Strange Daze Indeed

Isn't life strange? And wonderful!

Win a copy of The Hobbit Combo Pack on Blu-ray!

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is coming to Blu-ray & DVD March 19th!
 
J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield.

Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Now you can win a copy of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Combo Pack courtesy of Warner Bros!

Just follow the friendly Rafflecopter below and best of luck!

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Disclosure: I am working with Warner Bros. on this project and they are supplying the prize for the winner. All opinions herein are my own.



To Love or Die In a Steamy-Reamy World – Win $100 Paypal or Amazon

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To Love or Die in a Steamy-Reamy World

10 Tales of Steampunk Silliness and Spookery
In the cozy seaside village of Steamville, New Hampshire, an unfaithful zombie, out of control werebots, succubi in corsets, and more wreak havoc in this short story collection from the author of Elemental.

Purchase
Just .99 cents

Praise

“Well written and very fast paced. You won’t get bored or find your mind wandering. I’d love to see a sequel to this collection and see what happens next. I give this book five out of five donuts.”

“This book starts off dipping its toe right into the heart of the story, not unlike Ms. White’s YA novel Elemental, and the story never really slows down to a lazy pace; making it a very easy and fast read.”

“Ms. White wonderfully succeeded in instilling humor into ten short stories about vampires, zombies, ghosts, and one mad scientist. Each story is brilliantly linked. The Victorian era setting delightfully adds to the humor.”

“This is a wonderful mix of Steampunk and Horror written in Emily White’s unmistakable brilliance and style. Does it get any better than that?”

About Author Emily White

Emily White lives in NY, wedged between two of the Great Lakes and a few feet of snow and ice. She’s spent most of her life running away from the cold, and even spent a year in Iraq, but now contents herself with writing her characters into warm, exotic places in faraway galaxies. When not tapping away at her computer keys, she can be found reading, reading, and reading some more. And when she’s not doing that, she’s usually playing video games with her husband, peek-a-boo with her kids, or walking through her garden, wondering why the bugs insist on eating all her vegetables.

Also by Emily White

Book Blast Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/24/13

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Listerine 21 Day Challenge – Following Up!

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About 3 weeks ago  we began the Listerine 21-Day Challenge. I was really looking forward to this as it’s part of my new start program. There has been a lot of change in my life lately and this was a wonderful addition.

Some of my favorite products are the Listerine UltraClean in the Cool Mint and Citrus. It’s nice to change it up and vary the tastes, however, both produced great results. The Cool Mint is my favorite and my mouth feels so much cleaner and fresher.






I would get Facebook alerts which I loved reminding me when to swish and I also had a chart made up that I could check off and make notes on.


What’s nice also is that with the UltraClean, that fresh healthy feeling seemed to last for a good long while.

I think that if you’re just starting out, making a chart can be fun for your family, as they have a definite goal and can reach its completion. This also helps to reinforce the habit so it becomes something that is simply a part of your daily routine. 



I love that there are so many different varieties and that Listerine is on the cutting edge of dental care. Changes that I noticed included less plaque formation and my gums are not at all red or inflamed. This is a major change for me as my gums had been puffy and I’d seen from others where that leads. Gingivitis is not a pretty sight!

Smiling, singing, kissing – having a clean healthy mouth improves all of these! And I have found that with Listerine, it’s pretty easy to integrate good habits into our routine. Good oral care doesn’t just affect your mouth, it affects your whole being.

You can still get involved in the challenge by signing up on the LISTERINE Facebook page right here.

So check it out and improve your health and your smile. I’m so glad we did this!

Disclosure: I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Listerine 21 Day Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.


Win $100 Amazon gc or Paypal – Guardians: The Cypher!

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GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER

A chance reading of a newspaper ad will send 16 year old Thomas Byrne into the world within our world.

Following the ad he will find Guardians Incorporated. A seven thousand year old organization charged with protecting the balance between Magic and technology.

Through their guidance, technology has kept Magic at bay since the Renaissance, but the balance is shifting and soon all those creatures we’ve driven into myth and legend will come back with a vengeance.

To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future and to unlock the future they need a Cypher.

Guardians Inc.: The Cypher is FREE on Kindle, Nook & iBooks

Get Your Copy for FREE

Author Julian Rosado-Machain

Julian has enjoyed pizza in three continents, holds a degree in graphic design, built armored vehicles and computers, handcrafted alebrijes and swears has seen at least one ghost.

He is the Co-owner of Hacienda de Vega Restaurant in San Diego, California and enjoys the sun with his wife, three children and cat.


Book Blast Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/13/13

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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Introducing IHOP’s new custom-made Griddle Melts

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When I think of IHOP, I have memories of going there with my family for breakfasts. I always thought they had the best buttermilk and blueberry pancakes around and I still feel that way today.
When I lived in Alabama, they were more of a late night place to go with friends after a meeting or concert as they were always open late and had a variety of food. Some would get breakfast at night, some, dinners, and I always loved their club sandwiches. The people who worked there were super friendly and it always felt down-to-earth and homey.

This weekend, I went with a friend to try out their new Griddle Melts, three made-to-order breakfast sandwiches that are good any time of day. The choices are: 

  • Spinach, Roasted Pepper & Cheese
    Sautéed fresh spinach in a fluffy egg omelet topped with roasted red peppers and onions, melted Provolone, Parmesan and Pepper Jack cheeses on grilled artisan sourdough bread. Served with your choice of hash browns, French fries or seasonal fruit.
  • Western
    Smoked ham and sautéed peppers and onions in a classic omelet, topped with sliced ham, melted American cheese and served on grilled artisan sourdough bread. Served with your choice of hash browns, French fries or seasonal fruit.
  • Ham & Egg Melt
    Sliced ham and melted Swiss and American cheeses over a fluffy egg omelet served on grilled artisan sourdough bread. Served with your choice of hash browns, French fries or seasonal fruit.

These sandwiches are really big and hearty, great when you want something satisfying and tasty. We decided on the Spinach, Roasted Pepper & Cheese and each got a half-sandwich. That’s a wonderful idea as I really don’t eat all that much so it was just right and still good sized. 
The bread was fresh and toasty and it felt like a delicious spinach omelette in a very easy to eat form. I’m a big fan of breakfast sandwiches and pretty much eat them no matter what time of day it is so this was ideal. The omelette was fluffy and the veggies were fresh. 
My friend had french fries and I had fruit. Both of us really enjoyed our meal and IHOP is a place where you can feel comfortable and just relax. We shared a pot of coffee and some great conversation and left feeling that we have to do it again soon.
You can check out IHOP on Facebook and Twitter as well to keep up with anything new.
Disclosure: I received a gift card from IHOP for my participation in the trial program,  however the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.


PROFLOWERS – Flowers and so much more!

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I always knew that ProFlowers had beautiful flower arrangements. I’ve received a few from them over the years including this Deluxe Hugs and Kisses bouquet containing my favorites: tulips and irises.
 What I didn’t know was that they also had gorgeous plants like this exotic orchid garden:
ProFlowers is extremely easy to navigate with wonderful gifts of all sorts like these adorable cake pops. What kid wouldn’t love these?
 
I also found beautiful spa baskets and organic fruit baskets along with ProFlowers sugar-free chocolates and toffee. Yum!

I was focusing on gourmet gifts this time and found this beautiful Deluxe Fruit Basket along with 4 free gifts. I thought that it would be perfect for healthy family snacking.
What was very special was that ProFlowers kept me updated as to when my package was shipped and throughout the delivery process so that there were no surprises as to when it would be delivered. I appreciated that greatly so that someone could be home to receive it.
It was packaged carefully and lovingly and everything that arrived was cool and fresh.
It was such a lovely harvest basket which I will be keeping for sure with fresh and delicious Navel Oranges, D’Anjou Pears, Granny Smith and Fuji Apples all packaged with a beautiful red ribbon.
In addition, they added 4 free gifts: Olive Oil and Sea Salt Crackers which were perfect with the 4 oz Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Round and the 4 oz Wisconsin White Cheddar, Onion and Chive. These were mouthwateringly good and the 5 oz Bavaria Beef Summer Sausage was outstanding. It was so flavorful!
We’ve been enjoying these treats for the past week and I would definitely recommend this as a wonderful gift or as a present to yourself. 
ProFlowers really has fabulous customer service, a great selection and interesting products carefully packaged and sent. What more could I ask for?
You can find some great specials and discounts right here or just google ProFlowers Discounts to find coupon codes which pop up all the time to save even more.


Disclosure: I was given the chance to review a complimentary product from ProFlowers.com to facilitate a review, however all opinions are expressly my own.

Minky Water Bottle from Warm Traditions – My New Best Friend (& Giveaway)

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We’ve had blizzard conditions in the Northeast recently with crazy winds and snow, but I’ve been lucky to have my Warm Tradition Pink Minky Swirls covered hot water bottle.

It’s so soft, so comfy that I love snuggling up with it and it has helped me so much. I was unlucky enough to get the flu and it has helped greatly to ease overall pain and muscle aches, keep me warm at night, ease any stomach cramps and the pain in my chest from coughing too much. It warms me when I have chills and keeps my toes warm. It’s just overall incredible.  

It would also be great for back and shoulder relief when you come in from shoveling!

This is not your grandma’s hot water bottle; you know those red ones with the rubbery smell that cool down fast and seem to leak. 

The Warm Tradition hot water bottles are high quality and made of thermoplastic which hold the heat much longer than rubber. They’re safe, odorless and recyclable. 

You can choose different shapes, including hearts for the bottle and a large variety of different covers including animal prints like the blue cheetah and sports prints like the football fleece. 

There is a vast selection to choose from including animal covers like Jacob The Sheep to please the little ones.
The bottles are made in Germany and the covers in the U.S. I am in love with my Pink Minky hot water bottle because it is irresistably soft and silky. It feels wonderful on your skin.

Founded in Brooklyn, NY, by Harry Shpelfogel and Sally Goodgold, WarmTradition.com is the largest online hot water specialty site in the U.S. Warm Tradition’s water bottles are perfect for home, work and your car. You can take them on ski trips as they are easily transportable. They are also great for your animals.
Check out the variety! This would also make a great and unique gift.
We are also giving away a Pink Minky Warm Tradition Hot Water Bottle, so just enter via Rafflecopter below and stay warm!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a sample to facilitate my review however all opinions are strictly my own.


Recycle Your Old Electronics at Best Buy!

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Did you know that you can recycle your old electronics at Best Buy? I didn’t until now. That’s really going to help me in an upcoming move, especially to clean out the garage. I have had an old tv sitting there for way too long. We also have an old non-working PC that needs to be transformed into something useful. In the video below, I learned how Best Buy recycles PC’s and also how special care is taken to ensure data privacy. Very cool!

Watch live streaming video from thebby at livestream.com


What’s more, their industry-leading recycling efforts are available for free  in every Best Buy in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. No matter how old it is, no matter where you bought it, Best Buy will recycle it. They recycle 387 pounds of electronics each minute their stores are open and they do it safely and responsibly.

Technology is the fastest growing waste stream on the planet, which is not surprising to me, considering how quickly new tech evolves.

You can learn more about Best Buy’s Recycling Program here.

Also, Best Buy carries a whole line of Energy Star certified products so you can recycle your old electronics and upgrade to more energy efficient ones. To learn more about this, just visit here.

I love companies that help keep our planet healthier and can’t wait to clear out my old “junk” that is just taking up space when it could be re-purposed.

Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

  

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