Stackerz

Another great product! I'm not really sure why they're called Stackerz, nothing you can really srack. However, our dogs love these little snacks, plus you can make them into smaller sizes! Both our pets came back for more! The bag is resealable, which is an added bonus. I received these free from Influenster, but that doesn't mean I didn't like them! I will be buying more for our furry friends soon.

The Go VoxBox

Well kids, I got another one! A VoxBox with tones of free goodies from Influenster!

This wasn't my favorite box I've ever had. It was useful, like the tampons I reviewed earlier. However, the rest was kinda just "meh". The pedi rock was nice, but the shoe inserts don't fit my feet correctly. The shaker was awesome and cute, but the meal replacement shakes were gross. I'm not a fan of almonds, so I gave those to my husband. He said they were yummy! I loved the yogurt, I've purchased it again since the box.

So that's it really. I'm disappointed overall, next time I hope to get an awesome-er box!

Playtex Sport Gentle Glide

I absolutely love these! I received a free box from an Influenster VoxBox! Every woman should check these out! I always feel prepared when I have one on hand!

Yum-yum!

As I've mentioned before, I'm a pastry chef! Here is one of my most recent delicious creations; owl cupcakes! Vanilla cupcake filled with pastry cream and topped with mocha buttercream! They've very easy, just frost add Oreos for eyes and chewy Spree candies for the pupils and beak! You can check out my business page on FACEBOOK for more of my delicious creations! Don't forget to like my page!

J'Adore VoxBox

That's right, I got another VoxBox in the mail, courtesy of Influenster!

It had some of the most awesome things inside - a clay mask by Boots Botanics, a FAMILY size bag of Hershey Kisses, Red Rose Tea, 3 Day Frizz Easy by John Freida, and Kiss Eye Lashes!

All of these products were great (especially the Hershey's!). I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Most of the products I had never tried before, I love trying new things and experience their benifits!

See the previous post to read more about Boots Botanics, I loved the mask! The 3 Day Frizz Ease has been the best thing to happen  to my hair. I recently cut my hair and began to straighten it more often, this really works! It's GREAT!

Boots Botanics

Recently I received a sample of Boots Botanics from Influenster (one of my favorite "freebie" sites!). It's a clay mask and is ah-mazing on your skin! With a quick shake of the tube, the clay is applied and you can feel it dry onto your face and you spread the mask. You can SEE the oil being removed from your pores.

The mask is super easy to wipe of, it leaves your skin feeling clean, fresh, and rejuvenated! Go buy and try it for yourself! Power of Plants!

The BEST Bruschetta!!

Fail-proof recipe! I absolutely love this, I serve with fresh sliced mozzarella and crustinis.  My little girl loves the tomatoes and fresh cheese and will eat them as a snack.

RECIPE:

3 Diced Roma Tomatoes
1 Diced Small Red Onion
2 Minced Garlic Cloves
3 TBS Shaved Parmesan Cheese
2 TBS Olive Oil
1/4 Cups Balsamic Vinegar
Chopped Fresh Basil (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Mix all together and enjoy! It's best if you make and let it sit for an hour or two.

Roasted Tomato, Red Pepper & Basil Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons

This is actually a fairly easy recipe, but will impress!

For the soup, you can simply make your favorite canned tomato soup or use the following recipe. If making canned soup, simply use milk/cream instead of water and add some pureed roasted red peppers and basil!


RECIPE:

3 Roasted Tomatoes (to roast, toss in sugar, salt, pepper, oil, and balsamic vinegar. Bake in oven until they start to brown and skins split)
3 Roasted Red Peppers (use above tomato method to roast)
2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
1 Can Chicken Broth

Puree the above ingredients. Then add the following:

1 Quart Heavy Cream
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
V8 Tomato Juice (add to create desired thickness)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Basil (dried or fresh, to taste)

That's it! Now, onto the croutons:

Make a grilled cheese as normal. After cooking, put into the freezer! Once it's almost frozen, remove and dice the grilled cheese. Toss in some melted butter and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Stir 1/2 way through. Make sure you spray/line your pan. The cheese sticks!

ENJOY!

Wooden Crate Shelf DIY

This is a super easy shelf for kids! Total cost was about $50! Crates can be purchased at Home Depot for just under $8/each. 

What you'll need:

• 4 wooden crates
• 2 cans of spray paint, your choice of color(s) (optional)
• 2 cans stain color (optional, if not painting or if natural wood isn't desired)
• 2 can polyurethane
• 1 sponge brush
• 1 steel wool pad
• 1 roll painters tape
• 1 pkg particle board nails 
• Hammer 

*Not all items pictured

Step 1: Using the painters tape, tape the open slots of the crates and edges of the areas you do not wish to have painted. Don't for get the handle slots! 

Step 2: Spray paint! Some colors may need two coats.

Step 3: Once dry, remove tape. position crates in desired pattern. Recommended: two horizontal crates in the middle and one vertical on each end.  Starting with the center crates, nail together. Use three or four nails in each wooden panel. 

Step 4: Nail end crates to center crates. Again, three or four nails in each wooden panel. 

Step 5: Polyurethane entire shelf. If you wish to use stain to darken the wood color, stain first. Dry. Then polyurethane. 

Step 6: Use steel wool and gently rub over the unpainted areas of the shelf that have been polyurethaned. Coat crates with another layer of polyurethane. Repeat until desired shine is reached. 

That's it! Enjoy your shelf! This is a great shelf for kids toys (pictured above). It the perfect size for children, toddlers can easily reach the top! Later, more crates can be added to extend the shelf upwards or outwards!

Saving and Free Stuff

Recently, I've had a few people ask how I'm always getting free samples, free stuff, special coupons, etc. There are a few sites I use regularly. I'm listing them bellow for your enjoyment.



Coupons.com is one of the best for simply clipping coupons. I also use Redplum and Smartsource. Also, The Krazy Coupon Lady and a great directory of where to find printable coupons around the net. For Michiganders, A Mitten Full of Savings pairs coupons with sale items at Target, Meijer, and Walmart. She also posts contests from time to time for gift cards and what not! Like A Mitten Full of Savings on Facebook for easier access.


Check for Apps! Mperks and Target Cartwheel are amazing! With Target Cartwheel you can use your Red Card to save 5% on top of the Cartwheel savings. You can also use one manufacture paper coupon and one Target paper coupon. Can you say holy savings!? Both of these are                                                            available online and via smartphone app.


My favorite all time app is Ibotta. You simply go to the store and shop as normal, use coupons if you wish. Ibotta posts offers for specific items. It's great! You scan your receipt and scan the bar code on the specific product and walla! Savings! You then have the option of transfering the money you earned to a paypal account or onto a gift card for specific retailers.

For freebies and samples I use FreebieShark. It's a new website I recently found, but holy crap! They have a database of where you can find free samples and sweepstakes where you can win free products! If you like them on Facebook you can stay up to date easier. Recently I was able to sign up for 2 full size Mary Kay lip gloss, free Wheat Thins, and free Oreos! It might require a little effort, like Tweeting something - but it's totally worth it!



Finally, INFLUENSTER! Sign up, review products, earn badges, and hopefully you will qualify for a Voxbox! These boxes contain full size products for you to test and review. Complete the VoxBox tasks on their site after you receive the box to possibly win more free stuff! Recently I won a years supply of toothbrushes and two full size toothpaste!


Don't forget to check out the websites of your favorite brands! They will often post coupons and special offers! Use their contact us links to send feedback, sometimes they will send coupons!

Broccoli Cheese Bites

These were an experiment that turn out FABULOUS! It makes about 8 patties. I will say the patties are hard to make and it can be frustrating. Just take your time, they bake really well and end up delicious! You can also add other veggies, such as diced carrots. Chicken or turkey would be delicious too! I haven't tried it, but substituting cooked rice for part of the bread crumbs might be a delicious addition . If you try the rice, let me know how it turns out!

This would make a great meal for toddlers and kids. Adults, too! To make it more adult friendly, spice it up by adding Tobasco or cayenne pepper! Top with a little siracha aioli.

Here's the recipe, enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

Delicious!

16 oz. Package of frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained of liquid
1 cup Grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
3 eggs
1 cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs
salt & pepper




DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in bowl

Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray pan with nonstick spray. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. In 1/4 to 1/2 cup portions, make into balls/patties. They will not be 100% flat.

Ball into 1/4 to 1/2 cup portions

Bake for 15 minutes. Turn over and bake an additional 10 minutes. 

Dutch Oven Rosemary Herb Bread

Hands down, this is one of the most delicious breads I have ever made. I found a recipe and tweaked it, as the recipe I found didn't quite work. Tomorrow, I plan on using this bread for a grilled cheese sandwich, but it's wonderful on it's own with a shmear of butter!

Delicious with a shmear of butter or for a sandwich!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Warm Water
1pkg Active Dry Yeast (about 1 & 1/4tsp)
1/4 cup Scalded Milk
1/2 cup Butter, Melted
1Tbs Minced Fresh Rosemary
1/4 Cup Minced Onion
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
1/2tsp Thyme
2tsp Salt
1tsp Sugar
4 Cups Flour
Olive Oil

Knead until dough passes "window pane" test

DIRECTIONS:
Saute onion and garlic in a little oil, add rosemary and thyme. Continue to saute until onion is translucent. Add to melted butter and cool completely.

In bowl, pour warm water, sprinkle yeast on top. Gently stir until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients except olive oil.

If using a Kitchenaid or similar mixer with dough hook attachments - continue to mix and knead until dough reaches and passes the "window pane" test. If mixing by hand, once all ingredients are combined remove from bowl and knead by hand until the dough reaches and passes the "window pane" test.

Lightly oil a bowl, cover and  allow dough to rise until double in a warm area. About 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Once double, punch down and knead to redistribute yeast.

Cut an "X" in the top of the dough

Using olive oil, lightly oil a Dutch Oven. Place dough in center and oil the top of the dough. Cut and "X" in the top of the dough to allow the bread to 'bloom' while cooking. Cover and bake at 450 for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes uncover and cook an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until done.

Allow to cool and enjoy!

Bake at 450 cover for 30min and uncovered 15-20min

Enjoy!