Thirty Questions--Thirty Days--Day 14--A Picture of You and Your Family

Well...this one was a bit of a challenge. I am a bit saddened to say that my family has never had a "professional" picture done. No family portraits, ever. Kinda sad right...ahh well, it was just never one of our priorities (hoping to do it this year for Christmas). I am a picture taking nut and ever since I discovered the wonder that is the digital camera, I am rarely in front of the camera (unless I am taking it myself that is). So I decided to venture into the lovely world Photoshop and create a masterpiece...okay so it's not a masterpiece, but I like it. Besides, I got to play with Photoshop which is always FUN! (I ABSOTIVELY love Photoshop!!)What we have here is a hodgepodge of pics from this past year of me with my family. I have put it on the agenda for us to actually go and get a formal picture done. Wish me luck!! ☺

Halloween Themed Bookcover Review

Lovin'& Livin' Life Reviews blog had some marvelous giveaways during the Blogmania Fall 2010 event (9/15-9/16) and I am delighted to report that I was chosen one of the winners. I won first pick of prize #3, which was a choice of four fabric book-covers, "Made with Aloha" by the owner of LLL Reviews. I chose the Halloween themed bookcover because the fabric is cute and the design is whimsical with the dancing mummies and spiders. It's the perfect size to hold all of my mid-size YA novels, such as the Twilight series that I am reading now.

The book-cover is hand-made and very well constructed featuring a sewn-in fabric strip bookmark (AWESOME! My favorite part!!), pockets on the front and back, and handles for easy portability. I can protect my book, have a place for notes, never lose my page, and it's super cute! How cool is that??!! Be sure to check out LLL Reviews!! Thanks LLL Reviews for an awesome giveaway!!

***The opinions in this review are 100% my own and no compensation was received. I received the aforementioned product as a prize in a giveaway and was not asked to complete a review. This review was done of my own volition. ***

Pump It Up Party Goodie Bag Review

Pump It Up Party Goodie bags would be a fabulous addition to any children's event. I won this goodie bag from a great review and giveaway hosted by Busy Mom of Busy Mom's Guide. After doing a bit of research on my own, I learned the bags are a part of party packages offered by Pump It Up-The Inflatable Party Zone. The toys featured in the bags are designed to get kids active and I'll tell you, it certainly worked in my house. My 11 year old son, who happily admits his love (and dislike too) for all toys, really liked the toys in this goodie bag. He took it outside and played with the toys in the park with his friends and they had a ball. All in all, this was a great goodie bag and a great win. I am happy to have been introduced to Pump It Up Party. It seems like an awesome company dedicated to keeping children happy and healthy. Thumbs up in my book!!

***Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are 100% my own. I was not paid for this post. The Pump It Up Party Bag that I received was won in a giveaway and sent directly from the company. I am neither affiliated with nor was I compensated by Pump It Up. I was not asked to provide this review by either Busy Mom or Pump It Up.***

Touched By Lady Luck

I just wanted to share with you all that I have been a bit of a hot streak where giveaways and contests are concerned for the last few weeks or so. In total I have won 12 giveaways or contests. To say I am happy would be an understatement. I will be reviewing the products that I've won over the next several weeks and hope to introduce you to some really cool and interesting blogs and shops. In addition to my giveaways and contests, I have also been involved in quite a few survey and reward programs that I will introduce you to as well. The incentives are fabulous and I can't wait for you all to see for yourselves. Anywho...time to get back to typing up those reviews...TTFN---Happy Friday All!!

CVS Haul-9/23/2010

Today was a great shopping day at CVS and I even had the hubby along to watch me work my CVS magic. You see, he just doesn't understand how I can come out of there with a bag full of stuff and spend little or no cash at all. To tell the truth, even after watching me today, he still doesn't get how it works...Ah well...one day he may understand and if not, who cares, as long I GET it!! Anywho, on to my shopping:

Transaction #1
Bought (1) Revlon SuperLustrous Lipstick @ $6.99 (Get $5 ECB)
Used- $2/1 Revlon SuperLustrous Coupon (from facebook)

Bought (1) Revlon Nail Enamel @ $4.99
Used-Buy 1 Lipstick Get 1 Nail Enamel Free Coupon (9/12 SS insert)

Bought (2) Right Guard Total Defense 5 @2.49 each (Get $4 ECB)
Used-$3/2 Coupon (printable)

Bought (3) Yardley Oatmeal & Almond Soap @ $0.99 each (sale price)

Bought (1) Bag of Skittles 7.2oz @2.29

Bought (1) Caramello 1.6oz @ $0.44 (clearance)

Bought (1) L. Frances Caramel @$0.33

Used a $3/$15 purchase coupon (from email)

Used $9.99 ECB'c from last week (didn't post about that, only bought 1 item: Alive Women's Energy Vitamins @ $9.99, Used $1/1 (printable), Used $6.98 ECB's from previous week--total OOP= $2.01, Got $9.99 ECB's back)

Total OOP after ECB's, Coupons, & Tax=$0.01 (WOW)

ECB's Earned= $4 (deodorant) + $5 (lipstick)

(This was my best CVS transaction to date!!!)

Transaction #2
Bought (1) Revlon SuperLustrous Lipstick @ $6.99 (Get $5 ECB)
Used- $2/1 Revlon SuperLustrous Coupon (from facebook)

Bought (1) Revlon Nail Enamel @ $4.99
Used-Buy 1 Lipstick Get 1 Nail Enamel Free Coupon (9/12 SS insert)

Bought (1) L. Frances Caramel @$0.33

Used $5.00 ECB's from first transaction

Total OOP after ECB's, Coupons, & Tax=$0.34

ECB's earned=$5 (lipstick)

Transaction#3
Bought (1) Revlon SuperLustrous Lipstick @ $6.99 (Get $5 ECB)
Used- $2/1 Revlon SuperLustrous Coupon (from facebook)

Bought (1) Revlon Nail Enamel @ $4.99
Used-Buy 1 Lipstick Get 1 Nail Enamel Free Coupon (9/12 SS insert)

Bought (1) L. Frances Caramel @$0.33

Used $5.00 ECB's from second transaction

Total OOP after ECB's, Coupons, & Tax=$0.34

ECB's earned=$5 (lipstick)

Déjà vu!! You were seeing double, but it was on purpose. I had to get my 3 lipsticks and polishes in 3 seperate transactions because of the way the coupon was worded. It stated only one coupn per purchase, so I did it in three. I got the candy (my kids will love me for this)as fillers because my coupons made my price lower than my ECB's. It was a bit cumbersome, but it all worked out in the end. I got $56.80 worth of products for just $0.69!! AWESOMENESS!!!! Not only that, I also have $9.00 in ECB's for next time!! I am loving CVS!!! I can hardly wait till next week!!

Thirty Questions--Thirty Days Day 13: A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Dear_______,

My world would be so much better if I didn't know you. Life would be much more simple without the worry that is you. You epitomize despair and destruction, and yet cannot be destroyed. You cause pain wherever you go. I pray that God takes you from my life and replaces you with goodness and hope.

Forever affected,
Katrice

This letter is written to the despair, murder, and mayhem that rocks my city to it's core. Last week a young man of 15 was shot and killed not far from my home for nothing more than nonsense. The killers are all under the age of 20 and are rumored to be part of a gang. This letter is to the gangs and would-be thugs that roam our city, preying on our children. I have a daughter 18 and a son 16 that I fear for on a daily basis. They are good kids and all it takes is to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I pray for them and for my entire city.

Pssst....I Am A MyGetTogether Host!!!!

Don't you just love trying new products, or even trying products that you already know and love, for free, nada, nilch, zip...okay, okay, you get the gist!!! Well, I know I do and that's why I signed up for General Mills' MyGetTogether. A few short weeks later, I was chosen to host my very first party with them, The Chex Mix Snacks MyGetTogether. I can hardly wait for my party!! It will be centered around a great football game featuring my favorite team, The Pittsburgh Steelers (October 3rd-Steelers vs. Ravens, my brother's favorite team!! Guaranteed to be a "special" evening!!) Great snacks and great football, what more could you ask for?? (Season tickets I'm sure, but let's stick with reality!!)

CHECK OUT MY PARTY PACK!!