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Monday, September 30, 2013

**PetSmart and a Spooktacular Celebration** #sponsored

**I was given the opportunity to review a product to facilitate the post. All opinions are my own and may differ from others**
PetSmart - Pet supplies and pet products for healthier, happier pets
Visit our Halloween shop


     PetSmart has teamed up with some great companies this year to partake in a Halloween Celebration for your pets. We all have dressed up over the years and what is more fun than shopping for the little 4 legged a costume as well just think of the possibilities. I know in my home I have 5 cats and 2 dogs, I am not going to say that they don't take off and hide when they see ME coming at them with a piece of clothing, but I am going to say they can't hide all day.
     Now we have all heard of Martha Stewart but this year she has created a line of products that have been a real hit in the PetSmart stores(I know I was surprised to see her name on costumes for pets instead of homewares). I saw the line in my neighborhood PetSmart and they are totally cute if I just had a few more animals to dress:)
     That is not the only one, we also found Sesame Street and the wide array of characters to spruce up your pooch or cat, if you are like me. What could be cuter than a ElmoKitty!! We will just say my animals have a stash of clothes for the holidays(I'm glad they don't outgrow them) and I love to snap that picture.
     Well this year I had the awesome opportunity to work with the PetSmart name and dress my puppies and kitty in a new wardrobe, yep no hand me downs this year. My dogs are good sports and since I got to pick what I felt would work for them I stayed with a theme..ooh yeah Marvel super hero pets.
      I found the cutest SuperMan and the adorable Batman and was so happy when the box came because that meant it was time for the fashion show. I have a chi weenie about 7-8 lbs I picked her the small Superman it fit perfect and had enough moving space she was not snug or stiff when trying to move her arms. The colors were bright and bold, the costume was well stitched and was very reminiscent of the Superman costume, just smaller.
 The BatMan I got for my other long haired dach and guessing she would fit in a small(NOPE)
 she is about 12-13 lbs who knows maybe more, all I can say was on to the next participant the "cat". Cats are funny to try and dress it is almost like it takes away there ability to walk forward when putting on an outfit, one of mine walks backwards until the clothing comes off. We chose our white cat
 for the BatMan and it fits her perfect, the outfit is a simple pull over head stick arms through, the material is plenty stretchy and the outfit is adorable on our now BatCat.

 Specials are Spooky as well this month:

PetSmart® Costume Party

Party with us in all stores Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9-11am. First 50 pets dressed in costume receive a FREE bag of goodies, bring your camera to snap your pet’s photo!
and

Halloween Top DogSM Package

ONLY $17 Add to any Dog Bath or Groom purchase. Includes a candy corn cologne spritz and choice of Halloween bandana.
Valid 9/23-11/3 while supplies last

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Gorton's #WickedGoodSeafood Review and Giveaway

**I received coupons and product from the company to facilitate the review and all opinions are my own**
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Gorton's Fish Sandwich BLT

     I know most everyone has heard of the Gorton's Seafood Company but did you know they have been around for 160 years? I know when I am in a pinch for time and my kids are busy I reach in my freezer and I am likely to have a handy bag of these "wicked good"fish products available. How could the look of that product not make you want some premium fish product I know I could go for a good ol' "fish taco" with some pico de gallo and homemade tartar:)

     Like I said I did receive product coupons and I purchased these bags of fish for a get together and made fish tacos and fish fillet salads served with all the taco toppings it was a real hit with the kids as well as the adults.

   
This is the way my kids eat their fish patties on a tortilla with everything.
This is the way I eat it with a salad a light ranch yogurt dressing.

     I really like the product and I know I am feeding my kids something that I grew up enjoying as a child and still to this day enjoy:)

     The fun part of the post is coming up ..ooh yeah.. Make sure you visit their website for so many things from recipes to coupons and so many other products they offer. Make sure you enter The Wicked Good Seafood Sweepstakes. Find them on Facebook and Twitter. and

 Enter to win a prize pack to include: 1 US winner will receive 3-$2 off coupons,1 Gorton's ship wheel branded keychain an assortment or recipe and postcards.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Life and Times of a Stay at Home MOM :): **Blue Apron**Day1 Box and Shrimp Spaghettini**

The Life and Times of a Stay at Home MOM :): **Blue Apron**Day1 Box and Shrimp Spaghettini**

**Blue Apron**Day1 Box and Shrimp Spaghettini**

Blue Apron
     Blue Apron,Fresh ingredients delivered weekly to your home, recipes included, for as low as $9.99 per person. All the taste and convenience shipped in a box to your home, all items fresh and prepacked, perfect for those who are unsure what could make a great meal. Carefully packed in a refrigerated box and can be delivered according to your schedule to almost anywhere in the US(see map for details)

    I received a box complimentary from Blue Apron to review in my home which contained beef, chicken and a fish. Each meat had a recipe along with fresh vegetables, spices and herbs all of which are premium and added cooking sauces not to forget the condiments to make the perfect 2 person meal(that I myself could not have done with so much ease). Each meal should take about 35 minutes to complete and the preportioned reduces waste.

this is just a portion of what the box contained, each menu is different which means each calls for different ingredients.
     My first recipe was a Shrimp Spaghettini and let me tell you how easy it was to reach into my refrigerator and grab all ingredients needed without having to go to the store for that one missed item.
I have never been Betty Crocker so looking for something such as a scallion was like searching for gold as I had heard of but NEVER touched one. The recipe cards are step by step and are very visual so you know what you are looking for to cut, chop or mince.
everything requires cutting or chopping, mincing or dicing.

make sure you have olive oil(not included in box) this is shrimp and minced garlic after the shrimp pinked lightly salted, added sweet pepper and scallions while noodles cooking to al denta on another burner.
 the shrimp mixture you add chili flakes to give it some heat and a 1/2 cup chicken stock(included) and recommend simmer a touch before adding the noodles
add the noodles, turn off heat, mix well and give time to sit and marinate all the flavors. Doesn't that look good!! The shrimp was definitely plentiful for a 2 person serving and the pasta was also very full. This is the time you would mix in 1/2 of the mint leaves(if used) and mix so that they soak up some of the stock(otherwise they are chewy).
This is the finished dish topped with mint leaves and served with a 1/2 lemon I squeezed my lemon over the pasta before eating. The dish was definitely filling as a main course, was not heavy with sauce but perfectly seasoned.
This was a great meal, perfect for 2 people(maybe3 :)) 

**Disclosure..I was provided the box in exchange for a review, receipt of product does not guarantee a positive review, all opinions are my own**

Saturday, September 28, 2013

**National Coffee DAY!!**Sunday Sept 29th check out these specials

What a great day!! Who would have ever thought Coffee DAY..

Coffee Day

Sunday, September 29 is National Coffee Day at Krispy KremeKrispy Kreme® has something brewing for its doughnut and coffee fans on National Coffee Day.  This Sunday, September 29, get a FREE 12oz cup of hot coffee at participating Krispy Kreme US and Canada locations. No purchase necessary.  Fans of fancier specialty coffee drinks can also get any 12oz mocha, latte, or iced coffee including Krispy Kreme’s delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte, for just $1 at participating Krispy Kreme locations. Excludes Puerto Rico.
Offer good for one 12oz cup of brewed coffee per person per visit on September 29, 2013 only.  Cannot be combined with any other coupons or offers. $1 mochas, lattes and iced coffee drinks are available on September 29 only at participating shops
Starbucks Coffee Company
Come into a participating #Starbucks store this Sunday, September 29 for a taste of our new Ethiopian coffee and discover flavors from the birthplace of coffee.
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September 29: FREE Coffee Through Dunkin’ Mobile® App
On September 29, we’re treating our guests to a FREE small hot or iced Dunkin’ Donuts coffee at participating DD restaurants throughout the United States. The offer is available and redeemable only on National Coffee Day through the “My Offers” tab of the Dunkin’ Mobile® App, which is available for both iPhone® and Android™ mobile devices.



**#LovingMemories Ring**



     Creation Source is the creator of this very fashionable ring that you can customize with your most precious of memories. I was given this opportunity to review a ring with my 8 most cherished pictures embedded on the ring as a keepsake, thank you to creation source and #tbc.
     Everyone has a life moment that they could cherish forever, whether it be the birth of a child, death of a loved one, graduation from school or a life changing event. What better way to have those memories close to you and be able to look at them on a band, whether it be on your hand or around your neck...as a gift or a "just for me".
2 custom photo rings for 100 Dollars
     I had the opportunity to have one made, and since I am a proud parent I chose the people and things close to me. I picked out my 8 pictures(what is requested) and provided them to the company via email.My son graduates from high School this year so that is an important memory in my life, my younger boy graduated form Kinder, my daughter..well she is my princess, and can't forget the pets. This was my choice for pictures because to me..these are important, everyone has the ability to choose their own pictures and this is what makes it unique.
** Creation Source brings life to your everyday accessories and tools. Begin expressing yourself like never before possible!**

 Make sure you know your ring size as this is very important when ordering its as easy as going to a jewelry store and requesting your ring size.

 It was a very easy process and they are very easy to work with, if you have a question they are very efficient and respond in a timely manner. The average wait time is 2 weeks for the custom ring to be made. So if you are looking for the perfect gift look no further and with Christmas coming up what a great gift idea for that special someone. You can find them and contact them here on Etsy or twitter.
This was a sponsored post by - http://TheBloggerConnection.com . All opinions are my own and others opinions may differ. 

Friday, September 27, 2013

**Architectural Mailboxes** IN HONOR OF VETERAN’S DAY















LEADING MAILBOX MANUFACTURER - ARCHITECTURAL MAILBOXES – 
TO REUNITE MILITARY PEN PALS IN HONOR OF VETERAN’S DAY 
(The Nation’s bestseller of premium mailboxes will honor a retired service person by reuniting him or her with a loved one for Veteran’s Day)
REDONDO BEACH, CA (September 24, 2013) – Architectural Mailboxes, LLC, announced today that it plans to celebrate Veteran’s Day by hosting a contest to honor the original letter-writers, members of the U.S. military.  As a token of its gratitude for the sacrifices made by American veterans, Architectural Mailboxes will gift one retired member of the Armed Forces with a domestic round-trip airline ticket (of up to $750) to anywhere in the United States to reunite with a friend or relative on this all-important holiday (http://www.architecturalmailboxes.com).
The contest starts today and will continue through October 15, 2013.  Anyone can enter, but only a former service member is eligible to receive the prizewinning airline ticket.
Participation is simple:  applicants need to visit Architectural Mailboxes’ website and email a picture of a handwritten note, card or original correspondence received by or from the veteran while he or she was on active duty.  Applicants must also include a story with their photo detailing why the veteran should be reunited with his or her military pen pal.  All entries must be emailed to info@architecturalmailboxes.com to be considered.  The most unusual, heartfelt or funny photo / story combinations will have the greatest chance of winning.
The winning participant will be personally chosen by Architectural Mailboxes’ founders, husband-and-wife team, Vanessa Troyer and Chris Farentinos.  Giving back to veterans on such an important day is second nature to the philanthropic couple.  “We have family members and friends who’ve served in the military,” says Troyer.  “Email is convenient, but there’s nothing like opening the mailbox and seeing a handwritten letter from a loved one waiting.  We want to give thanks to these dedicated letter-writers by reconnecting a very deserving veteran with a former pen pal.”
The winning entrant will (naturally) be notified by mail on or before October 25, 2013.   He or she will then be flown to the U.S. city of their choice to commemorate an unforgettable Veteran’s Day. 
Architectural Mailboxes encourages everyone to take a moment and show appreciation for a current or former service member – on Veteran’s Day, and every day.  For more information and official contest rules, please visit Architectural Mailboxes online, at http://tinyurl.com/overtvs.