Happy New Year 2014!!

Happy New Year 2014!!

I want to wish all my readers and followers a very Happy and Healthy New Year for 2014!  Thank you for helping make 2013 a wonderful year here on Gloria's Bits and Pieces! It just seems like it was New Year's Eve but here it is a year later. Here's wishing 2014 will be just as good or maybe even better than last year!

Winner of Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Giveaway!

Winner of Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Giveaway!

And the winner is:

Entry #477Mary R.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Sign Up For A Free 39 Week Subscription To Wall Street Journal From RewardsGold

Sign Up For A Free 39 Week Subscription To Wall Street Journal From RewardsGold.

Go here to check availability and sign up with your info. Says you will not be billed and for new subscribers only.  I already get this subscription for free for my husband to read.

Free 2 Year Subscription to LEGO Magazine

Free 2 Year Subscription to LEGO Magazine 

Here is a great offer for the Lego fan! Sign up to get a Free 2 Year Subscription to LEGO Magazine. Go here to sign up!

Winners Of Ruth's Toffee Giveaway!

Winners Of Ruth's Toffee Giveaway!

The 2 lucky winners of Ruth's Toffee Giveaway are:

Entry #468Andrina G.

Entry #1810Mya M.

Thank you to all who entered this giveaway!

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

48 Hershey's Kisses

1/2 cup margarine or butter

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 egg

2 tbsp. milk

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Additional granulated sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

 Remove wrappers from chocolates. Beat margarine or butter and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. 

Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into small balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. 

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie. Cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Merry Christmas To All My Readers!!

Merry Christmas To All My Readers!! 

Thank you for all your support of Gloria's Bits and Pieces and best of wishes for a Merry Christmas and also a Happy and Healthy New Year too! 

Pumpkin Spiced and Iced Cookies

Pumpkin Spiced and Iced Cookies

2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 and 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 and 3/4 cups (15 or 16 oz. can) solid pack pumpkin

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups (12 oz. package) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Vanilla Glaze (recipe below)

Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in pumpkin, eggs and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto greased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle or spread with vanilla glaze. Make about 5 and 1/2 dozen cookies.

FOR VANILLA GLAZE:  Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 1 and 1/2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well.

Winner of Heatholders Socks Giveaway!

Winner of Heatholders Socks Giveaway!

Winner of the Heatholders Socks Giveaway is:

Entry #572Shelly E.

Congrats Shelly and thank you to everybody who entered this giveaway!

You Could Win A Philips Air Fryer by Joining She Speaks!

Disclosure: I received information from SheSpeaks and have not been compensated other than an entry in  the giveaway.

You Could Win A Philips Air Fryer by Joining SheSpeaks!

Want a chance to win a Phillips Airfryer? From now until December 31st if you sign up to join SheSpeaks you will have a chance to win one of these awesome new products!

 The Philips Airfryer is a new electronic product from Philips - it works as a fryer (without all of the oil) and convection oven all in one! It has an MSRP of $299!

If you like to share your opinion about new products, read thought-provoking blogposts, and win prizes at Twitter Parties -you would love to join SheSpeaks!

To join SheSpeaks just go here to sign up now!

FREE Sample of FINISH Power & Free Dishwashing Tablets

FREE Sample of FINISH Power & Free Dishwashing Tablets

Sign up to get a Free sample of FINISH Power & Free Dishwashing Tablets. Just go here and fill out the short form.

Enter The See's Countdown to Christmas Sweepstakes

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for this post. Just wanted to let my readers know about it.

Enter The See's Countdown to Christmas Sweepstakes

Enter until December 25 to win the Grand Prize which is a Lifetime Supply of See's Candies.They are also giving 40 See's Gift Cards every day. You can enter once for the Grand Prize and return each day for a chance to win the Daily Prize Winner. Go here to enter!

Caramel Matcha Green Tea by Red Leaf Tea {Review}

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Caramel Matcha Green Tea by Red Leaf Tea {Review}

INFORMATION FROM WEBSITE:

For those with an unrepentant and unwavering sweet tooth, there is no better tea than sweet caramel matcha. This fine tea blends the eastern traditions of matcha with the modern caramel flavor to brew a delectable tea that is sweet to take as a mid-morning snack, before lunch aperitif or after dinner relaxing drink. The toned-down caramel matcha is ideal for those who need a sweet tea without adding any extra sugar.
Caramel matcha is the perfect tea for many social occasions where people need to sample a great tasting herbal tea that lends its sweet taste to the palate. It can be  taken with or without snacks because it is the ideal stand-alone tea snack. Caramel matcha brings people together who appreciate its light, buoyant, lingering taste on the palate.
It is the perfect family tea for all members of the family irrespective of their advanced age. Young adventurous kids would identify with its sweet and easy-to-drink flavor. The adults would finds its ability to bring its full-bodied appeal in night time get-togethers, very useful. This is because, caramel matcha is the drink for all seasons and can be used to bring people together in both winter and summer.

For my review I received a cute little gold package of Caramel Matcha Green Tea as shown in the picture below. You only need a little for a cup of tea so this will last a few times.

I will admit that I have never tried Matcha Green Tea before but since I am a tea lover I thought, what the heck! Since I love to drink hot tea I thought I would try it hot. I added about a teaspoon to a cup, added some boiling water to dissolve and mixed well. You can adjust the water to your taste if you like it weaker or stronger. Boy was I surprised! I really enjoyed this delicious tea, and the yummy caramel flavor in it was a plus since caramel is one of my favorite flavors.

I loved that this Caramel Matcha Green Tea is 100% Natural and has no preservatives! It is something that I would try again since I never thought I would like it.  I like knowing that I am drinking something that is natural and also healthy for me. You could also drink it as a cold latte or a hot latte which sounds delicious. I plan on trying this next. To check out their website and order your own just go to the Red Leaf Tea website. 

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.

WINNER Yellow Pages Prize Pack!!‏

WINNER Yellow Pages Prize Pack!!‏

The winner is:

Entry #81Eloise B.

Congrats Eloise and thank you to all who entered this giveaway!!!

Lone Star Western Decor - Stockade Table Lamp {Review}

Disclosure: I received sample product for review purposes and all opinions are my own.

Lone Star Western Decor - Stockade Table Lamp {Review}

Once in a while you run into a wonderful company that has unique and quality items for your home. If you like Western themed decor Lone Star Western Decor is the place to go to. In addition I will say that their customer service is just wonderful and so friendly! You don't find that every day and it really makes you feel like a person and not just a number.

 Lone Star Western Decor has everything you need in your home for your western motif, such as a beautiful selection of products in the categories below:

 Western Decor, Southwestern Rugs, Western Bedding, Bath Decor & Hardware, Western Kitchen,Western Furniture, Western Purses, Western Lighting, Western Wall Hangings

For my review I received a beautiful Stockade Table Lamp which came securely and beautifully packaged. The lampshade came separately in a huge box and the base of the lamp came in another huge box. They both arrived safely in perfect condition with lots of secure packaging material. I couldn't wait to check the lamp out and immediately opened both boxes as I walked in the door, after a day of Christmas shopping!

The Stockade Table Lamp is an amazing looking lamp indeed! The base is resin and has the look of wood and metal rivets which gives it a wonderful western look.  It is finished in oiled brown and wood tones. This is a sleek and classy looking lamp! The lamp takes a 3-way light bulb which I really like also. I like the option of having the lighting on low, medium or bright.

The linen fabric shade that comes with the Stockade Table Lamp is just as beautiful as the lamp itself! It is a rectangle cut corner shade and goes just great with the lamp. Right now this beautiful lamp is on sale for $104.95, which is a savings of  16% off the regular price.

I found out on their website that Lone Star Western Decor's products were featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and donated over 30 items to the Barrett family, including bedding, throws and home decor. That's a giving company to me!

If you would like to check out Lone Star Western just go to their website. You can also order one of their catalogs if you would like to browse at a paper catalog. They also sell gift certificates ranging from $25 to $500 for that hard to find gift for someone you know.

Lone Star Western offers a 60-day hassle free return policy. You can also keep up with them on their Facebook page.

I want to thank Lone Star Western Decor for providing the Stockade Table Lamp for me to review! This is a company that I would highly recommend!

Vitabath Body Wash and Fragrance Mist {Review}

Disclosure: I received samples to review and opinions are my own.

Vitabath Body Wash and Fragrance Mist {Review}

I'm always looking for exceptional products for the bath since I'm a bit of a bath nut! I love to find new and unique body washes with amazing scents.

Well, let me introduce you to Vitabath! Recently I was ecstatic to get to try some samples of body wash and also a sample of their Fragrance Mist. You are sure to find something for your needs from this amazing company.

Vitabath has a huge assortment of quality products which includes body wash, body mist, bar soap, sugar scrub, hand cream, fragrance collection, bath and shower gelee, moisturing body lotion, and holiday fragrance sets

For my review I received samples of body wash which included the following varieties: Green Tea & Sage, Grapefruit Vanilla, Beach Blossom and Dreamy Pink Frosting. I also received a sample of Vitabath Fragrance Mist in Beach Blossom scent.

These body washes were so wonderfully great I really felt like I was being pampered using them! They all smelled so divine and I think one of my favorites was the Dreamy Pink Frosting scent. It has a delectable scent unlike any body washes I have ever used before. The Grapefruit Vanilla was just as wonderful with the fresh scent of grapefruit mingled with a vanilla. Then there was the Green Tea & Sage and Beach Blossom scents which I thoroughly enjoyed also. They were so fresh smelling and the Beach Blossom does remind me of a beautiful sunny day at the beach. They are all so relaxing to use and have just the right amount of fragrance .

I also got to try out Vitabath's Fragrance Mist in the Beach Blossom Scent which like I said about the Beach Blossom Body Wash, reminds me of a beautiful sunny day at the beach. It's so fresh and clean smelling, just wonderful!

All in all, I thoroughly the Vitabath products I received and they would be great for anyone on your Christmas list or for a gift for yourself.

Yellow Pages Prize Pack {Quickie Giveaway}

Disclosure: I received information from PartnersHub and have not received any form of compensation for post.

Yellow Pages Prize Pack {Giveaway}

About Yellow Pages

Do you love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from knocking out your to-do list? You must be a Doer! YP is the one site and one app for people who wear busy as a badge of honor. Within seconds you can find a hardware store, gardener, limousine service, dentist or bounce house for your child’s birthday party. Search 18 million business listings as fast as you can tap. But the big question is… do you DO the holidays right? YP has created a fun quiz to help you find out, and learn some fun facts along the way! Do You Do the Holidays Right? QUIZ - From roasting chestnuts, drinking egg nog, and decorating the house - the Holidays are a fun time that you must DO right! Take the quiz to find out if you DO the Holidays right!

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win a Yellow Pages Prize Pack on the Rafflecopter. Age 18 or older in the U.S. Ends 12/20/13.

Each household is only eligible to win ONE YP Prize Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Complimentary Issue To Bridal Guide Magazine

Free Complimentary Issue To Bridal Guide Magazine

Sign up to get a free issue to Bridal Guide Magazine. There are no strings attached and you won't receive a bill. Go here to order yours.

ToiletTree Professional Skin Care System {Review}

Disclosure: I received product to review and opinions are my own.

ToiletTree Professional Skin Care System {Review}

Sometimes after washing my face it just doesn't feel as clean as it could be. I have used many different cleansers before but never have used a skin care system before. That is, not until now!




 When I found out I was going to get to review ToiletTree Professional Skin Care System I was really excited! I want to look my best without spending a fortune on going to a spa or getting a facial, which many women can't afford anyways (including me). This product is the ideal product to use at home yourself!

The awesome system comes with 2 face exfoliaters (1 soft for sensitive skin types and 1 medium for normal skin types), 1 body exfoliater and 1 pumice sphere. It also includes the batteries you need, so there's no need to hunt for batteries. You can also order refills from them when needed.

Firstly, I've been using the facial brush for a few days and am really loving the results. My face feels like it is a lot cleaner and fresher. I also feel like I am thoroughly cleansing my facial skin of all the build-up makeup and my face feels softer.

The body exfoliater was the next thing I tried out and it was just as great. It really stimulated my skin and made my skin feel more healthy. It's great that this product is water resistant and you can take it in the shower with you.

The pumice stone attachment was great for getting rid of the dry and hard skin on my feet. It really worked wonderful and is a lot easier than using a regular pumice stone. It made my feet nice and smooth!

I'm very happy with the ToiletTree Professional Skin Care System and would highly recommend it! If you would like to purchase it you can go to Amazon. Right now you can purchase it for $39.95. This would be a great Christmas gift for someone or just for yourself!