Shutterfly Deal for New Customers - $15 off $15 Purchase!!

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Wow! If you have never used Shutterfly for your picture gift and print needs, now is the time because new customers can take $15 off a $15 purchase!! I shop through them all the time and their products are amazing. Use this opportunity to get some pictures printed or get a Christmas gift for someone! Click here to get started:   New Customers take $15 off $15 with code CASPER.

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VTech Switch &Go Dino Review & Giveaway!!

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How much do you love VTech? I know I do. I continue to be impressed with the new, educational, and innovative products they offer to include the Switch & Go Dinos collection. Each of the collectible toys features high-quality electronics and a unique transformation feature to provide a 2-in-1 play experience. In the dinosaur mode, sound effects emit realistic dinosaur sounds and phrases that teach facts about the dino. They then transform into a vehicle of some kind. My son was excited when we were given the opportunity to review SkySlicer the Allosaurus. 

SkySlicer the Allosaurus™

• SkySlicer the Allosaurus transforms from a jet plane into a fierce Allosaurus
• Play in jet plane mode and choose your pilot on the 1.5" LCD screen and have fun with the high-flying wings and realistic jet plane sound effects.
• Switch to dinosaur mode to see SkySlicer's animated dinosaur eyes, his powerful arms and big, strong tail.
• Sound effect buttons play realistic dinosaur sounds and phrases that teach pre-historically awesome dinosaur facts!
• Join SkySlicer on his favorite adventure…this guy loves to hunt!
• Ages 3-8 years, MSRP: $15.99

Review: I was actually quite surprised that my son, who is 10, was as excited as he was when the Switch & Go Dino arrived because he is over the recommended age and does not play with a whole lot of toys like this any more. However, he played with it for quite awhile and quickly become a pro at transforming it between the dinosaur and the plane. My daughter, who is 8, really enjoyed it as well and they were both pretty impressed with the LCD screen and the audio effects. I, of course, love that the toy is educational but since it is so fun, my kids hardly noticed that they were learning!  The fact that there are over 50 sounds and phrases is extremely impressive. 

It is a very unique toy and I was pretty amazed when I learned of the price provided the technological aspects of it. The toy was well constructed and I foresee that it could take a bit of abuse without breaking.  It is well worth the $15.99 price tag and you may want to scoop one or more of these up for a fun Christmas present! 

Check out my son demonstrate how easy it is to go between the plan and dino modes:

Buy it here:  You can purchase VTech Switch & Go Dinos from Amazon. 

Connect here: You can find VTech on Twitter and Facebook.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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Buffets, Inc Review and Giveaway!

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Now that my children are getting older, going out to eat is getting very expensive. While my daughter still eats off of the kid's menu, my son has an adult appetite and likes to order steak when we go out to eat! Add that to my husband's cravings for prime rib and the family's insistence on ordering an appetizer and then a dessert and we are easily paying between $75-$100 just to go out to eat!  This is why we often elect to go to buffets! 

Buffets, Inc., owners of Ryan's, HomeTown Buffet,  and Old Country Buffet are family-friendly buffet-style restaurants that offer guests a variety of choices to satisfy the entire family! Plus, every Thursday from 5-8pm is Family Night when kids 11 and younger eat for only 99 cents while enjoying special treats like balloons and kid-friendly menu options. During the month of September, they featured everyone's favorite cat, Garfield, and children received one of three different and free Garfield masks along with themed activity sheets and trivia.

Review: 

We have an Old Country Buffet in town and we love to go there to eat. They have a really great assortment of foods and the options truly pleased the whole family. They have a salad bar, taco bar, country cooking favorites, and a chef who can prepare steak to order.  They also offer a beverage bar with Icee's for the kids, cappuccinos for adults, milk, and sodas of all kinds.  Plus, they have a delicious dessert bar where you can choose from a wide variety of pre-sliced cakes, cookies, and pies or help yourself to the ice cream machine where you can then choose your favorite toppings.

Everyone in the family was thrilled with foods. My daughter filled up on macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes while my husband indulged on steak and chicken. I tried a variety of foods including orange chicken, salad, rice and shrimp. My son with his adult-appetite headed right for the steak and savored every bite.  As I watched him eat, I was thrilled thinking how pleased I was that his steak and everything else he ate only cost me $0.99!! 

The Family Night was great beyond just the amazing price. My daughter loved her Garfield placemate/mask and was so happy to see cotton candy and balloons to help celebrate! The employees were very nice and we had a great server who was attentive to our table and made sure that dirty plates were cleared quickly. The restaurant was clean and they did a great job of keeping plates and utensils stocked as well as food fresh on the buffets. We were all very happy with our dinner and no one had anything but smiles on our faces and full bellies by the time we left.

Win Here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I received complimentary meal cards in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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Rapid Relief Review

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What do you get when you mix scoliosis, fibromyalgia, and a sacrum that refuses to stay in alignment? My life! Back pain, unfortunately, affects me more days than not. I used to pop some over the counter pain relievers and it would take the edge off but two weeks ago I become acutely ill and the medications I was given for the infection almost caused me to go into renal failure. I have never been afraid to take medications before, but after that experience I am worried about taking anything! So, that leaves me with alternative medicine options so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Rapid Relief, a new wireless

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device that helps block the nerve pathway from transmitting pain signals from sore and aching muscles.  

Rapid Relief works by emitting controlled micro-electronic current, called impulses, through the skin to block the nerves from transmitting pain signals to the body’s pain center. Offering the latest in 21st Century pain relief, Rapid Relief uses clinically proven technology to deliver targeted, effective and safe pain relief for the lower back, arms and/or legs.  It is compact enough to take with you wherever you go, so you can discreetly treat your pain.

Review: My husband has had back surgeries in the past so I was familiar with TENS units, but have never thought to try it out myself. The unit is small and discreet so you can use it anywhere. It sticks right to your skin and you are able to easily operate it even when it is stuck to your back. I used a medium intensity level (there are 15 levels available) and felt instant pain relief. The currents, if they are set to a comfortable level, are hardly noticeable and I would forget that I even had it on until it would change the current pattern. I would then quickly readjust and get right back to doing what I was doing - free from pain.  I was amazed at how well and quickly it worked. By the end of the day, my back can really ache and this is such a calming and relieving way to end my day. It even works better than the over the counter pain medication I was taking and it so much safer! If you have back pain, I would highly recommend trying Rapid Relief out. Each unit can be used up to 50 times.

 Buy it here:Rapid Relief can be purchased from Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Homedics website, or Amazon for $29.99.

*I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions are my own. 

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BAND-AID Magic Vision App Announcement & Giveaway (Featuring Target Gift Card)

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What's better than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles BAND-AIDs? Answer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT) Band-aids that unlock fun and free games on your Apple device! That's right, not only are everyone's favorite pizza-loving, crime fighting reptiles making a comeback - they are here to appeal to today's tech-savvy kids. With the Band-Aid Magic Vision App starring TMNT, all you need is a Band-aid brand box featuring TMNT and your iOS device (iPhone 5, iPhone 4/s or iPad 2+) to unlock fun filled activities. You can scan the box for a variety of fun filled activities including Connect the Dots, Target Practice, Tile Flip Puzzles and Spin 'N Say Boards. Then, you can scan individual bandages and save exclusive TMNT content on your device. What a great way to distract a child who has a "boo-boo"! 

Download Here: You can download the app here or on your Apple device by searching "Band-aid" in the app store. 

Band-aid Review: There is something about the different character images on BAND-AID® Brand bandages that really distract my children from their "injury". It reminds me of the excitement I used to experience when I would find the hidden package in a box of cereal when I was young and couldn't wait to see what prize I received. It sounds silly, but they wait with anticipation to see what image will appear on their Band-aid. It really is a nice distraction. I love the concept of the app as well. To have the child be able to scan the bandage for additional content can be a real lifesaver while the parent cleans up and bandages the wound (assuming they really need  a bandage in the first place which - parents you know what I am talking about - really is only necessary about 50% of the time).  These bandages, as well as some of the other great designs I received to include Jake and the Neverland Pirates and a fun adult collector's series, work just as well as the plain old bandage - but are just more fun! 

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with the above mentioned samples. However, all opinions expressed are my own. Prize fulfillment to be completed by Band-Aid.

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The Cake Mom & Melt® Organic, Butter 2.0 Reader Giveaway + Review

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Life without butter would be a very sad life - for me at least. However, we all know that butter is not healthy but alternative products often taste artificial. Melt Organic is a new form of buttery spread that is truly good for you. It is North American's first line of spreads made with virgin coconut oil with a "perfect blend" of fruit- and plant-based oils. 

Rich & Creamy Melt Organic is a lactose-free butter spread created to enhance the flavor of foods. It can be spread on muffins, melted over hot vegetables. or stirred into your favorite recipes. Wherever you use butter, you can use Melt. Honey Melt Organic is a sweet, dairy free butter alternative that adds organic wildflower honey and cinnamon for a naturally sweet taste with just 1 gram of sugar per serving. 

Features of Melt:

• A rich source of "good fats" optimally metabolized with Virgin Coconut Oil
• 2:1 ration of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids
• 425mf of Omega-3 ALA and Vitamin E
• Certified Organic, Kosher, and Non-GMO
• Soy free and gluten free butter
• Made with eco-social and Fair Trade ingredients
• Absolutely no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Absolutely no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils

Review: If I had to sum up my experience with Melt Organic into on word, it would be simple: "YUM"!  When I presented my family with the tubs of Melt, I could almost read their minds, "Great, another healthy product mom brought home that will taste like crap". However, I crossed my fingers and reminded them that it is not fair to judge something without trying it. I made my kids an egg breakfast and as I was cooking my own, I was thrilled when my son (who is very critical about food) yelled in from the other room, "Mom, this is actually better than real butter".  Success!  The Honey Melt Organic was out-of-this-world delicious too. The sweet mixture was really mouthwatering and it tasted amazing on bread products. 

Melt spreads just as easily as margarine (and much easier than real butter) and tasted just as good as real butter. I, of course, am thrilled to find a product that is rich in vitamins, is organic, and the whole family enjoys. That does not happen very often. Of course, as with any organic product the price is a bit steeper than a nonorganic one, but the price difference is definitely worth it. The only downfall is that it is a little difficult to find and I could locate it only at one supermarket in town. Regardless, I would definitely purchase Melt again. I just learned that they also have a new chocolate spread and can't wait until that is available locally!

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purposes of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Pop, Pop, Popcorn Balls: Good Cook Popcorn Baller Review

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When I think of fall, the first thing that comes to mind is food! I love to make fall treats and was excited to have a challenge to create a craft project using popcorn balls created with a Good Cook Popcorn Baller.  Since I have never made a popcorn ball before in my life, I was really excited to experiment!

My original idea was to use popcorn balls for my daughter's birthday last month which was ice cream themed. Unfortunately, I did not receive my kit in time and then got quite ill around the time of her party but I just could not let go of the idea and wanted to see how it would work out.  While it is not exactly fall themed, let's face it - ice cream can be enjoyed year 'round! 

Chocolate Caramel Pop Corn Balls (Yields 6 popcorn ball treats)
Ingredients:
6 cups popped JOLLY TIME  Pop Corn 
2 cups crisp rice cereal
14oz caramels (about 48 unwrapped)
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 bag melted chocolate chips
Sprinkles
Cherries (optional)

Instructions:
Cook popcorn on stove by pouring 3 tablespoons of cooking oil and 1/3 cup pop corn (or enough to cover bottom of pan no more than one kernal deep) into any heavy, 3 quart or larger pan with lid.  Cover pan and shake gently over medium-high heat, allowing steam to escape from the popping kernals. Remove pan from heat when popping stops and carefully pour popped kernals into large bowl.

Add rice cereal into bowl with popcorn. In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat caramels, water, and butter until caramels are melted, stirring frequently. Stir in cinnamon, Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and toss to coat well. Let cool about 5 minutes. 

Spray Good Cook popcorn baller with cooking spray. With slightly dampened hands, fill baller with popcorn mixture, put on lid and the popcorn ball should be formed immediately. Place  on wax paper to set. Melt chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir. If necessary, add time 20 seconds at a time until chocolate is smooth. 

Place popcorn ball onto the top of an ice cream cone. Pour melted chocolate on top of ball, add sprinkles, and a cherry on the top. Place in the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened.

Results: 

I was really happy with how well the popcorn balls turned out. The Popcorn Baller was so easy to use and they looked perfect! The whole process of making popcorn balls was really time intensive but the results are amazing. Unlike store bought popcorn balls that are really hard, these were soft and so delicious.  They are big and since they were pretty sweet, each of us really only ate about 1/2 at a time. I am looking forward to experimenting some more and am planning on making some fall-themed popcorn balls next! 

You can find more tips for making the perfect popcorn ball on the Good Cook website.

Connect Here: You can connect with Good Cook on Twitter. 

Good Cook 5-Day Popcorn Giveaway: Starting October 7th, you can enter to win a fabulous popcorn prize book. Check out the Good Cook Facebook page to enter.

Buy it here: You can purchase a Popcorn Baller  from the Good Cook website. To get 25% off, just enter the code POPCORN at checkout! 

*I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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