Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There’s no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com.

I love the holidays, I really love the holidays because of the time that I can bake all of the great treats that I love to eat but can’t have much of. I usually spend a lot of time baking brownies, Cookies and cake. But, because I’m a diabetic I can’t eat many of the things I make which is why I always wait for the holidays or special occasion to bake, just so I don’t eat it all! I also like to give my baking good away as gifts.

With the holiday get-togethers that everyone seems to have planned during December. I have plenty of outlet for my creative ideas. Recently I’ve made both pumpkin brownies and peppermint brownies. I bake also my brownies from scratch, but you can use a pre-mix like Duncan Hines to create the perfect chocolate brownie and just add the pumpkin or the peppermint to it to create a new twist on a classic favorite.

Both brownies were a huge success at the parties I went to. I usually brought, the brownies and a really good wine to the party. Many of my friends thought it was a strange combination to bring dessert and wine, but for me this is something that is always paired well together. Also who doesn’t like a nice glass of wine every now and then?

Besides brownies, I also love to make pies. Most of the time my family looks very forward to my apple pies though this year I didn’t get a chance to make them. It’s just been a very busy year. Though I am thinking I might have to make it for Christmas though we have plenty of cookies and cake and candy to satisfy our sweet tooth. Still the fun of baking calls to me, and I think I may just have to keep answering that call!

Remember to check out Duncan Hines’ website www.duncanhines.com to find some great recipes for your holiday get-together! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

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I am all about eating healthy and when I had a chance to review the George Foreman Evolve™ Grill I jumped at the chance. I had a George Foreman grill years ago, but the one thing I hated about it was that it was so hard to clean. With the new Evolve™ Indoor Grill it’s so easy to clean that I can use it for two or even three meals a day! The grill plates come off of the grill so you can either hand wash them or throw them into the dishwasher. I love it as I’m always washing dishes in my house so it’s easy to just throw it in with the load that’s in the dishwasher already.

Now, if you want more then just easy cleaning the Evolve™ Grill is really one you want to look at. Not only can you grill in it, but you can bake in it too. There are a few different accessories that you can use with your grill. Mine has the deep dish pan and the mini burger plate, but you can also get an omelet snack plate set, a muffin pan, waffle pan set and a griddle pan. Really you can make anything with this grill!

I love using it and it has become a big part of our cooking and will grow as I get more pans to use with it. I’m so after that omelet pan, I love eggs! I really would recommend this pan for anyone who wants to cook healthy, cook smaller meals for one or two, though you can make more or anyone in an apartment or dorm room. It’s just so versatile that you can use it for anything and almost anywhere you have an outlet.

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If your looking for a great gift or personal treat you need to check out Pure Romance’s line of body products. I received to review lotion, body wash, body mist and lip/nip balm. The lotion body spray and body wash contain pheromones to enhance your attraction. I personally just love the way it smells on me. The scent I received is Island Breeze and I really love it, it’s a clean tropical scent that is perfect for summer.

Entice- The Lotion:

Entice is probably one of my top 5 favorite lotions. It moisturizes without being greasy and the smell is amazing. A little goes a very long way also and that for me is very important in any moisturizer. I also love that it comes in a pump bottle so I don’t have to touch the bottle with lotion covered hands.

Kiss- The Body Mist

I love this body mist. I use it after I shower if I’m going out and I use it during the day. We have recently had very warm weather and I also used the mist to help keep me cool and refreshed. I took the advice of the pure romance website and put the mist in my fridge for a while, then sprayed it on when I was warm. It cooled me and in my opinion made me smell a lot better all at once.

Bosom Buddy- Lip and Nip Balm

I love using bosom buddy. I actually have had this product before and it’s one of my favorites. I use it on my lips to keep them soft and happy. I love the tingle and how they plump up my lips a little. My friend disagrees with me as they do nothing plump her lips, but she does love the tingle. One thing I love the most about this product is the new container. I have the old one and it’s bigger and doesn’t fit well in my purse. This new smaller container is great and is more portable then the old one.

Excape: The Body Wash

I think I have found my new favorite body wash. I love Excape, it moisturizes and smells amazing. The only problem I had with it was the container. I would have loved it more if it had a squeeze top and not a pour top. I do understand why they would have a pour top as it also is used for a nice relaxing bubble bath, but again I prefer the squeeze top because it’s easier to use in the shower and I feel you have more control of the amount of the product you use.

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If your on the lookout for the best gift you can get someone you need to take a look at Enstrom Almond Toffee, I don’t think I have had a toffee that taste this good ever and I live pretty close to a huge tourist destination that would make great toffee. The toffee was sweet, but not too sweet and had a nice buttery taste to it. The almonds were crunchy and there were just the right amount of almonds.  I couldn’t stop eating it was that good! Of course that was not really a good thing being a diabetic, but I did manage to keep the snacking to not too crazy levels and my blood sugar under control.

This toffee is the perfect gift for someone who already has everything or for someone who loves unique candy. The box is a simple box that you could just hand someone and really, you get a lot of toffee for the price. This would also be a great hostess gift for house parties and graduation events.

I have been thinking of splurging on the 5lb box they offer, just because then I might have enough to actually share the toffee with others, but I may still just keep it all to myself!

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It seems that everyone wants to get the graduate something they can use for college, maybe it’s a computer, a mini-fridge or lots of money, but did you ever thing about giving them something they can do in their free time? Well, besides a TV and game system. Why not get them a magazine subscription with a topic they will love.

Maybe they are into Garden and Gun Magazine and enjoy reading about southern living, food and cooking. Of course not everyone would be a huge fan of Garden and Gun so you may want to try fitness magazines, science magazines or even get them a newspaper subscription. All graduates can use those coupons that come in the Sunday paper! Another great reason to check out subscriptions for magazines and newspapers is to help the collage student with their classes, many teachers want you to write about current events in your field, having that magazine or paper to look though is very helpful.

So next time your in the store wondering what your going to get for your graduate maybe you should just walk right out those doors, go home, get on your computer and buy a magazine subscription for them. It’s something they may just thank you for later.

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If your looking for a great last minute gift for mom or anyone for that matter, wine is always a great choice for the over 21 crowd. Many people love wine so most of the time its a gift well received. I got the chance to try out Flip Flop Wine and I really did enjoy the two wines I received. They do offer many different types of wine, but I received the Riesling and the Pinot Grigio. Both wines had a nice light fruity taste to them and they are perfect for spring and summer.  I love to share my “wine time” with friends so I also had my friends try some and they all agree that it’s a very good wine that is not too strong but light and great for outdoor barbeques and events.

Flip Flop Wine also is very active in charities and one of the charities they are very active in is Soles4Souls an organization that gives shoes to people who need them. Flip Flop Wines give one pair of shoes for every bottle bought so this alone is a great reason to buy a bottle and see how much you like their wine too. You can find Flip Flop Wines in local stores or you can buy it online. You can also check out the Flip Flop Wine Facebook Page and learn more about the company and keep up to date on news, events and awards.

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I always love finding things that are different, fun and very unique and singing bowls are one of these items. There history is mysterious but they are said to help with healing and are used in meditation all over the world.

I would love to receive one as a gift and have actually heard one played before. The sound is very relaxing and I could see where that could have some health benefit. What do you think?

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We all know that most people think that Valentines day is a day for women, we women get flowers chocolate and gifts and men stress about what to get us, but valentines day is not just about women, but men too. Finding special gift ideas for boyfriend may not be as easy as buying flowers, but with so many great man products out there you can find something great for your boyfriend, friend, brother or dad.

I’ve decided to check out the best lava lamps review and find a lava lamp that a friend of mine would love, I found this Sponge Bob lava lamp and though it’s a private joke with this friend it’s really a very perfect gift for him and I think his girlfriend and I should buy this as a joke gift for him.

That is something else I love about Valentines day, you don’t have to be serious and you don’t have to always just buy for your boyfriend or girl friend, if your single work out a gift exchange for you and your single friends and make the holiday fun. You could also plan a single night out or maybe a singles night in if you don’t want to watch all of the couples. I say plan a horror movie night, get a bunch of candy and popcorn and exchange gifts. That would be a perfect valentines day.

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I love the idea of having a masked ball. I live in the country and really it’s never going to happen the way I picture it, but still it would be a lot of fun. Mask also are great collectibles and many people collect Venetian masquerade masks. I think they are very beautiful and would make a great gift for anyone who collects or has an interest in these mask.

Of course they can also make Valentines Day a little more interesting if your into costumes and so forth.  You can use a mask to create a feeling of mystery and fun, though you don’t have to wear Full face masks, I would love to own the mask I have pictured as it’s beautiful, fun and really I could take it anywhere I wanted to. If only I had a real masked ball to go to, oh well I can still pick this up and pretend right?

What do you think of these mask? Would you want one as a gift or would you just go buy one yourself?

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When it comes to taking care of my skin I like to use the best skin car products out there. If I have the money to buy them I will. It’s important for me to look and feel my best and though it can be hard at times, most of the time it’s a few simple easy steps and I’m ready to go for the day.

Recently I received a bottle of Acqua Essentials Caviahue Nourishing-Mosturizing Cream. I was in love after the first try. Not only did it moisturize my skin but a friend of mine after just a few days of use said I was glowing and looked really healthy. I have been using the lotion for a couple of weeks now and I still love it. It’s not greasy and is very light to put on. It does not clog up my pours like other lotions can and a little goes a long way.

Though Acqua Essentials products are a little pricey, the only downside so far,  I love them because they do such a wonderful job and they do last a long time since you don’t need much at all to see and feel the benefits. They do have gift sets that would be a wonderful gift for any women and if you would like to try their products they offer free samples, you just pay for shipping.  I originally received free samples before committing to a review and I was impressed with all of the samples I received.

Right now they do have a 20% off coupon code on their website and you do receive free samples with every order. These do make great gifts for both men and women so check them out.

You can also keep up with great deals by following Aqua Essentials on Facebook and Twitter or if your anti-social media you can check out the Acqua Essentials Blog

Giveaway

This giveaway is a little different then my other reviews. This giveaway is for Caviahue Thermal Mud, a product that I did get to sample in the sample pack I received. I loved this mask and had a hard time deciding if I should review the lotion or the mask, but I thought my readers, that would be you. Would love the chance to win the Thermal Mud more then the lotion.

Prize:

One lucky winner will receive a jar of  Caviahue Thermal Mud a $74.90 value

Mandatory Entry (this must be done or bonus entries will not be counted)

Comment: Visit the Acqua Essentials site and tell me what product you would love to try and if you won the mask would you keep it or give it as a gift.

Bonus Entries

Follow savey spender on Twitter

Join this blogs Facebook Fan page.

Follow this blog with Google Friend Connect (located in the sidebar)

Link to or Like this giveaway on Facebook, a forum or any site you would like, leave the url in a comment (2 entries per link or like)

Write a blog post about this giveaway and who you would give the watch to if you won. Leave a link to the post in your comment (counts as 5 entries)

Tweet this or something like it and leave a link to your status update: (You may tweet this three times per day. Please leave a comment for each tweet.)

I want to win a jar of Caviahue Thermal Mud a $74.90 value @saveyspender http://bit.ly/ezznPT

Giveaway ends December 30th at 11:59pm  EST.

Open to US and Canada Only

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