Good day sunshine...

This time next week I'll be having some fun in the sun in beautiful Orlando at the Mother's Of Preschooler's (MOPS) Convention. I am so excited to be attending. It will be the first trip I've taken away from my family. I can't wait to meet with other mom's and to share "war stories" with them. LOL And I can't wait to sleep in. Ahh, sweet rest.

So, do you have any tips for a newbie to the Orlando area? Also, I'm looking for guest bloggers. Please send me an email if you are interested.

Blog Frog

Happy Monday everyone! I wanted to point out that over the weekend I started a Blog Frog Chic Crafty Chick Community here on my blog. I think it will be a fun way to interact with folks and get some great discussion going about the important things in life like: what you are reading this summer, or what is your favorite summer outfit, or why did I give my child rice krispies cereal when he gets them everywhere? It's the burning topics like that I know we need to discuss. And while we are at it, we may be able to solve some of this country's real problems. Think of it as your civic duty people. LOL

To check out and join the Blog Frog, look on the right hand side of the blog and you'll see it. It is easy to access. Please email me if you need help or have any issues. I can't wait to chat with you!

We are Fit and Fresh Keepin it Cool

This week when I went shopping at Kroger I found these awesome containers by Fit & Fresh in the back to school area. I was so excited to see that they come with a place built in for a freezer pack. The two sizes I purchased were the one cup (the one pictured on the right) and the two cup (pictured on the left). The containers have measurements marked off on the sides. My son's new lunch box is not big, so when I saw that these containers had the place inside for the freezer pack I was so excited. This will make it easier when I pack his snack/lunch. They also sell larger sizes and they even have a really neat container that would be great for salads and it came with a small fold up fork and knife. I think I may go back and purchase that one for myself.

If I remember correctly, the one cup was $2.99 and the two cup was $3.99. The packaging said they are BPA free which I know is a big concern for many folks these days. The little freezer packs easily pop out. And, they had me at "dishwasher safe" for the top wrack. Well, just the containers and not the freezer part goes in the dishwasher which is ok with me. I won't buy things if I can't put it in the dishwasher.

So this is my cool find this week. Do you have one of these containers? What do you think?

Hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!

Toys R' Us Events

I was really excited to hear that Toys R' Us is having nation wide grand opening and reopening events at some of their stores in the upcoming months. One of these opening events is taking place in Roanoke, Virginia this Friday, July 23rd. If you live out in that area, you'll want to stop by. The first 100 moms who come to these events will receive Toys R' Us moms gift bags full of gifts and special offers. If you are a blog reader who doesn't live in Virginia, then don't worry about missing out. You can check to see if one of these fun events will be taking place in your area. You can find out all the details at http://www.iwanttobeatoysrusmom.com/ You'll want to visit this website to download your "secret coupon". You can take it with you to the event at your local store to reveal your shopping discount. It could be up to 50% off one item. Man, the things I'd buy with a 50% off coupon. LOL

We are huge Toys R' Us fans here in our household. We just celebrated my oldest son's fourth birthday on July 5th and we made sure we stopped by our local Toys R' Us store on his birthday since we are part of their birthday club. They gave him a sweet little crown and a balloon to celebrate his big day. They also sent us some great coupons in the mail too. If you haven't signed your child up for their birthday club, be sure to do it. You won't want to miss out on those great savings.

We also recently visited our local store when they had a Thomas the Tank engine event about two weekends ago. Thomas is huge here in our house. Both my boys love playing with our train table and that is the first thing they want to see when we got to Toys R' Us. The Thomas event is something Toys R' Us has done every few months and it is a nice little event. They had the trains for the kids to play with, as well as some Thomas coloring sheets. They also read the kids a Thomas story. It was a nicely done event and we hope to attend another soon.

I think it is great Toys R' Us is recognizing the importance of family and the role mom's play by sponsoring these Toys R' Us Mom events nationwide. I'm excited to be able to share with you more information on this campaign in the upcoming months. I'd love to hear if you get to attend an event in your area.

So the FTC is happy, I want to share that I am receiving a promotional incentive from Toys“R”Us as a thank you for telling my blog readers about the Grand Opening weekends.

The Harvest is in! Tomato Report 2010

After watering from what feels like forever, the harvest is in! I finally got 3 tomatoes off the vine. Unfortunately, these decided to split. I found out from doing some research on the Internet that tomatoes will split if they aren't watered consistently, or they get a sudden big surge of water. The sudden surge of water is what has happened to me. I've been faithfully watering, but we've finally gotten rain in the last week, so that surge has caused the skins to split. The advice I saw online said to go ahead and pick your tomatoes off the vine before they've turned so you can avoid it. So, that is what I'll have to do I guess.

There is nothing better than a fresh tomato. I'm not sure if they have it this summer, but one of my favorite salads has been the tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese salad at Panera. I try to recreate it at home when my own summer tomatoes come in.

I thinking I might try my hand at making fried green tomatoes too. So, are you a fan of tomatoes? If so, what is your favorite way to prepare them?

DSW Shoe Warehouse Michael Kors Score

Check out my cute new flip flops. They are Michael Kors and they were marked down to $39.94 with 70% off that. I love that 70% off sticker! I haven't been to DSW in forever, so I was glad to make a great find while I was there.

So, that is my chic deal of the week. Have you found any good deals lately?

Highlander

It has been fun participating in Toyota/Twitter Mom's campaign this week with my previous post on Monday about my love for our Toyotas. http://chiccraftychick.blogspot.com/2010/07/toyota.html

This week I've posted two reviews over on Toyota's Facebook page, as well as blogging about my experience as a Toyota owner. I posted a story on the Facebook fan page about our Corolla and our Highlander. If you get the chance, the Toyota Facebook page is pretty cool to check out. You can read lots of different stories people have shared. I'd encourage you to check it out. http://www.facebook.com/toyota

Since we purchased our 2008 Toyota Highlander, I've had two folks that I know that went and purchased Highlanders after I raved about mine. I love so many things about my car. It is great to sit higher up off the road. The standard third row seating was a huge plus for us. It has come in handy a lot over the last two years. Having that option is so nice.

I can't say enough good things about my Highlander and I'd recommend it to anyone. Not knocking my head every time I buckle my kids in their car seats is a huge plus. And I'm not a tall person, so I can't imagine how other folks handle that with other vehicles.

So if you are in the market for a new vehicle, I'd recommend giving the Highlander a try.


I'm participating in a Toyota/TwitterMoms campaign, which inspired this post. My opinions, thoughts and feelings are my own. When I found out about the campaign, I was excited to participate because owning Toyota’s has been a part of my family’s life. Occasionally I blog about different products and I’ll only blog about things that I like, and feel that I can support and recommend in good conscious. As a TwitterMom, I'm eligible for a courtesy gift of $50.

Oh I wish I was an Oscar Mayer Wiener...Mobile

Hot Diggity Dog! Remember that jingle from Oscar Mayer? Ok, I'm dating myself now. I'm sure someone is scratching their head. I miss good, catchy jingles like that.

A week ago last Friday, July 2nd, we had the chance to meet up with the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile. The young guy and girl who were the Oscar Mayer ambassadors or "hot doggers" as they are known were fabulous, energetic and fun. The weather was beautiful and we were so excited to "ketchup" with these great folks.

The gentleman who was with the Wienermobile (I feel awful, his name is escaping me) was so enthusiastic and said that he and his fellow hot dogger had just started their year long journey in the Wienermobile. If you haven't had the pleasure, you've got to check out the adventures of the hot doggers on their blog http://hotdoggerblog.com/ I found out about their blog last year and have periodically checked in. I found out as well that they are on Twitter and I've enjoyed seeing their tweets fly documenting their cross country adventures.

In case you didn't know, there are a few different Wienermobiles that drive in different regions across the country. The two hot doggers drive around together for 6 months, then they get to trade off and travel with a different partner in another region. What a great way to see the country. These two hot doggers I met had just graduated from college and had been on the road a month.

I found it interesting that they don't to have a special license to drive the Wienermobile. I was wondering if you'd have to have a CDL license or something, but they said no. So even I could go and drive the Wienermobile. Hmmm. Now that is a thought. Buns on the run.

When we were on vacation the week before, I found these cute hot dog t-shirts for my boys at the Gap Outlet. I thought they were cute and I'd get them matching shirts. Then I found out when we got home that the Wienermobile was coming to our area in Virginia, so I was excited for the boys to wear their shirts. The hot doggers immediately saw their shirts and loved them and they are even in the Oscar Mayer colors. Maybe Oscar Mayer would like to have my boys as mini hot doggers? Or, I guess you could call them cocktail wieners since they are little? LOL

It was a "bunderful" time to "ketchup" with the hot doggers. We "relished" every moment.

If you want the chance to meet up with the Wienermobile, check out the hot dogger blog and also keep an eye open at your local grocery stores. Our local Kroger played host and I saw the sign in the store while shopping one day.

I hope you are having a wonderful day in your neck of the woods!

Toyota

We are a Toyota family. If you’ve been a follower of my blog for a while, I posted about my excitement when we purchased our Toyota Highlander back at the end of 2008.

After buying that car, I swore off VW and went back to my beloved Toyota. I’d had a Toyota Tercel prior to getting the Jetta and knew I’d be buying Toyota again because I’d had such a positive experience with that car. Also, DH has had numerous Toyota's and has had good luck with them.

One of the most basic reasons we’ve liked having Toyota’s has been the good gas mileage. With the shock we all went through a few year ago with the gas gouging our pocketbooks have experienced, we have always felt it was important to take good gas mileage into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. So that has put Toyota at the top of the list for us.

Another draw for us to purchase a Toyota was a negative experience we experienced with my VW Jetta. DH is a handy guy and can easily change the oil in our Toyota Corolla. But when it came to the Jetta, he had to buy a special tool in order to get the oil cap off, and then it required taking a crazy panel off the bottom of the car, which made it a nightmare to change the oil. My husband wasn’t real fond of that “German engineering” VW brags about.

We have been blessed that we have only had to do the usual routine maintenance on our 2003 Corolla. Reliability has been a consideration for us when purchasing a vehicle. We tend to keep cars for a while, so Toyota vehicles have fit the bill. DH and I have owned used Toyota’s, as well as brand new Toyotas and we have found them to be great, reliable cars.

I’d love to get some comment love today and hear your thoughts on Toyota. Do you own a Toyota, or have you owned a Toyota? Please leave me a comment letting me know your positive Toyota experiences.

I hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!

I'm participating in a Toyota/TwitterMoms campaign, which inspired this post. My opinions, thoughts and feelings are my own. When I found out about the campaign, I was excited to participate because owning Toyota’s has been a part of my family’s life. Occasionally I blog about different products and I’ll only blog about things that I like, and feel that I can support and recommend in good conscious. As a TwitterMom, I'm eligible for a courtesy gift of $50.

Gotta love Hallmark

Ok, I had planned on blogging about a bunch of cool things that I wanted to share, but the day is getting away from me so I'm going to share this hilarious card I found at Hallmark. Hope it gives you a good laugh. Those folks at Hallmark have cards for every aspect of our life now. Love it.

Hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!

Winner announcement

We've been busy celebrating a special little boy's 4th birthday, so this is the first chance I've had to announce my latest giveaway winner.

The winner is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

27
Timestamp: 2010-07-06 20:49:30 UTC

And that comment was by...

Kristi said...
I follow on GFC.

Kristisdeals1 at yahoo dot com

July 1, 2010 10:36 PM

Congratulations Kristi! I'm emailing you right now.

I'll be back to posting tomorrow. Hope you are having a great week!