Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Sparkle Box *Giveaway* - 2012 Gift Guide

The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie

About The Book:
Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him.

My Thoughts:
This book is what Christmas is all about! And it helps show your child that! The book comes with a sparkle box, so you can start your own family tradition. What a great idea, and a super lovely book!

About The Author:
Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday. The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace. Jill hopes that The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.
 
I recieved a complimentary review copy of this book from Flyby Promotions in exchange for a review on my blog. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

New Customer Deals For Ink Garden

USE Code: CARDS40 
Shipping Rates: $3.99

This offer is only available to new Ink Garden customers.
 

How To Golf Book *Giveaway* 2 Winners - 2012 Gift Guide

How Short Hitting Bad Golfers Break 90 All The Time by Fred Fields

About The Book:
This book teaches beginning golfers and high handicappers how to lower scores 20 strokes a round with simple swing tips and playing strategies.

My Thoughts:
I don't know a thing about golfing, but my grandfather golfs every Sunday. So I gave him this book and asked him what he thought, and he said it is a great little read and a good reference and guide to any golfer out there, no matter their level of professionalism.

About The Author:
Fred Fields has been playing golf for over half a century. Formerly a 6 handicap golfer, his age has greatly reduced his driving length. But, using these strategies, he still scores in the 80's.
 
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Happy Halloween 2012





Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Peach Suite

High Quality Hotel Supplies & Hotel Equipment at the Best Price! PeachSuite is committed to providing high quality hotel supplies and hotel equipment at a great value. Their vendors are proven leaders in the hotel supply industry and they have been building these relationships for over 30 years! They provide services for customers in the hotel, resort, bed and breakfast, restaurant, catering, and health care industries. If you need something, They can get it for you!

At PeachSuite.com , they try to carry a full range of products that cover even the most trivial needs of their customers. They look for quality and ease of use along with the right price, so that they can pass along the quality and savings to you! While the business mirrors the Hospitality business as a whole, they deliver a variety of unique products.
 

Happy Howl-oween!

Dear Deb

Dear Deb by Margaret Terry

About The Book:
"I want you to know that if my illness inspired you to write these stories, the cancer was worth it." - Deb. What stories could possibly make cancer worth it? Stories that represent a miracle - a lifetime of miracles. Stories that changed the writer as she wrote them and stories that will touch the heart of the reader, one by one by one. Stories that are not just stories. They started out as words of encouragement to a dying woman. They turned into a collection of sparkling and intimate moments, pulled from the past to finally be understood and shared with new meaning. Story by story, letter by letter, Margaret Terry uncovered powerful pictures in her own life of the one truth that could help carry her friend Deb from this life to the next: God is at work. Together, Deb and Margaret found renewed hope in all the ways God shows up right to the very end. Which is where they found the miracle they'd been praying for all along. In each other.

My Thoughts:
This is a great book, a great story, told through the letters and correspondence of two friends. It is incredible that this is a true story. A quick read, but so lovely and so touching. You may feel as if this book is talking to you at times, as I did. This is not a book about cancer, this is a book about love.

About The Author:
Margaret Terry and her sons live in Ontario, Canada, where she still stops by the side of the road to pick the Queen Anne's lace. Her favorite thing to do is cook for family and friends and sit around the table telling stories.

Buy this book at Dear Deb on Amazon.
 
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for a review on my blog. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Go Out With The Girls

Before the holiday season gets in to full swing, why not go out with the girls and have a wild fun worry-free time? And why not do it in style! Custom Planet offers a great range of hen party t-shirts available for customization. Create your custom hen party t-shirt by choosing a style and color and then let them do the rest. They can create personalized hen night t-shirts by printing or embroidering your names, images, logos and more, to help that special night go with a bang. A hen party would typically be a bachelorette party....but heck, make a hen party an annual thing with your gal pals!
There is a ton of great styles to choose from! Kick back with your gal pals, get your groove on, and do it in style!

A Merry Little Christmas

A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman

About The Book:
Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds. Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who's preparing to spend the holidays alone...again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny's farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she's more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city. As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart - that sometimes love comes when you're least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

My Thoughts:
This is the perfect book to cozy up with for the cold winter days ahead! A great love story to get you in the holiday spirit. I love the dance between Charlie and Franny....a bit predictable, but it goes the way the reader hopes it will!

About The Author:
Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Find out more about Anita at http://www.anitahigman.com.


Follow the rest of the tour HERE.
 
I recieved a complimentary review copy of this book from Litfuse PR in exchange for a review on my blog. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Monday, October 29, 2012

The High Calling Newsletter

Every week, The High Calling sends out a newsletter pointing more than 20,000 subscribers to the most encouraging faith and work content on the High Calling site, in the community, and on the web. In general, they promote an audio message from Howard Butt, several articles from The High Calling, a new video from The High Calling, and several community articles from around the community and other important sites. Each week, they promote the newsletter on Facebook with a shareable poster style image that contains a nugget of encouragement. I reviewed the most current newsletter, and I like what I saw.
I enjoyed all the articles....even though some of them did not pertain to me, a lot did. I especially liked the related article called Stop Waiting For God To Tell You What To Do With Your Life. I also enjoyed the related content they post on Facebook. I spent a lot of time browsing the Facebook page. I think there is something for everyone in these newsletters. Check it out, and sign up here!
 
This post is sponsored by Handlebar Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dollar General Premium Diapers

 
Callan is way beyond diapers, but my niece was just born, so I gave the Dollar General diapers to my brother-in-law and his wife to test out. They also have a 4 year old, so they have experience with different diaper brands. They said the Dollar General brand is just as good, if not better, than the other top brands!

DG Baby Premium Diapers have been designed to give your baby the protection and softness that you expect at prices that you can afford. Features Ultra absorbent Core to lock away wetness, yet have a soft, thin flexible design for a less bulky fit. High Stretch side panels for a soft flexible fit that will move with your active baby. Cottony soft outer cover will wrap baby in comfort. Soft Hypoallergenic inner liner with vitamin E and Aloe to help protect baby's skin. Size printed on every diaper. Made in the U.S.A.
 
I received a product from Dollar General and Mom Bloggers Club in exchange for a review on my blog. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ruby Sparks Coming To DVD

Ruby Sparks releases on DVD October 30th.

Calvin (Paul Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing – as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby (Zoe Kazan), in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.
 
I received a complimentary review copy of the DVD from Fox Searchlight. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chicken Soup For The Soul: Married Life

Chicken Soup For The Soul: Married Life by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Amy Newmark

About The Book:
101 inspirational stories about fun, family and wedded bliss. Marriage is a wonderful institution, and in this fresh collection of stories, husbands and wives share their personal, funny, and quirky stories from the trenches. This book will inspire and delight readers with its entertaining and heartwarming stories about fun, family, and wedded bliss. Whether newly married or married for years and years, readers will find laughter and inspiration in these 101 stories of love, romance, fun, and making it work.

My Thoughts:
This is a great celebration of love and marriage. A perfect gift for newlyweds, or even to your own spouse as an anniversary gift. This makes me revel in the love I have in my own marriage, and appreciate it all the more! Lovely.

About The Author:
Amy Newmark is Chicken Soup for the Soul's publisher and editor-in-chief, after a 30-year career as a writer, speaker, financial analyst, and business executive in the worlds of finance and telecommunications. Amy is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, where she majored in Portuguese, minored in French, and traveled extensively. She and her husband have four grown children. After a long career writing books on telecommunications, voluminous financial reports, business plans, and corporate press releases, Chicken Soup for the Soul is a breath of fresh air for Amy. She has fallen in love with Chicken Soup for the Soul and its life-changing books, and really enjoys putting these books together for Chicken Soup's wonderful readers. She has co-authored more than four dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books and has edited another three dozen. You can reach Amy with any questions or comments through webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com and you can follow her on Twitter @amynewmark.

Buy this book at Married Life on Amazon.
 
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Shelton Interactive. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Beauty Spatula - 2012 Gift Guide

Every Drop Beauty Spatula retrieves trapped beauty product from bottles and containers. It's one of those "why didn't I think of that" products that every woman can use.

Use on all liquids, lotions and creams including: serums, anti-aging, foundation, hand, face and body care, hair care, tanning products & trapped lipstick. Doesn't absorb like cottons swabs. Use on any shape or size bottle or container. Reusable and washable.

Available at The Container Store, and now at CVS! A great stocking stuffer!
 
I received a product from It's A Glam Thing in exchange for a review on my blog. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Sleep Number m9 Bed

The Sleep Number m9 is everything you’ve wanted memory foam to feel like. And more.The exclusive LuxFit foam is supremely soft, breathable, and gently conforming. Every curve of your body is cradled in cushiony comfort as you both adjust your Sleep Number settings to your perfect firmness.
I so want this bed for Christmas! It is perfect for Jason and I! Plus it will help with his back problems! Unlike other one-size-fits-all mattresses, the Sleep Number bed lets you adjust the firmness and softness on each side. Awesome!


Be sure to enter Sleep Number sweepstakes. The prize is a Queen-size Sleep Number m9 memory foam bed set worth over $4000! Enter here!
 
This post is provided on behalf of the Smiley360 Blogger Program. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Skinny Tees

Skinny Tees is a collection of tanks and tops for fun, flirty and fabulous women. Started in 2009 by fashion industry veteran Linda Schlesinger, Skinny Tees was created to quell woman’s most essential need and hardest fought fight…the search for the “perfect tank!” The line began with just a handful of colors and one simple, but perfect, one-size-fits-all style. Soft, seamless and fitted, Skinny Tees shape, flatter and frame the body whether worn alone, layered, over or under clothing. With over 60 colors and over 20 different body styles including tanks, tees, tops, skirts, dresses, bandeaus, tights and active wear, Skinny Tees fit any occasion.
I received three different styles of shirts to try. The Skinny Long Sleeve Scoop Neck is seamless, snug fitting and does not roll up. Long in length and one size fits most.
The Skinny, snug fitting mock turtleneck does not roll up and is long in length. Fits sizes 2-22.
Skinny Tees Cami - Seamless snug fitting camisole doesn't roll up and is long enough to cover where your hip hugging jeans don't! It is great for layering or to wear alone. Fits sizes 2-22.

Check it all out at Skinny Tees on Facebook, as well as Skinny Tees on Twitter.


I received products from Skinny Tees in exchange for a review on my blog. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Take A Cycling Holiday!

This holiday season, while you are gearing up for buying gifts and wrapping presents.....you might want to think about something totally different for the holidays! What about a cycling holiday? To Spain! Spanish cycling holidays are perfect for all types; adults, family cycling trips, group cycling and more. Whatever cycling holiday in Spain you choose it’ll be one to remember.
Skedaddle to Southern Spain for a Sierras to the Sea cycling holiday. This is a fantastic trip that will see you cycling from the impressive mountain town of Ronda in the high sierras to the lively historical town of Tarifa on the beautiful wild Costa de la Luz.. It’s a tour that takes in the contrasting landscapes of this western area of Andalucia including the awesome limestone mountains of the Grazelema Natural Park, one of the first protected areas on the peninsular.

I don't know about you, but that sounds a heck of a lot better than 5 feet of snow!
 

Awesome Hair Finds

Esha Natural line from Esha Girl - Unruly hair and frizz don’t stand a chance when indulging in this terrific collection. It’s a one-stop s...