.
It’s that time of year again…and I am SO excited! One of my new favorite holiday traditions is giving away a gift package full of my favorite things, alongside a handful of my favorite bloggers. It has been fun to come up with some of my favorite things to give away.
This season, I had several fun ideas of things to include in my gift package, so I polled a couple of friends who voted, weighed in and helped me come up with this super fun prize!
Note: each of these giveaways is fully funded by the hosting blogger. These are not sponsored by brands; they’re just our way of saying THANK YOU to our wonderful readers by sharing a few of our favorite things with you. Affiliate links are used within this post.
Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post to read the details of my giveaway (worth $90!). But for now…I’m excited to introduce the 2016 Our Favorite Things giveaway blog hop.
This is a fun assignment. I promise!
Visit all of the giveaways below (you can enter as many as you’d like! I would love to win a few of these myself…)
Here’s that prize collage again…
This season is all about COMFORT for me. Comfy clothes, comfy boots, comfy blankets. So I built my giveaway package around a LuLaRoe gift certificate from my friend, Ashley’s LuLaRoe shop.
One winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to shop LuLaRoe clothing plus a DIY soap kit (melt & pour shea butter soap base, 3 essential oils from Rocky Mountain Oils, and a soap mold) so your skin can be clean and soft all winter long! I LOVE making my own soaps – and it couldn’t be easier with a soap base. No tricky recipes to follow. Just melt, add scents, and pour.
Check out my DIY oatmeal citrus shea butter soap and my DIY ginger white tea cocoa butter soap for ideas.
Please note that the photo includes some of my own clothes from LuLaRoe. I’ll just be emailing you a gift certificate that you can use to shop online for your sizes and preferences. Also in the picture are some of the soaps I’ve made plus what I have left of my shea butter soap base. I just want to be clear that the photo is representative of what you’ll be getting, but I’ll be shipping you brand new, full-size items for the DIY soap kit and a gift certificate to pick out your own LuLaRoe clothes. Got it? Great :)
Enter to WIN all of this!
My giveaway package is worth $100! That’s how much I love you!
Ready to enter? I can’t wait to send this to one of my wonderful readers. This giveaway runs December 1 through December 10 at 11:59 ET. Once the giveaway ends, I will chose a winner at random and notify them via email. Good luck, everyone!
And don’t forget to visit all of the other giveaways listed above!
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>Yes, it’s me again with a fashion post. I still feel so out of place in the fashion world, but if nothing else happened because of my Fall style session with Kohl’s in September, I’ve been more aware of how I dress and I’m making a greater effort. You can see my first #EverydayRunway post (all about the new fall sweater) HERE.
Although I was not compensated for this fashion shoot, my travel and accommodations were covered….and since people keep asking, yes, I did get to take a few of my favorite pieces home with me. Affiliate links are used within this post.
I tend to wear comfortable clothes. Since I work at home, I throw on some jeans or leggings and whatever shirt will cover up my belly and call it good. When I go out, I tend to feel frumpy and unfashionable around all the other women.
So when I put on a pair of skinny jeans with some gorgeous black heels, I felt completely different. I felt beautiful. It was THIS outfit that changed my perspective on the shoes that I wear. I’ve had foot problems for so long that I’ve just become accustomed to wearing comfort shoes. I couldn’t believe what a difference heels made. Heels are everything!
Suddenly, the pain is worth it.
I absolutely love the way I feel in heels!
Women’s SONOMA Goods for Life
Release Hem Skinny Jeans
Women’s Jennifer Lopez Shirred Lace-Up Top
LC Lauren Conrad Women’s Lace High Heels
REED Gallery Mini Crossbody Wallet
I loved our little selfie session at the end of the video!
The other ladies rocked their styles. There were a couple of duplicate jeans (Stacie and I were both wearing skinny jeans and Marissa and Mary both had bootcut jeans) but I love that everyone looked totally different and beautiful in their own, unique way.
Women’s LC Lauren Conrad Ripped Skinny Jeans
Plus Size SONOMA Goods for Life
Release-Hem Skinny Jeans
Women’s Rock & Republic® Kassandra Faded Bootcut Jeans
Plus Size Apt. 9® Cold-Shoulder A-Line Tee
Women’s SONOMA Goods for Life
Essential Chambray Shirt
Women’s SONOMA Goods for Life
Josie Anorak Jacket
Women’s LC Lauren Conrad Pleated Top
Women’s Jennifer Lopez Embellished V-Neck Sweater
LC Lauren Conrad Women’s Dress Heels
Apt. 9® Women’s Pointed-Toe High Heels
LC Lauren Conrad Women’s Strappy Ballet Flats
Jennifer Lopez Women’s Lace-Up High Heels
What were your favorite looks? If you could pick one pair of jeans, one top, and one pair of shoes, which ones would you choose?
Check out the other ladies’ posts….and then be sure to check back soon to see the other trends that we explored!
Mad For Fashion For Less!
Stacie Raye
Curly Byrdie Chirps
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>Me….a fashionista? Never in a million years would I have dreamed that I would be invited by Kohl’s to participate in an #EverydayRunway fall fashion campaign.
Although I was not compensated for this fashion shoot, my travel and accommodations were covered….and since people keep asking, yes, I did get to take a few of my favorite pieces home with me. Affiliate links are used within this post.
Kohl’s flew me and 3 other #Yes2YouRewards members (and an adorable Kohl’s employee) to Milwaukee last month where we met with Maggie, Kohl’s senior fashion consultant.
Over 2 very full days, we discussed a few of this Fall’s hottest fashion trends and got to try them for ourselves. The BEST part of this experience was meeting the other Yes2You Rewards bloggers. We arrived as strangers and left as sisters. These ladies are some of the best people out there, and it was a pleasure to spend a few days with them.
The other thing that was absolutely amazing was that we were all within a couple of years of 40 and over a size 10. These are REAL WOMEN.
Yes, we got pampered and primped with a full team of hair and makeup and the nicest, most complementary photographer, but behind it all we were (and still are) just normal women with normal bodies. I love Kohl’s focus on style for everybody….and every BODY.
My major take-away from this experience was that we can all look beautiful, regardless of size, shape, or age.
The first trend that we discussed with Maggie was The New Sweater – gorgeous fall-friendly blush-colored sweaters can be paired with jeans, skirts, shorts, and even dressy wide-leg ankle pants. Check out the first video of our experience in Milwaukee:
Wide-Leg Ankle Pants
Here’s what everyone was wearing….what are your favorite pieces?
I loved Mary’s faux leather skirt and Stacie totally rocked the skinny jeans. We all loved Marisa’s knee-high boots and Berty’s lace up heels were gorgeous (she always rocks the heels!).
Check out the other ladies’ posts….and then be sure to check back soon to see the other trends that we explored!
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>This post and giveaway is sponsored by Earth® Shoes but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The past 8 weeks or so have had one specific theme: travel! I’ve gone from Maryland to Utah to California to Pennsylvania (multiple times) to Wisconsin to California again. I love travel, but it can be exhausting. And travel almost always includes a lot of walking. Between walking in the airport to walking to see the sights, it’s important for me to have a good pair of shoes that can sustain me through all of those steps.
Choosing which shoes I pack for a trip can be a challenge. I want shoes that are comfortable but also look good, because inevitably I will end up in more photos than usual when I am traveling. I am loving my new Jasper shoes from Earth® that are perfect with jeans, slacks or skirts, so that I can wear them when I’m feeling casual or when I want to get a little more dressed up.
This past week, as I was heading to San Diego, I chose my Earth® shoes with a comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a light sweater. Perfect travel clothes! And would you believe that I actually got a compliment on my shoes when I was at the airport? I don’t know if that has ever happened to me before!
Believe it! Shoes that look this good can be this comfortable!
I have had issues with my feet for years, from plantar fasciitis to weak ankles to arthritis, so I have been leaning more towards comfort instead of fashion when it comes to the shoes that I wear. I love Earth® shoes because I can have the best of both worlds – comfortable, foot-friendly shoes with high-quality, fashionable styles. When I feel good about the way I look AND I feel comfortable, it really does make a huge difference.
The week before I left, I wore my new Earth® shoes to a blogging conference, and I felt great all day, despite the fact that I spent so much time on my feet.
Earth® was founded by Anne Kalso, a Danish Yoga Instructor, who set-out to create shoes that made total body wellness its mission. Anne believed that wellness starts from the ground-up. To walk tall, one’s feet must be grounded and comfortable. To this day, this philosophy is designed into every Earth® shoe.
Here are a few of my favorite shoes from the Earth® fall collection:
Earth® footwear is characterized by authenticity, contemporary styling, original innovations that not only provide lasting comfort, but for many, important solutions that result in a sense of better well-being (like their Buy Shoes/Plant a Tree on Earth program). The brand is not only committed to comfort and style, but they are rooted in Founder Anne Kalso’s yoga-inspired “wellness from the ground up” philosophy.
Earth® shoes feature an innovative cushioned footbed for all day comfort, with a padded heel area to displace shock, a reinforced arch support to stabilize foot, and a multi-density latex cushioning layer for extra support (see an animation here).
Shop now on Earthbrands.com! Free Shipping and Returns!
Sign up for the Earth e-newsletter here
Buy Shoes and Register to Plant A Tree here
FACEBOOK – @EarthFootwear
INSTAGRAM – @Earthbrands
Twitter – @EarthFootwear
#WhereOnEarthRU #EarthShoes
Enter to WIN your own pair of Earth Shoes right here! Choose your favorite style from the fall collection. The Fall 2016 Earth® Collection price ranges from $95 up to $140 for boots.
This giveaway will end on Saturday, November 5 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>December tends to be a huge traveling month. I just got back from one trip and I’ll be heading on a family road trip in less than 2 weeks. What are the most important items in (and outside) YOUR suitcase? I know that I don’t leave home without a pair of comfortable shoes! This post is sponsored by Aerosoles but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am all about comfort. I’ve never been much of a fashionista, but I do want to look nice when I leave the house. However, with very sensitive feet, having something comfortable on my feet is a #1 priority, especially when I’m traveling.
Basically, I need comfortable walking shoes for everything that I do – from my travels around the country to my trip to the grocery store to the time I spend standing in my kitchen. I love Aerosoles brand shoes because I know that I can do it ALL in the same pair of shoes – they’re a brand that represents extreme comfort to me, but they’re also CUTE.
I wore my new Aerosoles boots (High Gear faux fur mid calf boots) on my recent day trip walking around Washington DC with my family. I also wore them as I trekked through ZooAmerica in Hershey this past weekend. And to a Christmas concert with a wintery dress and a scarf. I’ll be wearing them again tonight as I head to see the Nutcracker at the Warner Theater in DC. They are so comfortable that I feel like I’m wearing moccasin slippers. There was no “breaking in” period – they were comfortable right out of the box.
And, what’s even more impressive is that I’ve gotten compliments every single time I’ve worn them. People love these boots!
All Aerosoles shoes feature Diamond Flex Soles designed to disperse friction away from the foot as well as a Memory Foam Insole that soothes and pampers your feet. Running late and can’t find any socks? – Aerosoles shoes have a Sueded Sock and Lining to provide you with a breathable, soft layer to rest on.
There are so many beautiful, comfortable shoes to choose from at Aerosoles. I already have a few additional shoes on my wish list. Which shoes would you add to YOUR holiday wish list?
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
© 2015, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>
I am so happy that it’s boot season! I was never much of a boot person until just about 3 years ago when I was converted thanks to my oldest daughter’s boot wish list. Now I’m hooked! I love shopping for boots like some women like shopping for purses, so Famous Footwear is naturally one of my favorite places to go. The selection, quality, and prices can’t be beat!
I was at Famous Footwear earlier this week looking for my next favorite pair of shoes. Of course, I had to try on a few dozen pair. I tried on waterproof boots, cold weather boots, tall boots, short boots, and even a few pairs of shoes that weren’t boots at all. I finally settled on the BEARPAW Boshie Winter Boot because 1) they made my feet feel like they were walking on clouds (not that I have personal experience with cloud-walking, but I can imagine), 2) they were in a color (chestnut) that was currently missing from my boot collection and 3) the buckle and knit details on the back of the boot were absolutely adorable.
I’m not a fashionista by any means, but I’ve already gotten compliments on my new boots, and I was so happy with how well they went with a pair of jeans, a scarf, and a sweater. That’s basically my winter outfit of choice – I like warm, cozy, and comfortable, and if I can fit a little bit of “cute” in to the picture, then I’m a happy girl.
Now that I’m sporting a new pair of winter boots, I can see my 12-year-old daughter eyeing them with that “when are you going to get ME a new pair of boots?” look on her face. She rocked her Christmas present Bearpaw boots from last year all the way through the summer (yes, even with shorts) and they’re still going strong. But I know how she feels. There are never too many boots.
Check out the Famous Footwear #ohsofamous style gallery – a fun place to get inspiration, explore what others are wearing, and see the variety that Famous Footwear offers. And after you browse what everyone else is wearing, it’s your turn to share your own #ohsofamous moments. I can’t wait to see what everyone else is wearing (hey, I might even be inspired to add a little more “cute” to my “comfy” winter outfits.
Website | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | #ohsofamous style gallery
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
© 2015, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received the Conair Quick Twist
Double-Stranded Braider for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
I have never been a very creative (or capable) mom when it comes to doing my girls’ hair. French braids? I never could get the hang of it. Ponytails? That was something I could handle…but they’re not always very stylish.

Now that we’re back to school, the kids are focusing on looking their best. If you remember your days in elementary and middle school (and even high school), you’ll remember that it’s incredibly important to look good – and FEEL good. But you’ll probably also remember that school mornings are often rushed and hectic. Or is that just my house?

We don’t always have time to do fancy hair styles before school, so I love that we’ve discovered a new (and super easy) way to create adorable hair-dos for my 12-year-old daughter. In just a few minutes before leaving for the bus, Reese can make cute twisty braids in her hair…and the best part? She can do it herself!

We’re just getting to know the Conair Quick Twist and experimenting with new styles, but there is a ton that you can do with the Quick Twist! Check out tons of adorable ideas on Conair’s Pinterest page (just look for the first board for Quick Twist styles).

A few tips for using the Conair Quick Twist:




We are loving the Conair Quick Twist? for school day hair styles, but it is also a great litle appliance for slumber parties….and it would make the perfect birthday gift for a preteen birthday girl (they can be SO hard to shop for!!).

To learn more about the Conair Quick Twist, visit www.conairquicktwist.com
For more beauty tips, tricks and giveaways,LIKE Conair on Facebook and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received the Conair Quick Twist
Double-Stranded Braider for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
© 2015, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>
Despite the fact that I’m missing my daughter as she starts her first year of college 2000 miles away, I am loving reliving my own college days through her. I loved college! Fall is one of the most exciting times on a college campus, thanks to football season and all of the opportunities students (current students and past students, like me!) have to show their school spirit and go tailgating with friends. This list of game day fashion ideas is sponsored by Country Outfitter, but all opinions and ideas are my own (with lots of help from my college freshman and her friends).
When it comes to Game Day, it’s important to show your school spirit…but at the same time you want to stand out from the crowd. I asked my daughter, Kimberly, if she and a few of her friends would come up with a few fun and unique outfit options for attending their next football game. I love what they came up with!
1 – After attending a bunch of freshman activities on campus where almost everyone is wearing a school shirt, Kimberly realized that you can make a boring school t-shirt cute by pairing with a sweater or skirt.
2 – This look is good for wanting to just relax at a game and still represent your school. Adding a sweater or jacket with the school logo can still can keep you warm during a chilly game without cutting back on the school spirit.
3 – Sometimes you want to go all-out. This whole outfit is school colors and apparel. The beanie is a fun addition that can set you apart (and always attracts lots of compliments).
4 – Want to dress it up a bit but still be comfortable? A fun fall/summer dress paired with some boots is the perfect option. A simple dress with a pair of boots is fun and flirty.
5 – Another option for showing school spirit: a pair of bold white or colored jeans is another item that can set you apart. Want to step a simple spirited outfit up a notch? Add some fun accessories.
6 – When you want to make a school shirt more fun and girly (since the guys are wearing the same school shirts as you!), add a cute plaid shirt over top and some stand-out cowboy boots. Boots are also a good way to keep a little warmer at games when nights start to cool off.
7 – You’re going to an event so why not dress it up! Looking cute and feeling confident about your outfit makes 100% of the difference and can even make your experience more fun. If you feel good about what you’re wearing, you won’t worry about it and you can just relax and have fun at your game.
What is your favorite Game Day look?
PS – aren’t Kimberly and her friends awesome? They’re totally ready for Game Day!
Many thanks to Country Outfitter for Kimberly’s new cowboy boots which are a perfect addition to her tailgating fashion look.
Connect with Country Outfitter on Instagram – @CountryOutfitter | Twitter – @CountryOutfittr | Facebook – Country Outfitter | Hashtag #CountryOutfitter
© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>
When I’m in department store, I always gravitate toward the handbag section. I love purses and would have a bigger collection of them if I could. So when Miche bags contacted me about reviewing one of their handbags, I couldn’t turn them down. Although I received product to review, no additional compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wear it. Change it. Love it.
How often do you switch purses? Whether I’m switching purses because of the change of seasons or a change of clothes, I will inevitably forget something important in the transfer. I have so many things – cards, make-up, reminders, chargers, cords, gum, nail files, etc – hidden throughout my purse and more often than not I will just grab the “most important” things on the go, throw them into a new purse, and then find myself needing the things I’ve left inside the old handbag.
But, I have never been and doubt I will ever be satisfied with having just one purse at a time.
I’m guessing I’m not the only one who feels this way.
I was so excited to be introduced to Miche this Spring and try out their line of handbags with changeable fashionable shells to go over high quality base bags…I didn’t have to think twice before saying yes!
I love this story…and it couldn’t be told any better than Miche’s own words: On the way home from work in the fall of 2004, a young homemaker did something most women have done—she spilled on her favorite handbag. Frustrated by the thought of hunting for a replacement then transferring all the contents, she wished there was a way to just change the outside of the bag. The idea immediately popped into her mind to create a bag with changeable covers. Not to be deterred by her lack of sewing skills, she grabbed her super glue and some scrap fabric, took apart the stained bag, and made the very first prototype. With her rough creation in hand, she set out on a mission to bring the Miche Bag to life.
The concept behind Miche bags is absolutely brilliant. Keep a core base bag with all your stuff in it and then change up the outside “shell” to go with your outfit – or mood – or the season. You don’t have to switch all of your stuff BUT you get the benefit of feeling like you’ve got a big collection of purses.

Both the bases and their coordinating shells come in 4 sizes: Petite, Classic, Demi, and Prima. Because I like to have my iPad in my bag…along with a bunch of other stuff…I went for the Prima size (the largest base).
I was impressed with how easily the shell fit over the base. It stayed together perfectly when using it for every day shopping and outings. I never thought twice about the fact that the base and shell were not one continuous unit.
Miche bags are high quality AND high fashion. And because you don’t have to buy a whole new purse each time you want to switch up your look, the Miche bag system is a very affordable way to expand your handbag collection.
Even the straps are customizable. After using my new purse for several days, I decided that I needed to get a strap expander, since a purse this size needs shoulder straps. However, I love that you can make the straps as long or as short as you’d like with a bunch of variables…and you can attach the straps on the ends like I did for these pictures or from the mid section of the base (notice the little black flaps). The round carabiners are sturdy, won’t accidentally come open while you’re using the purse, but are easy enough to adjust and change around. Best of both worlds!
What style purse do you go for? And – fess up – how often do you change purses?

Love this quote from Miche’s Pinterest page
© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>
Ready to party?? My friend, Tara Smith, is an Independent Consultant for Jamberry Nails and I am throwing a party with her this week! This is not a sponsored post or party…but if people make any purchases through my party I could earn products from the Jamberry store. Just keeping it real.
Here’s a little bit about Jamberry and how they got started:
Jamberry Nails started with 3 sisters who share a love of style. After spending one too many expensive afternoons at the nail salon, the sisters vowed to find something simpler and more cost effective…that would still allow them to keep their nails looking their best.
After lots of trial and error, Jamberry Nails was born in 2010. Jamberry Nails changes the way you keep your nails polished with their gorgeous variety of DIY, at-home application designs of nail wraps.
Jamberry Nail wraps last 2 weeks on finger nails and 4 weeks on tow nails. No more chipping polish, no more expensive and time-consuming mani/pedis. No more single-color nails. Jamberry has a ton of designs. Here are just a few of my favorites:
What is your favorite Jamberry Nails design?
First of all, the Jamberry Party will be held HERE, in a private Facebook group just for us. Click over the the Jamberry-Better in Bulk FB party group and request to join. Tara or I will add you right away.
Tara will be leading the party and pre-party fun…and she can answer all of your questions about Jamberry Nails! The pre-party is open NOW…and you can earn extra virtual raffle tickets towards the door prizes by participating in the group before the party starts. You can even earn more entries when you invite your friends to the party and they attend the *LIVE* party. (Just be sure to let me or Tara know who you invited/attended).
What is the door prize, you ask? Once this party reaches $150 in sales I will give away one Jamberry mani-pedi! (That’s a half-sheet of wraps). And if the party reaches $300 in sales Tara will give away a second Jamberry mani-pedi.
REMEMBER: On Wednesday night there will be a *LIVE* portion of the Jamberry party from 8:00-9:00pm CT (9-10pm ET). What’s happening at the party? Tara will be posting games and videos, and available to answer all your Jamberry questions.
Want to order?
To order your Jamberry wraps, just go to https://dandy.jamberrynails.net and click “SHOP”. Be sure to select the BETTER IN BULK Party at checkout.
Hope to see you at the party!
© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
]]>