Friday, April 30, 2010

Giveaways I Want To Win

The Dirty Shirt
The Dirty Shirt is giving away a boxed set of Harry Potter books.

Cardstore.Com Is My New Go To Printer For Personalized Cards, Invites, and More


As part of Family Review Network's group of maven reviewers I was given the opportunity to review Cardstore.com

Website:
http://www.cardstore.com http://www.cardstore.com/cardstyle-blog/ 
 
Company Overview:
Cardstore.com is a Berkeley, California based greeting card retailer that combines online customization with designs from over 70 independent artists. Since 1999, the company has printed over 15 million personalized cards, a
Mission:
At Cardstore.com, we believe there is the perfect card for every occasion. From announcing the arrival of your new baby to wishing that special someone in your life a happy birthday, our beautiful designs can be personalized with your photos and messages to create the ideal greeting card.

Mother's Day is approaching and this is really a beautiful, personalized way to say I love you to Mom, Grandma and any woman in your life that has made an impact.

I love when you can personalize cards but more importantly, as an amateur, professional photographer, I love being able to share my pictures with friends and family.

As you all know, Goddess just celebrated her 5th birthday and while I loved doing craft thank you's for the kids in our lives, I really wanted to do something special for all the adults who showed their love to Goddess.

Picture 948


I chose the style (3 pictures, because how could I pick only one????), I placed my order for the amount I needed (No minumum order! Get whatever you need. Need 1 card? No problem)! When I saw the box 2 days after placing my order I was shocked. The turn around was so fast. The card itself is amazing! Nice, thick cardstock, that holds its shape and stands up almost like a frame. No bending in the middle. I love getting cards and placing them around the house (on shelves or the top of the TV) but they end up bending in the center within 2 days, eventually laying flat on the table until I decide if they are keepers.

"This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Cardstore.com, who provided a gift card for shopping for the product for this review"

Sky Watch Friday




Visiting the manor last week was amazing. It was a beautiful day and the sky was so amazing.
My Dream Home

Castle Ringwood

Color Carnival Friday

This week's Color Carnival is a hard pick for me. I have so many fun pictures that I took with this theme in mind.

Petal Power

IMG_1028

The perfect flower is better than a diamond

Playing Catch-Up After Playing Hooky With The Kids


I am not a big believer in standardized education. Kids do not need to be in a structured, school setting to learn in my eyes. This means many things (which we will undoubtedly get into along the way), but it also means is that I have absolutely no problem springing the kids from school, for what has become our yearly ritual of going to the zoo.

My Little Ground Hogs (more pictures to come)
April 29, 2010 (61)





Yesterday, Goddess just told me "you can give away all our Little People."
Me: Huh, you don't want them anymore?"
Her: No Handsome and I don't play with them, you can give them to someone else."

*Sob* this makes me so sad. I loved watching them play with their Little People. We have hundreds and they were a big part of their pretend play. So sad!!!!
Built in Play date

I loved watching them create these villages with the Strawberry Shortcake house and the Little People. My kids are getting big! Wahhhh.
Friday Photo Flashback

This picture from 2007 actually hurts my heart!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Mr. Magoo Returns on DVD After a 30 Year Vacation with Kung Fu Magoo


As a child of the 60's I was a big Magoo fan. Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carole was by far my favorite holiday movie for many years.  When I was approached to review a new Magoo movie with Disney stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse I was excited. Would Magoo be relevant? Would kids of today watch it?


Featuring an All-Star Voice Cast:
Dylan Sprouse (as Justin Magoo) ,Cole Sprouse (as Brad Landry), Alyson Stoner (as Lorelei Tan Gu), Chris Parnell (as Cole Fusion) and Kenny Mayne (as himself)

Kung Fu Magoo DVD Synopsis:Join Mr. Magoo and his nephew, Justin, as they dodge giant robotic spiders and jet ski ninjas on a kung fu-style adventure! When supervillian, Tan-Gu, invites the world’s most notorious bad guys to compete in the “Evil-lympics,” there’s only one man who can put a stop to the evil and save mankind—Kung Fu Magoo!  And it’s up to Justin to help his uncle stay in the competition...while avoiding danger at every turn!

SRP: $14.93 and iTunes: $9.99

Runtime: 79 minutes
What I Can Tell You: I put the DVD in and explained to Goddess that we were going to watch a movie called "Kung Fu Magoo". She thought the title was funny. So do I! I told her that when I was little I loved Mr. Magoo. She loves hearing my "when I was a little girl stories."

We sat down on the couch with a blanket and pressed play. She loved it. Magoo is still cute and funny in a sad sort of way. Magoo and his "nephew" fight against evil and Magoo avoid danger by the skin of his teeth.

I was surprised and happy that Goddess liked it. She is not familiar with Dylan and Cole although I believe this will be a reason a lot of tweens might like it.

Kung Fu Magoo is something you and your kids can watch together.  The release date is May 11th, Handsome's birthday.

Also, look for Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest.

Mother's Day Romance Giveaway - 3X'sThe Hotness



I am so excited to be able to host this giveaway from Forever, the Romance publisher section of Hachette Book Group

Most of us girls love reading romance and Hachette has just what you want, from some of the best romance writers in the business.


MONTANA DESTINY  By R.C. Ryan

RAVISHED BY A HIGHLANDER By Paula Quinn

STILL THE ONE By Robin Wells

DESIRE ME By Robyn DeHart

KNIGHT OF PASSION By Margaret Mallory

TO SURRENDER TO A ROGUE By Cara Elliott

Thanks to Anna from Hachette Book Group I have 3 Romance Sets to give away to my readers.


To Win:  Leave my a comment by Midnight, Mother's Day, May 9, 2010

US and Canda ONLY!

For Extra Entries:
*Blog about this, and leave me the link for (3 extra entries) (each entry must be separate)
*Subscribe to my newsletter/email (3 entries) (each entry must be separate)
*Follow my blog (2 entries) (each entry must be separate)
*Subscribe to Chotskies
*Follow me on Twitter, leave your twitter name

*Enter another giveaway on my blog and let me know which one.
*Comment on a non-giveaway post and tell me which one.
*Tweet this giveaway and leave your link
*Become a fan of Maria's Space on Facebook
*Add me to your blog roll and leave the link
*Follow me under networked blogs (on my left side bar)
*Add my main button to your side bar
button


Do not leave entries in the comment section, 
those are for comments about the post only!!!!!

Disclaimer: I will be receiving all the books as well from Hachette Book Group who are also providing the giveaway.




Boiron USA - Homeopathic Remedies for The Flu Season

Last month I received a box in the mail from Boiron USA, a company that specializes in homeopathic medicine.

Opening the box, I was greeted with some fabulous color!

I dug in and came up with this packet
Which contained three of their children's medications.

1) Children's Oscillococcinum which is a new product - ($2.00 coupon here)
As soon as you start feeling run-down or have other flu-like symptoms, take Oscillococcinum. Oscillo® is regulated as a drug by the FDA and is supported by published clinical studies as well as more than 65 years of use throughout the world.
  • Clinical studies show that Oscillo reduces the severity and duration of flu symptoms
  • Great taste and convenient to take
  • No side effects or interactions with other medications
  • Good for everyone 2 years of age and older

2) Cold Calm Pellets - For all your cold symptoms.

3) Children's Chestal - A Cough syrup.

I felt that all product taste good and were easy to get my son to take.  I love the pellets and how easy it was for him to take. Twist the top, the pellets fall into the cap and he takes the recommended amount.

The Oscillococcinum was also easy. He takes one every 3 hours. You simply open and pour the crushed medicine into his mouth.

The Chestal taste just like honey and he had no problem taking that either.

I love that all products are available over the counter, taste great, are natural and are in the perfect dosage. Easy to take along in your bag or back pack. 


Boiron offers more than 800 homeopathic medicines that are approved by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of United States (HPUS). We have selected about 80 of the most popular medicines to be readily available in most health food stores and specialized pharmacies. The others can be special-ordered by your pharmacist or your health food department specialist and made available to you in usually less than 3 days.

Thanks to Boiron for the opportunity to try these out and I have purchased another pack of Oscillococcinum at A&P today.

Husband And Wife by Leah Stewart


Book Description from Harper Collins
In this new novel by the celebrated author of The Myth of You and Me, a young mother discovers that her husband's novel about infidelity might be drawn from real life.
Sarah Price is thirty-five years old. She doesn't feel as though she's getting older, but there are some noticeable changes: a hangover after two beers, the stray gray hair, and, most of all, she's called “Mom” by two small children. Always responsible, Sarah traded her MFA for a steady job, which allows her husband, Nathan, to write fiction. But Sarah is happy and she believes Nathan is too, until a truth is revealed: Nathan's upcoming novel, Infidelity, is based in fact.

Suddenly Sarah's world is turned upside down. Adding to her confusion, Nathan abdicates responsibility for the fate of their relationship and of his novel's publication—a financial lifesaver they have been depending upon—leaving both in Sarah's hands. Reeling from his betrayal, she is plagued by dark questions. How well does she really know Nathan? And, more important, how well does she know herself?

For answers, Sarah looks back to her artistic twenty-something self to try to understand what happened to her dreams. When did it all seem to change? Pushed from her complacent plateau, Sarah begins to act—for the first time not so responsibly—on all the things she has let go of for so long: her blank computer screen; her best friend, Helen; the volumes of Proust on her bookshelf. And then there is that e-mail in her inbox: a note from Rajiv, a beautiful man from her past who once tempted her to stray. The struggle to find which version of herself is the essential one—artist, wife, or mother—takes Sarah hundreds of miles away from her marriage on a surprising journey.

Wise, funny, and sharply drawn, Leah Stewart's Husband and Wife probes our deepest relationships, the promises we make and break, and the consequences they hold for our lives, revealing that it's never too late to step back and start over.
I received a copy of Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart from Harper Collins to review and am so happy to be part of this campaign.

What I Can Tell You: I read this book from cover to cover in 2 nights and loved every minute of it. It is so well written. The characters, storyline and general feel of the book are perfect!  I will love the main character Sarah. Sarah's world is rocked to the core and she STILL has to do her mother duties. Totally believable story that shows just how strong woman can be and how strong they HAVE to be.

I will be searching for more books by Leah Stewart, she is a fantastic writer who keeps the story moving and doesn't beef it up with filler (I never felt like I had to read ahead to pass over irrelevent storyline). If you are like me, you will not be able to put this book down.

Husband and Wife hits the shelves on May 4th.

To Purchase:


Fan Leah on Facebook

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

ABC Wednesday - "O"

This week for ABC Wednesday the letter is "O"

O = Octagon - The Botanical Gardens has an Octagon Fountain full of Koi.

The Octagon Fountain

O = Over - While taking a picture of the fountain, a plane flew "over" my head
It's a bird, It's a Plane

O = On - There is a shoe "on" the handle of this door
IMG_1529

Public Service Announcements From My In-Box

Last week I asked what everyone thought about extra entries on Giveaways.

I would like to thank everyone for their honest opinions. Most of you are OK with them so for the time being I am going to keep them or I may change it up a bit and only do it on some.



With the summer coming and loads of road trips how about some audio books to keep you company on the road to wherever?

Introducing Simply Audiobooks, it is like the Net-flix of books. It's pretty cool. You can browse by genre, narrator, author and even get a free book download every month. This month it is L. Ron Hubbard's, The Last Drop.

More than 14,000 Books on CD in 33 Categories, Unlimited Rentals, No Late Fees: Simply Audiobooks
Based on Netflix Model, Simply Audiobooks Rents Most Extensive Collection of Audiobooks Anywhere

OAKVILLE, ON – With the largest and most diversified collection of audio book rentals in the world, Simply Audiobooks, the “Netflix of Audiobooks,” has enough listening material to ease 90-minute daily commuters through nearly 250 years of driving. By purchasing a monthly plan, Simply Audiobooks members get unlimited rental access to a library of more than 14,000 books on CD in 33 categories with no due dates, shipping costs or late fees to worry about.

Since 2003 when the company established itself as the first of its kind, Simply Audiobooks has worked to provide unlimited audio book rentals to U.S. customers with free direct-to-door delivery and no due dates or late fees. Like Netflix, members arrange a queue online where they can input their books of interest. When customers are finished with an audio book, they simply send it back for free, and the next available book in their queue is automatically shipped as soon as the previous book is received.

“Avid readers can’t always get their fix—in the car, performing menial tasks at work or at the gym—and that’s why the audio books market skyrocketed into a $923 million industry in 2007,” said ,  Lee Chesworth, CEO of Simply Audiobooks Inc. “Libraries carry them, but the selection is thin; audio books can cover more than 15 CDs, which makes them expensive to purchase. In contrast, Simply Audiobooks has multiple copies of each book in stock so the wait to grab the new thriller you’ve been dying to enjoy is short.”

Unlike other audio book rental services, Simply Audiobooks doesn’t ship books in installments. Instead, members are sent the entire audio book in one shipment (15 CDs or less—the length of a majority of audio books) so they can listen all the way through without having to wait for the next section to reach the mailbox.

Categories included in the Simply Audiobooks selection span all of the popular genres—from biographies to mysteries, romance to horror and science fiction to religion. The web site offers books in other formats (like cassette or downloadable MP3), many of which can be purchased directly through Simply Audiobooks.

Simply Audiobooks memberships are available for purchase through the website for a monthly fee of $26.98 or special annual pricing at $21 a month. To sign up and take advantage of a free 15-day trial, visit www.simplyaudiobooks.com.

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - Sponsored Post

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - www.fashionplaytes.com
So cool!

sponsored like
maria gagliano's profile on MyLikes

Great Creative Outlet for Girls 5-12

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - www.fashionplaytes.com
So cool!

sponsored like
maria gagliano's profile on MyLikes

Mom Central Announce Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways


Mother's Day is coming soon and Mom Central is hosting their massive Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways.

The Mom Central Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways runs from April 26 through May 9. Check back each week for your chance to win one (or all!) of the products we've reviewed.

To enter to win, click on each of the links below and leave a comment (make sure you have registered with Mom Central and are logged in). Good luck and happy holidays!

Week 1 reviews and prizes: (You must enter to win by Sunday, May 2)
Nuo Tech

See's Candies
Dazzle DVD Recorder 
Wee Ride Kangaroo Carrier
Chronicle Books: Pretty Pantry Gifts
Bellarina Chamonix Scarves
Back to Basics Egg-and-Muffin Toaster and Egg Poacher
"L'Occitane Experience" Vivabox
Shark Cordless: VX3 Floor and Carpet Cleaner

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Melba Snacks Food From My Past Get A Make Over


When Mom Central asked for bloggers interested in reviewing Melba Toast I raised my virtual hand. I remember Melba Toast from when I was a kid. Whenever my parents went on a diet, and it happened often, they would eat Melba Toast.

I received two boxes in the mail, a Sea Salt flavor and Spicy 3 Pepper to try. I took them with me to my morning, coffee meeting and asked my girlfriends to try them. They both liked them however, I was more fond of the Sea Salt one. The big test was my 5 year old. She asked to try one and took the tiniest nibble. While I waited for a face she swallowed the nibble and went back for more giving me the proverbial that has become her signature "I like it" stance.

When my parents ate them, they usually threw some tuna or egg salad on theirs. This was over 35 years ago though, things are a little different thanks to Chef Kyle Shadix. Check out some of these awesome recipes, including a dessert made with Melba Toast.




While on the Melba Toast site, enter the Dance Your Way To Hollywood sweepstakes.

“Dance Your Way to Hollywood” will send one lucky winner and a guest to Tinseltown for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including private dance lessons and tickets to watch the taping of a highly popular television show. The four-day, three-night, all-expenses-paid experience includes air travel and accommodations at a popular Hollywood hotel. Sweepstakes entries accepted March 17 through June 30, 2010.

“I wrote  this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Old London Melba Toast and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Monday, April 26, 2010

Ruby Tuesday




While at the Botanical Gardens last week, taking pictures of my favorite gate, I noticed this tree on the other side. Ummm...perfect for Ruby Tuesday I thought before snapping.

The Burning Bush

The End Of the Line - Where Have All The Fish Gone


As a review blogger I get quite a bit of mail. More than 95% of it, I know about the other 5% just kind of show up. One of the things that showed up last week was this DVD called The End of The Line, a film by Rupert Murray.

FILM DESCRIPTION:
The End of the Line, the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans. Filmed over two years, we see firsthand the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. The film examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation.

What I Can Tell You:
My husband and I are big documentary watchers so I was excited to watch one that I had not seen yet. The END of the Line, Where Have All The Fish Gone is narrated by Ted Dansen and shows us the devastating effects "over fishing" has on our oceans. I had no idea of the declining fish population around the world. One speaker talks of how they dredge the ocean over 6 times a year and compared it to a farmer. If a farmer plowed over 6 times a year, how much crop would he actually get?

This is an eye opening movie. I was completely unaware of the how consumer consumption and corporations have aided in the decline of many fish populations and how these declines affect the health of the ocean itself. Could we possibly have an ocean without fish by 2048? Scary thought!


For more information, video and how you can take part in this conservation of sea life go to Babelgum.

Because of cost I do not eat a lot of fish. However, before you take a bite, see if the fish  planning to buy or eat is caught or farmed in a way that is sustainable.

The End of the Line is not suggesting you give up eating fish, they merely want to educate the public to the crises we are inevitably heading toward.

The Campaign from The End of the Line Website:

The End of the Line is not against fishing. It is not against eating fish. But it is for a responsible attitude towards the oceans.

The film has three messages for consumers, citizens and companies:

  • Ask before you buy: Only eat sustainable seafood.
  • Tell Politicians: Respect the science, cut the fishing fleet
  • Join the Campaign: For marine protected areas and responsible fishing
We hope that when people buy fish in a shop or in restaurant, they will ask where it comes from; whether it is from a sustainable source, whether it is an endangered or over-exploited species.

There are useful guides to what fish you can buy with a (fairly) clear conscience.  In the UK one is produced by the Marine Conservation Society. You can find the guide on their website.

In the USA, the Monterey Bay Aquarium issues one. You can click through from here. www.SeafoodWatch.org

And the Marine Stewardship Council runs a certification scheme for fish produced according to principles of sustainability, which you can find out about on the MSC website

But we also want people to put pressure on politicians to listen to the scientists and act upon their recommendations. Write to your representative. Sign up to our Pledges.

And, finally, join the campaign to make more of the oceans protected areas, where industrial fishing is not allowed and where fish stocks can replenish themselves.

At the moment only 3 per cent of the world's oceans are marine protected areas.

You can learn more about why they should be increased and those who are campaigning for them, on the websites on our Organisations page.

AAARRRHHHHHHGGGGG!!!

Why?

I understand and give everyone the benefit of the doubt, yet sometimes I just don't get it.

On April 7th I posted an item on Ebay stating "pick up only" since it is a huge, heavy piece of furniture.

On the 10th and 13th I received bids on the item. Hooray for me.

On the 14th, bidder #1 asked to be removed from the bidding because they didn't realize this was a pick up only item.

I was unable to remove and asked if they could remove themselves. They couldn't or didn't. 

The item ended and since I knew #1 wouldn't be coming to get it. I sent messages to bidder #2 saying; 

"The person who bid after you didn't realize the item was pick up only. If you want the item before I relist, please let me know." (I wrote it this way because I wanted to hopefully make the sale but also because I wanted to let them know IT IS PICK UP ONLY!)

No response but I received a payment of $180.00. Awesome. So they MUST understand that it is pick up only so I send a response. When will you be picking up? Nothing! I look them up and see that they live in CALIFORNIA. Ummm..I live in NY. 

I head over to PayPal sending back the money that I COULD SO USE stating, "This item is pick up only. If you intend to pick up, please resend the money."

Today, I receive this message!
Hi I havent your item, it has been one week and nothing please e-mail me ??????????

ARRGHHHHHGGG...really, seriously!????? WTF! 

So, now I have AGAIN sent a message through EBAY because that is the only info I have on them, lets see what happens.

My First I Heart Faces Challenge




I have been following I Heart Faces for some time now but never felt up to the challenges. This week the challenge is "Smiles".

This is one of my favorite Goddess portraits.  She is the actress and my perfect muse.

IMG_4893

Meme Combination - Blue and Mellow Yellow Monday

In an effort to keep my updates down I try to combine memes whenever possible.


MellowYellowBadge
Sun Cups
These little buds looked like little cups trying to grab as much sun light as possible.





IMG_1521
I found this shoe on my nature walk and decided to use it as a prop in Waaaaaayyyyy to many pictures.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Avatar Lives Up To The Hype


There has been so much talk about Avatar over the past few months and on my blog, yet, I saw it for the first time last night thanks to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Well, if you have seen the movie, I probably won't say anything that you don't already know, but please go ahead and leave your comment telling me what you loved about Avatar.

After we put the kids to bed we sat down with our review copy and got ready for a long night (the movie is almost 3 hours long). You don't even realize how long the movie is because it moves so quickly and there is no down time.

From the moment it starts you are transported to Pandora. The visual effects of Avatar are amazing. The brilliant color, the imagery, the soundtrack all make for an award winning movie.

Description:
AVATAR
Since its global theatrical release last December, AVATAR has continued to make motion picture history. Written by James Cameron and produced with his long-time collaborator Jon Landau, AVATAR stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi and Laz Alonso.  The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.6 billion in worldwide box office.  Director James Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.  AVATAR delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the epic nature of the story.
What I Can Tell You: The movie is amazing. If you haven't seen it. See it! If you have, well, you know, watch it again. I will.  I appreciated the whole save a tree, save a civilization story. WOW, the visuals amazing!!! Stunning clarity. Pure genius. There story moves quickly but you never feel lost. I loved everything about it including the really cool "Halo" guns and crazy robotic suits. I cannot wait to sit with my kids to watch this when they are old enough.  

Parents, while I personally think it is a beautiful piece of work, I cannot show my kids yet. There are three curses in the movie (bitch was one of them).

The Official field guide to Pandora, JAMES CAMERON'S AVATAR: A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT ON THE BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY OF PANDORA, is the perfect companion to the film. On sale now from It Books.

Avatar is worth the hype. You will not be disappointed. 


Monochrome Weekend - The Shoe Prop


While walking around the Botanical Gardens the other day, I spotted a sneaker and just had to use it in a photo.

Walking?

Shadow Sunday


IMG_1625

I took this for Shadow Sunday. The fence is one of my favorite things at the Botanical Gardens next to the flowers.