4/12/13

Check out my Current Giveaways

Smashburger Sizzles in South Austin

I had never heard of Smashburger but now I highly recommend you find the closest one to you and go eat there! These are no ordinary hamburgers. These are 100 percent Certified Angus Beef, fresh never frozen, burgers that are smashed flat onto a 400 degree grill to sear in the juicy flavors. It's a burger like no other I've ever had.
I visited the brand new Smashburger in South Austin, located in the Southpark Meadows area, at 9900 South IH-35. Two more will be opening in Austin soon! I got to sit down and sample several delicious meals with founder Tom Ryan, and even watch him demonstrate the Smashburger kitchen secrets that make their burgers superior.
The Mushroom Swiss Smashburger is absolutely the best. Although I live in North Austin, this meal is definitely worth driving across the city to eat. This Smashburger is topped with garlic sauteed mushrooms, swiss cheese and mayo, on an artisan egg bun. My favorite of them all!
You won't walk away hungry after you eat a BBQ, Bacon and Cheddar Smashburger! They take their wonderful Smashburger and top it with BBQ sauce, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and haystack onions on an egg bun. Very Texas!
If you want a more mainstream Smashburger, you can choose from the Classic Smash and the All American Cheeseburger, both with American cheese, onion, and pickles. The All American also features ketchup and yellow mustard, while the Classic Smash also features lettuce, tomato and their own smash sauce.
The Spicy Baja will make your mouth dance. This Smashburger is topped with pepper jack cheese, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, onion, spicy chipotle mayo and fresh jalapenos on a spicy chipotle bun. It's delicious and my favorite runner-up!
In the mood for chicken? Smashburger Chicken meals are 100 percent tender marinated chicken breast and you will love all the different selections. The Cucumber and Goat Cheese Chicken Smashburger also boasts spinach, tomato, onion, and balsamic vinaigrette on a multi-grain bun. Their chicken can be served grilled or crispy.
The Avocado Club includes fresh avacado, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce and tomato, topped with delicious ranch dressing and served on a multi-grain bun. And in case you were wondering, I did not eat every one of these meals; just a couple bites of each for this review.
The Buffalo Chicken Smashburger will delight your mouth. This one features Frank's RedHot Buffalo sauce and crumbled blue cheese, plus lettuce, tomato and onion on an egg bun. This is a delicious treat you won't soon forget.

Family Friendly Activities in Orangeburg, South Carolina to Explore

Spring weather is finally arriving. Do you have extra time this year to go visit family that is located in South Carolina? If you haven’t made time in the past to explore South Carolina and this time you have more days for vacation, make time to visit the large and small cities and make it a family road trip! Plan a trip to Orangeburg, South Carolina on your way to visit relatives as this is a great city to stop by and visit with your family, especially during the spring time. It’s not overwhelmingly hot yet and this family-friendly location is ideal for the family who enjoys nature life and great southern hospitality. If you don’t know where to start in this pleasant city, make a list of some of the places you’d like to explore. Read more to discover some of the sites you can’t miss in Orangeburg.

Horne Wetlands Park
Be intrigued by the Horne Wetlands Park, which has a 2,700 foot boardwalk where you can see the wildlife and plants up close. Your kids will be in awe of the boardwalk and beautiful scenery. Enjoy the wetlands and marvel at the nature while getting great exercise walking around - it’s a great way to educate your kids and tell them all about the wildlife in the area.

Hillcrest Golf Club
If mom and dad get a day to themselves or dad needs a day away from activities that are meant to entertain the kids, he might want to explore the Hillcrest Golf Club! This golf club is one of the top municipal golf courses in the Carolinas. It has 18 holes and was designed by Russell Breeden. It also boasts several amazing features: a beautiful driving range, practice chipping green, practice bunker, putting green, and lovely scenery. When a happy dad is done golfing for the day, he can go into the golf pro shop, which has plenty of apparel for him to purchase or look at.

Sandlapper Publishing, Orangeburg
If your kids love to read and would like to learn more about South Carolina, this book outlet, which is also located in Orangeburg, is a great place to visit for educational purposes. Have fun with your children exploring new books by Southern authors and encourage them to read all about the south and more specifically South Carolina. They’ll go home with great tidbits of facts and information about the south that will impress all of their friends!

About the Author: While traveling through South Carolina and staying at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Orangeburg South Carolina the author, Sierra from Paige One, did research on family friendly activities.

4/11/13

Hilarious Office Supplies to Turn a Bad Day Around

Don't you just hate a bad day at work? Maybe it started with extra heavy traffic on the way into work or maybe you got a ticket for speeding through a school zone. Maybe your boss yelled at you for making a mistake or maybe it was someone else's mistake and you got blamed. Maybe the office coffeepot is broken or someone hacked your email. Maybe you just need some new office supplies to turn that bad day around.
Okay, maybe yelling WTF at the top of your lungs will be frowned upon, but won't it feel good to put a WTF sticky note on top of that pile of to-do stuff your boss just dropped on your desk? You can sign your paycheck that shows how unappreciated you are at work with your new WTF pen.
Remember how good it felt to slam down a phone onto its hook, back in the days of rotary phones? You can now get that same feeling of satisfaction as you pound your WTF self-inking stamp on all those stupid memos sent out about company rules made by someone who sits in an office two countries away from you. Looking for something slightly less offensive? How about OMG or TMI?
I promise you'll break into a smile at all the hilarious gifts, funny office supplies, and journals at Knock Knock, where they put the "fun" in "functional." This would be the perfect shopping trip for those gift exchanges at work too! Visit www.knockknockstuff.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter!
Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Master Lock is the Secure Choice - Review

Did you know that 80 percent of Americans who filed taxes last year did so electronically? Filing online is a really smart decision and its popularity will continue to rise. Master Lock provides all the digital tools you need to simplify the process and keep your private information safe. One of these tools is the Master Lock Vault, a safe and secure online storage and organization system. As an added bonus for taxpayers this year, U.S. consumers have the chance to win one of five $1,000 prizes when they register for a Vault account as part of the Master Lock “Tax Relief Rewards” Sweepstakes.
I've trusted Master Lock products for years and their new security file box is the perfect place for me to keep my original copies of tax forms and personal documents safe and secure. This locking file box measures 6" (15.2cm) x 13-1/2" (34.3cm) x 10-1/2" (26.7cm) and is crafted from durable steel. Two keys are included and the built-in security lock ensures the cover is secure.
I especially like that this security file box already has built-in shelves to hang my file folders inside. It took just seconds to move my important records from my file cabinet to the security file box, giving me complete peace of mind that my business stays my business. Master Lock products are always "tough under fire" and I highly recommend their products and services.
Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Compliments of Master Lock, here are the top five tips to simplify the filing process and keep private income information safe:

  1. Request electronic copies of your tax forms. Many employers offer employees the option to receive their W-2 forms electronically, instead of by mail. By eliminating the risk of postal delays or missed deliveries, this ensures that your W-2 will be delivered securely as soon as it is available. Plus, faster W-2s can mean faster tax returns.
  2. Securely store documents online. Avoid the mess of a mound of paperwork by storing -- and organizing -- all of your tax-related documents online. By utilizing a free, secure service such as the Master Lock Vault (www.masterlockvault.com) you'll have easy access to all of your files wherever you are and help ensure that none of your paper documents will ever be lost, misplaced, stolen or damaged. Not only can you upload PDF forms, but you can upload photos from your phone of important receipts and expenses for your records. All data is instantly synchronized between the website and the App. Bonus: securely store log-in information for your bank accounts and tax filing site in the Vault so you'll never have to worry about forgetting your username or password.
  3. Think taxes year-round. Don't wait until you're ready to file your taxes to start collecting and organizing the supporting documents you'll need to complete your return. Avoid the scramble by capturing and uploading a digital image of your receipt each time you pay the babysitter or have a tax deductible transaction, fill a prescription at the pharmacy, or make a charitable contribution such as dropping off a clothing donation to your local thrift store.
  4. Opt for direct deposit. If you've done everything else online, why request a hard-copy check when it comes time to claim your refund? When combined with electronic filing, direct deposit is the fastest way to get your refund. If you're on the other side of the spectrum and find that you owe taxes, opt to pay online and you can avoid the long tax-season lines at the post office.
  5. Call for help. Sometimes, outside advice is necessary, and you can now get the help you need without leaving home. Based on the complexity of your question, there are a variety of resources to turn to. For example, the IRS offers a toll-free hotline for tax questions during weekdays. Several tax-prep software providers also offer guidance via online forums or on their social media feeds.
Don't forget to enter to win $1000 in the

National Licorice Day is Friday, April 12

National Licorice Day is the day that candy enthusiasts everywhere have full permission to enjoy their favorite licorice. Red Vines Licorice has been around for nearly a century and is the number one non-chocolate confection in the West. It's always fat-free, with no preservatives, and very low sodium. Plus it's kosher and vegan! Which flavor is your favorite...Red, Black, Grape, Strawberry or Cherry? I love Black Licorice the best!
Natural Vines is available in a convenient grab-and-go 3 ounce bag. It's the perfect size to hide in your purse! This premium gourmet bite-sized licorice is all-natural, kosher, cholesterol-free, low-fat, low-sodium, vegan and made in a nut-free facility. Choose from black licorice and strawberry flavors.
In honor of National Licorice Day, here are some fun facts about licorice:

  1. More than 30,000 tons of Red Vines are made each year (more than 400,000 miles of licorice) enough to wrap around the Earth more than 16 times!
  2. In 2011, US licorice sales topped $359 million, a 6.56 percent increase from the year before. It is part of the non-chocolate candy market, which had total sales of $6.87 billion.
  3. Black licorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar, and derives its botanical name from the Greek words meaning "sweet root."
  4. Celebrities love Red Vines! Ryan Gosling, Snoop Dogg, Joshua Jackson, Jennette McCurdy and Magic Johnson are all fans of the classic licorice brand. Betty White even credits them with keeping her 91 years young.
  5. American Licorice Company has been producing in the San Francisco Bay Area for 33 years, and its Union City, CA, factory values process before automation: The old press that delivers the dough to the first floor is still there, the second floor cook room has large kettles that fill the dough into the old large spiral ovens before being checked for quality and packaged.
Red Vines on Facebook
Red Vines on Twitter

Perky-Pet Select-A-Finch Tube Feeder - Review

Even though we still have the occasional cold night, spring has definitely arrived in Texas. The birds are everywhere, tweeting their happy songs and building their spring nests. This Perky-Pet Select-A-Finch Tube Feeder is so happy and sunny with its bright yellow flower feeding ports.
Made of a high quality plastic that will easily weather the spring storms, this feeder features an extra goodie for you! The feeding ports have perches on them and each feeding port rotates so the perch can be below or above the port. The reason for this is because goldfinches eat upside down. You can turn half of them up and half of them down to make sure they all get to feast!
It has an easy-to-fill top lid that is attached to the hanger. The hanger is a long metal wire so it'll fit nearly any tree branch or you can hang it on a hook on your patio like I did. You can purchase this affordable bird feeder HERE and be sure to follow their social media accounts.
Perky-Pet on Facebook ~ Perky-Pet on Twitter
Perky-Pet on Pinterest ~ Perky-Pet on YouTube

Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

And now, I want to know...
What is your favorite type of bird to watch?
Will you be putting out bird feeders this spring?

Rx Timer Cap - Review

Raise your hand if you've ever forgotten to take your medication. Raise your hand if you've ever forgotten whether or not you took your medication. Now, raise your hand if you would love to see a new product that helps you remember. Rx Timer Cap is such a fabulous idea, especially if you have to take multiple medications.
The Rx Timer Cap is a pill bottle cap with a digital timer built into the cap. Once the bottle is opened and closed, the digital timer displays on an LCD panel the number of hours and minutes since the pill bottle was last opened. It resets itself each time the cap is replaced. The battery will last up to a year!
It comes in two sizes, standard and large. Nearly everyone in my family takes some kind of medication and as a mom, I get peace of mind knowing my teenagers are now taking their medications on a more regular basis. Find out more at www.rxtimercap.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Then enter below to win one for your family!
Enter to win an Rx Timer Cap!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 4/28/2013. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Gift Basket Ideas for Mother's Day

Mothers get but one day a year when all attention is focused on their love, their sacrifices, and their devotion to their children. A gift basket is a wonderful way to celebrate mom. You can create a themed gift basket for your mom on your own, or group together with your siblings to fashion a memorable collection of items your mom will treasure. Here are some ideas to get you started:
  • Picnic Gift Basket - Get a picnic basket and fill it with a red checkered tablecloth, cloth napkins, a bottle of wine or apple cider, and some fancy gourmet crackers and cookies. Make an even bigger statement by taking mom to the park for a picnic lunch.
  • Coffee Gift Basket - Fill a basket with several of mom's favorite gourmet coffees and creamers, a #1 Mom mug, personalized coasters, and a fancy coffee scoop.
  • Fragrant Gift Basket - Use a white wicker basket and line the bottom with some soft, puffy body sponges. Arrange a collection of discount fragrances, soaps, gels, powders with a few of her favorite flowers tucked in around them.
  • Baker's Gift Basket - Fill with specialty bread and cake mixes, measuring cups and spoons, and a ruffled apron with matching oven mitts.
  • Budget Gift Basket - If money is tight this year, have everyone write mom a personal note on some pretty paper, telling her how much they love and appreciate her, gather all the letters together into a basket and tie a pretty fabric bow on top.
#spon
And now, I'd like to know...
Do you have any other theme basket ideas?
What is the best Mother's Day gift you ever gave?
What is the best Mother's Day gift you ever received?

4/10/13

BE HEALTHY Giveaway

Be Healthy Giveaway
Win PRIME Anti-Aging Supplement,
Isotonix OPC-3 Cardivascular Supplement,
Isotonix Champion Blend Plus Performance Defense Energy Supplement,
and Heart Health Omega III Supplement!!!

You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. 
Enter on the Rafflecopter form below. 
Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 4/28/2013.
Good luck!

BE BEAUTIFUL Giveaway

Be Beautiful Giveaway
Win MINE Perfume by Loren Ridinger plus
2 Motives Eyeshadow Quads!!!

You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA.
Enter on the Rafflecopter form below.
Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 4/28/2013.
Good luck!

#Frockstar Travel featuring Karina Dresses #NYIAS

Traveling is so much fun! Packing is not. I stuffed my biggest suitcase full of great fashions to wear as I tromped around New York City for the first time ever. I was warned it would be cold so I packed layers of clothing for my three day visit. I needed a bigger suitcase.
The Flatiron Hotel would be my home-away-from-home and I was initially shocked at how small the rooms were, but then I remembered that space is at a premium in NYC. My room was beautifully decorated and I loved the colors and the decor around the bed.
There were some fancy amenities I didn't expect, like automatic drapes operated by remote and an embedded television in the bathroom mirror. Best of all was the staff at the hotel, especially the friendly doormen.
I usually don't unpack at a hotel. I leave all my stuff in my suitcase so I don't accidentally leave anything behind. Thank goodness I had my Karina Dresses in my suitcase because I can totally wad them up into a little ball and they still look perfect when I put them on.
These easy-wear and easy-care dresses never need to be ironed so they are excellent clothes for traveling. I sure can't say the same for some of the other clothing I took along. My shirts were wrinkled and my slacks were creased in the wrong place. Since I was traveling on blog business, I wanted to look my best.
My first full day in NYC began with a #Frockstar ride in a sweet white limo. I layered up my black Audrey dress from Karina Dresses with a camisole, leggings, socks, boots, and a sweater. I love the comfy dress material because it moves with me, whether I'm climbing in and out of a stretch limo or trekking through miles of cars at the New York International Auto Show.
Although I was traveling for Dodge Cars, it was so much fun to see and photograph all the fancy cars, taste the unusual appetizers at manufacturer displays, and even strike a pose with a few Kia Hamstars for a photo opp. My Karina Dress looked perfect all day long (and it was a LONG day).
As the five of us bloggers piled back into the limo for the ride back to the hotel, we made plans for the evening to dine together. Being from Texas, I was excited to find a Barbecue place just down the street from the hotel. Yes, I went all the way to NYC to eat Texas barbecue. We ate so much we took a walk around the block to ease the pain. It's a good thing I was wearing a Karina Dress because I think a jeans-waistband would have injured me!
Upon reaching the hotel, I asked one of the doormen if we could go up and see Toshi's Penthouse. It's a private room on the top floor that gets rented out for special occasions. He told us there was currently someone famous in the room having a party, but said we could see it a bit later in the evening. We finally got our chance to see the Penthouse!
It's a big room with a bed that lowers from the ceiling and a bathroom that becomes the entire shower. The cabinets on the wall actually conceal a stove, an oven, a dishwasher, and a fridge. Best of all, there is a huge patio that will hold up to 300 people for a party. It overlooks the streets of NYC and the view is simply amazing.
As I gazed up at the Empire State Building, I felt a twinge of regret that our trip was almost over. There are so many things to do in New York City and I was most disappointed that I didn't have time to visit the Karina Dresses Studio in Brooklyn to hug Karina and thank her in person for the fabulous dresses she makes!
I know you will love these dresses as much as I do because they are made for every body, and if you use the code PLANETW you can save $30 on any full-price dress at KarinaDresses.com. Plus if you sign up for the Karina Newsletter, you'll get special discounts and exclusive news! Check out my friends wearing Karina Dresses on Pinterest!

Sign up for the Karina Dresses Newsletter
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Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Wedne$day Wealth Giveaway Link Up

Welcome to the weekly Wedne$day Wealth Giveaway Link Up!
Thanks for stopping by!
Add your giveaways below! Shared all week long!
Enter to win some amazing prizes!
Leave a comment and let me know what you've won lately!

4/9/13

Children's Book Review - Moving Christmas

I think Christmas songs should be played all year long. Christmas is such a wonderful, meaningful holiday to me. In all the years I taught preschool, the one song I got to hear all the time was Jingle Bells. Do your kids sing carols all year?
Maybe this charming children's book will spark their imagination. Moving Christmas: A Frank Duffy Adventure (Volume 1) is a frolicking fun adventure written by Brandon Camp and Richard D'Ovidio, and illustrated by Max Miceli. Perfect for ages 4 - 12 years, Moving Christmas is full of action and excitement.
Climate change forces Santa to find someone to help him move Christmas and Frank Duffy (mover of the impossible) steps in to help. Leading Santa and his crew around the world, they encounter many unexpected events. Your kids will be on the edge of their seats to see if Santa moves Christmas in time!

Air Wick Limited Edition National Park Fragrances - Review

No matter how beautifully your home is decorated, if it stinks it'll be unwelcoming. My house is now filled with this new delightful Denali fragrance from Air Wick. Created in partnership with The National Parks Foundation, Air Wick has introduced an entire line of Scented Oils, Freshmatic Auto Spray Refills, Scented Candles and Reed Diffusers that will bring the rare essence of the beautiful outdoors into your home.
In addition to this wonderful Denali scented candle I received, the new National Park limited edition fragrances also include Grand Canyon, American Samoa, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and Gulf Islands. Starting at just $2.99, you can afford to try them all. Find them at all major retailers nationwide! Plus, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Park Foundation. These would also be wonderful Mother's Day gifts!
Visit www.airwick.com for product information and follow them on Facebook for great home decor ideas and special promotions. You'll love these new fragrances as much as I do!
Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.