Julianna’s Adventures – Help 5 Yr.-Old Julianna Raise Funds for CMT Research

2016, Medical Monday, Special

Mar 212016

Julianna’s Adventures

Help 5 Yr.-Old Julianna Raise Funds for CMT Research

Julianna's Adventures

Who is Julianna?

Isn’t she a beautiful Princess? She’s a little Princess with a lot of wisdom and an imagination that doesn’t quit. As described by her mother:

J is smart, opinionated and kind. She thinks everything looks better embellished and is happy almost all of the time. She dislikes conflict and messy hair. Her middle name is Yuri.

You may have learned of 5 year-old Julianna, who has a severe version of CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease) on CNN back in 2015. Her story went viral when she expressed to her mother that she wanted to die at home (not at the hospital) the next time she gets “that” sick. That’s the short story.

Though despite all the obstacles Julianna is up against, Julianna has had a vision. A dream. Her vision – to publish a book and donate all the proceeds to the CMTA foundation. She’d love nothing more than to be able to help CMTA find a treatment for those who suffer from CMT disease, even though it may not become available to her soon enough.

Well, guess what?!?! Julianna’s vision has become a reality. Julianna’s Adventures has been published and you can get a copy now.

About Julianna’s Adventures:

“I can’t walk but I can talk…” — Julianna Snow, age 5 Julianna supports all things beautiful, adventuresome and sparkly. Above all, she loves LOVE. Julianna has a severe form of CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), a hereditary neuromuscular disorder. In her stories, she takes us to a bright, sweet and joyful world where there are no limits. Proceeds of this book will benefit the CMTA (CMT Association).

66 pages, full color
features 3 adventures: stories by Julianna, illustrations by Christine Stalie
$20.52 (plus tax and shipping) on lulu.com
all proceeds will go to CMTA

Have you heard this quote?

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you‘ve never been in bed with a mosquito.” —Anita Roddick

Julianna is proof that no one is too small to make a difference. You can help her make a difference when you buy her book, Julianna’s Adventures.

For the long of Julianna’s journey with CMT visit http://juliannayuri.com/. The stories, written by her mom about her little Princess are priceless. The intricates you learn about Julianna are exceptionally heart-warming. You’ll feel compassion as you hear what Julianna and her family endures. You may shed some tears. For sure though, you’ll close out the site and be left thinking about not taking life for granted. Yours. Your children’s. Your loved ones.

Juliannas Adventures

Julianna and her family are working really hard at raising funds for CMT research. Be sure to check out other fundraising events happening at http://juliannayuri.com/current-fundraising-events/.

#JuliannaStrong #GoJulianna #Julianna’sAdventures

**Finger Click Saver is posting this for nothing more than to help Julianna Snow raise funds for CMTA – to see her vision become a total success.

Free Shutterfly 8×8 Photo Book w/Code

2016, Deals, Freebie

Mar 162016

***This post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one of the links, an FCS team member may receive a small commission.

Free Shutterfly 8×8 Photo Book w/Promo Code

Here’s a great deal to save on a photo book from Shutterfly. All you pay is shipping and handling plus tax (if applicable).

Just think of the photos that need to be organized an in print. These books make great gifts. Maybe you still need to get your Christmas photos in a book? Maybe a birthday has happened? Whatever the reason – now is the time to save yourself some money and get organized.

This offer is good now thru 3/22/16

Promo Code to use at checkout: SPRINGONIT

Click here to snag your free Shutterfly Photo Book

Terms: Offer expires March 22, 2016 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for one free 20-standard page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book through shutterfly.com, our mobile-friendly site or the Shutterfly Photo Story for iPad app. Offer cannot be redeemed more than once per account and/or billing address. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. Customer may add options to their 8×8 book (additional pages, StorytellingTM styles, photo book accessories, other cover types, etc.) at additional cost. Alternatively, customer may apply the current price of a 20-standard page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book (after taking into account any current discounts on shutterfly.com) toward the purchase of a larger photo book. Not valid on 5×7, 7×9 or 8×8 soft cover photo books, TripPix, FavePix, prepaid plans, other products, prior purchases and purchases made on the Shutterfly apps. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers or credits. Not valid for resale. We reserve the right to modify or replace any part of these terms and conditions without notice.

How to Save Money on Car Repairs

2016

Mar 122016

*Sponsored

How to Save Money on Car Repairs

Owning a vehicle, while extremely convenient and in many cases, necessary, is an expensive investment. Not only do cars cost money in terms of gas, insurance, and registration fees, there are also other expenses to consider, including accident repairs, flat tires, dead batteries, and engine failure.

The unexpected repairs you may have to make to your car are often expensive, as they require manual labor and new parts, both of which are not all that budget-friendly. While there are some repairs you can do yourself, such as changing your oil, replacing your battery, or changing your brake pads, there are some repairs that need to be completed by a certified mechanic.

Because mechanics can be pricey, here are a few ways to help you save money on car repairs by finding a good auto repair shop.

Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good repair shop is to read customer reviews or ask friends and family about their experiences with various mechanics in the area. Most car repair shops have reviews on their websites, but many of these are scripted to only show positive reviews. For instance, if you are looking to choose a windshield replacement company, reading reviews over sites like Yelp can help you get an accurate reading on a company and whether or not they do great work for a reasonable price.

Additionally, check out automotive websites for recommendations. Many of these sites can offer you advice on a particular mechanic shop, especially ones that specialize in certain cars or certain areas of car repair.

Unfortunately, there are many mechanics that will attempt to overcharge for services or try to get you to do more car repairs than necessary. Instead, do your research beforehand so you can be assured you are going to a trustworthy company.

AAA

Many people qualify for AAA, allowing them access to be a member to the organization. Those who have a AAA membership can go to certified mechanics that are under the AAA branch. Additionally, if you are ever in a situation where you are stranded, whether it is a flat tire, car accident, or engine trouble, you can call AAA and they will send out a mechanic in the area to come help you immediately. Lastly, AAA members get other discounts and benefits on a number of other things, including travel, repairs, and medications.

Certified Shops

Whatever mechanic you go to, make sure he or she is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Not all mechanics or car repair shops get certified, and going to a non-certified shop can lead to shoddy work or even dangerous mishaps. Many people get recommendations for mechanics from friends of friends, and because it is through word of mouth, most assume they are reliable. Despite their reasonable prices and good recommendations, if they are not certified, you might want to think twice about using them.

Visit the Shop Beforehand

One of the best things you can do before using a mechanic is to visit the shop beforehand. Many people make the mistake of trusting too soon and drop off their car without checking out the shop in person before the appointment.

Visiting the auto shop can help you view how it is run and how many customers there are. While all auto shops can have slow days, if you notice that there are few people coming in and out, or dropping off or picking up their cars, the shop might not be as legitimate as you hoped.

A good auto shop should be clean and welcoming with an organized system. The shop should be working on cars in relatively good condition and the area surrounding the garage should not look like an old junk yard. While you are there, take some time to speak with the staff. Ask them questions about your car, what parts it needs, and even ask for a quote. As you speak with them, you can gauge their knowledge on their job and if they treat you well or with disdain. Your first impression on a place will tell you a lot about the company.

During the times where your car needs a mechanic to repair its problem, make sure you do your research beforehand to find a well-priced, certified mechanic to help you out.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/tools-spanner-mechanic-625620/

$500 Disney Gift Card Giveaway (Redeemable at any Park or Store)

2016, Giveaway

Mar 092016

disney gift card giveaway

Welcome to the $500 Disney Gift Card Giveaway. Can you just imagine what you could spend this on? Bookmark this page in case you’re unable to complete all the entries during this visit. The more you do – the

Do you like this giveaway? If you’d like to see more like this one – please leave us a comment letting us know.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize: $500 Disney Gift Card (can be used at any Disney park or store)
Co-hosts:Coupons and Freebies Mom // Sunny Sweet Days // Jenns Blah Blah Blog // Yes We Disney // Box Roundup // Peyton’s Momma // Peanut Butter and Whine //Hey There Sunshine // Java John Z’s // Wandering Forevermore // Finger Click Saver // Casey At

Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 4/8 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finger Click Saver is not responsible for prize shipment. This giveaway is not endorsed by any social media platform including, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Lugz Lumber Hi SR Ankle Boot Review

2016, Reviews

Mar 082016

Lugz Lumber Hi SR Ankle Boot Review

I’ve always wondered what the Lugz brand could do for my feet. I’ve heard a lot of folks talk about them and have read a lot of reviews, but I’m not one to venture out and try a new brand of shoe without being able to try them on over and over again, before making a decision to want to actually purchase them. That said, I had the opportunity to put a pair of their boots to the test before doing just that in order to facilitate this review.

I ordered the (Men’s) Lugz – The Lumber Hi SR ankle boots and find myself very pleased with the boot. I wanted a boot that resembled a sneaker. Something that wasn’t too bulky, as I don’t have the need for a big boot.

Key features of this Lumber Hi SR ankle boot were described on the site as having:

A Durabrush Upper – as described
A Padded tongue & collar – as described
Flexastride memory foam insole – There’s definitely a foam insole, as to how flexible it is, I am not sure on this. The boot itself, is still stiff so maybe as time goes on, I will appreciate the flexibility I am suppose to be feeling.
Slip resistant rubber outsole – as described

Lugz Lumber Hi SR Ankle Boot Review

In addition to those features, I found the boot to have a deep traction soles. This is a good thing if you’re in need to ground your feet into terrain. The bad side of deep traction soles – don’t walk in the house with them on your feet if you’ve been playing in the dirt or snow – you’ll have a mess to clean up. All kidding aside – you’ll have plenty of tread on the bottom of the boot to last a long time.

After I wore them, a light bulb went off in my head. I thought it would be nice for you to see what I mean by deep traction – my apologies for not having the light bulb go off to begin with:

Lugz Lumber Hi SR Ankle Boot Review

In all the reviews I read on Lugz shoes/boots, I could not find one that talked about the arches of their shoes/boots. Good arch support is a must with any shoe going on my feet…including sandals. These Lugz Lumbar boots have just that – good arch support. It sets in the foot-bed of the shoe where it’s supposed to. The arch is high enough to give good support to the arch, but not so high that it’s uncomfortable.

I’ve been wearing mid-top sneakers for sometime and like that height. Being a boot I expected these to be a bit higher and that they were. Though – they weren’t uncomfortable. The ankle is actually supported very well.

I have an issue with my feet getting cold in shoes/sneakers/boots – faster than most people do. I found that my feet stayed warm. Now, I can’t say I was out in 10 degree weather for a long time, but in comparison to my other footwear – these stood right up to keeping my feet warm.

The stitching of the boot was consistent and appears as though it will hold up for quite sometime. Of course, some people go through footwear a lot faster than others do – it all depends on the person and how hard on footwear they are.

I also found that there is plenty of space in this boot. Though I am a woman, I wear men’s sneakers/boots – I tend to like their styles better. Compared to the sneakers I own, these boots equally have the width of the sneakers with the exception of the left boot being just a tad bit wider. I think it’s important to note that I do not wear heavy socks with these boots. I wear a mid-weight sock.

These boots were a hit in our house. There’s this thing in our house with the teen. If mom has it and it will fit the teen – then the teen must complete her own findings. I’ve been told that I will need to share these boots. She liked them and stated, “I’m rocking this outfit,” (leggings, sweatshirt and my Lugz boots)! Honestly, they are a nice looking boot.

Be sure to check out their new line Snow White Collection for women.

Keep abreast of Lugz news on Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest

Peeps & Company Prize Pack Giveaway

2016, Giveaway

Mar 062016

Welcome to the Peeps & Company Giveaway!

peeps prize pack giveaway

One (1) winner will receive a Peeps and Company prize pack! Peeps and Company are perfect for your Easter Baskets! Check out Kristin’s review to find out what she’ll be including in her Easter Baskets!

Giveaway is open to US Residents, ages 18+ years of age (limited to one entrant per household).

The giveaway ends March 20, 2016 at 11:59pm EST!

Simply follow the Rafflecopter entry form below for your chance to win. Be sure to return tomorrow to complete the daily entries!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to US Residents, 18+ only. Limit one entrant per household. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. FCS is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, Instagram or Klout. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.

Educate Yourself About Pong Pong – It’s Dangerous and Easily to be Had

2016, Medical Monday

Mar 062016

Educate Yourself About Pong Pong – It’s Dangerous and Easily to be Had

pong pong seed

That. Above. It’s the outer shell of the Pong Pong tree seed. Inside is a seed known as a kernel. When you watch the video below, you will see what the actual seed looks like inside. Keep that image in your mind forever.

Not well known in the USA, Pong Pong is very well know in India and Asia. It’s nickname is “the suicide tree.” When ingested it disrupts the heart. Now that a death has occurred in the US from ingesting the Pong Pong Seed purchased on the internet, it’s time that us Americans, especially parents, seriously educate themselves on the danger of the Pong Pong Seed.

Wikipedia shares this:

Cerbera odollam is a dicotyledonous angiosperm, a plant species in the Family Apocynaceae and commonly known as the suicide tree, pong-pong, and othalanga. It is a species native to India and other parts of southern Asia, growing preferentially in coastal salt swamps and in marshy areas but also grown as a hedge plant between home compounds. It yields a potent poison that has been used for suicide and murder.

Its fruit, when still green, looks like a small mango, with a green fibrous shell enclosing an ovoid kernel measuring approximately 2 cm × 1.5 cm and consisting of two cross-matching white fleshy halves. On exposure to air, the white kernel turns violet, then dark grey, and ultimately brown, or black.

The mom in this video lost her transgender child (woman) to a Pong Pong seed. She purchased it over the internet for $5. She died a slow painful death and confessed at the end what it was that was ingested. Emergency Response didn’t know a thing about Pong Pong Seed; therefore they couldn’t treat the woman. The woman died. A piece of her mother died too.

Now her mother is on a mission to educate others, especially parents, on how dangerous this seed is (a must watch).

It saddens me that she lost a child. It saddens me that her child felt there was no other way to overcome what she was going through. Though, as her mother stated, if being able to save just one other person from the death of a Pong Pong seed by putting her experience out there – she’s done good.

Did you know, suicide amongst 10 – 22 year olds is the second killer in the U.S.; though suicide is prevalent for all age groups. Now that this Pong Pong seed has been in the forefront worldwide, one would hope that someone wouldn’t obtain Pong Pong with the intent to commit suicide. Though when under mental duress those individuals don’t think clearly.

Unfortunately, I believe that we’ll be hearing more deaths occurring from Pong Pong here in the U.S. and it saddens me. What are your thoughts on Pong Pong – the suicide tree?

Why You Should Have a Bean Grinder for Your Home

2016, Special

Mar 052016

Why You Should Have a Bean Grinder for Your Home

bean grinder for your home

A cup of coffee in the morning is equal to the energetic and great day ahead. The more tasty coffee you will have, the more beautiful day you will have. The thing is, most people do not know that they can have even a better day by increasing the taste of coffee because there are some options to consider that can make a cup of coffee more delicious. That’s the reason I am writing this article so that you can learn why it is necessary for you to have a good coffee bean grinder for home use. So make sure before doing any that if you have a coffee grinder next to the coffee brewer. Without the coffee beans grinder, what is the reason that you cannot have the maximum taste that you are supposed to have? Let’s discuss some of the mentionable points here.

The Desired Coffee Every Time

The general reason to have a coffee beans grinder is that you can have every kind of flavor of coffee because you will just need to buy the beans pack, and grind it by yourself and use it right after the grinding. It is difficult to find some of the flavors in ground coffee because in supermarkets, they mostly stock items which demand. So, a great solution for coffee lovers who want different flavors of coffee at home, they can have it by having a bean grinder at home.

The Freshness of Coffee

The main technical reason beyond having a coffee grinder at home is that you can make the fresh cup of coffee with the freshest ground coffee. With all the fresh cup of Joe, you can have the best taste of coffee after extracting the coffee oil from the fresh ground coffee. It is because right after 2 minutes of grinding the beans, the real taste of coffee faded and what you taste then is only a half flavorful of a coffee cup. After 2 minutes, the ground coffee starts oxidizing and that changes the taste completely. So having a grinder of your own will help you to have the best fresh taste ever.

Every Kind of Ground Coffee

If you haven’t invested on coffee beans grinder yet, then make sure to understand this point too. There are different coffee bean grinders with different grind settings. Invest a little more on that grinder which has every kind of grind options from coarse to fine ground coffee. It is because your mood changes many times a day, sometimes you want to have Espresso and the other time you want to make a regular coffee and all it can be achieved if you have a great quality of a bean grinder.

One thing to mention here is that you should also know the types of beans grinders. One type is the burr grinder and the second type is the blade grinder. If you are going after a separate grinder which can grind you finest coffee too, then go for the grinder with a conical burr stainless steel grinder because it will cover every option for you, but it is always costly as compared to a blade grinder. If you have a small budget, then do not worry, go and buy a blade grinder and you will still have the same taste of coffee.

Can you see the benefits of owning a bean grinder for your home? There’s nothing like a fresh cup of coffee!

ModCloth Romantic Road Trip Style Collection is Here

2016

Mar 052016

***This post contains affiliate links, which means should you click on a link and make a purchase, an FCS Team Member may be compensated.

ModCloth Romantic Road Trip Style Collection is Here

Spring is about ready to be sprung upon us…are you ready? There’s nothing better than shedding the heavy winter clothing and putting on new Spring clothes for the occasion. If you’re aching for some new Spring clothing – ModCloth has you covered this Spring. Their new Romantic Road Trip Style Collection is comprised of a lot of cute attire.

Take a look at these items below. One can wear them to start off the day and then head right into the night without a worry. I absolutely love the sandals! Paired with the items you see in the image – what a great outfit(s) this would make for so many Spring occasions.

I don’t know about you, but when purchasing Spring clothing I look for items that will do double/triple duty. For instance, pants that would work well during the Spring months that will carry throughout the summer as well, that can be dressed up or down, and worn into the night. The same with tops. For footwear, sandals of multi-colors work best for the Spring & Summer months, as then I don’t have to worry about packing a lot of footwear if we’re headed out for more than a day.

What do you find that works for you? I know a lot of women like to have a lot of clothing, a lot of shoes, and a lot of handbags…not a necessity for me.

Regardless, why not head over and shop the ModCloth Romantic Road Trip Style Collection.

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