The new Sex and the City movie just started on the 27th of this month, and with it comes a new soundtrack. For me a soundtrack can make or break a movie! While I haven’t seen the movie, I can tell you that I am enjoying the soundtrack a bunch! There is a new version of a favorite Blondie song of mine, Rapture. This time done by Alicia Keys, and incorporating the Sex and the City series theme, and lyrics that talk about the characters a little bit.

There are new songs by Dido (another favorite of mine), Erykah Badu, Liza Minnelli (doing Single Ladies), and a brand-new duet “Love is Your Color” by Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis. Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the cast gets in on the action and sing “I Am Woman”!

Also, for you die hard Sex and The City fans, you can win a phone call from Sarh Jessica Parker. Click here for details.

Thanks to the One2One Network for providing the soundtrack for review. You can purchase a copy here. I for one can’t stop listening to Dido, “Everything to Lose”!

This time of year (fall and winter) makes my skin extremely dry. My skin, especially on my hands, gets so bad that they actually crack and bleed. I often sleep with cotton gloves on (after applying lotion) to try to help them heal.

So of course when we got the chance to sample some Dr. Hess Udder Ointment, I was very excited. I had heard great things about it, and even though it was originally made for udders, it works wonders on hands! It does seem to do a great job, being a bit thicker than a regular lotion. It has a different, but pleasant smell, that is hard to describe. It’s somewhat minty, but not really minty. Also, it doesn’t take much ointment to cover the area. This is a plus since it means a little will go a long way!

We also really liked the story of the product:

One of the best known products ever produced by Hess & Clark was Udder Ointment. Originally developed for treating chapped teats and udders of dairy cattle, farmers were soon remarking as to the healing effect it had on their own hands. Chronic dryness and cuts were quickly healing on both cow and farmer. Udder Ointment was widely used as both a veterinary remedy and a home remedy all across the country.

With each buyout of the Hess & Clark product line, Udder Ointment became more and more of a tangent product with each business focusing more and more on chemical production such as pesticides and powder treatments for agricultural use. Finally, in 1999 ( approx.) the production of Udder Ointment was discontinued completely. When the formal announcement was made, pleading calls from around the country riddled the company with testimonial after testimonial of Udder Ointment healing not only skin abrasions and dryness but burns, bruises, and especially effective on diaper rash!

After hearing of the discontinuation,  I began to purchase from local dealers over 200 cases of Udder Ointment product to ensure that I had enough for generations of my family and extended family members to use.  Word spread that I had a generous supply and soon I was turning down callers from anxious customers keeping the remaining 4 cases for myself.

The idea thus was born to recover the original formula and begin remanufacturing Dr. Hess Udder Ointment.  Tyler and I began the company organization and the manufacturing process in the Fall of 2006.  First sales of the product began in January 2008 with Dr. Hess Udder Ointment and Dr. Hess Udder Ointment for Baby Butts.  During the Spring of 2008 we also developed the Udder Stick, our healing lip balm, after the request of several consumers who wanted the original formula in a more solid form.  Our sales during 2008 were minimal, relying mostly on word of mouth from past users who had been familiar with the earlier Hess & Clark Udder Ointment.

Those customers who rediscovered us, however, were elated to see its return.  Story after story of this “miraculous” healing ointment used many years ago came to us by letter, email and phone calls. In fact, just recently, I received an email from a son of a thankful elderly mother who has used Udder Ointment for the past 50 years.  He even included pictures of her old Udder Ointment jar which she keeps by her bedside revealing only the slightest amount of the treasured ointment remaining.

Dr. Hess Udder Ointment was part of my childhood.  It was what we relied on for skin dryness to cuts and burns.  When I began having children myself, it was the instant remedy for diaper rash, chafing, as well as my own tired and cracked feet.  Simply put, it was hard to imagine my children and their children not having the benefits of Udder Ointment that I and thousands of other users have enjoyed for over 100 years.

As Dr. Hess Products, LLC, we are continuing in the tradition of our fathers and believe in the American spirit of hard work and giving back.

Made in the USA (in Utah), and by those who really care about the product! It has been great for my poor, cracked skin, and I can see why they were so passionate about trying to save the product. I for one am glad they did. You can buy Dr. Hess Udder Ointment online at the Dr. Hess website. They also offer a free sample (including shipping) so you can try it for yourself before you buy! Very wish list worthy indeed.

Halloween Carols

Halloween Carols is a musical treat for those of you who love Halloween! We happen to love Halloween around our house, so of course when the chance to check out a review copy of Halloween Carols came our way, we jumped at the chance. The songs are all spooky sounding, while at the same time pretty and melodic. Kristen Lawrence is the artist behind the concept of Halloween Carols. Kristen writes and performs historically-based Halloween music in the format of Christmas carols.

We thought it would be the perfect backdrop for a Halloween party, or to have on the stereo as people come to Trick or Treat.

Not only is the music a lot of fun to listen to, I really loved the way it was packaged. It arrived in a special black sack, something that reminded me of a perfect Halloween treat. The cover art on the discs, and everything just set a great Halloween mood, before the music even started!

You can even check out samples of the songs on the Halloween Carols website. But even better than samples, we have a copy of Halloween Carols to give to one lucky reader! Just in time for Halloween!

Would you like a chance to win?

Leave a comment on this post before midnight on Saturday October 17th (MST). Tell me what you are going to dress up as for Halloween, or something you have been in the past. You may comment daily until the giveaway ends. For extra entries you can follow @HalloweenCarols & @ABroomWithAView on Twitter, just leave a comment letting me know that you did so. This is open to US and Canadian addresses only.

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Halloween Carols, who provided the CD for review & giveaway.

*this giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Storm who said “I’ll be my usual – a witch! Truth be told, I don’t change what I wear much for Halloween because I always dress like that. But I do add in a hat, of course!”*

If you are looking for a fun way to surprise someone, Sock Grams are the perfect solution. What is a Sock Gram? They are fun, novelty socks, sent through the mail to your loved ones. They come in a variety of styles, including holidays, and even toe socks. Each comes with a special card where your message will appear.

I was really happy when the package arrived. It’s hard to miss, in a bright metallic package. It looked so happy compared to all the regular mail and bills. I couldn’t wait to get it inside and open it up. When I opened it, I was not disappointed! A hilarious pair of socks that look like shoes (with socks coming out even) were waiting for me. They are nice quality socks as well as being a lot of fun. Perfect for the coming change in the weather!

These would make great Halloween treats; no cavities, no calories.  Each Sock Gram is delivered with a special bonus – foot balm for adults or a pack of stickers for the kids. I got a chance to try the foot balm, and it was really nice on my dry, summer worn feet.  Be sure to check out the  fall specials – Back to School, Halloween, and Thanksgiving – online at www.sockgrams.com.

Your Songs is the latest album release from Harry Connick Jr. If you enjoy Harry Connick Jr’s music, keep reading, a chance to win a copy is at the end of this post!

The album features iconic songs from other artists being performed by Harry. The music is a little different than the original song, but not by much. As always, Harry’s voice sounds great. Here is a listing of the songs you will find on the disc, and who performed them the first time around:

• All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
• And I Love Her (The Beatles)
• (They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
• Besame Mucho
• The Way You Look Tonight
• First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
• Your Song (Elton John)
• Some Enchanted Evening
• And I Love You So (Don McLean)
• Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
• Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
• Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

It’s a truly great collection of well known and loved songs. I really liked the variations that were made to the songs, enough to be a bit different than the original, but without changing the song completely. I also liked how the choices of songs blended together very nicely. It’s a very sweet, mellow, album that is perfect for putting on to relax, or for a romantic evening.

Would you like a chance to win a copy for yourself? Here is what you need to do:

Leave a comment on this post before Thursday October 1st, 2009 (by midnight MST). Please be sure that your email is correct as the winner will be notified by email. You may comment once a day until the giveaway ends. Thanks, and good luck!

Some fun links: A video featuring a behind the scene look at ‘Making of’ the album, Harry’s website, and you can even be a fan of Harry’s on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr!

You can also catch Harry on some upcoming TV shows:

• 9/25 – Oprah “Live Friday”
• 9/28 – Today Show
• 9/29 – The View
• 9/30 – Imus in the Morning
• 9/30 – Letterman
• 10/1 – Today Show
• Week of 10/5 – Rachael Ray

*This giveaway is now closed, congrats to Heidi, who said “His concert promoting “She” was the first concert I ever went to. I’ve been a fan since high school. I’m so glad he’s done another album!”*