Thrifty and Frugal Living

Honey Bunches of Oats + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:14:00 +0000

Honey Bunches of Oats has been one of my favorite cereals since I first tried it years ago. It has the perfect amount of crunch, sweetness and flavor without all the sugar (it only has 6gm's!). Honey Bunches of Oats has 10 grams of Whole Grain and is Heart Healthy with 0 grams of Trans Fat, 0 grams of Saturated Fat and 0mg of Cholesterol. The best part of Honey Bunches of Oats is definitely the taste.

why yes, the bowl is almost empty. Eat first and take pictures later : )

This crunchy cereal is so good that even Husband's will eat it! They even have 10 different flavors available now. My favorite has always been the Honey Roasted, but I really want to try some of the new flavors. They now have Fruit Blends in Banana Blueberry and Peach Raspberry. Yum!

Like Honey Bunches of Oats on Facebook to stay up to date on all the news and newest flavors. You can also get a $1 off coupon while you are there! Would you like to try Honey Bunches of Oats Fruit Blends? How about one of their original flavors?

GIVEAWAY:

FIVE (5) lucky readers will get a coupon for a free box of Honey Bunches of Oats (any flavor, up to $4.49)

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: I received a box of cereal for free from Post. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.

Influenster Spring Beauty VoxBox Contents

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 29 May 2012 06:03:00 +0000

Do you have a blog or vlog? If so, you should join Influenster! Influenster is a company that sends out boxes called VoxBox's to influential people across the web. It is really simple to join. Then, you take mini surveys to earn "badges". Your badges along with your influence and demographics will determine whether or not you are picked to receive a box.

After you receive your box, you review the products and get a chance to receive even more goodies. For example, with the Love VoxBox that I received I was picked to receive an extra pack of the Gillette Venus & Olay razor cartridges and an extra set of Kiss nail dress and some Kiss Nail Artist metallic accents. That means that I received over $25 worth of free bonus products in addition to my box. I have already received my 2nd box: the Spring Beauty VoxBox. I didn't do a video opening this time because I have been sick and I have a scar across my neck from my recent surgery. I did however take pictures:

The Spring Beauty VoxBox contained:

*Sheer Cover Duo Concealer (sold in a one month kit of 6 products + 3 bonuses for $29.95)

*Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash ($6.99- $8.99 for full size)

*ChapStick Lip SHIELD 365 ($1.89- $2.39)

*Sally Hansen Salon Effects ($9.99)

*Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist ($14)

*SOYJOY Bar ($0.99- $1.29)

*Dr. Scholl's for Her Ball of Foot inserts (bonus)

I will be doing individual product reviews soon! So far I am loving everything. : )

Disclaimer; I received the above items for free from Influenster. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.

It's Me! Peter Pan $200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Relive a classic fairy tale starring your child! Use your child’s face as Peter Pan and embark on an adventure with the lovable Tinker Bell, Wendy, John and Michael where they meet Peter Pan’s arch nemesis, Captain Hook. Can your child become the Hero of Neverland? Download It’s Me! Peter Pan for FREE from the iTunes store here: It's Me! Peter Pan

To celebrate, It’s Me! Peter Pan will be giving away a $200 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky reader! Giveaway is open worldwide and ends May 31st at 11:59 PM EST.

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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New Blog Design!

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:56:00 +0000

Have you noticed my new design?? I am a little late in posting this due to me being sick, but I wanted to Thank Amber at Zany Dezines for my new look! I love it! Amber was super easy to work with and willing to help me with changes that I needed. I would definitely recommend her. So, If you are looking for a new blog design check her out. She also has some freebies on her site. Thanks again Amber!

Please make sure you grab my new button if you are a blogger. I would be happy to return if I don't already have yours in my sidebar. Just let me know!

Plus Size Lingerie Boutique.com - Nobody Does It Better Bustier Review

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:55:00 +0000

Want to know a secret? I adore shopping for Lingerie. Even just buying a piece of lingerie makes me feel sexy and my Husband always seems to love whatever I wear. What I don't love is finding a cute piece only to discover that it is only available in Small and Medium. Not fair! Well curvy Ladies, you don't have to worry about that anymore! At Plus Size Lingerie Boutique.com the lingerie is made for plus sized Women. Just click on the category you want to shop in and you can select your size on the left sidebar. No more disappointment when your size is out. I was sent this beautiful piece to try out:

This is the Nobody Does It Better Bustier in Red by Seven 'Til Midnight. I have always wanted to try a Bustier, but I was nervous to since I have a wide hips and a wide rib cage. This is my first Bustier and it was a great choice. First of all, it is beautiful and extremely sexy. It has a jacquard print and mesh ruffle trim on the top and bottom and satin bows. The entire back of the bustier closes with hook and eye closures. This piece is 90% polyester and 10% spandex. From the look and feel on the outside of the bustier, it seems to be made of satin. It is extremely touch friendly. The inside of the Bustier has a polyester lining, but it was not uncomfortable. I actually didn't even notice it.

I had a heck of a time putting this bustier on in order to surprise my Husband (mainly due to my ignorance...I even put it on upside down the first time!) However, I was able to put it on by myself. The sizing and fit was very accurate. It does seem shorter on my torso than it does the pictured model, but it wasn't a big deal because this piece looks incredible. It is super flattering. It is tight in the right spots without suffocating you. I was actually really comfortable in it. The piece is also very well made. It is well stitched and even survives being put on upside down without ripping or losing it's shape.

This Bustier comes with a matching thong. I really love that this is a complete set. The thong was a little big on me and I decided to use my Coquette ruffle skirt (search the website to find it) with the Bustier. They go perfectly together. However, if you wanted to just use the thong it would work great too. It has the same feel and look as the Bustier.

The Nobody Does It Better Bustier was definitely a great pick. I would highly recommend this Bustier set and Plus Size Lingerie Boutique.com

Disclaimer: I received the mentioned product(s) in exchange for this review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.

Recovery and How I Got Suspended....

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:47:00 +0000

You may or may not know that I am recovering from a recent spinal surgery. I am not allowed to share details at this time, but it has been a rough 9 months or so for me and I am healing. Well, I went back to work 3 weeks ago and it has been rough. This last week was particularly bad because I have been sick on top of everything else. I started with a sore throat, then came the cough. 2 boxes of tissues, about 60 hours of Netflix, a bottle of NyQuil, a bottle of Delsym, 5 bags of cough drops and some Chloraseptic spray later...I still have it. The worst part is that I take NyQuil and wake up 2 hours later hacking and unable to breathe. This also wakes up my poor Husband. This cold is perfectly designed to take you out! How are you expected to heal if you can't even sleep? Ugg. My cough is a *little* better today. I am hoping it will be gone soon since my work week starts tonight (Thurs-Sun overnight for me).

Now, on to the dirt. I am suspended. Twitter has suspended me. How did this happen? Well, I entered a huge group giveaway and liked about 20 pages at a time. People have group giveaways all the time & I have never heard of people getting suspended. How was I to know? I even have group giveaways sometimes on my page because people like them. I never realized how much I loved and used twitter until now. I have emailed them and they just ignore me. It has been almost two weeks. Has anyone else ever been suspended from twitter? How long does it take to get it back?

In short, I am sick, moody and currently not available on twitter. Thanks for letting me rant! : )

Battle of the Sample Boxes: MyGlam VS. Birchbox May

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:54:00 +0000

Since I get asked about my sample box subscriptions often, I am going to try to make this a monthly post. You can view April's battle and general information about both boxes here. With both boxes I have discovered that there are going to be some really good months and some bad months. As long as they are mostly good, I will continue to subscribe. Here is my swag from May:

MyGlam:

*Philosophy Love Sweet Love Spray Fragrance (1.5ml, $42 for a 2oz size)

*Studio Gear Complete Color Lipstick in Winter Red ($15)

*Miss Beauty Nail Bling (I can't find a price..I am guessing $5-$9)

*MyGlam Concealer Brush (unknown value)

*MyGlam Defining Eyeliner Brush (unknown value)

*Love is in the Air Makeup bag (unknown value)

First of all I want to say that I agree with other recipients that their makeup bags stink! I have heard that if you leave them in the sun for an hour or so it gets rid of the funk. I haven't tried it yet since I live in an apartment without a porch or anywhere to put them. I wasn't overly excited about this bag. The lipstick is really nice, but the color is a bit dark for me. I love the Philosophy spray, but I am getting sick of tiny perfume samples. The Nail Bling are kind of cheap looking and shaped funny. They come from China and it shows. I do like the MyGlam brushes and will use them. Overall, worth the 10 bucks but not my favorite bag.

Birchbox

*Arquiste Flor y Canto ($165 for 55ml! Seriously?)

*Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream (15ml, $19 for 75ml)

*FusionBeauty LipFusion Balm Lip Conditioning Stick SPF 15 ($22)

*Ojon damage reverse™ Restorative Conditioner (1oz, $25 for 8.5oz)

*Bonus: One Stationary Card

The perfume is flowery and smells like old people...plus it is ridiculously priced! The stationary card is kind of a joke. However, I still liked this box because the Caudalie, FusionBeauty and Ojon are all amazing. I believe the FusionBeauty is full size and the sample sizes were decent for the other two. The Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream smells amazing and fells great. The FusionBeauty balm reminds me of fresh Sugar which is one of my favorite lip products.

Overall thoughts: Not thrilled with either box this month, but satisfied with both. If I had to pick a winner, it would be Birchbox. Not only was the value higher, but I have been using most the products (except that yucky perfume!) like crazy. I am wondering if MyGlam is going to get old quickly with the makeup bags and brushes in every bag. I have only had two months of it and I like the brushes, but I have plenty now. They need to step-up the other products they send to make it worth it.

Burger King New Expanded Menu and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Since 1954 Burger King has been committed to offering great-tasting, fire-grilled food and the WHOPPER Sandwich has been proved to be America’s Favorite Burger year after year. Over the past nine months, Burger King has created and tested more than two dozen new products and they are committed to providing you with the products that are best-in-class and true to their heritage of great taste.

Based on extensive consumer feedback, Burger King is rounding out their menu to provide more choice and something for everyone! Visit the nearest participating Burger King to try any one of these new options with your friends and family today!

New Garden Fresh Salads at Burger King are made fresh daily with premium ingredients that can be topped with your choice of TENDERCRISP or juicy TENDERGRILL chicken. Varieties include:

Chicken BLT Garden Fresh Salad ~ made with a three cheese blend, thick cut bacon, tomatoes and red onion, served with Ken’s Avocado Ranch dressing
Chicken, Apple and Cranberry Garden Fresh Salad ~ made with crisp apples, dried cranberries, bleu cheese and Ken’s Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Chicken Caesar Garden Fresh Salad ~ made with 100% romaine lettuce, tomatoes, shaved parmesan cheese, and home-style croutons

New Snack Wraps at Burger King provide quick, flavorful snacks for less than 400 calories each. Snack Wrap options include:

Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap ~ A flour tortilla filled with crispy, marinated white meat chicken, a three-cheese blend, and a combination of spring mix, romaine and iceberg lettuce, all topped with Ken’s Honey Mustard Dressing
Ranch Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap ~ A flour tortilla filled with crispy, marinated white meat chicken, a three-cheese blend, and a combination of spring mix, romaine and iceberg lettuce, all topped with Ken’s Ranch Dressing

New Crispy Chicken Strips at Burger King are made with white meat tenderloin chicken, marinated and lightly battered in seasoned home-style breading. The new Crispy Chicken Strips are perfect for dipping in one of eight BK classic or bold new sauces and are available in 3 or 5 piece servings

New Real Fruit Smoothies at Burger King are offered in 12, 16, and 20oz. servings, and are made fresh to order with real fruit, low-fat yogurt and juices blended together. Each smoothie provides a full serving of fruit and is offered in the following varieties:

Tropical Mango
Strawberry Banana

Rich and smooth Frappés at Burger King are made to order and provide the perfect combination of sweet Mocha or Caramel flavors, a hint coffee and ice. Offered in 12, 16, and 20oz. servings, frappes are available in the following varieties:

Mocha Frappé ~ The perfect combination of sweet flavor, a hint of coffee and ice all topped with whipped topping and a swirl of fudge
Caramel Frappé ~ The perfect combination of sweet flavor, a hint of coffee and ice all topped with whipped topping and a swirl of caramel

I recently tried the Chicken BLT Garden Fresh Salad and Strawberry Banana Smoothie. They were both incredibly delicious. While I will miss the chicken fries that were removed from the menu, the new menu changes are extremely satisfying. It is going to be hard not to stop everyday for a smoothie or Frappe. You need to try some of these new items. I know you will not be disappointed.

GIVEAWAY:

One Thrifty and Frugal Living reader will win a $25 Burger King gift card

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: the coupons, product information, and additional gift pack have been provided courtesy of Burger King Corporation through MyBlogSpark.

Ark Naturals Gentle Digest and Happy Traveler Pet Product Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:22:00 +0000

You may remember the name Ark Naturals from some previous reviews and giveaways that I have done (read them here). They are my favorite pet company. Not only are their products all natural, but the treats are tasty and the products actually work. I buy their Neem Shampoo in bulk and Tequila would polish off a whole bag of their Sea "Mobility" Joint Rescue treats if I would let him. I have been particularly worried about which treats I give him recently since it has been discovered that some dog chicken treats cause cancer. I am not willing to risk my pup. I have decided to only stick with brands I can trust and Ark Naturals is at the top of that list.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will win a bag of the new chewable Gentle Digest and Happy Traveler.

"Gentle Digest promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Use for occasional diarrhea, gas, constipation, ear yeast issues. Aids digestion by breaking down food into nutrients that can be readily absorbed."

"Formulated with the highest quality botanicals, Happy Traveler was designed by a holistic veterinarian and PhD herbal scientist to ease anxiety and motion sickness. Useful for separation anxiety, travel anxiety, to socialize a nervous or excitable pet into a new environment, during thunderstorms, fireworks, airline travel, visits to groomers, vets, and kennels. Non-habit forming and no harmful side effects when used as directed."

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: All opinions are 100% my own. I really do love this company and buy their products with my own money. I am going to receive a care package from the company because they are awesome. I did not receive any other compensation.

Classic Battleship Movie Edition Game and the KRE-O Battleship Combat Chopper Set Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:44:00 +0000

Have you heard that there is a Battleship movie that is coming out on May 18th? The movie is by Universal Pictures and stars Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson and recording superstar, Rihanna! To celebrate the movie, Hasbro has a new Classic Battleship Movie Edition game. In both the movie and the new game, the human Navy battle the Alien fleet for victory.

The Battleship game has approved a lot since I was a child and originally played it. This version is highly portable. It easily separates into the two sides: Human Navy and Alien Fleet. Each side of the game is customized to match down to the ships. The sides separate so that you can play with someone who is across the room. Each half has a sliding drawer to hold all the colored pegs and cards. Yes, there are cards with this version!

You can actually play several different versions of Battleship with this set. You can play Classic Battleship, The Salvo Game, Special Ops Basic Game or Special Ops Advanced. I prefer the Classic Battleship which is the game that everyone knows. The Salvo Game involves each person getting 5 shots at a time and you lose one of your five shots every time you have a ship to sink. The Special Ops Basic & Advanced games utilize the movie-based cards that are included. We played all the different types of games, but I like the Classic Battleship the best because we didn't have to keep referring to the directions and reference card. : )

Classic Battleship Movie Edition requires 2 players and is recommended for ages 7+.

We also received the KRE-O Battleship Combat Chopper Set:

This 174-piece set includes a Combat Chopper, Fighter Pilot KREON figure, and Alien Scout KREON figure.

This set does require some assembly. It was packaged in plastic bags and came with simple instructions on how to put it together. My Husband was all to happy to "build" this set. It only took him a few minutes to do. The characters would be great for a child to build since they only have a few pieces and are easy to make. The helicopter will require and older child or adult. If an adult makes it for a child, you may want to glue it as you assemble. Once everything is assembled it is a fun set. The chopper cockpit lifts up, you can spin the rotor and even file missiles at the incoming aliens.

Here are some pictures of our completed KRE-O set (minus the stickers that Hubby misplaced):

This set is recommended for ages 7-14 (although Hubby is proof that older males may enjoy it as well).

These are both fantastic products that I highly recommend. To keep up with Hasbro news and new games, like their Family Game Night page on Facebook.

GIVEAWAY:

One Thrifty and Frugal Living reader will win both the Classic Battleship Movie Edition Game and the KRE-O Battleship Combat Chopper Set.

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: I received the mentioned product(s) in exchange for this review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own thoughts.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa May Events

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:40:00 +0000

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa is a great place to hang out. They are always open and have tons of great events that they pack into every month. Here are the key events for May:

2013 Ford Escape with EcoBoost Engine Giveaway and a year¹s worth of gas (max value $2,600)

Hourly Drawings 1pm to 9pm for $1,000 cash. Grand prize drawing at 9:30pm.

Spin To Win at Hard Rock Tampa.

Win Up To $10,000. Hourly drawings from 10am-4pm.

Sea Doo 210 Challenger SE Giveaway

Hourly Drawings 1pm-8pm for $1,000 Cash. Grand Prize Drawing at 8:30pm for a Sea Doo 210 Challenger SE.

Uncle Kracker at the Hard Rock Cafe

Sunday May 20th. Doors: 7:30pm. Showtime: 9:00pm. Tickets available at the door for $10 and proceeds benefiting the Uncle Kracker Music Education Foundation.

click to enlarge

May Poker Promo

Play and earn $3 Bonus Reward for every hour of live action play in May. Good towards the purchase of entries into WPT Tampa Bay Open (which will be held June 1-11).

World Poker Tour at Hard Rock Tampa

Tickets go on sale at the Poker Room Cage on May 14th. Tour Dates: June 1 - June 11, 2012.

For the full list of events visit the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa website!

iPod Shuffle Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:12:00 +0000

We have teamed up So Lo La Deals to bring you this Awesome iPod Shuffle Giveaway. So Lo La Deals is a Brand new Daily Deal site which is launching in June. We are super excited to see what fantastic deals they will have.

One Lucky Winner will receive an Ipod Shuffle.

Starts 4/26 at 8pm EST and ends 5/3/12 at 8pm EST

A big Thank you to our hosts, Saving and More and Debt Free Spending

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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CouponTrade $500 JCP Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:11:00 +0000

Welcome to the $500 JC Penney Gift Card Giveaway, presented by CouponTrade.com and Moms with Voices Media !

CouponTrade.com is your new source for coupons that MATCH discounted gift cards! Sell your unwanted gift cards and name your price today!

One lucky winner will receive a $500 Gift Card to JC Penney! Just enter on the Rafflecopter form. Good Luck and have fun!!

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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PB Crave Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:40:00 +0000

I have always been the type of person that has no problem saying no to chocolate. My weakness? Peanut Butter! I absolutely love the stuff and can not pass it up. So, when I heard of PB Crave and their flavored peanut butters, I knew I had to try them. They are all natural, cholesterol free and gluten free. They contain no hydrogenated oil, no trans fat and do not require refrigeration. They make four different flavors:

*Choco Choco- A delicious double dose of semi-sweet and rich dark chocolate with premium peanut butter and wild honey — it's decadence and delight in every bite.

*CoCo Bananas- A tropical blend of yummy bananas, cocoa and wild honey, this peanut butter adds a taste of island paradise to any kitchen.

*Razzle Dazzle- A twisted blend of red raspberry, wild honey, cool white chocolate and rich dreamy darkness — this peanut butter offers a magical mix of deliciousness.

*Cookie Nookie- A mouth-watering mix of chocolate chips, cookie dough flavor, wild honey and premium peanut butter — it’s two classics together as one.

Don't they sound delicious? They taste even better! Within the first 15 minutes of the PB Crave flavors arriving in my home, I had tasted them all. I told you, I can't resist! They all taste delicious by themselves, but my brain instantly started thinking of amazing things to do with these peanut butters. I can dip fruit in them, make the best pb and j ever...without the jelly, put it in my oatmeal, on my waffles, on my ice cream, etc.

At the top of my list was an "Elvis" with CoCo Bananas. If you have never heard of or tried and Elvis you are missing out! An Elvis is basically peanut butter with banana slices on bread and then buttered and fried in a skillet (like a grilled cheese). The Elvis is one of my all time favorite sandwiches. In case you are wondering, it is named after Elvis because it was his favorite sandwich (not sure if he invented it or not). I made an Elvis for lunch the day I received PB Crave:

the ingredients

spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and top with sliced bananas

butter and fry in a skillet over medium/high heat

Yum! Now Enjoy.

As I suspected, CoCo Bananas made the BEST ELVIS ever! Actually you could probably skip the bananas since the banana flavor is so prominent in CoCo Bananas. This flavor is delicious and I will definitely be eating more CoCo Bananas Elvis sandwiches.

Next I tried the Cookie Nookie in a peanut butter cookie recipe. I found a simple recipe because I was running low on ingredients. I used this recipe and halfed it:

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar splenda (you could use 1 cup total sugar instead)

1 cup peanut butter

1 egg

These were incredible! They taste like a mixture of peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies. They were so good. I can't wait to try Cookie Nookie with a better peanut butter recipe.

I haven't had a chance yet to try the Razzle Dazzle or Choco Choco in any recipes. I have been eating them with fruit though. The Razzle Dazzle has an amazing Raspberry flavor. It is so delicious. I am hoping to use it in a fudge recipe soon. Choco Choco has a chocolate flavor to it and would be insane in any peanut butter/ chocolate recipe (buckeyes or peanut butter cups would be great).

All four flavors are great with fruit or in oatmeal. You can use them anywhere you would use regular peanut butter and more. I honestly can not choose my favorite flavor. They are all so delicious. Just when you think they couldn't get any better, they do. For every jar of peanut butter that is sold at least 2% of the profits go to Project Peanut Butter, a non-profit organization focused on treating malnourished children. I love companies that give back! Visit PB Crave today to pick up some amazing flavored peanut butter.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will win a Choco Choco Variety Pack ($20.97 value):

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: I received the above product(s) in exchange for this review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.

Free Olive Garden Kid's Meal in Honor of Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:22:00 +0000

On Thursday, April 26, Olive Garden invites everyone who’s taking a child to work, to enjoy a lunch break or dinner at Olive Garden. Those who visit Olive Garden on Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day will receive a free Kid’s Meal (for children 12 and under) for *every adult entrée purchased in-restaurant. Visit Facebook.com/OliveGarden to download your printable coupon. While you are there they also have a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of 2 dinner entrees. Enjoy!

Harvey Prince Ageless Perfume Review

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:57:00 +0000

Harvey Prince is a company founded by two brothers as a gift for their mother on Mother's Day. Harvey Prince uses the finest ingredients with no harsh chemicals. They even work with leading dermatologists, doctors, scientists and scent experts to create their fragrances. Each fragrance has a purpose, each with its own inspired scent and story. Ageless was their first fragrance (the one that they created for their Mother).

Here is the description of Ageless from Harvey Prince:

Now, smell as young as you feel.

Inspired by scientific research and crafted with love, Ageless by Harvey Prince defies your skin’s natural age-revealing scent. Its notes are an inviting blend of pink grapefruit, pomegranate, luscious mango, with a dry down of jasmine and natural musk.

Here's the secret: Ageless is inspired by recent studies conducted by the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, which find pink grapefruit and mango to be the olfactory antidote to aging. The fragrant notes disguise the familiar scent of age, caused by the breakdown of particular fatty acids in your skin.

Women from around the world are loving Ageless; based on their testimonials and our own trials, Ageless makes you feel and smell 8-12 years younger.
Notes: Pink Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Mango, Jasmine, Tuberose, YlangYlang, Sandalwood. Style: Fresh. Sensual. Luminous.

Ageless sounds amazing on paper, but how does it smell? It is hard to believe, but this perfume smells even better than you can imagine. It is sweet, but not too sweet. It is fresh and yet deep and complex. It is quite simply my new favorite perfume. I am so addicted to the scent. It really does make you feel younger. I also find it incredibly calming. It makes me think of a laying in a bed of flowers on a nice spring day. I actually love this perfume so much that I sent my Mother a bottle. It is now her favorite perfume too.

Ageless also has longevity. I absolutely hate it when a perfume has vanished off of your skin 5 minutes after you sprayed it on. You don't have to worry about that with Ageless. Actually, if you are like me, you will probably find yourself putting it on again too early just because it smells so darn good.

The undertones in this perfume are Pink Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Mango, Jasmine, Tuberose, YlangYlang and Sandalwood. I honestly can not pick out any of these undertones except for a little of the Pink Grapefruit. The Harvey Prince Men are genius. They have somehow mixed all of these scents (which don't sound like they would mix) and made a completely new and blissful scent. No wonder why their Mother was so happy. Can someone please make me a personalized scent that smells this amazing? I think they are the best Son's ever!

I highly recommend Harvey Prince Ageless. It will be a staple in my perfume collection from here on out. I have smelled three Harvey Prince scents now and they are all incredible. The only question is: which one should I get next? You could not go wrong with gifting Harvey Prince for Mother's Day (coming soon!) or Birthdays or even Saturdays. : )

Disclaimer: I received the mentioned product in exchange for this review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.

Free Bosco Sticks (Select States) and Pencil (All States)

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:19:00 +0000

If you are lucky enough to live in DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, OH, PA, WI or WV head on over and insert your address to be mailed a coupon for free Bosco sticks. It looks like everyone in the US can request a free pencil (it is a separate form, so click on both links if you live in the above states). Enjoy!

Mother's Day Gifts at EdenFantasys

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:03:00 +0000

**WARNING: This post and the links within are for adults only. If you are under 18 or easily offended, please skip this post**

I know what you are thinking, "How on earth would I buy my Mother's Day gift at a sex toy shop? What am I going to get her, a vibrator?". You my friend need to look around EdenFantasys more. They actually have tons of gifts that are innocent and could be gifted to everyone in your family. They have candles, makeup, shampoo and more. Are you worried about the packaging? All EdenFantasys orders are shipped discreetly and do not contain EdenFantasys name outside the package. If you have been saving up your points like I have, you will even be able to score some free goodies for Mom (read my old post for how to get points and free products). Here are some of my favorite Mom gifts from EdenFantasys:


Bella Il Fiore Whipped Body Creme

Not Soap Radio Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

Not Soap Radio Sugared Body Polish

Cake Beauty- Milk Made Smoothing White Sugar Scrub


Cake Beauty- Diamond Lip Gloss

Bluecorn Naturals Beeswax Aromatherapy Candle (on sale now!!)

They even have some personalized products that say Mom!

Greeting Card Lip Balm

Make sure you use the search bar on the EdenFantasys website to find whatever you are looking for. It is easy and you earn points for your first few searches. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to EdenFantasys and find the perfect gift for your Mom. Just remember to sign into your account so that you get credit for your searches. : )

Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card in exchange for doing a post. All opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.

Free 1 Year Subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine (1st 500)

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:28:00 +0000

Hurry over to freebizmag and claim your free 1 year subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine. You will have to put in your career and fill out your info. Homemaker is an option (you will have to select other, homemaker, other, none, other in that order in the drop box) and will get you this mag. This is only for the first 500, so hurry!

Battle of the Sample Boxes: MyGlam VS. Birchbox

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:30:00 +0000

It has been awhile since I have done a post on Birchbox. I am a Birchbox subscriber and I have been mostly happy with my subscription (See all my Birchbox posts here). Well, there are a lot of other sample box subscriptions popping up. I watched a Youtube video last January or February and decided that I HAD TO sign up for MyGlam. The only problem was that they were so popular that their subscriptions were sold out. A few weeks ago I received an email saying that my wait was finally over! Yay! So, I thought I would share with you all the loot I received from both Birchbox and MyGlam.

MyGlam

*$10 a month

*It was started by Michelle Phan (who is a Youtube Beauty Guru)

*Every month you receive a make-up bag with deluxe samples and full sized products

Here was my April bag:

*All-Belle Eyelashes (I have seen these priced from $8-$12 online)

*DermStore Lip Quench - Moisture Infused Lip Treatment (Full size, $12)

*Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Junkie (green)(travel size which is 2/3 the size of the regular that retails for $19)

*MyGlam All-Over Eyeshadow Brush

*MyGlam Eyeliner Brush

*Shiny Pink Make-up bag (The color really didn't come out in the picture, but it is pretty)

Value: At LEAST $38

Initial thoughts:

LOVE it! Urban Decay is one of my favorite brands and I love their 24/7 pencils! I was also really suprised by how much I love the DermStore Lip Quench. It is officially my new favorite lip product. It keeps my lips moist for hours and tastes/smells delicious. I won't use the eyelashes because I have enough eye issues without gluing crap to them. Plus, I have great natural lashes. I am storing them for a future giveaway. The brushes are made by MyGlam and are great quality. The bag is cute, but I really have enough make-up bags. Overall it is definitely worth the money. Any company that gives me my money back in Urban Decay is a company I will love. : )

Birchbox

*$10 a month

*Created by Harvard Grads

*You receive 4-5 "deluxe samples" every month, occasionally full sized products

*You get bonus points for answering short surveys about the products you receive. You can then use those points to buy products at the their store (i.e.: FREE Stuff!).

My April Box:

sorry for the crappy quality, my camera is acting odd.

*amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask (sample pack, I got 2 uses out of it)(Full size: $40)

*Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer (small tube, full size: $28)

*Wonderstruck Taylor Swift (small vial, full size: $49.50-$59.50)

*Zoya in Lotus (half size, full size: $8)

*dropps laundry detergent (2 pods, full size of 20 pods: $6)

Estimated Value: Not really much over the $10 I spent for it

My thoughts:

Birchbox has been pretty hit or miss recently. Last month they had a GREAT Teen Vogue box (full size tarte lip tint and essie luxeffects nail polish + other stuff), this month isn't great. I liked the amika, but it was a tiny sample. The Juice Beauty is nice and I love the brand, but I have tons of moisturizers right now. Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift smells amazing. However, you could probably get the Wonderstruch and amika samples for free with a lot of beauty purchases (Hello, Sephora!). LOVE the Zoya. They are my favorite nail polish brand and this color is awesome (wearing it now), but it is only worth $4. Laundry detergent drops, really? Not even going to acknowledge that stupid move (ok-guess I just did...hmmpf). Overall, this has been one of the lowest value boxes I have received in my 8 months or so with them. I am not planning on cancelling though, because I still like my boxes overall.

If it was a contest, MyGlam definitely won. Hands down. Do you Birchbox? Do you have a MyGlam subscription? How about some of the other ones like Cravebox (which will be where I go if I drop Birchbox), Beauty Army, QVC New Beauty, The Look Bag, Sample Society, Blissmobox, Eco Emi, etc?

Disclaimer: I did not receive anything in exchange for this post. I paid for both subscriptions and this post is just to inform my readers. All opinions are my own.

$500 April Extreme Cash Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

It’s time for the April Extreme Cash Giveaway! This month’s prize is... a $500 Paypal cash prize!

There are many entry options and daily entries as well, so keep this page bookmarked so you can come back every day to increase your chances of winning.

Giveaway ends 5/13 and is open worldwide. Good luck!

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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GourmetGiftBaskets.com Brownie Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:07:00 +0000

I have done several reviews and giveaways in the past for GourmetGiftBaskets.com. As you know, I love their products. Did you know that GourmetGiftBaskets.com also has baked goods? They sent me one of each of their brownies to try.

I received:

Belgian Chocolate Chunk

White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde

Butterscotch Blonde

Cheesecake

Peanut Butter

Fudge Walnut

I was a little worried about how these brownies would arrive since I live in Florida and we have been having weather in the high 80's. Plus, I have never had brownies shipped before. They arrived in great shape. Each brownie was individually wrapped. These brownies are huge too! my first thought was "How on earth am I going to eat all of these for a review?". Of course, the Hubby was all too happy to help me taste test. My plan was to eat a small bite of each one and then get back to them later. Well, that didn't quite work because they were so delicious.

Butterscotch Blonde from the side

Butterscotch Blonde from the top

I started with the Butterscotch Blonde because I am a HUGE Butterscotch fan. After one bite I knew that I would not be able to put it down. It kind of tasted like the best cookie I have ever had, only better because it was thick. It was slightly gooey on the inside (not in the undercooked way, in the ummm...perfect way). The Butterscotch flavor was evident, but not overpowering. I think this one was my favorite out of all the brownies (although I am still a little unsure because the competition was delicious).

Fudge Walnut brownie

While I finished off my Butterscotch Blonde, Hubby attacked the Fudge Walnut brownie. After one bite he said, "Ohh My Gosh, you have to try this!". So, I took one bite and this one was definitely in the running for a favorite. It was so good! I generally prefer my brownies without nuts, but this one was what the perfect brownie should taste like. The nuts complimented the brownie perfectly.

The third brownie that is in the running for my favorite from this sampler is the White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde. I sadly forgot to take a picture of this one. It looks similar to the Butterscotch Blonde. I split this one with the Hubby (even though I didn't want to, it was SO yummy!). Once again the best way to describe it is that it tasted like the perfect White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookie, only better. It was slightly crunchy on the outside and slightly gooey on the inside.

Picture of the Cheesecake Brownie borrowed from GourmetGiftBaskets.com

Next I tried the Cheesecake Brownie. I didn't get a picture of this one because it was slightly stuck to the package when I opened it. I borrowed the picture from GourmetGiftBaskets.com because it shows you what the brownie is like. It has a dark chocolate brownie layer on the bottom and a cheesecake layer on the top covered in chocolate drizzle. I liked this brownie quite a bit, but it wasn't my favorite. This is probably due to my personal preference. I am not a fan of dark chocolate. I keep trying it because it is healthier, but I am a milk chocolate girl. I still enjoyed this brownie though. Cheesecake fans will love it.

The Belgian Chocolate Chunk brownie was Hubby's to tackle. He gave me a bite and we both agreed that while it was good, it was not as good as some of the other brownies. It is more a traditional brownie with chunks of chocolate in it. Great by homemade standards, but at this point GourmetGiftBaskets.com had us setting our bar high.

Peanut Butter Brownie

The Peanut Butter Brownie was my least favorite. When I hear "Peanut Butter Brownie" I think of either an all peanut butter square or at least a peanut butter mixed with chocolate brownie. GourmentGiftBaskets.com has a chocolate brownie with peanut butter morsels on top for their Peanut Butter brownie. I tried to be open-minded even though I was disappointed with the look of this brownie. It didn't do it for me flavor wise though either. You can verily taste any peanut butter. I think GourmetGiftBaskets.com needs to revamp this one. It does not taste bad, but it is not up to the quality of the others.

You can purchase a Brownie Sampler which includes 2 of each of these brownies (12 total) for $34.99. If brownies are not your thing, they also have cookies, Gourmet Carrot Cake, a Whoopie Pie sampler and more. These would also make great gifts for Mother's or Father's Day which are coming up soon.

GIVEAWAY:

One Thrifty and Frugal Living reader will receive the same brownies I did (1 brownie of each flavor)

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: I received the item(s) mentioned above in exchange for this review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.

Shutterfly Has Your Mother's Day Gift Covered

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:21:00 +0000

One of my favorite gifts is a Shutterfly photo book that I received from my parents after my wedding. It is gorgeous! It has a thick black cover and bright, beautiful photos of my precious day. Needless to say, I love Shutterfly. Shutterfly has a ton of different options for great gifts.

Speaking of gifts, did you realize that Mother's Day is a little over a month away? It is May 13th. So you should start planning your gifts now. I love giving my Mom photo gifts since she lives halfway across the country and we don't get to see each other much. It is my way of making her feel a little closer to me. Here are just a few of the fantastic gifts you can make your Mother at Shutterfly.

A custom iPhone case

Fleece Photo Blanket

Photo Travel Mug


Photo Notebook

Desk Calendar

Photo books

Desktop Plaque

These are just a few of the many personalized gifts you can create for your Mother this Mother's Day. Buy your Mother something that she will always cherish; get her a photo gift. Whether you are 2 years old or 28 years old, you will always be her baby and she will always love new pictures of you, your siblings, your offspring and your pets. Visit Shutterfly to start making her "the best Mother's Day present yet".

Disclaimer: I am receiving a Shutterfly credit in exchange for this post. I was not compensated in any other way. All words and opinions are 100% my own.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Bath Robe Giveaway (US)

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:03:00 +0000

As you all know by now, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa is a great place to hang out. They are always open and have tons of great events that they pack into every month. See my previous post for April Events.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky Thrifty and Frugal Living Reader will win a robe!

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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Disclaimer: I did not receive anything in exchange for this post. I occasionally get perks and invites from the Hard Rock in exchange for me blogging for them. There is no monetary compensation. All opinions are 100% my own.

Harvey Prince Ageless Giveaway (3 winners)!

noreply@blogger.com (Crystal H.) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Harvey Prince is a company that was founded by two brothers as a gift for their mother on Mother's Day. Ageless was their first creation. They created it for their mother to capture her effortless and radiant aurora.

Harvey Prince uses the finest ingredients with no harsh chemicals. They even work with leading dermatologists, doctors, scientists and scent experts to create their fragrances. Each fragrance has a purpose, each with its own inspired scent and story

GIVEAWAY:

Great news! Harvey Prince is going to giveaway Three (3!) 50ml bottles of Ageless ($55 value) to Thrifty and Frugal Living readers! I will also be reviewing Ageless in the near future. Here is the description of Ageless from Harvey Prince:

Now, smell as young as you feel.

Inspired by scientific research and crafted with love, Ageless by Harvey Prince defies your skin’s natural age-revealing scent. Its notes are an inviting blend of pink grapefruit, pomegranate, luscious mango, with a dry down of jasmine and natural musk.

Here's the secret: Ageless is inspired by recent studies conducted by the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, which find pink grapefruit and mango to be the olfactory antidote to aging. The fragrant notes disguise the familiar scent of age, caused by the breakdown of particular fatty acids in your skin.

Women from around the world are loving Ageless; based on their testimonials and our own trials, Ageless makes you feel and smell 8-12 years younger.

Notes: Pink Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Mango, Jasmine, Tuberose, YlangYlang, Sandalwood.
Style: Fresh. Sensual. Luminous.

Are you excited? I am! Good luck everyone! Make sure you keep an eye out for my review in the next few weeks.

**TO ENTER- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Note: It may take a moment for the Rafflecopter to load. If you are reading this via RSS or Email, please visit the website to enter**

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