The gourmet German chocolate that they are created from is heavenly. The dark chocolate bar has a rich flavor and I was able to savor it for days. Just taking a couple bites at a time was satisfying. With the dark chocolate bar, the different flavors together gave a nice, crunchy texture. With the milk chocolate bar, the crunchiness of the Teddy Grahams and the fluff of the marshmallows gave a delightful blend of taste. The gummi bears tasted good in the bar as well, but they were a little chewy.


When purchasing individual ingredients for your candy bar, there isn't a clear specification on how much of each specific item will be added. However, it seems that a pattern is played out when the candy bar arrives. ChocCreate delved deep into my taste buds and gave me sweet treats to savor and remember.



Win It!

One person will win a $12 gift certificate to Choccreae.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with three ingredients you'd like to use to create a custom Choccreate candy bar.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

"Like" Choccreate on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Follow Choccreate Chocolate on Twitter, choccreate.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA. Giveaway ends 2/6/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received product for review from Choccreate. 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.

LeapFrog: Numbers Ahoy - DVD Review and Giveaway

DVD Synopsis:

Lionsgate Home Entertainment and top educational toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises Inc., have teamed up again to release LeapFrog: Numbers Ahoy, released on DVD January 18th. In Numbers Ahoy Tad and Lily need a little number sense to help them get through a complicated game. So their magical firefly friend, Edison, takes them on a fantastical journey under the sea! When a pirate mistakenly captures their cute puppy pal Scout, they must use their new understanding of counting, grouping, and estimating to rescue him. Join them as they navigate the deep and face foes such as sharks, crab henchmen, and even Pirate Pythagoras himself, and begin to see numbers in a whole new way.

DVD Bonus Features:

4 Sing-Along Songs
Short Vowel Shorts
Curriculum Commentary for Parents
Preview of The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park
"Being a Puppy" music video featuring Scout

My Review:

If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 6, this DVD is a dynamite educational tool for teaching about numbers. Partaking in an undersea adventure, the characters are engaging and the overall theme makes kids excited about learning. Numbers are talked about throughout the storyline and many visuals are given to show children how items are counted and estimated. The songs are catchy and easy to memorize.


Right click, save, and print out this image as a coloring page for your child.

Win It!

One person will receive LeapFrog: Numbers Ahoy on DVD.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with who you'd like to win this for.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Follow LeapFrog on Twitter, LeapFrog.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA. Giveaway ends 2/6/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received DVD for review from Bender/Helper Impact. 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.

LeapFrog: The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park - DVD Review and Giveaway

DVD Synopsis:

Lionsgate Home Entertainment and top educational toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. have teamed up to release LeapFrog: The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park on DVD January 18th.

In The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park Edison takes his friends to the place of his childhood dreams only to discover that Alistair Alphabelly's Amazing Amusement Park is closed. To make matters worse, Edison has gotten himself stuck atop the Fantastical Ferris Wheel. The only way to save him is to turn on the rides in the park with the magic of the alphabet. Now the children must learn all of the letters, big and small, to save their friend, save the day, and perhaps even meet the rhyme master himself, Alistair Alphabelly.

DVD Bonus Features:

3 Sing-Along Songs
Short Vowel Shorts
"Being a Puppy" music video featuring Scout

My Review:

I'm familiar with the LeapFrog brand from my children growing up with it. Their products have always proved to be educational and entertaining. Being that this DVD is geared towards those ages 3 to 6, my kids were too big to fully enjoy it. However, I have numerous little ones in the family and put them to the viewing test. Watching the DVD along with them, I noticed that the young'uns were mesmerized and seemed to be catching on with excitement about learning the alphabet. There's a storyline with the familiar LeapFrog characters who teach about uppercase and lowercase letters along the way. The alphabet is discussed throughout and letters of the alphabet are shown, giving a learning visual. This DVD is educational, wholesome, and fun.

Win It!

One person will win LeapFrog: The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park on DVD.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with who you'd like to win this for.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Follow LeapFrog on Twitter, LeapFrog.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA. Giveaway ends 2/6/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received DVD for review from Bender/Helper Impact. 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.

Keepin' Company Thursdays - Week 30

Hiya and Hello! Thanks for stopping by my part of the bloggy corner. Take a look around, become a follower, enter giveaways, read some posts, link up, have some fun.
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If you'd like to participate in Keepin' Company Thursdays, please follow these guidelines:

* Create a Keepin' Company Thursday post. Please include the Keepin' Company Button in your post.

* Follow the first two blogs, which are the hostesses: Heck of a Bunch and Traci66.

* Follow any of the other blogs you choose to and let them know you found them via Keepin' Company Thursday.

* If you get a follow via Keepin' Company Thursday please follow them back.

* Add your blog name and the URL to your Keepin' Company Post to the link below. There is no need to add your link twice. You can do so either on my blog or at Traci66. It will show up at both regardless.

* You can also grab the blog hop code to add to your post if you want the thumbnails to appear in your post.

* If you add the Keepin' Company button to your sidebar and leave either of the hosteses, Heck of a Bunch or Traci66, a comment letting us know where to find it we will randomly draw a blog to be in the #3 spot next week. There will be no #3 spot this week. Due to personal reasons, we just received word that the original recipient would like to decline, and understandably so.

Executive Gift Shoppe - Review and Giveaway

Valentine's Day will be here in less than a month and if your significant male other is any indication of mine, he is hard to shop for. Thankfully, Executive Gift Shoppe has a selection of flasks, money clips, and business card holders to help ease the pain of finding the perfect gift.


Executive Gift Shoppe is a retailer of personalized gifts for young professionals. Having been in business since 1999, their goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Personalization is an option for their items and is included at no extra charge.



My husband carries his wallet with him everywhere. We've been together for nine years and I tend to get him a wallet once a year for his birthday or Christmas. His qualifications for a good wallet are that it has to hold all his money, business/credit cards, pictures, and some receipts. He doesn't want his wallet to be bulky and his preference is black leather.

He received the Men's Genuine Leather Bi-Fold Wallet with Money Clip & Outside Pocket from Executive Gift Shoppe. It arrived in a black case, suitable for gift-giving. The wallet is personalized with his initials. A gold-toned money clip keeps his cash in place and there's many card slips on the inside and outside to store all his pertinent cards. Jason commented that the wallet is slim enough to fit in his back pocket without bulkiness and it stores everything he needs. He likes the overall look of the wallet and says that the initials will almost guarantee that no one else can claim the wallet as theirs. He claims the only downside is that there's not a place to store coins or change.



Although I found that the majority of items at Executive Gift Shoppe are geared towards men, there is a selection that would suit the female professionals in your life as well. Every once in a while, I like to partake in a few alcoholic beverages. The 6 Ounce Pink Crocodile Pattern Personalized Flask is not only suitable for those occasions, but it is also stylish. I received one engraved with my name. The flask is made of stainless steel, dressed in pink leather with a crocodile texture. The stainless steel part of the flask is highly polished and shiny. It gleams with luster. In fact, it's so shiny that you can see your own reflection in it. The lid is secured tightly in place so it does not get lost or removed from the flask. It's definitely a superb flask.



Win It!

One person will win a personalized item of choice from this selection:

Top Selling Business Card Holders & Cases

Crystal Card Cases - Business Card Holders

Stainless Steel Business Card Cases

Money Clips

Liquor Flasks

Leather Accessories

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with which item you would choose from the selection above.

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via GFC.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my button on your blog.

Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky (+3 entries).

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Follow Executive Gift Shoppe on Twitter, giftshoppe.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

"Like" Executive Gift Shoppe on Facebook.

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada. Giveaway ends 2/3/11 at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received products for review from Executive Gift Shoppe. 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.