Winner!!! And I'm Pooped.

Been All Tuckered Out

 

So I have picked a winner for the Firmoo Glasses Giveaway, I am just awaiting a confirmation. Check your inboxes!!

Sorry about the long wait y'all, but between a clingy two-year-old and work I haven't had a lot of time to get to a computer.

I do have a lot of items in to review for you guys, and updates on Halloween Costumes and Halloween activities and crafts. Exciting!

I'll check in here after I get a confirmation.

Wordless Wednesday

Recipe Success! And Other News

Yesterday I made the Halloween Oreo Pumpkin Cheesecakes I mentioned in a previous post, and I have to say they ROCKED! Even Lily loves them. She keeps saying, "Mama, cheesecake!" :)

So yes, if you are a pumpkin pie person like I am, those cheesecakes are awesome! And it really doesn't take a lot. I got a huge can of pumpkin, all I need is more cream cheese to make more!



Om nom nom

Lily is also starting to wear panties now. Yay! Of course as of right now she completely takes her underwear off, hands it to me, THEN goes potty.  We're working on it :)

I also have some reviews in progress for y'all to check out soon. Pretty excited about it! Some Kindle books and some nice Halloween stuff, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, don't forget to enter the Firmoo Giveaway. Low entries, ends soon!

Now off to run errands and finish up some chores. 

My New Favorite Shampoo/Conditioner

I've had problems finding shampoos that did my hair justice.  I have color-treated hair with split ends I really should cut but... well, I don't feel like it.  It's long, wavy-curly with heat-damage from straightening it frequently. Long story short, my hair has about had it with me and it was no longer cooperating with me.

I took $20 with me to Wal-Mart and told myself I was either going to chop my hair off or get some really nice hair products because obviously 98-cent bottles of shampoo weren't cutting it.

Okay, so $20 doesn't mean "really nice" hair products, but I was willing to pay more to make my hair more awesome. Give me a break.

Anyway, I walked into Wal-Mart and saw an installation for some new L'Oreal products.  I didn't think much about it and kept going to look at all of the shampoos to see what I can do.

 

There L'Oreal was again in the pretty black bottles.  I know product appearance is all about attracting a consumer to buy based on looks, but I picked up the $5.97 bottle of shampoo anyway. L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Restoring Shampoo.  Sounded good, so I picked up the corresponding conditioner, and figured I could top it off with the Damage-Erasing Balm as well.

Didn't pick up the Dry Oil that went with the set because I was on a budget. I also figured if everything else worked out I would go back and get it.

After my first wash I was AMAZED.  I followed the instructions on the bottle to a T (Just leave the stuff in 1-3 minutes each) and VIOLA! My hair was so soft and silky, and seriously, the split ends were GONE!

YAY!

So if you're looking for a nice affordable treatment for your damaged hair, I definitely suggest this L'Oreal shampoo/conditioner/balm/oil set.

Fun Foods For Fall

 

I've been looking all over the internet on Facebook, Pinterest, etc. trying to find some fun things to try this year.  These look like they would be great for parties, small get-togethers, football games, or even just because you can! I just wanted to share a few of them with y'all so you can try them, too!

Halloween Oreo Pumpkin Cheesecakes



http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/halloween-oreo-pumpkin-cheesecakes/



They look SO GOOD!  They are also very clever and kinda easy to bake. I am a pumpkin fanatic so I am SO ready to try these!

Fall Cheese Ball



http://www.familyfreshmeals.com



I found this on FamilyFreshMeals.com. They have a TON of other awesome recipes for year round use, but I loved this one! Just follow the link for the recipe and enjoy.

Cool Caramel Apples



While it isn't specifically a recipe, this is something I saw floating around Facebook. It's a totally cool idea for caramel apples, especially for already messy small children.  And messy adults, too :)

 

I would love to give credit where credit is due, so if anyone knows the origin of this fabulous idea, please share it with me :)

And don't forget...

Football Finger Foods!



Now at Cuteeverything.com there is already a list of some awesome game day ideas.  This one was just my favorite :) It's a pumpkin spice cake decorated like a football. There were also some mini subs that looked like footballs and were totally tasty looking to.  Check them out! That's also where I found the picture above.


That's it for now. I will definitely be finding (and trying) more to share.  Until then, Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday (Early)

Firmoo Glasses Site Review and Giveaway! Ends 9/17

For those who wear glasses and sunglasses, Firmoo.com is a great place to shop for trendy frame styles or just stick with your typical look for a great price.  Firmoo.com fills all your prescription glasses needs in regular and sunglass form. And as a great treat, first time customers get a pair free! It's an outrageous offer everyone should jump on, right?

Here is a message directly from Firmoo:

"Firmoo is the World's Most Popular Online Eyeglasses Store. We have always been committed ourselves to offering customers the best quality products at the most affordable prices which start at 8 dollars- 80%-90% lower compared to that in local store. Furthermore, Firmoo has launched First Pair Free Program for new customers to test our products and service for free by paying shipping only."

 

Pretty sweet, right?  I love sunglasses myself, and honestly do need to get my eyes checked for a new prescription. I always seem to put it off because glasses are so expensive. Fortunately, Firmoo.com makes it easy and affordable to shop for eye-ware!

Looking to order? Check out their awesome how-to page to get started!

And for my readers I give you a...

GIVEAWAY!  YAY!

This is a special giveaway because EVERYONE WILL WIN SOMETHING! All you have to do is enter!

Two lucky participants will win a free pair of glasses of their choice (from the Classic Series. Eyeglasses selected include frame plus 1.50 single vision lenses. Sunglasses selected include frame plus zero-powered lenses) (shipping not included.) If there are over 50 valid entries, a third pair will be given away.

To the rest of my awesome readers who enter, each will receive a 50% code that includes shipping. Sweet deal, right? Right!  Now get to entering!!

(*Giveaway is open to the following countries: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Italy, England, UAE, Bengal, Argentina, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Peru, Mexico, Ukraine and Israel, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Latvia, Romania, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Czech, Iceland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, South
Korean, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Poland, Hungary, Turkey and India.)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Links :)

Just wanted to share a few fun giveaways I've been entering.  I'll add more as I find 'em. Good luck to everyone!

Harvey Prince’s Eau de Creme Perfume

$75 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Joseph Joseph Cutting Board and Colander

$229 Nexus 7 Tablet – Low Rafflecopter Entrie Giveaway at HYBRID SUV – Ends 09/13/2013

New Layout, Picture Time, and Halloween Sneak-Peek

I think I am finished with the new design.  I kept the basics but added new images in the background and Title Banner.  I'm excited!

Now that the new design is finished things should hopefully start rolling again. Makes me feel better.

Fall is almost here, and that means caramel apples, pumpkin pie, the leaves turning red, gold, and orange, and pecan-picking.  Last year we picked a plethora of pecans! Here is Lily playing with them.

 

I'm so excited to try all of the Fall Crafts I've seen online.  I'm hoping to finish a post on all of them to share with you all.

And here is a sneak-peek of our Halloween outfits...

 

 

Halloween Hijinx



 I walked into Wal-Mart on September first to see the beginnings of Halloween shopping. I stopped dead (hehe) in my tracks and realized I was not prepared for this year. What was I going to do?! AHHH!!

Lily loves Halloween too!  October, 2012

Halloween has always been my favorite Holiday.  Sure, you get presents on Christmas, but for some reason the thought of dressing up and prancing around the neighborhood with friends and family gathering candy takes the cake for me.  What's better is now I can dress Lily up now, too!  Double the fun for the Mama!

Last year I did a costume review for Anytime Costumes (see review here) and dressed Lily Bud in a cute Lion costume once Halloween came around.  I was definitely more excited than she was! 

Last year I came up with my own costume on-the-fly as I honestly had let the idea slip past me.  Lily was taken care of so I didn't have too much to worry about.  Right?  Well, I ended up looking like a vampire pirate.  It was a little cool, but frustrating when I was totally uncomfortable walking up and down the street with everything falling off.

NOT THIS YEAR!

This year I have taken the early initiative to make sure my family is prepared for Halloween with a cute theme that is not only fun but affordable and comfortable. 

What theme is that, you ask?  Drumroll.... (badabadabadabadabada...)

Little Red Riding Hood!!!

 

Lily and I are going to be Red Riding Hoods and Joseph will be the Wolf.  Thought about being the grandma, but I already have some components of an adult Red Riding Hood costume and surprisingly none of the grandma.  Nope, no nightgowns, robes or slippers here.  Weird, huh?  Always preferred shorts and a t-shirt...

Anyway, for affordability's sake we went to the thrift store today and picked up some wicked-cute baskets for a dollar each for candy-holding and to transport goodies to Grandma's house.

Thrift store love <3



As I get more things together I will update here.

Does anyone have any tips on keeping Halloween affordable and fun? If so, totally share :)





Flashback Friday

Over the next few days My Little Lily Bud will be under construction.  In the mean time, I will do what I love most -- Post photos!  YAY! 

Did anyone miss my photos?

I am also working on getting some reviews up and running so keep an eye out for them.

A little bit of a backstory here to try and catch everyone up on my whereabouts:

Lily and I moved out of my grandmother's house and into a place of our own.  After many unforeseen circumstances I lost internet connection and then my computer broke. I started working full-time and lost track of everything.  Ended up moving to Alabama and have resided here with Lily and Joseph ever since.

In that time we have had some pretty good experiences.

                                                

We Have Returned!

After a long hiatus, Lily and I have returned to the world of blogging!  YAY!

It's been a long year and three months with a lot of loss, but we have gained a lot as well.  I will inform everyone when the time comes!

In the mean-time, I will leave a picture of my now two-year-old Lily.