Christmas in July Giveaway: 250 Business Cards from PrintRunner

PrintRunner.com is a full service high quality printing company and I love the story behind how their company began. Their print company was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later, this company has become one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. They attribute this success to their commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at an affordable price.

I love the endless possibilities of designs for their business cards. Besides being ideal for business owners, they can make great calling cards for moms and are perfect for college students, bloggers and networking.

From now through August 13, you can receive 15% off business cards at PrintRunner.com by using code "15OLY0812". To learn more about this company and their products, you can follow them on Twitter here or visit their Facebook page here.

For my Christmas in July Giveaway, one of you will win 250 business cards of your choice from PrintRunner.com!

Here are the details about this giveaway prize:
Business Card Size and Style Business Cards: 2x3.5 (Standard)
Quantity: 250
Colors: 4/4 Color Both Sides
Paper: 14 pt. UV Coating on Front, 14 pt. UV Coating on both sides,
Proof: NONE
Rounded Corners: NO
Ready To Ship In: 3 Business Days
Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.

Enter this giveaway on the Rafflecopter entry form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: PrintRunner is providing this giveaway prize of 250 business cards. I will receive a set of 250 business cards in exchange for hosting this giveaway. I was not financially compensated by PrintRunner for hosting this giveaway or for this blog post.

Shabby Apple's Emerging Designer Program

I have previously featured Shabby Apple designs with my readers because I was instantly taken with the classic beauty and flair in their clothing. They are a company that values design artistry and designers themselves. In order to support start-up fashion designers, they have developed their Emerging Designers Program.


Applicants who are accepted into their program will have their designs featured on the Shabby Apple website and will received 40% of the revenue from the sales of their designs. Emerging Designers will be in charge of the designing, funding and manufacturing of all of their own designs. If the designer has never manufactured before, Shabby Apple will mentor you to help you produce your own line of clothing.

For more information on this program, visit Shabby Apple's Emerging Designers information page and application here.

Shutterfly's 2012 Summer Sweepstakes

Summer is here and it is a favorite time of the year for me. So many of my special memories of summer's past come back to me through treasured photographs with loved ones.

Shutterfly has launched their 2012 Summer Sweepstakes on their Facebook page. You can win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever. All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week. Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter once per week, or enter at any point during the sweepstakes period.

Here are the photo themes for each week:
• Week of 7/16: Great Outdoors

• Week of 7/23: Water Fun

• Week of 7/30: Sports & Activities

• Week of 8/6: Parties & Celebrations

There are some fun prizes to be won! Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo. There are weekly prizes, up to 5 weekly featured photo prizes awarded a $500 Shutterfly gift card and a copy of the new "Lonely Planet" travel photography book. Grand prize is a 4 night trip for 4 to The Bahamas and a professional family photo shoot.

You can view the Official Rules for entering the Shutterfly Sweepstakes here. You can enter by going to the contest page on Shutterfly's Facebook page here.

FTC Disclaimer: Shutterfly is providing me with a free 8x8 20 page hardcover photo book in exchange for my blog post about their contest.

Summer Review and Giveaway: Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant

This time of year brings so many outdoor activities and here in New York, we are having some hot temperatures! I am hearing from loved ones back home in Oklahoma that they had a week of temperatures reaching 100. With the rising temperatures brings a rising concern about sweat and staying dry in the heat.

There are several products on the market available for this purpose, but one of my main concerns was finding a product that not only would offer dryness protection, but would also protect my clothing against staining issues.

I recently had the opportunity to try Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant and I was very happy with the results. It is available in both solid and roll-on. I chose to try the solid.

One of mine and my husband's favorite summer activities is spending time boating and exploring the scenic harbors here in the beautiful Thousand Islands area, so Certain Dri has been put to the test with my summer adventures. I love that it is colorless, odorless, did not stain my clothing and did not wash off after bathing or showering. This product gave me fresh and dry security.

Certain Dri should be applied approximately 2-3 times a week before bedtime, allowing for it to penetrate into the pores overnight. If you still want to use a deodorant in the morning – you can create your own personal sweat protection system with your favorite deodorant or Certain Dri A.M. Underarm Refresher.



Certain Dri is available in drug stores and supermarkets nationwide, as well as via online retailers and at www.certaindri.com. I love that the price-point for Certain Dri is typically 40% less than other “clinical strength” antiperspirants on the market today. Suggested retail price for Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant Roll-On, Solid and A.M. Underarm Refresher (stick or roll-on) is $5.50 - $5.99.


One of you will also have the chance to try Certain Dri, in your choice of solid or roll-on. US and Canada residents only. Enter on the Rafflecopter entry form below.

FTC Disclaimer: I received one Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant for the purpose of reviewing with my honest opinion and one Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant for a giveaway. All opinions stated in this blog post are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review Corner: "The Magic Warble" by Victoria Simcox

I was delighted to recently receive a copy of this book from the author and it became an enchanting summer read. I am very happy to review this book for you. I was immediately taken by the beautiful artwork on the cover which perfectly matches the wonder and enchantment of the story. This book is also endeared to me because of the author's goal of writing a piece of youth fiction that she would,as a parent, be proud to have her children would enjoy reading amid a world where so much of the youth fiction can so easily give way to themes such as violence.

The Magic Warble is geared primarily for young readers age 9-13, but I was instantly drawn into the universal story themes the author has woven throughout this enchanting story. One of the prevailing themes involving the main character Kristina is very close to my heart. She is a girl who feels, as so many of our young people today do, that they don't really fit in with the other kids in her class at school, with an ending that leaves the reader inspired by Kristina's spirit of embracing her inner strength and overcoming against the odds. With so many cases of school bullying going on in the world today and the dire need for more character education in schools, often among the first areas that seem to be chopped to fit shrinking school budgets, I not only feel this story is a good, clean entertainment read for young readers, but also a very important social message about embracing others for the uniqueness that makes them who they are.

Kristina is mercilessly picked on by the kids at her school. Her only friend seems to be her pet rat, named Raymond. Her teacher Miss Hensley gives her a mysterious gift, which turns out to be the gateway for an extraordinary adventure. Kristina is magically transported to a land of dwarves, fairies and talking animals. The reader will be delighted with richly woven characters in this magical land with names like Clover, Ugan, King Oreades (King of the Fairies) and Looper. Then there's Queen Sentiz (she's evil!).

Kristina soon discovers she is “the chosen one” destined to bring peace to the land by returning "The Magic Warble" to its resting place. First, there's the evil queen, Queen Sentiz, to be reckoned with on her quest that finds her on a treacherous journey amid zelbocks coming after her and traitors to be dealt with in order to return "The Magic Warble" to its rightful perch in the land.

I found this book to be an enjoyable fantasy escape that held me captivated until the last page. I think it is ideal for young readers age 9-13 and will delight teen and adult readers who enjoy the fantasy genre.

Meet the author:

Victoria Simcox was originally born in Canada, but now lives in Washington with her husband and their three children. Her daughter Kristina was the inspiration for the main character in her book series. Besides being a published author, Victoria home-schooled her children for twelve years and taught art in elementary school for eleven years. In her spare time, Victoria manages her oldest two children’s Celtic band and enjoys reading, painting watercolors, hiking, and good movies. For more information on Victoria and her books, you can visit her blog here. "The Magic Warble" is now available as an e-book on Amazon.com

The author has generously provided a copy of this book for a giveaway to one of my US readers or an e-book copy for one of my international readers.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c7045e11/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 4th of July! Recipe Corner: No-Bake Apple Pie

The 4th of July is here! It is extra special to me because it was on this holiday that my husband proposed to me in 2010, so we really did "ring" in the 4th! One of my favorite traditions on the 4th is making an all-American dessert: apple pie. My husband and I are praying for everyone affected by the heatwave temperatures across the USA. This apple pie is a no-heating-up-the-oven required recipe. It is also a treat that can be enjoyed by diabetic members of my family as well as those who strive for healthier eating. You can substitute any of the sugar free ingredients in this recipe for the regular version, but I love the flavor created with the sugar free versions. Happy Birthday America!

 

 

“Southern Fried Bride's No-Bake Amazing Apple Pie”

5 medium apples, peeled and sliced

1-3/4 cups water

1 package (4-serving size) sugar-free Jell-O lemon gelatin

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon Splenda brown sugar

1 package (4-serving size) sugar-free Jell-O cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix

1 (8 inch) reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust

Optional: 1 cup Cool-Whip light whipped topping

In a large saucepan, combine sliced apples, 1 1/2 cups water, gelatin, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 4-6 minutes or until apples are tender. Combine dry pudding mix and remaining ¼ cup water. Stir into apple mixture. Cook for 2 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Garnish, if desired, with a dollop of whipped topping before serving. Enjoy!