Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

Organizing My Life with Orange Circle Studio {Giveaway}

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

I’m in a constant battle with myself to become an all around organized person. As life and details change though, I need to be able to re-organize with ease. Which, as it turns out is not always that easy. This applies anywhere from my home to my budget and everything in between, school, career, extra curricular activities, etc. I’m that person who has notes everywhere. I’m always afraid of forgetting something and if I don’t write it down I won’t be able to sleep at night because that is all I will think about. There is nothing more important than my wall calendar because I need to be able, at a glance, see what is on the schedule for the day.

I have never been more happy with a calendar than I have been with my new Orange Circle Studio Calendars. I love each of the following for different reasons:

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This little beauty, the Bold Blossoms Do-It-All Planner, is like my own personal handbook. I refer to this for many many important aspects in my daily life. I have my budget all written out for the next several months in here right down to the day and amount I need to pay what. You look at a week at a time in here and each week is almost like a chart. I have the columns going down which represent the days of the week and the rows going across are for each family member so each person has there own little rectangle and I can keep track of appointments, sports events, everything and know exactly where I need to be and when. Last but not least there are tear out To Do and Shopping lists in the back of the book. I sincerely cannot say enough good about this precious little book.

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Now I’ve received 3 others which are all wall calendars, but again are useful in their own ways. For example, I actually prefer to have a wall calendar in my kitchen and in the office for the specific reason that if I have something to jot down quick I’m usually in one of those areas while on the phone. I know this creates more spots I need to check at the beginning of the day and might have the potential to cause conflict. However I’ve gotten used to coordinating all calendars at some point each day to make sure there isn’t something I’ve jotted in one and not the other.

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I keep Mom’s 24/7 Calendar in my kitchen. This is magnetized so I have it hanging right on the side of my refrigerator. There is a spot to keep a pen at the top  and the bottom portion are columns for each family member. You can view the calendar portion and column portion at the same time and there is also a weekly shopping/to do list attached to bottom portion! Absolutely perfect for a busy lifestyle.

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I keep the Bold Blossoms Do It All calendar in my office area. At the risk of repeating myself a little here I will go ahead and say this is similar to the first I introduced to you, except that it is in wall form and I like to post my budget in the book as that is able to close and become more private. I love the pockets at the bottom of this, I keep coupons and a few other paper documents that need attention in there. I would also like to point out that the previous 3 are 17 Month calendars and they start in August. How perfect is that for the Back to School routine?

Last but not least is the Butterfly wall calendar. This is because I appreciate beautiful photography. There is just something truly peaceful about a butterfly. They’re just so quiet and yet so colorful. I have this hanging in my daughters room. I realize she’s only 2 and has no idea what it’s about, but she definitely enjoys the images and they tie in with her decor.

These are only a few of what you will find at Orange Circle Studio. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there is something for everyone. Something from Orange Circle would make a perfect gift for someone or for yourself.

The Giveaway:

Tell me in the comments which Orange Circle Studio calendar is your favorite from their website and you will be entered to win a prize pack including each of the calendars I mentioned.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign and received products necessary to facilitate my review.

Breyers Smooth and Dreamy-Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

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You know it’s been a rough summer when I’m asked if I would like to review any product made by Breyers, particularly their new Smooth and Dreamy Ice Cream Bars. It’s been hot here and humid, really humid. Like, 100% humidity if you ask me. I like water to cool me off about as much as the next guy, or gal, but can only take so much. Speaking of only being able to take so much, how many artificially flavored fruit popsicles can you really eat before you’re sick of them? What about a cool treat for me when the kids are napping? Or out riding their bikes with the neighbor kids?

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The new Breyers Smooth & Dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches prove an excellent treat for me at the end of a long day. With six rich and creamy flavors, including Chocolate Caramel Brownie, Vanilla Caramel Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Vanilla Fudge Brownie, and Triple Chocolate Chip, Breyers Smooth & Dreamy bars and sandwiches offer something for everyone. And with no artificial flavors or colors, 160 calories or less and 4-6g of fat per serving, and delicious mix-ins and swirls, these bars and sandwiches make for refreshing snacks and desserts.

We’ve tried several of these flavors now and have been completely satisfied with each. The title fits these exceptionally as they are truly Smooth and Dreamy. My ultimate favorite so far is the Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Bar. Rob won’t touch these ones, he’s not a big milk/dark chocolate kinda guy, so as long as I can keep them out of the sights of my children I get the whole box to myself. The Vanilla Caramel Chip has become an all around family favorite, there’s no getting this box past anyone and it will generally only last 24-36 hours in our house.

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You can browse the Breyers Smooth and Dreamy website at smoothanddreamy.com. You will find all of the different flavors here as well as a few more perks. You can enter the 2010 Scoop Off . You can play the Wheel of Delights, find recipes and much much more.

To Enter:

Tell me your favorite Breyers flavor of Ice Cream in the comments. I have 5 opportunities to win your very own box of Smooth and Dream Ice Cream Bars or Sandwiches.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Go Allergen Free With John Morrell

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

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As a mom, and I’ve said this before in a few other posts, I do whatever I can to make sure my family consumes foods that are good for their bodies. I like to do this without breaking the budget, so I am known for scouring the grocery ads every Sunday and planning our meals around what’s on sale and good for us. Fortunately for all of us, John Morrell & Co have come out with an Allergen Free line and it is quite affordable if I do say so myself. I know it can be difficult at times to find appropriate foods when dealing with certain food allergies, and now John Morrell & Co can offer:

  • No Milk
  • No Fish
  • No Soy
  • No Egg
  • No Nuts
  • No Wheat

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We’ve tried several varieties of their meats, in the past and more recently. The whole family has always enjoyed what they’ve tasted. They offer quite a large variety and what I love that is that most everything they offer is super easy to prepare and to plan a meal around. Of their allergen free meats you have Hot Dogs, Bologna and Smoked Sausages to choose from.

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John Morrell & Co have a very active Facebook page where you will find coupons, recipes and much much more. If you are a fan of their page or “Like” it, you are automatically entered to win their drawings for free coupons. You can find additional recipes and information on their website.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of John Morrell and received a free coupon for John Morrell products to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”