Friday, December 24, 2010

happy holidays to you!

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merry_christmas

MerryChristmas

Monday, December 20, 2010

Winners and news

Ok again I have to apologize. My Computer has decided it hates me and I haven't been able to get to my blog as often as I like. But Here are the winners of the Kix and Uncommonly Cute giveaways.

Melissa won a t-shirt of choice from Uncommonly cute and Kim won the Kix prize pack! Enjoy Ladies!

I will be taking a break from Blogging for a few days/weeks. But I hope all of you will be as excited as I am when I come back. I have fun giveaways from Rockin’ Green, more vinyl wall art and more! Check back soon.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

TV’s: LCD, LED, 3D…ABC

As I said in my last segment, this month we’ll be talking 9783588_raTV’s.
Go into any Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, or just about anywhere and you’ll be bombarded with tons of different letters, numbers, and details that, unless you know what you’re doing, you will be lost. With the holidays just around the corner, you may be looking to get a TV for that special someone. Here’s how to shop.
First, let’s start with the easy part: HD, or High Definition. This is denoted by the number and letter combination, normally 1080P or 720P. What do these mean? Well, the first part, the number, denotes how many lines of pixels are on the screen. More lines obviously means better quality. Either 720 or 1080 is considered HD. There’s also 480, but that’s standard definition and is virtually nonexistent now.
After the number, there is a letter, either P or I. This denotes how the lines of pixels appear on the screen. P stands for Progressive, which means that all lines are displayed on screen at every given moment. I stands for Interlaced, which means that at any given moment, only half of the lines are on screen. While not totally noticeable, it does cause a slight motion blur where a Progressive does not.
Now that we got that done, let’s go through the types of TV’s there are. There are currently 4 types on the market: Plasma, LCD, LED (or LED-LCD), and 3D. Here’s the differences.
Plasma offer the deepest colors, especially black. However, these monsters consume a high level of power and tend to reflect light on their glass screens. If you’re looking for a TV to watch or play games in a dark or dim room, plasma is good.
Then there’s LCD. These tend to be standard and more affordable than other TV’s. And, in this case, cheaper is not necessarily a bad thing. They consume much less power than plasma, and, because most models are made with a matte screen, you can pretty much set it up anywhere and be able to see. We have an LCD and I have shined a flashlight right at the screen and we could still see the picture just fine. For the standard living room or bedroom or wherever, this is the way to go. And most 40” or bigger LCD’s won’t cost you more than $300-$400.
Lately, LED, or what was known as LED-LCD’s, have hit the market. These are still a little bit pricey, more than LCD’s, but they offer a few things. For one, they tend to be much thinner than LCD’s, some coming in under half an inch or thinner. They also use a little less power than LCD’s, so for those looking to save money on electric bills, this is a good way to go.
Finally, we hit the big monster, 3D TV. This technology is so new, it is still extremely expensive, with your basic TV’s starting at around $1500-$2000. And, on top of the TV, you will need to buy a pair or 3D glasses for each person to use (at around $120 a pair), plus you will need either a 3D Blu-Ray player or a PS3 (minimum price: $300). So, long story short, expect to spend upwards of $5000 to go 3D, which is basically an LED that has the picture jumping out at you.
Now, lastly, there’s another number to be considering. You’ll normally see a number like this: 60Hz, 120Hz, or even higher. All this means is how crisp the images look. But be careful. We use a 60Hz TV and like it, where a 120Hz makes the images all look like a soap opera. So, best advice, bring a movie you like to the store and have them try it out in the TV you’re interested in and see how it looks.
So, for the holidays or just whenever, which TV is a good choice? Well, my family uses the Toshiba Model 40RV525R, (pictured above) available factory-refurbished from Best Buy for $519.00. It offers 60HZ, 1080P picture, great sound, and a 40” screen. Video games look awesome on it, as well as movies. But that is our personal preference. Just look online, read reviews (very important, trust me), and then, after narrowing it down to 3 or 4 TV’s, go to the store, possibly armed with your favorite movie, and try them out. Go for something you like that won’t break your budget.
Next month, eReaders: are they replacing the paper book? We’ll find out.

Monday, December 6, 2010

And this weeks Lucky number is 2

I don’t know how many times this has ever happened but Lets just say if I was a betting person I would pick #2, in fact I have two winners to announce and they were both luck number 2!


The winner of a top from alight.com is # 2, Jeannie!

a

Anonymous said...
I love the Crimson Studded Layer Top
by Extra Touch - Jeannie
November 9, 2010 9:30 AM

and the winner of a wall quote from Belvedere Designs is also # 2, Jamie!
bd
 
Jaime said...
like you on FB
November 3, 2010 4:45 PM


Please contact me if you won the above giveaways within 24 hours. If you didn’t win one of these great giveaways try your luck in one of the other great giveaways I’m currently hosting and be on the look out for more coming soon.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Need personalized cards?

Look no further LOL! Ok so this is a blatant plug to drum up business for myself. I make personalized card, blinkies and other graphics on the side to earn a little extra. With Christmas coming I thought I might branch out and see if any of my readers are in need of personalized Christmas cards (or birthday cards).

Here are a few of the cards I’ve made -

christmas09

invitation

l invite 1

lila invite

p invite 1

peytoninvite

If your interested please email me and we can talk prices.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Hey Kohl’s, Discrimination is not OK!

The following post is the odyssey my family has had recently with the Kohl’s corporation. As far as shopping goes, Kohl’s has left us with a bad taste in our mouths. After contacting the BBB we were left with a generic ‘copy and paste’ apology. And that’s not any more ok than the way my family was treated.
Here’s what happened (these are my husband’s Better Business Bureau complaints and responses):
11/29/2010
My Complaint

On three different occasions in two different states, my wife and I shopped at Kohl's department store. On all three occasions, we were treated badly by store employees. We were treated as though we weren't classy enough to shop at Kohl's. On one occasion, a store employee yelled at my daughter for being on one of the display beds after my wife and I had already taken her off and fixed the bed in question.
In a second store, my wife and I went shopping with gift cards. When we tried to use them, the employees and the manager again treated us like low class people. We liked shopping at Kohl's before and were willing to overlook the first transgression. But after being treated like low class people at three separate stores in two separate states, it has become apparent that this is a Kohl's policy to treat certain people like this and that only the elite are allowed to shop at Kohl's. Consequently, my wife and I will not be purchasing any more items at either a Kohl's store or online. Also, my wife runs a blog where she will be relaying her experience for all of her 400 followers to read about.
For the record, these are the locations where we were treated this way:
3115 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Buffalo, NY 14228

909 S. 72nd St.
Omaha, NE 68114

13550 West Maple Rd.
Omaha, NE 68164

I will give Kohl's a chance to respond before I bring this matter to the attention of local newspaper and media outlets in both states. Thank you for your time.  
Desired Outcome: 
I would like to be compensated for the way we were treated by Kohl's and would like a formal apology issued by Kohl's for their treatment of my family.
 
12/2/2010
Kohl's Response

We regret the service Mr. Russell and his family received did not meet our mutual expectations. Customer service is a priority at Kohl’s, and we expect our associates to accommodate our customers in a courteous and professional manner. Mr. Russell's feedback is important to us and we appreciate the time he took to share his concerns. We are sorry that Mr. Russell did not receive the service he deserved. While we empathize with Mr. Russell’s frustration regarding his recent shopping experiences, we politely decline his request for compensation.
My Response
The response received from the business in this case is not accepted. This is a canned, copy-and-paste apology that means nothing to this corporation. If anything, it further shows the kind of attitude prevalent throughout Kohl's and reinforces our belief that the way we were treated is a company policy. Further measures against this corporation will be taken. We will be contacting media outlets in both states with our story and will be publishing all information on my wife's blog for her followers to read about. Thank you for your time.
Better Business Bureau Response
The BBB, in reviewing the complaint that you submitted to us about Kohl's Corporation, has closed the case. The outcome of this complaint will be included in the business's Reliability Report for 3 years.
If you wish to further pursue the issue, you might contact a legal advisor or the Attorney General's office. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us - we are happy to assist you.
In other words, the BBB is washing their hands of it, and Kohl’s thinks a copy-and-paste apology is all they need to give. We need to stand up for our rights, and I personally am SICK of being treated poorly at stores like Kohl's. Last time I checked my money looks the same as every other Americans. It isn't stamped with the word poor, or fat. There isn't a list of places its not accepted  because of my race or suture, etc.... So why does kohl's think its right to have their employees treat me and my family like trash??

Edited to add specifics: In both Nebraska stores I was followed around by store employees, spoken rudely to and was given dirty looks by store employees. In the second Nebraska store I was told I could not use my Kohl’s gift card even though it was not expired nor did I violate the terms of the card. I would have overlooked these issues because frankly being fat is the only thing that is still PC to discriminate against. Sadly I’m used to it, but when a Kohl’s employee verbally abused my child it was the last straw. All I asked for was a sincere apology and yet they couldn’t even do that. In the North Amherst, NY location, the store employee grossly overstepped her rights when she attacked my then 2 ½ year old child.
I’m am appalled mostly by the treatment my child and I received at the North Amheart, NY Kohl's! It is never ok for an employee of a store to take it upon themselves to approach my then 2 1/2 year old child and yell at them! As a mother I wanted to slap that woman, and she for one is lucky that at least I have the tact that Kohl's obviously lacks.

Let me ask you my readers as parents would you stand by and let some stranger discipline your child?? I’m not even going to get into the fact that my husband and I both already had the situation under control and fixed any disorder my child may have made, but that this woman had the nerve to yell at my TODDLER and reduce her to tears.

Stand up and ask yourselves this holiday season do you want to shop at a store who discriminates against people?? Maybe tomorrow they wont like the way you look, or your siblings, children, or parents!
Where does it stop Kohl's Corporation? Do you have to be a size 2 and/or have a 6 figure income to shop in your stores? Let us know!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Kix Giveaway


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When it comes to starting off your day right, a new survey from Kix found that 84 percent of parents turn to cereal with milk for a quick and healthy breakfast.

Cereal is one of the healthiest breakfast choices parents can make. Ready-to-eat cereal has fewer calories than almost any other common breakfast option, while also being nutrient-dense and convenient. In addition, cereal eaters consume less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters.

With the same great taste kids have loved for more than 70 years, Kix makes it easy to serve your family a simple and healthy breakfast! Whether you choose to serve Original Kix or Honey Kix, you can be sure that your kids are getting a wholesome food with nutrients they need to grow.

The “Kid-Tested Mother-Approved®”cereal is made with whole grain corn and is an excellent source of iron. It also is a good source of calcium, fiber, and Vitamins C and D. Original Kix has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

To find out more, visit the recently launched Kix website, http://www.kixcereal.com/, featuring background on the history of Kix, nutritional content, and special offers. 
Win It!
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Prize offered: Kix Cereal and MyBlogSpark have graciously offered one of my readers the above prize pack!  It includes a 24-piece counting themed floor puzzle, fun learn-to-count flashcards, a sippy cup, portable snack container and a box each of Original Kix and Honey Kix Cereal! 
How to win -
Mandatory entry:
  • Tell me what you do to make your morning routine special for your family!

Extras: (Please leave separate entries for each)
  • “Like” Family Treasures on Facebook (1 entry)
  • Share this giveaway on FB - leave a link (1 entry)
  • Follow Family Treasures on Twitter (1 entry)
  • Tweet this giveaway - leave a link (1 entry)
  • Follow Family Treasures on blogger (1 entry)
  • Grab my button and link it’s location back here (2 entries)
  • Subscribe to Family Treasures via email. Must verify subscription for entry to count. (1 entry)
  • Enter my other giveaways. (1 entry for each giveaway)
  • Blog about this giveaway and link back here  (3 entries)
Giveaway ends Dec 17th @ 10pm est.
Disclaimer: The above information, giveaway prize package and prize package provided to me were all supplied by Kix Cereal through MyBlogSpark.

Karo Cookie Exchange

 

Whether you like spicy gingerbread, sweet sugar cookies with buttercream icing, or yummy chocolate chip cookies, nothing says the holidays like the smell of cookies baking in the oven.

To encourage baking this holiday season, and to help you find new recipes to try, Karo has introduced the Karo Cookie Exchange Facebook Application. With the Karo Cookie exchange to you can find many recipes to get your creative spirit going this holiday season, and if you share your favorite cookie or cookie bar recipe you will become eligible to win one of 1000 prizes from sponsors that include: Cadco, KitchenAid®, Williams-Sonoma, Vollrath® and CookieCutter.com! This “living cookbook” will be available now through January 4th, to keep you baking through the entire Holiday Season. Check back often, as more home cooks like you add their recipes.

I know that I will be sharing a family recipe today and I can’t wait to discover many more recipes to try this year. If you share your recipes in the Karo Cookie Exchange, I would love for you to leave a comment with the name of your recipe so I can find it.I love discovering new recipes.

“Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win an ACH prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.”

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Uncommonly Cute Giveaway

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Because your little one is so incredibly special and unique, Uncommonly Cute items are a perfect choice for their individual personality. You’ll find the Uncommonly Cute brand is built on the premise that “your child is way beyond cute”.

Originally founded in 2004, Uncommonly Cute specializes in making sure our individual little people have little individual clothes that match their personality.
Our t-shirts and onesies not only afford our little ones a sense of individual style-be they a Diva, a Rock Star or the “boss”-but comfort as well. Each garment is made of 100% combed cotton and is super, super soft.
In addition, sure to delight the babies’ no-fuss, socially conscious moms, the clothes are all machine washable, safe, durable and made in sweatshop-free studios!
Uncommonly Cute is dedicated to supporting charities like Room to Grow and R Baby Foundation.  ~Uncommonly Cute

Uncommonly Cute is a shop full of adorable, stylish, & beyond cute baby shoes & shirts that are all about telling the world all about your child’s individual personality! They offer so many different designs for boys, girls, twins, & newborns!

I loved looking at all the creative sayings on each of the hrshirts and the fact that you can order them in onesizes, long sleeve t’s or short sleeve t’s is so great; you can get what you need for each season! I had no problem choosing a shirt for my Kiddos! I chose the Horses Rock shirt for Lila, my horse lover, and the Got Band-aids shirt for Pbean, because it describes him perfectly! gbaThe Shirts from Uncommonly Cute are super soft, fit wonderfully and after several washes still look brand new! Any shirt from Uncommonly cute would be a hit at a baby shower or even for your own little cuties! I have big plans of ordering a few for Christmas presents this year! We get so many comments and compliments when our children wear their shirts out around town! I have already sent many a mom to Uncommonly Cute!

Buy IT: Find the designs and many more at Uncommonly Cute. prices: Onsizes and T-shirts – $19, Long sleeved T’s – $20, Twin sets for $38. Don’t forget the matching hats!

WIN IT: Today, Uncommonly Cute will be giving away any item of your choice up to $25 in their shop!

Want to enter to win? Here’s how!

Mandatory entry:

  • Visit Uncommonly Cute and take a look around. Come back and tell us your favorite shirt design!

Extra entries:

  • Like Uncommonly Cute on Facebookand tell them Family Treasures sent you! (1 entry)
  • Follow Family Treasures on Facebook. (1 entry)
  • Follow Uncommonly Cute onTwitterand tweet the following message! (1 entry)
    • Win a $25 item from @uncommonlycute and @Krussell82 at family treasures
  • Subscribe to Family Treasures by email. (1 entry)
  • Follow Family Treasures Publicly via Google connect (1 entry)
  • Make a purchase from Uncommonly Cute! (5 entries)

You have until 12/13/2010 @ 11:59 PM to enter the giveaway. All giveaways are open to USA only. Winners will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email after the giveaways close. The winner will then have 48 hours to claim their giveaway by email. If the winner does not claim their prize within their 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

~ Krystal

*Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I was not paid for this post. Thanks Uncommonly Cute for providing the sample for this review.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

My Review of MOBI Ultra Digital Thermometer from CSN Stores


Providing the most innovative and reliable products for today's modern family is our main priority. This Ultra Digital Thermometer offers quick and convenient monitoring of your family's health and wellness. A multi-function, professional-quality instrument, it ensures precise accuracy time after time.

Features:

•Ultra digital thermometer
•Mini light
•Backlit digital display
•No need for costly probe covers
•Room thermometer with digital human voice readout
•Scanning temperature at a rapid speed of 2 seconds
•Capable of storing the last 20 measurements
•Used to measure body temperature from the ear or forehead
•Easy to use solution when time and accuracy is critical
•Easy to clean washable tip for added convenience
•Can also be used as a room thermometer with clock and calendar features
•Large backlit display and flashlight to aid in taking temperatures in dimly lit areas
•Includes table storage stand make the ideal health and safety item
•Designed with the most up to date technology incorporating


My Review: Finally one that works!

Pros: Lightweight, Good Value, Easy To Use, Effective
Cons: Storage
Best Uses: Children, Daily Use
Describe Yourself: Budget Buyer
Finally a thermometer that not only works but one my kids wont fight! I don't know about you but when I try and take my toddlers' temp its like they grow 8 arms and legs and fight you the whole time. And that's even with an Ear Thermometer (forget about using a rectal or under the tounge one!) , and I never get an accurate reading.

Since having the Mobi Digital Thermometer my children actually let me take their temp. My Lila even likes to play with it. Which in hindsight may cause a whole other problem, but I can live with that one! I love that it not only takes your child's temp it takes the temperature of the room. After comparing it to a 'under the tongue' Thermometer I found that the Mobi Thermometer is very accurate and I feel better knowing its there when we need it. Peyton prefers his temp taken in his ear and Lila likes the forehead reading.

The only bad thing I could think of is that it doesn't have a very portable storage case. It comes with a little base to sit in, and I like to carry my Thermometer in the diaper bag.

Right on the walls winner!

I know all of you  have been waiting to hear who won this giveaway so I wont make you wait a second longer. Entry # 2 was picked via random.org.

rightonthewalls #2

 
 
Anonymous said...

I follow your blog and cannot wait for your next review. Such unique and wonderful products!
Kate

 

Kate also said in a post she wanted to get the Moon and Stars wall art for her grandchildren. You’ll have to come back here and tell us if that’s what you got. (Yep I’m that nosey)

Thank you to Right on the Walls for such a great giveaway!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

ReUsies Giveaway is now closed.

 

Congratulations to entry #3.

You won a set of ReUsies.

 

3#3 said…….

Kim said...
I would love to win because I have been looking to buy these for awhile now. I tried to make my own but they didn't turn out :(

Well Kim, I’m so glad you won please contact me to claim your prize!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Recipe week day 7: BLD

What’s a BLD? I’m glad you asked. Well its what Rachael Ray calls this very yummy dish, because its good for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner! And I thought it would be a perfect ending recipe for this week!

Savory French Toast with Homemade Sausage Patties and Warm Honey, Strawberries and Basiluntitled

Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup whole milk or cream
  • 1/2-2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (a couple of handfuls)
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons ground sage or rubbed sage (half a palmful)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons granulated onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic (half a palmful)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons fennel seeds (half a palmful)
  • 3 pinches of ground cloves or ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 8 thick-cut slices good quality white bread
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups strawberries, halved or sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced or torn
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Good quality honey of your favorite variety, for liberal drizzling

We added maple syrup to the sausage to add just a touch of sweet to it.

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat the griddle to medium.
  2. Whisk together the eggs, milk or cream, cheese, nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste, in a shallow dish.
  3. In a medium size bowl, add the pork, sage, onion, garlic, fennel seeds, cloves, lots of black pepper and salt, to taste, and mix to combine. Divide the mixture into four portions and form each portion into two small patties, about 2 1/2-inches wide. Heat the EVOO in large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Turn off the heat and keep warm in the pan.
  4. Wipe the hot griddle with butter nested in a paper towel. Soak the bread, a few slices at a time, in the milk mixture, shaking off the excess. Add the bread to the griddle and cook until toasted, crispy and golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Cook in batches, if necessary.
  5. While the bread toasts, combine the strawberries, basil and sugar in a medium bowl.
  6. Halve the toast from corner to corner. Serve the toast on individual plates layered with sausage patties, a liberal drizzle of honey and the berries with basil.

This was truly a fantastic dish and very filling!! (PS the picture is from our actual meal!)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Recipe week day 6–Desert!

Yummy! Who doesn’t like desert. Here is another recipe from my Sister -

Gooey Butter Cookies:
    • 8 oz cream cheese-softened
    • 1 stick unsalted butter-softened
    • powdered sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1/4 tsp. vanilla
    • 1 box yellow cake mix

Directions:

Mix cream cheese, butter & egg. Add vanilla & cake mix. Shape dough into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Flatten dough .slightly on greased cookie sheet (I like parchment paper better) and bake 8-10 minutes @ 350.

They are so good! She has also heard of this recipe being used with strawberry cake mix. Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Recipe Week: Day 5–Dinner!

I love this dish and I love that the kids love it too! It has veggies and a protein, hidden inside cheesy goodness! another Rachael Ray dish.

Mac and Cheddar Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli

 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
  • 1 pound chicken breast tenders, chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 pound macaroni elbows or cavatapi corkscrew shaped pasta twists (we use whole wheat corkscrew pasta)
  • 2 1/2 cups raw broccoli florets, available packaged in produce department
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 3 cups yellow sharp Cheddar
  • 1 tablespoon prepared Dijon mustard

Directions

  • Place a pot of water on to boil for macaroni.
  • Heat a medium pan over medium to medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and chicken and season with salt and pepper. Saute a couple of minutes then add onion and cook another 5 to 7 minutes until onions are tender and chicken is cooked through. Turn off heat and reserve.
  • To boiling pasta water, add pasta and salt to season the cooking water. Cook 5 minutes, then add broccoli and cook 3 minutes more or until pasta is cooked to al dente and florets are just tender.
  • While pasta cooks, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter and melt, then add flour, cayenne and paprika and whisk together over heat until roux bubbles then cook a minute more. Whisk in milk and stock and raise heat a little to bring sauce to a quick boil. Simmer sauce to thicken about 5 minutes.
  • Drain macaroni or pasta and broccoli florets. Add back to pot and add chicken to the pasta and broccoli.
  • Add cheese to milk sauce and stir to melt it in, about a minute or so. Stir in mustard and season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli and cooked pasta and stir to combine. Adjust seasonings, transfer to a large serving platter and serve.

So what does everyone think about recipe week? I’d love to know if my readers want to have a Recipe day featured on Family Treasures.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My Review of OXO Liquiseal Travel Mug - from CSN Stores

Originally submitted at CSN Stores
No more spills! Enjoy your hot beverage on the go with the OXO's Good Grips LiquiSealTravel Mug. The Mug features three silicone seals to insure no spills. Just click to open and click to seal from a simple button. Double wall construction improves thermal retention to keep your beverage hotter...

My Review:  My Favorite Travel Mug by Far
5out of 5
Pros: Quality Construction, Easy To Use, Convenient, Dishwasher Safe, Attractive Design
Best Uses: Gifts, Travel, On The Go, Hot liquid, Cold liquid
Describe Yourself: Casual Cook
I Am A: Family, Young Kids
I love this travel mug. I own many travel mugs, no really my husband swears I collect them. (hey some people collect stamps, I collect travel mugs.) Most of them claim to be spill and leak proof, but this is the first one to prove it!! (Maybe I can stop buying travel mugs now. - Naw!!)

With small children around I never have the time to just sit quietly and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. I'm always on the go, and so is my drink. That can pose a real danger when you think about it. It only takes one second for a child to bump into the table, and now they are covered in scalding hot liquid. That's why I started my love/hate relationship with travel mugs.
Thank goodness nothing like that has never happened to one of my children, but I remember my mom saying it happened to one of my sisters when they were a toddler. I've been greatly disappointed in all of my current travel mugs. Sure they work great the first few times you use them, then the seal weakens and all you are left with is a bulky coffee mug that isn't very practical for travel (or in my case around the kids).
With the OXO's Good Grips LiquiSealTravel Mug, I can finally drink my hot coffee or tea and not worry that my toddlers might accidentally get burned by mommy's drink. I've used it daily with both cold and hot liquids and after many washes its still fantastic!!

If you are looking to purchase a travel mug as a gift or for yourself, I highly recommend this one! (It comes in other great colors too!)

Recipe Week: Day 4–Dinner!

We just saw this one on 30-minute meals today and we think it will be a HUGE hit!
Rachael Ray called this her express go to meal its not only easy to make, its easy to shop for, and ready for the ‘10 items or less’ lane! And it’s a 3 course meal!

 

Ingredients

  • 9-item grocery list:
    • 2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes
    • 1 tub bocconcini, (bite size fresh mozzarella in water)
    • 2 pounds ground Italian (sweet), chicken, turkey or pork sausage (bulk if available)
    • 1 1/2 pounds broccolini
    • 1 head garlic
    • 1 (28-ounce) can San Marzano tomatoes
    • 1/2 cup chicken stock or milk
    • 1 tub grated Pecorino Romano
    • 1 tub good quality fresh pesto from the refrigerated cases of the market
  • On hand:
    • Extra-virgin olive oil, for liberal drizzling, 4 to 5 tablespoons total
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Quarter baby potatoes and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil then salt water and cook until tender, about 12 minutes.
  • While potatoes come up to a boil, place a nonstick baking sheet alongside a mixing bowl. Remove 12 pieces of bite sized mozzarella from the water and set on work surface. Remove sausages from casings, if bulk not available, and place in a bowl. Combine the meat into a single mound then score it into 4 sections. Each section will yield 3 large sausage meatballs. To form each ball, take a handful of meat and wrap it around a piece of mozzarella. Roll 12 balls. Wash up. Coat balls with a drizzle of olive oil. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until cooked through and evenly browned.
  • While the balls are cooking, trim ends of clean broccolini and scatter evenly over a baking sheet. Grate or chop 2 to 3 cloves of garlic and drizzle the broccolini and garlic with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper and roast 12 to 15 minutes to crisp the broccolini tops.
  • While the broccolini is roasting, add tomatoes to a small pot or skillet, mash with a potato masher and season with salt and pepper. Heat over medium heat then simmer to reduce about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • When the potatoes are tender, drain and return to the hot pot to dry them out a little. Mash the potatoes with 1/2 cup stock or milk, 1/2 to 2/3 cup grated Romano cheese, a few generous handfuls, lots of black pepper and a little salt.
  • Turn the heat off the tomatoes and stir in 1/2 cup prepared pesto.

Serve three cheese-stuffed sausage balls with tomato-basil sauce on top or underneath, cacio e pepe smashed potatoes and broccolini alongside.
    We are trying this recipe later this week and will let you know how it tastes!

    Monday, November 8, 2010

    Recipe Week: Day 3–Side dish

     

    This one is supper yummy -

    CRANBERRY BROCCOLI SALAD

    Ingredients:

    • 1 bunch broccoli floret (smaller bites)
    • 1/2 bunch cauliflower floret (smaller bites)
    • 1/2 cup sunflower seed
    • 1 cup cranberry craisins
    • 1/2 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled (OR 1/8 to 1/4 cup bacon bits)
    • 4 chopped green onions (smaller bites)
    • Dressing
    • 1/2 cup olive oil
    • 1/2 cup sugar (I used a little less)
    • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

    Directions:

    1. Chop broccoli and cauliflower into small florets. Place in a bowl.
    2. Add sunflower seeds, craisins, bacon and green onion to broccoli/cauliflower mixture.
    3. Combine dressing ingredients.
    4. Toss dressing over broccoli/cauliflower mixture.
    5. Refrigerate.

    NOTE: You may alter ingredients according to your taste. For example I used equal amounts of broccoli & cauliflower.

    next up dinner!

    Sunday, November 7, 2010

    Alight.com Giveaway!

    logo-alightOk time for round 2,  same as last time.

    Recap - The folks at alight.com plus size clothing has generously offered 3 plus size tops (of alight.com's choosing) to 3 Family Treasures readers. One top a month for three months. That’s three chances to win!

     alight.com has a wide selection of plus sized clothing. You are sure to find something you like. So head on over to alight.com and check them out. While your at it enter to win a Top from Alight right here at Family Treasures!!

    Giveaway -

    To enter all you need to do is be sign up for the newsletter on alight.com then come back here leaving me a comment telling me that you did and which email you used to signed up with. (We will be checking)

    Extra entries: Please leave a comment for each.

    • Visit alight.com plus size clothing and comment here with your favorite piece of clothing +1
    • Leave a message on Facebook on the alight.com wall +1
    • Subscribe to my blog via e-mail +1
    • Follow my blog +1
    • Follow me on Twitter +1
    • Follow Family Treasures on FaceBook +1
    • Tweet or set your FB status to….
      • I entered to win a fashionable top from Alight.com at Family Treasures
        • Linking to both this post and alight.com.
    • Grab My Button and post it to your blog +1
    • Blog about this giveaway linking to both this post and alight.com +3
        • Linking to both this post and alight.com.

    Giveaway ends 11/30 at11:59 pm est. Open to everyone!


    *Please note* Due to sponsor's request You mustsign up for the alight.com newsletter and leave a comment with your email to be eligible to enter this giveaway, winners who are not signed up with the newsletter will forfeit their winning prize and a new winner will be chosen.

    Oompa Toys winner

    oompa_logo_solid_bkup

    Congratulations to entry #9. You have won the $25 gift card to Oompa Toys from Lunchbox reviews.com 9

    #9 said…….

    Anonymous said...

    I would love the glow coloring app for my grandchildren. Kate

    Congrats Kate. you have 24hours to contact me before a new winner is chosen. And let me know if you buy that app for your grandchildren!!

    Recipe Week: Day 2 -Breakfast

    Its breakfast time, well not really but its time to share one of our favorite family breakfast recipes.clip_image001

    Egg and Sausage Muffins

    Prep time: 5 minutes
    Cook time: 7 minutes
    Bake time: 12 to 15 minutes
    Yield: 6 Servings

    Ingredients:

    • Cooking spray
    • 8 eggs
    • 1⁄4 cup low-fat milk
    • 1⁄4 tsp. salt, or to taste
    • Pinch of black pepper
    • 1⁄2 of a 12-oz. package of bulk turkey or pork sausage meat, thawed
    • 6 English muffins
    • 2 tomatoes

    Directions:
    1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
    2. In a large skillet, brown the sausage until it's crispy, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cool slightly, and crumble into small chunks.
    3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat eggs and milk together. Add salt and pepper, and stir in crumbled sausage.
    4. Ladle mixture into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until set. Let cool, then loosen gently and remove to a plate.
    5. Split and toast the English muffins. Cut tomatoes into about 12 thin slices. Place a slice on each toasted muffin half, and top with an egg-sausage muffin. Serve hot, 2 per person.

    Enjoy!!

    *note I am not a cook nor will I ever be one (at least a good one) All recipes are ones our family likes and are not my own.

    Saturday, November 6, 2010

    Recipe Week: Day 1 -Appetizers

     

    This Is one of my favorites from my sister. They taste so Yummy. You just have to try them!

    Best Stuffed Mushrooms -

    2 x 8oz packs of mushrooms ... if you want them stuffed more or less, buy more or less
    1 8oz package cream cheese softened
    ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    ½ cup chopped up imitation crab meat
    2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions
    ¼ cup each white wine and fresh lemon juice
    S&P to taste


    Wipe the mushrooms and take out the stems. Place them in a deep glass baking dish.
    Whip up the cream cheese and stir in all the other ingredients except the wine and lemon juice. If it seems too thick you can ad a few tablespoons of sour cream.
    Using a teaspoon or pastry bag fill each mushroom cap with the mixture. Pour the wine & lemon juice over the mushrooms and bake at 400F until the mushrooms are tender and the cheese is brown and bubbly.

    Let them cool a bit or you’ll burn your tongue. These are a BIG HIT at parties. You could probably stuff other things if you don’t like mushrooms. Or are allergic like my mother-in-law.

    Thursday, November 4, 2010

    Recipe week!

    I would love to do a recipe week soon. With the holidays coming up, lets share our favorite family recipes!

    If you want your recipe featured on my blog please e-mail it to me Kryssi01@msn.com

    Sat - we will start with appetizers.

    Monday, November 1, 2010

    Belvedere Designs (WallQuotes.com) Review and Giveaway

    bd

    I having the most fun decorating my new home, especially with pieces I consider to be unique and one of a kind. I like for the decor I use to not only be warm and inviting, but also something that is unique and adds a personal touch to each room. It's things like this that really make our house a home, and I'm always on the lookout for new ideas. That's why I was thrilled to learn more about Belvedere Designs and all they have to offer.
    With the design philosophy centered around you, WallQuotes.com is about adding that little touch of personality to help make your house a home and a unique space that says something about who you are. Their wall quote designs and decor are the perfect way to do this. Offering decorative quote designs and vinyl lettering for every room in your home or office, whether it's bedroom wall quotes, wall art or something else...they have it all!
    When I found out I was going to have the opportunity to review something from Belvedere Designs, I couldn't have been happier! We have many rooms in need of a personal touch in our home. I was sent these wall quotes –

    bathroom2b (1)

    A perfect touch of humor for our home!

     

    And

    bedroom14b

    This one we put in our daughter’s room. She is all about princesses and make-believe. It’s perfect for her.

    With the easy to follow instructions that came along with the decals, and their wall art application tutorial found online, it was a piece of cake!
    I am so happy with the way they look! We've received so many compliments from people who have seen them already.
    Belvedere Designs was incredibly easy to work with and make it easy to choose the quote you want, as well as the size and color, you need. Their products are high quality and beautiful.

    I will definitely turn to boy40bthem again...as I already have my eye on this super cute design which would look perfect in My Little boy’s room!

    They have several very cute nursery wall quotes too!
    I will definitely recommend Belvedere Designs and their collection of wall art and wall quotes to anyone I know!

    Win It: Belvedere Designs has generously offered one lucky reader the wall quote design of their choice! (up to $35)

    To enter, visit Belvedere Designs and leave a comment letting me know which you would choose if you won.


    Extra Entries: (only valid after the required entry has been completed)

    • “Like” Family Treasures on Facebook (1 entry)
    • “Like Belvedere Designs on Facebook (1 entry)
    • Follow Family Treasures on Twitter (1 entry)
    • Follow Family Treasures on blogger (1 entry)
    • Grab my button and link it’s location back here (2 entries)
    • Subscribe to Family Treasures via email. Must verify subscription for entry to count. (1 entry)
    • Enter my other giveaways. (1 entry for each giveaway)
    • Blog about this giveaway and link back here  (3 entries)

    Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!
    This giveaway will end Dec. 1st and is open to the US and Canada!

    Happy Birthday to Me!

     

    cupcakeAs much as I don’t want to admit that another year has passed and I’m just a little bit older than yesterday. Today is my 28th birthday! Its also the fist one I have ever spent away from my parents. (I miss ya, mom and dad.)

    It’s a birthday week at our house. Today is my birthday and tomorrow is my girl Lorelai’s 3rd birthday!! I cant believe that three years ago today I was in Labor waiting for my precious angel to join her mommy and daddy. Little did I know the stinker had her own plan and didn’t want to share mommy’s day instead she waited until ONE minute after midnight to be born. TinkerbellHappyBirthday

     

    And to honor the birthday celebrations in our house I will leave you with some birthday humor -

     

    Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs.
    - Unknown

    The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.
    - H. V. Prochnow

    The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.
    - Lucille ball

    “It takes a long time to grow young.” - Pablo Picasso

    Hope everyone has a great day - I plan to!

    CSN Stores is shopping heaven

    CSN_Stores_Logo

    Ok, I’m addicted. I love CSN stores! I hope everyone enjoyed my last review of CSN Stores because I have been given another chance to tell you more about them. Remember, CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from contemporary coffee tables to children’s toys to cookware!"

    I mean look at this coffee table set –

    Calimesa Coffee Table Set in Cappuccino

    I’m in love! (do you think Santa might bring me it? I’ve been good!)

     

    Its amazing what you can find at CSN stores. Find something for everyone on your list at CSN!

    What a crazy fun weekend!

    The children and I have been going non stop this weekend! First there was a Monster mash parade and breakfast yesterday, then we went to another Halloween bash at the power authority museum. We ended our night at the aquarium where we found Peyton’s favorite animal -The Sea Lion. He was in heaven. There was jumping up and down, clapping and squealing – and that was just from him! It was great.

    Today we started our Trick-or-treating off at 3pm and we were done at 5 with bags full of goodies! We went to the outlet mall and then to a few family members homes.

    What do you think? I might be biased but I think I have the cutest Tinker Bell and sock monkey around!!!

    100_2998-1

    100_2985-1

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Remember when trick-or-treating meant hitting every house you could and staying out until you dropped? Now the city has put a time limit on how late you can go out, and most parents (me included) don’t trust people enough to let their child(ren) go door to door. I don’t even think we started trick-or-treating when I was a kid until after 5ish, I couldn’t believe that we were actually done by that time. Sigh, how things have changed.

    Sunday, October 31, 2010

    Piggy Paint winner

     

    pp1the winner of a $15 gift card to Piggypaint.com is #15

     

     

    piggy

    Ashley said...

    I would get a the Glass Slipper Nail polish!

     

     

    congrats Ashley enjoy your non-toxic and fun nail polish!

    Thursday, October 28, 2010

    LunchboxReviews.com Review & An Oompa Giveaway

    clip_image001

    I came across Lunchbox Reviews recently and wanted to share it with you! They are a fantastic website dedicated to children focused iPhone and iPod apps and you can visit to review apps that you are considering downloading or you can leave reviews of your own for other parents to read. I think this is such a great idea and I have been spending a lot of time here because with 2 children who love Mommy's iPod Touch, we like to have a variety of apps downloaded that is good for them to play!

    clip_image002

    Daily Yummy and Yucky of the day are categories which are self explanatory. Yummy is a top pick for kids, as rated by parents and Yucky is a big thumbs down, you do not want to download these! I wish I had seen Lunchbox Reviews before I downloaded some of my apps for Nolan because a couple were listed in the Yucky category. I am certainly glad they were free at least and easy to get rid of.

    You can narrow down your search by age, platform (iPhone, iTouch, iPad, etc.) and category and you will find direct links to all apps, which you can then download in iTunes. I think this website is incredible and it is now bookmarked in my favorites both on my computer AND my iTouch for quick reference whenever I am considering adding a new app. I highly recommend checking out Lunchbox Reviews ASAP.

    Giveaway -

    Lunchbox Reviews has very generously offered a $25 Oompa gift certificate (their sister site) for checking out their services. To enter, visit the LBR website and tell me what app might tickle your child's fancy! This is mandatory and must be done before bonus entries will be considered. This will be a quick giveaway!

    Extra Entries -

    • “Like” Family Treasures on Facebook (1 entry)
    • “Like” Lunchbox Reviews on Facebook (1 entry)
    • Follow Lunchbox Reviews on Twitter (1 entry)
    • Follow Family Treasures on Twitter (1 entry)
    • Follow Family Treasures on blogger (1 entry)
    • Grab my button and link it’s location back here (2 entries)
    • Subscribe to Family Treasures via email. Must verify subscription for entry to count. (1 entry)
    • Enter my other giveaways. (1 entry for each giveaway)

    Giveaway ends on November 6, 2010 on 11:59 pm EST and is open to U.S. residents. Winner will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave me your email address if it's not attached to your profile so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

     

    I was provided a $25 Gift certificate to Oompa as a thank you for my review and Lunchbox Reviews is supplying one winner with a $25 Gift Certificate to Oompa as well. No other compensation was offered and opinions expressed are mine alone with no outside influences.

    Rachael Ray Casserole dish from CSN Stores Review

     

    1119In the not so distant past I told you that I had the opportunity to work with CSN Stores (over 200 stores to shop from!) for a review.  I got to choose the item, and after what seemed like hours (ok, Days) of research since there were so many cool stores to browse, I ended up choosing something practical, and something that has been on my wish list for years!

    rrdishThe Rachael Ray Bubble and Brown 4.25 Qt. Oval Covered Casserole (in chocolate) was an item I had been eyeing for a while.  I always seemed to miss it on sale!

    My husband and I love watching Rachael Ray’s 30-minute meals and tend to recreate her dishes in our own home. We love the look and function of her cookware, utensil and bakeware lines. We hope to own them all eventually.

    When the product arrived at our door, surprisingly fast! We found that the dish lid was cracked. After a quick e-mail to Cookware.com (one of many CSN stores) a replacement lid was shipped that day. Talk about great costumer service!!

    I am thrilled with the Rachael Ray Casserole and I’m excited I was able to review it for CSN Stores!  The shipping was extremely fast, and often, many items on CSN Stores ship for free!  Even some of the larger items like a kitchen island. (that’s on my new wish list! *Wink*)The interface was easy to use and I could hop and search around easily to find what I needed.

    I will definitely be shopping with CSN in the future!

    ReUsies Review and Giveaway

    I was so excited when I discovered ReUsies.  I’m trying to look for ways to be "greener", and this was something I had never heard of before!!!  I thought how neat that we can now reuse our snack baggies and they look cute too!

    Image1ReUsies are 100% cotton lined with leak resistant nylon and have Velcro closures.  They come in snack size (perfect for chips, crackers, pretzels, grapes etc.) and sandwich size (perfect for sandwiches, bagels...or lots of chips!)  They can be hand-washed, put in the dishwasher or washed in the laundry.

    Image2"The EPA estimates 500 billion - one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. A typical school/work lunch contains 3-4 plastic sandwich bags each day amounting to upwards of 1,000 each year for one person. These bags will all be around long after we are gone!"
    I was so excited when my sample arrived in the mail.  The design is absolutely adorable.  Plus, They were even larger than I expected them to be.   And of course, they hold any snack I pack for the children!

    BUY IT: Purchase your own ReUsies.

    Image3

     

    Available Sizes and prices -

    A typical lunch would contain one sandwich and two snack-sized bags or three snack-sized bags.

    Snack $6.95: approx. 6” w / 5” h
    The snack size holds a half sandwich or whole sandwich with the crust cut off! It is good for smaller quantities of crackers, pretzels, apple slices, etc..
    Sandwich $8.95: approx. 7.5” w/ 6”h
    The sandwich size holds a typical "grown up"- sized sandwich, full bagel, or larger quantity of snacks.

    And don’t miss out on the buy 4 or more free shipping sale!!

    Win it!: ReUsies is giving one lucky Family Treasures reader a snack and sandwich size ReUsies set! How Great, to win you only have to Tell me one reason why you would like to win ReUsies!!

    Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each)

    • (x1) Subscribe to the ReUsies Newsletter & let me know
    • (x1) Post a comment on the ReUsies Blog
    • (x1) Like them on Facebook 
    • (x1) Like Family Treasures on Facebook
    • (x1) Change you Facebook status to mention this giveaway and leave a link to this site!
    • (x1) Follow ReUsies on Twitter
    • (x1) Tweet about this giveaway by leaving a link to this site
    • (x3) Blog about the giveaway on your blog
    • (x1) Grab the NEW Family Treasures button to add to your blog/site – leave a link
    • (x1) What are your favorite prints
    • (x3) Email 3 or more people about this giveaway and cc me (kryssi01@msn.com)

    Giveaway will end Nov. 12th at 8pm (EST) Winner will be drawn via Random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new one will be drawn.