Running After Raina is now under construction.

We hope to be back up and running soon.

If you stuck around, we are happy to have you and I have LOTS of updates for you coming very shortly.

If you are from JuneBugMom.com - that blog has been discontinued at this time and I would be happy for you to stick around for a while as life has changed quite a bit since I last updated.

:)

Featured Blogger from Ads to You Giveaway - Ebook Apothecary "Cure Your Boredom"

The Ebook Apothecary is a book blog that focuses primarily on Fantasy Novels with the occasional dabble in Romance and Science Fiction. Updated at least three times a week, you will always find new book reviews, giveaways and more at the Apothecary. 

Cure your boredom, increase your mental capacity and discover the wisdom of the cosmos. Just a sip is all it takes. 

Proud supporter of indie authors.

Running After Raina is proud to post the featured Ads to You winner - and her button can also be found via my right sidebar :)

I hope you take the time to visit her blog, and let me know what you find! :)

Become.com - Product Research Inspired Shopping!

Become.com is an online shopping megastore!  They research the products for you, and you are able to purchase them from multiple stores all in the comfort of your own home with just a click.  I just found out about become.com recently, and I have to say they carry just about anything you can imagine while staying fashion-forward and even offering eco-friendly items!  I love eco-friendly items, as my resolution this year was to make 2012 a greener year!  I think it's great that they offer everything in one place, so you don't have to rack  your brain on wondering if you could have saved a few dollars elsewhere.  This website truly is customer-friendly.

One of the great items I came across was window scenes by artist Louise Cartter.  These adorable scenes hang on the wall and easily convert any city home to a beach view or even an Italian veranda.  They definitely make for a relaxing home environment.  I really liked the Tuscany Window Scene, as it reminded me of when we used to live in Italy.  Each of the window scenes are hand finished and original prints from Louise Cartter.

I have to say, I love Zebra print as well.  Zebra print seems to go with just about anything, and it's a little on the wild side!  Become.com has a great variety of brown zebra chairs that I found absolutely adorable and chic.  Sure to add some flair to your living room, I think these would be a great addition to even the most classic home.  They even have zebra couches, for a matching set.

You just can't beat a website that does all the research and allows you to shop from the comfort of home in your own pajamas all while finding the best prices at the same time.

I highly suggest a visit, and enjoyed using Become.com.

This post is brought to you by your friends at become.com, however, my thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by anyone other than my own personal experience using Become.com.

Leap for Cash Giveaway Signups - $1 - Cash Prize! Calling all Bloggers!

Leap for Cash Giveaway – For the Leap Year

Signups are $1 per facebook URL.

$2 per extra link (twitter, google+, network blogs, blog URLs, email subscriptions, etc – [$2 for EACH])

The amount of prize depends on how many people sign up for the giveaway, I would like to at least get to $50.

Giveaway will be set to run February 18-25

Facebook groups currently isn’t working for me, so I will notify participants via email once the group is made.

If you have ANY questions – please email clarissadickey@gmail.com

Rafflecopter link will be provided, along with button once it is made.

Signup at this link

5 Question Friday

I love blog hops!  I just recently found Five Question Friday - feel free to take the blog hop code at the bottom :) and visit Five Crooked Halos for the button code :)

1. What is the weather like where you are and do you like it?

Our winter weather in the south usually consists of no snow and 70 degree days.  I absolutely love it.  I am not a snow person.  I was born in ND, so I had my fill of that.  :)  I migrated.

2. When you're sick what do you seek comfort from?

Warm apple cider is my best friend when I'm not feeling well.  It also helps your voice come back if you have Laryngitis (which thinks I'm it's best friend - I seem to get it every year).  

3. What do you need to do before the end of the month?

Finish quite a few more reviews and giveaways!  

4. Have you ever served on a jury?

I have not, but I actually look forward to jury duty.  lol.  I'm waiting on my number to come up, it just hasn't yet.  

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

A blowfish - If a blowfish is mad, no one messes with it.  You poof up, and people know you are having "a case of the Mondays".  

Reasons to Hire a Professional Photographer

I have always been a huge fan of photography.  I enjoy capturing the moment.  I love holding a moment in time, because time really does fly faster than anyone thinks, especially after having my little girl.  I have been working on taking my little girl's pictures each month as she grows older.  What I have found, is that the older she gets, the harder it is to get a clear picture of her without me having to run in the shot to help hold her still.  


We took her to get her pictures done at two weeks old, and she stayed asleep the ENTIRE time.  She would not wake up for anything.  The one picture she decided to open her eyes for has a very mad expression in it!  I'm so glad that we were able to capture that picture (because even grumpy pictures can be fun for mom's to keep), but I know it would have been easier with a professional photographer.  I know I could have gotten the shots I wanted, had I had an extra set of hands.


Since then, we've taken all her pictures at home, and I have a hard time getting a good still shot of an ever-moving little one.  I know that leaving it to the professionals is a great idea when it comes to baby pictures, you get what you pay for - and that is a lot when it comes to a baby that is on the move!  While home pictures are nice, I think a good professional photo shoot is always a good idea, so you KNOW you get the pictures you want and like...instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best as you snap the picture and run into the frame (oh how I have ruined many a photo that way).  


For more information on professional photography, visit dc photographer for a beautiful portfolio of his work (including fashion, headshots, and more).  




Disclaimer:
I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for dc photographer and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Cook'n Review and Giveaway

I received Cook'n software for the purpose of this review.  My opinions are my own and are not influenced by any monetary compensation.

Cook'n is a great new software to help organize recipes.

There are so many great features about Cook'n, I almost didn't know where to start.  

This information is provided via the Cook'n website:

Features: 

• Enter Your Own Recipes
• Capture Recipes from the internet (simply click Capture and import into Cook'n program)
• Add brand-name cookbooks
• Adjust serving sizes (something I definitely need!)
• Email recipes quickly and easily
• Add recipes to a blog!  A wonderful idea for the recipe  bloggers out there! 
• Create meal plan menus.
• Calculate recipe nutrition
• Print and Publish cookbooks

and much more!  

When purchasing the software you also receive:

• Free software updates to Cook'n
• License to install on multiple computers at no extra charge
• Access to hundreds of brand name eCookbooks in the Cook'n format
• One free cookbook of your choice - $30 value!
• Access to hundres of recipes directly from the Cook'n website
• 350 of Cook'n best recipes with pictures that come preloaded with the program
• Free month newsletters (only if you would like to receive them).
• 5 star customer service

I received my software at the most opportune time.  My mother in law (who loves to cook) had just visited for Christmas and left several recipe cards with me.  I try to stay organized, but when I have several recipes saved in my email, several in paper form, several on cards, etc - It's hard to remember where I put each one.  I love being able to have all my recipes in one place, ready for me to use at the click of a button!  Cook'n really does help make life easier.  My six-month-old is now on the move, and  this software really lets me save some time (that is rare and much-needed).  

The ease of use is another thing I loved about Cook'n.  Some organizing websites can be daunting, and leave you not sure what you got yourself into.  Cook'n has simplified every task, with easy to use buttons, prompts, and more.  

I was able to input this recipe and export it via HTML directly to this blog :)  

Lasagna Rollups

---

1 box lasagna noodles
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 pound hamburger meat
1 (8-ounce) container mozzarella cheese
1 (8-ounce) container Racotta cheese
Parmesan cheese

Cook lasagna noodles as directed.
Fry hamburger and add to sauce.
Combine cheeses in a bowl.
Drain Noodles.
Place 1/2 sauce in bottom of baking dish
Roll cheese in noodles, place on pan.
Place rest of sauce on top. Add mozzarella cheese on top

Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.

Have a Cook in your house?

Simply visit the Cook'n website for more details on how to purchase great Cook'n products the cook in any house will LOVE.

ENTER TO WIN:

Cook'n was nice enough to provide me with a giveaway for one lucky reader!   Thanks, Cook'n!


Enter via the Rafflecopter form below:


Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.  


Winner will be notified via email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond and claim prize, otherwise another winner will be chosen and original winner will forfeit prize.  


You may need to click "Read More" to view Rafflecopter entry form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway