Songberries

Spring Follower Giveaway Tour Is Coming!

2011-05-30T04:40:00.000-06:00

Do you have an iPad2?

Not in your budget right now?

Would you like to win one?

What would you do with some extra cash?

Don't miss the Spring Follower Giveaway Tour!

You could win one of these amazing prizes!

Grand Prize: iPad 2

Second Prize: $500 Cash

Third Prize: $350 Cash

Fourth Prize: $150 Cash

It's easy to enter!

The Follower Giveaway Tour is a huge cash giveaway event hosted by Simply Stacie, Little Yayas, My Wee View and Kelly’s Lucky You.

Each quarter, the hosts and partnering bloggers contribute $50 towards a cash prize – the total prize is determined by the number of bloggers. This quarter, we’ve added a sponsor, Joe Shopping, who donated an iPad 2.

The first entry will be earned by following us with google friend connect and/or joining Joe Shopping. That's it - simple, easy, and "WOW", what a prize! Keep reading, there will be more opportunities to enter as the giveaway continues.

Start following the participating blogs today.

When the giveaway starts on June 6th, you'll have a headstart!

Follow the Blogs:

Meet the Sponsor

We've added a sponsor to this season's follower giveaway tour! JoeShopping.com is providing the iPad2 prize.

JoeShopping.com is a social shopping website featuring

Bring Him Home~A Song For Sunday

2011-05-29T08:26:00.001-06:00

This is a song that I’ve sung with our Box Elder Symphonic Choir. We’ve sung it in lots of patriotic concerts. I wanted to share it with you for Memorial Day. I like it best sung my Colm Wilkinson.

What a song. What a singer. From reverence and trust and faith, to passion, boldness, meekness, nostalgia and regret, pity, courage, the most utter desperation; to selfless love and through it all, the most exquisite and gentlest tenderness. Amazing. Colm Wilkinson has passion and incredible emotion in the way he does this song. He's begging God to help and offering himself up in exchange.

Bring Him Home Lyrics, from Les Miserables

(Valjean is standing over Marius at the barricade)
VALJEAN

God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.

Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy

You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

Big Savings on Designer Brands at RueLaLa!

2011-05-29T07:52:00.001-06:00

Join RueLala now to get deals and steals on brands you love like Steve Madden, DKNY, Edun, Rock & Republic, Current Elliott, Dansko, XCVI, Da-Nang and more! You can also find unique gifts for dad for this upcoming Father’s Day!

What is RueLaLa?

RueLaLa is an exclusive, invitation-only online destination connecting consumers to that which only fashion insiders used to be privy to. The site features up to two new private sale boutiques a day, each open for just a brief window of time. Boutiques offer members access to current season merchandise from a mix of fashion and lifestyle brands that range from super premium labels to more mainstream must-haves at discounts of 30% to 80% below retail.

RueLaLa is accessible through membership only. But don’t worry, membership is free!!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN through Songberries today, and start saving big!

Transformers: Beast Wars- Season One coming to DVD!

2011-05-28T08:14:00.001-06:00

Who here remembers Trandformers: Beast Wars? This show came out in 1996 and is now celebrating it's 15 year anniversary by coming out on DVD on June 7, 2011.

Transformers:Beast Wars Season 1 will feature all 26 episodes and exciting new bonus content on a 4 DVD set. The complete Transformers:Beast Wars Collectors Edition Box Set will also be available on June 7, 2011 and you can pre-order now! The box set will contain all 52 episodes with bonus content.

I had the privilege to review Transformers: Beast Wars Season. My hubby and Chauncey sat down to watch it, and they really enjoyed it. This is a really great family DVD set and is great for a rainy day inside like today.

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS - SEASON ONE
Featuring All 26 Episodes and Exciting Bonus Content in a 4-DVD Set
IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON JUNE 7, 2011
PASSIONATE FANS REJOICE! PRE-ORDER NOW TO OWN
TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS
THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD BOX SET
Featuring 8-DVDs, All 52 Action-Packed Episodes, New Bonus Content,
Collectible 24-Page Comic Book and Much More!
FROM SHOUT! FACTORY AT SHOUTFACTORYSTORE.COM
TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set
Synopsis:
When the descendants of the treacherous Decepticons — now known as PREDACONS — land on a mysterious planet in search of a powerful fuel known as Energon, it’s up to Optimus Primal and the heroic Maximals to stop them before they conquer the universe!
Bonus Features Include:
* Maximize! Creating A New Breed of TRANSFORMER
* Art gallery
* Original character models

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Yo Gabba Gabba!: Circus DVD Review

2011-05-28T08:07:00.001-06:00

Do your kids love Yo Gabba Gabba? If you do then you’re in luck because on June 14, 2011 Nickelodeon will be releasing a new DVD called “Yo Gabba Gabba: Circus”. The DVD includes four episodes, including one that has never been seen before! Special guests featured in these episodes include Weird Al Yankovic, Sarah Silverman and Fred Armisen!

The little ones that I babysit really enjoyed watching this movie. It entertained them for quite a while.

Here are the episodes included on the DVD:

Circus:

Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex help Al the Ringmaster (Weird Al Yankovic) make a circus in Gabba Land! Brobee learns to be a clown and everyone gets to perform. The episode also features Sarah Silverman.

Treasure Hunt:

Two special guests (Fred Armisen and Charlyne Yi) travel to Gabbaland to search for hidden treasure. As everyone joins in the search, they all do a special dance in the secret ice cave.

Flying:

Brobee and friends go on a hot air balloon ride and meet new friend Sparkles.

Fun:

All the Gabba characters learn different ways to have fun, learn to eat healthy portions and how to use their bodies to dance and make music.

My son like Yo Gabba Gabba because DJ Lance is fun and the characters are colorful. I like Yo Gabba Gabba because it actually attempts to teach little kids lessons (like the importance of eating healthy in “Fun”). But with my son, those lessons go right over his head for now. He’s still little, though. If your kids like Yo Gabba Gabba, check out this DVD. It’s a nice one to have in your collection, especially if you’re a fan.

Yo Gabba Gabba!: Circus is 96 minutes in length and it will be available online and at stores nationwide starting June 14th!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Heroes of Bikini Bottom DVD Review

2011-05-28T08:04:00.001-06:00

SpongeBob swings into superhero mode with an all-new eight-episode DVD: SpongeBob SquarePants: Heroes of Bikini Bottom, including the special episode, “Back to the Past,” guest starring Ernest Borgnine, Tim Conway and Batman’s Adam West and Burt Ward. A great addition to any SpongeBob collection, this DVD features animated shorts and a bonus episode of the hit Nickelodeon animated comedy series, T.U.F.F. Puppy.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Heroes of Bikini Bottom Episode Synopses:

“Back to the Past”
SpongeBob and Patrick travel back in time to see the young Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy.

“The Bad Guy Club for Villains”
SpongeBob and Patrick watch Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy fight bad guys.

“Keep Bikini Bottom Beautiful”
SpongeBob “helps” Squidward clean up the city of Bikini Bottom.

“A Pal for Gary”
SpongeBob brings Gary a pet that terrorizes him.

“Yours, Mine and Mine”
SpongeBob and Patrick buy a toy and have to learn how to share.

“Kracked Krabs”
SpongeBob goes with Mr. Krabs to the Cheapest Crab Convention.

“A Day Without Tears”
Squidward bets SpongeBob that he cannot go a day without crying.

“Summer Job”
Mrs. Puff has to work at the Krusty Krab during her summer break.

Ok, so you’re never to old to enjoy Spongebob! My kids, 15 and 13 sat down and watched it and yes, they were laughing and enjoying it! If you like Spongebob, this new DVD is a great one to add to your collection!

Spongebob Squarepants: Heroes of Bikini Bottom runs for 88 minutes and will be available online and at stores nationwide starting on June 14th!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Joplin Missouri Aid Support

2011-05-27T10:35:00.001-06:00

The employees at Gourmet Gift Baskets are determined to help Joplin in the wake of the tragedy on Monday. In fact, we banded together to create a super-sized gift basket which will be delivered to relief workers today in Joplin Missouri.

I want to thank Gourmet Gift Baskets for sending along this information on how to help the people in Joplin Missouri.

Below are some ways to help that you can pass along:

Food Bank Donations

American Red Cross

Volunteering

Lyric Bands Review

2011-05-27T08:36:00.001-06:00

Introducing the hottest lyrics focused apparel to fans worldwide!

Lyric Bands sent me a fun purple band to review. Sloan swooped it up and loves it.

This band says Whip My Hair Back & Forth. Right now Lyric Bands website is down, but you can connect with them below.

You can connect with Lyric Bands on these social media’s, Facebook and Twitter.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Polyxena~Book Review

2011-05-27T08:21:00.001-06:00

Polyxena A Story of Troy

by H. Allenger

After Troy falls, Neoptolemus claims Polyxena as his prize, but she rejects his advances. In a fit of rage, Neoptolemus contrives a story that dooms the ill-fated Polyxena. She knows what she must do to survive, but she cannot change her destiny. Polyxena, the daughter of King Priam of Troy, knows her misfortune has been to have Neoptolemus fall in love with her. As she prepares to die at the commemoration rites for Neoptolemus's father, Polyxena reflects over her past year, relating her thoughts to Aphrodite, the Goddess she believes is responsible for orchestrating the events that have beset her. As she tries to make sense of it all, Polyxena converses with all the well-known personages associated with the Trojan myth-Achilles, Agamemnon, Cassandra, Helen, and many others-while seeking solace in the hope that her existence has not been futile. In this moving story of forbidden love, a young woman who is an integral part of the romantic legacy surrounding Troy comes to a surprising and satisfying conclusion about the life she has lived.

This is a very well written book that tells the story of Polyxena in a beautiful way. The ill fate that Polyxena has to endure in her short lifetime is sad, but it also tells of the great love that she had. I really enjoyed reading about all the legendary names of try, like, Achilles, Agememnon and Paris and Helen. Definitely a great read!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Horrid Henry Rocks~Book Review

2011-05-27T08:13:00.001-06:00

Horrid Henry Rocks

by Francesca Simon

The next storybook in this hugely successful series, comprising four brand new stories about Horrid Henry and his infamous escapades.

You won’t believe what Horrid Henry will do next!

All Henry wants is to see the band in the world. But his family gets “Daffy and her dancing daisies” tickets instead. Aaarrggh! Plus three other tales that totally rock!

This is a fun book about Henry and his escapades! Reminds me of some of the mischief my boys got into. This will surely please early readers especially with the nice short chapters.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Nerve~Book Review

2011-05-27T08:05:00.001-06:00

Nerves make us bomb job interviews, first dates, and SATs. With a presentation looming at work, fear robs us of sleep for days. It paralyzes seasoned concert musicians and freezes rookie cops in tight situations. And yet not everyone cracks. Soldiers keep their heads in combat; firemen rush into burning buildings; unflappable trauma doctors juggle patient after patient. It's not that these people feel no fear; often, in fact, they're riddled with it.

In Nerve, Taylor Clark draws upon cutting-edge science and painstaking reporting to explore the very heart of panic and poise. Using a wide range of case studies, Clark overturns the popular myths about anxiety and fear to explain why some people thrive under pressure, while others falter-and how we can go forward with steadier nerves and increased confidence.

This book will really strike a little fear as you read about snakes and tsunami’s! I goes through lots of case studies and gives advice on overcoming fears. It’s kind of like reading a series of magazine articles.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Yo Momma Extraordinary~Book Review

2011-05-27T07:56:00.001-06:00

Yo Momma Extraordinary

By Zachary Reese and Ethan McCreadie

For generations, young men have used Yo Momma jokes to torment their closest friends (e.g., “Yo momma so ugly, they filmed Gorillas in the Mist in her shower!”).
But here at Quirk, we reject these cruel and hurtful insults. We want to show yo momma the love and respect she deserves. And so we’ve created Yo Momma So Extraordinary—the first-ever book of Yo Momma compliments. This is how we roll:
     ♥ Yo momma so considerate, she puts sheets on the couch when I stay over so it looks like I slept on it.
     ♥ Yo momma so hygienic, she sings the whole birthday song while she washes her hands to ensure that they are clean.
     ♥ Yo momma has so many cats, it’s like DAAAAAMN! Which one should I pet first?
     ♥ Yo momma so old, I sometimes question if what we have together is right.
Illustrated with dozens of ridiculously funny photographs of Mommas (and the men who love them), this odd little book will make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for the quirky momma in yo life.

This book is really funny! It’s fairly short, written by two guys with a great sense of humor. Don’t worry, it’s not degrading, just funny!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Foldin Money Review & Giveaway!

2011-05-27T07:45:00.001-06:00

How It All Unfolded

One question that is often asked is “How did the Foldin’ Money story unfold?”

The craft of moneygami, or origami using real money instead of paper, was handed down from mother to daughter. It was a gift that was given to family and friends for birthdays where the design’s monetary value equaled the age of the recipient. Sue was inspired to add decorations to give each design even a more unique and personal quality.

There are lots of different kits to choose from such as, heart, cake, house, star, shirt and tie. These are such a unique way to give money. They only take a few minutes to put together, because you’re basically just taping money around a template. Don’t worry about the tape on the money because it peels right off.

I was sent the star design kit. It was so simple to make and just took a couple of minutes to put together.

The star was pretty easy to make. My kids loved it and said they would love to get money this way, hint, hint! I agree, this is a fun unique way to give money!

Foldin Money is giving one lucky Songberries follower the Star Kit! To enter visit Foldin’ Money and tell me which other kit you like, don’t forget you must be a PUBLIC* follower of my blog!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me & Foldin’ Money )(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like Foldin Money Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow Foldin Money on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

7)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

8)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

9)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

10)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

11)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 comments

*The way I check to see if you’re a public follower is by clicking on your name in the comments, which takes me to your profile. At your profile I check to see if my blog is listed.

I want to thank Foldin Money for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will close June 15, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Bruce Paltrow’s World Famous Pancakes

2011-05-27T07:23:00.001-06:00

I came across this recipe in a magazine a while back and had to give it a try. I liked the idea of mixing up the batter the night before. My family loved these! Chauncey said they had a crepe like taste. I’m not always a pancake fan, but I really loved these!

Bruce Paltrow’s World Famous Pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

butter for frying

In a bowl whisk the dry ingredients. In another bowl whisk the eggs, buttermilk and melted butter. Add the mixtures together and mix until just combined, small lumps are ok. Cover bowl and let rest in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning heat a large nonstick skillet. (if your batter seems a little thick you can use some milk to thin it down) Butter the skillet and fry pancakes.

Sealing The Deal~Book Review

2011-05-27T06:48:00.001-06:00

Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor's Guide to Lasting Love

by Diana Kirschner

Through her bestseller, Love in 90 Days, Dr. Diana Kirschner helped thousands of women find true love. Now she has written the perfect follow-up: a unique guide to deepen any love relationship, to move from casual to committed, and ultimately to go from the anxiety of not knowing where things are going...to the security of fulfilling and lasting love.

Check out these webisodes featuring Dr. Diana and Nadette as they go through the steps of finding and keeping true love:

Episode 1

Episode 2

The Love Mentors Guide to Lasting Love will forever change your perspective on love. Dr. Diana can help with the little bumps that happen in a relationship, she has the solutions. I really enjoyed her insight on how men react and their feelings toward us women was very helpful for me. She uses simple techniques to make you aware of how you sabotage your relationship and she provides tips and ideas on how to correct your relationship with positive reinforcement exercises.I highly recommend this book!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

20 Years Younger~Book Review

2011-05-26T16:33:00.001-06:00

It's time to turn back the clock! In 20 YEARS YOUNGER, Bob Greene offers readers a practical, science-based plan for looking and feeling their best as they age. The cutting-edge program details easy and effective steps we can all take to rebuild the foundation of youth and enjoy better health, improved energy, and a positive outlook on life. The four cornerstones of the program are: an exercise regimen for fighting muscle and bone loss, a longevity-focused diet, sleep rejuvenation, and wrinkle-fighting skin care. Woven throughout the text is practical advice on changing appearances, controlling stress, staying mentally sharp, navigating medical tests, and much more. Readers will walk away with a greater understanding of how the body ages and what they can do to feel-and look-20 years younger.

This book is about everything that you've heard and learned with more, all wrapped up in a nice book. There is really some great advice here. I enjoyed reading this book. You're never too young or too old to start doing any of his tips or techniques. I’m find that it's particularly important, at this stage in my life, to pay attention to my exercise, eating, skin and sleep habits!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

A Thread of Sky~Book Review

2011-05-26T16:26:00.001-06:00

Looking to reconnect with their ancestral home and with one another, three generations of women tour mainland China on a journey that will change their family forever.

A stunning debut, A Thread of Sky is the story of a family of women and the powerful thread that binds their lives. In following the paths chosen by six fiercely independent women, A Thread of Sky explores the terrain we must travel to recognize the strength and vulnerability of those closest to us.

When her husband of thirty years is killed in a devastating accident, Irene Shen and her three daughters are set adrift. Nora, the eldest, retreats into her high-powered New York job and a troubled relationship. Kay, the headstrong middle child, escapes to China to learn the language and heritage of her parents. Sophie, the sensitive and artistic youngest, is trapped at home until college, increasingly estranged from her family-and herself. Terrified of being left alone with her grief, Irene plans a tour of mainland China's must sees, reuniting three generations of women-her three daughters, her distant poet sister, and her formidable eighty-year-old mother-in a desperate attempt to heal her fractured family.

If only it was so easy. Each woman arrives bearing secrets big and small, and as they travel-visiting untouched sections of the Great Wall and the seedy bars of Shanghai, the beautiful ancient temples and cold, modern shopping emporiums-they begin to wonder if they will ever find the China they seek, the one their family fled long ago.

Over days and miles they slowly find their way toward a new understanding of themselves, of one another, and of the vast complexity of their homeland, only to have their new bonds tested as never before when the darkest, most carefully guarded secret of all tumbles to the surface and threatens to tear their family apart forever. A Thread of Sky is a beautifully written and deeply haunting story about love and sacrifice, history and memory, sisterhood and motherhood, and the connections that endure.

I enjoyed reading A Thread of Sky. This novel weaves a wonderful tapestry - both with the relationships of grandmother, sisters, and daughters and the history and perceptions of life that each brings to their vacation trip to China.

I found all of the characters to be very realistic in their relationships with each other. And also in their reactions to what they were seeing. Deanna Fei does a wonderful job describing the scenes in the different Chinese locales and the reactions of the Chinese -American daughter’s to the food, the shops, the toilet facilities as well as the actual sights.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Stuff Every Husband Should Know~Book Review

2011-05-26T16:12:00.001-06:00

On the heels of the successful Stuff Every Man Should Know and Stuff Every Woman Should Know comes the volume that both genders will treasure: Stuff Every Husband Should Know. Finally, the priceless, practical wisdom that all wives hope their husbands possess is gathered in one book! New husbands and their long-suffering brethren alike will find helpful knowledge of all kinds:

     • The Ten Commandments of Laundry
     • How to Hire Handymen
     • Side with Your Wife, Not Your Mother
     • How to Drive in Peace
     • Wife Space Comes Before Man Cave
     • And much, much more!

This stylish pocket-sized hardcover is the perfect gift for weddings, anniversaries, Father’s Day, or any time of the year.

This is such a great little book! First of all, I love the size, it could easily be put in a pocket. Is has everything a guy needs to know from making a bed to fixing a sink! I think this would be a good book to give to every teenage boy so they have time to learn all the basics they need to know to be a good husband. Actually it will help them whether they marry or not.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

FOOD CAN TASTE GOOD AND BE GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

2011-05-26T16:07:00.001-06:00

The new Dietary Guidelines recommend Americans eat at least 2 servings of seafood a week, and no one makes it easier to do that than Gorton’s!

From kid-favorite crunchy fish sticks to expertly prepared and seasoned grilled salmon, tilapia and breaded flounder, you'll find creating a flavorful and good-for-you dinner has never been easier!

Looking for a new twist of flavor? Try topping your favorite fish with Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa! Top for added spice or wrap and roll for fish taco night!

Check out these great recipes and then head on over to Facebook for up to $2.00 off tonight's dinner!

Mini Tostadas:

Crunchy Fish Tacos:

Avocado Stuffed Salmon:

Tilapia Ceviche:

You can get $1 off coupons for Gorton’s Seafood on their Facebook page!

You can also get a $1 off coupon for Wholly Guacamole on their Facebook page!

Must Haves for Your Memorial Day Getaway!

2011-05-26T09:10:00.000-06:00

Protect your skin with the new Smart Girls Who Surf SPF 30+ Mineral Sunscreen Lotion! Unlike synthetic sunscreens that contain potentially dangerous chemicals such as Oxybenzone and Homosalate, Smart Girls Who Surf offers only certified chemical-free, paraben-free formulas, created with natural active ingredients Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to provide powerful broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. $14.99 at www.smartgirlswhosurf.com

Your skin isn’t the only thing susceptible to the sun and other summer elements. Make sure the Davines SU Sun Oil: Moisturizing for Hair and Body is safely packed in your beach and overnight bags! This multi-tasking hair and body essential nourishes and protects with a powerful blend of Argan and Jojoba Oils, Vitamin E and UV filters. With its innovative anti-aging formula, the lightweight oil preserves the integrity of hair color and skin tone, protecting against the drying and damaging effects of salt, sun and chloride for an all-over healthy shine. $28 at www.davines.com

Be sure to have your favorite moisturizing lip tint on hand. Each of the four shades of Clark’s Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tints provides sheer color that will keep your lips looking plump, while acting like mini water reservoirs for intense, long-lasting hydration! $19 at www.clarksbotanicals.com

Atopalm’s Moisturizing Hand Treatment helps fight the visible signs of aging and provide anti-oxidant protection while softening and smoothing your skin. Your skin will be left more supple and looking brighter – definitely a must for when the sun reflects off of your bracelets and rings. $18 at www.atopalmusa.com

I had the opportunity to try several items from the ATOPALM line and they are amazing creams. I tried the Moisturizing Hand Cream and it really gives a deep moisturing on dry hands. My hubby really liked it too, especially because it is scentless. I also tried the Undermakeup Moisturizing Cream. It is also scentless and left my face feeling just right. The last one I tried is the Intensive Moisturizing Cream. It is great for dry cracked heals and elbows. Mine are in much better shape since using the cream.

A Visit To Harmons in Farmington & A Giveaway!

2011-05-26T08:21:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I got to attend a tour of the new Harmons grocery store in Farmington. Yup, that’s Bob and Randy! Now, this is not just any grocery store, this is a state of the art grocery store! Let me tell you some of the things you will find at Harmons.

We waited upstairs in the Mezzanine for our tour to start. These are some of the other bloggers. On the left is Frieda from Frieda Loves Bread.

I brought my sweet hubby with me. We waited on a leather couch in front of the fireplace. There is also several areas with tables in chairs for eating. You can look out over the valley in one direction and into the store in the other.

This is the coffee bar. They have a large selection of robust coffee’s to choose from.

They also have a large selection of gelato’s! They let us taste any that we wanted. I know, I could of stood there all morning! My favorite was a toss up between Pistachio and Caramel~yum!

This is the deli and cheese area. This employee was telling us all about the specialty cheeses that they sell at Harmons. Of course she also gave us samples.

I don’t remember all the different options they have at the deli for sandwiches, but they do make a veggie sandwich that’s sounds wonderful with roasted veggie’s.

This is another part of the deli where they have fresh pizza and other yummy things. We got to taste a breakfast pizza on a whole wheat crust. The crust was amazing!

I was chatting with some of the other bloggers at this point of the tour, but I remember lasagna and roasted chicken as some of the options along with the pizza, but there are more.

This is one of the kitchens and all the workers dress in white like chefs.

This is Bob telling us about their fruit bowls. They only use the freshest fruit in them, so you will never see juices collecting in the bottom. Bob told us that things are only fresh once!

This is the bread counter where they make Artisan Breads. The man in white is the bread chef. He let us taste the white chocolate macadamia nut bread and the roasted garlic bread. The roasted garlic bread has whole garlic cloves baked right in the bread. They were both so good!

These loaves look kind of dark, but that is just the sugar caramelizing on the top. Mmmm….

Can you tell this was one of my favorite sections!

Then we went on to the bakery!

We had the opportunity to sample some of these after our lunch.

Next we went to the Seafood Counter where we were told about the different kinds of salmon and other seafood's that Harmons sells. All of their seafood is flown in fresh every morning.

Of course we got to taste some!

Harmons has a great selection of sausages that they make.

Harmons also has wonderful fruits and vegetables that are delivered fresh daily. They only stack their fruits and vegetables two high so that they don’t get bruised.

Here are some of the things that we got to choose from at our lunch. It was served in the Culinary Arts School Kitchen back up on the Mezzanine.

I only took one picture of the kitchen. This is just one of the stoves.

We had shrimp, salmon sausages, flank steak, dirty rice and a quinoa salad.

And of course desserts!

The new Harmons is an amazing store. Now, you’re going to want to enter this giveaway if you live near a Harmons!

Harmons is giving one lucky Songberries follower a $25 gift card to Harmons. To enter, just tell me what part of the new Harmons store in Farmington, Utah excites you the most, tell me in a comment and don’t forget you must be a PUBLIC follower of my blog to enter!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me &Harmons )(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like Harmons on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

7)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

8)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

9)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

10)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 Comments

I want to thank Harmons for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US and Canada Residents only and will close June 14, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Still Missing~Book Review

2011-05-24T16:42:00.001-06:00

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

This is such a good book! I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it non stop, well, you know between other things, for 2 days. I loved the way the book is told in parts to the therapist. That is such a clever way for the story to unfold. This book is kind of like a train wreck, in that you can’t stop reading it because it is so intense!

I got to chat today with Chevy Stevens the author and she said that the book will be made into a movie! Chevy is such a creative author and has another book that will be out in July, Never Knowing.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Rock Bottom~Book Review

2011-05-24T16:32:00.001-06:00

Rock Bottom
By Erin Brockovich with CJ Lyon

Ten years ago, Angela Joy Palladino left home as a pregnant seventeen-year-old in trouble. Far from home, AJ succeeded in establishing her career as an environmental activist, dubbed "The People's Champion," only to suffer failure once again in the wake of a crushing media disaster.

So when AJ is offered a job with a lawyer who has taken on large mining corporations hoping to stop their mountaintop removal of her hometown, she is torn. As a single mother of a special needs nine-year-old boy, AJ needs any work she can get. But doing so will mean returning to the West Virginia hometown she left in disgrace so long ago.

AJ finally accepts, hoping to find a sense of purpose in her efforts to save the only place she ever called home. That is until threats begin to surface and bodies begin to pile up, and AJ soon discovers her own secrets aren't the only ones her mountain hometown has kept buried. Hitting rock bottom, AJ must face the betrayal of those once closest to her and confront the harrowing past she thought she had left behind.

In Rock Bottom, Erin Brockovich combined passionate intensity, first-rate story-telling, and her real-life experiences in a novel that will leave you breathless.

This book grips you in the same way Erin Brockovich's story gripped you. There is a lot going on in this story, but it goes at a fast pace and is very enjoyable and believable. Very good read!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Smooth Away from TV Top Ten~Review & Giveaway!

2011-05-24T14:27:00.001-06:00

Smooth Away

Smooth Away is a hair removal pad that is covered by superfine crystals that help buff away hair from unwanted areas and at the same time leaving your skin very smooth and soft by exfoliating it. The Smooth Away pad is safe to use even in sensitive areas such as the underarms and the upper lip.

Today, the Smooth Away is one of the most popular women's products in Europe as a great hair removal and skin exfoliation system. Stop worrying about razor cuts and razor burns and start revealing your beautiful and soft skin with Smooth Away.
Smooth Away Features

The Fastest Selling, Most Popular Women’s Product In Europe
Exfoliates As You Use It
Works Wonders On Sensitive Areas
Easy, Safe, & Painless
Hair Removal

Smooth Away Package Includes

1 Large Smooth Away
1 Small Smooth Away
4 Large Smooth Away Replacement Pads
4 Small Smooth AwayReplacement Pads

I was a little skeptical about trying Smooth Away. I don’t have very hairy legs, my leg hair is very blonde. I was amazed at how well Smooth Away worked! It didn’t hurt like waxing does, and it is not messy at all! I also gave it a try on my underarms and my upper lip and I am so in love with this product! It works so well! Sloan also tried it out and she really likes it. No more nicked legs from shaving!

TV Top Ten is giving one lucky Songberries follower the Smooth Away! To enter just go to TV Top Ten and look around and tell me something else you would like to try, let me know in a comment and remember, you must be a PUBLIC follower of my blog to enter!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me & TV Top Ten )(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like TV Top Ten on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow TV Top Ten on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

7)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

8)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

9)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

10)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

11)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 Comments

I want to thank TV Top Ten for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will close June 7, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Facercise Review & Giveaway!

2011-05-24T14:13:00.001-06:00

Facercise from TV Top Ten is a series of synergistic facial exercises which has been successfully implemented by hundreds of thousands of clients worldwide. Through proper facial exercise, one can strengthen and develop the facial muscles to achieve an improved, toned, younger looking face.

Ms. Maggio has discovered that through proper face exercises, one can strengthen and develop the facial muscles so that the face is actually restructured to achieve an improved, younger look.

Eyebrows lifted

· More open eyes

· Diminished under eye puffiness

· A shorter or more narrow nose

· Fuller, more sexy lips

· Turned up mouth corners

· Toned and defined jaw line

· Complexion color change

· Smoother neck line

I was excited to give Facercise a try. I workout the rest of my body so it makes sense to me to work out my face and maybe keep gravity at bay!

I have only been doing Facercise for about a week, so I haven’t seen any difference yet. But I also know that most exercise takes a month or more to make an improvement. I do think my eyes look a little more wide open (or less droopy) after I do the eye opener and the lower lid lifter exercises. The whole set of exercises are so fast and easy to do. The DVD also came with a set of cards that tell how to do the exercises. The DVD goes through them pretty fast so it really doesn’t take much time. The exercises work all 57 muscles in the face and will show improvement within 14 days.

TV Top Ten is giving one lucky Songberries follower the Face Exercises! To enter just go to Facercise and look around and tell me something you learned, let me know in a comment and remember, you must be a PUBLIC follower of my blog to enter!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me & Facercise)(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like TV Top Ten on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow TV Top Ten on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

7)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

8)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

9)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

10)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

11)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 Comments

I want to thank Facercise for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will close June 7, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Hanahs Bandanas Review & Giveaway!

2011-05-24T11:22:00.001-06:00

Bandana of the Month

Hanahs Bandanas offers a Bandana of the Month Club. Receive a new bandana each month delivered to your doorstep. Choose from a female or male color scheme.

Only need one bandana? Don't want to commit to an every month deal? Hanah has you covered! Now you can place a one time purchase. These bandanas are great for gifts, to thank the neighbor or co-worker, or to simply see if you want to join the monthly club. Quantities are limited, so place your order today. This month features two great prints in a flannel fabric. Besides being super cute these bandanas will keep your pampered pet warm

Ella wouldn’t let me get a picture of her face.

I just had to show a picture of Seamus’s face with his fun Mohawk!

Hanah sent me two bandana’s, one for each of our doggies! I love the way you just thread the collar through the bandana. It stays on so much better than tying it. I don’t know about your dogs, but mine get to playing and then they pull them off.

Hanahs Bandanas is giving two lucky Songberries followers prizes, one will receive 1 bandana and the other will receive a 3 month subscription! To enter just go to Hanahs Bandanas and look around and tell me what you think of Hanahs Bandanas, let me know in a comment and remember, you must be a Public follower of my blog to enter!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me &Hanahs Bandanas )(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like Hanahs Bandanas on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

7)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

8)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

9)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

10)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 Comments

I want to thank Hanahs Bandanas for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US and Canada Residents only and will close June 7, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

The Perfect Knot Review Perfect For Father’s Day!

2011-05-24T11:10:00.001-06:00

The Perfect Knot is a state-of-the-art clip that is placed in your tie to make the perfect Double Windsor knot. Once the clip is in place, make your tie as you normally would around the clip. The clip remains hidden in your tie, forming The Perfect Knot.

The Perfect Knot Valet Box

Includes:

Three Perfect Knot Clips

Small, Medium & Large

Three sets of matching collar stays

Small 2¼"

Medium 2½"

Large 3"

DVD Instructional Video

The Perfect Knot in 3 easy steps

So here’s my husbands necktie the way he usually ties it~

Now this is with The Perfect Knot~

I think it looks so much nicer! It only took my husband a couple of minutes with the instructions that are on the inside of the box. There is also a nice dvd that comes with the kit that makes it really easy.

The Perfect Knot would make a great Father’s Day Present! You can find their dvd on the website if you need more information.

You can connect with The Perfect Knot on these social media’s, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using <a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM36a015aca792c204ff629c4d4d6711c7">Tomoson.com</a> created by <a href="http://www.webbizideas.com">WebBizIdeas.com</a>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson <a href="http://www.tomoson.com">Product review</a> & <a href="http://www.tomoson.com">giveaway</a> Disclosure.

Summer's Coming - Don't Fret the Sweat!

2011-05-24T08:23:00.001-06:00

Do you have tweens or kids who are quickly approaching tween years? If so you know how critical self esteem is at this tender age. Unilever, the makers of Degree, Dove and Suave deodorant offer support for these difficult times.

The tween years are full of changes. Whether or not parents are ready, their kids’ bodies are trying to tell them something. Increased hormones are causing noticeable differences like growth spurts and strange new odors. But don’t let the unexpected stink scare you; it’s just a sign of great things to come.
Unilever - the maker of Degree, Dove and Suave deodorants - wants to ensure parents and kids remain cool, calm and confident throughout the day - especially during those sweat-inducing moments.
Check out Facebook.com/DontFretTheSweat for money saving offers and expert tips, tools and real life stories about how parents are communicating and transitioning their tweens into confident and self-reliant teens.

~I am posting this information for the opportunity to win a gift card through One2One Network.

Blushing Dove Boutique's Etsy Shop Giveaway!

2011-05-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

Amy’s goal in opening her Blushing Dove Boutique Etsy Shop is to provide fun-loving girls all over the world with sweet, unique jewelry and accessories that will make them feel as beautiful as they truly are!

Look at some of the cute things I found~

Pearl and Ice-Cream Necklace

Springtime Butterfly Headband

Daisy Lace Stud Earrings

Amy is so creative and has even more cute and trendy accessories waiting for you in her Etsy shop, so be sure and stop by and check out all the cuteness!

Amy is giving one lucky Songberries follower the cute Daisy Lace Stud Earrings pictured above! To enter just stop by Blushing Dove Boutique Etsy Shop or Teacup Teddies and look around, come back here and tell me in a comment something else you love, don’t forget you must be a PUBLIC* follower of my blog!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me &Blushing Dove Boutique Etsy Shop)(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like Blushing Dove Boutique Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow Blushing Dove Boutique on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

7)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

8)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

9)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

10)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

11)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 comments

12)Add both Amy’s Etsy shops (Blushing Dove Boutique Etsy Shop and Teacup Teddies) as your favorites~3 entries each~leave 3 comments for each Etsy Shop

*The way I check to see if you’re a public follower is by clicking on your name in the comments, which takes me to your profile. At your profile I check to see if my blog is listed.

I want to thank Amy for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to Worldwide and will close June 7, 2011 at 12am.

A Winner!

2011-05-23T18:51:00.001-06:00

The winner of the Tropical Traditions Organic Thick Oats giveaway is~

URBakin'MeCrazyy

I want to thank all my followers who entered these giveaways and I want to thank the sponsors. I’ve emailed all the winners.

Planet Of The Dogs~Book Review & Giveaway!

2011-05-23T16:07:00.001-06:00

Planet of the Dogs~by Robert J. McCarty

Out in space, on the other side of the sun, is the Planet Of The Dogs. Dogs have always lived there in peace and happiness.
One day many years ago, the council of the elder dogs learned that there were problems on Earth, the Planet of the People. Many people had forgotten how to love and had become mean and greedy. The good people of Green Valley were threatened by the warrior tribes of Stone City. The council realized that they needed help.
This is the story of the first time dogs came to planet earth to teach people about love and to bring peace to Green Valley

This book will make kids want a dog for sure! The author does a great job of creating word pictures about the excitement of the dogs. It was fun reading about how a dog might think and act. Planet Of The Dogs is a short, quick read and would be great to read to kids. This is the first book of a series. The other two are Castle In the Mist and Snow Valley Heroes—A Christmas Tale.

One lucky Songberries follower is going to win a copy of Planet Of The Dogs! To enter the giveaway just tell me in a comment where your favorite reading place is, make sure you’re a PUBLIC follower of my blog.

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me & Planet Of The Dogs)(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

4)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

5)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

6)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

7)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

8)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

9)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 comments

I want to thank Robert J. McCarty for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will close June 7, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Every Man Sees You Naked~Book Review

2011-05-23T15:37:00.001-06:00

Employing equal measures of wit and wisdom, Emmy Award-winning composer/writer/producer (The Young and the Restless, The Nanny, Half & Half) David M. Matthews leads you on an amusing yet highly informative journey through the seamy underbelly of the male mind. Shameless in its honesty and lacking any pretext of political correctness, Every Man Sees You Naked explodes the myths about men and answers the questions you've been dying to ask'but didn't quite know how.

Among other things, this book will reveal~

The disconcerting truth about why guys ask you out

The surprising things men like and what they really hate

What men truly look for in a woman

What guys secretly want in bed

How to understand what a man is actually saying

What motivates guys to behave in the odd way they do

The 'dirty little secrets' the men in your life are keeping

Who 'man's best friend' really is (and no, it's not you, the dog, or the TV remote)

Why almost everything you believe to be true about men'isn't

I kind of enjoyed parts of this book. It kind of gave me some insight into my husbands brain. No, I still haven’t figured him out (we’ve been married for 30 yrs), but I do understand him a little better now. It is a little explicit in spots, so read at your own risk. The author admits he is generalizing what is true of a lot of the population and laying it upon all males, but he suspects most men fall within some shade of gray between what this book says and the lies we tell ourselves about genders.

Visit www.everymanseesyounaked.com to find out how to buy this book.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Hybrid~Book Review

2011-05-23T10:30:00.001-06:00

HYBRID, the new thriller by neurosurgeon, Dr. Brian O’Grady was such a good read! I found that I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t quit thinking about the possibilities of the world’s most devastating viruses, but I can only imagine the horrors of a virus that is not only lethal but evil too.

HYBRID is a novel that begins with Amanda Flynn who is the sole survivor of a mysterious new virus, EDH1, while in a Honduran camp. Those afflicted either suffered a gruesome death or became increasingly violent savages. Though Amanda is a survivor, she too has experienced change. Amanda is able to sense things and use her mind to do things too. Will she be able to resist the overwhelming urge to kill? Amanda realizes that there is an outbreak of violent deaths now taking place in a Colorado town. She senses that a mutated form of EDH1 has arrived in the United States. Then she discovers that there is another afflicted person lurking, an evil man whose mission is to destroy the entire human society and build a new world order. What are the full powers of the human mind, can a virus unleash the power of telekinesis, telepathy and mind control?

This is the kind of book that is so hard to put down! This book is like a train wreck in the fact that you just have to keep watching the train wreck, I just had to finish reading this book. I was drawn to the author’s use of modern technology to give the plot a sense of realism.

Dr. O’Grady is a debut novelist and HYBRID has been compared to the novels of the brilliant Michael Crichton. I look forward to future works by this Dr. O’Grady and anticipate that HYBRID will be the first of many new thrillers to come.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole

2011-05-23T08:50:00.001-06:00

I love a mashed potato recipe that doesn’t require me making gravy! I can make a decent gravy, but I always seem to make to much, then I have to figure out what to do with the leftovers. I also don’t like having to heat up left over gravy. This casserole goes together pretty fast and the leftovers got eaten up the next night.

Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole

2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks

1/4 cup thinly sliced garlic

1 cup chicken broth, I used 2 bullion cubes in 1 cup hot water

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

In a large pot put the potatoes, garlic and chicken broth along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for about 15 minutes or until tender. Drain off the liquid, but save 3/4 cup of the water.

Return the potatoes and garlic to the pot, and cook and stir on low until they are dried out a little. Start mashing the potatoes and garlic with a potato masher. Add the reserved liquid and continue mashing. Mix in the sour cream, salt and pepper and butter. Spread into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and bake for 30 minutes.

Winner of The Pirates Of The Caribbean Giveaway!

2011-05-22T09:48:00.001-06:00

The winner of the Pirates Of The Caribbean giveaway is~

Royalegacy

I have emailed the winner. I want to thank Disney for sponsoring this giveaway and I also want to thank all my followers who entered.

Called to Serve~A Song For Sunday

2011-05-22T08:26:00.001-06:00

This group of missionaries did a really nice job on this song. You can tell that they have a testimony of the work they are doing as they express it in this song. It makes me think of Chauncey and all the time he spends on his music, playing the piano and the violin. Young boys don’t express their feeling about things much, but I feel Chauncey’s testimony as he practices playing hymns on the piano. I hope someday he will be able to share his music when he serves a mission.

Called to Serve

Called to serve Him, heav’nly King of glory,
Chosen e’er to witness for his name,
Far and wide we tell the Father’s story,
Far and wide his love proclaim.

[Chorus]
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.

Called to know the richness of his blessing—
Sons and daughters, children of a King—
Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,
Praises unto him we bring.

Apothica/SkinCareRx/SkinBotanica Giveaway!

2011-05-21T07:32:00.001-06:00

Father's Day is right around the corner!

How would you like to win a $250 Gift Certificate to Apothica/SkinCareRx/SkinBotanica?

gg
Wouldn't that make your Father's Day shopping easy?

Just like their great Mother's Day contest the company is hosting a Father's Day contest. All you need to do is go HERE and comment why your Dad needs the gift card. It can’t get much easier than that!

There are also some runner's up prizes!

You can also find PMD on Facebook

~I am in a contest with the possibility of winning a gift card for posting about the contest.

eFoods Global

2011-05-20T13:13:00.001-06:00

eFoods Global is a premier food reserves company in Sandy, Utah. Our primary objective of "serve, save, share" is simple. Serve eFoods' great products to friends and family, save for the future and times of necessity, and share with others through and Act of Kindness (AoK) to help them prepare.

Unlike other companies offering food storage that you put away for decades and never use, eFoods Global offers delicious food packaged in ways that is as practical to serve tonight as it is to save for years. This food is awesome! The texture is amazing and the flavor is out of this world! This is serious gourmet food, only for long term and short term reserves.

Having some food storage tucked away is such a great idea with the way the economy is! You never know when you are going to have to use it. My family has always had food storage. At eFoods Global that they never freeze dry their food, they dehydrate it. eFoods Global really helps you to understand why it is important to have enough food stored for your family. It would be so awful to have no food for your family during a crisis because you weren't prepared/informed.

I took the "FOOD FREEDOM TOUR" and so can you! Trust me it, it's so worth your time!

Just go to here to take the tour. eFoods Global wants new prospects to try their food for free after watching a few short videos on why we should all be prepared with food storage for our families. For all the food they give you for free, you just pay $9.95 for shipping & processing. That's a steal!

You will receive 6 FREE MEALS, just for taking their Food Freedom Tour. Just click on the large brown button at the top left of the website to start the tour.

VoiceQuilt Keepsake Review & Giveaway!

2011-05-20T11:07:00.001-06:00

VoiceQuilt is a uniquely personal gift – filled with greetings, memories and tributes from family members and friends, that can be shared via MP3, facebook, CD, or a special keepsake music box.

VoiceQuilt™ is a creative gift solution for groups and families, a unique way to celebrate a special birthday, anniversary, retirement, Mother’s Day, Christmas, graduation, Father’s Day or a wedding. This is a great idea for a tribute or toast to the person(s) of honor - it can be played at the celebration dinner and then the recipient can have the CD for a keepsake. Or for a graduation, family members and friends can all leave their advice and words of inspiration for the graduate to hear on graduation day. Plus, this is a great way to send your love to troops overseas or to family members who live far away.

I received a package for 7 days of toll-free phone time and a VoiceQuilt keepsake CD with leather holder. I decided to use this as a Birthday Gift for my daughter. I sang a funny song for her and changed the way my voice sounded to make it even funnier. It was very easy to set up my phone package and record my greeting. I had the option to use the pre-made email text that VoiceQuilt provides to send out email invitations to invite my family to call in and leave a message for my daughter, but I opted to just leave my own speical messages for her.

I found it pretty easy to use the VoiceQuilt website to set up and organize the messages that I called in, and it was nice to be able to rearrange the order, listen to the messages, and label them all. The Idea Center on VoiceQuilt was very helpful, as it encourages users to not just say "Happy Birthday", but to talk about a memory, leave a tribute, recite a poem, or even sing a song for the recipient.

VoiceQuilt is such a wonderful idea and there are so many great options - from 1 day of free voice time and a free MP3 download to a 30-day phone package and keepsake music box that you can purchase - there is something for everyone. Plus you can even share your VoiceQuilt via email or on facebook! This is a great gift idea and so easy to do - it's as simple as leaving a voicemail, but it's a gift that the recipient can cherish forever and will show them just how much you care.

VoiceQuilt is giving one lucky Songberries follower a 7-Day VoiceQuilt Package (7 Days will start when you enter the coupon code online, keepsake sold separately), to enter just stop by my Facebook page and listen to the VoiceQuilt message then leave a comment, don’t forget you must be a public follower of my blog!

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me & VoiceQuilt )(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like Songberries on Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

4)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

5)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

6)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

7)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

8)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

9)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 comments

*The way I check to see if you’re a public follower is by clicking on your name in the comments, which takes me to your profile. At your profile I check to see if my blog is listed.

I want to thank VoiceQuilt for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will close June 3, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Lots of Winners!

2011-05-20T09:05:00.001-06:00

The winner of the Beautiful Blue Eyes book giveaway is~

Jessica

The winner of the Space Race giveaway is~

Jessica

The winner of the Impel Clothing $25 Gift Certificate giveaway is~

Kristy

The winner of the My Baby Clothes Boutique $25 Gift Certificate giveaway is~

Jennifer T.

The winner of the Strong Mama’s DVD+2 months Personal Training giveaway is~

Stacy

The winners of the Kidz Bop giveaway is~

1.Laura

2.LisaAnn

The winner of the DaVinci Beads giveaway is~

Polly

The winner of the Spongeables giveaway is~

Debbie

I want to thank all my followers who entered these giveaways and I want to thank the sponsors. I’ve emailed all the winners.

Yoplait Greek Yogurt

2011-05-20T08:26:00.001-06:00

The Yoplait Greek Yogurt is available in six delicious flavors like Blueberry, Strawberry, and Peach (each with fruit on the bottom) or Honey Vanilla, Key Lime, and Plain – all with zero percent fat and at least 14 grams! I have personally tried the Blueberry, Strawberry, and Plain. And like them all. My favorite is probably the Strawberry, followed closely by the plain. I like the plain because I can use it in place of sour cream in recipes.

Yoplait Greek is making it delicious, easy and free to eat a better snack through the Yoplait Greek Better Snacking Sweepstakes on Facebook†. Just visit the Yoplait Greek tab at Facebook.com/Yoplait through May 31st, 2011 and enter to win a Yoplait Greek snack pack and other cool prizes. Winners will be chosen daily. You can also visit Yoplait.com/Greek for more information and yummy recipes.

Snacking Survey Results – Snacks are leaving women UNSATISFIED!: According to a recent survey conducted by Yoplait Greek yogurt, nearly all female participants admitted to needing a snack to get through the day yet, more than half of women claimed their typical snack foods lack flavor and three-quarters said their snacks leave them feeling unfulfilled.
Expert tip: Registered Dietitian Christina Meyer-Jax teamed up with Yoplait Greek and talked about the benefits of protein saying, “More than half of women surveyed said protein is an ingredient they look for in their ideal snack - it’s also an important component of a healthy diet, serving as a building block for strong muscles, and alongside calcium and vitamin D, to maintain healthy bones. Come snack time, I recommend reaching for fat-free, protein-rich snacks, like Yoplait Greek.”

Yoplait Greek yogurt details:

Each 6-oz cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt is fat free and has two times the protein of the leading yogurt – packed with 14-17 grams of protein per cup. It also has a thick and creamy texture to help satisfy hunger and is available in six flavors: Honey Vanilla, Plain, Key Lime – and three new fruit on the bottom flavors of Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach. You can find delicious Yoplait Greek recipes online at Yoplait.com.

You can also download a coupon here: http://bit.ly/greekcoupon

Fashion To Figure Review

2011-05-20T08:18:00.001-06:00

Have you been to Fashion To Figure? They have the cutest clothes! I was looking for a cute top for spring and summer and look what I found~

Basic Stretch Camisole

This is such a basic piece for a wardrobe, great for layering!

Chiffon Animal Floral Print Tank

This is the cutest top! Makes me think of summer.

Gauze Button Down Top with Rosette Appliqué

Delicate and airy, this gauze blouse features tiny rosette details along the neckline and front. Button down front, smocked waist, with short puff sleeves this top is as pretty as it is practical. Wear to the office and then for dinner, this blouse goes effortlessly from day to night.

This is the top I chose and I just love it! It is such a pretty soft peachy pink color. I’ve been wearing it with a cardigan because it’s been rather cold here, but it will be nice and cool for summer.

Fashion To Figure can meet all your fashion needs from jeans to dresses and lots in between!

You can also connect with Fashion To Figure on these Social Media’s, Facebook and Twitter.

You can join the Trendsetter Club and get inside information on online and in store promotions. Go here, middle of the page towards the bottom.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Detecting Flat Head Syndrome or Plagiocephaly

2011-05-20T08:02:00.001-06:00

Detecting Flat Head Syndrome or Plagiocephaly

By Eirian Hallinan

There is a condition that causes a baby’s head to become misshapen or have a flat spot and is known as plagiocephaly. The most common type is positional plagiocephaly and happens when a baby’s head develops a flat spot because of pressure on that area. Babies’ heads are soft when they are born so are vulnerable to this condition.

When babies are born and spend time in a position that puts pressure on one part of their skull, this is when the condition typically develops and is known as positional plagiocephaly.

The condition has increased dramatically since the early 1990s because this is when parents were told that putting babies on their backs to sleep would decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This advice has saved thousands of babies’ lives.

Sometimes when movement in the uterus is restricted positional plagiocephaly can develop with the baby’s head but is rarer and is usually because the mother has a multiple pregnancy or it can happen with breech babies who get wedged under their mother’s ribs.

There is a birth defect known as craniosynostosis and is a type of plagiocephaly. It is when the joints between the bones of the baby’s skull close too early. With this condition, surgery is needed to help the brain grow properly.

Detecting Plagiocephaly

With vaginal births it is common for babies to have misshapen heads because of the pressure to them when they pass through the birth canal. In most cases their heads naturally correct themselves to a normally rounded shape by six weeks. However, if there is a flat spot on your baby’s head after six weeks of age then it is probably positional plagiocephaly.

Plagiocephaly is most common in babies who are premature, have weak muscle tone, have very large heads or are known as good sleepers.

Torticollis is a condition that can cause plagiocephaly. It is common in premature babies and is when they sleep with their head tipped to one side, while the chin is turned to the other and is caused by a tight or shortened muscle on one side of their neck.

If your baby develops a flat spot on their head

No one’s head is completely symmetrical. In most cases slight flat spots will round themselves by the time the baby is crawling around and sitting up at six months of age but if you do notice your baby’s head beginning to flatten it is advisable that you speak with your doctor straight away.

The younger the baby is the softer the skull is so treatment is best started sooner rather than later. As the baby grows the skull becomes harder and less pliable.

Treatment for positional plagiocephaly

Treatment is decided once your doctor has assessed the baby’s age and the extent of the condition. If the condition is not severe and the baby is young enough then simple re-positional therapy may be administered. In more serious cases then cranial orthotic therapy may be decided and this means using a helmet to change the shape of the baby’s head.

Re-positional therapy

This means regularly varying the position your baby settles and sleeps in. Babies tend to find the same position they find comfortable and you need to alter it to avoid the same pressure being applied to the same part of their head. During the day you can do the following to strengthen your baby’s neck muscles:

Sleeping – change the direction your baby’s head is facing during naps and bedtime. You can encourage your baby to change direction by himself by swapping ends of the crib to lay him down. If the crib is against a wall he will naturally face the open room rather than the wall so you can hang a mobile on the side you want him to turn to. DO NOT use rolled up linen or towels or positioners to try and keep your baby’s head in place and on one side as this can increase the risk of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Feeding – if you bottle feed, alternate the side you feed him on, as you would if you were breastfeeding. This can help not to constantly apply pressure to the flat spot.
Sitting – Do not leave your baby in any seat for long periods. For examples; bouncing seat, car seat, baby swing or baby carrier.
Tummy Time – provides a break for the occipital area (back of their heads) and gives babies a chance to strengthen their neck muscles to prepare them for crawling, pushing up, rolling over, sitting up and eventually standing. It can prevent plagiocephaly because stronger neck muscles help babies to move their heads around while sleeping so it doesn’t always rest in the same position. Babies who aren’t used to being on their tummy from day one may have to be cajoled into it, beginning with a minute or two at a time. Tummy time is also important for motor skill development.
Physical Therapy – daily exercises which your doctor would talk you through. Gently done, these exercises aim to increase the range of motion in your baby’s neck.

Cranial Orthotic Therapy

If the treatments described in the above points are not working then your doctor may advise this. It involves your baby wearing a helmet or headband (known as a cranial orthotic) which are custom made and worn up to 23 hours per day. Treatment usually lasts between two and six months. The treatment is most successful when begun early which would be six months of age. Some doctors think that it is not very helpful beyond twelve months of age because of the skull bone being too thick by then. The headgear is lightweight and babies get used to wearing them very quickly.

Eirian Hallinan is the newest member of Baby Care Journals. She believes in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.

Jump Into Summer with Free Memory Lane Weekend

2011-05-20T07:59:00.001-06:00

Need some inspiration to get in the mood for fun in the sun? Take a step back in time with Memory Lane and see how summer activities have been showcased throughout the years.

This weekend is the best time to check out www.MemoryLane.com because on May 20, 21 & 22 it’s FREE to view ALL 100 million pieces of content on the site. That includes watching all the your favorite 80’s music videos, browsing through issues of LIFE magazine, Ladies Home Journal from the 40’s and searching for your old High School buddies in the largest collection of American HS yearbooks on the Internet.

This weekend is open to unlimited FREE viewing of this premium content. Spanning 60 years from 1940 to 1999, the website features vintage collections of magazines, newsreels, classic sports and entertainment videos, music, movie trailers, and historic images.

Looking for the perfect bathing suit? See what style icon, Elizabeth Taylor wore in 1950:

What color is your surfboard? See what beach goers used in 1964:

You can also check out celebrity yearbook photos:

Have fun!

THE MUPPETS WALT DISNEY PICTURES

2011-05-20T07:27:00.001-06:00

THE MUPPETS

U.S. Release Date: November 23, 2011

WALT DISNEY PICTURES

Website and Mobile site: Disney.com/Muppets

Become a fan on Facebook: Facebook.com/Muppets

Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/MuppetsStudio

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors

2011-05-20T07:22:00.001-06:00

Here’s a few clips for you to watch. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse:Mickey’s Great Outdoors will be out on DVD on Tuesday!

Disney’s New Preschool DVD Provides Kids With The Ultimate On-The-Go Experience

With Digital Copy And Hours Of Interactive Fun With The Mickey Mote!

MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: MICKEY'S GREAT OUTDOORS

Available Nationwide Beginning on Tuesday, May 24th

And Inspires Kids To Enjoy Outdoor Activities Such As Camping, Fishing & Exploring Nature

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Easy Skin Care from Your Kitchen That Really Works~From SkinMD Natural

2011-05-20T06:25:00.001-06:00

Just a few items from the fridge along with your natural lotion will give your dry skin a huge boost

Choosing from the hundreds of dry skin care products on the market can be a daunting task, and expensive! If you want to make things easier, join the millions of women who shop no further than their kitchen. Of course, you can’t wear food on your face in public, so you’re still going to need a dry skin care lotion. But these few simple kitchen solutions will give your dry skin the boost it needs.

There is no shortage of foods that are good for the skin. Here are three of the best.

Cucumber
Images of a woman resting with a towel covering her hair and cucumbers covering her face are so common you can’t have missed them. Does that mean that cucumbers are really good dry skin treatment? Absolutely. Cucumbers are loaded with Vitamins A and C, as well as several important and nourishing minerals. Cucumbers also contain silica, an essential component of collagen and elastic, to help keep your skin firm and resilient.

*Cucumbers are also easy to use. Throw a cucumber in the blender, then smooth it all over your face and neck. Relax for 15 or 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Doing this regularly will not only help your dry skin, it can also reduce swelling and wrinkles.

Yogurt
Yogurt has become extremely popular as a way to boost the immune system. Millions of ‘good’ bacteria help fight off the bad guys and help keep you healthy. But it is also excellent dry skin care. The natural antibacterial and antifungal properties also help get rid of bacteria on the skin. And the lactic acid refines the pores, and soothes, softens and tightens the skin.

*Just spread it on your face and neck every morning, leave for 5 or 10 minutes, then rinse off with cool water.

Pumpkin
Pumpkin has just about everything you need for dry skin care: Antioxidants, protein, essential fatty acids, several important minerals and a wide range of vitamins including A, C and E, several Bs, and folate. Although fresh pumpkins are usually only available in the fall, you can always buy canned. Get an organic brand to make sure you’re not going to absorb pesticide residue through your skin.

*Pumpkin is easy to use. Just mix a beaten egg white, meringue consistency is best, with a cup of mashed pumpkin, smooth it on your face and neck and rinse off after five or 10 minutes.

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Review

2011-05-19T21:52:00.001-06:00

Have you tried Quaker Oatmeal Squares? I had one of these fun boxes with two sample boxes in the mail the other day. Chauncey grabbed them, but I managed to get a couple of squares to try. Mmm, they are yummy and make a great snack! They are also wonderful as a bowl of cereal with milk.

Thanks to Courtney from Sweet Tooth Sweet Life for letting us use her photo!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine. This post is brought to you from The Clever Girls Collective.

Get the Latest Hollywood Trend & Go Red!

2011-05-19T21:22:00.001-06:00

I’m sure you’ve noticed that many of your Hollywood faves are changing their hair color and going RED (as seen in US Weekly, OK! Weekly, and InTouch magazines). You too can join Whitney Port, Blake Lively, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, and Mandy Moore and add some red to your hair with help from John Frieda’s Precision Foam Colour!

Precision Foam Colour is the first ever premium permanent home hair colour that uses foam technology to deliver salon-quality results at home. With 20 flattering shades to choose from, achieving flawless, natural-looking results at home has never been quicker or easier. Simply massage the foam into your hair to achieve flawless coverage you thought you could only get at a salon. No drips, no stains – just gorgeous-looking hair from every angle.

$12.99 at Food, drug and mass retailers nationwide

Personal Microderm System

2011-05-19T17:41:00.001-06:00

A while back I did a review of the Personal Microderm System. I just had to share this funny little commercial that PMS (Personal Microderm System) made recently!

This system really makes my skin feel wonderful!

You can follow Personal Microderm System on these social media’s, Facebook and YouTube.

~I was compensated a small amount for sharing this commercial, all opinions are my own and were not influenced.

EdenFantasys Lingerie

2011-05-19T17:21:00.001-06:00

I just love pretty lingerie and EdenFantasys has a really great selection of lingerie in lots of styles and colors.

Velvet forest top with shorts

This lovely velvet set from Fantasy Lingerie is an excellent choice for a sexy night out. Made of 100% nylon, this stretchy top is soft on the inside and pretty velvet detail on the outside. A silver-toned ring connects the triangle cups to the shoulder straps. The matching black shorts have an elastic waistband, and are about knee length.

I just love this set! It’s sexy but doesn’t show everything! I think the fabric looks great and I also love the little metal rings.

I will be receiving a gift card for posting this. No other compensation was received and these are my opinions.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Review

2011-05-19T14:14:00.001-06:00

Monday night my family and I had the opportunity to go to a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. We were all pretty excited to see the movie as we’re big fans of Pirates of the Caribbean fan!

We had the opportunity to see it on an IMAX Screen in 3D, so it really came to life! We all felt like we were right there in the movie. I felt like I was in the movie and I really liked that. Captain Jack Sparrow definitely makes the movie a hit! There were new characters as well as a lot of characters from the past movies, such as Captain Barbossa, Gibbs, and Blackbeard. Penelope Cruz is in this movie and plays Angelica who is a mysterious romantic interest from Captain Jack's past.

The story is about the search for the Fountain of Youth. During their journey to find the Fountain of Youth they encounter a lot of magical and mystical things. We thought the mermaids (who look really pretty and turn very scary) were great. The story kept us all interested the whole time and we all loved it!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strager Tides sails into theaters on Friday, May 20th and I highly suggest you go check it out! Also, don't forget to enter my Pirates of the Caribbean Giveaway!

~I received movie tickets to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Collection

2011-05-19T14:01:00.001-06:00

A while back I did a post about the COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless makeup. I had the opportunity to try it out for myself and I have to tell you how wonderful it is! I’m sure you’ve seen the commercials with Ellen DeGeneres and the COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless makeup. Ellen’s skin looks so great and she’s the same age as me!

COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Corrector

I have always had really good skin, but I have dark under eye circles that really bother me. I’ve also gotten some fine wrinkles around my eyes, so it’s hard to find a concealer that doesn’t make them more noticeable. Well, COVERGIRL has come up with the perfect concealer. They have teamed up with Olay and made a nice swirl of moisturizer in the concealer! It goes on really nice, blends in well and lasts all day and the best part, it doesn’t make my wrinkles more noticeable!

COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation

I also really like the foundation. It comes with a sponge to apply it and it goes on really nice and blends in perfect. It gives me the no makeup look, just nice looking skin look that I like!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Spring is Here! Time to Freshen up...Your Hair!

2011-05-19T13:47:00.001-06:00

Spring has finally arrived, conjuring up feelings to start fresh and new…the clocks spring forward, you start your spring cleaning, you get a new spring wardrobe…but what about your hair? I bet that could use some freshening up as well!

Clairol Nice ‘n Easy is shaking up the hair color experience with new Color Blend Foam, making it easier for women who color at-home. Nice ‘n Easy Color Blend Foam offers a breakthrough experience, alleviating many of the application burdens associated with at-home hair color, while still maintaining the same dimensional color results Nice ‘n Easy is known for.

Marie Robinson, Clairol Color Director

Marie’s Top Tips for At-Home Hair Coloring:

Prep your bathroom prior to coloring your hair by setting out old towels to protect surfaces.
When deciding on a hair color formula, it’s important to understand the different between a
permanent and demi-permanent hair color.
o Opt for a permanent hair color if you’re looking for a more dramatic change as that will
provide you with dimensional color and 100% gray coverage
o For a temporary change, go with a demi-permanent color that will enhance and boost
color and shine in addition to providing up to 50% gray coverage. Demi-permanent hair
colors typically rinse out in 28 washes
Pick a form of hair color – liquid, cream or foam – that you feel most comfortable with. Foam is
the newest form of hair color. I love Nice ‘n Easy’s Color Blend Foam which is super easy to apply
with your hands as its drip-free, mess-free and simply collapses into your hair. Cream and liquid
hair colors require the applicator bottle to help direct the application of the hair color.
When selecting a flattering shade, stay within two shades of your current hair color for best
results.
For optimal results, do not wash your hair prior to coloring as its best to work with hair that was
washed the previous day so your scalp has some natural oils protecting it.
Keep your skin hair color-free by putting Vaseline around your hair line to keep it from running
into your skin.
To ensure hair color is evenly distributed – follow these simple steps:
o Part your hair into three, even sections
o Start by focusing on the roots and then work colorant through the rest of your hair
After your hair color has fully processed for the allotted amount of time, thoroughly rinse the
hair color out with warm water, use your fingertips to massage the roots and continue to rinse
hair until water runs clear.
Maintain healthy-looking, colored hair with a few easy steps:
o Use a shampoo and conditioner specially-formulated for color-treated hair that will
continually nourish and protect your hair
o Treat your hair to a weekly deep conditioner
o Use heat protection spray when heat styling
o Reduce exposure to the sun and chlorinated water

To find your shade, click HERE.

Want to check out how it works: CLICK HERE to see a step-by-step video.

And don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook to hear what other “foam fans” are raving about!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Transformers: Beast Wars- Season One & Complete Series on DVD 6/7/11!

2011-05-19T10:25:00.001-06:00

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS - SEASON ONE

Featuring All 26 Episodes and Exciting Bonus Content in a 4-DVD Set

IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON JUNE 7, 2011

PASSIONATE FANS REJOICE! PRE-ORDER NOW TO OWN

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS

THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD BOX SET

Featuring 8-DVDs, All 52 Action-Packed Episodes, New Bonus Content,

Collectible 24-Page Comic Book and Much More!

FROM SHOUT! FACTORY AT SHOUTFACTORYSTORE.COM

Brace yourself to relive some of the most epic TRANSFORMERS battles and non-stop action adventures through the 15^th Anniversary release of BEAST WARS. In 1996, TRANSFORMERS fans were introduced to this stunning saga between the heroic MAXIMALS and the evil PREDACONS wherethese powerful TRANSFORMERS disguised themselves as some of the fiercest and most ferocious animals on Earth. In a flash of an instant, these beasts turned into battle-tested robot warriors ready for combat. Created by Hasbro and produced by Mainframe Entertainment, the hugely successful animated series TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS ran for three successful television seasons and garnered an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.

On June 7, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc., will unleash the TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set, featuring all 26 visually stunning episodes and exciting bonus features. A must-have for fans and families, this DVD set promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with exciting adventures and is priced to own at $29.93 SRP.

Die-hard fans further rejoice! Shout! Factory, along with Hasbro, Inc., are set to release the TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS – The Complete Series Collector’s Edition 8-DVD box set. Jam packed with hours of entertaining content, this Complete Series Collector’s Edition contains the entire CG animated series of BEAST WARS and a bounty of stellar extras, including retrospective featurettes, a 12-page book, art galleries, plus a special collectible 24-page comic book TRANSFORMERS Timelines “Dawn of the Future’s Past.” Originally published by Fun Publications for BotCon, the official TRANSFORMERS convention, in 2006, the comic book is the official prequel story leading right up to the start of Beast Wars and offers valuable insight into all the events that led to OPTIMUS PRIMAL chasing after MEGATRON and PREDACONS! TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS – The Complete Series Collector’s Edition arrives exclusively to Shout! Factory’s official online store ShoutFactoryStore.com on June 7, 2011. Pre-order begins now!

As excitement builds for these home entertainment releases, Shout! Factory will announce additional activities for fans in the incomingmonths.

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set

Synopsis:

When the descendants of the treacherous Decepticons — now known as PREDACONS — land on a mysterious planet in search of a powerful fuel known as Energon, it’s up to Optimus Primal and the heroic Maximals to stop them before they conquer the universe!

Bonus Features Include:

Maximize! Creating A New Breed of TRANSFORMER
Art gallery
Original character models

Cars 2 Trailers!

2011-05-19T09:38:00.001-06:00

Rev up your engines and check out the exclusive trailer debut and full-site takeover for CARS 2 currently up on iTunes Movie Trailers! It looks amazing! Check it out in the links below!

http://trailers.apple.com/

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/cars2/

CARS 2 races into theatres everywhere in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D on June 24th!

Also check out~
Website and Mobile Site
Like them on Facebook:

Follow them on Twitter

A little about the movie~

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

The Wild Thornberrys

2011-05-19T09:30:00.001-06:00

The Wild Thornberrys: Season One - On DVD 5/17/11

I was excited to watch the Wild Thornberrys with my kids. We were sent Season 1 the review. The Wild Thornberrys: Season One was released on DVD 5/17/11!

The first title to be released will be The Wild Thornberrys: Season One, which will arrive in stores on May 17, 2011. Produced by Klasky-Csupo for Nickelodeon, The Wild Thornberrys premiered in September 1998 and aired until 2004 with reruns airing on Nicktoons and CBS from 2002-2007. The Wild Thornberrys DVD release has long been anticipated by fans but has not been available in stores until now.

The hit series follows the Thornberry family as they travel the world in their Communications Vehicle (or CommVee) looking for rare animals to film.After an encounter with an African shaman, their youngest child Eliza was given the power to speak to animals! Every episode in this adventure-packed DVD set follows Eliza as she comes face-to-face with an assortment of animals, continents and danger. Encounter wildlife in all its natural glory and eavesdrop on Eliza’s conversations with silverback gorillas, pythons, crested grebes, tapirs, capybaras, antelopes and opossums while the CommVee travels on!

We really enjoyed watching The Wild Thornberry’s. I am very picky about what animated shows I watch, and this series will always be a favorite!

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

JoeShopping Review

2011-05-19T09:22:00.001-06:00

Over the last few years I have been doing more and more of my shopping on line. I’m always trying to find the lowest price on the products I buy and use. I have recently found JoeShopping.com. In case you’re not familiar with this shopping website, let me tell you about them.

JoeShopping.com is a price comparison site where you can compare prices on millions of products from hundreds of stores and you can find the lowest price. This is a wonderful tool for shopping from the comfort of your home.

You can find great deals on flowers

And electronics!

JoeShopping.com is very user friendly with a easy to use search tool. You can search from over 5 million products from hundreds of popular stores. At JoeShopping they’ll do the searching for you and show you a list of prices from multiple stores all in one page. They even integrate coupons & great sorts of hot deals into your search results.

Here’s some of the things you can find at JoeShopping.com~

New Releases - They break down the newest DVDs, video games, books and music every week
Online coupons and great hot deals
Grocery Coupons
Product Reviews - Easy to write and rate any product in their search engine and share it with the whole community
Shopping Community - Set up a free profile and interact with the community to get advice on specific products, brands or stores, as well as just ask for advice on what to buy for a gift. Users can write blog posts, upload photos, add videos and share shopping status updates all from their profile.
Earn JoePoints just for using the site, and exchange those points for Sweepstakes entries each month
Unlock badges just by performing regular actions on the site
Pick your Favorite Stores and display them on your profile page
Great coupons for Birthday Express~The latest coupon codes, discounts and free shipping offers at Birthday Express~They can handle anything you need for Birthday party supplies~themed party kits for boys and girls and have everything under the sun for a birthday. They have apparel, balloons, cake supplies, candy and cookies
Coupons for Musicians Friend~The latest coupon codes, discounts and free shipping offers at Musicians Friend~Oh my gosh, this is one of my new fav’s! Musicians Friend sells musical instruments and professional audio equipment, everything from guitars, drums, keyboards and amps to lighting, sheet music, videos, accessories and more
Coupons for Fans Edge~The latest coupon codes, discounts and free shipping offers at FansEdge~This is a sports shop that features all kinds of team jerseys and sports stuff

You can connect with JoeShopping on these social media’s, Facebook and Twitter.

Marie Callender’s

2011-05-19T09:03:00.001-06:00

My family just loves a good pot pie and Marie Callender’s is their favorite. I know, they like it better than mine!

I came across an online article, not too long ago, titled “8 Grocery Store Products that are Better than Homemade ”, it stated that Marie Callender’s pot pies are better than homemade. I was given an opportunity through The Motherhood to give them a taste test and my family agrees with the article, Marie Callender’s is the best.

Marie Caleender’s pot pies can be heated in the microwave or the oven. The crust is still wonderfully flakey when heated in the microwave. We love the nice tender chicken chunks and the veggie’s in the great sauce, mmmm!

~I’ve been compensated by Marie Callender’s and The Motherhood for this campaign. Opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced.

Nine Indispensable Dry Skin Care Tips for Summer

2011-05-19T08:26:00.001-06:00

Natural lotion for dry skin should be at the top of your list for beautiful summer skin

The sun, the sand, the surf, sandals, sunglasses and swimsuits all add up to another great summer. But summer can also be disastrous for your skin. For the best summer skin ever, follow these nine easy indispensable dry skin care tips.

The sun is hottest around noon. If you limit your tanning time to before 11:00 a.m. and after 2:00 p.m., you’ll have more chance of getting a tan instead of a burn. Nothing causes dry skin faster than a sunburn.

Choose a sunscreen with as few chemicals as possible. Studies have shown that some of the chemicals in sunscreens can actually cause you to burn – especially when they’re slathered on over and over. Scientists also suspect that traditional, chemical-laden sunscreens could cause skin cancer. A natural dry skin care treatment with sunscreen added is best; it does double duty – helps prevent dry skin while also protecting your skin from the sun.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dry skin care has internal and external elements; fresh fruits and vegetables are about the best internal treatment you can get. It’s also best to choose organic produce. Pesticides and other chemicals tend to dehydrate the body – the last thing you need when you’re also spending time in the drying sun.

Rinse off quickly when you’ve been swimming – especially if you’re in the ocean or a swimming pool. The salt in the ocean is drying, as is the chlorine in the pool.

Take short showers using lukewarm water. Long, hot showers cause dry skin. This is important for dry skin care throughout the year.

Exfoliate once a week. Slough off those dead skin cells using a natural, gentle exfoliant like almond meal and honey. Almonds are rich in skin-friendly vitamins like A, B1, B2, B6 and E. When almonds are ground into meal, they also retain a lot of the natural oils. Mix two tablespoons of almond meal with one tablespoon of honey. Smooth onto your skin and leave for 5 or 10 minutes. Then rub it in thoroughly, and wash off gently. Do this once a week for smooth, vibrant skin.

For pretty feet in sandals, you can also use the almond-honey exfoliant. Scrub your feet all over, paying special attention to your heels, and they’ll smooth right out. Again, once a week should be enough. If you need something a little more aggressive the first time you work on your feet, try a pumice stone.

Wear as little makeup as possible, and try to use a natural brand. Get it at the health food store – most of the products in supermarkets or drug stores have some natural ingredients, but they contain harsh, drying chemicals as well.

Always wear a natural lotion for dry skin. Choose a non-greasy product that doesn’t block the pores.

`These tips are brought to you by SkinMD Natural. I received no monetary compensation or product.

SkinScience Institute~Spa Review

2011-05-19T07:52:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I got the opportunity to take a friend (Kris) with me to a Utah esthetician school. It was a rainy drizzly day and we were both up to an escape! We headed out a little early so we could have a nice lunch before we got to work relaxing at the spa. We went to the Skin Science Institute and it was very easy to find.

The Skin Science Institute has about 50 students that work on clients under the supervision of instructors.

We had to ring the little bell for help, but a student came right out to help us get started. We filled out a bit of paperwork, just simple questions about skin type, medications and skin care habits.

Next I was taken to a little room that looked a lot like this one. I was given a little wrap to wear (I just had to take off everything above the waist) so my clothes wouldn’t get soiled. The student that worked on me turned on the mister which felt great on my skin, and got to work on my facial. I loved the smell of the different products that she used and the light hands she used as she applied each product was wonderful! She applied a mask to my face at one point and while it did it’s work she gave me a wonderful shoulder and neck massage. The whole time she worked there was soothing music and low light, so relaxing!

When I was done and dressed again I was led to this waiting area where I waited for another student who was going to tint my eyebrows and eyelashes and wax my eyebrows. I didn’t wait long before I was escorted to another little room. The student that worked on my this time talked to me about eyebrows and color and we decided on a nice light brown and blue black eyelashes. After she got them all dyed she applied a wax that set up hard and then she just pulled it off. I was amazed at how nice it worked with out any pain too! After she finished up she led me back down to the check in desk where I waited for Kris to finish up. My face felt wonderful and the student at the desk said my eyebrows looked great! It’s nice to know that if I don’t wear any makeup for the next month or so I won’t look so washed out. Normally you can’t even see my eyelashes or eyebrows! I think I will be finding my way back to Salt Lake to the day spa soon!

~I received free treatment in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Tomato Soup Spice Cake

2011-05-18T06:58:00.001-06:00

I know you’re thinking tomato soup in a cake? Well, don’t worry, this cake is nice and moist and the spices are sooo yummy! You can’t even tell that the soup is in it, so think of it as a way to get in a vegetable!

Tomato Soup Spice Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour (+1/4 cup for high altitude)

1 1/3 cups sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

2 eggs

1/4 cup water

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

3~4 cups confectioners' sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam. In a bowl whisk the flour, soda, baking powder, salt and spices. In a mixer beat the sugar and shortening for 3 minutes. Add the eggs and water and beat for 2 minutes. Add the tomato soup and beat, then add the dry ingredients and mix until just blended well, then beat for 1 minutes. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Cool completely than frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixer whip the cream cheese for 2 minutes. Beat in the milk and vanilla and beat for 1 minute. Beat in the confectioners sugar and whip for 3 minutes. Spread on cooled cake.

Plentiful Pantry Case Lot Sale!

2011-05-17T09:29:00.001-06:00

A while back I did a review and giveaway with Plentiful Pantry, you can find it here. I had the opportunity to try their Key Lime Cheesecake bars. They were so good and so easy to make plus they were no bake!

Plentiful Pantry is located in Salt Lake City and they are having a Case Lot sale this weekend! They not only have wonderful desserts, but they have meals too!

This is the first time that Plentiful Pantry has had a case lot sale that’s open to the public! They have such a great selection of gourmet products.

Here’s the address~

3795 S. 300 W in

Salt Lake City

This will be May 20th~May 21st

From 10am~6pm

They make great gifts and have a 2 yr shelf life.

~I was offered an item in return for sharing this information. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

eChook Giveaway!

2011-05-17T09:09:00.001-06:00

FROM FACEBOOK UPDATES TO 10-MINUTE MEMOIRS

eChook gives personal storytelling a facelift with Memoirs, Vol. 1

Rapid changes in reading technology have transformed writing through social media. The move from e-mail to blogs to Facebook has been ever evolving, but one thing has remained constant – the need to tell our personal stories. The 70-million active bloggers, tweeters, texters and Facebook addicts who journal daily about their lives are poised to discover the next step in their evolution – the Memoir, Vol. 1 app from eChook, curated by award-winning, short story author Tessa Smith McGovern.

Taking the idea of the original chapbook – small, single-chapter books that were the latest technology in 16th-century England – Tessa Smith McGovern developed eChook Digital, a digital publisher that offers collections of linked short stories as digital chapbooks in apps and eBooks. She wanted to re-imagine the short story genre for a generation that does too much and rests too little. “Reading thoughtful stories makes us forgets our lives and helps us relax so we can attend that next meeting, collect the kids or greet our families with more energy and joy,” McGovern says.

McGovern’s latest collection for eChook is a mini-anthology that is like a tasting menu of autobiographical delights. Included in the collection is a mischievous tale of a girl who shouldn’t play with matches, a mother and daughter who settle their differences with a prom dress and a kugel, a one-night stand that takes an unexpected turn, the unforeseen powers of a crossword puzzle, a wayward father’s alternate reality, and two tales about those mysterious creatures known as writers.

The short stories in Memoir, Vol. 1 range from new discoveries to pieces by acclaimed writers. Among the popular authors featured, are:

· Ina Chadwick – Her work has appeared in many literary journals, including The Paris Review and The Antioch Review, and The New York Times. She holds several first place awards in editing from the New England Press Association from her years as a professional journalist.

· Jennifer Armstrong – The winner of numerous awards for fiction and nonfiction, and the author of more than 100 books for all ages. She is a senior writer for Entertainment Weekly.

· Eileen Elkinson – A prolific short-story writer and editor of the literary site Mezzozine.

eChook currently has three open calls for submission for published or unpublished fiction, memoir, or essays between 750- to 2,000-words. Cash prizes up to $550. For more information, visit eChook. “I believe that everybody has a short story in them,” McGovern says.

To learn more about eChook and the compelling new collection of short memoirs, or to sign up for the “Literary Delights” newsletter, which offers a classic short story and a writing tip as illuminated by the author, visit eChook.

eChook is giving one lucky Songberries follower an eChook swag bag, as seen a the Sundance Film Festival, filled with delights to help your reading and relaxing experience, complete with an eChook environment friendly shopping bag, a mouse pad, generous sized mug, chocolate Chap stick, warm beverage powder and a chocolate treat.

For extra entries you may~

1)Blog about this giveaway (with a link to me &eChook)(leave me a link)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

2)Like eChook Facebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

3)Like Songberries onFacebook~2 entries~leave 2 comments

4)Update your Facebook status with the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

5)Follow eChook on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

6)Follow Songberries on Twitter~2 entries~leave 2 comments

7)Tweet the giveaway~3 entries~leave 3 comments

8)Grab my button(leave me a link to your blog&tell me where to find it)~5 entries~leave 5 comments

9)Sign up for my newsletter~6 entries~leave 6 comments

10)Sign up for any of my other giveaways(top right side of my blog)~2 entries each~leave 2 comments

11)Follow me on Networked Blogs(Right side of my blog)~3 entries~leave 3 comments

I want to thank eChook for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will close May 31, 2011 at 12am.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Falafel

2011-05-17T09:06:00.001-06:00

This is the Falafel that I made and it was soooo yummy! I will be making this again. The seasonings were so good. My hubby ate the rest of the little Falafel without anything.

Falafel

2 1/2 cans garbanzo beans

1 cup cilantro (coriander leaves)
1/2 cup parsley
4 garlic cloves minced
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1 very large onion
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup flour

2 teaspoon baking soda, added 15 minutes before frying

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Drain the beans and rinse then blend the garbanzo beans in a food processor until the beans are the consistency of bread crumbs, empty into a large bowl. Next put the onion, garlic, cilantro and parsley in the food processor and blend until it is a paste consistency, add to bean mixture. To the bowl add the cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, bread crumbs and cayenne pepper and mix very well. Stir in the baking soda, baking powder and flour to the bean mixture and mix well, let sit 15-20 minutes before frying. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a 2 to 3 inch frying pan, turn to medium-low heat. Mold the falafel mixture into small balls ( I used my cookie scoop) and drop into oil to fry, continually turn over the falafel balls to keep the color an even brown on all sides, when they are a medium brown color, remove the balls and drain on a paper towel for a minute. Serve warm and fresh with tahini sauce, pickles and vegetables.

Think Spring With Shutterfly!

2011-05-17T07:27:00.001-06:00

Are there flowers blooming around your house? Spring is finally here in my area. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see the sun and the flowers, it just lifts my spirits and makes me want to get busy and do some planning and organizing!

Have you had a chance to look through some of your pictures lately? I bet if you’re like me you have plenty of pictures to make some photobooks!

I’ve been looking through my pictures and I found this one which would be perfect on a Father’s Day card for my kids to give their dad! My hubby has been making fun bikes for the kids.

I’ve also been thinking about making some photo gifts too! Have you ever seen a scooter with a bike on the back?

I have so many great pictures and Shutterfly has some great gifts to personalize with pictures.

It’s a shame to just leave all those great pictures on your computer, so be sure to do a little spring picture cleaning and stop by Shutterfly, you’re sure to find some great ways to share your pictures!

If you have a blog, you can Sign up for a chance to get 50 free cards from Shutterfly.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Monkey Brains Review

2011-05-17T06:49:00.001-06:00

THERE WERE 8 IN THE BED AND THE LITTLE
ONE SAID: Dude, your hair looks awesome!

Monkey Brains introduces Tweens to an entirely new concept in hair care:

Monkey Brains is a new collection of hair care that allows you to kids to express themselves. To be fun, be cool and be yourself! Look around. How many styles do you spot everyday: spikes, fauxhawks, and controlled messiness... Everyone you see is sporting an individual look! With 2 Gels, 2 Glues, a Pomade, a Hair Refresher and a Shampoo and Conditioner kids will be able to rock whatever hairstyle they’re feelin' at that moment.One day kids don't feel like getting in the shower and the next they’re searching for the hair gel. Now they’ll be more confident about how they look on any given day. Monkey Brains gives kids the tools to look cool and have fun doing it.

Every product in the Monkey Brains collection contains premium ingredients, are alcohol-free and only $3.99 each – affordable for even tweens to buy with their allowance!

Crazy Sticky Hair Gel

Boys and Girls this is the ULTIMATE in hold for crazy spiking and radical styling. Tame that crazy hair coming out of your noggin and make it behave the way you want it to! This gel is an 8 on a scale of 1-10 for hold. All day holding power and NO flakes!

Grease Monkey Hair Pomade

No need for extreme? This is your pomade! You'll be sporting crazy high-shine style when you spark up your do! This non-oily, medium hold, water based pomade dissolves in water so when you're done, it's done too! Go to school or dinner with the fam well groomed or go ape-wild to a party or game.

My son Chauncey tried out the Crazy Sticky Hair Gel and the Grease Monkey Hair Pomade. He really liked the Crazy Sticky Hair Gel the best. He said it kept his hair just right all day. He really liked how easy it washed out of his hair too. I liked how it didn’t leave any flakes in his hair.

I’ve used the Grease Monkey Hair Pomade on Sloan’s hair when I’ve straightened it out. It gives it a little hold in the front.

I really like Monkey Brains products. I think it’s awesome that now we can choose some great products for our kids that are made just for kids and they are really great products! Alcohol free is so much better for my kid’s hair with all the time they spend in the pool.

The Monkey Brains collection is available nationwide at mass-market retailers including Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Food 4 Less and Ralph’s. You can also connect with Monkey Brains on these social media’s, Facebook and Twitter.

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

Find Blog Giveaways and Sweepstakes Online at MyScratchOff

2011-05-16T15:47:00.001-06:00

The internet is a great place where you can win a lot of free stuff online. The best way to win cool prizes online is by entering into free blog giveaways. These online giveaways are free and most of the time all you have to do is become a follower on a social network. Sometimes all you have to do is post a comment. The hardest thing you can do is to find a steady flow of sweepstakes online and giveaways that you can enter into.

MyScratchOff.com has the answer for you. MyScratchOff is where sweepstakes and giveaways are updated daily. Check out MyScratchOff.com giveaways blog online. Blog owners can go to MyScratchOff.com and list their offers for free. MyScratchOff will screen every single giveaway that is entered into their system. This will make all giveaways of the best quality to keep you from getting scammed.

You can also play free games online and win prizes from MyScratchoff.com. They are an online gaming portal where you can play instant win games on their homepage and win cool prizes. The gaming website is completely free to join. You will receive weekly emails of blog giveaways that you can enter into from different blogs around the world.

So come on and try out MyScratchOff. It is a fun place where you can always play free, win cash!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using <a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM0c6daff5aaefbe33461eebd8510d62fc">Tomoson.com</a> created by <a href="http://www.webbizideas.com">WebBizIdeas.com</a>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson <a href="http://www.tomoson.com">Product review</a> & <a href="http://www.tomoson.com">giveaway</a> Disclosure.

~This is a sponsored post.

“Going to QVC” Olive Oil Desserts Cookbook & California Olive Ranch EVOO Giveaway

2011-05-16T09:10:00.001-06:00

Micki is going back to QVC again to share her delicious and healthy desserts with Mary Beth Roe and her viewers.

I did a review of Micki’s book Olive Oil Desserts here.

If you watch QVC online and live, go to www.qvc.com and click on the “watch live” tab to the left of the page. To view the segment after it airs, go to www.qvc.com and type Olive Oil Desserts into the search bar, click on the “video” tab just above the cookbook cover.

Contest Duration

Beginning May 18^th8:00 AM EDT.

Ending May 25^th 11:59 PM.

Prizes:

Olive Oil Desserts cookbook + EVOO sent to 3 lucky winners from participating blogs.

About the EVOO…The California Olive Ranch is my favorite for baking desserts. COR’s EVOO is grown, harvested, pressed, and bottled in California. In my (Micki’s)opinion, this liquid gold is as fresh and good as it gets!

Who is Participating:

This is a multi-blog give away and we expect a lot of linking and sharing.

There are lots of ways to enter

1. Tweet this giveaway

2. Follow Micki on Twitter

3. Follow COR on Twitter

4. Blog about this giveaway and link back to you.

5. Go to www.oliveoildesserts.com and comment about something you learned on your blog

6. Go to www.californiaoliveranch.com and comment about EVOO on your blog.

7. Leave a comment on your Facebook page stating what giveaway you’re entering

8. Like COR’s Facebook page

9. Like Olive Oil Desserts Facebook page

10. For each comment about Micki’s appearance on QVC ,California Olive Ranch’s, or Olive Oil Desserts FB page. (1 comment per page)

This is a multi-blog giveway. The winner and blog owner will be announced on all participating blogs. All entries will need to be sent to Micki and a random drawing of all entries will determine the winning names. Three cookbook/EVOO sets will be drop shipped to the 3 winner’s addresses. US addresses only please, and sorry, but no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Sunday 05/25/11 at 11:59 pm est. Only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. Good luck to everyone!

Beautiful Savior~A Song For Sunday

2011-05-15T07:47:00.001-06:00

I love hearing children sing! This song done so well by this children’s choir. This is such a simple message if we just let it in to our hearts.

I couldn’t decide which version I like best. This lady has such a beautiful clear voice, the words just touch me in kind of a haunting way. Which one do you like?

Beautiful Savior

Fair is the sunshine,

Fairer the moonlight

And all the stars in heav’n above;

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer

And brings to all the world his love.

Fair are the meadows,

Fairer the woodlands,

Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer.

He makes the sorrowing spirit sing.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!

Son of God and Son of Man!

Thee will I honor, praise, and give glory,

Give praise and glory evermore! Evermore!

Songberries

Spring Follower Giveaway Tour Is Coming!

Follow the Blogs:

Meet the Sponsor

Bring Him Home~A Song For Sunday

Big Savings on Designer Brands at RueLaLa!

Transformers: Beast Wars- Season One coming to DVD!

Yo Gabba Gabba!: Circus DVD Review

SpongeBob SquarePants: Heroes of Bikini Bottom DVD Review

Joplin Missouri Aid Support

Lyric Bands Review

Polyxena~Book Review

Horrid Henry Rocks~Book Review

Nerve~Book Review

Yo Momma Extraordinary~Book Review

Foldin Money Review & Giveaway!

How It All Unfolded

Bruce Paltrow’s World Famous Pancakes

Sealing The Deal~Book Review

Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor's Guide to Lasting Love

20 Years Younger~Book Review

A Thread of Sky~Book Review

Stuff Every Husband Should Know~Book Review

FOOD CAN TASTE GOOD AND BE GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Must Haves for Your Memorial Day Getaway!

A Visit To Harmons in Farmington & A Giveaway!

Still Missing~Book Review

Rock Bottom~Book Review

Smooth Away from TV Top Ten~Review & Giveaway!

Facercise Review & Giveaway!

Hanahs Bandanas Review & Giveaway!

Hanahs Bandanas offers a Bandana of the Month Club. Receive a new bandana each month delivered to your doorstep. Choose from a female or male color scheme.

The Perfect Knot Review Perfect For Father’s Day!

Summer's Coming - Don't Fret the Sweat!

Blushing Dove Boutique's Etsy Shop Giveaway!

A Winner!

Planet Of The Dogs~Book Review & Giveaway!

Every Man Sees You Naked~Book Review

Hybrid~Book Review

Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole

Winner of The Pirates Of The Caribbean Giveaway!

Called to Serve~A Song For Sunday

Called to Serve

Apothica/SkinCareRx/SkinBotanica Giveaway!

eFoods Global

VoiceQuilt Keepsake Review & Giveaway!

Lots of Winners!

Yoplait Greek Yogurt

Fashion To Figure Review

Detecting Flat Head Syndrome or Plagiocephaly

Jump Into Summer with Free Memory Lane Weekend

THE MUPPETS WALT DISNEY PICTURES

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors

Easy Skin Care from Your Kitchen That Really Works~From SkinMD Natural

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Review

Get the Latest Hollywood Trend & Go Red!

Personal Microderm System

EdenFantasys Lingerie

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Review

COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Collection

Spring is Here! Time to Freshen up...Your Hair!

Transformers: Beast Wars- Season One & Complete Series on DVD 6/7/11!

Cars 2 Trailers!

The Wild Thornberrys

JoeShopping Review

Coupons for Fans Edge~The latest coupon codes, discounts and free shipping offers at FansEdge~This is a sports shop that features all kinds of team jerseys and sports stuff

Marie Callender’s

Nine Indispensable Dry Skin Care Tips for Summer

SkinScience Institute~Spa Review

Tomato Soup Spice Cake

Plentiful Pantry Case Lot Sale!

eChook Giveaway!

Falafel

Think Spring With Shutterfly!

Monkey Brains Review

Find Blog Giveaways and Sweepstakes Online at MyScratchOff

“Going to QVC” Olive Oil Desserts Cookbook & California Olive Ranch EVOO Giveaway

Beautiful Savior~A Song For Sunday

I couldn’t decide which version I like best. This lady has such a beautiful clear voice, the words just touch me in kind of a haunting way. Which one do you like?

Beautiful Savior