Snacktastic Saturday: Pumpkin Spice Latte

With the Pumpkin Spice Latte season in full swing, it's hard to not want one. Luckily for me, I used to work in a cafe & know exactly how to make one!

How To:

•milk, frothed & heated (steamed is ideal, but not absolutely necessary)

•espresso or strong coffee

•pumpkin pie spice

•cinnamon

- Start by layering your froth in the bottom of your glass, reserving a small amount to top off your latte with.

- Slowly pour your heated (or steamed) milk down the side of your glass.

- Next, slowly pour your espresso down the center of your froth.

- Top off with remaining froth, pumpkin pie spice & cinnamon

UGLee Pen: An Ergonomic Pen Review & Giveaway

Ever notice your knuckles turn white when you're writing? Do you get "writer's cramp"? Ever thought it had something to do with the pen you're using? Of course not because it's just a pen, right? Wrong.

Introducing the UGLee Pen (Ultimate Grip Pen by Dr. James Lee, hence the name).

UGLee Pens because there's more than one in the picture...

"Dr. Lee received his BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University and his MD from Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Lee has done his share of writing throughout his academic and professional life. All of the writing required by medical school and physician training took its toll. After trying just about every pen and failing to find a truly comfortable one, Dr. Lee was determined to create his own. Known to even fire his own clay pens, Dr. Lee has experimented with just about every combination of shape, texture, material, and ink mixtures in search of the optimum combination for the 'Perfect Pen.' "

This ergonomic pen has a full size grip that seems to grip to you instead. (Ergonomics is the applied science to maximize productivity by minimizing operator discomfort.) I'll admit that at first it felt a bit awkward to use the UGLee Pen, but it's a lot thicker than the average pen. Mostly due to the grip, which has precisely placed indents for a more comfortable hold. And I found that when you don't have to "death grip" a pen, it definitely helps ease the minor (to sometime major) discomforts you can get with writing.

Want to try UGLee Pen for yourself?

 The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Thursday 9/19/13. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 9:00 a.m. on Thursday 9/19/13. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 24 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to UGLee Pen for distribution of product. If 24 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 24 hours to submit their information. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  Don't forget to follow UGLee Pen on facebook & twitter for the latest updates! 

 

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.

Snack TAXI Giveaway Winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to Tracy L.! Be sure to check your email.

Fun Friday: Finger Paint Artwork

Today was the first cold & rainy day of the season. So I decided that when the oldest two kids were home from school we were going to have some finger paint fun! Now I just have to get some frames to display them in (I'll occasionally change them out for new artwork.)

Think It Thursday: Birthday Party Planning

Come Tuesday, I'll have a 4 year old. So it seemed fitting to have the party the Saturday before. I had wanted to have an elaborate camping theme for the simple fact that I wanted to have a Smore's Bar. But a budget & scheduling (& now the weather) shot that idea down. 

But that's OK, he'll still have some of his favorite foods to eat & favorite people to share an evening with. (Yep, I'm doing a later party because of my 7 year old's soccer game & I'm a procrastinator by nature.)

Damien, soon to be 4 year old!

 

Can Do Kid: Review & Giveaway

In today's society, our kids need all the positive reinforcement they can get. They also need all of the nutrition they can get too. But did you know that you can find both of those in one place?

Since 2004, Can Do Kid has been helping kids be active, energize their minds & bodies & letting them know that they can do anything!

Two of my Can Do Kids enjoying their after school snack! (View it on Instagram)

 Deb Luster, the founder & president of Can Do Kid (her sister, Chris, is co-founder), was kind enough to send some Can Do Kid energy nutrition bars for my kids to try.

Available in Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Crunch & CAN-illa Vanilla (Chocolate Caramel coming soon). These are more than your average energy nutrition bars. Sure they're gluten free, all natural & packed with 17 essential vitamins & 9 grams of protein; but the taste is off the charts! I would tell you what flavor my kids loved the most, but they loved them all! And so did I (of course I had to try them too).

But my favorite thing about these bars, is that you actually get 2 mini bars in each package. Do you know what that means? No fighting over who got the bigger half! And that is music to this mama's ears!

I love the message on the back of these bars!

The best part about Can Do Kid, aside from the energy nutrition bars  for kids of course, is everything else they have to offer.

•Recipes from Can Do Moms

•Can Do Hero (for a chance to win a $100 educational scholarship every month)

•Can Do Kids Club

•& more!

They even have books that help build self esteem & multicultural awareness titled "I Can Do Anything!" & "I Am Happy Just The Way I Am".

Want to win a Can Do Kid Goodie Gift Basket full of Can Do Kids products (like books, bars & other fun things)?

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Tuesday 9/17/13. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday 9/17/13. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 24 hours to submit shipping information for distribution of product. If 24 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 24 hours to submit their information. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to follow Can Do Kid, Inc. on facebook & twitter for the latest updates!

 **Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Can Do Kid & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Work It Wednesday: 5 Fall Trends For The Everyday Woman

This may seem like a bit too early to think of, especially since I'm pretty sure we had a high temp of 90 today, but fall will be here before we know it. So here are some of the upcoming trends that any woman can enjoy!

1. Winter white

 

Product Info (via College Fashion): Sweater- ASOS, Jacket- Forever 21, Necklace- BaubleBar, Bag- Aeropostale, Boots- New Look, Skirt- Zara

2. Turtlenecks

3. Plaid

4. Shades of Green

5. Knit Beanies

Product Info (via College Fashion): Top Row- Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, ASOS | Bottom Row- Urban Outfitters, ASOS, Boohoo