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Everything Southern & So Cotton Pickin Cute

Monday, June 27, 2011

I'm Hungry for Fashion

Thank goodness Gabi decided to feed my need for clothes and
Shabby Apple really hits the spot.  I won Gabi's giveaway at Hungry For Fashion.

I just love this Spanish Steps dress.  I can't believe it.  I just posted about my need for something new to wear this morning.

I love the vintage/retro feel of Shabby Apple designs.

Stop by and visit Gabi at Hungry For Fashion.  She has fashion fever and we're lucky enough to get to see her everyday dressing style because she takes a picture for us.  Thanks again Gabi.  I just can't wait to get my dress!

I Don't Want To Be Famous I Just Want Out of My Pajamas

Why is it so difficult for a woman over 40, well okay if you're going to be picky, over 50 to find an article on fashion that's suitable?  

To be honest I'm getting stuck in a rut.  I don't go as much as I used to and I'm finding myself a lot more comfortable in my pajamas than clothes.  How do you still look good at home?  Do you have a fashion style at home?  Would you be embarrassed to have a neighbor pop over?  

For the past, I don't know how many years, we have remodeled the house, landscaped the yard and anything nice or at least decent I didn't want to wear around here and ruin.  Now I've gained weight and need new clothes.  How can I dress comfortable with out going to the old ladies department or the Blair catalog (no offense if you shop there).  All I want to wear is elastic waist bands, at least at home.  I also want it loose and comfy but am tired of not looking put together anymore.  So if you have tips or want to share, I sure would like to hear how you deal with it.

I did think this was a cute and cool (as in weather wise) dress.  I'm not sure where I found this one.
I swear it seems like it's been as close to impossible to find what I want when I go on the search engines.  I always end up being there forever.  My actual request was just to find, wear around the house and errand clothing.  Yeah, these shorts are a little short for me.  And even that's getting difficult because I'm petite and look really short in long shorts but at 50 plus you don't want to be out in really short ones.

   I believe I got the next two on Newport News or maybe Talbots but I'm not sure.
I love this pop of color with the khaki.  The next pair of shorts look like just the right length. But to be honest I could only wear that coral top if I was going to be in a/c all day.  Way to hot here to wear much more than tanks and tees here in Florida.  Which leads back to the question, how do you look pulled together when you have to keep clothing to a minimum.
This last outfit is one I put together myself at the Target website.  I just found that.  It's so cool!  It lets you put your own outfits together.  You pick the top and bottom (or dress), shoes and accessories. And then you save it to their page and you can share it with others by putting it on facebook or your blog.  You can even view what everyone else puts together. What a great way to shop! 

 

 Ya'll have a beautiful, cheery day.
Hugs...Tracy :)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Americana Items I've Just Listed

I've added a couple of items to ebay that are perfect for the 4th of July.  If you're interested in either of the items you can click the ebay link above to go to my home page or you can click the pictures to go straight to that item.  Thanks for looking.
Add a little Americana to your summer

Hugs...Tracy :)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

I Was Featured on Sweep Tight today

Hi Ya'll.  I was featured today!  

Little ole' me, featured on someones blog.  And not just any ole' someone but cute little ole' Jennifer from Sweep Tight's blog!  Have you ever visited Sweep Tight?  If not, you sure should.  She has everything from reviews and blog giveaway and sweepstakes, to link ups, saving, blog tips and organizing.  She is loaded with information and is wonderful about sharing.  Not to mention she's just a sweetie!  Plus, head over and read about my biggest win and my story about how I started entering sweepstakes.  Just click here.
Thank you Jennifer for featuring me in your Sweeper's Spotlight.  I'm so honored!!!

Quote of the day

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
                       ~Joseph Addison

Friday, June 24, 2011

How about a Cricut Giveaway - I Found One

 Just hop over to Cricut 360º and enter their giveaway.

CRICUT 360º - Cartridge Giveaway

Is getting closer!!!, the launch of Cricut 360º challenge blog is just a week away and you do not want to miss the challenges we have planned. In the meantime, we want to reach 360º around the world but to make it happen we need your help spreading the word about our challenge blog. So! How about a cartridge giveaway? In order to qualify for the cartridge giveaway you must:

1. Blog about Cricut 360º and link that post here with in-links so we can see it.
2. Become a follower of Cricut 360º.
3. Subscribe by e-mail.
4. Leave a comment in this post.
5. Copy and paste the blinkie in your blog.
6. Join our Facebook Group.
7. Follow the designers. [Optional, but we will love to see you in our personal blogs too]

Here is the cartridge and we will announce the winner on Thursday June 30. Please come back to check if you have been to be the lucky winner.


We Have a Winner for the Betty Crocker Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone for making the Betty Crocker Gluten Free Giveaway such a success.  You're comments are so appreciated.  I love hosting these giveaways and it looks like ya'll enjoy entering them.  A match made in Heaven!  I want all my new followers to know they have been noticed.  Some of you don't have blogs for me to follow back but I'm certainly happy to have you following me.  Now, what your all waiting on the winner is......

igreenmommy said...
am a follower on GFC via a moms rantings, Ever since glutten free came out, I look for it in any pre packaged product that I buy. I have much less trouble with allergies when I eat glutten free.  Congratulations to igreenmommy!!!  You didn't leave me a email to contact you, so please email me or leave me a comment here.  You have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prize.  If I don't hear back, I will have to choose a 2nd chance winner.
Have a blessed Friday and a fun weekend ya'll!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

New Kid Catastrophes - TJ and The Time Stumblers Book Review

I just had the opportunity to read "New Kid Catastrophes - TJ and the Time Stumblers" by Bill Myers.  This is the first of a 6 book series which I'm sure to buy more of for my grandkids.  I loved this book and can't wait to pop it in the mail to Ki'a and Zack who are 8 and 10 years old.  Although they aren't in seven grade yet like T.J. (a girl by the way), I know they can already relate with some of the same issues of friendships in school.  Who's popular, who's not, and all the other growing pains that come with it. 


Of course by the end of the story there's a moral involved which makes this not only a fun read for the kids but provides them with a life lesson too.  Hopefully it will even help them to deal with their school years.

From the Back Cover

TJ Finkelstein is your average seventh grader trying to survive junior high. Average except for . . .Just moving from the Midwest to crazy, money-is-no-object Malibu, California Becoming mortal enemies with the school’s most popular girl, who stars on the Dizzy Channel Oh yeah, and being followed around by two goofball boys from the 23rd century!!!That’s right—Herby and Tuna have traveled back in time to study TJ for a class project. Unfortunately, she is the only one who can see them. And unfortunatelier (don’t try that word on your English teacher), their “help,” which involves using whacked-out 23rd-century gadgets, only leads to more mayhem and plenty of side-splitting laughter.Join this unlikely trio as they stumble into one hilarious catastrophe after another . . . while accidentally learning the importance of such core values as love, honesty, patience, and kindness.


http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/images/x_tbn/i_review_for_the_tyndale_blog_network.gif
Disclosure:  This book was provided by Tyndale House in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own honest views.

Plain Wisdom book review

Plain Wisdom
As hard as I tried I just could not get involved in this book.  It was probably because of me more than the book. I just couldn't get caught up in the story with was more a book of insights. It is a book written by an Amish lady (Miriam) and an English lady (Cindy).  The story is about two friends from two different worlds.  One is an old order Amish and the other one is Englischer.  They share the truths that bring them together.   In this book you'll gain a rare glimpse into the tradions and ways of the Amish and the two different womens lifes as they become friends. 


The book includes several recipes and also a discussion guide in the back of the book.  Both of which I like.
Though this book was not for me, I still feel many people would enjoy it.  I would give it a 2.5 stars out of 5.



Disclosure:  I was provided this book by WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Betty Crocker 5 Mix Giveaway Ends Tonight. Hurry and Enter!

My Betty Crocker Giveaway ends tonight.  Hurry and enter now.  Just click here to go to the original post and leave your comments.  Remember comments left on this post will not be counted.

Fire Storm 2011 - Our Summer Started Weeks Ago

Fire Storm 2011 has taken over our area.   If only with smoke.  These are pictures I took at 9:30 this morning.  It's the first day of summer and no it's not cloudy or overcast, we just can't find the sun through the massive influx of smoke.
The past week we've been hitting the upper 90's and even 100 with the heat index pushing 110. We do have increased rain chances closer to the weekend but the drought has been bad this year.  Jacksonville is surrounded by wildfires.  Much of the Okefenokee Swamp located  in Northeast Georgia, approximately 45 minutes north of Jacksonville has settled in here.

Almost 300,000 acres have been scorched by wildfires so far with no end in sight due to the drought. Within a 50 mile radius of Jacksonville, 157 wildfires are burning actively. Most are contained and are being closely monitored. 


You can see just how thick the smoke is in this photo.  Normally you can clearly see across the water.  It's hard to tell where the water stops and the sky starts.
The smoke is so bad especially in the mornings or late at night that we wake up smelling it in the house.  Today is the worst that it's been.  Yesterday was such a nice day (smoke wise anyway) that it's hard to believe it could get like this overnight.  I feel so bad for those with asthma.  I'm so grateful that Zack (my Grandson with C.F.) is not here.  I can taste it and even smell it in our hair.  Neil and I are both effected with head aches and sinus problems from it.  Even Mattie (our fur baby) slept with her head under the covers last night.
This is Jacksonville's downtown area.  We're just on this side of the bridge.  Not a pretty sight considering that it would be sunny if the smoke weren't there.  We need the rain so much, but even that can be tricky.  As one of our local meteorologist said we need rain with a name, in-other-words, a tropical storm.  With Florida being the lightening capital of the United States, it's pretty dangerous to have rain without a torrential downpour because the lightening from all the heat just starts more wildfires.
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville this morning issued a dense smoke advisory for Northeast Florida until 4 p.m. as well over 150 wildfires are burning within a 50-mile radius of Jacksonville and others are popping up routinely.
Smoke from massive fires in Southeast Georgia, including the 251,570-acre Honey Prairie Fire, continues to drift east-southeastward toward the coast. Visibility is no more than a quarter of a mile in some areas near fires and the Intracostal Waterway. 
Jacksonville firefighters responded to numerous reports of small fires and smoke this morning. A thick haze that coated the area also grounded the Sheriff's Office helicopter.
Late Monday, 157 wildfires were burning within a 50-mile radius of Jacksonville, covering 280,595 acres and promising more smoke today in areas mainly north and south of the city.
Smoke will continue to blow across Nassau County in Florida and Camden and Charlton counties in Georgia, said meteorologist Phil Peterson of the National Weather Service at Jacksonville International Airport.
Those fires burning in and near the Okefenokee Swamp have the potential for extreme behavior in coming days as the heat builds and rain holds off, fire.

I'm praying for relief for the many homeowners that are in danger of losing their homes and for the health of all.  I hope you and your families are having a wonderful first day of summer.

Hugs...Tracy :)


My 1st Ever Video Post - Cystex Better Bladder Challange

Hi Ya'll.  I did it.  I finally recorded my first video.  You'll have to be patient with me.  Since this was my very first video, I didn't even know how to edit it yet.

Thanks to the generous people at Cystex I was given the Cisco Flip Video Camera so I could record my views on the Cystex Better Bladder Challange that I've been apart of.  This is the 7th week that I have been taking the Cystex Liquid.

I love this cool Flip camera!  It's so easy to operate and now I can make my own mini movies!  Ya'll all know how I hate to have my picture taken so imagine what this felt like multiplied by 10.  It's really hard to come off natural and like yourself on video.  And as much as you can hear my Southern accent, I didn't want to scare you with the full drawl so I did my very best answering the phone at work voice. Ha-ha.  Don't judge too harshly.

I just want you to all know that I really do love this product and completely stand by it!  It's been great for me and I would recommend it to anyone who has had trouble with U.T.I.'s (urinary tract infections).

Here we go:

Monday, June 20, 2011

Mondays Giveaway Linky List

It's time for Mondays Giveaway Linkys.  Are you ready to get busy and win some great blog giveaways?  Well, there are plenty of links here to keep you really busy.


But I'm curious.  Do you like having these links available on Cotton Pickin Cute everyday?  Are they useful to you?  What about winning.  Has anyone been winning any giveaways.  Please let me here from you.  I love to hear your opinions and comments.  And we could all benefit with a little encourage by hearing about your wins.

So it's time to get this party started. First up I'll share my giveaway.   I have several more coming up. 
*** Please don't forget to enter my giveaways if you haven't yet.  Here's the links for 2:



#1 - Family Focus Blog



#2 - My Four Monkeys



#3 - Real Simple Saving Methods












Thanks for stopping by.  I love having you visit.

Hugs ya'll....Tracy :)


Test Post - Please Ignore.

OOPS!!  I was trigger happy again.  Look for my Monday Linky List after 9:30 am on Monday morning.


Sunday, June 19, 2011

UPDATED Sunday Giveaway Linky List

***This is an updated post.  Due to a glitch this morning I removed the original post corrected the links and re-repost.  Yes, it was due to operator error.  OOPS!

Are you ready for your Sunday Giveaways Linky List?  Well here you go.  Now go on and hop, skip or jump to these links and you'll find something you want to enter.  BUT PLEASE,  come back and tell me what you win.  I love to hear about them and even share them with everyone else.

First, thank you to all my new followers.  I'm so happy to have you following along with me as I share all the things I think are Cotton Pickin Cute.  Ya'll have been so great about spreading the word and I'm so excited about the amount of new readers. 



*** Please don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't yet.  Here's the link:


    #1 - A Blog of Goodies


    #2 -  The Freebie Blog


    #3 - Minnesota Mama's Must Haves and Sugar Pop Ribbons

     #4 - The Thrifty Mama

    #5 - The Mommy Files

    Sunday Giveaway Linky List

    ****Please see updated Sunday Giveaway Linky List.  This one has been removed and re-listed with corrections.  I apologize for any inconvenience.****

    Happy Father's Day!!!!

    Saturday, June 18, 2011

    Awesome Tech Giveaway from Sweep Tight

     My friend Jennifer from Sweep Tight has an awesome giveaway right now and I want to share it with you.
     She just had the opportunity to review the Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N Router.  And thanks to Cisco she has one to share with one lucky reader too.  
    This is something I am in serious need of.  We're looking for one now and oh' how I'd love to win it. The giveaway ends 6/24/11.  Just click on the button or here to sign up with her easy form.  Be sure to check out Jen and Sweep Tight even if you don't enter this giveaway, she has one of the best blogs around!


    Good luck!

    Test Post - Please Ignore

    Test Post - Please ignore and or delete. 
    Thanks...Tracy :)

    Happy Weekend!!!

    Here, Home, Hope - A Book Review

    I love  having the opportunity to review new things and then sharing them here with you.  As a member of One2One Network, I was recently given the chance to review Here, Home, Hope a novel by Kaira Rouda.  It was just the read I was hoping to have for summer.  I like to read something that's light and easy but that I can also relate to.  This was the book for me.


    The book begins with the main character, Kelly Johnson.  Kelly is someone I certainly could relate too.  Dirty little secret......I liked the thought that I'm not the only one battling these issues.  Obviously the writter, Kaira Rouda has thought about them.


    Kelly Johnson is turning 40, okay so I'm a little past that but I can totally relate.  She worries, a lot.  Been there, done that.  Just like most women, Kelly's mind is a whirl with thoughts about her marriage, kids, family, frienships, looks and keeping it all together.  In Kelly we can see ourselves a bit.  Trying with all we've got, to make everything look like our life is perfect to the outside world, while secretly struggling with the feelings of insecurity, knowing something is missing.

    Kelly comes up with the great  idea of making a list of things to change in her life, as she calls it, her T2C.  I've actually thought of the same thing, well not the name necessarily but this book gives me the desire to implement it.

    Kelly and the other characters of the book are so easy to relate to and so funny that you'll find yourself laughing out loud a time or two.  This is a perfect beach read for summer.


    Disclosure:  I was provide a free copy of  “Here, Home, Hope,” by One2One Network in exchange for my completely honest review.  Thank you One2One Network.

    Here's Your Saturday Giveaway Go To List

    I have your Saturday Giveaway Go to List here, with lots of links to checkout tons, okay maybe not tons but a whole lot of giveaways.
    I'll be adding new one's as I find out about them, so please check back. 
    *** Please don't forget to enter my two giveaways if you haven't yet.  Here's the links:


      #1 - A Nut in a Nutshell

      #2 - Daily Essentials and Deals

      #3 - Mommy's Hangout


      #4 - My Wee View

      #5 - Busy Working Mama

      #6 - Fun Being Frugal

      #7 - Mama to 4 Blessings

      # 8 - Maven of Savin'


      #9 - The Life of Rylie


      #10 - Happily Blended

      #11 - Giveaways 4 Prizes
      Giveaways4Prizes


      Bookmark this page and comeback throughout the day as I add more.


      Hugs ya'll.....Tracy :)