Sarah McLachlan's LAWS OF ILLUSION cd review

TRACKLISTING

1. AWAKENINGS
2. ILLUSIONS OF BLISS
3. LOVING YOU IS EASY
4. CHANGES
5. FORGIVENESS
6. RIVERS OF LOVE
7. LOVE COME
8. OUT OF TUNE
9. HEARTBREAK
10. DON’T GIVE UP ON US
11. U WANT ME 2
12. BRING ON THE WONDER

Sarah McLachlan's new cd LAWS OF ILLUSION is a good cd. Sarah still gots it going on. She has been in the industry for a long time, and when you can continue to create great music it is wonderful to the fans. My favorite song to listen to is Loving You is Easy. But I like them all. Her voice is so different. She brings such feeling to the words in every song. Every song touches me. Just as she sits on the cover of her cd, I sit by my window, listening and absorbing the words. Beautiful songs and words, that move me.

This cd was released on June 15. And she will be joining great singers in this years Lilith Fair 2010. She is coming to Houston on Aug 15 to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

***Disclosure-I received a copy of the cd for this review as part of my membership in One2One Network. These are Independentmami's honest opinions.

New Caress Whipped Souffle body wash review

Picture this....
It's Friday afternoon. You just got off work, and are ready to hangout tonight. Need to jump in the shower before you head out. You jump in, grab the body wash, and then....
The body wash feels like whipped cream and smells like blackberry and vanilla. Rinse off, and feel your skin so silky smooth. I have you wondering what I am talking about. The New Caress Whipped Souffle does all it says it will do.
•Blackberry Cream Soufflé Body Wash – whipped with Blackberry and vanilla
•White Peach Cream Soufflé Body Wash – whipped with White Peach and a blend of Silk Blossom

Thanks to Caress I was able to try first and tell you exactly what happened to me. I have used it and love how my skin feels after using it. Now you are ready to have a great night, have fun!

Check out their new webpage www.facebook.com/caresskin. NEW Whipped Soufflé Body Washes, which let women indulge in supremely soft, silky skin and offer the highest level of moisturization from the Caress collection.

Caress also teamed up with award winning dancer and country singer Julianne Hough, to show women how to flaunt sexy skin on the dance floor, sharing beauty secrets to get gorgeous, as well as dance tips.

Julianne Hough’s Tips for Tantalizing Skin You’ll want to Flaunt:

Step 1: Buff. To flaunt fab skin in the city, use a pumice stone to treat dry spots, like elbows and heels.
Step 2: Hydrate. Boost your water intake - it will help you feel refreshed and vibrant all night long.
Step 3: Indulge. Before you hit the town, maximize your shower and make skin flaunt-worthy with the new Caress Whipped Soufflés. These ultra-light, yet creamy body washes deliver both incredible fragrances and moisturization in one.

Enter to win a girl's getaway at Dance with Caress, and get Julianne’s beauty tips for flaunt-worthy skin in her new videos.

Yoursphere.com Rewards Program

My son has been playing on Yoursphere.com this summer. Just for playing online and hanging out with kids his age he has earn credits. Credits earn you gifts from the gift gallery. Your kids can earn credits many ways.

How can you earn credits? Any number of ways that we always keep changing. One day credits may be earned for leaving a comment and treating other members with kindness and respect; another day for creating a sphere, or adding a photo or video that you'd love to share. Sometimes credits will be earned for playing games in the virtual world, writing a blog, sending friend requests, or inviting others you know to join Yoursphere.

When you're ready to receive your gift, simply send an email to AwardsManager@Yoursphere.com and let us know what you'd like.

So if you haven't gotten started on Yoursphere.com. Use my code: YSMC-0064

here is more information:
Yoursphere.com offers a vibrant, online, interactive, experience for kids and teens. Member’s safety and privacy come first through the application of common sense safeguards. The site devotes a hyper-focus towards supporting the positive interests, talents and aspirations of its members.

The site is free and is exclusively for children and young people through their senior year in high school. Yoursphere offers members a unique online community experience that is rewards-based, content appropriate, age-relevant, and socially conscious.

Yoursphere leads the global social media industry in online safety through our unparalleled common sense approach. We verify identities, require parental consent, perform a predator check, and use both technology and human oversight to monitor site activity. Because of these standards, Yoursphere is the sole youth-only online community approved by the Privacy Vaults Online Safe Harbor of the Federal Trade Commission.

Parents are empowered and educated with tools and information to help create a safety-first experience for their children online through Mary Kay’s Internet and Social Networking Safety Blog: Yoursphere for Parents.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Yoursphere.com Parents Get informed

Have you heard of Yoursphere.com? It is a great place for parents with tweens/teens. Not only do they get to socialize but you get to keep an eye on them and know that they are safe. Parents can stay connected and find out more with the Yoursphere Parent Newsletter.

Below is this month's-

June 2010 Parent Newsletter

What’s going on in Yoursphere

The new and improved gift gallery
This month’s featured spheres
New and exciting contests
Yoursphere young writers – summer book review
Upcoming events and Internet-Safety News

An inspiring story in honor of Father’s Day
Spreading the word about Yoursphere through Mom Central, Inc.
How to reclaim your privacy on Facebook
Continue reading "Yoursphere Parent Newsletter - June 2010"


I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Are your kids bored this summer?

Are you having a hard time keeping the kiddos busy like I am? My son is 11 and we have a couple of things planned but other than that the rest of the summer has nothing. He keeps telling me he is bored. Dr. Mary Zurn from DrZandme.com and Primrose Schools have got 11 Wallet-Friendly Ideas.

Here are 11 ideas parents can use to keep young minds active during the summer months:

1. Boredom Buster Jar: At the beginning of the summer, sit down with your family and brainstorm a list of activities that can be done alone or that you can enjoy doing together. Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family "Boredom Buster Jar." They'll feel more involved in the project and more likely to think this is a "neat" idea, if they participate in the creation and idea generation. Next, write everyone's ideas down on slips of paper and as a group decide which ones should go in the jar. Anyone in the family can pull any idea out of the jar to fight the summertime boredom blues.

2. Stories Alive: It sounds too simple, but reading is one of the most important waysto keep young minds engaged during the summer.Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life. For example, in the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, children create a make-believe town in the desert out of rocks, boxes, and their imaginations. Read the book with your children and then challenge them to create their own town with materials they find in the backyard.

3. Art Start Box: You'll need to gather basic art supplies-child safe scissors, glue, markers, tape and construction paper. Put them in a special box along with empty oatmeal boxes and paper towel rolls, colorful magazines and bits of aluminum foil. Occasionally add a special surprise like chalk, stickers, or stamp pads so there's always something new for the children to find. Even if you normally have these supplies around the house, it's fun for children to know that the Art Start Box is just for them. They'll probably have some good ideas of other household items that can be recycled to fuel their creative energies.

4. Family Performances: Break out old clothes or costumes and encourage children to make up characters and create a play to act out. They are the directors, actors, and producers. They can also make musical instruments out of pots/pans, wooden spoons, empty canisters and have a parade; or everyone can play along to your family's favorite songs. Record or video the performances, and enjoy the replay. You'll also be capturing a bit of family history everyone will enjoy for years to come.

5. Family Dance Party: Crank up the music and encourage your entire family to boogie down. Dancing gives children a great outlet for self-expression through their own motion and helps build self-esteem. It also enhances motor and coordination development by incorporating skills like jumping, landing and leaping. Dancing is a great activity that can involve the whole family and doesn't take very much preparation.

6. Fort Building: Children love to build all kinds of structures--from small towns to large towers. Constructing forts or tents is an activity that can keep children focused and problem solving for hours. All the items you need can be found around the house- some chairs, cushions, blankets, and of course adult supervision.

7. Cookbook Fun: Have you ever shared your favorite cookbook with your children? Take it out and ask your children to choose a recipe to try. Measuring can be a fun and easy way to keep math skills fresh.

8. Summer Scrapbook: All you need for this project is a spiral notebook. Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos from special events throughout the summer. Children love to go back through scrapbooks and albums and tell about what happened at each occasion. They will also be building their storytelling skills at the same time.

9. Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard, in the den or at the park and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear what I hear? Can you imitate the sound? This is similar to watching the clouds and naming the shapes, and it encourages everyone to slow down and focus on listening.

10. Camping Out: Pretend to campout in the backyard. Plan a meal, pack a backpack and set up a campsite. You might even decide to spend the night!

11. Scavenger Hunt: Make a list or picture cards of common household items and have your children find the items on the list. Invite friends or neighbors to join in the fun to make it a competition.




Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.

Johnson's Baby Product Review and Giveaway CLOSED***

My family has used Johnson's baby products since I was a little girl. I have used and currently use them on my boys. And I get no complains, other than when we try to use something other than Johnson's products. When you have sensitive skin you want to make sure you use products that won't be harmful to your babies. These products are great not only from when they are babies but as they as they get older.

It's bath time. Both of my boys love to take baths. But one thing most babies and kids hate is for you to wash their head/hair. I love using JOHNSON'S® HEAD-TO-TOE® Baby Wash. My boys never stopped playing and it never iritated their eyes.





JOHNSON'S® HEAD-TO-TOE® Baby Wash
JOHNSON'S® Baby Shampoo
JOHNSON'S® Baby Lotion
JOHNSON'S® Baby Oil
JOHNSON'S® Baby Powder
Soap-free, dye-free, hypoallergenic and allergy- and dermatologist-tested.

These products are great from start to finish for babies and your little ones. Take care of their skin after the bath with JOHNSON'S® Baby Lotion. I love how the lotion smell. You know when people say they love that baby smell, it's the JOHNSON'S® they are smelling. I use JOHNSON'S® Baby Oil on my body because it leaves it smelling good, nice shiny look, and it's great on my skin.
They have so many products to chose from bathtime, bedtime, cleanse, moisturize, hair care, diaper care, sun protection and much, much more.






JOHNSON'S® BUDDIES® Moisturizing Body Wash
JOHNSON'S® BUDDIES® NO MORE TANGLES® Easy-Comb 2-in-1 Shampoo
JOHNSON'S® BUDDIES® NO MORE TANGLES® Detangler
JOHNSON'S® KIDS® HEAD-TO-TOE® Body Wash Tropical Blast
JOHNSON'S® KIDS® NO MORE TANGLES® Detangling Spray STRAWBERRY SENSATION™

Have you tried Johnson's products? Would you like to win a $50 gift bag full of products?

Here is how to enter:
1) Tell me what product is your favorite and why? (1 entry)
2) Follow me on blogger. (1 entry)
3) Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
4) Tweet. (1 entry per tweet)
Win a Johnson gift basket $50 value @independentmami #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/28z9qps

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, July 6 at 8 am. 3 winners will be selected at random.org. Please leave an email in your comment. Winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Thank you and good luck.

***Disclosure-I was sent a Johnson's product's gift basket. These are all my honest opinions. Johnson's baby products are used and have always been used in Independentmami's house.

JOHNSON’S® Baby YouTubeChannel: Big Bubblin Stars Contest

JOHNSON’S® Baby YouTubeChannel: Big Bubblin Stars Contest
Your Video Can Win $10,000
Grab your video camera, have fun with your little ones and make big splashes. JOHNSON’S Baby YouTube Channel is bringing you its second Big Bubblin Stars Contest. To participate, visit www.youtube.com/baby and submit your bath time fun video (3 minutes or less). Submissions will be accepted from June 1 - July 6. All you need is water, bubbles and your baby (from 6 months to 4 years old).
Winners will be selected though a combination of judging panel and viewer votes. Prizes include: Grand Prize: $10,000| Runner Up: $3,000 | 2nd Runner Up: $1,000, plus JOHNSON’S & CRAYOLA products. Contest Winners will be announced August 8.
Viewers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite video from July 13 through July 27 with a chance to win $1,000 or a FLIP HD Camera plus CRAYOLA products. For every video submitted, JOHNSON’S will make a donation to MARCH OF DIMES.

Concurso “Big Bubblin Stars 2010”

Tu Video Puede Ganar $10,000
Alista tu video cámara y disfruta con tus pequeños haciendo burbujas. JOHNSON’S Baby YouTube Channel te trae el segundo concurso “Big Bubblin Stars 2010”. Los videos serán aceptados a partir del 1ero de junio hasta el 6 de julio de 2010. Para participar, visita www.youtube.com/baby y envía un video de tus hijos disfrutando en la bañera (3 minutos o menos). Todo lo que necesitas para participar es agua, burbujas y tu bebé (desde los 6 meses hasta los 4 años).
Los ganadores serán elegidos por medio de un panel de jurados y los votos de la audiencia. Los premios incluyen: Premio Mayor: $10,000 | 1er Finalista: $3,000 | 2nd Finalista: $1,000, además de los productos JOHNSON’S & CRAYOLA. Los ganadores del concurso serán anunciados el 8 de agosto de 2010.
La audiencia también podrá votar por sus video favorito desde el 13 de julio hasta el 27 de julio, con la oportunidad de ganar $1,000 o una cámara FLIP HD, además de los productos CRAYOLA. Por cada video participante, JOHNSON’S contribuirá con una donación en beneficio de la organización MARCH OF DIMES.

Links for Disney World Travel

Disney World Discount Packages
Disney World Vacations
Disney Cruise Packages
Disney Cruise Discounts
Harry Potter Park
Universal Studios Packages
Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney Packages

La Receta De Mi Cocina Winner

Back in October, Que Rica Vida hosted a contest, "La Receta de Mi Cocina," which I wrote about on my blog.

A winner has been announced. Leo Valenzuela, a realtor from Snowflake, AZ, won over hundreds of other participants, who sent in their recipes online between October 2009 and January 2010. His winning recipe was his own version of a traditional beef pot pie with vegetables, topped with Original Bisquick® mix and spicy Latin flavorings, which wowed the panel of professionals judges.

As Grand Prize winner, Valenzuela received a $3,000 check for a complete dining room makeover, plus a trip to the General Mills headquarters in Minneapolis to tour the Betty Crocker Kitchens.


Leo's winning recipe of Pastel de Carne y Verduras

There were two runner ups who received $500 for their winning efforts. To see their recipes, visit: www.LaRecetaDeMiCocina.com.

My wedding might just kill me

I have not been feeling good, and I have not been sleeping. I have woken up with puffy, dark circles under my eyes from little, to no sleep at all somedays. This past week I have been very worrysome because my eyes were acting crazy. I went to the eye doctor and everything was fine. So today I went to my doctor and she ran test on me. Guess what? Her diagnosis-my wedding is stressing me out. Not under are my oxygen levels really low, but my blood pressure is really high. The doctor said stress triggers Asthma, no wonder I haven't been able to breath. The stress that I did not know I was having is causing me to not sleep. The no sleep is making me tired and not be able to think. The not being able to think and concentrate is making me stressed. All this from a wedding that is a couple of months away. I never thought it would do this to my body. I don't feel as if I am stressing. I have the perfect guy who loves me, wants to marry me, and encourages me. I have wonderful family and friends who drop everything to help me. They have been there helping every step of the way. I have a great support system at work and at my gym. What else can a girl ask for?
But I guess my body is trying to tell me something I refuse to accept. As the date gets closer I am getting nervous. This is going to be one of the happiest days of our lives, and I need to accept the things that come my way.

Loca Loba Pound for Pound Giveaway

What is Pound for Pound? Why is it important more people take a part?

Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network) is the nation’s leading domestic charitable hunger-relief organization. It provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive.

Feeding America’s network of more than 200 member food banks supports approximately 63,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 70,000 programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, Kids Cafes, BackPack programs and senior centers.

Each year, the Feeding America network provides assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.

Feeding America will use the funds donated by The Pound For Pound Challenge to deliver groceries to its network of local food banks.


So join now, and you can help yourself and others. Loca Loba is giving away a $30 Kroger gift card, so you can get started.

Father’s Day Recipes

Abuelita® & Banana Pancakes
This Father’s Day, Mom and kids can surprise Dad for breakfast with these delicious chocolate-infused Abuelita® & Banana Pancakes. It’s sure to be a sweet start to his day!
Estimated Times
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 6 mins
Makes 15 pancakes

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup NESTLÉ® ABUELITA® Chocolate Syrup
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 medium bananas, chopped
1 medium banana, sliced

DIRECTIONS
COMBINE flour, milk, Abuelita syrup, eggs, oil, baking powder and salt in large bowl; stir until blended. Stir in chopped bananas.

GREASE large, nonstick skillet. Heat over medium heat. Pour about 1/4 cup pancake batter for each pancake onto hot skillet; cook for 3 minutes or until bubbles appear. Turn over; cook for an additional 3 minutes or until lightly golden. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm with sliced banana and additional Abuelita syrup.

Coffee-Spice Rubbed Ribs
Mom can continue to take Dad on a flavorful journey with a delicious meal perfect for the outdoors. Made with a unique coffee rub mixture that features a hint of cocoa, these Coffee-Spice Rubbed Ribs are sure to satisfy Dad’s appetite for lunch or dinner.

Estimated Times
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 245 mins
Wait Time: Standing 60 mins
Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS 2 racks (about 4 pounds total) baby back ribs
2 1/2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons NESCAFÉ® TASTER'S CHOICE 100% Pure Instant Coffee Granules or NESCAFÉ® CLÁSICOTM Pure Instant Coffee Granules
1 1/4 teaspoons sea or kosher salt
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 bottle (12 fluid ounces) amber ale or 1 1/2 cups dry red wine

DIRECTIONS
FIT rack inside large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Using knife, remove membranes from bone side of ribs (this step is very important for tender ribs). Pat ribs dry with paper towel; place on rack with meat side up.

COMBINE sugar, coffee granules, salt, garlic powder, coriander, pepper and cocoa in coffee or spice grinder; cover. Process until smooth. Lightly rub ribs with oil. Sprinkle with rub mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere to the ribs. Let stand at room temperature for no more than 1 hour.

PREHEAT oven to 250° F. Pour beer into bottom of roasting pan. Cover pan with foil; bake for 4 to 5 hours (this will be long enough for the meat to be very tender, but not falling off the bones). Preheat grill. Grill ribs over medium flame, turning once, for 5 minutes.

Cook’s Tip: Double or triple the spice rub and store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place. It will remain fresh for up to 1 month. Use 2 to 3 teaspoons rub per pound of meat. Rub is also great on pork chops, pork tenderloin, skinless chicken breasts and salmon fillets!


Pictures and recipes are courtesy of Nestle.

Recetas para el Día del Padre

Panqueques de Abuelita y Plátano
Tiempo Estimado
Tiempo para Preparación: 10 min
Tiempo para Cocción: 6 min

Producciones: 15 panqueques

Ingredientes:
1 1/2 tazas de harina para todo uso
3/4 taza de leche
1/2 taza de Syrup de Chocolate ABUELITA de NESTLÉ
2 huevos grandes
2 cucharadas de aceite vegetal
1 cucharada de polvo para hornear
1/4 cucharadita de sal
2 plátanos medianos, picados
1 plátano mediano, en rodajas
Instrucciones:
COMBINA la harina, la leche, el syrup Abuelita, los huevos, el aceite, el polvo para hornear y la sal en un tazón mediano; mezcla bien. Agrégala los plátanos picados.

ENGRASA una sartén antiadherente grande. Calienta la sartén a fuego medio. Para cada panqueque, pon 1/4 de taza de la mezcla en la sartén y cocina durante 3 minutos o hasta que aparezcan burbujas. Voltéalos; cocina durante 3 minutos más, o hasta que estén ligeramente dorados. Repite con la mezcla restante. Sírvelos tibios con las rodajas de plátano y con syrup Abuelita adicional.

Costillas con Aliño de Café y Especies
Tiempo Estimado
Tiempo para Preparación: 15 min
Tiempo para Cocción: 4 hr 5 min
Tiempo para Reposar: 1 hr
Porciones: 8

Ingredientes:
2 costillares (aprox. 4 libras en total) de costillitas tiernas
2 1/2 cucharaditas compactas de azúcar moreno
1 1/4 cucharaditas de Café 100% Puro Soluble NESCAFÉ TASTER'S CHOICE o de Café Puro Soluble NESCAFÉ CLÁSICO
1 1/4 cucharaditas de sal de mar o sal kosher
1 1/4 cucharaditas de polvo de ajo
1 1/4 cucharaditas de semilla de cilantro
3/4 cucharadita de pimienta negra recién molida
1/4 cucharadita de cacao en polvo NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Baking Cocoa
1 cucharadita de aceite vegetal
1 botella (12 onzas líquidas) de cerveza oscura o 1 1/2 tazas de vino tinto seco
Instrucciones:
ACOMODA una rejilla en una asadera o en una bandeja para hornear con bordes. Usando un cuchillo, retira la membrana de los dos lados de las costillas (éste proceso es muy importante para obtener costillas tiernas). Seca las costillas con toallas de papel y ponlas sobre la rejilla con la carne hacia arriba.

COMBINA el azúcar, el café, la sal, el polvo de ajo, las semillas de cilantro, la pimienta negra y el cacao en un molinillo de café o de especies. Tápalo y muélelos hasta que estén suaves. Frota las costillitas ligeramente con aceite y espolvoréalas con esta mezcla de especies presionando ligeramente para que se pegue bien a la carne. Deja reposar a temperatura ambiente durante no más de 1 hora.

PRECALIENTA el horno a 250° F. Vierte la cerveza al fondo de la asadera y tápala con papel de aluminio. Hornea las costillitas de 4 a 5 horas (es el tiempo suficiente para una carne tierna pero que no se deshaga). Precalienta la parrilla y asa las costillares a fuego medio durante 5 minutos, girándolas solo una vez.

Consejo de la cocina: Prepara el doble de ésta mezcla de especies y guárdala en un recipiente hermético en un lugar fresco y seco. Quedara fresco durante 1 mes entero. Usa de 2 a 3 cucharaditas para cada libra de carne. Ésta mezcla queda muy bien sobre costillas de cerdo, solomillo de cerdo, pechugas de pollo sin la piel y filete de salmón.


Fotos y recetas son cortecia de Nestle.

RaceTrac Freefill Cup

The new RaceTrac Freefill Cup available for only $6.99 at your local RaceTrac the entire summer from now until August 1st, without any additional charges! You can "like" RaceTrac on Facebook to get updates on future deals and promotions.

Lilith Fair Summer Tour Kicks Off in Two Weeks

This summer marks the return of the historic all-female Lilith Fair festival! From 1997 through 1999, Lilith Fair was one of the highest grossing touring festivals in the world, with over 2 million fans in attendance and raising over $10 million dollars for national and local women's charities.

Artists joining Sarah McLachlan on the bill to include:
Colbie Caillat, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Ke$ha, Norah Jones, Sugarland, Heart, Miranda Lambert, Beth Orton, Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Chantel Kreviazuk, Corinne Bailey Rae, Emmylou Harris, Gossip, Indigo Girls, Ingrid Michaelson, Jill Scott, Loretta Lynn, Metric, Sara Bareilles, Tegan and Sara and more!

Jun 27 Calgary, AB McMahon Stadium
Jun 28 Edmonton, AB Northlands Spectrum
Jul 1 Vancouver, BC, Canada Pitt Meadows Airport
Jul 2 Portland, OR Sleep Country Amphitheatre
Jul 3 Seattle/George, WA The Gorge Amphitheatre
Jul 5 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
Jul 7 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Jul 8 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Jul 9 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center
Jul 10 Los Angeles, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul 12 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Jul 13 Denver, CO Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jul 15 Kansas City, MO Capitol Federal Park @ Sandstone
Jul 16 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul 17 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul 18 Minneapolis, MN Canterbury Park
Jul 20 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
Jul 21 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul 23 Montreal, QC Parc Jean Drapaeu
Jul 24 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Jul 27 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
Jul 28 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
Jul 30 Boston, MA Comcast Center
Jul 31 New York, NY PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug 1 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre
Aug 3 Washington, DC TBA
Aug 4 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
Aug 6 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
Aug 7 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Aug 8 Atlanta, GA Aarons Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Aug 10 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
Aug 11 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
Aug 12 Birmingham, AL Verizon Wireless Music Center
Aug 14 Austin, TX TBA
Aug 15 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug 16 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center


Click here to buy tickets.

Sarah McLachlan's Laws of Illusion In Stores NOW

Grammy® award winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan's is now in stores...

Album Tracks:
Awakenings
Illusions of Bliss
Loving You Is Easy
Changes
Forgiveness
Rivers Of Love
Love Come
Out Of Tune
Heartbreak
Don't Give Up On Us
U Want Me 2
Bring On The Wonder


Buy LAWS of ILLUSION on Amazon for just $9.99.

Reality Check

So I have a few months before my wedding, and I had not tried on my dress. I know I got it too early but that was the dress and the size I saw myself in. Saturday morning, I had my son help me try to zip my dress, and guess what? It doesn't zip up.
WHAT A REALITY CHECK?
I have been working really hard to get back down to my normal, regular size. It has been months since I started this mission. I only need 1 more dress size and have 3 months more to do it in. Well i just found out that we take pictures next month. My birthday is next month. 3 years ago, that dress would have been falling off of me. I have alot of work to do but I am comitted to this. Never loose your momentum you start off with, like I did. I have been playing mental games with myself. I have not lost any weight since March when I could see my final goal only 10 lbs away. These couple of months I have been playing with the scale. The scale says one thing on Friday, then on Monday I have gained 3 lbs, and by Friday I have lost it again. The weekends mess me up. I mess up my eating schedule, don't workout, and sleep, what sleep. This Saturday I recommitted myself to my goal. I readjusted my eating schedule, and workout schedule. My goal is to get into the dress, no matter how many lbs it takes. My fiancee tells me not to look at the scale. There are some fit people whos scale weight would scare me, so no more killing myself over that number. I will tell you that on Friday, and today, Monday I weigh the same. I gained no weight. I said no to drinking, I worked out, and I ate better.
I will get into my dress, and it will zip all the way up!
Are you trying to loose weight? Do you have a time frame? What helped you stay focused?

The circus is coming to HOUSTON-July 2010

Moms can enter the pass code: HMOM11 to purchase four tickets for $44 to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Zing Zang Zoom.

Available performances for the four for $44 offer:
Thursday July 8, 7:30 PM,
Friday July 9th at 1:30 P.M.,
Wednesday July 14th 7:30 PM,
Thursday July 15th 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM,
Friday July 16th 10:30 AM,
Wednesday July 21st 7:30 PM, and
Thursday July 22nd 7:30 PM.

Service, handling, and facility fees may apply. Not valid on weekend and Friday evening performances. Not available for opening night. Not Valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row, VIP tickets.


This offer is only valid on www.ticketmaster.com.

Yoursphere.com-Spheres

If you tweens/teens have not joined, have them join now. It is free to join and use.

Log in now using this code:
YSMC-0064


Matt has been enjoying his time on Yoursphere.com. He has been joined spheres like OurWorld, Music, and TV. He also created one called CARS. He loves to talk about cars and anything that has to do with cars. His Yoursphere friends have posted pictures of cars they like.

Check out the spheres: create, connect and share! A sphere is a group where friends with like-minded interests like sports, music, fashion, gaming, academics, performing arts and more, interact. Yoursphere members can join any sphere, and can create their own – about anything they wish, and invite their friends.

Members can get a feel for what’s inside all the spheres by checking out their home pages. Here you can see what’s going on, what’s new, who has joined, what the latest posts are. To participate, you need to be a verified Yoursphere member.

"I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review."




Log on now Yoursphere.com

Introducing “The DIY Dish”

Are you crafty? Do you like projects? DIY projects? I love being crafty. I love trying to make things myself. With all the things I have to get ready for my wedding and trying to budget, DIY projects are one of the things we are currently focusing on. So I like to find places where DIY crafts and projects are available for ideas. Check The DIY Dish. This is the current episode-11 Photos that Pop! Plus, Fabric-Covered Canvases This is perfect for my wedding.



This week's episode is being sponsored by One2One Network.

THERE IS A GIVEAWAY-
One2One Network and YouCanMakeThis.com are partnering to give away 5 prize packages that include a $50 gift card to Michaels Crafts Stores and a $50 bundle to YouCanMakeThis.com.

This giveaway is open to their viewers world-wide, 18 years and older. (void where prohibited) BUT HURRY- The giveaway is only open until June 7, 2010.


If you have not joined One2One Network, join today and get an extra entry to this giveaway.

visit www.the DIYdish.com to enter.


***Disclosure-I am posting this informational post for an entry to this giveaway. No monetary compensation was received.

I LOST MY ENGAGEMENT RING :(

This picture was taken on one of the happiest days of my life. It was the day my boyfriend became my fiancee. The day he put a ring on my finger. Fastfoward to today, so you can read how I lost my engagement ring.
06/02/10-I decided not to go workout like I normally do after work, so I could clean the house. I have been so busy with my son's graduation party, and wedding planning that I have been neglecting the house cleaning. On Saturday I had a house full of people for Matt's graduation. And on Monday, we spent the entire day at the beach. Plus this weekend I will be in Dallas and again won't be able to get to it. So I took a break from the gym and decided to go straight home and clean. My fiancee was so sweet because he started helping. We got alot done together. My son cleaned his room and the gameroom. My fiancee and I cleaned our room since everything got thrown in there because of the party. We took out so much trash, old newspapers, boxes from new items to review, and misc. I sprayed the tub, toilet, and sink. As I cleaned the tub I remembered my friends yelling at me because I never take off my ring, not even to clean. So when I was cleaning the sink, I used an old toothbrush and cleaned off my ring. I never took it off. We got done early since we both were in there. We came downstairs, had a snack, and watched a movie. After the movie we went to bed.
06/03/10-The power went off over night during the storm. So I had pulled my cell phone out of my purse, so we would wake up on time. My fiancee was working a sidejob and needed to get up at a different time than usual. I remember checking under the pillow every hour to check the time. He finally got up, got ready, and kiss me good-bye and off he went. I got up at my normal time. Jumped in the shower. Put my face cream on. I did all my usual things. I then headed downstairs. Today is trash day and since we just had a party, we had alot of trash to put out.
I had left some boxes out and shoved them into the trash bags to make them fit. We put it all at the curb and left. I dropped off my son at French Camp. I dropped the mail at the post office. I took off to work. I got to work and unloaded the supplies I had bought for the office. I got to my office and I went to put everything up in the supply closet. I found trash there and I took it to the dumpster. I came to my office and was ready to sit down when I looked down at my hand and it was gone.....my ring was gone. I started to hyperventilate. I was crying. Everyone came running to see what happened. One co-worker grabbed my keys went to the car and check there. Another headed to the supply closet. Another one tried calming me down. I called him. Yes, I call him. And he was so calm. He told me not to worry that it was probably at home. To calm down, because everything was going to be ok. I had to let him go, I could not deal with him calmness. I retraced all my steps and nothing. I drove home like crazy trying to beat the trash people. I got home and pulled all the trash into the garage. I grabbed my purse and ran into the house. I went to the kitchen becuase I remembered something falling out of my hand there but nothing. I went running upstairs and checked the shower. The ring has been fitting loose and everytime I was my hands or get them wet, the ring is even looser. Nothing in the tub, not on the floor, not on the sink, nowhere. Everyone including my fiancee old me it was on the pillow. So I go to check the pillows. The bed is still unmade as that is how I left it. I grabbed pillow #1 and shake but nothing. Same for pillow #2. As I pick pillow #3, hoping my ring is there, I see it. My ring was there.
I never knew how attached I had gotten to this ring. Or that it meant so much to me. I could not even imagine not having it. It now is on my middle finger, and yes I am getting it resized. I have been on a mision to lose weight for the wedding and am continuing to lose weight. I called my fiancee and I told him, now do you see the a ring is very important to us. A ring has never been important to me, but this ring is. I am so happy that I found my engagement ring!!!
Has anything like this ever happen to you? Did your world stop?

New Softlips PURE 100% Natural lip care line & Lip Clear Lysine + review and giveaway

Do your lips need a little pop, or some umphh? Are they lacking some gloss? To me less is always more when it comes to make up products. I have tried alot of lip glosses and most seem to be very thick. On a hot summer day who wants to have icky, gooiiee lips. I like to throw a little shine, with a hint of color on my lips for a small pop whether I am going on a road trip, to the beach, or just going for a walk. My lips get chapped and sometimes crack from so much sun at the pool or working out. So I like how softlips has a perfect lip gloss for me.

The new Softlips PURE 100% Natural line includes lip glosses, tinted lip balms, lip butter, and a lip polish. The premium products couple 100% natural ingredients with light pleasant flavors and are free from preservatives, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil and gluten. Each provides hydrating, natural SPF15 for dry lips with zinc oxide while providing a natural glossy color with shine or sheer tinted color.
lip tint-suggested retail price of $3.99 lip gloss-suggested retail price of $4.99
(available in 3 gorgeous shades-Coral Charm, Natural Honesty, & Shell Pink).
For the nude lip look with a little shine, Softlips PURE 100% Natural Lip Butter is a great option. It goes on silky and leaves lips with a hint of shine while providing hydrating, natural SPF 15 protection with zinc oxide (suggested retail price of $4.99).
Softlips PURE 100% Natural Lip Polish provides natural exfoliation for lips with organic coconut flakes and sugar and moisturizes, leaving lips looking healthy and smooth (suggested retail price of $5.99).
Softlips® PURE 100% Natural lip care products are available in the Naturals/Organic section at Target stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Softlips.

Another great product they offer is the LIP CLEAR Lysine+ Cold Sore Treatment. I don't suffer from cold sores but it is good to know there is a product I could use to get rid of them.
LIP CLEAR Lysine+ Cold Sore Treatment utilizes the active zinc oxide, as well as lysine – an essential amino acid – and 14 other natural ingredients to help treat cold sores faster; according to a Southern California University of Health Sciences study. It is clinically shown to cut healing time in half, median time to complete cold sore healing was four days, and a remarkable 40% of participants had full cure by end of third day. LIP CLEAR’s unique combination of natural ingredients provides immediate relief from symptomatic burning, itching and tingling upon application. LIP CLEAR Lysine+ is all-natural, has a non-chemical flavor, goes on clear, can be worn under lipstick and doesn’t burn on application. It provides immediate soothing relief of burning and itching. Suggested retail price is $6.99 for a 7-gram tube; available at drug stores, supermarkets and health food stores nationwide, and online at www.LipClear.com.

Would you like to win the entire line of the new Softlips Naturals products and 1 Lip Clear Lysine +? Enter now-

1) 1 entry-follow me on blogger
2) 1 entry-follow me on twitter @independentmami
3) 1 entry-follow me on facebook
4) 1 entry-follow me on Networked Blogs
5) 1 entry per tweet, unlimited-
Win entire line-new Softlips Naturals products & 1 Lip Clear Lysine 6/14 http://tinyurl.com/2dvjz5x

Giveaway ends on Monday, June 14 at 8 am. Please leave an email in the comment. Winner will have 24 hrs to claim prize. Good Luck.

***Disclosure-I received the entire line of the new Softlips Naturals products and 1 Lip Clear Lysine + to sample and review. No monetary compensation was received. These are Independentmami's honest opinions.

Hampton Hotels Discount and Sweepstake Offer

It is the summer, are you traveling anywhere? If you are, check this out. Hampton Hotels just started the Great Getaway Advance Purchase promotion. Guests get 20% off the best available rate at participating hotels when you book at least 7 days in advance for stays until July 15, 2010. Visit hampton.com to take advantage of this great offer.

They also have a sweepstake for you. Check this out....

One grand prize winner will win an entire hotel for a weekend (100 rooms for two nights). 100 other lucky folks will win a free weekend stay for them and three friends.
To enter and for more details, go to hampton.com

***Disclosure-This post will enter me for a chance win a Hampton Hotels "Be My Guest" certificate valid for one overnight stay. No monetary compensation was received. This is an informational post.

Neutrogena UltraSheer® Liquid Daily Sunblock REVIEWERS NEEDED

Neutrogena is still looking for reviewers. I just received mine and am putting it through the test. You can still get in on this oppotunity. Read on for details:



Product info
Neutrogena UltraSheer® Liquid Daily Sunblock, available in SPF 70 and 55. It's a breakthrough liquid sunblock so lightweight you won't believe it delivers superior sun protection. It's waterproof, sweatproof and won't clog your pores.

UltraSheer Liquid daily sunblock has a water-light texture that spreads easily over skin, absorbing instantly for a weightless feel and look. It provides an even, non-shiny finish that works beautiful alone or under makeup. This product also contains Helioplex® technology for superior broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

If interested, click here.

Winner of 100 Brochures

And the winner is Colleen.

She won 100 Half-fold brochures

8.5x11, 100lb Paper Gloss

Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping