Carolina Pad Review & Giveaway!

I.LOVE.STATIONERY!

But so do my girls!

Here's a look at some of the awesome products the great folks at Carolina Pad sent for us to try!



Zoe and Trinity were in heaven!
You would have thought there was gold in that box the post man dropped off!

Trinity quickly claimed one of the spiral bound notebooks as her "new journal".



(And, quite honestly, that "new journal" ended up saving the day! We had a reeeeeally boring appointment to go to. So, very quickly I wrote out pages of questions for her to answer quietly while I handled my business. I seriously didn't hear a peep out of her the entire time.)




Zoe took the rest for school and... I got nothin'. :(
Well, I got happy kids. :)

So, look, if you win this giveaway I suppose you can give it to your kids for back to school. But, if you're planning on keeping it for yourself, and your kids are little pillagers like mine, I suggest you sneak it into your bedroom to open it. Otherwise you'll end up like me - stationery-less.

Carolina Pad has generously offered two stationery collections for the winner to choose from:

Sasquatch – Leave Nothing But Tracks:

Made from recycled materials, these beautifully designed notebooks, folders, binders and divider tabs also include an environmental education component that reminds young people about everyday actions they can take to become even better stewards of the environment.

The product collection is appealing to school age girls and boys as well as moms who want to teach their children to live green. Sasquatch products enable them to express their love of the environment through nature-oriented designs and to learn how they can make the world a better place.

Carolina Pad’s Sasquatch Web site is an interactive destination designed to give visitors information on environmental issues. From interactive games to informative tips, blogs and links to additional green resources, kids can use the site to make a difference. You can also connect with Sasquatch through Twitter and Facebook.

~OR~

Kendall Kollection – Inspired by a Special Little Girl

The notebooks and office supplies in this collection are not only eye-catching and beautiful, but they are also a small way for a designer and a company to give back to a little girl who was stricken with leukemia. We thought you would like to know Kendall’s story.

When Jacqueline Savage McFee, signature designer for Carolina Pad – the industry leader in trendy school, office and organizational fashion products, got the devastating news that her two-year-old cousin, Kendall Sierens, was diagnosed with leukemia, it brought things into perspective for her. It also created a spark. The Kendall Kollection – a collection of colorful high-end school supplies inspired by the artist’s young cousin – was born in 2008 and has been raising funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The partnership between Jackie McFee, Carolina Pad and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues for 2009 with fresh new designs. This wildly successful collection is available at major national retailers including Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Office Max, as well as grocery and drug store chains.

Kendall is now almost six-years old and in remission, but the battle continues for thousands of other children just like her. We look forward to another year of helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its effort to find cures and better therapies for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Mothers and their daughters adore the look of the collection, but really love knowing that purchasing these products helps those in need.

Here's what you have to do to win -

1. Be a follower of my blog.

2. Leave me a comment in this post telling me which collection you'd like to win. What you select is what you will win.

{Both of these are required to enter this giveaway, and are considered one entry.}

How you can get more entries -

1. Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter AND Tweet about this giveaway for five extra entries.

{You can Tweet about this giveaway once each day until contest end if you'd like, for one extra entry everyday - but you gotta come back and leave me your url each time. Otherwise there's just no way for me to keep track.}

2. Blog about this giveaway for an extra five entries.

{Please come back and let me know in the comments section (leave your url!) if you do, so I can be sure all entries are counted!}

This giveaway ends at midnight, August 18th. The winner will be chosen by random draw and announced within three days of contest's end.

Good luck!

Ask Me Anything - Pt.2 {And The Winner!}

Chosen by random draw,
Diva Eva @ Daily Dose Of Diva
is the winner of my
Ask-Me-Anything-Cuz-It's-My-Almost-400th-Post-abration
$20 Gift Card Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who played along
and asked me a question (or two)!

I will answer all of them.

Eventually.

I'll be emailing Diva Eva to let her know.

But in the meantime, I'm going to answer one of her questions...

What draws you to entertainment/movies that most people find "scary"...such as horror movies?


What is it about the horrific that's got me so obsessed? Hhmmmm...

Well, it stimulates an important part of our psyche I think.
Fear is an emotion that is in place to keep us "safe" from what we normally know to be harmful.

But if you enjoy being scared (and a lot of people do!) you simultaneously experience a positive and a negative emotion, which is pretty thrilling.
And most likely almost addicting.

Horror taps into the same part of our brains as a spin on the back of a fast motorcycle, a roller coaster ride and even rough sex!

Ahhhh adrenaline.....!
I got a lot of other similar questions. So it kinda got me to thinking...

I would hope to say that my attraction to things like horror movies, and other interests that I have, do not define me.

I think a lot of people might describe me as, "you know, that lady who's into all the dead stuff." But I also think they'd conclude their statement with something like, "yea, she's really nice."

At least I hope.

Congrats to Diva Eva!

(Oh, I forgot to mention in the rules that the winner has to buy themselves something lovely with the gift card, and no one else! Oops! But I think Diva Eva deserves that, don't you?)

Rock Of Ages Broadway Soundtrack Review

Since it is still Musical Monday, I wanted to share with you guys my review of the Rock Of Ages Soundtrack! Thanks to the folks at One2One Network, my girls and I got to check it out.

Have a look at the making of the soundtrack!



Here's the lowdown -

New Line Records just hammered the in-store release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the five-time Tony Award nominated "Rock Of Ages". For those of you not in the know, Rock Of Ages is the new Broadway musical staring American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. Set in 1987 in a legendary Sunset Strip club, a small-town girl meets big-sity dreamer and they fall in love to the greatest metal songs of the 80s. The musical is an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and more.

The track list:

Just Like Paradise/Nothin' But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City/Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We're Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words/To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize/We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart/Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It/I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You/Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can't Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has It's Thorn
The Search Is Over
Don't Stop Believin'


I am a child of the 80s. So, of course I know every song on this list! And so far I've been pretty successful in my attempt to brainwash my children as far as music goes!! So, naturally, all three of us are loving this album!

If you're ever torn over going to see a show like this, having a listen to the soundtrack is a great way to persuade yourself one way or the other.

Well, this soundtrack is a BLAST! The girls and I have had so much fun listening to it in the car and singing these familiar songs. It really tells the story of the show, and now I'm dying to go see it!!

If you're interested in getting your own copy, this album is now available in stores. Or you can grab it off Amazon!

Musical Monday ~ What Moves You?

~ Brought to you by Jori and Diane ~



A little music therapy - a cathartic tune by Billy Talent.

Kinda helps me put my emotions aside for the moment
so I can think a little more rationally.

The video has a really cool ending.





What's inspiring you, bringing back cool memories
or keeping you going this week?

Post, link up and
sign our Mr. Linky!

And don't forget to spread the comment love!

My Girl

Vlogemotions - Live From My Bathroom!

Things are changing for me and my family.
FINALLY!

We still have a lot of roadblocks ahead of us.
But I finally feel like I might actually be gaining a little momentum here.

I have NO DOUBT in my mind that the support, prayers, well wishes and encouragement I've gotten from all of you guys has everything to do with it!

This vlog right here is for Tim. But I can not begin to thank enough everyone who's taken the time to put out a little positive energy into the universe on my behalf. It's kinda amazing how getting a little email saying that someone is thinking about you and praying for you can give you just that little extra push you need to keep going.

I Really Hate That I Stutter And Keep Kinda Repeating Myself!!!! lol

But, this is all about being brave, right?

So.... without further adieu, here's my good news!

Check out all the other Vlogemotions for the week,
or join in over at Fort Thompson.

Love Songs - Ugh!

Trinity is into this America's Got Talent on tv. I'm usually minding my own business, wrapping things up for the day by this time of the evening, and not really paying much attention to what's going on.

But today, this guy totally stopped me in my tracks. They only played a small clip of him singing, but that was enough to send me running to the computer to search for the entire segment.

He's got a great underdog back story which only adds to my enthusiasm for him to get the chance to really make it. But that aside, his performance turned me into complete mushy mess of tears.

Honestly, I've been going through some Love crap lately, and so maybe I'm just vulnerable right now. I don't even like country music! But this seriously gave me goosebumps. And I've still got a little case of the sniffles.

America's got Talent Kevin Skinner
Uploaded by Nicovila. - Explore more music videos.



And, personally, I think this Kevin Skinner guy blows Garth Brooks out of the water with this one!

Interesting Neighbors

We went to a street fair a couple weeks ago.


We had to park kinda far so
the threatening sky was all I was noticing at first.

Until I walked up a little closer and noticed this.

Ironic.

P.S.
I have an awesome T-Shirt Giveaway from
Crazy Dog T-Shirts going on right now!
Check it out!

You Totally Need A Smart Assed T-Shirt - Crazy Dog T-Shirt Giveaway

The twisted minds at
Crazy Dog T-Shirts
wants one of YOU to have one of their t-shirts!

Why?





Because YOU have a twisted mind too!

You know it's true.

So....?

Which one are you going to pick?

Cuz, the winner can choose any t-shirt they want.

See below for all the details of this giveaway!

Here's what you gotta do to win a Crazy Dog T-Shirt of your very own:

* Be a follower of my blog.

* Visit Crazy Dog T-Shirts and choose the t-shirt you'd like to win. Then come back and let me know! (Don't forget to tell me what size!) If you are the winner of this giveaway, the t-shirt you choose is the one you will receive.

{Both of these are required to enter this giveaway and are considered one entry.}



How you can get more entries (and for chances to win more t-shirts from them, because they give away a t-shirt EVERYDAY!):


* Become a fan of Crazy Dog T-Shirts on Facebook for 5 extra entries.

* Follow Crazy Dog T-Shirts on Twitter AND Tweet this about giveaway for 5 extra entries.

* Join the Crazy Dog Mailing List for 5 extra entries.

* You can also blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries.


{Please come back and let me know in the comments section if you do, so I can be sure all entries are counted!}

This giveaway ends at midnight, August 11th. The winner will be chosen by random draw and announced within three days of contest's end.


Have fun!
This would make a great gift for yourself or someone else!

I Heart Faces - "At The Beach"

I Heart Faces

Week 29
"At The Beach"

Check out

I Heart Faces

Musical Monday ~ What Moves You?

~ Brought to you by Jori and Diane ~

I LOVE this band.

No, he's not the best singer.
No, it's not the greatest band there ever was.

But, gawd do they feel my pain!!!

Their music speaks directly to my sense of outrage and joy,
passion and despair all at once.

He'll sing a line and I'll just look at my cd player and exclaim,
"I know!!!"



(Warning: F bomb at 2:32)

Blue October - "Say It" Official Video




Lyrics | Blue October Lyrics | Say It Lyrics

What's moving you this week?

Post, link up and
sign our Mr. Linky!

And don't forget to spread the comment love!

Amazing Bird Watching!

I know these pictures are not the best but there was no way in h*ll I was gonna get any closer to that thing for fear that it would kill me!!

So I was forced to zoom. Plus it's my phone camera.
But I had to get some shots!

Zoe and I were totally tripping out getting to see this guy so close and for so long.
It's as if he was just there for us to see.

Trinity was tripping out on us tripping out!
"You guys! It's just a bird!"
lol

Camera Critters!

She thinks she is hiding from me.
How clever.

Love Critters?
Go check out
Camera Critters!

Blog Hop '09!

BlogHer! HA!
As if I could leave for an entire weekend!
They'd hunt me down!!
But that's okay. I can stay right here and make a bunch of new friends!

A Little About Me...

I'm a Mom to two special needs girls - 8 and 14.

I'm an artist and I like to take pictures.

I have an etsy shop.

I've been blogging for about nine months and I love it!
I've made so many new friends and connections with people
who probably would never even talk to me if they saw me in public! lol

I have some fun giveaways from time to time.
You can always see what's going on by checking the sidebar! :)
<--- I also have another blog, Wouldn't You Like To See Something Strange?,
if you like things a little more on the creepy side.

And if you enjoy art challenges, join me every month at
Good Mourning, Glory! Studios!

And.... that's pretty much it!

Can't wait to hop around this weekend and say hello!!

Blog Hop '09 is hosted by
Robin @ Pensieve
and
Jo-Lynne @ Musings of a Housewife

If you wanna join in,
head on over and sign up!

Aloha Friday!

Aloha Everybody!!

So, how do you like my purse?

Kinda cute, huh?

Yea, well I've been carrying that sucker for like TWO YEARS now!!! :(

It's not that I haven't tried looking for a new purse,
I just get so settled into something sometimes that it's
really hard for me to make a change!

Plus this one fits so comfortably under my arm.
And it holds everything.
Really. Everything.

One day I'm going to have to find a new perfect purse.
I mean, this one's not going to last forever.

So, how about you?
Are you one of those match-your-purse-with-every-outfit kinda gals?
Do you change with the seasons?
Or do you find a trusty bag and stick with it until it falls apart?

Dudes, sorry I guess this is not a question for you.
But please tell us, how long have you been carrying your wallet?
Do you fear changing wallets, like I fear changing purses?
If so, why are we so neurotic??!! lol

For more Aloha Friday visit
An Island Life!

Just... Stuff

Aside from reading the phone book - and oh, do I ever love the phone book company people right now because they also sent us a small one that is perfect for the car!! - Trinity has also been very interested in the show Family Feud lately.

It comes on every weekday at noon, right after The Price Is Right, which is also a favorite, but not so much as Family Feud. So, she always has lunch during these shows and watches as she munches away, shouting out answers. The whole thing is pretty entertaining cuz it's just kind of adorable in a quirky way.

Anyhow, today one of the questions was

"According to 100 women -
When you see an attractive man, what do you wonder about him?"

Trinity shouts out, "Why is he so cute?" lol

But then everyone on the show starts shouting out things like,
"Is he married?"
"Does he have children?"
"Is he gay????"

I instantly had a really bad feeling wash over me.
I knew, I just knew, she was going to ask me.

"Mom, what are they talking about? What's gay?"

I so do not want to be having this
conversation with my eight year old right now!

Under my breath I cursed the producers of Family Feud and attempted to explain this very sticky subject to my daughter for the next 40 minutes, ending the conversation with the ever so brilliant, "It's complicated."

*sigh*

Hopefully I come up with something better between now and the next time this subject comes up. : /

Not that I have a problem here - other than just exactly how to go about explaining it....



Did you know

that there are only 99 days left until Halloween???

There's just not really much time!
Trinity is pacing the floor daily interrogating me,
"Where are we going to find a Sally wig that doesn't look lame??!!"

I don't know!
But I better get on it!!



And, hey, while I got you here...

You know my friend Joy? Well, her husband Eric is job searching right now, and her family could really use any and all prayers, well wishes, positive energy, and etc sent their way. So, if you could put them on your list, I would really appreciate that!


Happy Thursday,

Win A 16" x 20" Rolled Canvas Print - Online Poster Printing Giveaway

This is one of my very favorite photographs of Trinity of all time. She was four. And very full of sassafras, as you can plainly see. And she had verrrrry long hair. This was actually right before the first time she donated her hair to Locks of Love.

So, yea, instead of it sitting in my computer for the last five years, how cool would it have been to have a nice big print of it on my wall?

Well, yay me! Online Poster Printing is gonna give me one - a 16" x 20" Rolled Canvas Print! I've already started shopping for the perfect frame!

And, guess what? Yay YOU! Cuz you're gonna get one too! Well, one of you! A 16" x 20" Rolled Canvas Print of your favorite photograph!

About Online Poster Printing
Online Poster Printing specializes in printing high-quality posters using premium materials. We offer a money back guarantee on all our products, such as photo canvas prints, vinyl banners, wall stickers, and rolled or mounted poster prints.



Here's what you gotta do to get it...

* Be a follower of my blog.

and

* Leave me a comment in this post telling me about a photograph that you'd love to have printed on canvas.

Entries will be accepted until midnight July 29th. A winner will be chosen by random draw. Giveaway is open to US/CAN residents. Shipping of prizes is not included and must be paid by winner. Online Poster Printing reserves the right not to print obscene or offensive materials.