Category Archives: Main Page Post

Sharing My Coffee Journey With Mr Coffee® & Millstone®!!! #CoffeeJourneys Giveaway!!!

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias, Millstone® Coffee, and Mr. Coffee® #collectivebias.

#coffeejourneys #cbias #shop #collectivebias

Growing up, whenever I heard the familiar quick double ring of the doorbell, I knew without a doubt,  behind that door stood my favorite uncle.  The sound of the doorbell had me acting like Pavlov’s dog because after letting him in, I started a fresh pot of coffee.

There was no question if he would like some or not, it was a given.  Coffee was a catalyst for bringing us all together.  When the coffee was ready we would all gather round the table or sit on the deck with my parents and whatever siblings were home and talk, laugh and share memories.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

Coffee is the way I start my morning, it’s something I share with friends, it’s comfort, it means talking with family, sharing time alone or sitting back and watching my kids play. Coffee is weaved throughout my life and it’s more than a drink, it’s a link that joins people together, it’s my #coffeejourney.

Some of my greatest memories of my parents, who are no longer with me, are the talks we had over coffee.  Even as a child, before I drank coffee, the familiar smell was comforting and it meant that I could dip a shortbread cookie in my dad’s cup and savor a bit of the grown up drink that always drew people together.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

As a mom of five, I understand that interruptions are a part of life but cold coffee shouldn’t have to be.  The Mr Coffee® 10 Cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Coffee Maker has moms covered and I can always come back to find fresh hot coffee in the sleek, stainless steel carafe.

 

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

Simple pleasures are some of the best and for me, wrapping my hands around a hot mug of rich, flavorful  Millstone® coffee is the ultimate.  Millstone® has a great selection of coffee that works so well in the Mr. Coffee® drip coffee maker.

Sharing My Coffee Journey With Mr Coffee® & Millstone®!!! #CoffeeJourneys Giveaway!!!http://www.mommyramblings.org/2014/04/25/mr-coffee-10-cup-optimal-brew-thermal-coffee-maker-review-giveaway/ … #coffeejourneys #cbias #shop

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

My favorites are the flavored coffee, the smell of French Vanilla wafting through the house gets everyone’s attention.  To learn about the Journey of the Bean and get some great insight into Millstone® coffee just click HERE!

Mr. Coffee® 10-Cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Coffee Maker and Millstone® coffees are available at Walmart.  I went to Walmart to purchase the Mr. Coffee® 10-Cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Coffee Maker and Millstone® coffees.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

The coffee maker is easy to start using right out of the box.  Just a quick rinse and wash of the water reservoir, filter basket and carafe and you are ready to brew.  I purchased a reuseable Mr Coffee basket filter because I find it more eco-friendly and cost-effective than using disposable paper filters.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

 

The side mounted, filter basket is removable and makes filling a breeze.  The removable water reservoir allows for easy filling at the sink. The water filter that’s included  fits in the top of the filter basket and will remove up to 97% of chlorine  from the water.  There is a handy red, sliding clip on the top that lets you select the month you put the filter in so that you know when it is time to change it.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

The clock is easy to operate and you can set it for delayed brewing.  The Fresh Brew Timer ensures your coffee is hot and fresh.  You can brew 10 cups of coffee in less than 7 minutes, and if you just can’t wait, there’s a pause and serve feature.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

The clean cycle helps eliminate any calcium build up.  The stylish, vacuum-insulated stainless steel carafe keep your first cup as hot and fresh as your last.

#CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias #shop #cbias

 

I saved the best for last because you can WIN a Mr Coffee® 10 Cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Coffee Maker with a bag of Millstone® French Vanilla flavored coffee!!!  To enter just use the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!! Open to US residents in the contiguous 48 states.

While you are entering, I need to go because it won’t be long until I am interrupted by that familiar door bell ring.  These days taking time for conversation and coffee with my 89-year-old uncle are more precious than ever!

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Nui Organics, Kid’s Clothing Review & $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway!!!

nui organics

Kids want to be comfortable in their clothes.  Naturally, active kids want to be able to twist, turn, wiggle and jump without feeling constricted.  

Nui Organics loves producing quality clothing for children using only the world’s purest merino wools and cottons. No harsh chemicals for our children, or our planet. Everything is manufactured in a socially and environmentally responsible way.  

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I recently had the chance to try some of Nui Organics clothing with my son.  I chose the Kavi Shorts in ocean stripe and the Vic, 3/4 Sleeve Top in ocean whale.

nui Ocean Whale Top

nui organics kavi short

My son loved them and immediately started jumping around because they were so comfy and that worked to my disadvantage when trying to snap a picture of him with the outfit.

nui organics collage
It did show me that they are an excellent children’s clothing choice that feels great and looks great and to kids, comfort trumps most anything.  Lots of easy to mix and match pieces are available for boys and girls.

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Nui Organics is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a $50 Gift Certificate to Nui Organics!  Thank you Nui Organics for the review outfit and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Nui Organics $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Chef Apron, Father’s Day Giveaway!!!

Memorial Day is fast approaching and will fall this year on, Monday, May 26th. Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May in remembrance of the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  It’s  also the unofficial start of  summer!

Many people break out the barbecue for the first big cookout of the season and more often than not, it will be a male member of the family that’s manning the grill!

What is it with guys, fire and raw meat?

The perfect gift for the guy that grills or any cook or chef is an apron and for that reason, Crooked Brook is sponsoring a Chef Apron Giveaway. These professional chef aprons will also make a great Father’s Day gift for dads who like to cook.

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Since 1989 Crooked Brook has designed and manufactured chef wear for the world’s most recognized men and women in the noble art and science of gastronomy. All Crooked Brook branded garments and accessories are made to order in the U.S.A and can personalized with the customer’s choice of fabric, pockets, buttons, piping and embroidery.

Sierra Exif JPEG

The giveaway consists of:

  • Two, Apron Style #700 – 35” W x 25” L (approximately), made in white, 10 oz., 100% cotton denim. Depending on the height of the wearer, this apron is calf length.  Total Prize Value with SHI…$45.00

Aprons were originally worn as a utilitarian outer garment to cover the front of the body to protect the wearer’s clothes from soiling, wear and tear. Over the years many different styles of aprons evolved depending on the purpose and were often named after the trade, craft or profession that used that particular design.

 

A chef apron is waist apron which is a square or rectangular piece of fabric that ties around the waist to cover the body from the waist down. For a cleaner look, some chefs fold the top of the apron over the ties (see image). With a pocket (sometimes divided to create a pen pocket) to hold an order pad (dupe pad) it becomes a bistro apron.

 

These mid-calf length “old school” heavy duty chef aprons are hard to find and coveted by professional chefs and serious cooks alike.

Crooked Brook also makes a 35” W x 25” L apron that is perfect for grill masters who like to wear shorts and cook over an open or pit fire because the length protects bare legs from the heat.

Another good thing about these aprons is that after they are too dingy and beat up to wear in public, you can cut them up into 100% cotton rags.

Cant to wait to see if you won? Receive a 10% discount on all Crooked Brook Chef Wear and Accessories: Aprons, Bib Aprons (blank, printed or embroidered) Women’s Aprons (blank, printed or embroidered) Chef Coats (blank or embroidered) and Women’s Chef Coats (blank or embroidered) offer valid thru 5/13/14 with the Coupon Code “Mommy Ramblings Chef Apron Giveaway”.

  • You must be 18 years or older to enter.
  • Crooked Brook will ship the prizes to the winner within 30 days of contest end. If address is undeliverable or prize is unclaimed and sent back, winner is responsible for re-shipping charges.
  • Physical address required for shipping; no PO boxes, US recipients only residing in one of the 48 contiguous states.

Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Make These Easy Easter Cupcakes & Learn How To Bake Eggs For Coloring!!!

If you are looking for an easy, festive treat to make for Easter, you still have plenty of time to make these adorable cupcakes.

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Just make your favorite flavor cupcakes and then get your frosting ready.  I use my own buttercream but you can use canned if you do not like to make your own.

cupcakes Easter

Cupcakes Easter 1

Get a decorating bag ready and use  a Wilton Multi-Opening Decorating Tip 233.  Tint your frosting green with Wilton Gel Coloring or you can use liquid food coloring if you want.  Then just squeeze and pull up to create grass.  

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In the grass you can put a PEEPS bunny or chick, little M & M eggs,  Robin’s Eggs, Jelly Beans, or chocolate covered almonds.  You can also use some white buttercream and make little nests with an open crown tip and fill with candy eggs.  You can sprinkle the nests with sugar decor to make them sparkle or coconut flakes.  

Another great tip I got from a friend is to bake your eggs instead of boiling for coloring. You just put your eggs in a muffin tin and bake at 325 degrees for exactly 25 minutes. Do not over bake!  You will get great eggs with no cracks!  I tried it and love it!

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Happy Easter from Mommy Ramblings!!!

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Celebrate Earth Day With Flight of the Honey Bee, Little Pear Tree & E.I.E.I.O!!!

Candlewick Press

April 22nd is Earth Day and I want to tell you about some great books you can read with your child to celebrate.

Flight of the Honey Bee by Raymond Huber:

Your child will get to follow the flight of a honey bee as she searches for nectar to sustain her hive and, along the way, pollinates flowers to produce seeds and fruits.

Flight of the Honey Bee

A tiny honey bee emerges from the hive for the first time. Using sunlight, landmarks, and scents to remember the path, she goes in search of pollen and nectar to share with the thousands of other bees in her hive. She uses her powerful sense of smell to locate the flowers that sustain her, avoids birds that might eat her, and returns home to share her finds with her many sisters. Nature lovers and scientists-to-be are invited to explore the fascinating life of a honey bee.The back of the book gives examples of how to save the bees that you can discuss as a family as well as an index.

Little Pear Tree by Jenny Bowers: 

little pear tree

Children will be captivated as they watch a tiny seed grows through the seasons into a fine pear tree in this beautiful book. This format showcases vibrant artwork with more than twenty-five flaps that you lift to discover creatures hidden in every scene. The charming text makes this the perfect interactive primer to a key scientific topic.

 

E.I.E.I.O, How Old MacDonald Got His Farm With A Little Help From a Hen by Judy Sierra:

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The Little Red Hen gives Old MacDonald some pointers on composting — and a legendary farm is born — in this rhyming, rollicking read-aloud. Once upon a time, Old MacDonald didn’t have a farm. He just had a yard — a yard he didn’t want to mow. But under the direction of the wise (and ecologically sensitive) Little Red Hen, Mac learns to look at the environment in a very different way, and whole new worlds start to bloom with the help of some mud, garbage, horse poop, and worms!

Judy Sierra’s spirited verse, paired with Matthew Myers’s exuberant illustrations, yields a fresh take on a children’s classic, complete with raised-bed gardens and an organic farmers’ market—making this a perfect story for armchair gardeners and devoted locavores of all sizes.

Enter To Win All 3 Books:

My kids love books and these 3 were a big hit and have spurred some great conversation about nature, growing plants and trees and of course all the ways bees are essential in our world.  Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One luck blog reader will win all three of these books!  Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review books and for sponsoring this Earth Day Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Candlewick Press, Earth Day Trio of Books Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Save $10 Off Your Online Lovable Labels Purchase!!! April 15-17 Only!!!

Lovable-Labels-Logo

Hurry, hurry because it will be over before you can blink twice.  Lovable Labels Y.O.L.O Sale is on!!!  Right now you can save $10 off your order of $25 or more when you use the promo code yolo2014 at checkout!  To start shopping and saving click HERE!    Hurry sale is only on April 15th-17th!

YOLO SALE

 


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Kidorable, Fireman Rain Wear Collection Review & Giveaway!!!

Kidorable Logo Kidorable Logo

April showers bring May Flowers.  Time to get in gear for spring rain.  We love Kidorable Rain Wear, they are our go to brand for kid’s rain coats, rain boots and umbrellas.  The quality is great and boots, rain coats and umbrellas used by my older son can be passed down to his younger brother looking brand new.

We love the great details and designs that are used on everything and how there’s such a large selection of coordinating items for each style.  We recently had a chance to review products from the Fireman Collection.

kidorable fire raincoat

kidorable fire boots

kidorable umbrella

When everything arrived, my son could not wait to try it on.   Actually, both little boys wanted to try everything on and so they did. Everything is easy for them to get on and off and the attached hat on the hood of the rain coat provides great coverage with the wide brim.  The rain boots are fun and keep puddle jumpers dry and the umbrella is easy to open and close for little hands.  My son loved this set and his little brother can’t wait for him to outgrow it!kidorable2

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Kidorable is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Kidorable Umbrella in their style choice (subject to availability). Thank you Kidorable for the review pieces and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Kidorable Umbrella Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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New CANIDAE® Life Stages, Dog Treats Review and Giveaway!!!

Canidae Logo

We have three dogs; a 3-year-old Maltese, a 3-year-old Westie and a 4-year-old American Bulldog.  They are very much a part of our family and we want the best for them.  For optimal health it’s important to feed dogs healthy foods and treats. I recently had the opportunity to try New CANIDAE® Life Stages Bakery Snacks and Biscuits for dogs with our trio.  We tried two varieties, the Bakery Snacks with turkey, quinoa  & butternut squash which is made with only 7 nutritious ingredients and the Grain Free, Pure Heaven Biscuits with Duck and Chickpeas.  Both are crunchy and help keep dog’s teeth clean, they feature a snap feature that lets you break the biscuit into perfect proportions and as our dogs reaction told us, are delicious!  Resealable pouches keep snacks fresh.

Canidae Dog Treats

 

Canidae Dog Treats

 

canidae

 

canidae Bakery Treats For Dogs

 

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CANIDAE is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win two bags of CANIDAE, Life Stages Dog Treats!  Thank you CANIDAE for the review treats and for sponsoring this canine lover’s giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

 

CANIDAE, Life Stages Dog Treats Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Wink Shapewear, Tummy Tucker Tank Review & Giveaway!!!

Wink Logo

Today was finally a real spring day in New York. It felt so good to finally feel warm air and enjoy the songs from the many birds that have recently returned after their winter in the south.  The spring weather also makes me want to get out and walk, ride my bike and garden.  After a long cold winter I am so happy to start shedding the layers.  About 3 weeks ago, I started really stepping up my exercise routine.  I have been doing intense cardio and biking at least 3 days a week and will be adding kettlebell workouts on at least 2 more.  I have lost a few pounds but have a goal of losing 20 more by the end of May.

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Tummy Tucker Tank 1

Tummy Tucker Tank

Wink Shapewear Tummy Tucker Tank is just the thing to make me look and feel better in my clothes.  The Tummy Tucker Tank will take care of any tummy issues along with any unsightly bulges.  It leaves me with a smooth look that gives me self-confidence and enhances my weight loss.  The tank  is stylish and does not have the look of some girdle type contraption.  It really works and is still comfortable enough that I want to wear it everywhere I go!

Wink-Shapewear-Tummy-Tucker Tank

Wink Shapewear is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own Tummy Tucker Tank!  Thank you Wink Shapewear for the review tank and for sponsoring this slimming giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!

Wink Shapewear, Tummy Tucker Tank Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget.  Good Luck!!!

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Lovable Labels, Ultimate Camp Pack Review & Giveaway!!!

Lovable-Labels-Logo

I recently received the Ultimate Camp Pack from Lovable Labels.  Personalized for my son, this pack is a super value because you get 15 Sticker Labels, 40 Slimline Labels, 12 Shoe Labels, 72 Press and Stick Clothing Dots, 2 Mini Metal Tags with Silver Ball Chain and 12 Square Labels.  You can choose from 20 different designs/colors and 45 icons and I chose the Sporty design which really fits my son and most boys!  Labels are durable and will survive summer, camp and just about anything your child can dish out because the peel & stick labels are UV resistant, waterproof, dishwasher and microwave safe.

Sporty-Ultimate -Camp- Pack -Lovable Labels

Description: Best Value! Keep your kids’ things out of the lost and found bin with the Ultimate Camp Pack! It’s fast and easy to label backpacks, water bottles, clothing, shoes, toiletries and so much more!

Ultimate Camp Pack Includes:

15 Sticker Labels
40 Slimline Labels
12 Shoe Labels
72 Press n’ Stick Clothing DOTS™
2 Mini-Metal Tag (two 4” silver ball chain incld)
12 Square Labels

Colors: Available in 20 designs / Colors and 45 Icons

Features: Dishwasher and Microwave Safe, Waterproof, UV Resistant, Peel & Stick

Beach-Bag-with-Metal-Tag

Lovable Labels is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win an Ultimate Camp Pack in their choice of personalization and design/color.  Thank you Lovable Labels for the review pack and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Lovable Labels, Ultimate Camp Pack Label Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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