Blogorama Bonanza Remix 2012

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Swagbucks Spirit Week = More Free Stuff!!

Get your pom-poms ready, folks, because starting on Monday Swagbucks is holding Spirit Week!  Every day next week they will be celebrating a different holiday.  Each day will be filled with fun, activities, and surprises.  They'll be announcing every holiday the evening before in their Swagbucks blog.  Make sure you keep track of each day's Swag Codes, as you will need them at the end of the week in order to earn a big, juicy reward. It's the most fun you can have getting your reward points for free stuff!

If you haven't already signed up for Swagbucks what are you waiting for?! I average $300 a year in Amazon giftcards just from online searching! Just go HERE to sign up.

Have a Happy Valentines day with EdenFantasys.com

Can you believe that Valentines Day is right around the corner?! Seriously where is the time going, wasn't it just Christmas? Nope, sorry ladies it's time to start thinking about what you're going to do for your loved ones for Valentines day, or in my case start dropping some serious hints about what you want your significant other to get for you!

If you haven't checked out EdenFantasys.com now is the time to do so. No worries, they have a wide variety of products, they don't just sell sex toys! (But if that's what you're looking for, they've got you covered!) On the top of my Valentines Day list is the Indulge perfume by Cake. We actually ordered this perfume for my 17 year old sister for Christmas and it was her favorite gift!

I'm usually pretty wary of  ordering perfume online since you can't get an accurate description, but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box. The bottle is fairly large and super cute, the frosted glass and pink writing is a really nice touch. The scent is light and sweet, not at all overwhelming and from what my sister has told me one or two sprays lasts her all day! For $47.99 I don't think you'll find a better deal!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of EdenFantasys.com. I received one or more of the products mentioned or was compensated for this post. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Please be advised that while the images on Life Unexpected are family friendly and safe for work, many of the images on the EdenFantasys website are not suitable for views under the age of 18.

New blog on the block

Before I became a stay at home mom I was a preschool teacher. A few months before the twins arrived a coworker of mine, Kristin, had a beautiful (red headed!) son names John who she decided to stay home with as well. Kristin was one of those super crafty ladies always doing cute little projects with the kids and bringing all kinds of awesome baked goods in for us. Seriously guys she makes THE BEST cookies ever... and now she's started her own blog for her crafts!

Domesticated: Crafts, Food and Home

She's going to be sharing all her little crafty secrets, like how she make this adorable heart wreath for Valentines Day. Give her a follow I know you won't be disappointed, and maybe if we beg she'll give up some of her cookie recipes! (But I won't hold my breath)

Join me on Myfitnesspal.com

Was one of your New Years resolutions to lose weight this year? Then join me on Myfitnesspal.com and we'll help each other! You can log your food intact, water and exercise to make sure you're headed in the right direction. Believe me it's shocking how quickly all those calories add up!

Add me on My Fitness Pal, my username is Jessicalynn0826 we'll keep each other motivated and accountable. Here's to a healthier, (skinnier) new year!

Dear Mrs. Fields Cookies

Dear Mrs. Fields Cookies,

As I walked through the mall today my 3 year old spied your cookie shop at the entrance to the food court. Of course your shop is strategically placed so that every mother and child must walk by and be tempted with your sugar filled concoctions. Willow, just like every other child who walked by, asked if she could have a cookie and since she was sitting so nicely we decided to allow her to have one. She picked a sugar cookie with white icing and rainbow sprinkles and your sale lady happily handed it over to her.

Now here's what really annoys me about this whole situation. Your cookie shop does not have prices listed above any of your items. I guess I should have asked before committing to buy, but I assumed that your prices would be pretty on par with other treat shops and expected to pay $1.79-1.99 for a cookie. I was pretty shocked when that little sugar cookie rang up at $3.19 after it had been handed to my child. I had no choice but to pay for it since she had already given it to her and I would have looked like a royal bitch if I had told her no after I had already told her she could have it. For $3.19, I could have walked right across the food court and bought her 2 cookies or a fresh baked pastry from Panera, baked her 2 dozen cookies, or purchased a kids meal at McDonalds for the same price! I'm sure that your prices are not clearly stated because the majority of people are not willing to pay $3.19 for a single cookie. (Also your buy 6 get 2 free promotion is a joke with prices that high. $20 for 8 cookies?!)  I'm disappointed in you Mrs. Fields Cookies and we certainly will not be buying other treats from your shops, next time we'll be visiting Panera instead.

Thanks,
Jessica

Getting Organized - The Linen Closet

Like most of you one of my New Year Resolutions was to get more organized. When I opened our linen closet today things actually fell on me! Turns out Zach thinks that a "Linen Closet" is a place to through every last blanket, sheet, towel, toy etc that he can find. So I tackled our linens today to the best of my ability. I still need to get some new buckets for the wash clothes but it's a major start. Our linen closet is super tiny so it's a bit smooshed but we'll make it work.

Top shelf is for extra crib bedding,
2nd shelf is towels - adult, baby, bin for wash clothes (need to replace this bin it's actually for Willow's play food)
3rd shelf is extra comforters,
4th shelf is rolled blankets,
5th shelf is sheet sets folded into their pillow cases to keep them together
bottom is for our diapers and wipes stash (which obviously needs to be replenished)

A Little Pinsperation

I took a little break to spend some time with out family over the holidays but now we're back and ready to go! It's time to link up your favorite Pinterest finds from the past week. You can make it a theme, or not, the choice is totally up to you! Just join on the linky below and share with your friends. The more you share the more you'll find. Clicking on the picture will take you directly to the site with tutorials! As always you can follow me on Pinterest by using the button on the sidebar.

 

Red Ranch Potatoes only 2 Weight Watchers points!

Cheesy Baked Tomatoes only 1 Weight Watchers point!

DIY closet dividers, just tie with ribbon if your rod isn't removable

Metal cookie sheet covered in fabric = magnetic board

Flat Iron Experts KQC Red Devil Review

Since I never post pictures of myself on here I'll just go out and say it - I have some CRAZY hair. It's curly, poofy and has a mind of it's own. Most days I don't even bother with it, I just pull it up as soon as I get out of the shower and leave it there. However on the rare occasion that Zach and I do get to go out I like to straighten my hair and try to make it presentable. Over the years I've had to have owned 20 different flat irons in the attempt to find one that could tame the beast without frying it into submission. Right before the holidays Flat Iron Experts offered me the opportunity to review the KQC Red Devil Flat Iron and I jumped at the chance to try it out!

 Flat Iron Experts offers a wide selection of hair products from including curling irons, hair dryers, styling products, shampoo and of course flat irons. The KQC REd Devil Flat Iron includes the following features.

Professional Styling Iron with Ceramic TOURMALINE technology, plate width 1'' Produces a dark red color when it reaches the maximum temperature in less than 30 seconds Ultra powerful Korean Ceramic Heaters that provides precise and stable temperatures Tourmaline ceramic plates and multi-layer ceramic heating elements X-Heat generates negative ions to retain hair moisture and reduce frizz Far-infrared heat styles faster and softens hair Heats up in seconds Variable heat settings from 175� to 410� F Ergonomic design to straighten, flip or curl hair with a twist of the wrist For all hair types Creates a shiny, smooth finish Professional 360� swivel cord to prevent tangling AC 110V 60Hz for use in USA/Canada One year limited warranty

Here we go ladies, I'm about to post the most embarrassing picture of myself on the internet for all to see. This is what my hair looks like when it's been taken out of it's post shower updo. Don't say I didn't warn you!

We had a few holiday events to attend so I broke out the Red Devil to give it a try. The Red Devil heats quickly and evenly so there is no real wait time before you straighten. It did take a little a little bit longer to straighten than with other flat irons I've owned but my hair stayed straighter longer with no frizz. I'll gladly trade a little bit of time for hair that stays straight longer! I used the Red Devil before we went to see Trans Siberian Orchestra and this was the final product:

My Overall Opinion: 

The KQC Red Devil is a great straightener that leaves my hair smooth, shiny, and most importantly undamaged. While it take a little longer to straighten my hair with the Red Devil than with some of the other flat irons I have owned, I think that the longer lasting straight hair and lack of damage is worth the extra time. I'd definitely recommend the The KQC Red Devil from Flat Iron Experts to anyone who is in the market for a new hair straightener.

Where to buy:

The KQC Red Devil flat iron is available on Flat Iron Experts for $109. 95 with free shipping.

http://www.flatironexperts.com 

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Flat Iron Experts. I received one or more of the above mentioned products in exchange for a honest review. Your experience with Flat Iron Experts and their products may be different than my own. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Spiniach Lasagna Rolls - 4 Weight Watchers points!

 I'll admit it, I'm not much of a cook. If it wasn't for sandwichs and veggie corn dogs Willow would probably starve to death. Lately I've been venturing into making "grown up food" and my cooking skills are starting to improve. I found this recipe yesterday for these amazing low calorie Spinach Lasagna Rolls! We tried them tonight and everyone loved them, even Willow at one and asked for more. Each roll is only 4 Weight Watchers points so they're great for everyone who made the New Years Resolution to eat healthy or lose some weight.

Ingredients:
9 lasagna noodles, cooked
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained
15 oz fat free ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
salt and fresh pepper
32 oz tomato sauce
9 tbsp (about 3 oz) part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish.

Place a piece of wax paper on the counter and lay out lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry. Take 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture and spread evenly over noodle. Roll carefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles.

Ladle sauce over the noodles in the baking dish and top each one with 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese. Put foil over baking dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until cheese melts. Makes 9 rolls.

To serve, ladle a little sauce on the plate and top with lasagna roll.

Servings: 9 • Serving Size: 1 roll • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 6 ww pts
Calories: 224.9 • Fat: 5.1 g • Fiber: 3.4 g • Protein: 13.0 g • Carbs: 31.5