Author: brandy3

Jif’s Most Creative Sandwich Contest #MC

- brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Jif. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating

I make peanut Butter and sandwiches everyday, my kids would eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner. Jif is hosting their Most Creative Sandwich Contest -asking families across the country to create an original sandwich recipe with 2 tablespoons of your favorite Jif products! Children ages 6-12 and their parents can enter to win a 25,000 college fund, and a trip to NYC.

Nutty BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Last Years Finalist

You can enter now on their site, but hurry contest ends November 8.

Holiday Gift 2013: Hess 2013 Toy Truck and Tractor #Hess #SP #HessToyTruck

- brandy3

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post, a product was provided for review. Al opinions are 100% my own.

Hess has revealed their new toy truck and tractor, thanks to the help of a social media campaign. The Toy is a truck and tractor

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The Truck features:

  • 4 realistic sounds: ignition/idle, horn, back-up alert and hydraulic lift
  • 45 lights that work in flash or steady mode
  • Hidden extendable rear loading ramp with sound effects

Tractor Features:

  • Motorized forward and reverse motion
  • 15 working lights
  • Locking front bucket with release button
  • 360-degree swiveling back bucket

You can pick up the Hess Toy Truck and Tractor starting Nov. 8 at Hess locations or Online at Hess Toy Truck.

Our Halloween Fun

- brandy3

My kids had such a blast yesterday for Halloween. We went trick or treating in 2 different villages and even got to dance with Elmo. They are a little old for that but still had fun.

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I hope everyone had a great Halloween.

You Can Have Your All

- brandy3

Disclosure: This is a compensated post.

There is a new book out for women driven to success. It’s called You Can Have It Your All, By Dr. Jane Goldner.

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“The ‘real life’ stories and the practical toolkit make this book one that you will want to keep, refer to and recommend to your spheres of influence!” Women today are being told by successful businesswomen that the key to ‘having it all’ is leaning in. Dr. Jane Goldner, on the other hand, believes that success is not a one size fits all concept. She states that women can “have it all,” but poses the question: “What does ‘it all’ really mean?” Throughout the book, Dr. Goldner provides the answer that “it all” is different for each person, and discusses the paths women have taken to go from homemakers to “doing dishes, diapers, and million-dollar deals,” with many choices in-between. A critical lesson is that before a woman “leans in,” she needs to figure out “her all.” Based on her own life experiences and those of 14 other highly successful senior-level professional women, Women Driven to Success provides examples of role models as well as a tool kit to help women define and live THEIR ALL. Among the many topics that Dr. Goldner covers in her book are: – The need for each woman to define her own CORE, her ‘North Star’ -Why being ‘everything to everybody’ is NOT the answer – Learning the skills of negotiation and confrontation – The important difference between taking personal time to stay healthy, and having to take time to be sick Dr. Goldner is a business consultant with nearly 30 years experience.

This book has nothing but positive reviews and is great to get your spirit up and really help you get your goals in life. You can purchase this book here.

October is National Chili Month #HormelFamily

- brandy3

Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

October has been declared National Chili Month. Prior to 1935, chili was popular only in the Southern, Southwestern and Western regions of the United States. Hormel Foods is responsible for introducing chili to the Midwest as well as introducing new, unique ways to eat and enjoy chili.

While it is popular to eat chili in a bowl, most prefer to use it as a topping on hot dogs, chips and so much more. I am not big on eating it by the bowl, but love a chili cheese dogs, or fries.

To celebrate we made our favorites Chili Cheese dogs and fries, While my husband chose to go for a chili dip.

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We are still making the most of National Chili month and making the most out of the chili we have with all the fun Hormel Recipes.

What is your favorite Chili Dish?

Tailgating With Hormel #HormelFamily

- brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

We don’t get to tailgate a lot anymore now that we live in NY. It gets cold by the time all the big games start. We try to still do it every now and then though, and when we visit family in Arizona or North Carolina.

When we tailgate we have tons of great food. We have the usual hamburgers and hot dogs, but we also add in Lloyds baby back ribs. They are my kids favorite. All the sides too, Chips and Chi Chi salsa, or hummus.

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One of the main things I love about tailgating is just getting to spend time with Family and friends.
In a recent survey 76% of people think Tailgating is a crucial part of going to a game. 73% would rather eat their own food, then the stadium food.

I can definitely agree with that. It can be costly getting food at a stadium, versus bringing and cooking your own.

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Some fan favorite recipes from Hormel include:

Backyard Barbecue Ribs: Heat up the grill for these easy-to-make crowd pleasers, featuring Hormel Always Tender Pork Country Style Ribs

Hot Pepperoni Dip: Whip up this dip featuring delicious Hormel pepperoni (regular or mini sized!) to bring to your tailgate. Prep time is less than 30 minutes!

Grilled Honey Ham Steaks and Fruit Salsa: Get creative with this recipe featuring Hormel Natural Choice Honey Deli Ham and fresh fruits.

You can find your perfect tailgating recipe at Hormel.

How often do you tailgate? Do you have a favorite food or recipe?

PlayTown App Brings Imaginations to life #PlayTown

- brandy3

My kids love telling and writing stories, they do it everyday. They are so creative and talented!
Most of their stories are on video as they seem to tell a story then forget it as they are writing, so we just record their stories.

I was introduced to a ne app called PlayTown, this app helps bring your stories to life.

Create, personalize, narrate and share your own stories in Play Town.
It’s simple! Choose your cast of lovable characters, stages, props, accessories, music and even your own photos and drawings as you create your own story!

Some of the features are……

Themed character play sets
Multiple background stage set options
Touch, drag and adjust size of characters in the scene
Change character expressions
Add accessories
Narrate and record your story
Add a musical background effect
Title your story and add your name as Director
Play back and enjoy your story!
Don’t forget to watch the credits and then share the story with friends.

Plus the best thing about this app is personalization. You can add your photo, add a drawing, or change your shoes and clothes. There is so much you can personalize.

You can download the app for

PlayTown on iTunes:

PlayTown on Google Play:

At first we had a little trouble with the app, it would just go black and not load. After we uninstalled it and then re-installed it, it worked fine. My kids had fun making a story with this app. You can do a lot of fun things, even upgrade for $1.99 to a princess theme.

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Download this App today for a fun story, it’s free.

Will you be trying this App?

Disclosure: I will be receiving a gift card for this review from Childs Play Communications. All opinions are 100% my own.

Hess Reveals 2013 Toy Truck #hesstruck2013

- brandy3 2 Comments

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Information provided by Hess.

Hess has revealed their 2013 toy truck ahead of the holiday season. The reveal came early through Social Media support. So the big reveal is…….
Hess toy truck and Tractor

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Since 1964 Hess has revealed and sold a toy truck every year.

You can pre-order the Hess toy truck now online or get it in store November 8, 2013. To find locations or pre-order visit here.

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