Love, Life, Family... and then some

Get great deals daily with dealnews

2012-02-09T23:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of dealnews for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Busy moms like to save money in every way they can, but there isn't always time for clipping coupons or shopping around town to find the best deal. That's why I love dealnews.

Their slogan is "Where everyday is Black Friday" and who does not want savings like that all the time?

The best thing is that thanks to dealnews you don't have to spend hours scouring the web trying to score a great deal. They do it for you! They check with over 2,000 online sites regularly to make sure they bring their customers the biggest deals out there! They also verify that the deals they list are valid so they don't waste your precious shopping time sending you on a goose chase for a deal that doesn't exist.

Personally after a few minutes of searching the site I was in love! I found the deal you see above for Crazy 8 and was super impressed! I often shop there for Jackson and finding clothing deals for him is exciting! You can also find great deals on clothing for men and women, travel deals, deals on electronics and more!

dealnews has so many great new deals each day it's best to check back often or you just might miss something amazing. You never know when an amazing deal on a vacation or your dream pair of shoes just might change your life.

The biggest question on my mind is what are you going to do with all the money you save after visiting dealnews? Check out the site and let me know what great deals you found by leaving a comment on this post.

Unique gifting made easy with NOVICA International & $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway!

2012-02-09T12:22:00.001-06:00

I'm known among my family and friends as the one who "gives the best gifts". This, I'm told, is because I always get things that are especially thoughtful, have a unique back story, or that benefit a good cause or charitable foundation when I purchase them.

In my opinion, gift giving should make the recipient feel good but also do good at the same time.

NOVICA International does just that by giving talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to a world market. They have thousands of items that would make great gifts this winter like Alpaca Wool Sweaters, Wrap Bracelets, and Wool Shawls on their website.

The best part is when you purchase a gift from NOVICA, you are not only getting something special and unique for your loved one but you are also supporting artisans from around the world - people who might not have had the chance to sell to you if it wasn't for this website.

Another cool thing that makes NOVICA stand out is that they offer an amazing work at home opportunity called NOVICA Live. Offering a completely new and refreshing take on "home parties" NOVICA Live offers you the opportunity to change your life while changing the world. Right now you can start your business with them for only $199! Your starter kit will come with $400 worth of samples and $150 in business materials to help you get started. To get your business started visit NOVICA Live and make sure you let them know that I sent you by entering my URL (www.lovelifefamilyandthensome.com) in the referral box.

For this review I received a stunning pair of Sterling Silver Blue Topaz earrings.

They were handmade by an artisan in India and I was excited to receive a handwritten postcard along with them. They are absolutely lovely!

I'm thrilled to be giving these to my mom for her birthday!

NOVICA is an amazing cause and website and I highly suggest you visit them the next time you are looking for a gift for someone important to you.

For more information on NOVICA visit: http://www.novica.com/

Find them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/novica
Twitter : http://twitter.com/novica

***

I have a $50 Gift Certificate for NOVICA to give away to one lucky LLF reader!

Want to win it?

To enter just leave a comment on this post telling me what NOVICA item you would buy with the Gift Certificate by February 23rd. (mandatory)

Optional Entries

Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway. Leave a link to your tweet. (1 entry per day)
Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect (1 entry)

Put my button in your sidebar (2 entries)
Write a post about this giveaway and link back to it (2 entries)
Subscribe to LLF via email (2 entries)
Follow NOVICA on Twitter (2 entries)
Like NOVICA on Facebook (2 entries)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry!

Open to the U.S. Only. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Please be sure to include your email address in your comment if it is not in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours of being notified a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I received the earrings featured in this post for the purpose of this review. I received no other form of compensation. These are my own, honest opinions. I only recommend products and services to my readers that I feel are trustworthy and that I can stand behind with pride. I will receive a small referral fee for anyone who signs up for NOVICA Live and lists me as their referral source.

Things I Love: Make Your Own Valentines

2012-02-08T09:53:00.001-06:00

Nothing is more touching that receiving a heartfelt gift that someone made for you. Knowing that a loved one spent all that time and effort for you just feels so good. Here are a few ideas for Valentines you can make yourself that I absolutely love!

Click on the source links at the bottom of the post to visit each site and get directions for the crafts.

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Save some dough with the Sprint 4-Day Sale

2012-02-07T17:00:00.002-06:00

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

In the market for a new phone? Head over to Sprint now and you can save BIG on your new phone or lines of service during their 4-Day sale. They have some amazing deals going on right now like when you buy a new line of service or add another one to an existing account you will get a Nexus S™ 4G FREE!

Just look at the Nexus! Pretty cool huh? And with 4G that means that you'll be connected at speeds that are out of this world.

Or get a HTC EVO™ 3D for only $49.99 when you buy a new line of service or add another one to an existing account.

I have several friends who have HTC phones and they are always telling me how much they love them. My brother has one and he thinks it is awesome!

During this special Sale Sprint will waive the activation fee for new lines of service and when your order on Sprint.com you will receive FREE shipping! So if you've been looking to add on a line to your account or maybe open a new one and get a new phone now is the time to do it during Sprints 4-Day Sale!

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

2012-02-06T16:22:00.001-06:00

When I was a little girl I loved when ladies from the church would come to visit my mother because they would always bring little miniature loaves of banana bread with them. It was usually still warm when they brought it over and always smelled amazing.

This recipe takes me right back to being that little girl all over again. It is simple and delicious and best served warm with a pat of butter.

Easy Banana Bread

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time : 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on method of baking)

You will need:

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.

3. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla.

4. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix.

5. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. If making muffins or mini loaves bake time should be around 30 - 35 minutes. Check on them often while baking and remove from oven when a fork inserted in the middle of a muffin/mini loaf comes out clean.

Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Yield: 1 loaf or 4 mini loaves or 12 muffins.

Enjoy!

Recipe found HERE.

Give your car a fresh start this month with Febreze CAR

2012-02-03T11:09:00.001-06:00

There is nothing worse than getting into your car only to realize that it smells. A smelly car can be unpleasant and embarrassing but now Febreze has a solution to help keep your car smelling clean and fresh - Febreze CAR.

With the new Febreze Car Vent Clipssimply pop one into the A/C vents in your vehicle to eliminate odors and transform the air in the car to keep it fresh for up to thirty days.

Unlike some air fresheners that may start overwhelmingly strong and fade fast, the Febreze Car Vent Clips were designed specifically for the car environment. Discreet in size, the car freshener is formulated with light, fresh scents that have true odor eliminating power and a unique technology to slowly release scent day after day without becoming too overpowering.

I was excited to try the new CAR Vent Clips from Febreze, because with a 4 year old who regularly spills stuff in my back seat...my car often smells odd (keepin' it real here folks).


Hello Kitty gives Febreze CAR her stamp of approval. :-)

The little clip snapped right onto my air vent without issue and after about 2 days of it being in my car I noticed that the bad smells were less obvious and fragrance from the Vent Clip was more noticeable. I've had the clip in my car now for about 2 weeks and not only does my car smell more fresh, but people always notice the cute little clip and ask about it.

My opinion? Febreze Car Vent Clipsare a good and affordable way to help rid your car of icky smells.

Febreze Car Vent Clipscan be purchased at major retailers nationwide in the Air Care and select Auto aisles. Packs of the clips range in price from $2.99 - 5.49 which I think is a great deal!

For more information on the full line of Febreze products visit: www.febreze.com

Disclosure: I received Febreze CAR products from MSLGroup for the purpose of this post. I received no other form of compensation. These are my own honest opinions. I only recommend products and services to my readers I feel are trustworthy and that I can stand behind with pride. This post contains affiliate links.

Easy Crock Pot Creamy Cauliflower, Broccoli, & Potato Soup Recipe

2012-02-02T16:59:00.000-06:00

It hasn't been very cold here in Houston the last few weeks, but it has been rainy and gray...so I'm still in the mood for delicious recipes that are wholesome and comforting.

After getting Cauliflower and Broccoli in my produce co-op basket last Saturday, I set out to find an easy soup recipe that would include both. Alas, the interwebz let me down a little and I couldn't find a recipe I was totally in love with...so like always I sort of mixed and matched elements from several recipes to create the one you'll find below.

This soup is not the most calorie friendly being that you will use heavy cream to thicken it up, but it tastes absolutely divine because of it...so a bowl every now and again won't hurt so bad...right? ;-)

Easy Crock Pot Creamy Cauliflower, Broccoli, & Potato Soup

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 3 - 4 hours on High. 6 - 8 hours on low.

You will need:

1/4 cup butter
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 medium potatoes, cubed
3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups raw broccoli, chopped
2 cups raw cauliflower, chopped
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
parmesan cheese, for topping
shredded cheddar, for topping

Directions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter. Add onions and garlic and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until tender.

2. Add potatoes and continue cooking over medium heat for another 3 minutes.

3. Transfer the potato, garlic, and onion mixture to your crock pot.

4. Add cauliflower, broccoli, seasoning, stock, and cream to your crock pot. Stir well.

5. Cover and cook for 3 - 4 hours on high setting or 6 - 8 hours on low setting. As crock pot settings may vary, check on your meal often as it cooks by looking through the lid of your pot. Lifting the lid should be done only when necessary, since it can increase your cooking time by 20 minutes each time you lift it.

Serve topped with parmesan and shredded cheese.

Serves 4 - 6

Enjoy!

Things I Love: Awesome Nail Designs

2012-02-01T12:38:00.002-06:00

My latest Pinterest obsession is killer nail art designs. Every night I find myself pinning more and more beautiful nail polish pictures. Today I'm sharing with you a collection of my favorite recent nail design finds. Now if I can only getting better at painting my own nails ;-).

Sources: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Stay fresh faced all day with Skindinavia Make Up Setting Spray

2012-01-31T17:22:00.000-06:00

Busy moms have enough to worry about without having to think about make-up touch ups throughout their day.

Skindinavia has the perfect solution to the problem of make-up creasing, running, or melting with their Makeup Finishing Spray.

Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray greatly extends your makeup wear throughout the day, maintains color and prevents makeup from slipping, melting and creasing. It is recommended for normal to combination skin types.

Features and benefits-

Fewer touchups throughout the day.
Stops makeup meltdown.
Holds eye shadow, foundation, blush, and concealer perfectly.

Skindinavia invented the makeup finish as a simple way for women to keep their makeup looking flawless all day. Each spray uses patented Temperature Control Technology® which prevents makeup from melting, drying out, becoming shiny, or creasing.

Their Makeup Finishes hold everything in place while giving off a healthy, natural glow. Never too dry or too oily. No touch ups or blotting. Just you and the perfect look you love. All day.

Best of all Skindinavia products are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, oil free and paraben free so you can feel good about what you are using on your skin.

After trying Skindinavia I was impressed with how soft and smooth my skin felt after using the spray...and my make up stayed on well throughout the day after applying it.

If you are looking for a product to help extend your make up wear throughout the day be sure to check out Skindinavia. Bottles of the Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray are $29.00, which I think it a great price when you consider that you will be using less of your make up over time since the need for touch ups and re-applications will decrease.

For more information or to purchase your own Skindinavia products visit: http://skindinavia.com/

Disclosure: I received a bottle of make up finishing spray for the purpose of this post. I received no other form of compensation. These are my own honest opinions. I only recommend products and services to my readers I feel are trustworthy and that I can stand behind with pride. This post contains affiliate links.

Things I Love: Bountiful Baskets Produce Co-Op

2012-01-30T12:45:00.000-06:00

First off, I have to say a BIG thanks to Lori for giving me the heads up about Bountiful Baskets...because if it wasn't for her...I wouldn't even be writing this post right now. Thanks girl!

So, you're probably wondering what Bountiful Baskets is anyway.

Well, to put it simply it is a volunteer run food co-op. Basically they buy HUGE amounts of produce and then pass the savings onto the buyer. Some sites also offer things like honey, home baked loaves of bread, and other specialty items as they are in season.

When you visit the website, you can search for a site near your city. All the details on when you can order, what is available to order and when and where you can pick up your basket is there for you. You should check back to the site often as new sites are always being added and in some cases only a limited number of baskets are available at each site.

A standard item for most sites is a "Conventional Basket", which is what I purchased. It is 50% fruit, 50% veggies.

This is really one of the coolest ways to save money that I have come across in awhile. I got everything you see in the photo above for $15! (there is also 1.00 processing fee and a one time $3 first time basket fee which provides a new laundry basket for the site to put the produce in).

Bountiful Baskets does not let you take home the basket your produce is in when you arrive, so be sure to take one with you for pick up (large re-usable shopping totes work great as well).

Bountiful Baskets is made possible by the amazing volunteers that run each co-op site to dispense the orders. They ask that those who order baskets also volunteer for their local site when they are able. I'm looking forward to my first opportunity to volunteer with them soon!

I am so pleased with the quality and amount of produce I received from Bountiful Baskets that I can say for sure that this will be a regular thing for me. I love that it is so affordable and that I'm eating better because of all the great things I received in my basket.

If you are looking to get more produce for your family and would like to save money, I highly recommend you check out Bountiful Baskets.

For more information on Bountiful Baskets or to find a pick-up site near you visit: www.bountifulbaskets.org.

P.S. I totally chose to write this post on my own and I paid for my basket with my own money. I'm sharing this with you guys because c'mon?! How awesome is this deal?! :-)

Of crumbs and rocks and winter ickies

2012-01-25T20:14:00.001-06:00

This past Saturday Jackson and I went to the park. After a LONG week of ER visits, dehydration, and high fever his relentless virus finally seemed to let up enough so that we could get out of the house.

And gosh was I glad.

It's been gray and nasty here for several weeks and it's really starting to weigh on my heart. Add in worry about a VERY sick 4 year old and you get one frazzled mama.

The kind who struggles with the motivation to get out of bed and do another load of laundry or sweep up more crumbs off the floor.

Then I catch myself and feel guilty.

"Some people don't even have extra crumbs to sweep up" I think.

And I know this, and so I try to brighten my outlook and face the day with what energy I can muster.

I wished the sun had been out when we went to the park, but in the end the trip there was just as good without it. We had the entire place to ourselves and Jackson was thrilled to bury my feet with rocks.

That night as I gathered up clothes to wash, three little pebbles rolled out of Jackson's pants and onto the floor.

A treasure from our day...and a welcome one at that.

If an onion sprouts in my kitchen can I plant it and grow my own onions?

2012-01-24T15:21:00.000-06:00

This is what found in my produce basket over the weekend. One of my store bought onions had sprouted!

After sharing my find with friends I began to ask myself the very question that gave this post it's title.
"Could I grow my own onions from my discovery?" I had to know.

Off I went to consult the interwebz...because of course, it knows everything.

Turns out, while you can plant an sprouting onion like the one you see in my picture, it will only continue to grow green stalks and perhaps eventually flower and make seeds.

It will not, however, grow another large onion like the one at the base of the plant. This is because it is already in its second stage of growth where the new onion plant is using the old onion flesh for nutrients as it grows.

The cool thing is that once the new plant produces seeds, you will be able to plant those and grow more yellow onions from the seedlings.

You also have the option of cutting up the green part of the plant and using them as scallions, which are super yummy with soup, baked potatoes, and more!

So there you have it! Yes, the sprouted onion can be planted...but no, it won't grow more large onions itself.

Finding Nemo 3D Official Trailer!

2012-01-23T18:55:00.001-06:00

Finding Nemo returns to theaters for the first time in 3D September 14, 2012!

I for one cannot wait! I know Jackson will be super excited too!

Fab Finds for under $50 - Lands' End Canvas

2012-01-14T12:43:00.001-06:00

I've always loved Lands' End for their awesome tote bags, their unique Holiday items, and their warm winter clothes. I'll admit though, that not everything in their Women's clothing line is appealing to me.

In fact many of the items just aren't "my style", but when I was clicking around their site the other day...I found something I surprising - Lands' End Canvas.

An entire line of apparel that was COMPLETELY my style! Yay Lands' End Canvas! It's like they knew exactly what I was looking for.

Right now they are having an amazing sale that you should check out. The stock room sale feature items up to 75% off the regular price.

Montauk Bandeau One Piece

Ok, so clearly I'm dreaming of warmer days with this purchase, but when they get here..I'll be ready!

The Montauk Bandeau One Piece suit is super cute and figure flattering on me even though I'm curvy. I got it in the fun red color but it also comes in Navy. It comes in sizes 0 - 14 and is currently priced at $29.99!

It was originally $74.50! Am I super happy about this amazing deal? Um, yes!

Having an adorable mod swim suit for the upcoming summer doesn't hurt either. ;-)

Disclosure: I chose to post about Lands' End Canvas on my own. I am not working with the brand nor have I been compensated in any way. I purchased the item above with my own money. I just wanted to share the amazing deal I got here on the blog.

Save big in January with the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

2012-01-13T23:01:00.001-06:00

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

If you have a Walgreens in your neighborhood, I probably don't have to tell you how convenient it is to have one nearby. Whether I need to pick up medicine when Jackson runs a fever in the middle of the night, refill my regular prescriptions for my asthma, or pick up last minute snacks and drinks on the way home Walgreens is always there for me.

Recently you may have heard about changes in the relationship between Walgreens and Express Script. After a year of trying to negotiate with Express Script for a new contract unsuccessfully, Walgreens is no longer a part of their Pharmacy Provider Network as of January 1, 2012.

This change may affect some customers with Express Scripts prescription plan but Walgreens is working hard to make sure the transition is a smooth one. Right now they are offering an annual membership to the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club at a discounted rate.

During this special January promotion an individual can sign up for only $5 and a family can sign up for $10. The regular fee for these memberships is $20 for an individual and $35 for a family, so they are offering an amazing discount right now!

With the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club members can save money on thousands of brand name medications and all generic medications. In fact, many generic medications are available in a 3 month supply for less than $1 per week.

Be sure to visit your local Walgreens soon to take advantage of this great offer.

You can also keep up with the latest happenings by following Walgreens on Twitter and by checking out Walgreens on Facebook.

Are you participating in #JANphotoaday on Instagram? If not, join in!

2012-01-12T09:34:00.001-06:00

If you've been watching my twitter feed or facebook page lately you may have noticed my various photos with the #JANphotoaday hashtag.

This fantastic project was the brain child of Fat Mum Slim, and I love her creative take on getting photos of our lives each day.She will be doing a new list for each month in 2012.

As a scrapbook fan, things like Project 365 (where you snap a photo each day and scrap them) were not new to me. But, I would always fizzle out on these the first week in January because I was too busy, tired...and more importantly, lacked inspiration.

Thanks to this awesome list (and the ones to come!) I am SO inspired...and I haven't forgotten to take a photo yet!

Anyone can participate just start following the prompts above and posting your photos on Instagram with the #JANphotoaday hashtag.

Check out my photos for #JANphotoaday so far!

Today's photo is coming soon! :-)

You can follow me on Instagram, I'm haleytweetstoo. You can also see my full Instagram feed HERE.

Kudos to you Chantelle, this project is awesome.

Keep socks from slipping off and baby feet warm this winter with Sock Ons!

2012-01-11T10:01:00.000-06:00

Ask a seasoned mother advice on what to buy extra of for your new baby and one thing will be sure to top the list every time....extra baby socks.

Why? Well, because as well all know, little ones learn to kick and move their feet pretty early and with all that action going on many baby socks are lost. They fall out of the stroller at the park, out of the cart at the grocery, and into the parking lot at the mall.

That's why Sock Ons were invented. These clever little things slip right over baby's socks to keep them im place...all without making baby uncomfortable.

Genius right?!?

I say this is one of the best ideas for babies ever! I also wish I had some Sock Ons for Jackson when he was a baby. The ones I received were so soft and a nice light weight material.

I think Sock Ons look super cute pulled up over little baby feet and since they come in a variety of colors you can get a pair to match every outfit for your little one!

Sock Ons are the perfect gift idea for new moms or mothers to be.

For more information on Sock Ons visit: www.sockons.com.

Disclosure: I received a pair of Sock Ons for the purpose of this review. I received no other form of compensation. These are my own, honest opinions. I only recommend products and services to my readers that I feel are trustworthy and that I can stand behind with pride.

5 Apps I'm loving right now

2012-01-07T14:52:00.002-06:00

Ever since I got my iPhone 4 last summer, I, like many others I know have been fully in love with all things apple ever since.

I regularly find myself asking...how did I do things before I had this phone, because in all honesty...it makes doing almost anything...simpler. And more fun.

That's where apps come in. Hands down, they just make life more fun. Here are the top 5 apps making my life more fun lately.

1. VEVO - If you are familiar with VEVO, it is probably because you access your favorite artists music videos for free on their VEVO channel on YouTube. But their app is even cooler because you have access to hundreds of artists (from top 40 to indie) videos at your fingertips

I love that the app is free and the videos are free. The video quality is always nice and the app is rarely buggy.

2. Instagram - Instagram isn't anything new, but it's so easy to use and if you are into photography or social media...it can be completely addictive. Take photos, edit them, add cool filters and share with your social networks with just a few swipes.

Instagram is also free, which makes it extra awesome in my book. This is one of the first apps I downloaded when I got my iPhone and I literally use it everyday. I love it because it makes using FB and twitter more personal with meaningful shared photos. And honestly, some of the people on Instagram are mega talented and it is exciting to see what they'll come up with next.

3. Pinterest - Oh Pinterest. Have a few minutes to burn, maybe 2 or 3 hours? Well, Pinterest is there to help you with just that. From Home Decor ideas and recipes to crafts and wedding planning 101...the Pinterest app has it all.

Yes, yes...I know. The app used to be really buggy, heck even the website is buggy sometimes, but since the last update I've found using the app to be relatively simple and issue free. I love this app because it was free and is great for those of us who like to plan ahead...I have a file for every holiday of the year and can't wait to get crafting!

4. maskingtape - If you are the scrapbook loving crafty type, then you will love maskingtape. Although this app wasn't free (it cost $.99) I felt that it was worth paying for. With this app you can choose from hundreds of tape designs to use as your heart desires.

For example, if you take a lot of photos on your phone and use fun editing programs, maskingtape adds in a whole other level of fun to them. Check it out!

Seriously, I love that you can write on the tape...in different colors and fonts no less. I will use this app forever!

5. my365 - Last but not least is my365. Similar in format to Instagram it is an app for photography that allows you to take photos, edit them, add filters and share via your social networks...but with one especially awesome extra feature.

It has a calendar where you can input one picture for each calendar day (see below). For anyone who has ever struggled to get through or keep up with their #project365 photos, I think this app is the solution! It has already helped me to keep up with my 2012 photos beautifully!

Do you have a favorite app? What is it? Please share in the comments.

Disclosure: I downloaded/purchased the apps mentioned above with my own money. I have no affiliation with any of their developers nor was I compensated for this post in any way.

Easy Crock Pot Taco Chili Recipe

2012-01-06T11:14:00.002-06:00

In the winter months I always crave comfort food. Thankfully I own a crock pot, so creating delicious hearty meals is easy.

I saw a recipe for Taco Chili somewhere shortly after the New Year...but when I actually looked into it, I wasn't terribly impressed. So I googled around and found several other versions of the recipe..all of which had some elements liked..but others I didn't care for at all.

So I finally broke down and created my own version. It is so tasty, and the perfect food to make you feel cozy on a winter evening.

Easy Crockpot Taco Chili

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 2 - 4 hours on High. 4 - 6 hours on low.

You will need:

1lb. Ground Beef
2 cans of Diced Tomatoes in juice, un-drained
1 can of Black Beans
1 can of Whole Kernel Corn, drained
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 package of Taco seasoning (or you can make your own, recipe HERE)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Brown Ground Beef in skillet until thoroughly cooked. Drain fat. Add to crock pot.

2. Add tomatoes, black beans, corn, onion, and taco seasoning to crock pot. Stir well to combine ingredients.

3. Cover and cook for 2 - 4 hours on high setting or 4 - 6 hours on low setting. As crock pot settings may vary, check on your meal often as it cooks.

Serve topped with sour cream and cheese or tortilla chips.

Serves 4 - 6

Enjoy!

He's on a horse!

2012-01-05T15:33:00.000-06:00

Over Christmas break Jackson's grandparents took him horseback riding for the very first time! Although Jackson and I had previously had the opportunity to visit with and brush miniature ponies and cows at a farm last summer...this was first time he actually got to ride one.

Jackson was a little scared at first, but Grandma told me that after a few minutes he perked right up and enjoyed it.

I think he looks so cute with his little helmet on too! I have a feeling we have a lot more riding in our future. ;-)

Did your family do any fun or exciting activities over the Holiday break?

StarKist Tuna Flavor Fresh Pouch - Quick, delicious, and under 100 calories!

2012-01-04T09:58:00.000-06:00

Are you ever hungry during a busy work day? Or before or after an intense workout? Need something you can take on-the-go? Thankfully, there’s the StarKist Flavor Fresh Pouch®. Protein-packed, 100 calories and ready to eat straight from the pouch – no can opener or draining needed.

I've been eating StarKist Tuna since I was a kid and as an after school snack, it would always hit the spot!

Check out all 14 delicious varieties!

For more information on Starkist visit them HERE.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this promotional post sponsored by StarKist. Any opinions shared are my own.

A look back on 2011. #autism

2012-01-03T06:42:00.001-06:00

January

February

March

April

May

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July

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September

October

November

December

What an amazing year for my sweet boy. I am so moved at how much he progresses and grows all the time!

I have such high hopes for Jackson in 2012...I can't wait to see what this year brings.

It was a rockin' New Years indeed!

2012-01-02T11:21:00.000-06:00

I got all crazy sparkly fancy to go out for New Years Eve this year! It was SUCH a blast. We sang karaoke all night long..and I even got to sing the last song for 2011 before we did the countdown. :-)

I got tons of compliments on my outfit from everyone, bloggy friends included! Thanks you guys for all the kind words....you made me feel amazing!

You might not be able to tell from the photo, but that up-do was pretty awesome...what was not awesome was taking out all 60 pins that were used to secure it ;-).

Hope you had a fantastic New Years Eve celebration too!

Have any big hopes or dreams for 2012? What are they? I'd love for you share!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:53:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to share with you DJ Earworm's "World Go Boom" mix. It's a fantastic collaboration of all the 2011 pop hits!

I don't know about you guys, but I am PSYCHED for 2012!

Happy New Year!

How to make your New Years Eve Sparkle!

2011-12-29T14:38:00.000-06:00

Have you given any thought to what you will be doing this New Years Eve?

No matter how you plan on ringing in 2012, I have a few fun ideas to help make your evening more glamorous and sparkly...because if there's one thing I LOVE...it's sparkles.

Whether you will be out celebrating with friends or hanging at home with family...some bright spunky eyeshadow from e.l.f. will be sure to liven up the party. This 24K palette has 100 shadows so you will be certain to find a shade that fits your mood (or outfit) perfectly!

For your attire you can keep it simple and elegant with this sweet Satin Dress from Old Navy. It's a steal at $29.00 right now!

For something more flirty I love this Sequin Shoulder Dress from Forever 21.

Or if you are more of a classic style kind of gal, then I think the Aubergine Sky Dress is just for you! And seriously...who doesn't love any dress that comes from Anthropologie?

To give your nails an extra festive look I love the entire As Good As Gold line from Sephora by OPI.

No matter how you celebrate this year, I hope that your evening is bright and happy...and most importantly...that you feel beautiful when ringing in 2012!

I personally will be ringing in the New Year in a fantastic champagne colored sequined dress...photos to come! :-)

Happy New Year friends!

Disclosure: I chose to feature all the links in this post voluntarily. There are no affiliate links in this post. I am not working with any of the brands featured in this post, I have not received any product or compensation for this post either. The merchants I have shared here are favorites of mine. I trust them and purchase items from them with my own money on regular basis. I just wanted to share some things I think are great with you. :)