The winner of the Los Lobos Goes Disney CD is Kristin. She said the following: My favorite song is Bella Notte

Thanks to all who entered.

Some of the Divas took the time to read and review the book: The Daughter-In-Law Rules by Sally Shields. You can read our reviews here. Now let's spend some time getting to know the author a little and a little more about the book itself.

Q: What is the concept behind the DIL Rules and how did you derive at that name?

Sally Shields: The Daughter-in-Law Rules is based on the 7th spiritual law of success, which is: the quickest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. By that I mean, be a loving, kind-hearted, sensitive person, and the world will reflect that back to you, even in the form of your mother-in-law! I loved that book The Rules: Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right. I patterned the Daughter-in-Law Rules on that book.

Q: When did you decide on writing as a career?

SS: Actually, the book took me less than a week to write! As the last thing I wrote was a paper in high school, I don't consider myself a writer per se. What I learned was that you only need two things to have a best selling book —a passion for your topic and a sincere desire to help people. To quote Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad: "I didn't want to be the best writing author—rather I want to be the best SELLING author!" It was the marketing of the book that really intrigued me, so I use the 90-10 rule - I spent 10% of my time writing the book, and the other 90% of my time and energy marketing it.

Q: What motivated you to write the DIL Rules?

SS: Like most women, I got married and got a mother-in-law. But after a couple of years, I was left scratching my head, thinking, where is the manual for this?!!! I wrote to the ladies that wrote the bestselling book The Rules, and told them that since they helped all these women meet and marry the men of their dreams, they then needed to provide some advice on how to get along with the other woman in their man's life—his mom! These two authors told me it was the best idea they'd ever heard. I honestly just wanted some advice on the topic! "You should write it," they said. At first I thought they were crazy since the last thing I'd written was a term paper in high school English class! But, the gears started turning in my mind. So I started to jot down all the troublesome incidents that would pop into my head in regards to my MIL, and came up with a rule and a solution to deal with each and every one. When I put a few of these rules into practice (and saw that they actually worked) I thought maybe I could help save other young wives years of needless contention!

Q: Have you published any other work that you've written?

SS: I have three music books; Modern Jazz Piano (Hal Leonard, 2004), The Pianist’s Jammin’ Handbook and A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Jazz Etudes for the Intermediate Sight-Reader. I've also written The Collaborator Rules: 101 Surefire Ways to Stay Friends with Your Co-Author as well as a poetry book called "A Pond Beneath the Moon.” And I’m currently working on two other books; The Million Dollar Author Club and Naturally Thin or Discipline? Insider Secrets of the Super-Slim.

Q: What makes you unique when compared to other authors?

SS: I am very focused on solving a problem in a very short period of time. I don't mind telling people what to do or how they should do it. Here's the Rule. Now do it. Sometimes people tell me that they don't want to do these rules because it seems like too much work. Then I give them the Dr. Phil answer which is, "Well, how's THAT workin' for ya?!!" These rules are problem-solution oriented so give them a try!

Q: What inspires your work?

SS: I love being creative and just coming up with stuff that I think will help people, or bring humor to a situation, while at the same time solving my own life's problems! My vision is now to create more harmony among mothers and daughters-in-law around the world while at the same time raising money for breast cancer. I am currently working with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation on a unique fundraising idea with Estee Lauder, who also supports breast cancer.

Q: Has your book been featured in any national publications or on television?

SS: Yes! I've been in Star Magazine, Girlfriendz, For the Bride, and Obvious Magazine. I've appeared twice on the nationally syndicated The Daily Buzz, Fox & Friends, Rachel Ray, Tyra Banks, BetterTV.com, as well as having appeared on Martha Stewart Whole Living Radio . As well, The DIL Rules was recommended as Book of the Week by Dr. Laura Schelssinger.

Q: Are you self-published or through a publishing house?

SS: I started off self-publishing with Outskirts Press, a print on demand company, but have re-released The DIL Rules under my own imprint, Safflower Publishing Inc. with a new cover, subtitle, foreword, interior design and illustrations, and am working on a DIL Rules board game and calendar.

Q: Who or what personally inspires you to push forth with your career?

SS: I've been a musician ever since I was a kid, and I just get a lot of energy from performing, speaking, being out there in the media and expressing my ideas in my unique way fuels and motivates me forward.

Q: Have your book sales been positively/negatively affected by the financial changes in the country and if so how you come up with ways to divert from it (if negative)?

SS: I notice that the more radio and TV appearances I do, I can keep the sales up. It seems to be more about continually letting people know about the book that makes more of a difference than the financial state of affairs. It would be fun to compare current sales to what it will be like when Obama whips this country back in shape eventually! :-)

Q: Do you have any events coming up that people should know about or book tours?

SS: As I have 2 small kids, I have been doing virtual book tours from home and doing national radio tours via telephone. I do some local book signings here in New York, and I speak at various events such as the ASJA, and the Catholic Writers Event asks me to speak at their events. I also do a weekly radio show called Blurb! that is a book contest for authors. For more information on how authors can apply to be on the show, check out BlurbRadio.com. As well, the head of the African Women’s Business Network has purchased the foreign rights to the DIL Rules and she has invited me over to speak in Lagos Nigeria sometime in 2010.

Q: What advice would you have for young entrepreneurs and authors?

SS: I would say keep it fun, because otherwise all those hours you put in wouldn't make any sense! And remember that there are only two elements that you need to succeed in any endeavor: a passion for your topic and a sincere desire to help people.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

SS: I see myself with my own reality show, as a Daughter-in-Law Rules seminar leader, a speaker at Bridal events, fundraiser and spokesperson for Breast Cancer fundraising, and continuing to partner with corporations such as Macys, David's Bridal 1-800-flowers, Estee Lauder, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Q: Any final words of wisdom?

SS: Never give up on your dreams. You don't have to know the how, but focus on the why. Don't set limits and reach for the sky. Do positive affirmations morning and evening, and you will see your thoughts transform into things. You can manifest your desires by focusing on the things that you want. Don't give up because it takes a while for the universe to prepare the meal that you've ordered, but know that it is in the oven back there so make sure you don't leave the restaurant!

As a mom of 3 girls, I jumped all over the chance to try out some new accessories for their hair. All 3 of my girls have curly hair, 2 of them being super curly. We often get compliments on their hair, but even with pretty curly hair, I love to find ways to add that special touch. I received 3 headbands from No Slippy Hair Clippy. They were all very cute pieces, but I was very happy with 2 out of 3 of the pieces.

My oldest daughter received the 5" Daisy headwrap. This is the one that I did not care for, but it may have just been the size she received. She received the girls size, when she probalby only need the 12-48 month size. She is very petite, so her head size may have accomdated the todder size best. This head wrap was to big for her head and did not stay on. I eventually just wrapped it around into a ponytail. She was dissapointed she did not get to wear a headband like her sisters. Other then the sizing factor, the headband was of great quality and very nice.

My younger 2 girls received the Large Sheer Pedel Flower headband in white and the 2" flower w/ sequins in pink. I loved these handbands. They stayed put on my busy toddlers heads. The first time they wore them, we went to church. Afterwards, they headbands were still in place. When my girls were babies, I never used headbands. I didn't like the elastic tight feeling that most baby styles have. These were soft, not tight fitting and I would have loved to had these for my girls hair.

If you looking for that special occasional headband or a few for everyday use, then check out the site. The prices are a little more then what I generally would pay for a headband, but you are paying for quality. These will last you and you will not be dissapointed. There are many of their products that I can put on my wishlist.

As a household with three girls, butterflies are well used in our bedroom decor. I was excited to have the opportunity to review the Cool Butterfly Prints. I choose a print that looks very similar if not the same as what Ladonna had posted in her review. A white butterfly resting on a grouping of pink flowers.

The picture itself I really liked. It was a beautiful butterfly and I loved the pop of color that came from the pink flowers. The butterfly took up most of the print which was nice. You were able to see more of the smaller details from the flower. The pictures were printed on what appears to be high quality paper. Thick paper, not flimsy and seems as though it will help in preventing bends or wrinkles in the paper. I have tried to not handle the picture outside the paper. The picture was sent in a large stiff envelope which helped prevent any bending or damage during shipping.

My only complaint is that the picture does not to be as clear as I was expecting. I love pictures that have a blur background and this does exhibit some of those features. However, the butterfly and flower which is the mainfocus of the picture does not seem as crisp as I would expect it to be.

I plan on framing this picture and either placing it in my girls bedroom or for my niece's room. The size of the pictures makes for a great centerpiece on a smaller wall. If your looking for a butterfly print to fill that special place on your wall, head over to Cool Butterfly Prints. They have 2000+ prints, so your sure to find one you'll like.

Christmas is here, and as we all know, that means trying to find gifts for family and friends. If you are looking for gift ideas that are different, fun, and meaningful - then I have the perfect solution for you. My friend Matthew Toone just published a book entitled: "Great Games! 175 Games & Activities for Families, Groups, & Children." This book is literally full of fun game and activity ideas for people of all ages, groups of all sizes, and there are games for any category or setting. You can check it out at: www.GreatGamesBook.com

Three lucky people, however, will get a free copy of 'Great Games.' In order to be entered into the contest to win a free copy, simply email either Kim or LaDonna a one paragraph response about a time where you played games with your family or friends and it created a fun memory, strengthened relationships, or simply brought your family closer together. The deadline to send your story in is Dec 15th. If your story is chosen, you will win a free copy of 'Great Games' www.GreatGamesBook.com

This post is re-posted in part from my personal blog.

I have been working with Deborah Carney at Cool Butterflies. She has been so wonderful to work with, very patient. :)

The Cool Butterflies Butterfly Shop has over 2000 prints of butterflies. She wanted me to choose what I wanted to review. (Insert shocked smilie face here!!) I said, would you consider picking for me? I have a little girl that LOVES butterflies and pink. She said, sure, I'll pick.

She sent the package via USPS. It arrived in EXCELLENT shape, although it took a little longer than we'd expected, I assume due to coming over the board. I was so excited to finally receive these prints. They were better than I expected! They are so very beautiful and clear.

Deborah included three prints of a butterfly on a pink flower, a similar print with a message on it and a note card print of flames.

The flame card says,
"People have ideas all the time,
ambition is just the stubbornness to follow through."
- Daniel Fogg

The quality of the colors are rich and bright. I can't wait to get these framed (in black frames) for my CJ's wall. I know that she is going to love them. The "distracted by butterflies" is so like her! If she sees a butterfly she is off running, trying to catch it.

The paper is excellent quality. I've handled the prints very little; only pulled them out of their envelope and protective plastic a couple of times to view them. (Partly to keep them from CJ who's birthday is coming up, and partly because I don't want them damaged.) They have held up well to any handling that has been done.

The flame card was a great pick for us as well because my dh is a fire fighter. It's just fun; I plan on framing it as well, for my dh's desk.

I definitely recommend Cool Butterfly Prints to my friends and family. You can purchase these prints and many, many others from coolbutterflies.com.

You've read the reviews, you've sampled it on Amazon, now its your chance to win a copy of Los Lobos Goes Disney. Just in time for the Holidays, perhaps to giveaway or keep for yourself. The CD includes the following Disney songs:

1. Heigh-Ho - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. I Wan'na Be Like You - The Jungle Book
3. Not in Nottingham - Robin Hood
4. The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room - The Enchanted Tiki Room
5. Grim Grinning Ghosts - The Haunted Mansion
6. I Will Go Sailing No More - Toy Story
7. The Ugly Bug Ball - Summer Magic
8. Cruella De Vil - 101 Dalmations
9. Bella Notte - Lady and the Tramp
10. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Song of the South
11. The Bare Necessities - The Jungle Book
12. Oo-De-Lally - Robin Hood
13. When You Wish Upon a Star/It's A Small World

Here at SSDR, we have one copy to give away.

To win: Leave a comment telling us your favorite Disney movie, or ride, or song.

Additional Entries: Leave a second comment telling your favorite Los Lobos song. And for a third entry, sign up to get our RSS via email, a reader or follow us; leave a comment telling which method you used.

Giveaway Closes: December 15, 2009

Giveaway open to US Mailing Addresses ONLY, NO PO BOXES.

My husband and I come from fair-haired, fair-skinned families, and with that comes fine straight-haired kids. We have always found it difficult to find hair products that will stay put in our gaggle of girls' hairdos.

No Slippy Hair Clippy sent me hair "pretties" for each one of my four girls. We got 4 big flower head bands, some snappies and clippies. I saved the "pretties" to give as gifts as we have three girl birthdays in the same week at the end of October. The new, every day wear in our house is:

You can find out more about the company here. They are having a sale on the website right now as well as some regular specials (ex. mystery packs) and a holiday deal. Regularly priced between 6 and 10 dollars with some of the headbands up to 24 dollars, I believe that No Slippy Hair Clippy is a great value for my money. Oh and the products aren't just for little girls; they have some that are great for teens and moms too!

These headbands live up to their No Slippy name and claim, for the most part. CJ's hair is a bit finer than K's and the headband does have to be repositioned more often but the clippies stay put no matter who's head they are on. R has a hard time pulling the clips out; they are so soft that she doesn't even seem to notice them in her hair. I plan to purchase more of this product in the future and CJ has already circled her requests in the flyer we received in our package.

I received the product for review; the opinions are mine and my kids.

">Shadow, The Curious Morgan Horse by Ellen F. Feld could become a new favorite in our house. The book was about a horse, who decided to look for adventure after hearing a story from a chicken on the farm. Along the way, on her adventure she meets different animals in the forest, some who are not so nice to her. After deciding home is the best place to be, she meets another animal who helps her make her way back. In the end, the horse got her adventure and a new friend.

The story was longer then what we read in one sitting, so I wasn't sure my girls would sit and listen to it that long. We usually read a books that are shorter in lenghth for bedtime, so I just made this the only book of the evening. It took a couple of pages to catch their attention fully, but after that they didn't move. The illustrations were done very well. They follow the story perfectly and the kids even made a couple comments on some of the pictures.

Fallout by C. L. Talmadge is the second in the mystic (I think that's the correct word) series Green Stone of Healing. I reviewed the first book, called The Vision, here. I loved them both! I lost sleep; I had quit taking books to bed because I was so tired that I was falling asleep before I'd even read a page. Well, C. L. Talmadge has changed this for me. Or at least these books kept my attention well enough that my tired eyes were able to stay open to read "just one more page". One night, my hubby got called out and was gone all night (he's a fire fighter); I read and read and read thinking he would be home "any minute" so I might as well stay up until he got home. Well, I ended up having to go to sleep because he didn't come home for 19 hours! I couldn't read that long, even if I wanted to!

Fallout is the continuing story of Helen Andros and her developing relationship with her new found father. Their relationship is tumultuous at best. It was near disastrous for more than just the two of them! The community and government system in this work of fiction is intricate and fascinating. I won't give you too many details; you'll have to read the book. However, be sure to read The Vision first and explore the website, Green Stone of Healing. On the website you will find more details about the characters, their connections to each other and about the little mysteries that might not quite make sense when reading the books.

You can purchase The Green Stone of Healing books from here and from Amazon.

A copy of this work was given to me in return for my honest opinion.