Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}

Giveaway: Vita Dolce Chocolates

2012-01-28T10:11:00.001-05:00

Valentines Day is right around the corner...

have you ordered some Valentine treats yet?

If not I highly recommend visiting Vita Dolce Chocolates!

A bit about Vita Dolce Chocolates

Vita Dolce Chocolates is a small chocolate company born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and

now based in Grand Rapids and Whispering Pines, North Carolina. The company was started

by childhood friends Jessica and Dana. Jessica was introduced to chocolate making at a

young age by her Italian mother, who made family chocolates by hand for special occasions.

After years of "product testing," Jessica herself began to perfect her mother's practice

and to develop a few of her own secrets. The current recipes are the result and Vita Dolce's

offering to you.

Vita Dolce prides itself on being small and developing relationships with its customers.

They work hard to share a bit of their Italian "Sweet Life" with you, and love to hear feedback.

Vita Dolce's hand-crafted truffles, toffees, mints, and artisan chocolates are created with

quality ingredients and with care in packaging.

Just in time for Valentine's Day-Vita Dolce is offering a giveaway!

(Enter after the jump!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Febreze CAR Vent Clip

2012-01-25T21:20:00.002-05:00

Leave it to Febreze to come up with a genius idea....and one that works! I have tried out car air freshners in the past but none that have worked as well as the NEW Febreze CAR Vent Clip (making its debut in the Air Care/Auto sections of retail stores in February 2012- $2.99 (1ct) or $5.49 (2ct)).

My Review

I was sent a sample of the Linen & Sky Febreze CAR Vent Clip to review and this is a product I really enjoyed reviewing. Having two children under six years of age can be quite the task...and cleaning my car isn't one of my main priorities so lets just say that sometimes my car doesn't quite smell as good as I would like it to. (Yes, I am admitting to it...the clean freak that I am!) After clipping the Febreze CAR Vent Clip onto my car vent I noticed almost immediately the wonderful fresh scent filling my car. I was nervous that the smell would be overpowering (and make me nauseated) but thankfully with the Febreze CAR Vent Clip that isn't a problem AT ALL. Tiny bursts of freshness are released and keep my car smelling fresh! My five year old daughter commented on how nice the car smelled saying 'Mom, do you smell that? It smells really good in here!' Children are pretty blunt when it comes to anything so getting a nice comment like that from my five year old goes a long way with me!

The Febreze CAR Vent Clip is designed to eliminate odors and transform the air in the car to keep it fresh for up to thirty days.* Unlike other air freshners that may start overwhelmingly strong and fade fast, the Febreze CAR vent clip was designed specifically for the car environment. Discreet in size, the car freshener is formulated with light, fresh scents that have true odor eliminating power and a unique technology to slowly release scent day after day without becoming too overpowering.

To use just clip onto your air vent as you use your heat/air conditioning the fan inside the vent circulates the Febreze fragrance throughout your vehicle.

The new Febreze CAR Vent Clip is available in the following scents;
Midnight Storm
Hawaiian Aloha
Meadows & Rain
Thai Dragon Fruit
Linen & Sky

*on low and under ambient conditions

Disclosure

This post was written for P&G who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway: UPrinting Rolled Canvas

2012-01-24T22:37:00.001-05:00

Need items printed and fast? Then why not try UPrinting.com! UPrinting offers pre-made templates or you can make your project from scratch-whatever you decide is entirely up to you! UPrinting has wonderful and competitive prices and offers a wide variety of products-from stickers and flyers to business cards and canvases. You will be sure to find whatever you need at UPrinting.com!

Uprinting has teamed with Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} to offer one lucky winner a rolled canvas for one lucky winner!

(Enter after the jump!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure

You should assume that the owner of this blog has received free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.

Post: Current Economy Blues

2012-01-24T16:17:00.002-05:00

Does anyone else have the economy blues? Employment is at an all time low and many people are saving their pennies to make ends meet. I just had my insurance company send me our year to date total for insurance and over a year my family and I spent OVER $6,000 on health insurance! Holy Cannelloni! Many people (if their current financial situation applies) are going on Medicare Supplemental Plans or Medicaid to help cover the costs of insurance and I can see why! How do you feel about the current economic crisis? Do you think any of the presidential 'hopefuls' can change it? I sure hope so!

My family and I are definitely watching what we spend more closely. We are using more store coupons and going out to eat less often to help save money. We have also switched to a cheaper insurance plan but unfortunately our deductible is higher because of it. Ah. I wish insurance was more affordable!

Personally I have found that it is easier if you categorize your spending into NEEDS and WANTS. If you NEED milk than buy it. If you WANT a new sweater then wait or save up for it!

Do you have any tips or ways that you save money on insurance or food right now?

What are your feelings on the current economy?

Post: Come and join my Pampered Chef E-Show!

2012-01-23T17:46:00.004-05:00

Hi lovely readers!

I normally don't do this sort of thing on Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} but I thought I would try it out! I am hosting a Pampered Chef e-show for my niece who is a Pampered Chef consultant. For those of you who don't know a thing about Pampered Chef you are definitely missing out. I don't know what I would do without my Pampered Chef products! Below are some of my ALL TIME favorite products that I personally own from The Pampered Chef. Keep reading to learn more...and for instructions on how to join my Pampered Chef e-show!

Food ChopperSome of my favorite Pampered Chef products are the Food Chopper. I HATE chopping onions and the chopper is super fast and easy and chops onions, carrots, celery....you name it-as easy as 1, 2, 3!

(Not your Average) Ice Cream Dipper

I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Ice Cream Dipper. This is NOT your normal Ice Cream Scoop....it uses the heat of your hand to warm the nontoxic defrosting liquid sealed inside the handle to easily scoop hard ice cream. No more waiting for that ice cream to dethaw (or returning to find your ice cream the consistency of soup!)

Simple Additions

Every time I have a party or get together in my home I pull out my Simple Additions from Pampered Chef. Simple Additions come in different colors and shapes and sizes. From appetizers to a main course Simple Addition pieces are elegant and tasteful. I receive so many compliments on these pieces it is unreal. My sister just got married and requested Simple Additions on her wedding registry because she loved mine so much!

Cranberry Deep Dish Pie Plate

We LOVE pies at our house and we are constantly using our gorgeous Cranberry Pie Plate from Pampered Chef. I love this pie plate not only because it is TOP quality but also because it is gorgeous. I don't mind having this pie plate on my counter because it is so pretty. From the scallops to the beautiful rich cranberry color....its definitely one of my favorites! Plus, stoneware evenly distributes heat so that your just-out-of the oven foods stay hot longer!

TO enter my Pampered Chef E-Show please click HERE and click on SHOP ONLINE (top right hand corner). It will ask you to enter the first name of your host and all you need to enter is: Kiley. If you have ANY questions please feel free to contact me by clicking on EMAIL ME on the right hand side column of this blog.

Happy Shopping!

News & Savings: Kangacoo dresses a 'Modern' little girl at the Red Carpet BAFTA

2012-01-23T10:56:00.002-05:00

Remember my Kangacoo Designs review and giveaway?

(If you missed it-shame on you-You can still check it out here)

Kangacoo Designs is one of my all time favorite Etsy shops EVER and it's not hard to see why!

Kangacoo designs is where the runway meets the playground. Founded in 2008 by Katie Nguyen who had a desire to create fashionable clothes for the everyday kid. She believes that clothes should be fun and unique but also wearable and washable because at the end of the day our children are normal children that get dirty on the playground. kangacoo wholesales nationally and in Japan with show rooms in LA and Chicago. She also maintains a handmade/custom collection on Etsy.com. When asked about her collection she explained, “ My ruffle leggings are my signature piece and I have built a made to match collection around the leggings. My design is inspired by the fabric I find so you will also see new twists on the legging, some denim pieces, and outerwear to round out the collection.” Katie designs by two basic principals: Creativity is King and Life is an occasion dress for it!

Well I have some exciting news to announce here at Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}!

Kanacoo Designs now has an ADORABLE swimwear collection!

Preorder sales start today, January 23rd

Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} readers get 10% off the THREE day preorder sale by entering code: CBSWIMSKD

Preorders END WEDNESDAY so get your orders in ASAP!

Oh and that's not all!

Does the little girl below look familiar?

Well she should!

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons plays Lily on ABC's hit comedy series Modern Family.

Aubrey is the youngest actress to be nominated for a BAFTA Award.

AND GUESS WHAT?

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons wore a Kangacoo Designs dress on the red carpet of the BAFTA/LA : British Academy of Film and Television Arts / Los Angeles 18th annual Awards Season Tea Party held at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 14th!!!!!

How did it happen?

On December 31, 2012 Katie got a text from Julia, founder of Orange County Fashion Association, asking if she was interested in dressing a celebrity for the BAFTA Globes Tea Party Red Carpet. Of course Katie jumped for joy!

Katie was told she would be dressing Aubrey and worked up a couple of dress options. Katie then headed over to meet Aubrey and her mom Amy Anderson- also an actress and comedian.

Katie made 2 dresses for the big day one was fancier than the other and Aubrey loved it the most. It was lavender satin with lavender fluffy ruffle and a big bow in the back. However, when it was "test" photographed the flash reflection made the material look so shiny that everyone decided to go with the other Kangacoo Designs option. Katie let Aubrey keep the "fancy" dress only if she would promise to wear it in the house for fancy nancy tea parties.

Katie just gifted Tori Spelling's little girls with some Kangacoo items so keep your eyes peeled on the tabloids for Tori's her little ones in kangacoo. Fingers crossed!

Katie has great tips on how to get your products featured on celebrities and their children.

Visit her blog-The Fashion Business Mentor for all the details!

Review & Giveaway: Poppy Tree Frames

2012-01-21T22:22:00.003-05:00

It is no secret that I absolutely love handmade items. The quality of handmade items is unlike anything you will buy in a mass merchandise store. One thing I have found rather difficult to come by is frames that are both unique and colorful. Thankfully I was made aware that Poppy Tree Frames-a business selling handmade frames had just opened a website.

A Bit about Poppy Tree Frames

Poppy Tree Frames sells custom, hand made picture frames. They offer 18 frame styles in 42 colors and 49 prints.

At Poppy Tree Frames, they absolutely love and take great pride in what they do. They love to design and create art that will complement customer’s pictures and homes. Their goal is to provide such incredible products and excellent service that their customers will be excited to come back to Poppy Tree Frames and share their experience with their friends and family.

My Review

I was sent a Sovereign Frame in Green Damask print from Poppy Tree Frames to review. The frame is sturdy and thick and came ready for hanging-with sawtooth hangers. The frame has been beautifully aged along the corners for a vintage feel and the fabric print emphasizes and gives the frame a uniqueness and extra pop of color. The frame came carefully packaged and contained a pre-sized piece of non-glare fiberglass. I absolutely LOVE the frame I was sent to review-it not only makes a great conversation piece but it also makes a wonderful photography prop as well!

THE GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win your very own 5x7 Faint in Jet Black with Black Floral print from Poppy Tree Frames (After the jump!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post & Links: The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn....

2012-01-20T16:20:00.001-05:00

Is just to love and be loved in return...

I have decided to compile a fun list of Valentines printables and ideas from around the web for all of you lovely readers!

So get those scissors out and start getting crafty!

Jenn Kirk from Living Locurto made these AWESOME Moulin Rouge and Twilight inspired Valentine printables...

(go to Living Locurto to check them out!)

Brilliant Heart Breaker Valentines by Dana @ MADE

The Rubber Punkin has the most adorable Valentines!

Amy is the Party has these cute lil' Valentines to share!

The Wedding Chicks have these great retro 'Valentines' Postcards!

Creature Comforts has these sweet Teabag wrappers-complete with heart shaped tea tags!

Buttoned Up has clever little 'Love' Notes for that special someone!

Enjoy!

Post: Sports are just not for me....

2012-01-19T21:47:00.002-05:00

When I was younger I played on a basketball team for our church. My parents pretty much made me play because I really didn't like it. Why? Well, first off I am super petite...so slam dunking is totally out of the question...second, I have awful sense of direction (we will get to this in a minute) and thirdly, I don't like having a ball thrown at me-since more often than not it ended up hitting me in the face. Now, to get back to that awful sense of direction-during one game I was suddenly thrown the ball by one of my team members...it was a huge deal since I really wasn't any good. So when I got the ball I RAN as fast as my little feet could go to the opposing teams basket....I could hear everyone in the stands screaming....and I tried for a basket and GOT IT! The crowd went wild....that was until I could make out why. I had totally went the wrong direction...I had scored in my teams basket. DUH! I am not even sure that basketball goal systems are even designed for that kind of mess up. Needless to say it made for a great story...though embarrassing at the time!

Disclosure

This is a compensated post.

The story is mine and was written by me.

Review: Zoya

2012-01-18T21:45:00.002-05:00

(Zoya's TRUE collection 2012-from left to right-Cho, Farah, Bevin, Skylar, Tru, & Lotus)

Being a blogger has its perks...and one of them is trying out new products before they are released to the public. I was lucky enough to be sent Zoya's 'TRUE' 2012 Spring Nail Colors and Fleck Effect Mylar Holographic Glazes to review and ohhh HOW I LOVE them all!

I wasn't able to get many photos of me personally wearing the different polishes but I was able to snap a quick photo of me wearing one of my favorite colors from the collection-Bevin.

Here is a rundown of each of the colors in the TRUE collection;

Cho- an opaque yellow-toned light soft peachy beige with a hint of ultra fine silver shimmer. A light, creamy nude especially nice for skin tones with olive or yellow undertones.
Farah-an opaque light khaki-beige with subtle sandy, greenish undertones and a cream finish
Bevin- a dusty, medium sage green with teal tones and a creamy opaque finish.
Skylar-is a medium steel blue with a softened, dusty look and speckled by visible gold and silver shimmer flecks
Tru-saturated, red-toned grape purple with speckled shimmer that reflects gold, orange and red
Lotus-very soft, dusty blue-toned amethyst purple with colorful shimmer that reflects pink, red and gold

The Fleck Effect Colors are;
Maisie-sheer turquoise blue base with reflective Mylar flakes that shift from green to blue
Opal- sheer green base with reflective Mylar flakes that shift from bright green to blue.
Chloe-sheer coral pink base with two types of duochrome Mylar flakes: red-orange to gold and gold-green to blue

I love both of these collections because each of the colors can be layered or worn alone and still look FANTASTIC! All of the colors are long wearing and look fabulous on everyone! I am a huge fan of Zoya because all of their nail lacquers are affordable ($8.00 each!) and are free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) which are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

So what are you waiting for visit Zoya.com today to purchase the latest collections from Zoya!

Disclosure

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review & Giveaway: OurFox

2012-01-17T20:11:00.004-05:00

OurFox is a shop featuring handmade one of a kind clothing-with a modern and whimsical twist. Owner Rachel is a Mom of two girls and knows from experience what it means to children when they love the clothing they are wearing. Rachel has a passion for unique and unusual appliques, colors, and accessories that add life to her many different pieces of clothing. Rachel also makes all of her clothing without buttons, snaps or zippers making each piece of her clothing easy for kids to take on and off by themselves. Each piece of clothing from OurFox is sewn with the utmost care for clothing that is sewn to last. Kids should be able to be kids while wearing clothing and all of OurFox clothing is designed to be worn for playtime, church, parties, etc.

Rachel is a super busy woman but luckily I was able to get her to answer some questions for me....

Why did you start your etsy shop?
I needed an outlet for all of the clothing that I was sewing as my girls closets were completely full!

Whats your favorite item?
My current favorite are the ruffle jackets. They are functional but very fun and they are seasonally appropriate for where I live (Northwestern Washington State)! The ones I have in my shop right now put a smile on my face.

Why did you name your shop Our Fox?
I took R. Fox, my name, and turned it into something fun...something that said childhood but modern and whimsical, like the clothes I sew.

How and when did you learn to sew?
I grew up on a rural island off the coast of Washington State, surrounded by artisans. By necessity I learned to mend, and sew as a kid because just going to the store to buy a new shirt, or dress, wasn't an option for us. It helped that my family loves to play music, draw, work, knit, crochet and sew, so I was always learning some new craft in order to pass the time.

What is your best seller?
My best seller has got to be my twirl dresses. They are all unique. I've never made two that are the same but the style always seems to appeal to the widest range of people.

How long have you been selling your creations on Etsy?
I started my ETSY shop in July of 2011.

Why Etsy?
I have a full time corporate job so ETSY allows me to get garments out to and online marketplace, and maintain my store, on my time schedule (ie. after the kids are in bed)! One day I hope to be able to make my clothing business my full time job but I think ETSY will always be an important part of it!

What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? What is that? Ha ha. I think that if I do have spare time I can be found sleeping, sewing, reading, gardening, baking, or playing with my kids.

Favorite book?
I love all kinds of books. Reading is one of my absolute favorite indulgent activities but I can't just pick one book! When I want to laugh I go with David Sedaris...I love Bill Bryson's entertaining style of writing history (I just finished his book 'At Home' and would highly recommend it!)...A book that stands out as a favorite is 'Corelli's Mandolin' (I actually had to stop reading I was crying so hard at one point in the book).

Your Favorite Dessert?
One thing you should know is that I'm a sweet-aholic and therefore, my favorite dessert is constantly changing. My current favorite is fresh Florida Ruby Red Grapefruits with a small sprinkling of sugar or honey on them. I know this doesn't sound so indulgent or glamerous but it is sooooo delicious. I think I'm currently eating about two grapefruits a night!

Your Favorite Holiday?
My Birthday! It's all about me, that's why! I love spending the day doing something frivilous like taking my kids out of school to go to the zoo or the aquarium for a fun picnic. It's also during my favorite time of year (Fall). I love how it get's me into a retrospective frame of mind. I look at myself in the mirror and am grateful for another year...I tell myself I don't look too bad, all things considered. For some reason it really puts a bounce in my step and get's me ready for another year!

Your Favorite Movie?
I'm so terrible about keeping current with movies. The last movie I saw was probably 2 years ago. I really love movies but I just never get out to see them in theaters and can't seem to make it through one, at home, without nodding off. I guess having two young kids probably has something to do with it! My favorite kids movie, however, would probably have to be 'Despicable me'.

Your Favorite Recipe?
Homemade Buttercream Frosting! It takes the cake (literally)!
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gale-gand/quick-vanilla-buttercream-frosting...

For fun tutorials, etsy picks, and to keep up to date with Rachel and OurFox visit:

OurFox Blog

My Review

I was sent the 'Birds on a Line' dress from OurFox to review. This little peasant dress is bright and colorful and features adorable birds sitting on a line. The sleeves are made from a contrasting fabric that looks adorable next to the bird fabric. Rachel has added a green and purple rick rack that has been sewn onto the front of the dress for a unique detail which really makes the dress pop! You can tell that the dress is well made and the attention to detail is really lovely. The dress fits true to size-it fits my five year old perfectly (and as you can tell from the photo to the right-she LOVES the dress!). I highly recommend visiting OurFox for unique and whimsical handmade clothing.

Rachel would like to giveaway a $20 Gift Certificate to OurFox to one lucky Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} Reader!

Enter the giveaway after the jump...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Favorite Prints: Etsy

2012-01-16T23:00:00.003-05:00

While browsing around Etsy today I came upon a few favorite prints and I thought I would share my them with you!

Enjoy!

I love this gorgeous 'NYC' watercolor print by Etsy seller, SketchAway

This 'Love is a Beautiful Word III' Sepia photo print from AmeliaKayPhotography is perfect for your special someone!

This Ferris Wheel print from TheGinghamOwl makes me swoon with delight!

SayItSweet Etsy shop is filled with beautiful prints and this is one of my favorites!

SweetPeaSunday has gorgeous retro prints that are fun and funky!

Post: Royal Pain in the....

2012-01-15T23:06:00.000-05:00

Those of you who often read this blog (yes, I am talking to you!) probably know that I am obsessed with all things Royal! I love news about royals, love seeing what they are wearing, keeping up with their families, etc. I guess that makes me pretty dorky...oh well. I know that I can't be the only one who loves Royal goodness so I have decided to pass on a few of my ALL time favorite links to blogs/websites for the other royal lovers (I know you are out there!)...

Oh and just in case you were wondering....

My FAVORITE royal is....duh dum dahhhh!

Princess Mary of Denmark!

(Isn't she just GORGEOUS?!)

Mary is originally from Australia and met her husband (Frederik prince of Denmark-first in line to the throne) at a bar during the Sydney Olympics-she had no clue he was a prince! How romantic, right?! After their marriage Mary became a Danish citizen and learned how to speak Danish fluently. Mary and Frederik's wedding was one of the most romantic royal weddings I have EVER seen...they were both crying at the alter! (Check out a video clip from their wedding below). Mary and Frederik have four children including Prince Christian who will one day be King of Denmark.

Some of my favorite Royal links;

Princess Mary Style Blog

The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

What Kate Wore

The Royal Correspondent

Get What Kate Wore

Okay now I am done being a royal pain in your....

enjoy the links!

Recipe: Oreo Raspberry Truffles

2012-01-13T20:08:00.003-05:00

Looking for something sweet to make this weekend? Look no further...

Oreo Raspberry Truffles

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound pkg Regular Oreo Cookies (processed)
1 pkg 8 ounce Regular Cream Cheese (fat free won't work)
1 pkg Bittersweet Choc Chips (12 oz)
3 Tbsp Nutella
2 Tbsp Raspberry Flavoring

DIRECTIONS:1.Combine room temperature cream cheese, 1 Tbsp Nutella, and finely processed oreos into a mushy ball. Pinch filling and roll in hands to get 40-50 nickel sized balls. Place the balls onto wax/parchment paper and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

2.In a microwavable bowl combine the chocolate chips, flavoring, and 2 Tbsp of Nutella. Microwave at 30 sec intervals until smooth consistency, stirring between heating.

Take the chilled oreo balls from refrigerator and coat with chocolate. Gently place each on wax/parchment paper. Finish and place in refrigerator for at least 20 mins. Individually wrap in mini cupcake liners and put in freezer to keep.

Giveaway: Marc Jacobs Coats at ShopBop

2012-01-12T21:52:00.002-05:00

I am back from a lovely visit to one of my favorite states-California! My husband and I had such fun shopping for family members and one another in Santa Barbara. While there I found some Marc Jacobs Coats that I just LOVED and though it doesn't get very cold in Cali beautiful scarves were still everywhere. I love how scarves are not only used for winter anymore...they have become a real fashion accessory. Wear them with dresses, short sleeve shirts,...you can even wear one in your hair! While in California I also found out about a designer I wasn't aware of Duvetica. Duvetica has vests and puffy coats that give a whole new meaning to 'shiny and new'. While not all all of you will be able to shop in Santa Barbara you will be able to find Marc Jacob Coats, scarves, and Duvetica all at Shopbop.com. You can follow shopbop via twitter here; http://twitter.com/#!/shopbop to be kept up to date with all of their latest deals and offerings!

Shopbop wants to help start 2012 off right by giving away a $100 Shopbop gift card to one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: BabyGanics Germinator

2012-01-11T20:55:00.001-05:00

Germs, Germs...EVERYWHERE! Traveling with two little ones can be overwhelming especially for a germ-a-phobe like me. Airplanes, amusement parks, door handles, car handles...are all breeding grounds for germs. Most hand sanitizers contain alcohol that is dangerous for children and dries out hands. So whats a mother with two young kids to do? BabyGanics 'The Germinator' to the rescue....

My Review

I was sent a container of BabyGanics 'The Germinator' to review and I am sure glad I was able to review it! BabyGanics 'The Germinator' kills 99% of germs (including E. Coli and MRSA), has a moisturizing formula (no more dry, cracked hands) and is alcohol and fragrance free....it has to be too good to be true-right? WRONG! BabyGanics Germinator is gentle, leaves no sticky or smelly residue, and I don't have to worry about my children putting their fingers in their mouth after they apply it. I also love the fact that it foams-meaning we get 2 times the use of regular gel hand sanitizers! I highly recommend BabyGanics 'The Germinator' to anyone who wants to keep their kids (mostly) germ free this flu and cold season.

Disclosure

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review: Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant

2012-01-10T17:27:00.001-05:00

My husband was fortunate enough to grow up in the little town of Solvang, California. If you have never been to Solvang then you are definitely missing out. Solvang is a little Danish replica village complete with windmills, horse drawn carriages danish bakeries, shops, restaurants and replica statues of Hans Christian Anderson and The Little Mermaid (original statues are found in Denmark).

While visiting Solvang we always make sure to skip across town to visit the Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant. The Los Olivos Cafe is located in the quaint little town of Los Olivos (about five minutes from Solvang). Los Olivos is located in the Santa Ynez Valley-about a half hour from Santa Barbara and a fact that many don't know is that Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch is also located in Los Olivos.

The Los Olivos Cafe served as a filming location for the Academy Award winning film Sideways featuring Sandra Oh, Paul Giamatti and Virginia Madsen but that isn't why we visit...we visit for the delicious food!

During our visit to The Los Olivos Cafe my husband and I ordered the 'Sideways Menu' (minus the wine). My husband chose to have the Salad, Cafe Salmon, and Chocolate Scream Cake. While I decided to have the soup of the day-chicken and barley, Cafe Pot Roast, and the Chocolate Scream Cake.

The salad was fresh and perfect as a starter, the salmon was moist and flavorful and was surrounded by potatoes, fennel, and spinach in a beurre blanc sauce. My soup could have used a bit more seasoning as it was a bit bland but my Pot Roast was absolutely amazing. The Pot Roast was in a bourgenase sauce surrounded by red wine, potatoes and pearl onions. The Chocolate Scream Cake was not as flavorful as I would have liked-and sadly it was a bit dry....and gosh darn it I really REALLY wanted to that cake. Oh well. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be returning again in the near future!

Disclosure

This post was written in my own words and is my own opinion.

I wrote this post to inform others about the Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant.

Review & Giveaway: Tropicana Trop50

2012-01-09T22:34:00.000-05:00

Its rather difficult to find beverages without TONS of sugars added to them. My daughter loves drinking juice in the mornings and I am always on the lookout for juice with a minimal amount of sugar as well as no artificial sweeteners.

When I heard about Tropicana Trop50 I was intrigued as to what the juice would actually taste like. You see, Trop50 juice has 50% less sugar and calories and contains NO artificial sweeteners. So I was off on a mission...to taste test Trop50. When I arrived at my local grocery store I was surprised at the wide variety of flavors Trop50 had available; Orange Juice (pulp and no pulp), Raspberry Lemonade, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pineapple Mango, Lemonade, and Apple. I decided to try out the Pomegranate Blueberry Flavor.

My Review
I was a bit nervous at how Trop50's Pomegranate Blueberry juice would taste...would it be bland or taste strange or bitter? The answer to all of those questions is NO! Trop50's Pomegranate Blueberry juice is delicious, flavorful and has just the right amout of sweetness. The best way to describe the taste of the Pomegranate Blueberry juice would be to say it is a lot like tea-light and refreshing. My daughter (who is SUPER SUPER picky) LOVED the juice and she's not the only one...Trop50 beverages have become a huge hit in our home! I am so happy that I can serve my family a delicious beverage that tastes great but also is much healthier for them then many other beverages offered on the market today.

Trop50 is currently holding their 'True Resolutions' contest on their facebook page. True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions. If you share your secret motivation on Trop50's Facebook page and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. So head on over to enter today!

Check out Tropicana Trop50's Giveaway after the jump...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recipe: Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Almond Butter Frosting

2012-01-08T22:21:00.004-05:00

Tonight we all got together to celebrate my sons birthday. I made Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Almond Butter Icing. The cupcakes were a hit...even my husband (who doesn't really like sweets) LOVED these! The cherry baked into the cupcake was a nice surprise too, I highly recommend this recipe. Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for the original recipe!!

CHERRY VANILLA CUPCAKE

1. Allow butter and egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line twenty-four 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups (or coat with cooking spray). In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup combine buttermilk and cherry juice; set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, vanilla, and almond extract; beat until combined. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out batter in cups. Press a cherry half into batter in each cup.

4. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire racks.

5. Using a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip, pipe Cherry-Almond Butter Frosting over tops of cupcakes. If desired, top with cherries. Makes 24 (2-1/2-inch) cupcakes.

CHERRY ALMOND BUTTER FROSTING:

Allow 1/2 cup butter to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice or milk and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Gradually beat in 3 cups additional powdered sugar. If necessary, beat in additional juice or milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Makes 2 cups frosting.

Test Kitchen Tip: To make 3/4 cup sour milk, place 2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup. Add enough milk to make 3/4 cup liquid; stir. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes before using.

Happy 1st Birthday to my little boy!

2012-01-07T23:20:00.002-05:00

Please excuse me not posting a regular post today...but I just have to say...

Happy 1st Birthday to my son!

My little boy turned ONE today...I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.

He is such a joy....and into EVERYTHING! I am SO blessed to be his mother!

Review & Giveaway: Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes

2012-01-06T23:53:00.001-05:00

Souplantation currently has 112 company-owned restaurants in 15 states, with over 300 million customers since 1978! Souplantation offers a wide variety of all-you-can eat food...but don't let that fool you-this is no normal buffet. Fresh produce and salads, made-from-scratch soups, hot-tossed pastas, freshly baked breads and muffins, fresh fruit, frozen yogurt, and more are just a few of the items you will find at Souplantation.

A bit about Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
The very first Souplantation brought delicious, healthy dining to San Diego in March 1978. Industry experts credit Souplantation as being the first casual eatery brand to serve fresh, wholesome menu options.

In 1983, Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. was founded by Michael Mack through the acquisition of the first two Souplantation restaurants. As we continued to grow, we began to pursue growth beyond our core Southern California markets. In order to enhance our brand and reflect our dedication to fresh, wholesome ingredients, we adopted the name Sweet Tomatoes for new restaurants outside Southern California.

With 112 company-owned restaurants in 15 states, over 300 million guests since 1978 have helped us to be #1 in fresh produce and salads, made-from-scratch soups, hot-tossed pastas, freshly baked breads and muffins, fresh fruit, frozen yogurt, and more.

We pride ourselves on offering an all-you-care-to-eat dining experience where each of our guests can create a meal tailored to their needs. Of course, you can count on fresh, high-quality ingredients and daily made-from-scratch menu items.

My Review
I was able to visit the Camarillo, California Souplantation with my family and in-laws on our way to Disneyland. Oh, how I wish Souplantation was close to me back at home on the east coast. When you enter the doors of Souplantation you are greeted with friendly smiles welcoming you to 'Souplantation'. I had heard many great things about Souplantation from my friends but I was shocked when I saw the amount of food available-and the condition of the food. Salad greens are green, crisp, and cold and the salad toppings available are amazing-beets, croutons, cheese, rice noodles, and the list goes on. Also available are warm soups; chili, clam chowder and homemade chicken noodle were the selection the day I went. Warm brownies, corn bread, muffins and rolls were available as were spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, buttered noodles, pizza, and soft serve (along with a variety of toppings). I had the homemade chicken noodle soup that features huge homemade noodles and big chunks of chicken, macaroni and cheese-in a super cheesy sauce (soooo yummy!), and a delicious salad covered in dressing, crunchy noodles, croutons, and beets. Souplantation always has a wide variety of food available each and everyday and the prices can't be beat.

Make sure you enter the giveaway after the jump...!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Chubby Baby

2012-01-05T21:16:00.000-05:00

Colleen is the owner of Chubby Baby-an Etsy shop filled to the brim with handmade goodies! Chubby Baby features infant car seat covers, rompers, ruffled leggings, and skirts to name a few. I was lucky enough to get Colleen to answer some Q and A's so that you could get an inside look at Chubby Baby from the owner herself!

Why did you start your etsy shop?
I started selling on Etsy after I called in to the Martha Stewart Satellite Radio show. I had been getting a ton of requests to make car seat covers from complete strangers every time I went out in public with the one I made for my daughter. It started to keep me pretty busy and soon became a little business for me. I decided I wanted to move my little business to the next level, I loved being able to bring in a small income while staying at home and designing, but I was clueless. I listened to Martha Stewart on the satellite radio show all the time and decided to call in an ask her. To my shock, I actually got put through and spoke with Martha!! To make a long story short, she told me aboutwww.Etsy.com and said that was a great place to start!
After researching what Etsy was all about, I was very excited! It has endless pages of beautiful handmade designs of everything you could possibly think of, I could not wait to be a part of that. Etsy has changed my life for the better, it made me grow in all aspects I never could have imagined. I have learned so much and gained so many new friends because of it.

Whats your favorite item?
My favorite item is my infant car seat cover! I love them!!!! They are so fun to have and they are a Huge conversation piece!! I get stopped all the time by strangers, just asking where I got it?! I am so Addicted to fabrics at this point in my life, I love bold and bright colors, the seat covers become so fresh when they are made up in the Chubby Baby slip cover.

Why did you name your shop Chubby Baby?
My husband and I went to dinner one night and just during normal conversation we thought my business needed a name, so we sat laughing over dinner, coming up with all sorts of funny and cute baby business names. But when Chubby Baby came out of my mouth my husband said, “That’s It!” We both felt that was the Perfect name and who doesn’t Love a Chubby Baby?!

How and when did you learn to sew?
I was taught to sew by my Grandmother, making little Cabbage Patch outfits as a child. As I grew, my love for sewing kinda went away since I was so involved in sports. I went to an all girls Catholic High School, Louisville, and I took a sewing class as one of my electives, I thought it would be an easy A! But to my shock I fell in love with sewing again. From there, I began designing all my dresses that I would wear to all the school’s Formal’s. My Mother and I would go to my Grandma’s house and show her photos of the dresses I liked, then we bought the patterns and fabric’s I wanted. We then cut out all the fabric and then she sewed everything together, as I watched. Over all the years of watching my Grandma and Mother, who is also huge quilter, sew. It was just natural and easy for me to sit at the sewing machine and just start. I just needed the right inspiration at the right time in my life, becoming a Mother was that time for me.

What is your best seller?

Car Seat Cover’s for girls.

How long have you been selling your creations on Etsy?

Since 2008

What do you do in your spare time?

I love to garden on the weekends, during the summer we goto the lake on our boat, I love to take long walks through my neighborhood, I love taking photos of my family and then attempting to use Photoshop Elements to edit my photos. I also work full time as a Private Investigator and do surveillance for worker compensation fraud full time, so when I get any spare time I like to take a nap with my kids and cuddle.

Favorite book?

I don’t read much but if I did, it would be Amy Butler’s Sewing Projects, LOL!

Your Favorite Dessert?
Crème Brule

The BEST dessert ever is
A doughnut!

Your Favorite Holiday?
Easy, Christmas of course!

Your Favorite Movie?
Dirty Dancing, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Notebook, Pearl Harbor, White Chicks, Cutting Edge, The Sound of Music, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Steel Magnolias, There’s Something About Mary.

Your Favorite Recipe?

Beef Stroganoff is a special treat and I always have it for my special birthday dinner.

Ingredients
• 1 1/2 pounds cubed round steak, cut into thin strips
• House Seasoning, recipe follows
• All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can beef broth
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• Cooked egg noodles
Directions
Season the steak strips with House Seasoning, then dust with flour. In a large skillet, quickly brown them on both sides in the olive oil and butter. Remove the steak from the pan. Add the onion slices and mushrooms to the pan drippings. Saute for a few minutes, until the onion is tender. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon flour. Put the steak back into the pan with the onion and mushrooms. Add the mushroom soup and beef broth. Cook over low heat for about 30 minutes, covered. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding salt and pepper, as needed. Stir in the sour cream the last few minutes, right before you serve. Serve over cooked noodles.
House Seasoning:
• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Favorite Christmas Tradition or Memory?
This year created the best memory ever, my 4 year old daughter leading my family, which includes 40 adults, in Christmas songs after a big Christmas dinner. She is a born star and amazes me every day with her thoughts and ideas.

My Review

I was sent a Ruffle Skirt from Chubby Baby to review. This skirt is absolutely delightful! The skirt is stretchy, frilly, and has layers upon layers of gorgeous ruffles! The ruffle skirt is very versatile-my daughter loves wearing her ruffle skirt with leggings for a sweet casual look. The ruffle skirt can even be paired with bright tights for a more dressy outfit. My daughter went with me to get her hair cut and everyone at the salon went crazy over the skirt! Many asked where they could purchase one-so of course I gave them Chubby Baby's website. Every girlie girl should own a ruffle skirt from Chubby Baby-sweet, chic and classy!

Recipe: Italian Chicken Sausage and Artichoke Soup

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

While browsing through my wonderful Mother-in-Law's Sunset Magazine (January 2011) I came upon a recipe that looked super easy and TOO good not to share. While I haven't made this soup yet it is definitely on my to-do list after the Holidays!

Photo by Annabelle chc, food styling by Karen Shinto

Italian Chicken Sausage and Artichoke Soup

via Sunset Magazine (Jan. 2011)

Serves 4-6

Approx. 40 Minutes Cook Time

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 lb. Italian Chicken Sausage, casings removed and meat broken into chunks

3 cans (15 oz. each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 lb. frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and halved

1 bunch chard (1 lb.), stemmed and chopped

Parmesan Cheese

Warm Ciabatta Bread

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook Sausage until browned, stirring often, 10 minutes. Add broth, artichokes, and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add the chard and cook, covered, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and serve with freshly grated cheese and bread.

Per 1 1/2 C. serving-225 Calories, 114 Calories from Fat, 20 Grams of protein, 13 Grams Fat, 81 MG Cholesterol, 611 MG Sodium.

P.S. If you need a yummy dessert for after dinner check out Shugary Sweets: Andes Mint Cookie Dough Truffles...WOAH!

Disclosure

This recipe was found via Sunset Magazine.

All credit goes to Sunset Magazine.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year to you and yours!

from

Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}

Parenting: How New Year's Eve Changes When You're A Parent

2011-12-31T09:00:00.002-05:00

For as long as I can remember I have always loved New Year's Eve. I don't know if it's the promise of a new beginning, or the unknown- or what- but I have been celebrating since I was little.

As kids my mom would let us drink that fake Welch's sparkling grape juice- and we would have a dinner of lobster or steak. My dad worked most holidays- so my mother would take this opportunity to have a 'fancy' dinner at home with us. This festive spirit grew as I got older and entered high school. Every year (except my senior year when I had mono) I went to a big party at the house of a friend. We would stay up until midnight and watch the ball drop on tv.

Once I was in my 20's and in college I was spending my New Year's Eves out at the bar, or a party at someone's house and probably having a bit too much champagne. As usual we stayed up very late to ring in the new year and party until the wee hours of the morning.

The last few years, however, have been nothing that even remotely resembles the days of yore. I was pregnant in 2008, had an infant in 2009, and had newborn twins with a toddler in 2010. Wait- is that right?! Wow. Anyhow, as you can see- we have had more pressing things to do -LIKE SLEEP- on New Year's. This year is really no exception- as my oldest will be 3 in February and my twins are now 14.5 months old. Life is exhausting in general. Love my husband though- he still insists we should stay up to celebrate.

So...no more late night wild parties, but I have to say life now beats life back then hands down. After all, I don't have to worry about not kissing a guy at midnight. I have four to choose from.

Have a great time tonight and see you in 2012!

Review- Mega Bloks Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit

2011-12-30T12:03:00.000-05:00

Who hasn't heard of Mega Bloks?! If you've got kids- big or little, chances are you've got some at home. I know before I had the opportunity to work with Mega Bloks on this review I already had several of their toys at home. In fact, one of them was a gift at a first birthday party almost three years ago- and we are STILL playing with it.

For this review, we were sent the Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit. It is recommended for ages 5+, which is probably right. There are about 390 small pieces. For this task- the 'biggest kid' in the house took over. That would be dad. He was more than happy to oblige in putting together this set!

All missions are possible when you team up with the three Patrol vehicles of the Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit! Build the Police Cruiser SUV – a top-of-the-line patrol vehicle with excellent control and zoom through the streets with your Blok Squad Police Officer! Construct the Police Force Carrier – a quick response Patrol truck designed to help transport Police Officers to the scene of an emergency and transport captured bad guys to jail! Assemble the Police Boat – a harbor cruiser captained by your Blok Squad Naval Police Officer. It is designed with high-performance engines and advanced radio equipment to help catch fleeing fugitives on the water!

Before...

Pops had fun putting together our Police Force Pursuit kit- and I'm now finding it difficult to keep the boys' hands off of them. I really look forward to building these in the future- as does their father. Good stuff.

After!

There are several other Blok Squad sets to choose from- all look fun to me.
* Did you know that Mega Bloks has a Family Club too? You can get involved with their mom blogs, contests, promotions and polls. You are also informed about their new products coming out. You can even elect to receive age appropriate offers and promotions if you choose.

Buy It: The Mega Bloks Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit kit runs around $19.99 and can be found at many local retailers.

I was sent the Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit kit free of charge in order to do this review. The opinions expressed are mine or those of my family.

Interview With An Author: Monica Leonelle O'Brien of 'Silver Smoke'

2011-12-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

Brie van Rossum has fame, fortune, and beauty, but there’s one thing she doesn’t have–the name of her mother’s supernatural killer.

The Hallows, descendants of the archangels, don’t think Milena was murdered.. but can Brie trust them when their government, the New Order, wants her dead?

She’d better figure it all out soon…

… because when Brie finds out who she really is, the hunt will begin.

And Milena might not be the only casualty.

Like mother, like daughter…

Meet author Monica Leonelle O'Brien, and her new novel 'Silver Smoke'! This is the first novel in the Seven Halos series. 'Silver Smoke' is the highly-rated (4.8 stars on Amazon) debut novel about the Hallows and the Nephilim, the descendants of archangels and humans.

I had the chance to ask Ms. O'Brien a few questions regarding her novel- I always find writing a book a fascinating and disciplined piece of work. I have no idea how people do it- it seems like something I will never be able to accomplish!

1. Where do you find inspiration for the characters in your book?

I find inspiration everywhere! Brie's family is inspired somewhat by the reality TV families we spend a lot of time watching in America. At first, I thought of her family as being a bit of American royalty, and pictured her as a moder-day Liv Tyler (or for the younger generation, Lily Collins). But Liv Tyler and Lily Collins are actresses--they actually do things that warrant coverage in entertainment magazines. So now, I picture Brie as more of a Pippa Middleton--she's not famous for anything of note, but the world can't seem to stop watching her.

2. How do you discipline yourself to write and complete a book?

I have to write in a manic fashion. I will clear my schedule and write a book for 10 days straight. That's the only way I can get it done--I'm not one of those "write 1,000 words a day" types. I need to write 10,000 words a day to stay in writing mode.

3. Who is your favorite author?

I have many. Right now, I'd have to say CS Lewis. I just love the Chronicles of Narnia books--they bring me back to childhood.

4. At what age did you realize you had a talent for writing and how did you expand upon it?

Hmm... I always get nervous when we start talking about "talent." I would say I don't know that I have talent, necessarily--or at least not any more natural talent than anyone else might. I just know that I have passion for writing novels and that I try to improve on my craft as much as I can, so I can deliver the best book possible. I read a lot of books about writing to improve my craft. And the best way to expand on your writing is to find readers who love what you're doing.

5. What do you think is one book that every school should put on it's 'mandatory' reading list before graduation?

I really loved Catcher in the Rye, but I'm pretty sure that's already on the mandatory list. To be honest, I'm not a fan of forcing children to read things. I'm a big supporter of self-directed learning. Of course, I don't have kids or a teaching license, so what do I know! I am probably the last person that would have expertise on what children should be reading. I'm just happy that they're reading at all.

Much thanks to Monica Leonelle O'Brien for taking the time to answer my questions- I wish her the best of luck with her debut novel, and look forward to the subsequent novels in this series!

How To: Decluttering In 2012

2011-12-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Image from Apartment Therapy/ Laure Joliet

So it's that time again!!! Yep- that time we all take a good, hard look at ourselves and think about what we want to accomplish/change/improve upon for the next year...right? RIGHT?!?!? Haha- yeah, me neither. Not so much for 2012. I have a feeling next year is going to be all about change for my little family, so am going to set my sights on something easy and attainable. Like decluttering.

So it's not an earth shattering concept- most of us would like to shed things (maybe holiday pounds, anyone?) here and there. If you're a mom with kids- kids have gear and toys- both of which take up space and drive you crazy. At least me. We don't have many basements here in the south- so you're stuck with using a guest room to cram all of your baby things, old toys, clothes 'to donate', etc. Not fun. The not so easy answer..is to simply declutter. Get RID of it. SHED those materialistic pounds! But how?

Well- I am struggling with this for sure. I don't even know where to start. There's a possibility that my family might be moving overseas with my husband's job by year's end- so we REALLY have to declutter, big time. Sure, they will give us a mini storage while we are gone, but still! That's a whole lot of stuff to have to pack, store, unpack, etc.

I saw this on Pinterest (ok, ok, a FRIEND saw it first and then I pounced on it) last week and think it's pretty awesome! It's a 2011 Decluttering Calander from the blog mysimplerlife.com.

I'm not sure about you, but taking things one step- one EASY step- at a time really make it more likely that I will follow through. Setting more attainable, realistic goals for decluttering is really a step in the right direction. Making vague to do lists usually do nothing more than discourage me, as I really love to cross things off, but find that if I only half complete an item it doesn't count. Or, I cross it off anyhow and forget that I have to go back and do some more work...

Well, taking an entire DAY to 'Simplify your accessories, how many do you NEED?' (January 13th) works for me. It would take me five minutes to go through my things and decide what to keep/donate/toss.

Do you have any decluttering goals this year? Tell me your ideas for slimming down your stuff. I can use all the help I can get!

Find: Zaarly

2011-12-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of Zaarly yet? I just learned about it last week- and think it's pretty cool. It's not Craigslist, it's better. Take a second and go type in your city to see what comes up on their main page here.

Get it? I have to admit, while I am writing this post I went over to their site and looked up my area and found someone willing to pay $30 to someone who can plan a romantic getaway when they come to visit. I can totally do that! Before kids, my husband and I would go out fairly frequently and know the best places to go. For $30 make someone an itinerary? Sure?!

So how does it work? Basically, you can view listed postings in your area. If you're looking to buy something, you tell Zaarly what you're looking for and what you're willing to pay. Next, based on your geographic location you can pick the best offer that comes back to you (so when I responded to the person looking for a romantic getaway I made my reply sound like I knew the area and that I was qualified to do what they ask). Lastly, you choose the best deal and don't pay unless you find the perfect match.

Selling something? To sell you choose a key word and receive an alert when someone wants it. Next, you can chat with buyers, work out the details, or even raise the price. Lastly, you seal the deal and don't pay unless you find the perfect match.

Sounds neat, huh? I think so! I recently started following them on twitter too and say a really awesome tweet yesterday. Zaarly retweeted that someone was looking for someone else to deliver a plate of leftovers to her mother on Christmas day. Her mother was home alone and this person just wanted to find someone to help her. She was willing to pay $80 (!) for someone to do this. Really!!! I am not even remotely close to DC, but I know people that live there- so I sent them the link and retweeted it to my followers---- social media magic. I hope someone took that deal, I want there to be a happy ending to the story.

I have a feeling this is the new local bulletin board of the future. Forget Craigslist- deal locally, chat on their site to set it up and get what you're looking for. What's up for grabs in your area?

Connect: You can connect with Zaarly on Facebook and Twitter. There's also a Zaarly app available for free in iTunes.

I was not compensated in any way for this post. I am a new user to Zaarly and just learning about it myself.

Deal: Shabby Apple

2011-12-26T13:06:00.000-05:00

Have some extra Christmas money laying around? Don't know where to spend it? How about Shabby Apple! Shabby Apple has gorgeous dresses as great prices and they are modest too! Right now you can get an EXTRA 20% Off the Sale Section at Shabby Apple and Free Shipping with Code 'WINTERSALE'...oh, and I forgot to mention that you will also receive FREE SHIPPING (only available until the end of the year so hurry!)

Review- Sips n Strokes Painting Studio

2011-12-26T10:25:00.002-05:00

I recently had an absolutely fabulous girls night out. It was something that I had never done before- and to be honest, I am AWFUL at it. My friend Jen and I had purchased a Groupon back in June for something called 'Sips n Strokes'. Basically, they are an informal painting studio where you go to create something with the rest of a class.

I know you're sitting here thinking- umm...right. I can't even draw! Readers, I cannot even draw decent stick people, so If I can do it, ANYONE can!

First thing I want to say is that yes, they are called Sips n Strokes, which means you can bring your own wine and paint. BUT- I don't want to give you the impression that this is some kind of seedy free for all, it isn't. In fact, you have to pay attention to the instructor- so basically, there really wasn't much 'sipping' going on at all.

Besides my friend and I, there were at least 50 other people. This included a couple of kids and even some guys. An instructor stood up on a stage with a microphone and led you through that nights' image- a collegiate themed snowman. The finished example had me laughing, as I already knew there was no way on earth that I was going to be able to do THAT.

She had us start with the background, and led us step by step:

Then she would walk us through the next steps- which was creating the outline, and then the basic snowman shape:

Eventually, we got all the way to here! I could NOT believe that *I* made this!

You are encouraged to follow her directions exactly, OR do you own creative thing to your painting. There is no wrong or right way to do it. On their website you can check out what options they offer, as each class has a different themed painting.

My friend and I were very impressed with how well orchestrated, organized, and friendly the atmosphere was. People were sharing pizza, talking about other classes they had done, and being very encouraging with each others' work. For a total painting novice, this was perfect.

I know there are a couple of different chains that do this in other parts of the country. For example, this Sips n Strokes has had a franchise break off- which is what I attended. Due to copyright issues, I cannot grab their pics, but take a look at their gallery here.

If you're looking for something different to do for a birthday party, girls night out, etc- I can't recommend this enough- it was a lot of fun, and you will be absolutely amazed at what you can create.

A session at the Sips n Strokes I attended is around $35 per person. I am not sure what the private group rate is. This fee includes your canvas and all necessary materials.

Sips n Strokes is constantly growing, so check out their website to see if there is one near you. Currently they are in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and coming soon to Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Mark my words, this is something that will only get bigger and bigger. I wish I could afford a franchise of my own! I highly encourage you to give this a try, and remember- this is a growing niche, so you might not have a Sips N Strokes, but another studio. Make 2012 the year you try something new, you might surprise yourself.

Connect: Connect with Sips n Strokes on Facebook and Twitter.

This was not a complimentary experience, no was I compensated in any way. This was something I did on my own and paid for myself.

Happy Holidays from Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}!

2011-12-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

We hope you find everything you wished for underneath your Christmas tree!

from

Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}

Need a great deal on eyeglasses?

2011-12-24T16:32:00.001-05:00

Are you currently looking for a pair of new glasses? Is it difficult to buy glasses locally that you like and can afford?

What if I were to tell you that there is a place where you can purchase high quality glasses, frames and lenses with a 100% satisfaction guarantee? Interested? I thought you would be!

GlassesUSA.com sells high quality eyeglasses online. With brands such as Lacoste, Diesel, Jones New York, Calvin Klein, Nike, and Guess you know you are getting great craftsmanship and quality that will last.

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Review & Giveaway: Rory Unraveled

2011-12-24T09:46:00.000-05:00

Carly is the AMAZING woman behind Rory Unraveled-an Etsy shop full of modern raggy quilts handmade by Carly. Each of Rory Unraveled Quilts are reversible and unique. Carly uses fun designer fabrics and sandwiches them in between natural cotton batting. I was able to get Carly to answer some Q&A's so that we can learn more about her and 'Rory Unraveled'...

Why did you start your etsy shop?
A friend was having baby, so I thought I would try to make her a quilt. It turned out pretty cute! Then I made another quilt for different friend and that one was pretty cute too! And then I was hooked.

Whats your favorite item?
I love doing anything custom. It's fun to hear new ideas and collaborate on a new creation. I am forced to go outside of my own personal style, which often times leads to the prettiest quilts!

Why did you name your shop Rory Unraveled?
My first daughter's name is Rory. And I do mostly rag quilts ... thus the unraveled part. I guess I'm going to have to start an offshoot shop with my second daughter's name ... maybe Lily Untangled? :o)

How and when did you learn to sew?
Mostly self-taught. My mom is actually a pretty good sewer herself (and she's definitely where any artsy-ness comes from), but when I finally became interested in sewing, we lived all the way across the country from each other. She did field a few late-night phone calls!

How long have you been selling your creations on Etsy?
Since 2009.

Why Etsy?
I think Etsy is fabulous because it reaches a global audience. I have quilts all over the world, which is really cool!

What do you do in your spare time?
Not a lot of that with a 6 month and 3 year old. Any spare time I have is usually spent at my sewing machine (which has become a great place for me to relax and unwind).

Favorite book?
Shantaram by David Gregory Roberts
Best. Book. Ever.
Your Favorite Dessert?
At the moment, "super-sprinkled" (as my daughter says) Christmas sugar cookies.

Your Favorite Holiday?
Definitely 4th of July. Fireworks are awesome.

Favorite Christmas Tradition or Memory?
We just started "Elf on the Shelf" ... it's fun to blame the elf for mysterious mischief around the house!

My Review

I was sent a GORGEOUS handmade baby rag quilt from Rory Unraveled to review. If you are having a baby or know of a friend or family member expecting then you MUST get them a quilt from Rory Unraveled. MUST. Not only are Carly's quilts beautifully made but they are also gorgeous! The fabrics are unique and modern and the size (32x32) is just perfect for a little one. My five year old daughter even LOVES to cuddle with it! Rory Unraveled Quilts have frayed edges (which I absolutely LOVE) giving the quilt a unique look and feel-perfect for a newborn photo shoot! Each square of the quilt is sewn with flannel batting in the middle with an 'x' across it-giving the quilt weight and warmth. The edges of the quilt are stitched twice for durability and the more you wash the quilt the softer it becomes. The colors stay vivid and the quilt washes extremely well and maintains its shape beautifully.

Carly would like to offer ONE lucky reader $25 Credit to Rory Unraveled!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recipe: Christmas Morning Sour Cream Coffee Cake

2011-12-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

Looking for a yummy Christmas morning breakfast treat?

Look no further....This Coffee Cake is amazing-and the addition of sour cream makes is super moist and rich!

Batter:

1 cup butter, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

Icing:

1 Tablespoon melted butter

1 Tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10" bundt pan and set aside. Prepare filling by combining all ingredients in a small mixing bowl, and set aside. Prepare icing by combining all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Cover and set aside. To prepare batter, cream butter and sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Blend in sour cream. Add dry ingredients and blend well. Spoon half of batter into prepared bundt pan and smooth out evenly. Sprinkle filling over batter (reserving 1 Tablespoon for later use). Add remaining batter, and smooth out evenly. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let sit in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a cooling rack and let cool until warm (not hot). Drizzle with icing and sprinkle with reserved Tablespoon of filling. Serve warm or cooled. Makes 8-10 servings.

Review: Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem Stroller

2011-12-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

I was flipping through a magazine filled with entertainment news when a stroller-the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem caught my eye. In the magazine the stroller was carrying two children (Matt Damon's children to be more specific) yet didn't look bulky and huge. I had to have it! I had been looking and looking for a stroller that would fit both my five year old and my 11 month old FOREVER. I didn't want to purchase one of those bulky and super wide strollers that you can't travel with-I mean really whats the point? Read on to hear my thoughts on the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem Stroller!

A bit about Joovy
Joovy is an American company with facilities in Dallas, Texas and Orange County, California. Joovy is a family-run business and they consider their employees, customers and factory partners as members of their family. Joovy's goal is to design and manufacture family gear products that are extremely useful, practical, good-looking and FUN. Joovy family gear products have premium features and use vibrant, high quality fabrics and materials. Joovy’s ‘signature’ features are extra-large canopies on all strollers; sealed, ball bearing wheels; bold fabrics; and swing away trays, to name a few. Extra features come as ‘standard equipment’ with Joovy gear, i.e. car seat adapters, trays, sheets, etc. Joovy strives for high quality at a reasonable price for their customers! As busy parents themselves, Joovy understands the importance of time and appreciate that their customers are just as busy. Joovy feels that our best product development comes from listening to their customers – parents and active families!

My Review
I was sent the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem Stroller in Orangie to review. The Caboose Ultralight is lightweight (21 lbs to be exact), ultra-maneuverable (thanks to the sealed ball bearing wheels, oh and don't forget about the linked rear brake for safety!), over-sized canopy, a removable snack tray, front sear reclines to three positions, can seat TWO kids and can fit through doorways. The front seat is for a younger child-baby or toddler and the padded rear seat is for older children. If your older child gets sick of sitting they can either hop off of the stroller or they can choose to stand and hold onto the provided handles. You may be saying "Sure, that is great that is can hold two kids but what about all of MY stuff?" Not to fear-The Caboose Ultralight has two cup holders, a parent organizer (with a zip up pocket), and a deep storage basket with mesh pockets. We took our Joovy Caboose Ultralight on vacation with us to California-my husband and I were a bit nervous as this is the first time we have traveled with TWO kids but all I have to say is THANK GOODNESS for the Joovy Caboose! The Joovy Caboose was super easy to maneuver around the large airport crowds and fold up/carry (for gate check and security). My children both LOVED the smooth ride and my daughter loved the independence the stroller gave her...whenever she got tired of walking she could hop onto the stroller and sit or stand. The Joovy Caboose also helped us carry many of our belongings-thanks to the parent organizer and the storage basket. The snack tray was really helpful as our 11 month old could snack and look around all at the same time. I don't know what we would have done without the Joovy Caboose-yes I do-we would have went crazy! The funny thing is that my 11 month old weighs more than the stroller does-awesome right?! I highly recommend purchasing the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem Stroller. This stroller is all you need for park visits, traveling, shopping, etc. with two children. Now we are off to Disneyland with our Joovy...and we couldn't be more excited!

Disclosure

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Blog Feature: Fun Christmas Printables for you and yours!

2011-12-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

There is a blog that I just happened to find via Pinterest that I am LOVING!

It is called Lemon Squeezy.

I am in L.O.V.E with these Retro Christmas Printables from Lemon Squeezy!

Lemon Squeezy's Blog is AMAZING...check out the lovely Christmas tree wall art she designed...

perfect for a gift...just print it-frame it-tie with a bow-and give it!

Printable Place Cards? Yep, she has those too...

Oh and this Fill in the Blank Santa Letter is to DIE for!

Best thing about Lemon Squeezy is that ALL of her printables are FREE!

Go say 'Thank you!' by visiting Lemon Squeezy...

{these are just a small taste of the awesomeness you will find there!}

Disclosure

I found this super cute blog all by myself and this post is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

So there.

TIPS: Holiday Traveling {with Children}

2011-12-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, its the most wonderful time of the year...and then you remember that you are traveling four hours via car then via plane and then another two hours via car to reach your Holiday destination. Whats a Mother/Father to do to keep their sanity during the busiest travel season of the whole year? Here are a few tips that have helped us tackle those long car/airplane rides, airport layovers, and bored out of their mind kids....

-Bring headphones (or you'll end up paying $5 for a pair from the airline)
-Bring your tablet along. If you are lucky enough to own a Kindle Fire, iPad, or any other type of tablet chances are your kids have games installed on them. You will be surprised how refreshing it is to just have five minutes of YOU time while traveling.
-Bring snacks...airlines no longer provide meals free of charge.
-Portable DVD players
-Sketch pad, Crayons
-Portable Pillow
-Dress children in layers-if they get warm they can always take some clothing off

Disclosure

This post is my opinion and has written in my own words.

Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Corn Quinoa

2011-12-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

My dear friend, Amanda who I went to college with (back in the day) posted this amazing recipe on her blog. It has quickly turned into a family favorite at our home...it is healthy, full of rich flavor, and so versatile. I have made this recipe with chicken breasts and have also added fresh arugula for a peppery kick but you could add anything you would like and I bet it would taste AMAZING! This is a quick and easy meal to make for a group of people for the Holidays! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family and I did! Thanks again Amanda!

Enjoy!

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup frozen sweet white corn

2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When shimmering and hot, add the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Add the quinoa and cover with broth. Stir in cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes (or until all the liquid is absorbed).

Stir in the frozen corn and black beans. Cover and let the pot sit off the heat until the corn and beans are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the cilantro. Serve warm or chilled - it is delicious both ways!

Free Holiday Card Printables...!

2011-12-18T10:31:00.000-05:00

It's not to late to print these adorable Christmas cards {from around the web} and send them off to your loved ones near and far....I found this super cute card at mufn inc.

Lemon Squeezy is at it again...check out her super cute printable card here.

Ok, although these are not Christmas cards, per se I just had to include Joy Ever After's Cookie Exchange tags, recipe card, etc-of free printables!

Disclosure-I found all of this awesomeness myself...your welcome.

Review:Oopsy Daisy Baby

2011-12-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

Oopsy Daisy Baby, Inc was founded with the love of children in mind and in each piece of clothing from Oopsy Daisy Baby you can definitely see that love come through. From swirly girly pettiskirts and dresses to crochet hats and even mini pettiskirts for little dolls, Oopsy Daisy Baby has timeless clothing that will keep you coming back for more. Some of the celebrities who adore Oopsy Daisy Baby are-Helena Bonham Carter, Kimora Lee, Taylor Swift, Julianne Moore, and many, many more!

A bit about Oopsy Daisy Baby

Oopsy Daisy Baby, inc. was founded in 2001 when designer Daphne Henderson embarked on a quest to create unique, timeless, heirloom-quality clothing for children. By pairing vintage chenilles, lace, nylon chiffons and cottons, Oopsy Daisy Baby, inc. has created an inspiring new twist on old favorites.

Oopsy Daisy Baby has been celebrated since its inception for their vintage inspired children’s clothing. The Girly Girl Pettiskirt is a huge favorite amongst fans of the line. Not to be confused with other brands, these pettiskirts feature fine details, including handmade embellishments and custom ribbons. Oopsy Daisy Baby, inc. also provides pettiskirts for dolls, which can be customized to match a little girl’s skirt.

Other highlights of the Oopsy Daisy Baby line include: vintage chenille robes for Mommy and daughter, tank tops with rosettes, vintage chenille bloomers, chenille ribbon tie halter tops and dresses, cap sleeve peasant tops and pantaloons.

My Review

I was sent a Ivory CheetahFaux Fur Vest from Oopsy Daisy Baby's Dew Drops Couture line and a Zebra Pettiskirt from Oopsy Daisy Baby to review. Both of the items I was sent are drop dead gorgeous. The cheetah vest is so fun and stylish. My daughter wore it to preschool with a long sleeve shirt and skinny jeans and all the parents and teachers just about fell over because they couldn't believe how cute it was! I was just as impressed as they were-the vest is super soft-super warm-super chic- and very well made! The Zebra Pettiskirt is full, frilly, and fun. Animal prints are so "in" right now and Oopsy Daisy Baby's Zebra Pettiskirt is as cute as can be! Full of layers and layers of gorgeous fabric Oopsy Daisy Baby's Pettiskirts drape beautifully and are perfect for those 'girlie girls!' Oopsy Daisy Baby's Pettiskirts are ideal for twirling, dress up, picnics in the park, formal activites and photo shoots-the possibilities are endless! The quality of both the items I was sent to review is outstanding...you can tell that much love and item goes into each item made by Oopsy Daisy Baby! I love all of the fun colors and designs Oopsy Daisy Baby has available-no matter who you are shopping for-your niece, daughter, grand-daughter, godchild, cousin, etc. You will be sure to find something absolutely spectacular at Oopsy Daisy Baby!

Follow Oopsy Daisy Baby via Facebook for all the latest deals, giveaways, new items, etc.

Happy Shopping!

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review & Giveaway: Beyond Adorable Kids googoo&gaga T shirt

2011-12-16T10:23:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Congrats Audra! You won the t or onesie of choice!

googoo and gaga hopes to create designs that are both thoughtful and spontaneous, classy yet edgy, effortless yet artsy.
googoo and gaga hopes to introduce a safe and baby-friendly printing technology that renders a super soft, unique all-over look on clothes each time.
googoo and gaga hopes to spread good tidings and cheer, a little bit of fancy and a little bit of crazy with each wearable art piece.

Before we even get started, I just want to say that this is not just any shirt. This, my friends, is one COOL shirt. How cool? Well, look at this kid and tell me he doesn't look awesome:

B is wearing Funky Sneakers with a long sleeved t underneath

I had never heard of googoo and gaga before, so when I went to look I saw the onesies and other fantastic printed t shirts. I think the Urban Ride is one of the most unique onesies I have ever seen.

Art driven onesies that are designed and made in the Philippines. Each piece is uniquely created with a dose of love, a pinch of madness, with full color and super-soft all-over.

They aren't kidding.

Since I have the Funky Sneakers t shirt, there really is so much I can say without you being able to feel and see it in person, I understand that. But- this is not like any other t shirt that my guys own. I don't even have a t shirt this nice. Seriously. When I opened the package I couldn't believe the quality of the material. I don't even know how to explain it---it was just, awesome.

It's tightly woven together, and SUPER soft. It has a quality about it that makes me think it will survive all three of the boys. And that's not even mentioning the unique way the design wraps seamlessly around to the back with every unique image. I really don't know how else to explain the quality of this shirt, but next time you are out and about and see this brand- check it out. You'll know what I mean.

Connect: You can connect with googoo and gaga on their Facebook page.

Buy It: The best place to look for googoo and gaga is at Beyond Adorable Kids, they are the US distributor for the collection! It's also pretty awesome that they offer free shipping anywhere in the US. Prices start around $32 which may seem like quite a bit for a onesie or shirt, but are worth their quality and make a fantastic gift.

Win It! One reader can win their very own shirt or onesie from Beyond Adorable Kids and see what I'm talking about!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: TheSnugg.com

2011-12-15T18:34:00.000-05:00

Getting an iPad/iPad2, Kindle, Kindle Fire, iPod or iPhone for Christmas?

Want to know some of the BEST SELLING protective cases on the market today? They are available at TheSnugg.com. Consistent Five Star Ratings on Amazon have blown the competition out of the water....and its no surprise because once you get your hand on a Snugg product you will know why!

A Bit about TheSnugg.com
TheSnugg.com helps bring quality products to market, whether it is Snuggs own products or others. When Snugg started, one of the first things that was said was ‘we don’t do cheap, we do quality’ and that remains the same now. All of the products Snugg stocks they believe to be great products, in function and quality, and the only reason why TheSnugg.com is selling them is because they actually like the products themselves.

The Snugg brand was born early in 2010 with Snuggs very first iPad case. One of the directors got an iPad and just couldn’t find a case that he was really happy with... and everyone knew people who were saying the same thing. After a discussion (and a few drinks) the directors decided that they should produce a quality iPad case that people would love...

Snugg initially started selling on Amazon once they had the cases made and they were a hit straight away. Snugg saw rapid initial growth because of this and that’s how TheSnugg.com was born.

My Review
I was sent the Snugg's Leather iPad2 Case Cover and Flip Stand in Black Leather and Smugg Smart Cover Companion iPad2 Back Cover in Blackhttp://www.thesnugg.com/iPad-2-Cases/snugg-smart-cover-companion-ipad-2-back-cover-in-black.aspx from TheSnugg.com to review. I am getting a iPad2 for Christmas (and sadly I am not allowed to open it until Christmas) so my friend kindly let me use her iPad2 to help me review the products Snugg sent me to review.

Apple offers one type of cover for their iPad and iPad2 sadly this cover only covers the front of the iPad...well shouldn't the whole iPad be covered? For $500 an iPad is quite the investment so shouldn't it be well protected and taken care of? Well with Snugg's Leather iPad2 Case Cover and Flip Stand in Black Leather it can! Snuggs Leather iPad2 Case Cover retails for $29.99 a small price to pay for amazing protection. The cover features cutouts for the camera, power button, headphone jack, and power cable. It also flips open to become a stand-great for watching shows, typing, reading or chatting with a friend. A handle is also included on the inside cover so that you can securely hold your iPad2. The case is made of a beautiful black leather and keeps the Ipad safe from daily wear, scratches and scuffs.

If you do decide to go with Apple's Smart Cover then you are probably looking for something to protect the rest of your iPad that is exposed. That is where Snugg's Smart Cover Companion-Back Cover in black comes into play. This cover protects the back and sides of the iPad-something the Smart Cover fails to do. I really love that Snugg's Smart Cover Companion is transparent-letting the iPad's true beauty shine through. The Smart Cover Companion also leaves all ports/sockets uncovered for easy access. The case is flexible while still being strong to protect your iPad from wear and tear.

I highly recommend ANY of the products TheSnugg.com offers-they are well made and affordable!

Disclosure

I was sent these products free of charge.

This is no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review & Giveway: FunBites

2011-12-14T14:26:00.000-05:00

Are you sick of cutting your kids food into itty bitty pieces?

Well then that makes two of us!

Don't fret any longer because FunBites is here to save the day-one meal at a time!

A bit about FunBites
Bobbie Rhoads is a mother of two girls-Jackie and Dylan. A few years ago she came up with FUNBITES. Her daughter, Jackie, has always been a great eater. She would eat pretty much whatever you gave her as long as the food was neat and organized. Bobbie's younger daughter, Dylan, was a different story. She was truly picky - she liked the same food all the time, didn't like to try new things, unless it was junk food.

At meals Bobbie and her husband would spend so much time cutting food into small shapes and thought 'Wouldn't it be easier if there was something they could use to create small shapes out of food and into bite sized pieces all at the same time?' Bobbie even thought that maybe her kids would try new foods and eat better; maybe mealtime could be less stressful and more fun...and so FunBites was created!

FunBites cuts food into bite-sized shapes and works on kid-friendly food from lunch meat and cheese to hamburgers, pancakes and fish. Jackie loves FunBites because the food is cut neatly and evenly. Dylan finally eats her food, real food, not junk food.

My Review

I was sent a set of FunBites Cube It and Luv It to review. I won't lie (as most of you already know) my daughter is SUPER picky when it comes to food. I was very excited to try out FunBites to see how my daughter would react to her food being cut up into fun shapes. My first experiment with FunBites was using the Luv it! When I presented my daughter with a sandwich cut up into hearts and other shapes she immediately gasped and happily exclaimed 'look Mom a heart!' To my delight she picked up the heart and placed it in her mouth and gobbled up the piece of sandwich....the rest of the pieces followed...I was amazed and SO happy! Next I used the Cube It on a turkey burger...normally my daughter won't touch anything that isn't made of chicken but again....when I placed the tiny pieces of burger in front of her-her eyes lit up and she gobbled it up. I can't thank FunBites enough for making such a great product. Don't be fooled by products you have tried in the past to cut up your childrens food-FunBites are top rack Dishwasher safe and are easy to use AND THEY WORK- just use the following directions;

Step 1: Place FunBites cutter on top of food. Remove popper top and set to the side.

Step 2: Grab cutter handles on both sides, press down firmly and rock 5-6 times to cut through the food.

Step 3: Lift the cutter up, insert popper top and pop out the bite-sized pieces!

Easy as can be!

FunBites would like to giveaway ONE FunBites {Winners Choice} to one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

A Few Christmas Wishes

2011-12-13T15:30:00.000-05:00

WANT. NEED. READ. WEAR

When my husband and I were engaged we often talked about our future-our plans, our children, etc. One of the things we were adamant about was having 'small' Christmases. Having a small Christmas would help us and our children focus on the REAL meaning of Christmas. You see growing up too many presents were pilled up under my family's Christmas tree....I was a bit confused-I knew that Jesus's birth was the real reason for celebrating Christmas but try telling that to a child surrounded by presents! So my husband and I decided to start our own tradition...read on to learn more....

My husband and I have found it a bit difficult to stay in control when buying presents for each other and our children-I mean who doesn't like giving and receiving? Even so we have found out that our most meaningful Christmases are those filled with few gifts and more family time-filled with good food, scripture reading, and board games.

A great way to start this tradition is to of course start when your children are young but if that isn't possible it is never too late to begin. I find that writing out a list really helps me with Christmas gift giving. I write my children's names on opposite sides of the paper and then write WANT, NEED, READ, WEAR below each of their names (oh and sometimes I add one or two extra categories-for movies, etc.). By creating the four main catagories our children will get something they WANT, NEED, READ (reading is very popular and important in our home), and WEAR. Sure, some years my daughter might NEED new shoes and a umbrella and a dress and if so then I might not spend as much on an extra or another category. Writing a list and using catagories is a great way to keep yourself from overbuying and spending more money then you would like to.

Participate in Family Service together

Growing up my family often participated in 'Secret Santa'-giving money or gifts to families less fortunate than us. That is a tradition my husband and I would like to continue once we are more financially stable. Sometimes when I was younger my family would take us to a place called 'The Madonna House' where we would pack clothing, juvenile furniture, toys, infant formula, diapers, small household items, and other necessary items for infants, children, and families that were experiencing financial difficulty. I still remember filling bags full of toothpaste, soap, and toothbrushes and hearing my parents say that receiving a bag full of toiletries was some peoples 'Christmas'. That really stuck with me and I want my children to always serve others and to always realize that others are always in need of assistance. If you can't donate financially to those in need there are many other ways you can provide service-inviting an elderly person who has no relatives over for Christmas, leaving a surprise package on a neighbors doorstep, writing a letter to a friend telling them how much they mean to you, etc. It doesn't have to take hours of your time-it can be a small little gesture-but that small gesture will mean SO much to someone (though you may never know that!). Here is a video that we love in our home...

A GIFT from ME to you

The last thing I would like to share with you all is an offer to receive a book-for free!-that is very important to me. This book has made me who I am today and I am so grateful for it. This book has given meaning to my life when I have gone through trials and hardships. I truly believe that this book is the word of God and that anyone who reads it and who truly ponders and prays about its truthfulness will know for themselves that it truly is the word of God. To receive your free Book of Mormon please click here. Also, please tune into Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir tonight Tuesday, December 13 @ 8 pm, EST. (Check local listings for channels and exact times).

Happy Holidays!

Disclosure

This post has been written by me and in my words.

Giveaway: Apothica & SkinCareRx

2011-12-13T09:30:00.000-05:00

Apothica and SkinCareRx are celebrating the Holidays with 12 Days of Giveaways beginning today December 13 on their respective Facebook Pages. Apothica and SkinCareRx will be giving away more than $5,000 worth of products via Facebook until December 24^th.

To enter SkinCareRx’s giveaway, go to http://facebook.com/skincarerx

To enter Apothica’s giveaway, go to http://facebook.com/apothica

Giveway: Tulle

2011-12-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

Tulle is one of my favorite places to shop for clothing-but my ultimate favorite selection from Tulle is their outerwear. Ruffles, pockets, buckles, and unique patterns are just a few of the traits found in their wide selection of coats.

A bit about Tulle
At its heart, Tulle has always aimed to design vintage inspired modern clothing. The word itself – tulle – conjures up classic notions of femininity and creativity. Tulle fabric has been a basic building block of gowns, veils and, of course, ballet tutus - all beautifully simple silhouettes that are simultaneously designed with great attention to detail. Tulle strives to capture he essence of tulle”and reflect it in all that they create.

With a desire to start a young contemporary collection at an affordable price point, Tulle was launched in 1999. They began with a small collection that focused on outerwear and sweaters. Since then they have grown and now Tulle offers a full sportswear collection of tops, skirts and dresses. Their formula is simple: they soak up their love of vintage fashion, mix it up with vintage and modern silhouettes, and have fun playing with classic and contemporary prints to create a distinctive brand that is both feminine and sweet. Perfect for a day out on the town that can easily be carried into the evening. Tulle has become an editorial favorite of magazines such as Lucky, In Style, Marie Claire, Real Simple, Glamour and People Style Watch. Aside from being featured in popular magazines, Tulle is also a favorite of many celebrities.

The GIVEAWAY

I own the Single Breast Coat in green and I LOVE it (see my review here), The Single Breast Coat is made of 60% Wool, 40% Viscose and fully lined in 100% polyester. This coat exudes class with a gorgeous cut with sleek clean lines. My favorite feature of the Single Breast Coat is definitely the double pockets...lots of room for mittens, cough drops, tissues, etc. The Coat is super warm and will be keeping one of you VERY nice and cozy this winter!

That's right....

Tulle would like to send one lucky reader a Single Breast Coat

in Black from Tulle!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The company did send me a product or service for review. This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words

Review & Giveaway: Tate's Bake Shop

2011-12-10T22:03:00.000-05:00

Nestled in Southhampton, NY is a quaint little bake shop known as Tate's Bake Shop. Tate's is based in a celadon green Victorian structure with white shutters, framed in flowers, that seems to attract people like bees to a hive. Tate's Bake Shop, is the fairytale culmination of a dream that got started when 11-year-old Kathleen King began baking cookies to sell at her family's farm stand not far out of town. Today, those amazing cookies have attracted a loyal following from coast to coast. Crispy and buttery, rich but not overwhelming, they simply melt in your mouth and just one is never enough. The shelves and bakery cases are filled daily with fresh baked goodies. Devotees flock in for the bread pudding, scones, brownies, berry pies and the signature chocolate chip cookies.

My Review

I was sent a package of White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Chocolate Chip, and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies to review from Tate's Bake Shop. First I must mention that if you are looking for a chewy cookie these are not it. These cookies are crispy, buttery, and super flat. My favorite out of the three were definitely the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies-which is strange because I am a huge lover of Chocolate. The Oatmeal Raisin seemed less crunchy to me and moister than the Chocolate Chip or White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies. I guess I prefer chewier cookies but nevertheless Tate's Bake Shop cookies are delicious and perfectly scrumptious for dessert lovers or Holiday gatherings-yes, they ship worldwide. If you want to place a Holiday order do it NOW as Tate's Bake Shop is extremely busy during the Holidays....and there is no question why they are so busy as these cookies are good! I decided to serve a package of each flavor to our guests at Thanksgiving and the cookies all received rave reviews...the Oatmeal Raisin cookies were voted best cookie by our guests.

Use the code: BLOGGER to receive 15% off Tate's e-bakery

Tate's Bake Shop would like to giveaway a festive, assorted cookie 3-pack (it includes one box of chocolate chip, one box of oatmeal raisin and one box of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies) to one lucky reader!

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Recipe: Oreo Truffles

2011-12-09T23:39:00.000-05:00

Say WHAT?

Oreo Truffles!

Yes, its true-and let me tell you that these taste just as good as they sound!

You will need:
1 package Oreo cookies
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Crush the Oreos-add package of cream cheese to the crushed oreos...mix. Form into balls-place on a cookie sheet and refrigerate until semi-firm. Melt Chocolate over double broiler or in microwave. Remove Oreo truffles from fridge and dip them carefully into the melted chocolate-top truffles with whatever topping you desire-crushed candycanes, cocoa, coconut, nuts...etc. Enjoy!

Review & Giveaway: Blue Turtle Kids

2011-12-08T22:03:00.000-05:00

I believe it is quite sad that I find it rather hard to find clothing that is modest for my little girl-or find it also quite as difficult to find any outfits for my son without sports being the main subject of the clothing (yes, we get it-boys like sports-but do you really have to make millions of outfits with balls and/or sports equipment all over them?). Whenever I see a cute outfit for either of my kids I snatch it up-thankfully I now know about Blue Turtle Kids-where their clothing features boys clothing without all that 'sporty' stuff and little girls clothing for little girls (not little adults!).

A bit about Blue Turtle Kids
Blue Turtle Kids online boutique was started in 2002 as a way to showcase fun and colorful clothing from unique brand name vendors such as Mis-Tee-V-Us, Mulberribush, Wes and Willy, Skivvydoodles, Anita G and more. Blue Turtle Kids wanted to provide Boys and Girls with comfortable, cotton clothing that they loved to wear. They search out current but not trendy clothing that is easy to fit and fun to wear. Their Boys vendors specialize in clothing for boys who have more than just sports on their mind – although they still love ball players…..they just know there are as many rhinocerous and space planet lovers who need their fix too. Girls will find adorable clothing that is sophisticated yet fun. Blue Turtle Kids clothing is made for girls (not little adults) and will make your daughter as happy as her Mom!

Blue Turtle Kids try as much as possible to seek out clothing lines made in the USA. They appreciate homegrown talent and quality clothing for children to wear. Blue Turtle Kids always notes the fabric content of their clothing and they specifically look for easy to fit lines that are free of constricting zippers and buttons for little ones.

My Review
I was sent a Kit and Lili 'Hanna dress in Ink Blue Circles' to review from Blue Turtle Kids. This little dress is not only super adorable but it is also super warm. The dress is made of a soft cotton knit and features two inseam pockets and an empire waist. The dress has also been silk screened with a non-toxic ink. The dress flows beautifully and the pattern is eye catching and bright with big circles. The dress is thankfully machine washable so fun (and messy) times can be had in the Kit and Lili Hanna dress...jumping through muddy puddles? Why not! My daughter absolutely loves this dress-it looks lovely on her and she feels just as beautiful as she looks-and that is what really counts when wearing clothing! Blue Turtle Kids really knows how to choose clothing for kids-unique clothing that will last and keep moms and kids happy!

Blue Turtle Kids would like to give one lucky Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} Reader a $50 Gift Certificate to Blue Turtle Kids (just in time for Holiday Shopping!)

Recipes: Holiday Treats

2011-12-07T23:12:00.000-05:00

It is time to start preparing your Christmas goodies!
I have compiled a link list of yummy treats to share (and to eat).

Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite Holiday recipe!

Two Ingredients-20 minutes

Cookies and Cream: Oreo Bark (via Bakers Royale)

Reindeer Doughnuts-cute idea, right?!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries (made to resemble Christmas lights!)

Dulce De Leche-Chocolate Bars

Salted Caramel Squares (via She Loves Me)

Review & Giveaway: Cuddle Boutique

2011-12-06T15:17:00.000-05:00

A bit about Cuddle Boutique
Kara Chase began Cuddle Boutique when she had her little girl, Olivia.When Kara was pregnant she would tell her husband that when Olivia was born she was going to dress her up, do her hair, and Olivia was also going to have a baby bikini! Kara never thought that it would become an obsession. Kara's life became so consumed with dressing Olivia that she spent literally hours looking online looking for the perfect toddler girl dresses, shoes, swimming suits, accessories, and more. When she found something adorable it literally made Kara smile with excitement. She thought what better way to fulfill her love for children's clothing, than to open her own children's boutique thus Cuddle Boutique was born!

Kara started Cuddle Boutique in October, 2010 and has literally taken over a year to compile a list of all her favorite clothing lines and accessories for children including Luna Luna clothes, Joes Jeans, and Deglingos, just to name a few. Kara is positive that Cuddle Boutique customers will love all of the products and organic kids clothes as much as she does. Kara has personally picked each and every one and she is really excited to share them with everyone.

My Review

I was sent a gorgeous Luna Luna Copenhagen Luxe dress and a Primigi Camicia Rigata Button Up from Cuddle Boutique to review. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful these items are. The Luxe Dress by Luna Luna Copenhagen is sparkly and moves with an airy grace thanks to the two layers of shimmering gold tulle with ruffles along the bottom hem. The bodice is a gathered material with stretch to insure the perfect fit. The straps are covered with faux-fur like ruffles, lace and sequins and a large gold satin bow ties beautifully in a bow around the back of the dress. This dress is unlike ANY other dress I have reviewed-the quality, design, and beauty of the dress is unreal. My daughter LOVES how the dress sparkles (like a real princess) and my husband and I just love how feminine and gorgeous our daughter looks. The 'oohs and ahhs' my daughter receives when wearing this dress are plentiful-are rightly so...it is gorgeous!

The Primigi Camicia Rigata Button Up is a sweet little dress shirt with off white and blue stripes. The shirt is part of Primigi's Fall 2001 line. My little boy looks absolutely ADORABLE and the shirt is perfect for playing or going out. I love the craftsmanship and detail in this little shirt-its amazing-down to the little collar and buttons.

Cuddle Boutique is definitely a shop that I respect and love. The clothing is chosen each season by Kara and each piece of clothing is unique and beautifully crafted. Kara is a joy to work with-her customer service is wonderful. I highly recommend shopping at Cuddle Boutique this Holiday season and all year long.

Kara would like to giveaway a $40 Gift Certificate to Cuddle Boutique to one lucky reader!

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

DEAL: Holiday Dresses, Cosmetics, and more!

2011-12-06T11:19:00.001-05:00

Need a GORGEOUS Holiday dress but don't want to pay an outrageous price for one?

Hautelook has Nicole Miller dresses on sale today for 50-75% off!

I am a HUGE fan of Urbay Decay Cosmetics and their bestselling Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion is $9.00 (originally retails for $18) at Hautelook today.

I LOVE this Eyeshadow Primer Potion as it keeps your eyeshadow on throughout the day and evening (without needing to reapply!).

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Hautelook to get some GREAT gifts for the Holidays!

Free Shipping Day Reminder!

2011-12-05T21:13:00.001-05:00

I know this is not the most earth shattering news ever- since so many retailers are offering free shipping right now, but the OFFICIAL day for almost 2,000 retailers to offer free shipping is FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th with delivery by Christmas Eve!

So, if you're a huge procrastinator like I am, go take a peek at some of the retailers and see if it's worth waiting for! You can also sign up for a free email reminder in the lower left corner.

Happy Free Shipping!
-Farrah

I was not compensated for this post. I just think free shipping rules.

Review & Giveaway: JillieWillie

2011-12-04T21:10:00.000-05:00

A bit about JillieWillie

Jillie Willie was created by Jill Grover, who started sewing at the young age of ten. Jill would take her hand-me-down clothing and would recreate them one piece at a time. Doing this she says "shaped her work ethic and taught her how to work hard for the things she wanted in life." Everything is designed by Jill's 'Jillie Willie' Team-making every piece unique-you won't find these speciality designed products anywhere by Jillie Willie!

Jillie Willie offers a wide variety of products such as; scarves, aprons, bags, shower curtains...etc. Everything offered is bright and cheery and super cute!

My Review

I was sent a Lavender Fields Scarf to review from JillieWillie. The Lavender Fields Scarf is extremely well made and light and airy. It exudes femininity-from the ruffled gathers, floral pattern and lightweight texture to the flowing design of the scarf itself. It can be worn in the hair, around the neck, or even as a belt-the possibilities are endless. Perfect for dressing up any outfit the Lavender Fields Scarf is the perfect accessory for any occasion-I have worn it to church and to a social gathering with friends. Since then I have gotten many inquiries from my friends about where they could purchase a unique scarf of their own-I of course told them JillieWillie.com!

“There’s something about aprons that conjures up unforgettable memories of days gone by, of mothers and kitchens.”

-Jill Grover, owner of Jillie Willie.

Jillie Willie would like to offer one Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} Reader a 'SUGAR' Apron-just in time for all that Holiday baking!

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Crafts: And May All Your Christmases Be Bright....

2011-12-03T22:11:00.000-05:00

It's the Holiday Season....and it is time for some Holiday fun here on

Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}!

Here are some GREAT Holiday Crafts I found around the web...

Check out these Advent Calendars (via Tatertots and Jello)

Katie's Pencil Box has an awesome tutorial to make these ADORABLE glitter letters!

With the economy the way it is most of us are on a tight budget this year...why not make these ADORABLE birds nest necklaces? (via SarahOrtega.com)

Quickbread in a bottle (Via Sunset)

Fabric Scrap Keychains (via Craftiness is Not Optional)

Do you have any Holiday crafts you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below!

Giveaway:GourmetGiftBaskets.com

2011-12-02T22:01:00.000-05:00

Want to send your boss, co-worker, friend, or family member a unique Holiday gift this year? Don't go for something boring...go for something unique, personal, and yummy!

A Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets.com!

A bit about GourmetGiftBaskets.com

Gourmet Gift Baskets.com have been in the gift business since 1940, and are a family run enterprise that is big enough to handle a 10,000 basket order, yet not too big where they can't give you personalized attention. Gourmet Gift Baskets.com have tons of different gift baskets to choose from...Tex-Mex, Organic, Italian, Breakfast, Snack, Seafood, Fruit, Holidays...the list goes on and on. Gourmet Gift Baskets can also fit anyones budget, baskets range in price from under $50.00 to over $125. So you will be sure to find the perfect gift for the special someone in your life at GourmetGiftBaskets.com!

GourmetGiftBaskets.com would like to offer one Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} Reader a lovely Classic Christmas Gift Basket to help kick off the Holiday Season!

Review: Holiday Beauty Picks

2011-12-01T21:54:00.000-05:00

I LOVE beauty products. So for any of my friends out there who are wondering what to get me for Christmas this year...

One of my favorite companies is Tweezerman-they make the BEST tweezers. Sick of sitting in front of the mirror for 20 minutes plucking away at those hairs that have gone haywire? STOP! With Tweezerman Tweezers it takes me less than 5 minutes to pluck my eyebrows and Tweezerman tweezers come in the cutest designs and a wide variety of colors. Tweezerman has more than just tweezers...how about nose hair trimmers, or eyelash curlers? Tweezerman has those too! So stop suffering...get yourself a GREAT pair of Tweezerman Tweezers-you'll thank me!

My Review

I was sent a Special Edition Polka Dot Crystal Slant Tweezer from Tweezerman to review. These tweezers are to die for-super cute, super sparkly and sharp enough to get the smallest hair out of the way! These tweezers have become quite the conversation piece and my friends all want to get their own for Christmas (husbands take note!). Once you own a Tweezerman tweezer you will own it for life!

Huh? Let me explain....

You see Tweezerman offers a FREE Sharpening service-They sharpen their tweezers, nippers, and scissors which will become dull through normal use FREE for as long as the implement can be resharpened! No processing fees-No Shipping and Handling Fees on return! So what are you waiting for?....Get yourself a little something you deserve this Holiday season...(hint, hint..Tweezerman Tweezers!).

Everything about eos – from their ingredients to the irresistible feel and scent of their lotions and creams and balms – is created to be pretty remarkable...and remarkably pretty.

eos fits a woman's sense of style and also lets her have fun in the process of getting more beautiful.

My Review

I was sent the Limited Edition Organic Lip Balm Smooth Spheres Trio from eos to review. This Limited Edition trio comes with the following balms; Strawberry Sorbet, Sweet Mint and Passion Fruit. They are 95% organic and 100% natural (and paraben and petrolatum free!) and keep lips soft and supple. I normally have to re-apply my lip balm every few hours but with eos Lip Balm I can go much longer without having to re-apply and for a busy Mom like me that is very important. I also love that I can use eos products on my children since they are organic and natural!

So if you have a beauty product lover in your family and you are looking for a gift be sure to stop by Tweezerman and eos's website-you will be sure to find some great products at great prices for the Holidays!

I was sent this product free of charge.

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

DEAL: Corso Como Flats at Hautelook!

2011-11-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

Fa La La LA LA!

Merry Christmas to ME!

I just scored a super cute pair of Corso Como flats for $30 (regularly $60) from Hautelook today! These shoes are the most comfortable flats EVER (I have a pair in Gold-and my sister wore Corso Como on her wedding day-told you they are comfortable!)

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry-this is a great deal and I am positive that these will sell out fast!

Visit Hautelook now!

Giveaway: Mikarose

2011-11-29T16:45:00.000-05:00

Mikarose has the prettiest selection of modest clothing! I love browsing through to see what new items have been added each season. My favorite item for this season has to be the Evelyn dress...it is unique, gorgeous, and classic.

A bit about Mikarose
Mikarose is a clothing company that specializes in modest, elegant and fashionable dresses. Our company's idea evolved when the owners realized how difficult it was to find modest dresses in today's market. We are sure you have had similar experiences when looking for a modest dress. After many frustrating outings, we formed Mikarose. Our goal is to provide an extensive line of modest dresses, without having to sacrifice style. You will be able to wear our line to a broad range of functions: from everyday events to corporate parties. We hope to not only meet the needs of women looking for modest wear, but all those who are seeking elegant dresses.

Mikarose would like to offer one lucky Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} reader a $50 gift certificate to Mikarose....just in time for the Holidays!

DEAL: Juicy Couture on Hautelook today!

2011-11-29T11:13:00.001-05:00

Juicy Couture is on Hautelook today-up to 50-75% off! Bags, Shoes, Clothing, Scarfs, Sunglasses, etc!

Juicy Couture is a designer brand that girls love-any of the items would make PERFECT Holiday gifts!

Hurry-because items are going FAST!

Click here to visit Hautelook!

Deals: CyberMonday!

2011-11-28T09:32:00.001-05:00

You know when you find something that is just TOO good to be true?

Well I have found it...and it is called HauteLook!

I mean where can you find this....

for $11?

An Emile Henry pot for $20

Cloud B Ladybug for $8.00!

The deals go on and on and on...

So check out Hautelook for some GREAT deals

(CyberMonday and ALL year long!)

Join Hautelook by clicking here