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Peppermint Hot Chocolate

December 17, 2015 10 Comments

This post is sponsored by International Delight, but the traditions are all my own.

One of my favorite things about the holiday season are those little moments when life slows down and you can enjoy the basics. Year after year I catch myself lounging in a chair close to the Christmas Tree and just gazing away at the lights. I am into my 30s now and have been doing this ever since I can remember. There is nothing like cozying up with your hot chocolate and looking at twinkle lights and feeling the magic like you did when you were 5 years old.

It is so funny how much has changed since then but there is still so much that has stayed the same. I now run a successful business, have two kids of my own, live on a different side of the country, BUT I still love a good Peppermint Hot Chocolate. It amuses me that the process of making it never changes either. I sit down with my warm hot chocolate and start to look at the lights and then notice the candy canes on the tree. I pluck one off of it’s tree branch and start swirling it into the rich goodness.

You may be thinking, “Wow… That is pretty deep and poetic for a story about making yourself something to drink.” In all honesty, it really is more than that. It is literally bringing a well-loved and cherished memory back to life year after year. It actually brings happy tears to my eyes just writing about it now. Like I said, life has most definitely changed and clinging to traditions is sometimes the only way to keep us grounded keep those magical memories alive.

For instance, most of these quiet evenings spent staring at the tree has more than likely turned into a bit of productive time for me as well. While the kids sit and watch the lights with me I am also usually checking off to do lists and getting mentally prepared for all of the little things that have to be done during the season.

My newest addiction these days are these International Delight Hot Chocolates. They are made with real milk and come in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate. I have always been a dark chocolate fan so I am glad that they are representing for me! My kids are LOVING the milk chocolate though. I was actually walking through the grocery store looking for my favorite coffee creamer and when I turned around I saw these in a refrigerated end cap and knew I had to get them.

Now that I just bared my soul (and traditions) to you, tell me some of your holiday traditions in the comments below!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Almond Candy Eggnog Cocktail

December 16, 2015 6 Comments

This post was sponsored by Libbey as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

During the holidays there are so many things to celebrate. Families coming together, friends really appreciating one another, and a general sense of happiness in the air. As it turns out there are several birthdays scattered into this season for my family. No matter what you are celebrating I think that a fun spin on the classic eggnog drink is an excellent way to celebrate. If you have a sweet tooth like I do then you will love this Almond Candy Eggnog Cocktail recipe.

Really you could use any candy that you like, but I personally like these little almond and toffee candies and I especially love them during the holidays. I have always thought of them as the perfect candy for adults because the flavor is complex and it isn’t overly sweet. They are perfect. And paired with the creamy eggnog? AMAZING.

First you start out with the prettiest set of stemware you own. Because why not? You are celebrating, right? I LOVE the gorgeous Auden balloon shaped glasses from the Libbey Perfect Signature collection. They are so chic. I don’t know what it is about the oversized glasses, but they just make me happy. There is also a certain “scandalous” show on TV where the star happens to drink from oversized stemware on a regular basis, so this type of class is definitely on-trend right now.

I got off the subject a bit, didn’t I? Okay, okay… Here is the recipe!

Almond Candy Eggnog Cocktail

Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

2 mins

Total time

4 mins

If you are looking to celebrate during the holidays then there is nothing better than the Almond Candy Eggnog Cocktail to get you started.

Author: Laura Gallaway

Recipe type: cocktail

Serves: 1

Ingredients

8 oz store bought eggnog.
1 oz whipped cream flavored vodka
1 oz almond liquer
1 almond toffee candy, crushed
ice

Instructions

Combine eggnog, vodka, almond liquer, and ice into a cocktail shaker and shake until combined.
Pour into wine glass.
Top with almond toffee candy pieces.

I am obsessed with this Almond Candy Eggnog Cocktail and I think that the balloon shaped wine glass really sets it off. You can actually get the Libbey Perfect Signature Stemware Collection at your Bed Bath and Beyond, so find a store near you!

If you use the Libbey Perfect Signature Collection, take a photo of how you celebrated with the glassware and share it to Twitter or Facebook by January 30, 2016 you will actually be awarded a 30% discount on future Libbey purchases! Awesome right? On Twitter tag @LibbeyInc and include #CelebrateThis and on Facebook you just post photo on the Libbey Facebook page!

Tell me in the comments below: How are you celebrating during the holidays?

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

What’s In My Sugarfina Bento Box + Giveaway

December 11, 2015 23 Comments

Press Sample. Affiliate Links.

I have a huge sweet tooth and I am always on the look out for cool new things to try. I am essentially a big kid in that way. I am a fan of all kinds of candy too. I LOVE gummies, chocolate, sweet, sour… You name it. That is why I am a huge fan of Sugarfina and their Candy Bento Box. Sugarfina has so many different candies to choose from and I could spend hours picking and choosing which candies to add to a custom Candy Bento Box. Actually. I did spend hours creating this one so let me show you what I picked out! Stick around to the end for a fabulous coupon code and a giveaway!

Champagne Bears – Made with Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne, these sophisticated bears sparkle in flavors of classic Brut and fashionable Rose. Non-alcoholic.

Bubbly Bears – Champagne Bears with a sour twist. Our classic Champagne-infused gummy bears are dusted in sweet and tart sugar crystals for a sophisticated taste that really “pops.” Made with Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne. Non-alcoholic.

Chocolate Bacon Toffee – I like chocolate, bacon, and toffee so I figured, “what the heck?” Crunchy, bacon-flavored toffee is diced into bite-sized squares, then dipped in premium milk chocolate

Choco Crisps – Just like your favorite breakfast cereal, these delicious candies are crispy and choco-licious

Cocoa Biscotti Bites – A tiny bite of biscotti is dipped in rich dark chocolate, then finely dusted in Dutch cocoa powder

Rainbow Kyoto Blossoms – Delicate, sweet and chic, these tiny sugar flowers are steeped in a rich tradition. Introduced to the Japanese in the early 1600’s by Portuguese traders, these beautiful blossoms soon became a symbol of Japanese hospitality. The texture is somewhere between a hard candy and a sugar cube, and the starburst texture literally makes these a party in your mouth. Each color has a unique and delicate flavor: Pink: strawberry Orange: orange Yellow: pineapple Green: muscat grape Aqua: soda pop Purple (purple only available in the large size): grape A Sugarfina exclusive, these Kyoto Blossoms are the same candies served by the Imperial House of Japan to dignitaries and distinguished guests.

Pink Princess Pearls – Because… pink. A crispy rice cereal center is dipped in smooth milk chocolate, then coated in a pearlescent candy shell

Tahitian Vanilla Malt Balls – These malt beauties are covered in dark chocolate, then dipped in Tahitian vanilla white chocolate

There are so many things to choose from and I want to try them all. I think my next box to create will be made up of all chocolate varieties. When you order your Sugarfina Bento Box use the code YAYCANDY and get a free candy cube with $25+ purchase!

Check out their Holiday Gift Guide – Free Gift Wrap with Any purchase!

Sugarfina Bento Box Giveaway

Prize: The candy bento box shown above that I put together myself.
Winners: One (1) winner in the U.S.

Sugarfina Bento Box

*This post was made in partnership with Gigasavvy!

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

5 Reasons To Have Wine On Hand During The Holidays

December 11, 2015 10 Comments

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Riunite through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Riunite, all opinions are my own.

How many wine lovers are here right now? Show of hands. o/

ME TOO! I am a huge lover of wine. I like red, I like white, I like blends, and I really love cocktails made with wine. Today I am going to share with you 5 reasons to have wine on hand during the holidays.

1 || Hostess Gift. Holiday parties are in abundance during this time of year and the perfect gift to bring along is a great bottle of wine. It is especially helpful if you don’t know if the get together is formal or casual, because wine is perfect for every occasion.

2 || Pop in friends and family. We all know how fun it is to get the impromptu drop in from friends and family during the holidays. I personally love it, but sometimes they stop by bearing early holiday gifts so you have to be prepared to give something back. WINE!

3 || Celebrate. There are so many things to celebrate during the holidays and you never know when a toast is going to be made. Riunite is perfect.

4 || Late night wrapping sessions. I don’t know about you but I have to wait until after the kiddos go to bed before I can break out the wrapping paper and boxes. I like to have a delicious glass of wine while I am wrapping presents.

5 || Stress relief. After a long day at work, cooking, getting everything tidied up, and then more than likely wrapping presents a glass of wine is the perfect way to take a load off.

Riunite Wine is perfect for all of these occasions because it is an easy to drink wine and one that I think everyone can enjoy. While it is an easy to drink wine, it also comes from a reputable area in Italy and has roots and a history – quality at a value! I like to keep about 3-4 bottles on hand at all times during this time of the year because it is affordable and delicious.

Visit www.Riunite.com for more recipes and remember to please drink responsibly.

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Women Who Do | Half A Year In Review

December 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central forVanity Fair Lingerie. I received product samples to facilitate my review and compensation to thank me for my participation.

As the year comes to an end I can’t help but look back and be filled with joy over how many fantastic opportunities I have had the privilege of taking part in during 2015. One of those opportunities was to become a Vanity Fair Ambassador. The things I have learned not only about the brand, but also myself and the kind of person I want to be has been astounding.

My Vanity Fair Ambassadorship started off with a quick trip to NYC where I was introduced to a ton of great Women Who Do at Vanity Fair company as well as learned a ton of valuable information about how undergarments are supposed to fit. I was measured by a lovely lady at the Macy’s in NYC and she totally blew my mind with the things she told me. I shared a bunch of those tips in my post titled The Secret To Finding The Perfect Bra!

Through Vanity Fair’s partnership with Dress For Success I learned how Bras Change Lives. Vanity Fair gave 50,000 bras to the ladies getting help from Dress For Success. Those bras helped them stand a little straighter and gave them a confidence to take on the world. I got to hear a story first hand in NYC of a woman who’s life was changed due to this partnership and I was moved to tears. I don’t know of a woman who wouldn’t feel empowered by a life-changing story like that, and for me I was inspired. I was inspired to be philanthropic and do good deeds every day, or as Vanity Fair calls them “Little Lifts”.

I am so glad that I was able to be a Vanity Fair Ambassadorship and even more proud to say I am a part of the Women Who Do. I knew of the brand before partnering with them but I am completely in love with the brand after the fact.

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Hike at Deception Pass

December 2, 2015 27 Comments

Since moving to the Pacific Northwest my interest in hiking and the outdoors has been renewed. I have been enjoying roaming around on the mountainside and beaches of the island I live on. I have been wanting to document these little journeys a little more here but cell phone pics just don’t cut it because I always want a wider angle and good lighting. Lugging around a big, heavy camera is also out of the question. Recently I discovered the Olympus PEN E-PL7 and I have been taking it everywhere with me for weeks. I recently took it with me on my hike at Deception Pass and it was amazing.

I am loving the Olympus PEN so much because it is compact, has AMAZING quality, and has a pretty awesome flip-down screen that makes taking selfies easy. I also love that it has wifi capability and connect to my phone for easy posting to Instagram. It also has filters you can choose from when taking pics. Feast your eyes on some of the #PENworthy shots I captured:

The Deception Pass Bridge is one of the only ways on and off the island, the other options being equally beautiful ferry rides. It is so stunning that there are parking areas on either side of the bridge and a fenced walkway on both sides of the road. During the warmer, dryer months the area is packed. People crawling all over the place. It is insane how busy this area is. It is actually a pretty big tourist attraction, no big surprise there. The view looking out is amazing.

My daughter loves walking the Deception Pass bridge and looking down at the water below There is wildlife everywhere. Porpoises, seals, hawks, and EVEN EAGLES frequent the spot. There is actually a MASSIVE eagle’s next in the top of one of the trees and if you take a boat tour you can actually see it. It is seriously magical.

The driftwood and rock beaches of Deception Pass are honestly so beautiful but not as breathtaking as the water itself. Sometimes it looks emerald green, sometimes it looks turquoise. It is mesmerizing.

After walking the trails all over Deception Pass for a while my little one got tuckered out so we sat down on the stairs on the side of the bridge and snapped some selfies. When I flipped down the screen on the Olympus PEN and she could see herself she was so excited. It is the little things AND mother light daughter. ha

Now that I have the perfect camera for taking with me on my little adventures here, you can expect to see a lot more scenic postings both here on the blog and my Instagram account. I can’t get over the amazing quality I am getting from such a lightweight compact camera, and IT FITS IN MY PURSE. YASSSS!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

The Best Moments

September 15, 2015 23 Comments

Today’s post is sponsored by Nestlé ®, but my love for their Crunch® bars is all my own!

As most of you know, my family and I just recently relocated from the Southeast to the Pacific Northwest. It has taken some time to adjust to our new surroundings but I think we are finally managing. A couple of our good friends just flew up from Georgia to visit us this last week and we had the best time. We took them to see the sights and do touristy things (which I LOVE to do) and really made the most of the week. We wore ourselves out completely every day and it was the best. In the evenings we would sit out on the balcony and watch the sunset and those were some of the best moments.

This could be considered down time, but we made the most of it with snacks and good conversation. My daughter really took to my husband’s best friend and you could usually find her hanging out with him. Here she is cuddled in his lap watching a movie on the iPad feeding him a Nestle Crunch bar. What is it with toddlers trying to feed everyone their food? HAHA No one will complain though as long as she is feeding them Nestle Crunch bars.

I have been trying to make every day a mini adventure and with any adventure, you never know where you will end up so it is important to stash a delicious snack. Last week we were on ferries, bridges, 600+ feet in the air, shopping… You name it. We were never unprepared because I kept a couple Nesetle Crunch bars stashed in my handbag.

The perfect ending to any perfect day should include one…

Tell me in the comments below: What do you do when you get a little bored? How do you turn those around to be the best moments in your life? I like to munch on a snack or go for a walk. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say! Visit Nestle Crunch Facebook page to follow along with the fun!

Win $20 Paypal Cash

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Conceive Plus

August 31, 2015 1 Comment

This post is sponsored by Conceive Plus.

Being a mother is probably one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever taken on. It is also one of the hardest. You want to give your kids everything but you don’t want to spoil them. You want to discipline them but you don’t want to be too hard on them. You want to help them learn to be independent but you don’t want to let them go too quickly. So many fine lines to be walked when it comes to raising children but one thing is definitely true, even if it sounds cliche; you will love them unconditionally right from the very start. And sometimes even before the start…

During the time when you are trying to get pregnant can be the most frustrating in your journey through motherhood. When you are trying to conceive you want nothing more than to be pregnant, but it can take months or even years sometimes to get pregnant. Obviously we all know HOW to make a baby but sometimes there are factors that can be working against you. Conceive Plus is actually the world’s leading fertility lubricant and has been helping couples globally on their path to pregnancy since 2008.

The best part of Conceive Plus is that it works naturally. It is not a fertility treatment; Conceive Plus is a sperm friendly personal lubricant that can be used by ALL couples who want to have a baby. And I think that is pretty fantastic. When you are trying to conceive you sometimes find yourself trying to reproduce during quick lunch breaks or when your other kids are napping, so you are most likely using a lubricant anyway. Adding one that actually helps you achieve your goals is an added bonus.

If you have just started trying or have been trying for a while, Conceive Plus® fertility lubricant can help increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally! Now available from selected online retailers from just $14.99. I would also recommend checking out a video Conceive Plus as well as their user reviews!. Also follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

SASMAR Conceive Plus® sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Kid’s Fashion | Leopard Print Rainboots

August 27, 2015 2 Comments

Press Sample. Affiliate Links.

Finding fun, unique outfits for my toddler can be pretty hard. I live on a small island with not a lot of options as far as shopping goes. Seriously, the other day I went to my son’s football game and I saw 3-4 little girls wearing basically the same outfit, a few had switched up one or two things. Maybe it is silly to want my children to standout from the crowd but encouraging them to be individuals and to think for themselves is important to me. I think that fashion is a great form of expression and I happen to love FabKids for all of those reasons.

This adorable and BRIGHT dolman with a metallic heart on the front is so cute. I don’t think I have ever seen a dolman top for a toddler before. She actually loves it because of the heart detail and I love it because of how bright and fun it is.

I paired it with a cute little cotton skirt that is so very comfortable. It can easily be paired with a pair of jeans or cute leggings though. A pop of blue denim with this top would be extra fabulous.

The icing on the cake of this outfit is this cute pair of leopard print rainboots. All I have to say is “Why don’t they make adult sizes in these boots?” because I would definitely buy them. It supposedly rains a lot here in WA (but we have been in a drought since I moved here) so I have purchased a ton of rainboots since getting here. I am not on the hunt for animal print ones for myself! LOL

Definitely check out FabKids for cute kids outfits. They are a subscription service that offers you a complete outfit for $29.95 a month. Most outfits include 2 pieces — so you can get a fabulous dress, paired with leggings OR a top and a bottom, etc. They make girls and boys clothing with a wide range of sizes. My daughter is wearing 2-3T but this company can even fit my 9 year old! YES!! Their shoes are also fabulous!

On top of their regular affordably priced pieces they also offer School Deals Under $20 for VIP Members beginning August 1^st so that moms can shop must-haves for the school year! They have dresses starting at $16.95, sneakers starting at $19.95, tops & tees starting at $9.95, tutus starting at $7.95, and my favorite: leggings – choose any 3 for $19.95!

What do you do with your own fashion or your children’s fashion to stand out and show your individuality? Tell me in the comments below!

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Fall Fashion | OshKosh B’gosh

August 27, 2015 10 Comments

I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for OshKosh B’Gosh. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Summer is coming to an end. That is just so sad for me to think about, but the good news is that school is back and I won’t have a chance to think about anything soon. Wait… Is that good news? My life will be filled with thinking about schedules and appointments and sports, oh my. My son will be going into 4th grade and I can hardly believe it. It feels like just yesterday when I was dropping him off at his first day of Kindergarten. My sweet little boy is growing up so fast and it sometimes blows my mind. He jumped from a size 8 in jeans last year to a size 12 this year. Thankfully I can still buy clothes for him at OshKosh B’gosh because they always have great styles and affordable prices; there is usually a coupon or a deal going on as well so that makes it even better.

I went to my local store a couple weeks ago to stock up back to school clothes for my son and my toddler daughter. (I love that I can get all my shopping done for both of them at the same store.) My son doesn’t start back until after Labor Day, but I wanted to beat the crowd and get everything I wanted. I think I must have been way early because most of the stuff I picked up that day, they were just putting out on the floor. I got my son a ton of stuff, but I think I was most impressed with the way the jeans fit him. I struggle finding him jeans because typically when they fit him in the waste they are way short, but these were perfect.

I am also a huge fan of this colorful gingham button up. I think it is the perfect way to pull in the last remnants of summer into his back to school outfits. Another thing I love about a nice button up is that it can be dressed up or down. Leaving it open with a fun graphic tee under it makes it super casual while buttoning it up most of the way leads to a more dapper looking outfit. I am kind of obsessed with this shirt if you can’t tell.

In addition to the jeans, graphic tees, and button ups I also picked him up a fleece hoodie with matching pants (that he will likely use as pajamas), and a nice pair of khakis. It is almost like a capsule wardrobe for a kid if you think about it. Mixing and matching all of these pieces creates a ton of easy go-to looks that this 4th grader can actually put together himself! Saves a lot of hassle on us, the parents, when it comes time to leave for school in the morning.

What’s even better than awesome clothes at great prices? A sweet coupon code. You can get 25% off of your purchase of $30 or more if you use this coupon code, which is good online or in stores. Find a location near you and check it out.

OshKosh B’gosh wants all kids to have what they need for school, from blue jeans to books! That’s the inspiration behind the nation launch of the “B’gosh Jeanius Campign”. OshKosh B’gosh has partnered up with K.I.D.S./ Fashion Delivers, Inc. and DonorsChoose.org to give customers the opportunity to donate a new pair of jeans or make a cash donation to a students in need this school year. All denim donated from July 28 through September 16, 2015, will be delivered to local children in need through K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, while cash donations will be dispersed to local DonorsChoose.org. The Carters Charitable foundation will match all cash donations up to $50,000 and all denim donations with a new item of clothing. They are doing some pretty amazing things and it makes my heart happy. So give kids a leg up and donate a new pair of blue jeans or make a cash donation at the register.

Tell me in the comments below: What was one of your favorite “Back To School” memories?

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

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