Through Hazel Eyes-A Mom Blog | Archive

Spring Fever

No Comments 08 March 2010

Today is the day. What day you ask? The day I decided to begin Spring Fever, an event that looks like it will be ongoing throughout March. If our weather is any indication, I would say that spring is definitely on its’ way, which is unusual most years at this point in March in Northern MI. I’ve been having Spring Fever myself now for over a month, I cannot wait for the buds of the flowers to start blooming, the grass to make it’s appearance and balmy climate. I was going to plan a vacation for our family to remedy my Spring Fever, but instead I decided to have a big ole’ blog event to benefit everyone! Along the way I’ve learned of some cool products that will benefit Spring cleaning, Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Grilling and more!

Today we will be kicking off with a Hair Care package including several items, so check back as it will be up soon. Finally, be sure to check back frequently for more fascinating ideas, reviews and giveaways!

Giveaways, Promotions

Who Wants (Holey) Donuts!?

1 Comment 08 February 2010

You may remember my Holey Donuts review. I’ll just reiterate one more time how delicious and healthy even these donuts are. Not like anything you will find in the local super market. The good people of Holey Donuts also like to run giveaways, give out super secret promotional codes, free shipping and more. The only action required of you is becoming a part of their mailing list. I’m a part of it and I’ll tell you honestly that they do not spam you and they really do give great offers to those subscribed.

Right now, Holey Donuts is running a very sweet giveaway. If I get all of you (my lovely readers) to enter than we both win.

The prize:

Our very special February Love Assortment consisting of 4 boxes of our latest, best selling, super yummy Holey Donuts! Low Fat Treats and $250 Holey Donuts! store credit good for 1 year.

This, my friends, is what you need to do: GO HERE, enter THROUGH HAZEL EYES in the subject line and just make sure to enter your email to be eligible. Click send. That is it. Easy as pie, er, donuts. So go now!

Discount!

Let’s not forget that Holey Donuts is also offering a promotional discount during this exciting Contest. Buy 2 boxes, get 1 free…..or 3 boxes for the price of 2. However you want to look at it, it’s a good deal! To redeem, place 3 assortments in your cart and then enter VDAY1 before checking out.

Promotions, Reviews

Epson Stylus Photo R1900

13 Comments 04 February 2010

I’ve sat down several times now to start writing this review and the words were just not coming to me. I realize this sounds dramatic for a review of a printer. You see though, this printer is not just any ole’ printer. This has turned out to be the printer of my dreams (enter in dramatic music). No lie.

It is no secret that I have a love for all things photography. This started when I was just a little girl. I used my parents old 35 mm camera or a disposable camera for the most part. When I entered high school I took a photography class and made a camera out of an oatmeal box (tub?). I then developed the photos on my own in a dark room. This is what I’m getting to, the actual printing, developing, of the photo. You give your utmost effort, knowledge and passion in creating the perfect memory and then, more often than not in this digital world we’re living in, the photo becomes a part of our ever growing hard drives.

My home is my gallery. I have collages of photos all over the place, in every room, my goal is to change them out regularly. This is easier said than done. Around here, we have 2 places to get photos printed. I’m not here to name names, but let’s just say I’d prefer not to take that route. So then I turn to the professional lab developers, who do a fabulous job, but sometimes this can take more time out of my busy lifestyle than I account for. Then I forget, and my photos aren’t printed out once again.

Then Epson entered my life. Of course they have a wide variety of printers to choose from, but I found the perfect fit for me, the Epson Stylus Photo R1900. Everything I need and want in my printer.

Photos with a superior gloss finish

Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss® 2 pigment ink

Red and Orange inks — improved vibrancy

Smudge, fade and water resistant prints

New Radiance™ technology — optimum color gamut

Gallery-quality prints at faster speeds

Thick paper support for fine art media

Roll paper support for printing panoramas

Professional quality CD/DVD printing

Auto-switching Photo and Matte Black inks

The images printed off of this printer are so beautiful that I’ve had several friends ask me now why on earth I took my children to the photographer when I take so many photos myself. My photos have honestly never looked so good.

I performed a test. Walking into this review I had no intentions of trying to necessarily compare Epson quality with any others, but I have. You see, I received the Epson printer before I received the Epson photo paper. I was very anxious to print something, anything, with this printer. So I printed out some photos on some Kodak glossy I had lying around. The photos were nice, but truly not what I had expected from the printer. The next day I received my Epson paper, the difference is crazy. I took a photo of the difference, but I’m not sure if it does it justice. The blacks are true black and the colors are 100 times more brilliant and vibrant on the Epson paper.

You can print on paper up to 13″ wide, print on roll paper and onto a CD or DVD, giving so much more versatility. Epson offers just about any type of paper to choose from for your printing needs, so far my favorite has been the 13″x19″ Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster. I love the look, feel and the fact that I can usually fit several photos of the size I need on one sheet. I have a thing for square cropped photos and the Espon Stylus allows me crop and print a square photo quite easily.

Something that I had been putting off completing is the creation of a disc of Olivia entering this world, 20 months ago now. I did something similar from when Ryan was born to pass out to relatives and such that do not live nearby. I finally have the motivation I needed, because now I can print a nice label on the disc. You can also do this for a DVD you’ve burned or a music CD you’ve burned.

As you can tell I have nothing but love for Epson, in particular the Stylus Photo R1900. I could not come up with one complaint. The ink and paper are offered at a reasonable cost and are easy to load. The directions are clear and simple. The quality is overall perfect. My memories documented are priceless, the cost of this machine will go a long way.

To Buy:

Visit Epson.com. In addition to the Epson Stylus Photo R1900, you will find a large assortment of printers, paper, ink and more. Currently if you purchase the Epson Stylus Photo R1900 you will receive free shipping a $150 rebate.

Some or all of the material used in this post have been provided to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

Beauty Sense, Promotions

Become a Beauty Know-It-All With EcoTOOLS

3 Comments 01 February 2010

Generally the finishing touch of any ensemble is your make-up. This is usually the last or second to the last step before you are ready for your day, or evening. For me, my make-up is very natural during the day, to where I may only apply a foundation and mascara. If I’m going out to dinner or a special event it becomes a little more dramatic. I like to keep several colors of eye shadow, blush and lip color for different seasons and outfits. Sometimes my tastes change or may learn a new technique, but what remains consistent is my love for my make-up tools. They need to work perfectly and feel just right against my skin.

Celebrity make-up artist Meredith Baraf and ecoTOOLS have teamed up to help us all believe in our beauty skills. I have four videos to share with you to improve your technique in coordination with your ecoTOOLS:

Cunning Cat Eye

Flawless Face

A Sultry Smoky Eye

A Touched up Face for Day to Night

My favorite video is the Flawless Face. This was not how I had been applying my foundation and since I have switched technique I have noticed a difference and in return now need less concealer.

I want you to watch these and let me know what you have learned! I will be sharing my own review of the new ecoTOOLS brush set and bronzer brush shortly. I can tell you that these are the my favorite brushes to date and I don’t see myself turning back to anything else. Ever.

Beauty Sense, Giveaways, Parenting, Promotions, Reviews

Beauty Sense-ME! Bath Review and Giveaway

41 Comments 25 January 2010

Confession: I take a hot bath every.single.night. This is my time to relax, enjoy my latest book (this week happens to be The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), drink my glass of wine and just block everything out for 30 minutes or so.

ME! Bath has recently made my bath just that much more enjoyable. I received a scoop of the Bath Ice Cream in the Strawberry scent. When you drop the ice cream in it fizzes and you can smell the aroma immediately. It is strong enough that when I emerged from the bath I radiated this fantastic strawberry scent, yet it was still subtle enough and not overpowering. Just nice.

Each piece is comprised of a unique six oil blend, purifying minerals, indulgent fragrances and Epsom Salt, and is one hundred percent artisan crafted, taking three days to custom make.

After the bath I could feel the ingredients working. My skin felt moisturized enough that I did not feel the need to apply body creme as I usually do after the bath.

Don’t like baths? ME! Bath also carries Shower Sherbert, and exfoliate, cleanser and moisturizer all in one. You can also purchase the worlds most expensive bath among several other fascinating items that give you that kick start to relaxation.

Overall I find this to be a very exceptional product. It is unique, smells fabulous and does exactly what it says. The price is affordable and fair.

The Giveaway:

I have a scoop of ME! Bath Ice Cream to offer one Through Hazel Eyes reader. To enter visit ME! Bath and tell me what product you’d love to try or have tried and love.

Additional Entries:

-Subscribe via reader or email

-Follow through Google Friends Connect

-Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (up to 2 tweets per day)

Giveaway Winners, Promotions

Pirate LEGO Sets Giveaway and a Kids Autographed Band Set CLOSED

349 Comments 20 January 2010

I know you want to know what I’m listening to while I type out this particular post. Just in case your curiosity is getting the best of you here is the video so you can have a listen yourself.

and can I just say that Norah Jones has possibly the cutest haircut that I’ve seen as of late?

Here is a bit of information pertaining to the Kids Autographed Band Set. I haven’t been able to think of one child I know that wouldn’t think this prize is totally awesome.

In celebration of Norah Jones’ new release, ‘The Fall’, Norah and Blue Note Records are teaming up to give away an autographed children’s band set featuring a LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar, a Ludwig 5-piece Junior Drum Set with Cymbals, a Schoenhut 49 Key Pro Baby Grand Piano and a copy of the new album to one lucky winner.

Go now, enter to win. I will wait here, I promise because there is more good news!

Today, in theme with this particular Norah Jones Contest, one of you Through Hazel Eyes readers has the chance to win a LEGO Pirate Prize pack. I don’t know if you knew this, but LEGO and Pirates go hand in hand. If you don’t believe me search my site for “Pirate Party”.

Included in this Prize Pack will be these Pirate LEGO sets:

Ahoy mateys! A LEGO(R) theme classic comes ashore again, creating an all-new hunt for buried treasure adventure for kids and kids at heart! Find out more about all of the LEGO Pirate sets at http://pirates.lego.com

To Enter:

This first entry is required for any additional entries to count. Visit Norah Jones Hulu channel. Look around and tell me what you’ve learned.

Additional Entries:

-Subscribe to Norah Jones Hulu Channel

-Subscribe to Through Hazel Eyes via reader or email

-Follow me via Google Friends Conect

-Enter to win the Kids Autographed Band Set

-Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this (up to two tweets per day)

Contest ends on January 30, 2010. I will draw a winner via random.org and announce here after.

None of the material mentioned in this post have been provided to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

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