Seriously. Nescafe + Coffee-Mate - What else is better together?

This is a post and giveaway is sponsored by Nestle.  I was provided awesome product. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Can you smell it? Doesn't coffee smell amazing? How about adding a rich vanilla aroma? Yeah.  That's perfect. There are just some things in life that go better together. 

Peanut butter and jelly.

Macaroni and cheese.

Tacos and Tuesdays.

Bacon and... oh pffftttt, what DOESN'T bacon make a perfect marriage with?

BUT... what about coffee and cream? Even better.  What about Nescafe and Coffee-Mate. Together as one. 2 in 1.   Yes.  Yes.  Instant happiness and love in my life. 

Five shows I am watching on Netflix

Have I told you that I am obsessed with Netflix?

Okay. Maybe not OBSESSED with Netflix but I really am in love with Netflix.  I love the selection of shows, mini-series and movies available streaming via my Roku.  I also love that I am saving a TON of money.

Do you have a Roku device? It's freaking awesome.  I have two- one for my living room TV and one for my bedroom TV.  You can stream so many channels.  There are also hidden channels.  I am so glad I cut the cord.

I am on a dark show kind trip right now and have been watching the following five shows on Netflix:

Silent Sunday: Meditation Quote

How do you live beautifully?

This post has been sponsored by Global Influence but all opinions are my own.

How do you define beauty? Is it being aesthetically beautiful or is it being a beautiful person?

Admittedly, when I was younger I thought being beautiful meant looking like the women in the magazines.  The perfectly toned abs, the gorgeous faces and luxurious hair.  

My definition of beauty has definitely changed.  Being beautiful is inside and out.  We've all heard various versions but essentially, if a person isn't beautiful on the inside- their external beauty is negated by them being a horrible person.  It's very true! 

Drink DripDrop!

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks on behalf of DripDrop. All opinions are my own

 Living in the desert is brutal.  There are times that I feel like I am just not getting enough hydration and there are the days where I know I am not drinking enough.  On top of that, my daughter takes an epilepsy medication that can increase risk for dehydration and kidney stones.  I am constantly pushing her to drink. drink. drink. drink.  DripDrop is an innovative product created by a Mayo Clinic trained physician to help treat mild to moderate dehydration.

Brilliant.

Music Review: Mary Lambert "Heart on My Sleeve"

I participated in the Mary Lambert Heart On My Sleeve album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own


I will admit prior to receiving this album, I had not heard of Mary Lambert but I also don't listen to too much over the air radio.  I read her bio and learned she had worked with Macklemore as not only a writer but providing vocals for "Same Love". Mary Lambert is a supporter of gay rights and performed on the Grammy telecast while Queen Latifah married 33 couples.  She released a previous EP "Welcome to the Age of My Body"which scored her two Grammy nominations.

When I heard the opening track, "Secrets" I sat up and listened a little more closely.

Halloween Snacks: Mad Scientist Spinach Artichoke Dip

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpookySnacks

The mad scientist has been spending many hours toiling and brewing up many concoctions and conducting experiments with Halloween coming very soon.  However, the one thing that this mad scientist loves to create are Halloween snacks - namely a special dip for Wheat Thins.

Silent Sunday: October

 

Recipe: Smoked Sausage Penne Pasta

This post has been compensation by Hillshire Brands via Mom It Forward.  However, all opinions are mine.

Emma is crazy excited for Halloween.  She is going to be Alice in Wonderland and she keeps peeking at her costume every day.  It makes me giggle how she keeps holding it up to herself and seeing how she looks.  Do you remember doing that as a kid? I do.  Since I'm not supermom, she has a store bought costume but it's all good.  This is the first time in awhile that she is getting to dress up for Halloween and her excitement makes me smile.  She's earned it.


I found an awesome recipe using smoked sausage that was an absolutely winner! I purchased Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage from Safeway (dude, there's a sweet ecoupon available at Safeway.  Just go here and find the valuable coupons for Hillshire products in J4U.) and made this amazing one pot Smoked Sausage Penne Pasta adapted via America's Test Kitchen The Best Simple Recipes cookbook which I found out about thanks to Kevin & Amanda's blog.

Operation Declutter has commenced

It has been said that clutter is the sign of a cluttered mind.  I think there is definitely some truth to that.

When I have a million things going on in my head- ideas, dreams, deep thoughts, etc. - nothing gets done and I tend to put things in all kinds of odd places and it builds up.

I have not had a calm mind in quite some time but my mind has started to calm and the clarity and focus has started to return.  I don't know about you but when I am overwhelmed by clutter, I don't want to do a single thing.  I don't want to go to the park, the zoo, or anywhere.  I'd rather just sit and watch something on Netflix, go online or read a book.  In other words, I want to ignore it.

I have decided to begin "Operation Declutter".

We are Falling for the Lowest Priced Unlimited Plans

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Fall4Phones

I have been working extremely hard to achieve very specific goals in my life and there's nothing more exciting than starting to see some of the payoff.  One of my goals was to bring down some of my month-to-month expenses and one of the biggest money drains has been my cell phone bill.  I paid a lot of money for good cell phone service but it's ridiculous to spend $100 a month (that's WITH a corporate discount of 23%) for the same quality of services that I can get with Walmart's lowest priced unlimited plan for $34.88 a month.   So needless to say- I am so excited to be a Walmart Family Mobile ambassador and finally cut my ties with my contract plan (I was up for renewal this month and opted to discontinue my six year relationship with my old plan). I am saving $60 a month just by this change.  One little change that will get me closer to my goals of being rid of debt.

Pumpkin Days at Tolmachoff Farms

disclaimer: I was provided with free admission to facilitate this review but regardless, my opinions are my own.

One of the things that I do love about living in Phoenix is that we are so close to everything.  Want to go to the mountains and see snow for the winter? Drive a few hours north.  Want to go to Rocky Point, Mexico? Drive a few hours south! Want to go to California- westward ho! We are also very fortunate in that we have many local businesses that provide the community with farm local produce, eateries, events and products.  One of those local businesses is a family farm, Tolmachoff Farms.  They offer many seasonal events that are a lot of fun.

Sale Alert: Blogger and WordPress Blog Designs

My friend Natalie is an amazing blog designer and she is having a sale on custom blog designs and social network banners.  You all know that custom design work is NOT cheap and as you grow your blog, you want a design that is unique and true to your voice.  I know you don't want to see 10 blogs with the exact same design, so be sure to snatch this deal while it lasts!

Visit Natalie's site here and visit her on Facebook, too.

Let her know I sent you!

No disclaimer is needed :)
Not a contest or anything, I just want to share this great deal with you and spread the word about her blog designs! 








 

Assume the Fetal Position!

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you just want to raise your fists to to the sky and say "What does it all mean?". Maybe not say but rather... SCREAM like a mad woman/man?

Fall Cleaning with A+ Values

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.#APlusValues

I am really, really glad that summer is "officially" over and our temperatures are staying under 100.  Whew.  After pretty much hibernating all summer and it being TOO hot to do much of anything, the fall cool down is a nice respite and also time to get fall cleaning done- especially after all the major monsoon storms we have had recently.  I also have two goals I would like to achieve before next summer.  My first goal is to be able to purchase a patio home and my second goal is to be able to have enough work that I can leave my 9-to-5 job and work 100% from home.  Both require a lot of sacrifices and using grocery coupons on items I am going to buy anyways.  

Dodge City: Amish Cemetery

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and any purchases made, will help keep this blog going.

 

All photos of the Amish Cemetery are courtesy of Wayne Keller, used with his permission

Dodge City, Kansas has a rich and infamous history.  Many, many people are well aware of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and other famous lawmen and outlaws.  Kansas is also well known for its wheat and beef.  Kansas fed beef? Some of the best! Dodge City is now home to two major beef packing plants and southwest Kansas is also home to wind farms.  When people think of Kansas- their thoughts immediately go to Dorothy, Wizard of Oz and tornadoes.

What people don't know about is the history of the Amish settlement.