Toluu

To Think Is To Create

Writer’s Inspiration For The Soul (A Giveaway!)December 18 2008

I have been diversifying my “bag” lately, but I am first and foremost a writer.  I admit that I get most of my inspiration from the steam in the shower, but I also notice my writing suffers when I’m not reading something regularly.

Sometimes I need to be reading fiction, need to get my head into that swirly, fantasy world so that I can feel myself connect more with that tortured artist that resides in my soul.  Other times, I have the burning desire to read through all my RSS blog feeds and then keep on going until I’ve had my fill of the personal outpouring that goes on within our ’sphere.  Still other times, nothing but a really great magazine is all that’s required to get my creative juices flowing.

I think magazines that are well done can offer so much to writers, anything from the latest buzz to serious home fanciness, it all adds value to my bag of tricks.  Giving magazine subscriptions as gifts has always been a fun thing for me to do, and that’s why I’m excited that I get to give two of you dear readers that very gift!

Giftscriptions has 50 magazine selections to choose from, and the cool thing about it is

Suri’s Ladybug Shoes (A Giveaway!)December 12 2008

Today on Oprah, they are re-airing the show where Oprah goes to Telluride and interviews Tom Cruise in his home. Some of you may have seen it back in May when it first aired, some maybe not, but the interesting thing about this episode is more than just Tom or his house or what he says about that last time he saw Oprah. It’s also about some sweet little ladybug shoes that Oprah notices in the Cruise mudroom, right upon entering their house. She comments on the tiny cute shoes, Tom remarks that ladybugs are Suri’s favorite, and they move on.

From this small mention, came a huge wave of press and demand for those little ladybug shoes. The exciting part is, my friend and all of our blog sistah, Katja Presnal, was the one to give Suri those shoes!  Katja used to live in Colorado, and through a mutual friend was able to give the Cruise family a big gift basket from her upscale children’s boutique, Skimbaco. The Ladybug shoes were a part of that basket, and the rest is history.

After that small mention and huge public response, Katja started her own PR consulting business called

Patrick Dempsey: UnscriptedDecember 10 2008

It’s not every day you get to talk to a celebrity like Patrick Dempsey.  Anyone my age has probably worshiped thought he was alright since his Can’t Buy Me Love days, and the truth is we’d call in to listen to him read us the phone book.  He’s THAT perfect ok.

So when I found out I was invited to a special call to discuss Patrick Dempsey’s new Avon fragrance, “Unscripted“, I couldn’t wait.  The cologne is honestly so lovely…I received a box with not only the cologne itself (with awesome slick and simple packaging, by the way), but separate bottles with each “note” of the fragrance for me to sample.  I was able to take my time with the cologne before the call, and found the best part to be that it didn’t give me a headache the second I smelled it, unlike most fragrances I come across.

During the call with Patrick and the Avon people, we went through each note and they described to us the ingredients and Patrick shared why each one was important to him.  The

Friend DisclaimerDecember 9 2008

I have been letting people down lately. And when the fit hits the shan at home, all I can do is buckle down and concentrate on work and family, and that leaves my beloved friends, online and offline, in a lurch.  I hate having to disappoint people, so I decided to post this disclaimer, so you know up front what you are getting into with me.

• I will not return your phone calls.  Sorry, but I hate the phone, and I don’t even call my mother back.  Email me if you want to reach me.  Which brings me to my next point…

• I won’t reply to your emails.  Well, I will, but it will either be days later, or a two word reply.  Again, ask my mother how good I am at this.

• I will forget what is going on in your life if we haven’t spoken in a few days.  Going into survival mode with autism ruling our house right now means that my brain is spilling over with all the details.  I still care, I just can’t remember.

• I will go days without speaking to you.  It’s not because I don’t want to, it’s because there’s only so much this stressed out full time working mom can handle.  It’s not you, it’s me.

• I will have other friends too, and I may want to do things with them.  I will still want to do things with you, but I like doing things.  With people.

• I am a career minded gal, and will be busy with work. 

Give Thanks, Save Money: Win $500 Walmart Gift CardNovember 28 2008

This year has been such a roller coaster year, and I’m thankful for so very much.  My family is (almost) all living in the same place again, my wonderful friends (online and off), and perhaps most of all my children’s amazing progress this year with autism.  Even through all the trials and tribulations we’ve had thrown at us this year, the blessings still stand out, shining brightly above all the hardships.

I’m also so grateful for amazing bloggy opportunities, not the least of which is the chance to give things away to my readers, those of you that are always here to lend an ear, to support me when I’m down and celebrate with me when I’m up.  You’re loyalty humbles me.

That’s why I’m thrilled to have the chance to give away a $500 Walmart gift card, sponsored by Nickelodeon, to one of you just in time for the holidays.  You’ll get your card in time for last minute shopping, and I’m seriously so excited to bless one of you with this gift!  Even better, all the other Walmart ElevenMoms are giving away the same thing, so you have LOTS of chances to win (sorry, yo