Take Command of Your Space with 3M!

From my friends at Mom-Central:

Take Command of your space with 3M!
Command has a great series of products to help you organize your living space easily

The special stretch-release technology replaces nails, screws and messy adhesives, and does no damage to surfaces, making them great for dorm rooms and my walls at home alike. And, at low, affordable prices, the products fit easily into any decorating or organizing budget. Whether looking to take control of clutter or find a fun way to express your style, Command products prove essential.


Facebook Contest



For the chance to show off your organizing and decorating know-how, head to the Command Facebook page to enter the "Take Command of Your Space" contest. Simply upload a photo showing how you creatively used Command products (before and after photos greatly encouraged), and in 100 words or less, submit a tip on how the products helped you create an amazing transformation in your space. The most resourceful, useful and original entries will win $500, plus a flip-video camera and a prize pack of Command products. A new winner will be selected each week through December 25, so you can enter more than once and will have many chances to win!


Disclaimer: I am providing this post for my readers and have received no compensation for posting.

You'd Better Watch Out, You'd Better Not Cry: The Rockettes Are Coming To Your Town! 

Thought you had to be in NYC to see the Rockettes Annual Holiday Show?  Think again!   The stars of America's favorite holiday show, the Radio City Rockettes, are coming your way and want to teach you their moves!  Have you see their famous high kicks?  Have you ever thought, " I wish I could do that?" Well, maybe now you just might have the chance!


The Rockettes will also provide a glimpse of the history of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and tell them what it takes to become a world-famous Rockette. They'll even get to join in a mini-performance and receive an “Honorary Rockette” certificate!  It is sure to be a memorable event and one that they will talk about for years to come!

Following the Dance with the Rockettes experience, snag a photo and meet with the stars of the world's most precision dance troupe while they're in your town!


Want to see the Rockettes on stage in all their glory? Spend $50 or more at this event and receive a pair of tickets to their Radio City Christmas Spectacular during their national tour. Plus, enjoy a special offer of 25% off your ticket purchase to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in addition to your two free tickets with code MACYS at http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/ (offer not valid for NYC shows). It's the perfect way to bring holiday cheer to your family this season!

While you're in store, be sure to register to win a VIP Meet and Greet with the Radio City Rockettes and four tickets to your local Radio City Christmas Spectacular show!

Here is the current touring schedule:

Rockettes at Macy's (all events begin at 2:00PM)


10/2 - Cherry Hill - Philadelphia Metro *

10/2 - Edison Mall - Ft. Myers, FL

10/16 - Bridgewater - Bridgewater, NJ *

11/6 - Burlington - Boston/Burlington, MA

11/6 - Providence - Providence, RI



Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular Tour

12/14 – SaveMart Center – Fresno, CA

12/6-12/7 – Honda Center – Anaheim, CA

12/16-12/17 – Oracle Arena – Oakland, CA

12/18-12/19 -- HP Pavillion -- San Jose, CA

12/23-12/26 – Rose Garden Arena – Portland, OR

11/19-12/24 – Ole Opry – Nashville, TN

12/9-12/12 – Nokia Theater – Los Angeles, CA

11/19 – Sprint Theater – Overland Park, KS

11/11-11/28 – Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Center – Fort Myers, FL

11/2-11/29 – Providence Performing Arts Center – Providence, RI

12/3-12/9 – Citi Performing Arts Center – Burlington, MA

* Free tickets with $50 purchase, 25% off discount code and VIP meet and greet giveaway not applicable here


I have fond memories of my Grandma Rose taking me to see the holiday show every year at Radio City.  I remember watching the Rockettes and being mesmerized at the glittery outfits, high heeled kicks, and of course the part where Santa enters in his sleigh! 
 
This is a great chance to make some new memories with your family.  Let me know if you go and what you thought!  Send me a pic and I will post it on my blog for you!
 
 
Disclaimer:  Although I was not paid for this post, I did receive a gift card for writing it.  it in no way influenced my opinions or what I wrote.

Thoughts On Blogging: Where I Came From And Where I Am Going.

Let me begin by telling you how much I truly love blogging.  I have always been a voracious reader and a pretty good writer ( ask some of the people I have helped with school essays and papers).  Blogging is a natural extension to those interests.

I started out this blog about two years ago with a simple " Why not?" thought.  After being an active Internet surfer for many years, I had already conquered deals using coupon codes, free stuff, sweepstakes, online games, and finding noteworthy blogs to get spoilers about some of my favorite reality shows.  It occurred to me that I could do a just as good if not better job then most of the authors I was reading. 

I loved that it was my voice that I heard as I wrote down the words that formed the sentences of my thoughts and the release of once having posted not knowing who, if anyone, was going to read those thoughts. 

My ex-boyfriend was a big support for me in the early days of this blog and provided me with the first product for my first give-a-way which really started the ball rolling.  Thanks Daryl!  Our relationship might have turned really sour but as you can see, I am still going strong!

Thank you, my dear readers, for sticking with me this long!  And stay tuned for more!  I have just yet begun to blog!

GMC TO PREMIERE FIRST WORLD PREMIERE MOVIE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 8 P.M. ET

Thought I would give you guys the "Heads Up" on a new movie that looks really good! 
Dean Cain Stars in An Inspiring True Story of Faith, Family and Forgiveness in

THE WAY HOME, A GMC World Premiere Movie


Atlanta, GA (September 13, 2010)- GMC, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, will premiere The Way Home, their first GMC World Premiere movie, on Friday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET/ PT. The movie encores at 10 p.m. ET and will air on Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m. ET and Sunday, October 3 at 1 p.m. ET.

We have all been distracted by work, errands, time pressures and the number of commitments we are trying to keep up with in a day, even when supervising a child. What happened to a family in a small town outside of Atlanta, GA can happen to anyone. What happens when a community rallies around a distraught family to search for their missing two year-old boy, Joe Simpkins, changes lives. In the GMC World Premiere movie The Way Home, Dean Cain stars as Randy Simpkins, a husband and father torn between the demands of his job and commitment to his family. His faith is tested in a battle against guilt, fear and the devastating grief that comes when faced with the potential loss of a child. Lori Beth Edgeman (Get Low) plays Christal Simpkins, the mother of little Joe and wife of Randy, who is struggling to bring her family back together. Sonny Shroyer (The Dukes of Hazard) plays Ed Walker, a member of the community who reveals how he felt compelled to join the search when he finds out the boy’s name was Joe, the namesake of the brother that Ed lost many years before. Tom Nowicki (The Blind Side) plays Sheriff Tony Reeves. Brett Rice (Remember the Titans) plays Fire Chief Gary Thomas. The movie was shot at the exact location in Carrollton, GA, where the actual events occurred.

“The Way Home delivers the kind of inspirational family entertainment that viewers expect from GMC,” said Brad Siegel, vice chairman, GMC. “The movie represents our commitment to bringing compelling and meaningful entertainment to our original and world premiere programming line-up,” he continued.

The Way Home comes to GMC from Red Five Entertainment and is written and directed by Lance Dreesen. Clint Hutchison and Lance Dreesen produce. Randy Simpkins serves as executive producer. The family drama earned the Dove “Family Approved” seal and won the Pearl Award at the 2010 International Family Film Festival. The Way Home comes to DVD on Tuesday, October 26 (Lionsgate).





About GMC:

GMC the fastest-growing network in television and the number one digital network in perceived value (source: BETA Research), is Americas favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. GMC can be seen in more than 47 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.

Pearls Can Be A Bloggers Best Friend; The Pearl Outlet's Amazing Lavender Pearl Bracelet Review And Giveaway!

Did someone say jewelry?  Did someone say Pearl jewelry?  Did someone say PURPLE pearl jewelry?

Oh yeah...they did!

I recently had the opportunity to review a product from ThePearlOutlet.com.  Amongst all the beautiful pieces of jewelry offered, I absolutely fell for this one:

These lustrous, natural lavender color, pearl bracelets are incredible. The double row of pearls are strung on twin silk thread which is hand knotted between each pearl for beauty and durability. Each strand is finished with a solid 14k white gold clasp.

Isn't this a beautiful bracelet?  From the luster of the pearls to the strength of the clasp it not only feels gorgeous it looks equally as gorgeous on my wrist!  And it is really very versatile.  I can pair it with a simple black dress or with a sweater and jeans...it can take me from the office to dinner and everywhere in between.

The Pearl Outlet has tons of other items you will fall in love with as well!  From Black Pearls to Chocolate Pearls to Akoya Pearls - if it is made of pearls, chances are you will not only find them at The Pearl Outlet, you will find them at an amazing price!

Did you know that there are nine different types of pearls?  I didn't.  Or that there are different sizes of pearls?  I didn't know that either.  The Pearl Outlet has this great page where they tell you all the things you need to know before buying pearl jewelry.  I found it to be very useful and highly informative and so will you!

The Pearl Outlet also has a great guarantee and refund policy:

"Quality is our #1 goal. If a pearl does not meet our strict quality control standards, we will not sell it.

Our company strives to find the finest quality pearls, always selling them to you for the lowest possible price; often up to 80% off of retail. We back all of our sales with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If, for ANY reason, you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we will promptly and cheerfully give you a refund*.

We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you have any questions, please let us know. It is our policy to do everything we can to make our customers happy. We strive for 100% satisfaction. Your input is valuable.

You may return an item for refund* or replacement within 60 days of the shipment date. "

Take a moment to read a little bit of background on this company.  I love that they are involved directly in a number of charitable organization.

The Pearl Outlet was started in 1998 by the Shepherd family with the vision of creating a warm and inviting, family owned business with a personal touch you won't find with most large corporations, while offering only the finest in pearl jewelry at wholesale prices. Terry Shepherd, with his extensive knowledge and background in pearls, travels to many out-of-the-way places to purchase pearls directly from the farms where they are produced. This bypasses any middlemen, bringing our customers the ultimate in quality and pricing. Crystal Shepherd manages many of the day-to-day operations of the office, often devoting her time to personally address customer requests and needs.

The Shepherds also have an acute interest in improving their community and the world around them. They actively participate in many charities, giving generously of both their time and finances. Some of these charities include:


IAM Children's Orphanage: Helping AIDS victims in Uganda, Africa

SMART: Transforming our children's future through reading.

Compassion International: Releasing children from their poverty


Knowing how much my readers love jewelry, The Pearl Outlet is offering a 10% discount using the code "purple10".  Use it yourself or pass it on to your significant other with your wishlist for the upcoming holidays.

I know, I know...I said this was a giveaway too!  Do you want to win the same item in this review? The Two-Strand Lavender Pearl Bracelet with a price of $120!!  Of course you do!  So here is what you have to do!

(1) You MUST be a Google Friend Connect follower of my blog ( this will be verified)


AND

(2) You MUST tell me what is your "to-die-for" item from The Pearl Outlet

BOTH (1) and (2) MUST be done for your initial entry! Leave me ONE comment stating that both items were completed.  If you already follow me just let me know that!

If you want additional entries:

(3) Follow me on Twitter

(4) Subscribe to The Pearl Outlet email list.

(5) Tweet about this giveaway  - you can do this daily - leave a separate comment for each tweet

(6) Go here and tell me something you learned about buying pearls

(7) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with a link to your post and link back to this give-a-way post as well!

(8) Subscribe to my blog via email ( see email sign-up on sidebar)

(9) Comment on any non-giveaway post and let me know where you posted.


Give-a-way to run until 11:59 pm EST on October 11, 2010. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Email will be sent to winner with a response needed within 72 hours of winning email with shipping information. If winner does not respond to email, an alternate winner will be chosen. Good only within the continental USA. Make sure you leave a contact email within your post or check to make sure that I can email you via your blogger profile.




Disclaimer: The Pearl Outlet provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

If you read this blog you know I just finished a killer review and giveaway for Alight!  I am back to let you know if you entered and didn't win you still have another chance right now!

Not already familiar with Alight?  They make stylish and trendy plus sized clothing that you are delighted to be seen wearing! 

For the fall, I am really feeling these pieces!

Back in Black Lace Top

Lacey Leggings

Stunning Metallic Bracelet

Alight is offering you, my dear readers the chance to win an item of their choice for your very own!

If you want to win, this is what you have to do:


(1) You MUST be a Google Friend Connect follower of my blog ( this will be verified)

AND

(2) You MUST join the Alight Newsletter via this link.

BOTH (1) and (2) MUST be done for your initial entry! Leave me ONE comment stating that both items were completed. If you already follow/ subscribe to the newsletter and/or both/either please just let me know in that mandatory first comment as well.

If you want additional entries:

(3) Follow me on Twitter

(4) Follow Alight on Twitter

(5) Tweet about this giveaway using @alightcom in your tweet ( leave one comment with a link to your tweet)

(6) "Like" Alight on Facebook and let them know I sent you!

(7) Go to the Alight website and tell me another product that looks interesting.

(8) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with a link to your post and link back to this give-a-way post as well!

(9) Subscribe to my blog via email (use sign up on sidebar)

Give-a-way to run until 11:59 pm EST on October 26th, 2010. Winner to be chosen via Random.org. Email will be sent to winner with a response needed within 72 hours of winning email with shipping information. If winner does not respond to email, an alternate winner will be chosen. Good only within the continental USA and Canada. Make sure you leave a contact email within your post or check to make sure that I can email you via your blogger profile.



Disclaimer: Alight provided me with a free sample in order to conduct this review, but I was under no obligation to publish a review on this blog. . Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the product sample

 Some Of My Favorite Things!

I love it when someone gets me something that speaks to my character or personality.  It shows me that they took the time to effort to make the gift personal.  These days there is something for every one, especially when it comes to the Internet.  Some of the things that are out there are really hilarious!  And in times of trouble and hardship a gift that makes you laugh is priceless. 

I really love this T-shirt!

How many of you, my dear readers, can relate to that concept?

I could really see myself carrying around this water bottle!

No idea what it really means but it is so me!!


This poster is a perfect fit for me and this blog!

If you guessed that purple was my thing, you get a point!

If you are paying attention to the things that I am choosing, you can really start to get some insight into the woman behind this blog. 

Any idea where this sticker is from?

If you guessed LOST, bingo!  And it tells you even more about what I find interesting.

If you want even more insight to what makes me tick, check out the website Funny or Die!  Laugh a little, and then come back here and tell me what you find funny so I can start to learn a little about you too!



Tropical Traditions Does It Again With Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for Hair Treatment: A Review And Giveaway!

Who knew there were so many things one could do with a simple coconut?  Tropical Traditions is a leader in all things coconut and nothing I seem to try ever fails to deliver!

Today I am reviewing the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for Hair Treatment.  Check out what Tropical Traditions has to say about this product:

"Coconut oil has been used for hair treatment in coconut producing countries such as India and the Philippines for thousands of years. Studies in India have been done on how effective various oils are on treating damaged hair. The study compared mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil because these were the three most commonly used oils in hair treatment products used in India. The aim of this study was to cover different treatments, and the effect of these treatments on various hair types using these three oils. The number of experiments to be conducted was a very high number, and a technique termed as the "Taguchi Design of Experimentation" was used. Their results:


The findings clearly indicate the strong impact that coconut oil application has to hair as compared to application of both sunflower and mineral oils. Among three oils, coconut oil was the only oil found to reduce the protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product. Both sunflower and mineral oils do not help at all in reducing the protein loss from hair. This difference in results could arise from the composition of each of these oils. Coconut oil, being a triglyceride of lauric acid (principal fatty acid), has a high affinity for hair proteins and, because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, is able to penetrate inside the hair shaft. Mineral oil, being a hydrocarbon, has no affinity for proteins and therefore is not able to penetrate and yield better results. In the case of sunflower oil, although it is a triglyceride of linoleic acid, because of its bulky structure due to the presence of double bonds, it does not penetrate the fiber, consequently resulting in no favorable impact on protein loss. (Rele AS, Mohile RB. "Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage." Journal Cosmetology Science 2003 Mar-Apr;54(2):175-92.)

Characteristics of Our Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil For Hair Treatment



Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for Hair Treatment is specially made for hair application. It has a slightly higher amount of protein than our other coconut oils, due to the presence of coconut solids. This Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a truly unrefined coconut oil. This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and surrounding areas from organic coconuts. Coconuts are used fresh (within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines. Only the highest quality coconuts are hand-picked from each harvest. The volcanic soil of Mt. Banahaw makes these organic coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world! Testing done in independent laboratories reveals higher levels of phenolic antioxidants than other coconut oils. The fresh coconut meat is shredded (wet milled), and then cold-pressed using the water from inside the coconuts to make coconut milk. The milk is then allowed to sit for about half a day, while the oil naturally separates from the heavier water. The oil is then filtered from the curds (coconut solids). No chemical or high-heat treatment is used, and this oil contains no trans fatty acids. We do NOT mass produce this oil. It is made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for hundreds of years. Our coconut trees and family producers are certified organic according to strict USDA standards. The families who produce the oil are also trained according to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and re-certified each year. This high-grade Virgin Coconut Oil has a long shelf life due to the high antioxidant properties. The Gold Label standard is our highest standard for Virgin Coconut Oil."

Suggested Uses:


For dry scalp: Rub into hair and scalp at least 30 minutes before showering, or before bed at night. Wear a shower cap or towel to protect bedding.

As a hair conditioner: Rub into the ends of your hair after washing, while the hair is still wet. Apply as needed, working towards the scalp. It can also be used as a pre-wash hair treatment applying just before showering.

Excellent for ALL hair types!


Okay lots of information, I know.  But I think it is important to illustrate how much care and research goes into a Tropical Traditions product.

I actually love this stuff!  I like to use it as a hair conditioner, especially on my ends.  It did not feel the least bit heavy and my hair looked and felt really nice after the coconut oil was applied. A little bit is really going to go a long way and makes this a very cost-efficient really good product!

As you know, in the Tropical Tradition Way, they are going to give my readers the chance to win the very same product I have reviewed.  If you want to win, here's what you have to do:

(1) You MUST be a Google Friend Connect follower of my blog ( this will be verified)


AND

(2) You MUST subscribe to the Tropical Traditions email Sales Newsletter via this link!

BOTH (1) and (2) MUST be done for your initial entry! Leave me ONE comment stating that both items were completed and make sure the email address that you subscribed to the newsletter with is provided within your comment.

If you already subscribe to either/or/both please just let me know in that mandatory first comment as well.

If you want additional entries:

(3) Follow me on Twitter

(4) Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter

(5) Tweet about this giveaway ( leave one comment with a link to your tweet)

(6) Go to the Tropical Traditions website, check out the coconut recipes, and let me know which one looks yummy to you!

(7) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with a link to your post and link back to this give-a-way post as well!

(8) Subscribe to my blog via email ( see email sign-up on sidebar)

(9) Comment on any post and let me know which post to look at

Give-a-way to run until 11:59 pm EST on October 6, 2010. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Email will be sent to winner with a response needed within 72 hours of winning email with shipping information. If winner does not respond to email, an alternate winner will be chosen. Good only within the continental USA. Make sure you leave a contact email within your post or check to make sure that I can email you via your blogger profile.


Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

My Reiki Experience at The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey: Introducing Mary!

I must admit that prior to meeting Mary I knew very little about Reiki.  My mistake!  My Reiki session with Mary was an amazing experience to say the least.  Probably because Mary is an amazing person!  A whole bundle of energy in a small package, you feel her warmth and love of what she does the moment you meet her.

Here is a little bit of information about Mary and what she does:

"My name is Mary I have been working for the Fountain Day Spa for 11 years and have been doing Reiki for 6 years as a Reiki Master/Teacher practitioner.


Reiki is an ancient practice which has been around since the 1800's. It derived from Japan, China and Tibet and most of your eastern countries. It has been a secret for so long only the Buddhists and the high priests from the eastern countries knew the secret. It has been called many different names Reiki, Chi, and the universal energy of healing. Reiki is used to balance the chakras,bring peace of mind and reduce pain and bring wellness.


The practitioner does this on the client fully clothed and lying down on a massage table. Some of the sensations are drowsiness, feeling of floating and release of pain and stress.


This is not a massage but the laying on of hands which provides a conduit for the energy to reach the client."

I feel Reiki is a very powerful and personal experience and can describe what I felt as an emotional journey.  Mary was gentle and her touch was dynamic and healing.  She "scanned" my body with her hands and was able to pinpoint my problem areas without my telling her exactly where they were.  I felt a tingling and a "buzz" throughout the session and a tremendous feeling of peace and tranquility when it was over.  Yet it was not scary or overwhelming in any way.

If you have any sort of physical pain or discomfort Mary is the person to see to help you understand where it is coming from and start on the path to feeling better.  In total alignment with the vibe of The Fountain Spa it is all about you and making you feel better about yourself.

The $50 special until 9/26/2010 is a 50% reduction in the normal Reiki fee and a perfect time to not take my word for it and see for yourself what Mary can do for you and how wonderful she can make you feel.  I encourage you to seek her out at either the Ramsey or Riverside location and let her work her magic on you as soon as possible.

You can thank me later!

A Special Deal On Green Mountain Mustard!  Limited Time Offer!

Just got a great email from Michael Adams, Director of All that Happens, Green Mountain Mustard.

He liked my recent review so much he decided to extend a special offer just for you, my dear readers!


"In the Vermont way, we like to get our customers excited, so we're having a sale just for the readers of Wendy's blog. Head on over to the Green Mountain Mustard online store and enter the coupon code: Wendy to get 20% off your purchase!"

That makes an already reasonable jar of great mustard an unheard of price of $4.00!!  This is a great time to get some for the upcoming holidays.  They also make great gifts!



 *****Coupon ends Sunday September 26th at midnight!*****

Getting My Groove On With The Playstation Move!

This post brought to you by PlayStation(R) Move. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

 

Have you ever thought to yourself how cool it would be if you could get your whole family to exercise together?  Especially at home, without having to travel anywhere that requires some sort of membership?  I have.  Alot.

Too cool that PlayStation has released the PlayStation(R)MOVE as an answer to those thoughts!  Check it out!

PlayStation®Move redefines motion gaming with the most immersive and realistic gaming experience only possible on the PlayStation®3 system. The simple, ergonomically designed, easy-to-use controller captures a full range of motion giving you ultimate control over how you play the game. With a diverse selection of games and new ones launching all the time, you can enjoy hours of fun with friends and family.

PlayStation(R)MOVE has something for everyone. Whether you’re experienced, casual, or somewhere in between, PlayStation(R)MOVE has a wide variety of games including sports, action, party, family, and shooters. The games are addictively fun and the outcome of every move is all under your control ..

The PlayStation(R)MOVE is a combination of the PlayStation^®3 system, the PlayStation^®Eye camera and the PlayStation^®Move motion controller. The motion gaming technology is housed in the pairing of the motion controller and the eye camera. The sphere at the end of the motion controller allows the eye camera to pinpoint your every movement and position within the room. This tracking is translated, with absolute precision, into gameplay. So when you hit that bullseye, it won’t be a fluke.
 

In a family such as mine, where we have precious few moments to do things together that are "fun" this is the perfect way to get healthy together on a schedule that works for us and not someone else.

There are loads of different type of games available.  I am really looking forward to TV Superstars as well as Brunswick Pro Bowling.  It's about time my daughter and I indulged our inner divas and secret bowling geek personalities! 

If you already have the PlayStation 3, you can bring motion gaming exclusively  for only $99 with the MOVE bundle package!

                  What are you waiting for?  Stop being a couch potato and get your groove on with the PlayStation(R)MOVE!uperstarsuthegame TV Superstars Game 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do The Reuse Challenge by Aladdin: Isn't It Time For Your Family To Participate?

This post brought to you by Aladdin. All opinions are 100% mine.

 What's the Do The Reuse Challenge? 

So glad you asked! 

 It’s a 30-day commitment to give up disposable paper cups, water bottles, or food containers. Everyone’s welcome to participate (the more, the better!), and 9 families will be blogging about their experience on our website.

Aladdin decided to promote this idea of challenging us to Re-Use more products to reduce our negative impact on the world around us.

Even better by accepting one of the Do the Reuse Challenges you’ll be able to get discounts and free shipping on selected Aladdin products through our website, www.shopaladdin-pmi.com. That way you can save a little on Aladdin mugs, bottles and snack containers, which will help you save even more. Pretty neat, huh?

Aladdin has come up with some pretty impressive numbers to support the Do The Reuse Challenge:

● Seven million barrels of oil are used to produce the disposable bottles Americans go through in one year.
● In the United States, 50 billion disposable water bottles are consumed per year; 137,000 per day; 1,585 per second.
● It costs about $165 a year to make drip coffee at home versus $636 to buy drip coffee at your local café.
● Unless we change our habits, 23 billion paper coffee cups will be thrown out in 2010.
● Nine dollars will generally cover a decent lunch out. If you buy rather than pack a lunch five days a week, you shell out about $2,350 a year. 

You might be wondering at this point how you can Do The Reuse Challenge.  Well it is really rather simple!

Just click “Accept This Challenge” on one (or all!) of the challenge pages. Aladdin will start including the money, calories, and resources you’re saving in our grand total so you can see the impact you are making together. Don't worry if the challenge has already started. You can Do the Reuse for the rest of September, can start your own 30 day challenge from when you accept this one, or use this as the beginning of your commitment to always to the reuse. Reusing makes an impact no matter when you start. 

I think the challenge regarding cutting down on disposable water bottle consumption hits home the hardest!  We drink a ton of water in this house and the tap water is unpleasant at best so we buy tons of bottled water. I took a look around my cupboards and found more re-usable water bottles then I can count!  My challenge will be to utilize the re-usable water bottles and instead of buying lots of disposable water bottles, I will buy the gallon jugs and make my own portable water containers!  Easy enough to do!

make sure to follow Aladdin on Facebook to keep up with all the latest Do The Reuse Challenge news!

And tell me what challenge will you be taking for your family to achieve?

 

 

 

Green Mountain Mustard: A Little Taste of Vermont No Matter Where You May Be!

Last week I had the honor of hosting holiday dinner for my family.  I always like to have something for my guests to nibble on while I am putting the finishing touches on dinner.  I decided to put out some of the Green Mountain Mustard: Horseradish Flavor with some assorted things to dip.

Wow!  The reaction was overwhelmingly positive!  My guests loved the bite of the horseradish and could not get over the creamy taste.  That's because they use Vermont Eggs, Maple Syrup, and Cabot Butter in every mustard variety!

Check out the ingredients:

Nutrition Facts: Serving Size: 1 tbsp, Servings per container: 16, Amount per serving: Calories 32, Fat Cal. 16, Total Fat 2g, Cholest. 18mg, Sodium 30mg, Total Carb. 3g, Fiber 0g, Protein 1g, Sugars 2g


Ingredients: Tarragon Vinegar, Eggs, Mustard Powder, Sugar, Butter, Vermont Maple Syrup, Horseradish Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt
 
Love the fact it is all natural and low carb.
 
The website is pretty cool and has a some very interesting information about the company itself that I want to share with you:
 
Mission and Values


A business should be founded on values that are constantly acted out. We're not different. Here is a little bit about what we value and our mission in life.

Food builds community - both yours & mine

We have started food companies previously, but we lacked a social mission. We’ve started fresh and incorporated a social mission into our delectable spreads. Food is the driver of many community events, and we’re no exception. Here are just two ways we’re helping out:

-We support our local friends, family, and business owners

Helping out is one of our passions. Whether it’s buying eggs locally, sourcing maple syrup from ten minutes away, sponsoring a Little League team, or working with local restaurants on new product development, we are involved in the community.

-We teach high school students about entrepreneurship

At the ripe age of 15, Michael started selling cookies on the sidewalk in downtown Richmond, Vermont. Following this experience, he caught the entrepreneurial bug, and has been making an active effort with students in area schools to help them pursue their dreams and start their own business while they are still young. Michael works with entrepreneurship classes and summer camps to make a difference in the lives of students and offers free consulting should students want to start their own business.

Take a look st some of the other varieties they offer:

Sweet Hot
Jalapeno
Maple Wholegrain
Sweet Mild
and of course the Horseradish that I tried

You can Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

At only $5.00 for a jar you can afford to pick up a few to keep on hand for when you have a get-together just like mine!


Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post but I did receive a sample in order to conduct this review.  It in no way influenced or obligated me in any way.

 

Taking It all In Stride: Stride Everyday Gives You The Confidence To Get Through Your Day: A Review and Give-a-way!

Did you ever wonder why practical hygiene items always seem to look so very "practical".  I for one love the look and feel of pretty lingerie.  You will never catch me wearing "granny panties".

When I was approached to review Stride Everyday Panties I was really expecting something that was practical and rather dull.  Much to my surprise Stride is anything but dull!

Stride Everyday works because of something called OQUOS Technology


The first layer of the OQUOS technology wicks away moisture 8 times more effectively than cotton for superior dryness. It is designed to maintain its shape to improve body contact during normal activity (such as walking, running or sneezing) and will continue to provide comfort and protection for up to 100 washes. Plus, it’s so discreet no one will know you’re wearing it!


The patented OQUOS sub-layers rapidly disperse light leaks, naturally deodorizing while the super-absorbent fibers contained in the liner absorb up to an ounce of moisture.

STRIDE Everyday Founder and President Wendy Spencer  states:
 “Research shows that most women will experience some sort of light leaks in their lifetime,” explains Spencer. “Whether it’s a new mom looking for a cost-effective solution that helps her feel like a woman again, or an avid runner looking for comfortable protection while she’s on the treadmill, STRIDE Everyday offers a range of solutions for all kinds of women.”



The machine-washable panties feature patented multi-layer fabric technology, designed to wick away and absorb up to an ounce of moisture, and naturally deodorize for a fresh feeling all day long. The inner liner is leak proof and breathable to protect the most stylish outfits from “accidents”, whether it’s sweating during hot yoga, walking in the park or wearing a slinky little black dress.

STRIDE Everyday panties, which are registered for Class One FDA clearance, are also environmentally-responsible and wallet friendly. Explains Spencer: “our research shows that STRIDE Everyday can save women more than $125 per year, compared to daily disposable pantyliner usage*. They can also help reduce the billions of disposable pads and pantyliner sent to landfill every year.”

Free of seams, waistband or leg elastic, the Seamless panty is STRIDE Everyday’s most popular offering, providing discreet protection - eliminating the need for both pantyliner and panty lines.

 

I was able to try the thong as well as the seamless style.  The quality of the material and workmanship are exceptional and equal to any similar type panty you might find at a high end lingerie store.  At first the lining feels a bit stiff but after a few washings it softens right up.  I not only look good wearing them, I feel confident in my protection against any small leaks.

 

 

 

French Cut Briefs

 

 

 

Sport Bikini

 

Lacy Thong

 

Seamless

 

Mid Rise brief

 

FYI - They are coming out with a men's line soon so keep your eyes open for it!

 

You can find Stride Everyday at Duane Reade, Bartell Drugs, Kinny Drugs, and a number of other stores or you can order it from the Stride Everyday website here.

If you want to order it for yourself from their website,  Stride Everyday is happy to offer you a 30% discount on all orders over $35 using the code " SHINE006".  This code is good until Nov. 30th, 2010.  So make sure to place your orders ASAP! 

The best thing is that Stride Everyday wants to give you, my dear readers, the chance to win any style of panty that you want right here!

 

If you want to win, here's what you have to do!

(1) You MUST be a Google Friend Connect public follower of my blog ( this will be verified)

AND

Let me know which style you would choose if you win! ( Don't worry...you can change your mind if you want)

That's it! Leave me one comment that you follow me (even if you already do) and your choice of style!  This must be done before the other entries can be counted.

If you want additional entries:

(2) Sign up for the Stride Everyday newsletter here

(3) Follow me on Twitter

(4) Tweet about this giveaway ( leave one comment with a link to your tweet). You can tweet once a day for the duration of this giveaway and leave a separate comment for each tweet!

(5) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with a link to your post and link back to this give-a-way post as well!

(6) Subscribe to my blog via email (use sign up on sidebar)

(8) Leave a comment on any post and let me know which post you left a comment on.  This can include giveaway posts as well.


Give-a-way to run until 11:59 pm EST on October 2, 2010. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Email will be sent to winner with a response needed within 72 hours of winning email with shipping information. If winner does not respond to email, an alternate winner will be chosen. Good only within the continental USA. Make sure you leave a contact email within your post or check to make sure that I can email you via your blogger profile.

Disclaimer: Stride Everyday provided me with a free sample in order to conduct this review, but I was under no obligation to publish a review on this blog. . Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the product sample

Introducing Vapur: The Reusable Water Bottle That Folds!

If you haven't noticed yet, there is a rather large movement afoot to reduce our consumption and use of throw away plastic water bottles.  Check out this information from the Vapur website:

"The Bottled Water Trend



The U.S is the largest consumer market for bottled water in the world. In 2008, bottled water sales in the U.S. topped 8.6 billion gallons.Between 1990 and 1997, US sales of bottled water shot from $115 million to $4 billion. Bottled water sales account for 28.9% of the U.S. liquid refreshment market. 50 billion bottles of water are consumed annually in the U.S. and around 200 billion bottles globally.

In 2005, the bottled water industry spent $158 million on advertising in the U.S alone. In 2006, Pepsi spent $20 million on one advertising campaign for Aquafina. In 2011, the bottled water industry is forecast to have a volume of 174,286.6 million liters and a value of $86.4 billion. The global rate of consumption of bottled water has more than doubled between 1997 and 2005. Sales have grown 1,000% since 1984 and bottled water has become a $15 billion industry.

What's Wrong with Drinking Bottled Water?


It takes 17 million barrels of oil each year to make water bottles for the U.S. market. That would be enough oil to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. 37,800 18-wheelers deliver bottled water around the country every week. Manufacturing and filling the plastic water bottles, on average wastes 30-40% of the water involved in the process. Only 60-70% of the water ends up in the bottles on supermarket shelves. This is partly because the bottle-making machines are cooled by water. Most water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is a polymer derived from oil. Only 23% of water bottles are recycled- 38 billion are land filled each year."

The Vapur Reusable Water Bottle is a great solution to this growing concern.  Granted there are thousands of versions of a reusable water bottle in the marketplace right now; however how many fold, rolls, or flattens when empty?  How may are also completely freezable as well?  Thought so!

Vapur is quite simply the most portable refillable water bottle on the planet. And by making tap water more portable, they hope to make bottled water obsolete.


Unlike rigid water bottles, Vapur is completely collapsible. This means it goes more places and fits in tighter spaces than any other bottle. Whether you are hiking the trails, passing through airport security or visiting the museum with your family, Vapur makes water infinitely portable.

As someone who travels on planes quite a bit I can relate to the fact that I can bring my water with me, empty the bottle before going through security, roll it up and have it ready for when I get to my destination.  It is a great product because it is completely:

-reusable
-foldable
-attachable
-identifiable
-freezable
-washable

Makes for a pretty "able" product, don't you think!

Every Vapur is made from ultra-durable, FDA-approved, BPA-free polymer. Vapur is designed to withstand everyday use and regular cleaning. The inner layer is odor, taste, and stain resistant. To clean, simply place it on the top rack of your dishwasher then air dry as needed to remove any residual moisture.


Vapur can be sealed tight for packing and can even be frozen! Tip: freeze and use Vapur as a portable ice-pack or to keep water cold for a long journey.

The Vapur comes in six cool colors ( including purple) and are available for purchase from the website for $8.95.

Check out their blog, Facebook page, and Twitter feed for more information!

Vapur is also a member of the 1% for the Planet organization and donates at least one percent of annual sales to environmental organizations.

My Stress Relieving Pedicure at The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey: Introducing Carmela!

I am sure that many of my dear readers have had a pedicure at some point in their lives.  Well, I am here to let you know that whatever type of pedicure you may have had in the past, it is nothing like the one that I received recently from Carmela at The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey!

She is a licensed manicurist and has been there for 11 "wonderful"  years. She does manicures, pedicures, reflexology and Reiki.

This is what Carmela has to say about what she does at The Fountain Spa:

"There is a really great pedicure that I do here at The Fountain called "The Stress Reliever Pedicure" It is a little bit of relaxing technique with some reflexology. Reflexology is the science that deals with the principal that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to all the glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflexes properly can relieve alot of stress and tension and can help many health problems in a natural way.



I also do Reiki which is hands on healing. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing, removes energy blockages and negativities. It also promotes well being,strengthens immune systems and reduces stress.

From the moment my pedicure started Carmela made me feel relaxed and appreciated.  She could not do enough to make me feel comfortable and feel stress free.  She even knew what color to pick out for me to use ( purple baby!).

The pedicure was wonderful but the reflexology portion was over the top!  Carmela explained the premise behind the concept of Reflexology and I found her to me most fascinating!  What was abundantly clear was how much she loved people and what she was doing.  I can't wait to go back and see what she does for an encore!

The next time you need salon services at The Fountain Spa, be sure to ask for Carmela!  You can thank me later!

My European Facial at The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey: Introducing Brenda!

I just had the privilege of experiencing my first European Facial at The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey.  I was so lucky to have Brenda as my aesthetician! 

Let me tell you a little bit about Brenda.

She has over 22 years of experience in the field of aesthetics.  She was trained by CIDESCO, which is recognized as the top international designation for the committed skincare professional.

It is the most prestigious qualification one can obtain in this field, as it qualifies one to work on you from head to toe.

She taught Aesthetics for 4 years in a UK college.

She has a wide range of experience having worked at spas in Ireland, Jordan and the States.

This is what Brenda wants you to know:

"My philosophy is that the care you take of your skin in your 20's determines how your skin will look in your 30s,40s ,50s.

My aim is to educate the client about their skin and products while giving them the ultimate experience where they leave me feeling totally relaxed.


I do full body waxing specializing in Brazilians. Having been European trained I prefer to use hard wax on sensitive areas and the lip/eyebrows."

Impressed yet?  I certainly was! 

The consummate professional, she was friendly and made me feel right at ease with her treatment.

She knew immediately that I had been a smoker ( ex) by the damage she saw on the skin of my cheekbones ( a great reason to stop smoking NOW).  And she had some great suggestions on how to keep further damage from occurring.

Her touch was warm and relaxing and I was putty in her hands!

Her insight into the current condition of my face and her suggestions for keeping me looking my best were logical and very easy to do.  She never pushed me to buy any products in particular and nothing she did suggest was out of the realm of my financial possibilities.

She explained each step of the process and made me her #1 priority for the entire length of my facial.  I was pleasantly surprised to know that she provides a number of different types of facials and body waxing at The Fountain Spa.

The next time you book at The Fountain Spa make sure to ask for Brenda for your facial and body care procedures!  You can thank me later!




The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey: A Resort Spa Experience In Your Own Backyard!

There are many wonderful things about writing and maintaining a blog: The ability to express yourself without censorship, the way that it feels when something you write is quoted or referenced somewhere else, the fact that I get to introduce people to many really cool products and services.

One of the best things however is discovering those little bits of heaven that we never knew existed in our own backyards.  This was my experience with the Fountain Day Spa in Ramsey, New Jersey this past week!

I had the privilege of being able to sample three specific services which are currently being promoted through the SpaFinder Deal Days promotion: Reiki with Mary, a European Facial with Brenda and a Stress Relieving Pedicure with Carmela.

When you first walk in the spa. you are warmly greeted and then escorted to the changing room where you are provided with a plush robe and slippers.  It is now that your spa journey truly begins!

As you are escorted to and from whatever experiences you have reserved you can't help but but notice how warm and inviting the spa itself really feels.  The whole place shines and sparkles and you can really appreciate the little things like ice cold fruit infused water that you find in all the common waiting areas.

This is The Tranquility Room where you can get juice, water, tea and light snacks! 

This is one of the common waiting areas!

There is also a great gift/product shop where you are free to browse, without any pressure, and purchase some of the products you really love!

There are so many different types of spa treatments that it would take me forever to list!  Everything from individual and couple massages, facials, body treatments, flotation wraps, and manicure/pedicure services are available.  There is a teen spa program ( which Sarah really wants to try) as well as a Fountain Membership Program which gets you a free procedure every month as well as discounts and member only specials!

My next three posts will highlight each of the wonderful woman who worked with me at The Fountain Spa so you can really get an in-depth look at what they are all about.  Remember each of these treatments are part of a special promotion for SpaFinder's Deal Days and are offered at the ridiculous rate of $50 per procedure!  This special only runs from September 20th - 26th so stop reading and start relaxing!


The Fountain Spa has two great locations( Ramsey and Hackensack) and can accommodate large groups and bridal parties. They are just completing a major renovation so it will be even better (if that is even possible!)

A special shout out to Joyce Fontaine, Spa Manager for making me feel so welcome and appreciated!