"Rose Colored Glasses"

October is breast cancer awareness month. I think every person can say that they have been personally affected by cancer. Be it you are a survivor yourself, or know someone who has battled cancer. It’s something we all have in common, unfortunately. But it’s a battle we can all fight together. Together we can win the war! GlassesUSA.com has been very vocal about how they want to stand up against cancer. GlassesUSA contacted me and asked if I would be interested in speaking out about cancer. I have personally had both several friends and family members who have each experienced a personal battle cancer. Some have fallen victim, others have survived by God’s grace. I don’t want to see not one other person fall victim. We can all do something about it by banding together to help donate money to breast cancer funds. This month (and hopefully for the next three months), GlassesUSA.com will be donating $1 from every sale of eyeglasses to a breast cancer organization.

Are you familiar with GlassesUSA.com? GlassesUSA.com is the online place to purchase glasses, both prescription glasses and sunglasses-including prescription sunglasses, even progressive glasses and otherwise. You can get top notch name brand prescription glasses delivered to your front door starting at $18.00. Yes…..less than twenty bucks. Sure beats the several hundred you can shell out at your local eye doctor. GlassesUSA.com is one of the leading online eyeglasses store – with minimal operational costs so they can offer their customers a vast variety of complete eyeglasses with a savings up to 70%!

GlassesUSA is able to offer such great prices because they have little overhead and they don’t have to deal with any middle men. They have their own our optic laboratories and the frames you want are always in stock – guaranteeing customers the most high-quality yet affordable prescription eyeglasses. Their return policy is simple - if you don’t like your glasses or frames, send them back and get a full refund or replacement eyeglasses. Its as simple as knowing your eye glasses prescription and then picking your favorite frame. What’s really neat is their site allows you to upload a picture so you can virtually try on your glasses and actually see what your frames will look like on your own face before you purchase.

In addition to donating $1 from each sale, they're also offering a discount of 15% to their customers when they use the code: CancerAwareness

So please, take a look around their website and see for yourself the brand name affordable glasses, purchase a pair  of glasses online and give back by taking a stand against cancer.

And please, check out GlassesUSA Facebook Page for additional sales and offers.

Together we Fight the Battle...and WILL WIN the WAR!

Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is only one week away.
Have you remembered your sweetheart?
Allow me to help you, with these wonderful selections by Dayspring all of which are NOT cheesey:

Starting from February 2, 2010 and through the Valentine's Day (February 14), we are running a 20% OFF prom. To take advantage of the offer use coupon code VALNTN20 at checkout, and receive 20% discount on your entire order.




The Faith, Hope, and Love frame is the perfect way to protect and showcase that family picture that turned out so well! And with the Scripture I Corinthians 13:13 printed around the photo, you will feel a little brighter every time you see this elegant Christian frame. This also makes for a wonderful gift for nearly any occasion.

Madison Atwood is a disabled 11-year old girl. For Christmas 2006, Madison’s mom decided that Madison would paint a picture of a heart as a gift for her dad. An artist friend, Holly, outlined a heart in pencil. She gave Madison the paint brush (one color at a time) and Madison started to trace the outline in lots of bright colors. When Holly gave Madison the turquoise colored brush, she turned her back for a second and Madison colored a big circle over the heart! They initially thought the painting was ruined. But as they looked a little closer, it became clear that the “big blob” was the globe, and the whole image was an example of how big God’s love is for our world. Madison’s “Big Heart, Little Globe” became the inspiration for the John 3:16 Heart and Globe print. Now, when Madison sees her picture, she says, “Our world is so small but God’s love is so BIG!” What a wonderful reminder!

The ideal love book for building and enhancing a God-centered, lasting relationship.The quest for lasting love is a universal desire, and Christians know they can turn to Love Himself to guide them in this journey. I Will Love You Forever is a little book with short thoughts and meaningful scriptures about twelve facets of love. A perfect gift for, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, Valentine's Day, etc.
The twelve sections of the book are:
- Learning to Love
- Growing Together
- Comforting Each Other
- Accepting One Another
- Being Companions
- Working Together
- Being Known
- Living With Hope
- Facing Hard Times
- Growing With God
- Rejoicing in Abundance
- Building a Family

This beautiful sterling silver necklace features a pendant with the engraved words created, chosen, celebrated, and cherished. Comes with a beautiful card.

Start the day with a great cup of coffee and a great Christian message with DaySpring inspirational coffee and cocoa mugs. Scripture on Inside of Mug:I found the one my heart loves. SONG OF SOLOMON 3:4 NIV

Wear this very unique and trendy Christian sterling silver necklace that features a two-sided silver and glass pendant.The word, LOVE, on one side and a framed heart charm engraved with part of Corinthians 13 on the other side. Necklace comes with a beaded style chain.

Creative ways to bring romance back into Christian marriages and keep it there using the resources provided. 24 passionate and creative dates for Christian couples from FamilyLife will help you make memories together, understand your spouse’s romance needs and enjoy a more enhanced physical and spiritual intimacy in your marriage relationship. Great gift for a wedding shower, Valentine's Day or anytime. Second edition in the Simply Romantic Nights series by FamilyLife.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Happy Valentine's Day!

Sensa-Product Review-

I was recently contacted by Sensa for a product review. As a mother of three children, who juggles a busy schedule, I thought I would like to see if Sensa is something that I might be interested in trying as a weight loss system to boost the effects of my lifestyle.

What is Sensa?
Sensa is unlike any other weight-loss program. It is a 6-month system of "Tastants" that are sprinkled on your food to help you feel full faster, stay satisfied longer and lose weight.
It is not a diet. You can continue to eat all your favorite foods and still lose weight. There are no prepackaged meals, stimulants, drugs or diuretics.
It uses your senses of smell and taste to control appetite. Although many people think the feeling of hunger or fullness comes from your stomach – it is actually governed by the satiety center in your brain. When Sensa Tastants are sprinkled on food, it triggers this satiety center, so you feel satisfied with less food.

I tried this product and found it to be simple to use.....if you get into a routine of using it. I had some memory issues, which now puts me back at square one. The product comes in a package slightly larger than a tic tac box. It has a salty side and a sweet side. Depending on your meal, you shake a dusting of the Sensa seasoning over your food and then eat.

I could not taste the product, which was a concern of mine. Who wants to taste something bad? I knew I would never stick to it if it was...... BUT it wasn't!!! Because it has no taste and did not affect the taste of my food, I didn't mind using it. It was remembering to use it. Like any weight loss routine and healthy lifestyle, it is about making concious decisions. I needed to be more aware to "shake".

I plan to give this product a fresh start and see if I can achieve some results. If you would like to try Sensa with me, please do. The year is still fresh for those weight loss stalled resolutions.

For more information:
Dr. Alan Hirsch has written a book about Sensa, the title of the book is The Sensa Weight-Loss Program.

This book is available for presale at a discounted price through Amazon at the link below. It launched on November 3rd and is available wherever books are sold.


I am not sure whether you are currently interested in losing weight, but wanted to share this opportunity with you, Right now you can use the promotional code RXL1 and get 15% off your total order!

If you would like to try Sensa you can take advantage of the free 60 trial offer!
You would have 30 days to try the product free of charge. If  you like it, then do nothing but enjoy your weight loss results, and you will then be billed for 60 day supply. If you do not like it, then you can return it within the trial period and not pay anything but shipping. If you decide that you don’t like the product and don’t want to get charged,you will need to ship the product back. However, you can keep the $25 glow.com gift card.

To learn more about Sensa and take advantage of the trail offer, visit www.trysensa.com.

A MOST Informative Blog Post (it's not mine), Link Love & Product Suggestions

Because I LIKE it......

My friend Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch wrote the most informative post this week on secret tips for bloggers. It is everything you wanted to know on blogging, every question you always wanted to have answered but didn't know who to ask. It's the answer to what you need to know to make blogging easy and fun. Click here to read it.
I want to agree with what Susan said in her post about comments. So many times I want to leave a comment, and there is word verification...or worse yet the entire blog page will move to an entire comment page from the actual blog post, instead of a pop up window. This makes it difficult for your reader. So many times I want to continue to read a blog and leave a comment on each post, but because I cannot see the post, I forget exactly where my thought process was going on a comment and having to go back in forth between the post screen and the comment screen, I reluctantly give up. Making a pop up window is sooooo easy, just go to your blogger settings, click on comments and make the change in the comment form placement. Click save.

Another pet peeve that can cut down on comments, word verification. In the two years I have been blogging, I have yet to have a "robot" mess up my system, or anything else for that matter. It is not necessary, and again makes it easy for the reader to leave a comment. I do however, believe in comment moderator, allowing you to see comments before they are published. It's just a safety net.
I want to share some product recommendations that I recently discovered...

Dove Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture, it is a ground breaking skin care advance that not only is beneficial to your skin, it smells as good as it works. Dove’s 50-year heritage in cleansing and caring for skin continues to be on forefront of skincare innovations, so it’s no surprise that the brand has discovered how to restore skin’s natural moisture while cleansing (with body washes). Minimizing protein and lipid damage while cleansing is critical for maintaining healthy skin. Other moisturizing body washes use a moisturizer that sits on top of the skin. Only Dove contains NutriumMoisture™, a breakthrough formula of soybean oil and natural lipids that can nourish deep down. Find out for yourself, visit http://www.dove.com/ for dramatic video proof, product information and to learn more in-depth explanation of the science behind Nutrium Moisture.

Speaking of clean skin, I have been trying to drill into the head of my 11 year old daughter the importance of taking care of her skin today and explaining the importance of that action being the cause for good skin later in life. It is taking her some getting used to getting into a routine. She too uses the Dove body wash, but for her face she has been using Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelette's in the original formula. It is the perfect thing to slip into her gym, swimteam and cheer bag to remove the small amount of makeup (she has talked me into allowing her to wear) before and after workouts.
POND’S Wet Cleansing Towelettes, the No. 1 brand of wet cleansing towelettes, gently remove make-up and even waterproof mascara. Clinical studies have shown that Pond’s towelettes remove the make-up that other brands leave behind – taking off up to 40 percent more than other leading towelettes.

Available in three varieties, they are ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested for a gentle face cleansing experience. Visit http://www.blogger.com/www.ponds.lifestyle.msn.com to get more information on the Pond’s Superior Clean money back guarantee, find summer beauty tips. There you can also download coupons for Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes.

Caress Body Wash

I love the beach! But it can wreck your skin. I did a little bit of pampering last week while I was on vacation. Caress Body wash has a new product out called Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash. There is also a Beauty Bar available. It is a wonder to summer skin with it's burnt brown sugar and karite butter that gently exfoliate and lusciously moisturize, revealing sensually smooth skin that’s even toned and polished to perfection. They’re must-haves to achieve any look that shows off your smooth, sexy summer shoulders.

Caress was kind enough to send me a bottle to try out, and Caress is kind enough to offer Bloggeritaville readers a coupon for $1.00 off a bottle so you too can try it out! I think you will be very pleased!
In addition to the coupon Caress is having a campaign to promote the new line. At the web site you can find all kinds of information, such as fashion tips, beauty info and a chance to win some really great prizes such as a chance to win a trip to NY Fashion Week and a new wardrobe, as well as a caress gift card. Be sure to visit the web site for a chance to win!

Who would love a chance to win with Caress and Carson Kressley? Click here
Want to watch Carson Kressley show you how to make your skin the centerpiece of today’s hottest trends? Click here to check out the videos!
Ready to create your own look? Click here to get started on creating a virtual YOU and dress her up in a super-hot look. Let Caress and Carson Kressley help you get the skin and style that’s perfect for you!
Don’t forget each week we will be featuring a new Caress-inspired look! Click here to check out this week’s featured look.

You can also add your own beauty tips to the web site. My tip...anytime I am at the beach, I give myself a natural exfoliation using what is natural and plentiful. I sit in the surf and I scoop up sand and begin polishing away. It leaves your skin polished and smooth. Naturally.
Click Here to request a $1 off coupon for Caress Bar or Body Wash!
Now that is thrifty!

Product Review

Bunny Bungalow is having a Favorite Product Review Linky. You can join in like I am by clicking her link. Tell us about what soap your family prefers, what dish detergent you swear by, what brand of cereal your kids must have. Let's talk about our favorites......create a post on your blog & sign up on Bunnys Bungalow with Mr. Linky. You might see a product that you've always wanted to try. If you really don't care for a certain brand, it would be interesting to hear about that too.

Some of my favorite products are,

WoodWick Candles, with the sound of a real crackling fire...and now they are available in soy. My friend Diva got me hooked on these.

Welch's Sparkling Grapejuice. I could drink gallons of the stuff.

Mr. Clean Eraser. I sware by it. I have three kids. That says ALOT.

I do not eat cereal, but I do love granola. I fell in love with granola at a bed and breakfast Big Daddy and I stayed at on Amelia Island (Bailey House Bed & Breakfast). The innkeeper made the granola homemade, this cereal is the closest I have found that taste as good as hers.

I have preached it's virtues: Lubriderm SPF Lotion. I use it every single day.

Because sunscreen now, less wrinkle cream later.....

Some other product's I LOVE:

Ashley Mac's Strawberry Cake-I am convinced it is a slice of Heaven. You'll be singing Halleluja!

Crow Mountain Apples- They'll bring a tear to your eye. Yep, that good.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce- Good on everything, 'cept ice cream.

Billy's Seafood, Bon Secour-When you want fresh.

Amish Cheese -The Amish rock. What more can I say?

Yoplait- So good, you forget it's good for you.

Can you tell I skipped supper?

Anyway, here are a couple more....

Sew In Style Monograms, Embroidery and Custom Made Clothing & Accessories. Lora is mega talented and very reasonable. Tell her Leigh sent cha!

And if you want some instant happiness:

Jimmy Buffett

Kenny Chesney

Cash 4 Gold? Pro or Con? Product Review

With what seems every financial market crashing all round us...the fact that the price of metals continue to skyrocket, it makes anyone of us want to walk....er-run down to the nearest creek and start panning for gold.

With gold prices soaring, it made me a bit curious about that commercial on tv, you know the one with the little old lady with the whiney voice giving her testimony that her payout from cash for gold will pay for her hoveround. Well, something like that. Those commercials seem to run together. My son Bama calls it the redneck retirement plan. LOL. Anyway, it got me to thinking....is it a hoax? I am not one to wear my gold jewelry. I have had several pieces in my jewelry box, which had been sitting in there for years, not making me any money. And quite honestly, I cannot ever see myself wearing them ever again. They were nice chains, but to gaudy (big & wide) for my evolved taste. I had some rings (one gold with a diamond, which C4G also said that they accepted) and some bracelets. Things I could really care less about if I "lost it"

So....I had nothing to loose. I got online and requested the free, insured Refiner’s Return Kit. I placed my unwanted gold jewelry in the secured envelope. Then I dropped the pre-paid insured envelope at a convenient mail box and mailed it off to be weighed. I thought that I would hear something about my package, but I did not. A week later I called to verify receipt. The company said that they had received my shipment and were mailing a check out on that very day. They would not disclose to me on the telephone the amount of my payment, "for security purposes".

Then, eight days later, still no check. I telephoned the company again to track my payment. They informed me that it had been mailed and should arrive "within the next two days". I realized however that the terms of Cash 4 Gold states

"If you change your mind about selling your material or are dissatisfied with the amount of the payment you received, you must notify us immediately. If we do not hear from you by telephone or fax within TEN (10) DAYS of the date on the check we mailed to you, your material will be processed by our refiner. You must return the check before we will return your material. This time limitation cannot be waived for any reason. "

I explained this to the telephone operator. For after 10 days I would have but no choice to accept it on those terms. That I found that to be fishy. Had I not called I would not have any choice but to accept payment. I thought convenient to not be in receipt of the check within 10 days. To me it was questionable. She said that she did make a note and would pull my items so that it would not be melted down. She asked me to let them know when I received the check. On day twelve I finally did receive a check. It was for $104.25 for my mounce of gold that I had sent in. Ten days ago, I would have been happy with that. Because, as I stated....it was just literally sitting in my jewelry box never to be worn again. However, I began to watch the price of gold according to trading prices per ounce. At the time, gold was trading for $836.00 per ounce! Yes! That being said, I know that my gold varied in karats....so I am certain mine was not worth 836.00 but certainly more than $104.00. I also know that the company acts as a middle man and expects their cut.

I immediately emailed the company and let them know of my dissatisfaction with the check they sent to me. I got an immediate email that stated:

"Leigh,
I’m sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the amount of your check. I do see that you have already spoken with a customer service representative and she has pulled your items for hold. Do you mind me asking how much you were expecting? I may be able to work with you on your invoice.
Thank You,
Samantha"

I replied with my thoughts according to the NY trading prices. And was given this response,

"Leigh,
I have looked at your invoice and while I see your gold quantity is at the lower end of our graduated payment scale if I move your items into the next higher pay scale I would be able to increase your pay by $206.39 with the check you have that would bring your total to $310.64.

Thanks, Samantha"

I still felt that I could get more for my gold, but upon further questioning, I was told that they already had sent the additional check and could not issue any more checks. I was a bit miffed, because again, I think I could have gotten a fairer price somewhere else.

So, my personal feelings on Cash 4 Gold, didn't change. I am still a sceptic. I did, however empty out my jewelry box and dump some pieces that I would never have worn again.

I would advise doing some research on other companies, this one being one of the ones I found:

https://www.goldfellow.com/index.aspx

I would also advice keeping a check on gold trading prices. Educate yourself so when you challenge your check you have a realistic price in mind.

I think I had better luck with Cash4 Gold than panning in the creek near my home. If you decide to try it out for yourself, go into it knowing it is not a get rich quick promise.

And finally, Always question the result of payment. I think that they always bottom dollar the price that give back. Top dollar them back and perhaps a price will at least be met half way.

For anyone banking on the redneck retirement plan....think again. It might buy you a trip to the casino only to lose your little "goldmine". It'd be best to visit a financial planner for some stable and sound advice.

Good Luck!

Organic Suds

...Speaking of the bloggy giveaways....last week I entered one of the contest and won this delicious bar of English Rose Goat Milk Soap. I received it in the mail yesterday and am looking forward to finding the perfect time to escape for a nice hot soak in the bath. This will provide me just the right excuse to act on it.

If you want your own bar of this luxurious soap, check out Organtic Suds. They specialize in homemade sops, lotions and sea salt scrubs (Oh, yes! Just what this bod needs in the dea of winter!)

Perfect for gift giving or to pamper your Valentine!

For more information email Pam at pam@organicsuds.us or web http://www.organicsuds.us/

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