Quick and Easy Holiday Entertaining with Walgreens Holiday Guide #HappyAllTheWay

I am a member of the Collective Bias (#cbias) Social Fabric Community. This #shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

With the holiday season in full swing you're sure to have parties on the brain. The holidays are such a great excuse to have a party because chances are your home is already decked out (and if it's not yet, seriously, what are you waiting for??). We have all the traditional family get togethers, from Christmas Eve dinner at my mom's, to brunch that we love to host at our house Christmas morning (mostly because then we don't have to GO anywhere!), and we always get together with Chris' family for a Christmas gift exchange around the holidays as well. My sister-in-law is a caterer, so the food is always fabulous at her house, which I'm sure takes a lot of effort on her part. But it doesn't have to! I headed to Walgreens (yes, WALGREENS) to see what I could find to throw together for a stress-free party and I was quite surprised by all of Walgreens holiday solutions!

First I picked up some glittery miniature Christmas trees (for 99 cents each!) to decorate the table with. I found some juice and sparkling water to make some non-alcoholic Holiday punch, assorted Good & Delish premium snacks like chocolate covered star cookies, dark chocolate peppermint pretzels, sea salt crackers (to serve with my famous goat cheese spread), and nuts (to place in decorative bowls around the party that guests can snack on).

My nine year old helped me make the punch. We mixed one container of Cranberry Pomegranate juice with one bottle of Sparkling Spring Water. It was super easy, and festive for those of us who want an alcohol free option.

Assorted cookies and pretzels on a simple white platter (I only buy white dishes because then everything coordinates!) looks (and tastes!) delicious!

To make this super delicious (and seriously addicting) spread I mix 1 part goat cheese (room temp so that you can mix it) with 1/4 part softened butter. (Yes, butter). Spread the goat cheese/butter mix on the bottom of a (white) dish and top with sliced sundried tomatoes, julienned basil, toasted pine nuts, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. (OK, now my mouth is watering). Serve with crackers and I guarantee it will disappear.

Seriously, don't stress about hosting a Christmas get together. You don't have to make everything from scratch (I promise your friends will not notice--or care). Buy some crackers and yummy cheese, some cookies and candy, and some beverages. If you display everything on pretty dishes (rather than leaving them in the package) no one will be the wiser. Then put on some holiday music and some fancy shoes and you're good to go!

Check out the Good & Delish spread in Walgreens Happy & Healthy Holiday Guide!

coffee even a child can make #CupOfKaffe

We got in LATE last night and after 8 days in Hawaii, (Aloha!) we had very little food in the house. Once I got the kids off to school it was time to head to the grocery store to re-stock. Number one on the agenda was coffee. Because, duh.

I was on a mission to go to Walmart and look for New Gevalia Coffee for use in the Keurig K-Cup Brewer. (Remember when you could only get their coffee via a subscription service?) And after a little browsing, I found it!  (See the whole shopping trip here).

Side note: Isn't shopping by yourself glorious? I mean taking kids to the grocery store can be a total nightmare. Going without them? Is ALMOST like a trip to the spa. (Come on people, I said "ALMOST").

 
When I got home I made myself a cup and invited my friend over for a cup as well. (But I promised I wouldn't photograph her because she had coconut oil in her hair--makes it grow faster??)

I love being able to make just one cup of coffee with the K-cup instead of a whole pot. If I'm honest, I don't even know how to make coffee in a coffee pot. (And I'd like to keep it that way, thankyouverymuch).

The Gevalia Columbia blend is a "medium roast" that they describe as "Rich, bright, and well-bodied". This was the darkest roast they had available at the store today, and it was a little too "medium" for me. I think if I were to buy it again I would try and find a darker roast. My husband makes his coffee STRONG and that's what we prefer.

My oldest, Grace, has taken a liking to drinking coffee herself, ever since we bought the Keurig. And Camden, who just turned nine, is an expert coffee maker. Using the Gevalia single-serve cups he can (and DOES!) make me a cup of coffee, add my creamer, and deliver it to me in bed. And really, isn't that what having kids is all about?

So tell me, how do you like your coffee? Black? With cream and sugar? With a side of cake?

If you'd like to learn more about Gevalia please check their website. Or click here for coupons!



I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Kraft Foods #CupOfKaffe #cbias #SocialFabric All opinions are (obviously) my own.

Easy Halloween Chocolate Mummy Treats

Walgreens new Loyalty Card program called Balance Rewards has launched and I decided to try it out. Because a) I like saving money and b) I was selected to do this here blog post and share with you all about it.

I signed up easily online (I already had a walgreens.com account that I use for one hour photo upload and it was super easy to sign up for their card using that). It's also very easy to sign up in store, and they even have "an app for that".

Then I went to my local Walgreens, browsing for Halloween ideas. I found these cute pumpkins. And half price (with the new #BalanceRewards)!

When I was ready to check out I just entered my phone number to access my account. This allowed me to get Walgreens Savings sales prices, as well as rack up reward points which accumulate as cash on future trips. (For example, some of the candy I bought qualified for 1,000 points per package). Prescriptions will get you 500 points each. 5,000 points = $5

I bought Hershey's Snack Size bars (and Snack Size Kit Kat bars because they are the same size and shape) so that I could make these adorable Halloween Mummies! Want to make some yourself? All you'll need is some crepe paper (aka streamers) in white. (The crepe paper is too wide as it comes, so I cut it down the middle), and some "googly eyes". Both of these can be found at any craft store. And some tape, and glue.

Simply wrap your crepe paper around your candy bar. Tape in the back. Glue on some googly eyes. Done. It's so easy even my husband could do it.

  
I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Walgreens  #CBias #SocialFabric

everyday makeup with #eyeslipsface #CBias

My mission? To shop for elf everyday cosmetics at Target, and then blog about my everyday makeup routine. Um, yes, please! I decided to bring Grace along since she knows a little bit more about makeup than I do. Since she's, you know, a teenager. (GASP!) And also because if she found out I either went to Target OR shopped for makeup without her she'd be livid.

elf cosmetics at Target #eyeslipsface

our collection of elf cosmetics

We actually already had some elf cosmetics. They are super affordable, especially if I'm wanting to try something new. Like maybe liquid eyeliner. Or cream eyeshadow. There was nothing that cost more than $6 at the store. And most items were either $1 or $3. We bought a few new things to add to our collection!

My everyday routine includes moisturizer (always), undereye concealer, neutral eyeshadow, mascara, and lip balm. When I'm feeling fancy (like today since I was taking pictures!) I'll add some eyeliner. (I love the elf Eyeliner and Shadow combo in plum/purple). Grace's everyday routine is almost the same, but she adds powder, sometimes blush, and she spends way more time on her hair than I do. Mine is pretty much wash and go. Because I'm like, a mom and stuff.

If you'd like to connect with e.l.f. you can do so via the following links:
eyeslipsface.com
twitter.com/askelf
facebook.com/elfcosmetics




I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and e.l.f. #CBias #SocialFabric All opinions are (obviously) my own.

to die for Mocha Float @Seattlesbest #RedCupShowdown #CBias

I was thrilled to be selected to participate in spreading the word about Seattle's Best Coffee's #RedCupShowdown, a contest that YOU can enter by creating a fabulous coffee drink using Seattle's Best Coffee and sharing it on their facebook page.

Anyway, I had an idea for a fabulous coffee drink (a mocha float, the "to die for" only got added after I actually tried the thing), so my helpers and I headed to walmart to shop for ingredients:

You'll need chocolate ice cream, Seattle's Best Coffee (I chose level 4), and whipping cream. Easy peasy.

I couldn't find Seattle's Best k-cups at my Walmart, so I used my own keurig accessory that I can fill with coffee grounds. (Thanks to my aunt, M'Lis for reminding me that I even had such a thing)! I made my coffee as strong as possible by selecting the smallest portion size. Go ahead and let your coffee cool. If it's too hot, it's just going to melt your ice cream...This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes for not as pretty photos, not that I'd know... ; )

Load your glass up with some chocolate ice cream, then pour your coffee over it. With one "serving" of coffee I made two servings of my Mocha Float.

Top with whipped cream (we are NOT counting calories here), and sprinkle with some coffee grounds.

Enjoy! It was at THIS point that I renamed my Mocha Float the To Die For Mocha Float, because, seriously, it is that good.

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Seattle’s Best Coffee #CBias #SocialFabric All opinions are (obviously) my own.

For information on entering the #RedCupShowdown contest featuring Seattle's Best Coffee and celebrity Chef Jeff Mauro, click here.

#TCBYGrocery and National Camera Day! #spons

In honor of National Camera Day I was invited to head to Walmart, buy some TCBY Frozen Yogurt and have a little photo shoot with the product in hopes of coming up with a most creative photo.

We bought everybody's favorite flavor (english toffee crunch, of course) and some cones. Click here to see photos from our shopping trip (you know you want to).

I had an idea to do a collage of the cone melting as Charlie (attempted) to eat it. But then Charlie went down for a nap and I decided I could eat a cone myself. So I set up a mini "studio" outside. I used my 50mm f/1.8 lens and opened my aperture as wide as it would go to blur the background and then I just shot away (in between bites of that delicious FroYo, of course). Then Grace came up with the fabulous idea to make a gif out of the photos and I think it turned out awesome! What do you think?

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and TCBY #CBias #SocialFabric #TCBYGrocery All opinions are (obviously) my own.

Feel free to follow on with TCBY on the web:

• TCBYgrocery.com http://tcbygrocery.com/
• TCBY on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TCBYGrocery
• TCBY on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/TCBYGrocery
• TCBY on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/cbsocially/tcby-grocery/

New #tcbygrocery Froyo!

Remember TCBY? There used to be a TCBY near my house when I was in high school, and I remember going there and loading up on "fro-yo" with all the toppings. Well TCBY is BACK at your local Walmart with frozen yogurt and frozen treats. (see my shopping trip pics here) In our family, we know ice cream. We LOVE ice cream, so I jumped at the chance to be one of the first to try this new product when it hit shelves this month! We invited some friends over to help try out this new product and we were all pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was. None of the things we tried tasted "light" or "healthy" at all, but they actually do have reasonable calories per serving.

We celebrated Camden's 8th birthday with a TCBY Froyo par-TAY! We got all the treats, and the frozen yogurt flavors, and toppings, because what kind of party is a party without toppings? (Not any one that I'd want to attend that's for sure)!

 Gavin chose Supreme Cookies & Cream with whipped cream.

 Blaine went for a Chocolate Fudge Bar

 Myles enjoyed a Chocolate Fudge Bar as well

  Alec couldn't wait to dig into his Supreme Cookies & Cream, caramel sauce, and whipped cream.

 Camden ate Supreme Cookies & Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry, while Charlie demanded MORE!

 Charlie tried the Supreme cookies and cream. He licked his bowl. Twice.

Tula chose "green", and thought that the mint was finger licking good. It was so popular that we ran out! I'll definitely be getting more of that!

Everybody enjoyed the TCBY thoroughly. I personally tried the english toffee crunch with some caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry. After the kids went to bed I decided I should probably have an orange and vanilla bar as well. Both were DELICIOUS. Let me know if you decide to try it, because I'll come over and eat it with you. YUM!



This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias #CBias All opinions are (obviously) my own.