Scrutiny by the Masses

P&G Family Movie Night

I wrote this review for Mom Central on behalf of P&G and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

We are a movie night family. We love to pop the popcorn and sit on the sofas - and the floor, and each other, lol - and watch a movie together. It's tough to find a movie that will keep all of us entertained (tough to do when the kids range in age from 7-19) and is clean enough for the little kids, but not boring for the big ones.

I've been pretty impressed with the P&G Family Movie Night offerings, and the newest one doesn't disappoint. Called Game of Your Life, it features Nathan Kress,Lea Thompson and Titus Makin Jr.

When Zach wins a scholarship to an exclusive video game design program, his future looks promising, as long as he can survive the freshmen project that will eliminate half the class. But when Zach learns that his father is in financial trouble, must make a difficult choice.

It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions. The moral compass line illustrated in the story made for some great, open conversations with my kids about integrity. Without giving anything away - I'll just say that we were all on the edge of our seats as we tried to figure out what Zach would do - this movie emphasizes the importance of the choices we make and illustrates how importantly loyalty can be. 

Scheduled to premiere on December 2 at 8 p.m. on NBC - this is one you shouldn't miss. Check out the Family Movie Night Facebook page for more details!

Otria Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip

I was one of the bloggers selected by T. Marzetti Company and Clever Girls Collective to host a Marzetti Otria Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip review. They provided me with product to test myself and compensation for my time. However, my opinions are entirely my own.

I’ve always been a fan of veggie dips. Even when I didn’t follow a healthy diet, setting out a tray of veggies with a dish of dip was a guaranteed way to help me eat some fresh vegetables. Most commercially prepared dips are chock full of fat and calories, and no matter how you try and spin it, they just aren’t good for you. Marzetti, the company most known for their ubiquitous white tubs has come out with a lighter, more healthy version - and it features Greek Yogurt, of all things.

Offered in five different flavors, I was intrigued by the Cucumber Dill Feta - but ultimately I decided on
the Spinach Artichoke dip. It was absolutely delicious. I am almost embarrassed to admit it - but I ate an entire English Cucumber and about 3 handfuls of grape tomatoes. This dip was freaky good. But the regular Marzetti Spinach Artichoke dip - the one in the white tub - is pretty good, so why would I chose the New Greek Yogurt dip? I grabbed the original dip offering for a comparison - and I can see why you might want to pick the Greek.

The original Marzetti Vegetable Dip contains 110 calories per 2 tbsp serving with 13 grams of fat and 250 mgs of sodium. The Otria Greek Yogurt Veggie dip contains 60 calories for a 2 tbsp serving, with 4.5 grams of fat and 19 mgs of sodium. The Otria also boasts 200 mgs Omega 3 Fatty Acids from canola and fish oils.

Want to try this new dip for yourself? Leave me a comment telling me your favorite veggie to dip, and I'll draw one random commenter to win. This contest will close on 11/27 at 11:59 p.m.

V-8 Fusion Smoothies - Review and Giveaway!

Who wants to win a gift pack?

Who DOESN'T want to win a gift pack?

The makers of V8 are excited to introduce a brand new product: V8 V-Fusion Smoothies! Available in three flavors— Strawberry Banana, Mango and Wild Berry - this convenient and delicious drink makes it easy to enjoy a real-fruit smoothie without a blender or trip to a smoothie bar. V8 V-Fusion Smoothies provide one full serving of fruit and one full serving of vegetables, with no added sugar, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives – all for only 130 calories per 8-ounce glass.

We are already huge fans of the traditional V-8 Fusion drinks, and these V8 V-Fusion Smoothie choices follow closely behind. My favorite is mango. 

Want to win a gift pack filled with:

• The three new V8 V-Fusion Smoothie flavors (Strawberry Banana, Mango and Wild Berry)
• A colorful Vera Bradley tote
• A “juice” bottle so you can take our delicious smoothies  with you when you’re on-the-go (note - this is a glass bottle, but it's well insulated - I actually prefer it to the plastic ones!)

To enter to win, tell me your favorite smoothie flavor. I'll use random.org to pick one winner. this contest runs until 11/26/2011 at 11:59 p.m.

Topsy's Popcorn

Disclosure: I was provided with a tub of popcorn to facilitate my review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Popcorn is one of those foods that just about everyone likes. I even like it - although I don't like microwave or movie theater popcorn, but the stuff that I can make on the stove top is delicious. I've not been a big fan of those huge popcorn tubs, though - it seems that it's often stale and unappealing.

My family, on the other hand, adores popcorn in every flavor, every appearance and in every way.

When the huge tub of popcorn appeared in my house, my kids were delighted. I was a bit more skeptical, but I agreed to sample it. I didn't have high expectations - tub popcorn just has never appealed all that much. Cracking it open, the first comment I made was that it smelled fresh. No stale aroma, no chemical or phony scent - it smelled GOOD.

It tasted even better. I'm almost embarrassed to admit how much of this tub I ate *by myself*. Yes. The cheese and caramel flavors were delicious and I just could not get enough of the stuff.

From the website:

Since 1929, Topsy’s has used an original recipe that gives its popcorn an old-fashioned great taste. In fact, Topsy’s was the first company to sell its popcorn in the circular tins that we’re used to seeing popcorn in today. Back in the day, the oil used to pop the popcorn came in the tins, and Topsy’s decided to recycle the oil tins to package up and deliver popcorn. Who knew! J

Today, more than 75 years after that first kernel was popped, Topsy’s provides the same quality taste online. With four flavors to choose from — butter, cheddar cheese, caramel, and cinnamon — there’s bound to be a flavor that will delight everyone’s taste buds.

Want to try TopsysPopcorn for yourself? I'm giving away one 5 lb popcorn canister to a lucky reader - to enter, leave me a comment telling em how you'd plan to enjoy this popcorn. While trimming the tree? Entertaining relatives? Wrapping presents? Watching a holiday movie?

You may be interested to know that from Nov. 22 – Dec. 12, Topsy’s is offering a $3-off coupon (per popcorn canister) for you. To use the coupon, just go to the website and enter Topsy58 at checkout.

This contest will run from 11/20 to 11/27 at 11:59 p.m. You must be 18 years of age to win.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's the Perfect Time of the Year for Campbell's Soups

Disclosure: I was provided with soup to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Baby, it's cold outside.

Not just a song, but it's truly what the weather feels like right now. And with the weather getting downright chilly in many parts of the country, soup becomes the meal that I want to have, more and more often. Campbell's is often my soup of choice, being that they have many different varieties and there's always something that each person in the family will enjoy. Soup, especially paired with a sandwich, makes a quick and tasty meal.

We were sent an assortment of Campbell's Soups to try. Of those, the overwhelming family favorite was the Harvest Orange Tomato - although I will admit that it was a bit off putting to eat ORANGE Tomato Soup as opposed to the traditional red.

Want to try some of this great soup?

One lucky read will win a Campbell’s “Soup Season Kit” featuring some of their exciting new soups including Campbell’s Condensed Harvest Orange Tomato – a twist on the Classic Tomato soup America loves, Slow Kettle – a new line of premium soups and regionally inspired varieties of Select Harvest soup.

AND this very cool retro bag.

To win this great prize pack, leave me a comment telling me your favorite soup by 11/22 at 11:59 p.m.. I'll draw one comment randomly on 11/23 - you'll have 48 hours to get back to me.

 

 

Healthy Choice

This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for it in addition to being provided two entrees. All thoughts and opinions expressed are all my own.

Healthy Choice is one of my top choices for a frozen meal. It's quickly prepared, something that I can keep in the freezer and pop out at the last minute. I know that it's a tasty meal that isn't going to leave me bloated or regretting my lunch choices.

I was asked to review two new versions of Healthy Choice Steamers - inspired by the runaway Bravo hit TV series Top Chef. These meals are different from the traditional Healthy Choice freezer meals:

• The Healthy Choice Top Chef Inspired Café Steamers bring an all-star lineup of bold, modern and exciting flavors to give you exactly what you want – food that is both healthy and delicious.
• The line of great-tasting dishes features quality ingredients such as slow roasted garlic, asparagus and grilled eggplant.
• The unique steaming technology separates the sauce from the rest of the entrée to steam the meal in the microwave, allowing for crisp vegetables, tender meats and al dente pastas.

This new line includes eight delicious varieties:

• Barbeque Seasoned Steak with Red Potatoes
• Chicken Fresca with Chardonnay
• Chicken Linguini with Red Pepper Alfredo
• Chicken Margherita with Balsamic
• Grilled Chicken Marinara with Parmesan
• Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables
• Grilled Vegetables Mediterranean with Rice
• Roasted Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms

For my sampling purposes, I was provided with 2 choices - Barbeque Seasoned Steak with Red Potatoes and Roasted Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms. I made them both for lunch for my husband and myself on his day off. The meals were easy to prepare - although it's not a one step process, we didn't find the preparation to be difficult. The hardest part was not burning my hands when I dumped the meal into the sauce.

Seriously. Simply heat, pour and eat. It really was *that* simple.

Although there wasn't an overwhelming amount of meat, the chunks were large and flavorful and they didn't have that toughness commonly found in frozen meats. The vegetable pieces were identifiable and not mush - it's common to wonder exactly what the vegetable you just ate was many other frozen dinners.

A few other items of note:

• - The packaging features a Top Chef mark, along with a description on why each entrée is inspired by Top Chef.
• - The meals are starting to appear in grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.75 - $3.50.

Follow Healthy Choice on Twitter: @Healthy_Choice
And like them on Facebook at the Healthy Choice Facebook Page

Red Envelope - Unique, Interesting Gifts that Won't Break the Bank

I was compensated for this post. All views and thoughts expressed in this post are my own.

Some of the people for whom I purchase Christmas gifts are very easy to please - a gift certificate, a book, a toy and their shopping is completed.

Some of the people for whom I purchase Christmas gifts are not so very easy to please - and every year, it becomes more and more challenging to determine a gift that will make both of us happy.

Red Envelope to the rescue.

With a Christmas gift selection that is every bit as interesting and unique as many of the folks on my list, Red Envelope has become my "go-to" in terms of finding just that gift. With items for men, women and children, as well as a vast selection of incredibly cool bar and entertaining items, there's literally something for everyone.

I can't tell you what I ordered, but one of them rhymes with "Tub Passes" and it's for a male member of my family, and the other rhymes with "Smother's King" and could possibly be for me - or a different female member of my family.

Don't you LOVE word games??

Both items arrived to me well padded and protected - important when you are mailing glass, after all. The female gift arrived in a beautiful padded display box, with a ribbon attached. Bonus - no need to wrap! The items in question were well constructed and solid - no danger of them breaking due to flimsy or shoddy quality. In short, these were gifts that I'll be pleased and proud to present to my family, and with many items that I've never seen elsewhere, Red Envelope has planted themselves firmly on my radar for gift gifting opportunities.

I really loved the personalized casserole dish. I'm just sayin'...

 

Dress Barn - It's Not Your Momma's Store

In accordance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that this post was compensated. I was provided with an outfit in exchange for my review. However, all opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are my own - which means that they weren't bought and you can't have them.

I will admit, when the PR announcement landed in my inbox, I almost deleted it. I knew very little about Dress Barn - but the name of the store didn't grab me. I get tons of PR pitches every day, many of them badly done, and you've got to do a lot to grab my focus. Besides, with a name like Dress Barn - don't you think of overalls and cows and hip boots?

But I do love clothes, and I love shopping, so I thought, "Hmm. Let's go check it out!" Happily, I was proven wrong.

Yes. I said I was wrong. Let's not dwell on this, ok? SWELL.

i was intrigued when I walked in to the store. (After, you know, getting LOST on the way and going to the WRONG mall. I tend to make SUCH a good first impression.) The clothing was nice. Not only nice, but pretty, up to date, stylish and attractive. I knew from the limited amount of research that I did concerning Dress Barn that they offered both Misses and Women's sizes, but I was hard pressed to differentiate between the two lines. I know that, often, Women's clothing tends to be shapeless and unattractive, but there was none of that here.

Women's clothing wall

In fact, last week at church, I saw a GORGEOUS top - and when I asked the woman where she'd gotten it  - she said, "Dress Barn".  Hmmmmm.

I met with the district manager, who gave me the history of Dress Barn and taught me a bit about the mission behind Dress Barn. I didn't know that Dress Barn's sister stores are Maurice's and Justice - which means that they can dress a woman from 7-55 - and often, well beyond. Sales Associates, who are often long time customers (like the story manager with whom I worked), are taught to work with the customer, helping them to select an item that works with their body type - not against it - and complete the outfit with accessories and shoes.

Less time straightening = more time with customers.

How often have you gone in to a store to buy a dress wearing sneakers? You come out of the fitting room in your fancy dress and your black socks. Not quite the complete picture. At Dress Barn, though, you can complete the outfit and see *exactly* what you'll look like on your special night - or even at the office.

Kay, the DSM, shared the flyers that the company provides for training. They incorporate runway fashions on regular women - which is nice because, hello, WHO actually looks like a runway model?

The clothing walls were grouped by color and visually pleasing and the end result did exactly what it was supposed to do - I wanted to purchase several attractive outfits, solely based on how they looked.

Fitting room time. I was anxious to try the "Dress Barn Experience" for myself. I noticed that every fitting room had a dry erase board, and names were jotted on them. Customer names. This personalizes the experience.

I'm not a huge clothing store shopper. I tend towards Target and some of the less expensive mall stores - I just flat out don't have the money to buy at stores that might offer better customer service - but Dress Barn might be my new place to go. We picked several outfits that caught my eye and as I tried them on, there was an associate able to give me an honest opinion and a different pair of pants when the first ones didn't work out.

Hair up, pants too baggy

Change to smaller pants, take your hair down, add your boots = much better

The outfit was still missing something, and the DSM knew exactly what to do - she whipped off her necklace and tossed it on my neck - and it worked. It's little things like this which help you to see how an outfit looks and keep you from getting discouraged and just putting everything back on the rack.

While I was changing, I learned about the VIP Celebration - you can invite several friends to join you for a night of fun. They provide the invitations AND refreshments, you bring your friends. You get VIP service and 30% off all purchases, and your friends get 15%. It's a private shopping night - and it's no cost to you. Who wouldn't want to have a party with your friends, get super clothes at a discount AND have a personal shopper not only tell you what to wear - but leave knowing that you look amazing?

I'm thinking about doing one.

Accessories, ftw!

Do you have family coming for the holidays? Your turkey shouldn't be the only one well dressed. With extremely reasonable prices (I'm talking $20 for a sweater, as opposed to the $50 I just saw at Loft!) and clothing that is very well constructed and beautiful - it'd be a great time to buy a new dress - or some skinny jeans and a top.

Don't tell my husband, but I'm going back next week. I've got my eye on a few items.

Want to be able to look pulled together for Turkey Day with a minimum of expense or effort and a maximum of style? Text "fashion" to 87812 for a 20% off coupon.

I promise, you will not be sorry.

Minted Makes Beautiful Holiday Cards Easy

This is a sponsored post. All opinions and ideas in this post are all my own.

My son is 19. He's what is commonly considered a "grown up" - yet, because he still lives at home and keeps his room a heap I have a hard time thinking of him as "adult". Because he lives at home, he's going to be in our family photo for the holiday cards

Or to be more correct, the photo of the kids. I always take photos of the kids. The hubby and I have yet to appear in the cards - I figure, people know who we are and (hopefully) we haven't changed that much. Besides, no one wants to see us - but they do want to see the kids.

At least they TELL me they do.

SO not my kids, but we did do this one year...

I typically take my kids out for an afternoon to a pretty location and take 200+ photos. I group them into different sets, some shots of them all together, and usually take some individuals as well. Depending upon how they turn out, I may pick one shot to use for the card, or an assortment of photos that best typify my kids and their personalities. I am not a fan of a photo where everyone looks as if they should have a halo on - I'd much rather have a picture that showcases their (sometimes unusual) personalities.

And my oldest son typically "makes" the entire card.

Minted makes creating quality, memorable holiday cards easy and painless. Simply browse the selection of cards - Christmas cards, New Years, Hanukkah - they even offer Holiday party invitations. Make your choice, load the photos, enter the text, and you are finished. The cards are delivered straight to your door,and you can even have the return addresses printed on the envelope. In addition, you can have a brief Christmas letter printed right on the inside of some of the card designs. They literally do everything for you!

It's not too early to plan your holiday cards. In fact, if you'd like to give it a whirl, enter the code READERS7 for 15% off your oder.

When you have made the cards, let me know how you liked it - you could even send me one if you wanted - I'm such a sucker for photo cards - especially the funny ones.

Savvy Shoppers, Unite!

This is a compensated post. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.

Shopping online can be tricky. When I asked you to share your hints, many of them had to do with an inability to see and touch the product.  

• I think my best savvy shopper online tip is to know the company's return policy and print it out. This is especially important if you are buying from a foreign company as sizes here in the US and in other places aren't always the same (a 2 is a 2 is a 2 unless you are in Australia...).
• Make sure you have the shipping address correct. It seems like such a small thing. Something that you SURELY can't have messed up, but I've seen it happen more than once and it's SO frustrating
• Always read the fine print. A return policy will be spelled out there. As well as shipping options etc. Don't hesitate to contact the seller with questions and clarifications
• Search for discount codes/coupons before purchasing. 99% of the time you can save money or get free shipping. Google the phrase: "store name" discount code to find one.
• Don't forget to check the "Virtual Clearance Rack." I get great deals on clothes for my kids because they will grow into a size too big! Also combine the Sale section with online discounts for even greater bargains :)
• Read lots of reviews on the item that you are interested in to get sizing ideas and reviews on the customer service which is majorly important when ordering clothes online that you can't obviously try on first cause lets face it, it has a high likelihood of being returned...

These are all fantastic tips. The fact that many of them were repeated speaks to the reality that many of them are valid - and they are mistakes that most of us have made, again and again. YES - check the size charts. Again and again. I wear a 2 with some designers and a 12 with others. I don't care anymore what size the outfit says - if it's a larger number, I usually cut it out. :)

Double check any information you add into a website. Once I ordered a dress custom made - and there was a delay, all because I entered my upper bust measurement in the area for under - and vice versa. It didn't make sense. I've also accidentally sent boxes to a friend rather than myself on Amazon - simply because I didn't check the mailing address.

Savvy online shopping can be done with a minimum of effort nnd trouble and a maximum of enjoyment - just be sure to double and triple check. And look for free shipping - I can't tell you the number of times I've forgotten this. Almost every time I remember - it's out there.

The winner of this giveaway was picked by random.org, and it was the commenter who said the following: I always check retail me not to make sure that there are no coupon codes I can use for my purchase, I have saved so much money that way! Domestic Extraordinare, please enjoy your gift cards!