Zurker: New Socal Media Site with Shares!

Can you imagine if you could have got in on the ground floor of Facebook as a developer? Ever wished you could own shares for Google or Yahoo? Well now we have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new social networking site - Zurker

Zurker is a social media platformed which gives its shares to the owners and users ...meaning you. It is invite only right now, so you can join with me at no cost and get in on the ground floor of the next social media platform. Join me at Zurker.

Review andGiveaway: Cook'n Recipe Organizer

I was given the opportunity to review Cook'n Recipe Organizer.

I am an avid baker. I love to bake cookies, pies, candy, brownies...anything sweet. At one point last fall, I baked 95 dozen cookies to sell at the Fall Festival at my mom's church. We have a cookbook that has photo pages - where you can peel the plastic film up and press the paper to the slightly sticky sheet underneath, and it's great for organizing recipes, but I spend so much time on the computer that I was thrilled to have a recipe organizer like Cook'n that is online and on the computer.

Here's a little info about Cook'n Recipe Organizer:

Enter and organize your own recipes (add photos also!)
Find & capture thousands of internet recipes *NEW*
Design & print family cookbooks
Create menu plans & make grocery shopping lists
Adjust recipe serving sizes with the click of a mouse
Analyze nutritional values of any recipe
Share recipes through email and on blogs
Sync recipes to iPhone, iPad, and Android *NEW*
Protect your recipes for future generations
Save money on food each month

Also includes:

Over 350 best recipes with several photos
Over 10,000 nutritional food facts
Several colorful recipe themes
Free eCookbook of your choice, a $30 value (LIMITED TIME OFFER)
Risk-Free, Money-back 200% Guarantee

I love that Cook'n comes already loaded with recipes, but I find it so easy to add my own, too.

I can't wait to have more time to really play with this software - I have so many recipes to add. I'll need to get all my Mom's and Grandmother's recipes entered in so that I can keep them forever.

Cook'n is offering a 50% coupon code specially made for my readers. The code is: mb-layne.

Cook'n is also offering 1 lucky reader a free digital download of Cook'n recipe Organizer. Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open worldwide.

Current Giveaways - 2-25

Here's a list of my current giveaway and some friends' giveaways, too. Please stop by and give them some love:

My Giveaways -

Kristine's Shower - ends 3-3, US only

Support New Blogger $145 Cash Giveaway - ends 2-28, Worldwide

Cook'n Recipe Organizer - ends 3-5 - worldwide


Friends' Giveaways - These are on other blogs

Pizza Hut Gift Cards - ends 3-3 - Worldwide


Zoobies Blanket Pet - Ends 3-5 - US only

Eraselets - ends 3-6 - US only

GiGi, God's Little Princess DVD - ends 3-5 - US only

$10 Sneakpeeq credit - ends 3-1 US Only, new Sneakpeeq users only

Prize Package #2 - ends 3-1 - US only

$30 gift card code to novica.com - ends 3-1 - US only

Prize Package #3 - ends 3-8 - Us only

Birthday Chronicle - ends 3-5 - US only

Rover Respond'R - ends 3-5 - US only

Sure Flap - ends 3-5 - US only

Smart Bones - ends 3-5 - US only

Crindlestar card and story - ends 3-5 - US only

$25 Scentsy Giftcard - ends 3-9 - US/Canada

Lugz Boots - 3-7 - US only

Vasanti Cosmetics - ends 3-5 - US/Canada

Miami Vineyard CD - ends 3-8 - US only


PetCakes - ends 3-4 - US only


Laura Lynn Studio graphics kit giveaway - ends 3-1 - worldwide

Sweepstakes -

4 great sweepstakes for baby prizes

Review and Giveaway: Kristine's Shower

I was sent a lovely little selection of products from Kristine's Shower, a wonderful small business:

My great little Sample Stacker included a Bath Bomb, a Body Frosting sugar scrub (Congo Bongo scent), a shea butter Body Sorbet( Get Fresh scent), an aloe vera Body Whip (vanilla sugar scent), and a bar of Soap. I'm not sure what flavors/scents the Bath Bomb or the soap were, but everything smelled so good.

I absolutely loved the Congo Bongo scented Body Frosting sugar scrub. It was so rich and exfoliating - it even got rid of the rough areas on the back of my heels that I can never get rid of!

The Vanilla sugar scented aloe vera Body Whip has got to be some of the best lotion I have ever tried - and I am not a lotion girl! I tend to not use much lotion because I hate the feel of it on my hands, but the aloe vera Body Whip from Kristine's Shower was just wonderful - and it soaked in to my skin so fast I didn't even have time to not enjoy it on my hands.

The Bath Bomb was just great! I don't do baths, but I put in under the spray of water in my shower and just enjoyed the fragrance while I took a long shower and pampered myself with all the lovely things Kristine's Shower sent me.


Kristine's Shower is generously offering a Sample Stacker similar to the one pictured above for 1 lucky reader! Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below. US Only.

Giveaway: Pizza Hut Gift Cards

Check out this awesome Pizza Hut gift card giveaway from Been There done that with Kat! Starts at midnight tonight!

What Are You Reading Wednesdays (a day late)

I'd like to start a weekly topic - What Are You Reading Wednesdays! Borrowed from Should Be Reading's lovely blog.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?


What am I currently reading?

Currently I am reading Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods.

Jess O'Brien has overcome a lot—the challenges of attention deficit disorder, the near bankruptcy of her beloved Inn at Eagle Point and her self-perception as a screwup in a family of overachievers. Now she's ready to share the future with a man. Her friends persuade her to join a dating service—but she gets no takers! Which is fine with her childhood friend, psychologist Will Lincoln, who's already chosen the perfect man for Jess: himself.
Will has loved Jess practically forever. He knows her faults and her strengths. But for all Will's sincerity and charm, Jess fears he views her as some psychological case study. With her family and the town of Chesapeake Shores behind him, Will finally makes his case. But is it enough to convince Jess to take the risk of a lifetime?

I'm really liking this book so far. I love that it deals with adult ADD.



What did I just recently finish reading?


I just finished The House on Olive Street by Robyn Carr.

The loss of their close friend draws four women together. And a summer spent sorting through personal effects offers the perfect challenge—and the perfect escape.

Sable—her bestselling novels have made her a star, but the woman who has everything, in fact, has nothing but a past she is desperate to hide

Elly—the intellectual who has hidden herself within the walls of academia, afraid to admit she is tired of being alone

Barbara Ann—the talent behind twenty-six romance novels wakes up one day to discover she's lost control of her career, her sanity and her family

Beth—her popular mysteries have become the only way she can fight against the secret tyranny of an abusive husband

In the house on Olive Street, away from their troubles, the four women discover something marvelous: themselves. And along the way they realize a dream. For, in telling the story of a remarkable woman, their own lives begin to change.

I really enjoyed this book. I just could not put it down. I was up until 3:18 am one morning reading it, and the only reason I know that is because I looked at my cell phone, said, "Oh, crap, it's 3:18 in the morning - I have to go to bed right now!" I would have stayed up until I finished this book but I had to be up early the next (or rather that same) morning.



What am I reading next?

Next on my schedule is a book I just received in the mail today - Dylan (The Secret Life of Cowboys) by C.H. Admirand.

THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULDN'T TAME...

Dylan Garahan might be an old hand at lassoing fillies, but one night at the Lucky Star club, and he ends up wrapping his rope around someone that even his formidable strength can't tame. She's wily and beautiful... and she's his new boss. Dylan's had his heart broken before, but even an honest cowpoke has to wrestle with temptation...

UNTIL HE GOT HIS LASSO AROUND HER...

Ronnie DelVecchio might be fresh off the bus from New Jersey, but she's a hard-edged businesswoman and has had her fill of men she can't trust-although she might consider getting off her high horse for that big, handsome rancher with a Texas drawl.



I received this book from the author to review here on my blog, and I am really looking forward to it. Also, C.H. Admirand is going to offer a copy of the first book in The Secret Life of Cowboys series, Tyler, to a lucky reader for a giveaway! So stay tuned for my review of Dylan in the next week or two.

So now you can tell me -

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Just leave me a comment to let me know.

Current Giveaways

Come check out all the great giveaways I have running right now!

Newman's Own Organics - ends 2-28 - US Only

Support New Blogger $145 Cash Giveaway - ends 2-28 - Worldwide

Zevia Soda - ends 2-24 - US only

Starting Saturday, 2-25 - Kristine's Shower Giveaway

Starting Monday, 2-27 - Cook'n Recipe Organizer Giveaway

Blog Hop: Tuesday Twitter-pated Hop

Review and Giveaway: Newman's Own Organics

I was given the opportunity to sample a bunch of great products from Newman's Own Organics. I was amazed at the great array of products they sent me to try out. I received 6 chocolate bars:

My favorite was the Super Dark Chocolate. 70% cocoa and man, was that ever good! So dark and yet not too bitter - just melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodness.

I was also sent 4 bags of cookies:

I absolutely loved the Ginger Snaps - what great ginger flavor! The Cinnamon Grahams were great, too! I actually have not gotten to try the Vanilla cookies or the Double Chocolate Chip (I know, what kind of woman am I if I haven't gotten around to the chocolate?) I also love the Ginger Cremes and the Hint-o-Mint.

I was also sent 5 different kinds of cookies - 4 sandwich creme cookies and 1 Fig Newmans:

Oops, I forget we opened the Creme's and the Chocolate Creme's before I could take a picture. My favorite of these was the Fig Newmans - they were delicious, and so much tastier than those other "fruit and cake" cookies.

Next we have the Pretzels:

We've only gotten around to trying the Honey Wheat Pretzels so far, but they were fabulous!

Another yummy Newman's Own Organics product I received was licorice:

My mom stole the Strawberry before I could take a picture. I didn't even get to taste one of those. I did eat all the Black Licorice, though. I didn't share those since they are my favorite! I just tried the Pomegranate and they are quite tasty, too!

Let's see; I also received 3 tins of mints. Also shown are raisins (yummers):

Again, Mom stole the cinnamon before I got to take a picture - she loves them. My dad took the Peppermint, too. I kept the Ginger mints - ooh, are they ever good!!! Great strong Ginger flavor! (Can't you tell I love ginger?) Not pictured, but still received, was microwave popcorn - haven't had a chance to try that yet!


I was thrilled with the great selection Newman's Own Organics sent me to try. My family all found something to love out of all the great items. I love that all the products are organic, so even though I was munching on snack food, I didn't feel quite so guilty about it.

Here's what Newman's Own Organics has to say about their products:

"'Great tasting food that happens to be organic.' (That's what we kept in mind when we created our products.) We focus on the kinds of products we loved as kids, but take them one step further by using the highest quality of available organic ingredients.

We find that people really want to know how the ingredients are grown and processed on the way to their grocer's shelf. When people see how much organic foods have improved since the early days of packaged 'health' foods, we hope they'll try other organic food products.

But 'organic' may be the last thing you think of when you try our tasty Pretzels, Chocolate Bars, Fig Newmans™, Family Recipe Cookies, Chocolate Cups, Newman-O's, Pop's Corn, Alphabet Cookies , Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar, Dried Fruit , Soy Crisps, Hermits, Mints, Coffee and Royal Tea. They're just so good!"

The sale of Newman’s Own Organics products generates money for the Newman’s Own Foundation to give away. Since 1982 Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation have donated more than $300 million dollars to educational and charitable organizations worldwide.

Newman's Own Organics has generously offered a selection of 4 products to the winner of the giveaway. They said that I could pick my 4 favorites, so I am going to have to pick...

1. The Fig Newman's
2. Milk Chocolate Bar
3. Cinnamon Graham Cookies and
4. Honey Wheat Pretzels

This giveaway is open to US residents only.

Giveaway: Support New Bloggers Cash Giveaway

My fellow bloggers and I are getting together to bring you this giveaway. With the exception of one of the hosts, all the participating blogs are considered new. They were either started in 2011 or 2012 or they still had low number of followers.

Your hosts are Kathleen of Callista's Ramblings and Janet of Going Crazy!! Wanna Go??

One person will win $145 deposited into their PayPal account - Yippie!!! The giveaway is open worldwide to anyone 18+ who has a PayPal account.

Use the rafflecopter form below to enter. Be sure to read all instructions and especially the terms and conditions. You have until Feb. 28, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST.

Please take the time to visit the other participating blogs: Juliana's Bits and Pieces, Bay Area Mommy, Giveaway Promote, Ohayo Okasan, Sara Lee's Deals and Steals, Mini Farm Sustainability Project,  Ms Angela's Finds, Life's Cheap Thrills, The Mystic Kitchen, My Simple Walk, Monkey Mayhem, Cheap is the New Classy, Five Kids and Crazy Me, Layne's Thrifty Finds, The Kids are Grown, Now What?, My Charmed Mom, Of Limes and Lemons,  4 Sassy Girlz, Karma Media Team, Giveaways and Glitter, Living the FantabuLESS Life, A Pear of Sisters, June Bug Mom Blog, Been There Done That With Kat, The Ladies Lounge, Written by Mama, Giveaway Hog.

Sweepstakes for some great baby prizes - car seat, stroller, Graco Bundle, winter wardrobe

Here are several links to win some great baby stuff Sweepstakes! Good Luck!!!










This giveaway is provided via a third party site. Layne's Thrifty Finds is not responsible for the shipment of this prize. The sponsor is solely responsible for the prize. By entering you agree to the full terms and conditions as listed on the giveaway. This post may contain affiliate/referral links.

Giveaways & Glitter: Sweet Tooth Bakery - Review & Giveaway.

Giveaways & Glitter: Sweet Tooth Bakery - Review & Giveaway.: I recently was granted the opportunity to review an item from the Sweet Tooth Bakery . I chose these delectable Heart Chocolate Cake Po...

Review and Giveaway: Zevia Soda

I was given the opportunity to try 6 different flavors from Zevia.

What is Zevia?

Soda. Pretty plain and simply, Zevia is soda but better. Zevia was created with the miracle ingredient, stevia, which makes it all natural and zero calories. Never any sugar or artificial sweeteners mean it’s a healthier soda for you and those that you love.

What is Stevia?

A miracle plant. We think so anyway. Stevia is a little green plant from the sunflower family and originally native to South America. The stevia leaf is up to 300x sweeter than sugar but has no caloric value or effect on blood sugar levels. Super safe? Yes. Sweet? Yes. Worthy of a trophy? We think so. For more info on stevia click here.

I was sent Dr Zevia, Mountain Zevia, Cream Soda, Grapefruit Citrus, Cola, and Grape. My favorite was the Dr Zevia. It had a the great "Dr Soda" with no funny aftertaste. My brother loved the Grapefruit Citrus and the Cream Soda. I also liked the Grape.

I love that Zevia is all natural. Zero calories, No sugar. There are some coupons available on their website.

Zevia has also generously offered a coupon for a free 6 pack of Zevia to one of my readers - US Only.

TheItMom.com: Coupon and Freebie Deals: ***GIVEAWAY TIME*** Grand Event Cash Giveaway! Win...

TheItMom.com: Coupon and Freebie Deals: ***GIVEAWAY TIME*** Grand Event Cash Giveaway! Win...: Welcome to the Grand Event Cash Giveaway! The time has finally come for your chance to win...ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000)! Over 1...

WINNER: Zoobies Blanket Pet Giveaway

And we have a winner! Congrats to entry #74, Natalie B. - you have 48 hours to respond to claim your prize - email has been sent.

Review and Giveaway: PetCakes

These adorable little plush collectible's are PetCakes. The concept of PetCakes is that when the PetCakes are pressed down into the wrapper it looks like a cupcake, and these little guys are cute enough to eat.

I was sent two PetCakes to review. This is Nutty Nicky:

And this is Honey Cakes:

Aren't they just the cutest? Here's a little info from the PetCakes website:

Well Made™ Toy Manufacturing Corporation, introduces PetCakes™, a new collectible plush pet line that will be a sweet treat for children ages 3 & up. Each PetCakes animal features a "frosting" hat, comes nestled in its own cupcake wrapper and has its own whimsical backstory. At first look, children will see a delicious cupcake but will then be surprised by the pet they find snuggled inside! Combining sweet faces and cuddly plush with a clever cupcake theme, PetCakes are collectible and provide hours of open-ended imaginative play. PetCakes make perfect gifts for a special friend and for pet lovers. They are ideal for birthday party favors, stocking stuffers and as rewards for good grades. Most of all, PetCakes deliver the kind of fun kids eat up!

PetCakes has generously offered 1 random PetCake from series 2 to the winner of my giveaway. They also have a special right now: Special Offer: Buy (4) or more Petcakes® Collectibles plush toys and receive the PetCakes® Collectibles Minis - 4 pack FREE you only pay an additional
$1.99 shipping and handling.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents.

February Fun Giveaway

Everyone needs a little extra cash, right? So here is your chance. Winner will receive $25 cash via paypal or a $25 GC of their choice. Contest will end on February 29, 2012 at 12:01 AM EST. This contest is open to people WorldWide. Winner will have 48 hours to reply to winning email or a new winner will be chosen. Enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Upcoming Reviews and Giveaways

I just wanted to let you all know my upcoming Review and Giveaway schedule.

February 16 - PetCakes review and giveaway
February 17 - Zevia review and giveaway
February 19 - Newman's Own Organics review and giveaway
February 25 - Kristine's Shower review and giveaway
February 27 - Cook'n Recipe Organizer review and giveaway
March 1 - Crazy Dog T-shirts review and giveaway
March 10-17 - I will be in Las Vegas for a convention. I am planning on having guest posts during this time (and maybe a surprise giveaway).
March 22 - Sweet Treats Blog Hop Giveaway
March 30 - FENNOfashions review and giveaway

I will also be doing reviews and giveaways for:
SuperFood Snacks
Pretzel Pete
Wholesale Keychains
Skoy Cloth
Lugz Boots
Butt Bench
WhaleTail Chips
UGLee Pen

and several others. I will be adding these in to the schedule as soon as I can. Hope you enjoy all the great new products I'll be reviewing. Come back by and see what's new.

Stroller, Car Seat, Winter Wardrobe and Graco Bundle Sweepstakes

Here are several links to win some great baby stuff Sweepstakes! Good Luck!!!










This giveaway is provided via a third party site. Layne's Thrifty Finds is not responsible for the shipment of this prize. The sponsor is solely responsible for the prize. By entering you agree to the full terms and conditions as listed on the giveaway. This post may contain affiliate/referral links.

Review and Giveaway: Zoobies Blanket Pet

Yesterday I received Mudd the Moose in the mail from Zoobies.

Mudd is a Blanket Pet. He starts out as a plush animal, then you can unhook the Velcro tabs and open him up into a pillow, then you can unzip him to reveal a 44" x 34" fleece blanket. Mudd is super soft and cuddly, and the fleece blanket is even softer. The blanket is machine washable, tumble dry. the blanket zips off for easy washing. For washing the outer pouch: Spot wash (if machine washed, using a laundry bag designed for delicates is recommended).

I think Blanket Pets are a great way to easily carry and blanket and pillow. I can easily see taking Mudd, or any of his Blanket Pet buddies, to a sleepover, to grandma's house, on a car trip, or on vacation.

I am please to let my readers know that Zoobies if offering 20% off any Zoobie product on Zoobies.com with the coupon code “Parenthood”.

Zoobies is also offering 1 regular Blanket Pet of your choice to the winner of my giveaway. - US only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway






Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above for review purposes only. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are entirely mine.

Giveaways & Glitter: JulseyMarie - Review & Giveaway.

Giveaways & Glitter: JulseyMarie - Review & Giveaway.: I recently received a very beautiful Valentine's Sampler in the mail from the lovely JulseyMarie Etsy Shop. The box was FILLED with goodies...

Wholly Guacamole Contest

Head on over to Wholly Guacamole and check out their super easy to enter contest to win great Guac prizes.

Alexa Drop Hop

Need a Chocolate Pick-me-up?

Then enter The Kids are Grown, Now What's 5000 Fan Celebrations #4 to win some great chocolately prizes.

The kids are grown, now what?: 5000 Fan Celebration Giveaway #4!: Have you read the review of the treats made by  Red Rose Cakes?  Heather at Red Rose Cakes wants to give one of my readers the chance to win...

Giveaway: BOB Revolution SE stroller or Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat

I have 2 different sweepstakes you can enter. Just click the pictures below to enter. Sweepstakes winner will receive a BOB Revolution SE stroller in the color of their choice (orange, navy, black, plum). Sweepstakes winner receives a Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat in the color of their choice. This giveaway is provided via a third party site. Layne's Thrifty Finds is not responsible for the shipment of this prize. The sponsor is solely responsible for the prize. By entering you agree to the full terms and conditions as listed on the giveaway. This post may contain affiliate/referral links.

Layne's Thrifty Finds: FLASH Giveaway: Enfagrow Formula Coupon Checks and...

I've extended this giveaway by one day to try to get a few more entries.

Layne's Thrifty Finds: FLASH Giveaway: Enfagrow Formula Coupon Checks and...: Enfagrow sends me their $5.00 coupon checks all the time, and I don't use them since I do not have kids. So I am offering (4) $5.00 coupon ...

Weekend Gathering Blog Hop

Wonderful Weekend Blog Hop

Welcome to My Blog Hop

FLASH Giveaway: Enfagrow Formula Coupon Checks and Samples

Enfagrow sends me their $5.00 coupon checks all the time, and I don't use them since I do not have kids. So I am offering (4) $5.00 coupon checks good on any Enfagrow Powder products), plus (4) sample packets of Enfagrow Premium Toddler Milk Drink (Stage 2, 1 year and up) to the winner of a FLASH giveaway.

This is a FLASH giveaway - it will be open for only about 36 hours. I will email the winner and they have 48 hours to get back to me, or I will choose another winner. This giveaway is open to US residents only. I'm making this a FLASH giveaway because 2 of the coupon checks expire February 29th, and I want to get them to the winner before they expire. The other 2 coupon checks expire March 31st. a Rafflecopter giveaway *Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Enfagrow. I am the one offering and shipping this prize for this giveaway.