Free Pattern Friday: Crochet Hand/Wrist Warmers

If you noticed, I totally missed Free Pattern Friday last week. That may happen a bit in the next month or so, because I have a 2-year-old always running around, a 12-year-old in volleyball, and a 9-year-old playing fall baseball on top of all my customer orders and normal mommy/wife duties. So with that being said, let's get to this week's pattern.

I think wrist warmers are so cute. They provide the coverage of a glove while leaving your fingers free, plus they are very stylish. This week's pattern comes from Cute Crochet Chat. HERE is the pattern for these cute wrist warmers...

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September Charity Auction for Courageous Kidz

Just a quick post here to let you know that I am having a charity auction over on my Facebook business page, Kristin's Kreations. This auction is being held in honor of September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. All proceeds will go to Courageous Kidz, a non-profit organization for children and teenagers with cancer. I am a 16-year-survivor of a childhood cancer, so this is a very important cause for me. My goal is to raise at least $300.00 for the organization. Pleas help me by sharing this!! Thank you!

Trending Authors of Summer iPad Mini Event

When it comes to summer reading indie authors offer a refreshing alternative to predictable plots from big name writers. Here’s a list of ten titles from trending indie authors, pick your favorite and vote on Facebook.

 Legends Lost: Galdin by Nova Rose

In a time of uncertainty, Nova Rose created a fantasy epic of high adventure spanning 1500 years with its unique mythology and characters--of which Galdin is the final book--where the lowliest of people overcome impossible odds to save the land they love. 

Reviewer Comments
This book had me hooked right from the beginning and kept me going through to the end. You find yourself quickly immersed in an intense new world and the characters are both compelling, identifiable, fresh, interesting, and mysterious enough to keep your attention. The plot is exciting and does a good job of creating an intricate believable world while keeping up the action. Very well crafted story.

Be sure to follow the author on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest publications.

Special Price Cut Book was $5.49 and is now available for $0.99. 

 Time Killer by Todd M. Thiede 

A top-ranked Amazon thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

More About The Book 
A fast-paced thriller centered on a brutal, time-obsessed serial killer. The expression "killing time" rarely means murder, but here, the victims of a serial killer must pay for time they've wasted, often with both their money and their lives. In a brutal scene from the opening chapter, an entire family is murdered after a stranger invades the family's home and accuses the patriarch of wasting his time. Veteran cop Max Larkin is on the case. Unfortunately, he's also been assigned a new partner; though she's green in the field--she has "very sad eyes" and prays upon arriving at the first crime scene--she gives the hardened old detective a new perspective he never knew he needed. But as the serial killer claims more victims, a pattern emerges that neither Max nor his new partner can ignore. With brisk pacing, Thiede's debut brims with action, violence and, occasionally, emotion. Though the book takes a while to find its heart, procedural fans will feel right at home. Larkin feels like a guy worth rooting for, despite filling the shoes of the beaten-down, grizzled, old loner cop trope a little too well. His interactions with his new partner, plus the twists and revelations regarding his past, give him enough of a pass to get readers invested in the story and looking forward to his next outing. Larkin's story doesn't break any boundaries, but it'll keep crime and thriller fans wrapped up in its twisting plot, fast pace and memorable detective. Plenty of shock value and a charismatic, if formulaic, male lead. - Kirkus Reviews

Read more about the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Edge of a Dream by Lee Fishman

Lee Fishman has written an action-packed thriller that's a story for our times, a story of America the hard way! 

More About The Book
What’s it like to be on your own in a new country? While Rija, a young wife and mother, confronts the challenges of her new life in America with gritty determination, her husband, the charming Josef, takes off. Falling into a life of crime, he hooks up with the Russian mafia and turns up with piles of cash and trouble at just the wrong time. The action starts early and keeps building. This is a great beach read!

Reluctant Gods III- Reset by A.J. Aaron 

If you don't like just plain old vanilla and want something different, read, Reluctant Gods III - Reset from the series that transcends fiction fantasy by crossing genres into romance, humor, science fiction, and mystery and is sure to entertain while you enjoy the best of summer.

Reviewer Comments
I loved Reluctant Gods III-Reset! As a science fiction fan, I couldn't have asked for more. It covers so much of what I enjoy reading about, with a story that keeps you interested through the end. My husband didn't want to read it by the description at first, but I urged him to just try it. It's now one of his favorites! He's even gone back and read the first two in the series, although you can keep up even if you haven't. I did read them first and am glad I did. Personally, I like to know the in's and out's of the stories that I read, so I just had to read the others first. - 5 Star Amazon Review

Slum by Dan Carroll

Slum is a page-turner that's been called an intoxicating love story and a tale of hope for a dying child, played out by a wealthy New Yorker and a poor ex-stripper from a Caribbean slum. 

Reviewer Comments
From Clarion Reviews: "Enticingly entertaining... Julianna and Robert are well-drawn, credible characters... descriptions of the slum are evocative, realistic, and insightful... safe to assume that the realism in the novel emanates from Dan Carroll's firsthand knowledge and experiences in the slums."

Special Price Cut .99 cents on Kindle, iBookstore, Nook 

The Mormon Candidate – A Novel 

by Avraham Azrieli

“Powerful novel … extraordinary magic in making his readers as eager as his protagonist in uncovering the truth and thus effectively creating pervasive fear and suspense … sure to keep you up late against your better judgment - don't say I didn't warn you.” Norm Goldman, Bookpleasures/The Examiner 

More About the Book
“Author Avraham Azrieli wades into controversial waters with his fifth novel, "The Mormon Candidate." His main character, Ben Teller, is a photojournalist who, with his motorcycle has joined the Marine Corps Veterans' Annual Ride in Washington, D.C. when a terrible accident results in the death of one of the bikers. Suspicious by nature, he senses that Hinckley's death was not an accident. His investigation leads directly into the political nest of the man running for president of the United States, Joe Morgan, a successful businessman and active LDS member. Throughout the novel, details are revealed about the daily practices and social beliefs of members of the Mormon Church. A well-written page-turner, this is an entertaining novel.” Kel Kanady,Mercury News

You can also find Avraham Azrieli on Good Reads and Library Thing.

Special Price Cut E-book is now $2.99. Paperback is $13.49.

The Big Empty by Ritch Gaiti

For the first mystery from Ritch Gaiti he has attained some excellent reviews on a socially significant mystery that is far more than a casual read. (Amazon 4.7 –23 reviews) 

Reviewer Comments
 “…masterfully conceived, dramatically atmospheric…Highly recommended.” Literary Aficionado “…a home run with fiction lovers… keeps the reader guessing until the very end.” Pacific Book Review

 Being a Go-To-Tech by Warren Zabloudil

The book provides much needed insight into how to manage a long and successful career in the Information Technology field from an author who has spent twenty-four years working as an IT tech in many environments. 

Reviewer Comments
Being a go to Tech by Warren C. Zabloudil is a great how-to and self improvement that should be read by not only anyone going into the IT (information technology) field but any service-based career. Mr. Zabloudil uses a common sense approach pointing out the ins and outs that will make you the individual (or team leader) that everyone looks to when their computer systems are down. The book brings up several good points that we may have heard before but not in as clear and precise as Mr. Zabloudil puts it in this book. He points out how different types of attitudes can affect performance and steps that should be taken to change your outlook when going into a job or dealing with management. You will be shown the importance of listening, documenting, understanding, communication and time management. - J. Wallace 5 Star Amazon Review

Night Chill by Jeff Gunhus

In his debut novel for adults, bestselling MG/YA author Jeff Gunhus (known for his Jack Templar Monster Hunter books) has won outstanding reviews for his supernatural thriller which has drawn comparisons to Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Come see why this novel is consistently on the Amazon horror bestseller lists. 

More About The Book
Gunhus deliver a taut supernatural thriller...the powerful Nate Huckley terrifies, and the assorted cast of human antagonists add to the white-knuckle tension. All the chops of an action-packed horror tale. - Kirkus Reviews

Special Price Cut The book is now on sale for 99 cents. 

Up, Up and Away by Richard Corbett 

When Richard Corbett bought a modest flight school at the Modesto, California airport in 2007, he thought his dreams had come true. This from a man who’d made a career out of fulfilling his life’s admittedly lofty ambitions. 

More About The Book

Up, Up, and Away is an interesting story about a man who wanted to participate in free enterprise, and worked hard to make his business dreams a reality, but what he got instead was simply un-American. Running up against blatant corruption holding hands with Modesto government (no surprises there), Richard Corbett did all that he could to play by the rules. Unfortunately for him, the rules only apply to those who don't already have city officials in their pockets.

 Special Price Cut $9.99

Now that you've ready about these wonderful authors, make sure to place your vote today for a chance to win an iPad Mini from Reader Spoils!

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Children Teaching Mama is excited to offer you a chance to win this amazing prize thanks to Reader Spoils! 

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One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries to receive a 16GB white iPad Mini valued at $339.99! To enter, complete the tasks on the Rafflecopter form below. Don't forget to vote for your favorite book AND come back for daily entries! Good Luck!
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My First Little Black Bag: August 2013

A couple of days ago I received my first box from Little Black Bag. If you are unfamiliar with LBB, I will try to explain it the best I can. When you go to the Little Black Bag website, you choose an item. This is called "opening a bag". Once you've "placed" that item in your bag, the LBB stylists will then choose 1-3 items to place in your bag with the item that you chose. You may then go ahead and close your bag by clicking the tab that says "ship my bag" or, here's where the fun begins, you may start trading items with other members. You have up to 7 days to trade, then your bag is closed and shipped out. I think this is a really neat concept in case you don't care for the items that are chosen for you. Say you choose a nice handbag and there are 2 pairs of earrings and a beauty item that are placed in your bag. If those items just aren't your cup of tea then you can trade one or all of them or accept trades from other members.

You can do a one-time purchase of the item you chose or you can become a VIP member. I actually decided to do this. VIP membership is $9.95/month. As a VIP member you get the lowest prices on their merchandise of up to 70% or more. VIP members also get free gifts with their purchases each month. As a VIP member you can skip any month by the 5th or on the 6th of the month you are granted a $10.00 credit to spend or you can let them accumulate for a later purchase. So basically you are making a nickle each month. It's not much, but hey, at least you're pretty much making your money back.

I decided I would start out with a smaller purchase to see how I liked the site and the shopping experience.

Here's what my box looked like when it arrived and after I opened it.

I signed up for LBB after receiving a promo code in my email worth $15.00 off my purchase, so I wanted to find an item that was as close to that price as possible. That is when I came across the adorable mustache necklace pictured on the left below. The piece is by K. Kreative, which I am not very familiar with, but I just had to get it for my 12-year-old because she is obsessed with the whole mustache fad right now. This necklace retails for $16.00. After I placed that item in my "bag", LBB stylist chose some earrings that were sort of meh. I tried to trade them for days, then finally someone accepted my trade and I acquired some really cute blue filigree earrings. Right before it was time to close my bag, someone offered to trade for those really cute earrings that are shown in the picture. I had seen these on the site and really loved them because of the starfish. The earrings are Robert Rose brand and they retail for $22.00.

I'm pretty excited at how well I did with this purchase. Together the items retail at $38.00. By using the promo code and the VIP discount I got for joining, I was able to get both items for $5.95 which is the shipping cost.

Right now you can join Little Black Bag and receive 25% off your first purchase. Just click THIS LINK to get started!

Do you subscribe to Little Black Bag? If so, what are your thoughts? What kind of items have you received? I would love to hear from you...just comment below.

See all of my favorite subscription boxes HERE

My First Birchbox: August 2013

A couple of days ago I received my very first Birchbox in the mail. Birchbox is a subscription service in which you get deluxe beauty samples mailed to you each month for only $10.00 shipped. So here's what was in my August Birchbox:

So this is how the box looks when you receive it and when you first open it up. The box ships via USPS and I received it within 2 days of shipping notification. As you can see you get a little card that tells about the items in the box, how to use them, and what the price is on a full-size product. All of the full-size products can be purchased at the Birchbox website.

Amika Obliphica Blow Up Spray ($6.00 value): lightweight mist that adds lift and leaves an Obliphica berry scent for the perfect blowout. I actually used this today and it works great. It gives a little boost in volume and smells great. The 2-ounce sample size will last through quite a few uses, too.

Color Club Wanderlust Collection ($2.00 value): exclusive neon pastel shades inspired by four of our favorite cities. The color I got is called London Calling and is a pretty minty green. I love nail polish so this is one of my favorite items in the box.
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Cream SPF 45+ ($4.42 value): this multitasker evens out skin tone, has anti-aging benefits, and gives you broad spectrum protection. I've been wanting to try out a BB cream to see how I will like it, so I'm pretty stoked to try this product. Hopefully I can get more than one use out of the little 0.17ml sample that I got in my box.

OC8 Professional Mattifying Gel (approx. $1.81 value): a lightweight gel that creates a sheer matte layer and absorbs shine for eight hours. Even though I have oily skin, I always moisturize, which can leave your skin feeling a bit greasy. I tried this today and the way you use it is that you apply a layer on top of your moisturizer before you apply your makeup. It really did make the shine go away and made my face feel so smooth.

Tili Bags (approx. $0.94 value): breeze through airport security with these too-cute plastic bags. Each month Birchbox will put in what they call a Lifestyle Extra, which is basically a non-beauty sample. This month's Lifestyle Extra are these super cute patterned zipper bags. It's basically a zippered bag that you can use to put various items in when you pack. The bag I got is quart-sized but they make gallon-sized ones, too and in different patterns. I don't travel much to the point that I would need to use bags like this, but I think it would make a great reusable snack bag.

So that is my Birchbox this month. For only $10.00 shipped I received a box valued at around $15.17. That's not too bad for my first box, so I think I will continue with my subscription for a little while. If you would like to get your own Birchbox, just click this link HERE. If you receive Birchbox let me know what you got and what you think.

See all of my favorite subscription boxes HERE

My First Graze Box: August 2013

Last week I received my very first Graze box in the mail. Graze is a subscription box service in which you get healthy snacks delivered on a weekly basis for only $5.00. You can actually change how often you get your boxes if every week is too often for you. Find out how to get an invite code below and get your first box for FREE!

At the moment, there is a waiting list for Graze unless you have an invite code. I received my invite code from the wonderful Jennifer over at Ramblings of a Suburban Mom. If you would like to get a code from her, just leave your email address in a comment at the end of her Graze box review BY CLICKING THIS LINK. Now in order to keep the invite codes going, she only asks one thing of you...that is for you to send the invite code you get back to her after you sign up, that way others can join in.

Graze offers two types of boxes. There is the Nibble Box, which gives you the choice of over 70 different snack mixes. There is also the Light Box, which lets you choose from over 50 low calorie snacks.

Now I am a mother of 5...my 8-year-old and I are the pickiest eaters in our household. Recently I have been on a quest to start eating better and to watch how my children snack. Because I haven't tried a lot of the healthier snack options, I really am not sure what we will and will not like. This is one of the biggest reasons I really like Graze. It gives me a chance to try some healthy snacks to see what my family and I will like. These snacks are also perfect for on-the-go snacking, which is something we do alot of. Now with all of that being said, let's get to what was inside my first Graze box.

Here is the box as it comes in the mail. Shipping is free and it arives via USPS.

Here's the box once you open it up. All 4 of your snack packs are in there along with a card that has the nutritional information for each of the snacks.



This is Tropical Daiquiri. It's pineapple, lime-infused raisins, and green mango. It's the only one I have yet to try from this box, mainly because I threw it in my little one's diaper bag for a snack-to-go.

This one is called Hot Cross Yum and it's really different. I loved it. It has sponge pieces, which tasted to me like little cookies, in addition to cinnamon-honey almonds, and orange-infused raisins.

My 9-year-old snatched this one up because he is a bread lover. This one, called Herby Bread Basket, has mini garlic croutons, mini basil breadsticks and oregano rice crackers.

My 12-year-old loves anything with a little bit of spiciness so she claimed these as hers. They are Black Pepper Pistachios.

So that is my first Graze box. Have you ever received one? What do you think of it? If you want to try Graze, make sure you visit this post from Ramblings of a Suburban Mom and leave a comment with your email address for an invite code. Your first box is FREE!

See all of my favorite subscription boxes HERE

Nail of the Day: My New Julep Polish

I just wanted to show off my newest Julep polish really quickly. This is one of their Bombshell collection polishes called "Esmerelda". It's a beautiful emerald green glitter. I love anything emerald since it's my birthstone.

Want your own Julep box? Want to get your first one for FREE?? Just click HERE and enter the promo code FREEBOX. All you pay is $3.99 s/h.

Free Pattern Friday: Crochet Flower Hairpin

I was browsing the Poochie Baby blog today when I found this super cute Crochet Flower Hairpin pattern. My daughters love hair accessories and these would even be great for me, too. They can be done in any colors, which makes these extremely versatile. If you have a look around her blog you will find some other great free patterns, too!

SURPRISES IN THE MAIL: All of My Subscription Boxes in One Post

Subscription boxes seem to be everywhere these days and you can get just about anything in them. This page is for all of the boxes I subscribe to. With each box that I get, I will post pictures and what I think about the boxes along with pricing info.

graze: $5.00/box. Healthy snacks delivered by mail. (See my latest Graze box here).

Birchbox: $10.00/month. Deluxe beauty samples delivered to your door monthly. (See my latest Birchbox here.)

ipsy: $10.00/month. Deluxe samples and full-size beauty products. (See my ipsy review here.)

Conscious Box: $19.95/month ($56.85/3 months, $107.70/6 months, $203.40/year). Discover the best natural products on the planet. Choose from Classic, Vegan, and Gluten-free. Get your first box for only the price of shipping ($7.00) by using code FREEBOX at checkout. (See my latest Conscious Box review here.)

Julep: $19.99/month. Hand-picked nail color and other beauty products sent each month. Get your first box for only the price of shipping ($3.99) by using the code FREEBOX at checkout. (See my latest Julep box here).

bluum: $24.95/month ($249.50/year). Deluxe samples for mom and baby.

Little Black Bag: Social shopping site where you choose an item, then you have 1 or 2 items chosen for you, then you can trade your items. Super fun shopping experience. Get 25% off your first order when you use THIS LINK to sign up. (See my first Little Black Bag here).

Your Bijoux Box: $35.00/month (free shipping). Receive 2-3 pieces of hand-curated jewelry worth at least $70.00. Get a free necklace when you enter the code "stitches11" at checkout. (See my Your Bijoux Box review here.)

Wantable: $36.00/month or $40.00/one time purchase. Three different options: makeup, accessories, intimates. (See my first Wantable box here.)

Kona Kase: $15.00/month (free shipping). 8 nutritional snacks delivered to you each month. (See my Kona Kase review here.)

My Cotton Bunny: $16.00/month ($45.60/3 months or $86.40/6 months. The monthly subscription service that bundles your choice of feminine hygiene products with goodies to get you through your cycle. Get 30% off your first box using promo code MCBLOG. (See my My Cotton Bunny review here.)

Fit Fashionista Club by Ellie: $49.95/month. Get 2 pieces of workout wear each month. Get 20% off your first order when you use THIS LINK to subscribe. (See my Fit Fashionista Club review here.)

e-sentials: 3 monthly package prices: $10, $13, $16. Female hygiene products delivered monthly. (See my e-sentials review here.)

Parenthood Survival Box: $34.99/month. Great products for expectant parents and parents with babies up to 9 months old. Choose from girl, boy, or neutral. (See my Parenthood Survival Box review here.)

Money-makin' Monday: Clicksia & Incentria

This is a late Money-makin' Monday, but it's a 2-for-1 deal. I decided to put Clicksia and Incentria in the same post, because the two sites are identical. With both of them, you sign up, then just click ads for money. It's super simple and the payout is a minimum of $1.00, which means you can get paid really soon. As always, if you have questions, just leave them in the comments below. Have a great week!

Check out ALL of my great money-making opportunities right HERE!