24May 2013

Bake it Like You Mean It {Book Review}

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You may remember back on Pi(e) Day my review of an amazing pie cookbook called Pie it Forward written by Gesine Bullock-Prado, and my somewhat borderline obsession with this talented creator of yummy treats.  Again, if you didn’t already, make sure you check out her blog.  I know you’ll love her as much as I do.

Ms. Bulluck-Prado has a NEW book out called Bake it Like You Mean It.  Unlike my foray in pie, I have some experience in baking.  So I was super, super excited to try out some recipes.  For me, the value of a cookbook is in the pudding, or in this case, in the cake.  If I can make the recipe, and it’s awesome, practically anyone can.

As I have mentioned before, my youngest daughter has a serious dairy allergy which can make baking challenging.  So I was SUPER excited to find that one of the first recipes in the book was dairy free, so we could make it together.

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Doesn’t the title of the recipe make you want to make it?  It did me too.  My daughter was equally excited…I learned from my last experience baking with Ms. Bullock-Prado to be prepared, read the whole recipe first, and FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.  Seriously, ya’ll, if there is a baking heaven, this lady is at least an arch-angel.  When she suggests something, DO IT.  Your cake/pie/tart, etc. will be better because of it.

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So we were all ready to go.  Bake it Like You Mean It is, obviously, a book about baking, but it is really a book about baking beautifully.  It is about taking the extra steps to make your perfected creations look beautiful.  Which can mean only one thing.

I had to get out the icing bag.

I am not the best with the icing bag.  But I was determined to give it a shot.  My daughter was super impressed by the icing bag and gave it a shot herself.  The sound of “oooo, pretty!” was definitely worth the effort it took.  Here are the tops of our Big Fat Creamsicle Meringues before being baked..

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Pretty good, huh?  The great thing about Bake it Like You Mean It is that there are SO many pictures and explicit instructions to get you through the recipe, which is great for beginning bakers like me.

So here’s the finished product:

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Yeah, you want one, don’t you?  They are SO GOOD!  They are crumbly and light and sweet and rich all at the same time.  My daughter went over the moon for them.  I might be ashamed to say that we did, in fact, have these for dinner.

If you have to have one of these, or one of the other stunningly beautiful creations in Bake It Like You Mean It, I HIGHLY recommend that you buy this book to add to your cookbook collection.

Buy

Buy Bake It Like You Mean it on Amazon

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Bake it Like You Mean It on Facebook

Gesine Bullock-Prado on Facebook

  

 

 

 

24May 2013

Qoileez! Hair Accessory Review

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My girls are ALWAYS looking for fun new fashion accessories – especially my middle schooler!  We recently had the opportunity to review Qoileez!, and they have become a HUGE hit in my house with both my 6 year old and my 12 year old.

 

Qoileez! are little rubber coils that come in a TON of fun colors and patterns, including dots, stars, and animal prints.  They are made of a thick, sturdy rubber, but they are stretchy and pliable at the same time.

Qoileez! have a TON of uses too!  First of all, they are awesome as hair accessories.

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My youngest daughter LOVES anything pretty and sparkly (and pink) that will jazz up her look, so she was all over this pink star Qoileez!!  My middle school daughter immediately seized on to one Qoileez! other uses – as awesome pencil grips!  And of course we couldn’t use just one – we had to stack them up!

 

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I love that there are so many colors and choices – and that they are super affordable.  They come in basic packages of seven for $4.99 and deluxe packages of 14 for $7.99.  Plus, they offer free shipping!  These would make awesome stocking stuffers, Easter basket fillers, fun lunchbox or back to school treats, etc.

Qoileez! also has some other cool purposes – they can hold knitting needles together in your basket, or help out a beginner learn to use chopsticks.  They also have fundraising opportunities available on their website.

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If you are looking for  a fun addition to your hair accessories, or an all-around creative product for you and your kiddos, check out Qoileez!

Buy

Buy Qoileez! Online

Connect

Qoileez! on Facebook

Qoileez! on Twitter

Qoileez! on Pinterest

 

23May 2013

Playhouse Bouncers Little Sprout, All-In-One Bouncer, Slide & Pool Giveaway

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Prize:

ARV $400

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug

and

A Ladybug on the Go

Summer is almost here and I have an amazing giveaway to share with you!  My wonderful friend, Randi, is hosting a giveaway for the Playhouse Bouncers Little Sprout all-in-one bouncer, slide and pool.  This baby has it all and is just waiting for you to create new summer memories.  Check out the deets below!

This playhouse really has it all.  It is height is just low enough to be used indoors, but it has a full pool and water slide for those hot summer days.  The bounce area (6×6 feet) is a nice size for a few kids and there is a separate ball pit that holds two packs of play balls just right.

Perfect for the kids who want more then just a backyard pool, and it can be used inside when it rains or even all winter (it’s just 6 feet high and will fit in most rooms or in the basement of any house).

Included with Little Sprout – All-In-One Bouncer, Slide & Pool is an over sized carry bag, patch kit for rips and tears, constant air blower w/ GFCI circut interuptor for safety, ground stakes, and of course a water hose hook up.

Enter to win the Little Sprout on the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Make Our Own Network” solely organized this event and I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are 100% my own and may differ from your own or even those stated in this post. Kate n’ Kaboodle is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

**If you are a company and would like to see your brand advertised in a M.O.O.N. event similar to this please contact [email protected]

23May 2013

Bet On Your Baby Blog App & Luvs Diapers Giveaway #BetOnYourBaby

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There is an exciting new show starting and it looks like it will be a hoot!  Bet on Your Baby airs Saturdays 8/7c on ABC and is a new show where parents play fun games with their toddlers, and try to “bet” on what baby will do next! Every parent thinks they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it? If they guess correctly, the family wins $5,000 in college tuition money, and the chance to play for $50,000!

All of these heartwarming and hilarious games are played in a toy-filled room called the Baby Dome. Do you think that you could predict what baby will do next?

I wanted to share with you the Bet on Your Baby Blog App where you can take a quiz to see if you would survive the Baby Dome, and watch videos of the cutest contestants on TV in the Game Gallery.

  • How well do you know the behavior of babies? How do you think these toddlers will fare playing these games in the Baby Dome? Take the “Would You Survive The Baby Dome?” quiz to find out!
  • View the cutest clips of the stars of the show! Visit the Game Gallery to watch the babies and parents in action, playing awesome games together such as Toy Time, Stack ‘Em, and The Sound of Moo-sic.

In celebration of the new show and the cool app, one reader is going to win 3 coupons for free Luvs Diapers!

Luvs® Super Absorbent diapers give your baby the protection they need at the low price you’re looking for—complete with a money back guarantee. New Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Packs have an everyday low price of $6.97 at Walmart!

Don’t forget to watch Bet on Your Baby, Saturdays 8/7c on ABC!

Enter to win three-coupon pack for Luvs Super Absorbent Jumbo Packs on the Rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

22May 2013

Expand Your Horizons with TakeLessons.com + Coupon Code

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Children naturally love to dance and sing and Kinsley is almost at the age to begin her musical education.  I would love to have her learn the piano or maybe the guitar.   My son takes guitar lessons and it has really given him confidence to branch out into other interests.  By starting Kinsley early, I hope it gives her a head start on the life long benefits of having music as part of your life. It is said that children who study music do better academically with higher IQ’s and test scores, then their non-musical peers.  Once she gets to be about 5 or 6, I will let her decide what she wants to learn and begin our journey to find a perfect teacher.

 

 

But how do I find a good, reliable and safe teacher?  Well, I recently learned about TakeLessons.com and I am excited to give it a try!

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“TakeLessons.com connects students and families with private music teachers, arts instructors and academic tutors throughout the US. We’ve been in business since 2006, and have worked with over 30,000 students nationwide. Safety and quality are our priorities; every instructor completes an extensive interview, training, and an annual criminal background check. We assist with scheduling, initial coordination with the instructor, and billing – so all you have to worry about is enjoying your lessons! Your online student account also helps you stay organized with scheduling and billing tools.

We provide In Home and In Studio lessons, as well as Online Lessons, which are a popular option for busy families – all you need is a computer with a webcam, a Skype account, and a good Internet connection. Cut down on commute times by taking lessons in the comfort of your own home!”

I am not comfortable signing Kinsley up to take lessons with just anyone.  When I visit TakeLessons.com, I can easily plug in my zip code and the lessons I am seeking and instantly see a list of teachers in my area, or teachers who can give lessons online.  These teachers are extensively screened in a way I could never do myself.  I can also read reviews of for potential teachers or their education qualifications, check their availability and more.  This bit of information allows me to comfortably decided on a teacher for Kinsley from the privacy of my own home.

So, what type of lessons are there?  There is over 30 lesson types available, including guitar, singing, piano, drums, violin, dance, acting, and academic tutoring.  Yes!  Not only can you find a music teacher but dance, acting and academic as well.

There are teachers available for all ages and all experience levels. The lessons can be locally at home or in a studio OR you can participate in lessons online via Skype!  The lesson packages include month-to-month, Quarterly (book 12 lessons, get 1 free) and Flex (coordinate lesson times as you go along with your instructor), so there is something that will work best for your family.

What if I don’t like our teacher or want to switch instruments?  There is a 100% Money Back Guarantee.

If you’re not satisfied with your first lesson, they will find you another teacher or refund all of your original purchase price, including the first lesson.  How is that for risk-free??   There is no long-term commitments either.  You can switch the schedule, teacher or lesson type at any time.

Wait…Math Tutoring?  That’s right!

There’s a teacher for that!  If your child is struggling, there is online academic tutoring options at TakeLessons.com.  The tutors undergo the same rigorous screening as the teachers.

It’s going to be a long summer!  Summer music lessons are a blast!

Take advantage of the summer months to learn a new instrument or get the kids prepared academically.  Summer doesn’t mean learning has to stop!

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Summer Kick Off Sale

I have a special Memorial Day offer for you!  Today through Tuesday, May 28th, you can save 20% off all lesson packages!  I can see your toes tapping already!

To take advantage of this special, use promotional code “MUSICMOM16” for your 20% off. 

Students can book online, or  call at 619-618-7456 to talk through options and pricing with a Student Counselor!   Don’t forget to mention the special promo code to get your discount.

Connect with TakeLessons.Com Online, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube

*Kate n’ Kaboodle received compensation for sharing this post, however all opinions are my own.

22May 2013

Cooper Tires Spring Savings Event #springsavings

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This post brought to you by Cooper Tires. All opinions are 100% mine.

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As a mother to six, it is critical my car is reliable and safe.  One of the things my husband does to ensure that safety is make sure we have a set of good tires on the car.  We recently bought a used car for winter and need to get a good set of tires that will get us through the heavy snow and ice.  Luckily for us, Cooper Tire is having a great event now through June 30th!

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If you are in the market for new tires, now is the time to take advantage of the saving during the Cooper Tire Spring Savings Event.  Save on select Cooper Tires during the Spring Savings event from May 1 to June 30.

Shoppers can also be eligible to receive up to $80 on a prepaid Visa Card when purchsing a new set of four qualifying Cooper tires through participating dealers in the U.S., Canada, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Spring Savings Event eligible products include:

-CS4 Touring

-Discoverer CTS

-Cooper Zeon RS3-S and RS3-A

-Discoverer H/T

-Discoverer HTP (Available only at select U.S. retailers.)

-Discoverer LSX and LSX Plus (Available only at select U.S. retailers.)

After checking out the tires above, I think our new car would do great with the Cooper CS4 Touring tires.  It’s a premimum tire that provides a comfortable ride, sport handling and all season traction.

Which tire would fit your family’s needs?  Check out Cooper Tire for more information about Spring Savings Event!

Connect with Copper Tires Online and Facebook

 

Visit Sponsor's Site

22May 2013

WINSday Link Up!

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Time for another Wednesday Link Up! List your giveaways and enter some too.

Make sure you check out the “giveaway links” tab above to see other link up’s!

For a list of the current giveaways here at Kate n’ Kaboodle, see the sidebar.



21May 2013

BLOOD KISS by Michael Reaves

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Joe Belicek doesn’t believe in vampires – good thing they believe in him.

149910_134380520064488_725065999_nAre you a fan of the vampire genre in movies? I don’t necessarily mean movies about those vampires that might glitter in the daylight or vampires that wear ruffles and fly around. I’m talking about real, true to life vampires. Perhaps you’re also a fan of the film noir genre as well. Remember those classic private eye movies where the good guy catches the bad guy in the end (maybe), and it always starts with a beautiful woman walking into the office seeking help? BLOOD KISS might be all that for you. Are you ready to see this movie?

Unfortunately, it might not happen.

Hope is not lost, however! You can make it happen! With the aid of a great site called Kickstarter, they can get the funding needed to film this movie. YOU can make a difference! They might have to film the movie in people’s back yards, but as long as they get their minimum amount of $50,000, it will happen.

What are you possibly waiting for? Go take a visit to the Kickstarter Page for BLOOD KISS now. In less than a week, they’ve already managed to surpass half of what they were looking to raise. This is quite an accomplishment by people like you.

If you’re still not convinced that this is worth backing, why not hear what the actors (Neil Gaiman and Amber Benson) have to say about it:

21May 2013

BubbleBum Booster Seat Review and Giveaway

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bubblebum

Kinsley will be four in a few days and is at the age where she can be in a booster seat in the car. I plan on keeping her in her car seat until she reaches the limit but there are times when I need something more portable if she is traveling with others.

Many parents are faced with scenarios where their child has to be picked up by another adult who may not have a booster seat or need something portable for vacations. The award winning BubbleBum Booster Seat is a perfect solution!

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BubbleBum, the cost effective, portable, lightweight, brightly colored, inflatable car booster seat for children aged between 4-11, easily deflates and folds flat so that kids or moms can carry it in a backpack or purse, making it perfect for vacations, rental cars, taxis, school pick up or car pooling.

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I know what you are thinking because it was my first thought as well.  An inflatable booster seat?  Is it safe?  Even Kinsley asked me that question when I first strapped her into the booster seat.

BubbleBum is serious about safety and has been awarded the IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety) “Best Bet” in their booster seat evaluation report two years in a row, where they’ve branded BubbleBum as one of the best for safety.

Not only that,  BubbleBum has been awarded a seal by Mom’s Best, including the 2012 Top Choice of the Year Award in Kids Travel by Creative Child Magazine, PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved) Media Awards and the JPMA Awards.

So what did we think?  First I want to share with you how it works.

The BubbleBum comes in a nifty carrying bag.  It is deflated and folded in half.

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It is very lightweight and inflating it literally takes 30 seconds.  It has a valve that you unscrew (the cap is attached so there is no chance of losing it) and blow in five or six breathes of air.

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The energy absorbing material is super strong, similar to life vests, and the stitching is reinforced throughout.

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On each side of the seat is a red positioning clip.  This is where your car’s seat belt will insert and hold the booster down. It also ensures the lap portion of the belt lays on the lap and not on the soft tissues of the abdomen.

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The BubbleBum only works with three point harness seats.  If they shoulder belt sits above the child’s shoulder, another positioning belt can be installed. It attaches to the bottom of the BubbleBum, comes up the back of the child and grabs the belt over the shoulder.  It can be adjusted to the belt lays where you need it.

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Set up was quick and easy. After it was inflated, Kinsley and I headed out to the car to try it out. Just set the BubbleBum down in the seat.

IMG_5394Put the belt through the first strap, position it across the childs lap, put the second clip on the belt and fasten.  I then adjusted the shoulder strap adjuster for Kinsley’s comfort and safety.

IMG_5388Once she was strapped in, we took it for a spin around the block (since she is two pounds and two weeks from the minimum safety requirements). I asked her how it felt and she said it was comfortable and that she felt like a big girl. I asked her to try to wiggle out but she couldn’t.  She was strapped in pretty good.

Although I am not quite ready to graduate her to a booster,  I feel this will be a safe, affordable option in a few months for riding with other family members and when we travel.  The portability is a huge plus since she can easily store it in her own backpack once school starts and we don’t have to worry about buying additional booster seats for everyone that will pick her up.  The quality is great and it is so easy to use!

  Connect

BubbleBum Online, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

Buy It

BubbleBum comes in two colors, black and purple, and is available for $39.99 online at BubbleBum.com, Target.com, and Babies ‘R Us. It is also available in select Target stores nationwide.

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Win It

One lucky reader is going to win a BubbleBum Booster Seat!

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I received the above mentioned product free of charge to facilitate my review, however all opinions are my own.

21May 2013

Bloggers Wanted: Summer Fun Giveaway Event

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Summer of Fun

Summer Fun Event

Organized by: Iowa Mom

Prizes Include: Skywalker Bounce-N-Learn Trampoline, Intex 10′ x 30″ Metal Frame Swimming Pool, Glenmeadow 6-Piece Folding Patio Dining Set with Umbrella, Flexible Flyer Swing Free Metal Swing Set & 20″ Huffy Rock It Boys’ Bike. *5 winners*

Event dates: 6/10 – 6/24

SIGN-UP HERE!