Queen Bee Mini Crate Craft Tutorial Featuring Mod Podge Podgeables

     Back in May I was accepted to be part of a crafting campaign with Mod Podge.  I've never used Mod Podge before but I am an avid crafter and I'm always ready for a creative challenge.  I received a box packed to the brim (photo at bottom of post) with Mod Podge products.  It was truly like my birthday going through everything and reading about how to use it.  A product that caught my eye was the new Mod Podge Podgeables, they are clear plastic shapes that you can use in all sorts of fun ways.  My wheels got to spinning about what I wanted to create and I came up with several different ideas but none of them made me quite as happy as this little mini crate project I'm about to share with you all.  

     I had taken a trip to my local Michael's store one lovely sunny day, all three children in tow.  We had a ton of fun walking through every single isle at the store, looking for that perfect item for my project.  We found that they had a huge selection of bare wood items and as soon as we saw the mini crate we knew, that was the one.  The Mod Podge display at my store was very impressive, we stood there for quite a while looking at some of the products we did not yet have.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to Mod Podge!

     Anything that is for my children makes my heart sing and I just knew that my 8 year old daughter would appreciate this small crafty token of my love for her.  I combined her love for all things girly with her love of organization for this project and the end result is perfect.  My daughter needed something to hold her brushes, combs, detangler spray and mini hair dryer in and this fits them all plus looks adorable sitting on her dresser.  Using Mod Podge was simple to learn and very relaxing to work with.  If you have never used it before I will tell you that it is basically a glue, sealer and finisher all in one.  You can accomplish my Queen Bee Mini Crate in about 10 simple to follow steps.  

See my tutorial HERE.

Project in the works

My "haul"

Plaid products are available at Michael's Craft Stores nationwide.  You can find Plaid @

• Plaid Crafts on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/plaidcrafts
• Plaid on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/InspiredByPlaid
• Plaid on Twitter: http://twitter.com/plaidcrafts/

*I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Plaid Crafts and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own. 

Look at the linky below to find another fun Mod Podging project to try out!

People Like Us in Theatres June 29th

     A couple nights ago I went to a special screening of People Like Us with my husband.  It was nice to get out of the house, my sister watched our children so I knew they were in safe hands...I love my family.  So we got to the movie and took our seats.  I always sneak some kind of hard candy into the movies and this time it was Nips, I love their butter rum.  As I sat there sucking on my candy a million thoughts ran through my head, there is just so much going on in our busy lives and I was thinking to myself that I could hardly believe June was almost finished. I grabbed my hubby's big warm hand as the lights dimmed and previews begin.  The movie began and I loved the way it took off, no nonsense, I wasn't feeling clueless and I already felt like I was a part of the characters lives just 5 minutes in.  The whole entire movie left me on the edge of my seat, like a good church sermon or lecture it was amazing and it drew me right in.  I found myself being able to relate with so much in the movie, the feeling of finding it hard to trust family, the feelings of loss and regret.  I connected on a deep level.  The only thing that bothered me was the use of profanity a couple of times, it could have been left out and still had the same effect.  The storyline provided many opportunities for joy and laughter and was balanced out with many dramatic scenes.  Chris Pine was phenomenal in this film as was Elizabeth Banks and their younger co-star Michael D Addario.  At the end of the movie there was not a dry eye in the theater.  I left feeling happy about life, happy about family and feeling like I could tackle any of my issues with my family...I was inspired.  I highly recommend you take your family to see People Like Us, it was the best movie I have watched all year besides The Avengers.

From DreamWorks Pictures comes “People Like Us,” a drama/comedy about family, inspired by true events, starring Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) as Sam, a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, whose latest deal collapses on the day he learns that his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home, where he must put his father's estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. In the course of fulfilling his father's last wishes, Sam uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside down: He has a 30-year-old sister Frankie whom he never knew about (Elizabeth Banks). As their relationship develops, Sam is forced to rethink everything he thought he knew about this family—and re-examine his own life choices in the process. The film also stars Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer. A DreamWorks Pictures presentation, “People Like Us” is directed by Alex Kurtzman, produced by Roberto Orci, Bobby Cohen and Clayton Townsend, with the screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jody Lambert. The film releases in U.S. theaters on June 29, 2012. (DREAMWORKS PICTURES) This film is rated PG-13. 

*I received two movie tickets for free to help facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#win NEW Dr. Seuss Deluxe Blu-ray DVD Edition Green Eggs and Ham

     Warner Home Video has just released another treasured Dr. Seuss classic to bring into your home.  Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham and other Stories Deluxe Edition has become available on June 26th 2012 for the first time!  This new release features three fully remastered Dr. Seuss classics plus bonus material.  Available in a Blu-ray combo pack ($24.98 SRP) which includes an Ultraviolet digital copy plus DVD copy OR available in a standard DVD ($19.97 SRP).
     Through its rhythmical rhyme the Dr. Seuss collection encourages children to try new things with the use of crazy and absurd stories that capture the imagination of any age whether 1 or 100.  I grew up reading Dr. Seuss and the book that I remember the most is Green Eggs and Ham.  My copy of the book was well worn, the pages had been carefully studied and the book helped me learn to read better but in a very fun way.
     Watching this new deluxe edition with my own three little blessings was so much fun.  We found ourselves giggling and having amazing family time together all gathered around this great collection of classics.  There are several very valuable moral lessons that children can learn from these stories and that makes me not mind so much the fact that my children want to watch this all the time.  I have plans to order a brand new set of Dr. Seuss books for our nightly story time.  I think that they will be more excited to read the books now that they have watched the movie.  This is a must have for any Dr. Seuss lover's collection!
     Other Dr. Seuss titles available on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video include the classic tale of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax Deluxe Edition, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and Horton Hears A Who!. Dr. Seuss’s Holidays on the Loose! is available on standard DVD. 

About Dr. Seuss:

Theodor “Seuss” Geisel is quite simply the most beloved children’s book author of all time. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984, an Academy Award, three Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and three Caldecott Honors, Geisel wrote and illustrated 44 books for children. Hundreds of millions of copies have found their way into homes and hearts around the world. While Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading.  

Check out a clip from Green Eggs and Ham and also a clip of The Sneetches

The Giveaway:  Win your very one copy of Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham and Other Stories Deluxe Edition!  US only.

Fun Fact:  Dr. Seuss wrote "Green Eggs and Ham" after his editor challenged him to write a story using no more than 50 different words.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

#NaBloPoMo June 27th - Jump

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.


Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Do your thoughts jump around or glide?

     Ha, well I think they do both but it depends what type of mood I am in.  When I am tired my thoughts tend to sort of jump around in my head and I can't quite pin anything down.  If I am well rested then everything just glides smoothly.  I can remember when I was pregnant with each of my three blessings that my brain definitely had it's moments where things I should have remember simply slid away.  I was driving down town which I did all the time, pregnant with our second child.  I had to stop at the OB/GYN's office for my appointment and then simply drive home.  Well after I left the doc's office I somehow got lost, I have no idea how it even happened but I couldn't get my bearings at all.  I had thoughts jumping ALL over the place that day!  Finally after an hour of driving around down town I pulled into a nearby Subway and cried until my eyes were practically swollen shut, it was rough on me to say the least.  After I finished bawling I noticed a policeman pulling in to grab some subs so I jumped out and waddled myself over to him.  He noticed right away that I'd cried all my makeup off and he asked me if I was alright.  I told him I was lost and he asked my address then told me to follow him.  He got me far enough to where I could figure out my own way home.  The sense of relief was profound, I knew I wasn't losing my mind and it felt nice to have someone help me out.  I'll never forget those frazzled moments that I spent frantically driving around, feeling like I had lost my mind. 

B-REAL Teen Friendly Skin Care Line 100% Vegan

     Pleasing a tween or teenager can be difficult at times and finding products that are good for their skin while still being considered "cool" is also hard.  We tried a fun and fruity body wash and lotion from a lovely little company called B-Real that is based out of Auburn Hills, Michigan (my home state).  B-Real was started by Kristin Berry, a mom of two who believes in using high quality ingredients to create products that are better for your skin.
     The lotion has kind of a long but very creative name and is called Freakin' Fruity Gimme Some Skin Body Lotion, the body wash is named Freakin' Fruity Wicked Wash.  Both the lotion and wash are 100% vegan and cruelty free, both are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic fragrances, dyes or GMO’s and packed with natural botanticals!  The packaging is fun and young, definitely eye catching and my daughter (who is almost 9) loved the bright pink bottles with chrome colored lids.  The lotion was not greasy, it soaks into the skin very nicely and leaves only soft supple feeling skin with no oily or sticky feeling.  The scent lingered from the lotion for a good couple of hours before we stopped noticing it.  My daughter said she wished that B-Real made a body spray in the fruity scent and I agree, I would actually wear the body spray too because I love bright fruity smells.  The body wash lathers up well and rinses clean, it leaves behind no noticeable residue.  We both noticed that our skin got a little extra kick of moisture from the wash plus a hint of the fresh fruity scent remained on our skin.  The fruity essential oils of lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and sassafras smell so delicious and we really loved our experiences with the two products we tested.
    
You can find the products we tried and more @
http://www.b-realproducts.com/

The B-Real line includes shampoo, conditioner, lotion and body wash.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#NaBloPoMo June 25th - Jump

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.

Monday, June 25, 2012
Would you ever go bungee jumping?

I totally would, that is right up there on my bucket list which quite frankly might not ever get done but a girl can dream.  I think I would be more apt to go sky diving rather than bungee jumping.  i don't know why but sky diving seems safer lol.  Maybe I will polish off my bucket list when I am like 80 years old and the grand kids can join in.

The Ultimate #Fluff Stash #Giveaway US Only #UltimateFluff

     Welcome to The Ultimate Fluff Stash Giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering and sponsored by Kebbie's Diaper Bag!   We are giving away a huge cloth diaper prize pack valued at over $600 to one lucky winner!

You could win all of the following:

30 Bubbz 3.0 Quadcore Anti-Leak Pocket Diapers
Bubbz Ultimate Wet/Dry Bag
Bubbz Super Cinch Pail Liner

For a total retail value of $634.40!

Winner chooses colors and prints!

Haven't heard of Bubbz 3.0 Cloth Diapers?  These new one-size cloth diapers from Kebbie's Diaper Bag feature a waterproof TPU outer, super soft micro-fleece inner, color coded waist snaps, four rows of rise snaps, dual pockets, extra gentle leg gussets, and a Quadcore Anti-Leak Protection System complete with twin gussets, a back pocket gusset, and a front waterproof flap. Each diaper comes with 2 Deluxe Organic Bamboo Cotton Inserts for superior absorption. The inserts snap onto the diaper, and they can either be stuffed inside the dual pocket opening for a stay-dry feel or laid on top of the diaper against your baby's skin for a soft natural fiber layer. Read the Bubbz 3.0 diaper review at Daily Mothering for more details and pictures!

Want to win?

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway. This giveaway ends on June 30th at 11:59pm and is open to contestants in the US only, ages 18+.

The more entries you submit, the better chances you have of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. Mama-Nibbles is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

#NaBloPoMo June 21st - Jump

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.

I skipped a couple days but that's just because I've been super busy!  Life with three kids is never boring that's for sure.   So here is Thursday's question:

Thursday, June 21, 2012
Have you ever "jumped out of your skin?"

     YES, well not literally but I sure have felt like it.  My lovely husband has this thing where he likes to jump out of corners and shadows to see if he can't scare me a little, he does it all the time but don't think that I don't get him back because I DO!  I secretly love it, the thrill of the surprise gets this adrenalin junky pretty excited hehe, I must admit.  The best times have been when I am just minding my own business, happy as can be and all of the sudden BAM he jumps out at me...gets me every time.  I love him and I look forward to getting him back with the air horn I just snagged at the local dollar store LOL.  Wish me luck!

Skillet Pumpkin Sauce - Rockin' on Fried Eggs! #nomnom

Skillet Pumpkin Sauce: Thai Coconut, Chipotle, Apple Vinegar Brown Sugar

Skillet Pumpkin Sauce is the newest addition to the Skillet line. Our pumpkin ketchups have all the same condiment appeal as regular ketchup but with a unique flavor and a great nutritional profile that comes from the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in pumpkin.

Southwest meets pumpkin in our Chipotle flavor! The deep smoky chipotle flavor, coupled with aromatic spices, delivered on the rich base of pumpkin. Use it with home-made tortillas, or with traditional French fries. Add it to your super-secret taco recipe. Or marinate a flank steak with it for the barbeque.

Our Thai Coconut is filled with a rich coconut flavor, Asian spices and curry, and – of course – pumpkin, the Thai Coconut flavor goes in a new direction. It's terific as a dipping sauce with Vietnamese spring rolls or as a flavor base for a stir fry with your favorite veggies.

The Brown Sugar and Vinegar flavor does a number on your head and your mouth. At first taste, you want to say “it tastes like a yummy ketchup.” But then you get the spicy pumpkin flavor and all you can say is “wow!” Try it on a grilled Turkey-and-Gruyere Panini or add some cream and vegetable stock to make a fabulous sauce for butternut squash ravioli.  ~Skillet Street Food


My Thoughts:
     This sauce definitely took me by surprise!  I sampled the Chipotle Skillet Pumpkin Sauce thinking it would be a totally weird but fun experience.  My pairing of choice?  Fried eggs!  I fried up some amazing eggs leaving the yolks slightly runny then put a slap dab of this pumpkin sauce over them and a bit of salt and pepper.  YUM!  Have you ever tried ketchup on your eggs?  My dad always put ketchup on his eggs ever since I can remember and as a kid I always thought it was gross.  One day as a young adult I decided to give the ketchup on eggs a try and ended up loving it, wondering why I had chosen to miss out all these years.  I figured if ketchup can rock some fried eggs then this Skillet Pumpkin Sauce really could rock my eggs socks off.  I am so glad I tried it and can't wait to smother this stuff on other foods in the near future. 

You can find Skillet Street Food @
www.skilletbaconjam.com
or contact them @
eat@skilletstreetfood.com
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Audiovox Portable DVD #Giveaway $230 ARV US Only 7/3

     Summer travels are here and Audiovox can help you take your favorite family films on the go with you!  The DS2058 10.2″ Enhanced Definition Portable DVD Player with Swivel Display has a large screen for easier viewing, clear picture display, decent sound quality, simple touch button commands and a unique swivel screen for better viewing reach.  Watch your DVD collection on the road, while camping, and even in the comfort of your own home.  This is one gadget your family will be happy to have on that next road trip.

Audiovox DS2058 10.2″ Enhanced Definition Portable DVD Player w/ Swivel Display

For portable entertainment that is on the move tune into Audiovox. DVDs or CDs. Home or away. Audiovox portable DVD players can provide hours of enjoyment for the family.


Features:

• 10.2″ TFT Enhanced Definition Digital Display
• 5 hour battery time
• 16:9 Aspect Ratio
• 800 x 480 Resolution
• USB Slot
• SD Card Slot
• Audio/Video Input & Output
• Disc playback: DVD / CD /JPEG
• USB/SD Card playback: MP3, JPEG
• Internal Rechargeable Li-polymer battery
• Gloss Finish

Includes:

• Remote Control
• Built-in Stereo Speakers
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• AC/DC Power Adapter
• Automotive Power Adapter
• Instruction Manual
• Product Registration Card

BUY IT: Purchase the Audiovox DS2058 10.2″ Enhanced Definition Portable DVD Player w/ Swivel Display from http://store.audiovox.com for $229.99.

#NaBloPoMo June 13th - Jump

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.

Monday, June 18, 2012
Which animals make you jumpy and nervous?

     There are not many animals that can make me nervous.  Growing up in the country has helped me to love all of God's creation, even snakes (which I think are cute).  I suppose the one animal that has made me feel nervous would have to be the stingray.  Last summer we had a year's pass to our local zoo called John Ball Zoo.  The zoo had an exhibit that was hands on, you could feed the stingrays.  It definitely had me a bit scared, mostly because they look so weird.  After I finally got over my fear I realized that they were just like puppies, curious and soft.  Their mouths were so soft and they very gently took a chunk of fish from my hands.  I don't even think I was able to snap a photo because I was so nervous.  I'm hoping to take the whole fam to go to the zoo again this summer to see those stingrays again, who knows, we might become good friends.

#SummerSolstice #Giveaway Hop US Only 6/18-6/24

     Welcome to the 2012 Summer Solstice Giveaway Hop hosted by MamaNYC! Over 100 bloggers have teamed up to bring you some amazing prizes to start your summer of.  You can find the link at the bottom of each participating blog's post to "hop" around and enter, the more you enter the better chance you have at winning!  This event will run from June 18-24, 2012.  Each of our giveaways features a prize value minimum of $25.00.

WIN on Mama-Nibbles!  One lucky entrant will win: $100 Ally's AromaRemedies Gift Certificate & $35 ARV Woodstock Candy Retro Gift Box & $6 ARV 6 pack of PottyCover seat covers.  *US only entrants must be 18+ Ends 6/25* 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Happy Fathers Day! #Brave

"Like" BRAVE on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PixarBrave   

Quick and Easy Last Minute Family Dinner Recipe : Grilled Goat Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

Ingredients

    1 16-ounce French-bread baguette
    2/3 cup olive oil
    8 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
    1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
    1 tablespoon chopped mixed fresh herbs (such as tarragon, thyme, and rosemary)
    
    3/4 cup soft fresh goat cheese (plain, peppered, or herbed)
    4 large plum tomatoes, thinly sliced into rounds
    2 cups coarsely chopped pitted Mediterranean olives

Preparation1. Heat grill pan medium heat.
2. Cut baguette crosswise in half. Cut each half lengthwise in half to form 4 pieces total.
3. Combine oil, garlic, and herbs in small bowl. Brush all cut sides of bread with half of oil mixture.
4. Grill bread, cut sides down, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Remove from grill.
5. Quickly spread cut sides of toast with goat cheese. Top with tomatoes and olives, dividing equally.
6. Drizzle remaining oil mixture on top.
7. Return open-face sandwiches to grill. Cook until bottom sides are toasted, cheese melts, and tomatoes begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
8. Cut each sandwich diagonally in half and serve.

Woodstock Candy Nostalgic Retro Candy Gifts - Summer Solstice Sponsor Spotlight

     WoodstockCandy.com is a fun candy company that helps you to rediscover candy from your past.  I received the 1980's box, I was born in '81 so I was quite familiar with the candies in my box.  As soon as I opened it I noticed 2 candies that my sister's and I used to love!  Seeing those and tasting them just brought me back to my childhood so I am going to share a little story...
     Since I was a baby we lived out in the country and so it was a long way to get to any store.  Well except for a dingy looking corner store called Quick Stop.  I remember planning with my younger sister about how we would get to the store to buy some candy, I had to be about 12 and her 10.  We started saving up our allowances, every penny brought us closer to sweet heaven!  When we finally hit our goal we figured out that it would take a few hours to get to the corner store so we hopped on our bikes, clicked on our helmets and took off early in the morning...we conveniently forgot to tell our mom of course.  So we finally get there and my sister and I are almost crying because we are so tired but we gather up our energy and go into the store with our bags of change.  I remember buying those Lucky Lights and Zotz like it was yesterday.  I remember dumping out or bags of change on the counter and counting it out to the cashier then the proud feeling of carrying our bulging bags of sweets out the door.  We had a few drinks from our water bottles and then stuffed every last bit of our candy into our little bike bags that hooked onto the handle bars.  The ride home was long, it started to rain and thankfully a lady from church picked us up in her van and took us home to our driveway.  We hid our candy in the bushes at the end of our driveway and walked our bikes up, fully knowing we were in big trouble but to us it was worth it and to this day it is a fun memory with my sister that I cold never forget.  My sister is no longer with me but the memory of her still lives on.

Do you have any candy memories?  Woodstock Candy will be giving away a candy gift box on Mama-Nibbles 6/18-6/24 so be sure to come back for the event Summer Solstice!

You can find your candy memories with Woodstock Candy @
http://www.woodstockcandy.com/

Potty Covers Make Even the Filthiest Bathrooms Safer

PottyCover is a disposable toilet seat cover for children that covers the sides and the front of the toilet, to keep away germs at public rest-rooms.  It is made of non-woven fabric coated with a layer of plastic, creating a waterproof barrier between the toilet and the child. This product has the largest coverage of all seat covers on the market and for added convenience, each seat cover is individually packaged in a small, easy to open bag that makes it super easy to always keep one or two in a purse or a back pocket.  ~PottyCover

     Using a public rest-room with a young child could be very stressful, but with PottyCovers the whole family can feel safe knowing that even at the filthiest bathrooms they will be protected from germs.  This product was made for kids, but it is also a travel mus-have for adults as well.

These fit easily in your pocket or purse, even small enough to fold up in a wallet.  I take them everywhere with me and when nature calls they are simple to use.

A pack of PottyCover sells for $5.99 and it is available on Amazon, Ebay, all Buy Buy Baby stores around the country, and at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Bakers Dozen #Giveaway Hop Event US 6/17-6/25

Win on Mama-Nibbles: The Spice Lab Latin American Sea Salts $30 ARV + The MOM 100 Cookbook $17 ARV
*US only entrants must be 18+ Ends 6/25*

     It’s a perfect time to get your bake on this summer!  The Flower Hazard is proud to present The Baker’s Dozen Giveaway Hop!  From now through June 25th, you will have the chance to enter to win some great baking items for your kitchen.  The Flower Hazard is giving away several items great for baking cookies, so check out the main giveaway on her site (1st place on linky).  Each giveaway in the hop is valued at $25 or more, so check the linky list below, visit all the blogs on the list for your chance to win!


Have fun entering each of the blogs below for fabulous baking items!

The Spice Lab - Gourmet Salt - Bakers Dozen Sponsor Spotlight

     Gotta love salt, it's at almost every table in America and it makes food taste better.  There is nothing like adding a tiny sprinkle of a perfect salt to finish your dish.  The Spice Lab has a whole webstore filled with every kind of salt you can imagine, it's all in one easy place to shop and available in many different packaged options.  I received the set you see in the above photo and it is called the 2012 Latin American Finishing Sea Salt Collection.  This sea salt collection is so pretty to look at and really looks nice in my kitchen but even better than that is the careful labeling of each with the addition of a card that tells you exactly what you should use them on.  Can you see the small wood spoon/scoop on behind the front tubes?  That little scooping spoon was included with my salts ad since they can stick in the tubes a little it helped me scoop out just what I needed with out any trouble.  The corks are perfectly fitted for each tube and so is the wood base which is beautifully stamped with The Spice Lab's logo.  These are so much fun to own and I will be adding another set to my Christmas wish list this year for sure!

You will find The Spice Lab @

http://shop.thespicelab.com/

on Facebook @

https://www.facebook.com/TheSpiceLabInc

AND The Spice Lab aloha salts were featured on Oprah.com in their June 2012 Summer Gift List @

http://www.oprah.com/gift-list/June-2012-O-List-Summer-Gift-Ideas_1

     Starting 6/17 Mama-Nibbles will be giving away this same set during the Bakers Dozen event, this event ends on 6/25 so be sure you don't miss it!

Disclaimer: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Keep it Cool with Daily’s Review and #Giveaway (must be 21+)

     Yum, frozen drinks made easy by Daily's.  When I am run ragged and exhausted from a long day I just want to kick my feet up and relax while I sip on a fruity cocktail.  I really like Daily's because I can just tear the package open straight out of the freezer and pour it into a glass.  I don't want to have to haul out my big blender or clean it after I am finished with it and with Daily's you need no blender at all, these are premixed.  Every single flavor that Daily's makes is delicious and refreshing and SIMPLE....that is key.  My most favorite is the Daily's Frozen Peach Daiquiri, it is sweet plus tart.

     When I do have the energy to get that blender out there is one thing that I will make time and time again.  I mix 1 pouch of Daily's Strawberry Daiquiri, 1 pouch Daily's Frozen Peach Daiquiri with 1 bag of Jamba Juice Mango-a-go-go plus 8 oz of apple juice.  I just buzz those up in the blender together and pour...its the best thing ever!  This is my go-to drink all summer long, it is divine.
     Daily's pouches are easy to throw into a cooler to take for the day, easy to store in the pantry in their unfrozen state too.  You can find Daily's Cocktails at your local Walmart and other grocery stores too and the price is right around just $2 each.  Just use their handy store locator to find the one nearest you>> Daily's Store Locator
Daily's pouches come in six flavors!  You can find Daily's @
http://dailyscocktails.com/
Don't miss out on entering to win the vacation of your dreams!  Enter to win with Daily's today, just click the banner to find out more >>>
Want to be one of three winners to get a Daily's beach towel?  Enter on my Rafflecopter form below and you just might be chosen to get one.  US only, ends 6/27, must be 21+ to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free gift card to purchase Dailys Cocktails and will be receiving a free towel. No compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own.

Mom 100 Cookbook - Bakers Dozen Sponsor Spotlight

      Back in April we got to meet Katie Workman, the author of the MOM 100 Cookbook.  Katie did a really fun demonstration about different types of vinegars and how we could use them with our cooking in every day life.  My daughter was especially excited about getting to meet her because she told me that someday she hopes to write her own cookbook.  My daughter even got to help out with Katie's fun demonstration and of course her favorite part was the taste testing! 

     I have been cooking some of the recipes from the cookbook and my little ones really have enjoyed helping me.  The recipes are easy to make, and definitely basic enough for younger children to understand and help with.  I feel like it is SO important to welcome my children into the kitchen, to have them be hands on with our meals.  When children are helping to make the meal they are more apt to eat it, even if it might be something new or an item they might be picky about.  During Katie's demonstration she also shared her thoughts about children helping make meals as part of an effort to help them develop healthy eating habits.  The cookbook has been a joy to read and I've really enjoyed Katie's quick whit and anecdotes.  Mom 100 solves those kitchen dilemmas that most moms have.  You just have to read it to find out!

The Mom 100 Cookbook will be part of my giveaway package for an upcoming event called Bakers Dozen which begins on June 17th through the 25th.  Be sure to come back to win some great prizes here at Mama-Nibbles and then to hop on the linky to visit the other blogs involved, they will be giving away some great baking and cooking related items as well.

You can find Katie Workman @
her website and blog: http://www.themom100.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katieworkman100/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katieworkman100

Mom 100 Cookbook can be purchased @



Disclaimer: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

#NaBloPoMo June 13th - Jump

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Is the proverbial glass half empty or half full?

Neither.  We need blessings and trials in order to grow personally.   I understand that life brings amazing opportunities.  But I also understand that although painful at times, if I focus and work hard  I will grow stronger.

#NaBloPoMo June 13th - Jump

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
What food brings you intense joy to eat?

Ha what food doesn't!  I mean, I love everything as long as it is properly prepared (minus mushrooms and raisins).  I guess the food that gives me the most intense joy to eat would be fresh raspberries.  A perfectly tart but sweet raspberry that bursts in your mouth is pretty much the best thing ever.  I like the really big ones cold out of the fridge.  Just thinking about them is making my mouth water...now I am going to have to go buy some tomorrow lol, YUM.

Teas'Tea Antioxidant Rich Tea #Giveaway US 6/20

     One my favorite places to hang out is the beach.  Our family practically lived there last summer.  My husband would take the older kids out to swim and I would sit in my beach chair next to our baby playpen containing our then almost 1 year old under a huge colorful umbrella.  I had it all worked out, my little guy would play in his playpen after I smothered him in a good sun screen, I would lay a beach blanket out and spread the kids towels out for them and then I would chill with my little guy, watching him giggle and play while I read some good magazines and sipped ice cold tea or water.  I have the cutest fabric cooler bag that I always took along and it kept our beverages ice cold the whole time we would be out there, sometimes up to four hours. 
     This summer will be no different.  We are already planning on spending a great deal of time at our local beach.  There is even a fun splashpad for the kids to run around in which works out well for our baby who is now almost 2 years old.  I can't wait!  One thing I am beginning to stock up on are my bottled teas and waters.  Teas'Tea is a brand of tea that I just recently tried out and I have to say, the flavor was right where I needed it to be.  Their tea tastes home brewed.  Their unsweetened Jasmine Green Tea is amazing and I am not just saying this because I was sent some to review...it REALLY is good and I doubt I could find a better tasting unsweetened tea out there.  The other tea I was sent is Blueberry Green Tea.  The light blueberry flavor was refreshing and not overdone.  Both teas really tasted like green tea, home brewed and pure.  These are great teas and you really should give them a try!

You can find Teas'Tea @
www.TeasTea.com
and
http://www.itoen.com/

Wanna win a the teas I tried for yourself?  Enter in the handy dandy form below and tell your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#NaBloPoMo June 13th - Jump - Spiders!

NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month" and is a blogging challenge created by the folks at BlogHer.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
What makes your heart leap?

SPIDERS make my heart leap right out of my chest!  I cannot stand those creepy crawlers and I swear they know it and try to attack me.  Just the other night I was sitting on the couch with my laptop, busily typing away and all of the sudden a huge white colored spider came tap dancing across my keys right at me!  I could see his creepy black spider eyes looking into mine and I knew he wanted to attack so I screamed, dropped my laptop and ran as fast as my fat buns have ever moved LOL.  I was so freaked out, I decided it was time for bed and hoped the spider would be gone in the morning.  My heart was still pounding when I went to bed and I had a hard time falling asleep thinking about that menacing spider and his evil plans...I hoped he was not waiting for me to just fall asleep so that he could attack again {{shudder}} I almost slept with one eye open that night.

Keeping Kids Creative Grand Prize Sponsor :: BabbaBox

     BabbaBox is a creative monthly subscription box that has all the physical materials + know-how content to really engage with your kids.  They'll help you create, explore, storytell, and digital learn through interactive projects and activities!
     September 17-30 I'm teaming up with Danielle from Life With Two Boys and a myriad of other awesome bloggers for Keeping Kids Creative!  This giveaway event is going to bring our readers a vast variety of amazing and creative products to help you keep your children creative throughout the year, and what better way to be creative than with BabbaBox?  One very lucky Grand Prize winner is going to win a 6 month membership to BabbaBox (ARV $180)!

Before our event you have the opportunity to win a whole year of boxes from BabbaBox!  http://bit.ly/LU96Ii  Be sure to say Mama-Nibbles sent you in the "how did you hear about this offer" box.  This giveaway is a $299.99 value!  Even if you're a current member, you can still enter.  The winner will be announced on 7/31/2012

Bloggers: Sign up to participate in Keeping Kid's Creative!

Readers: Be sure to come back between September 17th and 30th for your chance to win some amazing creative prizes!