Showing posts with label Holidays Made Easy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays Made Easy. Show all posts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
About the Mini MPL
The Zippo Min i MPL is easy to use, with an advanced soft-touch ignition system and an adjustable flame dial. Made of durable metal, the Mini MPL features a patented child-resistent safety button to keep your little ones safe. The Mini is avaiable is four colors; Pink (my personal favorite), Sea Foam, Cabernet, and Pearl.
The Zippo Candle Lighters Get a Festive look!!!
I received the mini MPL in Snowflake for my review. First off it comes in a cute gift box that is made to resemble a ladies clutch...such genius! I can't tell you how many times I've used my cute little Zippo mini MPL to light candles, even candles that have definitely seen better days...I love it! It doesn't hurt that the mini MPL makes holiday entertaining such much easier either!
Pick one up to use for your next holidsay party and while you're at it grab a few to give as gifts!
Buy it!
The mini MPL classic colors are available online for $14.95 and stylish designs are available for $19.95!
*I received the above mentioned product(s) for my review. Opinions are 100% mine and were not influenced by monetary compensation*
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The holiday season is without a doubt the most wonderful time of the year (love that song), and it’s also one of the most stressful! Around this time every year I can start to feel the tension in my neck and back brought on by the magical holiday season (if it were really magical Santa would get me a GC to my local salon *wink* *wink*). And while there are many ways that we choose to de-stress ourselves it always seems like I can never find the time to get myself to the local salon for a massage, or take a long, hot bath by myself at night, I always end up forgetting about me and worrying about everyone else through the Christmas season. While I can’t make all of the stress in your life go away with this one post (one can only dream) I can help you out by introducing you to something that may help lower your stress level this holiday season (and all year round).
New U Mind Body Yoga & Pilates Workout utilizes the technology of Wii MotionPlus™ and the Wii Balance Board™ accessory to track program users’ movements through a yoga and Pilates program designed to meet their specific goals. Unlike many programs offered, NewU isn’t just a glorified workout video or minigame collection – it provides real-time feedback based on the performance of each move, offering encouragement and instruction at every step. What’s more, NewU uses video of professional trainers instead of cartoon avatars to ensure that users receive the best possible instruction in achieving strength & balance with over 115 yoga & Pilates exercises.
You can check out a few of the screen shots as well as a video introduction to New U Mind Body Yoga & Pilates Workout below!
I feel relaxed just thinking about it! The cool thing is that NewU isn’t even available in stores yet and I have one to give away to all of you amazing ladies and gents!
Buy it!
New U Mind Body Yoga & Pilates Workout for Wii will be available December 7, 2010 in North American , for a suggested retail price of $29.99. It is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB!
Win it: Mandatory Entry!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment on this post telling me why you need to de-stress this holiday season! This is mandatory and must be completed before any extra entries are allowed!
Extra Entries!
Please leave separate comments for each extra entry, please also include your email address in your comment or make sure that it is visible on your profile!
1 Extra Entry Each
Tell me your favorite way to de-stress
Enter any (or all) of MIBR Current Giveaways (1 extra entry for each giveaway entered)
2 Extra Entries Each
Follow MIBR on GFC
Subscribe to MIBR via Email
Follow MIBR on Networked Blogs
Stumble MIBR 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: http://misadventuresinbabyraising.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-misadventures-in-baby-raising_04.html
3 Extra Entries Each!
***Clarification!!! It was brought to my attention that this part of the Extra Entry options is a bit confusing so I want to clear up any doubt. For Tweeting (which you can do daily, up to 3 times) you get 3 extra entries each time you Tweet. So if you Tweet tomorrow only once that is 3 extra entries…or if you Tweet tomorrow all three times that is 9 extra entries.
For Facebook you can only share once daily, but that one time is worth 3 extra entries as well. I hope I made it a little easier to understand…if you still have questions please feel free to email me @ a_proffitt79(at)yahoo(dot)com!***
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (be sure to include @Allie_23 in your Tweets)
Share this giveaway on Facebook
5 Extra Entries Each
Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post
Submit this giveaway to a giveaway linky or site (please leave a link to your submission)
**If you’ve entered all of MIBR Current Giveaways (accessible on the sidebar) you can get 5 extra entries into this giveaway. Just leave 5 comments saying “I’ve entered all of MBIR giveaways!”**
This giveaway ends on December 14 , 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. One winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post. Winner will have 48 hours to claim his prize, failure to do so within 48 hour time-frame will result in winner forfeiting his prize and mew choosing a new winner.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Whether your hosting a holiday party or just looking for the perfect sweet treat to wow your boss at the office Christmas party, Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes are for sure the right choice! Available in 3 deliciously sinful varieties (Classic Carrot Cake, Apple Carmel Cake, and Triple Chocolate Cake) these cake mixes are far from your typical cake mix!
I recently had the chance to try all three varieties of Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes (just one of the perks of the job folks) and I was very impressed. Being a total non-baker, I use cake mix all.the.time, to tell you the truth I wouldn’t even know where to start making a cake from scratch. I have to be honest and tell you that I do prefer Duncan Hines cake mixes, because to me they just taste better, but I had never tried their line of Decadent Cakes before my review. I love carrot cake (it is probably my favorite cake ever) so I knew that I would enjoy the Classic Carrot variety of Decadent Cakes, and I most certainly did. From real pieces of carrot and plump, juicy raisings to the to-die cream cheese icing, this cake was everything an exceptional carrot cake should be…and then some! My least favorite of the three was the Apple Carmel, but that’s because I don’t particularly care for apple anything. My kids do love apples and really loved the cake, I chose not to use the glaze and served it with vanilla ice cream…needless to say they completely gobbled it up! My absolute favorite of the three Decadent Cakes though was the Triple Chocolate…hands down! Normally I don’t enjoy chocolate (I know how weird that sounds, but it’s true) so I was very surprised when after one bite of the Triple Chocolate I was hooked. I opted to make the Incredible Middles Triple Chocolate Cupcakes instead of the standard cake and I was so glad I did. Check out the step-by-step directions below and be sure to keep these divine cupcakes in mind next time you need something sweet and chocolaty…these will impressed everyone!
Incredible Middles Triple Chocolate Cupcakes
1 box Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake mix
1 container of Duncan Hines Chocolate frosting (or Duncan Hines® Chocolate Amazing Glazes)
Directions
1. Preheat Oven to 350° F. Place 14-16 liners in muffin cups. (Tip: Spray top of pan with cooking spray for cupcakes to release from pan easier.)
2. Mix batter according to directions. Spoon batter into muffin tin, about 2/3rds of the way full. You will have enough batter for 14-16 cupcakes.
3. Mix chocolate pouch as directed on box. Spoon a heaping teaspoon of chocolate on top of the batter. Do not mix into batter. Allow the chocolate to sit on the surface of the cupcake.
4. Bake for 21-24 mins. Cupcakes will be golden brown and spring back when touched in center. Allow to cool completely before glazing or frosting.
5. Place approximately 6 TBSP chocolate frosting in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds or until frosting resembles a glaze. With cupcakes on the cooling rack (**TIP TIME Make clean up easy by placing waxed paper or aluminum foil underneath wire cooling rack**) lighting drizzle the warm icing over the cupcakes.
6. Eat and enjoy! The warm chocolaty center will have your taste buds begging for more.
These cupcakes (or any of the yummy Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes) will make a huge impression at any holiday event so make sure you keep a box on hand for just such an occasion! Happy Baking!
**I received Decadent Cake Mixes from Duncan Hines to facilitate this review…the opinions expressed are my own**
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Easy Entertaining
I’ve compiled a list (with a little help) of helpful tips to help you be the Hostess with the Mostess this holiday season.
Don’t try to do it all!
This used to be my biggest problem. I would offer to host Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner at my house and then take on the responsibility of cooking EVERYTHING, cleaning, making sure my guests were having a good time, making sure the kids weren’t climbing the Christmas tree and I had no time to hang out with my guests and enjoy the party! After about 3 years of hosting holiday dinners I decided that it was alright to ask for help…so I did. To my amazement my guests were more than happy to bring covered dishes and deserts, plastic silverware, and drinks and ice. As soon as I stopped putting so much pressure on myself my holiday parties became even bigger and better than they were before…and now I have time to spend with my guests and enjoy the parties…and I love that!
Make a Menu ahead of time!
This is something else that has proven to be a huge timesaver for not only me, but my guests as well. I usually set aside one day to call up my guests and find out what they would like to bring, if doubles happen I try to help my guests decide on something else by suggesting other dishes that no one has volunteered to bring yet. I find that by making a menu there are NO SURPRISES and that is always a good thing…after all, no one is going to be happy if Great Aunt Gertrude brings enough fruit cake to feed a small army!
Make sure everyone knows how much they are expected to bring!
I have had the problem before of some people cooking too much and some people not bringing enough. When I compile my menu I always tell guests how many people are coming so that they know how much to bring!
Crock Pots are your friend!
I always ask my guests to bring their crock pots with them (if their dishes are not already in them). I use them to keep the food warm while we are waiting to eat…they are a huge time saver and the mashed potatoes don’t get cold!
Do take a little help from the store!
I know that most people would prefer to make everything from scratch, but the reality is that no one has time to make pie crusts from scratch or spend hours making shrimp puffs. I always take short cuts from the store when I can…it saves me time and sanity! Some of my favorite appetizers are from Farm Rich, they seriously have everything from meatballs to mini Philly Cheese Steak bites! You MUST check them out!
Dos and Don’t of Holiday Entertaining
Do bring a hostess gift!
Even if it is something as simple as a homemade pie or cake, the hostess will definitely appreciate the gesture! You may even get an extra slice of your favorite desert out of the deal! One of my favorite hostess gifts (to give and to receive) are from The Swiss Colony…they have so many mouthwatering goodies that you’ll have a hard time choosing just one! I recommend bring your hostess a Jolly Wink Santa cake…they are so cute and SO yummy!
Do help clean up!
This is something that I cannot stress enough!!!! Even if disposable plates, forks, and cups were used there is still so much to clean up after a family gathering. Roll up your sleeves and don’t be afraid to help the hostess…she will be forever grateful!
Don’t Assume your hostess will be alright with you springing last minute guests on her!
It is a lot of work planning for any holiday get-together and most hostesses have everything down to how many cloth napkins she needs to press worked out in her head. Deciding at the last minute to bring your new boyfriend Bobby and his 4 kids to Christmas dinner unannounced is NOT alright! While most gracious hostesses would smile (through gritted teeth) and set 5 more places at the dinner table, it is wrong to expect that it will be ok. Simply calling and confirming with your hostess how many guests will be coming with you takes only a minute or two and saves your hostess so much unanticipated work!
I like to incorporate fun into our get-togethers! Every year at our annual Christmas Party we come up with a whole new set of games, stories, and fun stuff for the kids to do…and I must admit most of the adults enjoy it as well! Here are a few of our favorite games from years past!
Santa Bingo: This is ALWAYS a hit with everyone, it’s easy enough for most of the children and still a ton of fun for the adults. I’ve personally made the bingo cards and they are a breeze. Directions below:
What you need
Cardstock
Christmas stamps
Different colored ink
Cut the cardstock into bingo sized rectangles, and make a grid that is 5 across and 6 down. Across the top write SANTA. Then fill in the remaining squares with different Christmas images using the stamps. In the middle I always place a star as the free spot. We cut small squares out of cardstock to make the call slips. We always place the call slips into a red felt bag similar to Santa’s bag and we use peppermint candies or marshmallows to cover our squares. (I’ll post some more games soon!)
Don’t eat and run!
If there is one thing that irks me more than anything else when I’ve planned a beautiful dinner for family and friends, it is the Eat and Run! You know that cousin of yours who only shows up when there’s food involved, doesn’t speak a word to anyone while he’s there, but inhales your sweet potatoes casserole without a second thought? Yeah, him…I can’t stand that! Not only is eating and running rude, you’re missing out on amazing conversations and good times with family and friends by dining and dashing!
I’ll be back soon with more Holiday Entertaining Tips…in the meantime let me know how you enjoy holiday entertaining in a stress-free way!
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