Sponsored by Tomoson.com
I suck at math. Actually, I should say I used to. I barely got through my high school Algebra, Geometry, etc. classes with D's. It just didn't make sense to me most of the time, so I stopped trying to figure it all out. When I had to take "Problem Solving I & II" for my online degree, I knew it was going to really be just a bunch of Algebra (it was.) BUT, I found that I learned much better when I was teaching myself! There is usually more than one way to get the right answer to a math problem, but my high school teachers always only taught ONE way. By learning on my own, I was able to find an easier way to remember all of the rules and ended up getting A's in both classes (mostly while nursing a newborn at the computer!)
When my oldest started having problems in Algebra last year, I was more than happy to help him out. We worked a few times a week together on his homework. I loved seeing that light go on whenever he finally understood how to do a problem. Then came his first test. He failed. While all of his answers were correct (Oh, yeah. I checked!), his teacher had marked all of them wrong because he didn't show his work the way she taught him how to do the problems - HER way or the highway. I tried to talk to her, to the principal, to get him transferred to a different teacher - nada. He was stuck. I couldn't understand her way, so how could I explain it to my son? He ended up giving up around October and failed the class. While I was disappointed that his GPA had dropped and he was no longer a member of the Junior National Honor Society, it was OK. He was taking a high school Algebra class in 8th grade, so he could take it over again this year and there wouldn't really be a penalty.
This year's Algebra teacher has been wonderful. While she cannot teach every possible way to do every type of problem, she does allow for students to figure out the best way for them to do the problems. As long as their answers come out correct consistently and they show their work, she's cool with it. My son did great the first few weeks - they did a bunch of review work. When new stuff was introduced, though, he got lost. I think that he stopped listening just long enough to find himself completely baffled. I tried to do the homework thing with him again, but his teen "I know it all" attitude got in the way. We'd both end up angry and frustrated with one another. When I had the chance to try out the Algebrator Software Tutor Program, I jumped at it!
Here's my 13 year-old's review:
I really like this algebra program. All I have to do is put one of my homework problems on the screen and this will show me how to do each step of the problem. It seemed hard to do at first, then my mom showed me that there are demos of how to solve every kind of problem. I could use this all the way to college. I'm going to need it because I want to be a video game animator and they need to have a lot of math classes. This will really really help me.
So, there you have it. When you see a video game that my son created in 10 years or so, you can think, "Gee, I guess Algebrator really does work!" LOL The demos he referenced are really cool and he's right - there are Videos and Screenshots of how to solve nearly every kind of problem there is. And you can choose between seeing the demos animated or on slide shows. (I love this because I just cannot learn effectively while watching a video, unlike my son.)
Algebrator covers all levels of algebra, from the basics of Pre-Algebra all the way up to college-level classes. Below is a list of the types of problems that can be entered into the program. I've got to tell you, this is just amazing to me that you can enter your own problems and learn how to solve them! My son likes to check his homework with Algebrator now because, if the answer is incorrect, going step-by-step shows him where he made his mistakes.
This is a screen-shot from the Algebrator Web site. Click on the picture above to see the entire page.
I love having this available to my son and I know that it is going to come in handy for years to come. You can get your own download and optional CD-ROM RIGHT HERE. It is a special price at nearly 50% off for my readers! Algebrator has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is used in a ton of public & private schools and colleges. *Algebrator is compatible with any PC running any version of Windows (including Windows 7) and any Intel Mac running OS X.*
Or, you can see if you can win your own download of Algebrator in the Rafflecopter form, below!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Sponsored by Tomoson.com
I used to wait tables. I had a huge callous on the middle finger of my left hand for years. I also had some major pain in mu thumb and index finger on that hand. On busy days, the pain would be so bad that I'd ice my hand when I got home just to numb the pain away. Though I haven't taken an order in years, that phantom pain comes back, especially in the winter.
My husband has a central nervous system disorder which makes it very hard for him to write. His hand shes so badly that his writing just looks like a bunch of zigzag lines. He must put a tom of pressure on his writing instruments to keep the shaking under control. With that much pressure, just writing his name is a long and arduous task. Writing an entire sentence can leave his hand, wrist, entire arm... even his shoulder and neck in pain.
Then, there's my oldest. Now, no kid should have problem with his hands at only 13 years old, but with the amount of homework he has been getting since starting high school and constantly having to take notes in every class, he comes home complaining of the pain in his hand. It worries me. How badly will his hand hurt when he gets out of college??? Is all of this writing messing up the way the bones, tendons, and muscles are developing? Will he be at risk for early onset of arthritis?
Oh, and I don't want to forget about Little Guy. Being the kind of person he is, he wants to do everything the rest of his family can do. He sees me making lists for things we have to do or buy. He wants to make his own lists. I give him a pad of paper and a pen and let him write his "list", but he can't grip a pen very well. It ends up slipping out of his fingers. He can't even draw a circle without having to reposition the pen. He ends up frustrated and angry. I've tried giving him a crayon or marker, but he wants to be like me and only a grown-up looking pen will do.
Last week, something pretty cool came to my family! We received a package of UGLee pens. Now, these are aptly named - they're not really pretty and sleek. But they're great for all of our problems. On those days when my pain returns, I can still write. My husband still has shaky hands, but he can write for a longer period of time. My oldest's hand pain has already become a memory. And even Little Guy can "write" his lists without the frustrations he's been feeling. (In fact, I've noticed that he can actually write a few letters. I just didn't know it when he was using cumbersome fat crayons and slippery pens and pencils.)
What makes UGLee Pens so different? The have a squishy grip on them. This thing is really weird-feeling and almost seems sticky. I kept expecting to have to wash my hand after using it. But I got used to it after a few tries and began to love it! It also contains ink that flows easily and smoothly. I have always preferred gel pens because they write so nicely, but UGLee Pen's ink has them beat. Finally, the pen is lightweight. You may not think of this when writing, but just a few ounces can make a huge difference!
"UGLee" stands for Ultimate Grip; Lee is the name of the doctor who invented this pen, Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee has a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University and earned his MD from Stanford University School of Medicine. He's not just some guy who decided to invent a different kind of pen! It took him years of studying the human hand and building tons of prototypes before he came to his final version of the UGLee Pen.
***If you are viewing this post from my homepage, please click on the title to go to the post page. Rafflecopter has a glitch that mixes up all of my giveaways when they're all shown on the same page.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Sponsored by Tomoson.com
I love a good story. When I was very young, I remember coming across a copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales and found myself lost in another world. This was the unabridged version - with a lot of gory details and vocabulary that was beyond my scope of understanding. But what I understood held my mind captive! I could almost hear the characters' voices in my head as I read. Since then, I have always preferred the "real" story over the pared-down versions.
That's why I was excited to have the opportunity to review the Story Harbour: Vol. 1, performed by Zette Harbour. This CD contains 50 minutes of folklore about life from all over the world. The six stories are not only entertaining, they're also tales that describe basic human desires and the consequences and rewards of each.
Track 1: Anansi & Stories Track 2: Master Of All Masters Track 3: The Little Old Woman Who Lived In A Vinegar Bottle Track 4: The Crane Wife Track 5: The Sound Of The Money Track 6: The Innkeeper's Clever Daughter
I'm going to tell you something about me that I'm slightly embarrassed about: I am terrible at reading aloud. First, my eyes are much faster than my mouth and I'm slightly dyslexic - I end up scrambling up the words on the page and often need to start over. It drives the kids nuts! The other day, after my third screw-up, Little Guy closed the book and told me he's wait for Brubber to get home to read it. Yeah, it's that bad. And, even on a good day, I mess things up. I try to give the characters voices to make the stories more fun. Ha! Either I end up giving them all the same silly voice, or I get mixed up over which voice is whose and none of the characters ever has the same voice twice in a story. (Good thing there are lots of pictures so Little Guy doesn't get confused over who is talking!)
Zette Harbour isn't just good at telling stories, she's a brilliant performer who can paint a beautiful picture in your mind with only her spoken words. Her story-telling style grabs your attention from the first word and has you listening with rapt attention. She gives the perfect voices to her characters and even includes accents based on where in the world the story originated. She adds excitement to her stories by speeding up and slowing down her speech, her tones rise and fall with the emotions in the stories. I could listen to Story Harbour, Vol. 1 repeatedly through the day and not get tired of it - I'm serious!
Now, it all well and good that I like this CD, but what about the kids? They both love it as much as I do! My oldest has always been fond of folklore and was excited to hear it playing when he came home from school last week. He was being "cool" and nonchalant about it, though. Rather than dropping his bag and heading outside to "hang", he sat in the kitchen and listened until the CD was over.
And then there's Little Guy. He's just turned three and doesn't have a lot of patience for many things. The first time I played Story Harbour, I was doing it for myself for this review. He was busy playing with cars, puzzles and guys all at the same time. After the first story, Anansi & Stories, I realized that it had gotten quiet - no more cars smashing into one another, no frustrated whining about a puzzle piece not fitting right, and I hadn't been hit in the head with a flying elephant for some time. Nope - Little Guy was sitting on his little chair with his hands folded in his lap, intently listening to the stories! It was especially surprising because some of the vocabulary is beyond his understanding. I guess he was doing what I did with Grimm's - just doing his best to understand. We've been listening to one story a night before bed lately. As he's falling asleep, we talk about the story. I'm really liking this new ritual!
Would you like a chance to share this wonderful CD with a little one in your life? Heck, you don't need a child around to enjoy this CD - enter if you love a good story!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
This is a review for one of my
sponsors of the Made in Michigan Blog Giveaway Hop, which will take
place from October 28 – November 2. I will be offering my readers the
chance to win a (Hand)Made in Michigan prize package worth nearly
$200! Please take a moment to read about this wonderful Etsy shop and
then fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a very easy extra entry into the giveaway.
We all wear clothes, right? (Well, most of us - Little Guy has decided to venture into nudist territory lately.) Did you even consider the fact that everything we wear - from wool to cotton to synthetics all start with spinning fibers together to create a thread or yarn, which is then woven into some kind of fabric and put together into clothing. Now, consider how long people have been doing this. These are the kind of thoughts that are akin to contemplating how insignificant one is, while laying on a hill and looking at stars on a warm summer night. The thoughts that come rushing in can be mind-boggling. Well, at least, that's how it's been for me for the past two hours.
Debra, owner of Michigan Spinning Company on Etsy, sent me a handmade (in Michigan!) Maple & Birch Top Whorl Drop Spindle and some beautifully hand-dyed Shetland Wool Roving (also from Michigan!) to try out. Now, the closest I've ever gotten to working with roving was when I was about 10 years old and visited Greenfield Village. One of the displays had a basket of freshly-washed wool, some carding supplies, and a giant spinning wheel all ready for inexperienced visitors to try out. I think I made the biggest ball of fuzz on a string in the history of humans spinning!
So, you can imagine my apprehension when I opened the package from Michigan Spinning Company and had the weird spindle thingy in one hand and a giant roll of loosely-braided roving in the other. How in the world can I use this stick with a circle and hook on it to turn this fluffy stuff into something I can knit with?! Then I calmed myself by remembering that someone, a very, very, very long time ago, figured out hoe to do this without the benefits of having the roving and spindle delivered by USPS and the Internet with Google and YouTube videos! Now, I don't have sound on my computer, but just watching a few of these videos and the various techniques people use made it possible for me to feel confident enough to get started. And, you know what? I MADE YARN! Really!!! All by myself - for TWO hours. Debra warned me that it was addictive, but I really had no idea it would be such a great feeling. Oh, and meditative, too. For those two hours, I was able to just stare at the spinning spindle and contemplate all those ideas I mentioned above.
Now, I have to share Michigan Spinning Company'sMission Statement because they've succeeded 100% by simply sending me these things to review.
"Michigan Spinning Company is dedicated to promoting and preserving Fiber
Art Traditions, including but not limited to, the art of natural fiber
processing, hand dyeing, handspinning, knitting and weaving. We have a
hands-on approach to learning and eagerly share our experience and
enthusiasm for the Fiber Arts through informal informational videos,
audio/video podcasting, newsletters, and participation in local Fiber
Festivals and Events. We believe in the importance of introducing young
people to the Fiber Arts, educating them in the traditions of earlier
generations, fostering their love and appreciation for things handmade,
and encouraging them to pass on their acquired knowledge and enthusiasm
to future generations."
Did you take note of the mention of "young people" and "future generations"? My kids will be learning how to do this, too! My oldest has the most agile fingers and I just know he's do well with it. And, even at three, Little Guy could do this. Just think of the education and pride they'll get out of learning this. And, as kids who've been taught to ask questions, I know that we'll probably end up heading to the library to learn more about different fibers used for clothing, the science behind spinning, how clothes are made... the possibilities are endless!
You can find Michigan Spinning on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also follow on their Blog!
Disclosure: I received one Drop Spindle and +/- 6 oz. Wool Roving from Michigan Spinning for the purpose of this review. I have received no other form of compensation. All opinions are 100% my own.
I am extremely happy to be part of this Made in Michigan Giveaway Hop. As I said in a previous post about the hop, Michigan really needs and deserves this type of spotlight with the economy the way it is right now. Yes, everyone is hurting, but it just amazes me how badly Michigan is doing economically with all of the wonderful resources we have. Most people know the the "Big 3" car makers are located here, but jobs with them are hard to come by. Where I live, Ford used to be the largest employer. I swear, probably 80% of the people I know are either laid off from Ford right now or their spouses are. There are other large companies here: Kellogg's, Jiffy (you know, the corn bread & other mixes that you can still get for less that $1 a box?), Better Made Chips, Meijer, Jiffy Lube, and even Eden Organics! Then we have quite a bit of agriculture here, too. But, with large agri-business taking over, it is hard for the family farmers to stay in business. Do you know that, though I live in a semi-rural area, I've never seen two of Michigan's main crops at the farmer's market - blueberries and cherries? In fact, it's rare that every stall at the farmer's market has a vendor! Finally, we have some amazing outdoors areas. I don't think I have to tell many people how fantastic the U.P. is. Western Michigan is known for its beaches and sand dunes. And, you can go pretty much anywhere and find some great camping (you know, the kind that isn't basically a huge parking lot for campers? I think people call it "roughing it"...) As I said, I just don't understand how, in a state with so much to offer, the financial situation of the majority of its residents is so dire. So, I am extremely happy to be able to spotlight a few of the items that you can get that are made right here, in Michigan.
My giveaway consists of a TON of amazing prizes offered by Etsy shops based in Michigan. At the top of this page, you will see links to reviews of some of these shops. After you enter in the Rafflecopter form below, I strongly urge you to click on those links and read about these wonderful shops, their products, and rack up an extra entry into the giveaway by completing the very easy Rafflecopter entries at the bottom of those posts. (I'm telling you, they are EASY - no commenting/following/liking necessary!)
Yeah, yeah... you want to know what you can WIN, right?! Well, here you go:
Andrea, owner of 4th Street Candle Co. (that's "4th Street" in MY town, by the way!) would like to offer the winner an 8oz hand-poured, dye-free soy candle in the scent of his or her choice (see this post for the full list.) Let me tell you - her candles ROCK! The scent is so real. And these candles last a long time! Though I have burned my candle for an hour or so every night since I received it three weeks ago, there's maybe only 1/4 of it burned down. You can visit 4th Street Candle Co. on Facebook,
Etsy,
Twitter,
and Andrea has her own blog ~ Stumbling Along Faithfully.
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Courtney, owner of Beatifical, makes little creatures of all kinds by hand. Based in Detroit,she says that she started making them one day and just never stopped. Sometimes she has a plan in mind when she starts a new creation, but most times, she works off the cuff and a new addition to her shop is born! Aside from making the creatures by hand, she also makes her own buttons for the eyes - now that's what I call 100% handmade! Courtney is offering the winner a $15 gift certificate to use in her shop, Beatifical.
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I cannot find enough words to describe the beautiful pieces of woven bead jewelry that is made by MelJoy Creations, located in Sebewaing (it's in the "thumb" of Michigan). Each gorgeous handcrafted piece is made with quality in mind, yet kept at affordable prices. (If you use the coupon code BOO20at checkout through October 31, you can even get an additional 20% off your entire order!) I absolutely love that, if you see a woven pattern you like but not the colors you want (or the other way around), you can request a customization and MelJoy Creations will be happy to work toward creating you the perfect piece. MelJoy Creations is offering the winner a hand-woven beaded bracelet worth $30! You can stay updated on MelJoy Creations' newest items and sales via Facebook and their Blog.
You could probably find a gift for everyone on your list at 8daysOfTreasures. This shop has "A Little Bit of Everything" and that's no joke. From beautiful moss terrariums to breathtaking Michigan photography to vintage and antique items, you really could browse this shop for eight days and still find something new! Stephanie is a very talented photographer who has managed to capture some awesome scenes on film. If you're the lucky winner, you can expect to receive (4) - 4" x 6" and (2) - 5" x 7" photographs depicting colorful Michigan autumnal scenes and Lake Michigan beaches (you can see the autumn photos here and the beach scenes here and here.) And, yes, 8daysOfTreasures is offering you a discount code, too! From now until November 30, you can receive 20% your entire order by entering the code: AUTUMNSALE11 at checkout. To stay updated on Stephanie's newest items and sales, connect with her on Etsy and Facebook.
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So, PETfection (located in Grosse Pointe) saved my life! Well, they probably saved it, plus they kept my family safe and made my kitty cat very happy. How? This is the very first time I have managed to find a company that makes natural, organic, non-toxic pet supplies that really work! In Michigan, especially in the wetland area where I live, fleas and ticks are terrible. Once your pet gets them and they get into your home, you have to pull out the big guns - chemical-laden flea killers. Not good for people, nor animals. But, PETfection's Cat Bug Spray really repelled the biting insects and it even making out cat's fur really, really soft. You can read more about this and some of their other products here. In addition to the bug spray, you can find shampoos, treats, pet beds... a ton of safe & natural pet products at their online store. Oh, and the prices aren't what you'd expect! You won't be re-mortgaging your home or mailing them and arm and a leg just to get Fido's funky odor under control. I suggest heading to their Web site. There, you'll get to see all of their wonderful product (even great gift baskets) and, if your order is shipped to a Michigan address, shipping is free - no coupon code needed! PETfection will be sending the winner one 2oz. jar of relaxing & healing Peppermint Paw Cream! You can find PETfection at their Web site, on Etsy (free shipping is only good on orders through their Web site), on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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Michigan Spinning, located in Grand Rapids, offers a wide array of hand-dyed and naturally colored fibers and yarns and even handmade drop spindles! In wanting to help the local economy, the shop's owner, Debra, tries to buy fibers from Michigan Farms first. The materials that she cannot find locally are purchased on Etsy, so she's still supporting those vendors that matter most! I have always been impressed and in awe of anyone who could take a fluffy pile of wool and turn it, first, into yarn, then into a functional item. I received a package recently from Michigan Spinning that will enable me to learn to do just that! You see, Michigan Spinning's mission is to preserve these traditional skills through education, especially the younger generations, in the hope that these will not become lost arts. And, to help pass the traditions on to a wider circle, the winner will receive the same items I got to review: a Top Whorl Drop Spindle and 4oz. Wool Roving in their preferred color(s) or, if he or she prefers, a $35 gift code. You can find Michigan Spinning on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also follow on their Blog!
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Also owned by Debra is The Star Box, an Etsy shop that specializes in hand-carved rubber stamps. Have you ever tried the old "simply use a potato to make a stamp" art project? How did it turn out? Yeah, mine, too. Stamps are hard to make and, looking at Debra's intricately carved stamps, I can't help but wonder how she does it! Each stamp is carved, then mounted on a hand-finished block of wood. The winner will receive an Art Doll Paper Doll Rubber Stamp Set from The Star Box. You can find The Star Box on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Amore Vivo is located in South Lyon. You have to go check out this Etsy shop that is just filled with beautiful floral arrangements, wreaths, wine art, and upcycled cork art. What really gets my attention, though, are the fresh holiday arrangements that shop owner, Michele, creates from Michigan evergreens (juniper, blue spruce, cedar, pine, and more) each year for a limited time. And, that is the prize that she's offering to the winner of this giveaway: one Fresh Michigan Evergreen Centerpiece (this prize will be available to the winner between November 20 - December 18.) Check out Amore Vivo on Etsy and Twitter!
Whew! That's a LOT of prizes! Be sure to hop on over to the other blogs participating in the Made in Michigan Giveaway Hop, listed below!
(BTW - I have kept all entries optional. Please take the time to check out these great shops and let them know which items you like the best. It is very helpful to them to know which items people like the best. Also, please don't "like" a Facebook page only if you're going to "unlike" it the day after the giveaway ends. It's rude. I haven't asked you to follow, like, subscribe, or vote for me in any of these entries. If you like my blog, please show me some love!)
This is a review for one of my
sponsors of the Made in Michigan Blog Giveaway Hop, which will take
place from October 28 – November 2. I will be offering my readers the
chance to win a (Hand)Made in Michigan prize package worth nearly
$200! Please take a moment to read about this wonderful Etsy shop and
then fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a very easy extra entry into the giveaway.
Amore Vivo is an Etsy shop that specializes in beautiful floral arrangements, wreaths, wine art (a little more on that later!), and upcycled cork art. In Italian, "Amore Vivo" means "Love Life" and it is the perfect name for this shop! Many of the items you will find at Amore Vivo are full of life - live and silk Floral Arrangements, beautiful Peacock Feather Wreaths, and Unique Handmade Wine Bottle Toppers are at the heart of this shop. The shop's owner, Michele, is from South Lyon and has been a floral designer and crafter for over 25 years. Her love of local wines and penchant for floral design kind of coalesced into a passion.
Now, my "review" is actually going to be a PRE-view. Rather than sending me one of her Fresh Christmas Centerpieces now, Michele has agreed to wait to send it until the perfect time for me & my family - between November 20 and December 18 - so we can enjoy it during the holidays. Because this is an arrangement made with Fresh Michigan Evergreens (balsam fir, blue spruce, juniper, cedar, pine...), it will last 2-3 weeks and I'd really prefer to enjoy it during the holiday season. I can almost smell it now and almost don't want to wait!
Isn't that just beautiful?! I wish I had a scratch-n-sniff monitor! And, just so you know, Michele will work with customers to get the look they want. It is completely customizable in color, size, style... the possibilities are endless. Each arrangement comes in a foam "oasis" container to keep the fresh pieces looking great and help them last. Michele also includes care instructions and a nice information sheet about Michigan Evergreens. Hey - sounds like a great learning opportunity as an added bonus!
This is what the information sheet says:
"This
centerpiece is handmade with wonderful evergreens from our vast Winter
Wonderland state of Michigan!I hand cut
these greens just before arranging my Christmas Centerpieces to keep them long
lasting and naturally fragrant!Most of
them come from my home in Southeastern Michigan with accents from areas of
Traverse City, Tawas by Lake Huron and the Tri City area.In these times when so many of us have artificial
trees, my special fresh evergreen centerpieces still give the home the fresh
tree aroma."
Since I cannot write a review because I haven't received the item yet, I'm going to share some of the feedback that Amore Vivo has received on Etsy and via email. The first is from a client who was so happy with her order that she actually got out paper and pen and wrote an actual letter (anyone who takes the time to do this has got to be a happy customer!):
"Michele
Hope you remember, me. I ordered 5 of your Made In Michigan centerpieces
for Christmas to be shipped to different states. Wow, what a great
response of thanks I received! I now live in Michigan and every year
search of special gifts for my family Made In Michigan. Yours was
perfect, along with the evergreen information you attached. Thank you
so much, I will be back next year!
Nicole"
Her Etsy feedback is just wonderful - 100% positive. I keep seeing two things that people have written over and over: her shipping is very fast and her items are beautiful. Both of these are important to me, as a buyer. No one wants to purchase something and then wait weeks for it to arrive, especially on sites like Etsy where you really don't know the person you're dealing with. If it takes more than a week and a half for me to receive an order or a tracking number... something from the seller, I start getting nervous. Did I just send money to someone who isn't going to send me my item??? Then there's the disappointment you sometimes have when an item that looked absolutely gorgeous on the computer screen ends up being something I could have made with Little Guy and had it turn out better. You just never know and there's a level of trust that you must put into the shop owner. From the looks of the feedback, Amore Vivo has surprised clients in the opposite direction! Just check out some of these feedback excerpts:
"Even prettier in person!"
"Fantastic job!"
"So awesome! Even better looking in person!"
"BEAUTIFUL!"
"Wonderful person to deal with. My mother loved the arrangement, and it's so nice to know the evergreens were fresh. I'll never buy from [popular fresh florist] again!"
In addition to Amore Vivo, you can find Michele's work at her other Etsy shop, Amore Bride. I cannot believe the amazing pieces that she's created - from Peacock Feather Bouquets to Hairpieces to Cake Toppers - that are both beautiful and will last. They're all artificial arrangements, although Michele says that the most frequently asked question she receives is: "Are the florals real or fresh?" They look that good!
Disclosure: I will receive one Christmas Centerpiece, as pictures above, for this review. No other form of compensation will be exchanged. All opinions are my own.
This is a review for one of my sponsors of the Made in Michigan Blog Giveaway Hop, which will take place from October 28 – November 2. I will be offering my readers the chance to win a (Hand)Made in Michigan prize package worth nearly $200! Please take a moment to read about this wonderful Etsy shop and then fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a very easy extra entry into the giveaway.
This Etsy shop is very aptly named. 8daysOfTreasures is filled with a variety of amazing items! What first caught my eye in this shop, based in Mount Pleasant, were the Moss Terrariums. If you know me, you know my inclination toward anything that has to do with nature. But these aren't just any old terrariums. Their containers are beautiful and come in just about every shape and size imaginable. The shop's owner, Stephanie, up-cycles jars, pitchers, and even salt and pepper shakers into little ecosystems that you can watch grow and flourish. The moss is collected from her own yard, then layered in the containers with carbon, small pebbles, and soil. The carbon works to keep everything clean. All you have to do is mist with water once or twice a week and enjoy your own little bit of Michigan!
But that's not all you'll find at 8daysOfTreasures. You'll discover some beautiful handmade jewelry and scarves, too! I especially love the eclectic mixture of glass, bone, shell, and wood beads used to make the bracelets. Each one is unique and the mixture of different textures and colors all come together to create a one-of-a-kind work of art.
And I cannot forget to mention the huge assortment of Vintage and Antique items that Stephanie has collected for your shop-at-home pleasure! You'll find everything from glass candy dishes to antique books, vintage jars to candy dishes. I swear, this portion of 8daysOfTreasures reminds me of my grandmother's house! I used to drink "coffee" (hot cocoa with a few drops of decaf sprinkled on top) in a cup just like the one on the right!
And I've saved the very best for last: Stephanie is a very talented photographer. She's managed to capture some wondrous bits of Michigan that I could look at for hours. She has beautiful photos of forests, trees, and amazing autumn leaves. Then there are those shots of wildlife that I could wait a lifetime for the opportunity to come across (then somehow manage to blur into obscurity!) I mean, you have got to check out this Frog - the colors almost make him (?) appear to be metallic! And don't even get me started on her abstract photos - simply breathtaking! And here's the great part - you can order her work in just about any size/form imaginable. From a basic 4" x 6" photo to a large 20" x 24" canvas print to a jigsaw puzzle! You can see the many other options at the shop policies page. Check out the beautiful photos that I had the pleasure to receive for this review:
"8daysOfTreasures", as I said before, really describes Stephanie's Etsy shop better than any other name I could think of. I mean, really, you could probably get the majority of your holiday shopping done all at once. And her prices are so low... PLUS, she's currently holding a sale - you can get a whopping 20% off your entire order simply by entering the code: AUTUMNSALE11 at checkout until November 30! And, to stay informed of new items and sales (plus to get ahead on the Made in Michigan entries), you can find 8daysOfTreasures on Facebook!
I received a set of 4"X6" photographs for the purpose of writing this review, which will become part of the giveaway prize. I received no other form of compensation. All opinions are my own.
OK, so I'm going to jump in with both feet for this one. I recently found out about the Made in Michigan Blog Hop that will take place from October 28 through November 2 (Little Guy's birthday!), hosted by Detroit Mom & Her Views and co-hosted by The Pet Lady's Blog, and I really want in! I'm worried that I won't get the sponsors I need ($25 minimum prize value), so I'm wondering if any of my readers might be from Michigan or know of someone in Michigan with a green and/or handmade business who'd like to sponsor me?
Here's what's in it for the sponsors: If you send me a product to review and offer a giveaway prize, I will write a glowing review post and you'll also have a shorter review on the giveaway hop post. If you'd just like to offer a giveaway prize, you'll still get the shorter review. In both posts, I will include your links (Shop, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc.) You will also be able to tell me what you would like readers to do for entries (like on Facebook, follow on Twitter, etc.) I will always include a "go to this Web site and tell me one other item you like" or "go to this Web site and tell me something you learned about the company" entry. I will be using Rafflecopter for the entries and this giveaway hop will have many participating blogs, so you can be sure that there will be plenty of entrants checking out your product!
Oh, and your particular prize does NOT have to be worth $25! I hope to get a few different sponsors so that the prize package will total $25. One more thing I feel I should make clear because I don't want to get stuck between a rock and a hard place: Sponsors will be responsible for shipping. Please don't send me the prize to forward to the winner. Oh, yeah - Don't forget, this is a MADE IN MICHIGAN hop, so the items need to be from Michigan. LOL
Thanks to everyone who has read this far! If you are interested in sponsoring or think you may know of someone who would like to sponsor, please use my all-new "Contact Me!" form.
Have you heard of The Peaceful Housewife yet? I met Jenny around March of this year, I think it was during Code Name: Mama's March of Kindness meme. Jenny was blogging about the same things that I was interested in, mainly: greening your home and parenting peacefully. She opened her online store, The Peaceful Housewife, soon after we "met" and I was excited to do a review and gift certificate giveaway with her to spread the word. Her items are wonderful - tons of homemade cleaning products, created with safe and natural ingredients.
Recently, Jenny published an eBook containing all of her recipes along with cleaning tips. She's included basic laundry detergent and dish soap recipes. Then she added some that I didn't think you could make at home: dishwasher detergent, brass cleaner, and even one for those oh-so-convenient disinfecting wipes! Her tips include how to get stubborn stains from clothes and how to replace chemical-laden carpet shampoo with a non-toxic version.
The book is very easy to read, all of the steps are laid out perfectly. I'd even give it to my husband to make some of these recipes and expect the results to come out perfectly (that's saying a LOT!) I am so thankful to Jenny for sending me this book and I know that, when I shop next, I'll be picking up lots of vinegar, baking soda, and some great-smelling essential oils!
You can buy the book for a mere $3 by heading to her online store. You will also find a ton of great cleaning products for amazingly low prices. For instance, this month's "Scent of the Month" is Apple Jack and Peel and if you'd like to try it, you can buy a 20-load bag of laundry detergent for only $2! I have a bottle of Linen and Room Spray in Lavender Vanilla (there are 12 scents to choose from) that I love. The stuff lasts forever (both the bottle, itself, and the scent) and it only cost me $3.50. Oh, and she even creates a wonderful furniture polish that I feel good about letting Little Guy use for just $5. You just cannot find items like this online or elsewhere for these prices. And, if you choose to buy the eBook, you'd really be saving money by making all of these (and more) yourself!
****By the way - I didn't receive any type of monetary compensation for this review. I did, however. get a really handy eBook - that's it. Everything I've said is in my own words and is my own opinion! OK, now get back to entering the giveaway!
