FashionPlaytes.com review

Seasons are changing. Well except here in Utah where it still feels like winter, but mostly around the world the seasons have changed. Which mean time to get spring and summer clothing for our kids. Then just think a few more months and it will be time for school cloths shopping. Well why not let your girls design their own clothes online and and have it shipped to your door. Just think a fun activity for you and your daughters to do together and you get cloths shopping done. Impossible you think. Well it not with Fashion Playtes.

Fashion Playtes allows you to pick the type of clothing you want like shirts, skirts, dress, leggings, headbands, jackets, vest and etc. then design them from scratch. You get to first pick the color you want it, then you can add ruffles, jewels, embellishment, roses, pictures, lace and more. You clothing will be completely designed by you and it will be a one of a kind. Now what girl do you know can say that?

Me and my girls sat down and looked at all the choices and immediately my girls were in love. Even my 3 year old was designing herself a pirate dress as she called it. My oldest who is 11 got to pick out shirt and of course she immediately turned it pink. Then she went through try things out and if she didn't like it she could easily remove it and try something different. I think in a hours time she designed like 4 outfits. We finally settle with the pink shirt. She put a cute colorful sun on the middle of the chest part of the shirt and added jewels around middle. It turned out really cute online. I was curious though on how it would look when it actually got here.

In what seemed like no time at at Fashion Playtes had our shirt at our door and ready to be worn. It was wrapped in a gorgeous tissue paper that my daughter saved and adored. The shirt was thicker than I thought. It was a great made shirt not one of those cheap flimsy shirts. It fits my daughter great and looks great on her. She loves it and told all her friends about the site. Next thing we know her whole school will be wearing one of a kind outfits.

Fashion Playtes would make a great present or a great party activity. You can get gift certificates and just have fun. I definitely recommend it to everyone. It is so easy and so fun. all my girls from 3 to 11 had a blast using the site to design clothes. So I would recommend it for all ages!

I heart Faces: Fix-it Friday #52

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Last minute Mother's day Gift Idea

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and there are still plenty of folks searching for the perfect gift for that special lady in their lives. If Mom likes to show off pictures of her kids or grandchildren, then Epson has the perfect gift for her: a 2-in-1 portable photo printer and digital frame that produces better-than-lab quality prints in as little as 37 seconds.

The Epson PictureMate Show’s seven-inch screen allows users to view photos in 12 entertaining slideshows formats and is conveniently operated with a remote control, keeping the screen fingerprint-free. Users also have the option of printing in a variety of effects (black and white, sepia and color), selecting different layouts (wallet-sized, mini-wallets, 4-per-page, 16-per-page, proof sheets, and borders) and printing 4”x6” photos on matte or glossy paper. With ink that is smudge, scratch, water and fade resistant, Mom can be sure that prints will last a lifetime!

Sensible Portions review and giveaway ends 5-21-closed

I must tell the truth. I am a big snacker. I love snacks more than meals. Its bad I know but what can you do other than find healthier snacks right? This is wear Sensible Portions comes in. They have so many great and healthy snacks to choose from and they are yummy!

My kids have followed my footsteps and like to snack too. They love all of Sensible Portions snacks. My youngest has food allergies so its hard to find her snacks she can have and that she likes. Until now She can have Sensible Portions Veggies sticks and the Pita Bites crackers and the Veggies chips and she loves them. Plus there is different flavors to chose from. The kids favorite is the lightly salted or the rosemary olive oil ones. They best part they are healthy!

Me and my hubby love the Sensible Portions Cheating with Chocolate 100 calorie packs. MMMM yummy. I mean really who could go wrong with chocolate ha ha and only 100 calorie. Yep this is definitely my favorite.

My Hubby also loves the cinnamon apple straws. I think those have to be his absolute favorite. Not to cinnamony and just enough sweetness to feel like you are over indulging and you are not! That is great!

The pita bites cracker I like for my cranberry, chicken, walnut salad. Especially since other cracker don't stand up to these. They can hold alot without breaking and they are great to snack on with out anything as well. They have three flavors of them too so you can pick your favorite.

My kids also loved the Miners gold snack which are also low calorie and all natural, well so is all the others but this one tasty like Cheetos so my kids downed them. Kids and Cheetos are like best friends lol. I even liked them the few the kids would share with me ha ha.

Now if you are a potato chip lover well Sensible Portions got you covered there as well with their Potato straws. % less fat than potato chips and they have 5 great flavors to chose from. My favorite is the salt and pepper ones ha ha. I know I am original kind of person ha ha.

You can buy them online or at stores by you. I get mine at Costco but if you want to see where to get them by you check out http://www.sensibleportions.com/#/content_wheretofindus . So if you like to snack or are trying to find healthy things to add to lunches you need to check these out you will be glad you did!

Sensible Portions is giving one lucky reader a big box of a variety of all their snacks.

To enter:
1. go to Sensible Portions and tell me something you would like to try

Extra entries:
2.Follow me
3.sign up for my rss feeds
4.Blog about this giveaway this will count for 4 entries
5.add my button to your site 2 entries
6.link to this page for 4 entries
7.Subscribe to my email feeds
8.follow me on twitter (collyn23) and tweet this contest
9.Enter my other giveaways 1 entry for each entered
10.Follow me on network blogs on sidebar
11.add my blog to your blogroll counts as 3 entries
12.Fav me on technoratti
13.comment on my non giveaway blogs 1 entry for each comment

Thursday Blogging

me and my cousin Kim

It surprises me how far technology has come these days. Some ways in a good way and some ways in a bad way. Lately though for me it has been handy. I grew up with my mom and my siblings on my moms side. I really didnt have much of a relationship with my dad for good reasons, but I had sister and brothers on his side too that I have met less then a handful of times in my lifetime. Sucks but thats the way it was. I dont know a whole lot of history with my dad's side. I been wanted to know more medical history for my kids sakes and I would love to know more ancestary on my dad's side too. My Grandma Hooley was the glue that held us kind of together and always knew where everyone was. She passed away about 6 years ago. So my oldest two kids got to see her once in their life which is sad she was a great lady. I know its hard for me to say that because honestly I moved around so much as a child I only got to see her and hang out with her from time to time but really thats all you needed. I miss her chocolate zucchuni cake and her 3 bean salad and her peanut brittle was the best.

Me and my dad and my brother Seth

Now this all comes up lately because last week as I was picking my hubby up from work I past by the house my grandpa built with he two hands and I seen they had tore it down and now construction company is using the barn and garages for their own personal use. It was sad. I then decided it was my mission to get in touch with the Hooley's somehow for my sake and my kids sake so they cansee where they come from too. I dont remember a whole lot of them as we werent all that close. My dad passed away gosh like 14ish years ago  and now both my grandpa and grandma were gone. So only other I knew was my sibling from my dad names and a few uncles and cousins. This is where technology is a good thing. Facebook officially came in handy. I found  4 cousins, 2 uncles, and my sister and brother on Facebook.

Me and my sister Marcy and not sure who the other two are

Gosh it is crazy what you can find on facebook haha. I got people from junior high and high school finding me and even my moms  friends finding me lol. But there are times people that I dont want to find me find me and thank goodness for the block button haha. So anyways I sat and talked to one of my cousins for a hour last night and just catching up. I feel good today and complete. I feel like a kid again meeting new friends and learning anything and everything I can. I just hope it all turns out well and it doesnt all back fire. To me Family is Family and they are important no matter what the deal is. We got the same blood and need to stick together and help each other and be there for each other! Life is short!

Wordless Wednesday

Where did my Destiny go? Hello Movie Star!!!

Tasty Tuesday

Apple & Sage Pork Chops

Ingrediants:
1 tbsp Flour

1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dried Rubbed Sage
1 tsp dried minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp paprika
4 boneless pork chops, 1" thick (about 1 1/4 lbs)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 red apples, thinly sliced
1/2 cup apple juice
1 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:
1. Mix flour, all of the spices and salt in small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with 1 tablespoon of the seasoned flour.

2. Cook pork chops in hot oil in large skillet on medium-high heat until browned on both sides. Remove from skillet. Add onions; cook and stir 3 minutes or until tender. Add apples; cook and stir 2 minutes.

3. Stir in juice, sugar and remaining seasoned flour until well mixed. Return pork chops to skillet. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until desired doneness.

***We had this last night and yummo. THe Porkchops were juicy and delicious! Even the kids loved it and it goes great with stuffing!

NEUMA Review

I love finding all natural products especially if they work great. So when NEUMA sent me a sample of their new products that launch this Spring I was excited to try them.

So your thinking what is NEUMA right? Well it is a luxury brand of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion totally focused on health and sustainability. Utilizing even a higher degree of certified organic ingredients than Head Organics, NEUMA contains no synthetic fragrance – only 100% pure essential oils and naturally derived plant extracts.

The first thing I tried was the shampoo. It had a light citrus smell to it. I actually thought is smelled nice and refreshing. It seemed to get my hair clean. It didnt leave it oily or to dry which is great. My hair wasnt too frizzy like usual. I was impressed.

The conditioner had a vanilla and citrus smell. It left my hair soft and smooth. No greasy residue. Made my ends look and feel healthier. Overall it performed great.

The lotion was also a citrus smell. It was a little runnier then I like for lotions but it left my legs and hands smooth and silky. I did have to reapply it in a couple hours since my skin is so dry.

Overall I like the way all 3 of them worked and loved the fact they were all natural with no harmful chemicals. I would definitely buy them again! So head over and check NEUMA out. They will be out soon!

Winners

So 2 more winners to annouce this week. Yay!

The Magic Warble book winner is......

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

23

Timestamp: 2010-04-26 18:45:41 UTC

Sarah Osborne said... 23

You're on my blog roll!

http://www.myfavoritegiveaways.blogspot.com/
sarahosborne12@gmail.com
#2

________________________

THe Tweetlebug Boutique winner is..............

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

48

Timestamp: 2010-04-26 18:46:25 UTC

TJDKG said... 48
I think the Harper is absolutely adorable.

jauna
jauna@juno.com

_________________________

Congrats to the winners! You have been emailed and have 48 hours to email me your info thanks and Congrats!

I Heart Faces: “Week 17 - “Smiles” Photo Challenge!”

Where is the Love? review and giveaway ends May 14- closed

I love meaningful books for my kids that I even enjoy reading. There are so many books that my kids pick out at the library that I dread reading at bedtime lol. I know that sounds bad but really some of them are long, drug out, boring and oh so umm dumb (that's being nice haha). So I trying to buy books that i like and they will like also. I love getting books that will teach them a meaning or a moral to the story. So when we recieved "Where is Love?" I was excited to see if this was gonna be a book we all would enjoy reading.

"Where is Love?" is about a little lovebird named Leni who is having a hard time singing a love song because she doesnt know what love is and how to find it. She goes on a journey that takes her away from her home and mother to find love. She eventually finds love right where she started.  This book is beautifully illustrated and my kids love looking at the pictures. The story has a awesome meaning behind it and even makes my kids think about where they get love from.

"Where is Love?" is the perfect length. Not too short and not too long for a great bedtime story. It is written so all ages can understand the story and fall in love with it. This would make a great Mother's Day gift and would make a great present for all your kids. I mean dont we all forget Where Love is sometimes through all the chaos life throws at us. I know I do sometimes and all it takes is a I love you from the kids or a big hug and slobbery kiss to relize how much I am loved. We tend to take forgranted the little things in life and this book reminds us in a suddle way. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is bound to brighten your day after reading it.

We are giving one of my lucky readers a signed Autograpped version of  "Where is Love?"

To Enter:
1. Go to "Where is Love?" and tell me something you learned

Extra Entries:
2.Follow me
3.sign up for my rss feeds
4.Blog about this giveaway this will count for 4 entries
5.add my button to your site 2 entries
6.link to this page for 4 entries
7.Subscribe to my email feeds
8.follow me on twitter (collyn23) and tweet this contest
9.Enter my other giveaways 1 entry for each entered
10.Follow me on network blogs on sidebar
11.add my blog to your blogroll counts as 3 entries
12.Fav me on technoratti
13.comment on my non giveaway blogs 1 entry for each comment

I Heart Faces- Fix It Friday #51

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After My Fix

All Done with Paint Shop Pro X3

Thursday Blogging

Ok I know its been crazy around here. I do have some reviews and giveaways to get posted. I just have been so busy with the kids and photography. Plus trying to get back together after the bank account fraud crap we had. We have had doctors appts. and so on. Its crazy. The weather has been great then yesterday Mother natures mood changed and it rained and hailed all day and today we woke up to snow about a inch and its cold and miserable. Plus to top it off my oldest woke up with a sore throat and no voice. Its crazy here.

My youngest has her home nurse coming to check her out and her speech therapist coming next week. I am behind on cleaning, laundry, and food shopping. Mommy needs like 5 to 7 hours to get caught up on everything without kids and then a night out to relax. I really need to get my head back into the game. Keep my eye on the prizes.

So how are all you? Anyone else going through a crazy week or two like I have? Is there anything that helps you get through it?

Wordless Wednesday

A Picture I took Last Night at a meetup Shoot. So Sweet

CoverMate Food Covers review and giveaway ends 5-14- closed

Now if your like me I hate Saran Wrap because it never sticks and never stays on and it is so hard to get it out with out it sticking together. Tin foil I use alot but then I forget what inside so I have to unwrap it and so on. It can get frustrating to just save some left overs. Well not any more CoverMate Covers have saved us all.

CoverMate Covers are a plastic cover with a stretchy band around the edge. They look like a shower cap lol. But they really work and are so easy to use. They go around any shape or size of plate or container you put food in and they stay put. I love it. They are so simple my kids can even do them when they get some food out and they can easily put it back on.

CoverMate Covers are made from heavy-duty clear plastic material that is twice as thick as standard plastic wrap. A micro-sealed edge and FlexBand combine to form a tight hygienic seal around all dishware to keep food fresh.

CoverMate Covers Best part is they are reusable. They can be washed and reused over and over. This saves you money and saves the earth. So that is a double Plus! They can even be used in the microwave for defrosting, reheating, steaming foods and best part is it keeps your microwave clean from splatters. Thats awesome. They are cheap for a box of 10. 4 Medium, 4 Large, and 2 Extra Large sizes in the box. I seen at a few of my store they have had them on sale for 2 box for $5. Now with prices like that everyone can get some!

CoverMate Covers is giving one of my readers a box of CoverMates.

To Enter:
1. Go to CoverMate Covers and tell me something you learned.

Extra Entries:
2.Follow me
3.sign up for my rss feeds
4.Blog about this giveaway this will count for 4 entries
5.add my button to your site 2 entries
6.link to this page for 4 entries
7.Subscribe to my email feeds
8.follow me on twitter (collyn23) and tweet this contest
9.Enter my other giveaways 1 entry for each entered
10.Follow me on network blogs on sidebar
11.add my blog to your blogroll counts as 3 entries
12.Fav me on technoratti
13.comment on my non giveaway blogs 1 entry for each comment

Winners

Ok so we have 2 lucky winners to annouce yay! Great way to start a Monday morning right??

First is the lucky winner of the My pleasure Gift certificate-
Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:

128

Timestamp: 2010-04-19 14:50:26 UTC

shannon717717 said... 128
added to my blogroll

http://www.blogger.com/home
http://shannpf1977.blogspot.com/
thanks,shannon
shannpf1977@yahoo.com
#1
_____________________________

The second winner is for the Wee Rascals Gift certificate-
Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:

38

Timestamp: 2010-04-19 14:53:06 UTC

Tj and Amy said... 38
 fb fan of wee rascals. amy bolda pugmire.
amypugmire@live.com

______________________________

Congrats you have been emailed. You have 48 hours to get back to me with your info.

Breeze Comfort review & giveaway ends may 7

With kids I tend to neglected myself alot. I barely ever buy myself clothes, shoes and bras. Its been years since I went out and splurged. I so needed new bras though becuase the ones I had were over 5 years old and 3 kids later. So when I heard about Breeze Comfort and their bras I was excited to try them out. They looked so comfortable so I had to see if they really were.

I got the BASIC Perforated Push up Bra  in Powder Pink from Breeze Comfort. After 5 kids I need a little push up action. I was a little hesitate with the underwire part of the bra because all the bras I have tried that have underwires were really uncomfortable. This was not the case with this one. I fit perfectly and was very comfortable compared to most. I liked that it stayed in place and look great. I love that it was 100% breathable and I didnt sweat as much in it either. That was great! I love it!

The other one I got was the Burgundy/Black Yin Yang Sports Bra from Breeze Comfort. I absolutely love this one. I love the cute design of the cross over style. I love the support it gives while I exercise. I love the padding it has. It is my favorite bra ever. It is soft and comfortable. I think I wear this one the most.

I definitely recommend Breeze Comfort and their Bras. So head over and check them out.

One lucky winner is getting a Yin Yang Sports Bra

To enter:
1. Go to Breeze Comfort and tell me your favorite bra

Extra Entries:
1.Following Breeze Comfort on twitter
2. Tweet something you learned from their site @BreezeComfort
3. follow breeze comfort facebook page
4. post something you learned on breeze Comforts facebook page
5.Follow me
6.sign up for my rss feeds
7.Blog about this giveaway this will count for 4 entries
8.add my button to your site 2 entries
9.link to this page for 4 entries
10.Subscribe to my email feeds
11.follow me on twitter (collyn23) and tweet this contest
12.Enter my other giveaways 1 entry for each entered
13.Follow me on network blogs on sidebar
14.add my blog to your blogroll counts as 3 entries
15.Fav me on technoratti
16.comment on my non giveaway blogs 1 entry for each comment

I Heart Faces: Fix-It Friday #50 - Hands-On Photo Editing Fun!‏

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After Editing

Corner Stork Baby Gifts review and giveaway ends 5-7- closed

I love cute little personalized gifts. I love especially getting my kids stuff with their names on it or a cute little saying. It makes the gifts so much more special. I even like to get for new baby a little something special that will become a keepsake. So when I came acrossed Corner Stork Baby Gifts I found so much stuff I wanted to get.

I ended up getting the Patches little puppy lovie. It is this adorable dog tiny blanket toy. It rattles and is so soft. It is adorable. I got it for my daughters 2nd birthday and had it personalized with her name. She calls it her soft soft puppy. Even my 3 year old has tried to steal it. She loves soft stuff. I love the colors of the cream and brown.It is around 15 inches so it is a good size. I even love that it comes in a cute dog house. It is a fabulousgift for a new baby or children of all ages.

Corner Stork Baby Gifts has some great gifts and packages. You definitely need to check them all out. They have so much choices you will fall in love with too many things hahaha. They have everything from gift baskets, diaper cakes, personalized gifts, baby jewerly, keepsake book, and so much more! So head over and check them out!

Corner Stork Baby Gifts is giving one of my readers a Patche puppy so cool!

To Enter:
1. Go to Corner Stork Baby Gifts and tell me your favorite item

Extra Entries:
2.Follow me
3.sign up for my rss feeds
4.Blog about this giveaway this will count for 4 entries
5.add my button to your site 2 entries
6.link to this page for 4 entries
7.Subscribe to my email feeds
8.follow me on twitter (collyn23) and tweet this contest
9.Enter my other giveaways 1 entry for each entered
10.Follow me on network blogs on sidebar
11.add my blog to your blogroll counts as 3 entries
12.Fav me on technoratti
13.comment on my non giveaway blogs 1 entry for each comment

Thursday Blogging

Its been a long week for me and my family. A really tough one. It is thursday and I am praying the weekend comes fast and that the weather stays nice so I can take the kids to the park and get out of this house for a while.It is much needed time out.

First off Someone got a hold of our bank card and took out over $400  in 5 transactions. That money was for rent and gas. We did eventually get the bank to refund the money well most of it not all of it. The thing that bugs me though is this person got away with $400 dollars and is going most likely get away with it and do it to others. We scrape by paycheck to pay check with not even a single dollar to spare.All of our pills are past due by almost 2 months. We barely make ends meet and someone can be job free and steal other peoples money that is not right!!

Then to top it off the weather is so unpredictable here in Utah right now one day it is in high 60 and low 70s and next day 30s with snow and hail. Its suppose to be Spring. We even had our flowers bloom to have the snow turn around and kill them.I am so ready for the 80s and 90s!!

The kids are back at school after a very long spring break but boy are they whiny this week. Oh my it is crazy between my son who is 9, my duaghters that are 7, 5, and 3. It has been a house of whine here without the cheese. My youngest has been awnry and thinks everything is hers. I hate terrible twos! So mommy needs a time out or a night out. Actually me and my hubby with work, and other jobs and kids have really falling apart and we need something to get us together again. We need a date night!! Only thing is we need a babysitter. Darn oh and money oh well so much for that idea. I think Early bedtime for kids , a Redbox movie and dinner alone will have to do.

wordless wednesday

The 3D ultrasound Pictures of my soon to be Great Nephew Conner. I love the way these show his cute little face. Its amazing the technology these days!!

Tasty Tuesday

Black Bean Quesadilla

Ingredients

2 burrito-size flour tortillas
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can refried black beans
1 cup chunky salsa
1 1/2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
1/2 cup prepared guacamole or make your own
2 tablespoons sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Lay 1 tortilla on a clean work surface. Spread the beans evenly over the tortilla. Spoon 3/4 cup of salsa over the beans, then sprinkle with the cheese. Top with the second tortilla. Place the quesadilla on a foil-covered cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top is crisp and brown. Meanwhile, swirl the guacamole and sour cream together in a small bowl. Cut the quesadilla into 4 equal portions and transfer to a plate. Serve with the guacamole mixture and remaining 1/4 cup of salsa.

I Heart Faces- Challenge week 15- I heart Desserts