It’s The #BestBabyShower Twitter Party!

best baby shower

Are you expecting? Or maybe you know someone who is expecting? Either way, you have to come to our #BestBabyShower Twitter Party! We will be giving away awesome prize packs (over $500 worth!) including:

Three winners will receive a $25 Target gift cards along with prize packs from Dreft Home, Downy Wrinkle Releaser and Boogie Wipes.

One grand prize winner will receive a $50 Target card, Boogie Wipes, Dreft Home products, Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus, a Munchkin Safe Step Gate with TripGuard, a Chicco Echo Stroller, a Blooming Bath Baby Bath, a Orla Kiely Diaper Bag and a Fisher-Price Space Saver Highchair!

WOW!!

Are you excited? I am!

The party will be Monday, May 4th from 1-2 PM (Eastern). You MUST RSVP to be eligible to win. RSVPing is easy! First follow all of your party hosts so you don’t miss anything!

@MomsCheckIn

@its_a_fab_life

@sweetpennies

@spaceshipslb

@Optimistic_mama

@DownyWRPlus

@BoogieMom

@Munchkin_Inc

@Dreft

Then, fill out this form so we know you are coming! Then while you are tweeting, be sure to include #BestBabyShower with all of your tweets!

We can’t wait to tweet with you! See you at the party!





       

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Bake

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Chicken Bake

I am always looking for easy dinners to make during the week. Even better if it makes enough to feed everyone and leave leftovers for lunch! This recipe comes together in no time and is really good. Like really good! Like so good that my family is asking me to make it again!

zaycon

Not too long ago I volunteered at a Zaycon Fresh pick-up. I was there to pick up a case of their boneless skinless chicken breasts anyways so I was excited when they asked me to volunteer! Wait, let me back up for a second. Have you heard of Zaycon Fresh?

zaycon2

Zaycon Fresh has really awesome foods (mostly meats) like their famous boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as ground beef, hickory smoked bacon, applewood smoked ham and more! Their products go from farm to you – skipping the stores completely saving you big money! They are fresh (never frozen!) and so good. This is our second order of chicken and I’m just as impressed with this one as I was the last! They are hormone free and 100% natural. They are pretty large and you won’t spend much time trimming fat because there isn’t much! Compared to the store it’s a no brainer! The quality is top notch and they are only $1.69/lb! (And you can sign up to volunteer like I did! If called you will be given $10/hour worked in credit off your next purchase. I was at the event for about an hour and a half.)

chicken soup

But now Zaycon Fresh is even better because they have partnered with Chicken Soup For the Soul! Did you know that Chicken Soup for the Soul has more than just books? I didn’t! But they do! BBQ sauces, broths, pasta sauces and meal builder sauces. I was so excited to get a package from them to test out a few of the products! They were awesome! I’m a new fan for sure!

But you are here for the Easy, Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Bake right? Well, here it is! Simple to make and great for the freezer to make ahead of time.




Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Chicken Bake

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Bake

 

Simple to make and great for the freezer. This dish is easy to make and will be an instant family favorite.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Chicken Bake

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Bake

 

Simple to make and great for the freezer. This dish is easy to make and will be an instant family favorite.

Instructions
  1. In a hot skillet, add Chicken Soup for the Soul chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken and cover stirring occasionally until just cooked through.

  2. In a bowl combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, and basil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Remove the cooked chicken from the broth and roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a greased baking pan. Broil for just a minute to crisp.

  3. In the skillet saute the mushrooms in the remaining chicken broth. Set aside.

  4. In a casserole dish, cover the bottom in a thin layer of marinara sauce. Layer the frozen ravioli on top of the marinara sauce.

  5. Next, layer chicken and mushrooms. Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese and sauce. Then repeat. (Ravioli, chicken, mushrooms, cheese and sauce).
    Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Chicken Bake

  6. Finish your bake with a layer of ravioli, sauce and cheese. Bake for 45 minutes at 375 F. Put a cookie sheet underneath in case of any sauce bubbling over.

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Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Chicken Bake

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Chicken Bake

Serve with a side salad and breadsticks. Mmmm….this is seriously delicious!

Check out to see when and where Zaycon Fresh will be delivering in your area! They are one of my biggest tips for saving on meat and still getting excellent, high quality products!

This post was sponsored by Zaycon Fresh and Chicken Soup for the Soul. I was offered products in exchange for my honest review and opinions. I really truly love Zaycon Fresh & Chicken Soup for the Soul!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit Affordable Fashion For Women

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

Spring is officially here. Flowers are blooming and it’s time to play outside, have neighborhood BBQ’s, and most importantly break out the sandals! This outfit is perfect for spring and even to wear in the summer and fall (just throw on a cardigan and you are done!) It’s fun, colorful and affordable! In fact, you can get everything seen here for under $200!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

I really am a fan of the lace trend! This tank is modest and beautiful. The patterns are wonderful! This tank is availble from JC Penny for $17.99!

Get the tank here!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

If you’ve been around for a while you know that I love colored jeans! I really thought this was a trend that maybe I wouldn’t be able to pull off or would be too ‘young’ but it’s actually one of my favorite ways to add a pop of color! Think about it. A black t-shirt and jeans can be kind of boring. Add it to a pair of red jeans – instant glam. Add it to these mint jeans – what style! A pair of yellow skinny jeans? Instant fashion success.

Get the jeans here for $29.99!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

Gold hoops are a must for every lady’s jewelry box. These are pretty and a great size! Plus they are only $14.99!

Get the earrings here!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

This pretty necklace would be the star of any outfit! And for under $5.00 you can’t go wrong!

Get the necklace here for $4.29!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

Another fun pop of color, these ombre bracelets are great! I know that I would wear them with so many different outfits!

Get the bracelets here for $10.46!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

I think that this bag is so pretty. The color is luxurious and the price isn’t! It’s available in other shades too!

Get the handbag here!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

These braided sandals are something that you are sure to wear over and over and over again. They are only $12.95 on Amazon.

Get the sandals here!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

I bought this watch a few weeks ago and I’ve been wearing it non-stop! Anne Klein makes quality items and this looks like a million bucks! Except it’s under $50!

Get the watch here for $41.25

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

Total cost of the outfit? $192 for all 8 pieces!

Lace & Mint Spring Outfit - Affordable Fashion For Women

 

Is this something you would wear? Let us know! Thanks Fashion 4 Mom for creating another fantastic affordable outfit for us!

Don’t forget to pin!

 

       

(Easy!) Slow Cooker Applesauce

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BiteHungerBack #CollectiveBias

slow cooker cinnamon applesauce

I don’t know about you, but around our house mornings are a bit stressful. Getting up, getting dressed, making sure faces are washed, teeth brush, dogs walked and to grab books before rushing out to school. That doesn’t even begin to cover breakfast! Making it, letting it cool, and making sure that the half asleep child eats it quick enough to escape out to the bus stop on time.

But after school can sometimes be just as crazy. I’m trying to make dinner. Homework needs done, the dogs need walked (again), and Josh wants to play. Not to mention Josh wants to eat! He’s hungry!

slow cooker cinnamon applesauce

We need things that are easy to make for busy families! One thing that I love making is my easy slow cooker applesauce. It just takes a few minutes to prep and it’s seriously a dump and forget recipe. I pour mine into little containers that are perfect for pairing with an easy breakfast (like HOT POCKETS (R) Breakfast Bites!), tossing in a lunch box or even to go with a snack (like HOT POCKETS (R) Snack Bites!) With a hungry tween in the house, I’m all for easy recipes and food to have on hand when his hunger strikes. Which, let me tell you, is a lot!




Slow Cooker Applesauce

 

This easy recipe is a dump and forget kind of recipe! Easy and delicious!

Slow Cooker Applesauce

 

This easy recipe is a dump and forget kind of recipe! Easy and delicious!

Ingredients


Servings:

Instructions
  1. Peel your apples. Then slice them into bite size pieces.

  2. Dump the apples, brown sugar, water and cinnamon into your slow cooker.

  3. Combine the ingredients.

  4. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or medium for 7-8 hours. (I give mine a stir about halfway through.)

  5. If you like a chunkier applesauce, use a potato masher and mash directly in the slow cooker. If you prefer a smooth applesauce, blend for a few seconds. Allow to cool.

  6. If you prefer a smooth applesauce, blend for a few seconds. Allow to cool.

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walmart

Right now there are a few things that I’ve been grabbing every time I go to Walmart! HOT POCKETS (R)! Josh loves them. There are Breakfast Bites that have egg, (100% real!) cheese and either bacon, ham or sausage.

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They also have these new Snack Bites! There is pepperoni pizza bites (Josh’s favorite!), ham and cheddar, four cheese pizza or cheesy beef nacho.

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Just a few minutes in the microwave and they are ready! Plus, when you add in a pack of our homemade applesauce you’ve got a perfect way for starting or getting through your day!

You really need to check them out! Plus right now you can save $1.00 with this coupon!

Stay up to date with HOT POCKETS (R) by following them on social media!

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

Sometimes there is nothing better than a Rice Krispie Treat. Gooey melted marshmallow seems to make everything better! Right?!

This recipe is for a little more sophisticated Rice Krispie treat. Bet you didn’t even know there was such a thing huh? Well there is! Gooey marshmallow meet chocolate and salted caramel. Sounds amazing doesn’t it?

Well, it is! This dessert looks impressive, tastes fantastic and is still a super easy dish to make!




Chocolate Covered Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treat recipe

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

 

Your favorite childhood treat just got an adult makeover! Chocolate covered salted caramel Rice Krispie treats are easy to make and so delicious!

Chocolate Covered Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treat recipe

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

 

Your favorite childhood treat just got an adult makeover! Chocolate covered salted caramel Rice Krispie treats are easy to make and so delicious!

Ingredients


Servings:

Instructions
  1. In large pan melt 3 tablespoons of butter, then add the marshmallows.

  2. Stir constantly until marshmallows are completely melted.

  3. Take off the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies.

  4. Line a 9X13 pan with parchment paper or spray well. Then press Rice Krispie mix into the pan and allow to cool (30 mins to an hour).

  5. Melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon of butter in bowl in microwave. Pour onto Rice Krispie mix and immediately sprinkle with coarse salt. Let the chocolate harden.

  6. Melt the caramels in the microwave. Drizzle the caramel over the chocolate. Let harden completely before cutting.

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Yum! You will want a glass of milk to go with these!

 

Don’t forget to pin!

Neutral Love

Neutrals with a dash of color

I’m a big fan of neutrals. It makes them so easy to mix and match for creating tons of looks. Just change out the accessories for pops of color and it looks like an entirely new look!

original outfit

This was the original outfit. I really liked the tote bag and I’m a huge white jeans lover! I think that they look so crisp and clean. Every closet needs a pair!

For our version, we were able to find some great look alikes! The outfit has 10 pieces total and we got the final price down to $173.40 for the whole outfit! Here are the pieces we used:

cardigan

The original cardigan was grey and white stripes and while I am a HUGE stripe fan, I decided to switch it up a bit this time. Who doesn’t love chevron? The answer is nobody hates chevron. Nobody. So this is a fun cardigan that you will want to wear all the time!

Get the cardigan from Maurices for $32.00 here!

tank

Everyone needs a set of basic tanks. Target has some really great ones that are really long. They are perfect for layering and are great for the budget too.

Get the tank here for as low as $8.00!

jeans

Everyone needs a good pair of white jeans! Crisp and clean – these jeans are from Old Navy and are perfect!

Get the jeans here!

belt

We have used this belt before, but that just goes to show you how a classic piece can be used time and time again!

Get the belt here for only $6.99!

bracelets

These stacked bracelets are another accessory that I love to wear – a lot! Seriously, I bought these a few months ago and I wear them constantly!

Get the bracelets here for $4.99!

earrings

These gold hoop earrings get an unexpected addition with the pearls. These pretty earrings are just $24.99!

Get the earrings here!

handbag

If there ever was a ‘summer’ style bag, this would be it! Everyone needs this!

Get the handbag here!

sandals

Brown sandals are a must for everyone. I really like the shade of these and the cutout on it.

Get the sandals here!

scarf

How gorgeous is this shade? It’s called salmon, but the scarf is available in many, many other colors!

Get the scarf here for only $11.99!

sunglasses

Summer wouldn’t be summer without sunglasses! I love the glasses because they look good, but also because I’m known for losing my glasses and with these budget friendly prices I don’t have to stress!

Get the glasses here!

Neutrals with a dash of color

Don’t forget to pin!

Thanks Fashion 4 Mom for creating this outfit for us!

This post contains affiliate links.

       

Why I Love Audiobooks (And Why You Will Too!)

Why I love Audiobooks and why you will too

I love reading. Really is there much better than curling up with a good book, cuddled up under the blankets, sitting next to a fire while it’s snowing out? Or let’s go tropical! Is there anything more relaxing than laying on the beach or pool side, catching some sun, with your nose buried inside a book?

As much as I love reading, I honestly don’t get to enjoy it as often as I would like. Trips to the actual book store a treat and don’t happen very often. While I still love to hold a real book in my hands, e-books have quickly become a convienent way for me to have the latest reads.

I thought my problems were fixed. But have you tried to read a book while on a treadmill? Maybe it’s just me, but I loose my place all the time! And if you want to exercise outside, forget it. And that tropical scene we were talking about earlier? Again, maybe it’s just me, but the sun has other plans for me and it doesn’t include reading. Usually there is a glare on my tablet screen or I have to lay kind of funky. No thank you.

In steps audiobooks! Now, I can listen to my favorite books which means while I work out. And while I’m on vacation. And I can even catch up while I’m in my car!

Remember when you were little and the teacher would do different voices for all of the characters? I loved that! Didn’t you? Audiobooks are narrated in ways that make the story completely come alive!

audible (1)

I personally really love Audible. It allows you to listen anywhere at anytime. Just download the free Audible app on your smartphone or tablet. And can we talk about selection? Audible has over 150,000 titles in every genre you can think of. Best sellers? Yep! Classics? Yes! Children’s books? You bet!

And speaking of children’s books…

Josh loves Audiobooks! When we planned our vacation to New Hampshire it was awesome to have Audible. Josh would pick out a book, listen to it on the way and when it was over he would just select a new book. And we didn’t have to worry about losing library books or bringing (even more) stuff with us in the car!

audible-page-banner

When you start with Audible you get to try it out with a free book. How cool is that?! And be sure to check out Coupons.com Audible coupon codes!

And even better is that you can get 30 days free to Audible! Hurry go try! (This offer is valid until 4/30)

Where will you listen to your Audiobooks?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Coupons.com and Audible. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

       

What’s Inside Your Purse?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WhenImHungry #CollectiveBias

whats in your purse

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am running non-stop. I get up early, drive Josh to school (with our two dogs in tow), stop by my Mom’s house to help her, run errands, work, run back to pick Josh up from school, go to the dog park, come home, make dinner, clean up dinner, and by then it’s time for this old lady to be in bed!

One thing that goes with me everywhere (besides my son and pups!) is my purse. Let’s face it. If you are anything like me you have anything and everything you could ever need in it. In a pinch, my purse has something for me to Macgyver just about any situation. It’s my safety net!

So I was curious. What do you all keep in your purse? Today, I’m sharing some of the things in mine!

  • My wallet. Inside I keep the basics: cash, drivers license, credit cards, band-aids, all those shopper’s cards and of course, a bazillion receipts for mostly useless purchases. (The important purchases? Well, I’ve learned that somehow those receipts generally get thrown away. Go figure huh?)
  • Hair Stuff. Rubber band? Check. Back up rubber band? Check. Back up to the back up? Check. And if all else fails there is the clip. Everyone should have a clip.

snickers6

  • Make-up. I don’t keep a lot of make up, but I do have the basics including my favorite lip gloss, foundation and mascara. I usually have a few make-up brushes looming at the bottom of my bag too.
  • Video Camera. Why? Well, because my son insisted on bringing it with us to the park and once we got there he asked me to hold on to it. That was last week. It hasn’t moved. Don’t judge.
  • Pens. Usually you can’t find one, but they are there at the very bottom. Chances are when you pull one out it won’t write, but just stick it back in the bag. Who knows. Maybe next time it will work!
  • A snack. In my case I’m a little obsessed with SNICKERS Peanut Butter Squares. (You should totally also check out the SNICKERS Extreme and SNICKERS Almond!)

With all of the things on my Mom-To-Do-List, sometimes I forget to grab breakfast. Or late afternoon I realize that the coffee I had this morning really wasn’t enough to hold me over. I’m hungry! With so much to do – ain’t nobody got time for that! Hungry moms do crazy things! Hungry moms say funny stuff! Hungry moms are NOT a good thing!

IMG_2862

I don’t want to be a hungry mom! So I keep SNICKERS in my purse. I pick one up when I am at the Speedway gas station. Convenient huh? Throw a couple in my bag and when I find myself being a crazy, hungry Mom, I can pull one out. Have you had these?

snickers4

The packages come with 4 squares of peanut butter bliss.

snickers3

The squares are filled with peanut butter, peanuts, and caramel all covered in milk chocolate. Pop one of these into your mouth and your Hungry Moment just slips away.

So I want to know! What is in your purse? Do you have something to keep the hungry moments away?

 

       

Coral Jeans

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

Coral is one of the hottest colors this year! I love the combination of coral and grey.

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

Here is the original outfit that I found online. Don’t you love it?

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

I absolutely adore the color of these jeans! I think that you will be able to wear these pants with so many different outfits and add a fun pop of color!

Get the pants here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

Chambray tops are one of my favorite things right now. This top is from Old Navy and perfect!

Get the shirt here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

To say I’m a tad obsessed with these shoes is an understatement! The grey color is perfect and the white tribal details completely makes this shoe fun!

Get the shoes here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

We wanted to keep the accessories pretty neutral and low key for this outfit. This boyfriend watch is a classic!

Get the watch here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

This bracelet brings in a great look. The different textures of the metals is fun, classic and sure to be worn a hundred times over!

Get the bracelet here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

Stamped jewelry has been popular for a while now. It’s pretty and a great reminder! Layer this bracelet with the other for a fun stacked look!

Get the bracelet here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

One day I’ll have a jewelry box filled with diamonds, but right now my diamond money seems to be going to pay for things like birthday parties, summer camp and my Starbucks habit. 🙂 So until then, these will do! (And psst! You would never know they were under $20!)

Get the earrings here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

Isn’t this scarf pretty? It is available in other colors as well, but I’m definitely swooning over the corals, pinks, purples and yellows!

Get the scarf here!

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

While I was looking for the perfect scarf for this outfit, I fell in love with a second scarf. It wasn’t quite a look alike for the original outfit since it wasn’t a tribal print, but I wanted to include it! Here is the outfit with the cross scarf.

You can get the scarf here.

I love this outfit!  I love even more that it is budget friendly and that I can actually afford it!

Whether you choose the tribal scarf or the cross scarf, this outfit is super cute. And as far as your budget goes, you can get the entire look for $221.17 for everything – the scarf, shirt, pants, earrings, both bracelets, the watch and the shoes! Not bad! 🙂

Don’t forget to pin!

This post contains affiliate links.

       

10 Pieces of Jewelry Under $3

10 pieces of jewelry under 3

Looking for some inexpensive jewelry? Here is a list of 10 pieces all under $3.00 – shipped!



Tibetan Silver Leaf Shape Turquoise Crystal Drop Dangle Earrings $2.63 shipped



Heart shape dangle unique distorted pattern Ear Wire Hook Dangle Earrings $2.58 shipped



Amber Pendant Sweater Chain Necklace $2.33 shipped



Golden Single Row Crystal Ring $3 shipped



Austrian Crystals Wreath Bow Earrings $3 shipped



Stylish Artificial Gem Love Heart Shape Pendant Necklace $2.80 shipped



Infinity Owl Giraffe Key Friendship Leather Charm Bracelet Alloy $2.50 shipped



Infinity Love Heart Eiffel Tower Friendship Leather Charm Bracelet $2.19 shipped



Hollow Out Tibet Round Rimous Turquoise Pendant Chain Necklace $2.96 shipped



Tibetan Silver Flower Pattern Turquoise Feather Dangle Earrings $2.40 shipped

Thanks, Couponing For Freebies!

This post contains affiliate links.