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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

MORE John Grisham Love-Didja know?

                              


***I like the close up better ;)***

John Grisham's book, "The Confession" won the inaugural Harper Lee Prize For Legal Fiction , which was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of Harper Lee's book To Kill A Mockingbird .

"United States Attorney General Eric Holder helped initiate this award at a ceremony last September in Tuscaloosa, marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill A Mockingbird. Ms. Harper Lee, who attended The University of Alabama School of Law, approved of this award."

One can only imagine John Grisham's feelings of honor and joy at being chosen for this award that will be presented to him on September 22, 2011, not to mention the WONDERFUL knowledge of the fact that Ms. Harper Lee herself APPROVED of the award!

There is a quote that is attributed to Ms. Lee--when she was asked by her cousin why she never wrote another novel after To Kill A Mockingbird, she reportedly answered, "When you have a hit like that, you can't go anywhere but down." And you know what? I always was very divided on that--half of me WANTED more from her, but the other half gave me a whole different perspective on WHAT she wrote in that book and WHAT she addressed in that novel....in the time period it was written! I can NEVER read that novel (I have lost count of how many times I have read it), or see the play (once, I might add, which was put on in a High School production with the PERFECT Atticus Finch) without seeing and appreciating it even more.


I am SO very glad that Grisham continues to BRING IT! Every damn time!!!! And I am sure he could quite comfortably retire and live a financially worry free life. But why should a mind with SO many stories to tell do so? I am SO glad he keeps writing, and even gladder STILL that he sees that his star continues to rise! AND, you have to imagine HOW many writers in the Legal Thriller genre are (and WILL BE) influenced, just as his predecessors did for him (one of them being, the great Ms. Lee herself!).


SO SO SO many Bestsellers....SO many perfectly cast blockbusters based on his novels!!


So now, not only does he have the VERY FIRST Harper Lee Prize For American Fiction (well, not technically, as it has not been actually been presented yet, but that's only a technicality since his book WAS chosen as the winner of the award ;)), but he is NOW on the verge of giving us yet another "SURE TO BE BESTSELLER" with The Litigators ! Can't Wait! The pre order for the hardcover on Amazon will only be $15.98 plus shipping, but if you add in any of the other Grisham titles that offer free super saver shipping, you will have free shipping, and will likely receive your copy of The Litigators on or about the release date (Oct. 25th 2011).


OH! ALSO! As per his Facebook Page , "John Grisham is currently on three different New York Times Print Bestseller Lists! | You'll find THEODORE BOONE: The Abduction on the Children's Chapter Books List, THEODORE BOONE: Kid Lawyer on the Children's Paperback Books List, and THE CONFESSION in the #1 slot on the Mass-Market Fiction List! |"


WHAT A GUY!


**As you all well know by now, I am a bzzagent, and I am a part of a campaign to help promote the upcoming novel "The Litigators". These are my HONEST opinions expressed, as I am a SUPER HUGE John Grisham fan...not stalker like, but a huge fan, nonetheless. I hope you can see my passion for his works, and that I am BEYOND thrilled to spread buzz about someone whose writings I LOVE**

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Cerra Be Aware, Act, Reflect™

SheSpeaksbutton

 Cerra Be Aware, Act, Reflect™

SO very excited to be chosen by SheSpeaks to help with the grand unveiling of  cerra.com .  SheSpeaks has teamed up with SC Johnson, A Family Company, to bring you premier access to cerra.com .


Cerra.com : The online destination that is an oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation - where you'll learn how to de-stress and balance your daily life.


TWITTER PARTY ALERT!!!  There will be a

#SSCerra Twitter Party to help members

get acquainted! Please feel free to help 


get the word out! 



Mark Your Calendar:


When: October 5th @ 8pm EST

TweetGrid Dashboard: Coming soon!  << will update closer to date!

Follow: #SSCerra and @shespeaksup


In the meantime, check out the 


 Cerra™ Community  and learn how to 


use the tools to 




Be Aware ~ Act ~ Reflect™
  






Cruelty Free Fireflies In A Jar! How DOPE is this?!?!?!


Fireflies in a jar, you say? Why yes....YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!! AND--cruelty free!
Those of us that remember saving the mayo jars and poking the holes in the lid will fondly remember falling asleep watching the intermittent glow of the captured fireflies. We didn't know that we were scaring them, and dooming them... we were just FASCINATED by the gentle flickering of their bodies. 

All this technology in one little jar!


What better way to bring back that memory at ANY time of year than by using the technology of tiny LED's powered by rechargable solar batteries. 


Best part?? NO GUILT from giving little bug concussions from shaking the jar to get them to do our bidding! You can set it glow until all the absorbed energy is used, or only to illuminate when it is shaken (just like with the mayo jars in days of yore! 


I would think this would be astounding as a night light in any child's room, as well as  an interesting addition to a table on the back porch in the summer--I wonder how many fireflies it would attract,, to you know, have conversations with?


**I am a Bzzagent...and am REALLY hoping to be chosen for an upcoming campaign for this product**


That being said, please don't hold it against me for adding the pic of the creepy dude holding the lantern ;).


Makes you want one, doesn't it? 

    The Domino Project-Zig Ziglar's "Pick Four"





    Kind of Hypnotizing, huh?


    In the few months since I have been chosen to participate in the Domino Project by Bzzagent (by now, you all know I am a very active agent with Bzzagent, and I receive each and every book in exchange for my honest opinion of the book and the project). I have to say, that as of now, THIS BOOK (Pick Four) has become my absolute favorite. You may ask, "What would Zig Ziglar, a pioneer in sales training, have to offer me". I , in fact, asked myself the same exact question. I am, after all, just a person. BUT...I am a person who knows that there are things about me and about my life that NEED changing, and, while I am SUPER at setting goals, I am absolutely HORRIBLE at seeing them completely through. 


    This book is a spiral bound book which is basically a week by week journal which not only lays out my desired goals (it asks me to choose 4 goals that I feel are attainable), but actually asks me every day what I did to get closer to my goals.


    I own one of the books-each book covers a 12 week time period. I found that on Amazon , you can purchase the book in a 4 pack (which only seems logical, because the total amount of books can take you through almost a year of change that you can not only document but SEE as you re-read your entries).


    Still don't know if I will end up ordering the 4 pack, but I can tell you that by having something here , right in front of me, being non-judgemental and totally absorbing my thought processes about the things I WANT to change about myself, I KNOW that I am more likely than not to attain at least one of my goals. 


    Change is most definitely a process, and sometimes, a mindblowing one at that. And the LAST thing a person needs is outside roadblocks, when the HARDEST roadblocks to overcome are ALL internal. This book REALLY helps to not only explain that , but to help you take ownership of your life and your decisions.


    At any rate, I can do nothing but highly recommend this particular Domino Project book, because it has become a much needed tool for me. It's less of a journal and more of a peak into my decision making processes. Hoping that someone finds this as helpful as I HAVE :)


    ~~B

    Tuesday, September 13, 2011

    Jono,this is D.O.P.E-Because I am shamelessly using Chuck Norris to blog about the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender-200W


    CHUCK NORRIS WOULDN'T USE A Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender-200W -- he would just LOOK at that food and it would blend itself!


    BUT....let's just say for craps and giggles that he would. 

    IF he did, surely he would choose the Cuisinart Smart Stick . Why? (A) because it's SMART (like Chuck Norris...YOU going to DISAGREE????) and (B) it's a stick that can PULVERIZE (NOT unlike the hands of Chuck Norris!). So you see how the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender-200W would be a great choice for your kitchen. 


    Let's see what "they" say about it:



    Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender - 200W

    The versatile stick design of the Cuisinart Smart stick Hand Blender lets users blend ingredients right in pots, pitchers, bowls, or clear plastic beaker that's included. A powerful 200-watt motor operates with an easy one-touch control. Blends drinks, purees soup, mixes pancake and crepe batters in seconds! Both stainless steel blending shaft and beaker are dishwasher-safe. Perfect for making all of your delicious fall recipes! 

    ooooh What would I make, seeing as I don't have the weapon that is Chuck Norris's body and hands?!?!?!?!?!?!  
    This for one....CHEESECAKE PIES!!!!  SO SIMPLE! And SO GOOOD!

      
    Or what about a sticking that  Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender into a mixture of tomatillos, cilantro, poblano pepper, serrano pepper, and a hint of lime to make a beautiful Salsa Verde for your next party!?  MMMM


    Or hey! What about just wowing your friends and faking 
    your culinary expertise by making the world's easiest gazpacho recipe! 


    You could even get all FANCY and serve said gazpacho as SHOTS in these cute little cucumber cups! 



    OR OR OR!!!! Best of all!!!

    BABYFOOD!!!! 
    Which, I might add, is not only nutritionally more sound than the crap that you buy on the shelves, BUT, INFINITELY more tasty! Not to mention more economical! AND--no recalled babyfood to deal with!!!  Infants and toddlers have THOUSANDS more taste buds than we do, and LOVE to taste "real" food. I used a blender, and later a magic bullet, but the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender would not only  mean less mess, but making more use of those leftovers!

    Whatever you do with your Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender , I would  SURE would love to see it!  Share in the comments things that you have used your immersion blender for--I would LOVE ideas!

    **If you are hedging on whether the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender would fit your needs, just ask yourself---WWCND???**

    Just going to leave you with another gratuitous picture of Chuck Norris...because Chuck Norris hasn't told me not to ;).



    Friday, September 9, 2011

    Hey Jono, Wolverine is DOPE, and he LOVES Blender Bottles!



    (PARDON THE GRATUITOUS USE OF MAN CANDY, but as you see, he uses a Blender Bottle!)

    BLENDER BOTTLE



    The patented BlenderBottle by Sundesa is a great way to mix protein and meal replacement drinks while on the go, but it's also handy for mixing pancake batter while camping, mixing salad dressings and marinades, or just using as a water bottle. The BlenderBottle is the best-selling portable mixer simply because it works. No batteries, no cord, no hassle. Mix It Smooth--Anytime, Anywhere.
    What a cool idea! I like the little mixing ball up in there. I think it would be PERFECT not only for a quick yogurt drink, but for Mama's occasional celebratory vodka concoction when the kids go to bed -- looks like the PERFECT cocktail shaker too! 
    Plenty of recipes  are available on their site (mmmm orange Dream Shake!) 
    Who can argue with Vanessa Hudgens , Scarlett Johansson  , or Dwanyne "The Rock" Johnson ? I mean, sure, if you WANT to argue with The Rock, be my guest, it's your funeral ;). 
    By the way...reported main cupcake of Chelsea Handler -- 50 Cent  --  is a fan too (if Fitty uses it you KNOW it's cool!). I could go on and on about how Jessica Biel and The Bieber LOVE their bottles, but I would think that just knowing that Hugh Jackman uses it, WE ALL should be wanting it! I mean, come on..... 

    IF WOLVERINE CAN BE ALL CASUAL WITH IT, SO CAN I!! And, more importantly, SO CAN YOU!

    And so I leave you with yet another shot of Hugh Jackman ... Just because I can, and because he is a fan of The Blender Bottle .



    I would buy anything this man loves!





    Wednesday, September 7, 2011

    John Grisham-Thriller King!



    JOHN, JOHN, HE'S OUR MAN, IF HE CAN'T WRITE IT NO ONE CAN!!!  You can ind out MORE about John Grisham HERE , but in the MEAN TIME............Settle for THIS!

    I love love LOVE a good story!!! But nothing ruins a good story like an absolutely ABYSMAL storyteller/psuedoauthor/public speaker . Which is why I am SO glad that there are STILL amazing writers that exist that can REALLY captivate an audience with both their work AND their voice!  It's already been WELL established that I am a HUGE John Grisham fan (AND I am a bzzagent!), and let me tell you, it's NOT just for his written word! There is just something about his speaking voice that is just EXTREMELY engaging. Have you heard of his Ford Country Stories? I HIGHLY suggest reading the short stories, but this Youtube Playlist shows John Grisham REALLY gives intimate insights into his storytelling-his novels and more importantly, his process of gathering his short stories. I love hearing WONDERFUL authors talking about their works and their creative process, and with John Grisham, it doesn't exactly hurt that he has this AHmazing southern drawl that just makes you feel like you are sunk into an easy chair when listening to him talk.

    INTERESTING FACTOIDS:


    John Grisham's first novel, A TIME TO KILL, went virtually unnoticed, in fact he resorted to selling the copies himself out of the back of his car. The book that made his career was THE FIRM, which became one of the bestselling novels of 1991. The movie rights were acquired by Paramount before the book was published.


    WHO KNEW??



    The Firm

    Published in 1991, The Firm is Grisham's first widely recognized book. It tells the story of Harvard Law School graduate Mitch McDeere and his dark experience at the Bendini, Lambert & Locke law firm in Memphis. Fresh out of school, he's drawn to The Firm's promise of financial security. But soon enough he learns it's part of the white collar operations of a Chicago crime family, and that each time an employee tries to leave The Firm, he's killed. So, will McDeere become the first lawyer to escape alive?   Learn more HERE . REALLY REALLY REALLY  hope that the  TV series based on the book really takes off!  <<<<-----SUPER excited about that!





    You can find John Grisham HERE on Facebook too!  You should click through and stop by to  share your adoration (I'm sure he would appreciate it!)


    **I am a bzzagent**- and a PROUD fan of who I consider to be one of the TOP 5 storytellers of this generation!**

    The DOPEST Kindle 3 Post EVER!

    COVETING the Kindle 3!! Just look at it! You know what I love? I love the idea of THIS

    NOT happening to a book I spend Bruce's hard earned money on. No more pages ruined by whatever carnage a 3 yo and a 5 yo can do. I LOVE that your kindle purchases are saved and can be reloaded at any time!

    WHY THE KINDLE 3 SPANKS THE IPAD FOR READING MATERIAL:


    The Kindle 3 is ingeniously designed to be everything the iPad will never be: small, light and inexpensive… Now, the Kindle is almost ridiculously lightweight; at 8.5 ounces, it’s a third the weight of the iPad.  A THIRD OF THE WEIGHT!!!!!


    And with a wi-fi connection you’re just seconds away from close to a million books. It’s like having access to an entire library from the comforts of your couch. So what book are you going to read? 


    I think my FIRST book will be the very first book in the OUTLANDER series by Dianna Gabaldon--daughter WANTS me to read the series! The next one will most DEFINITELY be The Litigators by John Grisham (CHOMPING AT THE BIT FOR THAT ONE!!!!). 


    I know that there are people that have resisted the call of e-readers. I used to be one of them. But I am totally a convert now. ANYTHING that preserves the written word and makes it EASIER for books and periodicals to be available to the masses has my vote, and should have yours too! They have REALLY come down in price, and, if you compare what you would normally spend on a hardcover new release to what you spend on Kindle, it pays for itself in VERY short order (ESPECIALLY if you are an avid reader!). BONUS!!!---Many libraries are now set up with e-book lending programs!!!! Possibilities are ENDLESS! OHH!!!! And don't get me started on the games that are available.