#Esurance: Mom-Inspired Driving Tips!

I've been driving since I was 14. Yes, 14.  (I'm 51 now) I grew up on Tybee Island and we all began driving about that age. The Police knew us (or more importantly, our parents) and, as long as we didn't go totally wild, they let us get away with it.

Probably NOT the best decision our parents ever made.

I made Lizz wait until she was 15 to get her graduated Learner's Permit.  It was the right thing to do. Not to mention the fact that my heart couldn't have taken it one day earlier.

I've developed good driving skills over the years and I'd like to share some tips with you now.

*DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE! Seriously, keep your eyes on the road. Texting a death-trap. Whatever it is, it can wait.

*KEEP A TOOL KIT IN THE CAR! Yes, a tool kit. Make sure it has two screwdrivers (Philips head and flathead), hammer, duct tape, etc. Things break on cars -- be able to fix them!

*TAKE A WALKABOUT  Before taking off, take a walk around the outside of the car. Kick the tires, check the wear on the tread.  Look for damages, check your windshield wipers, and check the fluids (brake, transmission, wipers, and oil).

*USE YOUR MIRRORS The mirrors of your car are very important. They are there for a reason. Don't just stare at what's in front of you. Occasionally check your rear view mirror and your side mirrors. Pay attention to what's going on around you. Drive defensively.

DON'T DRIVE WHEN DROWSY!!!  If you're tired, pullover. Seriosly, stop at a rest stop or all-night convenience store.  Driving whilst drowsy CAN kill you. Your reactions times are much slower, your brain is foggy. It's not worth losing your life -- just don't do it.

Visit the Esurance Blog to find more Mom-inspired Driving tips!

About Esurance:
With a wealth of easy-to-use online tools as well as 24/7 expert service, Esurance is making car insurance smarter from quote to claim. Everything we do is done with the goal of saving you time, hassle, hair-tearing-out, and oh yes, money too. Use the Esurance Coverage Counselor® to help you figure out the exact coverage limits you need. File a claim (and send pics of the accident) from your mobile phone. Call anytime — and by that we mean anytime — to talk to a friendly expert about discounts. Do what you need to do, when you need to do it. And do it with ease. That's what Esurance is all about.

Be sure to connect with Esurance on their Social Media pages and share your safe driving tips with them!

@esurance on Twitter and the Esurance Facebook page:

DISCLOSURE:
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Torani Syrups -- Review & Giveaway Ends 11/24/11

#SSTorani

I love baking -- it soothes my soul. I'm always looking for ways to perk up my holiday recipes and this year I've been lucky enough to discover Torani Flavoured Syrups.

Torani offers over 122 flavoured and sugar-free flavoured syrups for baking and beverages!

I was the lucky recipient of two full-sized bottles: Gingerbread and Salted Caramel from SheSpeaks and Torani.

I wrote two reviews at SheSpeaks: Salted Caramel review and Gingerbread -- both received 5 Stars from me! :)

I've used the Salted Caramel a half-dozen times in cookie batter and my morning coffee! It's so good... The sweet / salty combo makes everything taste just that much better.

The Gingerbread syrup has been added to a pound cake and snickerdoodles already. The smell of gingerbread in my house is intoxicating.

For me, versatility is everything. I love to add syrups to so many things and I haven't been disappointed yet.

Mike and I picked up a bottle of Honey-Vanilla Syrup and we've used it several times in our French Toast and it also makes a killer Hot Chocolate!

About Torani:
Since 1925, family-owned Torani has been crafting great tasting flavored syrups that coffeehouses use to make their flavored drinks taste so delicious. With over 120 flavors in regular and sugar free varieties, Torani flavored syrups are perfect for flavored lattes, mochas, coffees, cocoas, Italian sodas, teas, lemonades, cocktails and smoothies. Coffeehouse professionals choose Torani flavors because they are expertly crafted and made with the highest quality ingredients, like natural flavors and pure cane sugar. The sugar free flavors have no calories and are sweetened with Splenda. Now, Torani Flavored Syrups are widely available at retail so you can easily create authentic coffeehouse quality drinks at home.

Torani syrups are primarily used at coffeehouses and restaurants in over 40 countries. Within the retail flavored syrup category, Torani has a dominant market share exceeding 60%. At US retail outlets, Torani is available at stores such as:

•Cost Plus World Market
•BevMo
•Walmart
•Smart and Final
•Most major grocery stores
•Amazon.com (wide assortment of flavors)
•Torani.com and Shop.Torani.com (widest assortment of flavors)

SheSpeaks and Torani have teamed up to offer my readers a very special 10% discount for the coming Holidays! Just use the discount code: SheSpeaks when you buy any Syrup at Torani.com



SheSpeaks is a FREE Social Community for women that offers an amazing array of articles, promotions, and products to members. If you want more information about this great site, you can join here.

You may connect with Torani on their Social Media Pages:
@_TORANI_ on Twitter and on Facebook.

If you'd like to try Torani Syrups just follow the instructions below -- two lucky Gathering My Roses readers will each win a coupon for a free full-sized bottle of the Torani Syrup of your choice!

Open to USA Only. One entry per hoousehold, please. All entries will be verified.

DISCLOSURE:I received two bottles of Torani Syrup and 5 Coupons from SheSpeaks for the purpose of review. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with the items.