The other day, I was happily surprised by an email from the folks at Pom Wonderful, wondering if I would like to sample their product. Of course, I was thrilled. I am very into health and wellness and pomegranates have many health benefits.

The pomegranate is one of the earliest cultivated fruits, revered throughout history as a symbol of health, fertility and rebirth. Some cultures even believed it had profound mystical and healing powers.

Pom Wonderful sent me a case to try, and I was very pleased. These were the 8 oz bottles (though it comes in larger sizes too) and frankly quite adorable. They are ideally shaped and fit right in the palm of your hand. As for the taste, rich and delicious – sweet and just a bit tart. Pom Wonderful has no added sugar, coloring or preservatives. It’s all natural and full of antioxidants. They are gluten-free and a great source of potassium as well.

Their website PomWonderful is a wealth of information where you can find such recipes as
Pom Poached Pears with Pom Gelato by Chef Jake Linzinmeir, and so many other delectables. I have used Pom in a spritzer, in cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), in marinades, over yogurt, in salad dressing, and am now trying some of the other recipes. Absolutely delicious.

And, it’s also great straight from the bottle or over ice. Makes me feel like I’m drinking in nature – a very good feeling.

First of all, I want to thank everyone so much for participating in our giveaway!

The winner chosen by Random.org is International Giveaways! I’ve sent off an email to you and to Laughing Vixen and she will be in touch with you soon so that you can pick out your pendant!

I hope to have more fun giveaways soon!

Some of you who are on twitter may know @Laughing Vixen, and, for some, this may be their first introduction. In any case, you are in for a treat.

Besides being a very cool person, she is also a very gifted artisan. Ever since I saw her work, I fell in love with it.

I am very pleased to be hosting a giveaway with Laughing Vixen. She has graciously given me a piece that I have loved since the first time I saw it, being the True Blood fanatic I am!

She has also graciously offered one lucky reader of Strange Daze Indeed the chance to choose whichever glass pendant (a $10.50 value) they would like –  and whatever color chain they would like to go with it.

Some examples are:

She will ship it to you US or worldwide (cause she’s cool like that).

Her Etsy shop is  the Laughing Vixen Lounge where you will find “Bangles, Baubles and Other Needful Things.”

In her words, “Appearing nightly on stage: A mix of Retro Kitsch, Rockabilly Chic, Vintage Horror and Pop Culture Obsession.”

There are so many wonderful pieces!

You can also check out her blog at:

www.laughingvixenlounge.blogspot.com and check her out on twitter at
www.twitter.com/LaughingVixen

OK, so how do I enter you may be asking!

Mandatory entry: Please visit The Laughing Vixen Lounge
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaughingVixenLounge


and tell me what your favorite item is in a comment.

For extra entries: (Please leave each in a separate comment as an entry)


1) Follow my blog  (if you already are please note that in a comment)
2) Follow me on twitter @MissingLynxx (if you already are, please note that)
3) Follow @LaughingVixen on twitter
4) Follow Laughing Vixen’s blog at www.laughingvixenlounge.blogspot.com

and 5) This will count 1/x day – Please tweet about the giveaway and post it.
If you need any info on how to do this, please just send me a tweet and I will explain.
You may get one entry per day for each new tweet.

Here is an example – feel free to use it or make up your own!

“Foxy blog giveaway from @MissingLynxx & @LaughingVixen
http://bit.ly/18qHZ0 Choice of glass pendant  http://bit.ly/10ZhYi !
 ends 1/22″ (no quote marks needed)

Another:

Win your choice of pendant from @LaughingVixen Go to @MissingLynxx blog –> http://bit.ly/18qHZ0 and enter. Ends 1/22

If you want more opportunites to enter, you can post about this giveaway on your blog and link to it
( please leave a comment ).

You may also put my or Laughing Vixen’s button (see right column) on your blog (each counts as one entry)  (please leave a comment/link)

This giveaway will end Friday 1/22/2010 at 11:59 PM EST and the winner will be
selected by random.org and announced during that weekend!

P.S. If you are not reachable via twitter, please leave your email
addy in your first comment so I can reach you if you are the winner.

Thanks all! Hope you enjoy Laughing Vixen’s art as much as I do and good luck!

Note: If you say you follow, please do follow via google connect so I can see your name and count that entry. Thanks!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for participating. I loved reading all your comments about what you appreciate in your friends!

I hope this is only the first of more fun giveaways. The entries were sorted according to the prize or prizes each wanted to enter for. The entries were then fed into random.org which spit out the winners. So, here they are accordingly:

Logitech webcam: Winner: jbafaith

$50 Restaurant GC: Winner: JD_Denver

$25 Restaurant GC: Winner: Ms Sarah

$25 Ediets GC: Winner: Happy Enchilada

$5 Walmart GC: Winner: Charity

I will make an announcement on twitter and also will email you for your addresses or emails where to send the gift codes.

Thanks everyone! Wishing all a wonderful 2010!

I have met some awesome friends on Twitter- friends that help out out of the goodness of their hearts, friends to laugh with and have fun with and talk about things that matter. I appreciate each and every one of them.

I am doing this giveaway. It’s not sponsored by anyone and it’s not to promote anyone.

Note: If you do not have your email on your blogger acct. please leave it in your comment so I may contact you if you are a winner.

* CONTEST ENDS: 11:59 PM EST – Wednesday – 12/23/09.
Winners will have extra time to respond due to the holidays.

ALSO: For any prizes with shipping, it must be US only. Thanks! *

So far there are 5 prizes. The first is a brand-new unopened Logitech QuickCam Connect webcam. Perfect for those who don’t have one or have someone in their family or a friend who they want to talk with.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/435/4266&hub=1&cl=us,en

• New Logitech Vid software dramatically simplifies video calling (free download)
• True VGA resolution for sharp, vibrant video and photos
• Built-in microphone with RightSound Technology for crystal-clear conversations without annoying background noise
• One-click software for effortless video and photo capture, emailing and uploads
• Universal clip attaches easily to your desktop monitor or mobile laptop

Second prize is a $50  Restaurant.com gift code  so you can enjoy some good meals at a great discount.

Third prize is a $25 Restaurant.com gift code.

Fourth prize is a $25 gift card to use on anything in the eDiets Store. Just go to http://store.ediets.com. There is no minimum purchase and it expires 1/31/10.

Fifth prize is a $5 Walmart card :).

As far as the tweeting goes you may do that as much as you want but only 2 of them/day will count here so only enter that twice/day and please do them at least an hour apart.

Ok, that’s it (whew!) Just know I love y’all and appreciate all my friends probably more than they know.

Also, everyone is welcome here even people I haven’t met yet. 🙂

Be sure to check out the newest release from award-winning author Zoe Archer.  Half  Past Dead will be out December 29, 2009 and is available for presale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Border’s and Book-A-Million.  Half Past Dead will also be available for Sony and Kindle

*Disclosure: I was offered a copy of the book from the author in exchange for posting the book release date

The wonderful One2One network gave me the opportunity to review Brandi Carlile’s new album, “Give Up the Ghost”. This was quite awesome as I’ve been a fan, lucky enough to see her in concert, and loved her last album, “The Story”.

Brandi was born in Washington State and was inspired to pick up the guitar and learn to play after seeing the Indigo Girls in concert at Lilith Fair. In the opening song of her new album, “Looking Out”, she is backed with the gorgeous harmonies of Amy Ray from the Indigo Girls. Another of her childhood idols was Elton John, and he provides smooth piano and backup vocals on Caroline, which is rollicking, fun and playful, reminding me of Elton’s own ’70’s rock.

Brandi is an extremely gifted singer/songwriter with a powerful passionate voice that is raw and soulful. She is genuine, authentic, and sings straight from her heart.

Her band includes the amazing twins Tim and Phil Hanseroth on guitar and bass (respectively), and cellist John Neumann. Together they rock.

This album includes a beautiful song about life on the road “Dying Day” which is one of my favorites. Carlile is never one to hide feelings as on “Looking Out” which is about feeling disappointed and alone. “That Year”, she said she wrote for a close friend who committed suicide when they were both 16. Really moving, almost fragile.

I also really love “Oh Dear” which has a sound reminiscent of both the Beatles and Queen.

If I had to compare Brandi to anyone, I would say that she reminds me of Patsy Cline and The Indigo Girls, with a touch of K.T. Tunstall.

I would say her songs are alternative folk rock.

Brandi has incredible phrasing and an amazing range to her voice. It drops into a growl, then it lifts and it soars – unique, strong and soulful.

The highest compliment I can give her is that she’s totally here, present, with a voice that is authentic, gritty, and hauntingly beautiful.

I highly recommend “Give Up The Ghost”, and, also, if you ever get the opportunity to catch her live, she’s just amazing.

Check out her new album on Amazon and ITunes!

Links:

To visit Brandi’s website

Brandi’s Facebook