We have several contest winners from the last few weeks to announce. But FIRST, you need to know about a couple of huge events happening at Weird Stuff In My Desk this month. This coming Friday July 26th will be a special Christmas in July event where you will have a chance to win a $30.00 Gift Certificate to Pampertini and chance to win a $30.00 Amazon.com Gift Card at our sister site Bitten by Books!

Plus several other retailers will be offering HUGE discounts, door prizes and more. The details will go up at midnight on how you can win. If you haven’t done so already be sure to pop over to http://bittenbybooks.com/ right now and sign up for the newsletter there too.

Then on July 28th the Carnival is coming to town, well blog town that is, and it stops here with hundreds of dollars in prizes! Hang on to your hats, because this is going to be a wild ride and a chance to win big! More info on this closer to the date, so STAY signed up on our newsletter!!

Website: http://www.craterlakecompany.com/

Country: USA

Blog: http://craterlakecompany.com/blog.html

Newsletter: Yes, easy sign up on the left side of every page.

US Shipping: Via USPS with FREE shipping on orders of $65.00 or more

International Shipping: Yes, go here for more info on their shipping policies.

Discounts: WSIMD readers can take 20% off of your order of $20.00 or more, use coupon code weirdstuff at checkout. Expires September 30th, 2008. Be sure to check out their Summer Sampler, it’s a $27 sampler set of 5 2 oz products in pre-selected scents for $19.95. Newsletter subscribers get 2 free 2ml perfume spritzers free with each sampler purchased.

I just got two amazing products from Crater Lake Company last week that I have been test driving on my skin for your benefit (I am so selfless don’t you agree?). First, a word on the packaging and presentation. Everything arrived in a timely manner, which is always a plus for me. The box had a plastic bag inside with my items, the bag had just a small amount of paper crinkle and a few faux flower petals, tied off with a lovely pink ribbon. Normally I don’t like extra plastic, but in this case, it was needed because there was a scrub in the box. If it had leaked (which it didn’t), the bag would have protected the box. There was also a hand written note thanking me, which is a nice extra touch. The labeling is presented well, in the company colors, understated and classy. The scrub label has held up in the shower which always pleases me. The lotion has a white pearlescent cap, which I really dig. It is something different that I haven’t seen in a cap.

Now on with the shooooowwwwww. I received a Sugar Cloud soft and gentle foaming scrub. I love foaming scrubs, and am now on the hunt for new and unique products. This definitely fits the bill so to speak. The scent is Black Crack Sand Beach, okay it really doesn’t *say* crack, but O.M.G it is addictive like crack (or at least from what I have heard about crack addiction). This is an ultimate summer scent, that I can envision on my scent palette all year round. This is the scent description from the site “Intoxicatingly rich and velvety smooth, this is unlike any other tropical coconut scents you’ve ever sniffed. Rich and pure black vanilla blends beautifully with creamy coconut milk while ribbons of cantaloupe’s sweet juice swirl around to give this blend a delightful element of sweetness. Its sweet unhurried dry down is lush carrying you to your own private island getaway.” This is all that and a bag of chips. To me, I don’t smell cantaloupe, but it really smells more like coconut with a light dash of watermelon. I want this in shampoo and conditioner, and sooner will be better than later. The scrub itself is not overly oily and a medium thickness making it easy to scoop out while I am blind in the shower. LOL It is a bit more oily than I like personally, but not enough so to deter me from purchasing it in other scents (and more of this one). It was also sealed with a safety seal under the lid which is a bonus, thanks for doing that CLC! The funny thing is that there was a little white tic-tac looking thing in the top that I of course had to investigate. I was assured that it wasn’t a tic-tac, but a cute little white candy decoration. Very cute presentation that is for sure!

Next in my box o’ goods was a lotion! You all know what a ho for lotion I can be, so I was slathering the minute I got my hands on the bottle. This particular product is their Aloe Smoothie Hand and Body Lotion. I was so glad for something with Aloe in it that I almost cried tears of relief! The lotion is fairly thick but not so bad that you can’t squeeze it easily out of the bottle. Of course, being the addict I am, I immediately put way too much on, and was afraid it wasn’t going to soak in. So, while I looked around for something to wipe the excess off of my feet (because of course there was NOTHING next to my bed), the miracle cream sunk in and did my bidding. I looked down and was getting ready to wipe it on my sheet (sshhhh) and it was gone! LOL This is now a new favorite lotion formula. Needless to say a little dab will do ya! I suppose I *have* to tell you about the luscious sent that I slathered on…..oh alright! Coconut Bavarois! Yes, score another yummy coconut scent. Out of the two I still prefer the Black Sand Beach, but this is pretty darn yummy. I had NO clue what Bavarois was, but it had to be good and it is.

All in all, I really loved my products from Crater Lake Company, and see many orders in my future. They have a scent list a mile long and the price is very competitive and fair. The current turn around time is about 10-12 days and they keep that updated on the front page of their site. I highly recommend this company and their products. I really think you will enjoy them too.

Website: http://flyingneedlegallery.com/

Country: USA

Blog: http://flyingneedlegallery.blogspot.com/

Newsletter: Yes, easy sign up on the front page.

US Shipping: Yes via USPS $6.00 per order or FREE on orders of $50.00 or more

International Shipping: Yes, Canada: $14.00 s/h above $50 they include an allowance of $6.00. Other countries email for more info on their shipping policies.

Discounts: WSIMD readers can take 20% off of your order, use coupon code SUMMER08 at checkout. Expires September 30th, 2008

Well I’ll be dipped and double stitched! I have found the most glorious source for textiles! Flying Needle Gallery is a tip top establishment that provides amazing patterns, quality material and unique items. I was so enamored with my recent shipment of Colorchiefs, I actually took them right to the table and put them on to try out the look. I am always on the lookout for ways to help lessen my impact on the environment. Cloth napkins are HIGH on my list of must haves for the eco-conscious. I received the 17″ x 17″ dinner napkins in the Oriental Blossoms and Branches pattern. These gorgeous cloths are made with 100% pre-shrunk cotton and are super stitched along all edges front and back. They also work really well. Some cloth napkins are stiff and non absorbent. Not so with these lovelies. Just swipe, wipe and you are clean as whistle!

I will definitely be getting more sets, as a matter of fact I am sensing the sock monkey set in my future! Check them out.

How cute are they? And they will go perfectly with my dark brown table cloth! Another item that I have been coveting (hint my birthday is next week) is this stunning chocolate colored scarf!

The service was impeccable, the packing is minimalistic fitting right in with the eco-friendly theme I was seeking, the pricing is fair for handmade quality items. Why shop large mass market department stores for your textiles, when there is Flying Needle Gallery? Really there is NO reason to hand over money to the faceless conglomerates. In addition to all of these great points they also donate a portion of their procedes to various charities. Debra Janin is a class act and brings the world of textiles to a whole new level. Go see her today and pick up some goodies for you and a friend!

We have two HUGE events coming up in the next couple weeks that will offer up hundreds of dollars in prizes! Be sure you are on the mailing list and you have verified your account to get the updates. You do NOT want to miss these events.

If you love contests with FREE Gift Certificates, stay signed up, and tell your friends! More info is forthcoming!

Check it out, my friend Arwen who also happens to be the President of the American Tarot Association, is hosting a radio show AND giving away a FREE Reading! Here are the details on how to enter at her blog. If for some reason you can’t make the event, you can always just visit her site at: http://www.tarotbyarwen.com/ and schedule a reading any time. She offers a variety of services to meet a full range of budgets.

Website: http://soapier.com/

Country: USA

Blog: http://soapierblog.blogspot.com

Newsletter: Yes, easy sign up on the top of each page or go here.

US Shipping: Yes via UPS Ground

International Shipping: Yes, via USPS click here for more info on their shipping policies.

Discounts: WSIMD readers can take 15% off of your order, use coupon code BLOG1 at checkout. Expires August 1, 2008

I am very excited about this great company! They have the most delicous product offerings around. Soapier has a variety of bath and body products to delight just about anybody.

The box of goodies I received had the most scrumptious Oatmeal, Milk and Honey Sugar Scrub in it. Now, you have all heard me say how much I LOVE a good scrub, but don’t like the oiliness of some that are on the market. This scrub has just the right amount of oil sugar ratio. Not too greasy but moisturizing. Thick but not so much that you can’t scoop it out easily. And this scent? O.M.G. This is probably one of the better OMH scents I have ever smelled, and friends, I have sniffed a lot of them over the last 10 years. The jar is HUGE too, 16 oz to be exact. I was shocked when I saw it (pleasantly so).

Next up I delved right into their Luscious Body Lotion. I am a lotion addict so, this was actually the first thing I slathered on as soon as I opened the box. The scent is coconut, mango & papaya and it is really nice. It is a perfect summer scent. I was afraid the mango papaya would over power the coconut, but that is not the case, it is perfectly balanced. It almost smells like some of those expensive tanning lotions without any fake notes to it. The texture is thick but not so much that it doesn’t come out of the bottle. Speaking of bottles, their packaging is VERY professional. I love the lotion bottles they are shaped like a smaller version of a wine bottle.

The only slight disappointment was the fact that they use excess packaging in the form of shrink wrap on the outside of the bottles and jars. I understand why they do it, especially in the summer months, so I won’t knock it too much. Though I thought that it took away from the look of the snappy packaging underneath.

Next come the soaps, I had help from Jaded reviewing two of the bars, I will include her notes here after mine. Of course like the magpie wanna be that I am, I took the brightest bars of the bunch! Orange A Peel and Lush Fruits. The orange scent is very bold and true to the real fruit. Lush Fruits is more tropical goodness with a mango papaya twist. The bars are a vary generous 5 oz and are little works of art as you can see from the picture. They are glycerin based which I love, because they leave a nice clean feel and a great lather and are not drying.

Jaded’s Review: I cut a slice of the “Lavished in Chocolate” soap by Soapier.com to try this morning. I cannot remember the last time I used a glycerin soap, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The soap was sitting in our bathroom, and our entire room smelled of a rich, dark godiva chocolate. The aroma is decadent…..however, that was my first hesitation. I wasn’t sure I wanted to smell like chocolate all day. I started the shower and tried to lather up. I was pleasantly surprised by the smooth and soft application of bar to skin and the lather was fluffy and light. The scent travelled well in the shower but wasn’t overwhelming. I liked the soap so well, I did something I never do…..I applied it to my face. I almost never put anything but my preferred facewash on my face. I was surprised at how great it felt!

After the shower I felt squeaky clean. The scent of chocolate blended with my own natural scent to create a scent that was no longer so chocolatey and very pleasant. Several hours later, I am still pleased with the light scent and the feel of my skin. I feel clean yet soft and moisturized at the same time. I would give this soap 4 stars. Oatmeal, Milk and Honey is the other bar I am reviewing. A wonderful, light-scented glycerin soap that makes gives you that squeaky clean feeling in the shower. Later in the day, I noticed that my skin still felt soft and silky. The oatmeal is a nice exfoliator while the milk and honey soothe and moisturize. I’ve been using it for a week and really noticed a difference in my skin.

All in all both Jaded and I agree that Soapier is definitely on our places to shop from now on! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to read follow up product reviews of this and other great companies in the future.

Website: http://www.charmingsam.com/

Country: USA

Blog: charmingsam.blogspot.com

Newsletter: Yes, easy sign up on the left side of each page

US Shipping: Yes

International Shipping: Yes, via UPS outside of US read the policy here.

Discounts: WSIMD readers can enjoy a 20% store wide discount. Just use code WEIRD during checkout for discount AND don’t forget to choose USPS for FREE shipping in the United States! Valid
through 9/1/2008.

Charming Sam Studio is one of the coolest online shops around. Not only do they specialize in unique jewelry, they also offer art and ephemera as well. It is a one stop shop for all things hip and groovy. Like the awesome handmade rough diamond necklace you see here. Small rough diamonds have been hand woven together with gold fill wire on a sterling silver chain. Very delicate and a one of a kind necklace. The necklace is 18″ long and just beautiful. Anybody who thinks they can’t afford diamonds, think again, because Charming Sam has made it possible and affordable for everybody. I have received numerous compliments while wearing it. It is so light I barely feel I have anything on. Which I like, because I am forever fiddling with my heavier jewelry, but not so with this necklace.

Over the holidays I got this beautiful citrine necklace for my sister. She absolutely adored it, and it went perfect with her skin tone. Again this piece was delicate, subtle, elegant and well crafted.

My package arrived promptly and the necklace was wrapped in a simple environmentally friendly box. I applaud the service and quality of Amy the owner of Charming Sam, she goes above and beyond the call of duty in everything she does. I will be a long time customer of this company.

On a side note, the artwork here is beautiful as well. I think this is my favorite piece. For $5.00 you can have a little bit of class and glamor in your life in no time.

Hi everybody!

There are LOTS of great events happening this month at Bitten by Books! Each event has some kind of giveaway/contest as well as lots of interesting conversation. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter on the right hand side of the website to keep up to date with current reviews and events. There is also a new Events Calendar on the website on the left side, you can click the highlighted date and see what is happening and when.

In other news, be sure to check out our new Vampire Wire News Feed on the right hand side of the website, Bitten by Books has teamed up with author Marta Acosta to bring you the latest news about paranormal books, movies and TV from her Vampire Wire blog.

Join Bitten by Books on Myspace and Facebook! We would love to have your friendship on these two great groups!.

http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436

We look forward to seeing you at all of the events this month!!

****************************************************

Guest Blogging TODAY July 2nd is author Davida McLea!
Here’s the direct link to her event.
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=367

Monday July 7th author Linda Wisdom will be in our Author Spotlight for an interview and Q&A session all day! Info for this event is here:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=4

Wednesday July 9th author Earl Staggs is Guest Blogging
Here’s a chance to discuss your psychic experiences with Earl Staggs, award winning author of MEMORY OF A MURDER, a mystery novel featuring psychic investigator Adam Kingston. If your experience is the most interesting, you’ll receive a free copy of Earl’s book.

Wednesday July 16th author Ann Cory will be Guest Blogging about Werewolves
You can read reviews of Ann Cory’s work here:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=58&book_author_id=Ann%20Cory

Monday July 21st author Nancy Haddock will be in the Author Spotlight for an interview and Q&A session all day!
You can read the 5 Tombstone review we did of her book La Vida Vampire here:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=28

Wednesday July 23rd author Yasmine Galenorn will be Guest Blogging
Join national best selling author Yasmine Galenorn as she talks about why she loves writing the sisters so much–what she likes about their characters, why they have the flaws they do, and how she sees them evolving. She will be giving away a set of the first three books in the Sisters of the Moon/Otherworld series: Witchling, Changeling, and Darkling.

Wednesday July 30th author Faith Bicknell-Brown will be Guest Blogging
Ebooks vs. Print - The economy is frightening everyone, but what about writers? Will it have a bearing on publishing? Perhaps ebooks will see a spike in sales. Faith Bicknell-Brown discusses the economy vs publishing, ebooks, a fabulous new e-reader hitting the market, and her recent releases of her fiction–including all her pen names–plus, her Avoid Writers’ Hell series for writers!

–
Blessings,
Rachel
http://bittenbybooks.com - Book Reviews
http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com - Honest E-tailer Reviews!

Hello friends,

I’m sure most of you have heard about the devastating flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As of June 16, damage estimates have exceeded ONE BILLION ($1,000,000,000) dollars. In a town of only 120,000 people, this is beyond catastrophic.

Thousands of animals have been left homeless by the flood. The Cedar Rapids animal shelter has been completely destroyed. Many people had to abandon their pets when they evacuated their homes, and it is unclear when–if ever–they will be reunited.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The independent artisan community is coming together with an exciting auction to benefit the “Friends of the Animal Shelter” fund via the Kirkwood Foundation (tax ID 23-7076632), which is the fundraising division of the college currently serving as the evacuation center for abandoned animals. There are several hundred dogs, even more cats, and other companion animals being housed there, and many, many more animals are still stranded in the thousands of abandoned homes in Cedar Rapids. This auction will take place from June 25-July 2, and further details are available at http://www.iowafloodreliefauction.com.

In the meantime, you can support the Friends of the Animal Foundation for the Iowa City animal shelter (also affected by the flood) by donating at:

http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=111927

Please forward this message to your friends and join me in supporting the needs of the displaced animals in Iowa. Together, we can raise awareness and much-needed resources for a community currently in a state of despair.

Bitten by books is very excited to host Mark Henry, author of Happy Hour of the Damned in our author spotlight next Monday, June 16th! You can read more about the event on our Author Spotlight page.

You WILL want to attend this event. The Mark will be giving away a Mark-ed up copy of his book during the course of the event! AND Bitten by Books will be giving away a $30.00 Amazon.com Gift Card to one lucky participant.

Would you like to earn some extra entries into the drawings for these great prizes BEFORE the event even starts? All you need to do between NOW and next Monday is post this event on as many of your blogs, facebook, myspace, ning, yahoo groups and websites as you can (where it is acceptable to do so). Then come back to THIS post and respond with the links to where you promoted the event. For every link you provide you will get another chance to win. Example: You post 5 links, you get 5 entries. Easy as pie and prizes don’t you think? Don’t worry, there will be a way to get extra entries on Monday as well.

Spread the word! This is going to be a another GREAT event!!