My Reveal! GE reveal® Review

You know I have a giveaway for a $10 Target Gift Card + GE reveal® light bulbs.

They sent me some bulbs too for me to try out in my home and see what I thought and share it with you. 

A package of four GE reveal® 75watt bulbs arrived at my home. 

I was thinking of what room I needed better lighting in - and I decided on.

My bathroom.

What woman couldn't use great lighting when she is getting ready to face the world each and every day?  I know I could. So I went to the bathroom, stood in my bathtub and took a picture.  

These are the bulbs that were in the sconces.

So you see - NOT cheap bulbs.

And these are the GE reveal® bulbs I then replaced them with...

Are you ready for this??

To the left are the old bulbs - to the right GE reveal®

Is that NOT amazing? I mean I had no idea how yellow the old bulbs were making my bathroom. When I took the old bulbs out and put the GE reveal® bulbs in I thought  to myself, "What is the difference? Huh?"  Then I looked at the photos.  It really makes the bathroom light cleaner and fresher somehow.  I know from watching the video I posted that they would make a difference, but see how much more lit up the bathroom is?  Even with colored sconces the light hits further and brighter than with the old bulbs.  It made me excited to get up and put on makeup this morning! 

Now get yours - enter the contest while there is still time.

And check out all that the GE reveal® bulbs have to offer at their website too! 

p.s. I did not crop or edit the pictures of my bathroom at all. 
p.p.s. I did get the bulbs for free - the results speak for themselves!

Art, Home Decor, Cards, What More??? Minted.com Review

Maybe like my Sister In Law you are expecting a baby.

You want to announce your bundle of joy in a VERY special way
You fancy yourself, or your hubby, a GREAT amatuer photographer.
You don't want to leave the house because you are constantly breastfeeding and doing laundry.

How about Minted?

I.die. from the cuteness that is the Hello Baby birth announcement.

Not sure which you will like?  Get free samples.
Wow.  Will other sites do that?
Not that I have seen.

Minted.com has a lot of new fresh looks for kids and babies this spring.
Maybe you need an Easter card?  That dress you got your precious daughter at Costco needs to been seen by more people than just at church Easter Sunday, right?

Me? I am looking to fill out an unbalanced wall in my living room.
See?

If I were being honest I might want to get rid of the existing print, deer in snow, but I know my husband loves these wildlife prints and so I conceded that this one was a good match in colors for our living room and it is a nice little cottage. I got to pick all the other prints in our home, except three upstairs we chose together. 

Fair is fair.

While I was cruising the Minted website I found that buying art from them was more meaningful than just putting something I like on my walls.  I am helping mothers around the globe.  

Every Mother Counts is a program founded by model Christy Turlington Burns that Minted supports by giving a portion of each art sale to fund their education programs to help reduce maternal mortality around the globe.  So not only do the female artists on the Minted website get commissions on their fabulous works, Minted gives 2% of their own portion to charity.  

I am IN!  

But what to choose? I narrowed it down here:

Let me know which you like:

1) Enjoy the Little Things

2) Spring Branches

3) Love Builds

4) Mountains in the Clouds

Tell me what you like - or if you think I am crazy and you like something different entirely.  It is QUITE a fun site to browse, and pin, and get lost for a few hours in...

I want you to know that I did get asked to write this review. I will be compensated for this review, but the opinions in this review are, as always, quite my own.  

p.s. I will also get a print and post an after picture when it arrives and is hung!  

You know I love to share!

Enter to win a $10 Target Giftcard + GE reveal® light bulbs!

A quick and easy way to makeover your home as we await springtime is to switch your light bulbs to GE reveal® for clean beautiful light that will make the colors of any room pop. GE reveal® bulbs provide amazing clean full spectrum light that filters out the dull yellows of standard incandescent light bulbs.

So go - Watch this fun and stylish video featuring four tastemakers discussing the importance of good lighting and how quick and easy it is to do a reveal® lighting makeover.  Then come back, I will wait.



GE reveal® light bulbs are now available at Target - and I want you to have some for yourself.  And because obviously if you are changing things up with your lighting you will need new pillows, a vase, maybe a bookshelf or chair for the corner.  Where else can you get all that in one swoop AND with great savings using Target's Cartwheel savings app. Tell me in the comments below one of your favorite things about reveal® you learned in the video and that is it - you are entered to win a $10 Target gift card + 1 pack of GE reveal® halogen bulbs!

I have been using the Cartwheel app for a few weeks now.  You can browse for savings ahead of shopping or, while at Target, you can scan the barcode of any product to see if there is a Cartwheel saving.  You can even still use your coupons - and layer on the extra Cartwheel savings on stuff you need.

Download it for yourself - the Target Cartwheel app is available for your IOS or Android.

IF YOU HURRY AND GO TODAY! You can find a current discount on Cartwheel for 25% off  reveal® by searching for “GE reveal”.  Offer expires today, 2/28.

The business side:

You may enter only once by commenting here on the blog
Entries will be accepted until midnight central - Thursday, March 6th
Winner will be selected using a number randomizer and announced Friday, March 7th

The giveaway is just for US residents
GE and Target are only providing the product and not running the giveaway

Also, next Friday I will post my own GE reveal® results!

Good Luck!

My little negotiator

Did I ever mention how much Boo Boo loves her stuffed animals?

When asked to bring props to her photo shoot for North Memorial she brought Panda and her iPod.

They seemingly multiply and it does not help that T-bone is good with the Claw.  (He is a regular Sponge Bob Squarepants.) And all of them need to be on the bed! There is barely room for her and then Roofis climbs on top!

So when I had the day off and we were planning NOTHING at all. Just movie watching and such I told Boo Boo it was time to banish all but TWELVE of the fur babies back into her Boon.

This genius thing to hold stuffed animals.

So she brings in this lady - again not named very originally - we call her Wolfie.

Wolfie came from Como Zoo and she has a baby wolf.

Mama? Does Wolfie and the baby count as ONE or two?

One, they came together honey and you don't split a mommy and baby up.

OKAY!







Flash forward - tell me - does this look like TWELVE stuffed animals?

No? Well apparently they are Mommies and their BABIES.

For instance: 

The jumbo cat she stole out of her sister's room that morning and the two smaller cats she already had.

But my favorite was this...

They all came from IKEA so they must be related? Ya Sure, You Betcha!

I am again...outsmarted.

But I was glad to see that Dory and Marlin hooked up and had a pink baby.

Did you ever hear a song and suddenly...

So one bright and sunny Saturday I got in my car and was driving.

Driving to meet my family at a restaurant, they were out snowmobiling again.

I was listening to the radio, per usual not paying much attention except to the fact there was a beat.  Because I really don't listen to the words all the time, unless the song is very catchy - has an ear-worm so to speak. Suddenly I was freaking out over this song...I couldn't believe the words I was hearing.  And my child was not in sight - a thing that often causes me panic over what *might* be happening because I am that crazy.

So there I was driving on a BEAUTIFUL Sunny Saturday - tears streaming down my cheeks.  And of course again now as I listen to the song and write this for you - I am crying again.

Has that ever happened to you? You hear a song maybe a dozen or more times and you just have not listened to it - then you do and you have a strong reaction?  Good or bad?  Tell me.

The song in question for me?

The Field - Mason Jennings

try not to cry

Are We There Yet? - What to do in very different places

I have teamed up with Kendra Thorton to bring you some travel ideas that are good for all seasons!

First it's my turn.  Where do I like to travel?

It is within driving distance for my family and we go there at least once a year - usually twice.

Breezy Point Resort has a rich history from its days of being built by Captain Billy Fawcett as a playground for his friends in the film industry - Yes, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard went fishing here!

It has grown now to have a convention center, three 18 hole golf courses, a marina, an ice arena, pools, beaches and so much to enjoy year round.

Last summer we took everyone - Fiance and Girlfriend AND Dear Friends - for a few rounds of golf, karaoke at the Commander for Sunday Family Karaoke Night and boating.
J-Dogg even sang "Barbie Girl"

This winter we went for ICE FEST and enjoyed snowmobiling across the frozen lakes, snow golf and watching Pond Hockey!

My top three things to do while vacationing at Breezy Point are:

Whitefish Golf Course! The very first time we rolled up and heard the classic Sinatra tunes pouring out of the clubhouse we were in LOVE.  It is a great course for couples - those who golf a lot and those who just golf a few rounds a year.

Pirates Cove Adventure! A great place for all ages to try to get a hole in one! And there are go karts too for the family speed demons!

Nisswa! Take the family for a stroll around Nisswa, MN for shopping, ice cream, candy and EATING at Rafferty's Pizza. You can get just about anything in Nisswa.

The real attraction of course is the great outdoors.  I would highly recommend this as a vacation destination if you really want to relax in the beautiful woods and fall asleep to the call of the loons.

And don't forget - all summer long - ELVIS! 

Now for my travel partner in crime.

My name is Kendra Thornton and I'm 40 and a mother of 3. Before being promoted to the full time position of mom, I was the former Orbitz Director of Communications where I was able to travel a great deal. I now live in Chicago with my family, where they are my number one priority in everyday life.

I love to travel. There are so many places in the world that are great to visit. One of my favorite places to see is Las Vegas. Here are some great places that I like to visit in Las Vegas.

Great Places to See in Las Vegas

1. A Pink Tour

When I come to Las Vegas with my family or friends, I always make it a point to take a tour of the area through Pink Jeep Tours. This experience begins with a pink Jeep arriving at the hotel to pick us up. Next, it takes us to a variety of difference places in the area. Each guide on the tour is friendly and answers every question that we have. There is a day tour that takes people all the way to the Grand Canyon and back.

2. A Tour with a High View

I really like flying into the airport in Las Vegas, since I can get a great look at the view of the city. Maverick Helicopters Las Vegas enables me to take a tour of the city from the air. My pilot was friendly and quite knowledgeable. It felt so neat to put on a headset and rise above the city. It was an experience I will never forget, and my children bring up this adventure every time they see a helicopter.

3. Dinners to Remember

In Las Vegas, there is not a shortage of fantastic places to eat. Although prices may be a bit steep, it is worth the cost for families and couples. When I am in the city with my husband, we love to go to the Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at the MGM for unforgettable Italian food. The pasta is memorable, and the prices are reasonable. Steak enthusiasts will enjoy the SW Steakhouse, which is at the Wynn. There is a great water show that entertains diners.

4. Relaxing Fun at Mandalay Bay

I love going to the beach, and Mandalay Bay has brought it to Las Vegas. I can grab a beverage, get on an inner tube and float on the water. It is great to soak up the warm sun. There is a wave pool and a lazy river. These options give me the opportunity I need to relax.

Las Vegas is a great place for me to be and the city offers a number of hotel options. Sites like Gogobot make it easy to read user reviews so you can be sure about your purchase. 

There are so many things to see and do. That is why I keep going back each year. 

Hang up the phone!

Click on Over

She commands - I oblige...

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog...The Prompts:

1.) A smell that makes you think of your mother.
2.) Share a recipe that everyone in your family loves.
3.) 8 things you said to your kids this week that maybe other parents did not say to their kids.
4.) Who was the last person to call you…what did they want this time?
5.) Write a post inspired by the word: punched.

I decided on 4.) Who was the last person to call you…what did they want this time?

All day I talk on the phone. 

Most of the time its a pretty simple call, sometimes I want to hang up on them, other times I am glad they called so I can get something done.

Yesterday afternoon I got super busy - like have not had time to respond to requests yet from Tuesday busy. I had been talking all day to one field guy in particular and he called AGAIN. 

What in the heck? We just hung up!

- OMG Lisa - you have to get that file to them TOMORROW or we can't go in Monday.
WHAT? Why? It has nothing to do with Monday.
- I know but she is now holding us hostage!!!
Uhhhhh!  Okay then I have to hang up right now and work on it - and tell your guys their requests will have to wait.  Seriously, tell Mills to quit emailing me about the +redacted product name+ for +redacted hospital name+ I don't have time to read four emails about it in two hours and do this for you.
- Gotcha - emailing them to back off.

And so goes another day if the life. And I can't say to my guys that what they need is not important, because it really is important. Its FRUSTRATING but in the end when I hear stories like the one about former Mayor of Minneapolis R.T. Rybak  I know I need to pick up the phone.

How about you? Who calls you every day?

NEWS FLASH! You live in Minnesota. It is cold.

Get OVER it already.

It is f-ing cold here.

Like I made a joke last week on @twitter about Princess Lea and Hoth cold.

This week two people have told me they are "ready for spring" and it is "so COLD today."

Both times neither person was wearing a hat, coat, mittens, or appropriate clothing of any type to wear as you are going out of doors in Minnesota in January.

I was wearing a full length down alternative coat, mittens, hat, and scarf and I was still a bit chilled.

They are morons.

Or whores.

The end.

Roasty-Toasty

So, yes. Yes it has been VERY VERY COLD.

Yesterday schools were closed by the governor - and today again.

No school.

But I got Boo Boo La La to do a book report on "The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future" by George Beard and Harold Hutchins.

Six whole sentences!

My boss also told us to work from home yesterday since the temp when I would have left for the office was -22 and the high yesterday was about -12.

My husband's truck OVERHEATED.

My battery died and I was low on anti-freeze.

We have had fun during this cold streak - Sledding


Watching pond hockey, swimming, trying to snow golf and ....

Boo Boo La La's favorite winter activity - Ski-doo'ing.
No no no, not "sledding" or snowmobiling for my daughter.

She Ski-doo's.

As in - "Mama, these people at Breezy Point know winter.  Look at all the people out Ski-doo'ing!"

T-bone and Snake took her Ski-doo'ing Saturday.
It was only EIGHT BELOW ZERO!

The plan was to go for just two hours, but almost THREE HOURS later my trio pulled up outside of Lucky's Tavern. Boo Boo La La looked dazed and didn't want to talk to me, or get a picture.  Finally the waterworks began.

"I am SOOOOO COOOOOLLLLLD Mama."

Yikes was she ever freezing! I took off her mittens and her fingers were ten little icicles.

I stuck them under my arms immediately and picked my baby up to sit in my lap and thaw. I then ordered her cocoa and me a Bloody Mary. (Side Note: GOOD Bloody Mary at Lucky's - skip the loaded if you don't need a beef stick.)

T-bone kept teasing her about going back out on the trail...she didn't like it!

"NO MORE SKI-DOO DADDY!"

But she survived. 

Now you need something warm too.  I found this on Cooking Channel website - here are my modifications for some nameless little girl who thinks pepper is too spicy.

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (3-pound) beef roast
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 yellow onions, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced

Combine the tomato sauce, paprika, brown sugar, coriander, cumin and onion powder in the base of your slow cooker. Stir to combine and distribute the spices evenly.

Sprinkle the roast with salt and pepper and place it in the slow cooker. Using tongs, turn the roast to coat it evenly in the sauce. Add in the peppers and onions, stir again. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook until the roast is tender and beginning to fall apart, on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours.

Transfer the roast to a serving bowl. Allow to cool slightly, and then shred using 2 forks, removing any excess fat.

Skim any excess fat off of the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded roast back into the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce that was created during the cooking. You can store the roast in its sauce for 3 to 4 days.

GE reveal® Light Bulb Savings!

Go now and get the savings - watch the video and see what you can GE reveal®

Just so we are clear, you can only print the coupon today - New Year's Eve 2013 but it will be good for 45 days after you print it and Target Cartwheel ( Get the app here!) will have layered on savings for you Jan 3 - Feb 1, 2014.



Come back later and I will show you what I did with GE reveal®!!