New Halloween Photo Effects At PicMonkey

We're just a few days away from October...that means it's time to get Halloween ready. PicMonkey has just launched a collection of Halloween photo effects just in time to help.

Movie Night With The Avengers

Let's just make this clear. I don't really need an excuse to buy a movie with eye candy like Robert Downy, Jr. or Chris Evans. However having them in a great movie together with even more eye candy and a few shopping bonuses just makes it that much more fun. So how can you celebrate the launch of The Avengers on Blu-Ray?

Google, I Didn't Know You Did That!

I find myself regularly in need of a reverse image search engine. (For the most random of reasons...) I've been using some of the online options with limited results for a while now. Why (again) am I JUST NOW figuring out how to do this with Google? (This is even worse than my Google Handwrite delay...this has been available for over a year!)
Google has given me really great results each and every time I've tried. As a bonus, each time I've searched it's also given me similar images. (Just in case I'm looking at something not yet indexed.)

{Recipe} Low Carb Zucchini Chips

I've seen lots of different versions of these zucchini chips around the internet. After combining a few different ideas and problem solving some issues I found an easy way to make these almost fool proof!

{Tutorial} Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets are loaded with toxic chemicals. You can naturally soften your laundry and reduce static by using wool dryer balls instead.

D'oh!

I hit a bad link while looking up something on Hulu today. Of course that landed me on their error page. The video linked there is a lot funnier than the bunny pun you'll find with a 404 here. I think it fits in pretty well with the week I've had. D'oh!

Save $25 On Your First Purchase From eShakti

Have you thought about buying from eShakti but you were waiting for the right deal to come along? Then I have great news for you! eShakti is offering $25 off your first purchase! Just use code AMYF at checkout from now until December 31, 2012!

New Art From Gallery Direct...And A Twitter Party!

I just received my newest piece from Gallery Direct. I love it! (Of course by now I'm not at all surprised. I've never gotten anything from Gallery Direct that I haven't loved.)

{Closed} K-Cup Heaven: Great Prices And A Giveaway!

So I have a confession to make. When you ask me which K-Cups are my favorite I'm not going to talk coffee. I'm going to tea. (I mean, the coffee is perfectly fine...it's just that I love tea!)

What do I love more than tea? A great deal! That's why I was thrilled to find Cross Country Cafe. They have pretty much any K-Cup you can think of in large 24 cup packs. Most of them are under $13. Since I am used to paying around $15 for an 18 pack that's a sweet deal! 

So I know what you're thinking. You're thinking shipping costs will eat up your savings. There's no need to worry. Cross Country Cafe offers flat rate shipping for only $8. BUT if you stock up and order at least 12 boxes you'll get totally free shipping! In addition to K-Cups you can also order brewers and storage accessories.

Want to check out Cross Country Cafe's amazing value and service for yourself? They're offering one lucky reader their choice of four cases of K-Cups. (That's 96 K-Cups!)

Just fill out the easy RaffleCopter form below! Good luck!

She Doesn't Just Shine. She Sparkles.

When I started to get really serious about blogging (yes, this is me, being serious...stop laughing) I made a very important friend. Christy Gossett is one of the biggest supporters a blogging girl can have. I don't know of anyone who's more supportive to someone just starting out. She is a mentor to many. A cheerleader for all. She works hard to make others shine. That's why she's nominated for a Yahoo! Women Who Shine award! I hope you'll consider giving her a vote. I can't think of anyone who deserves this more. Christy doesn't just shine. She sparkles! (She didn't earn the nickname Sparkle Pants for nothing!) So what are you waiting for? Head on over and give Christy a vote. She would love it. I would love it. Her six kids would love it. (Did I mention she's a mother of six? Yep...that's right. She manages to do it all with six kids! Between the ages of 22 and 3! I know, right?) Go vote already. We'll be right here when you're done.

Finished voting? Awesome. Thanks for that. Of course now you might be thinking of someone who shines, too. Do you know a teacher, an entrepreneur, an athlete, a survivor, a healer, a public servant, an activist or a mom who inspires you? I'm inviting you to nominate them for a Yahoo! Women Who Shine award. Just go here to tell their story and let the world know how they shine!

I was compensated for this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.

Channeling Your Inner Oprah

There are definitely days I wish I could be a little more like Oprah. I've never been able to hand a new car to everyone in a room full of people and I think that would be pretty cool. But it's more than that. Oprah is about living your best life. That's a pretty good goal to have!

What would you do today if you knew you would not fail?

That. That right there. That's the question you sometimes have to ask yourself. It's a hard question to face. Fear keeps us from attempting many things. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of success?

That fear holds us back and keeps us from trying new things. I know that when I first started blogging I was totally terrified to pitch to companies. I only took the opportunities that landed in my lap and didn't seek them out. Then I realized the worst that could happen is that I would get a "no". A "no" was totally OK to hear. It wasn't going to crush my spirit or keep me from blogging. (And there was no way I was going to grow my blog if I just sat around and waited for things to happen to me!) So I started to pitch. And guess what? Sometimes you do get a "no"...but sometimes you get a "yes". (Those yeses rock!) 

Now I should confess. I'm not totally fearless. Someone asked me the other day if I was going to blog full time and quite my day job. I was suddenly filled with a very bad case of the "what ifs". I had enough "what ifs" to let me know that now was not the right time. (If there is ever going to be a right time.) I'm OK with that. Maybe one day... (I mean, it's not like Oprah become Oprah overnight, right?)

Want to channel your inner Oprah, too? Clorox is sponsoring the O You! The Oprah Magazine event next month in Los Angeles. They also want to send two people there all expenses paid. You can enter (and have a chance at other great prizes like a Kindle Fire or a subscription to The Oprah Magazine) in The Clorox Lounge. 

I was compensated for writing this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and The Clorox Lounge blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.

Top Ten Keyword Search Terms {For The Week Ending September 8, 2012}

It's been a while since I did a full post about how people were finding my blog. It never fails to make me giggle when I look to see what's bringing people to my little corner of the internet.

Things have switched up a bit in recent history. I guess people are settling in for the fall and wanting a little candy. Luckily they're still drawing beavers and searching for nests. Here's my top ten:

1. nest pictures
2. candy corn m&ms
3. crying face
4. candy corn m&m's
5. draw something beaver
6. candy corn m and ms
7. white chocolate candy corn m&ms
8. beaver draw something
9. cute duct tape crafts
10. draw something ringpop

And welcome back to the list, Draw Something Ringpop. You've been missed! 

I Need A Vacation (And The Perfect Room When I Get There)

I like to travel - a lot! Somehow settling down and getting all responsible has put a serious crimp in my traveling plans. Before I started building my house I was going somewhere fun all the time! Then things got busy when I moved in and I wasn't able to travel as much. I've been trying to make up for this and get out a little more. Of course it's already September and this year I've only made in on two short trips to New York.

I have two nights in a St. John's hotel that I have to use before the end of this year. I thought it would be fun to visit St. Thomas first, then St. John for a few days sometime this fall. I'm currently playing around with the idea of early November. This gives me the perfect opportunity to test Room 77. 

Find Something For That Empty Wall With Gallery Direct

Do you have one of those spots in your home where you need something but you're not sure what? My best friend had one of those. Right in the middle of the living room there was a wall that was missing...well...everything! It was a big empty space. Shopping had resulted in absolutely nothing that would work.

Of course I knew Gallery Direct would have the answer. Gallery Direct is going to have pretty much anything you could want when it comes to wall art. After searching on the website my friend was able to select something we knew would be perfect: B Bird by Judy Paul.

Swim With Friends And Fight Childhood Cancer

Have you ever been to a duck race? I actually have! There's a rubber duck race here every year to benefit the local food bank. I've even decorated a duck and raced myself. It's a lot of fun and it's for a great cause.

Not lucky enough to live in an area that holds their own duck race? (Or maybe you do but you want more duck races...because who doesn't want more duck races?) Everyone can participate in this duck race and help fight childhood cancer at the same time! For just $12 you'll receive a commemorative Aflac rubber duck. Your duck will then be virtually entered into the "Swim With Friends" duck race on Facebook. The race will be on Tuesday, October 9th at 12pm EST. (Don't forget to tune in and watch!)

Wordless Wednesday

I haven't done a Wordless Wednesday post in a while. I also haven't been posting in general as much as I would like. A lot has been going on, not the least of which was been my Ghost getting sick. She was 17 and for a while I thought she was just getting older. This week we discovered it was more, that she had cancer and there wasn't anything that could be done. I'm grateful for 17 years with her, but I miss her like crazy. I guess this wasn't very wordless, was it? A special thanks to the awesome team who took care of her (and me) yesterday. You're very much appreciated!

Halloween Inspiration

I mentioned I was ready for Fall. What I'm really ready for? Halloween! Here are just some of the ideas I'm thinking of for next month!

Source: hgtv.com via Amy on Pinterest