Instant Pot Review #HGG17

Holiday Gift Guide 2017

The Instant Pot is quite possibly the best invention since the air conditioner!

*Shout out to "The Man"! I received this product in exchange for an honest review. All Opinions are 100% my own. Affiliate links may be present in this post. If you click a link and a purchase is made, I will earn a small commission, at no cost to you, that will enable me to buy things like thread and duct tape. Many Thanks to the PR's that are working with me this holiday season.*

DIY - Unique Fresh Spice Rack Using Mason Jars

If you're like me, you love to use fresh spices when cooking or baking a dish. I have a small herb garden outside but running to snip off this or that, can be inconvenient!

I think I have finally found the perfect solution! It's a Fresh Spice Rack that I can make using chips of wood and mason jars!

Winners List

All Winners from the blog and the facebook page, Will be posted here!

Suave Products Review

I received a heavy box with all these Suave products inside, to review, in exchange for my 100% honest opinion.

Suave is a name brand I trust. It's my "Go To" when money is tight and we're in desperate need of shampoo (which is often!) I don't have to worry about the quality or anyone having an allergic reaction, like I do with other brands (even some premium brands)!

BaseCamp Portable Washing Machine Review #HGG17

I received this single tub portable washing machine,  made by Mr Heater under the brand BaseCamp, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

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*Shout out to "Big Brother"! Affiliate links may be present in this post. If you click a link and a purchase is made, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. These clicks enable me to buy small things like cotton swabs and Frito's corn chips. Thanks for supporting my small business. ❤

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If you read my "A MS Warriors Christmas Wish list" post, you know that this BaseCamp portable washing machine is the first item on my list.
 I was in the midst of suffering with a MS flare up that was affecting my left knee, causing it to pop out of joint and swelling. I cannot begin to describe how painful that is.

Be A Old Wisconsin - The Smokehouse Ambassador

Do you like food? Of course you do!!
Like snacks? If your answer is yes, then you can consider becoming an ambassador for Old Wisconsin - The Smokehouse! 

Feast VoxBox Review

*Shout Out to "The Man"! I received this box of tasty food and goodness for free from Influenster, in exchange for an honest review. I have received no monetary compensation. *Takes A Bow** Affiliate links are present in this post. If you click a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission that enables me to buy things like tea and books! Thanks for supporting my small business!

This box easily weighed 4 pounds! Influenster sent me so much yummy goodness, I was extremely pleased to try them out!

Want To Be An Ambassador for Marc Jacobs Beauty?

Do you want the chance to be an ambassador for Marc Jacobs Beauty?

Click Here

💋

A #MSwarriors Christmas Wish List

Shout-out to "The Man"!! Affiliate links may be present in this post. It costs you nothing to click them. If you make a purchase, I will make a small commission which enables me to buy things like koolaid and cheetos. Thanks for supporting my small business.

My Christmas wish list is kind of different. Where I once wanted things like shoes, makeup, clothes, vacations, jewelry, etc ...
My wants have changed.

My "wants" now resemble "needs".

When your body betrays you and becomes a shell that you no longer know, life is no longer easy.

WoW! I Received A Huge Box of Goodies!!!

I was shocked to receive a huge box of goodies from my postman. Did he fall in love with me and secretly decided to put this box of yummy goodness together in the hopes of wooing me?!!

Pardon Me ... Do You Have Any Grey Poupon??/ Blog Life, MSsucks

It's a mustard, for those who have no clue. Was a funny commercial back in the day.
Google it.

Siri said "Shall I deliver it in my Rolls Royce?"
It's obvious that Siri has seen the commercial.

My New Harsh Reality - It really Sucks!

The day it happened was like any other day, the birds were chirping annoyingly outside my window, traffic was being obscenely loud on the state highway I live off of and my neighbor was cutting his grass for the 3rd time that week.

DIY - Witch Apothecary Jars for Halloween

These witch apothecary jars are the cutest lil Halloween decorations! They are super easy to make, all you need are a few items.

Book Review: Nyxia by Scott Reintgen (YA/SciFi)

Book Summary: "Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family.

Forever.

Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden—a planet that Babel has kept hidden—where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.

But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human."

Pardon Our Dust, Rebranding and Irma Blows

Buh -Bye Diva Sweeps!!!
Hello Diva's News & Reviews!!!

Don't say you didn't see this coming, I've talked about it, screamed my frustrations repeatedly and had an all out hissy fit over the unfairness of being labeled a "deal" website (blog). Which is a huge turn off to prospective sponsors, who denied my blog at every turn.

DIY - Upcycle Old Candles into New, Without Losing Fragrance

I love my scents!
Everything from candles to incense.
Do you have a lot of good smelling candle bits around your house?

Learn how to make new candles from the old candles while preserving the fragrance!

Recipe - Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

Cheesy Chicken Parmesan is quick and easy to make, with the right recipe!

Recipe - Chili Cheese Dog Bake

This Chili Cheese Dog Bake is easy to prepare.

One Daily Email Now Available

We are slowly making a few changes. The first is adding a basic daily email subscription, for our readers. You can find the subscribe box at the top right corner of our blog.

 We will still have our Bloglovin option, for those who have already signed up with them.

Summer Slushie Recipes - Kid Friendly!

Summer is the perfect time of the year to drink a icy cold, slushie drink. 

Here are a few of our favorite Slushie drink recipes.

Book Tour - Playing For Keeps - Lisa B Kamps + Giveaway

Will the couple find the strength and courage to put it all on the line 

when love means playing for keeps?

Book Tour - Make Me Stay - Sidney Halston + Giveaway

Secret identities, second chances, drama, desire: 

Its all going down in Miami Beach

The Joy of ...

The Joy of ____ (fill in the blank).

We all have our obsessions. Some folks would say cooking, others would say sex and let's face it ... those books have been written. 

Recipe - Easy to Freeze Mini Pizza's

I'm always on the hunt for kid friendly recipes and this one is the best! Easy to make and easy to freeze in zip lock bags for using another time.

My Most Busy Time of the Year

Spriiiiiiiinnnnggggg is almost here!!!
I have tons of work and projects to do. TONS!!
My seedlings are sprouting, getting ready for the rich soil in our container gardens. They are being called "My Tasty Babies". To anyone looking from a distance, I probably seem like a crazy lady talking to myself but I'm actually talking to my tasty babies. I play a little Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers or The B52's - they seem to like my music (lol).
My projects list is vast.
Including a random list of fixer uppers and DIY.
My childhood home is my play ground.
Going through a house that needs a fresh coat of paint in every room, uncluttering, moving, trashing, thrashing (no not really, but it sounded good.)
My head spins when I think of just how much stuff one house can hold.

Since my last surgery, I'm having to cut back on my work load. Doctors orders!! It depresses me because I've always been a self reliant kind of woman, I've been suffering from depression since. It's hard to wrap my head around this "no working" thing. My husband is fine with it, he's said all the right things and I still wanted to choke the life out of him. Bwahahahahaha! Sad but true.

Perhaps my very physical job isn't the best option right now.
Perhaps I need to find something new.
Perhaps this chronic kidney disease could just piss off.
Perhaps ... I'll TRY to do less.
Maybe ... but don't hold your breath.

ARC Review: Viper: A Vampire Romance - Madisyn Ashmore

Excellent if you love paranormal romance.

Viper: A Vampire Romance by Madisyn Ashmore

Recipe - Shepherds Pie

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I decided to make a Traditional Irish Meal.

Shepherds Pie! 

It was fantastic! 

Rated ★★★★★ by the family unit.

~☆~ Release Blast & Giveaway ~☆~ Leather Pants by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Diva Sweeps presents another great read!

It Only Takes One

Hot Rock Star To Ruin Your Life…

Getting Back To The Groove Of Things

My pre-spring cleaning break, is over!

 

Early Spring Cleaning

The flowers are in bloom, the pollen is swirling in the air. My allergies are screaming and my physician doesn’t have my allergy shots in his office ... yet. Let's not forget that technically it's still Winter!

My annual "Spring Cleaning" event has started a month early.

Usually during this time of year, I am all amped up to get my garden arranged and in order. I study last years layout drawing and decide what is going to be planted where. Start my seedling plants, get all of my containers washed out and ready. Not only do we plant rows of fruits and veggies but we have container gardens in various sunny spots around the front yard too.
I'm still doing this, planning my garden and harvesting the last of my winter yield.

I'm also in full on Spring Cleaning mode.
Only difference between this year and last year, is having to clean out my mothers house and get it ready to be put on the market. It's bitter sweet having to sell the house where you grew up.

After my last hospital stay (7 days and 1 surgery), I've finally had to face facts. The house needs to go. It's a headache I can't take anymore. I was hoping to hang on to it for my moms sake but I have a feeling she will out live me. Paying taxes on a house we can't live in (its not big enough, plus our house is paid off and we like it) or rent out (because Mumsey said no) makes zero sense.
Now I have to clean out her house and get repairs made to it, so it will sell quickly. Yay Fun <insert sarcasm> !!!

Has my lack of presence been noticed on my blog?
The magic 8 ball says "YES".

Unfortunately, I will be MIA a lot in the following weeks.
I hope to still do the hops on my blog and the sweeps on my fb page, I need more viewers and likes before I can get any sponsors to host my own stuff.
I am not going to be able to help other bloggers who are giving away prizes from sponsors. It's my biggest regret right now, so many of those bloggers have given me advice and answered any questions I had. My offline life just got swamped with demands I can no longer ignore. The stress is literally killing me.

Plus I need to remember to buy a laptop!!!
Doing 100% of my online work, by tablet, SUCKS!!!!!
Hahaha. No, it really does suck.

ARC Review - Gardenia by Kelsey Sutton

Title - Gardenia 

Author - Kelsey Sutton

Genre - Teen/Young Adult (YA)

Publisher  - Diversion Books

Release Date  - February 28, 2017

~☆~ Rolfs Quest - Aubrey Wynne~☆~ Release & Giveaway

Diva Sweeps presents another great Book!

A wizard, a curse, a fated love…

~☆~ Final Exit - Lena Diaz~☆~ + Giveaway

Diva Sweeps presents another great read!

Can they find forever in the wreckage of their lives? 

Arc Review: Skypunch - CL Gaber

Skypunch by C.L. Gaber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first book was epic, I honestly had my doubts about this book being as good as the first one. Was pleasantly surprised to be captivated in the story so completely, from the very first page, yet again!

Life in prison in the living realm is brutal.
Life in prison in the afterlife is soul crushing and eternal.
It's not hell but it's close.

One way out, back to the afterlife they love ...

Ahhh I'll say no more.

Looking forward to the third installment of this epic saga!
It's definitely worth reading.

View all my reviews

Arc Review: Ascenders: High School for the Recently Departed

Ascenders: High School for the Recently Departed by C.L. Gaber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story pulls you in from the very first page. I read it in one day. The characters were kids who could live next door! I enjoyed it immensely and it's definitely worth putting in my family's virtual library.

View all my reviews

~♥~ Virtual Tour & Giveaway~♥~ At Close Range - Laura Griffen

Diva Sweeps presents another great book and giveaway!

 When her investigation brings them together, 
the sparks between them quickly get out
of control.

~☆~ Carnal Obsession -by- Reily Garrett & Giveaway~☆~

Diva Sweeps Presents This Release Blast

A romantic
suspense with a twist.

~♡~Pre-Order Blitz~♡~ BRAUM by Ditter Kellen & Giveaway!

Hubba Hubba! Diva Sweeps thinks she is going to read this naughty book. Yes She IS!

Is it hot in here? It feels hot. Whew!

Title: Braum (Enigma Book 7)

Author: Ditter Kellen

Genre: Science Fiction Romance with a Paranormal feel

Cover Designer: Syneca Featherstone

Publisher: DK Media, LLC

Editor: Kierstin Cherry

Expected Release Date: Feb. 14^th, 2017

Hosted by: Lady Amber's Reviews & PR

~☆~ Cover Reveal~☆~ Camilla by Linda Joyce

There is nothing more devine, than reading a good book. - Diva Sweeps

Title: Camilla (Fleur de Lis Brides, Book Three)

Author: Linda Joyce

Genre: Women's Fiction with strong romantic elements

Cover Designer: Diana Carlile

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

~☆~ Cover Reveal~☆~ Loving You with Teeth and Claws by Martina McAtee

A Great Book Featured on Diva Sweeps! 

Title: Loving You with Teeth and Claws

Author: Martina McAtee

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Recipe - Pork Eye Casserole

It's a pork chops and potatoes casserole.

Created purely by desperation, when all we had in the pantry were the ingredients in the recipe.  It's now a family favorite! We let the younger kids name it since everything gets named in our home.

 *Imagine my joy at being able to get a picture before the pan was empty!! Yay!*

~☆~This Piece Of My Soul -By- Robyn M Ryan~☆~ $25 Giveaway

 THIS PIECE OF MY SOUL

Clearing the Ice #2

Robyn M. Ryan

Releasing Jan 24th, 2017

 

Stumbling through the rain in a one horse hyundai

(Written Friday Night, when the house was quiet. Posted on Saturday!) When my van breaks down, it's a problem and it breaks down often. This morning the van wouldn't crank at all. It's a passenger van that can seat up to 15 people, Ford econo-something. When the van doesn't work, I have a backup CAR. Not ideal for hauling 9 kids but it runs, albeit quite loudly. 

I had to make two trips in order to get all the kiddos to school. The first trip was to the elementary and then middle schools. Those kids barely batted an eye when they heard the beast come roaring in front of the schools.

~☆~ Blackwell By Alexandrea Weis ~☆~ & Giveaway

~☆~ Release Blitz on Diva Sweeps ~☆~

Title: Blackwell

Author: Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor

Genre: Paranormal thriller

Publisher: Vesuvian Books

~★~ Book Giveaway - Throne of Glass By Sarah Maas~★~ (USA)

Enter for a chance to win this YA/Science fiction book, The Throne of Glass. Written by Sarah Maas. This high stakes adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat! It's the first book out of five and is a full length novel with over 400 pages of nail biting excitement.

~☆~ Draw The Line - By - Kim Carmichael ~☆~ $25 Amazon GC

The performance artist and con artist come together 


for the ultimate marriage of convenience.

DRAW THE LINE

Kim Carmichael

Released Dec 27, 2016

Kindle Press

~☆~ Release Day Blitz~☆~ Biloxi -By - Linda Joyce

Diva Sweeps presents a Great Book to Read.

Title: Biloxi (Fleur de Lis Brides, Book Two)

Author: Linda Joyce

Genre: Women's Fiction with strong romantic elements

Cover Designer: Diana Carlile

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

~☆~ Cover Reveal~☆~Unexpectedly Royal -by- Jennifer Domenico

A "feel good" book that you will love - on Diva Sweeps!

Title: Unexpectedly Royal

Author: Jennifer Domenico

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Wicked by Design

Editor: Mad Hatter Press

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

~☆~ Cover Reveal ~☆~ The Evolution of Ivy: Poison -By- Lauren Campbell

Diva Sweeps presents a Great Read!

 

Title: The Evolution of Ivy: Poison

Author: Lauren Campbell

Genre: Contemporary Romance with Psychological element

Cover Designer: Murphy Rae from Indie Solutions

Editor: Madison Seidler 

~☆~ New Book Release~☆~ A Way Back into Love - By- Veronica Thatcher

Sometimes you find a book that's hard to put down.

Here's  A Great Read, on Diva Sweeps!

Title: A Way Back into Love

Author: Veronica Thatcher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Notion Press

~☆~ Book Cover Revamp~☆~ Strip Me - by Michelle Turner

DivaSweeps presents this Cover Revamp!  Spicy!

Title: Strip Me

Author: Michelle Turner

Genre: Adult Romance

Cover Designer: C & K Creations

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

~☆~ Book Cover Reveal~☆~ Chasing Casey by Jane Anthony

Diva Sweeps presents a Cover Reveal For This Book!

Title: Chasing Casey

Author: Jane Anthony

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Marisa Shor at Cover Me Darling

Expected Release Date: Jan. 16^th, 2017

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR