Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Summer Giveaway Hop



Yay, another giveaway hop! :)

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Bookhounds.  There are currently over 100 blogs participating!!!  The giveaway hop goes through August 7th so you have almost a week to enter.

I am giving away a $10 Amazon GC.  After you enter my giveaway, be sure to check out the linky below and enter all of the other giveaways!

Please please please only enter using Rafflecopter.  While appreciated, blog comments will not count.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am sponsoring my own prize.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Say Goodbye to Stress Giveaway


Inspiring Chicken Soup for the Soul stories and accessible leading-edge medical information from Dr. Jeff Brown of Harvard Medical School. We all have stress in our lives. What differentiates us is how we handle it. The combination of these stories, from people who have learned how to manage stress, and Dr. Brown's practical advice, will have you wondering what you were worried about! Who knew there were so many easy ways to manage your stress?

The book is divided into 8 sections, including Triumph Over Tragedy, Preventing Monetary Meltdown, Mind Your Stress, and more.  This book is different from most Chicken Soup for the Soul books because it is stories mixed with medical advice from the author of the book.  Since almost everyone has way too much stress in their lives, everyone could benefit from this book!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Stress - Manage Your Problems, Big and Small, Every Day to 3 winners.


To enter Rafflecopter giveaways, read the directions for each task, do each task and click "I did this" after completing each one.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Stay at Home Moms Giveaway


With stories by famous moms, including Jane Green, Melora Hardin, Liz Lange, Jodi Picoult, and Jill Kargman, and stories from other moms who elected to stay at home or work from home. Every stay-at-home and work-from-home mom will view this book as having been written just for her! A reissue of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms, this book contains 101 great stories from mothers who have made the choice to stay home or work from home while raising their families. These multi-tasking, high-performing women have become today’s power mom. This is perfect for book groups as it contains a reader guide.

The book is divided into 10 sections, including The Daily Grind, Ladies Who Launch, Pink Slips, and more.  The Greatest Gift is an interesting story about a woman who doesn't want to be her kids primary caregiver.  Sean is a touching story about a boy born with a heart defect.  Necklace of Memories is a great story about a girl who discovers a time capsule that she hid at age eight!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay at Home Moms - 101 Inspirational Stories for Mothers about Hard Work and Happy Families to 3 winners.


To enter Rafflecopter giveaways, read the directions for each task, do each task and click "I did this" after completing each one.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Magic of Mothers & Daughters Giveaway


Mothers and daughters. They are, at the same time, very similar and completely unique. This relationship — through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between — can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. Moms and daughters will laugh, cry, and find inspiration in this collection of entertaining, poignant, and heartwarming stories that remind them of their shared love, appreciation and special bond. A great gift for Mother's Day.

The book is divided into 10 sections, including Rites of Passage, The Face in the Mirror, Learning From Each Other, and more.  Quarters of Hope is a sweet story about a gift from a daughter to her mother.  A Little Bite of Love is a touching story about a little adopted girl and her new parents.  The Sound of Music caught my eye because I love listening to and playing music...too bad the story wasn't about that kind of music!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Mothers & Daughters - 101 Inspirational and Entertaining Stories about That Special Bond to 3 winners.


To enter Rafflecopter giveaways, read the directions for each task, do each task and click "I did this" after completing each one.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Family Caregivers Giveaway


Do you have a family member who requires constant care? You are not alone. This collection offers support and encouragement in its 101 stories for family caregivers of all ages, including the "sandwich" generation caring for a family member while raising their children. With stories by those on the receiving end of the care too. These stories of love, sacrifice, and lessons will inspire and uplift family members making sacrifices to make sure their loved ones are well cared for, whether in their own homes or elsewhere.

The book is divided into 8 sections, including All You Need is Love, Laughter is the Best Medicine, Saying Goodbye, and more.  Stepping Out with Gail is a sweet story about a woman and her developmentally disabled sister.  I really enjoyed this one because my main job is working for a woman who runs programs for special needs kids and adults.  Mom's Spa Day is a touching story about a woman and her mom...and mani pedis.  Milkshake Miracle caught my eye because I love milkshakes!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers - 101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice, and Bonding to 3 winners.


To enter Rafflecopter giveaways, read the directions for each task, do each task and click "I did this" after completing each one.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Leaving for Idaho Soon

I am leaving this weekend to go up to Idaho for 2 weeks....yay!

I am soooooo excited to see all of my amazing family and also to do new things like going to a Food Truck Rally!

  



I can't wait to see how much all of my cousins have grown up in a year!!! :)

If you know of any cool things to do in Boise, please share them with me! :)

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Aloha Friday #42 - New Shoes





Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?  What is your favorite kind of shoe?


I just bought two new pairs of shoes yesterday at Nine West.  I can't walk in heels and am tired of trying so I bought wedges and flats.  I own about 30 pairs of shoes :)

Aren't they both so cute? :)

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Brookfield Zoo Highlights Part 2

I think I have enough Brookfield Zoo pictures to last all month...but I will only do this post and maybe one more ;)

I know this is kind of blurry but I loved how the face of this fish looked almost human.

Who can resist such cutie penguins?

I love the bright colors!

Monkeys are so awesome!  Look how it is just chillin!

The zoo was supposed to have two types of zebras but I only saw this one.  Pretty cool though!

What is your favorite animal at the zoo?

Monday, July 2, 2012

Bucktown / Wicker Park Food Tour!!!

We took an awesome food tour through the Bucktown / Wicker Park area while in Chicago. We found it through Chicago Food Planet.  We went to six different places, all of which were amazing.  Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and made our tour that much better!  I'm sure it helped that her other job is acting :)

We started with a Chicago-style hot dog at George's Hot Dogs.  I think our tour guide said this is either the oldest or one of the oldest places in the area.  A true Chicago-style hot dog has seven toppings...tomato, mustard, pickle relish, onion, pickle, hot pepper and celery salt.  Everyone really liked it but I scraped off most of the toppings LOL

Next we went to Hot Chocolate.  That was my favorite!  We had iced hot chocolates with homemade marshmallows.  I drank mine down so fast!!  The owner is a pastry chef who has won numerous awards.  Their menu looked good too, and I would love to eat there on a return trip.

Next we went to Goddess and Grocer where we were given a veggie salad.  I don't like veggies but I loved it.  My family loves veggies and didn't love it...go figure.  This place is owned by a woman who used to do international catering for famous bands...so cool!  This is also where I bought Hunter a doggie pie :)


After that we went to Piece, a pizza place with pizza and beer brewed on site.  I don't love beer but I heard positive things from everyone on the tour about it.  The pizza was amazing!  We had white pizza which was fantastic because I am not a sauce lover.

Next we walked through the residential neighborhood, looking at the various types of architecture on the houses.  Many houses used to be single-family mansions, then after the war were boarding houses, and are now being returned to their original amazingness.

This is from a movie with John Cusack...I forget which one.

How can this be a house?  It looks like a museum or something!

So many details!

Tons of balconies!

So insane!

Our fifth stop was Sultan's Market.  They have tons of Mediterranean food, a food bar and more.  One great thing about them is their generous food portions and their low prices!  We were served a half portion of the falafel sandwhich.  We we all so stuffed by this point that we only wished we could have eaten more.  My mom graciously offered to let me take a picture of hers.

Our last stop was iCream, one of my favorites but the only one where I forgot to take a photo.  This place makes you ice cream on the spot using liquid nitrogen.  We got to try a flavor called "That Guy From Florida", which is white chocolate and cream soda flavored ice cream with nutella mixed in.  Amazing!!!

If you are ever in Chicago, I would highly recommend this food tour and/or any of the places we stopped at!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love Giveaway


Food is an expression of love — both the romantic kind and the comforting kind between family and friends. With its savory, sweet, and sometimes spicy stories, this delightful collection will sprinkle in laughs, warm hearts of readers, and stir up memories that certain aromas and tastes always bring. Readers will relish the stories on how love and food together played a flavorful part in life. Some recipes included too!

The book is divided into 10 sections, including Learning to Cook, Having a Little Helpers, Always Room for Dessert, and more.  She Tricked Me! is a cute story about one mom's healthy treats for her family.  Love by the Spoonful is a touching story about a post-Thanksgiving family meal.  Crazy for Cupcakes caught my eye because I have definitely joined the cupcake loving trend!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love - 101 Stories Celebrating Special Times with Family and Friends...and Recipes Too to 3 winners.


To enter Rafflecopter giveaways, read the directions for each task, do each task and click "I did this" after completing each one.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Winner - Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop



Congratulations to the winner of a $10 Amazon gift card.

Alinka - aidicka@xxx.cz

Winner has been emailed and has 72 hours to get back to me confirming her email address.