Charm Factory is a company that sells sterling silver charm bracelets and charms. I have always found charm bracelets fascinating, but have always thought it was an odd concept at least while you're getting your bracelet started. Wouldn't a charm bracelet look funny with just a couple of charms on it? I was thrilled to find out that the charm factory offers 'starter braclets' that already have a few charms on them, enough to make it look not totally bare, while leaving you plenty of room to add lots Read more [...]

Today I bring to you Elizabeth from Peacock beads on etsy. In her words... I’m the brains, beauty and brawn (?!?) behind Peacockbeads shop on ETSY. I started out making jewelry when I went back to grad school and needed a creative outlet (and I had no energy or desire to do any additional reading on my “off” time so I needed another hobby). It also allowed my inner peacock to come out – hence the store’s name – and I was able to make coordinating jewelry for all my outfits. The Read more [...]

This Little Family

We've been "on our own" for over a year and a half now, but my selection of dinners that I know how to cook are still really limited. This is the list, to date Tacos Pizza scalloped potatoes (we love this with ham added. mm!) zatarain's (does this count? haha) Basic roast beef/potato/carrot stew Fried potatoes/sausage/carrots (not even sure what this is called? haha) Steak Pork chops / sometimes we shake and bake them I think that's it. Might be one or two more that I can't think Read more [...]

Try out giveaway scout, a new website that promotes giveaways. You can sign up for their newsletter and get the newest giveaway postings sent directly to your email. If you have giveaways of your own you can sign up to have them promote your giveaways for you by simply posting a small blog post about their site, like I'm doing now. Unlike other giveaway promotion websites, giveaway scout automatically scans your blog for new giveaways everyday, and will post them for you. No 'submitting' your giveaway. Read more [...]

The wild texas wear giveaway had 147 entries. The first winner will get the dress, and that number is 46! Kat K email subscriber #2 I have sent your email to the sponsor, who will verify that you are subscribed to their newsletter. Then either I or they will email you for your address and size info. The winner of the shorts is #137 Heather Ransom I follow your blog through Networked Blogs Heather, I have sent your email on to the sponsor who will verify your newsletter subscription. Read more [...]

Have you heard of Yoo Hoo and Friends? I first heard of these online, but have seen them in person in malls in my area, inside of Claire's stores. They are adorable stuffed animals that are attractive to children. Aren't most stuffed animals though? What makes yoo hoo and friends special is they represent animals from real life, and can be used as educational tools, to teach your children about animals that they probably haven't heard of - some that maybe you hadn't heard of either. I was sent Read more [...]

I love handmade items, but if you have spent much time buying handmade you've probably come to realize that some handmade items just aren't of the same quality of other handmade items, which can make some people a bit hesitant to purchase handmade items. Well, if you're looking for handmade jewelry that is made with amazing quality, you have to check out sparkle peach. I'm a bit of a trading addict on Etsy, and at the last tradeaholics event I worked out a review with Sparkle Peach for her Read more [...]

Ryan is a smoker. Being that he also loves anything electronic or technology related, he wanted an electronic cigarette from the day we heard they existed. What is an electronic cigarette? It's a little electronic device that you plug in at night, and during the day you can use it just like a regular cigarette, you just suck on the end and it gives you the flavor and nicotine. However, electronic cigarettes don't contain tobacco or produce smoke, just water vapor, so they are believed to not Read more [...]

I'm sure that if you have children in your life at all, you have heard of pillow pets. It's a pillow...it's a pet! it's a pillow pet! Yep, those guys. They are adorable stuffed animals that have a Velcro strap that can hold them upright like a regular stuffed animal or can allow them to lay down flat to be used as a pillow. For the month of July only, Pillow pets has a patriotic pillow pet for sale. I was lucky enough to get to review the patriotic pillow pet. The pillow pet arrived in a vacuumed bag Read more [...]