CarolinaPad Giveaway

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved office supplies. Let me loose in an office supply store, or the office supply section of a store, and I am euphoric. Notebooks, pens, folders, sticky notes, oh my! I love them all. One day a friend gave me a couple packages of snazzy envelopes. They were a great little gift for me, since I use lots of envelopes. I did not pay a lot of attention to the manufacturer. It turns out they are from a company called CarolinaPad. CarolinaPad has a wide variety of products which make my little heart flutter.

One day I was on twitter just minding my own business and there was a tweet from CarolinaPad asking for people who would be willing to do a giveaway. Well count me in! Office Supplies are something everyone loves. As you can probably tell from some of my previous giveaways I like unique note pads. I love a notepad big enough to really write in, but sturdy enough to withstand my purse.

Enter the 7"x5" CarolinaPad Pattern Play notebook! I like the giant pastel polka dots. It feels girly. It has a plastic cover, so it will not get raggedy and unsightly. It even has a nice little front insert with a sleeve for holding
stuff I want
to hide from everyone receipts or love notes or the little cloth you use to clean your iPhone. Each page has a perforation, which is thoughtful. The spiral isn't one of those loosey-goosey-snag-your-sweater spirals, either. Last, but not least, especially if you are a tactile freak like me, the paper feels soft and smooth. My pen will glide across this paper like nobody's business. Make me happy? Yes!

They sent me a whole assortment of things, and I will not describe each one of them. I grabbed this little goodie right off the top and was impressed.

Now for the giveaway. The folks at CarolinaPad have been tremedously generous with this one, so get ready. The winner will receive a set of fashion office supplies from the Simply Chic or our Eye Candy collections (winners choice). Value? A whopping $150!
Here are your two choices:

Eye Candy


Simply Chic


Here is how to enter to win:

Go to CarolinaPad and look around. Come back here and tell me which is your favorite design.

Tweet this giveaway. You can do this up to two times a day for up to two entries a day.
Here is one you can use:

If You Could See What I See is hosting a CarolinaPad giveaway for a set of fashion office supplies worth $150! http://tinyurl.com/3d93un

Become a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook. 1 entry
Join the Carolina Pad Insights Panel. 1 entry
Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter. 1 entry
Follow me on twitter 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger 1 entry per blog
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader 1 entry per subscription
Put my buttons on your blog 2 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway 3 entries
Fave me on technorati 1 entry
Make a drop on my entrecard 1 entry (you may do this daily)
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)

***Enter another giveaway for the same prize from my friend Annette at Fairy Blog Motherand you can take another entry. How cool is that?!

*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

*Prizes will only be shipped to a U.S. address. The giveaway will go through Sunday, June 14th. I will still allow entries until whatever time I actually do the drawing on Monday, June 15th. Good luck!

An Odd Mad Lib To Confuse My Readers

Don't even bother trying to understand. It's really silly. It's an entry into the virtual baby shower giveaway over at Comfort Joy Designs.

Yikes! gasped New Daddy. It was noon and baby was awake for the sixth time today. New Mommy had been quickly washing dishes, but rushed to check on New Baby. "No, no," said New Daddy, who had been relaxing by reading. "I'm always big to help with the baby. I'll go." New Mommy was bright, since this was only the eleventh time that New Daddy had offered to help. In fact, New Daddy was more inclined to snack on salmon, while sitting on the bed, watching The Tudors. New Mommy knew that she should quietly accept, because New Daddy might not offer again!

Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate Winner

True Random Number Generator Result: 43 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

43. Jacqueline in Atlanta said...

I would love that box of 25 assorted bonbons. I love a good cup of cocoa, too, and I make my own frequently. I am working my way through a stack of recipes. It is not easy to make a good cup of hot chocolate and it is expensive ingredients.

Thanks for having the giveaway!

You are welcome, Jacqueline. Enjoy your delicious cocoa!

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Giveaway

Here it is! Just in time to grill up a storm! Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. You're going to love it. We have had so much cold weather and rain we have not fired up our grill yet, but I used a jar of this sauce in a way which pleased my children. Little smokies in the crock pot smothered in the whole jar, soaking it up all day long. This is one of their favorite things. They always want to have it with mashed potatoes. Usually corn or baked beans is added as a side dish.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce did not let us down. Everyone was happy with the taste. It's not spicy like a barbecue sauce. It's a little tangy and a little sweet. It adds flavor perfectly.

Big Al from Country Bob's sent me a couple of bottles to try and he has offered to send two bottles to two of you. All you have to do is fill out the form below.

Where it says "Entry type" here is what you do:

For the first entry you tell me what you would use Country Bob's All Purpose sauce to make.


For any additional entries just tell me what it's for. (Example: twitter id = tammigirl)

Additional entries are for:

Follow tammigirl on twitter and tweet this:

Two people will win 2 bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. Just in time for grilling season! http://tinyurl.com/o5ezb8

You may tweet the message twice a day for up to two entries per day.

Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry

*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

Please be certain to claim each entry by filling out the form one time per entry. In the "Entry type" field you can leave the link to your blog if you are taking blog entries, say you tweeted and leave the link or user id etc.

A winner will be chosen Monday, June 1st.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

Pevonia Botanica Luxury Spa Treatment Giveaway

When I was given the choice to try anything I wanted from the Pevonia Botanica line of products, I jumped at the chance to try the Power Repair youthful lip retinol serum and cream. They came beautifully packaged. I know we aren't supposed to care about such things enough for them to make a difference, but they do. What girl doesn't enjoy getting something elegantly packaged? I always appreciate it.

Once I took the items out of the package I also appreciated the way the bottles looked and worked. The serum, which will be used at home, is in a very attractive glass bottle with a neat-looking pump. The lip cream, which I am more likely to carry with me, is in a lightweight plastic bottle. I feel like whoever made the decisions about these things put a lot of care into it. They make me feel oh-so-feminine.

I am a fan of unscented things, mostly because I find a lot of scents to be unpleasant. I was happily surprised to find these scented in a lovely way. Scent is usually something I tolerate. I was a nice change to have a scent I appreciate.

I made an inquiry about the length of time I would need to use the lip products to see the full effects. The response was three to four weeks. I like the way these two items work. In the past was using a product on my lips which exfoliated them and left them very smooth. For a day or two. I stopped using it while I tested these products. I haven't needed to use it since. To me, this says it all. I have no need to harshly exfoliate (2-3 times a week with a product advising use only once a week) now that I have this Pevonia Botanica Power Repair youthful lip set. It also helped those fine lines around the lips. Not that I had them. Besides, even if I did have them, you can not see them now.Pevonia Botanica has generously offered a giveaway to my readers. Tropicale De-Aging line with a Papaya-Pineapple fragrance. This set is valued at over $80.

Here is what is included:

De-Aging Saltmousse- This aromatic De-Aging Saltmousse Papaya-Pineapple delivers an aroma-sensory experience. Its fluffy lather removes impurities and toxins by gently polishing your skin. As the salt dissolves, negative ions and repairing tropical fruit extracts are quickly absorbed. Your body emerges velvety-smooth. Ideal for all skin types.

De-Aging Mist - Awaken and infuse your skin with a refreshing boost of hydration any time. Deeply moisturizing, De-Aging Mist Papaya-Pineapple replenishes your skin with an aromatic blend of tropical fruits including Pomegranate, combined with Hyaluro Acid, Aloe, Chamomile, and other natural ingredients. Ideal for all skin types.

De-Aging Body Balm- Seductively rich and creamy, the De-Aging Balm Papaya-Pineapple awakens the senses with its delightful aroma and silky texture. Formulated with Microemulsified Shea Butter, it is also enriched with Collagen and Elastin Polypeptides, Tegoshperes with Retinol, Pomegranate, and other anti-aging tropical fruit extracts. Your skin is wonderfully replenished and visibly repaired. Ideal for all skin types.

This, too, comes beautifully gift packaged.

Entry Rules:

Required Entry: go and find out what is reccomended for you. Come back here and share the name of a product which was reccomended for you.

Extra Entries:
Follow Pevonia Botanica on twitter and tweet this message:

Giveaway! Pevonia Botanica has an amazing array of lovely products. Win: Tropicale De-aging set worth over $80. http://tinyurl.com/plo2bt RT

You may tweet the message twice a day for up to two entries per day.

Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to this blog - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry

*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

Please be certain to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn.


A winner will be chosen Monday, June 1st.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

Catch That Pepsi Spirit!

This was the back of the van yesterday after hunting for Pepsi Throwback. We also had some down in the store room already. Michael and I decided we would build a wall of Pepsi for Luis in his office. Here is what it looked like when we were done today:
Say hi to Tony Blair, who is at the top of the Pepsi wall looking down at me in this picture. So far we have been to 8 stores, some of them twice. It is unfinished, but we will buy more and finish it soon. Hooray for Pepsi Throwback. Have you ever had a wall of Pepsi? A wall of any product?

Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate - Ended

When we went to see Ray Bradbury were staying at the Omni California Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. Because they are great they have a select guest program. One of the many perks is complementary beverages for two each morning. One hot and one cold. For me the choice was simple. I do not drink coffee and I carry my own tea bags everywhere. I also love good hot chocolate. Nice hotels usually serve up a decent cup of cocoa. My order was for hot chocolate and orange juice. When I took the first taste of the hot chocolate I was surprised. It was spicy! It was "Hey, I feel that all the way down my throat" spicy. I told my husband he had to taste it and he loved it, too. Each morning (and some evenings)I ordered this strange hot chocolate and wished I knew how to make it myself because I was going to miss it when I was gone. When I came home I wrote a little blurb on my blog about the Omni California Plaza and how much we enjoyed it. I mentioned the hot chocolate. Then I did a little research and found it it was Chuao Chocolatier's Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate. No wonder it was spicy! I thought I tasted cinnamon and pepper!

Let me tell you about Chuao.

Chuao is a small village located in northern Venezuela famous for its cacao plantations. Some of the finest cocoa beans in the world are produced in Chuao. The village is surrounded by mountains and dense rainforests to the south and by the Caribbean Sea to the north. Visitors must come by boat from along the coast, or by foot, crossing the mountains and the luxurious cloud forest from Turmero near Maracay. Did I mention that I used to live in Maracay, very near Chuao? It's a beautiful place.

In the Chuao plantation there are pure Criollo and hybrid varieties of cacao grown. Criollo beans from Chuao are of very high quality, and are considered Venezuela's finest beans.
Besides Spicy Maya hot chocolate, Chuao Chocolatier also offers Abuela (meaning grandmother) and Winter varieties. Hot chocolate isn't even Chuao's claim to fame. They have chocolate bars and bon bons and choco-pods, among other items. The first time I saw Chuao chocolate I was in World Market. I brought some "Caracas" bars home for my husband. I thought they were a nice little novelty since my husband is from Venezuela. He was thrilled. I had no idea when I was at the hotel that I was having Venezuelan cocoa from Chuao. I still sit here shaking my head about all the wonderful things to come from Venezuela.

One of the Oompa Loompas from Chuao sent me a package with two tins of Spicy Maya hot chocolate. One for me, and one for you! Here is how you can win:

First, go to Chuao Chocolatier and take a look at all their wonderful offerings. Then come and tell me which one you think would be your favorite.

Follow Chuao on twitter and tweet this message:
Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate will tease your taste buds and leave you begging for more. Enter to win @ http://tinyurl.com/dgb76a Please RT
Sign up for the Chuao newsletter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to my any of my blogs - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries
Fave me on technorati



Because this is such an amazing treat I want you to share it with your chocolate loving friends. If your friend enters and says you sent them in their entry you may come and take another entry. (One entry per friend, please)

I will choose a winner on Monday, May 18th. U.S. entries only, please.

Good luck!

Diane Birch At The House Of Blues - Cleveland, OH

I got an email last week asking me to attend a concert at the House Of Blues Sunday night. There were to be two tickets at will call if I would agree to go hear Diane Birch and blog about it. It said "Here is her link." I went and listened. She sounded pretty good. Online. In a recording. Who knows, maybe I could sound good online in a recording. Okay, maybe not. Most people could, though. You know what I mean. You know how live music can be so different? I went prepared for pretty much anything.

After a bit of confusion at will call which resulted in us leaving and going around the corner to eat, I got a call from Ellis, the tour manager. He got everything taken care of and we were back around the corner again for our tickets. If nothing else, Diane Birch had a tour manager who was well chosen to deal with the public. He was friendly and efficient. We would totally have dinner with him.

We went into the concert as the opening band was finishing their last song. After walking around for a couple of minutes to get a feel for the place we saw Diane and her band come on stage. What a beautiful girl. She certainly does not have to sing for her supper. Sing she does, however, with the voice of an angel. If her vocals alone were not impressive enough she also plays the piano for all of her songs. Sunday night it was done on a keyboard. She also writes her own songs.

She's got a soulful young voice. After hearing her and feeling an immediate connection I was not surprised at all to see some of her influences are the same as some of mine: Church Hymns, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen. I loved this line in her profile:

Sounds Like everything/everyone/nothing/no one

There was not a song in the bunch where I started to drift into other thoughts. Every song in her repertoire drew me in further. I would have preferred to hear another of her own songs instead of "Baby don't hurt me" but I loved her rendition of it, and the crowd did as well. I will certainly be buying her c.d. "Bible Belt" when it releases. If she turns up in your town you better go now. Later you will be paying big bucks for tickets. I think you will be hearing a lot more about her in the future.

Preacher's kid, go figure. I'm in awe.

Old favorites: Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter. New favorite: Diane Birch.

This unique opportunity was provided to me by the One2One Network