Mark Review

I would say I'm a pretty girly girl. I wear makeup and do my hair daily, and you'll probably never see me without nailpolish on. I dislike the look of bare nails. I feel that bare nails are just asking to be polished with beautiful colors. Doing my nails always cheers me up and the pretty colors boost my mood. Although I prefer getting my nails done then doing them myself, but who doesn't?



Mark offers you beauty and fashion all in one glamorous site. Tons of makeup and skincare products are available for purchase here. If you're looking for a new sprintime body lotion or shower gel, Mark is your go-to place. The scents of the skincare products are always delicious and make you want to eat them, but please don't. :) You can even start up your own Mark business and make some extra cash on the side.

I have a ton of nailpolish in my bathroom, but that doesn't stop me from wanting more. Just like my hair color which changes all of the time, I always want to try a new color on my hands or feet.

I was sent two beautiful Mark nailed it mini nail lacquers in unique colors, Violet Daze and Tickled Pink.



I usually wear mostly reds or pink hues on my nails during the winter, so these bold colors are perfect for spring and summer.

After I admired the colors for a few moments, I decided I wanted to see them on my nails, rather than just in the bottle. I decided on the Violet Daze for my toes first. The color is really nice, it's loud and full of personality. It easily applied to my toes and was not too thick or too thin. The first coat dried pretty quickly and in no time the second coat was dry too. It looked great on my toes and the color instantly reminded me of summer; sitting on the beach with a great frozen drink. Summer is not too far off and neither are my beach dreams!

The Tickled Pink is really adorable. I think the gorgeous pop of pink is perfect for my nails. The polish is sort of iridescent, in my opinion. With a few quick swipes, my nails were brought to life with the essence of pink! The nailpolish easily applied and dried quickly. When I wear pink, I'm used to bright pink or muted pinks, I've never had a nail polish like this one before and I really welcomed the change. I loved the way it looked on my hands.

The great thing about both of these nailpolishes is that they are very small. The adorable mini size can easily be packed in your suitcase or even put in your purse for quick touch-ups on the go. With Mark, beauty will never be far behind.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Mark for providing me with these complimentary nail polishes in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.

Easter Recipes from Ronco

Easter is rapidly approaching. I'm sure that a lot of you already have your menu planned, or are in the process of putting it together.



I want to share with you two delicious recipes that would be a hit at any table for Easter.

Boneless Ham with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze



1 (16 ounce) can crushed pineapple
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 4 pound boneless fully cooked ham

In a small saucepan stir together the crushed pineapple, brown sugar and dry mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Insert the spit rods evenly through the ham and brush with some of the pineapple mixture. After 45 minutes of rotating, brush with pineapple mixture again. Rotate an additional 10 or 15 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees. Serve sliced ham with some of the pineapple mixture on top.


Dijon-Garlic-Rosmary Rubbed Lamb Roast


Serves 6-8

1 clove garlic, cut into slivers
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 leg of lamb (4 1/2 - 5 pounds), boned and tied

Combine the garlic, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, rosemary, ginger and olive oil in a small bowl.
Add lamb and turn to coat with marinade. Cover and chill at least 6 hours or up to 1 day turning meat over several times.

Rotate the lamb on the spit rods for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 135 to 140 degrees for medium on the thermometer, basting several times during the last 10 minutes. Untie, slice and serve!

Both of these recipes sound mouth-wateringly good. Please let me know if you plan on making them!

Sticky Buddy Review

I've had a love affair with infomercials for a long time. I even did my college senior thesis on infomercials. The catchy jingles, the fun items, and the creative way the commercial is designed is fantastic. The products featured are always something you don't realize that you need until you see them advertised. They are usually designed to make your life easier. You can bet that I want quite a few of the products I see on TV!



Sticky Buddy is the super sticky lint roller that has the power of glue without the goo! Use it to remove cat hair, dog hair, crumbs, cat litter and much more! The Sticky Buddy is safe on all types of fabrics and can be used to clean your clothing, comforters, furniture and even the upholstery in your car. It even has little rubber fingers to reach deep into carpets to remove ground in messes. And the best part is that the Sticky Buddy is reusable! Simply clean it with soap and water and let it air dry. In no time, your Sticky Buddy is sticky again!



When I was allowed to review the Sticky Buddy, I was very much looking forward to it. I had seen the infomercial on TV and knew this product was something I would want to try. I received a full sized Sticky Buddy and a travel sized one too.

I know you're probably thinking, "How is this different from a lint roller?" It's a lot different because a lint roller is not reusable. Eventually you'll use all of the tape and have to buy a new one. With the Sticky Buddy, you'll have a roller for life and you'll only have to pay for it once.

The Sticky Buddy is easy to use for the first time. Simply take the product out of its case and remove the tape. After that you're good to and can use the sticky buddy to remove anything unwanted in your home. The upholestry on my dining room chairs gathers a lot of hair and lint. I took the Sticky Buddy for a whirl on the chairs to see what the results would be. You can easily roll the tool up and down your chairs and hair and dust is easily collected. Sticky Buddy collected a lot within the first few rolls and in no time my chairs were lint free and looking fabulous. No sticky residue is left behind at all. When you're done, simply rinse it and dry it and it's sticky again in moments! The water really does get all of the grime off. Sticky Buddy can easily be stored in its case in a cabinet or drawer for handy access.

If you have dogs or cats this would be wonderful for maintaining your peace and sanity with furniture. Use Sticky Buddy to collect dog or cat hair from furniture and carpets. The helpful little fingers will dig up ground in pet hair in no time. Just use short strokes to make sure you retreive all of the hair.

What I like best about the travel sized Sticky Buddy is that you can keep it on your car or your purse. Use it for a quick touch-up on your clothes right before going into a job interview to make sure you look your best. It's also great for picking up crumbs from your children on car seats or car floors. Just let the little fingers do all of the hard work for you!

The uses for Sticky Buddy are endless, but it's something that I recommend that everyone have in their home.

Sticky Buddy Commercial


*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Telebrands for sending me the Sticky Buddy in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.

Florida Grapefruit Giveaway

Since everyone loved the Florida Grapefruit giveaway I had last year, it's back by popular demand! Grapefruits are not only delicious, they have many health benefits too. I eat grapefruits several times a week for breakfast to revv up my metabolism for the day. If you haven't tried grapefruit before, I urge you to add it to your list of favorite fruits.



Florida Grapefruit has a rich history, dating back to 1823, when Count Odet Phillippe planted the state’s first grapefruit grove near Tampa. Before that, the first documented grapefruit tree was found in Barbados in the 1700’s.

If you’ve ever wondered why citrus fruits grow in groves, while other fruits grow in orchards or plantations, the answer is simple. Groves are used to describe areas that grow and cultivate tropical fruits. Citrus fruits thrive in Florida’s subtropical climate.

The fruit earned its unusual name because of the way it grows on citrus trees. Take a walk down a grapefruit grove and you’ll see the fruit grows in a cluster like a bunch of oversized grapes. (Taken from website.)

Healthy benefits of grapefruit:

o Grapefruit and 100 percent grapefruit juice contain the antioxidant vitamin C, which may help the body neutralize free radicals that many scientists think may contribute to cell and tissue damage and lead to certain chronic diseases after long-term exposure. One medium Florida grapefruit also contains 4 grams of filling fiber, so it’s a great diet staple.

o Beauty Benefit: Grapefruit’s vitamin C also supports collagen production to help skin maintain elasticity for a youthful, glowing complexion. Collagen breakdown may contribute to the appearance of wrinkles.

o Ways to consume: Grapefruit and its juice can be consumed by themselves, or add segments to cereal, yogurt, salad, salsas and more. Grapefruit juice makes a great addition to marinades, smoothies, and salad dressings.

If you're looking for a way to kick nutrition into high gear, I have just the plan for you. The Grapefruit Active Lifestyle Meal Plan, was created in partnership by Florida Grapefruit and nationally-recognized dietitian and author, Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD. Unlike popular diets of the past, this sweet (and sassy!) plan is filled with crave-worthy meal and snack options to help women meet their weight goals AND fuel an active lifestyle (whether training for a marathon, or keeping up with regular gym visits). Based on their recent consumer survey, nearly 70 percent of women are unsure how many calories to consume in order to maintain or lose weight when active in a fitness regimen.

Kicking old, restrictive diets to the curb, the fresh meal plan features grapefruit as the centerpiece and offers three balanced meals and two sensible snacks each day, like:

Chicken Parmesan Wraps and Mixed Green Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette

Grapefruit Berry Smoothie

Creamy Yogurt Herb Dip with crispbread crackers

These nutrition plans are healthy and full of the protein and nutrients that you need. You'll feel satisfied, healthy, and ready to tackle the day.

To help you get back on a healthy exercise and nutrition routine, Florida Grapefruit has the perfect kit to assist.



Five winners will each win a Florida totebag with a water bottle, pedometer and resistance bands inside. If you've been looking for a way to get back on track with fitness, this kit is perfect for you.

GIVEAWAY RULES:
1. I will be picking FIVE (5) winners for this contest. Five winners will win a Florida Grapefruit fitness prize pack.

YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST or all other entries will be DELETED!

2. Please tell me what your favorite way to enjoy a grapefruit is. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES

3. Subscribe by Email and Confirm that Subscription (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to Sammi's Blog of Life in a Reader (1 entry)

5. Follow me on Blogger. (1 entry)

6. Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/pinkice88) (1 entry)

7. Leave a Tweet and the direct link to that tweet (1 entry) (You can do this daily)

8. FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post FIVE separate comments that you've blogged about this.

9. Add my main button to your sidebar (if it's already there, let me know that! Leave link to your blog.) (1 entry)

10. Add Sammi's Blog of Life to your blogroll (using my URL), with a link back to me! (1 entry)

11. Become a fan of my Facebook fan page for 1 entry (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammis-Blog-of-Life/307593407356)

Winner will be chosen on April 10, 2012 at 10 pm and then will be emailed.
One entry per day.
Alternate winner will be chosen if winner does not respond after 48 hours. Thank you and good luck!
Disclaimer-
I was provided a product in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.
You can read more about my blog policies in my disclaimer.
Sammi's Blog Of Life Follows All New FTC & Facebook Laws for Reviews & Giveaways.
IF YOU DO NOT CORRECTLY ANSWER MY CONTEST QUESTION, YOUR COMMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REJECTED.

Quinoa Cuisine Review and Giveaway

I make it a daily habit to make smart food choices and eat as healthy as possible. I always buy whole grain breads and flour. Even if I have pasta which isn't as healthy, I buy spinach, vegetable, or whole wheat. I've recently been introduced to quinoa and I love it! There's nothing like a delicious whole grain included into food favorites.

Quinoa Cuisine, written by Jessica Harlan and Kelley Sparwasser has 150 creative recipes for super-nutritious, amazingly delicious dishes. Quinoa is the “pseudograin” related to beets, spinach and chard. Why? It’s not only the best substitute for grains; it’s also a superfood – rich in protein, calcium, iron, fiber, potassium, B vitamins and Vitamin E. It's easily available at Whole Foods or any health-food store.



The superfood made delicious!
You know quinoa is easy to make and good for you. Now with this book, you will discover how to make palate-pleasing quinoa creations. From imaginative salads and tasty soups to flavorful entrées and decadent desserts, Quinoa Cuisine guides you step-by-step to make recipes like:
• Pumpkin Waffles
• Quinoa Waldorf Salad
• Thai Summer Rolls
• Lentil-Quinoa Cheeseburgers
• Stuffed Squash Blossoms
• Two-Bean Quinoa Chili
• Chile Rellenos
• Quinoa Polenta
• Stuffed Artichokes with Garlic-Lemon Aioli
• Grilled Quinoa Pizza
• Quinoa Pie Crust
• Triple-Chocolate Bundt Cake

Quinoa Cuisine includes helpful icons identifying vegetarian, gluten-free and kid-friendly options. It also gives easy ways to incorporate fresh seasonal ingredients into the dishes. Using white, red and black quinoa, as well as quinoa flour and flakes, this book is the ultimate guide to enjoying tasty dishes packed with more protein, amino acids and nutrients.

I've really enjoyed flipping through the books and admiring all of the fantastic sounding recipes. The only thing I wish the book had was pictures of each recipe. I love to see the completed product. I've made two recipes so far from the book. The first dish I made was hummus. The hummus was very easy to make and came out delicious. The recipe called for 1/2 cup quinoa flakes. The steps were easy to follow and understand. For this recipe, you had to cover the quinoa flakes with vegetable stock or broth. You then let them sit for 2 minutes until the flakes are softened. You're never supposed to use "raw" quinoa in a recipe. I followed the rest of the steps and in minutes had smooth and creamy hummus with a wonderful flavor. I enjoyed the hummus atop pita bread and it was a delicious and healthy midday snack!

I was craving something sweet for the next recipe, so I decided to indulge in was funnel cake bites. I've always loved the funnel cakes at the fair, so why not bring the fair to my kitchen? The recipe called for quinoa flakes and flour this time. The recipe seemed a little challenging and harder than I was used to, but I wanted to challenge myself with the new recipe. I carefully followed the recipe and soon after I had delicious funnel cake bites that were waiting to be dusted with sugar. After dusting those delicious nuggets of heaven, they immediately met their match with my stomach. They were fantastic and just the sweet treat that my taste buds were craving!

This book is filled with wonderful appetizers, entrees, salads and desserts that would be perfect for your next party. If you live a gluten free lifestyle, these exciting and delicious recipes would give your mouth an awesome boost of flavor! Just remember that not each recipe is gluten free, but a lot are. There's definitely a recipe in here suited for anyone's taste. Why not make some of the recipes today?

GIVEAWAY RULES:
1. I will be picking ONE (1) winner for this contest. One winner will win a copy of Quinoa Cuisine by Jessica Harlan and Kelley Sparwasser.

YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST or all other entries will be DELETED!

2. Please tell me if you've tried quinoa before. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES

3. Subscribe by Email and Confirm that Subscription (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to Sammi's Blog of Life in a Reader (1 entry)

5. Follow me on Blogger. (1 entry)

6. Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/pinkice88) (1 entry)

7. Leave a Tweet and the direct link to that tweet (1 entry) (You can do this daily)

8. FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post FIVE separate comments that you've blogged about this.

9. Add my main button to your sidebar (if it's already there, let me know that! Leave link to your blog.) (1 entry)

10. Add Sammi's Blog of Life to your blogroll (using my URL), with a link back to me! (1 entry)

11. Become a fan of my Facebook fan page for 1 entry (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammis-Blog-of-Life/307593407356)

Winner will be chosen on April 10, 2012 at 10 pm and then will be emailed.
One entry per day.
Alternate winner will be chosen if winner does not respond after 48 hours. Thank you and good luck!
Disclaimer-
I was provided a product in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.
You can read more about my blog policies in my disclaimer.
Sammi's Blog Of Life Follows All New FTC & Facebook Laws for Reviews & Giveaways.
IF YOU DO NOT CORRECTLY ANSWER MY CONTEST QUESTION, YOUR COMMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REJECTED.

Rachael Ray Review

Having high quality cookware is important and should be essential in every kitchen. If you take the time to prepare a wonderful dish or dessert, why not cook it in cookware that will yield fantastic results? You don't have to be a chef or a professional cook to have professional style cookware. Treat yourself to some new cookware today!



Rachael Ray is a chef, TV personality and author. She's famous for her shows on the Food Network and her cookbooks. In the past few years she's come out with a fantastic line of cookware that should be a staple in every household. Rachael is recognizable for her friendly and warm style of cooking. Her recipes are easy and delicious and I've made them on many occasions.

I have a few pieces of Rachael's cookware, but I've recently been wanting to add to my collection. When I had the chance to review the new gradient bubble and brown set, I was very excited! The set comes in a range of colors like blue, yellow, orange and more, that will surely add some personality to any kitchen.

I was sent three pieces, one small, medium and large. The red is gorgeous and looks fantastic with my stainless steel and black appliances in my kitchen.



How beautiful is this set? I couldn't be any happier with it! I don't have a lot of colored cookware and this definitely adds a nice pop of color. The red is really vibrant and full of life. I really love the modern design of the set and it is high quality ceramic. It's not heavy to lift. The pieces stack inside of each other and can be easily stored in a cabinet or pantry for easy access. The set is dishwasher, oven and microwave safe which I love. What I like most about the set is that it's very versatile. Not only can you cook food in it, but you can serve and store food in it too.

I used the smaller piece for heating up some brownies for dessert tonight. If you have some friends over, the small dish would be great for serving some treats in. I heated up the brownies in the microwave and they heated evenly in the dish and were nice and warm after.


I used the medioum sized dish for storing fruit in. I'm actually going to keep it on my counter for easy access to a healthy snack. Three apples and two bananas can be stored conveniently in this dish.



I plan on making a baked ziti in the largest dish tomorrow night. I can't wait to cook and it I know it will cook up beautifully! There are so many different uses for each sized dish that the possibilities are endless. Why not cook a roast and veggies in the largest dish, macaroni and cheese in the medium sized dish, and roasted sliced carrots in the smaller dish? The bubble and brown set will bring so much added fun to your table. It would be a fantastic idea to cook your Easter dinner in this set.

The bubble and brown set is a much welcomed addition to my kitchen and I highly recommend it. The set would be a great housewarming present or even a wonderful bridal shower gift too.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to QVC for providing me with the complimentary bubble and brown set in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.

Look at my adorable Colby ready for bed!

Isn't she so cute?

QVC News

Food Network Star and Best-Selling Author Giada De Laurentiis is scheduled to make her QVC debut Sunday, March 25 at noon (ET) to unveil Weeknights with Giada, the latest addition to her line of best-selling cookbooks. During this exciting appearance, which will be part of QVC’s 24-Hour Cooking on Q event, the Emmy Award winner will not only offer fans the opportunity to order her new cookbook two days before it hits stores but also give viewers an inside look at the inspiration behind her favorite recipes.



Fellow Food Network personality Rachael Ray will also be on hand during the all-day broadcast to introduce new additions to her cookware collection, including the 10-Piece Gradient Bubble & Brown Set and the Therma-Flect Scoop Tote with Catch-All Pouch. She will also showcase several of her customer top rated products, including the Bubble & Brown Three-Piece Oval Stoneware Baker Set and the 13-piece Gradient Porcelain Enamel Cookware Set.



In addition to the Food Network stars, QVC’s Cooking on Q event will also feature Top Chef Season 5 “Fan Favorite” Fabio Viviani. The Italian Chef extraordinaire will be dropping by to offer a product that he created especially for QVC – the Bialetti Eight-Piece Nano-Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set. This exciting set features a stain resistant and non-stick ceramic interior to allow for fast and easy cleanup.



Cooking on Q features the newest innovations in cookware, kitchen gadgets and cookbooks to provide viewers with the recipe for success in the kitchen. Highlighting the best trends in cooking and the biggest names in the culinary world, QVC has everything needed to transform the occasional cook into a gourmet chef.



Weeknights with Giada (QVC Item # F09770) and other products featured during the Cooking on Q broadcast will be available beginning March 25 through QVC at QVC.com.

World Water Day Giveaway

It's not everyday that I cover important topics on my blog. Although giveaways and reviews are fun and exciting, it's always essential to post about important events that educate others. Clean water is something that I feel strongly about. I will help out whenever possible to ensure that others have the same clean water to drink as I do.



World Water Day is today, March 22nd. This day hopes to raise awareness that over 4,000 children in developing countries die every day from illness and disease related to unsafe drinking water.

What’s happening abroad?
Every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of the abysmal sanitation conditions endured by some 2.6 billion people globally. That adds up to an unconscionable 1.5 million young lives cut short due to poor water conditions.



How can we help?
Through organizations including the Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program that provide a week’s worth of clean water to children in the developing world when you purchase a PUR water filter. Not to mention, you can also visit the PUR Facebook page and donate clean water for free through the Daily Drop program every day!

What do we need to know about our families’ water?
Your tap water may look clean, but it may still contain potentially harmful contaminants. Depending on where you live, your water can be contaminated with everything from industrial and agricultural pollutants to heavy metals, sediments and even trace levels of pharmaceuticals.



Our ultimate in filtration
Easy one-click installation
Built-in electronic filter life indicator
Provides up to 100 gallons
Enjoy filtered or unfiltered water at the flip of a switch

Please educate yourself on World Water Day and help as much as you can. It's vital that people have clean water to bathe with and drink.

GIVEAWAY RULES:
1. I will be picking ONE (1) winner for this contest. One winner will win a PUR one click faucet mount.

YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST or all other entries will be DELETED!

2. Please tell me why World Water Day is important to you. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES

3. Subscribe by Email and Confirm that Subscription (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to Sammi's Blog of Life in a Reader (1 entry)

5. Follow me on Blogger. (1 entry)

6. Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/pinkice88) (1 entry)

7. Leave a Tweet and the direct link to that tweet (1 entry) (You can do this daily)

8. FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post FIVE separate comments that you've blogged about this.

9. Add my main button to your sidebar (if it's already there, let me know that! Leave link to your blog.) (1 entry)

10. Add Sammi's Blog of Life to your blogroll (using my URL), with a link back to me! (1 entry)

11. Become a fan of my Facebook fan page for 1 entry (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammis-Blog-of-Life/307593407356)

12. Like World Water Day on Facebook for 1 entry
(http://www.facebook.com/worldwaterday)

13. Follow World Water Day on Twitter for 1 entry
(http://twitter.com/#!/unw_wwd)

Winner will be chosen on April 5, 2012 at 10 pm and then will be emailed.
One entry per day.
Alternate winner will be chosen if winner does not respond after 48 hours. Thank you and good luck!
Disclaimer-
I was provided a product in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.
You can read more about my blog policies in my disclaimer.
Sammi's Blog Of Life Follows All New FTC & Facebook Laws for Reviews & Giveaways.
IF YOU DO NOT CORRECTLY ANSWER MY CONTEST QUESTION, YOUR COMMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REJECTED.

The Doodle Roll Giveaway

Since I don't have children, I don't usually do any giveaways of child-based products. I do make an exception for some items if I really like them. If certain items bring families closer together, I'm all for them!



The Doodle Roll is an all-in-one portable arts & crafts activity kit. The Doodle Roll® contains a roll of paper and crayons in a compact package that doubles as a handy dispenser. A perfect “anywhere, anytime” family product, the Doodle Roll® is available in two sizes with a safe EZ tear edge.

Kids love arts and crafts. It's easy to imagine their happiness when you surprise them with this present! The Doodle Roll will provide hours of entertainment and fridge-worthy drawings to proudly display. I know I would have loved a Doodle Roll when I was a kid, I loved to draw.



Take the Doodle Roll with you to Grandma's house or even on vacation to keep kids busy and entertained. Your children will love spending time with mom or dad while they draw with them!

Is your son or daughter having a sleepover anytime soon? Bring out the Doodle Roll for a night time fun activity and everyone will have fun. The Doodle Roll will provide endless hours of creative fun.



The Doodle Roll® (www.doodleroll.com) is, manufactured by Imagination Brands Co., LLC, a small US based company and Made-in-the-USA. They are competing in WalMart’s “Get on the Shelf” contest and they need lots of votes. If they win, their products may be available both online and in WalMart stores across the country.

How can you help Doodle Roll get the most votes?

Vote via Facebook & Text Message every day from now until April 3rd. Please bookmark this site and vote daily: http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/1288/Doodle-Roll%C2%AE-

From this link you can:

•Vote daily via Facebook
•Vote daily via Text Message (Text the numbers 1288 to 383838)
•Email the info to all your friends and family!


No obligations, no sign ups, no personal info – JUST VOTE! Kids have lots of access to technology, so we’d love to see them put it to use and vote for Doodle Roll as well.

GIVEAWAY RULES:
1. I will be picking ONE (1) winner for this contest. One winner will win a Doodle Roll.

YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST or all other entries will be DELETED!

2. Please tell me what kind of drawings your child would create on the Doodle Roll. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES

3. Subscribe by Email and Confirm that Subscription (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to Sammi's Blog of Life in a Reader (1 entry)

5. Follow me on Blogger. (1 entry)

6. Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/pinkice88) (1 entry)

7. Leave a Tweet and the direct link to that tweet (1 entry) (You can do this daily)

8. FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post FIVE separate comments that you've blogged about this.

9. Add my main button to your sidebar (if it's already there, let me know that! Leave link to your blog.) (1 entry)

10. Add Sammi's Blog of Life to your blogroll (using my URL), with a link back to me! (1 entry)

11. Become a fan of my Facebook fan page for 1 entry (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammis-Blog-of-Life/307593407356)

12. Like Doodle Roll on Facebook for 1 entry
(http://www.facebook.com/DoodleRoll)

13. Follow Doodle Roll on Twitter for 1 entry
(http://twitter.com/#!/doodleroll)

Winner will be chosen on April 4, 2012 at 10 pm and then will be emailed.
One entry per day.
Alternate winner will be chosen if winner does not respond after 48 hours. Thank you and good luck!
Disclaimer-
I was provided a product in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.
You can read more about my blog policies in my disclaimer.
Sammi's Blog Of Life Follows All New FTC & Facebook Laws for Reviews & Giveaways.
IF YOU DO NOT CORRECTLY ANSWER MY CONTEST QUESTION, YOUR COMMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REJECTED.

Kiddie Academy Post #6

This is post #6 for Kiddie Academy. I had never thought about opening a franchise, but this is something that is working well for people, especially Bill and Marina!

Bill and Marina Schmidt opened their Kiddie Academy franchise on March 31, 2008 at 4225 Concept Court, Bradenton, Florida, while in their mid-40's. The Schmidts have a passion for the business and believe whole-heartedly in “Community Begins Here.” With their dedication to superior customer service, commitment to education and focus on creating a warm, nurturing environment, the Schmidts have shown local families why Kiddie Academy stands apart from their competitors.



Background: With the birth of their daughter, Bill and Marina began looking for quality child care in their area, which turned out to be quite a challenge. As a Vice President of Human Resources for a Fortune 500 company, with a Master’s degree in early childhood education, Marina became dissatisfied with the corporate world and saw this as an opportunity to use her skills in an educational aspect. For Bill, a manufacturing engineer, opening a Kiddie Academy location meant bringing a much needed service to the area. The Schmidts were looking at child care franchise options for a little over a year before they decided upon Kiddie Academy. They found Kiddie Academy’s dedication to education and warm, welcoming approach to be the perfect combination.

Goals: Coming from the human resources field, having excellent customer service has always been a goal for Marina. Developing a staff that can provide the level of service the families deserve is important. They host new hire orientations, service trainings and monthly staff meetings, which include role playing. Both Marina and Bill continue to look for ways to go above and beyond for the families they serve, including help with resumes or locating jobs in the area.




Challenges: Like many new business owners, the Schmidts faced challenges. At the time of their opening, the economic market conditions were the worst in many years. Homes throughout Florida and the rest of the country were being foreclosed on and unemployment rates were at an all-time high. Nevertheless, the Schmidts persevered -- benefiting from an abundant work force, the fact that many previous stay-at-home moms were re-entering the workforce, and a supportive franchisor with a proven business model. Despite those issues, the Schmidts have become extremely successful.

Results: The couple’s passion and attention to customer service and community outreach has earned them a stellar reputation in the area, along with tremendous community and parent support. They have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback that has complimented their passion, service and programs. The Schmidts focus on grassroots marketing and initiatives, including events such as book readings, parent date nights and local partnerships have helped them achieve the success they are enjoying today.

*DISCLOSURE*I have a 3 month relationship with Kiddie Academy for which I am being compensated for. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine, and not based on anything else.

Grocery Store Shopping Tips-Guest Post

This is the first guest post by Maire Hunter. If you'd like to write a guest post feature on my blog, just let me know!




Quick tips for grocery shopping

A trip to the grocery store can be daunting whether you have to fight crowds, avoid the temptation of cookies or stick to a limited budget. Remember the following tips to keep in-store hiccups to a minimum.

1. Be savvy

What’s the average price on spaghetti? Do you know the best place to buy produce? Compare shops and keep track of retailers who offer the best deals. Join a store's rewards program for access to offers and specials you might not otherwise realize.

2. Keep a list handy

If you run out of Parmesan cheese after tonight's dinner, will you remember to buy it next week? Even if you have a steel trap memory, a list on a whiteboard, envelope or grocery store app on your smartphone will help you remember exactly what you need without hesitation.

3. Go frozen

Significantly add to storage time by buying frozen vegetables and other foods that can be stored longer than their fresh counterparts. While you'll want to have a nice mixture of fresh foods from which to choose, frozen can complement mealtime and is an economical choice.

4. Timing is everything

Plan your trips to the store. Visit the grocery during off-peak hours to save time in line. If you need to visit two or three different stores to get everything on your list, go to each store when you're already on that side of town.

These tips will ideally make things easier on you, even if going to the grocery store is your favorite activity. If you dread going to the store, being armed with coupons, lists and planning may just be your salvation.

Rubbermaid Review and Giveaway

I try to make sure that my home is as organized as possible. It drives me insane to have clutter and mess everywhere. I much prefer when everything is put away in its proper place. I am always interested in any new home organization tools or items that will make my life easier. Rubbermaid does a great job of making that a reality for me.



Rubbermaid is a leader in developing innovative, high-quality solutions that help consumers keep their homes in order. Widely recognized and trusted, Rubbermaid designs and markets a full range of home organization, storage and cleaning products to keep the home – including closets, garages, kitchens and outdoor spaces – neat and functional, freeing consumers to enjoy life.

Rubbermaid has been a constant fixture in my life for years. I use their tupperware to store leftovers in the fridge, and I store clothes in their organization tubs when they are for a different season. Rubbermaid is always there to make life as worry-free as possible.

When I was contacted to review Rubbermaid's new hidden recycler I jumped at the chance. This had my name written all over it. I used to keep my recycling under my sink in a container, but I never really liked that. Rubbermaid's hidden recycler is made for recycling and I can feel good knowing I'm storing items for recycling properly.


The hidden recycler attaches to the inside of a cabinet door to collect recyclables out of sight and keeps your counters clear. The bag is durable, machine washable, and made of recycled material. Collect your recyclables and then easily lift the bag from the lid and cabinet by the handle to take them out to your recycle bin.


■ Hinged lid attaches to cabinet door with over the door hooks or screws
■ Bag is made from 65% post-consumer resin
■ Bag is machine washable
■ Comfortable handle for transport
■ 5 gallon bag holds 36 uncrushed cans and is large enough to fit 1 gallon milk jugs
■ Great for single stream recyclers
■ Great for apartment living

The hidden reycler is not hard to install at all. After reading the clear instructions, I attached the recycler to the inside of my cabinet wall with ease. The cabinet door cleanly closes even with the recycler installed. Nobody will have to see your recycling and it will be hidden away discreetly. The bag holds a decent amount of recycling which is fantastic. If you throw away a drink bottle and there is a little bit that leaks inside the recycling bag, no worries! You can just take the recycling bag out of the unit and throw it in the washing machine.

The one thing that I really like about the unit is that you don't have to empty the items from the unit into a bag to take to the trash. You can take the recycling bag out of the unit and take it to the trashcan and then re-attach it back to the unit. That's a really convenient feature.

The reycling unit will definitely make my life easier and more organized, for that I am very grateful!

GIVEAWAY RULES:
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YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST or all other entries will be DELETED!

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Winner will be chosen on March 30, 2012 at 10 pm and then will be emailed.
One entry per day.
Alternate winner will be chosen if winner does not respond after 48 hours. Thank you and good luck!
Disclaimer-
I was provided a product in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly mine and not based on anything else.
You can read more about my blog policies in my disclaimer.
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Duane Reade Introduction Post

As you all might remember, I was chosen to be a Duane Reade blogger a few weeks ago. The opportunity is beyond exciting. Not only do I get to work with a great group of bloggers, I get to work with a fantastic company too!



This morning, myself and a handful of others bloggers got together at the Duane Reade headquarters, to be familiarized with what is expected of us for the program. I hadn't met anyone previously, so it was great to put a face with a blog.


Me at Duane Reade's headquarters office.

After a yummy breakfast, we viewed slides of what's to come for Duane Reade's website, and what the goals and responsibilities of us will be for the next seven months.

We then were shuttled over to 40 Wall Street which is home to a recently renovated Duane Reade. The store was absolutely gorgeous and did not feel like any old ordinary drug store. This branch had a hair salon, sushi bar, nail bar, and juice bar!



This is a fantastic beauty tool that I think every Duane Reade should have. This machine takes your picture and then allows you to scan the barcode of makeup products and then puts them on your face. Let's say you like this eyeshadow but aren't sure how it will look on. Just scan the barcode and the eyeshadow instantly goes on your eyelids! The same thing for foundation, blush, etc. It's awesome and so helpful! You then can email the picture to yourself, and with the picture comes a list of each product that's on your face! That way you won't forget if you want to buy the items next time you go to Duane Reade. The virtual makeover station is also perfect if you want to switch up your look and try something new.


This is the hair salon where you can get a hair cut, a blowout, or a shampoo.



Yes, I would like one of each.



A shot of just a portion of the cosmetics section.



Step aside Jamba Juice!



The sushi bar where sushi is made fresh daily.


Manicures and gel wrap nails are offered here.



A group shot of all of the Duane Reade Bloggers!


I can't wait to get started to further connect with the bloggers and blog for Duane Reade. Thank you again to Duane Reade for choosing me. I know we will have a fun and beneficial partnership!