Friday Favorites - Week 96

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!  I had a super busy and crazy day, so much so that I almost forgot to post this tonight!  So let's get on to our featured posts!

(PS - Over the next couple of weeks I'd love for you to share your favorite posts of 2011!  But as always anything you've posted recently will do also do!)

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Cheesy Potato Crisps

For New Year's Eve, I always love to serve appetizers.  I think of this recipe for Cheesy Potato Crisps as a meatless alternative to sausage balls.  They taste very similar to sausage balls and are a great appetizer for all ages. And they're very easy on the wallet too!  Serve these alone or alongside your favorite dips like ranch and honey mustard.
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A Holly Bloggy Christmas Thank You!

On this day-after-Christmas, I just wanted to write a quick note of thanks to everyone who helped out or participated in this year's Holly Bloggy Christmas Event!

It was so great seeing all your recipes, decorations, and other Christmas ideas! I found so many inspiring things to try out, and I hope you all did too!  And I hope you'll all be back next year to participate again!

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Friday Favorites - Week 95

Merry Christmas to everyone! And thanks to everyone who linked up for last week's Holly Bloggy Christmas edition of Friday Favorites! And another big thanks if you linked up at any of the other linky parties!

By the way, if you didn't get a chance to enter our Holly Bloggy Giveaway from Amy Cornwell, it's still open till 11:59 on Thursday night, so if you're linking up early, go get entered!

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Fun Holiday Ideas with Pringles

I always love thinking of new ways to use and reuse things, especially containers!  Instead of throwing away  that Pringles can after the chips are gone, consider reusing it!  There's so many possibilities for those little cylinders!
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Get Creative with Platypus Designer Duct Tape

Anyone who reads my blog enough will find that I use tape A LOT! And I was really intrigued when I recently learned about Platypus Designer Duct Tape.  With its fun colors and designs, now you can truly use duct tape for everything!

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Easy Holiday Food Ideas

If you still need some last minute ideas for your Christmas holiday menu, you've come to the right place.  Today I'm sharing some of our favorite holiday appetizers and sweets!


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Maggie's Direct Down Pillow Review

If you'd like to give the gift of comfort this Christmas, consider a down pillow or comforter from Maggie's Direct. For the past couple of week's I've been sleeping on one of their Down Pillows, and I just love it!

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Home for the Holidays with T-Mobile

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the music. From Black Friday through Christmas day I listen almost exclusively to Christmas music.

For the holiday season T-Mobile put together a singing flash mob in a mall outside of Chicago! I love it because it reminds of me of my old chorus days!  Good times!

My husband and I were planning go to my school....err my old school's Christmas Concert this year, but I was feeling sick that day and decided to skip out on it. But seeing this video certainly cheered me up!

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Friday Favorites Party - Holly Bloggy Christmas Edition and Amy Cornwell Giveaway

 

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Holly Bloggy Christmas Edition of Friday Favorites! In case you're new here, Friday Favorites is my weekly linky party where you can link up your recipes, crafts, decor, and other projects.

Anything goes really!  But today for the Holly Bloggy Christmas edition, I'm asking everyone to only link up your Christmas and holiday ideas!  And since it's a special edition, I've also got some extra features and a giveaway to share with you, so let's get rolling!

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My Christmas Home Tour

Only 2 days for Holly Bloggy Christmas!  On Wednesday we shared Christmas Crafts at Just Sew Sassy, and for day 4 we are sharing our Christmas Decor at Shabby Creek Cottage. And then on Friday I'll be hosting a Christmas Edition of my Friday Favorites Party!
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Applebee's Gift Card Giveaway

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My husband and I are celebrating our five year wedding anniversary next week!  We met in college, and while dating we'd go to Applebee's at least once a week for half price appetizers!  Each week we'd look forward to eating boneless buffalo wings and loaded nachos. Good times!

We don't get to go as often as we used to, but we are planning a little trip to Applebee's next week to celebrate our anniversary!

If you love Applebee's like we do, then you'll definitely want to enter this giveaway from Gilbert the Gift Card Machine.  They are giving away more than 100 gift cards each week from a variety of retailers (including Applebee's), leading up to Gift Card Weekend.

Gift Card Weekend is a once-a-year event where participating retail partners give featured offers for gift cards purchased during the holiday season and redeemed from January 6 - 8, 2012. So, if you're a gift giver, increase the value of your gift by purchasing gift cards from participating retail partners. These featured offers will be available to your gift recipient for redemption during Gift Card Weekend, January 6 - 8, 2012.

December 10-18 they will be giving away $25 Applebee's Gift Cards.  To win the gift cards from Applebee's and other great places like Subway, Bass Proshop, JCPenney, Regal Cinemas, Lowe's and more, just go over to Facebook and like Gift Card Weekend.

It's that simple!  And when you share this with your Facebook friends and followers, you'll earn an extra chance to win for every "like" that you influence!

So go on over to Gift Card Weekend, like their page, share it, and then come back throughout the day to see if you're a winner!

Christmas Pillow Box Tutorial

On Tuesday we shared our Christmas Recipes with Nikki at Chef in Training. And on Wednesday, Day 3, of our Holly Bloggy Christmas Event we are sharing Christmas crafts over at Just Sew Sassy!  The craft party also includes a great giveaway from AliLilly, so head on over there and link up your posts!
I have to admit that I've had almost no time for making anything lately. But hopefully I'll have a little more creative time in the next couple of weeks.  But today for the party, I've got some Christmas favor boxes (or pillow boxes) to share with you.  
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Morton Safe-T-Pet Review & Giveaway

Winter can be hazardous for people living in cold-weather regions – and for our four-legged friends. To help keep pets safe this winter, Morton Salt’s Safe-T-Pet® brand ice melt and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) announced a public service campaign that kicks off on the first day of winter, Dec. 22, with “National Keep Pets Safe in Winter Day."

The purpose of the campaign, which runs through January 2012, is to share important pet safety tips with as many pet owners as possible to help reduce winter weather-related pet injuries and fatalities. These tips can be found on Morton’s website and Facebook.

Here are just a few tips to keep in mind:

• Using pet-friendly (salt free and chloride free) ice melters such as Morton® Safe-T-Pet®.
• Keeping anti-freeze high on shelves in sealed containers and quickly cleaning any spills/leakage.
• Limiting outdoor time for pets when temperatures drop below freezing.
• Checking warm spots on cars, such as hoods, where animals might seek shelter from the cold.
• Keeping pets on a leash, especially dogs, which can become disoriented or lost when once familiar surroundings are covered in ice and snow; and
• Making sure pets are wearing identification tags and proper outerwear as needed.

Help ASPCA with One Click

 The Simply Sweet Home Cats are proud supporters of the ASPCA..

As part of this campaign, Morton is making a $20,000 donation to the ASPCA to help continue its life-saving work and provide resources to pet owners on pet wellness.

And when you "like"  Morton's Facebook page  from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012, Morton will donate $1 to the ASPCA, up to $55,000. This additional funding from Morton will be used by the ASPCA to raise awareness about the importance of proper winter pet care and safety.

Morton’s Safe-T-Pet Ice Melt - I was happy to receive a review pack of items, which included the Morton Ice Melt.  Since we had two big rounds of snow last year and are expecting another cold winter in 2012, I'm sure this will come in handy.

Our kitty cats are happy little indoor cats, but we can still use the ice melts, and I know our Neighbor Dogs, Buddy and Barney, who often frequent our yard, will be happy to know we have the Safe-T-Pet Ice Melt.

Other deicers form a liquid brine, often containing chlorides that can irritate pet's paws and if ingested, irritate the pet's stomach. The Morton's product contains a chloride-free organic compound called Urea, making it a non-toxic, non-irritating alternative to salt based ice melters. The product is also less corrosive to metals and concrete.

Giveaway! One Simply Sweet Home reader win a Morton Safe-T-Pet Prize Pack, which includes the following:
- One Jug Morton Safe-T-Pet Ice Melt
-Fleece Blanket
-Ice Scraper
-Retractable leash
-Dog Paw Shaped USB
-ID Tags
-Sharpie
-Shopping Bag

How to enter: Use the Rafflecopter form below below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




 
Disclosure: I received a review pack like the one that is being given away. However, I received no other compensation. The opinions posted are my own.

Homemade Cookie Mix in a Jar and Frosted Chocolate Drops

This week I've got a recipe for you that also makes a fun and easy homemade gift.  By the way, don't forget that all this week, my blog friends and I are hosting Holly Bloggy Christmas, where you can link up your Christmas ideas and win prizes!  
I'll be linking this post up at the Homemade Gift Party on Monday at tatertots and jello and the Recipe Party on Tuesday at Chef in Training. By the way, the parties also feature fun giveaways from Twisted Sugar Twine and Sweet Kiwi Crochet.
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Marzetti Simply Dressed Salad Dressing Review

If you follow me long enough, you'll learn that we go through a lot of Ranch dressing in our household.  We mostly use it as a dip for chicken tenders and other appetizers.  But we also love it on a salad, and I've also started making a lot of ranch flavored dishes and casseroles, so we go through the stuff pretty quickly!

I was really excited several weeks ago when I found out that I'd have a chance to review some Marzetti Simply Dressed Salad Dressing.  They have a variety of great flavors including Caesar and Blue Cheese, but I, of cousre, went with the Ranch!

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Host a Party and Freshen Up Home with PartyLite

This post brought to you by PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes. All opinions are 100% mine.

This holiday season you can get together with a few friends and family members and do a little holiday shopping at the same time.  Just host a PartyLite party.  

PartyLite is the world's number one direct seller of premium candles and fragrance products.  Their products are sold directly by folks just like you through home parties, and they have nearly 60,000 people who are selling their products worldwide.

Home fragrance products such as candles, diffusers, and warmers are such a great way to freshen up your home during the Christmas season and the cold winter months when we're stuck in doors!  And they make great gifts for everyone on your list from close friends and family members to teachers and other acquaintances.

And besides all the fun you'll have spending an evening with your friends and sharing these lovely products, as a host you can earn free products based on the sales that come out of your party!

Wouldn't it  be great to freshen up your home this winter for little to no cost to you?

And when you sign up to be hostess by December 15, you will be entered into the PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes, where the winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to PartyLite.

And on December 16, PartyLite will be launching their Winter/Spring 2012 Catalog, so if you host a party, you and your friends will get a look at all the latest and greatest products!

Go check out PartyLite and stay up to date on the new products and promotions: PartyLite Facebook.

Friday Favorites - Week 93

Welcome to another fun edition of Friday Favorites!  Don't forget that next week I'll be having a special Christmas edition of Friday Favorites, as part of my Holly Bloggy Christmas celebration.
The special Holly Bloggy edition will include a special giveaway from jewelry artist Amy Cornwell.  And I'll be doing a double feature of your posts next week and the following week!
So link up your favorite Christmas ideas today, so I can feature you for next week's party! And of course, plan to link up more of your holiday ideas next week!  (If you celebrate Hanukkah or another holiday, you are more than welcome to link up those ideas as well!)  
Check out my Holly Bloggy Christmas announcement post for more details on all of next week's festivities!
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Christmas Ball Wreath and Display

The last couple of years I've been in love with everyone's ball wreaths! I considered making my own, but when I saw this one at Target for just $20, I decided to just buy it.

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The Black Shard - Book Review

If you've followed my blog for a while you may remember the book review I did last year for The Magic Warble, the fun fantasy novel by Victoria Simcox that follows in the tradition of books like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

This holiday season Simcox is back with a new book The Black Shard, the sequel to The Magic Warble!

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Caribou Coffee Review and Giveaway

With the cold fall and winter weather comes cravings for rich, hot beverages like coffee and hot chocolate.  This holiday season Caribou Coffee brings you the most delicious holiday coffees and drinks.  Take a break out of your Christmas shopping for a nice hot cup of joe.  Or go by and purchase a holiday sampler or gift pack for the coffee lover on your list!

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Chocolate Covered Caramel Popcorn - 2 Ways

When I was kid we used to get those giant popcorn tins every Christmas! Those are still around today, but now we also have a whole host of gourmet popcorns to choose from for holiday parties and gift giving.

Today I'm going to show you  how easy it is to make your own gourmet popcorn at home using 2 different methods!  Not only will it make a fabulous homemade gift, but it's also a lot cheaper than a lot of the gourmet gifts on the market!

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Scentsicles Review

As you deck the halls this holiday season, how would you like like to add a little old timey Christmas scent? Scentsicles allows you to do just that!

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Announcing the 3rd Annual Holly Bloggy Christmas

I'm very excited to announce this year's Holly Bloggy Christmas! 

 5 Days of Fun Christmas-themed Linky Parties!

 With 5 Fabulous Hostesses! 

 And Great Giveaways! 

Monday, Dec. 12 - Homemade Gift Party

Hosted by Jen at tatertots and jello.

Giveaway: 6 Pack of Twine from Twisted Sugar Twine

Tuesday, Dec. 13 - Christmas Recipe Party

Hosted by Nikki at Chef in Training.

Giveaway: Beanie of the winner's choice from Sweet Kiwi Crochet

Wednesday, Dec. 14 - Christmas Craft Party

Hosted by Staci at Just Sew Sassy

Giveaway: $25 Gift Certificate from AliLilly

Thursday, Dec. 15 - Christmas Decor Party

Hosted by Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage.

Giveaway: Hot Chocolate Candle Set from Good Neighbors Candle Co.

Friday, Dec. 16 - Friday Favorites Christmas Party

Hosted by Jerri at Simply Sweet Home.

Giveaway: $25 Gift Certificate from Amy Cornwell

Grab a button and join us for a Cup of Good Cheer!!

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Friday Favorites - Week 92

Happy December to everyone! This year has gone by so fast! Can you believe that Christmas is just a few weeks away?
Speaking of Christmas, My Etsy shop is sponsoring a giveaway for Me Making Do's Christmas event. It closes on Saturday, so please stop by today and enter: Simply Sweet Creations Giveway.  Also, get 20% off at my shop this month using the coupon code: ChristmasGift.
Also, I'm finally getting ready to release all the details about this year's Holly Bloggy Christmas event! So please stop by sometime on Friday to get all the info!! Read more »