reviews

Level Three

This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Seattle’s Best.

My name is Janet Wallace and I am a Level 3.

According to Seattle's Best, being a Level 3 means: I'm quick on the draw and ready for just about anything. I'm adept at problem solving and might be found playing chess, building a tree house, or negotiating a business deal. This also means that I like my coffee medium bodied and with a nutty nuance and clean finish.

I'm loving Seattle's Best new Level System, which offers an entire range of coffee enjoyment--from a mild, light, crisp Level 1 to a bold, dark and intense Level 5. Over a week's period, I tried each of the five Levels, starting with Level 1 and working my way to Level 5. Each morning, my husband brewed a pot and we went off to work with our travel mugs filled with the next Level.

The first day, we agreed that the coffee was fantastic. Level 1, we were sure, was going to be the best. But the next day, we tried Level 2. Level 2 had the aroma of cocoa and we immediately decided that Level 2 was going to be the best. And it continued in this fashion for five days. Each day, we tried a new Level, and each day, we thought the coffee was delicious.

After much consideration, I've decided that I'm definitely a Level 3 for daily drinking purposes. The flavor is balanced and full, perfect for daily drinking. But I also like the rich, roasty Level 5 for sipping on a Sunday morning with my New York Times. And, Level 4 is superb for serving with a fat slice of chocolate cake.

If you visit Seattle's Best Facebook Page, you can take the test to find out your level. You'll need to answer important questions such as: It’s Tuesday morning. You’re waiting for the coffee to brew. What’s the perfect accompaniment to that warm mug? Is it:

A blueberry muffin?
A lemon loaf cake?
Old fashioned doughnut?
Chocolate chip cookie?
A hearty egg and bacon sandwich?

Me? Chocolate chip cookies for breakfast! Definitely. Except for the times when what I really want in an old fashioned doughnut. And, occasionally, only a slice of lemon loaf will do.

(Can you see why I can't commit to a single Level?)

Which Level suits your fancy? Are you a happily pragmatic Level 1? A spontaneous, fun Level 2? A up-for-anything Level 3? A mysterious Level 4? A self-assured and focused Level 5? Visit the Official Seattle's Best site and tell me your Level for a chance to win $100 to Amazon.

The Rules:

Sweepstakes runs from April 18 through April 30.

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
• For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.

Visit the Exclusive Offers Page for more chances to win!

I'm a Level 3

This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Seattle’s Best.

I'm a coffee drinker. On the weekdays, I tote a travel mug filled with coffee to work. On the weekends we brew a big pot and drink from our favorite mugs while we eat waffles, read the paper, and figure out some weekend plans.

I'm a morning coffee drinker, generally. Although offer me a cup with my dessert at night and I won't pass. A cup of iced coffee with lunch on a summer day? Absolutely.

I'm a milk-in-my-coffee drinker. I like my coffee with a splash of soy milk or almond milk or half and half. No sugar, although I love to grind some fresh nutmeg on top.

I'm a coffee drinker who alternates between decaffeinated and caffeinated. I keep both in my cupboard and switch it up frequently. Sometimes I brew up a half-caffeinated blend.

I know precisely the type of coffee drinker I am, but I sometimes find buying coffee confusing. I like my coffee full-flavored, but without being too intense. Does that mean I want a breakfast blend? A French Roast? An Italian Roast? The one in the most stylish packaging (which is often how I choose)? It seems that no matter how many times I buy coffee, I find myself on the aisle at the Supermarket trying to figure out if I want an American Roast or a European Roast?

Enter Seattle's Best, with a system that simplifies the coffee selection process. With the new Level System, consumers are able to easily find and choose from a selection of Seattle’s Best Coffee blends that span the entire range of coffee enjoyment, from a mild, light, crisp Level 1 to a bold, dark and intense Level 5.

(Plus the packaging is great.)

Level 1: Mild, Light, Crisp

Level 2: Bright, Lively, Easy Drinking

Level 3: Balanced, Smooth, Full-Flavored

Level 4: Rich, Elegant, Complex

Level 5: Bold, Dark, Intense

I think I'd like a morning cup of Level 3, with a dash of milk and a sprinkling of fresh nutmeg.

In addition to Levels 1 through 5, you can choose from a decaffeinated blend ("D"), an Organic Fair Trade Certified blend and flavored coffees Cinnamon (“C”) and Hazelnut (“H”). I'm so excited to try the cinnamon.

How do you like your coffee? Mild and light? Full-bodied and nutty? Bold and intense? With cream? With sugar? With a dash of cinnamon? Visit the site and then tell me how you like your coffee for a chance to win $100 to Amazon, courtesy of BlogHer.

The Rules:

Sweepstakes runs from April 1 to April 17.

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
• For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. Visit the Official Rules for more information.

Visit the Exclusive Offers section for more chances to win!

Spring Training

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Walgreens.

Here on the California Coast, our winters are mild and spring arrives early. The hills are gorgeously green right now, the trees have been blossoming for well over a month. There's really no excuse for not putting on a pair of running shoes and exploring the city by foot. A couple of months ago, I started a 5k training program. I've been off the program for two weeks, due to a lingering cold and a little bit of rain, but I need to get back on the program pronto, especially if I want to run 11 miles on 11/11/11 (a goal I've set--we'll see how that turns out! No promises!).

When the great people at Walgreens sent me a gift card to buy some seasonally appropriate Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products, I decided to pick up a few things to help with my spring training.

First on my list: a package of shoe inserts. These babies keep feet fresher and dryer, help fight odor, and control moisture. On sale for just $3.99, I picked up two packages--enough for my running shoes and some for my husband's shoes as well.

I also picked up some Walgreens brand sunscreen lotion and after sun body lotion. I've long hated treadmill running and almost always prefer to hit the streets for my jogs. Of course, being outdoors, even when the weather is cool, means slathering on the SPF. The sun's rays mean serious business.

Some thick lip balm to protect against weather conditions and some Ibuprofen for the pain following the longer runs are two more must-haves. I bought a couple of each product, so that I can keep them readily available in my desk drawer and purse.

My Walgreens experience was superb. They had all of the items on my list in stock and the associates were helpful and friendly. No more excuses--I'm now fully prepared to jog my way to fitness with the help of Walgreens.

Here's the icing on the cake: every purchase of Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products supports bringing preventive wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™. The fund will provide free preventive health tests as well as other health and wellness services and education to local communities. Some of those services will include preventive health tests through the National Urban League Health & Wellness Tour and vouchers redeemable in select stores.

I want you to be well, too, so try Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness products. Visit the site for more information!

I'm also giving away a $100 Walgreens gift card, courtesy of BlogHer, to help keep you healthy. In the comments, please tell me which Walgreens Health and Wellness product you need to pick up. Cough medicine? Mouthwash? Lip care? You name it and $100 could be yours!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
• You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• Visit the Official Rules.

Visit the Exclusive Offers section for more chances to win!

Committed

One year ago, I read the book Committed, a review copy I had received from the fabulous folks at Penguin. In case you missed my first review, here's a brief synopsis:

At the end of her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert fell in love with Felipe, a Brazilian living in Indonesia. The couple swore eternal love, but also swore (as skittish divorce survivors) never to marry. However, providence intervened in the form of a U.S. government ultimatum: get married, or Felipe could never enter America again.

I very much enjoyed the read and passed the book along to my cousin to enjoy as well. Just in time for Valentine's Day, a paperback version of the book is being released today!

The book is part autobiography, part travelogue, part historical study, part academic theory. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, but I was particularly fond of Gilbert's firsthand experiences. Truth be told, I read quickly through the heavily researched bits, but slowed to savor the personal accounts. She's insightful, clever, humorous.

{For those of you who have the book—or plan to get a copy—I just adored Gilbert's description of her dinner at Keo's house. The basin filled with frogs, the chicken on a twine, the blowing fan, and, of course, the love! Doesn't this pique your curiosity? Frogs in the sink!}

My friends at Penguin have a paperback copy ready to send to a lucky commenter, so leave a comment letting me know your plans for Valentine's Day! If you don't have plans yet (like me), leave a comment telling me what you would like to do on Valentine's Day. I will choose a winner at the end of the week!

The Workshop at Macy's

At the end of this post is an opportunity to win a $50 Macy's gift card. You don't have to be a small business owner to enter the contest, but if you are a small business owner you're going to want to read on about The Workshop at Macy's. I've been working with Macy's for some time and, as I sit here writing this, I wish I was a small business owner who could apply for this amazing opportunity.

The Workshop at Macy’s is an opportunity to learn how to scale your business sustainably and effectively for working long-term with a major retailer. Macy’s is holding an Open Call for applications for the Workshops now through February 11, 2011. If you are a small business, hoping to work with a major retailer, this is such an incredible opportunity. Here's a little bit about the program:

• An exclusive program located at Macy’s Herald Square Corporate Offices in Manhattan, New York, designed by Macy’s senior level merchants and learning and development experts


• A unique learning opportunity with courses taught by retail experts and accredited faculty


• Exposure to successful multicultural and women business owners


• Interaction with experienced merchants, industry leaders and private brand specialists


• An opportunity to network, collaborate and engage with fellow aspiring vendors

I know that many of you have built small businesses, working from your homes or small shops. I am always inspired by the things you have accomplished and honestly believe that many of you would be absolutely perfect for the Macy's Workshops. Take a chance and apply today!

Now, for everybody: Enter to win a $50 gift card to Macy's by telling me what kind of small business you would have, if you had one (if you already have a small business, tell us what it is!). I'll select a winner by random drawing this Friday.

A few rules: the contest is open to U.S. residents. I will contact the winners by email. You have 24 hours to respond. Slice of Pink is solely responsible for this content.