Decadent Glazed Meyer Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

I had a sudden craving last week for a lemony treat. I thought about cookies, cupcakes, drinks and ended up deciding on pound cake. I searched recipes online and came across one by Martha Stewart. I used her recipe as a guide, but I tweaked it a bit. Instead of using standard lemons, I used organic Meyer lemons. I also used whole buttermilk instead of low-fat. I can't make a cake without pure vanilla extract, so I added some to mine. She used unsalted butter, I used salted. I also added some extra zest and vanilla extract to the glaze. The end result was moist, rich, melt-in-your-mouth, lemony goodness. The whole family loved it and I plan to make it again in the near future. I might make them as end-of-the-year gifts for the girls' teachers.

I shared the photos of my yummy cakes on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and received a lot of requests to share the recipe. Check it out below:

What you need:


1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened, plus more for pan
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
3/4 cup whole buttermilk
Zest of 3 Meyer lemons
1/3 cup fresh, organic Meyer lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs

For the Lemon Glaze you will need:
2 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
4-5 tablespoons of Meyer lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest


How to make it: 


Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in lower position. Butter and flour two standard size loaf pans or one tube pan.

Zest your lemons before you juice them. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk with Meyer lemon zest and juice. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three parts alternately with the buttermilk mixture in two, beginning and ending with flour; beat just until smooth (do not over mix). The batter will be very fluffy and thick.

Divide batter evenly between pans and smooth tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan. Turn out cakes onto a rack; cool completely before glazing.

While cakes are cooling, mix all of the glaze ingredients together. You can start with 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and add more as needed. You don't want your glaze super thin, just runny enough to *glaze* the cakes.
Set rack with cakes over a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Pour glaze over cakes, letting it run down the sides; let dry, about 30 minutes.

The glaze hardens up and the added zest gives it a stronger lemon flavor. I promise you that both loaves won't last long! Let me know if you try this recipe.

The Publix Running Out? RUN IN. event is back! | $25 gift card giveaway

**Closed** Winner is latanya

Do you ever get frustrated when you realize that you go to grab a roll of toilet paper only to find out you are on your last roll? Or maybe when you grab the toothpaste tube and can barely squeeze a drop out? I know that it drives me nuts and it seems like I always run out of some of the staple products all at once! Well the good news is that Publix Supermarket is running their Running Out? Run In. event to help you receive rewards for stocking up on participating items from General Mills and Procter & Gamble that you tend to use the most. 

From March 14th through March 20th, look for the Running Out? Run In. event at Publix to take advantage of great savings on some favorite brands from General Mills and Procter & Gamble, like Cheerios, Totino’s Pizza, Charmin and Crest. Plus, if you buy $25 of participating items during this event, you can mail in to receive a $5 Publix gift card to use on your next shopping trip! (For more details on this rebate, please visit www.runningoutrunin.com.) 

I am looking forward to stocking up on mostly non-perishable items including Tide, Charmin bath tissue, Crest toothpaste and Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner. Be sure to "like" the Publix Facebook page for updates on promotions and recipes.

How would you like to win a $25 Publix gift card to help you take of advantage of the Running Out? Run In. event? One lucky Momfiles reader will win it. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway  

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on March 15, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize. Please leave a valid email address in the event you are selected as a winner. Please follow giveaway rules or all entries will be disqualified. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck! 

The information, products and General Mills gift pack were provided by General Mills and Publix® through MyBlogSpark

More good stuff from our talented teen

I just had to share Brie's latest art project that she is working on for school. She is currently in an advanced class and has been given some challenging assignments. This particular one is a large sketch/drawing of an elderly lady with a scarf on her head. If you saw the original photo she is using to do this project, you would be amazed how close it is to the real thing. Her project is not done and she still has add her final touches. So far, it looks amazing!

She is such a talented young lady and we are so very proud of her! Brie attended a conference for high school students in journalism yesterday and her yearbook teacher submitted a layout she did for the yearbook for a contest. It turns out, she won! My girl has so much talent and she continues to amaze us. I always tell people that she is the girl I dreamed I could have been. Way to go, Brie!

NEW: Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash Review & Giveaway (3 winners)

I want to introduce you all to the latest product from the Dial® line of shower and bath products... NEW: Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash. The first thing that stands out to me is "coconut water". It takes me to a tropical paradise! The scent of this hydrating body wash is comparable to those from a boutique, very refreshing and rich. I love how well it lathers in the shower and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. My teenagers love it and have claimed the bottle from MY bathroom! Luckily, Dial body wash is widely available in grocery and drug stores everywhere.

Right now, Dial® is proud to introduce the Healthier Skin. Healthier You.® Sweepstakes featuring Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash. One lucky grand prize winner will receive $1,000, while 250 second place winners will receive free Coconut Water Body Wash. The contest is being held on the Dial® Facebook page and took me less than 25 seconds to enter!

How would you like to try the new Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash? 3 winners will each receive a coupon good for one FREE bottle of Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on March 16, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Dial Soap provided a free sample of Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash in exchange for a review. My participation is voluntary and my opinions, as always, are my own.

I love to iron and that makes ME crazy?

I have been seeing a lot of talk lately on Facebook and Twitter about ironing your clothes. I find is astonishing that a great majority of people don't even own an iron. Some said that they have one, but would have no idea of where to find it. There were a few, very few that religiously iron. I enjoy ironing. Each and every morning, I iron my husband's work clothes (even on jeans day). I can't wrap my mind around the thought of my husband going into work in a wrinkled shirt or trousers. I feel like it is a reflection on the type of housewife that I am. It's my job. Call me old-fashioned, because I am... and rather proud of it too. It's funny that others think I am the crazy one because I do iron! I am thinking they are the crazy ones for walking around with wrinkled clothing on.

About a month ago, my beloved purple Shark professional iron died on me. I was devastated. I only had it for a little over a year and it quit on me. I really didn't want to get a new iron because the one I had was everything I wanted in an iron. I knew I had to get a new one right away because I could not find my back-up iron. Hey, doesn't everyone have a back-up iron? *winks*

I went to Walmart which is where I got the last one and they were completely sold out of the one I wanted. I had to get an iron right away because... because I just had to! I went with a Hamilton Beach which I grunted and groaned about. I did not want that brand but the alternative was going to several other stores and that was not what I felt like doing. It cost me about $30 and you know what? It actually works quite well. I loved my 1600 watt iron and this one is 1500 watt. I don't really see any major difference except the last iron had a larger soleplate.  It has a super long cord and great steam action. It also has the auto shutoff feature if the unit is left on for 15 minutes unattended. It was a great purchase. I really hope it will last me at least a year. I might consider purchasing a second one as a back-up since it was so inexpensive.

Another item I bought was the Faultless Maxx starch in the spray bottle. I usually get the one in the can and I am now trying to figure out why I have been doing that all these years. The Faultless Maxx is awesome and does not spray unevenly like the aerosol cans do. It also has a nice, light fragrance and leaves a crisp finish. I am so happy with my purchases and always looking for ways to make my homemaking more pleasurable. If you are looking to buy a good iron at a decent price, I recommend the Hamilton Beach Professional Iron with the stainless steel plate as well as the Faultless Maxx starch.

P.S.- YOU better not be laughing at me! :)

This is not a sponsored post and I purchased the above items myself. I just wanted to share my thoughts since I loved the items so much.

See how Smooth Fitness is saving my family money! #SmoothBlogger

My family is on a very strict budget. If we don't have the extra cash for things, we just don't buy them. We have been members at our local health club for a few years on were on a special that was offered for a limited time. Of course, that limited time ended and the new price would have skyrocketed to $90 a month! With super high gas and food prices, we need an extra $90 each month. Also, with the kids' and husband's busy schedules, the gym membership was not being used like it should. We were throwing our money away because nobody had the time to go. 

Our Smooth Fitness treadmill came in right on time! We received it last week and  we were all eager to test it out.  My first impression when I saw it being hauled in by the delivery guys was, "WOW!" It was a lot bigger than what I was expecting.

My husband and I have been looking at treadmills for a while and most of what we have seen in the local stores were on the cheap side. They looked like even I could break it because of how lightweight they were. Our Smooth 5.65 Treadmill looks and feels like what you would see in a gym. We love that it can handle up to 300 pounds. It was important for us to have a high-quality machine since there will be 4 of us using it on a daily basis. Each family member has their own set of goals they want to achieve. Right now we are all in the process of starting off slowly to get our bodies conditioned for the goals we have planned for ourselves.

I love the very simple, user-friendly display. My husband experimented with one of the pre-programmed routines on the treadmill and he had to surrender after 15 minutes! He realized he needs to work up to that stage. His biggest goal is both weight loss and cardio strengthening. I plan to purchase a new bathroom scale so we can track his weight each week. Having this treadmill in our home is going to help him so much since work, college classes, being a dad and a husband often gets in the way of getting proper exercise. I want to see my husband around for a very long time! I will say this, so far one of the great side-effects of working out for my husband has been better sleep. He struggles with falling asleep at night and after only 3 days, he has been crashing hard! Of course we all know that the sleep is so important to be able to function properly each day.

Please come back in a couple weeks when I discuss through video, more about how the Smooth Fitness treadmill works. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Stay connected with Smooth fitness on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in a campaign as a Smooth Fitness Ambassador and will be reviewing a treadmill from Smooth Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts/opinions expressed are always my own.

Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser Review & Giveaway (3 winners)

If you have been a long time reader, you should know by now that I love to clean! One part of me still relies on the old school favorites like Soft Scrub. While this product has been around for quite some time, there have been some recent improvements that make it even better. NEW Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser has:

• All-new bottle design
• New cap for improved dispensing
• Improved formula with superior cleaning power

I really do love the bottle design and the ease of dispensing. You can beat a cleanser that can be used all over the house and it is tough on stains, yet gentle to surfaces. The new formula has a lot less residue and makes for easier rinsing. I really love the subtle lemon scent as well. I have used Soft Scrub to clean my stainless steel pots and pans and they are left sparkling! I love the nifty surface guide on the Soft Scrub website that helps you find the right product for all types of surfaces.

Be sure to "like" Soft Scrub on Facebook for product information and tips.

Would you like to try the new Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser? Three lucky Momfiles readers will win a coupon good for one FREE bottle of Soft Scrub (any variety, up to $3.49)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on March 2, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Soft Scrub provided a free sample of their Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser for this post. My participation is voluntary and my opinions, as always, are my own. 

Spend President's Day Weekend at Myrtle Beach with the "Presidential Perks Package"

Just in time for President's Day Weekend: Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts announces its "Presidential Perks Package" featuring two nights in an oceanfront condo on the world-famous Grand Strand at unprecedented rates.  Now is the perfect time to take advantage of a warm-weather beach vacation and enjoy an extended holiday weekend. Just looking at the photo below makes we want to go!

Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts Announces ‘Presidential Perks Package’

Offer Includes Two Nights of Discounted Oceanfront Accommodations
Over President’s Weekend

(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) – Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts (MBSR) – operator of the area’s premier oceanfront condo-hotel and vacation rental properties – announces the “Presidential Perks Package” featuring oceanfront accommodations and daily breakfast over the extended President’s Day Weekend starting at $172.

The package includes two nights in a one bedroom oceanview condo at Avista, Grande Shores, Horizon at 77th, Prince Resort or Seaside, daily breakfast and a box of the President’s favorite locally made salted caramels.

“The upcoming long holiday weekend is the ideal time for families, couples or girlfriends to take a winter break and enjoy the Grand Strand’s world-famous beaches and area attractions,” says Helen Staton, Director of Reservations for MBSR.

The offer is valid for stays booked February 13-18 and coincides with the Myrtle Beach Marathon and the 12th Annual Kidz Time Festival.

All lodging options provide easy access to dining, shopping, sugar sand beaches and other area attractions on the world-famous Grand Strand. The “Presidential Perks Package” is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a warm weather winter beach getaway.

Rates are based on double occupancy for a two night stay. Includes taxes, resort and processing fees.

For additional information and reservations: Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, (888) 571.4104

About Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts:

Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts is a collection of six oceanfront and ocean view condo-hotels in North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Avista Resort, Prince Resort, Horizon at 77th, Grande Shores, Seaside and the Towers at North Myrtle Beach all provide the comforts of full-service resort hotels with the space and luxury of condominiums.

Each property features modern décor that reflects a coastal lifestyle and breathtaking views of the pristine northern region of the world-famous Grand Strand. Elegant yet affordable, units are spacious one to three bedrooms with fully-equipped kitchens, washer / dryer, and private balconies. All hotels have fitness centers, an array of indoor and outdoor pools, on-site dining and access to world-class beaches.

For additional information: Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, (888) 571.4104

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends Review & Giveaway

For many years, I have been a big fan of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal. I have tried just about every variety except the newest addition, Tropical Blends Mango Coconut. This flavor has real coconut and mango flavored flakes combined into those signature "bunches" as well as real coconut shavings and the classic flakes that make Honey Bunches of Oats oh so yummy. I really do love anything with coconut or tropical fruit for that matter. The mango flavor was okay but I was not overly thrilled about it.  The cereal overall is still delicious and exactly what I would expect from this brand. I really like how much coconut was in it. Honestly, I would have loved to see it in a pineapple coconut flavor or just coconut alone.

I feel good feeding my family any cereal from the Honey Bunches of Oats family. It has a lot less sugar a lot of other cereals without sacrificing taste.

Honey Bunches of Oats Fruit Blends - Mango Coconut has:

• Four nutritious grains: rice, wheat, oats and corn
• Heart healthy** (0g trans fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol per serving)
• 10g of whole grain per serving†
• 9 essential vitamins and minerals

**Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and as low as possible in trans fat, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

†Nutritionists recommend eating 3 or more servings of whole grain foods per day. (About 16g whole grains per serving or at least 48g per day.)

Find out more about Honey Bunches of Oats on their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @HBOats 

Would you like to try the new Tropical Blends Mango Coconut? Three lucky Momfiles readers will win a coupon good for one FREE box of Honey Bunches of Oats (any variety, up to $4.49)a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on February 23, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Post provided a free sample of their Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends for this post. My participation is voluntary and my opinions, as always, are my own. 

Easy mid-week meal | Sausage Gumbo Recipe

As a busy mom, I do what I can to take the occasional shortcut at mealtime to help give myself a break. I cook dinner 5-6 times a week and sometimes I want to go with something quick. One of my go-to meals is a simple Sausage Gumbo. I have made traditional gumbo before and it took 2 hours! With this recipe, you don't need a lot of ingredients and the entire meal takes under 30 minutes to cook from start to finish.

All you need is:
1 package sausage of your choice
1& 1/2 cans of stewed tomatoes
1/2 bag of frozen sweet corn
1 bag of frozen cut okra
1/2 bag of frozen onion and pepper blend or you can use fresh if you want (frozen cuts out chopping time)
Ketchup
Sugar (optional)
Sriracha (optional)
Dried seasonings of your choice. I use my usual ones.
Rice of your choice (I use Jasmine)

I start off by putting my rice on to cook. Usually by the time it is done, the rest of the meal will be close to being finished. Next, I slice the sausage in circles and toss them in a heated pan with just a touch of oil. Brown the sausage to your liking and add in stewed tomatoes, okra, corn, onion and pepper mix and about 1/4 cup of ketchup. I add some dried seasonings at this point but avoid too much salt. I add a pinch or two of sugar and a few squirts of sriracha to balance it out. Now add some water. The amount will depend on how soupy you want your sauce. Usually around 3/4 cup works. Now you just simmer on medium heat until the okra gets tender. Taste for any additional seasonings and you are done! You can even add shrimp or chicken if you want to.

I like to bake some corn muffins sometimes and eat the gumbo as a soup without the rice. It's light yet filling and the family loves it.

Wordless Wednesday

Someone has gotten very tall...

Old Orchard Juices and Teas Review & Coupon Giveaway {5 winners}

Are you looking for ways to save on giving your family juice and drinks and not sacrifice quality and taste? Old Orchard frozen juice and tea concentrates might be the answer you are looking for.

Old Orchard offers many flavors to choose from including Southern Style Sweet Tea, Classics like Grape, Apple, Pineapple and Orange, as well as a variety of juice blends. I found the Old Orchard frozen concentrates at my local Walmart. There were so many to choose from! I picked out the Sweet Tea and the 100% Juice in Pineapple Orange. I really love the convenience of having a frozen concentrate for those times that we run out of drinks. The plastic containers can be microwaved if you are in a rush and recycled. Of course you can't go wrong with having less packaging. I plan to save the containers to use as seed starter pots for my Spring planting.

I mixed up the Pineapple Orange juice as directed on the container and enjoyed a glass of it with my breakfast this morning. For those calorie conscious folks, each serving of Old Orchard drinks have only 90 calories. Not bad at all! The taste? Absolutely delicious. I will have to keep a half dozen of assorted flavors in my freezer at all times. To find a store near you that carries Old Orchard frozen juice, go here. Stay connected with Old Orchard on Facebook and Twitter.

I have a set of 4 coupons for any variety of teas or juices for 5 Momfiles readers to win. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on February 14, 2013. Five winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Old Orchard provided me with coupons for FREE products in exchange for a product review. All thoughts/opinions expressed here are my own, as always.

The pros and cons of making a will online

With the prolific rise of the internet, it is possible to buy practically anything from the comfort of your own home. And it’s not just useful for its ability to allow you to buy a new pair of shoes or a new handbag; the World Wide Web has also paved the way for people to create legal documents online and even make a will.

Creating wills online is a modern phenomenon and being so new many people have concerns and reservations about the validity of creating a will via the internet. If you are thinking of making your will online as opposed to going to a bricks and mortar solicitor, you may want to take a look at the following pros and cons of online wills.

Less expensive
Making a will on the internet is considerably less expensive than having it made out by a professional solicitor. An online company that specialises in creating wills will generally charge a one-off fee for the service which would work out significantly cheaper than having a solicitor create the document as they usually charge by the hour at quite a hefty rate.
Further savings can be made when writing a will online as many companies offer discounts to people who get their friends and family signed up for the service too.

Quicker
It can take several months for a solicitor to draw up a will for you. Using the internet for the service can significantly reduce that amount of time, and you can even have a documented will and testament in as little as 15 minutes. Whilst this is only a sample will, and may need to be taken to a solicitor’s office to be verified, the bulk of the work will be done saving you time and money.

Less security
One of the main reasons we create a will is for peace of mind. It is important to remember that if a will has been created by somebody who is not deemed mentally capable then it is not legally valid. In this sense it is perhaps safer to personally interact with a professional solicitor to give you that additional peace of mind but many online services offer phone helplines and other services to help bridge this gap.

I'm a Smooth Fitness Ambassador #SmoothBlogger

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to announce that I am an official Smooth Fitness Ambassador. I will be receiving a new treadmill very soon to keep and review. Me and my husband have been talking about getting one for months now so this is perfect timing for us! I am not a big fan of working out in front of other people so the gym membership we had was wasted. This treadmill will be a great asset to our family.  

I will be posting about my family's experiences using our new treadmill over the course of the next four months. Each of us have our own fitness goals. My daughters want to keep their bodies conditioned for the sports season, my husband needs to lose some weight and I need to build up my strength. I turn 40 this year and really need to step my fitness game up. Here is what our folding treadmill will look like... 

I can't wait to share the details of this gorgeous machine and look forward to answering your questions as well. Connect with Smooth fitness on the web, Facebook and Twitter. 

I am participating in a campaign as a Smooth Fitness Ambassador and will be reviewing a treadmill from Smooth Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts/opinions expressed are always my own.

The newest additions that make me love homemakin' even more

Last week, I witnessed something horrific that I hope I never have to go through again. I watched the top heating element in my oven burn and spark from one end to the other. I was devastated. I use my oven almost daily... sometimes even up to 3 times a day. What was I going to do? I have nagged expressed to my husband over the last 3-4 years how much I would love to upgrade my range and have a convection oven. We made plans to do this next year but I had to do something soon. I searched online and looked at dozen of ranges from different stores. I already knew that the option of convection would more than likely not be in my price range. I was so surprised when I found one that was affordable . I went with a Frigidaire Speed-Bake range from Lowe's. I would have loved the smooth top but since I cook in cast iron pots and pans a few times a week, I knew it wouldn't be a good choice. I had to stick with the old school electric coils. I am SO happy with my purchase and since Sunday, I have baked different things a total of 8 times. Hey, I need to get my practice with the convection feature!

I am loving the gorgeous color I have been getting on my sweet baked goods and the less baking time as well. I just roasted a whole chicken today and it was perfectly brown and crust on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside.

Another item I got this week is the Silpain baking mat. I reviewed the Silpat late last year and was excited to see what the Silpain was like. Silpain is different from Silpat because the surface is like a fine mesh that is made specifically for baking doughs and breads. 

I made my Cheese Spinach & Artichoke Crescents on the Silpain and I could see the difference with how nice and crusty the crescents came out.

Of course, there was no sticking so I was very pleased with the results. I am already making a long list of things I want to bake in the very near future. I better make sure to incorporate some low-fat and healthy items with the desserts and pastry ideas I have in my head :)

I just had to share my newest kitchen toys. If you own a convection oven and have any tips you can share, I would greatly appreciate it!

Tide To Go Stain Eraser sure comes in handy!

I received some samples of Tide to Go Stain Erasers a while back to try out. We were heading out to a birthday party last weekend and being the mom I am, I made my little one eat something before we left the house. Of course, it would be 2 minutes before it was time to go when William dropped the last forkful of his lunch on his good shirt. I didn't have much time to iron a new shirt and change him so I remembered I had a Tide to go eraser stashed in my purse.

All I remember is repeating, "Please work, please work, please work!" I opened it up and folded the sides up as directed. As you can see below, I had a bit of an accident because I squeezed too hard and spilled the cleaner down his shirt!  Luckily it worked out just fine. The stain came out and we were out the door, looking sharp!

I gave my husband a couple of these to keep in his wallet for the occasional accidents he has at lunch. I can't tell you how many times he has come home with a stain on his shirt or tie. This is a great item to keep in your purse or wallet especially if you eat on the run.


Product Information: 

Instantly start to remove even tough grease stains while “on the go” with the Tide to Go Stain Eraser, a combination of a powerful cleaning solution that breaks stains down and a micro-fiber pad that lifts and absorbs them.

Available Sizes:
Tide to Go Original 1 ct, 4 ct &16 ct.


Stay connected to Tide on Facebook and Twitter

I received products samples from Tide and all opinions expressed are my own.

Hats Off to Helping Kids with Kohl’s Cares Books and Plush Toys for $5 Each

I have been a Kohl's shopper for several years now, ever since a store opened in my area. If you regularly shop at Kohl's Department stores, you might have noticed the Kohl's Cares stands over in the checkout areas featuring a series of children's books and plush toys for only $5 each. Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide. You can't go wrong with buying such good items for kids at a great price, and giving back to communities nationwide at the same time!

I have purchased both a book and plush toy in the past as birthday presents for younger children. The recipients always enjoyed the gift and the parents appreciated it a lot. In these days, $10 is a good deal for a birthday gift! It is also a great way to start a book collection for you own child. The books are really big and are a great value.

My son William is enjoying going through the pages of his new Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book along with his new coordinating plush character. 

For Spring 2013, Kohl's Department Stores is bringing the charming stories from legendary author Dr. Seuss to children and families across the country with playful and affordable books and plush toys that will delight readers with their magical rhymes and quirky illustrations. This spring, Kohl’s offers exclusive hardcover editions of classic Dr. Seuss books including The Cat in The Hat, Horton Hears a Who!, Sleep Book, ABC’s and Happy Birthday to You! along with coordinating plush toys for just $5 each through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Kohl’s Cares philanthropic program has raised more than $208 million for children’s health and education programs in local communities across the country.

Kohl’s will once again feature Dr. Seuss story books in the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Children will be enchanted as they learn to read the whimsical tales from Dr. Seuss, and customers will be proud to support the program knowing Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

Kohl’s Cares Cause Merchandise for Kids

• The Cat in The Hat and Cat in the Hat plush: Join Dick and Sally as they embark on an unexpected adventure with a giant cat wearing a hat, transforming a rainy day into a fun-filled afternoon. 
• Horton Hears a Who! and Horton plush: Children adore the story of loveable Horton, an elephant who hears a cry for help from a tiny speck of dust and does his best to protect the tiny creatures who live on it from those who see them as insignificant.
• Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book and Sleeps plush: The perfect bed time story that is sure to help everyone wind down from the hustle and bustle of the day – including the grown-ups!
• Dr. Seuss’s ABC book and Alligator plush: A quick and colorful way to learn the alphabet with Dr. Seuss and his colorful friends.
• ONLINE EXCLUSIVE - Happy Birthday to You!: Everyone loves their birthday and with Dr. Seuss’s joyous tale, readers will see firsthand the thrill of celebrating a birthday as it is done in Katroo.
• ONLINE EXCLUSIVE - Dr. Seuss’s ABC book’s Rhino plush: Fun to snuggle and huggle this adorable Rhino plush, kiddos will have a new friend to read with.

Kohl’s Cares Cause Merchandise for Grown-Ups

• Good Housekeeping Light & Healthy Cooking and Good Housekeeping Drop 5 Lbs: Spring into Healthy Eating with two great books! Following the treats and sweets from the holiday season, testing out new recipes from Good Housekeeping Light & Healthy Cooking and getting diet and healthy eating tips from Good Housekeeping Drop 5 Lbs is the perfect way to stay true to New Year resolutions.
• Dr. Seuss All Occasion Note Cards: As a thank you note or just to connect with a friend or loved one, these delightful all occasion note cards are sure to bring smiles to the faces of recipients with their colorful and quirky illustrations. 

In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl's Cares features a scholarship program, which recognizes more than 2,200 young volunteers each year with scholarships and prizes; the Associates in Action program, which encourages associate volunteerism and has donated more than $61 to youth-focused nonprofit organizations to date; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.kohlscorporation.com. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit Kohls.com ,  or join the discussion on Facebook  or Twitter

I received samples from the Kohl's Cares program in exchange for spreading the word on this great initiative. All opinions are completely my own. 

I swore I would never do it. I lied...

I have often talked about embracing my gray hair. I said I would never consider coloring my hair. I said I would let nature do what it wanted to. I lied. I am starting to freak out over all the gray hair popping up all through my jet black locks. Most people think I am crazy and don't notice my grays. I notice them. It looks like a silver fountain cascading at the top of my head. I don't like it. I just happened to qualify for a Klout Perk a couple weeks ago and it was for hair color by Revlon. I even got to choose the color. I am way too chicken to change the actual color of my hair so I chose black. I plan to cover my gray when I can get up the nerve to go through with it. I better check the expiration date on the package.

I think the whole turning 40 this year is freaking me out just a little bit.

Introducing Purex® Crystals for Baby {Review & Giveaway}

Hi everyone! I wanted to introduce you to the newest product in the popular line of  Purex Crystals, made specifically for babies. Purex Crystals for Baby was developed with babies' gentle skin in mind.

Just like the other Purex Crystals, they are 87% natural. You add the hypoallergenic, dye-free crystals directly with your laundry detergent. The scent is very soft and baby-inspired. I LOVE it! It's not overwhelming and our clothes came out so soft. Even if you don't have a baby, it is wonderful for all clothes, sheets and towels. It is a great addition to the Purex Baby detergent. Of course, you can't beat the great value! Purex Crystals for Baby would make a great add-on item for a baby shower gift. Purex Crystals for Baby will be available at Walmart stores in early February.

Right now you can enter Purex Crystals for Baby- Welcome to the World Sweepstakes. One grand prize winner will receive $1,000 while 250 additional winners get FREE Purex Crystals for Baby.

How would you like to win a coupon to try out the new Purex Crystals for Baby for FREE? Enter below (3 winners)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on February 3, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Crystals for Baby in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.