October 2009 | Fairy Blog Mother

October 29, 2009

Five For Fighting Review

Thanks to the One2One Network I had the opportunity to review Five For Fighting's new album, Slice. I'm only slightly familiar with Five For Fighting, heard a few songs on the radio but would not call myself a fan by any means. Not that I don't like the songs I've heard, but it's just not my usual style of music and honestly probably something I'd never consider buying.

Info I received from One2One Network:

In Feb 2007 John launched a charity driven website – whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com that raises money for various charities when users view video clips provided by visitors to the site. Current views are over 3 million with approx. $300,000 donated!

John is a dedicated supporter of US Troops, performing for US Forces at Guantanamo Bay, Hawaii, Guam & Japan on USO tours

John created & produced “For the Troops”, a CD compilation of superstar recordings that is available for free to every active service person in US Armed Forces

Along with numerous television licenses, John’s composed songs for “August Rush”, “The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants”, “We Were Soldiers”, “Chicken Little” & “Everyone’s Hero"

John loves sports and writing (and not just great songs)! He penned a regular hockey column for SportsIllustrated.com from 2005-2007, and freelances for various publications.

Check out the some Five For Fighting videos on You Tube.

Album Tracklisting:
1. Slice
2. Note To The Unknown Soldier
3. Tuesday
4. Chances
5. This Dance
6. Above The Timberline
7. Transfer
8. Hope
9. Story Of Your Life
10. Love Can't Change The Weather
11. Augie Nieto

I received a digital download copy of Slice for review and while I must still admit it's not my favorite, I was pleasantly surprised. The music, though mellow and melodic is nice but they lyrics are what I really noticed. Singer/songwriter John Ondrasik's voice and lyrics made this a nice change from my usual style of music.

My favorite song on this album was the title track Slice. This song references Don McLean's American Pie and really just made me smile.

There was a time a long, long time ago
Chevys and levees played on the radio
No cell phones, just 20, 000 lights
Swaying on a saturday night alright

Hey man sing me a song
When we were everyone
We were more than just a slice of American Pie

Slice was released on October 12 and is available for purchase on Amazon.com or if you're lucky you can catch Five For Fighting live.

30-Oct Chicago, IL Lakeshore

3-Nov Salt Lake City, UT The State Room

5-Nov Seattle, WA Crocodile

6-Nov Portland, OR Aladdin Theater

10-Nov San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall

11-Nov Los Angeles, CA Largo at the Coronet

Much thanks to the One2One Network for this review opportunity.

The "I don't like fancy lingo" disclaimer:
I received a free item(s) in exchange for a review. These reviews are my opinion(s) and any compensation received did not sway me to say nice things about the product/company. What you read is what I think.

October 26, 2009

Joolwe - Jewelry Loyalty Rewards Program + A Giveaway! - CLOSED

I had the opportunity to work with Joolwe Online Jewelry Store back in August for the 15 Years in 15 Days Anniversary event. We gave away two items from Joolwe.com during the event.

Joolwe.com offers wide array of fine jewelries in gold and silver with genuine diamonds, gemstones, and cubic zirconia. Guaranteed satisfaction with free shipping, best price guarantee, gift ready packaging, and easy 30 days return.

The earrings I received are so great. I really love them, the quality is great, they're sparkly and bling-y and go with everything I wear. They have many designer jewelry collections, earrings, bracelets and sterling silver jewelry.

Check out the Jewelry Deal of the Day for discount pricing on special items every day.

Joolwe Online Jewelry Store has recently launched a jewelry loyalty rewards program. Registered shoppers will received one Gold Point for every dollar they spend. Gold Points can be redeemed for free jewelry! FREE! Who doesn't like free? There are many pieces to choose from , some as low as 24 reward points.

Gold Points can also be earned by participating in the Joolwe community: writing a review on jewelry you have purchased, subscribing to the Joolwe.com newsletter or even submitting a jewelry related article as a guest blogger.

And if you post about this program on your own blog then you can earn 30 reward points (Gold Points). How easy is that?!

To see some of the items that can be redeemed for Gold Points check out this link: http://www.joolwe.com/shop-by/redeemable-jewelry

To help get some awareness out about the new program Joolwe.com has offered to give a prize to one of my lucky readers. And...I get to choose the prize.

So I chose something that I'd want for myself. Because I have good taste...and I'm not a snob at all. :)

I am IN LOVE with these earrings. And I will be getting a pair for myself.

(Pssst! You can receive 3 Gold Points for writing a review or rating these earrings.)

These sterling silver huggie hoop earrings are really two accessories in one. On one side, the earrings are swathed in a shimmering row of round-cut cubic zirconia. On the other, the surface is swathed in romantic scrollwork.

I also have one pair of these Sterling Silver and Round-Cut Cubic Zirconia Embellished Huggie Earrings to give away to one lucky Fairy Blog Mother reader.

To enter this giveaway:
Visit the Joolwe Online Jewelry Store and tell me another you like

(must be listed by exact name and cannot be the item being given away)

This rule is mandatory for entry. All extra entries will be discarded if the first rule is not followed.

Extra entries?

Please leave a comment for EACH entry

Sign up for the Joolwe.com email newsletter
Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email (current subscribers too!)
Follow me on blogger
Follow @funnyjello and @joolwe on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (once per day, be sure to leave me the link to your tweet). Copy/Paste: RT Win Sterling Silver and Round-Cut Cubic Zirconia Earrings @joolwe @funnyjello http://tiny.cc/joolwe Ends 11/9 11:59 PM MST
Add my button to your blog (leave me a link)
Add me to your Technorati favorites
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother and a fan of Joolwe Facebook
Blog about this giveaway and link to Fairy Blog Mother and Joolwe Online Jewelry Store (leave me a link to your post)

Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents
Ends 11/9/2009 11:59 PM MST

Much thanks to the Joolwe for this giveaway opportunity.

The "I don't like fancy lingo" disclaimer:

I received a free item(s) in exchange for a review and giveaway. These reviews are my opinion(s) and any compensation received did not sway me to say nice things about the product/company. What you read is what I think.

Handbag Heaven Contest!

I've worked with Handbag Heaven in the past and was given a head's up to a contest they're running.

Every day in November they're giving away a handbag. 30 handbags in 30 days. Entries are being accepted right now.

Registering to win only requires your first name and email address. Then you click on the bag you'd like to win. Very easy!

Click this link to enter: http://www.handbagheaven.com/contest/

P.S. - There's a zebra print bag up for grabs....don't enter to win that one. It's MIIIIIINE!

Winner Announcements 10/26

I've drawn two winner's for the $30 Domino's Pizza gift cards.

Thank you to all who entered. Congrats to the lucky winners....and what time should I be there for dinner?

Sunday Stealing 10/25....on 10/26

Sunday Stealing: The Halloween Meme

1. What is your favorite written work of horror fiction?

I've read the Stephen King books "Carrie" and "Christine" too many times to count. I like all of the Stephen King book's I've read but those two are ones I always go back to. Oh, I lied..."It"...I don't like that one! LOL

2. What is your favorite work of science fiction/fantasy?

Um...the Twilight series? I dunno. This was the first thing that came to mind. That and Lord of the Rings and I so don't do LOTR. (Adding this after I've answered: Labyrinth...totally better than anything Twilight related)

3. Who is your favorite monster?

My son, Ethan. Yes, he counts.

4. What is your favorite Horror movie?

I'm not a fan of horror movies for the most part. Like the corny ones like Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th, I can watch....the movie The Strangers, I could never watch while I was home alone. Never, ever, ever. In fact, I don't think I ever want to watch that one again just because it seriously freaks me out to think of someone breaking in to my house. Oh...and Zombieland! Though it's more of a comedy than a horror movie. But it's still classified as horror.

5. What horror movie gives you the most chills?

I really hate the movie The Grudge. REALLY hate it. Oh and I hate The Shining too. Those creepy girls. Come play with us...

Eeeeek!

6. What character from any horror film would you most like to play?

I wanna be the girl who runs up the stairs to escape the slash 'em up killer...topless or completely naked of course, as that is completely relevant to my being cut up sushi style by some psycho.

7. Freddy or Jason?

One, two...Freddy's comin' for you...

Jason movies don't have kids singing nursery rhymes. Kids singing nursery rhymes in horror movies is SCARY!.

8. What is your favorite Halloween treat?

I love Dots! I only eat them this time of year. Mmmmm yummy, chewy goodness.

9. Ghosts or goblins?

I think I'm gonna go with goblins on this one. Because David Bowie is so incredibly awesome as Jareth, The Goblin King in the movie Labyrinth. And he wears tights.

10. Friendly-faced jack-o'-lantern or scary one?

I don't really give a shit. It's a pumpkin.

I do like this one though. LOL

11. What is your scariest encounter with the paranormal?

If I told you, you probably wouldn't believe me. My husband would think I'm a fruit loop. My kids would laugh at me. It's not worth it...I'll just say it was weird.

12. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?

Yes. I've had things that I cannot explain happen to me. Weird stuff.

13. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho?

A psycho...because zombies and aliens aren't real.

But those zombies from the movie Zombieland are waaaaay awesome.

14. Favorite Halloween costume?

Um...I'm trying to remember the costumes I had as a kid. And don't remember any but Moosel...he was a Wuzzle...he was half moose, half seal...a Moosel. It was one of those plastic costumes that had a mask with an elastic band that went around your head. It was the bomb diggity. (And this probably wasn't my favorite Halloween costume, but it's one I remember...so Moosel wins.)

15. Best thing about Halloween?

The candy duh.

And I like seeing other people's costumes, getting my kids dressed up. But don't care to dress up myself.

16. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)?

My kids.

17. Are you superstitious?

Nah. I've got bigger and better things to worry about.

18. Share an unusual Halloween story.

Well there was this one time...at band camp... (I don't have an unusual story...never been to band camp either.)

19. What did you do for Halloween as a kid?

Did the typical kid stuff. Halloween parade at school, trick-or-treating.

20. What's the best Halloween party that you've attended?

The one I threw back in like 1997. Some DJ's from a local radio station showed up and partied with us. I got drunk way too early in the evening, yakked my guts up and passed out at like 11 PM...missed most of my own party. But damn it was fun.

October 24, 2009

Elmer's Science Activity Kit Reviews

Thanks to Team Mom I was able to review some really fun science project type toys for my kids. I was sent the MythBusters Weird World of Water and a Magnificent Manicure Kit.

We definitely had the most fun with the Mythbusters kit.

Aspiring mythbusters will test the secrets of water as they uncover its many mysteries. Water freezes and boils and turns into gas - is there anything it can't do? They'll find the mythbusting answer to that and many more questions:

Can water suck a ship down the drain?

Will you find hot water at the North Pole?

Can water blast a rocket into space?

The first experiment we tried was the "Myth of the Pantry Projectile". This involved making a rocket out of a plastic bottle and using a combination of vinegar and baking soda to get it launch. And launch it did!

We were kind of taken by surprise with the first go round. As soon as the vinegar mixed with the baking soda it shot off the ground and landed on top of our truck, shattering the plastic cone top of the rocket.

This is what was left after Launch #1.

The white pieces on the ground was a cone shaped top that fit on the top of the bottle.

So...we taped it back together and went for round two. This time further away from the cars and we had cameras ready to capture it since we knew it would happen fast!

This is what it looked like before the cone broke...well, you get the idea. The vinegar is in the actual bottle and the baking soda in the tube (with the red base). You hold it upside down until you're ready to set it down for launch...and then you get away! As soon as the vinegar drops in to mix with the baking soda it shoots off the ground!

Launch #2

You can see with the arrows where it was on the ground and how high up it went...and my kids (and the neighbor kid) watching to make sure it doesn't hit them. LOL

We decided to launch it one more time. We didn't bother taping the cone back together because it didn't need it to launch, it was just to make it look cool.

Launch #3

Ooops...that's the neighbors car. No damage done though.

On to project number two in the Mythbuster's kit. Myth of the Deadly Vortex.

You use plastic bottles to create a whirlpool, or vortex. You can add beads and/or glitter to it to watch how it is sucked in.

This one was pretty easy to do and the kids were thoroughly entertained.

The Mythbusters Weird World of Water kid includes a step-by-step guide for each project. At the end of each activity you can mark off in the book if the myth was "Busted", "Confirmed" or "Plausible"...just like on the show.

We all had a lot of fun doing these activities. I know my son and husband (and the neighbor kid) had waaaay too much fun with this. But all in all it was fun and cool to do. This kit is recommended for ages 8+. But it still requires quite a bit of adult supervision. But that's ok, the grown ups had fun with this one too.

------------------------------------------------------

Next up...the Magnificent Manicure Kit. This is a make-it-yourself spa kit. That allows you to create your own lotion, make crystal mud bath and comes with a buffing block, toe separators and everything you need to have a luxurious spa day at home.

I thought my daughter would be more into this, but she only showed mild interest in it. She was more interested in the Mythbusters kit. But this was still fun for her and it is items I know she'll use. Maybe she just wasn't in the mood for a mani/pedi today?

She did make the lotion. She used the lotion base, lotion dye and lotion fragrance in the kit to make a little tub of lotion. The lotion has a little bit of a shimmer to it and smelled like kiwis. It comes with a jar to store it in and a stick on label that you place on the lid...and it let's you name your lotion.

Pretty neat!

The kit is not only fun and makes usable items...but it teaches you about your fingernails, crystals, smell, moisture. The Magnificent Manicure Kit is recommended for ages 8+ which I think is a good age range. The younger gals would have fun with this too with proper supervision. My daughter is 13 and like I mentioned above didn't seem as interested in this as I thought she would be. But she's not the girly girl type either. She like polish and painting her nails and toenail...but they're usually painted black. LOL

I want to thank Team Mom for allowing me to review both of these fun kits.

The "I don't like fancy lingo" disclaimer:

I received a free item(s) in exchange for a review. These reviews are my opinion(s) and any compensation received did not sway me to say nice things about the product/company. What you read is what I think.

Winner Announcements 10/24

I've drawn winners for the $15 Amazon.com gift code and one of the $30 Domino's Pizza gift cards. There's still time to enter my other Domino's giveaway, there are two $30 gift cards up for grabs in that one! You have till tomorrow night to get your entries in.

Winner have been notified. Thank you to all who participated and congrats to the lucky winners!

(Note: comment numbering starts over at 200, 400, etc.)

Skin MD Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

I was sent a bottle of Skin MD Shielding Lotion about a month ago. I've been using it every day since then and I must say I'm quite impressed.

What is a shielding lotion?

Shielding lotions create a barrier between your skin and the elements and chemicals. It bonds to and protects your skin from everyday irritants like soaps and cleaning chemicals. Shielding lotions add moisture as well as prevent moisture loss. It forms a protective barrier on the skin to block out an irritants and chemicals you may come into contact with.

The texture of this shielding lotion is thinner than any lotion I've ever used before. And just a little bit goes a long way. It absorbs into the skin quickly, has no odor and isn't greasy at all.

Immediately after the first use I noticed my skin on my hands felt different. The skin felt soft...supple. The Shielding Lotion is not just for you hands, it can also be used on your face and the rest of your body.

I'm a little weary of what kinds of moisturizers I will use on my face. As most are heavy and make me look shiny after applying. That is not the case with the Skin MD Shielding Lotion. After a shower, after I've dried my face the skin feels tight, looks dry and sometimes is itchy. Just a small amount of the Shielding Lotion went on easily, didn't leave my face looking greasy or shiny and didn't irritate my skin, clog my pores. It left my face looking and feeling moisturized and soft.

And Skin MD is paraben free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores!), color free, fragrance free, contains no animal products and is not tested on animals.

This stuff really is awesome. I seen immediate results in the way my skin felt. And because of the way it felt on my face, I'd be inclined to buy Skin MD Shielding Lotion + SPF 15 just to use on my face.

I have one bottle of Skin MD Shielding Lotion to give away to one lucky Fairy Blog Mother reader.

To enter this giveaway:
Visit the Skin MD Natural website and tell me something you learned

This rule is mandatory for entry. All extra entries will be discarded if the first rule is not followed.

Extra entries?

Please leave a comment for EACH entry

Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email (current subscribers too!)
Follow me on blogger
Follow @funnyjello and @Skinmdnatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (once per day, be sure to leave me the link to your tweet). Copy/Paste: RT Win a bottle of Skin MD Shielding Lotion @skinmdnatural @funnyjello http://tiny.cc/skinmd Ends 11/7 11:59 PM MST
Add my button to your blog (leave me a link)
Add me to your Technorati favorites
Become a fan of Fairy Blog Mother on Facebook
Blog about this giveaway and link to Fairy Blog Mother and Skin MD Natural (leave me a link to your post)

Giveaway is open to US residents
Ends 11/7/2009 11:59 PM MST

Much thanks to the Skin MD Natural for this review and giveaway opportunity.

Purple Pig Shirts Review

I am not a yoga person. Are they really called Yogi's? I don't even know. That's how not yoga savvy I am.

One thing I do know about yoga is the clothes they make for doing yoga are super comfortable.

Purple Pig Shirts doesn't stop at comfort though, their yoga t-shirts are cute and fashionable too. They offer long and short sleeve yoga shirts in a variety of designs for both men and women. Ok, so maybe I better rephrase the cute part when it comes to the men's shirts. The men's shirts...are um, manly?

Purple Pig Shirts is the sister site of Crazy Dog T-shirts and Nacho Mama Tees...both of which I've done reviews and giveaways for. So I knew the quality and comfort was going to be great with these yoga shirts as well.

I chose a shirt for my daughter as I knew she'd like it...and she always complains that I get to try out a bunch of cool stuff.

I chose the Peace Splash shirt for her. This cute t-shirt is long in the torso so it's great for layering. Which you're going to want to wear a cami or tank under it as the material, while super, super soft is also very thin and you need something under it for some modesty....unless you don't mind showing off your bra, which if you're going to do that then I think you should go all out and wear a really obvious one...like zebra stripes or polka dots. Just sayin'.

100% Organic Cotton
Super soft ultra sheer, flexible fabric
Long body length, fitted and perfect for layering
Wash in cold water, tumble dry medium

Yes, she's mad at me for posting a picture. I offered to give her a Quasimodo eye and distort her face with my photo editing software. She failed to see the humor in it and told me just to post her face. She's worried her Facebook friends will see her. *snicker*

Much thanks to Purple Pig Shirts for this review opportunity.

October 23, 2009

Bitch & Moan 10/23

It's that time of the week again. Time to bitch and moan about whatever it is that pissed you off this week.

Grab the bitch and moan button from my sidebar and link up your blog post.

So, what pissed me off this week?

My Dryer:

About 2 hours ago it started making this REALLY loud noise. Horribly loud. Dennis said it must be a bearing or something like that and that it'll require him taking the damn thing apart...and that I'll be out a dryer for up to a week.

Now, while I'm not some crazy laundry fanatic, I know I'll enjoy whatever break I get from laundry for any amount of time, for any reason. But I dread the day that it works again and I have to try and catch up on the piles of laundry.

Update: Dryer is fine. It decided to eat the zipper on Ethan's jacket, then when it realized the zipper pull was not very tasty it spit it back out and resumed working the way it normally does. Stupid jacket eating dryer. Oh, it's a bra eater too. But I've learned from that one.

My Job:

When it's slow at work it's pointless for me to go. You may think, well some money is better than no money. Go and milk the clock and at least get paid. Here's the deal...I work 4 hour shifts (sometimes 6, sometimes 8 when there's work, but for the most part I only work 4). It takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get to work because I live clear on the other end of the Salt Lake valley. And right now, I'm paying for daycare for two kids because Hunter is in year round school and he's off track for the next three weeks. What I make in a four hour shift...3/4 of it is going to my daycare expense right now. Plus the horrendous commute, the gas it takes to get there. It's not worth it. Luckily my boss is in agreement and is nice enough to text me in the morning and let me know how the work flow is.

The Tool Academy on Vh1:

I was intrigued the first season. Because I have a sick infatuation with reality tv. But this show is just stupid. Those bitches are stupid for staying with those idiot boyfriends. And the boyfriends...well, didn't I just say they're idiots? And these IDIOTS are being paid to be on this show. Fuck man...I really screwed up somewhere, I mean...making an honest living and not being a total jackass on tv. I think I need to change my priorities. Not.

Swine Flu:

Or H1N1 if you prefer. I don't want it. I know nobody does. But I read an article today about parents having "swine flu parties". You know, like the chicken pox parties and what not...purposely exposing your kids to swine flu. Purposely putting them around someone else who's very ill just so they can 'get it over with' or 'catch it before the strain becomes stronger' or 'they're apprehensive about the vaccine'. Hell, I admit...I'm apprehensive about the vaccine, but would I ever intentionally expose my kids to this. No fucking way.

I'm sure they have their reasons, maybe different than the ones I listed above. But I just don't get it.

I had to come back and add one more

My Coke Rewards:
You know those little codes on the inside of Coke caps, or inside the 12 packs? I'd been collecting those damn codes for like 2 years. They sent me an email a few weeks back letting me know I needed to enter more codes or the ones I had would disappear (not their wording, but you get the idea). I've done this before, many times...and I always enter some new codes by the deadline. I usually just enter a bunch all at once.

So anyway, I forgot. And the Coke rewards I had been accumulating...GONE. Two fucking years of deciphering those itty bitty codes off the caps...GONE. Yes, mostly my own fault for forgetting. But seriously? Sheesh!

So what pissed you off this week?