Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

Since you guys had me talking about old time
Candy and Penny Candy for the Valentines Day Gift
guide I could not stop talking and thinking about
all those old school Yummy delights! It is still too
cold to walk up to Z's around here to get some more
of my Yummy favorites for Michigan is funny like that.
In another couple of weeks we will have a few days
of 60 degree weather then BAM back to 20 for a
week. I think Spring likes to play hide and seek with
us here and I just can't wait that long to get up to
the Store. Spring also is when the young un's come
out here in force and in the complex I live in they
seem to not only multiply like rabbits they also tend
to wander around aimlessly. I am not here today to
get all worked up on some of my neighbors lousy
parenting policy's but instead tell you how a lot of
them have adopted our house over the years.
When we moved in there were not that many
children and the ones that were here were already
on the older side. Andrew was seven and 4 doors
down was another seven year old who was soon to
be his best friend and over in the apartments there
was one more boy who was a year behind them.
Andrews best friend did have a younger brother but
when we first got here he was still in a stroller
though that didn't last for long. There was also a
little girl around 3 and she would soon be joined
by her little sister. Everyone knew each other in the
Condos and we would all take walks to the Candy
Store together and it was all around a friendly
place. Then, as if someone opened the flood gates, a
hoard of little kids moved in and it was all you could
do to keep track of them. Two years ago Andrews
best friend moved, not far, but no longer a couple of
doors down and Andrew was the only older child
around. The little kids didn't forget him though for
most of them were born here and Andrew and his
best friend were the only big kids they knew. Now
Andrew was alone and the little ones were old
enough to play outside and they elected Andrew
their leader. Not for his Political porousness, I
assure you, but more for the fact they knew that
even though Andrew was old enough to go places
himself now, he and I still made our weekly trips
to the candy store. Those guys would line up a
dozen deep when we got back for Andrew would
sit on the porch and pass out Penny candy. They
adored him and he was bored. Last Summer was
the first year he didn't do it and John had take
the torch. Now Z's is nice and they do have some
of the old time selection but not a whole lot. Like
I have told you guys before out of the 150 or so
bins they have a lot are the same candy, just
a different flavor. Take the Tootsie Roll knock offs
they have. Not only do they have the original flavor
they have grape and Orange and pretty much every
fruit you can think off and more. That's a good ten
bins right there and just about every candy that can
come in a flavor is divided the same way. What Z's
is really good for is memories and giving you a
craving for more of that old time Candy. I just can't
get enough of it and after reading your comments
the last time I spoke of it, neither can you!

Now I aim to please and after some hunting
around, found a fix to our mutual sweet tooth and
our desire to walk down nostalgia lane. I found a place
that caters to both of those interests. In fact,
this place is huge it isn't a walk down the lane
it is walks down lane after lane after lane of nostalgia!
Crossroads market is a store with several stores inside
of it. Basically an On-line Shopping Mall. I will tell
you a little bit about some of the other shops in the
mall in a second but right now we are going to
speak of the Grand Gift Emporium. Say your sweetie
has a even sweeter, sweet tooth? First off, say that 10
times fast and second well, you have found the right
place then. Need to give the sweet tooth a bit of a
rest but are still dig-gen the walk down nostalgia lane
man? Guess what? They are still your place. Groovy
Baby! The Grand Gift Emporium has a little bit of pop
culture from pretty much every generation that is walking
around today. For review we got to try some of their
candy since that was what I had so much fun with
before and hey, Easter is right around the block and
candy is the name of the game there. My son is nuts
for the things I grew up with and loves the stuff my
Mom and his other Grandmother grew up with too. He
must have been the only ten year old out there who
knows the words to a host of Tom Jones songs as
well at Janis Joplin and Heart and even some good old
fashioned Johnny Cash. I remember when he was around
6 he was playing outside and my neighbor knocked on
the door and I opened it. There he stood there with a
dumbfounded look on his face. The man was like 40
and looked lost. I asked him what I could do from him
and he explained that he was sitting outside with the kids
and Andrew was singing a Chicago song he loved and he
was really surprised by that and even more so when I
asked where he learned it and he told the guy from a CD
he has. He explained how they were his favorite and he
had not heard that song in years and he said I could
borrow his CD to make a copy. He then told me he
did feel like a fool right now but Andrew told him to
knock on the door and tell me Andy said he could and
would I grab it for him. I laughed and grabbed it and
as I handed it to him he said he would appreciate if I didn't
share with everyone the fact he was borrowing Cd's from
a 6 year old. It was too funny and I felt for the man.
The Candy collections that they have are a super fun
way for us to tell him all sorts of other stuff that we
remember from growing up. What I really liked about the
decade boxes was they come complete with a little letter
that explains everything that happened that year and even
goes so far as to tell you tidbits of info such as how
much a gallon of milk was in 1970 and a loaf of bread.
It is so hard to relate to a teenager and this box opened
the flood gates on a ton of conversations about what went
on in this year or that. The decade boxes are packed
with favorites from when I was a child. I had a blast
explaining what the Nick L Lips were or one of my
favorites the Bottle Caps. Remember those? I loved the
Root-beer and would get pack after pack just to pick
those out. Whatever happened to O'Henry and they even
have the Double Bubble, the gum we chomped on long
before it came in a designer box like it does now. 5
pounds of Candy and in those five pounds is one of
my all time yummy best, a Rope Licorice. I don't think
I ever finished one, just to carry one around was a
status symbol and we all tried to keep ours as long
as we could. That list had us talking for a whole
afternoon and we never really get to do that anymore
and Andy could not believe people only made $9,350
dollars a year or a brand new car costs $3,900. Do
you remember when a gallon of gas cost 38 cents?
How about laying on your Water-bed and Watching
the Dukes of Hazard. The TV show I would wait for
every week was BJ and the Bear and Andrew was
clueless for he does watch a lot of the retro TV shows
and that one has yet to make the cut. The Decades
Candy box was a tasty, entertaining and informative way
to spend the afternoon as a family and would be a great
item to yank out on family game night. They have the
1940's all the way to the 90's so nobody is left in the
past! I had the idea of breaking out the Candy box on
game night and playing a round of the Pop Culture
Trivia Pursuit. Who knows, John and I might have a
chance of winning that one. Everyone around the table
chomping on Gumballs and filling up their pie with pieces
and maybe a dare or two on the Pop rocks and Coke!
What a blast! Truth? That is a great way for the adults
to spend the evening too. Maybe on adult only night you
can change he Coke to some Boone's Farm or Riuniti and
Ice would be nice!

Speaking of Games the Game section at the Gift
Emporium at Crossroads Market has the coolest collection.
They have all your classics like checkers and chess and
Domino's and more but instead of in boxes that fall apart
and you end up losing pieces and can never find a place
to put them, they all come in a Mock Book with a slide
out drawer that you can put on book shelf. Neat, orderly and
they look super cool. "Hey Larry, go grab a game, Volume
Backgammon!"
I thought that was the neatest way ever to keep your
games all tidy and in easy reach. They also have a ton
of Toys from when we were kids and batteries were not
the name of the game. Hey, instead of Beep beep, buzz,
beep, insert credit card to buy more batteries, buy your
child something you grew up with. How about a Wooden
Pin Ball game or Color-forms? Woolly Willy or a Water
Rocket? Still to modern for you? Need something a little
bit older? They have Tiddledy Winks! Really! I could
not believe it? Here I went to the store looking
for some old time Candy and I found a plethora of
past goodies to entertain the whole family. These guys
have a little bit of everything for every taste and its
all fun and that is only one store in the mall. Didn't
I tell you this is an on-line mall? Oh, yeah, there is
more, much, much more! They also have:

The Hard to find Grocer
Hometown Favorites
The Old Fashioned Soda Shoppe
Giuliano's

No matter what you are looking for they have there. Have
not been able to find a Jolt or a Nehi Grape, the Old
Fashion Soda shoppe has it. Have a hankering for a
Moon pie? Old Time Favorites. Want to make Ice cream
at home? The Hard to Find Grocer has the Junket
Mixes to make it a snap. You can even get some
Curry Sauce right from Tia land at Giulianos World
Market. Here I came looking for Candy and I ended
up with a World of items and a place I will come
back to over and over again.
You guys have just got to check out the mall.
To comfort you on your journey for I know you are going
to be there a while and just might need something to
much on so they are giving one reader a Through the
Years, Four Decades of Candy Box. Nearly 50 Pieces of
Candy from the past to keep you Revin! To enter just
head over to the Mall and tell me what your favorite
item is? You don't even have to stick to the Gift Emporium,
you can hit any of the Stores in the Mall! The contest
will Start tonight and run to Midnight on April 27th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day every day and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Grand Gift Emporium


Crossroads Market








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is completed.


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3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
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Don't forget to check out Crossroads Market
on the Easter Gift Guide!


Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!

Ever had something to say but knew people
would give you the look if you did? Well don't say
it, wear it! Nacho Mama Tees has a shirt for just
about every occasion. From snappy comebacks,
TV shows, down and out silly or you can even
explore your dark side and let your boss know
how you really feel, Nacho Mama has all your
needs covered.

A lot of their shirts say the things I have always
wanted to but never had the nerve to say it. They
make it funny too boot! More of their T-shirts take
you back to a better day and you will find yourself
surrounded with people pointing and telling you they
remember that! ( I hear banjo music!)These shirts
make great gifts for the Holidays and are even better
gifts for yourself. I must warn you though, these are not
your Mama's shirt!

Andrew received a shirt for review and it was not only
hysterical it was fantastic in the Quality department. Now
this shirt was reviewed by a 16 year old boy who goes
through clothes like you can just rub a Gennie lamp and
have an endless supply. I almost didn't give them the
Michelle Test for I didn't think it would be fair. He is
so hard on clothes that I thought this would be more then
enough of a testament to the shirts quality but as
I was thinking this Andrew walked into the room with
yet another piece of clothing he had ruined ( how do
you put holes in blue jeans less then a month
old? ) and put me in a sour mood so to get out of it
Nacho Mama went through the ringer, LITERALLY!
I washed and pulled and poked and prodded like a
woman on fire and I can not believe how durable
the shirt is. Not only did it pass my test I was thoroughly
impressed with the fact it is super thick and not all
thin and flimsy like most guy shirts are now a days. I
always compare them to toilet paper, you get the one
ply or the triple ply and the shirts lately are supposed to
be the triple ply for the price you pay but what they
do is take the triple ply and make three shirts out of
it and you are left with one ply garbage. Not here,
this shirt will rock for a while. Now, I also have had the
shirt for about ten days for I told you I was going to put
it through the ringer and Andrew has worn it 8 times
in those ten days for he layers his clothes and will wear
another over the top so it doesn't look like he is
wearing the same thing over and over again. I washed
it 10 times extra in those days and it was on Doctor
Damages body as well and is still perfect and not even
the slightest hint of being stretched out. The shirt is
da bomb, no doubt about it!

Add in the fact they have a great selection,
loads of funny quips and snappy comments and you
have a T-shirt to tell Mama all about. Great shirt, great
price and they eve beat the boy. I wonder what Chuck
Norris would say about that?


Now for the really good part, I told them how much I
loved them and they said they wanted to give you guys
a shirt too! All you have to do is head on over and tell
me what shirt you would pick and leave a post telling
me the shirt and size for the lucky winner is going to
get it sent right to their house! The contest starts
tonight and runs midnight march 23rd.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Nacho Mama Tees


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Lyons Creations and Snow Stoppers Contests!

Hard to shop for relatives Beware! We have
the cure for you fickle guy blues! Crazy Dog T-shirts!
I must say they have a shirt for every personality and
when I first found their site a while ago I bust out
laughing and my son ran into the room to see if
he finally had his chance to send me off to the loony
bin and get me out of his hair!



I had a blast taking a stroll down memory lane
in the 80's section and since when did the high-
lights of my youth become retro! From safe to down
right don't let your Mama read this, the place has it
all!
My son loves their Chuck Norris Shirts and wants
to collect them all so if any of you guys wanna.........
well, never mind, but all you have to do is check out
the home page and next time you check your watch you'll
find three hours have went by and you haven't laughed
that much in years.


Let's not forget the even better stuff! They are in
inexpensive and offer free shipping when you purchase
four or more shirts. They have shirts for men, women and
kids and even costumes for you and your dog. Prices
start at 9 bucks and everyday they have a special for
only $6.99. You just can't beat that! In fact how I found
out about them is I was searching for a shirt as a gift and
everywhere I looked it was around 20 dollars. I even tried
Ebay for this was for a joke and I just didn't want to spend
20 bucks. I was just about ready to throw in the towel and I
found these guys! Now, well let's just say I tell what kind of
mood my son and Husband are in just by reading their shirts
everyday.

I received a shirt I have had my eye on for a while for
review, the boys are stupid throw rocks at them and was
tickled pink as the shirt to get it! It is delicate as us
females are but don't let the girly style fool you for I gave
it the Michelle Test and its dainty design does not change
the fact it is durable as all get out. I loved the light weigh
feel of it and I was really excited for even though places
say we have T-shirts for Ladies most of the time you just
get a guy style shirt that has a girly picture on it but this
one has been made for the gals the whole way. I have
worn it a bunch for I love rubbing it in the guys faces
and it fits perfect and not only still looks bright and vibrant
it still has kept its shape and I have a bad problem with
sticking my knees under something and stretching it out!
With tons of designs to choose from and great fashion,
quality and pricing you just can't go wrong with these guys!
In fact to buy else where would be Crazy, Dog!

Now for the really good part, I told them how much I
loved them and they said they wanted to give you guys
a shirt too! All you have to do is head on over and tell
me what shirt you would pick and leave a post telling
me the shirt and size for the lucky winner is going to
get it sent right to their house! The contest starts
tonight and will run to Midnight on March 22nd!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Crazy Dog T-shirts


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Lyons Creations or Snow Stoppers contests!

What little girl does not like to be a Princess? I
mean Daddy always treat their little girls like one
but sometimes they need just a little more. Little
boys like to play in the yard and get all down and dirty
and little girls like to play pretend and wear Mommy's
shoes and dress like a star. In fact dress up was
one of my favorite things to do. I still remember to
this day a pair or red, white and blue patten leather
boots my mother had that went up to her knees and
my thighs or higher. The were so 60 with thick soles
and she had a jacket to match or at least pretty close
and I loved to dress in it. Now my mother was not
a dress person but she had the hippy styles down
pat and some pretty neat goodies there to get into.
My Grandmother was Mrs Dress but even then I knew
her taste and mine we not the same. Nothing she had
resembled a Princess or Movie Star in anyway so I
never had the hankering to wear her dresses but I hit
up her Jewelry Drawer as often as I could and she had
no problem passing on old beaded Necklaces to me
to wear. Now these were the good old seventy's so when
we played dress up we made do with hand me downs and
our Moms closet but now a days things have really changed.
Costumes are so affordable and you can get Crowns and
Tiera's at the dollar store and even some little plastic
high heels. Dressing up and Playing pretend has gone
to a whole other level and the Kitchen sets look better
then my real one and you can buy ready made boxes
of outfits and accessory's fit for well, a Queen! Even
Birthday party themes have got into the act. For Andrews
first and Second Birthday I hired a clown and then a
magician and the kids had a blast that way but for
Rowan I can have a Birthday party in a box where all
the little girls dress up as Princesses or Fairy's or
even just pile on the glam. It all comes right to you door
and you just let the people know how many guests will
be there. Too bad I do not know many little girls ( maybe
1!) and I am going to have a hard time convincing Rowans
cousins to dress up as a princesses when they are all
Princes!
One of my things I insist on doing for Rowan and I
am sure it every little girls dream is to buy a Vanity for her
room and a Wardrobe and fill it with Dresses and outfits
for her to wear and play in. When we move it will be the
first thing I work on and I have already started collecting
outfits now. I would also love an old steamer trunk to
put her little dress up shoes in and some old fashioned
hat boxes and can't wait to the summer so I can hit some
garage sales to look for those items and handfuls of costume
Jewelry. If the house we buy has a large enough basement I
am going to add building a stage to John's Honey Do list
and I am going to borrow some of the concert lighting for
the show! Now I know I am going over board with the
basement but you got to remember a couple of things,
yes, she will be spoiled. I have waiting a lifetime for a little
girl and I was a tomboy myself then later in life wished I
did some more girly stuff so this is my chance to fix
that with her. The other is the Stage would get more then
just Rowan for a user for John's band Practices all the time
and they do it at his brothers now but it is an hour drive
so if he had the basement all set up they could do it here
instead. Right now we live in a Condo so the basement is
not very large and Andrew's room takes up most of it. The
new house will have him back in a Bedroom for he will
only be there a year or so before he is off to school and
a dorm so he will no longer crave 700 square feet of roaming
room to call his own. This means I can have the basement
back we used to use as a rec room and I plan on claiming
a little part of it for Rowan and I!

My hunt for dress up clothes has been long but
unlike other long searches this one has been fun. Where
else do you get to check out costume shops and novelty
shops and vintage dress boutiques and browse through all
the spectacular dresses and dream about being a princess
yourself. Then when your Hubby asks what you did all
day you get to play it off like it isn't how you
really want to be spending your time and make the
Hubby feel bad for doubting you and say since you are
working so hard for other people why don't you find a
little something for yourself? See, a twofer! I have went to
a lot of vintage stores looking for dresses and though I have
found some really beautiful items I had a big problem with
finding ones that were anywhere near a child's size. Long
gone are the days where Parents dress their children in
formal clothes and it really isn't any fun for the kids to
go and play dress up with a dress they can find on the
rack at Kohl's right now. They want glamor and style and
long flowing skirts and pink taffeta and Empire waists.
I also checked out the little kits at the store and found
a few that were super sweet and grabbed them. The problem
there isn't that they don't fit or make her feel like a princess
and there are only like 5 styles. I want her to be able to
play dress up and have a selection. To be able to play
with her little friends and not all have to wear the same
outfit. I have done some awesome reviews for a couple
of places that sell Tu Tu's and those are coming up but
I still had the dress issue. Then I thought, why at
Halloween they have tons and I mean tons of costumes
that are not only a Princess but a flapper, a rock star, a
Fairy, a hippy. Why you can find clothes for every single
theme you can imagine and more. If your child even thinks
about becoming an Astronaut for 32 seconds before moving
on to a Cow Girl or Boy you can encourage their dreams by
getting them an outfit to help hold their attention just a
little bit longer.

Long gone are the days when Mom spent her twilight
hours working on that perfect costume for her little
trick or treat-er. Or even kids who made it themselves,
for I remember working for weeks on a cardboard box that
I transformed into a TV when I was like 8 or 9. The bummer
there is when I finally got to wear it the weather did not
agree and it started to pour. By the time I got home I
was covered in poster paint and in tears. Now you
can just hit an Internet site or walk into a store and get
everything you need, the dress, the accessory's and the
thrill of wearing it, all in one little kit that costs less then
a pair of shoes at Pay less. I could not believe my friends,
a lot of whom swear they know everything, did not refer
me to a costume shop when I was asking them over and
over again for ideas on where to get clothing to start building
a dress up collection for Rowan. I went crazy for a week
making a list of themes I wanted to get for her ( we must
remember folks, Rowan is still a baby, this is my quest not
hers right now!) and ended up with over 130 different styles
I wanted to cover. Why that would be a fantasy closet every
little child could dream of! Now I was not going to buy them
all at once for I have about 2 years before she will even
get around to asking but I know a lot of you have kids who
like to do this now. Further more I did check out some retail
stores that sell dress up wear but boy were they pricey and
a costume store not only has a wider selection they
also don't break the bank!

I searched a ton but I got hung up on Costumes for Less!
When you go to their web site right in the corner it says they
have everything and boy, they were not joking. I found
everything on my list plus added a bunch more! I also
cracked up for they have the largest line of Pet costumes
I have ever seen and since Rowan and Boo are so close......
well, let's just say I feel bad for that little pooch sometimes!
There were 2921 outfits in the Children's section alone and
Rowan could have dreams of being anything from a doctor to
Little Miss Muffet and more! I was so impressed I wrote them
and let them know that I planned on sharing this find with
my readers and they sent an outfit for review. I was sent an
Adorable Princess dress that has twinkle lights in the skirt.
I was just about drooling as I opened it and floored with
the quality. I just didn't expect it to be so nice for the
price it was listed at. Plus, it has twinkle lights! Now
it is a little large for Rowan to wear right now, like I said
Baby, not ready for dress up unless it is to humor mom,
but when she is ready that little baby will be the sharpest
princess in the court! The have costumes that range in
price from $7.95 cents all the way up to $195.00 and
your child can be anything from a Jedi to Raggedy Anne,
a Zoo Keeper to Wonder Woman. Kings, Queens, Zorro
and a Bee! The list would go on for ever. I have flat out
decided that this is the way to go and Costumes for Less
has saved me more time then I care to admit for I would
have looked from one side of the Earth to the other before
I found a store half as good as this one. Did I mention
the Twinkle Lights? No longer do we have to wait to
Halloween to encourage our children's dreams and Fantasy's
for at these prices your kids can try on a new dream whenever
they get the urge! Costumes for less can also meet your
Halloween and Party needs too, after all that is what they
were built for and offers literally thousands of choices from
Infants and Pets to Adult. For Halloween you can find daring
and sexy for Mom a Couch Potato to highlight Dad's in
the natural world and Pooch can be part of the fun by
dressing up like the little devil she already is! Already
have the costume but its just missing that certain something,
something? They have you covered there are well with loads
of accessories that can add the frosting to any cake! Now you
don't have to be a nut case like me and go all out to have a
dream dressing room for your child that rivals a Hollywood
movie set but if you are looking for something for your
kids, something for a costumes party's or just ideas for
next Halloween, Costumes for less has a vast selection
of great items all at a reasonable prices and they have it
year round! My review of costumes for less may be coming
to an end but my opinion of them is threw the roof and
I will be shopping there for many years to come! Who knows,
next time I tell you my kids and the pooch are acting like
Monsters it might just be because they are! Grrrrrrrrrr!
Costumes for less for also kind enough to offer a costume
of their choice for your little girl or boy! Did I mention mine
came with twinkle lights? To enter just head over to their
site and take a look around then come back here and post
what costume you like best in a comment. You never know,
that could be the costume you win! The contest starts tonight
and will run to midnight on March 19th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Costumes for Less


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Lyons Creations and Snow Stoppers Contests!

I am so excited that Spring is around the corner and
right behind that Summer. Out of the four though Spring
and Fall are my all time favorite seasons for a couple of
reasons. First off is the weather. You guys live all over
the world but I live in Michigan and we have four complete
seasons. I like to joke and say we only have two and if you
lived here you would get the joke when I say the two, Winter
and Road Work, for it really does seem like all we experience
are snow and construction and both stink when you have
to get in the car and go somewhere. But, the truth of the
matter is we have all four and Michigan is not a state of
mild anything, if you need more proof just look at our
unemployment rate that the news says has really improved
at a whopping 14.9 percent right now. Like I told you,
when Michigan does something it does it big even if
it is a recession. Seasons are done big too and Winter
and Summer seem to be the biggest where the temperature can
soar up and down the thermostat a hundred degree's either
way. That is why I am so into Fall and Spring, it is the only
time of year you can truly enjoy the outdoors with out
melting in the heat or popping off frost bitten toes. I am
also not the only one for the first day the temperature hits
over 50 in the Spring people are running around in shorts
doing a happy dance and dragging out their grills through banks
of un-melted snow. Spring is the start of BBQ season and outdoor
parties here and everyone and their uncle joins in. You could
go mad just walking the dog around the block when the aroma
of BBQ'd something or other fills the air and laughter is heard
up and down the block from a neighborhood soiree'. I don't
know a single person who does not own a Grill or take
advantage of the warmer temperatures and even some die
hards you find out in a Ski Parka and 3 feet of snow just to
grill a steak. I may not be brave enough to stand in a
snow bank to grill a Shish Kabob but once the snow melts
look out baby, cooking and backyard parties are the
name of the game.

More then half of all the graduation parties
are held outdoors and from May to October it seems like
it is one event after another. During the weekends of
the Dream Cruise and the Gratiot Cruise you can just
wander down your street with a drink or a beer and
invite yourself over whenever you smell something great
cooking and people are always so happy just to be out
of the house they are glad to have you. There is a festival
for everything and nobody wants to be in the house. It
is also a time of minimalism and not only are there less
clothes but people want to carry less items and it makes
it a pain to drag along water bottles and Beer and Pop
cans during all those street festivals. People capitalize
on that fact and set up booths to sell you a 5 dollar bottled
water or any other drink they can hawk and you are too
thirsty to argue price. Go to any Warm Weather event and
unless you plan on lugging around a cooler of your own
refreshments expect to drop a weeks pay on vendor
items. I am always looking for easy ways to lug a drink
around or something to hold it in for I would much rather
spend that 5 bucks on a couple of Elephant ears for
the kids instead of a Diet Coke for me or a Beer for John.
When I got a chance to review the next item I got a little
warm and fuzzy all over for though it was designed for
one purpose I thought of a million more I could use it
for right off the bat!

Holster Up is a unique and clever way
to cart your drink along with you and still gives you free
hands to snap some great pictures of the kids on that
pony ride or climbing into a moonwalk. Made with parties,
Festivals and Outdoor Fun in mind, Holster Up adds
a Cute spin on an ingenious and useful idea that allows
you to snap your drink right onto your belt or pants
and take it with you where ever you go. Put um up"
Partner! You can "Draw" your beverage with ease
and not have to worry about where you left it, setting it
down to be able to grab something else or not having
enough hands to hold up Jr to see the parade and carry
his Slushee too! I found all sorts of ideas for this little
sweetheart of an idea and just yesterday I used it while
at the mall with Rowan doing a little bit of shopping. I hate
having to drag her diaper bag along when running into a store
but you know Baby's and if you are going to be anywhere
for more then five minutes you need supplies for the
minute you think you can get by without them that is when
you need them most! The problem is I already have a purse
the size of Montana and don't forget John and I can not
be apart for more then 30 seconds before he is on the
phone wondering this or that and then unless I am outside
with lots of scenery Rowan likes to be in on the action
so I end up wearing her and I just do not have enough
hands to carry all of that AND keep a bottle on the ready
for her. With Holster up I just tossed a diaper and some
wipes into my purse and then clipped on the Holster
and stuck her bottle in there and off we went. When ever
she fussed for the bottle I had it right there and BAM,
no more fuss. I also used it for my own Coffee a few
mornings ago for though we have a yard there is no
fence and Boo hates the lead to use the potty and
insists we are out there with her or she won't go. It is
too boring to just stand there so I make use of the
time and grab some needed exercise and take her
for a walk. Later in the day I don't mind it but that
early Morning walk is not so fun. I am tired and crabby
and hate being more then a few feet from my cup of
Coffee. The problem is I can never bring a cup of
Coffee with me for I need my hands just to keep her
under control for she is the farthest thing from being
"trained" and tangles herself up every two seconds. Now
I just toss my Coffee Cup in the Holster and bye bye crabby
morning walks. Big perk too for on cold mornings it
is way cool to have something warm to drink with you!

John is also making plans for Holster Up for
when his band plays they have no choice but to set
their drinks on the stage and he wants one for all the guys
because with these they can have their drinks on their
hips and don't have to worry about kicking it over
by accident and chance ruining the Amps that cost an
arm and a leg or those Stupid Effects pedals he insists
on buying. I pretty much had to drag the box away from
him and hide it or off he would have went. Their web site
has some awesome ideas too like using it for Fishing or
Hunting or a day at the beach. Next time you are at the
fair snap one on and you can buy those refillable
cups they sell and get the refills for you won't have to
worry about setting it down and loosing it ever again. It
is right on your hip! If it is a water bottle, baby bottle, pop
or a beer, Holster Up will keep your drink safe and near!
( Bad poet I know!) Tacky poetry or not, the Holster is
a super idea for having a hands free beverage handy and
looks cute to boot! I used to own these plastic bottle clips
that you put on your belt for 20 ounce pops and water
bottles. We loved them but they were so small I lost them
almost as much as I misplaced a drink without one and
just grew tired of replacing them. Holster Up is not only
the perfect size to hold a variety of items I can also just
clip it on the side of my gear bag when not using and it
is large enough so it won't get lost in my Junk drawer
either. The Holsters come in tons of different styles
and in Nylon or even Leather and are durable as well
as functional and are a must have for any type of
event where you don't want to set down your drink. This
Summer have some Fun in the Sun and take your drink
with you!
Holster Up was kind enough to share their Holsters
with my readers and sent a couple of extra for a giveaway.
I have a camouflaged one for Dad and a Pink one for
Mom! To enter just head over to the site and take a look
around then come back here and post something you
have learned in a comment. The contest will start today and
Run to Midnight on March 7th. Just in time for Spring Break.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Holster Up


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Shred Sled and Bebe Soleil Contests!

Valentine's Day is weeks away and I am going
nuts trying to find the perfect thing for each of my sweet
hearts! I swear it is enough to drive you mad. I just want
to sit down and relax with a nice glass of wine and forget
the whole thing! With that in mind I returned to my search
of gift ideas and how to make the occasion special for
John and I and map out the perfect night. I pretty much
have my list together of gift ideas but I am now looking
for ways to finish the feel of the day. You guys know
what I am talking about, decorations, candles, romantic
music and the perfect table setting. While I was looking
for those special perks I stumbled on Vat 19 and some of
the unique and interesting items they have there. I started
out looking at their candles for they have some really neat
ones and a few that are just plain adorable but ended up
fixating on this wine glass they had! I really really wanted
a chance to relax and have a glass of wine.

During my years on the work force I started out
as a Kitchen Manager due to my skills but years later I
switched to a Beverage Manager. What that is in the
Sit down dining restaurant world is the person who not
only runs the dining room but the bar and who's job it is
to stay current on new liquor's and more importantly wines
since I worked at high end locations. It was my job to know
what wine went with what, keep an eye on new products
and figure out what would be hot or not and order accordingly.
I also had to teach my staff the ins and outs for nobody wants
to pay 60 bucks for a bottle and have a server mess it up or
recommend the wrong thing. It was stressful but I enjoyed it
and with my various dealings with Vineyards I learned a lot
and came to appreciate and love really good wine and have a
large collection. Now John is a beer guy but beer is the least
romantic thing there is and on special events he will have a
bottle of wine with me. Or I will have a bottle and he can watch!
I know it is supposed to be okay to have a glass here and there
when you are pregnant and wine is REALLY good for your
health when drank in moderation but I had enough concerns
with my pregnancy to take a chance and it has been well over
a year since I have enjoyed any kind of beverage that was
not juice, soda or coffee and tea. For Valentines day I plan
of remedying that mis-hap and this is a glass I can get
accustomed to. A typical bottle of wine holds 3 or so glasses
of wine, this glass holds a whole bottle! Now that is a glass of
wine! I could get my favorite red and John could have some
of his starter wine and not worry the effect is being wasted
on him due to the fact he has no taste! Plus it is just so cute!
Now I don't recommend taking this glass to a party
where you might be driving later for I also taught alcohol
awareness classes but if you are tucked in for the night
with your sweetheart or even with some friends in you own
home this is the perfect thing to have. No more getting up
for refills and you can settle in and relax and let the mood
carry you away! You also don't have to have it filled to the
top but hey, if the wine is good! This is such a perfect gift
for any wine lover or even any stressed out parent I can't
begin to tell you how tickled I would be to have it! I plan
on setting this on the table for our romantic dinner at
home and with some candles I found at Vat 19 and some
soft Music, yes we have a song, and good food and start
the night right. I might even bribe my mother with a glass
and a bottle of her own to keep Rowan for the night, ship
Andrew to his dad's and make sure we are not disturbed
for after being pregnant, the baby being little and a year
of no time for ourselves we so deserve this and I know I
am not alone for any parent aches for some time with their
honey!
Vat 19 has loads of gift ideas and A big glass is just
the tip of the ice berg. They even have Ambient DVDs for
your TV so you can take your living room and transform it
to a spring picnic or a beach or sit in front of some roaring
flames for your Valentines Day Date even if it is at home.
For those celebrating else where they have some really great
whimsical ideas for gifts on the go. How about a vase outline
to add to your table out at a restaurant for your own personal
touch? They also have great gifts for everyone on your list.
The Name a Star gift box is perfect for a lover or a friend or
even your kids so they can remember the day forever. Have
a book worm on your list? The Custom classics will take
their library and customizes it all their own. They get a
kit to fill out some info on what they want the Key Characters
to be called and it comes back to them all filled in with their
special touches. My son would do Frankenstein with me as
the Bride I am sure! Rowan, poor thing, Egor! One of the
items I like best and plan on grabbing for John is the Lil
Devinchi Art box. I love this to death! It looks like a picture frame
to showcase your little darlings works of arts but it is also for
storage and you can save up to 50 pieces of their art in it
so not only do you highlight their latest work but will have it
forever. I am telling you guys, you need an idea for Mom, this
is it! A great way to save the whole family's masterpieces. I would
love like 10 of them and then I could have them around the
house and never lose something one of my kids makes for me
again. There is something for every taste at Vat 19 and not
only do I plan on using the glass I also picked up the candle
I came for and have a want list a mile long. The only problem
I have with these guys is they always add new items and
my list never gets any shorter! Check them out for some
truly entertaining, charming and precious Valentines ideas!
VAT 19

Check out Vat 19 on my Valentines Day Gift Guide

You guys know I love anything funny. You guys know
I love anything useful. What do you get when you combine
both of those loves into one thing? No, not a Reece's cup.
A Beer Pager! No, this isn't what a bartender hands you
when you walk into a busy bar so you know when your beer is
ready, this gadget is for home, BBQ's, Parties, the Beach and
yes, you can even use it in a busy bar or nightclub! No longer
will you lose your beer and be forced to buy another! No longer
will you be on your third sip and Gary the Gross guy walks up,
wipes the drool and left over food crumbs out of his mustache
that has not seen soap in the better part of a decade and inform
you that you have his drink and not yours! What is that contagious
rash again Gary? How long do I have to use the medicated
cream? Ewwe, I get shivers just thinking about it!
If you guys are like me, and by the emails I get I
know a lot of you are, you go to a party and every single time
you set a drink down you lose track of it. Even if I only drink
one drink I end up with 10 glasses through out the night. I dread
getting pulled over and an Officer asking, "How many drinks
did you have tonight?" Do you think he will believe me when I
tell him about a tenth of 10 different glasses? Good thing it has
been many years since I have even had one drink and got behind
the wheel of a car. But being responsible there does not change
the fact that I still can't keep track of what I am drinking.
Beer Pager to the rescue!
What they did was take your drink cooler, you know the
little gadgets that have been around forever that keep your
beverages cold! I know some guys who carry one in their
back pocket so they are always ready with it when someone
offers them a beer. I am sure those are the same guys that
are going to be kicking themselves when they see this and
wonder why they didn't think of it first! Any who, they take
the cooler and combine it with new technology, flair,
humor and a whole lot of genius! Your cooler now is fitted
with lights and an alarm that lets you know where your beer
is at all times. Even through a crowded room. You carry a little
pager with you or do like I did and stick it on my key chain,
then when you realize you once again lost your drink you
just push the panic button and your beer starts flashing
and calls for you with whatever style you have chosen.
I picked the Golfer one for John is a huge fan and
drives me nuts every summer dragging me to the coarse.
Now I might not be able to out drive or out putt him but I am
going to be laughing my butt off when he loses his beer and
I press my handy button and it belts out a hole in one letting
me know right where it is! You can also pick the Biker ones
and be a Harley riding Momma or at least pretend or next
time your hubby says he wants a bike give him this!
We have casinos here in Detroit and they have one just for
us as well that makes all those winning sounds I have never
heard when I went! They also have one that belches and
my son is driving me nuts for this one. He has a point too,
I can't tell you how many times we have gone to the beach or
a party and he has lost his pop. Andrew could lose his head in
five feet if it wasn't attached! And while I am on the losing
things, here is a suggestion to you Beer Pager Guys! Make one
that fits Baby Bottles! Do you know how many Bottles I have lost
and Rowan isn't even 6 months old. Now, I know when she is ten
I am going to move something and go, "Oh, here it is!" so
please help Moms like me and give us one with a Baby Giggle!
I would snap those up like crazy! These things are the bomb!
You know what else is the bomb? Beer Pager is going to give
a pager to one of my readers! To enter just head
over to the site and come back and tell me something you
have learned in a post! The contest starts today, December
20th and will run to January 28th at midnight!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

BEER PAGER


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Adult Toy Shoppe and Toy Demon Contest!