Liam's Going, A Book Review...

Synopsis:

Liam Williams is heading to college, and eagerly anticipates his independence. But for Cathleen, his mother, and Noah, his father, Liam's going is anything but easy. Both project their lost dreams of youth onto their only child, and when Cathleen leaves Noah alone upstate to drive Liam down through New York's Hudson Valley to his school, their separation becomes a moving story of learning how to come to grips with losing without letting go.

There is a depth to Liam's Going, an intensity if you will, that will draw you in. Michael Joyce so seamlessly moves from the present to the past without skipping a beat. The poetic style of his writing is beautiful and at the same time intriguing. Joyce takes a common family occurrence, one many readers can relate to, and throws in enough variables to keep the story fresh and in turn keeps the reader interested in the outcome of all the characters involved. Liam's Going is a novel I would consider to be an intellectual gem.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of Liam's Going for review purposes. We were in no other way compensated. All opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack Review...

Thanks to One 2 One Network, ABCD Diaries was given the chance to review the Sex and the City 2 soundtrack. Though not a huge fan of Sex and the City, I am a huge fan of soundtracks because of the variety of music you usually find on them and this one is no exception. From disco, to Bollywood, to adult contemporary, this soundtrack covers a lot of ground.

The soundtrack features a brand-new duet "Love is Your Color" by Grammy and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, along with global superstar, multi-platinum recording artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee Leona Lewis. It also includes a new song by platinum-selling CeeLo and International superstar Dido also contributes an exclusive new track. Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony and Academy Award® winner Liza Minnelli covers Beyonce’s chart-topper “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys performs her own extraordinary new version of the Blondie classic “Rapture”. And finally, The soundtrack also features the stars of Sex and the City 2, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, performing the Helen Reddy classic “I Am Woman.”

If the movie is as good as the soundtrack, you are in for a treat:) With such a huge variety of tunes on this soundtrack, you are sure to find something you love...even the kiddos really enjoyed it! My personal favorites were the Alicia Keys and Dido tracks. And I love that Alicia Keys covered an older song and Liza Minnelli covered a new one...what a twist!

You can purchase the soundtrack here, visit the Facebook page, and even enter to win a phone call from Sarah Jessica Parker!

Tracklisting

1. Alicia Keys “Rapture”

2. Dido “Everything to Lose”

3. Cee Lo “Language of Love”

4. Erykah Badu “Window Seat”

5. Natacha Atlas “Kidda”

6. Michael McGregor “Euphrates Dream”

7. Liza Minnelli “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”

8. Ricki-Lee "Can't Touch It"

9. Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"

10. Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis "Love Is Your Color"

11. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon “I Am Woman”

12. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “If Ever I Would Leave You”

13. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Sunrise, Sunset”

14. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Till There Was You”

15. Shayna Steele, Jordan Ballard, Kamilah Marshall “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”

16. Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”

17. Cyndi Lauper “True Colors”

18. Aaron Zigman “Divas and Dunes”

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of the Sex and the City 2 soundtrack for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

CoverYourHair.com Review and Giveaway...

CoverYourHair.com is an amazing little online store which offers more than you could possibly imagine in the way of things that can "cover your hair" and beautify you while making a hard-to-miss statement in the most gorgeous of fashions!



Check out this headband with tails...too cute!!







They have such a huge variety of hair coverings including bandanas, tichels, snoods, turbans, chaponnes, berets and the biggest selection of headbands I've seen in an online boutique! Whether you're a hair loss patient or just someone who likes to accessorize, there is something at CoverYourHair.com for everyone to brighten up your wardrobe.





I think I'll be asking for one of these amazing chaponnes for Christmas...







This is the headband we chose to review...We picked this one hoping it would fit me and A(both size and style-wise) and guess what?! It totally rocked(on both of our heads!!) A even asked to wear it at her 4th birthday party, until the splashing of course:) The headband fits super-well and is absolutely darling...is it wrong to tell your 4 year-old "No, honey...its Mommy's turn to wear super-awesome headband today"? Needless to say, ABCD Diaries gives CoverYourHair.com and A+ for the "hair-coverers" in your family:)


Buy It: You can purchase these wonderful creations at CoverYourHair.com


Win It: CoverYourHair.com has offered one lucky ABCD Diaries reader a headband of their
choosing!


To enter leave a comment below. Then do as many of the extra entries as you'd like(be sure to leave a comment for each one:).


Extra Entries:
1.Follow ABCD Diaries via Google Friend Connect(if you already follow, leave a comment saying so)
2.Like CoverYourHair.com on Facebook
3.Follow ABCD Diaries via Twitter(leave id)
4.Sign up for the CoverYourHair.com newsletter
5.Tweet about this giveaway(leave link)+2 entries...comment twice please:)
6.Blog about this giveaway(leave link) +2 entries...comment twice please:)
7.Enter any other current giveaways on ABCD Diaries and leave a comment saying so.



Giveaway ends Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at midnight cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed as well as announced here. They will have 72 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+



Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a headband for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Chasing Miracles, A Book Review...

The Crowley Family Journey of Strength, Hope, and Joy by John Crowley Foreword by Aileen Crowley

"A personal memoir from the family that inspired the film Extraordinary Measures, starring Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford, and Keri Russell - a father's story of his determination to save the lives of his two youngest children born with a rare genetic disorder and finding hope, strength, and joy despite extraordinary challenges."

Synopsis:

"When John and Aileen Crowley learned that their two youngest children had a rare and little understood genetic disorder, they didn't hope for miracles: they made them happen.

In 1998, 15-month old Megan and 4-month old Patrick were diagnosed with Pompe disease, a rare and fatal neuromuscular disorder that affects only a few thousand children worldwide, usually leaving them with little to no muscle function, enlarged hearts, and severe difficulty breathing. The Crowleys were told to take their children home and "enjoy their short time together...there is nothing that can be done."

From his blue-collar upbringing in New Jersey, John Crowley, a recent Harvard MBA graduate working at Bristol-Myers Squibb, was just beginning to taste success in corporate America. Now he was absolutely determined to find a treatment to save the children's lives. Frustrated with the pace of Pompe research, at the age of 31 Crowley walked away from the corporate world to help co-found a start-up biotech company, focused exclusively on developing a treatment for Pompe.

Written by John Crowley with Ken Kurson (co-writer of Leadership with Rudy Giuliani), Chasing Miracles is the story of how the Crowleys set out to do "whatever it takes" against phenomenal odds to help Megan and Patrick first to survive, and then to thrive - and to keep their family, including oldest son John, Jr. together and their marriage strong. A truly uplifting and inspiring book that captures this remarkable family's everyday life, this is a memoir about life and love; about coping with adversity; and, most importantly, about what it means to never, never quit. "

What I thought of Chasing Miracles:

This book was the most inspirational book I have read all year. Even if your children are healthy, every family could learn a thing or two about not taking the simple things for granted and how to work the core values of strength, hope and joy into their family's day to day lives and become better human beings along the way. John tells the Crowley story with a humor and frankness that is very easy to relate to. I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for an uplifting memoir.

Thanks to Newmarket Press for the opportunity to review this book.

Disclosure: A copy of Chasing Miracles was given to ABCD Diaries for review purposes. We were in no other way compensated. All opinions expressed in this review are ours and ours alone.

EvoraPlus Review and Giveaway...

What an awesome idea! EvoraPlus is the first probiotic mint for complete oral care. "EvoraPlus™, from Oragenics, is a one-of-a-kind probiotic mint that naturally supports gum and tooth health while freshening breath and whitening teeth.

EvoraPlus™ is a unique probiotic mint that contains the patented beneficial bacteria blend, ProBiora3™. EvoraPlus™ represents a whole new level of oral care, one in which good oral health is supported and maintained with good bacteria – just the way nature intended.

EvoraPlus™ is a revolutionary new application of probiotics, which have traditionally been used to support digestive and immune health. EvoraPlus™ is the first probiotic mint specifically designed for complete oral care. This all-in-one product supports gum and tooth health and naturally freshens breath while gently whitening teeth.

When EvoraPlus™ melts on the tongue, the freeze-dried probiotics activate and attach themselves to the teeth and gum tissue, establishing colonies of live, active beneficial bacteria both on the surface of the teeth and deep beneath the gum line. These colonies compete for both nutrients and space with the harmful oral bacteria that disrupt gum and tooth health, as well as cause bad breath.

In the mouth, the harmful bacteria convert sugar and carbohydrates into lactic acid. Lactic acid is the bacterial by-product which is responsible for a decline in dental health. The Standard American Diet promotes the ongoing conversion to lactic acid by providing a constant source of simple carbohydrates for bacterial cell growth, thus creating a situation for even greater imbalance in oral micro flora.

With daily replenishment, the ProBiora3™ beneficial bacteria used in EvoraPlus™ helps to reestablish the natural microbial balance in the mouth for healthy gums and teeth, fresher breath and whiter teeth.

All you do is enjoy a mint twice a day and voila...healthier teeth and gums, fresh breath and noticeably whiter teeth! Could it be any easier? Overall, our experience with EvoraPlus was wonderful. I would take my mint after brushing. They have a subtle mint flavor and dissolve fairly quickly, and other than a slight grittiness(I am a weirdo about textures:) were very pleasant to take. I also noticed my teeth are a little bit whiter after only 3 weeks of using EvoraPlus. They are 100% natural and safe for all ages. ABCD Diaries gives EvoraPlus an A for the whole family:)

Buy It: You can find EvoraPlus at Albertson's, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and the like, or order online at EvoraPlus.com. A one month supply is only $19.95 and orders over $35 qualify for free shipping. They also have EvoraKids for the kiddos in your family.

Win It: EvoraPlus has offered one lucky ABCD Diaries reader a 30 day supply(1 box) of probiotic mints! To enter leave a comment below. Then do as many of the extra entries as you'd like(be sure to leave a comment for each one:).

Extra Entries:

1.Follow ABCD Diaries via Google Friend Connect(if you already follow, leave a comment saying so)

2.Like/Fan EvoraPlus on Facebook

3.Follow ABCD Diaries via Twitter(leave id)

4.Follow EvoraPlus on Twitter(leave id)

5.Tweet about this giveaway(leave link)

6.Blog about this giveaway(leave link)

7.Enter any other current giveaways on ABCD Diaries and leave a comment saying so

Giveaway ends Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at midnight cst. Winners will be chosen via random.org and emailed as well as announced here. They will have 72 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a box of EvoraPlus for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Winners...

The winners of the Country Bob's are DebK and taylorbagels. The winner of the Glee candy making kit is ferriz. Congrats to the winners...you have all been emailed. Thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned for more awesome reviews and giveaways next week!!

SnorgTees Review and Giveaway...

A little bit of background on SnorgTees:

"SnorgTees got its start back in May 2004 when our group of friends decided that we weren't meant for a real job. We got our options narrowed down to international jewel thieves or internet t-shirt tycoons. Since it was the middle of the summer, we weren't able to find enough ski masks, which left t-shirts as our only option. Fast forward a few years and we've grown to the point where people mistake us for an actual business. We've even shipped a shirt to NASA. That means space. So technically we're a universal company. But we are still just a group of friends who run Snorg because we enjoy it. Here at Snorg, we specialize in pop-culture inspired, random, and all around funny t-shirt designs."

What we thought about SnorgTees:

My SnorgTee was a huge hit. I wore this one at a birthday party and everybody loved it! It was made from comfy, soft cotton and fit very nicely. I think the idea here is to make a statement with these funny tees and man, they get right to the point...

There are som many funny tees to choose from at SnorgTees, I found it nearly impossible to pick just one and I will definitely be back for more! There is something for everyone at SnorgTees...they even have kids tees. You would be hard pressed to leave empty-handed after visiting their awesome site full of amazing tees. This will be added to our go-to list for presents for any occasion!

ABCD Diairies gives SnorgTees an A+ for the entire family! Thanks to SnorgTees for letting us review your hilarious tees!!

And now for the giveaway...SnorgTees has offered one lucky ABCD Diaries reader the tee of their choice! To enter leave a comment below telling us which tee is your favorite. Then do as many of the extra entries as you'd like(be sure to leave a comment for each one:).

Extra Entries:
1.Follow ABCD Diaries via Google Friend Connect(if you already follow, leave a comment saying so)
2.Like SnorgTees on Facebook
3.Follow ABCD Diaries via Twitter(leave id)
4.Tweet about this giveaway(leave link)
5.Blog about this giveaway(leave link)
6.Enter any other current giveaways on ABCD Diaries and leave a comment saying so

Giveaway ends Friday, June 11, 2010 at midnight cst. Winners will be chosen via random.org and emailed as well as announced here. They will have 72 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a SnorgTee for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.