Cake Mom

Only a Couple Days Left - Please Vote!

2012-02-11T09:20:00.002-05:00

Voting ends soon and I need some more votes. You can vote daily so I would really love it if you would help out and vote again for my Sesame Street cupcakes. Thanks for your support!! Click the Vote for Me! Button to vote:

K-Y Intense Date Night Giveaway!

2012-02-10T13:55:00.000-05:00

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, K-Y® Brand has partnered has partnered with Moviefone.com to offer an exclusive set of DATE NIGHT Packs, which combine K-Y^® Brand’s portfolio of premium intimacy enhancement products with a voucher for $10 off movie tickets for two. These Date Night Packs are a perfect way for couple’s to spend Valentine’s Day together, both inside and outside of the bedroom.

K-Y Intense is a uniquely formulated arousal gel. It is not a lubricant, but a gel that is formulated to increase sensitivity and heighten pleasure. According to the company, 75% of women in consumer use studies who used K-Y^® Brand INTENSE^® experienced heightened arousal, sexual pleasure, and sensitivity where it counts most. The gel comes in a nice little squirt bottle that is small and discreet. To keep it even more discreet, it comes with a nice little pouch and it is so small you can keep it tucked away. The gel plus the movie ticket discount can really make for a fun and romantic Valentine's Day that will please both you and your significant other!

Buy it here: K-Y Intense can be found in the femine hygeine aisles at your local grocery store, mass merchant, and drug store. It is a bit pricey ($26.99) so be on the lookout for coupons which commonly appear in newspaper inserts or print one from the K-Y website.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a K-Y Intense Date Night pack!

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.

Tom's of Maine Review

2012-02-10T13:51:00.000-05:00

Tom's of Maine is a company that believes in high quality products and investing in green technologies. They offer a variety of personal care items to include toothpastes, antiperspirants, deodorants, mouthwash, dental floss, and soap.

Silly Strawberry Toothpaste: My kids are really picky about their toothpaste flavors so I am always on the lookout for flavorful toothpaste that will still be effective at cleaning their teeth. Tom's of Maine's Silly Strawberry Toothpaste has an all-natural strawberry taste that my kids actually like! It comes in a convenient tube that can stand upright in your medicine cabinet and has a nice scent to it. It did not have any grittiness to it like some pastes. I am also satisfied since it is a natural fluoride paste that is recognized by the American Dental Association as a cavity preventer!

Daily Moisture Beauty Bar: I also received a bar of soap to review. Their soap is enriched with moisturizing olive oil and natural vitamin E. According to the company, it has been clinically proven to maintain skin moisture with every use. I really love the smell of the soap which is faint and slightly floral. It worked great and did have an immediate moisturizing effect. I like using it to wash my hands because it is so easy to dry out your hands in the winter with constant washing but this wsa like using soap and moisturizing lotion at the same time!

Buy it here: You can purchase Tom's of Maine products from your local mass merchant and drug store or you can shop from the Tom's of Maine website. You can save 15% off your order and receive free ground shipping from their website when you enter the code TOMSTORE at checkout.

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

Black History Month - Diversity on Demand GIVEAWAY!!

2012-02-09T21:20:00.000-05:00

Throughout February, digital cable customers are poised just a “click away” from unlocking some of the history, struggles and beauty that are an integral part of the African-American experience as part of cable’s Diversity On Demand initiative. With the advent of advanced digital cable platforms like On Demand, viewers can learn more about African-American history at their convenience during Black History Month. Diversity On Demand kicks off February 1 focusing on Black History Month and wraps following Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct. 15), and is an expansion of cable’s on-going support of and commitment to multicultural programming.

Individuals, who “like” cable’s Diversity on Demand at www.facebook.com/DiversityOnDemand will see Black History programming updates and links to trailers and be alerted to various entertainment and blogger giveaways during the promotion. This will be an online destination where anyone interested in multicultural shows and movies can join to engage with others in the community, and learn more about what Diversity on Demand has to offer. Cable will celebrate multicultural programming throughout the year with contests, polls, trivia, trailers and more.

“The cable industry recognizes its responsibility and privilege to use the reach and influence of television, the Internet and mobile apps to spotlight important issues,” said Char Beales, president and CEO, Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM). “Cable companies and content providers are uniting to provide customers with the opportunity to experience multiculturalism through history, drama, comedy, and even the joy of food. This February, Black History Month comes alive in the home instantly with a click of the remote, and cable looks forward to sharing the Hispanic experience with customers later this fall.”

Black History Month programming for Diversity On Demand includes:

Milestones in Black History: A look at the history of the struggles and strife, the tragedies and the triumphs of African-Americans in the U.S., including programming on the Civil Rights era. Everyone in the family can learn with documentaries like “The Black List” examining some of the reasons for Black History Month. And children young and old can take a trip back in time understanding the importance of historical events with “Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4,” “On the Shoulders of Giants” and “Birds of a Feather: Tuskegee Airmen.”

Profiles in Courage: The biographies of influential African-Americans come to life with dramatic profiles and stories of acclaimed leaders and others who are not so well known—but perhaps should be, such as that of Lena Baker in “Hope & Redemption: The Lena Baker Story.”

Dramas: Programs and movies like “Independence Day” showcasing award-worthy performances from notable African-American actors such as Will Smith. You can also explore and share real-life family relationship dramas like “Braxton Family Values.”

Hearth & Home: Savor shows like “Down Home with the Neelys” that provide a look at food and other aspects of modern African-American culture and society.

Of the People: These programs exemplify the contributions made by multicultural talent, shows written by, starring, directed or produced by African-Americans, like Morgan Freeman in “Million Dollar Baby.”

Powerful Portrayals: Storytelling has always been an important part of African-American culture. Drama fans can enjoy Black cinema offerings, which chronicle the challenges of African-American protagonists in a variety of ways.

That’s Entertainment: Laugh along with comedy specials such as “Chris Rock: Bigger and Blacker,” while romantic comedies warm the heart. If music is your thing, there are shows and movies such as “Ray,” the remarkable story of one of America's true musical geniuses, Ray Charles, that look into the past, present music-making of African-American artists.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a Diversity on Demand prize pack featuring a Time Warner water bottle, a Ray poster, a Bio umbrella, a Bio notepad, and a Diversity on Demand tote bag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Talenti Talent Search Video Contest - 52 Pints of Talenti Gelato!!!

2012-02-09T21:19:00.000-05:00

Talenti Gelato e Sorbetto has launched the “Talenti Talent Search” video contest! Inspired by the “Talenti Gelato Makes Music” video, the contest encourages the online community to submit videos of their talents using Talenti Gelato containers, for a chance to win 52 pints of gelato! Their containers are really quite great and this would give you an excuse to eats lots of delicious gelato!

“Talenti Talent Search” Video Contest details:

Talenti Gelato e Sorbetto is challenging you to show us how Talenti brings music into your life. Use Talenti containers to show off your greatest talent, and enter for a chance to win 52 free pints of Talenti Gelato!

Submissions could riff off the above Talenti-produced video, “Talenti Gelato Makes Music”, or any other exciting interpretations that involve Talenti and music…creativity is encouraged!

They are already accepting entries on Facebook HERE. The grand prize winner will be announced on March 19^th—enter while there’s still time!!

Come back and let me know if you entered!

I will be provided with coupons as a thank you for posting about this contest.

Organize Your Life with clipix!

2012-02-09T17:01:00.001-05:00

If you are like me, then you make be slowly converting many of your files to electronic. Not only does it save room on your shelves, but it allows you to access everything you need to get through the week in one place. Shopping lists, recipes, and contacts can all be converted to electronic versions but trying to find the best way to file them can be challenging.

clipix is a free onlinehat allows you the ability to access online files from one location. Signing up is easy. You can register using your email, Facebook, or Twitter account. To use the program, you drag a bookmark called a "clip" when you see anything online you would like to return to later. Everything you clip is then stored on customized clipboards you can return to at any time. Additionally, there are Syncboards that allow you clip collaboratively with friends and family. What a great way to plan a family event!

My experience: I was unable to sign up using the email option as the email registration link never arrived. However, I as easily able to sign up with my Facebook account and it took less than a minute. Once you are signed up, you drag a clip button to your bookmark toolbar and start clipping away! I was absolutely amazed at how easy the application is to use and I have already started organizing sites I am frequently referring to while planning our Disney vacation. I was also able to "clip" all the sites I use to advertise my giveaways and this will save me tons of time. It is more organized than simply using bookmarks and the items you save appear in your chosen folder instantly. I am already planning on creating some more folders for cake ideas and recipes and it will be really valuable as I find Christmas gift ideas throughout the year.

Simply put, I would highly recommend clipix and since it is free, you have nothing to lose! It is also available as an iPhone app so you can take your folders with you everywhere you go.

Sign up: You can sign up for clipix for free. Feel free to leave a comment telling me what you will use clipix for!

Connect: You can find clipix on Facebook and Twitter.

Promoted Post

Betty Crocker Printable Coupons!

2012-02-09T11:16:00.000-05:00

You can visit http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/4d61/ to download a printable coupon for 85 cents off when you buy ONE BOX of Funda-middles Cupcake Mix.
Also, you can visit http://bit.ly/cookiescoupon to download a printable coupon for 75 cents off when you buy ONE POUCH of Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie Mix.

If your grocery store doubles coupons, then this is an amazing deal!

I received this information and the coupon offer from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark

Harlem Globetrotters Review

2012-02-08T22:26:00.002-05:00

Going to the Harlem Globetrotters was an annual tradition when I was a child. Even to this day I get an instant smile on my face when I hear the familiar, upbeat whistling of their tune on the TV or radio. In case you have never had the pleasure of seeing the Harlem Globetrotters in action, let me fill you in. The basketball team mixes amazing skills with humor and a bit of trickery. Whether you are a basketball fan or not, you will probably be amused by their comedy and amazed by some of the incredible moves and shots they make.

I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to take my kids to see them.The event is the perfect family activity. The mood was set by having their comical mascot, Globie, do some tricks and dances to get the audience excited. My daughter loved Globie and I have to admit, he was pretty cute.

My son;s favorite part was when the Globetrotters were introduced, they got in a circle, and performed one amazing ball trick after another. They were spinning and tossing and twirling the basketball around their body in unbelievable ways and my son has been trying to learn some of the trick (unsuccessfully) since!

The game itself was quite entertaining. The star of the show was Special K who was equipped with a microphone and added both scripted and improvisational fun to the whole event. There was not a "normal" play from the Globetrotters the entire game. Some of the funnier moments included a player calling a time out so they could dance with the audience, ripping off the clothes of an opponent leaving him running in embarrassment for the locker room, or even blocking a shot by standing (yes standing) on the hoop. Never will you go to a basketball game with more audience interaction and laughs!

My children each had their favorite moments and mine was certainly enjoying an evening out with the family at an event that each and every one of us enjoyed.

See them: Check out the full 2012 Harlem Globetrotters schedule.

I was provided tickets in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Boots Botanics Rosewater Toner Review

2012-02-08T22:16:00.001-05:00

Boots is a company dedicated to developing effective and innovative products that deliver results for women and men across the planet. They believe beauty products should be accessible and affordable for all. They are the leading international pharmacy-led health & beauty retailer. plus, their products are not animal tested. They offer a variety of different lines to include Botanics.

Review: I was given a sample of their Botanics Organic Rosewater Toner to review. The toner is formulated to remove the last traces of makeup by cleansing without drying, leaving skin smooth, supple, and toned. To apply, you put a small amount on cottom wool and sweep over your cleansed face and neck. Normally, I opt for fragrance-free products because of my skin-sensitivity and allergy; however, I really liked the subtle floral scent to this toner. I am assuming that my skin did not negatively react because of the organic and natural ingredients. After use, my face felt very cleansed and soft. It also produced a refreshing feel to my skin and I really enjoy using it both morning and night, especially since my face wash tends to have a drying effect. The price, $7.99, is very reasonable seeing that a little dab goes a long way.

Buy it here: You can purchase Boots products from the Boots website. They offer free shipping on orders over $25.

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

Veggie Tales: If I Sang a Silly Song Review and GIVEAWAY!!

2012-02-07T16:16:00.000-05:00

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. Check out the video below to get a taste (ok, bad choice of words) for the singing vegetables. The newest DVD, If I Sang a Silly Song, features some of the most-loved songs from the series and is available beginning 2/7/12.

DVD Synopsis:

VeggieTales Silly Songs! Larry the Cucumber hosts “The Silly Song Telethon” and counts down the top favorite silly songs of all-time... voted for by the fans!! The fun continues with a surprise introduction of a never-before-seen, new Silly Song chosen by Larry the Cucumber from thousands of fan submissions!

Review: If your child loves the musical aspect of VeggieTales, then this DVD is a no-brainer. My son, who is oddly appalled my anything related to music, was disappointed when he realized that the CD featured 20 songs. My daughter, on the other hand, was thrilled. For her, it is great to have all the fun and silly songs available on one DVD. Some of her favorites include Lance the Turtle, Sippy Cup, and Where Have All the Staplers Gone.

Buy it here: Veggie Tales: If I Sang a Silly Song 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 the VeggieTales: If I Sang a Silly Song 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.

Sixty Minute Shakespeare Review and GIVEAWAY!

2012-02-06T21:48:00.000-05:00

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an ideal alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world's most widely read playwright. Professor Cass Foster has judiciously condensed (without modernizing) the Bard's richly poetic language. He has retained the integrity of the text, allowing students to experience the thrill of the stories as well as the captivating imagery in the prose and verse.

In addition, the author has provided helpful footnotes on nearly every page explaining the more challenging words and phrases to help the reader better understand and appreciate each play. You will find the practical suggestions clearly laid out for staging, pacing, and thematic exploration very useful. Scenes flow smoothly from one to the next, maintaining a continuity difficult to find in other condensed versions of the Bard's works. Each script is approximately 70 pages.

Review: I had reviewed a version of Romeo and Juliet to my children over the summer that was seriously condensed as well as explained and illustrated. I expected that the version of Hamlet I received would be the same, but it is definitely for older children. Hamlet is actually my favorite Shakespeare plays so I enjoyed reading it again even if my kids could not understand it. I appreciated the footnotes. Although I studied Shakespeare in college, it has been a long time and his dialect can be difficult to understand without some assistance. If you have an older child who is studying Shakespeare or are interested in reading it yourself, then these would be good books with which to start. Reading Hamlet again was quite enjoyable and it made me want to start reading through some of the others again! Much Ado About Nothing...here I come!

In addition to Hamlet, the Sixty Minute Shakespeare series includes the following popular plays: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, and Twelfth Night.

Buy it here: Sixty Minute Shakespeare books can be purchased individually for $8.99 or as a complete set for $45.89.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win their choice of a Shakespeare books from GetShakespeare.com!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

The Amazing Mat Review & GIVEAWAY!!

2012-02-05T19:53:00.000-05:00

The Amazing Mat is a specially formulated system using multi-layered antibacterial adhesive sheets that help keep your home free from dust, dirt, mold, and pollen. It can be placed in any area of your home that you wants to keep clean and sanitary, to include front and back doors, nurseries, and more. Removable sheets adhere to the nonskid frame to help keep germs, bacteria, dust, dirt, mild, and pollen on the mat. Once the top sheet gets dirty, you simply peel the sheet on the numbered tab and disregard the recyclable dirty sheet leaving a brand new one underneath!

Review: The Amazing Mat is like nothing I have ever seen before. It is a hard plastic frame which cannot be rolled and arrived in a large, flat box. I was a bit worried about the aesthetic appeal of the mat because of the sheets but you truly don't notice them once the mat is on the floor. I have been using it for the past 2 weeks in my computer room where we let the dogs in and out. My laminate flooring has been a muddy mess because of their paws so I was hoping that this may help catch some of the dirt and it truly did. Since placing it there, I have had to mop only once a week (as opposed to a couple of times a day). The mat does not show the dirt well since it is not fabric. Not only does it cut my mopping time down, but it eliminates the need to wash the mat since I can just tear and toss the top sheet. I have just now, after a couple of weeks, had to tear the first layer off so 30 sheets lasts a long time.

Buy it here: The Amazing Mat can be purchased from their website in a variety of patterns. For a special introductory price of $29.95. You can receive free shipping and handling when you enter the code "SHIPNOW" at checkout.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win The Amazing Mat!

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.

Discover Your Winter Cocktail + Crate & Barrel GIVEAWAY!!

2012-02-04T21:09:00.001-05:00

In celebration of the winter season, Robb Report presents the Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App. Everyone has their favorite cocktail, but have you wondered what winter cocktail fits you best? Take the Discover Your Winter Cocktail quiz and you can find out by answering a few simple questions!

Cocktail Ideas:

Chocolate Snowball

Ingredients:

2 oz coconut rum
2 oz Irish cream
1 oz hazelnut liqueur
3 1/2 oz melted chocolate
3 1/2 oz cream
1 dash chocolate syrup

Preparation: Place the chocolate syrup around the glass then place the other ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass.

Winter Breeze

Ingredients:

1 oz creme de cacao

1 oz vanilla schnapps

1 oz Irish cream

milk

Preparation: Pour liquors into a beer mug, and fill with milk. Stir, and serve.

GIVEAWAY: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a Hendrick’s Gin Golf Umbrella and an amazing $20.00 Crate & Barrel Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No compensation was received for this post.

Celtic Woman Pittsburgh Tickets Giveaway plus Review!

2012-02-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

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.

Review: I was given a copy of the DVD and the CD to review. I have heard the buzz about these ladies before but I had never actually heard their music. I started by watching the DVD and was dazzled by their beauty and mystified by their crystal clear voices. Most of the songs I had never heard before but their was an enchanting rendition of Ave Maria that knocked my socks off and I Dreamed a Dream (one of my favorite Broadway songs) that literally brought tears to my eyes. The ladies are amazingly beautiful and talented and the concert kept your attention through costume changes, fun instrumentals, and even some Irish Dancing. The CD was equally as amazing and I am so glad I can now listen to their music on the go. My only complaint was that I Dreamed a Dream did not make the cut to the CD. Overall, if you are someone who enjoys theatrical performances, Irish singing, and/or raw, amazing talent, then you have to give Celtic Woman a shot.

WIN IT HERE: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a 2-pack of tickets to see Celtic Woman in Pittsburgh on March 21st at the Consol Energy Center! I am SOOO jealous!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with a copy of the DVD and CD in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Groundhog Day Birthday Cake

2012-02-04T12:06:00.000-05:00

My father-in-law's birthday was on Groundhog's Day. In Pennsylvania, a groundhog is also the mascot for the PA lottery and he loves to play. So, I made this cake with "Gus" the groundhog holding a sign with a lottery ticket that said Happy 66th Birthday Dad on it.

Here is the play-by-play on how I made it.

This was the first marble cake I have ever made and boy is it delicious! To make, you make up separate white and chocolate batters. Then you alternate spooning in one flavor after the other until your pan is full. You can then take a knife or scewer of some kind and slowly swirl the two flavors without mixing them totally. I made two cakes so I could stack and fill them.

After baking, I created a dam with buttercream and filled it with strawberry jam (I had short notice and had no time to make a filling from scratch):

I assembled the cakes and dirty iced them. Then I started on the ground hog. Because it would require some carving (which I will admit I had NEVER done before) I used a pound cake recipe). I made half of a ball cake using a Wilton Sports Ball Pan. I let the cake stay in the fridge over night so it would be cold and ready to carve. I did not take many pictures of the carving because, to be honest, I was really nervous because I really did not know what I was doing. Luckily, it turned out the way I had hoped:

After icing the round cake with some green colored buttercream, I used tip 233 to make a grass top. I used the same technique outlined in this post, just on a larger scale.

The pound cake was pretty heavy so I used some dowel rods in the bottom cake to help hold the groundhog up. An explanation of how to properly do this can be found here. I also used one as a pedestal on the back of the groundhog and covered it later with icing so he would not tip over. I used star tip 18 and individually placed the fur on the groundhog. I dragged the frosting out a bit so it would look like fur. I then used crushed graham crackers mixed with baking cocoa and placed it around the groundhog with a little on his head to look like dirt.

I added some accents for the face and wrote happy birthday on the side. I made the fake lottery ticket on my computer. This was actually a pretty easy and fun cake to make!

The Popcorn Factory Love Ya Gift Giveaway (3 winners)!

2012-02-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

Did you know American’s consume nearly 16 billion quarts of Popcorn every year? With the start of the New Year (and Super Bowl just around the corner) The Popcorn Factory is celebrating in a big way! The Popcorn Factory is excited to offer a very special, limited edition, Love Ya gift!

Their exclusive, secret-recipe Popcorn Heart and 4 foil-wrapped, milk chocolate hearts deliver your warmest wishes near and far. And if yummy gourmet snacks aren't enough, each Love Ya! treat comes with a special offer to save 20% on your next purchase. Even sweeter, it's only $4.99* delivered! Hurry, limited to the first 2,000 sweeties out there, so start sharing the love today!

Use Promo Code LOVEYA and get FREE* Ground Shipping on this sweet treat!

Bonus Offer: Each box will include a 20% off coupon for you or your recipient to use on an additional purchase!

Win it here: Three (3) lucky Cake Mom readers are going to win a Love Ya Gift from The Popcorn Factory!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will be provided with a similar gift as a thank you for participating in this giveaway

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!

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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!

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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.