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Showing posts from 2019

My New Favorite Pizza - Cali'Flour Foods Pizza

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One of my favorite foods is pizza and I'm always hoping to find a healthier way to have it. One of the things that sometimes will make pizza more guilt than pleasure is the ingredients list. A lot of the pizzas that I purchase in the frozen food section have a lengthy ingredient list that makes me wonder what exactly I'm putting into my body. So, I am so happy to share with you the Cali'Flour Foods pizzas. I recently had the chance to try out three of their pizzas and they are absolutely one of a kind. So, first, if you suffer from any autoimmune disease, you will be excited to find out that you have that in common with Cali'Flour Foods owner and founder Amy. Make sure you read her story here . One of the things that make Cali'Flour Foods stand out is the ingredients list of their products. Each of the pizzas pictured above has ingredients I understand, which is such an important factor to me. For example, for the Artisan Margherita, the crust is

5 Ways to Warm Up Without Using Your Heater

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I don't know about you, but as the fall turns into winter , I am definitely keeping an eye on the energy bill. It's shocking how quickly the heating expense can be this time of year! So while the weather outside becomes more and more frightful, I have for you a few ideas to keep yourself and your home warm during the winter. 1) Bake. Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? And then Christmas? If it's really cold for you this time of year, now is the best time to pick up baking. You really don't have to be an expert at it. It's also the type of thing appreciated by everyone. So whether it's making muffins to bring to the office or making cookies to bring to a neighbor, baking is a great way to keep your home warm while also filling up tummies. If you aren't really a baker, consider just leaving the oven on throughout the day. Warm bread! Toast almonds! 2) Purchase cozy winter items . I am the type of person always buying blankets, gloves, scar

Five Ways to Avoid Colds this Winter

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We are soon coming up on the best time of year. When leaves turn brilliant fall colors, sweaters come out of storage, and boots make their first appearance. However, it's also the time of year where you are more likely to get sick. In fact, a Yale study uncovered that there is a direct connection between chilly weather and catching a cold.  Looking to fight that seasonal virus so you can actually ring in the New Year without sneezing or sniffling? We have five ways for you to avoid colds this winter season that are sure to make you less of a Grinch this holiday season. 1) Wash your hands. A lot. This may sound like an obvious solution, but this is one of the most effective ways to fight germs you encounter throughout the day. Washing your hands before and after you come into contact with someone sick, before and after making food, and after using the toilet are just a few of the scenarios when you should wash your hands. Not near soap and water? Get hand sanitizer that co

Bean Quest Coffee Review and Giveaway

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Coffee, coffee, coffee! I am a coffee drinker which is probably why I review it so much on this blog. Recently I had the chance to try out this amazing coffee by Bean Quest. This is a company started by two brothers, who like me, love coffee and ventured out to bring excellent coffee to the world. They also mention on their website that they love gaming, which I can tell by the fact that the labeling looks like it's from an RPG game. Anyways so I had the chance to try out their Bali Blue Moon coffee. Wow, this was good. It's a dark roast coffee that is extremely rich and strong tasting. I love the richness of dark roast coffee and this gave me exactly that. It has hints of vanilla and chocolate, which is the favorite tasting notes I love tasting in a good cup of coffee. Make sure you purchase some today.  And I'm so excited to announce that I get to give away a bag of their coffee to one lucky reader! Enter via Rafflecopter below. US only. Giveaway ends on 11/24.

Era Organics Rose Spray Review and Giveaway

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I have to say one of my favorite scents is rose. I have this rosewater spray I put on every morning and it feels so refreshing. I had the chance to try out this new spray Era Organics Rose Spray and I absolutely LOVED it. What makes Era Organics a unique brand is that their company philosophy is to use natural and organic ingredients. Plus they are family owned and operated. That makes them a winner in my book! So, I had the chance to try out their Rose Spray and wow, I was so impressed. Before I get into the product of itself, if you haven't been using rose spray on your skin, you are missing out on some incredible benefits. Rosewater toner is perfect to reduce excess oil on your skin, calm irritated skin, promote glowing skin, and hydrate your skin and hair. It has so many benefits that it's definitely part of my beauty routine. Now, onto Era Organics Rose Spray. The first thing I noticed and appreciated was that they fulfilled their promise of simple ingredients.

My New Favorite Summer Drink: Plain Spoke Cocktails

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Okay, summer has come and gone and we are knee-deep in fall leaves and pumpkin season. However, that doesn't mean the memory of summer-time isn't still in our minds! A few weeks ago, around the tail end of a slightly warm day, I had the chance to try out my new favorite summer drink - Plain Spoke Cocktails.  If you love mixed drinks, but don't like the whole mixing part of things, you'll want to try this. As you can see, I tried three different kinds - Mojito, Moscow Mule, and Bourbon Smash. I have to tell you this was absolutely amazing. Each one tasted like they were freshly shaken by a professional!  My favorite one of them all was Bourbon Smash because it had a tart lemon zing, the fizz of soda, but that little extra something underneath. Actually, they all were like that. Seriously, this is something I really would love to see to come to Oregon. The alcohol content for each drink is 10%, so it's bit stronger than a bottle of beer.  Right now it

Gift Idea: Personalized Jewelry at GetNameNecklace.com

Can you believe it's almost the holiday season? As you write down your shopping list, you may want to consider getting personalized jewelry from GetNameNecklace.com. They have a fantastic collection of jewelry, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. What the great thing about Get Name Necklace is that you can even get personalized photo jewelry! I think that's amazing and very unique. It can be a photography necklace or a photo engraved in silver on the piece of jewelry. When you visit the website, the great thing is you can begin by shopping for a specific person in your life, like shopping for your mom, for a couple, for kids, for pet lovers, for friends, and others. The prices are also really reasonable and a deal is going on right now to save up to 20% off. Also, I really want to point out a few pieces, such as their custom letter rings . These are beautifully designed and would make for a touching, personalized gift this holiday season. One really uni

5 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for Thanksgiving

All around the United States, preparations are underway for one of the biggest days of the year - Thanksgiving. So, while your recipes may be in order, and your guests have RSVP’d, is your home ready for the holiday? If not, you are not alone and we have for you today 5 tips for getting your home cleaned up for turkey day! 1) Examine the entry way. When you r guests arrive , what is one of the first things they will see? Clutter? Dead plants? Items that should've been donated last year? You, struggling to stuff their coats into an already packed closet? Welcome guests with ease by clearing the entry way of clutter, and make room for coats, purses, and umbrellas. 2) Get your kitchen sparkling. Don't wait for the last minute to clean your kitchen. Make sure you wipe down the visible areas such as cabinets, counters, appliances, and floors, but take special care to wash dishes you will be using to serve food. Also, now is the time for a thorough oven and stove cl

A Virtual Reality Game for Bible Readers!

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I have come across only a few Bible video games, but none so cool and innovative as the Solemn XII video game. It's a virtual reality 3D action-adventure Bible game that allows learning and development through role-playing objectives. It's an open-world environment, where you experience educational game challenges, assemble virtual objects (like Noah's Ark!), accomplish mission objectives, and experience biblical narratives first-hand. By the way, this game is meant for an adult audience, 18+ due to the mature appeal. This game's play regions are dedicated to prominent historical people from the Bible such as King David, Moses, and others. You overcome a variety of challenges to advance in the game. Curious to find out more? Check out their website and read their FAQ that answers many questions about the game. And make sure you watch this incredibly cool video about the gameplay: Make sure you also visit their homepage and sign up for their newsl

My Review of Sonoma Farm Gourmet Pasta Sauce, Olive Oil and More

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What is about the cooler weather that makes me yearn for pasta? Whether it's plain ole pasta sauce and noodles, or manicotti, or ravioli or lasagna, I could have pasta every night of the week and never get sick of it. I was so excited to try out some of the pasta sauces, as well as olive oils and salsas by Sonoma Farms. I can't wait to tell you about them! What makes Sonoma Farms special is that their ingredients are sourced from local farmers in California and Italy. They also offer incredibly flavorful products that I am certain you will want to purchase yourself. To start out - the pasta sauce! I was so excited to try a wide variety. Here's a few I tried: Garlic Lovers Pasta Sauce Gorgonzola Pasta Sauce Home Style Marinara Pasta Sauce Asiago Pasta Sauce Vodka Pasta Sauce Gravy Marinara Oh. My. Goodness. Does this place know how to make the pasta sauce or what? Each sauce is rich in flavor and taste. Seriously, I even heated some of this pasta sauce up with ma

Foods of the Vine Review

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Ladies and gentleman, I'd like to introduce you to...the tomato. So, two foods I thoroughly love - pasta and tomato sauce. I think I could have a diet of pasta and tomato sauce-based foods and never get sick of either one. Recently, I had the chance to try out a few items from a company called Foods of the Vine and I can't wait to tell you about them. Here's a few things that make this company special: All of their products are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Verified, low-sodium, and gluten-free. The Vine is located and manufactured in New York. Their ingredients are sourced in the USA. It is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) member. All of these qualities make a company stand out and makes me want to work with them and buy and support their products. Most of all though what did I think of what I had to try? The Pasta Sauce I reviewed two different pasta sauces: Butternut Squash and Vegan Marinara. The words "vegan" in

Twin Engine Coffee - Organic, Artisan Coffee (Coupon inside!)

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I'm really excited to have had the chance to try some unique coffees over the last few weeks. The next one up that I've tried is a really special type of coffee that also recognizes the importance of sustainability. Here are  a few important things to know about Twin Engine Coffee: They are single-origin coffee. This basically means that the coffee comes from one place. And their coffee beans are crafted in Nicaragua.  They are 100% organic. Organic is important because that means that the coffee is grown and produced without synthetic fertilizers or chemicals. Twin Engine coffee employs farmers, artisans, artists, tasters, retailers, packers, and other suppliers which have resulted in the creation of over 400 jobs. More and more as consumers we're all making that conscious decision about the businesses we want to support and often times that starts with learning more about their global footprint. So, if you are like me and trying to make an effort with making bet

Jet Back to School with the Jetson Scooter #ad

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If I was to try and master any mode of transportation outside of my usual bus and walk modes, it would be to master to the scooter. I feel like there is a growing trend towards scooters and so I was so excited to join up with Best Buy to feature their Jetson Scooter! Living in a city that encourages public transportation and "green" ways of living (like Portland, Oregon), means you are constantly exposed to new ways to get around with a lighter carbon footprint. The Jetson Scooter comes with a few huge perks I'd love to share with you guys as you consider adding this fun and amazing mode of transportation to your "back to school" shopping list. What makes this scooter stand out? First of all, it can go up to 15 mph thanks to it's 250W hub motor. It's equipped with an ultra-bright LED headlight and taillight which improves visibility and safety while you are riding on the road.  However, unlike this photo I'm featuring here, I highly enc

Cacao Vita - Review and Giveaway

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What is your favorite flavor combination? For me, it's coffee and chocolate. If you are nodding your head in agreement, then you should try Cacao Vita. I had the chance to try a couple of different items from them - one of their coffees and some of their granola! Check it out: First, the coffee I had the chance to try. It's called Caroline St - Sumatra. It's a dark roast blend (my favorite kind!). So, some interesting facts about this coffee. First, Cacao Vita is based in Saratoga Springs, NY and Caroline St is the hub and party central for Saratoga Springs. So this coffee is meant to represent that very same environment - fun, bold and tantalizing!  I'm picky about my experience with coffee, so when I tried my very first sip of Cacao Vita, I was very pleasantly surprised. You can absolutely detect the notes of chocolate with the coffee as well as a fruity tasty. It's actually the type of coffee that works so well just drinking it black without cream or

Don Pablo's Coffee - Review and Giveaway

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Recently, I got into a coffee rut. Have you ever been there? When your usual blends just aren't tasting the same anymore? Well, I was so excited to partner up with Don Pablo Coffee of Burke Brands and review their amazing coffee. This got me out of my coffee rut and I am so happy to share it with you all! About Don Pablo Coffee In 1989 by Darron J. Burke, founder of Burke Brands LLC, moved to South Florida for adventure. There, he met the love of his life, Eliana. While visiting his wife's family in Colombia, he also fell in love with Latin culture and the country's delicious coffee. The name "Don Pablo" came from Eliana's grandmother's nickname for Darron. What makes Don Pablo coffee so unique is that it's family-owned and operated. Because of their close relationships with coffee growers, they have a dedicated source of supply of quality Arabica beans. You can read so much more about the company, their coffee roasting process, and what make

New Movie Release: Miss Arizona (And Giveaway!)

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Hey folks, it's been a while! First of all, I have some great reviews and some giveaways coming up - so be on the lookout! First up is for everyone who is in need of an inspirational movie about becoming who you are meant to be. It's a movie called MISS ARIZONA. Here's a bit about the movie (as well as some photos from the film) and you will know why this is your must-see movie of the summer! (Well, what's left of the summer) About the Movie, Miss Arizona Rose Raynes (Johanna Braddy) was crowned Miss Arizona -- 15 years ago. Now a bored housewife trapped in a less-than-ideal marriage, she accepts an invitation to teach a life skills class at a women's shelter. Digging out the relics of her pageant queen past, Rose attempts to share her platform speech with a room of four disinterested women dodging abusive exes. But when trouble shows up at the shelter, what the women really need is for Rose's shiny SUV to keep them out of harm's way, so they embark

Silk18 Shampoo - Review & Giveaway

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I'm fairly picky about the shampoo I use and so when I heard from Maple Holistics about trying out their Silk18 shampoo , I couldn't wait. On their website, they state that the 18 silk amino acids help "fortify hair follicles and strengthen strands to protect hair from dryness, breakage, damage, split ends, and hair fall." It also has a " nourishing formula gently cleanses dandruff, excess sebum, and impurities to leave your hair and scalp feeling fresh but not stripped." These are some amazing things to find in a shampoo! I'm never a huge fan of washing my hair (did I say that out loud?) and find when I wash my hair a LOT it ends up being too dry. Using this shampoo was a wonderful experience. First, it smelled good - always a huge plus to me. It also made my hair really soft, and I love that. My hair ended up feeling really moisturized too and it just gave it a smooth quality I like to see (and feel) after washing my hair. You can get the 10-oun

Choice Organic Teas Review + Giveaway

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Are you a tea fan? Whether iced or hot, I'm such a huge fan of drinking tea. There are tons of brands out there, but one in particular that I always reach for if I'm in the store or shopping for groceries online is Choice Organic Teas. Here's a few reasons why: Simple ingredients.  I'm ingredient paranoid. I read the ingredients over everything that I purchase that is something I will consume and often times, even in products as simple as black and green can sometimes have things like natural flavors (a huge no-no for me). Organic. Organic is the way! You don't always think of it for tea, but for me, that's another huge reason that I love Choice Organic Teas. Non-GMO Certified. Ahhhh this is another important certification to me. Read about the Non-GMO Project if you are curious! Fair Trade Certified. This is another certification I love to see! A company that has this label is doing good work for the people and the environment. Read more here !

The One Thing You Need for Your Outdoor Parties

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I don't know about you, but if I could have my ideal outdoor deck situation, it would include an outdoor TV. So, if you are hosting a family movie night or have an outdoor party featuring the big game, the Veranda Series of SunBriteTVs is ready to make your favorite outdoor space a real destination. Watching TV outside is the coolest thing!  Here's what you can expect from the Veranda Series of SunBrite TVs:   The Veranda Series of SunBriteTVs are designed specifically for outdoor use. They are engineered to survive just about any climate in North America, resisting the harsh effects of rain, snow, dust, insects, and extreme temperatures.    The SunBriteTV Veranda is a family of weatherproof televisions designed for full-shade outdoor spaces, like covered patios and screened-in porches.  Veranda comes standard with a direct-lit 4K UHD screen with HDR, which is up to 50% brighter than indoor TVs for improved viewing in brighter outdoor environments.

HP Warehouse Sale & Giveaway

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Anyone else in desperate need of a laptop or computer? So, if you are nodding your head, then you will be so excited to learn that HP is doing a warehouse sale and you can save up to $800 on select PCs! Restrictions may apply, of course. And this is going on through 5/1/19, so you have plenty of time to make this sale! Interested in learning more? Check out this link to find out the details. I'm really eager to get this laptop you can see in the flyer! Best of all you can get an exclusive rebate with Savings.com. Check out the info here . Best of all, I'm so excited to announce that you have the chance to win one of 5 $100 HP gift cards! The giveaway starts  Wednesday, April 17th at 12:00 AM PT and ends Tuesday, April 30th at 11:59 PM PT. Here are the full details:  Five (5) winners will receive a $100 HP gift card. Users enter the giveaway by heading to the HP page on Savings.com and submitting their email address on the form at the top of the

Weekly Giveaway Roundup

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Another week, another giveaway roundup! What have you been up to this week? I'm still trying to find ways to save money. Well, anyways, leave me a comment if you see a good one you'd like to share.  Vitamin A Sunshine Essentials Giveaway Winner chosen on 4/24 https://www.vitaminaswim.com/pages/sunshine-essential-giveaway Harry Potter Lunch Bag or Backpack Ends in 13 days http://www.mugglenet.com/2019/04/review-and-giveaway-harry-potter-backpack-and-lunch-box-by-cool-clobber/ Dreams of Falling Book Review Giveaway Uncertain of end date, but appears to still be open http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2019/04/giveaway-and-re-post-of-my-review-of.html Free month of rent giveaway! Monthly contest https://www.spareroom.com/liverentfree/101784382/10105 (Disclosure: If you enter through my link, I'll receive another entry into the giveaway) All the Lovely Children e-book (Thriller) Ends in 13 days https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspo

Fun in Spring - Worksheet for Kids!

Excited for the spring? I am too! I am excited to be partnering up with Education.com to share with you this great worksheet that you will love printing out for your kids. So, celebrate spring (and sharpen your spelling skills) with this flower-themed word search! For more learning activities like this, visit Education.com. And the answer sheet!

Giveaway Round Up of the Week

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Hi everyone! So, I've been neglecting the blog lately but I want to start doing more with Fancy That! again. So, hopefully, soon you'll be hearing more from me, including some more giveaway roundups like this. Let me know if you win anything or see a giveaway! Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Giveaway (win a Nancy Drew prize pack!) Ends April 30th https://www.herinteractive.com/the-hidden-staircase-contest/ Copy of the Book "Memory House" Ends in 11 days from today https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2019/04/book-review-giveaway-memory-house-by.html Copy of the illustrated book "The Pilgrim's Progress" Ends 4/12 https://www.bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com/the-pilgrims-progress-film-review-and-giveaway-2/ Ace Stain Remover prize pack Ends in 10 days (UK Only) http://countryheartandhome.com/ace-stain-remover-bundle-x-2-giveaway-day-4 Press out butterflies Ends in 13 days http://handmadebydeb.blogspot.com/2019/04/beautiful-pre

Does Your Email Get Marked as Spam?

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Hey folks! Did you know as a blogger it can be incredibly difficult to avoid ending up in someone's spam folder? I was thinking about this lately. and when it comes to emails I open that aren't personal emails there are a few factors to keep in mind - Personalization. Although not a hard and fast rule, likely if my name is being used I'll open it. Giveaways. The word giveaway always catches my eye, and especially if it's unique to email subscribers. THAT definitely gets me to open it. Coupons. This is another factor that gets me to open up the email, especially if it's a company that I visit and like a lot. As for the emails, I do not open, those are in the majority. Honestly, I love contests and this results in me getting a lot of contests. So, I end up deleting more than I should, but the ones I end up unsubscribing too, are the ones where - * The company sends it too much * It's way too "sales-y." * It's so unbelievably far from my