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TJ Maxx…THE place to go for Last Minute Ideas/Gifts

Are you stuck on those last minute gifts that you need to buy?

Let T.J.Maxx help!

They have some awesome gift ideas for ANYONE on your list!

That World Traveler that you love so much would be thrilled to have one of these hard sided suitcases. And they are a FRACTION of the price that I have seen them other places. And I mean really…who could resist, it is even in my color!

For the Beauty Queen in your life! They had such a cute display of all sorts of ideas for the Beauty Product lover. One of my favorite items in the display was the above box they had filled with some great products but my absolute favorite?

Is that not the cutest thing? It is no bigger than my hand. Also would be great for travel!

For the sports enthusiast or the environmentally conscious on your list they have these:

All sorts of neat colors and patterns.

For the Cook (please keep me in mind…see the orange one?)

For the Coffee Lover! Yummm

For the Fashionista!

These ideas are just a few of the many that we came across. As I said before, they have something for everyone. Toys, Sweaters, Shoes, Purses…you name it, they have it all at very reasonable prices that make Santa very, very happy.

What did I walk away with? Well here, let me show you:

Hardcase Wallet for Erin (something she has been wanting for quiet some time).

Shirt for my niece.

Orange shirt, Sweater and Pants for me.

Yes, I know…but I couldn’t resist. And there are two other items that I can’t show because the recipients read my blog and I wouldn’t want to give any surprises away!

Finally, to help with the holiday spirit and to send out a  reminder as to why off-price is the better way to Christmas shop on any budget, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx have joined together for a “Carol-oke” contest. One lucky person will win a $5,000 holiday shopping spree - just for singing their favorite holiday tune! You can find the contest on YouTube’s specially-created “Caroling Channel”, www.youtube.com/jointhecarolers. There, you can select from one of three carols, create your own “Carol-oke” video and upload for entry into the contest. For each off-price “Carol-oke” video that is uploaded, a charity donation will be made. Please feel free to check out the site and spread the word!

I was supplied with a giftcard for the purpose of letting you all know what a great place TJ Maxx is to shop…especially for all your last minute gift giving needs this year!

Funky Green Machine

A few years ago, we realized it was time for a change. We needed to change to help ourselves, to help others, to help our planet. We watched An Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed the Electric Car, The 11th Hour (someone wrote in a magazine that Leonardo DiCaprio’s film made Al Gore’s film look like Happy Feet - they weren’t kidding) with fervor. We read about the perils many indigenous animals, like the polar bears, were experiencing because of global warming. We learned about the effects of carbon dioxide, pesticides, SLS, parabens, BPA, phthalates, GMOs, non-fair trade, non-fair labor companies, products that were tested on animals and a gaggle of other things that, well… scared our pants off.

Funky Green Machine began as an idea on our lips and grew to what you see today - Uncommon, Cool, green products that make us do backflips and you will too.

That is how they came about…now I am, going to show and tell you a little about WHAT they are about. They have a wide selection of eco-friendly products that you will adore. Things for everyone on your list this Christmas. Lets start with the Hip Monsters. In otherwords, the little ones in our lives. Funky Green Machine has the coolest sippy cups for them…

Each Klean Kanteen is made from 100% recyclable, high-quality, food grade stainless steel - needs no lining like other metal bottles! Sippy spout is made from polypropylene. Totally BPA-free, zero chemical leaching, no toxins. Your baby’s beverage will never taste funny. Great for little hands, easy to clean and even dishwasher-safe. I LOVE these! And the spout can be changed later to grow with the lil monsters as the transition from a sippy spout to a sports bottle. They also make larger versions for us bigger people.Check out all the other cool items they have for the little ones on your list this Christmas and see below for some great deals you can take advantage of between now and Dec. 2nd.

For the Groovy Chic in all of us they offer everything from bags to transportation. But this…

…this is to die for! The Pomegranate Soap smells and feels so good you almost want to eat it. I love how when I get out of the shower my whole bathroom smells like it. Antioxidant rich Pomegranate seed oil helps to fight free radicals that cause skin damage. It is also rich in Essential Fatty Acids which smooth, soften and moisturize deeper layers of the skin. Tilvee’s synergistic blend of citrus essential oils refreshes the skin and energizes your senses. Remember, great deals are below!!

For the Big Daddies in our lives…

…Unnecessary Roughness Skin Repair. Don’t get called for unnecessary roughness! This rich hand and body moisturizer is formulated with aloe vera to help heal and soothe irritated skin. Plant extracts sooth and condition and Vitamins A, B, C and E provide antioxidants to counteract the free-radical damage caused by sun and cold weather exposure. Spoil the Daddy in You!

And we can’t leave Fido out!

I love that these Hurley’s are tough and versatile. That is what we have to have in this house. Toss it, float it, chew it, love it! Introducing Hurley® from West Paw Design - Guaranteed dog tough! Designed to be recyclable and to create virtually no waste during their manufacturing process. Hurley is all the fun of a ball and a bone in one durable toy.

Check out Funky Green Machine to see all the eco-friendly yet cool products they have to offer. And say Hello to Twig and Tank while you are there, they are pretty cool and hip themselves. Now, for the deals I told oyu about….

We heart you and are offering 40% off the following brands:

• Circles and Squares: Ultra-hip onesies and tees made with fair labor that will make your soul fly
• Fierce Hugs: Whimsical organic onesies and tees that will make you and your little one squeal with delight
• Klean Kanteen: Stainless steel bottle with no BPA or leaching - drink your water without fear of toxic chemicals
• The Spoiled Mama: All natural, organic, cruelty-free skincare products that will make your face smile
• thinkbaby: Baby bottles and feeding sets that are BPA-free, Phthalate-free and lead-free - keep your baby safe
• Tilvee: Eco-ethical skincare that will renew your skin
• Tiny Revolutionary: Onesies and tees that rock

Please use discount code welovegreenfriday. Discount will be taken off during checkout. Offer ends on December 2, 2009. While supplies last.

Funky Green Machine did provide sample product for this review. I was in no other way compensated. I just happen to love Funky Green Machine and the opinions stated are my own. Please remember that individual results may vary.

Baby Genius

From the time that we are born music has a huge impact on our lives. It influences us and helps us develop in ways that we may or may not know. Baby Genius knows that music makes a difference and they have acted upon that knowledge with innovative, entertaining products featuring music as a core-learning tool. Engaging and encouraging children to communicate, connect, discover, and express themselves.

Baby Genius proudly presents its new developmental toy line. These musically inspired role-play toys feature all of your favorite Baby Genius characters and make perfect gifts for the little ones in your life. Some of my favorites are…

The All in One Musical Band featuring Frankie tambourine, two Tempo maracas, a Vinko flute and a drum with two colorful drumsticks. Your budding musician can play their favorite instrument and march along. Once playtime is over all the instruments store inside the drum for easy clean-up and storage.

The Singing School Bus will help your child get prepared and excited about school. It plays “Wheels on the Bus” and all the characters are removable for extended play. The bus has rolling wheels making it fun for your little one to push around while singing along.

I LOVE Tempo’s Musical Broom! It makes sweeping along with Mom or Dad fun. The easy to push button located on the handle activates 3 phrases, realistic sweeping sounds and Tempo’s great tune. And once the cleaning is done you can press Tempo’s nose to hear him giggle about a job well done.

Baby Genius has many other great toys, DVD’s, and CD’s for children ages 6 months to 2 years, making playtime educational and fun. Check out Baby Genius for perfect gifts for the little joys in your life this Holiday season.

Baby Genius provided a product for this post. All opinions are those of my own.

A VERY useful Gift!

In today’s economy gift buying is harder than ever. Many people are struggling just to find the money to buy groceries and pay bills. There are many other gifts that will be far more luxurious, but few will have as many uses as today’s feature: Epsom Salt. Epsom Salt has been around for years and has been proven to be beneficial in many ways. Many years ago I was a single parent…it was just Erin and me and money was really, really tight in those days. So, one Christmas we bought bags of Epsom Salt and we scented the salt with essential oils that we found on sale. We found pretty little bottles at the dollar store, filled them with our scented salt, tied pretty ribbons on them and gave them as gifts. Everyone got bath salts that year. We were very proud of our crafty selves.  Erin was about 4 years old that year and she still talks about it. It was memorable for us and our family and friends. So, if your budget is stretched to the max and you are looking for gift ideas that are inexpensive yet come from the heart, consider Epsom Salt. It can be found in almost any pharmacy, supermarket, dollar store, etc.

The Many Uses of Epsom Salts…

For pampering

· To exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

· Facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

· For a relaxing soak: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

· For a simple hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of warm, deep conditioner and Epsom Salt. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

· For a foot scrub: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the heels and dry, rough patches on the feet. Repeat every few days.

Remove Splinters: Simply soak in Epsom salt and itwill not only draw the slpinter out but also to help it to heal.

Remove Hairspray and Gel Buildup: Combine a gallon of distilled water, a cup of Lemon juice (fresh or bottled), and 1 cup of Epsom Salt. Cap the mixture and let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

For gardeners

Epsom Salt helps seeds germinate, makes plants grow bushier, produces more flowers, increases chlorophyll production and deters pests, such as slugs and voles. It provides vital micronutrients to supplement your regular fertilizer. Epsom Salt is recommended by Master Gardeners and used regularly by commercial growers around the world. Tests by the National Gardening Association confirm that roses fertilized with Epsom Salt grow bushier and produce more flowers, and it also makes pepper plants grow larger than those treated only with commercial fertilizer.

· Houseplants: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water; feed plants monthly.

· Tomatoes: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks.

· Roses: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks. Also scratch 1/2 cup into soil at base to encourage flowering canes and healthy new basal cane growth. Soak unplanted bushes in 1 cup of Epsom Salt per gallon of water to help roots recover. Add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt to each hole at planting time. Spray with Epsom Salt solution weekly to discourage pests.

· Shrubs (evergreens, azaleas, rhododendron): 1 tablespoon per 9 square feet. Apply over root zone every 2-4 weeks.

· Lawns: Apply 3 pounds for every 1,250 square feet with a spreader, or dilute in water and apply with a sprayer.

· Trees: Apply 2 tablespoons per 9 square feet. Apply over the root zone 3 times annually.

· Garden Startup: Sprinkle 1 cup per 100 square feet. Mix into soil before planting.

After exercising

Epsom Salt- actually magnesium sulfate - can help people maintain optimum levels of both magnesium and sulfate. Sulfate helps form joint proteins and helps keep joints healthy, flushes toxins and improves absorption of nutrients. Magnesium regulates more than 325 enzymes in the body, performing more functions than almost any other mineral. Among the benefits: magnesium helps reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps, helps muscles and nerves function properly and helps prevents artery hardening and blood clots.

Tips include:

· To ease muscle pain and fading bruises. Add two cups of Epsom Salt to warm water in a standard-sized bathtub (double the Epsom Salt for an oversized garden tub) and bathe three times weekly, soaking for at least 12 minutes. Also can be used to make compresses.

· To soothe feet aching from a tough workout or a long day, create a balm by adding a cup of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water.

Animals/Critters

Get rid of raccoons: Are the masked night marauders poking around your trash can, creating a mess and raising a din? A few tablespoons of Epsom salt spread around your garbage cans will deter the raccoons, who don’t like the taste of the stuff. Don’t forget to reapply after it rains.

Deter slugs: Are you tired of visiting your yard at night only to find the place crawling with slimy slugs? Sprinkle Epsom salt where they glide and say good-bye to the slugs.

Household

Clean bathroom tiles: Is the tile in your bathroom getting that grungy look? Time to bring in the Epsom salt. Mix it in equal parts with liquid dish detergent, then dab it onto the offending area and start scrubbing. The Epsom salt works with the detergent to scrub and dissolve the grime.

Regenerate a car battery: Is your car battery starting to sound as if it won’t turn over? Worried that you’ll be stuck the next time you try to start your car? Give your battery a little more life with this potion. Dissolve about an ounce of Epsom salt in warm water and add it to each battery cell.

Frost your windows for Christmas: If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, but the weather won’t cooperate, at least you can make your windows look frosty. Mix Epsom salt with stale beer until the salt stops dissolving. Apply the mixture to your windows with a sponge — for a realistic look, sweep the sponge in an arc at the bottom corners. When the mixture dries, the windows will look frosted.

You can find much more information at www.epsomsaltcouncil.org and you can follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/epsomsalt.

Wooden Toddler Toys and Savings

Thursday I will be leaving for the Type A Mom Conference. I am leaving my family behind to destroy my house, eat junk and live without the demands of Mom for 3-4 days. They are pumped at the prospect. Me, I just hope my house is still standing when I get home…and that my poor dog isn’t too traumatized.

Wooden Toddler Toys is sponsoring part of my trip. And I want to thank them whole-heartedly. Think of their site as the largest toy box of your child’s dreams, overflowing with Kids’ toys that inspire both imagination and creativity. They carry many products such as child blocks, learning toys, playroom accessories, play sets, toys for preschool, and pretend play toys all for your home, school, day care, travel in the car and more. Their toys and furniture can be used in any area where children go and will help to stimulate their minds. They are such a wonderful company and they have so many unique items that are sure to please. You should really check them out!

In honor of their sponsorship and to thank you my readers…they are offering some savings that can’t be beat. So if you are looking for that special Holiday gift for the little one in your life or just to add to your child’s play and learning environment…checkout these specials:

PIP10 - 10% off

animal10 - $10 off Animal Croquet

dmp20 - $20 off Deluxe mini play cube.

beka 20 - $20 off Beka Adjustable Paper Holder Easel Dry Erase and Chalk Board

plasma15 - $15 off plasma car

betty10 - $10 off Betty Rocker

Now, is there anyone out there that would like to hold the fort down past the middle of nowhere? Don’t everyone jump at the chance at once.

Our Adventure

(Headed out of one set of mountains into another)

Our adventure was up and down. It held some major disappointments. Well, not all of my impromptu road trip was a disappointment but part of it certainly was. Bric decided he really didn’t want to join me in my non-sense so I conned Erin into tagging along which turned out to be a fun girls day out. We set off to a couple of little towns…Hiawassee and Helen.

(Downtown Helen, it is like a Swiss Alps type town with tons of little shops)

The drive takes about 2 and a half hours there and 2 and a half hours back. That is without stops. Us,we like to stop. Anyway, there were several shops that I specifically wanted to visit. The first just outside of Helen called Greenstone Soaps. I have bought soap from them for about 10 years. I love it that much. I remember when we first found them. We were on an Anniversary trip and the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at highly recommended we visit. I fell in love. The shop was located at their home and it was comfortable, cute, ecclectic. I loved everything about it, especially meeting the owners. I then started visiting at least once a year, or ordering online. I guess it has been longer than I thought when I went today because they have moved their store into a little strip mall. That means not as cute, not as ecclectic, not as personal. I has mistakenly thought that I saw one specific item I went after today much cheaper on their website than it was in the store and when I asked the lady, she got a little huffy with me about it. So, I called Bric to ask him to look it up and make sure, because if it was indeed cheaper I would just order it since I wanted about 20 of them. Well, the employee that was there…she got all offended that I didn’t trust her judgement. So, I only came home with 6 items. I just didn’t want to stay any longer to make my decisions. I am funny about customer service. I like for people to treat me as a valued customer. I like them to be pleasant. And if I am unhappy…well, I leave. I don’t go back. And as much as I absolutely love their soap. I probably won’t go back. I may order online…but I seriously doubt I would ever go out of my way again to visit with them.

(Another shot of downtown Helen)

Then we go into Hiawassee where I wanted to visit Noblets Five and Dime store (yes, one does still exist)!

They are the only place I know of to find a specific item I need for a few baby shower gifts coming up…and they are CLOSED on Sunday. I was so disappointed, but it does give me an excuse to drag my Mother out there with me next week sometime. After all of that Erin and I started meandering our way back home. We made several other stops and decided to go through Downtown Ellijay.  Most of the shops were closed but the people at Misty Hollow Antiques and Gifts were still around and as we browsed and played with the store mascot “Hershey” (a cute little yorkie we absolutely fell in love with) we found several items that we had to bring home with us.  The folks at Misty Hollow were so sweet and didn’t rush us even though we were there past closing time. It was a pleasure to spend some time talking shop with them and looking at all of the treasures they have tucked away. There are some handmade quilted placemats I think I am going to have to go back for. I just couldn’t justify them today. But I bet by next week I will figure out a way to justify em! So, I got some soap. I got a couple of gifts. I got a couple of giveaways. All in all it was a fun and productive day I suppose, with just a few bumps in the road.

Wrap It Up

Every year I search and search for the perfect wrapping paper and the perfect ornaments that match to go on top. This year…I said forget it. I am using up all this stuff I have. So, my little sister will get the honors of having the prettiest packages this year. I have so many half used rolls of wrapping paper that I could gift wrap Atlanta. It is crazy. Do you need some wrapping paper? I will share. And meantime…my present will look like a hodge podge of various things instead of being all color coordinated and matching. This is a pretty big thing for me. The crazy lady that has her closet organized by hanger color.