Bailey, Pearl and Baxter

Happy Holidays from the Monkeez!

Who are the Monkeez? They are part of the Monkeez Makes a Difference philanthropic and educational program. The brainchild of teacher and mother Chrysti Carol Propes, this program is designed to empower children to think of others and thus make a difference at home, in school, in their communities and in the world. What we teach our children when they are young really helps create the future.

It all starts with the purchase of a Genuine Monkeez and Friends plush and cuddly character available at MonkeezAndFriends.com and at independent retailers across the U.S. There are over 90 plush designs in all different sizes including monkeys, bears, lions, dogs, cats, pigs, hedgehogs and so many more. There’s really something for everyone and at varying prices from $2.99 to $100.

Each character has a tag with instructions to visit MonkeezAndFriends.com. There, they can enter the code and watch different videos of each charity that partners with Monkeez including Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Best Friends Animal Society and Samaritan’s Purse.

Children can then decide on their favorite charity and Monkeez will donate 10% of the cost on their behalf.

How cool!

What a great way to teach our kids about giving back and paying it forward.
These are concepts that will serve them well throughout life.

What a great gift for any time of year and one that has far-reaching results. Every person can make a difference!

Besides the very cool concept behind the Monkeez, I also want to say how absolutely beautiful they are. Very very well made, easy to clean and super cuddly. They are whimsical and a great idea for kids of any age. 

And, as part of our holiday celebration, you can win your very own Monkeez character here at Strange Daze Indeed.

If you want to order one right now, you can enter the code VALUES in the coupon code box when you check out and get a 20% discount on your entire order. This code is valid through 12/30/12.

One reader will also win their choice of any of the Monkeez Characters in size Small or Medium. They’re so adorable! Check them all out here and remember 10% will go to charity as well.

Just follow the Rafflecopter and Happy Holidays!                  

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate my review however all opinions are expressly my own.

 When I was younger, I can remember creating beautiful collages with words, pictures and quotes and sending them to friends. I remember hand painting every birthday card. I remember doing watercolor borders of flowers around my poetry. 

These days, as I grow older, I find I don’t have the time to embellish as much as I’d like to, however, I still enjoy writing and receiving handwritten letters. In this age of email and texting, that’s somehow become more special to me. 

I always try to add something to the letter, whether it be inside or on the envelope, to make it stand out. I have always loved stamps and embossing. I can remember strolling the aisles of Quincy Market in the Faneuil Hall marketplace in Boston and, along with all the delicious food carts, seeing rubber stamp carts where you could buy all sorts of interesting things.

I’ve found a place online that I enjoy, StampXPress. It’s fun to browse through the different stamps they have there. They have date stamps and business stamps as well as novelty stamps, i.e. LIKE/DISLIKE, FAIL! and LOL. What I really like is that you can custom-design your own, which is something I’m going to do to add my personal “stamp” to letters. 

They also have embossers which I always thought made your letters or cards look like you took that extra touch of care with them. I plan to be moving in the Spring and will definitely be investing in a new address or embossing stamp. The prices are very reasonable and shipping is free over $10.00.

I also hope to find time in the New Year to go back to more personalized cards and letters. 
Though email is fabulous for convenience and quickness, it really doesn’t have the same caring touch. Still, I think it would be kind of humorous to custom-make a stamp that says “Sent from my iPhone”. 
   
This sponsored post was made possible by SheHeard. I have been compensated for my time and work on this campaign, however all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

I really hate harsh chemicals that are so often used in cleaning products. One time I was in my room lying down while the rugs were cleaned, and, after a while, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Yuck. I had to open every window while we all just left the house and went out for lunch and a movie!

Since then, I try really hard to use green cleaners whenever I can.  It’s a process of trial and error, but, there are good ones out there that clean just as well or better without the harsh chemicals or toxic odors.

I have good friends in New York and was discussing this with them the other day. My friend said that, with children and pets, she was afraid to have her rug cleaned and was just moving furniture over the stains. She told me that, after a while, there were just too many stains to cover up! But, after consulting with eco-conscious friends, she found Green Choice carpet cleaning in New York. 

She told me that they didn’t have to leave the house and that the price was reasonable. Not only that, but they had a good variety of methods and all were safe for her kids and her cats.

I like that. I like that you can have a clean home and feel good about what you choose to clean with. It may take a bit of extra effort, but, it is surely worth it. Good health has no price.

Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke

The battle against pure evil begins. Friendships are betrayed. Rivals bond…and powers collide.

Before I discovered that I was born into a secret society called the Eternals, blood-oath Warriors sworn to track and slay the dark and evil creatures that walk the shadows of the earth, the only major thing that I, I mean we–that’s me, Jessica, Rosalinda, and Zora–cared about was starting our freshman year at Vineswell Academy, the prestigious boarding school for girls.

But that was way before the blinders were cruelly ripped from our eyes and cold reality slapped us on the back of our heads with a chain of not-so-nice realities, like the fact that everything we knew about our mothers was all lies, essentially smoke and mirrors designed to hide their very secretive lives as Circles, women Warriors inside the very deadly world of the Eternal Warriors.

Author T.L. Clarke

I write Preteen/Teen Fiction. I also write Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance) as my alter-ego Sedona Venez. I’m a  lifelong reader with a fascination with mythology and anything paranormal. When I’m not writing, I can be found watching bad movies, listening to music, and traveling.

BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/27/12

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A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin

“A Hard Act to Follow,” is a non-fiction literary account of Henry Bushkin’s tenure as Johnny Carson’s lawyer, business partner, and friend.  The book gives genuine insight into the ‘Carson behind Johnny’ with candid personal vignettes about the two, during the rollicking years when Johnny was the undisputed king of television.  This is an engaging, eye-opening, anecdote-packed story about a young lawyer and his client, one of the biggest celebrities in the country.  This funny, unfiltered account gives readers a look at the Johnny Carson that none but a select few really knew.

“A Hard Act to Follow” by Henry Bushkin provides a stirring account into Johnny Carson’s world—as told by Carson’s closest confidant.
The New Yorker article by Kenneth Tynan from 1978, included the following question and answer:
Tynan: When you’re at home, whom do you entertain?
Carson: My lawyer, Henry Bushkin, who’s probably my best friend.

Author Henry Bushkin

Henry Bushkin is an experienced lawyer who practices in both California and New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles where his children also reside.

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/26/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Here at Strange Daze Indeed, I’m always on the lookout for the unusual, the unique, the odd, so Oddka Vodka really caught my imagination.

Premium wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard launched a new brand of vodka, Oddka, by Wyborowa in October 2012. Currently available in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and my home state of Massachusetts, Oddka will be expanding its distribution nationally and globally in spring 2013.

To begin the oddness, the voice and inspiration for Oddka is Wit Oddoski, a virtual character in the real world. Wit had his inception as a 2-D line drawing, a rare and odd condition that leads him to view the world at a different angle than others. Check out the interview with Wit here:

I think Wit’s very happy seeing the world upside down and inside out.

Adding to the unusual, Oddka is available in original, clear vodka and also in five rather unconventional flavors.

The one that intrigues me the most is Fresh Cut Grass. When I was young, I used to take drives with my parents out into the country, and, when we would pass certain areas, you could smell new mown hay. That became one of my favorite scents along with the summertime memory of the grass after my dad had just mowed the lawn. Ah, sweet nostalgia!

It’s crisp, fresh, citrusy, sweet and refreshing and somehow Oddka has figured out how to bottle it! This is a taste that goes great with Ginger Ale, Sprite or Iced Tea. To ramp up the crisp taste, add cucumber, mint and lemon juice. There are so many variations. This would be great for outdoor summer parties.

But, they don’t stop there! No! Adding to drinks that you don’t merely taste but also experience, there is also Electricity which is described as “a bolt of lightning in a bottle – but safer” This surely sparks my curiosity as well. I’m thinking Halloween for this one. I’d mix it with Coca-Cola.

Next is Salty Caramel Popcorn. Slightly sweet, slightly salty, intriguing with a feel good ending. Mix with soda water, Fanta, or Ginger Ale.

 They also have Apple Pie flavor for when you want apples and cinnamon and Grandma just isn’t in a pie-baking mood. I’d drink this for the holidays.

 And then, just when you think things are cool again, along comes Wasabi flavor to heat up your tastebuds and add some spice to your life. I’ve always loved Wasabi, the way it clears my sinuses and wakes up my senses. This makes a great Bloody Mary and is fabulous with ginger ale.

To learn more about Oddka and Wit’s adventures, “Like” Oddka Vodka on Facebook or follow Wit on Twitter at @WitOddoski.

Celebrate the strange!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Oddka.

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen

Christmas at Sea Pines Cottage

Author Sally Smith O’Rourke

Sally Smith O’Rourke is a surgical scrub nurse at the City of Hope national cancer research hospital in Duarte, California and resides in the near-by Victorian village of Monrovia.

With her late husband, author Michael O’Rourke (aka F.M. O’Rourke) Smith O’Rourke owned and operated a medical advertising company where she used her diverse talents to produce and co-write teaching films and videos. Working not only with major medical and surgical manufacturing companies but also network television. These endeavors ultimately led to a collaboration on two feature films (direct to video) and three published novels.

The wife and husband writing team of Sally Smith and Michael O’Rourke, being long-time fans of Jane Austen, wrote The Man Who Loved Jane Austen released by Kensington Books in 2006. Kensington followed that very successful effort with The Maidenstone Lighthouse in 2007 and Christmas at Sea Pines Cottage in 2009, both also collaborative projects by Smith and O’Rourke. Published after her partner and spouse’s untimely death in 2001, the publisher chose not to use the names Michael O’Rourke and Sally Smith (as the manuscripts were presented), releasing all three books under Sally Smith O’Rourke.

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen is Sally Smith O’Rourke’s first solo novel.

$50 Book Blast Giveaway
Ends 12/23/12

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Welcome to the Hoppin’ For The Holidays Giveaway Hop hosted by MamaNYC!

Christmas is approaching and we’re all starting to think about holiday gifts, decorating, mistletoe, and snuggling up by the fire. We’ve gathered together to bring our readers some amazing prizes that will help make your holiday bright, so start hopping down the linky below!  This event will run from December 13-29th, which means you will have plenty of time to enter as many as you like!

I thought it might be nice to have some good food and music this holiday season! So, my prize here at Strange Daze Indeed is a $20 gift card to enjoy a delicious meal at Chili’s and a $10 iTunes card to download your favorite tunes.

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The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman

A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.

When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.

Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love.

The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.

Get your Kindle copy of The Jelly Bean Crisis for 99 cents!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Jelly-Bean-Crisis-ebook/dp/B008PODAAK

Author Jolene Stockman

Jolene Stockman is an award winning writer, speaker, and an expert for Girlfriend Magazine Australia. She is a Master of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and one of the youngest in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Jolene lives in New Zealand, and is the author of Total Blueprint for World Domination. The Jelly Bean Crisis is her debut fiction.

$100 Book Blast Giveaway
Ends 12/21/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Jolene and leave the others blank.

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS (BOOK 1)

For fourteen-year-old Eve Hallows, life can be summed up in one word—horrible.  She has the most horrible friends.  She lives in a horrible old castle.  Even her family is a bunch of horrible monsters.

However, in the monster-inhabited world of Gravesville—a world where messages are sent through Ouija boards, jack-o’-lanterns get facials to suit their moods, and the worst thing Eve has to deal with are those annoying zombie tourists who overrun her favorite graveyard during the Halloween season—horrible means wonderful.  And everything for Eve is perfectly horrible.

But her life is about to go head over heels when a mysterious group known as The Source starts terrorizing Gravesville.  Now she must move to the human world—where everything is opposite … and for Eve, that’s absolutely adorable!

EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHADOWS (BOOK 2)

Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring!  So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn’t be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source.

With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve’s beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.

All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows….

Blog Tour: December 10th to 23rd

Tour Schedule

Author Robert Gray

Robert Gray is a writer.  If that job description doesn’t impress you, how about fantasy writer? Too general? Well, he doesn’t get insulted if you call him a horror writer. If horror’s not your thing, then scratch out horror and replace it with suspense. And for the kiddies, you can slap on a YA or MG in front of that title.

Gray lives in Bushkill, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Book Blast $50 Giveaway
Ends 12/23/12

*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Robert and leave the others blank.

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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