Mailbox Monday(3/26)

 

Mailbox Monday divulges into the inner workings of my mailbox throughout the week. From books to jewelry to free samples to random magazines and letters-You never know what will be in the mail this week...

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I love me some office supplies {really, ask anybody}!

 

I got not 1 or 2, but 4 whole pens from PaperMate's Instant Win Game this week-One green, a blue, and two pinks :)

 

I gave the blue one to my boyfriend's brother, but the rest are mine, all mine! Hehe ^.^

This is another one of those pieces of mail I don't remember requesting-I DO remember the campaign, but I'm not sure whether it was a freebie or a sweepstakes....

Oh well. 

I'm just grateful I got it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another instant win prize-o-mine!

 

The only thing is what is it with companies sending the WHOLE product instead of a free product coupon?

 

I can tell you it probably would be a whole heck of a lot cheaper in the long run, but again, I'm not complaining :)

 

Just kinda wondering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Now THIS is a giveaway prize I won over at Eighty MPH Mom, and boy was I happy when I got the congratulatory email!

Let's just say if I could marry inanimate objects, my name would forever be Mrs. Kayla Comfy Pillow. LOL

What did you get in the mail this week?

 

 

 

Dr. Lucy's Gluten Free Cookies *Review & Giveaway*

I've been wanting to introduce more gluten free, wheat free food items to my blog and my readers because, first of all, that is the lifestyle my family and I have chosen {more like were forced in to it} and second of all, you don't see a lot of gluten and wheat free products; it IS gaining in popularity, but it still has a long way to go!

That being said, I'm so excited about introducing Dr. Lucy's Cookies today!

Here is a little bit about the company itself:

“When her son was diagnosed with severe food allergies, Dr. Lucy Gibney tackled the challenges of finding high quality, delicious treats by starting her own line of cookies made especially for people with food allergies and gluten free diets. The cookies are also a favorite of people looking for a healthy snack, or a treat that’s satisfying yet doesn’t derail a weight-conscious diet. Made using only high-quality natural, strictly non-GMO ingredients, Lucy's cookies have (zero milligrams) NO cholesterol, (zero grams) No trans fats, and contain no preservatives.  They are made without gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts or tree nuts.”

For those who are just starting their food sensitivities journey or even if you're seasoned eaters, you can find some really helpful things on Dr. Lucy's website, like their Resources Page which includes everything from information on Celiac Disease to reading food labels!

If you don't believe me, just look at their Certification Page-Not only are they certified gluten free, they're also certified vegan, Kosher Pareve, and Virginia's Finest.

For my review, I was sent 6 whole boxes of their newest flavors-Maple Bliss, Chocolate Cookie, and Ginger Snap.

Of course as soon as I got it my whole family wanted me to break those puppies open! We opted for the Maple Bliss first since maple anything is one of my mom's favorite.

The first thing she said to me when she bit into her cookie: "This would be amazing with coffee!"

A day after that, I gave my dad one of the Chocolate Cookies and the first thing he said to me: "This would be good with coffee in the morning."

Of course they both went there. LOL

After everyone in my family had tried the cookies, we all reached a consensus; as my mom stated, "4 thumbs up," which pretty much summed it all up for us all!


Out of all of them, I must say I think I like the Maple Bliss the best-I know, I know, shocker, right? I really DO enjoy them all, though. The chocolate definitely has a deep, rich flavor to it and the ginger has a nice kick (they don't call it ginger snap for nothing), but the maple is just where it's at for me.

Good news for everyone-one person is going to win the same package of cookies I got!

{The Giveaway}

Win 2 Boxes each of Dr. Lucy's Newest Flavor Cookies-Maple Bliss, Chocolate Cookie, and Ginger Snap!

{The Rules}

1. You MUST include a way to reach you whether it be an email or blogger URL.
2. Each comment, mandatory and or extra, has to be separate.
3. This contest is open to US residents only--Sorry other people!

{Win It}

Which flavor out of the ones I got are YOU most excited about?

{Extra Entries}

1.) What is something you learned from Dr. Lucy's Website? (1 extra)

2. Follow my blog through GFC(1 extra)

3. Subscribe to Me(2 extra)
*Located on the right-You can't miss it.

4. Add me to your circles on Google+(1 extra)

5. Follow Dr. Lucy on Pinterest (1 extra)

6. Follow me on Pinterest(1 extra)

*If you need an invite, just let me know

 7.  Pin this giveaway on Pinterest and leave a link(2 extra)

  

7. Follow Me or Dr. Lucy Twitter(2 extra)

8. Tweet this giveaway(1 extra daily)

 Enter to #Win 6 Boxes of Dr. Lucy's Gluten Free Cookies!! {Ends 4/4} @TheEclecticE @lucys_tweets http://bit.ly/GHBMNY   #giveaway

8. Like Dr Lucy's Cookies on Facebook(1 extra)

9. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link(3 extra)

That's 1 mandatory entry + 29 possible extra entries which = 30 entries total!

Good Luck!

**Disclaimer:: I was provided with Dr. Lucy's Gluten Free Cookies at no cost to me to facilitate this review. All opinions in the above post are 100% mine and mine alone unless otherwise stated. This contest is open to US citizens only and will run from Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 11:30 am central standard time until Wednesday, April 4th, 2012 11:59 pm central standard time. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be contacted within 24 hours of the drawing. You have 72 hours to claim your prize and send me your shipping information-If I haven't heard from you within that time frame, I will choose another winner.

4H Etsy Fame!

Set of 5 Different Vintage 4H Bronze and Green Enamel Four Leaf Clover Lapel Pins

Since opening my Etsy store(s), I've had a few different things happen to me that wouldn't have happened if not for the incredible reach of the WWW.  This would be one of those incredible happenings; The other day, I was contacted by a man who works as someone who designs museum exhibits.

Here is the extent of the message that was sent to me:

Hello Kayla,

I saw your photo for the 4H pins you are selling on etsy (pictured above) and wanted to ask if you'd be open to allowing usage of one of these photos in a museum? I am a museum designer with a firm in Oakland, CA (West Office Exhibition Design) and we are developing exhibits and graphics for an organization in Des Moines, IA, called the World Food Prize Foundation. This organization recognizes people who make enormous strides in agriculture towards fighting world hunger. One of the exhibits features a historical figure, Jessie Field Shambaugh, who is credited with laying the foundation for what would later become the 4-H Club, hence, the desire to use your photo of the 4-H pins.

If alright with you, usage of your photo would be accompanied with a photo credit line. How would you like to be acknowledged?

Please contact me to discuss further. We are eager to make a connection with you as your photo works so nicely with the graphic (They included a rough draft of the graphic, but I'm not going to include it in this post).

I can be reached via etsy or at the below contact info. Hope to speak with you shortly!

Regards,

Danielle Wong

Seriously!? That's SO. FREAKING. COOL! My photo is going to accompany a museum exhibit in Des Moines, Iowa and it's also going to have my name under it! Hopefully one day I'll be able to go see it in its entirety :)

If anyone visits this particular museum or lives close by and decides to take a trip, please let me know what you think!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

{Image Credit}

These things I warmly wish to you-
Someone to love
Some work to do
A bit o' sun
A bit o' cheer
And a guardian angel always near.

--Irish saying

I may only be a wee bit Irish {see what I did there?}, but that still means I can celebrate my heritage, if only a little bit ;)

Happy St. Patty's Day Everyone!

Farewell to a Friend

I write this post with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart.

I was just informed by one of my jewelry friends, Cindy of Sweet Bead Studio that another dear jewelry friend of mine, Judy of Judith B. Designs has recently passed away due to cancer.

I wish I knew that Judy was having such a rough time-I had no idea and I feel like such a bad friend! I went over to check out her website after I heard the news and she did several blog posts updating her progress from the moment she found out until a month or two ago.

What gets me is she found out in early December and no more than 4 months later she's gone.

Cancer's a bitch.

The saddest of all is she left behind a husband and a son who's a sophomore in college; so around my age I'm guessing. My heart goes out to both of them and the rest of her family and friends.

What a terrible loss of a wonderful woman, a good friend, a talented artist, and a truly kind soul. She will be missed.

Health Update Thursday(3/15)

This week has definitely had its ups and downs; rapid ups and downs I must add. One day I'm in bed with severe nerve pain and the next I'm up and walking and good enough to go out shopping at antique stores with my mom!

I'll say this: It's FRUSTRATING!

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth-I'm so thankful on my good days-but the quickness things can change is almost enough to give a person whiplash.

I do have fabulous news though: This week....I got Tom. How is that fabulous you ask? Well, I was actually functioning! Seriously, the second day of my period when I should be in bed being struck down by the wrath of womanhood, I was out with my boyfriend, enjoying the beautiful 70+ degree weather at the local park hiking. HIKING!

Granted, I pushed myself too hard and came back home barely walking, but still, it's amazing.

Even my mom looked at me with wide-eyed amazement and kept saying, "You're actually functioning!"

I honestly have no idea what's causing this turnaround, but I don't care. I could cry right now because it feels so good just to be able to do something and not have to be downright fearful of my period. I still have to work on things of course, but any step forward is appreciated and I'm seeing quite a few steps forward these past few days.

I'm also on a few new things from my M.I. Japanese Red Pine Bark oil and BioFood, along with a few of the things that I was regularly taking before. I'm keeping up with it pretty good, so we'll see where it takes me.

A little something different with this Health Update Thursday post, too-I'm joining up with my friend XmasDolly on her weight loss journey and her journey back to health. I'm so proud of her for taking charge of her life, which is why from now on on these posts, I'm also going to include her Weight Be Gone meme button and link up these posts since we're both trying to get healthy :)

Hop on over to her website and give her some encouraging words!








As always, I love you all and I hope this Thursday finds you well and enjoying whatever it is you have to enjoy :)

Angela's Attic and a Bunch of Pictures

I visit a lot of blogs daily from review and giveaway blogs to mommy blogs to crafting blogs and beyond-I have my favorites and my friends that I make sure I visit when I can or they've posted new content, one of which is Cindy over at Sweet Bead Studio.

I always see her flea market and antique store adventures and I'm proud to say, I FINALLY was able to have my own antiquing adventure over the weekend thanks to my lovely mother :)

The first in a loooong time!

{Angela's Attic}

{My favorite section to look at}

{Wouldn't want to run into THIS
                       guy in a dark alley}

{Nerd Alert!}

                                                                                                         {I love a good Foo Dog}

Not only did we get to go to an antique shop, but we also hit up the Salvation Army which happened to be nearby. I scored some goodies from there, too. Here are a couple of my favorite purchases from the day:

THE cutest vintage travel box-In a little rough shape, but a little TLC will do it some good!

I found the cutest vintage key hidden in between some things on a shelf-Just goes to show you digging around can bring out the best treasures :)                        

 I've always wanted to use crystal prisms like the ones to the right in my jewelry making, so I'm excited!

 

3 semi-precious stone pendants; one Lapis, one Amethyst, and one I believe is Smokey Quartz, but I can't be sure about that last one. 

All a whopping .99 cent each, which, you really can't beat.

All in all, I enjoyed myself immensely :)

Music Moves Me Monday(3/12)

Welcome to Music Moves Me Monday!

This meme is hosted by a group of seriously great people-Dolly of XmasDolly, Lorie of The Shewbridges of Central Florida, Stacie of Stacie Uncorked, and last but certainly not least, Callie of JAmericanSpice!

Here are the rules if you wanted to participate::

First step: Run over to You Tube, (or wherever), and lock & load! Get your pick for the theme of the week.

Second Step: Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button::





Third step: SIGN THE LINKY - Dance (follow) your host/hostesses, and grab their buttons.

Final step: Start lookin' for a partner and boogie on down to her blog, and say hello, and tag (follow) her/him, and leave a nice comment. If you've been tagged (followed) be hip, and get on over there, and tag (follow) her back and leave a comment.

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I'm finally catching a 4Ms that has a theme!
This week's theme: songs by your favorite female artist.


Enjoy :)

Florence and The Machine--Shake It Out

Have a musical week everyone!

Mailbox Monday(3/12)

Mailbox Monday divulges into the inner workings of my mailbox throughout the week. From books to jewelry to free samples to random magazines and letters-You never know what will be in the mail this week...

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That IS what you think it is.

14 lbs of fruit snacks.

12 whole boxes of the fruit by the foot, fruit rollup, and gushers party pack.

It's supposed to be a years worth {12 boxes. 12 months.} but we'll see how long it lasts in this house. LOL

Oh and this was one of my many contest wins ^.^

 My mom was watching QVC the other day and I hear her yell from the other room, "Kaaaaayla. Mom wants pie. Can you order something for me?"

So thus, the Perfect Pies by Michele Stuart showed up at our doorstep this week.

I can't wait for pie xD

Can you say holy 6 free candy bar coupons Batman Kayla!?

These also where instant wins of mind that all came at the same time in the mail one day last week.

Can you say CHOCOLATE!?

{I knew you could}

 Ahhh, another fabulous Luna freebie!

I love their full sized samples and this Peanut Honey Pretzel bar was definitely quite enjoyable if I do say so myself :)

Plus that .50 off coupon will come in handy for future purchases.










What did you get in the mail this week?

First Look: The Lone Ranger

{Photo Credit:: Peter Mountain}

Your first look at the newest movie hitting theaters:: The Lone Ranger

"From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski comes Disney/Bruckheimer Films' THE LONE RANGER. Tonto (Johnny Depp), a spirit warrior on a personal quest, joins forces in a fight for justice with John Reid (Armie Hammer), a lawman who has become a masked avenger."

Schedules to be released May of 2012

{Man, my dad is going to be ALL over this one}

**Disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for the above post. The information was provided by Disney for the benefit and enjoyment of my readers**

Fracture Picture Frame *Review*

Any kind of pictures bring me great joy-they can be personal pictures of family and friends, pictures of places I would like to see one day, inspirational pictures that pick me up when I'm feeling sad, or funny pictures that give me a good laugh when one is needed.

Regardless of what type of picture it is, I enjoy being able to display said pictures around my house; especially in my room where I can see them each and every day.

I have several picture frames with photos of friends located in my room, but nothing like the Fracture picture frame I was lucky enough to win over at Coupon Clippin' Mommy back in August of last year.

Not sure what the heck a Fracture is? Here's a little picture that sums it up:

As stated above, it's as easy as 1. Upload a photo, 2. Customize it, and 3. Hang up and enjoy!

Of course, I won my frame back at the end of August last year and placed my order ON Christmas eve {since that's when code expired}, so it's understandable at the time I had to wait for my picture, but let me tell you, the wait was SO totally worth it!

The frame I won was a 12" Fracture, but they offer anywhere from 8" all the way up to a custom sized Fracture if you really wanted it, and they're prices are extremely reasonable for the quality you're getting.

The package came in the mail and was so securely done up, it actually took me a little while to get it open. LOL

When I finally got past the packaging and opened it up, I was literally dazzled by the crisp and amazingly clear picture inside. When they refer to their frames as "The 'HDTV' of photo framing," they are NOT kidding!

I was so impressed with the Fracture company, from the shipping and packaging, to the quality of the frame, to the wonderful personality of the folks I worked with, even down to the screw included in the package to hang your frame.

Did they think of everything or what!?

You can check out their website at FractureMe.com, like them on their personal Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter!

**Disclaimer:: I won the product I reviewed in the above post, so no, I was not compensated in any way for writing this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are 100% mine and mine alone unless otherwise stated**

Casino Dreamin'

My 21st birthday was back in 2010, but I do remember I was well enough to go out to dinner with my family and my boyfriend where I had my first legal drink {a cold mug of beer} and afterword, the boyfriend and I went bowling with a mutual friend and her boyfriend {now husband}.

It was a great time, but one thing I REALLY wanted to do when I turned 21 or at least around that time:: hit up a casino.

Ever since my uncle won $250 on a slot machine he played several years ago at a casino up in northern Wisconsin and gave my sister and I both a quarter out of his winnings, I've always wanted to go in and play the casino games.

Slots.
Craps.
Poker {Texas Hold'em to be specific}
Roulette.

I know gambling is highly addictive and several people over the years have told me it's easy to lose all your money within minutes if you're not careful, I still want to go just for the experience.

Not to mention, one of my dreams fantasies is to be good enough at poker to win a championship bracelet, so what better practice then with real card sharks at a casino!? ;)
One day....

{Photo Credit}