Tag Archives: Mommy Ramblings

Enter to Win A $200 Gift Card From Educational Toys Planet!!!

Get your Holiday shopping started early, Educational Toys Planet, one of our sponsors is having a Rafflecopter giveaway for a $200 Gift Card. Beat both store and online crowds in 2013 by engaging in “preseason” toy shopping! As always, they have you covered with thousands of hand-picked gifts for kids  from hundreds of manufacturers.  Feel free to enter below Good luck and happy preseason shopping! Hurry ends on October 31st!!!

One lucky winner will receive
$200 eGift Code from Educational Toys Planet!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Ornaments With Love Christmas & Holiday Personalized Ornaments Review & Giveaway!!! #HolidayGiftGuide

Ornaments With Love

We are kicking off the start of Mommy Ramblings’ 2013 Holiday Gift Guide Posts with Ornaments With Love!  Ornaments with Love is a family run company that has been in the retail gift business for over 50 years.  This great company has so many great styles of ornaments and tabletop decorations for the holidays that can be personalized.

These unique ornaments make great gifts and will become treasured keepsakes that will evoke great memories each season when they are unboxed and displayed.  As a mom of many, I really like that they have ornaments that go beyond 2.5 children and even included pets. This year we ordered a festive, Christmas Train decoration with a car that was adorned for each family member with their name.  The detail and quality on the ornament is superb and my little ones were so excited when it arrived.  They were busy finding everyone’s car and had such fun seeing there was a train car for everyone.  The extensive ornament selection will let you find the perfect ornament for anyone, check out some of the available styles below and to see them all visit the website.

So many ornaments for grandparents, grandmas and grandpas

So many ornaments for grandparents, grandmas and grandpas

 

 

Ornaments for Teachers!

Ornaments for Teachers!

Special Ornaments for Service Men and Women!

Special Ornaments for Service Men and Women!

 

Daycare Provider and Babysitter Ornaments!

Daycare Provider and Babysitter Ornaments!

 

Great Ornaments for Photographers!

Great Ornaments for Photographers!

 

Lots of New Baby and Baby's First Christmas Ornaments!

Lots of New Baby and Baby’s First Christmas Ornaments!

Hanukkah Ornaments!

Hanukkah Ornaments!

 

Ornaments for Multiples!

Ornaments for Multiples!

 

Ornaments for musicians and so many other hobbies!

Ornaments for musicians and so many other hobbies!

Oranments With Love Train

Oranments With Love Train Merry Christmas

Oranments With Love Train Luke

Would you like a chance to win one of these great ornaments?  Ornaments with Love is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One luck blog winner will win an ornament of their choice from Ornaments with Love!  Thank you Ornaments with love for the beautiful review ornament and for sponsoring this spectacular giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Ornaments with Love Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Download Free Disney, Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, and Windows Store!!!

Disney Snow White Free App Game #Disney

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Explore the Enchanted Forest on Mobile in “Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return”

Disney Snow White App

Disney Interactive launches Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return, bringing the cast of Disney’s original Animated Classic to mobile

 

Today, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs make their debut on mobile with the launch of Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return on the App Store, Google Play, and Windows Store. Players can now join Snow White and her friends as they attempt to bring peace back to the Enchanted Forest.

Free Disney Snow White a

The most enchanted building game on mobile, Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return invites players back into the storybook setting of Snow White. This time, the Evil Queen has corrupted the land, and players must help the Dwarfs unite to lift the curse. Players restore the forest by crafting new buildings, exploring new locations, and mining for hidden treasures and resources, while learning more about the Dwarfs’ stories through all-new discoveries along the way. Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return even lets players connect their uniquely made communities by sending and receiving gifts from friends.

Save Snow White Disney App Game

Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return brings magic to the popular simulation genre. The classic story of Snow White’s world lives on, this time with the audience’s help to bring happiness back where it belongs!

Seven Dwarfs Disney Game

Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return features include:

  • Players venture deep into the forest to rescue Snow White and all seven Dwarfs.
  • Explore new locations and discover pieces of the Dwarfs’ story
  • Craft items to restore the village and bring happiness to the forest
  • Players mine for hidden treasures and resources in a unique mini-game
  • Send and receive gifts from friends to help on quests

 

Seven Dwarfs: The Queen’s Return is now available for free on the iTunes App Store, Google Play  and the Windows Store .


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Stokke Scoot™, Urban Compact Stroller Review & Giveaway!!!

Stokke Logo

Stokke®  is a brand we love at Mommy Ramblings.  We have 3 of the Tripp Trapp® high chairs and they are not only for our 2 youngest little ones, but you will find adults of all shapes and sizes choosing to sit in them.  Truly, it is a quality brand and one I feel is worthy of sharing with others.  With 5 kids I have been through my share of strollers.  I feel a stroller is something where quality cannot be compromised, since it involves the safety of your child and cradles their developing bodies.

A stroller also needs to have features that make it parent friendly as well.  Cup holders, adjustable height handle, ease of use, weight and ability to maneuver well are so important.  The Stokke® Scoot™ has you covered with all of these areas and so much more.  I was blown away by the amount of features and extras included with this stroller as I have other high-end strollers which did not include most of the accessories that the Stokke ®Scoot™ does.

Assembly was so easy that it was almost unbelievable.  I didn’t need tools, but just pushed the front wheels in and the back wheels just snapped in pushing from the side.  In less than a minute all four wheels were on and pardon the pun, we were almost ready to roll.  The 2 way, front facing or rear facing seat goes on just as easy and you hear the clicks and see the safety lock indicator so you know it’s secure.  The harness is adjustable to three heights, there is a nice big mesh basket under for storage and so many configuration on the seat and foot rests.  You can have the seat facing the parent and click the adjustable foot rest in three different positions.  You can turn the seat around so it is facing out and add the adjustable footrest above the fixed one for your child’s comfort. Seat features 4 upright to reclining positions to easily adjust for your child’s comfort.

Stokke Scoot Diagram

There is an optional car seat attachment kit that will accommodate most infant car seats.   It has one of the best canopy hoods for sun, rain and wind protection I have ever seen in a stroller.  There is even an additional zip on visor that adds even more sun shielding protection. A zipper on the canopy opens to reveal a mesh ventilation opening that can double as a viewing window when child is front facing.

Stokke Scoot Softbag

 

There is an optional Stokke® Scoot ™ for young babies-6 months old that has slots for the harness to go through to keep little ones warm, snuggly and secure.  The included rain cover will keep little passengers dry and the net cover will keep the biting bugs away.  The brake is easy to engage and disengage with just a touch of your foot.  The stroller maneuvers nimbly and with ease even with an older toddler through all kinds of strolls, narrow places or crowds.  From the mall to roads of all kind this stroller rolls easily even on the country roads I live on  that are less than smooth and straight.

stokke scoot folding

I was able to push my son with ease in all situations and he is about 30 lbs.  He also was very comfortable and I could even add the adjustable footrest up a bit from the fixed since his little legs still need a bit to grow.  He could relax with room in the recline position and felt super comfy.

Folding the Stokke® Scoot™ is easy and what really makes me happy is that the seat even though a cinch to remove, does not need to be  to fold the stroller.  That is one extra step you can skip and so helpful when you are trying to do so in inclement weather, trying to board public transportation, or with cranky little people in tow.  You simply push up the bottom of the seat and then grab hold of the white release and it folds with ease.  For the most compact folding make sure you set the adjustable handle to its lowest position.  It is light enough to pick up with one hand and fits in the back of my van with a load of room to spare.

The Stokke® Scoot™  has modern styling  that appeals to moms and dads in an available rainbow of vibrant colors. Whether in the city, country, traveling, using public transportation or your own vehicle; Stokke® Scoot™ is a compact, urban stroller that will take you where you need to go in style.  Bottom line is the Stokke® Scoot™ is a stroller that I highly recommend and has the quality to be used for your first child to your last.  Check it out HERE, I think you will be glad you did. The Stokke® Scoot™ has a retail price of $599.99, for more information or to purchase click HERE.  You can keep up with all the latest news on the Stokke® Facebook Page and follow Stokke® on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Stokke Scoot Assembly

 

Stokke Scoot Wheels

 

Stokke Scoot Front Wheel Assembly

 

Installing Stokke Scoot Front Wheels

 

Stokke Scoot Rear Wheel Assembly

 

Ready to Install Stokke Scoot Rear Wheel

 

Stokke Scoot Wheels

Stokke Scoot Seat

 

Stokke Scoot Cup Holder

 

Stokke Scoot Visor

 

 

Stokke Scoot Upright FF

 

Stokke Scoot FF Recline

 

Stokke Scoot With Softbag

 

Stokke Scoot Brake

 

Forward Facing Rear View Stokke Scoot

 

Forward Facing Stokke Scoot

 

Stokke Scoot Harness

 

stokke scoot reclining

 

stokke scoot Luke reclining

 

stokke scoot Luke-1

 

Folding Stokke Scoot

 

 

Folding Stokke Scoot Stroller

 

Stokke Scoot Folding

 

Stokke Scoot Folded

 

Stokke Scoot Folded in Van

 

Stokke® is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own red Stokke Scoot ™ Stroller!  Thank you to Stokke® for the review stroller and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US and Canadian residents.

Stokke® Scoot™ Compact, Urban Stroller Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter to win a Red Stokke® Scoot™ Stroller using the Rafflecopter widget below.

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Scholastic, Storybook Treasures, Halloween Stories Collection DVD Box Set Giveaway!!! 2 Winners!!!

It is almost Halloween and some great selections for a Fall movie night are found in The Halloween Stories Collection Volume 2 and The Day of the Dead…And More Halloween Tales!!!

Scholastic Storybook Treasures Halloween

Just in time for Halloween, these new not-so-scary stories-on-DVD arrive from the nationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES™ series, which brings best-selling children’s story books to life and promotes a love of literature. With faithful adaptations and celebrity narrations, this critically acclaimed DVD series has won hundreds of awards and sold more than 2.5 million videos.

Halloween Stories DVD Boxed Set Scholastic

THE HALLOWEEN STORIES COLLECTION, VOLUME 2 (SRP $24.95) includes 14 stories perfect for early and pre-readers on All Hallows Eve. Though filled with skeletons, witches and more seasonal spooks, families can encourage creativity and music appreciation with the classic sing-along Dem Bones, learn about Latin American holidays with The Day of the Dead, and delight in the not so spooky-ooky stories of Teeny-Tiny and the Witch-Woman.The three DVDs in this ready-made library of Halloween tales are:

  • The Day Of The Dead…And More Halloween Tales – The DVD also includes these animated stories: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything; Kitten’s First Full Moon; and Fletcher and the Falling Leaves.
    NOTE: This DVD is also available as a single title ($14.95 SRP).
  • Dem Bones…And More Sing-Along Stories – The DVD also includes these animated stories: Dinosaur Bones; Hush Little Baby; The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night; and The Erie Canal.
  • Teeny-Tiny And The Witch-Woman…And More Spooky Stories – The DVD also includes these animated stories: The Boy with Two Shadows; Los Gatos Black onHalloween; What’s Under My Bed? and King of the Cats

FEATURES 

  • Read-Along Function
  • Author interviews, including Kevin Henkes, Bob Barner and Linda Williams – never before available on DVD 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Type:  DVD

Genre: Kids’/Animation

Ages: 3 and up

HALLOWEEN STORIES COLLECTION, VOLUME 2

Running Time: Approx. 90 minutes + extras on 3 DVDs

THE DAY OF THE DEAD… AND MORE HALLOWEEN TALES

Running Time: Approx. 36 minutes + extras – 1 DVD

So settle in on a crisp, cool night this October to watch these great tales on DVD with your little ones.  Mine just love them and they love the sing a long of Dem Bones, such fun!!!

New Kideo is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  Two lucky readers will win their own Halloween Stories Collection.  Thank you New Kideo for the review set and for sponsoring this spooky giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Scholastic, Storybook Treasures, Halloween Stories Collection DVD Box Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Candlewick Press, Halloween Triple Treat Book Review & Giveaway!!!

Candlewick Press

If you read my blog, it’s not hard to see that we love books.  I especially love children’s books.  We read a lot in our home and bedtime stories are a favorite time.  Recently I was sent a spectacular set of three Halloween themed books from Candlewick Press.  Vampire Baby, Ghost In The House and Filbert, The Good Little Fiend.

Vampire Baby by Kelly Bennett is the story of a little boy who thinks his baby sister just might be a vampire.  He comes to this conclusion because unlike most babies who sprout their first teeth on the bottom, his little sister sports two sharp canines as her first pearly whites.  The other thing he notices  that might mean baby sister is a vampire, is that she’s up at night when everyone else is sleeping and isn’t that what vampires do?  She even has a nasty little habit of chomping down with those canines on her brother drawing blood.  It gets so that he starts wearing garlic around his neck and one day while shopping with mom he decides to take his vampire sister and give her away. He  puts a sign on her and wheels her around the store where he finds a “vampire family” in the Halloween costume aisle.  He is ready to hand her over and she bites the other little boy who has a big reaction and it finally brings about true big brother protection.  He then understands that she is his vampire sister and like it or not he loves her and she knows she’s right where she belongs.

Ghost In The House by Ammi-Joan Paquette is a cute book of the creatures that go bump in the night.  It adds one more creature with each page turn and then a surprise ending.

Filbert, The Good Little Fiend by Hiawyn Oram  is another great book that shows a family learning to accept a son that is not such a scary fiend but loving him anyway.

 

Vampire Baby #Halloween #CandlwickPress

It happens overnight: “little sister Tootie goes from cuddly, ga-ga-goo-goo, I-want-my-ba-ba baby to…vampire baby.” Now she’s sinking her pointy fangs into everything — furniture, toys, and especially her big brother (“Youch, Tootie! No bite!”). Mom insists that it’s just a phase, but Tootie’s brother knows better. Just look at her hairline! Or the fact that all her favorite foods are blood red! With perfect comic timing, Kelly Bennett and Paul Meisel give a fresh slant to the new-baby story, proving that even monstrous little arrivals have a funny way of staking their siblings’ affections.

When Tootie gets her first teeth, it’s clear to her big brother that she’s no ordinary baby. But how to convince Mom and Dad?

 

 

Ghost In The  House #candlewickpress

When a little ghost goes slip-sliding down the hallway, he suddenly hears…a groan! Turns out it’s only a friendly mummy, who shuffles along with the ghost, until they encounter…a monster! As the cautious explorers continue, they find a surprise at every turn — and add another adorably ghoulish friend to the count. But you’ll never guess who is the scariest creature in the house!

Boo! Watch out for this rollicking, cumulative counting book for a Halloween treat that’s more playful than scary.

Filbert, The Good Little Fiend #candlewick

Daddy and Mommy Fiend want their little Filbert to be gruesome and ghastly, but he won’t trample or terrify, roar or holler. He’d much rather help an old lady with her bags or go bird-watching. What are they to do with him? When Filbert starts school, he quickly learns that good behavior isn’t tolerated in class, and he is banished outside until he can act like a proper little fiend. Suddenly a little angel appears, flying fast and furious until…bump! Could this naughty Angel-School dropout be just the friend Filbert needs? Could they find a way together to make everyone accept them as they are?

A little fiend who’s too good for his own good befriends an angel who is too naughty — and together they concoct a clever plan.
Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win all three books.  Thank you Candlewick Press for the review books and for sponsoring this Spook-tacular giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.
 Halloween Triple Treat Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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It’s NCAA Football Time! Win A $20 Gift Card To Rite Aid!!!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Resourceful Mommy Media, all opinions expressed are my own.

NCAA Football Logo

Are you ready for some NCAA Football? We are! Every weekend you will find us watching and routing for Rutgers Scarlet Knights! Our oldest daughter is in graduate school there so they are “our team”. We love to watch especially as the weather gets colder with some great food that we can make in advance.

NCAA Football Rutgers NJ

 

A big pot of chili with cheddar cheese, pizza, wings, chips and dip and nachos are staples for game days. Our house is the go to house and while we have five kids it seems we have many more since we have one of my son’s friends who lives with us (I do not say that jokingly, he lives here) and all of their other friends seem to as well since they are here all the time. It’s so true that we always have room for one more and it adds to our cheering section.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights NCAA Football

Speaking of cheering, do you want something to cheer about?  Café Mom/Rite Aid/Unilever have a sweepstakes you can enter and have a chance of winning a 60″ TV with Bose Sound System as well as some other great prizes!!!

 

  • One first grand-prize winner will receive the ultimate home entertainment system – a 60” Sharp AQUOS HDTV, Bose home theater speaker system and a Logitech Universal remote
  • One first-prize winner will receive a 60” Sharp AQUOS HDTV
  • Ten second-prize winners will receive a $75 Rite Aid gift card

This fall at Rite Aid stores nationwide, when you purchase $15 of Degree™ Men, Dove® Men+Care™, or AXE® products you will automatically receive $5 on your +Up Rewards for your next purchase! Come in and make the grab this season between now through Saturday, October 26th.  Want more?  Keep reading because there is a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings for a $20 Rite Aid Gift Card!

Mommy Ramblings is having a Giveaway:

Win a $20 Rite Aid Gift Card.  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Open to US residents!  Good Luck!!!

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Celebrate Halloween With A Warner Bros.,Spook-Tacular Movie GIVEAWAY!

What’s your favorite part of Halloween?

The pumpkin carving? The costumes? The candy? All are amazing, but whether you favorite part is dressing in costume and scaring the neighbors or you plan to stay-in, Warner Bros. has a line-up of Spook-Tacular Movies to get you in the holiday spirit. From classics like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Scooby-Doo The Goblin King to Adventure Time – Jake the Dad, you can count on a spook-tacular selection that the entire family can enjoy!

Before you and the kids take the neighborhood by storm, get in the mood by sharing some spooky stories! Download copies of the Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF, fire up the flashlights, and gather in a circle….. this Halloween it’s STORY TIME! Perfect for kids ages 7 to 73!

Warner Bros. Spook-Tacular Blog App:

• Which Spooky Family Are You? QUIZ – Is your family all about the candy and costumes? Or are you pumpkin-carving crazy? Take the quiz to find out which spooky family YOU are!
• Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF – It’s simple… Halloween is not Halloween without spooky story time! Print out a copy for everyone, sit in a circle, and have everyone craft their own spooky story!

Do you want to win one of these great movies to share with your family?  One lucky blog reader will win a randomly picked DVD from the list below.  Enter using the Rafflecopter widget.  Good Luck!!!  Open to US and Canadian resident.

• Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Run for your Rife!
• Regular Show – Fright Pack (V4)
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Deluxe Edition
• Tom and Jerry: Tricks and Treats
• Bugs Bunny’s Howl-oween
• Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King
• Tom and Jerry: Halloween Hijinks
• Sesame Street: Elmo Says Boo!
• Adventure Time – Jake the Dad (V5)

Each household is only eligible to win 1 WB Spook-Tacular Family Movie [CHOSEN AT RANDOM] via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Celebrate Halloween With Hershey’s Candy!!! #HersheysHalloween

Celebrate With Hershey's #HersheysHalloween

We’re a family of chocolate lovers and Hershey’s is the go-to candy choice in our home.  My little guys think there’s no better treat than a simple Hershey’s kiss.  They work so well for bribery, lol.  Who can resist , Kit Kat, Rolo, York Peppermint Patties, and of course the classic Hershey Bar, such an important component to the tasty S’mores we make at our fire pit.  I grew up with these candies and we are true Hershey fans. One of our favorite places is Hershey Park-The Sweetest Place on Earth.  It’s only a few hours from our home and many family vacations have been spent there.  Our Christmas tree is filled with treasured ornaments we brought home from our trips and include a replica of the Hershey kiss street lights adorned with their festive garland, the Hershey Park Carousel, a family of bears holding a huge Hershey’s Bar, a silver plated Hershey’s Kiss type of cage that can hold and trap delicious Hershey Kisses for holiday snacking and many more.

Hershey's Halloween Candy #HersheysHalloween

Halloween is a perfect time to have delectable Hershey’s chocolates on hand.  Have you see the new unwrapped Reese’s minis they are absolutely adorable and delicious.  Another of our favorites are  the pumpkin shaped York Peppermint Patties. The Kit Kat bar is sporting festive orange coating, Reese’s, Rolos and Kisses are wrapped in the colors of autumn and you need to check out the new Halloween Scream Eggs!

The Celebrate With Hershey’s website has great ideas for parties, crafts, recipes, costumes, videos and loads of other fun stuff to explore.  A great recipe we tried was the Hershey’s Kisses Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies (recipe below), they were a huge hit and my sweet four-year old came in and said, “Mommy what are you making for us?”  He was thrilled to see a cookie with his favorite candy all unwrapped and sitting with pride in the middle of a delectable peanut butter nest.  They are absolutely a family favorite we have made for years in our home.  There is a similar recipe for one using the Pumpkin Spice Kiss Here.

Hershey's Halloween Candy #HersheysHalloween

Cookies With Hershey's Kisses #HersheysHalloween

 

Celebrate With Hershey's #HersheysHalloween

 

Baking with Hershey's #HersheysHalloween

 

Hershey's Kiss Cookies #HersheysHalloween

 

Hershey's Candy Baking #HersheysHalloween

 

Ingredients

  • 48 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Additional granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
  2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
  3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each
    cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
    Makes about 48 cookies.

 

Earlier this year I made the ultimate in decadent desserts with a  brownie bottom, peanut butter, chocolate,Reese’s  peanut butter cup cheesecake.  It was a birthday cake for my son and is filled with cut up Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as well.

Reece's Cheesecake #HersheysHalloween

So get ready for all the little and big ghosts, goblins, princesses and superheroes who will be stopping by for a treat on Halloween with a variety of Hershey’s candy.  If you do you are certain not going to be the brunt of any tricks.

This post is SPONSORED by Global Influence with PRODUCT provided by Hershey’s but the opinions expressed are my own.

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Choosing The Perfect Tile For Your Bathroom!!!

Monday morning they are going to start removing tile from our master bathroom.  We had a leak in our house and it caused a great deal of damage and so we have to have our whole master bath redone as well as our master bedroom, part of our family room and downstairs hallway.  We are going to be covering it in our curb appeal series.  My master bath is pretty large and has a very long approximately 12 foot double vanity, shower, huge whirlpool, very large linen closet and a separate room for the toilet.  It has imported Italian tile five feet up the walls in most areas and straight up to the ceiling in the shower and whirlpool areas, of course there is a tile floor and tiled steps leading to the Jacuzzi.  We designed and built this house so it is very nerve-wracking to see the destruction of something I have such fond memories of creating.  However, picking tile was one of the worst parts.  There are so many decisions when building a house, especially when you design it yourself.  It is not like you buy in a development and they sit you down with certain colors of carpet, tile, appliances etc and you just choose.  That’s easy!
Picking New Tile

I truly remember completely breaking down in the designer kitchen showroom over all of the choices and decisions.  Anyway, a few years ago when I had to choose tile for a backsplash, I actually told my kitchen designer to come with what he thought would look best.  He brought over 2 styles he liked best and I choose the one I liked.  I  was so happy not to have to browse and sort through panels of tile in a showroom.  In the end I love my backsplash.

Tile Choices

 

So today when I had to go and pick out new tile for the master bath, I started to get very panicky.  When in the showroom, I looked at every sample, panel etc..  They asked me if I saw anything I liked and my answer was, “too much!”  In the end the owners of the showroom helped me choose when I showed them a few styles and color pallets I liked.  They even helped me switch out the borders for a glass tile with lovely bronze metal accents that looks so great.  The owner is also installing the tile, as he has worked for me before and does gorgeous work.  I ended up going with a subway tile for the walls but not shiny, it is more of a stone subway tile and a 12″ by 12″ in the same collection for the floor. He is doing something different all around the whirlpool and the stairs, then we are going to do the glass border and top it with bull nose trim.  I feel like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders with that decision.  That’s not the end.  I still have to pick out the granite for the vanity and finally decide on the design of the new vanity, the shower is picked out and will be tiled with the subway tile and border with gorgeous frameless glass shower doors and marble ledges and massaging shower panel.  Still have to pick mirrors and vanity lighting but almost at the end of picking and choosing.

Glass Tile

So what do you think about buying tile, do you go for trendy?  Bold colors or warm neutrals?  I don’t go for trendy even if some of you may think subway tile is trendy, it is not the trendy kind that will scream 2013!  The stone look of the porcelain makes it look classic and timeless.  That is what I want and I am really happy with it.  It is an Italian Porcelain Tile and with the glass and metal border it really pops in a classic way.  I think having the image in my mind will help me deal with the destruction of my bathroom and all the feelings that brings up.

So anyway back to the title of my post, my advice for picking tile is to back away from the truly trendy and crazy colors because those kind of looks are so yesterday so fast, and tile is something that you’re not going to want to replace every couple of years.  That won’t  be easy on you wallet because tile is expensive!!!  Remember when making the purchase it’s something you’re going to  be living with for a long time, make sure it is something that you won’t tire of. There are lots of designs that may seem  fabulous in the store, but are they really something you want to see every single day?  Maybe they are just  nice if they were in someone else’s home that you visit a couple of times a year.  After you decide on the perfect tile, make sure you have a knowledgeable installer.  Nothing worse than a beautiful tile that is installed by someone who is less than experienced and you are left with crooked tile, or bulges because of too much thin set etc.  Don’t skimp or cut corners where it counts.  I will keep you all updated on the progress.  Are you working on any home improvement projects right now?  Comment and let us know, we would love to hear about your adventures.


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