Thursday, January 30, 2014

#Vitabath Products - The Perfect Gift For Your Favorite Valentine

I am sharing this information as a Vitabath Insider. No compensation was received for this post and all opinions expressed are my own. 

Looking for something special and sweet for your favorite Valentine? Check out the body washes, lotions, and fragrance mists from Vitabath...

Vitabath products give you spa-quality indulgence with at-home products. They are one of my personal favorites and my teenage daughter loves them as well.



Their newest collection is sulfate and paraben free and features a nourishing blend of Vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E, as well as an antioxidant superfruit blend. I love the way they make my skin feel as well as the fun and invigorating fragrances.

The new line includes four unique fragrance sets:

Vitabath Fragrance Collection Spa Day™ - With cool, fresh therapeutic ingredients like cucumber and lavender, Vitabath’s Spa Day collection helps both the mind and body relax and de-stress.

Vitabath Fragrance Collection In Bloom™ - A mix of exotic and flirty florals, plus subtle hints of sea breezes, helps to create Vitabath’s In Bloom collection.

Vitabath Fragrance Collection Fruit Fanatic™ - Made with real fruit and flower extracts, Vitabath’s Fruit Fanatic line is a delectable fusion of fresh, flavorful fruits – cherries, apples, oranges and grapefruit – with warm vanilla and lily.

Vitabath Fragrance Collection Cupcake Couture™ - One hundred percent guilt free, the playful Cupcake Couture line provides a rich, creamy and sweet flavor palate.


Discount Offer:
Right now you can take advantage of their special offer for online orders placed at www.myvitabath.com. Use coupon code VALENTINE15 and save 15% off your order. But hurry...online orders must be placed by February 3 to guarantee delivery by Valentine's Day.

Also, stay tuned because I will be posting a Vitabath giveaway later next month. You won't want to miss it!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

#spon #TargetWedding Registry - Perfect for Newly Engaged Couples (plus Giveaway)

~This Giveaway is now closed~

This post is brought to you by Target but all opinions expressed are my own. Follow along with #TargetWedding

With New Years just behind us and Valentine's Day on the horizon, you can bet there are a lot of couples who become engaged during this time of year. Being engaged is such an exciting time; a time for dreaming and planning a new future together.

 

One of the activities that many newly engaged couples look forward to is choosing gifts for their wedding registry. The items that they select are a reflection of the kind of home and married life the couple hopes to establish. With Target's great selection of products and gifts for both the bride and groom, I think it's the perfect place for couples to register.

I know when my husband and I were first married something we were so excited about was the thought of entertaining guests in our new home. Whether it was inviting friends for a casual backyard barbecue or having family over for a more formal sit-down dinner, this was something that we really looked forward to doing together.

The Target Wedding Registry has lots of items that would help any couple wanting to make a good impression as hosts. From firing up the grill, to setting the table and mixing up a fab cocktail, to whipping up some tasty desserts, Target's got it covered. Check out just a few of these must-have registry gifts that I'm talking about...


Giveaway
What items do you love from the Target Wedding Catalog ? Share a few of your favorites in the comments section below and you will be entered to win a $25 e-Gift card from Target.

You may also tweet this post/giveaway 1x daily for an optional extra entry. Please leave a separate comment for each tweet and include link to your tweet.


*Open only to U.S. residents who are 18 or older. Entries accepted until 10:00 pm EST on 2-7-14. At that time, one random winner will be selected from all eligible comments. Please make sure I have a valid and easy way to contact you in case you are the winner. Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.



Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Blog Tour - The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd

Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd


About the book: 
Patience Creighton has dedicated herself to the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. But the return of the enigmatic master of the estate puts everything she loves at risk.

Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she invests herself in teaching at her father's school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to make the school successful. 

Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin's edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of property --- including the land where Rosemere School is located --- but possesses little money to manage its upkeep. When debtors start calling, he is desperate to find a new source of income, even if it means sacrificing Rosemere.

When a fire threatens the school grounds, William must decide to what lengths he is willing to go to protect his birthright. And when Patience's brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience suddenly finds herself unsure of her calling. After a surprising truth about William's past is brought to light, both William and Patience will have to seek God's plans for their lives-and their hearts.

Purchase the book 

Follow along with the Blog Tour


About the author:
Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. The Heiress of Winterwood was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Learn more about Sarah

My Thoughts:
I am a big fan of historical romance and this period-piece had me hooked from the start. I loved the setting of a girls' school in the wintry Moors of the English countryside - so romantic! Patience is a strong and sensible young woman who has just about given up on finding love. When she encounters William Sterling, it is obvious that there's immediate chemistry between the two. Although William is a bit flawed and has made mistakes, I couldn't help but fall in love with him. After being hurt once before, he wasn't expecting to find love again and Patience was just what he needed to find the redemption he so desperately wanted.

The plot of the story was very intriguing and I loved discovering how some of these characters were all connected. A really, really good book that I enjoyed so much!

Don't miss Sarah Ladd's latest Regency novel, The Headmistress of Rosemere. She is celebrating the release of book two in her Whispers on the Moors series with a fun "School" Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!
rosemere-400
Between January 17–28, visit Sarah Ladd's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win a Kindle Fire grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 28th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.)

RSVP today for Sarah's The Headmistress of Rosemere Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your Regency trivia skills, announcing the winner of the "School" Your Desk Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at the next book in the Whispers on the Moors series!

So grab your copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere and hope to see you on the evening of January 28th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 28th!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Movie Trailer Tuesday - The Girl

Welcome to "Movie Trailer Tuesday - my weekly blog feature where I share movie/dvd recommendations by posting a quick blurb and movie trailer for you to check out. 

Have you watched any good movies recently? Feel free to share in the comments below.


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Ashley is a single mother with a troubled past. She has lost custody of her young son and is struggling to get him back. Desperate for cash, she decides to try and smuggle a small group of immigrants across the Mexican border. When things go horribly wrong, Ashley is forced to take a good look at herself and make some very difficult choices.

There's not a lot of action in this film; it's actually pretty slow-paced. But, the story is emotional and dramatic. Getting a look at what it might be like for these immigrants who are desperate to sneak into The United States was scary and a little bit heartbreaking. In the beginning, I didn't really like Ashley's character. I found her to be bitter, with a big chip on her shoulder. But, as the movie progressed, I found myself rooting for her to do the right thing and find some redemption for herself.

Rated PG-13
Available on Netflix

 

Monday, January 20, 2014

I'm Going to Ireland!

I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but I'm going to be taking a trip to Ireland later this summer. My mom has always wanted to go so she decided to make it happen.

As a gift for my daughter's upcoming high school graduation, my mom is taking me, my daughter, and my sister on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. I've never been out of the U.S. (except for a day-trip into Juarez, Mexico that kinda scared me to pieces) so I am beyond excited. I am also a bit nervous -- I'm not the greatest traveler in that I get a little anxious about being away from home and my people. But, I'm determined to embrace it and have a wonderful time with my loved ones. It's sure to be a great girls' trip!

My daughter is thrilled because she will be turning 18 while we are in Ireland and will officially be able to have a drink at an Irish pub. How fun is that?!

Anyway, I've just started thinking about what to pack and what to wear. My goal is to pack extremely light and do a lot of mix-and-match type outfits that are very casual. The weather at the time of our trip is typically in the 50's-60's and the one consistent thing I've read is that there's always a chance of rain. So, a good rain jacket and some waterproof walking shoes are on my list, for sure.

By the way, my mom is 76 years old. She is in relatively good health, although she does have a bit of lung disease. It doesn't cause too many problems, only if she over-exerts herself or is out in extreme temperatures. But, knowing that this trip would involve a lot of walking, she decided she should start preparing and get in better shape. When the first of the year arrived, she joined our local gym. And, because she no longer drives (I'm the one who takes her most places) guess who got a new gym membership as well? ME! We have been getting up at dark o'thirty and going to the gym about 4 days per week. I'm so proud of her (and me too, really, because I loathe working out). Hopefully, we will both see some good results.

You can check out this set below that I put together on Polyvore to get myself inspired and start thinking about my packing list.

Have you ever been to Ireland? If so, I would love to hear all about it...any tips or suggestions appreciated.
Packing Inspiration for Ireland Trip

Sunday, January 19, 2014

"School" Your Desk Kindle Giveaway - The Headmistress of Rosemere

I wanted to let you know about a giveaway going on to celebrate Sarah E. Ladd's The Headmistress of Rosemere (this is book 2 in her Whispers On The Moors series). Stay tuned because I'll soon be posting a review and blog tour information for this book -- it's a great historical romance! Until then, be sure and check out the giveaway details listed below.

Enter Today - 1/17 - 1/28!
Sarah Ladd The Headmistress of Rosemere

Don't miss Sarah Ladd's latest Regency novel, The Headmistress of Rosemere. She is celebrating the release of book two in her Whispers on the Moors series with a fun "School" Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!
rosemere-400
Between January 17–28, visit Sarah Ladd's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win a Kindle Fire grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 28th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.)

RSVP today for Sarah's The Headmistress of Rosemere Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your Regency trivia skills, announcing the winner of the "School" Your Desk Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at the next book in the Whispers on the Moors series!

So grab your copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere and hope to see you on the evening of January 28th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 28th!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

11 Things Meme

It's been forever since I've participated in any kind of meme and this one, by The Paper Mama, sounded like a lot of fun. So, here goes...

1. Are you a cat or dog person? Or, bird person? 
Totally a dog person, especially big dogs. We have one dog (a blue-heeler/beagle mix named Piper) but my heart literally breaks anytime I see, hear, or think about all the shelter dogs out there waiting for forever homes. *Sigh* I could probably become one of those crazy old ladies who has 100 dogs in her house.


2. What was your favorite food as a kid? Is it the same, or has it changed as an adult?
Was, is, and always will be a good ol' cheeseburger - complete with mustard and pickles.


3. What is your favorite hobby? 
Reading - you don't even want to know how many piles of books I have lying around and how many "to-read" lists I have going on. It's out of control. But, reading is such a wonderful escape and has always been something I loved. My favorite genres are young-adult, young-adult/dystopian, historical fiction, and biographies/memoirs. So many books, so little time!


4. If you HAD to move to a different state (or country) where would it be? 
I am a creature of habit and do not handle change well. It would be extremely hard for me to ever move away from my family and the place I grew up. But, if I were pretending to be adventerous, I would love to live in an urban city, like Chicago or New York City.


5. Are you a winter or summer person?
I like both but probably prefer winter more. I'm one of those people that actually likes cold temps and snow. I only like summer if I'm in my swimming pool or my air-conditioned house, LOL! Living in Kentucky, we are lucky to get to experience all seasons.


6. What makes you happy? 
I have 3 teenagers and 1 young-adult kid. They are often on the go and/or out doing their own things. I am super-duper happy when all of us are hanging out together, safely and soundly, at home. As my kids get older, spending time with them is so important. Before I know it, they will be all grown up and leaving the nest. *BooHoo*


 7. What is the weirdest question you’ve ever been asked?
I'm sure I've been asked a doozy or two in my lifetime, but I cannot think of a single weird thing right now.



 8. If you had to go on an adventure, with elves, dwarves, or hobbits, who would you take and why? 
I would have to go with the elves and hope that they were Santa's elves and could take me on an adventure to The North Pole! I would take my kids along with me.


 9. You are at a rural retreat lodge somewhere deep in Wisconsin or Canada. You are approached by a taxidermist who hands you a stuffed badger and asks you to put it in your lap. What do you do next? 
I would probably awkwardly take the stuffed badger and put it in my lap. And, get my picture made or something. My teenage daughter would think that was so cool (she has a weird fascination with taxidermy).


10. What was your first job?
Technically, I suppose babysitting was my first job. I babysat all through high school. But, my first "real" job was after high school graduation. I worked in the medical records office of a local hospital. I was in college at the time, so I mostly worked weekends and was usually left to man the office alone. One of my first weekends on the job, I got chewed out by a pompous doctor because I didn't make his coffee strong enough. Seriously. He yelled at me and made me feel awful. I may or may not have also been inappropriately groped by a few doctors as well. It was definitely a learning experience and my first look at the real world.


11. What is your favorite utensil?
Well, this is a real tough one and something I can't say I've ever thought about. I will go with a spatula. I guess you just can't go wrong with a spatula, right?


If you would like to play along with the 11 Things Meme, visit The Paper Mama and also leave me a comment so I can come and check out your answers.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Muppets Most Wanted - New Video Available

I am sharing this information on behalf of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. No compensation of any type was received for sharing this post and all opinions expressed are my own.

Muppets Most Wanted opens in theaters March 21, 2014

As someone who grew up watching The Muppets, I'm really looking forward to this one! Other fans are too. Check out this hilarious video where fans "squeee" with excitement over this upcoming film...

 


#MuppetsMostWanted
Like The Muppets on Facebook and Twitter
Follow Miss Piggy on Twitter

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Movie Trailer Tuesday - A Bear Named Winnie

Welcome to "Movie Trailer Tuesday - my weekly blog feature where I share movie/dvd recommendations by posting a quick blurb and movie trailer for you to check out.

blog

Have you ever wondered what inspired A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books? Well, here's a movie based on the true story of how this classic and beloved series came to be.

A Canadian soldier on his way to war comes across a bear cub who has just lost her mother. Deciding to take the friendly little cub under his wings, he adopts her and brings her along to his army camp. Naming her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnepeg, the two quickly form a strong and loving bond.

It soon becomes apparent that an army camp during wartime is no place for a bear. The soldier decides he must leave Winnie in care of the London Zoo while he serves his duty. At the zoo, Winnie becomes a huge hit and, later, the inspiration behind the Winnie the Pooh books.

I never knew the story behind Winnie the Pooh so I found this movie to be absolutely charming. It's a little sappy but very heartwarming. I will admit it brought me to tears - a good animal story always seems to do that. A Bear Named Winnie is a sweet story that would be perfect for the whole family to watch.

Starring Michael Fassbender and Gil Bellows. Available on Netflix.

Rated PG - While I think this is a family-friendly movie, be aware that it does deal with the subject of war and the euthanizing of animals.

The following trailer is, unfortunately, in a foreign language. It does not show a lot of detail about the movie but it is the only trailer I was able to find. The movie is in English.

 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Happy 2014 and 10 Things I Fiercely Believe In

It's a little bit belated but...Happy New Year!

image via Morguefile.com

I hope that you and your people had a happy and safe holiday. I have been taking a break from blogging and admit the time off has been nice. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with our family and have also been loving the kids being out of school for winter break. But, now it's time to get back down to business, and, truth be told, I CANNOT WAIT  for my teens to head back to school! Seriously, I love 'em, but it's time. (If you think I'm awful for saying this then you obviously do not have three teenagers and a young adult child living in your house) They've turned into arguing-stay-up-all-night-sleep-all-day-eat-junk-constantly-while-being-super-absorbed-with-tv-and-video-games kids. It's time to go back to school!

For those of you that have teenagers, you know what I'm talking about...right?

Now, as I try to figure my way out of my blogging slump, I think I will make a list. Everyone loves lists, don't they?!

Here, in no particular order, are 10 Random Things I Fiercely Believe In:

1)  Hugging your kids, often and no matter their age
2)  Praying
3)  Exercising your right to vote
4)  Reading strictly for pleasure
5)  Freedom of speech
6)  Saying the words "I love you" to those who are important to you
7)  Working hard for what you earn
8)  Paying with cash whenever possible
9)  Not holding grudges (this is a tough one for me)
10) Showing kindness and compassion

I could go on and on with this list. But, now it's your turn. Share something you fiercely believe in...