Thursday, December 15, 2011

$25 to MyBabyClothes.com {Giveaway} #Rafflecopter

I was so excited to work with MyBabyClothes.com.  I have a sister who just had her 3rd sweet little boy!  He came in October and is just so adorable.  He had the most amazing head of hair right out of the hospital.  Now, little nephew #3 is the proud owner of the Mud Pie Little Angel Lounge Set (I love the little angel wings on the back)! 

I think that she should enjoy him while he is little, sleeping and cooing and adoring her.  Before long, he'll be into everything, making messes, throwing things, and pitching fits.  Then it would probably be more fitting to suit him up in a little devil's outfit.  But for now, the angel label is more than fitting!  He also got the Baby Deer Taupe Suede Shoes!  I got them just a tad large, 6 - 9 months, so he could wear them later on.  But they are actually not that big on him.  He'll be wearing them really soon.  Probably before spring!
At any rate, we both were thrilled with the quality of the items.  I was really happy with how quickly the baby clothes were shipped and delivered.  My sister was happy with the quality of the items.  She did say, however, that the items run small.  The little angel outfit was for 3 - 6 months.  Angel boy has got a few more days before he hits 3 months and he probably won't fit into the outfit by 5 months.  (Of course he was 8 lbs. 15 oz. when he was born, so quite a big fellow). 
Just a word, too, about the little girl section of this great store!  They have the most adorable things, like Tutus and Baby Headbands!  For instance, if I had a little girl, I'd want to put her into this little outfit!  I think that for $29.99, it's a great bargain! 
The Mud Pie Chiffon Tiered Dress

And for both little boys and little girls, check out their baby hats!   

So funny and cute!  Makes me smile!
One final thought--do you have a cute little one who would be oh, so cute in front of a camera?  You should enter the Cutest Baby Photo of 2011 Contest!  You could win $150 to MyBabyClothes.com!  Submissions run until December 31st and voting begins on January 1st of 2012!  Just go to MyBabyClothes on Facebook and enter!

It was Alex Liz Robinson's lucky day!  Entry # 156 - Congratulations!  Thanks, everyone, for entering!  Stop by after New Year's for more great giveaways and fun!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Simply Eden Bath & Body Christmas #Giveaway #Rafflecopter

 When I am looking for a great gift, I look for something that won't end up in the re-gift pile the week after I give it to someone.  And for that to happen, the gift needs to be unique, useful and beautiful. This year, I think I've found that in Simply Eden Bath & Body!  Simply Eden is a Bath & Body Delight!  It is for the discerning soap connoisseur and for the budget-conscious luxury lover.  It is for those with the most sensitive skin and for those who simply love sumptuous suds.   And that is why it is such a great fit for many people.  I'd tell you all about the benefits of goat milk soap but I think Athena does it best on her site.  I WILL tell you, however, that I now know a bit of the history of soap that I didn't know before.  It is quite fascinating. 

I counted no less than 37 different fragrances of soap in the soap section!  The names intrigue my scent imagination--Apples & Oak, Mistletoe & Ivy, Orchid Rain, Cucumber Melon, Georgia Peach or Spiced Rum!  And the soap is so beautiful!  It is swirled with colors that match the particular scent! 

I was also able to try the Black Raspberry Vanilla Body Butter, the Simply Radiant Face Cream, the Holy Goat Soap (with Frankincense and Myrrh)  and the Hair Sculpting Wax.  I was so impressed and wowed with each of these exceptional products.  So much so, that I made another order for Christmas for my 2 sisters and 2 nieces!  I know they will definitely love the body butter!  It definitely won't be going in the re-gift pile! 
Simply Eden and A GAL NEEDS... are teaming up to bring you a great giveaway, either for yourself or a fabulous Christmas gift for someone you love!
One reader will receive their choice of  2 soaps, a body butter and lotion!  (ARV $40)  You can enter to win in the Rafflecopter form below!  

Congratulations to the winner - entrant #42, Kasee Johnson!  

Friday, November 25, 2011

#Win Gourmet Gift Baskets Christmas Classic Gift Basket! #Giveaway

 I love Gourmet Gift Baskets because it makes it so easy to convey a special message to someone special!  Last March I got to take the Snack Classic Gift Basket ($59.99) to school and had my class rate it.  You just know they loved sampling all the yummies in it.  It got a thumbs up! 
Some others I'd love to try are:

Soups and Crocks Gift Basket $79.99
The Holiday Sweets & Treats Gift Basket $49.99
Day In Paris Gift Basket $99.99
Chocolate Gift Basket Premium $99.99  Sweet Decadence!
But enough day dreaming and on to business! A lucky winner will receive a Christmas Gift Basket Classic ($59.99)!  It has some great food in it, like Almond Pecan-dy Crunch by Morley Candy Makers (so good, I've tasted it!), Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies by J & M Foods and Buttered Peanut Crunch by Old Dominion Peanut Company!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

A Toast To 2012 Giveaway Hop

First it was blog hops, blog memes, then it was Follow Fridays and now the latest blog fun and building tool for you is the group giveaway with huge prizes at stake!  I'm afraid I have caught the bug and find myself entering and/or participating in at least 1 every month or so!  One that just came to my attention is Toast To 2012, brought to us by Just Married With Coupons & Sweep Tight!  This will be occurring January 10th - 17th!  If you are a blogger, visit one of the blogs mentioned and sign up. You can either write your own original post or you can sign up for $5.00! 

Monday, November 7, 2011

Ugly Trailer Antiques In Southern Utah

Sometimes the most interesting things are found in the most remote spots!  Case in point, Ugly Trailor Antiques in Hurricane, UT!  I've heard a lot about this little spot in the Southern Utah desert town and evidently it is quite the tourist attraction, let alone place to get great memorabilia from many different eras.  Fred and Sue Thomas have put their talents together to create this unique little place that oozes hospitality, charm and fun!  It is a very easy stop to make if you are on your way to or from Zion's, Bryce, or even Grand Canyon National Parks.  Also, St. George, UT is about 20 miles from Hurricane.

It's rather hard to miss the company's trademark "ugly trailor",  parked in the front of the store.  The location itself has a lot of history behind it.  It was the Hurricane Jail for 50 years, from 1920 to 1970 and the restroom is a converted jail cell along with an iron bar door.  

The whole antique store boasts 22,000 square feet.  Besides finding their own pieces, the owners also do consignment and as a result, have almost everything you can imagine.  Plus, the prices are extremely reasonable!

 "if you like to walk down memory
lane, this is the place to do it"


"It was so much fun!  Like visiting
your grandparents home!"

 
 The different rooms are themed and so, if you come knowing what you'd like to find, chances are you'll definitely find it!  The holidays
are especially busy for Ugly Trailor Antiques because
many people want to find the perfect unique gift for
the discerning antiquer in their life.  They have 30-day layaway to make it easy!




Monday, October 17, 2011

Murad Skin Review and Giveaway!

When looking for a good skincare product, I look for a few things--one of them is company reputation, another is track record and yet another is cutting edge technology that is effective.  Murad seems to have all of those things.  That's why I thought I'd give it a shot. 

Complete Skin Renewal Set
Renewing Eye Cream











I was able to try the Renewing Eye Cream and the Complete Skin Renewal Set.  That is a total of 5 products and I will tell you which two were my absolute favorites.  
Renewing Eye Cream:  This cream is very dense and has substance.  A little bit goes a long way.  I really love it and it is one of the two products that I very highly recommend.  It is the best eye cream I have ever used.  It seems a bit pricey at $73, but it ships for free and a little goes a long way, so it will last a long while.  I noticed a difference in the elasticity around my eyes and the dark circles were diminished.  

The Complete Skin Renewal Set ($42) consists of Refreshing Cleanser, Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30, Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and Complete Reform.  All of the products were excellent (!!!), but the one that stood out above the rest for me was the Complete Reform.  Again, I noticed the firmness of my skin, namely the jaw area and the neck area, take on a measured improvement and I was quite impressed!  When I put it on, there is just the slightest tingle.  Complete Reform is a "patented treatment shown to increase the firmness of the skin by 61% after just one application while also improving skin texture to reveal softer, smoother skin."  Buy this product in it's full size for $67 with free shipping and enter the code COMPLETE for an additional free gift from Murad.

Murad has a great beauty blog called 'Skin Deep' that is well-updated and quite informative! Today's article is about 3 must-have ingredients in an anti-aging product.  Check it out!

Without further ado, Murad would like to give someone the same products I received for their own use and enjoyment, a $115 value.  To enter, please complete the mandatory entry of  being my GFC Follower and also visit Murad and find a product you'd like to try different from the ones I mentioned. Leave your product find in the comment section along with your GFC Name.  Then proceed through the rest of the Rafflecopter Entry form for more entries if you'd like to increase your chances of winning!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Simply Eden Bath & Body Products - Review and Upcoming Giveaway!


I was so lucky to be able to try some products from Simply Eden!  A little goat farm with sweet little goats, whose milk has been used to make the most delicious bath and body products!  My favorites are:
Grapefruit Peppermint Essential Oils Goat-Milk Lotion. ($14) This lotion smells so refreshing and invigorates me when I put it on.  It sinks into my skin and it becomes baby soft.  It is an amazing skin boost! 

Black Raspberry Vanilla Goat-Milk Body Mousse. ($9) This is like a whipped topping that melts into the skin leaving the most yummy lingering scent.   It comes with a matching goat-milk soap!  There are a variety of scented Body Mousse to choose from, all amazing!
Raspberries and Cream Lip Balm.  ($3.25) Wonderful lip treatment!  It makes my lips feel super soft and supple.  Contains mango butter and is lightly tinted!
Red Rock Cedar Goat-Milk Soap!  ($5.75) This soap feels and smells amazing!  It's raw cut and handmade.  The goat milk and oils in the soap make the skin feel wonderful!  My husband loves this soap and it smells so good!  I also love the Grapefruit Peppermint Essential Oils Soap! 
Athena is the master soap maker and matron of the farm.  Much love and care goes into the making of her products.  She started making them because she was very sensitive to regular products and needed to have alternatives for her own use.  Lucky for those who try her products that she didn't stop with herself.  She lovingly shares her products with friends near and far.  Her little goat farm may need to be expanded if many more people hear about these products.
 I love her idea for parties and baby showers.  She makes soap cupcakes and bundt cakes!  Guests can leave with a take-home gift of a "slice" of soap cake!  How cute and unique!
    Athena, at Simply Eden, will be awarding someone a Raspberry Vanilla Goat-Milk Soap and a Raspberry Vanilla Body mousse when we participate in the upcoming In Honor Of The Ta Ta's Giveaway Event Hop on October 21 - 24! 

My Latest Timed Mile Run


I posted earlier about a really easy way to predict the kind of health you will have in your later years.  All you have to do is do a mile run and look at the time you did it in.  So, I thought I was in fairly great shape because I take my dog on runs, am not seriously overweight and can still do the splits.   But my time earlier this summer wasn't great, that's for sure.  So I vowed to do something about it.  I did, until I started back to work at the high school and since then I've been absolutely horrible about keeping up my cardio.  But thanks to Alice, my Alternative HS's Physical Education Teacher (and my well-respected friend), I decided to do a timed run again with her students.  She has started making her own students accountable for their cardiovascular health by doing several timed runs during the school year and measuring improvement!
    Thursday morning was a crisp fall morning as we made our way out to the river trail, which is adjacent to our small school.  I had made one discovery since my earlier timed run.  If I stop, it's really hard to start back up again.  So I promised myself I wouldn't stop, no matter what.  If I was doing the old-lady two-step shuffle by the time I was through, so be it, I wasn't going to stop. 
     Alice's whistle blew, and off I went, along with about 25 other students.  It was so funny.  Everyone blew by me. I just knew that I was going to be so humiliated and come in dead last.  Oh well, this wasn't to impress anyone.  I just wanted to see if I could beat my last time.  Darn, now I was regretting my negligence about working out these past 3 weeks.  I just kept telling myself, "don't stop, don't stop, whatever you do.  You've been through childbirth, nothing can top that, you're a strong woman...."  
    It wasn't long before I noticed that some of the kids were walking and that I was passing them!  I also noticed that when they saw that I was passing them, they started back up.  I guess it WOULD be the ultimate humiliation to have someone as old as their mom or even older, passing them up.  And so we kept going. I reached the halfway point, took the candy from the lady, to prove that I had indeed reached the halfway point, and started back.  I passed more winded students up, and then I saw the finish line.  I had enough in me to speed up as I crossed.  
    When it was all said and done, I increased my original time by over a minute!  I'm super excited and it did a lot for my motivation.  This morning I took my dog out for a trail run/walk and enjoyed it immensely!  Have a wonderful fall!  You can do it too!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Relief For Those Living With Constant Pain

I feel really badly for those of us who have to live in constant pain.  I certainly am no stranger to pain, having survived a serious head injury about 6 years ago, where I am fortunate to be alive, let alone not brain-damaged.  I've been through childbirth in all its glory, and banged my shins countless times because of my extreme clumsiness!  But constant pain is a whole different thing.  Whether it is from an accident, a physical condition or side effects of another problem, constant pain is with you every second of the day.  My life would be severely curtailed if I had to deal with constant pain every single day.  Many people rely on drugs for a short period of time, but when the pain turns into a long-term condition, drugs would not be the way to go, for obvious reasons.  One would be making a bad situation worse because of the great possibility of addiction.
    There are several methods that can effectively help alleviate pain, one of these is using Muscle Stimulators, which give similar results as physical therapy to the affected area but without the discomfort of post exercise.  Tens Units are also very effective in helping patients control pain.  They work by strategically placing electrodes at the site of the pain. Electrical current travels through the electrodes and into the skin simulating nerve pathways to produce a tingling or massaging sensation.  This helps the brain block the perception of pain by controlling the message it receives.  It is also believed to produce endorphins similar to what drugs produce, but without the dangers of addiction!  If you want to get an extra pain-zapping effect, you can combine the two above methods with the LG-Tec Dual Combo TENS Unit And Muscle Stimulator.  Visit LGMedSupply Online to get prices of different pain units. Thousands of customers worldwide have been helped by LGMedSupply, and their specific goal of helping alleviate pain.  Additional information about them can be found at their online customer blog!

 

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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Going To College After 30

    I got my degree from college after I turned 30. Before I went back, I wondered if the "college kids" would think I was still one of the cool kids.  I had 2 small children of my own and really didn't fit into the party scene or the "hey, let's hang out after class" group.  I had responsibilities and a family to get back to.  
    It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life!  The college kids did accept me and I enjoyed it more than when I was with my peers right out of HS or, in my case, Junior College.  I related so much better with my professors and could see their point of view to a greater extent.  
    The only drawback was the distance I had to travel.  I lived in Floyd, VA and I attended class in Radford, VA.  It was about a 40 minute drive each way and took quite a chunk out of my already busy day to make the trip there and back.  
    If I had to do it all over again, I might think very heavily upon using an online university to get my degree.  I've heard about Waldon University and when I looked into WaldonU.edu, the degree programs look well-represented and complete.  I also noticed a lot of Walden University Graduates make the news and also are named as staff for other universities once they graduate!  Walden was named by U.S. News and World Report as having the No. 1 online graduate program in education by enrollment and the No. 3 online graduate management program by enrollment, to name a few accolades!
    If I was ever to get serious about going back to school for an MA, I would definitely consider Walden University's online degree programs.  Getting an advanced degree in the comfort of my own home is an appealing option!  The more I learn about Walden, the more I am drawn to their accessibility and assistance to non-traditional students like myself!

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