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Another One Bites the Dust

Katie November 6, 2013 0Comment

The Jonas Brothers have FINALLY broken their silence on the rumors swirling since they canceled their tour.  And I can’t be more offended with how they handled the whole situation.  Here’s a time line of what happened for those not in the “know”:

October 9 – Fans find out that the tour has been canceled due to a “deep rift” within the band
October 11 – The fall tour was supposed to kick off
There are all sorts of rumors going on about why the tour was canceled but no official statement from Jonas, it’s radio silence until
October 22 – Joe and Nick tweet “please hold while we get our shit together” and “bear with us” which seems like information will be coming
October 29 – People has an exclusive statement from the band – “It’s over for now”

But wait – if you want to read more – buy People Magazine!  And then they all went on GMA too to discuss it.

The fact that they kept fans in the dark for weeks and then in order for them to find out details of the breakup they need to buy a magazine?  At least pretend you cared and weren’t just after the fans money, boys.  Post something on your website, don’t sell it to a magazine.  It’s just so frustrating the way they handled this whole thing – and this coming from the girl who nearly 2 days before the announcement was about to tweet that she was over the Jonas brothers.  Apparently they were just as over me.

I can’t help but compare and contrast this to Honor Society’s break up. (Since that is still so fresh in my mind)  At least we got a heads up and some farewell shows, even if I wasn’t able to make it to any of them.

And then the boys FINALLY posted something on their official website on October 31 – 3 WEEKS after the first information was coming out about things going on.

“It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that our time as the Jonas Brothers is over. This decision has not come lightly, and we know that many of you will be disappointed. The time has come for us to move forward on individual career paths. We have been a band of brothers for 10 years and are now choosing simply to be brothers. Going forward, you can expect exciting things from each of us, and we will of course continue to support each other in all things.  
 
We would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported and inspired us through the years, and stood by us in this difficult decision. We feel and appreciate your love. Because you waited so long for new music, we want to honor our Team Jonas fan club members by giving you our final album. This digital-only album contains four new studio recordings that would have appeared on our V album (which will now go unreleased). In addition, we’re including 10 live tracks that we feel capture the energy and excitement of this past summer’s tour. Details regarding delivery of this digital album to Team Jonas members will be issued shortly. We hope you enjoy this album as much as we’ve enjoyed performing for you over the last 10 years. It has been an amazing experience. 
 
You will always be the best fans in the world.
 
Kevin, Joe & Nick”

I can’t say for sure that I will *never* support them again in their solo ventures, but right now I kind of feel that way.  Maybe in time I will get over it and maybe in time I’ll get excited about potential “reunion” tours but as of right now the way they handled the whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Product Review: Butterfly Bakery

Katie November 6, 2013 0Comment

The Butterfly Bakery started with one oven, one mixer and a whole lot of love!  In 1998, the founder started experimenting with Sugar Free desserts that her mom could enjoy.  She has diabetes and the choices at the time were limited. After experimenting with sugar free recipes, baking cakes and muffins – even creating their own buttercream frosting – Mom declared the cake “Simplesmente perfeito!” (Just Perfect in Portugese) and that’s how the bakery was born.

I received 2 different cakes to sample.  While no one in my home has diabetes, we all could benefit from lessening our sugar intake (but we still want our cake!) so I was excited to try the products.  We received a Sugar Free Angel Food Cake (one of my favorite cakes) as well as a No Sugar Added Chocolate Chip Cake.  Both of them tasted great and while the sweetness was not as strong as your typical cake – that was certainly not a bad thing.  The cakes also came just as we were moving in to the new house so it was a nice treat to have after moving boxes all around the house all day!

The only down side was that one piece of chocolate chip cake was left after a few days and when I went to go eat it – it had mold on it.  I guess that’s what happens when a cake is not full of crap that is bad for you.  We probably should have kept it in the refrigerator.

Check out Butterfly Bakery on twitter – @butterflybakery and on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thebutterflybakeryusa   They offer a variety of cakes and treats in Sugar Free, No Sugar Added, Gluten Free, Whole Grain and Lite varieties.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

10 Days of Christmas Giveaway Signups!

Katie November 1, 2013 0Comment

Product Review: Shoulder Buddies

Katie October 26, 2013 0Comment

Shoulder Buddies are adorable, wearable characters that come with “Smart Cards” that share valuable life lessons.  Kids loves to collect and wear their shoulder buddies, while learning about the great messages that come with them!

Each Shoulder Buddy figuring is approximately 4 inches high with fuzzy fluffle hair and 1.5 inches wide. Contains inaccessible magnets. The Magical Coin is a covered metallic coin that attracts to the magnet.  Ages 4 and Up.

I received Tempo (Music Smarts) who is part of the Smarts Series.  How appropriate for me, right?

The Shoulder Buddy Smarts comes from a magical wishing star, and inside that star is the land of Understand.  Shoulder Buddies go to to “School of Smarts” so they can earn their fluffles on top of their head to fly.  Once they have learned their “Smarts” they fly down from the Land of Understand and look for a Buddy to journey with and share their “Smarts”.

To wear, put included magic coin on the inside of your shirt and your Shoulder Buddy on the outside, on top of the coin.

Includes: Magic Coin, Shoulder Buddy.

Find out more at: http://www.shoulderbuddies.com/

Shoulder Buddies can be a great way to fund raise!  Kids love to collect them, Parents & Teachers love their messages!  Use them for Open House Fundraisers, Fall Fundraisers, Holiday Gift Shops, Valentine’s Day Pre-sales, Spring/Earth Day Fundraisers, School Carnival, Basket Raffles, Graduate Fundraisers, Special Club Fundraisers and more!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

LEGACY X: Changing Lives One Legacy at a Time

Katie October 19, 2013 0Comment

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/legacy-x-changing-lives-one-legacy-at-a-time

I saw Recycled Percussion’s show 4 times while out in Vegas last month.  I had intended to post about Justin’s campaign with the review of the show(s) but due to some really poor planning on my part – his campaign on indiegogo ends in just 1 week and my review isn’t even written let alone ready to be posted in the next 7 days!

Please check out the campaign, check out the rewards and if you can, please donate. No amount is too big or too small and everything will go towards helping!

Note: This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its goal. Funding duration: August 26, 2013 – October 25, 2013 (11:59pm PT).

What To Do When Your Favorite Band Breaks Up?

Katie September 14, 2013 0Comment

I did actually just find myself googling that. I’ve had other bands I’ve loved break up or go on hiatus.  SK6ers did their final show in NYC and I was in attendance. But Stephen is still touring as a solo artist so it doesn’t really seem like they are gone.  NSYNC went on hiatus. Although, that was a little different because you always kind of hoped they’d get back and then they just… didn’t. (Until the VMAs for a few seconds, of course)

September 6.  Honor Society made a post on their site saying that it was the end.  They’ll be doing 3 farewell shows in DC, NY and LA.  I won’t be able to make it to any of them.

I’m still not entirely sure how to process this whole thing.  I have so many memories over the past 5 years, I’ve made so many friends that I otherwise wouldn’t have even met if not for this band. Obviously, that will always be with me and no one can take that away.

But part of me keeps thinking I’ll wake up and it’ll all just be a joke and they’re still going to keep doing shows.  It’s hard to think that March was my last Honor Society show. It didn’t feel like it was the last. I’m never going to see them again. (Well, I may if they all do their own separate things) It’s just really tough to process.

I’ve been sitting on this post for over a week trying to make it thoughtful and heart felt but I still can’t quite find the words.  I went through all my photos of all my 37 shows to find my pics with the guys.  They’re in the gallery below. There’s a lot of them. My pictures made me cry. I feel funny for crying because they’re not dead, they still exist, but just won’t in the form that I knew them as anymore. But it feels like a part of my heart is broken.

And I still don’t know the answer to my question.  What do you do?

Free Book! Coaster – Tomorrow only!

Katie September 13, 2013 0Comment

 TOMORROW! September 14, Coaster by Lorena Bathey will be FREE via Kindle on Amazon.com! If you haven’t already checked out the book – now is your chance.

If you do not have a kindle, Amazon offers multiple apps to turn your PC, Web Browser or Smartphone into a kindle!

About the Book

When a bomb explodes at an amusement park eight people are killed. The tragedy
and loss change the lives of those around them.

What happens when
disaster touches someone’s life?
Will it inspire them, strengthen them, or
destroy them?
And who perpetrated this terrible crime?

Free Book – If I Were You

Katie September 10, 2013 0Comment

Lisa Renee Jones book “If I Were You” is FREE on www.xoxoafterdark.com as of yesterday and will remain FREE for the next 30 days!

About the Book

The steamy first installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones, in the bestselling tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer – until the terrifying final entry.

Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

Revealing Us is released TODAY as well

About the Book

You’ve discovered Rebecca’s secrets. You’ve discovered Sara’s secrets. Now Sara will discover “his” deepest, darkest secrets…but will those secrets bind them together–or tear them apart?

Goodies Box June

Katie July 18, 2013 0Comment

The June 2013 Goodies.co box was an interesting mix of items.

Adobadas Chips

Honey Dijon Seaweed Crumbles

Mango, Pineapple, Banana, Chia & Acerola

Dream Water NightTEA Night

Highland Shortbread

Pringles Stix Cheese