Weekend Coupon Preview

You can see the list of coupons for this weekend HERE. I'm excited about Crayola coupons. Always good stocking stuffers!

Book Review: The Fashion File

The Fashion File: Advice, Tips and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of Mad Men.
By Janie Bryant
Grand Central Life and Style, 2010
English, 192 pgs


Description:
From Joanie's Marilyn Monroe-esque pencil skirts to Betty's classic Grace Kelly cupcake dresses, the clothes worn by the characters of the phenomenal Mad Men have captivated fans everywhere. Now, women are trading in their khakis for couture and their pumas for pumps. Finally, it's hip to dress well again. Emmy-Award winning costume designer Janie Bryant offers readers a peek into the dressing room of Mad Men, revealing the design process behind the various characters' looks and showing every woman how to find her own leading lady style--whether it's vintage, modern, or bohemian.

Bryant's book will peek into the dressing room of Mad Men and reveal the design process behind the various characters' looks. But it will also help women learn how fashion can help convey their personality. She will help them cultivate their style, including all the details that make a big difference.

Bryant offers advice to ensure that a woman's clothes convey her personality. She covers everything from where to find incredible vintage clothing and accessories to how to pair those authentic pieces with modern shoes and jeans. Readers will learn how to find their perfect bra size, use color to convey a mood, and invest in the ten essentials every woman should own. And just so the ladies don't leave their men behind, there's even a section on making them look a little more Don Draper-dashing.

Emmy-winning costume designer Janie Bryant creates all of the looks seen on TV's Mad Men. She has worked on numerous films and TV shows. In 2005, she won an Emmy for her period costumes on HBO's Deadwood and she took home the prestigious Outstanding Costume Design award from the Costume Designers Guild in both 2009 and 2010. 

Review:
I'm not a fan of the show, but I love the way Bryant styles the characters. I am so happy that her styles have brought back looking nice. There has been way too much frumpy, slouchy and ill-fitting fashion lately and I love that Mad Men is inspiring a shift into feminine styles again.

Several times in the book, I really felt like the book was aimed at someone else. I'm not thin and I can't wear a lot of the styles she advocates. I do like that she made everything pretty basic and easy to learn. She's way obsessed with accessories though!

The most useful parts for me were the "necessities" she advocates for both women and men.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Tis the Season!

I'm so excited about this holiday season! It's time to start making lists, shopping for gifts, packing the children's luggage and going to see family! This will be one of the first years in a long time that we'll be at my mom's for Thanksgiving (was way too pregnant to travel last year) and I can't wait!

I'll be honest, I'm about 80% done with Christmas shopping. Although, I know myself well and know that I'll continue to look for things for the boys until I've spent all the budget! Most of my shopping has been done online. CSN Stores has been a "go-to" site where I can find anything! (Including a few things for myself...)

Check them out. You're sure to find what you need in one of their 200+ stores. Lots of items even have Free Shipping. I've always received my items quickly and they're exactly what I expect when they get here.

Book Review: Almost Heaven

Almost Heaven
By Chris Fabry
Tyndale House, 2010
English, 400 pgs.


Description:
Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him.
However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.

Review:
I had to stick with this one. I was determined to read the whole book. I'm glad I stuck with it. It started a little slow and sad, but it turned into a beautiful story of a life well lived. Billy works through his life and his "issues" with an observer/protector angel watching over him. That it's a fictionalization of a real person makes the story that much more touching. There are touches of Peretti in the accounts of the angelic realm, but it doesn't go too much into that so I didn't mind it.

I received a copy of the book from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received.

Wholly Guacamole Coupon!

Wholly Guacamole has released an amazing $4 coupon good on any Wholly product on their Facebook page! Click to Like and then go to the coupon tab to print it! This is as close to FREE as you can get! I personally want more queso! I love it so much!

Book Review: Then Sings My Soul

Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories, Special Edition
By Robert J. Morgan
Thomas Nelson, 2010
English, 320 pgs


Description:

Don't look for a dry recounting of boring historical fact, the devotional-style stories in Then Sings My Soul show the emotion and drama behind the hymns of faith that have changed many lives throughout history. Designed to be personally reflective, these stories speak to the soul and add depth to a meaningful worship time with God through song.
Recounted are stories of the people whose faith led them to write these wonderful seasonal hymns and the people whose faith was affected by reading, hearing, and singing the songs.

• Includes words and music to each hymn
• Special, softcover, French flap cover design
• Ivory paper with brown ink
• Jagged edged paper, giving it a classic feel
• Complete with hymn index
• Use for devotionals, teaching illustrations, introductory remarks for song leaders and music ministers

Review:
I love stories. I love knowing the stories behind things I love. I love "old" hymns. There are so many song in the Hymnal that have a deep personal meaning, yet I've never wondered about the stories behind them. I guess I've just assumed that the person(s) who wrote them had the same deep experiences that caused them to write.

My all time favorite hymn is The Old Rugged Cross. You would never know it because I never sing it. I can't. I can't get through it without tears (and I HATE crying) and therefore I don't sing it.

The reason it's so personal to me is my grandfather. He passed away when I was just about to start my sophomore year of high school. It was sang at his funeral because it was his favorite. At that time, I was not a Christian and I didn't understand the meaning behind it. A few months later I accepted Jesus as my Savior and then I came to understand.

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
It's shame and reproach gladly bear,
Thn He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.

It came to have meaning for me.

This book is really cool for learning the back story of the songs we sing at our churches, even those for the upcoming Christmas season are covered.

I received a copy of the book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received.

Book Review: Drop 5 lbs.

Good Housekeeping Drop 5 lbs: The Small Changes, Big Results Diet
By Heather K. Jones RD and Editors of Good Housekeeping
Hearst, 2010
English, 272 pgs


Description:
Sometimes it's the simple choices-like switching diet soda for regular; selecting a less-caloric sandwich at the fast food joint; stopping at just one dip into the candy bowl; filling up on salad rather than bread before your main course; or taking the kids for a bike ride instead of hanging out in front of the TV-that make the pounds melt away almost effortlessly. Whether you're a junk food junkie, an emotional eater, or even a mindless muncher, Good Housekeeping Drop 5 Pounds offers hundreds of ideas for small and very doable changes in your diet that can add up to significant weight loss.
The Diet Decoder quiz right at the start helps you pinpoint your particular eating patterns and food pitfalls, priming you for a transformation. Then, follow the icons to identify customized strategies that target your behavior. Plus you'll learn about diet destroyers like the hidden calories in “friendly” foods; simple substitutes that make both home-cooked and restaurant-bought foods less fattening; how to avoid holiday weight gain; and practical ways to incorporate exercise into your routine. Easy-to-follow charts identify “Diet Madness” meals and give you “Diet Makeover” alternatives, plus “Make This Swap” suggestions.
Every chapter opens with “Drop 5 Top 5" strategies to ditch the pounds at home, at work, and at play.

HERE'S HOW TO DROP 5 POUNDS IN JUST TWO WEEKS!
o Start with a self-quiz to diagnose your diet pitfalls
o Use our Diet Makeovers to end Diet Disasters
o Steal our Special Diet Tricks for Meal Skippers, Nonstop Nibblers, Liquid Calorie Lovers, Emotional Eaters, and Junk Food Junkies
o Mix and match our Drop 5 advice to change your diet according to your tastes and habits
o Choose from dozens of fat-blasting recipes to drop 5 pounds 

Review:
I fully intend to get this baby weight off. Of course, now that he's almost a year old, I guess it's just weight now. I've been trying everything but for some reason, I just can't get a start. I started exercising, got a cold, couldn't breathe, quit exercising, got out of the practice, Halloween candy....argh...oh and lost $20 in a weight loss bet...

So, this is going to be my plan: make subtle changes that can be sustained for a slower, permanent loss. I love the ideas in the book like bake fries instead of fry them (I can have fries!) and I'm really happy this seems "do-able". Even for someone who has struggled for so long with an extra 40 pounds. I can't even begin to tell you all the tips in the book. There is also a companion food diary to go along with it.

Check back every 2 weeks to see how I'm doing...

I received a copy of the book for review/test purposes. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Product Review: Tommee Tippee

I was chosen to review the Tommee Tippee Bottle Carrier. I was really excited because we travel with the baby and it's not always easy to get the bottle made while on the go. Well, I didn't get the bottle carrier, I got a bottle warmer. It's basically a thermos with a large over-lid which you pour the hot water into then float the bottle to warm it up.

closer to nature ® Travel bottle and food warmer set

• No electricity needed! Great for travel or daycare
• Thermal flask keeps water warm
• Either use warm water to heat up bottles or jars in warming carafe or use warm water to make up fresh feeds
• BPA and Phthalate free

I used it in the house since we aren't due to travel for another few weeks and it's been a little colder here. It did what it was supposed to do. I did find the pour spout a little hard to work and thought it was difficult to pour neatly. It kinda "gushed" everywhere.

I received product in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Macaroni Grill/Wanchai Ferry Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Do you remember your first date? Maybe it was dinner at a quiet little Italian restaurant, or dining on some takeout at home. Wherever you were when love first filled the air, Wanchai Ferry® and Macaroni Grill® Dry Dinner Kits can help you recreate that special evening in the comfort of your own home.

Enjoy an Asian escape with Wanchai Ferry restaurant-inspired dishes by simply adding your own protein to delicious entrees like Cashew Chicken, Spicy Garlic Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Kung Pao Chicken. Or bring the romance of Italian cuisine to your kitchen with Macaroni Grill favorites such as Chicken Piccata and Angel Hair Pasta, Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta, Chicken Alfredo with Linguine, Garlic & Herb Chicken Penne, and Chicken Marsala with Linguine.

So stay in and go all out! Make your meal an experience by perhaps adding some ambiance with candles and flowers.

My first date ever, I don't remember. It was most likely the movies or something in high school. My first date with my husband...well...we went to a movie, out to eat and had a car accident on the way home. I didn't talk to him for a few weeks.

Part of our routine now is date nights. Since I plan my menu one week at a time, I schedule them in advance. We never really get a date night at home though. I'm just happy if we get to talk to each other before we crash at night after the boys go to sleep!

Thanks to the people at MyBlogSpark I was able to test the Macaroni Grill Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken and the Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken. They were both really easy to prepare and took no more than 40 minutes from starting to cut up the chicken to putting the plate on the table.

I was really happy with the flavors, although there wasn't quite enough in the boxes for all three of us to eat. I did adapt the orange chicken to our family since none of us really like peppers and it was still really yummy.

For more information and dinner tips, visit WanchaiFerryAtHome.com and MacaroniGrillAtHome.com. And be sure to follow Macaroni Grill on Twitter and “Like” the Facebook page to keep up with all of the latest news on your Macaroni Grill favorites!

Go here to get an online coupon for $1.50 off two packages of Wanchai Ferry and/or Macaroni Grill Dinner Kits!

Enter here to win the same package I received which will include one box from each product line and a gift card for the "extras" you need for your date night!

Entry Method:

All entries MUST have your email in them. 

First, and only, entry: Tell me where you went on your first date! (1 Entry)

Giveaway Rules: Please be sure you read these before 

you start posting comments. 

Giveaway open to residents of the US and Canada only. You will have to provide a physical address, not a PO Box. Winner will be chosen, with the True Random Number Generator (Random.org), Wednesday, November 17 at 10 PM CST. Winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. All entries MUST have your email in them. To keep Spam Bots from snagging you, put your address like this: name(at)server(dot)com

I received product in exchange for this review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review. The products, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me from Wanchai Ferry and Macaroni Grill through MyBlogSpark.

We have a winner!

Random.org has chosen comment #9  as the winner of The Family Dinner.

Swedish said... I have endeavoured to teach myself how to cook this year; my personal goal and this book would go a long way towards that. Please accept this as my entry. Thank you!

Aliya D.

The winner will receive an email shortly and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.