Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow GIVEAWAY!!

Mother's Day Gift Giving Guide Idea: For the mom-to-be! 

There are many things that I do not miss about being pregnant and sleepless nights because I could not get comfortable tops the list!  The Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow has been a big hit with moms who appreciate not only the chic factor, but the fact that it alleviates two major issues pregnant women face - severe lower back pain and lack of sleep.

Below is an overview of why moms will love this unique gift:

        ·         Made with designer fabrics

·         Folds into a cube and used as a decorative pillow when not in use

·         Easily fits into a suitcase for travel

·         Proven to reduce back pain within the first few nights

·         Chosen by Disney as the #1 Pregnancy Essential

·         OB/GYNs across the U.S. recommend it for optimal sleep positioning

·       Yoga instructors use it in classes as a way to keep moms comfortably in place during their practice

·       Best-selling author of prenatal fitness books recommends it. She's an expert in body mechanics and promotes the pillow as a way to encourage side-sleeping as the safest position.

·         ECO FRIENDLY

·         Under $50

The product works by supporting your tummy and back while you sleep. Boy, do I wish I had one of these when I was pregnant! See more about how it works by watching a video demonstration here.

Buy it here: You can find a local retailer from the Utterly Yours website. They are also available on Amazon. They are available in a variety of great colors and different sizes. 

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win an Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow!! 

Mother's Day

I know it is 2 months away but I am already gearing up to show you some great products that you can either buy your mom or perhaps leave hints to your hubby/children so you can get some of these awesome goodies.

Wholesale Halloween Costumes Review

My son is obsessed with cheesy horror movies. His birthday is on July 13th...make that Friday the 13th. He is thrilled and we have been planning his horror-themed Friday the 13th party for a couple of months now. We decided it would be fun to encourage guests to wear costumes to the party to help fit in with the theme. Since stores are not selling them right now, it is great to have online stores like Wholesale Halloween Costumes to get our outfits. The online company sells a wide range of children and adult costumes from cute to scary.

Review: I was given the opportunity to review a Sexy Slaughterhouse Survivor Costume which I thought would be perfect for Jack's party. It is available in sizes small, medium, and large and retails at a discounted prices of $32.90.  It includes a blood-spattered dress, a bloody knife headband, bandages, a  fake blood bag, and torn stockings. I liked that all the necessary accessories were included.  

Ok, I had to have some fun with this one!

The dress was a thin costume-like material which was extremely comfortable to wear and will be perfect for a mid-July party (which tend to be very hot).  It is not very forgiving though so I had to pull out the old Spanx.  I was glad that it looked longer on me than on the model because it was a bit too "sexy" for my taste in the pictures.  I was really excited about the headband but it was quite painful to wear. It was not designed like a regular headband and the ends of it dug into the side of your head.  I am going to try and stretch it out some before the party because there is no way I could tolerate wearing it for more than a couple of minutes. The stockings and bandages were a fun accessory though I really did not understand the point of the blood bag so I probably will not wear it.  The stockings were pre-ripped and continue to tear with movement but luckily it just helps accentuate the look.   With some blood makeup accessories, I am looking forward to wearing this to our horror-themed party.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Land's End $100 Gift Card Sweepstakes!

Click on the button below to get started. Good luck!

By posting this link I am eligible to win a gift card myself so PLEASE enter!!

Foodie Friday: Frangelico Review

Frangelico is the original hazelnut liqueur. The company is working to re-introduce people to the brand and bring it out of that dusty liquor cabinet because Frangelico is surprisingly versatile and it is perfect to include in both cocktails and sweet/savoury creations. It is surprisingly light, and even though it is packed with delicious hazelnut flavor, it is extremely low in calories and can be enjoyed guilt-free!

Recipes

Cherries Flambé

1 ¼ oz Frangelico

2 spoonfuls sour cherry macerate

¾ oz Cherry Brandy

Shake hard, strain long over rocks or can be served up.  Served in a Collins glass.

Grilled Salmon With Lemon-Hazelnut Sauce

·         3/4 cup hazelnuts

·         4 to 6 (four-ounce) salmon steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick

·         Grated zest of 1 lemon

·         Juice of 1 large lemon

·         1/3 cup olive oil

·         1/3 cup Frangelico

·         1/4 cup shallots or sweet onion

·         2/3 cup white wine

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

1.       To roast hazelnuts: spread shelled nuts in a shallow pan and roast in a 275 ° F. oven for approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until skins crack. Remove from heat. Remove skins by rubbing warm hazelnuts in a towel. Coarsely chop hazelnuts (do not put in food processor); set aside.

2.       Wash salmon steaks and pat dry. Place skin down in a large glass dish or resealable plastic bag.

3.       In a bowl mix together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, Frangelico, shallots, white wine, salt, and pepper. Pour marinade over salmon steaks. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.

4.       Preheat barbecue grill. Remove salmon steaks from marinade and place onto a large piece of aluminum foil; place onto hot grill. Cover barbecue with lid, open any vents, and cook 8 to 12 minutes, basting with marinade occasionally, or until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 140 ° F (salmon will be slightly opaque in thickest part). Remember the salmon continues to cook after it is removed from the heat source. Carefully remove salmon from grill and transfer onto individual serving plates. Sprinkle with roasted hazelnuts and serve.

Hazelnut and Frangelico Chocolate Cake

10 ½ oz peeled and toasted hazelnuts

12 oz plain flour

6 large eggs, at room temperature

1lb caster sugar

2 level teaspoons baking powder

10 ½ oz unsalted butter, melted and cooled

4 fl oz milk

3 fl oz Frangelico

3 ½ oz dark chocolate, finely chopped

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1 teaspoon icing sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
2. Put the hazelnuts in a food processor and finely grind, ensuring that you don’t over process them or they will become oily. Tip into a bowl and mix with the flour.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, sugar and baking powder for about 10 minutes until very thick and mousse-like. Next, using a large metal spoon, lightly fold in the butter, milk and 25ml (1floz) of the Frangelico, followed by the nut-flour mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until well risen and golden, or when a fine skewer pushed into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave in the tin for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Discard the paper.
5. Using a fine skewer, carefully pierce holes all over the top of the cake, then trickle with the rest of the Frangelico. When the cake is completely cool, lift on to a plate, arrange the hazelnuts on top, put both the cocoa and icing sugar in a small sieve and lightly dust all over. Serve cut into wedges

Review: I have to say that I was quite impressed with the actual bottle. It is adorable and decorated, I assume, to look like a monk with a real rope around its "waist".   It had a really sweet smell to it. It had a sweet smell. Not fruit-like, but similar to baked goods (no complaints here).  I am not much of a liquor drinker and was anticipating a very strong and unpleasant taste but was completely surprised by the rich and delicious flavor.  I have been using hazelnut coffee creamer lately and it tasted very similar, yet had a smooth consistency.  I could immediately envision the benefits of cooking and baking with this liqueur and could see how it would be delicious in an iced coffee.

I was definitely up for trying it out in a cake recipe.  I had to make a few  substitutions.  I decided to make cupcakes instead so rather than using the topping according to the recipe, I used a mocha frosting.  Also, I had no idea was caster sugar was so I used regular sugar.  I used less of the hazelnuts as well which I think was a good choice.  The picture I was provided looked nothing like what I ended up with but it was delicious none-the-less. It didn't really end up being a chocolate cake, more of a yellow cake with chunks of chocolate and hazelnuts. I am not sure if I did something wrong or not but it was quite yummy. The Frangelico really made it moist and tasty and it was definitely an ingredient that I will use again. 

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

PrintRunner Post Card Giveaway!

PrintRunner.com was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later, their company became one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. Their commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at affordable price made their company grow to a well established online printing company.  PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in Chatsworth, California.

WIN IT HERE: 

PrintRunner offers many products including print postcards. Since the prices of stamps keep increasing, consider turning to post cards for things such as party invitations, save the dates, etc.  PrintRunner is offering the following giveaway to one lucky Cake Mom readers:

Details of the giveaway prize:    Postcards
            Postcard Size        :    Postcards 5x7
            Quantity        :    100
            Colors            :    4/0 Front Only Printing
            Paper            :    14 PT. UV Coating on Front,
            Rounded Corners     :    Yes
            Proof            :    None
            Ready to Ship In    :    4 Business Days


*Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.
Postcard claim information will be emailed to the winner in April.

Woolite Complete GIVEAWAY!!

Recently I had the pleasure of reviewing Woolite Complete (read my review here). It is a great laundry detergent and now you can win a full size bottle!

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a bottle of Woolite Complete laundry detergent!!

ecoSTORE USA Could Come to Walmart....With Your Help!

ecoSTORE USA has entrered in to the Walmart "GET ON THE SHELF" contest.  With your support from voting for their video they want you to help bring non-toxic, healthy products to the shelves of Walmart stores.

Go to their  video and vote daily for ecoSTORE USA.  You can also vote by texting 5413 to 383838.  Voting ends April 3rd.

I was not compensated for this post but am entered into a contest through ecoSTORE USA.

Movies on Demand: Young Adult GIVEAWAY!!

Movies On Demand, the service that allows you to watch a movie with just a push of a button, is excited to have Young Adult, starring Charlize Theron, join their list of available movies beginning March 13th. Academy Award®-winner Charlize Theron stars as Mavis Gary, former prom queen turned young adult novelist, who returns home to win back her high school sweetheart. When everything does not go according to plan, Mavis must face the harsh realities of growing up.

To help celebrate the availability of this movie, Movies on Demand is offering one lucky Cake Mom reader a Young Adult Prize Pack which includes the following great products to help you look and feel "young":

(1)Pink Tote Bag

(1) Leather Journal

(2) Stain Away Sticks

(1) Hair Brush

(1) Set of Mini Eye Gel Pads

(1) Pocket Mirror

  

Tide Pods Review

It’s been over 30 years since Tide changed the way we did laundry with liquid Tide –but Tide has innovated again with its newest laundry innovation, Tide Pods.  Tide Pods are a multi-dimensional laundry detergent that looks different than any other liquid or unit dose detergent in the market today.  The three chamber design allows the product to brighten, fight stains and clean – delivering a clean you can only expect from Tide.  What’s more is that the product features a best-in-class film that dissolves and works effectively in all water temperatures.

Simply place a pac into the drum of a front or top-loading washing machine before adding clothing – there’s no need to measure, pour or clean up messy spills.  It is available in the following scents: spring meadow, ocean mist, and mystic forest.

Review: I was given a sample of Tide Pods to review. I have tried other detergents that come in packs and, although I like the ease of use, I often find that the plastic film does not completely dissolve and it needs manually removed from the washer later.  This did not, however, happen with the Tide Pods as the film did completely dissolve as the company promised.  I found that the product did a really great job of cleaning clothes and it is much less messy than trying to measure and pour detergent. I do hope they come out with a sensitive skin formula, however, because my skin was a bit irritated by the detergent (which has happened with Tide detergents since I was a child). 

Buy it here: Use the store locator to find where you can find Tide Pods locally.

I was provided with the above mentioned sample for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own