I love listening to instrumental tunes while I'm working or resting. There's just something about it that relaxes me and puts a smile on my face. If you're a fan of them too, you may be interested to know that after over 8 years, Yanni has created a new album of instrumental compositions. 

Truth Of Touch is a gorgeous collection of original pieces. This album was sent to me to review about a week ago and I've been listening to it during my "me time" {aka the kiddos' nap time} every day since then. I just love it. 

Now, if you've been reading here long enough, you may remember me going on and on about Yanni a while ago. In fact, I even saw him in concert! {Click the link to read about that if you missed it.} I mentioned in that post...almost 2 years ago...how much I loved Nathan Pacheco and Leslie Mills at that concert. They're both extremely talented and sooo nice in person. I was pleasantly surprised to hear both Leslie and Nathan on this album. So surprised, in fact, that I grabbed the CD case and ripped through the insert to see if it was really them. Can you picture the HUGE smile on my face when I heard that? 

Don't get me wrong, I loved the entire album without the vocal tracks. These songs were just the icing on the cake. Beautiful vocals sung over genius composition gets me every time. :)

There is a tour going on to celebrate this new release as well. Unfortunately, Yanni isn't stopping anywhere near Detroit so I won't be able to see him in concert this time. You may be able to, though! Check out the dates and locations by visiting Yanni's website. And, if you're in Detroit and want to see Yanni stop here, click the widget!!! {P.S. If Yanni isn't coming to your home town, you can click at the bottom of the tour page and ask him to add your city to the list too!}

View all Detroit events on Eventful

THE GIVEAWAY!! {Now Closed}

I don't want to keep something this good to myself so I'm grateful to One2One Network for letting me give one of YOU a CD!

To enter: Tell me what you love about Instrumental Compositions and/or what you love about Yanni and his work.


For additional entries:

• Blog about this giveaway with links back to this post/blog.
• *For 2 Extra Entries* Become a fan of Coffee with the Mrs. on Facebook. {Comment with 2 separate comments for credit}
• Grab my button for your sidebar. 
• Subscribe to my blog by e-mail through feedburner {the coffee cup at the top of the right sidebar with the orange rss symbol. comment with the e-mail address you subscribed with}
• Follow my blog *For 2 Extra Entries* {right beneath the Giveaways listing on sidebar. Comment with 2 separate comments for credit}
• Follow me on Twitter @TheMrsC (comment with your twitter name)
• Tweet about this giveaway.  If you want, you can say “CoffeeWithTheMrs.com is giving away Yanni's new CD and I want to win!” {Just make sure to link to my blog or the giveaway}.  {comment with a link to your tweet}
•                       **TWICE daily retweets are available for extra entries. Leave a comment with a link to your daily tweet{s}

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. This giveaway will run until April 23rd at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected by using random.org and will be contacted and announced on or around April 24th. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours of initial contact, I will randomly select another winner. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Open to US.

**Thanks to One2One Network, who supplied the items to facilitate this review and giveaway. I wasn't compensated in any way. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the item mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Have You Heard About Yanni's New Album? {review, giveaway, and tour info}

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At the closing of the Blissdom conference, I headed back to my hotel room to prepare for the "Girls Night In" and felt completely overwhelmed. I had spent 2 days writing down amazing insight that I was given. I had spent 2 days meeting new people and making new friends. I had completely invested myself and my mind in this conference and what I was able to take away with me was almost too much.

I was completely overwhelmed with a sense of GRATITUDE. I was grateful to One2One for the conference pass and hotel room, to the brands who sponsored everything,to the women I encountered who made me feel like I mattered, to my husband and extended family back home who were making sure my kiddos were cared for, and for the experience itself. More than anything, though, I was grateful that I had enjoyed everything the conference had to offer with the knowledge that I deserved all of it.

...And then the tears came.

I can't remember the last time I allowed myself to be present and enjoy something that was meant just for me without attaching guilt to it. I truly did find my bliss in Nashville and really hope to be able to attend another conference soon. Thank you to EVERYONE who made Blissdom an incredible experience.

P.S. I hope to be sharing some of what I learned with you. I have many notes to go through and thoughts to process but I'll share what I can as it all starts to sink in.

**I won a prize pack from One2One Network that covered my conference pass and hotel room. Everything else was up to me. As always, these are my opinions and others may not have had the same experience.

...And Then The Tears Came

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Stop! I know many of you are doing your gift shopping right now as you sit at home and browse websites.

What if you could turn that "shopping from the comfort of your own home" into helping the charity of your choice?

I just found out about GiveBack.org and I am in love with the concept.

First, it's very easy to sign up. It takes just a second and just for signing up, I was given a $5 credit. From there, I went to "My Foundation" and searched for charities that I know and love. The next step is to shop! I can totally handle that. :) There are over 400 places to shop from so I know whoever or whatever it is I'm shopping for, I can find what I need.

When shopping from the GiveBack website, a percentage of the sale goes back to the charity I choose. These percentages are clearly shown on the website so I don't have to wonder how much my charity would be receiving. Giving is SOO easy this way!

And, if I want, I can just make a donation to the charity or charities I choose without shopping. 100% of what I donate goes right to them and this is an easy way to give to several charities. It helps me from jumping from website to website.

Here are some important things to note if you want to go ahead and sign up.

• Get $5 today when you create your foundation
• Make a donation using your credit card and receive a tax deduction
• Shop our 400+ retailers and earn charitable dollars
• Submit a story on how you’re giving back for a chance to win $1000 each week

100% of GiveBack donations go to the charities you support.

Please watch this video to see how this works.

Please take a moment to sign up and select your favorite charities. It's so important that we give back and this is an incredibly easy way to do that. Thank you, GiveBack for developing this website.

**I posted this as part of a campaign with One2One Network. As a "thank you" for posting, I was entered in a contest where winners are selected at random. More importantly, I posted about this website because I believe in it and feel it's worth sharing. I received no compensation. The views and opinions shared are my own. Others may not agree.

Eye Spy ~ Giving With GiveBack?

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Dear Readers,

I'm not sure if you're aware of the annual, Blissdom conference held in Nashville. It's a pretty big deal, though and there are many opportunities to learn from and connect with other bloggers and companies. {I'm all about wanting to learn more about what I love doing.}

So, anyway. I wanted to let you know to hop over to One2One Network to enter for one of 3 passes being given away!

I hope I win a pass {obviously} but I would love if one of you did too so I could meet you there.

What is it that I want to gain from Blissdom? Well, I want to know where I should be heading with my blog. I know what I love to do and what I wish I could do better but I want to hear from others how they balance everything and continue to grow.  I never want to reach the point where I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. You know?

Wish me luck! {Of course, good luck to you as well should you enter.} :)

Last Day To Enter For A Trip To BLISSDOM!

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An incredible compilation of music, ...Featuring was released in stores today. This breathtaking album shows the seemingly unending talent that lives within Norah Jones. From beginning to end, I found myself taken by each song in a different way. 

Norah Jones took songs that she recorded with other artists over the past ten years and put them all together in one album. Artists like Willie Nelson, Belle & Sebastian, Talib Kweli, and Dolly Parton are all side by side in this beautiful collection of works. 

Said Norah Jones in an interview about the album, “A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries.” She continues. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”

The track listing is as follows:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward


I love to listen to this album when I'm relaxing or doing house chores. It's something that makes me happy and some songs even make me dance along as I listen. Even the hubster enjoys listening along to this one. It truly has something for everyone on it. {Although, there's not one song I choose to skip over, personally.}

Run out and pick up your copy today! If you're a Norah Jones fan, you won't be disappointed by this album.

**I received a complimentary copy of the album to facilitate my review. This review is my personal opinion and I am entered to win a gift card through One2One Network by participating. Others may disagree or have a different experience.**

Norah Jones Has A New Album!! (review)

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Do you remember Wisk laundry detergent from back in the day? You know the one, right? It was very popular for helping to get rid of that "ring around the collar". (Does that ring some bells?)

Here's an old commercial to help bring it all back into focus. (I just love retro commercials, don't you?)

While it's fun to giggle at old commercials, our stain problems today are very much the same as they were back then. Children still make messes and get stains all over themselves and "ring around the collar" still shows up on dress shirts.

Wisk is so smart, though. They've keyed in on what is in the stains so they can create a solution to removing them from clothing.

There are hundreds of different stains but most stains fall into three major groups:

 * Carbohydrates such as milk chocolate
 * Proteins such as grass
 * Oils such as peanut butter

The other groups of stains include:

 * Bio such as blood
 * Bleachable such as coffee
 * Particulate such as dirt
 * Synthetic such as ink

Check out this teaser for the new Wisk laundry detergent!

Wisk will be available in stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target this month. You can purchase it for around $5.99 for a 50 fl oz. bottle (that will clean up to 32 loads of laundry).

And make sure you keep an eye over here for my fun projects coming up with Wisk! I can't wait to see the new detergent in action and tell you all about it!

In the meantime, be sure to visit Wisk.com and their facebook fan page for more information.

**I was compensated by One2One Network in conjunction with Wisk to share about this new detergent with you. While I was compensated, my opinions and words are my own and are not influenced at all. Others may not agree with my opinion.**

Wisk Is Making A Comeback!!

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Recently released and currently playing on my iPod, Give Up the Ghost by Brandy Carlile is well worth a listen. (Just check out the new single on iTunes above.)

This album is the perfect choice for any folk/rock lover. I prefer the feel and sound of a folk album so I’ve really enjoyed reviewing “Give Up The Ghost”. My favorite track so far is entitled “Dying Day”. It’s an upbeat, catchy tune with a great melody. I honestly listen to it over and over while I be-bop around and sing along.

Other tracks on this album are:
Looking Out
Dying Day
Pride And Joy
Dreams
That Year
Caroline
Before It Breaks
I Will
If There Was No You
Touching The Ground
Oh Dear

If you like the sound of Sheryl Crow, Missy Higgins, or the Inidigo Girls, Brandi Carlile is someone that will fit perfectly in your CD/MP3 collection.

Yes, hers is a voice to be reckoned with and I want you to hear it for yourself. If you’ve listened to the single on iTunes linked above, and you can’t wait to hear more…

THE GIVEAWAY!! (NOW CLOSED)


I have one CD to giveaway to one very lucky winner!

To enter:

• Visit Brandy Carlile’s website, click the “Brandi” link and comment with a quote that you found interesting. Whether it’s about the foundation she supports, a quote from her blog, or her biography, simply copy and paste something to show you’ve visited her website. **Try to find something unique from the people who have entered before you, please.**
• For additional entries:
  
  
  
  
  • blog about this giveaway with a link back to my post *3 extra entries* (comment with a link to your blog post. Leave 3 separate, numbered comments to make sure you get credit for each entry.
  • 
    Subscribe to my blog feed (top of right sidebar)
    
    
  • Subscribe to my posts in e-mail (top of right sidebar. comment with the e-mail address you subscribe with)
    
    
  • Follow this blog (middle of left sidebar)
    
    
  • Grab my “Coffee with the Mrs.” button for your sidebar.
    
    
  • Follow me on Twitter @themrsc (comment with your twitter name)
    
    
  • Tweet about this giveaway with, “Win Brandy Carlile's new CD as featured on www.coffeewiththemrs.com @themrsc” (comment with a link to your tweet)
    
    
    
    
    • Once Daily Retweets available for extra entries. (leave a comment with a link to each RT)
    
    
    
    
    
  Please leave separate comments for each entry. This giveaway will run until November 11th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected, announced, and contacted on November 12th. I will wait 48 hours for the prize to be claimed before randomly selecting another winner.
  
  
  
  
  

**This review is based strictly on my experience with the item and my opinion of that experience. I was not compensated for my review beyond receiving a sample item for review. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of my blog page.**

Thanks to One2One Network for this review opportunity!

Brandy Carlile: Give Up the Ghost Review (giveaway closed)

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Harry Connick Jr. has done it again! Another fabulous album was released on September 22nd called Your Songs. The titles on this album are classic songs that most everyone knows and loves. Mix the classics with Harry Connick Jr.’s crooning voice and musical talent, and I think it’s safe to assume that it will be hit.
I’ve listened to this album over and over since I’ve received it for review. It’s produced beautifully and I haven’t yet skipped one song to hear the next.  Quite honestly, I could listen to him sing the alphabet and be perfectly pleased to hear it on repeat. He’s just that good.
I mentioned the classic titles that are on this album. Here’s a list of each track.
Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
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)
I love each one but my two favorites are Your Song and And I Love Her. These 2 songs take turns getting stuck in my head and have me humming along all day long.
Don’t forget to check out Harry Connick Jr.’s facebook page!
BUY IT: You can purchase this album in any store that sells music CD’s.

THE GIVEAWAY!! Now Closed

One lucky winner will receive Your Songs on CD!! Trust me when I say, you WANT this CD.
To enter:

• Tell me which song from the tracklisting you’re most looking forward to hearing AND why.  *make sure your e-mail address is somewhere in your comment or include it when you sign into Disqus. No e-mail address = no way to contact you if you win.*
• For additional entries:
  
  • Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my post *3 extra entries* (comment with a link to your blog post. Leave 3 separate, numbered comments to make sure you get credit for each entry.
  • Subscribe to my blog feed (top of right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my posts in e-mail (top of right sidebar. comment with the e-mail address you subscribe with)
  • Follow this blog (middle of left sidebar)
  • Grab my “Coffee with the Mrs.” button for your sidebar.
  • Follow me on Twitter @themrsc (comment with your twitter name)
  • Tweet about this giveaway with, “Win Harry Connick Jr.’s new album “Your Songs” on www.coffeewiththemrs.com @themrsc” (comment with a link to your tweet)
    
    • Once Daily Retweets available for extra entries. (leave a comment with a link to each RT)
    
    
  
  

Please leave separate comments for each entry. This giveaway will run until October 25th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected, announced, and contacted on October 26th. I will wait 48 hours for the prize to be claimed before randomly selecting another winner.
Thanks to One2One Network for this opportunity!

**This review is based strictly on my experience with the item and my opinion of that experience. I was not compensated for my review beyond receiving a sample item for review. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of my blog page.**

Harry Connick Jr. ~ Your Songs Review (Giveaway Closed)

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Last Friday, my family was invited to enjoy a WNBA game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. We had never been to a WNBA game before so we were excited to see what it would be like.

When we arrived at The Palace, we were very excited to learn that we would be sitting in courtside seats. This brought us right into the action of the game and made it very enjoyable for all of us. Also, Alex (my toddler son) was able to see Zap, the team Mascot, up close. He LOVED Zap.

The game we saw was the Detroit Shock vs. the Minnesota Lynx. I took personal pleasure in this match up as I have an older sister who lives in Minnesota. A Detroit Shock win would just give me one more thing to tease her about.  (Sometimes sibling rivalry never goes away.)

Here are some pictures of the action during the game:

View Full Album

The Shock played well the entire game and pulled out a win. Woo Hoo! Of course, with any game comes a lot of stops and breaks for time outs, half time and such.  Thankfully, there was never any “down time” as a viewer. There was always some sort of entertainment on the court whether it was a game between 2 fans, free pizzas being handed out, or the Shockwave dancers keeping us moving.

And when the entertainment wasn’t enough for my toddler, he just played a game of peek-a-boo with us or danced.

At the end of the game, we were given an opportunity to attend an autograph session with “Z” (Shavonte Zellous). She was very gracious to us. She signed our ticket and a Detroit Shock t-shirt for us. She also thanked my son when he told her “Good game”.

We had a wonderful time and I look forward to enjoying more events with the WNBA. We would like to thank One2One Network, the WNBA, The Palace, and the Detroit Shock for all the fun we had.

**All personal photos were taken with a Nikon COOLPIX P90**

My Night Out with the WNBA

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