New CoverGirl NatureLuxe Foundation Review and $2 off coupon giveaway

NatureLuxe Silk Foundation

8 out of 10 Professional Make-Up Artists agree Natureluxe Silk Foundation provides a light, luxurious feel.

• Provides a smooth, silky feel
• Contains refreshing cucumber water to help balance the creaminess on application
• Made with hints of jojoba and rosehip extracts
• Available in 14 shades ranging from light to dark tones
• Oil-free, SPF 10 and dermatologically tested

I am a BzzAgent and I signed up for the CoverGirl campaign and therefore I received a full size product of the CoverGirl Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation in the color Aspen 320 in return for this review. Now, one thing about doing this review as a BzzAgent is that I have to be totally honest and up front with how I feel about the product I received. Since I work from home doing Childcare I am not a person who wears make-up everyday so I definitely am not a fan of the heavy foundations and I wear contacts so I have to be careful with that too.
So, when my package arrived from my BzzAgent Jono in the mail today which had my new line of CoverGirl Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation and Natureluxe Gloss Balm I couldn't wait to try it out. Immediately I opened it up and went in and started to apply the foundation. They are not kidding when they say it is light and airy. My face actually feels like it can still breathe with this on. I have found a new foundation for myself. And it is reasonably priced too. It is suggested to retail for $11.99 which I know I am willing to pay for the light and airy feel of a good foundation.


Now, as I mentioned above, I also received a Natureluxe Gloss Balm in my package from my BzzAgent Jono. The color Gloss Balm that I received was Anemone 225. Well, let me just say that I am not a fan of red lips so I tried it and wiped it off. Then I tried it again and wiped it off. I love the way it makes my lips feel however, I do not like the color. I wish I would have had a Clay or a Cinnamon color to try but I am sure that I will be trying one of them after my next trip to WalMart. I like the glossy look and it makes my lips feel so soft and silky. You may find this funny but I have found myself going in to try it again followed by wiping it off.
Now, to the good part. I have four $2.00 off coupons to give away to followers of my blog.
How to win: (CLOSED)
Mandatory Entry: Tell me how many days per week you wear foundation.

• Follow my blog publicly through Google Friend Connect (2 entries)
• Follow me through Networked Blog (leave your name)
• Follow me on Facebook (leave your name)
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (5 entries)
  
• Subscribe by email and make sure you activate your email subscription (3 entries)
• Follow me on twitter @LoveMy2Doggies
• Tweet about this giveaway (daily) copy: "Entered to win a $2 OFF CoverGirl coupon. http://bit.ly/h9ZNYO Ends 5/9"
• Like CoverGirl on Facebook and tell them I sent you (3 entries)
• Follow CoverGirl on twitter and let me know you do along with your twitter name
• Grab my button and let me know where you put it (3 entries)
• Unlimited: Leave me a new comment on any post other than a giveaway post and come back here and let me know you did (one entry per new comment)
  

Contest Ends: Sunday May 9, 2011 at midnight EST

Rules:
Winners will be chosen by random using Random.org and will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond or I will have to choose another winner. Make sure your email address is either in your comment or on your profile so that I may contact you.
Restriction:
Limited to residents in the USA.

Images and CoverGirl information are from CoverGirl.com. I was not paid in any way for this review, however I did receive the product in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life~ Book Review

Title: The Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life
Author: Karen Scalf Linamen
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Publish Date: May 2011

About This Book

Ready to Make Some Sweet Changes?

Karen Linamen dishes up a satisfying blend of moxie and mocha, sharing stories from dozens of women who reveal savvy strategies for embracing a sweeter life—even while traveling rocky roads. If you’re hungry for more joy, reasons to laugh again, ideas to help you heal, and reliable hope leading to a sweeter future, this journey will leave you satisfied.

Funny, transparent, and uplifting, The Chocolate Diaries is like taking a road trip with good friends who are wise about life. And while you’re at it, indulge (just a little) in the quirky recipes for concocting chocolate delights out of whatever ingredients you can round up in your kitch. The road may still be bumpy, but you’ll be having too much fun to care.

What I thought about the book:

So, I am not a huge fan of chocolate but I do like a small piece or two occasionally. However, this book is one that I found myself indulging in. Chapter after chapter and recipe after delicious recipe kept me going but the life stories is really what kept me interested. This book is so much about life addressing stress, happiness, chocolate, friendship, eating, chocolate, sharing, depression and chocolate. The Author tells so many uplifting stories about handling different situations that come upon us all during our lifetimes and gives some simple advise and simple yet easy to understand scriptures on handling and understanding why we deal with things they way we do and why we crave chocolate when we do.

There are some yummy looking recipe in this book that I am looking forward to trying. And also there are some quotes from various people answering the question: "What's your secret to a sweeter journey on the rocky road of life?"

Click here to download chapter one of The Chocolate Diaries.

You can purchase this book at:

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for $13.99
Amazon.com for $11.19


I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for the sole purpose of reading and doing this review.

The most delicious ham I have ever had!

I thought that since Easter is coming soon, I would share with you a recipe that my mom found on Food Network and has fixed a few times and I fixed it for the first time this past Sunday. I have to admit that it is the best ham that I have ever had. It's a little spicy but you can either make it less spicy or you can spice that baby right up. Sorry there are no pictures, just trust me, it is delicious! Here is the recipe:

Spiral Ham

Recipe courtesy Aaron McCargo Jr.

Prep Time:
10 min

Cook Time:
1 hr 30 min

Level:
Easy

Serves:

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/2 cup peach nectar
• 4 to 5 chipotles, minced
  
• 5 pound spiral cut smoked ham

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and honey. Set aside.

In another small bowl, mix together the orange juice, peach nectar and chipotles.

Arrange the ham, cut end down, in a large baking dish. Pour a few tablespoons of the juice mixture over the ham and in between the layers. Bake for 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with the remaining juice mixture.

Remove the ham from the oven. Reserve about 1 1/2 cups of cooked juice from baking dish. Brush the honey mixture on the ham and return to the oven to bake for an additional hour until a crust forms and the ham begins to caramelize. Remove from the oven to a serving platter and serve with the reserved baking juice.

Now, a 5 pound ham just won't cut it at my house so I went with a ten pounder and I just doubled everything and I used a whole 7 ounce can of Chipolte peppers in adobo sauce (only the peppers) which you can find along with the peach necter in with the mexican foods in the grocery stores. I did buy the spiral ham but my mom just buys a regular bone in ham and makes "x" cuts in it.

If you decide to fix this let me know what you think. I know that we all love it and my daughter's boyfriend was asking to take some home if we had any leftovers.

The Journey by Wanda Brunstetter ~ Book Review

Author: Wanda Brunstetter
Title: The Journey
Subtitle: Kentucky Brothers Book One
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Publish date: 4/1/2011

About the book:

Titus Fisher has often made poor choices. When he lived in Pennsylvania he chose the wrong girl, who broke his heart. When he moves to Kentucky, he finally discovers that he possesses woodworking skills, will he stick with it or return to the old comforts of his life in Lancaster? Suzanne Yoder’s talents don’t lie in the traditional Amish kitchen, but she suppresses talents that are frowned on by those in her community who believe a woman’s place is in the home. Will Titus be impressed or upset when he learns the secrets she hides?

My thoughts:

Once again, I was impressed with the work of Wanda Brunstetter. In the first book in this series Titus moves away from his parents after the love of his life takes off and leaves the Amish faith to move to California to try the English way of life. Titus is offered a job in Kentucky with a friend of the family so he decides against his parents will that he must make this move to try to forget about his past love. He finds that moving to Kentucky isn't all that easy of a thing for him to do. He runs into some things that are not so easy from the living arrangements to relationships.

This books jumps back and forth from Kentucky to Pennsylvania and back quite a few times but never once does it get confusing and I love how it keeps the families close. With the phone shanties Titus gets to share things with his family back home as they do with him.

If you have never read a book about the Amish before you can read the first chapter in this book by checking out Wanda Brunstetter's website. I guarantee that you will want to finish reading the whole book and will be hooked on her work.

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley and Wanda Brunstetter.com.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book in return for the review from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Blind Hope ~ An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued

Blind Hope ~ An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued
Written by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher
On Sale Jul7 20, 2010
Categories: Religious, Inspirational

Buy here for $13.99



About the book:

Laurie's dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—the ranch of rescued dreams—where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her.

An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced from her ailing, yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog—and her own heart—Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all.

As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn’t see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God’s grace even for imperfect and selfish people—and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known.



My thoughts:

Blind Hope was a different type of book than I normally read. While I love Christian fiction, this was a little more christian than I had intended. It was a very inspirational book. I do have to admit that I did learn from reading this book about hope.

I loved how Laurie and Mia had so many things in common and how Laurie learned how to see things differently through Mia and how Mia learned to see things through Laurie. This is an emotional book for those of us who at times feel lost and it did hit home and times and at times I had to put the book down and think and put things in prospective in with my life.

I do think that this book is a wonderful read for those that need a lifting and for those who struggle with feeling lost or unloved.

It touched my heart how Laurie took Mia in even with all her appearance issues and oh, the bad breath. Love is such a strong thing that overlooks so much.

This book definitely touched my heart, it just was not what I expected to be reading.

Images and excerpt are from WalterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book in return for the review from WalterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

COVERGIRL Celebrates 50th Anniversary

COVERGIRL is celebrating their 5oth Anniversay with some wild and crazy stuff and you can join in on the fun. It is a year long celebration and I am just getting on the band wagon and so can you! Below you can see the first thing that I have done. I created my very own COVERGIRL wallpaper. How cool is that? You can do it also. There are ton's of thing that they have lined up for the year. So make sure you visit COVERGIRL and get in on the fun.

You can do it here.

I am a Bzz Agent and so far I have not received anything for this campaign. I do not know as if I will receive anything at all. I do however buy COVERGIRL products and use them regularly, and love them. Any opinions that I express are my own.

Sharpshooter in Petticoats ~ Sophie's Daughter's Book 3 ~ Book Review

Author: Mary Connealy
Title: Sharpshooter In Petticoats
Subtitle: Sophie's Daughters Book Three
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Publish date: 1/1/2011

About this book:

Aim for hours of reading pleasure with award-winning author Mary Connealy’s last book in the Sophie’s Daughters series. Mandy Gray, a wealthy sharpshooting widow, is content living in her mountain home and raising her young-uns alone. But how long can she protect herself when thieving outlaws have her surrounded? Rancher Tom Linscott can’t bear to see a defenseless woman in danger. Yet his rescue efforts end up bringing trouble right to her door. Now that they’re both trapped on Mandy’s Mountain, can they learn to live together—or will they die alone?

My thoughts:

First off I have to say that having a family that stick up for each other is a very important thing, especially when it is for an important reason. There is nothing more important than family and that is exactly what Mandy has, family and plenty of it. If you have read the two previous books in this series you will remember that Tom Linscott was at her home when Mandy gave birth to the son of her now late husband Sidney Gray while Sidney was in town doing whatever it is he does while he is in town at the saloons. Mandy spends most of her alone with her time alone with her three children at home, in her castle that her gold loving husband, built. The Cooter clan is a rough and tough bunch of outlaw's that stick together as a family also, which is not a good thing for Mandy and her family.

Well, I better stop before I give away something. I will say that this book did not end how I thought it would and I do have to say that even though all the books in this series were awesome, this was by far my favorite book in this series. There is a lot of action in this book and never ever a dull moment. I had a hard time putting it down.

You can buy this book at:

Amazon.com for $6.74
ChristianBooks.com for $6.99
Barbour Publishing for $12.99

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley.
I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book in return for the review from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Isn't this an awesome Bounce-a-Bout from Bright Starts?

Would you like to WIN one for free?? Well, I have good news for you! Thanks, Mail Carrier is giving one away on her blog.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
This giveaway ends April 19th.

My Goodies from the Book Swap

I decided to get in on the Book Swap that Lynette was having over at Crazed Mind and boy and I glad that I did. I received my package yesterday and didn't even know it until today, it came while I was not home and my daughter brought it in the house and set it where I didn't see it until today and when I found it I couldn't wait to open it up.

My package was from Lisa, over at Live and Learn, and boy she did a great job!!

Here is the list of books I received:

The Manny by Holly Peterson
Posterity - Letters of Great Americans To Their Children by Dorie McCullough Lawson
A Simple Gift by Karyn Witmer
The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue
Everything I need to Know About Being A Girl I Learned from Judy Blume
Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes
Four Word Self Help by Patti Digh
It's Not Easy Being Green by Jim Henson

I also received the book bag pictured along with 6 pictures and some scrapbook stuff. I already have plans for two of the prints, which are awesome!

Thanks Lynette and Lisa!!

You can visit Lynette at

and

You can visit Lisa at