The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness: March 2011
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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Quick Update!

As you have seen, I have barely been around lately. I have been under the weather and had no urge to do a thing. Even my personal blog has been neglected. This blog has totally been neglected and I apologize. I promise I will choose some winners.

But I am headed to Costa Rica to see my family and won't be back until next weekend. Hopefully my flight will go well because I have been so ooky lately. Hang in there because I will have more stuff to review and giveaway when I get back.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

WINNERS!! Gorton's and Skin MD

Sorry to be so slow with the winners. I have been under the weather and so busy with work. But here are some winners for the SkinMd lotiona nd the Gorton's coupons:
Skin MD: Susan1215

Gorton's: Team JC, Mommy Kennedy, Jessyca, Fawn and Hondaray
Congrats! I have sent you a DM or email. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!! Once I get all the info, I will send it our wonderful sponsor.

I want to thank Skin Md and Gorton's for the giveaways. I also want to thank everyone who participated. I appreciate your continued support! If you want to be a winner too, enter some of my other giveaways. I will be taking a week off to go to Costa Rica. If I get it together before the end of the week, I will have a Tassimo up for grabs and possibly a Sony PSP!



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

CLOSED ~ Cushion Source Review and Giveaway!

http://www.cushionsource.com
It's almost spring and I cannot wait. I am so over winter. For me spring means getting ready for the days we can be outside in the garden, hanging out on the front patio watching the river and, of course, spring cleaning.

It also means getting our indoor and outdoor spaces ready. We have 2 porches and a large courtyard in the backyard. We also have a sun room in the back of the house. It is lovely. What I love about that room is that not only has a wonderful view of the backyard but it is also peaceful. Because it is really an indoor porch, we can make it look pretty.

Last year while at an estate sale, we scored a wonderful wicker sofa that will go into the sun room. The sofa itself it in great shape. It is beautiful and decorative and very comfy. Unfortunately, the cushion it came with is a bit demented and worn. We knew we would have to replace it. My project this year is to reupholster the sofa cushion. It will be hard to replace it because of the shape. So the next best thing is to try and make a cover that will just go over it.

I had no idea what color I was going to choose but then I had the opportunity to review a two decorative pillows from CushionSource.com.

About Cushion SourceCushion Source treats every order with the highest attention to detail. With more than 1,000 indoor/outdoor fabrics to choose from, Cushion Source manufactures beautiful throw pillows, patio cushions and indoor seat cushions for all of your decorating needs. From Martha Stewart to the Dr. Phil Show to Jimmy Buffet to Sunbrella corporate themselves, our customers rely on the service and performance of the custom solutions we provide.

Their website is easy to use. Customers simply enter their cushion or pillow measurements, choose a fabric and options, enter their zip code for a shipping estimate and we handle the rest. Also, we allow customers to submit their own fabric for us to create their cushions and pillows. Best of all, our products are made here in the USA.


After checking out the variety of pillows, I opted to review the Blossom Jade Taupe set. I loved the pattern and the colors were beautiful. When the pillows arrived, I was impressed with the quality. The fabric is sturdy and durable. It is also soft. The finishing on the pillows looks super polished and professional. I love them.

Now I know that I am going to find a black or taupe fabric to cover the wicker sofa cushion. Cushion Source also has custom shaped cushions so I am going to see if I can get a replacement for the wicker sofa. That would save me so much time if I can. I am also going to buy another set of the pillows as well. I am definitely a fan.

If you are looking for any custom decorative pillows, custom cushions, drapes, pet beds, sunbrellas, patio umbrellas or placemats, then you have to go check out Cushion Source. The variety of fabrics is extensive and you can customize to suit your taste. The prices are pretty good as well.

To help you get started, Cushion Source is offering a $30 gift certificate to one of my readers. YAY! You guys know the drill.

Mandatory Entry

Visit CushionSource.com and come back and tell which product you would love to have!

Extra Entries
* Follow Cushion Source on Twitter (1 entry)
* Follow Cushion Source on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog on GFC (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (1 entry)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)
Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!Deadline: Saturday, April 9 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.


Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Puristics Review


Pure. Safe. Effective.
Discover the Power of Pure.
That is the tagline for the line of Puristics Skin Care products. Puristics are products that are free of chemicals including perfumes, dyes and synthetic preservatives. They are recommended for all skin types including sensitive skin.

I had the opportunity to review the Totally Ageless Night Recovery Cream, Totally Ageless Anti-Aging Daily Lotion SPF 15 and Totally Ageless Intensive Eye Treatment.

I rarely use lotions and creams but when I do, I realize that I need to stick to a regiment. At my age, I can see my skin changing and its not for the better. I honestly hate putting anything with chemicals on my face I believe that my skin is still in pretty good shape because I don;t wear foundation or use chemicals on my face. I was glad to hear these products are free of chemicals. Here is more information on the products:

Discover the Power of Pure
At Puristics, we believe in the Power of Pure. We think that everything that touches your skin should be pure - without any potentially harmful chemicals seeping in. So, we've created our products using the latest science to unleash the power of naturally derived ingredients. We've combined them in unique ways to maximize their effectiveness without compromising purity.

* Visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles
* Helps firm & hydrate skin
* Lightweight & non-greasy
* No harmful chemicals
* Naturally preserved & fragrance free
* Hypoallergenic
* No parabens, phthalates or sulfates
* No animal testing


I can't speak to the products reducing lines and wrinkles. But I can say that I liked the products. They were actually really good for my skin. They are lightweight and not too greasy. I found that the Totally Ageless Anti-Aging Daily Lotion left a little residue but it was soaked in pretty quickly. It also has SPF 15 and that is super duper important to me because as I get older, the sun is taking it's toll.

I really liked the Totally Ageless Intensive Eye Treatment I put it on at night and it did not irritate my eyes like some eye creams do especially when I put them on before bedtime. I am hoping it does reduce some of the fine lines I have around my eyes but only time will tell.

The Totally Ageless Night Recovery Cream was good too. I woke up and my skin felt soft and smooth in the morning. It also didn't leave any residue. After a few weeks, my skin looks pretty darn good. Is it the Puristics? Probably because I wasn't using anything else before I tried these products.

I love that it was fragrance free. I should say that it does have a slight scent but it smells clean and crisp. If you are looking for a chemical free line of products, I would recommend these. I really liked them and will continue using them.

You can follow them on Twitter, Facebook and You Tube. You can find the products at Drugstore.com.



Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

WINNERS!! Renuzit Coupons

Here are the winners of the Renuzit coupons. The winners chosen by Random.org are as follows:

Breanne
inararose
chucosgirl
BethElderton
margie
Raven in a Blue Room
mintaburst
debbie

Congrats! I have sent you a email. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!! Once I get all the info, I will send it our wonderful sponsor.

I appreciate your continued support! If you want to be a winner too, enter some of my other giveaways. There are some good ones. And keep an eye out for a Tassimo Brewer and, possibly, a Sony PSP!!!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

CLOSED ~ Untold News Giveaway! 3 winners!


The mission of Untold News is to educate Americans about the Middle East and the non-political aspects of Israel through dissemination of the unknown stories about Israel’s many humanitarian acts, inventions and start-ups.

For example, it is not generally known that Israel has sent Crisis Teams to a number of nations in trouble, or that Israel has more inventions and start-ups per-capita than all of Europe combined. Helping to present “the other half of the story” could greatly enhance perceptions of Israel in the US.

Untold News’ target audience is neither the committed nor those who are decidedly anti-Israel. It is college graduates who are in the middle group — those who know little about Israel and are not actively seeking information.

Working with experts, Untold News is developing creative strategies and distribution methods to proactively present the case in both traditional and new media.

Below you will see a video an eight-month-old Palestinian child with a hole in her heart. She receives medical treatment from the charity Save A Child's Heart Program based in Holon, Israel. This program has helped over 2500 children in over 40 countries where adequate medical care is unavailable.

Untold News: Helping Children With Heart Disease


Below you will see a video of a Palestinian man that received a liver transplant.

Untold News: Patient Received Life Saving Liver Transplant


You can also find other videos of help being given during times of need at the Untold News You Tube channel.


Thanks to the great peeps at Untold News, I also have a sweet giveaway. This one will have three (3) winners. One winner will a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and an Untold News tote bag and the other two winners get a tote bag each. WOO! These are super duper cute! So read the rules and enter!




Mandatory Entry

Visit Untold News and come back and tell me something you learned from one of the videos.

Extra Entries

* Subscribe to the Untold News You Tube channel (2 entries)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog on GFC (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (1 entry)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!

Deadline: Saturday, March 26 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.



Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

WINNERS!! Turbie Twist!

Here are the winners of the Turbie Twist giveaway. The winners chosen by Random.org are as follows:

Kittycardeno, janetfaye and Eve

Congrats! I have sent you a DM. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose new winners. So send me your info!! Once I get all the info, I will send it our wonderful sponsor.

I want to thank Turbie Twist for the giveaway. I love mine!!! I also want to thank everyone who participated. I appreciate your continued support! If you want to be a winner too, enter some of my other giveaways.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

CLOSED ~ Celebrate National Pound Cake with Sara Lee + Giveaway!

Did you know that March 4 is National Pound Cake Day? I didn't. If I had known I would have been celebrating for years.

Now that I know though, I am thrilled. There is nothing better than pound cake. It is the perfect food. Tasty, sweet and buttery. Of course, I had to celebrate National Pound Cake. Yes, it's a little early but, rest assured, that I will be celebrating with more pound cake on March 4th. And what better way to celebrate then creating a recipe for March 4 using some delicious Sara Lee Pound Cake.

I will be honest, I actually didn't create this recipe, my mom did. When we were little one of the big treats for us was pound cake. It was a huge treat for us to get one! We loved it. And I still love it.

I love pound cake a little warm with some butter slathered on it. I also love it with chocolate ice cream. Oh and I love it with strawberries and Cool Whip. But my favorite way to eat pound cake is my mom's way.

It is a very easy recipe. You will need a Sara Lee Pound Cake. They come frozen but they thaw in the microwave in about 10 seconds. You will also need Cool Whip and a can of crushed or diced pineapples.

Open the pineapple can and drain the liquid. You really want the pineapple as dry as possible. Mix it with the Cool Whip. Cut the Sara Lee Pound Cake into slices. Layer the pound cake with the pineapple mixture in between the layers. Top with walnuts or pecans.

This is so delicious. The cool whip and pineapple give it a fresh and light taste. The nuts will give it a much needed crunch and texture. This also tastes delicious if you used diced mango as well. If you want to go old school and traditional then use strawberries. The best thing about a recipe like this is you can change it up and it will always be delish because the Sara Lee pound cake is so good.

In honor of National Pound Cake Day, Sara Lee is giving away some coupons so you can celebrate as well. There will be four (4) winners and each winner will receive two (2) coupons each. YAY!! You guys know the drill. Enter and win, my friends!




Mandatory Entry

Visit Sara Lee and tell me which recipe you want to try!


Extra Entries
* Follow Sara Lee Desserts on Twitter (1 entry)
* Follow Sara Lee Desserts on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog on GFC (1 entry)
* Subscribe to to my feed (1 entry)
* GRAB MY NEW BUTTON CODE!! Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (1 entry)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)
Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!
Deadline: Thursday, March 10 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.





Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.