Secrets of Sloan House, A Chicago World's Fair Mystery #Giveaway

The Chicago World's Fair of 1893 looks to have been incredible, but it was also incredibly dangerous for a woman out alone during those 6 months.  There were murders, kidnappings, and attacks on women of both the lower and upper classes while thousands upon thousands of people visited Chicago for the event.

But if you like Downton Abby or a good 19th century mystery (or both!) you'll absolutely love Secrets of Sloan House, the newest book from NY Times Best Seller Shelley Gray.  I was hooked from the first page, gripped by the mystery and the wonderful writing style of Miss Gray.  Already, I can't wait for the next book in the World's Fair Mystery series, though it won't be out until 2015.  If you don't win this copy of the book, you can find it at your nearest Family Christian Store or online.

Against the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Fair, a young woman finds employment with an illustrious Chicago family—a family who may guard the secret of her sister’s disappearance.

Sloane House is among the most gilded mansions of Gilded Age Chicago. Rosalind Perry, the new housemaid, pours the morning coffee before the hard gaze of her mistress.

“It’s simple, Rosalind,” she says. “I am Veronica Sloane, heiress to one of the country’s greatest fortunes. You are simply one in a long line of unsuitable maids.”

While Sloane House is daunting, the streets of Chicago are downright dangerous. The World’s Fair has brought a new kind of crime to the city . . . and a lonely young woman is always at risk. But when Rosalind accepts the friendship of Reid Armstrong, the handsome young heir to a Chicago silver fortune, she becomes an accidental rival to Veronica Sloane.

As Rosalind disguises her kinship to a missing maid, she probes the dark secrets of Sloane House and comes ever closer to uncovering her sister’s mysterious fate. A fate that everyone in the house seems to know . . . but which no one dares to name.

GIVEAWAY
One of my readers will win a copy of Secrets of Sloane House. Enter below by August 27th at 11 pm anyone's time.

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Family Christian Stores for providing me with this opportunity!

Holy Ghost DVD Giveaway: An Amazing Film!

My hubby and I watched "Holy Ghost" last night.  We planned to just watch it for about a 1/2 hour (it was late when we started!) but we were so hooked on it!  The testimonies of God's love and the lengths God will go to speak to someone's heart really touched me.  The main message I got out of this movie is that we shouldn't put God in a box or limit, something God has been showing me lately.  Truly, this seems to be the theme of my life for 2014.  Everything in this movie completely lines up with the bible--there's nothing weird or off about it... but it will challenge you and it may make you question the way you've been living your life.  And it will inspire you, I guarantee it!  An amazing film.

This movie features Brian "Head" Welch of Korn (did you know he's a Christian? his story is so powerful!), Lenny Kravitz, and others.  It's actually a documentary of these guys who decide to make a movie "led by the Holy Spirit"--sounds kind of crazy, right?  My hubby was especially wary of it, but even he was impressed with the actual movie once we watched it.  They end up going to Utah, Monte Carlo, to a Korn concert, and to the oldest city in the world. It is an incredible film, and I am feeling so blessed that I had the opportunity to review it!

Giveaway

One of my readers will win Holy Ghost on DVD and receive it in time for Christmas.  Enter below by Monday September 5th at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning via Random.org. 

You Can Find Wanderlust Productions On

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"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Orglamix Cosmetics #Giveaway: Natural Beauty

Congrats to Katy, the winner of this giveaway!

Orglamix: 100% pure minerals, innovative shades, finishes AND fun. Of course "fun"... after all, makeup is so fun!  And I love these eye shadows.  They're very soft and delicate, made of all natural ingredients, they glide on smoothly and blend nicely.  The eye shadows come loose in a generous sized container.  You only need a tiny bit for a good amount of color so I'm thinking these will last me pretty much forever! I can't wait to try some new shades.  In the below photos, I'm wearing Skyline (an iridescent color that seems to shimmer between violet and blue) and Rose Gold (a soft bronze).

Orglamix... Get Pretty, Purely!

 

GIVEAWAY
One of my readers will receive a $20 gift card to Orglamix!  Everyone else will receive a $15 gift code to spend on any purchase that is at least $15 or more.  Enter below by 8/14 at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning!

What will you buy if you win this giveaway?

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Orglamix for providing me with this review and giveaway opportunity!

Mail Day and a Share a Blessing #Giveaway for Little Girls

Friday was mail day at our house!  We wrote letters and postcards all afternoon.  My daughters and I all have pen pals and love making our letters pretty.  My girls had so much fun with their new Share a Blessing book--a book of 24 super cute postcards and foldable cards, and over 1,000 super-cute stickers girls can use whenever they want.  The cards feature uplifting Christian messages and adorable animals and nature scenes.  And they inspire creative writing.  ;)  So fun!

GIVEAWAY
One of my readers will receive a Share a Blessing.  Enter below by 8/19 at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning!

When was the last time your kiddos mailed a letter to a friend?  Who was it for and what was the occasion?

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Tommy Mommies for providing us with this review and giveaway opportunity!

The Boxcar Children DVD #Giveaway!

"Mom! This is the best movie I have seen since The Lego Movie!  I love it." - my daughter

This year in homeschool, we're going to be reading The Boxcar Children Mysteries.  This DVD came at the perfect time!  My children (6, 9, and 10) all love it.  It's a charming movie with an important message.  It will be officially released on August 19th, a few days after this giveaway ends.  You can pre-order it on Amazon for $12.77.  A great deal!   

About the movie:
Four orphaned and homeless siblings happen upon an abandoned boxcar, which, with a little creativity and hard work, they gradually furnish with all the comforts of home. Fearful that they will be sent to live with the reputedly cruel grandfather they have never met, the children keep their new home a secret until a serious illness forces them to reveal themselves in order to save young Violet.   The story is both heartwarming and entertaining.  This DVD is definitely for more than just the kids!

GIVEAWAY

Enter below by August 18th at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning via Random.org.  In the meantime, have a very blessed week!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.  Only  one  entrant  per  mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Now THIS is What a Subscription Box is Supposed to Look Like! #Curlkit #Beauty

I was so impressed when the mail lady handed me the package with my first CurlKit inside--it was heavy and big enough to be impressive.  I've tried a lot of subscription boxes and this one was by far the most value for the money ($18 total for your first box--$20 every box after).  My CurlKit included 5--count 'em FIVE!--full-size products and 3 sample sizes plus a booklet on curly hair tips.  

My CurlKit



My CurlKit Hair

These 3 products were my faves:

Eco Cocktail: A styling cream that leaves my curls soft and smelling amazing. It's infused with good stuff like super-fruits and natural oil that actually nourish and condition my hair while I'm wearing it... all day long.  I love it!

Ori Essentials Conditioner: Gives lush, radiant soft curls without frizz and it smells like coconut.  It's amazing!

Nubian Heritage Shea Butter Body Wash: Oh. My. Goodness.  Smells amazing and I felt like I was bathing in silk!  Two generous sized sample packets were in my CurlKit but, even though they were sample sized, they are so worth mentioning.

CurlKit seems to be a super fun and very affordable way to try new products. I am genuinely impressed.  In each CurlKit, you receive everything from pomades and conditioners to natural hair tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems. It's also worth noting that CurlKit subscriptions are available with a 100% no questions asked guarantee and you can cancel at anytime. 

Discount
If you sign up using any of the links in this review, you'll receive 10% off!  Just head to CurlKit's Store.  Let me know if you decide to try them out!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at CurlKit for providing me with this review opportunity! 

My Own Love Story and a YesVideo #Giveaway: Transfer Your Videos to DVD

Thirteen years ago I married my best friend. We have grown and changed so much through the years, added four amazing children to the mix, and have traveled throughout the country and gone on many adventures together. We've had our challenges, we've really begun to learn what the word "commitment" means, and I've also learned that God has given me a man I can tell anything to. That's an amazing thing, and I am so blessed to have this guy as my hubby! Through thick and thin, I am so glad he's mine!

I've been wanting to transfer our wedding video and some of our childhood home videos for DVD for quite awhile but I really didn't know how to go about it or what company to use.  I decided to go to YesVideo because they've been around for 15 years and they had so much to offer!  Everything is super convenient--they mail you a prepaid shipping box which you just stick in the mail with your videos.  The turnaround time is pretty fast--a couple of weeks total--and you even get your videos in on-line form so that you can share them on your social media sites.  Here's a clip of our love story:

GIVEAWAY
One of my readers will receive a $50 gift card to YesVideo!  Enter below by 8/10 at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning.

 

You Can Find YesVideo On
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Special thanks to the wonderful people at YesVideo for providing us with this review and giveaway opportunity!

JLeer Jeans: Where Fashion Meets Function... Last Chance to Win!

I have discovered the coolest jeans possibly ever!  When I heard JLeer's catchy slogan "Fashion meets function" I wondered how true that would be.  Well, it couldn't be truer, it turns out.  These are super nice jeans, my hubby loves them on me, and they are the most comfortable jeans in memory, not to mention the "functionable" part... but I'll get to that in a minute. 

 

I'm not usually a jeans kind of girl.  I like skirts.  They're generally more comfy, in my own humble opinion.  Lately, though, I've been looking for new jeans that would actually look nice and be comfortable.  I wrote about some last week that I discovered, and now Jleer!  Jleer kind of turned me into a jeans kind of girl over night.  After I took my pics in them, I updated my Facebook profile pic with one of these pics and then went as far as to update my cover photo jean-style.  I wore my Jleers all day yesterday to a rather exertive play practice (lotsa chase scenes, jumping off the stage, etc.)  They were totally comfortable the whole time. I even worked out in them!  Not kidding. 

 

And they've got these really cool pockets.  That where the "functional designs" come in.  There's nothing else like their pocket ideas.  The pockets are easier to get your hands in for your wallet, keys, or cell phone.  They're in the perfect spots and easy to get to!  Plus, they're not to deep or too tight like the pockets in my other jeans.  Love them!!

Super Cool, Functional Pockets

Giveaway
The exceptionally nice people at JLeer are going to give one of my readers a pair of jeans!  Enter below by July 24th at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning.
 

You Can Find JLeer On

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Special thanks to the wonderful people at JLeer for this review and giveaway opportunity!

 

 

Mm!! Lemon Merinque Pie, I Mean Lemon Body Scrub, I Mean... A June Jacobs GIVEAWAY!

June Jacobs Lemon Sugar Body Polish is soooo amazing! First of all, it smells heavenly.  It reminds me of Lemon Meringue pie which made me put that on my grocery list.   I can't wait to enjoy it right after my next shower!  The Lemon Sugar body scrub features sugar granules and it's buffered in rich oils of safflower, hazelnut, sesame seed, avocado and wheat germ to silken the body from top to toe. It works!  After the first time I used it, my hubby commented on how soft my skin is.  He said, "Your skin is so soft!  Isn't it supposed to be getting older, not softer?"  35 apparently is "older" than 25, yes?  But who says you need to feel older... or that your skin needs to feel older?  I'll take younger any day!  In sum, this body polish invigorates the senses as roughness retreats and dryness disappears without a trace.  So perfect!

Giveaway

Enter below by July 29th at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning.  Good luck, best wishes, and all that jazz!

 

You Can Also Find June Jacobs On

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Special thanks to the wonderful people at June Jacobs for providing me with this review and giveaway opportunity!

Liquid Chalk Markers: An Art Tool To Really Inspire Creativity

We recently received a set of Liquid Chalk Markers and they are actually so much more than just chalk!  You can use them on a chalkboard, also on a white board, on material, on windows, on mirrors, on metal or wood... you name it!  If you use them on a hard, non-porous surface (glass, boards, etc.) it will wipe right off.  We tried it out on so many surfaces!  We also used it to paint flags.  It worked perfectly, though if you use them to paint material, wood, walls, or other porous or grooved surfaces, they won't wipe off.  I'm always painting murals on my children's walls and these would be wonderful for that.  Much less mess than the acrylics I usually use!  The colors are bold and beautiful, they're easy to use, the ink flows well, they dry fast, and they don't bleed or smear.  There is literally no mess involved. 

 

"It's the coolest thing ever!" -my daughter

Liquid Chalk Markers are made by Paper and Twine who offers a 60-day money back guarantee on them.  Since they're fulfilled by Amazon, you can get free shipping on them.  They'd be perfect for a homeschool or for students in a classroom, for anyone who likes to create art or crafts, cards, you name it... the possibilities are pretty much endless.  I really don't think I've found another product that can be used for so many diverse things! 

 You Can Find Liquid Chalkers On:

Amazon

 What would you do with liquid chalkers?
 

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Paper and Twine for providing us with this product to review!