Jolly Mom: Recipes | Crafts | Atlanta Mom Blogger | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews

I'm writing this post from mid-air on my way to NYC! OK, so my entire life I have wanted to visit NYC and now--in the span of one week, I get to visit The Big Apple TWICE! This time I am actually staying overnight too. Tomorrow, I will be attending the Time to Play Holiday Showcase where I will get to see and play with the hottest toys of the holiday season. Time to Play will also be announcing what they predict to be the 16 MOST WANTED toys of the season. This one is going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to share all the cool toys of the season with you!

To celebrate the beginning of National Cookie Month, Mrs. Fields, the country’s most loved and recognized cookie company, is giving away a free chocolate chip cookie from 11 am to 1 pm on October 1, 2009! Yum!

As you probably already know, last Thursday I, along with almost 50 other bloggers went to the Euro-Pro event in NYC. It was a whirlwind trip since I was only in NYC for about 8 hours. My plane left Atlanta at 6:40 am and I was back home by 10:30 PM that night! Whirlwind. Totally worth it though! As soon as I landed in NYC, I took my first NYC cab ride. OMG. And, I was afraid of flying. All I'm saying. Anyhow, my very nice cab driver did get me to the Mandarin Hotel in lightning speed, which was good since I really thought that I was going to be late. This was our view at the Mandarin Hotel--beautiful!


The day started off with a lovely coffee reception in which I got the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers! Soon after, we got to see the Ninja Master Prep--which just made its TV debut this past weekend and was really the main reason for the event. The Master Prep is a brand new Euro-Pro product that can chop, dice, mince, blend, and puree. Basically, it is the union of a food processor and blender. Only better! Chef Robin Miller from the Food Network was there demonstrating how the Ninja Kitchen Master Prep works along with some delicious meals that she makes using the Master Prep. And, let me just say--Robin was a riot! She is so sweet and funny! Love you, Robin!


By the end of the demo, you could hear stomachs around the room growling in hunger! Soon, I will have the chance to review the Master Prep, but let me tell you that from what I have seen--it will be a huge time saver in the kitchen! The Master Prep has many unique features--the main one being the double blades, which make it a true work horse. It can actually make snow from whole ice cubes! Not only did I see it with my own eyes, but later we all got the opportunity to do it ourselves.



After the Master Prep demo, Euro-Pro showed us some of their newest cleaning products. Some of these are so new that they aren't even in stores yet! I'll be telling you more about them in the coming months, but in the meantime--check these out!




We ended the event with an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G lunch made using Robin Miller's recipes! Unfortunately, I was too busy eating and chatting so I did not get any pictures! Agh. Sorry about that! It was really an amazing event and I am so honored to have been invited and excited about all the wonderful bloggers that I met. Thank you, Euro-Pro!

My friend, Alesha from The Jacobsen Family gave me the Over the Top Award the other day. Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award: USE ONLY ONE WORD! Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers so I am totally cheating--sorry Alesha! : )

1. Where is your cell phone? InTheKitchenCharging
2.Your hair? Greasy
3. Your mother? BestFriend
4. Your father? Funny
5. Your favorite food? IceCream
6. Your dream last night? TooTiredToDream
7. Your favorite drink? CokeZeroOrCoffee
8. Your dream/goal? OwnMyOwnBusinessWhereICanBeMeAndLoveWhatIDo
9. What room are you in? FamilyRoom
10. Your hobby? MakingThingsBeautiful
11. Your fear? LosingSomeoneILove
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? HomeWithMyFamily
13. Where were you last night? HomeWatchingTVInMyPJs
14. Something that you aren't? Rested
15. Muffins? Yummy
16. Wish list item? FacialPlease!
17. Where did you grow up? Georgia
18. Last thing you did? PhoneCallWithFriend
19. What are you wearing? PJs
20. Your TV? LoveIt!
21. Your pets? OurFirstBaby
22. Friends? TheBest
23. Your life? Blessed
24. Your mood? Excited
25. Missing someone? Grandma
26. Vehicle? Pathfinder
27. Something you're not wearing? Socks
28. Your favorite store? Target
29. Your favorite color? Black
30. When was the last time you laughed? OneMinuteAgo
31. Last time you cried? Months
32. Your best friend? Mom
33. One place that I go to over and over? Home
34. One person who emails me regularly? LotsOfPeople!
35. Favorite place to eat? HomeOnThePatio

I am passing the award to these awesome ladies:

Mommy is Green
Grasping for Objectivity
Mevolving
Sheila Cakes
Jamerican Spice
The Shewbridges of Celebration, FL

I'm sure that you've all heard about one of the most popular kids' movies in theaters now--Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It is a huge hit! What you may not know is that Burger King has teamed up with Sony Pictures Animation to help promote the movie and in the process do a lot of good! Burger King's website, Club BK is sporting a fresh look and right now is featuring an online game inspired by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. What's really cool is that the site allows kids to have fun all while promoting awareness for the film's charitable partner, Feeding America.

BK’s newly revamped kids’ site, www.clubbk.com, offers kids the opportunity to become “Hunger Helpers” and rally behind the charitable organization, via a movie-themed online game where they can earn “Crowns” (the virtual currency for Club BK) and then donate them to show support for the Feeding America cause. They can also access more information about the charity and get tips on how to support local food banks all at ClubBk.com. The site features a progress meter measuring the number of Crowns contributed (and support shown) by the Club BK kids community. Participants are urged to contribute to the Club BK community goal to receive a special virtual reward!

I visited the site and played around in the virtual world. It is super cute and a lot of fun! Kids can create their own characters, name them, change their physical features, and much more! What I especially like about the site is the parents section where moms and dads can register for their own account and keep an eye on what their kids are doing. When you create a Parent Account, you'll have direct access to your children's accounts and can use the Parent Dashboard to:

• Create and validate your children's accounts
• Register your child for the Birthday Club to get a free BK® Kids Hamburger Meal coupon
• See when your children logged in last
• Update your Parent Account 24/7

Another caveat when you register--you get a FREE hamburger kid's meal for your child's birthday!

The good news is that after only seven days of Club BK’s promotion, kids have donated more than 1 million Crowns in charitable shows of support to Feeding America, and have just surpassed the community’s goal! Kids are still encouraged to show their support by donating Crowns, and will still receive a virtual prize for their donations. And, to celebrate Club BK’s efforts toward philanthropic empowerment to kids and as a valued partner to both Feeding America and Burger King Corp., Kraft Foods is supporting Hunger Action Month with a $25,000 donation to Feeding America!

I was sent an awesome gift pack {pictured below} that included a gift certificate to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in the theater plus some other wonderful goodies. I can't wait to take Lucas and Mike to see the movie next week! I am also really excited because one of you will also win the same gift pack!


Here's what you get:

• $20 BK Crown Card to grab a BK Kids Meal before or after the movie
• $40 movie gift card to see the film
• Full set of Club BK Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs kids toys
• Club BK’s Adventures newsletter
• Original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs book

I have no shame in using boxed cake mixes to make a quick, last minute treat. This weekend, the boys were craving something sweet so I used a strawberry cake mix to make some yummy cupcakes. The key to using a boxed cake mix is to make your own frosting. Store bought frosting is way too sweet and definitely tastes "store bought". Plus, frosting is so easy to make--especially this delicious cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of one lemon {optional, but so good!}

Directions:
In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add the vanilla and lemon zest, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar.

We love Sandra Magsamen books at my house so I was very excited to hear about two new books in her new award-winning Snuggle-Me Stories series--Little Bear Hugs and My Little Monkey. I was sent both of these books to review and they are just adorable! Each board book comes with a soft, little lovey for babies. My Little Monkey features a small fleece blanket with an attached plush monkey and Little Bear Hugs comes with a teddy bear. Of course, like all Sandra Magsamen books--the stories themselves are so sweet and endearing. Not to mention that they make lovely gifts for a new baby, baby shower, or even as a stocking stuffer for Christmas!


About Sandra Magsamen:
Sandra Magsamen is an artist, mom, author of Living Artfully and creator of the Messages From the Heart brand. She designs gifts and ideas that encourage us to live with heart. Sandra Magsamen lives artfully with her family in the Maryland town in which she grew up. Please visit her online at www.sandramagsamen.com.

Learn More About Sandra Magsamen:

Want It: Both new books can be purchased at major retailers or on Amazon.com for $8.99.

I have drawn winners for the following giveaways:

Zhu Zhu Pets
Luvs Diapers Prize Pack
Step2 Nature Station Playhouse

Click on the links above to see if you won!

Congratulations to all of the winners! As always, all of the winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize.

I recently had the awesome opportunity to test out the Flair Pedestal High Chair by Boon and all I can say is WOW! Boon has gone and done it again. They have impressed me with their attention to detail and for yet again providing parents with a product that shows that they listen to what we need. Oh yeah and the design rocks! The streamlined, modern design will literally knock your socks off. Can you believe this is made for babies? I love you Boon.


The Flair comes in three amazing colors--blue, orange, and pink. I received it in blue and I actually think this color makes the high chair not seem so contemporary and allows it to fit into just about any decor--even my kinda shabby chic, Country Living styled home. So, here's what makes this high chair so unique and innovative--it has a pneumatic lift that allows for continuous height positioning, making it easy to adjust the seat to the perfect height. Plus, the pedestal base and six urethane casters allows the entire high chair to be effortlessly moved around anywhere without scratching my hardwood floors. When you have it where you want it, just use the hands-free braking system to lock the chair in place. When I saw this high chair online, I actually worried that the pedestal base would be too big for my kitchen, but I was wrong. The entire high chair is actually pretty compact, but it holds up to 50 pounds so you can use it for years!

Here are my favorite features: the pad is waterproof and easily removable. That means when your child inevitably throws drops his drink or food, you can wipe down the pad to clean. Easy peasy and about a thousand times better than fabric pads. The Flair comes with not one, but TWO removable food trays. My favorite feature by far though is that the entire high chair is free of any nooks, crannies, and crevices for food to sneak into. The entire thing can literally be wiped clean in seconds. It is smooth and seamless. Thank you, Boon. You had me at hello.

See It In Action:

Want It: The Flair High Chair retails for $229.99 and can be purchased online.

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the best deals at CVS this week! For the full list, please make sure you stop by Moms By Heart!

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion $7.99
-$7 ECB (Sun-Tues only)
-$1.50 printable HERE
Final Price: $.50 overage

********
P&G ECB Deal: Spend $25 Get $10 ECB

Charmin Big Roll 16pk $10
-$1/2 from 9/27 PG
Final Price: $9.50

Bounty Basics 6pk $6
-$1 from 9/27 PG
Final Price: $5

Tide 24-40 loads $6
-$1 from 9/27 PG
Final Price: $5

Dawn Dish Liquid $1
-$.25 from 9/27 PG
Final Price: $.75

Puffs Facial Tissue $1
-$.25/3 from 9/27 PG
Final Price: $.92

Bounce Dryer Bar $4
-$1.50 or $2.50 from Vocalpoint mailer or
-$2 from 8/30 PG - valid thru 9/30
Final Price: $1.50-$2.50

Scenario #1:
(3) Bounce Dryer Bars $12
(2) Bounty Basics $12
(1) Dawn $1
-$8.25 coupons
-$10 ECB
Final Price: all six for $6.75!

Scenario #2:
(2) Bounty $12
(2) Tide $12
(1) Dawn $1
-$4.25 coupons
-$10 ECB
Final Price: all five for $10.75!
********

Hershey's Mars or Nestle assorted 8pk $.88 (Sun-Tues only)
-$.55 from 8/23 SS - Reese's only
Final Price: $.33

Hershey's Mars or Nestle bag candy 9-22oz 2/$4 (Sun-Tues only)
-$1/3 from 9/27 SS - on snack size bags
-$1 from 9/27 SS - on Hershey Special Dark bag
-$1 from 9/13 SS - Hershey Kisses 10+ oz
Final Price: as low as $1 each

Crest with Scope $3.49
-$1.50 ECB
-$1 from 9/27 PG
Final Price: $.99

Colgate Toothpaste 2/$5.50
-$1.50 ECB on two
-$1 from 9/27 SS
Final Price: $1 each

Thermacare Heatwraps $6.99
-$1 ECB
-$2 from 9/27 RP
Final Price: $3.99

Simply Asia 5/$5
-$.50 from 8/30 RP
Final Price: $.50 each

Mom's Best Natural cereal $1
-$.75 printable HERE
Final Price: $.25

Single Serving Cereal Cups $1
-$.55 printable HERE - Cinnamon Toast Crunch
-$1/3 from 9/13 SS
Final Price: as low as $.45

Act II Popcorn 3pk B1G1 free
-$1/2 from 9/20 SS

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 2/$5
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.50

Wrigley's Slimpack gum 3/$3
-$1 ECB on three
-B1G1 free from 6/28 SS - exp 9/28
Final Price: three for $1

Cover Girl ECB Deal: Spend $15 get $5 ECB
-free CG product wyb CG foundation from 8/30 PG - exp 9/30
-$1 from 8/30 PG - any
-$5 ECB
Final Price: varies

Pond's products B1G1 free
-$1.50 printable HERE - any product
-$1.50 printable HERE - towelettes
Best Deal: Cold Cream $4.59 B1G1 free
-$1.50 printable x 2
Final Price: 2/$1.59

Speed Stick/Lady Speed Stick $1.99
-$1.50 printable HERE - zip 33907
Final Price: $.49

Gillette Fusion, Embrace or Spa Breeze $9.99
-$5 ECB
-$4 from 9/27 PG - Fusion
-$2 from 9/27 PG - Embrace or Spa Breeze
Final Price: as low as $.99

Listerine Total Care 16.9 oz (500 mL) $3.99
-$1 ECB
-$2 from 4/26 RP or printable HERE
Final Price: $.99

Accu-Chek Aviva $14.99
-$5 ECB
-$10 from 8/23 SS
Final Price: FREE

CVS True Results glucose monitor $14.99
-$14.99 rebate
Final Price:FREE

ECB Deal: Spend $20 on Coke or Hershey products get $15 off Monsters vs Aliens DVD

Pampers Jumbo pk $9.88
-$2 from 9/13 RP
Final Price: $7.88

SELECT AREAS ONLY
Frutopia & Viologe hair care $1.99
-$2 from Reinventing Beauty magazine
Final Price: FREE

Smuckers, a company that I love, is having an awesome contest right now that I thought you guys would love to know about.


From now until October 12th, Smuckers invites you to share your special family memories and recipes in the second annual “Spreading Smucker’s Traditions” contest. One grand prize winner will win a five day, four night family trip for eight to Walt Disney World Resort where they can create new family memories. Four runner up winners will win $100 gift baskets. What a fun way to put those recipes to good use! To enter and learn more about the contest, please visit www.smuckers.com.

To enter, consumers are asked to share an original family recipe that incorporates at least ¼ cup of Smucker’s jams, jellies, preserves, or fruit butter and the story behind how their recipe makes family celebrations special. The recipe must have been passed down for at least two generations or is currently being passed on to a second generation, and needs to include names of all family members involved in the sharing of the recipe. Entries will be accepted from August 26 through October 12, 2009. Contest finalist recipes will be selected and scored on taste, creativity, ease of preparation, appearance and nutritional balance, while the essays will be scored on relevance to theme, creative expression, and clarity. After the submission phase, an online vote will determine which of five finalist recipes will win the grand prize. For Official Rules and entry forms, visit www.smuckers.com.

We love Smuckers products in my home. We pretty much exclusively buy their reduced sugar jellies. The other day Smuckers sent us a lovely gift basket filled with a bunch of their products to try out. All I can say is YUM! Check it out:

Here's a breath of fresh air and relief--Sears and Kmart are offering a really cool way to save money for the holidays with their Christmas Club Card. The Christmas Club card allows shoppers to save ahead for their holiday purchases at Sears and Kmart months before hitting the stores or surfing the Internet. Starting now, Sears and Kmart Christmas Club card users can put aside some funds on a regular basis through November 14 to add value to this unique gift card and receive a special reward when they do.

When activated between now and October 31, Christmas Club card users will earn a three percent reward – up to a maximum of $100 – based upon the value they have on their Christmas Club cards on November 14. To activate cards or add additional value at any time, customers can visit any Sears or Kmart store location, or online at www.sears.com/christmasclub or www.kmart.com/christmasclub.


With the current state of our economy and families everywhere struggling, Sears and Kmart got it right with their Christmas Club Card. This is a great way to save and plan ahead so that you can actually enjoy the holidays rather than stress out over money.

Tylenol has voluntarily recalled 21 of their children's liquid products {manufactured between April, 2008 and June, 2008} because they may be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) bacteria.

Here's the list:

SBM041, SBM067, SCM037, SDM027, SEM109	Children's Tylenol Plus Cold MS Suspension 4 oz. Grape
SBM042, SCM015, SCM036, SDM034	Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Grape
SBM043, SBM044, SCM029	Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Bubble Gum
SBM045, SCM011, SCM030, SDM035	Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Strawberry
SBM064, SCM033, SDM020	Infant’s Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops 1/4oz.
SBM065, SCM005, SCM006, SDM032	Infant's Tylenol Suspension 1/2oz. Cherry
SBM066, SCM068	Children's Dye Free Suspension 4oz. Cherry
SBM068, SCM035, SCM070, SCM080, SDM005	Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Cherry
SBM069, SBM070, SCM081, SDM006	Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose 4oz. Cherry
SCM012, SCM067, SDM007, SDM068	Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drops 1/2oz. Grape
SCM013, SCM014, SCM069	Children's Tylenol Plus Flu 4oz. Bubble Gum
SCM016, SFM024	Children's Tylenol Plus Cold Suspension 4oz. Grape
SCM017	Children's Tylenol Plus Cough/ST Suspension 4oz. Cherry
SCM082, SDM039, SDM040	Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drops 1oz. Grape
SCM083, SCM084, SDM008	Infant's Tylenol Dye Free Suspension 1oz. Cherry
SDM064	Children’s Tylenol Pediatric Suspension 1oz. Cherry
SDM038, SDM009	Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drops 1oz. Cherry
SDM033	Children's Tylenol Plus Cold/Allergy 4oz. Bubble Gum
SDM078	Infant's Tylenol Drops 1oz. Grape
SCM034	Infant’s Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops H/G 1/2oz.
SDM028	Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Cherry, Hospital Govt.

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for sharing her Big Fat Freebies List with us! For the full list, please make sure to visit Moms by Heart and tune in every Friday for a new list of FREEbies!

-Free 2010 Hershey's baking calendar with $4 in coupons with 4 proofs of purchase HERE
-Free photo mousepad and 50 free prints from Snapfish HERE
-Free printable calendar templates HERE
-Free sample Always Flexi-Style HERE
-25 free music downloads from emusic with free trial HERE
-Free fragrance sample Unconditional Love by Philosophy when you share your love story HERE
-Free sample Total Blueberry Pomegranite cereal HERE
-Free sample Lever 2000 HERE
-Free sample Prilosec OTC heartburn relief HERE
-Free Don't Disturb Me sleep aid sample HERE
-Free sample & $1 off coupon for Honey Nut Cheerios HERE
-Earn points redeemable for great freebies from Nielsen Homescan HERE
-Free financial course for youth ages 12-20 HERE
-Free sample Aqua Fresh Extreme Clean HERE
-Free fall samples from Quality Health HERE
-Free 28 day supply of Olay Pro X for Vocalpoint members HERE
-Sign up with Viewpoints for a chance to get a free full size Bounce Dryer Bar HERE
-Free e-cards and printable cards from American Greetings when you sign up HERE
-New subscribers to the Dinner Made Easy newsletter will get a free sample of Betty Crocker potatoes HERE (new link).
-Free product samples for expectant moms HERE
-Free sticker when you tweet about Host Gator HERE
-Sign up to be a Fishful Thinking Ambassador to qualify for freebies from Pepperidge Farms HERE
-Join One 2 One network for a chance to try free products and give your opinion HERE

If you've been looking for the perfect gift for a child, I have just the thing--Olive Kids new personalized Mealtime Plate Sets. Olive Kids generously sent Lucas the Heroes set for me to review and it is adorable! Lucas loves it because it has fire trucks all over it and I love it because it is practical, durable, and very cute!


The Mealtime Plate Sets come with a coordinating plate and placemat. What's unique about these is that the plate lines up perfectly on the placemat. As Olive Kids says, "they go together like peas and carrots!" Each set is custom made to order personalized with your child's name and of course, makes the most wonderful gift for any occasion! Even Halloween! Just check out this cute set Olive Kids cooked up just in time:


These sets come in many different styles for both girls and boys. Here are a couple of my favorites:


What I love about the set is that the plate is big at 10 inches--not the typical "baby" plate. Also, it is dishwasher safe and best of all it is BPA-free! The placemats are extremely durable and heavy duty. They are sealed with heavy duty laminate and can be wiped clean. LOVE them!

Want It: The Mealtime Plate Sets usually retail for $32.99, but are on sale right now for $29.99! To purchase, please visit OliveKids.com.

I am so excited {and nervous} because today I am headed to NYC for a Euro-Pro event! This is my first time in NYC so I am very excited about that and I, along with some other bloggers will get to see Euro-Pro's newest product--The Ninja Kitchen Master Prep. Plus, Chef Robin Miller from the Food Network will also be there. You guys know that I am a foodie so this is definitely up my alley!

I'll only be in NYC for the day so this is definitely a quick trip, but I am excited to tell you guys about it! You can also follow us along on Twitter: #NinjaLaunchNYC