Giadia De Laurentiis has been working with Target and recently created a wonderful end of summer recipe along with several special offerings.




















MY THOUGHTS
The Giade De Laurentiis for Target collection makes a few Italian favorites both fast and easy!  I love a good basil pesto pasta dish, but creating my own pesto is often too labor intensive for my schedule.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Genovese Basil Pesto and its rich flavor.  I put together a tortellini dish that my family loved in a matter of minutes!  The Charred Tomato Vinaigrette was subtle and a little sweet, yet added zing to my grilled squash, zucchini, and tomatoes.  Personally I'm not much of a black olive fan so I wasn't crazy about the Black Olive Tapenade.  However, for olive lovers, I can see it being a great addition to an appetizer, or easily enjoyed by itself.

Cricket Magazine Group began with the launch of the children's publication Cricket Magazine in 1973. Our current publications for young readers include fourteen different kid's magazines spanning ages from toddlers to teens and focusing on Literature & Imagination, History & Culture, and Science & Ideas. The mission of Cricket is to inspire children to a lifelong love of reading and learning. In addition to our fourteen children’s magazines, Cricket offers a unique assortment of enlightening and entertaining products with an emphasis on educational benefits. The variety of books, crafts, toys, and gifts not widely available, all bring a sense of fun to the learning process.

As important as it is to carry the season’s must-have handbag, it’s just as important that it’s filled with the right on-the-go essentials. According to a survey by Fiber One® Bars*, 75% of women regret not stashing a snack in their bag when hunger pangs hit, and they don’t have access to a meal.

That’s why Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars make the perfect accessory for a woman’s handbag. These delicious chewy bars contain 20 percent of the recommended daily fiber intake, making them the perfect on-the-go snack. In fact, consumers recently chose Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars as the Best Snack Bar in 2011!**

1 box of Fiber One 90 Calorie Chocolate Chewy Bars
1 chic black cosmetic case
1 pop-out hair brush
1 compact mirror
1 tin of mints
MANDATORY ENTRY1) Tell me what do you do when hunger pangs strike and you’re on the go? Easy!

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #49 Jackie!

We attended a Disney Social at the W Hotel in Atlanta this past weekend.  We had a great time meeting some local bloggers and enjoying good food, treats and family entertainment.  Lily, who has been looking forward to our trip to Disney next month, was sorely disappointed that we weren't at the actual princess castle.  "Can't we take the elevator all the way to the top to see the princesses?  Are we in the castle now?"  Cutie!  Disney is a little girl's dream come true - and mommy's too, since I've never been!

The balloon lady was awesome!  Lily loved her flower.


The main area for kids entertainment.  Fun galore and all Lily did was play with the princess characters and castles.


Lily's favorite place of all.  Now I know what to get her for her birthday!



My happy, sweet kiddo!  Melts my heart!


 Enjoying some lunch.

The other week I posted about how to cook spaghetti squash and promised a recipe.  I finally had the opportunity to make it this weekend.  I had frozen the squash after I cooked it earlier this month and left it in the fridge to defrost overnight.

1 or 1/2 spaghetti squash, cooked
1 package of andouille sausage, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar pasta sauce
splash of olive oil
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese if desired

Chop your onions and garlic, then saute for a 2-3 minutes in olive oil in a large pan or wok.



Saute everything nicely.

Add squash, either defrosted from frozen or freshly cooked.  Heat through and season with salt and pepper.  Add red pasta sauce to your liking.  I personally like a lot of sauce - the spaghetti squash pick up the flavor nicely.

Serve and enjoy.  It is a great low-carb meal!

MANDATORY ENTRY1) Tell me whether you are visiting any farms or rural areas this summer?  We visited a local blueberry farm last month!


This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #54 Terra H - congratulations!

This review and giveaway was made possible by the Family Review Network and Kubota. Thank you to for sponsoring the review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

Welcome to Zutano.  Colorful, whimsical and uniquely versatile are the hallmarks of Zutano.

Located in the green hills of Vermont, we carefully source only the softest cottons for each new product, creating a line of superior quality clothing and accessories in a rainbow of colors and prints, that are inspired by a love of babies and the belief that every child’s individuality can be celebrated.

I honestly don't know where the last 7 years have gone...and this October we will have the 11th anniversary of our first date.  My husband is my one true love, my best friend, my confidant and partner.  Could I ask for anything more?

Hosting a giveaway? You can link it here to promote it! I try to visit everyone who links up since I LOVE giveaways! Please include blog name - prize - end date and link directly to your giveaway. My current giveaways are listed in the right sidebar. Please keep it family friendly or identify it as adult content. Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Frecklebox.com is a unique site where you can purchase truly special, one-of-a-kind personalized gifts. Our growing selection of personalized gifts includes personalized books, coloring books, puzzles, posters, party favors, stickers, journal books, placemats, growth charts and more.

Unique among preschool programs, Wisharoo Park is designed to help children age 3 – 6 recognize and appreciate their individuality. With its groundbreaking technology-based curriculum, Wisharoo Park helps children discover and understand their personal strengths and put them on the road to developing greater self-esteem. The Wisharoopark.com enchanting online community stars a whimsical cast of loveable animated, puppet and human characters who are featured in games, videos, music and more! Each week exciting new activities and content are added that are sure to keep parents and their kids coming back again and again.

Wisharoo Park is proud to partner with Capezio. Dedicated to the art of dance since 1887, Capezio revolutionized the dance world with dancewear and footwear products for every dancer from beginner to professional.
• One Pair Capezio Daisy ballet Shoes. Retail Value: $18.00 (You will be sent a replacemrent pair of boys style shoes next week)
• One Pair Capezio Jr. Tyette Tap Shoes. Retail Value: $25.00 (Again, you will be sent a replacemrent pair of boys style shoes next week)
• One Limited Edition Do the Duckle Commemorative T-Shirt. Retail Value: $12.99
• One Capezio Logo Drawstring Backpack. Retail Value: $8.50
• One Wisharoo Park 2-Disc 13 Episode DVD Set. Retail Value: $19.99
• Six Wisharoo Park Wish Star finger puppets. Retail Vaile: 19.98

My sister and her boyfriend visited last week and Lily and I took a day off to hang out with them.  We had a great time at the Atlanta Aquarium.  Here are a few pictures.  The first one made me laugh...it just seems really wrong to sell a fish cook book and seasoning at the aquarium!  Then again...I was tempted to buy a container :)  I do love seafood!

If you ask, you can learn about which seafood is safe to eat and which is protected so that you can be Seafood Savvy, too!

Currently Tec Labs is promoting their products designed to help prevent skin infections in minor cuts and wounds, itching and head lice. Since back-to-school is just around the corner, they are promoting their "Back-To-School Survival Kit!"  The products in this kit are safe for the whole family and includes a sample of each of the following:

Licefreee Everyday Shampoo - to prevent head lice.  While we have been fortunate to avoid lice in Lily's daycare, one can never predict when the pesky bugs might make an appearance.

StaphAseptic® First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Reliever - to treat minor cuts and wounds. You can apply it to minor cuts, scrapes and abrasions.  StaphAseptic® can help prevent skin infections and contains Lidocaine for effective pain relief.

Calagel® Medicated Anti-Inch Gel - to relieve and protect skin from minor cuts and burns, and other skin irritations such as poison ivy, oak and sumac rash.  Since we live in Georgia, we are bitten by mosquitoes every time we step outside.  Calagel is very effective at relieving the itch.

Tec Labs recently launched a "Keeping Kids Lice Free" campaign, where they have provided readers with some valuable tips about how to prevent and treat head lice.  Take a look through some of their facts and articles on lice and prevention.






WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a set of the three products pictured above just in time for back to school. Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me why you would like to win.  Easy!

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #45 itsme - congratulations!

This review and giveaway was made possible by Tec Labs. Thank you to Tec Labs for providing the product for review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

No Shower Nearby?... Now There Is! Introducing Safari Towels. The Shower-To-Go

We are regular coffee drinkers in our house and by 6am in the morning the espresso machine is humming.  Except for a quick shot of espresso, both my husband and I generally prefer to have some type of cream or milk in our coffee cups.  We have also been making a big effort to use all natural products free of any artificial colors and flavors.  Coffee-mate's new line of Natural Bliss creamers contains only four all natural ingredients: milk, heavy cream, sugar and natural flavors.  Currently there are three flavors of Natural Bliss including Vanilla, Sweet Cream and Caramel. I secretly hope that Coffee-mate adds some additional flavors like my favorite hazelnut..










BUY IT
Coffee-mate Natural Bliss is available at retailers and grocery stores near you.

WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a free product coupon to try the new Coffee-mate Natural Bliss for yourself.  Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me if you flavor your coffee or what your favorite creamer flavor is? Easy!

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #376 Natashagt - congratulations!

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Coffee-mate and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.