"To Mom, I Love you Because..." by Tomoe Sasaki Farley -- Review and Giveaway

CLOSED.

And, the winner is:

Congrats to:  Ruth

Summary:

"To Mom, I Love you Because..." by Japanese artist Tomoe Sasaki Farley,  serves up thirty universal. warm, and amusing reasons, each accompanied by an irresistible illustration, on why children, from six to 60, honor their mothers.

My Review:

If you are looking for the perfect mini book or coffee table read for mom, this book is it.  Just look at the cover (see image above).  I just love the illustrations Tomoe has included in her first book, honoring moms.  This is a great book for a child to buy for their mom, and sit down and read it together with her.  Or, if you want to honor your mom as a adult this Valentine's Day, you can't go wrong with, To Mom, I Love You Because...

Some of my personal favorite reasons include:

...You were my personal driver.

...You gave me strength when I needed it.

...You appreciate who I am.

...You always believed in me.

...You're my biographer

And, here are some more, with their whimsy illustrations:

 ...you made sure I was the warmest kid
in the neighborhood.

 ...you looked like a queen when you
dressed up.

 ...you gave me strength when I needed it.

 ...you made a bath seem like an adventure.

There are 60 reasons in total  -- all, of which everyone can relate it.  Why not put a smile on your mom's face today with this keepsake book, and let her know again, why you love her so.

About the Author:

Tamoe Sasaki Farley was born, raised and educated in Kyoto, Japan, before traveling to the United States to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY.  Her professional illustrations include those for instructional guides in comic book form.  This is her first book.  Tomoe and her husband, Peyton Farley, live in White Plains, NY.

BUY NOW:  

And, for a steal, this book can be purchased through Red Rock Press for only $6.95.

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win a copy of To Mom, I Love You Because...  To enter, please complete the MANDATORY ENTRY first, making sure to include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win.  Then, you can enter as many EXTRA ENTRIES as you like (also, enter your email address in each additional comment).

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Give one reason why your mom is the best.

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Please leave separate entries for each, along with your email address)

1)  Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

 
2)  Follow me on Facebook (1 entry) 

 
3) Enter any of my other giveaways, leaving a comment with the name of the giveaway (1entry per giveaway entered)

 
4) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/.   (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 5 Entries)

 
5) Follow me on Twitter (1entry)

 
6)  Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet, per day; please include link to tweet in comment below)
Enter to #win To Mom, I Love You Because... book @rmccoy1234 http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway (Ends 2/17)

7)  Like my Fan Page on Facebook! Please include your Facebook name with your entry, so I can follow you back. (2 entries)

 
8) Follow my blog via Networked Blogs (3 entries)

 
9) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog -- One entry per vote, per day)

Open to US residents only.  Giveaway ends on February 17, 2011 at 11:59PM EST.  I will then use Random.org to choose a winner.  

Disclosure:  I was given a copy of the book to review, in order to provide an honest review.  My views are mine and mine alone.  I was also given a review for one lucky reader.

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Perfect Gift to Salute Our Moms -- FREE

Looking for the perfect Valentine's Gift for your mom?  I would like to share a website that lets you share stories of the women that mean the most to us.  And, in honor of Valentine's Day, what better way to show our moms how much they mean to us, by sharing their stories with others on the Herstory Network's My Mother, My Heroine.  By sharing your story, free of charge, others will be able to read about your mother,and she will go down in herstory by having her own page dedicated to the story you write about it.  All you have to do is complete the form here, telling why your mother is your heroine.  In addition, you can buy an Official Herstory Network Certificate of Authenticity to give to your herstory heroine for only $7.00.  It’s suitable for framing, and a beautiful reminder that she will always have a page in herstory.

In addition to this section on the HerStory Network, you can also check out other stories about notable women in society and history that made an impact on the world.  This is a great Girl Power site, that makes you feel good about being a woman.  Check it out for yourself and share it with your girlfriends today.

 

More About HerstoryNetwork.com:

Herstory network is a gathering place of sharing and information on women and girls who made, are making, and will continue to make history.

Our goal is to put the spotlight on all of the brave, ingenious and renegade women and girls who help to shape our world’s evolution. We chose the word herstory, because our goal is to tell her story, individually and collectively.

Along with the factual information you will find on these pages, we also hope to inspire you to remember what women are capable of when they follow the truth within their own hearts and refuse to conform to standard.

A very wise woman once said, ‘women who follow the rules rarely make history.’ To that we’d like to add, ‘but women who break the rules, make herstory.’

Here’s to all of us herstory makers; past, present and future.

---

 

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Week 1 - Online Virtual Baby Shower

Today is the start on my "Online Virtual Baby Shower."  This week, I will be sharing some wonderful products for both mommy and baby -- and, most products include a giveaway and/or coupon code.  If you are expecting or know someone that is, please share my blog site with them, so they can keep up-to-date on some great baby finds out there.  And, if there is a product you just love, share it with us.  I know as a new mom myself, I was reading books and spending hours online trying to figure out what I ACTUALLY needed.  Savannah has enough clothes in her closet to wear a new outfit every day.  Just last month, I was going through clothes that she didn't wear, that still had the tags on them.  And, you should see all the extra diaper cases I have, that she grew out. Now, I am donating these items to military moms expecting and organizations who through these moms baby showers. 

From now, until the end of March, I will be highlighting products throughout the week that would make great baby shower gifts or gifts for new moms.  So, check back often and don't forget to support these vendors by stopping by their websites and using the coupons they are offering, as well as entering my giveaways.

And, now, let the party begin!!!!!!

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Steve James Keathley -- Handcrafted Journals -- The Perfect Valentine's Day or Baby Shower Gift -- Product Review and Giveaway

And, the winner is:

Congrats, Amber D.

As you all know, I love handmade products and sharing my unique finds with you.  Well, here is another Etsy store you have to check out. Californian artist, Steven James Keathley creates handcrafted blank journals with his own artwork used as the cover design.  I was so impressed with Steven's artwork, and loved that I could choose an art print and have it made into a eco-friendly blank journal or notebook. 

I was so happy when Steven sent me a sample journal to review.  And, what better art work than an elephant -- this is the theme we chose for Savannah's nursery and the first stuffed animal I received from my father when I was born -- so, I have always had a love of elephants.  When I received the handcrafted elephant journal, I just fell in love with it.  The front cover image features a whimsical vintage portrait of a baby elephant.  See for yourself:

The front cover of this journal is printed on eco-friendly recycled ivory card stock.  It measures 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" (14 cm by 10.8 cm). Inside, it has 50 sheets (100 pages) of white, unlined paper from responsibly-managed North American wood producers, who plant two trees for every tree they harvest. The back cover is made of chipboard, a environmentally-friendly, biodegradable product. This journal is bound with a sturdy double coil wire, a convenient feature which causes the inside pages to lie flat when you open the book. So, as you can tell, Steve spares no expense when creating these journals.  And, you can feel good about helping the environment with the eco-friendly recycled paper he uses. 

These journals would make great gifts for expectant or new moms, looking to track diaper changes, feedings and important dates.  You can throw this in your diaper bag if you are on the go. I bet when you pull it out people will comment on the beautiful artwork and ask where you got it.
 
When I was talking with Steve, he was in the process of combining all his Etsy stores into one storefront.  Steve has so much to offer -- his original artwork, jewelry, handmade notebooks, journals, food diaries, travel journals, and so much more.  I love how he can personalize a journal for you with your name, photo, artwork, or logo.  Here is an example of his personalized journals:

If you love large, colorful floral abstracts, traditional landscapes, spacescapes and sketched animals, Steve's unique and collectible works of art are just for you.   Here are some more examples of Steve's artwork and product offerings.

You can see more photos of Steve's artwork on his blog.  And, while you are there, be sure to subscribe to his RSS feed, to see new artwork the moment it arrives.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, this would make the perfect gift.  These blank journals can be used to write down recipes one finds online and in magazines, as a personal  journal, an appointment book, food diary and so much more. And, they will not break the bank either.  Most journals range from $8.00 to $10.00.

To buy a handmade journal today, visit Steve's Etsy store.  And, as an added bonus, at checkout use the following coupon code, INSPIREDBYSAVANNAH15, to receie 15% off your total order.  Act now, as this coupon code is only valid for a limited time.

---GIVEAWAY---

Steve has graciously donated another handcrafted elephant journal for one lucky reader to win.  To enter, please complete the MANDATORY ENTRY first, and then for extra chances, you can complete as many EXTRA ENTRIES as you want.  Be sure to complete the MANDATORY ENTRY first, or your additional entries will not be counted.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

First, you must be a Public Follower of this blog. Then, visit Steve's Etsy shop and tell me which item you like the most.  (1 entry) 

Make sure to include an email address in your comments, so I can contact you if you win.


EXTRA ENTRIES:
1) Visit Steve's Etsy shop and add his shop to your favorites. (2 entries)

2) Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

3) Follow me on Facebook (1 entry)

4) Enter any of my other giveaways, leaving a comment with the name of the giveaway (1entry per giveaway entered)

5) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/. (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 5 Entries)

6) Follow me on Twitter (1entry)
7) Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet, per day; please include link to tweet in comment below)

Enter to #win Steve James Keathley Handmade Journal @rmccoy1234 http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway ends 2/14.

8) Like SoothEaze (my company website) on Facebook! Please include your Facebook name with your entry, so I can follow you back. (4 entries)
9) Follow my blog via Networked Blogs (3 entries)

10) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog -- One entry per vote, per day)

Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends on February 14, 2011 at 11:59PM EST. I will then use Random.org to choose a winner. Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond to my email to claim prize. If I don't hear back from selected winner, I will draw another winner.


Disclosure:  I received a sample from the artist/vendor in order to provide an honest review of his products.  I was in no way compensated for my review and my opinions/views are mine and mine alone.  I was also given a giveaway journal to give to one of my readers.

I

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