Enter my fabulous Chocolate Giveaway - No entrants yet!

Enter my Green & Black Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Bar sample pack giveaway!

So far no one has entered and the contest ends Monday, Valentine's Day.Click here to enter.
You have a great chance to win!

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Review And Giveaway - Green & Black's Organic Chocolate

Yes! I said Review and Giveaway! I recently received a sampling of Green & Black's Organic Chocolate Bars. Check it out:

From Green & Black's Organic:

No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, one element is consistent – chocolate. But rather than indulge in heart-shaped chocolate, why not choose chocolate that has a heart? Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate is not only organic, as the name implies, but also Fair Trade Certified. That means that all of its products are made from Fair Trade ingredients. The farmers they work with receive a guaranteed minimum for their ingredients, along with an additional premium to invest in the social, environmental, and economic development of their countries. This ensures a higher quality of life for the farmers and a high quality of chocolate for the world. Now that’s love.

Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate offers 13 chocolate flavors, ranging from light to dark chocolate. Traditional varieties include Milk, Dark 70%, Dark 85%, and White, while the more unique flavors are Maya Gold, Hazelnut and Currant, Ginger, and the newest flavor, Peanut & Sea Salt. In addition to its lineup, Green & Black's also makes hot chocolate and baking bars, perfect for making a romantic Valentine’s Day dessert. Recipes can be found in the new Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate cookbook, Ultimate.

I tried the Hazelnut and Currant Dark Chocolate bar. Smooth, creamy, quite possibly the best chocolate I've tasted. And I love hazelnuts, and dark chocolate, so this was my first pick to try.

Green & Black's Organic sells chocolate bars and baking chocolate.

Here is a recipe Green & Black's Organic asked me to share with my readers:

Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Serves 6

6oz shortbread cookies

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

9oz Green & Black’s White Chocolate

1¼ cups full-fat or light cream cheese

7oz fromage frais or crème fraîche

1 1/3 cups strawberries, coarsely chopped

• Put the shortbread cookies in a plastic bag, tie loosely or seal, and smash with a rolling pin until they resemble breadcrumbs.
• Mix the cookie crumbs with the softened butter and press firmly onto the base of a non-stick 8in springform pan. Refrigerate until needed.
• Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water, then set aside to cool.
• Beat together the cream cheese and fromage frais until smooth and thick. Add the strawberries to the cheese mixture with the cooled melted chocolate and mix.
• Spoon the cheesecake topping onto the cookie base. Level the top and chill for 4 to 6 hours or overnight before serving.

To find out where you can buy Green & Blacks Organic Chocolate near you, click this link.

For the giveaway, simply tell me which recipe you'd like to try. That's it! Couldn't be more simple. Please include your email address so that if you are the winner I can contact you for your mailing address to submit it to them. Winner will be announced on Valentines Day. Of course!

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I was given this product to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Review - Eden Fantasys - Still time for Valentine's Day Orders

It's that time to impress your significant other.

Are you ready?
You're not just going to give chocolates are you?
Why not pick out something fun to spice things up?
If you don't have a significant other, how about treating yourself?

You've still got time to shop for your Valentine!

EdenFantasys still has their special running right now. With any order you will receive a FREE gift with any order. Just enter the Code "GIFT" at checkout. First you need to select the item that's FREE and put it in your cart, then type in the Code "GIFT" at checkout. This will remove the price for the offered special. (I'm cluing you in because I placed an order and did not know how to properly enter it to get the FREE item.)

EdenFantasys ships promptly and all packages are discreet. I find that my packages arrive on time, sometimes arriving earlier than expected.

How about selecting a new adult game?
EdenFantasys has a large selection of adult games, adult toys, sex toys, dildos, vibrators, dvds, and sexy lingerie (even plus size lingerie.) You're sure to find something unique to spice things up! You can select Toys For Women, Toys For Men, Toys For Couples, or Toys For Gender Play if you're not sure what you're looking for. Just check out the links on the side bar on the left for suggestions.

On the home page you can find links for Luxury Gifts For Valentines, Valentine Gifts in Pink and Red, Cute Gifts With Hearts, 30% off on selected gifts, Save on Premium Brands 40%, and Deep Discounts 50% off. Many products have reviews, so you can check out how others like a particular product and decide if it's right for you.

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I may receive a gift certificate in return for this EdenFantasys.com review as part of their Ambassador Program. I was not compensated in any other way for this review.This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. Links within this post will direct readers to EdenFantasys'site, which contains adult material.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Job Hunt Frustrations and Giggles

Looking for any kind of job in this economy is tough and some of the tools that are meant to make the process easier can cause extreme frustration. One of the examples of that would be the "Saved Email Job Alert". If you're not familiar, that is where you type in a job title, city and state, and number of miles to search from that area. Every morning I have a bajillion Job Alerts in my email box. Many of them are about as useful as a sixth toe. My Job Alerts are geared toward my area of expertise which is Accounting/Bookkeeping and I have several set up for the various Accounting Job Titles, like Accountant, Accounting Assistant, Accounts Payable, Bookkeeper, and others. I also have Job Alerts set up for Administrative Assistant/Secretary. Here's a short list of my frustrations with the Job Alerts:

1. Job listings that have nothing to do with my career whatsoever. Like:

Executive Chef
Chef
Catering Sous Chef
Yes, this is Lola's Diner, and I'm an excellent cook (almost knocks self over patting self on back), but that is not my career, nor does it have anything to do with the job I entered when set up the Job Alert.
Dental Assistant | Training Available
Medical Biller/Coder | Entry Level - Training Available
"Training Available" in the header of a post means this is a school and they want you to attend their school. It is not a job listing, and they do not offer, nor guarantee you a job. Not only that, it is not my career, nor does it have anything to do with the job I entered when I set up the Job Alert.
Medical Transcriptionists Tired of the Same Old Grind
Ok, I will steer clear of the lesbian jokes.
Registered Nurse - RN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Medical Assistant Instructor
Nothing in the job I selected when I set up the Job Alert has anything to do with the medical field. It scares me to think that anyone would hire an Accountant/Bookkeeper to teach a Medical Assistant.
Homeland Security Professional | Training Available
This one scares me.
Call Center Reps Wanted in Medical Admin
Sr. Customer Service Representative
Nothing in the job I selected when I set up the Job Alert has anything to do with Call Centers or Customer Service Representatives.
Inside Sales Representatives Job
Nothing in the job I selected when I set up the Job Alert has anything to do with Sales.
Techno-Functional Consultant
Wha?
Shopper Assistant
There will be multiple listings for every city within the 75 mile radius of my search. And most of these are scam jobs anyway, asking you to pay a fee.

2. All the listings for the agencies I am registered with, but are different locations than I registered with - Am I supposed to apply for these? And if I am, and so are others, how do these agencies possibly sift through all of those applications?

3. The job postings that wait until you hit submit to tell you that you've already applied for that job - I apply for tons of jobs and save them in an email folder (just on the chance that I do get a call so I can look up the requirements of the position), I cannot remember every job I looked at or applied for, nor can I look through each one to determine if the job in the new Job Alert is something I've already applied for. Some of these applications are quite long, wasting a ton of time. Not that I have anything better to do.

4. Extremely long applications that time out, even though you are actively working on them. Some job applications I have had to start from scratch multiple times.

5. Dead links.

6. The link sends you to the agency site, not the job and you have to do yet another search.

7. Applications that ask you a bajillion questions, mostly customer service related multiple choice questions. Questions that can take an hour to complete.

Now for the giggles:

Administrative Assistant - New Faces Assistant - National online talent agency immediately seeks new faces assistant. New Faces Assistant is responsible for helping models and actors start and promote their careers. Individuals with a background and administrative or executive assistants do very well in this position. Position offers competitive pay, advancement opportunities, and excellent benefits. Models?
Only horny guys and lesbians will apply for this one. And no, I didn't apply. Lol!

Accounting - A/R, Credit and Gentle Collections Specialist - Includes the following duty, among others: Following up and making REALLY GENTLE reminder and collection calls on late payments.
Can you just hear my call to the delinquent client? Hi, this is Lola. I'm calling about Invoice 12345 which was due on 12/31/10. I know you're terribly busy, and I don't want to inconvenience you, but would you mind sending that payment in when you get a chance? Yeah...umm, thank you so, so much!

Just to be clear, I do not rely solely on Job Alerts in my job hunt. These are some of the other things I do:

1. Regularly check Craigslist and Ebay (yes, they have a Classified section that includes Job Ads, go check it out!).

2. Regularly check local newspaper Classified job ads.

3. Regularly check websites for hospitals within my search radius.

4. Regularly check websites for schools within my search radius. (That's where I got my first interview.)

5. Regularly check websites for companies within my search radius that interest me.

6. I periodically google search Bookkeeping Services to look for jobs.

7. Posted in my Facebook status asking if anyone knows of any job openings in my field.

8. I've asked women whom I've met through the online dating sites if they know of any job openings where they work, or where friends or family work. (Hell! I should have gotten a job by now just from this job source alone!)

9. Applied for jobs that have nothing to do with my field, like cell phone company store associates.

10. Gone on department store websites and filled out applications. Places like Target, Kmart, Walmart.

Network, network, network! I'm not shy!

I NEED A JOB!

I've even been tempted to do what a guy does on the Boughton exit ramp of I355. He has a cardboard sign that reads "Need a job" and he talks to each driver as they wait for the green light and offers them his resume if they know of a job opening or think they can help. He also panhandles, I wouldn't do that, but I would definitely pass out my resume (with only my email address, deleting my address and phone number...I'm not stupid!)

On Snow Day (Snowmageddon 2011) I was literally applying for jobs from 8:30am until 2pm without a break. Later in the day I applied for more as they hit my email box.

Got any other ideas?

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Review - CSN Online Stores

Earlier this week I placed an order from CSN Stores.com for a backpack. I ordered the Burton Metalhead Backpack in Havana.

For some reason, this time when ordering I had a little difficulty with the gift certificate code. I phoned customer service and they were able to process my order on the spot. Excellent customer service!

Shortly after placing my order I was notified that my shipping was upgraded at no extra charge. I literally got my backpack in 3 days! Awesome customer service! The item arrived in perfect condition.

I ordered a backpack because...surprise! I don't carry a purse. Since I hope to be returning to work soon, that means I need something to carry items people usually carry in a purse, like a hair brush, eye drops, tissues, pen, notepad, Ipod...and perhaps my lunch and a soft drink. This backpack rocks! It can carry my 15" laptop (if I don't want to use my laptop briefcase), it has a felt lined pocket for my Ipod AND a little port for me to slide my earbuds through so I can keep my Ipod safely contained in my backpack so no one can see it, AND it even has a separate cooler compartment! It also has a vertical skate carry strap, should I want to strap on my wood and do some sick 50-50's on my lunch.

Now that I've got the backpack, all I need is a job.

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I was given a gift certificate to use toward the purchase of any product. I used the gift certificate to put towards the purchase of the Burton Metalhead Backpack. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Ponderings on Online Dating

Ok, I think it's no secret...I'm back to online dating. (Let's face it, after the post I pulled about the "non-date", I'm more than a bit apprehensive about asking someone out face to face, or someone I know.) So I've been pouring over the ads on several sites. As I look at the photos and profiles, some thoughts come to mind:

Think about it...who actually responds to these profiles? And do they even get any responses?

1. The photo of your bare back with your arms in restraints.

2. The photo of your front business 3/4 out of your blouse.

3. The profiles with a laundry list of very specific requirements. You know the ones I mean, it's like they want an exact copy of their ex.

4. The profiles that say "No Drama" in the subject line...Seriously??? No drama? I don't think I know anyone who doesn't have some type of drama, if they don't...you better check for a pulse.

5. The profiles that say "No Drama" in the body of the profile and you go on and on about "no drama".

6. The photo of your face obscured or of you in the distance and really no one can make out your face.

7. The spelling errors in your profile. All of the online dating sites have spell check. It underlines the misspelled word in red, right click on it and pick the correct spelling! There is no need for spelling mistakes at all!

8. The photo of you in a suggestive pose.

9. The photo of you in a negligee, or some equally revealing attire.

10. The photo of you in a wife-beater.

Ok, one online dating story...only because I think the chick finally got a clue and I know you're dying for a story:

I was exchanging emails with this woman...let's call her Pixie. The emails started out friendly enough, exchanging basic information. Then one went on a rant about smoking. Her ex smoked and said she would be a considerate smoker and not smoke in front of her (go outside, etc.), and she reneged on her promise. After that email we talked on the phone and she called me on putting "occasional smoker" for the smoking question. She asked how "occasional". And that's where I confessed. I'm under an extreme amount of stress, and I'm dieting and now is not the time to mess with my stress or mess up my diet. I will quit, just not now and not because a "potential date" tells me to. Next day...another email rant from Pixie about smoking. That was it, I had to say something. So I wrote back "About the smoking thing, everyone is different, that's really all I can say about it. And it always seems like our ex's short-comings are amplified after the relationship." Then another email from Pixie about smoking. Then I replied that I was a considerate and honorable person and if I said I was going to smoke outside (which I did say) then that's what I would do. It was as if she was part trying to control me and part calling me a liar. It was ridiculous! And she called me after that! Twice! I did not pursue her, SHE CALLED ME! TWICE. And she's emailed a couple of times since. She did say she was going to call on Saturday, but never did. And I haven't gotten an email or call from her since. I'm guessing she got the hint!

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Review - Eden Fantasys - Valentine's Day Ideas

Many of you may have read my previous reviews of EdenFantasys.
Valentines Day is coming up sooner than you think. Now is the time to start shopping. EdenFantasys has a special running right now. With any order you will receive a FREE gift. Just enter the Code "GIFT" at checkout.

EdenFantasys ships promptly and all packages are discreet. I find that my packages arrive on time, sometimes arriving earlier than expected.

Don't have a significant other, how about something for yourself? How about selecting a new adult game, dvd, lingerie? EdenFantasys has a large selection of adult games, adult toys, sex toys, dildos, vibrators, dvds, and lingerie (even plus size lingerie.) You're sure to find something unique and fun! You can select Toys For Women, Toys For Men, Toys For Couples, or Toys For Gender Play if you're not sure what you're looking for. Just check out the links on the side bar on the left for suggestions.

Not sure if adult toys are for you? How about selecting a book on massage and some massage oil? Who wouldn't love a massage?


On the home page you can find links for Luxury Gifts For Valentines, Valentine Gifts in Pink and Red, Gifts of Heart, Save on Premium Brands, and Deep Discounts 50% off. Many products have reviews, so you can check out how others like a particular product and decide if it's right for you.

So go check out EdenFantasys now and get your Valentine's Day shopping done early...and get a FREE Gift with any order. Just enter the Code "GIFT" at checkout.

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I may receive a gift certificate in return for this EdenFantasys.com review as part of their Ambassador Program. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. Links within this post will direct readers to EdenFantasys' site, which contains adult material.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011