Getting Crafty with Borax Giveaway and Valentine Crafts

Disclosure:  I received contest this information as a member of the Purex Insiders.  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my past personal experience with the product since I buy it regularly.  However, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am also eligible to win a $25 gift card for sharing this information. There may be affiliate links.

Who loves to make gorgeous and sparkly crafts?  Me, me, me!!!  I have a fun and easy craft idea that can translate to almost any holiday including Valentine's Day.  Hearts are one of my favorites. Another favorite of mine is a giveaway and speaking of that, Purex just launched their Getting Crafty with Borax Sweepstakes.  Perfect timing with Valentine's Day so I thought I would share a crafty craft with you all.  Don't forget to enter the sweepstakes because you can win up to $500! Now get crafting!

Think about all the possibilities you can make with a few simple ingredients. You can buy 20 Mule Team Borax in any grocery store for a reasonable price and it is an all natural product that is easy to work with for fun crafts.

What you need:

• string
• wide mouth jar (pint)
• white pipe cleaners
• borax (see tips)
• pencil, popsicle stick or twigs
• boiling water
• various liquid or gel food colors
• scissors

1. The first step of making 20 Mule Team Borax crystal hearts or shapes is to make the heart or  shape you want. Cut a pipe cleaner or bend into the shape you want.
2. Twist the sections together at their center and bottom. Make whatever shape you want...if you are doing a round shape or oval for example. Don't worry if an end isn't even, just trim to get the desired shape. The heart or shape should fit inside a wide-mouthed glass jar like a canning jar.
3. Tie the string to the top of  the heart. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil or a wooden stick or even a twig. You want the length to be such that the pencil hangs the heart into the jar.
4. Fill the widemouth pint jar with boiling water.
5. Add 20 Mule Team Borax one tablespoon at a time to the boiling water, stirring to dissolve after each addition. The amount used is 3 tablespoons Borax per cup of water. It is okay if some undissolved 20 Mule Team Borax settles to the bottom of the jar.
6. If desired, you may tint the mixture with food color.
7. Hang the pipe cleaner heart or shape into the jar so that the pencil rests on top of the jar and the heart or shape is completely covered with liquid and hangs freely (not touching the bottom of the jar).
8. Allow the jar to sit in an undisturbed location overnight.
9. Look at the pretty crystals and enjoy them month long!  You can hang your heart as a decoration or in a window to catch the sunlight...perfect to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Because boiling water is used and because 20 Mule Team Borax isn't intended for eating, adult supervision is recommended for this project. 

The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher: Book Review Plus iPad, Nook and Kindle GiVeAwAy!

Disclaimer:  I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a book for review purposes. The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the product.  However, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I was excited to have the opportunity to review a new book by Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Calling.  She is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.  She has also written numerous nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace.  

Suzanne Woods Fisher is known for romance and hallmark twists in her previous novels and The Calling does not disappoint if you are looking for those elements.  The book is set in a unusually quiet community called Stoney Ridge. Barely out of her teens, Bethany Schrock is experiencing challenges everywhere.  Her love life is a disaster and her faith has been shaken.  Five antiquated Amish sisters have her working to the bone all summer long sorting through piles of junk in their old home.  Gorgeous Jimmy Fisher is making her absolutely crazy but she can't seem to get him off her mind.

Bethany gets wangled into taking over the local soup kitchen and creating a community garden by the ancient but crafty Amish sisters and a local guest.  Before she knew it she was in too deep and then it was too late to stop.  Throughout all this, Bethany continues to weigh heavily regarding a mystery that dated back to her childhood.  She feels like something is missing no matter how much good she does in the community. Jimmy encourages her to find the answers and she finally reveals a shocking secret.  This secret will completely break her heart.  She eventually heals and finds her internal compass that points her to the love she has been seeking all this time.

This was a really entertaining and fun book to read. I loved all the Amish references in the book. It was kind of neat because you really felt like you were part of the town.  You get a real feel for each character and see that no matter what your religious background is, no one is perfect. The Calling was an easy read that was very enjoyable at the same time.  It was interesting to see how fitting the title of her book was and how many twists and turns it might take for someone to find their true calling. That includes friends you might make along the way and more.  The romance with Bethany and Jimmy added a nice touch to the book in an appropriate way...nothing too well, you know what.  I enjoyed the book and found it easy to read. 

Enter here to win the giveaway below. Six Chances to win an iPad, Kindle, or Nook from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Enter Today | 1/20 - 2/8!

Bulu Box January Review and Opportunity for You to Get 50% off or a FREE 1st Box

Disclosure:  I received the product mentioned above for free for the purpose of this review.    The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the product.  However, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. There may be affiliate links in this post. The affiliate links will provide me with a commission while you receive a 50% discount or a free initial Bulu Box. 

**Please consult with your physician or health care practitioner prior to adding any supplements to your diet. 

Are you trying to improve your health?  Get more fit? Eat better?  2014 is your year to do it!  Bulu Box is the first vitamin, supplement and general health subscription sample box designed to help you get there too. Every month, you’ll get a box filled with 4 to 5 premium, curated samples from top brands.

Look forward to a new mix of products for both women and men, including vitamins, weight loss, sports nutrition, protein, diet, energy, detox, digestion, sexual health, herbs, natural remedies, endurance and more. They make sure you get enough to decide if the product is right for you. No shipping or extra fees either. Depending on your plan, you can cancel anytime. There are two kinds of Bulu Boxes to choose from.

Bulu Box-This is the box that I subscribe to....It is the first and only vitamin and supplement sample box out there.  Each box includes a sampling of vitamins and supplements from different areas of health. Each box contains 4 to 5 premium samples (some are bigger than others as you will see!) plus lifestyle extras sometimes. There is good stuff in every box.

Bulu Box Weight Loss: This box is the first and only weight loss and nutrition box. They designed it with the specific goal of weight loss in mind. Each box contains 4 to 5 premium weight loss items such as vitamin and supplement samples, fitness gear and healthy eating tools. These are products to help you succeed with weight loss.

I know you want to see what was in my first Bulu Box so here it is.  The big skinny! Every box comes with a card (above) that explains about the samples and gives you a price for a full size product. My Bulu Box came with a yummy and easy recipe card and a mix of supplement samples and one full size looking product. 

The first item was Wiley's Finest Peak EPA and I was interested to try it.  I need Omeaga 3 since I don't eat enough fish. I have tried a bunch but I had heard good things about Wiley's. It went down easily so that was a good start. 30 Softgels are $19.79

Each box also comes with a My Sample Journal shown above. You can keep notes for yourself and also submit your feedback and earn points towards products you like from your Bulu Box!

Energems were a new to me product. They are described as a product to help enhance energy and focus. Energems energy is equivalent to one energy drink. They tasted good. I liked the flavor a lot. I will let you know. They are $16/12 boxers

I have tried these PowerBar Blends and they taste pretty good.  Natural ingredients and no fat or caffeine. Great before a tough workout or spin class's, ya know? $14.59/6 pouches

Kare-N-Herbs Kold Kare uses a natural herb blend to aid you in reducing cold symptoms like headache, fever, congestion and more.  This is going right in the medicine cabinet for my next cold. I love natural remedies. $11.00/40 tabs

The Alternavites was another new item to me. Looks for for kids and it is. My tween thought the melty powder was cool. No sugar, aspartame or HFCS. Like this one! $15.95/30 sticks

The last item was a single teabag of HELPS Organic Rest and Relax tea. I love chamomile and other relaxing teas at night so this was nice although it was a single sample. $10.98/40 tea bags

Thinking about signing up for BuluBox?  Super easy!

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Paddy O’Shea’s Golf Card Game is a Great Way to Relax and Gave Fun With Friends And Family {Giveaway}

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the product for review purposes. The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the product.

Do you enjoy Game Night with friends and family?  Maybe you have considered starting a regular Game Night but never got around to it in 2013.  Now with the New Year, you have a fun opportunity to set up that regular Game Night evening to relax with your friends or family with Paddy O’Shea’s Golf Card Game! You can even get the kids in on it because this is a game perfect for anyone age 10+.

If you enjoy classic card games like Uno and Hearts I encourage you to try Paddy O’Shea’s Golf Card Game then because you are going to LOVE it.  It is so much MORE fun than any of your usual card games. It is challenging and fun for card players, golfers and board game lovers.  It offers a ton of excitement and you will constantly be challenged by the twists and turns in Paddy O’Shea’s Golf Card Game.

First if all, Paddy O’Shea’s Golf Card Game is a  family game appropriate for 2 to 6 players ages 10 and up. The tweens and teens will love it.  It is very easy to learn but totally unpredictable in its play.  You can learn strategies to stack the cards but luck are involved too.  The game consists of nine hands (“Rounds”) and usually takes 40 to 50 minutes to play a game.  You will definitely want to play more than one game.

We had a bunch of fun playing with our family this weekend.  We had three adults and two 11 year olds and a 9 year old.  Everyone learned the game pretty fast...even the kids and the 9 year old (very smart one that 9 year old).  Paddy O’Shea’s Card Game had the kids laughing as they tried to out-strategize us!  We enjoyed playing so much we went for a second round even though it was totally past certain peoples bedtimes.  We agreed this is a fun game we are going to regularly incorporate into our game nights. My husband also thought it would be a good travel game since it takes up minimal space. 

Suggested retail price is only $9.95!  It makes a great gift for Valentine's Day or even St. Patrick's Day.  Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below to win your own Paddy O'Shea's Card Game.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.