Chủ Nhật, 30 tháng 6, 2013

Free Lactaid Sample


Are you lactose intolerant? I am not, but have a friend who is. I know that if I had to live without ice cream, I would probably die! Lactaid makes it easy to enjoy those dairy products that you love without getting sick!

Click HERE to request your free sample!

Thứ Sáu, 28 tháng 6, 2013

Happy Weekend!

Sooo, I have noticed that this month has been a bit slower in blogging world. I am just so busy with my children right now and we are ENJOYING our summer. Pool time, playground time, long walks, cook outs, picnics...we are having a blast! Hope you are making some of your own memories this summer. Have a good weekend! :)

Thứ Năm, 27 tháng 6, 2013

Escape Monthly Giveaway

Being a mom of three little ones under 5, life can get stressful. This is probably why I enjoy getting out on occasion with my hubby...so I can relax, forget about the children for a few hours and just enjoy being with my man. Now that I am homeschooling, life can feel even more stressful on some days but I know that the children are just children and so I smile through the stress and look forward to bedtime. :)
Well, what if you got a care package in the mail every month, designed specifically to help you relax and get away from it all? I can tell you one thing...that would be A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!! I have recently learned about a company called Escape Monthly and their goal is to give you a bit of pampering and relaxation, all in one box! Here's a bit more about this company...

Escape Monthly was born from the love of travel and relaxation. Each month, we bundle majestic experiences into each box, helping everyone and anyone escape to that place they cherish so deeply in their hearts—their paradise. 

Each month, members escape to the world's most luxurious destinations and indulgences, from cities to relaxation retreats and from celebrated events to experiences loved world wide. Escape Monthly focuses on these destinations, then brings the heart of them right to your doorstep. 

So, once you are a subscriber to Escape Monthly, you will receive a box of goodies each month that will include the following...
  • Deluxe full size items
  • An assortment of cultural icons and masterpieces
  • A treasure trove of artful content filled with unique tips and local secrets
  • All the tools you need to relax, unwind, and pamper!
Escape Monthly has offered to give all of my readers a special 20% off coupon! Simply use the code YOURESCAPE and you will be good to go!
One of you now has the opportunity to WIN a FREE Escape Monthly box (valued at $50)! Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. All quotes and stock photos are from the Escape Monthly website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Thứ Tư, 26 tháng 6, 2013

Potty Training Made Easy With The Little Looster {Review & Giveaway}

Potty training. The phrase that can instill both thrill and dread into a mommy's heart. My experiences with potty training have not been good ones. It took over 2 years to completely train my daughter and we have failed several attempts to train my son. Ooooof. I wish there was a quick solution. Different things work for different people and while everyone means well, it can be so discouraging to hear "my child was potty trained in three days!" while mine took two years. However, I have been assured that my children will not be 18 and still in diapers so there is still hope! :)
Well, when it comes to potty training there are some necessary tools that I believe every parent should have. No matter what the age of your child, the big potty can be a scary thing to a little person and so it is needful to calm those fears before trying to potty train. This is where The Little Looster comes into play. A booster for the potty...who would have ever thought of such a thing?!?! Glad you asked, because I have to tell you that I am pleased to say that it is another MOM INVENTED product! Mom invented products are my absolute favorites because it means that out of their experience, this product was born and usually, it is to make our lives easier! Here is a bit more about The Little Looster and it's founder, Monica Mylet...
After giving birth to three kiddos in four years, I came up with a solution to the potty-training blues that we all experience.   Along with the need to offer children support, confidence and comfort while on the loo, I wanted to create a product that would not be in the way for adult use, easily cleaned and space saving.  The Looster Booster was born and a couple other amazing benefits were discovered.  The first being the fact that parents are saving hundreds of dollars by potty-training faster and NOT having to buy those unsanitary little step-stool potties that require CONSTANT attention.  We are saving money and landfills.  Another unexpected benefit that has been revealed is the obvious aid to children with special needs that could use a little help with balancing.
  
Little Looster LLC was initially a Portland, OR based business but is now located in St. Augustine, FL. I designed The Looster Booster over a period of about 3 years, including the very time consuming "Patenting" process.   Almost every aspect of the Looster's life cycle from birth-of-concept to design and manufacturing was completed by Oregon based companies  and is still MADE IN THE USA.  Now I am finding my way around Florida and working with some great new companies in the SE.  Can you tell that we like to travel?  I have had a great time spreading the word about the Looster to all corners of the US, 17 other countries and revolutionizing the way we potty train - one tush at a time!

I remember the first time I plopped Hannah onto a big potty...she screamed. Why was I not surprised??? Big potties are intimidating and are not like sitting on a chair...especially for little ones. They feel like they are falling into a hole and the whole concept of getting them to relax while sitting in a hole long enough to go potty, is expecting alot.
So, for this review I was SO EXCITED to receive a Little Looster to try out. I have to say that this is unlike any stool I have ever seen used for the potty in that it is big. Made out of sturdy, heavy duty plastic, this booster can hold up to 200 pounds. It is also a stool that doesn't get in the way of adults. It took a bit of getting used to but once it was in place for a few days, we were good to go! :)
Every parent that has seen this Looster in my house has been amazed and they always ALWAYS ask what it is and how they can get one. :) What I love about this Little Looster is that it wraps around the entire front of the toilet so no matter what angle your little one gets onto the potty, they will have something solid under their feet to make them feel secure. I always hated to see their little feet dangling in mid air while they struggled to keep their balance. :(
Potty training should not be a dreaded experience, but one that teaches, assures and gently leads your little one into this whole new world of big kid underpants and going to the bathroom in the big potty. This is Isaac...he is my youngest and is a little over the age of one right now. See how perfect this Little Looster is, even for him? He is small, yet his little piggies still have a nice place to be.
Even if you have tried to potty train and have failed, the Little Looster can give more than your little one a boost...it can boost YOUR confidence and get you headed in the right direction. My daughter has been fully potty trained now for about a year and she loves to use the Little Looster. When I put this in the bathroom, she was the first to try it and I heard her yelling from the bathroom "Hey Mom, it works!!!". Ha ha. Great to know that it meets her approval. :) The only thing I don't like is that the "L's" on the surface of the Looster are raised and if you have a child (or guy) that is sloppy when it comes to their pee going into the potty, the urine can get caught in those areas and so you have to be diligent to clean frequently. Thankfully though, it is super easy to clean and I typically just wipe my Looster down with a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe...works great!
The Little Looster retails for $34.99 and can be purchased at many different stores across the country including Bed Bath & Beyond, buybuy Baby and other retailers.

So, in my humble mommy's opinion...the Little Looster is SO GREAT! I am getting ready to try and potty train my son once again and am so glad to have the Looster for him. He definitely is scared of the potty but I think this will be a great comfort for him. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone...especially parents and grandparents! What a great potty training tool to have on hand for your children!

Monica has offered to give away a Little Looster to one of you! YAAY! Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a free Little Looster for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Little Looster website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Thứ Hai, 24 tháng 6, 2013

Blog Problems & Comments

Happy Monday everyone! Sooooooooooooo, I wanted to just let you all know that over the weekend I experienced some unforeseen difficulties with my blog. It was a VERY rough weekend because of all this and I wanted to give you all a heads up about the issues I had.

Because of the problems (to lengthy to discuss here...), all comments that were left prior to Saturday are no longer visible to you. However, I can see them in my blogger dashboard. So if you go to a post that you left a comment on and you don't see the comment, please be assured that I do have the comment and you do not have to re-submit it.

Hopefully from here on out we should be good but I just wanted to let you all know what went on so you understand why your comments are not there.

Have a great day! :)

Thứ Sáu, 21 tháng 6, 2013

Enjoy Free Shipping from Kidorable!


We are getting into summer now (actually, today is the first official day of summer!!) and it is time for fireworks, barbecues and, of course, free shipping from Kidorable!! Because Kidorable offers so many different products for children, they are very popular especially in the summer months.

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Well, right now when you order any item over $20 from Kidorable, you can get free shipping! This offer is available from July 1st until July 8th. All you do is use coupon code JULY4TH13 to receive free shipping on your order. To make it super fun, have your child pick out their favorite item! They have hooded towels, rain boots and coats and also umbrellas!

So, if you have a Kidorable fan in your house, be sure to take advantage of this free shipping offer from Kidorable and enjoy some special summer products!

DIY Tony Awards Red Carpet Looks from Mary Kay! {Review & Giveaway}

Well, it is that time of year again. Celebrities have been making their way down the red carpet and although I don't watch the awards ceremonies, I know from past experience that they do their very best to look fantastic. I have seen some gorgeous and down right hideous looks on the red carpet and this year, some of the makeup has been lovely! Mary Kay, as always, is doing their very best to make sure every woman can look just like their favorite celebrity and they have rolled out some really great looks that anyone can achieve! These two looks come from the very recent Tony Awards and they are stunning!

The first look that Mary Kay has re-created is that of Scarlett Johansson and here is how they did it...
Pucker up in a bold red lip inspired by Scarlett Johansson
  • Cover the entire eyelid with Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist and dab Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Crystalline onto the inner corners of the eyes and under the brow bones
  • Apply Mary Kay Liquid Eyeliner in Black along the top lash line and wing outward. Generously coat top and bottom lashes with Mary Kay Lash Love Lengthening Mascara in Black
  •  Line lips with Mary Kay Lip Liner in Clear. Apply Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Sizzling Red directly from the tube, using a lip brush if needed. Blot with Mary Kay Beauty Blotters and reapply for intense, long-lasting wear
  • Apply Mary Kay Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation and contour using Mary Kay Mineral Bronzing Powering in Sandstone
If you are like me and prefer a more natural, subtle look then you have got to try out Anna Kendrick's look that Mary Kay recreated...it is sooo beautiful! Here is how YOU can look just like her!
Turn heads with defined eyes and a neutral lip inspired by Anna Kendrick
  • Begin with Mary Kay TimeWise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation then dab Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Sparkling Cider on the apples of the cheeks
  • Apply Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in White Lilly to the eyelid and up to the brow bone, then blend Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Silver Satin onto the eyelid up to the crease
  • Apply Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Coal to the outer corner of the eye to create a smoky effect then line top and bottom lashes with Mary Kay Eyeliner in Black and smudge with a smudger brush
  • Generously apply two coats of Mary Kay Lash Love Lengthening Mascara in Black
  • Line lips with Mary Kay Lip Liner in Neutral. Apply Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Natural Beaute to complete the look
For this review, I was sent some Mary Kay products to try and I love all of them! I wanted to share them briefly with you today and give you an idea of what I did with them. I was sent...

TimeWise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation
 Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation
True Dimensions Lipstick in Natural Beaute
True Dimensions Lipstick in Sizzling Red
Mineral Eye Color in White Lily, Crystalline and Silver Satin
Mineral Cheek Color in Sparkling Cider
Mineral Bronzing Powering in Sandstone
Mary Kay Beauty Blotters
Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist
Lip Liner in Neutral and Clear
Lash Love Lengthening Mascara in Brown
Eyeliner in Black

I was really excited to try some of these looks and so I set right to work. The funny thing about this is that I didn't recreate either one of these looks, but kind of made my own...which turned out really great! I did utilize the tips that were given though and they are wonderful tips that really helped me get a great result. 
The first thing I tackled were my eyes. They are the hardest and require the most time so that is typically where I start. I love love LOVE the Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colors...they apply so nicely and look wonderful, especially when you blend light and dark colors together. So, I used the White Lily color on the upper portion of my eye lid and then blended the Silver Satin over the lids and just into the edge of where the White Lily color was. The look was oh so smoky and subtle. :) 
I have never used a brown colored mascara but it ended up looking really nice. I thought it would coat my dark lashes with sandy colored mascara but it didn't! I only use Mary Kay Mascara because I have found that it doesn't clump or look thick and also, because it stays put for long periods of time. Long wearing mascara is the best.
The Cream Eye Color is fantastic as well...very simple to apply and it looks so soft and subtle when you are done. I have used this in the past and love it! You can use a cotton swab, foam beauty wedges or cosmetic pads to apply and it looks wonderful. 
My lips are probably the most fun to make up and so I was excited to try the True Dimensions Lipstick as it is very moist and smooth and gives my lips a really nice finished look. Now, my undaring self would have first tried out the Natural Beaute color but I decided to go a bit on the wild side and use the Sizzling Red. Oh. My. Goodness. It was VERY red but so gorgeous. I loved how smooth it went on and stayed so smooth even after applying. 
I forgot to mention that before applying the Lipstick, you should use a Lip Liner to keep everything in place. Lip Liner also gives you a guide in which you can apply your lipstick without worrying about sloppiness. The Clear Lip Liner works great for light shades of lipstick and the Neutral (which looks pink) works wonderfully for darker lipsticks. Neutral is what I used with the Sizzling Red Lipstick. 
 Until I met Mary Kay's line of cheek colors, I used whatever brand I thought would look good on me. Now I only ever use Mary Kay and love it! The Mineral Bronzing Powder adds shimmer and dimension to your complexion and it really does highlight well. Mineral Cheek Color is also really nice because it adds a bit of color and more dimension. 
Sooo, this is how I looked after playing with all of my makeup. Doesn't it look great? I think the red lipstick is a bit much for me (or not...what do you think?) but it certainly could be used for special occasions. (I just have to keep it out of my daughter's reach or she will try it too!) I still have so much to learn about using makeup but it is fun to try out different products and find out which colors and types work best for my skin. 
Each of these and other fabulous Mary Kay beauty products can be found on their website and you can also find a beauty consultant near you to help you decide which products will look the best on you. 

So, in my opinion...Mary Kay truly has suceeded in re-creating some great celebrity looks. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking to spruce up their makeup collection this summer and go for a bolder look or just something a bit fresher. 

Mary Kay has offered to giveaway one of the above looks to one of you! The winner will have their choice of look...either the Scarlett Johansson look or the Anna Kendrick look. Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Thứ Năm, 20 tháng 6, 2013

Bet On Your Baby Blog App & Luvs Diapers Giveaway!


Boy oh boy...diapers are just something we have been talking about alot around here! Anyone who has children knows that diapers are NOT optional and that at some point, we all need them for our little ones. Well, I have something fun for you today and this is promising to be a huge hit!

Do you think you know your baby well? I would say that I do but are you willing to bet on how well you know your baby? Starting on August 7th and every Saturday after that, there will be a new show premiering on CBS called Bet On Your Baby! Here's the scoop...

Bet on Your Baby is a new show where parents play fun games with their toddlers, and try to “bet” on what baby will do next! If they guess correctly, the family wins $5,000 in college tuition money, and the chance to play for $50,000! 

All of these heartwarming and hilarious games are played in a toy-filled room called the Baby Dome. Do you think that you could predict what baby will do next? 

Ha ha! That sounds like such a great show. There are days when I think I know my children and then they turn around and do something totally unpredictable. Yikes. In conjunction with this new show, there is also a fun Bet On Your Baby blog app that has been created to psych you up and get you ready for the show! On this app you can take a quiz about whether or not you would survive the Baby Dome and other fun things! Take a peek...

Look at all those cute children!! I don't think my child would be able to perform there...they get a bit camera shy. :) Seriously though, doesn't this look like a fun show to tune in and watch?
This show is sponsored by Luvs and to celebrate it's launch, Luvs wants to giveaway three coupons for free Super Absorbent diapers to one of you! Luvs Super Absorbent diapers give your baby the protection they need at the low price you’re looking for—complete with a money back guarantee. New Luvs Super Absorbent Jumbo Packs have an everyday low price of $6.97 at Walmart! So, do you want to win? Here are your entry options. PLEASE NOTE: Prize cannot be shipped to P.O Boxes.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I am working in conjunction with ABC and they have supplied the materials and information used in this post. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Cate & Levi Now Makes SLIPPERS!!!

I have some really fantastic news to share with all of you today. Cate & Levi, a company based out of Canada that has sponsored several reviews and giveaways here, has recently launched a new product line! Now, sold exclusively at Uncommon Goods, you can find some darling slippers. Does your little one need something soft and cozy for their feet? Then Cate & Levi has just what you are looking for. Check them out...

Toddler Shark Slippers and Adult Shark Slippers
Baby Shark Slippers
Baby Guppy Slippers
Aren't they cute? I am really loving those baby guppy slippers...so adorable and so cozy looking! All of these slippers retail for $34 - $36 and are available at Uncommon Goods. I will be receiving a pair of these in several weeks and will be sure to blog about them so you can see what they look like on my little guy. Have a great weekend everyone!! 

Thứ Ba, 18 tháng 6, 2013

I LOVE Applebee's Fresh Flavors of Summer Menu! {Review & Giveaway ~ Open to US & Canada}

My husband and I love going out on dates together. Dates are welcome outings to our busy schedule and often help us to regroup and connect while away from the children. I have to admit though that sometimes, we truly talk about the children the entire time we are gone. THAT amazes me but raising children does take a lot of brainstorming and talking. So, one restaurant that we frequent when on dates is Applebee's. The casual environment, the yummy food and the variety of choices is always fun and we have enjoyed Applebee's immensely. In fact, when we were courting we would go for their 1/2 priced appetizers after 9 and to this day, we treasure those outings. One thing I have learned is that every Applebee's is different. Honestly, we have been in some fantastic ones and some that left a bit to be desired. However, our overwhelming vote has been positive for this particular restaurant. 
In celebration of these early days of summer, Applebee's has rolled out a Fresh Flavors of Summer Menu and there are some really yummy dishes that are featured on this menu!
The chef behind these dishes has some great tips and hints on how to create your very own "Fresh off the Vine" dishes! Here are some tips from Applebee's Executive Culinary Chef, Michael Slavin...

How to Pick a Perfect Tomato:
  • The type of tomato depends on the recipe. Roma tomatoes are great for cooking while Beefsteak tomatoes make big, juicy slices and are ideal for a sandwich or salad.
  • Once you know what type of tomato you need, there are a few things that you want to look for:
    • Color: Tomato should be a deep red without blemishes or bruising
    • Feel: A great tomato will feel heavy for its size, firm and should yield slightly when you squeeze it but have the resiliency to go back to its original shape
    • Smell: Tomatoes that are fresh and ripe will have a grassy, earthy smell, especially right where the stem is
    • Stem: While an intact stem doesn't mean that a tomato is automatically fresher than one without a stem, it is an indicator that the tomato was handled with care, probably by hand 
How to Cut a Tomato:
  • To avoid splatter (and mush), start with a sharp chef’s knife.
  • Make sure the skin side is against the hard surface of the cutting board and not the soft “meat” of the tomato.  You want to cut through the soft side, not through the skin.
  • Excess seeds and juice mean you probably got a tomato with an overgrown seed cavity, an indication that the tomato was left on the vine too long. This is most common with larger tomatoes.
  • Everything that ends up on your cutting board (aside from the stem and core) should go in with your food! Anything red, all the seeds… All of this will add to the quality and freshness of whatever you are preparing.
How to Pick a Perfect Avocado:
  • Avocados begin to ripen as soon as they are picked off the vine so a freshly picked, hard avocado will need 1-2 days before it is ready to eat.
  • If you buy an avocado that is perfectly ripe but that you are not ready to eat, a great trick is to put it in the fridge, as that will slow down the ripening process.
  • Feel: An avocado is ready to eat when you can squeeze it without leaving any indentations. If indentations remain it means the avocado is overripe.
  • Color: Avoid avocados that are completely green. You want color variation. An avocado that is extremely dark means it is overripe so look for something in between.
How to Dice an Avocado:
  • Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut the avocado in half lengthwise. With one hand on each side, give it a quarter turn twist and it will neatly bisect into two halves (one with the seed, one without).
  • To safely remove the seed, use a sharp teaspoon and slide it directly under the seed until it pops out.
  • Once the seed is out, hold one half of the avocado so that it lies in the natural shape of your hand and using a chef’s knife, score it twice lengthwise and three times horizontally.
  • Using the same sharp teaspoon, scoop around and under the avocado meat and 12 nice chunks will pop right out.
I have NEVER known how to dice an Avocado so these tips are so helpful for me. I love to prepare fresh foods for myself (seeing as my family doesn't eat fresh veggies) and think that these tips will be great!
So, for this review I was sent a $50 Gift Certificate for Applebee's and hubby and I were very excited to get away for an evening. Last night, we were able to get my sister to come and babysit the children and we escaped for a date together. 
The first thing that caught my eye were the little kiosks on each table. I immediately asked my husband what they were and when we were seated, I found that on this kiosk you can order drinks, appetizers, play games (for a price) and do other things to make your dining experience more pleasant. 
Our menus were handed to us and we had already decided that we wanted French Onion Soup and an appetizer to start. Our waitress, who was named Rachel, took our drink orders and hubby ordered a Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. He let me try it and it was DELICIOUS. :)
Obviously, after hearing so much about the new Fresh Flavors of Summer Menu, I eagerly opened my menu and began searching for the newest additions. I sort of wish that they had a specific section dedicated to this menu as the items were scattered amongst the other menu items and you kind of had to look for them. Some of the newest dishes are, Blackened Sirloin & Garlicky Green Beans, Margarita Queso Chicken & Shrimp, California Shrimp Salad, Lemon Shrimp Fettuccine and Green Bean Crispers. Everything sounded sooo delicious (except for the shrimp dishes as I am not a shrimp fan) and I had a hard time choosing something.
One thing that I noticed that is really nice is the fact that they have Weight Watchers menu items (complete with the number of points that meal will use) that make choosing a meal simple for someone who is on the Weight Watcher's diet. Just wanted to note that. :)
While we were waiting for our meal to come out, we decided that we would really love to try the Chili Cheese Nachos. Our Nachos arrived hot and ready to be eaten and we dug right in! As I was eating, I spied something unusual in my Nacho's and upon careful inspection, I found that there was a long, black hair wound around the chips. Whoa, that was totally unexpected. Our waitress was taking care of another table and so I flagged down someone who looked like a manager. After pointing the hair out, he apologized profusely and took the bad nachos to the kitchen. It wasn't long until a new platter was brought out and we thoroughly enjoyed them (in fact they were better than the first platter because there were more toppings on them). Later on in the evening, the manager came back to our table and again apologized for the issue we had. He also told us that it should NOT have happened and that he had removed the Nachos from our bill. I was VERY impressed with his professionalism and the fact that he had taken the almost $9 appetizer off our bill. We were happy with that. :)
For my dinner selection, I chose to try the Blackened Sirloin & Garlicky Green Beans. I typically always order the same thing when I go to familiar restaurants but wanted to try something different and LOVED my choice! This particular dish comes with fried red potatoes, a 7 oz. sirloin rubbed with blackened seasonings and basted in lime butter, garlicy green beans topped with chunky roma tomato pepper relish. The tomato relish was AMAZING. 
My husband chose a full rack of barbecued ribs. He is a fan of ribs and loved his dinner! We ended up taking almost all of his dinner home because he was full from the soup and appetizers. His eyes are always so much bigger than his stomach...ha ha! It seemed as if the restaurant was short staffed as our waitress was gone for long periods of time and that caused the managers to be out and about, waiting on tables, taking care of checks and bringing take-home boxes out. It was nice to see the managers helping out but I do think that Applebee's should do more to make sure they have sufficient staffing to take care of customers. Other than that, our food was delicious and we were glad that we chose to eat at Applebee's last night! 
So, this summer as you contemplate where to visit for a fresh dinner, check out Applebee's Fresh Flavors of Summer Menu! There is something for everyone and if you are like us then you will have absolutely NO ROOM for dessert! The new menu is wonderful and one that I would like to try again very soon. 

Applebee's has graciously given me a $50 Gift Card (electronic...you will need a printer to print it out and take to a restaurant) to give away to one of you so you can go and try out this new menu too! Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a free Applebee's Gift Card for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Applebee's websites and email.  Prize is being provided by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Thứ Hai, 17 tháng 6, 2013

Produce For Kids & Price Chopper Launch Get Healthy, Give Hope Campaign

Last year I posted about Produce for Kids and their Get Healthy, Give Hope Campaign and I am pleased to announce that it is once again time for this fantastic campaign! My children have a problem eating healthy (as do many children I know) and I am constantly on the lookout for fun and exciting ways to get them to eat better. When I first met Produce for Kids, I was overwhelmed with their commitment to nutrition for kids and have kept in touch with them ever since. On their website you can find recipes and fun ideas to get your children in some better eating patterns and I for one have enjoyed the experience of finding new ways to prepare simple foods. Want to know more about this campaign? Check out the details...

Produce for Kids is launching its annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign with major supermarket chains across the country, including your local Price Chopper store, to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Children's Hospital at Dartmouth this Sunday. Beginning June 16th, the joint campaign will run through July 27th and will help raise money for children in need. The more produce Price Chopper shoppers add to their shopping lists, the more hope they can give to local children. All participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers at Price Chopper stores will make a consumption-based donation to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

To learn more about the campaign, shoppers can visit the Produce for Kids in-store display which features easy-to-prepare recipes, helpful materials with additional information on the campaign and links to visit more than 90 easy Ideal Meals® recipes online. The display also features characters from the popular Sprout® health-focused children’s series “LazyTown™” and “The Chica Show,” along with tips on healthy eating for kids.

Here are some of the recipes that Produce for Kids offers...

Banana Fro-Yo

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
·   2 bananas, peeled, chopped
·   3 cups lowfat yogurt
·   1 cup pineapple, cored, chopped
·   ¼ cup caramel dip
Directions:
1. Place bananas in freezer bag and freeze overnight.
2. Blend bananas, yougurt and pineapple in blender until thick and smooth.
3. Portion and freeze for 25 minutes.  
4. Drizzle with caramel dip and serve.

Smoothie Pops & Super Cereal Mix
Serves 16
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
·   1 large peach or mango, peeled, chopped
·   1 large nectarine, peeled, chopped
·   2 medium bananas, peeled, sliced
·   1 cup strawberries, leaves hulled
·   1 cup blueberries
·   ¼ cup orange or fruit juice
·   2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
·   16 paper cups
Directions:
1. Place all smoothie ingredients in a blender and blend until just smooth.
2. Place 16 paper cups on a baking tray.  Pour smoothie into paper cups.  Place tray in freezer and freeze until slushy, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove tray from freezer and insert one popsicle stick into the center of each cup.  Return to freezer and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
4. Tear away paper cup and place on plate.
Serves 4
Preparation Time:
Ingredients:
·   1 cup toasted oat rings cereal
·   1 cup round corn puffs cereal
·   ½ cup round colored corn puffs cereal
·   ½ cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
Directions:
1. Combine all cereal mix ingredients in a large bowl.

Super Green Smoothie
Serves 4
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Ingredients:
·   2 cups 1% milk
·   1 banana, peeled, cut in half
·   ½ avocado, pitted, peeled
·   1 cup spinach, gently packed
·   1 cup green apple, cored, chopped
·   3 Tbsp. ground flax seed
·   2 Tbsp. honey
Directions:
1. Blend milk, banana, avocado, spinach, apple, flax seed and honey in blender until smooth.

YUM, YUM, YUM! Here is a bit more information about who Produce for Kids is and what they have to offer parents all across the country...

Produce for Kids’ marketing programs take place in grocery stores across the country promoting healthy eating and benefiting local children’s non-profit groups. These campaigns combine advertising, in-store displays and events, public relations and Internet marketing. Ideal Meals™ offer simple, healthy meal solutions for busy parents through complete meal recipe ideas created by a chef and approved by a nutritionist.

Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $3.7 million for children’s non-profit organizations including Children’s Miracle Network® Hospitals, Let’s Move Salad Bars To Schools and PBS KIDS® among others. All funds raised directly benefit these partner organizations.

Year-round resources for parents include Ideal Meals; the Parents on Produce board, a panel made up of busy working parents; Ideal Meal demonstration videos and healthy eating tips and articles.

The Produce for Kids program has been embraced by the produce industry and covers grocery store retailers in more than 40 states and incorporates suppliers in every major produce category.

So, this summer as you prepare to enjoy picnics at the park, warm, sunny afternoons at the beach or simple snacks for after nap time, check out Produce for Kids and see what they have to offer you. Have a great summer!!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I will be receiving free Produce for Kids products in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. 

Thứ Ba, 11 tháng 6, 2013

Dress Up Your Hair With Qoileez! Review & Giveaway

From the time my daughter was a baby, I have always loved to doll her hair up in pretty styles. She was TERRIBLE about keeping anything in her hair as an infant so I sort of gave up until she was older. Now that she is bigger, I am constantly giving her special styles in her hair and for the first time ever, I did her hair in rag curlers the other night. Woo! Was her hair ever curly the next morning!! She loved it and I loved doing it for her. Curly hair on little girls is just too cute. :) Some of the other hair styles that she loves are braids, half up and half downs, pony tails and other easy styles. Because she is older, she also sits still for longer periods of time while I do her hair. This was something that she always had trouble with when she was smaller. I have convinced her that when she sits still so mommy can do her hair, she can end up looking like a fancy princess and that usually does the trick in getting her to stay still longer.
I have recently discovered a really cute and versitile fashion accessory that looks super classy in Hannah's hair and wanted to share it with you today! Qoileez! is a company that makes small, curly hair accessories that are easy to use and fun as well! Here is a bit more about Qoileez!, and the founder of this company, Maria Casarez...

Qoileez! came from being inspired by so many successful inventors/entrepreneurs' stories that I have read and heard about.  And the drive to invent and create something overpowered me. I said to myself: "I want to create something. Something fun and fashionable. Something with a multi-purpose." Well, one day I was at the store and I was thinking of the inventor who invented the Topsy Tail and I said to myself "I am going to look in the knitting, crochet area and see if there is something like the Topsy Tail that I can use in my hair." So I did and found these tiny stretchy plastic things that were used to hold knitting needles together and I said to myself those would look cute in my hair. So I bought them. They were $5.99 for a pack of 5 solid colors (purple, green and white). I experimented with them. They held my hair together and helped me create some cute hair styles but didn't have that, "Wow factor"!  

So I thought to myself what can I do to make them look better?  They became my prototypes. Now I know what prototypes are because I have done a lot of research and have been educating myself on inventing and bringing products to market.  I researched the material manufactures, colors, design and so much more. I thought to myself "these" coils would look so cute if they were different designs and colors and would make such a cute fashion accessory for my hair.  My kids and I started to come up with all these ideas of how these coiled plastic objects could be used for. So I bought some nail art stickers cut them and put them over the coils and molded them to fit the coils. They looked so cute!

Once again, I have discovered a product that has been invented by a mom and that is what I love about doing reviews. It really opens my eyes to the number of great companies out there that have their roots in family and that is so great.
So, for this review I was sent three packages of Qoileez! to try out and experiment with. As I said before, I love doing my daughter's hair and this created the perfect opportunity for a quick hair style for her.
As you can see, there are many different styles, colors and themes to choose from when shopping for Qoileez! I am not a really flashy type of person so I love the pretty colors that I was sent. They are just enough color to add a bit of "pop" to any hairstyle.
Measuring about 1/2 inch in length, these are flexible little coils that wrap nicely around the hair. They are made out of a flexible plastic type of material and once they are stretched, they can be coiled around just about anything!
Are you a student or teacher? Then Qoileez! would look really great coiled around your pencils and pens. As an added bonus, not only can you have them decorate your writing utensils but you can also have a hair accessory handy for those moments when you forgot your hair tie and need to put your hair back! I love that idea.
Hannah's hair tends to be wispy and gets in her eyes really easily. So, I pulled her bangs back and wrapped the Qoileez! around the hair. I was amazed at how nicely it held her hair in place. Not only did it hold her hair for the remainder of the day but it also held throughout the night too. THAT was impressive. :) Her hair isn't that thick either so I thought the Qoileez! held her hair together really well considering that aspect. I am also wanting to put several of these throughout her hair when I braid it...I think it would look super cute. 
So, to buy Qoileez!, simply visit their website and click on the "shop" tab. This will give you so many options for colors and styles...they have something for every one and every taste out there! Right now, they have free shipping too so be sure to take advantage of that. Think ahead to Christmas...stocking stuffers are always difficult and these would make PERFECT stocking stuffers!!  One package of 7 Qoileez! retails for $4.99 and you can also get 14 count packages for $7.99 too. Fantastic price for outstanding hair accessories!

So, in my opinion...Qoileez! are really cute hair accessories that I have been having fun with. My daughter's hair looks even cuter now that I have these and I seriously am using them all the time. They don't pull her hair or put kinks into it...plus, they are super easy to use. I would definitely recommend them to anyone!

Qoileez has offered to giveaway three packages of Qoileez! to one of you! The winner will have their choice of which three packages they would like to receive as well. Here are your entry options into this awesome giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Qoileez! products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Qoileez! websites and email.  Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.