July 2014 ~ JamericanSpice

7/30/14

Jumping Beans: Jake & Sofia #BackToSchool Collection At Kohls - #MC #MagicAtPlay #Sponsored

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Fashion and Beauty , Kids Lifestyle 13 comments

“I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl’s. I received a promotional item to facilitate my review.

Will it be uniforms or regular clothing for your children for back to school?

My children wear uniforms to school and if you should ask a question about uniforms vs regular clothing for school wear, you'll get a wide variety of answers and some emotional.

I do not mind schools having uniforms. It cuts down on clothing being the center stage and enable learning and other things to be less challenging.

However if I had to have regular clothing for my school aged children, I'd have love to have the option of choosing Kohls Jumping Beans: Jake And Sofia Summer Collection!

This back to school season kids will be able to take the magic of Disney into the classroom with Disney apparel by Jumping Beans, available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com. The third collection for the new collaboration allows boys to embody the adventurous spirit of Jake and the Never Land Pirates while girls will learn to be royal with Sofia the First character apparel. The Disney apparel Jake & Sofia collection by Jumping Beans is available in toddler and girls 4-7 sizes,
starting July 28.

These are my favorite pieces and I'd love to see my kids in them, especially that they love to see their favorite characters on their clothing!

My daughter loves these! Even the color! And of course she still says she wants to be a Princess when she grows up, so this is perfect for her wardrobe!

If these sizes would fit my son, He would choose the blue set! He loves blue!

I love how you can mix and match from sets and I also love that the clothing can easily be worn into fall and winter!

Now that you have a sneak peek of the new collections,

Will your children be wearing Jake and Sofia on their first day back to school?

The line hits stores, July 28th, will you be heading to your local Kohl’s to check out the line
in stores?

“I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl’s. I received a promotional item to facilitate my review.

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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7/25/14

JUST DESSERTS #Book Tour + Delicious Italian Dessert Prize Pack

Friday, July 25, 2014 books , giveaways 5 comments

I'm on the so called vacation. You'd think I'd be able to relax and read right? Nope. I'm just here struggling along and wondering when the vacation will begin.

So if you want a vacation. Grab your favorite books, music and some money and just head out on your own somewhere beautiful!

What are you reading this week? Is it mindwatering or solid? :)

When her friend Julia needed help forming a revenge plan against her ex-boyfriend, Ava was happy to lend a hand. She never expected that in the course of making Liam pay, she'd be the one to fall hard. . .for the one person who was absolutely off-limits. Crushing on the guy who humiliated her best friend is definitely against the girl code. Besides, Ava has goals. Her life is all about graduating with honors and landing the perfect job. And Liam Bailey—sweet-talking, complicated son of a well-known local politician—isn't part of those plans. But Liam doesn't give up easily. And he doesn't intend to let their friends' opinions, his parents' disapproval or Ava's past get in the way of what he wants--Ava's heart.

Buy the book:

Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Smashwords/iBooks

About the Author

Tawdra Kandle has been a writer since the invention of the pen. Her first published work appeared in Child's Life magazine when she was 13. After a brief, thirty-year hiatus, she published a young adult quartet, The King Series. More recently, she's released contemporary and paranormal romances in both the adult and New Adult genres. Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband and children, of both skin and fur types. And yes, she has purple hair.

Follow Tawdra:

Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram/Newsletter/Website

Follow the tour here! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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7/21/14

Pauline Creeden's #BookTour + Swag Packs #Giveaway

Monday, July 21, 2014 books , giveaways 7 comments

Come join in the fun book tour of Author Pauline Creeden's books! Plus you get a chance to win some goodies! Who doesn't love books and goodies right :)

And share with me what you are reading this week.

Join us July 21 - August 29 as we celebrate Pauline Creeden's books

Part Steampunk, part Fantasy, all Romance… When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother’s side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales. Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park and left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair. Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.

Buy on Amazon

Darkness can be overcome…

Terminally ill Lynette Lamb is forced to reunite her wayward son and grandson. Her options are as limited as her strength and mobility. Through a fateful series of events, the rejoined pair will leave Earth to become part of a colony orbiting a new planet. Sam Austin and his wife mourn the loss of their only child and decide to make a fresh start at the space station. The same ship holds the one who will fulfill the dark planet’s prophecy, but a demonic force boards to stop the vessel. The demon’s obedient but unwilling servant is sent on a suicide mission to keep the ship from reaching its destination.

Buy on Amazon

Chira Kelly thought she didn’t need anyone…until she met Ben.

Because of one ugly rumor, Chira lives as an outcast at her school. Which is fine with her, because she works better alone. Always has, always will. And at least she has her one and only true friend, Tasha. When Tasha insists that they join a group to visit a possibly haunted abandoned old schoolhouse, she's wary, but joins her friend. Because of that decision, their lives are in jeopardy as a malevolent spirit targets the group. Tragedies and accidents pick them off one by one, and Chira finds herself drawn to the one person who can see the truth. But can he protect her?

*A Young Adult Paranormal Romance - Urban Fantasy with a blend of Mystery*

Buy on Amazon

Left Behind for the Hunger Games generation

In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meet The Walking Dead, Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be. Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…

When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?

Buy on Amazon

Pauline Creeden

Pauline Creeden is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

Follow Pauline Creeden: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Follow the Book Tour Sign up for Pauline Creeden's newsletter you'll find out when the serial comes out and on the day of release it's FREE! http://eepurl.com/Oe2Fn

Enter to win one of three swag packs. Open to US only. Fill out the form to a Rafflecopter giveaway

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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7/14/14

Say Yes To The Boys 'Round Here - #Music

Monday, July 14, 2014 Blog hop , Deo Volente , music 29 comments

It is once again Monday. The days are flying. It is no surprise as to why. I pray for readiness.

Photo: I just want to start each day remembering that I'm blessed!

My husband just shared this really cool and new song with me and I realize, I couldn't wait to share it with y'all.

Of course you probably have already heard it, and if so, great. Here it is again! I really was surprised with how it started out and then realizing what kind of song it was. Then I was even more surprised to see Beyonce in it and then I realize once again it was all three of them :)

It's a good song. I probably will listen to it again and see about how it meshes with me.

Now we can't forget the theme is: This week's theme is your favorite Rock n' Roll or Country Male singers!
And I love me some Blake! Well come on he is kinda cool...
And here is one he is doing the way I like :)

Say Yes To The Boys 'Round Here - #Music

And it's the last day to ENTER ALL Our GIVEAWAYS! Get a move on!

GIVEAWAYS:
OUR GRAND-PRIZE IS from XmasDolly : A SWAG BAG IN SORTS:

2 caps Green/white in color says Neptune, CA, and a few other surprises!
A combo pks. of Kevin Durant in Thunderstruck;
Bugs Bunny in Cupid Capers;
Elmo Loves You!
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Remastered Deluxe Edition;
Kristen Bell in Veronica Mars;
Looney Tunes Super Stars * Pepe’ Le Pew!
Journey 2. The Mysterious Island;
Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows;
Be My Valentine Charlie Brown;
and last but not least
Two Posters of The Legend of Hercules & a $15 Gift Certificate for Fandango

Prizes:
JamericanSpice: $25 TaskRabbit.com Gift Card and Five (5) Disney Posters - Million Dollar Arm, Planes: Fire & Rescue, Guardians of the Galaxy, Maleficent, and The 100 ft. Journey.
XmasDolly: HUGE Grand Prize & $15 Fandango GC
Stacy: Two bottles of her award winning Princess Nagger wine (including two wine glasses and a corkscrew!)

Cathy: West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Edition Box Set [Blu-ray] (1961).
Naila Moon: Book package set that includes authors, Michael Phillip Cash, Carole P. Roman and Linda Cadose.Paperback will be for USA winners only but an international winner will received a Kindle copy. In addition, the winner for my blog will receive 30 days of advertising on my blog for free.
BECCA: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

Welcome to today's music. I hope Monday find you with a smile and music to begin your week with light steps.

I'm always coming to visit everyone on the linky so don't worry if I'm a bit late!

CONGRATULATIONS to this week's spotlight dancer!

Don't forget to visit the spotlight dancer in the #1 spot. Soon it might be your turn.

Thank you for visiting and I'll visit you soon!

Hosts:

Colette @JamericanSpice

Marie @XmasDolly

Stacy @Stacy Uncorked

Cathy Kennedy

Michelle - Naila Moon - Just The Stuff Ya Know

And welcoming our New Co-host Becca! Yay!

Honorary Co-host: Thank you Becca and Welcome Danielle - Royalegacy

Steps:

1. Visit YouTube (or other) and get your music for the theme of the week

2. Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button (above)

3. Add your post to the linky - follow the hosts and grab our buttons. Leave a note so we can follow you back

4. Visit each other and leave a comment or whatever you want to do to let them know you were there. See if they have the same music style as you. Enjoy the music!

7/10/14

Joy And Joy Killers

Thursday, July 10, 2014 Deo Volente , The Dailies 16 comments

What is one thing that brings you joy?
Is your joy dependent on outside or inside influences?

Today I almost didn't go to church.
I was walking around yesterday in a battle with myself and my mind. Maybe it was also spiritual warfare.

Saturday went good. We got to sleep in and late in the evening we went to the store for groceries. Turns out my card expired June 30. Seriously why wasn't there another card in the mail for me? I'm usually up on all these things.

Well the card declined and the machine refused all my other two cards. WOW! That is just crazy! I tried the ATM and no go.

In the end I had to walk away from my lovely cart of groceries. I felt embarrassed, but also odd in wondering why none of my other cards worked. I was so on point with being on budget too!

Oh and yes I was very angry about it all. Bah I still had pizza to drown my sorrows. Good thing I had that ordered before.

So the battle was on about why I should NOT go to church. I should rest. I don't want to see anyone and smile. I was angry. We wont be able to miss church when hubs return and blah blah blah the spiritual battle continued.

I woke up this morning at 6am and was delayed at home until 10:45. And yes worship begins at 10:45 and I have to drive at least 30 minutes to get to church!!!

I told myself that we would be in church worshipping, even if it's the last 10 minutes of the sermon.

When we got there, it was the last few minutes of the last song.

We got to share in communion and offering. My kids were with me, they were awake and they saw how absolutely fun our Pastor can be. They also get to learn about communion and took part in the offering plate.

God won.
Satan lost.

And that is how we give glory to our God.

And the message was about Joy!

"Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be." ---- Abraham Lincoln
Joy And Joy Killers

Take away:

Joy Killer #1: Circumstances
Choice #1 : See my circumstances from God's perspective, in spite of....
Philippians 1:18-21

My circumstances: I didn't get any groceries, but we do still have food at home and will not starve. Why was I angry? Snap decision: I didn't get my way. I was not a good model at all with my children in full view. And the whole time I was angry, I kept thinking about my kids and what they are seeing? But did I shut up? Noooo. And even when I shut up, I could feel my mouth being pulled to keep going!!

Joy Killer #2: People (This made the whole church laugh)
Choice #2: Serve people, even those that make my life difficult - Philippians 2:2-5

Oh yea what's wrong with those people who aren't monitoring my life to know that I'll need another card before I go to the store :)

We begin to dislike people because we begin to think that we have rights.
#1: I have a right to be happy! But God ask us to serve, he never said, sit down and get served. Jesus did not come to get served either!

Joy Killer #3: Things
Choice #3: All I really need is Jesus - Philippians 3:8-9

It might sound all pious and such, but seriously: No one can steal your joy when your joy is Jesus :)

Joy Killer #4: Worries
Choice #4: Cast all my worries on Jesus and trust him to take care of them and all -- Philippians 4:6-7

Worry is about something that doesn't even exist!!

Which one or more of these are you battling with? When will you get joy?

Of course, if you have a medical condition and need help, visit a doctor. Chemical imbalances are no fun, but if you are healthy, why aren't you joyful?

Joy! Spread Some! :)

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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7/7/14

What Lengths Will He Go For The Woman He Loves - Jaded

Monday, July 07, 2014 books 6 comments

Are you having any time to read as yet? Or just too busy running around doing work, kids and crashing?

I hope you can carve out even a 10 minutes somewhere just for you to replenish and read.

Happy Summer

To what lengths will a man go for the woman he loves? Reed Dartmouth will learn the answer to those questions time and time again throughout his relationship with Jade Montgomery. When he first meets her as a young, gentle boy the heartache from losing his mother only a year before is still fresh and painful. Jade is different from anyone else he’s ever met; tough, sassy, and even a bit cruel. But she’s also the same as he is: she knows what it’s like to lose a parent.

Their friendship begins and a bond like no other is formed. Time passes and Reed learns that not only are Jade’s parents dead, they were murdered and she’s made an oath to one day bring them justice. No matter the price. As they grow older their love evolves but for Jade, old habits die hard and she can’t stop hurting those she loves the most. Even in the midst of searching for her parents’ killers, passion ignites and jealousy burns as Jade tests Reed’s devotion for her. Will she push him too far?

Coming Soon July 2014!

About the author:

Michelle Bellon lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their four children. She drinks ungodly amounts of coffee and has an addiction to chapstick. She works at a surgery center as a registered nurse and in her spare time writes novels. She writes in the genres of romance suspense, young adult, women’s fiction, and literary fiction. She has won three literary awards. Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | LinkedIn

We Were Made To Thrive - #Music

Monday, July 07, 2014 Blog hop , Deo Volente , music 18 comments

It's been a very interesting summer so far. I'm so delighted to have my children with me. They do enrich my life. I can't figure out why so many parents want so much to get rid of their children.

This song is so beautiful. It's one of my favorites! I hope you enjoy and I look forward to visiting with you all.

Don't forget to visit the hosts and enter all the giveaways!

HUGS and Happy Thriving!

Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry

So living water flowing through
God, we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know You and to make You known
We lift Your name on high
Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your word, we're digging deep
To know our Father's heart
Into the world, we're reaching out
To show them who You are

Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable, anything is possible

GIVEAWAYS:
OUR GRAND-PRIZE IS from XmasDolly : A SWAG BAG IN SORTS:

2 caps Green/white in color says Neptune, CA, and a few other surprises!
A combo pks. of Kevin Durant in Thunderstruck;
Bugs Bunny in Cupid Capers;
Elmo Loves You!
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Remastered Deluxe Edition;
Kristen Bell in Veronica Mars;
Looney Tunes Super Stars * Pepe’ Le Pew!
Journey 2. The Mysterious Island;
Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows;
Be My Valentine Charlie Brown;
and last but not least
Two Posters of The Legend of Hercules & a $15 Gift Certificate for Fandango

Welcome to today's music. I hope Monday find you with a smile and music to begin your week with light steps.

I'm always coming to visit everyone on the linky so don't worry if I'm a bit late!

CONGRATULATIONS to this week's spotlight dancer!

Don't forget to visit the spotlight dancer in the #1 spot. Soon it might be your turn.

Thank you for visiting and I'll visit you soon!

Hosts:

Colette @JamericanSpice

Marie @XmasDolly

Stacy @Stacy Uncorked

Cathy Kennedy

Michelle - Naila Moon - Just The Stuff Ya Know

And welcoming our New Co-host Becca! Yay!

Honorary Co-host: Thank you Becca and Welcome Danielle - Royalegacy

Steps:

1. Visit YouTube (or other) and get your music for the theme of the week

2. Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button (above)

3. Add your post to the linky - follow the hosts and grab our buttons. Leave a note so we can follow you back

4. Visit each other and leave a comment or whatever you want to do to let them know you were there. See if they have the same music style as you. Enjoy the music!

You can also join