Food Fun Family

Create Stand-Out Cases for Your Phone or Tablet with Creative Print House

Lolli — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 19:21:02 +0000

I had the opportunity to try out a new custom-made case for my iPad this past month, and I am so thrilled to share my experience PLUS an exclusive discount code just for my readers. All thoughts are my own.

As a woman business owner who just launched a second business at the beginning of this year, I am all about supporting other women-owned businesses. But this business – Creative Print House – is particularly special to my heart because it is owned by a wonderful woman that I met during my freshman year of college. When she reached out to me recently, I was excited to give Creative Print House a try for a premium custom iPad case, especially since the case that I had on my iPad at the time was quite literally falling apart.

My iPad sees a lot of use. It can often be found sitting next to my computer playing Netflix or another one of the shows that I keep up with while I work. It’s important to me to have a case that makes viewing easy – I like to be able to prop the case up at different angles and not worry about the iPad falling over.

I often carry my iPad with me in my purse, especially at church or conferences or work trips, so a slim fit is a feature I look for. I don’t want anything too bulky that will take up too much space in my bag.

While I’m not using my iPad, it’s probably being used for Pandora or YouTube videos by one of my kids. So durability is another important feature to me.

My case from Creative Print House fit all of my criteria. Slim fit, easy to prop up for viewing shows, and durable enough for the kids! I love that there are two ways to set the iPad up for viewing, and the slim magnetic cover is easy to manipulate but stays exactly where you want it to stay.

But let’s touch on the design for a moment. I often have a hard time picking a case design that fits my personality every day, which means that I usually just go for something totally plain. When I was considering one of my own photos to add to my iPad case, I had one particular picture in mind. This is a shot from Christmas in Florida 2015. The entire family (including my then-soon-to-be son-in-law) was enjoying a peaceful Christmas sunset on the beach in Florida. Although none of my family members were in this shot, I loved the silhouetted bikers rising along the water’s edge just as the sun was going down. The colors and the scene were so peaceful.

This picture makes me happy, and now I can think back on that memorable family trip to Florida every time I pull my iPad out.

Designing an iPad case was easy on Custom Print House. You can choose from a black, grey, white, pink, green, or blue case to start (I chose grey because it matched my photo perfectly). You can easily upload your image, and then center and crop the image to fit the case. After you’d got the image set, you can add text as well (I didn’t want any text on my case – the photo speaks for itself!). You can then preview your design to see exactly how it’s going to look when you get it in the mail.

The same process applies for custom phone cases; you choose your phone model and the style of case that you’d like (plastic, rubber, or extra rugged), the color, and then add a design. It couldn’t be easier!

If you’re in need to a new case for a phone or iPad, I would highly recommend ordering from Custom Print House! For 15% off your order, use code LRFF15 at checkout. And then show me what design you chose!

Dunkin’ Donuts Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

Lolli — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 01:33:04 +0000

This post is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts but all opinions are my own.

Think breakfast sandwiches are just for breakfast? Not at Dunkin’ Donuts! Dunkin’ Donuts’ full menu, including breakfast items, are available all-day. That means that when I’m heading home from dropping kids off at school, I can pick up a Dunkin’ Donuts Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich…..and I can grab one for lunch when I’m out running errands in the afternoon, too (who else has some last minute Christmas shopping to finish up??).

I tend to eat at wacky hours. Most days, I work straight through lunch, not even realizing that I haven’t eaten (don’t worry – I always eventually eat…just not on a schedule). I’m also a night owl, so I end up getting hungry a few hours after dinner while I’m working on the computer after the kids’ bed time.

It’s a 24/7 world out there, especially for families like ours that don’t have conventional 9-5 clock-in/clock-out jobs. I know we’re not the only people who manage a lot of what we do – work, food, and sleep – without regard to the time on the clock. I do work whenever, so isn’t it awesome to have breakfast whenever, too?

This past week, my husband and I headed out for a quick lunch together at Dunkin’ Donuts. I ordered the Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich and he ordered a Turkey, Cheddar & Bacon bakery sandwich. We each added on a side of hash browns because…yum!

My first impression of the Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, after taking my first bite, was that they got the “sweet” right! I loved the caramelized pepper bacon. It was the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Because it has bacon, egg, and cheese, it’s a perfectly filling meal for breakfast or lunch or a mid-day (or midnight!) snack.

About the Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich – a unique combination of sweet and savory featuring egg, a slice of American cheese and four strips of bacon coated in a brown sugar and black pepper seasoning served on a croissant. The Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich is also available as a Wake-Up Wrap®, with ½ egg, a slice of American cheese and two slices of the special seasoned bacon, served on a small flour tortilla. Both are available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide now through early 2017.

Connect with Dunkin’ Donuts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DunkinDonuts
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dunkindonuts

K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster #WildWhiplash

CandyMan — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 12:00:38 +0000

This post was sponsored on behalf of K’NEX. All opinions stated are my own.

In all my years building things as a kid, I never dreamed that I would have a job one day that paid me to have fun.

I grew up playing with every building toy you can imagine. It was always fun creating something new as I would do an all-nighter building marathon with friends in front of the TV.

My son and I recently built the K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster. K’NEX are really cool because you can build a working project that is quick and easy to assemble. We spent just a short part of our evening putting together the Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster. It was pretty straight forward and it worked flawlessly. My older son jumped in last minute to help us finish up the track and chain that lifts the roller coaster to the top of the ramp. He couldn’t resist joining us when he saw how much fun we were having putting it together.

After a little while of using the pre-designed build, we modified the loops and made a new variation that had a totally new feel.

Strangely, K’NEX are a lot lighter that other construction toys. They are so light, in fact, that you feel like they are going to fall over, but they are actually quite strong. Most things you build with have to be put on a solid foundation or structure to be usable, but this roller coaster was easy to move around without anything attached to it. We took it off the table in seconds without having to take it apart or worry about it falling apart. It’s the lightest construction toy I have ever used.

Let me say one very specific thing that I liked more than anything. I have built lots of spaceships, buildings, cars, and other things. One of the things that can be irritating is trying to find the right piece. Usually there will be a legend or an instruction box, but inevitably, there is some piece that you can’t figure out. With K’NEX, each piece is color coded. If you need a piece that is a certain length, it only comes in one color, so you know exactly what you are looking for. This simple design idea saved us so much time when we were assembling the roller coaster.

After we finished up the initial build, my son was looking for a piece that connects the large K’NEX pieces to the small K’NEX (he has two boxes of K’NEX). He told me to look for a neon green piece. I didn’t know what it looked like, but I found what he needed in seconds. It was quite awesome. He used the extra pieces to extend the roller coaster and change some of the loops.

So, my hat is off to K’NEX. Thanks for the roller coaster and bigger thanks for making something that is easy to build and worth the time.

They really give you an opportunity to design things that will work. You can use the initial project as a springboard for other designs. I know that is typically what I do.

You can watch me and A.J. build the whole thing in a two-minute timelapse here. Look out for the apple dumplings my wife made.

Quick Reference About the K’NEX Wild Whiplash Coaster

Perfect for kids and adults 9+
WORKING motorized roller coaster
Includes 580 parts, with over 14 feet of track and a motorized chain lift
Includes easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to build your coaster (PLUS, instructions for a 2nd coaster design are available online)
Finished coaster is over 2 1/2 feet tall
Only available at Walmart
K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster retails for $32.97, making it a perfect holiday gift

Connect with K’NEX

Facebook: KNEX
Twitter: @KNEX
Instagram: @knexbrands
Pinterest: K’NEX Brands

Fall Favorites: Home & Harvest #BabbleBoxxFall

Lolli — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 19:36:36 +0000

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media. All thoughts are my own.

Fall is my favorite season, hands-down! Not only do I get to celebrate my birthday in the fall, but the weather turns perfect (not too cold, not too hot, and no humidity or blossoms causing allergies!). And the FOOD of the fall is some of my favorite of the whole year.

I was excited to get a BabbleBoxx full of amazing products perfect for the fall, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

How fun does this #BabbleBoxxFall Home and Harvest collection look?

Here’s a sneak peek at what was inside (be sure to take advantage of the savings below!):

Peanut Butter & Co. Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter

I LOVE pumpkin spice, and I love how it tastes so good in so many different recipes. Well, let me tell you….peanut butter and pumpkin spice is the perfect combination! Peanut Butter & Co. has taken its award-winning smooth peanut butter and blended it with real pumpkin and yummy pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to create its limited edition seasonal peanut butter. Use it on apples as a dip or spread, in sandwiches, in recipes, or even straight out of the jar.

Grab some delicious recipes using this pumpkin spice peanut butter (including Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Cheesecake) HERE.

PS – Like all Peanut Butter & Co. peanut butter, Pumpkin Spice peanut butter is made exclusively with USA- grown, Non-GMO peanuts and contains no cholesterol, no trans-fats, no hydrogenated oils, and is dairy-free and soy-free.

Print your $1 in store coupon to use on Pumpkin Spice peanut butter and any other 16oz jar flavor HERE!

Connect with Peanut Butter & Co. – Facebook: facebook.com/PeanutButterCo/ | Twitter: @peanutbutterco | Instagram: @peanutbutterco

Dinner Mixers by Tastefully Simple

I love to cook, but I don’t always have a lot of TIME to cook….or figure out WHAT to cook. I received some Dinner Mixers to try and my mouth was watering with the options!

Here’s how Dinner Mixers work:

Dinner Mixers by Tastefully Simple are a meal starter kit that includes a main dish recipe and a side dish recipe plus the pre-measured Tastefully Simple products needed to prepare both recipes. You are able to add your own fresh ingredients (allowing you to have total control over the quality of the fresh ingredients and providing the opportunity to buy local). You add the fresh and we add the flavor while helping you decide what’s for dinner!

You can customize your Dinner Mixers order based on your family’s preferences. I think my favorite part is that their recipes use common ingredients that I typically have in my pantry or fridge already, and all I have to do is grab the recipe and the spices and I’ve got dinner figured out.

Save $5 off Dinner Mixers HERE using promo code DINNERMIXERS at checkout through 11/15/16

Connect with Dinner Mixers by Tastefully Simple – Facebook: facebook.com/tastefullysimple | Twitter: @tastefullysimpl | Instagram: @tastefullysimpl

Twist’n SproutTM and StalkChopTM by Chef’n

As a woman who loves to cook, I’m all about getting the right tools to make food prep easier. The right tool can make all the difference! We eat a lot of cauliflower and brussels sprouts at home (although I was totally out of cauliflower when I took the above picture. Oops!) so these two kitchen tools are perfect for our kitchen.

Twist’n Sprout: Prep sprouts in a snap with this compact tool – simply press Brussels sprouts onto the tip of the tool and twist to remove core for a more evenly cooked vegetable.
· Twist to trim and core
· Quickly removes stem and dense core
· Creates brussels sprouts that cook more evenly
· Helps loosen leaves for broiling or roasting · Pierce stem with tip of tool, push on and twist
· Hand-wash recommended

StalkChop: Our powerfully simple cauliflower tool makes wrangling this tough vegetable surprisingly quick and easy and safely takes the hard work out of separating florets from stalk so that cauliflower and broccoli can go from vegetable drawer to dinner plate in a flash.
· Quickly removes cauliflower stalks and strips florets
· Separates stems from stalk without waste · Strips outer leaves
· Works great for broccoli too
· Dishwasher safe

Save 20% plus FREE SHIPPING with code fallprep at checkout through November 10, 2016 HERE

Connect with Chef’n – Facebook: Facebook.com/ChefnCorp | Instagram: @chefncorp

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes

I might not have little ones any more, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get messy! As a family that doesn’t need diaper wipes any more, having Wet Ones® hand wipes is ideal for us. Because sometimes you don’t have a sink and soap when you encounter a mess!

About Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes: Wet Ones are the convenient 2-in-1 way to wipe out dirt and messes and kill 99.99% of germs when soap and water aren’t readily available. Theyclean better than hand sanitizer gels, wiping away dirt and messes without drying out skin. They are hypoallergenic and contain aloe and lanolin, making them easy on skin for even the littlest of hands.

Wet Ones® Hand Wipes are available at mass, drug and grocery stores nationwide and come in three convenient sizes so you can keep them at home, in the car, and in purses and backpacks.

Follow hashtag #WishIHadWetOnes

Popcorn, Indiana Sweet & Salty Kettlecorn

I’m not sure how BabbleBoxx knew that Kettlecorn is our FAVORITE treat. These bags of sweet and salty popcorn did not last long! They were SO delicious!

About Popcorn, Indiana: Popcorn, Indiana is a real place. It’s a small town, in the heart of corn country. Population 42. And yet, somehow it’s more than just a town. It’s a time, a philosophy, a way of life. Honest, just like the popcorn that bears its name. Popcorn, Indiana – tender pieces of joy made for you and your family.

The maker of America’s #1 Kettlecorn, offers a broad range of adventurous flavors for any palate. In addition to our sweet & salty Kettlecorn we offer: Sea Salt, Aged White Cheddar, Movie Theater, Chicago Style Caramel & Cheese and Smoky Queso. For those looking for a bit of indulgence we have a range of decadent Drizzlecorn® flavors including Black & White, Dark Fudge Sea Salt Caramel, Dark Fudge Pretzel & Dark Fudge Peppermint.

All Popcorn, Indiana products are certified gluten-free by the GFCO, are made from non-GMO corn and contain whole grains. Popcorn, Indiana snacks are available at national, regional and local retailers across the U.S. and Canada.

Connect with Popcorn, Indiana – Facebook: Facebook.com/popcornindiana | Twitter: @popcorn_indiana

What products from the BabbleBoxx Fall collection are you most excited to try?

Kings Dominion BBQ & Brew Fest 2016

Lolli — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 20:00:37 +0000

This past Saturday, three of my kids and I headed south to Kings Dominion for BBQ & Brew Fest. All I had to do was mention BBQ tasting and they were ALL IN. This post is sponsored by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in conjunction with Blog Meets Brand, and I have been compensated for my participation. All opinions are my own.

What is BBQ & Brew Fest?

It’s simple! BBQ & Brew Fest is a three weekend-long festival celebrating great BBQ and local craft beer. Guests can sample everything BBQ, from chicken to brisket to pork to ribs (and don’t forget the sides and desserts!). Guests 21 and over can enjoy signature craft brews from some of the area’s local breweries. All that BBQ pairs perfectly with entertainment from live bands. BBQ and Brew Fest runs Saturdays and Sundays, August 6 through August 21.

Where is BBQ & Brew Fest?

The BBQ & Brew Fest is set up at Kings Dominion along Candy Apple Grove. It’s easy to browse the different food offerings (all within a short walking distance around Candy Apple Grove) and then grab a shady spot to eat and listen to live music.

There is no separate admission fee for BBQ & Brew Fest – anyone in the park can enjoy. All food items are $5.00 each (except for watermelon cups which are $3.00 and strawberry shortcake parfaits which are $4.00); you can either pay cash or purchase sampler cards for $5.00 a piece. They’ve even got a discount card for $20.00 that get you 3 BBQ tasting cards and 2 brew sample cards.

Sample size (5 oz) pours of beer can be purchased for $3.00. Full size (20 oz) pours are $8.00 each.

The BBQ & Brew Fest Menu

The Pit
? Moonshine Pulled pork slider with smoky BBQ sauce and spicy pickles
? Beef Brisket Slider with BBQ sauce and spicy pickles

Tastes from the Tower Food Truck
? Redneck Eggroll with “white BBQ sauce”
? Loaded tater tots with pulled pork, cheese sauce, jalapenos and sour cream

BBQ Fiesta
? Loaded moonshine pulled pork “walking taco” bag
? BBQ chicken tacos

BBQ Island
? Hawaiian style grilled teriyaki beef slider with chive mayo and pineapple coleslaw
? Jamaican style jerk BBQ chicken quarter with Jambalaya Cornbread fritter and mango salsa

The Dogs
? Virginia Oinker dog (dog wrapped in ham, topped with BBQ pork and chopped bacon) and BBQ brown sugar baked beans
? Grilled hot dog topped with BBQ pork, coleslaw and jalapenos with BBQ brown sugar baked beans

Mac ‘N Cheesy
? BBQ pork and mashed potato “parfait” with macaroni and cheese
? Candied bacon blt served with BBQ macaroni and cheese

Southern ‘N Sweet
? Moonshine bratwurst with blackberry jam
? Southern style banana pudding

The Halligan Bar and Grill:

“Chicken Shack” BBQ
? Memphis Style BBQ Chicken Slider
? “Wings of Smoke”
? “Bird Dog”
? Sides: Cole Slaw, Cucumber Salad

Beef Country
? Texas Style Beef Brisket Slider
? Bacon Wrapped Brisket Bites
? “Texas Bull Dog”
? Sides: Cole Slaw, Macaroni salad

Carolina BBQ
? North Carolina Style Pulled Pork BBQ Slider
? Baby Back Ribs
? The “Dog Pound”
? Sides: Cole Slaw, BBQ Baked Beans

Fire Truck Smoker with Whole Pig Roasted on Saturdays

The BBQ & Brew Fest Brewers

I’m not a beer-drinker, so I can’t speak to how great the beer tasting was, but people sure seemed to enjoy it! The list of brewers is different each weekend.

August 6 – 7

Bold Rock Hard Cider — Nellysford (Nelson County), VA
Brother’s Craft Brewing — Harrisonburg, VA
Legend Brewing Company — Richmond, VA
O’Connor Brewing Company — Norfolk, VA
Old Bust Head Brewing Company — Faquier County, VA
Strangeways Brewery — Richmond, VA

August 13 – 14

Ardent Craft Ales — Richmond, VA
Devils Backbone — Roseland, VA
Midnight Brewery — Rockville, VA
Chaos Mountain Brewery — Callaway, VA
Center of the Universe — Ashland, VA
Starr Hill Brewery — Crozet, VA

August 20 – 21

Bold Rock Hard Cider — Nellysford (Nelson County), VA
Steam Bell Beer Works — Chesterfield, VA
Isley Brewing Company — Richmond, VA
Hardywood Craft Brewery — Richmond, VA
Kindred Spirits — Richmond, VA

The BBQ & Brew Fest Entertainment

I love live music, so this was perhaps my favorite part of BBQ & Brew Fest! We loved the Pat Russel Band, and wish we could be there every day of the festival to hear all of the other live entertainment!

8/6: Pat Russel Band
8/7: Inside Out
8/13: Moonshine Society
8/14: Red Light Rodeo Allstars
8/20: The Mashup
8/21: Little Country

Also catch Chainsaw Chix each day at 2:00pm, 3:15pm and 6:30pm. They were fascinating to watch!

I loved everything about our experience at Kings Dominion BBQ & Brew Fest, except for the weather. It was almost too hot to do anything at all. When we weren’t sampling the BBQ and listening to Pat Russel Band perform (in our shady spot), we were refilling our souvenir cups or ordering frozen treats to try to cool off. Unfortunately, because of my son’s stitches, we weren’t able to get wet (how mean would it have been to leave him while we went down a water slide or two?!) but we still had a blast on a couple of our favorite rides.

We’re definitely putting BBQ & Brew Fest on our calendar for next year!

Johnny Rockets Georgetown Restaurant Refresh

Lolli — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 03:10:47 +0000

My family and I were invited to experience Johnny Rockets’ new look at their DC Georgetown location last week. This post has been sponsored by Johnny Rockets, but all thoughts and opinions are my own and my family’s.

Johnny Rockets has a special place in my heart. After my daughter got married this spring…after the wedding and the pictures and the reception were over, the kids went home to grandma and grandpa’s house and my husband and I crashed from exhaustion – both physical and emotional. Being the mother and father-of-the-bride is a big deal.

Because we ended early in the evening and knew that we’d need to eat some real food before the night was over, we decided to walk around the hotel to see if we could find something to eat. Our walk took us to Johnny Rockets, where we were finally able to decompress, relax, and fill our bellies.

We left Johnny Rockets that night feeling so content. It was the perfect way to end the wedding day.

Fast forward to last week, when we finally got the vacation that I had so desperately needed all summer. We were driving home on Friday afternoon, but quickly realized that the DC-area traffic was not going to make it easy for us to get home before we stopped by the media event at Johnny Rockets. We headed to Georgetown straight from our vacation and walked along the canal until it was time for us to check in at the restaurant.

A funny thing happened when we sat down for our dinner. We were tired from our 4+ hour drive. We were sweaty from spending 30+ minutes walking outside in the oppressive heat and humidity that we had last week. But when we started eating, the heat and the fatigue washed away. It was the most perfect way to end our 4-day vacation. Instead of arriving home tired from hours in the car, we got home feeling rested and well-fed.

While we were at Johnny Rockets, we had the chance to sit down with Joel Bulger, Chief Marketing Officer. We got a little off topic as we chatted with Joel – for the first 15 minutes or so, he asked us more questions about us than we asked him about the restaurant! Here are 10 things we learned about Johnny Rockets while we chatted with him:

Johnny Rockets is a global restaurant chain that has been around for 30 years and is in 28 different countries with over 350 restaurants. The Georgetown location has been there for 18 years.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary year, Johnny Rockets is debuting a brand refresh, with a new logo and a “modern evolution” of the iconic images, style, food, and experience that we’ve known and loved for the last 30 years.
Johnny Rockets’ hand-spun shakes are made with premium ice cream – a proprietary blend made just for Johnny Rockets by Blue Bunny.
“If you’re going to go get a burger and fries, get the best one you can get.” (my favorite quote directly from Joel Bulger)
Johnny Rockets’ cooked-to-order burgers are available in 4 protein options: fresh, never frozen 100% domestic farm-raised beef, farm-fresh chicken, ground turkey, and Boca Burger.
Everything – from the classic made-to-order burgers to the new design – is inspired by lots and lots of consumer testing. They really care about what their customers think and want.
In the new restaurant design, they’ve included elements of the classic diner, including counter seating. But they’ve updated the layout so that everything is not fixed in place. There are communal tables for friends and family, and room for many different sized groups.
The 50s diner look that Johnny Rockets has been known for – complete with jukeboxes and servers dressed in soda fountain uniforms – has been replaced with remixes of classic music an pop music of today and new uniforms for the servers.
Johnny Rockets trains their team members with easy to access online training guides as well as on-location training.
If you order a burger in China, you’ll get the same burger you’ll get here in DC. That’s because the chefs make sure to develop recipes that are easily replicated, no matter where they are.

In the near future, all Johnny Rockets franchises will be updated to the new design and logo. As for our family, we can’t wait to head back to our local Georgetown location!

My Behind-the-Counter Experience

Shortly after we arrived at Johnny Rockets, I was taken behind the counter to see where all the magic happened…and to see the new cooking equipment in the kitchen. The grill was impressive – it’s computerized with a tablet-like touch screen and everything. But perhaps the most impressive part was how fast it cooked the burgers! If only I had a massive grill like that in my kitchen so that I could make my family’s dinner in just a few minutes…

About Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is an international restaurant franchise that offers high quality, innovative menu items including fresh, never frozen 100% beef cooked-to-order hamburgers, veggie burger, chicken sandwiches, crispy fries and rich, delicious hand-spun shakes and malts. This dynamic lifestyle brand offers friendly service and upbeat music contributing to the chain’s signature atmosphere of relaxed, casual fun. Founded in 1986, Johnny Rockets operates more than 350 franchise and corporate locations in 28 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.johnnyrockets.com.

The Perfect Place for a Date Night #LobsterWorthy

Lolli — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 02:32:07 +0000

I’m sharing some of the #lobsterworthy moments in my life as part of a Red Lobster sponsored series for Socialstars, but all thoughts are my own.

Did you know that April 23 is Lovers Day? This Lovers Day is particularly special for our family, because it’s the day that our oldest daughter is getting married (and just a few days before we celebrate our 21st anniversary!).

It’s been a little crazy the last few months getting ready for the wedding, along with all of the normal pressures of work and family, so it was especially nice for my husband and I to get out for a date, just the two of us.

How often do you get out on a date with your significant other? Whether you make date night a weekly priority or if date night (and the accompanying babysitter) is a rare treat, you need to pick the right place.

What do you look for when you pick a restaurant to go to? Do you choose something quick and close to your house? Do you head back to your favorite stomping ground every time? Or do you look for something new for each date? We often pick our date night restaurant based on what we’re craving that night.

Red Lobster is the ideal place for our date nights because everything is so shareable….and that’s exactly what we did for our date.

I love the appetizers at Red Lobster just as much as I love the entrees and biscuits. Maybe even more. I am tempted to get the Langostino Lobster-Artichoke-and-Seafood Dip EVERY SINGLE TIME because I love it that much. But this past time, we decided to try the Crispy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps and Oh-My-Goodness it is my new favorite. It was so delicious. And as much as I love sharing appetizers when we go out on dates, I kind of didn’t want to share any of it at all.

Since we’re still in the middle of Lobsterfest, I ordered the Dueling Lobster Tails. I had seen them on the Lobsterfest menu before, and I couldn’t wait to give them a try. I think I could eat the lobster macaroni every day. So delicious! Listen to this description:

A roasted Maine lobster tail stuffed with langostino lobster mac-and-cheese, paired with two split Maine lobster tail medallions with our seafood stuffing. Served with mashed potatoes, roasted green beans and sundried tomatoes.

See the Lobsterfest menu here.

How are you going to celebrate Lovers Day? I’d love to hear your own Red Lobster date night stories from the past and present. When you share your stories on social media be sure to use the hashtag #lobsterworthy.

10 Customized Gift Ideas from York Photo

Lolli — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 16:30:31 +0000

Are you in the market for customized gift ideas? In a family as big as mine, we almost always have a birthday, anniversary, or holiday coming up, so it’s always a good time to brainstorm gift ideas. This post has been sponsored by York Photo, but all thoughts and ideas are my own.

What are the occasions for which you need to shop for gifts? In just my direct family, we have birthdays in January, March, May, June, August, October, and December. My anniversary is in April (coming up on 21 years!) and now my oldest daughter is about to add HER anniversary in April. When she gets married in a few weeks, I’ll be adding not only another anniversary to the month, but another birthday, too. Then there’s Mother’s Day and Fathers Day, Christmas and Easter. And don’t forget the birthdays and anniversaries in the families that both my husband and I grew up in.

My point here is to demonstrate that I am basically buying gifts all year long. That’s a lot of coming up with the “perfect” gift.

This past year, my siblings and I made very special gifts for our mom and dad. My dad had a “big” birthday this year, so we put together a photo book full of pictures, stories and memories about dad. It was such a huge success that we made one just for Mom for Christmas. Customized gifts are the best! They’re extra meaningful and appreciated for years and years.

10 great customized gifts for any occasion

I’ve made so many customized gifts over the years, from photo books to photo mugs to jewelry and more. I had so much fun looking through York Photos’s site to get ideas for my upcoming gifting needs. The possibilities are endless! Here are my top 10 customized gift ideas (most of which I’ve made before, and some that have made it on my list of things to do this year!)

I was able to design a new iPhone case on York Photo this past month. I love my new personalized iPhone case! It was so easy to customize with my own pictures, and I loved the sayings and graphics that York Photo had to choose from. The case is great quality and I’ve gotten compliments since I’ve had it on my phone! Here’s a little about the case:

flex-frame has a matte soft-touch coating for comfort in holding the phone
antimicrobial additive reduces harmful bacteria by up to 99%
protective camera flash trim reduces flash bounce
metal insert produces high quality image
UV resistant, durable and scratch resistant

One of the coolest things about my new case from York Photo is that the back panel is removable, which means that I could design even more customized metal inserts and swap them out for a new look whenever I want.

Enter to WIN a $30 York Photo gift card

What customized gift do YOU want to make? (Yes, it’s totally acceptable to make something for yourself like I did!). I’m excited to have the chance to give one lucky reader $30 to spend at York Photo. Note: this giveaway prize includes FREE SHIPPING!

Enter on the giveaway widget below and GOOD LUCK! This giveaway will end on 4/20/16 at 11:59pm ET and a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email after the giveaway is closed.

Entry -Form

Connect with York Photo

Website: https://www.yorkphoto.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/YorkPhoto1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkPhoto/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/YorkPhoto/

Lobsterfest is Back at Red Lobster #LobsterWorthy

Lolli — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 03:03:30 +0000

Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster! I’m sharing some of the #lobsterworthy moments in my life as part of a Red Lobster sponsored series for Socialstars, but all thoughts are my own.

I don’t get out with friends as much as I should, so when I had the opportunity to join some friends on a girls night out this past week, I jumped at the chance. I was thrilled when I heard that we’d be meeting up at Red Lobster…especially because I knew that Lobsterfest was back with some pretty amazing menu items.

What’s so amazing about Lobsterfest? Oh, it’s just the year’s largest variety of lobster dishes – that means even more ways to enjoy lobster…grilled, baked, topped, and paired with even more lobster.

I typically enjoy lobster as an ingredient in a dish (like Lobster Scampi Linguini or my favorite appetizer at Red Lobster – the Langostino Lobster-Artichoke-and-Seafood Dip. Seriously, guys….if you haven’t tried this, you need to get to your nearest Red Lobster and try it right away!). But this past visit, I decided to let lobster take a front seat and shine on its own.

You want to know a secret? I didn’t know I LOVED lobster until I started ordering it at Red Lobster. Let me tell you…it’s something I crave now. Red Lobster KNOWS lobster!

Check out some of the lobster dishes you can order during Lobsterfest:

Lobster Lover’s Dream®
NEW! Steakhouse Lobster Surf & Turf*
NEW! Langostino Lobster-Topped Tilapia with Mushroom Cream Sauce
Roasted Maine Lobster Bake
Wood-Grilled Lobster, Shrimp, and Salmon
Ultimate Feast®
Lobster Scampi Linguini
Seaport Lobster & Shrimp
NEW! Chilled Lobster-and-Shrimp Cocktail
Lobster Punch
NEW! Red Lobster Sunset

See the Lobsterfest menu here.

On my latest visit, I ordered the Steakhouse Lobster Surf & Turf. I was in HEAVEN. Listen to this description: “Split Maine lobster tail medallions with our seafood stuffing, paired with a grilled sirloin topped with Cliean langostino lobster in a three-cheese sauce with roasted mushrooms. Served with mashed potatoes, roasted green beans and sundried tomatoes.”

I think I may have a hard time ordering anything else on the menu after having that….although the Wood-Grilled Lobster, Shrimp, and Salmon IS looking pretty tempting!

Share your favorite way to enjoy lobster on social, and include the hashtag #lobsterworthycontest when you do. When you share, you’ll be entered to win some pretty cool prizes throughout Red Lobster’s Lobsterfest.

Terra’s Kitchen: Farm-Fresh Meal Kit Delivery

Lolli — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 15:37:20 +0000

This post is sponsored by Terra’s Kitchen, but all thoughts are my own.

I love to cook. And I love to eat delicious, good-for-me foods (I mean, who doesn’t love food that takes great and is good for you?). What I DON’T love is the hassle of planning and shopping and prepping those meals. Sometimes I simply don’t have time. I work all day and then I run around with kids all afternoon. And before I know it, it’s time for dinner NOW (you know, before I have to run one of the kids to an evening practice) and I have 30 minutes to get food on the table. Have you ever been there?

I’m guessing that I’m not alone.

When we’re in a pinch for time and dinner time is approaching, it’s all too easy to grab something less-than-healthy. “Quick” meals don’t have to mean “unhealthy” but all too often time-crunched dinners turn into “fast” foods. That’s not what I want to be eating regularly.

THIS is what I want to be eating regularly.

This month, I was introduced to Terra’s Kitchen, a farm-to-front door meal-kit delivery service. As of March, they are available for the first time in the Washington DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia/Richmond area.

Here’s how Terra’s Kitchen works: you order a meal kit from their site. Terra’s Kitchen sends you fresh, seasonal ingredients that are prepped and ready for you to use (ie, chopped and perfectly proportioned) along with a fully illustrated, easy-to-follow recipe. Each meal kit comes complete with everything you need (except for salt and pepper and sometimes cooking oils, etc).

What’s even more amazing about Terra’s Kitchen meals is that they can each be made in 30 minutes or less. I tested 3 different meals, and each was easily completed in less than 30 minutes. How often can you prepare a full meal with fresh ingredients in such a short time? I am smitten.

We were sent several chef-designed recipes to try (each meal is proportioned for 2 adults). How delicious do these sound?

Southwest steak bowl
Honey mango salmon
Grilled chicken tacos
Grab ‘n go: fruit burst
Grab ‘n go: chopped power salad
Grab ‘n go: berry balsamic salad

Each Terra’s Kitchen delivery is sent in the most ingenious delivery “vessel” – a portable refrigerator of sorts. I think the kids (and my husband) enjoyed the vessel nearly as much as they enjoyed the foods we prepared from the food inside.

When we opened up the vessel, we found trays full of proportioned ingredients, along with ice packs and recipe cards. You don’t have to worry about being home right when a Terra’s Kitchen delivery is made. In fact, you’re just supposed to transfer ingredients to the fridge (or cook them!) by 9:00pm the day they are delivered.

Once your vessel has been emptied, you just leave all ice packs and trays in the vessel, tear off the shipping label to reveal the return label, and leave it out on the doorstep the next morning to be picked up (you don’t have to do anything else!).

I am happy to report that everything we ate from Terra’s Kitchen was absolutely delicious. The biggest hit for my family was the Southwest steak bowl (perfectly seasoned steak sliced on top of roasted, perfectly seasoned sweet potatoes and topped with avocado). We were in heaven.

No joke: my oldest daughter flew home the day after we made this for dinner and requested that I make it again while she was home. So we did. And no one complained. Except that I complained a little about having to dice all of those sweet potatoes. I prefered having Terra’s Kitchen’s already-diced sweet potatoes waiting for me.

You’ve got to take a look at all of the delicious meals that Terra’s Kitchen has to offer! And once your mouth is watering sufficiently, then use code FFF50 to take $50 off your first order. Because you’re going to WANT to give them a try. Seriously. Check them out HERE.

Terra’s Kitchen at a glance:

Terra’s Kitchen recipes are plant-strong, nutrient dense, and never include artificial or processed ingredients.
Terra’s Kitchen meals are pre-prepped and really take 30 minutes or less to prepare.
Terra’s Kitchen uses sustainable food sources and is focused on reducing their impact on the environment. Even the packaging is completely reusable!
Libbie Summers, cookbook author and Head of Culinary Direction at Terra’s Kitchen, has created healthy, rotating seasonal recipes with options for omnivore, gluten-free, paleo and vegetarian preferences.
Terra’s Kitchen ships your food in a unique delivery vessel with climate-controlling technology to keep high-quality ingredients cool and fresh til they’re in your kitchen. The eco-friendly vessel is reusable and creates NO waste. When you’re done with the vessel, just place it out on your front porch and they’ll pick it up, clean it up, and get it ready to be sent out again.

Connect with Terra’s Kitchen:

Website: https://www.terraskitchen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terraskitchen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrasKitchen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terraskitchen/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tkmeals/
Hashtags: #TerrasKitchen and #TKWay

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Terra’s Kitchen. The opinions and text are all mine.