Just Another New Blog

There's a huge mirror in our master bathroom. It takes almost an entire wall. I did not put it there, the mirror just came with the house. Probably because of all that mirror space, I never felt the need to have a mirror in the shower - until now.

The Deluxe LED Fogless Shower Mirror with Squeegee by ToiletTree Products is just what you think it is: a mirror for your shower. It has a little light, and it does not fog up - thanks to reservoir that you fill with water before each use. The mirror attaches easily to shower walls with silicone adhesive and promises not to damage the tiles. The frame is adjustable, so if your 6'2" husband wants to use it while shaving, he can. Then you are free to re-adjust it to your, say, 5'4" liking.

This mirror is not just for shaving: you can use it to see what you're doing when you are exfoliating or cleaning your face, or tweezing your eyebrows. It's shatter-proof acrylic and comes with a built-in shelf to store your tools. I'd rather use my shower caddy for that because it has more space. The squeegee comes in handy for wiping away drops of water. I wish the light were brighter and the mirror could magnify but overall, that's a neat product to have in your shower.

The Fogless Shower Mirror is available on Amazon with a list price of $39.95 - now on sale for $29.95.

You can connect with ToiletTree Products on Facebook and Twitter @ToiletTreeProd. Check out their other products on toilettreeproducts.com - I love the bamboo collection, it would go perfectly with my favorite shower caddy.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Easter is less than three weeks away, and I have the plastic eggs ready. I still need to get a jar of jelly beans and some chocolate bunnies - my kids love those. They also love the early Easter treat we got from the Smiley Cookie people: bunny cookies.

These adorable Easter cookies are shaped like bunny faces. At first my kids thought they were butterflies - I guess the bright colors threw them off. There are a dozen cookies per box, two of each color: pink, purple, yellow, green, orange, and blue. They are sugar cookies covered with frosting that is a tad too sweet for me but a hit with kids. Each cookie has 250 calories, so enjoy responsibly - one at a time.

These Easter bunny cookies would make a great addition to an Easter-themed gift basket. They would work perfectly for a spring treat, too. The best thing about them is that they are made in a peanut-free and tree-nut free facility. If someone you know loves cookies but has to be extra careful because of a nut allergy, these cookies are a good option. Need a treat for your child's party at a peanut-free school? Grab a couple of boxes of smiley cookies. In addition to bunnies, they have cookies shaped like smiley faces, stars, or flowers. And if a 56 gram cookie is a tad too much for you or your toddler, check out the mini cookies - 20 grams each, and just 90 calories.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I started using skin care products in high school. Mostly, I used a makeup remover and a day cream. I don't recall talking to my girlfriends about lotions and potions but I did discuss creams with my mom. For as long as I can remember, she has been using a good quality moisturizer, every morning and evening. I do the same thing - I have my mom to thank for my good skincare habits.

Unlike many teenagers, I did not use acne products. I was lucky - acne was never one of my problems growing up. I would get a lonely zit now and then but nothing like what my friends had to go through. Teen acne is so unfair - having to deal with growing pains on the brink of adulthood is never easy. Why add bad skin into the mix? As if our raging hormones were not enough.

These days, I am more worried about age spots. They are very common for the over-40 crowd although younger people can get them, too. They are not caused by old age but by sun damage. My solution? Sunscreen, and SPF30 in my moisturizer. And, if and when age spots do make an appearance, there are always skin-bleaching products. But as they say, an ounce of prevention... or in this case, an ounce of good sunscreen.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: This post was brought to you by our advertisers. Photo courtesy Murad. The opinions and experiences are all mine.

Book Description
"Did you know that the origin of the word gossip in English is 'god-sibling'? It's the talk between people who are godparents to the same child, people who have a legitimate loving interest in the person they talk about. It's talk that weaves a net of support and connection beneath the people you want to protect."

Loviah "Lovie" French owns a small, high-end dress shop on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Renowned for her taste and discretion, Lovie is the one to whom certain women turn when they need "just the thing" for major life events — baptisms and balls, weddings and funerals — or when they just want to dish in the dressing room. Among the people who depend on Lovie's confidence are her two best friends since boarding school: Dinah Wainwright and Avis Metcalf.

Outspoken and brimming with confidence, Dinah made a name for herself as a columnist covering the doings of New York's wealthiest and most fabulous. Shy, proper Avis, in many ways Dinah's opposite, rose to prominence in the art world with her quiet manners, hard work, and precise judgment. Despite the deep affection they both feel for Lovie, they have been more or less allergic to each other since a minor incident decades earlier that has been remembered and resented with what will prove to be unimaginable consequences.

These uneasy acquaintances become unwillingly bound to each other when Dinah's favorite son and Avis's only daughter fall in love and marry. On the surface, Nick and Grace are the perfect match — a playful, romantic, buoyant, and beautiful pair. But their commitment will be strained by time and change: career setbacks, reckless choices, the birth of a child, jealousies, and rumor. At the center of their orbit is Lovie, who knows everyone's secrets and manages them as wisely as she can. Which is not wisely enough, as things turn out — a fact that will have a shattering effect on all their lives.

An astute chronicler of everything that makes us human, Beth Gutcheon delivers her most powerful and emotionally devastating novel to date. Gossip is a tale of intimacy and betrayal, trust and fidelity, friendship, competition, and motherhood that explores the myriad ways we use and abuse "information" about others — be it true, false, or imagined — to sustain, and occasionally destroy, one another.

My Thoughts
Gossip follows three friends from boarding school in the 60s to present time. The story is told from the point of view of Lovie, the force that holds the trio together. Each of the three women achieves professional success in her own way. Happiness in their personal lives proves to be more elusive and complicated. They go through ups and downs, defeat and heartbreak. In their social circles, information is a weapon, and gossip can make or break people.

Gossip is an engrossing and thought-provoking read, a tale of friendship but above all, about the power of words. It would make a great movie - I can just see Meryl Streep (Avis), Susan Sarandon (Dinah) and Michelle Pfiffer (Lovie) starring.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. / Canadian reader will win a copy of Gossip!

To enter, please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below.

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Saddle up, fans of romance! Two new titles are galloping our way, courtesy of Forever.

Book Description: Quinn by R.C. Ryan
A WYOMING SKY NOVEL

The Truth Can Be an Irresistible Temptation . . .

As a young boy, Quinn Conway was shattered by his mother's mysterious disappearance. Today, as the oldest of the Conway brothers, his only concern is protecting his family and their ranch. One look at beautiful, strong-willed Cheyenne O'Brien tells him she's also no stranger to tragedy. A series of increasingly dangerous "accidents" are plaguing her and her land, and Quinn can't stand idly by while a woman is in danger. Fiercely independent, Cheyenne isn't one to lean on others, yet she can't deny her attraction to the rugged rancher offering help. Soon, the passion building between them proves as wild and untamed as the land she loves-and just as impossible to resist. But a relentless enemy is about to make one final devastating move. To survive, Quinn and Cheyenne must put their cherished freedom-and their hearts-at risk...

Book Description: Catch Me a Cowboy by Katie Lane
Shirlene Dalton has it all: a dream marriage to a man who spoils her rotten and the most outrageous mansion Bramble, Texas, has ever seen. But when her husband unexpectedly dies, Shirlene finds herself right back where she started-in a rundown trailer on the wrong side of the tracks. Never the type to let a little bad luck and a whole heap of heartache get her down, Shirlene is ready to prove to the local gossips she can make it on her own . . . until she ends up living next door to the most tempting cowboy in town.

Billy Wilkes has a score to settle and a plan to wipe Bramble right off the map. But when his sexy, redheaded neighbor figures out what he's up to, his good ol' boy charm won't be enough to save him. With the town on his tail, Billy will have to come clean quick-or kiss Shirlene goodbye.

The Giveaway
Three (3) lucky U.S. readers will win a western romance prize pack with copies of both books!

To enter, please follow the instructions of the Rafflecopter.

* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser.


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Silk, the company that makes soy milk, has a new product - the Silk Fruit&Protein juice blend. These delicious drinks combine the refreshing taste of juice with the nourishing power of protein. They are great for a quick breakfast in the morning or a tasty snack in the afternoon.

Silk Fruit&Protein is a good source of protein with 5 grams per 1 cup serving. It provides calcium and vitamins C and D. Plus, the juice blends are free of lactose, dairy, cholesterol, eggs, casein, and MSG.

This yummy drink comes in three flavors:

• Silk Fruit&Protein Mixed Berry: A tangy-sweet blend of blueberry, raspberry and more.
• Silk Fruit&Protein Strawberry Banana: A classic for good reason, beloved by fruit fans everywhere.
• Silk Fruit&Protein Mango Peach: A hint of juicy mango gives this blend exotic appeal.

I enjoy a smoothie in the morning but don't always have the time to make it from scratch. Besides, the noise of the blender is not what I like to hear before 7 am. Silk Fruit&Protein is the perfect solution: in the fridge, nicely chilled, and ready to drink.

We tried every one of three varieties, and we love them all! No one at my house is lactose-intolerant but you don't have to be to enjoy Silk Fruit& Protein. My favorite is the Strawberry Banana while the kids voted for Mixed Berry.

Silk Fruit&Protein comes in quart sizes at most major retailers, and is available in half-gallons only at Walmart. Check out the store locator to find it near you. I saw all three varieties at several of my neighborhood grocery stores, and would definitely buy them again.

Right now and through March 28, Silk is running a giveaway on Facebook where 60 entrants per day win a free product coupon for Silk Fruit&Protein.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win three free product coupons for Silk Fruit&Protein plus a bunch of $1 off coupons!

To enter, please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below.

* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser.


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Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. The review reflects my personal experience and opinion that may differ from yours. Review product, prize, information and image courtesy of the company or PR firm.

The Author of this post is Kory Dotson

Dancing is a great option for exercise and one in which I participate alone in my living room! I love to dance fast, and alone, even on a full dance floor. But when slow dancing or couple dancing, I am not a good partner. I have an issue with wanting to lead my partner. It is very frustrating because I have always wanted to learn to dance the “shag”. Beach music is the absolute best and the shag is the dance for that type of music. I have tried with some of the best shag dancers around and I still can not manage to loosen up enough to let the guy lead. Because I dance around the house I use my Direct TV Local Channels lineup to find music channels and have even found some dance instruction programs. Those are difficult to follow though. If I am going to take lessons, I need to be in the room with the instructor and my partner. Until I decide to do that, I will keep exercising to my seventies music in the privacy of my home!

EZISTOCK is an online store offering jewelry, home decor, and gifts made by artisans from Thailand. It helps showcase their talent and creativity while supporting fair trade, fair labor, sustainability and environmentally responsible practices.

I've spent hours browsing the EZISTOCK site, falling in love with the exquisite silver jewelry, elegant silk and leather accessories, and beautiful prints and paintings. There is a large variety of items, with prices starting under $20. Benjarong porcelain, aromatherapy sets, ceramic vases, mango wood boxes and picture frames, cotton purses, silk scarves - you can find the right gift for any occasion.

Since the products come all the way from Thailand, shipping for larger gifts can be expensive. Right now, you can get free economy shipping on jewelry! Just use coupon code FSJMAR12. The free shipping offer ends on March 24. In addition, EZISTOCK offers a $7 welcome discount for those who register on the site. You can stay connected with EZISTOCK on Facebook, Twitter @Ezistock, or Google +. 

I will be reviewing one of their beautiful pieces of jewelry in a couple of weeks but in the meantime, check out the EZISTOCK gift selection. And think about what you want to get because we are having a giveaway!

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a $50 gift certificate to EZISTOCK!

To enter, please comment below with something you like at EZISTOCK - then follow the Rafflecopter instructions.

* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser.

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Got giveaways? Please do share! You can link any family-friendly giveaway here weekly to promote it. My Saturday linky is below. Please include prize and ending date, and link directly to the giveaway page.

Looking for more blogs hosting Saturday giveaway fun? Visit Aleks at Busy Working Mama and Kristi at Mom's Own Words. Good luck to those who enter, and everyone else - enjoy browsing!

Del Monte Fresh Produce is having a great new promotion on their Facebook page. They are trying to motivate people to get healthy by exercising and eating more fresh fruit and veggies. So in March, Del Monte Fresh Produce is giving away 500 pairs of sneakers and 10 Wii packages!

How do you enter? It's easy:

To Enter the Sneakers Giveaway:
Step 1: “Like” Del Monte Fresh Produce here www.facebook.com/delmontefreshproduce

Step 2:  Enter the sweepstakes and sign the pledge to make at least half your plate fruits and vegetables and exercise more often.

To Enter the Giveaway for a Nintendo Wii New Super Mario Bros. Pack Game Console and Wii Zumba Fitness: 
Do step 1 and 2, and then:
Step 3: Click on the “Sneaker Giveaway” tab then the “Invite Friends” to share news about the giveaway with your friends.

Step 4:  Get just two (2) friends to enter the sweepstakes and you will be automatically entered to win the Nintendo Wii New Super Mario Bros. Pack game console and Wii Zumba Fitness.

Everyone who enters will be encouraged to sign a pledge to exercise at least three times a week for thirty minutes and, as the USDA recommends, make half their plate fruits and vegetables.

I can certainly use new sneakers. And how awesome is the Nintendo Wii New Super Mario Bros. Pack game console with Wii Zumba Fitness giveaway ($190.00 value)?! I am heading over right now. Good luck!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: This is a compensated post. Information and photo courtesy of the company or PR firm.