Saturday, January 24, 2015

Water Woes May be Over

I ~think~ that we have it. Everyone jump up and down with me. I took a bath, a HOT bath tonight for an hour. Water, sweet precious water! Never again will I take you for granted! Keep your fingers crossed!

~Review~ Epica Bellows for Wood and Coal Fires

~I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are 100% my own~

We have a couple wood burning stove's at the farm. So I was happy to try the Epica wood bellows by Astor. One of our stove's is smaller and the bellows we have are very old and large and were not convenient to use. These bellows are made for a small or medium size fire. They are made of sturdy wood product panels with a powder-coated finish. The synthetic leather accordian is attached to the panels with metal rivets and is a nice smooth black that matches the wood panels. The hardware is all metal, no plastic parts.

I'm not a super fire starter, and I tend to forget they are going, so these came in very handy. I can't count how many times I was down to coals and jumped up to try and restart the fire. These bellows worked perfectly at getting it right back going, no paper needed! They are also nice to look at. Simple but classic looking!

Please check out these bellows on Amazon. They are very reasonably priced and a wonderful product.

~Review~YALMEH Foundation Brush & Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvenator

~I received these products free for my honest review, all opinions are 100% my own~

I was so excited to get this mineral foundation brush from YALMEH and when they also offered me the opportunity to try the Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvenator I jumped at the chance. I am always looking for a good moisturizer.

The YALMEH Mineral Foundation brush is the softest brush I have ever used. I've always been one of those "all make-up brushes are the same" kind of girl. Boy was I wrong. I knew the moment I opened the box that this was like no brush I had ever had before. I tried it right away, my make-up went on super smooth, no streaks, and no loose bristles! I was able to wash it and it looks just like new as you can see in my photo. I could just sit all day and stroke my face with this brush. It's a keeper for sure. It's also cruelty free and vegan friendly. I will certainly be buying my brushes from YALMEH from now on.

The second product I tried was the YALMEH Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvenator. I am always willing to try a new moisturizer. I was just as impressed with this, as the brush. It makes your skin feel so silky soft and I can feel it tightening. It has a pleasant smell and nice creamy texture. I like that it has all organic and natural ingredients.

If your interested in checking out YALMEH for yourself please visit the website at www.yalmeh.com

It's On Water, It's On!

So yesterday we think we finally have it. We ended up buying a new hot water heater after we opened up the electrical on the old one and it was full of water. YIKES! So all day it gets worked on because we've had enough. Don needs a shower and my fibromyalgia pain is out of control and I need a hot bath. I got so far as even cleaning the bathtub and getting excited. About 5 minutes into bathroom cleaning and you hear whooosh. I literally started crying. We found the leak on the hot water side right below the tub, no problem. We'll get to it in the morning, at least we have cold water. At least we can finally use the toilet. No problem all night, and this morning I get up and the toilet won't flush. Your kidding me right? NO I am not. I go running outside and the meter is screaming around. Go out back and we have a flood. Who knows how long this has been going on, could of been all night.

I could really use a hug right now.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Fall in Love With The Great Googly Moogly Sale at the ModCloth Sweetheart Shop

~This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.~

Love is in the air, and ModCloth has all the gifts and garb to help you express your romantic side! Head-turning dresses, heartfelt trinkets, and even sassy lingerie awaits in the Sweetheart Shop. Whether you want a low-key Valentine's Day look, a sultry ensemble, or just to wear your heart on your sleeve (literally!), the Sweetheart Shop is your perfect match.

ModCloth has 15% off everything for a short time! Hurry to nab some of our lovey-dovey-est picks at a deal that's sure to win hearts. Order soon to get these fab finds by the big day. Enter code "GOOGLY" at checkout to snag this sweet deal. This sale starts: Friday, 1/23 at 1:00 p.m. ET and Ends: Monday,1/26 at 1:00 p.m. ET!

I couldn't resist some of the cute things in The Sweetest Shop. Here are my three favorites!

Through the Post Clutch- How much fun is this? I think I would use it everyday, certainly for a night out.

Hepcat Soda Fountain Dress in Cherry- I love polka dots and this dress is so sweet and retro.

I Am Who I Glam Heel- Wow, how adorable are these? They would make any girl's day!

Have fun seeing all the new Valentine's Day finds at The Sweetest Shop at ModCloth

Librarian Lavender & Reviewed the book Review Challenge! Sign up's End Today!

My friend over at Librarian Lavender has issued a Book review Challenge. Here are the details below directly from her site and a link to sign up. Sign up's close today. I'd love for you to join me!

Because of the holidays I've got quite a large review backlog. I've read a lot of books, but I haven't been able to write the reviews for them yet. Normally I review a book as soon as I've read it, so it isn't convenient for me to have a backlog. I thought it would be nice to turn this problem into something fun instead of worrying and stressing about it. I talked to my lovely friend Sophie from Reviewed the book who has the exact same problem and together we've set up a review challenge. We're going to try to review as many books as we can in 10 days. I'm going to set my goal at 14 reviews. It doesn't matter how many reviews you're planning to write as long as you set a goal that will be achievable for yourself. It's also perfectly all right if you don't have a backlog, the challenge is about writing reviews together, so if you read and review straight away, that's wonderful too.

If you're a blogger it would be great if you could write a post about the challenge on your blog. If you don't have a blog you can join as well. You can enter with the link of your Amazon, Goodreads or Netgalley account. Every review counts.

We're starting with our reviews on January 23rd. The event will end on February 2nd and we'll be celebrating with a Facebook and Twitter party for those who have signed up. Of course there will be prizes...

Review as many books as you can in 10 days

Join us by filling out the linky at Librarian Lavender!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

~DEAL~ DIY and Crafting Ultimate Bundle

~Disclosure-These links are affiliate links and I will receive monetary compensation if you buy from these links~

One Complete Package of eBooks and eCourses dedicated to your DIY & crafting needs! The Ultimate DIY Bundle is your instant go-to library for a whole range of practical, satisfying and fun ways to decorate, repair and create.

✔ Decorate the perfect space for your family

✔ Make your own skincare products

✔ Take beautiful photos

✔ Create gifts from scratch

✔ Nurture your creativity

There aren't enough hours in the day, right?

With work, helping the kids with their homework, preparing meals, cleaning up after everyone and putting yet another load of laundry on, there’s very little time for sleep – let alone DIY and crafting!

But do you look at that bare wall in the den and that tatty tablecloth on the kitchen table, and just wish you had a few hours to do something about them?

Or do you browse through those wonderful crafting successes on Pinterest and think to yourself that “one day” you’ll have a few more minutes to yourself so that you too can create something incredible?

You’re not alone – we know just how you feel.

It’s frustrating, because you know just how satisfying it can be to create something of your own – that sense of accomplishment and fulfillment can’t be beaten. What you need is for someone to pull together everything that you need to get started, to make it as easy and painless as possible.

That’s why we created The Ultimate DIY Bundle for you!

The Ultimate DIY Bundle is your instant go-to library for a whole range of practical, satisfying and fun DIY and crafting projects. No more trawling: we’ve brought the highest-quality information from the world's leading DIY bloggers directly to your (soon-to-be scuffed) fingertips - at a price you won't believe.

The result? You can pick a project and jump straight into it with confidence, bringing your vision (and the picture on Pinterest!) into a reality you can be proud of.

Whether you’re interested in exploring home decor, sewing, crafts, the garden, photography or fun activities to do with the kids, The Ultimate DIY Bundle is the perfect tool to skip the information overload and throw yourself straight into an activity you love. Not only that, but the range of guides in our collection is so comprehensive that you’re sure to find yourself exploring totally new crafting territories too!

So we got permission from our favorite DIY and creative experts to bundle together an incredible selection of eBooks and eCourses—with a total value of $1200+— and sell them for an insanely discounted price of only $34.95!

Want to know what’s inside?

Our Ultimate DIY Bundle includes 76 eBooks and eCourses, worth over $1,200 in total. There are projects that the whole family can get involved in - from pet photography and home decor to chalk pastels and tassels. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed: every eBook and eCourse has been hand-picked for providing exceptionally high-quality information and tips.

And that’s not all! 5 of our favorite crafting companies have agreed to provide a special bonus to everyone who buys. These bonuses include an crafting class from Craftsy.com (up to $60 Value), a free gift certificate and 8x10 art print from Hope Ink Art ($43 Value), and 2 more awesome bonuses.

Combined, the bonuses themselves are worth more than 3 times The Ultimate DIY Bundle! So how much does all this cost? Just $34.95.

This offer won’t last long! Take action now, because The Ultimate DIY Bundle will only be on sale for 6 days—from 8am EST on Wednesday, January 21 until 11.59pm EST on Monday, January 26.

You can buy with complete confidence because you’re covered by our 1-year money-back guarantee. That means you have a full 1 year to read, watch and make use of every single product (and take advantage of all the bonuses)—and if you don’t think they provided enough value, just tell us and we’ll give you a full refund.

As if the eBooks and eCourses weren’t enough, we’ve selected 5 fantastic partners who’ll each give a special bonus to every buyer of The Ultimate DIY Bundle. The bonuses have a total value of over $169 – more than 4 times the price of The Ultimate DIY Bundle itself.

Your bonuses include: Choose 1 FREE Online Class from Craftsy.com (select from 15 of their most popular classes) UP TO $71.95 VALUE. Craftsy provides premium crafting classes on Home and Garden, Home Decor, Photography, Sewing, Scrapbooking, Art Journaling, and much more.

Download a FREE digital trial copy (full editions) of Where Women Create and Greencraft Magazine from Stampington and Co.

FREE $15 Credit to the Hope Ink shop PLUS a free 8×10 art print

FREE Sewing Pattern + Premium Video Class from UpCraftClub.com

FREE $15 Store Credit to be used at Fawnsberg.com

Running Water and How much I miss it....

I've never really given a thought to having running water. I mean who does, it's just a fact of life today. You get a house, and you get water. It comes out hot when you need it, and cold when you don't. It's an endless supply, you can leave it on and it never stops coming, until one day it doesn't!

Don has been working on our pipes now for six days. That's right six days with no water, no bath, no showers, no dish water. Six days of ok, surely now it's fixed and an hour later when the test comes all you hear is screaming...TURN IT OFF, TURN IT OFF, as water pours out of another pipe somewhere else. This house only has one bathroom. Surely there can't be that much pipe left can there? Imagine if it had 2 or 3 bathrooms? I finally can appreciate having one bathroom for 10 people because it mean's there is less that can go wrong. Sad, that thought.

The second day of pipe obliteration saw us ripping up the bathroom floor because the people who owned this house thought it was a grand idea to put a bathroom on the old porch. Only the bathroom wasn't raised up, so all pipes rest on the COLD concrete porch. Why then do they wonder that the pipes all froze and burst? Am I the only person who looks at pipes on a COLD concrete floor and thinks, hey this is a pretty terrible idea? Apparently I am.

Poor Don has been working in the freezing cold wet ground day after day, trying to repair them. Then he whistles as he leaves for work. I think I need to follow in his footsteps, only I can't imagine whistling during this. I think I got the easy job, ripping up carpet and cleaning up the mess the people before us left. Can I say I never want pets again? Ok maybe I do, but long after this goes out of my head.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Olde Westport Spice Company

Olde Westport Spice Company is an online specialty Food Company that stands the test of time.
Olde Westport Spice Company creates custom spice blends, seasonings and dry soups. Olde Westport Spice & Trading Company is a 33-year-old spice manufacturer that is still going strong. This online company operates a small plant in Goodland, Kansas, and knows a thing or two about spices, seasonings and soups. This family owned and operated company was originally founded in the Kansas City area and has stayed true to its mission of making custom spice blends for main meal dishes and appetizers as well as nearly 20 varieties of dry soups. The products are available online and at food-related craft and trade shows throughout the Midwest; and at gift and gourmet food shops. Olde Westport's spice blends and seasonings include Italian, Cajun, Taco, Fajita, Chili, Jalapeno, Beef Sauce, Salsa, Garlic and many more. All of the products use quality ingredients for a balanced flavor that compliments meats, pastas and vegetables. The company also invented dry soup mixes that are simple and easy to make including Antonio's Minestrone, Country-Style Creamy Potato, Chipotle Black Bean, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese, Kansas City Steak & Ale, Gold Coast Garlic Pasta Alfredo, Mesa Flats Chicken Enchilada, New Orleans Red Bean & Rice, Southwestern Tortilla, White Chili Soup and more. Olde Westport Spice and Trading Co. is owned and operated by Bill and Judy Petersen, who along with their daughter, Ann Myers, also own and run a restaurant (Westport Grill) in Goodland featuring the products. Bill first custom created all of the spices and seasonings in the kitchen of his home. Today the company has a manufacturing facility where Bill still researches and develops new recipes and dishes for future products. For more information or to place an order, please visit Olde Westport Spice Company online or call 1-800-537-6470.

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI SPICE BLEND - This championship spice has helped chili creators win 12 state and national championships throughout the years and all over the US! But what is most important to us about our Olde Westport Chili Spice Blend is that our customers love to use it in their chili whether it's for a national championship cook-off challenge or simply for their own family in their cozy kitchen on a cold winter's night. We've heard from countless customers that our attention to detail and quality is what makes this chili spice blend stand out above the competitors. We know you might put beans in your chili or maybe you add apples and sausage or perhaps you have a special recipe that is top secret but starts with thick-cut bacon... however you concoct your chili we hope you'll try our chili spice blend.

GOLD COAST GARLIC SHAKE - Gold Coast Garlic Shake spice blend is truly one of those special blends of garlic, herbs and spices that our customers use in sour cream dips, sprinkle over steamed vegetables, fresh vegetables from your garden, garlic mashed potatoes or steak on the grill. There are more than 50 recipes in the Olde Westport Gold Coast Garlic Cookbook that will give you lots of ideas for quick simple meals with that high-end restaurant flavor. A garlic experience you will never forget. Check out the Olde Westport web site for a few recipes and placing orders.

Do you want to try Olde Westport Spice Company for yourself? You can get 10% off by going HERE!