Hilton's Gourment Bakery

I love Banana Bread and I love Blueberry Bread. I love them more when they come from Hilton's Gourmet Bakery! Why? Because they are loaded with all the good stuff and that puts them over the top! The Blueberry Bread was so filled with blueberries that it barely held together. It was almost impossible to cut into neat slices or squares. I didn't mind though, and neither did my guests! The Banana Bread With Walnuts was not overly sweet and loaded with bananas and walnuts. It was easier to slice. Once it hit my mouth, it melted and put me into a state of bliss! I received two loaves of each for a special shower and the guests raved about each one. They made a beautiful display and the gorgeous blueberries really stood out. My tray had to be refilled several times because everyone kept coming back for more! The loaves were quite heavy too! These are not lightweight breads. But don't get the wrong impression! They may feel heavy, but they do not sit heavy on your stomach! They were the perfect party food! Visit Hilton's Gourmet Bakery and feast your eyes on their lovely desserts!
Disclosure: I received these products for a special event with the promise of a review. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions given.

Kim & Scott's (Heavenly) Gourmet Pretzels!

Before trying Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, whenever I thought of pretzels, I thought of bags of crunchy, salty snacks. I also thought of the pretzels that you can buy in almost every mall food court. When I tried Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, the other pretzels simply faded from memory. These pretzels are generous in size and they are filled with generous amounts of pure goodness! I'm not sure which I loved the most. The inside or the outside!

Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels are gourmet, soft, classic and stuffed pretzels created by hand-twisting all-natural and premium ingredients. They combine a traditional European recipe with their own unique twist, creating a truly rustic, handmade pretzel with the doughy softness of fresh baked bread. Their delicious pretzels contain no preservatives, trans fats, or hydrogenated oils. Their bakery is also a nut-free facility and they are working on developing gluten-free pretzels! We tried an assortment including Grilled Cheese, Cheddar Jalapeno, Spinach Feta, and Pizza Pretzels! I also tried their Traditional Bavarian. The Pizza Pretzels were favored by my kids and I loved the Grilled Cheese! The Apple Cinnamon Pretzels were also a hit! Kim and Scott have taken the pretzels beyond dessert. These pretzels are large enough for a quick meal or a handy snack! Pretzels have evolved. Get yours online or in your grocer's freezer aisle!

Disclosure: I was sent an assortment of gourmet pretzels for a special event. No monetary compensation received.  

A Little Halloween Cheer!

 If you are hosting a Halloween party this year, consider a beautiful arrangement from Teleflora! Hadden's Flowers & Gifts sent this eye catching arrangement to fill our house with a little Halloween cheer! Adults and children alike will get into the spirit with the playful ghost hovering beneath the "maple tree"! Black pumpkins add to the theme and a solid black container allows the flaming orange lilies and blood red roses to really jump out!

Spanish moss adds a whimsical touch and sets the scene for a spooky gathering! The maple leaves have a slight sheen. The leaves are ever-so-slightly edged naturally with colors of fall. This is the first Halloween themed arrangement that I've had and I really love it. It would be the perfect centerpiece for your party or even the perfect treat for someone special!  

Consider an arrangement from Teleflora! Each arrangement is delivered in person by a local florist. The arrangements are not cookie cutter assembly line arrangements, meaning yours will vary from the picture. Maybe a little, maybe a little more! One thing is for certain. You will be happy...guaranteed!

Disclosure: I received this arrangement in exchange for this review. I have a long term relationship with Teleflora. No monetary compensation received.

Krups Precise Tamp

I think everyone in my family loves coffee and espresso except me. My husband even roasts his own beans and grinds them fresh almost daily. I love to be in the house when he does because it smells so wonderful! Even though I don't drink it, I love to use my Krups. We've had a Krups Espresso Machine for years. We used it several times each week. It still works perfectly, but I have recently passed it on to my brother. It looks similar to my new Krups Precise Tamp XP5240, but the old one lacks some of the flash because it's black! My new Precise Tamp is neater because of the self tamping feature and I think it's easier to use, thanks to all the improvements! The machine does not include the espresso cups or the frothing pitcher, but it does include a handy spoon which stores under the lid next to the water reservoir.

Features:

• Krups Precise Tamp extracts the perfect cup every time for delicious espresso, cappuccino, or latte.


• Preheats twice as fast thanks to the powerful 1400 watt thermoblock.


• Create delicious cappuccino and latte with the new easy cleaning frothing nozzle.


• Redesigned steam nozzle locks in place and is easier to maintain.


• Universal filter holder with no mess cake ejection system.


• Filter holder fits for ground coffee, ESE or soft pods, and 1 or 2 cups.

The top of the machine features a compartment to hold the water container and it also stores a spoon that's perfect for filling the filter holder. The filter features a no mess ejection system. When you are ready to remove grounds, simply take filter to your compost container or trash, turn filter upside down and press ejector button! Almost all of the grounds are removed! The water reservoir can be filled at the sink. It has an easy to read max. fill line. When you fill it, lift the lid on the back of the machine and slide the reservoir in place. Fold the handle down and close the lid. Then you are ready to go!

The filter locks in place, tamping the grounds as it turns. I used enough grounds for two cups of espresso. When I slid the filter in place, I turned the camera off so I could tighten the filter.

I didn't talk throughout my videos because I wanted you to be able to hear the machine. It's a little noisy, but many espresso machines that I've been around have seemed louder. It certainly does a wonderful job! Clean up is easy. Just don't steam your milk until the frothing nozzle is immersed!

Disclosure: I was sent a Krups Precise Tamp in exchange for this review. No monetary compensation received.

Popcorn Fish!

We love fish. My husband and kids love fish sticks. I've never been one for minced fish (or chicken!) because I don't like the texture. It even scares me a little. I like to know what I'm eating. Of course I've suffered through several fish stick meals and the only enjoyment came from seeing happy children! Oh, the things we do (and eat) for our kids! Just in time for October's National Seafood Month, SeaPak introduces Popcorn Fish! Popcorn Fish is a twist on the traditional fish stick. The bite sized pieces are made from whole, flaky Pollock fillets and they are lightly coated in SeaPak's signature golden breadcrumbs. Perfect for kids and also for adults with a more refined palate! I tried mine baked and fried. Of course it's better fried! Frying them gives them a richer flavor! Popcorn Fish is also great baked. The fish holds it's moisture inside (unlike the fish sticks I've had) and it's crisp and crunchy on the outside! Popcorn Fish is lower in saturated fat and calories than other popular brands of fish sticks and they are made without high fructose corn syrup and MSG. Popcorn Fish is available in Walmart nationwide. They are so great, they may be hard to catch! Our local Walmart only had two bags left!
Disclosure: I was sent a coupon to try Popcorn Fish in exchange for this review.

 Pumpkin Patch Salad




Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Makes: 4 large salads or 6 side salads



1 package (22 oz) SeaPak Popcorn Fish

1-2 heads of green leaf lettuce

2 cucumbers

1 red bell pepper

1 bag sliced carrots or 2 large carrots peeled and sliced on the diagonal

Dressing of choice



Preheat oven to 450°. Bake Popcorn Fish for 14 minutes or until full cooked. Cut green lettuce and portion into 4 bowls. Slice cucumbers and place between lettuce and the bowl to form the fence around the pumpkin patch. Cut red bell pepper into strips. Slide one strip into the corners of the dish to form fence posts. Tuck carrots slices into the salads in front of the cucumber slices. Add Popcorn Fish to the top of the salad to make the pumpkins. Serve with dressing of choice.

Witch’s Fingers with Dragon Tails




Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Makes: 4 servings



2 packages (8.2 oz) SeaPak Tempura Shrimp

1 red bell pepper

1 lb fresh asparagus spears

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Garlic salt



Preheat oven to 450°. Bake Tempura Shrimp for 12 to 14 minutes according to package instructions. Remove from oven and cut off tails. Make a small slice in opposite side of the shrimp to insert the “Witch’s Finger.” To create the “Witch’s Finger,” wash bell pepper and remove top and bottom. Remove seeds from pepper. Cut pepper into thin strip, cutting one end at a point. Strips should be approximately 1 x ½ inch. Insert bell pepper strips into shrimp. For the “Dragon Tails,” wash the asparagus and trim tough edges off stalks. Place in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil; toss until coated. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer in the baking dish and sprinkle with garlic salt. Bake for 9-10 minutes at 450° or until desired level of tenderness.

A Sparkling Giveaway!

We love Juicy Juice. It's the only juice I buy for my kids. When I found out about new Juicy Juice Sparkling Fruit Juice Beverage, I was excited to try it! Juicy Juice Sparkling Fruit Juice Beverage is an all-natural, lightly carbonated drink that provides one serving of fruit. It’s also lower in sugar when compared to regular Juicy Juice and tastes wonderful! Delicious and refreshing, Juicy Juice Sparkling Fruit Juice Beverage quenches our thirst and satisfies our taste buds. It comes in three flavors, apple, orange, and berry! Berry was our favorite and Apple was our least favorite! Win your very own assortment of drinks!!! One winner will receive three four-packs, one of each of the three new flavors, Sparkling Apple, Sparkling Berry and Sparkling Orange. US residents only. To enter, leave a comment and tell me which flavor you think you would like the most!!! Follow me on google/networked blogs/facebook/twitter for an additional entry for each follow. Links are on my sidebar! Giveaway ends midnight October 31, 2010. Good Luck!
Disclosure: I was sent an assortment to try in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Safe Haven

Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author and it was an honor to have the opportunity to read and review his latest book, Safe Haven. I've read all of his books, except his first book which he co-authored before he was so wildly famous. Safe Haven is a little different from the others. The tears never really flowed, but my eyes did get a little misty towards the end. This is a story about a mysterious young woman named Katie. She appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, and she tends to avoid any relationships. All alone, she works hard turning a small cabin into a home and a new beginning. Reluctantly she forms a friendship with her new neighbor Jo, and Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children. Slowly, Katie's relationships grow and she struggles with her past. She learns to take risks and she learns to accept rewards. Safe Haven takes you through Katie's past, through her struggles and heartbreak. We learn of Katie's emotional and physical abuse and just how far her husband will go to control and enslave her. Katie is a courageous character that struggles to break free, even though she is constantly looking over her shoulder. While some of the story is a little predictable, the end was a complete surprise! Get your copy of Safe Haven here!
Disclosure: I was sent a copy in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Yoplait Splitz Giveaway!

 Have you tried Yoplait Splitz? If not, you really should. I'm not much of a yogurt fan, but these are really delicious! You can buy them in the following flavors: Strawberry Sundae, Strawberry Banana Split, & Rainbow Sherbert. We LOVED the Strawberry Sundae! I really loved them frozen (or semi-frozen) the best! Yoplait Splitz is yogurt that tastes just like a sundae. It provides all of the goodness of 100% real yogurt. Yoplait Splitz is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D. It contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners and no high fructose corn syrup. At only 90 calories, you don't have to feel guilty about treating your family to the dessert your family will crave! Win a Yoplait Prize Pack for yourself! It includes a coupon for a free sample of new Yoplait Splitz, an insulated carry tote and a roll up fleece picnic blanket! Giveaway is open to US readers. Ends midnight, October 25, 2010. You will have 2 days to respond to my email if you are the winner! to enter, tell me which flavor you would like to try! Leave your answer in a comment! Follow me (google, networked blogs, facebook, twitter) for an additional entry for each follow! Links are on my sidebar! For more information on this and other Yoplait products, stop by their website, Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.

This coupon offer for a free pack of Yoplait Splitz is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.


Disclosure: The product, prize pack, information, and giveaway have all been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

Nestle Giveaway!

I have a great giveaway for you! Nestle is giving one of my very special readers a wonderful prize pack containing coupons for the following products:
NESTLÉ® Pure Life, OVALTINE®, TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Cookie Dough, TOLL HOUSE Morsels, NESQUIK, COFFEE-MATE®, DRUMSTICKS® and CARNATION® BREAKFAST ESSENTIALS™.)
The coupons are for free full size products! You will also receive a $25 Walmart gift card, product from RAISINETS,  and a cool metal lunchbox featuring the Nesquik Rabbit! To enter, US residents must leave a comment and tell me their favorite Nestle product! Leave your answer in a comment! Follow me (google, networked blogs, twitter, facebook) for an additional two entries for each follow! Giveaway ends midnight October 31, 2010. Good Luck!
Disclosure: I was sent a package of my very own and given the opportunity to host a giveaway! As a proud partner of RIF, NESTLÉ Family sent $50 worth of books to donate to a RIF school!

Pillow Pets For Christmas!

Pillow Pets are cute and cuddly and they are one of my favorite "toys" to have around the house. When I see one laying around, I don't pick it up and put it back in my children's room. Oh no! I grab it and lay with it while I watch my favorite TV show or a movie. I carry my kid's Pillow Pets whenever we take trips in the car because I know they are great for napping while riding! Pillow Pets are the perfect Christmas gift for any child, or even adult! This holiday season, beware of imitations! Look for authentic Pillow Pets or order online! I am giving away one Pillow Pet to a lucky US reader!!! To enter the giveaway please visit www.getpillowpets.com and leave a comment telling me which is your favorite Pillow Pet. For five extra entries, follow Pillow Pets on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mypillowpets  then comment on their page and tell them the Gerber Babies sent you! Be sure to tell me you did and leave 5 comments which will count as extra entries! Follow me (google, networked blogs, facebook, twitter) for one extra entry for each follow. Links are on my sidebar! Giveaway ends midnight, October 31, 2010! Good Luck!!
Disclosure: I was sent a Pillow Pet and offered a giveaway in exchange for this review. No monetary compensation received.

Hide!!!

 I've always dreamed of the day that Jeff Foxworthy would publish his own version of Mother Goose for adults or children. It didn't matter which, because I knew either version would be as funny as insert funniest thing ever. I may never get my wish, but I did get the next best thing when I was given the chance to read and review Hide!!! Being a long time fan of Jeff Foxworthy, I am very familiar with his unmistakable voice. I could hear him narrate the story in my head. Eager to pass on the full effect of reading Mr. Foxworthy to my kids, I exaggerated my southern Georgia drawl and read the pages, which are very reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. The sing-song story brings to life a neighborhood gang headed out to enjoy an exciting game of hide-and-seek. Along the way, you are invited to join in the fun and find an ever-growing list of kids, animals, and silly things. This book encourages creativity and adventure! Logan (my oldest) definitely remembers it as one of his favorites and Sam appreciates the rhymes! One of our favorite things to do is search for hidden objects in the pictures!!! Brilliantly illustrated, this book is the perfect gift for any child in your life. Mr. Foxworthy is genius. I can't wait to see what's next! Hide!!! will be available for purchase at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, Amazon.com, Powells.com and most major booksellers in October 2010.

Jeff Foxworthy is the highest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee, and bestselling author of more than twenty-six books.
Foxworthy is currently hosting the hit show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader, which airs in syndication and will join the judging panel this season on the popular ABC business-reality series Shark Tank. Prior to that he executive produced and starred in Foxworthy’s Big Night Out. Foxworthy also starred in and executive produced the television series Blue Collar TV, which he created for the WB network. He was a member of the hugely successful Blue Collar Comedy Tour and several of his previous books have spent time on the New York Times bestseller list.
Remaining true to his southern roots, Foxworthy resides in Atlanta with his wife and two daughters.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Get Ready To Be Tempted!

 I have to admit, I love sweets. Even though I'm not much of a candy snob, I still appreciate a pretty package. I think a beautiful presentation can take ordinary candy and make it extraordinary! When I stumbled upon Temptation Sweets, I wondered if they would be different from other online candy stores. They seemed to offer many of my favorites, and they also put a lot of emphasis on presentation! Their visitor friendly site welcomed me and pulled me in. I wanted a little of everything, especially their charming Halloween Gifts!  

 I don't allow my kids to trick-or-treat. They get dressed up and they may visit my brother, parents, and a grandmother but I wouldn't dare send them out to a stranger's house for candy! Afterwards, we watch Halloween movies and stay up late eating treats. Logan is old enough to realize how trick-or-treating works, and he knows that compared to his friends, he may not score as many sweets. Last year (to soften the blow) I made "Halloween Baskets" but this year I'm considering Temptation Candy's  Pumpkin Face Halloween Pails! I can order a pail filled with over a pound of candy. That's more than enough for Halloween night!

I know Temptation Candy has the greatest favors. They sent enough Bridal Favors for a very special bridal shower I hosted. Each guest was treated to a seven inch glass miniature champagne bottle filled with silver M&Ms! The silver bottle labels featured various sweet sayings and each bottle was sealed with an actual cork and wrapped with silver tape for an elegant touch! Temptation Candy has favors and gifts for just about any occasion. They won me over with their selection and their  finishing touches that made everything really special! Temptation Candy tempted and teased me and our guests. When it's all said and done, I'll be back, because I know they tempt and tease better than the rest! Or at least, that's my experience!
Disclosure: I was sent favors (in order to review) for a very special bridal shower. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions given.

Dressing Up With Costumes Inc.

With all the costume stores online, how do you decide where to get your costume? Well, if you like peace of mind, you'll find it at Costumes Inc! They offer a 125% price guarantee that lets me know they are serious about having (and keeping) customers! Costumes Inc. sent Logan a Dlx Mark VI Costume - Children's Licensed Iron Man 2 Costume. The costume is comfortable and fits him well! The light up chest piece is really cool and the mask doesn't restrict his visual field as much as other masks we have used in the past. Logan really got into character with this costume and he was ready to begin a great superhero adventure, long before Halloween! It is his favorite costume of the season and he is looking forward to the big night! Check out Costumes Inc. for your Halloween costume! They have a great selection and they even offer Deals Of The Day! 

Disclosure: Logan was sent a costume in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

My Crabby Baby

When I found this adorable Crabby costume from Costume Discounters, I was thrilled! It matches Sam's personality!!! Maybe that's a bit harsh. Nahhhh. You don't know him like we do! This costume is lightweight and it is made with soft minky material. The cool blue and green colors are very playful, and while the costume warns passersby that the occupant is Crabby, don't expect to get away unnoticed. The cute factor draws everyone in. Be prepared! In south Georgia, you never know what the weather will be on Halloween. It could be cool of hot and humid. It often changes from week to week. On a warm night, this costume would be ideal. The costume is light and the hood can easily be removed. I liked that the hood left Sam's neck open to a slight breeze, if we were lucky enough to have one. That would definitely help on a warm night. Sam's legs were also left uncovered. That might not be ideal, especially since we are bombarded with mosquitoes on warm nights, but plenty of insect repellent should keep those nasty creatures away! On a cool night, leggings or even a sleeper underneath would be a must! Comparing the costume on Sam to the costume picture on the website, the tummy seems to be padded a little on the website. Sam's sagged just a little because he was missing a rounded belly. I guess if I wanted to, I could stuff it with something. But that might make Sam even crabbier!

Costume Discounters has great prices on boy's Halloween costumes and toddler Halloween costumes! If you find a lower price on another site, they will price match it and beat it by 20%!!! They also offer free shipping on orders of $70 or more (use coupon code FREE70, but hurry-offer ends soon!) and free exchanges. See site for details. I had a lot of fun looking for a costume to review. This is the only place that I have found a Crabby Costume. It is unique and Sam seemed to love wearing it! Maybe he isn't so crabby after all!
Disclosure: I was sent a review costume in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions given.

Battle Of The Bugs!

Have you heard of Hexbug? We had a Hexbug party and found out just how cool these little robots are! We received Hexbug Nanos and they come in neat little test tubes. Great packaging! They would be perfect stocking stuffers because of their size. The Nanos will set you back $7-$10 each, depending on where you shop. While some might not like that price point, I can appreciate their durability and the fact that the batteries can be replaced. For that price, I think it's well worth it. Each Nano features a little black on/off switch. You may find that it is rarely used. Once you turn them on, you really don't want to turn them off again! We all loved the way they scurried from here to there, moving like real bugs. My cats loved them too. They can entertain you for hours. The habitat and bridge set were also great and very easy to set up. It was fun to watch these bugs battle it out! The only complaint I have is the low battery life. I also wish they looked more real. But then again, maybe it's good that they don't. I'd hate to step on one while it scurried around, thinking it was the real deal!
Disclosure: MomSelect sent a Hexbug Party Kit for me to share. No monetary compensation received. Thank you MomSelect!

$75 Giveaway From Halloween Express!

Do you have your Halloween Costumes yet? Shop Halloween Express and find the perfect costume for parties and all out trick or treating fun! Logan was surprised with a Star Wars costume. I picked out an inexpensive Star Wars Anakin Skywalker Child Costume which included a tunic with attached shirt, pants with attached boot tops, a belt, and a mask. I also got him a Star Wars Jedi Robe Deluxe which is perfect for those chilly nights ahead! Of course you can't be a Jedi without a Lightsaber! It even lights up!

 The fabrics in Logan's costume were soft and easy on the skin. He was having a great time playing Jedi Knight! Sam is a little monster. At least his dad thinks so. We couldn't resist the Lil' Monster Infant Costume for Sam! The costume includes a lined zippered jumpsuit with fur accents and leg snaps for easy diaper change, hood with horns plus slip-on booties (for indoor use) with skid resistant bottoms.

 The hood fell into Sam's eyes quite a bit and we had to adjust it to sit further back on his head. After a few adjustments to get it just right, we had no problems. Except we only received one Lightsaber!!! As soon as Logan appeared with that awesome sword, Sam lost it. It wasn't until after the pictures were taken that Logan decided to be the best big brother ever and hand over his new most prized possession. Note to parents: If buying a lightsaber for an older child, you must also buy one for younger children or risk extreme meltdown.

 Halloween Express is giving away a $75 virtual gift card to one of my readers! You must be a US resident! To enter, visit Halloween Express and tell me which costume you would pick. Additional entries:
Follow me (facebook, google, twitter, networked blogs) for one entry each. Links on sidebar! Follow Halloween Express ( facebook/twitter) for one entry each! Giveaway ends midnight, Friday October 16, 2010! Good Luck!
Disclosure: Halloween Express provided review items and giveaway. No other compensation received.

From Lil Monster to Little Boy. The transformation is almost complete!

Things That Make You Go Mmmmmm!

 I don't like cheesecake. I mean I didn't. But that was before I tried cheesecakes from Cheesecake.com. While it may not rank as my favorite, I have discovered a new fondness for this rich and creamy dessert. Even my former cheesecake hating husband has made room on his list of favorites for these delicious desserts! Cheesecake.com sent us two cheesecakes to try for a recent event. I received a three pound Oreo Cookie Cheesecake and a five pound Turtle Cheesecake (which is also available in other sizes) to serve. I really wanted to see the difference between the two sizes so I took side-by-side photos to share!

 Don't be fooled. The smaller three pound cheesecake is the perfect serving. The five pound cheesecake is great for those afternoons when you just really need something sweet. The cheesecakes are stored in your freezer and taken out about an hour or two before serving. If you just want a slice, lift one out and rewrap your cheesecake, saving it for another day! As my cheesecakes began to thaw, I could smell Oreos and turtles whenever I entered my kitchen. That was almost as good as smelling cookies baking in the oven! I was a little surprised that I could smell them over everything else! The Turtle Cheesecake smelled the strongest. It was like breaking open a turtle from my favorite candy shop and breathing it in just before taking that first bite!

 I tasted each cheesecake. One bite at first, because I was still convinced I wouldn't like it. One bite led to another, and before I knew it, I had eaten the entire slice! The Oreo Cookie Cheesecake was my favorite. The crust, oh the crust! Chocolate Oreo cookie was topped with cheesecake containing tasty bits of Oreo Cookie crumbles. If you love Oreos, you will probably love it! The Turtle Cheesecake had a flavorful crust and it was topped with a giant turtle. Just kidding. But it really tasted like a giant candy turtle, except this was creamier and richer! The cheesecakes were works of art. I topped mine with a flower, to make them a little more special! They were really beautiful to look at, and very easy to serve. I cut each piece in half, so my guests could have a slice of each. I did this while the cheesecakes were slightly frozen. My guests seemed to appreciate it and they devoured them as soon as they were given the chance! If you want a great looking and great tasting dessert delivered to your door, visit Cheesecake.com and browse their selections. You'll take comfort in their 100% satisfaction guarantee! Chances are, you'll find the perfect cheesecake to hit that sweet spot!
Disclosure: I was sent these products for a special event. I agreed to review the products in return. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions given.

Orchid Embers

September was a very busy month for my family. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, and Showers. We had it all. Thanks to Teleflora, September was extra special thanks to my latest arrangement, Orchid Embers! My arrangement was delivered on September 11 by my favorite florist, Hadden's Flowers & Gifts of Albany, Georgia. I love orchids, and this arrangement featured 10 stems of flowering beauties.  The brilliantly orange Mokara orchid stems were simply arranged in a vase with curly willow. The blazing color was perfect to usher in fall, and they lasted throughout September and into October. I had a love/hate relationship with this arrangement. While I loved the flowers, I could often be found muttering curses at the greenery, which dropped it's needles hourly, or so it seemed. The greenery was absent from the Teleflora pictured arrangement, but I knew that my local florist would be creating my order and it may differ from the pictured item. After almost two weeks of resisting the urge, I finally gave in and removed the last of the greenery, still enjoying the deeply colored flowers without further complaints.

This Teleflora arrangement was easy to care for and I only changed the water weekly for the life of the arrangement. The thick petals stayed fresh looking longer than I anticipated. Even on October 4, when I finally retired the bouquet, a few of the flowers remained almost pristine. Of all the arrangements that I have received, this one has lasted the longest. On the downside, thanks to the greenery, it was also the messiest. All in all, I was quite pleased with this arrangement. Orchids are expensive, and it was nice to know that they lasted so long! If you want a gorgeous lasting arrangement, consider Orchid Embers!
Disclosure: I was sent this arrangement in exchange for a review. No monetary compensation received.