Fun Drink Friday - Blue Sparkle Champagne

Blue Sparkle Champagne

INGREDIENTS

• 1 part DeKuyper® Blue Curacao Liqueur
• 1 part Pinnacle® Orange Vodka
• 3 parts champagne

HOW TO

1. Pour liqueur and vodka into champagne glass.
2. Top with chilled champagne.

SKILL LEVEL:

Beginner

TAGS:

DeKuyper® Blue Curacao Liqueur, Pinnacle® Orange Vodka, Champagne, Holiday,Blue

Compliments Of: DeKuyper

 

Author Swag Bags - The Bag

The Bag ...

This was the bag I chose my 'swag' to go in for the writers workshop yesterday.

I chose it because I liked the colors. I liked how the black and gray went with the purple and there were little dots of the lime green, now the sides had the lime green as the back color instead of the purple.

And I chose the lime green tissue paper to go with the bag.

There were a lot of great bags there from more ornament to less and a few that had been specially made with the authors name, ect, from paper to fabric.

I LOVED them all!!!!

I think when picking a bag you have to go by what you like.

I was told once the best way to give a gift is to buy something you'd like to get and then give it away. 

Do I use this...sometimes. It depends on the person I'm gifting.

But, I had no idea who would be receiving my bag, so I went with what caught my eye and what I'd like to receive. 

Does it matter where you buy your bag ... I'm not thinking so.

I bought mine from K-Mart.

Yep, I said it, K-Mart.

And you know what ... another author chose the same bag as I (minus the tissue paper).

So I guess I didn't do such a bad job in choosing my bag.

Now what swag did I put in it ... well that's for next week 

But I will show you an update from last weeks blog about business cards and bookmarks.

I didn't have a chance to order bookmarks, so here's 

My business card...

Front ...

 I used my most recent cover, and added a short blurb.

Also, you'll see my web and blog site .com's

along with a tad bit more info.

NOW ... I did leave enough space for me to autograph, which I did before I inserted my 'swag' into the bag.

right under the blurb and above my website.

I know it doesn't look like much of a space, but there is.

I used a fine point permanent marker to sign due to the glossy front.

Back...

And here's the back. I had created the Mercenaries of Neris banner when the last book A Warrior's Longing came out. 

And as you'll also notice, I added some snippets of reviews.

Now, having the 'color back' added a few more bucks onto the overall price of the card, and I opted for the step up card stock.

I am very happy with the weight and overall appearance of the card.

Where did I order them you ask ... Vista Print.

I played with one on Zazzle and it looked awesome! The price was a bit higher for fewer cards and me being me asked my husband's opinion on both.

He liked the one I have now. 

Hope this helped and look for next weeks ...

"The 'swag' in the bag" blog

Have a great weekend all and for those peeps up in the snowy areas ...stay warm my friends!!

C. A. Salo

Erotic and Spicy Stories of Romance

The Minotaur’s Mate – Now Available

Fun Drink Friday - New Orleans Hurricane

 New Orleans Hurricane

"This is the Classic N'awlins Hurricane. Drink through a straw from the bottom first. It starts out calm, but it gets stormy towards the end!"

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 1 servings

    

• 1/2 cup ice
• 2 fluid ounces light rum
• 2 fluid ounces passion fruit flavored syrup

• 1 cup lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1 fluid ounce 151 proof rum

• PREP
  2 mins
• READY IN
  2 mins

Directions

1. In a shaker, combine ice, light rum, passion fruit syrup, lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage and lime juice. Shake well and pour mixture into a Hurricane or other large specialty glass. Float the 151 proof rum on top of the drink.

Recipe by Renata

AllRecipes.com 

Author Swag - Business Cards & Bookmarks...

Ok, so this will be the first blog of Author Swag...

With that said -- 

OMG!! How hard is it to figure out what to put in a swag bag and what 'not' to put in...good grief Charlie Brown!!

I mean seriously!! I've searched until my eyes literally glazed over from looking at the screen on my phone trying to find out what are good ideas and what are not. BUT...BUT...more importantly, WHERE TO FIND THE STUFF!

A lot of authors list what they think people like and don't like--

Example:

Tossing of: the water bottle, key chain, any paper products, coffee mugs and the list can go on...

(I can say that I brought home everyone of these items from a conference - with that...I did drive .. see below)

This is my Wendi Darlin mug I brought home from the 2009 RWA conference in Orlando, FL. and yes, I'm drinking coffee out of it as I sit here blogging :-)

(And yes, that is my son's Gundam he built and another behind it he's working on :-p my desk is apparently the place to do this LOL.)

But other's say, yes, include these items...

What I've found is -- it depends on 'how' people are getting to your event.

If they're flying, yes they probably won't take anything that cannot pack down easily or get through security with no problem.

If they're driving, then a lot more may reach their destination with your items.

More importantly ... Try to give items people may want, things that they'll remember you by, make yourself stand out. 

But don't put yourself in the poor house doing it!

So this blog is going to be about - 
Business cards and Bookmarks.

One author suggested when making up your business cards or bookmarks (Two hot items to always have and give away)

leave an area for you to sign.

So you are in essence giving an autographed item to your 'potential' reader with your book cover on it.

I LOVE this idea!!

I will splurge on my business cards and book marks because they are items I will always have around, they'll have my book cover, blurb and contact info -- all at the ready.

Now when putting contact info down ... do not, list your phone number and address or personal email, readers do not need this information.

What they need is a way to find you on the net and your books.

... your website

... your publisher's website

... your Facebook or Twitter link.

Don't over crowd your design. If it's to busy, readers may not want to look at it, and possibly toss the item.

Here are some online printers I found ...

Vistaprint.com

Zazzle.com 

(They also do book marks.)

It took me a bit of searching on zazzle but if you type in..."writer author promotion book blue gradient" ... it should bring them right up, and then of course you can look through the generous selection of options.

Gotprint.net

Plasticprinters.com

(They do plastic business cards and they look pretty dang neat too.)

Uprinting.com

(They do all paper products including booklets, flyers ect)

Printsafari.com

Nationsphotolab.com

Overnightprints.com

Now, you have to go take a look and find out what is right for you, price wise, print wise, ect. 

Hope this has helped!! And if anyone has a great place to find these items, please comment for everyone!

Thanks!!

C. A. Salo

Erotic and Spicy Stories of Romance

The Minotaur’s Mate – Now Available

Valentine's Flirty Drink

1 1/2 oz. Absolut Vanila

1/2 oz. Strawberry liqueur

Splash CranPineapple juice

Combine ingredients and top with champagne or sparkling white wine

Source and Courtesy of: Absolut

and

Cosmopolitan: 15 Flirty Drinks

Have a happy and safe Valentines Day!!

Fun Drink Friday - Scarlet O'Hara

There are several recipes available, but the one that’s considered best uses Southern Comfort, cranberry juice and lime. The overall effect with this drink is a blend of mellow peach and tart cranberry, with an exciting touch of citrus. Definitely one to sip and savor.

Recipe

• 2 ounces Southern Comfort
• Dash of lime juice
• 6 ounces cranberry juice
• Garnish with a lime wedge

Pour the Southern Comfort, lime juice and cranberry juice into a shaker with ice, and shake well. Strain into a sour or Collins glass.

From our Friends at: Mix that Drink

New Years Goals = SUCCESS!!

Update on my goals from New Years...

The treadmill and calorie counting are working excellent!!

Since January 4th, 2015 I have lost ...

9 lbs.

Can you say "Psyched!!" 

For the most part, I've been pretty good. I do have desert but make sure I stay within my calorie limits for the day and occasionally have a cheat date, like last night. 

My husband treated me to Outback Steakhouse for our date night and well, I just can't say no to a blooming onion,

and I'm still down 9 lbs :-)

I'm using the app, LoseIt! that I down loaded on to my Nook. 

My other goal was to re-instate my RWA membership and join a local chapter to help advance my career as a writer and if you've been following my blog, you know that I have done both.

I was on my own for such a long time. It's good to have friends who are going through the same things I am or who have so they can mentor and help because they've already been there.

A good quote was given at our last monthly meeting in January...

'Our Tool Box is Never Full'

I agree with this completely. No matter what field we work in or just in life, we are always learning.

And don't forget if you can make it and if there are any seats still left, the Sunshine State Romance Authors is sponsoring a writers workshop on February 21st, at the Homosassa State Wildlife Park in Homosassa, Florida.

It is a paid workshop.

If interested please stop by the SSRA website:

http://sunshinestateromanceauthors.com

C. A. Salo

Erotic and Spicy Stories of Romance

The Minotaur’s Mate – Now Available

Writers Workshop 02.21.2015

Hope to see you there!!!

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