Aquaphor Healing Ointment Review + Giveaway!

Disclosure: I received compensation for this review; however, all opinions are my own.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment - works wonders for your skin!

Hi friends! I’m excited to share with you today one of my favorite products – Aquaphor! When they reached out to me to do a review of their product I was ON BOARD 100%. Why? Because the Aquaphor Healing Ointment has been a well-used product in our household ever since we’ve had kids. True story! It’s pediatrician recommended, free of fragrances, preservatives, and dyes, so this multi-purpose ointment can be used for your skin needs from dry, sensitive skin to chapped cheeks.

In fact – I can tell you the first time we purchased Aquaphor. My oldest son was a baby and started teething and we experienced our first bout with SERIOUS diaper rash. You know, not that stuff you can just stick some diaper cream on and call it a day. It kept getting worse and worse, so I called the doctor – being a first time mom and having no idea what to do! The first thing they told me? Buy Aquaphor. And now we’ve owned it ever since.

So when we received our Aquaphor goodies in the mail I was so excited! Not only are our baby items restocked, that we still use on our little guys, but there was advanced Healing Ointment for US! Now I’m going to show you something – but you have to promise not to freak out. I live in Arizona and wear flip flops all. the. time. Now I try to keep up with pedicures (who has the time??) but I do confess that my heels get a little gnarly. But guess what is PERFECT for those dry, cracked heels? Yup, you guessed it. Check this out…

Aquaphor Before and After - works wonders on dry skin!

See! No more gross, dry feet. And a quick tip – if you rub some Aquaphor into your feet at night and throw some socks on, you’ll keep your feet looking this way! And in the Summertime (when the last thing you want to do is wear socks to bed) just cut the front part of the sock off so just your heels are covered. Problem solved!

One more quick note about the Aquaphor products (if you’re not sold yet), if you have kiddos that are rough on their lips, the Aquaphor Lip Repair and Protectant really works wonders. My oldest tends to lick and mess with his lips all the time, so they’re always so very dried out and peely. I’ve tried just putting vaseline on at night and chapstick during the day, which help in the short term but it never quite works as well as I want. So I was actually ecstatic to try the lip repair out. And it works! His lips have been in such better condition this week, just from a couple of applications! I’m so glad that I’ve discovered this product because it has really been something that has bugged me forever.

Ok, so now that I’ve told you ALL about Aquaphor and how much we swear by it, we have a little treat! Though Mother’s Day has passed, Aquaphor feels like the mothers out there should be honored every single day! And I agree, so I want to tell you a few ways that my mom has worked wonders in my life…

My Mom and Me

My mom has always been there for me, always. This picture of us is when I spoke at the Revive blog conference earlier this year. She’s not a blogger, but supports every single thing I do, so she bought a ticket just to hear me speak. My mom has always believed in me. From when I was a little girl she told me I could do anything, be anything that I want to be. And I believed her. And I have to tell you how much of a difference I can see that it made in my life in comparison to those who didn’t have that same encouragement or support. My mom has always made sure I had what I needed. Even to this day in my 30s, she checks in on me to make sure that our family has everything they need. She is truly an amazing person – an amazing mom – and everything I strive to be.

What do you admire about your mom? How has she helped work wonders in your life? Share it on the Aquaphor Facebook Page and you’ll have a chance to WIN your own Aquaphor goodies AND a $100 1-800-Flowers gift card! Doesn’t that sound like a fabulous giveaway? I think so! So get your entries in today! Good luck!

Enter to WIN Aquaphor goodies and a $100 1-800-flowers Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59PM ET on May 25, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $125.00. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Aquaphor and 1-800-flowers. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize will be mailed directly by Aquaphor and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.


Sears Style – Ocean Inspired #ThisisStyle

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Sears #cbias #SocialFabric #ThisisStyle

Sears Style - Ocean Inspired #ThisisStyle Feature

Hi friends! Are you gearing up for Summer? It’s time to update your wardrobe for some fun in the sun! What do your Summers look like? Do you spend time by the pool or at the ocean? This year, Sears has everything you need to look your best poolside, yes #ThisisStyle! What do you think of when you think of beach style? I think of large sunhats, long flowing dresses and gorgeous sandals. So this past weekend I set out to my local Sears to see what ocean-inspired beachwear I could find! You can checkout pictures from my shopping trip in my Google + album.

Before heading into the store I checked out the ShopYourWay Rewards app on my phone for deals and specials going on at Sears. ShopYourWay is an innovative shopping community built around your own social network. It empowers you to quickly find relevant product information, comments and recommendations from your friends. Also, if you use your ShopYourWay card, you also can earn rewards! You earn 10 Points for every $1.00 spent on qualifying purchases and can redeem those points at Kmart, Sears, Lands’ End, Sears Auto Centers, and mygofer. Then I headed into Sears! I had a great time shopping – guess what, kids free! Though the store is certainly kid-friendly, you know how nice it is as moms to just get some alone time, right? When I walked in the door, the store was bright and clean…and so much was on sale! I instantly saw how much I was going to save by shopping at Sears. I had a great time picking out cute, Summer styles and trying them on! But then I came across the Metaphor Women’s Maxi Dress – Scarf Print and I was in love!

Metaphor  Women's Maxi Dress - Scarf Print #ThisisStyle

The dress is long and flowing, and the colors are perfect for Summer: teal, white and neutrals with a touch of sunshine! So I picked it up, along with some new capris and a lovely teal blouse and headed to the checkout. And of course I used my ShopYourWay card to rack up points towards more rewards!

Metaphor Women's Knit Eyelet Sweater #ThisisStyle

Now how would you style the lovely Metaphor maxi dress for a day at the beach or poolside? Here’s what I had in mind…

Long flowing dress, fun jeweled earrings and bracelet, large sunhat, and neutral bag and shoes. What do you think? I love the look! And all of those gorgeous pieces are from Sears! Now I was so excited about my new purchases that I decided to wear my dress out for Mother’s Day lunch this weekend. I started with the Sears Metaphor Maxi, added a light cardigan, some dangle earrings a wrap bracelet and metallic wedges.

My Sears Style - Ocean Inspired #ThisisStyle

And here it is all together! My Sears Style - Ocean Inspired #ThisisStyle I love the colors of the dress and it was just so comfortable – I know it’s going to be worn a lot this Summer! So what do you think of my Sears style? I challenge you to head out to Sears and see what fun Summer pieces you can find for your wardrobe! You can find Sears Style online, on Facebook and Twitter!

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Sears #cbias #SocialFabric #ThisisStyle


Taking Power Outdoors with The Home Depot Garden Club #DigIn

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

The Great Outdoors - Taking power outdoors with The Home Depot Garden Club #DigIn Hi friends! Spring is upon us! What does that mean? Even for those of you who might live in cooler climates than I (I’m in sunny Arizona), it’s time to head into the great outdoors! Spring is an amazing time of year where we can get outside and enjoy the world and nature that surrounds us! The gorgeous trees, the blooming flowers, the thick green grass…

Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky. #DigIn

But for many of us, all of that beauty comes at a price! It’s work to get it gorgeous and keep it that way! But have no fear, The Home Depot Garden Club is there to help! With expert advice, how-to videos and monthly to-do lists, The Home Depot Garden Club can be your one-stop source for lawn and garden ideas this season. Also just by joining the world’s largest garden community, you’ll have access to over $300 in email exclusive savings each year!

Spring is the time of plans an projects! #DigIn But The Home Depot is not only about plants and flowers as many of you well know – it’s also about POWER. Yes, you heard me! Who doesn’t love a good power tool? In order to keep that grass trimmed, keep those trees pruned and those shrubs looking their best, it takes some serious tools. And lucky us, The Home Depot offers the latest in power tool technology to make our lives just a bit easier!

Some major innovations this year include hybrid power systems that allow you to use tools while plugged into an outlet AND also switch to battery power when unplugged! Also there are new lawn mowers this year with electric start features! Lithium ion tools are also big this year. They are notably lighter, run longer, can be recharged more often and offer a more consistent charge throughout the life of the battery than traditional NiCad counterparts. Now I don’t know about you – but lighter and longer lasting tools sound great to me!

Just head online to The Home Depot Outdoor Power Equipment page to learn all about it! That’s what I did in preparation for some power tool shopping! The site is so easy to navigate and there is a mountain of information to help guide you with your outdoor power equipment purchases. From videos, to FAQs, to how-to’s, The Home Depot has you covered!

The Home Depot Outdoor Power Equipment #DigIn

So what do you think? Are you ready to go outdoor power tool shopping with me? Stay tuned and I’ll share much more! Let’s get those outdoor spaces spruced up for some Spring enjoyment!

In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. #DigIn

Join the Club! The Home Depot Garden Club #DigIn

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.



Allegra Allergy Solutions at CVS #MyAllerGenius

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and ALLEGRA® #cbias #SocialFabric
Allegra Allergy Solutions at CVS #MyAllerGenius Hi friends! Do you suffer from allergies? My entire family does and today I’m so excited to tell you about the way that we keep our allergies at bay – and that’s with Allegra! I realized the positive effects of Allegra years ago, back before it was sold over the counter and you had to have a prescription for it. I even chose to pay a premium for it at that time because I really believed in how it improved my quality of life, over anything else I had tried. Living in Arizona has pros and cons. We don’t have crazy weather (except for the high temperatures, yes), and it is really very livable. However, in the desert it is dusty and things really grow and bloom year-round. So if you have dust and pollen allergies, you will likely be in the need for allergy intervention.

And my allergy intervention of choice is Allegra! And now that it’s sold over the counter? Even better! A couple of years ago, my husband was so sick with recurring sinus issues and he was seeing all sorts of specialists. I thought we were going to have to go down the road of surgical intervention and allergy shots, but that’s when I realized that only I was taking Allegra at the time. I had him start on a daily routine throughout his seasonal allergy issues and slowly but surely, his condition improved. Now the subsequent seasons he’s taken Allegra throughout and it’s made a WORLD of difference! He’s able to make it through his seasonal allergies with barely a notice.

Until this point, we’ve just relied on “how we felt” to really gauge whether it was time to start taking Allegra. All of us, my boys included, are triggered by different things. However, Allegra and CVS Pharmacy has come up with a new site MyAllerGenius.com that is here to help! On MyAllerGenuis, you can sign up for pollen alerts for your specific zip code.

Allegra Allergy Solutions at CVS #MyAllerGenius

You can also check out tips on managing allergies and interact with the Beauty App.

Allegra Allergy Solutions at CVS #MyAllerGenius

You can also download and print coupons for $4 off adult and $2 children’s Allegra that can be used anytime during the year and sign up for emails with additional savings, allergy tips, product news, and bonus offers from Allegra partners.

Allegra Allergy Solutions at CVS #MyAllerGenius

How awesome is that? I signed up for pollen text alerts because now I can pay attention to when it’s really ok for my boys to play outside and when it’s probably better that they stay inside. If you have little ones with allergies, you KNOW how miserable it can be for them. But you also know, especially for boys, how much they love to be outdoors! Now we can play it safe with text alerts and we also know when it’s a good idea to give them their Children’s Allegra Allergy.

Playing Outdoors with Allegra Allergy Solutions #MyAllerGenius

Playing Outdoors with Allegra Allergy Solutions #MyAllerGenius

But on top of all that, right now at CVS you can get $6 off Allegra 45ct, $4 off Allegra 30ct and $9.99 for Allegra Children’s tablets or liquid. Sale prices are valid through 5/31 if you have a CVS Extra Care card. And armed with my coupon for $4 off Allegra from MyAllerGenius.com, I headed down to CVS to get extra savings! You can see pictures from my trip on my Google+ Album.

So what are you waiting for? If you have allergies, even just seasonal allergies, you have to see what kind of difference Allegra can make in your life. So head over to MyAllerGenius.com today, sign up for emails or alerts and download your coupon! With the savings you’ll make from the coupon and sale at CVS, it’s totally worth it. Interested to learn more? Consider attending the #MyAllerGenius Twitter Party on May 14th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM EST! CVS gift cards are up for grabs and you can RSVP here. Be sure to visit Allegra and their social media sites to stay on top of the latest in allergy news!

allegra_logo MyAllerGenius :: Facebook :: Twitter

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Easy Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Tyson Chicken Fries

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Tyson #cbias #SocialFabric #ChickenFryTime
Easy Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Tyson Chicken Fries #ChickenFryTime

Hi friends! Today I’m sharing with you a quick, easy and delicious Buffalo Chicken Wrap recipes made with Tyson Chicken Fries! We’re big fans of Tyson chicken in our house – previously we’ve shared a delicious Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Tyson Honey BBQ Strips and our boys just love Tyson Chicken Nuggets! So when I had the opportunity to try out Tyson Chicken Fries and come up with a yummy recipe – I jumped at the chance!

So this past weekend I headed down to our local Sam’s Club to pick up some groceries and our Tyson Chicken Fries. You can check out my entire shopping trip in this Google+ Album! I was excited to get the chicken fries home to give them a try and to use them in a recipe. Since I love all things buffalo sauce, I decided on coating the fries with a little buffalo sauce and to incorporate the buffalo chicken fries into a delicious wrap!

Tyson Chicken Fries #ChickenFryTime

So I grabbed they Tyson Chicken Fries and my Franks RedHot Wing sauce and got to work.

How to make an Easy Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Tyson Chicken Fries #ChickenFryTime

Easy Buffalo Chicken Wrap
5.0 from 2 reviews

Print

Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: American
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • Tyson Chicken Fries
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Wraps or tortillas
  • Salad mix or chopped lettuce
  • Ranch or bleu cheese dressing
Instructions
  1. Cook Tyson Chicken Fries according to directions on the bag.
  2. Coat cooked fries with buffalo sauce.
  3. Place coated fries in the broiler for 5 minutes.
  4. During that time, toss salad or chopped lettuce in ranch dressing.
  5. Once buffalo chicken fries are done, lay out wrap or tortilla, top with salad mixture and buffalo chicken fries and roll it up!

Easy Buffalo Chicken Wrap  with Tyson Chicken Fries #ChickenFryTime
So simple – but let me tell you, they are delicious! I was actually quite surprised at how much I liked them and finished off the wrap in no time. If you want to try this recipe or have many more in mind, I really do recommend that you pick up the Tyson Chicken Fries! They were a breeze to prepare and so tasty! I know that we’ll continue to use them in easy chicken recipes and give them to the boys as is, as well. Be sure to visit Tyson to learn about more of their fabulous products and how they can save you time and effort, without skimping on the flavor! Also visit Tyson on Facebook as you will soon be able to enter to win free Six Flags tickets for your family vacation!

Web :: Facebook :: Twitter

linked up herecreate & inspirelil’ lunatatertots & jellothe 36th avenuetip junkiei {heart} naptimefrugal girls

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Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron Review + Giveaway

Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron Review + Giveaway

Hi friends! Today I have a fabulous review and giveaway to share with you! A few weeks ago, I received the Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron to try out! And I’m here to tell you that it’s the real deal! Now, I have a LOT of hair. And it’s fairly curly, but for the most part I like to wear it straight. I know, we always want what we don’t have, right?

So when I received the Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron I was anxious to try it out. I typically blow dry my hair before straightening. So first I gave the wet styling a try. I simply washed and towel dried my hair, then took a small section to straighten!

Jose Eber Wet Syling

And it worked! Do you see how straight that is? I was pretty amazed. One thing that I noted was that it was hard to get close to the scalp since heat travels through moisture. You just don’t want to get too close. So I would recommend either waiting until your roots were a little drier or do a little bit of drying with the blow dryer at the roots before finishing.

From there I finished drying my hair as usual with the blow dryer so that I could compare the Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron with my current flat iron.

Jose Eber Dry Styling

And I loved the results! First of all, I typically use a 1″ flat iron, which I now realize is silly since I have so much hair to straighten. The 1 1/2″ worked so much better and I was able to straighten all of my hair much quicker. Also, since my hair is thick and curly, I loved that the iron gets up to a whopping 430˚F! That’s fantastic for a flat iron and really helps to get my hair really straight and smooth.

Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron Here are a few more features:

  • Ergonomic design
  • 1 ½ ” wide floating plates
  • 360 degree swivel cord design with hook
  • Professional length power cord
  • Dual voltage 110-240V
  • Temperature 180˚F-430˚F
  • Adjustable temperature control
  • Suitable for use on damp or dry hair
  • Korean tourmaline ceramic plates
  • Negative ion technology
  • Manufacturer’s lifetime warranty

So if you’re in the market for a good, quality flat iron and especially one that you can use on wet or dry hair – the Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron is definitely the styling iron for you! But that’s not it – if you need a new and fabulous styling iron today’s your lucky day! Jose Eber letting us give one away to one lucky reader! If you just can’t wait (trust me, I understand) then you can take 15% off your Jose Eber order with promo code NightOwl15! Enter to win via the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

Jose Eber Wet or Dry Styling Iron Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59 ET on May 12, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $170.00. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Jose Eber Hair. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. Jose Eber Hair is a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is awarded directly through Jose Eber Hair and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Listed at Blog Giveaway Directory.


Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker + Orange Julius Popsicles

Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker Review and Orange Julius Popsicles Hi friends! It’s starting to heat up out there – at least it is for those of us in sunny Arizona! Time to break out the lemonade and popsicles, right? A few weeks ago I shared 50 Perfect Popsicles – The Ultimate Summer Survival Guide and today I’m sharing part of the reason why I put that post together. We recently received a Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker for review! And you know that I had to put some research into what yummy popsicles we could make at home.

The Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker freezes ice pops in as little as seven minutes right on your countertop without electricity. You can quickly make striped pops, yogurt pops or (for the first time ever at home) flavored core pops. To enjoy Quick Pops at a moment’s notice, you simply store the compact base in your freezer. The kit that comes with the Zoku includes six durable, reusable plastic pop sticks that have unique ridged designs that allow pops to adhere securely, with special drip guards for tidy eating. And you know that’s a plus! Also, a specially designed Super Tool helps to quickly release the frozen treats from their molds. The maker can make up to 9 pops before refreezing the unit again. Doesn’t that sound fabulous? I thought so – and it was! Take a look at our pop maker in action…

How to use a Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker It was just so easy! And I have to tell you, I’ve made so many popsicles since we’ve had it. I originally thought it would be for the boys, so we could control the sugar and dyes that went into their popsicles. I still have those plans, but I have to be honest that I have probably had more! And so far, my favorite recipe that I’ve come up with is for Orange Julius Popsicles! Do you remember Orange Julius? You probably still have one in a mall near you, but I’ve always loved that creamy orange drink! So I set out to make one into a popsicle. And I have to say – they turned out delicious! Here’s the recipe…

Orange Julius Popsicles

Orange Julius Popsicles
4.8 from 12 reviews

Print

Recipe type: Snack
Author:
Serves: 4-6
Do you love Orange Julius drinks? Then you’ll love these quick and easy, homemade popsicles!
Ingredients
  • 6 oz thawed orange juice concentrate
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, stir together orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar and vanilla until well mixed.
  2. Pour orange mixture into Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker and wait 7 minutes or until frozen.
  3. Using the Super Tool, remove the popsicle from the maker and enjoy!
  4. Note: you can use this recipe with regular popsicle molds; allow to freeze as usual.

So now are you excited about the Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker? You should be! It’s just such a fun little device to have. And no cords or electricity to mess with. Just stick it in your freezer and you’re ready to make popsicles in minutes, anytime! Be sure to check out Zoku and all the fun products they have to offer! And that’s not all! Today we’re also giving away an Original Quick Pop Maker! So enter via the Rafflecopter below today! Good luck!

Win a Zoku Original Quick Pop Maker

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59 ET on May 9, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $49.95. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by ZokuHQ. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. ZokuHQ is a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is awarded directly through ZokuHQ and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Listed at Blog Giveaway Directory.


{Technology Tuesday} New Trent iCarrier Portable Charger

New Trent iCarrier | Charge your cell phones and tablets on the go!
Hi friends! Welcome to this installment of Technology Tuesday! Recently, we’ve talked about one of our favorite apps Postagram, we shared tips on how to take better pictures with your phone and talked about our favorite phone charger, the New Trent iTorch! Well today we’re talking about New Trent again!

Now I love my iPhone, and both me and my husband have them. But we also both have iPads! That’s a whole lot of electronic equipment to keep running at any given time. And while the New Trent iTorch is PERFECT for keeping your cell phone charged, if you have multiple phones to charge and/or tablets as well, then it’s likely that the New Trent iCarrier is the portable charger for you! And lucky me, I was able to review one and share my experience with you.

I ordered the New Trent iCarrier through Amazon <love!> and it was shipped to my house in no time. This time my husband tore open the package, plugged it in to give it a good charge, then put it to use! He was pretty excited about this one, because I’m more of a “I need to keep my iPhone charged” person and he definitely uses his iPad much more.

New Trent iCarrier | Charge your cell phones and tablets on the go!

As you can see by the relative size here to an iPad and iPhone, that the iCarrier is bigger than the iTorch. But what would you expect from a device that can charge tablets and phones, at the same time?  It was still smooth, sleek and quite portable.

Here are a few features:

  • Heavy-duty 5V/2A & 1A dual USB charger charges 2 devices at once rapidly. 2A output is optimized for iPads/tablets and 1A output is optimized for iPhones/smartphones.
  • Enjoy 55 hours of movie playback time for the iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G, and iPod Touch (all generations).
  • 80% of iPad 4 & iPad 3 battery life and 120% of iPad 2 battery life
  • Compatible with all major smartphones including iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G, Android (Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, Nokia, Blackberry, Sony Ericsson, etc.)
  • IMP120D iCarrier is compatible with original Apple iPhone & iPad charge cable (no iPhone/iPad cable or adapters included)

And we put it to use. With two iPhones and two iPads there is always a device that needs to be charged! And it’s so nice not to have to be stuck next to an outlet on the wall, right? It’s also great when the kids are watching movies on my iPad and it needs a charge, because you know that conversation of “the battery is dead” does NOT go over well with the little ones. Problem solved! What I also loved was a couple of weekends ago I had to go on a quick turnaround road trip. Though I didn’t take my iPad, I did want my iPhone to be able to be charged anytime, anywhere during the trip. So instead of my New Trent iTorch, I charged up and took the New Trent iCarrier! The iCarrier can fully charge your iPhone up to 6 times before needing to be recharged! PERFECT for a trip, don’t you think?

So are you sold? You should be. I received the iCarrier for review, but if you have multiple phones and tables like we do, at just $76.95 on Amazon it is definitely worth the investment! When you’re on Amazon, also be sure to check out New Trent Special Offers and Product Promotions! And today, as a bonus, New Trent is giving away an iCarrier to one lucky reader! By entering via the Rafflecopter below, you are agreeing to subscribing to the New Trent newsletter – which you are free to opt out of at any time. You also may have the opportunity to join the Pilot program! You definitely want in on this. The giveaway is available to Continental US residents only. Good luck!

Win a New Trent iCarrier at anightowlblog.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to Continental US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59pm EST on May 14, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness and to subscribe you to the New Trent newsletter. Entrants can opt out of the newsletter at any time. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $39.95. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by New Trent. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. New Trent is the sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is fulfilled through New Trent and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Listed at Blog Giveaway Directory.


Mohawk Home Area Rug Review + Giveaway

Mohawk Home Area Rug Review and Giveaway Hi friends! Today we get to tell you all about our favorite new home decor addition – our new Mohawk Home Area Rug! We have needed a new area rug in our family room for forever. We have little boys playing there constantly and a dark-haired puppy – let’s just say this area gets a ton of traffic! But my husband and I have had a difficult time finding just what we wanted and what we could agree on – enter Mohawk Home.

Utilizing decades of knowledge within the home furnishing industry, Mohawk Home includes an expanded product line featuring area rugs, accent rugs, bath rugs, utility mats, doormats and rug pads. With such a wide assortment of choices and combinations, Mohawk Home is making it easier than ever for customers to create a space that is a unique extension of their personality. Every product is thoughtfully crafted with respect to current trends and the ideals of comfort, affordability and social responsibility.

After just a short time shopping the Mohawk Home collection, we came across this Wilkshire Mink/Lichen area rug and instantly knew it was exactly what we were looking for! Once we received the rug, we put it to the Saturday morning test. What is the Saturday morning test you ask? Well Saturday mornings are family time. We sleep in, stay in PJs or comfy clothes, watch cartoons and play on the family room floor!

Mohawk Home Area Rug Review and Giveaway

The boys LOVE the new rug. It is so soft and comfortable. I honestly feel like they play more on the rug now than around the rug like they used to. Who wouldn’t? They’re smart boys.

Mohawk Home Area Rug Review and Giveaway

There’s another HUGE fan of the new rug – our puppy Hope. She has a comfortable puppy bed over in the corner, but now she loves to snuggle into the new rug and be closer to the family.

Mohawk Home Area Rug Review and Giveaway

And finally my husband and I are just so very happy with our rug. It’s really transformed the look of the room. It’s a great way to change up your decor or refresh a room! I’m now motivated to finish more decor projects in our family room to tie it all together.

So are you in the market for a new rug? We HIGHLY recommend Mohawk Home! You can find them at a number of fine retailers such as Kohl’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target and JCP! But lucky you! Today we’re giving away a 5×8 Mohawk Home area rug (up to $150 value)! US only. Ends 5/9. Good luck! Disclosure: I received a Mohawk Home Area Rug for review; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mohawk Home Area Rug Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59 ET on May 9, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $150.00. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Mohawk Home. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. Mohawk Home is a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is awarded directly through Mohawk Home and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Listed at Blog Giveaway Directory.


Color Blocking Nail Art with Sally Hansen #IHeartMyNailArt

Color Blocking Nail Art Tutorial with Sally Hansen #IHeartMyNailArt Hi friends! It’s #ManiMonday and I think this may be the first time that I’ve shared a manicure with you here on the blog instead of just on Instagram! How fun is that? Now I love pretty nails as much as the next gal, but I never seem to be able to get to the salon anymore. And you know what that means? At home manicures! And I have a great one to share with you today. Have you tried Sally Hansen products before? If you haven’t, you really must. I took a trip to my local Walgreens this weekend to check out their products and I was blown away. The selection was enormous and fabulous, I might add. You can check out pictures from my shopping trip here in my Google+ Album.

I was originally inspired by some of the great manicures and colors I saw when checking out Sally Hansen on Instagram! There are so many options for fun nails with Sally Hansen and you can find them all at Walgreens! I love these Block Party and Think Outside the Block collections! And what’s even better? If you use your Balance Rewards card at Walgreens you can save BIG on Sally Hansen products and more! For instance, now through April 27th, Sally Hansen Extreme and Salon Effects are just  2/$5 with 1,000 points and Insta Gel Starter Kits are just $19.99! If you heart nail art and great deals, this is a match made in Heaven!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color #IHeartMyNailArt

So what did I finally decide on? I wanted to try out the new color blocking craze: taking 2 or more colors and combining them separately, yet in the same area, in a geometric fashion. Now one of my favorite color combos is turquoise and red so I thought that Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail colors 270 Racey Rouge and 440 Mint Sprint would make a great duo! Check out my visual step by step:

Color Blocking Nails Tutorial with Sally Hansen #IHeartMyNailArt A couple of notes – first, washi tape is a great nail polish aide! It’s not as sticky as real tape but allows you to get clean lines. Second, Sally Hansen Double Duty is fabulous! I used it both as a base coat and a top coat with this manicure. One less bottle to deal with works for me! Easy, right? But the outcome is just so much fun! And this is just the tip of the iceberg! I was so impressed with the collection of Sally Hansen products and colors and Walgreens, I know that I’ll be back! So head to your local Walgreens today and pick up your very own Sally Hansen supplies and show off your DIY manicure! And get social and share your creations! You can find Sally Hansen on Twitter and the #IHeartNailArt Facebook App and Walgreens on Twitter!

Sally Hansen #IHeartMyNailArt

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and COTY #cbias #SocialFabric.

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{Technology Tuesday} New Trent iTorch Portable Phone Charger

Charge your phone or Tablet on the go with the New Trent iTorch IMP52D Portable Phone Charger

Hi friends! Welcome to our second installment of Technology Tuesday! If you missed it last week, we shared tips on how to take better pictures with your phone! And this week we’re so excited to tell you about a piece of technology that we recently have had the chance to review <and LOVE> and that’s the New Trent iTorch IMP52D External Battery Charger!

I think it’s no secret that I love my iPhone, and so many apps on it, including Instagram. The downside to that love is that I burn through my battery life in no time. So I’ve purchased extra chargers and cords. And that’s helped, but what about those times that you’re not near an outlet? Yep, it’s a problem. In fact it’s been such an issue that I started researching portable charging options. And then I was introduced to New Trent. Music to my ears!

I ordered the New Trent iTorch IMP52D External Battery Charger through Amazon <love!> and it was shipped to my house in no time. I instantly broke out the charger, plugged it in to give it a good charge, then put it to use! It’s sleek and lightweight – easy to slip into your purse or bag or to keep in your car. And sure enough in no time my phone was in need of a charge. So I plugged it in and then in no time (really, less than an hour) my phone was fully charged! Love at first use.

Charge your phone or Tablet on the go with the New Trent iTorch IMP52D Portable Phone Charger Another aspect of the charger that I really liked is that my phone didn’t get hot while using it. Now if you have an iPhone, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about! But if you don’t have an iPhone – no worries! The New Trent iTorch IMP52D can be used on a number of devices! It’s compatible with major Apple, Android, & Blackberry smartphones, including the iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, & 3G, Samsung Galaxy Note S, S2, HTC EVO, Sensation, Thunderbolt, Nexus, Motorola Droid, RAZR, LG Optimus V, Blackberry Bold, Curve, Torch, etc.

PS – if you’re a blogger and you attend blog conferences like Bloggy Boot Camp that is coming up (that I’m attending!), then this device is a MUST. In a room full of Social Media mavens, outlets for phone charging are in high demand! I’m so excited that I have the iTorch for future events. No more missed Instagrams or Tweets!

So are you sold? You should be. I received the iTorch for review, but at just $39.95 on Amazon, it is well worth every penny! When you’re on Amazon, also be sure to check out New Trent Special Offers and Product Promotions! And today, as a bonus, New Trent is giving away an iTorch IMP52D to one lucky reader! By entering via the Rafflecopter below, you are agreeing to subscribing to the New Trent newsletter – which you are free to opt out of at any time. The giveaway is available to Continental US residents only. Good luck and we’ll see you again next week for another installment of Technology Tuesday!

New Trent iTorch Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to Continental US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59pm EST on April 9, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness and to subscribe you to the New Trent newsletter. Entrants can opt out of the newsletter at any time. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $39.95. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by New Trent. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. New Trent is the sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is fulfilled through New Trent and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Listed at Blog Giveaway Directory.


Experience Scottsdale, Arizona #ScottsdaleAZ

Experience Scottsdale AZ

Hi friends! If you follow me on Instagram, you may already know that last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to visit Scottsdale, AZ for the day courtesy of the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau! I shared the first part of our day trip with you earlier this week, and as promised, here’s the second part! We left off at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market and today we’re picking up with some shopping!

Old Town Scottsdale has some amazing and unique shops! And the scenery is just fantastic.

Old Town Scottsdale Shops - Scottsdale, AZ

Old Town Scottsdale Shops - Scottsdale, AZ

I found a Mexican Import store that I just adored. The textiles were just so vibrant. I definitely see another visit there in our future!

Old Town Scottsdale Shops - Scottsdale, AZ

During our Old Town shopping adventure, we stopped off for a sweet treat at the Sugar Bowl! The Sugar Bowl is well known by those in the Valley and has been around since the 1950s! We grabbed a couple scoops of ice cream then were on our way for more!

Sugar Bowl - Scottsdale, AZ

Our last stop in Old Town was at Bischoff’s Shades of the West. Such a FUN fun shop, filled to the brim with interesting housewares, souvenirs and more! They have a lot of Arizona and Southwest memorabilia, and even though we live in the Valley, we still picked up a few things for home!

Bischoff's Shades of the West - Scottsdale, AZ

Last up on our shopping list was the amazing Scottsdale Fashion Square – the best mall in the Phoenix Metro area.

Scottsdale Fashion Square - Scottsdale, AZ

Now we’ve been here a number of times but there is a whole new wing of the mall that we hadn’t seen, and a few of my favorite stores on Earth, so we had to stop by. We spent some time in my favorite stores, Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel and Sur la Table! We stopped by some of Andre’s favorite stores, the new Tesla Motors, Lucky and Express. See how I’m all about housewares? We even stopped by Tiffany & Co. to have my ring polished – I think that was the highlight! It’s been a while since this store is the only Tiffany & Co. in town. I’m still excited to have it all shiny and sparkly again. Here’s a little recap of our shopping trip via Instagram:

Scottsdale Shopping via Instagram

Such fun was had! Again, we could have called it a day at that point, but there was one last adventure to be had – dinner. Now Scottsdale has an amazing assortment of any dining experience that you can think of! Some of our very favorite restaurants are in Scottsdale. But this time around we wanted to try something new. So we met up with some good friends and headed down to Citizen Public House. Double date! Aren’t those the best?

Citizen Public House - Scottsdale, AZ

I would describe Citizen Public House as an intimate and unique steakhouse.Their menu selection is concise and welcoming. Though the list isn’t long, it was hard to make a decision because everything sounded so amazing. We were all hungry, so we started out with an appetizer of Chicken & Waffles. Yum! It was the perfect salty and sweet treat to begin with. Then for our entrees Andre and I had Porcini Filet Mignon with a porcini rub, smashed new potatoes, sautéed local greens, white beech mushrooms, and demi-glace & black garlic butter. Yes, it was as delicious as it sounds! Our friend Simon had the Amaro Meatloaf made with Montenegro Amaro Italian liqueur, pork, beef, parsnip meatloaf, smashed Yukon gold potatoes, roasted zucchini, veal demi-glace, and mushroom cream. And Morgan rounded out our selection with the Applewood Smoked Duck made from Maple Leaf farms duck breast, creamy rosemary millet, spiced pistachios, and sauteed greens. I had a chance to try the duck and it was amazing. Almost made me second guess my filet. We were stuffed but when we saw the Bag ‘O Bacon Pecan Brittle on the Dessert Menu, we knew we had to give it a try. And you guessed it, it was amazing too!

Citizen Public House via Instagram - Scottsdale, AZ

All in all the food was amazing, the atmosphere warm and intimate, and the service – fantastic. Andre and I are really excited to have found another restaurant that we enjoy so much.

Now that is the end of our Experience Scottsdale journey. What do you think? It’s Scottsdale a place that you would love to visit? I hope we showed you just a glimpse of the amazing dining and shopping experiences to be had, but there is so much more! You can always find more information on the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Website,FacebookTwitter and YouTube! In fact, I picked up a little extra goody along the way that I just loved and knew you would too! You can WIN this lovely beaded chevron friendship bracelet:

Scottsdale Chevron Beaded Friendship Bracelet Giveaway

GIVEAWAY IS OVER: Simply visit the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, check out the “THINGS TO DO”, “PLACES TO STAY” or “WHERE TO EAT” tabs and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you’d like to check out in Scottsdale! I’ll accept entries through 11:59pm next Friday, March 29th. Good luck!

UPDATE: Winner is Ange! Congratulations!

winner

 


Dis­clo­sure: This post is part of a spon­sored cam­paign with the Scotts­dale Con­ven­tion & Tourism Bureau. I received a gift card to experience Scottsdale; however, all opinions and pictures are my own.


{Giveaway} Taylor and Stylist

Tailor and Stylist Review and Giveaway

Hi friends, Jen here and boy do I have a treat for you today! I recently was introduced to an online boutique called Taylor and Stylist and their line Clothing, Shoes, Purses and Accessories is just fabulous. I am crushing on so many items. Here are some of my faves and believe me, there are plenty more so go check them out.
photo credit TaylorandStylist.com


Yellow Ribbon Flats
Lady Lace Mustard Blazer
Kensington Wool Bow Hat
Delightful Dots Chambray Sundress

After much deliberation I finally settled on a couple of items for review. And I wanted to show you the fun pieces I’ve been incorporating into my wardrobe as liberally as possible. Meet my new Flattering Fleece Pea Coat in Navy and Quilted Buckle Beauty Gray flats. Don’t you love them?

photo credit TaylorandStylist.com

Luckily there was a cold front a few weeks ago and I was really able to wear my coat but since it’s warming up in Phoenix these days it may have to go into the closet for next winter. As much as I love it, I’m totally okay with that because this jacket is timeless, I can see myself still wearing it in 10 years! This coat is, as the name suggests, very flattering. The fleece is very soft and cozy while still looking very put together, which as a busy full time working mama (out of the house) I love.

And the gray flats…they have already seen a ton of use and have quickly became one of my favorite pair of shoes. They are stylish, yet comfortable and the perfect shade of gray so they match tons of things I already own.

So here’s how I styled them, I wore some skinny jeans (Kohl’s) and added a white scarf (Old Navy) and a yellow bag (Goodwill) as a pop of color. I feel like the look comes off as casual but still super cute!

Tailor & Stylist Review and Giveaway Dis­clo­sure: I received product for review; however, all opinions stated here are my own.

Have you heard and seen enough to become a fan? I know it didn’t take me much to become one! So here’s the good news… Yep, you guessed it we’re having a giveaway! $50 for you to spend at TandS.com and if you just can’t wait head on over now and use the code NIGHTOWL10 for 10% off your order.

Tailor and Stylist $50 Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59pm EST on March 28, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $50.00. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Tailor & Stylist. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is provided by Tailor & Stylist and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.


Experience Scottsdale, Arizona #ScottsdaleAZ

Experience Scottsdale AZ { www.experiencescottsdale.com }

Hi friends! If you follow me on Instagram, you may already know that last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to visit Scottsdale, AZ for the day courtesy of the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau! Now in West Phoenix, we’re not too far away from Scottsdale, but even after living in the Valley for all of my life, any time spent in Scottsdale is a treat! It’s a premier spot to visit with so much to see, do, and enjoy! And I’m so excited to get to share on of my favorite cities on Earth with all of you! Today I’m going to share the first part of our day – brunch and some farmer’s market fun. Saturday morning, my husband Andre and I dropped the kids off with Grandma and Papa, took our puppy Hope to doggy day camp, then headed out on the town.

Arcadia Farms Cafe - Scottsdale AZ

Our first stop for brunch is Arcadia Farms Cafe. Now any local will tell you that this little space, nestled in a comfy corner of Old Town Scottsdale, is tops on the list. I’ve never had the chance to go, so this was a real treat. Making reservations (suggested) was easy, the customer service was great. We arrived, valet parked, headed in and were promptly seated. This time of year is perfect for the patio, so we headed out back amidst cozy patio tables and umbrellas, large lush trees, and plenty of sunshine.

Arcadia Farms Cafe - Scottsdale AZ

There were so many great selections on their menu. Andre went with the Seared Salmon – a pan-seared salmon filet, local greens, fingerling potatoes, French green beans, baby carrots, and a tarragon vinaigrette that he said was the best dressing he’s ever had. I opted for the Wild Mushroom, Spinach and Goat Cheese Tart with caramelized leeks, baby spinach, wild mushrooms, mozzarella, goat cheese, and fresh fruit. The atmosphere was perfect – gorgeous and relaxing. And the food, delicious! We’ll be back again.

Arcadia Farms Cafe - Scottsdale AZ

Arcadia Farms Cafe #ScottsdaleAZ

 

After brunch we headed into Old Town for some site-seeing and shopping. It was a gorgeous day out! Now for those of you who are still covered with snow and dreaming of Spring, this time of year is the perfect time to visit Scottsdale, AZ! We have great weather and great Spring-time events, including Spring Training!

Gorgeous Weather in Scottsdale AZ via InstaWeatherPro

There’s so much to see in Old Town. You literally could just walk around all day enjoying the architecture and scenery.

Old Town Scottsdale AZ

Old Town Scottsdale AZ

After walking around for a bit, we ventured to the Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market. We have a few farmer’s markets in the Valley, but I’ve always heard great things about the Scottsdale Market – and what I had heard was reinforced by our experience. There were so many great and diverse vendors! From growers to baked goods, from natural beauty products to pet supplies! There really was something for everyone.

Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

I grabbed an iced coffee from What’s Your Grind.

What's Your Grind Coffee - Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

A quick snack from The Creative Kitchen…

The Creative Kitchen - Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

Then we stopped by Alaskan Pride Seafoods. Alaskan Pride offers delicious, wild, healthy, and sustainable, Alaskan seafood that is second to none – and right here in Arizona! If you’re local to Phoenix and enjoy good quality seafood, you have to check out Alaskan Pride Seafoods, you can follow them here on Facebook too!

Alaskan Pride Seafoods - Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

There was so much to see and buy – if we were going straight home I would have grabbed some herbs for the herb garden or fresh flowers for home.

Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market

It was a great experience and I know that we’ll be back again. This time to pick up fresh produce, herbs, seafood and baked goods to bring home!

Are you already impressed? You should be! Scottsdale is one amazing place! Our morning was full and enjoyable and at this point we could have called it a day – but there is so much more that Scottsdale has to offer! Stay tuned for the second part of our day and a little giveaway, coming soon! In the meantime, if you’re interested in planning a trip or visiting Scottsdale, you can find more information on their Website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!


Dis­clo­sure: This post is part of a spon­sored cam­paign with the Scotts­dale Con­ven­tion & Tourism Bureau. I received a gift card to experience Scottsdale; however, all opinions and pictures are my own.


Starbucks and The Bakery at Walmart #DeliciousPairings

Starbucks Willow Blonde #DeliciousPairings

Hi friends! Today I’m talking about one of my passions in life – yes, coffee! This weekend I had the opportunity to try out a the Starbucks Willow Blonde coffee blend. This was my first time trying a blonde roast! Typically I prefer dark and bold roasts, but seeing how I love pretty much anything Starbucks I was willing to give it a try! So I headed down to my local Walmart to buy the coffee.

Starbucks and The Bakery at Walmart Chocolate Donuts  #DeliciousPairings

I typically both brew at home and buy Starbucks in the store. What do you prefer? I enjoy them both. I find that if I’m driving into work, I like to stop and grab a coffee from my local Starbucks store (yes, they know me well). But if I’m working from home, it’s much more convenient to brew my own. While at Walmart I spotted the Delicious Pairings section in The Bakery. Be sure to check out your local Walmart for this informative section! Here the Starbucks Willow Blonde was on display as well as notes on what best to pair it with from The Bakery – which in this case was chocolate and citrus. Yum! Two of my favorite things! So I picked up a package of Mini Chocolate Frosted Donuts from The Bakery and headed home to enjoy!

Starbucks and The Bakery at Walmart Chocolate Donuts #DeliciousPairings

As soon as I got home I broke out the coffee pot to try it out the new blend! Did you know that once you’re finished with a Starbucks coffee bag that you can take the empty bag into a Starbucks store for a free tall coffee? How cool is that? Well, since it is National Crafting Month, I had other plans for my bright and cheery Starbucks bag – Mini Starbucks Bag Bunting!

To make is simple:

  1. Empty the Starbucks bag, wipe down and flatten.
  2. Cut out small bunting triangles out of different sections of the bag to alternate colors.
  3. Cover the top of the bunting triangles with complimentary washi tape to bring all the triangles together!

Starbucks Bag Bunting #DeliciousPairings #NationalCraftingMonth

How fun is that? Perfect decor for your coffee station at home. You have one of those, right? I have a whole counter and cabinet devoted to coffee; yes, it’s that serious.

Starbucks and The Bakery at Walmart Chocolate Donuts #DeliciousPairings

Now time to sit back, relax and enjoy my coffee and donuts. Could there be a more delicious pairing? The Starbucks Willow Blonde on its own is warm, smooth and easy. I really enjoyed the taste and was able to go easy on the milk and sugar because of the great taste. There was a hint of citrus to the blend, which I loved! I think those flavors tend to come out more in the lighter roasts. Then I started to snack on The Bakery Rich Frosted Mini Donuts with the coffee. And Starbucks was right about this Delicious Pairing – the Starbucks Willow Blonde roast with chocolate is perfection! Just so tasty, and I found that the flavors of the coffee were brought out even more with the donuts. Yum!

Starbucks and The Bakery at Walmart Chocolate Donuts #DeliciousPairings

All in all I have to say I was so pleased! I’ll definitely keep the Starbucks Willow Blonde roast in stock at our house. I think the Willow Blonde is the perfect weekend blend – for those days when you can just sit back and relax with a cup and spend time with family. So if you’re a coffee lover like me, I’d encourage you to try it too! And be sure to check out the Delicious Pairings display at your local Walmart to find the best Bakery items to pair it with!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #cbias #SocialFabric

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Wedding Invitations + Style with Minted

Aspen Wedding, see more wedding invitations on Minted Modified Aspen Wedding board by KristinD. See more unique Minted wedding invitations

Hi friends! Today we’re talking about something so fun – weddings! I just love weddings and it’s coming up on that time of year – wedding season! The Summer months are the most popular time for having a wedding, so if you’re planning one for later this year or even into next year, at this point you likely have your Pinterest boards full of ideas. Well today I have a few more for you, including some gorgeous invitation and theme ideas from Minted!

Now I’ve been married almost 5 years now, but I often wonder if I would do things differently if I had it to do all over again. Our wedding was somewhat rustic at the most gorgeous old-world Italian restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ. Even though it was a Summer wedding (I didn’t want to wait!) I chose warm, Fall colors in browns and burgundy with splashes of lime green. It was warm and romantic, everything I ever wanted in a wedding. If I were to choose along those lines today, I love this inspiration board built around the Chocolate Matrimony Invitation:

Rustic by Maria Anna C, see more Minted wedding invitations Rustic board by Maria Anna C. See more Minted wedding invitations

But if I were starting from scratch today? Oh the ideas are endless! I’m a little jealous of all the gals who can use Pinterest to help collect ideas for their wedding. I really loved the rustic aspect to our wedding, our location was perfect. I might pick different colors though and adore this mint and coral rustic & roses wedding board built around the adorable In the Park Invitation:

Aren’t those colors fabulous? The invitation really sets the stage. I also love the incorporation of succulents (my favorite!) and the lovely ombre wedding cake. But if you’re looking for something less rustic and more simple and elegant I am also loving the mood of this twine mint wedding! I adore the topography Twine Wedding Invitation and clean and simple decor ideas of this board:

Aren’t they all great? What is your wedding personality? Are you planning one? Since the invitation is so important, I would highly recommend starting there and deciding on a color scheme and theme. From there, you can start building in fun aspects around that theme. If you need inspiration, the designer-created Minted Inspiration Boards are the perfect place to start! Go take a look and tell me, what is your favorite invitation and board?

 

This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue – In Stores Now!

PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue - In Stores Now! #peopleforoscars #pmedia

Hi friends! Remember last week we were talking all about the Oscars – Oscar Party Ideas and Oscar Fashion and the PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue? Well that fabulous double issue is in stores NOW! So of course picking up my own copy was top on my list of to-do’s this weekend! So little man and I ran down to our local Target and grabbed a copy (along with about 10 other things we DIDN’T go to Target for, isn’t that always how it is?)!

PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue - In Stores Now! #peopleforoscars #pmedia

Now little man was so excited to get his hands on the magazine – can’t you tell? Hehe, he’s such a ham! But look who’s on the cover! Some of our fave leading ladies: Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence and Charlize Theron. I knew right away this was going to be a fabulous issue.

PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue - In Stores Now! #peopleforoscars #pmedia

So we grabbed what we needed from Target, including a little Starbucks afternoon pick-me-up, and headed home. Now since I don’t get much time alone on the weekends and it’s when I spend the most time with the boys, we headed outside so they could play on a gorgeous, sunny 80-degree Phoenix day (don’t be jealous!) and I could get some magazine-time in! I grabbed my Starbucks and dove right into the PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue. And it’s so much fun! Now I watched the Oscars, and obsessed over the fashion. But really all I had time for was to check out who was wearing what. But this fabulous issue takes it so. much. further! They cover fashion from dresses to suits to jewelry to faces! They have it all. What was loved, hated… Really any detail you missed from the event – PEOPLE has it. I was so excited to be able to fill in all the fun details.

Now remember we had a little $20 Target giftcard giveaway in our fashion post? Well we have a winner! Congrats Breanna!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now if you didn’t win, no worries! At just $4.99, it’s well worth it! So be sure to run out to your nearest Target and get YOUR copy! You won’t be disappointed! And if you haven’t  yet, head over and test out your PEOPLE Trivia skills for a chance to win! You can enter each week for a chance to win one of hundreds of rewards cards. Just click the link to play now!

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and PEOPLE Magazine  but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PEOPLEforOscars  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.


Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup with Classico Tomatoes #CookClassico

Date Night with Classico Tomatoes #CookClassico

Hi friends! Today I’m s haring the yummiest (yes, that’s a word) recipe for Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup with you that I made with Classico Tomatoes! But first, let me provide you with the background story. Did you have a romantic date night for Valentines? With two little ones, we don’t get out much, so a quiet dinner at home is our typical date night these days. So that’s just what we did! And what better to round out our Winter months with a delicious homemade soup?

Healthy Meals with Classico Tomatoes #CookClassico

We ADORE soup in our home. All of my boys love it! And I find that it’s an easy meal to put together for this busy, working mama. And since my boys all have aversions to dairy, most of the soups I make are tomato-based. And there’s a new tomato in town, Classico Canned Tomatoes! Classico Tomatoes are 100% all-natural, always packed fresh with no preservatives! And that’s always important when you’re cooking for your loved ones.

So we decided to give it a try for our Date Night soup of choice: Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup. We used both Classico Crushed Tomatoes and Classico Heavy Tomato Puree along with just a few other ingredients to make it a meal!

Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup with Classico Tomatoes #CookClassico

And I am going to be completely honest with you, the soup was DELICIOUS. So much so that my husband has instructed me to use these same tomatoes in all of our soups and tomato-based meals going forward. So are you ready for the recipe? I know you are!

Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup with Classico Tomatoes #CookClassico

Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup
5.0 from 4 reviews

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Recipe type: Entree
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
An easy and delicious, hearty soup made with Classico Tomatoes!
Ingredients
  • 1 28oz can Classico Crushed Tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Classico Heavy Tomato Puree
  • 1 can whole black beans, drained
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1 can green chilies
  • 1 can chicken broth
  • 1 package taco seasoning
  • 1 shredded rotisserie chicken
  • Shredded cheese (opt)
  • Sour cream (opt)
  • Tostada shells or fried corn tortillas (opt)
Instructions
  1. Mix together crushed tomatoes, heavy tomato puree, black beans, corn, green chilies, chicken broth, taco seasoning and shredded chicken in a large pot.
  2. Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
  3. Spoon soup into bowls, garnish with cheese and sour cream (opt) and serve with ready-made tostada shells or fried corn tortillas.

 

Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup with Classico Tomatoes #CookClassico

So give the soup a try. And be sure to grab Classico Tomatoes, it makes all the difference in the world! Classico products can be found at your local Walmart. So head on over and grab the ingredients you need to make this today! You won’t be disappointed!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Classico #CBias #SocialFabric #CookClassico

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Smile Brilliant LED Teeth Whitening System + Giveaway

Smile Brilliant LED Teeth Whitening Review + Giveaway

Hi friends! It’s a giveaway kind of day! We’re bringing you lots of things that we enjoy ourselves here at A Night Owl, and one of those things is white teeth! Have you looked for at home whitening systems to whiten that smile without the cost and hassle of heading to the dentists office? I know I have. And I like white teeth so much that I’ve even made the trip and paid the dentist fees. But now you don’t have to!

I have found something so similar to in office trips in the Smile Brilliant LED Teeth Whitening system! The only difference is, instead of multiple sessions in one sitting at the dentists office, you use this system over a few days from the comfort of your own home! It’s perfect for achieving and maintaining that winning smile. Simply paint on the gel, pop in your custom whitening trays and turn on the LED light and you’re good to go!

The Pros – it’s cost effective and convenient – and it works! I noticed my teeth were whiter after just a few uses!

The Cons – I’m a chatterbox, so it was hard to find time in the day that I was willing to keep my mouth shut. Haha! Also, after the first use my teeth were a little sensitive, so instead of doing three days in a row, I spread three sessions out over six days. Easy fix! And I loved that the system was flexible enough to meet my needs.

So in the end do you want to get your own? I think so! That is, if it works for your current needs, finances and lifestyle! And just as incentive, here’s an exclusive deal for you!

Smile Brilliant Coupon

That’s right! Save 20% off your very own Smile Brilliant LED Teeth Whitening system with coupon code “SMILE20″! And that’s not it, you also have the chance to WIN your very own! Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59pm EST on February 14, 2013. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Approximate retail value is $39.95. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Smile Brilliant. Winner will be drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. A Night Owl is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to A Night Owl, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. Smile Brilliant is a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is awarded directly by Smile Brilliant and requires confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Listed at Blog Giveaway Directory.


Amazon Gold Box Deal – Far Cry 3 #FarCryGold

Amazon Gold Box Deal - Far Cry 3 #FarCryGold

Hi friends! How do you decompress or relieve stress? If it is through video games, then do I have a deal for you! Today – Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the Day is Far Cry 3, for just $34.99! If you’re used to buying NEW video games, you know that this is an awesome deal!

Ubisoft's Far Cry 3

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please visit Amazon.com to get your own copy of Far Cry 3, today’s Gold Box Deal of the Day! I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.

How do I decompress? Honestly through blogging – that is why I took up this endeavor over a year ago. But I have to tell you, something that keeps the stress down in the household overall is video games. Why? Because that is how my husband relieves stress! If you work, have little kids, and try to keep a household maintained, you know that life can be stressful. We all need to find ways that we enjoy to relieve that stress – whether it be with “me time”, for the ladies it might be a pedicure, but for my man (and maybe yours!) it’s through video games.

My husband loves that he can interact with friends online – since our time for social interaction is limited these days. At the end of a busy day, I kick back with my laptop and blog away while he kicks back and plays a few games. It’s always been that way – and I’ve noticed that since I have found a hobby I enjoy to keep my busy, he’s happy as can be to get his gaming time in. It’s all about balance, right? And finding time to do what we enjoy!

So if you’re in the same situation as me, then find out if this game is on your partner’s list! Or, if you’re a gamer yourself, what a deal, right? So head over to Amazon NOW and pick up your copy of Far Cry 3!

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