Sunday, June 30, 2013

Novica.com Review and Giveaway! **CLOSED **CLOSED

**CLOSED!! Winner posted here**



I've shopped at Novica before and have always been impressed. It's a wonderful site where artists all over the world can create items for people to buy. From brooches from Peru to silver heart shaped necklaces to batik robes, the site has it all.


I was able to pick out something from the site. Natalie wanted me to get a silk fan but I was on the search for a purse, since my current one broke.

I found one that I really liked.

It arrived like this:




I've always loved how items from Novica arrive. As you can see, a tiny booklet also accompanies your item explaining more about it.


I got this:


I have always liked owls.

It was made very well and I loved the colors:




Novica is offering a lucky reader a $50 gift certificate!

DISCLAIMER: Please note, taxes and duties are not included in the costs of freight if your order is being shipped outside of the US. Taxes and duties will need to be paid to the shipping company at the time of delivery. Please check with your local customs bureau for more information regarding taxes, duties and importation fees.



Mandatory Entry: Go to Novica.com and tell me what you'd purchase if you won the certificate!


Extra Entries:

--LIKE Novica on Facebook

--FOLLOW Novica on Twitter

--TWEET about this giveaway

--FOLLOW my blog


For each thing you do, please leave a separate comment. And PLEASE, if your e-mail address is not linked to your blog, leave it in your comment so I can easily get a hold of you, should you win.


I will run this contest until July 14th.


Good luck!


**I was given a gift certificate to write an honest post. My opinions are my own.**


Saturday, June 29, 2013

Firmoo.Com Glasses #Giveaway! **CLOSED

**CLOSED! Winner posted here**


I used to be blind.

Okay, that's dramatic.

But my eyesight used to be horrible.

Then I got Lasik.

Before that, I'd have to wear glasses. And even now, with Lasik, I can wear glasses for fun.

It's why I really like the site Firmoo.com. For those who don't know about Firmoo, they are a site that offers a wide variety of glasses at an affordable rate. They understand that people cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars for a pair glasses.

Firmoo also offers one free pair or glasses (eyeglasses, sunglasses, etc..) to every customer with their Firmoo First Pair Free Program.

I really liked these sunglasses:


I enjoyed the choices from their Classic Series section:



If you want to learn more about Firmoo.com, check out their help page. Also, at the moment they are having an Independence Day sale (good until July 4th!) You can buy one pair of glasses and get one free!


Firmoo.com is offering a lucky reader a pair of glasses from the Classic Series section IF I can get at least 50 valid comments on this post. If I get less than 50 comments, 6 readers will receive a $20 voucher they can use on the site. (Will not include shipping. The voucher will go towards the cost of the frame.)




MANDATORY ENTRY: Go to Firmoo.com on their Classic Series page and tell me what pair of glasses you would pick if you won. <----If over 50 people do this, someone can win a free pair of glasses, shipping included! Still, 6 lucky people will win a $20 voucher to the site. If less than 50 do it, 6 people will win a $20 voucher they can use on the site. (Voucher can only be used towards the cost of the frame. It will not include shipping.)


I will run the contest for two weeks until the 13th of July.


Good luck!


**I was not paid for this post. My opinions are my own**


Friday, June 28, 2013

We Went To Disney World Part Three: Hollywood Studios

“If you get scared, it’s okay to back out,” I told Natalie.

She shook her head. “I’m fine!” She seemed irritated that I would even suggest that she’d back out.

But. Well. The Tower of Terror was scary. The elevator lifted you up and then DROPPED YOU BACK DOWN! Several times!

It would be Natalie first fast ride. (And sorry about the large photos. I'm not sure what's up with the uploader thingy today. I kept pushing small size.)


We were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and she was ready to ride. Her cousins took her on while I waited at the exit. As I was pacing the exit, small children would emerge. CRYING. They appeared to be Natalie’s age. I thought she’d come out in tears.

Nope.

She came dancing out and proclaimed that she loved it.

“It was so fun. It made my tummy feel silly!” she told me.



Ha.

So basically, my children are braver than I am.

Natalie also got to see Disney Junior: Live on Stage.



FYI: you sit on the floor when you see this. It’s not exactly the most comfortable thing. But Natalie loved it because it featured Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First. Also, different things rain down on you. For Doc McStuffins, it was bubbles. For Sofia, it was “snow.” For Jake and the Neverland pirates, it was paper gold circles.


We also saw The Little Mermaid show. Also fantastic with awesome effects. We did Star Tours, which both kids loved. Tommy’s picture actually popped up as the Rebel Spy before the ride started.


We had lunch at Pizza Planet:



Take a look at that cupcake. It was amazing. Look at all that icing!


We also met Lightening McQueen and Mater.



And because I didn’t have my fill of cupcakes, we went to a place called Starring Rolls and got these:

Tommy rode on the Aerosmith roller coaster with his cousins while Natalie and I waited. She was too small for that one. She would have done it if she was able to. I’ll pass. I can’t do the super fast rides anymore.


We also got to see Beauty and the Beast live on stage:




So I would say that we had fun at Hollywood Studios.



Next Post will be about Animal Kingdom and Epcot!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Things That Annoy Me Thursday: Parade Pushers

“Excuse me,” the woman said, trying to wedge her stroller next to me so that my son was squished into my leg in an uncomfortable manner.

“Excuse me,” I repeated. “No.”

She was not about to push my son out of the way. She should have been here an hour ago when I was. Finding a spot for the daily Disney World parade is serious business. Everyone knows this. If you want a curb spot, you find one early. You do not shove other people out of the way. It will not work. I don’t care if you have an infant.

“If I could just…” the woman tried again and one of the stroller wheels went over Tommy’s hand.

“No.” I said this firmly and stared at the woman with my angry eyes. I probably did look frightening. I had been sitting out in the hot sun. Sweat was pouring down my face. I imagine I resembled a lobster. I would not be shoved from my seat by a stroller. My son would not be forced onto my lap. It was too hot for that.

The woman gave up when she saw I meant business. She was not happy. I think she called me a rude name under her breath as she stalked away. Well, sorry. Get to the curb earlier. (And she didn’t even have a kid in the stroller. It wasn’t like I was pushing away an innocent child. I saw no tiny human beings with her. For all I know, she used the stroller to get people out of her way.)

Sometimes you have to fight for your spot at Disney World. But it was worth it.






Yeah, see the Evil Stepmother’s look? That’s the look I gave Stroller Lady.


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

We Went To Disney World Part Two: Bippity Boppity Boutique and Cinderella's Royal Table

“Wow!” Natalie peered at herself in the mirror. “I love it,” she whispered, twirling around. “I seriously love it.”


Well. I should hope so. The dress was $65. I don’t even spend $65 on my clothes.

Still, she deserved it. It can’t be easy to go many months without your daddy around. I wouldn’t know. I always had my dad.

We were at Disney World at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. It’s this fabulous place in Cinderella’s castle where fairy godmothers do hair and makeup. Not only for girls, either. There’s a Knight Package for the boys. There are various packages you can purchase. We went for the most expensive one. Yes, it was $189. Yes, I wanted to cry. Yes, we had to eat ramen and mac and cheese for a couple of days so I could save up for it. But. When I saw her face as she danced in her dress, I knew I made the right choice. (And don't feel sorry for Tommy. He got a Nintendo 3DS.)

She also got a crown and a wand. It made her feel special to pick out her items.


As I was cooing over her beautiful dress, I spilled my Diet Coke all over the couch. Oops. The fairy godmother (that's what all the workers are called there, fairy godmothers. No, there were no men. I guess they'd just be called sparkling godfathers or Liberace? I don't know) didn’t snap at me, she simply went to get some towels and wiped it up. I offered to help and she insisted that it was fine. Still. Of all places to spill, why did I choose CINDERELLA’S CASTLE?

Natalie was called back for her hair and makeup. She got to pick out her hairstyle and took this quite seriously. Too seriously, in fact. It took her FIVE MINUTES to figure out what she wanted. Her fairy godmother was incredibly patient. I could not be in that line of work. I'd be all, "Look, I'm wearing this ridiculous outfit and this ridiculous purple hat thing. I'd like to go home now. Let's move it."



She was all ready for her hair and makeup:


They have them put these shields on when they use hairspray. And they use a lot of hairspray. It felt like an 80s movie set at times.


Our fairy godmother was named Wanda. Wanda was a hair genius. I tried to pay attention to what Wanda was doing but lost her at about the third step. Sorry, Natalie. Your Mom does not know how to do hair. Is Wanda for sale?


Wanda and her fairy godmother in training asked Natalie if she planned on marrying a prince:



She was horrified. Her Daddy will be pleased that she still feels this way about the opposite sex.


Almost done! Wanda was very gentle. Natalie didn’t shout “OUCH!” at all like she does when I do her hair. It could be because I very rarely know what I am doing.



They get to pick out nailpolish too:



And makeup:




With the package, Natalie also got the rest of the nailpolish and makeup that was used. Plus the mini crown in her hair and a Mickey clip. Also a pink cinch backpack and a sash with a button. Her button read, “A Brave Princess” because she told them her daddy was gone. They said she was very brave. She also got a photo shoot where I received an 8X10 photo, plus 4 4X6s.

The makeup is done in a tasteful way. They do not look like the children on Toddlers and Tiaras.

See?



Her princess day was not over. We had reservations to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the restaurant in the castle.


Here she is with her cousin waiting to go into the restaurant:



When you first go in, you get to meet Cinderella and take pictures with her. (My photos of that are on my PhotoPass card.) Then you are led upstairs to the actual room where you’ll eat.

We had window seats:


Princesses begin to come in:



Food begins to come in. I got the short ribs. Yum:




More princesses come in. Sometimes I had to greet them with a full mouth. I wasn't about to stop eating. I was HUNGRY.




Natalie told Ariel, “My Daddy likes redheads.” Ariel seemed a bit flustered and was like, “Lovely!”



Man, I would love Jasmine’s stomach. If only I didn’t like to eat so much. And I think she came over as I was stuffing my face with the cheesecake that I picked for my dessert.


After the princesses come out, a voice comes overhead (a friendly voice, not a sinister one) and tells the children to wave their wands that are on the tables and make a wish on their wishing stars:



Natalie takes her wishes seriously:


I asked her, “Aw, did you wish for your daddy to come home?” all ready for a moving moment. I gripped my napkin, prepared to dab my eyes with it. Natalie went, “No. I wished that I could be a mermaid.” Oh.


Yes, the kids get to keep the wands and the wishing star.


I highly recommend the restaurant. The food is fantastic. And bonus, if you’re gluten free as my mother-in-law is, they have something for you to eat. The chef even comes out to speak to you. My mother-in-law had the fish, plus the flourless chocolate cake, which was also delicious. (Disney World actually has gluten free at almost ALL the places they have to eat. My mother-in-law was able to eat something wherever we stopped.)


It was a good day though halfway through, Natalie said her dress was itchy. So have a change of clothes. Unless my daughter is just super picky. (Is it wrong that I had to bite my tongue from saying, "Lady, you'll keep the dress on. It was $65.")?


Next up in my Disney post is about Hollywood Studios! Did Natalie decide to go on the Tower of Terror or did she wimp out? Dah-dah-DUN!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.

------------------

To be surprised to hear about Paula Deen’s poor behavior. She seems so friendly.


To still be unpacking from our Disney trip. I hate unpacking.


To miss having my meals prepared for me while at Disney. Now it’s back to cooking. And cleaning up after the cooking. Boo.


To have really enjoyed the series Hannibal. I’m glad it’s renewed!


To be reading Revenge Wears Prada, sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. I prefer the first one. It’s entertaining enough but the first one really held my attention.


To be excited that Big Brother starts tomorrow!


To have been on the Disney bus when passengers were discussing North West. I assumed they were talking about a direction to something. Then I learned, nope, it’s what Kanye and Kim named their offspring.


To be so grateful to the military base for hosting a free movie day for families with a deployed spouse. We get to see Monster University on Friday for free, along with popcorn and a drink.



Monday, June 24, 2013

We Went To Walt Disney World Part One: All Stars Music Resort, Magic Kingdom, Wishes

Well, I’m back!

For those who are like, “Back from what?” I’ll explain.

We’ve been in Disney World for a week. We have returned. Therefore it means this week will most likely be all about Disney.

It was a family reunion on Tom’s side of the family. So even though Tom was deployed and could not come, I wasn’t totally on my own.

We stayed at a value resort. In a STANDARD room. In other words, the cheapest spot on Disney property. We stayed at All Stars Music. There are three All Stars hotels: Sports, Music, and Movies. Sometimes the Disney bus will stop at all three. MUSIC is the second stop.

Here is what the room looked like:


Two queen beds with a music décor. We had a blue carpet decorated with stars, plus a musical wall border. There was a tiny table with two chairs. Beyond that curtain was a sink and then the bathroom:




(To learn more about the hotel and see better pictures, click here.)


PROS: Had all the basics. You could order pizza and have it delivered to your room. The food court was open until midnight. The television was flat panel. (I’m always surprised when I go to hotels and they still have the fat TVs.) The beds were comfortable. If you put up the Privacy sign on the door, the maids still left clean towels and such in a bag on the door handle. Cheapest rate on Disney property.


CONS: You could hear the people in the next room. I could hear them cough. Thankfully they weren’t newlyweds so I didn’t have to explain grunts to my children. You could also hear when they flushed the toilet. We were in the rooms towards the back, so it was about a 5 minute walk to the food court and the buses. The pools were nice, but there were no slides. The alarm clock in my room did not work.


Would I stay at All Stars Music again? Probably not. I might try another value resort, Pop Century, next time. Maybe we'll upgrade to the Preferred rooms, which is one up from Standard. Or if we strike it rich, The Grand Floridian. Value hotels are for the people who don’t plan on spending a lot of time in the hotel, like us. We were basically always on the go and only used it to sleep and rest.


EATING AT DISNEY WORLD:


We were on the Quick Service plan. That’s the cheapest plan they offer. We got 2 quick service (or fast food) meals, plus a dessert, a snack, and a drink. Also you got refillable mugs that you could use at your hotel. Meaning I could fill my mug up with Diet Coke as much as I wanted. But only at our hotel. Not at any of the parks.

The Quick Service offers PLENTY of food in my opinion. You might think, hey, what about breakfast? I just brought Pop Tarts and Little Debbie snacks for the morning. Then we would eat lunch at 11. Each meal you get a dessert, and they aren’t crappy either. Normally they would be a delicious cupcake, cookie, or brownie.


Anyway, we arrived Saturday evening and decided to head straight for Magic Kingdom.



Natalie was excited to see the castle. We went to Disney World in 2008 but she didn’t remember any of it since she was a baby.

Here she is anxiously waiting to see the castle.

We rounded the corner and…



“THERE IT IS!”



She was so excited!



“You know,” she told me seriously, “Full House came here.” Yup. I remembered the episode. Michelle was princess of the day. Wandered off when Stephanie got upset with her. DJ kept seeing her boyfriend all over the place.



In front of the castle. I have no idea why Natalie was doing that.


We decided to eat at Cosmic Rays after that. I got a chili cheese dog with a salad and a chocolate cake:



Then we went to find a spot for the Electrical Parade. The castle would light up in different colors:



Blurry picture of Natalie doing that odd pose again.



The parade started and people were everywhere. The kids couldn’t see so adults started hoisting them up on shoulders. (Don’t worry. They were adults from our family. Not random adults.)



After the parade came Wishes, where the castle puts on a performance and then there are fireworks:


There’s Wreck It Ralph.


Natalie’s favorite: the lanterns from Tangled:






It was a fabulous show. If you want to see more, type in Disney World Wishes at YouTube and videos will pop up.


When the show was over, most of the people in the park are also ready to call it a night so it took awhile to leave. I felt like cattle being led along. I wanted to shout out, “Mooo!” but didn’t want to freak out Tom’s family.



More to come Wednesday (since tomorrow is Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!) It’ll include Bippity Boppity Boutique, seeing the Tangled decorated bathrooms, and eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table!

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