#GOFETCH Video Contest

HOW TO ENTER

Create a short, cute, unique, or funny video:

1. Feature your dog attempting to catch a gift card (feel free to use editing skills).
2. The video must be under 2 minutes.
3. Use the word #gofetch in the title of your video.
4. Email your #gofetch video to kirstenm@giftcardrescue.com, subject go fetch.

HOW TO WIN

• All videos will be uploaded to the GiftCardRescue.com YouTube page once received by email.
• Videos will be reviewed by the GiftCardRescue.com Team with consideration of social media popularity to choose 10 finalists that will receive a $10 Petco gift card.
• The 10 finalists' videos will continue in the running for the Grand Prize, $500 Petco gift card.
• The Grand Prize winner will be chosen on creativity and social media engagement (YouTube views, Facebook likes, and retweets). Use the #gofetch tag when sharing your video.

RULES

April 1 - May 31, 2014

Grand Prize Winner receives a $500 Petco gift card

Top 10 Winners receive a $10 Petco gift card

Winners will be announced June 4, 2014

Sponsored by GiftCardRescue

ALONE YET NOT ALONE #Giveaway

It is so refreshing to me to see Hollywood come out with movies that touch on faith and religion lately. After all, our country was founded on the title "In God, We Trust."

I was given a copy of the book and movie soundtrack (film releases in theaters June 13, 2014) to review.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America's new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. That is, until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French and Indian War and the devastating raid known as the Penn's Creek Massacre.

The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by a band of Allegheny warriors. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hole firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again.

Rich in historical details, Alone Yet Not Alone is an inspirational, true story of a family caught in the cross fire of the French and Indian War.

This paperback book has 148 pages and is recommended for ages 8 and up. It is an easy read written in simple language. The story of the two sisters was a reminder to me that we are never alone.  Even if we don't have the people we love close by, if we have faith in God, we can overcome our trials and receive blessings. There is always someone on our side. Faith is a hard principle, but we need it only the size of a mustard seed (which I've seen and that's pretty small).

I like to turn on inspiring music on Sunday mornings and this soundtrack definitely fits that description. It is very gently sounding.

Visit the official movie website or Facebook for more information.

You can also reserve your seats to see the movie on June 13.

Want to win your own copy of the book? Enter below until 5/6:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

GRRR-ito

Just last week, Day-Z was on the deck sunbathing. 

Today, she is wrapped up in a blanket like a dog burrito.

Silly April showers...

DUCKYMETER

Sometimes I get surprised when I hop in the bath tub or even hot tub at how hot the water is because I don't look at the thermometer first. I know I can't do this when I have kiddies around, so I now have the Duckymeter. 

It is a baby bath floating duck toy and bath tub thermometer made by Ozeri. My nieces and nephews love toys in both the bath tub and hot tub when they come over. It makes splash time more fun, right. So the idea of the Duckymeter was a hit. 

Lola and I tested it out in the hot tub. It instantly activates in water (via sensors on the bottom), floats naturally, and is fully submersible. 

It checks the water temperature every second and displays the degrees (F) on an LCD screen and by changing screen color (blue for cold, green for just right, and red for hot). 

It's easy to use, fun to play with, and would make a great gift for those you know who have (or are having) little ones in their house. Everybody knows rubber ducky makes bath time lots of fun!

ADOVIA Products Review

There are a few people that drive me crazy. Some are the ones at the mall who call you over to try their dead sea salt masks and lotions (the same goes for the straight iron kiosk people). The products seem fantastic, but the people who sell it go through this routine:

1. They put the product on you.

2. Show how you how awesome it is on one side of your face or hand.

3. Call their coworker over who is equally amazed at how great it worked on you that they have to take a photo on their cell phone to show their manager.

4. They pressure you to buy it. But you are hesitant because it costs over $400.

5. They like you so they ask the boss if they can get you a great deal hundreds of dollars less than they are supposed to (only if you promise not to tell your friends).

6. More pressure to buy it by both sales people because you don't want to be old with wrinkles and bad skin and they cannot give you this offer a different day (their "boss" isn't THAT generous).

7. You tell them you need to think about it because you aren't an impulse buyer (only to find the product online for A LOT less money) and they say bad things about you as you in another language to each other as you walk away.

You're laughing now because you have experienced this and you know it's true. You also walk by them as fast as you can now every time you go to the mall. Guess what, I have found some awesome product you can buy that is amazing WITHOUT having to go through that process. Buy it online!

Adovia Dead Sea Purifying Mud Mask

• Facial Mask Tightens and Purifies Pores leaving Clear, Younger Complexion
• Dead Sea Mud Quickly Reduces Acne and Pimples
• Over 21 Minerals Present in Dead Sea Mud Mask help to keep skin healthier and act as acne treatment
• A Facial Dead Sea Mud Mask Facial Treatmet in Spas cost from $70-120. This Mask contains 30 Sessions.
• Can be Used as Spot Treatment & Blackhead Remover

After I tried this, my face was so darn soft and smooth. It was amazing.

Adovia Dead Sea Mud Soap

• Removes dirt and cleanses your skin, while simultaneously infusing it with minerals essential to keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized.
• Enriched with century old Dead Sea mud, leaving your skin cleansed and nourished.
• Contains a unique combination of Dead Sea minerals derived from Dead Sea Mud.
• 100% All Natural Moisturizing Soap.
• This soap has also been found effective at relieving acne.

I don't normally use bar soap, but this stuff is great and definitely worth a try.

Adovia Dead Sea Mud Shampoo
The Dead Sea Mud Shampoo is:

• specially formulated with natural ingredients such as Dead Sea mud, chamomile, and olive oil to bring deep hydration and moisture to the scalp. 
• It helps relieve itching and flakiness.

Don't be afraid of this shampoo. The color is kinda different, but it is smooth and silky just like a normal shampoo. It does wonders for dry scalps.

Adovia Dead Sea Salt Deep Conditioner

• Made with Real Dead Sea Salt 
• Leaves hair looking hydrated, healthy and silky. 
• Helps reduce the appearance of dandruff and dry, flaky scalp. 
• Aloe Vera deeply nourishes the scalp and hair - hydrating it from within. 
• Dead Sea salt contains more than 21 skin and hair rebuilding minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium.

This conditioner makes my hair feel SO soft after I use it, which is great since I live in a desert climate that makes my hair and skin so stinking dry. I love it!

Adovia Mineral Lift Facial Serum

• Lift and anti-aging effects
• Vitamin C - contains a high concentration of Vitamin C for anti-wrinkle protection
• Dead Sea Salt - formulated with Dead Sea minerals and salt including 21 minerals essential for skin health and beauty
• Non-oily moisturizer for deep hydration and nutrient absorption

The most important thing about this serum is that it is super light. I hate oily serums that make your face feel sticky.  It is also fragrance-free (at least I don't notice any strong scent from it at all). It will make your skin feel soft. I like to put it on the sides of my eyes...don't tell anyone I have lines there.

 Adovia Exfoliating Facial Sea Salts

• Perfect for acne prone and oily skin
• 2 month supply in 1 jar
• Salts Infuse Skin with Dead Sea Minerals While Gently Exfoliating Dead Skin Cells
• Improve your complexion, refresh and firm your skin while leaving it thoroughly cleansed
• Salts naturally remove bacteria and excess oils

This is great when you need to do some at-home microdermabrasion exfoliating treatment without breaking the bank and going to a fancy salon. It will strip away dead cells and leave your skin smooth and looking fabulous!
This product is recommend for all skin types to mix these facial salts with our Mineral Cleanser which will create a gentle and thorough scrub. You can find that combination offered at a slight discount here. Exfoliating Dead Sea Facial Salts are designed for use on oily skin. To use, simply apply the exfoliating salts to a clean, wet face and massage gently. Your skin will thank you.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

MAD MEN DECOR

Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong decade. The style in Mad Men is much more appealing to me than Jersey Shore. It's true...a sharp-dressed man in a suit or lady in a dress is way better than sweat pants and Uggs or tank tops and ripped jeans any day!

I also have my college History of Architecture & Design teacher to thank for my love of great decor. That's right, I'm the nerdy one who remembers more about the clothing and set design than the plot of a movie sometimes. Check out below how these two go hand in hand.

Mad Men at House of Antique Hardware from Gail Morishige

For more information on one of the best dressed sets of the television season, check out this post with mid-century (1940-1970) decor. They can help you "suit-up" the interior of your home with a similar classy style as this beloved show.

INSPIRED GUNS

I was able to get tickets to see this film in Utah theaters in January. For those of ya'll who like LDS comedies, this one is for you. What happens when two missionaries get mistaken for mafia? Watch Inspired Guns to find out.

Elder Fisher has one week left of his mission to find, teach, and baptize a man he keeps seeing in a dream despite having a new companion who doesn't seem to understand what missionary work is all about. Something strange is happening with their newest investigators...both the FBI and mafia have their eyes on the elders.

Included on the DVD (which has made the best sellers list at Seagull Book) is director's commentary, a making of featurette, and a blooper real.

WANT TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF INSPIRED GUNS??

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TRUE MEANING OF EASTER

We had our fair share of eggs, ham, and Easter bunny baskets at my house.

But we didn't forget the true meaning of the day.

#BecauseOfHim

Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, and Redeemer. Because of Him, death is not the end, and life takes on new meaning. He paid the price for our sins, died on the cross, and rose from the dead—providing a way for each one of us to return and live with God someday.

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Milk Bone & $25 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Disclosure: deanna time did not receive compensation for this post and is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Does your dog have bad breath like mine does?!

Hosted by: Queen of Savings & Extreme8avings

Sponsor: Milk Bone

Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews^™ help provide an easy and effective way to help take care of your dog's teeth. These daily dental treats are clinically proven to reduce tartar and plaque build-up, as well as fight bad breath. The unique dental twist bone is designed to help clean even hard to reach back teeth and down to the gumline. Dogs love the irresistible chicken taste of Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews^™, and you'll love giving them a daily dental treat that's fortified with 12 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium for strong bones and teeth.

Prize: Milk Bones Brushing Chews & $25 Visa Gift Card

Dates: 4/19-5/3

Open to: US Residents 18+

Enter to win using the Giveaway Tools Widget below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

VEGAS: Day 3

Today is the last day of our weekend in Vegas. 

We checked out of our room at Caesars Palace and walked around to look at the amazing pools, forum shops, and sculpture they have all around.

 And yes, they sell plenty of merchandise from The Hangover movie.

Next, we went to the Mirage and paid to enter the Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.  (If you look in the upper left corner of the photo, you can see some children holding canvas that the dolphins painted on with special brushes they held in their mouths. (It's a little pricy, but a cool, unique artsy souvenir).

 It isn't huge, but you can watch dolphin shows and see the dolphins swim both above and below the water in an underground observation area.

 We also saw some big kitties.

 Siegfried even came out and greeted the guests. He is super nice to pose for photos, sign autographs, and do magic for the kids.

 There was a sign posted saying the Pirates of TI shows are permanently cancelled due to continual construction in the area by Treasure Island.

 For all of you Señor Frogs fans, there is one right outside Treasure Island.

 View of the strip from the Outlets skybridge.

We checked out some more casinos that are new that I had never been in. Then we stopped for some Italian lunch inside the Venetian. There is a free hourly show we were able to catch from our table as we ate. (It is a little different and not as exciting as others.) You can take a ride in a gondola around the shops in here if you desire (something I wish I had splurged and done in the real Venice when I was there).

We thought about riding the New York, New York roller coaster, but I have always seen the Stratosphere from the road and wanted to go on top so we went there.

We bought a pass that allowed us to ride the 3 rides on top of the hotel an unlimited number of times.

I'll be honest, the X-Scream and Insanity rides were nothing to write home to your mom about and we only rode those once each. 

 If you take an elevator up even higher, you will get to the Big Shot ride. 

You have a spectacular view 921 feet above the strip (the highest observation point in Vegas).

 This one made my heart race all 7 times we did it!

 So. Much. Fun.

There is one more free-fall sky jump attraction at the top of the stratosphere you pay for separately, but we didn't do it this time.

Time to drive home to a puppy who was in desperate need of a mani/pedi and a cuddle.

VEGAS: DAY 2

The best thing about going to Vegas when you feel like it is a "been-there-done-that" trip, is going with someone who actually has never been there and done that! So we stopped at all the casinos to see their attractions.

 Every hour daily starting at 11am, you can watch the Fall of Atlantis show in the Forum Shops inside Casears Palace (next to the Cheesecake Factory).

It includes fire, water, and a surprise dragon at the end.

Saturday and Sunday champagne brunch (we didn't champagne, but we brunched) is available at the Bacchanal Buffet inside Caesars Palace. Big variety (asian, seafood, italian, home-cooking, and desert tables), lots of food, will make you not want to eat for the rest of the day because you are so full.

 Since we saw the hourly waterfall show outside the Bellagio last night, we went inside to check out the gardens and glass flower sculptures inside the hotel.

 The crystal chandelier inside the Cosmopolitan is amazing. I couldn't get over it. You must walk in and see this huge piece of beauty.

 There is also an old car covered in crystals below it that people were going gaga over.

Then we walked to a new, super classy area on the strip near Aria casino 

with expensive shops and cool studio apartments. 

 There are a couple really neat art galleries near here with work by Dale Chihuly.

He created the glass sculptures inside the Bellagio lobby and other works around the world.

Look him up if you have never heard of him.

 Next stop, the M&M's World next to the MGM Grand casino.

 You can find M&M memorabilia and candies in every flavor, color, and size imaginable. You can even customize your own bag of M&M's to say whatever you want. 

 They play a short (10 minute) free 3D movie every 15 minutes or so.

 Just next door to the M&M's World is the World of Coca-Cola.

 You can try a sampler tray of coke products from around the world for under $10.

 I've been to the same place in Atlanta and both are fun if you're a Coke fan.

 A view of the posh Vegas strip area at night.

 If you like up-scale dining (and have a free $150 food voucher like we did), you should definitely eat at the Old Homestead Steakhouse inside Caesars Palace. Ohymosh it was so good! We ordered a rib eye and filet mignon with sides of asparagus and mac & cheese. This might be THE BEST mac & cheese I have ever had in my life (and I'm a mac & cheese connoisseur...or something).

 Next, we drove to the other side of Vegas. It is definitely different.

 The Freemont Street experience is full of crazy street performers. There are lots of people waiting and available with some interesting photo ops for you. Watch your valuables here.

Be sure to enjoy the overhead lights and music of the free Viva Vision shows every hour from dusk to midnight.