Book Review & Give-a-way: The Burnout Cure

I'll admit, I suffer from burnout quite often. Did you read my last post?
So I was thrilled to hear that one of my favorite experts on emotional health, Julie de Azevedo Hanks, had written a new book called The Burnout Cure. Julie Hanks has been featured in Real Simple, Women's Day, Parenting, Women's Health, to name a few. She has also been seen on Fox News, TLC, and  the Discovery Health Channel.

Burnout doesn't just happen to moms. It can happen to anyone. Julie defines burnout as "a state of exhaustion and lack of motivation due to prolonged stress or frustration."  She continues to let us know that burnout can include "the perception of failure to attain certain results, successes, blessings, and rewards" after doing all we can do and giving all our time and energy. Sound familiar?   I know I have felt this way many times- especially now as I'm pregnant with twins, have four other children, and many other responsibilities and commitments.

While The Burnout Cure is written for LDS women, it applies to anyone who gives a great deal of their time and talents to helping and showing love for others.

The book is filled with Myths and Truths about our emotions, self-care, and offers many tools for identifying your emotional needs, and letting go of the guilt and perfectionism. There are many opportunities in the book to write down your own thoughts, feelings, experiences and reflect and answer questions about yourself.

I cannot say enough about the wisdom in this book, and the ways it has already helped me in my own life. It has helped me understand that there are many misconceptions about emotions, that have held me back. Reading this book, has helped me realize the truth about emotions and how to effectively  share them in my relationships in a way that is healthy and helpful.   I know this is a book I will refer to often and read again.

The Burnout Cure is a book any woman could benefit from. Want to win a copy? LEAVE A COMMENT and a reason why you think this book may be helpful to you! You can also purchase the book on AMAZON or at Deseret Book. Give-a-way ENDS on SUNDAY August 25th at Midnight, P.S.T.

Want to read more about Julie Hanks? Check out her website for more blog tour book reviews, and interview clips from TV and radio.

And for all my LDS friends out there, check out Julie's new song, "Molly Mormon Died Today."

RoseArt Contest & Give-a-way: Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk

Want to win $200 Visa Gift Card, while having fun with your children and being creative? RoseArt has a new product out called "Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk." They are sponsoring a fabulous contest with this new Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk.

The Product: Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk comes in many different varieties. Would you like to win one? LEAVE A COMMENT suggesting an IDEA for a NEW SURPRISE INSIDE and I'll send you one of these sets!

OR- want to win a $200 Visa Gift Card, by trying out this chalk and creating a drawing? Read on for details....

  RoseArt challenged us to make use of this chalk, and come up with something creative using it. We used this one for our Chalk Art Drawing:

 Since Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk is for children ages three and up, my 7, 5, and 3 1/2 year olds all participated in making our drawing.

 Our Chalk Art was much more than just a drawing! We had the idea to put the surprise inside to use with our chalk art. My kids were so excited to see the prize inside! It is a lot of chalk to use to find the prize! Finally we got to the prize!

 Here is the prize inside!

Here is the prize inside of our Chalk Art:

 After a lot of work and fun, we were almost done with the drawing and ready for the best part of all...playing our GAME using our drawing that we created, and the Surprise Inside!

 Here is what we did with our Surprise Inside Chalk: We created a game board by drawing a path of squares. Next the children, added any kind of "lands" that they wanted. We needed something to help us move our game pieces along the board. So I drew a square of colors, as seen below. We used a small rock to roll on the board, and that told us where to put our playing pieces. For playing pieces, we used the Surprise Inside, and a car, action figure, etc.

 A GREAT IDEA- for this Surprise Inside Chalk, would be to  have your kids invite some friends, and have the game path already drawn. Give each of the kids a pack of Surprise Inside Chalk. You can pick these up for around $3 at K-mart, Target, and Walmart. (However I could not find it at my local Walmart.)  Let them use it to create their own lands, city's,etc. around the game board. When they get to their surprise inside, they can use that as their playing piece and play the game!

Here is our drawing! It was so large, that even standing on a ladder, it was hard to get it all in one photo.

 Here are the boys playing the game! They had so much fun and absolutely loved creating it themselves. They even names some of the lands after themselves- well one of them did. Can you see the surprise inside? It is moving along the game board...trying to get to the finish line!

 So here is how you can win:
1. Leave a comment suggesting an idea for a new hidden collectible surprise inside toy. 2 winners will get their own Surprise Inside Chalk, which I will send you. Please submit your ideas by March 28th. I will pick a winner after March 28th and send you a package of chalk-pictured above. Please make sure you leave me a way to contact you!!

OR...to win a $200 Visa Gift Card...
2. Go purchase RoseArt's Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk- at Walmart, K-mart, or Target. (I did not find it at my local Walmart, so you might want to try Target.) Create your own sidewalk chalk art. The contest is judged on "The Best Use of Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk".
3. Take a photo of it, and email it to me at littlegemscrafts {at} gmail {dot } com.
I will pick the best ones to send to RoseArt. You will then be eligible to win a $200 Visa Gift Card from RoseArt!
4. Contest ends on APRIL 8th. Please submit your drawings by that date. Winners will be picked by RoseArt. Visa Gift Cards will be sent directly from RoseArt to the winners on April 12th.

THANK YOU ROSEART! We really loved this product, and will use it all spring and summer long!
NOW it is your turn! Don't forget to purchase the chalk, for $3 at K-mart, Walmart, or Target. Create your own drawing, and email me a photo of it at littlegemscrafts {at} gmail {dot} com. I will pick one to send to RoseArt for a $200 Visa Gift Card!! Or leave a comment on an idea for a new surprise inside, and I'll send  out a package of this product to 2 winners!

Good Luck!

As a blogger, I was entered into a contest for a $500 gift card for my chalk art creation, "Best Use of Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk." . I was sent a package of Surprise Inside Sidewalk Chalk to try myself.

A TREAT for my READERS! Only for 11/19 & 11/20!

The super nice people over at TREAT cards...are offering my readers a FREE Custom Card Monday November 19, and Tuesday November 20th only! {code and link at end of post}
Here are a few cards I loved:

Today you can create and send a totally personalized greeting card from Treat for FREE. Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday, or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress. So check someone off your list today and make them a card at TREAT.

This offer is only good for Readers of My Little Gems, today and tomorrow only.
Go to TREAT. Pick from 100's of cards. Personalize your card.
Use the Code : TREATBLOGR

Happy Holidays everyone!

$50 Give-a-way from Tiny Prints Holiday Cards

 In case you missed the Shutterfly give-a-way, I have another great give-a-way for you today from one of my favorite companies- Tiny Prints! I ordered my baby's announcements from this company last year, and I loved them! Looking through their Holiday Photo Cards, there are so many fun, fresh, and original designs, I don't know how I could pick just one! Here are a few of my favorites:

  Tiny Prints has a wonderful collection this year from traditional colors and embellishments to merry and bright colors that take on a modern feel. You can also find feature religious/scripture based cards (including Hanukkah) and cards to showcase your pets.  There is something for everyone!

Tiny Prints often has special offers, so you can always find a fantastic deal on your order!

So would you like $50 to use towards your Tiny Prints order? Go take a look at their
Holiday Photo Cards , let me know which ones you love, by leaving a comment!

To connect with Tiny Prints:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
BLOG
Google +

Give-a-way ends on Thursday, November 8th, at 10 p.m. P.S.T.
Winner will receive a code good for $50 off their purchase from Tiny Prints- (does not include shipping). Good luck! Thanks for reading!

This is a sponsored post from Tiny Prints, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Shutterfly Holiday Cards {Give-a-way!}

I'm teaming up with my good friends from Shutterfly to bring you a great give-a-way!
One Little Gems Reader will receive-$50 off total order from Shutterfly!  (does not include shipping & cannot be combined with any other promos)


It's never too early to think about your Holiday Cards! I've been thinking about them a lot lately- what my boys will wear, where we will take the photo, and most importantly what kind of card design I would like. Shutterfly has an amazing amount of choices-from traditional, to merry and bright colors, to cards that feel very modern. They even have cards that are religous or scripture based. There is something for everyone at Shutterfly! Seriously, their cards are so stinkin' cute, I almost want to get more than one! Here are just a few that I really like this year:

As most of you know, I  am a huge Shutterfly fan! I use their site for photo books, calendars, address labels, and cards. In fact, I just did a few little presentations and shared their great photo books with women in my church.  They always have the best special offers too! There is always  a deal going at Shutterfly. {If you sign up for their emails, you will informed about all of their great deals and offers!}

So would you like to win $50 to use at Shutterfly this year?
Here is what you need to do:
Take a look at the wonderfulHoliday Cards! Tell me which one or ones you like in a comment and make sure I have a way to contact you! Shutterfly will send you the code directly, so you must make sure I have a valid email address, or link to one!

Give-a-way ends on Friday, October 26th, at 10:00 p.m. P.S.T. Good luck!

{this is a sponsored post by Shutterfly, but all opinions are 100% mine.}
You can connect with Shutterfly at:
Pinterest
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Google+


Thanks for reading! Happy Holiday Card Season!

NEW Winner of the Mercy River CD

I hate when I have to pick a new winner....if you enter give-a-ways- make sure you check back to see if you won. HERE is the new winner. Please check if you entered. thanks!

WINNER of the Mercy River CD Higher

Thank you for all that entered the Mercy River CD give-a-way! If you did not win and still would like a chance to win one- check out the other blogs giving one away this month!

The winner is  SIMS FAMILY who said, "Looks like a great CD! I would love to win it!"
Well... you won (cause the first person never contacted me after a week....and there was no way to contact her...please contact me so we can get it sent to you!)

PLEASE contact me within 48 hours, little gems crafts (all one word) at gmail dot com or I will pick a new winner!

Congrats SIMS FAMILY!!

Guest Post & Give-a-way: Mercy River

I have an exciting post for you today! Thanks to Deseret Book and Shadow Mountain Records, for introducing me to a wonderful group, Mercy River. This month they are on a blog tour.  Mercy River is 3 trendy, talented, and cute moms (Brooke, Whitney, and Soni)  who are doing what many of us do everyday- juggling the tasks of motherhood. These women also sing together and have recently recorded a beautiful new CD, titled Higher. They have 13 children between the three of them, and still manage to live their dreams as recording artists.

 So I wanted to know...like many of you may want to know, How do they balance it all? How do you balance family, and music? Here is what Brooke had to say:

When we asked Sharla what she thought we should blog about, her answer was actually a rather common question: “How do you do it? How do you balance music and family”?

That question may be retracted if you saw my house in its current state. My laundry pile is practically breeding. My 1-year-old baby still has 3-6 month clothes in her drawers. My daughter is heading to school wearing the same hairstyle as she did yesterday. My 3 year old son has syrup on his face. There is a massive amount of hand prints on our stainless steel dishwasher. (OK, that one I leave on purpose. I’m sorry, but they’re slightly adorable.)

 And I am currently in my sweatshirt and yoga pants. We may or may not have PBJ for lunch.

AND dinner. Don’t put it past me--it’s happened before. So maybe our answer to that question should be “Not very well.”

 

But I think that’s normal mommyhood. We all have moments in our lives when our plates are filled with more than our kiddos’ demands.

 

The truth is we have had to find a way to balance family and music. Although the three of us are on essentially the same “Mercy River journey”, our coping skills are all very different. As a group, we have a set of rules we follow; we stick to 3 performances a month, we take our kids to every possible thing we can, (rehearsals, firesides, concerts), etc. But then we each have our own set of rules.

My personal numero uno rule- my marriage comes first. Always.

 First off, I need to share a piece of info with you.

Marriage is a lot of work.

What do you mean you already knew that?

A few years ago, I noticed my marriage wasn’t where I wanted it to be. School, work, kids, callings, and yes, Mercy River, were all very present in our lives and all of a sudden I discovered that my husband and I had been practically reduced to roommates. We decided we needed to refocus our priorities. I wanted to find ways I could make my husband feel loved, but he’s not one to open up about his feelings, (aka he’s a guy). I thought I would do some experimenting. I read that fabulous “Love Language” book, and started my own analysis to see if I could find HIS love language. And much to my surprise, I realized quality time was his thing. So now, we have a regular date night each week. And we’re religious about it-we don’t skip our dates. I’m RARELY gone more than 2 nights a week, and even that is pretty sporadic. We play board games every Sunday night when the kiddos are in bed. I’ve even learned to sit through a golf game or an episode of “Gold Rush”. (Granted, he usually rubs my feet while doing so. It makes it less painful.)

In return he has been my biggest support with Mercy River. He encourages me to rehearse, he loves coming to our concerts, and he talks about our group to a point where it can be a bit embarrassing. He is a fantastic dad, and gets excited to spend one-on-one time with the kids while I’m away.

Marriage is not easy. Keeping it at the forefront of my priorities isn’t easy. But I’ve seen so many blessings from working hard at it, and it’s allowed me to be a part of Mercy River without destroying my family.  Mercy River is not forever. My marriage is.

Thanks Sharla, for letting us share! xoxo

Thanks to Mercy River for including this blog in their blog tour! I can relate to a lot of what Brooke said- especially the endless fingerprints....and staying in your workout clothes for a large chunk of your day.

If you want to read more from Mercy River, they are currently doing a blog tour. You can find a list of the blogs here. 

Their new CD, HIGHER is inspiring and beautiful. I have been listening to it for days and singing along. Let's just say, it is a good one.

 Would you like a copy of their new CD, HIGHER?
Leave a comment, and a winner will be picked and announced on Monday March 19th!

Christmas Eclipse CD WINNER!

The winner of the Christmas CD by Eclipse is: #12 Aubrey!

Aubrey said...



I LOVE Christmas music...this would be great to have!!


Please contact me within 48 hours (comment -won't be published- or email me your contact information so I can get you your CD.  It is a great CD- if you love Acappella music, you just might want to add this one to your Christmas Music Collection!

Happy Holidays!

Give-a-way: Eclipse CD-It's Christmas Time

Have you been watching the Sing-Off on NBC? If so, you will love Eclipse.

Shadow Mountain Records, (a.k.a. Deseret Book) would like to give you a copy of this new Christmas CD from Eclipse.  Eclipse is a group of 6 guys, singing A cappella. They use no instruments, just their voices. They are so good, I had to check the CD case to make sure they weren't using any instruments.  This is their first Christmas CD since 2003. It was released on November 1st.

Their sound is so fresh, upbeat, and fun! This is a perfect CD to lift your spirits and put you in the Christmas mood!

If you want to listen to a sample, click here.

Want to win a copy?

LEAVE A COMMENT!

Give-a-way ends Sunday night, November 13th,  at midnight, P.S.T.

Good luck and thanks for reading!

WINNERS of the Shutterfly Christmas Cards!

I love when there can be multiple winners! And I love when Random.org picks numbers that aren't usually the numbers that get picked. So here are the 3 winners according to random.org. YOU MUST email me to get your code/prize within 48 hours, or I will pick a new winner.

Winner 1:
rebecca said...



Yay! I love Shutterfly! Maybe if I finally did these, they wouldn't looks so last minute:)


Winner 2:


The Clark's said...



I got free Christmas Cards from Shutterfly last year and they turned out amazing! I would love to get my Christmas Cards from them again!



Winner 3:
momto2boys said...



I Love shutterfly and I love your blog! We had some family pics made at the beach this year that would be perfect for Christmas cards...and free would be awesome!!! :) Thanks!


 Happy Monday! And Thanks for reading! Another little Christmas give-a-way will be up this week!

Give-a-way: Shutterfly Holiday Cards {for 3 readers}

I love Shutterfly. They have so many wonderful photo gifts and options to chose from. We just got some family photos done, and I can't wait to see the results so I can start putting together the annual "crazy" family Christmas card for this year. Shutterfly is here to help all of us with our holiday cards this year.

 Three readers will get a code good for 25 Holiday Cards from Shutterfly. Yay!

So what is so great about Shutterfly?

One of my favorite products they offer is the photo books. I have made several of these using Shutterfly. I love how easy their website is to use, and how great the books look! They also offer 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on their products. Not only that, but they also have fantastic prices on their photo books. I am hoping to use Shutterfly to make a few little books for my family for Christmas this year.

Last year, I used Shutterfly to make a custom calendar for my grandpa. He absolutely loved it. They actually have a deal going on right now on their calendars.

Shutterfly offers so many personalized photo products.

But since Christmas is around the corner, and we are all thinking about our holiday cards.....let me show you some of the great  designs Shutterfly has for this year:

  I love that they offer all kinds of designs and colors, as well as folded and flat greeting cards.

They really do have 100's of designs to chose from! There are so many great options, I might have to order a few different ones. (hee hee)

SO would you like free Christmas cards this year from Shutterfly?

Of course you would !

LEAVE A COMMENT.. (please remember that it is your job to contact me if you win. If I have not heard from you within 48 hours, I will pick a new winner.)

THREE- yes THREE READERS will get 25 FREE cards from Shutterfly!

This give-a-way will end on Sunday, November 6th, 2011, at midnight, P.S.T. Winners will be announced Monday. You must contact me within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner.

All opinions are 100% mine. I received no compensation for this post.

Thanks for reading! Good luck!