AppleBee’s Is Changing It Up For the Better #SeeYouTomorrow #SP

June 23, 2014June 23, 2014 - brandy3 5 Comments

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. A complimentary meal was provided for my review.

I have not been to Applebee’s in a few years, the last time was on Veteran’s Day and my husband insisted on going so he could get his free meal. It seemed like your standard chain burger restaurant.

Today our visit changed my opinion for Applebee’s overall. The atmosphere and new menu were just make the whole restaurant colorful and family friendly.
First I just loved the way the restaurant was decorated. Each wall was decorated and dedicated to different things around Long Island. The wall where we were sitting was decorated with events like the Tulip Festival and information about Walt Whitman. Both are a big part of our local area and Walt Whitman Birthplace attraction is right across from AppleBee’s in Huntington Station NY. As soon as we walked in we were welcomed by the most friendly people and were seated to accustom our family. The Manager and staff were so pleasant.

Kids Menu:
It always seems like every time we go out to eat my kids are only eating French Fries. With the revamped Kids Menu, They have new menu options and tons of sides to choose from. The side options are great instead of fries you can choose from things like:

Yogurt and Strawberries
Mozzarella Sticks
salad
White Rice
Baby Carrots with Ranch
And more

My daughter decided on the Cheesy Bread Pizza (a new menu item) with a side of yogurt and strawberries. You can choose 1/2 a pizza or whole. She loved it and said it was very delicious. She also chose a new drink option they have and thought it was very sweet, The Strawberry Lemonade.

New Menu Options:

Applebee’s brings New Flavors Of Summer to their menu including

Freshcado Chicken
Grilled Vidalia Onion Sirloin
Strawberry and Avocado salad
and many more

There were so many new menu items it was hard to choose just what I wanted, but I decided on the new Chicken Freshcado.
The Chicken Freshcado is a fire grilled chicken breast with avocado relish and served with rice. The dish also includes avocado, pineapple, peppers, onions, zucchini, and more. Freshcado Chicken is also part of Applebee’s Weight Watchers Menu items at only 440 calories

The Chicken Freshcado had a great citrus taste and was just a bit spicy from some of the vegetables. It’s also a large portion, I could barely finish it myself.

My husband chose the Citrus Lime Sirloin another new menu item. The Citrus Lime Sirloin is a grilled sirloin placed over crispy red potatoes and a vegetable blend. Drizzled with citrus lime sauce and then topped with cilantro and lime juice.

He was very impressed with this dish and thought it was very delicious. The steak was very juicy and the lime juice gave it just the right touch. It is also a dairy free meal option.

New Dessert
For Dessert they have their classic brownie bites and cookie sundaes, but for a limited time they are re-introducing The Butter Pecan Blondie.

The Butter Pecan Blondie is a a delicious blast from the past. Baked With nuts and topped with ice cream, glazed pecans, cream cheese sauce and served sizzling.

I have never eaten a sizzling dessert before. I was a little nervous, but it was the best thing I have ever tasted. In all seriousness, it was delicious. The pecans, pumpkin bread, cream cheese sauce and ice cream just blended so well together.

What Applebee’s new menu item are you most excited to try?

Skindinavia Has A New Primer Spray #Beauty

June 5, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. A product was provided for my review.

This new lightweight, breathable, silicone-free and paraben-free makeup primer sprays are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and our proprietary temperature-control technology. Clinically-proven to soothe redness, prevent breakouts, control the appearence of oil, even out skin tone and reduce large pores over time!
The Makeup Primer Sprays are poised to revolutionize the category and shake up makeup application available now!
So this summer, brush on foundation, blush and bronzer without fear of creasing, fading and a major meltdown. Whether drugstore or prestige, we’re super excited to make makeup better for your skin with our brand new The Makeup Primer Sprays.

Features:

83% of users agree this is the best makeup primer that have ever used.
93% of users noticed their skin felt smoother.
Silicone-free base creates a breathable barrier between skin and makeup.
Helps to prevent common skin issues associated with makeup use including redness, large pores and irritation.
Proven to reduce the need for makeup touch-ups or blotting
Formulated to be worn with or without makeup
All Skin products are oil, paraben and sulfate-free. Each product is tested for sensitive skindinavia.

*** I rarely wear makeup but when I do it seems like it never lasts that long, specially when it is cold outside my acne scars start to seep through and it just becomes a total mess. When I use concealer my face gets really heavy and greasy, but I have noticed it less when I use the primer.

You can get the new Skindinavia here.

Flash Giveaway! Win a Gain Prize Pack and Enter The Selfie SweepstakesClosed

May 31, 2014June 6, 2014 - brandy3 306 Comments

Gain has teamed up with the non-profit organization Portraits Of Hope, to transform 6 ordinary laundromats throughout the Bronx, Spanish Harlem, and Washington Heights, into colorful, multi-dimensional art landscapes, created by school children and patients at Monte Fiore Hospital.

In these specific laundry mats there are selfie stations that you can stop take a selfie, and enter to win the #Musictoyournose Instagram Sweepstakes. The contest ends on June 16. Prizes range from gift cards to Gain products.

Enter to win a Gain Prize pack!!

This is a Flash Giveaway and will end on June 5, so get as many entries as you can in.

Winner will win this prize pack

To enter: Tell me your favorite spot to take a selfie?

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed- 12 entries

Blog about this giveaway-9 entries

put my button on your site or put No Time Mommy on your blogroll-16 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-7 entries unlimited

Follow me on Bloglovin- 6 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

Enter the #MusicToYourNose Sweeps and leave me the link-4 entries

Tweet this giveaway-4 entries (can be done daily)

Pin, Google + or stumble share-3 entries

Enter any of my other giveaways-3 entries

post this giveaway on Facebook-2 entries (can be done daily)

Contest ends 6/5/14

Help Induct Hess Toy Truck Into The Hall Of Fame #HESS

May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post.

Hess Toy Truck is celebrating 50 years today. To celebrate Hess is asking fans to help get Hess Toy Truck inducted into the National Toy hall of fame.

The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1988 and is housed at the Strong National Museum of Play, based in Rochester, NY. Since its inception, only 53 toys have ever been inducted into its prestigious halls, following a strict nomination and evaluation process that begins in the spring and ends with final selections in November.

For a Toy to be inducted they must:

Icon-status: The toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered
Longevity: The toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations
Discovery: The toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play
Innovation: The toy profoundly changed play or toy design. A toy may be inducted on the basis of this criterion without necessarily having met all of the first three.

We absolutely Love Hess Toy Truck, my son wants a new one every year. A new toy truck is released every year and has real life sounds and lights. It brings smiles and hours and hours of fun for my kids.

Help nominate Hess Toy Truck by clicking on this link and filling out the form.

Protecting Your workouts With Just Go Girl #SP

May 3, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure:This is a sponsored post by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network.

When you have 3 or more kids you tend to learn that leaks can happen, it can get embarrassing. Brooke Solis has created a new way to help women with their workouts.

After the birth of her twins, Brooke Solis was determined to find a way to get back into shape. But an issue with athletic incontinence made exercise — particularly high-impact movement and jumping — a real obstacle. With five kids and a busy career as an attorney, Brooke looked to her
workouts as the one hour of the day that she could dedicate to herself but as much as she loved high impact workouts, the incontinence pads that she wore during those workouts made her self conscious and uncomfortable.

It didn’t take much research for Brooke to realize that she wasn’t the only woman dealing with athletic incontinence: Estimates find that 25 million women — from high school athletes and new mothers to women past their childbearing years — share her problem. That’s one out of every three women who may avoid exercise and its physical and mental health benefits because they are worried about athletic leaks.

Never one to bow to a challenge, Brooke decided that if the right product to address the issue didn’t yet exist, she’d create one.

After several trials, Brooke designed a pad that’s not only inconspicuous under form-fitting workout clothes, but is also comfortable and absorbent. While the pads are less bulky than a traditional sanitary napkin, they can hold up to 140ml of urine. She then decided to make the innovative JustGo Pad™, available to all active women as a solution to what can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem.

Since its launch, this groundbreaking product has allowed women all over the country to “just go” on their runs, to their group fitness classes and to CrossFit training without frustration or anxiety. As a result, Solis has heard from grateful women of all ages and stages of life. By opening up the discussion about this issue, Solis has created a community where women not only can find an effective solution, but support and encouragement, as well.

About Brooke:
Raised in the Midwest, Brooke is a self-proclaimed “Type-A personality.” A graduate of Notre Dame, she worked in the financial sector before attending Yale Law School. A practicing attorney, Brooke currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and family. Her company, JustGoGirl, was launched in January 2014.

You can learn more about Just Go Girl, and get a free sample here.

New Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast at IHOP #CinnamonSwirl #IHOP

April 26, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: A gift card was supplied to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

IHOP has been introducing tons of new menu items to get everyone excited. I know my daughter has been gushing about the Berry Berry french toast since it was introduced.

Right now for a limited time when you visit IHOP you can enjoy one of their new breakfast beverages. The beverages are welcoming spring to the restaurant and include Mango Mosa, Orange Grapefruit Breeze, and Spicy Tom.

Another new menu item that was just introduced and is only available until May 25, is Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast. When we first saw this advertised, my daughter yelled dessert for breakfast. It comes with 2 thick pieces of brioche, dipped in vanilla, and grilled. Then they top it with Cinnamon roll filling and then cream cheese icing.

You can order it with a combo, which is actually a better deal for your money. I order the ultimate combo with it. Came with eggs, bacon, sausage, has browns and the Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast, all for about $11.00.

It was so delicious, I just wish the serving of just the french toast was bigger. It was like eating a really gooey Cinnamon Roll.

Have you tried their new menu options? What did you think?

Teachers Change Lives Everyday #TeachersChangeLives #CGC

April 22, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Growing up in school I never realized how much teachers actually do for their students. In fact I never really paid attention. Now that I am a mother and actively involved in my children’s school, I finally do see just how much they care.
For example this year my daughter us n 3rd grade, and her teachers are actively doing their best to make sure the students understand every aspect of the new common core. Going over every thing and making sure the kids understand it. They make sure the children get the breaks they need between testing and learning. My daughter comes home happy everyday with no worries. She rarely even asks for help with homework, because she understands everything so much better.
We also live close to a elementary teacher in another school district and I have heard the insiders view of being a teacher you may not know. Teachers spend money out of pocket for so many things,especially in underfunded areas.

You can help a local school:

Teachers are doing innovative things in the classroom and you can help them do more by donating
You can donate to the teacher highlighted in the video, or a teacher in your local community
Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students
Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all that they do in the lives of their students

Jeffery Wright- Jeffrey Wright is a physics teacher in Louisville, Kentucky. His classroom is full of experiments from plasma balls, to hovercrafts. He teaches students to apply what they learn to real life. A big part of science is failing, and he teaches students that it’s okay to fail but to keep trying. He believes you have to give back to make the world brighter.

Read about some of the great teachers changing lives and how you can help

To register a your own teacher, just visit the Teachers Change Lives website and click on the red box that says rester your classroom. To donate to a class, just click on the teal donate to a teacher box.

Is there a teacher that changed your life?

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

Zarbee’s Naturals For Your Seasonal Congestion

April 17, 2014May 25, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: “I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Zarbee’s Naturals. I received a promotional item and a product sample as a thank you for participating.”

Every year around spring time we go through the sniffles, sneezing, headaches. It’s the worst, specially for my kids. I send them to school and then everyone thinks they are sick, even though it is just congestion from the season.

We have tried multiple products to help with seasonal congestion, but most products make my kids drowsy. You can’t send them to school when they are drowsy, thats for sure.

I was recently introduced to Zarbee’s Naturals for seasonal relief. Although my kids are still a bit to young to take it. It’s intended for children 12 years and older. It’s been a great solution for seasonal relief for my husband and I.

Some great info about Zarbees:

Physician developed and recommended
No side affects
Made with natural Butterbur to help combat congestion
Free of drugs, gluten, dyes and alcohol

To help people breathe easier, Zarbee’s has launched the Seasonal Relief Project. The project is designed to help you get wellness tips, educational information and even request free samples to try yourself.

Right now when you sign up for the Seasonal Relief Project Website, Zarbee’s will donate to 1 of 4 causes promoting exposure and protection of fresh air. Plus you can get a $3 off coupon exclusively to buy Zarbee’s at CVS.

Zarbee’s Naturals can be bought over the counter t Target and CVS. Please remember that this product is intended for adults and children ages 12 and up.

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

How does seasonal congestion affect you and your family? What are your natural remedies?

Kelly Rowland is the new Caress Fabulista #CaressMe @Caress

April 8, 2014April 8, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

It was just announced that Kelly Rowland is the new Caress Fabulista, I am so excited about it. Kelly said “I am looking forward to working together anti inspire women to enjoy every day experiences in a fresh new way. For me, it all starts with a beautiful fine fragrance.” Kelly’s favorite would be Emerald Rush.

Caress’s new Fresh Collection Body Washes and Beauty Bar are so refreshing and smell so good.

The new line includes:

Caress Emerald Rush Body Wash and Beauty Bar

Infused with lush Gardenia and White Tea Essence
Brings your senses to life with a multi-faceted palette of lush Gardenia and intoxicating citrus medley.

Caress Aqua Sparkle Body Wash

Infused with Lilac Blossom and Aquamarine Essence.
Invigorates the senses with an elegant floral heart of exotic Lilac Blossoms, seamlessly mixed with fresh sparkling fruity notes.

Caress Juicy EscapeBody Wash

Infused with Sun Kissed Lily and Pink Grapefruit Essence
Uplifts the senses with a burst of Pink Grapefruit notes, and wrapped in a bouquet of fresh Sun Kissed Lily notes.

The minute I received these, I was already in heaven. You could just smell the great fragrances from the box. My favorite would have to be Emerald Rush, I love the way it smells. Plus it comes in a beauty bar, which my children prefer.

Find out more at www.caressskin.com

Which are you most excited to try?

Fairway Solitaire Blast Is So Much Fun. #FSBlast

April 3, 2014April 3, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: This is a compensated post.

My life is very hectic and busy, especially during the school year. Running kids, around, cooking, cleaning, working. I spread myself very thin. I have found a solution for myself. It’s sounds kind of crazy, but when ever I get frustrated or mad I play games. I don’t know what it is about it, but games seem to calm me down.

My newest craze is Fairway Solitaire Blast by Big Fish. It’s nothing like regular solitaire. You pick the cards that that would match higher or lower to the card displayed, but there are secret cards that will blow other cards away.

Key Features:

Fairway Solitaire is the top grossing solitaire app on iOS.
Fairway Solitaire Blast adds power ups for card clearing mayhem
Invite friends to request lives or own them on the leader board

This game really puts a spin on the regular boring game of solitaire. The game goes fast, and you the more points you get the more stars. Each level is different. Right now I am stuck at level 6, because I can’t get enough points. It will definitely be the new addictive game for everyone. Plus it’s free.

Fairway Solitaire blast is available on Apple iPhone or iPad, Android for Google Play, and Amazon for Kindle Fire. Download the game here.

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