Book Description
When Sophia dreams that howling winds whisk the fur and feathers right off her animal friends, she shares some of her clothes with them. But her clothing doesn't work well for the animals. Seeing their disappointment, she offers to sew each one the "right" coat. Animals line up to explain what they need and why. Polar Bear needs white fur to stay warm and hide in the snow. Fish needs scales, but with slime. Snake needs scales too, but dry ones. And how will Sophia make a prickly coat for Porcupine? The award-winning team of Halfmann and Klein (Little Skink's Tail) reunite to bring animal coverings (and classification) to life in an imaginative way.

My Review
Earlier this month, I reviewed a delightful book by Janet Halfmann - Good Night, Little Sea Otter. Fur and Feathers is another excellent children's book where Ms. Halfmann's prose goes hand in hand perfectly with some beautiful illustrations. My kids enjoyed the story of a little girl who dreams that all animals have lost their fur and the birds their feathers in a storm. She decides to help her animal friends and make new coats for them. With imagination and resourcefulness that I see in my own children, Sophia makes a new outfit for each animal, leaving her "signature" - a heart for the polar bear, a different color "necklace" for the duck. Fur and Feathers is more than just a fun book. It makes kids think about why animals look the way they do. In addition, the book promotes love of nature and creativity. At the end of Fur and Feathers, there is a section where inquisitive children can learn about scientific classification of animals and skin coverings. Entertaining, well written, beautifully illustrated, creative and educational - in other words, all I want to see in a book I read with my children.

Not surprisingly, Fur and Feathers has won Gold in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.

The Giveaway
One lucky US reader will win a signed copy of Fur and Feathers by Janet Halfmann!

To enter, please visit Janet Halfmann's site or Sylvan Dell Publishing and comment below with the title of another book that you'd like to share with the kids in your life.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win signed copy of Fur and Feathers by @JanetHalfmann! #Giveaway ends 4/14 @aitmama #contests #kids #books @SylvanDell http://tiny.cc/ltql4";
• tell us who would be enjoying the book if you won;
• follow @JanetHalfmann on twitter;
• if you are a friend of Janet Halfmann on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 14, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and book info courtesy of the publisher.

Book Description
It’ll take more than a little sugar to convince folks Daphne Martin’s freshly baked spice cake was not to blame for the mysterious death of town gossip Yodel Watson. Getting her new cake decorating business, Daphne’s Delectable Cakes, off the ground is hard enough now that Daphne’s moved back to her southern Virginia hometown, but orders have been even slower since she found Yodel’s body. She soon realizes, however, that just about everybody in town had a reason to poison the cantankerous busybody, from the philandering pet shop owner, to Yodel’s church potluck nemesis, to the Save-A-Buck’s cranky produce manager-turned-bagger. Now, to help prove she’s no confectionary killer, Daphne recruits her old flame, Ben Jacobs, editor of the local newspaper, and quickly stirs up a long-hidden family scandal that just might hold the secret ingredient she needs to solve the case. All she’s got to do is roll up her sleeves and get her hands a little dirty before the real culprit decides that taking sweet revenge on Daphne will be icing on the cake.


My Review
Murder Takes the Cake is an irresistible cozy mystery - with a touch of cake batter. I enjoyed it and could not put it down although this read was giving me some serious sweet cravings. Daphne, the main character, is a cake decorator who has her hands full, trying to get her baking business off the ground. When one of her few customers is found dead, she becomes a suspect - at least as far as the tireless gossip mill in town is concerned. Daphne needs to solve the mystery to get people to trust her. It is not an easy feat, since it seems the entire town may have done the deed. Daphne must deal with some serious family issues, too, as if a murder and a struggling business is not enough.

The book I received is a re-release of the one originally published by Bell Bridge. This Gallery Books edition contains new scenes and an additional section entitled Daphne’s Kitchen. It includes several recipes for Daphne's delicious cakes, plus tips on how do decorate the perfect cake. Personally, I will not be baking any of them yet but I'll be checking out Dead Pan, the second book from the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mysteries. A new one - Killer Sweet Tooth - is coming out soon from Gallery Books, also on my to-read list.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and book info courtesy of the publisher.

I am a big fan of Wholly Guacamole products - love the guac, the salsa, the queso.... The company is teaming up with The Biggest Loser for a fun new contest! Here's the scoop, directly from Wholly Guacamole:

Feel like you need reinforcements in The Battle of the Bulge?
Does The Biggest Loser®  give you inspiration?

Wholly Guacamole is celebrating Battle Buddies with an awesome giveaway! Go to eatwholly.com/thebiggestloser and, in 200 words or less, tell them how you and your Battle Buddy inspire and support each other in your weight loss journey.

They're giving away tons of prizes including a trip for 2 to attend  The Biggest Loser: Couples season finale, a trip for 2 for a week's stay at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu® and airfare allowance!  And don't forget to watch The Biggest Loser: Couples, Tuesdays 8/7c! 

Check out the details below. Good luck!

Main:  http://eatwholly.com/promotions/biggest-loser-contest.html
Prizes: http://eatwholly.com/biggest-loser-prizes.html
Partners: http://eatwholly.com/biggest-loser-partners.html
Rules:  http://eatwholly.com/biggest-loser-rules.html

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I am sharing this info because I love guacamole, and Wholly Guacamole is my favorite brand. No compensation was received for this post but I will be getting some coupons and entered in a drawing.

I love yummy candles and was very excited to discover the Modern Light Candles Collection. They make 100% soy candles in 6 delicious scents. The candles are clean-burning and each lasts over 50 hours.

I received the Pandora's Box candle - beautifully packaged in a stylish black box, complete with a ribbon. The candle is made of 9 oz of pure soy wax in a glass jar. The fragrance is quite strong - I like the scent and keep the candle at my desk even when it's not burning. It's a blend of green tea, juniper, aloe, ginger and amber. Although I cannot detect every single one of these, the overall effect is very nice. I love burning a soy candle to create a subtle aroma around the house, especially at night, or to mask the smells of cooking that I want confined to the kitchen.

There are five other fragrances in the Modern Light Candles Collection and all of them sound very intriguing. The candles can be purchased at the company's website and cost $40 each. They would make a nice luxury gift or a pampering splurge for yourself.

The Giveaway
Two (2) lucky U.S. readers will win a Modern Light Candle!

To enter, please comment below which Modern Light candle you'd like to have if you won.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a fragrant 9 oz #soy candle from Modern Light Candles! #Giveaway ends 4/12 @aitmama #contests #home #decor http://tiny.cc/ikemt";
• if you like Modern Light Candles on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 12, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Open to U.S. residents 18+.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Product info courtesy of the publisher or PR firm. 

Book Description
Two Men Are One Too Many...

Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered... and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

My Review
The Sweetest Thing is the second novel in Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series. The series is about three sisters, all with very different personalities, who are brought together by their mom's passing and the dilapidated inn she leaves to all of them in her will. I read the first novel, Simply Irresistible, earlier this year. Although the first novel provides some useful background to the story, The Sweetest Thing can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book.

The Sweetest Thing focuses on the second sister, Tara, who comes to Lucky Harbor in an attempt to run away from her failed picture-perfect marriage. She does not want to be in the little coastal town any more than she wants to help run an inn with her estranged sisters. Tara meets her match in Ford, a local hunk who may just be more than the handsome sailor he seems. There is history between the two that she does not care repeating. And just when she thinks she's got things under control again, her ex-husband shows up, and a deeply buried secret comes to light.

The Sweetest Thing is a fun contemporary romance with likable characters and interesting plot. It's perfect light reading, and I recommend that you check out Simply Irresistible, too. I am looking forward to reading the third novel, Head over Heels, coming out in December 2011.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good romance novel you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 1 of 3 copies of The Sweetest Thing by @JillShalvis! #Giveaway ends 4/11 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #books http://tiny.cc/imlrf" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @JillShalvis on twitter;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 11, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and book info courtesy of the publisher.  

It's never fun to deal with head lice - especially with kids. Zippity Doo's offers hair products for children that help prevent head lice and are gentle enough for everyday use.

Zippity Doo's head lice prevention line includes five products: shampoo, conditioner, leave-in detangler, styling gel and shield spray. We received a bottle of each. I expected them to smell like some sort of lice treatment but they don't - the scents are fresh and quite pleasant. We've been using the shampoo and conditioner at bedtime to wash the kids' hair. The detangler is their favorite because it makes brushing their hair in the morning so much easier. The styling gel goes on in the morning, too, and I spritz their school bags with the shield spray every day. I love the entire line and using these products gives me the peace of mind that lice will not be brought home from school or the playground.

Zippity Doo's hair care products are pediatrician approved. They are laboratory tested and free of parabens and SLS. The products are made with a combination of natural ingredients, such as lemongrass, rosemary, geranium extracts, tea tree oil, ginger, lavender, citronella oil, anise and sage. These ingredients are chosen because of their ability to promote healthy hair while repelling lice and other insects. And of course that explains the nice smell of the products. My favorite aromas are those of the shield spray and leave-in detangler.My daughter says they are her "perfume".

Zippity Doo's hair care for kids can be purchased at several retailers, including Amazon.com, Target, and major drugstore sites. At under $10 per bottle, there is no reason not to use them to prevent head lice from ever visiting your house.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a Zippity Doo's prize pack, including a bottle each of all five products (ARV $50)!

To enter, please visit Zippity Doo's site and comment below which one of their products you'd be using most often with your kids. 
 
For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win prize pack of #kids #hair #lice prevention products from @zippitydooshair! #Giveaway ends 4/10 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/ysuca";
• follow @zippitydooshair on twitter;
• if you like Zippity Doo's on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• check out the store locator and name one place you can buy Zippity Doo's products;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 10, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Open to U.S. residents 18+.


Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and to everyone else -  enjoy browsing!

Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub 3/25
Kathy Kano-Murillo "Crafty Chica" Book Bundle 3/28
Good Night, Little Sea Otter 3/30
Welcome to Last Chance - 2 win 3/31
Master Lock Security File Box 3/31
Set of Lip Balms for Kids 4/1
Simply Fido Nap Mat and Toy 4/2
Snowdrops - 2 win 4/6
Giraffe Kids Wall Art Print 4/7

Book Description
When the very proper Oliver, Earl of Stewkesbury, took in his American cousins, he never expected the Bascombe girls to be quite so much trouble. He’s already found them a chaperone to get them ready for the Season, but now he needs to find someone to show them around London. And while free-spirited socialite Vivian Carlyle isn’t exactly Oliver’s idea of a good role model, she’s the perfect woman for the job. Oliver quickly realizes that this, too, isn’t as easy as it should be. Vivian’s strong opinions and independent attitude clash with his own, igniting a passion that neither of them expected.

My Review
An Affair Without End is a delightful historical romance by Candace Camp, author of more than 60 books. It is the third novel in the Willowmere Series but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. Oliver and Vivian, the two main characters, could not be more different in spirit - despite their titles and privileged upbringing. The Earl of Stewkesbury is all about duty and family obligations. The beautiful socialite loves the balls and dances, the flirting and the gossip. They drive each other crazy - and not in a good way. There is some of the classic opposites attract but the story is much more than that.

The story has its twists and turns, including the mystery of a series of jewelry thefts that Vivian has decided to solve. At first an unwilling participant in Vivian's adventures, Oliver gradually finds out just how well the two complement each other. They are brought close by passion and risk, and each of their personalities grows, benefiting from the other. Despite appearances, these two may just be a perfect match - if they survive the danger and each other.

An Affair Without End was released on March 22 by Pocket Star, a division of Simon and Schuster.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and product info courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

Carla Daly is a children's illustrator whose work is available on CarlaDaly.com. I love her colorful art that appears on wall prints, posters, wall growth charts, door signs and more. We received an adorable giraffe print that now hangs in the kids' room. It arrived gift-ready, wrapped nicely in white tissue paper. The picture - aptly called Chillin' - features two cute giraffes. I like to think of them as mom and baby. The print is of excellent quality, made on a 300gsm watercolor paper and backed with board. There is a white area around the picture that really makes the colors pop out. The print measures 12"x16". I can see it standing out beautifully against just about any background.

Carla Daly has tons of beautiful kids' art on her site. My personal favorites, apart from the giraffe print, are the kids maps and the growth charts. Everything ships free worldwide.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a Chillin' giraffe wall art print!

To enter, please visit Carla Daly's site and comment below with your favorite item.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win an adorable giraffe #kids wall art print from @CarlaDaly! #Giveaway open #worldwide, ends 4/7 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/j9p4v";
• follow @CarlaDaly on twitter;
• if you like Carla Daly on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 7, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Open worldwide to those of age 18+, void where prohibited.



Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Zoobies are adorable plush toy animals that can be converted to a soft pillow and have a cozy blanket inside. They are wonderful to have in the car for a road trip, to take along on a plane, or to play with around the house.

We received the cute Hada the Hippo - a sweet hippopotamus in pink, my daughter's favorite color. The toy is well made, super soft and cuddly. The blanket inside is light as air but not thin, and I would love to have an adult-sized one just like it for myself. The blanket attaches to the toy with a zipper and fold compactly inside the hippo, if you want a soft pillow. For play time, the pillow fastens in two places with velcro and becomes a very huggable toy. The head and face of the toy are made from soft fabric stuffed with microbeads.

Hada the Hippo's blanket is machine washable. While spot washing is recommended for the rest, I could not help myself and tried to launder it. I took precautions, of course - I zipped it inside a pillow protector and used cold water and a gentle cycle. To my delight (and relief), Hada the Hippo survived the washer and dryer intact.

We love Hada the Hippo and would definitely be adding some of her friends to our toy box. We like Jafaru the Giraffe, Ellema the Elephant, Tama the Tortoise and all adorable bears. Zoobies Blanket Pets would make a wonderful gift, too.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and product info courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Book Description
Nick Platt is a British lawyer working in Moscow in the early 2000s — a place where the cascade of oil money, the tightening grip of the government, the jostling of the oligarchs, and the loosening of Soviet social mores have led to a culture where corruption, decadence, violence, and betrayal define everyday life. Nick doesn’t ask too many questions about the shady deals he works on—he’s too busy enjoying the exotic, surreally sinful nightlife Moscow has to offer.

One day in the subway, he rescues two willowy sisters, Masha and Katya, from a would-be purse snatcher. Soon Nick, the seductive Masha, and long-limbed Katya are cruising the seamy glamour spots of the city. Nick begins to feel something for Masha that he is pleased to think is love. Then the sisters ask Nick to help their aged aunt, Tatiana, find a new apartment.

Of course, nothing is as it seems — including this extraordi­nary debut novel. The twists in the story take it far beyond its noirish frame—the sordid and vivid portrayal of Moscow serves as a backdrop for a book that examines the irresistible allure of sin, featuring characters whose hearts are as cold as the Russian winter.

My Review
Snowdrops is a debut novel that sounds surprisingly mature. It's also a compelling page turner that I read in two days. The descriptions of Moscow life are profoundly insightful. Most of the characters are under the spell of the Wild East - with all the temptations that money, crime and disorder have to offer. The story is told from point of view of Nick, a British expat who is a corporate lawyer working in Moscow in the early 2000s. While his job entails legal but not exactly moral obligations, his actions in his personal life start off as mostly innocent. After he meets and falls in love with Masha, a beautiful Russian girl, Nick starts to gradually slip deeper into the gray area between right and wrong, until he is in well over his head. He is a basically good person who - like it sometimes happens in life - becomes guilty by inaction or association, by omission or silence, until it is too late to go back.

The Giveaway
Thanks to Doubleday Publishing, two (2) lucky readers will win a copy of Snowdrops by A.D. Miller!

To enter, please comment below with the title of a good book you've read recently.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 1 of 2 copies of Snowdrops, debut novel by A.D. Miller! #Giveaway ends 4/6 @aitmama @doubledaypub #contests #books http://tiny.cc/5rstq";
• follow @doubledaypub on twitter;
• if you like Doubleday Publishing on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• if you like A.D. Miller on Facebook, comment below for another entry; 
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 6, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Open to those of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winners will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor.


Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.

One of my pet peeves is that I cannot stand a dirty computer screen. I am always dusting and wiping the TV, the computer monitor, or the GPS screen in the car. I found a great cleaning solution that's ideal for delicate electronics: it's aptly named Clean Screen.

Scott's Liquid Gold have developed a Clean Screen cleaner that uses reverse osmosis to clean the screen of all sorts of electronics. I received a box of Clean Screen that includes a spray bottle of cleaner and a microfiber cloth. The cleaner does not contain ammonia. Thanks to the reverse osmosis method, the cleaner removes mineral deposits and dirt that are even smaller than water molecules. While I could not really see that, of course, I did notice that the screen of my computer was crystal clear after I cleaned it.

The cleaner is easy to use - all you do is spray the microfiber cloth and wipe the screen. One spray is recommended for small screens and two for larger ones. I needed 2-3 sprays to clean most of my electronics effectively. My cell phone screen took just one spray. The microfiber cloth is nice and thick, and can be rinsed with warm water when soiled.

In addition to computer monitors and cell phones, Clean Screen is safe to use on flat screen TVs, PDAs, digital cameras, camcorders, GPS navigation systems, MP3 players, even on CDs and DVDs. Scott's Liquid Gold also has pre-moistened wipes called Little Clean Screen. They are individually packaged for single use and are perfect to have in your purse or briefcase to use on the go.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and to everyone else -  enjoy browsing!

Organic Virgin Palm Oil 3/20
From Scotland with Love - 3 win 3/21
Pretty Neat 3/21
Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub 3/25
Kathy Kano-Murillo "Crafty Chica" Book Bundle 3/28
Good Night, Little Sea Otter 3/30
Welcome to Last Chance - 2 win 3/31
Master Lock Security File Box 3/31
Set of Lip Balms for Kids 4/1
Simply Fido Eco-Friendly Nap Mat and Organic Cotton Toy 4/2

 

Our furry friends deserve the best - including eco-friendly toys and accessories. The Simply Fido Bamboo Rayon Collection provides just that. Their toys and accessories are non-toxic and colored naturally with plants and minerals using Simply Fido's exclusive PureWaterWash process. The reason the company chose bamboo rayon fabrics is because bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials in the world.

Simply Fido sent me the comfiest nap mat and an adorable dog toy. The Simply Fido Bamboo Rayon Nap Mat is so soft, I wish I had a comforter just like it! The silky bamboo rayon fabric is hand-dyed in chemical-free soy water. It is reversible, so you and your dog have a choice between two beautiful colors. One side is pastel green and the other a warm yellow. It rolls up for easy transport. I was very happy to find out that it is machine washable. And it's quilted! Every time I see it, I want to curl up happily on top of it.

The nap mat comes in two sizes. The small one is perfect for puppies and measures 24"x19", retailing for $34. The medium mat is 28"x20" and has a suggested retail price of $40.

The Simply Fido pet toy I received is made from organic cotton and colored with the PureWaterWash process. It's guaranteed to provide hours of happy entertainment for your dog. Simply Fido offers tons of different plush toys, ring toys, petites, knits, hemp, rope, and more.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a Simply Fido Bamboo Rayon Nap Mat and an organic cotton pet toy!

To enter, please comment below who would be napping and playing with the prize if you won.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win Simply Fido #eco-friendly #dog nap mat & #organic cotton toy for your #pet! #Giveaway ends 4/2 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/0572x";
• comment below with another Simply Fido product you like; 
• check out the store locator and tell us where you can buy Simply Fido products near you;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 2, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Last month, I posted a review of the awesome custom stamps from PJ Greetings. Did you know that one of the 300+ design options is a picture of your own adorable pet? You can have a totally cool custom address stamp with the face of your favorite cat or dog smack in the middle! And since your pet is one of a kind, no one else will have the exact same stamp.

Just as all stamps from PJ Greetings, the pet stamp is pre-inked and can be used up to 30,000 times. That's a lot of letters! The pet stamp I received has this cute golden retriever on it, and measures 1 1/2". The ink can be one of 8 colors: black, navy blue, chocolate, red, purple, green, hot pink, or orange. Since black is the recommended color, I chose that. The picture is very realistic and the stamp quality is excellent. The stamp came packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag, complete with a gift tag label that showed off the design.

The PJ Greetings Pet Stamp would make a wonderful gift for any pet lover, and is sure to brighten the day of whoever sees it. It retails at $59.95 and usually ships within 3-5 business days.

Now through March 31, 2011, get 20% discount off one stamp when ordering from PJ Greetings with coupon code TOMOSON. 

Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

The Happy Handle Bar Shopping Cart Cover aims to protect young kids from contact with germs on shopping cart handles. Unlike other products I've seen that cover the entire shopping cart kids sitting area, this cover is placed in front of the child and covers the shopping cart handle and what's directly in front of the child.

When my daughter was a baby, the easiest way to go shopping with her was to place the entire infant car seat in the shopping cart. When she outgrew it, I started using sanitizing wipes to clean the area of the shopping cart where she would sit, as well as the handles. While this approach worked well for us, the cart was never completely dry before she sat down in it. And of course I could not reach every little nook and cranny she might be touching.

The Happy Handle Bar Shopping Cart Cover is very easy to install on the shopping cart - it snaps in place and covers the handles well. It comes in six happy kid-friendly patterns and has pockets where I can keep a shopping list, car keys, or some money and a credit card. The pockets are too small to fit my wallet but then again, it is on the large and bulky side. On the child's side, you can attach two bottles or sippy cups, plus small toys to keep the kid entertained while you shop.

I like how compactly the cover folds and that it can fit easily in an average-size purse or a diaper bag. The whole thing is machine washable and is intended for children aged 6-36 months - and for their grown ups, of course.

The Happy Handle Bar Shopping Cart Cover costs just $19.99, making it an affordable option to keep little ones protected from shopping cart germs. It would also make a nice baby shower gift that parents can use for a good 2+ years every time they go to the store.

Disclaimer / Dislosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

My kids share my love of lip balm. I encourage them to use it - in winter, to protect their lips from the wind and cold, and in summer to protect them from sun damage. They usually use the same lip balms that I like - preferably organic and with a good SPF.

All Terrain sent us a set of lip balms for kids, The Kids Lip Armor Twin Pack includes two tubes of lip balm - one bubble gum and one cherry. It's free of petroleum and parabens, and contains no animal ingredients or artificial colors. The balm has a SPF25 and helps prevent dry, chapped, windburned or sunburned lips. The balm contains sweet almond oil, castor seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, organic hemp seed oil, vitamin E and natural flavor.

My daughters loved the kid-friendly flavors and there was quite a bit of discussion who gets which balm. Of course, I would not mind having a few tubes of my own!

The new Kids Lip Armor joins a long list of other child specific products made by All Terrain, such as Kids All Weather Cream, Kids Eczeam Cream, Kids Skin Soother Gel, and more.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a set of All Terrain Kids Lip Armor lip balms!

To enter, please like All Terrain on Facebook and comment below with something you like about the company or their products.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win pack of @AllTerrainCo paraben-free petroleum-free SPF25 lip balm for #kids! #Giveaway ends 4/1 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/bda5m";
• follow @AllTerrainCo on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is April 1, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner must like the company on Facebook and follow them on twitter, and will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product reviewgiveaway Disclosure. &Sponsored by Tomoson.com

It's no secret that I adore the beautiful jewelry from Broken Teepee Designs. I own several pieces and they are gorgeous. Now that spring is almost here, I've been browsing some wonderful new creations, perfect to show off against those spring colors. I have several in mind to add to my collection! How pretty is this Labradorite and Apatite Necklace - Stormy Skies? Or the Bracelet of Artisan Lampwork, Black Spinel, Spectrolite, and Labradorite with a Sterling Silver Lobster Claw Clasp - Nebula? These one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces are just right for spring. Or any other season...

And check out the precious ametrine earrings... or the chalcedony and rose quartz ones... Aren't they just like gemstone blooms?

You should bookmark Broken Teepee Designs or favorite them on Etsy. They have unique new pieces all the time! And you know Mother's Day will be here before we know it. I am working on my birthday wish list, too!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. Images courtesy of Broken Teepee Designs.

Have you filed your taxes yet? The deadline is just 4 weeks away! I can procrastinate with the best of them but there is one thing that makes tax season easy for me: organizing my paperwork. I have a special red folder that I keep in the front of my filing cabinet, and every receipt I need for tax time goes in there throughout the year. When I have all the paperwork, I sit down and sort through it, making sure nothing is missing. This system saves me time and aggravation when I do our taxes.

Master Lock has some wonderful storage solutions that help keep safe tax documents and other important papers. I found an even better alternative to my red folder: the Master Lock 7148D storage box. This steel box is a security file box that comes with a set of 2 keys. It's perfect for storing tax paperwork. It can also work great for keeping other vital documents, such as birth certificates, social security cards and passports. It's large enough to fit tons of stuff without being too bulky to store conveniently. The storage box measures 10.5"x13.5"x6", fitting standard-size documents and has a handle for easy transport. I love the extra protection of the durable steel construction and the lock that keeps curious little fingers away. While this is no substitute for a safety deposit box, it gives me peace of mind to know that the important documents we keep at home are safe and always on hand. If you are using a professional to do your taxes, you can take everything to them in this box.

Finally, here is a cool tip on organizing for tax season from Master Lock. While you may not need all ten categories, it's a great way to keep things in order. Store the paperwork in the 7148D security box and tax time will be a snap!

Create a separate file for all of your tax documents and organize it into 10 categories: income (pay stubs, W-2s, interest statements), medical (medical expenses and health insurance out-of-pocket), donations (cash and non-cash donations), real estate (interest statements from mortgage, tax assessments), child care (payment receipts), tax correspondence (important IRS or state revenue service letters), student loans (statements of payment), miscellaneous receipts (any receipts that might be needed for deductions), payments (records of advance payments) and old tax papers (old tax returns). Continue to use your tax file year-round, and you won’t have to scramble for these documents when it comes time to file next year.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a Master Lock Storage Security Box!

To enter, please comment below how you stay organized and prepare for tax season.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win Master Lock Security Box just in time for #tax season! #Giveaway ends 3/31 @aitmama #contests #organization #taxes http://tiny.cc/jxhjw";
• if you like Master Lock on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is March 31, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.


Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and product info courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Book Description
Children will want to settle down for bedtime with Little Sea Otter as he snuggles on Mama's chest in a cozy bed of sea kelp and bids good night to all his ocean friends. From sea lions to sea snails, seagulls to seals and sea urchins, it seems he'll never close his eyes. But gently rocking seas, twinkling stars, and Mama's loving arms lull Little Sea Otter—and children everywhere—to dreamland.

My Review
Good Night, Little Sea Otter is a wonderful bedtime story for young children and their parents. A little sea otter bids the world good night as he cuddles with his mom under a cozy blanket of seaweed. The baby otter wishes good night to all his ocean friends: the seals and sea lions, the seagull and the fish, the sea urchins and sea stars. The entire ocean sings a calming lullaby as the little sea otter bids good night to the moon and stars. The story flows nicely as a relaxing melody, and the beautiful illustrations perfectly complete this magical book. My children loved the story and asked me to read it again and again.

Many thanks to Khrys from Mom of 3 Dolls for introducing this charming book to me.

The Giveaway
One lucky US reader will win a signed copy of Good Night, Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann!

To enter, please visit Janet Halfmann's site or Star Bright Books and comment below with the title of another book that you'd like to share with the kids in your life.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win signed copy of Good Night, Little Sea Otter by @JanetHalfmann! #Giveaway ends 3/30 @aitmama #contests #kids #books http://tiny.cc/zl03s";
• tell us who would be enjoying the book if you won;
• follow @JanetHalfmann on twitter;
• if you are a friend of Janet Halfmann on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is March 30, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. No compensation was received for this post. The opinions are solely mine and may differ from yours.

French Toast offers a wide variety of school uniforms for kids and young adults. From shirts, pants and skirts to belts, outwear and hair accessories, I can outfit my kids with everything they need for school - without leaving the house.

French Toast makes online shopping easy - I can shop by size, type of clothing, even by school dress code. If your child's school is on the list, you can see the items that match their dress code. No need to compare each polo shirt, skirt or tie to the list of approved clothing - that saves me quite a bit of time. And have I mentioned that I'd rather shop online than make a trip to the uniform store?

We tried several pieces of school clothing - a flare-cut wrap skort in khaki, a pleated jumper in navy, a white Peter Pan blouse and a nylon jacket. The clothes are made of easy-care polyester or a polyester/cotton blend. They are well tailored and made, except for one imperfect seam on the side of the skort. My favorite item is the jacket. Perfect for rainy days or cool mornings, the jacket is made of soft polyester material that feels like silk. The adorable lining is navy with white dots. My daughter fell in love with the jacket and wants to wear it every day - whether she has school or not.

I love the large selection of French Toast uniforms, the quick shipping and easy returns. The clothes are affordable and stylish yet sturdy enough for daily wear.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

It's no secret that I love good stationery. It has to be stylish, beautiful, green - and I don't mean the color.

AmyAdele.com offers personalized stationery, invitations and gifts that meet my requirements - plus, they make adorable ones for kids! I spent hours trying to choose among the many designs on their site. Finally, I chose two that I knew my kids would love  - the Pink Fairy and the Happy Daisy Row. Then I had my pick from a dozen colors and a long list of fonts - twenty, to be exact. I personalized each folded card with their names and chose matching envelopes for each design.

I must say amy adele's customer service is outstanding. As soon as I had made my selections, they contacted me to confirm them and the order was shipped on the same day. It arrived by USPS Priority Mail that generally takes 8 days - I had it in 5. In addition, you can have your stationery shipped via FedEx if you need it faster. The cards and matching envelopes came packaged in pretty drawstring bags made of white organza. The printing quality is excellent, the colors bright, and the cards are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper that does not look recycled. Even the shipping peanuts are eco-friendly. Made with cornstarch, they are bio-degradable and FDA approved. More importantly for my kids, they dissolve - we had a blast watching a peanut disappear under running water.

In addition to cards and envelopes, you can get matching waterproof labels, Valentine's cards, photo cards, even tees and onesies. Does your budding social butterfly need a baby calling card? She can have that, too. Any of these would make great personalized gifts as well.

And now if you'll excuse me, I am off to browse the site again for some equally beautiful grown-up cards.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: 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 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 Product reviewgiveaway Disclosure. &

Recently, we got new sofas and armchairs for the living room. I've been on a hunt for the perfect coffee table ever since. The other day, I found the most adorable small coffee table at CSN Stores. The ORE Small Coffee Table looks more like a side table, so I got two. Why two? To place one on each side of my wonderful new sofa, of course.

I love the rich cherry color and the simple elegance of this table. Our sofa is a beautiful shade of dark brown and I can't wait to see how a set of nice little tables will look next to it. And did I mention they also match our new TV stand?

Besides, the table was on sale - so I got my pair for $100. Gotta love a good deal!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The tables were purchased with a voucher from CSN Stores to use toward an item of my choice for review.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and to everyone else -  enjoy browsing!

Heart Keychain with Charm 3/11
Kathryn the Grape 3/12
Silver u S-P-E-L-L Pendant 3/14
Set of Girl Bloomer Shorts 3/15
Treasure Me - 3 win 3/17
Organic Virgin Palm Oil 3/20
From Scotland with Love - 3 win 3/21
Pretty Neat 3/21
Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub 3/25
Kathy Kano-Murillo "Crafty Chica" Book Bundle 3/28
Welcome to Last Chance - 2 win 3/31

I have the most amazing chocolate body scrub. Safia Skin Care sent me a jar of their Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub. This wonderful scrub smells so much like edible chocolate that my husband asked what's that chocolate spread doing in the shower...

I've been using this all natural body treat for a few weeks now, and I just can't get enough of it. The scrub is made of cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil and organic sugar. It exfoliates dead cells, moisturizes my skin, and leaves it smelling like chocolate! Mmmmm... I wish it came in gallon size. My skin loves the real organic chocolate, pure French cocoa absolute and premium vanilla. I actually look forward to my shower time - the  Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub is truly delectable. I feel like I am indulging my senses at a luxurious spa. I am completely hooked!

The Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub retails at $22 for an 8oz jar, now on sale for $18, and it's worth its weight in gold - erm, chocolate. Delicious!

In addition to my all-time fave body scrub, Safia Skin Care offers facial care, moisturizers, in-bath treats and foot care. You can shop by product or by aroma: coconut lemongrass, grapefruit mint, mango, milti fruit,  and of course chocolate spa.

Deal Alert
Safia Skin Care are currently running a promotion of 30% off your total order, no minimums, use code Take30. Plus, all orders over $40 ship for free within the US! So, you can get 3 jars of the wonderful Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub for just $37.80 - that's $12.60 per jar.

The Giveaway
One very lucky US reader will win a jar of Cocoa Absolute Body Scrub!

To enter, please visit Safia Skin Care and register for their newsletter or like them on Facebook.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• register to win a Safia Skin Care gift box on their site; 
• name another Safia Skin Care product you'd like to try;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a jar of deliciously pampering #chocolate body scrub from @SafiaSkinCare! #Giveaway ends 3/25 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/jmzkz";
• follow @SafiaSkinCare on twitter;
• if you liked Safia Skin Care on Facebook, let me know below for another entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is March 25, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Photo and product info courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

Book Description
The steps of a charmingly complex dance — Scotland's famous reel — are at the heart of Hester Browne's enchanting contemporary novel of two very different sisters whose dreams may come true at a romantic Scottish ball.

Evie Nicholson is in love... with the past. An antiques appraiser in a London shop, Evie spins fanciful attachments to Victorian picture frames, French champagne glasses, satin evening gloves, and tattered teddy bears — regardless of their monetary value.

Alice Nicholson is in love... with Fraser Graham, a dashing Scotsman whom Evie secretly desires. As crisply neat and stylish as Evie is cheerfully cluttered, Alice is a professional organizer determined to pull her sister out of her comfort zone — and who presents her with an irresistible offer.

As a favor to friends of Fraser's family, Evie jumps at the chance to appraise a Scottish castle full of artifacts and heirlooms. What could be more thrilling than roaming the halls of Kettlesheer and uncovering the McAndrews' family treasures — and dusty secrets?

But crossing paths with moody heir Robert McAndrew has Evie assessing what she wants the most... and at an upcoming candlelight gala, a traditional dance will set her heart reeling.

My Review
I had a blast reading Swept off Her Feet. A fun and charming novel with likable characters, this book made me laugh and stay up late - way past my bedtime. The two sisters who take center stage in the book could not be more different. One is a romantic who lives in the past, filling her life with other people's old trinkets and imagining the history of their owners. Another is a professional organizer who likes her life as neat as her clients' homes - after she's done with them. The one thing they have in common is a rather embarrassing clumsiness and two left feet for dancing. It's quite ironic - and fitting for Ms. Browne's sense of humor - that the Scottish reel, a complicated dance the sisters find terrifying, will turn out to have all the steps they need.

Hester Browne is also the bestselling author of The Little Lady Agency, Little Lady, Big Apple, The Little Lady Agency and the Prince, and The Finishing Touches - all of them now on my to-read list.


Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.

Book Description
Dear Reader,
Yes, our town is way off the beaten path, but strange, wonderful miracles happen a lot around here.

I've owned the Cut 'n' Curl beauty shop for years, and I've seen folks come for a visit, then stay for a lifetime. Take Jane-that pretty firecracker of a girl who just arrived in town. I would swear she's running from something. She came with only five dollars in her pocket but she's worked real hard to make a fresh start. She's turned my son Clay's life upside down without even realizing it.

And thank goodness for that! Ever since Clay left his country western band, he's played everything too safe. He needs to take a chance on Jane. Besides, the more he tries to keep his distance, the more he'll realize that he and Jane are singing the same tune.

But I should quit ramblin' and go check on Millie's permanent wave. Next time you're in Last Chance, be sure to swing by. We've got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes



The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for two (2) copies of Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay.

To enter, please comment below with the title of another romance novel you've enjoyed.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a copy of Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay! #Giveaway ends 3/31 @aitmama #contests #books @ForeverRomance http://tiny.cc/xxxun" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• if you like Hope Ramsay on Facebook, let me know for another entry;
• if you enjoy Just Another New Blog, vote for it on Picket Fence Blogs and get 2 more entries;
• if you like JANB on Facebook, comment below for 2 additional entries;
• go here for more ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is March 31, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. No compensation or review product was provided for this post.

Book Description: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing
Sometimes to find your life's true path, you have to stray outside the lines...

Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.

But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.

Book Description: Waking Up in the Land of Glitter
With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary... especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella "Star" Esteban's family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together-even when it looks like they couldn't be further apart.

One ill-fated evening, Star jeopardizes her family's business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend, Ofelia-a secretly troubled mother whose love for crafting borders on obsession-and local celebrity Chloe Chavez-a determined television personality with more than one skeleton in her professional closet. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they'll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.


My Review
I am not into crafts but I do not have to be to enjoy Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing. Scarlet is a girl with a dream who works hard to make it a reality. She knows what she wants and she will do her best to achieve it. Scarlet is full of life and spunk, a very likable character. She is very talented but does not have the support of her boss or her family who would rather see her as an engineer. Scarlet is focused and ambitious but she will discover that life does not follow the pattern we make for it. Sometimes we get where we need to be by following the path least expected. 


I missed Ms. Cano-Murillo's earlier book, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter, but you do not have to! You can win both books right here.


The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for a book bundle including copies of Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing and Waking Up in the Land of Glitter.

To enter, please share below if you do any crafts.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a @CraftyChica bundle of two #books by Kathy Cano-Murillo! #Giveaway ends 3/28 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/15mbu @HachetteBooks" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @CraftyChica on twitter;
• if you like Crafty Chica on Facebook, let me know for another entry;
• if you enjoy Just Another New Blog, vote for it on Picket Fence Blogs and get 2 more entries;
• if you like JANB on Facebook, comment below for 2 additional entries;
• go here for more ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is March 28, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winner will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winner will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. 


Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.