New Age Mama

Jessica is FREE for Halloween

2026-10-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wilbur was used to attending his college formals alone. The Halloween Ball would be no different. He’s amazed when a beautiful girl in a Victorian gown shows an interest in him. What he doesn’t realize is that another woman has her eye on him as well. The White Lady returns every Halloween to take revenge on the men of the campus for her brutal murder. This year, she's chosen Wilbur as her next victim.

Available exclusively on Amazon.

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Stone Bracelets & Phone Cases

2026-10-27T17:02:06.255-07:00

My mom opened three more packages from our Fun Delivered box of 100 small packages.

The first package contained two strips of tub and shower sealing tape. These are the waterproof strips that go around the edges of tubs and showers in place of caulk to help keep water from leaking behind fixtures.

Next up was a set of natural stone bracelets. These were actually really pretty and you night have noticed in my videos that they are definitely my style. The final package contained a flower-patterned phone case which fit my phone. Sorry, Mom. Hopefully you get some stuff you like in the next batch!

I continue to be impressed with this Fun Delivered box. Check out the video below to see everything my mom opened, and let us know which item was your favorite. We still have plenty of packages left, and the surprises just keep coming!

Triumvirate is FREE on Amazon for Halloween!

2026-10-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Aubrey Conover is a brilliant psychiatrist who heads one of the most prestigious mental health facilities in the country, but she has a secret. Her urge to kill runs even deeper than those of the violent patients she treats.

Dean Hanson is running from his dark past, but the voices in his head won’t let him leave it behind. By day he guards the criminally insane, but he spends his nights stalking the citizens of Philadelphia.

Deirdre Hanson is the lieutenant tasked with bringing two serial killers to justice, never knowing one of them is sleeping in her bed.

When these three powers converge, the battle of wits that follows will leave the city streets bathed in blood.

Available exclusively on Amazon!

Michael's Mystery Box - Flowers & Trays

2026-10-26T18:34:07.699-07:00

Today I'm opening up my third Michael's Mystery Box from the fall batch. This one felt a lot heavier, so I was hoping there would be more than just flowers inside, even though plenty of floral stems were already sticking out of the box.

There were a few non-floral items mixed in, including a vase and several decorative trays. I also found a couple of floral arrangements in glass containers that would make beautiful centerpieces, along with a cute mini cactus that I'm planning to put on my desk at work.

The rest of the box was filled with silk flowers, mostly roses and other blooms in bright spring colors. While it wasn't the most varied box I've opened, it was still an excellent deal for just $10. One of the centerpiece arrangements alone was priced at $32, which means the box more than paid for itself.

Overall, I'm happy with this one and will definitely keep an eye out for more Michael's Mystery Boxes. I still have one more box from this batch to open, and I'm really hoping to stumble across one packed with Halloween overstock next time. Stay tuned!

Falling Star is Now Available on Audio

2026-10-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Drew DiPalma feels like he's living a lie.

He's had it with his Hollywood persona, the high-maintenance women, and his sleazy agent. To escape the madness, he flees to a tourist town he'd often visited as a child. He never expected to find love on that little island. Then he stumbles upon Lainey alone on the swing set of a deserted beach.

After a dozen internet dating disasters, Lainey Riccardo has given up on romance--until she meets a West Coast hunk who has no trouble winning her heart. But Lainey only knows him as Drew, not the Oscar-nominated actor who's constantly scandalized in the tabloids.

When she learns the truth, will the small town Jersey girl be able to accept Drew's fast-paced life? Or will the truth drive her away forever?

Narrated by fellow Jersey girl Emily Valdes! Available on Amazon and Audible.

TikTok Mystery Box from Hot Mystery Box

2026-10-24T11:34:20.316-07:00

We're switching things up a little today and opening a TikTok Mystery Box from Hot Mystery Box. This was my first time ordering from this company, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I brought the box over to Fernando, who was excited for a change of pace. Up until now, he's mostly been opening unclaimed mail with me, so getting to dig through a true mystery box was something different.

This box had a pretty wide variety of items, including:

Flower baskets
A neck massager
A seat cushion
A power bank
Hangers

The overall impression was that most of the items appeared to be customer returns, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the quality was a little hit‑or‑miss. A few items were useful, while others were damaged or very low quality.

A few months ago, I opened a TikTok mystery box from Resellables, and I felt like the items in that box were noticeably better quality overall. That's not really the seller's fault, though. These are sealed TikTok boxes, so they don't know what's inside any more than we do. Mystery boxes are always a gamble, and sometimes you hit the jackpot while other times you get a box that's just okay.

I have one more Tik Tok box from Hot Mystery Box waiting to be opened, so I'm not ready to make a final judgment yet. This first box wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't a standout winner. Hopefully the next one has a few more surprises hiding inside.

Check out the video below to see everything Fernando pulled out and let us know what you think. Was this box a dud, or did we miss some hidden gems?

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Pink Shirt & Bath Bombs

2026-10-22T17:16:31.774-07:00

Today my mom went back to our Fun Delivered box of 100 small packages. She reached way down into the box, bypassing the easy grabs, and came up with three new mystery packages.

Her first find was a pink heart T‑shirt. Next, she opened a portable charger, and that turned out to be the practical winner of the day. In a world where everyone's phone battery seems to die at the worst possible moment, that's something you can always use.

Finally, she unboxed a set of bath bombs, which added a little spa day energy to the haul. Those are always fun to get because they make great stocking stuffers. Overall, it was a solid round for Mom.

Check out the video below to see everything she opened, and let us know which item was your favorite! With dozens of packages still waiting to be opened, who knows what treasures are hiding in the bottom of the box!

@authorlauradeluca Unclaimed Mail from Fundelivered 📦 Heart Shirt👚 & Power Bank #unclaimedmail #boomer #mysteryboxes #unboxingvideo #unboxingreels ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Player eBook FREE - Read Along on Audible!

2026-10-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Joshua Hanover had it all. He was handsome, rich, athletic, and had always been popular with the ladies. Yet, until he gets paired up with his beautiful but shy lab partner, Rosa, he never allowed himself to fall in love. As the chemistry between them grows, Josh realizes that his player days have come to end. But it seems his change of heart has come too late. Not only is Rosa leery of his bad boy reputation, he has four vindictive ex-girlfriends who are on a rampage. At first he doesn't take their threats seriously, but then his tires are slashed, someone tries to poison him, and one of the girls turns up dead. Josh doesn't know who to trust, but one thing is certain. It definitely isn't worth the price he's paying to be a player.

👉 Listen now on Amazon & Audible.

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Mic & Pore Clay Stick

2026-10-20T17:45:42.363-07:00

Today I opened another three packages from my box of 100 small packages of unclaimed mail from Fun Delivered, and once again it was a fun mix of useful finds.

The first item was a mini microphone, and I'm pretty excited about this one. It should be perfect for my videos and interviews.

Next up was a Skintific Pore Clay Stick. From what I can tell, it's some type of clay mask designed to help with blackheads and clogged pores. I'll have to do a little more research on it, but it looks like an interesting beauty product.

The final item was a carpet stain remover. It may not be the most exciting thing to pull from a mystery package, but it's a practical item that will get a lot of use.

I am really loving this box of small packages from Fun Delivered. It feels like it never ends, and I've gotten so many useful items already. Every time I open a few more packages, there's something different inside, which makes it feel like Christmas morning over and over again. Stay tuned because there are still plenty of tiny packages left to open!

@authorlauradeluca Unclaimed Mail 📦 from Fundelivered - Mic🎤 & Face Mask #unclaimedproperty #mysteryboxes #unboxingvideo #unboxing #FunDelivered ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Michael's Mystery Box— More Floweres

2026-10-20T03:23:18.234-07:00

My mom tore into her second Michael's mystery box today, and let's just say we had a serious case of déjà vu. Just like the last box, this one was packed with silk flowers. There were poppies, sunflowers, and roses. We didn't even find a George Washington costume hiding in the middle.

While my mom kept a few of the flowers for herself, most of them will be used to brighten up hospital rooms for patients who aren't allowed to have real flowers, while others may be donated to the daycare for children's craft projects. Around here, nothing ever goes to waste.

I wish more stores would follow Michael's example and make mystery boxes. Instead of perfectly good merchandise ending up in a dumpster, it gets a second chance. I wish more companies would find ways to sell or donate their overstock rather than destroy it.

Stay tuned because we still have two more Michael's mystery boxes waiting to be opened, and hopefully those have a little more variety hiding inside. You never know what you'll find until you start digging!

@authorlauradeluca @Michaels Stores Mystery Box 📦 ~ #mysteryboxes #unboxingvideo #Unboxing #CraftingCommunity #craftingtiktok ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Fall Seasons Of Books Giveaway Hop - Enter to Win Audiobook Copy of Tickled to Death!

2026-10-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Fall Seasons of Books #GiveawayHop

@ShannonMiz @Versatileer #FallSeasonsOfBooks #Fall #SeasonsOfBooks #GiveawayHop

Today I'm giving one lucky winner a audio book copy of my young adult novel Phantom, narrated by Maggie Weber!

Crime was yesterday’s kink… until it came crawling back.

Former paralegal Rhonda Campbell left the law behind when she swapped legal pads for latex. Now, as Mistress Kali, she runs the most exclusive BDSM dungeon in Atlantic City, where pleasure pays the bills and fantasy is always in play—until a longtime client is smothered with a French tickler. Talk about a safe word fail.

Enter newly relocated Detective Jason Dee, fresh off the gritty streets of Philly and itching for a real case—because so far, New Jersey’s biggest offense seems to be overpriced cocktails. When he finally lands a murder investigation, his prime suspect is a whip-smart, leather-clad domme who’s as infuriating as she is intriguing.

With a killer on the loose and tensions rising, Rhonda and Jason must combine their expertise in sex and homicide to crack the case—before another victim is tickled to death.

Available on Amazon & Audible

Giveaway is open to the US and UK only.

To enter, fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. The prize is awarded as a code redeemable through Audible. Do you not need to be a member to redeem the code. Giveaway ends 12/20/26!

Entry -Form

Be sure to check out all the other giveaways in the Linky!

Want to join the the giveaway hop?

Sign-up starts September 20th, 2026 (Midnight EST) & closes November 1st, 2026 (7 pm)

Giveaway Hop Date Starting September 22, 2026 to December 20, 2026

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Bvlgari Serpent Ring!!!!!

2026-10-16T17:09:53.629-07:00

My mom opened a few more packages from our Fun Delivered box of 100 small packages, and we were in for a real surprise. First up was a pair of knock‑off Gucci sunglasses. They weren't fooling anyone, but my mom still looked cute in them.

Next, she opened a package of stair grips. Not the most exciting item in the world, but definitely practical and we might use them on the steps at my office.

The most exciting item this batch was a Bvlgari Serpent ring. I'm not convinced it's real, but unlike the Cartier Love Ring we found a few weeks ago that arrived in a tiny plastic bag, this one came in a velvet box along with a branded jewelry pouch. If it turns out to be authentic, similar rings can be worth thousands of dollars.

For now, we're treating it as a mystery. At some point, my son is going to take our growing collection of luxury mystery finds including the Tiffany necklace, Cartier Love Ring, and now this Bvlgari Serpenti ring, to a jeweler or pawn shop so we can find out whether any of them are legitimate. Until then, it's fun to dream.

Check out the video below and let us know what you think. Could this ring be the real deal, or are we getting our hopes up again?

Unclaimed Mail from Bup Boxes- Memorial Pillow Case & Nail Polish

2026-10-15T17:21:59.848-07:00

Today my mom opened the last three packages from our large Bup Box, bringing an end to a mystery‑box adventure that lasted well over a month. We definitely got our money’s worth out of this box. From power washers to clothing, it kept us entertained for weeks.

For her first package, my mom pulled out a memorial pillow case. If you recognize this man in the photo, please send me a message. I'd love to help reunite them with their keepsake.

Next up was a hair clip, which was simple but cute. The final item from the box was nail polish, an overstock item rather than unclaimed mail. And with that, our giant Bup Box adventure comes to a close. Now it's time to move on to the next mystery box!

Check out the video below to see the final three packages and help us identify the owner of that personalized pillowcase.

@authorlauradeluca Last Batch of Unclaimed Mail from BupBoxes #unclaimedmail #unboxing #unboxingvideo #boomer #mysteryboxes📦 ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Unmasked is FREE on Amazon

2026-10-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Years after a near-fatal car accident almost destroyed his career, Erik Patko has finally returned to the Broadway stage, starring alongside his famous parents Lord Justyn and Lady Rebecca in a revival of the classic musical Opera Ghost. Even his girlfriend Priscilla joins the chorus after her college graduation, but instead of soaking up the accolades, Erik is tormented by his leading lady and growing more and more dependent on opiates to manage his anxiety and depression. When a masked vigilante fighting hate crimes in the Theatre District enacts vengeance on his tormenters, Erik fears his addiction is causing him to bring his character to life on and off the stage.

Available exclusively on Amazon.

Unclaimed Mail- Seat Belts & T-shirts

2026-10-13T16:48:35.683-07:00

We’re back with another batch from the 100 small packages box from Fun Delivered. (Check them out of Shark Tank!)

The first package contained replacement seatbelt parts. Next up was a kids’ T‑shirt, which was cute and in great condition.

Finally, I opened an adult‑size American Outlaw T‑shirt. It was actually pretty nice quality and looked brand new. Not something I’d personally wear, but someone out there will definitely love it.

This box has been one of my favorites so far. Its a great value for the money. Personally, I feel like I get better items in the small packages. If the large items aren't something I can use, they are hard to sell because they often cost more to shit then they're worth. Small items have good resale value and are easy to package. Getting 100 packages for roughly $175 including shipping makes each one under $2. Plus, its lots more to open!

Check out the video below to see everything I pulled from this round of packages. With nearly 100 little mysteries to work through, there’s still plenty of chaos ahead!

@authorlauradeluca Unclaimed Mail from Fundelivered ~ Seatbelts & T-shirts #unclaimedmail #mysterybox #unboxingvideo #FunDelivered #unboxing ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Michael's Mystery — Flowers, Flowers, and More Flowers

2026-10-12T17:10:41.411-07:00

I was super excited when I stopped into Michael's and saw they had their mystery boxes again. These boxes are only $10 each and are usually packed with clearance merchandise worth far more than the purchase price. Since I never seem to learn self-control when mystery boxes are involved, I grabbed four and brought two of them to my mom to open.

My mom picked the first box, and it was packed to the gills with silk flowers. We found poppies, sunflowers, roses, and several other floral varieties mixed throughout the box.

There was only one non-flower item in the entire haul: a George Washington costume. Completely random, but that's part of the mystery-box experience. As luck would have it, one of my kids' friends was looking for that Halloween costume, so we'll be passing that along.

While an entire box of flowers might not sound exciting to everyone, they'll definitely find good homes. Several of my crafty coworkers make wreaths and floral arrangements, so they'll be thrilled. I'm also thinking some of the flowers might be used to decorate hospital rooms or donated to local nursing homes to brighten up residents' spaces.

When you look at the value, this was still an impressive haul. Most of the flower bundles had price tags of $9.99 or more each, and the George Washington costume alone retailed for around $75. Not bad for a $10 mystery box.

Check out the video below to see just how many flowers were stuffed into this thing. 🌻🌹🌼📦

@authorlauradeluca Michaels Stores Mystery Box 📦 ~ #mysteryboxes #unboxingvideo #Unboxing #CraftingCommunity #CraftSupplies ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Weirn Books Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 Giveaway!

2026-10-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Weirn Books Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 Giveaway!

This giveaway is part of our Fall Gift Guide - Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

HOST IS

VERSATILEER

My co-hosts for this giveaway are Deliciously Savvy, Home Jobs by Mom, It's Free At Last, Giveaway Gator, The Frugal Grandmom, Beautiful Touches, The Crazy Pet Lady & Shabby Chic Boho

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the Fall Gift Guide.

A Rain of Thought, Beautiful Touches, BonneVivante, Contest Corner, Deliciously Savvy, Giveaway Gator, Home Jobs by Mom, MarksvilleandMe, Pink Ninja Blog, Sarcastically Yours, Jen, Sweeps Madness, The Stuff of Success, The Frugal Grandmom, This Frugal Family, Versatileer

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This giveaway's Sponsor is the Publisher:

📚

Publisher: INSTAGRAM: @YENPRESS & @JYFORKIDS TWITTER: @YENPRESS & @JYFORKIDS FACEBOOK: @YENPRESS & @JYFORKIDS THREADS: @YENPRESS & @JYFORKIDS

Author: WEBSITE: Svetlana Chmakova INSTAGRAM: @SVETLANA.CHMAKOVA TWITTER: @SVETLANIA FACEBOOK: @SVETLANA-CHMAKOVA-250746558664/

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Winner will receive a paperback set of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (US only)! ~~~

The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods and newly released The Weirn Books, Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon (JY, an imprint of Yen Press | October 15, 2024 | Ages 8-12). In the Night Realm, shifters, vampires, weirns (a particular kind of witch), and other night things passing for human may prowl the streets, but school is still in session—and you still have to do your homework!

In The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods, Ailis and Na’ya are pretty average students, but when a shadow starts looming and a classmate gets all weird, they’re the first to notice. It gets personal, though, when Na’ya’s little brother D’esh disappears. To get him back, she has no choice but to confront the secrets of the forbidden mansion in the Silent Woods!

School Library Journal hailed The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods as a “sweet, not-too-scary coming-of-age story that feels like a young read-alike to Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” while Publishers Weekly praised Chmakova’s signature art style: “Classic manga visuals enrich Chmakova’s charming, full-color art: sweeping magic amid serene concentration, shadows accentuating fear-inspiring retorts from authority figures, and facial contortions add humor to life-and-death stakes… Chmakova smartly keeps the focus on family, friendship, and the relatable struggles of fitting in.”

Just in time for Halloween, The Weirn Books, Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon takes readers back to Chmakova’s supernatural world full of magic, adventure, and… dragons! After her terrible adventures in the Silent Woods, Na’ya’s world seems to have returned to normal… that is, except for the nightmares that keep haunting her. What she needs is the power to protect everyone, and she has the perfect solution—she’ll turn into a dragon, once and for all! With help from Ailis and Jasper, everything seems to be going according to plan. But what’s that dark shadow slithering around the spell-casting range?

Chmakova is considered one of the most iconic creators in the middle grade graphic novel space, making a name for herself with acclaimed and award-winning works like Dramacon, Nightschool, Berrybrook Middle School, the manga adaptation of James Patterson's Witch & Wizard, and the webcomic Chasing Rainbows. Her most recent graphic novel, Enemies (released Sept 2022), was a top seller in the category.

More info: See my The Weirn Books Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 by Svetlana Chmakova – Review review HERE.

Now To The......

This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. The giveaway consists of a paperback set of Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon and The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods. This Giveaway is valid to United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM EST (10:59 PM CST) 11/09/2026. The winner will have 24 hours to email their information back to versatileer at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by a random winner selection method. More giveaway terms and conditions are listed: HERE. Versatileer assumes responsible for the above prizes. No other blog associated with this contest except Versatileer are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to become a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Jerry Marquardt at versatileer at gmail dot com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Sponsors interested in joining our gift guides can see the information HERE.

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A Cosmic Adventure of Courage and Hope: Why Kids Will Love Martin & the Light Beams of Amalius

2026-10-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Award-winning author Dimitri Moraitis invites young readers on a magical journey that celebrates imagination, friendship, and the light within us all.

What if a beam of light appeared in your bedroom one night and offered to take you on an adventure across the universe? For Martin, the young hero of Martin & the Light Beams of Amalius by Dimitri Moraitis, this extraordinary encounter opens the door to a journey filled with wonder, unforgettable characters, and life-changing discoveries.

Written for readers ages 8–12, this imaginative middle-grade fantasy blends cosmic adventure with an uplifting message about courage, compassion, and hope. It encourages children to explore new possibilities, believe in themselves, and discover that even during difficult times, an inner light can help guide the way.

When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

Martin is a curious boy fascinated by the stars and planets, but his parents’ constant arguments leave him feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Just as he considers running away, a mysterious beam of light named Amalius appears and offers to transform him into a beam of light for an extraordinary cosmic adventure. Along the way, Martin discovers unexpected strengths, learning that even in difficult times, hope, imagination, and courage can help him find his way.

Extraordinary Worlds and Unforgettable Characters

Guided by Amalius, Martin travels to remarkable worlds and meets a colorful cast of light beams, including the fearless General Romaine, the radiant Diva, and the mischievous Rag-a-Muffin. Each character brings a distinct personality to the story, filling Martin's journey with imagination, surprises, and opportunities for discovery. Their different qualities also highlight the importance of individuality, cooperation, and recognizing the unique strengths everyone brings to a team.

Discovering the Light Within

At the heart of Martin & the Light Beams of Amalius is the idea that everyone possesses an inner light—a source of courage, kindness, hope, and personal strength that can shine even during difficult times. Through Martin's experiences, Moraitis presents this idea in an imaginative and accessible way. Light becomes more than a magical element; it symbolizes the qualities that help people move forward when they feel afraid, uncertain, or alone.

The story reminds young readers that believing in themselves does not mean they must face every challenge alone. Friendship, compassion, and cooperation are essential to Martin's success. By helping the inhabitants of Amalius, he discovers that even small acts of courage and kindness can make a meaningful difference.

Inspiring Imagination and Reflection

As an award-winning author and internationally respected spiritual teacher, Moraitis brings his interest in spiritual awareness and personal growth to a younger audience. He weaves these themes into a magical narrative rather than presenting them as abstract lessons, making the story accessible to children who enjoy asking big questions about themselves and the world.

The book may also appeal to families looking for stories that encourage reflection and meaningful discussion. Martin & the Light Beams of Amalius is about more than traveling to distant worlds. It is about discovering that imagination opens doors, friendship provides strength, and challenging experiences can reveal unexpected courage.

For children ages 8–12 who love cosmic mysteries, fantastical characters, and stories with heart, Martin's adventure offers an invitation to wonder. For adults sharing the book with young readers, its message is equally meaningful: even when life feels dark, there is always the possibility of finding more light.

About the Book

Martin & the Light Beams of Amalius by Dimitri Moraitis

Publisher: Spiritual Arts Institute
Publication date: September 23, 2026
ISBN: 9781954944114
Recommended ages: 8–12
Length: 132 pages
Price: $9.99

Unclaimed Mail - Bup Boxes vs. Fun Delivered Round 2

2026-10-09T18:28:21.996-07:00

My mom and I are back for another round of our Bup Boxes vs. Fun Delivered Challenge! This is all just for fun because both companies are fantastic and two of my personal favorites. With unclaimed mail, every package is a gamble, so we're curious to see which company comes out ahead each round.

Team Bup Boxes

Bup Boxes led off this round with a matching necklace and bracelet set that was inspired by Pandora. It definitely wasn't authentic but still pretty. The second package contained a fancy whisk.

Team Fun Delivered

Fun Delivered responded with something you don't see every day: a bendy Michael Jackson figure.

The second package contained a set of leopard-print pens, which were both cute and functional. You can never have too many pens, especially when you're an author who still hand writes your first draft.

Who Wins This Round?

That's where we need your help! Did Bup Boxes win with the jewelry set and whisk? Or did Fun Delivered take the crown with Michael Jackson and leopard pens?

Check out the video below and let us know your vote in the comments. Which company wins Round 2?

Guest Post by Chandra Lynn, M.B.A., Author of Root to Rise & Autographed Book Giveaway

2026-10-08T17:39:35.756-07:00

Why You Can Have a Good Life and Still Feel Like Something Is Missing

By Chandra Lynn, M.B.A.

This article is for the woman who looks at her life and thinks, I have so much to be grateful for. Why am I not happier?

Maybe the kids are finally asleep. The kitchen is mostly clean. You sit down for the first time all day, and instead of relief there’s a low hum you can’t quite name.

Nothing is wrong. You love your family, you know how lucky you are, and you could list a dozen reasons to be grateful without trying. That’s what makes the feeling so hard to talk about, even with yourself. So you cover it with a little guilt (I should be happy) and keep going.

Maybe you try to fix it from the outside with a new routine, a weekend away, or a bigger goal at work. Sometimes that helps. A lot of the time, though, we’re trimming branches when the part asking for attention is underground, in the roots.

I learned that in my own body.

What I Was Really Building

When my son, Kai, was a baby, I joined a gym. I was working from home, and the gym’s childcare gave me something I hadn’t had since he was born: time that was just mine.

On paper, it was about getting my body back. I had gained more weight than I wanted, my pre-baby clothes didn’t fit, and I didn’t like what I saw in pictures. The harder part was the voice in my head. For years I had called myself “the 10-pound overweight girl,” and after Kai that inner critic got louder. Some days it felt like my body was working against me.

So I made the scary walk over to the free weights. The people there were far kinder and more helpful than I had imagined. I found a 12-week beginner program, followed it all the way through, and learned that consistency mattered more than any one workout. I’ve been on a program of one kind or another ever since.

Somewhere along the way I realized the muscle was the smaller part of it. My self-talk got quieter. What I was really building was trust in myself, and a slowly growing belief that I am worth taking care of. I still notice things in the mirror I’d change, but I’m proud of what I built.

When I reached my goals, I hosted a thank-you dinner for the people who had supported me. I didn’t get there alone, and I wanted them to know it.

That season taught me something I now build my work around. We expect the rise without the roots, and the root work is where the magic happens.

Your Five Roots

In my Root-to-Rise® framework, I picture a life as a tree with five roots: Health, Family, Relationships, Career, and Friends. Everything other people see lives above ground. What holds it up is underneath.

The roots aren’t a ranking, and they won’t all be thriving at the same time. Life moves in seasons. When your kids are little, Family may be getting nearly all the water while Health or Friends go dry for a while. That’s normal. It’s also worth noticing, because a root that stays dry long enough starts to affect the whole tree.

The Hidden Forces Underneath

Below the roots are what I call the Hidden Forces: six human needs that quietly drive our choices. The idea comes from human needs psychology, which traces back to Abraham Maslow and was developed further by Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes. Root-to-Rise is my adaptation of it.

The six are Security (stability and a sense of safety), Variety (change and fresh experiences), Self (feeling that you matter as you), Intimacy (closeness and belonging), Growth (learning and expanding), and Transcendence (contributing to something bigger than yourself).

We all have all six, and none of them is good or bad. What matters is how we’re meeting them, and what our way of meeting them is costing us.

For a lot of moms, this is where the restlessness comes from. Caring for your children can feed Intimacy and Transcendence in ways nothing else ever has, and running a household can feel a lot like Security. But the same role can crowd out a need without your noticing. You can get so good at meeting everyone else’s needs that Self, the need to feel like a person apart from your roles, gets almost nothing. Or Growth stalls because there’s no room left in the day to learn anything just for you.

When “Something Is Missing” Is Information

That restless feeling is usually a signal, and it’s worth listening to before you decide what it means. Most of the time it doesn’t mean you need to blow up your life. It may mean one root has been dry for a while, or that a need that barely registered five years ago matters much more now.

This comes up often in transitions, when kids start school or leave home, when your body changes, or when your work does. The strategies that carried you through the last season were the right ones for that time. Some of them may not fit the woman you’re becoming.

You can be deeply grateful for your life and still be curious about what it’s asking of you.

Try This Week

The next time the restlessness shows up, don’t rush to fix it. Pause and ask one question: What need am I trying to meet right now?

If the answer is Self, you may not need a whole weekend away. Ten minutes that belong only to you might do more. Pick one small way to feed that need this week, and make it small enough that perfectionism can’t talk you out of it. Then notice what changes.

Root-to-Rise was never about building a perfect life. It’s about building roots strong enough to love the life you have, even when it’s messy, hard, and uncertain.

Discover Your Hidden Force

If you’re curious which of the six needs may be shaping your choices right now, my free Hidden Forces Quiz can help you see it.

TAKE THE FREE HIDDEN FORCES QUIZ

If you’d rather read first, or want to go deeper after the quiz, download my free Hidden Forces Guide. It walks through all six needs and how they may be showing up in your relationships, health, and everyday decisions.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE HIDDEN FORCES GUIDE

For the full framework, Root-to-Rise: How to Love Life and its companion, the Root-to-Rise Workbook: Love Life by Design, walk you through strengthening your roots and understanding what drives you. As Deepak Chopra put it, “If you want a simple step-by-step guide for a fulfilled life, THIS is the book.” Readers of this blog get 25% off signed books with RISE25 on my personal store at glowliving.etsy.com.

About Chandra Lynn

Chandra Lynn, M.B.A., is an author, speaker, mom, and Certified Transformation Coach through the Robbins-Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention. She is the founder of Glow Living, creator of the Root-to-Rise® personal growth and self-help system which has earned recognition from Deepak Chopra and Kirkus Reviews, and author of Root-to-Rise: How to Love Life, a Gold Medal winner in the 2026 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards (Non-Fiction – Motivational), and the Root-to-Rise Workbook: Love Life by Design. Through her books, coaching, and talks, she helps people love life, even when it’s messy, hard, and uncertain.

Learn more at chandralynn.com. Find the books at https://glowliving.com/rtrbooks.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of Root to Rise! To enter, fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Do you not meet to be a member to redeem the code. Giveaway ends 11/5/26! Open to the US only.

Entry -Form

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Supplements & Root Concealer

2026-10-08T16:42:10.512-07:00

My mom is back for another round of our Fun Delivered box of 100 small packages, and this batch was a mix of health and beauty.

The first package contained garlic ginger supplements. Next up was a little green ball. We're still not sure what its intended purpose is, but out best guess was a pet toy.

Finally, we received two boxes of concealer. At first, we thought it was a concealer for your face. After taking a closer look, we realized it was a root touch‑up product designed to cover gray roots between salon visits. My friend Karen ended up taking that one home, and she gave it a glowing review. She said it worked great and was an almost perfect match for her hair color.

Check out the video below to see everything she opened. With plenty of packages still left in the Fun Delivered box, who knows what we'll uncover next!

@authorlauradeluca Unclaimed Mail - Supplements & Root Concealer #unclaimedmail #mysteryboxes #boomer #unboxingvideo #unboxing ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Sectarian is FREE on Amazon!

2026-10-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Erik Patko is living in the shadow of his celebrity parents. Returning to the family theater’s summer show is a constant reminder that he’ll never meet their expectations, but the seashore town of Cape May is the perfect setting to confess his love to his friend Priscilla and may give them an edge on the competition later when they audition for their college production of Renters.

Resident drag queen Curtis Hawthorne is thrilled to be cast in the starring role in Sexy Boots at the Ange du Palais, but not everyone wants the show to succeed. With protestors outside the door and a saboteur within, the curtain may fall on this performance before Curtis takes his closing bow.

Despite the growing tension between them, these two musical theater stars will join forces to face off against the Millsboro Church when the hateful leader targets the people they love.

Available exclusively on Amazon.

Fall Seasons Of Books Giveaway Hop - Enter to Win Audiobook Copy of Tickled to Death!

2026-10-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Fall Seasons of Books #GiveawayHop

@ShannonMiz @Versatileer #FallSeasonsOfBooks #Fall #SeasonsOfBooks #GiveawayHop

Today I'm giving one lucky winner a audio book copy of my young adult novel Phantom, narrated by Maggie Weber!

Available on Amazon & Audible

Giveaway is open to the US and UK only.

To enter, fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. The prize is awarded as a code redeemable through Audible. Do you not meet to be a member to redeem the code. Giveaway ends 12/20/26!

Entry -Form

Be sure to check out all the other giveaways in the Linky!

Want to join the the giveaway hop?

Sign-up starts September 20th, 2026 (Midnight EST) & closes November 1st, 2026 (7 pm)

Giveaway Hop Date Starting September 22, 2026 to December 20, 2026

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Lacy Bra & Key Fobs

2026-10-06T19:06:18.292-07:00

I opened a few more packages from my Fun Delivered box of 100 small packages.

The first package contained a very lacy bra, pretty but not great for support. Next up was a key loop and phone grip set that came together. The final package contained a key fob repair kit

Check out the video below to see everything I opened. With dozens of small packages still waiting, there's no telling what will show up next!

@authorlauradeluca Unclaimed Mail from Fundelivered - Bras & Phone 📞 Grips 📦 #unboxingvideo #unclaimedmail #unboxing #mysteryboxes #fypシ ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

Unclaimed Mail from Bup Boxes - Shirt & Backpack

2026-10-05T17:00:39.339-07:00

My mom is back with another round of packages from the large Bup Box,

The first package contained an item that has us stumped. Is it a baby toy? Something that attaches to a suitcase? We have no idea. If you recognize it from the video, let us know in the comments because we're curious to find out what it actually does. Next up was a plain gray shirt. Nothing flashy, but it looked brand new. The final item was a 2D backpack.

Check out the video below to see everything my mom opened and help us solve the mystery of that first package. With unclaimed mail, sometimes figuring out what an item is becomes half the fun!

@authorlauradeluca Unclaimed Mail - Shirt 👕 & Backpack 🎒 #unclaimedmail #mysteryboxes #unboxingvideo #unboxing #boomer ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca