Holiday Hoopla Series #18 - American Heroes CD

Since his first professional appearance in 1972, Jonathan Sprout has recorded nine albums, performed 5,824 concerts (including 4,798 children’s concerts) and taught 757 songwriting workshops throughout the United States. His songs have appeared on several internationally released compilation albums. Jonathan’s seventh release, American Heroes, won critical acclaim and awards from The National Association of Parenting Publications & Parents’ Choice as a groundbreaking CD in the field of educational children’s music. A sequel, More American Heroes, has been awarded The Film Advisory Board’s Award of Excellence and Parents’ Choice Awards.

A resident of the Philadelphia, PA region, Jonathan continues to perform, on average, more than 200 children's concerts each year.


Jonathan's American Heroes #3 CD was released in January 2009 and has been awarded SEVEN national awards.

I think that this is a really great teaching tool. The songs on the CD tell the stories of famous men and women in our history that have helped to shape our nation like Rosa Parks, MLK Jr, George Washington and many more.

Song Lyrics can be found here: http://jonsprout.com/cms/index.php/cds/64-american-heroes-3-lyrics

This would be a great gift for the children in your life!!!

Disclaimer: I was provided a CD in exchange for this review

Holiday Hoopla Series #17 - Toast Jewelry

A little bit about the creator of Toast Jewelry, and her beautiful pieces:

Hayden Barnes is the talent behind the fun, nature-inspired jewelry found in an increasing number of boutiques in the Portland area. She's been making jewelry for as long as her nimble hands can remember, but in the past couple of years her love for trees has worked its way into her craft. She started experimenting with wire work and began turning out amazing necklaces and earrings in a leaf motif, occasionally adorned with dainty beads. When so many different jewelry designs can appear overwhelming, her work is praised for its understated and delicate look. Her current work focuses on the elegance and simplicity of leaves, which I think is beautiful. She makes all of her jewelry with sterling silver or gold wire, and swarovski crystals.

I had the chance to review her jewelry in the past and have gotten so many compliments on the large aspen leaf earrings when I wear them out or to work, so much so that I decided to buy another piece from her etsy shop!

One thing that I like about Hayden is that if you would like a shorter or longer chain she is always happy to accommodate. She also can accommodate people with metal allergies, which is great. You can't be the customer service!

And each piece is a “one of a kind” because each leaf is made by hand, so no two pieces can be 100% identical, which I really like. There is definitely something to be said for hand made items. You know much care and attention goes into every little piece, which is why I love to promote small businesses and Etsy shops!

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFT EVERY WOMAN WILL LOVE, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.ALL ITEMS ARE GIFT WRAPPED

with beautiful recycled boxes and tissue paper

To Buy:

Hayden is offering my readers a 15% discount if you use the code: MelindaJoy. With etsy it can be a little confusing for shoppers because there is no actual place to put in a discount code. Just put in the code "melindajoy" in the 'message to seller' box when purchasing the item. Then she will refund the 15% percent discount to you via paypal. You can also contact her prior to purchasing the item, tell her what you want and she will put up a reserved listing for you with the discount already in.

Vist her shop now to buy some great holiday gifts!!!

Disclaimer: I was not provided anything in exchange for this review

$110 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!!! - closed

Congratulations to our $110 Visa Gift Card Winner, random comment #603

codi said...

Now following you on Twitter & tweeted! un: codisweepstakes
http://twitter.com/codisweepstakes/status/6826335917
codisweepstakes2 (@) gmail.com

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Kodak is running a great promotion now called "Print & Prosper," and in doing so is offering ONE of my readers a $110 Visa Gift card. The idea behind this campaign is to "put your money in your wallet, not in your printer!" The dollar amount ($110) correlates with the "Kodak Save $110 Tour" which is traveling across the country to show how families can save on average $110 per year on ink with Kodak's All-in-One inkjet printers. The tour is a part of Kodak's "Print & Prosper" marketing campaign, reinforcing how Kodak's All-in-One inkjet printers are revolutionizing the inkjet printer business by offering the lowest total ink replacement cost in the industry ($14.99 MSRP for color and $9.99 MSRP for black).

See some special offers below:



OR


WOULD YOU LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN THIS $110 VISA GIFT CARD???


HOW TO ENTER:
1) Follow Kodak on Twitter @KodakSave110 and comment with your twitter handle
2) Visit http://www.printandprosper.com/ and comment with something you learned about Kodak
printers and cost-savings
3) Follow @melindajoy926 and tweet this giveaway and leave me the twitter comment link
"$110 Visa GC Giveaway @melindajoy926 + "Link"
4) Follow my blog (google reader, blogger, facebook), and leave a comment telling me you did so
5) Email 5 friends about this giveaway and let me know you did this
6) Subscribe to my blog via email, and leave a comment with your subscribed emai laddress
7) Grab my button and leave me a link to your page
8) Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to the post

Open to Anyone!!

Deadline: December 20th at noon EST

For more information:
http://www.kodak.com/go/save110tour to follow the tour and see what cities it will be arriving into next!

Disclaimer: I was not provided with anything in exchange for hosting this review. Kodak is providing the GC directly to the winner

Author Spotlight - Lynn Austin

A friend of mine introduced me to Lynn Austin about a year ago with "Eve's Daughters," and I have been devouring every other book of hers since then, when I have time. Her novels tend to involve the lives of women who cross paths and are forever changed because of it, or young women in search of something, yet find something opposite of what they were searching for. I love how she develops the characters almost instantly, and I am always drawn into the story in the first few pages, wanting to read more.

She writes Christian Fiction novels which I find very entertaining and also encouraging, sometimes inspiring. Some of the characters in the novels have faced such hardships it makes me appreciate the blessings in my life all the more. A few of the novels focus around a historical time such as the World Wars which peaks my interest in history, which as a student was my least favorite subject, so you know she must be a talented author to do so.


The collection of novels I have read by this author include:

* A Proper Pursuit
* Hidden Places
* Eve's Daughters
* All She Ever Wanted
* Candle in the Darkness (Refiner's Fire series)
* Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire series)
* A Light to My Path (Refiner's Fire series)

I am reading "A Woman's Place" right now and love it. I've been reading almost non stop stop for the past 3 nights. It's about 4 women from very different walks of life all coming together to make a difference for the war effort, and in doing so, form friendships that transcend their station in life.


Lynn Austin Books Remaining on my list:

Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings series)
Song of Redemption (Chronicles of the Kings series)
The Strength of His Hand (Chronicles of the Kings series)
Faith of My Fathers (Chronicles of the Kings series)
Among the Gods (Chronicles of the Kings series)
Though Waters Roar
Until We Reach Home




I can't wait to read more books by this author!!!

To find out more about this author, or about the books she has written, visit her website here: http://www.lynnaustin.org/ME2/Sites/Default.asp

Disclaimer: I was not provided anything in exchange for this review

Bonefish Grill Giveaway - $25 Gift Certificate - CLOSED

Thanks to everyone for helping me reach 500 Twitter Followers...now let's aim for 500 Blog Followers :)

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

suburban prep said...
I am a new follower.
msgb245 at gmail dot com


In honor of Bonefish Grill's Give, Get and Win Campaign they are offering one of my readers a $25 Gift Certificate, to be used by 12/31.



Details on the new Bonefish campaign:
When you buy $100 worth of gift cards from Bonefish Grill this holiday season, not only will you get a $20 Bonus card (Bonus Cards valid January 1–February 10, 2010), but you’ll also get a chance to win the Give, Get and Win Sweepstakes.

The grand prize winner of the Give, Get and Win Sweepstakes will win $5,000 in cash, and $5,000 to give to a local charity. Whether you purchase gift cards online or in a restaurant, don’t miss out on your chance to win.

Don’t let today get away. Click here to purchase gift cards for your chance to win.



Two Ways to Enter to win the $25 Gift Certificate:

1) Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message
Bonefish Grill $25 GC Giveaway @melindajoy926 #bonefishgrillMJ ___(link)___ RT and win

2) Follow me on Blogger

** Leave a comment to tell me if you are a new follower on twitter (leave twitter handle) or new blog follower**

When I get to 500 Twitter Followers or 500 Blog Followers I will select a winner, whichever comes first!!!


Disclaimer: I was provided a GC to try this restaurant in exchange for hosting this giveaway

Holiday Hoopla Series #16 - Naturally Nora is Naturally Delicious!

From Naturally Nora's website:

There's no reason dessert has to be full of artificial ingredients or things that are bad for you.
We think that great tasting food should be created in a kitchen, not a laboratory. Unlike most food companies, that is what we do. We pride ourselves on partnering with leading natural ingredient suppliers, use environmentally-friendly packaging, and produce our products in facilities certified to be among the best in the country. This ensures that we provide the highest-quality, all-natural products on the market.

While these mixes are not gluten-free. Their frosting mixes do not contain wheat except for the Surprising Stars variety, and all of their products except for Doubly Fudgy brownies (which contain soy) can be prepared dairy-free and/or soy-free.

These mixes are great for lactose intollerant individuals like my sister or people who need to watch their soy intake. On top of appealing to individuals with dietary restrictions, they would appeal to everyone else because they are so tasty.

So far I have tried the Sunny Yellow Cake Mix, Alota dots Cake Mix, the Vanilla Icing, and the Cheerful Chocolate icing mixes, and my favorites so far are the Sunny Yellow Cake with the chocolate icing...yum!

If you have allergies, or know someone who has intolerances to lactose or soy, try buying them some cake, brownie, or icing mixes...or bake them a cake! You are sure to enjoy these!

Check them out here: http://www.naturallynora.com/about.php

Disclaimer: I received sample mixes in exchange for this review

Holiday Hoopla Series #15 - Amon Maternity

Congratulations to:
mogrill said...
My Sis in Law is expecting in June. Would LOVE to give this to her for her birthday.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
December 10, 2009 12:26 PM


Amon Maternity

Amon Maternity’s mission is to support expecting mothers in getting comfortable by creating a healthy and happy life. Amon symbolizes creation, fertility and life. We are an online maternity store dedicated to providing pregnancy belly support with revolutionary maternity support belts, pregnancy belly band and bodyshaper undergarments.

The perfect gift for the pregnant women or new mothers in your life!

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To Buy: My readers can use the coupon code MELINDAJOY10 on http://www.amonmaternity.com/ to receive 10% off

To Win: They are offering one Melinda Joy Reader a $50 Gift Certificate to Amon Maternity!!!

HOW TO ENTER:

1) Friend Amon Maternity on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amon-Maternity/15606269717
2) Follow them on Twitter - http://twitter.com/KristiBell4Amon
3) Twitter this contest, and leave your link
4) Follow my Blog
5) Subscribe, via email, to my blog

Deadline: December 15 at noon EST

Open to: Anyone

Disclaimer: I was not provided anything from Amon maternity in exchange for this giveaway