About two weeks ago, I was driving with my Mom and it was unseasonably warm, so she put down her power window, and…. it wouldn’t come back up. Since it was all the way down, there was nothing we could do, nothing to try to grab or maneuver back up. Since it was a Sunday, we were out of luck, and rain was scheduled for the next day. What to do?

Well, often around here, the answer to everything is: Duct Tape. At least that’s what my brother-in-law always says. When in doubt, duct tape. So, I got a garbage bag, put it over the window, and used duct tape. Though it did rain, the car remained dry inside. So, I am a big fan and always try to keep duct tape on hand. It can solve so many problems.

And, then, coincidentally, not long after, I received a large package from Shoplet to review and in it was all kinds of Duck Tape, enough to satisfy even the geekiest office supply junkie.

Shoplet sent a swag bag of Duck Tape including Duck EZ Start Premium Packaging Tape, Duck EZ Start Premium Packaging Tape w// Dispenser and Zebra Printed Duck Tape.

I loved the Duck EZ Start Premium Packaging Tape w/ Dispenser.

 This tape is awesome since it was so convenient and easy to use. I could use it with one hand and it was simple to turn it to use the cutting edge. This is great for me when mailing packages as I do a lot of this. I love this tape and it’s great to keep on hand. It didn’t split or tear, just smoothly, quietly and efficiently got the job done.

Next, I checked out the Duck EZ Smart Premium Packaging Tape. This is sold in packs of three and is really quite economical. Again, very easy to use, just the right thickness. It wasn’t flimsy nor was it heavy. It was see-through and my packages looked professional. It did a great job keeping everything in place and was durable without being sticky, tacky or bunching up.

I wanted to give a friend some cookies I’d made, but I didn’t have anything interesting to put them in, so I took a regular box and “zebrified” it. You can see the inside of the box here. It was super easy to sculpt the tape along the curves and I loved the patterns it created.

You could use this tape to decorate, to add originality and flair, to instantly transform the dull into the unusual. It definitely appeals to my artistic side.

To sum it all up, I would say that the Duck Tape I was sent rocks! It really performed and looked great and I would definitely stock up on all of the above. I’ll also be scoping out the colored and patterned Duck Tapes because you never know when the creative urge will strike!

Shoplet has a great selection of office supplies and great deals, so check them out when you need something for your office or home or just want to browse.

Disclosure: Shoplet provided me with the above samples for review, however, all opinions expressed are my own.

I originally created Gems from the Goddess  as a  program for those  who have limited means.  As the year has progressed, I’ve realized that this offering is so much more than that. At its core it is about aligning stones with those who need it and giving them the opportunity to practice receiving and being taking care of. Gems from the Goddess  is also for those of you who wouldn’t ordinarily treat yourself, have a hard time asking for help & receiving it or simply feel called by the stone and would love an opportunity to win.

 Each month, l create a stunning gem to post on my website along with an overview of the stone’s properties. If you think this stone would enhance your life, send me an email and tell me why. After I receive all of the entries, I will meditate with the stone, select who the stone resonates with most, and mail it to you, free of charge. With your permission, I will also share your story on my website!

Be sure to include:

• Your preferred name (or a request to remain anonymous)

• Why you feel this stone would enhance your life, and

• The best way to contact you

Submit your stories to AmandaSelfJewelry@gmail.com .

MARCH’S OFFERING (please enter by 3/31)

Affirmation   “My masculine & feminine energies are grounded & balanced.”

Hematite is the most effective of all stones for grounding oneself in the body and in the physical world. It can counteract spaciness and confusion, helping one to see practical concerns and move forward with useful action. It is excellent manifestation stone.

Hematite lends one strength, courage and fortitude for moving through adversity. It is a powerful stone to use when one is seeking to integrate the shadow self. Hematite is excellent for energetic support of recovery from any ailment of the blood and of blood production within bone marrow.

Pendant is 2 and 1/2 inches long by 3/4 inch wide. Valued at $45.   

If this stone speaks to you, send me an email at AmandaSelfJewelry@gmail.com and share with me how you feel it can enhance your life. Deadline is March 31.

For more information about my Gems from the Goddess program
please click here

Thank you!

Amanda Self
www.AmandaSelfJewelry.com

—

I am very pleased to be working with Amanda Self, a wonderful artist who creates beautiful jewelry with crystals and gemstones. These creations are not only lovely, but also healing, and each carries its own powerful affirmation.

I was immediately drawn to her work and since then we’ve had some wonderful conversations, about life, the universe and well… everything. Life takes you down some interesting roads and it’s a blessing to have the chance to have good friends and healing along the way.

I asked Amanda how she got started.

In her own words:

I discovered the powers of crystals in 2002 while working at Half Price Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During my register shifts, I noticed a significant amount of energy being exchanged between myself and the customer when we handed each other money. It was incredibly draining and a bit uncomfortable. My dear friend Fran suggested I try using crystals and gemstones for protection and took me to a rock store later in the week. The results were immediate!

ends 3/28 $50 Xperience Days gift certificate

ends 4/2  Foxgloves Funky Fingerless Gloves 

ends 4/3 Hamburger Helper Prize Pack

ends 4/15 Javabites – Gourmet Espresso Cookies (5 winners)

Do any of you like cookies? Coffee? Chocolate? Silly question? I’m a huge fan of all three, so I felt triply blessed to receive a wonderful package with five flavors of Stir Crazy Creations’ Javabites and a pouch of their Organic House Blend Coffee.

Javabites are crunchy morsels of bliss. Yes, seriously. They are that good! And, to top it off, they are made with nothing but the finest natural ingredients. No artificial anything. They use organic, fair trade coffee and use a local roaster who personally visits the owner of the farm that grows these delicious beans. There is no middle man and this ensures that the coffee is of the highest quality and taste.

Their bakery is nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Loveland, Colorado where they brew their cookies and….what’s that? Brew their cookies… well, yes.

They start with organic shade-grown, coarsely ground, espresso-roasted Arabica beans. Then, these beans are blended into a specially formulated moist cookie dough. Next, they slowwwly bake the cookies allowing the espresso to thoroughly brew into each cookie. And the cookies come in latte, mocha, cappuccino and espresso flavors.

They are great for crunchy cookie lovers (me!) and can also be dipped in coffee or tea. I tried both. The Organic House blend they sent was rich yet mellow. Very very good. As you dip the cookies in, they don’t get mushy but soften just enough to melt in your mouth. So good! They are also delicious with ice cream. I crunched them up over my Vanilla Bean the other night.

How to describe the flavor? It’s like a rich coffeehouse latte. They even provide a mild kick that is great when energy flags mid-day for me. And the espresso flavor is totally authentic. Actually, these cookies are a feast for the senses, because when you open the package (individually wrapped in packs of 2 to stay fresh), the smell is like walking into a coffeehouse of delights or falling into a heap of coffee beans (what, yes, I’ve imagined it!). Also a feast for the eyes as the packaging and cookies are just beautiful; for the ears – love the crunch; for the nose – a coffee lover’s paradise; and for your tastebuds – well, you just have to try them to see how delectably good they are! Rich and full of flavor and they taste homemade.

I also love that Stir Crazy Creations is all about making a positive impact on both the community and the environment.

So, here are the different varieties that I tried and that you can check out on their website & enter to win!

White Chocolate Vanilla Latte – Crunchy White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Espresso Bits – (6 100 calorie packs)  – This is their signature cookie, buttery with hints of vanilla, these are amazingly delectable! My favorite!

Almond Mocha – for almond lovers! almond chocolatey cookie with espresso bean bits and milk chocolate chips

Chocolate Chip Espresso – the classic with a kick! Chocolate chip cookies supercharged with espresso bean bits! Not your grandmother’s chocolate chips…My sister loves these. She stole my last one.

White Chocolate Mocha Latte – A chocolate lover’s dream – chocolate mocha cookies filled with white chocolate chips w/bits of espresso beans. I have a feeling my friend Linda would be in chocolate heaven.

 Cinnamon Cappuccino – My mom’s favorite as she loves cinnamon – these are like snickerdoodles – vanilla-cinnamon cookies revved up with bits of espresso beans

You can purchase Javabites at Amazon or at Javabites.

CONNECT WITH JAVABITES:

Website
Facebook
Twitter

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Disclosure: I was provided these products by the sponsor for review but the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

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What’s for dinner? What are we having? If you are like me, you’re occasionally tired of that question, especially after a long work week. But, you really don’t have to stress, because Hamburger Helper is an all-in-one meal that takes nearly no time to make and they even have some new flavors to try.

For 40 years, Hamburger Helper has helped to make family dinner time easy, and now with two new delicious varieties, Ultimate Beef Stroganoff and Cheesy Italian Beef, Hamburger Helper offers even more options for easy family style cuisine. With naturally- flavored mixes and rich, tasty sauces, Hamburger Helper makes a meal your family will be happy to enjoy together.

New Hamburger Helper Ultimate Beef Stroganoff has rich roast beef flavor and pasta w/ a decadent sour cream flavored sauce mix while new Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian Beef features real Italian herbs and pasta enhanced with naturally flavored Italian-style sauce mix.

Simple to make, you just add milk, water and your favorite ground beef.

We preferred the Cheesy Italian dinner with a salad and some garlic bread, but the Beef Stroganoff had a nice rich tasting sour cream sauce also. Both are good when you just simply don’t want to cook, but want a good-tasting family meal. So, check out the new varieties!

You can visit here to download a printable coupon for $0.70 off one box of Hamburger Helper.

Betty Crocker and General Mills through MyBlogSpark sent not only the two new flavors to try but also some great extras including a wonderful serving dish, a trivet and a slotted serving spoon.

Would you like some help with dinner?

These generous folks are also offering a reader the chance to win the same prize pack I was given.

So, please follow the Rafflecopter, and let Hamburger Helper help you out.

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Disclosure:  The Hamburger Helper New Varieties information, product, and prize pack have been provided free of charge by Betty Crocker® and General Mills®, through MyBlogSpark.

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I was kind of astonished to see Brendan and Rachel on The Amazing Race this year. They were such a trainwreck on Big Brother.

But, as always, “TAR” remains my favorite reality show! Last night curling beards, curling gnomes, yodeling in Bavaria and next week they go to Azerbaijan.

I must confess I’ve always wanted to be on this show and my good friend and I have contemplated it many times. When we watch, we talk about which would do what challenge!

I love traveling and this would be a blast!

Have you ever wanted to be on a reality show? Which one? And do you watch The Amazing Race?

I’m loving Bopper and Mark from Kentucky!

this?

or this?

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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.