I pledge to eat chocolate at least once a week.
I pledge to tickle Max’s tummy more than once a day.
I pledge to stay up to date on The Bachelor/ The Bachelorette.

What do you pledge?  Wait…do you Pledge?

“Pledge Lemon Clean is ideal for quickly cleaning your wood furniture and wood surfaces. Its Anti-Dust formula keeps surfaces looking less dusty, longer.  It removes dust, dirt, smudges, and common allergens like pet dander found in dust from your wood furniture in a flash.  Plus, it protects against water damage and stains. Dusting with Pledge leaves surfaces with no waxy buildup.”

Don’t you love when you have a cleaning product that does so much and smells so fresh!?  Once you try Pledge you can’t dust without it.  Did you know you can use Pledge to dust, shine and protect a variety of household surfaces?  Yup!  You can use it on more than wood.  Try it on leather, stainless steel, granite, marble, and laminate.

WHO KNEW!

Pick up a can of Pledge and start enjoying your cleaning.  Pledge is available in the cleaning aisle of tons of stores…grocery stores, drug stores, clubs, dollar stores, and mass-merchandise stores.

{This post was written for Family Review Network & SC Johnson who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.}

Have you ever tried “all natural” foods and end up tossing them because they taste like cardboard?  I have!  I would much rather prefer the fake stuff that tastes good over the natural stuff that taste like I am licking a tree.

What is I told you I have found a company that has all natural foods that actually taste REALLY good?  I KNOW!  Unheard of huh!?

Barbara’s Bakery was founded in 1971 when Barbara was 17 years old.  “She had a simple plan—make wholesome food taste incredibly delicious. Inspired by good health, family and the kitchen table as the cornerstones of the good life, she used whole grains and oats just as nature intended—free from anything artificial.  Barbara selected her ingredients carefully to allow vital vitamins and minerals to do their best to impart their healthy benefits.”

Barbara’s Bakery has a clear mission: Healthy people, naturally. They “carry on Barbara’s commitment to create the best-tasting natural products free of artificial preservatives and ingredients, hydrogenated oils, and refined white sugar.”

Barbara says NO to:

• Hydrogenated Oils
• Artificial Flavors
• Artificial Preservatives
• Refined Sugar
• Trans Fats
• Artificial Additives
• High Fructose Corn Syrup

Here are a few things I got to give a taste:

Puffins Cereal

“Everybody’s favorite—ultra crunchy corn and oat pillows sweetened with molasses for a heart-healthy 5g of fiber and just 5g of sugar.”

I don’t know what to compare this to.  It is kind of like the taste of Corn Chex meets the texture of Captain Crunch.  It was really good!  I finished off the whole box in three breakfasts   I even shared with Max and she was wimpering for piece after piece.

High Fiber Cranberry Cereal

“Bursting with the whole grains and antioxidants your body’s been craving.”

High fiber is usually also known as yuck, but not in this cereal.  The flakes are delicious and the cranberries are super yummy! I wasn’t expecting this to taste very good so I saved it for last.  I was totally wrong though…nice and tasty!   This is a very dense cereal so you get full on a small portion.

Cheese Puffs

“Real aged cheddar and blue cheeses combine for irresistible crunch.”

Okay…normally I am not really a fan of cheese puffs.  I feel like I am eating styrofoam that turns my fingers orange.  The last cheese puffs I ate were Nutrisystem so I didn’t really have too high of hope for these babies.  But, to my surprise, they were actually tasty.  Still not my favorite snack food but they were better than Nutrisystem!

Chocolate Chip Snackimals

“Baked to perfection with real chocolate chip goodness.”

These were so so good.  There is just something about animal shaped cookies that the kids in each of us loves.  They has a nice crunch and just enough chocolate.  Moms, wouldn’t it be nice to feel good about your kids sneaking in the kitchen and eating a whole box of healthy cookies?!

This was Max’s very favorite thing that came in the NO Box…a puffin!  She immediately showed it who was boss by ripping out it’s eyes.  Then day after day she proudly dragged that bird around.  She loved it…until she started ripping it’s brains out through the eye sockets.  We had a proper funeral for the little cutie…the puffin I mean.  It will be dearly missed.

Head on over to Barbara’s Bakery for coupons, recipes, product descriptions, and to see what other tasty foods they have.  You can even find locations near you where you can purchase Barbara’s products.

“Like” Barbara’s Bakery on Facebook!

{This post was written for Family Review Network & Barbara’s Bakery who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.}

At holiday parties it is always important to have yummy appetizers.  Whether you are serving dinner or just finer foods you want to make sure that you have something tasty.

On DisneyFamily.com they list the following as the top 20 appetizers:

1.  Taco Cups
2.  Asparagus in Blankets…REALLY?
3.  Seven Layer Dip—YUMMMM
4.  Spinach and Brie Artichoke Hearts
5.  Tomato-Basil Skewers
6.  Fried Raviolis–Sounds delicious
7.  Chicken and Pepper Eggrolls
8.  Crudites–AKA veggie tray and dip–all the way down on #8?!
9.  Silken Guacamole
10.  Red and Green Quiche–that sounds good
11.  Smoky Veggie Quesadillas
12.  Deviled Eggs—I could eat the whole tray of these
13.  Chinese-Style Turkey Meatballs
14.  White Bean Dip
15.  Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
16.  Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
17.  Baked Olives
18.  Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
19.  Veggie Pinwheels
20.  Spinach Dip Bread Bowl
(recipes can be found here)

Don’t those sound awesome!  I would pick the seven layer dip, deviled eggs, and the spinach dip…cheesy or in a bread bowl.

The only bummer is most of these seem to lots of preparation time.  That is why veggie trays are so nice. Quick and easy!  Here is another quick and easy tray appetizer suggestion:

Crackers (doesn’t matter which kind….I usually use Ritz and Triscuits)
Summer sausage–this is my hubby’s favorite snack!
Cracker Barrel Limited Edition Holiday Reserve Cheese

Cracker Barrel Limited Edition Holiday Reserve Cheese is what makes this cheese platter so amazing!  It has such a good taste!  I could eat the whole package in one setting.  It is creamy and has a delicious sweet and nutty sharp cheddar taste.  The taste lingers in your mouth…that shows the quality of this product.

“Cracker Barrel Limited Edition Holiday Reserve features flavors to please any palette– from the most notorious cheese snob to the least adventurous eater.”  I am in no way a cheese snob but I do love me some good ol’ cheese!

This cheese is only available at grocery stores until January 1, 2011.  You can find it in your deli and cheese section.  The suggested retail price is $3.99 – $4.99 for a 10 oz. package as compared to a specialty cheese that can cost upwards of $8.49 per 10 oz.  This is a quick, easy, and affordable appetizer!

For more great and entertaining ideas, visit www.kraftfoods.com

What is your favorite appetizer to eat or serve?

{This post was written for Family Review Network & Kraft Cracker Barrel who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions}

I am like the queen of desserts! I have tried so many recipes and tasted my FAIR share…perhaps even beyond my fair share

I was given the chance to try out Duncan Hines new desserts, Decadent Cakes and Amazing Glazes.  They are just that…decadent and amazing!

Duncan Hines, has been creating deliciousness for 60 years.  “Only Duncan Hines now offers the most premium, indulgent cakes that one can find outside of a bakery.”  Their new cake line offers three incredibly indulgent offerings – Triple Chocolate Cake, Apple Caramel, and Carrot.  They have also introduced two glazes – vanilla and chocolate.

“With more people entertaining at home and looking for better quality desserts, these decadent cakes are perfect. Both cakes contain zero grams of trans fat and NO hydrogenated oils. They are available in cake baking section of supermarkets nationwide in 20 oz size boxes at a SRP of $2.99.”

Their one of a kind glazes are “designed to elevate the baking experience with a whole new way to top your desserts.  Decadent Glazes help home chefs create spectacular desserts with professional results. Only Duncan Hines offers this versatile topping to complement your baked goods or any dessert with a touch of sweetness and flavor. What separates Decadent Glazes from frosting is they are not as heavy or sweet as frosting and are convenient to use. These glazes are available in a 10 ounce squeeze bottle at an SRP of $2.49.”

I was given the chance to try the Apple Caramel Cake with the Vanilla Glazes and the Triple Chocolate Cake with the Chocolate Glaze.  First I tried out the Apple Caramel Cake.

Adam and I were going over to my MIL’s house and I was in charge of dessert.  I thought I would whip together this Apple Caramel Cake bundt cake style.  Imagining how beautiful it would look with vanilla glazes drizzled over it made my mouth water.

In the box was a small packet and a large packet.  The first step was to mix up the small packet.

Easy!  Then, after mixing up the large packet I pour it in the greased and floured bundt pan, swirling in the yummy caramel I had created.

Popped it in the oven and set the timer.

After it baked and cooled I flipped it over on to my cake plate…

Unfortunately, it didn’t come out of the bundt pan as I had hoped.  It was pretty bad!!  Although this queen of desserts didn’t make a perfect looking bundt cake, I made it look awesome and it tasted even better!

It was a big hit…even if comments were made like, “It looks like Apple Crumble”

Today I made the Triple Chocolate Cake for my young women at church.  I made the cake in a 9×13 inch pan.  Because church stats at 9 and I had put it in the oven at 8:15 I didn’t have time to glaze it because I needed it to cool first.  So I left for church and my hubby offered to come home to glaze it.  He just heated it up and poured it on as instructed.  He even got creative with the glaze and did a great job!

Another delicious dessert!!

Duncan Hines is a winner for easy to make and quick to bake desserts!!  Thanks Duncan Hines for giving me the chance to try out two of your new flavors!  I will be trying the third out on my own.

This post was written for Family Review Network & Duncan Hines who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

As a future mother I love learning about products that I could potentially use.  I get so excited to find things that I can’t wait to use.  So far I have found clothing companies, strollers, and accessories that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

Recently I got the chance to review the Sound Beginnings Pre-Natal Sound Delivery Device.  This is such a fun invention!  You always see dads, kids, and sometimes even grandma talking to a future mother’s tummy.  They just can’t wait to talk to the precious little thing and become BFF’s with it J  With Sound Beginnings a mother just slips this nylon/lycra band on.  Inside are built-in high quality speakers that allow mothers to play sounds for the baby.

Now baby can learn all of Michael Jackson’s lyrics so he can come out singing!  Better yet, because you just use any MP3 player, you can also share recorded voices with baby.  This could be helpful for a mommy whose hubby may travel a lot…now baby can still hear his voice.  Share with your baby calming sounds, voices, or even some of your favorite Disney music!

The speakers are designed to keep the sound output to a level that is safe for the baby.  Also, low power output means no risk of shock to mom or baby.  Because the band is made of nylon/lycra it is super comfy and can be worn on the go…you don’t even have to take it off when you aren’t using it!  The speakers use the power of the MP3 player so there isn’t a need for batteries which cuts down on bulk.  PLUS!  It is washable!!  GENIUS!

“The truly special side of Sound Beginnings comes in the form of the complementary telephone and recording service called Sound Delivery. Using only a telephone and the 1-800 number, friends and family can record their own messages for baby. These are saved on mom’s account on the Sound Delivery website, and she can then easily download and play them for the baby.”

Sound Beginnings doesn’t just think about baby though.  A headphone splitter is included so mom and dad can listen along with baby.  Let baby listen and sing-a-long to Disney music and while you do too!

Sound Beginnings has been the recipient of six awards including Disney’s iParenting Award and the Parent Tested Parent Approved award!  Congrats!!

This is such a fun product!  I can hardly wait to share it with a little one.

Check out all the place you can go to buy Sound Beginnings!

This post was written for Family Review Network and Creative Baby, Inc who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

In July I introduced you to a wonderful ballerina book, Prima Princessa, Ballet for Beginners.  Prima Princessa also “produces dance-along ballet themed DVDs for children ages 3-7 that contain a lively mix of real professional ballet as well as fun dance-lesson montages featuring students from New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet.”  Your child can be entertained while learning and being enriched.

Prima Princessa proudly presents “The Nutcracker”.  What a fun idea it is to teach little kids and help them learn ballet terms while enjoying The Nutcracker.  Despite being a dancer I didn’t see The Nutcracker until I was 25.   Your child doesn’t have to be deprived like me.

Prima Princessa gave me a copy of The Nutcracker to review.  Since it is geared toward little cuties I decided to give this to my cute little nieces to see how they liked it.

They were so excited to receive it.  They were on their way up to the cabin and the girls could hardly wait to get up their so they could become ballerinas.

Here is what my sister had to say about the DVD:

“The Prima Princess DVD of “The Nutcracker” is a great way to expose young kids to ballet.   The movie is a condensed version of England’s Birmingham Royal Ballet as  they perform “The Nutcracker”.  A cartoon fairy ballerina talks the kids through what is happening in each excerpt of the show so that they understand what is going on.  If you are planning on taking someone under the age of 10 to see the ballet, I would recommend watching this first.  It will help them to understand the full length show, and it will help you to know if they can sit through it.

The “bonus features” are a little lacking however.  After each act, the fairy ballerina teaches the kids a ballet step.  Unfortunately, it is a little confusing to figure out what you’re supposed to do.  They first show a professional ballerina doing the move.  Then they should small children doing the move, but they aren’t quite the same move.  This confused my girls and they didn’t know what they should be doing.  Then they showed animals or inanimate objects doing something along the lines of the dance move (jumping, sliding, etc.).   It just didn’t seem to really teach the skills.  My girls had fun with this part at first, but grew frustrated with it.”

Maybe with a little help from mom and watching the video a few times the frustration will go away and they girls will enjoy it more.

Prima Princessa Presents The Nutcracker is available for purchase on Amazon for $6.99.  They are also available at Amazon.com, Target.com, Barnes & Noble.com and select stores across the country.  Add a little dress up or a tutu to this and it would make a fun present for any little girl.  To view a clip of the show visit PrimaPrincessa.com.  This fun website, full of free ballerina coloring book pages, free ballerina princess dress up games, and more is a great resource for any child who loves to dance.

For the holidays, Prima Princessa has created two fun videos of Christmas activities for kids.  Stop by and check out  Christmas Freeze Dancing and Paper Snowflake Craft. Also, try out the Fun & Games page.

{Thanks Prima Princessa for sharing your DVD with my little cuties and myself.  All opinions are 100% mine and my sister’s.}

If you don’t read any of my other reviews break all the rules and read this one!!  I promise you that you want to be informed about this review!!

As a BzzAgent I get the chance to review many different products.  I get to share what I liked and didn’t like about each product.  As a BzzAgent I was given the chance to try the Garnier Fructis Blow Dry Perfector.

At first I was really excited to try this product.  It promises to make wavy and frizzy hair sleek and smooth for up to 7 shampoos.  What girl with curly hair wouldn’t want to have their hair blow dry faster and straighter?!

So here I go…

First I took a before picture.  It is always fun to compare before and after!

The next day I jumped in the shower and started following the directions.
1–Shampoo hair like normal and towel dry.

Hot picture right!?  Bright and early at 5:30 in the morning.  YIKES!  (I am totally okay if you want to post comments about how incredibly uncute I look…I can take it.)
2–Put on gloves and use the smoothing serum.  Use the serum on hair, letting it sit for 20 minutes.  It also states that if your hair is thick you can leave it on for up to 30 minutes.  I thought I probably should but I didn’t have more time so I just left it on for 18.  It also smelled like perm solution…which is “because the serum contains active ingredients.”  Adam woke up and said, “What smells like a perm?”  It was strong!!

3–Rinse hair out.  Do not shampoo or condition.
4–Seal it.  Use the heat activated cream .

5–Blow dry like normal.

OK!  Here is where I noticed a problem.  Pieces of my hair were breaking off.  BUT WAIT!  Look at how much hair came out in my brush!!

SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!?  I swear I just lost half of my hair.  Remember this is just the hair that came out in the brush…there were TONS of broken ends on the floor!!  I was ticked!!  PLUS…here is my after picture (with a ticked no makeup face):

CAN YOU EVEN TELL A DIFFERENCE!?  NOOOOO!!

There wasn’t any “up to 7 washes” for me.  There weren’t any easier, faster blow dries.”

I called Garnier to see if losing half of my hair was normal.  They seemed to not have a clue what I was talking about and suggested that now I use their deep conditioner to fix the problem.  What the heck?!  Why would I want to use another product from a company that just fried off my hair?!  They insisted on sending my two $10 gift certificates to get more products with.  I just can not bring myself to try another Garnier product.  My hair mean too much to me.

So my review of this product:

DO NOT BUY IT!  Do not risk your hair frying off.  I will waste time blowing my hair dry and flat ironing just to keep my hair.

The end of September is just around the corner.  Wasn’t it just yesterday that it was May??  Now, can you believe it is time to start thinking about Christmas presents?  Some people will probably disagree and say that it is too early.  I don’t think it is ever too early to start.  After all, the eariler you start the earlier Christmas is paid for.

A great place to check out this year is CSN Stores.  They have 200+ stores, making for one stop shopping!  They have tons of things to choose from!  You can get a ottoman coffee table, diaper bags, grills, treadmills, rocking chairs…you name it they have it!  This year’s Christmas can be wonderful with the help of CSN Stores.

As a preferred blogger, I get to review a wonderful little product for my favorite dog, Max!  I will tell you all about it next month!!  Stay tuned!

At the beginning of the year I reviewed a piece of lingerie from Yandy.com.  Go here to read that review.

Now I have gotten the chance to review Yandy again…this time their costume section!!  They have a great section of hot, sexy Halloween costumes.  Over 2000 to be exact!!  Now some should stay in the bedroom but others could be worn to a party.  Here are some of my favorites.  (Don’t judge me just because of my picks )

Party Going Outfits:

Marge Simpson $51.95

Queen of Hearts $177.95

Cinderella $79.95

Rainbow Bright $59.97

Outfits that would do well in the bedroom:

French Maid $21.95

Little Bo Peep $33.95

Seductive Squaw $58.95

Goddess of Love $61.95

Please note: If I had a body like this, this would be a party going outfit for me

They even have guy costumes!

Firefighter $55.95

Mad Hatter $69.95

Spartan Warrior  $59.95

OOOOWWWWW!!!

Yandy sent me a cute costume for me to review.  I can’t tell you which one I received because my husband reads this blog and he doesn’t know about this Halloween surprise yet.  So to keep it a secret I will not say.  I will give a hint though….it is one of these three sexy Disney ladies:

Jasmine $79.95                        Snow White $35.95          Minnie Mouse $49.95

Originally I ordered one and after looking a few minutes longer I called the company and switched my order.  My order was literally placed 5 minutes before I called and they had already pulled it and had it ready to be shipped.  FAST SERVICE!!  Luckily for me though, Yandy had AWESOME costumer service.  They found the package and exchanged costumes for me!!  Two days later I received the costume.  It is great quality!  Nothing cheap about it.  It is so so cute and fits wonderfully.  I can hardly wait to surprise my husband!!

What are you going to be for Halloween?

This post was written for Family Review Network & Yandy.com who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review.  THANKS!