Holiday Gift Idea - Mug Revolution Twitter Mug

Being the computer junkie that I am, I enjoy using my twitter account for sending tweets and reading others. I have quite the following on Twitter. My husband says I am a "Twit" in the nicest way of course. When I heard about the beautiful Twitter Mugs from Mug Revolution I had to have one.

Mug Revolution coffee mugs are handmade in Bend, Oregon by Owen Dearing, a studio potter since 1990. To find out more about Owen click here to read his interesting story of his beginnings in clay. You can also watch a fantastic video here of Owen at work creating mug masterpieces.

Many thanks to Owen of Mug Revolution for providing the review sample.

Disclosure: I received a gratis sample for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

Holiday Gift Idea - How To Roast a Lamb Cookbook

Cookbooks are always something special to me. I can sit and read through a cookbook just as often as a novel. I use many of the recipes I come across but for me the reading part is most enjoyable. From Hachette Book Group comes How to Roast a Lamb. This cookbook is a culinary delight. The author Michael Psilakis brings us his new Greek classic cooking. Michael is a self-taught chef and How to Roast a Lamb is his first cookbook.

The stories of Greek traditions and family events throughout the book are a pleasure to read. The recipes are filled with the lovely mediterrean flavors of Greek cooking. The recipes are presented in simple easy to follow formats for easing into Greek cooking. The photos in the book are rich and well composed. There are many family photos included within the pages. Back to the recipes. There are garden (vegetable) recipes, fish, dinners, special occasion birthday recipes, party cooking recipes and of course lamb recipes. One recipe that I am planning on making is Lamb Gyro. I have had these Gyros at Greek festivals and would love to make them at home. I am also drawn to the Stuffed Baby Eggplants. The Shrimp with Orzo and Tomato looks scrumptious. Michael's recipes are true Greek cuisine with the simplicity of preparation for today's home cooks.

How to Roast a Lamb is available from Amazon and other booksellers.

If you have a cookbook collector or an aspiring chef, consider How to Roast a Lamb as a holiday gift. It is a lovely cookbook and hopefully Chef Michael will grace us with more cookbooks to follow.

Many thanks to Anna of Hachette Book Group for providing the review copy.

Disclosure: I received a gratis copy for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

Holiday Gift Idea - GelPro Floor Mat Review

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. I have my favorite work area of my kitchen counters for food preparation. I have been standing on my bare hardwood kitchen floor. No longer! I am thrilled to tell you about my GelPro Floor Mat. GelPro is the Original Gel Filled Anti-fatigue Floor Mat.

GelPro mats were created with one goal in mind: to make the time you spend standing in your home more comfortable. Everyone knows how painful it can be to stand for any length of time on hard flooring - whether you're cooking, doing laundry, or even getting ready in front of the bathroom mirror. Simply preparing meals in your kitchen can result in lower back pain, heel pain, and overall fatigue. It is an age-old problem who's time has finally come.

The styles, colors and fabrics of GelPro mats are extensive. It is easy to find the perfect match to your decor. Play with the fun Interactive Kitchen to find your ideal GelPro mat. Choose the mat fabric, your cabinet colors and floor finish to help you decide on just the right GelPro mat. My perfect match came out Basketweave Hazelnut. I received my beautiful mat in the 20 x 36 size courtesy of GelPro mats for this review.


I am very pleased with the color of the mat. I looks great in my kitchen. The size is just right for the counter area I was hoping to use. I have been using my GelPro mat for a little over a week now and I must say it is so comfortable to stand on. I find myself doing more in this section of my kitchen because I like the comfort under my feet. I am considering adding another GelPro mat for the other side of my kitchen. I love being in my kitchen even more now and have been cooking more good things (my husband says thank you GelPro).

The holidays are coming and a GelPro Mat would make a wonderful gift for the chef in your family or anyone who needs comfort under their feet. You can use GelPro in many rooms. Have a garage dweller? GelPro is perfect for the garage workbench area. A beauty who spends lots of time in the bathroom primping would love the comfort of a GelPro. With so many styles, colors and sizes available, they make the perfect gift. They simply are a "must have" in any active kitchen.

GelPro Anti-fatigue mats can be ordered direct from GelPro starting at $99.00. For the money you are getting high quality, great styling and unbeatable comfort. I also saw the 20x36 size for sale at my local Bed, Bath and Beyond store just recently.

For quality, comfort and styling the GelPro mat is the choice in my kitchen. Do yourself and your body a favor, order one today. Your feet and back will say Aaahhhhh!

Many thanks to Erin and GelPro for providing the review sample.

Disclosure: I received a gratis sample for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

The Fancy Lady Gourmet Cupcakes

I love cupcakes and recently searched Etsy for gourmet cupcakes. I am thrilled to introduce you to The Fancy Lady Gourmet Cupcakes. Everything she makes is homemade and made from the finest quality ingredients and also farm fresh local ingredients. Everything is baked in a clean, smoke free, pet free environment and always made fresh when you order. Amanda aka Fancy Lady is a full time pastry chef and part time crafter. She dreams one day of owning her own cupcake bakery shop.

Her cupcakes are a real treat for the eyes and the tastebuds. Fancy lady Gourmet was kind enough to send me a few samples for this review. She sent the very cute Pumpkin cupcake. What I like about ordering from Fancy Lady Gourmet is you can choose your cake flavor for your order. She offers vanilla, chocolate, dark chocolate, cherry, strawberry, pumpkin spice, and apple cake flavors. Each cupcake is topped with orange white chocolate and an apple flavor licorice piece for the stem. So cute and very delicious. I tasted the pumpkin spice cupcake. It was very fall festive. I also tasted a chocolate frosted dark chocolate cupcake and an apple cupcake. I enjoyed each flavor. Fancy Lady Gourmet also sent me 2 scrumptious cookies which were out of this world good. She has her cookie orders on hold at the moment in her shop but as soon as they are back available, place your order. They are decorated with frosting and the cookie was very tasty. I would order them again. Fancy Lady Gourmet also packages her goods in lovely clear boxes for gift presentations for an additional cost. Price upon request. Right now the Pumpkin Cupcakes are on sale for $14.00 per dozen. Order some today.

Italian Heritage Month - Gallo Salame Chef Catherine Interview

Mamma Mia, October is Italian Heritage Month. Although it is the end of the month I still wanted to honor my heritage. Yes I am part Italian. I grew up with many pasta dinners. To this day our Christmas meal is roast beef and Lasagna. I often crave a plate of pasta with a rich meaty sauce. I remember the six course meals at my grandmother's house. She always had antipasto and their was always salame. Gallo Salame is proud to be part of Italian Heritage Month.

I recently had the pleasure of learning more about Gallo salame products. In 1910 Louis Gabriati, a salame cure master, founded Gallo Salame in San Francisco. He sold his company in 1979 to Sara Lee foods. Today, Gallo Salame products are exclusively produced in the San Francisco Bay area at a plant located in San Lorenzo. There is near a century of history in the Gallo brand. I was also introduced to Chef Catherine De Orio. More about Chef Catherine:

Sara Lee Chef Catherine De Orio is a leading food expert who regularly appears on network affiliates and media outlets across the country to share her culinary expertise. In addition, she has also made several appearances on The Today Show.

Wanting to learn more, I had the opportunity to ask Chef Catherine a few questions:

• How long have you been a chef?

I’ve been a trained chef for about 4 years working with Sara Lee for the past 3 years. I have been cooking since I was a small child. I always joke that my nana didn’t care if I learned to read or write, but I needed to learn to cook!

• What was it like to live and learn in Venice, Italy?

Living and cooking in Venice was magical. I was exposed to fresh, rich Italian flavors and spices, but also a style of cooking that was deeply rooted in old world authenticity. I was able to soak in this Italian culture, as well as expand my palate by being part of an international supper club where, each week, someone would host a dinner featuring a new cuisine from their home country. My exposure to new things and the incredible culture while living in Venice has made me very open to new things and continues to spark my creativity when I am cooking. I’m always inspired by the cuisine of other countries, especially Italy.

• What was your favorite Italian meal when you were growing up?

Wow, that is a tough question. I’ve always loved combining pasta with meat and so my nana’s pasta with neck bone gravy and a side of sausage and peppers is my favorite - but her homemade ravioli is a close second.

• What is your go-to quick Italian meal for today's busy families?

I like making quick pastas with big Italian flavor. I use tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and then add some meat, like a quality salame with a true blend of Italian herbs and spices for that traditional flavor. I’m always on the go (like most families these days), so I find this infusion of protein keeps my energy up throughout the day and can be eaten on the go.

• What ingredient do you like to use for the best Italian flavor?

I look for products that incorporate Italian spices, like oregano and garlic and then add them to a dish for that classic Italian feel. I like using Gallo Salame because it has that true authentic flavor and is perfect to top on pizza, sandwich or even toss into a salad or pasta dish.

• What is your favorite dessert?

I like simple desserts where the flavors of the ingredients shine through. Fruit pies, fresh berries or figs on yogurt or cake, drizzled with honey.

• What do you put on your pizza? Homemade gourmet or order it?

Even a chef gets take-out sometimes! However, that said, I usually doctor up a pizza delivery to my own liking by adding some of my own ingredients. One of the simplest things to add is an Italian meat like salame or pepperoni. It infuses any plain old pizza with authentic flavor.
When I do make my own pizza, I always make thin crust (yes, I’m from Chicago, but prefer thin crust to deep dish!) and use fresh sautéed tomatoes in lieu of pizza sauce and I add high quality meats, cheeses and fresh vegetables. And I like to sprinkle arugula on top to add a nice freshness to each bite. My favorite current flavor combination is salame, asiago cheese and artichoke hearts.

• What is your favorite Sara Lee product?

That’s a tough call because I find the products so versatile and easy to fit into a fast-paced lifestyle. I really like Gallo Salame and Jimmy Dean fresh sausage in the Hot flavor. I like a little spice in everything whether I’m adding it to soup, adding it to an omelet or tossing it in pasta. And of course Sara Lee pound cake: I always seem to find new ways to use it and its always a crowd pleaser!

Thanks to Sara Lee and Gallo I was able to sample different Gallo Salame products. I have enjoyed Gallo Italian Dry salame as far back as I can remember. I was thrilled to taste the Light Italian Dry Salame. It was very delicious. The taste of salame was not compromised by the less fat recipe. My entire family found it so scrumptious they enjoyed it as much as the original flavor. It is less greasy but still has the great Gallo taste. The lower calories make it perfect for calorie counters to still have salame. Next I tried the 75% less fat pepperoni. Very enjoyable. This would work nicely in salads for a little zing.

Here are three recipes courtesy of Gallo:

Salame, Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients Quantity

Gallo Salame; cut into 8 triangles 8 slices
Arugula; washed and trimmed 8 cups
Goat cheese ¼ cup
Red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons
Olive oil 1/3 cup
Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon
Garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon
pepper
Salt

Method:
1. In a small bowl combine vinegar, mustard and garlic
2. Pouring in a slow, continuous stream, whisk in olive oil.
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. In a medium bowl toss together arugula and salami.
5. Toss with dressing.
6. Sprinkle with goat cheese.

Crispy Salame, Goat Cheese and Arugula Rigatoni
Serves 4
Ingredients Quantity

Gallo Salame; sliced in half and then cut into ¼ inch slices 8 slices
Rigatoni; cooked al dente 8 oz
Arugula; washed and trimmed 4 cups
Goat cheese ¼ cup
Olive oil 3/4 tablespoon
Garlic, minced 1 ½ teaspoons
Black pepper, freshly ground
Salt
Crushed red pepper (optional) ¼-1/2 teaspoon


Method:
1. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat.
2. Place salami in pan and sauté until crispy, approximately 5-8 minutes.
3. Add olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper to the pan. Saute until fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Toss in arugula and stir until wilted, approximately 1-2 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
5. Add cooked rigatoni to pan and toss.
6. Top with goat cheese and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Salame, Goat Cheese and Arugula Pizza
Serves 4
Ingredients Quantity

Gallo Salame; cut into 8 triangles 4 slices
Ready-made pizza crust; 8-inch 1
Arugula; cleaned and trimmed 4 cups
Canned diced tomatoes ½ cup
Goat cheese ¼ cup
Olive oil ½ tablespoons
Garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon
Oregano ¼ teaspoon
Salt

Method:
1. Preheat oven to temperature indicated on pizza crust package.
2. In a small sauté pan, warm olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 3-5 minutes.
4. Add diced tomatoes and cook until softened, approximately 5-7 minutes.
5. Add oregano and season to taste with salt.
6. Sprinkle salami evenly over top of pizza.
7. Top with sautéed tomatoes and then sprinkle with cheese.
8. Bake per pizza crust instructions until crust is golden brown.
9. Sprinkle fresh arugula over top of pizza and serve immediately.

For more Italian recipe ideas visit Gallo recipes. Share Gallo Salame with your family. Savor the flavor of Italian Heritage Month.

Many thanks to Chef Catherine for sharing her time. Thanks to Makenzie, Sara Lee and Gallo for providing the samples for this review.

Disclosure: I received gratis samples for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

Kettle Brand Potato Chips Review

I was able to sample the new flavor of Sweet Onion and a few others courtesy of Kettle Brand. I tried New York Cheddar first. The crunch is great. As expected from a Kettle Brand chip. The cheese flavor is bold but mellow. It reminds me of a good macaroni and cheese. These taste sophisticated, an upscale cheesy recipe. Next I sampled Buffalo Bleu. Yum. These spicy but smooth chips are flavored like classic buffalo wings with bleu cheese dressing. The spice is a sweet chili barbeque taste with mellowness of blue cheese to balance out the heat. Very tasty. Last I tried the new flavor Sweet Onion. I liked these but for my taste I would have preferred more onion flavor. You can taste the onion flavor but it is very light and mild. I thought they would be more like eating onion rings with bold flavor. They are very tasty as they are but for me, make them stronger. With 20 flavors of Kettle Chips available try this fun "What's Your Flavor" quiz to find your suggested flavor. My flavor came out as Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper. I will have to try this one.


Kettle Brand is also doing great things for the environment. They have company cars,VW BioBeetles, that run on bio-diesel fuel created from their recycled cooking oil. Do they smell like potato chips as they pass by? Kettle Brand uses sustainability business practices. They use some solar power at the plant. They use wind power too. The buildings are green and now the bags are recyclable. Kettle Brands Chips - A great Natural Chip, a chip great for Nature!

Kettle Brands Chips can be found in many grocery stores. Check with your local grocer. If you like potato chips try Kettle Brand Chips in your favorite flavor. Get enough to share, potato chips are America's favorite snack you know!

Many thanks to Erica and Kettle Brand Foods for providing the review samples.

Disclosure: I received gratis samples for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

Book Review - Stuffed by Hank Cardello

Hardcover: 272 pages
Price: $25.99

Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Products Review

As I am getting closer to my middle age years, I go kicking and screaming graciously. I have been paying a lot more attention to those little wrinkles that are teasing me. So I have been trying new skin care products. Elizabeth Grant offered me a few of their lovely products to try.

In 1958 in London, England it was most unusual for women to run companies. Not taking any notice of this, Elizabeth declared her commitment to share her remarkable skin care secret with people everywhere. Elizabeth launched her own skin care treatment line to share the secret formulation she had created.

On the strength of her miracle blend, Torricelumn™, and her own determination and perseverance, Elizabeth evolved the company from a home-based business to a multi-million dollar global corporation.

Formerly available by special order only, the Elizabeth Grant line of skin care and beauty products is now available at select retail locations in Canada, the United States, England, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, Japan and Poland.


My first product trial is the Vitamin C Illuminating Eye Pads. The pads can be used daily or weekly for a wonderful intensive eye treatment. They help erase the darkness under the eyes. I found the pads soothing. Apply for 15 minutes under the eyes then pat the remaining emulsion into the skin eye area. I felt the skin tightening. I want to say I saw a slight difference in the darkness but I would like to use the pads more to really see a difference.

My next product is the Soleil Smart Lip Protection SPF 15. I like this lip product. I always use SPF on my lips anytime I am exposed to the sun. This tube of Soleil Smart comes in handy to keep in my purse. I enjoyed the moisturizing of the Soleil Smart. I am not fond of the scent at first application. It is a little too perfumey for me but it disappears quickly. My lips felt smooth and moisturized for quite a while. I did keep reapplying for the sun exposure protection. Nice product.

Lastly I sampled Beautiful Colours Finishing Touch makeup primer. This creamy, lightweight formulation applies easily to the skin, filling in the lines, imperfections and pores - creating a perfect canvas for makeup application.

I applied Beautiful Colours Finishing Touch as directed before applying makeup. My skin felt smoother, tighter and the pores seemed to shrink. My makeup went on nicely with a more even finish. It comes in a nice pump dispenser bottle for ease of application. It sure made me feel Beautiful.

Elizabeth Grant Skin Care products can be ordered directly from Elizabeth Grant online. The prices for these high quality beauty products are reasonable. My skin is glad we are using Elizabeth Grant.

Many thanks to Ashley and Elizabeth Grant for providing the review samples.

Disclosure: I received gratis samples for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

Cookie Craft Christmas Book Review

In my search this year for making beautiful Christmas cookies I found a wonderful little book Cookie Craft Christmas. The authors Valerie Peterson and Janice Fryer have many years of experience baking cookies.

The cookies in this treat of a cookbook are very festive with simple directions. The first part of the book features the recipes for the cookie dough and frostings. The main part of the book details the decorating ideas and techniques. Resources are also listed in the book for the cute cookie cutters and baking supplies.

The cookie inspirations are just beautiful. Many of the designs are easy to make. One technique is to tint the dough before making the cookies. Make green dough for trees and wreaths then add the decorating details. By using a round cookie cutter you can make a variety of ornament cookies. The book features a wavy ornament design which can be adapted in many colors. There is a lovely cardinal bird cookie decorated 4 different ways. Very clever ideas. My favorite idea in Cookie Craft Christmas is the Winter Wonderland Snowglobe cookie. Using a round cutter cookie, they used icing to create a Christmas tree scene then added white nonpariels for the snow. How versatile. You could make winter scenes of your choice then add the "snow".
There is a cute cookie shaped like a truck carrying a Christmas tree. I must order that cookie cutter.

Cookie Craft Christmas can be purchased from Amazon and Barnes & Noble or check with your local bookseller. Book price is $14.95.

Cookie Craft Christmas will inspire the beginning baker and seasoned baker to make festive holiday cookies. I can't wait to start making these clever designs. Better yet...eat them!

Reprinted with permission from Cookie Craft Christmas, published by Storey Publishing, LLC., October 2009.

Many thanks to Michelle of Storey Publishing for providing the review copy.

Disclosure: I received a gratis copy for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

The Baking Answer Book Review

Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginning baker you are bound to run into baking scenarios that make you ask "How do I or What is?" Coming to the rescue is a new release by author Lauren Chattman - The Baking Answer Book. In this book you will find solutions to every baking problem you will ever face and answers to every baking question you will ever ask.

About the author: Lauren Chattman is a cookbook author and former professional pastry chef who has written 10 books, including most recently Dessert Express. She has collaborated with former White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier on Dessert University, and with Daniel Leader on Local Breads, which won an IACP award. She has appeared on local and national television, including The Today Show and has sold over 50,000 books on the home shopping channel, QVC. She can be seen demonstrating baking techniques for Pillsbury on howdini.com. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Sag Harbor, New York.

 I received an advance copy of The Baking Answer Book to review. The release date is October 28, 2009, coming up soon. The idea behind the book is help. The chapters are organized by ingredients, equipment, baking science and different baked goods. Relying on Lauren's many years of baking she offers the solutions and answers needed in nearly every situation. With the help of The Baking Answer Book your baking skills and confidence will grow in the kitchen. The format of the book is questions and answers. The question is listed with the answer immediately following. Example: Q - What is superfine sugar? A - Superfine sugar is finely ground granulated sugar that dissolves quickly in liquid. Some of the questions are basic but some of them I never even thought of but Lauren did. Mixed in with the questions are recipes pertaining to the topic of questions in each section. Q - How many mini muffins will a recipe for regular size muffins yield? A - Muffin tins come in a variety of sizes these days. If the regular size muffins yields 12 muffins, you should get 2 dozen mini muffins. Remember to adjust the baking time by 10 minutes faster. The topics in The Baking Answer Book are intriguing. I learned some things I never knew. For that reason alone this is a handy book for the budding baker.

The Baking Answer Book can be ordered from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

The book details:
Flexibind with paper spine
Pages: 384
Size: 4 1/2 x 6 3/8
Color: Two-color; Illustrations throughout
ISBN: 978-1-60342-439-4

Be sure to visit howdini.com and take a look at Lauren Chattman's how to videos. They are enjoyable to watch. With the help of The Baking Answer Book I will have more confidence in baking and make better recipes to try.

Reprinted with permission from The Baking Answer Book, published by Storey Publishing, LLC., October 2009.
Many thanks to Michelle of Storey Publishing for providing the review copy.

Disclosure: I received a gratis copy for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

Life happens when you are trying to blog!

Sorry for the lack of the usual amount of posts today. My schedule was interupted by my mother-in-law having surgery. I will be back on track tomorrow. Stay Tuned!

Village Tea Company Review

When I am not drinking coffee I do enjoy a soothing delicious cup of tea. I like real teas. Bold yet light in flavor. Village Tea Company provides Premium Tea for the Everyday Escape. Village Tea Company offers real tea in green, white, black, Oolong, and rooibos as loose teas. The selection of flavors at Village tea Company is sure to please even the most finicky tea drinker. Thanks to Village Tea Company I was sent two teas to taste for this review.

My first flavor is the Sweet Grace Vanilla Rooibos Tea. The loose leaf tea comes in a delicately designed 100% recycled paper tea can. Each tea can contains 20 to 40 servings of tea depending on the flavor. Inside the can is the loose tea in cotton muslin bags that can be used for brewing. The aroma of the Sweet Grace Vanilla Rooibos is very caramel scented. The beautiful color of the tea is very inviting. The taste is delicate, sweet and nicely vanilla flavored. This is a caffeine free tea allowing it to be consumed at any time of the day. I found this tea perfect as an after dinner treat. It is almost dessert like in flavor. The Rooibos tea is full of antioxidants for good health benefits. This is a very delightful tea.

Next I tried the Strawberry Passion White Tea. Mmmmm the name says it all. This exquisite tea contains Chinese white tea, flavor, and strawberry pieces. The caffeine count is low. Antioxidant rich white teas have been shown to be effective in supporting with heart health, immune system support, and as a cold and flu fighter. The scent is sweet, fruity and enticing. The strawberry flavor comes through with a nice fruity note but is not too overpowering. I enjoyed the Strawberry Passion White Tea. I found it lighter in flavor than the Rooibos but very refreshing. I would drink this tea as an afternoon pick me up.

Village Tea Company offers a nice selection of teas available for purchase directly from their website. The price of each can of tea ranges from $9.95 to $15.95 depending on the flavor. If you are a tea drinker you should try Village Tea Company teas. Escape into a cup today.

Many thanks to Ashley and Village Tea Company for providing the review samples.

Disclosure: I received gratis samples for this review. No monetary compensation was offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own. Others experience may vary.

All Modern.com Products Review

My Planets must be out of alignment!

Oh boy what a week! All I can say is my Planets must be out of whack. It was one of those weeks when little things became really big messes. It started out with my husbands car. It went to service for his routine maintenance and came out needing a new water pump and thermostat and a new timing belt. Ka-Ching! Lots of unexpected expense. Next he upgraded his cell phone to a Blackberry and it has been drama for the past 5 days trying to figure it out. He needs an application with a decent calendar for work. Coming from a Palm Treo to the Blackberry was a big change for him. I was ready to throw the phone and him out the window at times. So frustrating. Next we had a small drip in the shower that would not stop. So we called a plumber. The small drip turned into "I have to rip into the wall to check the valves". The valves were bad and so was the pipe to the shower. Our little drip turned into a huge hole in the wall and in our wallets. Ka-Ching again! After all that it still leaks! The plumber is on his way back as we speak. Wait I am still not done. My Mom and I were planning a day at Disneyland for weeks based on our schedules and then... it rains. I can't get to my mom's house 40 miles away to get her. Major disappointment. So instead I bought myself a new computer game (because you can't blog all the time). I installed it and bam, it messes up my computer. Freezes and issues, I could not even shut the computer down. Grrrrrr. I finally got it uninstalled but I can't return it because it is opened. Ka-Ching again! Shew what a week. I feel a change coming in the atmosphere...my planets are moving in the right direction because my favorite Garth Brooks announced he is coming out of retirement today! I will be waiting for the ticket sales announcement! Ka-Ching again! This time it will be worth it.

I Got an Award!

I was given an award from my friend Courtney at Me And Bella. I worked with Courtney on some blog information she needed help with. Her blog has come along quite nicely. Check it out. Thanks for the award!

Whish Body Products - Sugar Scrub Review

I am a seasonal dry skin sufferer. I try to exfoliate frequently but want to leave my skin moisturized. Whish Body Products has an amazing Sugar Scrub that does just the trick. Thanks to the wonderful people at Whish I was sent a Three Whishes Sugar Scrub in Almond Scent. This stuff is divine. I love the almond scent. So rich and sweet smelling. The exfoliation is created by brown sugar, raspberry seed and bamboo powder. For moisturizing there is shea butter, organic raspberry butter and organic aloe. For skin renewal it contains vitamin E extract and organic avocado oil.

Three Whishes Sugar Scrub will refine, polish and pamper your skin. Take your skin from dull to divine after just one use.


My first use of the Almond Sugar Scrub was a treat. The fragrance is pleasant but not overpowering. The exfoliation is gentle and very effective. Once the granules are washed away your skin is left with the rich moisturizing ingredients to soften the skin. My skin felt very renewed after using the Three Whishes Sugar Scrub. The jar is a generous 12 oz jar with plenty of product for many uses. I feel a little goes a long way. I like the fact that Three Whishes is Paraben free, sulfate free, DEA and TEA free and Petrochemical Free. It is all natural and organic ingredients. For those of you concerned about testing, Whish does not test on animals. That is a big plus for me. I am looking to purchase more of the Whish Body Products in the same almond scent because it smells so good.


The holidays are coming and Whish makes a perfect gift. Give the gift of pampering with any of the Whish Body Care line. It comes in three different scents of Pomegranate, Lemongrass and the Almond. They have body wash, sugar scrub, shave cream, hair gels, body butter and more. If you can't decide there is always the Whish Gift Card.

Whish Products can be found at many upscale retail stores. Check here for locations near you. You can also order direct from Whish. Sign up for the Newsletter to keep up with new products and promotions.

Once you try Whish it could become one of your favorite skin care items. Try some today.

New York Cooks Cookbook Review

I grew up back East in New Jersey. I fondly remember the many trips to New York City. Even though I was young at the time I could always feel the energy and passion in the restaurants we visited. I recently had the opportunity to read a lovely cookbook called New York Cooks written by Joan Krellestein and Barbara Winkler from Sixth & Spring books. New York Cooks contains 100 recipes from the City's Best Chefs. Chefs from Union Square Cafe, Blue Smoke, Picholine and more are featured in this culinary delight. In total there are 40 top New York Chefs sharing their signature dishes.

The book is formatted by cuisine type. From New American to Mediterranean to specialty cuisines plus Classic American and more fill the pages of this cookbook. I particularly enjoyed the stunning photography included. You will find photos of Chefs, locales and the mouthwatering recipes both in black & white and color. I found it interesting to read the snippets of information from the Chefs. Each chef has been asked the same series of questions. The most interesting is "What do you consider the most overrated ingredient?" The answers are suprising. Besides the chefs stories is the unbelievable recipes. You can now cook gourmet at home. The recipes are superb. From Chef Geoffrey Zakarian comes Filet Mignon with Red-Wine Risotto. From Mikey Price, he showcases Blood Orange and Red Onion Salad. The talent and the recipes included are a true testament to the un-matched restaurant hub that is New York City. New York Cooks is a fine dining culinary treat for the budding chef or anyone who treasures New York City. Buy a copy today from Sixth & Spring Books or Amazon and take a bite of the delicious Big Apple.

Many thanks to Tara for providing the review copy.

Disclosure: I received a gratis review copy. No monetary compensation has been offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own.

Hershey's Cookie Exchange Review

Three bags of HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates and a free coupon for Pillsbury® Peanut Butter Cookie Dough to create easy-to-bake Peanut Butter Blossom cookies

A HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates cookie jar and a 2010 HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates calendar as a “thank you” gift to our hosts

New and classic recipe cards for guests to create their very own HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates recipe book (for 15 guests)

HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates baker boxes for guests to go home with their favorite cookies (for 15 guests)

What better fun than Hershey's and cookies? Cookies made with Hershey's Kisses are the perfect combination to add to your cookie exchange this season. Take a look at the Hershey's Kisses Cookie Exchange. You can get a free 2010 calendar with 4 proofs of purchase too. See the coupon on the main page. I have so many ideas for my cookie making this holiday season. Would you like a cookie?

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was offered or accepted for this review. The opinions above are my own.

I always feel like somebody's watching me.

Did you know that as a blogger I could become a criminal? The FTC is watching us bloggers. Are we a threat to society? A new ruling from the FTC dated yesterday requires bloggers to disclose how they received a product they are reviewing and if they were compensated in any monetary way to write the review. Starting December 1st violators can be charged heavy fines for each post. I have always been straight forward about receiving my products and samples for review. I have always mentioned at the bottom of each post who provided the samples and giveaway item as well. I have not ever taken any cash amount to provide a review. I do not charge for my reviews. I do not get paid to voice my own opinions on my blog. I do not have paying ads on my blog. As a matter of fact I spend money out of my own pocket quite often for shipping items to the winners. My "payment" for my services is the products I receive. Yes I do get a lot of products that I keep or use and even share with my family. In return I share the information with you. It takes a lot of time to create my blog posts. From research to contacting companies, countless emails and then the actual writing. Followed by the running of the giveaway, the contacting of the winner(s), countless emails again and occasional shipping of prizes. My little blog niche is more than a 40 hours a week job. Why do I do it? I love it! I enjoy trying, finding and featuring new products as a word of mouth, you have to try this, post. I like providing giveaways for my readers to allow them the chance to try the products themselves. Besides it is fun to win something good. I myself enter on other blogs too.

Apparently the FTC is targeting the really big bloggers that get cash, laptops, vacations etc. I think I might be safe with the few candy items, some cookies and the wonderful other products I write about. I will always let you know where my stuff comes from. You are free to read my opinions to make your own decisions on trying the items. For further information about my disclosure policy there is a I Disclose button on the left side bar. For those companies wanting to offer me a laptop, vacation, new washer and dryer, I will gladly accept them but I have to tell everyone who gave it to me. Any takers?

Disclosure: The above expressed opinions are strictly my own. Rita - Owner/ Writer of One 2 Try.

Once in a Blue Moon Book Review

I enjoy reading in my spare time. I read fiction, cookbooks, romance books and adventure stories. I am pleased when I find a book from an author I have never read before and actually enjoy it. I was priviledged to receive from One2One Network a copy of the new release Once in a Blue Moon by Eileen Goudge.

I was drawn right in to this story with the very first chapter. Eileen writes with intricate details. The story line is filled with family drama focusing on two sisters and their turbulent lives.

Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls’ mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.

Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.

Neither sister’s expectations are met when they’re finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family.

Once in Blue Moon reads very well. I found myself not wanting to stop reading. The details make the story for me. Eileen is a gifted writer and I am sorry I have not read her books before. I intend to search out other titles. How does Once in a Blue Moon end? I don't know! I have not finished it yet. I am in the dark just like you. You will have to get the book to find out.

Once in a Blue Moon is released today October 6th. You can purchase it at Amazon or check with you local bookseller.

For more information on the author Eileen Goudge, you can visit her website, follow her on Twitter and fan her on Facebook.

I recommend reading Once in a Blue Moon. It is a novel of great details. A perfect emotional family drama. I enjoyed it cover to (almost done) cover.

Disclosure: I received a gratis copy of Once in a Blue Moon from One2One Network for this review. No compensation other than the book was received. The opinions above are my own.

Ghoulish Goodies - A Frightful Cookbook Review

This is Halloween, this is Halloween. (singing the Nightmare Before Christmas song). I have always loved Halloween. It was so much fun when I was growing up. From planning the homemade costume to finding the perfect plastic pumpkin bucket. I like the cute non-scary type of Halloween. Kid safe version if you will. When did Halloween become so (for lack of a better word) - bloody? Bringing it back to the fun Halloween I enjoy, I recently received from Storey Publishing a fantastically fun cookbook Ghoulish Goodies - A Frightful Cookbook.

I found this well written, loads of fun cookbook, a joy to browse through. The recipes are simple and perfect for Halloween Fun. The author Sharon Bowers shares some of her memories of Halloween and little stories in each chapter. The book is stunningly illustrated and includes color photos of the finished recipes. The recipes include Candy and Goodies, Cookies, Cakes and Cupcakes, Party Food, Snacks and Drinks, Halloween Supper and Scary Party Food.

The very first recipe in the book is for Monster Eyeballs. A no bake peanut butter treat dipped in chocolate with a chocolate candy iris. Looks just like a Monster eyeball to me. Simple to make and very clever.How about Sticks and Stones Caramel Corn made with pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, candy corn, all coated with a caramel syrup. Yum! One of the cutest ideas in the book is the Funny Bones. Using pretzel sticks with mini marshmallows on each end then dipped in white chocolate. So cute. There are recipes in here good for more than Halloween too. Pumpkin Spice Vanilla Fudge. I have already added the ingredients to my shopping list for this one. I plan on making a batch for Thanksgiving too. For you cupcake lovers you would enjoy making Tombstone Cupcakes. A devils food cupcake with grass frosting and tombstone cookies on top. The cupcake on the cover of the book is the Creature Feature Cupcake. This one is a little complex with the use of marzipan but it sure looks cool. There are 70 deliciously frightful fun recipes in Ghoulish Goodies.

Here is an interactive preview (Flip through the pages if you dare!):

Ghoulish Goodies (sample pages)

Ghoulish Goodies can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or check with your local bookseller. Cover price is $14.95. It is currently on sale at Amazon for less. Order quickly before the goblins snatch them away..just kidding, order in time for Halloween.

Grab your brooms and fly to the store to grab Ghoulish Goodies for Halloween treats to make your Halloween full of Frightful Fun. This is Halloween, This is Halloween..........

Many thanks to Michelle for providing the review copy from Storey Publishing. No compensation other than a gratis copy has been accepted. The opinions above are my own.

Reprinted with permission from Ghoulish Goodies, published by Storey Publishing, LLC., September 2009.

Terms of Use

One 2 Try Blog Terms of Use Disclaimer

One 2 Try is my personal blog. The opinions expressed here are my own opinions.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. One 2 Try makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an personal opinion basis.

I am in full compliance of the FTC rules concerning Bloggers. I disclose on all posts where a product was received for free and/or if there was any kind of financial compensation involved.

By visiting and reading One 2 Try you acknowledge this disclaimer and agree to any fore mentioned terms.

Contest Guidelines- Disclaimer

Contest Guidelines / Disclaimer

Here are a few basic rules that must be followed in order for your entry to be valid.

The Rules (unless otherwise specified in blog post)
1. Enter giveaways by commenting on each specific giveaway post. Please leave a comment valid to the giveaway. Vague and spam comments will be disqualified.

2. You must leave some way for me to contact you. If you are a non-blogger or your email is not accessible in your blog profile, please leave a valid email address within the comment section.

3. Winners are selected via random integer generator at Random.org, unless otherwise specified. Winners are notified by email and have 48 hours to respond; if no response, the prize is forfeited and an alternate winner is chosen.

4. Giveaways open to U.S. addresses only unless otherwise specified.

Giveaway Disclaimer
Giveaways prizes are nearly always shipped directly by the sponsor. Please contact me if you have not received your prize within a reasonable time frame. I will contact the sponsor to try to resolve the issue.

That said, I cannot be held accountable for sponsors actions regarding giveaways. I expect them to honor all promises and send winners their prizes; failed delivery of the giveaway item lies solely on the sponsor. I am also not responsible if discrepancies occur between the stated prize and actual item shipped by the sponsor.

I am not responsible for technical difficulties out of my control, arising from Google/Blogger issues and/or email services.

Thanks for visiting One 2 Try! Good luck and hope you win!