The King's Court IV

Majestic Monday Giveaway Linky {5/28/12}

2012-05-27T19:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for "Majestic Monday"!

**CHECK OUT MY CURRENT GIVEAWAYS**

$100 Stanley Steemer Gift Card Giveaway (6/9)

Honey Bunches of Oats Giveaway {3 WINNERS} (6/9)

Have a great giveaway you just can't wait to share? Feel free to post it here for my wonderful The King's Court IV readers to find easily! Please make sure that all posts are family-friendly and link ONLY to your giveaway and not your blog!

Be sure to leave a comment after posting! I'd love to hear from you :)

#STL: Cielo Restaurant & Bar- Anniversary Style!

2012-05-27T18:20:00.000-05:00

Cielo Restaurant & Bar

999 North 2nd Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63102

Reservations: 1.314.881.5759 / Restaurant: 1.314.881.2105

Cielo Restaurant, perched on the eighth floor of Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis at Lumière Place, is conveniently located within walking distance from the region’s central business district and local attractions including the Mississippi Riverfront, Edward Jones Dome, Gateway Arch, Citygarden and Busch Stadium. It's been nominated by St. Louis Magazine as “Best Restaurant in St. Louis” and “Best Open Air Hang Out.”

Located in the beautiful AAA 5-diamond Four Seasons Hotel, is the gem called Cielo Restaurant & Bar. You can check out the Bar, the Cielo Sky Terrace or even host a Private Party there. The Cielo Team is sure to make your experience one to remember! They offer Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner!

We had the opportunity to dine at the Cielo Restaurant & Bar for our 11th anniversary dinner. The staff was very nice and well-versed in the menu! After a slight debate between my husband and I, we decided to try the Sautéed Shrimp to start off our evening. It consisted of a soft polenta, tomatoes, basil and a gremolata... it also comes with pancetta, however since we don't eat pork, we were able to get it without it. Which brings up another good point, we quickly found out that because we don't eat pork, many of the items on the menu that may have included pork, could be made without, which isn't always the case at most restaurants!

Moving on to dinner, we both went off script/menu and chose to try some of their specials for the evening! I tried the red wine risotto while my husband tried the trout w/tortellini! The risotto was very good and light. I'm used to risottos having a thick and rich taste with a cheesy flavor, however this was a nice and light dish. As for my husbands dish... I ate some of that too, lol! The trout was light and the tortellini was a nice addition to it, as it was stuffed with crab (right up my alley).

Lastly, for dessert we tried the Adult Cupcake: Housemade Limoncello Cupcake! The only problem with this is that it's too small, lol! I was instantly hooked, and instead of sharing like I had planned, we wound up ordering another for my husband to enjoy!!!

The ambience was nice as you can choose from indoor or outdoor seating. There's a wonderful terrace that you can sit and dine at, with wonderful and breathtaking views of the St. Louis arch, as well as the Mississippi River. Sports fans can also catch a glimpse of the Edwards Jones Dome.

If you're ever in the St. Louis area, be sure to check out the Cielo Restaurant & Bar! Like Cielo on Facebook for up-to-date events and specials too!

Good food, great ambience, and reasonable prices make for a dining experience you'll never forget! I know I won't, it was a wonderful anniversary experience we'll always remember!

*Disclaimer- I was not financially compensated in any way for this review. I received dinner for review purposes only. The opinions in this post are my own honest opinions and were in no way affected by having received these items. Disclaimer here.

#STL: Celebrating Our 11th Wedding Anniversary in Style w/the Four Seasons Hotel!

2012-05-27T18:18:00.000-05:00

In the heart of downtown St. Louis, the Four Seasons Hotel is a AAA 5-diamond hotel, with 200 generously-sized guest rooms and suites! Boasting an "urban chic ambiance", it has the potential to knock your socks off!

I had the opportunity to celebrate my 11th... yes 11th, Wedding Anniversary at the Four Seasons Hotel! It offers views of the city's architecture/landscape as well as the Gateway Arch. In the hotel there is a Fitness Facility, a Business Centre, Pool, the famous Cielo Restaurant & Bar and Spa. The lobby and hallways were spectacular, and the views were minimal and yet calming.

When we got to our room, we were a little tired as we'd been running and dropping the kids off in order to get settled in. However, as soon as I got through the door, I was hit with a cute little surprise to welcome us... CHOCOLATES! Who doesn't love an assortment of chocolates??

As we proceeded into the room...the room was gorgeous and the views from our room were spectacular! Plus, get this, each room has their very own door bell! When we first heard ours ring, we were puzzled and looked at each other like "huh?"...we can laugh about this now, of course!...but then realized what it was and answered the door!

After we got our luggage in, we quickly checked out the bathroom. It was unbelievable...beautiful shower, bath, sinks, his & her robes... you name it, that bathroom had it! Even a tv... yes, a TV!!!

Bathroom Amenities include:

Deep Soaking Tub

Glass-enclosed rain shower

LCD TV inset with mirror

WC with telephone

Thick Terry Bathrobes

... and more!

Bathroom Amenities include:

Flat-screen LCD television

iPod Docking Station

CD Player

DVD Player

in-room Safe

Twice-Daily Housekeeping w/evening Ice delivery

Evening Turndown service

Complimentary Newspaper

...and more!

instagram photo of the entry to the spa

instagram photo in the lobby of the spa

My husband and I were SO excited! Our schedules have been very hectic with the kids, so this was a great time just to catch up with each other. We were able to grab a bite to eat at their Cielo Restaurant & Bar, which was fabulous. We also checked out their Spa & Salon! I must say, the Spa & Salon was my FAVORITE as it offers lots of treatments and packages. The views were absolutely breath-taking. We wound up getting the couples massage, and it was fantastic! Even if you can't stay the night, the Spa is definitely worth checking out! Any excuse to get a well-needed treatment... birthday, girls night out, anniversary, or having a "just for me" day... it's well worth the time, money and experience!

Lastly, it's right next to Lumière Place Casino and Hotels, so if you want to take some time to enjoy the slots, etc. you can head over there... it's just a hop, skip and a jump away!

If you're ever in the St. Louis area, be sure to check out the Four Seasons Hotel! Like Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis on Facebook for up-to-date events and specials too!

*Disclaimer- I was not financially compensated in any way for this review. I received a discount package for review purposes only. The opinions in this post are my own honest opinions and were in no way affected by having received these items. Disclaimer here.

$100 Stanley Steemer Gift Card Giveaway

2012-05-25T11:07:00.002-05:00

Dirt is just like tooth decay - it never quits! Despite your best intentions for cleaning this spring, you should not have to do it alone. Cleaning more than 200 tons of dirt last year, Stanley Steemer knows dirt! Call the experts at Stanley Steemer and let them help you achieve that deeper level of clean in your home this season.

Despite their good intentions and best efforts, Americans doing their spring cleaning might make the home look or smell better on the surface, but vacuuming and cleaning machines only remove some of the dirt, dust and particulates that cause allergic reactions. In a recent national poll commissioned by Stanley Steemer, the nation´s largest deep cleaning service, nearly half of respondents predicted spending less than four hours total on this year´s spring cleaning. But only 19 percent reported having ever used a professional for cleaning.

To combat this difficult allergy season this spring plus truly make your homes clean, consumers should consider a deeper cleaning twice a year by the professionals at Stanley Steemer.

*Not just for carpet cleaning, Stanley Steemer´s expertise extends to hardwood, tile, air ducts, water damage restoration, and more!

*Stanley Steemer´s proprietary equipment and cleaning processes remove more than 98% of dry soil from floors.

*With over 70 branches and 220 franchise locations in 48 states, Stanley Steemer services 95% of the country!

Check out the Stanley Steemer van and crew as they visited fellow blogger Corine Ingrassia´s home of Complicated Mama HERE!

Check out my pics too... (excuse the lighting!)

BEFORE

AFTER

WIN IT NOW- 1 lucky The King’s Court IV reader will win a $100 Stanley Steemer gift certificate!

To Enter: MANDATORY- Tell me which room desperately needs Stanley Steemer's attention and care!

1. Follow The King's Court IV via email and leave a comment letting me know you are a CONFIRMED subscriber.

2. Like The King's Court IV on Facebook and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a fan.

3. Follow The King's Court IV on Twitter and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a follower.

4. Follow The King's Court IV on Pinterest and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a follower.

5. Follow Stanley Steemer on Twitter and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a follower.

6. Tweet about this giveaway (DAILY)- copy/paste the following entry:

I'm entered to #win a $100 Stanley Steemer Gift Certificate from @TheKingsCourtIV #Giveaway #MyBlogSpark at http://bit.ly/JrTxrm

*PLEASE leave separate comments on this post ALONG WITH AN EMAIL ADDRESS for each entry. That will give you a greater chance of winning!

This giveaway ends 10:00pm CST on Saturday, June 9, 2012. I'll use Random.org to select the winners, who will be notified by email and listed on this site. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.

"Disclosure: The Prize pack, information and giveaway have been provided by Stanley Steemer through MyBlogSpark." I received the prize pack for participation and review. Disclaimer here.

Check Out the NEW Honey Bunches of Oats-Honey Roasted w/more Granola Bunches + a Giveaway!

2012-05-25T11:06:00.000-05:00

In our family, breakfast is a MUST. It's a great and healthy way to start your day! We also try to eat healthy and minimize the sugar-filled cereals, etc in the morning. With that being said, we recently were introduced to the NEW Honey Bunches of Oats-Honey Roasted w/more Granola Bunches! The whole family enjoyed it! I would say that this is a good thing, however when you have me, the hubby, and 2 little monsters eating a box of cereal at the same time, you soon realize that you have NONE left!!

I was a fan of Honey Bunches of Oats, but am a bigger fan now! They really packed that cereal down with clusters providing the ultimate crunch in your morning cereal (or snack, I may add)! Check out these fun facts...

Contains 10 grams of Whole Grain per serving
Contains 6 grams of Sugar
Provides 9 essential vitamins and minerals
It's Heart Healthy : 0g Trans Fat, 0g Saturated Fat, 0mg Cholesterol

WIN IT NOW- 3 lucky The King's Court IV readers will win a FREE Coupon for Honey Bunches of Oats!

To Enter:

1. Follow The King's Court IV via email and leave a comment letting me know you are a CONFIRMED subscriber.

2. Like The King's Court IV on Facebook and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a fan.

3. Follow The King's Court IV on Twitter and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a follower.

4. Follow The King's Court IV on Pinterest and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a follower.

5. Like Honey Bunches of Oats on Facebook and leave a comment on this post letting me know that you are a fan.

6. Tweet about this giveaway (DAILY)- copy/paste the following entry:

I'm entered to #win a coupon for FREE Honey Bunches of Oats from @TheKingsCourtIV #Giveaway at http://bit.ly/KH8YXC

*PLEASE leave separate comments on this post ALONG WITH AN EMAIL ADDRESS for each entry. That will give you a greater chance of winning!

*Disclaimer- I was not financially compensated in any way for this review. I received a prize pack for review purposes only. The opinions in this post are my own honest opinions and were in no way affected by having received these items. Disclaimer here.

Check Out the NEW Tostitos Thins Tortilla Chips!

2012-05-23T12:48:00.000-05:00

Check out the latest addition to the Tostitos family – Tostitos Thins tortilla chips! Available for a limited time only, these lighter, thinner tortilla chips are dusted with special salts making them the perfect snack to pair with your favorite margaritas, Mexican beers, and, of course, lots of friends and good food. You can pick up both new Tostitos Thins flavors –Lime & Salt and TexMex – exclusively at Target stores nationwide through mid-July!!

We had the opportunity to try these bad boys out and they were great! We enjoyed both flavors too! Our family tends to eat a lot of nachos and while it's a great "go-to" fast meal to create (and allows for a bit of creativity depending on how you like your nachos), I found these to be a great alternative as they are much lighter than your average tortilla chips!

Check out the “Tostitos Fiesta 411” tab on their Facebook page to help you plan the perfect fiesta this summer! It offers recipes (thanks to Courtney Dial-Whitmore of Pizzazzerie.com) and festive tips to help you get the party started! With great weather and great food, how can you go wrong???

*Disclaimer- I was not financially compensated in any way for this review. I received tortilla chips for review purposes only. The opinions in this post are my own honest opinions and were in no way affected by having received these items. Disclaimer here.

Nickelodeon's New Original TV Movie, "Rags," Starring Keke Palmer and Max Schneider Premieres Memorial Day, May 28

2012-05-23T11:50:00.004-05:00

Rags

Premieres: May 28th

Synopsis: Rags follows the story of Charlie Prince, an orphan living in New York City with his acerbic and unloving stepfather and spoiled, simple-minded stepbrothers Andrew and Lloyd (House of Anubis’ Burkely Duffield). Charlie’s dream is to be a singer, and while he is vocally talented and can write music, he can’t seem to catch a break. Kadee Worth, on the other hand, is the daughter of music mogul Reginald Worth (Isaiah Mustafa) and is an international pop phenomenon. While the world knows her as a glamorous superstar, she is secretly frustrated with singing other people’s songs and wearing clothes other people choose for her. Kadee wants the world to hear and see her true talent. Despite every obstacle that gets thrown in their way, once Charlie and Kadee find one another, they each finally get what they have been looking for – a voice, a stage, an audience and each other. The movie also stars Drake Bell (Drake and Josh) as Shawn, a sound engineer helping to further Charlie’s singing career and Avan Jogia (Victorious) as Finn, a celebrity who is in an arranged relationship with Kadee for publicity.

The Rags Soundtrack will be available via all digital service providers on Tuesday, May 22. The soundtrack showcases nine original songs performed by the cast of Rags including “Me and You Against the World,”“Perfect Harmony” and “Not That Different At All.” Fans can also enjoy three exclusive bonus songs; the never-before-heard "Things Aren’t Always What They Seem,” and alternate versions of “Someday” and “Stand Out” (see below for track listing).

Check out the Soundtrack:

The full track listing for the Rags Soundtrack is as follows:

"Me And You Against The World"- Rags Cast featuring Keke Palmer & Max Schneider

"Someday "(Film Version) - Rags Cast featuring Max Schneider

"Love You And Hate You"- Rags Cast featuring Keke Palmer

"Nothing Gets Better"- Rags Cast featuring Max Schneider

"Stand Out" (Film Version) - Rags Cast featuring Keke Palmer

"Hands Up"- Rags Cast featuring Max Schneider

"Perfect Harmony" - Rags Cast featuring Keke Palmer & Max Schneider

"Look At Me Now"- Rags Cast featuring Keke Palmer

"Not That Different At All" - Rags featuring Keke Palmer & Max Schneider

My daughter LOVED this movie! She's watched it now a few times and each time she falls in love with it even more! She just loves her some Kadee and Charlie! Her favorite part was when the true identity of "Rags" was revealed (of course, I won't say who it is!). Her favorite song... "Someday". Kids will enjoy this movie and it's the perfect timing to release it over the holiday weekend!

*Disclaimer- I was not financially compensated in any way for this review. I received a DVD for review purposes only. The opinions in this post are my own honest opinions and were in no way affected by having received these items. Disclaimer here.

Winners- Burger King & Energizer!

2012-05-22T18:51:00.003-05:00

Our winner for the $25 Burger King Gift Card Giveaway!
is...

Janet W. janet3rdgrade@

Our winner for the Energizer Giveaway is...

Betty C willitara@

Congratulations!!

If any of the winners do not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.

What's Cooking Wednesday {5/23/12}

2012-05-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

The King's Court IV and Turning The Clock Back have teamed up to create…What's Cooking Wednesday (feel free to grab the button from my right sidebar!)

This is your chance to showcase your recipes each and every week! Just to make things even sweeter— each week, post your fabulous recipes for the opportunity to have your recipe featured on What's Cooking Wednesday the following week!!

Our Featured Recipe This Week is:

Honeydew Ice (by The Alchemist)— stop by and say hello!

We encourage you to stop by other blogs and their recipes! Feel free to leave comments for your fellow bloggers too… we just love comments! Also, please DO NOT post your main blog page here, POST RECIPE LINKS ONLY!

Whitney Farms Organic Plant Food... A Gardener's Helper!

2012-05-20T20:51:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms. All opinions are 100% mine.

As many of you know by now, I recently started my own garden (last year). I've always wanted to learn how to grow my own vegetables and experience fresh vegetables/fruits first hand, as well as teach my children the value of gardening. It has been a wonderful experience and we have gained/learned a lot from it. One of the most important things I've learned is that in order to have a successful garden, you need the proper foundation... as with anything in life. Thus, it is importants to prepare your soil with proper fertilization and care as it is where your crops will bear fruit. Using organic plant food and creating organic soil can help a lot.

That's where Whitney Farms® comes in! Whitney Farms offers a full line of 100% natural plant foods and soils with no additives, nothing artificial, just ingredients from the Earth, designed to give you big, beautiful flowers and veggies. Get the goodness of gardening naturally, with Whitney Farms® plant foods and soils.

Just what are some of the benefits to Whitney Farms products you may ask?

Whitney Farms® has 25+ years of leading gardening experience and has improved their products to have:
-low to no dust
-no manure odor
-easy to apply
-Contains beneficial microbes
-Specially designed protein-based blends provide your plants with
both macro and micronutrients they need to grow and thrive

As a gardner, I am always on the hunt for great products that can help me maximize my crops to harvest for the season. Living in St. Louis, the weather here can be a bit crazy, especially as of late... extreme temperatures, storms, etc. All of these environmental factors can wreak havoc on a garden. That's why it is most important to give the best care and products that you can find.

Not sure about Whitney Farms? Try it now with this $3 Whitney Farms coupon!