Red Balloon Run and Ride, Cupcakes and Birthday cakes

I am currently part of a fundraising team called "Fantastico Plastico" that exclusively benefits Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

 

Last year we raised over $5K to use within the "Plastics and Craniofacial" department for the kids and their families. We usually hold many bake sales, a silent auction and ask for donations throughout the year. The event is held in October and has many activities for the kids. I would encourage everyone to check out the website and donate to one of these great teams for the children! http://www.redballoonevent.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Home

Of course I would prefer you donate to my team "Fantastico Plastico" but any team is a great choice!

Here are some pictures of our Cupcake bake sale that we take pride in!

Only one of our teammates, Angie,  is a professional baker and so we all compete to create beauties to impress! Angie makes some beautiful cakes and other creations and we are always excited to see what she will make. Here is some of her other beauties from our last bake sale:

 And here are some of her cakes that she makes for others events such as birthdays and the such:

 

She is awesome to say the least!

Have a great day!

Cravebox giveaway from Vlogger on youtube and PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum giveaway from SheSpeaks

 

Cravebox Giveaway from latoyaoneall to win a Cravebox from Hunt's Delicious Dinneers. She is giving away a box to One lucky viewer on Oct 4th! Watch the video below...

 

 

 

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On to another giveaway......................http://www.shespeaks.com is a wonderful program and they offer giveaways too.

Enter the SheSpeaks PREVAGE® Giveaway to Win a New Product From Elizabeth Arden #PrevageLashes.......They are giving away three tubes of PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum from Elizabeth Arden - each prize is valued at $98! WIN the newest product from Elizabeth Arden before it hits shelves in October!

Enter the giveaway here: http://www.shespeaks.com/Enter-the-SheSpeaks-PREVAGE-Giveaway-to-Win-a-New-Product-From-Elizabeth-Arden

In just two weeks, 100% of women using PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum saw improvement in the length, thickness and fullness of lashes. It is also clinically proven to provide a 40% improvement in the appearance, length, thickness and density of lashes in four weeks*.

 

I love She Speaks! You can talk about and get others opinions on just about anything you want , from children and adult items

 

By blogging about the Giveaway I have increased my chances of winning.!!!

 

 

 

New Giveaways: Enter to win!

Here is a list of giveaways from other sites that I highly recommend and follow!

Giveaway: Silhouette Cameo 

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/category/giveaways/

This Silhouette Specialty Bundle includes:

• Silhouette CAMEO® electronic cutting tool
• Power cable/AC adapter
• USB cable
• Silhouette Studio® software
• $10 download card
• 12″ x 12″ cutting mat
• Silhouette blade
• Basic Instruction Guide
• CAMEO instructional DVD
• 1 package printable white sticker paper (contains 8 sheets)
• 1 package printable gold foil (contains 8 sheets)
• 1 package printable silver foil (contains 8 sheets)

Jamie at "My Baking Addiction has a great blog and great recipes..Go check her out! You wont be disappointed!

Win a new Cuisinart Food Processor! by Chocolate-Covered Katie on September 23, 2012 http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/ Another great blog to follow! Chocolate Covered Katie always has some great alternative recipes that always look so indulgent! A crafter’s dream giveaway! $300 value http://www.iheartnaptime.net/the-frugal-girls/   The blogs above, listed for this giveaway are two new blogs that I follow and think that you should too!

Geo Deo

Well after a couple of days of testing out the GEODEO deodorant, I am sad to say that it is not working for me. I was excited to try it due to its properties and what it doesn't contain in the ingredients. I  perspire heavily and usually have to use a clinical strength deodorant to keep down the odor and wetness. GEODEO did not keep me from feeling wet and I have an odor at the end of the day. I am truly sad!(I received this product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster)Influenster.com

   

New Giveaways and their links

Today I am listing all of the wonderful Giveaways that I have entered to win...

1. Stop by and enter to win a gorgeous blanket from Minky Couture at SixSistersStuff.com! They have the most amazing products! http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/09/minky-couture-blanket-giveaway.html #giveaway,
Winner will be notified Sept 28th by Six Sisters Stuff.....

2.  Latte Love, They are giving away one Latte Lovers Essentials kit an hour
plus one Keurig brewing system a day! Go to http://milk.am/fblattelove.



3.  Cravebox giveaway on Free n Clear's website....http://www.freenclearstuff.com/2012/cravebox-is-it-worth-it



4.   House Party  handmade confections, including larger than life gourmet apples, Gift Giving Made Easy with Mrs. Prindable’s...http://www.houseparty.com/event/mrsprindables....... party date is Saturday, November 10, 2012..so plenty of time to sign up...


5...International Delight on Facebook...Click here for your chance to win http://on.fb.me/EnterIcedSweeps Giveaway lasts 9/21-10/1. They will randomly draw 1,000 winners. You need to enter via a computer or desktop browser on your mobile phone. Good luck!

September Birchbox arrival!!

Have you heard of Birchbox? Do you love it lots like me? I cant wait to get my next box soon after getting my monthly arrival. Always excited to see what I will get to try this month! Here is my box for September. And believe me, it will all get used, soon!

 

birchbox.com

 

Boscia- Purifying Cleansing Gel, Color Club- Custom Birchbox Polish, Dr Jart- Water Fuse Beauty Balm +SPF25, LaFresh- Instant Body Soother, Twistband- Custom Birchbox Lace hair tie, The Brush Guard- Brush Guard Variety Kit, Digital download- 2 free tracks from Tristan Prettyman.com/bb.

 

They even have boxes for men to try!!

 

And as always, step-by-step articles and video tutorials online at birchbox.com

You can also check out their YouTube videos.

 

 

Influenster update......

 

I am still working on trying out my greats items from Influenster box...I will be updating soon!

House Party Time Y'all

Have you heard of HouseParty? Its a wonderful place to sample out products with your friends and family. All you have to do is apply to your choice of party and follow the rules, which are pretty darn simple. If you like Facebook, Twitter, have a blog and like sharing, you will have a good chance. I have hosted 2 different parties and it was great. Most recently I  applied to the Keurig Vue, PLANTERS NUT-rition Peanut Butter Everyday Adventures, and Barista Prima Coffeehouse party. I was not chosen for the Keurig party and I am still awaiting the results of the other two. You can apply to host as many as you want.

This is what your home page looks like.
 

Just go to http://www.houseparty.com and create a profile and start applying! and Good Luck!

Nectresse sweetener

Today I tried out my sample of #NECTRESSE that I received in my @Influenster box. It tasted pretty good. It didn't have any aftertaste. I normally use a better creamer than just regular milk but that is all I had this morning. I plan on buying a larger container and trying it out again. So far I am impressed.  Check out NECTRESSE now!

Weekend arrival and no-bake desserts

I have a lot of things to share today! I have recvd an Influenster box, a Julep Maven box and some Decaf Starbucks K-cups. It was my husbands birthday on Friday and I also made a Banana Split Icebox Cake for him that I am going to share with you. On Monday, I am entering a form of Bake Off at work and have made a Boston Cream Pie Icebox cake that I am calling "Bostanna Strawberry Icebox cake" that I will be posting later too.
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First things first. Let me share the Influenster Box and tell you about this program.

What is Influenster? A community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show off their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Registered members "play the game" by unlocking badges that reflect their lifestyle, expertise and power to influence. And best of all, there is no fee to join.

Here's a peek inside the box of goodies:

1. The Original Dish Drying Mat, which retails for $4.99- a unique, laminated design that combines a thin layer of foam between two layers of high quality, super absorbent microfiber for a new dish washing experience that conserves energy and paper towels by air drying, and saves water by hand-washing.  www.the-original-co.com

2. LypSyl Intense Protection LypMoisturizer, which retails for $2.87 to $2.99- with pure swedish beeswax, organic shea butter and vitamins A and E to give your lips long-lasting, deep-penetrating moisture and lip care protection to moisturize, soften, and protect your lips naturally for a healthy pucker! www.lypsylhome.com

3. EBOOST, which retails for $28 for box of 20 effervescent powders, $39 for box of 30 effervescent powders, $39 for box of 12 shots-will boost your mood, focus and immunity with natural ingredients and no crash. As a shot or an easy-to-mix powder and in four flavors, you'll feel great whether you choose Orange, Pink Lemonade, Acai Pomegranate or Super Berry.  www.eboost.com

4. CleanWell Individual Hand Sanitizer Wipes (pictured above), retails for $29.99 box of 50 pouches- these wipes clean up messes and kill germs with all natural ingredients that are easy on the earth. Their mild ingredients are great for hands and faces, and the one-use packet is ideal for all your on-the-go activities. www.cleanwelltoday.com

5. GEODEO, retails $5.99 for 2.3oz stick- Natural Deodorant Plus Detox Complex,  a naturally-derived, breakthrough eco-technology, specially formulated to be safe for your body and your world with 24 hour odor protection. www.mygeodeo.com

 

6. NECTRESSE, retails $3.99 for 40 servings, $6.99 for 140 servings- Sweetener that tastes like sugar but with zero calories per serving! 100% all natural and made from "Monk Fruit" combined with other natural sweeteners (from the makers of Splenda). www.nectresse.com

 

7. Country Life Maxi-Hair Maximized,  retails $17.99 for 60 tablets- these dietary complex supplements focus on B-vitamins, Biotin and MSM,  bringing a new meaning to beauty from the inside-out. www.country-life.com

 

 

I will start posting my reviews of these products as I start to use them in my daily routine. I will say that I have been wanting to try a new deodorant since I have sensitive skin and my pores clog easy. Also, the Nectresse sweetener, I had gone to their website and requested a free sample because I had seen it in the stores, but I never got that sample. So this is great to see in my box.

 

I had recently purchased some energy pouch powders from Advocare when I attended the Visions Women's Expo here in Dallas, and so the EBOOST powder packet was exciting to see too. Its like the folks at Influenster read my mind. This is awesome!

 

 

I recommend going to the Influenster website and registering and following them on Facebook and Twitter to see what others are saying about their sampling. Its a great way to hear about the products if you are scared to try them yourself. I am a bit of an adventurer and love trying new things so I cant say enough how excited I am to have found this program!!!!!

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Now on to the Julep Maven box that I recvd. I was on youtube the other day when I heard about the Julep Maven program. Someone had posted a video about their haul and posted a coupon code where your first purchase would be a penny, yes penny!. Of course I had to jump on it. I love nail polish and this seemed to be a great way to experience a new brand I had never used, nor heard of before.

 

Perks of being a Julep Maven are 20% off all products plus free shipping  in the Maven Boutique on julep.com. If you refer 2 friends, you can get a month free.

 

How it works! Becoming a Julep Maven gives you exclusive access to COLOR. Each month we

hand-pick trendsetting new nail colors, cult faves and cutting-edge beauty products that are just right for you. Commitment shy? No problem. YOU decide how often to receive your Julep Maven box, and you can cancel at any time. For just $19.99 a month, receive at least $40 worth of hand-picked
Julep products in an exclusive gift-able Julep Maven Box.

 

For me this seemed pricey however, they have a commitment to create without harsh chemicals and they support women everywhere by donating a percent of their proceeds  through Powered by Girlfriends program. Visit http://julep.com/?r=23985421 for more information and to sign up!

 



After I set up my profile, it was determined that I was "Boho Glam" and that is why they chose the above colors for me. It says "Boho Glam" is .....an eternal romantic with an appreciation of beauty on a deeper level, you see your wardrobe as a creative drawing board. Your effortlessly elegant look pairs earthy neutral tones with fun, chic hues of turquoise, purple or orange....I agree just a bit! LOL!

You can get nail polish tips and fashion trends on their blog....blog.julep.com

 

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I follow Starbucks on twitter and was recently asked if I would like to try the Decaf K-cup House Blend of coffee now made for the Keurig. Of course I said yes. Lightening quick delivery too, may I say! Cant wait to try it. I love coffee but due to my blood pressure I alternate to decaf after my first full cup of regular.

I am an ex-barista for Starbucks and I would have to say that I still prefer them over any others. Not to say that I don't drink anything else. I love the Green Coffee Company brands too!

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My husbands birthday was Friday and he really doesn't like cake so he asked me to make him a Banana split cake, which turns out to be a cold-layered cool whip treat. It was real easy to make and it made him smile, and that's all that matters. I thought that since it was so easy and a great alternative to cooking and cakes that I wanted to share it with you.

 

 

Basically for this size pan I used:

 

I tub of cool whip, small

I cream cheese

1/4 c powdered sugar or less to taste

graham crackers

melted butter

pineapple tidbits

banana

strawberries

 

Banana Split Cake

1 1/2 cups Crushed graham crackers

1/3 cup Butter, Melted 

1 8oz tub of cool whip

1/4 cup of powdered sugar

1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese, room temperature

1 can (20 oz or smaller depending on taste) Crushed Pineapple, Well Drained

2  Bananas

1 Cup Chopped Pecans and cherries to top. (I didn't use these)

In a medium sized bowl, mix together graham crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Beat together sugar and cream cheese until well mixed. Slowly add the cool whip. Carefully spread half of the cool whip mix over the cookie crust. Top with the pineapple and then the sliced bananas

Spread remaining cool whip mix over fruit and top with strawberries, nuts  or cherries. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Until tomorrow......