Monday, April 30, 2012

Bella Mia Candle Giveaway

mia bella candlesMia Bella's Gourmet Products have an amazing scent and quality that is hard to find elsewhere. You can smell these candles even before you open the box!

Dale & Thomas Popcorn Mother's Day Gift Giveaway

                             Photo courtesy of Dale & Thomas Popcorn

The Today Show calls Dale & Thomas Popcorn "The Rolls Royce of Popcorn" and that is a very accurate statement to describe this scrumptious popcorn. I had the opportunity to try this gourmet popcorn for this review and I have one word to describe it "DIVINE". I received the Mother's Day Gift Pack with the following flavors: Chocolate Chunk 'N Caramel, Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Drizzlecorn, Kettle Corn and White Cheddar and Black Peppercorn. The Mother's Day Gift Box arrived beautifully packaged like in the picture above and there was a gift card sticker on the outside box with a $10. off your next purchase coupon. I will be using that $10. coupon soon to purchase some more Dale and Thomas popcorn! I tried all four flavors and I have to say it is really hard to choose a favorite, they are all so good. The Chocolate Chunk 'N Caramel is rich but not overdone, the Kettle Corn and White Cheddar and Black Peppercorn have just the right mix of sweet and salty and the Peanut Butter and White Chocolate are the perfect combination!

 I was expecting the popcorn to maybe be a little dry or some of the flavor combinations to not be to my liking so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the bags and tried the different flavors. I have ordered gift baskets and other food items from various companies and some times the food is hard or dried out. That is not the case with Dale & Thomas Popcorn, the popcorn is just the right texture when it arrives.


In addition to the Mother's Day Gift Box Dale and Thomas currently has several other gift options for Mother's Day, you can go HERE to see the full line of Mother's Day gifts. Dale & Thomas offers gift options for many occasions including Nurses' Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, Thank You etc. Visit their website HERE to see all of the products they offer and learn more about the company.


Dale & Thomas Popcorn is gluten-free and kosher and they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can go HERE to find out more about ordering and find answers to any questions you may have.


Dale & Thomas Popcorn is generously offering one Mother's Day Gift Box, pictured above, with the four flavors I previously mentioned to one lucky reader of Miss Jackie's Views! Enter to win some of this  delicious popcorn for your mom, or yourself! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter, the first three entries are mandatory and the rest are optional! This giveaway will end on Monday, May 7th at midnight and the winner will have 24 hours to respond so that the sponsor can ship the gift to arrive in time for Mother's Day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sunday, April 29, 2012

Fun Bites - A handy little kitchen tool!

Luv It Fun Bite (Photo Credit - Fun Bites)

NAME OF PRODUCT:  FUN BITES

PRICE OF PRODUCT:  $12.99

WHERE TO PURCHASE: Online at http://www.funbites.com

DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT: "Each Funbites® Pack includes a high performance curved blade cutter that quickly creates small bites and a matching popper top that pops out food instantly so hands are clean, food is untouched.  Funbites® is 100% MADE IN THE USA, top shelf dishwasher safe and BPA Free."

REVIEW OF PRODUCT:  Fun Bites are designed to cut food into bite size shapes. There are two cutters available; the Luv It cutter makes heart and triangle shapes and the Cube It cutter makes cube shapes. You can use Fun Bites to cut just about any food you can think of from pizza to sandwiches to pancakes and tofu. Fun Bites are designed with a curved blade and are very easy to use, my three year old helped make sandwiches with the Luv It cutter we received. 

Fun Bites are made  of a very sturdy plastic. I know some people do not like kitchen utensils/items that are made of plastic but if you think about it plastic is better sometimes. I have had several apple corers/cutters that were made of metal and guess what? After going through the dishwasher (Like a lot of moms I'm always busy  and do not have time to hand wash and dry things) a few times they started to rust. Not so with Fun Bites, put them in the dishwasher time and time again!

I really like items that are multipurpose and Fun Bites fits into that category, you can make mealtimes special for your kids with Fun Bites. You can also use Fun Bites when you are entertaining, they are an easy way to make the food you are serving look special. Here's a neat idea - the next time you are having some girlfriends over for lunch, use Fun Bites to cut up cantaloupe and a honeydew melon. String the cut up cantaloupe and honeydew on skewers and you have fruit kebabs that look elegant, similar to an item sold by a very expensive online fruit gift basket company! For more ideas on ways you can use Fun Bites go HERE!

I would recommend Fun Bites, they are a very affordable, versatile, and easy to use product. And right now Fun Bites is running a Mother's Day Special so head over to their website and pick up one or two for mom!


Disclosure: I received a sample of Fun Bites for review purposes. My opinions however remain my own.






Enjoy Professional Hair Care

Later this week I have a review and giveaway planned of some great hair care products from Enjoy Professional Hair Care. One lucky reader of Miss Jackie's Views will win a package including Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Spray, Gel, Thermal Spray and Shine Spray! That's a package with a retail value of over $120.

When I received the package of products from Enjoy Hair Care they included a brochure with some information in it that I want to pass on to my readers. Enjoy Hair Care not only has a hair care line they also have a skin care line called Skin Joy, something I was unaware of. You can check out the full line of Skin Joy HERE.

If you go to Experience Enjoy HERE you can do a quick quiz and find the best hair care products for your hair type and style, how neat is that?

Take some time to browse around the Enjoy Professional Hair Care site, they are more than just a company that sells hair care products. They offer all kinds of tips and advice on how to style and color your hair and how to care for your skin.

Make sure to stop back later this week for the review and giveaway of Enjoy Professional Hair Care, I'm excited about this line of products and can't wait to share it with my readers!

Send an original gift, Send A Flying Card!




I recently had the opportunity to review a really cool gift idea, Send A Flying Card. Send A Flying Card is a  Frisbee that is mailed to the recipient. Now that might not sound too exciting or original but Send A Flying Card is unique because the Frisbee can be customized with any message and photo and color of your choice. To see some of the options available at Send A Flying Card go HERE. The Frisbee is sent via US Postal Service mail and arrives in the recipients mail box with no packaging. When I opened my mail box and saw the Frisbee in there it made me smile.

As the Send A Flying Card website suggests there are many uses for this product. You can send one to a college student for a nice surprise, send one as a birthday card or greeting card, send one to ask someone out on a date or send one to a person in the military. Kids love to get their own mail, can you imagine how happy it would make your child or niece or nephew to receive one of these in the mail? The cost of a Send A Flying Card is $9.95 which is a great price for a unique gift that the recipient will not forget!  When you order from Send A Flying Card they have a 24 hour turn around which means your order ships by the next day and delivery takes two to nine days depending on where the recipient is located.

I love small family owned businesses and that's what Send A Flying Card is! Husband Shawn and his wife Danielle along with their two sons run the business and work together. Go HERE to learn more about this business and family!

Disclosure: I received a sample of this product for review purposes. My opinions however remain my own.
Thursday, April 26, 2012

Exciting Changes Coming to Miss Jackie's Views

Wow in two short months this blog has really started to blossom. I have been fortunate enough to line up sponsors for the next four weeks. With my penchant for organization I have decided to group reviews and giveaways into weekly themes. For example next week the theme is Mother's Day Gifts & Ideas with products that fit in that category. If you check out the Reviews and Giveaways tab at the top of the page there is a list with next weeks theme and the sponsors for the week. I have some really great products to share with my readers,  if you are curious about a product or sponsor I encourage you to click on the link for their site and check it out and remember to come back next week for the review and/or giveaway to learn more!

Find the perfect gift at Good Buddy Notes!


                              Photo Courtesy of Good Buddy Notes

Good Buddy Notes is an online store that is a real hidden treasure! Award winning artist Shelley Dieterichs creates original,  illustrated  products including gifts for teachers, pet gifts, baby shower gifts, cards, books, gifts for gardeners, and numerous personalized items from stationery to clocks.  Shelley's art has been described as whimsical and I find it to be very charming.

  A real gem that  I found amongst the large selection at Good Buddy Notes was the Welcome Baby Gift Basket pictured above which retails for $25. and includes a cute onesie, baby booties, and bib! And at Good Buddy Notes six personalized cards retail for $10.,  that's cheaper than Hallmark and you are getting a beautifully crafted item.

Shelley sent me a plate and mug set with my son's name on it and a set of Big City Building Blocks. If you want to see some of Shelley's gorgeous artistry go here The plate and mug are adorable and made of sturdy melamine so  I plan on keeping them for a keepsake after Josh is done using them. The Big City Building Blocks are made of a heavy duty cardboard material that is plastic coated. Josh really loves them, he likes to line them up like a city block and run his cars down the middle like it is a city street.  And they are great for teaching kids measurement (smaller and bigger) because they are stackable. The Big City Building Blocks cost $20. and are well worth it!

In our society where so many things are factory manufactured and cookie cutter perfect it is nice to find some original products that are reasonably priced. Before you buy a Mother's Day gift or a Teacher's gift I recommend you browse around Good Buddy Notes first, you might find some gems of your own.


Disclosure: I received the aforementioned products for review purposed. My opinions remain my own.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Rockin' Green Eco Friendly Detergent Giveaway



Name of Product: Rockin' Green Hard Rock Laundry Detergent

Description of Product:  " This hard water formula is perfect for those that struggle with the toughest of water types! Hard Rock Remix will blow you away! This bag will do at least 45 loads, though some may find it does even more!"

Price of Product: $15.95

Where to purchase: http://rockingreensoap.3dcartstores.com/

Review of Product: I had read positive reviews of Rockin' Green detergent on other blogs so when I was offered the opportunity to try it I accepted with no hesitation. Rockin' Green is an award winning Eco-friendly detergent. There are three formulas of Rockin' Green Detergent available; Soft Rock, Classic Rock and Hard Rock. The company also carries a detergent for dog bedding and supplies and a line of products to help clean cloth diapers. You can check out the full line of products available at http://www.rockingreensoap.com.

I live in northwestern PA where the water is hard due to coal stripping years ago so I chose the Hard Rock ReMix formula. I received three samples of Hard Rock in the watermelon scent (there are 7 scents of Rockin' Green Detergent to choose from including marshmallow, watermelon, green tea, raspberry, fresh linen & ocean and unscented). I did a few loads of towels and the kids' laundry with Hard Rock and they came out nice and clean and fresh smelling. Next I decided to really put Hard Rock to the test and try it on my husband's work clothes, he is a contractor and his clothes are usually covered in anything from mud to paint and some things that are unidentifiable. I did two loads of my husband's work clothes and Hard Rock actually got them cleaner than my usual Tide detergent! I usually have to add some Lestoil to the husband's work clothes to lift stains and it leaves an unpleasant smell in the laundry room and on his clothes. I didn't have to add anything to the washload with Hard Rock and it was very effective. I also observed that the Hard Rock formula  produced a lot of suds; most detergents do not produce many suds in the hard water in my area.

A bag of Hard Rock which retails for $15.95 will wash 45-90 loads depending on load size. I did some calculations and using Hard Rock is $1.36 cheaper than using Tide, and that's not counting the cost of Lestoil and fabric softener I usually have to add. I plan on ordering some more Hard Rock and I recommend it to my readers!

And here's the great news - I get to share Rockin' Green Detergent with one of my lucky readers!! Rockin' Green is giving one of you a bag of 45-90 load detergent in the formula and scent of your choice shipped to your home. How cool is that? So enter below, only the first 3 entries on the Rafflecopter are mandatory the rest are optional, and give this great detergent a try!

Disclosure: I received samples of the product in this review. My opinions remain my own.
CLICK ON THE WORDS "READ MORE" TO GO TO THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM!
Monday, April 23, 2012

"Every Child Is Born Blessed With A Vivid Imagination" - Anytime Costumes Review


Childhood is a time of wonder and imagination, especially the preschool years! My three year old Josh is no exception, he loves to dress up and role play. So I was very happy when I had the opportunity to do a review of Anytime Costumes http://www.anytimecostumes.com/halloween/baby-toddler/!  I really liked the large variety of costumes and selected this mail man costume because it was different, I have seen the usual fireman, policeman, and character costumes on a lot of sites but never a mail man costume. When the costume arrived Josh was so excited to open it! I was pleased with the quality of the costume, it looks authentic and there are no cheap looking parts like you see with some costumes. There were two things that stood out for me about this costume: the attention to detail including the authentic looking US Postal Service patch on the shirt and mail bag and the use of Velcro on the shirt (if you have a toddler who can't quite dress himself yet buttons are no fun).
In addition to carrying lots of costumes that you can check out here:  http://www.anytimecostumes.com/  also has a full line of accessories, masks, wigs and hats! Right now they are having a spring special with 15% off any order of $25. or more, see their website for more details. Prices for Anytime Costumes range from $10. to $100. with most costumes being in the range of $25. to $30.

Miss Jackie recommends Anytime Costumes and not just for Halloween! And for fun here is a Pinboard I created with some Anytime Costumes:  http://pinterest.com/jygriebel/anytime-costumes/

Disclosure: I received a costume for review purposes from Anytime Costumes. This in no way influenced my opinions which remain my own.
Saturday, April 21, 2012

Baby Shower Celebration - Picky Sticky Giveaway

I am joining in with Tots and Me to celebrate the birth of her baby boy. Her Baby Shower Celebration has been extended into April due to unforeseen circumstances. The review that follows is written by Tots and Me.

Tots and Me



A few weeks ago I shared a little bit about Picky Sticky








These milestone monthly onesie stickers are great! I have so far used 3 of the stickers. The pack I chose had a "0" month for newborn, and while I didn't get to use it on the day of baby Harold's birth (because I hadn't received them yet) I used them as soon as I could. 




Don't you just love the cute little dinosaur.


Each month the dinosaur is different.












These hand designed stickers are super cute and so easy to use. They come packaged in a cellophane package and each month's sticker is on it's own backing. 









They come off very easily and are a cinch to apply to your baby's onesie. As they are transparent you can choose whatever color plain onesie you think will complement your design. When you are done taking your pictures the sticker comes off easily and can even be reused. I decided to put mine on a sheet of computer paper onto which I will then write any special memories as they happen in the coming month. I plan to keep the papers in baby Harold's baby book. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with to reuse your stickers. (It is almost Earth Day after all).

There are so many designs to choose from. Check out the Picky Sticky site. There are choices for boys and girls and even neutral stickers for those who prefer NOT to know the gender of their baby beforehand. In addition there are First Milestone Stickers and Belly Stickers for pregnant mommies. I think these would make a wonderful baby shower gifts and right now they are on sale (the sets that are usually $19.95 are currently $12.95).  They also offer free shipping for orders over $20.00

Don't forget to check Picky Sticky out on Facebook and on their blog.

Of course, as a part of my Baby Shower Celebration you have a chance to win a set of your very own Picky Sticky Monthly Milestone Onesie Stickers. Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. I have to mention that I know I do not usually have so many entries on my Rafflecopter forms. However, these wonderful ladies are helping to share my Baby Shower Celebration and I offered them a spot or two on said form. Remember, you don't have to fill in every entry (there are only 2 mandatory entries) but each entry you complete increases your chances for winning and I would love for you to follow these great ladies who are helping me.

Disclosure: I received  a set of Picky Sticker Monthly Stickers for free as a part of my Baby Shower Celebration. This did not in any way influence my review. I only recommend products I use personally and will be good for my readers.














Shaklee Products Review & Giveaway

I'm so excited to announce another awesome "SUPER EVENTS" giveaway! This week is all about Shaklee and their fantastic eco-friendly products! Hosted by Full Price? Never! with contributing bloggers CuzinLogic and MyCraftyLife.

Helpful tips for researching your family tree

One of my many interests is genealogy, I have traced my family and my husband's family back to their arrival in America. Below are some great sites that I have used over the years in my research. All of the sites I have listed are free with no fee to use them.  If you find a piece of your family history or something interesting leave me a comment! I love history and would like to hear if this article was helpful to my readers.

Immigrant Ship Transcribers Guild - this amazing site has the transcription of passenger lists that arrived in America for thousands of ships! The listings start in the 1600's and go through the 1950's. http://www.immigrantships.net/

Find A Grave - an online database of over 79 million graves. It has a section with famous people too. Each record includes an obituary for the deceased, if available, and a picture of their monument/marker.
http://www.findagrave.com

Family Search - Very comprehensive database compiled and maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.    http://www.familysearch.org

National Archives - Online database with records of Veterans.  http://www.archives.gov/research/search/


Friday, April 20, 2012

Take A Load Off For Earth Day!

                                     (Photo Credit: Proctor & Gamble)


I was unaware, until I heard of Tide Coldwater detergent, of the fact that heating the water to do a load of clothes uses up to 80% of the energy used per wash load in the United States! I really thought it didn't make much difference as far as energy consumption goes if you washed in hot or cold water and always felt that hot water got my clothes cleaner. I switched from using hot water and regular detergent to washing in cold water with Tide Coldwater (which is specially formulated to get clothes cleaner in cold water) in February. My clothes are just as clean, including my husband's greasy work clothes, than before and our monthly electric bill dropped by almost $26.00!! I encourage my readers to  switch to cold water washing with Tide Coldwater, you can save some money and help the environment.

Tide and Future Friendly have launched the Take A Load Off Sweepstakes to encourage people to switch to cold water washing. Every week through May 13th one lucky winner will win a Maytag Bravos XL HE Top Load Washer and Dryer and a one year supply of Tide Coldwater! Tide and Future Friendly are asking people to switch to cold water washing and take a load off their wallet and the environment. Entering the sweepstakes is easy just go to: https://www.facebook.com/futurefriendly?sk=app_319568541440678  and click the green Promise button. You can enter once per day through the end of the sweepstakes on May 13th.


Disclosure: I became aware of the Take A Load Off Sweepstakes through the She Speaks program http://www.shespeaks.com/takealoadoff
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Girl Scout Eggs

This is a recipe from when I was a young girl that I thought I would share with my readers! We used to make these delicious scrambled eggs at Girl Scout Camp. The corn chips give them a unique taste and make it a filling dish! Every time I make Girl Scout Eggs I smile at all the happy memories they bring back for me.

Girl Scout Eggs
4 Large Eggs
1/2 cup Frito Lay Corn Chips, crushed
1 Tbsp. Butter or margarine


Beat eggs with whisk then fold in Corn Chips. Heat butter in skillet over medium high heat until melted. Add egg mixture and cook until done turning frequently.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Fun Spring Activity For Preschoolers!

     (Sunflowers, Lettuce and Radishes soaking up some morning sun)

This past week I did a fun little activity with my preschooler Josh! What made it even better was that it only cost 25 cents for the whole activity! While I was in WalMart last week I picked up an Easter Egg coloring kit with little plastic cups in it that was marked down to 25 cents. When we went to lunch at McDonald's they had little packets of radish and lettuce seeds for free at the counter so I picked up a few of them. When we got home I read the book "I'm A Seed" by Jean Marzollo and we talked about how you plant vegetables and how they grow.  


                                             (Photo Credit Scott's )

 Then I got out the free sample of Miracle Gro Expand N Gro I received in the mail a few weeks ago, it's a new product from Scott's that is  a lightweight soil that expands after you water it. You can go to http://www.scotts.com to learn more about Expand N Gro.

We put some of the Expand N Gro in one of the Easter egg cups, added the seeds and watered. Three days later Josh saw his first radish come up and the next day he was excited to see the lettuce had sprouted. He likes to check his plants several times a day!

                             (Josh's radishes are multiplying rapidly)

This was a fun learning activity that cost very little! I always put in for free samples when I see them and can usually find a way to utilize them like I did with this activity. If you follow my facebook page (link is on my right sidebar) I post freebies and samples every day as the become available.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Join Smiley 360 and Try New Products!

Smiley 360 is a fairly simple "try and rate" program. They send you a brief survey for new products and if you qualify they ship the product to you for you to try! It is a good program that sends out products regularly and requires minimal participation!

If you are not already a member go here to sign up:  http://smiley360.com/?refid=4382 
Monday, April 16, 2012

Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap Review

                                (Photo Credit: Jacqueline Y. Griebel)

Name of Product: Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap

Price of Product: $2.64 (25 oz)

Where to Purchase: Mass retailers including CVS, Walgreens and WalMart and online at http://www.walmart.com/ip/Palmolive-Ultra-Fresh-Sponge-Dish-Liquid-25-oz/19888051

Description of Product:  "Ultra Palmolive Fresh Sponge dishwashing liquid has a unique dual action formula designed to wash away odor causing residue from sponges and clean dishes to a sparkling shine. Both sponge and dishes are left smelling freshly cleaned."



  • Freshens sponges and cleans dishes







  • Washes away odor-causing residue from sponges







  • Tough on Grease, Soft on Hands







  • Phosphate free






  • Review of Product: I received a kit from Influenster http://www.influenster.com/community that included a sponge, 25 oz bottle of Palmolive Fresh Sponge, one $1.00 off coupon, and four $.50 off coupons to share.

    Like most moms out there I am busy all the time and any product that makes housekeeping chores easier is welcome at my house! Prior to trying this product I would soak my sponge in bleach (I am a bit of a germaphobe) and of course my sponges wore out quickly because of this. Now I have one less task in my daily housekeeping chores, soaking the old sponge.  Palmolive Fresh Sponge really does leave your sponge fresh and does a great job at cleaning even the greasiest dishes. It has a pleasant scent reminiscent of spring flowers and apples and is gentle on the hands, not drying at all.

     Another use I found for Palmolive Fresh Sponge was to clean my garbage disposal. The other day I noticed the disposal was getting smelly and I thought why not give it a try? So I turned the hot water on and poured a little Fresh Sponge down the disposal, turned it on, and the odor was gone.

     I have used Palmolive Fresh Sponge for a little over a week now and based on my experience I have recommended this product to friends and family and now to you my readers! I shared the coupons in the kit with some of my friends who like to try new products and hope they find it to be a good product for their dishwashing routine like I did.
                                  (Photo Credit: Jacqueline Y. Griebel)
    Here I am sharing a coupon for Palmolive Fresh Sponge with my friend Becky! 
    Disclosure: I did not receive any financial compensation for this review.I received a 25 oz bottle of Palmolive Fresh Sponge and sponge along with coupons from Colgate-Palmolive through the Influenster program for testing and review purposes. This in no way influenced my opinion of this product and my opinions remain my own.

    Spring Fashion - How to tie a Scarf

                                    (Photo Credit: Victoria's Secret)

    It's spring time and what better way to freshen up your wardrobe than with a colorful scarf? Scarfs have become really popular in recent years, especially with the younger crowd. It's a trend I really like, I have already bought three new scarfs for spring!! Aeropostale, Victoria's Secret, and Old Navy are three stores that carry a nice selection of scarfs if you want to try out this trend!

    Check out this video tutorial from Wendy's Look Book for  some new ways to tie a scarf!

                           (Video Credit:  http://www.wendyslookbook.com
    Sunday, April 15, 2012

    April Showers Giveaway - $175.00 in cash and gift card prizes!!

    Book Review; By Faith, Not By Sight

                                        (Photo Credit Michael Becker)


    Book Description

    "A moving story of hope, faith, persistence and the power of dreams.
    A piano prodigy, a nineteen-year-old college grad, a Marshall scholar, and an American Idol finalist. This guy had it made. He could sing.
    He could ski blind. What couldn’t he do?
    Even if you saw him in concert, you might not believe that Scott MacIntyre is blind, and you’d never guess that at nineteen, he faced a diagnosis that rocked his family and nearly took his life.
    So how did he do it? How did he overcome the odds?
    This is Scott’s story, but he’d be the first to tell you that it’s not really about him. This is the story of how God used a dedicated family, a selfless acquaintance, hardship, and a host of characters to give him life, faith, determination, and experiences most can only imagine.
    Peek behind the scenes to see how he learned to overcome his disability, how he made it in the music industry, how he found the love of his life, and how God taught him that in all things, we can truly achieve our dreams By Faith, Not by Sight."

    Review: Scott MacIntyre has achieved things in his young life that most people can only dream of, college graduate at 19 years old and finalist on American Idol. What is even more unique about this young man is that he was born blind. What I found really touching about his story was the fact that throughout the book there was not a trace of self-pity for all the trials he has faced in life. The night of his college graduation he found out he had kidney failure and needed a transplant. The reader gains an insight into his thoughts as he goes through the process of  waiting for and finally receiving a kidney transplant and the difficult recovery he went through. He shares his disappointment at not winning American Idol and tells how he moved on. His sister was also diagnosed with kidney failure prior to his performance on American Idol and yet his family worked together to overcome yet another crisis. He tells how his faith in God helped him and his family through some very dark times and it will inspire you! This book has a happy ending that you must read to find out! I  found this to be an easy read and highly recommend it.


    Disclosure: I did not receive any financial compensation for this review. I did receive a complimentary copy of "By Faith, Not Sight" from the BookSneeze http://www.booksneeze.com program. However this did not influence my review of this book.




    Saturday, April 14, 2012

    How Do You Do Your Nails?

                                 (Photo Credit: SimpleNailDesigns.com)


    Like most women I am interested in beauty products and of course trying to look my best. I will admit that at times I do not give my nails as much attention as they need.

    I have tried natural nails, polished nails, salon manicures, nail stickers, acrylic nails, gel nails, and Shellac polish treatments. Acrylic nails are probably the easiest for me to maintain, probably because they are hard to break! But it is also time consuming and can be costly to maintain acrylic nails, on the other hand (no pun intended) natural nails are hard for me to maintain as I tend to break and snag them easily.

    So I wanted to ask my readers to leave a comment and let me know how you like to do your nails and why?


    Enter To Win A Prize Collection From Jessica Alba’s “The Honest Co.” $110 arv

    I’m so excited to bring you another “Super Events” Giveaway! This giveaway is hosted by Full Price? Never! with contributing blogger CuzinLogic.

    Just in time for EARTH DAY!

    This week we are happy to introduce you to The Honest Co.!

    Meet The Honest Co: Launched in January 2012, The Honest Company offers an eco-friendly line of family essentials (diapers and wipes, bath and body care, and household cleaners) through a monthly subscription service at Honest.com.
    Friday, April 13, 2012

    Wexy Bag Giveaway!

    Here's a giveaway from a fellow blogger, April (The Mom Show Blog)! Wexy Bags are really cute little lunch bags for children. You can check them out at http://www.wexybags.com



    Thursday, April 12, 2012

    $5.00 Starbucks and Free Products Giveaway

    I recently became aware of a great website (Good Buddy Notes) with custom designed clothing, cards, and gifts by award winning artist Shelley Dieterichs. I will be doing a review soon of her products and wanted to share her website http://www.goodbuddynotes.com with my readers so I am sponsoring this small giveaway. The first two entries on the Rafflecopter are MANDATORY the last one is optional.

    The Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway - $2500. in prizes including $200. Paypal Cash!!

    CouponTrade.com and The Ultimate Baby Shower present The Rainy Day Facebook Frenzy!


    You have literally HUNDREDS of chances to win $200 Paypal cash from CouponTrade.com and The Ultimate Baby Shower!

    CouponTrade.com is the newest and the hottest way to save because now, you can combine coupon savings with discounted gift cards for the same stores, plus sell all those unused gift cards and redeem whats yours, all in one place!!!

    The Ultimate Baby Shower will offer MONTHLY diaper and Formula giveaways, as well as a seasonal NURSERY giveaway! That’s right- you can win the entire nursery, furniture, bedding, and all the baby gear you could need!

    Entry is so simple, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!





    Learn how to get All Day Eye Makeup!

    For some great eye makeup tips read this article from Style United: http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/How-to-Get-All-Day-Eye-Makeup

    If you haven't checked out the Style United website you should, great beauty and fashion tips!!
    Wednesday, April 11, 2012

    Kiss Nail Dress



    Name of Product:  Kiss Nail Dress

    Price of Product: $5.00-$7.00

    Where to Purchase: Drug stores, mass merchandisers and on line from Kiss Nails

    Description of Product: 
    "Kiss Nail Dress is a sticker, it is applied in a similar fashion to polish strips. You'll find some Nail Dress have 3-dimensional jewels or designs that make them unique. A further difference is that Nail Dress can be used as nail art by cutting into pieces and it doesn't dry out once opened the way polish strips can."

    Review of Product: I received a pack of  Kiss Nail Dress for review purposes in the Pink Cocktail pattern. I found this product to be pretty neat, you basically just cut and apply it to your fingernails and toenails. It is a really easy product to use and I especially liked it on my toenails. The Kiss Nail Dress lasted about ten days on my fingernails and 13 days on my toenails which is actually longer than regular nail polish lasts for me. One thing I did not care for was the pattern, Pink Cocktail. However I was randomly sent a pattern and have purchased and used the Peplum and Bustier patterns and really like them. There are 18 Kiss Nail Dress patterns to choose from so I think anyone could find a pattern they like. 

    I recommend this product due to the ease of use and price! You can watch the video above for a demonstration on how easy Kiss Nail Dress are to apply.

    To learn more about Kiss Nail Dress and order on line go to http://www.kissnaildress.com

    Disclosure: I received a sample of Kiss Nail Dress for testing and review purposes through the Influenster program. This in no way biased my opinions which remain my own. To learn more about Influenster and join go to http://www.influenster.com

     

    Stash Tea



    Name of Product:  Stash Tea

    Price: $3.99 18 count box

    Where to purchase:  Grocery stores and mass retailers including Wal Mart

    Description of Product and Company:

    "The Stash Tea Company is a privately-held company headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. Founded in 1972, Stash Tea originally operated out of an old Portland Victorian style house, supplying loose herbal teas and bulk herbs to natural food stores. Starting in 1975, the company broadened its focus to include bagged teas and then began to sell a full line of traditional, specialty blend and herbal teas directly to fine restaurants and through a mail order catalog to consumers.
    Today, Stash Tea is one of the largest specialty tea companies in the United States, with products available through foodservice, grocery stores, tea and coffee shops, club stores, mass merchandisers, natural foods stores, mail order and the Internet. Stash Tea is also available in Canada and in several other countries.
    The company derives its name from an entertaining aspect of tea folklore. In earlier centuries, tea was a valuable commodity traditionally transported by clipper ship. The ship’s captain often was presented with some of the finest teas for his personal use. This supply was his “stash,” stowed carefully as his “private reserve.” Today, the term is still used to denote anything put away carefully because of its preciousness."

    Review of Product:  I received an 18 count sample box of a variety of Stash Tea flavors. When I first opened the box I really liked the look of the tea bags. As you can see in the picture above Stash Tea uses simple, uncluttered packaging with vibrant colors and it really makes a difference.

     I found all of the flavors to be pleasant and light in taste. It was hard to choose a favorite but I personally like the Licorice Spice Stash Tea the best, possibly because I love black licorice! All varieties of Stash Tea are aromatic and some of them including Apple Spice and Acai Berry turn a pretty pink-red color after you steep them. Another thing I found enjoyable about the Stash Tea I sampled was that they were all caffeine free so I was able to enjoy them at night while reading and didn't have to worry about sleeplessness from caffeine intake. I recently purchased Chai Spice Stash Tea at my local Wal Mart and have been enjoying it as much as the Licorice Spice.

    I would recommend Stash Tea, it is very reasonably priced and of high quality in my experience. Stash Tea has a really cool website http://www.stashtea.com where you can not only order products including tea and gifts but you can learn all about tea!

    Disclosure: I received a sample box of Stash Tea for testing and review purposes through the Influenster program (a community of trendsetters who test products and use their influence to share them with others). To learn more about Influenster or join go to their website at: http://www.influenster.com

    Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap Review

    Tuesday, April 10, 2012

    Miss Jackie's Views: Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap

    Miss Jackie's Views: Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap: I just received a new product to test and review from Influenster (http://www.influenster.com), Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap! This is...
    Monday, April 9, 2012

    Good Buddy Notes

    I am very excited about an upcoming opportunity here on Miss Jackie's Views! I was contacted today by the owner of Good Buddy Notes (http://www.goodbuddynotes.com/) about doing a review of her products. She has some great customized children's clothing and keepsake items.

    I have not had any offers to review children's items so I am excited to have this opportunity to review children's items and hopefully gain some more opportunities to share great children's products with you!

    What's For Dinner?

    Here's a great recipe from my mom, Cabbage Casserole. It's super easy and makes a large pan so you will have leftovers for tomorrow night's dinner!


    CABBAGE CASSEROLE
    375' oven

    One lb. Ground Round (browned and drained)
    One small head of cabbage (remove core and chop)
    One medium onion, chopped
    One cup Minute Rice
    Two cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup
    Two soup cans of water
    Two tablespoons of white sugar

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray (Pam). Combine all prepared ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pour into pan and cover with foil. Bake for 60 to 90 minutes or until bubbly and done.

    Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap




    I just received a new product to test and review from Influenster (http://www.influenster.com), Palmolive Fresh Sponge Dish Soap! This is a new dish soap that actually freshens your sponge every time you wash dishes with it. Being a bit of a germophobe I always soak my sponge in bleach after I wash the dishes so I am really excited to give this product a try, the bleach that I use to clean my sponges tends to make them wear our quickly and is hard on my hands.

    Look for a review soon after I test this neat product for a few days!
    Saturday, April 7, 2012

    Just in time for Easter , a delicious new chocolate bar from Ghirardelli!


    Name of Product: Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk 32% Cacao Creamy Devotion Bar

    Price of Product: $4.35

    Where to Purchase: Major retailers and online at http://shop.ghirardelli.com/product-exec/product_id/1097/nm/Gourmet_Milk_32_Cacao_Creamy_Devotion_Bar

    Review of Product: Smooth as silk. Satisfyingly sweet. Rich and creamy. One bite of this chocolate bar and you will be hooked! It is a milk chocolate flavor that has just the right mix of ingredients. I found it to be very filling yet I was able to eat the whole bar of course! Ghirardelli is noted for excellent chocolate and this new bar is no exception!

    If you need an excuse to indulge in some great chocolate, all Ghirardelli Chocolate is made in the USA (the company is based in San Franscisco) so you are supporting workers in our own country when you purchase from Ghirardelli! Read here about how the company controls the entire chocolate making process to create the highest quality chocolate: http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/ghirardelli_difference.aspx


    Disclosure: I received a bar of Creamy Devotions Gourmet Milk from Influenster (a community of trendsetters who use their influence to share new products with others) for testing and review purposes. This in no way biased my opinions which remain my own. To learn more about Influenster and sign up go to: http://www.influenster.com
    Thursday, April 5, 2012

    Pantene Nature Fusion Shampoo and Conditioner


    Name of Product: Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner

    Price of Product: $4.19

    Where to Purchase: Grocery stores, drug stores and mass retailers including Wal Mart, CVS, KMart and Target. Also available online through the Proctor & Gamble Estore at http://www.pgestore.com

    Description of Product: "Want healthy-looking hair, and a healthier planet?* Nature Fusion formulas leave hair naturally beautiful and come in bottles made with up to 59% plant-based plastic excluding cap. Pantene Pro-V natureFUSION Moisture Balance Shampoo gently cleans hair to remove residue and enhance natural shine. With naturally derived ingredients, this shampoo helps protect hair from damage due to friction and leaves hair touchably soft."

    Review of Product: The shampoo and conditioner are both yellow in color and of a consistency that is between thin and medium. They have a pleasant light scent. I used the Moisture Balance formula on my color treated hair which was slightly dry from chemical processing and found that the shampoo and conditioner left my hair clean and soft with a nice shine. I was actually able to eliminate my usual shine spray from my hair care routine after using these products! The only drawback I found, and I don't know that it's really a drawback, was that you have to apply both the shampoo and conditioner for a two-step hair care process versus a product that is a shampoo and conditioner in one type product. But I feel it is worthwhile to use both the shampoo and conditioner because they work really well on my hair and I was able to eliminate the shine spray part of my hair care routine as I previously mentioned.

    In all fairness I will admit that I have tried Pantene products in the past and did not really like them, I found the scent to be too heavy and felt Pantene was not different than other shampoo products. But I have to give a definite thumbs up to the new Pantene Nature Fusion line, in addition to the Moisture Balance formula Nature Fusion is also available in a Smooth Vitality and Pure&Strong formula.

    One thing that makes Pantene Nature Fusion unique is the use of plant based plastic in the bottles which make them environmentally friendly!

    And guess what, if you do not love Pantene Nature Fusion they will give you back TWO TIMES the money you paid, you can't beat that! Read their guarantee below -

    "When you look good, you feel good... and Pantene will help you get there. In fact, if you don’t absolutely love this product, we’ll send you 2x your money back. Now that’s a beautiful promise.
    See the Pantene Guarantee*

    *Satisfaction Guaranteed. To receive your refund, call 1-800-522-2106. Requirement includes sending original dated cash receipt with purchase price circled. Limit 1 refund opportunity per name, household or address. Offer valid until June 30, 2012."


    Disclosure: I received a full size sample of Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo and Conditioner for testing and review purposes from the She Speaks program. This in no way biased my opinions and I have provided truthful views on these products.

    For more information about Pantene Nature Fusion go to: http://www.pantene.com/en-US/hair-care-collections/nature-fusion.aspx

    To learn more about the She Speaks program visit their website at: http://www.shespeaks.com
    Wednesday, April 4, 2012

    COOKING WITH MISS JACKIE

    Here is a really easy recipe that everyone in my family loves, Grape Salad!

    GRAPE SALAD
    8 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
    8 oz Sour Cream
    Small Container of Cool Whip
    4 serving size package of Jello Brand Vanilla Instant Pudding
    2-3 lbs of red seedless grapes, washed and dried
    1 Butterfinger candy bar crushed


    Mix cream cheese and sour cream together with mixer. Add vanilla pudding mix and blend. Fold in Cool Whip then add grapes and stir all together well. Sprinkle crushed Butterfinger bar on top and chill in refrigerator.
    Tuesday, April 3, 2012

    The best razor invented is now in stores!!


    Name of Product: Gillette Venus & Olay Razor

    Where Product can be purchased: Major retailers including Wal Mart and KMart. Also available for purchase online at http://www.gillettevenus.com

    Description of Product: Designed with a love for smooth legs and a passion for skin care, the Venus & Olay razor is a match made in skin heaven. Olay Moisture Bars release skin conditioners to help lock in moisture and boost your shave* while 5 blades get Venus close.

    *for less dryness vs. Venus Breeze® over time

    Review of product: Hands down the best razor I have ever used! I was actually using a men's Gillette Fusion razor prior to trying the Gillette Venus & Olay razor! It is so easy to use I actually double checked the first time I used it to make sure it removed hair. It glides along your skin thanks to the moisture bars and hugs the curves of your legs. The five blade system removes all hair without nicking and cutting like a lot of razors. And no more messy shaving cream, with the moisturizing bars in this razor you don't need to use any cream. Add to that an ergonomically friendly handle that is comfortable to use and a handy shower hook and how much easier could shaving get? The Gillette Venus & Olay razor became available for purchase in stores just last week and it is well worth buying! Three count refill packages are also available. The best part, Gillette will reimburse you TWO TIMES the money you paid for it if you don't love it! But I guarantee that you will love it!

    Disclosure: I received a sample of this product for testing and review purposes from Influenster. My opinions remain my own and I only recommend products I personally use.

    To learn more about the Influenster Program (an exclusive community of trendsetters who use their influence to share new products) go to http://www.influenster.com.

    Olay Luscious Embrace Body Lotion




    Name of Product: Olay Luscious Embrace Body Lotion

    Price of Product: $5.00

    Description of Product: Discover the lush, flourishing beauty of the Amazon when you plunge into this rich emulsion with jojoba butter and crushed orchid extract. Feel it envelop your body like a botanical-infused steam treatment.

    A new product line from Olay which includes a massaging bar soap, body wash and body lotion.

    Review of Product: Olay Luscious Embrace Body Lotion has a medium consistency, not watery and not greasy. It comes in a pump bottle which is my preference for body lotion, I find it makes application easier. I have tried many scented body lotions in the past and this is one of the best. It has a pleasant orchid scent that lingers but is not overpowering. I also tried the massaging bar soap which has little bumps on it that "massage" you when you use it and liked the scent of that too.

    I would recommend this particular lotion, it does what it is supposed too and is reasonably priced. To find out more about Olay Luscious Embrace Body Lotion or purchase it go to http://www.olay.com/skin-care-products/body-lotion/Luscious-Embrace-Body-Lotion

    Disclosure: I received a full size bottle of Olay Luscious Embrace Body Lotion and Olay Luscious Embrace Massaging for my VocalPoint and Style United RSVP Party. My opinions remain my own and I do not recommend products I do not personally use.

    To learn more about the VocalPoint program and join go to http://www.vocalpoint.com

    Style United is a recently launched website with personal beauty and fashion advice. You can sign up for a free style consultation, create a style profile and receive information on great beauty products. To learn more about Style United go to http://www.styleunited.com
    Sunday, April 1, 2012

    Huge $280. Skin Care Giveaway!

    I'm so excited to bring you another "Super Events" Giveaway! This giveaway is hosted my Full Price? Never! with contributing blogger CuzinLogic. This week we are happy to introduce you to Therapon and their amazing skin care products!