San Fransisco Bath Salt Company Review & Giveaway

                                                              

~By Patricia 

As the weather changes and the temperature drops and there is a chill in the air the idea of a nice warm bath comes to mind. To make your bath even nicer, there are so many beautiful colored and scented bath salts to chose from. I like to turn to the San Fransisco Bath Salt Company when looking for a new scent for myself or for a gift to a friend. Their variety of bath salts is amazing with everything from colored and scented bath salts, scented only bath salts, foaming bath salts, luxurious milk baths, non scented bath salts, to customer favorites. And for the cold and flu season they carry a cold and flu vitamin soak packed with Vitamin C, Lemon Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Rosehips, Hibiscus flower, Echinacea Root and Ginseng Root.




 



For an even more inviting bath they also have a variety of Body Scrubs, Salt Scrubs and Sugar Scrubs.  If you are looking for a gentle exfoliation pamper yourself with a sugar scrub, for deeper exfoliation use a salt scrub. Both seem heavenly!


                                                                                                                     

Here is some information about San Fransisco Bath Salt Company from their site-

About Us

Salt is both a necessity and a luxury. We need it in appropriate quantities to survive, but we can also use it to soften skin, soothe muscles, and relax our bodies (to name just a few benefits).

Our mission is to raise your awareness of the amazing benefits of natural sea salts - to harness the power of the ocean to enhance your well-being, from the inside out.

We offer an extensive line of bath and shower salts to soothe, cure, and promote relaxation, as well as a line of gourmet chef salts to guarantee just the right flavors for your dishes. We design, develop, and package all of our own products in our two San Francisco bay area facilities.


After a luxurious bath a delicious meal is perfect! I found on the San Fransisco Bath Salt Company website that they also have Sea Salt. They have gourmet varieties like Pacific Ocean Pristine Sea Salt. Their Pacific Ocean Gourmet Salts are made through the ancient and natural process of slowly evaporating Pacific Sea water to collect its salt. This all-natural sea salt is Kosher and contains no additives. This would be a great gift for any cook in your life.

GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win a bag of Cold & Flu Soak or Sleep Lavender Bath Salt  (Winner Choice)


a Rafflecopter giveaway




 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Oct. 30,  2012 and ends on Nov. 14, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a product to review for this post.

Zuvo Water Review and Giveaway

                                                





I love feeling like I am giving my family a healthy start with everything from the food we eat to the water we drink. Zuvo Water is helping me do that with clean healthy water and it's five step process using nature's own cleaning process right in my kitchen. A Zuvo Water Filtration system can easily be installed above the counter right to your faucet or under the counter for a space saving idea. It treats non-pathogenic organisms, taste and odor contaminants, reduces aesthetic chlorine, lead, and tiny particulates that can be in your tap water using a UV light.







                                     


What I like about Zuvo Water is how easy it is to install, we installed it under the counter, we have limited counter space in our kitchen so it was great to have that option. Our water tastes crisp and clean with just the run of the filtration system. The boys are trying to sneak under the sink to watch the bubbles as the water filters through!

There are two models to choose from, the Zuvo Water Filtration System - 300 and 100 Series, here is some information about the Series and differences-

There are two different series of the Zuvo Water Filtration System including the 100 and 300 Series.

There are a number of key differences between the two series. The 300 Series systems include both a filter indicator light and buzzer to tell you when to change your filter. This takes the guesswork out of knowing when to change your filter.

Another key difference is that the 300 Series systems come with a high-capacity filter (400 gallon filter life) and the 100 Series systems come with a standard-capacity filter (250 gallon filter life).

The 300 Series systems include a charcoal-colored reservoir, and the 100 Series systems include a clear-colored reservoir.

All Zuvo replacement filters including the standard-capacity, high-capacity and VOC filters are compatible with all Zuvo systems. A standard- or high-capacity filter combined with any Zuvo system reduces the following water contaminants: chlorine taste and odor, lead, cysts (Cryptosporidium and Giardia), tiny particulates and non-pathogenic microorganisms.

Any Zuvo system combined with a VOC (volatile organic compounds) filter reduces all water contaminants that the standard- and high-capacity filters do plus VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The VOC filter has a filter life of 250 gallons.

An added bonus, if you often buy water bottles this is also a money saving and better for the planet solution. Nice!

GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win a Zuvo Water Filter System for your kitchen sink

 a Rafflecopter giveaway






 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Oct. 30,  2012 and ends on Nov. 14, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a product to r

Let The Pumpkin Dessert Eating Begin!!!

By Patricia

The month of October means pumpkins to me. Seeing them at the store, on porches, on tabletops and more, I begin thinking about how delicious they are when made into desserts.
I have a terrible weakness for pumpkin pie with whipped cream and if left alone with one, I'm pretty sure I could devour it in record time.
I was in the grocery store the other day and I had to pick up some pumpkin flavored ice cream. It's not as good as pie, but it was pretty tasty. And of course I have already made pumpkin bread half a dozen times in the last month. Yes, I am enormously fond of pumpkin desserts.

If you love pumpkin desserts too, I suggest you head over to Martha Stewart and see all her fabulous pumpkin dessert recipes.
You will find yummy things like Chocolate-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies, Traditional Pumpkin Pie, and many more recipes that will satisfy the pumpkin lover in you.
Happy baking to you!

Peanut Butter Cookies From The Treats Truck Baking Book

By Patricia

I really love peanut butter cookies. I have made a lot for my children when they were young, and now I am making them for my grandchildren. But recently they just haven't tasted peanut buttery enough for us. The peanut butter flavor did not stand out enough, so it was time to look for a new recipe.

I found this great one that comes from one of my favorite new cookbooks called The Treats Truck Baking Book. The cookies aren't made with flour, so they are gluten free. The recipe is super easy and you can have the kids help too, if you'd like.

                                              Peanut Butter Cookies

                                          Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups smooth peanut butter 

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, combine the eggs and vanilla. Set aside.

3. Place the peanut butter in a large bowl and pour in the egg-vanilla mixture. Stir together with a sturdy spoon until combined.

4. Add the sugar and salt and mix well.

5. Scoop the dough with a spoon and roll it into balls, depending on the size of the cookies you prefer (the dough doesn't spread much). Place the balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Pat the balls flat and use a fork to make crosshatch marks on the top of each cookie.

6. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the centers look as light and baked as the edges. Cool completely before removing from the cookie sheet with a spatula.

You can also add chocolate chips to this recipe to make yummy chocolate peanut butter cookies.

Enjoy!

   

Where Do You Find Your Holiday Ideas and Inspiration?

By Patricia

I know that it's still a few days before Halloween, but soon the Christmas holidays will be upon us and that the rush to get everything done will be making us all frantic.

I am just wondering where everyone is getting their holiday inspiration from this year. I know Pinterest has taken over as the go to place for gorgeous pictures and great ideas, I love Pinterest too. But magazines still play a very large part of inspiring my holiday decorating and entertaining.

I have years and years worth of Martha Stewart, Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, of Christmas issues that I will never get rid of. Every year I get them out and reading them again gives me enormous pleasure and inspiration.

The gorgeous covers on this years issues tempt me to buy them all, which of I would love to but can't. I hope magazines never go away because an imagine on the computer still can't compare to the loveliness of beautiful pictures in a magazine.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!! 

Do You Celebrate Everyday Life Moments?

By Patricia

I think so many of us women are defined by our relationships with others. When my five children were young, my first thoughts when I woke up in the morning were about them, not myself.

I was married for thirty five years to a good, but very difficult man. So I am no longer a wife, or an active mother of children as they are all grown up now.

So what does this all have to do with celebrating? I am trying to find little celebrations in my everyday life. I have found that on some days, I need a magnifying glass to look for even a crumb of cheeriness. And then on others, I am reminded of all that I still have, and hope to have.

For most of us, the highs in life really don't come around very often, so we have to seek little joys and pieces of happiness where we can find them. Lately, a great blog, my granddaughter's beautiful little face, a package in the mail, and yes, yummy chocolate cake are what I'm celebrating.
And I never say no to a glass of champagne.

How do you celebrate everyday life? Or do you? I would love to know your thoughts on the subject.


Photo via I Wanna Be Gwyneth

smarTouch Isotoner Gloves Review and Giveaway

By Patricia


As the weather gets colder, many of us will have to start wearing our gloves again to keep our hands warm. The problem with that is when we try to use our touch screen devices, the gloves make it difficult or impossible to do so.

Isotoner Gloves with smarTouch Technology have come along to solve this common problem.
These great new gloves are compatible with most smartphones, tablets, ATMs, GPS units and more.

You will no longer have to stand out in the cold trying to use your phone or other touch screen device and getting frustrated by your old gloves. Isotoners smarTouch Technology has conductive thread embroidered on thumbs and fingers that convey electrical impulses from your fingertips to the touch screen.

We've already had some cold and windy weather up here in the Seattle area, and I really loved being able to use my new gloves. They really do give you pinpoint accuracy no matter what touch screen device you are using. The fingertips fit snugly for comfort and functionality, and I'm loving this great red color.

The gloves are made with Lycra Fiber to provide superior fit and flexibility. They are available in many colors and styles for both men and women. I like that they come in styles that are great for everyday use, but also come in chic black for your days that you choose to be dressier. A wide choice of fabrics and color combination assure that there is a pair for everyone's wardrobe.

Isotoners smarTouch Technology Gloves are a great idea for how to use all your touch screen devices accurately and comfortably in the cold weather months.
I plan on buying more for my family, and I know they would make the perfect gift during the fall and winter months.

To learn more about the new smarTouch Technology Gloves, go here. You can also visit them on Facebook  and Twittter.

Popcorn and Pearls is happy to be hosting a giveaway to win two pairs of Isotoner smarTouch Technology Gloves.

Enter to win in the Rafflecopter Giveaway form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Oct.24, 2012 and ends on Nov. 5, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent Isontoner SmarTouch Gloves for my review.

 

Who Wouldn't Love Gourmet Grilled Cheese From A Food Truck?

Monte Cristo's Sandwiches Melt in Your Mouth

Grilled cheese for the grown-up set

Some people abandon favorite childhood foods once they become adults. But not us.

And not Danielle Custer. She just launched gourmet grilled cheese truck Monte Cristo.

The James Beard Award winner and former culinary director at Taste at SAM is turning artisan breads, cheeses, and local ingredients into sandwiches inspired by croque-monsieurs and madames, French toast, bruschettas, and rarebits. But it’s her updated twists on the kiddie staple that really rock and roll.

The Big Messy Madness is duck confit, taleggio, fontina, and mozzarella with braised greens, lemon aioli, and gingered rhubarb jam on sourdough. The Full Monte Cristo is a sweet and savory combination of cinnamon swirl bread, Custer’s own cheese blend, Canadian bacon, powdered sugar, and fresh-squeezed lime.

Or go for the Classic — a warm Macrina brioche stuffed with Grafton cheddar, New Moon jack cheese, and Gruyere, with a dash of spiced blueberry au jus for good measure.

It’s uncurd of.

Monte Cristo (206-375-4639 or mobilemontecristo.com.

As a grilled cheese lover since forever, I came across this on Daily Candy Seattle. I must track down this mobile of cheese goodness for myself. YUM!!!

By Patricia

Fun and Fabulous Family Halloween Ideas

By Patricia

With Halloween just a week away, it's time to decide just what tricks we are going to pull to have a great and fun day. When my kids were little, Halloween was one of the happiest days we shared.

Everything wasn't always perfect, but it was always lots of fun. 

Here are some great ideas from my Pinterest boards that I'd like to share with you.

If only Pinterest were available to me when my kids were little, maybe I wouldn't have been up til 3 in the morning sewing a princess costume, or left the Halloween cupcakes out for the dog to eat, or bought a costume that my preschooler was too terrified to wear.

But I guess it's all part of being a Mom, and what can happen on Halloween, and it's definitely part of the fun memories we make.

Inspired Sewing With One-Yard Wonders Book

By Patricia

Years ago, I used to do a lot of sewing. Back in high school, my best friend's Mom was an excellent seamstress and she taught us well enough that we could sew dresses, jackets, and more.
I loved sewing, but after having my third child, there simply wasn't enough time to do it anymore.

I haven't had a sewing machine in years but I have decided to buy one, and I'm getting quite excited at the idea of being creative with fabric once again. I picked up this wonderful book called One - Yard Wonders for inspiration. I love the easy and cute projects in it.

There is also the first One - Yard Wonders book that I would also like to get for even more ideas for sewing projects. And now that I have a granddaughter, I can see lots of happy sewing in my future!

How about you, do you sew? Is sewing still something that women do, or is it something that we no longer have time for? Would you like to learn how to sew? I'm curious about everyone's thoughts on this.

Fabulous Friday - It Was Like Rainbows And Christmas.

By Patricia

This morning when I woke up I had no internet. A call to my provider said it was out because of a wind storm and would be back sometime in the late afternoon.
If you are a blogger or love Facebook, have an online business or for whatever reason you have to be on the computer all day, not having it can make you crazy. It totally made me crazy today. But on the other hand, it was sort of like having a heavy chain taken from around your neck and being allowed to be free again.

I got a lot done today actually. Here is my list:

1. Did 2 loads of laundry.

2. Watched 3 Sex and The City reruns. ( A guilty pleasure, I didn't watch it when it originally aired)

3. Made brownies.

4. Went to the post office.

5. Chatted with the mail carrier when he delivered my package from Amazon.

6. Found all of my library books, including the one I swore up and down I had returned.

I have to admit, it was kind of nice not having the computer take up my day.
But when my service was restored, it was kind of like rainbows, and Christmas, and all that good stuff.
Yes, so many of us are addicted to our time online. And this has shown me that it is good to walk away for a break.
I'd just like to be the one who decides when that break should be, not Mother Nature.

Stylish and Easy Decorating Ideas

By Patricia

A couple of days ago I went to Fred Meyer to do some shopping, Fred Meyer is a chain store in Washington State. It's sort of like a combination of Target and Kmart combined.
I hadn't been here in awhile and was a little surprised to see all the great furniture and home decor items available.
Here's some great items that might get you thinking about your own decorating ideas.

Celebrate National Pasta Day With Classico Pasta Sauce & Giveaway

By Patricia

Happy National Pasta Day! Isn't it terrific that a food that we all love has it's own special day to celebrate it?
My family and I love pasta, and in so many different ways, hot and cold, that I couldn't even count them. To celebrate National Pasta Day I decided to make one of my favorite pasta dishes, Creamy Chicken Alfredo. I like to use Classico Creamy Alfredo Sauce when I make this dish. Classico pasta sauces are a popular choice for the cooks in my family because of it's great taste and wide variety of sauce choices.
All I did to make my pasta dish was to saute and season some cubed chicken, boil a package of wide egg noodle, heat the sauce, and stir it together. Add a little grated Parmesan cheese and parsley, and dinner is ready. I love the ease of making pasta dishes this way, and I really love it when everyone asks for seconds.

We received some new cooking tools to help us celebrate National Pasta Day, including the new Bialetti Pasta Pot that makes cooking pasta so much easier. Pasta is such a popular and universal dish, it makes a great everyday dinner choice, and using Classico make it even easier.

Classico has now added this new Creamy Spinach variety to their sauces. My daughter tried this flavor and said it was her absolute favorite. Even her picky two year old loves it!

A salad, some warm garlic bread, and a glass of wine is the perfect way to celebrate National Pasta day for me and my family.

I hope you celebrate the day eating your favorite pasta dish and your favorite people to enjoy it with.

You can go to the Classico website for all the information on Classico sauces, recipes, coupons, and more.

Happy National Pasta Day!!

To help you celebrate National Pasta Day I am hosting a giveaway for 2 winners to receive Free Product Coupons for Classico products.

Enter in the Rafflecopter Giveaway below:

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*I received Classico product, coupons, and cooking equiptment for my participation. All opinions are my own.

Not On The High Street Bracelet Review

   

I love going to a website that lets me shop for everything I want and things that I didn't know I wanted, all in one place. Not On The High Street is just such a place, and it offers charming and reasonably priced gift items that you will love having for yourself, and giving to family and friends.

From jewelry to housewares, lovely wedding gifts to sweet clothing for kids, you will find something you love at Not On The High Street. Started as a small venture in England in 2006, the company now offers over 50,000 products., from carefully curated British artisans. When you order a product, you are placed in the hands of the small business that has created your item and ships it right to your doorstep. Products can be shipped to many different countries, in a safe and timely manner.

I spent a long time on their website looking for jewelry that I would love for years to come. I don't wear a lot of jewelry, so each piece I own has to be special and unique. There is a very large and beautiful selection of necklaces, bracelets, rings and more to choose from. Many can be personalized for special meaning with engraving.

I chose The Pearl and Crystal Bracelet from Sarah Hickey Jewellery.  It is made with sterling silver woven with fresh water pearls, and double wrapped with shimmering crystal quartz and moonstone.

I love that it is casual enough for day wear, and dresses up a sweater and jeans beautifully. Worn at night, it can easily be the the only piece of jewelry you need to shine. Needless to say, I am very happy with my choice of bracelet, and am interested in finding more of Sarah's pieces that she makes by hand in her studio.

As we start thinking about holiday shopping, I recommend you go to Not On The High Street and see all the wonderful products that are available.
I would love to order some personalized jewelry for my daughters for Christmas. The selection is wonderful, and comes in all price ranges. There are also beautiful gifts for weddings, new babies, birthdays and more, many that can be personalized to your choosing.

To read more about Not On The High Street, and to see their complete collection of products go to notonthehighstreet.com. You can also visit them on their facebook page.

By Patricia


I was compensated with a gift certificate to Not On The High Street, and all opinions are my own.

Hello Rain, Hello Polka Dot Rain Boots

By Patricia

It started raining in Seattle on Sunday, and if you ask me, it's about time. Despite growing up in the Southern California sunshine, too many sunny days can make me grumpy.
Call me an oddball, but I like my overcast skies and rainy weather. One great thing about the rain is that it lets you dress up in raincoats and rain boots. Which if you ask anyone under the age of ten or over fifty, is a heck of a lot of fun.

I saw these happy boots at Costco this weekend, and couldn't decide if they were right for me. I am always the kind of woman who chooses classic styles and neutral colors. But these sang out to me and called my name. I didn't buy them but that doesn't mean I won't.

I'm going to try and have a productive week this week, after having a somewhat lazy weekend. And maybe I just might have to make another trip to Costco.

World Market HGTV Living Room Makeover Inspiration

When it comes to buying furniture basics, I always like buying pieces that are very neutral in color and style. Pillows, lamps, and decor items can be brought in as accents and to introduce color. With the arrival of the fall season, I know it's it's time to bring in some warm and colorful items to help make the room more cozy and appealing.

I would love to bring in some drapes for the windows and some pretty fall colored pillows and throws. I would also love to get new end tables, and a new area rug. I want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable when they come in the door. I feel like everything is bland and boring and it's time for some new room excitement!

Whenever I walk into a World Market store, I always feel excited to see all the beautiful displays of furniture, dishware, jewelry and so much more. I have loved and shopped at World Market for years.

I would love to shop here to makeover my living room because they have so many pretty things to choose from. From their accent chairs to lamps, and wall mirrors, I always see things I want to buy there and bring home. World Market has everything I need to make my living room look great.

You can check out my great Pinterest Board for my World Market inspired Living Room Makeover. I hope one of my readers wins the World Market HGTV Passport to Style Sweepstakes! If I win I would love to have the Black Stripe Animal Shaped Dhurrie Rug and Tribal Carved Coffee Table shipped immediately!

My World Market Living Room Makeover Pinterest Board

Win a Room Makeover with World Market’s HGTV Passport to Style Sweepstakes

HGTV Passport to Style Sweepstakes

• Grand Prize package includes: A $10,000 World Market shopping spree and design consultation with an HGTV Designer
• There will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $1,000 World Market gift card!
• The HGTV Sweepstakes runs from September 22, 2012 until October 26, 2012.
• Ifyou share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.
• Enter online at http://worldmarketsweepstakes.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/worldmarket/app_315124871876517

Have you heard about the World Market Explorer Program?  It is a rewards program where member earn exclusive perks, like coupons, offers, previews, and beyond. Spend $100 on Gourmet Foods and Non-alcoholic beverages and you will receive a $10 reward that you can use to purchasing almost anything in store or online. You can also earn FREE COFFEE Rewards! (Buy 6 12oz. bags and your 7th one is free!)

What would you buy if you win the World Market HGTV Passport to Style Sweepstakes?

You can learn more about World Market and see great deals they are having by visiting them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

*This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own. http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE

Fabulous Friday - Hello Yellow

It's been proven that the color yellow makes us happy. It's the color of sunshine and maybe that is one of the reasons. I mean who doesn't love a beautiful, sunny day?

So with fall here, and the winter months that will follow, don't forget to keep a dose of yellow in your life. Whether it's in your wardrobe, or your house, or a pretty bunch of flowers you bring home or to the office, yellow will help keep you feeling sunny.

Here's hoping you all have a Fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend doing something that makes you happy!

Here are a few things from around the web this week that I'd like to share with everyone.


1. Check out these adorable Duckie Rain Flats from Anthropology. They are a cute way to keep your feet dry when the rain comes.

2. How about making some Fried Buttermilk Donuts with Glaze from a packaged mix? Perfect for a fall weekend breakfast.

3. Celebrate National Pasta Day on October 17th. Make a pasta dish and give a cheer for this yummy food favorite!

4.Here are some great ideas and usable patterns for carving all those Halloween pumpkins you'll soon be buying.

5. Want a classic and cozy bathrobe that will last for years? This is a great one from Nordstrom.


By Patricia

All images from my Pinterest boards.