Until recently, I had not heard of Ta-Ka-Radi. However, now that we have it, we can’t stop playing it. This is a game that is perfect for the family. Ta-Ka-Radi involves players constructing a tower with spaces in-between three chosen tiles per level. After the tower is built, each player takes a turn pulling out a tile from any level and putting it on top.  The only rule is that you can’t touch the other player while they are making their move!  Now, if you are like me and live with an engineer, well, you are at an instant disadvantage!  However, even though I haven’t one yet, we have had a ton of fun playing with this.  This is too hard for Will and Madison to play.  However, they take the wood tiles and built towers with them every day.  They loves these just for their own use too.  Ta-Ka-Radi is made by a family-owned company in Maine. The tiles are made from native Maine hardwoods, and the game is packaged in personalized re-usable tote bags. Ta-Ka-Radi makes a fun and unique gift for the holidays and is great for a lot of family fun!

This contest is over. We have five winners: Samantha Pruitt, Erma, Julie, Robin, and Jen. Congrats!

Do you like coffee and/or tee?  Then you definitely need to try The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf company.  They have a ton of flavors to pick from, and there is pretty much something there for everyone.  Plus, they have added some holiday flavors!  Some of your holiday choices include Pumpkin Latte & Ice Blended drink, Peppermint Latte & Ice Blended drink, Espresso Mint Chip Ice Blended drink and the Winter Dream Tea® latte.  They also have Limited Edition Holiday Blend Coffee and the Winter Dream Tea. The holiday menu items will be available at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores from November 10 through January 6.

If you are looking for a gift for a coffee or tea lover, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will also have limited edition gift packages including:

* “8 Days of Coffee” — eight 2-ounce bags of medium, dark roast, decaf and flavored ground coffees
* “Tea Quartet” — four of our famous whole leaf teas each in its own box with 5 tea bags
* “Coffee Duet” — a combo package of two popular 8-ounce coffee bags
* “Winter Dream Tea & Mug Set” — featuring a The Coffee Bean logo signature tea mug and popular seasonal tea
* “Holiday Blend & Mug Set” — includes The Coffee Bean logo coffee mug and a the dark and distinctive, rich flavored Holiday Blend Coffee
* “Special Dutch Chocolate & Mug Set” — a signature cocoa mug with the The Coffee Bean logo and our very own rich cocoa mix
* “Warm Winter Cocoas Set” — includes three 8-oz cocoa powder tins in the most popular flavors: Special Dutch™ Chocolate, French Deluxe™ Vanilla and White Chocolate.

If you love coffee or tea (or know someone who does), you definitely need to check them out.  That being said, I have 5 – $5 gift certificates to give out, so you can try them!  Here’s what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post.  Check out the The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf site and tell me what flavor you’d like to try.
2. Twitter about this contest. Please leave me your username so I can verify.
3. Stumble this post. If you don’t know what Stumble Upon is, please read Lori’s post at Blogging Cents. She explains it extremely well.
4. Add this post to other social media sites like Digg, Kirtsy, Blogging Zoom, Reddit, Propeller, Etc. (1 entry for each social network).

For 5 additional entries,

1. Blog about this on your blog. Please give me the URL, so I can verify.
2. Add this to any forums you belong too. Please give me the URL, so I can verify.
3. Subscribe to this blog using either my email or RSS feed
4. Add my badge to your sidebar:

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This giveaway will end on December 17 at 8:00 pm CST is available to US residents. Good luck!

Since 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has supported the work of artisans in over 30 countries including Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.  The company has grown to over 145 retail stores.  They continually strive to improve the lives of artisans in developing countries through the expansion of fair trade.  Most of its artisan partners use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources, and recycled materials for their products.

I was able to try out the Handmade Caterpillar and Butterfly Puzzle. Now, this is a tad too old for Will (who is 18 months old), but Madison (my 4 year old) seems to handle it pretty well. You can definitely tell this is a hand painted puzzle. It has the detail that you don’t normally see.  The butterfly puzzle has more pieces, but the bottom of the tray is also painted with a butterfly, so it makes it easier to figure out where the pieces go.  The catepillar is less pieces, so it is a tad easier to do.  As for materials,  this is painted albizia wood (and the paint is nontoxic).

Ten Thousand Villages has many other items to pick from also.  I focussed on the toys, but you there is really something for everyone there.  I found gifts for women, men, and even teachers!  If you are a looking for a one of a kind gift this Christmas, Ten Thousand Villages is your answer.

As many of you know already, I love chocolate.  However, I love chocolate even better when it is helping out a create cause.  Ferrero (a chocolate company) and Share Our Strength (a hunger relief organization) have teamed together for the second year to do good.  As of right now, Ferrero has donated $150,000 to Share Our Strength and that want you to help them donate more.  All you need to do is go to the Share Something Sweet website and send an ecard to any of your friends and/or family.  They will donate an additional $1 per e-card sent up to $10,000.  Also, for every person who joing the Ferrero Facebook page, they will donate another $1 (up to $1,000).

Now, the Share Something Sweet site is actually pretty cool.  They have event news, product offers, and even a chocolate quiz (which I highly recommend that you take).  I found out I had a Ferrero Rocher® Chocolates Personality.

Let’s help fight childhood hunger and send a card to a loved one!  I know I am.

I am not a person who uses shaving gels or creams when I shave my legs in the shower. I use good old fashioned water. I am usually in hurry, and most of the stuff out there makes me break out in hives (the joys of being allergic to life itself).  I recently tried the All Natural Shaving Oil.  Yes, that little bottle will last you close to 100 shaves.  You only use 5 – 7 drops, so you do not need a lot.  It makes a little lather.  There is a couple things I noticed after using this to shave my legs.  First, it didn’t make me break out into hives.  Second, I didn’t need to moisturize my legs after shaving.  I also think it gave me a closer shave.  I also loved that there was no mess to clean up — no extra shaving cream to wipe away.  The other awesome thing is that this is a 1/2 oz bottle, so you can make it through airport security! 

I would definitely check out Pacific Shaving Company for all your shaving needs.  If it works this good on my legs, I can only imagine how great it would work on your face or elsewhere.