Women Driven to Success: You Can Have YOUR All

Everyone wants to be successful. The definition of success varies from person to person depending on their goals. A lot of people wonder how do I gain this success. Where can I learn to be successful? What tools do I need to make me successful? Truthfully as much as I hate to admit it, there is still a challenge for women to be as successful as men are. I don’t understand why that is. It kind of reminds me of the movie The Stepford Wives where all the women were all very successful high power career women and then they were turned in to robots. I guess not all men want to see a woman be successful. I think it is crazy that some men still think this way. I found a book called Women Driven to Success: You Can Have YOUR All. It is by Dr. Jane Goldner who is an amazing and inspiring woman.

 Here is more about the book:
 "The 'real life' stories and the practical toolkit make this book one that you will want to keep, refer to and recommend to your spheres of influence!" Women today are being told by successful businesswomen that the key to 'having it all' is leaning in. Dr. Jane Goldner, on the other hand, believes that success is not a one size fits all concept. She states that women can "have it all," but poses the question:  "What does 'it all' really mean?" Throughout the book, Dr. Goldner provides the answer that "it all" is different for each person, and discusses the paths women have taken to go from homemakers to "doing dishes, diapers, and million-dollar deals," with many choices in-between. A critical lesson is that before a woman "leans in," she needs to figure out "her all." Based on her own life experiences and those of 14 other highly successful senior-level professional women, Women Driven to Success provides examples of role models as well as a tool kit to help women define and live THEIR ALL. Among the many topics that Dr. Goldner covers in her book are: - The need for each woman to define her own CORE, her 'North Star' -Why being 'everything to everybody' is NOT the answer - Learning the skills of negotiation and confrontation - The important difference between taking personal time to stay healthy, and having to take time to be sick Dr. Goldner is a business consultant with nearly 30 years experience. She's worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies, the US Military and with some of the foremost executive leaders in the country. In addition, Dr. Goldner is both an adjunct professor at the Coles School of Business Kennesaw State University and in the Leadership and Organization Development Master's Degree program at PCOM. 

I personally can’t wait to read this and be inspired to become more successful. 

Women Driven to Success: You Can Have YOUR All is available on Amazon. To learn more about this book and to get your own copy, please visit Women Driven to Success: You Can Have YOUR All. 

It’s also available on your Kindle if you don’t want to wait to read it.

BOB Books Giveaway

The first time I heard about BOB Books was when I was with my old best friend and we at the open house for the little preschool program for her son which was in our high school. She asked our former teacher about books for her son that he could use to begin to learn to read. I was listening to the conversation, while tending to a 6 month old Noah. I remember that she said they were kind of like Dick and Jane books. I made a mental note and filed it away.

I had the opportunity to check out some BOB Books. From the #1 bestselling learn-to-read program come two brand-new sets focused on learning and practicing Sight Words..Sight Words are words that are recognized by sight rather than sounded out, in order to achieve reading fluency. They are the most frequently used words in the English language, and are often unable to be read phonetically (“was”, “are”, and “out” are examples). Bob Books Sight Words feature the top Sight Words in two sets – one for kindergarten and one for first grade – in order to allow parents and children to read, learn, and practice easily and enjoyably. Each Sight Words box includes 10 original books, 30 flashcards, and a parent guide.

I am a parent who is always teaching my child something, even if it is just life skills or how to have manners. I believe there are so many moments to learn things in daily life. I remember that I taught my four year old neighbor how to read when I was younger. I just think that maybe she looked at the picture now. Who knows really.

BOB Books are really cool because they come in a box for easy storage, short books that are not too big or small for a child’s hands. They come in different lessons for different aged kids or grades. I definitely think Noah will be a BOB Books kid. He loves to look at the pictures even at age three. He is all about wanting to read books himself. I encourage him to try. There is no right or wrong, because sometimes the story will change depending on who is telling it.

For more information Please visit The BOB Books website.

Thank you to Scholastic and BOB Books for providing me with a couple samples of BOB Books and providing the giveaway prizes.

I have a giveaway for you:

Two lucky winners will each win
A Bob Books lunchbox
Copy of Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten
Copy of Bob Books Sight Words: First Grade

Mandatory Entry:
Why would you want to win this giveaway and who will be enjoying BOB Books

You must do the mandatory entry for any bonus entries to count.

Extra Entries:

Subscribe to my blog via email

Follow me on GFC

Follow @sheilacakes7 on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway and include a link to this post. This can be done once a day.

Write a blog post about this giveaway

This giveaway will end on September 4, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.

The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only – international readers can enter if they have a friend in the U.S. who can accept their prize.

Firehouse Review and Giveaway--2 winners!

Noah is the typical little boy who loves fire trucks. I am not sure if it is the fact that they are bright red or the fact that they have flashing lights and make noise. Either way, Noah loves everything that has fire trucks or toys that look like fire trucks. So, when I had the opportunity to review a book about fire trucks, I was excited because I knew Noah would love it. I told him about it shortly after I knew it was on the way. He talked about the fire truck book all the time while we were waiting for it to be sent.

The book we received is called Firehouse. The book is written by Mark Teague who also wrote and illustrated Funny Farm, a 2009 Parents’ Choice Silver Award Picture Book; Daer Mrs. Larue, the 2002 Book Sense Illustrated Book of the Year; Detective Larue; Larue for Mayor; and Pigsty. He is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling How Do Dinosaurs series by Jane Yolen. Firehouse is the story is about Edward and his cousin Judy as they spend a hilarious day learning how to be firefighters. From a fire drill that leads to a slippery slide down a fire pole, to a hysterical battle with an out-of-control fire hose, Edward is in for an action-packed adventure. And when faced with a real emergency, can Edward save the day?



The day the book arrived Noah was so excited. We opened the package and he hovered over me while I got it out for him. He spent the rest of the day looking at the book over and over again. We went to the store and Firehouse went in the car with us. We went to visit my sister and Firehouse went on our trip to my sister’s with us. Noah would sit down and study each picture and tell me all about what he saw. He loves Firehouse! I think that the book is really cute and I love how it is written. It is fun and exciting. I am really big on reading to Noah and I love to tell him stories. It really helps to build a strong foundation in your child’s education. I am so glad to have Firehouse in little library of books in our home.

For more information please visit HERE.

Thank you to Scholastic for providing me with a complimentary copy of Firehouse for my family to review and providing the giveaway prizes.

I have a giveaway for you too!



Two (2) Winners will win:
Copy of FIREHOUSE!
Copy of FUNNY FARM
Copy of How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?

Mandatory entry: Please tell me your child’s favorite book.

You must do the mandatory entry for the bonus entries to count.

Bonus entries:

Subscribe to my blog via email. You must verify it.

Follow my blog

Tell me who you want to win these books for

Follow @sheilacakes7 on twitter and tweet this giveaway with a link to this post.
Remember you must be following me. This can be done once a day.

Add my button on your sidebar and tell me where I can find it.

Please remember to leave your email address in your comments or have it accessible on your blog.

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.
This giveaway will end on May 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm ET.

Klutz Encyclopedia of Immaturity Review and Giveaway- 3 winners

What would you say if I told you the secret of never growing up? I will share it with you. It is a little bit of laughter and the Klutz The Encyclopedia of Immaturity volume 1 and Volume 2. These books are your guide to how to never grow up. You will learn how to live your life with some fun and silliness.

I have noticed that people are too serious sometimes. I think it is fun to be silly sometimes. There is a time for seriousness and a time for fun. I am pretty sure that was what the writers of The Encyclopedia of Immaturity volumes 1&2 were thinking when they started writing the series. Klutz makes all kinds of fun books. I have loved all of the ones I have seen or owned. I have always been a huge Klutz fan. I am sure you remember my post about my favorite cookbook from my childhood. Growing up my family and I had a couple other Klutz books as well. We had the book where you get a dollar refund to make things out of money. We also had the Cat’s Cradle book where you made things out of string.


So, when I had the opportunity to review The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Volume 2 I was excited.The Encyclopedia of Immaturity series is for ages 9 to 99.The Encyclopedia of Immaturity has been such a hit that Klutz is following up with a second book! The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Volume 2 includes thought-provoking topics such as how to slide down a banister, what we talk about when we talk about wedgies, how to send a toiletgram, and more. It’s all new and all hopelessly goofy.

There are all kinds of fun things in the book like how to give your mom a diamond ring that only costs $1.10. There is a fool proof way to put a “kick me” sign on someone with out have to slap or pat them on the back. If only I thought of that. Wanna learn how to eat scabs? When I saw that page I thought well that’s charming. No really it is. It sounds pretty good. Hint: It’s not real scabs.

I really enjoyed reading through this book. It has a lot of great ideas on how to not act my age. Which is something everyone needs to do every once in a while. My favorite thing in the book is Blindfolded Makeovers. I think that would be a lot of fun to do with a mother or a friend. Make sure you take lots of pictures. I have a picture of my mom from when I was growing up where I did a horrible job on her makeup and it still makes me laugh. There is really something for everyone. It is not just for kids. Even if you are 9 or if you are 99 you will enjoy this light hearted book full of tricks, secrets and tips.

Thank you to Klutz for sending me a copy of The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Volume 2 and providing the giveaway prizes too.

I have a giveaway for you all!


Three (3) winners will each win their own copies of NEW release The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Volume 2 and The Encyclopedia of Immaturity.

Mandatory Entry: Go to the Klutz Website and tell me another book you would love to own

You must do the mandatory entry for the bonus entries to count.

Extra Entries:

Subscribe to my blog via email

Follow my blog

Follow @sheilacakes7 on twitter and tweet about this giveaway including the link

Please remember to include your email address in your comments or have it accessible on your blog.

This giveaway will end November 21st at 11:59 pm

This giveaway is open to US Residents only!

36 1/2 Reasons to Laugh A Slice of Life Giveaway- 5 winners!

Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Doug Savant about a new book that he wrote the forward for. The book is called 36 ½ Reasons to Laugh A Slice of Life. You can read all about my exclusive interview with Doug here.

The book 36 ½ Reasons To Laugh A Slice of Life is written by Rick Adams and illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. This book helps you remember to laugh at those funny moments in your life. After all they say Laughter is the best medicine. For every book produced, Listerine made a generous donation to The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation’s program called America’s Toothfairy to help low income families get dental care for their children. There a millions of children that have toothaches and that prevent them from eating properly. Some families just can’t afford dental care and it tends to be something that gets forgotten.

Some families just can’t afford dental care and it tends to be something that gets forgotten. The book is excellent. Every page has made me laugh. It would be a great coffee table book for your guests to pick up and look at. It would definitely be a conversation starter. I hope you all will check it out and help those children have a healthy Smile.

This book is excellent! Each page was a funny slice of life. It would be a great gift to give to a family member or friend. It is so light hearted and fun. The book reminds you that it is good to laugh at those stressful moments in life. It would be a great coffee table book for your guests to pick up and look at. It would definitely be a conversation starter. I hope you all will check it out and help those children have a healthy Smile.

It is available at Listerine's website and Amazon.

I have 5 yes FIVE copies of 36 ½ reasons to Laugh A Slice of Life to giveaway to five winners.

Mandatory entry: Tell me a short funny story because it is always fun to laugh at life.

Please remember to put your email address in your comment or make it accessible on your blog!

You must do the mandatory entry for the extra entries to count.

Extra Entries:
Subscribe to my blog via email! RSS feed will not count.
Follow my blog
Go to Listerine's website and tell me something you learned

This giveaway will end October 5th 2009 at 11:59 pm EDT
I will email the winners and they will have 48 hours to get back to me or I will have to pick a new winner or winners.
This giveaway is open to US Residents ONLY

My exclusive interview with Doug Savant

This morning I had the opportunity to have an exclusive phone interview with Doug Savant. Doug plays Tom Scavo on Desperate Housewives. I happen to love Desperate Housewives I watch it every day on Lifetime and also on ABC on Sundays. I have seen the first 4 seasons multiple times because Lifetime keeps playing them. Doug was also a guest star on NCIS as priest. Desperate Housewives is one of those shows that just pull you right in and captivates you. Each season has a mystery story line and so far the mysteries have been getting better and better.

I was really nervous at the beginning but Doug put me right to ease. He is so down to earth and friendly. He made me feel like we were old friends catching up on what is new with our lives. It was weird when he was first on the line cause I knew it was him from watching the show so much and not Dr. Oz.

Doug is very nice and I really enjoyed talking to him. He told me about a new book that he is involved in. The makers of Listerine co-developed a really cute book of illustrations with humorous captions. The book is called 36 and ½ Reasons To Laugh A Slice of Life. It is written by Rick Adams and illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. This book helps you remember to laugh at those funny moments in your life. After all they say Laughter is the best medicine.

For every book produced, Listerine made a generous donation to The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation’s program called America’s Toothfairy to help low income families get dental care for their children. There a millions of children that have toothaches and that prevent them from eating properly. Some families just can’t afford dental care and it tends to be something that gets forgotten.

The book is excellent. Every page has made me laugh. It would be a great coffee table book for your guests to pick up and look at. It would definitely be a conversation starter. I hope you all will check it out and help those children have a healthy Smile. For more information please visit Listerine's website

Of course we talked about Desperate Housewives as well. I got some inside information. He didn’t tell me who Mike is marrying but he did say I would find out within the first few minutes of the first show of the new season. The new season of Desperate Housewives starts Sunday September 27th at 9 pm ET. I also asked him about Dave and if he is coming back this season. He said that Dave hasn’t reared his ugly head on the show yet but you never know with Desperate Housewives. Dave was really creepy.

I asked him about working with the ladies. He told me that everyone thinks there is a lot of drama behind the scenes on the set but it is not like that at all. He talked about working with Felicity Huffman and how they have great chemistry together. He said that he has a great off screen wife and a great onscreen wife as well. Doug said that he can’t wait to go to work and that he loves his job. He talked about how much fun he has on the set with his co-workers as well.

We talked about his life and his 4 kids and his wife. I asked him if he would ever become a stay at home dad like on the show and he said that he and his wife are both actors and he already does everything a stay at home dad or mom would do . I thought that was wonderful that he makes time for his family even with his busy schedule.

Doug was interested in me as well. I thought that the interview was going to be about him and the book and the show but that wasn’t the case. He asked me questions about my blog and my life. I told him about where I am from and about my son Noah. We talked about what I like to write about and what products I found that are especially good. I told him about Fairytale Brownies because they are so delicious. Look for my review of Fairytale Brownies shortly and a giveaway too. Maybe he’ll enter lol.

He asked me if I am a Colts fan and I didn’t hear what he said so I said a who fan. He told me he likes the Colts too and how much he likes Peyton Manning. Neither of us knows who the Colts are playing Sunday though. Doug is very funny and interesting and I couldn’t ask for a better guy to talk to.

So Thanks Doug for the chance to talk to you and for taking time out of your busy day to talk to me. I hope we can talk again sometime.