Whole Grain White Rice, From Uncle Ben's!

We eat a lot of rice, but not just any rice. We eat white rice. Not the healthiest choice. In fact, the only time I'll eat brown rice is when it's white rice with a little soy sauce. Sad isn't it? When I first found out that Uncle Ben's was offering a Whole Grain White Rice, I was eager to try it. It is healthier and as long as it tastes great, I would happily buy it instead. I've made the switch with other foods and so far, so good. Thanks to Mom Central, I took part in Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice Blog Tour! I was sent a few aprons and boxes of their new rice to share with friends and family. A few nights ago, I tried out Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice for the first time. I decided to serve it pretty plain, using only a few seasonings. If we liked it plain, we would certainly love it cooked in other ways! I mixed in a pinch of salt, Smoked Spanish Paprika, and garlic-the same seasoning that I used on my chicken. It took about 20 minutes to cook. It looked very similar to white rice and it tasted even better. Logan and Sam both loved the rice and Logan even had a second serving. Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice passed the test with our family! Visit Uncle Ben's and discover all of their great products, including a few flavored varieties that look mouth-watering good!

To Disclose: “I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben’s and received samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

My Unexpected Career Change

No, I'm not having a mid-life crisis, and I don't have an obsession with Dog The Bounty Hunter. I do have a new obsession with Domino's Pizza and their contest has made me sit down and come up with a plan. I'm going to become a Bounty Hunter. I never expected to love Domino's Pizza when I tried them. You see, I too was a holdout. A stubborn one at that. One beautiful March day, all that changed and I had my first taste. At that point, my favorites blurred into distant memories and I began telling everyone I knew about Domino's new pizza. Yes, I've ordered from Domino's again, and I plan on ordering more, lots more, as long as I have the funds to indulge. This contest would help!!! Now, there is a price on your taste buds! I'm speaking to all the holdouts! I'm going to turn you on to Domino's Pizza and claim my prize. Unless of course you beat me! Domino’s Pizza, the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, is placing a “bounty” on taste buds that have yet to try its Inspired New Pizza – the payment being free food, of course! Domino’s Taste Bud Bounty, which recently launched online at PizzaHoldouts.com, encourages customers to turn in their pizza holdout friends in exchange for delicious rewards.

The Taste Bud Bounty Hunter who successfully convinces the most pizza holdouts to try out the new recipe will win FREE pizza for a year in the form of $20 gift cards – 52, to be exact. Both the hunters and the hunted will receive incentives via e-mail for participating in the Taste Bud Bounty, which utilizes Facebook to further engage consumers. Participants can easily upload their profile photo from Facebook onto the Domino’s Most Wanted Taste Bud Wall or the Top Bounty Hunter Wall. They can then have their progress updated, and be followed by friends.  To start the search, consumers can go to PizzaHoldouts.com. Domino’s will reward each Bounty Hunter’s first submission with a coupon for a FREE order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes with an online delivery order of $10 or more. Each submitted pizza holdout will receive a coupon to buy one pizza and get a second pizza of equal or lesser value FREE (minimum delivery amount applies, only valid online). Hunters who successfully “capture” 10 friends – convincing them to order Domino’s new pizza – will receive a coupon for one FREE large 1-topping pizza (with online order only, tax and delivery charge may apply). Customers are encouraged to capture as many pizza holdouts as possible before the contest ends June 27.

One of my readers (I'm jealous really happy for one of you!!) will win a $20 gift card from Domino's Pizza! To enter, simply enter the contest and tell me what you love the most about Domino's Pizza. If you haven't tried it yet, tell me what looks the best and why you would like to try it! Leave your answer in a comment.
 Extra Entries:
Follow me (google friend connect/networked blogs/facebook/twitter) for one entry each! Links on left sidebar!
Follow Domino's Pizza on Twitter/Facebook for two entries each!
Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries!
Add this link to your favorite giveaway site/linky (only if I'm not already listed) for another 5 entries! Leave name of site in comment!
Tweet this giveaway for an extra entry daily!
This giveaway ends at midnight June 10, 2010. US residents only. Good Luck!

To Disclose: Domino's Pizza will provide gift card for one lucky winner. They will mail gift card to winner at the end of contest. No monetary compensation was received for this post and honest opinions were given.

Take Your Pillow Pets On A Summer Adventure!

We love our Pillow Pets and they often go along with us on trips. They make a great head rest for the kids. I've been known to "borrow" one from time to time to make a long trip more comfortable. Pillow Pets are so soft and cuddly and I can never resist curling up with one when I watch a movie or a just need a break. If you love your Pillow Pet, now's your chance to show us! If you do, you can win a great package! Simply show us where your Pillow Pets™ plush folding stuffed animal has been this summer and earn the chance to win one for ten friends! Want more details?

All Pillow Pets™ plush folding stuffed animals love an adventure! This summer, show us the fun you and your favorite Pillow Pets™ plush folding stuffed animals are having on vacation, at camp, in your backyard – wherever! All you need to do is post a video on the video-sharing website of your choice, send us the link at MyPillowPetsAdventure@carabinerpr.com, and watch to see if you are randomly selected to win the Pillow Pets™ plush folding stuffed animal of your choice, plus one each for up to ten friends! Videos will be accepted between May 24 and July 31, 2010.
One winner will be chosen at random every three weeks between May 31 and August 22, 2010, and will be notified via e-mail. CJ Products, LLC, the official creator and marketer of Pillow Pets™ plush folding stuffed animals, is the contest’s sponsor. A full list of program guidelines may be found at http://www.pillowpets.com/Public_Relations_information.htm.
Don't leave your pets at home! Share your adventures and win!
To Disclose: I have a prior relationship with Pillow Pets but I was under no obligation to share this great contest. No monetary compensation received. Be on the lookout for more reviews and giveaways in the near future!

The Perfect Twilight

There's nothing like a delivery of gorgeous fresh flowers. On Monday, this beautiful arrangement arrived. It was delivered by my long time favorite, Hadden's Flowers & Gifts in Albany, Georgia. The arrangement is available through Teleflora, and you can find it here. The Twilight Garden Basket is a sight to behold! Twilight is that special time when shadows grow long and the flowers in your garden seem to take on a mystical quality. This arrangement is a fragrant reminder of that special time, and it can be viewed both day and night!

While I get penalized (by my website grader) for too many pictures, I really couldn't help myself. I have received several arrangements from Teleflora and this one is my favorite! I can't identify some of the flowers in my basket, but I can tell you that the mix is unique, and the colors are impressive! The white roses have a mild, feminine fragrance that catches you when you least expect it. A little whiff here and there brings a smile to my lips and warms my heart. This is the type of arrangement that I would love for any occasion, or non-occasion!

When I first saw this arrangement, I was attracted to the purples and blues. The colors were not typical and the flowers were a mix of a few of my favorites. Hydrangeas! While the Teleflora site shows blue, mine were the most gorgeous shade of purplish-mauve! Crisp white roses instead of the lovely violet roses seen on the Teleflora bouquet, sharply contrasted to give plenty of depth and visual appeal to the arrangement. The carnations, full and lush, were bright pink in my basket!

I was pleased to fall in love with a new flower Monday. I have no idea what it's called, but the smokey blue shade and the interesting prickly petals really complimented the rest of the flowers. Teleflora has so many gorgeous arrangements that are delivered fresh from your local florist. They are never delivered in a box, in the arms of a sometimes unsmiling delivery person. (Note: I am not referring to my wonderful delivery guys, but you might not have the same luck!)

While some of you might want exactly what you see in the picture, Teleflora florists do not get the same shipments of flowers. While my flowers and basket were different from the picture on Teleflora's site, I think my florist did a beautiful job recreating the arrangement. It's nice to know that I did not get a cookie cutter arrangement. I've had those before and yes, they often came in a box. This arrangement was made just for me!

I have already taken follow up pictures, but you will have to wait to see them! I'll keep you posted with dates and photos for sure. As far as care, I mist daily to make my arrangement last. This arrangement doesn't drop a lot of petals or leaves. So far, I haven't lost any. I have only cleaned up a few specks on my table.

Visit Teleflora and find out how easy it is to send a smile or a hug to someone you love! Flowers always seem to brighten my day. They also brighten my heart and my home. Flowers never last an eternity, but the memory of a special arrangement will bloom in a loved one's heart forever.

To Disclose: I was sent the Twilight Garden Basket for review. I have a long term relationship with Teleflora. No monetary compensation received. Follow up posts about this arrangement are not required.

More Than "Just Vanities"

I have fun putting rooms together. My husband and I plan out each and every detail, sometimes years in advance. About 5 years ago, we found an incredible sale on marble flooring which was perfect for our bathroom. We knew we were years away from being able to put it down, but we grabbed it and saved tons of money. That's how we do things. A while back I discovered the family of CSN Stores. WOW! 200 stores, low prices, and quality products. What more could you want?

I spent hours a few nights ago looking at their sites. One of the stores that really grabbed my attention was JustVanities.com. They have several bathroom vanities that I love and their vessel sink and faucet sets are simply stunning! The items are offered at affordable prices and they have a huge assortment of products to fit many decors. Their sales are huge and I will definitely be taking advantage of them in the future when I complete my bathroom renovation. I'm really glad that I found their site, and you can be sure that I'm going to tell everyone I know about their awesome deals!

To Disclose: I have a prior relationship with CSN Stores and I posted this editorial in order to share this wonderful site with my readers. I will be working with CSN Stores again in the very near future! No monetary compensation received.

Make Your Own Wonderland!

I love a good party and I can often find plenty of reasons to celebrate. Thanks to Century Novelty, we will be celebrating the release of Alice in Wonderland on DVD June 1! Century Novelty sent us a Mad Hatter Costume Kit. The kit contains a wig, face paint kit, and of course, the Mad Hatter hat! At Century Novelty, you can find so many party items to make sure your party is a huge success! Themed party plates, napkins, cups and even a centerpiece will set the mood for your very own Wonderland filled evening! Their products and service are top notch! Plus, their site is easy to navigate! They also sent us a cool butterfly and also a flower streamer! I will be using those for an upcoming project and I'll share pictures then!

With summer approaching, plan a fun beach themed party! We grilled out with friends and family and had a blast with our Beach Monkey themed plates, napkins, cups, mini beach balls, and other accessories! We had a cool monkey centerpiece that was easy to put together with the included paperclips and I loved that it was reusable, folding flat for storage! The colorful plates were sturdy and held plenty of ribs and beef brisket with all the trimmings. The cups held our drinks with no problems. Logan and Sam both used them and they were able to hold them without collapsing them! The napkins had a nice weight and they did not tear or shred when wiping BBQ sauce covered fingers! It was the perfect evening thanks to Century Novelty! If you are planning a celebration, find everything you need in one place! If you aren't planning a celebration, stop by an be inspired!
To Disclose: I was sent several item in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Shop 'Til You Drop At CafePress!

My husband has quite the T-Shirt collection. He is always on the lookout for something new and fun! Recently, I found out about CafePress. If they don't have what your looking for, you can create it yourself! At CafePress, they don't design the tees and other great products. They print on demand. You order, they print. Since you can design your own tee, why not get creative with reunions and birthdays, showers and other parties! The sky is the limit! You can browse their extensive collection, but be prepared. We spent hours and we still didn't see everything! They have so many great designers! I found two great tees and I love them both!

For a little medical humor, I found the "Old Fart" tee. My husband has worn it several times and it never fails to make the doctors and nurses laugh! It's a medium weight tee and it is made using a 100% preshrunk cotton tee. The design has stood up to several washings so far and the image has remained perfect! I ordered my husband's usual size and the fit is perfect! I also received a 1st Ranger Bn tee. My husband is a former Army Ranger and his old tees were wearing thin. Because he loved them so much, I knew he would love this! He did! It has quickly become his favorite tee. It is extremely comfortable and after a couple of washes, it is getting noticeably softer. The color is rich and it hasn't faded! If you are a t-shirt junkie like we are, or you have to have that certain tee, look no further. Visit CafePress and you'll know exactly what I mean!
You can find millions of personalized gifts at CafePress– for any topic, interest, or brand!

To Disclose: CafePress provided these tees for review. Honest opinions were given. No monetary compensation received.

Our Resident Monster With The Onesie To Prove It!

I love baby clothes. My favorite designs are usually appliques or embroidered. While I am normally drawn to these designs, I was excited to find something completely different! And if you know anything about me, then you'll know that I love different! Sam is our resident monster, and he's often introduced as our little monster when out and about. At least he is when my husband makes the introductions. I usually agree in silence, but I point out that he keeps things interesting! He began his terrible two's at birth and he is only now beginning to cut us some slack. When I found this onesie, I had to have it! This "Little Monster" onesie is my new favorite!

These designs are the creation of Jenifer, owner of Cantaloupe Corner, Etsy star and talented artist. She uses a dye removal process and the designs are made using the absence of color. I think that's pretty neat! The design color that you get from the dye removal process is similar in color to bleach stains, but it is not obtained by using bleach. It's also much more exact than my at-home bleach designs! No spills or splatters! The color may be absent, but the coolness of each design is not! I found so many designs that I wanted to add to our wardrobe. From "Pirate Ship" design to "Little Engineer", it was hard to pick until I found the Little Monster design. Then it seemed that fate had stepped in and decided for me! And ladies, check out her "Depth Of Love Design!" It's gorgeous! There is no ink, bleach, or paint used on the designs and each item meets CPSIA standards of being lead free and safe for babies. I've already washed Sam's onesie and it was simple. I did not have to turn it inside out (which I often fail to do-hey, I've got too much on my mind these days!) and it looked new after washing. Sometimes black fades after the first wash but this onesie held it's color (and lack of color) well! She offers several colors and a variety of sizes. Each item arrives wrapped in tissue paper, perfect for giving! Check her out and fall for something different!
To Disclose: This onesie was sent in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions were given.

Heirloom Crib Bedding From The Gordonsbury Company

I loved preparing for my babies. I enjoyed every minute. My favorite part was picking the crib bedding. With Logan, I purchased a pre-made set. Afterwards, I looked at the set and decided it was too generic. There would be lots of babies sleeping on that very set. I wanted something different. I picked out fabrics and asked my mom to create something beautiful. She didn't let me down! With Sam, things were very hectic and I bought a quality set from a specialty baby store. I liked it, but it wasn't exactly what I wanted. It was hard because there were so many things that I wanted to do in the nursery. Unfortunately, we just couldn't do what we really wanted to do. After searching online, I found the perfect set and Gordonsbury was generous and kind enough to send it my way. Gorgeous accessories were included and over the coming weeks and months, I'm going to share all the details with you, while introducing some of Gordonsbury's other stunning designs.

One of the items in my box was a gorgeous towel set! The towels were carefully hand embroidered in Zimbabwe using the finest linens. These plush towels are of the highest quality. The designs are timeless and classic yet colorful and lively, and they are true heirloom quality products that will be cherished by more than one generation. The embroidery is very fine and very soft. If you run your finger across the embroidered design, it is almost like silk! The details are unbelievable! I only wish they made coordinating shower curtains! When I opened the box, it literally took my breath away. My heart pounded with excitement as I removed the contents! Each item features playful farm animals with friendly faces. They are so lifelike and it's obvious that a great deal of time and skill went into each product. While you will no longer find Gordonsbury Little Barn bedding on their site, you can find it in other online shops. Gordonsbury offers several designs and I will feature another design next week. Afterwards, I'll share some other products that were sent for review. If you are considering elegant nursery bedding, be sure to visit their site!
To Disclose: Gordonsbury Little Barn products were sent for review. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions are given. If you would like more details on the Little Barn set that I received, please send me an email. 

Pizza Hut $10 Pizzas!

We love pizza! It's easy to call in an order and have my husband pick it up on the way home. Recently, I discovered ordering online through Pizza Hut's website. Ordering is easy and quick, without the usual hold time or trying to give your order more than once. Since like different pizzas, we can order exactly what we want, building our pizza online. No confusion, no mistakes. I love it!

Pizza Hut is affordable too! Their pizzas are $10!!! I like the stuffed crust, and it's only  $1 more. My favorite toppings are pepperoni, bacon, and ham! I've also decided that an order isn't complete without Stuffed Pizza Rollers! These remind me of something I had in NYC. It's garlic pizza bread, pepperoni, and lots of cheese! Unlike the others, these are rolled up and baked to perfection. I can't get enough of them. Logan can't either. There are only 4 per order and if you leave them on the counter, they may disappear one by one. Usually when I eat a slice of pizza, I can't eat another unless half an hour or more has gone by. Well after that half hour, I went in to try one of the Stuffed Pizza Rollers only to find that half the order was gone!!! Seems that Logan ate one and then decided he had to have another. After my husband and I both tried them, there wasn't any left for later!!! Next time, we ordered 2!!! And yes, we placed our next order about two weeks later!

I'm giving away two $10 gift cards from Pizza Hut to one US reader! To enter, tell me what your favorite Pizza Hut Pizza is and leave your answer in a comment!
Extra Entries!!!

Follow me (google friend connect/networked blogs/facebook/twitter) for one entry each! See links on sidebar!
Like Pizza Hut on facebook for 2 extra entries!
Follow Pizza Hut on Twitter for 2 extra entries!
Blog about this giveaway for 3 extra entries!
Add this giveaway link to your favorite giveaway site/linky (only if I'm not already listed) for another 3 entries! Leave name of site in comment!
Spread the word!
This giveaway is open to US readers and ends midnight May 31, 2010. Good Luck!

To Disclose: I received Pizza Hut Gift Cards to order pizza and complete this review. No monetary compensation received. and honest opinions were given.

Meet Joebot, From Discovery!!

For as long as I can remember, Logan has had a fascination with robots. Several times a year he asks for one. I really had not found the ideal robot for a child his age until now. Meet Joebot, a Discovery Exclusive! He has quite the personality! Joebot is a walking, talking interactive buddy is full of comedic banter and packed with tons of features for endless hours of fun! He has a friendly voice and a very expressive face, for a robot!

Joebot is equipped with infrared vision and the ability to detect both sounds and obstacles. He will guard your child's room and listen to your voice commands. Joebot can  be set in a number of modes. We all love to watch him dance and Logan has enjoyed making up different beats and laughing with amazement as Joebot plays it back! The battle mode is really cool to watch because he blasts away at any objects with his LED hands. We can even square off with him head-to-head via remote control!
Joebot features:
Program and record Joebot to perform a sequence of motions and actions of up to 40 different steps.
LED indicator lights in face, chest, and arms indicate his mood and thoughts.
Set to multiple, interactive modes for hours of fun, including:
Battle mode: Using his hand LEDs, Joebot will pretend to shoot down anything that comes in his path.
Patrol mode: Let Joebot wander around freely as he inspects and makes comments on his environment and surrounds.
Guard mode: Intruders, beware! Joebot can stand guard to scan and listen for any trespassers.
Talk mode: Learn more about Joebot’s life as a robot, plus get tips and advice on how to use him.
Game mode: Go head-to-head with Joebot in a Simon Says-type game. Copy his moves and see how long you can keep up!
Dance mode: Watch as Joebot show off his moves!
Equipped with built-in microphone for voice command control – no remote needed.
Initiate commands first by saying “Robot” followed by directions, such as “Forward!”, “Go left!”, or “Stop!”
IR sensors provide ability to “see” any object within 15 inches (40cm) directly in front of him.

Joebot has been a great addition to the family. It does take some practice and time to learn all of Joebot's functions because there is so many of them! Logan does get frustrated every now and then because Joebot may not understand certain commands. Logan continues to practice and this does improve. The problem may lie with Logan's missing two front teeth! Logan is making new discoveries everyday with Joebot. I gave him the manual and allowed him to learn on his own. Whenever he masters something new, he has to show off! Joebot really is a lot of run. He walks, talks, and even sleeps. He has provided endless entertainment and my kids adore him. Since he can do so many different things, Logan hasn't grown bored! Check out Discovery Joebot and play the preview clip. This is one toy that won't sit alone in a corner. At least, it hasn't in my house!
To Disclose: Joebot was sent in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Spotlight Baby!!

I know. It looks a little like this baby is preparing for a big fight. But this picture really shows a peaceful, sleeping baby! When I first saw this product, I wasn't too sure about it. The more I thought about the concept, the more it made sense. Squeez Ease is made of ultra soft organically grown bamboo and organic cotton. You use them when your baby is fussy or sleeping. They promote sensory development and they keep your little one from scratching the face. They decrease sudden jerking of the hands and provide baby with comfort when your baby squeezes them. They also increase awareness of their hands and allow their fingers to be free for exploration and sucking. While I haven't tried them, it makes sense that these would be comforting to a baby. They are made for babies up to 6 months. I would have loved to have tried them on Sam when he was younger. He was always fussy and many times I searched for different ways to calm him!While I didn't get to try Squeez Ease, I did get my hands on a lion Bamboo Buddy! It is also made of organically grown bamboo and organic cotton. When Sam was born, I decided to avoid plastic teethers and other plastic products. This is one product that I would have happily given him! The lion's hands and feet are designed to promote sensory development. The soft mane fluffs in the wash. This is one toy that won't be left behind. I could see my little one carrying it around everywhere! When I first received it, I tried it out with Sam during one of his meltdowns. As soon as I gave it to him, he threw it. When I began to walk away, he quickly retrieved it and snuggled with it. It's a beautiful thing when an angry child can find comfort in something so wonderful! Check out Spotlightbaby and learn more about these great products! A lot of thought was put into the creation of these products. Judy Kang, a highly regarded occupational therapist specializing in infant and toddler development, founded Spotlightbaby. With her business partner Sally Park, she empowers parents with the developmental tools and eco-friendly products necessary to help their babies' reach their full development potential! Spotlightbaby also supports organizations that help disadvantaged moms worldwide so that they can have a better quality of life! Click here for a list of retailers!
To Disclose: I was sent a lion Bamboo Buddy in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Bringing The Outdoors In. Bugs, Cows, And All!

As you can see, we LOVE Prince Lionheart! Last year, Sam received a small Wheely Bug. It is his favorite toy! He uses it as a ride-on, a stool, a chair, and he's even turned it upside down to use as a ramp for his toy cars! This year, we noticed that he was just beginning to outgrow it. His feet were slightly dragging across the floor and he would have to lift them up when he drifted around corners. He could use it for another 6 months or longer, but we decided to try for a larger ride-on! For our birthday bash, my little dare devil upgraded to a large Wheely Cow! While he never leaves his bug behind, he favors his brand new cow. The wooden horns are darling! The Cow and the Bug are both padded comfortably and the handle is covered in a no slip material. Every time Sam gets on his Wheely Cow, he really means business. He is so serious and he really gets into it. He makes motor noises and drives around like a pro. When Logan (or one of us!) gets in the way, he races towards him! When we think an accident is inevitable, he turns the cow sideways and slides, stopping just shy of Logan's toes! We have so much fun watching him, and he has so much fun riding his Wheely Cow! The only thing that I don't like? This one can be used as a slightly taller stool than his Wheely Bug, so I have to really watch what I put on the kitchen counters!
To Disclose: Sam was sent a Wheely Cow in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Waring And Great Northern Popcorn

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I don't often post on two products together, but I really couldn't review one of these products without the other. These companies have not endorsed each other, and I am using these products together because they were both sent for our birthday bash!

I've always wanted a professional popcorn maker. They take up a lot of room, but they are so much fun! It really sets the stage for the ultimate movie night at home! We were sent a Waring Pro WPM40 Kettle Popcorn Maker. It boasts 600 Watts of power and it has a 5 year warranty! The pivoting kettle and the door can be removed for easy clean up. The metal strip below the door tilts out (you can also remove it for cleaning) so you can fill up your popcorn bowl with ease! A heat lamp keeps the popped corn nice and warm! Discount Tommy supplied convenient 6 ounce portion packs. Each pack contains gourmet popcorn, buttery seasoned salt, and low melt oil. Everything is premeasured so you end up with less mess! They also take up very little space. I have used other portion packs in the past. From my experience, Great Northern Popcorn Company has the most flavorful popcorn with the least amount of unpopped kernels. When I used the portion pack for the first time, I noticed that the end result was too salty for me. Adjusting this was easy. I simply used less of the seasoned salt in my next batch! It may take a couple of tries to get your ideal popcorn, but it is worth it in the end. The Waring Pro Kettle Popcorn Maker is available in Chili Red! The unit features two switches on the front of the unit, one controls the light while the other controls the heat. The kettle can be easily removed. To remove the kettle, unplug it. Then pull the handle down (like you would to empty the popcorn) and then pull the pin on the left side of the kettle and slide the kettle out. Never submerge the kettle in water. It wipes clean with mild dtergent and a quick rinse. The kettle lid is magnetic and you can lift it out of the way when you are filling the kettle with oil and salt. When you have allowed the oil and salt to heat for approx. 4 minutes, add your unpopped kernels and close the lid. Close the door on the unit and wait for the popping to stop, then immediately turn off the switch that controls the warming of the kettle. Pull down on kettle handle and allow the popcorn to spill out. The Waring Pro Kettle Popcorn maker is easy to use!The portion packs from Great Northern Popcorn Company really helped eliminate mess. All the ingredients are together! We LOVE this popcorn and so did our family! There were very few unpopped kernels left after I removed the popcorn and put it into bowls. The Waring Pro Kettle Popcorn Maker features a grated bottom. The unpopped kernels can either fall through or you can sweep them across the grate. The tray below the grate collects them and you can remove the tray to dump the kernels for easy clean up! The Waring Pro Popcorn Popper is supposed to yield 12 cups in two and a half minutes. It didn't for me. That wasn't a big issue for me though. It took just over 3 minutes for my six ounce portion pack to pop. The oil was heated for the recommended time before the kernels were poured into the kettle. It could be that Waring used a different popcorn when the product was tested. There may also be other factors involved. Whatever the reason, I am completely satisfied! I'm not sure how well the warming light worked because there was never any popcorn left! As soon as I made popcorn, it disappeared! The portion packs (available in several sizes) from Great Northern Popcorn Company can be used in any popcorn popper. You can even use it on your stove top! I like popping popcorn over the fire pit (in a covered pot of course!) on cool evenings. These portion packs are easy to pack and they would be perfect for camping trips! It will be impossible to ever go back to microwave popcorn again! And I don't have to! These portion packs are affordable when you buy from Discount Tommy! This popcorn is light and fluffy, and movie theater popcorn buttery (without being drowned in oily butter) and it's better than ordinary movie theater popcorn. It smells so good and tastes even better!

To Disclose: I was sent a Waring Pro Kettle Popcorn Maker (from Waring/PR Firm) and Great Northern Popcorn Portion Packs (compliments of Discount Tommy!) in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Sleep Better And Save!

I've been sleeping in luxury. I have several sheet sets, but my favorite set was given to me by BedVoyage. I'm sleeping green in eco luxury 100% Bamboo sheets and I'm loving every night of it! They are designed to deliver the most comfortable sleep experience ever! They're perfect for travel or home. These uniquely designed all-in-one sheet sets feature an oversized top sheet secured at the foot to a deep pocket fitted sheet, with beautifully embroidered zippered pillowcases, making bed assembly easy. They are soft as silk and such a delight to snuggle into each night!  BedVoyage bamboo linens are naturally anti-bacterial, odor resistant and hypo-allergenic. They feel cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and wick moisture away from the skin, keeping the you dry and comfortable. I love my sheets. I use them more often than any other set! Right now, you can save 40%!!! That's a huge savings! Visit BedVoyage!
To Disclose: I have a previous relationship with BedVoyage, but I was under no obligation to mention this sale. I thought my readers would enjoy the savings!

Nerf Dart Tag FURYFIRE Giveaway!

Logan has been asking for Nerf products for years. He's seen the commercials and begged and pleaded, just like any other kid his age. I hesitated in the past because I knew that Sam would accidentally end up in the line of fire. Now that Sam is a little older, I don't worry as quite as much. He's a tough little guy and he's getting really good at getting even. Logan received a Nerf Dart Tag FuryFire for his birthday bash, compliments of Hasbro! Logan couldn't believe his good fortune! Finally, he had the toy he'd been dreaming about! As Logan examined the contents of the package, Sam sat down to help. I think he was just as excited as Logan! I know this product is recommended for children 8 and up, but I didn't see any harm in letting Sam hold the blaster. He isn't able to fire the colorful darts just yet. He was in awe of Logan as he geared up, putting on his vest and safety glasses. Logan had a little target practice first and Sam ran along picking up the darts as they hit the ground. Logan's dad and uncle both had a blast playing with Logan! While the vest isn't the perfect size for adults, we were able to make it work! Each dart has a Velcro tip and they really stick well. The blasters are easy to aim and the darts are fast! The darts are also sold separately which is a wonderful bonus! Purchase your set at Costco! One US reader will win a Nerf Dart Tag FuryFire! To enter, leave a comment and tell me your favorite Hasbro product and tell me what makes it your favorite!
Extra Entries!!!
Follow me (google friend connect/networked blogs/facebook/twitter) for one entry each! See links on sidebar!
Like Hasbro on facebook for 2 extra entries!
Like Nerf on facebook for 2 extra entries!
Blog about this giveaway for 3 extra entries!
Add this giveaway link to your favorite giveaway site/linky (only if I'm not already listed) for another 3 entries! Leave name of site in comment!
Spread the word!
This giveaway is open to US readers and ends midnight May 31, 2010. Good Luck!
To Disclose: I received a Nerf Dart Tag FuryFire in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received. and honest opinions were given.

Wonka Exceptionals Really Are Exceptional!

What's in a name? Well, if that name is Wonka, I'll tell you. Imagination with a generous sprinkle of magic. Like all good children, my kids believe. They believe in God, Santa, and the wonderful world of make believe. They also believe in Willie Wonka and the Oompa Loompas. Don't laugh. I do too. Recently, Logan asked if they were real. "What do you think?", I answered. His reply was simple and sweet. "Yes mommy, they have to be!" Logan and I had just unwrapped a package containing a few bars that might sound familiar to you. Waterfall Chocolate Bar, Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar, and Domed Dark Chocolate Bar. The last two were in my package! I also received Fruit Marvels and Fruit Jellies, but more on that in a minute!

Watching the original Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie, which happens to be a family favorite, I knew all about the waterfall (after all, that's how they mix their chocolate!) and while I didn't have the opportunity to try the Waterfall Bar this time around, you can bet that I will as soon as I get my hands on one! The Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar made me smile and the name itself took me back to my childhood. Toffee, cookies, and peanuts drown in some of the best chocolate that I've tasted. Smooth and creamy, each little square would melt on my tongue and leave bits of good stuff behind! The Domed Dark Chocolate Bar was wonderful too! If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that I really don't like dark chocolate. I did before I had Sam, so I'm guessing he did something to me to change that. I usually take a bite (I have to in order to write about it) and leave the rest for Logan or my husband, but after my first bite, I demanded an equal portion! It was perfect!

While I didn't unwrap a golden ticket, I did feel the magic as I held each of these bars in my hand. I honestly couldn't pick a favorite. They were each wonderful in different ways! Before I end this post, I need to tell you all about the Fruit Jellies and Fruit Marvels. I HATE jelly. Imagine my surprise when I popped one of these fruity sensations into my mouth and I immediately fell for the new candy with the fruity center! Everyone was surprised! A hard shell surrounds a soft fruit center. The center is very jelly like. Bite down on it an experience an explosion of fruit in your mouth! They must be straight from the juicing room! These are quite unique and the flavors are intense! The Fruit Jellies are little squares of sugared jelly. I did not like them as much, but they were still good! I may not have found the coveted golden ticket, but I definitely struck gold with Wonka Exceptionals! Pick up some at a store near you!
To Disclose: I was sent a variety of Wonka Exceptionals to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.