Cake Mom

Foodie Friday: Isabella's Cookies Company Review

2012-02-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

Isabella's Cookie Company prides itself on creating satisfying homemade treats using old family recipes, with a twist. They pack their cookie creations with all sorts of wholesome, rich confections. They offer a wide variety of delicious looking cookies to include their Original Cookie (brown sugar cookie with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and walnuts), vegan options, and unique options like the Limey Cookie (think key lime pie) and the Cran-Apple Fritter Cookie.

Review: If brownies and chocolate cookies were to marry, then you would have Isabella's Cookies Chocolate Sugar Rush. The cookies were like nothing else I have tasted. They were thin yet dense (in a good way) and the chocolate frosting was so fresh and delicious. They were slightly crunchy on the outside, yet moist and soft on the inside. Just in time for Valentine's Day, the variety I received were heart-shaped and accented with sweet pink sprinkles. The package arrived ready for gift-giving. Everything was beautifully packaged with real attention to details. This would make a great gift for your loved on this Valentine's Day or would even make a sweet gift for your kids!

Buy it here: You can purchase this and tons of other great cookies from the Isabella's Cookie Company website.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Looking for Wedding Cakes to Feature!

2012-02-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

Fellow bakers, I am looking to post some great reader cakes the week on 2/27 because I am having a wedding-themed week! If you have created a fabulous cake that you would like to show off here on Cake Mom, please email me at jamielz@verizon.net!

Gorton's Seafood Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Review and GIVEAWAY!!

2012-02-01T19:37:00.000-05:00

If I could eat shrimp everyday, I would. It is one of my favorite foods. Unfortunately, going out for shrimp dinner can get expensive and cooking from scratch is just not something I do very often. Gorton's Seafood has been in business since 1849 and sells frozen seafood which can be easily prepared.

Did you know that in addition to their fried fish varieties, they offer Grilled varieties that will help you make quick and easy dinners that will help you lose and/or maintain your weight?
From grilled fillets to shrimp, there are a lot of quick and easy meal options that are healthy and taste good too.

I had the opportunity to try Gorton's Signature Grilled Talapia Filet. I like fish but I never prepare it myself because I either overcook it or don't season it enough. Gorton's takes all of this frustration away and gives you perfectly portioned filets that are preseasoned and can be baked in the oven or microwave! I prepare mine in the microwave and in less than 4 minutes I had a delicious filet. A word of caution, though. They can get messy in the micro so make sure you cover the plate. The filet was only 80 calories, was filling for lunch, and was tender. I would definitely consider purchasing these again.

Gorton's Seafood Grill Your Way to Gorgeous: Click the button below and enter to win a $1000 Fashion Makeover or one of 1,000 coupons for a free Gorton's Grilled product!

Buy it here: You can purchase Gorton's seafood products in your grocer's frozen food section.

Win it here: Three (3) lucky Cake Mom readers will each received two (2) coupons good for FREE Gorton's Seafood products!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All views expressed here are my own.

ChatTime for iPhones GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-31T21:13:00.000-05:00

ChatTime is an iPhone app that allows you to make international calls easily and as affordable (free in 53 countries!) as local calls, without requiring a computer or Wi-Fi so calls can be made on the go. International calls are low cost or free if you are calling another individual with the app! ChatTime gives you the freedom to make low cost international calls anytime, anywhere with outstanding call quality every time.

Features include:

Free calls between ChatTime users in 53 countries including the US and Canada

Truly Mobile

Call any phone at low-cost

Crystal clear call quality

Use of your iPhone contact list

As easy to make as a local call

Tell-a-friend program that allows you to earn free credits for referrals

In-app purchase of credits

Pay as you go

24/7 customer support

Time of day destination to take the guess work out of time zones

Caller ID options

Manage recent calls

Speed dial

One touch redial

Get it here: You can download the ChatTime app for free from your iPhone app store.

Connect here:

ChatTime’s Facebook page

ChatTime’s Twitter

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a $25 credit to ChatTime!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not compensated for this post. All information was provided by the company.

Cheryl's Hug Bug Valentine's Day Giveaway (3 winners)!

2012-01-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

Cards are nice, but cookies are nicer! I don't know about you, but I would much rather get an edible greeting in the mail than a card. Cheryl's cookies are by far the best I have ever tasted and this Valentine's Day you can send those you care about a Hug Bug cookie greeting for only $5! Plus, your recipient will receive a $5 reward card they can use on a future applicable purchase.

Buy it here: You can order the Hug Bug Cookie Greetings from the Cheryl's website for $5 shipped.

Win it here: Three (3) lucky Cake Mom readers are going to win a Hug Bug Cookie Greeting!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will be provided with a cookie as a thank you for this post.

Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits & Egg Scramblers Review and GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

My kids love eggs in the morning. Since they are a great source of protein, I wouldn't mind letting them eat them daily; however, making the eggs and then cleaning up after the preparation is just too time consuming on school days. Pillsbury now offers some great breakfast products that are delicious, easy and quick to make, with practically no clean up required. Pillsbury Egg Scrambles and Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches are available in a variety of flavors and are made with fresh, quality ingredients to include Green Giant vegetables.

Egg Scrambles are available in the following flavors:

Bacon & Veggies Egg Scrambles

Sausage & Veggies Egg Scrambles

Sausage & Egg Scrambles

Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches are available in the following varieties:

Bacon & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

Sausage & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

Ham & Veggies Biscuit Sandwich

Review:

I chose the Bacon & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich to review mostly because I love bacon but it simply takes too long to make. The biscuit was super tasty. There was just the right amount of bacon in it. I liked how the eggs were scrambled rather than having one solid piece because then the bacon was mixed in perfect combination without one or the other dominating the taste. It was also quite filling. I was able to find these 2-packs at my local Walmart for $2.50 a box.

I also had the opportunity to try the Bacon & Veggies Egg Scrambles. It was really easy to make. You simply heat it up in the bag and serve. From start to finish, the preparation took 5 minutes, far less time than it would have taken to prepare the eggs, bacon, and cut and cook the veggies. It was very flavorful and I really enjoyed the potatoes which were mixed in. I am not a huge fan of peppers, so I handed it off to my hubby who really liked the taste. This product also was available for $2.50 at my local Walmart.

Buy it here: You can find both the Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits and Egg Scramblers in your local grocer's frozen breakfast section. The suggested retail price is $2.89.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win 2 coupons good for FREE Pillsbury Egg Scramblers or Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Will You Vote for Me??

2012-01-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

I have entered my Sesame Street cupcakes into a Cupcake Crown contest. Would you do me a favor and vote for me?

You can vote daily and I really appreciate the support!

Sogno Coffee Company Review and GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-29T20:06:00.000-05:00

Sogno Coffee believes that the perfect cup of coffee can come right from your home and not from standing in long lines at a coffee house. Sogno roasts only the finest Arabica beans in their one of a kind, custom-built roaster.

Options:

Vento - The Wind (Espresso)

Aroma - 10/10

Acidity - 7/10

Flavor - 10/10

Sole - The Sun (Bold)

Aroma - 9/10

Acidity - 3/10

Flavor - 10/10

Nuvola - Cloud (Decaf)

Aroma - 7/10

Acidity - 5/10

Flavor - 9/10

Cielo - The Sky (Medium Roast)

Aroma - 10/10

Acidity - 4/10

Flavor - 10/10

Review: I received a sample of Cielo and Nuvola to review. The first thing I noticed was the amazing aroma of these coffees. In the sealed bag, the scent resonated through and made me crave a nice, hot cup of coffee.They were both even more aromatic once brewed and it was the most enjoyable smell first thing in the morning! Both coffees were also extremely delicious. I occasionally have a negative reaction to coffees because I have acid reflux, but the acidity levels were not enough in these blends to bother me at all. Overall, I would say that these blends taste better than my average cup of coffee and getting to make them at home beats the heck out of going to a coffee house. I am not someone who typically buys coffees from shops and usually drink cheap coffee, but the flavor is that much better that I would buy this again to serve company or for a special occasion. If I did spend a lot of money on coffee house products, I would certainly consider changing to this for the taste and convenience.

Buy it here: You can purchase Sogno coffee from their website. The price list is as follows:

Sole: 16oz bag $10.99

10 oz bag $6.50

Vento: 10oz bag $6.50

Cielo: 16oz bag $10.99

10oz bag $6.50

Nuvola: 16oz bag $12.99

10oz bag: $6.50

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a small bag of their choice of Sogno Coffee.

(US residents, 18+)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was given a sample of the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Wuggle Pets Review

2012-01-29T20:04:00.000-05:00

There are reasons why places like Build-A-Bear continue to be popular. For one, kids love to make their own stuffed animals. My daughter takes total ownership of any stuffed animal that she creates. She loves the process of making then, naming them, and, of course, playing with them. However, Build-A-Bear can be expensive. So, when I heard about Wuggle Pets, I knew it was a great fit for Bella.

Wuggle Pets is an assortment of eight collectable baby pets that children bring to life with an easy 12-piece starter kit. The kit includes one fun filled factory, a Magical Unicorn and a Cuddle Puppy, two bags of fluffy stuffing, two bags of magic dust, two sheets of personality charms, two birth certificates and a zipper lock.

Children build their own pet by placing the Wuggle onto the Fun Fill Factory, adding stuffing and magic dust. Cranking the factory fills the pet. The Wuggle is then gently removed and then a personality charm is placed inside the new pet with a zipper tool that is used to secure the pet. Kids choose from 12 personality charms to create a pet that is brave, caring, smart, cool, etc. Once the Wuggle is fully created, the child names the pet and completes the birth certificate. The pet comes with a "clip" that allows it to tag along with the child on a backpack, belt loop, etc.

Review: This is a really nice kit that has all the necessities your child will need to build their pets. Yes, the animals can certainly be stuffed without using the factory; however, that would take some of the fun out of it for the kids. The birth certificates are a nice touch and allow your little one to name their pet and have a keepsake. I also like the idea of the personality charm and Bella took her time when choosing the personalities of her new pets.

They were really cute when they were completed and Bella was able to do most of it with little help from me. The clip attached to the WugglePet allowed Bella to connect her dog and unicorn to her bookbag so she can take him wherever she goes. I like that additional WugglePets can be purchased and you can continue to use the factory from the starter kit. This is a great gift idea for the child who loves stuffed animals and likes to be creative and hands-on with activities. It is great for developing hand-eye coordination, concentration skills, and helps them learn how to follow directions.

Buy it here: For only $7.99 for each individual kit or $19.99 for the entire Starter Kit, Wuggle Pets are available online at www.wugglepets.com. They are also available at a discounted price at Amazon.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Uprinting Vinyl Banner Giveaway!

2012-01-28T21:27:00.000-05:00

Whether you have a business or an amazing party, banners can be a great way to advertise or decorate for a special event. Uprinting sells vinyl banners that are totally affordable and since they are customizable, you can format them to look exactly how you want.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a Uprinting Vinyl Banner:
1 pc. Vinyl Banner for One (1) Winner
2' x 3' With or Without 4 Grommets
1 Business Day Turnaround
*Free shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print product in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.

Lac-Hydrin Five & Lowila Cleansing Bar Review

2012-01-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

I dislike winter for a variety of reasons and one reason toward the top of that list is my skin. I have terrible eczema and it gets so bad in the winter time that it can actually be painful. So, when I was given the opportunity to receive samples of Lowila Care Cleansing Bar, which is a dermatologist recommended, soap free cleanser that helps relieve dry, irritated skin and LAC-HYDRIN® FIVE Moisturizing Lotion, a non-greasy, alpha-hydroxy-acid lotion formula that has been clinically proven to relieve the dryness and scaliness associated with dry skin, my skin screamed, "yes, please"

Both are gentle and effective enough for all members of the family – mom, dad, kids and even babies can benefit from the products (one bar and one lotion for all!).

A few facts on eczema that might be of interest:

· Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a chronic disease that affects males and females at the same rate.

· 10-20% of infants and children experience symptoms of the disease and, of those, 60% continue to experience symptoms well into adulthood

Review: I use prescription cream for my eczema, but I really don't like it because it only works some of the time and it is thick and difficult to apply. The Lac-Hydrin Five Moisturizing Lotion, on the other hand, not only worked much better than my prescription cream but it was really easy to apply and provided instant relief from itching and burning. After just two days of use, my patches of eczema were completely cleared up. I could not believe it! This is, by far, the BEST lotion I have found to treat my eczema while keeping my skin hydrated and smooth. I really wish I would have had the foresight to take before and after pictures of my arms because the results were truly dramatic.

The Lowila Care Cleansing Bar is great as well. When my eczema has been really bad, I have been only able to wash with water in those areas because even gentle soap can cause excruciating burning and an even worse flare up. I was very pleased with the Lowila Bar. My skin felt clean and it did not agitate my condition at all.

Between these two products, I feel like I can proceed with my life without having eczema interfere. Just don't expect me to start liking winter!

Buy it here: These products can be purchased at your local drug store and mass merchant.

I was provided with the above mentioned samples in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

$50 Spa and Wellness Gift Card from Trop50 - Giveaway 3 of 3!

2012-01-27T22:01:00.002-05:00

Trop50 True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions. Share your secret motivation and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. You can even submit incognito with a fierce disguise. Bonus: Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card.

My resolution progress:

I have been given the opportunity to blog about my resolution progress three times this month and, in exchange, you get a chance to win one of three $50 Spa and Wellness Gift Cards!! My 2012 resolution is to save enough money so that we can go to Disney World without having to go into debt! I am using a variety of techniques which you can read about in my New Years Resolution post. My progress at the last post (not including airfare which is already purchased or lodging which will be free thanks to my awesome brother-in-law) was $1582.31 plus a giant Culligan water bottle 1/4 full of coins.

Since then, I have added the following to my fund:

$15.89 Ebates rebate (sign up here and get a bonus gift card with your first purchase! There is nothing like getting paid to shop)

$75 from paid posts from Social Spark (if you have a blog and would like to sign up, get started here)

Grand total:$1673.31

Make Your Resolution Here: Check out the Trop50 Facebook page, make your resolution, get a coupon, enter to win a $1000 gift card, and then come back here for a chance at a $50 gift card!

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a $50 Spa and Wellness Gift Card from Spa Week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Foodie Friday: YoCrunch Review and GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-26T20:31:00.000-05:00

Yogurt is probably the only healthy food that my entire family enjoys. So, I am always stocking up when there are good sales and excited to try new varieties. YoCrunch, the yogurt well known for their unique parfait-style varieties, has three new Pie Parfaits and new Greek Parfaits with Toasted Almonds! Yummy!

Greek yogurts are not my favorite because of the thick texture. Not that it mattered, because my husband confiscated both flavors I was sent to sample. It was his first time eating Greek yogurt and he really liked it. He enjoyed the texture combination of the yogurt with the crushed almonds and thought the blend of the two was quite delicious.

The Pie Parfaits became an instant hit in our house. If it weren't for the consistency, you would swear you were eating an actual piece of pie with the Apple Pie Parfait. It was absolutely delicious and even my kids were amazed at how much it tasted like a real piece of pie. The Cherry Pie Parfait was not quite as shockingly good as the Apple Pie Parfait but still flavorful and filling. Finally, the Triple Berry Pie was a delicious and flavorful blend of real blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. It was a great treat and really satisfied my sweet tooth!

Buy it here: You can purchase YoCrunch in your local grocer's dairy section and the varieties mentioned in this post will soon be made available to the public. There are coupons available for printing on the YoCrunch website!

Win it here: Five (5) lucky Cake Mom readers are going win a coupon pack featuring: 1 coupon for a FREE Yogurt Greek or Fruit Parfait yogurt, a FREE YoCrunch multipack, $1 off three YoCrunch Fruit Parfaits or Greek Parfaits, and $1 off two Yo Crunch multipacks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned samples in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Think EdenFantasys for Valentine's Day!

2012-01-26T20:26:00.002-05:00

While women enjoy flowers, chocolates, and jewelry most men would love to receive a super sexy gift for Valentine's Day. EdenFantasys, best known for their wide selection of lingerie and sex toys, is the perfect place to turn for the perfect gift for the upcoming day of love. Whether you want to go with shocking or romantic, there are plenty of products to excite both you and your man.

Need some ideas that will get your significant other's heart racing?

Sexy lingerie - From sweet to racy, you will find something that will excite you! How about some cute pink or red sets to keep in the Valentine's day mood? Got more of you to love? Did you know that EdenFantasys also offers plus size lingerie that will accentuate your awesome curves!

Get down and dirty - Eden Fantasys is best known for their sex toys for a reason: they have TONS of them!

Gifts under $30 - On a budget? They have lots of great gift products that won't break the bank and are specially priced for this upcoming day of romance!

Fun accessories - Why not bring back the spice and try something really fun (and maybe new). A pair of silk handcuffs or a blindfold are simple items that can really add a lot to your intimate experiences!

If you have never shopped from EdenFantasys before, then rest assured it is a great company. They offer great sales, including free gifts with orders. Shipping is incredibly quick and your package comes in a discreet box so you don't have to worry about sharing details of your purchases with your mailman. I have never been disappointed with this company!

Buy it here: EdenFantasys has some great sales right now and they offer free shipping on orders over $59. Plus, they have some options for free gifts with purchase! Click on the banner to get started:

I will be provided with a gift card in exchange for this post.

Deal Alert! $5 for 1 Year Magazine Subscription!

2012-01-26T19:04:00.000-05:00

Blue Dolphin

Today's Save:$5 for a one-year subscription to Good Housekeeping, Redbook or Woman's Day

Veggie Tales: God Loves You Very Much Review & GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-25T19:48:00.000-05:00

The Veggie Tales series retells classic biblical tales or moral tales using cute and funny vegetables and playful songs. I know it may sound strange, but it is actually quite cute and both of my kids (ages 6 and 8) love them. Their newest DVD, God Loves You Very Much, is a follow-up to the hit DVD God Made You Special. The DVD includes almost 90 minutes of family-friendly stories and songs that are meant to teach your children stories about God's love.

DVD Synopsis

"Does He Love Me?” is the question the Veggie Kids ask Larry and the answer is found through a fun trip of song and rhyme that gives the answer -- God loves you very much! Join Larry, Bob, Junior, Laura and their pals as they recount all the ways that God shows kids he loves them even when "they forget to blow their nose, or dirty up their clothes!" This new compilation features stories that show uniquely how God cares for us in all kinds of situations! With the classic VeggieTales episodes, kids also learn valuable lessons around love, including Gideon: Tuba Warrior (Trust), The Ballad of Little Joe (Facing Hardship) and Rack, Shack & Benny (Peer Pressure).

Review: If you are a parent of small children, then you probably hear obnoxious kid tv shows playing in the background all day at your house. Sometimes I think that if I hear Spongebob's laugh one more time I will lose it. Veggie Tales is one of those shows that are truly cute and I don't mind watching it at all with my kids. My son, who has a fairly mature sense of humor, even enjoys these movies and finds the characters funny. This DVD was no exception. I love how they mix biblical stories (such as Joseph and the multicolored coat in the case of this DVD) with humor, music, and moral lessons. It is a nice way to introduce stories to my youngest and my oldest is able to recognize some of the stories that he has been learning in school. The shows are also a nice way to start a conversation with your children about common issues such as trust. Both of my kids gave this DVD a thumbs-up and I definitely agree!

Buy it here: Veggie Tales: God Loves You Very Much is available wherever DVDs are sold for a retail price of $12.99. It is also available on Amazon for a discounted price.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a Veggie Tales: God Loves You Very Much DVD!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Celtic Woman GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-24T19:52:00.001-05:00

The internationally acclaimed vocal phenomenon Celtic Woman has just released their new project, Believe, an enchanting studio album and companion live concert DVD! If you're not familiar with them, Celtic Woman is an all-female singing sensation featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt. They perform classic Irish songs (“The Water Is Wide,” “Green Grow the Rushes"), timeless pop anthems (“Bridge Over Troubled Water"), and inspirational songs (“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Ave Maria”) with their signature Celtic Woman twist.

The live concert DVD was filmed for the first time in America in front of some of their most loyal fans during two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this past September.

Here's a streaming song from the CD, as well as a little trailer for the DVD for you get an idea of the release:

"Teir Abdhaile Riu" streaming link
DVD Trailer

Concert Tour Dates can be found here: http://www.celticwoman.com/north-american-tour-dates-2012/

Buy it here: You can purchase the Celtic Woman CD and DVD from Amazon.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win one SIGNED copy of the Celtic Woman Believe CD and another winner will receive a SIGNED copy of the DVD!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will be given a copy of the CD and will feature a review at a later date.

The Fuller Brush Company Foaming Disposal Cleaner Review and GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-24T18:52:00.000-05:00

The Fuller Brush Company is headquartered in Kansas and has been a part of keeping North American homes clean for generations, with high-quality cleaning solutions and hand-finished goods. With their status as an American cultural niche stretching back decades, the Fuller Brush Company works to make "The best products of their kind in the world”, by following three simple rules: “Make it work. Make it last. Guarantee it no matter what.”

Their Foaming Disposal Cleaner is formulated to rid your garbage disposal and sinks of dirty, greasy build-up and odor. It has a thick, foaming action that breaks down grease. The citrus scent works as a deodorizer.

Review: Simply said, I love this product. It is so easy to use. You simply shake the can, attach the plastic tube and squirt into the disposal until the foam reaches the top. After 3-5 minutes of soaking, you wipe off the surfaces (no scrubbing was required) and rinse with warm water. My disposal was getting pretty stinky and after 5 minutes the stink was replaced with a nice citrus aroma and my disposal was clean. It really does not get any easier than that!

Buy it here: You can purchase the Foaming Disposal Cleaner from The Fuller Brush Company for $6.99. A little foam goes a long way and I expect to have this can for a long time, making the $7 well worth it.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a can of Foaming Disposal Cleaner from The Fuller Brush Company!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a sample of the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Think Geek: Angry Birds Speakers

2012-01-23T20:51:00.000-05:00

Hi, my name is Jamie and I am an Angry Birds addict. How about you? If you have not had the pleasure of playing this ridiculously fun game on your iPod, iPhone, smart phone, etc. then I suggest you try it out. The concept of the game is simple. You slingshot a variety of birds into strategically constructed blocks with evil piggies and try to eliminate the pigs before you run out of birds. Sounds strange, I know, but it is tons of fun. I am certainly not the only one who thinks so because Angry Birds has become quite the franchise and Think Geek, the online go-to store for all things nerdy and fun, has some really great Angry Birds products.

Angry Bird Speakers are available in the following options:

Red Bird: Compatible with anything you can plug a 3.5 mm jack into. That's any music player, any phone, any tablet, any gaming system. If you can plug headphones into it, your can use Red Bird to amplify its sound. The included stand will hold up most devices, but isn't necessary for the function of Red Bird as a speaker.

Black Bird: Compatible with iPod, iPad, and iPhone only. Dock your device on the included stand and the Black Bird will amplify your tunes.

Helmet Pig: Compatible with iPod and iPhone only. Dock your device on top of Pig's helmet to hear your tunes blast forth.

Product Specifications

Portable speakers for fans of Rovio's Angry Birds
2:1 speaker, 30 watts
Set the perfect level with volume and bass controls
Includes a stand for your phone, mp3 player, or tablet
Choose:
- Red Bird: For all devices that can use headphones
- Black Bird: For iPod, iPad, and iPhone only
- Helmet Pig: For iPod and iPhone only
Compatibility:
- iPhone, iPhone 3G/S, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
- iPod mini, iPod Classic, iPod with video, iPod Nano (1st-5th), iPod Touch (1st-4th)
- iPad, iPad 2 (Red Bird and Black Bird only)
Officially licensed Angry Birds collectible

Review: I received a Red Bird Angry Birds Speaker to review. I must say that I am extremely impressed with the packaging. Look how cute it is:

The speaker itself is totally awesome. It is bigger than I thought it would be, but I absolutely love it. It is very sturdy and plugging in my iPod is a cinch. The sound quality is also very good. It runs on an AC adapter and there is a stand included to hold your electronic device while your music is playing. It brings a smile to my face every time I see it sitting on my son's bookshelf (yes, he totally confiscated it). Thumbs up from me for ease of use, sound quality, and visual appeal!

Buy it here: The Red Bird Angry Bird Speakers can be purchased from ThinkGeek for $79.99 but is on sale right now for $64.99.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Vitalicious SweepstakesI

2012-01-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

Vitalicious “Walk It Off in 7 Minutes” Facebook Sweepstakes

One grand prize winner will receive a LifeSpan TR 1200-DT Desktop Treadmill ($1,999 Retail Value).

Ten runners-up will receive a 48-pack of the new 50-calorie Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes ($48 Retail Value). It takes just 7 minutes to walk off a Mini VitaCake!

Please go to http://www.facebook.com/vitatops?sk=app_28134323652 to enter. The sweepstakes will run from January 19 through March 4, 2012.

Fuller Brush Company Original Wood Floor Cleaner Review and GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-22T20:45:00.000-05:00

The Fuller Brush Company (http://www.fuller.com/). Headquartered in Kansas, The Fuller Brush Company has been a part of keeping North American homes clean for generations. With our status as an American cultural niche, the Fuller Brush follows three simple rules: “Make it work. Make it last. Guarantee it no matter what".

I have had the pleasure of trying numerous products from this company now and I have never been disappointed. So, I was happy to try out one of their floor cleaning products. Their Original Wood Floor Care is formulated to not only clean your hard wood floors, but also preserve, protect, and restore them to their natural beauty. It is safe to use on all sealed wood surfaces and laminate flooring.

Review: We have wood floors through much of our house. This past summer, we refinished them so they look a lot better than they did when we moved in but they have been showing some wear from mud and snow. The cleaner is easy to use. After squirting the formula directly onto the floor, you mop it up in the same direction as the wood grain. The formula had a very faint scent to it and I do stress the word "faint". I prefer this, however, because strong citrus smells, like Pinesol, exacerbate my allergies. After the floor dried, it was clear of dirt and paw prints.

Buy it here: Original Wood Floor Care can be purchased from The Fuller Brush Company for $4.79.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win Original Wood Floor Care from The Fuller Brush Company!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a sample of the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

$50 Spa and Wellness Gift Card from Trop50 - Giveaway 2 of 3!

2012-01-21T18:19:00.001-05:00

My resolution progress:

I have been given the opportunity to blog about my resolution progress three times this month and, in exchange, you get a chance to win one of three $50 Spa and Wellness Gift Cards!! My 2012 resolution is to save enough money so that we can go to Disney World without having to go into debt! I am using a variety of techniques which you can read about in my New Years Resolution post. My progress at the last post (not including airfare which is already purchased or lodging which will be free thanks to my awesome brother-in-law) was $1502.31 plus a giant Culligan water bottle 1/4 full of coins.

Since then, I have added the following to my fund:

$10 rebate debit card from a Walgreens rebate

$50 from paycheck
$20 MasterCard prepaid card from the "Here's to Mom" Spend & Get offer (promo over)

Grand total: $1,582.31

Plus, in the mail:
$15.89 Ebates rebate (sign up here and get a bonus gift card with your first purchase! There is nothing like getting paid to shop)

Make Your Resolution Here: Check out the Trop50 Facebook page, make your resolution, get a coupon, enter to win a $1000 gift card, and then come back here for a chance at a $50 gift card!

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a $50 Spa and Wellness Gift Card from Spa Week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not compensated for this post but previously had the pleasure of reviewing Trop50.

Dreaming of Hawaii - Guest Cake Decorating Tutorial!

2012-01-21T18:06:00.000-05:00

I live in Erie, PA which is cold and wet and snowy more days than it is sunny. So, when I saw this amazing Hawaiian themed cake and tutorial on an awesome blog called Your Happy Baker, I knew that many of you would share in my desire to be somewhere warmer. Thanks so much to Erin for sharing this guest post and please check out her blog. Her cakes are AMAZING!!!

If you have some awe-inspiring cakes and would like to be featured right here on Cake Mom, please email me at jamielz@verizon.net with pictures and/or a link to your own blog post (personal blog not required).

***********************************************************************************

I have known Rachel since the moment she was born and we have spent our entire childhood growing up together. We lived next door to each other for years and my mother baby-sat her 5 days a week until she was in High School. She has been at every birthday party, holiday, graduation and even served as a bridesmaid at my wedding. To say that she is like a sister to me is an understatement...because for me, she is a member of my family and she always has been.

She is my 4th sister.

Rachel was married in March of 2010 to a super awesome guy, Dustin.
Dustin is a marine and has been serving our country since their wedding and Rachel is set to start her married life next month with Dustin...in HAWAII.

She asked me months ago, October I think if I would make her a fabulous cake for her Going Away Party...Done!

She wanted a sunset themed cake with palm trees and little beach chair toppers...Done!

I drew up this sketch for her (don't judge me, I only had highlighters at work) and she gave me her stamp of approval. She wasn't crazy about the flower so I omitted it from the cake plan. This would be my very first 3 tier cake...and I wanted it to be great.

Please oh Please be great!

I broke down the process into 10 steps:

Step 1: I ordered these adorable mini Adirondack Beach Chairs online, painted them and wrote the lovebird's names on them.

Step 2: I used a mixture of black fondant (1/4) and gumpaste (3/4) for the palm trees. I wanted to get them as dark as I could, which is why I added the bit of black fondant. I needed them to be 100% dry to stand straight and hold form so I made them 3 days in advance. Carving them took some time and patience. The morning of the party, I put a light coating of black frosting over the palm trees and them covered them in black sand sprinkles.

Step 3: Bake a whole lotta cakes! Rachel requested Vanilla cake for the bottom and largest tier, Chocolate cake for the middle tier and Red Velvet for the top tier.

Step 4: Strawberries....mmmmmm....Strawberries. My sister, Amiable came over to help me dice 4 baskets of Strawberries and then mix them with a small amount of strawberry glaze. All the cakes had this as it's filling.

Step 5: Stack 'em up. The Vanilla and Chocolate tiers were frosted with Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream and the Red Velvet was frosted with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Step 6: Once all the tiers had chilled and set in the refrigerator and I took a break for some Taco Bell, I covered each one in white Buttercream Fondant then let them chill a bit more.

Step 7: Time to paint. I pulled out my sketch and grabbed several different colors of food gel coloring. One color at a time, I added vodka to create a water-color paint consistency and painted the fondant with a regular paint brush to make sure I had the cool stroke marks to blend the colors. The dark pink was a challenge and I wasn't able to achieve the color I was looking for so that the purple blended better, but it looked decent.

Step 8: My boyfriend doesn't let me use his tools, including his sheer cutter thingy...whatever. So he cut all my dowels for me so that I could stack the cake. Once it was stacked, I used black frosting (pre-made) around the bottom of each tier. I smeared it with my finger to get in between the tiers and a bit on each tier so that my sprinkles would cover up everything. This was the last of my work at home, the rest would be done on site since I live in San Jose and the party was in Oakland. I didn't want to take any chances with the Palm Trees breaking during the drive....silly me to think it would be that simple.

Step 9: The morning of the party when I frosted and sprinkled the Palm Trees, one broke. Super bummer. I tried not to cry and told myself I could fix it once I got there. The drive went fine, no crazy bumps or breakages. I put the broken palm tree back together and attached the other....only for it to fall off 30 seconds later and break. So now I have 2 broken palm trees and a bunch of guests watching me, cool. I managed to piece the other back together as well, but the whole standing effect was no longer happening as I had to lay the trees right up against the cake so they wouldn't fall again. Sigh...

Note: I will be watermarking all my pictures from this point forward and someday when I have A LOT of time on my hands, I will watermark all my previous pictures.

Step 10: The easiest part of all....I placed the two beach chairs on top of the cake.

I bought this cake stand at the flea market for $6 months ago...and it finally got to show it's face.

Cutting this cake was an adventure, I'll have to do some research on how to do that better...but by the end of the party only a couple pieces of cake remained.

I will always remember making this cake...not just because it was my first 3 tier cake, but because it was for someone very special.

I will miss my 4th sister, Rachel...lots and lots...but I am so excited for her to start her life as a wife! (Hey, that rhymed!)

Aloha!

Savings Alert! $10 Staples Gift Card + Canvas People Photo Canvas only $32!

2012-01-21T08:36:00.000-05:00

Wow! Check out this great deal. You can get a $10 gift card to Staples PLUS a 16x20 custom photo canvas from the Canvas People for just $32. This is a great deal since the canvas alone would cost you$65.99 right now through their website!

Plus, if you are new to Eversave, you get $2 when you sign up and $2 after they buy and share the deal, giving you $4 toward your next Eversave purchase! Click the banner below to get started!

Staples and Canvas People

Supplies and style:$32 for a $10 Staples® Gift Card and a custom canvas print — free shipping!

If you have never shopped at Eversave before, then I would recommend you giving them a try. They are similar to Groupon and have some really unique online deals. Here are some others (aside from the Staples/Canvas deal, you may be able to use your $4 new member sign up and referral bonus to pay for these rather than waiting for the next purchase):

Bonus Save: The Ramada Gateway

From $45:A one-night stay at The Ramada Gateway, A Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel

Bonus Save: Shoe Scandal

Step it up:$22 for a pair of stylish, Australian-style boots from Shoe Scandal

Bonus Save: Parents Magazine

Today's Save:$5 for a two-year subscription to Parents magazine

Bonus Save: Silkies.com

Slimming Save:$20 for $40 worth of shapewear and hosiery from Silkies.com — free shipping!

Bonus Save: Honestech

Today's Save:$40 for a VHS to DVD video converter, plus free shipping!

Bonus Save: Skinny Tees

Today's Save:$25 for $50 worth of slimming tanks, tees, dresses and more from Skinny Tees

Bonus Save: Gnu Foods

Resolutions made easy: $9 for a 7 Bar Sampler from Gnu Foods — shipping included!

Bonus Save: Premier Photo Mall

Today's Save:$15 for $50 worth of calendars, T-shirts, albums and more photo gifts at Premier Photo Mall

Bonus Save: Mittenberry

How handy:$12 for a pair of smartphone-friendly mittens, plus free shipping!

Bonus Save: MyFunkySocks.com

Today's Save:$15 for $32 worth of fun socks and more at MyFunkySocks.com

Bonus Save: thredUP

Today's Save:$10 for a $20 credit good toward pre-loved kid's clothes, toys and books at thredUP

Bonus Save: NuMe Style

Today's Save:$42 for an Essential Moisturizing gift set from NuMe Style — shipping included!

Purex UltraPacks Review

2012-01-20T21:25:00.000-05:00

In February 2012, Purex, the trusted name in laundry detergent, will be launching new UltraPacks detergent. The new product features pre-dosed liquid detergent packs that makes laundry duty easier and quicker. One single UltraPack contains all the performance of their Triple Action liquid formula. The packs allow you to get just the right amount of detergent without risking messes and spilling. The UltraPacks dissolve quickly once the washer is started - even in cold water. They are formulated and safe for all machines, include high-efficiency (HE). They are available in both Mountain Breeze and Free and Clear.

Review: My daughter has finally reached the "allowance age" and she decided that one of the chores she would like to help me with is the laundry. Having her pour detergent into the cup and then again into the drawer turned out to be a very messy experience. These made it so much easier and she was amazed that all she had to do was to place the small packet into the drum.

We were given the Free and Clear variety to review. It worked just as well as the liquid detergent, though I did find that on occasion the plastic around the detergent did not completely dissolve and I had to pull it out of the drum and discard it. The Free and Clear was truly free from dyes and scents so it did not bother my sensitive skin. Plus, my clothes came out as clean.

Buy it here: Purex UltraPacks will be available in February at your local grocery, drug store, and mass merchant.

Purex provided me with a free sample of their UltraPacks laundry detergent so I could write a review. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.