The Globetrotter: A Giveaway!

Once a week, my best friend comes over for movie night. Our ritual always involves popcorn. Sometimes I crave a little variety and I may add chocolate, caramel, or nuts. Usually, it sinks to the bottom and I am forever digging to the bottom of the bowl just to get those extra flavors. I've tried a few different flavored popcorns and I wasn't happy with them. They were either smothered and lost their popcorn flavor or they were soggy, which doesn't equal edible in my opinion. I like crisp popcorn! One day I was looking for new gift ideas and I ran across 479° Popcorn. It sounded interesting and it was organic! The creator experimented with making her own organic popcorn and flavoring it with exotic seasonings inspired by her international upbringing and training at Le Cordon Bleu in London. In the process, she came upon the discovery that 479 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature for popping corn. I had to try it. I'll try almost anything once. When the package arrived, I tore into the Fleur de Sel Caramel. It is the best popcorn I've had. By far! The popcorn is evenly coated in this amazing buttery caramel and sprinkled with delicate Fleur de Sel. The combination is irresistible! I also tried The Globetrotter and sampled bolder, more adventurous combinations that I would never consider before. The Chipotle Caramel + Almonds and Ginger Sesame Caramel were my favorites. The Ginger Sesame Caramel packed loads of flavor and a dash of heat into each bite. Interesting combination. And pretty too! The Chipotle Caramel + Almonds featured a wonderful smokiness that I craved long after the bag was finished. My husband, with an even more adventurous palate, loved the others too! Me? I'm stuck on the caramel varieties and can't wait to place another order!
Win your very own sampler, The Globetrotter! Open to US residents. To enter, visit 479° Popcorn and tell me which flavor you'd like to try! Leave your answer in a comment! For extra entries, like them on Facebook and Twitter for two extra entries each! Follow me on Google/Facebook/Twitter/Networked Blogs for one entry each. Giveaway ends midnight, March 10, 2011. Good Luck!

Disclosure: Products and giveaway were provided in exchange for this review. No monetary compensation provided.

Ollie Olio Giveaway!

I love comfy cotton clothing. My children do too! Right now, Ollie Olio is offering some great tees that have the look of a favorite perfectly worn tee. I will be grabbing a few for my kids and one of my readers can too! I am giving away a $20 gift certificate from Ollie Olio to one US winner! To enter, visit Ollie Olio and tell me what item you would like to have. No, you don't have to pick just one! Leave your answer(s) in a comment. For extra entries, like them on Facebook and Twitter for two extra entries each! Follow me on Google/Facebook/Twitter/Networked Blogs for one entry each. Giveaway ends midnight, Feb. 27, 2011. Good Luck! If you don't win this giveaway, visit Ollie Olio's giveaway page to win a great klt:works Long-Sleeve Bulldog Tee! See site for details!
Disclosure: Giveaway provided in exchange for this review. No monetary compensation provided. 

Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen. We love to cook, but sometimes we don't have the time to make something from scratch. When that happens, we reach for great products that taste like they were made at home. I was sent a package of Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs to try with my family. I'm not a huge meatball fan, but my family loves them. We made them several ways. First, I used cooked the meatballs in a sauce and poured them over pasta for a familiar family dinner. They were really tender and juicy!We also decided to try Bacon Wrapped Meatballs! They were ready in under 30 minutes and they were so flavorful and delicious! They make perfect appetizers, but I could easily make a meal out of them. The next time you want a quick meal, grab a bag of Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs and create a meal that packs a lot of heart and soul in each bite! Find them here!
Disclosure: I was sent a bag of Meatballs in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Plow & Hearth Giveaway!

 I've wanted a hot cocoa machine forever. Since I'm not a coffee drinker, I wanted a special machine to make perfect cocoa. Usually, I'd boil a cup of water in the microwave or put on a kettle of water. Once or twice a year, I'd go all out and make a special pot on the stovetop to satisfy my cravings.  My husband thought a cocoa machine was a waste of counterspace, so I never received one. Until recently!

 Plow & Hearth spoiled me with my very own  Cocoa-Latte Machine and a set of Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Mixes! I was eager to try it so I immediately unpacked it and washed it. I set it up with ease and followed all the instructions. I poured milk to the fill line and added my dry mix. I added one tablespoon per cup. This machine holds four cups.

I turned the machine on and watched. The machine mixed my cocoa and milk and heated it to the perfect temperature. It automatically stops mixing when the cocoa is perfect! If you dispense only a cup or two, the machine will turn on and reheat and mix your drink as needed! When you dispense your drink, you can turn the frother on and create a slightly foamy top on your drink. It wasn't as frothy as using a standard frother, but it was a nice option. I can honestly say this is not a waste of money or counterspace. This machine makes a smooth drink and it is ready to serve at the perfect temperature. This is great for dinner parties because you can mix and serve so many drinks! Perfect for hot teas, hot cocoa or chocolate, mulled wine, warm alcoholic drinks, and more! I love my machine and I've used it so many times. I love the Ghiradelli mixes too, especially the hazelnut blend! Mmmmm!

I am giving away a $50 gift card to Plow & Hearth to one US winner! To enter, visit Plow & Hearth and tell me what item you would like to have. No, you don't have to pick just one! Leave your answer(s) in a comment. For extra entries, like them on Facebook for two extra entries! Follow me on Google/Facebook/Twitter/Networked Blogs for one entry each. Giveaway ends midnight, March 1, 2011. Good Luck!
Disclosure: Products and giveaway were provided in exchange for this review. No monetary compensation provided.

CVS Giveaway!

CVS is the place to stock up on necessities! In store and online, you can always find great deals on products you use everyday! Right now, use coupon code SHIPFREE to save $15 off a $60 purchase AND get free shipping! Now that's exciting! I don't have to go out and brave the traffic and the crowds to stock up and buy gifts. I can also order prescription refills with ease! I am giving one lucky US reader a $20 CVS gift card. To enter, visit CVS and tell me what you like about their website. I like their pharmacy services. Their menu is easy to read and very easy to use! Just leave your answer in a comment. For additional entries, follow CVS on Facebook and Twitter for two entries each. Follow me on Facebook/Twitter/Networked Blogs/Google for one extra entry each. Giveaway ends midnight, Feb. 28, 2011. Good luck!

Disclosure: I was provided a giveaway in exchange for this post.

Experience The Next Generation Of NonStick Cookware!

I have a mix of cookware in my kitchen. I have heavy duty cast iron, a set of french enameled cast iron, and stainless steel cookware. My husband does most of the cooking, but I also love putting together a great meal. When I was asked to review Bialetti's Aeternum cookware, I jumped at the chance. When I received the saute pan, I honestly didn't think I would like it very much. Don't get me wrong. It's gorgeous! The brilliant red is very different from my other cookware. The white cooking surface also seemed neat! But this cookware was so lightweight, it couldn't possibly work as well as my heavy duty cookware that I use daily. We tried it one morning when we were making breakfast.  My husband read the label and we washed the pan. Next, I brushed a little olive oil on the cooking surface. And I mean a little. You could barely tell that I had brushed it on. My husband made eggs and then he made another egg dish. It was a unique experience to cook on a white surface! I could actually see my food better and see how much oil was used or cooked out. After my husband slid the food onto the plate, he looked at me and smiled. No sticking. You could wipe the cookware clean with a napkin! I can't do that with any of my other cookware! This  Aeternum cookware cooked our food evenly and perfectly. I didn't have to soak my pan or scrub it to get it clean. I am impressed and now this is our go to pan when we need a saute pan! This modern, eco friendly Aeternum cookware line is free of PFOA, free of PTFE and free of Cadmium. The cool white interior features a new "nano-ceramic" coating which is a water-based coating made of titanium and suspended silicate micro-particles (the main component of glass); one of the purest and most ecological materials in nature. This material resists scratches, abrasions and offers a smooth, compact and uniform surface that makes it easier to clean. The base provides excellent thermal conductivity and guarantees optimum heat distribution resulting in less energy required to maintain desired cooking temperature. The scratch resistant hi-temp silicone exterior makes this cookware very easy to clean. We love our new Saute Pan! I only hope they will offer new colors in the future to make buying cookware even more fun!
Disclosure: I was sent a pan in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Valentine's Day And Teleflora!

Think outside the delivery box this Valentine's Day with Valentine's flowers from Teleflora! Teleflora sent a gorgeous arrangement for my review. My favorite florist, Hadden's Flowers and Gifts, delivered them with a smile. My arrangement, My Perfect Love, features two dozen long stemmed beauties in classic red. These premium stems are fragrant and lush. Not to mention, jaw dropping gorgeous! My arrangement is easy to care for and very little maintenance is required. I expect this arrangement to stay beautiful for my Valentine's Day and well beyond! Teleflora has created the most beautiful arrangements for this holiday celebrating love. Working with Faith Hill, they have created several flower arrangements with an added gift! These feminine florals will wow any sweetheart (or sweethearts!) and if you don't have a sweetheart, you may just win one over after sending her a Teleflora arrangement!  And that's guaranteed! Well, at least the part about wowing your sweetheart. Winning one is all up to you, but Teleflora is a great place to start! Disclosure: I was sent a Teleflora Arrangement in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

SwingSetsAndMore...Swing Sets Galore!

Old Man Winter is still around, but it's never too early to shop around for a great wooden swing set from CSN Stores! SwingSetsandMore.com has swing sets for large yards and small yards. They have sets for big kids and small kids. They have other great outdoor fun products too! When Logan was two, we invested in a great wooden playset and it has been the best "toy" we could have bought. Logan is almost eight and he loves his swing set as much as the day it was delivered. Sam has also grown to enjoy it and he has even been known to sneak outside for some extra playtime! My children spend countless hours playing outside on their set. Now is the time to do your research and check out SwingSetsandMore.com, one of over 200 CSN Stores! They provide great customer service and great deals on products and shipping!
Disclosure: I was provided a credit in exchange for this mention. Watch for more CSN reviews coming soon! 

Haier: Ultra Slim LED HDTV DVD Player Combo

I spent a lot of time in bed during the month of January because of one ailment or another. My goodness, sounds like I'm getting old, doesn't it? I'm not, but I've certainly felt like it recently. One thing is for certain, my bedrest has given me plenty of time to review my new Haier 22" 1080p Ultra Slim LED HDTV DVD Player Combo unit. I received it before Christmas and I didn't get the chance to really use it until after the holidays. Haier is proud that LED uses 30-40-percent less energy than standard LCD TVs. Eco-friendly LED is mercury-free and RoHS compliant by restricting the use of six hazardous materials. This sleek combo unit is packed with features including Haier’s USB Time Shift function. It allows users to have complete control of their viewing experience. Pause, Rewind, or Fast-forward the program you are watching. Just connect a USB drive to the USB input – different size USB memory will give you different time-length to playback. Easily pause to get a snack, fast-forward through commercials and press play. Pretty cool!



Key Features:


Ultra-slim Edge-lit 1080p LED HDTV

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

1 HDMI, 1 Component Video input, 1 PC input, 1 Composite A/V input and 1 Headphone jack

2x3W Speaker Output

3D Comb Filter

Auto Volume Leveler (AVL)

Clock with Sleep Timer

Dynamic Contrast: 600,000:1

English/Spanish/French On-screen menu

Multiple connections for Gaming, Computer and HD broadcasts

Remote

Response Time: 5.0ms

SRS TruSurround Sound XT

Tilt stand (detachable)

USB Input for MPEG2 Video, JPEG pictures and MP3 music playback

USB Time Shift

Now as a regular, not so tech savvy individual, I can tell you that I was impressed with the picture! I have been looking at new flat screen televisions for over a year. I had narrowed my choices to two brands and I thought they were the very best. Not so fast! Haier has surprised me. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this one. A 22 inch screen with a great DVD player. Perfect for RVs, bedrooms, kitchens, and your office. This attractive unit takes up very little space and it can be mounted to save even more space. It's lightweight and easy to set up. I couldn't wait to turn it on! The picture is crystal clear and it's so vivid! There is wonderful contrast and the colors are so life-like. The tilt stand threw my husband at first. When you set it up, the stand causes the unit to sit at an angle. After turning the unit on, we both forgot about the angle and enjoyed the show! The remote is easy to use and the built in speakers worked well in our cozy room! This ultra slim TV/DVD combo unit has changed my mind about having a TV in the bedroom. I don't think I could go without one now! Get yours at Amazon.com!
Disclosure: I was sent a combo unit in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.