Get An Early Start On Your Holiday Cards With CardsDirect.com

We have been sending out holiday cards for many years now. It's a great way to send a nice message to those near and far to let them know they are thought of during the holiday season. Most of us can't buy every person we know a gift, so a card is a great gesture. I admit, some years I procrastinate wait way too long and my cards almost don't make it out on time. This year is different. I already have my cards ready for the recipients' addresses and a stamp. We do plan on having family photos taken and I will have them printed to include in the envelope.

We tried CardsDirect for the first time. The site is super easy to use and you can customize your cards to your liking. Whether you want to go with photo cards or standard cards, you will find exactly what you want. I went with a standard card this time around. The only reason I did not make photo cards this year is because as mentioned earlier, we still have to get family photos taken. The hardest part in the card ordering process is deciding from the thousands of styles. Seriously, I got to the point that I had to yell at myself to pick something fast! I decided on this beautiful design called the Grand Snowflake Tree. I always go for elegant and festive at the same time. What do you think?

There are several options that I had when ordering these cards. You can use the prewritten message inside or create your own. You are also able to choose from different fonts and can adjust the size and colors too. Also, for an extra fee, you can have the envelopes printed with your return address to make things a little easier. This means you don't have to put labels on or hand-write your address a million times. I am all for convenience and saving time. The quality of the cards can't be beat. They are super sturdy and are perfect to send out to family, friends, or coworkers. And if you own your own business, they are very professional looking and a great choice to send out to clients and colleagues. Another upgrade for an extra cost is the gold-lined envelope for that added look of elegance.

If you have been thinking about ordering personalized holiday cards, CardsDirect.com is your place to go. From now until 12/31/2016 you can get 15% off your order by using the discount code: MOMFILES16. Don't wait, get this done early so you can have it crossed off your to-do list. Not sure which card is right for you? You can order free samples especially since it's still early. You can see for yourself how good the quality really is.

Disclosure: I received cards for review purposes at no charge from CardsDirect.com. All opinions are my own as always. 

Give The Gift Of Home Chef For The Holidays ($50 Giveaway)

CLOSED- Winner is Ms. K 

One thing I feel we can all agree on is that we know that one person who seems to have everything. When it comes to buying a gift for them you are left with a huge burden of giving something meaningful that they will actually like or have use for. I have the ideal solution for that-- A Home Chef gift certificate. I did a full review last month in case you missed it. I think that anyone would love the gift of high quality ingredients that are pre-measured and ready to go to cook up your own gourmet meal at home.

You can personalize your tastes according to dietary needs or allergies to assure you get exactly what you want. This is such a great way to be able to experience new dishes you might not otherwise think to try. I absolutely loved the dishes I 'cheffed' up!

Parisian Bistro Steak with dauphinoise potatoes and green beans

Thai Red Curry Shrimp with jasmine rice and snow peas

Giving a Home Chef gift certificate makes the perfect gift for the holidays. I'm sure the recipient would be delighted. Who wouldn't want the gift of good food?
How would you like to try out Home Chef for yourself? I am thrilled to be able offer my wonderful readers the chance to win a Home Chef gift certificate valued at $50. This will cover the cost of 2 gourmet meals for 2 people. You can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on Nov 7, 2016. Follow Rafflecopter rules for entries to count. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to be awarded prize. Good luck!

Gift code for winner is provided by Home Chef. All opinions are my own as always.

I Finally Got Over My Biggest Cooking Fear

I have been cooking since I was about 10 years old. I had a natural passion for it and have not been afraid to experiment or try new things. The one thing I was not able to do was cook in a traditional stove top pressure cooker. The anxiety and fear was too much, so I avoided it at all cost. I wrote a post about it a couple years back and I cringe looking at it.

Fast forward to now. I have seen the whole Instant Pot pressure cooker craze circulating around social media, so I took a look and did some research. I added like 8 different ones from different brands to my wishlist. Honestly, I didn't think I would ever buy one. The fear was too real and I had no idea what an electric pressure cooker would do. Would it be noisy? Will it explode? I had a few blog friends buy one during one of those big Amazon one-day sales and they swore it was the greatest thing ever. One day I was looking on Amazon and decided to jump on the bandwagon take the plunge. After hours of comparing and researching, I settled on the Cuisinart brand. It was on sale for under $70 and roughly $20-30 less than the comparable Instant Pot. I added it to my cart and patiently waited for the delivery. When it arrived, pure joy and fear washed over me at the same time. I did not know what to expect.

I happened to have a chuck roast in the fridge to cook that day so I figured I would try my new pressure cooker out. I watched a couple YouTube videos so I could get a good idea of what to do. I managed to get the roast cooked and something really surprised me. Although I was scared to death the entire time, it turns out that the cooker doesn't make that evil hissing noise while on high pressure. I couldn't believe it! I managed to cooked a perfectly tender pot roast in half the time it would have taken on the stove top and learned I have nothing to fear. I have been missing out on this fabulous kitchen appliance all of this time! As a matter of fact, I've been cooking curry twice a week and it comes out perfect each time!

I have had my pressure cooker for a few months now and use it 3-5 times per week. It quickly became my absolute favorite appliance in the kitchen. Below are the reasons I love my Cuisinart pressure cooker:

• You can brown, saute, and simmer. 
• It can be used as a rice cooker and takes only 3 minutes too cook for white/basmati/Jasmine rice. 
• It has high and low pressure settings with timer.
• Keep warm feature is perfect for keeping food hot if you're not eating right away
• I use it even when not using the pressure option
• Even, fast cooking 
• You can make soups, stews, curry, chili and more. 
• Perfect size, not too big or too small
• Easy to clean with a non-stick pot. Didn't think I'd care for the non-stick surface, but it's really great.
• Self-locking lid prevents accidents. This helped with my fear
• The pressure knob can't pop off while cooking. You have to manually jiggle it and pull to get it off. 
• The texture of food doesn't change like it would using a slow cooker
• It is SO EASY to use
• Pretty stainless steel finish that shockingly stays clean 
• I AM NO LONGER AFRAID! YAY!! 

If you have been thinking about buying an electric pressure cooker or if you are scared to death of them, I highly recommend the Cuisinart CPC-600 6 Quart 1000 Watt Electric Pressure Cooker (Stainless Steel). I am going to purchase a second one so I can use them both at the same time. I know for a fact that this will be the most used appliance in my kitchen. I need to donate my old dinosaur pot now that I think about it.

This cooker would make a great gift for yourself, a wedding, house warming or for the holidays. Trust me, anyone would be thrilled to unwrap this from under the tree! If you are on the fence, you should try this one out. If you decide to purchase one, please let me know. 

**This post contains affiliate links.

Bring Out Your Inner Foodie With Home Chef

Have you noticed that meal subscriptions are on the rise? With back-to-school season in full swing, many parents are feeling the sting of being time-crunched. There are school functions, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Factor those things in with the commute to and from work/school, homework, and household duties and you have families who are beyond busy. Shopping for food can be a big chore for many. This is where Home Chef meal delivery service comes in to save the day.

Home Chef offers meals to suit everyone whether you are a big family, college student, or empty-nesters. You can tailor your tastes and family size which helps to have the correct portions and avoids food waste. When you go to the Home Chef site you will be directed to put in your email address and zip code. You are then able to put in payment information and set up your Taste Profile. You can specify which foods you want to avoid (great if you are vegetarian or have food allergies) and if you have special dietary needs like low-carb or low-calorie. Once you have your order in place, you will receive an email with a delivery confirmation date.

Your meal kits will come packed very well in ice packs and sealed properly to avoid any leakage or possible cross-contamination. You can tell a lot of care goes into packing orders.

Each meal comes complete with recipe and instruction card along with all of the ingredients that are pre-measured and portioned. The card lets you know what additional items you will need that you have on hand like salt, pepper, olive oil, pan, etc... 

The meal kits I received were the Thai Red Curry Shrimp with jasmine rice and snow peas and Parisian Bistro Steak with dauphinoise potatoes and green beans. Fancy, huh?

In your first order, you will receive a binder to keep your recipe cards organized. The cards come already hole-punched to make things easier. 

I am an avid cook and for those who know me, you know that I can do some magical things in the kitchen. It took a lot out of me to feel comfortable cooking something I thought might lack flavor. I decided to be open-minded and give Home Chef a chance. I am SO glad that I did! Both meals exceeded my expectations and tasted like they were from a high-end restaurant. Each dish runs around $9.95 per serving which is less than dining out at a fine establishment. 

The Parisian Bistro Steak with dauphinoise potatoes and green beans was amazing! The steaks were about 1 1/2 inch thick. I had to finish the cooking in the oven because they were too rare. I seasoned them with sea salt and cracked pepper according to the instructions and I'm glad I did. The sauce was full of flavor and any more seasoning would have ruined the dish. Those potatoes were everything! The Parmesan shavings added such good flavor along with the shallots, chives, and heavy cream. My advice is to follow the instructions and you will not go wrong at all. 

The Thai Red Curry Shrimp with jasmine rice and snow peas was so delicious and full of flavor as well. It tasted just like what I order at my favorite Asian Bistro without the hefty price tag. The shrimp were very fresh as well as the vegetables. I could eat this meal a few times a month and never get sick of it.

My overall opinion about Home Chef is very positive. The ingredients are super fresh and high quality. They even indicate on the recipe card a timeframe to cook your meals in the event you order multiple meals at once. This allows you to know what needs to be cooked first. Seriously, this makes meal planning a breeze. You are able to try different things to make meal time more interesting. I plan to order more meals in the near future since it saves so much time and money when you factor food delivery costs. I always thought these types of meal delivery services would break the bank and it really doesn't. Some exotic ingredients can cost an arm and a leg, but with Home Chef, they send you just what you need for your meal. This beats being stuck with an ingredient you may only use once or twice a year and end up throwing it away. 

What I really love is that you can send a gift card so you are able to share the gift of food with the people you love from far away. This is excellent if you have a college student living on campus and you want them to have healthy options. If you've been on the fence about trying this type of service, don't wait any longer. Give Home Chef a try and I feel like you won't be disappointed. This would be a great gift idea for the person who has everything. 

For more information about Home Chef, visit them at their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates and promotions. 

I received a promotional code to redeem towards meals from Home Chef. All opinions are 100% my own as always. 

Get Accessorized This Fall With JORD Wood Watches

Today's post is sponsored by JORD Wood Watches 

I seriously feel like the Summer has slipped on by and we are all getting prepped for Fall. I am already planning to get ahead on organizing my closet and clothing drawers. Since I stay at home all day, my wardrobe takes the back seat. I like to go through my husband's things first and make a running list of what he may need for the change of seasons. Thankfully, Fall is usually easiest to dress for and we mostly just add some accessories like new ties, belts, or cuff links. This Fall, my husband was lucky to receive a new JORD wood watch to add some flair to his wardrobe.

He has become very obsessed interested in wrist watches and JORD offers a unique twist on ordinary watches. Their watch bands are crafted out of various types and finishes of quality wood that really makes a statement. Each time my husband sports his wood watch, people stare and ask questions. The latest one in his new collection is from the Delmar Series in Dark Sandalwood & Blue Carbon.

This one is so masculine yet elegant looking and can be easily worn with casual attire, as well as his best business suits. You can't go wrong with a cool watch that can be paired with most outfits. This particular timepiece is available in a range of colors as well. At only $149, it is a great, affordable choice.

He is thrilled to break out his favorite sport coats this Fall and looks forward to showing off his new wrist candy. JORD Watches are not just for the fellas though. They have some beautiful selections in their women's collections. I noticed the trend of stacking watches and I really like it! Some of the wood watch bands and faces come in girlish hues like purple and plum. The watch design overall has a more feminine look. They have price points to suit your budget, starting as low as $129.

My husband is looking at some of the other colors and finishes in the Delmar Series. He feels like this style suits him well. I really like them too, but he will have to wait in line. I'm next up for a JORD Women's watch. These unique wrist watches would make the perfect give for any occasion or even as a "just because" gift. It's also not too early to start thinking about the upcoming holidays. Just like Summer breezed by, so will the next few months!

Ordering your new timepiece is easy, but choosing the one you love the most will take some time. It's so hard to decide with so many stunning choices! Once you get that narrowed down, you can download a watch sizing guide to get the perfect fit. You simply pick your watch, the correct size, and enter your shipping/payment information. In a matter of days, your JORD watch will arrive beautifully packaged and ready for wearing or gifting.

Be sure to follow JORD on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter for style inspiration, product updates, and more! Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions.

Fabulous Fall Beauty Finds For Back-To-School

Today we will be talking about hair care. I have a lot of hair and have to wash/dry/style way more often than I care to. Having such long hair takes so much time to care for and it has become a chore that I wish I could avoid. The part that takes me over the edge is blow drying. It takes approximately 35-40 minutes to get my hair completely dry. Well thankfully I have a solution. I found the BEST blow dryer that has changed everything for me. The Hot Tools® Turbo IONIC® Dryer is perfect for anyone looking for something small, fast, and effective!

This dryer is so powerful and brought my drying time from 35 minutes down to 10 minutes! That is a HUGE time saver and I no longer dread hair wash days. What makes it so great? This modern dryer with a narrow, European nozzle packs an impressive airflow with quiet operation. Its PRO-MOISTURE SYSTEM™ with ION TECHNOLOGY® is supplemented with Tourmaline to deliver a hydrating “spa treatment” for your hair — while fighting frizz and locking in moisture for supremely soft, manageable hair. The contemporary dryer also includes a concentrator with a narrow opening for precise drying. 

I am so impressed with how sleek and straight my hair comes out with no frizz. My younger daughter borrows it and loves how much drying time has been cut out for her. She has biracial hair and noticed how less poufy her hair was after drying. With the super compact design, this dryer is perfect for dorm rooms. I will warn you though, roommates will want to borrow it! You can find the Hot Tools® Turbo IONIC® Dryer at Ulta stores for $70. It is worth every penny if you are looking for professional quality at home.

Not enough time on shampoo days? No problem! Simply wash and go in one easy step with Pert Plus Classic Clean. I know the guys benefit most with this type of product since they don't spend nearly as much time on hair like the ladies do. I absolutely love the clean scent and how soft it makes my hair. You can find Pert Plus at drugstores nationwide for around $3.39 (13.5oz), $5.49 (25.4oz).

For hair that needs a little more help, consider the Infusium23 Moisture Replenisher Collection ($6.99 – $8.99, Target)

Designed for moisture-deprived hair, the Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher Collection is perfect to replenish your hair as you leave the beach and head back to school (or the carpool line). It is formulated with an exclusive blend of avocado and olive oil to lock in moisture and enhance shine, restoring dry and sun damaged hair in preparation for the fall. A unique i-23 Complex, enriched with provitamins, antioxidants, proteins and amino acids, instantly transforms dry, damaged tresses into soft, healthy-looking, more manageable hair, making it an essential collection to keep in your shower caddy. The collection includes Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Treatment.

I received product samples to facilitate an honest review. All opinions are my own as always.