Family * Travel * Food

DIY Spoiled Pup 'Howliday' Gift #TreatThePups

Today's post is sponsored by Lunchbox

It is the holiday season and the days are going fast! Like me, you have probably finished all of your shopping or are hopefully close to it. The one family member we make certain to include is our dog, Rocco. He spends his days protecting our home and keeping me company during the day, so I make sure I treat him extra special during the holidays.

This year I wanted to give him the gift of treats and toys. I decided that instead of putting everything in a basket or bag, I'd use an inexpensive dog bed instead. What dog wouldn't love having an extra comfy space to lounge?


The thing I love most about this little DIY gift is that you don't have to have any special talent to do it. All you will need is a few toys, a blanket, a dog bed or basket, a glass jar, festive stickers, ribbon, and of course, TREATS! I used Rocco's favorites including: Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni and Milo’s Kitchen from Walmart.


I found some cute chalkboard adhesive labels and snowflake stickers in the craft store to personalize a plain glass jar to keep treats in.  This would be a simple thing to do for the neighbor's dogs- just add treats and a festive ribbon. I used mini Milk-Bones in Rocco's jar because they are wholesome and delicious treats I feel good about giving. Isn't it cute?


I put all of the items together in the little dog bed and it really came together nicely. You see, you don't need to have any special talent to make a thoughtful gift for your dog. I used some festive ribbon to make the whole thing look holiday-ish. I'm pretty sure that Rocco will sniff these treats out when Christmas morning rolls around. Pup-Peroni is his top favorite and Real Meat is the #1 ingredient, along with a mouthwatering aroma that dogs simply can't resist. I like to get the 2-pound bag from Walmart so we have plenty on hand to share with the neighbor's dogs at the fence each day. 


You can get more great ideas and inspiration for DIY crafts you can make for your dog this holiday season. And don't forget to stock up on Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni and Milo's Kitchen treats from Walmart. They are the perfect gift addition for any dog.

So how do you plan to #TreatThePups this year?
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IHOP Holiday Menu Available Until Jan 3

Families and friends coming together at IHOP® Restaurants can enjoy the tastes of the season with new holiday items and returning holiday favorites to the menu, starting November 9.

In addition to the return of the seasonal favorite Caramel Bon Bon Pancakes, guests can indulge in IHOP restaurant’s newest innovation: Banana Bread French Toast which brings the warm, beloved taste of rich banana bread grilled in vanilla French Toast batter and topped with the sweetness of caramel sauce.
Pumpkin is one of the most popular flavors of the holiday season, and this year, IHOP restaurants is giving pumpkin lovers a host of new dishes to choose from, including: Pumpkin Spice Waffles, Chicken & Pumpkin Spice Waffles or Pumpkin Waffle Sundaes.

Guests can also enjoy holiday beverages from IHOP restaurants, including Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate and Pumpkin Coffee. And friends and family can come to IHOP for the traditional holiday lunch or dinner of Roasted Turkey with all the favorite trimmings.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, participating IHOP restaurants throughout the country will be decked out in festive IHOP branded decorations and playing holiday music to provide the perfect backdrop for a wonderful holiday meal.



These menu items will be available at participating IHOP restaurants from now through January 3
·NEW Banana Bread French Toast - Banana bread with cinnamon bits, dipped in our vanilla French toast batter, then grilled and topped with caramel sauce, powdered sugar and whipped topping.

·NEW Pumpkin Spice Waffle - Our Belgian waffle made with real pumpkin, sprinkled with pumpkin spice sugar and whipped topping.

·NEW Chicken & Pumpkin Spice Waffle - Our Belgian waffle made with real pumpkin, topped with pumpkin spice sugar and candied pecans. Served with all white meat crispy chicken.

·NEW Pumpkin Waffle Sundae - Our Belgian waffle made with real pumpkin, topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans and pumpkin spice sugar.

·NEW Roasted Turkey & Fixings - Sliced roasted turkey breast topped with warm gravy.  Served with cornbread stuffing, Parmesan mashed potatoes, steamed fresh broccoli & a side of Lingonberries.

·Caramel Bon Bon Pancakes - Buttermilk pancakes layered with Dulce de Leche cream then topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and whipped topping.

·Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate - Hot chocolate flavored with Toasted Marshmallow syrup, finished with whipped topping and finished with cocoa powder.

·Pumpkin Coffee - IHOP restaurants’ 100% Arabica International House Roast Original™ coffee with a touch of pumpkin syrup, made with real pumpkin, and then crowned with whipped topping and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar.

Grab your family and friends and head to your nearest IHOP soon!
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Holiday Gift Guide: Keep your feet extra comfy with #ISOTONER Signature Slippers #ad

I have been a house slipper wearer for almost 3 decades now. They are a must when I am standing up to wash dishes, cook and other household chores. Wearing the right slippers is very important since my feet really need the extra support. The ISOTONER Signature line offers me exactly what I need. The  ISOTONER Signature Women's Woodlands Sonja Microsuede Hoodback Slippers are very cute and boy do they feel super comfy and warm! They come in a variety of colors: Ash, Black, Buckskin, Chili Pepper, Chocolate, Navy Blue and Vino. 
I have them in black and I just love how they look. My feet feel like they are wrapped in a warm blanket with added cushion. 
I went away to Myrtle Beach recently and I was so glad I packed my ISOTONER Sonja slippers in my bag. They are so cute oceanfront, aren't they?
Details:

- Comfortable hoodback slipper silhouette
- Supple faux fur lining
- Experience the overall style and comfort of ISOTONER Signature Woodlands slippers, inspired by your favorite vacation escape
- Woodlands slippers offer great colors, plush detailing and comfort-to-go styling
- ResponsIV™ Memory Foam Plus molds to your feet for comfort
- Extra EVA heel cushion to absorb impact
- Durable indoor/outdoor sole

I really do love how durable the sole is because I can run out to the mailbox or let the dog out without having to change into traditional shoes. These slippers are truly the best ones I have ever owned. I have had several pairs in the past by Isotoner, but these are my favorite. I have hinted around to my daughters that I need the navy blue and vino so I don't wear out my black ones too fast. ISOTONER slippers make the perfect holiday gift and I am sure Mom would agree! You can find them at a variety of retail stores as well as on the ISOTONER website. They sell for $30, but are currently on sale for $19.99 on the website. As a matter of fact, since most of the slippers are on sale right now, this is a great time to buy a practical gift for the women in your life or even for yourself. My daughters keep eyeing mine so Santa might just drop a pair off in their stockings.

Connect with ISOTONER on Facebook for product promotions and updates.

I received a complimentary pair of ISOTONER slippers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 
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Try out Bojangles' Seasoned Deep Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving (Giveaway) #TisTheSeasoning #ad

I have always wanted to have a deep fried turkey for Thanksgiving, but I am scared to death to actually cook one. I think I have seen enough horror stories on the news to keep me from every attempting it on my own. Did you know that Bojangles' offers seasoned deep fried turkeys for the holidays? Bojangles' wants to do the hard work for you by cooking your turkey so you can have more time with your family and friends. After all, isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?

You can pre-order Bojangles’ Seasoned Fried Turkeys by visiting one of the participating stores. Customers who take home the turkey the same day their order is placed will also receive a bonus $5 Bojangles’ gift card. Those who’d like to pre-order and wait to pick up their tasty turkey can wait until as late as noon on Thanksgiving Day. Bojangles’ Seasoned Fried Turkeys are a customer favorite—often they sell out even prior to Thanksgiving day so the sooner the order is placed the better! The turkeys are sold for $39.99. Each turkey weighs in at 10 to 13 pounds and feeds six to eight people. The turkeys come ready to cook—customers can simply take it home, heat and serve.

All Bojangles’ locations offering Seasoned Fried Turkeys can provide a full Thanksgiving meal, complete with made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and family-sized fixin’s such as mashed potatoes, mac ‘n cheese, green beans, Seasoned Fries, Cajun Pintos ® and Dirty Rice® and sweet desserts like Bo-Berry Biscuits®, Cinnamon Pecan Twists and individual Sweet Potato Pies.

Customers can find out if their Bojangles’ is offering the popular Seasoned Fried Turkeys by visiting the bojangles.com/locator and calling their local store. In addition to Seasoned Fried Turkeys, customers can add the delicious taste of Bojangles’ seasonings to every holiday meal by purchasing Bojangles’ pre-packaged French Fry Seasoning at participating locations beginning Monday, Nov. 24. This makes me so happy because I am a huge fan of their seasoned fries! Customers and enthusiasts are invited to share their Bojangles’ seasoned dishes and holiday memories with the hashtag #TisTheSeasoning.

I think the Bojangles' offerings are perfect for office parties, potluck suppers and of course, at home with your family and friends. To get you prepared for Thanksgiving, the folks from Bojangles' have provided me with a $20 gift card to give away to one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on November 21, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.

Disclosure: I received complimentary items from Bojangles' to help promote their holiday offerings. All opinions are my own as always.
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Holiday menu items at @IHOP now through January 1st

The holiday season has begun, and what better way to start it than by enjoying a terrific meal at your local IHOP restaurant, which has once again introduced special holiday signature pancakes and heart-warming traditional favorites along with a sweet new desert!

Beginning November 3 and extending all the way through January 1, 2015, IHOP restaurants will be the perfect place to get together with friends and family to celebrate the holidays, take a well-deserved and delicious break from holiday shopping and preparations, or just spend time together making new holiday memories.

To capture the magic of the season in a delicious way, IHOP restaurants will be offering guests their version of a season’s greeting with 3 delicious holiday hotcakes:

· New Caramel Bon Bon Pancakes: A sweet treat of buttermilk pancakes layered with dulce de leche cream then topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and whipped topping.

· New Pumpkin Cheesecake Pancakes: Our most popular seasonal pumpkin pancakes filled with luscious cheesecake bites and topped with creamy whipped topping.

· Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Pancakes - The return of last year’s favorite holiday signature pancake: Buttermilk pancakes filled with sweet white chocolate chips then crowned with raspberry topping, cream cheese icing and whipped topping.

And once again, IHOP restaurants will feature Traditional and Craveable Holiday Dinners & Dessert:

· Classic Ham Dinner: A seasonal favorite made with hickory smoked ham, glazed with sweet caramel sauce and topped with cinnamon apples. Served with sweet potato fries and broccoli.

· Classic Roasted Turkey Dinner: Sliced roasted turkey breast, layered on a bed of stuffing and topped with warm turkey gravy. Served with mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon and a side of lingonberry jam

· Belgian Chocolate Mousse Crepe: Light and fluffy Belgian Chocolate mousse folded into a cool crepe and topped with raspberries, whipped topping and powdered sugar.

“At IHOP, we truly love the holiday season, and what better way to share that love than by creating meals that are sure to make new holiday memories for our guests,” said Marie Grimm, Vice President of Menu Development and Innovation at International House of Pancakes, LLC. “This year, we’re celebrating the season by capturing both the sweet and hearty tastes that make this time of year so special.”

In addition, once again this year, every IHOP restaurant will be decorated with uniquely IHOP branded decorations, including IHOP ornaments and wrapping paper.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.IHOP.com. Follow IHOP on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.
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Check out the Minted 2013 Holiday Card Collection


I feel like the holiday season has gotten here so quickly and it almost feels like time is running out. I do my best to always show family and friends that I am thinking about them at Christmas and New Year's through a greeting card. Nothing says "I care" more than personal photos and sweet messages. Minted offers so many options for every taste from their 2013 holiday card collection. We did not have time to take any organized holiday photos this year so I thought about a collage of photos from different occasions we took throughout the year. I think this one below would be a great choice. I love how you can personalize your family's name as well as the colors.
I have noticed the hot trend in holiday cards have been the Ornament cards. How adorable is this one? Makes me wish everyone sent these out! They would be so cute in our Christmas tree.
Minted.com has such a user friendly platform. It makes the stress of ordering cards less of a headache. I love the variety, color options and styles. There is still plenty of time to order those cards. Check out Minted on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

I will receive a thank you code redeemable for items from Minted.com for spreading the word about their 2013 Holiday Card Collection. 
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Make your own LEGO Minifigure Family

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LEGO for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are any of your kids a fan of LEGO building sets? My daughters loved them when they were younger and my son is really getting into them lately. He has a LEGO kit in mind and is hoping Santa will leave it under the tree for Christmas. LEGO has the neatest site called LEGO Minifigure Family. You can make your very own LEGO family! The site is so easy to use and not only were we able to create each family member, we also got to include our pet. We could never leave out our little Milo! It is neat that you can choose skin tones, facial features and of course, outfits for each family member.
Little William was mesmerized watching me build our family out of virtual LEGOS. He was tickled to pick out his very own outfit. I think he makes a mighty handsome Santa! I loved the background choices.  I fell in love with the very classic family room during Christmas background. I had such fun making this that I am using in for my Facebook cover photo. I know you want to go make your very own LEGO Minifigure Family. Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday season! 
Visit Sponsor's Site
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Throw a party, New York Style #thethingtobring

The holiday season is officially here and this means lots of gatherings and parties! I received a fabulous hostess set from New York Style snacks to get me ready for entertaining this holiday season. Did you know they have a brand new look? I think it is so festive and fun! They also came out with some delicious varieties in their Sweet Swirls line; Cinnabon and Chocolate. They are incredibly delicious! They have the perfect balance of crunch, crispiness and sweetness. I do like that they are not too sweet. 
Let's not get started on how much I love the Pita Chips. I may or may not have eaten an entire bag by myself in under 24 hours. I'll never tell! 

New York Style snacks are so versatile since you can eat them as is or create your own recipes with virtually any variety. I had to bring something to my son's class family feast last week and decided to make something with some NY Style snacks. I went with the Garlic Parmesan Panetini and the Roasted Garlic Bagel Crisps. I came up with a very simple idea that looked quite festive. A simple smear of plain cream cheese on each crisp, topped off with a super thin slice of English cucumber and a few dried cranberries. It was a big hit! You got the salty and savory garlic and cheese flavor from the base and the sweet and creamy textures from the toppings. It was a perfect combination! 
The parents at the family feast loved this simple appetizer and want to make them for their next gathering. The possibilities for toppings or dips are endless! If you take a peek on the New York Style website, you can find a lot of recipe ideas to try.

Be sure to connect with New York Style on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and Instagram for product updates, recipes and more! Happy Entertaining!
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Carmex Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection (Review & Giveaway)

I have a confession. I am addicted to Carmex products. I apply it several times a day and haven't gone a day without it for at least 10 years. I keep them everywhere! I dare not wear my lip color without a couple swipes of Carmex lip balm on as a base. As a Carmex Blog Squad member, I was thrilled to receive the Limited Edition Moisture Plus Collection. I adore the super cute, feminine designs! 
What makes these Moisture Plus sticks even more fun is that they each have their own personality. If you go to www.mycarmex.com/uniquelyyou, you can take a quiz to find out what stick matches your style. Here is what I got from taking the quiz:

Your Style Is: Chic
You’re a classic, refined beauty with sophisticated taste.

Your personal style is the envy of your friends—you know what you like, and you are rarely swayed in your taste by new fads or trends that come and go. Your closet is filled with black and white wardrobe staples: crisp white shirts, black pencil skirts, and perfectly-tailored sheaths and trousers. Garish colors and loud prints are particularly offensive to you, and you prefer to keep your makeup tasteful and classic: a swath of winged black eyeliner and a classic red lip channel old-Hollywood glamour without being over-the-top. You idolize the sophisticated, classic beauty of style icons like Coco Chanel and Jackie Kennedy.

I really like the smooth application of the stick as well as the soft vanilla flavor. It's truly a girly kind of lip balm. These sticks would make great stocking stuffers, teacher or co-worker gifts as well as a fun "just because" gift. They can be purchased at Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Family Dollar and Dollar General stores.

How would you like to win the entire collection for yourself? Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on December 7, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize.  Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I received product samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.
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2013 Hess Toy Truck & Tractor on sale now! Just in time for the holidays

We have a special tradition in our home that has gone on since before my son was born. He has received a Hess collector toy truck every Christmas from his grandpa. Of course he could not play with them until he was old enough to know what to do with them. Every Christmas morning, his dad would have to test out William's new truck. I think my husband had more fun with it than anyone else! We have everything from tractor trailers, motorcycles, jet planes and even a super cool helicopter.

This year Hess is offering the 2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor set. William loves tractors and diggers so he will love this one!
The toy truck comes with Energizer batteries so that is one less purchase you have to make. What kid (or adult) wouldn't love to be able to play with a toy right away? One of the things I love about the Hess trucks is how well made they are. They have so many great details and features to ensure many years of fun playing time. I am thrilled that you can order these toys online, because the 2 Hess stations in my area closed down.
Here are some of the details:

The 2013 Hess toy truck is a beautifully chrome detailed truck and trailer with loading ramp, custom designed to haul a versatile, self-propelled tractor.

Truck Features Include:

45 lights that work in flash or steady mode
Hidden, extendable rear loading ramp with sound effects
4 realistic sounds: ignition/idle, horn, backup alert, hydraulic lift
The self-propelled, multipurpose tractor has both front and rear buckets, and a fully motorized rubber track to take on the toughest terrain!

Tractor Features Include:

15 working lights
Motorized forward / reverse motion
Locking front bucket with release button
360° swiveling back bucket

The 2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor can be ordered now at www.hesstoytruck.com. It goes on sale November 8 at participating Hess and Hess Express retail stores. It retails for $27.99 plus tax (plus shipping for online orders)
Connect with Hess Express on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
I received a toy truck for review purposes. All opinions are my own as always. No other compensation was received. 
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Give the Gift of Happiness this Holiday Season with Kohl’s Cares Classic Peanuts Storybooks

Give the gift that will leave the whole family grinning from ear-to-ear this holiday season with delightful and affordable gifts from the Kohl’s Cares merchandise collection the beloved Peanuts storybooks by renowned author Charles M. Schulz . Now through the end of December, Kohl’s is offering exclusive hardcover editions of Peanuts classics, including A Charlie Brown Christmas, You Can Be Anything, Be Yourself!, Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, a 2-pack of Happiness is a Warm Puppy and Christmas is Together, along with coordinating plush toys, for just $5 each through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program.

Kids and parents alike will cherish the time spent snuggling up with these nostalgic story books, and everyone can feel good knowing that Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide. Since the program began in 2000, the Kohl’s Cares philanthropic program has raised more than $231 million for children’s health and education programs in local communities across the country.

In addition, Kohl’s has something to help everyone get in the holiday spirit and spread Christmas cheer this year:

Holiday Cheer: Make sure the halls are decked and everyone is jolly this holiday season with the perfect book for holiday recipes, decorating, entertaining and gift ideas. The go-to holiday handbook this season is filled with tips and tricks from Good Housekeeping, Redbook & Country Living, makes the perfect hostess gift for holiday parties and festivities.

Upon the Winter Solstice: Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD: Delight in the holiday spirit with the sounds of this year’s CD from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Grab one for the car, the home and the office to spread the holiday cheer!

Peanuts Jigsaw Puzzle: Wrap up in a blanket, pour a cup of cocoa and get to work assembling a jigsaw puzzle with artwork from the classic Peanuts storybooks. It is the perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season.
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Have you tried the new Cool Whip Frosting yet? #coolwhip

Did you know that Cool Whip now makes frosting? I was thrilled when I first heard about it on the Facebook page and couldn't wait to try it! Lucky for me, my friends from Kraft Foods sent some in all three flavors-- Chocolate, Vanilla and Cream Cheese.
So far, we have tried the cream cheese variety on triple chocolate cupcakes, with sprinkles. We all loved it! It had a nice cream cheese flavor and had that amazing "whipped" texture you can only get from Cool Whip. 
Next up, vanilla on red velvet cupcakes. I know you are thinking, "why didn't you use the cream cheese on the red velvet and the vanilla on the chocolate?" Eh, I figured why not! We all preferred the vanilla flavor over the cream cheese and have yet to try the chocolate. I anticipate that will be very soon since there are two teenage girls that reside in our home bugging me half to death requesting we try it asap!
I am thinking about making a white cake with the chocolate variety and possibly a carrot cake for the cream cheese flavor. If you love Cool Whip, you will really love the new frosting! It is so easy to use and it is delicious!

Have you tried the new Cool Whip Frosting yet?
Shelly, Mom Files
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