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!

My 23andMe DNA Test #My23andMeStory

Lolli — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 17:42:07 +0000

This post about my experience using 23andMe health + ancestry test to find out more about my ancestry is sponsored by 23andMe. All thoughts and experiences are my own.

My mom and adopted dad (ie, he’s the dad who raised me, but we’re not related by blood) recently took DNA tests and sent the results around to me and my siblings. We were all interested to see what a genetic test said about our ancestry, particularly since our family has done years and years of family history research. How did our physical research compare with the scientific results of a DNA test?

The second question everyone in the family had was what differences I would see in my results since I have a different biological dad than my four other siblings.

According to the genealogical research my family has done, we can follow both my maternal and paternal lines for many generations back to England and Ireland. I love looking as far back as I can on my family tree and finding Counts and Dukes and Ladies and even a Master of the Mint (it just sounds cool!) sprinkled through my family tree. I’ve found an ancestor who was one of the original Jamestown Colonists.

Every story fascinates me and I want to learn more.

My mom and dad have been urging me to take a DNA test to see how my results compared to theirs, so when I received a 23andMe collection kit in a Babblebox kit last month, I was eager to spit in the tube and send the kit back in to be tested.

As luck would have it, I got sick right after I got my collection kit, so I delayed sending in my saliva until it was looking a little more normal, if you know what I mean. Collecting the required amount of saliva for the test was not difficult but it did take a little while. I just kept the collection tube on the counter next to me as I cooked dinner and spit as often as I could. Honestly, it sounds worse than it is!

The kit came with detailed and easy-to-follow instructions for collecting a sample to send in. Perhaps the most important part of the sample collecting process was registering the kit BEFORE sending it off in the mail. You just create your 23andMe account on their website and tell them the numbers on your box.

While I waited for my test results to be processed, I answered a bunch of health related questions to give the system a better understanding of who I am and where I’m coming from. The extra questions are voluntary and not necessary for 23andMe to process your results, but they help paint a bigger picture, not only for you, but for others who have taken and will take the DNA test.

I was excited when I got the email that my results were in! I clicked over to my account and found this, among many other things:

Here’s what I learned from the website about how they determine the numbers above:

To determine your Ancestry Composition, we use an algorithm that looks at short, non-overlapping segments of your DNA. We compare each segment of your DNA to reference DNA sequences. We have defined 31 ancestry populations from around the world using reference datasets that include over 10,000 individuals with known ancestry. When a segment of your DNA matches the reference DNA from a specific population with a high degree of certainty, the segment is assigned to that population. Sometimes the segment matches reference DNA from several populations, in which case it is assigned to a broad ancestry (e.g. Northwestern European). The results of all of these assignments are then tallied across your genome to determine your Ancestry Composition.

I was secretly hoping that I’d find some cool, mysterious result, but instead the DNA test showed me exactly what I’ve discovered through family history research. I love it!

Also included in my results were dozens of wellness and carrier reports. For instance, my DNA can actually tell me that a diet high in saturated fats is likely to make me gain weight (more than the average person).

The report also told me genetic traits that I was likely or unlikely to possess. It’s not a far stretch to predict that I will have fair skin and freckles, based on my ancestry!

I loved seeing the picture my DNA painted of me, and would highly recommend doing it for yourself! Get your kit HERE! In fact, the 23AndMe DNA Collection Kit *may* just be the perfect last-minute gift for the holidays (or birthdays, or just any day).

More About the 23andMe DNA Test

How it works: Provide your saliva sample from home. Mail it back to the 23andMe lab in the same kit it came in; the postage is prepaid.

Receive 65+ personalized genetic reports in four key areas:

1. Ancestry reports: Your DNA can tell you about your family history. 3 Reports: Ancestry Composition, Maternal & Paternal Lineage, Neanderthal.

2. Wellness reports. Your genetics can help you make more informed choices about your diet and exercise. 5+ Reports: Caffeine Consumption, Lactose Intolerance, Muscle Composition, Alcohol Flush Reaction, Deep Sleep and Sleep Movement.

3. Traits Reports. Explore what makes you unique, from food preferences to physical features. 19+ Reports. Example reports: Hair Loss, Sweet vs. Salty Preference, Unibrow.

4. Carrier Status: If you are planning to start a family, find out if you are a carrier for an inherited condition. 35+ Reports. See 23andme.com/beforeyou-buy important information about these reports.

Connect with 23andMe:

Website: https://www.23andme.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/23andMe/
Twitter: @23andMe

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?

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/

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.

Lush Décor Bedding Giveaway

Lolli — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 20:54:41 +0000

This post and giveaway are brought to you by Lush Décor. I received a complimentary item in exchange for hosting. Lush Decor is providing the giveaway item to the winner.

When was the last time you updated your bedding? For me, it was back when we bought our bedroom furniture, which was a LONG time ago! We were feeling seriously outdated. I have been shopping around for a new quilt for my bed for a few months, and I just couldn’t find something that was right for our room.

Until now…

I am so glad I waited because NOW I’ve got the perfect quilt for our bedroom! I am in love with our new bedding, and I couldn’t be happier – it is incredibly soft, just the right weight for year-round comfort, and the colors and design make me happy.

Since my work desk is right next to my bed (oh, the challenges of working at home in a small house!), I have to look at my bedspread all day long. It’s nice to have something gorgeous to look at all day long.

I chose the Royal Empire 3-Piece Quilt in blue for my bedroom and I couldn’t be happier!

About Lush Décor:

Jenny Zhu, the CEO of Lush Décor, founded the company because she aspired to create affordable fashion that could be enjoyed through all the phases of your life. They have a gorgeous collection of home decor, bedding, window treatments, shower curtains, and accessories for a wide range of styles. I love this: “At Lush Décor we believe that great designs at terrific values will always trump something that is ordinary and very promotionally priced.”

Since I had been shopping around for new bedding already before I found Lush Décor, I can attest – their prices and their selection can’t be beat!

And since I received my new quilt, I can also attest to the fact that their quality is top-notch! My new bedding is soft and well-made.

Every time I go back to their website, I find MORE designs that I love.

Here is just a peek at a few of the other designs that I loved at Lush Décor:

You can search for these and more here.

Which is your favorite? There is so much more where that came from, and YOU can win new bedding of your very own. Seriously! You can choose ANY quilt or comforter from their site!

Traveling? Don’t Leave Home Without Comfortable Shoes

Lolli — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:54:27 +0000

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.

Traveling? This is When You Need Comfortable Shoes:

Comfortable shoes for walking through the airport
Comfortable shoes for spending hours in the car
Comfortable shoes for sight seeing
Comfortable shoes for a night out dancing
Comfortable shoes for walking (because there is always a ton of walking when I travel!)

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!

Did You Know?

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?

Connect With Aerosoles:

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Three Cheers for Boot Season!

Lolli — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 12:00:33 +0000

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!

How I Celebrate Boot Season:

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 These #ohsofamous Moments

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.

Connect with Famous Footwear:

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.