WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
INSERT INTO wp_postmeta (post_id,meta_key,meta_value)VALUES (1,'enddate','')

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
INSERT INTO wp_postmeta (post_id,meta_key,meta_value)VALUES (1,'shortname','')

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8329,8333,8367,8377,8382,8391,8396,8402,8410,8419,8424,8436) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

Frugal Novice

Del Monte Fresh Produce is Giving Away $50 Coupon Booklets to Facebook Fans!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (1567,7813) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

Enter today and load up on Del Monte Fresh Produce (DMFP) fruits and veggies during the holidays to stay healthy without packing on the pounds.

Fresh fruits and veggies, and sticking to your existing exercise plan, will give your body the extra vitamins and energy it needs to make it through all the shopping, parties, family gatherings and fun.

To help its fans stay healthy, DMFP is giving away 200 $50.00 fresh produce coupon booklets to Facebook fans. Simply enter the promotion by clicking here between December 3 -14, 2012. Fans who receive the coupons will be selected randomly and notified by December 16th.
Del Monte Fresh Produce tips to staying healthy during the holidays:

  • Eat a piece of fruit or two before the party to help curb your appetite.
  • Head for the crudité platter to fill up on veggies (and vitamins), rather than high caloric cheeses and dips.
  • Go for the grapes on a cheese platter and ignore the cheese and crackers.
  • Bring a veggie or fruit platter with low-fat dip, like yogurt or hummus, to a party so you know their will be something healthy to eat.
  • Serve fresh homemade salsa with baked tortilla chips as a low fat appetizer option.
  • Roast fresh veggies with a little olive oil instead of sautéing in butter.
  • Go for a walk with guests at a party before or after your meal. It’s a great way to be social and get your heart rate up.
  • Squeeze in an extra long and vigorous workout on party days.
  • For healthy, delicious recipes using Del Monte Fresh Produce, go to www.fruits.com.

Good luck and Happy Healthy Holidays!

Join in on the #LittleChefs Twitter Party December 6!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (6614,8421) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

I have had SO much fun being a part of all the Little Chefs activities over the past couple of months. Between our eBook and the Cook Alongs, it’s really been a blast! Did you know that J and I even made it on to the Chef Boyardee YouTube channel? We feel pretty honored to be featured by such a great brand.

There’s another event coming up that I think you’ll want to be a part of – a Twitter party! If you’re like me and the holidays get you in the mood to cook, then you’ll love talking about holiday moments in the kitchen – I’ll be there too! (@FrugalNovice). Here are the details:

What: Join us for a Twitter Party to celebrate special holiday moments with family in the kitchen, inspired by The Little Chefs Project, the first-ever crowd sourced e-book on cooking with little chefs! In partnership with Chef Boyardee, The Motherhood and 40 fantastic mom bloggers have written a virtual book that will truly make you feel like a kid again. From creating family time in the kitchen to bonding over everyday and holiday fun, we have tips and recipes for creating kitchen magic with your family.

When: Thursday, December 6, 2-3 p.m. ET

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #LittleChefs hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/littlechefs

Hashtag: #LittleChefs

Prizes: Chef Boyardee will give away five total prizes, each consisting of a Chef Boyardee Pizza Kit, coupons, a Chef hat, apron and cookie cutters. Winners will be chosen randomly from among participants who respond correctly to trivia questions.

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann

That’s not all the fun Chef Boyardee has up his sleeve, though – you can also go to Facebook and make a fun e-card that showcases you in the kitchen with Chef Hector Boiardi! You can see a screen shot of me above – I’m so good at tossing pizza dough that it’s almost up to the ceiling. Impressive, right?  Click here to get started on your e-card. Your kids will love this one, too. :)

Have fun!!! And don’t forget to join me at the Twitter party on Thursday!

Note: I am participating in the Chef Boyardee Little Chefs program with The Motherhood. I have been compensated for my time.  All thoughts and opinions are honest and are my own.

Holiday Travels

07 model, 08 model, 09 model, 10 model, 11 model, 12 model, 13 model, 2007 model, 2008 model, 2009 model, 2010 model, 2011 model, 2012 model, 2013, model, appraisal, appraisement, asking price, auto, automobile, build, buy kia, car dealer, dealership, design, drive, estimate, forte, forte koup,, fuel efficiency, fuel efficient, gas mileage, hybrid model, kia, kia auto, kia automobile, kia dealership, kia forte, kia forte koup, kia hybrid, kia koup, kia optima, kia optima hybrid, kia optima turbo, kia sales, kia sorento, kia soul, kia website, kia.com, koup, lease, list price, make, miles per gallon, mpg, optima, optima hybrid, optima turbo, price quote, price estimate, rebate, sorento, soul, test drive, vehicle, warranty, forte koup, k

We are big Kia fans after having the opportunity to test drive the Sorento for a week last year. And with road trips coming up, having a roomy, reliable, luxurious-feeling vehicle is definitely a priority!

We have two little boys (aged 3 & 5) and now a daughter too (almost 3 months old!) so we have a lot to travel with. A car with plenty of storage space is crucial for us to travel comfortably, for sure! We also think strategically about ways to keep the road trip going smoothly – I’ve written about some of our tips for road trip survival in the past.

What are your funniest or favorite road trip memories? Share them in the comments!

Note: Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors.

We Have A Visitor for the Holidays!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8426,8427,8433,8434,8432,8431,8430,8429,8425) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

The boys have been excited for December to arrive for a while now. We have several traditions that they love all building up to Christmas, and they couldn’t wait to get started! Little did they know we’d have a visitor this year that will bring even more fun!

One day between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, a good elf friend magically arrives. From the time the Elf arrives until Christmas Eve (Santa picks up each Elf to help him deliver presents), the Elves truly become part of the family. They tag along on family excursions, go to school, help with chores, and will occasionally embark on silly adventures, known as Elfcapades™, at nighttime. When children awake in the morning, they’re often excited and mystified to see what their magical Elf has been up to! For families who want to join the Elf Magic tradition, children have only to write Santa to ask if he can send a new Elf friend to the child’s home.

The goal of a visiting Elf Magic Elf is to spread joy, love, and kindness and also to ignite the Christmas spirit and reinforce the true meaning of Christmas. Children form a strong bond with their magical friend, and look forward to their Elf’s return each year.
Our elf is named Orville, and he even has blonde hair like the boys!
Orville is in a different spot each morning – and if he’s in his bag when the boys find him, they know it means he has a special treat for them! Here are some of the spots the boys have found Orville:
In our Legos
By their toothbrushes (in his bag, with a special treat!)
Trying to take off on a Lego airplane
Going for a spin on our ceiling fan
Resting in baby sister’s car seat
Snagging some candy out of our candy bowl!
The kids love finding out what Orville’s next Elfcapade will be!
Do you want an Elf Magic elf to come visit your family too? There are all kinds of different elves available to be your kids’ new friend. To learn more about Elf Magic and this fun tradition, visit Elf Magic online. You can also connect with Elf Magic on Facebook and Twitter to hear about the fun Elfcapades that Santa’s elves have been on!
Note: I received items for review. I have not been compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Tools for IKEA Furniture Assembly

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8397) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

Furniture from IKEA is sleek, stylish and modern. A large portion of our house is furnished from IKEA – in fact, we just added this cabinet from there to our kitchen a couple of weeks ago – it serves as a great pantry, don’t you think?

IKEA furniture is also, more than likely, unassembled. The great thing about IKEA items are the detailed instructions and easy assembly. Here are the most common tools to have on hand prior to assembling or building IKEA furniture.

Screwdriver
Screwdrivers are handy tools for any type of furniture assembly, particularly IKEA items. Flat-head and Philips screwdrivers should be part of the tool kit. A wide variety of sizes is not particularly necessary. Most IKEA furniture assembly only requires a screwdriver of moderate size. However, having a miniature screwdriver nearby could be useful for fixing building mistakes or making adjustments.

Hammer
No furniture-building project is safe without a hammer. IKEA furniture assembly typically does not necessitate the use of a hammer. However, if a wooden peg does not fit a hole when it should, a swift, careful blow from a hammer could do the trick.

Wood Glue
Speaking of pegs, officially known as dowels, a container of wood glue should be part of your building kit. IKEA furniture frequently substitutes dowels for screws. Using wood glue is a great way to fortify the furniture’s construction.

Allen Wrench
Allen wrenches (also known as hex keys) are probably THE ubiquitous tool for building IKEA furniture. In fact, so many of IKEA’s furniture designs require the use of an Allen wrench that the tool is included with many of its purchases. Buying enough furniture items from IKEA probably racks up a surplus of these wrenches for future use. However, it never hurts to have one — just in case the item does not include an Allen wrench.

Something About Silver Review & {Giveaway}!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8378,8376,2164) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

As a proud mom to my three kids, I love having jewelry to represent them and their importance to me.  Something About Silver provides beautiful custom jewelry stamped by hand in their studios near the sunny beaches of Clearwater, Florida. I got the opportunity to review their sterling silver stacked rings – aren’t they pretty? I chose to have all three kids’ names stamped on one ring, but you could easily do one name on each ring and stack those together – I think that would look really nice too.

They have a lot of other options as well, from bracelets to necklaces to charms, to things for guys like dog tags, guitar picks or key chains. And if you use the coupon code FN10 you’ll get 10% off (coupon good until Friday, December 14). Be sure and sign up for their newsletter while you’re there – you’ll get great content including news on their products and specials! When you visit their site you’ll see the newsletter signup in the left sidebar toward the bottom.

Excited about the coupon code? Well, how about something else great? You might just win a $40 gift certificate to spend on the Something About Silver site!

One winner will receive a $40 Something About Silver gift certificate.

This contest is open to all U.S. residents aged 18+. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day (midnight Central) Tuesday, December 11. By entering this giveaway you agree to the Official Rules.

Note: I received rings from Something About Silver to facilitate my review, and they are providing the giveaway. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Personal Creations Review – Custom Holiday Gifts for Everyone

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8392,8375) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

When you give someone a personalized gift, it just takes it to another level – it shows that you’ve really thought about the recipient and have made the effort to get something special. Personal Creations is filled with options that ll allow for customization, letting you easily give a gift that is completely unique and original.

We got to review an item from Personal Creations and I chose to pick something for Brian’s grandparents. They love getting photos of the kids, so I knew a frame would be perfect. The personalization will make it an extra-special gift, don’t you think?

The frame is solid and a nice large size. It’s really well-made and I love that it has three spots – perfect for our three kids! Plus, each of the three frames rotates so we can have two photos in each frame.

Personal Creations really has gifts for almost anyone on your list – gifts for her, for him, for kids; frames, kitchen items, jewelry, blankets, ornaments, stockings, pocket knives, and more! You can even get 25% off your entire order with this code – BLOGGER25.

Note: We received the frame to facilitate our review. We were not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are our own.

Zutano Baby Clothes Will Brighten Up Your Holidays {Giveaway!}

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8372,8368,8370,8369,8371) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

Since having E in September, I’ve gotten back in to the whole world of shopping for baby clothes. And I have to admit I love it. Tiny clothing is just plain cute. In our city, I’m pretty limited to a few select stores, so online shopping is what really provides me with opportunities for unique clothes for her. Zutano is one of those stores that I could go broke at if I weren’t careful!

We got sent two outfits, both of which I absolutely adore. The first is a Penny Lane peasant top and baby skinny leggings to go with it. The colors on this outfit just pop, and we got a ton of compliments on it when we were out.

The second outfit we received just screams coziness. It’s the fuschia cozie elf onesie (although I think of it more as a sleeper), and it is just stinkin’ cute, there’s no doubt about it. We got the baby booties that go along with it, too.

I had E wear this outfit on a rare cold Texas day, and it was just perfect. It kept her warm from head to toe, and it makes for some pretty great photo opps, too.

There are truly an abundance of items on Zutano’s site that I would love to snatch up for E – and they have great little boys’ clothes, too! If you’re as in love with their clothes as I am, you’re going to be thrilled to find out I get to give away a $75 Zutano e-gift card to one lucky recipient!

One winner will receive a $75 Zutano e-gift card.

This contest is open to all U.S. residents aged 18+. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day (midnight Central) Monday, December 10. By entering this giveaway you agree to the Official Rules.

Note: I received clothing from Zutano to facilitate my review, and they are providing the giveaway. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ladies: How to Look Better in Your Clothes – Find the Right Bra!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8404) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

With the range of bras available today that are designed to flatter all shapes and sizes choosing a new bra need not be a practical decision; leave boring bras behind and add something nice to your lingerie drawer.

No matter what your shape or size, there are bras to enhance, shape and flatter to give you comfort and confidence and have you looking fabulous.

Although many may not like to hear it this first step is non-negotiable; bite the bullet and visit the underwear department for a professional bra fitting. Many women find that they have been wearing the wrong size for years and you will be surprised at the difference a proper bra fitting can make. Often the assistant will be able to advise on the best style for your size and might even grab you a few to try on if you are lucky.

From Balconetts to Plunge bras to Strapless to T-shirt bras it is crucial to have the perfect size. But next is the fun part; there is a great range of designs and styles to suit any occasion or outfit, and you can enjoy experimenting with the different looks achieved through different styles of bra.

The most difficult sizes to find are the fuller cup sizes such as DD+. Some designs of bras designed for smaller busts tend to be designed to create a cleavage and usually incorporate padding and shaping. If you are large on top then avoid these types of bras.

However, a great type of bra to wear if you are curvier is the full bra or the somewhat sexier balconett bra. Similar to a ‘half-cup’ or ‘demi-bra’, the balconett offers effective support, lifting the boobs upwards rather than together. The open neckline is flattering and enhances the subtle shape created by this simple lift. The designs are usually a little more glamorous than your average t-shirt bra and are often made with lace and detailing. Also, basques are a good alternative if you are looking for something different for that special occasion. To find Panache Bras and other great value lingerie, check out mycurvesandme.com.

Jalapeno Roll-Ups & Apple Pie Recipes with Great Value Crescent Roll Dough

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8339,8344,8338,8336,8352,8343,8351) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

I posted the other day about prepping for my Great Value baking party. Well, I had it last Thursday and it was SO MUCH FUN! It was originally supposed to be at my house, but when my husband came down with a nasty stomach bug my friend Jennifer graciously offered to let us have it at her house – whew, party saved!

Like I mentioned in my other post, we made an appetizer and pies. For the appetizer we used Great Value crescent roll dough & cream cheese, and then cooked, crumbled bacon and diced, roasted jalapenos.

Jennifer and I worked together on the appetizers, making quick work of them. She cut the crescent dough triangles in half, then I spread the cream cheese while she topped with the bacon and jalapenos. We made a great team!

Here’s Jennifer with the tray all ready to go in the oven:

And then check out the finished product – don’t they look delicious?

If you like bacon-wrapped jalapenos you’ll love these. I think they’d be a show-stopper at any party! With the crescent roll dough they’re not quite as spicy, so they are good for a broader audience. You could add toothpicks to these and make a really pretty and user-friendly platter! (Recipe is here)

By using Great Value crescent dough and cream cheese, it’s really affordable, too – I spent about $7 in ingredients to make these – not bad at all. And I promise, they tasted just as good as if we’d used more expensive “brand name” products (better, really, with knowing I was saving money)!

Since the appetizers were so quick we spent most of our time on the pies – well, that or holding baby E, who came along with me since Brian wasn’t really in a state to care for our 2-month-old. We decided to just make apple pies to keep things simple.

Kristi started prepping the apples – we went through 2 bags (about 16 apples) to make 8 pies. This peeler/corer/slicer made quick work of it, and it was easy enough that she could rock E with her foot while she worked (plus she’s an amazing multitasker like that)! And Amanda worked on getting the recipe multiplied out to make 8 pies.

As a reminder, we used this apple pie recipe from allrecipes.com. It’s really simple and only includes seven ingredients:

  • Great Value Pie Crust (2)
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Flour
  • Water
  • White Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Granny Smith Apples

We also decided to add a little bit of nutmeg and cinnamon for some added depth of flavor – plus, I think those flavors are perfect for fall holidays, don’t you? They also helped to cut some of the sweetness – perfect!

Amanda and Jennifer worked on the filling for the pies while I held E for a little bit (For the record, I’m not a fan of this photo but it’s the only one of me so here it is!):

Kristi and I filled the pie shells with apples. We got deep dish crusts, which I’d always recommend – they leave more room for filling! :)

Amanda and Kristi cut some extra crusts into lattice pieces for the top of the pies. I told them they looked like they were having fun, and Amanda cheesed it up for the camera. :)

Once the lattices were placed across the pies, we just poured the filling over the top of everything. We just did two pies right then, since the rest of us were taking them home with us.

Pre-oven:

Post-oven:

So pretty, right? And sooo delicious! Since the rest of us were taking our pies home to bake, Jennifer put filling in containers for us and covered up the pie shells with apples. This made it easy to travel with!

So, as you can see we had a really great time – in fact, we can’t wait for our next baking party (which is coming up soon)! What baking do you have planned for Thanksgiving? Have you ever done baking parties with your friends?

Note: I am participating in the Great Value program with The Motherhood. I have been compensated for my time.  All thoughts and opinions are honest and are my own.

 

Free Cards from Shutterfly.com!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8330) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

Shutterfly makes it easy for people to create and send one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Their cards are perfect for holidays, birthdays, congrats, thank yous and every occasion in between. It’s fun, easy, and totally personal.

With the holiday fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to let that special someone know that you’re thinking of them with a totally unique, personalized greeting card from Shutterfly. Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday, or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress.

So, be sure and pop on over to Shutterfly.com and create a special card for a special someone in your life!

Note: I am receiving free Treat cards for writing this post. I am not being compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Get One Step Ahead on your Holiday Gift Shopping!

WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]
SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8383,8384,8385,8387,8386) ORDER BY meta_id ASC

Ever since having our first son a little over five years ago, One Step Ahead has been on my radar as a high-quality site for parents. Their company was founded by two parents, Karen and Ian Scott, who wanted the best products for their own kids—and a smarter, easier way to find them.

When I first learned about the site I thought of it as a place to find necessities, but they’ve also got a wide variety of great toys, too. We got to experience some of their selection recently when we reviewed the Bosch Junior Toy Workbench, Toolbox & Tool Set.

The workbench allows kids to hammer the nails into the pounding bench, use the screwdriver to turn the gears, or tighten and loosen the vice. Kids can even screw nuts and bolts into plastic 2 x 4s. The 17-piece construction set includes toy tools, fasteners, and even a kids’ hardhat, which the boys both love wearing.

The bench was really easy to put together – no tools needed, ironically. :) It’s a great size for little ones, but our five-year-old kneeled to play at it and really had fun with it too. They especially enjoyed putting the gears in different holes and making them work together.

The toolbox comes with six toy tools that look like grown ups’. It includes toy hammer, saw, screwdriver, wrench…even a whirring toy power drill!

    

It isn’t in my photo, but the toolbox has a yellow tray in it, which made it perfect for two little boys who both wanted to cart tools around. One would carry the tray while the other had the box, making it a good solution for sharing. Everything held up really well to the typical rough play of two little boys, so we were impressed with how durable it is, too.

So, when you’re thinking about holiday gifts for the little ones in your life, be sure and check out One Step Ahead and have quality options at your fingertips!

Note: We received the workbench and tool box to facilitate this review. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.