PENSIEVE

The pictures don't do it justice.... {AMPLIF∙eye Lash & Brow Fortifier ~ Review & Giveaway!}

** Congratulations to Paige #21, who was the THIRD number I got from Random Integer Generator, but the FIRST person who actually followed my SIMPLE requirement for entry!  The first two people have NO idea what they're missing!!  (Yes, I'm a stickler for detail, especially when a contest is as simple as this!!!)**

A few months ago I was contacted by Xtreme Lashes to see if I might be interested in trying AMPLIF∙eye Lash & Brow Fortifier, a new product by Jo Mousselli designed to "grow longer, thicker, darker, more plentiful lashes...without the risk of Rx side effects."  I'm a natural skeptic when it comes to product hype, but because I have pitifully sparse eyelashes I figured I had nothing to lose and potentially eyelashes to gain.

Researching the product and watching a video describing AMPLIF∙eye, I discovered:

• AMPLIF∙eye is the strongest, side-effect free, peptide-based product proven to grow lashes (peptids are amino acids, the basic building blocks of hair and lashes).
• The peptides penetrate the lash line and into the lash follicle to stimulate hair growth and strengthen the root structure.
• Its formula is based on a potent complex of peptides, vitamins and nourishng extracts.

In contrast to a well-known prescription brand that I'll choose not to name out of courtesy, AMPLIF∙eye does not rely on the hormone prostaglandin to stimulate growth. 

A few weeks into using it morning and night, I began to see a difference; my lashes were fuller and longer.  The results weren't extreme but they were definitely perceptible.  It was much more obvious when I applied mascara--then there was a dramatic difference.  The biggest compliment I received?  When Angela, our Face2Face make-up artist extraordinaire asked me if I had been using [the well-known prescription brand] lash fortifier!  You can use AMPLIF∙eye on thinning eyebrows, too, but as I've already established with excessively generous, caterpillar eyebrows I have no need for that!

AMPLIF∙eye's offical launch is next week (that's why you haven't heard about it yet--this is cutting edge, people!!) and you have a chance to win a full-size sample valued at $119!  All you need to do is comment to this post telling me about your favorite beauty discovery. 

Fine print:

• Giveaway runs through Friday, December 10 @ noon EST.
• Xtreme Lashes will deliver anywhere--no geographical restrictions!
• After you comment your favorite beauty discovery, you may gain additional entries by Tweeting or Facebooking about the giveaway; just link the specific URL from your tweet/FB status in a separate comment.

 

Insider's tip:  If you follow XtremeLashes on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook, I bet you'll have opportunities for additional product giveaways. 

{For the record, do you have any idea how painful it is for me to post these pictures of me without make-up???  Believe me, black and white is doing you a favor!}

Before ~

 

After ~

Thanks to Xtreme Lashes for providing me a complimentary sample; nothing makes me happier than to be able to speak favorably on a product's behalf when it delivers what it promises!

He croons, I swoon {ENTER to win your own copy of "Your Songs" by Harry Connick, Jr.}

Harry Connick, Jr. has a voice that penetrates marrow.  Velvety and scrumptious and as easy on the ears as he is on the eyes, Harry always leaves you wanting more.

When One2One Network extended the opportunity for me to review his latest release "Your Songs,"as a long-time fan I immediately jumped.  The icing on the cake is one of my lucky readers will receive a copy, too!

Much like Rod Stewart accomplished with his Great American Songbook Collection, Connick breathes new life into the Standards Baby Boomers already know, and introduces Big Band sound to a younger generation; in some cases he's borrowing "signature songs for iconoic performers"--Elvis, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra--and spinning them with his style and grace; he honors them in so doing.

My favorites?  All the Way and Smile, but wanna know what most impresses me about Harry Connick, Jr.?  He uses his celebrity to give back to others.  After witnessing the destruction of Gulf Coast hurricanes, he, along with Branford Marsalis, imagined the Musicians Village; rather than me explain, it's worth your time to click the link to learn more.  You'll be heartened.

Interested in winning a copy of "Your Songs"?  To enter, visit Harry's Facebook page and Fan him if you haven't already (be sure to leave a comment below letting me know you did).  If you aren't on Facebook, visit his official website and comment something you learned about him.  You can earn additional entries by tweeting about the giveaway and linking to this post, stumbling it, and honestly, however else you're inclined to promote the giveaway and comment an extra chance to win ;).  I'm pretty easy that way (but remember, the more separate comments you leave, the more you tip Random Integer Generator in your favor!).

Curious about the whole track list?  For your convenience:

All The Way (Frank Sinatra), Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel), Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley), And I Love Her (The Beatles), (They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters), Besame Mucho, The Way You Look Tonight, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack), Your Song (Elton John), Some Enchanted Evening, And I Love You So (Don McLean), Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett), Smile (Charlie Chaplin), Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

STILL want more Harry?  How 'bout a behind the scenes look at ‘Making of’ the album:  http://bit.ly/HCJrVideo

Wanna win a $200 Visa gift card?

Ten years ago I was looking toward this season of my life with dread:  our children's teenager years.  I was told, then, that as toddlers they would step on my toes, but as they grew up, they'd trample my heart. 

So far, we've escaped that herd of buffalo wreaking havoc on heart and home.

We're far from perfect parents; they're far from perfect kids.  And though I know we have many years to go and we'll make more mistakes along the way, I believe a few wise choices have contributed to relatively smooth sailing so far...

{Continue reading at Show & Tell & Give & Take and learn how you can win one of nine $200 Visa gift cards--including one from me :) !!}

Text Education

With two cell phone-carrying teenagers in our house, it's critical for us as parents to get in their business and know the technology better than--or at least as well as--them.  And not just know the technology, but also to know what it is they're saying and to whom. 

Listen friends (and by "friends" I mean anyone who sees this post--whether you're a regular reader or landed on this page by a random search)...it's your business to get in their business.

Even if they protest.

Especially if they protest. 

That's why when BlogHer asked me to take a look at LG's DTXTR website, a tool to help equip parents with knowledge, I couldn't say no.  And wow...I realized that as much as I do know?  There's even more than I don't!  Heck, I didn't even know what SMS actually stood for!

{Click to continue reading and for a chance to win one of five LG phones!}

Photo credit

Winner of the iPod Touch

Sometimes, it almost pays not to know me.  Take yesterday morning, for example.

Using the Random Integer Generator, a number was selected.  I counted through the comments and was surprised when I realized I knew the winner.  So I recounted, remarkably landing on the same person. 

My immediate thought was "I can't give this to someone I know!" so I commenced to spazzing out on Twitter. 

I wonder if she saw that thread and wondered if it was her, lol.  She didn't say a word if that was the case.  Hehe, another friend direct messaged me asking if it was her, and I was hatin' having to tell her no.

Anyways, the unanimous opinion was a big "so what?", and a few suggested I take a screen shot of the RIG page if it made me feel better.  I finally got around to that, but I'm a bit horrified to admit how many tabs were open (which doesn't come close to my known high count:  39) because I'm A.D.D.  a wicked cat juggler a consummate multi-tasker.

I've stalled long enough.  Time to spill the beans:

Congratulations, Lisa Beeeeee, you're the proud winner of an iPod Touch (GET!  OUT!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???!!!).  Email your snail mail and I'll have my people contact your people with the deets. 

Don't thank me, thank Mr. RIG :).

 

THANKS to all who entered and shared how you're protecting your family's online activity.  Though most of you didn't win an iPod Touch, I hope what you learned about Norton Family Online proves much more valuable than the newest whizbang technology :).

iPod Touch. Win one!

It is my privilege...my honor...my delight...to give one of my awesomefabulous readers a $299 iPod Touch.  Three ways to enter, details at show & tell & give & take.

Get thee hither before 2/22/09.

Color me impressed

The entries for December's Poetic License are incredible; I've updated the original post to include all email submissions, and you should visit it and all the links for a wintertime treat.  Seriously. 

A n d, my dear poetic friends, you made it extremely difficult to choose a winner for the $25 Build a Bear giftcard!  I was certain a pensieve would win, but in the end, I chose a haiku. 

First the runners up:

Wait a second...I can't have runners up!  You know why?  I'll tell ya why:  THERE ARE TOO DAGGUM MANY!  It's ridiculous...I cannot narrow it down to two or three because each one thrills me in its own way.  So...as concession, I'm getting ready to email everyone who participated, and the first three people to email their snail mail to me will win a little surcie from the ol' PENSIEVE. 

{I do need to make mention of my friend IRL, Dawn, who emailed the MOST INSANE poem of the bunch at midnight last night.  You must click the original post link to see what I'm talkin' about.  Me thinks the pastor's wife might've been dippin' into the ol' egg nog ;).  I kid!  I kid!!}

The winning poem caught my attention because of what it communicates in just 17 syllables.  Word economy is not my strength, so when I see a haiku that nails it?  I'm enamored.  Congratulations to Sharon (not a blogger) who penned this verse:

Sweet Christmas kisses
Quick, stolen appetizers
'Neath the mistletoe

Sincere thanks for all of you who joined in; in the midst of a busy season, your creative, enthusiastic participation  was a blogging paycheck to me...:)

Pensieve, Haiku, Winter, Christmas

Surely it's still morning somewhere...right? 

After a week of unusual quietness (unless you follow me on twitter and you know **what** I've been up to--pictures HOPEFULLY to follow soon ;) ), yesterday, I fire up the ol' laptop and I watch it die right before my eyes.  I'll find out Monday if it's dead-dead or just Jack Bauer dead, and frankly, I'm pulling for Jack and his nine lives...we'll see.

A thousand apologies for taking so long to post this month's Poetic License--and THANK YOU for those of you who encouraged me with your eagerness! I'd like to think it's because of your ardent love for writing poetry, but me thinks the $25 Build a Bear giftcard might be the motivating factor :).

It was writer's choice this month, a pensieve or haiku for form, winter or Christmas for theme.  I tackled both...did you?  Link away!  A $25 gift card is waiting (to be awarded by noon Monday).

My pensieve ~

The Incarnation

Acrid, unmistakable scent of bestial den.

Underfoot, an uneven carpet of dirt, straw and manure.

The new mother muffles her own cry as she listens for His first.

His taste of humanity begins as it will end, bloodied and bruised,

Walls rough hewn and sparse, a crowded stable welcomes a King.

My haiku ~

Snowflake

Uncommon wonder

Beauty in delicate flight

Its capture, futile.

REVISED WITH READER SUBMISSIONS ~ OOPS!  I forgot to add these offered in comments, some from friends who don't have blogs.  They're good so I sure don't want you to miss 'em! :)

Sledding

Tobaggons gliding effortlessly over a white sea
Children exploding with laughter
Icy snow mischievously freezing my toes
Evergreens bestowing their sappy aroma
Velvety Cocoa warming my arctic soul

~ Kenna

Christmas cookies

Little men and stars all in a row.
The timer set and ready to go.
A delicious scent tickles my nose
My mouth watering, I stand ready afraid I'll miss.
Out of the oven and into my hand such sweet bliss.
~ Pami Kay

Sweet Christmas kisses
Quick, stolen appetizers
'Neath the mistletoe
~ Sharon

New Year's Eve

Clock chimes, melting kiss
Another year spent with you
Heart’s contented bliss
~ Heather, Sprittibee

 

Steve

Sappy, sticky, itchy a breath from brittle, Steve
Wild, thick, and heady fading …tamed to a “fresh scent”, Steve
Towering arms full of easily shattered memories, Steve
Hot, sweet coffee at six in my slippers and silence, Steve
Little boy lilting “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree.”  Can I name him Steve?

~ Dawn

 

Bears, Mooses, Poems & Prizes

Just look at 'em--have you ever seen a more darling pair of pairs?

Princesses Belle and Jasmine were over for a visit yesterday and they fell in love with Hal and Holly Moose; I had a hard time not sending Hal and Holly home with the girls.  Especially when they rubbed their hands over the fur and said, "They're SOOOooooo soft!"  The book tells a tall tale of saving Christmas by the pair of Moose siblings "who were filled with big ideas and even bigger dreams". 

The stuffed mooses (no editorial corrections, please, I know "mooses" isn't a real word, but in MY world, it makes complete sense, tyvm) are from the imagination of Build a Bear, and for the holiday season, you can get the pair of stuffed animals and this book for just $24!  Outfits are extra, but normally, each stuffed animal is $18 and the book itself retails for $15.99. 

Why in the world would I write  an endorsement for the Build a Bear people when I'm clearly in the midst of a strong conviction in "doing more with less" this Christmas season? 

They've given me a $25 giftcard to give to YOU!  You have enough to purchase the afore-mentioned gift set or use it to design your own custom bear!  You'll have it in time for Christmas--perfect timing for a giveaway!

Wanna know how you can be eligible?  All you have to do is write a poem for this month's Pensieve Poetic License. 

Turkey, turkey, who'll get the turkey???

** VOTING'S CLOSED **

And congratulations to my new friend, Amy, and my old friend, Karmyn, who after fierce battle, came away with the highest votes for their turkey odes.  Snailmail your emails, girls...I'll send those turkeys flying in your direction lickity split!



Here are the five finalists in the Butterball Turkey giveaway; it was excruciating for me to have to limit the field to five!  Please read the entries from the original post and you'll see what I mean!!  Thanks to all who entered...I wish I could give each of you a gift certificate for a free turkey!

Poems are listed in the order they were commented (though for some reason, they were mixed up on the poll); voting will remain open until Thursday around noon.  The poll lists the author's first name and the first line of their poem.

my feathered friend
i see you
over there, behind the fence.
so trusting, so gobbly.

When you hear the car
you come arunnin'
the boy hops out to pet you.
so sweet, so plump.

our friends gather
bellies expanding
"mommy, have you seen Tom Turkey?"
so trusting, so simple.

"no, honey, I haven't. Use your napkin, you've got some gravy on your chin."

~ Amy  (nice irony...bless his heart!)

My Love, My Love, My Butterball

Oh succulent, juicy Butterball
into deep love I always fall
your crispy skin, your juicy wings
I dive within, my true heart sings
Oh Butterball, sweet holiday
A flawless meal for turkey day:

I think mine eyes will never see
white meat as lovely as you offer me.

~ Deb  (a love poem for turkeys **giggles**)

November Treasures

Trees rustling, the autumn sky
Halo of cloud on moon or sun
Afternoon game, a soft lullaby
Naps on the sofa, chores not begun
Kids on the sidewalk, spontaneous songs
Family stories, dessert buffets
Uttered forgiveness, righted wrongs
Love-filled moments, love-filled days

~ Laura  (an acrostic AND a rhyme scheme--double the pleasure!)

There once was a bird from Nantucket
Whose thighs were the size of a bucket
On its backside was scrawled
The name BUTTERBALL
And we fear since it's gone that Pawtucket.

~ Swampy  (**snorts** paw took it!)

There once was a Turkey named Fred
who feared that he soon would be dead.
So he grabbed a big brush
some ink and with rush
painted his feathers all red.

"Turkeys are brown," Fred did thought
"no one will see through this plot"
but down came the rain
and with it Fred's gain
all his hard work was for naught.

In the end Fred died on his chest
along with all of the rest.
But at least Fred did know
as his soul left to go
that he was a Butterball, they're best.

~ Karmyn (a 3-stanza limerick? :) happy sighs)