Table legs, I mean.

A few days ago I was contacted by the Modern Furniture for Home company through PayPerPost, and curious, I followed their link with half roused curiosity. These days, PayPerPost’s offers have been dubious or strange at best. In all honesty, I approached the link with the same lackadaisical expectancy.

I was more than pleasantly surprised by not only the web site, but the amazing furniture and home furnishings being offered. Modern Furniture For Home’s collection of contemporary furniture is really a delight to browse through.

Immediately I delved into the bathroom fixtures because in my dream world where I have the time and patience to do my hair every morning and look like Betty Page on Tuesdays for no reasons other than I can–I’ve always dreamed of having an amazing bathroom. The first thing that drew my eye was the cube vanity set–mirror with black granite top in dark walnut. Not only is the sink the perfect round shape for a sleepy-cat but, the amount of space this design saves while looking fantastic is amazing.

I know, I know–we should be saving our money… But there’s no harm in pilfering through a website such as Modern Furniture 4 Home’s and drooling all over the key board now, is there? It started with just the bathroom and now I’m into the living room sets, the bedroom and finally landed on the curios.

Now I’m addicted, Modern Furniture 4 Home’s owes me a new, dry keyboard, and some of the home fixtures really are truly stunning. Why not click and take a peek with me?

Oh and–if you do?….Make sure a towel is handy.

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY PAYPERPOST.COM

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It’s no secret that times are a little tough right now. People are scrounging, saving the pennies, clippin’ the coupons and making everything stretch as far as they can by any means necessary. There’s one thing that’s hard to save on sometimes, and that’s eye glasses.

It can be difficult to find a pair of glasses that don’t immediately bring to mind visions of tape on the nose pieces and the suave days of 80′s aviators when you’re thinking about deals on frames. What if there was a website that could offer us trendy frames starting from 8$? (Yes, when I saw that price my jaw dropped too.)

Yes, when I first heard about these deals on eyeglasses I thought I was hitting the whiskey a little hard myself, and immediately pictured the silver-wire-framed beauties I described above. But after visiting Zenni Optical’s page I began to have a bit more faith. While the web site itself is a little dated in design, some of the frames you can see offered on their site, aren’t. A few of them are actually terribly shiny and have made me lust after them (even though I adore my purple frames with sparklies in them.)

I have not personally purchased a pair of frames from this company, but the deals look pretty sweet and have in fact, been the owner of eyeglasses for several years. There are plenty of people however, who have tried Zenni and have left their thoughts and opinions over at Clark Howard. Customer reviews are a mixed match of praise and complaints.  Some customers complain about rude service, inability to return some frames, no delivery, damaged goods. Some customers are praising the site for delivering cheap frames at a great price and on time. So with anything, I would say approach Zenni Optical with a grain of salt and understand that, some times, you do get what you pay for, unfortunately.

In all honesty, after paying nearly $300 for a pair of glasses earlier this year? Had I known about this web site I might have taken the chance at a cheaper pair of frames, because right now? That $300 would have looked so much better in the bank!

Related posts:

1. Geek to Geek Webhosting, helping us poo’ geeks choose.
2. Which witch is which? A.K.A: Web hosting, how do you pick?
3. Reasons why I love Shawn.

Web Hosting Geeks

We’re poor.

Alright, most of us are poor, aren’t we? With the rising gas prices and increasing debt, a lot of people are certainly learning to appreciate the value of a dollar here and there.

Most people don’t realize the opportunities that can open up to you with a good blog, a web host, affiialte links and a decent grasp on grammer can bring you. You can bring a little in on the side, or some bring enough through blogs and online writing to quit their day jobs!

But it’s got to start somewhere, doesn’t it? You need a web site, and most web sites need web hosting. Where are you going to start the search?

I’d like to think that Web Hosting Geeks is a good place to start. Web Hosting Geeks offers reviews and a ton of information for those of us scouring the net for good web hosting deals. Want to know where you can register a domain name free? Curious as to which has the best forum hosting? Web Hosting Geek site offers all of this information and more at your fingertips, just at the end of a clicked link.

Occasionally the editor’s picks aren’t always to taste; members and users can leave their reviews and ratings of each webhosting site, giving potential buyers and consumers feedback before investing. It’s sort of like the ebay for web hosting sites. You can see what people thought of the product before dropping cash you might otherwise need.

It’s a long road to becoming the next Dooce or John Chow, but they had to start somewhere and you do too. Web Hosting Geeks is a good tool for your first steps!

Related posts:

1. Which witch is which? A.K.A: Web hosting, how do you pick?
2. Paying out the eyes.
3. Check out these legs!

Some of you might already know that I’m a member of Payperpost.com. Payperpost.com is a company which connects bloggers and advertisers together, helping both sides make a little pocket change. Bloggers get paid to review websites and promote products, advertisers…well, they get advertised.

Some time ago, the company behind Payperpost decided to come out with SocialSpark. On the surface, SocialSpark appears to be exactly what Payperpost is. Advertisers and fellow bloggers can pay you to review and write about products and sites. But that’s just the surface, SocialSpark is a vast improvement on Payperpost’s original idea.

The focus has turned greatly toward building and creating a sense of community within users. User’s can comment on profiles, visit blogs through profiles, see recent posts from blogs, thumb up and give props to their favorite users, send private messaging and so, so, so much more.

Here, I’ve chosen to link to my own personal profile on SocialSpark to give you a taste of what things look like: SocialSpark: MPence.

As a PPP blogger, I really dig the new 2.0 look to it as well.

The only cons between Socialspark and Payperpost that I can see is the difference of Terms of Use. If you are a member of Payperpost and getting away with more risqué blog writings that may include strong language or adult subjects, SocialSpark is not as accepting. If you co-blog with some one, co-authors blogs are not accepted by SSpark as they are with PPP.

I am a member of SocialSpark, despite the fact that 2phatgeeks is ineligible for taking any opportunities and I remain a member because I think the tools SocialSpark offer can still create a great sense of fellowship with your brethren bloggers. SSpark offers us chances to connect and get to know one another giving a greater sense of ‘net family that PPP sometimes misses.

Obviously, the one thing I can’t tell you about SSpark is payments, whether they are on time or reliable. However, if you look at member numbers I am sure that’s a positive in that direction.

I can tell you that I have written four sponsored posts (this one makes it five as it pends) for PPP, haven’t had them rejected and they have never been late with payment. If SSpark is as alike as PPP, I imagine they are as prompt there as they are with Payperpost.  Customer service from Izea, the company behind both sites had been prompt, polite and to the point whenever I have had contact with them or questions.

Most of the good things I could say about Payperpost and SocialSpark have been covered in my first foray into paid blogging, but I’d like to reiterate that I’ve really enjoyed my time so far with both sites.

In spite of the fact that I am, of course, getting paid to write this article– I wholly recommend them to anyone looking to practice their writing skills and make a little cash on the sides. I’m not writing this just because someone is paying me too, I’m writing it because I believe in what I am saying and I like the company. Try it out, tell them elf_fu sentcha. I bet you won’t be disappointed.

Related posts:

1. I am too Naughty for Social Spark.
2. They’re paying me–and they’re sane!
3. Geek to Geek Webhosting, helping us poo’ geeks choose.

Three years ago, I admit that I thought the blogging world began and ended with one of the many journal hosting sites such as Live Journal, Xanga, and Blogger. I’d look from the corner of my eye green with envy at self-hosted Word Press sites with their own snappy domain names that fit their niche. Then continued to tickity-tap-type away on my Live Journal wishing I could have just a little more control, just a little more SEO settings, and just over all, a little more everything.

Shawn and I realized in order to do that, we’d have to go on out into the big wide world of buying our own domain and choosing a name that best represented us–and we did. Great! Awesome! But after we grabbed the name we were faced with the larger dilemma most every-day ‘net users are faced with: web hosting and where to get it?

There are so many hosting sites out there. If you’re like us and only marginally ‘net savvy, choosing one can become a chore or a nightmare (depending on your understanding of website jargon and the likes.) How do you pick one that is right for you? How do find one that offers just the correct amount of services to fit your needs? Where can you find real, honest consumer reviews and reports on hosting companies and where can you read helpful advice on web hosting?

Behold. I bring you Web Hosting Rating. Not only will you find customer reviews, but you’ll find a plethora of helpful articles, such as Web hosting security, Can cheap hosting be good?, and much, much more. All targeted to guide you on your way toward choosing a web hosting service that’s just right for you.

If you’re stuck on the fence and wondering whether or not to self-host a blog because you don’t know which company to choose or why, I really recommend checking Web Hosting Rating out. Definitely a guide you don’t want to miss!

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1. Geek to Geek Webhosting, helping us poo’ geeks choose.
2. Spring blogs; diving in.
3. Thank you!

Three years ago, give or take a few days, my husband Shawn took me on a spring vacation and made one of my dreams come true.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, I was a little girl predisposed to dreaming about the cliché princess’ and there’s no place better for a princess-at-heart than Disney, in Orlando, Florida.

The problem then, of course, was that I lived thousands of miles away. The dream and the chance to realize it was extremely remote. Even after I had met and married Shawn, we simply couldn’t afford to visit Disney until one dreary, cold and rainy early spring weekend.

The weather was the furthest thing from my mind as we were driving underneath the bright, multi-colored sign with the worlds that made my heart skip a beat: The Magic Kingdom. Everywhere I looked, against the gray day a rainbow of every color possible sprinkled a lack-luster morning with the iconic symbol of the castle looming in my sights as we made quick time from parking lot to the river boat.

To say that I felt a little like a kid again right at that second as water sluiced against the white hull of the boat that took you from parking lot to the Magic Kingdom is a lot like saying the Pope may be a little Catholic. I felt my eyes begin to take on the stupefied, wide-eyed childish wonder at every thing I saw.

It was cold. It was ridiculously cold for a day in Florida, spring or not. I couldn’t feel my cheeks (which were curved upward permanently in Disney sugar coated excitement), my nose, or any of the ten fingers I was wriggling about in a poor, twenty six year old’s rendition of ecstatic puppy-wriggling excitement. We hadn’t planned for the rain and had forgotten our raincoats. Lucky for us, Disney supplied these plastic ponchos with happy little Mickey’s all over them so that I could run from one end of The World of Tomorrow to the other cackling with glee.

I was beside myself, and I wasn’t disappointed with anything. Not once—not even for a split second.

Now, some times I hear mumblings from unhappy little mouseketeers—Disney really is just a tourist trap, Disney isn’t that great, Disney is a horrible giant splash of marketing and isn’t what it used to be….And to those grumpy dwarves, I say take a flying leap from the top of the Swiss Family Robinson tree.

It’s an amusement park, of course it’s a brilliant splash of marketing, that’s how they make the money that delivers a one-of-a-kind experience to you. But, I can tell you with assurance and good authority that Disney is beyond freaking awesome at doing exactly what it promises to do: making your dreams come true. Everything around you is most likely for sale—but Disney isn’t cramming it down your throat and twisting your arm to buy that pink and blue Tinkerbelle hat with sparkles on it. Ahem. It’s there, but it’s not screaming. The Magic Kingdom is absolutely serious about making sure your dream remains true.

Next spring? We’re going again. I’ve been carefully, studiously preparing by letting myself get wound up at odd hours of the day, responding to half of what Shawn asks me with a hearty, “DISNEY!”

“Hun, have you seen my work shirt?”
“DISNEY!”
“Mel, do you know where I put the keys I—“
“DISNEY!”
“Are you excited about going to—“
“DISNEY!”

If you’re thinking about visiting Orlando, Florida to finally make that dream come true and visit the happiest place on earth, I recommend it. I recommend it so hard.

Don’t put it off until it’s too late. Start thinking about booking a dream vacation and follow through. You can even start with Trusted Tours & Attractions which can assist you with things to do in Orlando, Florida. And if you have enough time, there are a million other things for you to see in Orlando. Book a few sight seeing tours and visit Sea World, Discovery Cove, Medieval Times, Arabian Nights and just downtown Orlando in itself is a plethora of sights and memories awaiting to happen. While you’re in Orlando and thinking about branching out even more in an adventurous spirit, I suggest Miami and visiting the Miami Seaquarium.

Sign up for Trusted Tours & Attractions newsletter while you’re visiting and checking out their site, just for signing up you’ll be entered to win a handheld GPS before the offer ends on April 10th of this year.

Don’t let your dreams get muddled up in bills, the kids, and work. Take the time to make a memory that will last a life time. I did, and I can’t wait to do it again.

DISNEY!

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Let’s face it. We stink. It’s part of having that lovely human condition. There are odors all around us everyday, from your husbands darling sticks of cheese on the ends of his ankles after work, or the loving surprise your pet cat left in the litter box.

The good folks over at Renuzit, Tri Scents know we stink, too, especially some of our rooms and they want to offer us a chance at $20,000 to fix that smelly hole of a room up. I’m not lying, really! I’ve got my srs face on, folks, check it out and enter to win! Don’t forget, be sure to follow the official rules!

Unless you’re unlike me and half the other billion people on the planet without money coming out of your nose to hire thousands of gnomes to clean every second of the day, odor happens to the best of us. Which is why Shawn and I are on the never ending quest for Stuff That Stinks Pretty. We’ve used incense and candles, spices and oils, sprays and herbs–few of them were able to impress me nor were they quiet the kind of smells I enjoyed. Rarer still are the brands that make scents that stick out.

Renuzit is definitely a brand I have actually used in my very own home. It’s good stuff (barring you aren’t allergic to everything, and then if you are–sorry?) and the array of scents were fresh. Smells are important things in our home, they trigger memories or emotions and, I admit it, I’m addicted to the good stuff. Renuzit lasts more than a single spray has a wide variety of scents that I like and that’s kind of important to me when I’m buying my Stuff That Stinks Pretty. You can even hop on over to their website and grab yourself an uber easy to find as well as print Starter Kit coupon so you can give Renuzit a whirl. Or spritz. Or spray. Whichever destinkifys your day!

If I got my fat, geeky, pale little hands around that $20,000 I tell you I’d do some major redecorating of our kitchen. Our kitchen might have worked when the house was built during the mesozoic period, but baby, it’s the year 2008 and it falls short.

As you can see, we have no cabinet space anymore and pretty soon we’re all going to be sitting on our forks. This will be a tragedy, as we’ll be filled of holes and things will then fall out of us. Let’s point out the cabinets, too, shall we? When did poo-brown wood become all the rage? Was it 1912 or 1970? I can never remember. I dream about non-poo colored cabinets and space enough to walk around my kitchen without flailing all over someone else, but the question here is–what would you do to a room in your house for $20,000? What would you change, what would you build?

Mean, really, $20,000! I think I’d be going over and registering to win, wouldn’t you? Win the chance to fix up that smelly room! Transform your home!

Don’t forget though, if you’re interested and want to be eligible to win, you’ve got to upload a video or photo with an essay, you need to tell them why your room needs a make over, and you can’t forget to let people know how Renuzit can help you. I think that’s pretty simply though, in comparison to what they’re giving away.

So gogogogogo, get writing, get entering. Get yourself some Stuff that Stinks Pretty AND transform your home!

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Shawn is the main bread winner for this family. He goes to work five days out of the week, tries not to strangle people through the phone and comes home five days out of the week tired, hungry, and with some awesome stories about his day. I putter about online all day, living the glorious internet star life. I get to respond to e-mails and comments, clean up cat poop, wash socks, cook supper, make the bed or completely vegetate and become fatter should I like.

Occasionally, that tickles the wee corners of my brain. I know that I could and that I should be doing something to help the household earn a little extra—because frankly, like several few millions of Americans, we’re in debt up to our asses.

The idea to earn money for doing something that you love; blogging or writing or simply reviewing as well as expressing an opinion isn’t a new idea for us in the great wide internets. But I have a small problem with most blogs centered on making money. Things such as Google’s ad sense tearing through the middle of interesting posts, blog block ads to the right of favorite tutorials and advertisements for subscribing to RSS everywhere you turn—it can be a real mess and a turn off for some, and it is for me. The idea of littering a self hosted blog with too much stuff (I mean, c’mon guys, look at my side bar already!) makes my eyelid twitchier than usual.

And that’s when I found, quite by accident payperpost.com and their blog network.

Payperpost.com connects bloggers like me with individual internet companies, advertisers and sites looking for product and website reviews from your own blog. It’s like word of mouth advertising on the internet, except bloggers can be paid for a job well done. I can’t think of a better way to go about it than that. I can pick and choose companies I am familiar with that sell products I’ve heard of and write about them—practice my horrid skills, and perhaps turn a little profit not only for myself but for the company. So last week I signed up with them and have been awaiting for them to approve my blog. Why not take the plunge, right?

Today, I opened my mail to see that 2phatgeeks.com has been approved. Yippie!

Yet, I can hear you thinking: But Mel! Does that mean your blog is going to turn into another one of those ad ridden blogs filled with link dropping posts and entries about make up and shoes that no one ever wears? Does that mean you’ll stop blogging about cat-poop and toilet humor?!

Let me be the first to give you an emphatic: NO!

Payperpost.com doesn’t drive its members to post, post, post, post—in fact, there’s no set limit. The only one that drives you to post is you-you-you. You pick what you want to write about, write about it in the time you need to, follow their instructions and then you post it. If you’ve got your mojo together and the advertisers like what you’ve written, you get paid. This, my friends, is very good for me. Because I like to blog what I want, when I want, how I want. And I certainly do not like filling my personal blog up with a bunch of sunshine and roses blown up butts about a product or website I’ve never visited, know about, or understand—just because there’s ten bucks into it for me.

So if you expect this blog to turn into another nightmare of pushing products you’ve never heard of by some fat-chick with geek glasses, who probably have never used them in her entire life—let me be the first to tell you that I will disappoint you greatly. This blog will always be about the sane insanity of my life with Shawn, now with the added rare bonus of me getting paid to blog about something I use.

As for the long term relationship with payperpost, we’ll see! I hear that it’s also a great chance to meet fellow bloggers and meet with those with similar tastes. This is the first time I’ve ever tried something like this, so I’ve got the usual bit of silly excitement and a million different questions.

For those of you who don’t advertise on your blog or website: would you if the opportunity came along?

Have any of you tried to earn a little extra with a blog of website that you own? How are you doing it and do you like it? What are your experiences with other companies and advertisers?

For those of you who aren’t new to payperpost.com, what have your experiences been like with them?

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1. When sparks fly.
2. I am too Naughty for Social Spark.
3. $100 dollars buys a lot of Ramen Noodles.