Shake The Salt

Is Your Partner A Snorer? Plus Coupon From Sleep Number

February 8th, 2010

Snores come in many varieties: there’s the snorter, the whistler, and of course the freight train. But all of them have a common denominator – they keep their partners awake. A National Sleep Foundation survey showed 23% of married Americans sleep alone, an increase from 12% in 2001. I wonder how many married Americans opted to sleep alone because their partner snores. Below is a way to overcome snoring for a better night’s rest for you and your partner.

Snoring
According to Sleep Expert and Select Comfort’s Vice President of Sleep Innovation and Clinical Research, Pete Bils, nearly forty-five percent of adults snore on occasion and about 25 percent snore habitually. It’s a problem that can affect both the snorer, and the partner. It’s more predominant in people who are overweight. Exercise and weight loss can make quite a difference. It’s also exacerbated by alcohol use or relaxants taken near bedtime, so avoidance of these can lead to improvement. Sleeping on one’s back also contributes to the problem. A somewhat softer mattress and a carefully fitted pillow designed to encourage a better sleeping posture have helped many. Or use a pillow that promotes natural head and neck alignment to open the airway. Actively dealing with allergies, colds and other respiratory problems may also help reduce snoring. There are more invasive remedies including dental appliances that hold open the airways, and various surgeries to correct defects in the affected areas of the collapsed air passage.* If your partner’s snoring keeps you up at night, try going to bed first and have your partner come to bed later. This will allow you to fall into deep sleep while your surroundings are quiet.

*Snoring accompanied by a cessation of breathing for prolonged periods of time could be an indication of a more serious issue, such as sleep apnea, and should be discussed with your physician.

What does your partner do that keeps you from getting a restful sleep? Please share it as a comment here, on Beds.com , on the Sleep Number Facebook page, or on Twitter @SleepGeekPete & @SavvyFrugalista.

Plus, check out this 50% coupon from Sleep Number in honor of President’s Day:

Code: 20379

Content provided by Sleep Number. No compensation was provided for this post. Sleep Number / Select Comfort was featured in Shake The Salt’s 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.

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2010 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
February 4th, 2010

Valentines Day Gift Guide

For Men

Baskin Robbins Cakes - Shown: Raspberry Fudge Truffle a la mode: mini raspberry filled chocolate cups and vanilla crips pieces top a decadent layer of chocolate fudge ice cream, a layer of raspberry filling, and a crunchy base of crushed chocolate cookie.



Febreze Flameless Illuminaries - Break away from the winter blues with some romance and mood-setting for “that special someone.” The flickering glow and inviting scents make it the perfect accessory to boost libido, enhance candle-lit dinners and accompany stress-free bubble baths. The luminaries are available in Pomegranate Mango, Cranberry Pear or Willow Blossom scents and are the perfect additions to any Valentine’s Day celebration or romantic night at home.

Grill Charms Spicy Collection - For a spicy little Valentine, give him Grill Charms: The Spicy Collection. If you like it HOT, you charm your meat with the pepper on FIRE before you cook it. With Grill Charms™ grillers can now offer Mild, Medium and SPICY sauces and rubs without any confusion or worry about mixing them up. This is a great “tongue-in-cheek” guy gift.

NECCO Wafer Candies - Sugar treat with eight pastel colors and flavors–Chocolate, lemon, lime, orange, clove, wintergreen, cinnamon, licorice

Sweetheart Candies - What is Valentine’s Day without this delectable favorite? For the first time in 145 years, Sweethearts have completely changed – new colors, new flavors, new packaging and new sayings generated by the American public.

Zen Rabbit Cookies & Chocolate Sauce Gift Package includes one box of the original, world-famous Gratitude Cookies and a jar of Somebody’s Mother’s Chocolate Sauce. Gratitude Cookies are a super-delicious, thin, crunchy cross between a butter and a sugar cookie. Made from all-natural ingredients, (like real butter and pure vanilla), they’re called Gratitude Cookies because you’re encouraged to think about something you’re grateful for as you’re eating them. Plus, if you’re giving a box to someone, you’re showing love and appreciation. Paired with a 9 oz jar of the also all-natural chocolate sauce from Somebody’s Mother, this is a Valentine’s gift that shows you have great taste and really care about the person you’re giving it to.

For Women

Adam & Alix trendy handbags - style #18370 with multi-row “ruching” detail on the face of bag pictured, $10.00 - Oh, so stylish and uber affordable, these are great for women of all ages, including tweens and teens. Buy one (or more at this price!) for yourself, a friend, your girlfriend or wife (though hopefully you don’t have both, lol)… Gift idea: with this great price, you can afford to stash some goodies inside too! These are especially great if you like to switch up the handbag with each outfit but are trying to be economically responsible.

Britney Spears Circus Fantasy Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 fl oz - Blue peony, waterlily and addictive red sweetheart orchid take the limelight with delicious sensations and exhilarating temptations. vailable at department stores such as Macy’s, as well as Macys.com.

Chewylou H.E.A.R.T. Acronym Tee: Hope, Empathy, Appreciation, Resilience, Trust. A portion of the purchase of this shirt goes to the American Heart Association. Chewylou shirts are meant to inspire through positive thought and promote physical and spiritual strength.  Other acronym tees also available.

Evan Healy Green Tea Clay - A gentle but effective treatment for all skin types. Reduces inflammation and produces a softer more refined skin surface. Clay will absorb and balance excess oil, draw pimples and blackheads to the surface and detoxify the bacteria that contributes to infected skin. Refines skin texture minimizing the appearance of large pores. This 7-10 day trial size is great for travel!

Mariah Carey’s Luscious Pink Deluxe Edition Parfum Spray, 1.7 fl oz - An ethereal harmony of sparkling Bellini accords, velvety pink peony and warm sun-kissed wood, the fragrance is a luscious blend of accords as enveloping as Mariah’s voice.

Roses by Leila Meacham is a classic novel in the best sense–a big, juicy read with a riveting plot and characters that leave a lasting impression. Spanning the 20th century, the story of ROSES takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town’s founding families.

Scandle Essentials Travel Candle - Experience the ultimate spa massage with the aromatherapy effects of our Scandle Essentials with pure essential oils. Scandle is in a square lightweight tin for easy application. Silicone band can be removed after use and used as an eco-wrist band reminder to “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” Burn time 15-30 hours. Available in Chocolate Dipped Strawberry scent for Valentines Day, as well as other scents.

Searching For Tina Turner by Jacqueline E Luckett - In this breathtaking debut novel reminiscent of early Terry McMillan, Lena Spencer is going through a mid-life crisis and looks to singer Tina Turner for strength.

Wrapped With Love From Hilary Duff Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 fl oz - The notes in Wrapped with Love were inspired by Hilary Duff’s fun and flirtatious side. The result is a delectable fragrance with a signature scent –a creamy backdrop showcasing juicy and succulent notes. Available at ElizabethArden.com

XOXO Clothing & Accessories - Founded in 1991 as a day-to-evening lifestyle brand, XOXO was one of the first Juniors contemporary brands to design and sell “runway to realway” fashion apparel and accessories at affordable prices. XOXO’s success has been solidified by constantly delivering truly feminine, sexy, trend conscious looks within the fashion spectrum. XOXO offers a variety of designs including sunglasses, leathergoods, handbags, lingerie, and much more! What is Valentine’s Day without a little XOXO?

For Kids

360 Chocolate Chip Flip, chocolate chip bar baking mix from Kids Central Kitchen - One taste of these gluten-free & wheat-free chocolate chip bars will have you doing a 360! Fresh from the oven, these irresistible treats will compete with the best skateboard tricks around. Made with natural ingredients, this chocolate chip bar will make you flip!

Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish - Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about Valentine’s Day. The sweet surprises, Cards to give and receive, A party at school, A big, long family hug. Amelia Bedelia can’t wait. What could be better? Valentine’s Day! Hooray for Valentine’s Day!

BabyLegs (pictured: pink & red flames) - the original baby leg warmers for infants and toddlers - has a collection of loveable designs for this Valentine’s Day. Sweetheart, Soul and Pop Heart (all pictured on the attached sheet) will warm babies hearts this February 14th. The Flame is pictured below.

Curious George: Colors, a LeapFrog Tag Junior board book for ages 2-4. A fun read even without the Tag Junior system, but the system really brings the book to life. Discover all the colors of the rainbow with the world’s most curious monkey. Curious George! This Tag™ Junior board book springs to life when you touch the Tag Junior book pal to any part of any page. More than 24 playful activities and 150 audio responses encourage little ones to explore while helping build confidence with books Free shipping at LeapFrog.com through 2/15 on orders $30 & up - use code LOVE2SHARE.

Disney’s Winnie The Pooh: A Valentine For You Special Edition DVD including FREE Winnie THe Pooh Valentines and a new-to-DVD bonus episode.

Fancy Nancy: Heart To Heart, based on the creation of Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser - Mystery is in the air when Nancy receives a valentine from a secret someone. Join Nancy as she follows the clues to find out who it is—all in her trademark fabulous style, of course. Gorgeous stickers included!

Funky Monkey Snacks (”Fruit That Crunches”) are perfect addition to any Valentines gift for kids and a great alternative to candy. My three year old LOVES them and they are now available at Target! Available in Purple Funk, Carnival Mix, Jivealime, and more. Available in these stories.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! An “If You Give…” book by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond - Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he celebrates Valentine’s Day with all the friends he loves.

Henry In Love by Peter McCarty - Henry is a bit of a dreamer and not much of a talker.Then there’s Chloe, who says what she thinks and knows how to turn a spectacular cartwheel. This is the story of how one blueberry muffin makes all the difference.

KangaRoom 7 Pocket IM Text Shower Tote - So many bath items, so little room! Now you can have your own personal shower tote designed with 2Cool2Btrue IM & Text emoticons. Whether you need to carry your bath essentials down the hall in the college dorm or there are just too many people sharing one shower at home, this water resistant tote keeps your personal items, well. . . personal. Fill with bath & body products to take the gift over the top!

KangaRoom Foldup Hamper - Kangaroom has everything your tweens and teens need to get organized. Whether making that middle to high school or high school to college transition, our Room Essentials, decked with IM and Text emoticons and made out of sturdy, 100% recycled materials, are a must have! Our Room Essentials Hamper keeps clothes off your bedroom floor, eliminating dirty clothes piles and making it easy and stylish to do laundry. Complete the gift by including laundry, ie: a couple of cute tops!

Mead offers fun & trendy spiral notebooks, planners, and other accessories (many available exclusively at OfficeMax) that are perfect for Valentine ’s Day (plus it is a great time to update the school supplies). Shown here: Sweet & Sassy I Heart Recycling Planner, featuring recycled paper & covers, recycled wire, vegetable-based ink and daily green tips. One I love: “Do You Like Me” spiral notebook (even has the yes and no checkboxes, too cute!) from - Lots of fun designs are available.

My Heart Is Like A Zoo by Michael Hall (I love that the lion’s face on the cover is made up of heart shapes!) - heart can be hopeful, or silly, or happy. A heart can be rugged, or snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and debut author-artist Michael Hall captures each one with a delicate touch. For each feeling, the bold, graphic artwork creates an animal out of heart shapes, from “eager as a beaver” to “angry as a bear” to “thoughtful as an owl.” An accessible and beautiful debut, My Heart Is Like a Zoo is everything a classic picture book should be: honest, sincere, and speaking directly to even the very youngest child.

Sunsweet Gold Label Pitted Prunes (Dried Plums) are another great snack to add to a child’s Valentine gift. Available in a 8 pack (individual packaged), you can divvy them out or include the whole 8 pack. Shocked to think kids may actually LIKE prunes? My three year LOVES them. They are sticky and have a gooey feel to them, which may make them more fun to kids (boys anyway!), LOL. Each individual pack is only 60 calories and has no fat, cholesterol, or sodium. They are loaded with antioxidants (more than blueberries) and are an all around good for you snack. I haven’t tried them because I have preconceived notions about prunes I’m not yet ready to lay down, but I try very hard to make sure my son has an open mind on all food, and it really paid off with these.

Where Is Love, Biscuit? A Pat & Play board book by Alyssa Satin Capucill - Biscuit is a lucky little puppy. He loves his bones, his bed, and his best friend. The little girl teaches her yellow puppy that love is sharing and helping and learning. And it’s also having a sweet puppy like Biscuit. Woof! Children will enjoy this valentine of a book.

Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks - A dog is a dog, and a cat is a cat, And most of the time it’s as simple as that. . . . Or is it? What’s a dog to do when he falls in love with the cat next door? Bark? Chase his tail? Dig up a “brass bone” and hope that the universal language of music will help him to express his feelings? This humorous and heartfelt story is about the power of love and the power of music, told through the eyes of a lovelorn dog and the cat he adores.

All books and products, unless otherwise noted, were provided to Shake The Salt by their respective author, publisher, brand or shop. Although my opinions may be interspersed throughout this guide, the purpose of this guide is only to provide a basic book or product description for each item, many of which descriptions were provided by the author, publisher, brand or shop. Shake The Salt urges all consumers to make wise, researched purchases and makes no claims or guarranties on behalf of any book, product, or company.

If you would be interested in having your book or product in this Guide, please contact me.

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2010 Book & Resource Guide - Self, Home, and Life Improvements
February 1st, 2010
2010 Book & Resource Guide

MAKING 2010 THE YEAR OF GRADUAL BUT STEADY IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE!

Instead of the traditional New Years Resolutions - that are often discarded before February - I am opting to make gradual improvements, baby steps if you will, across the board. There’s nothing that cannot be improved or tweaked, but instead of becoming overwhelmed or biting off more than I can chew, I’ve decided to take it step by step. Make a little improvement here and there. Then another one. Then another. At the end of 2010, I want to be able to look back and see the path that all those little steps have taken me on and all the improvements that I’ve made. This Guide is a collection of books and resources that I will be using and referring to throughout the year. I hope it will be a great reference guide for you as well.

HEALTH / FITNESS / MENU PLANNING

30 Day Shred DVD - Jillian Michaels: I purchased this last year evidently as some sort of home decor item because I never used it prior to 2010. I’ve done it a few times here and there throughout January - Jillian is tough! There are 3 levels and all I know is she kicked my butt on level 1 so I haven’t yet to venture to levels 2 and 3. She does a 3-2-1 (3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute routines then repeats 3 times) technique that accomplished a full body workout in 20 minutes. If you are not familiar with Jillian Michaels, she is one of the trainers on Biggest Loser and I believe the season winner has been from her team 8 out of 9 times.

Cool Waters (50 Refreshing, Healthy, Homemade Thirst Quenchers) by Brian Preston-Campbell: I haven’t tested any of the recipes in this book yet but I am excited to! From Agua de Jamaica to Workout Fuel to flavorfull ice cubes and everything in between, Cool Waters has an awesome selection of beverage recipes that will take your water from blah to wow! A few recipes that sound especially yummy to me - Honeydew Mint Mist, June Fields, Blueberry Twist, and Peach Thai Basil Cubes.

Hyp-Yoga 6-Week Weight Loss DVD Program: I am a little intriqued yet cautious of this one. I don’t do the hypnosis deal, but I am interested in checking it out and seeing how it may still be beneficial. More details: combines yoga and hypnosis to help individuals change their mind to change their body. Hyp-Yoga begins with a yoga session, opening up the body and calming the mind with expansive, full-body poses and deep breathwork. The resulting relaxation and openness make the gentle hypnosis (weight loss program, written by a certified hypnotherapist and RN) that follows incredibly effective.

Kids Choice Baking Mix Variety Pack from Kids Central Kitchen: We received this variety pack of seven baking mixes and will be trying them out over the coming months - I’m seeing lots of yumminess ahead.  Homerun Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix, Slam Dunker Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Snow Angel Sugar Cookie Mix, Mudslinger Chocolate Brownie Mix, Swinging Monkey Banana Bread Mix, Flip Flop Flap Jacks Pancake Mix & Propeller Chocolate Chip Energy Bar Mix.

Melt It Off with Mitch Gaylord is a comprehensive exercise and nutrition program designed by American gymnast and four-time gold medalist Mitch Gaylord. The Melt It OFF! program consists of a three step guide using Gaylord’s unique calorie melting weapon, the G-Ball, which engages the body’s core to sculpt lean muscles and build strong abs. Melt It OFF!features a three-day kick-off program, a healthy diet blueprint for planning meals and exercise DVD programs providing four intense workouts.

Mom’s Big Book Of Baking (200 Simple, Foolproof Family Favorites For Birthday Parties, Bake Sales, and More) by Lauren Chattman: This is another book of recipes I cannot wait to really dig in to! I am planning lots of kitchen time with my little chef this year. He loves being hands on and especially loves to eat the yummies! He will be starting Pre-K this fall {gasp!} so I foresee needing creative ideas. Details: Chattman has created streamlined recipes that produce the highest quality baked goods with the least amount of fuss, striking a balance between familiar favorites and new twists. Caramel Swirl Brownies are perfect for a rainy afternoon. Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream will be a hit at the next school bake sale. Chocolate Milk Pancakes will feed a gang of hungry kids the morning after a slumber party, and Thin and Crispy Pizza the night before. Each recipe has advice on when and how to let kids participate. There are loads of tips on vital topics including how to mass produce cupcakes, how to make the most Christmas cookies in the least amount of time, and how to make a birthday cake your child will remember forever without losing your mind.

Pillsbury’s Pot Pies & Casseroles, September 2009 (Pillsbury Classic Cookbooks #336): General Mills / Pillsbury publishes recipe booklets (mini-magazines) on a regular basis. The theme changes each time, but I chose this one to use as I work on menu planning, especially dinners. You can order a subscription or find them in the checkout aisles. I also love that they have great coupons with long expiration dates. My copy was provided by General Mills & MyBlogSpark.

The Sneaky Chef (Simple Strategies For Hiding Healthy Foods In Kids’ Favorite Meals) by Missy Chase Lapine: I evidently purchased this one as even more home decor, because it too is unused. That’s changing! Hubs is pretty particular, so I may be using this on him too, haha!

BUDGET / FINANCES / INCOME / CAREER

Career Comeback (Repackage Yourself To Get The Job you Want) By Lisa Johnson Mandell: Unfortunately, getting older can be a career killer. That’s what entertainment journalist Lisa Johnson Mandell discovered when she sent out a resume that made her sound like an aged veteran. Her new career makeover guide-expanded from the Wall Street Journal article about revamping her “older” image to land her dream job-acknowledges that experience matters, but looking and acting up-to-date matter just as much. Mandell provides ten strategies for putting a youthful spin on resumes, Web pages, and personal presentation.

Career Renegade (How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love) by Jonathan Fields: I purchased this book in 2009 but never really got in to it. I’m going to give it another crack in 2010! Details: There’s a revolution brewing across the nation–a movement that’s changing lives and revealing little known paths to passion and prosperity. It’s about building a great living around what you love to do most. Once you’ve been touched by it, you’ll never be the same. This book is your way in, your admission ticket to the world of the career renegade.

Money Savvy Kids Club Book Series - This series of four books includes: Garage Sale Riches, Putting The “Do” In Donate, Home Sweet Home, and Penny Power, and follows a group of kids as they learn about money. Interesting fact about compound interest from Penny Power: if 12 year olds deposit $4 every day into a savings account that pays 5% interest, they will have $427,025 at age 67, with only $80, 352 being from those deposits. Geared for 7-12 year olds, these books shed a fun and interesting light on money matters for kids. Let’s face it, kids don’t typically get enough working knowledge about money and many parents don’t know exactly where to start or what they need to know and when. Learn more about this series and other related projects at Money Savvy Generation.

One Year To An Organized Financial Life by Regina Leeds offers a simple week-by-week, month-by-month plan to manage your money effectively and live more calmly and richly on less. In this unique guide, you will find everything you need to bring clarity, simplicity, and order to your finances, helping you feel secure for the future no matter what life throws at you (or your bank account).

LIFE

Add More ~ing To Your Life (A Hip Guide To Happiness) by Gabrielle Bernstein - Designed for the dispirited millennial, this fiery, transformational book provides a new formula for a life you’re psyched to wake up for. Gabrielle honed her approach from personal experience – she put the brakes on her unfulfilling and empty fast-paced New York lifestyle and looked within to find ~ing, a method for clearing the mind and opening a pathway for inner guidance. She is a sought-after life coach, speaker and ~ing-master.



O’s Big Book Of Happiness (The Best of O The Oprah Magazine: Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration) addresses three major avenues to a fuller life: “Your Mind/Your Body” focuses on emotional and physical well being; “Dating, Mating, Relating” provides the tools and insights needed to forge better connections with partners, families, friends and co-workers; “Dreaming Big” offers inspiration and practical advice to aim high and realize aspirations on all aspects of life, from work to money to heeding your inner voice. O’S BIG BOOK OF HAPPINESS is a boost of inspiration every time you open it.

The Attitude Girl by Mila Bernadkin: Jam packed with emotional conflict, trials and tribulations, romance, and humor, The Attitude Girl follows outspoken, materialistic 17-year-old Vicky on her rocky road to becoming an adult as she struggles with bullying, financial setbacks, idealism, loss and forgiveness along the way. Her attitude is her rock! Author Ludmila “Mila” Bernadkin draws on her experience as a teacher, mother and advanced graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature to create this compelling, award-winning story, which identifies with the tremulous world of confusing emotions and mixed messages of “maturity” today’s teens live in as they feel their way through the process of becoming young adults.

Show Me How (500 Things You Should Know: Instructions For Life From The Everyday To The Exotic) by Derek Fagerstrom, Lauren Smith, and the Show Me Team is a revolutionary reimagining of the reference genre, one part how-to guide, one part graphic art showpiece, and one part pure inspiration. In a series of 500 nearly wordless, highly informative step-by-step procedurals, readers learn how to do hundreds of useful (and fascinating and important and sometimes downright bizarre) tasks, including: Perform CPR, dance the tango, pack a suitcase, win a bar bet, play the blues, make authentic sushi rolls, fight a shark . . . and 493 more essentials of modern life.

The Happiness Project (Or Why I Spent A Year Trying To Sing In The Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun) by Gretchen Rubin: Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. With humor and insight, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lesso ns from popular culture about how to be happier. Read Gretchen’s blog and take the 2010 Happiness Challenge.

The Vision Board (The Secret To An Extraordinary Life) by Joyce Schwarz describes a transformative exercise that offers a simple way to change your life for the better. As featured on the Oprah Winfrey show, vision boards are a practical, effective approach to identifying and achieving your goals. With a foreword from Bob Proctor, featured teacher in The Secret, and an afterword by Jack Canfield, co-creator of the hugely popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, The Vision Board offers concrete advice and motivation anecdotes designed to help you utilize vision boards in your own daily life.

HOME & ORGANIZATION

It’s All Too Much DVD from Peter Walsh - Your personal, at-home organizational coaching session with Peter Walsh! With more than an hour of Peter’s tips, techniques and guidance this compelling DVD - based on his NY Times best-selling book - will provide the encouragement and direction to the fuller, richer life that you imagine for you and your family. Peter Walsh is an international clutter expert and organizational consultant best known for his tough love approach on the hit TLC series “Clean Sweep” and his regular appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Part therapist, part contractor, Peter brings his clutter-busting tips and organizational know-how into your home with this DVD version of his international best-seller “It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff.”



One Year To An Organized Life by Regina Leeds is a unique week-by-week, month-by-month plan to forever streamline all aspects of your life. Regina helps you break down tasks and build routines over time so that life becomes simple, not overwhelming.

The Home Book (Creating A Beautiful Home Of Your Own) from House Beautiful is the ultimate handbook for anyone looking to start from scratch, redecorate, or just modify what they already have- it is truly a must-have. THE HOME BOOK appeals to many different design aesthetics and is the perfect holiday gift, or a fantastic accessory to any home.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK

How To Hear From God (Learn How To Know His Voice And Make Right Decisions) by Joyce Meyer - In the hustle and bustle of today’s busy world, sometimes it’s hard enough to hear yourself think, much less take a minute to stop and listen for the voice of God. But learning to recognize God’s voice and the many ways in which He speaks is vital for following His plan. In How to Hear from God, Joyce Meyer shows readers that God reaches out to people every day, seeking a partnership with them to offer guidance and love. She reveals the ways in which God delivers His word and the benefits of asking God for the sensitivity to hear His voice.

PARENTING / KIDS / HOMESCHOOLING

I have been doing a little bit of casual, unstructured homeschool preschooling with my three year old, but will be sending him off to Pre-K this fall. It is a couple hours each morning M-F. This will give him interaction with kids his age while still allowing us to complement his learning at home. After Pre-K we will decide whether we’ll do homeschool, private school, or public school. I’ve heard of half home and half school options, but have been unable to locate any in our area.

Boca Beth Beginner Backpack -Get your Spanish on with Boca Beth! Move over Dora and Diego and meet Boca Beth, bringing you fun DVDs and music CDs, plus more that the little ones will love. If you are trying to teach your Spanish speaking child English (or just want them to learn both languages), this is also for you! The Boca Beth Backpack includes:

Kids Choice Baking Mix Variety Pack - see info under HEALTH / FITNESS / MENU PLANNING


LeapFrog Tag Junior Books - Sesame Street / Elmo: Monster Faces teaches all about emotions through monster face making fun and Disney/Pixar CARS: Shapes All Around explores teaches about shapes with the favorite wheeled characters, Lightning McQueen and Mater. Other titles available. The Tag Junior books come to life with the Tag Junior system, but are great educational reads even without it. Check out the LeapFrog site for current deals, including free shipping through 2/15 on site-wide orders over $30 when you use code LOVE2SHARE.

Money Savvy Kids Club Book Series - see info under BUDGET / FINANCES / INCOME / CAREER


True Stories About Saving Animals book series by Samuel Lopez features The Miracle Of The Little Kitten, Stinky Little Scroungy, The Three Legged Kitten, and Our Orphaned Owls. In four fascinating stories, Samuel helps young readers understand both the joy and the responsibilities that come from having a pet. Children will read the inspiring tale of a three-legged kitten, about orphaned owls, a smelly little puppy, and how Samuel’s own dog rescued a scruffy little kitten.

VeggieTales is a great source of teaching morals & life lessons and kids LOVE the adorable characters. (I LOVE the adorable characters, but ahem… we aren’t talking about me here, LOL!)  Soon to be released: PISTACHIO: THE LITTLE BOY THAT WOODN’T on February 27, 2010. Features a helpful lesson in listening to your parents, as well as “honesty” (telling the truth) and the importance of family. Brings awareness to the outside influences that affect children and the importance of a strong family unit in helping children learn to be honest and respectful of their parents and others.

LEISURE & HOBBIES

Going Rogue (An American Life) by Sarah Palin: Look, Sarah Palin intriques me, well beyond the politics. She seems to have it all - a great career, a solid marriage, a large happy family, unshakable faith in God, one who is known for getting things done - and keeps it balanced. Love her or hate her (and most people feel strongly one way or the other), she’s now a household name and gets mega crowds wherever she goes. Looking at the book, it isn’t a weekend read (unless you hole yourself for the weekend and skip sleep). At 413 pages it will take me a little while to work through it, but that’s ok. It is right where it needs to be in the LEISURE category, as it’ll be a leisurely read for me.

Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist: Two things I want to work on in 2010 where this will come in handy is learning to create blog graphics and working on my son’s baby book and scrapbooks. It is an impressive little program that I think I’ll get a lot of use out of. Be warned though - y’all will be my guinea pigs as I try my hand at the blog graphics.

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

Eco Discoveries Airzyme Air & Fabric Deodorizer tackles odor molecules both in the air and on surfaces with natural enzymes. Eliminate pet odor, kitchen odor, and create a fresh environment with a safe spray.

All books and products, unless otherwise noted, were provided to Shake The Salt by their respective author, publisher, brand or shop. Although my opinions may be interspersed throughout this guide, the purpose of this guide is only to provide a basic book or product description for each item, many of which were provided by the author, publisher, brand or shop. Shake The Salt urges all consumers to make wise, researched purchases and makes no claims or guarranties on behalf of any book, product, or company.

If you would be interested in having your book or product in this Book & Resource Guide, please contact me.

Share The Love:

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Savvy Shopping, Recall Alerts, Giveaways, Store Deal Linkage & More
January 21st, 2010

Savvy Shopping, Recall Alerts, Giveaways, Store Deal Linkage & More

Sunday Coupon Preview – Get A Sneak Peek!

GIVEAWAYS & REVIEWS:

Giveaway: Nestle Family Of Products $40 Prize Package

Popsicle Giveaway coming soon! Yum!

Review: Fiber One Toaster Pastries

HOT DEALS:

Hot NYC Deal: $100 Spa Package Half Price Til 9 PM! (Thurs 1/21 ONLY)

Good Deal Shopportunity: Black Cat Jazz & Blues CD Collection (12 CDs) $10 + Ships Free! (Thurs 1/21 ONLY)

RECALLS:

Recall Alert: Graco Strollers & Dorel Asia Cribs

Recall Alert: Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Rolaids, and St. Joseph’s

SAVVY SHOPPING:

Publix 1/19: Spent $17.95 & Saved $43.75

STORE DEAL LINKAGE:

Publix Deals: Jan 21-27

Winn-Dixie Deals: Jan 20-26

Target Deals: Jan 17-23

Walmart Deals: Jan 17-23

CVS Deals: Jan 17-23

Walgreens Deals: Jan 17-23

MORE:

2010 Goals: Making Money & Earning Gift Cards Online

Disney Upgrade To Blu-Ray Program = $8 Coupons On Lots Of Movies!

Subscribe To Savvy Frugalista so you don’t miss a deal! Click HERE.

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Aunt Flo Gets A Makeover
January 16th, 2010

Earth Mama, Angel Baby - makers of specialized organic teas, organic baby products, and more - is having a Twitter Party to discuss Six Things You Probably Don’t Know About Your Period. Join Shake The Salt ( @SavvyFrugalista ), Earth Mama Angel Baby ( @MamaMelinda ), and many other mamas at the Twitter Party Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 10 PM EST. We’ll be using hashtag #ecowed.

In the meantime, check out Earth Mama, Angel Baby’s Monthly Comfort Tea - for “that time of the month” when hormones are raging and your uterus and you could use some extra care.

Use coupon code HAPPY20 in their online store to save 20% on your entire order. Even Aunt Flo can’t spoil that! It’s good until February 15, 2010.

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Hot Deals, Coupons, And Freebies
January 15th, 2010

Recent happenings at Savvy Frugalistas:

*HOT* Good Deal Shopportunity: Udder Covers FREE – Pay Only $9.95 Shipping (reg $32 + shipping)

Contests: Gone Coupon Crazy’s 10 Weeks Of Giveaways

Sweeps: Bravada’s Spot A Mom – Win $500 Of Must Have Baby Items

Jiffy Lube Rewards Program

Giveaway: Nestle Family Of Products $40 Prize Package

Disney Vacation: $685 For Family Of Four (4 Days/Parks, 5 Nights & Lodging, Florida Residents)

Disney Movie Rewards

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What Would You Suggest To Do In Nassau Bahamas With A Preschooler?
January 15th, 2010
We will be taking our three year old on his first cruise and will be stopping in Nassau. I’ve been several times, but never with a child. I’ve done excursions and I’ve taken my own path, but again… never with a child. So, I’m fishing shamelessly for ideas. We are thinking of foregoing the pricey excursions. One major concern we have is the crazy cab rides, which is almost required to get anywhere - especailly to the “nicer” side. (I’ve walked that once and will. never. do. it. again. LOL!)

We’ll have about half a day (the latter half) in port. Ideas, please? Kthxbai.

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Need Ideas For A Birthday Boy?
January 14th, 2010

The following is a guest post from Totsy Mom Audrey of Mom Generations.

Gifts For The Birthday Boy

Being the mother of 4 little boys, I have begun to know a thing or two when it comes to some great gifts! Toys are great… yes. But sometimes it comes down to some pretty amazing clothes and unique (and fun!) toys.

These are some of my favorite birthday gift items.

It’s funny… when we asked to describe our children, we sometimes use words like “Sporty.” “Artsy.” “Performer.” I felt it was easier to break it down by gifts this way, too!

Today it’s all about the BOYS. Here are some suggestions for the boys in your life:

Sporty:

Eli’s Lids - I am absolutely in love with these hats. They are super-cute for your little “men!” The different styles are essential - surfer, rocker, snowboarder. Your son will be “rocking” in these amazing hats. A surf-boarding rocker! ($19.99)

Spider-Man Bike - Nothing will have your son more excited! Spider-Man is the “man”… so imagine a bike with webs and decals all over it! ($69.99)

Kids Samba Sneakers - My sons can’t get enough of Samba sneakers. All the boys are wearing them to kids soccer and kids t-ball. They look so precious in the KID sizes. Total must-have for the sporty boy. ($47.99)

Preppy:

Crew Cuts. A classic cable knit sweater is essential for any boy. Crew Cuts has the most stunning and luxurious cashmere cable knit sweaters. They come in a variety of colors… and truly last and last and last. For the little “fashionto” in your life, bring on the cable knit! ($68.00)

Myself Belts - Every little boy wants a belt, it makes them feel like big boys. I love the belts at Myself Belts because they’re easy and “doable” for your little man. They come in so many different designs - flags, dinosaurs, cars, construction, even personalized! My sons LOVE these! ($14.95)

Suspenders - The cutest little manly trend around! Paired with a button-down, the most edible outfit in the world. ($10.50)

The Environmentalist:

Simple Shoes, Noodle. There’s nothing better than eco-friendly and washable shoes! I absolutely love Simple Shoes… but I just cannot get over the cuteness of the Noodle! ($40.00)

Natural Wooden Bi-Plane - Your son will love flying this exquisite plane from The Playstore around the house. Durable, fabulous quality, made of maple. Hours of imagination play with this plane! ($64.95) - Let your son’s playtime be filled with wonder and delight! These finger puppets are so much fun (and so adorable!) from Land of Nod. ($8.95/each)

Artist:

Playkraft Activity Center - Every artist needs a workstation. This Activity Center has 3 stools, 3 storage buckets and plenty of “desk” space. Let their artistic abilities soar here! ($229.99)

Play-Doh Super Craft Caddy - This is the ultimate in Play-Doh! Create, sculpt, mold, cut and roll Play-Doh! The artist within “you” will love this one, too! ($19.99)

Crayon Maker - Turn crayons bits and pieces into “new” crayons in crazy color combinations! ($32.99)

Performer:

Super Hero Capes - Stringbean Company offers the most adorable Super Hero Capes for boys! Let them run and be the “hero” they want to be! ($29.50)

Black Baby Grand Piano by Schoehut - Music loving kids!? Unite! This baby piano is the best of the best! Sing and create some beautiful music. ($149.99)

Magician Costume - Let the inner magician perform some amazing tricks for the whole family! You’ll be amazed as to the power of this costume! ($29.99)

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Amon Maternity: 50% Off Sale And A Review
January 13th, 2010

Amon Maternity

Amon Maternity is having a 50% off sale through Friday, January 15, 2010 - use code SUPERSALE. With prices at $23 and $25, you can get them for $11.50 and $12.50 each through Friday. Plus, get free shipping when you buy 2 or more items. This is a fabulous price for a great product! Four products are available: brief, skivvies, band, and bodyshaper.

Amon Maternity’s mission is to support expecting mothers in getting comfortable by creating a healthy and happy life. Amon symbolizes creation, fertility and life. We are an online maternity store dedicated to providing pregnancy belly support with revolutionary maternity support belts, pregnancy belly band and bodyshaper undergarments.

Amon Maternity is not just for pregnancy, they also have bodyshapers for the non-pregnant. I had the opportunity to try out one of their bodyshapers and I can vouch for the comfortability. It slims/smooths without restricting breathing - which is good because I like the whole breathing thing. ;-) The Forgive Bodyshaper is great for post-pregnancy while getting the pre-pregnancy belly back or for anytime you’d like the jeans to slip over the belly and fastener a little easier. While I cannot speak to their pregnancy product lines, I trust they are right in line with the Forgive Bodyshaper in comfort and reliability, while providing pregnancy belly support.

Amon Maternity provided the Forgive Bodyshaper for this review.

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Florida Residents Can Get An Awesome Disney Vacation Deal
January 12th, 2010

Awesome deal as in $685 for a family of four for 4 days, 4 parks, and 5 nights. Check out all the details at Savvy Frugalistas.

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Banana Bread With Chef Roo
January 6th, 2010

Lil Roo (herein referred to as Chef Roo, lol) and I had a great New Year’s Eve. Daddy was working, so it was just the two of us. We ordered pizza (technically a pizza, oven roasted sandwich, and pasta bread bowl - and the smorgasbord was yum-o! lol!), watched Handy Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure, made banana bread, then watched Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. HAPPY NEW YEAR SWEET PEA! We found our recipe for banana bread HERE.

I evidently need a little practice recording & handling video, but this is a start for me and he’s cute even with my faulty video skills, lol.

Banana Bread With Chef Roo

Ingredients:
1/3 cups shortening (some use olive oil or lard.)
3/4 cup sugar (white)
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups flour (white or whole wheat)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.

Add eggs and beat well.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Add to creamed mixture; stir until mixed.

Stir in bananas and nuts, blending well.

Pour into well greased 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan.

Ta da!

Bake for about 50 minutes or until done.

Remove from pan; cool on rack. Wrap and store overnight.

He’s getting on accident and on purpose mixed up sometimes, but we are working on that, lol.

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2010
January 6th, 2010
2010

I am SO EXCITED about 2010! In lieu of typical resolutions, I’ve decided to find ways to make personal, home, and life improvements, little by little, all year long. Call me crazy, but I’m not mapping out a course, making lists (well, not exactly, lol), or setting lofty goals. Sometimes too much of that can be slightly overwhelming and the truth is, many are doing pretty darn good to make it to February still following their resolutions! Come December, we’ll see if my idea works or not.

I’m not flying blind - I have lots of ideas and there are many areas where I’d like to make changes & improvements, plus I’m working on a little feature that will be getting quite the workout this year: my 2010 Books & Resources Guide For Personal, Home, and Life Improvements. It is coming along great - I’m excited about all the great books, DVDs, and other resources and I have this little feeling that you’ll love it too! I’m hoping to have it posted by the end of January, though I may be adding additional resources to it throughout the year. Want some changes but not sure where to start? My 2010 Books & Resources Guide For Personal, Home, and Life Improvements just might give you an idea or two.

I’ll be reading and doing and blogging all through 2010 as I shed a few pounds, paint rooms, develop a better budget, improve my working schedule (ala time management), and more. I plan to make a small improvement here and there… then make some more. I’ll take a few steps, then a few more, and by December will be able to see just how high I’ve climbed in 2010! Ready to take this journey with me and see how high YOU can climb? As I share mine, I want to hear all about YOUR accomplishments throughout the year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

HAPPY NEW DECADE!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YOU!!!!

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2009 Holiday Gift Guide - Gift Ideas For Women
December 21st, 2009

2009 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Gift Ideas For Women

SELECT COMFORT IN BALANCE SHEETS

Select Comfort In-Balance Sheets: Are you too hot at night? We’ve got your solution with the latest technology in temperature balancing materials. In Balance™ sheets help provide a more comfortable sleeping environment by balancing temperature swings. Outlast® Adaptive Comfort® sheets are 350-thread-count; 50% cotton and 50% Outlast® Adaptive Comfort®* Viscose fiber. In Balance sheets include SmartFit™, a patented fitted sheet that is completely surrounded by elastic, plus elastic anchor band at each of the corner pockets for a no-slip, smooth sleep surface. Fits any SLEEP NUMBER® bed. Extra-deep pocket fits beds up to 18 inches. Logic™ Label system takes the guesswork out of where to start making your bed.

HANES FOR WOMEN

This season, Hanes has a great offering of products under $10! Perfect for stocking stuffers, to replenish your own basics, or to gift to friends. I love the new style of ladies sweat pants (more of a yoga pany style than traditional sweat pants) and would be a cute, inexpensive, and useful gift when paired with a long-sleeve tee. Hanes can easily get everyone marked off your list without blowing your budget. Check out the Women’s Top 10 Under $10 for items pictured here + more.

CHIC BUDS & PINKTOOTH

ChicBuds Earphones: Treat your ears to somethin’ sweet! Adorned with Swarovski Crystals, chicBuds transforms functional earbuds into a deliciously stylish experience. But don’t be fooled! chicBuds are not only yummy looking–they’re convenient too. The built-in retractor allows the cord to expand and retract to 5 stopping points for various lengths.

ChicBuds Wireless Headset (aka The PinkTooth!): This crystal adorned wireless headset comes packaged in a couture “candy” tin…making these o so SWEET! The crystal clear sound, comfortable inner earbuds and light handling weigh make listening pleasure able even when those long customer service wait time seem unbearable. Cell phone talk time is up to 6 hours which should be more than enough time for late night chats with your girlfriend– and standby time lasts up to 200 hours

BUTTONED UP

Greetings.stash: This nifty little package of 12 stylishly designed cards (6 birthday, 2 anniversary, 2 thank you, 2 blank) has you covered for birthdays, anniversaries…and any other occasion you can think of.

ButtonedUp.coupons: Make someone feel truly pampered and loved this Holiday. This fun, friendly little coupon book from Buttoned Up® has 20 cleverly illustrated coupons that enable you to lighten the load of someone you love – mom, dad, roommate, or friend. Each one is perforated, so you can give one coupon at a time, or the whole book at once.

Pet.doc & Petsitter.pad: The Pet.doc™ makes it easy to keep everything, from basic license numbers & immunization records, to detailed medical histories & training notes in one, easy to find spot. The Petsitter.pad™ makes it a little easier to vacation without worry – its detailed form ensures no instruction is overlooked, from feeding times & walking schedules to favorite toys.

The Birthday.book functions as an extended memory bank for all of those people you want to remember on a particular date. Because it’s paper-based, it’s super-easy to use, and will never go bad or accidentally delete the records.

Tax.filer: Taxes paid, sanity intact. Enough said. If you’re one of the 100 million people who dread tax time, the Tax.filer filing system is here to help. This pre-labeled accordion file makes it a snap to wrangle all those forms, receipts and records that accumulate like weeds between January and April. Tabs are written in English, not in complicated financial lingo, so it’s easy to follow.

MORE FABULOUS GIFT IDEAS…..

Slatkin & Co Candles Perfect Christmas Collection: 4 fragrances: Fireside, Frosted Cranberry, Winter & Evergreen, capture holiday memories of sitting by the fire, walks through snowy woods, tasty holiday treats, & of course presents under the Christmas tree. Packaged in beautiful jewel tones: bronzes, silvers & winter whites.

“Rosie” Zip Up Jacket from the Ford Warriors In Pink Collection: Zip up in this vibrant, 100% cotton jacket with the signature Warriors in Pink® logo on the front lapel, & an intricate Warrior design on the back. This great jacket comes with both internal and external pockets - perfect for holding your most important items!

Badgley Mischka Couture - Holiday Gift Set: A sultry, alluring, and luxurious fragrance experience. Set includes: Eau de Parfum: A luxurious blend of rich, sensual fruits joined with exquisite feminine florals and seductive musks. 3.4 ounces. Parfum Elixir: Pure parfum in gel form, glides on to the pulse points for a silkening fragrance experience.

Rada Pro Nail Station makes it easy to get professional-style manicures & pedicures at home & allows to save time & money on visiting nail salons. The Stand positions hands and feet at the perfect angle, while the polish holder leaves your hands free to work quickly & comfortably without spills. Accessory Tray includes a pump bottle for polish remover, can be swiveled to any convenient position or detached completely.

ECOBAGS® - the original reusable bag, eco-friendly products and environmental updates - since 1989. For great gifting ideas, check out Gift Sets, Gifts Under $10, and Gifts Under $30. From bags to water bottles to utensil sets and more, ECOBAGS is your Eco-products home!

Dazzle Dry Nail System from VB Cosmetics: Everything you need to produce gorgeous nails at home. Dazzle Dry Nail System Retail Kit consists of one 1oz. Nail Prep and one 0.5oz. Base Coat for natural nails. You will also receive one 0.5oz. Dazzle Dry quick drying Top Coat and three 0.5oz. Nail Lacquers of your choice.

Mom’s Big Book Of Baking: 200 Simple, Foolproof Family Favorites for Birthday Parties, Bake Sales, and More - Baked goods made for and with children are the stuff of family memories. But before creating warm and fuzzy memories, you need recipes that allow you to bake without fear and don’t keep you chained to the kitchen for hours.

The Parent Trip: From Highheels & Parties To Highchairs & Potties - Edgy and honest, this resource was written to amuse, enlighten, & help new & veteran parents find humor in one of life’s wildest rides. Packed with insight, wit, & hard-won wisdom, it delivers the message every fledgling parent longs to hear: you’re not alone.

Salty Sweets: Delectable Desserts And Tempting Treats With A Sublime Kiss Of Salt -  75 delectable ways to enjoy this tasty twosome, proving along the way that salty sweets are not the sole province of fancy chefs and trendy chocolatiers. Seven recipe chapters cover every sort of treat, from little bites to cookies, bars, cakes, puddings, fruit desserts, and even ice creams.

Project Kells: Tara - Steeped in the ancient legends of Ireland’s Celtic heritage and royal past, these unique games of pure strategy are appreciated by young and old alike. Easy to learn, yet a lifetime to master, this is truly a gift to treasure.

Fifi Flowers Design: Fifi says life should be full of WHIMSY and FUN… beautiful things that surround her daily life are what inspire her to paint! See her collection of beautiful paintings and prints for a charming & whimsical one of a kind gift.

Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist offers unlimited creativity & invaluable tools for outstanding, photo-realistic scrapbooks to share with just one click. It’s easy & fun to create beautiful, handcrafted designs that look true to life, while saving the time & expense of trying out new layouts & concepts with physical pages. It contains everything needed to get started - including built-in photo editing tools & 10 free professionally-produced Digikits from DaisyTrail.

Embrace Bra Strap Solution: Check out the hottest new fashion MUST-HAVE! Wish you could wear your favorite bra with all your tops? Annoyed by your bra straps slipping off your shoulders? Don’t want to spend extra money on a specialty bra? Never worry about your straps slipping or showing again!

Hip-T: Whether you spend your day at a desk in school, the office, or simply find yourself bending to tie a youngster’s shoe a dozen times a day, you deserve a protected rear view. Hip-T is committed to providing ladies everywhere with an easy, comfortable & stylish way to cover their assets & clean up the rear view for everyone’s viewing pleasure.

Strappys Decorative Bra Straps: Interchangeable bra straps are fashionable, comfortable and affordable – no matter what your fashion style is. This flexible fashion accessory allows you to make your outfit elegant, flirty or casual. You can even add some bling to your bra. Strappys offers jewelry straps, beaded straps and fabric straps and constantly keep our inventory fresh with new styles and selections. Pictured: Gold Beaded Bra Straps

The Shower Hug is a great gift for the expectant or new mom, one that will be well appreciated! Pregnancy, postpartum & breastfeeding. A marathon welcome to motherhood! Needless to say, our bodies go through a lot, especially our breasts & nipples. They deserve a bit of tender loving care & the Shower Hug provides it!

The Beverage Caddi makes a very useful stocking stuffer: It’s simply a fun little accessory that lets you carry beverages with just one finger, so you can still text, carry books or kids, open doors, even pull luggage…you’ll know when you shoulda had a CADDi.

Amon Maternity Bodyshaper: After your baby is born, this new body shaper provides a firm yet comfortable fit around your tummy and mid-section. Helping you regain your pre-pregnancy figure. Fabric has remarkable stretch and breathability.

Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hairbrush Collections: Olivia Garden specializes in professional beauty tools. Available at these locations.

Picture Keeper: Just insert the Picture Keeper drive into any USB port on your PC, click “Start Backup” and Picture Keeper automatically finds and saves all your pictures.

Bling Strands: The newest and hottest trend in fashion hair accessories! Be dramatic and mysterious, elegant and classy, fun and flirty,or add that final touch to your fabulous look!

Promote Like A Pro: Small Budget, Big Show: Getting a book published is no easy task, but promoting it may be even harder. This book helps self-publishers (& other entrepreneurs with projects to promote) reach the audiences that want their books.

Shakespeare: To Teach Or Not To Teach - Excellent resource for teaching or directing Shakespeare. Great ideas for different teaching methodologies and plenty of across-the-curriculum activities.



Products were provided by respective companies / brands.

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2009 Holiday Gift Guide - Gift Ideas For Men
December 20th, 2009


2009 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Gift Ideas For Men

V-MODA VIBE II

  V-MODA’s new Vibe II with Microphone, is a dual-use headphone/headset that any man would appreciate. The earbuds fit securely so users won’t be fumbling around as they enjoy their listening experience, which is heightened by the outside sound-reducing technology. Constructed from high quality materials, these headphones are built to last making them the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, he will look hip and trendy thanks to the sleek design.

WATER LOVERS GIFT BASKET

Know a health & fitness nut, someone that just loves water, or perhaps has a goal of drinking more water? Give a gift basket with everything they need! Suggestions: Brita Water Filteration Pitcher, plastic / stainless steel re-useable water bottles such as those from Filter For Good and Tappening, & the book Cool Waters: 50 Refreshing, Healthy Homemade Thirst-Quenchers. Book description: With additives like sugar & artificial flavors, many commercial drinks aren’t as healthy as they seem. With Cool Waters, it’s easy & economical to create one-of-a-kind infusions that are healthier & better-tasting than anything found in stores. Recipes include Pineapple & Lime Seltzer, Pomegranate Flair, Mint Mist, & even flavored ice cubes.  You could put together a basket for around $40 for the basics (filter, book, bottle) or build a bigger basket to include additional water bottles & recipe ingredients. Take the Filter For Good pledge & get a $5 Brita coupon.

HANES FOR MEN



This season, Hanes has a great offering of products under $10! Perfect for stocking stuffers (Christmas is the perfect time to replensih the guys’ socks & underwear + other simple essentials) and gift giving (tees or winter sweats always come in handy), Hanes can easily get everyone marked off your list without blowing your budget. Check out the Men’s Top 10 Under $10 for items pictured here + more.

FEBREZE GIFT BASKET


A collection of Febreze products gathered in a gift basket makes a great - and useful! - gift. With their new Destinations and Home Collection lines added to their array of products, there are lots of great options! Pictured: Air Refresher (Moroccan Bazaar), Flameless Luminary, Noticeables (Moroccan Bazaar), Candle (from their Home Collection), and Febreze To Go.

BELLESTAR JEWELRY

Since 1983 Bellestar Jewelry has been setting the standard by providing excellent customer service coupled with a quality product at a reasonable price. We own a piece of Bellestar Jewelry - it is stunning, very well made, and was instantly (and still is) a favorite piece. Check out Bellestar’s Top 10 Jewelry Gift Ideas.

MORE FABULOUS GIFTS:

X Rocawear Holiday Gift Set + Gift With Purchase: Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 fl. oz, All Over Body Shampoo 3.4 fl. oz, Deodorant 2.6 oz.,  Gift with Purchase – Rocawear Duffle Bag. $70.00 (a $93 value) Receive a Rocawear duffle bag with your purchase of $65 or more

Warrior Tie: This unique tie highlights your fashion sense & your support of the fight against breast cancer. It is printed on a ribbed, 100% silk king twill, which adds texture & depth. The classic Warriors in Pink logo is screened into the bottom right-hand corner.

Rocky: The Undisputed Collection on Blu-Ray - Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Rocky Balboa, Rocky Anthology Bonus Disc, Feeling Strong Now! Game, and Rocky Featurettes.

Clickfree Automatic Backup iPod & iPhone Transformer USB 2.0 T402 (white): Add Clickfree Automatic Backup to any iPod or iPhone. Lets you import music & playlists from the connected iPod/iPhone to any computer. Connect the Transformer Cable to your computer’s USB port, then connect any iPod or iPhone to the Transformer with its USB cable, then backup will start automatically.

Clickfree Automatic Backup DVD Transformer USB 2.0 T202 (Silver): Back up your computer effortlessly onto DVDs or CDs. Plug the DVD Transformer into your computer’s USB port & it will automatically search your computer for files that need to be backed up.

Clickfree Automatic Backup 160 GB Portable External Hard Drive
HD801 (Metallic Silver): Just take it out of the box, connect the USB cable to your computer, and you’re done. All of your precious photos, music, video, email and so much more are automatically backed up. Clickfree Backs up over 400 file types.



Family Guy Presents: Something Something Darkside on Blu-Ray or DVD - The story of The Empire Strikes Back is retold. Darth Vader (Stewie) is hunting the rebel Luke Skywalker (Chris) and his troops relentlessly across the galaxy. It all comes to a head in a climactic confrontation with Darth Vader himself…

Bergino Handmade Baseballs: “Super Dad” from the Baseball Word Collection - Denim-colored suede, white embroidered wording. Handmade to professional standards. Includes Gift Box/Turf Base Stand.

Dremel 4000: Tthe brand’s most powerful and versatile rotary tool yet and it’s the only Dremel rotary tool compatible with all Dremel attachments and accessories. Plus, two new attachments are also debuting with the Dremel 4000 including a pistol grip that allows users to have more control over the project they’re working on. It’s great for detail work.

Dirt Devil Gator Series: a unique line of hand vacs designed to make dirt disposal easy. The Dirt Devil® Gator Series™ dirt cup flips open for easy emptying versus the traditional two-piece dirt cup that requires users to take the unit apart and remove dirt and dust with their hands. Now, they can just press the release buttons and empty debris without touching the dirt, saving both time and effort. No parts, no mess…clean hands!

Zuca is the gift that allows you to roll right into the New Year. The Pro is ideal for traveler & fits conveniently into overhead compartments. Comes with organization packing sacks & includes a TSA compliant toiletries pouch. The Sport is the rage w/students who carry books, sports equipment & games. Pets are cozy and comfortable tucked into the Sport. Even cats enjoy the car when they are traveling in ZÜCA style!

Bodum Brazil 3-Cup French Press: Incredibly versatile & the frame & handle are heat resistant. All of the components are dishwasher safe. Makes 12 oz. Using a French Press is an amazing way to extract the essential oils from coarse ground coffee beans. It is even a more eco-friendly option as you’re not constantly throwing away paper coffee filters after use, not to mention the amazing taste that you get from brewing! Chuggin McCoffee is a coffee fanatic that has spent the entirety of his career cultivating & studying all of the best uses & brewing styles for optimal coffee & espresso flavor. Visit his specialty site for all coffee needs & supplies.

The Giving Tree GiveCard is a prepaid network branded gift card designed for people who want to make a difference. Scenario: Buy a GiveCard with a $50 value. Giftee receives the GiveCard w/ activation instructions then goes online to activate it & choose the charity to send the designated 10% ($5). He/she takes the GiveCard to the store to spend the remaining $45.

YesDVD Smileshow: enables consumers to enjoy and share digital photos and video clips as a movie slideshow, set to music, via a DVD. Great for busy parents or anyone who wants to preserve digital memories, the Smileshow DVD is easily created online in the comfort of one’s home on their computer with a variety of customized options. YesDVD Smileshow is also a really affordable way to share photos and videos with loved ones.

The Economical Guide To Self Publishing: Get your work to readers faster, while maintaining creative control & making more money! While it gives writers the nuts & bolts of publishing, such as copywriting, acquiring an ISBN, editing, typesetting, printing & distributing, etc., in an easy-to-digest manner, readers also receive an invaluable arsenal of conventional & sometimes unconventional methods for marketing, promoting & obtaining free publicity.


Products were provided by respective companies / brands.

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Giveaway: Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas Pkg ENDS 12/21
December 17th, 2009

GIVEAWAY!

This Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas Pkg includes:



Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas Book
Fancy Nancy Wrapping Paper
Fancy Nancy Event & Activity Guide
Bells

BUY IT:

Pick up your copy of the Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas on Amazon for $8.50.

WIN IT!

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment about what you expect to be splendiferous about this Christmas!

BONUS ENTRIES:

Subscribe to the RSS feed of Shake The Salt and the RSS feed of Savvy Frugalistas, my new blog all about saving & making money. (1 entry each)

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook. (1 entry each)

Tweet this giveaway - include link & @SavvyFrugalista (1 entry per tweet, max 1 per day)

RULES:

You must follow the initial form of entry before being eligible for any bonus entries.

US only.

DEADLINE: 11:59 PM EST, Monday Dec 21, 2009

Winner must respond within 48 hours of winning announcement or another winner may be chosen.

This giveaway is provided by Harper Collins.

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