My 2009 Valentine Swap has arrived !

On Tuesday I got a package in the mail. Hmmm.... what could it be?? WooHoo ~ my 2009 Valentine Swap from An Island Life !! My swap sender was Lori from Morning Glories & Moonflowers & she sent me the cutest things ! First ~ the Valentine Garland is adorable ! It's hanging in my kitchen in front of the window, between two sets of cupboards (you'll have to trust me when I tell you it looks totally cute there ~ I couldn't get a good pic of it). Then there were 3 adorable cupid decorations (silver with silver glitter) that are now sitting on an antique table in my living room. Onto the pretty V~Day bag ~ it's tied with a super cute heart ornament (hanging on a peg shelf in my kitchen now) & inside is WHITE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS ~ OMG they are soooo good !!!!! I've never even seen these PB cups in the stores around here, so Lori took pity on me & sent me a bag of them (I hope she realizes she's now solely responsible for feeding my addiction to these delicious little candies!). Thank you soooo much Lori ~ I LOVE everything !!!!!

*I'll be heading off to the post office today to mail my swaps along with giveaway prizes, door prize & sample packs !!

Hearts for Tuesday

Tamara from Mad Boastings of a Cheapskate Mom will be attending the memorial service for Tuesday Whitt. She has so very generously made cut-out paper hearts to take with her to the service. In the center of each heart she will place a note,poem,scripture or words of encouragement. Whatever it is that you want to say to Tuesday's family ! You can leave a comment on her blog or email her directly with what you want your heart to say (dawnlight1976 {at} msn{dot}com). PLEASE visit her blog, grab the button & help spread the word. Let's show this family the love & support they so desperately need ! God speed precious Tuesday !

A Virtual "Waggie Ride" for Tuesday

I found this post on Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom ~ it sums up what I'm feeling perfectly! So "I lovingly steal this " from Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom & hope you'll do the same !

"I know so many of us have been touched by both the story of her family and the loss of Baby Tuesday Witt. I've just gotten to a point where I can see her picture on my blog and not cry. One of our fabulous blogger family members has decided to host a virtual wagie ride on the day of Tuesday's memorial, so that we can all celebrate her life. So I lovingly steal the following from Em in Pursuit"

On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 a.m., the Whitt Family is holding a celebration in Parker, Colorado. They're having a wagon and bike parade to honor Tuesday with one of her favorite things to do - "wagie rides."We all can't be there physically, but we can be there in spirit.See this little button...(thanks Shauna and Bianca! Seriously, you guys rock.)Grab it. Post it. Spread it.And on Saturday, have a little wagon ride yourself. No wagon - go for a bike ride. Too much rain - jump in a puddle. Too much snow - pull a sled. Heck, throw the pooches in the back of a pickup and take a slow drive.Whatever you do - as one person, as a couple, as a family, as a group of friends - take a picture and post it. Then come back to Lee on Monday, February 9th, and add your link to Mr. Linky.The goal is to create a virtual parade for Tuesday, to show her family and friends how her brief life touched so many. To offer support in their time of need. And to maybe bring a smile.We hope we did not over step our bounds in this effort. It is heartfelt, and it is pure. We both felt the need to do something, anything to help these hurting hearts.We hope this does in one small way.Now grab that button and spread the word! "

TAG ~ You're It !

I was tagged (last month) over at The Downs Gang, by Lori (my personal stalker). So, here's the deal ~ I have to post 25 random things about myself (Boooring!) & tag 5 others to do the same. Here goes:

1. I have complete OCD when it comes to getting my hair cut. If whoever cuts it screws it up (or I thibk they did), I feel the need to "fix" it. Not usually a good idea !

2. I HATE lightning !

3. I don't talk to my dad ~ EVER !

4. I'm terrified of flying (pass the valium please with a double shot of Crown Royal !)

5. I want a new car (something that is NOT a mommy car)

6. I have lived on my own since I turned 15. I also had my first child at that age (NO ~ I DO NOT REGRET IT !)

7. I love to cook & bake (I'll pass on the cleaning ~ thanks)

8. I am addicted to purses/handbags ! My daughter & I have a shared collection of over 200 !

9. I wish I had OCD about cleaning like I do with getting my hair cut !!

10. I LOVE facebook (yes, another addiction ~ at least it's not drugs!). Where else can you reconnect with some amazing friends that you've lost touch with (for like 20 years)?

11. My kids are my life & I think I'm a pretty good Mom (just ask my kids) !

12. Ok, after this one you may not agree with me on the good mom thing. My daughter is 18, lives at home, has no job & is NOT required to do any chores at home. (Like I said ~ I don't regret my life at all ~ I just want hers to be easier !)

13. I've known since I was 4 years old that I would be a nurse ! The main purpose of said profession being to take care of my grandparents when they got old. Couldn't do it for my grandfather (he was a BIG guy & there was no way I could care for him at home) but I did care for my grandmother (My Princess). Now I'm at a loss as to what I want to do (Nursing no longer appeals to me ~ I did what I set out to do)

14. I have 4 pets : 2 cats, 1 rabbit & a baby turtle

15. I want a dog ! A German Shephard straight from Germany please !

16. I should really exercise more instead of complaining that my jeans are getting tight (I have ranged in size from an 8 to a 16 over the last few years ! I'd really like to get back into my size 8's ! I've made it to 12 so far ~ lol).

17. I make a kick ass cheesecake (from scratch) !

18. I also make a kick ass shoo fly pie (my grandfathers recipe)

19. I LOVE NYC !! Guess I'm a city girl at heart !

20. In addition to my purse addiction ~ I also have a clothing addiction ! (DKNY, Hollister Co. , A&F and Aeropostale are a few of my favorites !)

21. Speaking of DKNY ~ that's also my favorite perfume ! Be Delicious.

22. After 20 years together ~ My husband is still the Love of my life !

23. Ok ~ I know, I have alot of addictions ! Out of the Box Sampler is another one ! I regularly contribute my products to the sample box & I would freak out if I missed buying one of the boxes !

24. I have a friend (found him on facebook after 20 some years !) that is an AMAZING artist & I've asked him to take one of my favorite pictures of my daughter & do a drawing/painting from it !

25. I own over 100 pairs of flip flops !


Here's who I'm tagging:
1. Misty at M-D Candles
2. Olenka at Scrapin' Life
3. Lynette at Crazed Mind
4. Jenn at The Village Peddler
5. Suzanne at Trappeus Lodge

Spread The L-O-V-E Swap !

I LOVE swaps !! So of course when I saw this fab one over at Dandelion Wishes I had to sign up ! You need to head over before Feb. 13th if you want to join in on the fun!! Just click on the button !

GIVEAWAY WINNERS

I have the winners for the Magick Moon Soap Wurks & the M-D Candles Giveaways !! Please forgive me, my computer is NOT working right today ! I can't copy & paste & the keyboard is not being nice (so excuse any words spelled wrong, etc). I'm going to keep this short & sweet.
MAGICK MOON WINNER = Auntmannys !! I've left a message on your blog & I will email you shortly.
M-D CANDLES WINNERS (Yes, I said winners! Misty decided to have 2 winners ~ the 1st number chosen gets the electric candle & the 2nd number gets an 8oz panel jar candle in their choice of color & scent). So the electric candle winner is ~ Valerie2350 & the 2nd place winner is ~ Teresa M. I'm off to notify all the winners now! Congrats to all & thanks to everyone for entering !

*I used random.org to choose the winners but I couldn't copy & paste the #'s (sorry)

Artfire Giveaway on Risky Beads Blog

http://riskybeads.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-2009-artfire-giveaway.html

11 Artfire shops are participating in this great giveaway !!

WINNER

OK, I have the winner for the Valentine's Day Giveaway !! Wanna know who won ?? Well, first let me tell you that because there were so many responses I've decided to draw not 1 but 3 names !! The first name drawn wins the Grand Prize & 2 others will win a smaller gift package !

So, my darling hubby was up & out the door way before I even contemplated getting out of bed & since it's Superbowl Sunday ~ I have NO IDEA when he'll be back ~ lol. So, I got my daughter out of bed (she's really not pleased with me) & had her draw the first name ! So, the name she picked is..........................................................................................................................................................

Stacy (mcginnis135) ~WOOHOO, Congrats Stacy!!

Then I grabbed 2 more pieces of paper out of the bowl & here are the winners of the smaller gift packages .........................................................................................................................................................

Maggie Sue Designs & Kristinia-Loving Heart Mommy !!

OK ~ I'm off to notify the winners ! Have a Great Superbowl Sunday !!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see who wins the giveaways from M-D Candles & Magick Moon Soap Wurks !! AND....... another giveaway is coming VERY soon ! I went shopping yesterday & got a really good deal at Bath & Body Works !!

Prayers for Tuesday's Family

Many of you have been following the story of Tuesday or have joined in on "Pray for Tuesday on Tuesdays". This sweet little girl has touched the lives of so many people all around the world. People like me, who never knew her, but loved her anyway. Her family needs your love & prayers Now more than ever. Tuesday Fiona Whitt lost her battle with cancer on 1/30/09. She was only 2 years old. So tonight, hold your kids a little closer & let them know how much you love them. If your kids are old enough to understand, click here & share with them the story of Tuesday & while you're there, let her family know they are not alone, that we are all thinking of them & praying for them & holding Tuesday close in our hearts !

Organization Giveaway

http://cynthialovespictures.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-fab-organization-giveaway.html

Oh My Gosh ~ hurry over to check out this awesome giveaway (valued at over $200.00). Need to get organized? Then you definitely need to go check out this giveaway !

Pay It Forward

I found this over at Morning Glories & Moonflowers Blog & just had to join in. I'm all about Random Acts of Kindness & Paying it Forward !! So, here's the deal... The first 3 people to comment on this post & agree to Pay it Forward to 3 people on their blog will within the next 365 days ~ receive a gift of love from me in the mail ! That's all... just leave a comment &then post about it on your blog, then the 1st 3 people to leave you a comment & agree to pay it forward to 3 more people on their blog ~ you send them a gift ! This is such a GREAT idea. You never know when you'll get a "surprise" gift from a blogging buddy ! SO... Who's first ??

February is Blog Luv Comment Month

February has been declared Blog Luv Comment Month!! When you see this button ~ leave some comment Luv !! Click on the button now to go to the awesome blog that started it & find out the rules ! My commitment will be at least 5 but I'm shooting for 10 !

Keurig Coffee Maker Giveaway ($250 RV)

http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/secret-revealed.html

Scentsy Giveaway Ending

Scentsy Giveaway ends at midnight tonight ! Hurry & enter for your chance to win ! Click here to go to the giveaway post now. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning !

WINNER : micaela6955/michelep

Magick Moon Soap Wurks Review/Giveaway

Part of the BLOGGY CARNIVAL list of giveaways ! Hurry to enter them all ! Just click on the Bloggy Carnival photo to take you there !

Ok Folks ~ Another Amazing giveaway. This is from one of my FAVORITE companies ! Dana from Magick Moon Soap Wurks has aggreed to give 1 lucky blog reader one of Magick Moon's newest Valentine Soaps !! I'm jealous ~ lol, I haven't tried this one yet, but I can only imagine that it is awesome ~ ALL of Dana's soaps are awesome !! I have personally tried several different soaps & can say in all honesty that Magick Moon ROCKS !! (US ONLY ~ Sorry)

Here's what Dana has to say about Magick Moon Soaps :

Our products are lovingly created with Magick and Pure Intent. There are no pre-manufactured soap bases, preservatives, harsh detergents, drying agents, parabens, dyes, fillers or synthetics. We make every single bar by hand and from scratch- ensuring you the absolute highest quality available.

Magick Moon also carries Lactose & Gluten Free soaps for people with allergies or super sensitive skin (although I must say that I have very sensitive skin & not one of the soaps I have used has had any negative effects on my skin. In fact, my skin is so silky smooth since I've started using Dana's soaps that my husband has even commented on it!)

Ohhh and the scents! How about Amazing Harvest Apples or Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Raspberry Patchouli is one of my personal favorites !Some of the Magickal Cleansing soaps really grabbed my attention ! Be Wicked, Immortality or how about Persephone's Desire.

Magick Moon Soap Wurks is also starting a Soap of the Month Club !! How cool is that ?? Amazing soaps delivered right to your door each month !

Ok ~ now for the rules of the giveaway. Trust me when I tell you ~ You definitely want to get in on this one !!

Go to Dana's website & choose your favorite product. Come on back here & leave me a comment about it on THIS post. That's 1 entry.

For extra entries:

Follow Dana's Blog for 2 extra entries (leave a comment on this post to let me know you're following)

Follow My Blog & get 1 extra entry (leave a comment on this post to let me know you're following)

Sign up for the Magick Moon Newsletter for 1 extra entry

If you make a purchase from the Magick Moon website any time during this giveaway, leave me a comment on this post & get 5 extra entries. If you spend over $20.00 ~ you get 10 extra entries ~ just make sure to leave me a comment here on this post to let me know you made a purchase.

If you post about this giveaway on your blog ~ leave a comment on this post with the link & get 3 extra entries !

All in all, pretty painless, right ? You can get up to 18 entries for this giveaway !! PLEASE make sure that I have a way to get in touch with you if you're the winner !! Giveaway ends at midnight on February 1st & I will pick a winner using random.org on February 2nd.

April Showers Giveaway

http://aprildurham.blogspot.com/2009/01/100th-post-giveaway_23.html

You definitely want to get in on this one !! Super awesome prizes being given away ~ hurry on over & enter to win !!

M-D Candles Review & Giveaway

Part of the BLOGGY CARNIVAL list of giveaways. Hurry & enter them all. Just click on the Bloggy Carnival photo above!

At M-D Candles, ALL products are made fresh !! No sitting on the shelf for months collecting dust ! That's a HUGE selling point for me, I can't tell you how many candles I've purchased that are just NOT up to my standards(Yeah, who knew I had standards). I was a candle maker for many years & I have some pretty high expectations from the products I buy. At M-D Candles, those expectations are met time & time again ! (US ONLY ~ sorry)

This is the AWESOME Electric Candle that Misty has agreed to give one of my lucky blog readers ! It comes with a tin plate, pip berry garland & bulb. And, guess what ~ the winner can choose ANY scent & color they want !! Yep, like I said ~ MADE FRESH !!

Some of M-D Candles other awesome products include: these beautiful Pillar Candles


Canning Jar Candles

Votives




Tarts

But that is only a sampling of the products offered at M-D Candles !! Some of the mouth watering scents include: Buttercreme Krunch, Cinnamon Stix, Cucumber Melon, Heaven, Orange Patchouli, & Spiced Cranberry. You can see a complete list with scent description on the M-D Candles website.

Misty uses only 100% Soy wax in all her products as well as 100% natural cotton wicks. A HUGE turn-off for me is buying a candle that doesn't completely melt ~ you know, you light the candle & it burns completely down the center leaving a ton of wax in its wake. M-D Candles have a teriffic melt pool & burn COMPLETELY !! That's another big selling point for me ~ No wasted wax. I'm spending my hard earned moolah & I expect to get my moneys worth !

OK ~ Wanna know how you can win that AWESOME Electric Candle?? It's pretty painless, Really. Just go to the M-D Candles website & pick your favorite product or scent. Come on back here & leave me a comment about it (on this post only!). That's all ya really Have to do.Of course if ya really want to win ~ here are a few extra entries you can get:

~Follow M-D Candles Blog & leave me a comment here to let me know you're following for 2 extra entries.

~Follow My blog & leave a comment here to let me know you're following ~ that'll get ya 1 extra entry.

~If you make a purchase from M-D Candles during this giveaway (Misty has a discount on her site right now!), come on back here & leave a comment to let me know ya bought something ! That one gets ya 5 extra entries. If you spend more that $25.00 ~ you get 10 extra entries !!

Comment deadline is midnight on February 1st. I'll pick a winner using random.org & post it here on the 2nd. I'll also send the winner an email, so PLEASE make sure I have a way to get in touch with you !! If I have no email address then I have to pick another winner.

*** As an added bonus ~ if you make a purchase from M-D Candles during the giveaway.... I'll send you a sample pack of products from Willow Lake Scents.... FREE !!!!***

January Out of the Box Sampler Review !

It's here, It's Finally Here !! The January Out of the Box Sampler arrived on my doorstep this afternoon ! I love the new "box" the samples are packaged in ! So, without further ado ~ here is what I received & my opinion on the products ! First, there were 3 lovely samples packaged "outside the box" (details with individual pictures). "Outside the box" products from M-D Candles, Lucky Dog Treat Company & Sweet Ambs

OMG ~ Look at all the goodies !!

Georgeous Cookie from Sweet Ambs that I almost didn't eat because it was so pretty. Ok ~ so I broke down & ate it ~ YUMMY !! Orange Vanilla Spice flavor.

Top is the packaging for the Sweet Ambs Cookie. Bottom of picture is a package of 6 little doggie treats (shaped like shamrocks) in the cutest cello bag with paw prints on it. The label is too cute !! I don't have a doggie (yet ~ I'm still workin' on the hubby!) so I'm passing this on to a friend that does. This is from Lucky Dog Treat Company

Full size jar candle in Cinnamon Stix scent from M-D Candles. This candle smelled Yummy on cold sniff, but even better once I lit it !! My whole house smelled like I spent the day baking ! Hubby asked what kind of goodies I was baking (he was pretty disappointed to find that it was the candle burning ~ said I really shouldn't tease him like that ~ lmao!). Once again Misty didn't disappoint ! I'm always happy to see her samples in the box !

Mary Kay samples from Tracy Hardesty ~ mineral eye color, mineral cheek color & creme lipstick ~ all in colors that I will definitely use so great sample. Plus 20% off lipstick or lipgloss & 25% off all skin care products ! Next is the cute catnip toy with the Hippie VW Car on it from

Colorado Catnip Toys ~ my kitties are lovin' this already ! Then there is the Nice sized candle in a tin in Mulberry scent (one of my favorite scents!) from Sweet Texas Scents ~ great scent on cold sniff ! And the last one in this picture is a 4 oz. jar of Aroma Beads in Fireside Embers scent from Deborahs Candle Magick ~ Very generous sample & pleasant scent. She also included a 15% discount on 1st purchase & a "special gift" w/ order.

Here we have Bath Salts in Ice scent from Scentimentally You ~ Very nice fresh scent ! Vanilla Pumpkin Take Out Tart from Angel Made Scents (love her tarts !). Cute little gift shaped unscented Shea Butter soap from Luxspa & a nice sized Gift shaped Tart from M-D Candles in Cinnamon Apple scent (another of my favorite scents). Smells Divine !!

Left to Right ~ Cinnabun Tart from Luxspa that smells awesome !! Pine scented Bath Salts from Divine Serenity Salts. I didn't think I was going to like this one at first ~ pine isn't really my thing, but I opened the bag & was pleasantly surprised ! This sample really smells Great !! And the last one is from ME ~ I don't review my own samples ~ lol. So I'll just tell you that it's a Honey Orange Sugar & Shea Lip Scrub.

This is the cutest Flip Flop Tart from Ugly Duckling Designs. Large tart & it smells amazing !! I could smell this one way before I even opened the bag! Plus a 15% discount !! Thanks for the Hint of Summer Michelle !!

Next up is this nice size sample of Lavender Rose Cream Goats Milk Soap. Normally, I HATE lavender, but for some reason I LOVE this sample !! Maybe it's the combination of lavender & rose, I don't know, but this is heading off to the tub with me tonight !! This is from Magick Moon Soap Wurks

Peanut Butter Blossom Melt from Blue Rose Candles. I was VERY tempted to put this on a plate on the table & see who would be the first to try & eat it ~ lmao. I resisted the urge & put it in my warmer instead !

Vegan Coffee Bar Soap from Anitas Crafty Creations. I love that this soap has coffee grounds in it for an exfoliant ! Next is a nice size Gel Tart from Oregon Candle Gels in Oregon Campfire scent. I LOVE that someone has finally made a gel tart !! Nice scent too !

Here we have a very generous sample from My Two Sunshines . A Pink Frosted Cupcake scented tart ~ OMG this smells sooooo Yummy !! & Rice Flower & Shea Yogurt Lotion. I've never tried a yogurt lotion before, so I was excited to get this sample ! It left my hands feeling so smooth & moisturized !! And Rice Flower & Shea is definitely a new favorite scent !!

And last but Definitely NOT least is this absolutely beautiful Valentine's Day card from Memories by Olenka. Let me just say, this is one talented lady !! I will absolutely be heading to her website for all my card giving needs !!

Inside of the card

So, there ya have it ~ Another AWESOME BOX from Out of the Box Sampler !! Teriffic Job Michelle !!

BTW ~ Next months box goes on sale February 6th so you get it in time for Valentin's Day!!

Whimsical Prims ~ Giveaway I won

SO, yesterday I got a package in the mail from South Africa. I'm thinking to myself ~ I don't know anyone in South Africa! Hmmm.... turns out it's the prize I won on the Whimsical Prims Blog ! OMG ~ Awesome ! I loved EVERYTHING !! By far though my favorite has to be the little Reminder Journal ! (upper left corner of pic) It's now sitting on my desk & already has a few little "notes to self" in it. Thank You so much Lynda ~ I love it all !

I also just won on BNM (button is in my sidebar), but I won't be posting pics of that here ~ lol (adult content). I will say though that it looks like I'll be having a VERY good Valentines Day ~ lmao !!

Here are your random numbers:31
Timestamp: 2009-01-19 01:41:31 UTC

So, the winner of the door prize is : nanja

Heading of to notify the winner now !!

Oh Yeah ~ BTW ~THE EAGLES SUCK !

No reply from the first winner drawn so I chose another # ~ Here it is

Here are your random numbers:58
Timestamp: 2009-01-21 23:44:51 UTC

So the NEW WINNER of the door prize is :
LARA ..... Hope I win

Going to notify her now ~ hopefully she claims her prize !!