January 29, 2016

Love Cooking Company

DISCLOSURE: I was sent one of each of the following products to help with my review. No other compensation was given and my opinions are my own.

Free Shipping on Orders Over $50
$5 Shipping on Orders Under $50 


Perfectly popable, treats baked in the Love Cooking Gourmet Cutie Cakes™ Baking Pan are the perfect bite-size indulgence. This pan has space to bake 48 bite-size portions of your favorite sweet and savory snacks. So whether you're hosting a tasting party or simply want to keep portions in check, this unique pan is just the right size!


Create a surprise center by adding your favorite fillings to the inside of your cakes! Bake your cake in the Mrs. Fields Fill N Flip™ according to the recipe. When it’s cool, flip the cake over and add filling – pudding, fruit, compote, anything you choose! – to the side with the large opening. Then flip the non-filled cake on top, and you have an amazing layered cake your friends and family will love! Available in round and square pans.

Normally I would have pictures of what I baked. However my camera is dead and the flash drive from it is missing, so you have my words alone to go on. 

I LOVE the Cutie Cakes pan. It is the perfect size for portion control. They are small, so decorating them was a bit of a challenge. They did pop out of the pan easy.

The Fill & Flip is different. For a few I forgot how to invert and make it work, but after a trip to the website, I got it! One tip: Make sure they bake evenly or it will be off and you will have to do a bit of trimming to make it fit perfectly. Other than that, the hardest part is deciding what to put in the middle!

January 27, 2016

LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE Giveaway!


**Warner Bros. Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.**
Each household is only eligible to win LEGO FRIENDS: Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.


Legos and girls! What a concept! Add in the friendship and you have one of the newest Lego movies! Perfecr for the little girl in your life and the perfect gift for Valentines Day!
True Friendship in the Glamorous World of Pop!
Join Olivia, Stephanie, Emma, Mia and Andrea, as they learn about friendship, fame and pop star fun in Heartlake City.
The girls’ friendships are tested when mega pop star Livi comes to Heartlake City. When our friends’ hit song “Girlz” is stolen by Livi’s manager, it’s time for a cunning plan.
As the girls try to tell Livi the truth about her latest hit single, they all learn that fame isn’t everything and sometimes friendship is the most precious thing in the world.
Own LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE on digital HD 1/19 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD 2/2
Also be sure to visit the official L2M website to stay updated with all things L2M! 



Why will you and your daughter or niece LOVE the LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE blog app?



Grab your pop star microphone because it’s sing-along night! 

Click the play button to watch the special sing-along music video for Girlz by L2M. 

  • Listen to the song High Tops by L2M and click to watch the “Meet L2M” video that introduces the next girl-pop power sensation. 
  •  Download the “Girlz 4 Life” Activity Pack and to unlock your inner pop star! Kit includes Selfie props, a “Spot the Difference” game, making the Band DIY pop star instruments, Friendship Card and more! 
  •  Click on LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE Blu-ray Combo Pack for a link where the film can be purchased!


The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please. I am working with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment supplied these materials to me.

January 23, 2016

How to add Social Media Icons to your Blogger Blog (easy)

One of the things every blog should have, are the little social media icons on the side bar or in the header. I personally prefer in the side bar because I'm not really good at html and coding. The header icons are bit more work and I honestly don't have the patience for it.


The first thing you need to do is find an icon set that you love. 
Here are a few sites I like:


Vandelay Design 50+ Sets of Free Social Media Icons
Smashing Hub 80 Free Social Media Icon Sets

If you dont like those just type into your search engine "Free Social Media Icons" and a long list will appear. To make the search go faster, click on "Image Results".


If you do choose a set, download the entire set to your computer. If the site you are downloading from has choice of sizes, make sure you choose the right size for your blog. Its always easier to go smaller if the ones you choose are too big. 

If you make your own the best sizes are 32x32, 64x64 or 72x72. Making them in picmonkey (I use it) is a sinch. 

Go to : picmonkey.com Choose Design. The size maker will show and you want to choose "custom". Put in whatever dimentions you want.



Make sure the backgrounds you choose is transparent. 

Go to overlays and choose "Your Own".
Drag and drop the overlay to show the icon you want. Then click "layer".

Save the image to your computer. Make sure to use a name you will remember. I used "finaliconset2016" when I redid my icons last week.

After you do this for each of you icons that you want to add, you are going to want to save them on a photo storage site. I use photobucket.com.

Upload each of your chosen icons to your photobucket, or whatever site you use. After they are downloaded. you are going to need to find the direct link to the picture. 



Now the fun part! You are going to need to open a word/doc program. I use Wordpad. Then you want to copy and paste this:


<a href="YourWebsiteAddressHere"><img src="YourImageDirectLinkHere" /></a>

Do this for each of the links/icons you want. 

Where it says "YourWebSiteAddressHere", remove the yellow highlighted part and put your full web address of the site you want.
 Exp: "https://www.facebook.com/debrasrandomrambles"

Then go to your photobucket and get the direct link. Copy it and then paste it into where it says "YourImageDirectLinkHere"
  Exp: "http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f183/DebDai/socialicons/socialiconfacebook_zps7suua1zi.png"


This is what my Facebook icon html link looks like:

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/debrasrandomrambles"><img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f183/DebDai/socialicons/socialiconfacebook_zps7suua1zi.png" /></a>

After you remove and add all your chosen links, make sure to remove any spaces so it is one continuous line of code. Here is what mine looks like: 
Now that thats done, copy all of the code.

Go to Layout. Click on: Add a Gadget

Choose: html/Java Script

A new small window will open. Paste your copied code into the box and hit Save.


Make sure to hit "Save Arrangement" or you will loose it all and have to redo it. 

Click "View Blog".

You should see your icons on the side of your blog. Just move them up or down depending on your preference. Remembering to hit "Save Arrangement" after any changes. 


January 21, 2016

ALOHA, Get a FREE Month + Shipping

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 

Give a Gift Give a Meal


Have you been eyeing ALOHA's wide selection of products and can't decide on which one to try? If so, I suggest first ordering one of their free trials. You just pay $2.99 for shipping. And, if for whatever reason you don't absolutely fall head over heels for their product, you just let ALOHA know within 30 days of purchase and it's on them! 

One of my favorite products is ALOHA protein. Your free trial includes two pouches — 1 Chocolate and 1 Vanilla. These proteins are not only tasty, they are packed with 18 grams of clean, organic, whole-food plant-based protein. Here's a delicious recipe to try when you get your free packets in the mail:

Homemade almond milk tastes SO much better than store bought almond milk. It instantly upgrades the taste and health properties of any smoothie or applicable recipe. It is also delicious on its own or paired with a treat (protein cookies anyone??) And it's easier to make than you think! Try this clean alternative to a store-bought staple.

Ingredients

2 cups almonds

36 to 40 ounces water (about 5 cups) 

1 to 2 pitted dates

1/2 serving ALOHA Vanilla Protein

Optional: vegan probiotic

Preparation

1. Put the raw almonds in a bowl and fill it with water so that the almonds are covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge for 24 hours.

2. Take the almonds out of the fridge and rinse them in cold water. Put about two cups in a blender, and add 36 to 40 ounces of water. Add one to two pitted dates for sweetness and blend on a slow speed (and gradually increase) for about a minute.

* Optional to add a scoop of vegan probiotic (number of scoops will depend on the brand).

3. After you blend the almonds, pour them through a hand strainer. Take the leftover and strain it through a nut milk bag. This technique will make the process a lot faster and easier!

4. Mix in the ALOHA Vanilla Protein and enjoy! 

Give a Gift, Give a Meal

January 20, 2016

I See Me Personalized Books, Promo Code & Giveaway

I was sent a copy of the book, personalized to us, to facilitate my review. My opinions are my own and no other compensation was given.

#iseemebooks

The book I was sent can be seen in the picture below. I think it is the sweetest and cutest book the boys have gotten. Each 2 sets of pages states who love you and how much. 
The colors are bright and the drawings are adorable for younger kids to enjoy and kids to like as they get older as a fond memory. 
I can see these books being passed down from father/mother to son/daughter.
They make great birthday and birth gifts. Need a baby shower gift? This would be perfect. And there is a Valentines Edition. See the picture below this one!

Here are a few shots of the Valentines Day books. They are so adorable! They not only come with a book, that you can personalize with their photo, they also come with personalized stickers. ADORABLE!! Any little girl would love this. Im in my 40's and I would like to get one!

Use coupon code: 2016 
Exp. 1/31
Good for $5 off of orders $50 or more. 
And when you order $50 or more shipping is free!

Visit them:


Here's the fun part! Enter to win your own personalized Valentines Day Set! This will be a fast giveaway so enter to win today!!!

January 15, 2016

Marriage + Dating Sites DO NOT = Happiness


This is a personal thought post! 

Psychiatry and Psychology are the study of the minds behaviors. I do not have a degree in either. But for awhile I have been trying to understand the mind of the marital cheater. So far, I have not had much luck.

I am old school. I believe in vows and that they should be kept. Breaking them is not only breaking a vow to your spouse but to God.

So to try to understand, I went on several dating sites and set up fake profiles. I faked alot of the info I put on these sites. I was curious. Is it as easy to cheat as people make it seem? In no way or form was I going to go further than looking and seeing what all the hype was about. It was an eye opener.

Not one person appealed to me. Not just in looks but in any other aspect. Maybe Im picky but not one guy even seemed to be as handsome as my man. I guess maybe Im so into him, I cant see others.

To the curious looker, they are inundated with singles photos and bio's from the moment they create a profile. People within various distances pop up, certain age ranges and more can even make your search specific. Even some of the pictures pop out. Photoshop and photo editing is everywhere.

These "dating" sites make it so easy for any and everyone who is looking, to find someone.

Only one of the sites I looked at ended the sign up if you answered married or legally separated.  ONE! And that was the one that I see most promoted on TV during the day. Most, including the very popular AM, let you keep on going. So even the married answer doesnt deter. Obviously that means that if you answer married, the system doesnt care and the person looking to "connect" doesn't care about the marital issue.

The dating sites make it easy. The world makes it easy. Dating sites, Facebook, Instagram and other sites that have you "hook" into others make it easy. Co-workers, friends and even some family can make it easy.

Keeping strong and committed to your marriage, thats the hard part.

Marriage is a vow no matter if you are a straight couple or a same sex couple. Marriage is hard. Marriage is work. Like the saying goes "If a lightbulb in your home goes out, you fix the bulb. You dont go buy another house".

Our Grandparents and earlier generations had it correct. If something was cracked or broken, you fixed it. You dont quit it. You stick it out and work to repair what needs to be repaired together. One alone cant make it work, it takes two.

That means you stay off the dating sites. You dont go looking and chatting up others on Facebook. You dont hide chats. If you wouldnt be ok with your other half doing it, dont do it!


January 10, 2016

25% off Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary World Tour




Celebrating 90 years of providing smiles, sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring their unrivaled family show to an arena near you during their 90th Anniversary World Tour. On the court, the Globetrotters' 90-year celebration will feature some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet. With a star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm - plus female stars TNT Maddox and Sweet J Ekworomadu* - the Globetrotters' one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. Every game will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. You won't want your family to miss it - use promo code FAMFUN to save 25% off your tickets.

* Rosters will vary in each city and are subject to change

25% off Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary World Tour - The world famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring their unrivaled family show to an arena near you during their 90th Anniversary World Tour. You won't want your family to miss it - use promo code FAMFUN to save 25% off your tickets.