Thursday, September 30, 2010

Truly Inspired ReDo!


Because it is warm here in Florida most of the year, we have a ceiling fan in most of our rooms. Personally, I am sick of looking at them. They lack the style and depth that I would like to see in lighting. Well, no more. Thanks to a great idea and the creativity of Dana over at House*Tweaking, I am now able to think outside of the box in regards to ceiling fans. 




Dear Dana,
Hubby and I fight over our ugly ceiling fans all the time. 
You may have just saved our marriage. 
Thank you!



Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Talented Baker

I am sitting here, eating my fish and green beans, trying to behave on my diet. And, here, I come across the most delightful blog with the most delightful pumpkin shaped treats! She created the cutest pumpkin cake that comes complete with a surprise inside! 


IMG_3618.stamp

So, it's cute right? 

Well, she had so much fun creating the face that she made one on the other side as well!
IMG_3648.stamp

I'd be lucky to make one, and she made two!!!

Take a look at the inside. Makes me want a slice!

IMG_3727.stamp

That wasn't enough. No, to make me feel completely lacking in talent, LOL, she made mini's also!
IMG_3693.stamp

Stop by. She has the easiest tutorials for both!
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Talented!

I Cheated!



No, not on my man. LOL
I cheated on my diet, that is. I was doing fantastic with willpower until hubby said let's go 
to the new restaurant we like.
You see, we just got a new Five Guys!
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Until now, we have only eaten them out of town. 
Now, we can have these all the time. Not so great on my diet!

Have you ever had 5 Guys? Ok, That doesn't sound right, does it?
However, since we are now sorta on "that" subject... You now how people say
____________ (usually chocolate cake) is better than you-know-what? 
This really is!

I have never been a burger aficionado. Not much of a fan, really.
Until, I had 5 guys, that is.
No other burger can hold a candle to them.
Oh, and the fries are equally divine!




Senseo Review & A Giveaway!

There are so many coffee makers on the market today,choosing a coffee maker gets to be quite a difficult and daunting task. Ultimately, it comes down to which one has the features that suit the individual or family. For us, it needs to be ease of use. I am the primary coffee maker and at 4 a.m., I just do not want to have to think that early. 

Recently, I agreed to receive and review a Senseo. It couldn't have arrived at a better time. We have an expensive, prestigious brand coffee maker that just went out just before it arrived.  Lucky for us, the discovery of the Senseo proved to be a fuss-free coffee machine. Removing it from it;s packaging, I was immediately impressed by its sleek, modern design.
Through this review, I discovered that Senseo is designed by Sara Lee. I was highly surprised yet delighted. We have loved other Sara Lee products and have been pleased with them.The patented Senseo system uses the perfect balance of coffee and water. Senseo is powered by 1450 watts and features a special mild pressure spray head to brew the perfect cup of coffee every single time.

As most people would agree, the clean up of a machine is the worst. I hate trying to clean up the coffee grounds. They seem to stick to everything. With the Senseo, there will be no coffee ground cleanup because of the use of packaged coffee pods. Unlike some other pod pots, with the Senseo you have the option to choose between one or two cups of coffee. 

In the mornings, I need it to be a simple task. With Senseo, all I need to do is press the button to turn it on, fill the water reservoir and add the pod(s). 


Senseo offers a large variety of coffee. Another feature with the Senseosimilar to an espresso machine, the Senseo machine tops the cup of coffee with a froth called crema.


I really love my Senseo machine and cannot imagine a coffee filled life without it. We love the convenience from the easy clean up to the quick brew and the outstanding flavor. I really can not think of one reason to not try either the Senseo Original or any other Senseo Machines available.. With Christmas right around the corner, this could be a great gift.








Peppermint Creamed Coffee

Ingredients                                               Quantity                           Optional:

Senseo Dark Roast Coffee                        1 cup                                  Whipping cream
Cream                                                       1/4 cup                               Chocolate syrup
Granulated white sugar                             2 teaspoons                        Crushed peppermint candies
Peppermint extract                                    1/4 teaspoon                       Peppermint patty candy

Method:

  1. Warm cream, sugar and extract in a small saucepan over medium heat.

  1. Using two coffee pods, brew cup of coffee.

  1. Combine cream with coffee and stir.

  1. Garnish with a peppermint patty candy or top with whipping cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup and peppermint candies.



Sugar and Winter Spice au Lait

Ingredients                                               Quantity                               Optional:

Senseo Paris                                              1/2 pods                                Whipping cream
Whole milk                                                 1/2 cup                                  Ground cinnamon
Granulated white sugar                              2 teaspoons                           Cinnamon stick
Ground cinnamon                                      1/8 teaspoon
Ground allspice                                          1/8 teaspoons
Ground clove                                             1/8 teaspoon

Method:

  1. Warm milk, sugar and spices in a small saucepan over medium heat.

  1. Using two coffee pods, brew cup of coffee.

  1. Combine spiced milk with coffee and stir.

  1. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or top with whipping cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

WIN YOUR VERY OWN SENSEO!







HOW TO WIN:

Only entries using this google doc entry form are allowed. 
DO NOT ENTER IN COMMENTS SECTION FOR THIS GIVEAWAY!




For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 11th,2010 when a winner will be drawn at random and announced the next day. When commenting, please include your email address. I will notify the winners and they will have 48 hours to respond! This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. US entrants over 18 only. A special thank you to Senseo and the PR company contact for providing a Senseo for testing.

PINT 9/28


Only Parent Chronicles







Monday, September 27, 2010

Book Tour: Simply Irresistible


Simply Irresistible   by, Jill Shalvis

Forever
Category:
FICTION, ROMANCE
Format:
MASS MARKET
Edition:
Forever Special Release
Publish Date:
10/1/2010
Price:
$6.99/$7.99
ISBN:
9780446571616
Pages:
336
Size:
4-3/16" x 6-3/4"

Book Description 

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

About the Author
USA Today bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras also run by quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website at http://www.jillshalvis.com/ for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountain adventures.

Five Fun Facts for Simply Irresistible
1. Jill is more afraid of spiders than the bears that she runs into on her daily mountain hikes.
2. If Jill couldn't be a writer, she'd want to be a rock star. Only problem—she can't hold a tune to save her life.
3. Jill would take a box of cookies over just about any other food. Mother's Double Fudge, if she had a choice, but she's not picky.
4. While writing Simply Irresistible (Oct '10), the first Lucky Harbor book, she knitted her own crooked boyfriend scarf just like the heroine in the book. However, the dog ate it. You don't want to know what happened to it after that.
5. For more information on Jill, check out her website at jillshalvis.com, including her daily blog chronicling her I-Love-Lucy life.






My Thoughts
Maddie has decided to leave her job and boyfriend behind and start a new life. With the recent passing of her mother, this has become a little bit easier. Her mother has left her Inn to her and her sisters. Starting over won't be easy, however Maddie sees this as a potential to a new career and home if only she can convince her two sisters who also now own a part in the Inn, that this is the right decision.  The Inn needs a huge makeover before the sisters can decide to keep or sell. They hire the best contractor in town, who happens to like making Maddie's life just a little bit harder, since she has sworn off me!

Simply I is the first book that I have read by Jill Shalvis and it was really excellent. Keep in mind, it is a quick read. I like quick reads that have me pulled into the story line and cannot put it down.  After Maddie’s mother passes and she loses her job, she is looking for a fresh start.  She has inherited an inn from her mother in Lucky Harbor, Washington, and makes for a clean break there. After arriving in town she finds Jax Cullen, and becomes involved, try as she might to avoid it.

In this book, we also meet Tara and Chloe, her sisters. Simply Irresistible is the first book in a three book series about the three sisters. The next book in the series will be arriving around April 2011. This one will center around Tara. After reading this book and meeting the sisters, I cannot wait for the rest of this series.

If you are a lover of contemporary romance books, this book will pull you in and keep you involved. 



Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have a copy of Simply Irresistible for you -if you live in the US or Canada (no PO Boxes, please). 

To enter, comment and tell me why you want it. Tweet this giveaway for an additional entry, if you'd like to (@extreme_measure), be sure to comment separately with your tweet status. ENDS 11:59 pm EST October 10th. Good luck!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Get Positively Beautiful-Book Review


Get Positively Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Gorgeous
Author: Carmindy
About the Book:
According to a recent study, only 2% of women describe themselves as ‘beautiful.’ (Dove Global Study ‘The Real Truth About Beauty: A Global Report’, 2004) The media instructs women how to ‘look ten years younger,’ ‘cover up wrinkles,’ or ‘get fuller, plumper lips.’ And even makeup products play off women’s insecurities, promising to conceal perceived flaws, define cheekbones, or make eyelashes fuller and longer. The underlying message? That there’s something inherently wrong with the way women look and that they have to spend time, money, and energy keeping up with all the ways they should ‘fix’ themselves.
In GET POSITIVELY BEAUTIFUL, makeup artist Carmindy from TLC’s hit programWhat Not to Wear shows you how to change your mindset from negative fault-finding to a positive beauty philosophy. You learn how to find and focus on your best features and how to combat negative thoughts about your appearance. Carmindy demonstrates easy makeup techniques for eyes, brows, lashes, lips, cheeks, and skin, and how to adapt looks to different weather conditions and ‘beauty moods.’
Since her Southern California childhood, Carmindy has dreamed of traveling the world doing makeup and meeting inspiring people. Through hard work and an unstoppable attitude, she's made that dream a reality. She's painted faces in the studios of Paris, on the beaches of Brazil, and on the streets of Havana. She's lived in Los Angeles, Milan, Miami, and now makes her home with her husband, Javier, in New York, where she has established herself as a top fashion makeup artist and a natural beauty revolutionary.
Carmindy's work can be seen on the editorial pages of leading magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, InStyle, O, Essence, Self, Lucky, Seventeen, Marie Claire, and Glamour. Her commercial clients include Sally Hansen, Maybelline, Sephora, Clairol, Matrix, Avon, Aveeno, CoverGirl, Almay, Bath and Body Works, Crest Whitestrips, and Q-tips. She is the author of two fabulous beauty books titled The 5 Minute Face and Get Positively Beautiful. She has co-created a natural line of cosmetics called Sally Hansen Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy available in drugstores nationwide.

Connect with Carmindy on her site: Carmindy
   


Saturday, September 25, 2010

Rock 'N Learn

Rock N Learn Logo
Nursery Rhymes DVD CoverRock ’N Learn, Inc. began as an idea that would help children learn by putting educational material to music with a current sound—the kind of music that kids enjoy and find motivating. Now with over 50 products, we have sold millions of audio/book and video programs to teachers and parents throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Letter Sounds DVD CoverRock ’N Learn programs help students learn math, phonics, reading, early childhood, social studies, Spanish, test-taking strategies, writing, and science. Our DVDs incorporate cool music with exciting, colorful imagery.
Headquartered in Conroe, Texas, just north of Houston, Rock ’N Learn is owned and operated by its founders, Richard and Brad Caudle. Our primary warehouse is in North Carolina.
Life Science DVD CoverWorking as a school psychologist in 1986, Richard saw the need for multi-sensory learning programs using the styles of music that kids love. He consulted his younger brother Brad, an accomplished musician, to record their first program to help kids learn multiplication facts. Strong sales of this recording in the school specialty and book markets led to other programs and the start of a successful company.

Spanish Volumes I & II DVD CoverRichard and Brad never varied from their number one goal of providing children with programs that would make learning easier as well as fun. Brad’s wife Melissa, a former second-grade teacher, writes material and coordinates educational research for Rock ’N Learn. Richard’s wife, Kathie, manages sales and marketing.
Rock ’N Learn programs have received numerous awards such as Dr. Toy, Parents’ Choice, iParenting, National Parenting Publications, Learning Magazine Teachers’ Choice, Early Childhood News, National Parenting Center, and Parent's Guide to Children’s Media. Our programs lead in the areas of quality and customer satisfaction based on surveys of school supply stores.
Presidents & U.S. Government Audio CoverMath Word Problems DVD CoverEnter Rock ‘N Learn Phonics DVD’s: “Phonics video DVD programs and audio CDs that get results. Rock ‘N Learn Phonics DVD and audio CD programs provide an easy and fun way to learn the phonics skills that lead to reading and spelling success. Catchy songs and rhymes help students remember basic phonics rules, vowels, consonants, blends, digraphs, silent e, and much more. Delayed answers and the on-screen mouth (Phonics videos) allow learners to check their progress and use these programs independently. Our new Phonics Volume 1 and Phonics Volume 2 DVDs have been improved in two ways: much better animation and a lot more content to help students become confident readers. Students practice reading sentences and stories to apply the rules they have learned. These phonics video programs now have fun characters, sentence practice, read-along stories, and exercises to boost fluency.






The Rock 'N Learn Phonics DVDs cover:
Vowels • Short Vowel Sounds • Beginning Consonants With Vowels • Practice • c, g, qu, x • Find the Sounds (phonemic segmentation) • Sound It Out (oral blending) • Putting It All Together • Simple Phrases/ Rhyming Words • Double Consonants (words ending in ll, ss, ff) • Plural s and Ending s • Long a • Long e • Long i • Long o • Long u • Sentence Practice • ar • er, ir, ur • or • ire, are, air • Schwa Sound • How Many Syllables? (phonemic segmentation) • Ending Sounds • Endings: y and le • Sentence Practice • Rule Breakers • ph and gh • Memory Words • Several Read-Along practices

Phonics Banner
Rock ‘N Learn Phonics DVD Volume 1: Practicing the phonics skills that lead to reading and spelling success is more fun than ever. We’ve turbocharged our best-selling Phonics video program with new, enhanced animation along with sentence and story practice. Catchy rhymes make rules easy to remember. Delayed answers and our “on-screen mouth” let students check their reading and pronunciation. Read-along stories and fun songs provide practice with rules and build reading fluency. Context clues help students develop multiple strategies to read for meaning.  Ages 6 & up. Approx. 70 minutes.

Rock ‘N Learn Phonics DVD Volume 2: “Practice is the key to reading and spelling success—and now it’s more fun than ever. We’ve turbo charged our best-selling Phonics Volume 2 builds on Volume 1, with catchy rhymes to make rules easy to remember. Delayed answers and our “on-screen mouth” let students check their reading and pronunciation. Read-along stories and fun songs provide practice applying the rules and building reading fluency. Context clues help students develop multiple strategies to read for meaning. Ages 6 & up. Approx. 78 minutes.”



I was given the opportunity to review the Rock ‘N Learn Phonics DVD Volume 1 and 2.   I was really anxious for the opportunity to  review these learning DVD’s because I am a firm believer that education starts at home and that we, as parents do not foist the entire responsibility on  the educational system.  While it is their job and they do get paid to do it, we would have often missed opportunities to teach our children. There are many learning opportunities throughout a day. The characters and music keep them entertained while the are learning. The Rock ‘N Learn Phonics DVD’s are a great tool to assist you in your child’s education.  I highly recommend the Rock ‘N Learn DVD’s, especially if you a struggling child.. 



Buy it: Rock 'N Learn DVDs are available for purchase at www.rocknlearn.com and most titles are available in DVD, CD & Book and iPad App formats with prices ranging from $12.99 - $19.99

Win it:  One lucky Extreme Personal Measures reader will win the Rock 'N Learn Phonics 1 and 2 DVDs.




Mandatory: Visit the Rock 'N Learn website and let me know something you learned or why you would want to win it.
(This must be done before any other extra entries will count) 
Extras
Follow me on Google Friend Connect (1entry)
Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
Tweet this giveaway linking it to this post. (1x a day) (1 entry each)      
Sample tweet:
Win Rock 'N Learn Phonics DVD @extreme_measure @  {ends 10/8} #giveaway#Contest #win

Subscribe to my emails (2 entries)
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Grab my button and tell me where it is (2 entries each button! There are new Holiday buttons also!) 
Enter any of my other giveaways (1 entry per giveaway)
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Follow 
Extreme Personal Measures 
on Facebook 
(see sidebar)
Post on Facebook
Follow Sensible Shoppers blog (see sidebar)
Follow Bring An Appetite blog (see sidebar)
GOOD LUCK!










For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 9th,2010 when a winner will be drawn at random and announced the next day. When commenting, please include your email address. I will notify the winners and they will have 48 hours to respond! This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. US entrants over 18 only. 
  
 Thank you to the people at Rock 'N Learn and The Family Review Network for providing me this opportunity!


 *Disclaimer: The opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. 
  
 Rock "N Learn Phonics 1 & 2 


was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review or host a giveaway.


Friday, September 24, 2010

Spin & Go Touchless Mop - winner Kiki




When I was contacted to review the Spin & Go Touchless Mop & Wringer I jumped at the chance. Cleaning and mopping floors are my least favorite things to do and I continually try new things to aid in my cleaning to make it easier and quicker. Like many of the homes in Florida, mine is entirely tile. This means I am always sweeping and mopping. Spin & Go Touchless is the newest mop on the market that states you can mop your floors with ease. Just  mop & go. 

I received my mop and all I had to do was attach the mop head and I was ready to go. The mop is soft and will not damage floors. I set about using it and found no streaks, a nice shine and my floors looked great! When it is time to rinse, stick your Spin & Go in your bucket of water to rinse, put in the wringer basket on the other side of your bucket, step on the pedal a few times and and that’s it. How easy! Spin & Go also has a convenient carry handle that helps you take it room to room. The only thing I would change is to add wheels on it.





Spin & Go 360 Mop




Spin & Go 360 MopSpin & Go 360 MopSpin & Go 360 Mop



*Saves Effort Time and Energy with built in spinning cycle, powers up with a pedal to spin away dirty water, leaving it ready to attack more grime and dirt

*Spin & Go patented super absorbent MICROFIBER Mop Head with 1,720,000 washable Microfibers gets rid of dirt and grime easily

*Eco-friendliest Mop ever, no disposable pads to change or touch, its earth friendly and affordable costing only $49.95

*Lightweight and ultra slim, adjustable for effortless cleaning and hands free wringing

*Best dry mop for dusting hard to reach places, great for cleaning cars too, and it rotates 360 degrees.


How it works:




Changing the Mop Head

  • Use one foot to step on the micro-fiber strips on the edge of the upper disc.
  • Pull the handle away from the body(in the direction of the screw)
  • This separates the upper disc from the interchangeable Mop Head.





Assembling/Replacing a Mop Head

  • Place the upper disc on top of the interchangeable Mop Head
  • Step down on the other end that is elevated.
  • The Mop is assembled when you hear a "Click".


Adjustable Angel
  • The angle of the handle can be set to various settings






Maximum Water Level

  • Fill water in the wringer bucket no more than the maximum water level indicated to avoid any spillage.


 Rinsing 

  •  Clean Mop Head in the water bucket by moving the handle up and down several times until all the dirt and grime have been released.


Wringing

  • Gently place Mop Head flat in the spinner and push down on the Mop Head.
  • Hold the handle lightly and step on the pedal a few times to activate the spinning cycle and wring dry the Mop Head.
  • Don't push down the handle while wringing
    NOTE: The more you step on the pedal, the less moisture remains on the mop.


Your Spin & Go Touchless Mop can also be used in hard to reach places, such as glass, windows,on your car, on your boat, stairs/banisters, and also on furniture. The Spin & Go Touchless Mop & Wringer is extremely absorbent and easy to clean Mop Head. The step pedal that activates the spinner is ingenious and super easy to use and quickly wrings out your mop, allowing you to resume mopping and get down faster.  The Spin & Go is lightweight, slim, adjustable, and allows hands free wringing. It's one of the eco-friendliest Mops and safer in regards to germs as there are no disposable pads to change or touch, and affordable at only $49.95.

For more information or to purchase, visit http://www.thespinngo.com

Wanna win one?

Mandatory: Visit the Spin & Go website and let me know something you learned or why you would want to win it?
(This must be done before any other extra entries will count) 
Extras
Follow me on Google Friend Connect (1entry)
Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
Tweet this giveaway linking it to this post. (1x a day) (1 entry each)      
Sample tweet:
Win Spin & Go Touchless Mop & Wringer @extreme_measure @http://bit.ly/94WIby  {ends 10/8} #giveaway#Contest #win

Subscribe to my emails (2 entries)
Subscribe to my RSS feed (2 entries) 
Grab my button and tell me where it is (2 entries each button! There are new Holiday buttons also!) 
Enter any of my other giveaways (1 entry per giveaway)
Add this giveaway to a giveaway linky (1 per entry linky)
Blog about this giveaway linking it to this post. Leave me the link (3 entries)
Add me to your Blog Roll
Follow 
Extreme Personal Measures 
on Facebook 
(see sidebar)
Post on Facebook
Follow Sensible Shoppers blog (see sidebar)
Follow Bring An Appetite blog (see sidebar)
GOOD LUCK!






For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 8th,2010 when a winner will be drawn at random and announced the next day. When commenting, please include your email address. I will notify the winners and they will have 48 hours to respond! This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. US entrants over 18 only. 
 
Thank you to the people at Spin & Go Touchless Mop and The Family Review Network for providing me this opportunity!

 *Disclaimer: The opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. 
 
 Spin & Go Touchless Mop 
 

was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review or host a giveaway.