Gourmet Gift Baskets Brownie Sampler Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

Who out there has a sweet tooth for all things chocolate?? My hand is raised! :) I am definitely a chocoholic. Since I am pregnant though, I try to watch my sweets intake to make sure I stay somewhat on a healthy diet for the sake of my baby. But, I think it is OK to splurge once in awhile and for sure, brownies are one way to get that fix in a hurry!

I am sure that you all have heard of Gourmet Gift Baskets before but in case you haven't, you MUST check them out! I recently found out that not only do they offer gift baskets, but they also offer yummy baked goods as well! Honestly, I did not know this and really, what a great way to send some love to someone who needs a sweet-tooth pick me up. With Easter right around the corner, you can send Gourmet Carrot Cake, Cheesecake Samplers and more...all from Gourmet Gift Baskets!! (Personally, I would LOVE to receive the Whoopie Pie Sampler...wow...talk about mouth watering!!)

Gourmet Gift Baskets is THE place to shop for gift baskets for all occasions. They have something for everyone and really, for all palates too. Perusing the site is a cinch too because they have things so nicely categorized and broken down into easy to find places...you really don't get lost at all when you visit them! Also, if you are looking for the perfect Easter basket then I would highly suggest checking out Gourmet Gift Basket's selection...awesome!

So, back to chocolate. For this review I was sent a yummy selection of brownies from Gourmet Gift Basket's Brownie Sampler! As soon as it arrived I was VERY excited...especially since I knew my children would get a kick out of trying the brownies. :)

This mini-sampler contains 6 individually wrapped brownies, all in different flavors. The full sized sampler contains two of each brownie. The flavors that are included are:

*Peanut Butter

*Belgian Chocolate Chunk

*White Chocolate Macadamia

*Butterscotch Blondie

*Fudge Walnut

*Cheesecake

Yum. Yum. Yum. So, as soon as we finished lunch today we dove into our box of goodies! I think the children's favorite was the Belgian Chocolate Chunk as it was chock full of chunks of chocolate.

Oh yes...she LOVED it! (As did her brother but he made too much of a mess for  me to share his picture too! :)

These brownies are not tiny either...they are pretty generously sized so if you eat one, make sure you have room for the whole thing!!

I think my personal favorite was the Cheesecake flavor. I am a H*U*G*E cheesecake fan so if something says "cheesecake" on it, it's mine! This particular cheesecake brownie was very moist and rich in flavor. I think I took two bites and then saved the rest for later. It was VERY yummy.

The full-sized Brownie Sampler retails for $34.99 and is deliverable to the lower 48 states only due to the perishable factor. 

So, in my opinion...this Gourmet Gift Baskets Brownie Sampler is pretty amazing!! I love how there is such a variety of flavors included and that these brownies are not microscopic in size. There truly is enough to share (or eat all by yourself if you please!) and would most likely satisfy any sweet tooth. I would definitely recommend this sampler to anyone looking to send a different type of gift to someone. You can't go wrong with delectable, chocolate brownies!! :)

Gourmet Gift Baskets has offered to give away the exact same mini brownie sampler that I received to one of my readers! YAY! I am very excited to be able to offer this giveaway to you all. Here are your entry options!


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Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a free Mini Brownie Sampler for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Gourmet Gift Baskets website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. 

Enjoy Natural Beauty With Mary Kay's Art of Nature Collection!

Wow. So, I am really loving all the new Mary Kay products that are hitting the market right now, aren't you? The fact that they are always coming up with new and exciting products just makes me happy...so much to choose from and such great colors and formulas!!! I wanted to take a minute here to let you know about another brand new line of Limited Edition products from Mary Kay and this line is called The Art Of Nature Collection.

Spring is here, and that means one thing. The weather is warmer and I have broken out the sandals and flip flops. I love having my feet free to feel the air and get some sun. My skin is very pale so after a long winter I am in desperate need of sunshine and warmth. The color choices that I pick for my makeup need to be refreshed as well with the change in season and that is what this The Art Of Nature Collection from Mary Kay is all about. The colors mimic the beauty of a rain forest, canyon and coral reef, all while naturally hydrating and replenishing your skin and nails with Shea butter, aloes and other botanicals!

So, for this review I was sent several products from this stunning line to share with all of you today. I do hope that you will check them out for yourself though and don't just take my word for it...you won't be sorry! :)

I was sent:
Fluid Eye Color ~ Rainforest & Pearl
Dual Lip Glaze ~ Glistening Sand
Nail Lacquer ~ Crushed Pearl
Base Coat/Top Coat

I was so excited, I was unsure of where to start! So, I decided to do my eyes first. The Limited Edition Fluid Eye Color is really neat in the way it is applied. Instead of using a sponge or applicator, it has a brush! You twist the opposite end of the tube and the color is dispensed into the brush from inside of the tube.

I chose to use the Pearl color as it was light and airy looking. The Rain forest is more grayish in color for a more intense and darker look for the eyes. I LOVED the way it looked on me! It blended in very nicely with my skin tone. The color is nice and shimmery too, which added a gorgeous and subtle touch. This Liquid Eye Color retails for $15.

Then, I tried the Dual Lip Gloss. This is a pretty amazing product as well and VERY easy to apply. It comes in a tube with a tipped applicator end so you can easily dispense the gloss onto your lips. I was expecting a brown colored gloss, but it looked clear when I applied it. The brown is SO subtle, you don't even notice it. This gloss is really shimmery as well and has just enough glitter in it to shine and add "pizazz" to your lips. The formula used for this Dual Lip Gloss features aloe, Shea butter and safflower oil to ensure great moisture and protection for lips. The retail value of the Dual Lip Glosses is $14 each.

Here is my finished look. (My eyes are closed so you can see the eye color...isn't it perfect???) What I love is how natural it looks...I don't look "made up", if you know what I mean.

I was very excited to try the Nail Lacquer as I am a HUGE nail polish fan. During the summer, my toenails are almost always painted. I will admit though...at 35 weeks pregnant, bending down to paint my toes is a rare sight in my house and takes some effort on my part! LOL! The first thing I did was apply the Base/Top Coat. This adds extra protection to the nail itself and to prevent chips and wearing off after the polish is applied. Once that top coat dried, I applied the nail color. I wasn't sure if I would like the Crushed Pearl color as I usually gravitate towards pinks, but I was pleasantly surprised!

It is almost like a nude color and yes, this nail polish contains glitter. (My 3 year old will LOVE it!!) The color looks really great on my toes and I love how wide the brush is. I can cover more area in a short amount of time and that is my goal. As you can see in the photo above, it is almost a tan color yet is subtle enough to pass for a nude. Personally, I will really enjoy using this color as it doesn't "scream" at my eyes when I look at it. The Nail Lacquer and Base/Top Coat retail for $9 each.

So, in my opinion...The Art Of Nature Collection from Mary Kay is amazing! I am really impressed with the colors and ingredients of these products. Not only are they beautiful...they are in season and completely affordable too! I would definitely recommend this collection to any woman who is looking to liven and freshen up her look for Spring...and for Summer too! Check out this fabulous collection today and begin your journey to a new you for the season!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Mary Kay products for review purposes from Mary Kay. All quotes and stock photos are from the Mary Kay website and email. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Colby's Kettle Corn Review, Discount & Giveaway

If you are anything like me, then you like to snack! Being the very pregnant lady that I am, I can usually be found munching on something at any given time of the day. Finally, my morning sickness has seemed to subsided for now and I am able to munch again without feeling nauseous. HOORAY!! One snack that I find to be really filling and satisfying is popcorn. My flavor of choice is usually butter because that is all I have at home. The hot and steamy bowls of popcorn just taste so good and really hit the spot for me. My children are getting to an age where they too like popcorn and they are no longer at high risk of choking on it. So, it makes a great snack for them as well!

 

I would like to introduce you to a popcorn company today that I have recently found and love! They carry all-natural popcorn that is gluten-free and VERY tasty. Best of all, it is Kettle Corn which is severely addicting ! Those of you who have tasted Kettle Corn know what I am talking about here. :) Colby's Kettle Corn is a company that makes kettle popped and hand sifted popcorn that is 100% natural. Here is a bit of Colby's history...

It all started when Colby was 14 years old. One of his good friends invited him to be a chef for his startup Kettle Corn Company. Colby agreed and began learning the tricks of the trade. During that time Colby began to imagine some new and innovative ways to improve the process. They eventually went their separate ways when the company started experiencing financial problems. Later, when Colby was about 16 years old, he took some kettle corn to a family reunion. There, he explained some of his ideas to his uncle. With some further communications and a little luck, they built the kettle that Colby had dreamed of. That same year he acquired a contract with a large retailer to be a traveling vendor. This allowed him to take his kettle to any associated retail stores and try it out. He soon found out that his improved process was an instant success. People started following him from one store to another. With this success, Colby wanted to find a way to provide his now famous kettle Corn to everyone. And the rest, as they say, is history. Colby's Kettle Corn is now distributed throughout the Western and Mid- Western United States. Along with distribution to four other countries! Even though Colby's Kettle Corn is much larger now, they will always use his secret process to insure that when you pick Colby's, you pick quality.

Colby's Kettle Corn comes in a variety of flavors, all of which sound sooo great! You can choose from Salty Sweet, Cinnamon Sugar, Chili Cheese and White Cheddar. There is a flavor in there for everyone! 

 

So, for this review I was sent a nice variety of popcorn to try and I have to tell you, it is amazing! I was sent:

Sweet Salty Addiction, White Cheddar Passion and Cinnamon Sugar Sensation.

 

These came on a day when hubby was out of town and my son was sick. It was a fabulous pick-me-up and made for a nice treat for us. I poured some from each bag and my daughter and I dug in! ]The flavor of this popcorn is not overwhelming...it is just right. Each flavor is distinct and you can definitely taste the kettle-cooked flavor.

 

Our favorite flavor had to be the Salty Sweet Addiction as it really satisfies my sweet tooth cravings. It has just enough salt to be noticed but not so salty that I have to drink a ton of water afterwards. 

 

As soon as my son was feeling better he wanted to try some of this popcorn too and he could not keep his hands out of my bowl!!! 

 

Colby's Kettle Corn is a wonderful product because it is perfect for vegans, dairy intolerant people and those who are on a gluten-free diet. I was talking to a friend of mine and she is gluten-free. She told me how hard it is to find gluten-free snacks and that this popcorn sounded so wonderful! I gave her a bag and told her to enjoy...she was VERY excited about it! 

Colby's Kettle Corn can be found in various states across the US and you can find a store near you using their store locator. You can also purchase it online directly from the company online. Prices vary depending on the quantity that you want, but generally the retail value of a bag is around $4.00.

 

If you would like to keep up with Colby's Kettle Corn, make sure you follow them on Facebook! They are always having promotions and discounts there that you are sure to love! You can also check out their website for new products and announcements. They have also graciously extended a special 60% discount code to my readers for your first purchase from Colby's Kettle Corn! That code is OPINION. This code expires on 4/8/12 at midnight.

My little guy enjoying his Colby's Kettle Corn! :) He loves it! 

So, in my opinion...Colby's Kettle Corn is a fabulous company! I love kettle corn and so this popcorn is an automatic favorite of mine. This would make an idea snack for families who have food allergies and special gluten-free diets. I have already recommended Colby's to a few people that I know who are gluten-free and they are very excited to try it out! Great company...tasty popcorn! :)

Colby's Kettle Corn has offered give away a case (12 bags) of Colby's Kettle Corn in assorted flavors to one of my readers! This is a prize valued at $45. THANK YOU to the sponsor for the generous giveaway opportunity! Here are your entry options...


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Colby's Kettle Corn products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Colby's Kettle Corn website and email. Prize is being shipped by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Munchkin Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

I have two toddlers, which means I have two car seats in my van...soon to be 3! :)  When installing car seats I am sure you are all aware of the safety and care it takes to make sure that they are properly installed. I always make sure that I push the car seat down into the van seat to make sure it is tight (sometimes I press my knee into the seat to make sure it is in as far as possible). This puts the seat securely in place so it does not move. When it comes time to move the car seats around to a different seat in the car or into a different vehicle, I am always SO embarrassed to see the huge mess that is around the base of the seats. Not to mention the horrible indentation that the "feet" of the car seats leave from being in so tight. With spring cleaning and a new baby just around the corner, we are going to be shuffling car seats once again and it will be time to vacuum the van seats and de-crumb the areas around the seats. I also like to organize the vehicle better when it comes time to do all of this. It is alot of work, but well worth it in the end.

 

Recently, I was thinking about how damaging car seats can be to your vehicle. I was looking for a solution to the indentation of the seats and also something to protect the vehicle seats from spills and crumbs. While searching for a way to prevent this, I happened upon Munchkin's site on which I found an Auto Seat Protector. PERFECT!!! Just in case you have never heard of Munchkin before, it is a company that makes products for babies and children. They also make products to make a mommy's life easier...which I love! 

 

Munchkin was founded in 1991 by Steven B. Dunn and his goal was to get rid of the mundane and boring products for kids and make parenting more enjoyable and easier. Whenever I see Munchkin products in the store, I am always impressed with the colorful yet simple designs and products. Munchkin makes so much that is helpful and it is always extremely affordable compared to other brands, without sacrificing quality. 

 

So, for this review I was sent several fantastic items from Munchkin, including three of their brand new Click Lock Cups AND an Auto Seat Protector!! YES! I was smiling when I received the last-mentioned product. :) 

 

This Auto Seat Protector was the exact solution that I was looking for when it came to my car seat indentations and messes in my van. Having one child in a car seat is a big enough mess...but having two children in car seats is double the mess. If I can eliminate the mess of one, that helps immensely! 

 

This Auto Seat Protector comes ready to install quickly and simply. The above picture is what the protector looks like when fully unfolded. It has a special flap that tucks into the seat back to keep it securely in place so it won't slide around. 

 

When installing into my vehicle, I simply set it on the seat and tucked in the securing flap. 

Then, the car seat sits on top of it and you just secure your car seat like you normally would. The only part of the protector that you should see is the neat little storage pocket that hangs down the front. In this expandable, mesh pocket you can put cups, toys, books and other things that will make for easy access when travelling. LOVE IT! :)

 

Storing this seat protector is a cinch as it folds up very compactly and easily. It is also simple to clean as all you do is wipe down with a damp cloth. That's it! Messy van no more and seat indentations are less! Fabulous!!!! 

 

The Click Lock Cups are one of the newest innovations of Munchkin and they are GREAT! I was sent three different cups from this line... Sippy Cup, Flip Straw Cup and the Insulated Big Kid Cup. 

 

All three of these cups are wonderful and as soon as my children saw them, they were VERY excited to try them. I gave my daughter the Insulated Big Kid Cup and my son was able to try the Sippy Cup (because it was a "boy" color).

These cups are leak-proof and you can literally hear the "click" when you twist the caps closed. I love how they also fit nicely into our car seat cup holders too...I HATE having cups that fall out of the cup holders because their bases are too big. 

The Click Lock Cups vary in prices from $2.99 up to $7.99 depending on the style and size you want. The Auto Seat Protector retails for about $13.00 depending on where you buy it. 

 

So, in my opinion...Munchkin really has some great products! I am totally sold on the Auto Seat Protector and am going to get at least one more for the other car seat in my vehicle. I love how easy it is to install, clean and store. Better yet, I love how it works to protect my vehicle's upholstery. The Click Lock Cups are very innovative and my children love them. They too are affordable and easy to find in just about any retail store. The leak-proof design is perfect especially for my busy little ones. I would definitely and whole-heartedly recommend this company to all moms and dads out there who are looking to simplify their life with their children. 

The kind folks over at Munchkin have offered to give one of my readers TWO CLICK LOCK CUPS in their choice from the line. That means that the winner of this giveaway will be able to choose which two they would like, based on the ages of their children. FABULOUS! Here are your entry options...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Munchkin products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Munchkin website and email. Prize is being shipped by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway {US & Canada}

 

As you all know I am a huge fan of Tropical Traditions. I regularly use their products for my beauty routine, cooking, cleaning and baking. The first time I became acquainted with this company was 2 years ago when I started to do reviews. I was sent a quart of their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and fell in love as soon as I tried it. The main thing that I use my Coconut Oil for is making pancakes. Oooo, the flavor it adds to my pancakes is just amazing, not to mention how much better it is for you then regular cooking oil or butter.

 

If you are unfamiliar with Tropical Traditions, here is a short 3 minute video that will introduce you to this company and the journey that they took to give us Virgin Coconut Oil...



As you can see, there is alot of effort put into making and keeping this product a high-quality one and one that is organic.

My mom has recently discovered Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and she LOVES it. She talks about it constantly, sends emails to her friends about it and has been including it in her and my father's daily diet. I had told her about it before but for some reason, she never seemed interested. Then, when my father was diagnosed with diabetes she started trying to cook more carefully for him and that is how she discovered the Coconut Oil. Now, she uses it daily.

 You can buy coconut oil from Tropical Traditions directly and they do offer several varieties as well.

Tropical Traditions would love to give away a quart of this amazing Coconut Oil to one of you! Here are your entry options for this giveaway...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. All quotes and stock photos are from the Tropical Traditions website and email. Prize is being shipped by the sponsor. *Canadian residents: Tropical Traditions and this blog is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge for your prize should you win.* All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Baby Shower Event Coming Soon & Pregnancy Update!

 

I wanted to let you all know that I am going to be hosting a Baby Shower Gift Guide Event during the month of April! Our precious blessing #3 is due on May 2nd, so in celebration of the upcoming birth, I am going to be featuring products for new moms, expectant moms, babies and baby care. I hope that you all will join me during that time to celebrate with me, as well as to check out some really awesome products especially for new babies and moms!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

So, for a brief update on my pregnancy...I am currently 34 weeks today. The baby is moving like crazy and I often have to stop and catch my breath because the kicks and rolls are so strong. My health is good (blood pressure, urine tests, etc.) and I am right on target to deliver on time. Weight gain has been non-existent. I never really gain weight, just stay the same or lose. I always tease that pregnancy is my best weight loss plan ever! As soon as I deliver, I drop about 30 pounds which puts me 30 pounds lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight. Now, if I can just find a way to KEEP it off...hmmmm. :)

Baby is about the size of a Honeydew right now! :)

 Hannah and I went to "Sibling Class" at the hospital in which I will deliver and she had such a blast! She loved it! The best part for her was to go up and peek in the nursery window and see all the new babies. This time around, I think she understands much more then when her brother was born. It will be so nice to see her interact with our new baby. How exciting. 

Now, because inquiring minds want to know, here is what I look as of today (I hate taking my own picture and please excuse the fingerprints on the mirror!!).

So that is about it for now...baby day is rapidly approaching and will be here in no time. Thanks for all your support of my blog and for taking the time to read my ramblings! Have a great day! :)

FREE Sample Of Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo + Conditioner

 

Hey all! Love to have healthy hair? Now is your chance to try out Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo + Conditioner! This is not a full sized bottle, just sample packets. I have received these before and just LOVE to try out new products!

So, HERE is the link for this free sample. Enjoy!

Ant Killer Recipe...

Happy Monday, everyone! I thought I would throw this out there for those of you who are interested...because it is Spring and I know alot of you are probably in the same boat as I am.

It's that time of year again. ANT season. Yep. Last year I had a whole "gang" of them marching one by one through my living room...I could have SCREAMED! We get the huge black carpenter ants that make a huge mess when you step on them. You know what I mean?

Anyway, my mom gave me her special "recipe" for ant killer and also gave me some of her already made stuff. So, I put it out and I am telling you...within 48 hours, my ants were GONE. It was amazing!

So, here is the recipe...hope it works for you!

**Ant Killer**

1/3 cup PURE Maple Syrup (artificial won't work)

1 Level tsp. Boric Acid (I got a huge bottle of it for just $5.99 at the hardware store)

Heat acid and syrup until acid is dissolved. Cool. Dilute with an equal amount of water. Store in a glass jar. Put poison in jar lids where ants feed. (Keep out of reach of children and pets!)

"Special" ingredients!

Boiling the ingredients.

Storing the Ant Killer...mark your jar well! :)