Giveaway: Eshakti

I just love this company, they have adorable fashionable clothes at reasonable prices! I am always on the prowl for Eshakti giveaways and I am sharing the love!

Misadventures in baby raising is having a tickle her pink valentine's blog party! That probably means there will be lots of giveaways! To enter the Eshakti $20 giftcard giveaway go here. Just so happens that there will be 2 winners. (so that means me and you, right? lol) There are multiple ways to enter!

Two of my favorite items are Embellished scoop neck top, I'm partial because I think I look amazing in blue! Also love the Drapey Cowl neck pullover, but I don't have shoes to go with these, darn would have to find something!

Best part is that Eshakti is for every beautiful lady out there with sizes available from 0-26w!

Unique Giveaway: The Vintage Pearl

It's a good thing I have NO money because I have found so many handmade items I just adore. And yes, I have a list of "to purchase" items once I do have money. (sorry checking account) I recently found another unique set of jewelry I am in love with!

So I'll fill you in, it's The Vintage Pearl where there are items from necklaces to bracelets to earrings. I love so many of the necklaces! A few of my favorites are Large Layers necklace (right) as well as the I love you to the

moon and back (left).

If you like what you see, and how can you not? Just go visit Scary Mommy. To enter a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to the vintage pearl! The contest will end February 8th at midnight.

Workin it out

Wow someone has been neglecting blogging duties? Well that's what happens when you get a little busier I suppose.

Yesterday while I was doin my elliptical thing (by the way friday evenings at the gym are awesome, because no one is there). I realized, I've been at this for a little over a month now. I have made it to the gym at least 3x a week, but I aim for 4. From the time I started I am down 6 lbs, so needless to say I am pretty jazzed. I like having the hour to myself, to clear my head and witness all the strange things one sees at the gym (revert back to tuesday though process). Not to mention, there has only been one time Fox News has not been on one of the tvs. As if it is some sort of Y law that it must be on at all times. To be honest, one hour with Glenn beck and a few clips of Robert Gibbs bumbling like an idiot really does wonders for increasing your heart rate. I have concluded that is probably all Gibbs is good for, besides being the worst press secretary ever.

Looking back, this month has been pretty much amazing. I feel like I am in a lot better "place" in life and the journey to "know thyself" shall continue.

Wordless Wednesday: But with Words

So what is more important to you today, Itablet talk or SOTU?

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Thought Process (at the gym)

This is pretty much now it went:

Why am I here, I am so tired I don't want to do this?

(while weighing on scale) I weigh 2 lbs less than last week, the scaled lied to me yesterday, okay let's do this

Oh hello hot army guy, you do not match today

(10 mins into workout) man I am sore, and tired and why am I doing this again?

Oh yes, beach body, beach body. MILF status again, clothes fitting, long hair

Let's find that maneater song, that outta get me motivated

Gosh I love that fox news is always on here, it's like a "rule"

Hey I haven't seen any of the hot workers lately, did they stop cleaning the machines?

Wonderful I am the only one on the elliptical now, and everyone is watching my giant ass

Turn around snarly lady on the treadmill, yes my machine is making weird noises but I am not stopping 25 mins in when I have a rhythm....

AGAIN, crazy why are looking at me, turn up your ipod!

Oh tiny asian girl, wonder if she runs marathons. Why does she wear eyeliner to the gym?

Awesome crazy lady will now stare at her instead of me.

I wish I had more water, but I am not getting off this machine until I am D-O-N-E.

Great, person #7 I've seen from high school, awkward.

Hot army guy is stretching too, score!

Okay he isn't that hot, kinda looks like a bird, I like his tattoos.

(back to lockeroom) Please do not let me be the 80 year old naked woman changing right when you walk in, ever.

And do not let me wear giant mumbo granny panties either.

(leaving locker room) Hot army guy again, wonder what his last name is, inspect back pack, nothing maybe he's a poser. Actually he could be a guido, I should rethink this.

(getting DD from nursery) Dang it the ladies here are talking about cheeseburgers, I want one, no I don't, yes I do, blah!

In Honor of the Massachusetts election: An Open Letter to Democrat Politicians

I'm having a political moment here. A facebook friend posted this video a few weeks ago,

and then it mysteriously disappeared from youtube. Hmmm wonder why?

It's pretty powerful, and I wish the GOP would grab hold of ideas like this!

Handbag giveaway: Spring is almost here check out Parazul

As the season's change so does your wardrobe, down to the shoes and accessories. Start 2010 off right and enter to win this gorgeous handbag!!

Baby Dickey, milftobe's blog (and honestly that name rocks!) has this awesome giveaway for a Parazul designer handbag. The bags are inspired by destination vacations, namely the Caribbean and Alaska. For us busy mom's this is about as close as some of us will get to a vacation until those kids grow up! You can win a very neutral beige bag that will go great with any outfit, retails at $250. There are multiple ways to enter so get on over there! She also has other great giveaways for mom's and mom's to be, oh and you get extra entries for entering those as well!

Ends Jan 22nd at 11:59 CST!

Jewelry: Pure Pearls giveaway

Did you seriously think I was done with the jewelry giveaway blogs? Just. you. wait.

So adding to the list of things for you to do New Age Mama has a Pure Pearls giveaway. You should definitely check it out because there are multiple entries and the beloved "tweet everyday". You have a choice between 2 prizes too, the "Pure Hearts" coin pearl pendant OR Pure Hearts bracelet. Which one do you like better? I think I am leaning towards the pendant right now!

You have until 2/3/10 to enter, and it is for US residents only.

Jewelry: Pearl Paradise giveaway

As I frequent blogs and read tweets from the tweeps, I notice many products or brands and then I become hell bent on winning that product! Can't say that I have been successful yet, but one day it will happen. One of the current giveaways I am loving is Pearl Paradise. I honestly, have no pearls, but I can see where they would come in handy. As I enter the real world of the working people pearls would be a great accessory. Gawd, and I just love jewelry!

Right now Jacqueline from Blessings Abound has a Pearl Paradise Giveaway. To be exact you can enter to win the Enter to win a 7.0-8.0 mm White Freshwater Pearl Necklace!!! There are multiple ways to enter, so it is definitely worth your time. You have until January 27, to enter by 11:59 PM (alaska time folks!) Check out all of her Giveaways, because you get extra entries for entering them too!

Jewelry: Tear drop earring giveaway

Alright ladies, and gents (I doubt there are many) it is getting close to that time of year, Valentine's day. So I am starting to see some fabulous giveaways pop up related to this holiday and many of them are jewelry! I am all about entering these since I do not have a person other than my adorable daughter to celebrate this holiday with. Mama, wants win herself a little somethin pretty! But you should too, and if anything it could be a great gift for someone else!

The Networking Witches have a beautiful teardrop earring giveaway. These are great because they can be dressed up or down, they are basic and simple without being boring. One would be surprised how something so simple can make such a statement! The earrings are from the Turtle Love Co. . They have some wonderful other products.

There are multiple ways to enter and this giveaway ends on February 1st.

Last Minute Giveaway: Butterfly Pendant

Recently I have been entering some great handmade giveaway's. Most of the products are on Etsy and very pretty. Something about wearing something actually made by someone by hand makes me feel all kinds of special.

Right now you can drop by K S Jewellery Designs and enter to win a beautiful butterfly pendant. It is a perfect piece for everyday wear! 3 ways to enter

But you must Hurry the winner will be drawn 1-15-10

So this workout thing!

Isn't all that bad. Now that I am in a groove I guess I am here to stay. For example, today I was going to take a rest day, and the more I sat on the couch the more I though "just get up and go do something". I didn't go full steam ahead at the gym, but I did get in a decent workout.

The way I look at it is, that I can either wallow in what I don't want to do, have a sluggish workout and not get anywhere. Or get there and devote all my energy for the next hour to have the best workout possible. The result is I feel great afterwards, and I don't feel guilty if a sneak a potato chip later from Reagan.

Speaking of eating, I really do not want to count calories. Mainly because I don't want to have to count calories for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong I look at the nutrition labels and have a roundabout number as to what I'm consuming but I am by no means tracking. I hope this continues to work for me. I'm living by Bethenny's "your diet is like a bank account". If I want a cookie I just know that I'm going to have to make smarter choices the rest of the day into the next day to make up for eating the cookie. It makes it all pretty easy.

And the result was that last week I lost 3 lbs. I was pretty stoked, seeing that I went to Olive Garden and McDonald's last week, and again just made smart choices. The 6 or so beers I consumed Friday night, probably not so wise. Really want to try the ne

w expresso/coffee flavored vodka...although that get could

be dangerous.

So wanted to share, this is how I am keeping track of everything. I plug in my miles and calories after my workouts and I total them up for the end of the week. I am already seeing improvement!

Wordless Wednesday: Reagan's favorite Game

Snow: Then and Now

I am constantly amazed by the experiences Reagan has as she grows up. Playing in the snow is no doubt one that I have seen a big change in as she gets older. The first time she went in the snow she was just a little over a year old. She was interested in looking at it, but when it came to sitting in it or playing in it she was down right terrified (not like the Santa Clause issue though). Unfortunately, we did not play in the snow last year. It was just too cold, and on the days it was warm enough for her to play she was sick. Yes, it was a rough winter for us all.

This past week after begging and pleading I finally took her out. Immediately she plopped down and made a snow angel and threw the snow in the air. Which, she learned from the ever so annoying Max & Ruby show, and oddly enough she can LEARN from that show. She went sledding down the dip in our backyard, helped mommy shovel and jumped in the piles of removed snow from the driveway. The difference a couple years make is just amazing. She is going to be SO ticked when we can't go out tomorrow

because it's too cold!

For some comparison here are pictures from when she was 1

And this is from this week!

Handmade giveaways: Raggedy Ann

Okay, time to let you in on a little secret about me. Ready for this one? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Raggedy Ann and Andy. I have been collecting the dolls since I was young with my Mom (who has since passed). We have one special Raggedy Ann that started it all, Annie Bananie. I handmade doll given to my mom in college from one of her friends. No coincidence my daughter loves Annie just as much as I did. It is a tradition I hope to carry on with her.

So you can imagine the joy on my face when I saw this Raggedy and Andy giveaway! It is a 13 inch Raggedy Ann and Andy Valentine's Day lamp. For more details you can pop on over to Willowtree Treasures blog. This giveaway runs thru January 28th. Be sure to check out her shop on Etsy as well, for other finds for your home!

Wordless Wednesday

Get a head start: All I wanted for Christmas giveaway

So you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas? The fruitcake is now a door stop, you have a closet full of things to "regift", your MIL proved to you again that she'll never understand your tastes. Well I am here to direct you to Happily Blendid to solve your problems. She is going to start an after Christmas giveaway blitz and you can earn 10 extra entries for every giveaway before it even begins!! Yeah isn't that the coolest news of 2010 thus far?

Pretty simple too, just pop on over to her blog and snag her button to post on your blog for 5 entries. Then spread the news to your readers in a blog post and receive another 5 entries! 3, 2, 1 GO!! (click links or button!)

Amazing Recipe Blog

I have been browsing through her stuff and she has some amazing recipes. At first I was super excited because there were lots of desserts (you know me I love to bake!) but that was just for the holidays. But the two things I have made from her blog are delicious. So I think you all need to go check out Fake Ginger.

The first thing I made was Pumpkin Caramel Coffee Cake. I love pumpkin, I love sweets what could go wrong. There were a lot of steps but it was definitely worth it. As noted in the recipe spreading the batter the 2nd time was more challenging, but i used an icing knife and it went okay. I shared this with my bff and he said it was a keeper. I don't let family judge, because they don't like sweets.

Then this morning I made Vanilla Spice Oatmeal. I like oatmeal and I am trying to get on the eating healthy bandwagon. I don't like raisins though so I skipped those, and I was too lazy to do the walnut thing (and I can do without those calores: comparable worth) But it was very easy to make and is delicious. It just sweet enough, not overpowering. Now if I would have used the splenda brown sugar I am sure it'd be a bit better, but oh well beats eating the coffee cake for breakfast like I did yesterday.

I think you must be convinced now to check out her blog and read about her. I was excited to see she is my age and a SAHM, so i think it's totally sweet she loves to cook, don't find that often most people my age are eating ramen and sofa pizza. Be sure to check out the other food blogs she loves. I have already snagged another recipe from one of those!

So it's 2010, what will it bring?

To be honest what I am looking forward to the absolute most about 2010 is the Midterm Election. Yes *beware* the following will be a short political rant. I am by no means afraid to discuss politics (hello it's my life) but I think there is a time and a place. So if you don't want to read it then you can skip past this red section and onto my other 2010 plans. Whether, I agree with the party in power or not I love election season. It's the time I become so engulfed by the constant news cycle and every development that it's unbearable for some. By Thanksgiving I have to go back to watching crappy mtv reality shows to give my brain a break. Trust me this year will be interesting to watch unfold, hopefully there will be some movers and shakers emerging (Hello Rubio). Over the past year America has been transformed and there are numerous people not happy with the projected outcome, and they will be silent no more.

Okay well enough of that before I lose my 4 followers I have. My other big goal is to lose at least 30 lbs. I plan to achieve this through healthy eating and exercise. In order to keep on track I am pledging to run/walk/bike at least 400 miles this year. Yes, that is a lot but it is a goal that will keep me working out all year long. A great motivator is the vast wardrobe of clothes I have in my closet that no longer fit properly. I am just dying fit in them again, and it will be like getting a bunch of no clothes all over.

Aside from that I absolutely must find a job. Which means I must finish my resume this week and start looking. I am leaning towards a campaign but I am afraid to commit to that time commitment being a single parent and all. So we'll just have to see what it brings, I am sure it is out there waiting for me. Secondly, I need to decide if/when I am going to grad school and what I am doing. I am still heavily drawn towards counter terrorism, and learning Arabic. With, the latest developments of underpants bomb guy it is just another tally on the reasons I think I should do it. It is a field that needs a lot of attention and is not going away anytime soon. Whether, combatting International terrorism or domestic terrorism I think it is a field that would enjoy. Much like campaigns you have to be on the ball with new information, the adrenaline of that makes for an interesting, informative and growing career.