Have a great new year!!!

Just letting you all know I'm out of town this week so I won't be posting any good stuff until I return on the 5th. I'll have some really awesome things to share!! Have a great new year!!!

Free stuff from Influenster.com - Product review!!

I was super excited to get picked to get FREE swag to check out this month from Influenster.com in their December JollyVoxBox!!


Here are my reviews on these awesome free products!!

1. I got blue cheetah print!! These are so cute and tiny and are super fun for little projects around the house - I used some to hold down a stencil I was working on!!

2.  I love NYC Products in general, but I really loved this Trio....I used the these colors this weekend for my work Christmas Party - the shimmer was fabulous and it lasted all night!

3. I have never used a Rimmel Brand gloss, but I really enjoyed this one!! The applicator has a little divot in it and it holds just enough that you can use it one time, and not have to keep "re-dipping" to get coverage...and it didn't dry out either!!

 

4. We got to try the Peanut Butter bites (Pictured far right) and they are AWESOME...they are a yummy melt in mouth, and peanut butter anything is a hit with my hubby. 3 Pieces feel like just enough to take the edge off a sweet/chocolate craving!!

5. You cant really say anything bad about tissues!!! Mini packs are awesome for travel, purse, diaper bag etc. and their quality really is great for getting boogies for babies/kids noses!!



Overall, this was a FUN box and I was soooo excited to get it in the mail!! I loved all the products and will def. be making some purchases!! Thank you Influenster for the Happy Jolly Vox Box!

***"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."****

Fort Kit (Fort in a bag, Fort in a Box) a Fun Gift for kids!!

Here is a quick gift idea for the girl or boy fort builder on your gift list!! This one is for my little brother for Christmas - I hope that it holds enough entertainment for him and I hope I will get some pictures of his completed forts!


Here is a run down of what my "Deluxe Fort Kit" included:

 

 

• nylon rope
• 2 flashlights
• double pack of clothes pins
• Suction cups with hooks
• Large plastic clips
• two large "tents" (this is actually 2 cuts of 1.5 yards of fabric. Each pieces was hemmed on the cut side, then camo ribbon was sewn into the corners, the edge and on in the middle)
• tape
• thick rope
• storage box

This can easily be adjusted for a girl (use pink items!!) and could be paired with a book, sleeping bag etc.



7 Cool and Interesting Last Minute Gifts via Amazon.com

I love amazon!! I often just type random things in to see what neat things I can ACTUALLY buy and have sent to my door....

Anyway, seeing as it is less than a week until Christmas, here is a quick list of things that I found today that are for sale and can be on your doorstep by Saturday!!



What about this color changing shower head? This is a STEAL for a fun gift for your significant other!! ($9.99 - free shipping with Amazon.com PRIME)

This one is for the free spirit in your life - A Unicorn are Jerks Adult Coloring Book ($6.99)...Would be a lot of fun to pull out with a friend, a bottle of wine and some treats! If you want to get more hard core, check out this Adult Only ($7.49) themed color book!




Here is a neat desk tool for the funny pooper in your life! This toilet tape dispenser is a very clever desk accessory that will start a lot of conversations!! ($12.72 - free shipping with Amazon.com PRIME)

Check out this awesome manpron! This is a GREAT gift for the serious griller and fire master in your house! ($15.18 - Free shipping with Amazon.com PRIME)

Want to get a piggy face pancake for Christmas breakfast? Make sure to gift this pancake maker to the cook! ($9.99  - Free shipping with Amazon.com PRIME)

This leaky nose soap dispenser is sure to make your guests want to stay over in order to take a shower! Wouldn't this even be fun for hand soap next to your kitchen sink!!? ($7.99 - free shipping with amazon.com PRIME)

 

If I was into guns, I would totally love this Pink Revolver Screwdriver Set!! There has to be someone that you know that would LOVE this!! ($24.99 - free shipping with Amazon.com PRIME)

Man....I could go on and on....Makes me want to add this to my wish list now!!

Jack and Mac Cheese

 

 

Here is a super quick recipe if you are short on time but still want to make a yummy mouth watering dish!! Only a few ingredients and you can probably mix it up a bit!

 

•  Make your box of mac and cheese - Hubby likes the Velveta with the liquid cheese, but it doesn't have to be.

 

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
• cook up some bacon, onion, mushrooms (if you have it, use some shrimp too!) - - I cook my mushrooms in a little of the bacon grease at the end!

 

•  throw everything together in the Mac and Cheese.

• 
   
   put some shredded Monterey Jack Cheese on top, throw in the oven for 15 or 20 minutes

 

 

 

This is an easy dish that can use left over chicken, beef, steak, veggies, seafood etc etc....Get creative!!

 



Review - PREMIUM Solid Cordz 1 Foot Extension Cable

So, I had a great opportunity to try out these extension cord extension cords...(Follow? LOL)

( Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial)

All I can say, wow! These things really are neat!!

The premise is simple: short extension hoppers (thats I how see them) that you easily plug into your power strip and then you can use for your other plugs that otherwise wont fit!

 Cell chargers, computer items, appliances etc. These would also be FANTASTIC for when you travel, and you always have that one outlet behind the dresser at the hotel that you just cant maneuver! This would be a great way to get it just far enough to where you need it!!

You can easily order these on Amazon here at Solid Cordz . The shipping was fast and within a few days I had them!! Plus, right now, they are on sale for 14.99!! Free shipping if you have prime!

I would definitely use these for many other things, and I would for sure recommend them to people who have a lot of plug ins but limited wall or strip space!! 

From the company, here is their Product description: 

Product Description

Are you frustrated with your power strip that has 8 slots but could only fit 3 because your plugs are huge?

Solid Cordz® Extension Cords solve that problem for you! Liberate your power strip and clean up the mess under your desk!


Features: 
Convenient & money saving 5-pack
12-inch length to provide a clean, organized look
Equipped with a 16AWG wire gauge
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed
CSA Approved for top quality
Heavy-duty molded ends

Benefits:
Liberates the power strip
A staple for any Technophile
Perfect for the office and home
Get the full use of your power strips and outlets with our high-quality liberating extension cords
Just plug those big bulky power adapters into our cables and plug the cables into those previously unusable outlets
Replace multiple power strips with one unit by utilizing slots!!!

Product details:
Part Number SC-3001
Item Weight 1 pounds
Product Dimensions 8.7 x 4.8 x 2.5 inches
Origin Imported
Item model number SC-3001
Item Package Quantity 5
Cord Length 1 Feet
Usage Indoor Use Only

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Crock-pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Okay, okay....

As promised, here is my super secret, time consuming, mind blowing, incredible, tasty, delicious crock-pot hot chocolate recipe...(I talked about it in my hot chocolate bar post!)

I think I should call this "Crack-pot Hot chocolate"

And maybe not time consuming. Or super secret. But all the rest of the stuff is true!!

So, the above picture shows exactly whats in it. 5 simple ingredients!!

• 1 can sweeten condensed milk
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 8 cups of whole milk
• 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla (not pictured)

Put them all into the crock-pot, but on low and let cook for 2 hours...after that, turned to warm and ENJOY!!!

One friend said she was dreaming of this stuff the next day!! It really is that good!!

Hot Chocolate Bar - Magical!

So excited to share this blog entry that i am writing it at 1130p on Saturday night...I just couldn't wait to share these pics and the awesome hot chocolate bar I had at my Christmas cookie party today!

I'll go through the list of items I had and I hope it gives you some inspiration!! I'd love to hear your comments too!!

First off, I made some neat banner type signs using my (new to me!) cricut machine ...(side note, that thing is AWESOME!!!)

I used some plugin lights to use as decoration, as well as some fake roll out snow stuff with sparkles (from the dollar store!!) and in the background, I put a cake stand under it as well to create some depth and height.

Also got some fake mini trees and some table scatter for some fun!!

So here is the run down of items on my Hot Chocolate Bar!!

• Marshmallows
• cinnamon sticks
• mint candies
• old fashion Christmas hard candies
• chocolate chips
• pirouettes
• Mint Ande Candies
• White chocolate and peppermint bark
• Red Chocolate Melts
• Candy Cane sticks / Chocolate covered Candy Cane sticks 
• Chocolate Covered Cherries

The crock-pot hot chocolate was AMAZING!!

Most of my treats were in sundae cups!! (picked up at Bed Bath and Beyond for 50 cents each on clearance!!!) a few of the other items in some random jars that I had stowed away in my craft room :-)

My big and small marshmallows were in a trifle dish and was a great element for depth on the coco bar!

Well, there ya go!! I hope you enjoy the ideas and I would LOVE to see some links to your hot chocolate bars!!! 

DIY Christmas Eve Gift Box

So, Victoria will be at her Biological Dads for Christmas Eve and Christmas day this year, and I really wanted to do something for her to let her know I was thinking of her and have something fun to look forward to open on Christmas Eve.

So from an idea on pintrest, I decided to do a Christmas Eve Box so that even though I cant be with her, I am still there with her in spirit and she knows that I didn't forget our traditions!

I got a great deal on a Halmark Storybook Recordable "The night Before Christmas" and recorded myself reading it (these books are great, BTW!!)

I got the Ice Age Christmas movie and wrapped it with a pack of popcorn!

A new Santa Mug with 2 packets of Hot Coco, with 2 candy canes and a chocolate covered spoon to stir it with!

 

Also found some yummy Goldfish in "cupcake" flavor!

 

Tori also wanted one of my Cupcake Ornaments so I included one of those too! (see the tutorial here )

Then, I wrapped a few of the presents up, got it all to fit in the box and put some bubble bumpers in to keep things from getting crushed (I hope!)

A cool kid card and it is ready to go!! The outside of the box will have a sticker that says, "Do not open until Christmas Eve."

DIY Mod Dress for Girl - Sweater to dress Upcycle!!

 

So, I have this sweater that I picked up at a thrift store because I loved the color and especially the fringe! I was going to use it for a Halloween costume, but ended up going in another direction. This sweater was a bit stretched out and unflattering to begin with but I did love the color!!

Anywho, I didn't want to have the sweater go to waste (it was a REALLY soft wool!!) and I thought about making it into something else, since I am about the up-cycle!! I know my 5 year old is into the mod dresses, so I thought this would be a fun go!!


First thing I did was cut the arms off, right below the seams. I folded the shirt in half and then used a mod dress pattern piece from a summer dress and cut accordingly for the shape.

 

Once that was done, I turned inside out, and seamed the sides. I also took the sleeves and shorted them and turned them out to be re-attached.

 

 

And here is the dress finished and laid out - I am going to pair this dress with some black slouch boots and a long gold necklace...My daughter has really been getting into "accessories" lately!!