Snuggle up to new #FreshSpringFlowers Snuggle!

Have you tried new #FreshSpringFlowers Snuggle? Get a $.50 off coupon while supplies last! http://h3.sml360.com/-/59b7

I love when my laundry is not only soft but smells great too! New Fresh Spring Flowers Snuggle turns laundry into aromatherapy! :-)

The scent is so fresh and pleasant, and it really lingers on your laundry. My towels are so soft and fluffy, and delicately scent the whole bathroom.

And clothing maintains that fresh scent, even hanging in the closet or concealed in drawers. Not too overpowering, just light and fresh.

And it lingers for a long time. So you know the next time you reach for a towel to Snuggle up with someone special, it's still going to have that soft, fluffy feeling, and a fresh scent as if you just laundered it. What a lovely thing to share with your family!

{Disclaimer: I received a product sample to facilitate my review. No monetary consideration was involved, and my opinions are my own.}

Computer crash lifesaver! #HDDS1BSUSB30SuperSpeed

Raise your hand if you've never had computer problems.

Unless your computer is brand spanking new, I'd be willing to bet every single one of you has had computer problems at one time or another.

Now, how many of you have had computer crashes where you lost data from an old hard drive?

Mm-hmm...that's what I thought. Just about everybody who's had a computer for any length of time has experienced data loss.

If you're a writer or store your other creative work on your hard drive, this can be devastating. You'll be just about desperate to retrieve that old data from the hard drive of the broken computer you just replaced.

What to do?

Until now, you had to pay dearly to a data retrieval service. Or cross your fingers and hope your brother or nephew or cousin is computer-savvy enough to finagle a way to get those files for you.

But you don't have to be at the mercy of outside help anymore. What you need is a portable SATA / USB hard drive reader. Luckily, these are now affordable and easily available at a number of online retailers like Amazon.com.

I recently had the chance to try the Liztek #HDDS1BSUSB30SuperSpeed single bay hard drive reader. Man, is this thing fast! When portable hard disk readers first became available, they were slow because they were governed by the USB port speed. But now with USB3, that's no longer a problem.

This gadget couldn't be easier to use. If you're even a little bit familiar with computer "innards" and know what a hard disk drive looks like, you're in business. Just remove the old hard drive from the dead desktop or laptop, pop it into this reader, attach to your new desktop or laptop via USB, and voila! You are able to read the old hard drive and retrieve data you thought you'd lost forever.

Liztek HDDS1BS USB 3.0 Super Speed to SATA Single Bay has a side-loading design that supports standard 2.5 and 3.5 inch SATA hard drives. Easily connects to computer with Super Speed USB 3.0 with transfer rate up to 5 Gbps (pending devices). Portable and easy to use Plug & Play, Hot Swap, no tools and no drivers needed. Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, & Mac OS X with USB Port. You get the Liztek USB 3.0 Single Bay HDD Docking Station, USB 3.0 data cable, power adapter cable, user's manual, plus a no-hassle 18-month warranty and friendly customer service.

And the price? Right now it's only $22.95.

Wow. Data retrieval services can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. But for the price of a meal, you can have peace of mind knowing that if your computer dies (or should I say when, because It's. Going. To. Happen.) you'll be able to retrieve manuscripts, projects, priceless photos etc. from your old hard drive. And you'll be able to do it yourself.

The times really are a-changin'...

{Disclaimer: I received a sample product to facilitate my review. No monetary consideration was involved, and my opinions are my own.}

Feel like a makeup pro with Xtava #makeupbrushes

If you're like me, you've got tons of makeup products. Foundation. Mascara. Eyeshadow. Eyeliner. Blush. Concealer. And brushes.

Oh yes. Brushes.

It seems every makeup item needs its own brush, doesn't it? That huge brush that works so well for applying finishing powder to your face is absurdly big for applying eyeshadow. And vice versa.

So you need all those brushes. But how many do you actually use?

When I'm prowling through my makeup collection, I skip right over all the odd brushes because there are only a couple I actually use. So why do I have all the rest? Because you never know when you'll need a particular brush for a particular makeup effect.

But scattered haphazardly in my collection is really hard on brushes, so even though I'm hanging on to them, they really should be tossed out because the bristles are probably bent into deformed shapes by now.

Enter Xtava #makeupbrushes! I love the neat case that comes with these brushes. Keeps everything handy, but saves the bristles from becoming deformed or damaged. And so easy to pop into your luggage for travel.

But what I really love is the versatility of these #makeupbrushes. I can safely throw out some of those old brushes I've been hoarding over the years, because there's a brush for every need in this Xtava collection.

And so easy to handle and control! I feel like a real makeup professional when I use Xtava #makeupbrushes. If you're tired of sorting through old brushes you probably will never use or need again, treat yourself to an update. Try the Xtava makeup brushes set.

And you'll feel like a makeup pro too!

{Disclaimer: I received a sample product to facilitate my review. No other monetary consideration was involved, and my opinions are my own.}

CushionCare Memory Foam Coccyx seat cushion is a lifesaver! #CushionCarePromotion

I am amazed at the difference this product has made! My office chair is comfortable when I first sit in it, but after a little while it feels like I'm sitting on a hard bleacher seat at a ball game or something. Not comfortable at all. I keep shifting and twisting, trying to get comfortable, to no avail.

But when I received this cushion I put it right to work, and I could tell almost immediately that this was what had been missing from my normal office chair. See that little groove at the back? You'll want to make sure that groove is situated over your tailbone as you sit on the cushion because that's what alleviates pressure on your spine, which is what causes muscle fatigue and aches and pains.

I have to position the cushion so that it just hits the backs of my knees as I sit down, which puts the groove right where it's supposed to be. But that's all the adjustment needed. After that, I'm good for hours of sitting at my desk without discomfort. If I get up for more coffee or something, I have to reposition it again, otherwise my tailbone won't hit the right spot, but that's a small price to pay in extra effort for the marvelous benefits gained. I'm sold on this cushion! Only wish I'd found it years ago!

It's a great investment if you spend a lot of time in your chair. It's portable too, so take it along for seminars and meetings. You'll be the envy of all your associates!

And another feature I love is the removable washable cover. Now coffee spills are not a problem. I simply replace the soiled cover with the included free cover, and toss the dirty one in the wash. Easy peasy!

{Disclosure: I was provided a sample product to facilitate my review. No monetary consideration was involved, and my opinions are my own.}

Cutis Vita all-natural moisturizer #CutisVita

I'm sold on the wonderful benefits of aloe. I keep a bottle of aloe gel handy at all times. There's nothing like it for sunburn, insect bites, scrapes, bruises (yes, it even lessens the impact of bruising, at least for me). So whenever I find a product that has aloe as one of its main ingredients, I'm gonna check it out.

Cutis Vita is an awesome moisturizing cream! Made from the highest quality all-natural ingredients, like aloe barbadensis, shea butter, macadamia nut oil, rosemary leaf oil, rose hips oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, and extracts of comfrey leaf, ginseng root, fennel fruit, chamomile, and green tea. Whew! The Cutis Vita folks know their natural moisturizing ingredients!

This is not a lotion, it's a thick cream. Usually I don't care for thick creams because they tend to just sit on my skin and not absorb quickly enough. But not Cutis Vita. The first thing I did was open the jar and rub some on my horrible elbows. I have very rough, dry patches on my elbows that nothing seems to help. Well, nothing until now. Within moments the skin of my elbows was softer, less abrasive, and soothed. Perfect for both men and women.

I'm sold on Cutis Vita Advanced Skin Revitalizing Cream. There are so many skin products out there, it's hard to know which ones work. I can tell you from my own experience THIS ONE WORKS!

{Disclosure: I received a sample product to facilitate my review. No other monetary consideration was involved and my opinions are my own.}

BakeItFun Silicone #bakingmat brings back the joy of baking!

I'll be honest: I'm not fond of baking.

There. I said it.

I'm not talking about roasts or casseroles or stuff like that. I'm talking about pastries, cookies, baked goodies and treats. It has to be a really enticing recipe to inspire me to tackle a baking project.

At least, up until last Christmas. Because for Christmas, I got the two items guaranteed to get me back into baking mode:

A heavy-duty stand mixer

Silicone baking mats

I couldn't wait to try them out, so I immediately went looking for something out of the ordinary to bake. Not Christmas cookies...everybody was doing that. I wanted something a little different, maybe something savory instead of sweet.

Then I remembered Cheddar Cheese Straws. Eureka! That was it. That was what I'd make for my contribution to Christmas snack goodies. And it would be a welcome alternative to yet more sweets.

My Christmas cheese straws were a big hit. They disappeared faster than you can say Ho-Ho-Ho!

But I haven't made them again since Christmas. I've been wanting to, but just never took the time. So when the BakeItFun people gave me the chance to try their silicone baking mat, I knew Cheddar Cheese Straws would be perfect for a product demonstration.

There are a multitude of recipes for cheese straws online. I urge you to experiment and find the recipe that is right for you. Some have a lot of cheese, others have a lot of spice. Some are like pie crust pastry, others are like cheese crackers. There's a recipe for everyone, or you could do like I did and try a number of them, then adjust to fit my own preference.

So here's my recipe for Cheddar Cheese Straws...but again, this is just a starting point. Make the recipe your own.

2 sticks butter (not margarine) softened to room temperature

1 pound grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese (I used 2 8oz. packages - you may prefer mild, or some other cheese) softened to room temperature (do not use packaged grated cheese - something is added to this product that prevents individual pieces from sticking together, and thus it won't blend well with butter and flour for this recipe)

1 tablespoon sea salt (or regular salt - adjust to your taste)

1 teaspoon black pepper (optional)

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional - adjust to your preferred heat level)

3 cups all-purpose flour (do not use self-rising)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place BakeItFun silicone #bakingmat on flat cookie sheet.

In stand mixer, cream together butter, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Gradually add in cheese. After all cheese is added, mix on medium speed for about 15 minutes. This insures everything is creamed together properly. Very slowly begin to add in flour. You'll want to check the consistency as you go. Depending on the temperature and consistency of your butter/cheese base, it could take less than 3 cups of flour or more than 3 cups of flour. What you want is a soft dough that has pulled cleanly away from the sides of the mixing bowl.

I used a frosting bag and large icing tip to pipe the dough into 2-inch straws. Make sure your dough is the right consistency to flow through the icing bag easily or you'll struggle with this step. (I learned this the hard way!) You can get a lot of these on a silicone baking mat, since they are made with all-purpose flour and won't spread or rise. What you see is what you get after baking. So don't be afraid to crowd them a little.

If you don't have an icing bag, you can roll the dough into long thin strips and then cut them to your desired length. You can also roll dough into a log, refrigerate for several hours, then cut into thin slices for round wafers instead of slices. You can drop dough by 1/2-tablespoons then flatten with a fork. So many ways to get creative. Just remember to keep everything thin so it all cooks at the same rate and comes out crispy.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes. It may take a little more time, depending on your oven's efficiency. Just keep checking after 15 minutes or so. Straws will not turn brown, but may have slightly darker edges. When they are firm to the touch, they are probably done. Again, this may require some experimentation on your part. They should be very crispy and not doughy at all.

Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack. This is the fun part! Nothing, absolutely nothing, sticks to the BakeItFun silicone baking mat! In fact, you'll want to be careful moving the baking sheet because the cheese straws might just slide right off! I had to fish a few out of the bottom of my oven the first time I used a silicone baking mat. :)

You may notice a crumb or two left on the baking mat, but that's all. No scraping with a spatula, no broken pieces, just beautiful baked goods. Let the mat and cookie sheet cool a little before starting your next batch, or better yet buy two BakeItFun silicone baking mats and have the next one ready to go into the oven right away. And clean-up is a breeze. Just swish in hot sudsy water, rinse, and air-dry flat. So super easy!

Silicone baking mats have revolutionized baking. And they're economical. No more cooking sprays, no more parchment paper, no more throwing out blackened cookie sheets.

They can be reused for years and years, and contain no harmful components. Silicone baking mats can be used in ovens at temperatures up to 450 degrees. You can also freeze with them, use them in the microwave, or just use them underneath casseroles or pot pies to catch any drips or spills for easy-peasy clean-up. I haven't tried pizza on one yet, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it doesn't turn out just perfect, and without sticking or making a cheesy mess.

BakeItFun silicone mats have rulers and circles printed on them, making it easy to roll out dough or cut uniform cookie sizes. It's the perfect pastry sheet because nothing sticks to it! No matter how ooey-gooey!

So do yourself a favor and revolutionize your baking by ordering a couple of BakeItFun silicone baking mats. This is one item you'll kick yourself for not buying before now!

{Disclaimer: I received a BakeItFun silicone #bakingmat gratis to facilitate my review. However, my opinions are my own and no other monetary consideration was involved.}

New #Purex Crystals ScentSplash turns laundry into aromatherapy

I just love being a Purex Insider! It means I get to try some of the new products Purex comes out with. While Purex has always been a laundry staple in my home, what really gets me excited is when laundry products that work also do it with great scent!

So I was super-excited to try new Purex Crystals ScentSplash, now in liquid form. The Fresh Spring Waters scent was just what the aromatherapy doctor ordered!

I've been using Purex Crystals for years now and love how my laundry smells. The fragrance and freshness seem to linger for days. I can put a stack of freshly-laundered towels in the bathroom and they will fill the room with delicate scent for a long time. Subtle, not overwhelming, just there. And that's nice to know when I have company coming over. I don't have to worry about...er...unpleasant odor in the bathroom. Purex Crystals added to the towels washload infuses them with gentle fragrance that lasts and lasts.

And now new Purex Crystals ScentSplash is becoming my favorite of all! That delicate scent just got amped up a notch or two! And because it's in liquid form, you can add as little or as much as you like. You can get up to 35% more washloads than 18oz. Purex solid Crystals. Laundry day is no longer the chore it used to be. Now it's like a mini-vacation, a spa retreat, an aromatherapy session.

It lifts my mood. And it just smells so darn wonderful!

Fragrance is one of the things I love in life. I love a clean smell, like cotton sheets sun-dried on a clothesline for example, but I also love smells that delight the senses. I use scented candles, wax melts, room sprays, etc. just because I love being surrounded by pleasant scents. And that extends to laundry. Using Purex Crystals ScentSplash is one more way I can add wonderful aromas to my home.

It works not just on towels but on intimate apparel as well. What a nice surprise to open my underwear drawer and find that wonderful scent still lingering days after I've done laundry! And my closet now greets me with a nice fragrance every time I open the closet door. I can't say enough about Crystals ScentSplash. It is perfect for me. Not too heavy, not too light, just right.

Try new Purex Crystals ScentSplash. It might be just right for you too!

Purex Crystals ScentSplash is now available in 3 fragrances: Fresh Spring Waters, Fresh Lavender Blossom, and Fresh Mountain Breeze. You're sure to find the perfect fragrance for your home laundry needs.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free to use and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the manufacturer of this product.