10/6/12

Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics Review



Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics are high performance products that are formulated with the most natural ingredients available. Each unique product fuses nature and technology by combining the highest quality botanicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and peptides. The result is vibrant beauty and health inside and out.
Here is my before picture with a freshly washed face. I'm first trying the Perfecting Finish Mineral Foundation. In the past, I've worn a powder mineral foundation, but Mia Mariu's is a liquid foundation. It comes in a pump bottle and I used a cosmetic sponge they included in my package to apply it.
It went onto my face cleanly, without streaking or clumping. It blended wonderfully into my skin and left no makeup line at the edge of my face. It feels very smooth and light on my face and I really liked the look of it on my skin. It evened out my skin tones and brightened up my face. I love it.
 
I also received a Mia Mariu Minerals Eyeshadow Duo in Romance Fall, a dark brown and a tan color, with an applicator. The colors are perfectly smooth and not flaky. Since I wear contacts I'm always wary of powder eyeshadows, but Mia Mariu's products are wonderful.
I also received the Mia Mariu Precision Outline Eye #25 Brush. I used the applicator to apply the dark brown to the lid of my eye, then the Precision Brush to apply the tan color and blend the two colors together. The brush is soft and gentle, rounded at the edges and has quickly become one of my favorites.
I definitely agree that Mia Mariu products provide a perfect balance that reflects itself through youthful, healthy, beautiful, glowing skin and renewed energy and vitality, at an exceptional value. It fabulous to find makeup that doesn't leave my skin itchy and actually helps improve the condition of my face.
Here's my after picture with just the foundation and eyeshadow. I am very happy with Mia Mariu makeup! They also offer skin care products, fragrances and nutritional products. You can shop online at http://www.miamariu.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
One lucky Planet Weidknecht reader will also win their color choice of Mineral Foundation, color choice of Mineral Eyeshadow Duo, and a Precision Outline Eye Brush. To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the US. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 10/21/2012. Good luck!

10/5/12

My1story Books and Plush - Review

In June, I reviewed the brand new book from My1story, Lil Riding Hood and Wolfie. You can read my book review HERE. I'm so excited to introduce you to the new fairy tale plush character of Lil Riding Hood. What fun to have a book character jump off the page and into your arms!
This soft, squishy, silky Lil Riding Hood is a wonderful reading companion, with her big bright eyes and sweet smile. Providing children with props that match the books they read allows them to retell the story, interact more with the fairy tale, and instills an even greater love of reading. My preschoolers love these books and plush! As their teacher, I love to read these to them!
My 1story Books always have a happy ending with no scary parts to frighten preschoolers. Their adorable plush characters will certainly find their way into children's hearts. Along with Lil Riding Hood, there is also a darling Beanie plush for the Jack and the Magic Beans story. Beanie is the perfect choice for a little boy!
You can find My 1story books and plush at the links below. You and your child can check out http://www.myfirstory.com/ together. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter and then ENTER TO WIN your choice of either book/plush set right here on Planet Weidknecht by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 10/15/2012. Good luck!

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Simply Sassy Blogger Spotlight

Guess who is in the
Simply Sassy Blogger Spotlight?
Me!
Click HERE to read about it!

Training for a Travel Hockey League - guest post

Being part of a travel hockey league is an incredible experience for anyone who has a true love for the game. By being part of this competitive league system, you may be able to gain the attention of college recruiters around the country. You may even land a full scholarship to college for the skills that you develop in being part of a travel hockey league.

Because being part of a travel league can lead to such great opportunities, the competition is fierce to make it onto the team rosters. It is important for you to devote considerable time to honing your skills before the try-outs begin. Here are a few training tips to consider:

Work on Looking Up
It sounds like such a simple concept, but hockey is the fastest game on Earth and there are so many hockey players that fail to look up when they are playing on the ice. It is essential for you to have a full view of the rink at all times. By paying attention during a game, you can notice opportunities that other players fail to see.
When people talk about attributes great hockey players have, vision is always one of them. Not only always looking up, but having your "head on a swivel" can be the difference between a good and great player. Vision will not only make you a better player but also lead you to involve your teammates in the play. Making everyone on the ice better won't just help you get on a team, but it will put you in the top six.

Develop Strong Wrists
Developing a strong grip, forearm, and wrist strength has never hurt a hockey player. Having strong hands will aid your shot, stick-handling, and passing (three of the most important parts of the game). Practice stick-handling with weighted pucks or ball and be sure to take 100 shots per day. Putting in the work ahead of time will put you ahead of the competition.

Look the Part
It takes more than just throwing on a jersey, jumping in your skates and picking up a stick. You need to prepare your gear for the hockey experience. Part of the look and feel of the stick involves wrapping the blade in tape. Renfrew hockey tape is a good option for this, as it can be used to hold up shin guards as well. The main use of hockey tape though is to provide grip for the player and prevent wear and tear on the blade.

Put Time In At The Gym
Before try-outs begin, make sure that you develop your muscles too. Do some lifting at the gym. Focusing on your lower body is key for hockey players. Although lifting may not be working on your balance and skating skill, the strength you gain from lifting will make you faster and less prone to fatigue on the ice. This will ensure that you will be able to outperform the other athletes on the day of your try-outs.
You can stand out at your try-outs if you follow these tips in a diligent manner leading up to audition week. Make sure that you also invest in some hockey equipment and gear so that you have the right mindset prior to try-outs.

Ask Mr. Whiskers about your Future

Make sure you “like” FRANKENWEENIE on Facebook and then Ask Mr. Whiskers about your future!

2012 Fall Fashionista Events Lookbook + $500 Mountain Khakis Gift Card Giveaway

Take a Sneak Peak at the Largest Fashion Event on the Internet!!

The Fall Fashionista LookBook is now available and just skimming the pages will make you wish the October 11-17 event were already here! At the very least, it will have you re-arranging your calendar so you can free up those days in order to enter as many of the 100+ giveaways as possible.

What is the Fall Fashionista Giveaway? It is the internet’s largest and only ALL FASHION, ONLY FASHION related blog giveaway EVENT. Taking place October 11-17, every giveaway will be valued at $125 - or more! Most of the bloggers have put together prize packs worth several hundred dollars (There is even one that has $4000)! Since there are more than 115 bloggers participating that means there will be more than $25,000 worth of prizes to win--many giveaways are over $300! Are you still breathing? It’s a little hard to take in, right?! Well, throw in a $1200 Louis Viutton Grand Prize Bag from Bella Bags (http://shopbellabag.com/) and you won't even SLEEP for 6 days!
What is the LookBook? To get you even more excited, we’ve put together a LookBook to offer a sneak peak at some of the giveaways that will be offered during the event. Flip through the pages and find the numerous gift cards that will give you a well-deserved shopping spree. Or maybe jewelry is more your style. No problem. There are hundreds of dollars worth of baubles to adorn your ears, wrists and throat. Plus, you could win a new pair of jeans or a gorgeous fall dress. And what fashion giveaway would be complete without a number of trendy purses? Feast your eyes on the possibilities.
And if all of this wasn’t enough… Mountain Khakis, The Fashionista EVENTS LookBook Sponsor, is offering you the chance to win a $500 shopping spreei! Stock up on items for the winter, get some Christmas shopping out of the way. http://www.mountainkhakis.com Enter in the Rafflecopter Giveaway tool below.

The Fall Fashionista Giveaway Event is the amazing brainchild of The Chief Blonde at Still Blonde After All These Years http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/ Her co-hosts for the event are Katy Rose of ModlyChic http://www.modlychic.com/ and Kristyn of the K Squared Glamour http://www.ksquaredglamour.org Mark your calendars for October 11-17. It’s going to be Epic!

10/4/12

David's World: A Picture Book About Living With Autism

One in 88 children are diagnosed with Autism. That means you and your children probably know at least one child with Autism. David's World: A Picture Book About Living With Autism by Dagmar H. Mueller is a wonderful story, told from a little boy's point of view, about his brother who is different in many ways. It's a beautiful written book in a language that children can understand and helps to explain some of the ways children with Autism may behave and feel.
The illustrations by Verena Ballhaus are fabulous in the way they depict the way a child with autism might see the world. Mueller's story is touching and sweet, but very honest, in the way a "normal" child can view someone who is different. This is a book that I recommend be in every classroom and in every home. Autism is not going away any time soon, but those who have it want what we all want - love and acceptance. I love this book!! You can purchase David's World at the link below:

Easy Fall Decorating with Avant Garden Wind Spinners

As the temperatures begin to cool down here in Texas (to the eighties), I'm thinking of fall. Decorating in the fall is so much fun and I just love the colors of fall. Since I don't get to see the enormous change of seasons like people do up north, I like to make little changes here and there that remind me of the autumns I had while growing up. Avant Garden has tons of ideas for affordable, beautiful indoor and outdoor home decor!
This gorgeous Iron Stop Designer Sunfire Wind Spinner is the perfect way to enjoy the colors of fall, the beginning northern winds, and the beauty of the Texas sunshine. This ten-inch spinner is made of 20 gauge steel and powder coated for durability and weather resistance. Even the chain and hook are included. It arrived flat in a box and all I had to do was open the layers and hang it up!
You can get your Designer Sunfire Splash Wind Spinner at http://www.avantgardendecor.com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and check out their free shipping offer on their website.
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Frocktober! Make a video + Win a FREE Karina dress!

Happy Frocktober to all the ladies of the Karina Nation! “Frocktober” is a new tradition around the Karina Dresses community. They’ve been so blown away with excitement, admiration, and respect for the cool gals profiled in their long-running Frockstar series that they wanted to turn the mike over to you!

Send Karina Dresses your vision of whatever moves you, makes you feel excitement, admiration or respect. Could be anything: a fashion outfit, your best friend, your kids, your mom, a favorite hat, a travel destination, a color, a favorite recipe, a part of your body, a particularly clever pet, a poem or painting. Anything G-rated enough to share with the entire community.

BUT…and this is important so listen up, ladies…it has to be a VIDEO of you communicating (speaking, singing, acting, dancing are all encouraged!) your passion, and we want you to wear your favorite Karina dress in your video.

The first 10 videos uploaded by folks to the official Karina Dresses Facebook fan page will be rewarded with a FREE dress. Every video submission will be entered into the competition to win the FROCTOBER GRAND PRIZE, which consists of a free dress and various other delightful goodies that they are busily assembling for your pleasure.

So what are you waiting for?! Your FREE dress is just a video away; get your Karina dress on, flip the video switch on your fancy smartphone and get started NOW!
Source: http://thekarinachroniclesblog.com/?p=4433

Recording: What to Know Before You Enter the Sound Booth

So you've spent years perfecting your craft, and now you want to make more professional-sounding albums to promote your skills. This is something that just about every musician dreams of doing sooner or later, and it's an exciting time. However, there are a lot of considerations that can turn your dream into a nightmare if you don't take them seriously before getting started.

Use Quality Equipment
Nothing can ruin a take in the sound-booth better than the hum of a bad lead-connector. Lower-end guitar models are often plagued with poor construction issues, including poorly-installed hardware around the plug jack. This is something that may not even come out when you're playing a gig or practicing on your own. However, the added sensitivity of recording software will often pick up on things that would normally be inaudible on an amplifier.

This is why you should always use studio-grade equipment when you are gearing up to record. For example, using Gibson studio guitars instead of that hand-me-down Jay Turser will definitely yield better results.

This is especially true when you are recording, mixing, and editing everything on your own. In this case, you need a wide range of equipment to get a professional sound. Though the equipment itself can be costly, you can often find deals online that could make the total cost of equipment cheaper than renting a studio and hiring an engineer.

Try Recording Your Own Music
The basic setup you'll need for recording your music at home will depend on what type of music you play. A group playing standard rock tunes will need a lower range of gear than someone playing folk or orchestrated music.

The most basic setup should include:
· A four to eight-channel mixer with phantom power
· Audio interface cables for each of your instruments
· Interface cables for between your mixer and your computer
· A computer with at least 6 GB of DDR3 RAM. Condenser microphones with necessary XLR cables
· A solid digital audio workstation program like Reaper or Cubase.

Try getting the gear you need from an online store. Musicians Friend and other online stores have an enormous range of equipment to choose from and have a good reputation with musicians. This reputation makes it a lot easier to buy musical equipment online, which is something a lot of musicians hate to do.

Guidecraft Kiddie Rocker Chair Set - Review and Giveaway

Cultivating a love of reading in children is one of the best gifts you can give a child. A child who can read has a world of opportunities open to them! A cozy and comfortable reading area helps a child to focus and relax. The Kiddie Rocker Chair Set from Guidecraft includes two chairs and a side table, creating the perfect environment for quiet learning.
With just a few pieces to assemble, it doesn't take long to put them together and the directions are very easy to follow. The finished pieces are lightweight but very sturdy and made from birch ply, cloth and steel. The chair seats can be ordered in red or navy blue and there's also a Rocker Couch available.
I love this Kiddie Rocker Chair Set. It's a beautiful addition to our home daycare classroom. It would also work well in our dramatic play area. The target age range is three and up, but my two year old can easily get on and off the chairs. It would probably work for a child as old as eight or nine, so it's the perfect set to put in a child's bedroom as well.
You can purchase this wonderful furniture set at http://www.guidecraft.com and many other fabulous learning toys and products. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Then enter to win the Guidecraft Kiddie Rocker Chair Set HERE on my fellow Guidecraft Educator's site, Mommy Moment. Open to USA and CANADA.
Disclosure: As a Guidecraft Educator, I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Earring Makeovers Made Easy with Luc-Co

I love wearing earrings. Other than my wedding rings, earrings are the only other jewelry I wear every single day. I prefer dangle earrings to post earrings, but I own both. Luc-Co has the coolest new jewelry accessories that change post earrings to dangle earrings.
Their Post Earring to Fish Hook Converters are so simple, I can't believe I didn't think of it! It's a dangle earring with a post back already attached, I can take any post earring and wear it in a whole new way. I changed my pearl earrings in two seconds.
Then I gave my gold ball earrings an instant makeover. The converters come in both gold and silver. They are lead-safe and nickel-free. Isn't that wonderful and simple? I will definitely be using these over and over!
Luc-Co's other new product is just as simple and just as fun. The Interchangeable Fish Hooks allow you to hang pretty much anything small on the hook to create your own earrings. The little bead on the end means your creation will stay put all day long.
These also come in both gold and silver. I can swap around hoops, beads, buttons, and  even tiny keys to make totally unique earrings. I found these great silvertone stars in my scrapbook embellishments jar and they make great earrings!
These are fabulous, affordable accessories that will help you get more use from your current earring selection and allow you to be creative as well. You can purchase them online at http://www.luc-co.com/ as well as other ingenious products! They even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I definitely recommend these products!
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Free Kindle Children's Books Today Only

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10/2/12

#Bloggers Sign Up for Winter's Coming Giveaway Hop

Our Facebook group was formed to gather bloggers together
for blog events and blogger support. Join us!




Seeking bloggers to join our Winter's Coming Giveaway Hop!

By adding your link below, bloggers agree to:

* Post a dedicated giveaway for this event, from November 1, 2012 at 12:01a.m. until November 15, 2012 at 11:59p.m. Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored. Giveaway prize must be worth at least $20.00.

* Include in the giveaway post - Winter's Coming Giveaway Hop button (please save the above button image to your hard drive), link to both giveaway hosts in your post Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com) and Going Crazy!! Wanna Go??!! (http://goingcrazywanna.go.com), and the provided linky list of all participating bloggers.

* There is no fee to participate. There is no requirement to post the button on your sidebar, but if you choose to do so, we'll be your best friends. Please link the button to the signup post or page so others can join if they wish.

Eat on the Cheap with your Crock Pot

BBQ Pork and Slaw Sandwiches
5 lb Boston butt
18 oz bottle BBQ sauce
12 oz cola drink
½ c mayonnaise
2 t vinegar
2 T sugar
1 bag slaw
Hamburger buns

Place pork in crockpot and pour BBQ sauce and cola over pork. Cover and cook on high 8 hours (or low 12 -16 hours), until pork is tender and meat shreds easily. Combine mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well, and toss with slaw. Serve pork and slaw on hamburger buns.

Easy Italian Chicken Over Noodles
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz bottle Italian dressing
1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 c chicken broth
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ t dried basil
½ t dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Egg noodles

Place chicken in crockpot and pour Italian dressing over chicken. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. Drain off most of Italian dressing and discard. Combine soup, broth, cream cheese, basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken and cook on low 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cook enough noodles for your family. Serve chicken over noodles.

Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese
8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked
Cooking spray
12 oz can evaporated milk
1 ½ c whole milk
¼ c butter, melted
1 t salt
Pepper to taste
2 eggs, beaten
20 oz sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
Dash of paprika

Cook noodles according to pkg instructions. In crockpot sprayed with cooking spray, combine the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs, and all but ½ c of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low 3 hours & 15 minutes. Turn off crockpot and stir before serving. You can stir in diced, cooked ham for a meaty variation.

Recipes courtesy of Jane DeLaney www.emeals.com

Awesomely Gross NatGeo Books (Ages 8-up) Review

National Geographic sure knows how to make learning fun! When it comes to kids ages 8-12 years, the more amazing the better. Check out these two books from NatGeo Kids: That's GROSS! Icky Facts that will test your Gross-out Factor and 5000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!).
These beautiful and entertaining books will keep your children fascinated for hours. Just think how smart they will be after learning 5000 Awesome Facts. This book is hardcover, full color, and over 200 pages. It's jam-packed with facts about dinosaurs, robots, sleep, elephants, insects, history, sea creatures, world leaders, aliens, and on and on.
This is a great book to leave on the coffee table because it will most certainly tempt others to open it. My family has had so much fun reading facts out loud to each other. My teenage boys have poured over this book and keep quoting new things to me.
It's a very high quality book with thick, glossy pages, and will hold up to years and years of reading. This would make a fabulous birthday or Christmas gift for a kid who wants to know everything (or thinks they already do!).
The other book will definitely test your gross factor! It's a full color paperback book with over 170 pages of disgusting, shocking, repulsive and fascinating things about bugs, worms, dogs, toothbrushes, mold, germs and mucus. Kids are going to love this book.
My boys especially love this book because they keep creeping me out with stuff they are learning from it. Boys really love gross stuff, don't they? Best of all, there are lots of close-up photos of some of the nastiest creatures that crawl on our earth.
These two books from National Geographic Kids are sure to grab the attention of any curious kid (and many curious adults). You can purchase both these books at the links below. Be sure to follow NatGeoKids on Facebook and Twitter. Then enter to win both books below!
Disclosure: I received these books at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory but bonus entries increase your chance to win! Giveaway ends at midnight ET on 10/13/12. Good luck!
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10/1/12

Hotel Transylvania - Review

A monstrously good time, Hotel Transylvania is a great film for October. Rated PG13, there are a few scenes that might frighten youngsters. Perfect for older kids and adults, Hotel Transylvania will make you laugh out loud. It features the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade and CeeLo Green. Some of these voices I was able to pick out immediately. A great story about Dracula and his daughter who is turning 118, merely a vampire teen, who aches to see the world. Dracula wants to protect her so he builds a huge hotel for monsters - Hotel Transylvania - hidden where no humans can find it. Until one does. And Mavin, Dracula's daughter, falls for him. Hilarious and full of action, you will definitely enjoy this movie! Go see it now!

This Year's Christmas Craze?

Could it be? Have you seen? Saving the planet…that’s our style!™ Meet Zeenie™ Dollz, the powerful, stylish and vibrant eco-warriors from Zeenhattan - the fashion capital of the world. Each Zeenie, in addition to being a trendsetter, possesses a secret identity and unique eco-power that protects the earth.

Launching for the first time this holiday season, Zeenie Dollz bring sustainability and an eco-friendly mission to the toy world. Each 12” doll is made of 100 percent sustainable materials and brings to light environmental causes that need our attention. Zennia is the first eco-warrior in the series, hitting the market next month.
The limited edition first doll represents Mother Earth, the protector of our planet. As the giver and sustainer of life on earth, Zennia is passionate about combating the evil anti-environment villains that threaten to destroy her world, and ours. To help her, Zennia will soon have the help of five eco-warrior fashionistas to not only strike the villains down, but storm Zeenhattan with style.

Since saving the planet is a Zeenie’s style, a portion of every Zeenie Dollz sale will be given to the World Wildlife Foundation®. Coming soon at www.zeeniedollz.com. For more Zeenie updates, make sure to follow the dolls on Facebook!

New Printable Coupons

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Fanciful Wings DressUps Winner

Congrats to Stacy O.
Winner of the Fanciful Wings DressUps
from Magic Cabin!