Planet Weidknecht

11/21/14

QVC Design Challenge - Glass Candle Log

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

I do love a challenge! Especially the QVC Design Challenges! This month I received the Candle Impressions Fillable Glass Log with 5 Flameless Votives. The glass log is just over 13 inches long and the candle votives are almost 2 inches tall.

The candle votives are all white with a little black faux wick on top. The votives are flameless, which means no worries about fires. Each one comes with a little battery inside and a flip of the switch on the bottom of the votives turns on an inner light, giving the candles a soft, flickering glow. They even have a timer function that shuts off after 5 hours.

The glass log has little feet on the bottom and indentations for the candle votives. On each end of the glass log is an opening, so it can be filled with little decor items. Adding a special touch to the candle log provides instant themed home decor.

Off I went, digging through stuff in my house to find ways to personalize the candle log. With Thanksgiving coming up, I've got all kinds of harvest themed items and these little faux floral arrangements poke right into the ends of both sides of the glass log. An instant centerpiece! Another great Thanksgiving idea is to fill it with cranberries.

A quick look through my sewing basket turned up some fancy red thread. I turned the glass log on its side and dropped one end through to the other end, then bunched it up a bit on both ends. With the red thread, the glass log transforms instantly into Christmas decor. Some other great ideas for winter include fake snow, snowflake glitter, and tiny red and green ornaments.

Hosting a craft night at your house? Make use of your mom's button tin and fill the glass log with all those colorful buttons! Got a bunch of kids coming over for a birthday party? Fill it with little legos or even barbie shoes.

Maybe you're more the type for Mexican dinner parties? I filled my Glass Candle Log with a handful of dried red peppers. There are so many ways to personalize this simple home decor piece that I can use it all year long.

One of my favorite ideas is to fill it with candies. Although the filling tends to disappear when I do that. The Glass Candle Log is the perfect size to set on the windowsill in my front room, so it will even add beauty to my outdoor Christmas decor.

Get your Glass Candle Log at www.qvc.com. You can find item #H282737 HERE. QVC’s Jill Bauer hosts the network’s popular show, You’re Home with Jill® and provides fans with simple solutions for their busy lives through innovative products, a library of stress-free DIY projects, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram @jillbauerqvc and check out her page HERE.

Mantry - THE Gift Box for Men

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

Still trying to figure out what to get for the guy in your life? Check out Mantry, the Modern Man's Pantry! It's a gift box, rather a wooden crate, that comes filled with all kinds of goodies that any man can appreciate.

This Mantry is called Coffee and a Smoke, and it's filled with delicious smoky treats and coffee treats. His sweet tooth will be satisfied with Lark Shortbread cookies flavored with espresso and chocolate chips, and a Buttermilk White Coffee chocolate bar from Olive and Sinclair.

He can ramp up his morning breakfast with Granola Jones Mocha Haze. This delicious granola features an incredible blend of hazelnuts, cocoa and espresso. Make his day by mixing it with yogurt and a bit of Dave's Coffee Syrup, also included in the Mantry.

About 3 tablespoons of Dave's Mocha Coffee Syrup mixed with 8oz of cold milk makes a delectable coffee milk like the Puritans have enjoyed for over 70 years. The Southern Soul Sweet Georgia Soul Barbecue Sauce is indescribably delicious, whether you smother your rack of ribs or your scrambled eggs with it.

The La Quercia Smoky Boersellino is one of the tastiest cured meats to pass my lips. Mantry can be ordered as a one-time gift, or a 3 or 6 month subscription. Each Mantry contains 6 full-size American artisan foods. Your favorite guy is going to think Mantry is the best gift you've ever given him!

www.mantry.com

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Broken Bow Lake Cabins - Broken Bow, Oklahoma - The Perfect Place to Get Away From It All

#sponsored

photo credit - Broken Bow

The world is moving at such a fast pace that sometimes the morning is barely over before it's time to retire for the evening again. Everything seems to be speeding up, as if it were in some cosmic cartoon where everything bounces off of everything nearest to it until nothing exists but complete chaos. Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to stop and just breathe? And to breathe clean, air and hear nothing but the wind blowing back at you?

Believe it or not, just a little over three hours from Dallas or Oklahoma City, there is a place, hidden back in the woods, perfect for any size group or any amount of time. Broken Bow Lake is nestled in southern Oklahoma, complete with Beaver's Bend Cabins, just minutes from the chaos. Hiding back in the Ouachita and Kiamichi Mountains, Broken Bow Lake is the perfect place to get away from it all and simply relax. Broken Bow Lake offers over 100,000 acre-feet of crystal clear water that is maintained by the Corps of Engineers. The calm and the quiet will rejuvenate any visitor.

BrokenBowLakeCabins.com offers to privately owned family operated cabin management companies. Beavers Bend Log Cabins offers luxury vacation rentals with a little more in the way of amenities and activities, for those who don't want to completely cut off from the outside. There is also Bear Mountain Lodging, offering a various assortment of cabins as well, in different shapes and locations for every customer.

Surrounded by miles of private forests that are thick with pine and other hardwood trees, the area is completely peaceful and serene, but also offers plenty to keep you busy, if you were to get stir crazy - after all, it's a drastic change to go from non-stop hustle and bustle to complete peace and quiet in a day! Some of the Beavers Bend Attractions include fly fishing, either on Broken Bow Lake or Mountain Fork River; hiking trails, biking trails (bike rentals are available), kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, boat/paddle boats, tennis, horseback riding, and for the dad who just can't leave his clubs behind, there are several golf clubs near the park.

Broken Bow Lake boasts a crystal, clear shimmering appearance, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Visitors never tire of boating, fishing, jet-skiing, canoeing and even parasailing. And they return year after year - perhaps, it's therapeutic.

Don't be surprised if you're riding a bike or hiking one of the many trails if you run across a deer who might be out enjoying the beautiful weather just as you are. There are plenty of types of wildlife that you may run across as well. Be sure and take a camera!

There's so much to say about this beautiful, excluded piece of heaven, hidden beneath the trees and the chaos but there for the enjoyment, if you choose to go. Broken Bow Lake Cabins are completely modernized and available for your enjoyment - bring your clothes and your favorite pillow and let them provide the rest. To find out more about log cabin vacation rental, click here and browse the website. Enjoy the beautiful views - if the pictures are this amazing, imagine what it must be like in person!

11/20/14

Giveaway! $15 Amazon Gift Card - Holiday HOHOHO #RWMevent

Welcome to the Holiday HOHOHO Hop

Parents! Get $50 Amazon for Sesame Street Project

Photo credit: SesameStreet.org

Sesame Workshop (creator of Sesame Street) is working on a project with Kidaptive (creator of Leo's Pad) to create a new educational app for children. We are interested in gathering information to make sure that the app is fun and interesting and that children learn new skills from it. We are looking for parents/guardians and their 2.5-to 4.5-year old children who are interested in participating in a six week research project.

If you qualify, we will send you a link to the app which you can download onto your tablet device. We ask that your child use the app several times over the course of six weeks. Halfway through you would receive a survey on your child's experience with the app. Upon completion of the six weeks and a second survey about your child's experience with the app, you would receive a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.

If you and your child would be interested in taking part in this project, please fill out the survey at the link below and someone will get back to you if you qualify.

We do not foresee any risks associated with participating in any of our research. Your name, your child's name, and any information you provide will never be provided to anyone outside of this research project. You and your child are free to discontinue this or any other Sesame Street project at any time.

Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SesameKidaptiveproject

Fabulous Fashion Finds at The GO Exchange #fashion

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

Check out these gorgeous batiked scarves I found at The GO Exchange! I will be wearing these over and over. They are fabulous! They have a wonderful selection of apparel, accessories, jewelry, footwear, and even home decor like pillows and matching mom-and-child aprons. The GO Exchange is a one-stop-shop when it comes to finding the perfect present for everyone.

Lux Hand-Batik Lt. Gray Graduated Stripe

But it’s how these items are crafted that makes them worthy of being placed under the Christmas tree. All of the unique products on The GO Exchange website are handmade, providing men and women in Haiti and East Africa with living-wage jobs that help them provide for their children. Also, 100% of profits from this global boutique go toward the care of orphaned and abandoned children.

Here's the story behind these beautiful scarves, as told by IV Whitman. He and his wife are two of the founders of The GO Exchange.
"Located in Jinja, Uganda, at the source of the Nile River is Fount of Mercy. Founded by Tara Hawks Nyanga, who worked as a costume designer for television, film and Broadway, Fount of Mercy helps local communities care for their own orphaned and vulnerable children. One way they do this is by crafting beautiful hand-batiked scarves for The GO Exchange.

Lux Hand-Batik Dark Grey Leaves

The process for making these scarves is simple, yet ancient, going all the way back to fourth century BC Egypt. The process at Fount of Mercy has not changed too much. The pattern of each scarf is hand-painted with a wax resist using templates made from sheets of cut-out x-ray film. Then the material is placed in a dye bath and set aside to cool so the wax resist can be chipped away. The final step after the scarf has dried in the sun is ironing out the wrinkles and folding the scarf into a small package for shipment to the US.

Polished 100% Hand-Carved Cow-Horn Buckle For Scarves

One woman in particular stood out to me. Her name is Gladys. Each day, Gladys’ job is to iron every scarf to perfection. As I walked up and said hello, she looked at me, smiled, and began to express her gratitude. She was so thankful and happy to be working, earning a living and providing for her family. All because she was ironing scarves. Something we may think isn’t a big deal in the States. But in Uganda it can make all the difference."

Now GO to The GO Exchange and find some wonderful gifts to bless your family and to bless another family. Want to see how much hope you can spread? Check out this video made in Haiti last month!

goex.org

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Giveaway! Sing the Bible with Slugs and Bugs

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

I've always believed that music is one of the best ways for children to learn. Sing The Bible with Slugs and Bugs is an upbeat collection of Christian songs that will teach children about God and His great love through Jesus Christ. As I listened to the songs on this CD, I was reminded of the fun songs I learned in vacation bible school and Sunday school. All the songs are original and feature many scripture verses, making them easy for children to remember. Even as an adult, I found joy listening to these songs. My favorite song on the CD is Two Shirts and the line that plays over and over in my mind is "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none." Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing to hear your children singing?

There are 18 full-length songs on the CD - Freedom, To You O Lord, Two Shirts, Deuteronomy 6.5, Rejoice, Trust in the Lord, Be Dressed, Alien, Old Testament Song, New Testament Song, Romans 8, Love One Another, For Us, What is the Book, You are the Christ, He Will Rejoice, Love, and The Lord's Prayer. Sing the Bible also comes with a booklet that contains all the words to the songs. It's a wonderful holiday gift idea!

Buy the Sing the Bible CD: http://www.slugsandbugs.com/store/cd-sing-the-bible.
Subscribe by email to get FREE coloring pages: http://www.slugsandbugs.com/the-bacon.
Book a Slugs and Bugs concert at http://www.slugsandbugs.com/book-a-concert/.
Follow Slugs and Bugs on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/slugsandbugs.

Enter below to win!
One winner will receive a Sing the Bible with Slugs and Bugs CD. Giveaway ends at midnight EST on December 3, 2014. Open to US residents, ages 18 and older. Good luck!

Giveaway! Style Setter Firenze Champagne Flutes

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

Setting your table for the holidays means using all your best dishes and glasses. You certainly cannot serve champagne in a sippy cup! These beautiful Style Setter Firenze Champagne Flutes from Jay Companies are the perfect way to toast. This glassware set is lightweight and durable, with an air of sophistication that will impress even your most discerning of guests. This set would also make a lovely hostess gift!

This beautiful set of four features a sleek, contemporary design and each glass has a capacity of 7.75oz. The Firenze Flutes are dishwasher safe. Jay Companies also offers the Firenze style in Goblets, Old Fashions, and Highballs so you can serve a variety of holiday drinks in style. There is even a Firenze 16-Piece Mixed Glassware Set. Jay Companies can help you furnish your holiday table with drinkware, dinnerware, serveware, and even home decor. Check out their entire collection at www.jaycompanies.com and take advantage of FREE shipping on orders over $99.

www.jaycompanies.com

on Facebook ~~~ on Twitter

on Pinterest ~~~ on Instagram

Win a set of 4 Style Setter Firenze Champagne Flutes!
One winner. Open to US residents ages 18 and older. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends on 12/3/2014. Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.
Follow me on Facebook HERE.

Karina Dresses for the Holidays #fashion

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

It's time to buy your holiday dress! You're going to need a dress that's comfortable and classy. You'll need one that fits even after you indulge in Thanksgiving dinner. You'll need one that won't wrinkle in your suitcase as you travel over the Christmas holidays. You should check out Karina Dresses!

Karina Dresses are made to fit any body. They choose only the best fabrics -- all are machine-washable and never need ironing. I keep all my Karina Dresses in a dresser drawer! I've been wearing Karina Dresses for years and they all still look brand new. With dozens of styles in prints and solids, you're sure to find some favorites. I love my Karina Dresses!

My newest find is the floor-length Adele in Black and White Paisley. This maxi-dress features a v-neck and v-back. The straight skirt and waistband hugs me in all the right places. It's the first maxi-dress I've ever owned and it's perfect for the holidays. These sophisticated dresses are all made in the USA. Karina Dresses is also a Martha Stewart American Made 2014 Finalist!

Find your holiday dress at www.karinadresses.com. Sign up for their newsletter to get access to exclusive sales and discounts. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

PSST...I also found info about a Karina Dresses $1000 Dress Giveaway HERE.

11/18/14

Manicure Tips From The Pros At Trind

#sponsored

I'm loving my new Trind Nail Care Kit! Here are some great manicure tips from the pros at Trind!

Even if your nails do not have nail polish to be removed before doing your nails, use Trind’s acetone free Extra Mild Nail Polish Remover to better prepare the nail plate. This will remove any grease and/or residue so your polish will adhere better and last much longer.
To push back the cuticles, first soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. Pushing back your cuticles should never be painful.
Never ever cut your cuticles with scissors! Hang nails, on the other hand, can be snipped away.
While filing your nails, you can check your progress by running them down a pair of old nylons. If your nails snag on the nylons, you have some additional buffing to do.

Use the patented Trind Professional Glass Nail File to give you fast, professional results. The laser grit files and seals the nail at the same time, for a smooth and healthy finish.
Start with the Trind Moisturizing Nail Balsam for moisture and then use base coat to properly prepare the nail plate as your canvas before applying your favorite shade of polish. A base coat also helps protect and maintain the strength of your nails.
Give your nail polish at least 1 to 3 minutes drying time between coats when doing your nails at home. This will give you a nice even sheen and lasting finish.
Apply many thin coats of your polish rather than one thick coat. It will dry quicker and last longer.

Apply your polish like a professional in three strokes. Take a small amount of polish on your brush and apply one stroke down the center of your nail. Then apply strokes on the left and right. Do not use more nail polish. One brush dip should equal three strokes of application. Allow at least 1 minute for the polish to set before applying the next coat. Or better yet, wait 3 minutes for best results.
Remember, 2 to 3 thin coats are better than one thick coat.
Always apply a clear top coat to your polish to finish off your nails. It’s worth the extra step to give your nails that nice glossy look. Top coats add longevity to your manicure and also help protect your nails.
Apply the top coat only after your polish is completely dry to the touch. It may be a pain to wait out the drying time but you’ll thank yourself later.
Want the next best thing to the perfect French Manicure without the hassle of getting the white tips neat and free of imperfections? Use Trind Nail Brightener (aka. French Manicure in a bottle) and Trind Nail White Pencil underneath the nail tips instead of white polish. You’ll love the results!

Trind is Europe's most trusted and respected line of hand and nail care. It is found in the finest perfumeries from St. Tropez to the Champs Elyseé in Paris, and from Stockholm to Milano. Trind is now fast achieving the same status in the United States and Canada. News of Trind is spreading like wild fire as women everywhere share their stories about the incredible results Trind achieves! Trind has been an expert in nail care for over 25 years.

trindusa.com

11/17/14

Giveaway! $25 Amazon Gift Card - #TurkeyHop

Welcome to the

Winning for Thanksgiving

Giveaway Hop

Hosted by MamaNYC

from November 18-28

Visit each one of the participating blogs below

and enter to win a prize on every blog

worth at least $25.

Since holiday shopping is upon us,

I thought I'd sponsor a $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

so you can start your shopping!

Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and up.

To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.
Follow me on Facebook HERE.

Fall Fashion Find - Chilly Jilly #fashion

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

Inside this little bag is one of the coziest, cutest fall fashion finds! The Chilly Jilly is a fashionable wrap scarf that is extremely versatile. It's made of the softest Venezia fabric that provides comfort, warmth, and style. It's wrinkle-resistant and folds up small enough to fit in a tiny little bag, making it the perfect accessory to tote along in my purse or travel bag! Chilly Jilly uses a double-brush technique to make it super soft and every single stitch in sewn in the USA.

I chose a beautiful blue Elite Wrap and this amazing accessory is 64" wide and 19" long. I can wear it wrapped around my shoulders, tied in the front, flipped and tied like a scarf, or just around my arms for a sophisticated look. The edge stitching is so pretty and gives it just a bit of ruffle around the edges. It's available in 20 fabulous colors, like cranberry, burnt orange, dark teal, and eggplant. It's the perfect fall fashion accessory that provides style and comfort!

Order your Chilly Jilly today at www.chillyjilly.com. These would make fantastic holiday gifts for your favorite lady!

Polygel Geluxury Slippers - Review

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

After spending Saturday walking around San Antonio with my son and his fiancee, then Sunday walking around San Marcos with my other son, my feet were achy and tired. It was such a relief to get home to put my feet up! Then I remembered I just received a pair of Polygel Geluxury Slippers to review and thought this would be the perfect way to try them out.

These cute slippers provide comfort and skin repair. They are infused with seven botanical oils and ceramides. The inside of the slippers is a really soft, smooth, cool rubbery material, which is filled with dermatologist-tested SmartGel. The formula includes mineral oil, avocado oil, canola oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, soybean oil, olive oil and ceramides.

I put the slippers on my feet and as my feet warmed up, the slippers were like little warm spa treatments on my feet. My feet felt so much better! With regular use, the slippers replenish moisture, smooth rough skin, soften dry skin, and even repair damaged cuticles and nail beds. Just use them for about 30 minutes a couple of times a week for best results. They are very comfortable and can be handwashed if needed.

Visit www.geluxury.com to get a pair of leopard print or cow print slippers to repair and replenish your feet. They are a wonderful gift idea!

The Packbasket and The Market Basket - Floral Print Set

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

About 18 months ago, I reviewed The Grocer (you can read that review HERE). It's still my favorite shopping bag and if you live near me, you've probably seen me carry it. I use it every single week for my grocery shopping and it still looks brand new. I literally danced when I found out ADK Packworks has created new bags!

These bags are not your typical reusable shopping bags. They are the most versatile, most durable bags I've ever seen. They are made of a strong outer material and feature an inner wire frame, plus a lock-tight inner base. I fill these bags with heavy things, like gallons of milk, canned foods, and dried beans and rice; they hold it all.

These new bags are called the Packbasket and the Market Basket. The Market Basket measures a bit smaller than the Packbasket. Both fold flat, just like the Grocer, so they take up very little storage room, but they are super roomy inside. Most reusable bags only last a few trips to the store before ripping, but ADK Packworks are made to last a long time.

These beautiful new bags feature a delightful floral pattern hand-drawn by Maeve Parker. These bags won't fold over while you're trying to fill them, because the inner wires keep the bags standing tall. Best of all, these bags don't tip over in the trunk of my car. The Packbasket even comes with a cover! The Packbasket measures 15"H x 12"W x 8"D and the Market Basket measures 11.5"L x 9"W x 11"H at the bottom and 15"L x 11"W at the top.

These bags outperform others in so many ways and people are always asking me where I got them. I use them for all kinds of shopping trips and anytime I need to carry things with me. They are so easy to clean too -- the fabric comes off the frame and goes in my washer, and I use a cleaning wipe on the frame and bottom.

Visit www.adkpackworks.com to grab yours today! I absolutely LOVE mine and I know you will too. They are beautiful, practical, and reliable. These bags are also the perfect holiday gift!

www.adkpackworks.com

PAGES

11/21/14

QVC Design Challenge - Glass Candle Log

Mantry - THE Gift Box for Men

Broken Bow Lake Cabins - Broken Bow, Oklahoma - The Perfect Place to Get Away From It All

11/20/14

Giveaway! $15 Amazon Gift Card - Holiday HOHOHO #RWMevent

Holiday Events at Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville

Parents! Get $50 Amazon for Sesame Street Project

Fabulous Fashion Finds at The GO Exchange #fashion

Lux Hand-Batik Lt. Gray Graduated Stripe

Lux Hand-Batik Dark Grey Leaves

Polished 100% Hand-Carved Cow-Horn Buckle For Scarves

Giveaway! Sing the Bible with Slugs and Bugs

11/19/14

Giveaway! Style Setter Firenze Champagne Flutes

Weekly Giveaway Linky - Wednesday Wealth (November 19-25)

Karina Dresses for the Holidays #fashion

11/18/14

Manicure Tips From The Pros At Trind

11/17/14

Giveaway! $25 Amazon Gift Card - #TurkeyHop

Fall Fashion Find - Chilly Jilly #fashion

Polygel Geluxury Slippers - Review

The Packbasket and The Market Basket - Floral Print Set