Giveaway: Cute! Honey Kix Prize Package from General Mills - Three Winners!

Hi Everyone!





It's giveaway time again! I love having giveaways on my blog for my readers, it's so much fun!!!





Today's prize is really cute. It's a prize package from the New Honey Kix cereal from General Mills.

If you are one of the lucky 3 winners, you will receive this Honey Kix “Sweet and Simple” prize pack that includes a free coupon for the cereal, a honey jar, a set of colorful cereal bowls, a container to take your cereal and milk on-the-go, and a great container to keep cereal fresh at home.

My boys are ages 14 and 4 and when we got our Honey Kix Sweet & Simple package in the mail, I can tell you that they dug right into that cereal, they really like it a lot! (I received an actual box of the cereal in the mail, but the winners will receive a free coupon instead.) The honey jar is adorable and the other items are really convenient for families on the go!

To be entered to win this great prize package from Honey Kix, just answer one of these questions:

• How do you get your mornings off to a good start?

• What do you do to simplify your morning routines?

That's it!

To earn extra entries (one for each):

• Twitter about this giveaway and leave the link to your tweet in your comment
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your blog post in your comment

Make sure to enter each entry in a separate comment.

US Residents only.

I'll pick the 3 lucky winners next Tuesday, March 3 at noon!

Thanks and Good Luck!!!

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Nice Giveaway Tomorrow!

Hi Everyone!

I am going to have a giveaway on my blog tomorrow, so make sure to stop by and visit! Thanks so much!

ttfn,


PS: Want to know how to have a giveaway on your blog? Read my article at eHow.com.

I Just Love Rachael Ray

I just love Rachael Ray. She's always so happy and peppy, like me (ha!)
















I know Rachael Ray gets a lot of flack for her cooking style, why, I really don't understand...because her recipes are really good, healthy and so easy and fast to make, what's not to like? I have a few of her recipe books and they all get alot of use!

Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals - Comfort Food

Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals A 30 Minute Meal Cookbook

My husband also has the hugest crush on her, which I find hilarious -- so it's a big family joke that when Rachael's show comes on, we say, "Dad's girlfriend is on tv!" ;) And actually if he wrote this blog post instead of me, well, I am sure it would have a totally different flavor to it, ha!








One of my favorite Rachael Ray recipes is her Turkey Burger with Horseradish and Cheddar Cheese. They are so tasty and moist and my older son loves them, he even requests them, so that makes them a winner right there.










I'm not sure I am ready to embrace her orange cookware, but I'm definitely a fan of her cooking!










Go, Rachael Ray!


Are you hooked on something? Then join in on the fun at Hooked on Houses Hooked on Fridays Blog Party!




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Rachael Ray Turkey Burgers with Horseradish and Cheddar Cheese Recipe

Photo: RachaelRay.com

Rachael Ray - Turkey Burgers with Horseradish and Cheddar Cheese Recipe





1 package ground turkey (about 1-1 1/3 lbs)


2 rounded tablespoons fresh prepared horseradish


1/3 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, diced or crumbled into 1/4 in. pieces


2 Scallions (green onions), finely chopped


1 rounded palmful of grill seasonings (such as McCormick's Montreal Steak seasoning) (Less is more!)


extra virgin olive oil


spicy brown mustard


4 poppy seed Kaiser rolls


1 tub or can of good quality whole-berry cranberry sauce


Romaine lettuce


Gourmet Potato Chips





Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.





In a medium bowl, mix together meat, horseradish, cheddar pieces, scallions, and grill seasoning. Form 4 patties and drizzle them with EVOO. Cook the burgers for 5 to 6 minutes each side.





Spread mustard on bun bottoms and cranberry sauce on bun tops. Place the burgers on the buns with lettuce leaves.





Serve fancy/gourmet chips alongside.





Source: Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals, 2006, page 40





-Try with 6 oz crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese for a change
-I actually use yellow shredded cheddar cheese and they are very good
-Use chives from your garden instead of green onions
-To reheat, place burger in a bowl with a little bit of water on the bottom, cover with a damp paper towel and heat for a minute or so

Personally, when I make this, I do not put the cranberry sauce on my burger, but rather serve it on the side. I also serve it with a side of broccoli as well, since this is a vegetable that we all like. Even my older son LOVES these Rachael Ray Turkey Burgers and he can be very picky!!! They are very tasty and moist, not dry, like Turkey burgers can be.








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My Phone Charging Station is on Tip Junkie

Hi Friends!





My Phone Charging Station is featured on Tip Junkie today along with some other really great organizing tips from other Bloggers.








Visit Tip Junkie and surf around, there's so much to see and learn over there!

I love Tip Junkie!





ttfn,

Desperate Housewives: Andrew's House / Teen Boy's Bedroom

Did you watch, "Desperate Housewives" last night? I love that show! Imagine my surprise when I saw the same wallpaper in my teen son's bedroom in Bree's son, Andrew's new home last night!!! (I can't find an online pic yet, but will post one as soon as I do! In the meantime, here's this one.)







They had a whole scene on how wonderful their new home looked and how Andrew loves to decorate -- all the while with the brown, green & white striped wallpaper in the background!





I was so excited...and even my husband was a little geeked about it...but we called my son in the room and he was like, "So what, my wallpaper's on TV." Typical 14 year old!




So, anyhow, I thought I would repost some pics of my son's room. We redid his room last May, but it really is still my favorite room in the house (lucky kid!). I hope you will enjoy seeing it again, too.


_________________________________






The stripes here are actually wallpaper and not paint. It is called Figaro Green from Drama I bought it from American Blinds & More.com. The bedding can be purchased at Target, Target.com & Amazon.com and is called: Contemporary Home Ogee Bed in a Bag - Neutral Citron.

Hanging Lantern light is from IKEA. My son chose a green cord to go with it. It blends in pretty well. The body pillow is from Costco and the decorative pillow is from Target.






I couldn't find the 'perfect' rug so I went with 2 circle rugs from IKEA. One is green and the other is chocolate brown. It works and they are very soft, too.

A cool new clock and a Football Memory Board both from Kohls.com.

Nice Dream picture from Target. I like how the greenery in the picture goes with the greenery on his side table too. (Also from Target).

I just have to say...my dh hung this picture up when I was not in the room...and he Gorilla Glued it on because he didn't want to deal with weird 2 nail thingee on the back of this picture...at first I was kind of mad...lol..I mean he put it ON the molding and it is sort of on an angle too how he managed that I don't know...and since it was glued on well that was that...but now every time I see it it makes me laugh...so at least he tried lol ;)

Greenery and revolving photo frame from Target. Green desk lamp from IKEA. Curtains from Lowe's.






This is the wall that opposes the striped wall. It is a chocolate brown (Sweet Georgia Brown by Behr). Then the other 2 walls are a Taupe color. Nice warm colors perfect for relaxing.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my son's room again. Now, if I could only get him to keep it clean!!!

ttfn,

PS: For more ideas for decorating a bedroom on a budget, see my article at eHow.com, "How to Decorate a Bedroom on a Budget." Thanks!

Free Subscription to Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Martha Stewart Living Magazine:

Guided by the classic tastes of a trend-setting domestic guru, Martha Stewart Living celebrates the simple things in life. From tips on gardening and collecting to creating and entertaining, each issue of this award-winning publication dishes readers with a healthy dose of fresh ideas and tips to transform everyday activities into fun and easy experiences. With delicious recipes challenging enough for a pro and easy enough for a beginner, Martha Stewart Living has something to offer everyone. The magazine itself is impeccably organized, true to Martha fashion, with each vibrant feature filed into its own section of "cooking," "keeping," "crafts," "home," and "collecting." You'll find a seemingly endless array of detailed instructions and full-color photos to teach you how to become a whiz at the area of your choice. With coverage of all areas of the home, plus weddings, baby showers, and holidays, no magazine does it better than Martha Stewart Living.

Complimentary subscription to Martha Stewart Living

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Free Subscription to Metropolitan Home Magazine

Everybody loves FREE, especially nowadays...and, yes, these free subscriptions do come, in fact I already have a free subscription to Metropolitan Home and love it!

Metropolitan Home is editorially focused on the art of living well. It contains coverage of home design, furnishings, fashion, food, wine and spirits, entertaining, electronics and travel. It is aimed at quality-conscious young adults seeking personal style and comfort in decorating. In every issue of Metropolitan Home you’ll find the latest trends, the hottest products and design ideas that inspire.

Free Subscription to Metropolitan Magazine

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Professional Online Home Design Consultations

Do you have any upcoming design projects on your home...but you just don't know where to start? How about an online design consultation from a professional home interior decorator?

First there is Rhoda from Southern Hospitality is a Design Consultant with a home decorating business, The Restyled Room, in Birmingham, AL. She loves the thrill of the hunt...garage sales and thrift stores are her specialty! She has even been featured in her local newspaper for her thrifting abilities. Her home is beautiful and she seems to know exactly where everything should 'go' without overdoing it. She has a classic, comfortable & timeless style, yet it's fresh & current, too--love that!

Rhoda has 2 Design Consult Plans to choose from:

Plan #1 - $50

You send me an email with pictures, showing the layout of your room from all angles, dimensions of the room, and anything else you might want to tell me about the room and your style. Let me know what you want to accomplish, or if you’re totally stuck, I will give you a direction to move into after we have some conversations back and forth about your room. This would be general decorating advice, like paint colors, ideas on room arrangement, adding accessories and some general ideas on how to improve the room either using what you already have or some suggestions of things to purchase.

Plan #2 - $100

This would be an entire room consultation, from top to bottom. Again I would need pics from all angles, dimensions, and anything else you might want to tell me about the room and your style. Are you starting over with the room, or just need ideas to take it to the next level? Sometimes a fresh eye is all that is needed to look at pics and begin to figure out what is missing or perhaps what is there that should come out of the room. This would cover paint colors, furniture placement, fabrics, window treatment ideas, and accessorizing. This would cover ongoing emails or even talking on the phone to discuss ideas and plans for your room, what sort of budget you have to buy new pieces, etc. In this plan, I would also shop online for some ideas on furniture pieces, rugs, lamps, etc. as needed and present them all to you.

Then there is Layla Palmer from The Lettered Cottage. Layla is busy renovating and decorating her cottage in Alabama. She has already made so many great renovations, like her cozy reading room, her black kitchen cupboards and her breezy pantry. I love Layla's style, it's clean and classic, minimalistic, but cozy & pretty at the same time. I really don't know how she pulls that off, but she does and I'm always in awe of what she comes up with.









Layla has 4 Design Plans to choose from:

1. Single Design Question - $5.00

Need advice on where to purchase something? Aren't sure how high to hang your drapes? Would you like my advice on what to do with a flea-market find? Or just need an educated (and obsessive) outside opinion on something you've been indecisive about? If you'd like to ask me any single, design-related question, that can be summed up into one sentence- choose this option and I'll get right to work!

2. Written Consultation - $10.00

Send me a couple of photographs of your design dilemma. I will type out a detailed description of exactly what I would recommend. In my evaluation of your dilemma, I will include such things as color choices, resources, and the thought process behind all of my suggestions.

3. Photo Consultation - $35.00

Tell me about you, your family, your budget and send me two or three photographs of the space you'd like my advice on. (Preferably one of each wall in the room) I will create a "photo drawing" for you (using one of the photos you send me) to provide inspiration on how your space could look completely transformed. I will also provide a detailed description of my suggestions, from my recommendations on installations, to materials, to resources, to color choices and any other information I feel is necessary to help carry out the design the way I portray it in the drawing.

4. Virtual Consultation - 95.00 (Kitchens = $125.00)

Send me your budget, measurements and photos of the space you'd like my input on, and I will create a 3-D virtual drawing/model of your space to work from. I will completely design or re-design your space, whichever the case may be. Your 3-D model will show furniture, lighting, rug and accessory placement. You'll also see textures & paint colors.This process will ensure that you are completely happy with the paint color, furniture placement and all other aspects of the design BEFORE you spend a dime bringing it to life. Even if it's something that you intend to implement over a long period of time, with my 3-D plan and instructions in hand, you'll be set to pull the pieces together bit by bit, or all at once, whichever works for you.

And last, there is Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick. Sarah has more creativity and energy than anyone I know! She has made her home so stunning, just gorgeous...and all on a thrifty chick's kind of budget...you know I love that!



Sarah offers a Simple Design Consultation Plan for $10:

Help with paint colors, molding ideas, furniture placement, accessorizing, organization ideas, draperies and more!


So, if you are stuck on where to start or what to do next, why not hire one of these talented ladies to help you sort through it all and get you on the right track...to a beautiful new room!

PS: I just found out that I am a finalist for a blog makeover!!! If you want to vote for me, just visit Design Pepper's website and tick the box next to my blog---no registering, just an easy vote! But if I'm not your favorite, then pick the one you want to win, no worries! Thanks!

Free Subscription to Elle Decor Magazine

A fashion-savvy home decorating magazine for the new generation of design professionals and consumers who know exactly what they want. ELLE Decor covers fashionable and inspirational products that bring couture chic to every room of your home.

For your free subscription, click here.

These free subscriptions do come, I have several free subscriptions to various magazines!

ttfn,

Etsy Winners & Discount Codes Announced!!!

Happy Superbowl Sunday Everyone!









Are you ready to find out who has won all of those wonderful Etsy prizes???







(Me, too! )




But before I get to the winners, I want to again thank all of the lovely sponsors who made this Etsy Blog Party so much fun!!! Thank you , Ladies!!!





And if donating a prize was not enough, many of them are offering Free Shipping or a Percent Off at their shops in the upcoming week. So, if you didn't win, you can still buy a lovely treasure for yourself and SAVE MONEY, too! Awesome!!! You all are wonderful!!!







Now, here are our 18, yes, 18 Lucky Winners:

Red Mother of Pearl Hearts Earrings from Acorn Accessories go to:

Jenn from Creating, Enabling and a Bit of Life

Vintage Valentine Lovers Necklace from Decor To Adore goes to:

Joy from Joy To The Blog

Your Choice of 5 Fun Hair Accessories from Flashy Fish goes to:

Mo from Un-Mainstream Mom Reads

Whimsical Spring Bunny Print from Kari & Kijsa goes to:

A Good Witch Too from The Copper Cauldron

Oh So Pretty Brooch & Mini Pins Set from Kimba Made go to:

Ashley at Domestic Fashionista

$10 Gift Certificate to Kooky Hand Bags Etsy Shop goes to:

Demmi from Lucky Rosies

Quilted Tool Holder from Kreated by Karen goes to:

A Novel Menagerie

Custom Made Clipboard from Lissalaneous goes to:

Julie D from Mom 2 Ways

LOVE SQUARED necklace from Pampering Beki! goes to:

Ashley from Darling Companion

Giveaway: Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend Decorative Box from Pretty Organized goes to:

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality

Love Is My Sun Print from rkdsign88 goes to:

Faithful Mommy from For The Love of Bay Cree

Branches on Blue Pendant from Robyn's Art goes to:

Misty at A Rainy Day in May...

$20 Gift Certificate to Scribble It Etsy Shop goes to:

Shannon from Bless Our Nest

SewArtsy Hair Clippy Caddy from Sew Artsy goes to:

Jen from One World Organic Clothing

Brown Sugar Pecan Soap Bar from Soap Rehab goes to:

Ingrid in South Carolina

$10 Gift Certificate to Solsisters Etsy Shop goes to:

Audrey O from Recipe Tips

$20 Gift Certificate to The Puddle People Etsy Shop goes to:

Hilary from Nonchalantly treading

and....last but not least....

Custom Stretchy Chainmaille Bracelet from You've Got Maille goes to:

Chris from Pointless Ponderings from a Cluttered Mind

Congratulations to all of the Winners! Please contact me within 48 hours, or I will have to choose another winner. Thank you!

Now on to the very generous discounts***:

Robyn's Art: Free Shipping through Saturday

The Puddle People: 20 % Off for a week

Pretty Organized: 20% off through Feb 7

Acorn Accessories: Free Shipping through Feb 7th, if you mention Bella's Etsy Blog Party

Kreated by Karen: Free Shipping through Feb 7th

Sew Artsy: I'm planning on running a sale from February 1-14. Everything at SewArtsy and SewArtsyBethany will ship free, and will be 14% off, in honor of Valentine's Day.

Solsisters: Free Pouch w/Purchase-use code: BELLAEBP (only 1 free pouch, it goes to the first person who places an order and uses the code). For all others: Free Shipping (US Only) through Feb 7th with code BELLAEBP

Kimba Made: Free Shipping on Pins for one week, use code: BELLASHIP

Pampering Beki: 20 % off, expires Feb 6th, use code: BELLA20 (check out as normal, then you will get a rebate from Paypal)

Soap Rehab: Free Shipping for one week

Flashy Fish: Buy 3 items, get Free Shipping

Kooky Handbags: Free Shipping for 1 week

Lissalaneous: 20% off for one week

You've Got Maille: Free Shipping For 1 week

***Make sure to double-check on the discounts before checking out at Etsy. With 18 giveaways and several discounts, there is a chance that I could have made an error.

Thanks again for such a fun party!!! I hope to do this again sometime!!! I love Etsy, don't you??

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