Holiday essentials from Vons + Gift card #giveaway! #Sponsored

This is not a paid post. I received a free basket of baking essentials + a gift card from Vons.
All views express are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

I love baking! I enjoy it throughout the year, but I especially love baking during the holiday season. There is something about the smell of fresh baked anything that just lights me up!

This year I did my holiday baking shopping at Vons. Vons has everything that I need to bake up some delicious goodness! 

Although I haven't quite settled on the final baking menu, I know for sure that I'll be making a Sweet Potato Cake, Gingerbread Cookies, 7-up Cake... and a few other mouthwatering goodies. 

And even though I'm very tempted to have a dessert only holiday, I will also be making some savory items as well.. and something green of course! But that's why I love Vons, they have everything I need to make a complete (well-balanced) meal, all year long. And they have a pretty good selection of organic items as well, which is impressive. 

Are you ready for the smell of holiday deliciousness to waft through your house? 

Will a $50 Vons/Safeway gift card help you get ready? If you need some encouragement... enter to win below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Idina Menzel - #HolidayWishes album review #O2O #Sponsored

I received a free download of this album through One2One Network.
All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

The holidays are here. I have to admit that I wasn't really ready. Part of me feels like the season doesn't begin until the music starts... and the music if officially in the building!

Idina Menzel has blessed the holiday season with her new album Holiday Wishes. And this album is truly a blessing!

Is it just me or does Idina have a magical voice? And yes I loved her way before she became Elsa... can you say RENT? This chick has some serious talent... her vocal cords must be made of diamonds!



This delightful album is composed of holiday classics like "All I want for Christmas is You," "Holly Jolly Christmas," and "Baby It's Cold Outside" which she sings along with what's his name... you know the crooner - Michael Bublé!

If you're looking for an album to add to your holiday music rotation... this is it! 

#HolidayWishes is in stores now. FYI: the Target edition of the album features two bonus tracks. You can also download it on iTunes and Amazon. 

Be sure to follow Idina on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube too!

Merry Christmas Giveaway Hop - $25 Amazon Gift Code

The Merry Christmas Giveaway hop is sponsored by 
Planet Weidknecht and Leah Says Views.

The hop will run from 11/28 - 12/8. 

Each of the participating blogs (linked below) will be hosting their own giveaways (with a minimum of $25). 

When I was thinking about what I wanted to giveaway I thought... why not the gift of choice? So you guessed it, I'm giving away a gift code to Amazon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit my bloggy friends (below) for more chances to win!

The Connect-2-Joy Diet begins on November 1st - Sign up today!

I have been blogging for several years now, but that's not all I do. I'm pretty sure I've never mentioned it here before... but I am also a Connection Coach.

With the holidays approaching fast, I thought I would give you an opportunity to do something radically different this year! In an effort to minimize the expansion of your waist, while reducing the clutter between your ears, I challenge you to take part in The Connect-2-Joy Diet. 

The Connect-2-Joy Diet is a 21-day untraditional diet, that consists of daily activities designed to cultivate more joy in your life.

How it works:

• You will be given a task every day for 21 consecutive days. 

• I will send out an email each week (Saturdays at 12:00am EST) outlining the tasks for that week. 

• There will be a private Facebook group so that we can connect with one another, share our joy, and hold each other accountable. 

• Every time you post a picture of yourself doing the daily activities on Facebook or Instagram using the #Connect2Joy hashtag (You can also send your pics via email if you prefer), you’ll be entered in the weekly prize drawing. Be sure to tag me in your photos so that I can give you proper credit.

• There will be a prize drawing at the end of weeks 1 & 2 for active participants.  And a special grand prize at the end of the challenge. The more you participate the greater your chances of winning ;-)

The Connect-2-Joy Diet begins on November 1st. Click here to sign up.

I would love it if you shared the challenge with your friends… I’ve even made it easy for you to spread the word!

Twitter:

Don't let the holidays fatten your waist, empty your wallet, and bog down your mind. Join the journey! #Connect2Joy  (click to tweet) 

A diet all about joy! It's about reconnecting with you + your life. 21 days - that's only 3 short weeks. #Connect2Joy  (click to tweet)

Facebook:

This diet is all about joy! It's about reconnecting with you + your life. 21 days - that's only three short weeks. You've got the time, so don't make any excuses. It's going to be great fun! And it's absolutely free! #Connect2Joy http://wp.me/P2udKF-IJ  

(copy + paste in FB)

Don't diet after the holidays have fattened your waist, emptied your wallet, and bogged down your mind, why not diet in advance? #Connect2Joy http://wp.me/P2udKF-IJ  

(copy + paste in FB)

I do hope that you’ll be joining me ❤︎ 

Feel free to peruse the blog on my website. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram.

Delicious Holiday Recipes from Safeway!

No compensation was received for this post.

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things about the holidays is the food! I love serving up delicious food, but I also get bored with food pretty easily. So I'm always on the look out for new and exciting recipes! 

 

Although Thanksgiving and Christmas are now in the rear view there is still one important holiday coming real soon... NEW YEAR'S! 

 

What's on your New Year's menu?

 

No clue, huh?  Well it's your lucky day because I have some meal ideas for you! Courtesy of my friends at Safeway/Vons.

 

Let's start with the main course... Cocktails!

Hot Gingered Pear-Wine Cider

3 cups canned unsweetened pear nectar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon minced crystallized ginger

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup dry Diablo Creek Sauvignon Blanc

Lemon slices (optional)

Serves 5 / Prep Time: 3 Minutes / Cook Time: 7 Minutes / Ready In: 10 Minutes

1. In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan over medium-high heat, mix pear nectar, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and wine. Cook, uncovered, until hot, about 7 minutes. (Or heat in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart microwave-safe container in a microwave oven at full (100%) power until hot, about 7 minutes.)
2. Pour cider into mugs or heat-proof glasses, and garnish each with a lemon slice. 

_____________________________________________

Now onto the second most important part of any good holiday meal... Dessert!

Pumpkin Truffle Pound Cake w/Browned Butter Icing

Cake  

2/3 cup (from 14-oz can) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated) 

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz) 

3 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour 

2 tsp. baking powder 

1 tsp. baking soda 

4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 

1/4 tsp. salt 

1 1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened 

1 cup granulated sugar 

1/2 cup packed brown sugar 

6 eggs 

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 

Icing  

1/4 cup butter (do not use margarine) 

1 cup powdered sugar 

1 tsp. vanilla 

1 to 2 tbsp. milk

Instructions

Prep Time: 25 min

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with shortening; lightly flour (or spray with baking spray with flour). In 1-quart saucepan, heat condensed milk and chocolate chips over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat; set aside.
2. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt until blended; set aside.
3. In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups butter, the granulated sugar and brown sugar with electric mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, beat in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with pumpkin until well blended (batter will be thick).
4. Spoon 2/3 of batter (about 5 cups) into pan, bringing batter up about 1 inch on tube and on outside edge of pan. Stir chocolate mixture; spoon into center of batter, being careful not to touch sides of pan. Spoon remaining cake batter (about 2 cups) over filling; smooth top.
5. Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean and center of crack is dry to touch. Cool cake in pan 15 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
6. Place cooled cake on serving plate. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Pour browned butter into medium bowl; stir in powdered sugar, vanilla and milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until spreadable (mixture will thicken as it cools). Let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly cool; stir. Drizzle over cake.

These delicious recipes are just the tip of the iceberg! For more delicious holiday inspired recipes visit Safeway's Recipes & Tips. You're sure to find just the right dish for you and your family!

  

No compensation was received for this post. Recipes provided by Safeway. 

All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Boys & Girls Club - BGCA Give the Gift of #GreatFutures

I participated in this campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Boy and Girls Club of America. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating. 

The Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) is an organization that's all about giving. This time of year they're inspiring us to connect with the true spirit of giving with their 3rd annual Give the Gift of Great Futures website.

Visit the site today and vote in the Kids Give Back Contest, which showcases BGCA kids giving back in their own communities. You can also create holiday gift tags with the Gift Tag Generator and pick up a few tips on how you can inspire your own children to give back in your community too!

BGCA has been a valuable resource in the lives of my daughter and nephew. They so enjoyed the summers that they spent at the club, going on field trips, doing crafts, and making new friends. The experience influenced them so much that my daughter went on to volunteer at our local Boys & Girls club and my nephew is now a BGCA employee!

Check out your local BGCA club website to find new and exciting ways to volunteer and connect in your community too! Click here to find a club near you.

All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Warner Bros. Spook-Tacular Movie GIVEAWAY! #Sponsored (CLOSED)

It's that time of year again....

I can hardly believe that Halloween is here already! The night air is beginning to chill. Ghouls and goblins are roaming about. Pumpkins are smashing onto the scene. And Warner Bros. is Spooking Up the place!

Over the years Warner Bros. has gathered a Spook-Tacular line up Halloween hits like "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," which happens to be my personal favorite, and "Bug's Bunny's Halloween Special." Do you have any of these titles in your personal collection?



Since Autumn is by far my favorite time of year and Halloween just happens to fall in this season, it's a great time to host a giveaway! I'm giving away one of the following movies to one lucky reader!

Enter to win one of these fabulous titles! 




Mandatory Entry:

Take the Which Spooky Family Are You? Quiz (on the app above) and leave your results in the comments. Be sure to include your name and email address.

Bonus Entries:

 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Become a Just Say I Told You So Facebook Fan
 (1) Subscribe to Just Say I Told You So via email (right side bar)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Pinterest

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Prize will be randomly chosen from the titles pictured above. Each household is only eligible to win (1) WB Spook-Tacular Family Movie. Winner will be selected at Random.org. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Prize will be provided by Warner Bros and mailed directly to the winner via FedEx or USPS. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond or else another winner will be selected. Giveaway ends on 10/27/13 at 11:59pm PST.

Energizer & Crayola - Lighting Up this Holiday Season

Thanksgiving was yesterday (I can hardly believe I'm already talking about it in the past tense), which means that you-know-what is right around the corner! A few weeks ago, I attended an event hosted by Energizer and Crayola, let me tell you they are planning to light up this holiday season!

My nephew practically spent the entire event mesmerized by the Digital Light Designer. It's like a dome shaped canvas, that allows you to create digital images with a stylus.

My sister really took to the Light-Up Tracing Pad.  The light behind the pad illuminates the paper so that you can trace detailed pictures. You can trace images from different scenes, making for a unique "collaboration!" I really enjoyed watching the children create stories with the Glow Book, paint masterpieces with the Magic Light Brush, and animated pictures on the Glow Dome.

But my true favorite, wasn't Crayola inspired at all, the Energizer Flameless Wax Candles. Made from paraffin wax but completely powered by Energizer batteries, they are the perfect way to create ambiance without the risk of real fire. The best part is they are scented! These candles come in multiple colors and sizes, plus they're outfitted with an LED light that will never need to be replaced. All you'll need is 3 AAA batteries to set the mood... I'm hooked!

Have you ever bought batteries just to have on reserve, only to find that they have no power when you're ready to use them? Well with Energizer that is now a problem of the past. Energizer Max batteries have a 10-year shelf life, so when you need them most they'll still have juice!

Look for the Power of Creativity label, when you purchase specially marked packs of Energizer batteries and you can save up to $20 on select Crayola products.

Be sure to check out the Energizer Facebook page for great tips and suggestions this holiday season.

I participated in this campaign through Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Energizer. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Winter's Coming Giveaway Hop

Welcome to

Winter's Coming Giveaway Hop

hosted by Planet Weidknecht and

Going Crazy!! Wanna Go??!!

Each blog on the list below has a giveaway for you to enter,

so after you enter mine, hop around the list and enter the other giveaways.

Each giveaway is worth at least $20.

Bundle up in your sweats, pull up a chair, 

and warm your fingers on the keyboard!

Begins November 1 at 12:01am and
Ends November 15 at 11:59pm.

My prize is...

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Winter Dream Tea Latte Gift Set

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

List of Participating Blogs:

Halloween is here!

So the month of SPOOKTOBER is coming to a close, but that means that Halloween is mañana.  For many trick-o-treating is not on the agenda for tomorrow night, so what is there to do instead you ask? Plenty!

I've had the pleasure of checking out several Halloween-ish activities this year:

Disney's Frankenweenie

This cute flick opened earlier this month. It's a love story really about a boy and his best friend, Sparky. Great for the kiddo's, not too scary (but use your descretion with the youngsters).




Hotel Transylvania

 

 

Talking about cute! I loved this movie. Adam Sandler has done it again. Definitely a great not-too-scary flick to catch on the 31st. The characters are memorable and it's a story that every parent can relate to.

 



 

If you live in the Los Angeles area, you know that there are plenty of things to do including:

 

The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor

 

 

 

We checked out this event for the very first time this year. There are six mazes total, we were able to experience three of them. Your heart will definitely race! In addition to the mazes there are spooky characters roaming the grounds and they don't miss an opportunity to scare the pants off you. I must warn: patience is required... the wait time for the mazes can be extreme.

I don't recommend this for children.

Last but certainly not least...

Delusions - The Blood Rite

Now this was AWESOME! This interactive play will have you running, screaming, and spooked out of your mind! Inside this haunted mansion you will encounter the unimaginable. This was by far my favorite Halloween adventure. Unfortunately, it's sold out.. but maybe you can check it out next year... if you dare. Adults only.

What will you be doing this Halloween?

Christmas Classics Blu-Ray Giveaway (CLOSED)

Halloween is next week and you know what that means don't you? Christmas is right around the corner!!! 

If you're like me, sometimes you need a little something extra to get you in the spirit of the season.  What better way to usher in the Holiday Season than cartoons?  When I was a kid I couldn't wait for the Original Christmas Classics to hit the small screen.  I would spend hours watching everything from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to Frosty the Snowman. I still get a little giddy thinking about it!

Let's start off the season right, shall we? 

Buy it: Make these classics a part of your family tradition too! Click here to shop the Christmas Classic catalog.

Win it: One lucky reader will win a 2-disk Blu-Ray Christmas Classic Pack ($44.95 SRP), which includes:

1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. Frosty the Snowman
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
4. Frosty Returns

Mandatory Entry: Leave me a comment telling me which  Original Christmas Classic is your favorite. Be sure to leave your name and email address.

Bonus Entries: Leave a separate comment for each (including your name and email address).

(1) Like The Original Christmas Classics on Facebook
(1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
(1) Become a Just Say I Told You So Facebook Fan
(1) Subscribe to Just Say I Told You So via email (in the right side bar at the top)
(1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Pinterest

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and CAN. Winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on 11/05/12.

Sonos Wireless HiFi System

Father's Day is less than a week away. What do you get the Dad who has everything? Well there isn't a man on the planet who isn't having an affair with technology. They will do anything to get their hands on the next best gadget. Well Target (or the red store as my nephew calls it) has just the thing... Sonos Wireless HiFi System

This system will allow your favorite Dad to connect directly to the Internet, giving him access to infinite music possibilities!  He'll be able to stream his entire music catalog wirelessly, and he can even control his Sonos Wireless HiFi System with his smartphone or tablet.  

Sonos Play:3 is compact with three integrated speakers and three digital amps.  It may be small but the sound is BIG.  .

Sonos Play:5 has five speakers and five digital amps. It delivers BIG sound to large rooms.  With five speakers you can have great sound in every room in the house.

With multiple speakers you can play a different song or station in each room. Both systems are satellite radio ready and the speakers can be mounted on the wall. See for yourself:



Now through June 16th you'll get a $30 Target gift card when you purchase the Sonos Play:3 Wireless HiFi System. Even better, you'll get a $40 Target gift card when you purchase the Sonos Play:4 Wireless HiFi System.

I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and I am eligible for a prize drawing. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Heat Up Your Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is less than a month away and since it's all about love, I'm going to share the love with you!

BeeSavy "takes the sting out of shopping online!" You'll find the best online prices at BeeSavy, plus you'll get cash back on all your purchases. As if that's not enough, you'll also earn cash back on everybody you refer to BeeSavy Too!

Here's where the love comes in... BeeSavy is giving away a Kindle Fire for Valentine's Day!

Enter to win:

Renuzit Fresh Accents Holiday Air Freshener - review and coupon giveaway

The holidays are approaching at light speed and Renuzit is all over it! They have introduced their new line, Renuzit Fresh Accents, just in time for the holidays.

I received Festive Snow and Winter Berry to review and OMG! They smell soooo good! The design is cute and blend right into the decor. I placed the Winter Berry in my teenaged daughter's room (did I mention that she can be a bit "disorganized?") to freshen up the place.  The smells in the room of a teenager can go from interesting to downright ridiculous, but to my surprise the aroma was delightful! You know what else? The fragrance lasts for 30 days, no plugs or batteries. Renuzit knows what they're doing!

Since I have fallen head-over-heels for Fresh Accents, I'm going to share the love! Renuzit has been kind enough to give me two coupons for a free Fresh Accents Holiday Air Freshener to giveaway to one lucky winner!

Mandatory Entry: Leave comment below (including your email address) telling me what scent reminds you of the holidays.

Bonus Entries:
 (1) Like Renuzit on Facebook
 (1) Like Just Say I Told So on Facebook
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Leave a comment on an older Just Say I Told You So Post

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States only. The winner will be chosen by random.org. The winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.  Giveaway ends on November 11th at 11:59 PST

I received free Renuzit Fresh Accents from Purex Insiders.  I was not required to write a positive review, this is solely the opinion of Just Say I Told You So!

International No Diet Day

Today is International No Diet Day! 


International No Diet Day was created in 1992 my Mary Evans Young, a British feminist who wanted to promote healthy eating, while respecting the fact that we all have different body types.  Mary herself  is a recovered anorexic and was alarmed at the lengths that people, especially women, would go to lose weight. After watching a TV program about women getting their stomach staples and hearing about a 15 year old girl who committed suicide because she could no longer stand being fat, Mary decided that something needed to be done - International Diet Day (INDD) was born. 

Mary Evans Young

In honor of INDD don't worry about dieting today, just enjoy living! While food is obviously essential to the nourishment of our bodies, unhealthy dieting can be detrimental to our mental and physical health. 


Today is a great day to practice awareness.  Pay attention to the way your body feels when you eat. Allow the flavors to dance around your mouth and linger on every single taste bud.  For one day allow yourself to enjoy the experience of eating.  Don't overindulge, over-think, or judge yourself, not today.  Just for today...enjoy!