Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers Review & Giveaway (3 Winners)!

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I have always enjoyed writing. When I was younger I would frequently write poems and short stories and have even considered writing a book at one time. So, blogging was a natural choice for me. However, writing is not as easy at may seem! Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers: 101 Motivational Stories for Writers - Budding or Bestselling - from Books to Blogsis a new book in the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul series that is written for writers, by writers. The book covers common issues faced by writers and is organized into the following chapters:
Facing My Fears
A Little Help from My Friends
Making Time to Write
Take My Advice
Wrestling with Writer's Block
The Healing Power of Words
Mentors Who Mattered
Reflections on Rejection
Finding Inspiration
Try, Try Again
Writing Changes Lives

Review: Chicken Soup for the Soul books are always a favorite of mine. With my busy work, family and, well, writing commitments finding time to read is challenging. These books are full of quick stories that you can read in between tasks, as a stress reliever, or as a way to pass time. This book, obviously, spoke to me as I could certainly relate to many of the issues. Although I primarily blog about recipes, product reviews, and cakes I really do have a desire to blog about more personal and inspiring issues and have been trying to weave these things into my posts more lately. After reading these stories, I am feeling even more motivated to do so. The book, especially the chapter on Reflections on Rejection, was helpful for me because I always worry that my readers are more concerned with the giveaways and would rather not hear about what I have to say.  This is really a great book for anyone who writes or has a desire to write. It would also make a great graduation gift for anyone who is planning on going on to college to study something like journalism!

Buy it here: This edition retails for $14.95 but can be found on Amazon for a discounted rate and is eligible for free shipping on orders over $25.  The Kindle edition is available at an even deeper discount.

Win it here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with the above mentioned book for the purpose of facilitating this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Bet On Your Baby + Luv's Diaper Giveaway!!

Every parent thinks they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it?   Bet on Your Baby is a new show where parents play fun games with their toddlers, and try to “bet” on what baby will do next! If they guess correctly, the family wins $5,000 in college tuition money, and the chance to play for $50,000!

All of these heartwarming and hilarious games are played in a toy-filled room called the Baby Dome. Do you think that you could predict what baby will do next? To celebrate the launch of the series, there is a fun new blog app available where you can participate in the following activities:

Take the Would You Survive The Baby Dome? QUIZ –
How well do you know the behavior of babies? How do you think these toddlers will fare playing these games in the Baby Dome? Take the quiz to find out!
Bet On Your Baby GAME GALLERY –
View the cutest clips of the stars of the show! Visit the Game Gallery to watch the babies and parents in action, playing awesome games together such as Toy Time, Stack 'Em, and The Sound of Moo-sic.



Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Assets were delivered to me in promotion of the ABC release of the Bet on Your Baby Blog App and all information was provided by ABC.

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RedBubble Review - Father's Day Gift Idea!

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RedBubble is an online shop that features unique and creative products made by designers from all over the world. Their products feature original art as well as pop-art inspired t-shirts, wall art, iPhone cases, and other beautifully designed products. They offer an amazing assortment of t-shirts for both men and women in categories such as funny, cool, geek, cute, and retro. Also available are a lot of great customization options such as color and fit so you can really get the shirt to look exactly how you want it.  There is a nice variety of shirts for Father's Day and there is certain to be a shirt to fit just about any personality!

Review: I had the pleasure of reviewing two different shirts for Father's Day. My father-in-law wears two types of t-shirts: those that highlight the classic car he owns and those that indicate that he is a proud grandfather. So, I was thrilled to see a selection of shirts that will make him smile and received the World's Best Grandpa to review. My husband, on the other hand, loves to wear t-shirts with sarcastic sayings so the "I don't have a problem with anger, I have a problem with idiots" t-shirt was right up his alley.

Love the adorable tag!

The shirts came with a super cute cloth tag attached with a mini clothes pin.  I have received

shirts from RedBubble before and, like the other orders, the shirts had a vinegar like scent to them so I had to pre-wash them before giving them to my husband and father-in-law.  I ordered them a little larger than what they would wear expecting that they would shrink slightly in the wash which was a good choice. Once it was washed, the shirts ended up being the perfect fit.  They are light and breathable and they were still soft after washing.  After wash, there was no evidence of words cracking or peeling which is always a concern with these types of tees.  Overall, I really like these tees and RedBubble and they are a great place to look for some great Father's Day items!

*I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.



 

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Allstate: Good Hands for Good Life Campaign

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Allstate for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Allstate’s newest campaign, “Good Hands for the Good Life”, is an innovative idea to help encourage people to live a positive life full of optimism and celebration. Many of the car insurance commercials you probably see on TV can be frightening and instill paranoia in us.  I do believe in the law of attracting and, quite frankly, I don’t want to see pictures and videos of car crashes and natural disasters every time I turn on the TV!  Allstate recognizes that, while there are risks everywhere, society does not need to let that hold us back from living our lives to the fullest!

All of you have probably had your fair share of difficult times and we certainly do not choose to have tragedy strike. However, what I have learned is that we always have choices in life. You have the choice to change things you do not like and accept those things you cannot change.  You can choose to learn valuable lessons and let negative events in your life influence you in a positive way.  For example, when my father passed away suddenly 6 years ago I could have easily let it destroy me (and to be honest, for a couple of months I did). After getting over the initial shock of his passing, I began doing research into spirituality. I was raised in an organized religion but to me it really never fit. After doing a lot of reading and reflecting to help me cope with my father’s death, I was able to discover a spiritual philosophy that helped inspire and comfort me.  Now that I have that spiritual base, I have been better able to handle other stressors in my life and really appreciate the good things I do have in life.

The magic of positive thinking and acceptance is that the “Good Life” is all around you. Something huge does not have to happen to make you feel like you have a fulfilling life. It is the little things…a child’s laughter, a good meal with good company, a random act of kindness…that make life so great. The other day I had to take my son shopping and it is usually a painful experience with a lot of eye rolling and grunting on his part. However, he was in an unusually playful mood and started running around the men’s section of the store hiding behind racks. His laughter was infectious and he was acting like a carefree child rather than an annoyed adolescent. Rather than getting upset with him, I laughed with him and remember thinking how happy I was to see him smile, laugh, and play this way. The little things….

With all the disasters and negative news, I encourage you to think about all the good things in your life. I would love for you to share your good life story in the comment section. Perhaps it was a time you overcame triumph or a moment when you become overwhelmingly happy because of a “little thing”.  Consider the Allstate Good Life campaign as an opportunity to reflect on the great things in your own life.

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Botti-Bots Review

Botti-Bots are adorable plush pets equipped with high-performance interactive remote control functionality. They are designed to be easy to control with lights and sounds that are sure to keep your children entertained.  There are two pets available: Bitsy-Bot and Bopsy-Bot. According to Blip Toys, they "are created in the land of rainbows. They travel in our world by zooming across the colorful streaks of light and they really come to life when their owner brings them home". Each pet has a variety of sounds and they have a heart that glows under their fur. 

Review: My daughter was so thrilled when we were given the opportunity to review a Botti-Bot. She has always been jealous of the availability of remote controlled cars that she deemed more appropriate for boys and was so happy to have something similar that was even more appealing.  There were two separate joysticks and a number of buttons so all the options for movement, sounds, and lights kept her quite entertained. See it in action here:

Overall, it is a cute toy and she enjoyed taking it outside to show all the neighborhood kids who loved taking turns.  There does seem to be a mechanical problem, at least with the one I received. After about 4 minutes of continual use, it just stops working. I have to manually turn the power off and on again and it will work for another 4-5 minutes before it happens again.  It is a minor annoyance, but something the company should probably address especially if they are going to retail them for almost $40.  

I truly thought my daughter would tire of this quickly (as she tires of most toys within a few days) but she has been going pretty strong with the Botti-Bot. She enjoys taking it outside with her friends and irritating, I mean playing with, the dogs.  Despite the mechanical problem, she gives it her thumbs-up. 

Buy it here: Botti-Bots will be available beginning in late July and will retail at a suggested price of $39.99 at retail locations such as Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us. 

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway!!

Walden Family Theater is proud to announce the Space Warriors Blog App & a chance to Win a Family Trip to Space Camp! 

Watch Space Warriors on Hallmark Channel May 31st at 8/7C for your chance to win a trip for the whole family to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp!  Keep an eye out for the secret keyword for a chance to go on location where Space Warriors was filmed and train like a real astronaut!

In Space Warriors, six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition but they don’t realize that they will be forced to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches.

Why you will love the Space Warriors Blog App:
• Win a Family Trip to SPACE CAMP! - Tune in to Space Warriors on Hallmark Channel May 31 at 8/7c for the secret keyword to win a family trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp!
• How Spacey Are You? QUIZ – Are you a Space Warrior? Do you use the stars to navigate your journeys instead of the map function on your smartphone? Take this quiz to find out whether you're destined to orbit the cosmos or whether you're happiest living here on this planet. 
• Prepare for Blast-off! Space Warriors Viewing Guide – Mark your calendars for May 31st and check off the boxes as you watch Space Warriors for the most spectacular, spaciest experience! 




Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All information provided by Walden Family Theater.

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Rooibee Red Tea Review

Sponsored post*

Rooibee Red Tea is the only bottled USDA-certified organic rooibos red tea on the market. They are available in five unique flavors: Watermelon Mint, Peach, Unsweetened, Cranberry Pomegranate, and Vanilla Chai. Tea made from rooibos has been enjoyed in South Africa for generations and has recently gained popularity in order parts of the world because of its health benefits and inherently sweet character. It is high in antioxidants, naturally caffeine-free, gluten-free, and is low in calories. 

Flavors include:
Watermelon Mint
Peach
Unsweetened
Cranberry Pomegranate
Vanilla Chai

Review: I have never tried red tea before but I like iced tea so I was very interested to see how these tasted. Well, as it turns out, my children have a new found fondness for iced tea as well and they were kind enough to give me a mere sip of each of the flavors before completely hijacking my samples! I loved the naturally sweetened taste to the tea. Black teas can be a bit bitter and green teas a bit, well in my opinion, disgusting.  These were really good and my kids could not agree more. 

The very first variety we sampled was the Watermelon Mint. I would have never guessed that the combination of these two flavors would have worked, but it tasted so good and was really refreshing.  My son also enjoyed the Vanilla Chai but this was not my favorite because I really don't like chai and the taste was pretty prominent. My favorite flavor was the Peach and my daughter really enjoyed this one was well. It was perfectly sweetened and the peach had a very natural taste. I was most excited to try the Cranberry Pomegranate because no one in my family likes sour fruits....until now, I guess. After a long day at work I was looking forward to actually getting to drink one of these on my own. Instead, I came home to an empty bottle and my son shrugging his shoulders stating, "at least you can write about how I really liked it".  Darn it! They were kind enough to leave me 1/2 of the Unsweetened bottle because they liked this one the least. I usually do not like unsweetened tea, but this one was really good because there was a natural sweetness to the red tea.  My kids have been begging me to go to the store to buy more and I will gladly do so. This is a great way to get my kids away from unhealthy drinks and they can enjoy tea without the caffeine. I will just have to make sure to hide a stash of it for myself!!

Buy it here: Rooibee Red Tea can be found in all 50 states and they will be adding a store locator to their website soon. Until them, they can be found at the following retail locations: Central Market, Giant Eagle, Mariano's, Dierbergs, Spec's Headquarters, Dorothy Lane, Sprouts, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Vitamin Cottage, Harmon's, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, and Woodman's.

*I was provided with the above mentioned samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Vitafusion & L'il Critters Review

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Do you take a multivitamin? How about your kids? My children and I all take them and I really feel physically better when I take them. The problem with most vitamins is that they are "horse pills" to say the least.  Over the past several years, "gummy" vitamins have become more popular since chewy candy-like vitamins are a lot easier to get down! VitaFusion offers a line of gummy multivitamins, minerals, and supplements for adults and L'il Critters Gummy Vites offers the same for children.

Review: I was given the opportunity to review both VitaFusion Multivites and L'il Critters Gummy Vites.  I am used to having to swallow large pills, but I will be honest when I say I have often been jealous of my children's chewable vitamins so I was excited to try the adult  gummies out. They were amazingly flavorful.  Aside from the expected sweetness, each flavor had a unique taste that was packed with a natural tasting flavor. They were, by far, one of the best vitamins I have ever tasted (comparing them to children's gummies which I have taken when I have run out).  My kids really liked the taste of the L'il Critters. They had a bit more of an artificial taste and reminded me of a good old fashion gummy bear. They don't complain at all about taking their vitamins now! Both my children and I feel just as energized as we did with our old vitamins so I will definitely purchase these in the future!

Buy it here: You can purchase these products from your local drug store and mass merchant.

*I was provided with the above mentioned samples for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Post-it Mobile Collection Review

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Although I have converted a lot of things to electronic, nothing beats a good old Post-it note. I really don't know how I would function at work without them. In fact, I keep some in my purse! Post-it knows there are a lot of uses for their great products and they should not be limited to your desk.  To help people stay organized wherever they go, they are launching the Post-it Brand Mobile Collection, a new line of Attach and Go products that work together a customizable on-the-go organization system.

With products that stick, insert, and clip to everyday items such. Notebooks, planners, laptops and beyond, you can now work productively outside of the home and office and stay organized wherever you are. This comprehensive line offers Post-it Pockets, Full Adhesive Notes, Flags, Tabs, Notes, Dispensers and Writing Tools in unique new dispensers and product pairings designed for a mobile lifestyle.

Here are some of my favorites:

Post-it Attach and Go Notes and Tabs Clip Dispenser that attaches to bags, purses and more. 
        Review: These would be great for students. These tabs make great bookmarks and would be perfect for marking your place or making notes in books when they are in class or at the library. They stick great and are plastic but they remove from pages easily without tearing pages. Plus each package has 4 different color tabs so you can further organize yourself.

Post-it Mobile Attach and Go 3 in 1 Pen has three products one: a medium ballpoint pen, flags, and a yellow highlighter.
       Review:  I would have LOVED this product when I was in grad school. I was completely obsessive compulsive about taking notes and highlighting and this would have saved me a lot of time and would have been much more convenient than having to dig for the products in my bag. The only problem was the cap for the pen did not stay on tight enough and ended up falling off a few days into me carrying it around in my planner. The ink, however, did not dry out so it was really not that big of a deal.

Post-it Mobile Attach & Go Insert has a combination of full adhesive notes and tabs that fits most ring binders and planners.
        Review: I use a planner to organize all of my blogging activities and was thrilled when this fit nicely right into it. I used to have to slide Post-it notes into the side pockets but they would often fall out.  The only problem with this product was the weight of the actual Post-its was too heavy and they ended up falling off of the plastic. After taking some off, it was better able to stick.  It is so convenient and I will definitely purchase this one again in the future. 

By the way, check out this super adorable box that the products came in. It looks like a suitcase! 

Buy it here: You can purchase Post-it products from your local mass merchant, drug stores, and office supply stores.

*I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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101 FREE prints, FREE Card and More from Shutterfly!!

Affiliate links included

Now is the time to clear off your digital camera card and get it ready for all those summer photos. You can get 101 Free Prints from 5/27 to 5/28 from Shutterfly - just pay S&H which is usually very cheap. Enter code 101PRINTS. I am taking advantage of this deal myself!

Other great deals include a one free greeting or stationery card with promo code CARD4U (think Father's Day!) and 40% off Photo Books 5/23 - 5/29 with code BOOK40. You can also get free shipping on orders over $30 with the code SHIP30.



BOOK40: Offer expires 5/29/2013 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for 40% off photo books and pages at shutterfly.com. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. StorytellingTM styles and elements, hard photo cover with matte finish and memorabilia pocket will incur additional fees. Offer not valid on layflat pages and genuine leather photo books. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. 

101PRINTS: Offer expires 5/28/2013 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for 101 free 4x6 prints at shutterfly.com. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. Not valid on other sizes. 

CARD4U: Offer expires 05/31/2013 (11:59 P.M. PST). Offer is good for one free 5x7 flat stationery cards or one free 5x7 folded greeting cards at shutterfly.com. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Customer must choose only one of the two offers. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply.

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Good Cook Ultimate Sandwich Kit Review & Giveaway + Recipe

In celebration of Father's Day, Good Cook is encouraging you to experiment with one of man's favorite foods - sandwiches! They have a lot of great products to help you make the perfect sandwich and as far as ingredients go, the sky is the limit! So, what is my tip for making the ultimate sandwich? Use leftovers!  I threw this sandwich below together because I wanted to repurpose some leftover chicken from dinner the previous evening. This also makes a fabulous wrap! Add a small salad on the side and you have a very satisfying and tasty lunch. I had all the ingredients handy in my house and this was a great way to not waste food and not waste money. A similar sandwich at work would cost me about $5! 

Recipe: Leftover Chicken, Apple & Cranberry Sandwich

Ingredients
1 piece of leftover chicken, shredded or cut into chunks
1 green apple
1 Tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons dried cranberries
2 pieces of bread or tortilla wrap

Instructions
Melt butter in a skillet. Peel apple and cut into small chunks. Saute apple on medium heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add cinnamon and saute for 1-2 minutes longer.

Add chicken, cooked apple, and cranberries to the bread or tortilla. Top with condiment (if desired) and enjoy!

Check out some more amazing sandwich recipes from fellow Good Cook bloggers:

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Buy it here: You can purchase sandwich products from Good Cook! Use code DADWICH for a 25% off discount.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned kit in order to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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RW Garcia Review

Sponsored post*

Founded in 1982 and based in San Jose, California, RW Garcia Co. is a family owned and operated artisan maker of high quality organic and all natural corn-based snacks. RW Garcia is committed to sourcing the finest ingredients available, and all of its products are made from stone ground organic non-GMO corn, contain no additives or preservatives, and are gluten free.

They are available in the following flavors:
Veggie Dippers
Curry & Mango Dippers
Blue Corn Dippers
Yellow & Blue Mixtbag
Red & Yellow Mixtbag

Review: These chips were absolutely delicious! They are thicker than regular tortillas and much less greasy.  They are perfectly salted and the Mixtbag chips taste amazing all by themselves or with a dip. They are also great for macking nachos. I did not taste a big difference between the red, blue, and yellow chips but they all tasted great. The color combinations would make these a really fun party food for July 4th!

I took the Dippers to a party along with some guacamole so I could share these amazing chips. They are shaped long so they are perfect for dipping! The Veggie Dippers were the party favorite. There were various flavors and they were all seeded and your tastebuds kept busy adjustnig to the new flavors with each chip.  The Curry and Mango was an interesting combination. I was scared to try it because I really hate spicy foods but the combination of the curry with the sweet mango was really quite delicious. It had a bit of spice, but it was not overwhelming. There was a powdery taste to it which I actually liked. The Blue Corn Dippers were also very good and had a more muted flavor that you are probably used to with tortilla chips. They tasted amazing with some guacamole!

Buy it here: RW Garcia products can be found at Whole Foods Market, Safeway, Publix, and other grocery chains and health/specialty stores across North America.

*I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Easy Onion Roasted Potatoes Recipe

Onion Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 pounds potatoes, cut into chunks
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Instructions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large plastic bag, add all ingredients. Close bag and shake until potatoes are coated. Empty into a shallow lightly greased baking pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

This is a really great side to make with just about any meal and would be great for a pot-luck - think upcoming picnics!!

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Betty Crocker's Summer Cake Ideas

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It seems like there is a picnic at least every other weekend in the summer time and I am always expected to bring a dessert. I like to get as festive as possible and Betty Crocker has some great summer cake ideas to help spark the imagination and bring something special to your summer parties. To help get you started, Betty Crocker is sharing five summery cake recipes! You don't have to be an expert baker to make these fun desserts! 

Ice Cream Cone Cakes: Kids of all ages love this classic cupcake. Check out how easy it is:

Flip-Flops Cake: Personalize these edible summer wardrobe favorites with candies and fruit snacks - transforming a sheet cake into footwear that looks (and is) good enough to eat!

Watermelon Cake - Your family's favorite fruit is about to get even more popular. This cake offers a surprise in ever bite, with chocolate chip "seeds" and a green jelly bean "rind"! 

Cookies n Cream Cupcakes: Perfect for family picnics, these cupcakes taste like you favorite ice cream without the mess. My daughter cannot wait to make these!

Butterfly Cake: This beautiful, and fun, cake transforms a traditional birthday cake into a beautiful butterfly perfect for outdoor summer parties.

So, what were my favorite summer cakes? I really liked these mini cakes I made one year. They were bright and full of flowers and butterflies. They took a REALLY long time to make but it was worth it when the guests received their own personalized mini-cakes to enjoy for dessert!

You can find more fabulous recipes for Betty Crocker's favorite summer cakes: http://www.bettycrocker.com/Recipes/Courses/Dessert-Recipes/Summer-Birthday-Cakes. 

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

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Paparazzi Jewelry

Sponsored post*

I don't know about you, but I do not walk out of the house without a necklace. I have tons of them and almost always buy a new one with every outfit. I can't think of a better way to pull together an outfit! I have considered getting a side job as a consultant of some kind and always thought that if I was not selling baking items, I would probably be selling jewelry. Paparazzi sells jewelry and accessories, changing its inventory every couple of weeks so you have access to fresh styles all the time.

If you are looking to make some extra money, you can join Paparazzi Accessories and become a member of Debbie's Dazzling Divas! Debbie will connect you with a proven leader within the company who is dedicated to making sure you are successful. In addition to access to your leader, you can also consult Debbie, and have access to other support with an active Facebook group. 

If you are not interested in selling and would like to do some shopping instead, you can check out their amazing product line.  Not only is there a fabulous assortment of jewelry and accessories, but they are all ONLY $5 each or less!!! I could not believe it. I usually spend about $15 per accessory so with Paparazzi I can get 3 for the price of what I would usually pay for 1. Shopping on the site is great because you can shop by style or color, seriously cutting down the time it takes to find your perfect piece. I can't wait to shop myself. I am in my moms wedding next month and this necklace will go perfect with my maid of honor gown:

Buy it here: You can shop for Paparazzi Jewelry at www.DebsJewelryShop.com.

I will be provided with samples as a thank you for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Activia Greek Giveaway!

Nearly one on six American adults obtain more than 40% of their daily calories from snacks. You might as well make those calories count with protein-rich choices like Activia Greek. It has 0% fat and twice the protein of regular low-fat yogurt, with the creamy, thick texture of traditional Greek yogurt. Best of all, Activia Greek is the only Greek yogurt with the exclusive probiotic Bifidus Regularis, and helps naturally regulate the digestive system when eaten daily - making you feel good inside! 

With five delicious flavors available nationwide, there is an Activia Greek for everyone. In addition to Vanilla, there are four Fruit-on-the-Bottom styles:

--Garden Blueberry

--Strawberry Patch

--Orchard Peach

--Tropical Fruit

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No compensation was provided an all information was provided by the sponsor.

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Perfective Ceuticals Divine Age Guardian Cream Review

Sponsored Post*

Determined to slow the aging process before it even started, I have been using anti-aging skin cream since I was in my mid-20's and am always willing to try a new brand. Divine Age Guardian Cream with Growth Factor is a rich, nourishing cream infused with high strength anti-aging ingredients to rejuvenate skin from the inside out. Its proprietary complex of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Matrixyl, Omega 3-6-9, and Ginseng Extract helps erase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and correct imperfections by stimulating cellular regeneration, microcirculation, and the production of youth proteins. It is formulated to make you look radiant and make your skin feel hydrated, lifted and toned.

Review:  The first thing I noticed about this cream, aside from the fabulous spherical design, was the thickness of the cream. The company describes it as rich and I could not agree more.  It applied to my face very smoothly and there was almost an instant feeling of hydration. It had a mild scent to it which was fairly neutral.

It did a really nice job of making my skin look bright and healthy; however, I have pretty oily skin and as the day went on my skin was extremely oily after using this product. I am also prone to acne and the excess oils started to make my skin break out after a few days of use. I immediately discontinued the cream and passed it on to my mother who generally has dryer skin. She really liked it and commented on how smooth her face feels. She will continue to use it and is hoping that it will do some age reversal (not that she needs it because she looks amazing at 60) because she is getting married in a month. 

Buy it here: You can purchase this product from the Perfective Ceuticals website for $86.

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Sweat Unlimited Review & Giveaway

Sponsored post*

Sweat Unlimited (Volume 1): Excuse Proof Your Workout is the first in a new series of exercise videos from Sara Haley, a certified trainer and instructor through the American Council on Exercise, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, and is a Pre and Post Natal Specialist by the American Fitness Professionals and Associates.  This DVD includes 4 different workout programs with 105 minutes of "no excuse" workouts. With interval training, dance inspired moves, core strengthening, and extreme 5 minute workouts, you will have no excuse to skip workouts. Designed to tackle those pesky pounds, Sara will help you get over that weight loss plateau.

Review: I must say, I could write a book of excuses for not exercising. I'm too tired...I don't have enough time...I have fibromyalgia and have to be careful not to overdo it...I hate to sweat...and the list goes on. So, I figured if someone has a workout DVD that does not allow for excuses, I might as well see if I can do it too.  I love the set up of the DVD - you can choose between different workouts depending on the desired intensity and the amount of time you actually have.  Because I do have a valid medical reason for taking it easy  (notice that I did not use the word "excuse") I opted to try the 5 minute "reach, relax, and rejuvenate"  flexibility workout and 15 minute "sweat strength" workout.  

I really liked the stretch routine. I have been doing yoga for some time and this short routine was a really nice way to stretch out and get a small burst of energy. I used it right before the next routine to help get me prepared. Knowing that I am out of shape, I was realistic and chose a 15 minute routine.  Let me tell you, 15 minutes may not seem like a long time but you really get quite the work out. Between the routines and the fact that I decided it was a great idea to exercise when it was 85 degrees, I realized that sweat is truly unlimited. It just keeps coming and coming! I promised to try this with no excuses....I never said I wouldn't moan and complain! All kidding aside, I actually really liked this workout DVD for a variety of reasons:

• Sarah Haley is motivating without being obnoxious. Sure, I did find it slightly annoying that I was sweating like a pig while she still looked perfect, but I found her overall personality to be much more tolerable than many other exercise coaches out there.
• There is a count down clock.  I have done workouts before and given up because I just did not think I could go on any longer. Seeing a timer on the edge of the screen really helped. Rather than giving up, I told myself I can do this for XX minutes longer!
• There are options for those who are less fit and options for those who would like a real challenge. It should go without saying that I chose the easy route.
• A full body workout is truly condensed into a short amount of time. Yes, I felt it...everywhere...even more so the next day!
• I am actually looking forward to working out again. I felt amazing after the first workout. I may even do so without excuses, but I am just not sure I can do so without moaning and groaning :-)

Buy it here: You can purchase Sweat Unlimited for $24.99 from www.sarahaley.com.

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*I was provided with a complimentary copy in order to facilitate this review. All views expressed are my own. 

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Great Deal on Pet Meds!

I love my dogs but I am not a fan of the costs associated with keeping them healthy. This is a really great deal for pet meds: You pay $15 for a $30 voucher to PetCareRx!  This would make flea prevention and heart worm prevention medication at least 1/2 off the already discounted prices! They have a great deal on flea medications right now so this discount is really a huge money saver. Click below (afilliate link) to purchase.

PetCareRX $15 for $30 worth of discounted pet medications and more at PetCareRx

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10 Things You May Not Know About Me

I have been blogging for several years now and, while most of my posts are baking or product review related, I do try to weave personal information into my post. I thought it may be fun to share some things you may not know about me...in case you were wondering!

1.  I am an (semi)-extreme couponer. I don't blog about couponing because there are so many great sites that already focus on the topic that I would never be able to compare. I am not as extreme as someone you would see on TV; however, I work on a couponing campaign through my work and several of us use extreme couponing techniques to buy products for female Veterans. I was even featured in my local paper recently!

2. I HATE having my picture taken and hate video even more.  This is why seeing pictures of me on the blog is pretty rare. I was a complete mess when I was getting my picture taken in the article linked above!

3. I am a licensed professional counselor and hospital administrator. 

4. I have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. I am a perfectionist and a planner. Procrastination and impulsivity in others frazzles me.  

5. I am extremely spiritual but have abandoned organized religion for a more, well eclectic, spiritual stance.  I use a combination of meditation, reflection, and prayer to help me with my own spiritual growth and keep most of my beliefs private.

6.  Although this totally outs me as a nerd, I love musical theater. I know entire musicals by heart and dabbled in theater myself when I was in high school and college. 

7. I married my soul mate and best friend. We started dating when I was only 16 and have been with him for almost 17 years...more than half of my life!

8. I have had my children's names picked out since I was in 7th grade (I told you I was a planner) thanks to my favorite characters on Days of our Lives (I am shaking my head in embarrassed). My husband did not like the name Jack by itself so we added the "son" which I love!

Isabella & Jackson

9. I have fibromyalgia. I don't let it define me and I try hard not to let it slow me down. Chronic pain sucks but I choose not to feel sorry my myself.

10. I really enjoy blogging, but I don't let many people in my life know that I do it.  I like having some anonymity which is probably why it has taken me 3 years to tell you all of these facts.

I really hope you enjoy Cake Mom as much as I do!

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